CHAPTER TWENTY

Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Elusive Dreams – PART III"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult situations and language

Summary: Story #9 in the Salvation series. The bonds of family bring the Five-0 ohana even closer.

Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the property of the author!

Date Written: November 6, 2012

(Libby is still sitting in her SUV when Steve and Mike appear. Mike takes one look at his wife's pale face and immediately becomes concerned."

"Libby, what on Earth is wrong?"

"I finally managed to get a few minutes alone with Sam and she told me her pregnancy test was negative, that the doctor thought what happened last night was a result of the stress she's been under recently, but I'm not so sure. She said that she desperately wanted to move past all this but couldn't and that it scared her. She told me she had decided to talk with Capt. Stewart."

"She told me that this morning after we left the hospital, Libby. We agreed that it was a good idea."

(Libby looks directly at Steve as soon as he makes his this comment and something in her expression gives him pause.)

"Ask her if she still intends to talk to him, Steve."

(Both Steve and Mike hear the thread of concern in Libby's voice and they exchange uneasy looks.)

"What are you getting at, Libby?"

"One minute Sam was opening up, she was telling me she thought it was time to talk to a therapist about Anne's and Jonathan's deaths, and the next . . . It was as if she was two different people. I literally watched her change right in front of me, and that's when it hit me . . . Michael, I want you to think very carefully. Have you, from the point in time when you walked in the house the day after Anne and Jonathan were killed up until this very moment, ever seen Sam really cry over their deaths? Do you ever remember one, single conversation either of us have ever had with her when we discussed their deaths in detail? Do you remember Sam ever going to their graves or saying that she did? . . Steve, has Sam ever talked with you about Anne's and Jonathan's deaths in any detail?"

(The silence stretches on as both men do as Libby asked and really think about the questions she posed. Their expressions change as they realize that the answer to every one of Libby's questions is a definite 'no', and they are both beginning to see where she's going with her line of reasoning.)

"Sam is, and has been, in denial about Anne's and Jonathan's deaths all these years, and I think this is why she's having the nightmares again. Samantha has never allowed herself to truly grieve for her parents, she's never talked about them, she's never visited their graves, she's had no closure. If I'm right, Steve, she's going to tell you that she's changed her mind; that she doesn't want, doesn't need to talk with Capt. Stewart or anyone else. She's going to say that she's fine; that it was nothing more than stress. She's wrong, Steve. Sam needs to face this; not run from it, and it's going to be up to you to make her understand that. She needs you, Son, more than she's ever needed you before. Mike and I will be right here with both of you. This isn't going to be easy on any of us, especially you and Sam, but that sweet child will never have a moment's peace until she comes to terms with her parents' deaths."

(Steve is completely struck dumb and can only stare at his mother-in-law in shock. He realizes, however that what Libby is saying may have some merit because she's right; Sam only gave him the very barest of details about the deaths of her biological parents, they've never discussed them, he's never been to their graves at Arlington and, as far as he knows, Sam's never been there, either. Turning away from Libby and Mike and walking about four feet, Steve stares off into the distance for a few minutes before running his hand through his hair in frustration and turning back to them with his hands on his hips.)

"I need to talk to Sam. Will you two stay here with Emily for a while?"

"Of course, we will, Steve, but do you think now is the best time to do this? I mean, it is Saturday and Sam seems to be doing reasonably well for the moment. Besides, I seriously doubt you'll be able to speak with Capt. Stewart today. Are you sure you don't want to wait until Monday?"

"I'm not sure of anything right now, Mike. I don't want Sam to have to go through any more nightmares, but I also don't want to push her into anything she's not ready for. If you're right, Libby, this is going to be very hard on Sam; she's been suppressing a lot of strong emotions for a very long time."

"Yes, but she's a strong person, Steve, and she has you and Emily."

"And you and Mike. Sam has a lot of people who love her."

"Yes, she does, and we'll all help her get through this."

(The object of their discussion walks through the front door and out to Libby's SUV with a genuine expression of concern on her beautiful face.)

"Everything okay out here?"

"Just fine, dear. Have you girls decided where you want to have lunch?"

"Actually, Mom, we thought we'd let you pick the restaurant."

"Why don't we let Caroline decide? After all, it's been a while since she's had the chance to go out to eat. Let's go inside and see where she wants to go."

(And Libby links her arm with Sam's and the two women head inside. Mike turns toward Steve to find a worried frown on his son-in-law's face and places a fatherly hand on the younger man's shoulder as they slowly follow their wives.)

"We'll get through this, Son, and Sam will be fine."

"I hope so, Mike; I really hope so."