CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
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: February 6, 2013
AUTHOR'S NOTE: My daughter's surgery was successful and she is well on her way to a full recovery, thank God! Her sister also has the condition, but she has a very mild issue and the doctor's don't think any surgery will be required. Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement during the past couple of months, and for your patience and understanding, as well. I'm going to do my best to continue this story in a manner that will be entertaining for you all. Michelle
(After Sam's statement that her family is "off-target", Capt. Stewart takes a few moments to quickly glance around the room and observe the facial expressions and body language of everyone present. It is quite clear that all four people are tense, and one look at Sam is all it takes to determine that she is also angry; no matter how hard she's working to try and hide that fact. Having read Sam's service record and medical files so much that he almost has them memorized, and having talked with both Libby and Mike quite extensively about the deaths of Sam's biological parents and Sam's behavior and reactions during that time, as well as talking with Adm. Henderson in regard to Sam's performance of her duties and responsibilities at the base, Capt. Stewart has formed some opinions of his own.)
"I believe that we have, at the very least, opened a dialogue today that will prove to be beneficial to everyone involved in the long run. However, I also believe that there are more questions which need to be answered by all of you, but I feel those questions would, for the time being, be better dealt with in individual sessions. I'd like to start with Adm. and Mrs. Thrasher. Will the two of you be able to meet with me tomorrow morning at 0900 hours?"
"Of course we will, Capt. Stewart. My wife and I are willing to do whatever is necessary to help our daughter."
"Good. I'll see you both tomorrow morning. Cmdr. McGarret, uh, both Commanders McGarrett, I will want to speak with each of you individually, as well. Perhaps, I could meet with Cmdr. Steve McGarrett at, say, 1300 hours tomorrow and Cmdr. Samantha McGarrett at 1630 hours?"
(Both Sam and Steve agree to Capt. Stewart's request and the McGarretts and the Thrashers take their leave of the psychiatrist. They are all quiet as they take the elevator downstairs and exit the base hospital, and Libby, Mike, and Steve are, frankly, concerned that Sam is angry with them. Steve is dying to pull his wife into his arms and kiss her reassuringly, but he knows that, in addition to such an action being highly inappropriate out in public for anyone near the hospital to see, Sam does not want to be anywhere him at the moment. Outwardly, Sam appears calm and even offers her parents a small if somewhat stilted smile as they both kiss her cheek before getting into their car and driving out of the parking lot. Steve, however, is another matter, and Sam doesn't even so much as glance in his direction as she heads for her car. Briefly closing his eyes and running a hand over his face in frustration, Steve determinedly follows his wife's shapely form and reaches her Porsche just as she is sliding her key into the ignition.)
"Sam."
"I have to go, Steve. I have a meeting with Adm. Henderson."
"Sam, Baby, I know you're upset with me right now, but you've got to understand that I'm worried about you."
"I don't know why you and Mom and Dad have suddenly decided that something's wrong with me, but I'm fine. Did you decide that, now that Caroline's okay, you needed to make me the focus of your paranoia?"
"Paranoia? Really, Sam? You think I'm paranoid?"
"How else would you explain your need to freak out over nothing?"
"The way you've been behaving lately isn't 'nothing', Sam; it's irrational."
"Do you hear yourself, Steve? Do you? With all the responsibilities I have, not the least of which are you and Emily, I think that in light of everything that's happened over the last couple of months I've behaved pretty damned appropriately."
"Because you can't see it, Sam; you refuse to even consider that you're not your usual self. . . Damn it, Sam, you're not acting like the woman I fell in love with; you're not the woman I married!"
(As soon as the words fly out of Steve's mouth he mentally kicks himself six ways for Sunday and the stricken expression on Sam's face and the total and complete silence that follows his outburst causes his stomach to cramp. Sam has turned as white as a sheet in a matter of moments and the hurt he sees in her eyes cuts him to the quick. Steve starts to reach out to touch Sam's cheek but she jerks away from his hand and, not wanting to do anything that would embarrass her in front of any of the base personnel who might see them, Steve quickly pulls his hand back and tries his best to apologize for his thoughtless words.)
"Sam, Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You know I didn't mean it. I love you, Sam, with all my heart."
"I have to go."
(And the quietly spoken words cut Steve like a very sharp knife as he steps away from Sam's car and she backs out of the parking space and heads toward the Flight Operations building. Standing in the middle of the parking lot with his hands on his hips, his head down, and his eyes closed, Steve begins to experience the first sensation of true fear. Although he and Sam have been in some truly frightening situations in the past, this time is much worse because this time there isn't anyone he can pursue and arrest. This time, he can't "fix" anything. As icy tendrils of terror begin to wind their way from his stomach up to his throat, Steve turns around and determinedly strides back into the hospital taking the stairs, two at a time, until he reaches the floor on which Capt. Stewart's office is located. Not caring if he's rude or not, Steve doesn't even slow down as he reaches the Captain's door and pauses only long enough to turn the doorknob and step inside. Looking up from the notes he is making in Sam's file, the Captain takes one look at Steve's face and immediately lays down his pen and stands up; the stricken young man standing before him looks as if he's about to experience a "meltdown" of the worst kind.)
"Sorry, Capt. Stewart, but I can't wait until 1300 hours tomorrow; I need to talk to you right now. I'm . . . I'm scared, Doc. My wife is moving farther and farther away from me and I'm scared I'm going to lose her."