CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

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: March 11, 2013

(Steve awakens just before daybreak to find that Sam is standing by their bedroom window looking out toward the ocean. The site of her slender, shapely form silhouetted by the lacy, peach-colored gown she is wearing instantly causes every nerve ending in his body to come to attention, but he eases out of their bed and slowly walks up behind his wife slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against the rock hard muscles of his chest. Sam's arms rest on top of his and she allows her head to fall back onto his shoulder as they both take a moment to really appreciate the chance to simply hold one another. When Steve speaks, his warm breath fans across Sam's cheek and sends shivers of desire shooting through her.)

"How long have you been awake, Beautiful?"

"Not long. I'm sorry, Steve, I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay, Baby. Sleep is way overrated, anyway. I'd rather hold you."

"Yeah, I kind of like it, too, Sailor. . . Steve?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"I want . . I want to go to Arlington. . I want, . . I need to go to my parents' graves. Will you go with me?"

"Of course, I will, Sweetheart. I'd do anything for you."

" 'Kay. I was thinking that we could go this coming weekend. I get off-duty at 1500 Thursday and don't have to report back until 0700 Monday. That good for you?"

"Yeah, Sam, that works for me."

"I want Emily to go with us, Steve."

"No problem."

"I . . I can't promise you that I'm not going to, you know, freak out or anything."

"It's okay, Sam. Emily and I will be right there. Do what you have to do, Baby; it'll be okay."

"Steve?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Beautiful."

"It's early, Sam. Come back to bed."

"Not enough time to go back to sleep."

"There's more than enough time for me to make love to you."

(Sam turns in Steve's arms so that she can lift her face to his for the kiss she wants as desperately as he does and that's all it takes. Sweeping her up into his strong arms, he gently lays her on their bed and covers her body with his with he kisses her senseless. Sam is becoming more heated with each passing second and, when Steve shifts to one side and one of his large hands skims down her silk-clad body to encompass her breast and his thumb flicks back and forth across the nipple, she moans her approval. Not to be outdone, Sam slowly slides her palms down his broad, muscular back until she reaches his buttocks and then slips one between their bodies to touch the silken steel of his erection. His sharp gasp lets her know she has his full attention, and she uses her other hand to push him over onto his back moving with him so that she ends up straddling him. Steve's hands swiftly move to lift the gown over her head and Sam is right there to help him. Once she has thrown the offending garment to the floor, Sam looks down at Steve and a slow, sensual smile curves her full lips as she gazes at the expression on his face. From her vantage point, Steve looks like a man who's dying of need and she's the only person in the world who can give him what he wants. That her supposition is, in fact, the absolute truth only adds to the desire sweeping through her. Ever so slowly, Sam slides her body down until he is fully inside her and that puts an expression of need on her face. Steve lets her set the pace of their lovemaking for a little while, but, when he can take no more, he flips her onto her back and increases the rhythm of their movements until they are both gasping for air, their sweat-slickened bodies moving in perfect unison, until they both fall over the edge of the abyss into sweet oblivion together. Minutes later, when they are capable of moving, Steve shifts off Sam and pulls her close while pulling the covers over them both.)

"I love you, Sam, with all my heart and I always will. I'm here for you, Sweetheart."

"I know you are, Steve. If it weren't for you, I probably would have lost it a long time ago. You're my rock . . In any storm and I love you so much."

"Sam . . Please, Baby, don't ever be afraid to talk to me about anything. You're my best friend, Sweetheart, and I'm pretty sure I'm yours. Best friends tell each other everything, so . . Tell me from now on. 'Kay?"

" 'Kay. Steve?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"Think we have enough time to make love again before we have to get ready for work?"

"Oh, yeah."

(And they proceed to do just that. When they leave the house, Sam for the base and Steve for the Palace, they are both wearing smiles and are sending each other flirty, little looks. For the first time in a long time, Steve can detect none of the shadows that were haunting Sam's beautiful emerald green eyes in weeks past, and he feels better than he has in weeks. Keeping Sam's request to go to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and visit her parents' graves in mind, Steve makes a call to a friend of his who happens to own a private airline. Once Steve has explained the situation, his friend, who was one of Steve's BUD/S instructors, is more than glad to grant Steve's request. Less than thirty seconds after completing that call, Steve is on the phone with his father-in-law and, once Mike understands what it is Steve is trying to do, he's fully on board with Steve's plan and is making a couple of calls of his own. Satisfied that he has things well in hand, Steve is in a very good mood when he arrives at the Five-0 offices and heads straight into Danny's office.)

"Hey, how's my daughter this morning?"

"My niece is just fine. In fact, she looked like she was going to cry when I dropped her off to Rosa at Kono's and Tony's. Emily loves her Uncle Danny."

"Emily loves everybody, Danny"

"Whatever. After everything that happened last night you seem to be in a very good mood. What's up?"

"I've got a little surprise planned for Sam and I need your help."

"I've got a little surprise of my own planned for Sam and I don't need your help."

"Danny. ."

"Steven."