CHAPTER SIXTY

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 30, 2013

(By the time everyone has finished their dessert, Grace announces that they need to go back to the hotel and go to bed so they'll all be able to get up early the next morning so they can go to the Smithsonian. Not one of the adults argues with her because, after the very delicious but large meal they've just eaten, they're all ready to go back to the hotel and get a good night's sleep. Both Emily and Eric are starting to nod off and Libby and Lana are praying that the babies will fall asleep on the way back to the hotel and stay asleep until morning. Mike was able to distract Emily earlier with ice cream, although Libby cautioned him not to give her too much or she'd be awake all night, and now the little girl is too sleepy to be upset because her parents aren't there. Since they are visiting the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian, Grace has engaged Joe Monroe in a conversation about the different types of aircraft they'll be seeing and the young man is more than happy to answer Grace's questions. Since Libby and Mike have Emily and Grace, and Lana and Chin have Eric, Joe rides back to the hotel with Caroline and Danny and just can't resist the opportunity to mess with Danny.)

"You know, Danny, I would have thought you'd have learned by now not to try and mess with Steve or Sam; but both of them at the same time?"

"You'd think he would have learned, Joe, but my husband can be quite hard-headed at times."

"Yeah, yeah, if Grace hadn't of been standing there earlier, I'd have embarrassed them both."

"Really, Danny? You honestly think Sam or Steve would have been the least bit embarrassed if you had accused them of delaying everyone's dinner so they could . . . You know?"

" 'You know'? Here we go again, Caroline. What? Are we like twelve?"

"Of course not, but . ."

"No, no, no! We're all adults so we can have an adult conversation."

"Fine, Danny! Do you honestly believe that either Sam or Steve would have been embarrassed if you'd accused them of delaying everyone's dinner so they could have sex?"

"Wow, Caroline, you actually said that out loud and in front of Joe. I'm impressed."

"Why not? Did you not hear my father tell Joe that he was now a part of our family?"

"Yeah, I heard Mike, but I don't think this conversation was exactly what he had in mind."

"Well, you're the one who called me out for using the term, 'you know', Danny!"

(But Joe Monroe's laughter fills the car before Danny can answer and it isn't long before he and Caroline join him.)

"I gotta tell you that I haven't had this much fun in quite some time."

"Just don't let Sam know you were privy to this conversation, Joe. She'll have a coronary!"

"Yeah, I can see where it wouldn't be in my best interest to think about this when we're in the middle of a pre-flight briefing."

(And after they all have a good laugh at Joe's statement, Caroline gets a little more serious.)

"Thank you for agreeing to come on this trip, Joe. I know it meant a lot to Sam and Steve, and it means a lot to us, as well. I love my sister very much so I really appreciate you helping us out with this trip."

"It was my pleasure, Caroline. I have a lot of respect for Sam; I'm just glad I could help."

"We all appreciate your help, Joe. I like to give Steve, and sometimes Sam, a hard time, but . . . We're all family and family looks out for one another, no matter what. Sam's an angel and Steve . . Well, Steve's one of the good guys and I know that he'd do anything for any of his family or friends if they needed help. He was there for me after the accident and I honestly don't know what I would've done if he hadn't of been there a couple of times."

"Wow, Danny, that was so . . Sweet."

"Yeah, well, Caroline, don't get carried away. If either of you tell Steve I said that I'll have to kill you."

"I won't say a word, Danny; promise."

"Thank you, Joe. Caroline?"

"I'm still thinking, Romeo. You're not going to kill me, no matter what."

(Joe Monroe heads to his room after telling Caroline and Danny goodnight and Danny sees an assessing expression on his wife's beautiful face when he turns toward her as they walk to their room. The little smile on her face stays in place as he unlocks the door and allows her to precede him into the room.)

"You're just a big softie beneath all that bluster, Danny Williams, and I love you for it."

"What? Just because I said Steve was around for me to vent to a couple of times? Anyone would've worked; I just needed a warm body to listen."

"That's not true and you know it! You and Steve have this . . . Dynamic going on but you're both to stubborn to admit you might actually care about each other."

"Not true, Caroline. Pineapple Boy and I both want to keep our wives happy and the easiest way to do that is to try and keep our arguments to a minimum."

"Okay, Romeo, tell that to someone else 'cause I don't believe it for a second."

"Fine. Whatever."

"Would it actually hurt you to admit the two of you like each other?"

"I never said I didn't like him."

"Oh, good. Now you're going to go all obtuse on me."

"Hey!"