This is an AU starting in Season 2, but it will span all 5 seasons. Basically, will be What if Mike had found his family at the beginning of Season 2. I truly think this is a loose thread from the series and that is the beauty of fanfiction! Any reviews are welcomed and appreciated.
What If
Chapter 1
Mike and Tex had checked the safe zone at Deer Park with no luck. It seemed like it had been deserted in a hurry. Mike had collected up his family's belongings and decided to go to their house in Norfolk. He wasn't certain what the outcome would be, but he had to check.
Mike stood in front of his ranch style home. It had been a fixer upper and the first home he and Christine had owned. She had had all kinds of plans for it and Mike was handy enough to make it happen. Seeing it like it was, so desolate was a hard pill to swallow.
After a little conversation with Tex, Mike made his way in, not anticipating finding anyone. Christine's SUV wasn't in the drive and he figured his family was long gone. The house had a large basement that Mike had made into a family room, spare bedroom and bathroom. There was even a kitchenette set up for when Christine's mom visited. Mike checked the main floor, except for Lucas' room and then walked down the steps to the basement. When he got half-way down, he heard a shotgun racking and immediately positioned his weapon and reached the landing.
"Mike!" Christine shouted, and Mike immediately lowered his weapon. Christine did the same. Kaitlyn and Hannah both ran to Mike and he immediately pulled them into a hug, not focusing on Christine for a moment.
"Oh, girls." Mike said, kissing them both.
"We really missed you, Dad." Kaitlyn said.
"I missed you too." Mike said and finally looked at Christine. She had put the shotgun back down and had her arms crossed over her chest. They had not left on the best of terms and she had been incredibly angry at him when he had called from the Arctic. Would he be able to repair his marriage? And there was something different about her figure. She looked like she was pregnant.
"Girls, can you go in the bedroom and work on your schoolwork while I talk to your dad, please? Grandma will help." Christine asked. Mike gave both girls a kiss and they headed for the guestroom. Mike choose not to address the obvious pregnancy. There was a reason Christine hadn't mentioned it during their phone conversation.
"I went to Deer Park. Found your stuff but couldn't find you. I came here…to see. How…why are you in the basement?" Mike asked.
"We were hearing of some sort of faction, called the Immunes. I felt it would be better to come back here and isolate ourselves. The girls and I have stayed in the basement to make the house not look occupied. And its easier to heat and cool. I could also get to the backyard and check my garden without anyone realizing it. Its really dangerous out there and we are out of food. I wasn't sure what I was going to do." Christine admitted.
"You can't stay here. I will take you aboard the James. It is the safest option at this point and Tom won't mind. He has the kids and his dad on board." Mike told her.
"Mike…I…remember that last weekend before you refused the desk job in Miami, the kids had gone to Mom's; you and I had a stay-cation?" Christine asked.
"Yes." Mike answered simply. He knew he had to give Christine the chance to talk.
"Well, in short terms, you knocked me up, with twins. I assume they are doing okay. I haven't been to a doctor since I was about six weeks along. I really wasn't sure what I was going to do, and I didn't tell you because…I wasn't sure we were going to make it and I didn't want it to be any harder on you. I agree with going on the James, but I want Mom to go with us and I…do you have the ability to deliver twins on there?" Christine asked. She had always had a weird way of phrasing things, despite being a nurse.
"I fully intended on bringing your mom along and…hopefully this is over before. You're…five months along?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. There about. I can help in the sick bay to earn our keep and I'm sure Mom will be happy to do something." Christine said. Despite agreeing to go along, she was pretty distant.
"We will figure that out. Let's get you girls packed up. I have a man outside and I need to call Tom on the sat phone." Mike explained.
"Do you have anything to eat with you? The girls haven't eaten since yesterday and they're really hungry." Christine asked.
"I'll check. I think we have some granola bars and such. What about you and Mom?" Mike asked, referencing his mother-in-law.
"I ate yesterday too but Mom has been longer." Christine answered.
"Alright. I will see what I can do." Mike said. He wanted to hug Christine, but she had turned away to begin packing. He walked back upstairs and outside. Tex was standing next to the Jeep with a hopeful look.
"Given how long it took, did you find something?" Tex asked.
"Yeah. They're here. Can you take that bag of food down to the basement? They haven't eaten in a day or so and Christine is pregnant with twins." Mike asked, handing Tex the bag.
"Sure. Congratul…they are yours?" Tex asked.
"Yes. And just a word of warning, Christine is…different." Mike answered before picking up the sat phone. He prayed that Tom would be alright with his family coming aboard.
After calling in and getting comms, Mike finally got Tom. He had no idea how they were going to work the logistics, but they had to. He couldn't leave his family. "Did you find them?" Tom asked.
"I did. Tom, I know this is going to present an issue, but I need to…" Mike stopped.
"Need to stay?" Tom asked.
"No, need to bring them with me. On board. Christine, Kaitlyn, Hannah and my mother-in-law. The kids and Christine haven't eaten since yesterday and Mary hasn't eaten in at least a couple days. Christine also mentioned something about Immunes. I need to talk to her a little further and see what she meant." Mike explained.
"Alright. Yeah, bring them on. Only because I know Doc Rios will like having some help in the sickbay." Tom said.
"There is another issue. Christine is pregnant with twins. She's five months along. I know that could be a huge problem and she hasn't been to a doctor in a while." Mike said. He heard Tom's sharp intake of breath.
"Alright. We'll figure it out." Tom said. It was not an ideal situation and they had no extra quarters to house anyone and Mike wasn't sure Christine would even share a bed with him.
"Thank you. I really appreciate this." Mike said.
"We need you on board. I will see about getting your quarters set up. It is not going to be ideal, but I have nowhere else for them. Dad and the kids are staying in my cabin and I'm using my at-sea cabin. I think there are some cots we can utilize but we'll see." Tom said. Mike could tell he was less then thrilled.
"Alright we will be back before dark." Mike said and hung up. He walked back into the house, packed up some extra civilian clothes for himself, as well as the photo album he had found at the safe zone and then walked downstairs. He was shocked that Tex was still down in the basement, but Christine had probably put him to work.
When he walked down the stairs, Christine, the girls, and Mary were sitting on the couch, eating beef jerky, trail mix and granola bars. Mary looked particularly fragile but gave Mike a warm smile. She had always been feisty, and Mike respected her. She had been a single mother and worked two jobs so that Christine could go to nursing school. Tex was checking Christine's shotgun over and nodded at him.
"Alright, once you girls get all packed up; we will head for the James. We will be limited on space so bring the minimum. It is going to be pretty tight." Mike explained.
"We can deal with that." Christine said as she took a drink of her water.
"Well, you all have to pack into my quarters so be prepared." Mike told her.
"Dad, will I get sea sick since I get so bad car sick?" Kaitlyn asked, obviously worried.
"Doc has patches for sea sickness. We will get you one of those straightaway." Mike told them. He had sat down next to Christine but could feel the air of tension.
"Probably wouldn't hurt for all of us to have them. It won't hurt the babies." Christine commented.
"He has plenty. We also will give you all the cure once we're on board. I want to double check with Doctor Scott before giving it due to Hannah's asthma. It will be safe for the babies too." Mike told Christine.
"You found the cure? And how do you know if its safe for the babies?" Christine asked.
"Yes. We have a scientist on board and she tested it on six of the crewmembers, one of which was pregnant. We didn't know that on the onset but found out in the middle of the test. So far, her baby is developing normally and will be born immune." Mike explained.
"I see." Christine said. She had stood up and was putting Hannah's inhalers in one of their bags and Mary had packed another bag with extra bedding, which they would need.
"Can we bring our school books? I know you said it would be tight, but I really want to stay caught up." Kaitlyn asked.
"Of course." Mike agreed. He couldn't refuse either of his daughters anything. It had been one of his and Christine's arguments. He was too indulgent.
"Alright, Mom, can you think of anything else? I have Hannah's medicine, each of us only have three outfits and you packed some extra bedding." Christine asked.
"I want my yarn and crochet needles. I promise it isn't much." Mary said as she walked into the bedroom to get the items. She soon returned with a tote bag that she handed to Tex, who was beginning to take everything upstairs. Mary and the girls followed, giving Mike a moment with Christine.
"I want to make sure that this place is secured." Christine said, deadbolting the basement doors into the backyard.
"Absolutely. I'll lock the windows." Mike said and began the process.
"How long do you think we'll be on board?" Christine asked.
"Not sure." Mike stated. He could tell it was bothering Christine to leave the house. It was the last place that they had been happy and whole together. Since they had lost Lucas, they would never be whole again. They walked up the stairs with the last of the bags and both walked towards Lucas' bedroom. There were still toys and clutter around, but the room felt heavy. He looked over to Christine and saw the tears pouring down her face. He immediately pulled her into a hug and she surprisingly melted into him. He was rewarded with two sharp kicks from the twins and immediately put his hand over her belly.
"Yeah, they do that a lot." Christine said with a laugh. She had put her hand over his and smiled up at him. He was seeing a bit of hope in her eyes and kissed her forehead.
"We will get through this. I don't know how but we will." Mike insisted. She simply nodded at him and pulled away. She picked up Lucas' ball glove and a worn-out teddy bear and nodded at him. It was time to leave. They locked the windows up and deadbolted the doors and made their way to the Jeep. They both choose not to look back at the house and Tex quickly drove away, seeming to understand their moods.
Within an hour, they were going aboard the James and Mike had radioed in that they would need patches for sea sickness. Doc Rios was on the deck and immediately administered them. Doctor Scott was also on the deck and administered the cure. She watched Hannah closely but told Mike and Christine there shouldn't be any problems. Christine wasn't convinced. Hannah had severe asthma and Christine was very dedicated to her health.
Tom had kept his word. Mike's cabin was like his own and he had two cots set up, along with bedding on the couch. Mary opted too sleep on the couch and the girls agreed to sleep on the cots that weren't very comfortable. Mike and Christine would have the small bedroom area and they had their own bathroom. Mike was helping them get settled in and things stowed away when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Mike yelled. Tex gingerly opened the door and carried in a tray of food.
"Bacon figured you'd all be hungry. Its just a soup but he said its his mother's recipe for chicken soup. Figured you could use it." Tex explained. There was a large pot of soup, along with five bowls and a pitcher of milk and a stack of glasses.
"Perfect, thank you." Mike told him. Christine had stopped what she was doing and was dishing up the soup.
"Yes, thank you. It smells really good and looks delicious." Christine said, addressing Tex. As soon as he left, she smiled at Mike. "I don't think he is Navy. He's nice enough but he's…not so…regimented." Christine teased.
"No, he was a Marine and then he was a private contractor. He's a really good person." Mike said, as he sat down next to Hannah and was handed a bowl of soup. Hannah had cuddled up to his side and was happily eating. Christine had pulled up his desk chair and was eating.
"This soup, I need this recipe." Mary said with a smile.
"Mom, I told Mike that I could help in the sickbay, maybe you can help in the galley?" Christine asked.
"Oh, I'd like that. I want to do something." Mary said.
"When I take this tray back, I'll take you with me to meet Bacon. He's our Chief Culinary Specialist. Has cooked for the President at Camp David." Mike told her.
"I am not surprised, considering this soup." Christine said.
"I will pass it along to him." Mike promised. His family was perking up with the hot meal going into their bellies, but he could see his girls were getting sleepy.
"The babies approve. They're kicking like crazy and I am thrilled you have milk. I haven't had any." Christine admitted.
"Its dry milk so it isn't perfect, but it is at least something." Mike said with a smile. He was glad the galley had plenty of supplies. His family wouldn't be hungry at least.
"It'll do." Christine said.
"Mom, I'm done but I am really sleepy." Hannah said as she sat her bowl down. Sure, enough she had eaten every drop along with the slice of bread that had been included.
"Mike, can I let them have showers? I think it'll be an early night for them." Christine asked.
"Absolutely. No water restrictions right now." Mike explained. Christine had also finished her soup and Mike followed them into the bathroom to show them how to work the shower. By the time he got back into the main room, Kaitlyn and Mary were done eating and Mary had everything gathered up on the tray. Mike carried it to the galley with Mary following him.
"I might get lost finding this galley." Mary joked.
"Oh, you'll figure it out. And there's always people around to help." Mike explained.
"Good. Thanks for bringing me with you all. I know you didn't have to, but I really wanted to be with my daughter and my grandbabies…and you of course." Mary said with a smile.
"I wouldn't have left you. I'm just sorry its such tight quarters." Mike assured her.
"We'll manage." Mary said just as they reached the galley. Mike put everything where it belonged while Bacon and Mary visited. Bacon had taken an instant liking to Mary and would allow her in his galley.
By the time they got back to the cabin, both girls and Christine were freshly showered. Mary had gone in for her shower and Mike spent a little time with both his daughters and Christine. Both girls were quickly asleep, and Mary had come out and was curled up on the couch. She would fall asleep quickly.
Mike took his own shower and then climbed in next to Christine. He only had a double bed and so he and Christine were going to have to be close together, despite the distance between them. Christine opted to stay on the outside of the bed, so she could monitor Hannah and Mike got in on the inside, closest to the wall. It was uncomfortable at first, getting situated.
"The last time we had a double-sized bed, was when I was a size 0 and before you bulked up." Christine complained quietly.
"Yeah. I was too skinny then." Mike stated. It had been when they first got married and he had only weighed about one-fifty.
"Trust me, I like you better bulked up." Christine said as she nestled into his arms. It was really the only comfortable position she could find, and the babies were kicking wildly.
"Good to hear. Go on to sleep. I love you." Mike said. He wasn't even sure that Christine still loved him, but he still needed to say it.
"I love you too." Christine answered and then closed her eyes. Within just a few moments, she was asleep, and Mike quickly nodded off.
Like it or hate it? Has just been an idea I've been thinking about for awhile and since I am wrapping up several of my other stories, I thought I would give it a shot. Also, I know that typically a family would not be allowed on a really Naval ship but since other families were brought on board on the show, I just went with it. I don't know a lot of the nuances where the Navy is concerned but that's the beauty of fanfiction, again. The nuances can be adjusted.