If you haven't watched the Season 5 premiere; don't read! I intend on this only being 2-3 chapters(seriously!). Just a "what I had actually happened instead of what did happen in the show!" And it is a Mike/Andrea story. Will be a stand alone. This is set 6 months after the Season 5 premiere. All characters belong to TNT; other than Molly's name.
One More Chance
Chapter 1
It was over. Multiple crew and friends had died. More than Mike Slattery even wanted to think about. It hurt but not as much as losing Andrea had hurt. The Nathan James was headed back to Mayport, finally and for once, Mike was not looking forward to going home. He had simply lost too much. Christine, his kids, Andrea, members of his crew, friends that were like family. But he couldn't stay at sea for the rest of his life; as much as he would like to.
As they neared Mayport, a sense of dread filled Mike. Flashbacks of their last return and the fact that he wouldn't have anyone to meet him at the docks. Kara Greene was being hyper vigilant and had done a superb job as Captain. Mike didn't know how she had one it, especially after Danny had been killed but he admired her strength. He certainly didn't have it. She was an inspiration.
Thankfully, there was a light crowd at the docks; mostly out of fear for what happened the last time. There had been a lot of civilians killed, along with servicemembers. Mike had pushed for the Fleet Week. He felt it was important that people see the "Great Fleet." He had thousands of deaths on his conscious because of that theory; even though the President had agreed with him; it was his cross to bear. And his cross was getting extremely heavy and cumbersome.
As he disembarked; he saw Alisha Granderson and her partner at the gates. It was not altogether unheard of that they be there and so he offered them a smile he didn't feel. They were most likely waiting on Kara anyhow but he had to be civil. Alisha saluted him and once he returned the salute; she took a deep breath.
"Sir, there is something you need to know. I couldn't get this across because of the lack of communications." Alisha began.
"What now?" Mike asked.
"When bodies were being…removed after the attack; a smart corpsman made the decision to check all pulses, even if it was believed the victims had died. He found Captain Garnett…she had a pulse, sir." Alisha told him.
"That is not possible. I felt her go limp. I have seen people die and her injuries were not survivable. This is cruel and I am shocked at you, Commander." Mike stated, angrily.
"Sir…I wouldn't do this to you. I wouldn't." Alisha began.
"But, yet, here we are." Mike stated.
"Admiral Slattery, I am not sure if you remember me; my name is Molly. I am a resident at the hospital here. It is possible and there are dozens of explanations. I have permission to share this; but Captain Garnett did survive. I don't know if you felt her lose muscle control or if she did in fact, die and then kick started; but she did survive." Molly, Alisha's partner, said as she put a hand on Mike's shoulder and gently massaged it. She was at least a foot shorter than him and was very petite but Mike found himself listening to her.
"Still, even if she did survive…those injuries were horrific." Mike stated the obvious.
"Agreed. It was horrific. It did considerable damage and Captain Garnett has had a long and painful recovery. She has had to relearn how to walk. Multiple surgeries but she is the toughest woman I have ever met. She went through it all with no pain medication." Molly continued.
"Why?" Mike asked. He felt like he could lose his breakfast. The two women exchanged a glance at one another and then Molly slipped something out of her pocket and handed it to Mike. It was an ultrasound picture and Mike, having had three kids, recognized what they were communicating. As he looked at the picture; he realized; he was seeing an ultrasound picture of a baby; his baby.
"I don't have an explanation as to how that baby is okay. It is nothing short of a miracle that Captain Garnett has survived, let alone her baby. And, she said you wouldn't question it but the baby is most definitely your baby." Molly told him with a huge grin on her face.
"It…was a one time thing. We shouldn't have but…where is she? I want to see her." Mike asked.
"We moved her in with us while she was recovering. She is walking but unsteady ground does cause her problems. Being seven months pregnant on shaky legs…" Molly filled him in.
"The baby? How did she…stay pregnant?" Mike asked.
"I don't have an answer as to how but I can tell you, the baby is seemingly healthy and despite the pain, Captain Garnett has had a beautiful pregnancy." Molly answered.
"Sir, are you ready to go see Captain Garnett?" Alisha asked and all Mike could do was nod. He had no words for what he felt.
Love it? Hate it? I know I said I was going to write on anything other than what I already had going but…it was like a loose thread I couldn't leave alone! Please, please review!