A Mother's Love
Chapter 2
Russ had Miller and Diaz take Christine and Hannah to the medical bay. Hannah was still holding the little kitten like it was gold. The rest of the away team headed into the helo bay and Russ made for the bridge. He wanted to get to Mike before Tom and Green did. There was no gentle way to break the news to him. His oldest child was dead, his only surviving daughter's coughs sounded like a dog barking and his wife had had to sell her body. Fortunately Tom and Green were nowhere to be found. Mike and Meylan were discussing plans for docking.
"Captain Slattery, a word in private?" Mike looked at him and nodded. They walked to his at-sea cabin and Russ could tell Mike seemed nervous.
"Sir, before I even start I am going to have to ask permission to speak freely?"
"Granted, spit it out, Russ."
"We picked up two people at the docks. You know that much?"
"Correct. One of them needed medical attention?"
"They actually both do. Miller and Diaz took them to the medical bay. It was a woman and child."
"Okay. We won't be able to give them much help."
"Sir, there is not an easy way to say this and it will hurt. The woman is your wife and the child is your youngest daughter. I shouldn't be the one to tell you this; it should come from your wife. She has apparently been working for a…um…White Group. They offer certain services. She was offering them. I think you understand what type of services? She told us that she had only done it to feed Hannah and get her medicine. Both of them are skin and bones. Hannah is running a fever and sounds horrible. She begged us to take Hannah with us. She knew that you would get her the food and medicine that she needed. Captain Chandler and she got into a bit of a verbal confrontation and she did tell us that her employer was simply waiting until Hannah hit puberty before he employed her. If she went back with no clients and without Hannah, he would kill her. Despite Captain Chandler's disapproval of your wife's actions he did allow her on the RHIB. Threatened to throw her overboard but…"
"Oh my God! Christine would…Addison?"
"I'm very sorry, Sir."
"Christine had to have been desperate. She would have never…I don't even know what to think."
"Sir, it's none of my business. A lot of people are going to be judging her decision. Including Captain Chandler. It's between her and you. You need to support her. She didn't make this decision lightly and it was only done for Hannah. She is deeply ashamed. She sacrificed herself, her morals, and her personal beliefs to keep Hannah alive. The one thing she is going to need is your support. I won't tell you to love her, that's your choice. I do have something else to tell you."
"What else? I'm stunned and I'm not sure how much more I can handle."
"I broke regulations. Hannah saw a kitten and she's so sick so I…um…brought the kitten on board. You should have seen her face when I gave it to her."
"That's not so bad."
"It's against regulations…"
"At this point, I don't care. If it makes Hannah happy, that's all I care about. I have no idea how to handle this. What about the crew?"
"Chandler and Green are judging her and they won't be the only ones. I do think the female crew members will understand it, especially those that are mothers. I did notice some severe bruising on Christine's wrist and she probably doesn't even weigh a hundred pounds. I would guess she gave most of her food to Hannah."
"It's what any mother would do. I will explain to Meylan and he'll take the lead. Keep check of the temperature with the crew. I can't stop the judgements but she will not be badmouthed. I don't know what to feel but she is still my wife and I will protect her."
"I would expect nothing less. I will keep them in check but I can't control the officers?"
"That is where Meylan comes in."
The two men left the cabin and made their way to the bridge. Word was already getting around and Mike pulled Meylan away. As soon as they were done talking, Mike and Russ headed for the medical bay. Russ wanted to support his captain. He was reacting a lot better than Russ expected but he was also focusing on the fact that his wife and younger daughter were alive.
Mike felt like he had been gutted. He had accepted the fact that his family was gone. To find out that his oldest had died was heartbreaking but in many ways, he had already accepted that she had died. Knowing what Christine had done shook him to his core because he knew it was not an easy decision for her. They had been married for seventeen years and Mike knew that Christine had never been with anyone but Mike, at least until she had to make the decision to sell herself to keep their daughter alive. She had gone to extraordinary lengths out of desperation. He was angry and hurt but not at her. At himself.
The walk to the medical bay seemed like it took an eternity. He could see the crew whispering to each other as he passed but he didn't care. All he cared about was Hannah and Christine's wellbeing. When they got to the medical bay, Miller was standing in front of it holding a calico kitten and sneezing violently.
"Miller, what are you doing?"
"Doc Rios didn't want your little girl to have this kitten in there while he was examining her. The cat hair? Your wife wanted to stay with her and so I promised Hannah that I would look after Snickers. I forgot that I am allergic."
Mike had to laugh at the young sailor. He didn't seem to be judging the situation. He took the kitten out of Miller's hands. Rios wouldn't argue with him. Miller opened the door for him and Russ and Mike's heart broke just looking at Hannah and Christine. Hannah looked like a six year old, not a ten year old. They both look malnourished and Christine had taken her flannel shirt off, leaving her in a t-shirt. Her arms were covered in bruises and were pencil thin. She was sitting next to Hannah on the exam bed and had apparently not seen Mike walk in.
"I don't think she has pneumonia yet. I think it's an upper respiratory infection. She has a double ear infection and she is running a fever. She is severely malnourished, but less so then you, Mrs. Slattery. You both need food and I need to assess those bruises. I think labs are also a good idea. I can do basic stuff."
"I appreciate that but I want you to concentrate on Hannah. Once my husband gets here, he will probably ask that I leave so there is no sense in you wasting your resources on me. Just give her what she needs, please. What will I have to do to make sure that happens?"
"Rios, do whatever labs you need to do. Russ, can you call down to galley and see if Bacon has any of that soup from supper last night? And maybe some sandwiches?"
"Mike…I…uh…You probably don't want me here but can I stay long enough to make sure Hannah is okay? You don't have to feed me or give me any medication. I'm fine. I'll do whatever you want me to. I can't just leave her without knowing. I'll go to your quarters and I'll…do anything. It won't be so bad since it's you but please don't make me leave this ship until I know she's okay." She had tears in her eyes and both Rios and Russ looked away. It was beyond sad.
"You will be going back to my quarters, both of you. You don't have to do what you're suggesting. I'm not making you leave Hannah."
"But I've…I've cheated. Dozens of times. You should hate me."
"It wasn't that. I can't hate you. I…I'm not sure what I feel, but it's not hate. Just the opposite. I love you and we both need to concentrate on Hannah."
"Can I have my kitty cat? Please? I'll be good." It was a little disturbing that Hannah hadn't addressed him but he gave Rios a look and put the tiny kitten in Hannah's lap. She offered him a shy smile and hugged the kitten close to her. He realized then that she had probably forgotten him and it made his heart break even more.
"I need to give Hannah an antibiotic shot. Does she have any allergies?"
"No, sir. She just hates shots."
"I'll be gentle. Captain, can you help me? I don't think Mrs. Slattery will have the strength to hold her down if she starts fighting."
Mike nodded and Russ took the kitten from Hannah but stayed close so to use the kitten as a distraction. Mike sit next to her and carefully pulled Hannah onto his lap. She still seemed shy around him and it hurt badly. Christine held her hand and pushed her sleeve up. Her arms were as thin as Christine's but were at least not bruised. As emaciated as she was, Hannah was wearing clean clothes and her very thin, limp hair was clean. Christine looked like a hundred miles of bad road.
Mike was pretty sure the shot hurt him more than it hurt Hannah. She started crying then choking. Mike rocked her back and forth and Christine talked to her in a soothing tone. The tears finally subsided and Hannah relaxed when Russ sit the kitten back down in her lap. Rios gave Christine a thermometer to take back to his cabin and did her bloodwork. He would have a female crewmember assist him with an exam on her later after she'd showered and slept. She seemed nervous and had drawn back when Mike touched her arm, telling him that she hadn't always been consenting when she was "working."
Christine and Hannah followed him back to his quarters; he could feel the tension in the air some of which came from the crew that they passed. They met Tom in the p-way and Mike noticed the almost sneer that he gave Christine. She met him with almost the same look. He hated the animosity in the air and would be addressing it. They finally got to his cabin and he let them in. Christine immediately teared up when she saw all the family pictures around the office area.
"I don't have any pictures, Mike. We had to leave the safe zone so fast, I left them. I thought I was forgetting Addy and Lucas' faces."
"I went back to the house and got them and found the album at the safe zone. Hannah, let's get you sit down. Food will be here soon." He sit her down on the couch and she cuddled the sleeping kitten into her chest. Christine sit down beside her and pulled her close to her. Mike was at a loss. He didn't know how to even talk to them. Thankfully there was a knock on the door and when he opened it, Bacon had a large tray of food.
"Sir, I know you said soup and sandwiches but I had heard how thin both of them were. There are some animal cookies for your daughter, sir. It was all I had but I thought she might like them?"
"She'll love them but they aren't usually in the galley?"
"I like animal cookies and had a stash. Those are the last of them. I need to get back to the galley but I will personally bring supper up."
"Okay. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Bacon went on his way. He appreciated the cookies but it made him wonder why Bacon had specifically said he would bring supper to them. He took the food in and he noticed how Hannah's eyes lit up when she saw the cookies. She ate all of her soup and sandwiches and a couple of the cookies, telling Mike that she wanted to save the rest for later. Christine seemed hesitant to eat anything at all and eyed Mike suspiciously.
"This is a lot of food. What am I going to have to do for it?"
"Chrissy, eat. You need it. Nobody expects anything from you. I don't and neither does Bacon. I am going to try and find some clothes for you to wear. Those are practically threadbare. Does Hannah have any?"
"She has some in that bag. I didn't figure you'd want me here so I left what I had where we were staying."
"We'll figure something out. And I do want you here." She nodded at him and turned her attention back to her food and Hannah. They gave the kitten a little bit of the broth and Mike got t-shirts out for both of them to sleep in and got his shower ready for them. He would go scout for clothes while they were showering.
"I'm going to go find some clothes, Chrissy. The shower is ready and there are t-shirts for both of you on my bed. You can sleep in them. They'll be huge on you. There aren't any water restrictions right now so take as long as you want. What size are you wearing?"
"I have no idea. I think these jeans are size two's but they're huge."
"Alright. I'll do the best I can. Make yourselves at home. There is soap and shampoo in there. It's not feminine but it'll work."
"Okay. Do you have a comb?
"It's in the drawer. I'll see about tooth brushes too."
"I have Hannah's packed."
"Okay. Use mine if need be." Mike bent over and kissed Hannah on the top of the head and Christine on the cheek. He immediately noticed how stiff she was. She was terrified of him. He grabbed the dinner tray and started wracking his brain thinking of a crew member that was even somewhat close to Christine's size. There were two, Kara Green and Kat Nolan. He just hoped that Danny hadn't passed his opinion along to Kara. He deposited the dishes in the galley and headed for CIC. Thankfully Kara was at her station and he could talk to her privately.
"Commander Green, a word?"
"Yes, sir."
"I don't know if you had heard, but my wife is on board."
"I had heard. I'm happy for you, sir. I am sorry about your older daughter and the…um…situation. Is there some way I can help?"
"Thank you. I need some help on a personal level. Christine has the clothes on her back and that is it. You and Kat Nolan are the only two that I could think of that might be close to her size. She told me her jeans are big and are only a size two. I have no idea on her sizes. She's literally skin and bones. I know the crew's opinion of her is not good but she needs help and…"
"Sir, I will see what I can come up with and bring it to your stateroom. As far as my opinion is concerned, I am a mother and she did what any mother would do to save her child. To me, that makes her a hero. She deserves respect not condemnation and I will tell anyone that, my husband included. I know of a few other crew members and we'll get her some comfortable clothes together. I'm assuming she needs everything?"
"Yes. Thank you. I thought of Kat Nolan but beyond her and you, I was clueless. I think they are taking a nap after they get cleaned up."
"Okay."
"Commander, Doc Rios is going to need some assistance with an examination on Christine later. I would prefer it be you there. If you don't care? None of this is an order and you can refuse."
"Absolutely, sir."
Mike nodded at her and made his way back to his cabin. Hannah was sleeping on his bed with the kitten on her chest. Mike threw another blanket over her and checked her temperature. It had come down just a little. Christine was in the shower. His t-shirt was on the end of the bed and he added sweats and a pair of warm socks to the stack. They would be huge on her but he wanted her to be comfortable. He shut the door to give Christine a little privacy while she dressed and sit down to do a little paperwork. He heard the shower turn off and Christine moving around inside the bedroom. There was a knock on the door and Kara was standing in the p-way with a huge tote bag full of clothes.
"Sir, these will still be big on her. But it's everything she will need for a while. There's also some…feminine products in there. I'm sure she'll need them at some point and won't want to ask." Christine came out just then and immediately shrunk back like she didn't belong.
"Chrissy, this is Commander Kara Green. She rounded up some clothes and other items."
"Thank you."
"Ma'am, I was just telling Captain, there are some items you'll need and the clothes may still be a bit big but they'll be better than those sweats. There's soap, shampoo, lotion, razors, hair ties and bobby pins. All kinds of stuff."
"Is this all yours?"
"No, ma'am. Several of the female crew members contributed."
"Oh, I don't deserve that. I have no way to repay you all. They do know what I did?"
"Ma'am, what you did was what any mother would do. As far as repayment is concerned, don't worry about it. We take care of our own." Kara handed the bag to her and she immediately noticed her wedding band and engagement ring. Mike had noticed that Christine wasn't wearing hers but hadn't said anything.
"Your rings are very pretty. I don't have mine anymore."
"Thank you."
"Mike, I know you are wondering. When Addison died, I wanted her to at least have a burial plot and marker. She was cremated but I wanted her to have something so I sold them to pay for it. I…I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry. And when Hannah got sick, I didn't have anything left to sell so I sold myself. I know you won't want to replace them."
Mike felt like he had been punched in the gut and Kara had tears in her eyes. Hannah called for Christine and she ducked into the room. Kara was biting her lip and twisting her wedding band. Mike had no idea what to say, he was so stunned.
"I wish I had a way of replacing them. I think she would feel better. She can't understand why I would be accepting of this. She thinks I should hate her."
"Sir, most men would. It's going to be awhile before we make port and I agree she might feel better so here. My fingers are about the same size. She can wear my engagement ring. It's better than nothing. She wants to feel married. It's a security thing."
"Commander…Kara, I can't ask you to do that. I appreciate the thought but it wouldn't be right. I'll get her a ring. It'll just be awhile. Besides, Danny is not real comfortable with Christine. He wouldn't be happy…"
"Sir, please. With respect, take the ring. She'll feel better and I want that. You can borrow it as long as you need, but I do have one request?"
"Okay."
"When you do get her a ring, get her a special one. She deserves it."
"I agree. Thank you, Kara."
Kara nodded at him and handed him the ring. It was not an ideal situation but it would work. He could hear Christine talking to Hannah in a soothing tone. He wanted to go in with them but he needed to gather his thoughts. Christine finally came out but left the door partially open.
"Is she okay?"
"She woke up and was not familiar and got scared. She'll be okay. You're mad about the rings?"
"No. I would want you to sell them to provide for yourselves or to do what you did. I will want to visit that grave at some point."
"It's in Norfolk. I know where. I don't know where Lucas' remains were taken but I had his name put on the marker. It was purely symbolic but I felt better. I sold everything else I could to buy food and medicine before she died and the rings were it. I am really sorry. About everything, Mike. You told me earlier that you loved me and I appreciate that, and I do love you but I don't deserve you or Hannah. I just wanted to make sure Hannah was going to be okay. If you want me gone, I understand." Mike sit next to her on the couch on the left side giving him access to that hand. Every time he touched her she shrunk back and it was heartbreaking. He put his hand over hers and squeezed. She had tears rolling down her face and he wasn't much better off. She reached over and wiped a tear off his cheek and he gave her a soft smile and reached in his pocket for Kara's ring.
"I love you. If nothing else, what you've had to do makes you even more deserving. Kara loaned me her engagement ring. She thought you might feel better if you 'felt married.' I will be getting you another set of your own but this will do for the time being." Mike slid the ring on her left ring finger. Thankfully it fit and he kissed her hand. She was sobbing and he pulled her as close as she would allow. He didn't want to scare her or make her nervous. She ended up laying her head on his chest and seemed to cry for hours. He ran his hand through her hair and came up with a handful. It was from malnourishment. Holding her made him realize how little she weighed. She stopped crying and he realized that she had fallen asleep. He thought about leaving her on the couch but he wanted her to be comfortable. He eased away from her and picked her up and laid her down next to Hannah, covering them up. They looked tiny in the bed. As soon as he settled Christine she rolled on her side and wrapped herself around Hannah. In rolling, his shirt pulled up and exposed part of her lower back. It was covered in bruises in various stages of healing, exactly like her arms. Whoever had hurt her would be paying dearly.
