The Assignment

Chapter 7

For one of the few times in his career, Mike's heart was not at sea. He wanted to be back in St. Louis or at his farm, getting to know his kids again, or in Joey's case; for the first time. But, he had a job to do, and the crew of the Endicott had been extremely supportive when they found out that his kids had been found after years. They even volunteered to end their R and R sooner. For all they had been through, it said a lot to Mike. His acting XO, Janette Carmichael had also been amazing. Midway between Pearl Harbor and San Diego, one of the main engines died and they had to limp the rest of the way, so the others didn't go down. Mike tried not to show his frustration, but during a lunch meeting with Commander Carmichael, it came through.

"I've looked to see if I can repair the engine and it seems the Endicott is going to be in dry dock for awhile." Janette explained.

"What caused it?" Mike asked.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?" Janette asked and Mike took a drink of coffee; knowing she was about to tell him something more about the former Captain and XO.

"Of course." Mike answered.

"Throughout our time at sea; Captain Gaskins required the ship to be at approximately twenty to twenty five knots unless we were approaching another ship or port. As you know, carriers do not perform well at those speeds. I warned him and the XO that it would kill our engines, but I was reprimanded. All I could do at that point is pray that they didn't both die mid deployment, in the middle of the ocean." Janette explained.

"Damn it! So, a billion dollar piece of machinery has been sidelined because two idiots wanted to race?" Mike asked.

"In a matter of speaking, yes." Janette said.

"Was that about the time you sent the email to command?" Mike asked.

"I waited a bit so it didn't seem like it was sour grapes. Sir, by sending that email; I not only ruined Captain Gaskin and Commander Jones' careers; I tanked my own. I'm not complaining, but I certainly didn't want it to seem like it was sour grapes. Once you got on board, and was willing to act like a…to be blunt; grunt…well; you know the rest." Janette answered. As mad as he was, he felt a little sorry for her.

"Why do you think your career is ruined?" Mike questioned.

"Because no captain is going to want to chance having a CHENG or XO that will be a whistleblower, which is what I am to a lot of people now." Janette said.

"I still don't believe they thought a nearly fifty year old was a E-2." Mike joked.

"They thought you were a screw-up." Janette clarified.

"A lot of people have thought that throughout my career. As far as yours is concerned; I can try and keep it on the down low, but it might be difficult." Mike admitted.

"Sir, Captain Gaskins went over the 1MC and told everyone on the ship that it was me that reported him. It is what it is. My career is over, but maybe I saved some of these other sailor's careers and this ship." Janette remarked. She was brutally honest and it was refreshing.

"So, what will you do?" Mike asked.

"Well, there's always engineering, but I joined the Navy to become a doctor. I'm through Pre-Med and only have two years of Med School left. Will just have to figure out how to pay bills during that two years." Janette stated.

"Why the hell are you not in the medical bay?" Mike asked.

"My dad. He was in the Navy, along with my grandfather, three uncles, several cousins and most of our family friends. He didn't like the idea of Med School, so when I got in the Academy; he wanted me to study something useful, so it was engineering." Janette explained.

"He didn't think being a doctor was useful?" Mike asked, stunned.

"Not really. So, out of curiosity; have you been able to talk to your kids?" Janette asked, obviously wanting to change the subject.

"No. I'm hoping when I get to San Diego, I can. Hopefully, I'm not there too long." Mike answered.

"I hope not. What will you do once you get back? I understand you travel a lot." Janette asked.

"That I haven't figured out." Mike said.

"Well, I'm certain they will be thrilled." Janette remarked.

"It will be an adjustment for awhile." Mike told her.

"Especially with the little boy, is it Joey?" Janette asked.

"Yeah. I still haven't wrapped my mind around that one." Mike admitted.

"So, I suppose it wasn't an expected pregnancy?" Janette asked.

"No. We'd been in counseling for a while. Sharon gave me his birth date, and the math works, but…" Mike started as he picked at his hand.

"But? Sir, this will be completely confidential." Janette said.

"But…Christine had cheated, several times over the years. We had been through counseling and such and we were trying to work through it. I truly don't think she was cheating when Joey was conceived, but the suspicion will always be there." Mike explained.

"Its none of my business, but why?" Janette asked.

"Why did she cheat or why we were trying to work things out?" Mike asked.

"I suppose both." Janette said.

"We still loved each other. As far as why she cheated, Christine really didn't have an option on my career. I sprung it on her, and so she married me thinking she would have me home most nights. She was the sort that didn't handle being alone so well. I could always tell after she cheated. It was never affairs with her, just…kind of like one-night-stands. Hannah's soccer coach. A co-worker. Guy at the bar. Someone she met at the coffee shop. Always when I was deployed. When I would get home, within a few days, she would tell me. It didn't happen every deployment, just often enough. I stopped being angry at her, because it wasn't totally her fault." Mike explained.

"I don't guess I can understand that." Janette remarked.

"Before the Arctic, we talked about me taking a desk job in Miami, but I wanted my own command and that would never happen if I was strapped to a desk. So, here I am. I just hope she found some peace." Mike told her.

"So, you question Joey's paternity. The others?" Janette asked.

"Kaitlyn is definitely mine. Lucas was too. Hannah, I've always questioned a little, because she looks so similar to her mom and nothing like me. But, in her case; even if she wasn't, it wouldn't make a difference. I suppose it shouldn't with Joey either." Mike admitted.

"Could you discreetly have DNA tests done?" Janette asked.

"I could, but sometimes not knowing is better then knowing. If I were to find out that Hannah wasn't mine, even though I barely know her now, it would destroy her. I can't do that. I don't know what I'll do." Mike told her.

"It is a pickle." Janette said as she stood up.

"That it is." Mike agreed.

"Just think of it this way. Your oldest daughter fought really hard to keep them all together. All that pain and suffering will be for not." Janette told him before walking away. It did give Mike something to think about.

I know very little about the Navy or ships so keep that in mind. Also, I know that Mike would never talk like that with a more junior officer, or basically go undercover on a ship, working as an enlisted man. Worked for this story though.