The Assignment
Chapter 8
Ashley was worried sick about Kaitlyn. Her fever raged and she had spent the past two days in bed. She couldn't convince her to go to the hospital. Ashley could only pray that Mike would arrive soon. He would know what to do. Late one night; probably two weeks after Sharon had told him, there was a knock on Ashley apartment door. When she looked through the peephole, she noticed Mike and a woman. She immediately opened the door for them, wondering who the woman was. She was in a commander's uniform.
"Uncle Mike? I am so glad you're here now. Kaitlyn is burning up." Ashley said before giving him a hug.
"Sharon said she was sick. Ash, this is Commander Janette Carmichael. She also happens to be almost finished with med school." Mike said.
"You can call me Janette. Can you take us to her?" Janette asked Ashley and she led them into the room that Kaitlyn and Hannah were sharing. Hannah was out of the bed like a shot and ran to her father. He hugged her as Janette began accessing Kaitlyn who could barely lift her head.
"Admiral, she needs to go to the hospital now. She's burning up. I'm worried she's becoming septic." Janette told Mike.
"Ash; I hate to ask, but can Hannah and Joey stay with you a bit longer?" Mike asked.
"Of course. I'm not sure she can walk, though." Ashley answered.
"Its okay." Mike said. He walked to the bed, and very gently and very lovingly picked Kaitlyn up. It made Ashley a little jealous, because her own dad would just call for an ambulance. A blanket was wrapped around Kaitlyn, and Mike, Janette and Kaitlyn were gone within a few moments.
"Ashley; who was that woman?" Hannah asked.
"I think a friend of your dad's? Not sure. She is almost a doctor, though, so she's helping with Kaitlyn." Ashley told her.
"Oh, okay. Well, it was good to see Dad. Hopefully, Katie will be okay. I really need to change these sheets. Katie was really sweaty and nasty." Hannah remarked.
"I'll get you some fresh bedding." Ashley said. She walked to her own bedroom; found a set of sheets and a blanket and helped Hannah change the bed. "I figure they will be gone until at least morning, and your dad has a key if not. Let's go to bed." Ashley suggested and Hannah nodded.
None of them slept well, and it wasn't until later in the morning when Ashley was getting ready for school that Mike called. She could immediately hear the exhaustion and fear in his voice.
"She's going to be okay. Weak. They've admitted her but it may only be for the day." Mike said.
"Why did they admit her?" Ashley asked.
"Her system is pretty well depleted. They are giving her some powerful antibiotics and some other stuff. I don't understand it all, but she is going to have some recovery time." Mike explained.
"I should have made her go to the hospital." Ashley said, regretfully.
"Katie is stubborn. She would have never agreed to it. This isn't your fault. Its just gonna take some time. I've already taken some time off, and I'll have them out of your hair as quick as possible." Mike assured her.
"They are fine. Hannah is questioning Commander Carmichael's sudden appearance." Ashley warned.
"She's just a friend and colleague and that is all Hannah needs to know. She won't be in the Navy much longer, so my being friends with her won't matter. I needed someone with some medical knowledge and Katie seems to like her." Mike said firmly.
"I'll tell her." Ashley said. From the tone of Mike's voice, she had to wonder if there was something he wasn't saying, but it was none of her business. Mike had been good to her and Sammy, but now that he had his own kids back, he would need to concentrate on them. Maybe her own dad would finally step up. Doubtful, but she could hope. They talked a little longer, and then hung up.
At the hospital, Mike watched Janette tuck the blanket a little closer around Kaitlyn. Something had changed between them when they got to San Diego, right after she turned in her papers to leave the Navy. She was officially still in the Navy when Mike slept with her the first time, and if anyone found out, it could ruin his career. Hopefully, Janette would be out of the Navy soon enough and they could pursue their relationship. It was the last thing in the world he had planned on. He needed to concentrate on his kids. Getting to know Kaitlyn and Hannah again and bonding with Joey, but Janette just fit and he hated being away from her. And she was great with Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn seemed to like her.
"I hope I can get out of here soon." Kaitlyn said quietly.
"Just so that you get to feeling better. No hurry." Mike told her as he brushed the hair out of her face gently.
"What will happen to us? I know staying at Ashley's isn't permanent." Kaitlyn asked.
"Well, I have a farm. We'll go there. Recover. Get to know one another again. Fill in the blanks for all of us." Mike said. Janette had stepped out to get them sandwiches and coffee and Mike thought about telling Kaitlyn about his relationship with her.
"And Janette?" Kaitlyn asked.
"What do you think is going on?" Mike asked her gently.
"I think you are more then friends and colleagues." Kaitlyn answered.
"Honey; I will always love your mom. She was my soulmate, but I guess I am getting tired of being alone. That having been said, it is against the rules for Janette and I to be together. Once she is completely out of the Navy, it can change. We've already kind of broke the rules, but that cannot be known. For now, we can only be friends and colleagues." Mike explained.
"That sucks. I like her. Dad, Mom wanted you to be happy. She loved you a lot. Even if she did things that probably made you wonder, she never stopped loving you. She also wanted me to tell you; that Joey is your son. She had no doubts about that. I know you didn't get a chance to meet him, but he is really special. I know you have to follow the rules, but remember; the rules should never get in the way of what your heart wants. If your heart wants her, then everything will work out." Kaitlyn said.
"I really loved your mom too. I hope the end wasn't too hard." Mike said.
"She was pretty weak after Joey was born, and contracted the Red Flu. Just kind of slipped away in her sleep. It was pretty gentle, really." Kaitlyn told him.
"Good. I didn't want her to suffer." Mike said.
"She didn't." Kaitlyn answered simply. Mike reached down and squeezed Kaitlyn's hand as they waited for their sandwiches and coffee.