first started. I know in Season 4, it talked about them meeting on the James, but I've also seen interviews that they had been friends since the Academy, so I am going to go with that storyline. Also, I know typically, married people wouldn't be accepted into the Academy, but I used some artistic license with that. Also, it will be written from Mike's POV, because I stink at writing anyone else. Please enjoy and review!
The Friendship
Chapter 1
Mike adjusted the textbooks and watched the other students pass. They were all talking about going to the bar and hanging out over the weekend. Meanwhile, he would be at his tiny apartment with his wife and two small daughters, Kaitlyn and Hannah.
He was lucky that he had even been accepted into the Academy. Normally, they didn't accept married people, but there had been exceptions made since 9-11. He also had a sponsorship from a state senator who Mike had saved as a cop. The smart thing to do would have been to leave Christine and the girls at home in Chicago, but he would have missed them too much. It made things miserable for Christine, especially after Hannah was born. She was away from her own mother and sisters, which made having a four-year-old and an infant difficult.
As Mike walked to the van that he and Christine shared, he was passed by a second-class student, Tom Chandler. Tom was young, with no family and no responsibilities outside of the Academy. He did everything he could to make Mike's life miserable.
"Hurry up, Slattery! Get your ass in gear." Tom ordered.
"For what, Sir?" Mike questioned. Tom was four years younger.
"A group of us is going to Garrity's. You can come along…that is if you can untie the apron ties that have you all tangled up." Tom offered.
"Thank you, sir. I have to get home though. My wife needs to go grocery shopping and we only have the one vehicle. Plus, she needs a time out from the girls." Mike said. It drove him crazy that he couldn't be like the other students, but he had responsibilities.
"I knew them accepting a guy with the who wife and kids was a mistake. What's she gonna do when you're deployed?" Tom asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Mike answered. It was a worry for him. Christine hated Annapolis, hated being away from family and from Chicago, and hated Mike being gone so much. Money was extremely tight too.
"I suggest you figure it out. Go, change a diaper." Tom said, dismissively. He climbed into his sports car, while Mike climbed into his minivan. What a contrast. He drove to his tiny two-bedroom apartment, checked the mail and groaned at the ever-increasing bills and then walked up the stairs to his apartment. He could hear Hannah crying as soon as he approached the door. It made him take a deep breath before he opened it.
"Finally, you're home!" Christine said as she cradled three-month-old Hannah. The baby was crying angrily, and Kaitlyn was sitting on the couch with a sulky look on her face.
"Yeah. I'll take her." Mike said as he reached for Hannah.
"No. She's spitting everything up. I have to find a new formula. Change your uniform. I don't have time to get a stain out." Christine said. Her own shirt was covered with stains but that had escaped her notice.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike said simply, knowing not to argue. He went into their tiny room, occupied by a tiny double-sized bed, Hannah's crib, a dresser, and one nightstand. He found an old t-shirt and pajama pants and put them on before walking back into the living area. As soon as he did, Christine put Hannah in his arms.
"Alright, Kaitlyn; your time out is over. No more playing rough with Hannah when I let you hold her. She isn't one of your dolls." Christine scolded their older daughter.
"Yes, ma'am." Kaitlyn echoed Mike as she climbed off the couch and began playing with her toys.
"I am going to run to the store. Supper is in the oven. It will be done at 4:45. I've set a timer." Christine explained.
"Okay. You might want to change your shirt." Mike suggested. Christine looked down at her own shirt and groaned.
"Kaitlyn has discovered throwing food. She had spaghetti for lunch." Christine answered. Instead of walking to their bedroom to change, she walked to the washer and dryer and pulled a shirt out of the dryer. She took her own shirt off and put the new one on, not caring who seen her. Of course, Mike snuck a look because their sex life was non-existent.
"I see. I'll spray some stuff on that." Mike answered. He was bouncing Hannah up and down, trying to appease her.
"Don't do that. She'll lose whatever is left of her bottle." Christine answered. She had grabbed her purse, her book of coupons and a calculator.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike said. He handed her the keys to the van and his cellphone since they only had the one. They had a house phone, so she could call home if needed, but Mike wouldn't be able to help her.
"Kaitlyn, behave yourself." Christine said before walking out of the door. Mike looked down at his older daughter and smiled at her.
"Want some chocolate milk?" Mike asked her.
"Mommy said no. It'll ruin my dinner." Kaitlyn answered. There were times she was more mature then Mike.
"Alright, well; how about cartoons?" Mike asked.
"I'm tired of cartoons. Can't you just be quiet and make Hannah be quiet? I have to do my work." Kaitlyn said as she set up her little table with all kinds of dishes and things.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike said. He sat down on the lumpy coach with Hannah in his arms. It made him realize just how exhausted he was.