I decided to go AU and reunite Mike and his family much earlier in this story then what they did in the show.
Bitter
Chapter 4
It all went to hell so quickly. By August, Lucas had died and Christine was scrambling to keep herself and the girls alive. A kind pharmacist had given Christine an advance on Katie's arthritis medication, and she found the safe zone at Deer Park. She was too busy to grieve and too worried to think.
Mike finally called in November. What struck Christine was how genuinely grief-stricken he was. Maybe it was guilt? She did her best to not be angry with him, and listened carefully to his directives, but she also knew he was in uncharted territory and they were both having to make due. The call was disconnected due to poor service but at least Mike had tried. Christine told the girls that their dad loved and missed them very much and that he would find them.
The safe zone was not safe. They had to leave without any of their personal belongings which bothered Christine deeply. She knew not to go home so they started walking. Katie was hurting due to the colder weather and so they got as far as Tom and Darien Chandler's old house. It didn't look occupied so she decided it would be okay to take shelter there…that was until she was met with a shotgun. She immediately recognized Tom's dad, Jed.
"Jed…its Christine Slattery. We didn't have anywhere else to go." Christine said. He lowered the gun but eyed them suspiciously.
"Have you had the shot?" Jed asked.
"What shot?" Christine asked back. He sat the gun down and gestured at them to come in.
"Tom, Mike and their crew had some scientist on board who was working on the cure for this damn pandemic. I have a couple extra doses. Have you eaten?" Jed asked. He helped Katie out of her coat and rubbed her arms to warm her back up. Her illness was no secret.
"Not in a day or so. We had to leave the safe zone we were at." Christine answered.
"Well, c'mon. I'll heat some soup up and we'll give you those shots." Jed said.
"Look, Jed; I just need a safe place for the girls and I to sleep for a few hours. We can be out of your hair in the morning." Christine said. The girls had sat down next to the fire and Christine kept Jed in the hallway. As well known as Katie's illness had been, her affair was also well known and Jed was legendary for being a traditionalist. He would not approve of her screwing around on her husband.
"Nah. I promised Tom I would look for you all when Mike had to go back to the ship. You are welcome to leave but I think its best if you stay. Katie needs warmth and good food. Hannah does too, for that matter. Now; why don't you go get warmed up and I'll bring some soup in." Jed said.
"You must know…about what I did to Mike?" Christine asked.
"I do but I also know marriages are never easy and even harder when one of the partners is in the military. Mike also made some poor decisions but considering everything; you both need to put that behind yourselves and forgive each other. Mike was worried sick about you and the girls. He would want me to keep you all here with me and the kids." Jed said.
"Darien?" Christine asked. At one time, they had been best friends but Darien hadn't approved of Christine's behavior the year before.
"She didn't make it." Jed answered. He patted Christine's shoulder and made his way to the kitchen. Christine settled next to Katie and smiled at her.
"This makes it easier for Daddy to find us." Katie remarked. Christine nodded in agreement but looked at Katie's fingers. She had had some of her medications but not all and her fingers were starting to bend at the knuckles. It was pitiful to see and had to be painful for Katie. And what would Mike say when he saw it? It was her job to manage Katie's medical issues. Mike had been indifferent but he would care about his daughter being in pain.
It was a bit awkward sleeping in Tom and Darien's master bedroom but it allowed her to stay with the girls and the room was warm. Katie slept between Christine and Hannah and never moved a muscle. It proved how tired both girls were. As for Christine; the bed did feel good and the body heat made her very sleepy. She just couldn't shut her mind off and probably wouldn't until they heard from Mike.
