Peaceful

Chapter 2

Mike was now in charge of the new training facility. He actually enjoyed the physical aspects. He had bought a large four-bedroom house and remodeled it, just like Christine would have liked it. He had always had a hope and prayer that his wife and daughters would return, and so the hope kept him going. He ordered food from the cafeteria and decided to continue working on paperwork, when Danny Greene tore into his office like he was on fire, with Wolf at his heels.

"We have the team assembling, Sir!" Danny said.

"Um…why? I'm the Admiral of the Fleet, and I don't know of anything brewing." Mike said.

"Oh…I forgot to start with the reason. So, I took the recruits out for a run through the nearby neighborhood. A girl…she looked to be maybe eighteen; all beat up. She handed me this." Danny said as he handed Mike a piece of paper. Mike read it and immediately stood up.

"I'm Katie Slattery. My dad is Mike Slattery, who was the XO on the Nathan James. A man named Charlie Davis kidnapped my mom, me and my sister and we are in trouble. We need help. The address is 1256 Euclid Lane. Please help."

"Local LEO's involved?" Mike asked.

"Yep. They are watching the residence. Apparently this Charlie Davis has lived there for a few years but the neighbors didn't know anything about the woman and two girls that also lived there." Charlie said.

"He's got them brainwashed to stay there. Stockholm Syndrome. How did she look?" Mike asked.

"I was running. I barely noticed her, but she seemed small and there were bruises and cuts everywhere, I should have stopped, Sir; but I was focused on the recruits. I put it in my pocket and didn't read it for a few hours. I'm sorry." Danny admitted.

"That…may save her life. Alright, let's get this show on the road." Mike said as he strapped on his bullet proof vest and grabbed his AR-15.

"Sir, is it a wise idea for you to go? We know they need help but what we encounter…may not be good." Wolf asked.

"I'm going. I was a homicide detective for five years, and a patrol officer for five. I can handle it." Mike answered as he walked out of his office. He might actually be getting the answer to his prayers, but what had happened to his wife and daughters? Could he be what they needed?

Russ, Tom, Azima and Sasha were waiting downstairs, and shockingly; so was Miller, Henry Bell, Clayton Swain and Kara Green. Miller had been medically discharged but he was still part of their 'group.' Mike was glad to see them, even if he wasn't sure what everyone would be doing.

"Sasha, Russ and I will be going in with the team and I am assuming you. Bell, Swain and Kara will be coordinating and giving us intel. Miller and his wife will be coordinating if they need clothing and etc. I assume once this is over, you will take them home with you?" Tom asked.

"Yes, but I only have bedroom furniture for my room. There's no telling what's happened to Christine, so I doubt we will share a room." Mike remarked. He didn't disclose that they hadn't shared a bedroom for six months before he left for the Arctic.

"We will handle that." Courtney said as she made notes.

"Thank you." Mike answered.

"How old would your daughters be?" Courtney asked.

"Katie would be eighteen and Hannah would be thirteen." Mike answered. He knew exactly how old they were and he had dreaded every birthday. Just then, two detectives walked in. Mike was familiar with them and liked them. The one, Detective Dalton Harris had tried to convince Mike to retire and join the police force.

"Alright, so we pulled paperwork on this Charlie Davis. He was put in charge of the safe zone that your wife and children were at. After that; he just kind of disappeared. About six months ago, he rented the house on Euclid Lane. However, he is being evicted so we need to move now." Detective Harris said.

"This could be a trap." His partner, Detective Smith remarked. Mike was not as familiar with her, but even he had to admit it was a possibility.

"Danny; did the girl look like the Admiral's daughter?" Kara asked.

"I only ever saw one picture of her, but there is a possibility. She did have a resemblance to Admiral Slattery." Danny said.

"Katie had a lighter complexion. Christine and Hannah were both darker." Mike answered.

"This girl had light brown hair, kind of blonde." Danny said.

"Did she have a scar on her chin? She fell from the monkey bars when she was five and Christine was visiting her sister. I had to take her for stitches, and it always stayed with me." Mike asked.

"Sir…there might have been a scar but there was also a lot of fresh cuts and bruises. It would be hard to say." Danny remarked.

"So, since we only have sketchy intel, thankfully; Charlie Davis has a felony warrant for him out of Vermont, and they will extradite so that gives us probable cause to go into the house." Detective Harris said.

"Its all very sketchy." Detective Smith said.

"It could be the only chance we have to get my family back. Rather you want to be involved or not; I am going to get them back." Mike insisted.

"When do we do this?" Tom asked.

"Is your team assembled?" Detective Harris asked.

"Yes. When you're ready; I'm ready." Mike said. He wanted it all over, but he also knew he had to be smart. He didn't want any of his crew to get hurt. He also didn't want his wife and daughters traumatized any further and he wanted Charlie Davis arrested or dead, preferably by his own hands. But more than anything, he wanted to take Christine and the girls home so he could put them back together again.

"Let me make a call." Detective Harris said as he walked back out of the training building.

"Mike; I think it would be wise if you stood back. Wait until we go in and secure them before going in." Tom said.

"I want to be the first one in that door." Mike said.

"I understand but you could also get yourself killed being the first in. Christine and the girls are gonna need you alive." Tom remarked.

"You went in when Shaw had your kids." Mike retorted.

"Yes, and it was a stupid move that got Tex killed. I'm not saying you can't go in, but just take a breath. Christine and the girls need you alive and not in jail." Tom said.

"And you will call me in as soon as you lay eyes on them?" Mike asked.

"Yes." Tom said.

"Alright." Mike agreed, not happy at all. He wanted to be the first one his wife and daughters saw, but he also understood why others would be worried. Everyone suited up and they were out the door, leaving the Millers, Kara, and Clayton Swain at the training facility. The house on Euclid Lane was only a mile from the training facility, but it seemed to take forever to Mike, who just wanted to be reunited with his wife and daughters.

Russ stayed outside with Mike in the truck. Mike seen the flash bang go off inside the house and almost jumped out of his skin, worrying about how scared his wife and daughters were, but finally, Russ's phone rang and Mike had the truck door half open. After saying 'Okay' a few times; Russ disconnected the call.

"They are alive. Badly beaten. They think Hannah's arm is broken." Russ said.

"I can handle all that." Mike said but Russ grabbed his arm before he could jump out of the vehicle.

"Unfortunately, there is something else. Christine is pregnant. She's already told Tom the baby is the product of a rape, but she is adamant already that she is keeping it." Russ said. It broke Mike's heart. He might have fought and argued with Christine, but he still loved her deeply. She was his soul-mate.

"How far along?" Mike asked, not that it really mattered.

"Pretty close to being due, but she's not had any medical care, so hard to say for sure." Russ said. He had let go of Mike's arm and they both got out of the truck.

"Damn it! They were a mile away for the past six months. I've drove by this house…ran by it last week when I ran with the recruits. How did I not know by instinct?" Mike said as they walked up the sidewalk.

"Instincts don't work that way." Russ said. Mike swung the front door open and was faced with Sasha, who gave him a worried look.

"First and foremost, they need to go to the hospital and get checked out." Sasha said. He nodded and followed her into a living room. He had always imagined the hugs and tears, but he didn't get the hugs. Only tears and fear. Christine was sitting on the couch with the girls on either side of her and they all looked stunned. Mike could tell her belly was a bit swollen but nothing like she had been when she was close to her due date during her previous three pregnancies. He knelt down in front of them, hoping to not scare them. It gave him a good view of the various injuries.

"First of all, I am really glad we finally found you all. Do you all need an ambulance to get checked out at the hospital?" Mike asked. He wanted to touch them. Wipe tears, hug them, kiss their faces, but they were shaking in fear.

"No, I don't think so, but Hannah's arm is broken. She definitely needs checked out." Christine said.

"I see that." Mike answered as he stood back up. Christine and both girls stood up in unison. Detective Smith arrived with a stack of blankets, and Christine put them over both girls and then over herself. Mike indicated for Sasha. "Can you and Azima ride with us? I think the girls and Christine would feel better to have a female around." Mike asked her quietly.

"Of course." Sasha agreed. Azima overheard and followed them out where they all climbed into Tom's SUV. His truck was back at the training facility. Sasha began driving them to the nearest hospital and Mike listened to the girls and Christine talking quietly. Azima was also listening intently and a thought occurred to Mike.

"When did you three eat last?" Mike asked.

"They ate earlier today. I ate yesterday." Christine answered and his eyes drifted to her stomach. First and foremost, she needed prenatal care. He wasn't sure how he felt about the baby she was carrying, but he still loved her and wanted her to be healthy.

"As they get checked out, we'll get them some food." Sasha told him. He nodded in response. Five minutes later, they were at the hospital and were shockingly taken back to an exam room a few minutes later. Hannah was examined first and her arm was reset. It was painful and Mike wanted to hold her but she was struggling. Finally, Christine was ushered into an adjoining room for her ultrasound. She gave Mike a pleading look and Sasha nodded at him, communicating that she would stay with the girls. Azima was getting food for the three of them.

"Please, Mike? In case something is wrong?" Christine asked.

"Of course." Mike said as he followed her into the room. She was helped onto the exam table and her threadbare shirt was lifted up to reveal her abdomen, scarred up as well. Mike stood next to her and Christine grasped his hand, surprising him. The jelly was spread over the area and a moment later, as the technician moved the wand, a familiar sound filled the room.

"The heartbeat." Christine said quietly.

"Does everything look okay?" Mike asked.

"The baby is measuring fairly small, but the doctor will go into further detail. Would you like to know the gender?" The technician asked and Christine nodded. Mike squeezed her hand in response. "Alright, it's a baby boy. Congratulations, I suppose?" The technician said.

"Thank you." Christine answered. Mike gave her a smile. She was braver than he would ever expect her to be. A moment later, the doctor was in the room; assessing the ultrasound and asking Christine some questions about her other pregnancies.

"Alright; while the baby is small, I think if you have a healthy diet the next month, he will be alright. Maybe a lower birth weight than your norm, but still okay. Also, I am going to prescribe some special prenatal vitamins and suggest you drink plenty of milk. Its more expensive, but it will benefit you and the baby. It'll strengthen you up some before the birth. I can give you the contact information for my office, if you'd like?" The OBGYN, Dr. Summers asked.

"That's fine." Mike answered. He didn't care about the money at that point. He nervously helped Christine up, not knowing how she would react.

"More than anything, a healthy diet and a warm home will help. Given your age, I do want you to see me every week until he arrives." Dr. Summers explained.

"When's the due date?" Mike asked.

"Its kind of hard to estimate given the size of the baby. And I understand you are a bit unsure of dates, Mrs. Slattery?" Dr. Summers asked.

"Yeah, I had lost all track of dates and such. My best guess would be that I'm about thirty-six weeks along but I might be wrong too." Christine admitted. She had adjusted her clothing but was still clinging to Mike's hand. Dr. Summers handed Mike a pamphlet with her information attached and gave them both an encouraging smile.

"Let's get you home." Mike said gently.

"Where's home? Mike; I…want to go home with you but with the baby, I can't expect you to raise this baby or even care for me until I have him. I am okay as long as the girls are okay and I can have this baby in a warm place." Christine said as she stopped him in the hallway outside of the girl's exam room.

"I am still sorting out how I feel about him, but I still care about you and want you safe. I will take you home with me and the girls. There's plenty of room. By the time the baby arrives, I will hopefully have figured out how I feel, but one thing I am sure of; is that I am still in love with you." Mike said simply.

"Mike, thank you. I was so worried and I am so tired. I love you too. I know there was a lot of problems between you and I, so I really appreciate this." Christine said. Normally, Mike would have kissed her but it was not the right time, so he squeezed her hand again and gently pulled her into the other exam room. Hannah gave him a weak smile and Katie nodded as a doctor stitched a bad cut at her hairline.

"Soon as this is done, they can be released. Since its getting late, we will have the prescriptions brought to you here before you leave." The nurse explained and Mike nodded.

"This must all be so expensive." Christine remarked.

"Ah, well, I never took you all off my insurance so its all covered. Just…thought it was admitting you were gone." Mike told her quietly and she nodded, obviously still worried about the cost but at least they wouldn't have any huge medical bills.

"I just spoke with Courtney. They are currently working on getting your house ready. I don't know how exactly but she has ways. Also, Charlie Davis has been taken into custody and won't be out for a long time." Sasha explained.

"Will it be warm?" Hannah asked.

"Yes." Mike said. His heart ached looking at Hannah. He had never played favorites with his kids, but Hannah was his. There was just something about her personality that he had always loved and connected with. Of course; he adored Katie and Lucas. And seeing Katie hurting, hurt him. But Hannah's injuries tore into him and the fact that he couldn't touch either of his girls really bothered him. All he wanted was to hug them and make them feel safe again.

"And there will be plenty of food too. Courtney is taking care of everything." Azima told both girls.

"For Mom too? Will she have plenty of food and all that?" Katie asked. Mike got the feeling that she was intensely protective of her mom.

"Your dad is insistent that I will be staying with you girls. We will all be together." Christine assured both girls. Mike could see them both breathe a sigh of relief.

"Girls, you both and Mom will all be completely safe, and when the baby is born, he will be safe as well. You have nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing." Mike told them. He took a chance and patted Hannah's shoulder and touched Katie's arm. Thankfully, neither of them flinched. It gave him a tiny amount of hope.

Katie's cut was stitched. Prescriptions were brought to Mike and he signed the paperwork for his family. He was given directions on what foods were appropriate, as well as follow up appointments. By the time they got packed into Sasha's SUV, Mike was exhausted. He had no hope for a normal marriage, but he would stay married to Christine to protect her. His girls were a disaster and in a few weeks, he would be welcoming a new baby boy who was completely innocent of his circumstances. It was all so overwhelming and Mike was lost. Could he be who they needed?