CHAPTER SIX

It had been two weeks since Mike started watching the boys. He was a little worried about Ginny working so much but he kept his mouth shut and enjoyed his time with the two boys. Wyatt was a handful, but Mike was slowly figuring out his triggers and what calmed the boy down. He had started searching the internet for ideas on what might be affecting the boy. He had a couple thoughts and wanted to talk to someone about it but didn't want to step on Ginny's toes.

It was a big day as Ty's research paper was due today. Mike was impressed with how hard the kid had worked on it and was proud with the finished product. There were some personal touches from Mike that wouldn't be in the public domain. Ty was in good spirits when Mike put him on the bus. It was a nice day, so Mike decided to take Wyatt down the street to a local park.

They were the only ones there and that suited Mike just fine. He watched as Wyatt wandered around the playground, picking up rocks and sticks. He was making sounds the Mike could only describe as sound effects as he went. Wyatt went down the slide a million times in between the quest for the perfect rock or stick. Mike saw it was nearing lunch time, so he gathered up Wyatt, and after a small melt down Mike was able to coax him away from the playground.

Once back in the apartment Mike made a light lunch for Wyatt and then they settled onto the couch. Wyatt's hand found Mike's shirt and Mike smiled. Wyatt slowly closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. Mike was watching television when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the screen.

"Tom, how's it going?" Mike said softly into the phone.

"Still moving forward," Tom said. His voice sounded tired to Mike.

"That good?" Mike asked as he looked down at Wyatt sound asleep against his side.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm doing pretty good. Still watching the boys, helping that family out."

"Sounds like you found your place."

"Maybe. Did you have a reason for calling?" Mike asked as he felt Tom was stalling. There was a long pause and Mike knew he was right, something was up. "Tom?"

"No, just wanted to reach out and see how you were doing."

"What's really going on?" Mike asked. He heard Tom chuckle slightly.

"It's not important. But I was thinking of coming to visit. Need a little break in the scenery."

"Things, okay? How's Sasha? Kids, okay?"

"It's complicated," Tom replied with a sigh. "Would you mind a house guest for a few days?"

"Not at all. When are you thinking about coming out? Just you?"

"I have a long weekend coming up this weekend, and yeah."

"Nothing like short notice," Mike laughed. He felt Wyatt shift and he looked down. The boy settled back against his side.

"So that a no or a, yes?" Tom asked. Mike could hear the stress in his friend's voice.

"It's a yes, Tom, you're always welcome here. I'll clean up the guest room for you. Coming Friday?"

"Yes. We'll talk more when I get out there. How are you holding up? Sleeping okay these days?"

"Most nights," Mike replied. "Watching the boys helps a lot. But when I'm alone the thoughts and memories creep in," Mike replied. They finalized their plans and Mike hung up the phone. He glanced in the direction bedroom he needed to tidy up and sighed. He'd work on that when he didn't have the boys. Wyatt woke up and Mike sat on the floor with him and helped him sort his blocks.

Ty came in the from school and was quiet and reserved. Mike wondered what had happened to the boy at school. Ty went for the fridge first and made himself a sandwich. After he was done eating Mike slid into the chair across from him and smiled. Ty looked down at his hands.

"Something wrong?" Mike asked leaning forward on his elbows. Ty looked up and Mike thought he was close to tears.

"I turned my report in today," Ty said dejected, and Mike wondered what happened.

"And?" Mike asked.

"The teacher said I made it all up and that I didn't do a good job because I didn't actually research what happened, I didn't have my sources listed," Ty replied. Mike fought the urge to smile. He pursed his lips and tried to think of something supportive to say.

"I'm sorry, Ty, I gave you the real story not what the government put out in their tales."

"But mine was the best one and they all thought I just made it all up."

"But you and I know it's all the truth."

"Yeah, but everyone laughed at me."

"I'm sorry, Buddy," Mike said as Wyatt was half running, half skipping past them.

Mike got up and went to Ty reaching down and pulling the boy into a hug. He held him for a while as the boy sunk into him and sighed. When Mike finally let him go, Ty seemed to be in a better mood. Ty went to the couch and flipped the channels. Wyatt climbed up next to his brother and sat upside down on the couch. Mike smiled.

Ginny had an early night and showed up around dinner time. Mike had prepared a dinner that he, Ty, and Ginny all ate. Wyatt ate some fruit, and some left over pizza. It had become a habit on the nights Ginny got off at dinner that Mike made dinner for all of them. Mike looked forward to those nights, but he loved any day he had with the boys. Mike helped Ginny wrangle the boys out the door and he watched as they headed down the hall to their own apartment. He closed his own door and turned towards the bedroom that needed straightening so Tom would have a place to crash.

He cleaned up the room and made the bed ready. He had four days until Tom showed up, but he was ready. He settled himself on the couch and watched a movie that was playing. He was half asleep when the movie ended and the next one started. He let himself drift into light sleep where he dreamed of dead friends and his kids.

He was startled awake by loud banging on his door. When he cleared his mind from sleep and oriented himself, he sat up as the banging continued. He glanced at the clock and frowned as it was after midnight. He jumped from the couch and hurried to the door when he heard Ty yelling his name. He yanked his door open and saw the distraught boy standing there crying. He put his hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong!?" Mike exclaimed as his heart pounded. Ty pointed down towards their apartment.

"Jeremy came back," he said roughly. Mike could see the fear in his eyes, hear it in his voice.

"Is he in the apartment?"

"Yes, he had a key still, my mom," Ty was breathing hard and struggling not to cry. Mike nodded quickly and pushed the boy into his own apartment. "Where's Wy?"

"In his room, I think. I don't know," Ty replied as the tears slipped down his face.

"Okay. Stay here, I'll be back. Don't open the door, no matter what," Mike said. "Lock it."

"Okay," Ty said as Mike shut the door on him. He heard the lock click into place and Mike hurried down the hallway. He could hear the yelling coming from Ginny's apartment and he stopped at the doorway to assess the situation. When he heard a smack and Ginny cry out Mike shouldered the door open all the way and stepped into the room. Jeremy's head snapped around to stare at him.

"Who the fuck are you?" Jeremy spat out. Mike scanned the apartment quickly. He saw Ginny holding her jaw and mouth slumped against the wall, tears running down her face. He didn't see Wyatt anywhere but could hear him keening. He stepped further into the living room and left the door open behind him.

"Ginny are you, okay?" Mike asked in an even tone, ignoring Jeremy for the moment. She didn't acknowledge him. "Ginny," he said with more force, in his command voice. He saw her jump a little and then look at him. He could see the swelling in her lip.

"Ty get you?" she asked weakly. Mike just nodded. "I'm okay," she said softly. Mike felt the anger burn in his chest as he turned and looked at Jeremy.

"The fuck you looking at, asshole?"

"I'm not the asshole," Mike breathed out as he took a step forward. "Get out of here and don't come back."

"Or what?" Jeremy sneered at him with a laugh. Ginny had taken a few steps back, away from Jeremy. Mike could see the blood on her split lip and a bruise forming on her jaw.

"Or I'll make you leave. Right now, I haven't called the police. I'll give you one free pass to get your ass out of their lives forever. You come back and it'll be another story."

"Tough guy, huh? You banging him now, Gin?"

"Get out, Jeremy," Ginny said, her voice shaking. Mike saw the anger flare across Jeremy's face and watched as the man sprung towards her. He moved across the living room in a flash, using his larger frame to slam Jeremy to the ground. Mike quickly straddled the man's back, whipping an arm around and pinning him hard against the floor. Mike leaned down in Jeremy's ear.

"I said get out of here and don't come back. You are no longer welcome," Mike whispered in the man's ear. Jeremy fought viciously trying to buck Mike off him, but Mike's hold never wavered.

He grabbed Jeremy by the back of the collar and his one arm and planted his feet, yanking both of them up off the floor and into a standing position. Jeremy tried to spin free, and Mike twisted his arm hard up his back and Jeremy let out a startled cry of pain. Mike picked him up off the ground and carried him to the door, tossing him roughly out into the hallway. Jeremy stumbled and caught himself hard against the far wall.

"Go before you really piss me off," Mike said with clenched teeth. Jeremy looked at him, contemplating his next move. Mike felt relief when Jeremy made the decision to leave.

"It ain't over," Jeremy said over his shoulder then disappeared down the stairway. Mike let out a breath and turned back into the apartment. He looked over at Ginny, who seemed embarrassed he was there. She slipped into the kitchen and Mike stepped over and stood in the entry way.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, and Ginny looked at him as she got ice from the freezer. She nodded slowly as the tears fell down her face. Mike went over to her and pulled her into a hug, holding her tight against his chest. "It's okay. You're safe now," Mike mumbled.

He felt her nod gently against him. He held her for a few more moments, then he felt her push slightly trying to break his hold. He let her go, as she finished getting the ice out. They both looked over as they heard Wyatt cry out, then a thump against his door. Ginny still hadn't said anything, and Mike looked back at her as she pressed the ice pack against his lip.

"I'll get him. Then we can go down to my apartment for tonight."

"Yeah," Ginny mumbled as more tears spilled. Mike nodded and walked back towards Wyatt's room. He gently opened the door and found the boy sitting on the floor rocking back and forth with his hand wrapped up in a blanket.

"Hey, Wyatt, want to go to my house?" The boy looked up at the sound of Mike's voice and whined before he reached out for Mike. Mike bent down and scooped him up, placing him on his hip. "Come on, let's go down to my place."

Mike walked out into the living room of Ginny's apartment and found her crying while sitting on the couch. He leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder. She took a moment but then quickly glanced at him then looked away. He could see the shame and embarrassment in her eyes.

"Does Jeremy still have the key?" Mike asked. He saw the realization dawn on Ginny as she slowly nodded her head. "Come on. You and the boys are staying with me tonight, then I'll work on getting the locks changed for you tomorrow."

"Okay," Ginny mumbled.

"Do you want to grab some things before we go? I need to go let Ty know everyone is okay."

"I'm okay," she mumbled as Mike nodded and shifted Wyatt to a more comfortable position. He then stood and held out a hand to Ginny. She reached up and took it gently and Mike pulled her to her feet. The walked quietly down to his apartment and he unlocked and opened the door.

They found Ty sitting on the couch, crying silently. He jumped up when they came in and the boy ran to his mother and wrapped his arms around her middle. She hugged him tightly back. Mike waited for them to pull apart as he set a squirming Wyatt down.

"You guys can take the bedrooms," Mike said softly. "Guest room is all set up for the boys. You can have my room and I'll take the couch tonight. Or if you want Wyatt with you. However, you want," Mike continued.

Ginny nodded slowly and then told Ty to get to bed. Mike showed him the guest room and then walked back into the living room. He caught Wyatt as the boy skipped by and swung him on his hip. Ginny was still standing there staring at the wall. Mike hugged Wyatt and then took him in the room with Ty. Ty turned away from Mike when he came in, and hurriedly wiped at his eyes. Mike sighed as he tucked Wyatt into the bed.

"It's okay," Mike said softly. He reached over and touched the boy's shoulder. "You're safe tonight."

"What about tomorrow?" Ty said quietly and Mike sighed again. He laid down on the bed next to Wyatt and pulled both boys in close. Mike looked at Ty and gave the boy a smile.

"I'll take care of it. Everything will be safe again, okay?" Mike said quietly and Ty didn't respond except for a few more tears slipping out. Mike placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Do you trust me, Ty?"

Ty nodded slowly and swiped at his face again, trying to stop his tears. Mike nodded and squeezed his hand. Wyatt curled into Mike's chest and wrapped his hand in Mike's shirt.

"Try to get some sleep," Mike said, and Ty closed his eyes. Mike went to get up and Wyatt whined and gripped his shirt tighter.

"Can you stay until we fall asleep?" Ty whispered, his eyes drifting already.

"Absolutely," Mike said.

It didn't take the boys long to go back to sleep and Mike waited a little longer to make sure. He then slowly extracted himself from them and left the room, gently closing the door behind. When he got to the living room Ginny was sitting on his couch staring at his television. Mike sat down and cleared his throat. She looked up at him and he could see the sadness in her eyes.

"Boys are back asleep," Mike said softly.

"Thank you," she whispered, and Mike watched the tears form in her eyes. She fought a battle but eventually lost and they slipped down her face. Mike shifted himself closer and pulled her into his side, wrapping his arms around her. She buried her face in his shirt and cried. Mike held her for a while, until she pulled back. He let her go and scooted himself back over. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I just want you and the boys to be safe."

"I still don't understand why you care so much," Ginny said as she looked away from him. Mike frowned and looked at his hands. They sat in silence for a moment but then Mike had the urge to tell why. He suddenly needed to get it off his chest.

"Because Ty reminds me of Lucas," Mike said, his voice clouded with sadness. Ginny looked up at him.

"Who's Lucas?" She asked, Mike hesitated. Was he ready to talk about this? Did he really want to hash it out here and now?

"Lucas was my son. He would have been twelve. Same as Ty."

"I'm sorry, Red Flu?"

"Yes," Mike said taking a deep breath. Ginny looked over at him, but he was still looking down at his hands.

"And that's why you wanted to watch the boys?"

"It helps," Mike replied struggling for words. "I lost of lot during the pandemic and the following years." Mike remembered that she had no idea who he really was. She didn't know what he did in his past. He wasn't quite sure he was ready to be found out.

"I lost my husband. Ty's father. He was in the Army when the pandemic started and was deployed overseas. I was told he died."

"I'm sorry," Mike said. "I lost my wife and daughters as well as Lucas."

"All of them?"

"Yes, along with many friends. It still haunts me."

"All from the red flu?"

"No," Mike said as he finally looked up at her.

"It must have been hard to watch your son get sick and die," Ginny said as she hugged herself as if she was cold. Mike felt the guilt burn in his chest.

"I wasn't there. I was…in the artic," Mike mumbled as his brain traveled back in time to the phone call he had managed to get through that day. How angry Christine was with him, how the news felt like a punch to the gut. Ginny was staring at the wall. "When I got the news there was nothing I could do. It was the last time I ever heard from my family."

"You were in the…artic?" Ginny asked. Mike sucked in a deep breath and nodded slowly. He looked up to find Ginny looking at him. He locked eyes with her.

"Yes, I was in the Navy," Mike replied. He could see her working the information in her mind. Mike looked down for a moment then looked back up to her. "You don't know who I am do you?"

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked but Mike could see she was piecing things together.

"Your son knows," Mike sighed. "My last name is Slattery, Ginny."

"Slattery?" She asked as she rolled the name around in her mind. "Like Admiral Mike Slattery? Head of the Navy Mike Slattery?"

"Retired Admiral Slattery," Mike corrected. "Sorry I didn't…I mean it wasn't really pertinent and I liked the…anonymity," Mike said with a sigh. Ginny was staring at him, and he smiled softly.

"You were on the ship that saved the world," she said a little in awe. Mike smiled and nodded.

"I went through a lot that still haunts me," Mike said. "The boys help keep the demons at bay."

"I can't imagine if I lost Ty or Wyatt," Ginny said quietly, her eyes downcast. Mike swallowed the lump in his throat and breathed deeply to stop the tears. "You said a boy and daughters?"

"Yes, two. Brynn and Hannah. Lucas was my youngest."

"How old were your daughters?" She asked quietly. Mike felt that burn of tears again and he thought about his children.

"Brynn would be twenty. Hannah would be seventeen. Lucas twelve."

"I'm sorry, Mike, that's not an easy thing to live through."

"I think it's worse because I never really found out about my wife and girls. They just disappeared."

"Wouldn't they look for you? I mean I don't think you would be hard to track down."

"That's why I think they're gone. Maybe not my wife, it was…rocky…when I left for the arctic, but the girls…I like to think they would search for me if they were still alive."

"I'm sorry," she said gently, and her hand landed softly on his arm. Mike nodded and swallowed hard again. They sat in silence for a while and Mike noticed it was getting late. "I think I should turn in. It's late…or early," Ginny said with a smile. Mike nodded.

"Yeah," he replied. Ginny squeezed her hand on his arm then stood up and walked towards Mike's bedroom.

"Good night, Mike," she said softly then disappeared behind the closed door. Mike stretched his frame out along the couch and pulled a blanket over himself and felt sleep pull him under. He dreamed of chasing his kids, and long dead friends.

To Be Continued…