CHAPTER TEN

Mike woke up the next morning and went through his morning routine. He was watching the clock for the time Ginny would bring Wyatt over. The time came and went, and Mike began to worry. He walked down the hall and used his key to open the door.

"Ginny?" he asked. There was no answer to him, but he could hear someone in the back talking. Mike walked back towards the bedrooms. The noise was coming from Wyatt's room and as Mike got closer, he heard the sounds of a struggle. His heart quickened and he moved faster to the door.

When he opened the door up, he saw Wyatt and Ginny as Ginny was attempting to put clothes on Wyatt. He was crying and thrashing around, hitting and kicking. Ginny was crying and trying to calm him while also attempting to keep them both safe. Mike swooped in and grabbed Wyatt, hugging him tightly to his body. He whispered into the boy's ear.

"Hey, Wyatt, it's okay, Buddy. Mike's here," he said softly. Ginny slumped down on the bed and cried harder.

Mike turned away from her as Wyatt violently struggled against him. He put Wyatt down and the boy immediately collapsed to the floor screaming. Mike laid down next to him and placed his hand gently on Wyatt's chest. They laid like that for a while and finally Wyatt began to quiet down. Mike looked over and found Wyatt had fallen asleep. Mike looked up and noticed that Ginny had left the room. With Wyatt asleep, Mike got up and went in search of Ginny. He found her in her own bedroom on the bed crying.

Mike wasn't sure what to do or how to approach. He stood in the doorway for a moment, staring at her, feeling his heart break. He had no idea what had transpired, or how to make Ginny feel that it was okay that it had happened. He finally decided to go into the room, and he sat down on the bed, next to her. He stretched his legs out along the bed and leaned against the headboard. After a few moments he reached out and placed his hand gently in the center of Ginny's back.

"Hey, it's okay," Mike whispered. "He's asleep now." Ginny didn't respond and he decided to keep quiet too. He gently rubbed his hand on her back trying to sooth her. After a while he felt her roll onto her side, and he pulled his hand back. She looked up at him and he smiled at her.

"This is embarrassing," she whispered and closed her eyes.

"Hey, no, it's not. Wyatt's a special boy, and he's got some crossed wiring but it's not anybody's fault. It just happens sometimes."

"You're so understanding of him," Ginny said as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. Mike reached over and wiped them away without thinking.

"What can I say, the little guy won me over."

"He really likes you," Ginny said. "That's so rare with him."

"He's got good taste," Mike said with a chuckle. Ginny smiled at him.

"I think so too," she whispered. Mike smiled.

"What happened?"

"It was just a rough morning. Started last night. Wyatt got up around midnight and didn't want to go back to sleep. So, he was amped up and crazy, then this morning he didn't want to…put on clothes. It sounds so damn silly now."

"Not silly," Mike reassured her. "Sometimes he just gets something stuck in his head and he can't deviate. Next time just call me," Mike said. "Hell, you could have called me last night and I would have come got him so you could get some sleep."

Ginny looked at him for a long while. Mike looked down at his hands in his lap. He heard her sigh deeply. "We don't deserve you," she mumbled and then got up. "I have to get ready. I'm going to be so late."

Mike stayed laying in her bed, watching her get ready. He had the sudden urge to just lay with her in the bed and it shocked him a little. He didn't dare act on any of it. He couldn't risk losing them, her or the boys. She seemed to be ignoring his presence, all the way up to her leaving the room. Mike slowly stood up and walked to Wyatt's room, checking on the boy. He was still asleep on his floor and Mike continued out into the living room. Ginny was gathering up her things to leave. She checked the clock and groaned.

"I got to go. Damian's going to be mad. I'll be home late so," Ginny said still not looking at him.

"I'll put the boys to sleep down here," Mike replied quietly. She nodded and finally looked at him, smiling softly. "Have a good day," Mike said with a smile. Ginny looked at him and he thought she was debating something but then she just nodded and looked at her feet.

"Thanks. I hope Wyatt has a better day."

With that she left for work and Mike stood there staring at the closed door. He pushed the feelings down and checked on Wyatt again. The boy was still asleep on the floor. Mike settled himself on the couch and flipped the television on. It was an hour before Wyatt woke and he came out of his room rubbing his eyes. Mike called him over to him.

"Hey, Wyatt, you better now buddy?" Mike asked.

Wyatt was still in just a pull up. Wyatt climbed up the couch and settled on Mike's lap leaning back against his chest. Mike changed the channel to the program Wyatt liked and let the boy wake up a bit. Half an hour later Mike scooted Wyatt off his lap and got up retrieving some clothes for they boy.

"Ready to get dressed?" Mike asked as he held the clothes out for Wyatt to see. Wyatt stood up on the couch and let Mike put the clothes on him. He then settled down again. "Want to stay here or go down to my apartment."

"Mike," Wyatt said. Mike smiled and nodded. Wyatt held his arms out and Mike scooped him up and settled him on his hip.

"My place it is," Mike whispered, and they headed down the hall. The rest of the day went quickly, and Ty came home in a mood again. He was quiet and withdrawn and Mike couldn't get him to give more than one or two words answers to his questions. He did get him to do his homework and Mike fixed a quick dinner for them before he took the boys back to their own apartment.

Mike got Wyatt through the bathtub and Ty went and took a shower while Mike got Wyatt ready for bed. When both boys were ready Mike tucked them in and before long, they were both asleep. The night was growing deeper, and Mike was thinking about Ginny. He wasn't sure what to do about his growing feelings, so he decided to just wait and see. Mike was a little startled when his phone vibrated. He pulled it out and checked the screen and frowned, then it dawned on him.

"Oh crap, it's Friday," Mike said as he answered the call.

"Yeah, where are you? Obviously not home," Tom replied to him.

"I am, kind of, I'm down the hall. Apartment 215. Come on down, sorry I forgot it was Friday," Mike said.

"Will do," Tom said, and Mike ended the call. He got up from the couch and opened the front door and watched Tom walk down the hall with his duffel bag over his shoulder.

"Hey, welcome," Mike said as he let Tom into Ginny's apartment. "Boys are sleeping so keep the voice down."

"Yeah, okay," Tom said looking at Mike.

"What?"

"Nothing," Tom said with a smile.

"You want to put your things away? Here's my key, just go through the living room and it's the only door on the right, that's your room."

"Yeah, let me put this away then I'll come back down here," Tom replied as he grabbed Mike's key. Mike left the door ajar and settled back on the couch. Ginny wouldn't be home for a few hours. Tom came back in and shut the door, then took the other end of the couch. Mike looked over at him and noticed Tom looked tired, and…bothered. He had that look he got when he was working over a hard decision.

"Something on your mind?" Mike asked. Tom looked at him and smiled.

"Hello to you too," Tom said quietly. Mike laughed.

"You look…bothered. How are things at home?"

"Home. Lonely," Tom said, looking down, and Mike could hear the depression in his friend's voice.

"Ut-oh," Mike said. Tom looked up at him and forced a smile before he sighed.

"Yeah. The kids both moved away. Sasha seems happier when she's on a mission than with me. And I'm…"

"Hey, Tom?" Mike said softly. He waited until Tom looked at him. "Have you thought about therapy for yourself?" Tom gave him a sour look and Mike sighed. "I know how you feel, but maybe everyone leaving is you."

"Well gee thanks, Mike," Tom said sarcastically. Mike looked down. He didn't want to hurt his friend, but he could tell there was a lot more going on with him.

"Tom, seriously. We went through…a lot. And we both had a ton of weight on our shoulders to save humanity. Things happened, people died, more things happened, more people died. I know I personally am plagued with ghosts. Nightmares, depression, struggles."

"And yet you seem happy," Tom said with a sigh. "What's your secret."

"Lately? Those boys," Mike said pointing down the hallway. "I'm pretty sure Ty saved my life that day he got into a fight…even if it is Wyatt that keeps it going."

"You really fell for those boys."

"They're great kids," Mike replied. "But my point is you need to deal with the demons and ghosts, Tom, or they'll consume you."

"I don't like talking about it," Tom mumbled.

"Neither do I," Mike replied.

"But you do?"

"I have. I just did yesterday with Ginny."

"So, they know who you are around here now?" Tom asked. Mike laughed again.

"Yeah, seems that they show our pictures at school when learning about the things we did," Mike said with shake of his head. "Ty came home one day and was like…hey they showed us a picture of this Admiral dude and he looked just like you."

"Surprise," Tom said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, wait to his sees you," Mike said with a laugh, pointing at Tom.

"Can't wait," Tom smiled.

"So how are things with you and Sasha?"

"Not that great," Tom said with a sigh. "She takes missions just to be out of the house I think."

"Have you talked to her about it?" Mike asked.

"Not really, because every time I open my mouth, we seem to fight now," Tom replied, and Mike could here the strain in his friend.

"Maybe it's the way you're approaching it," Mike countered.

"So, it's automatically my fault? Now you sound like Sasha," Tom mumbled crossing his arms over his chest.

"No, I'm not saying that. But I also don't want to take sides just because," Mike said with a shrug.

"I see where I stand," Tom said with a laugh. Mike smiled. "I think we just both need a break."

"So, you came here?"

"Seemed like a safe place to go," Tom replied. Mike nodded.

"Always," Mike answered. Mike looked at the hallway as he heard a door open. Wyatt came out of the hallway rubbing at his eyes, pajamas stripped away. "Hey, Wy."

The little boy stopped and stared at Tom. Mike looked over at Tom who was staring right back at Wyatt. Wyatt finally looked back at Mike and Mike motioned the boy to come to him. Wyatt came over and climbed up, settling in on Mike's lap.

"Wyatt, this is my friend, Tom. Tom, this is Wyatt."

"Hi," Tom said with a little wave. Wyatt looked at him from the corner of his eye then wove his hand in Mike's shirt and leaned into his chest.

"Mike," Wyatt said. Mike smiled at the boy and ruffled the little boy's hair. When Mike looked over Tom was watching him. They were quiet for a while as Wyatt fell back asleep on Mike's lap.

"He trusts you," Tom said softly.

"Yeah, I've kind of become his person," Mike said.

"I see that. Hope you know what you're doing," Tom replied.

"Not a clue," Mike chuckled. "But I know right now, they are helping."

They settled into a conversation about Mike's life and how things were going. After a while Mike shifted Wyatt and looked at Tom. Tom looked down at his hands.

"So, what's really going on?" Mike asked. Tom looked at him and sighed.

"I think Sasha is leaving me," Tom replied.

"I'm sorry," Mike said gently. Tom nodded.

"Yeah, it's been really rough between us."

"Have you talked to her?"

"We don't really talk, we fight."

"Tom," Mike said, and Tom looked at him. "Man, you need to let go of the demons.

"And you know how to do that?" Tom asked picking at the arm of the couch.

"Ah, no," Mike said with a laugh. "Look, I understand because I have them too, the nightmares, that empty feeling inside. But you need to find something to alleviate that."

"I thought I had," Tom mumbled.

"Apparently you need something different. Sasha loves you, but she probably is tired of fighting your demons with you."

"I don't know what else to do," Tom said, and Mike heard the difference in Tom. He had never heard him sound lost like he did. "What do I do?"

"Talk to Jeter?" Mike said. He wasn't sure he could help Tom through his demons without stirring his own up.

"Maybe I'll call him."

"Or find a shrink," Mike said as he rubbed Wyatt's back. Tom laughed lightly.

"I don't know. It's hard to talk to someone who doesn't know."

"Tell me about it, but it also helps sometimes."

"You've seen a shrink?"

"No. But I talked to Ginny, and it really helped."

"So…what's that relationship like?" Tom asked as he raised his eyebrows. Mike looked over at him.

"What?"

"Just curious," Tom replied with a smile. "You're close to her boys…"

"We're just friends," Mike said as he felt a slight blush creep up. Honestly, he wasn't sure where his relationship with Ginny stood. There was definitely a friendship between them, but lately there had been hints of maybe something more. He knew he felt a pull towards her, but he was afraid to act on it, because he didn't want to make a mistake and lose the boys.

"Okay," Tom said with a shrug. Mike looked at him a while, his hand rubbing a circle on Wyatt's back. The little boy was still asleep leaning against Mike's chest. "But I get it. That looks good on you," Tom said pointing towards Wyatt. Mike nodded.

"I miss my kids," Mike said, and Tom nodded slowly. "But these two, help with that. I can focus on them, and it makes it less."

"I'm glad you found solace," Tom said. Mike nodded. He checked the time and realized Ginny should be home soon. Mike stood holding Wyatt and walked towards the boy's bedroom.

"I'm going to put him back in bed. Ginny should be home soon and then we can head back to my place."

"Okay," Tom said as he leaned back into the couch. Mike put Wyatt back into his bed and tucked his blanket around him. He watched him for a moment before he leaned down and kissed the boy.

"Night, little guy," Mike whispered then walked back into the living room.

Tom had his eyes closed when Mike came back out. Before Mike had a chance to sit down the door opened and Ginny came in. Tom sat forward and looked as Mike watched as Ginny stopped and stared at him. Mike stepped around the couch.

"Hey. This is my friend Tom, he's visiting," Mike said. Tom raised a hand. Ginny nodded and smiled.

"Tom, like Tom Chandler?" She asked. Mike smiled and Tom chuckled.

"Guilty," Tom replied. Ginny nodded. Tom stood and walked towards the door. "I'll see you down there."

Once he was gone Ginny looked at Mike and he smiled. She looked worn down. He stepped forward as Ginny moved towards her couch. She looked at him.

"How was he today?"

"Wyatt was good once he woke up. He struggled with some sensory stuff but otherwise had a decent day. I got him to sleep, then got him back to sleep. Hopefully he sleeps through the night. But I was serious. If he ever gets up too early and you need to get more sleep, just call me. I'll come get him and watch him, anytime, day or night. You need sleep too."

"Thanks," Ginny replied, and he could hear the exhaustion in her voice. "I'll keep it in mind."

"Everything go okay at work?"

"Yeah, we were really busy, and I'm beat," Ginny replied. She was staring at him, and he knew he should leave so she could get some sleep, but he was having trouble walking away.

"Good."

"I'm going to turn in," Ginny said hinting to him. He smiled and nodded.

"Okay, good night," he said softly then went to walk around her to the door. As he passed her hand caught his and pulled slightly. He stopped and looked back at her.

"Thank you, for everything you do for us," she whispered. Mike nodded slowly as they stared at each other for a moment. He went to leave again, and she held his hand. He stopped and looked back at her again. Mike was a little surprised when she suddenly closed the space between them, and she gave him a chaste kiss on his mouth. She then turned and walked away. Mike fought the urge to chase her down and finish the kiss. He watched her go into her bedroom and then he walked out of the apartment, locking up behind himself.

To Be Continued…