Author's Note: I struggled a bit with this chapter because it's a bit of a filler and transitional chapter for the story. I hope it flows okay and you like it. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it or not. Anyway. I'm not sure if anyone is still reading or not, because I'm getting now traffic on the Traffic Stats page of the site. Hopefully you guys are still reading and it's just a glitch on the system. Sooooo on to chapter 14. Happy reading, more to come. dark rolling sea.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

It wasn't too much later that Ty woke up as well. Mike could tell that Tom was stuck in the darkness today. He did his best to keep Ty from pushing Tom deeper. Mike also made the decision that he would go to Ty's school in the morning. He wanted to talk to the boy's class. Mike looked at the boy and smiled.

"Hey, Ty, I had a chance to talk to your mom about tomorrow," Mike brought up. He saw Ty brighten.

"Yeah? What did she say?" he asked excitedly.

"She and I decided that it was my decision to make," Mike replied.

"And?" he said, holding his breath.

"I'd be happy to come talk to your class tomorrow," Mike said with a smile. He watched Ty's eyes light up.

"Yes," he said in victory. "And you?" he asked turning to Tom. Tom looked up from the television at Ty. His gaze slowly drifted to Mike, and he saw the uncertainty in Tom's face. Tom seemed to be mulling the thought over, but he looked a little panicked.

"Let's play that one by ear," Mike said saving Tom from having to make a decision. Ty seemed to lose a little shine but nodded slowly.

"Okay," Ty replied a little sad. Mike looked at him and smiled.

The rest of the morning went by smoothly as Mike tried to bring Tom out of the darkness. He was worried about his friend and was working out in his brain how to put his plan into motion. He wanted to talk to Sasha and hoped she would take a call from him. He also wanted to talk to Ashley. It was getting close to the time Ginny would be home.

"I'm going back down to your apartment," Tom said as he stood up. Mike glanced at him as Wyatt was curled up in his lap.

"Okay, you, okay?" Mike asked. Tom glanced at him from the door and Mike saw the pain and darkness in his friend.

"It's a rough day," Tom said with a shrug and then he opened the door and walked down the hall. Mike sighed. Wyatt looked up at him and then jumped up and took off for his room.

"Well, okay, then," Mike breathed out. Ty had retreated to his room as well and Mike sat on the couch waiting. It wasn't long before he heard the door open, and Ginny came in. She walked over towards Mike, glancing around the room as she neared. She leaned down and kissed him warmly then pulled back.

"Hey," she whispered. "Where is everyone?"

"Ty's been in his room for a while. Wyatt just took off for his room a bit ago."

"And your friend?" she asked looking around again.

"Tom's back in my apartment. He's having a…bad day. How was yours?" Mike asked as she walked around the end of the couch and dropped down next to him. She leaned into his side, and he wrapped an arm around her. It felt natural to him. Her head settling on his shoulder.

"Not too bad," she said as she sunk into him. Mike leaned his chin against the top of her head. "Better now."

"This is nice," Mike breathed out. They sat quietly together for a minute. "I know we just started this, and you're going to want to spend a lot of your free time with me, but…" Mike started. Ginny shifted and maneuvered so she could see his face.

"But what?" she asked, and Mike could hear the uncertainty in her voice. He sighed.

"Nothing is wrong, I promise. But I'm going to have to take some time to work on…a project."

"A project? What are you talking about Mike?" Ginny asked. He could still hear the worry in her voice, and he wanted to smooth it away. He looked down at his feet.

"Tom is in a bad place right now. I feel like everyone else has abandoned him and he's just spiraling. I need to take some time and see if I can help him find center again," Mike replied. Ginny placed her hands on either side of his face and gently made him look at her. When he made eye contact with her, she smiled broadly at him. She leaned in and kissed him. When she pulled back, she let her hands drop.

"That's one of your qualities that is quickly sucking me in deep, Mike," she said softly. Mike nodded and smiled at her.

"I owe Tom a lot. He didn't let me give up when I wanted to give up. He pushed us through some pretty awful times, and I feel like I need to do the same for him. So, I might be unavailable at times. But I'll always be here for those boys…and you."

"Okay," she replied. Mike nodded. He leaned over and kissed her, before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight to his body. "When should I tell the boys about this."

"What us?" Mike asked, holding her tight. He felt Ginny nod against his chest.

"Yeah, us."

"I guess that's up to you, but I think Ty will figure it out pretty quickly."

"That's why I think I should tell him sooner rather than later."

"I agree. I need to take this afternoon and start working on what I think I need to do for Tom. Tomorrow I'll talk to Ty's class, then get Wyatt from you before you have to work."

"Okay. Ty's school isn't that far from the dinner, and you'll be getting done about the time I go into work so I can meet you there with Wyatt."

"Sounds like a plan," Mike said not wanting to get up from the couch. He was enjoying having her cuddled into his side. "I really should go check on Tom."

"Will you be back down here later?" she asked, and Mike could hear the smile in her voice. Mike chuckled.

"I don't know. Maybe. Depends on how things go," Mike whispered in her ear. "But I really need to get up." Ginny groaned and snuggled in deeper for a moment, making Mike smile. She then released him and got up from the couch. Mike got to his feet and Ginny walked with him to the front door. They stopped and faced each other.

"I hope I see you tonight," she whispered. Mike leaned down and kissed her slowly before he walked out of her apartment. He went down to his own and went in. He found Tom stretched out on his couch, with the television on but the sound down. Tom appeared to be sleeping. Mike went into his bedroom and got his phone out. First, he dialed Sasha's number and waited. It rang and rang. Finally, her voice mail picked up and Mike sighed. He waited for her message to end and the beep to sound.

"Hey, Sasha, it's Mike. I know you didn't want to get into all this, but I have an idea and I need your input. Could you please call me back so we can discuss this? Uh, thanks."

He hung up and blew out a frustrated breath. He looked through his phone but didn't have a number for Ashley. He hoped Tom would agree with him and stay out here with him so they could work on his PTSD and maybe fix his relationships with his loved ones. He was about to leave his room and check in on Tom again, when his phone rang in his hand. He glanced down and saw Sasha's number on the screen. He answered the call and put the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Sasha," Mike greeted her.

"Hi, Mike," Sasha replied, and Mike could her the exhaustion in her voice. "I don't have a lot of time.

"Okay," Mike said, trying to quickly form his thoughts in his mind. "I wanted to run a plan by you and see what you thought of it."

"I'm listening," Sasha countered suspiciously. Mike took a deep breath.

"I think Tom should move out here with me for a bit, take a break from his normal. I think it'd be beneficial for him. It's a bit unnerving how dark he's gotten."

"Did Tom agree to this?" Sasha asked, the surprise evident in her voice.

"He didn't say no," Mike replied with a sigh. He heard Sasha sigh on her end.

"Part of the problem is Tom doesn't think there is anything wrong with him," Sasha shot back.

"I didn't get that from him," Mike said, trying not to get defensive. "He did tell me that he thought you were done with him."

"It's been very rough, Mike. I won't lie about that. He makes it hard to love him. He likes to punish himself for still being alive, and inadvertently punishes those around him as well."

"He wants to be happy again," Mike said.

"I think he likes being miserable."

"If I can get him to agree, I've got room in my apartment. He can live here, and he and I can work on things."

"He's a grown man and doesn't need my permission to do anything," Sasha said harshly.

"I know that. I guess I just wanted to let you know he may not be back soon. I don't know what I wanted to…"

"It's okay, Mike, I understand why you called me," she said with a sigh. He could hear the hurt in her voice. "I still love him, and I probably always will. He was my first love, he is my current love, but he's not there right now. There's no emotional availability with him….and I miss him."

"He's turned it all off," Mike said, looking at his closed bedroom door.

"It's getting to be too much for me," Sasha replied, and Mike thought she might be crying. He felt for her. "Enough about this. How are you doing?"

"I'm actually doing really well."

"Have you put away your ghosts?" Sasha asked him quietly. Mike thought maybe Sasha needed to put some ghosts down as well.

"I'm working on it. I have something in my life that's helping."

"Did you find love, Mike?" Sasha asked, Mike could hear her tone brighten with the prospect. He smiled.

"I found…a family. It's early but it's nice."

"Well, I'm happy for you, Slattery, I hope it all works out."

"Thanks. Do you want me to keep you updated on Tom?"

"I'll check in with you," Sasha replied with a sigh. Mike frowned.

"Okay."

"It was nice catching up," Sasha replied. Mike frowned. He remembered he wanted to get Ashley's number as well.

"Yeah, hey would you be willing to give me Ashley's number? I'd like to talk to her as well."

"I suppose you don't want Tom to know you're contacting her?"

"It'll just be easier on everyone I think," Mike said. Sasha gave him Ashley's number and they said their goodbyes. Mike sat there and wondered if what he was doing was the right things. He blew out a frustrated breath and dialed the number Sasha gave him. The phone rang a few times and then to his surprise Ashley answered.

"Hello?" she asked hesitantly.

"Hey, Ashley, it's Mike Slattery," he said softly.

"Oh, hey, Uncle Mike," Ashley answered, sounding a bit confused.

"I hope it's okay, I got your number from Sasha Cooper."

"Oh yeah, totally okay," she said, and Mike paused, not sure on how to proceed with her. "Was there something you needed? I haven't heard from my dad in a while."

"Well, that's actually why I'm calling," Tom continued. "Your dad is here with me at my place. I can tell he's in a real dark place right now. I wanted you to know I'm trying to talk him into staying with me for a while and seeing if I can help him."

"Oh, wow," Ashley responded a bit shocked. "Um thanks for letting me know."

"I know things are rocky between him, you and your brother."

"Um, yeah, Sammy came to live with me here. I told dad before; he needs to find peace."

"I'm hoping I can help him find that," Mike said.

"Okay. Well, I wish you luck," Ashley said hesitantly. Mike didn't know what else to say to her. So, they said their goodbyes and he hung up. He sighed again and felt drained. He left his bedroom to find Tom awake watching the television.

"Oh, hey, when did you get home?" Tom asked with a yawn.

"Not long ago. I was just…you, okay?"

"Yeah," Tom mumbled. Mike studied him as Tom sat up on the couch and leaned against the arm rest. Mike walked around and sat down on the empty end. "What?" Tom asked as he felt Mike scrutinizing him.

"Have you thought more about my suggestion?"

"What? Moving out here and hiding?"

"You wouldn't be hiding, Tom," Mike said with a sigh. "What do you think?"

"You really want to have to put up with me full time?" Tom asked with a laugh.

"I want you to find peace and get better," Mike said softly. He was working hard to keep his frustration out of his voice. Tom looked at him.

"Maybe a change of pace would be good. It's not like I have anything to rush home to," Tom said as he looked down and picked at the arm of the couch. Mike nodded slowly.

"Spare bedroom is yours if you want it."

"Thanks, Mike," Tom said, his voice cracking slightly. Mike knew better than to push at the moment, so he just nodded. "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

"I'm kid free if we want to be," Mike said. "So, if you want to do something with just the two of us, we can."

"Sounds like a good idea. I need a drink, or fifty," Tom said with a smirk. Mike smiled but he felt the tug of concern for his friend at the same time.

"I know a place," Mike replied.

To Be Continued…