Sammy and Ilna, you rock in every way. Love you guys.

Real McRollers and Readers, thank you so much for being your wonderful selves!

In a Whole Lot of Ways

Steve placed the photo the kids were looking at on top of the picture box and sat back against the headboard. The tremendous, monsoon-like storm was slowing down, and looking through the box of pictures had distracted the kids from the window rattling thunder that had brought them, as well as Cammie and Pumpkin onto their parents' bed.

The next image was one of him and Catherine smiling into the lens on a beach in Istanbul.

"Your mommy saved all of us right before that one was taken. Me, your Uncles Al, Wade and Hoss, Sophia's dad Freddie, and a few guys you haven't met yet."

"Mommy saved everyone?" DJ's eyes went from his father's face to his mother's. "How'd you save Daddy's SEAL team?" he asked, eyes wide.

November 2008

Afghan-Pakistan border

Steve pressed the com device closer to his ear to better hear the tinny sound of the familiar voice broadcasting from Wanat in the Kunar province and said, "You're breaking up. Repeat, you are breaking up."

"... ground … went to ground … Rashid updated…" The static overtook the voice, causing him to bang the heel of his other hand against the transmitter in frustration. "Shit. I'm going topside," Steve told Al Cuzzi as he climbed from the ditch his team was using as a safepoint before moving forward.

Cuzzi hoisted his weapon and pointed with the barrel. "Go. I'll cover you."

Steve nodded once, donned night vision goggles and scaled the dirt embankment to lay belly-down on the sandy earth. Lifting the com again as his eyes searched the parameter, he said, "Requesting revised, over."

The relieved breath on the other end was audible. "Updated intel operation compromised. Abort. Do not drop. Repeat, do not drop. Mission aborted."

He wiped a hand over his face, smearing camo paint and sweat, saying, "Copy abort," before listening to further instructions and returning to his team and reconnoiter.

He shook the com handset indicating he'd gotten through when everyone was close enough to hear his quiet statement. "Mission aborted," he told the men who'd gathered closer. "We're extracting in ten, and out for 14 days."

The SEAL team gathered their gear and made their way two clicks to the waiting helo, climbing aboard to leave the mission lift off area as opposed to being dropped for their operation.

Present

"I got them updated information so they wouldn't …" she glanced at Steve, "jump into a trap."

Steve's lip quirked into a small grin. "Wasn't the first time your Mommy saved my six. Or the last." His pride was evident.

"I was doing my job, but I remember you thanked me very nicely." Catherine's smile lit her eyes.

November 2008

Helo leaving Afghan air space

"Fourteen days leave? I'm sleeping for at least a week." Freddie scrubbed his hands over his face as the others voiced their agreement. The adrenaline dump of a near-mission was often just as intense as after an op. Pulling the plug when a team was primed, minutes before go time was like a sudden shock of ice water in the veins.

"I'm goin' home. I can sleep on the transport," Hoss told the others.

"I can surprise Annie," Cuzzi said with a tired smile. "Daddy will just show up with some presents I was gonna have Chelsea give her."

Steve grinned at his friends' plans as they murmured what they'd do with the unexpected two weeks off, as Freddie elbowed him playfully in the ribs. "You owe Catherine. We all do. Spring for a vacation somewhere good."

His smile grew as the others went back to discussing their plans for leave. He'd text Catherine as soon as they landed in a secure location. Hopefully she'd be able to get the whole 14 days and meet him in Istanbul.

Present

"Did you buy Mommy cookies?" Angie asked, interjecting her idea of the perfect reward into the story.

"Actually, we did have some pretty great desserts," her mother said with a kiss to the little girl's cheek. "Daddy met me in Turkey and we relaxed."

"Turkey is very yummy."

Steve grinned. "It is, but the Turkey Mommy is talking about is a place. We met there and had a vacation."

"Was it as fun as Disney World?" DJ asked as his sister cocked her head in anticipation of the answer and added, "Was dere rides?"

"No rides, just a beach and a nice hotel." Steve ran a hand over his son's hair. "And it wasn't as nice as our beach, but it was great because back when we were in the Navy, Mommy and I didn't get to live together so we really looked forward to leave."

November 2008

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel

Istanbul, Turkey

"...and would you like turndown service?" the desk clerk asked with a smile.

"No, we're good, thanks." Steve hoisted their bags as Catherine grinned and accepted the key card.

"Very good. The elevators are right past the desk." He pointed. "Enjoy your stay."

They shared a small smile as they moved very quickly to the elevators.

"In a rush, Lieutenant?" He smirked when she pushed the button a second time.

"No more than you, Commander," she said as they stepped inside and the lift began its rise to their floor. "You know, if you want to drop the bags and come back down to eat…"

He barked a laugh, even as he kissed her, breaking apart only when the elevator bell dinged they'd reached their floor. "Definitely don't want to drop anything except our uniforms, and I'm thinking lots of room service…"

They exited the elevator and moved towards their room with his free arm over her shoulder and hers around his waist.

Dropping the bags just inside, Steve bolted the door and Catherine laughed as he began removing clothing as they made their way to the king sized bed. "I guess we're staying in tonight?" She pulled back long enough to remove her uniform blouse and toss it on the bedside chair.

Steve wrapped her in an embrace and murmured, "How do you feel about a really big breakfast?" before they landed on the mattress in a passionate tangle.

Present

"Did you get fun souvenirs?" DJ asked, thinking about the ones they'd brought home from San Francisco.

Catherine shook her head. "Daddy was always moving and I was living on the Enterprise, so we didn't keep a lot of stuff, but…" She stood and crossed to the dresser and reached into her jewelry box. "A very sweet lady who reminded me of Grandma Ang was selling these so Daddy bought me one." She held up a golden pomegranate that hung from a maroon leather cord.

"It's a traditional Turkish design." She returned to her spot, with the kids between her and Steve.

"You weared dat to work," Angie stated, while gently running a little finger over the pendant.

"I do wear it to work sometimes," Catherine said and kissed her head.

"And you can remember your vacation, I mean leave, when you do, right?" DJ smiled.

"That's right." Her eyes lifted to Steve's and she smiled.

"And when I see her wear that necklace I remember spending that wonderful time with your mommy and how she saved me and my team."

"Mommy saved you that time and helped you a lot of other times cause she's so good at her job and she's so smart, right, Daddy?" DJ looked between them as Angie snuggled into her mother's lap. "Mommy's very very smart,." she said with a toothy smile.

"That's exactly right." Steve leaned over to peck Catherine's lips, then pulled back to return the children's smiles. "And she did save me." His eyes locked on his wife's as he added, "In a whole lot of ways."

# End. Thanks for reading!

Find all our stories (in chronological order!) on our website: marirealmcroll dot wixsite dot com backslash real-mcroll

Or in the McRoll in the REAL World community here on fanfiction dot net Find us on Tumblr: mcrollintherealworld dot tumblr dot com

You can join our mailing list by emailing us realmcroll at yahoo dot com with: Add me, please! in the subject line. Or just drop us a line to say hi! We love hearing from our readers.

And find me on Twitter asking your opinions on all things McRoll in the REAL World! at Mari21763 and add #REALMcRoller