I'm stealing the title and lyrics from a LeeAnn Womack song and obviously do not own either, or the Last Ship characters. I may use other songs too.
Never Again, Again
Chapter 1-June, 2013
Never again, again.
Once more I'll let you back in
I know how the story ends
But I can't help myself
You'll break my heart I know
Through my tears I watch you go
Then just like it's always been
I'll say never again, again
Each time you leave
I say I've had enough
But I must be addicted
To your kind of love
I swear to myself
I'm gonna stand my ground
But one look at you
Breaks my defenses down
And here comes never again, again
Once more I'll let you back in
And just like it's always been
I'll say never again, again
And just like it's always been
I'll say never again, again
Christine Slattery hated country music so she wasn't even sure why it was turned to that particular station. Her kitchen radio was well-used and something that normally played rock music while she cooked for her family or baked for her customers. The kids were in their rooms and Christine checked the oven, where she was baking a birthday cake for a two-year-old's birthday party. She was surprised to hear the doorbell and even more shocked to find her soon-to-be-ex-husband on the other side of the door.
"You still pay the mortgage. You don't have to ring the doorbell." Christine said as she let Mike in.
"I didn't want to just waltz in. Where are the kids?" Mike asked.
"Their rooms." Christine answered.
"I…am being rapidly deployed. I leave tomorrow at thirteen hundred." Mike told her quietly.
"You promised the kids…" Christine started.
"I didn't think I was being deployed until after the divorce was finalized. I thought I would be home…or in town all summer." Mike answered.
"Of course." Christine said.
"Look…I know its not my night and you can say no, but I'd really like to spend some time with the kids tonight. I can take them out if you would prefer staying home." Mike offered. Christine nodded. Mike was a good dad when he was in town. He was just deployed so much.
"Its fine. How long since you had a home-cooked meal?" Christine asked.
"Before you and I split." Mike admitted.
"I have a beef roast. You can just eat here with the kids and I." Christine said.
"Think you can stand me for that long?" Mike asked.
"Its for the kids. They need you at home with them." Christine answered.
"I'm not here for an argument." Mike said as he followed her into the kitchen.
"No argument. Just a fact." Christine retorted.
"Again, not here for an argument. I am going to see if I can convince the kids to play a board game or something." Mike said, heading to their kid's bedrooms. Christine could only groan in response. Every time she was around Mike, she fought with him. Usually, it was her picking the fights. Sure, he had cheated. Sure, he was not home like he should have been. But, she also contributed to it. She was never happy no matter what he did. She complained at every turn. She drove him to cheat. The last six months before they separated was miserable. So, why did she still miss him next to her every night?