Just a random idea I had. In my version, Darien Chandler and Christine Slattery live, but Mike and Christine are estranged and Russ is involved with a woman figuring out the Navy life when the Red Flu hits.

Navy Wives

Chapter 1-Christine Slattery

Mike would be pissed that she had retested and was a newly minted Norfolk County Sheriff's Deputy. Of course, she was older and more experienced than most new patrol officers, having been a patrol cop in Chicago for almost ten years. That was how she and Mike had met. Then he joined the Navy and she was having kids, so she quit being a cop. She had missed it of course. And once she and Mike split; she had to make a living.

He had called and told her that the Navy had ordered him and his crew to ship back out, only two weeks after getting back from the Med. It meant that he was breaking more promises to the kids, but she agreed to meet him at the dock with the kids, so they could give their dad hugs. It was an inconvenience for her but the kids loved their dad, and she didn't want to get in the way of their relationships with Mike. The kids had ran off to greet some of their old friends and Christine groaned when she noticed Mike walking back towards her.

"So, when you work; where are the kids going? Katie is too young to be watching Hannah and Lucas." Mike asked.

"My neighbor lady." Christine said simply. They had sold their house. Christine had an apartment and Mike was staying in the BOQ.

"You could have gotten a job with better hours, less dangerous. What happens if something happens to you while I'm away?" Mike questioned.

"You know I missed being a cop. It was what I was meant to do." Christine answered.

"For a long time, you thought being a mother and wife was what you were meant to do." Mike replied.

"So, I guess the divorce was put off because of this trip?" Christine asked.

"I should be back before Thanksgiving." Mike replied.

"Well, have a safe trip." Christine said before walking away to collect her kids. Just in time to almost run into Darien Chandler, her former best friend. Darien had not agreed with Mike and Christine splitting up and acted like she was very let down because of it. Christine nodded at her before collecting the kids.

All three hugged Mike before they left and Christine got them packed into the car. She just had to head home and sleep before her shift that night. She got the kids settled and lunch fed before laying down after a shower. Katie could keep Hannah and Lucas somewhat quiet.

There were times Christine missed Mike. Wished he was there. That they hadn't grown apart. That they both hadn't cheated. Christine had a lot of regrets regarding her marriage. The kids, especially Katie; hadn't handled the separation well. It was part of the reason Mike and Christine had waited on a getting the divorce. But Mike hated her being a cop again, which created animosity.

Christine woke up at ten pm. Katie had fed the kids peanut butter sandwiches and canned soup and all three were asleep. Mrs. Adams came in with her bag of crocheting. The older lady needed a bit of extra money and Christine had told her she could nap, but Mrs. Adams usually did the extra cleaning and cooking while the kids slept, and Christine always had a good breakfast when she got home.

Other than a domestic assault, work was pretty uneventful. Christine was glad she and Mike had never gotten to that point. Mike was a lot of things, but he would never have hit her. It was part of the reason she was scared for another relationship. With Mike, she was comfortable. Even in the middle of their separation, he had treated her with respect.

When she got home; Mrs. Adams was teaching Katie how to make pancakes. The older lady was amazingly patient and the kids had began looking at her as something of a grandmother. She gave all three kids the extra time and cuddles that Mike and Christine no longer could. Hannah was a little under the weather, so as soon as Christine showered, the little girl settled next to her for a nap. While Christine waited to go to sleep; she checked her email and was shocked to find one from Mike.

"Christine,

I didn't have a chance to tell you; your name is still on my account. If you need to access any money, just call the bank. The child support will come out of my pay and will be direct deposited in your account.

I would like to wait until after Christmas before we file for divorce. I know its putting off the envitable, but I feel it would be better for the kids. Just please think about it. Of course, I would still like to not get divorced, but that's beside the point.

Take Care (Love you still),

Mike"

Christine was not shocked by the end of the email. She knew Mike was on the fence about the divorce. They had just tried everything to save the marriage. She would have to think about it in the next few months.