All I Can Be

Pairing; Hunter(Hiccup)/Treyden(Toothless)

Rating; M for Mature

Author; Nightstar Fury

Disclaimer; I do not own any songs I might use or anything regarding HTTYD.

Positive Sign

The Haddock's and Audrey were worried, scared, nervous, and unable to think about much else besides wondering if Hunter was all right. The last time they heard anything about him had been a week ago when Treyden called to let them know Hunter was all right but hadn't any time to call them since they arrived back in Iraq. However, things changed when the room was able to hear the EAH sound and then shortly after, Treyden, Theo, and Andrew were rushing off when Harry told them it was a Code Black and to gear up and get to the baseline to save Conqueror. The platoon that Hunter was filling in as commanding officer of while Asher had personal matters to attend.

Sal went more in depth on how some of the things works since at the time, the people in the living room that night didn't understand the color code and other things that just took place. It had been 11:30 pm when the call with Treyden ended, and sure enough, the Haddock family and any of the sleepover guests didn't get a lick of sleep. The same went for Shane and the boys sleeping over his house as they went home after the call was finished. Sal had explained that there were different color codes, and each represented a different situation, but black meant there was an ambush of enemies that outnumbered the patrol group and they were in serious trouble if the backup didn't get there fast.

/Flashback/

The call ended moments ago as the group of nine sat in silence and worry. Hunter was the fill in leader for the Conqueror platoon, and that group of soldiers had just been ambushed by Iraqi soldiers and called in a Code Black. Treyden, Theo, and Andrew had been the ones to realize that Hunter and Conqueror platoon were the ones on the baseline patrol this evening and not even a minute later, Harry had informed them to get ready.

"Sal," Viola choked up a bit. "Hunter...will be all right, won't he?"

"I-I don't know, Vi. You heard what was said about ambushes; it means the platoon is being attacked by a number of one fifty or more," Sal admitted to her which didn't ease her fears any.

"What's...Code Black?" Travis asked.

"Code Black is what gets told to the two guards who stand at the EAH post. EAH stands for Emergency Ambush Horn, and that's the sound you heard over the phone. That horn will sound for a minute and alert the entire base that one of the platoons on patrol has been ambushed and needs a backup as soon as possible," Sal informed.

"But what was all that other stuff the guys were talking about with base leaders, battalion section, and what not?" Fisher inquired.

"You remember that Camp Draconia is a Division? Ten to fifteen thousand soldiers in one place and then there are Brigades; this is a group broken down by the Division containing two to four thousand in each. Now, Hunter stays in a section of the base in the Dreki Battalion, three to eight hundred soldiers will make that up. Each battalion baseline of Draconia has an EAH post a half-mile out where two guards from the platoon on patrol will stand ready to sound the alarm if the leader of the platoon calls in Code Black. This is something that does not get put through the primary radio as it would be too confusing as to what battalion the call comes from, everyone would panic trying to send out troops to help," Sal explained.

"So how do they get the message through to cut back the confusion? How long does it take for them to send help?" Heather questioned.

"In this case, Hunter and the two guards will use military range walkie-talkies. Hunter will tell them; they'll sound the alarm. When the button is pushed, it sends a signal to the operations building where the Division and Brigade leaders wait to find out which battalion activated the alert. From there, the battalion leader will call the company leaders and see which platoon had patrol. And then they have to spend time trying to contact the platoon leader to find out the number of enemies, weapons being used, location, if anyone has been hurt, if it's residential. There's a lot that goes into sending soldiers to push back an ambush and then pulling out the ones who are in trouble," Sal continued.

"You mean to say that Hunter could be out there on his own until the leaders decide how to handle things!?" Viola said quickly. "This is why I don't like him in the army, Salvatore. Hunter is...only seventeen years old. The more experienced soldiers should be on patrol!" she added.

"Enough, Vi. Hunter will be all right, maybe a little banged up but fine otherwise. The leaders wouldn't send out a group that couldn't handle it. And it only takes so long because the horn alerts the whole base and then they have to narrow it down to find out which platoon needs help. It's not up to the division or brigade leaders to know every group that goes out and on what shift. It works on a system, one that keeps everyone as safe as possible," Sal told her.

"Is Code Black the only one that signals to sound the horn?" Renee inquired now.

"Yes, also the only one transmitted by walkie-talkie. Any other situation can be put through the primary radio on the company channel. The radios are programmed accordingly by battalion, and then the battalion officers use a phone to have contact with the central building of operations. The radios used in the battalion are given to leaders of groups; as an example for Hunter's. He has one radio with different channels that connect him to others. The radio is programmed to contact either his company leader, the company itself as one and the individual platoon leaders," Salvatore enlightened.

"And assumingly then, Harry's radio as an example, has another channel to contact the company leaders that make up Dreki Battalion and he can communicate with the battalion leader too?" Caitlyn asked, and Salvatore nodded to her. "And we can't get updated on this until Hunter calls?"

"Correct. I also doubt we'll hear anything tonight as it's nearing two in the morning for them and by the time they get back, I assume they'll want some sleep," Sal stated.

/End Flashback/

It had been a week since then, and no word from anyone about the situation but on the brighter side that kept them from panicking was that no officers were showing up at their door so they knew Hunter was alive and probably busy. Sal mentioned that a lot went into the situation even after the soldiers returned to the base. Hunter would have to talk to endless amounts of people about what happened; injuries had to be tended, reports, a more detailed position of where they were. All that plus the fact there were still duties to carry out for missions, guards, and patrols. Viola didn't like hearing that; knowing Hunter could have come out of a bad situation and thrown right back into the same thing that started the first one.

Today was November 3rd, a Friday in the year 2017. The time was 3:40 pm and Audrey was over at the Haddock's to finish a project with Caitlyn that was due on Monday the 6th for their World History class. Salvatore was helping out as it had to do with past wars and how times have changed in the military, showing differences from then to now. Viola was home early too for a change. Audrey and Caitlyn were on the living room floor making sure they had everything to start gluing onto the poster board. Out of the blue, the house phone started ringing, and instantly their eyes trailed to it while praying it was Hunter. Sal lifted it from the base and pressed 'talk' then 'speakerphone.'

"Hello?" Salvatore answered calmly.

"Hello. I hope you're able to hear me all right?" said the phone that they didn't recognize.

"I can. May I ask who is calling?" Sal inquired.

"Right, yes. My apologies. I'm Lieutenant Colonel Corey Sullivan, the Dreki Battalion leader. How are you this afternoon?" the man now known as Corey asked. The room grew a little tense, why would Hunter's battalion leader be calling them.

"I'm well, Lieutenant Colonel. How are you?" Sal asked now trying to stay calm and respectful.

"You can call me Corey, and I suppose I'm doing all right as well. Now, I'm sure you'd like to know why I'm calling?" Corey questioned.

"Does it have to do my baby?!" Viola asked quickly.

"Vi, please settle down. I'm sorry, Corey. My wife is worried because we haven't heard from our son in a week. Is this call about Hunter?" Salvatore said calmer.

"It is. We were informed by three of your son's friends that you were on the phone with them last week and heard the horn sound and I know that you, Mr. Haddock, as a former military man yourself are aware what that horn means when it goes off. I'm calling to let you know that your son was wounded in that attack," Corey stated.

"How wounded?" Sal questioned trying not to panic without knowing the details first.

"I'll let his company leader explain as he was there for it," Corey said, and then the phone was handed off.

"Hello again, Salvatore. It's Harry, Plasma Fire's commanding officer. Hunter was wounded early last Sunday morning having been shot in the right arm while escaping enemy territory. I assure you he is doing fine though. The wound wasn't deep and not so severe that he need to be taken to a support hospital, the battalion infirmary was enough. The bullet was removed, Hunter's arm is stitched, wrapped, and will be in a sling for the next three weeks depending on how well it heals. And I apologize for the late call that he got hurt, it had been a very long night, and you know much goes into getting these situations on file," Harry explained.

"Of course, Harry. We're just glad he's okay. Can we talk to him by any chance?" Sal tried in a hopeful tone.

"At the moment, Hunter is still in the infirmary but will be released before dinner and free to return to his barrack, and I already told him that he could come to the battalion office to call home," Harry replied.

"Why is he still in medical if the wound wasn't bad?" Viola asked while attempting to stay calm.

"When he was being treated for his arm, the medic also said that he had a fever and looked a bit pale, so he was going to keep Hunter in the infirmary for a few days to watch that and the recovery," Harry told them.

"That's...somewhat of a relief. I don't suppose you can tell us more about the attack?" Sal pushed.

"Unfortunately, no, I can't. I just wanted you to be aware that Hunter was wounded, but he's recovering fine and will be able to call you tonight, it will likely be after dinner here around 5:30 pm your time. I have to go, for now, few things to sort out with the other company leaders. Have a good night, bye!" Harry stated, and then the call ended as Sal sighed and put the phone on the base.

"At least we know he's okay and get to hear from him tonight," Audrey mentioned.

"That is true, Audrey," Salvatore nodded. So, Hunter was wounded from the ambush and sick too, but at least he was okay and knew they would get to hear from him tonight. That was something to look forward to!

(Dreki Battalion Office; 7:30 pm)

Hunter got released from the medical barrack at 6:30 pm after his stitches were checked out and the wound dressing rewrapped with some cream to keep it from getting infected, ease some of the pain, and help it heal up faster. Hunter's arm was in a black sling, the strap going across his left shoulder and a little padded for comfort. Hunter was told to try and not use his right arm a lot for the next week, and then they'd move on to taking the arm out for a few hours a day to get back some mobility and then the last week he could have it out while taking it easy. After leaving there, Hunter went to dinner and ate a little bit, but his stomach was still bothering him.

Evidently, though he had felt sick the worst of it had hit over the last two days, and even tonight he was still feeling pretty crappy, but at least his fever broke and could keep down water and crackers. Hopefully tomorrow he would be completely better with his energy back. The highlight of tonight for Hunter was that Harry was letting him in the battalion office for a chance at better wifi reception so Hunter could call home to his family, and with it now after dinner, that's where he is. Harry met him outside with a smile.

"Come on in, lad. Corey said you could use one of the empty office spaces. It's got a desk, outlets, chair, and good lighting. You bring your laptop?" Harry asked.

"Yes sir," Hunter replied showing that it was under his left arm. Harry nodded and led Hunter inside and to the room on the main level, there were two. The first floor was the conference and office rooms; the second floor was the bedrooms for the company leaders and battalion officer. Once in the room, Hunter placed his laptop down on the desk carefully then plugged it in as Harry opened it for him.

"If you need anything, radio me," Harry said.

"I will, thanks, Major," Hunter smiled as Harry left and closed the door. Hunter sat down and brought up Skype, oh yes, the speed and connection were much faster in this building! As soon as it was up, Hunter clicked on his father's name then hit call to wait for a pickup. By three in, it connected and took a minute to load.

"Hunter!" is how he was greeted by several voices. When the screen finally caught up and showed Hunter his family's side of things, Hunter could see his mom, dad, sister, girlfriend, and cousin.

"Hi everyone," Hunter smiled. "Can you see me okay?"

"Yeah, it's perfect babe. Hardly any lag at all," Audrey replied with a broad smile.

"Guess the reception in here is a lot better. Making a mental note to call while closer to this building," Hunter stated to himself. "How are you all?"

"We're great, son. So glad to see you're...mostly all right," Viola cooed while remembering what Hunter asked of her, to fake it convincingly.

"I'll be okay. Three more weeks and completely healed," Hunter replied to her. "I take it you want to know what happened?"

"Of course, but don't get in trouble if you're not allowed to," Salvatore smiled.

"Eh. Conqueror got ambushed by a hundred and seventy enemy soldiers, we took cover, and I called to the Dreki post to sound the alarm. Then we just rode it out, fighting or firing back if we could. I got shot going up the chopper ladder, Andrew and Trey pulled me up until we reached the base. I've been in medical since." Hunter shrugged then cringed from the pain in his shoulder.

"We're happy you're okay and able to talk to us. Was terrifying to hear everything that happened when Trey called us last week," Caitlyn mentioned.

Hunter blinked a few times; they knew he was in an ambush? "You don't know that Treyden was on the phone with us when you called in Code Black?" Sal asked, and Hunter shook his head. "Trey told us about the level seven mission, well, that it was that level and I understood it couldn't be discussed. After that, they started on saying you were working a twelve-hour with Conqueror after working an eight-hour with them and being up at 4 am to do a mission,"

"Then we heard the horn and Trey got off with us right after Harry told Plasma Fire they had a Code Black," Audrey added.

"Jeeze. I'm sorry guys; I know that probably scared the life out of you..." Hunter sighed.

"None of us slept that night and have been worried since," Shane informed.

"But you're okay, and that's all that matters, son," Viola interjected now. "How are you feeling? Harry called earlier to let us know you'd been hurt, recovering, and sick all week,"

"Aside from the arm in pain, I guess I'm feeling a little better. Honestly, when I went in for medical Sunday morning, I didn't even feel sick given how much my arm was bothering me. All the antibiotics and pain killers for two days kept me from doing anything but sleeping. The sickness kicked in two days ago at full force, but the fever broke today, and I've got some of my energy back, so I think that's a good sign," Hunter informed.

"It is, baby. We miss you so much," Audrey said.

"I miss you all too," Hunter smiled gently. For the next forty-five minutes, they just talked. Hunter enjoyed every moment of the Skype not glitching out, it was a strong signal with a clear picture, and both sides could hear one another perfectly. However, it didn't last when Hunter started feeling sick to his stomach again, and he tried not to let it bother him, but Hunter ended up puking in the trash bin by the desk. Also, it happened to take place the time Harry was coming in to check on him, so it was decided that Hunter needed to get some more rest. Audrey and the family said goodbye as Hunter managed a small smile and wave before Harry closed the computer and took Hunter to the barrack so he could sleep.

(Berkton; November 20th, 2017)

Two weeks had passed since that day. Audrey and Hunter had been able to talk using Skype instant message e-mail since Hunter was still recovering but mentioned the healing was doing better than expected, and the medic might let him back on duty early if things looked okay today. That had been discussed on Thursday, and thus far, Audrey hadn't heard from Hunter since. It was Monday, the 20th of November so Audrey had school but lately hadn't been feeling so good. At first, she thought it was nothing when she got sick during lunch hour five weeks ago, but now it seemed she was getting sick at different times, but it was random.

Puking hadn't been something to take place, but Audrey got spurts of nausea where she needed some water to have it pass. Something else she picked up on was that her breasts were sore and possibly a little bigger, her hips were for sure. Audrey had a hard time wearing some of her tight jeans. Also, one other thing; Audrey was starting to dislike foods that she used to love. She didn't understand any of it, but now it was getting worse because, for the last week, that nausea turned into throwing up at school. Today, Audrey was at lunch with her friends and felt utterly exhausted even though she'd gone to bed at 10 pm.

"Audrey? Maybe you should go to the nurse, girl," Renee suggested.

"Yeah, you look horrible," Caitlyn added.

Heather felt Audrey's cheek and forehead. "And you're warm too. What's with you? Getting sick or something?" she asked.

"I must be. I feel terrible," Audrey mentioned.

"What are your symptoms?" Renee questioned.

"A headache, nausea, exhaustions, little cramping here and there, and my boobs are sore," Audrey listed off with a drawn out sigh.

"It sounds like your period honestly and possibly you stressing out or missing Hunter; You mentioned this morning that you haven't heard from him in five days," Caitlyn offered. Audrey didn't reply right away, something that Caitlyn had said made Audrey stop and think about her period. It was due two weeks ago, and she never got it, she chalked that up to stress and missing Hunter because they hadn't heard from him in a while, then learned it was because he was injured and sick. But now Audrey was trying to remember if she had gotten her period in October, she was due for that a few days after Hunter returned to Iraq and now she couldn't remember if she got it or not.

Audrey decided not to say anything and just smile with a nod to Hunter's little sister about what she said. Audrey would have to wait out the day and check her calendar at home; she marked the days she got her period. Why did this worry her so much? Audrey now worried that all her symptoms might be due to pregnancy. Audrey had been lying to Hunter about being on birth control since the first time they ever had sex when Hunter got home from AIT in September 2016. Audrey and Hunter wanted to do it, they wanted to have sex and Audrey knew he would say no that night if she told him she didn't have birth control, so she lied and said it was one of the IUD's that lasted a few years. It was wrong of her, and she knew that but had every intention of getting on it at her next doctor's appointment in December 2016 but then Hunter got deployed after Thanksgiving, and she figured it didn't matter at that point since he wasn't home.

(Hofferson Household)

Getting home, Audrey rushed right to her room and dropped her backpack on the floor while she moved to her calendar on the wall and turned the page back to September and looked for when she got her period then. On the 11th, a week before Hunter came home on leave. Audrey flipped to October and scanned her finger over the day to the 6th when Hunter left.

"Okay, he left here but four weeks from September's period would mean I should have gotten mine in October on the 9th," Audrey whispered to herself and checked that date. No marking about her period which made her worry more. Audrey checked the whole month of October and saw nothing about getting her little monthly visitor. Audrey bit her bottom lip and looked over November, the month she was in now and still saw no mark about getting it. This was bad, that meant she missed her period two months in a row after Hunter had been home and they had been having sex that entire two weeks. Hunter was using a condom, but Audrey had nothing so if the condom failed then she had nothing to protect her from getting pregnant which she could very well be right now.

Audrey didn't know what to do. Did she call Hunter? Did she tell her parents that she and Hunter had been having sex for a year with her not using birth control and now she missed her period for two months? Audrey was scared but decided after taking a few deep breaths that she shouldn't freak out until she knew for sure. Audrey grabbed her wallet and checked to see how much money she had. Seeing there was at least $30 left, Audrey grabbed her house keys and hurried out and down the street to the corner store where she could pick up a pregnancy test and take it before her parents got home at 4:30 pm.

(Twenty Minutes Later)

The walk sucked because of how cold it was, but Audrey made it to the store, grabbed the test, and hurried home as fast as she could against the crisp winter winds of November on Archi Island. Getting through the front door, Audrey went straight to the bathroom to take the pregnancy test. After reading over the instructions, Audrey took a deep breath and just went for it. Audrey capped the test and set it on the sink to wait the three minutes while she cleaned up and then paced nervously. When the time had passed, Audrey picked up the test and looked down at where the result would be; all she saw was a big blue positive sign.