All Hanson could do was worry about Thatcher and if he made it to the combat support hospital and was still alive, thus far, Aubree and Hanson had been taking refuge in a cave in the mountains where the mission took place three hours ago and no return chopper had come for them. Aubree's leg was messed up badly, she did something to her knee and it prevented her from putting any pressure on it and there was a chance she tweaked her ankle because he mentioned it hurt when she moved it, Hanson's wound wasn't life threatening and something he was able to take care of with his field gear he had on him, sticted it right up himself and he wrapped Aubree's ankle and made a split to keep her knee from moving a lot. Problem was that it was now the time was bordering 11 pm and Hanson was having radio trouble and getting in contact with the base to get them out.
"Hanson, it's no use right now," Aubree sighed.
"I have to keep trying, Aubree. We're stranded in a cave at 2300 hours, with one soldier who can move and fight. You can't walk, and I can't carry you while shooting as we make a run for it. No, we stay here and keep trying to radio in because if we get ambushed, we're fucked," Hanson informed.
"You need to rest, I can radio for a while," Aubree offered.
"And what are you going to do if we were getting attacked? Shoot from the ground? Face it, Aubs, you're a stationary target," Hanson muttered.
"Just give it a rest for ten minutes and relax. We have food, water, shelter, and weapons. Besides, maybe I can find a way to distract you from stressing out," Aubree suggested.
"I highly doubt this," Hanson rolled his eyes at her.
"Don't make bets with me, you never win, and you never have, Hanson. Come on, just ten to fifteen minutes. Please?" Aubree asked.
"Fine," Hanson sighed heavily as he moved back some and sat next to her, placing the radio beside him, "So what's your idea for distracting me?" he asked calmer.
"Well, I figured since we're alone and all, maybe we can talk about earlier. You know, the kiss after karaoke and what this is between us?" Aubree mentioned as Hanson assumed this would have come up sooner or later, he rather have waited until they were in the barrack where it was safe but since they were trapped in this cave alone, seemed like a good time to establish things of where they stood.
"I told you why I kissed you," Hanson reminded.
"But we never talked about what we are, Hanson. In November when I got sick, we admitted to liking one another and leaving it at that. Since then, you've kissed me twice. Once on New Years, and tonight after the singing. You said we couldn't be a couple because of the rank thing, and your kids, the not moving on thing too. So, what are we? Friends with minor benefits?" Aubree asked.
"What?" Hanson said quickly looking at her. "No. Gods, no Aubree. We're not friends with benefits," he added as she sighed. "Aubs, I don't know what we are okay?" Hanson looked down with his arms resting on his kneecaps. "I can't fight my feelings for you,"
"What do you mean? You said you weren't ready to move on among all the other things too," Aubree stated.
"Do you remember what I told you in November? That Caylee knew I would always care about you no matter what, just as I have said that Caylee will have a place in my heart and memories forever?" Hanson glanced her way as Aubree nodded. "Aubree, my feelings for you never disappeared. I just buried them when I starting liking Caylee, and she knew how much I cared about and hoped one day you'd forgive me for just taking off and not saying a word for reasons you now understand,"
"Hanson, I know all this. I would never try to take Caylee's place in your heart or life, she was your girlfriend for years and then your fiance. Caylee is the mother of your children, I know I could never take her place, and I don't want to. I guess I just...want my place with you," Aubree looked down.
"Aubree, you've always had that with me. And that will never change, there are a lot of things that can prevent us from being together. I can tell you this; I know Caylee would want me to move on and be happy just as you wanted for me when I was with her. Caylee wants my happiness, and although it was painful for a while, I accepted that if Cay and I were meant to be then, she would still be here with me," Hanson whispered not looking at Aubree now. "I'll always love Caylee; she gave me so much in so little time. But I know she wouldn't want me to stop living my life or put it on hold over her,"
"I know. You said that when you came back to Fort Riddari after a month leave of absence. So what you're telling me is you're ready to move on?" Aubree asked cautiously.
"I can say that I am, there will be some days that are harder than others, but I'll get through them. I want to move on with you, Aubree, and you know there are factors about why such a thing hasn't been made official yet," Hanson said.
"Yes, I'm aware. Your kids and the rank difference," Aubree stated.
"The position difference isn't huge, we would just have to be careful. Things like tonight, kissing in the chow hall; that can't happen all the time. In the base eyes, we have to just look like a team with the others. Crack jokes, laugh, be serious, follow orders, etc. You get the picture of what I'm saying. At Fort Riddari, very simple things. A hug, light kiss, and still maintain professionalism. Off base, off the clock; it doesn't matter to a degree. I don't want another situation like what happened when they found out Caylee was pregnant and got moved to another platoon. That...sucked for us and I don't want it happening to you and me. It's a reason I've held off asking you out as long as I have," Hanson explained.
"Well, not for nothing, Hanson but I don't think we'd be engaging in any intimate relations right away," Aubree pointed out.
"Regardless, I told you I still get watched. That kiss is going to get to my CO, and I'll get brought in to be reminded what happened last time," Hanson sighed.
"Understandable and then there are your kids to think about, right?" Aubree asked him.
"Yeah. I need to talk to them first about this. I know they like you as my friend, I don't know how they would take to you being my girlfriend who could end up becoming my fiance, and then wife. No rushing any of that, but you know, getting into a relationship and most people hope it will last to reach those points," Hanson told her.
"I don't knock any of that; I think you should talk to them first and personally...I believe if we do get together, we should wait until after the tour is over. It's too crazy to be starting a relationship while we're here and can't go on dates and stuff," Aubree insisted.
"You think that too?" Hanson inquired a little surprised.
"Absolutely. Hanson, if we start dating, then I want it to start in our hometown where we met, where it all began for us. Not saying the elementary school, but you know what I mean," Aubree laughed a little, "I do want to be with you, Hanson. Odin knows I do, but I want to be with you the right way. So let's hold off for now until we get home, then you can talk to your kids, and we'll take it from there. As I've said, I don't care what we are as long as you're in my life some way or another,"
"I agree. So, we should probably refrain from kissing and what not until this gets sorted out, shouldn't we?" Hanson chuckled nervously.
"Technically yes, we should," Aubree started as she blushed a little and leaned over to kiss Hanson, his eyes widened with shock, yet, he kissed her back. It lasted a moment or two before they broke it and smiled, "but we are alone right now and not being watched by the squad, platoon, or your CO. I say we...indulge in the privacy a little," she added while walking her fingers up his chest.
"We're supposed to be watching for enemies," Hanson reminded.
"I think we're safe for a while," Aubree winked as she gripped the front of his uniform and brought his lips down on hers. Hanson stopped caring, Aubree was right. Why not enjoy the privacy? They wouldn't get it again until after the tour ended, so if nothing was going to be set between then until April 2020 when they got back to Berk, why not have a little fun with the chance they had now not to be watched or judged. Hanson took control of the kiss as he deepened it and soon it turned into a make out session.
(Twenty Minutes Later)
The make out was cut short when the radio started to static up slightly, Hanson pulled from the kiss and tried to catch his breath before lifted the radio up to listen better.
"Night Fury, Night Fury. This is Smoke Spark. I repeat, this is Smoke Spark calling Night Fury. Do you copy? Over."
"Smoke Spark, this is Night Fury. I copy three out of five, got an update on extraction for me? Over." Hanson asked.
"Affirmative. Tomorrow morning at 0500 or later, we're due for a severe storm that will start in half hour. Everything got grounded until further notice, are you going to be okay through the night? Over."
Hanson sighed, so they were stuck there all night. Aubree put her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him, "We'll be okay for one night,"
Hanson nodded to her, "Night Fury and Storm Nadder will be alright. I repeat we will be okay. Hunker down and stay safe troops. Radio in the morning. Night Fury over- Wait. Is Thordrum alright?" he replied after a moment. Hoping to hear about Thatcher.
"Made it to CSH, was in surgery for two hours and survived. Unconscious still, and in ICU until further notice. Don't know anything else, Night Fury. Over."That's what he was afraid of hearing, that Thatcher was still unconscious and in the intensive care unit.
"Thanks, Smoke Spark. Radio in the morning and gimme an ETA on pick up. Night Fury over and out," Hanson put the radio down beside him after turning it down a little. "So, pick up where we left off?" he asked.
"I'd love to, but I am tired. I think we should get some rest," Aubree told him.
"You rest, I'll stay up to keep guard," Hanson said.
"What, that's not fair to you. I can keep watch too," Aubree tried.
Hanson shook his head at her with a smile, "No chance. What are you going to do if we get attacked an hour after I fall asleep? Again, you're a target. Now shut up, lay down and get some rest. I'll stay up and guard; I can sleep when we're back on the base,"
"All right, you win," Aubree mumbled as she used her bag as a pillow after pulling out a blanket then laid down while keeping her leg stretched out. "Hanson?"
"What's up?" Hanson asked.
"I love you," Aubree said slowly, not sure how he'd take it.
A moment of silence before he leaned over and kissed her gently, "I love you too. Get some sleep, Aubs. Sweet dreams," he smiled. Aubree got comfortable and closed her eyes, Hanson watched her for fifteen minutes until he knew she was sleeping. Hanson leaned against the rocks behind him with his gun against his chest. He had done it, finally was able to say I love you without feeling like he was betraying Caylee and that's how he knew he was ready to move on. Now all Hanson needed to do was survive the next three months in Afghanistan, then get home to talk to his kids and hope they would be okay with him seeing another woman. Hanson tonight, though, just needed to survive until morning when he and Aubree would get picked up and taken back to base where Hanson could hopefully find out about Thatcher and get some much needed sleep.
