The night was long and tiring. Hanson stayed up to watch over Aubree who was too hurt to walk around or fight back if they got attacked. Hanson was thankful he could stay up two days before needing to sleep, which is exactly what was he was going to do after getting back to the base and checking on Thatcher. All Hanson knew about his battle buddy's condition was that he made it through surgery and was now unconscious in ICU at the CSH(Combat Support Hospital). Thatcher being shot in the neck worried Hanson, the two had been inseparable since they met in 2008. The bullet only grazed Thatcher, but it caused a lot of blood loss and pain, Hanson knew his friend wouldn't survive if he didn't send them off when he did. That is why he wasted no time in sending them off and Hanson staying back with Aubree.
Hanson felt good about the conversation Aubree, and he had while alone, and the make out had been breathtaking. Gods knew they wouldn't be able to do something like that again until the tour ended in three months, and wanted to wait also for Hanson to talk to his children about the situation. Hanson was sure they wouldn't mind, but he felt better talking to them before just starting the relationship with Aubree. When all that got settled, Aubree and Hanson still had to be careful because of the rank difference between them. Aubree being a Sergeant and Hanson as Lieutenant Colonel. Not only did their levels make things complicated, but also the fact Aubree was in Hanson's Company, Platoon, and Squadron. Hanson was Aubree's commanding officer, so they had to make sure they followed the rules.
It wasn't that Hanson and Aubree couldn't date, but they had to act as professional as they could at Fort Riddari, but off the base and clock they were fair game and just had to make sure Aubree didn't get pregnant, or she would be transferred somewhere else. She and Hanson didn't want that, Hanson explained that to Aubree when she was sick, and they admitted their feelings for one another. Hanson just wanted to get back to Bagram base, check on Thatcher, and then sleep. Right now the time was a little after 7 am with Aubree still asleep, or beginning to wake up because he saw her shifting a lot. Aubree groaned a little and opened her eyes slowly to look around.
"Good morning," Hanson looked over to her with a smile.
"Morning," Aubree yawned as Hanson helped her sit up so she could stretch her arms and wake up a little more. "I take it we haven't heard from the base yet, have we?" she inquired.
Hanson shook his head, "No, sorry. I've been trying since 5 am but seems like maybe they are still in the storm because I can't get through,"
"That sucks, this leg hurts a lot without pain medication," Aubree mumbled.
"Here," Hanson dug through his vest and pulled out a small bottle of pills, then poured two in his palm and handed them to her. "Percocets, that should help until we get back. I'll keep trying," he added.
"Thank you," Aubree smiled some as she took the pills and laid back on the cave wall.
"Hungry?" Hanson asked, and Aubree shook her head lightly, "No?"
"I can't eat right after waking up," Aubree chuckled a little.
"Same here," Hanson nodded understanding how if felt. With a smile, he leaned in and kissed her gently just because he wanted to.
"What was that for?" Aubree questioned with a smile.
"Well, I figure we take advantage of the time alone because we probably won't be able to do it again until April when we go home. Our friends will be all over us because of the kiss last night after dinner and watch to see if it happens again, plus I'm sure it's gotten around the base by now, so we have to be careful about that," Hanson reminded.
"Fair enough. You think your kids will mind there being an us?" Aubree inquired.
"Caleb won't, not sure about Hazel," Hanson admitted. Before anything else could be said, the silence was cut with the radio static coming beside Hanson as he grabbed the radio and turned it up louder and placed it closer to his ear.
"Night Fury, this Bagram One. I repeat this is Bagram One. Do you copy? Over."
"Bagram One this is Night Fury with Storm Nadder. I copy four out of five. Over." Hanson replied making sure they knew that Aubree was still with him.
"Small chopper is coming to you; ETA is twenty minutes. Situation update. Over."
"Storm Nadder and Night Fury are safe, no attacks through the night. Storm Nadder will need medical attention upon arriving. Injured knee and ankle, have it wrapped in a make-shift splint. Over." Hanson informed.
"Good work, Night Fury. I'll have the medic meet you on the pad. We'll see you soon, Bagram One over and out."
Hanson placed the radio on his belt again and looked at Aubree with a smile, "See, didn't I tell you everything would be okay?" he teased as Aubree laughed and shoved him a bit.
"I'll never doubt you again oh great leader," Aubree replied jokingly. Hanson leaned in closer and kissed her again, Aubree returned it as they made out for five minutes. "It's going to suck the next three months of acting like there is nothing going on between us," she added.
"I'm sure I can find some one on one time for us," Hanson winked.
"Never you mind, Hanson. I don't want to see you get in trouble, again." Aubree sighed.
"I won't get in trouble. After the tour is over, I'll get two weeks away from Fort Riddari, so we'll have that." Hanson told her.
"After you talk to your children. I don't want them to hate me," Aubree glanced off to the side.
"The only people my kids dislike are ones who hurt me, and you wouldn't do that, Aubs, so don't worry so much. Okay?" Hanson kissed her cheek as she smiled and nodded to him.
(Twenty Minutes Later)
Aubree and Hanson relaxed in the cave until the sounds of an approaching helicopter reached their ears. Aubree smiled, "Finally," she looked at Hanson as he got up grabbing his gun.
"All right, you stay here while I check things out and make sure we aren't going to get ambushed," Hanson informed her as Aubree nodded to him and stayed put while Hanson went out to look over things. After confirming it was clear, he signaled to the pilot to land, and the chopper was down in five minutes.
"Colonel!" called Vincent as Hanson smiled wide, the two connected hands as Ricky rushed up next to do the same, "Told you we would be back for you,"
"I knew you would. Come on; I gotta get Aubree out of here so she can get her leg treated. We'll catch up on the base," Hanson yelled over the spinning blades close by them. Ricky and Vincent nodded as Hanson led them to the cave, "I'll carry her, cover me,"
"You got it, Haddock," Ricky gave a thumbs up as Hanson lifted Aubree carefully into his arms bridal style and Ricky gave the signal it was clear to move, so Hanson hurried to the chopper to get Aubree inside. Vincent followed with gear that had been taken off and then Ricky bringing up the rear.
"Take us home boys," Hanson commanded.
"Sir, yes sir!" the pilots saluted as the door was slid shut and then the helicopter lifted and got high up. Soon they were on their way back to Bagram base. Hanson finally felt like he could relax some, Aubree and him were safe, and she would get treatment.
"So," Vincent leaned forward a bit as Hanson arched a brow at him. "Did you two have fun alone?"
Hanson and Aubree's faces lit up like Christmas trees while their eyes went wide, looking at one another and then Vincent and Ricky. "Hah, told you, brother! Pay up," Ricky put his hand out to Vincent.
"Now wait just a minute, pay up to what?" Hanson demanded.
"Well, we all saw the kiss last night, Hanson. We know you two like one another. Most of us took bets on if you had fun during your night together. Your faces said it all," Vincent informed.
"Oh, my Gods!" Aubree screeched with embarrassment while using her hands to cover her face as Hanson facepalmed hard with a drawn out sigh.
"For the love of Odin, Aubree and I didn't do ANYTHING. We sat in the cave, she slept, I stayed up all night, and now we're here. Nothing happened between us, feelings involved or not. Aubree and I have talked about things before, and there are others things going on that need to be addressed before any steps further are taken. So hush and don't make a big deal out of it." Hanson stated firmly. "Don't take bets on us, come on. Little professionalism please," he added.
"Sorry, Hanson. We just want you to be happy," Ricky replied.
"I am when people aren't butting into my personal life. Now let's drop it," Hanson responded while closing his eyes. "How is Thatch?"
"Unconscious in ICU still, Hanson. There hasn't been a chance since he got out of surgery," Vincent looked down as Hanson tightened his fist, "I'm sure he'll be alright, Thatcher is tough,"
"It was a graze to the neck guys. Thatch could have died if I hadn't sent you when I did," Hanson sighed.
"He will live, the doctor confirmed that. The only they don't know is how he'll be when he wakes up, and they don't know how long until he does," Ricky told him.
"And that's what worries me," Hanson stated, and Aubree reached her hand over and held his hand comfortingly.
"Thatcher is one of your best friends, Hanson. He was awake when you decided to keep us in the cave and send them off to save his life; he won't let that sacrifice go in vain by dying on you or any of us. Hold firm, he will make it through, and we'll all be praying for him the whole time," Aubree smiled at him.
"Thank you, Aubree. You're right," Hanson held her hand tighter and then she leaned her head on his shoulder, Hanson saw Vincent and Ricky grinning at him. "Not a word you two," he said with his eyes closed again but a smile on his face nevertheless.
(Bagram Base)
Arriving at the base, Hanson carried Aubree onto the gurney where the medic was waiting for them. "I'm okay, Colonel Haddock. You can go rest," Aubree told him, her way of staying professional but telling him she was fine and him get some sleep since he remained up all night.
"I'll check on you later, Sergeant Hofferson. Well done on the mission too," Hanson nodded, the medic and his assistants took Aubree to the infirmary as Hanson made his way back to the barrack. The first thing he did was use the bathroom, take a hot shower then get something to eat. As he was making his way back to the barrack after breakfast, Ella rushed up to him happily.
"Hanson!" she yelled.
"What, what is it?" Hanson asked quickly.
"Thatcher is awake!" Nikki exclaimed both of them were almost in tears at the news. Hanson's eyes widened. Thatch was awake?! "The doctors say that he'll be in ICU for a week, then moved to a regular room for the duration of the recovery," she added. Gods, Hanson couldn't be happier to know his best friend was going to live.
"Thank the Gods," Hanson breathed out before he entered his room. Hanson would call home later; he texted his Dad to let him know what had happened and to tell the kids he loved them when they woke up. Hanson then crawled in bed then knocked out right away entirely relieved that Thatcher was going to be okay, and Aubree was taken care of in the infirmary. Everything was good for once, and he was happy. Hanson could rest easy knowing all that.
