April at last! The tour would end this month for sure; the soldiers just didn't know when and had been hounding Hanson about finding out because they all wanted to go home and enjoy a normal life again. However, Hanson was beginning to get annoyed with it. Of course, he wanted to go home too; he wanted to hold his kids tightly and relax before inevitably having to return to Fort Riddari to continue his work of being the base leader and all. Towards the end of March, Hanson had yelled at them to back off, and he would let them know as soon as he knew something but until he did to stop asking. Hanson had been busy since that night with Aubree in the cave, as expected, it got to Major General King about the kiss in the chow hall, so Hanson had been called in to be reminded of the laws he was supposed to follow being in the military.

{Flashback}

Hanson was returning to the barrack after checking on Aubree, turned out that she only tweaked her ankle and bruised up the kneecap so she would be allowed back to the barrack by tomorrow according to the medic in their Battalion. Aubree had been complaining that she missed her bed and being able to see him every day since Hanson was busy with tour related things. On his way back, another soldier hurried to his side and informed him that Major General King wanted to see him right away. With a sigh, Hanson changed course and rode with the soldier in the jeep to the Major General's office. Arriving there, Hanson knocked on the door to the room and waited.

"Enter, Haddock," Hanson heard his CO's voice reply from the other side. Hanson took a breath and opened the door to walk in, he first stood at attention and gave a salute, then moved to parade rest.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Hanson asked.

"As you were, Haddock. Have a seat please," Major General King offered, Hanson relaxed and took a seat in the chair his CO motioned to. "Do you know why you are here?"

"No sir, I do not," Hanson replied.

"I know everything that happens on this base, Lieutenant Colonel. And I'm very aware that you and Sergeant Hofferson have something going on," Major General King informed as Hanson tensed a little. "I know it was just a kiss, but I don't need to remind you that those things are not allowed on the base," he added.

"I apologize, sir. It won't happen again," Hanson told him firmly.

"What is your relationship with Miss. Hofferson?" Major General King inquired with his hands together on his desk.

"Sergeant Hofferson and I go back as friends starting in the second grade, sir. October 2008 when I joined the military, I disappeared from their lives without a word. When Sergeant Hofferson joined June 2017, things got a little tense because I was their commanding officer and drill sergeant. I followed all protocols for their training. Sergeant Hofferson has had a crush on me since the seventh grade, and before I met Caylee Bog, I had a crush on Hofferson," Hanson told him not wanting to lie about the situation.

"I see. So, I am to assume then with First Lieutenant Bog's passing, feelings for Sergeant Hofferson have been making a return, and that little display in the chow hall was nothing more than caught in the moment?" King questioned.

"Yes, sir. I promise it won't happen again. Sergeant Hofferson and I have spoken about the matter, and I made her aware that things between us have to stay professional," Hanson responded.

"Mr. Haddock, I care not what you do on your personal time. If you and Sergeant Hofferson desire to have a relationship, I have no objections as long as it happening here or at Fort Riddari. I'd just like to remind you that if things become intimate and she falls pregnant, your past is going to repeat itself with her having to be moved due to your rank differences," King reminded.

"I know, Major General. As I said, Sergeant Hofferson and I have already spoken about things and decided to push it aside for the sake of our jobs. I assure you, it won't be a problem and this will be the last time you hear of such an event taking place," Hanson said sternly.

"I certainly hope so, Hanson. You got away last time because nothing happened between Caylee and you on tour, this time if anything else happens, you will face punishment." King said.

"Understood, Major General King. Am I free to go? I have work to catch up on and a guard shift tonight at 2100 hours," Hanson asked.

"That is all, Colonel Haddock. You are dismissed," King replied as Hanson got up, gave a salute, and then exited the office and was given a ride back to base. As he expected, he and Aubree would be in a lot of trouble if they were caught doing anything that wasn't professional protocol. Such was the life of him being the high rank he was and falling back in love with his first crush who was positioned beneath him as an enlisted member of the Berk Military. All the more reason that he and Aubree needed to hold off on things.

{End Flashback}

When Aubree was released from the infirmary the next day, Hanson pulled her aside to tell her about his meeting with Andy King, explaining they had to stay completely professional for the remainder of the tour of he was in big trouble. Aubree agreed because she didn't want to get him in trouble, or herself for that matter. Thatcher returned to barracks six weeks following that meeting with Major General King, he made a full recovery and back on duty by March. Everyone was doing good, at home too. Hanson checked in with his father and children every chance he was able to let them know he would be home very soon and off for two weeks so they could do whatever they wanted after school was over of course.

A knock on his cubicle brought him from his thoughts about everything, Hanson looked over to see Aubree standing there. "Sorry to bother you, Colonel Haddock," she crooned. Hanson noticed her tone wasn't what it normally was; she seemed sad with a lot on her mind.

"You're not bothering me, Sergeant. What can I help you with?" Hanson replied sitting back in his chair.

"I just wondered if you had a few minutes to talk," Aubree asked while fiddling with her fingers in front of her. Hanson knew for sure now that something was bothering her.

"I'm sure I can make a few minutes. Have a seat, tell me what's on your mind," Hanson motioned for her to sit.

"I meant talk alone..." Aubree looked off to the side. Hanson understood now as he closed his laptop and put away some documents and files in the top left side drawer before getting to his feet.

"Come, we'll talk in my room since everyone else is in here," Hanson said as Aubree nodded and followed him out of the relaxation area and to his room in the barrack. Hanson let her in first, then himself and closed the door. "All right, talk to me, Aubree. What's wrong?"

"I can't stop seeing it, Hanson. Those soldiers that were caught in the blast, and the one that died in front of me. I-I know I said I was okay but I'm not, and I don't know what to do. I knew what could happen to be on tour but to see if first hand..." Aubree stopped to bury her face in her hands. Hanson knew what she was talking about. Two weeks ago on a mission, six soldiers were killed. Three by RPG blast, two being shot, and one having their neck sliced open and Aubree saw it all right before her eyes. For Heather, Sylvia, Grant, Sawyer, Eli, Dustin, Franklin, and Aubree, it had all been a first time for them to see and Hanson ordered them to be evaluated by one of the psychologists.

Hanson was told without much being revealed that the soldiers all passed and were cleared to continue duty but if Aubree was coming to him now and admitting she wasn't okay, then he felt she held back, or it was coming about to bothering her late.

"I know, it's harder to cope when you see it rather than hear about it. I know how it goes, I've been in the military for eleven years and seen many people die in front of me, I've had people die in my arms before. It never gets any easier to deal with, so you adapt as I have. I know every mission, every firefight and attack, I could lose someone. And it sucks to know, but this is our duty as soldiers. We are aware the risks, and to the one dying, it's an honor to die to serve the Archipelago," Hanson explained.

"How do I stop seeing it?" Aubree asked while trying not to cry.

"You have to tell yourself that they died to save their loved ones, they went knowing people back home are safe," Hanson told her. Aubree closed her eyes as Hanson handed her a tissue. "It's not what you expected, is it? Being here in the military and seeing all you do," he asked her.

Aubree shook her head. "No, it's not. I knew I wanted to be in the military and I knew the things that could happen, what I could see but to see it with my own eyes," Aubree admitted. "I don't want to see those things again. It's tearing me apart..." she trailed off.

"Aubree. Tell me," Hanson demanded, he had seen this before. It was PTSD and Hanson needed to know how bad it was for her so he could get Aubree the help she needed.

"I've been upset, depressed. I can't sleep right, and I don't have much appetite, I get sick to my stomach in the middle of the night when I see it over and over again. All the blood, the blasts...I end up going to the bathroom and throwing up most of the time. I've felt low lately, and I just...don't know what to do anymore," Aubree told him.

"Have you had any thoughts about harming yourself?" Hanson asked as she didn't answer right away, "Aubree, tell me the truth. I can't help you if you don't and you know I have to ask these kinds of things. Have you had any thoughts about self-harm or suicide?"

"Yes," Aubree closed her eyes.

"When did they start? And why didn't you come to me as soon as they did?" Hanson inquired.

"Four days ago, and I thought I could handle it," Aubree replied in order.

"Have they just been thoughts or have you tried?" Hanson looked at her.

"I-I almost cut last night but didn't, that's when I realized I wasn't okay and needed to talk to you," Aubree murmured.

"You should have come to me long before now, Aubree." Hanson sighed as he crouched in front of her, seeing the tears resting in her eyes. "I'll get you in to see the psychologist. You have PTSD; it can be treated. Come on; we'll go right now,"

"I don't...want to go through another evaluation to be told what's wrong with me. I know I'm not okay, I know it's PTSD and its only going to get worse the longer I'm here,"

"What are you saying, Aubree?" Hanson questioned.

"Hanson, and that's being 100% truthful with you, I can't be in the military because if I see anything like what already have again...I'm going to flip out and break down. I can't do it anymore. I'll see a counselor or whatever outside of the military but this, I can't do it. It's too much for me to handle, I want out," Aubree said firmly.