It had so far taken thirty minutes alone to try and figure out how all of the guys were going to fit in the basement. Hector's room could sleep five easy-Darius's could hold another two aside from himself. Tallon and Evan were without a doubt staying in Hector's room. That left still Freddie, Skylar, Drew, Jessie, and Trent still to figure out. The way the basement was set up was upon going down the stairs there was a big open room directly ahead of them and this was Hector's room because of all his instruments, computer, bed, dresser, and in-wall closet. Off to the right side was another door and that was Darius's room. Past that also on the right wall was an open room with no door and that was the storage room with all decorations for seasons, laundry, camping gear, and general purpose tools since it was connected to the garage outside with another door-this was the door Hector used to leave the house when he left for Reception Week back in March 2016. Most of the guys didn't want to stay in Hector's room because of Evan's son, Aiden being in there.

Hector was getting a headache already, "For the love of-ENOUGH!" he shouted but not loud enough to wake Aiden-who was asleep on his bed. "It's really not that complicated to set up sleeping arrangements for one Goddamn night! My room sleeps the most so chances are-most of you will be in here on the floor or the pull out couch with me. Get over it," he stated crossing his arms over his chest. There was a knock on the wall as Hector looked over and saw Heather there with the girls, "What?"

"Just checking on how things are going down here, we're set upstairs." Reina informed.

"Just fine down here if some people could get over themselves and just deal for a night. But since they want to act like children-I'll be the adult. Aside from Evan, Tallon, Freddie, and myself in my room. Drew and Jessie will stay too on the pull out couch. Skylar and Trent can room in Darius's. Anyone got a problem with that?" Hector asked firmly.

"Who says you get to make the rules?" Drew scoffed.

"Because his room makes up most of the basement," Darius rolled his eyes.

"And it's not a rule-it's just sleeping arrangements for one damn night. Believe you me, I'm no more thrilled about it than you are so fucking suck it up and quit being a little bitch that you have to share a room with me," Hector snapped harshly as he moved to the storage room grabbing some sleeping bags, floor pads, and pillows. He tossed a sleep pad, sleeping bag, and pillow to Skylar and Trent as the two headed into Darius's room with him to set them up, "Give me a hand, Tal?" Hector asked. Tallon walked over and helped him get the pull out couch set up-after it was done Hector made sure two get two blankets and pillow each to Drew and Jessie.

"Freddie-you can take the recliner chair," Hector offered to him.

"Thanks, Hector..." Freddie nodded moving towards it.

"We taking the floor?" Tallon asked.

"Nope. I thought we would set up our cots-they should be in our bags," Hector smiled.

"I got mine-wasn't sure if there would be room for them." Tallon chuckled.

"There isn't right now, gimme a sec." Hector stated as he moved over towards the wall where his instruments were them opened the closet and started pulling different shaped cases and pulling everything away in its respectful case-then away into the closet against the wall. Last thing he put away was the small drum set before closing the closet and motioned to the now very open space against the wall that would fit another couch if he had one. Hector grabbed his bag and opened the long side pouch pulling out some poles and a black cloth like piece. Tallon had done the same and in three minutes there were two cots set up side by side with a little room in between the two of them for Tallon and Hector to sleep on. Hector grabbed two more pillows and blankets-handing a set to his friend and by the end of five minutes, their beds were set up.

"You carry all that stuff on you?" Trent asked as he, Darius, and Skylar returned to the room now.

"Never know when you'll need it. We carry clothes, canteens, first aid kit, and the cots in these bags during leave. Oh-and the extra clip for the guns. It's better to be prepared with everything than to be fucked with nothing, that's what we learned in Basic." Tallon said now.

"So why do you carry the guns home?" Heather asked.

"No real reason. But I suppose it falls under in case you need it. We were ordered to keep them on us-so that's what we do." Hector shrugged as he took his belt off and set it on the coat hanger that was on the back of the closet door. He took the gun out, released the clip into his palm before making sure the safety was on and then putting the clip back in and setting it in the holster that was attached to his belt. Tallon had done the same with his own-the two sat down on their cots to start untying their boots and leaving them neatly together on the left sides of their cots and their gray bags were placed under the cots after they both pulled out their nightwear which looked to be a pair of sweats with a t-shirt. "Come on Tal, I'll show ya where the bathroom is," Hector said.

"You're gonna leave them down here alone?" Tallon blinked.

"Evan's down here-he'll keep them in line. Oh and don't touch any of my stuff-I'll know if you did," Hector warned as he led Tallon upstairs now. After ten minutes both guys returned wearing their dark gray sweats, black socks, and no shirts but dog tags still hanging from around their necks. "Need a set, Evan? Can wear one of mine?"

"Nah I'm good bro-thanks though." Evan smiled to him. Hector nodded as he laid down on his cot with his hands behind his head comfortably.

"So what now? It's like...2000 right now," Tallon asked and saw them arch a brow at him as he rolled his eyes, "Military time. 2000 is 8pm."

"Oh, right." Carmen stated now.

"How should I know-normally around this time for us we're neck deep in enemy territory doing recon missions. My body is still adjusting to the fact we're not in Iraq right now," Hector remarked looking over at his two army friends.

"What is a recon mission?" Astrid asked now.

"Recon missions are just ones where we're gathering information on a specific objective-can't really give you more than that. We do a lot of different kinds of missions. Recon, ambush, contact, economy of force, security, and lastly would do search and attack," Tallon said.

"And each one is for a different purpose," Darius asked.

"That's right. Most often we're doing as unit or squadron are recon, contact, and security. The others require the entire platoon sometimes two of them to do," Evan said.

"And Hector leads them?" Heather inquired.

"If required to. He'll always leads our unit-we elected him that leader because he's got the skills to do it and has proven it many a times. For anything else-it depends on what we're doing for that mission but generally yes, Hector's in charge." Tallon nodded.

"Wow, good for you bro. Never thought I'd see you in the military," Darius offered a smile.

"A lot of people wouldn't. Hell, the day I saw Cody at the school and he asked me if I saw myself in the military I told myself no way," Hector chuckled.

"Cody?" they asked.

"Sergeant First Class Cody Greysen-he was the recruiter at the school by the main office. I passed the table right before lunch and then after Skylar started his bullshit with me and I left-I grabbed a pamphlet off the table after Cody asked if I saw myself in the military. I told him I never gave it much thought and he told me to take the pamphlet home and give him a call if I was interested. So got home that night, did homework, made dinner, put things away, cleaned up and then finally looked it over. The more I read-the more I liked the idea, next day in school during lunch I called the recruiter office and went to talk to him," Hector stated.

"And that's when you joined?" Mandy asked.

"No. That's where I was told I had to get my GED first so that same week on Friday, I took it and passed everything with a B or higher. We started the paperwork. Then I went to MEPS all Goddamn day, was sworn in and got my orders for Reception Battalion. Fort Hellion for March 5th, 2016," Hector said.

"So what is this...reception battalion thing?" Darius asked.

"It's where we got our uniforms, bags, some of the gear, boot fittings, eye exams, dental exams, physical exams. Had to pass a PT test, get financial shit in order, got our tags there, and picked battle buddies. Reception is where I met Hector-he asked it I wanted to buddy up so we did. We also met Evan and Thax there too-they are battle buddies too. Took about four days to finish everything and then on day five we shipped by bus forty-five minutes away to Fort Striker for Basic." Tallon smiled.

"What did you have to do for the PT test?" Skylar asked.

"Two minutes to do thirty-five push ups, two minutes to do forty-seven sit ups, and then fifteen minutes to do a two mile run." Evan responded.

"They timed you?" Heather blinked.

"Bet Hector had the worst scores," Trent snickered.

"Actually, Hector had the best scores out of the entire Nightwave Company at both Fort Hellion and Fort Striker," Tallon stated coldly. "He got his shit done before time ran out-the rest us got done with five seconds to spare,"

"No way-he was like ninety pounds when he left, there's no way he was able to do all that in the time frame," Drew remarked.

"Believe what you want and we'll believe what we saw. Hector wasn't weak when you knew him-For Thor's sake he worked in the auto shop. When Hector weighed in at Reception for one hundred and thirty-five pounds. His LBM or lean body mass was one hundred and thirteen then and that was a year ago." Tallon chuckled.

"What is it now?" Astrid asked.

"We haven't checked it recently, have we?" Evan asked.

"I know mine. Ideal body fat percentage for men is fifteen percent. It uses weight and height. I'm five foot ten inches now and weigh one-fifty. My LBM is one twenty-three right now." Hector stated calmly.

"Wow...so like...you were always kinda hot weren't ya-a year ago in school?" Mandy asked.

"I guess? I never hid the muscle-you just didn't notice because I'm a loser to you," Hector shrugged now. "And why has this become the topic of the evening?" he rolled his eyes before closing them.

"Well dude, I mean ya are kinda laying there shirtless flaunting some serious muscle that we never saw before because you always wore baggy clothes or a sweater," Freddie interjected.

"Again, was kind of invisible at school," Hector mentioned again. It was quiet for a moment now as the girls were sitting either on the pull out couch or leaning against the wall and the guys were doing the same. It was the most people Hector ever had in the basement, in his room at one time and it was actually awkward for him. "And not flaunting-it's just hot as shit right now,"

"It's freezing," Heather shivered.

"Put a sweater on stupid. It's not hot for us-we went over this already." Hector sighed as a small black cat jumped on his stomach and sat there with a meow as Hector opened his eyes and put his hand out and the cat sniffed him before purring and nuzzling it's face to his hand while he lightly scratched under it's chin. "Hey there, Luna..." he greeted the cat as it walked up onto his chest and nuzzled his cheek.

"She's missed you-always sleeps down here on your bed since you left," Val said coming down the stairs now with Spencer behind her.

"I missed her too," Hector smiled as it sat on his shoulder now, "My main girl,"

"It's a cat," Jessie rolled his eyes.

"Cat that Hector saved when it was a kitten when he was ten. Luna was about six weeks old when Hector found her on the side of the road walking home from the bus stop. Poor thing was freezing to death so he brought her home in his coat and took care of her. Luna is ten now-still small though." Spencer explained.

"She's beautiful. She's all black with the one crescent moon on her chest," Astrid said as she tried to pet the cat but Luna hissed at her.

"I wouldn't. Luna doesn't really let anyone touch her but Hector," Heather giggled as the cat calmed down when Hector sat up and pulled over a fleece blanket onto his lap then used his finger to call her on it. Luna walked on to it and circled a few times before stepping on Hector's chest and pressing her nose to his-then licking it before laying down on his lap and falling asleep.

"She up to date on all her shots?" Hector asked his parents.

"Yes-she just had a checkup a month ago," Val smiled lightly.

"She's all good?" Hector questioned looking over now although his parents weren't saying anything. "That was kind of a now answer question." he added.

"Luna has FLV, Hector. We don't know how she caught it but she did and you know once they have the disease...it can't be immunized. Her appetite has been decreasing, she doesn't really move around a lot anymore. When she walks it looks like she's in a lot of pain. It was...diagnosed about two months after you left," Val said softly. Hector's eyes never left the cat and his facial expression didn't really change from the calm one he had-soft eyes.

"How long does she have?" Hector asked finally after two minutes of silence.

"I-I don't know-it's...hard to-," his mother began.

"Mother. Best estimate," Hector said firmly.

"Three months at the most," Val sighed sadly as Hector just pet from the top of her head down her side-repeating the same motion over and over again.

"You're telling me she'll die before my tour ends," Val gave a single nod to him even though he wasn't looking at her. "The pain and symptoms are only going to get worse?" another nod as the Luna now lifted her head and looked at Hector as he sat up more using both hands to scratch the sides of her neck as she leaned into it gently then looked at him again, "You're hurting, huh girl?" Hector asked Luna as she moved forward more now and pressed her forehead to his-both of them had their eyes closed. "Well, I think we both know what we have to do, don't we?" the cat licked his cheek, "At least I got to see you one more time," he whispered as Luna stood up on her back legs and reached for him, Hector picked her up as she snuggled into his arms.

"Hector?" Heather asked, "What...do you mean?"

"You have your stuff here at home, Mom?" Hector asked.

"I have my bag, yes," Val responded, "Hector...what are you asking me to do?" Hector only glanced at her slowly and she understood. "You sure that's what you want to do?"

"I don't want her to go when I'm not here with her, and I don't want her to suffer..." Hector said slowly. Val nodded to him as she went upstairs now, the basement stayed mostly silent as Hector laid the Luna down on his cot on the fleece blanket but stayed next to her as he knelt down to be at her level while stroking the top of her head with his thumb as his mother returned downstairs with a few things. Hector kept Luna's focus on him quietly as his mother set it all up-by this point the others figured out what he was doing. Putting Luna down so she wouldn't have to suffer and he could say goodbye.

"It's ready son. She won't feel anything-she'll just slip away, are you ready?" Val asked him. Hector didn't even look at her.

"Don't worry-you won't be alone up there. Mema and Papa will be waiting. I just want you to know know how much it meant to me that you let me take care of you all these years. You are one of the only friends I ever had and I'll never forget you. You're always with me-wherever I go. It's never goodbye, just until I see you. Thank you for being the best friend a lonely kid like me could hope for," he said as Luna put her paw on his cheek and he kissed to top of her head before her paw rested on his hand. Tallon and Evan walked over behind him and put their hands on his shoulders. "We're ready," Hector said without looking at his mother.

No one said anything, it didn't matter how much jealousy there might have been, or dislike in the room. Everyone knew how much it had to be hurting Hector to of just gotten home and find out his cat was sick and dying slowly so he was doing the only thing he could for her-being there when she went since if he didn't she would go when he wasn't home and he didn't want that. His mother inserted the needle to the short IV line and pushed the plunger in slow, she was crying and so was Heather. "It's okay girl, you can let go...I'll be alright. I love you," Hector whispered while stroking her head still as she lifted her head a bit to rub against his face. That's when everyone saw it-a single tear rolling down his face when Luna's eyes slowly began to close and her breathing came to a slow stop. Val checked with her stethoscope before pulling back and nodding to Hector then pulling out the IV and stepping back. Hector pulled the blanket over her now before standing up and getting one of his long sleeve shirts out of the drawer and slipping it on and then his boots.

He lifted the blanket and walked into the storage room then out the basement door after grabbing a snow shovel and regular one. It was dark so they couldn't see where he went but he returned thirty minutes later with both shovels and no blanket. He took his boots off, then shirt as he laid on his cot silently before rolling over with his back to everyone. "Good night." Hector stated. Feeling he wanted to be left alone, his parents and the girls made their way upstairs. Darius took Trent and Skylar to his room while the other guys: Freddie, Drew, and Jessie found their spots to sleep in and laid down. Evan moved near his son on the bed while Tallon laid on his cot. Darius hit the lights and that was it for the rest of the night. It was bordering 8:30pm but given what just happened, they all assumed not much else would be going on. The day had been long and now the night even longer and all anyone could do was just go to sleep. What a night it had been and they only hoped for a better morning.