True to his word, Hector was incredibly busy over the course of the next few hours. He had to call everyone in the platoon and let them know about the change-that they all had to be at Berk Airport by 5am because they were needed back in Iraq as soon as possible. Calling everyone took close to an hour and thirty minutes to complete, this meant that when he started around 7pm-it was now 8:30pm with still so much to do. Hector was mostly quiet after making the phone calls-Tallon knew it was because he was upset about hearing Svendson being gone now but he wasn't going to show his family his emotions to them. Tallon also knew that Hector was mad at them, that much had been obvious when he snapped at Jessie right after the guy made a remark about Hector hiding who he really was. It shocked Tallon and the other guys to know that at one point or another-Hector felt low enough to want to kill himself but he hadn't and clearly didn't feel that way anymore which was good but still concerning because if pushed far enough, it could be triggered again.

After Hector finished the last call he put his phone on the charge since it was almost dead with a sigh. "They all know their orders?" Tallon asked calmly.

"Yeah-I only called unit leaders and they are gonna pass the message along. Talked to Cody-he's gonna come get us tomorrow morning still and we're all going to meet on the runway. There will be a plane waiting for us," Hector stated.

"Should we start packing?" Tallon asked. Hector nodded as the two of them went downstairs and returned about ten minutes later with their bags and backpacks, also a very large stack of clothes and other small things. The two set them up on the couch and began folding clothes and putting everything in neatly. Hector put his tags back on after Tallon had-since they'd taken them off during the wrestling match. The last things they had were their ACU's, folded and placed on top of the bags so they could change into them first thing in the morning after they woke up and showered. Given they had to be at the airport by 5am-they were getting up at 3am to shower, shave if needed, and wait for Cody to arrive. Finally around 9pm, they had finished and were sitting on the couch with their eyes closed.

"Can...we still come see you off tomorrow?" Darius asked him.

"That is entirely up to you," Hector stated calmly.

"Hey-you alright?" Tallon asked him softly with a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah-just great. My birthday was a shit show-but nothing new there, and now we have to go back eleven days early. I feel fuckin fantastic..." Hector mumbled a bit pulling out his phone when he felt it vibrating against his leg, "Lieutenant Haddock here," he stated after answering it and putting it on speaker phone.

"Well don't you sound happy to hear from me," came Cody's voice with a chuckle.

"Sorry, Captain. Not in the best of moods right now. What's up?" Hector replied.

"Makin sure you're ready for tomorrow-I'm still coming to get you at 0415, yes?" Cody inquired.

"Yes sir. Tallon and I will be waiting outside. We already got our shit ready. I assume we're getting our guns when we get there?" Hector questioned.

"That's why I was calling actually-I'm bringing the crate to you-as well the vests and helmets. Well to be accurate-the chopper is bringing them to you in about ten minutes. We gotta bring that stuff with us tomorrow when I grab ya and since I don't have a big yard, I sent them to your house." Cody informed.

"Got it. Going in full gear are we?" Hector stated.

"That's how Bludvist wants it. Heavy activity for this season-he doesn't like it so he wants you all ready to be able to jump right in to defend the base if need be. So yes-full gear tomorrow morning. Flight plan says we're stoppin' in Germany for about an three hours-and then again in Turkey for four hours. We should be getting to Baghdad Airfield around 8pm," Cody told him.

"Your forgot the time change there, Cap. We'll be landing around midnight," Hector sighed.

"Where do you get that from?" Astrid asked.

"Time zones and simple addition. Germany is two hours ahead of Berk and Iraq is three ahead of Berk but only an hour hour ahead of Germany. Cody said 8pm and while that's technically true-it's not accurate because we as in us soldiers will land at midnight in Iraq. Moving on. I can hear the chopper-I'll keep the stuff here until tomorrow, Cap." Hector told him.

"Good man, Lieutenant. Knew I could count on you. See you in the morning," Cody stated.

"See you tomorrow, Captain Greysen," Hector said before hitting the end call button on the screen and sighed while getting up. "Come on, Tal. Let's get this shit inside," Hector said.

"Got it," Tallon replied as the two headed outside as the chopper hovered overhead and they turned on their beacon so they could light up the ground better. It took about fifteen minutes but Hector and Tallon brought in about five cases of guns and three of vests and helmets. They kept them stacked against the wall near their bags before sitting down again after shutting the door when the chopper left. Hector immediately plopped back down on the couch sighing.

"Finally. Sent way more than a little..." Hector said with a mumble as he cracked his neck and shoulders to relax.

"Seriously...that shit is like eighty pounds-maybe more," Tallon added with a yawn now.

"Go to sleep, Tal," Hector chuckled.

"Ain't tired-just sore from the lifting..." Tallon stated when he saw Hector get his gun and start taking it apart to clean it. It only took him about fifteen minutes to complete then put it back together-the last thing he did was slip the clip back in with a firm back from underneath and then making sure the safety was on.

"I suppose I should clean the M16 and M4 too...Guy said everything was separated from by unit right?" Hector asked.

"Yeah-our stuff is in crate two I believe," Tallon said as Hector moved beside it as he opened it up and searched through the right side for the ones he wanted. Hector pulled them out and headed back to the couch with them sitting in his lap and holding up M16.

"Tal, find my SAW for me. Haven't checked it since a month before we came back," Hector asked him as Tallon got up and searched through one of the other boxes until he found it and the group recognized it from the day in school when Gobber pulled up the Wiki for it. Hector put another away in the crate and held his SAW.

"Why is it his-can't anyone use it?" Astrid questioned.

"Nope. Gotta have the expert marksmanship level to use this guy. Which means during the qualifier in Basic-you had to score near perfect in accuracy and have excellent eyesight. Hector here has perfect vision and one of the only-at the time-privates who made expert. Had to hit thirty out of forty targets to make expert and Hector hit thirty-eight out of forty with SAW, M16, M4, and handgun." Tallon explained with a smile.

"Well that and usually only the leader of the group carries it-extra insurance never killed anyone," Hector chuckled a bit as he set it up on the ground on the bi-pod and got himself on the floor, "And for the record bud, I hit all forty with the handgun and SAW. Would of had it with the other two if it weren't for Trish screaming about a spider and throwing my shot off..." he added.

"That was hilarious and it was just a daddy long leg too," Tallon snickered.

"Spiders freak me out," Carmen shivered a bit as Tallon brought over his phone to her and showed her a picture, "What the shit is that!?" Hector looked over now and arched a brow.

"Tallon-what did you show her?" Hector asked.

"Camel spider from our barrack," Tallon laughed. "Big fuckers ain't they? Found that one on Hector's bed when we got back from a mission at three in the morning. Never seen the guys act like girls faster. Pretty sure our commanding officers assumed we were under attack. This crazy asshole picked it up and moved it to safer spot,"

"You picked it up! It's as big at your damn hand-aren't they deadly?" Jessie asked.

"Their bites hurt but their aren't deadly to humans. Most often these guys are just looking for shade-they don't like the sun and the buggers are fast too-dear Gods above, they are fast." Hector stated.

"You've been bit before?" Val asked blinking.

"Nah-one of the guys in...Meathead Company did though-nasty bite afterwards. Ten to one the bite numbs first and then you can't feel them feasting. Just like any other wild creature-it won't attack if it doesn't feel threatened," Hector shrugged as he checked everything on his SAW. He even got into position where the others thought he might fire it but he just got up and smiled. "There we go. Back on point. Scope dial moved off my preference. Now she'll be ready next time I need her," Hector folded the bi-pod and put it away.

"So can I ask something?" Astrid looked over at him as he arched a brow at her, "Where in the name of Thor did you learn to sing and play because you're like...really friggen good at it,"

"Never learned how-just did it one day. I never thought I was that good until the barrack was demanding mini fucking concerts on personal time every night," Tallon chuckled now rubbing the back of his head after Hector said that, "As for the instruments-I just do a lot of studying when I'm bored. Never hurts to learn something new,"

"Can you do it again?" Danielle asked curiously as the girls had wide, hopeful eyes.

"Told you the girls go for it dude," Tallon teased.

"Oh shut up you-you guys love it just as much as they do," Hector shoved him slightly. "No-not doing it again. I got all my shit packed already-need my laptop for it." he stated.

"Awe," they frowned a bit.

"Ya know-your boyfriends are sitting right here while you obviously flirt with him," Drew remarked.

"I'm not your girlfriend-I'm not with anyone actually so I'm allowed to flirt." Mandy huffed.

"Astrid has no excuse-she's with me and flirting with him," Jessie looked back at her now.

"Maybe she likes him more than you because you're kind of a dick," Danielle remarked now.

"Please-we been down that road before. She don't like him, whole cafeteria saw that two years ago." Trent grinned.

"Who the hell are you to speak for me?" Astrid crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you saying you like him?" Reina blinked in surprise as Astrid didn't say anything now-hiding her face a bit.

"Are you kidding me, you like him and you're with me? I knew something was off since the day you found out he was in the military." Jessie said getting up now and getting in her face. As shocked as Hector was to find out Astrid apparently liked him-which he was really hesitant on believing because of last time, he didn't run. He didn't like where this was going with Jessie getting in her face all of a sudden.

"At least he's a gentleman and a hard worker. So what if I like him-he's ten times the man you'll ever be," Astrid stated getting up now as Jessie backed up some and then got mad. "I'd rather be with him than with you," then Hector saw it. Jessie's hand starting to rise as Hector moved between them and kept Astrid behind him as Jessie went to punch him but Hector blocked him and shoved him back a bit.

"Back off, Haddock. This is between me and her," Jessie glared.

"Well now I'm between you and her. Knock it off-she's made it clear she doesn't want to be with you so don't be a sore loser and just accept it," Hector stated.

"How can you defend her after what she did to you?" Drew asked.

"You mean what you all did? I can do it because I'm not a heartless assholes. I'm not gonna deal with a man raising his hands to a woman-doesn't matter who they are or what they did to me. You all had a hand in what happened-I just don't care anymore. It was two years ago-I'm over it. And you," he motioned to Jessie now, "I don't know who you think you are, Jessie but I won't deal with that shit in my house. I won't deal with it anywhere. Leave or I will make you," Hector ordered.

"I ain't one of your guys, loser. You can't order me around," Jessie scoffed as he tried to punch Hector in the face only for Hector to catch his punch and hold it off-this shocked everyone to watch.

"I gave you your chance," Hector said as his eyes narrowed while he threw Jessie's hand down and punched him right in the face making him stumble a bit. Hector turned and elbowed him in the chest, then kicked his shin to make him drop. "Last time I'll ask nicely-leave and save yourself the humiliation of being whipped by the loser," he stated firmly. Jessie was going to attack until he saw Hector crack his neck and knuckles-he sighed and got up quietly before going to the door, "Stay away from her-believe me, I'll know if you don't and if you don't, I'm gonna come back and kick your ass," he warned as Jessie left without another word.

"I think it's a good time to end the night," Spencer said now. "Was he your ride home, Astrid?" she nodded slowly-still surprised that Hector defended her.

"You can stay here tonight. We can bring you home tomorrow after we see Hector off at the airport dear," Val smiled lightly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Haddock..." Astrid tried to smile. The Jorgenson's left with Skylar after that-then Drew and Freddie left with the girls except for Astrid. Gobber left shortly afterwards-saying he'd be back in the morning to see Hector off too. Hector now faced Astrid.

"Are you alright?" Hector asked.

"Yeah he just...scared me is all," Astrid said rubbing her arm and looking down, "Thank you for defending me. I figured it would be the last thing you'd ever do for me after what happened," she added.

"Don't mention it. Like I said-doesn't matter what happened or did what. I won't stand for a guy raising his hand to a girl," Hector told her, "He won't bother you again-and if he does, I'll set him straight when I get home."

"We'll keep an eye on her bro," Darius nodded.

"Thanks," Hector replied as he turned from her and headed for the basement door. "It's late and we got a long day tomorrow. See you in the morning, night." Hector added then he headed downstairs and Tallon followed him-shutting the door on his way down. The rest just started shutting down the house and getting ready for bed. Astrid would be staying in Heather's room and Darius would go down in a bit-it was only about 10:15pm or so. Once downstairs, Hector laid on his bed sighing. "And honestly-I couldn't be happier about going back tomorrow," he closed his eyes and rolled over to go to sleep. Tallon felt bad in a way. He knew what Hector meant when he said that. Hector found out that Astrid liked him even though she was dating Jessie, and regardless of what happened before, Hector defended her. Hector was battling his feelings for Astrid now because he still loved her but was afraid to get hurt if he pursued the feelings Astrid now had for him.

"Get some sleep my friend," Tallon told him as he got on the couch and went to sleep as well. Tomorrow was gonna be a long day of goodbyes and an even longer flight back to Iraq.

(Next Morning; 3:00am)

Hector was up first-he knew that Tallon was still asleep or would be for about forty-five minutes. Their alarms were set for 3:30 so they'd have time to get up and shower before Cody came for them and they went to the airport. Hector made his way upstairs to shower, his showers only took about fifteen minutes and that wasn't including him getting dressed in his ACU-that took another ten minutes. Of course once he was done-Tallon was awake and went up to shower next. By 4:05am they were done-had eaten something, and now sitting on the couch awaiting for Cody to arrive. His father, mother, sister, brother, and Astrid-who had spent the night were up and partially dressed. This meant they washed their faces and got dressed but never showered, they'd be following Cody's truck to the airport and Gobber was going to meet them there before boarding started. At 4:15am-the truck pulled up as Hector, Tallon, and Cody loaded everything in the back and kept the cover over it.

"See ya guys there," Hector waved as he climbed into the truck after Tallon had. Cody started it up and they were gone-the Haddock's following right behind.

(Thirty Minutes Later)

It only took about half an hour-maybe a little more to reach the airport and park. Cody called ahead and made sure there would be a cart there so they wouldn't have to carry everything by hand or make a ton of trips back and forth to the truck. It was 5:20am but that point when everything was loaded onto the plane. They didn't have to go through security points-only one or two but then were led outside where the transport plane was waiting and so were the other members of the platoon. Most of them were still half asleep and drinking coffee from the airport cafe in order to wake up a bit. Cody was speaking to the pilots to go over the flight plan-as it stood now they were still going from Berk, to Germany, to Turkey, and finally land in Iraq around midnight as Hector had expected. Most of them were just standing around and talking with light conversation as the time ticked away leading up to 6am.

"Hector-tell them to let us through..." Hector heard Carmen's voice ask as he turned to see them all there as well, he sighed and nodded to the officers who let them pass.

"Why are you here?" Hector asked.

"You said we could see you off so we rushed here to do that-are you leaving right away?" Skylar questioned.

"'Bout five minutes til boarding," he replied calmly. He didn't know why they wanted to come-it's not like they were friends but oh well, he had said they could see him off if they wanted too. He saw Jessie too but the guy wasn't saying much and Astrid was staying near Heather and Darius. Cody came over now and patted his shoulder with a small smile.

"It's time lad. Line 'em up," Cody instructed.

"Yes sir." Hector nodded as he stepped back from the group now. "Dragon platoon! Fall in!" Hector called out firmly as the forty-seven soldiers moved into position by their units. "Alright, listen up. I know that no one is happy about this-us going back ten days early but this is what we do. We defend when we're called to and we come runnin'. So we're gonna get on that plane and go back, we're gonna fight to keep these people here who have come out to send us off safe. This is why we fight-to defend those we love. So I think before we get on that plane for a really long fuckin' day...we should bring it in for prayer," he said now. At this all the soldiers took a knee-hats off and heads down while Hector did the same.

"Go ahead, son..." Cody told him as he came beside him and took a knee as well.

Hector too a breath. "Dear Odin, I'm just a soldier. A protector of our land. A servant called to battle. When my country takes a stand, I pray for strength and courage, and a heart that will forgive. For peace and understand in a world for all to live. Lord make me fast and accurate. Let my aim be true and my hand faster than those who would seek to destroy me. Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine. My family's prayers are with me no matter where I roam. Please listen when I'm lonely and return me safely home. In thy name we ask this of you," Hector said.

"In they name we ask this of you," the soldiers repeated.

"Load up soldiers," Cody told them as they nodded. It was a final round of goodbyes from families to soldiers. They'd say their goodbye with a hug or kiss on the cheek-some of the lovers received a kiss on the lips. Hector faced his family and the others who had showed up. His mother was first to hug him tightly as she tried not to cry-he hugged her back before she pulled back and kissed his cheek.

"Be safe baby and keep in contact as much as you can, please?" Val asked.

"I'll do what I can, Mom. Love you," he said before hugging his father next.

"We'll be praying for you every day and waiting for your return," Spencer said while Hector hugged him back. After that he hugged Heather and his brother. Skylar and him only shook hands with wishes of safe travels. Hector said goodbye to the others and of course Gobber-then his aunt and uncle who had come out too. He went to wave to them a final time when Astrid grabbed his hand and hugged him tightly.

"Stay safe over there, Hector." she said softly-it sounded like she was trying to keep from crying. Hector didn't know what to do so he hugged her back lightly then went to pull away, he looked down at her. Astrid then did something he didn't expect-she put her hand behind his head and pulled him down closer to her as she pressed her lips to his in a quick but gentle kiss. "I want you to come back soon-come back to me, okay? I'm really going to miss you," with that she let go and stepped back with a soft smile. Hector was beside himself. Astrid just kissed him!

"Haddock-we gotta go now!" Cody called to him. Hector backed up now as he nodded to her then turned heel and walked towards the plan which was powering on its engines as it got louder over the area. Hector walked up the ramp and took one last look at them before banging the side of the wall twice and the hatch began to close slowly. Hector stepped back and took his seat beside Tallon-still in shock.

"What's up," Evan asked him.

"She kissed me. Astrid just kissed me and told me to come back to her," Hector said trying to calm down. "Oh it's way too early for this shit-wake me up when we get to Germany..." Hector sighed as he closed his eyes. The plane began to move down the runway not more than two minutes later-it picked up speed and finally took off into the early morning sky where the sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon. Hector couldn't of been happier to be going back because he needed time away from everything to think about the last few hours. Returning to Iraq for him right now was a Godsend, now he only prayed he could figure out what happened between him and Astrid. This was it, they were going back.