Tallon and Hector had never been happier to wake up the next morning knowing they had consummated their marriage from 6 months ago finally, and also that they were back home in their own apartment. The feeling was indescribable knowing those two facts. They slept from noon when they'd finished making love until about 6:30pm when they got up to use the bathroom and get something to eat for dinner-which was just grilled cheese sandwiches because they were too lazy and tired to make anything else, after that around 8pm, they returned to bed. Hector was actually still sore but didn't mind, it had all been worth it for them to both feel what they had beforehand. Hector actually woke the next morning before Tallon had, he showered and got dressed quietly and then went to his music room with a cup of coffee to work on a few things. Tallon woke up an hour later and found him no longer in the bed, he got up and checked the apartment to see the light on over the music room door-this signaled that Hector was recording so Tallon decided to catch a shower himself, then get coffee to relax on the couch. Around this time is when Hector opened the door and came out with his mug in order to get some more coffee as he was yawning still.

"Good morning, Love," Tallon greeted him softly. Hector smiled and went over to kiss him lightly.

"Morning baby. Glad to see you're awake," he replied lightly after fixing his coffee the way he liked it and sitting down beside his husband.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Tallon inquired gently while turning on the TV to check the news.

"Little sore, still a bit tired too. How about you?" Hector asked in response.

"The soreness is to be expected-in all fairness you did keep asking me to go faster and harder," Tallon chuckled some as Hector blushed lightly, "It'll fade. It's only because it was the first time," he added.

"I know. I researched it lightly after got married so I'd know what I was in for," Hector admitted.

"So did I, in the event we switched off with who received and who gave." Tallon smiled at him.

"I kind of enjoyed letting you give. Is it bad to say I want to try giving to you though? I thought it was an amazing feeling, and want you to feel it too." Hector told him gently.

"If you'd like to try I won't object but know my greatest pleasure is knowing that I made you feel good and seeing the smile on your face, and that I put it there because you're happy," Tallon said as Hector's blush darkened slightly, he leaned over and kissed his husband and Hector returned it. "So what were you working on in there? I woke up and saw the light on,"

"Attempting something new but it's not working out the way I planned it to go," Hector chuckled a bit.

"How so?" Tallon asked him.

"Can't find a tune I like to go with it," Hector shrugged as he started eating the pop-tart he'd gotten from the cupboard when he'd gotten his coffee the second time. He offered a bite to Tallon who only shook his head.

"You know I can't eat until after the first cup of coffee," Tallon reminded gently.

"Same here, this is my second cup." Hector giggled some. There was a knock at the door now as the both of them blinked and Tallon got up after putting his big down, he went to the door and unlocked the three different ones before opening it to see their friends there smiling wide.

"Do you always have to show up unannounced?" Tallon asked with a sigh.

"Well, you wouldn't answer your phones or the landline yesterday morning when we kept calling," Darius mumbled.

"We were busy," Tallon stated, he wasn't going to give them a reason to get hyped up over him and Hector making love for the first time.

"First thing in the morning?" Trent arched a brow now.

"Yeah, sleeping." Hector got up now with his mug and walked beside his husband.

"You don't know what happened, do you?" Ryan asked, both Hector and Tallon shook their heads.

"Hector...you might want to sit down for this," Thaxter offered now. Those were never comforting words to hear an hour after waking up, Tallon let them all inside then closed the door as Hector resumed his place on the couch and looked at them now.

"Just tell me what is going on guys," Hector stated placing the mug down.

"Vasquez is gone," Evan said softly, Hector froze.

"What...do you mean he is gone? We just saw him yesterday at the airport," Tallon asked right away.

"Gone as in...not coming back. He committed suicide yesterday morning, he left a note saying that he thought he could handle knowing someone was responsible for killing all of his friends. Asher is the one who called to let us know-he went over to check on Raymond because he noticed how quiet he'd been while we were still deployed after you revealed Hill to be a traitor. Asher said the door was unlocked and open, he went in and saw Raymond hanging from the ceiling fan-he was already dead." Viktor informed lightly. Hector's eyes widened in fear almost, Raymond had killed himself knowing that his friends were killed by Hill?

"How is Asher taking it? Does Alex know?" Tallon asked.

"Asher is...under three day suicide watch at Berk Psychiatric. He managed to call the police about the suicide but when they got there, Asher was a complete mess. We've been trying to contact Holgerson but no one has gotten back to us yet," Darius replied now. Tallon looked over at Hector-who thus far hadn't said a word but he looked shocked, and scared.

"Babe? Are you alright?" Tallon put a hand on his and shook him a bit. Hector shook his head slightly and took a few deep breaths as he got up and went in the bedroom to get his phone, he turned it on and ignored all the incoming texts and missed calls from yesterday when he and Tallon had made love-then slept. Hector pressed the button on the side as it beeped twice.

{This is Hector Haddock calling Alexander Holgerson. You read me, Lieutenant Colonel?}

Hector's phone doubled as a walkie-talkie, and he knew Alex's phone did the same thing. This was how they communicated if they couldn't use the radios or phone calls because of bad reception or distance. No answer at first and then a return beep.

{Hector Haddock? The new General who ended the war in Afghanistan?}

That...wasn't Alex's voice.

{Yes. Where is Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Holgerson?}

{I'm...sorry, General Haddock. The...Lieutenant Colonel went MIA about two days ago. His team returned without him and so far we've...had no luck in locating him.}

Hector flinched a bit, Alex was MIA?! Could this day get any worse? Raymond killed himself, Asher was on a suicide watch and now Alex was MIA-which stood for Missing In Action and he'd been missing for two days.

{What missions were they running and where were they last before he went MIA?}

{Running contact and you know I can't give you that information without a secure line...}

{I didn't ask for an excuse, soldier. Where was he? That's an order.}

{Location fifty seven, forty-five miles West of Fury base, General Haddock. It was a large area with heavy activity, we've been through it a few times but no sign of Holgerson. They're getting ready to call it as a POW.}

{Tell them I said 'don't you dare'. I'll be in contact soon. Over and out.}

Hector lowered his phone now and clenched his fist. "Babe, are you okay?" Tallon asked him.

"No...in fact, I'm far from it right now." Hector stated with his head down before he sighed, he dialed a number on his phone and put it to his ear as the others wondered who he was calling. "Jay. It's Haddock."

"Haddock! Good to hear from you, what can I do for you?"

"Find me the fastest jet you can, and have it ready at Berk Airfield in an hour. Make sure there's a set of search and rescue gear with it, along with my M16, and M4-203." Hector said as Tallon's eyes widened.

"What the hell do you need a jet for? Did you not just get back from Afghanistan?"

"Jay for the love of Odin, do not make me have to make it a direct order. Just get the damn jet ready," Hector said then hung up.

"Hector, what the hell are you planning to do?" Darius asked quickly. Hector didn't answer him, he went to the bedroom and changed into his ACU then came out while popping the clip into his gun.

"I'm gonna find him myself," Hector said as he tossed his backpack over his shoulder, then grabbed his keys, wallet, and phone.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Darius scolded him. "That guy said it was heavy activity, you can't go in alone! You just got back to Berk, Hector! Don't do this. They can't find him, there's no way you'll be able too! He's been missing for two days, please don't do this."

"If I lose Holgerson..." he trailed off headed for the door, "I will lose my mind," with that he hurried to the truck, started it up, then backed out and headed down the road.

"Why the fuck didn't you stop him!?" Drew said to Tallon now.

"You really think I could have? You know Hector, he's gonna do what he wants no matter what. I made a vow to support his choices, even if I don't agree with them and I won't go back on that now. Especially after yesterday, if I went back on it...he'd likely never forgive me," Tallon sighed.

"Why does yesterday have a bearing on your vows?" Evan asked.

"Because we made love," his friend's eyes widened some, "finally consummated the marriage from six months ago. That's why we didn't answer our phones, we were making love yesterday morning after getting home from the airport," Tallon told them.

"Aren't you worried about him? He's taking a jet to Iraq to find Holgerson, who has been missing two days in a heavy enemy area." Jessie stated.

"Of course I'm worried about him. But I know he'll be alright, he knows what he's doing. Trust him as I do," Tallon replied. The others just looked at the door where Hector had rushed out of. How could they trust he'd be okay when he was going by himself to Iraq to find someone who had been missing two days? He could get himself killed and then what would they do?

(Iraq; Four Hours Later)

He was hell bent and determined to do this. Hector reached Berk Airfield in record time-then immediately took off as soon as he was cleared to. It was a fighter jet, something small and fast for him to use to get to Iraq in record time. If a normal plan could do it in about ten hours with layovers, then a jet that could go nonstop straight through should cut the time right in half. He flew four hours and landed at Baghdad Airfield-he got himself a ride to the base and went right to find someone with a map and what he'd need. An hour later he was in a chopper by himself and headed towards the area where Holgerson was last seen by his team before they lost him two days before. There had been a lot of arguing, they tried to tell him not to go but he was anyway. He wasn't going to lose Holgerson too, he couldn't. Not after losing Cody, Sean, Drake, and now Raymond. Hector was exhausted and he knew that. He'd just gotten back to normal with sleeping and now this.

Hector knew he could have looked the other way and left this be but at the same time, he couldn't. This was all Hill's fault and Hector had choice words for that man when he got back. He hated it so much-had the best day of his life yesterday morning, finally getting to consummate his and his husband's marriage-then all this news and now he was in Iraq running a solo search and rescue. Very dangerous but he didn't care, he wouldn't lose him. He refused to. Hector took another thirty minutes to get to the area and landed somewhere safe-he got his gear on and headed in. Holgerson was alive, he knew it, he felt it. He had to be captured or wounded and hiding out-Hector refused to believe Holgerson was dead.

(Three Hours Later)

He'd been searching awhile and hiding out from enemies in between if he spotted them. There was really only place left to check, a big building just ahead of him. The time was 7:30pm, 4:30pm back in Berk though. He left seven hours ago and the time then was 8am, he arrived in Iraq at 3pm with the time change. Spent an hour getting ready then thirty minute flight to his location and now it was three hours after all that. If Holgerson wasn't in here then Hector had no choice but to believe he was gone and he didn't know what he'd do if that was the case. Hector snuck inside and kept himself hidden to listen in to any of the enemy soldiers in the main area. He spoke and understood the language-it was great for times like this when he needed information. He caught words like Prisoners and Basement so that is where he would need to go. This had to be a holding area for prisoners. If Alex was here, that's where he was. Hector got away from them and started making his way towards the lower level.

There was a trap door that led down he'd located so he found an opening and got down there and sure enough-it was a long area of cells or side rooms. Hector's eyes narrowed-how the hell was he going to find Alex in this-there had to be at least a hundred cells and rooms down here and he was just one soldier. A call would work but it could also get him spotted and then he'd have to fight his way through. That was his choice: use a call and risk getting seen, or search in silence and secrecy? He wanted out of here, and Alex with him so he'd risk being found. Hector cupped his hands over his mouth and let out a loud screech like roar-it was a dragon call because Hector's platoon was named dragon. Made sense to use a call signal that would let Alex know who was coming for him. At first nothing for minute but then there was a return call to him. Hector started running, giving his signal still and it continued to return to him-getting closer and closer with each step.

Enemies also came and Hector just grabbed his gun and started firing to keep them out of his way. Finally after fifteen minutes, Hector stopped at the cell the signal was coming from and he looked inside seeing someone sitting there. "Alex?" Hector panted.

"Hector? What are...you doing here?" Alex panted.

"I'm here for you. Let's get you outta here my friend," Hector said as he grabbed his knife and slammed it into the lock of the cell and broke it. The door slid open and Hector rushed to Alex and checked over him. "Can you walk?"

"Yeah...my ankle is fucked up though. Please tell me you have a team waiting?" Alex asked.

"Um...that's a strong word...I have a chopper waiting...once we get to it." Hector stated softly.

"You came...all by yourself!?" Alex asked.

"Can we talk about this later, ya know...after we're at base!" Hector shushed him as he held Alex to walk as they started making their way out and up through the hatch. Once up there, Hector had to hide Alex and continue shooting or fighting for them to get out. When in the clear, Hector got Alex and they headed outside and right towards the hidden chopper which was untouched by enemies-meaning they never found it. Hector got Alex in the back and treated his ankle then they took off back to Fury base.

(Thirty Minutes Later)

Reaching base, Hector glared at the soldiers who had said it wasn't possible that Alex was still alive and then shook his head in disappointment. Hector made it clear he was taking Holgerson with him when he left so the man could recover after everything. Alex was treated for his ankle and any injuries. Hector planned to stay the night and they'd be leaving by jet the next morning since he already called it in to have it ready. Alex was resting now and Hector alongside him in a chair. This ended the night for them at 9:15pm or so after all said and done. When morning came, Hector and Alex were taken to Baghdad Airfield and got loaded on the jet and then they were gone-heading back to Berk at top speed with Hector piloting.

(Berk; Four Hours Later)

They'd left Iraq at noon time after getting everything ready. They landed back in Berk at 4pm but with the time change it was actually 1pm. Unloading, they got to Hector's truck which spend the night at the airport and the two were headed back to Tallon and Hector's apartment since Alex had given up his apartment to other renters while he was deployed. Hector said he could stay with him for a while to recover and find another place. Pulling in the driveway, he helped Alex to the door and opened it walking in and completely taking Tallon and the others by surprise.

"Hector!" Tallon said with shock and worry as he rushed over to help him. The guys made a space for Alex to be sat down and then Hector went to get their things from the truck before shutting the door. "What the hell happened!"

"It's a long story...I took a fighter jet from BA to Iraq-only took four hours. Got there, grabbed a map, chopper and headed to the area. Searched three hours before coming to the place Alex was in, he was being held captive. I gave the platoon's call, he returned it and I started searching for him in there. Fought a bunch of soldiers, killed a few, wounded a few but got him out. Got back to base, spent the night, left at night, flew back to Berk and just got home. That's a simplified version." Hector stated.

"And I owe you my life, Hector..." Alex told him with a smile, "But you're fucking crazy for coming alone! What is wrong with you!"

"You just said it, sir. I'm crazy." Hector chuckled a bit. Tallon just hugged him tightly and kissed him deeply.

"I'm just glad you're alright...but don't you ever do that shit again! You scared me to death, babe," Tallon sighed out in relief his husband was back and alright-surprisingly not even injured.

"Sorry baby. I just...I couldn't do nothing," Hector relaxed in his lover's arms now.

"It's okay. You're home now and safe, that's all I care about. Why don't you go grab a shower and then get some sleep?" Tallon offered when he heard Hector yawn tiredly. Hector nodded and kissed his husband before heading to the bedroom to get his things, then finally the bathroom for the shower. That only took twenty minutes-when he came out he went right to the bedroom and fell asleep moments later. Tallon sighed heavily, curse his stubborn but protective husband. But what he did was nothing short of amazing: rushing out to Iraq to save Alex. Not many people would just throw themselves into that situation when just coming out of a tour themselves. Hector did and it was both brave and stupid at the same time, especially because he went alone.

The others in the room which was Inferno, Darius, Drew, Trent, Skylar, and Jessie were just sitting there in shock seeing Alex on the couch. Hector actually did it. He found him, alive, and only slightly wounded after two days captive. Hector didn't even give thought to the man possibly being dead, he heard a friend was in trouble and rushed off to help anyway he could. It was almost as if Hector refused to believe Alex could be dead unless he confirmed it himself, one thing was for sure though: Hector never gave up until he knew for sure. He saved Alex's life, all because he refused to give up and it's one of the many things they all loved about him.