Hunter was still sitting on the cot in the medic's office staring at the badges that Harry had given him just moments ago, letting Hunter know that he graduated Basic Combat Training with the rank of sergeant. Everyone else graduated at private, or so that's what he assumed. Hunter knew it wasn't unheard of to be promoted higher than that, but it took serious skill and had to be approved by military headquarters first. Hunter's only guess was that all of his achievements or whatever were being reported to the central office in the city and got decided days ago after the field training exercise ended. Hunter was a sergeant now; it was so much to take in because he didn't feel like he earned it for just acting on instinct during training. That's how Hunter had always been, he trusted his gut and acted accordingly.

Hunter wanted to know if anyone else knew about this, him being promoted to sergeant. Was that why Harry waited until everyone left except Hunter's family and friends? It's not Hunter would be able to hide it when the badges got put on his uniform. There were some for the ACU and his Class A, also the pins that would go on his collar for both uniforms. Hunter honestly couldn't find his words at the moment, what could he possibly say to this?

"I don't think I made Sergeant until I had been the army for eight years," Salvatore stated breaking the silence. "And you did it in nine weeks," he added with a proud smile.

"I-I wasn't even trying to get promoted. I was just doing the same as everyone else, I should be graduating as a private like the rest of the company," Hunter managed to say.

"Not according to Major Andersen, son. You never told me much about training other than it was going well. Hearing what your CO said, it seems like much more. I want to know everything," Salvatore said excitedly.

"You know what gets done in BCT, Dad. Three phases; black, silver, and red and each one covers something different with a test at the end of each," Hunter shrugged.

"Well, I joined the military thirty-two years ago, Hunter. Back then, your rank promotions went by years in and how well you did. And we didn't have the end of phase testing either, the phases back them were numbered too. A lot of things have changed," Sal mentioned.

"Much has changed since those times," the medic informed gently while standing at the medicine cabinet and taking inventory. "Rank promotions now are given to the ones who show the skill for such. As Major Andersen stated, Hunter made sergeant because that rank is a soldier who shows leadership and a sergeant has the authority to lead a small squadron of ten to fifteen men and women. Hunter got this promotion because of his exceptional skills during the nine weeks here," she added with a soft smile.

"What did he do to jump so far ahead?" Travis inquired curiously.

"You would have to ask his commanding officers or him. I'm just the base doctor," the woman smiled gently.

"Tell us, Hunter! Please?" Audrey asked him curiously.

"I think it can wait until he's gotten some more rest," Viola chimed in, "Hunter is still sick and looks exhausted. You look as though you've been up for days," she said.

"Been up since about 1 am, so yeah, I'm tired," Hunter replied calmly. "Why don't you go to lunch in the mess hall and I'll take a nap. When you get back, I'll tell you how training went,"

"Sounds good son. Get some sleep, and we'll see you in an hour or so. Should we sit with your platoon like yesterday?" Sal asked, and Hunter nodded to him then Treyden came in two minutes later.

"Feeling any better?" Treyden questioned.

"Not in the slightest so I'm gonna take a nap. Bring them to the mess hall for me?" Hunter informed.

"Will do. Get some rest, my friend," Treyden smiled as he and Hunter did a fist bump, then Trey led Hunter's group out of the building. Hunter covered himself up and closed his eyes; he hoped he could get some sleep.

(Two Hours Later)

The lunch show was entertaining; it took all of ten minutes to get through and then everyone enjoyed their meal. Afterward, a couple of the commanding officers stepped up to say a few words about how well all the recruits-now soldiers, did during training and then most of them sat around to talk to one another at the table. Salvatore had suggested they don't return to the medical building right away and give Hunter some more time to sleep since he hadn't gotten a lot the night before and to top it off he was sick with a stomach bug. By the end of two hours in the mess hall, other families left just to avoid the traffic of the night before. Treyden, Theo, and Andrew were three of the soldiers whose family bailed out early so after that; they decided to go back to the infirmary to check on Hunter.

(Infirmary)

All of them filing in slowly, they noticed Hunter's cot was empty and searched around a moment. The only people in there were themselves and perhaps two or three other patients who said they didn't see where Hunter went since they were on the others side with curtains closed.

Andrew's eyes fell on the bathroom door. "I suppose he could be in the restroom," he shrugged. Ten minutes passed and no sign of Hunter coming out. "We should check to make sure he's okay," Andrew suggested.

"You two go check on him, I'll stay here with his family and friends," Theo nodded. Treyden and Andrew hurried into the bathroom and saw Hunter in one of the stalls. Though they couldn't see all of him, just the fact he was sitting on the ground groaning in pain.

"Hunter?" Andrew asked gently. No answer was given, but they did see Hunter shift to being on his knees and throwing up followed by coughing and breathing heavily. Not more than two seconds later, Hunter was back to sitting down, but he had unlocked the stall door as Treyden opened it slowly as they saw him sitting with knees up and arms over his stomach, head against the side of the stall. Hunter was sweating and trying to catch his breath.

"This is getting worse. Hunter hasn't eaten anything since last night and throwing up like this can't be good," Treyden sighed.

"How long have you been in here? How many times have you thrown up since we all left?" Andrew asked crouching down to get a better look at Hunter and checking his forehead and cheek. "You're burning up, man. Take this coat off,"

"I-I don't know how long I've...been in here and as for number," he paused trying not to throw up again, "I lost count. The...medic left when I was sleeping, something woke me up and I started puking. I haven't...left moved since then. It's been coming...in waves every five to ten minutes," Hunter forced out while cringing again while leaning forward, so Andrew and Treyden worked to get his ACU coat off. Once it was, all the movement didn't help any as Hunter was back over the bowl puking again, four more times before it passed.

Trey looked at Andrew with concern now. "High fever, shaking, sweating, excessive vomiting, weak, abdominal pain. I don't like this, Andrew. Have Theo find someone. Hunter's way too sick for this to be a bug," he said as Andrew nodded and moved to the door quickly.

"Theo, get-" Andrew stopped looking back when he heard Hunter throwing up harshly again. "Find the medic or...anyone. Haddock needs help now," he said as Theo moved to the infirmary door and glanced outside to see if anyone was walking by. Thankfully, he saw a few members of Striker One.

"Conner!" Theo called as the small group of eight stopped and looked over, "Hunter is very ill. Find the medic or an officer and tell them we need help on the double,"

"Got it! Come on guys and girls," Conner replied as they dashed off to find anyone they could. Theo moved back inside and towards the bathroom then entered it. Fear was taking over Salvatore and Viola, they hurried in and the group right behind them. Hunter was in the first stall on the floor with his knees partially up and arms around his stomach while whimpering in pain almost. It wasn't hard to miss that Hunter looked like he was crying. The door to the stall was open with Treyden next to Hunter and Andrew trying to keep a rag on his forehead.

"Hang in there, Hunter," Andrew murmured, dabbing the rag on Hunter's forehead and cheeks while he panted hard with his eyes closed. "Help is on the way," he soothed.

"I don't understand why he's so sick! Hunter was not this sick when we left two hours ago and why is the doctor nowhere to be found!' Viola screeched with worry as Hunter cringed from the noise.

"Mrs. Haddock, I know you're worried for your son, and if I had those answers for you, I would give them, but I don't. Right now, my concern is Hunter so if you could calm down and stop yelling, that would be great," Treyden mentioned.

"This is obviously not a stomach bug; there's too much vomiting for it to be that. And I don't assume it's food poisoning or there would be others sick too. Flu perhaps, Hunter has or is showing all symptoms of that being the case," Theo suggested.

"It has to be more than that for him to be this ill," Andrew countered. "It came on too suddenly for the flu, he got everything at once. The worst of the flu hits around day three or four, and this is day one,"

"It doesn't matter what it is right now," Treyden shut them both up. "The bottom line is that Hunter is sick and getting worse as the time passes," Hunter's stomach tightened as he jerked a bit trying to keep from throwing up but it didn't last when he forced himself to a kneeling position from the ground and puked hard. Hunter coughed though it sounded like he was choking. Treyden was the closest to Hunter, so he tried to rub his friend's back hoping Hunter's nausea would pass. Hunter threw up four more times before he fell back against the stall panting hard. Treyden handed him a paper towel so he could wipe his mouth, Hunter did so and threw it in the toilet.

"We have to do something, you guys. I don't like the way he looks; he's pale. On top of that he's shaking, sweating, in pain, and Odin know how many times he's thrown up before we got here ten minutes ago, but this makes thirteen times since we arrived," Theo informed.

Andrew checked his forehead and frowned. "And his fever is high even with the coat off," Andrew stated while handing Hunter the cup of water that was sitting beside him. Hunter took a few sips and then two minutes later, he puked three more times before his arm was on the toilet seat and then his head on his arm while groaning and trying to catch his breath. Treyden reached over to flush the toilet so the smell wouldn't make Hunter throw up again.

"He can't even keep water down," Caitlyn cried a bit in worry for her elder brother.

Hunter eventually leaned back against the stall again, his eyes closed and head starting to fall. "No. No, Hunter. You have to stay awake right now," Treyden told Hunter by putting a hand on his shoulder which made Hunter open his eyes slowly for a moment and then they closed again. "Hunter! Come on, no sleeping. I know you're tired, but you have to stay up. Don't knock out on me," Treyden gave him a small shake to wake him up again.

"He's dehydrated, that's how he looked before he blacked out earlier on the field," Theo reminded.

"I know, that's why I'm trying to keep him awake until help gets here," Treyden remarked looking back at Hunter who was drifting off again, his eyes starting to move into the back of his head. "Hunt, wake up. You can't sleep," he snapped his fingers in front of Hunter which got his attention as he caught himself from falling over and then leaned forward to throw up again. This happened five times consecutively, afterward, Hunter was breathing heavily and trying to focus but couldn't. A minute passed and Hunter's eyes closed and his head dropped onto his arm, it appeared that he lost consciousness.

"Hunter?" Andrew asked. No response so Andrew gave him a light shake and still nothing. "Hunter!" No movement at all, Andrew looked at Treyden and Theo with worry. Treyden leaned forward to make sure he was still breathing, he was but barely. "Weak pulse," Andrew informed. "We've officially hit critical mode and if we don't do something fast..." he trailed off. Worried gasps were heard from Audrey, Caitlyn, and Viola. Renee was holding tightly to her brother as Heather was in her brother's arms with Fisher holding her hand for comfort.

"What are we supposed to do, Andrew? We have to call 911," Theo insisted, but Treyden shook his head no.

"Even if we call 911, it will take them too long to get here and then to the hospital. The nearest one is fifteen minutes away; we don't have that kind of time. Theo, grab what we need to start an IV line," Treyden told him, and Theo hurried out of the bathroom to get what Treyden asked for. "Andrew, help me with him," Andrew nodded as they carefully moved Hunter out of the stall and onto the floor where Andrew grabbed a couple of towels to keep Hunter's head propped up. Theo returned no more than a minute later and set everything up. Treyden took charge of locating a vein in Hunter's right arm then inserting the needle and hooking up the tube.

Once Treyden nodded to Theo, he turned the drip on to where it needed to be for Hunter. It started right away with Theo holding the bag from a standing position while Treyden kept a close watch on Hunter and Andrew continued to check pulse and breathing. For fifteen minutes, the room was eerily still and silent with eyes on Hunter for signs of regaining consciousness. At the thirty minute mark, the sound of quick steps came closer and then the door to the bathroom opened revealing the medic, Harry, and Asher.

Harry saw Hunter unconscious of the floor with Andrew holding Hunter's left wrist and keeping two fingers on it. Theo held a clear bag of liquid in his hand, a thin tube that carried the liquid through a fast drip connected to Hunter's arm with Treyden watching intently and keeping a damp rag on Hunter's forehead.

"The color's returning to his face," Theo pointed out.

"Breathing and pulse have returned to normal too," Andrew added as the two smiled at one another then Andrew put a hand on Treyden's shoulder. Before the medic, Harry, or Asher could ask what had happened; Hunter's still body began to stir as he gave a groan before opening his eyes slowly and then blinked a few times to regain focus of things and people around him.

"I demand some form of explanation immediately," Harry ordered stepping forward now.

"Treyden saved Hunter's life," Theo said calmly.

"I asked for an explanation," Harry said again in a firmer tone.

"We came back from lunch to check on Hunter, and he was in here throwing up with a high fever so we took his jacket off him and asked how long he had been in here and he said he woke up after the medic left. From when we arrived, Hunter vomited a total of eighteen times in a matter of twenty minutes. Hunter passed out and had a weak pulse along with barely breathing," Theo began.

"We didn't know where any of you were; we knew Hunter needed help, so Theo sent someone to get that. When Hunter knocked out, we were going to call 911, but Treyden said it would take too much time to wait for their arrival to get here, so he told Theo to get what was needed to start an IV line for fluids. Theo's been holding the bag, I've been watching Hunter's pulse, and breathing and Treyden has been keeping him cooled off with the rag. That was...thirty minutes ago we started the IV," Andrew finished the story.

"It is not your call what to provide as treatment especially when you didn't know what the problem was," Asher stated sternly.

"Hunter was dehydrated from all the throwing up and being unable to keep anything down, he also hadn't eaten since dinner yesterday," Theo tried quickly.

"Regardless, you're not authorized to make these kinds of decisions," Harry informed.

"Now hang on just a minute, Major Andersen. I don't think it's fair to be scolding these three for what they did when there wasn't another choice. My family and I, as well as Hunter's friends and girlfriend, have been standing here since this situation started. Andrew and Treyden went to check on Hunter and deemed on their own that he needed help." Sal began.

"And I'm proud that they sent for help but beyond that isn't their call to make," Harry stated.

"So it was wrong for them to make the decision that Hunter might have died if they waited for EMT's or you to arrive, so they gave him what he needed?" Audrey asked as Harry was about to give a response and she cut in again. "With all do your respect, sir, don't give them a hard time for doing what they were trained to do. Treyden, Theo, and Andrew's actions are the reason my boyfriend is alive right now,"

"Treyden, Andrew, and Theo saved my son's life, Major Andersen. It took thirty minutes of those fluids going before Hunter's vitals to return to normal, for him to wake up. And if Treyden, Andrew, and Theo had not started that IV line thirty minutes ago, Hunter would be dead right now because it took seven minutes short of a full hour for you three to arrive here after help was sent for. Also, add the fact that your on-base medic was not at her station and all this could have been avoided. Do not scold those soldiers for what they did; it saved my son's life, and I am eternally grateful," Salvatore remarked as Audrey, Shane, Caitlyn nodded in agreement, the group of friends minus Eddie and Drew gave firm looks as well. Viola was just worried about Hunter.

Finally, Harry sighed looking back to Treyden, Andrew, and Theo. "You will not be disciplined for your actions and I believe a job well done is in order,"

"Thank you," the three replied bowing their heads. As the medical woman began checking his pulse, breathing, and temperature.

"We should get him to the cot so so I can check things more thoroughly," the medic said. "Are you able to move, Hunter?" she asked.

"With help, I could," Hunter whispered. Treyden and Andrew moved to either side of him to get him sitting up and then to his feet but being mindful of his arm which had the IV still going. The others moved out of the way as Andrew kept an arm around Hunter's waist and kept Hunter's left arm over his Andrew's shoulders. Treyden kept Hunter's right arm straight while using his free arm around Hunter's waist while Theo followed with the bag as they reached the cot slowly and set Hunter down gently then helped him lay down while Theo hooked the bag to the stand.

"Need anything?" Treyden asked.

"I think...I'm okay right now. You guys...gonna stick around after she checks me?" Hunter questioned.

"We'll all be right outside waiting," Andrew nodded. After that, the doctor made everyone leave so she could examine Hunter and they all waited outside the infirmary where Salvatore again thanked the boys for what they did. Twenty minutes had passed before the woman allowed them back in to be updated, right away they saw Hunter asleep, so that was their indicator to keep it down.

"How is he, Chelsea?" Harry inquired first.

"Well, there's nothing that warrants needing to go to the hospital. The illness itself is the flu; the vomiting was due to the flu, but the excessive throwing up was from being severely dehydrated just as privates Fury, Kingston, and Vollan stated beforehand. The three of them were not wrong to provide Hunter with the IV fluids even if not authorized to do so. Hunter told me how he felt before falling asleep; weak, tired, nauseated, dry mouth, sweating, shaking, fever, the body aches but mainly centered in his stomach. I've changed out the bag and set it to a slower drip, so he's still getting what he needs to stay hydrated. For everything else, I gave him aspirin and something to keep down nausea." Chelsea enlightened calmly.

"So the illness now is just the flu which he should recover from in three to four days?" Viola asked.

"That's correct. I'll continue the IV fluids while he sleeps and then once he wakes up we can try water again. As long as he can keep that down, he won't get dehydrated again. The rest of recovery will likely be sleeping, and I will probably keep him here over that duration, so no one else catches it, though, most of you are already susceptible to getting it since you've been around him all this time. You three especially," Chelsea motioned to Treyden, Theo, and Andrew.

"That's our fault; we chose to stay close because we knew he needed help and we weren't abandoning him," Theo informed.

"That makes you three magnificent friends to Hunter," Chelsea smiled. "As for his family, I do believe it's been quite a long day, and Hunter will be out a while so it might be in your best interests to return home. When Hunter wakes up, I'm sure he will call you to let you knew he's okay."

"Aye, we discussed that outside. We are aware Hunter needs his rest to get better before AIT starts, so we'll head back to Berkton," Salvatore replied with a nod.

"Don't you worry, Hunter is in good hands," Treyden assured them when he saw Viola, Caitlyn, and Audrey give worried looks about leaving Hunter there while he was sick after everything that just happened. The girls nodded as Sal led them out of the infirmary and to the parking lot with Asher as their escort. Harry left soon afterward, and then Chelsea went to handle other things. "We should go too,"

Nodding in agreement, the three boys prepared to leave. "I owe you three my life," came Hunter's voice as they turned around and saw Hunter's eyes open and looking at them. "Thank you for today," he added tiredly.

"You would have done the same for any of us," Andrew smiled.

"He has done the same for us, think we would have survived those punishments he took the fall for?" Theo laughed a little. Treyden knelt down and gave a light tap to Hunter's knuckles with his own.

"You're our best friend, Hunter and we'll always have your back," Treyden told him. "Get some rest, and we'll come see ya tomorrow," Hunter gave a small nod with a smile before closing his eyes, and the other three left the infirmary. Hunter drifted back to sleep with only the thought that he had the best friends in the entire world.