Life was fantastic for Hunter since the night where he and Audrey made love for the first time. Of course, not a soul knew about it. Hunter nor Audrey wanted to deal with the questions from friends or scoldings by parents. Hunter knew his father would not be too pleased since Hunter had said back in May that he would come to them with questions regarding the matter of sexual intercourse. Hunter was able to take care of things himself with research for the most part, and he bought condoms just for the occasion where Audrey might decide she wanted to go all the way one night when they were alone for an extended amount of time. Such became the case that Sunday after Hunter got home from training and everything went fine between them. Hunter and Audrey had sex with each other at least twice a week since then, and it never got boring for them.

That first week of leave had been fantastic and annoying at the same time given the fact that Caitlyn, Audrey, Renee, Travis, Shane, Fisher, and Heather were all in school, so Hunter spent a lot of time with his father or Treyden, Theo, and Andrew since they weren't far. Hunter went through the October drill weekend just fine; it was mainly a review of Basic protocol to go through exercises, then marching commands, gun work, and more. When the weekend was over, Hunter started working at the Berkton base where his days were filled with inventory, cleaning, guard, and so much more. There was never a dull day, and there were secondary things he could advance in training for so that kept up most of the time. Hunter would go to work at 6 am and be home by 6 pm. Yes, a long twelve hour day for him.

It was nearing the November drill weekend now, one week away in fact. Hunter was at work with his friends; they were on lunch hour and happy to be sitting down to relax.

"Finally," Andrew grumbled.

"That sucked. I wonder why there are so many shipments of things to sort through and inventory lately," Treyden pondered aloud.

"Who knows but we've only been at this for a month now, so I don't think it's so bad. They could have us on cleaning duty," Conner informed.

"He's got a decent point," Nikolas mentioned while they all put their lunches down to eat. "What do you think Hunter?" No answer as he was zoned in on his cell phone. "Hunter?" he tried again. Andrew smacked Hunter's arm to get his attention.

"Huh? What?" Hunter looked at them quickly with confusion.

"You zoned out man," Theo chuckled.

"Sorry, it works out that Audrey and I both get lunch around the same time and she was asking if I'm coming over tonight," Hunter replied.

"Are you?" Conner inquired.

"Eh, I might. I'm kind of tired today, so I might just go home, grab dinner and a shower, then go to sleep," Hunter shrugged.

"You're not getting sick again, right?" Treyden asked arching a brow.

"No. Will you get off my ass about that? Geeze it was like months ago," Hunter retorted. "I told you a thousand times that everything just came on suddenly," he muttered.

"That is entirely beside the point, Hunter. The three of us," Andrew motioned to Treyden, Theo, and himself, "offered to get Richard for you. And again during the ceremony, Treyden suggested getting help and you rejected both saying you were fine when you weren't, and then everything got worse. That was scary for your group of people and us too,"

"I didn't think it was bad enough until after I passed out. I've had the flu before and was never able not to drink water to stay hydrated," Hunter informed. "Either way, no, I'm not sick. Just tired and getting adjusted to these twelve hour days we work since we do something different every day and by the time I get home, dinner is made, and everyone wants to hang out for a bit," he sighed.

"Well, you gotta remind them that you're a busy guy now and occasionally need your nights off," Nikolas tried.

"Yeah, maybe I'll have to resort to that because I just can't keep up with trying to see everyone. I mean I come here for 6 am, the one hour lunch, then home by 6 pm. Tuesdays and Thursday, my family and my cousin's family have dinner together for 6:30 pm and that lasts until 8-ish. Any other night, my girl or other friends want to hang out til 9 pm since they have school at 7 am. And on the weekends, everyone wants to spend time with me, so I get no time off, not even drill weekend once a month," Hunter mumbled.

"It all comes from the fact that one day came and you were just gone, remember? They all believed you were at summer camp and learned you joined the army. Plus added to the fact that you got ill on graduation day and it must have been terrifying for them to see you that sick and could have died, Hunter," Theo reminded.

"And I understand that but as I said; it was months ago. We all know it was the flu accompanied by serious dehydration from the heat and throwing up. I get it was scary, it panicked me when I woke up and you three were telling Andersen about it," Hunter replied.

"Just say you need days to yourself too, Hunt. Hang with them on the weekends. Friday night with friends, Saturday with your family, Sunday with your girl or something. But you can't be running yourself ragged like this to please everyone, not good for your health," Conner mentioned.

"True. So, what were you talking about before I zoned out?" Hunter asked while getting out his half of a grinder along with a water bottle, and a small bowl of fruit.

"Treyden had been wondering why all the shipments of stuff we've been having to sort through and count up," Andrew smiled.

"Well, it's all guns, gear, boots, helmets, vests, canteens, ammunition, so on and so forth right? Maybe it's being sent to soldiers who are deployed or just stored as a backup," Hunter suggested.

"Could be a reason as to why I suppose," Treyden gave a shrug of his shoulders. "What is everyone's plans for Thanksgiving?" he asked.

"Family stuff. Gotta go to Mom's and Dad's houses for both sides since they apparently finalized the divorce while I was at AIT," Nikolas sighed, "Even being nineteen, I still gotta deal with it,"

"It keeps the peace just to put on the smile and go," Conner patted his shoulder, "My parents are hosting this year, so my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins will be at my house," he added.

"Probably just gonna be my Dad and me," Theo stated. "How about you Andrew?"

"With the family again, final details haven't been made. You Hunter?" Andrew passed the question along.

"Same. Probably my house with my cousin Shane, aunt and uncle over. My girl wants to stop over with her family for desserts after they do their thing at her Uncle Finn's place. The gang might drop by too, not sure. Told them we'd hang out the day after or over the weekend if they couldn't," Hunter shrugged. "You guys are more than welcome to as well," he invited.

"Thanks, Hunter, we'll see what's up. If not, we'll catch up for December drill," Nikolas smiled.

"For sure," Hunter nodded then looked at Treyden who seemed to be quieter than before. "What are your plans my friend, you started the question," he chuckled a little.

"Oh, uh, just gonna be me," Treyden murmured while glancing down some.

"Just you?" Nikolas inquired.

"Dad is deployed and my...Mom passed away," Treyden closed his eyes sadly.

"Oh, Gods. I'm sorry, Trey," Theo said quickly.

"It's okay. You guys didn't know, I never mentioned it. Still fresh, ya know?" Trey gave a small smile.

"Of course," Andrew asked as Treyden nodded. "What...happened? It's okay if you don't wanna say,"

"My mom passed away just this past January; she's part of the reason I joined the army. Mom was too, and she was KIA," Treyden informed gently. "My Dad is A.I.N. He returned to active duty in June after I shipped off for Basic, I know he is about to deploy on a Destroyer ship for a year in the East China Sea and leaving while I'm at drill. Dad is a Senior Petty Officer, and Mom was Combat Medic Specialist deployed in Syria, an RPG hit while she was helping others," he explained.

"Wow man. I'm so sorry. So it hasn't even been a year yet," Andrew frowned.

"Mom died doing what she loved to do, helping others. It hurts that she's gone, but I know that she saved so many others," Treyden stated. "So it will be just me,"

"I'm sure she's real proud of you for joining and your dad returning to active duty to continue serving," Hunter smiled some as he put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And hey, you don't have to spend Thanksgiving alone. You're more than welcome to join my and my family, Trey. I mean that." he added.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Trey replied.

"Nonsense. My room is big enough to sleep four, and I refuse to let you spend Thanksgiving by yourself," Hunter told him.

"You're not giving me a choice, are you?" Trey asked arching a brow as Hunter shook his head, "Fine," he agreed with a sigh. From there, the six of them ate their lunches and continued talking about personal lives and then it was back to work until 6 pm when they clocked out and left to return to their homes.

(Haddock Household)

It was Friday night, 6:15 pm when Hunter arrived at his parent's house. As expected, Audrey and his friends were over to hang out, and Hunter was just ready for bed but he guessed a little time with them wouldn't hurt. Next weekend he would be at drill and then Thanksgiving two weeks after that, he could hardly wait. Especially now that he was having Treyden join them-which he still needed to inform his parents about. Parking his truck in the driveway, he shut it off along with the headlights then moved in the door and was greeted instantly.

"Hunter, there ya are, son," Salvatore smiled and hugged him tightly as Hunter cringed slightly at the force on his sore body and Sal let go. "Hurt yourself at work?"

"Eh, just sore, Dad. We've been off-loading a lot of gear and having to sort through and inventory it since we started last month," Hunter replied.

"Want me to give you massage babe?" Audrey offered as she hugged him after Caitlyn and Viola had.

"Might take you up on that, Milady," Hunter smiled as he gave her a light kiss. "Oh, Dad?"

"What's up son?" Salvatore inquired.

"Would you and Mom mind if I let Trey stay here a few days through Thanksgiving?" Hunter asked so he wouldn't forget to do it later.

"Well, I think his family would want him home," Viola mentioned.

"Treyden's Dad is deploying next week and his Mom...as I found out at lunch earlier, passed away in January, so he's kind'a gonna be alone this year," Hunter cooed.

"His dad is military too?" Caitlyn asked.

"Yeah. So was his mom. Trey's Dad is Archi Island Navy, deploying on a Destroyer ship for a year in the East China Sea. And his Mom was a Combat Medic Specialist, KIA in Syria just this past January. Trey's Dad went back to active duty when Trey left for Basic, well Reception I suppose it would be. He doesn't have other relatives on the island, and I didn't want him to spend Thanksgiving alone, so I offered for him to come here," Hunter explained.

"The poor guy," Renee and Heather frowned.

"That's fine son. What a thoughtful thing to do for him," Sal patted Hunter's back now. "Bring him over on Wednesday, and he can stay til Friday,"

"How does he take care of himself with his parents both gone?" Viola questioned.

"I think his Dad and transfers money to him for the house payment and bills, but Trey uses his paycheck for gas, food, insurance and what not," Hunter shrugged.

"He's only sixteen," Viola mentioned.

"So? I'm sixteen too, but I could leave the house and get an apartment if I wanted to because I got my GED and joined the Army, I'm emancipated from you and Dad. The only thing I can't do is smoke and drink until I'm eighteen," Hunter informed.

"Like you make enough to survive out there in your own place plus bills," Eddie remarked. "You need like $1,200 to make it anywhere on this island,"

"Being that I'm a Sergeant First Class, I make $2,875," Hunter remarked with his arms over his chest.

"A year, that sucks," Drew snickered.

"Maybe that's what you make a year, but I make that every month," Hunter retorted as Eddie and Drew stopped laughing instantly and looked at him in shock.

"Wait, when did you make that rank? Weren't you only Sergeant at BCT grad?" Sal blinked.

"Hm? Didn't I tell you I got promoted after AIT?" Hunter asked as a majority of the group shook their heads. "Oh. Well, I made SFC when AIT ended," he shrugged.

"Hah, that's my boy!" Sal cheered happily hugging him again.

"Trey is Corporal, Andrew and Theo are Private First Class. We're the only four in the Hooligan platoon that didn't graduate as privates," Hunter informed.

"Why don't you get changed, Hunter and then we can have dinner. Made your favorite," Viola smiled.

"Did you or Dad make it?" Hunter asked.

Viola huffed a bit, "Your father made it,"

Hunter put a hand over his chest breathing a sigh of relief, "Thank the Gods. I'll get to live another day," he chuckled as Viola hurled the remote at Hunter, but he ended up catching it and tossing it back with a smile. "Nice try, Mom," he winked before headed down the hall to his room to change. Hunter returned ten minutes later wearing black sweat pants and a gray short sleeve that read; ARMY on across the front with his dog tags hanging down as dinner was served and they enjoyed a quiet meal together with everyone talking how their day went. When dinner was just about over, Hunter's cell phone rang playing the chorus of 'We Are Soldiers' as the tone. Hunter got up to get it when his mother glanced over.

"No phones during dinner, Hunter," Viola reminded.

"Leave him be, Vi. Hunter has to check every call; you know that." Sal sighed heavily and motioned for Hunter to get his phone and Hunter grabbed it off the living room table and returned to the kitchen while pressing answer before putting it to his ear.

"Hello," Hunter greeted calmly with a smile, and then it faded while he listened. "Yes, Lieutenant Holgerson, I understand and will relay those orders to Striker One and see you soon, sir," he stated firmly. "You as well," he added a moment later before ending the call and closing his eyes.

"Hunter?" Salvatore asked slowly as Hunter glanced over and Sal seemed to already understand the look in Hunter's eyes without anything being said out loud. "When?"

"I don't know yet," Hunter replied quietly as he lifted the phone and held the home button a moment before it beeped. "Call Striker One," he stated, and then the phone responded with; Calling Striker One.

"What's going on?" Viola asked as Hunter put his finger up to his lips for them to be quiet.

"Hunter! What's up and why are we on group call?" came Danielle's voice.

"You'll find out in a second, Dani. The roll call of the squad; Treyden, Theo, Andrew, Liz, Amanda, Conner, Nikolas, Amber, Dani, Jay, and Zander?" Hunter listed off and received a here after each name he called.

"Hunt, a group call is only used for..." Jay began, and Hunter sighed.

"I know, Jay. I wouldn't use it unless directed to and Holgerson gave that order. Listen up Striker One, we've got a mobilization alert," Hunter said firmly as Caitlyn, Viola, and Audrey gasped in fear with wide eyes. Mobilization alert meant deployment.

"Orders, Sergeant Haddock?" Andrew inquired.

"Report to Fort Draco on within the next hour, dressed in ACU. No excuses. Is that understood?" Hunter stated.

"Sir, yes sir!" the other eleven soldiers on the call replied.

"I will see you all in an hour," Hunter closed his eyes again and ended the call after everyone confirmed they would see him then. Hunter took a deep breath before looking over to the others, seeing the worried faces but he didn't say anything to them. Hunter left the kitchen to go to his room and get changed into an ACU, then reached the living room to get on his boots while everyone watched him silently. Hunter placed his tags in his coat, then the hat over his head while grabbing his keys off the hook.

"You're not...leaving tonight, are you?" Audrey forced herself to ask.

"Likely not this very night. I'll be back later, don't wait up because I don't know how long this is going to take," Hunter said as he kissed her forehead then left the house, got in his truck, and was gone a minute later. Leaving his family, friends, and girlfriend worried.

(For Draco; Thirty-five Minutes Later)

Hunter arrived and parked. While getting out, he saw others from the company coming too. This was going to be a long night. As the remaining twenty-five minutes passed, the rest of the soldiers arrived and lined up according to platoon in front of Major Harry Andersen at the position of parade rest. When everyone was where they should be, they waited patiently and nervously.

"My apologies for the rushed orders to come here this evening. However, you know should be aware of the type of call you received an hour ago how pressing this is. Deployment orders are as follows; eighteen months in Baghdad, Iraq at Camp Draconia. You will all be leaving Archi Airport on November 25th, 2016 at 0400 hours," Harry told them firmly. November 25th? That was the day after Thanksgiving, and they would be gone for a year and a half. It was much sooner than expected but these were their orders and would be carried out as directed.

"Drill for this upcoming weekend will be spent on preparations for deployment. All of you are expected to report to your duty stations every day until Wednesday the 23rd. Thanksgiving will be your one day of rest before Friday the 25th departure. We're sorry it's so rushed lads and lasses, but these orders come from HQ, and all we can do is follow them," Asher informed.

"Be prepared to receive new gear, go through evaluations for mental, emotional, and physical standing. It's very much like MEPS only ten times more intensified. The other platoon leaders and I will be coming as well. Oh, and one more thing," Harry paused as his eyes fell on Hooligan Platoon. "Sergeant Haddock,"

"Yes, sir?" Hunter replied firm and loud.

"As I will need Lieutenant Holgerson to take over for the Charlie Conqueror platoon and you are the only soldier in yours with the rank to do it, you will be taking control of the Alpha Hooligan Platoon when we deploy," Harry ordered. Hunter nearly choked on the breath he was taking in. He was in charge of the platoon during the tour?! "Will that be all right with you?"

Hunter composed himself now. "Orders confirmed and understood, Major Andersen," he said with a salute from his position. Gods why?! Not only was he going to be deployed for eighteen months start the day after Thanksgiving but also in control of Hooligan platoon because he was Sergeant First Class? Oh, Odin have mercy on him and let it go smoothly. Harry continued to talk, explaining what to expect and more for another hour and then they were released to return home for the night. Hunter knew his family, friends, and girlfriend were still there because they wanted to know the news and Hunter didn't know if he had the heart to tell them everything he had just been notified about.