~Hunter's POV~

It was just supposed to be a quiet Friday night with friends when I got home from work at 6:15 pm. I never imagined forty-five minutes later at 7 pm; I would get a call from my CO telling me to call up Striker One squad and have them report to Fort Draco within the next hour for an urgent mobilization alert. My father understood right away just by the look I held in my eyes after taking the call towards the end of supper. My smiled faded and my tone became somber, everyone else figured out what was going on when I told Striker One about the orders to go to Fort Draco immediately. We knew from training that with a mobilization alert, not to panic until we knew the details. Just because we got the word it could happen, didn't always mean it would be right away. However, this was not one of those times.

Upon reaching Fort Draco, we were told to line up by platoon and wait for the rest. When everyone arrived, we learned our departure date for deployment; Friday, November 25th, 2016 at four in the morning from Archi Airport. Why was shocking? Because it meant we left for an eighteen-month tour of duty the day after Thanksgiving. Right now it was Friday, October 28th, 2016 and the time was close to 10 pm as I was just getting back into Berkton and pulling into the driveway at my parent's house. As I expected, everyone was still there waiting for me to get back. I had said not to wait up for me, but I guessed they would hang around until curfew which was 11 pm for anyone under eighteen. Of course, this didn't apply to the soldiers who were under that age because of the emancipation and being considered an adult who can take care of themselves thing.

I shut off the truck and just sat there a minute trying to process everything. I understood what the orders were; deployment in a month. We knew it could happen; we just didn't know when. My biggest shocker of tonight was learning that Major Andersen appointed me the Alpha Hooligan platoon leader since Lieutenant Holgerson would be taking over the Charlie Conqueror platoon for a reason unknown to me or anyone else for that matter. I was given this job because I was a Sergeant First Class ranking soldier and that position allowed me to lead a squad by myself. There was still so much to do before November 25th, and I knew I was about to become very busy. I took a minute to compose myself before getting out and moving to the front door.

Walking in, I saw that dinner had been cleaned up and my guess was that everyone was in the living room waiting for me but staying quiet so not to ride me about what was going on. I fully expected my mother, sister, and girlfriend to cry and beg me not to go even though they knew full well that I had no choice because this was the job I signed up to do under contract for eight years. My friends would be shocked and maybe a bit worried. Eddie and Drew likely wouldn't care but act like they did. I wasn't sure about my Dad's reaction, he knew something was up when I got the call. I couldn't put off telling them, not with how fast I had to bail out earlier and with what little I time I had before I would ship out overseas. I took a deep breath and entered the living room while removing my hat, and taking off my ACU coat.

"How did it go, son?" Salvatore asked gently.

"Quickly," I said because it was the only word I had to describe the last two hours at Fort Draco.

"Was this...just an alert that it could happen or is it happening?" Sal tried. I knew he probably instructed the others not to say anything and let him do the talking because if it ended up being deployment orders, then I had a lot on my mind and wouldn't want to be hounded for answers. I was glad if that's what Dad did, he knew how to handle things like this. I understood the way Dad put it. An alert meant that deployment was possible, but the dates were unknown for the time being which could mean months from now. But the is it wording suggested he was asking if the deployment was set to happen.

"It's happening," I responded and let my eyes watch facial reactions start to alter to worry and fear.

"I hope it's not before the New Year," Viola mentioned as I saw Audrey and Caitlyn wondering the same. I shook my head no. "What do you mean, no?" she asked.

"Does that mean you're not deploying until after that?" Fisher asked. Again, I shook my head.

"Sooner than the New Year," I stated.

"Hunter, when are you set to leave!" Viola demanded while getting up, though, Sal tried to get her to sit back down and relax.

"Vi, back off and don't hound him. Now, will you please sit down and let him go at his pace?" Salvatore sighed heavily.

"No, I will not sit down. I want to know immediately when my baby is being deployed, where to, and for how long!" Viola said sternly, but I was able to see the tears of worry in her blue/green eyes.

"It's fine, Dad. Mom...has the right to worry about deployments. I am her only son after all," I told Dad, so he didn't try to force Mom to calm down.

"Babe? When...are you going?" Audrey asked sadly.

No turning back now. "Deployment for the Plasma Fire company is set for November 25th, 2016," I stated clearly for all of them to hear.

"Th-That's the day after Thanksgiving," Caitlyn began to cry now as I watched my mother's eyes widen as she lost her balance and fell back on the couch in shock.

"How long is the tour?" Shane questioned. I watched Audrey try to fight back her tears and my father comforting my mother who wasn't crying but still processing that I was leaving in a month.

"Where are you deploying to, son?" Sal finally asked the question that everyone wanted to know but was terrified of being.

"Camp Draconia in Baghdad, Iraq," That was the response that did it. My mother burst into tears, so did Caitlyn and Audrey. The others had wide eyes and shocked worried faces. My father looked at me sympathetically; he knew how hard it was to tell people about a deployment.

"Vi, it's all right. Hunter will be fine," Salvatore attempted to calm down my distraught mother, but she rose from the sofa and quickly pulled me into her arms tightly.

"No. Please not there, Hunter. Anywhere but there!" my mother pleaded. It was long after my mother grasped me that Caitlyn did too.

"You know I don't have a choice in where I get sent," I sighed softly. "I'd rather be in Iraq considering just this morning another bomb went off in Afghanistan killing ninety and wounding two hundred, most of which were women and children," I mentioned.

"It doesn't make it any better, son. Afghanistan, Iraq. All of them are still ongoing wars, and the danger level can change in the blink of an eye," Sal said calmly. Then he got up to pry my mother and sister off me, not that it lasted because Audrey was next to hug me, but at least she didn't have me in a death grip.

"I know Dad," I nodded as I hugged Audrey back while she buried her face in my shirt, clutching in tightly in her fists. "Hey, it's gonna be okay," I tried to tell her.

"You can't...promise me that, Hunter," Audrey whimpered out.

I stepped back some and wiped the tears falling from her eyes before hooking her chin with my index finger and giving Audrey a light kiss before breaking it a moment later and staring into her eyes. "But I can promise that with me over there, you're safe here,"

"How...long is the tour for?" Renee asked slowly. And this was the part that it felt silent with all eyes on me.

"Eighteen months," I said. Audrey only held onto me tighter, then my mother and sister returned to do the same. All whispering pleas for me not to go and crying. I looked to Dad for help now, and he gave me a look that said just let them cry it out, and they'll calm down eventually. Unfortunately, time wasn't on my side because I had to be at the Berkton base for 6 am to start preparations for the tour and it was already nearing 10:30 pm which meant Audrey and my other friends had to leave soon.

Another fifteen minutes passed while I explained that I was made platoon leader, also that we were leaving at 4 am from Archi Airport. Nothing else mattered but them knowing when I would be leaving and my newly appointed position for Hooligan. It hit the time where everyone had to leave and I told them I would try and see them as much as I could before I left but no promises as now even my weekends were booked with preparation for deployment to Iraq. Drew took Fisher home along with Heather. Eddie was in charge of the twins and himself. Shane took Audrey since I needed a shower and then to get to sleep because tomorrow was going to be a long day and I was sure more long days to follow that one up until the 23rd.

(Thanksgiving Dinner)

I don't think I have ever been so busy at one time in my life except for this past month of evaluations, transporting gear, extra physical, mission, and combat training sessions. Every single day since Saturday the 29th of October, has been crazy doing something to prepare for tomorrow's deplyments. Yes, it was upon us now. Tomorrow at 4 am, I would be leaving for Iraq with my company for the eighteen month tour. I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous about it. Dad knew and we had a sit down to discuss it last week where he told me to follow orders, trust my gut, and always remember my training then everything would be okay. Dad warned me that soldiers would be hurt or killed and each one would affect me in someway but I would make it through with love and support from others.

Treyden's Dad had left for his deployment and sticking to the plan, I had him over my house for Thanksgiving, and we would commute together to the airport in the morning. I tried to spend as much time as I could with my family, friends, and Audrey but I always came home beyond exhausted, and Dad was the one telling them to leave me be because I was stressed enough as it was. Audrey and I made love a few times in the last month, and still, no one knew about that, so we were keeping it that way.

The time now was 5:30 pm as we were all sitting in the living room for the dessert portion of Thanksgiving. Audrey, Fisher, Heather, Renee, and Travis were over to join us. Shane was already over with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Mikayla. Eddie and Drew were over too, but I've come to accept that as long as Heather is one of my friends, those two idiots would be coming together wherever she went. Rather annoying but at least they weren't giving me any trouble. Treyden and I were packing up the last of our things into our bags as Mom and Dad were setting out the pies, cakes, cookies, and other little treats.

"All packed up boys?" Salvatore asked gently seeing Treyden, and I close up our bags with the drawstring and set them by the living room door against the wall along with the backpacks too.

"Just finished, Mr. Haddock," Treyden offered a smile.

My Mom was about to announce that desserts were up when my cell phone rang and it fell dead silent. I pulled it out and glanced at the contact ID, "It's Andersen," I mentioned as I looked at Treyden and both of us were wondering the same thing. Was this a phone call saying we had to leave tonight? I slid the phone icon to answer then tapped speakerphone. "Evening, Major Andersen. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family," I greeted.

"Same to you and yours, Sergeant Haddock. I trust your platoon is ready for tomorrow?" Harry replied.

"Yes, sir. Still 0400 hours departure from Archi Airport, correct?" I asked.

"That is what I was calling about. You're on with the other platoon leaders; it was easier to call you all at the same time," Harry informed.

"All right, Harry. We got Haddock in the call so spill what the emergency is because my wife is about to murder me if she finds out we're leaving tonight," said one voice that Treyden and I both recognized as Sergeant Major Caleb Rodriguez to the Bravo Berserker platoon.

"Agreeing with Caleb, Major. I'm getting the disapproving glare as well. How about on your side, Lieutenant Holgerson?" inquired the leader of Delta Nightmare, First Lieutenant Brady Grove.

"The wife and kids ain't too happy as it is, so I hope the update isn't worse. You get it on your end, Haddock?" Asher directed it towards me now.

I closed my eyes while rubbing the spot between my eyes with a sigh. "At the moment, I'm getting a headache so maybe you three can stop your griping for five minutes and let Major Andersen talk, then we can all get back to spending time our families before we leave?" I remarked.

"Just because you're a platoon leader doesn't mean you can disrespect your commanding officers," Brady stated.

"And just because you're in the officer ranks doesn't mean you can disrespect yours, Lieutenant Grove. Major Andersen called the four of us with an update about the deployment, clearly it's something we need to know now and you're wasting time by disrespecting him to complain about something you should be aware can happen in these situations," I said. "My apologies, Major Andersen. The call is yours,"

"Thank you, Sergeant Haddock! Now see, why can't you three be more like him? Sixteen years old and follows protocol better than some of the soldiers who have been in for over ten years. Being ranked higher than Hunter doesn't mean anything. In my company gentlemen, I don't care if you're a Sergeant or a Captain given you all report to me. You four will respect one another as if you are the same rank because you have the same job of being a platoon leader. Is that clear?" Harry said sternly.

"Yes, Major Andersen," the three replied.

"Good. Back to more pressing matters, no one is leaving tonight. Departure has been moved later to 0900 hours tomorrow morning, but you are required to arrive at 0700 for roll call and final check before we leave," Harry informed. "It appears after speaking with the airport, the heaviest times of departure are early morning between 12 am to 6 am for commercial flights, and the airport will be rather busy. After speaking to HQ, it was decided to wait until it's less busy. Arriving tomorrow, you will pass security the security checkpoints and report directly to level two where the A.A.F gates are. There are only four and A.I.A is first on your left upon exiting the elevators. Platoon Sergeants, you will line your groups as they arrive,"

"Orders understood and confirmed," I repeated back with the other three as well.

"Excellent then. Have a good evening, and I'll see you all tomorrow at 0700," Harry then hung up as the group call ended.

"Well, thank Odin we aren't leaving tonight or at 4 am," Treyden stated with a smile and then punched my arm in a joking manner. "You realize you just got stupid lucky with not being scolded for talking back right?"

"Not entirely. Harry explained that I have the same job as them with being a platoon leader, therefore, regardless of ranking, none of us have a more important job than the other, and that's why I said what I did. Harry is company leader, so when he calls all four of us at one time, it's for something big that we will relay to our platoons and it's expected to give our full attention," I shrugged.

"Do we get to come with you tomorrow?" Audrey asked curiously.

"What? To the airport?" I inquired as she nodded along with Caitlyn and a few of the other friends. "I don't know actually. It's going to be crazy enough as it is," I added afterward. I decided to text Harry and ask if such was allowed, but I wasn't sure if he would get back to me. In the mean time, I pulled up the group text which had all twenty-four members of the platoon added to it and let them know about the time change.

"Well now, I think we should enjoy the desserts and the fact Hunter doesn't have to leave at four in the morning," Salvatore stated as soon everyone began getting a plate of treats and relaxing. Around 7 pm, I got the text from Harry with a reply to my earlier question.

Immediate family and lover only. Tell your platoon the same. ~Andersen

"Looks like immediate family and lovers can come but that's it. So, that means Mom, Dad, Caitlyn, Shane, Aunt Kay, Uncle Shawn, and you babe are allowed," I stated after reading over the text message and then alerting the platoon of the same information. It had been such a long day; I enjoyed spending it with friends and family. I was still processing that at 7 am tomorrow morning; I was leaving Archi Island to serve eighteen months in Iraq. Around 7:15 pm, Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Mikayla left with Shane. Eddie had left early due to something at home. Drew would now be in charge of taking Fisher, the twins, and Heather home. Audrey was still here though, spending the night in Caitlyn's room so she could come to the airport in the morning.

Treyden got a call from his father and I took Audrey to her house to grab a set of clothes and some personal items for morning. Audrey's parents wished me a safe flight and return home then we left. On the drive home, we side-tracked for an hour to make love one more time before I left. Not the most romantic sex we've ever had given it was in the truck but we did have to get back before my parents started questioning what was taking so long. Arriving at my house, Audrey and I shared a kiss goodnight before she went to sleep in Caitlyn's room and I returned to my own and finally let sleep take me after setting the alarm for 5:30 am.

(8:30 am)

Alas, the time hit 8:30 am and Harry made his way over to us. "Plasma Fire soldiers, it's time to go," Harry announced to the four platoons. I instantly saw my family look with worry and I knew I had to say goodbye to them for now. As anticipated, my mother was first to embrace me tightly in her arms and cry.

"This isn't happening. It can't be, my only son going off to war," Viola sobbed.

"Mom, please. I'll be okay," I tried to assure her as I hugged her back and let her kiss my forehead before she stepped back and wiped her eyes to let Caitlyn go next.

"You...stay in contact as much as you can and be safe, please?" my younger sister hugged me tightly, and I kissed her cheek.

"I can only promise to try sis. You be good for Mom and Dad, keep your grades up, okay?" I told Caitlyn as she sniffled a few times and stepped back into my mother's arms while they both cried quietly now. I shook hands with Uncle Shawn and hugged Aunt Mikayla, both wishing me well and to be safe as well. Shane and I shook hands and brought it in for a hug; he told me that he was rooting for the rest of the company and me. My father was the second to last person to say goodbye.

"You will never know how proud I am of you, Hunter. It's not going to be the same with you gone," Salvatore said while trying not to get emotional.

"Awe, Dad. Don't you get all teary eyed on me too. It'll be fine, just...think of it as extensive training," I attempted to lighten the mood, but I could see that this hurt him too. Even when Dad went on his first tour, it wasn't until he'd been in the army almost two years and he was only deployed for six months. Here I'd only been in since the beginning of June and leaving in fifteen minutes for my first deployment and it would last eighteen months. I know Dad was refraining from hugging me, but I knew that's what he wanted so I hugged him tightly and he didn't hold back.

"Please be safe. I'm going to miss you and know that I love you, son," Sal told me as we ended the hug a moment later and he stepped off to the side to stand with Mom and Caitlyn while turning his head some to wipe the tears he thought I couldn't see. Finally, I was face to face with Audrey, and she already had tears welling up in her blue eyes.

"Do you have to go?" Audrey asked.

"You know I do beautiful," I replied softly as she sighed looking down. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, and she returned the gesture. "Everything is going to be okay. I'll call, text, skype, e-mail as much as I'm able. Just think, by the time I get back in May 2018, you and I will both be eighteen years old and a month after that; you get the summer vacation. We'll do whatever you want to do," I smiled lightly.

"Anything I want?" Audrey looked up at me as I moved some of her bangs from out of her eyes and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Anything at all. We can take the truck, go camping for a few weeks by the lake or drive around the island and visit every town plus the city. We'll get married, get a house, have a family of our own. Everything we wanted and talked about having when we turned eighteen. I promise you, Audrey. And so you don't forget that pledge," I paused a moment pulling out a small black leather box and opened it to reveal a sterling silver band with a heart-shaped blue sapphire fixed at the top in a prong setting. I placed it on Audrey's left-hand ring finger as she gasped. "This is my promise that we will have the life we planned,"

"I love you Hunter Haddock, and I'm going to miss you like crazy," Audrey tried not to cry again, I smiled and cupped her cheek before kissing her passionately. Something my family had never seen before and yet I didn't care. I always said I would marry Audrey and now, this ring was my promise to do just that. It was only a $50 promise ring, but Audrey knew what purpose it served, the place holder until I proposed with an engagement ring. I broke the kiss after fifteen seconds and hugged her tightly before letting her go.

"I love you too, Audrey Hofferson," I said before grabbing my backpack and long bag and getting them on. I gave a small salute to all of them as I walked through the gate next to Treyden and boarded the place. At 9 am on the dot, the plane was headed down the runway, and soon after with the wheels up and heading into the sky, we were on our way.