A month had passed since Hunter and Audrey's breakup, the day Hunter decided that he couldn't be with Audrey anymore because of many different factors that boiled right down to her not trusting Hunter and aborting their baby out of fear. While Hunter understood the fearfulness that Audrey held, she still killed their child and robbed him of the chance to be a father. Something that Hunter wanted to be and have, a family with Audrey and she took that away from him. Hunter couldn't forgive it, perhaps with more time he could but even now a month later, the pain continued. When Hunter broke down on the ground after Shane drove off with Audrey in his car, it took all of ten minutes before Hunter got up and just asked to be alone for a while.

The remainder of the weekend was spent with Hunter being in his room to think and heal however much he could that particular day. Everyone including Hunter knew it would take a lot of time to get over this even; it wasn't something that could be pushed aside quickly. Viola had been told what happened and warned by Salvatore and Caitlyn not to invoke Hunter's anger or pain by bringing it up or going after Audrey. When Monday came, Hunter returned to work though it wasn't hard to miss he was still hurting a lot. Treyden, Theo, and Andrew did what they could for him but not much helped in the beginning. As the month went on, Hunter began to get a little better.

The sadness seemed to fade from Hunter's green hues and he was managing to find a random smile from time to time while talking to his friends or hanging out with his family or texting the other friends from high school but never Audrey. It was only when Hunter was alone that the pain consumed him, the long lonely nights without holding the woman he loved close to his figure. Hunter missed it so much, their dates and the nights they spent together making love for hours and falling asleep in one another arms. Most evenings, Hunter would come home from work and take a shower then he would eat dinner, spend some time with his mom, dad, and sister. By 10:30 pm, he was lying awake in bed and trying to sleep but it didn't typically happen until midnight or later.

Many times Hunter wanted to message and call her, ask if they could hang out or he could just see Audrey and let things go as they did. No plans, no promises, just let it happen as it did to see if things were the same between them. However, when Hunter thought about the chance of returning to Audrey and them being together again, he remembered what she did, and the pain would come back, and he couldn't bring himself to ponder them being together right now. It was the beginning of October now, going on five weeks since the breakup and though he was doing better, there were still times it got to him, and he desired to be alone.

Caitlyn, Renee, Travis, Fisher, Heather, Drew, and Eddie were back to school, Audrey as well. Monday through Friday from 7 am to 2 pm as it was before and this was their last year too. Hunter spent his days at work, no longer taking the time to visit his friends on lunch break because he knew Audrey was there and wasn't sure if he was ready to face her again after so little time had passed since their goodbye. Hunter meant what he said, perhaps there could be a relationship between them once again but only after he had healed and they became friends first. That was how things started and Hunter felt if they could be friends again then there was the chance for them to be lovers again.

September had marked one year since Audrey got pregnant, December would mark when she had the abortion and Hunter wasn't sure how he would feel when that came around. For now, he was just taking each day as it came. Today was a Monday and he was working out of the Berkton military base doing some inventory and preparing a shipment of things to go to Fort Draco on Wednesday and another on Friday. Caitlyn had asked if Hunter was going to come by for lunch because everyone missed him since Hunter didn't visit them a lot with his hours making him go in early and home later and also exhausted too. Hunter had been contemplating it but never made a full decision if he would or not. It was nearing lunch time, he always got an hour maybe he could stop in for a little bit.

It would be the first time he stands in the same room as Audrey since the day at the house and like before, Hunter didn't know if he was ready to do that but also, Hunter knew he wouldn't know unless he tried. "Hunt? Hey, you alright?" Theo asked bringing Hunter from his thoughts.

"Yeah," Hunter replied slowly.

"Where should we go for lunch today? Mess hall, eat out?" Andrew asked the question again since Hunter didn't answer the first time.

"I don't know. I was...thinking about going to the school to see the others honestly," Hunter replied as the three of them looked at Hunter a little surprised.

"Are you ready for that my friend? You know that...she'll be there, right?" Treyden inquired. Hunter sighed.

"I-I know but I can't...ignore her forever. I still love her even after what she did. The terms of the break up weren't that I stopped loving her, I just can't be with her while the pain she caused me still exists," Hunter informed.

"Hunter, what we're asking is if you're ready to be near her again so soon. We know you love her and want to be with her again, hopefully after the pain of what she did passes. You know something like this has to be done slowly, and I don't want to see you breakdown again. It's only been five weeks; I think you should wait a little more," Treyden put his hand on Hunter's shoulder. Sighing, Hunter knew he was right. It was too soon to see her face to face.

"Come on, bud. We'll hit Greg's for lunch, and we're going out this weekend too, Saturday night. You need some time with us," Theo smiled.

"You're right. Alright, we'll go to Gobber's," Hunter paused seeing them arch a brow at home. "Gregory. I'm the only one who calls him Gobber, I guess it's the only name I could say when I was old enough to talk and it just stuck. Shut up, don't judge me. And I suppose we can go out this Saturday," he added as they cheered and headed for the punch-clock to go to lunch.

(Saturday; 7:30 pm)

The boys had Sunday off so why not hang back for a few hours at the bar. Hunter was down for the idea, he could use some down time with his friends and a little alcohol. Maybe it would take his mind of Audrey for a bit? Who knew but he was going to try. Hunter got home from work, showered, then dressed in something comfortable while grabbing a bite to eat. Hunter told his parents he was going out with the guys and probably be home after midnight, also that Andrew was designated driver since he wasn't a big drinker and by chance they all got wasted, they'd stay at the motel across the street. Andrew arrived at 7:15 pm with Trey and Theo, they grabbed Hunter and were gone towards the local bar that was ten minutes away.

Reaching their destination, they were all ID'd and allowed in by the bouncer. The first place they went was to the bar for a round of shots, then a beer afterward. Treyden, Hunter, Andrew, and Theo grabbed a hightop table against the wall and sat down to relax.

"See, you needed this man," Andrew chuckled as Hunter nodded to him. Yeah, he did need it. The night went on calmly while the four friends enjoyed talking and drinking, nothing substantially strong. Around 8:45 pm, Hunter glanced to the door after seeing it open, and nothing prepared him to see Audrey walk in with Heather, Renee, and Caitlyn. Not far behind them were Drew, Shane, Travis, Eddie, and Fisher. Why the hell were they here? Especially, Caitlyn, she was only sixteen! No. No, absolutely not. Hunter didn't care what the others did, but his little sister was not going to be in a bar full of drunks.

"Hunt, what's wrong?" Treyden asked. Hunter never answered, he grabbed his beer and moved away from the table and towards the group firmly.

"What in the name of Odin are you doing here?" Hunter asked straight away as Caitlyn seemed to freeze nervously and bite her bottom lip.

"Hu-Hunter! I-I didn't know...you were going to be here," Caitlyn replied quickly.

"I'm here with the guys. I asked you what you are doing here, Caitlyn. This no place for you. Are Mom and Dad aware of where you are?" Hunter asked now.

"No...They think I'm sleeping over at Heather's with Audrey and Renee," Caitlyn looked down. "Please don't tell them?" Caitlyn pleaded when she saw Hunter pull his phone out.

"Do-Don't tell them?! Cait, you're sixteen years old, in a bar when our parents think you're safe at a sleepover. Whose bright idea was this? Who drove you?" Hunter demanded.

"Please don't call them, Hunter. I swear I'll stay in your sights until we leave, I just want to enjoy the atmosphere a little. Please? I'll never ask anything of you again," Caitlyn begged her.

Hunter sighed out with closed eyes before finishing off his beer. "You stay at the table close to the guys and me and you better not go anywhere without telling me first. Understand?" he ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Caitlyn saluted and hugged him.

"Alright, don't get cute. Water or soda only and don't take drinks from anybody but me," Hunter informed. Caitlyn nodded as Hunter led her to the eight-person table right next to the table he was sitting at with Treyden, Andrew, and Theo.

"So, we have company?" Theo chuckled watching the others come over behind Hunter, and he shot a look that said 'don't ask.' It was then that Treyden kicked Theo's leg under the table and motioned to Audrey in the group too. "Oh," This got awkward fast.

"Hunt, I'm grabbing a shot for the three of us. You in?" Andrew mentioned.

"Yeah, what are you getting?" Hunter asked.

"I dunno. Think we voted for Fireball, cool with you?" Treyden inquired, Hunter, nodded to him as Andrew headed for the bar and then Hunter motioned to Trey to keep an eye on Caitlyn who nodded understanding. Hunter followed after Andrew, five minutes later, both of them returned. Andrew carried three shots to their table as Hunter took his and placed down a sprite in front of his sister.

"Keep your hand on the top of your drink like this," Hunter showed her, "and do NOT let it out of your sight for any reason at all. If you do, throw it away," he added as Cait nodded showing she understood. Hunter backed up and returned to his table. "Well, there goes my night," he sighed.

"Nonsense, we can still relax, Hunt. Come on, let's do our shot," Theo smiled as the four of them raised their glasses and clinked them together, then took the shots back with ease and laughed. For nearly an hour, everything was calm. Hunter had lightened his drinking to keep an eye on Caitlyn and Audrey too, but she didn't know Hunter was making sure she was safe. A few times, the group of high school friends would get up to dance, but Hunter made sure that Audrey's and Caitlyn's drinks were sitting with him so no one could tamper with them.

"Doing alright?" Treyden asked Hunter.

"Yeah, just weird being around her," Hunter admitted with his head down and a sigh.

"It's probably gonna feel like that for a while," Treyden put a hand on Hunter's shoulder and patted it a few times. "It will get easier,"

"I hope you're right because I hate this," Hunter mumbled some with his eyes closed for a minute then got up to use the bathroom. Coming out a few minutes later due to the line, Hunter wasn't able to see Caitlyn or Audrey and that concerned him. "Where's my sister?" Hunter asked getting to the table where the others were.

"Dunno. She and Audrey went outside for some air saying it was hot in here," Travis responded. Hunter headed outside quickly and looked around for them.

"Don't touch her! She's just a young girl!" Hunter's eyes widened, that was Audrey's voice! Hunter moved to the side of the building where the alley way was to see a group of guys trying to get at Caitlyn, but Audrey was keeping them away. One of the males reached forward and pulled at Audrey's top as it ripped the shoulder and down the middle. Hunter hurried down and punched the one who had grabbed at Audrey.

"Hey, this ain't none of your business kid," stated another man.

"You keep your perverted, filthy hands off my sister and her friend or we'll have a problem. Are you both okay?" Hunter asked as Caitlyn and Audrey both nervously shook and nodded. Hunter noticed that Audrey's top was wide open showing her bra. Hunter took off his light sweatshirt and handed it to her. "You cover up and then we're all going back inside; you two are going home," he told them. The two frightened females did so as Hunter stayed behind them until they got to the door. That's when one grabbed Hunter by the shirt and shoved him into the wall, punched his face making Hunter's lip bleed, then was thrown through the bar's picture window where Hunter hit a table and rolled once before laying there.

Hunter coughed a few times as Treyden, Theo, and Andrew moved to him quickly to make sure he was okay. "Hunt? Hunter, answer me, are you alright?" Treyden asked kneeling beside his friend.

"Serves you right messing with us," the man who had punched him scoffed while pulling his gun and aiming at Treyden who hadn't seen it yet.

"Trey, move!" Hunter shoved him out of the way as the weapon fired and Hunter was stricken in the side. The bullet ripped through as Hunter hit the floor and cringing in pain, panting before his arm dropped and he went unconscious.

"Hunter!" Audrey and Caitlyn cried out. Treyden recovered and scrambled over to Hunter while taking off his sweater and holding it on Hunter's side. It wasn't long before sirens were heard, fellow bar patrons took it upon themselves to restrain the gaggle of men who were making a play for Caitlyn and Audrey, also the ones who attacked Hunter who was still unconscious but thankfully breathing with pressure on the wound. Police took the attackers, a few stayed to get statements and paramedics worked with Theo, Andrew, and Treyden to get Hunter in the ambulance and heading for the hospital.

Shane took it upon himself to take Audrey and Caitlyn home and tell Salvatore what happened. The rest of the night was waiting at the hospital waiting to hear about Hunter. By 11 pm, the ER doctor informed that Hunter was doing fine and in recovery, the bullet exited but left a pretty big gash that needed stitches and severe wrapping to close up. The recovering time would be about two months in full but after a week or so they could release him as long as he took it easy. And it was thanks to Treyden holding pressure why the situation wasn't worse than it was. Caitlyn was grounded for being at the bar, Audrey did get an update but she and Caitlyn were blaming themselves. If they hadn't been there, Hunter wouldn't have needed to protect them. That ended the night since Hunter was out cold.

(Month Later; November 2018)

Hunter was in the hospital three weeks total due to being shot in the side, plus a cracked rib, few bruises, split lip and some cuts on his head and arms from going through the bar window that night. Treyden scolded Hunter for getting shot to save him, Hunter explained that Treyden would be dead because the gun was aimed for Trey's heart and he couldn't do nothing. Hunter was released last week and thus far as the doctor ordered, to take it easy. Hunter was on bed rest, no lifting over five pounds, had to watch corners, and reapply the ointment and wrappings while the wound continued to heal. Hunter was off work until the doctor cleared him to at least come back on light duty which for Hunter meant behind a desk until he was completely healed up.

Today was a Friday; Viola was at work while Caitlyn attended school with the others. Salvatore was home and checking in on Hunter since he still complained of having pain. The doctors gave him something for that but he wasn't due for another one until dinner time, and it was only 2:30 pm right now. Still about three hours to go. Hunter was sleeping on the couch at the moment when Caitlyn came home from school with a guest. Sal hurried in and made sure they knew to be quiet because Hunter was asleep peacefully.

"Cait, you know you're supposed to ask before you bring people over, especially Audrey because of well, you know. Hello, Audrey, how are you doing?" Salvatore asked softly. It had been Hunter's wish that no animosity was held towards Audrey so Sal wouldn't be the one to cause trouble.

"Sorry, Dad. Audrey and I just got paired for a project in Home Economics about child care, so we have to take care of this robotic thing until after the New Year starts and we go back to school to start the second semester. Our class has an uneven number of boys and girls." Caitlyn sighed.

"Caitlyn and I have the joyous task of acting like a lesbian pairing to take care of little Jasper here. We're also supposed to figure out what the last name he takes since we're playing the role of an unmarried couple with a baby," Audrey explained, "And I'm okay. How is Hunter?" she inquired.

"Sleeping now, healing slowly. The doctor says he'll be okay in a few more weeks of rest and taking it easy," Salvatore replied.

"I still feel horrible about what happened. Hunter didn't have to protect me that night, he could have just gotten Caitlyn out of trouble," Audrey looked down.

"It's Hunter's nature, lass, he would have done it for a complete stranger too. What's important is that everyone is safe and sound now," Salvatore comforted. At the sound of voices, Hunter began to stir and awaken; then his eyes opened slowly looking around to focus on his surroundings. "Son, I'm sorry if we woke you. How do you feel?"

Hunter forced himself up to a sitting position, hissing in pain as he checked his side to make sure it didn't open up again as it happened once in the hospital during the second week. "Is it five yet because I could do with that pain killer," Hunter asked.

"It's only 2:30, son, I'm sorry," Salvatore answered as Hunter groaned a bit and then caught sight of Caitlyn home from school and then Audrey beside her and in her arms was a small baby doll.

"Hi big brother," Caitlyn hugged him carefully.

"Hey sis, what's all this about?" Hunter inquired.

"Oh! Audrey and I are playing the role of lesbian parents to this newly fostered baby boy. It's for Home Ec, the child's father was killed in a car accident, and the mother died giving birth. No family to take him, so it went to foster parents, Audrey and I have to act that part. So, meet Jasper. No last name yet, we didn't figure out if it should have mine or Audrey's," Caitlyn explained softly. Hunter didn't reply; his eyes were zeroing in on the robotic doll in Audrey's arms that she was rocking side to side.

Something about this...bothered him deeply. Seeing Audrey hold a newborn and be so motherly with it, it hurt him a little because if Audrey had given birth back in June, this would be them right now; having a family of their own. "From what I hear, they have to take care of it until the New Year," Salvatore added in as the baby began to whimper and Audrey tried to calm it down.

It was the beginning of November now, the New Year was two months away still and Hunter didn't think he could deal with this that long. Hunter sighed as he forced himself to his feet and moved to his room closing the door while making a phone call. "Trey, sorry to bug you at work," Hunter started the call while Sal and Caitlyn were listening, Audrey too. "No, I'm not alright and I'm calling in that favor you said you owed me," a slight pause. "Can I come live with you for a few months? If not, it's okay. I'll call one of the others or stay in a motel," Hunter informed as Sal and Caitlyn gasped a bit. "It's a long story but bottom line is that I can't be at my house for a while because of a project my sister and Audrey are paired for. I know it sounds stu-"

"It's not stupid, Hunter. You don't have to tell me the whole reason, I get it. You can stay with me, that's fine. Come to the house unless you need me to pick you up? We're off early today, I have Theo and Andrew with me too," Treyden replied, obviously now on speakerphone.

"I'll drive, see you in about fifteen minutes. Thanks, Trey," Hunter said then hung up and quickly packed a bunch of clothes into his black bag that he had used on deployment, then the personal care items into a ziplock and placed it in a side pouch on the bag. Next, Hunter grabbed his camo backpack to hold his laptop, tablet, chargers, and other electronics. Finally, using a duffle bag, Hunter packed his bed dressings into it. Doing one last check, he was satisfied he had what he wanted and exited the bedroom, shutting the door tightly. The last things he grabbed were his pain killers from the living room table and placed them in his pocket.

"Hunter, where are you going?" Caitlyn asked.

He never looked at them while carrying his stuff towards the living room door to get outside to his truck; Hunter stopped with a sigh. "I'm staying at Trey's until this is over," he motioned to the robotic doll in Audrey's arms. "Sorry, it's just not something I'm ready to be around," Hunter admitted as he closed his eyes. Hunter moved past the door and carefully put his stuff in the truck, then got in the driver's side and started it up before backing out and heading down the road towards Treyden's place.

"I don't understand," Caitlyn looked at her father who glanced down softly.

"It's the situation that Audrey will be over a lot and you two taking care of that doll as parents and Hunter's not ready to see that because of what happened between Audrey and him," Salvatore explained. Audrey bit her bottom lip, so Hunter was still hurting pretty bad even after two months and she suspected that it would continue to take more time so long as the reminders were there. Hunter had been fine until he learned about the project but he was distancing himself so the pain wouldn't take over and make things unbearable.

(Fury Residence)

Hunter arrived and pulled up along the side of the road as Treyden, Theo, and Andrew came out to help him so he wouldn't have to carry so much weight at once since he wasn't allowed to. When the four were inside, Treyden set Hunter's things into the guest room while Hunter sat on the couch and just buried his head into his hands as Andrew and Treyden tried to comfort him. Hunter sighed, "I just couldn't stay at home,"

"Don't worry about it. You're always welcome with any of us, Hunter. You'll get through this and we'll be right here with you," Treyden replied.

"You guys are seriously my best friends in the entire world," Hunter found a small smile.