Salvatore and Caitlyn were sad to see Hunter leave that day, and worried because he was hurt and had been carrying those bags by himself when he wasn't supposed to be lifting more than five pounds of weight at a time and certainly not supposed to be straining himself or the stitches could bust again. However, Hunter hadn't been worried about it at the time. All he knew is that a project was going to have his ex-girlfriend and sister working together with taking care of a fake child for three months and Hunter was not ready to be around such. It wasn't seeing Audrey; Hunter had come to handle that. It was seeing her be so motherly to a robotic doll that was portrayed as her child with Caitlyn, fostered but nevertheless. The point Hunter made clear was that he couldn't see that sight. If Audrey hadn't terminated the pregnancy in which she carried hers and Hunter's baby, it would be them raising their child together and knowing that Audrey did what she did, robbing Hunter of the chance to be a father, seriously hurt him.

When Viola came home at 5 pm to see Audrey, Caitlyn, and Sal sitting quietly, she asked where Hunter was so Salvatore told her the truth about Hunter leaving because he admitted to not being able to handle the project Caitlyn and Audrey were paired for that involved caring for a doll as it's parents. Audrey tried to say they could do the project at her house but Sal insisted it was fine, that it might do Hunter some good to be with friends and have some distance between them. Audrey understood but still felt bad, and this was entirely her fault. Over at Treyden's, Hunter told his friends what happened and how it made him feel. The three understood why Hunter wanted to get out of there as fast as he was able, to prevent the pain from taking over and putting him back at square one with healing from the heartbreak.

When Treyden's father, Dustin Fury returned home from work, Trey explained why Hunter was there and also that he'd be using the guest room for a few months to deal with some personal matters. Dustin didn't mind at all and just said to Hunter for him to make himself feel at home and if there was anything he could do to help, let him know. Hunter was grateful of course; it made him feel blessed to know he had amazing friends who would just put him up for a few months on a moments notice. Hunter's choice to temporarily move had been a smart one. Hunter was feeling better with the distance between him and Berkton since Treyden lived in Bashwick, it was fifteen minutes from Hunter's hometown, and no one knew where Treyden lived except Striker One which only had Conner, Nikolas, Amber, Trey, Theo, Andrew, and Hunter on it now.

Hunter had been informed that soldiers were being trained to fill the positions because the company as a whole was under the minimum requirement to be considered a company. So many people had died, committed suicide, or were discharged on account of mental status and illness. It was incredible to think that Plasma Fire had ninety-six soldiers, not including Asher, Harry, Caleb, or Brady. Hunter did learn that the old Drill Sergeants he and the others had for Basic and AIT were still around. But they remained at Fort Draco for the sole purpose of training new recruits and the first Conqueror platoon leader who Asher took over for had changed to reserves or part time duty to spend more time with his new wife and start a family.

The group of recruits at Fort Draco now would be done just before Christmas time and then sectioned off to fill spots for Plasma Fire or any other company that was lacking in numbers. From what Hunter understood Plasma Fire would be growing from ninety-six to an even one hundred and twenty so there would now be thirty soldiers per the four platoons that made up the company. Hunter wasn't sure how he felt about that given he had trouble watching twenty-four or even just twelve at a time. Never mind adding more soldiers to be in charge of, but Hunter supposed that it didn't matter as he didn't have to watch them so long as they were deploying overseas again and Harry confirmed that they were not scheduled for any rotations and all other deployment zones were under control for the time being.

Knowing that was some comfort to Hunter since he was still healing from two things. The heartbreak from Audrey killing their baby and the wounds from the night at the bar. Harry had taken some time to process because he didn't understand what the hell had happened until Hunter broke it down into saying that perverts were trying to take advantage of his ex-girlfriend and little sister so Hunter stepped in, got beat up, thrown through a window, then took a bullet meant for Treyden. Harry was not pleased, to say the least, but the guys who attacked and shot Hunter were all in trouble and all facing some time behind bars, Hunter had not yet heard how long because it was going by the involvement of who did what which required witnesses and victim statements. This was another time where Hunter had to be in Audrey's presence.

It wasn't that he hated her, Hunter very much still loved Audrey but right now he couldn't look past what she did even being that it was almost four months later since the breakup that happened at the end of August and almost a year since the procedure. December 15th, 2018 would mark that unfortunate day. Currently, it was the start of December 2018. A month had passed since Hunter left his parents' house to stay with Trey for a bit but he still saw them often like when he was in town for check-ups on his side and other injuries, plus he had been there for Thanksgiving. Hunter had enjoyed that since he missed it last year due to the tour. Hunter hoped he could enjoy Christmas too since he missed two years of those for the same reason as Thanksgiving.

Another event Hunter was excited about, he would be turning nineteen in February, and he was home to celebrate with his family this year, well, technically, next year since it would be 2019 when it happened. Hunter was doing alright with things, the distance helped but lately, something had changed. Hunter didn't even think about the pain Audrey caused him when he was hanging out with Treyden, the man went out of his way to make sure Hunter was all set before he did anything else. Hunter's wound was almost healed now, but the past month, Treyden acted like a male nurse to him with ensuring the wound didn't get infected, was properly wrapped, and cared for. At first, Hunter thought it was a bit weird but came to get used to it and sometimes even asked for help. Hunter didn't quite understand what was going on, but he knew that he was beginning to feel differently about Treyden, as in more than a friend.

This didn't bother Hunter a lot; he was bisexual not that anyone but his father knew though. Hunter was well aware his mother didn't like bisexuals, gays, or lesbians. And that bugged Hunter because he was bisexual and never said anything in fear of his mother being judgmental and unsupportive even when Sal told him many times not to be afraid. So far, Hunter hadn't been in the situation where it mattered if she knew or not. However, developing feelings for Treyden could be a cause to come out of the proverbial shell about his sexuality. At the same time, Hunter knew that Trey was straight or so he assumed since Trey had never said otherwise and Hunter never mentioned his status to anyone either. They, unfortunately, lived in a society where many didn't like it and thought it was unnatural.

The reason for Hunter's wound not being completely healed was because he did slightly bust the stitches and end up with a small infection for two days then be restitched. That alone backed his recovery up by two weeks at least so now in that time; he would be alright. It was still sore and hurt if he bumped it hard or twisted too fast. Today was Friday, Hunter was back to work on desk duty, but that was okay with him. However, it was rolling at lunchtime, and he hadn't seen his sister since Thanksgiving so maybe today would be a good for going to see her at the school for an hour. Well, it would be forty minutes since a ten-minute drive back and forth to the Berkton base.

"Hunt, there ya are," came Treyden's voice as Hunter smiled and put down the file he was reading.

"I've been in the same place for six weeks now. What's up?" Hunter asked him.

"We're heading gonna go out for lunch, wanna join? We haven't picked a spot yet though," Treyden invited.

"I was gonna go to the school. I haven't see Cait since Thanksgiving, and she's been asking if I'll come to her at home, but I don't like being there when Audrey and that robotic thing is too," Hunter admitted.

"Fair enough. Want me to come with you? I've noticed you stay smiling and distracted when the guys and I are with you," Trey smiled. This is what Hunter seemed to be drawn to, Treyden's fantastic ability to know what worked and what didn't. It was true; Hunter didn't think about the pain with Treyden, Theo, and Andrew present.

"You don't have to, Trey. I'm sure the guys don't wanna chill at the school for forty minutes," Hunter chuckled a bit.

"We don't care. Besides, we think it's hilarious how jealous your other friends get seeing the four of us together," Treyden replied.

"Well, if you want to come. I'm leaving here at noon," Hunter informed as Trey nodded, patted Hunter's back, then left the office as Hunter only smiled softly watching Treyden walk away. Gods, when did he develop such a crush on his best friend? Hunter wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing.

(High School)

Treyden met Hunter by his truck at 12:00 pm then by 12:10, they had arrived at the school. Theo and Andrew were going with Conner for tacos so it was just Hunter and Treyden alone. After parking and getting signed in, they headed towards the cafeteria and Hunter scanned the room for his sister and friends. Finally, he spotted them and walked over with a smile.

"HUNTER! Oh, my Gods, you came!" Caitlyn said excitedly when she saw him and of course, that came with a big hug too.

"Ah, Cait! Be easy," Hunter hissed as Caitlyn quickly let go stepped back, afraid that she hurt him.

"Did they bust again?" Treyden asked with concern. Hunter gave a bored look and motioned to the fact he was wearing his ACU so he wouldn't know. "Take the coat off and let me see. You know we can't screw around with your wound because if it opens and gets infected again, you're right back to the hospital," he sighed. Hunter rolled his eyes and took the coat off then lifted the side of his shirt so Treyden could look. Though secretly, Hunter didn't mind one bit.

"Am I good?" Hunter remarked.

"Don't be an ass because I care. This happened at the end of October, and you have two weeks left before you're considered to be fully healed, and back to full duty at work, I don't want to see it get worse before then," Treyden huffed.

"Trey, I'm good. The wound is closed now, it's just sore as shit, and I can't take the pain killer because it makes me tired which I don't need to be at work. Stop worrying so much," Hunter smiled while tucking his shirt back in.

"Hunter, you took a bullet meant for me, and we weren't even on the battlefield. You could have died that night," Treyden closed his eyes. Hunter put his hand on Treyden's shoulder which made him look at Hunter again.

"I could have died a lot of times since I've joined the army and that's just a risk I chose to take when I signed the contract. Trey, it doesn't matter if we're fighting a war or right here in town. I see someone I care about in trouble, I'm gonna step in to stop it. Even if it means I have to die to do it. I got myself involved with those people because they were trying to rape my little sister and Audrey. Why did I jump in? Because I protect the people, I care about. You're one of my best friends, Treyden and my battle buddy. You've always had my back," Hunter now raised his hand up to Treyden with a smile, "and I will have yours until I take my last breath,"

"Jeeze man, make me cry why don't you?" Treyden laughed a little as he brought his hand up to Hunter's and they connected them tightly, then hugged. "You're my best friend too, Hunt. Thank you for saving my life,"

"I couldn't have saved yours if you hadn't saved mine first, so thank you," Hunter replied.

"You two want a set of rings to go with those marriage vows?" Eddie snickered with Drew.

"Fuck off, Edward," Hunter retorted knowing that Eddie hated to be called that name. Hunter knew it too because Eddie tightened his fist. "Don't be jealous that I got friendships much stronger than yours with people who have my back,"

"Seriously, get a room if you start making out next," Drew added.

"I'll keep that in mind," Treyden chuckled as Hunter blinked a few times. Had Treyden actually just said that?

"Ew. Oh my Gods, don't even joke like that. I can't bear the thought of my brother being gay," Caitlyn shook her head, and Hunter couldn't help but listen closer as Treyden, and he released hands and then from the hug. "My mother would probably have a heart attack at the news," That one hurt a little to hear, Hunter wouldn't lie about that. So Caitlyn was against people of a different sexual orientation too. Great, because that didn't make things harder if Hunter decided to pursue something with Treyden. Nothing had been decided, but if the chance happened to come across him, he wouldn't pass it up.

"What are you worried about, Caitlyn? Hunter's not gay, for Odin's sake we all know he's had sex before. Either way, it's not your place to judge him," Shane informed. "But you...aren't gay, right, Hunter?" Suddenly, all eyes were on Hunter.

"No, I'm not," Hunter replied. 'Though, I am bisexual and won't tell you because you're all a bunch of judgemental dicks except for Shane, Renee, Fisher, and Audrey,' he thought a little sadly.

"And don't tell them to get a room. Last time someone said that to Hunter, he did it. We listened to him, and Audrey go at it for two hours straight," Heather shivered at the reminder. When Hunter came home from Iraq and got ticked off with his mom so Audrey tried to talk to him, and the two had sex long, hard, and loud with everyone there and didn't give a damn either. Travis, Renee, Caitlyn, and Shane tensed up seeing Hunter flinch at the mention of something him and Audrey related. "Oops," Heather quickly covered her mouth.

"You know what? It's...fine. You guys don't have to be all weird and cautious about it. It's been four months, I'm...pretty settled with everything, and it's not going to hurt me to be reminded of things that Audrey and I did at one point. So, I thank you for the consideration, but it's okay," Hunter stated as they all looked at him a little surprised.

"It doesn't...bother you anymore?" Audrey asked gently, and Hunter looked at her.

"It's...always going to bother me, Audrey, because of the nature of which happened. I won't remake mention of those things because it does still hurt. But I've hit a point where I know it hurts and I'll never forget, but I can move on and keep living my life," Hunter walked over to her now as she stood up to meet him so he wouldn't have to kneel or crouch and be in pain. "What I'm saying is that I forgive you. I still don't trust you, that will still take some time but, I do forgive you, and if you're...up for it, I'd like to try and be friends again. What do you say?" he asked holding his hand out to her.

Audrey smiled lightly as she placed her hand in his and they shook gently. "I would really like that, Hunter. Thank you," she replied as the two smiled softly before releasing their hands. The rest of the lunch break with everyone sitting at the table and talking about whatever. Hunter felt good that he'd forgiven Audrey but still needed to work on trusting her and that would be up to her to prove to Hunter that he could so, for now, they were just friends, and things were starting to looking they would be okay again.

(Sunday; January 28th, 2018)

Hunter was completely healed and still living with Treyden. Christmas and the New Year had been incredible now that there was no animosity between Audrey and Hunter. The two of them were still friends and back to talking and texting just like how it had been before they started dating the first time. In truth, Hunter and Audrey had gone out on a few outings with just them. Not so much dates, just friends to talk about how it used to be. Hunter still had feelings for her and Audrey possessed feelings for Hunter too; it showed when Hunter could see that she was trying to be open, truthful, and loyal by always being available if he wanted to talk or hang out. Hunter trusted her again, and initially, he told himself after the breakup that if Audrey managed to prove the things she said she could do, they might get back together.

Thus far, such had happened. However, there was just one problem. Hunter's developing feelings for Treyden were continuously growing, and Hunter was faced with deciding who he wanted to pursue; Treyden or Audrey. Hunter didn't know what to do; the choice should be easy. Audrey because that was his girlfriend of three years, the woman he was going to marry and have a family with until she did get pregnant, then got scared and had an abortion. Plus she lied to Hunter about the birth control. Hunter loved Audrey and had been hoping for the chance to get to ask her out again when he was sure he could trust her. Now he could, and he was hesitating because Treyden had also gone above and beyond the call of friendship to be there for Hunter.

Hunter tried to see if Treyden was at least bisexual but so far, Treyden hadn't dropped any hints about such so that immediately put a damper on his ideas of pursuing Trey. It was a hopeless cause if the man wasn't bi and Hunter hadn't been shown otherwise so he had to assume that Treyden was straight which meant Hunter shouldn't waste his time waiting to find out when there was someone else waiting for him and that girl was someone Hunter also cared deeply for. Things wouldn't be instant of course; there was still hesitation to dating Audrey again. Hunter knew they would not be picking up where they left off; it would be a fresh slate for them. She and Hunter needed to talk about this; the time was 8:30 pm, surely she was home and still awake.

Hunter got his phone and dialed Audrey's number, he put it on speakerphone and listened as it rang. Finally, on the fifth, it connected. "Hi, Hunter. Sorry, I didn't pick up right away, I just got out of the shower since there's school tomorrow," Audrey answered while panting.

"It's okay, Audrey. Relax, I'm sure you would have called back afterward. Are you dressed or still in the towel?" Hunter asked curiously.

"Uh, still in the towel. Gimme five seconds to get dressed," Audrey said quickly.

"Okay," Hunter laughed a little as the phone on her end was put down, and he heard her racing around to get her clothes on, and then she lifted it again.

"There, all dressed. So, how are you?" Audrey greeted.

"I'm alright, how about you?" Hunter replied gently.

"I'm great. What do I owe the pleasure of the call? Or are you just bored?" Audrey inquired with a giggle.

"Well, I am bored, but I had a reason for calling. I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in going out with me next Friday for dinner, say around 7:30 pm?" Hunter questioned, and it went quiet on her end.

"Sure, who else is coming?" Audrey asked.

"No one. I meant...just us, Audrey. You know, like a date?" Hunter tried again. At that moment, Treyden was walking by Hunter's semi-closed door to hear him ask Audrey out on a date for next Friday.

"A-A date? U-Um, yeah, I'd love to, Hunter," Audrey answered cheerfully.

"Awesome. I'll pick you up at 7:15 then," Hunter smiled with some relief that she agreed, not like he had many doubts she would say no after he had mentioned it was a date.

"I can't wait. Ca-Can I just ask what the occasion is, s-so I know what to wear?" Audrey pushed a little.

"Dress in something nice, not formal or semi though. The occasion, Milady, is that I thought maybe we could talk about...getting back together," Hunter admitted, there was no sense in lying about his intentions. Treyden's eyes widened a little; Hunter was taking Audrey on a date so they could talk about getting back together? For some reason that Trey didn't understand, this bothered him. "Nothing official yet, Audrey. That's why I said we needed to talk first," Hunter suddenly stated. "Alright, I'm gonna go and grab a shower myself. I'll text you later, kay?" a pause, "Bye," Hunter ended the call after that and took a deep breath. Yes, this was his decision; he wanted to be with Audrey again.