{Troy's POV}
(Saturday, April 22, 2023-4:25)
[Troy & Hayden's Apartment; Berk]
Eight days ago when Cody called me; I fully expected to be told once again that my there was no change in my husband's status as MIA. I was wrong. Cody tried to give me the information over the phone, but I couldn't make out what he was saying because of the shotty reception. After the Skype call came through and I could hear him inform me; we got him, I couldn't have been more shocked and relieved at the same time. Everyone was surprised but overwhelmed with joy that Hayden had been found and returned to the Barbarki Outpost in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I was glad Cody broke orders to contact me and gave as much information about the situation as he could. So I had been right the entire time. Hayden got knocked out for a bit from the grenade, then he was discovered and captured by enemy forces. However, much to mine and everyone else's shock; Cody informed that nobody on their side or our own rescued Hayden; he broke himself and returned to base weak and wounded with a little help from friendlies. I hated hearing how hurt my husband was, but it bothered me more to be told that Hayden was a mess and hadn't wanted to talk about what he went through while a prisoner in that compound. What ticked me off was knowing Hayden couldn't come home yet. The guy suffered five weeks of captivity, and all he wanted to do was come back where it was safe. In all honesty, I didn't blame my husband one bit.
Thus far, it's been a full week since that call, and I hadn't heard anything else from Cody other than a few messages on Skype letting me know when Hayden was awake or had gone for the evaluation, and came back. My husband was exhausted, and he stated many times that he wanted to be here. Gods, I just wanted him in my arms. I didn't care where we were as long as I was holding him. After Cody called me last week to tell me Hayden was back, and I'd shoved it in Donovan's face that I was right; I went to the bedroom to thank the Gods. Hell, I cried a little. Hayden was alive. Hurt, but alive. Now, I just had to wait it out until he was released to return. The weather was warm this time of year, so I had everyone over, and we were outside in the backyard for a small cookout. I had Inferno over too since I hadn't really seen them since I left Afghanistan in December 2022. I missed them, and they all wanted to hear about Hayden.
"So, still nothing on when he's coming back?" Ethan asked. I shook my head.
"That sucks. Isn't the whole point of those recovery teams to keep going until the person is brought home?" Nicole mumbled some.
"That would be the case if any of them rescued Hayden, but he saved himself and broke out," Gabriel shrugged.
"Should be the same process. Hayden told the Major General everything," Seymour mentioned.
"Yes, but if Hayden had an infection, possibly developed one or his condition worsened; they wouldn't allow him to travel," Jannike reminded.
"Hey, Troy!" I heard Cody's voice. Wait a second, what? Why did I hear his voice? I quickly looked around and saw Cody coming around the corner of the apartment. "As promised; I've brought your husband home," he said as Hayden walked forward slowly with help from two other Marines. Hayden was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a green t-shirt. Hayden's right wrist had light wrapping on it and over that was a plastic, black brace. Hayden's left arm was in a sling with part of the ace bandage showing under his shirt's sleeve. Hayden's hair was back to its initial length before joining the Marines. Everything else was minor scrapes and fading bruises. I was sure there was more under his clothes, but none of that mattered to me. Hayden was here; back where he belonged.
"Hayden!" I rushed over to him. I stopped once standing in front. "Gods; I just want to hold you, but I don't want to cause you any pain," I said unsure of what to do. Hayden just carefully moved in and held me with his broken wrist around my back, and his head on my chest, eyes closed. I brought my arm up and over Hayden's right shoulder, then around the back to the left one as the other hand went to his head.
"I've missed you," Hayden whispered.
"I'm so glad you're home, babe. It's been awful not having you here with me," I admitted, resting my head on his.
"Oh, son. Thank Odin you're okay…" Spencer approached with Vivian and Gabriel. Everyone was lining up to greet Hayden now, but I could tell he didn't want to leave my arms. I pulled from the embrace and kissed Hayden deeply, then he shifted to see his parents and the others.
"You have to hug him to same way Troy did until his ribs heal," Cody pointed out as a warning to the rest. "And mind the left arm too," he added.
"Thank you for bringing him back, Cody," I said calmly.
"I promised that I would, my friend. I do have to talk to you, though, privately," Cody stated. I nodded, understanding.
"Babe, I just have to speak with Cody for a few minutes. Are you okay out here with them?" I asked my husband.
"I'll be alright," Hayden replied to me softly.
"You two help him out if he needs it," Cody ordered the two Marines.
"Aye, sir," they responded as I led Cody into the apartment's kitchen through the side door.
"He's not okay, is he?" I asked right away. Cody shook his head.
"No, he's not, Troy. Hayden went through hell with those people, and I still don't know precisely what. Nathaniel does, and the people who did his evaluation. What happened there, it's bigger than Hayden setting free a few others and himself. First, though, I'm gonna tell you the extent of his injuries so you can help him with home care," Cody enlightened.
"Lay it on me," I told him.
"A lot of the wounds healed in the time he was captive, and are scars now. All of them are on his back and sides. Most of those were burns, stabbings, and deliberate cuts to his person. There are still a few fresh ones, but those don't require much except to be kept clean and anti-bacterial cream. There isn't much way to wrap them without affecting Hayden's ribs. The stitches from the bullet grazings; there are only two of those that have to have an anti-bacterial cream applied and wrapped until they finish healing. Doctor in Afghanistan said they should be all set in two weeks; those wounds are on his upper right shoulder and to his left thigh. The broken wrist still has six weeks to go. That just needs new wrappings after a shower and the plastic brace back on. The gunshot wound on his upper left arm is one of the bigger ones, and won't be healed for a couple of weeks, but then he's gotta do physical therapy," Cody explained.
"And his ribs?" I wondered.
"Hayden broke two on the right, one on the left. And there is a bruised one the left as well. Unfortunately, all those happened at different times, but X-Ray showed that if Hayden doesn't overdo it; he should completely heal from those by the middle of May. Hayden gets a lot of chest pain from it, so if you see him panting or holding his chest; have him take easy breaths, maybe some water. Hayden does have Percocets to manage pain," Cody continued. "And he's taking something to make sure he doesn't end up with an infection. I'm sure you know that if any stitches bust, bring him to the hospital,"
I nodded. "How much can you tell me about this bigger situation?"
"Not a lot I'm afraid. I didn't hear the full story, and Hayden didn't want to talk about it. However, I do know that Hayden is the one who released all the prisoners in that compound, and destroyed it a week before he showed up at the gates of the outpost. We don't know why he didn't return with all of them, but they said they don't know who let them out; just that friendlies who were prisoners started unlocking cells and having them escape. Less than twenty minutes later; the building went up in flames from the inside, and was hit by two RPG's," Cody said.
"What else?" I pushed.
"Hayden's out," Cody looked away.
"What do you mean?" I arched a brow.
"Out of the military," Cody stated as my eyes widened now. "Hayden broke down during the evaluation. I wasn't there for it, but I managed to overhear Henderson talking to the Psychologist. I'll spare all the fancy talk, but the bottom line is that whatever Hayden endured while a prisoner was too much. Hayden flipped out in a frenzy of emotions, and according to the guy who did the eval; Hayden just curled himself up, crying, and wanting to go home and be done with all this. Hayden has been deemed mentally unfit to continue his military duties as a Marine. Hayden is officially honorably discharged from the Barbaric Archipelago Islands Military at the rank of Second Lieutenant,"
I couldn't believe it; Hayden got discharged? I don't know it's coming off as a surprise to me, but still. Hearing this; I've become genuinely concerned for my husband's well-being. Hayden broke down during an evaluation, and now he's out of the military for good because whatever he went through was too much for him to handle. And the worst part is that I knew nothing about the torture inflicted on Hayden.
"Hayden was diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD. Currently; no risk of hurting others, and no suicidal tendencies or thoughts. I'm sure you know what to do if any of that changes…" Cody continued. I nodded, and I hoped it wouldn't come to that. "You can expect nightmares, mood swings, flashbacks…"
"Yeah, I know," I said. "Don't worry; I got him," Cody sighed, but nodded to me. "Is this all I needed to know?"
"It's all I've been permitted to tell you," Cody responded.
"That's fine then. Thank you for bringing him back, Cody. I should get back to Hayden now; he's probably tired," I informed.
"It was one hell of a flight," Cody mumbled. I led Cody back outside where I saw Hayden sitting in one of the chairs. I went right over to him and kissed his forehead.
"Hi," Hayden smiled a little.
"Hey handsome," I replied lightly. Cody approached now.
"We gotta get back to Fort Archian, Hayden. You good?" Cody inquired. Hayden managed a nod. "Alright. We'll see ya around, okay?"
"Thanks for getting me home, Cody," Hayden said.
"It was both my pleasure and honor to do so, my friend. You take care of yourself," Cody smiled with a slight bow, then he turned and left with the other two Marines. When they were gone, all eyes were on Hayden.
"You look tired, Love," I pointed out, and Hayden nodded. "Want me to help you inside so you can get some rest?" Once again, Hayden gave a nod of his head. Hayden tried to get up, but the pain from his ribs only caused him to breathe hard and cringe. I assisted my husband to his feet and led him inside. Hayden used the bathroom first, then I helped him to the bedroom so he could lay down on his back; hissing a little. Hayden took on of his painkillers and closed his eyes. I kissed him lightly, then watched him slowly fall asleep minutes later. I sat on the edge of the bed, unable to think about anything else other than the fact my husband went through so much he was discharged, honorably, but now he's home and that was enough for me to be happy. I'd help Hayden through this; we were together, and there wasn't anything we couldn't do as long as we had one another.