I'm really sorry I wasn't specific before. In this story's universe, the events of the Karate Kid DID happen, but the events of Cobra Kai DID NOT. Miguel and Sam's generation graduated from high school without the karate war that is happening on the real show. Johnny is Miguel's stepfather but not his sensei.

CHAPTER 8

So Miguel began an extremely long deployment in Afghanistan, but he still had a ray of sunshine in his life… Sam. She was an absolutely incredible girlfriend, and they both supported each other throughout the tough times.

One thing that both of them decided to do from the very beginning was as well as calling each other on at least a weekly basis, they also made short video messages to each other. The benefits of this was that every time either of them would feel lonely, or sad, or would start missing the other, they could watch the video and see the other person's smiling face, and things would be less bleak. They didn't talk about their jobs in these videos. They did that during their actual calls. These calls were just pre-recorded messages to raise each other's spirits after hard days. In fact, they started the very day after Miguel arrived in Kandahar…

Day after arrival (From Miguel to Sam)...

"Hey, babe!" Miguel exclaimed, waving at the camera and smiling at her. "I just touched down in Kandahar a couple of hours ago. I'm already ready to go home! Not having a good time at all! But, it could be worse. I figured everything else. I toured the base. Found my barracks. Found the firing target range. So like I said, could be better, could be worse. It could definitely be better because I could be home with you. So, I'll see you soon, babe! I love you, and I miss you already!"

Three weeks into Deployment (From Sam to Miguel)...

"So, after three weeks of not being together, I'm getting used to sleeping alone again." Sam said.

It was clearly nighttime in New York, and Sam was sitting out on the terrace, a sky-blue blanket covering her shoulders and the pitch-black, starless New York sky behind her. She had messy hair, and was wearing glasses and no makeup, something she never liked to do but Miguel loved her like this. He knew that many guys lied and said they thought their girlfriends looked more beautiful without makeup but Miguel truly meant it. He hated to see Sam's amazing natural beauty covered up by makeup.

"And I know that sounds really sad, but it's slowly getting easier." She continued. "I mean it's never gonna be easy but I'm just adjusting. But I miss you, babe! I can't wait to see you! I love you and I miss you so much!"

Miguel's birthday (From Sam to Miguel)...

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!" Sam started recording the video as she sat in her apartment, wishing Miguel a happy birthday. She wished she could be with Miguel on his 27th birthday but unfortunately, he was off saving the world so Sam couldn't do anything more than just send a message and call him later when he had time. "Babe, happy birthday! I love you. I wish you were here and I wish we could celebrate it together but I know you're out there wherever you are right now. So I put together a care package for you. Oh, you're gonna think I'm so weird! I got you a Swear Word Coloring Book, I baked you the chocolate chip cookies I know you love, there are some birthday cake patterned socks, 5 boxes of Sour Patch Kids, just a bunch of treats I know you like. I'm so excited for you to get it because I know it's not like you can throw a party over there, but I love you babe! I hope your birthday is not that bad! I miss you and I can't wait to see you soon! Happy Birthday!"

A week after Miguel's birthday (From Miguel to Sam)

"Hey babe." Miguel said as he sat down outside his barrack one night around a week after his birthday. "I just got the care package! Thank you so much, it's so AWESOME! Eli threatened to steal the cookies when I'm asleep and if he does, he and I are gonna have some problems! I've been here what feels like pretty much my entire life but it's only been like 3 and a half months so not off to the best start but I'm sure we'll make it through. Anyways, I love you, see you soon. Not soon enough."

5 and ¾ months into the deployment (From Miguel to Sam)…

"Hey babe!" Miguel exclaimed. He was in a great mood. He was nearly halfway done with his deployment. Halfway on his journey to finally getting back home and seeing Sam again. "Almost halfway done! Can't wait to get home to you! I love you so much. See ya!"

Thanksgiving (From Sam to Miguel)...

"Hey, Miguel!" Sam smiled at the camera, but the smile did nothing to mask the sadness and loneliness she was feeling inside. "I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty hard around the holidays with everyone being with their significant other and you're not here. I know it's gonna go quick. Everyone's like 'It's gonna be over before you know it!' but IT DOESN'T FRICKIN' FEEL LIKE IT! I'm being so dramatic, I know! It just sucks, that's all. Babe, I love you. I hope they're getting you really fat over there and are giving you a lot of food. I miss you and I hope you have the best day. I can't wait to see you soon!"

Sam blew a kiss at the camera and turned it off…

Thanksgiving (From Miguel to Sam)...

"Happy Thanksgiving, babe!" Miguel said as he recorded himself while walking back from dinner that night. "Don't worry about me, they definitely fed us well. I'm so stuffed I can barely move! Guess I'll catch you next Thanksgiving. I love you so much. I'll see you soon!"

11 and a half months into the deployment (From Miguel to Sam)...

Miguel slumped to the ground as he sat at the base and recorded the video. He was NOT calling with good news. The opposite. Although he was physically in good health and he hadn't been injured, his mind and well-being had just been delivered a MASSIVE uppercut. The news was awful, and now he had to do the painful job of delivering it to Sam.

"Hey, babe." Miguel mumbled into his camera. "So, I, um… I just found out that I'm getting extended here for another two weeks because of some big thing that's happening in the embassy. So that just sucks a whole lot. I mean, I'm trying my best to stay positive here but it's like impossible. I guess I'm at least blessed that my role in this event that's happening is basically to be 300 yards away from everything, so I won't be in the line of fire and I'll be safe. But other than that, I think it all pretty much sucks. It's getting really hard. I love you very much and I miss you so much and I'll be home soon. Just not as soon as we originally thought."

The next day (From Sam to Miguel)...

Sam's heart shattered into a million pieces as she listened to Miguel's message. Tears immediately streamed down her face as she sobbed. She had been clinging to the fact that Miguel was coming home in just two weeks to keep her sanity, and to hear that he was being extended was killing her. She forced herself to turn on her camera immediately. She wanted to record a message at that moment. Although Miguel was an extremely emotionally aware person and he knew everything she was going through, Sam knew that many people in the world didn't realise the hardships not only the soldiers go through, but their significant others go through too.

"You were due to come home in 12 days." She cried, tears still rolling down her cheeks. "I can't believe they're freezing you over there and they're forcing you to stay for longer! I knew that those cruel dickheads would do that! 12 days... we were almost there! 11 and a half months done! I know they're saying that you're only pushed out for two weeks, but I have a bad feeling that you're going to have to stay for longer."

Sam cried some more, using the sleeve of the shirt to attempt to dry the stream of tears that were leaking out of her eyes. She forced herself to continue though.

"If they try to extend you even longer, I want you to show them this video. People don't see this part, and the sacrifice…" Sam's voice broke again as she trailed off into more sobs. "I miss you so much, babe! I'm staying strong for you. Well… as strong as possible. I love you and I hope that you get to come home soon!"

The week before Miguel is due to come home (From Sam to Miguel)...

Two out of the final four weeks of Miguel's deployment went by and there were no further talks about Miguel being forced to stay longer. Sam was starting to get more and more hopeful. Maybe she could indeed get her boyfriend home in time for Christmas! It was the end of the first week of December at this point, and as things stood, Miguel was due to come home on December 22nd! Not long to go! They were planning to spend Christmas in L.A as they were planning to finally meet each other's families that holiday. It would be a big step for their relationship. In addition, Miguel hadn't seen his family in person in 4 years and he desperately wanted to see them.

"Hi, babe! Day 3 of your shitty two week extension. Christmas break has just started. I miss you SO much and I just wish you were here with me. Yeah, I just miss you so much. I love you so much. I swear I've said 'so much' like a million times in this recording but I just love you that much! I miss you! I can't wait to see you! And I hope that you're staying safe out there and I hope you're coming home soon! I love you thiiiiiiiiiis much!" She exclaimed, spreading her arms wide in a cute gesture. "And I will see you… shortly!"

Two weeks later…

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Miguel shot out of his bed as his alarm clock rang that morning, exactly one year and 2 weeks after he first arrived in Afghanistan. 42 missions, 2 Silver Stars and 1 Bronze Star later, Miguel had finally completed his year abroad and he was going back home to his country, his family, Sam. Sam… Sam had been absolutely incredible over the past year. Although the year was undoubtedly tough for her and she had let her feelings known to him when she was upset, she had still been an extremely supportive, caring girlfriend. He couldn't wait to see her again! He had dreamed about her every night for a year, and he couldn't believe the day had finally arrived!

Miguel leapt out of his bottom bunk and threw on his jacket, before roughly shaking Eli awake.

"DUDE! DUDE! GET UP! WE'RE GOING HOME!" Miguel exclaimed. Eli was awake shortly after, almost as excited as Miguel about going home. The two, after going for a run and then taking a shower, spent the next couple of hours getting officially signed out of the Kandahar base. They had been exemplary soldiers. Miguel and Eli were Battle Buddies. All that meant was that they were assigned together on every single mission, and if one of them were transferred for whatever reason, the other would have to come too. They were okay with that though. They were best friends, so that made things a lot better. In addition, what Miguel and Eli thrived at most was sniper missions. In every sniper mission, one of them would be the sniper, and the other would be the spotter. The sniper's job would be just to stare down the scope of the gun and shoot. The spotter had the harder job - in charge of finding, watching, and assigning targets, checking the wind and weather and informing the sniper of it, and also watching to see whether the shot hit or missed the target. For this, the spotter was equipped with an insanely powerful telescope. Needless to say, Miguel and Eli made an extremely effective team.

Lieutenant Anderson met the two soldiers at the runway. He wasn't going home yet, but he wanted to say goodbye to his troops. The two had done AMAZING work in Afghanistan. Whether it be taking down opium distributions, eliminating terrorists, rescuing hostages… you name it, they had done it.

"Hey, guys." Anderson said to them, as the two guys threw their duffel bags into the cargo section of the airplane. The two men nodded at their boss.

"Hey. You miss us already?" Eli asked, gleefully. Anderson shook his head.

"You think too much of yourself, Moskowitz." He remarked. "No, I just wanted to thank you guys for the excellent work you have done over the past year."

"I'M NOT STAYING LONGER!" Miguel exclaimed before Anderson could finish his sentence. The Lieutenant chuckled.

"Don't worry. You've more than paid your dues here. I literally just wanted to thank you for your service, and although neither of you are retiring anytime soon, know that if you ever need a reference for any future jobs or even a promotion for this one, I'll write you amazing references."

"Thanks, sir." Miguel said, and both soldiers shook hands with their officer, before getting onto the plane. As the plane took off, Miguel had a massive goofy grin on his face. He was going home! He was seeing Sam again in less than 10 hours…

I got a couple of questions asking whether the story is based solely around Miguel, or around both Miguel and Sam. Unlike the other stories I've written, this one, when they are apart, is based around both of their respective perspectives.

One more thing, I know the story sounds overly cheerful right now. Trust me, a LOT of drama and action ensues in both Miguel's job, as well as his relationship with Sam