August 5, 2012
They really had enjoyed their time at the hotel, but when the reservation was up, they'd moved their reunion to Rachel's apartment. It seemed all too surreal to him: the fact that they'd gotten engaged, broken off the engagement, and gotten engaged for a second time in the span of a year was crazy to him. But they were crazy, and he was crazy about her. There was no point not to try.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He didn't want to move from his spot on the bed, Rachel still deep asleep. The sun had just started to rise, and even though he couldn't see it very well out her window, he knew it was beautiful. The phone didn't stop ringing though, and he knew he had to answer it.
He carefully separated himself from Rachel, trying to not wake her up. She was sleeping so peacefully, and all he wanted was to rejoin her in slumber. Picking up the phone, he answered it with a quick statement of, "Hudson."
"Private Hudson, we have your base assignment. You need to report to Red River Army Depot in Hooks, Texas on August 6, 2012, at 0900," the woman on the other end of the phone told him.
"Clear, ma'am." He hung up the phone, not ready to say goodbye. He didn't want to tell Rachel yet either. However, he knew he had to, sooner than later. Probably as soon as she woke up. Setting the phone back down, he rejoined her in bed, pulling her close. He wasn't ready to book that flight. He really didn't want to leave her again.
It didn't take long for him to notice her waking up, kissing softly along her neck. She shifted in his arms, pressing against him with a content sigh.
"I could get used to this," she told him. He could hear the smile.
"I'm flying to Texas today," he replied. As much as he could get used to this, as much as he wanted more time, he knew they didn't have any more. The Army didn't work that way unfortunately. She turned in his arms to face him.
"So soon?" The look on her face caused him to sigh softly, kissing her softly. This was the last thing he wanted, to leave her. But he had to go and she had to stay.
"I'll try and visit if I get a weekend off. And you'll come visit during holidays. Just think of it this way, okay? It's like we're going to different colleges. My contract is up in four years, you'll be done with NYADA in four years, and then we'll decide what to do from there."
"But you're not going to college, Finn. You're in the Army, and I'm going to worry every day. What if something happens?" She always worried, but he wouldn't let himself think like that. It was football over again.
"Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise. I need to book my flight, and then we'll do whatever you want until I have to go to the airport." He just wanted to spend these last few hours with her. He knew the definite soonest to see her was Thanksgiving, and that seemed like an eternity away.
"Anything?" He knew that tone of voice and smirk. Thank God Santana and Kurt were out for the day.
When the time came, they got dressed again, Finn grabbing his bag. They didn't say anything during the cab ride to the airport or when they got out of the cab. He checked in at the kiosk, walking to security. This was where they had to say goodbye.
"I swear to God, Finn Hudson, I will kill you myself if you don't come back safe, okay?" she warned him. All he could do was smile at how adorable she was.
"I promise, I'll stay safe. I love you." He leaned down, kissing her as her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him close.
"I love you more. Call me every day. I don't care how late it is." He nodded. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too. But we're going to see each other soon." He knew they would. Because she was going to come visit during holidays, and he'd try to make it to New York during a weekend if he could. This wasn't goodbye, he had to remind himself. This was see you later.
December 8, 2012
Finn started his day off like any other, checking his phone for any messages from Rachel. She sent something everyday, but nothing showed up. He reminded himself that it was only six in the morning, she was probably still asleep. So, he took the initiative, sending her a goodmorning text before getting dressed.
It had been three weeks since she'd come down and visited during Thanksgiving holiday. He hadn't had the time to go up there since August though, as much as it pained him. But his days off were scattered and never back to back. She had surprised him a couple of times in those months though, even though their time was very limited during those visits. Her visits were what kept him sane. As well as his mom's who'd tried to make it down at least once a month.
He finished getting dressed, trying not to wake him roommate who'd had the day off. He was a nice guy, but it was different. Afterall, he was no Puck. Finn really did miss his friends, even though they'd kept in touch. The last time he'd seen Puck in person was at the train station when he let Rachel go, the same with most of his friends in Ohio. He'd left almost right away for basic training.
"Listen up," the Sergeant told them during PT. "We are being mobilized for deployment. We will have training every day, you will all be briefed tomorrow, and physicals will begin. You will have one day off before deployment. I suggest telling your families this date to say goodbye. Now, onto training details..." Finn zoned out for a moment, trying to process.
He'd been here for two months and they were already being deployed? He must have had the worst luck. Or he'd done something in a past life for the universe to hate him. What was worse was the fact he had to tell Rachel. Oh, God. Rachel was going to kill him. She was going to go crazy and kill him for getting into this situation. Not to mention his mom. They were going to tag team his death, he knew it. He needed to see Rachel before he left, there was so much he needed to say to her before he left.
He had joined for many reasons. To restore honor to the Hudson name. To serve and protect his country. To feel like he had a purpose again, which he finally felt like he'd found it. Was he terrified? Absolutely. He'd be insane to not be terrified. But he was also excited, as horrible as it sounded. He wanted to show that he was worth something, that he could do this. He wanted to show himself that he could do this, to prove once and for all that he wasn't a Lima Loser.
The rest of the day dragged on. They'd began their training. They were being briefed tomorrow. He had to call Rachel, which was exactly what he'd done when he got back to his room. It was much later than it usually was. Glancing at his phone, he saw he had several missed calls from Rachel. It was now or never, and he wasn't about to start hiding things from her. He felt like he was in high school all over again, scared to admit the truth to Rachel.
He sat on his bed, picking up the phone and hitting the dial button. He had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself before she answered.
"Finn," she answered. Even through the phone, he could tell she was smiling.
"I know it's late, Rach. We've been busy all day. God, I miss you," he admitted, leaning back on the bed. He really did, wanted to do nothing but see her.
"Sounds like something's on your mind. What is it?" How could she read him so well? He took another deep breath, trying to maintain his composure.
"I'm being deployed." It was so hard to say. It was even harder to hear the sharp intake of breath from the other side of the phone. He sat in silence, waiting for some kind of response.
"When? Why? Finn, you told me you'd be safe!" Her voice gradually raised until she was yelling at him. "God, Finn! Don't you ever think?"
"Rachel," he said as she continued her tirade. "Rachel!" he said more forcefully until she finally stopped. "I know this isn't what you want to hear. It isn't what I want to hear either. But it is what it is. And I'll be back before you know it." She could hear her sniffling, knowing she was probably crying. "I have a day off right before deployment. The thirteenth. I know it's a Thursday and you probably have class-"
"I'll be there, okay. I don't care about missing class," she assured him with a shaking voice. He really didn't know what he'd done to deserve her. They spent the next hour talking about her day, trying to ignore the looming reality that he was leaving again. And they didn't know if he was coming back.