For dailyjanoskianimagin thank you for requesting! Probably the longest imagine so far, hope you like it.
"You really have to leave me?" JJ asked you with pleading eyes.
"I need to do this." You told him, holding him close.
You nodded your head in effort to hold in your bitter tears while getting in to the car, you two didn't know what to say to each other.
"Nicole?" He called before you shut the car door.
"Yes?" You asked, your voice cracking.
"Please, don't get hurt over there." He asked, locking his eyes with yours.
"I'll return to you, somehow. That I promise."
He smiled weakly as you shut the door.
It hurt like hell, but you knew you had to do it. Your mission in life was to fight for those who have no voice, the armed forces, the Army.
Afghanistan was far away after all, miles and miles and miles from home. but it was JJ you were worried about.
• 5 months •
You impatiently waited for your turn to video chat, you hadn't seen your husbands face in over three months, there wasn't exactly a lot of free time.
"Nicole, you're up."
You took a seat on the splintered stool and tried to compose yourself. You had seen more these past few months than some see in their entire lifetime. You were over worked and sleep deprived, but you wanted to be sure JJ didn't notice this.
"Nicole!" JJ's smile light up the screen.
Your heart sank at the sight of him, he looked just as miserable as you.
"I have really missed talking to you." You admit.
"You look tired, are you being safe? Are they treating you right?" He fired these questions off at you, but you were too tired to hear them.
"I'm fine." You responded stifling a yawn.
"God only knows the mess I'd be without you, I've been worrying myself sick about you."
This was honestly the last thing you wanted to hear. At the academy, they never teach you how to deal with the family members you leave behind.
"Please don't worry about me." You asked, with a begging expression.
He ran his hand through his hair, "I couldn't help it if I wanted to."
"5 minutes." You CO informed you, peaking her head into the tent.
"How is football going?" You hated not being there for him during the season.
"Coach benched me." He told you, and for the first time since the chat started, he wasn't looking into your eyes.
"What? Why?" You asked.
He didn't answer, but you knew what was eating him.
"I don't want this to affect you." You explained.
"How?" He practically barked.
"Well...." You searched for words, but you couldn't find them.
"Do you know what it's like, to wake up every morning, terrified that the only person you care about it gone?"
You closed your eyes, maybe in shame, or guilt, either way his words hit you.
"Things are tough now, I know that. But I'm coming back to you."
He sighed, "you'd better."
"Times up, Nicole." The CO informed you.
"I love you, Justin."
He smiled weakly, "I love you, more than you'll ever know." He replied simply.
• 2 weeks •
"Watt!"
JJ jogged off field, "Coach I know I'm not very focused, but please don't bench me again." He pleaded taking his helmet off.
"It's your wife."
JJ froze, "w-what's wrong?" He asked barely above a whisper.
"She's injured, but she'll be okay. The only thing they would tell us is that she's on her way home."
"I have to go." And just like there was no game going on, JJ ran off the field as fast as he could, to go to you.
"Nicole!" JJ yelled meeting you at the airport. He looked you up and down, and his eyes glossed over, "Nicole." He said with a softer tone.
You had shattered your arm in a bad car explosion, although you were one of the lucky ones, it didn't feel that way.
"You're never leaving my sight again." He told you, picking up your bags.
• 3 months •
Things were different, your marriage fell back into place and your arm had healed but your mind had not.
"Great game!" You hugged your husband once he emerged out of the locker room.
"I finally feel like myself again." He admitted.
You piled into his car.
"You know you have a chance at the playoffs if you guys keep this up." You told him starring out the window.
"We need to step up offensively. Where do you want to go tonig--" Your phone started ringing, therefore cutting JJ off.
"Hello?" You asked trying to make sure JJ didn't hear who was calling.
"Thursday?" You asked, confirming the information.
"Who was that?" JJ asked about 3 seconds after you hung up.
"I have to leave on Thursday." You told him.
He pulled the car over, "To go where?" His jaw was clenched.
"Back to Afghanistan." You said timidly.
"There's no way I'm letting you go back there!" He shouted, starling you.
You scoffed, "It's my civil duty, and it's not up to you!"
He broke down, "Nicole, I can't lose you, last time-- last time was too close!"
"Look at me! I'm fine!" You shouted turning to him.
"This time! What about next time?" He asked tears brimming his eyes.
"What about the millions dying over there, everyday?"
He punched the steering wheel, "damnit Nicole! I don't love them, I love you!"
You were crying now, "You know that you can't stop me." You cried, your vision blurred.
"Nicole I'm begging you." He cried, his voice cracking.
"I have to."
"When will you be home?" He asked finally turning to you.
"When the mission I'm on loses its meaning, I'll be home."
He held your hand, "Nicole, I can't wait forever."
"Neither can the people who are suffering."
He wiped his tears, "You don't owe them anything."
"You have to set me free to find my calling, and I'll return to you, somehow."
