Chapter Text
“I need to go,” -he says- “to a place where everything is black and white, where I know what the right thing is.”
And it was true, it really was. He wasn’t really rejoining the army, getting re-enlisted would never even cross his mind. He feels like he was sabotaging himself, with that lie, because no one who really knew him could ever possibly believe it. But Hailey did. He tried not to resent her for it. Not to listen to the snarky voice in his head that reminds him of someone who would not buy it for more than a second. The rest of the unit had been too shocked to even consider it. He suspects Voight knows, he always does. Perhaps it was the fact he had left his ring in the apartment he once shared with Hailey. Perhaps the fact that he knew he wouldn’t ever consider deploying to a place if Mouse wasn’t there. He still doesn’t say anything. Even as he offers him a ride to the airport, or when he gets in the car not wearing his uniform and with a bag way too big for deployment. He silently rides with him, understanding this is what he truly needs to do. Voight says goodbye with a nod -perhaps forever? he doesn’t know- as he leaves the car and walks towards the sign reading domestic flights. While sitting in the plane, staring out the window to the city that has been his home his whole life, he wonders if this is the right choice. He thinks back to his brother, how he had given him the keys to his old apartment, with a knowing look. He spends hours in his head, second guessing himself as the scenery through the window changes. As he finally sees the buildings from afar, he knows this was the right choice. He smiles -his first real smile in oh so long- once he’s off the plane, suitcase in hand and walking off the arrivals gate in JFK. His smile is met by another, one he has missed for years now, one he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to see again. She waves hello, as if this was the most normal thing in the world, as if he wasn’t supposed to be on his way to South America. He waves back, walking straight to her, a voice in his head thanking Voight for always being so right, for always knowing what was going on. He feels as if the weight of all his choices, all his demons that had been chasing him back in Chicago had left him. He feels as if he’s finally home. He has never been sure of much in his life, but of this he was certain: the right thing for him, his home, would always be Erin.