Disclaimer: The Rat Patrol is not my property. They come out to play sometimes, then I send them home.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

By Suzie2b

Charley had a craving. For some reason she had started thinking about the grilled cheese sandwiches her Aunt Emily used to make for her and her dad. After wandering the market with no luck finding what she wanted, Charley headed for the mess hall.

Sergeant John Alexander—better known as "Cookie"—caught Charley rummaging through his kitchen. He looked at her with the patented frown he normally bestowed on everyone within his sight and said, "Hungry?"

Charley closed the cupboard and stood there guiltily with a loaf of sliced white bread. "Hi, John. I … um … have a craving."

"For an entire loaf of my bread?"

Charley smiled at the head cook. "I want to make a grilled cheese sandwich."

The sergeant raised his eyebrows. "Okay. I can make you one…"

"No offence … but I want one like my Aunt Em used to make. In a black iron skillet. All toasty and gooey."

John finally broke into one of his rare smiles. "I got it." He put a brick of Velveeta cheese, a stick of butter and the bread in a cloth bag. "Need a pan?"

Charley grinned. "Nope. Got one." She took the bag and said, "Thanks, I really appreciate this."

"Just bring the leftovers back."

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Charley was happily on her way home, daydreaming of the grilled cheese sandwich she was going to make, when she heard a familiar voice call her name. When she turned, she saw four of her favorite people walking towards her. "Hi, guys! How'd your patrol go?"

Hitch looked disappointed. "Boring. I wish we'd get a real assignment."

Tully kissed Charley on the cheek and took the bag. "What's this?"

Charley said, "I got a craving for a grilled cheese sandwich."

Moffitt smiled. "Wouldn't Sergeant Alexander make you one?"

"Oh, he offered. But I want to do it the way my aunt used to do it for me."

Troy grinned. "A grilled cheese sandwich. I haven't had one of those in a long time."

Tully looked in the cloth bag and said, "Looks like there's plenty here. Why don't you all join us?"

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At their apartment, Tully took the two burner stove off the shelf and Moffitt got the well-seasoned black iron skillet that sat next to it.

Charley handed a pitcher to Hitch along with the key to the bathroom. "Water please."

After water was heated in the kettle for tea, coffee was brewed in the small metal pot while the first two grilled cheese sandwiches cooked in the pan. When the bread was perfectly toasted and the cheese melted to perfection, Charley served them to Troy and Moffitt while Tully put two more in the pan.

Moffitt took a bite of the gooey goodness and said after he swallowed, "A grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tea. I believe I'm in heaven."

Troy held up his coffee in an appreciative salute. "This is great, Charley. Thanks."

When Hitch got his sandwich, he chewed and nodded as he wiped cheese off the corner of his mouth with his fingers. "Mmmm!"

Tully took his sandwich and gave Charley a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks, sweetheart."

Charley said, "But you haven't tried it yet."

Tully grinned. "With the noises these three are making I don't need to. But you can bet I will."

Charley happily ate her beloved grilled cheese sandwich, savoring every bite as she started a second batch in the pan.

Later, after they'd all eaten their fill and drained the coffee pot and tea kettle, Charley made one last sandwich. Then she and Tully walked to the mess hall.

Charley went back into the kitchen to find Cookie. She presented him with a grilled cheese sandwich neatly wrapped in plastic. "Sorry, John, there weren't any leftovers, but I did manage this for you. You should eat it while it's still warm."