After driving around for a few hours, Scott and his boys went to the dining hall and joined Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe, Assam, and Rosehip for the evening meal. Much to Joshua's amusement, Scott ended up sat next to Darjeeling and Stan ended up next to Pekoe. Joshua nudged his brother and the look Foster gave him told him all he needed to know, he also found it amusing. However, there was little time to digest it as Scott opened the conversation, "Darjeeling, what would you say to a little friendly training competition, your tanks against our Centurion?"

Darjeeling raised an eyebrow, "What do you have in mind?" she asked.

Scott shrugged, "I figured that perhaps, at the minimum, what you had against Ooarai would be good. I mean the Matildas and the Churchill will struggle."

Rosehip was confused, "What are you talking about?"

Joshua interjected, "The Matildas are using the 2 pounder with the Littlejohn Mk II?" he asked, to which Darjeeling nodded, "And the Churchill is using the Quick-Firing 75mm?" again, Darjeeling nodded, "There you have it. Records show that the 2 lber at one kilometre has an average pen of 79mm whilst the QF75mm has 63mm at the same distance, compare that to the fact that the Centurion has anywhere from 51 to 152mm of armour and a gun that can punch right through your armour on the Matildas and the Churchill's anywhere but the front."

Scott rolled his eyes, "Josh, you know that engagements for Senshadou rarely exceed thirty metres or so, but that wasn't what I was talking about, we're a good deal faster than your tanks Darjeeling, and even if you decided to use the Crusaders then we've still got the advantage off-road," suddenly a thought came to him, "Darjeeling, I understand you've got somewhat of a speed demon on the team."

Darjeeling smirked and Rosehip blushed, "Yes I do indeed."

Scott nodded, "Good, because I've got a spare Comet A34 coming with the other boys, she can top out at about 32 miles an hour, and a better gun to boot."

Rosehip's eyes sparkled, but the boys looked at him oddly, "Milord? Where did they find a spare to send?" Foster asked.

Scott simply said, "Bovington." and all the boy's faces lit up.

Foster spoke up, "Is your sister coming as well?"

Scott nodded and they cheered, but then Scott pointed at Foster, "For God's sake man, tell Jasmine how you feel, else you'll have more to worry about than just the tank."

Foster turned the colour of tomatoes as the others shared a laugh at his expense. "Try doing it yourself," He muttered.

Scott simply looked at his driver, before looking down and sighing, "I may not know what it is like to hold your heart in your hands, being vulnerable in that way, and go before someone who has the potential to shatter it, but I do know the pain of waiting too long to say something. It is that pain I wish to spare both you and my sister, for when they say that a 'death by a thousand cuts' is the worst pain one can feel, I feel as though they have never been in love before but been too scared to say anything and so the person of their affections found their own person, leaving them with a broken heart to which they must pick up the pieces. Alone." he whispered.

At that, Scott stood and left, without touching any of his food. Joshua's palm made contact with his forehead, "Bugger, I thought we have gotten past this point months ago."

Darjeeling was concerned, "Lieutenant? What are you talking about?"

Joshua sighed, and mentally debated with himself, "I normally shouldn't and wouldn't mention this," then he looked at Darjeeling and saw a myriad of emotions playing on her face before continuing, "Several years ago, Scott was good friends with a girl, I can't for the life of me remember her name, but something happened a few years ago and she became cold and distant, and because of that, Scott slowly lost touch with her. From what he's told me, he was heartbroken at losing her friendship, but with what he said just now, I suspect he felt something more for her." he then sighed, "Anytime that the boys ever joked about her, Scott would up and leave. He had been getting better, even seemed to be 'healed' if that is the right term for it, but it seems not."

A few moments passed before Darjeeling rose and grabbed both her and Scott's trays. "Where are you going?" Asked Assam.

Darjeeling simply stated, "Someone has to look after him in that state he is in." before leaving the hall herself.

A stunned silence came over the group before Assam broke it, "I was right it seems, she is his and he is hers."

Joshua nodded, "I could see that when we sat down, Scott has never sat by anyone if he could help it, and normally he would sit between me and my brother if he couldn't. This time though, he went straight for Darjeeling. He is, from my perspective, hoping for a strong friendship at the very least, but I think it more likely that he is smitten with her."

Foster nodded and spoke up, "Now the challenge will be to get both of them to see it and, more importantly, act upon it."

Rosehip smirked and Assam got a glint in her eye, "Leave Darjeeling to us, we have a plan."

Joshua raised an eyebrow, "Let's hear it then," he said.

Rosehip, though, shook her head, "Not here," She whispered, "Too many ears."

Joshua shrugged, "Garage then? It should be empty about now."

The girls nodded and they stood, but Pekoe and Stanley remained sitting. Rosehip was about to say something when Joshua shook his head, "Let's see where this goes," He whispered. And so they left Stan and Pekoe in the hall.

Down several halls, Darjeeling ran into Scott in his office, looking over the grounds. At first, she thought that maybe he hadn't heard her enter, but when she set the trays on a table surrounded by chairs, he spoke, startling her, "'Oh! What a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive.' sometimes the deception is so good you start to believe it yourself."

Darjeeling quirked her head, "Sir Walter Scott's Marmion, is it not?"

Scott turned, a surprised look on his face, "Why yes it is. I see you're a student of culture Darjeeling."

She just shrugged, "Those who forget the past, are doomed to repeat it."

"George Santayana, impressive. Not many of our generation listen to his teachings." he sighed, before walking over to the plush chairs and taking one and gesturing for her to do the same. His hand were folded in a way that screamed tense, but what struck Darjeeling was the solitary tear running down his cheek, soon Scott began to speak again, "I'm guessing Joshua told you and the girls a portion of the story?"

Darjeeling nodded, "Yes, though he couldn't remember her name."

Scott looked away, "That's not surprising, considering I never told him." much to his surprise, he felt a hand on his and saw Darjeeling offering her support. Needing to grasp reality in some way as to not get lost in memories, he clasped his around her's and continued, "Her name will probably surprise you, but years ago, I had fallen for Nonna, but after the fight with Kuromorimine during the 62nd National High School Senshadou Tournament, she distanced herself and changed so much that I could not recognise her." he then sighed, "It was painful, but I have come to terms with things and am moving on with my life. I just can't bear to see another person in that position."

Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb had gone off in Darjeeling's head, "That explains things then, I was wondering why she seemed more distant last year."

Scott nodded, "She was ashamed at the victory she had won for Pravda and when Kuromorimine rejected the offer of a rematch that Katyusha suggested. Well, I think that is when I lost any chance of getting through to her as she started to treat most people with contempt. Well, all but Katyusha that is."

Darjeeling shook her head, "I'm so sorry Scott, I may not know even a portion of your pain, but I hope that I can be someone that you will come to trust enough to help carry some of that burden."

Scott shook his head, "No," he said, "This burden I carry is too much for anyone to see." he paused, more tears slipped out of his eyes but he soon spoke again, "When someone hears of even half of my troubles, the suggestion of committing me to an institute is bandied about, so I've kept mum on it."

Darjeeling shook her head, before looking Scott in the eyes, "Sometimes the stronger man is not the one that keeps everything in, but the one who allows others to see and share the troubles he has."

Scott sighed, "Perhaps you are right, I've just…" he said before they were interrupted by a knock on the door. And just like that, they separated from each other. "It's open!" Scott hollered while trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

Much to their surprise, Stanley and Orange Pekoe entered the office, "Apologies Captain, but I can't find any of the boys and I had thought that maybe they had come up here." Stan said.

Scott furrowed his brows, deep in thought when Orange Pekoe spoke as well, "And I couldn't find any of the girls."

This time Darjeeling furrowed her brows, but before either of them could say anything, Stan suddenly thought of something, "Garage maybe?"

Scott sighed, "Probably Stan, just as they are probably raising all sorts of hell.," he turned to Darjeeling, "Shall we go with them and sort this out?"

Darjeeling nodded and they took off.

Meanwhile, in the garages, Rosehip and Assam were explaining their plan to Joshua and Foster. Both of whom were having a hard time believing that it was the best they could come up with, "Look, we're not saying it's a bad plan. In fact, with Pekoe and Stan, it will probably work, but you two don't know the lord like we do, he would see through it in a heartbeat and then we'd be set back to square one." Joshua was saying.

Rosehip was adamant though, "Come on, sending Pekoe and Stanley on a date with supervision from the commanders would work if they're not told that the other is coming!"

Foster shook his head, "Bloody hell, the Captain would figure it out, his deduction skills are on par with Sherlock Holmes. There is no hiding anything from him." he said before his face turned pink, "I should know." he finished.

Rosehip shook her head, "And that is why neither of you would persuade him, Assam would take care of Darjeeling while I get the Captain on board."

Joshua sighed, he didn't think that it would work, but was willing to humour them, "Alright, we'll try it your way first, then if that doesn't work, we'll come up with something else."

"So, I suppose, we should probably talk about something else, just in case." Rosehip remarked, then something came to mind, "Actually, I'm curious, how are you able to get a Centurion into Senshadou? I thought it was too modern to be used."

Joshua smirked, "The laws of the Senshadou state that any tank in production or service prior to August of '45 may be used, well, the Centurion entered service in May of '45, so it just makes the deadline."

Soon Stan, Pekoe, Scott and Darjeeling entered the Garage where they found the girls showing the boys their Churchill VII. "Josh! Foster! What's going on!" Scott hollered.

Joshua turned to Scott, "Just showed the girls the Centurion and they've been showing us their tanks, Milord." he replied.

Scott was skeptical, "Forgive me if I don't believe you, considering you've got that same look about you as when you decided to try and surprise me with a birthday party and I played along, even though I figured it out rather quickly."

"Oi! I knew you were the worst person to plan that Josh!" Stan yelled.

Joshua shrugged, "Eh, I've learnt since then that I can't hide anything from you Milord, so I stopped trying."

Scott still seemed to doubt that was all they had done but came to accept it, "All right then," he said.

Assam spoke up, "Actually, you could answer one question for us."

Scott looked puzzled, "And that would be?"

Assam gestured to Joshua, "Well, you boys are from Yorkshire, are you not?"

Scott nodded, "Yes, our school is in Yorkshire," then a look of understanding came over him, "You're wondering why men from Yorkshire are dressed as a Scottish Napoleonic Regiment of Foot and Sir Arthur Wellesley?" to which all the girls nodded, and Scott grinned, "Well, the Halls are part Scottish, so Stan, not wanting to be left out, made the suggestion of wearing a Scottish Uniform, as for mine though, well, Wellington is a personal hero of mine."

The girls nodded and they continued to get to know each other until soon, Scott was left with Assam and Rosehip. It was then that they set their plan into motion, "Well, you were right to a degree earlier when you thought Joshua and us were up to something, but it didn't really involve you," Rosehip said.

Scott raised an eyebrow, "Continue."

Rosehip smirked, "You've seen Pekoe and your loader Stanley getting on famously," she said and Scott nodded, "Well, we thought that maybe a small push would be good for both of them."

Scott immediately caught on, "Are there any good places to go on a date on the ship?" he asked.

Assam smirked, all was going to plan, "Yes, there is an Italian restaurant, Mario's, it's down by your accommodations, they serve good food, and there are plenty of tables for you to be there but out of sight."

Scott nodded, then paused for a moment, "Do me a favour please, largely because I suspect you'd do this anyway, but, could you see about getting Darjeeling there, without telling her that I'll be there." he asked.

Rosehip was shocked and Assam spluttered, "What, how?" was all she could say.

Scott smirked, "Your face said it all, besides, I wouldn't mind getting to know Darjeeling better."

It took a little while for them to come out of their stupor, but when she did, Rosehip said, "You're smitten, aren't you!"

Scott merely shrugged, "I'll know the more I spend time with her."

Assam merely nodded and asked, "When shall we make the arraignments?"

Scott thought for a moment, "Today is Wednesday, make them for Friday, that at least gives us the weekend to die of humiliation should the worst happen."

Assam scoffed, "I highly doubt that would happen to either of you, but we'll make the arraignments."

Scott nodded and left the girls, little did they know, this simple date would have a far-reaching impact on everyone. Scott's internal clock sat at six and a half days…

Well Chapter two is down, I was kind of surprised at how quick I was able to pump this one out as is tends to take several weeks to get one out but I seem to have been hit with a wave of inspiration in regards to this story, I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I did writing it, though I might have created the worst problem for writers: So many ideas, not enough time in the day.

In response to reviews: Chosenshark YT: Perhaps, but all that I've seen so far has been the GuP series and Der Film and I don't think Assam really says anything so if I was exposed to more material where it was shown, then I would probably change my opinion, but alas, the most I see of her is in other FanFictions, though they will probably influence me significantly, also I glad you like this Fic. Guest of August 31: I had actually written the explanation a day or two before I saw your review, so I hope I've answered your concerns, oh and don't worry, Archibald will be taken care of, but he will pull an Icarus to some greater degree.

The next two reviews, I'm afraid I don't understand as they are in what I call "The Language of the Youth": 'Veri n1c3VFust0riyr' and 'Veri n1c3iy7st0ri4K', if someone could translate for me, I would greatly appreciate it as I believe that every review is important and I wish to acknowledge them.

That just about wraps it up for me, please Follow and/or Favourite this story, and leave a review too, when I see those number rise, it inspires me to write the next one just that much faster. Feel free to join my discord (Invite code: BSdFMH3) to help shape this and other stories, it currently sits at three members, not including myself.

Until next time: Panzer Vor!