Forward operating base
Back at the FOB, Major Beck has flown in for the debrief and after action report. He's aware of the role the platoon's medic has played in the mission and is intrigued to meet him, and to see if he is anything like his distinguished, but arrogant, uncle. He also doesn't really need much of an excuse to check-in on his favourite Captain.
He addresses 2 Section, "Good work today. All of you. You did your platoon proud. Everyone happy?
"Sir!"
"Private James, high likelihood of mention in Dispatches….. heard from Bastion and without your excellent care the doctors say there's no way the insurgent would have survived."
"Sir. Thank you, Sir but I was just doing my job."
Beck considers this response and decides this man is nothing like the Brigadier, who would never, at any point in his career, have been so modest.
Beck looks at Molly and notes she is staring at Private James and smiling broadly. Whilst he expects her to be proud of her medic, he's not entirely convinced that there isn't something more than pride in her eyes and smile. He wonders if there is something else going on. He makes a mental note to keep a closer eye on things at the FOB. He knows that being on tour is intense and soldiers often form close bonds with each other, which is important and an expected part of Army life. But he's also seen what happens when those bonds become an inappropriate attachment. He's not going to let Molly make any mistakes which could affect her meteoric rise in the Army or reflect badly on him as her CO.
-OG-
Molly is sat on the bed in the med tent whilst Charles puts a couple of stitches in her forehead.
"Boss…. I can't believe Bashira's father wasn't one of the six insurgents. I really thought he was Taliban."
"Yer work has been above and beyond, James."
"What the intel, or saving the insurgent?"
"Both." She knows what he is going to say next, and cuts him off as he starts. "And before you say 'I was just doing my job', I mean it, it takes a fair bit to impress me."
He knows she's being sincere, but tries to play it down and he can't help banter with her. "So, I'm clearly winning you round with my incredible charm and magnetism Boss?".
She's defeated and just laughs happily.
-OG-
Later that afternoon Smurf arrives back at the FOB.
Molly announces his arrival to the rest of the section. "Look who it is, our very own number one, Welsh wanker."
Molly and Charles look on whilst the lads run over, hug him and cheer. He makes some lewd comment about his rusty bullet hole and there is more good-natured banter with the lads.
After a little while, Smurf comes over to join Molly & Charles.
She starts, "Good to 'ave you back Smurf."
"I can't tell you how glad I am to be back, Boss. I won't let you down again."
She doesn't need to say anything, just looks at him sternly. He understands and nods.
"You was lucky it was just a flesh wound. But havin' said that with the amount of blood you lost you would have died if it weren't for our medic."
Smurf looks at Charles, who is feeling slightly awkward at the way this conversation is going, and nods.
"I know that Boss."
"And more importantly, he risked his life to save yours."
"I made a mistake, but I'll prove my worth and make it up to you both."
She nods at him, signalling the end of the conversation and calls out to the others.
"As if "The Smurfoid Returns" wasn't treat enough, can I remind you that tomorrow night it's 2 Section's turn to lay on the entertainment."
There are some groans from the lads and Baz pipes up "We still doing that?"
"Yes. Now, I will be singin' a duet so I need one male volunteer."
Smurf proudly puffs out his chest and prepares to be chosen. He knows exactly what song Captain Dawes is going to perform, as she says it is her all-time favourite, and she sang it every day throughout pre-deployment training, finding it very amusing to get him to sing the female part. She looks around dramatically at the lads making a big play of deciding who to select. He is stunned and shocked when instead of looking at him, she lands her eyes on Charles Bloody James, "James, lovely. And can I just say, that I will sing with such majesty that the Corps of Army Music will be practically beggin' me to swell their ranks."
The lads are sniggering and humming an unidentifiable tune. Charles realises he's the only person not in on this joke and asks, "What song? What's going on?". She hands him the song lyrics and winks at him mischievously. The lads respond with more sniggering, all except Smurf who looks on in stony silence.
-OG-
Thank you for the continued comments and feedback. I'm so glad yer enjoyin' the story so far ;-). I know the chapters are on the short side, but they feel right for following the events of S1. I know my actual writing doesn't have the depth of some of the wonderful writers on this site, but I'm more of an ideas person and besides, I don't do perfect. Anyway, I've just had a week of R&R so have more chapters written and will be updating daily to keep the story moving forward, but allowing time to build in your feedback. I think I've found ways to weave in most of the key moments and exchanges into my alternative telling of S1... so please keep reading and commenting :-)