A/N - Thanks again to those who are following this story and leaving reviews, glad everyone is enjoying it! I'm going to be graduating on tuesday, but I'm going to try and crack at least half a chapter out whilst I'm back at Uni. Hope you all enjoy this one!
The tranquil autumn air was broken by the approaching sound of a Rolls-Royce meteor mark III V12 engine, stirring up the fallen leaves and leaving them swirling in it's wake. The Comet sped over the muddy and wet St Gloriana training area, it's suspension and speed allowing it to avoid being stuck down. Inside the tank itself, Henry was grinning to himself. He'd finally been given the green light to get back into his vehicle after his accident, this euphoria was shared by the rest of his crew, who were all sporting the same, shit eating, grin as they sped across the fields of the Ark Royal.
Tim was fiddling with the radio until he found the channel he wanted, filling the enclosed interior with music. A fast and cheerful guitar solo started up, fitting the shared mood in the tank perfectly as they crested a particularly steep drop, causing whoops of joy to emit from the crew.
Lounging in his commander's seat in a casual woollen jumper and jeans, Henry flicked Tim on the ear in jest causing the Operator to scowl at him and the others to laugh.
"So what excuse did we come up with this time to get out?"
"Oh something about a history essay or something." Arthur flippantly replied.
"But…I'm the only one who takes history?" Henry quizzed him.
"Well that's your problem then." The Loader cheekily replied and chewed on some gum.
"Come to think of it…. Shit I have a deadline in two weeks." Henry rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Been too caught up in a certain blonde eh?" Arthur threw back at him.
"To be fair, it was three years in the making, plus he was in a coma for a week, gotta give him some points." Richie piped up from the driver's seat.
"Enough about my love life. How about Arthur and a certain someone eh? We all saw them the other week."
"Aye yep, good catch brother, not as good as mine of course, but pretty up there." Richard nudged Arthur gently in the side.
Arthur, flustered by the attention, scrambled his defences. "I don't know what you're all talking about!" his voice squeaked out, before he clasped a hand over his mouth as the rest of the crew chuckled at his expense.
"Aw look, he's got it bad- WHOH" Richie jerked the Comet to the left, avoiding a shell that landed where they had been, exploding and showering the area with mud.
Henry facepalmed, "Arthur….you did check that the girl's weren't training today right?"
"Ehm….yes?"
"Arthur…."
"Yes I did look!" Arthur opened his phone and showed Henry the girl's training schedule.
"Alright fine fine, Darling must have organised a training without scheduling it, Tim open the radio, Arthur load a shell, Richard find where that came from. Richie keep us from getting shot."
"Aye Sir!" Came the resounding response and Henry grinned 'Oh how I had missed this'
Tim tuned into the St Gloriana training station and began to pick up chatter from the other tanks on the field.
One voice came through – "Lady Darjeeling, unidentified tank on the field."
"What do you mean unidentified Cranberry?"
"Well, it's not a Matilda or a Crusader…."
Darjeeling's sigh was audible through the radio "Assam, please check with Richard where they are right now, don't worry Cranberry we'll handle it." The radio went silent.
"Uh oh."
"Alright, found the Crusader."
"Shell loaded!"
Henry smirked, "Well, they did fire first, take them out."
Richard smiled, "With pleasure Sir!" Taking a breath, he focused the scope on the Crusader that was hovering by the tree line, "On the way!" the shell casing bounced out of the Cannon breech as the Comet fired, hitting the Crusader dead on.
"Reloading!" Arthur quickly slammed another shell into the breech as the radio buzzed with life.
"Lady Darjeeling, we're down!"
"You're down?"
"Yes, the tank fired on us and we're out, apologies!"
Rosehip then intervened, "We'll take out this mystery tank! Don't worry!"
Henry sighed, "Tim, give me the mic." The Operator quietly handed Henry the microphone, as he pushed the transmit button.
"Hello Ladies."
"Hal? What on Earth are you doing out here?"
Richard's phone buzzed with a text message, then another as he glanced up to Henry, who just shook his head.
"Well we were enjoying a nice drive after lessons when we were shot at, don't suppose you know why you happen to be out here when the timetable is empty?"
"Well aren't you all meant to be doing a history project?"
"Darling, I am the only one who does history! You really shouldn't listen to Arthur"
"Well we weren't expecting anyone to be out here this afternoon, so I decided to host a session."
"Yes well some notice of that would've been bloody nice wouldn't have it!"
"Don't you dare lecture me! You with your stupid inability to control yourself when it comes to childish behaviour!"
Henry scowled, "Alright then Commander Darjeeling, we'll get out of your way. Might want to send a recovery truck for the Crusader."
"Wait Ha-"Henry put the radio down "Take us home please Richie."
The driver just nodded as the others in the tank looked hopelessly at Henry, who just sighed and put his head in his hands as the Comet revved up.
St Gloriana storage facility
"Oi Richard, hand me the spanner." Arthur's hand popped out from under the Comet as his brother rummaged through the tool kit and slid said item across the floor to him.
Tim and Richie were tinkering with the Comet's electrics, attempting to get a better signal from the radio, whilst Henry was no where to be seen as Darjeeling carefully slipped through the ajar double steel doors into the hanger.
Richard threw a glance her way before nudging Arthur with his foot, as Tim and Richie ignored her and continued with their work.
"He's not here." Arthur's voice echoed from under the Comet.
"Where is he?" Darjeeling's voice was timider than usual, her sapphire eyes flickering from each of the crew.
"Well we dropped him off at home, he was in a right dark mood. Grabbed some beers and locked himself upstairs, so good luck." Richie deadpanned from the turret.
"Right, ok…Sorry…" Darjeeling slipped back out again.
"You know he's going to hate us for telling her where he is don't you?" Arthur rolled out from under the tank and sat up.
"Yeah well, it's better they get it all out of their system now. You know, as arguments go, it's not that bad."
The others all nodded their agreement and turned back to their respective jobs.
Henry's Room
A couple of beer bottles held down the stacks of paper on Henry's desk as he clicked through his essay titles on his computer, none of them particularly stood out and he was hitting a brick wall with what he wanted to write. Pushing some of the empty bottles into his bin, and stacking some of the papers on his bed, he pulled a few of his books across to him and flipped them open, desperately scanning the contents for any ideas.
Reaching for a fresh bottle, he popped off the lid on his desk and took a sip. Desperadoes wasn't the best beer, but it was cheap and tasted nice so it fitted the situation.
The Golden liquid lifted his spirits as he took another swig as his phone buzzed urgently
Comet Club no Cromwells allowed
Assam's Whipped one: Don't break anything
Darjeelings boy toy: What do you mean?
The chat went dead after that, leaving Henry rather confused until he heard steps coming up the stairs leading to the floor his room was on, sighing to himself he pulled himself out of his chair, beer bottle dangling from his fingers as he pulled his door open causing the person on the other side to fall forwards onto his chest.
"Hi…." Was Darjeeling's muffled greeting as she grabbed hold of him to steady herself. Henry felt a flash of irritation at the others for giving away his location but that disappeared as quickly as it came.
"Hey." She peeked up at him, there was no teasing or mocking in her eyes this time, just sincerity.
"Can…I come in?"
Henry's response was to simply just pull her through the door, closing to behind them. Mindful of the bottle in his hand, he carefully placed it back on his desk, then wrapped his arm around Darjeeling's waist. She opened her mouth to speak, but he put a finger on her lips.
"No, I'll start, I'm sorry." She pushed his hand aside,
"As am I, I lost my temper with you and…I shouldn't have as it was just a silly lack of communication."
"Wow, you sound just like Assam."
"Shut up." The two shared a chuckle, before moving closer until their lips made contact, Henry's arm reeling her in closer. The pair stayed like, quite content to simply gently move together. It wasn't heated, but comforting, that they were both there for the other.
Breaking apart for air, Darjeeling let out a breathless chuckle.
"So….what we learn from this is that communication is key?"
"I think that's the safest conclusion yeah."
"What do you mean the safest." Darjeeling narrowed her eyes at him dangerously.
"Oh nothing, nothing." Henry winked at her as she pouted.
"Hmpf." Was the response as she tugged him towards his bed….
Two hours later
Henry, now just clad in pyjama bottoms, sat at his desk quietly typing away with his head cleared and essay title chosen, Contemporary reactions to the Sack of Constantinople in 1204 and how they reflected attitudes towards the Orthodox-Catholic Schism. The rest of the crew would find it boring, as would many, but he enjoyed his history something which he blamed his Father for.
The click click of his keyboard almost prevented him for hearing the soft knock on his door, which came again when he missed it the first time. Opening his door ever so slightly so he could peak out, he had to look down to see a embarrassed Pekoe.
"Sorry to disturb you Henry!" She almost squeaked out, "But we saw Miss Darjeeling hadn't come home, so we brought some of her things over." She held up a rucksack, which he took.
"Thanks Pekoe, she's asleep right now but I'm sure she'll be grateful. Thank the others for me." He gave her a genuine smile
"We're glad you made up, she was terribly upset."
"Yeah it was a silly thing to argue about, but you know we did spend three years arguing and making up, so we're pretty good at it now."
Pekoe giggled, "I'll tell the others, have a good night!"
"You too Pekoe."
Henry closed the door gently, hearing the latch softly click. Darjeeling was curled up in bed beneath the covers, her hair was undone and lay across the sheets. Henry put the rucksack down by the end of the bed and sat down on it, rustling the sheets slightly causing Darjeeling to stir.
"Hmmm Hal?" She sleepily enquired as he gently kissed her forehead making her crack open one eye.
"Have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes."
"Hmpf, charmer. Did you have a reason to wake me up other than try to seduce me again?"
"I didn't think I had to try and seduce you anymore?"
"Don't push your luck." She smirked at him, "Now what was it?"
"Pekoe stopped by, dropped off some of your things."
"Oh she is such a good girl, probably why I keep her around."
"You know, I say the exact same thing about Tim."
"Surely just a happy coincidence?"
"Well maybe Lady Fate is laughing somewhere." Henry said with a poker face, before Darjeeling burst into giggles.
"Oh Hal you are so silly sometimes, and I mean that affectionately. Now, finish your essay and then get back over here."
Henry mock saluted her, "Yes Ma'am."