A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry about the long wait, I hit a massive writers block and was swept up in a lot of stuff irl, so here we go. This chapter is a bit different to the others, things aren't always fun and games in life as I'm sure we're all aware. This builds on Henry's character a bit more, and introduces a new character who's not having the best of times. I'm currently writing up the Anzio chapter, so I hope to have that finished soon. Enjoy! A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed, I hope I continue to live up to your expectations.

Bells pealed across the Ark Royal, breaking apart the crisp stillness of the December morning. Darjeeling stirred in bed and reached across to the over side, only to find air. She huffed and cracked open an eye, blinking away sleep. Noticing a small scrap of paper where Henry had previously been lying.

Gone to Church, be back soon. Hal x

Caught up in the events of the last few months, Darjeeling had completely forgotten that Henry still attended Mass, but not like the majority of the Church going students, who went to the larger Anglican Church in the main square. Henry attended a small chapel further down the road. She dropped the note back down and rolled over, closing her eyes for a well-deserved lie in.

Ark Royal main square

Henry parted with Assam, Arthur and Richie at the main square as they made their way up the stone steps to the Anglican Church of St James. It always constantly surprised people that Arthur of all people was a practicing Christian, but weirder things had certainly happened. He turned to his one remaining companion, her red hair falling in an uncombed mess out of her hood. Rosehip blinked tiredly at Henry.

"Shall we get going then Rosehip?" The sleepy red head nodded her assent as the pair made their way down the street, away from the sizable crowd making its way up the steps to St James. They turned a corner, walking past the closed Queens head. The St Gloriana battle flag that flew from it's balcony fluttered in the breeze, almost in a salute as the two passed. Turning one more corner, they came across their destination. The Small Church that was the Catholic Parish on the Ship. Our Lady of the Assumption was quiet and unassuming. The only indication it was a place of worship was the small wooden cross, above the front door.

Henry smiled to himself, other than his bedroom, this was the one place where he could relax and be himself properly. Here he wasn't Henry Fordwaith, Captain of the St Gloriana. Here he was simply Hal, an often troubled soul who graced the door of the Catholic Church. He pushed the door open and held it out for Rosehip to pass into the Church first.

It had been a pleasant surprise when he'd found out the bubbly and overly energetic Redhead was a Catholic. She'd not know about the small Church on the corner, and only after some prodding by her teammates had she approached Henry, both for advice on Richie and help with her faith.

The majority of his teammates no longer went to Church, like so many of their generation either not believing at all, or simply not caring. Rosehip split off from him to say hello to their Parish Priest, an elderly Vietnamese man, named Father Louis, who'd been here for as long as anyone could remember. He was an avid supporter of the Senshado teams and was always at their matches when he could make it.

"Get out of the way idiot."

Henry whirled around as a male voice spoke from behind him, his eyes meeting an identical pair in the doorway, accompanied by a Fordwaith cheeky grin.

"Hey cousin." James Fordwaith patted Henry on the shoulder as he slipped past him in order to bless himself.

"Fancy meeting you here Jimmy, how's it going?"

Adam shuddered dramatically, "You know I hate being called that."

"Almost as much as J?"

"Please no."

Henry chuckled and pulled his cousin into a hug. James was the same age as Henry, only a month older.

"I've been…. well the same as usual I suppose, nothing much going on." James' tone was neutral, but something was clearly up.

"Want to talk about it?" Henry was genuinely concerned for his cousin's wellbeing, knowing he been having a very hard time of it, for as long as Henry could remember.

"After Church Hal, but enough about me, how about you? Got yourself nicely set up with your co-captain eh?" James' melancholy disappeared behind a mask of humour.

Henry shook his head, knowing better than to argue with him, "Aye, Darling is an absolutely adorable person and I should really introduce you two."

"Oh no no, I can't meet the great and famous Darjeeling, people might think I'm actually someone important." James' winked at Henry who just rolled his eyes in exasperation

"You put yourself down too much."

"So, I've been told."

Henry chuckled and tugged his cousin by the arm to a nearby Pew. Father Louis had disappeared into the Sacristy and Rosehip slid gracefully, for her, into the seat next to them flashing James a grin.

A small bell chimed, signalling the start of mass.

An hour later

Henry shook Father Louis' hand as he made to leave the Church, the elderly priest gave him a fatherly smile and patted him on the shoulder

"Good job in the last match, who's next?"

"Oh it's Anzio, our dearest brothers in faith."

"I trust you won't go easy on them despite that?" Louis' chuckled

"Wouldn't dare dream of it Father." Henry gave him another smile and a nod, before heading out to where James and Rosehip were waiting.

"Rosie, would you mind leaving me and dear old Jimmy alone? We've got to have a cousinly chat."

"Please don't"

"Alright, I'll see you later Henry!" Rosehip flashed a cheeky smile at James before taking off in the opposite direction.

"She wasn't that energetic earlier." Henry shook his head, "Right you, let's find a bench and we'll chat."

"We really don't need to."

"Yes we really -DO-"

James sighed, "Fine." The two cousins strolled through the streets, towards the central park which was still quiet and peaceful. Pigeons scattered from their path as they located a bench to sit on.

"You really need to talk to me more often." Henry chastised James.

"Yeah but then you get all Commander like on me."

"Well if I didn't you'd just keep moping." James scratched as his wrist awkwardly, Henry noticed the movement and sighed. "James, you've not done it, again have you?"

His cousin grimaced, "No, not for a while, just the old scars itching."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I am Hal, stop."

"Alright alright, I'm just…worried about you James, that's all. You're one of the few family left who actually bother talking to me so I'd rather not lose you as well."

"I know, I know. I don't do that anymore I swear."

"Good." Henry ran his hand through his hair, "What's troubling you this time?"

"It's gonna sound pathetic."

"I doubt it."

"No it really will…. I'm just….lonely I suppose."

Henry's eyes softened as he looked at his cousin, who's own stare had drifted off into the distance.

"You know you're not alone right?"

"It's not that."

Like a cog clicking into place, Henry understood.

"Ah I see, still single then?"

"Is there even a need to ask that?"

Henry huffed, "Well I don't know James. You've got the Fordwaith looks and charm, when you decide to us it that is. All I can say is stop being so damn down all the time and you'll be fine."

"Easier said than done. I find it impossible to talk to anyone at all."

"I can help with that I suppose." James perked up, throwing a painfully eager glance at his cousin.

"You can?"

"Yep" Henry popped the P, "We're against Anzio next match, and I know for a fact a few of the girls over there are single. Particularly one Blonde second in command, who I know quite well because she's also Catholic."

"You and Blondes." James chuckled

"Hey! Do you want me to do this or not?"

James shrugged, "Well I suppose there isn't any harm in trying."

Henry slapped him on the back, "That's the spirit! Now do you want to come back to mine for breakfast?"

"God no" James shuddered "No offence but I've heard tales of your girlfriends cooking and I really don't want to see you domesticated, it's just -wrong-."

Henry burst out laughing, "Oh yeah her cooking is one thing that leaves a lot to desire, but don't tell her I said that, I'll get shot out of the Churchills barrel."

"Are you that whipped?"

"Nooooooooo." Henry punched James on the shoulder and the two shared a laugh as the sun properly rose over the Ark Royal.