"Jess" Dutchy called stepping out on to the deck.
Turning she brushed the tears from under her eyes Jess turned "Dutchy" she forced a smile
"Are you okay?" he asked
"fine" she lied "I just needed some air" she walked over to one of the benches sitting down.
Looking at her she was clearly hiding something. Sitting next to her he looked at her, "come on chicken legs what's really wrong"
"nothing" she looked at him wide eyed "i am fine, anyway your missing your Party"
"yeah well 2-dads has commandeered the DJ deck, it's way too loud and I am not quite sure what half the songs are about" he smiled "and I can hardly leave you all on your own now can I"
Laughing slightly, she could hear the base from out here and knowing 2-dads taste in music it was probably just as well he couldn't understand the lyrics. Sitting in silence for what seemed like ages.
"are you really alright with going to Afghan?" Jess asked breaking the silence
"it's what we sign up for isn't it. To help make a difference defending the greater good"
"but isn't it dangerous? She asked. The wars in the middle east had raged for most of her life and there had always been something on the news relating to the events over there.
"yes, but so can life on the patrol boats. Every aspect of life in the Defence forces can be dangerous. None of us really know what is round the next corner"
"yes but..." she wanted to protest but given everything she had seen in her gap year and after she couldn't really argue with that.
"I will be fine, tough as boots me" he smiled reassuringly
Again, they sat in silence, the moon casting is silvery light on the deck reflecting off the water. Looking over he could see Bird dithering rubbing her arms trying to generate some warmth.
Easing his arms out of his leather jacket he draped it over her shoulders.
"Thank you" she smiled pulling the jacket tighter round her feeling the residual heat warming her. "i want to give you something" she looked up, opening her bag she pulled out a rather old well-loved Koala. "i have had him since I was little, he is sort of my good luck charm. He looked after me every time I was scared." she held it out to him
"won't you be needing it on your next big adventure to HMAS Penguin or university which ever you decide"
"Not as much as you" she smiled "please take him"
"okay" he smiled taking the teddy from her. Looking in to the black glass eyes
"Now you have to come back, and you must promise to bring him back without a scratch" she forced a smile trying to stop the tears flowing.
"does he have a name?" Dutchy asked looking at the warn face.
"Kola" she smiled. Looking at him she could see the corners of his mouth twitching in to a smile "hey don't laugh I was 4 and I couldn't say Koala."
"i wasn't Laughing. It's a sweet Name. I promise I will look after him" he smiled
Looking at his watch he realised they had been outside for almost an hour. "Shall we head back in, sounds like 2-dads has gotten bored of being Mr DJ"
Shaking her head, "I am not really in the mood. I think I will just head home and hit my rack" she stood up.
"oh well I guess I will say goodbye then" he stood up
"don't say goodbye" she looked away "it sounds so final like we're never going to see each other again" her eyes filled with tears.
"come here" he held his arms out, taking her hand he slowly pulled her close "i am going to be fine, nothing will happen and in 6 months I will be back and you can have Kola back without a scratch"
"i still don't like goodbyes" she whispered looking up in to his eyes
"then I won't say goodbye. I will say Aloha"
"that's hello in Hawiian" she laughed through tears.
"it's also a way of saying farewell" he looked down on her
"aloha then" she smiled weakly reaching up kissing him on the cheek.
As she reached up, he turned his head causing their lips to brush together. Stepping back, she touched her lip still fizzing. Something felt so wrong. He was a friend. "I... umm" she stammered stepping back, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, he was leaving to head to Afghanistan and now he does this. She liked him since he first came onboard Hammersley not long after her. But she thought he only saw her as a friend.
"Jessica" he whispered he stepped after taking her by the arm. Running his hand through her now tangled hair he rested her hand on her cheek, brushing his thumb along her cheek brushing away the tears. Resting his forehead against hers. Closing her eyes, she could feel his breath on her face, her heart beating faster and faster in her chest. Teasing her in to a kiss
She felt confused and conflicted. He was a friend and she would hate for anything to ruin that. "I have to go" she whispered pulling away slowly, looking up in to his eyes. Turning she walked towards the path. Standing he watched as she walked away. Sighing he turned heading back in to the bar.
"hey there you are where you been" 2-dads called
"just getting some air and away from your really bad taste in music" he smiled patting 2-dads on the shoulder
"where's your Jacket" charge asked "you left with it and now you don't have it"
"oh yeah I was chatting with some Bird outside and she was shivering so I being the gentleman I am leant her my coat. And she disappeared with it"
"cheeky and you didn't go after her" 2-dads asked
"Nah couldn't be bothered it's a jacket"
"Did you see Bird outside she has been gone a while" Kate asked looking over
"yeah she wasn't feeling too great so she headed home" he smiled reaching for where he left his beer. "2 dads did you finish my beer?" he looked on the table for his glass.
"yeah sorry I thought you had gone" 2-dads grinned
"your shout I think 2-dads then" Charge called
"do I have to?" 2-dads complained
"yes, you haven't brought a drink all evening" charge called
"Fine, Same again?" 2-dads asked
Leaning back in his seat dutchy nodded his mind not really on another drink, all he could think of was Jessica and the kiss, for so long he had admired her bravery and attitude. Her little ways were amusing. But he couldn't do this to her. It was never easy to be the one left on shore but being so far away and in such a volatile situation he couldn't do this to her she was far too pure and kind hearted for that and was destring to do great things. He didn't want to think about it. He couldn't he needed to keep his head clear for the tour.
Sitting in her little apartment in Goat Central or Enlisted junior singles to call its proper name proper name. Pulling out a photo album from under the bed she had filled it with pictures of everything. Flicking through she looked at everyone. Bomber had posted off and left the navy to open a Bistro closer to home, swain had tragically been killed earlier this year after defending the base from a terror attack, and now Dutchy was leaving heading to Afghanistan for who knows how long. Flicking through she found one of just her and Dutchy. She was going to miss him but he was going out there for the greater good and like he said he was as tough as boots. She couldn't count the amount of times she had helped patch him up in the ward room. She just hoped he wouldn't let this go to his head. Sighing she closed the album placing it back under her bed. Closing her eyes, he invaded her thoughts. She prayed he would be safe and he would come back safe.
so hope you like this, the moment when Jess gives Dutchy the Koala is pinched from Downton Abbey (lady Mary gives Matthew her old toy for luck as he heads off to the trenches of WW1)anyway hope you like it and please let me know what you think. xx