Molly was nervous. The Boss said he wanted somewhere 2 section could talk privately. He had been insistent that he be the one to tell the lads. The felt as he was the senior officer he should do it. Molly was quite relieved as she really didn't know where she would start.

Molly, Kinders and the lads were in 2 sections' tent waiting for the boss. The lads were relaxed and in various positions of sitting and lying on their beds. The usual banter was flying about with lots of laughter.

The Boss ducked his head as he walked into the tent. The lads immediately jumped up from their beds and all the chatter stopped.

'Relax lads' he said moving further into the tent and moved passed all the bunks so he was the far end of the tent looking out to the lads. It also meant he was stood to the right of Molly and Kinders who had been perched on the spare bunk. He stood with his hands in his combat trousers looking relaxed but Molly could see he was nervous. 'Right lads, gather round I want to talk to you about something, it's important and I want it to stay in this room.'

'What is it Sir?' queried Brains

'Are we going out on a mission?' piped up Fingers

'Don't tell me we have to shift more boxes Sir?' moaned Mansfield

'No we are not going on a mission and you are not shifting boxes. Not today anyway. If you shut the fuck up I will tell you!' he shifted nervously. 'What I want to tell you is private and it's personal' he paused. As he was about to start talking again Brains interrupted

'You're not sick are you Sir?' everyone was still a little raw about how Smurf died and the fact that he had been sick without anyone knowing.

'No I'm not sick. What I am about to tell you is about Private Dawes…'

'Molls. Are you sick?' Brains said turning to Molly.

'No you muppet, I'm not sick. Will you just shut up and let the boss talk!' Kinders looked like the only one relaxed in the room. He was standing with his arms folded and had a slight smirk on his face.

Captain James waited until the group had settled down 'Right as I was saying, it's about Private Dawes and myself.'

Straight away heads looked up and the room went quiet.

'I wanted to be the one to tell you as I didn't want there to be rumours and whispers. Private Dawes and I are a couple. We have been seeing each other for the last couple of months.'

'A couple Sir?' interrupted Mansfield 'a couple of what Sir?'.

Fingers slapped Mansfield over the back of the head 'You dimwit. What do you think he means?' The room went quiet when everyone else cottoned on.

'Dawes and I have been seeing other since I was discharged out of hospital. Senior brass know about us and have allowed this posting due to the circumstances.' he paused and looked around the room but nobody said anything. 'There will be no favouritism between myself and Private Dawes. On duty we will be Captain and Medic. It will not interfere with our jobs here. I did want to tell you though as I know how close you all are to Private Dawes. I don't want that to change'

'Does anyone have any questions?' Captain James asked to the room in general as there was silence.

'No Sir'. 'Nothing Sir' appeared to be the general reply. A lot of the lads looked to be in shock. Some of the lads were looking at Molly as if she had grown 2 heads.

'Obviously to protect Private Dawes reputation I do not want this to be a point of discussion outside 2 section and I would hope there would be no gossip.' He looked round the room at that point and looked each one of them in the eye, man to man. 'Do you really have no questions?' he asked when no-one said anything.

'Sir?' Molly piped up. 'I think it might be better Sir if the lads did have any questions they could ask me. In private, Sir' She had always been respectful to him as her Captain, and she wanted to show the lads that no matter what they were to each other, he was still her boss. 'Maybe you and Corporal Kinders could give us a moment?'

James and Kinders looked at each other. Kinders shrugged, almost gesturing as it wouldn't hurt.

'OK but if anyone does want to talk about this with me personally come and see me.'

Captain James and Corporal Kinders walked passed the lads and left the tent, leaving Molly to it as she had asked. Initially there was silence and then they all collectively turned to her. She took a deep breath.

'Well come on. Let's have it.'

'Did he take advantage of you Molly?' asked Nude Nut quietly.

Molly laughed out loud. Her big belly laugh 'Don't be bleeding stupid. I practically had to force his arm. He only agreed as he had thoughts about leaving the army. It wouldn't have been an issue then with him being an officer and me being, well me.'

'Are you happy Molls?' Dangleberry asked.

'Yes I am. Happier than I have been in a long time' she took a deep breath and said 'I know a lot of you assumed me and Smurf…'

'It OK Molls. Smurf would have been punching well above his station if you had said yes!' Dangleberry laughed and the rest joined in.

'I think it's me punching above my station now mate' Molly said half joking.

'I don't think so Molls' interrupted Mansfield. 'More like the other way round. You are proper special like.'

'Thanks Mansfield' Molly said quietly. 'I won't be any different you know. The Boss Man won't be either. You'll never know.'

The atmosphere in the room started picking up and some of the guys starting to take the mick out of her. It was all in good fun and Molly was taking it all and enjoying in the fun.

Unknown to her and the rest of the lads, Mansfield had left the tent and approached the Captain and Corporal who were standing talking not far from the tent. Wanting to be close to make sure there were no issues.

'What can I do for you Mansfield?' the Captain asked.

'Er. Can I speak to you Sir?' he was clearly nervous. He looked up at Corporal Kinders 'Er, privately Sir?'

Kinders looked at the Captain who nodded and gestures towards to tent. Kinders took that to mean check everything was OK.

'What can I do for you Mansfield?'

'Em. Well. Em' He was clearly trying to say something.

'Mansfield. This is your one opportunity to say what you want to say. Spit it out man!'

Manfield looked up. 'We all think the world of Molly Sir. We don't want her to get hurt.'

'I've no intention of hurting her Mansfield' he replied gently.

'But if you do Sir, I'll.…we'll ...'

Charles realised what Mansfield was trying very hard to say but not quite having to guts to say. 'Don't worry Mansfield. I won't hurt her. I love her. But if I do, I will give you permission to do whatever is going through your mind right now.' Mansfield looked up. The Captain smiled gently. 'We all love her in our own way Mansfield. Is there anything else you want to say?'

'Er no, Sir. That is, I hope you don't mind…'

'No. I don't mind Mansfield. Dawes is very lucky to have a friend like you.'

'Thank You Sir' Mansfield looked up a bit relieved. He felt he had to say what he did and was really glad the Captain took it the way it was intended.

'OK then. Piss off. I'm sure you have things to do' Mansfield left and headed toward the tent just as the rest were coming out. There was a lot of joking and it was obvious the mood was good. A couple of the lads were prancing about, walking on their toes, their noses up in the air. Obviously pretending to be 'ladies' Molly was laughing, it was obvious they were taking the piss and it was all in good fun.

Molly looked up and saw Boss Man standing watching. She paused for a second and smiled at him. It was a happy smile. She looked relaxed. She had obviously answered all the sections' questions and they were fine now. He could see that by the lad's behaviour behind her. Charles smiled back. A small moment passed between them. They didn't have to be near each other to be happy. All it took was a look.