I just want to apologise to anyone who had trouble reading the previous chapter. I'm not sure what happened, but it appears to be fixed now. Thank you for all of your kind reviews, they really do mean a lot to me. I hope this is everything you want and more.

Midnight was rapidly approaching at Camp Bastion. The pizza had gone within minutes of it arriving, leaving the Under 5s to play various obscure games. Some were competing to see who could hammer a three inch nail into a piece of wood with the least amount of hits. Others were racing to see who could drink two cans of Mirinda poured through a funnel in the quickest time.

Molly had never felt so happy, or laughed so much in one night. It was already the best New Year's party she'd ever been to, that much was certain.

2 Section had just thrashed both 1 and 3 Section at tug of war, when Kinders eagerly suggested a game of bucket reeling, confident that his section would win that as well.

"What?" Fingers asked, looking around the room at the other blank faces to see if anyone else knew what it was.

"You bloody sprogs. Basically, I'll put a bucket in the middle of the floor, and you lot have to link arms in a circle around it. Whoever touches it is goes out, so you have to try to manoeuvre yourself away. You keep playing until two people are left, and then they have to arm wrestle for first place."

"How many of us do it?" Brains asked.

"Well we don't want too many. If we say four from each section; you can decide who amongst yourselves."

2 Section gathered around in a huddle, debating as to who would be able to win the game for them. Eventually it was decided: Smurf, Brains, Fingers, and Nude-Nut would take part. Mansfield and Baz were more than content drinking their alcohol free beer and watching from the side-lines. Dangles had disappeared, but Molly suspected that he was up to something. She'd been watching him and Captain James in cahoots all evening.

Eventually the game begun, and soon the participants started dropping like flies. It was down to the final four: Smurf, Brains and two from 3 Section. Everyone was shouting and cheering for their fellow comrades who were battling it out. Brains was the next to drop, falling on the bucket with an almighty crash; leaving Smurf as 2 Section's last hope.

"Come on, Smurfoid!" Kinders shouted.

Finally one of 3 Section was out, and Smurf was left to arm-wrestle. The two men lay on their fronts on the cold ground, muscles tensed and arms ready. Smurf's face was full of concentration as he put his all into winning. It was a closely fought battle.

Whilst everyone was busy watching the fight, Molly noticed Captain James and Major Beck had set up a projector screen on the stage. Shen felt an overwhelming curiosity, but just as she was about to investigate, the hangar erupted in cheers. Smurf had unbelievably won.

"Well done and congratulations," Major Beck called, speaking into a microphone. "As it will be midnight in just ten minutes, I have something I'd like to show you."

Within seconds, a projection appeared, and the platoon watched as their loved ones appeared. Every soldier sat and watched, becoming emotional wrecks as their families spoke, blowing them distant kisses. This must have taken some organising, Molly realised. Somebody back in the UK would have had to contact the families and film each and every one of them for this. It was an unbelievably thoughtful gesture.

"I love you, Dylan," Candy spoke into the camera. "Make sure you come home safe to me."

"Molly!" Belinda's voice filled the room. "I miss you! I hope you're having fun out there… well you know what I mean. Happy New Year!"

Molly wiped a stray tear from her eye, taking a deep breath to calm herself. It was the first time she'd seen her mum in over 2 months, even if had been for the briefest moment. She didn't realise how much she'd missed her until that very minute.

Next a young boy appeared; perhaps six or seven years old, Molly wasn't sure. He was undeniably cute, but seemed oddly familiar. She just couldn't figure out why. She looked around the room, but nobody seemed to be reacting. It definitely wasn't the son of anyone in her section, she knew that much. She would have known about it. "I miss you, Daddy."

The room fell quiet, with nothing more than sobs and sniffs as the soldiers tried to regain control of their emotions.

"I know it was hard watching those messages," Major Beck spoke once more. "But I am acutely aware that we have embarked on a long tour, and whilst the pressures at home may be different, they are equally difficult. As much as their thoughts are with us, ours should be with them. It is for that reason that I have decided that we shall do our own video to send home."

A countdown clock suddenly appeared on the screen, bringing his speech to a grinding halt.

"Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…"

Captain James suddenly took Molly by the hand and pulled her behind one of the storage containers at the back of the hangar. They stood, gazing silently into one another's eyes as the countdown continued.

"Three…Two…One…HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

As the Under 5s grabbed each other for hugs and air kisses, Captain James leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on Molly's lips. Her whole body melted under his touch, so much so that she found herself holding onto him in a desperate attempt to prevent herself from collapsing. She savoured the taste of his soft lips. His stubble lightly scratched her chin but she didn't care; she could feel herself practically floating to cloud nine. Nothing in the world could take away the euphoria that she was experiencing.

"Happy New Year," he whispered, still lingering close.

"Molls?" Smurf called, clearly looking for her. Reluctantly she stepped away, keeping her eyes fixed on her Captain for as long as possible as she made her way back towards the platoon. Party poppers were going off everywhere, whilst someone had even found confetti which was being thrown randomly at everyone. Amongst the chaos all she could think about was Captain James. She could still feel and taste his lips upon hers.

"Smurf, I have to…" Just as she was about to turn back, Smurf grabbed her and pulled in her for a kiss. "What the fuck are you doing?!" She exclaimed, hastily pulling away.

"First kiss of the New Year, Molls; it's tradition."

"Not between me and you it ain't."

Just as she turned to walk away, she heard bagpipes begin to play, stopping her in her tracks. She glanced back to the stage, and whilst she didn't recognise who was playing them, she certainly recognised the person stepping up to the microphone.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Captain James looked directly at Molly as he began to sing. She stood in disbelief, watching him serenade her. His voice was astounding. Do not get involved, she'd promised herself; but it was too late for that now. She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on his powerful voice. As she re-opened them, he was still looking at her, with nothing but love in his eyes.

"For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!"

The platoon all reached out, crossing hands with each other as the song continued. The room was filled with joy and laughter once again, the best way to start the New Year. No, she thought… second best. Nothing could ever beat that kiss.

The original plan was to leave the story there, but I'm tempted to include one more chapter about them making the video. If I do, it'll be some sort of lip-sync/parody. I would love to know peoples thoughts are about whether I should do it and if so, to what song? Let me know :)