I hope you all enjoy! Please review and let me know :)
The morning patrol had been unusually difficult. The thermometer showed that the temperature had fallen to just 1°c, and the rain that had sporadically fallen over the previous, was now snow. As beautiful as it was, it made for treacherous conditions. The ground was slippery, and visibility was greatly reduced.
"Who knew it could snow in Afghan?" Brains asked, leading the way back to base.
Nobody responded. They were all feeling the cold on their limbs, grateful that the army did at least provide them with thermals to wear. They knew the cold weather wouldn't last long and that the sun would be out again soon, but that didn't change what was happening now. They just wanted to get back to the relative warmth of the compound, and as quickly as possible.
"Well if it isn't my favourite cockwombles," Captain James called out as 2 Section strode through the gate. He'd stayed behind at the base that morning, busy with other work that needed doing. Molly couldn't understand how he appeared to be so alert when she knew he hadn't slept much the previous night, if at all. "Are you cold?"
"That's a bit of a daft question, Sir," Molly responded. "Not that you'd know, you've probably been tucked up in bed all morning."
"Less of the lip, Dawesy. No, I have just spoken to Major Beck and he has informed me that the empty hangar will only remain empty for the next few hours. One of the FOBs has packed up and is returning to Bastion, and it will be needed immediately upon their return. Therefore, we are going to be filming out little video for home, right now!"
"Ah, what?!" Mansfield kicked a patch of snow on the ground. "Do we have to, Sir?"
"Yes!" Captain James' face broke into a huge grin. "Get changed, have some water, use the toilet, whatever you need to do. Meet me at the hangar in twenty minutes."
2 Section dragged themselves back to their tent, but Molly decided to follow Captain James to the hangar. "You picked a song then, boss?"
"I have indeed."
"Tell me then." Molly was virtually jogging to keep up with the Captain's long strides. He turned to her with a smile, but remained tight lipped. At the pace they were walking, they reached the hangar in no time. Inside, one of the jeeps was parked in the middle, but the rest of the building remained empty bar one box, purposefully placed to one side. "C'mon, boss, tell me!"
"You'll find out in due course, Dawes. I've got a starring role lined up for you."
Captain James grabbed the box, pulling it open. Inside was what could only be described as props. Molly stared wide-eyed as he pulled out a wig and threw it over to her. He then pulled out several more wigs and even a comb.
"I think I'm coming down with something, Sir."
"Nice try." He took the wig from her hands and placed it over her head. "Oh that is brilliant!"
"I bet I look like a right pillock."
"You couldn't even if you tried."
Molly could feel herself blushing with embarrassment. In another world she knew he would never have looked twice at her. But here they were, thrown together in Afghanistan. Stripped back to basics, their personalities had the chance to shine through. For some reason unbeknownst to her, he actually seemed to be attracted to her. In return, she couldn't help but be charmed by him; especially when he started to dish out the compliments.
"Reporting for duty, Sir," said Smurf, entering the hangar and raising his hand to his forehead in salute.
Captain James rubbed his hands together in glee. "Let's crack on then, shall we?" He walked towards his laptop that had been set up in the corner, and a few clicks later, music drowned the room.
"Why this car is automatic
It's systematic
It's hydromatic
Why it's greased lightning"
"You must be having a giraffe, boss," Molly said, throwing the wig on the floor.
"Well now that would be rather painful, Dawes. Come on, it'll be fun!"
Captain James paused the music and turned back to the group with folded arms. They were all looking at one another with looks of sheer terror on their faces.
"We can't sing, boss," Baz muttered.
"It's called lip-syncing lads. You will be miming, not singing. Just dancing terribly I'm sure. Dawes here is going to be our very own John Travolta."
"What? No!"
"Yes!"
2 Section all turned to each other laughing, but Molly wasn't having it. She stormed out of the hangar, slamming the door behind her. Captain James contemplated his options, before choosing to follow her. He soon caught up with her, pulling her inside his quarters once they drew close to it.
"Molly…"
"Why are you doing this to me? You know I'll make a right prat of myself."
"That's the whole point, surely? Like you said, your family would much rather watch something funny. It'll make them laugh and see that you can have some fun out here. Hopefully it'll reassure and comfort them in some way too."
Molly closed her eyes. He was always right. "Fine! But I don't want to be the lead."
"Please." He leaned forward, placing a solitary kiss on her lips. "For me?"
The combination of puppy-dog eyes and pouting lips made her cave inside. How could she possibly say no to that? Whilst she would have quite happily stayed with him in the cabin at that precise moment in time, and continued from where they'd left off that morning, she instead found herself begrudgingly following him back to the hangar.
In their absence, 2 Section had all donned the wigs and were busy rehearsing the dance moves. She watched on, tears of laughter forming in her eyes. They looked surprisingly good, pointing and turning to the music.
"Well." Captain James' voice instantly commanded the room. "I had found a video online with the original dance moves in case any of you needed to see it, but clearly you've all watched Grease several times already."
Molly was struggling to control the fits of giggles that were erupting from her body. She wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath to control herself. "Do you know what? I'm proper glad we're doing this. I might gonna need a medic of my own after all the dancing, but it's gonna be so worth it."
The rest of 2 Section nodded in agreement and then grabbed hold of her, hoisting her onto the bonnet of the jeep, ready to take centre stage.
"Oi, who's Kenickie?"
"That would be," Smurf raised his arm. "Best recruit at Catterick and all that."
"Pull the other one, mate. Come on; let's do this before I change my mind."
Captain James pulled a small camcorder from his pocket and hit play on the music once again. There was no way he wasn't going to record those first few attempts. Especially when he managed to capture Dangles falling from the bonnet and Brains smacking Nude-Nut in the face. It was all going to be included in the final cut, whether they knew it yet or not.