Marcus

Chapter Thirty Five

Caroline ~

Nate had hopped his flight back to California and Marcus was due to land with Charlie team in about an hour.

Caroline had gone over some Intel with Cooper trying to get caught up on things since she'd been gone before stopping at the chow hall to grab a protein bar. She waited through the line and caught the attention of a high ranking Marine who she'd worked with before she left, getting his team some valuable intel that helped them avoid an ambush a few weeks prior to her departure.

"Hey Tank, how's it going?" Caroline said as she approached him.

"Red, how the hell are you? I haven't seen you around, thought you might have gotten lost in the desert." He joked.

Tank tapped the shoulder of a young Marine who was sitting at the table, shoveling food in his mouth.

"Give this officer your seat" Tank said firmly.

The bright eyed, bushy tailed Marine looked up only to find he was giving his seat up to a CIA officer and a female - double disappointment.

"Who are you?" The Marine asked, but before Caroline could say a word, Tank completely lost his shit.

"Who is she? Listen here you fucking boot, move your ass now and don't worry about who the fuck she is."

Caroline snickered to herself at the sudden speed and agility of the cocky Marine who was probably on his first tour and was now scrambling to get his tray out of her way.

"Tank, it's really okay, I just grabbed a bar, I don't need to sit to eat it." Caroline said, her shoulders bouncing with laughter.

"Nah, it's the principle of the matter now." Tank said with a grin over his shoulder, making sure that grin was completely gone when he turned his head back toward the Marine who was now standing.

"Sorry Ma'am." The scared Marine said, not looking her in the eyes, but more over her head.

By this time, the little outburst had caught the attention of the tables around them. Everyone loved a good reprimand because they were usually comical and entertaining when one wasn't on the receiving end.

"You asked who she was? Well let me break it down for you, barney-style..." Tank lowered himself down bracing his hands on his knees as he spoke condescendingly into the Marine's face as if he were a toddler. "You remember those big booms from the sky a few miles away that nearly made you shit your pants a few weeks back? Well this officer is the reason why those booms didn't happen above your fucking bunk."

The scared little Marine was silent, watching his superior like a hawk, too scared to breathe without permission.

"Seriously Tank, I'm not staying. Give the poor kid his seat back."

Tank gave her a sideways grin, clearly enjoying himself at the moment.

"Have a seat, boot." Tank said, but the Marine didn't move, and addressed Caroline directly as she started to walk away.

"By your leave ma'am," The Marine said, meaning he was going to let her walk in front of him before he walked back to his seat since they would be walking in the same direction.

Caroline rolled her eyes at the young Marine and walked away, waving a Tank over her shoulder.

"See you around, Red." Tank hollered as she walked toward the exit doors.

She made her way through the crowded hall and out the side doors, brushing past enlisted men and various ranking officers who were on their way for chow time when she heard someone whistle at her.