Forever my Marine

Chapter #48

Chapter #48
May 1st 2021
Scarlett’s POV
“Hey Baby you’ve got to wake up, we have to get ready for the interview in an hour.” I wake up to Louri softly talking to me. “I didn’t realize I fell asleep.” I say. “You fell asleep fairly quickly after I started to do my work.” Louri tells me. I go to the back room/tiny bedroom in Louri’s office to fix myself up. When I come back the whole unit is already here. “Mrs. Colonel Evans.” They greet me since they are on duty not even Greg will address Louri by her name but as Colonel. “Ok you all know where you will be seated.” Louri says in her work voice and damn it does things to me. “Colonel, what if they ask a question that either they shouldn’t or is about a sensitive topic?” Staff Sergeant O’Reily asks. “Then you just say no comment and move forward.” She tells them. “Yes Ma’am.” He says. “No one is to use their first names unless they know it already and you will go by your title.” Louri adds and about fifteen minutes later James and a small camera crew have gotten everything set up. “The camera is pointed so that James can sit in front of the desk and the rest of us behind it and still get everyone in frame. “Ok today we have the privilege to have an exclusive interview with Lt Colonel Evans and her unit the 4077th.” James starts looking at the camera as he does the intro then the camera’s pan over to us. “Colonel, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview you and your unit. I know many people have tried in the past even me and were all turned down so this is a real treat.” James says. “I will admit it is a little weird for me to be the focus of an interview.” Louri says with a soft chuckle. “I see that Scarlett has joined us as well. I love the shirt by the way.” James says. “Thank you but I am only here to support Louri as she supports me.” I tell him and he nods. “Now some of these questions were sent in to us and some from me. Now we may get into some sensitive topics and if you don’t want to answer those questions we all understand.” James says and Louri nods. “So Colonel, how long have you been with the 4077th?” James asks starting off with an easy question. “I have been in the 4077th my entire career. So 19 years now.” Louri says. “Wow, that's quite the career.” James says. “You are one  of the medics of the unit, correct?” He asks. “Yes I am.” She nods. “The Colonel has saved a lot of people. Me included.” Staff Sergeant O’Reily says. “Well we are happy you are here today. I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.” James says. “Staff Sergeant O’Reily.” He says. “Ok thank you. How about we have all of you go around and introduce ourselves.” James says and goes around and jots down their names as he goes. “So Lt. Wilds you have been with the Colonel in the 4077th longer than the rest, correct?” James asks. “Yes, that is correct.” He says. “So Colonel I couldn’t help but see this picture of you and Lt. Wilds with two other men. Were they from a different unit?” James asks, pointing to the picture of Louri with Tom, Greg, and Sargent Hendricks. “Um no the man on my left is Captain Thomas Henderson and the one on my left is Sargent Devon Hendricks.” Louri says doing her best to keep a stoic face. “Oh how insensitive of me I apologize for any bad memories I brought up for all of you.” James apologizes instantly. “It’s ok James I wouldn’t have that picture on my desk if it hurt to look at it.” Louri says to put James at ease. “Ok well back to the questions. This one's for you guys.” James says, pointing to the rest of the unit. “What is it like for you guys to have Colonel Evans as your commanding officer?” He asks. “The Colonel is amazing. I've only recently joined the 4077th and I love my unit and the Colonel is just like a normal person when she’s at work you wouldn’t think she’s the sister of a MARVEL star and the wife of another MARVEL star.” PFC Mullins says. “I agree with PFC Mullins she said it best the Colonel is just like everyone else. Maybe the most protective human on the planet though.” Corporal Klinger says. “What do you mean by the most protective human on the planet?” James asks I give Louri’s hand a squeeze under the table to let her know I’ve got her back. “Colonel, is it ok if I say it?” PFC Mullins asks and Louri nods. “As you know the Colonel was captured a few years ago. But do you know why?” Greg says. “No, that was never released.” James says. “I wasn’t part of the 4077th yet but I was part of one of the units that was trapped.” She starts. “Colonel Evans gave herself up to save fifty Marines. I was one of them.” PFC Mullis says. “Oh wow that is heavy. How about we take a fifteen minute break?” James says he and his small crew leave the room. “Is everyone ok?” I ask. “I could use a hug from the 4077th unofficial mom.” Greg says. They have always joked that I am the mom of the 4077th because of the way I take care of them. “Come here then.” I tell him and give him a hug. I think Louri knew that her capture would come up so she used the skills she learned in therapy to cope ahead if it was brought up. “I think James got more shaken up with what just said than us who were the ones who were there.” Private Beaton says. But I know that Louri is going to need a lot of comfort when we are alone. I can see it in her eyes but she’s in Marine mode which means she is pushing down her emotions. James and his small crew come back in and continue the interview. “Ok I have one last question but this one is for you Scarlett.” He says. “Um ok what have you got?” I say. “What is the hardest thing about being a military wife?” He asks. “The waiting and the loneliness when she’s away.” I tell him. “But no matter what she always comes home to me.” I say looking at Louri who looks at me and lets the Marine face fade just for me. “I always will.” She says. “That wraps it up thank you so much for the interview. It was a pleasure to meet Scarlett’s military family.” James says. “Yeah she’s kinda the 4077ths mom.” Greg laughs.

A/N
Aww Scarlett’s the mom of the unit. Anygays see you in the next one.