A/N

So this is an idea that came to me after watching series one numerous times and being disappointed that Molly wasn't in series 2. It's an idea that I was playing around with so I thought I'd write it down. I've never written FF before but I couldn't get the story out of my head. This is my version of series 2 if Molly was in it and its mainly her POV of the events. Based broadly around the same storyline and plot but with creative differences to allow Molly to be part of it. Some words are direct from both series' other words are my own. All rights to the characters and storyline to the wonderful TG and the BBC.

I hope you enjoy it and I'd really love it if you'd review

Thank you xx

Chapter 1 - The Night Before

Charles reached out his hand, expecting to feel the warmth of her body beside him. But all he felt was cold. She wasn't there. In his semi-conscious state he started to panic. "Molly, Molly!" He shouted out. Nothing. Where was she. He sat bolt upright and opened his eyes. It took him a few seconds to focus and as he scanned the room he realised he was in their bedroom. He let out his breath as his heart rate slowed to a more normal rhythm. Although the nightmares were a lot less frequent he still panicked when he woke and she wasn't there...and he was jumpy as hell because she was heading back to afghan tomorrow...somewhere she'd not been in two years. Added to that, he was heading off on tour too. It very rarely happened that their tours crossed over, and even though both were relatively short, he wanted to savour every minute with her and commit her curves and scent to memory.

He was usually always up first in the morning, years of living on camp beds in the middle of war zones, being on high alert, meant he was always up way before the alarm, so he was surprised to find the bed empty. As he slowly came round from his sleep addled state he realised it couldn't be morning though, time surely hadn't gone that quickly. He scanned the bedside table for his phone, it was only 9pm. They'd spent most of the afternoon and early evening in bed so she was probably downstairs refuelling for, what was sure to be, an exhilarating couple of hours, if the last few were anything to go by anyway.

Extracting himself from the tangle of sheets he stretched out his leg, grimaced slightly and massaged away the ache which still troubled him occasionally, and made his way to the bathroom, stumbling around on the floor for the boxers and t-shirt which had been discarded earlier in the evening. After finding them in a heap at the end of the bed he pulled them on, these particular items of clothing were some of Molly's favourites, he made a mental note to slip them in her Bergen before she left so she could wear them on tour and think of him. He couldn't believe in just under 12 hours she'd be heading off back to Afghan, god he was going to miss her.

Even though they'd been married just under two years their relationship kept going from strength to strength. After the disaster that was his first marriage he didn't think he'd ever find love again, and was quite content to just be army through and through and dedicate himself to his job and Sam. But Molly Dawes changed all that. And to this day he still couldn't believe she'd agreed to marry him. He thanked his lucky stars everyday she was the battle replacement on that tour. Elvis often called her a poor deluded fool - (not to her face though, and not that he ever told Molly that. She was fiercely protective of him and she already hated Elvis, she didn't need another reason to want to wallop him one) - and that one day she would wake up and realise just what a massive cockwomble he was, and if he was honest, he might make Elvis right. He hoped to god that was never the case though as he'd never felt about anyone the way he felt about Molly. He loved her more than anything and would lay down his life for her. She was the most amazing woman he'd ever come across and if he was honest he didn't even feel worthy of her.

His first marriage to Rebecca had never been like this. He rushed into it as everyone was telling him it was the right thing to do, but it soon became clear they were very different people. And the sex, well after two years with Rebecca it was almost non existent, god knows how she'd even managed to get pregnant, it had been that infrequent, but with Molly, well, the woman was insatiable. He could feel the familiar stir in his groin. How could she have this effect on him when she wasn't even in the room?

As he padded softly down the stairs he called out again, "Molls, you down here?" No answer, but he could hear faint noises coming from the living room, she must have got up and decided to watch tv. But as he got closer he realised it was a one sided conversation, albeit an animated one, he could hear her giggling away and it made his heart jump. He loved the sound of a happy Molly and could imagine her, all big green eyes and toothy grin, as she laughed at what was being said. Not wanting to intrude he knocked lightly and stuck his head round the door. She turned to face him and held up a finger to signal she'd be five more minutes, and then greeted him with her infectious grin and sparkling green eyes, but not before he noticed the quick fleeting look of panic flash across her face when he stuck his head round the door. He mouthed whether she wanted a cup of tea or not, an affirmative shake of the head told him she did, so he closed the door and retreated to the kitchen, wondering who she was talking to at this time of night that would cause a quick look of panic to spread across her face when he poked his head round the door.

He tried to shake the feeling off, she was most probably talking to her folks. She always liked to have a chat with her mum and nan before she went on tour. And he knew she was worried about him, with this being his first overseas tour since the accident. If he was being honest, he was a little out of sorts himself. It was probably nothing. He only had 12 hours left before he had to take her to Brize Norton and he wanted to savour every moment, not spend it worrying about something that probably wasn't even an issue.

...

Mollys POV

Molly glanced over to Charles as she slowly untangled her legs from his and slipped her arm from around his waist, being careful not to wake him. God, he was handsome. She was amazed at how much she still fancied him after two years of marriage. If anything she thought her love and attraction just grew stronger by the day. When they both had down time they had a habit of locking themselves in the house for days on end, not seeing or speaking to anyone, and just enjoying each other's company. They were both still amazed at how they got to this point. Molly's insecurities about not being good enough had passed, and though it had taken a while she did eventually believe their differing backgrounds weren't an issue, and there was no doubt he loved her unconditionally. But they still felt sometimes like it was all going to come crashing down around them. How could it be possible to love another person this much and be this happy, and nothing go wrong? If the army had taught them anything it was to always be on your guard, and life hadn't worked out that well for either of them before, so it was no surprise they were both a little dubious. After Charles' accident and Molly's new life in the army they both felt like they'd been given a second chance at life, and neither intended to waste it.

He looked so peaceful sleeping, his softly furrowed brow, lips ever so slightly apart as he gently snored, and the covers draped just high enough to cover his modesty, but not all the way over, so that she couldn't resist a cheeky glance of his bum! It took all her strength not to climb back in bed with him, but she had 12 hours before she was due back at Brize and a million and one things to do. Usually she was much more organised the night before a tour but she'd been waylaid by Charles and his big brown puppy dog eyes, tousled hair that was just starting to curl as it was slightly longer than regulation allowed and the beginnings of stubble along his jawline that made her heart skip a beat and a warm feeling spread deep in her belly. Added to the fact he was stood in her favourite tight white t-shirt and hip hugging black boxers, what was she meant to do? There was no way she could resist. So everything she'd planned had gone out the window and she'd spent the best part of the afternoon and early evening in bed. And now it was 8pm and she still needed to double check her kit, iron her uniform, call her parents and speak to Georgie. That call would have to be done in secret though. She didn't want Charles to hear what she had to say to Georgie. With a final glance at her sleeping Adonis she threw on some clothes, grabbed her phone and tiptoed out the bedroom, slowly closing the door behind her as she headed downstairs.

Georgie was one of Molly's best friends. A medic just like her, but she was introduced through Charles as she used to be his best friends' fiancée, that was until he left her at the altar on their wedding day without so much of an explanation, and sent Charles to do his dirty work, and break the bad news that he wasn't coming. Something that Molly would never forgive Elvis for until the day she died. Molly was Georgie's rock through the whole ordeal, never being the biggest fan of Elvis anyway, and the two had become close. Though they weren't stationed in the same unit and didn't see each other all that often the two women were thick as thieves when they got together, and would always have each other's back.

When Charles told molly he was thinking of approaching Georgie to be his medic on his tour to Kenya she was thrilled. This was Charles' first overseas tour since Afghan and she wanted there to be a medic she trusted. Even though it was just a humanitarian tour, not like they were heading out onto the front line of a war zone, you never could be sure what would happen, and she trusted Georgie with her life.

Molly did wonder whether she'd accept though, so when Charles came home a few weeks ago and said she had, Molly was ecstatic. Despite her and Molly being good friends, Georgie hadn't had all that much to do with Charles since the non-wedding. Not that she didn't like Charles, but he was still good friends with Elvis, and Georgie wanted a clean break. She felt that Charles might be a reminder of her past, so when she met up with Molly it tended to just be the two of them.

She knew Charles and her boys would be in good hands with Georgie. It certainly made her feel less anxious about the tour knowing Georgie was out there with them, and meant she could relax a little on her own tour without worrying about them so much.

….

"Hey Georgie you ok?"

"Hey Molls, this is a surprise. I'm good how are you? You all packed yet?"

"No, I forgot how much bloody stuff you take on tour with you. I'm so disorganised. You'd think after all this time I'd know what to pack but I think it's harder. Its taking me a lot bloody longer than normal anyway"

"Yeah I don't think it gets easier the more tours you do. You just think of different things to take. That's what I find anyway. I don't normally hear from you the night before a tour, thought you'd be holed up in bed. That's usually what happens isn't it?"

Molly laughed "Yeah Charles has been a bit of a distraction tonight"

"I can imagine" she knew all too well about Molly and Charles' sex life and had been given far too much information on more than one occasion, she didn't particularly want the details right now

"So what time have you got to be at Brize?"

"11, which is nice. Not too early"

"You excited about going back? What's it been, two years since you were last there?"

"Yeah I am actually. I've been wantin' to get back out on tour for ages. Glad its Afghan I'm going to, kinda feels like home, you know? I know what I'm heading into, unlike you lot with Kenya"

"Well just don't go getting..."

"I know, I know you don't have to say it"

"Erm yeah I do molls, I know your reputation. Don't go getting into any trouble"

"That was one time, people can't seem to let that go. And I prefer to call it bravery!"

"Stupidity more like it but whatever," Georgie giggled

"Look, I won't be on the frontline this time. Bit more borin', lecturing and whatnot, but I'm happy to be heading back, it's good to know my expertise are valued. Can't believe people actually listen to what I've got to say. Thought I talked a load of bollocks personally. And I'm plannin' on catchin' up with Qaseem. Think he's gona come to a few of me lectures."

"Aww bet you can't wait. It'll be nice to be reunited with your main man again, I know you had a soft spot for him.

"Ew not like that" shrieked Molly

Georgie laughed "I didn't mean like that, just that you got on well with him.

Molly giggled "oh right, can you imagine. He's old enough to be me dad. I'm already doing me bit for the elderly marryin' Charles"

Georgie roared in hysterics. Molly always teased Charles about his age. He was only 9 years older but when he didn't do something she wanted she liked to make out it's because he was getting on a bit.

"So what's up? You didn't just ring for a chat, you never call me the night before a tour?"

Molly let out a sigh, its true, she never called Georgie before a tour, text maybe but very rarely a phone call. She knew she was crossing a line calling Georgie, but she was worried about Charles and just wanted to speak to someone. She couldn't put her finger on it but something in her gut just didn't feel right. She could tell he was nervous, he was usually so calm and together, but she could see through the facade. The worry etched on his face and the spark in his eyes when he talked about going on tour wasn't there anymore. She knew he blamed himself for what happened in Afghan and she felt he was setting out to prove himself. He didn't need to. No one but Molly, Charles and Smurf knew what truly happened that day, and most of it could be put down to the bleed in Smurf's brain, but he still couldn't let it go. He felt he'd let two section down. Charles was a fantastic captain, and she wasn't really questioning his ability but Molly knew that in the last few weeks the nightmares and doubts had started to creep back in.

The day he decided not to resign his commission she was elated. She knew he'd be lost without the army. Although he said he was ready for a change of lifestyle she knew he wasn't ready to head to civvie street. She didn't want him to throw away his career, for her. So she persuaded him to stay, and that they would wait out. He had to get himself through rehab and when there was less pressure on their relationship they could make it official. Luckily, Major Beck didn't accept his resignation and put it down to extreme stress. Molly would never have forgiven herself if he'd given up what he loved for her.

But recently he seemed to be questioning it all. She wasn't sure he trusted those higher up the chain of command to see the bigger picture anymore. She knew he was worried about Kenya. Not just because it was his first tour back but because she wasn't sure he believed the reason they were going. She felt like there was something he wasn't telling her. She knew he couldn't talk about specific mission details but there was definitely something going on with him and she just wanted to talk to someone about it.

"I don't know, I'm just a bit out of sorts. What with going away and then Charles going away. I'm just a bit worried. I probably shouldn't even be speaking to you, Charles is your CO, but I needed to talk to a friend who understood so can you just for a minute forget that he's your CO and just listen to me as a friend?"

Georgie was getting a little concerned. It wasn't like Molly to ring her worried. "Course I can molls. What's going on?"

"I don't know i'm just worried about him going away. This is his first tour since the injury and I think I'm just a bit jumpy. His nightmares have started coming back again and although he won't admit it to me I know he's scared. Or nervous, or worried or somethin"

"Molls that's normal before a tour though isn't it. Aren't you nervous about Afghan this time round?"

"Yeah a bit but I don't know it's just feels different with him. And he won't talk to me about it. You know what he's like when something's bothering him. He goes all quiet and moody and doesn't talk. Starts throwing a strop. He's been like that the last few weeks. I don't know Georgie, when he didn't resign his commission he was so happy. And I'm glad he made that decision but recently, I feel like he's questioning it all again. Like maybe it wasn't the right decision?"

"Molls we all go through a bit of a wobble before a tour and Charles has been through a lot. I honestly think it's probably just nerves about being away again. Try not to worry. It won't do you any good being in Afghan worrying about him. And this tour is a humanitarian tour. It's not like we're heading out into the middle of a war zone. Charles is a brilliant captain and solider. He's cautious and likes to plan. He's probably just been thinking of the details. And have you ever thought he might be acting strange because you're going back on tour - and to Afghan of all places. Maybe his nightmares and worry is because of you. And not him"

Georgie could have a point. She hadn't really thought of it like that. The last time she'd been there she risked her life to see Bashira, although at the time she didn't see it like that. It's only when she came home and told Charles that he hit the roof and really went mental at her. She could tell it was because he was scared and he was still recovering from his own injuries but even so it was a bit over the top even by his standards. So yeah. Maybe he was worried that she'd do something stupid again. But she didn't intend to. She was more mature now. Realised the danger she'd put herself in. And was a Lance Corporal now and had people who looked up to her. She was a different person to who she was on that last tour. She was fragged from what had happened with Smurf. In all honesty she didn't really care if something had happened. But not now. Now she was in a much better place with her life. She wouldn't jepordise it.

"Molls you there, you've not spoken for like a minute and that ain't like you" she laughed

"Yeah I'm here sorry was just thinking. Maybe you're right about Charles. Maybe it's because I'm going away and he's worried. Or maybe it's both. Thanks Georgie. I just needed to talk to someone. I know you're probably not the best person because he's your boss but you're my best mate"

"Yeah I am so believe me when I say everything will be fine. I promise. Stop worrying. This is an easy tour."

"Thanks" She did feel better for talking to Georgie. She was was definitely the more rational of the two.

"Although you better have your wits about you as well, and not cos you're going to Kenya but with two section. They're an interesting bunch"

Georgie laughed. "Yeah I remember from your Wedding. Didn't really speak to them much that night though. Think they'll remember me?"

"Oh yeah, I think they'll all remember you. Fingers definitely will"

Georgie groaned. "Great. Can't wait"

"Listen I've heard your put downs. They don't stand a chance. And they wouldn't dare mess with you. They know I'd bloody kill 'em". Georgie giggled. Got to say I'm really glad you accepted the job. I thought you might turn him down. You know, cos of the friends he keeps."

"He's not Voldemort Molls, you can say his name"

"I know but I'd rather not, it's a stupid name, who calls their kid elvis?"

Georgie chuckled. The way Molly stood by her when it all went to shit with Elvis she'd be forever grateful for. Molly really was a true friend and got her through some dark times.

"Anyway how's Jamie? You two set a date for the wedding yet?"

"God not you too. You sound like my mum. I will. I'm just in no rush"

"You know he isn't Elvis, he will actually turn up. Jamie adores you."

"Yeah well I thought Elvis did at one point too didn't I."

"How can you even compare. Elvis is a selfish prick. Jamie isn't. Besides he's a doctor and that's definitely a notch up from a squaddie."

"I'll tell Charles you said that shall I?" She chuckled

"I said squaddie not captain" she laughed. "He'd do anything for you. The boy's besotted. Unless, you're not sure about him, not having second thoughts are you?"

Molly had her reservations about Jamie. She didn't really have anything against him she just didn't really get on with him. She thought he was a bit boring, never really had anything to say to him, and she did, on occasion, find him a little too controlling of Georgie. But he seemed to make her happy, and god knows she deserved to be happy. And who was she to judge. You can't help who you fall in love with and Georgie could definitely do a lot worse.

"Of course I'm not. I'm just not in any rush, got other things on my mind. Like making sure your husband doesn't get shot!"

"Ok ok point taken, but don't let what happened with Elvis put you off. It's a big life out there and you deserve to be happy. Besides if Jamie tried anything he'd 'av me to deal with. I'd have no hesitation in rolling him in a carpet and lobbing him off the m25!"Georgie laughed,

"How's Jamie about you going on tour. He weren't exactly thrilled about your last tour and thought you said you weren't going on anymore when you're married, not that i'm complaining I'm glad you're goin'"

"I'm not but I'm not married yet am I. Besides how could I say no to Charles. You would have bloody killed me"

"Yeah true. I'm glad you accepted. Makes me feel better that bunch of muppets are well looked after. Just remember to take lots of sunblock and pop tarts. They're right numpties and Mansfield will definitely not have packed enough. He's whiter than milk, and ginger, he don't stand a chance in the Kenyan sun, so keep an eye on him yeah"

.

Georgie laughed, "thanks for the heads up"

"Shit I can hear Charles coming downstairs, he's just called out to me. He'll think i'm on the phone to me nan so I better go before he asks to speak to you"

"I'm definitely going then, don't think I could pull off an impression of your nan. Take care yeah and let me know how things are out there if you can?"

"Thanks Georgie. Will do. You take care n all yeah."

Just then there was a knock at the door and Charles popped his head round. Molly plastered on her best smile in the hope Charles didn't realise she wasn't talking to her family and agreed when he asked if she wanted a tea. With that he disappeared out the room and she hung up. She sat there for a few minutes contemplating the phone call with Georgie. Though she felt better about Charles' tour having spoken to Georgie she still had a niggling feeling in her gut that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Something was worrying her, she just wasn't sure what.

…...

She made her way to the kitchen where Charles was sat at the island nursing a cup of coffee. Wrapping her arms around him she leaned her head on his back and breathed in his scent, her fingers slowly tracing the muscles on his back.

"Hey gorgeous, you ok? Who were you talking too?"

"Oh, er, just me mum and me nan"

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah fine. Just checking in before I go on tour. You know how they like to hear from me. And I miss them, it's been ages since I've seen them."

She felt bad about lying to Charles but it wasn't a total lie, she had spoken to them earlier in the day.

He spun around so his face was inches from hers, cupping her face in his hands and softly tracing his thumbs across her cheeks as he leant his forehead down to hers.

"Well when you get back we'll take a trip to see them, spend the weekend in London. I'll wine and dine you. It will be 'proper' romantic. She laughed. Since being together he tried so hard to sound less posh and use more of her dawsisms, as he called them

.

"Are you all packed and ready for tomorrow Anything I can help with"

"Nope. Think I'm all done. Uniform is ironed and the Bergen is packed. I'm good to go now."

"Well that's good to hear Mrs James as we've got 12 hours before I have to get you to Brize, any thoughts on what you'd like to spend those 12 hours doing?" he asked with a cheeky wink and a cock of his head.

"Oh I can think of a few things bossman," she said with a sly smile.

He loved it when she called him that. She very rarely did these days but it reminded him of when he first started falling for her. She softly planted a kiss on his lips, pulling at his bottom lip with her teeth, before tracing little kisses along his jawline, and down his neck. Charles caught his lip in his teeth as his breath hitched in his chest. As she thumbed the waistband of his boxers he could feel the familiar ache in his groin. Suddenly she pulled away, turned on her heel, grabbed him by the hand and headed for the stairs...