Chapter one

As Captain James strode down the empty corridor, the steady clump of his shoes echoed off the walls and around his head like a war drum. His ears were still ringing and thick with trapped water, and if he closed his eyes for long enough it almost felt like he was still beneath the surface, scrabbling around and trying to get his head up and eyes on the rest of his section.

'Sir.' A nurse said as he approached the door. 'Sir, you have to wait out here.'

'I need to know what's going on.' He replied, his voice steady and firm. He felt like an imposter. He had become very good at keeping his emotions hidden, not at all visible from the outside. But today had shaken him. Hell, the last 24 hours had shaken him. It was like things had all of a sudden started to make sense again, but someone, somewhere was trying to rip it out of his hands. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath as the nurse stood fast. 'They're still in theatre. As soon as we know anything, the surgeon will be out to update you.'

'Thank you.' He replied, stuffing his hands in to his pockets as he could feel them shaking. 'I just need to update my superiors so they can update her family.'

'Of course.' She replied, smiling gently. 'Someone will be with you as soon as they can.'

And then she left, leaving him staring at his reflection in the glass of the door. He still looked like Charles. A little rougher round the edges maybe, his eyes more tired and stress lines showing the battle strain he had been under for the past years etched across his face. But inside he felt nothing like that man. Nothing like the Captain who had focused his last however many years keeping his team focused and alive. When he became Captain of 2 section, he felt invincible - like he truly could do anything he put his mind to. But now he felt battered and bruised, and all he wanted to do was curl up with her under the covers and stay there. He was tired. He was done. He couldn't keep them safe anymore. He was no Captain.

The sound of a door opening and footsteps hurrying along the corridor behind him brought his mind back in to focus, and he turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of her as she snapped the rubber gloves off her hands and in to a bin a few metres behind him.

'Boss.' She said. He could feel the energy buzzing off her. She was still in medic mode, her brain buzzing with the desire to help people, to keep them alive. Just the sight of her made him sigh with relief and he had to lean against the wall to stop his legs giving way.

'How are they doing?' He asked, a smile on his lips. But it was a strained smile, it didn't reach his eyes.

'They're ok.' Georgie replied, wiping a few loose strands of hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. 'Shock... cuts and bruises. Ruby's just finishing them up now. They're gonna be alright, boss.'

Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. That was six of his team out of danger. Brains, Fingers, Ruby, Monk and Kingy were safe. By some miracle they, together with he and Georgie, had escaped with only minor injuries which was incredible given the height from which they had jumped. Now he was just waiting for news on Maisie, who was in theatre.

'How's Maisie?' Georgie asked. She was desperate to touch him, to hold him - but she knew they had to be careful. If this got out it could have serious consequences for both of them.

'I don't know.' He replied. 'They won't tell me anything.'

'I'll see what I can find out.' She said, placing her hand gently on his forearm.

They stared in to each other's eyes for a few seconds, he enjoyed seeing the sparks fly in her eyes when she was busy doing something good, it was one of the things about her that he found massively attractive.

Georgie didn't break his gaze as he brought his hand to her cheek and brushed it gently with his thumb. She closed her eyes as he cupped it around her ear which was covered in dried blood, and stroked it gently as if he was trying to heal her. It took all her energy to remain standing where she was and not jump in to his arms, and she let out the deep breath she was holding instead, remembering the softness of his lips on hers the night before.

'You were amazing.' He said softly, and she could feel his breath on her cheeks he was so close. More than anything she wanted to lean forwards and kiss him, but eventually she opened her eyes and took a step back, his hand falling away.

'Charlie...' She managed, her heart thumping in her chest.

'I know.' He said. 'I'm sorry. I just...'

'Later.' She said softly. 'Once all this is done. We can talk.'

He nodded. 'Yeah.'

She smiled at him, touched her hand on his arm again, and then ducked through the doorway and in to the surgical ward. He was alone again. Now he felt like an idiot. She clearly thought he meant last night, but that wasn't what he meant at all. Of course she had been amazing last night - he took a deep breath as he thought of the scent of her body so close to his, and his pulse quickened. But she had amazed him even more in the way she had dealt with the aftermath of the jump. They had all climbed out of the water in shock, gasping for breath, and she had managed to keep everyone calm while also stabilising Maisie who was in a bad way. He loved to watch her work. She saved lives, there was no doubt about it. He couldn't have a better medic by his side.