A/N Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to review the last chapter. It means alot. I've got a good few chapters already written so I'll try to post them quite regularly Hope you like this chapter and as before reviews are always appreciated
Thanks xx
Chapter 2 - Back in Afghan
Molly sat outside her tent watching the last of the sun's rays disappear over the mountains. The relentless heat finally starting to retreat. Today had been a scorcher, even by Afghan standards. Walking from her tent to the classroom had felt like she was walking through treacle. Even though this was her 3rd tour to Afghan she didn't think she'd ever get used to the heat and dust. Luckily she'd been in an air conditioned room most of the day but even at dusk it was still close to 30 degrees. It wasn't just the heat that was getting to her. This tour was taking it out of her. She felt like she was taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back. This latest lot of medics just didn't seem to have a scooby about what she'd been lecturing about. She knew they were desperate to get out there and put what they'd been learning into practice but they needed to understand the basics first. The lack of progress was frustrating and she was starting to feel the pressure from higher up. Her tour was almost over but how could she leave when it didn't feel like she'd done her job? Sure, she was part of a team and her colleagues were staying out there to continue but Molly didn't like to feel like a job was half done. She took pride in what she did and wanted to feel like she'd made a difference.
Deep down she knew she had, but it wasn't just that that was riling her. She was coming to the end of the tour and was missing Charles like crazy. She hadn't spoken to him in a few days either. The last time she'd spoken all he'd said was there'd been an incident at the refugee camp when they got there. He didn't go into specifics but said no one from the section was injured, but that the tour might be a little more problematic than first thought. She could tell he was annoyed though, Charles hated going into situations without all the proper information, so naturally Molly was worried.
It was days like this where she just wanted to be lying in their bed, arms wrapped around each other shutting the world out. As she sat on the steps of her tent her thoughts drifted to Charles and their last day together just over 6 weeks ago. A small smile spread across her lips as she thought of that last night and subconsciously played with the ring hung round her neck, gripping it tight in her hands, hoping that Charles, wherever he was would be doing the same, binding them together even though there was thousands of miles between them.
As she stood up she suddenly felt a little light headed and nauseous. The long days, heat and lack of sleep must be getting to her. Gripping onto the side of the tent to stop herself from collapsing, she realised she'd not really eaten or drank all day, so made her way inside to find her emergency rations. She was far too hot and tired to head to the mess tent. After the day she'd had all she wanted to do was hit her pit - she was sure she'd be asleep before the springs hit the floor.
Molly flopped onto the bed, closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift to Charles and the trajectory her life had taken. Who would have thought that Molly Dawes, the nail technician with the bad taste in boyfriends, with no qualifications, from the East End, would be happy sitting in the middle of a war zone on a pull out bed. Certainly not her. Gripping her wedding ring once again she reflected on this current tour. It had been one of her better tours. She actually felt like she was making a difference in Afghan. The ANA were making great progress and working with the training and advisory team had been a dream. She still couldn't believe people valued her opinion and actually wanted her to teach them about combat medicine. She was actually good at something for the first time in her life and despite Charles always believing in her it was nice others did too. Plus she made it on her own merit. Not from being married to a Captain.
She was well aware of the rumours and that people thought she'd been given special treatment. That's why she kept her maiden name. It wasn't foolproof but for those who didn't know her history it meant they gave her a chance and got to know what she was capable of before learning who her husband was and judging her. Obviously it hadn't always been easy, a few times she felt she'd had to prove herself more than others, captains had given her a hard time and she'd been subject to ridicule on more than one occasion, but Molly was nothing if not resilient and it just made her even more determined to succeed.
She'd been in the army for a good few years now and had worked her way up to Lance Corporal. Charles kept pushing her telling her she could go all the way to Captain but she wasn't sure that's the direction she wanted to take. Whilst she loved her job and the extra responsibility she still loved being at the heart of it all and she wasn't sure she wanted the responsibility being a Captain would bring. Plus, she was starting to think that she might like to take a break from her career and focus on another challenge. She absolutely doted on Sam and loved nothing more than being his stepmum, although she preferred to be referred to as more of a big sister, he didn't need another mum. But she was starting to think that she'd like her and Charles to have a little one of their own. It had never really crossed her mind before and she'd always sworn off becoming a mum after growing up with all the little bleeders that her mum popped out. Plus, she felt that joining the army she'd escaped the life that she'd been destined for. She was 24 now and if she'd stayed at home she would definitely have had a few kids by now. When she joined up she was so determined that her life would be different that she put kids to the back of her mind. But then she met Charles and things changed. Her priorities shifted. She loved Charles more than anything and she'd seen what a great dad he was to Sam, something which she wanted to experience first hand with a child of their own. They'd never really broached the subject of having a baby. He seemed so content with Sam. She had no doubt he loved her but Sam was nine now and past the sleepless nights and dirty nappies stage. She wasn't sure he'd want to go through all that again. Molly was certainly surprised that she wanted it but she felt it was the right time.
She finally felt content with her life and that everything was falling into place. She had a great job, great husband, lovely house and fantastic step son. But felt like something was missing. And she'd come to the conclusion on this tour that it was a baby. And the more she thought about it. The more she craved it.
"Lance Corporal Dawes - are you decent?"
The knock on the flap of the tent startled her, she shot up, hand automatically going to the gun that was placed next to her bed. She recognised the voice as that of Major Beck. Climbing off the bed she straightened her shoulders and stood to attention.
"Yes sir"
The flap moved aside and Major Beck entered. Molly wasn't surprised to see him. Although he wasn't her direct superior they'd been on a few tours together and it wasn't uncommon for him to swing by her tent and see how she was doing and how the tour was going. What was a surprise was to see her Captain enter immediately after him. Kinders had worked his way up through the ranks and was now a Captain, her Captain. She was as surprised as anyone when he'd been assigned to her unit but it was a welcome change for Molly as she'd missed being with 2 section but this way it felt like she was a little closer to them. Plus it helped that she got on with him. Sometimes the army could be hell if you got a captain who didn't particularly take a shine to you.
The fact both of them entered at the same time rattled Molly a little. Something must be happening for both the Captain and the Major to be here. She hoped it was nothing serious. Oh god, was it Charles, had something happened.
"Lance Corporal Dawes - at ease"
Molly relaxed her shoulders and tried to push the thoughts to the back of her head - hear them out first molls she thought before jumping to conclusions. They're probably here to talk about today and the lack of progress being made with the Afghan medics.
"Thank you Sir, is everything ok?"
Kinders stood there emotionless, his default stance, but as she studied Major Beck's face she could see how tired he looked, his brow furrowed against his slightly tanned skin. This was Molly's 3rd tour with Major Beck and though they didn't know each other that well, she knew him well enough to know when something was troubling him.
"Dawes, how long have you got left of this tour?
"Just over a week sir, then I'm heading home for some much needed R&R. I aven't half missed hot water and a decent shower. I know I ain't on the frontline this time but Afghan grime still manages to get in places you don't even realise exist. Why do you ask sir, is there a problem?"
"Sort of Dawes, I've just had word from Kenya, there's been an incident..."
Molly felt her stomach sink. She thought she might actually vomit. She could feel the room start to spin and sat down on the bed, struggling to breath.
Her voice betraying her, she croaked out,
"What kind of incident? Is it Charles? What's happened?"
"No Dawes it's not Captain James - it's Lance Corporal Lane - she's been kidnapped"
Molly visibly relaxed at hearing it wasn't Charles but then suddenly panic set in. Her eyes shot up and even though the room had stopped spinning the urge to vomit hadn't.
"What do you mean she's been kidnapped? I thought they were on a humanitarian mission. Helping out at the refugee camp - how can she have been kidnapped? What's happened to the rest of the section?"
"It seems there's been a small Al Shabaab cell operating in the camp. One of the doctors was taken and when James and the rest of the section went to retrieve her there was a gun fight. Lane insisted on travelling to hospital with an injured fighter and the ambulance was ambushed. Special Forces have been called in to assist in the recovery."
"Assist in recovery? What does that mean? Do they think she's dead?"
"Obviously I can't give any more information at this time Dawes, but the reason for me telling you is they need a replacement medic. The operation to recover Lane is a dangerous one and we need a combat medic. You're almost at the end of your tour and whilst we wouldn't normally deploy a husband and wife together we feel there are extenuating circumstances. Private Mansfield was also injured in the kidnapping and was shot. He's alive but he's been flown back to the UK. Special Forces will need a medic once they retrieve Lane. The section are already pretty rattled, deploying someone they've never met will only make it worse. You've worked with them before. They trust you. And you're bloody good at what you do. You'll primarily be supporting Special forces but will be reporting to Captain James. What do you think?"
Mollys head swam with the information. How could Georgie have been kidnapped. It just didn't make sense, or even bare thinking about what they might be doing to her. And Mansfield - shot. She should have been there to protect her boys. She didn't need to think twice though- her boys needed her, Charles needed her - although she wasn't sure what his reaction would be.
"I'd be honoured sir"
"Great, time is of the essence though Dawes. You'll be flown out tonight. You'll fly straight to Kenya from here. There you'll meet up with special forces to be flown to the camp that Captain James and 2 section are stationed at."
"Oh just one other thing - we have decided against informing Captain James of your arrival. Mainly, because he'd be sure to veto it and we don't have time for the argument that would inevitably ensue."
Molly knew all too well what Beck was referring to. Whilst Charles had never played a part in her career progression he most definitely would not want her on this mission. He would feel responsible for what happened to Georgie and he definitely wouldn't want his wife in the front line and to be faced with the prospect of possibly losing 2 medics in his charge. How kind of them to leave it up to her to deal with the fall out she thought. She wasn't looking forward to that revelation. She'd been on the receiving end of Charles' bad moods one too many times and didn't relish the fact of having to deal with it, especially when Georgie's life was hanging in the balance. She'd cross that bridge when she saw him though. At the end of the day she'd been given her orders and if she had a chance to help save Georgie she was sure as hell going to take it. Regardless of whether Charles approved or not.
"Thank you Sir, I look forward to surprising him" she said with a smile.
"Great, Kinders will sort out all the transfer paperwork. Shouldn't take long. I suggest you square your kit away Dawes and hand over anything to your colleagues. I've asked Corporal Jackie Averton to cover your role. You'll be leaving at 23:00 hours. So get packing and get some food before you go."
"Oh and I'm sure it goes without saying but obviously these are special circumstances and whilst we know you're married I trust that you will remain professional at all times Dawes, I don't want to hear reports of you and James fraternising. I'm putting my ass on the line for this, told my superiors you were the consummate professional, so you wait out yes?"
"Of course sir. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this operation. I promise you won't regret it. I won't let you down."
"Good day Dawes", and with that he turned and left the tent. Kinders however remained. Molly turned to her Captain,
"What the hell happened eggy?"
Even though Kinders was now her Captain when it was just the two of them he didn't mind her calling him eggy, in fact he quite enjoyed it, reminded him of happier times.
"I really don't know Molls. I only heard it on the wire about an hour ago and don't know much more than what Major Beck just told you. But if it's serious enough for Special Forces it can't be good. No idea who they're sending but you'll meet up with them in Kenya then be flown out to captain James. Be careful molls. This is a dangerous mission. Probably more so than Afghan because one of our own is involved and I know it's hard to separate personal and professional on the battlefield."
Well there's an understatement if ever she'd heard one she thought.
"This mission is textbook Molls - no heroics. You're just there to support special forces if they need it and give emotional support to Lane when she's rescued, and 2 section. No putting your life on the line if you don't have to. That's what the special ops guys are for."
"So they do think she's alive then? They must do if they're sending special forces right? "
"Well I haven't heard otherwise so it's best to assume she is. Take care of the lads and say hi to them for me. I do miss that bunch of bellends sometimes. You'll be flown straight home from Kenya so I'll reconvene with you when you're home. Take care Dawes and don't do anything stupid - I know your reputation"
"I know, I know stay focussed, stay alert, stay alive" they both chuckled. That particular phrase had stuck with them all over the years.
As Kinders exited, Molly stood with her hands on her hips and surveyed the tent. Whilst she was terrified of what was happening to Georgie and what she might find when she went to Kenya she'd be lying if she said she wasn't excited about the prospect of seeing Charles, even if he would hit the roof. It had been weeks since they'd seen each other and this tour had been particularly difficult to keep in touch. They'd not been deployed together since that first tour of Afghan, and even though they were now married it wasn't like they could act on that. They'd have to wait out again. They'd done it once and she was sure they could do it again. But the thought that she might be able to sneak into his quarters and rip his clothes off and act out all the thoughts that had been keeping her going over the last few weeks certainly made her pulse race. Pushing those thoughts to one side though she proceeded to square her kit away and waited for the chopper to take her to the airbase. These next few days were certainly going to be interesting.
