Molly was woken by the sound of the pilot instructing everyone to don their full protective gear, and informing them they would be landing in 5 minutes. She wasn't the only one on the plane to Kenya, there were a few other squaddies, but she didn't recognise any of them. Which suited her fine. She'd been travelling for close to 8 hours now with very little sleep in the last 24 hours so was tired,hungry and grubby, and in no mood to make small talk.
As the plane rumbled on and she began to feel it's descent her adrenaline started to kick in, and for the first time in ages she started to feel excited about what lay before her. As much as she loved the training role she also enjoyed the thrill of being in the field. The tiredness that had been consuming her started to lift a little, and as the plane touched down she smoothed down her uniform, grabbed her gun and her bergen , and descended down the ramp at the back of the plane.
The light cloud and cool wind that greeted her as she stepped off the plane was a refreshing change. Whilst Kenya was still hot by British standards - compared to Afghan it was positively cold. She shrugged off her Bergen and removed her helmet. Closing her eyes she let the cool air wash over her, enjoying the feeling of the wind in her hair and the cool breeze down her neck.
She had no idea what awaited her in Kenya but was under no illusion of how dangerous this mission actually was. She'd never rescued anyone who'd been kidnapped before, although she had had her fair share of dangerous missions, but she wasn't totally sure she was prepared for what she was about to face. Physical wounds she could mend and treat, but god knows what Georgie's mental state would be like after being held captive. She was strong, but even so. Suddenly the reality of it all seemed too much. Her best friend was in the hands of some terrorists who were doing god knows what to her and it terrified her. All she wanted to do was cry. "Snap out of it Dawes, you've got a job to do!" She muttered under her breath. Either way she knew she could do far more good here than being stuck in Afghan.
"Lance Corporal Dawes," she spun round to hear where the voice was coming from. She spotted the young squaddie standing on the tarmac.
"I'm Private Rogers. Welcome to Kenya ma'am. The helicopter and special forces are waiting for you over there"
"Cheers mate, listen av' I got time to nip to the ladies before we take off again. I didn't get a chance on the plane"
The young squaddie raised his eyes in surprise. He wasn't used to someone in a senior position to him being so casual in how they spoke. It made a nice change.
"Erm yeah sure. Just in that building over to the right. Would you like me to hold your stuff ma'am whilst you go?"
"Nah you're alright mate. I can manage. And please call me Dawes. I hate all that formal bollocks.
The young private smiled, he'd like to work with Dawes some day he thought.
As she walked across the Tarmac she could see the special forces guys, waiting at the door of the helicopter for her. There seemed to be four of them, but all had their backs to her. It was only when she got a little closer that she thought she recognised one of them. On hearing her approach they all spun round, and it was then she clocked him, her stomach lurched,
"Oh shit"
"Well if it isn't my favourite Captain's wife, alright Molls, or should I say Mrs James"
"It's Dawes actually to you, what the bleedin hell are you doing here Elvis?"
"The army's a small place molls, you and me were bound to be on an op together eventually."
"I can't believe they actually allowed you on this mission"
"When I heard what happened there was no way I wasn't taking it. How did you manage to wangle your way out here? Didn't think husband and wives were allowed to be on ops together, and I thought Charlie said you were in Afghan?"
"We aren't usually, but Major Beck cleared it. Given the nature of the op, history with two section and friendship with lane and the fact that I'm just the nuts as a medic, got an award for it and everything don't you know" she added with a hint of annoyance.
The other three members of Elvis' team stood there, slightly opened mouthed watching as the boss and this new medic traded insults. Clearly there was a history between the two of them, but what that was was anybody's guess. They were sure they'd find out soon enough, and to be honest they didn't really care, as long as it didn't affect the operation they were about to embark on.
"Sorry to interrupt this little reunion but we've got to go boss," Spanner piped up.
"Lance Corporal Dawes, let me introduce you to Spanner, Spunky and Jackson"
"Nice to meet you"
"You too" said Jackson. Is there something we need to know about you and the boss?
Elvis cut in, "Lance Corporal Dawes here is Captain James' wife, who we're about to go and meet, and also happens to be Georgie's best friend. Plus, she thinks I'm a massive bellend, that about right Dawes?"
"That's putting it mildly mate,"
"Right, got it" Chuckled Jackson, this was going to be interesting
"Think we'll stay at the back of the chopper hey lads. Let them get re-acquainted. By the look on Dawes' face I wouldn't want to be the boss right now"
Agreed, chimed Spunky and Spanner in unison.
She wasn't particularly pleased about being in Elvis' company. She was still so mad at him about Georgie, even two years later. She had thawed slightly towards him when she found out why he didn't turn up to the wedding, but not why he didn't tell Georgie, and she'd have to try damn hard not to let her personal feelings interfere with the mission. And she knew Charles wouldn't be best pleased, or Georgie for that matter. The whole thing just seemed like a recipe for disaster.
"It's a short journey down to the camp. Less than an hour. You feeling ok about the mission?"
"Yeah I guess so. I don't know much about it. I'm just scared for Georgie. What they doin to her? "
"Let's not think about it. It will take away focus. Georgie is strong. She'll be coping. We have to work out the quickest way of getting her back. Primarily that's what me and my team will do. You will not be engaging with any of the enemy. You're there as support for Lane, understand, you're not expected to go in and be the heroine and rescue her."
"I know. I've just never been involved in anything like this before. Not gonna lie, I'm a bit scared"
"We all are", said Elvis so quietly she almost missed it.
They sat there in silence for what seemed like forever. She glanced across to look at him. She could see the tension in his eyes. His posture not as relaxed as she was used to. He was wringing his hands. She knew he was worried. Maybe it was being on a dangerous operation but it was more likely the fact that he was going to see Georgie that was stressing him out.
Elvis broke the silence first. "So shall we mention the elephant in the room?"
"What's that then mate?"
"You know we need to talk about it molls. I'm trusting you with my team's life. I need to know you trust me and you're with me"
"I can separate personal and professional. Don't you worry about that. I won't let you down. I'll have your back. Question is can you?"
"I presume Charlie told you why I didn't turn up to the wedding?"
"He did"
"And?"
"And what?"
"Do you understand why I couldn't marry Georgie?"
"Not really. I understand it was a shock but I'm sure Georgie would have understood. But just not turning up, no phone call, even a text would have done. But nothing and then sending Charlie to do your dirty work. That's just a low blow. Georgie deserved better than that. You claim to love her and that she means the world to you but if that was the case you would have done anything to try and speak to her, to explain. Not just cut her off and run away. You put everyone in a really awkward position. I know you think it was the right thing to do but it was totally selfish. It didn't just affect your life but everyone's. It was weak what you did. I know you were scared. But Georgie would have understood. She would have been mad and yeah maybe the wedding wouldn't have gone ahead, maybe you would have broken up, who knows, but you didn't even give her the option to decide that. And then you left everyone else to pick up the pieces. So forgive me if I'm a little hostile. It kills me that I can't tell her that I know why you didn't turn up. Honestly if she found out I knew I don't think she'd ever forgive me."
"I was scared molls, I didn't know what to do. What would you have done?"
"Well used protection for one, and maybe not agreed to marry you - but that's just me"
"Gee thanks molls - kick a man when he's down. So what do I do now. Think she'll give me a chance to explain?"
"I honestly don't know, you fucked up, I wouldn't if it was me"
"I love her molls. I always have and I always will. When I get her back I'm going to explain everything. I'm going to do everything in my power to win her back.
"You broke her heart"
"Well it's my job to mend it then ain't it"
"No. That's not your job. Your job is to find her and rescue her - anything else is up to her. Don't hold your breath, you had your chance. She's moved on. She's happy. I suggest you do the same."
"I will not let her down again. I'm going to make it right. When we get her back will you speak to her for me?"
"And say what, you're not exactly a hot topic of conversation between us?"
"That I'm not all bad. That I love her. That I made a mistake."
"Let's just get her back first. We can talk about anything else after that."
"So are you warming to me a bit then?"
"Not really. I still think you're a tosser. But I can't actually fault how you stepped up two years ago. Some men wouldn't. Some would just run away".
"Thanks molls. That actually means a lot. Anyway we're about to land, let's go and get a bollocking from Charlie, because let's be honest he ain't going to be happy with either of us. Get your gear on and let's go."
