Everything Starts Somewhere
Chapter 4
It had been nearly a week since they had seen one another, and Charles was desperate. He was also worried. Since their talk about him and Rebecca. Since he broke down in front of her they hadn't seen one another. He'd gone off and visited Sam, as well as to try to get a few pieces of furniture off Rebecca. It annoyed him that he had almost had to beg her for stuff that was half his by rights. It was a hard and uncomfortable task and all he really came away with were bits and pieces and a bed for Sam to use at his. Charles was fed up with arguing about pieces of wood. He told Rebecca to keep it all and he just have to buy everything he needed.
Molly had been busy too while he'd been away. They had talked but with her nights on guard duty, lesson preparation and the research she was doing into promotion she had little spare time. They talked on the phone a lot and she sounded fine, but Charles missed her and needed to see her. Needed that reassurance that she wasn't holding his past mistakes over Rebecca against him.
He also needed to see her as he felt incredible jealous. The rest of two section had been on the first part of a two week course which Molly was very involved with. They had seen her every day, eaten their meals with her and socialised with her every night. They returned back to the barracks at the end of the first week full of tales about their girl Molly. It was hard for Charles he wanted to know everything ask questions, but had to keep himself in check to prevent the lads from becoming suspicious.
He had been hoping to see her tonight but she informed him that she was going out drinking with some friends. It was just as well because as soon as Charles put the phone down from Molly his best mate, his former best man called.
"Charlie Boy. How you doing?" He drawled in his posh Essex tongue.
"Elvis. Bloody hell fella. Long time no see." Elvis was always flying off here and there. It had been quite a while since these boys had last met one anaother.
"Well that's about to change. Have a 48hr stay in the UK. Fancy meeting for some drinks and a chat?"
"Sounds good." Charles replied and arrangements were made. Even as Charles was making them he knew he'd be lucky in keeping to the timings. He certainly wouldn't be on time, too bust at work, and he wasn't.
When he did eventually arrive at the bar he could already see Elvis standing at the bar doing what Elvis did the best, chatting up a woman. It was only when he got closer did he realise just who exactly he was chatting up. It was Molly. She was enjoying herself. Laughing away at his comments, throwing her hair back over her shoulder and leaning in to listen to Elvis' stories above the noise of the bar.
Charles just watched her. He'd always admired Molly's figure. While on tour he found himself numerous times watching her secretly. The way she moved, carried herself mesmerised him. Being able to watch and not touch had been one of the hardest things he had done in his adult life. Even though on tour she was not provocative or sexualised, no soldier ever was, he found her body so tempting and so sensuous to observe.
That is what he felt right now watching her talk to Elvis. She looked gorgeous. Tight jeans and heels that carried off her figure perfectly. The view from behind, as delightful as the one he would see from the front. Her top held her breasts in firmly, tempting on lookers to linger their gaze over them due to their perfection. She wasn't dressed to show off, merely everything she wore she wore well, and suited her toned body. Standing there observing her now, he craved her like he used to. Needing to possess her, this time knowing that he could, made him step almost automatically forwards towards them.
He knew what Elvis was like. He knew that whoever he wanted in the female line he generally got. But he was surprised as far as he knew Elvis was loved up with a new woman in his life. Whatever Elvis was when it came to women he generally was not a cheat. Charles therefore didn't know what to do. Watching them was making him more jealous and mad. Interrupting them and possibly seeing her guilty face was going to hurt him. The decision however was taken out of his hands when Elvis spotted him and called him over. Molly look round and smiled.
"Charlie Boy." He greeted him.
Molly choked on her drink hearing Elvis' pet name for Charles. There was she thinking Charles was bad!
Elvis gave his friend a strong hug, which was touching to watch, especially as Charles returned it with as much energy and warmth. These two were obviously very good friends.
"Bloody long time mate. You're looking good."
"Thanks. Good to see you too. All back to normal now." Charles replied. He still hadn't caught Molly's eye, unsure how he'd cope when he did. He could sense though she was seeking his out moving her head to try to interrupt his line of sight.
"You're a sly bastard." Elvis said ordering Charles a beer and shot, without asking. The expectation there that Charles would be having one. He pointed a finger over to Molly as he spoke.
"What do you mean?" Watching them both grinning at him, he felt as though he was left out of some secret they shared.
"My Georgie asked me to drop some papers off for her in the med centre. While I was there got talking to Molly. She's mates with my Georgie. So I invited her for a drink."
Charles still hadn't said anything. Elvis continued. Molly still smiling, but had a curious look in her eye, and moved closer to him fractionally, very much aware they were out in public.
"So mate it seems my bird knows your bird!" Elvis finished his tale jubilantly. "And might I just say it's about bloody time. You're a miserable git when you're not getting any."
For the second time that night Molly choked on her drink. She'd never been anyone's bird before, and wasn't too sure she liked it!. She looked at Charles with total amusement.
"I know Georgie from a few years back, we haven't talked for a while. Then today when Elvis came in one conversation lead to another. He found out I knew Georgie and that I knew you. Several glasses of wine later and he now knows….I'm your bird." She laughed with Charles at how ridiculous that sounded.
Charles beamed, with happiness and relief. He threw his arm around Molly and kissed her hello like he should have done when he first saw her. These doubts, these niggles of jealousy he kept having had to stop. Molly had only shown total commitment to him from the day he had met her. She wasn't the roaming type.
"Right off to the loo." Elvis announced.
Leaving them alone, Charles threw his arm across her shoulders and kissed her hair.
"You look beautiful you know. You always do."
"Hey. This is a bit public?" Molly said referring to Charles' display of affection, but beamed up at him in response to his comments. She enjoyed his attentions as much as she enjoyed his words.
"No. It's not, not to me, not anymore. I don't care who knows. We waited out. You're not in my chain of command. No reason to hide it anymore. What do you say?"
"Bleeding hell Charles you sure?" And seeing him nod soundly she continued. "Sounds like a plan. A really good plan." She smiled sliding into his arms and hugging him. Hoping that the world and his dog could see them now.
"Are you ok?" He gently asked, pulling his head back to look at her.
"Yeah….why?" His questioned panicked her a bit.
"Just about last week and telling you about Rebecca. I was worried you know."
"Yeah? I can see that. I understand. What you said last week…well I'm pleased you told me." And then they kissed. Molly didn't feel as though anymore needed to be said on the subject of him and Rebecca. That was then, this is now she thought. He's different, I'm different. Their kissing would have continued a lot longer but they were interrupted once Elvis returned.
"God sake Charlie, put her down and have a drink. Haven't seen you in ages….let's get pissed!" Elvis hung over the bar getting the server's attention for more drinks.
"Thanks but count me out. I'm off." Molly told Elvis.
Charles looked at her. "Where?"
"Told you I am meeting some mates. Just a little bit later than I had planned cause I didn't want to leave this sad tosser alone while waiting for you."
She slid off the bar stool she had been perched on, and put on her coat. She looked to see a hurt look on Charles' face.
"What's going on? You look like I've just shot your puppy or something?" Elvis laughed out loud on the other side of her.
"Nothing. Just thought since you stayed drinking with Elvis you might have stayed to have one with me." Charles could hear the five year old tone in his voice.
She raise herself up and kissed him on his pouting lips. "Gotta go. Made plans. You knew that…right?" She turned to say bye to Elvis and then looked back at Charles. "Don't get too pissed mind you, you would hate to miss out on joining two section on their 5 km run in the morning. Have fun."
And with that she was out of the door, gaining a few admiring glances as she left. He turned to see Elvis with several drinks in front of him, and huge smirk on his face.
"You've got it so fucking bad, haven't you mate." Elvis laughed poking him in the chest.
"Oh fuck off Elvis." Charles shouted and then ran off down the street.
"Molly….Molly….wait." He caught up with her half way down the street, her turning looking confused at him.
"Hey. Hadn't I just said goodbye to you. What going on?"
He grabbed her face. "Yes you did, but you didn't say you loved me." He teased.
"You pranett. Course I love you." Giggling at the silliness of him, enjoying this need he had, a need for her.
"And I love you too Miss Dawes." He replied, happy as can be.
"You know we need to talk about this letting everyone know thing. What about two section and that?"
"Yeah. I might make you right there. Come over to mine tomorrow. Please. I'll cook. Plus my new bed arrives tomorrow..…we could christen it." He raised his eyebrows at her in hope, his tongue trapped between his teeth perfecting the cheeky look he did so well.
"Can't I'm busy. Look I've got to go. Maybe at the weekend or next?" She started off, leaving him feeling bereft and very disappointed. He had seen something in her face when he suggested she came over, but he didn't know exactly what.
They never met up at the weekend, Molly saying she was busy. Charles really wanted to push it. But in all honesty he was too frightened to. He knew she was settling in, making new friends and working hard. But he had this idea that now they were a couple and him saying he no longer wanted them to be a secret anymore he would have seen more of her, not less. Once he had his own place, which was now almost completely furnished, he thought she would have been spending lots more time there. So far though she hadn't even spent the night. She said it was because she hadn't got round to organising an overnight pass from the guard's room. When he offered to help in the process and pull a few strings she very definitely told him if he ever did anything like that in her career she'd 'chop his balls off'. So he had never offered again. Had moved out of his barracks into his new home, and missed Molly.
The Monday morning saw him at Pirbright with the rest of the section undergoing the second part of the training. The lads had been in the class room for an hour or so when he decided to join them. He was amazed by what he saw. He had heard good reports but witnessing it himself was something else. At the head of the classroom stood his Molly, teaching a large class full of soldiers who were absolutely wrapped in what she had to say. She had such control over the group, her presentation, teaching style was amazing. Reports from her last tour, which he'd secretly read, suggested this, but seeing it himself made him so proud. Gone was the cocky young soldier he was strangely drawn to all those months ago, in its place was a confident, strong soldier who was professionally brilliant. Just like he said she always could be.
When he walked in Molly's head turned instantly, straightening herself respectful of his rank. Nothing gave away the nervousness she felt on seeing him there, watching her. She continue with only the smallest of pauses, no one noticed. She delivered her lecture, enjoying herself. She knew her subject and knew its importance to be taught well. Of course she was open to the inevitable mocking from the section, but it was nothing that she couldn't handle. Her eyes though frequently strayed to Charles' face in her talk. Only she could see the pride on his face watching her. Only she could understand the flash of emotion that crossed his eyes. Whatever he said afterwards it was his look, his pride in her that meant so much to her.
At the end of the lecture, the group filed out to the canteen. Molly promising to join them. Charles walked over to her purposefully.
"Well done Dawes. That was excellent."
"Thank you Sir. They are a good bunch. Easy to teach." She held his attention, aware that both of them found this new situation confusing.
"Well, then I guess you should double away then Dawes. Get yourself off to the canteen." He replied. This was the first time since Afghan that they had seen one another professionally. It was awkward. Both knowing the need to respect their professional boundaries. Neither knowing how to behave, not wanting anything to give them away.
At his words, his coldness Molly looked a bit hurt, disappointed even. Charles saw this. She went to turn, he couldn't let her go like this. They were alone so he grabbed her arm and bent to her ear.
"It was also fucking awesome Molly. I was so proud."
She grinned her grin. The grin that lit up his world that started his day, and brought peace to his world.
"Thank you Sir." She said again but this time it was said in such as a way that was a hundred times different from how she had said it last. It was said with love and joy. She wanted to make him proud of her.
He couldn't join them anymore that day. Other duties kept him busy. Though in everything he did he looked out for her. Molly too kept one eye constantly on the door hoping to see him again. They were on residential, so him and the section were having to stay in the camp for the next four nights. Being so close to one another, yet far away would be hard. Molly knew Charles would have to socialise with the other officers, and her adopted brothers of two section would certainly expect her to socialise with them.
That evening though Molly had escaped from two section's clutches after the evening meal, stating she had work to do. She had hoped for a text or call from Charles but no matter how many times she checked her phone nothing came through. She had tummy cramps and felt generally like shit, she just wanted her bed. She decide however to get on with some chores and headed down to the laundry room. It was deserted, warm and the hum of machines soon saw Molly falling asleep while sitting on the floor waiting for the machines to finish. She was woken from an amazing dream about Charles, to see him crouching in front of her gently shaking her shoulder.
"Molly. Molly. Hey there." He cooed into her sleepy face. " Come on sleepy head wake up."
"Charles. what are you doing here" Rolling her body into his crouched position. She knew that position hurt his leg if he stayed in it too long but she just wanted to be cocooned by his warmth while she slowly woke herself up. She knew him being there was risky, but for now she didn't care.
"Come to see my amazing girlfriend. Haven't seen much of her lately. Missed her."
"Mmmmmm. That's cute." Then as she fully woke up and reality took over she added. "Missed getting some action too I bet." She moved away breaking the dream well and truly.
"No. God Molly why say it like that. I missed you honest." He was a bit shocked.
"Shit Charles what happens if you get seen. Bit dangerous this isn't it?" She was fully aware of where they were now and backed away even more from him to keep a level of decency in case they were seen.
Charles noticed her putting distance between them. Struggling to understand why. "We'll be fine for a while. No one about. But if you're that worried. Come to my room. I could sneak you in." He half joked.
"No fucking way mate. I aint doing the walk of shame in the morning. All you bleeding Ruperts judging me." She replied with mild disgust at his suggestion. Gossip was rife on all camps, and her name would quickly become mud if she was seen.
"Ok then I come to yours?" He offered, hoping to make some headway in spending time together.
"No. I'll get into trouble." She definitely said.
"Come on Molly, well lets go back to the house then. I'll sort out passes,"
"Bloody hell Charles are you that desperate?" She couldn't believe how he was pushing this.
" No Molly. I told you I've missed you. What going on?" Charles felt totally confused.
"Nothing. Let's just wait until the next weekend then we can see each other." She hope to placate him. She could see he was upset with her. It wasn't what she wanted, she just needed some space.
"Hell Molly. Just tell me what's up. What have I done? Have I done something wrong?"
"I don't know have you?" She shot back. Her past experience with men had always painfully ended in her finding something out about them that she really didn't want to know.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked standing the pain in his leg starting to become too much.
"Nothing. It's me. Please Charles just leave it." She hoped he would this was starting to escalate into something not too pleasant. She stood too.
"Leave what? I can see something's wrong. Pleased tell me. I have a right to know why you're so pissed off with me, avoiding me." He looked at her, she looked pale and tired. Her body was slightly bent and defensive.
"I'm not pissed off with you. Bleeding hell Charles just leave it."
"No I won't Molly…. what's going on?" He was stern, not giving her an inch.
"Nothing." She was growing stubborn. Something she was famous for.
"Tell me." He almost shouted at her. Then quieter. "Please?"
"God Charles I messed up on my shot that's all. Got the timing wrong and that." She answered him quietly back.
"Your shot? I don't understand?" He stood leaning back against machine with his arms tucked underneath his armpits. Shaking his head trying to make sense of what she said.
"You know my shot? My Depo. My contraception shot. I forgot to have it."
"Oh right. OH. I mean…..what does that mean?" His eyebrow knitted together and his face was masked in worry. Surely this couldn't be happening to him again.
"Relax I'm not pregnant." She saw the panic, pleased that they were now on the same page. "I'm just not covered and that...well you know….. for the next week or so...we'll have to…..until the next shot."
"Is that it?" He walked over to her and placed his arms on hers. "You've been avoiding me cause we're going to have to use condoms?"
"Well yeah. Well I thought that you might have been a bit annoyed." She saw his face screw up into a question." Well you know thinking I was irresponsible and that. Just a silly kid messing your fun up. I didn't do it on purpose you know. I just forgot."
He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her, he felt her wince. "Molly, these things happen. You forgot. I'd never think of you being a silly kid. You're not. You're amazing, and you know what you're my amazing, and that makes me so happy. Condoms or not."
"Really?" She pulled back to look at him. "You're not pissed off you can't get your leg over?"
"Who say we can't?" He asked confused again.
"Ah. Yeah well. I might also have stared my period too. Got bloody awful cramps, spots galore, and me tits are really sore. Not exactly fun now am I?"
"No you're beautiful. I can't see any spots, not one. I'm sorry about your tits, cause I happen to love them. I love you. Period." He placed a kiss on her now smiling lips.. She felt so different about everything since the beginning of the conversation
"Seriously you're not pissed off with me?" She'd been panicking for that past few days, worried he'd shout at her for messing their fun up, but here he was being all understanding about it. Molly for the first time felt like a grown up, in a grown up relationship. She liked how Charles James was making her feel.
"No. Now come on. Let's get you to bed." She raised an eyebrow to him, but he continued. "We'll get you some painkillers for your cramps, and a hot water bottle, and an extra special, but very gentle cuddle from your boyfriend, who's going to look after you all night."
That's exactly what he did. They got to her room without being seen and he looked after her, made a fuss of her. He spent the night rubbing her tummy and cuddling her, repeatedly trying to hide his excitement from her. Being pressed up against her semi naked body was always going cause a natural response, but Charles wanted her to know he was there for her, for Molly, not for the sex. To him she meant more than that, and although he really enjoyed what they shared together, this closeness they were sharing now was just as beautiful. He'd never done this to anyone before, and soon felt that just holding Molly, soothing away her pains, allowing her to depend on him to make her feel better was one of his favourite things.
He left her bed early the next morning. He did his walk of shame to his room, but he did it proudly. Although strictly against the rules he doubted anyone would challenge him. Besides right at this moment he didn't care. He'd been there for Molly, it was only a minor thing, but he still had for the first time in a long time put someone else's needs before his.
When she arrive in the classroom Molly was blown away by what she saw. He'd left her that morning with the briefest of kisses, knowing he had to get back. She understood, just grateful he'd spent the night with her. She had been foolish hiding her error from him, thinking it was the sex he needed. After last night Molly realised that it was her, that he wanted. The small package on her desk proved that.
Tied in a red ribbon, just like the one his precious Rosabaya capsules had been tied in by her, were a packet of painkillers. Next to them was a cup of hot tea and a chocolate bar. The note, just to make sure there was no doubt as to who the gifts were from, merely said:
Dawes, take me, drink me, eat me. With my love x
Her face broke out into a huge grin, which had to be covered by her hand as she saw two section making their way into the room. Charles surprisingly followed right behind them joining in with all the easy banter. He smiled briefly at Molly as he took his seat, bashfully turning away, knowing she found his gift . This time Charles attended all the lecture, sitting at the back, attentive and so professional. It was only when every now and then she took a sip of her tea that a smile dance briefly, hardly noticeable to anyone, between these two lovers.
It was lunchtime that they eventually had a chance to speak again. Charles' first words were in asking how Molly was feeling.
"Its only period cramps. A bit more than usual because it the first since my last shot, but I'm fine. Thank you, and thank you for the gifts. That was really sweet."
She saw Charles blush, she thought that actually might have been the first time she'd ever seen it. They were still in uniform, still professional, still no inappropriateness between them. He just looked up from where he was perched on a desk and said.
"I know, but it important for you to know…you mean the world to me…I want to be there for you."
"You were. Thank you."
He cleared his throat and stood to leave, but she knew he still had a question to ask her. His face was hopeful and his eyes bore into hers.
"Now Dawes before I go. I have a favour to ask you."
"Boss?" Was all she said. Smiling into his eyes. Playing along with the game, the memories of the tent in Afghan in their minds.
He held onto the door handle this time, not crouching in front of her as he had once before. It was too public, they had too much respect for where they were.
"Tonight, and this weekend, sort out some bloody overnight passes. You're coming to mine and we are going to spend the night together in my new bed. I'm going to cook you a meal, look after you , and then drive you into work tomorrow morning, and I don't care who see us. Got it?"
"Yes Boss." Was how she answered through her happiness, and then watched him walk off down the corridor to join the rest of the lads.