Everything Starts Somewhere
Chapter 9
She settled herself onto the exam couch in the med centre and opened the screen on her computer, a cup of tea by her side, a familiar prop to her time alone. Her fingers were shaking with excitement, worry and anticipation.
The internet line connected as expected immediately and within seconds she saw his beautiful happy face. A huge breath left her body making her feel light headed. Happiness engulfed her.
"Charles." She scream with utter delight at the screen, and his electronic image. Her face bursting with joy.
"Molly." He replied almost talking over each other. "God I've missed you Dawes." Spoken almost reverently. He looked into the screen to see her face more closely. "How are you?"
"Missed you too. I'm good. Hot and sick of sand but so far so good." She answered readjusting herself to get closer to the screen too. Looking at her man for the first time in weeks. "What's that?" She pointed at the black eye Charles was sporting.
"Ah that? Wondered if you'd notice." He touched his eye gingerly, wincing at the pain when he did. "Got into a bit of a fight with a guard gate in manoeuvres. It swung back and clocked me one. Bloody stupid thing to do really. Think I'd know by now."
"You ok though? Everything ok? Is that all?" The worry poured out from her, memories of a conversation they had weeks ago about his fear resonating in her head. She scanned his image with concerned eyes.
"Yes. Yes. Everything fine. Just clumsy, and I bloody miss you. We all do. Sam says hello."
She smiled at that, he'd already sent her a picture he had drawn. She hadn't a clue of what it was meant to be and she reminded herself she need to get the answer from Charles before she wrote back.
It was their first face to face Skype session they had had since they said goodbye to one another three weeks ago. His training exercise and connection issues had seen to that. They had wrote, long letters to each other. Molly, now quickly becoming a seasoned letter writer to all, wrote in hers about her days, her work and the people she was with. In the few he'd received since he had arrived back home he could see that she was once again thriving in the different environment. That once again Molly Dawes was brilliant at what she was doing.
Charles loved to write letters, especially to Molly. It was a habit he had formed in boarding school and it was one that had stayed with him all throughout his military career. His letters to her were long and detailed, but had also been full of his news. These were however so different to his previous letters to her, for they now shared a life. She was part of his world that he wrote about, just as much as he was part of hers. He include his in his family news, the antics of Sam, and she enjoyed each and every story he told. He also include declarations of his love for her, and it was those words that made her believe that they could survive this separation.
"So what's she like then?" She had been desperate to know. He had missed out all details of her in his letters, something that was driving Molly mad with curiosity.
"Who?" He teased her.
"You bleeding know who? Your new medic. That's who. What's she like?" Raising her hands in mock frustration at his teasing. Seeing he was enjoying it and playing along with him.
"Well." He stated slowly, enjoying the game. "In one words I'd have to say my new medic is pretty good. Smart. Sharp. Good at the job. Fitted right in with the rest of the lads." He replied back, watching her almost deflate in front of him.
"Really? Well that's good isn't it? I guess." She smiled but Charles could see that it was just a bit forced. This was always going to be a hard thing for Molly to take. Her replacement as section medic was always someone Charles guessed she would second guess about. Concerned that no one could look after her old section and Charles as good as she could. "So is that all, anything else about her you can tell me. Is she nice? Do the lads like her?" Then finally she asked the question she was most keen to know about. "Is she pretty?"
Charles couldn't do it to her any longer. He had to tell her. "Well Molly. To begin with SHE is a HE. Forty odd year old chap. Married seems really good at his job. Lads like him. As to whether he's pretty couldn't say really. He's not my type."
She giggled, with relief and how he'd rinsed her this time well and truly. "A HE! I thought you only got female medics now. Are you thinking that they don't trust you anymore with female ones?" She teased back.
"Careful Dawes." He replied, laughing at her dig at him, happy that she had some relief in knowing her replacement was a male. "No! Besides I think he was always planned for two section, just some delay in paper work and that. Whatever though he's better than my last medic mind you. Not as bloody reckless! Follows orders and so far hasn't given me a heart attack at some of his decisions!" He stared down at her face on the screen emphasising the point playfully about the trouble she had sometimes caused him on tour.
"Hey." She moaned. "Not fair. I hear your last medic was the nuts actually. You were lucky to have her! Saved you and that she did."
"That you certainly did, both on and off the battle field. You did just that Molly. Thank you ". He smiled at her, both now sharing a memory of how precious life was to them.
"So how's your section?" She asked. Two section used to be a lively and young section. Time had moved on, some of her original mates had left and had been replaced. The section wasn't as young or as green as it had been when Molly first joined it. It felt odd to her that there were men that Charles worked with every day that she didn't know. "What they like?" She asked.
"They are good, so far. Still sorting some shit out from the clay and that, but all ok up to now. All went well really. Happy actually at how we all worked. Felt good actually…being back out there."
It was a huge admission to her, touching on his previous doubts. She could see he seemed relaxed and as he talked about them he seemed genuine. This gave her some relief.
"I'm pleased for you Charles." She replied.
"So yours?" He too was curious about her new work mates. He needed details, stories about them so he could imagine her going about day to day interacting with them.
"Good bunch of lads actually. I'm the only female medic here mind you. A few female nurses in the main centre, but that's all. My CO is a cracking bloke actually. He's not as shouty as my last one. It's nice."
"Hey." He shouted out. "I was only shouty when I had to be. You'd cause anyone to shout at times Dawes." She laughed at that. She couldn't disagree with his logic. It had always been that way, even from being at school. Sometimes she needed to be shouted at to hear the message that was being given. "So anyway who did you get in the end, for you CO after Steel dropped out last minute?"
"Thought I'd said?" She shook her head, their letter writing was good, regular, but sometimes keeping up with each other's news by letters that got inevitably delayed sometimes meant information became out of sync. "We got a mate of yours actually. Captain Wilson. Said he knew you."
"Oh God. Hell yeah. Yeah I know him. Peter. Nice guy. How did my name pop into the conversation?" Charles was secretly pleased she was talking about him to others. That they knew about him. They knew about them. He was also relived as her new CO was someone he knew, thought a lot of and had faith in, the next best thing to looking after Molly in his absence.
"I told him about my last Captain on tour. Said he was a right grumpy so and so. Very shouty, and a stern faced bugger. He guessed the rest. Knew exactly who I was talking about. Got your name in one." She burst out laughing when she saw the frown on his face. His beautiful brown eyes stared at her from the screen, were like a puppy dogs, begging for kindness. She couldn't be mean to him, she knew he prided himself in the good opinion others frequently had of him. "Nah. Only kidding Charles. We was talking about family and stuff. Told him you were my boyfriend. He nearly fell for his chair."
"Really? Why's that?" Charles had trained with Wilson and was curious why he'd be surprised about him and Molly. It wasn't that surprising surely that Molly would love him.
"Ah well you see I guess he didn't get the memo that you were divorced and that. He spent the first couple of minutes of the conversation thinking I was your bit on the side. Didn't know where to put himself. I could see he was bloody relieved when he realised just what was what." She smiled remembering just how proud she was in that she could now finally tell others about her and Charles. There was no waiting out, no need to keep them secret more. She played with the heart around her neck, and saw the beam of a smile on Charles' face as he registered just what she was doing. Then both of them burst out laughing at what she had just said, at Wilson's expense. Charles was the first to eventually stop.
"God Moly I'm missing you. Us." He quietly said. There was no true need to lower his voice, his call to her was being made in the privacy of his own home, but he was cautious as he didn't know exactly what her environment was like.
"Yeah I know what you mean. It's awful isn't it? Worse than before cause we both know what we're missing now don't we?" She sighed, although she was happy to be loved by him, happy to be missed by him. The alternative would be just too awful to imagine.
"Yeah."
"I love you." She said sweetly and gently as she touched the screen tracing the image of face. "You know you can't get away with it though?" She continued a little bit more forcefully.
"Get away with what?" He wondered how she always knew. How she had that ability to read him in a way no one else seemed to. How she refused to allow him to keep secrets from her.
"Your leg Charles!" She pointedly said. "How was in on exercise? I've seen you rubbing it all the while we've been talking. I see you you know!"
"It's fine." He sighed. "A bit sore at times. Missing your massages I guess. They really help the calf to relax."
"You taking painkillers again? Warming up and that?" She was forever and always would be the medic. His Medic, his Molly, the girl who saved his life and who he loved.
"Yeah to be honest though it's not really the leg I felt. It was my stomach wound. It seems just not right. Pulling a lot. Hurting when I do certain thing. Painkillers didn't really help."
"This is new. Isn't it?" She asked.
"Not really. Been like that for a while. Just didn't want to say." He felt guilty admitting this to her, he had told no one before. Had skilfully passed over mentioning it to the medical exam board when he had his return to work medical.
"Hell Charles. That makes me feel awful. Why the bleeding hell didn't you say? You gonna see someone about it?"
"Yeah. Promise." He sighed. These feelings were new and hard to accept. Even after all this time he still felt that he was recovering from his shooting, that he wasn't as young or as fit as before and that hurt his male pride. Strength was something he prided himself in, be that physical or mental. Weakness was not a state of affairs that sat easily with Charles.
Their conversation continued for a while longer, promise of talking the next night if they could, but when it ended Molly realised she'd learned something deeper about Charles. That he was stubborn, bloody minded she knew that, but also that he was willing to sacrifice himself his health to remain stubbornly the perfect Army man. She hoped that this attribute, which she found worrying, wouldn't cause him trouble. She had an awful feeling that somewhere down the line his need to appear perfect in control may have detrimental effects on them all and those whom he loved!
The days and months ticked slowly by. Molly had frequent contact with Charles, almost every other day, far more than she had dared hoped, and it helped. But still she was lonely. She missed his cuddles, his hugs, their love making. She had no privacy to speak of. The lads of the section rarely left her alone, always wanting something, or trying to include her in everything so even having 'quality' time online with Charles wasn't able to happen if she had been brave enough to consider it.
She was frustrated though, understandably so as her world and everything in it had been opened up to the delights of love making, those amazing feelings with Charles which were now gone. She missed him, she missed the sex. It amazed her and she wasn't ashamed to admit she was, for the first time in her life, missing the benefits of the proper relationship she was in, she was horny for her man!
Maybe, she thought if the job had been a bit more challenging, more interesting then she wouldn't have done what she did. If she was fully occupied in her role she wouldn't have been tempted. But she wasn't, and so she was tempted by the first chance of excitement that was offered her way. Maybe this is what Charles was talking about when he joked about her falling in love on tour, he knew that for her the tour would not be enough. That she would need more, and would succumb to other's offers. Maybe he knew her better than she knew herself!
The first step in this changing path happened when Elvis arrived at her camp. He had arrived with the other SF guys of his team, all looking dangerous, all full of energy and to all who saw them a group of dam fine soldiers. Excitement fizzed around the camp, new personnel to talk to and stories to listen too. Molly was caught up in the excitement. Instantly garnering attention from Elvis as a friendly face from home, the two of them connected, bonded in their friendships.
Molly was instantly drawn to them all, and as their first stop on arrival was for them to be checked over by her she thrived on the attention and friendship that their visit created. Elvis, as usual was particularly charming, he'd entertain Molly and the others with his wit and charm almost constantly. It was hard not to enjoy being around him. The more and more time that she spent with him Molly saw the similarities he shared with Charles, but there was something a bit cheekier than Charles, a bit more daring compared to Charles who was always the perfect gentleman. For the first time Molly understood the true charm of Elvis, and started to fall under his spell.
He sort her out, especially in those first days, making her feel special. Both talking about Charles and tales from their training days that she doubted Charles would ever have told her. She saw a new side to Charles and the trouble he'd gotten into with his best mate. She learned to understand the importance of their friendship, and how as mates they would always be there for each other and for those they loved. More importantly though she loved the break in her routine, a break to her dull posting, and so when Elvis made his move, did what he did best she accepted his offer with open arms. He'd offered her a way out.
Her CO had also seen the closeness that had developed between these two, so wasn't that surprised when Elvis came to see him stating his intentions. It was the correct thing to do, he was making sure those professional and personal boundaries were clearly defined.
"So how long in total do you want our Dawes for then Harte?" Wilson asked.
Elvis was perched on the side of a table in Wilson's quarters. Comfortable that what he was offering to Molly was the right thing. For her, and for him, for the team. He could see she was stifled as things were on camp. He had gotten to know her well over the past weeks and could understand her charm. He thought Charles was one lucky man to have such a fine woman in his life. But he could also see she was similar to him. That she craved a little bit more than the plain safe route. This was one lady who liked to live on the dangerous side of life.
"As long as the mission lasts for I guess. She's an excellent medic. Good soldier and crack shot. She's perfect for me, for our team. They all know her. Get on well. She'll be a good addition." They were shipping out from Cyprus in the next few days, off on a mission across the water to a very sensitive conflicted area. He was down a medic and that was where Molly came in. That was his offer to her…..to join his team.
"And Dawes has agreed to this has she? She happy going with you guys on this mission? Fully aware if the dangers that it can potentially offer?"
"100% up for it. She knows. She understands. She did something like this once before I believe under James' command." Elvis replied, mentally flinching at the thought of his mate's reaction to Molly's transfer to his unit for the remainder of the tour.
"Yes. I do believe so. Don't think he'll be happy about this though do you?" Wilson raised his eye questionably, a worried look flashing across his face.
"Don't worry mate. I'll tell him." Elvis smiled back confidently at Wilson. He was pretty sure he could handle his mate…well maybe.
So it was sorted, it was agreed that Molly was teaming with SF. There was nothing left she had to do, apart from the intensive tasks to fall in to mission briefings, and to catch up on all that had gone on before with the team, as well as understanding their medical needs and the health implications of the mission. She was also mad busy in her packing, both personally and professionally. It was up to her to ensure all the supplies were packed and good to go. Time was short and she had a lot to do.
However there was one task that she knew she had to undertake, that couldn't be put off and she steeled herself to do it at the first opportunity. She had to tell Charles. She was unsure how he would take the news, although she had a good idea, knowing how worried he'd be. Initially there had been a certain amount of shouting from him. Reckless and fool hardy being repeated terms used in his sentences about her. Then he calmed down and listened, heard what she was saying and tried to understand why she was doing it. Being all those miles away, with a slight time delay in the communications, it had been hard for Molly to give full justice to her decision, but she tried. She could see his reactions and cursed herself that she was causing him pain, but she knew this is what she just had to do. For her, like he had always told her to be, brilliant.
With each and every conversation that they had over the next few days, the topic always being about Molly joining SF, Charles became less and less upset about it all, and more and more accepting. He was still worried, beside himself with worry actually, but he felt for Molly's benefit he need to be positive and supportive. And so she went off on the mission with promises of looking after herself, listening to Elvis' orders, and making sure that no matter what happened she came back to him. Of course Molly promised that she would, and off she went on her new adventure with Elvis.
It was several weeks later that Charles finally breathed a sigh of relief. Molly had been gone for a while with Elvis, they had kept in sporadic contact on Skype, but she had time to write a lot. However tonight, today he had heard from unofficial, but never the less very reliable channels, that Molly and the rest were successful in their tasks. More importantly to Charles though was that they were safe and returning back to Cyprus in the next day or so. Therefore it was a happy, relieved Captain that put the key into his front door lock at the end of a stressful day, looking forward to a relaxing evening anticipating hearing from Molly herself in the next 48 hours.
As he walked into the kitchen, turning on some music to fill his lonely home, he went to the fridge to pour himself a glass of celebratory wine. The spring day coming to a happy and peaceful end. He was enjoying the solitude and mentally making plans for when Molly retuned home, no exact date yet, but it would be soon. He sat there contemplating their reunion, twirling his glass around in his hand, when he heard a knock on the front door.
He got few visitors that weren't planned and so this sound initially filled him with dread, concerned at who was on the other side of the door, concerned as to this unannounced guest's purpose. He cautiously approached and braced himself as he opened the door.
"Shit. Georgie? Fuck I was worried there for a bit. What are you doing here?"
"Hi Charlie, nice to see you too. Was in the area. I….err just thought you know I'd pop into see you." She explained nervously to him.
"Lovely!" Charles manners winning out over his suspicious mind. "Come in. I'm having some wine. Want some?"
"Yes…mmmm…...no best not. I'm driving." Georgie stood in the kitchen, close enough for Charles to see the nervous energy rippling through her body. She reached over and touched his arm. He stared down and frown at this contact. "How are you Charlie?"
"I'm good thanks Lane. Missing Molly, but it won't be long now, till she's home. You heard from Elvis?" He asked moving away from her causing her hand to fall away from his arm and hang redundant at her side.
Moving to take a seat on one of the kitchen chairs she smiled up at him. "Yeah. Me too. Yeah they be home soon I guess." Her voice seemed odd, she looked at her watch. Her and Charles knew one another on a social scale; but there was always Elvis and Molly around to help in their conversations. Her being here tonight seemed odd without the other two to buffer them.
"Bit odd me being her without Elvis, isn't it? She picked up on Charles' uncomfortableness as he stood with his back to the sink, resting himself against the units.
"Yeah a bit." He offered back. "Tea, coffee?" He went on playing the host but was becoming increasing uncomfortable. She then stood up and placed herself directly in front of him, trapping him, no chance of escape.
"No. Look Charlie. I've something to say." She played with the watch on her wrist, concentrating on the time, avoiding eye contact with him. "It's just you know you mean the world to Elvis. Well you do to me too." She raised her eyes up to meet his. She knew she was making a mess of this she had to explain to him, before Elvis and Molly next spoke to him.
"Ok. Lane. You're a bit odd here. What's going on?"
She stared at the clock on the wall behind him, knowing what she was going to say, what he would be hearing in the next few minutes would scare him and change things between them.
"You know you mean the world to me too. I think an awful lot of you." He nodded slowly at her words. "It just in a few minutes Elvis is going to call and tell you something. I just need you to be prepared. I need you to know I'm here. Here by your side."
"Shit Georgie. What the f….." Just then his phone rang and Elvis' number came up. He fixed his glare at Georgie unsure what was going to be said. She sat back down to give him some privacy as he answered the call, but never took her eyes off him. She only heard his side of the conversation.
"What going on Elvis. Yes Georgie is here…"
"Don't tell me to calm the fuck down. What's up...?"
"I am calm…tell me mate…is it Molly….?"
"Oh shit…how….. When…"
"But I thought….everything was ok.…mission ended…you were on your way home…."
"How bad…Shit…when…how long?"
"Which hospital…look after her for me….."
"Tell her I love her…..fuck mate….I don't know…can't think…I guess….I'll leave now…..shit I've been drinking….she will….that's why she's here….?
"Thanks Elvis…..yeah mate I will….oh shit I can't lose her….no no no…I understand…"
"Please tell Molly I love her….tell her I'll see her soon….tell her to hang in there for me…"
"Ok mate….appreciate it…oh hell…shit….yeah I know….thanks."
And with that he hung up and looked over to Georgie who instantly stood and place her hand back on his arm, just as she had done before, but this time it felt right, comforting.
"It's Molly." He said and she nodded, she'd known before him. This was the reason she was here. Elvis had asked her to call on Charlie, to be with him while he called at the allotted time to break the news to him. He didn't want any faceless Army personnel breaking the news to his mate, he wanted to be the one, and he wanted to make sure there was someone with him knowing he'd be in a state once he heard the news.
"It's Molly…" He started again. His voice breaking. "She's unwell, had an operation, just come out….her appendix burst…she's been critical….blood poisoning…they are flying her home now…..Birmingham…..three hours." It was as conversant as he could be. The information processing through his brain as bullet points causing him to speak in that way.
"I know. Sit. Have some water." He was pale, as Elvis' best mate, her friend's boyfriend, as her friend, her heart went as to him and she was here to help. To reunite him with Molly. "I'll drive you there. We've got it all sorted. We're meeting Elvis there. Let's pack a bag for you both and go."
Charles had never been more grateful before. Georgie was there to help, and that she did as she flew around the house and collected his and Molly's things. He felt briefly ashamed of how he had felt moments ago, before the call. Now he needed her. He was depending on her because all he was focusing on were the distressing points of Elvis' call. His Molly had collapsed on returning to Cyprus, she'd been feeling unwell for days but said nothing. Her appendix had burst, and was swiftly dealt with but not before there were some complications causing peritonitis. She was critical, but stable. She was being transferred home immediately, still not conscious.
As he sat there with his head in his hands, leaning over his knees gulping down lungs full of air to try to calm himself, to fight the waves of nausea he had only one thought. The woman he loved needed him, he need to pull himself together. He needed to get out of his house, for him and Georgie to leave now.
He needed to get to his Molly.
