Stay focused, Stay alert, Stay Alive

Bath-

8th February 2015

Charles, slumping tiredly into the warn sofa and reaches for his whisky glass, his face consorts into a grimace as the liquid burns its way down his throat. "I take it from the raised voices followed by the loud slam of the door that it didn't go well?" An amused yet quiet voice asks from the doorway. Charles doesn't answer right away. His eyes remain fixed on the flames dancing in the log burner, the crackle and hiss of the wood the only sounds in the room as he tries to gather his thoughts. "No it didn't," He muttered wearily. Looking over at his sister, he doesn't miss the way her eyes widen as she notices the crimson hand print just beginning to fade from his cheek. "Ouch!"

"Indeed." Beth slides onto the other end of the sofa and drapes her feet across her brother's lap. She sits and waits patiently, knowing Charles will talk when he's good and ready. "She found my correspondences to Molly, notably the most recent addition." Seeing the crease beginning to form in his sister's brow, Charles went on to explain. "You know, the one you and my son wrote on my behalf, agreeing to a meeting with Molly when we go to London at the weekend." Beth winces in sympathy. "Oh. What happened?"

"Lets just say Kate didn't take too kindly to finding out about the 'other woman' in my life. I tried to do the right thing and explain everything but I think I may have just made things worse. Not that I blame Kate for her reaction. This whole sorry mess is my own fault; I let things go too far. I know that now. I shouldn't have lead Kate on if there was even the slightest possibility that I had feelings for someone else. It wasn't fair to either of us."

"I'm sorry for that truly. But you can't help how you feel Charles. Even Kate will understand that, once she's calmed down." Charles chuckled bitterly as he took another sip of the drink in his hand. "That's just it Beth, I don't know how I feel. I haven't know what to feel, or what to do for nearly two years. Then BAM!" Beth jumps slightly as Charles claps his hands together loudly before he carries on with his tirade. "Then Molly's letter arrives, completely out of the blue, and she somehow manages to sum up and put into words everything I've been unable to say since we lost Rebecca. I never could pin point what it was about her that drew me to her that night. But now I think I know. It feels like she's the missing piece of the puzzle. That's why I felt so relaxed and at ease in her company. I didn't feel like I had to put on an act or play a role: I wasn't Captain James who had to be the responsible and moral compass of his platoon, I wasn't the husband and father who had to stay strong whilst keeping his family together nor was I the grieving widower trying to figure out how to put the pieces of his broken world back together for the sake of his son. For the first time in a long time, I was able to just be Charles James the guy. It felt nice. I did try with Kate. Honest. But the magic just wasn't there. I think I chose her because I knew she was the easy, safe choice. God when did I become such a dick."

Beth reached over and tucked herself against Charles' side, her arm wrapping around his as she hugged it to her chest as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Why didn't you ever tell me any of that?" She asked softly, her voice cracking at the end. "You aren't a dick. You just made a few bad choices that's all. It makes you human Charles. You shouldn't be walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. If that's how you truly feel about Molly then why didn't you write to her? Why leave it for us to go all cloak and dagger and arrange the meeting for you?" Charles just shrugs as he stretched himself out fully on the couch. "I know I'm a monumental fuck up. You don't need to rub it in. Also don't think I've forgotten the hand you've played in this." The two of them were content to sit in silence and watch the shadows in the room lengthen as the embers of the fire get lower and lower. "You know," Beth whispered sleepily as she pulls the throw from the sofa so it covers the two of them. "It sounds to me like you and Molly have a lot in common, despite your backgrounds. Even if things don't work out and you find you aren't compatible in a romantic sense, you might gain a new friend. Who knows, the pair of you might be able to help each other to heal and move on. Maybe this is what you both need to help you get closer. But you won't know if you're too scared to try. Time to put on your big boy khaki's and man up soldier. If you really want Molly then you need to go get her before she decides your aren't worth her time and meets someone else." Charles hums sleepily as he reaches up and gives a half-hearted salute.

"Yes Boss, right away Boss."

Bank Station London

12th February 2015 2.35pm

Having to deal with the stifling, oppressive heat of the London Underground, particularly when wearing multiple layers to keep out the frigid February chill, was doing little to improve Charles's temper. Not only was he sweating and overly hot, but he was constantly being bumped and jostled as he seemed to be fighting against the current of commuters flowing through Bank Station. Charles disliked the London underground at the best of times but add to it being half term week, as well as the high volume of crowds travelling to see the Poppies at the Tower, thanks to Tower Hill station being closed, Charles found that the even temper he was so famed for was rapidly waning.

Sam on the other hand, despite having an early start, was still bouncing off the walls with excitement. He was walking a few paces ahead of them, his trusty tube map clutched in his hands as he traced a finger over his pre-planned route one more time. Not that he needed to. Sam had their route planned to a T. He knew exactly how many stops there would be, when to change trains and which station they needed to get off at before they reached their planned destination. Charles cast him a weary glance as Sam strayed nearer to the edge of the platform, his protective instincts kicking in when a sudden surge of passengers entered the platform and he lost sight of Sam in the crowd. "Sam!" Charles' heart constricted painfully in his chest when Sam didn't look up; his voice drowned out by the whoosh of the wind and the high pitched screech of the car's brakes as it came around the corner. Feeling the panic rise as the doors opened, Charles felt Beth and Ian at his back as he pushed his way forcefully through the crown, trying desperately to reach Sam, who, unaware that his family weren't behind him, has stepped into the car.

Charles reached out and grasped desperately for the strap of Sam's backpack. Just as his fingers hooked around the material and he gave a tug, someone knocked into him from behind. Charles stumbled slightly, but that was all it took for him to lose his grip on the bag. He turned in time to see Sam take a step forward just as the doors to the car hissed shut. "Sam!" Charles yells as he bangs frantically on the side of the car, looking around for anything that will help him get the doors open. His head snaps up and all he can see is Sam stood frozen by the window, his little face a picture of panic as the train begins to move. Charles makes frantic gestures with his arms trying to convey to Sam that he needs to get off at the next stop. The last thing he sees before the train rushes past is Sam's nod and a thumbs up sign.

"Shit, Shit!" Charles paced frantically back and forth along the platform, only pausing when Beth grabbed his arm. "Calm down Charles." Charles yanked his arm out of his sister's grip.

"Calm down? How can I bloody well calm down when my son is out there lost and alone in one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world?" Ian's grip was firm and steady on Charles' shoulder, his voice soothing as he tried to reason with Charles. "Charles, pull yourself together. Sam's a smart kid. He's been studying the underground maps for weeks in preparation for this trip, just like you taught him remember? Stay focused, stay alert and all that. You taught him well. If we hurry we'll arrive only a few minutes after him. He's on the Northern Line heading south right? What's the next stop on Sam's itinerary?" Charles' eyes widened as he frantically traced the board in front of him. "Northern line heading south. The next stop is…. London Bridge. Shit! He's heading for the Shard."

Bank Station 2.36 pm

Molly sighed as she impatiently checked her watch. She hoped the boys wouldn't be too mad that she was running late. She knew she should have just gone with them to see the Poppies instead of visiting her parents; that had been a complete waste of her time. She didn't know why she still bothered, they'd never change. Cracking the spine open on her book, Molly soon lost herself in the familiar verse. She was so engrossed in her book that she hardly took any notice of her surroundings, familiar as she was with the hustle and bustle that came with the daily commute across inner London. It wasn't until she heard a quiet muttering beside her that her ears began to perk up. "And every evening at sun-down I ask a blessing on the town, for whether we last the night or no I'm sure is always touch-and-go." She hardly noticed as she to found herself whispering the final line aloud. "We are not wholly bad or good who live our lives under Milk Wood." Molly looked up in surprise as she met the wide-eyed, tear steaked face of the cutest kid she'd ever seen. The little bleeder couldn't be no older than seven or eight. "Bit young for Dylan Thomas ain't you mate?" she asked cheerfully, noticing how wearily he regarded her. The boy only shrugged in response, his eyes focusing on the tube map above his head. "He's one of my Dad's favourites, he used to read it to me all the time."

"Used to?" Molly frowned when she noticed the sad, quiet tone his voice took.

"Yeah he doesn't read it aloud so much no more. I think it makes him sad." Molly's heart melted as she looked at the young boy sat in front of her, his faced creased into an expression to sad for someone so young.

"Speakin' of which, where are your parents? Ain't you a bit young to be hopping on and off the tube by yourself?" Sam shifted uncomfortably in his seat his eyes suddenly finding his scuffed trainer extremely interesting. When he did speak, his voice was so quiet that Molly had to lean forward to hear him over the thunderous rush of the train. "My mums dead and I lost my Dad at the tube station. We're trying to get him a new wife only he doesn't know that yet. The door shut before he, Aunty Beth and Uncle Ian could get in the car. I hope I'm not in trouble. He told me to stay close but I got so excited I forgot. He looked really mad when I pulled away. I didn't mean for it to happen, honest." Molly's heart melted as she saw him begin to well up.

"Nah, don't worry mate. If anything, I reckon he's more scared about you getting lost in this big city by yourself and not knowing how to find you." The lad seemed to consider Molly's words before his face brightened. As Molly noticed the cheeky sparkle return to his deep brown eyes, Molly couldn't help but feel as if his eyes were familiar, as though she had come across him somewhere before.

"It's ok though. I know where I'm going. My Dad was a captain in the army just like you and taught me all about how to navigate using signs and maps and stuff. I've been looking at the underground map for weeks. I know I need to get off at the next stop for London Bridge if I want to get to the Shard." Molly stared at him impressed.

"Ain't you a smart little cookie? How did you know I was in the army anyhow?"

"Well you are carrying a burgen," he muttered simply as he gestured to the rucksack at her feet. "Plus, your cap badge gave you away." Molly watched in amusement as he lent over and carefully traced over the insignia on her pack. "See there's the serpent, the wreath and the crown with the rod of Asclepius through the middle. Not to mention, the motto "In Arduis Fidelis." Dad says it means faithful in anni….ad.. adversary. It's the insignia for the Royal Army medical Corps which means you're a medic right?" Molly chuckled at the kid's hopeful yet prideful expression.

"Well you sure know your regiments I'll give you that. Yeah you're right mate. I'm a medic in the RAMC." Molly grinned as she held out her hand. "Private Molly Dawes at your service, pleased to meet you." Sam's eyes widened as he scrambled to his knees excitedly, his eyes assessing Molly from top to toe, making her slightly uncomfortable. There was something about the way he was looking at her, a spark of recognition had brightened his expression as soon as her name left her lips, almost as if she was somehow familiar to him. Taking her hand and shaking it vigorously, Sam threw her a mock salute as he introduced himself, grinning widely.

"Sam James. You've no idea how pleased I am to see you Molly Dawes." Molly did a double take when the little boy spoke his name. Her brain suddenly kicked in and her mouth dropped open as the last piece of the puzzle finally fell into place and it registered who she was talking to.

"Hello Sam….. I think you might be looking for me."

A/N: So hello dear readers. This update has been a long time coming, I know and I'm really sorry about that. I hit a wall with this quite a while ago and decided to take a bit of a break from it. Thankfully, after reading your lovely reviews and giving it another read, inspiration hit resulting in this chapter. There aren't many chapter left. Hold on tight, we're nearly there! Please R and R.