Zoe sat at her desk and stretched. She wasn't sure how this much admin could even be generated when most of the camp was away but somehow over the course of 3 days her inbox had filled up with emails, their little red flags all vying for attention.

She winced as the stretch niggled a pulled muscle in her side. It had been an energetic few days, not to mention nights. She smiled to herself, Fingers had lived up to her expectations. They had spent their R&R as part of a small group trekking on the slopes of Mt Kenya, then abseiling down waterfalls and gorge jumping. She was pretty sure that wasn't how she had managed to pull a muscle, but she had the perfect alibi.

She was pulled from her daydreams by a cough and tapping on the canvas entrance to her tent.

"Boss?"

Molly stood in the doorway, her kit bag at her feet. Her hair was in her customary plait, her face a little more tanned than a few days ago, the smattering of freckles on her nose a little darker. Her eyes were shining and she looked happier and more relaxed than she had been for weeks.

"Ahh, you're back Dawes." Zoe glanced down at Molly's uniform. It was spotlessly clean and looked like it had been ironed to within an inch of its life. "Wow, you look spiffy, please don't tell me you spent all of your R&R doing laundry."

Molly giggled and looked down at herself. "Archie's house girl got hold of my kit bag and took it upon herself to clean and iron it all. I was mortified when I found out. I was hoping no one would notice"

"You look like you've just passed out."

"They're going to rip the piss aren't they?"

"No mercy." She grinned. "Anyway, did you have a good time?"

Molly couldn't keep the grin from her face. "Amazing. Although I'm not sure I liked all the secrecy between you and Charles."

"Come off it Molly, I only had to make sure you got away. You wouldn't want me to spoil the surprise, surely?"

"A bit of a heads up would have been good"

Zoe laughed. "And how would I have done that exactly? Have a lovely R&R Dawes, and by the way Charles will be there to surprise you? It would have ruined it don't you think?"

"No"

"Molly, we're your friends which means that from time to time we like to mess with your head for our own amusement. I take it everything was good in the end?"

"Yeah, we got away, just one night. He took me to this amazing place, we slept out under the stars..."

"Err, haven't you just spent the last week doing that?"

"Well yeah, but this place had a proper bed and a bloke brought us tea in the morning."

"Yeah, that does sound like an improvement on being on exercise."

"We were out in the wilderness, I saw elephants. We watched the sun rise together."

"Spare me, Molly. I'm about to lose my lunch"

"And I asked him to marry me."

Zoe's face broke into a huge smile as she rose from her desk, rushing to hug her friend "oh my god, congratulations. I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks" Molly was beaming as she pulled away. "Hang on, I didn't say he said yes"

"Nonsense," she waved her hand dismissively "of course he did. To be honest I'm amazed he didn't ask you years ago."

"Well, I kinda ruined his plans. He was working up to some big proposal at Christmas, you know what a sucker he is about that sort of stuff. He'd even gone and asked my dad's permission as if he gets a bleeding say in it. We were just there, and it felt right so I asked him. He was pretty hacked off, but he forgave me in the end."

"I'm sure he did" Zoe waggled her eyebrows "lots of making up, eh?"

Molly giggled. "A fair bit, yeah"

Zoe grinned. "I'm really pleased for you both. You're going to make a disgustingly happy couple."

"Dare I ask how your break was?" Molly tentatively enquired of her friend.

"Satisfactory." replied Zoe. "Very satisfactory indeed" she winked at Molly

"Oh god, I suppose I asked." she shuddered in discomfort. "It's like finding out your brother has sex, I mean you know they probably do, but you don't wanna think about it."

"Ugh. I don't want to think about my brother having sex. It's bad enough wondering how he gets his fat arse into a tank, but imaging all sweaty and slobbering over poor Cecile, yuck" Zoe moved over to her desk, locking down the screen of her laptop.

"So all ok here then?" Molly asked

"Seems to be. Just the usual shit load of paperwork and debriefings to get through.

"Any news on Harris?"

"Repatriated to the UK two days ago. I've heard he's stable but might need some more work on his leg."

"And everything here? Is that all looking ok?"

"By all accounts Aston kept her head down and her trap shut over the break, still getting the odd clarification request from the Major, and I expect we'll revisit it all over again when we get back, but it seems in hand for now"

"Ok, well I'll just dump my stuff and check in with the lads then. See what sort of trouble Jonesy got into in the last couple of days. He had a face like a wet weekend when I saw him last" Molly swung her kit bag over her shoulder and stood to attention.

"Yeah" Zoe dismissed her "check back 19:30 hours, briefing for tomorrow, ok?"

"Boss"

Zoe watched Molly leave, and sighing she returned to her seat, flicking on her laptop screen and returning to her e mails.

There was a rustling of canvas behind her. Zoe didn't look up.

"I don't want to hear anything else about how perfect Charles is, Molly."

"He was a pretty good boss, but he never really floated my boat" came a deep mancunian voice behind her.

Zoe spun around and looked into a pair of blue eyes smiling down at her. Fingers stood close, his tall body leaning towards her. Her breath caught as she turned her face upwards, meeting his gaze. His eyes were smiling, teasing her.

"I take it Molly had a good break?" He spoke in a low murmur, his body still close to hers. He made no move towards or away from her, simply standing in her personal space.

Zoe's body leant towards him moving of its own accord. She caught herself at the last moment, breaking eye contact and stepping back from him. She cleared her throat. "I think it's best if you hear it direct from Dawes. Anyway Corporal Fletcher, was there something I could do for you?" She cringed inwardly as soon as the words left her mouth.

He grinned "Plenty. We hardly got started, after all"

"I mean, Corporal, what are you doing here?"

"Major Johnson wanted to know if you would join him for dinner at the officers' table this evening. I think he wants to apologise for Gangy's behaviour the other day on exercise."

"Major who?"

"Johnson. Poor bastard saddled with that title. I bet he can't wait for his promotion to come in."

Zoe burst out laughing and visibly relaxed, caught up in the banter that had flowed so easily between them over the last few days.

"Between you and me," continued Fingers "I think he's found out who you are and has decided it would be best for his career if he grovelled a little"

"I bet he did" she grumbled.

"Cheer up, you got to see me again, so it's not all bad" he grinned.

"And why is that after what we agreed? This weekend only."

"Hmm, I don't know if I agreed to anything" he stepped closer to her again.

"I don't do second rounds, I told you" replied Zoe. She was starting to feel flustered under his gaze which never seemed to leave her. She didn't do flustered. She was losing control of this situation.

He stepped closer, forcing her to look up. His shirt brushed against her chest and she held her breath to stop from gasping. This was not how these things were meant to pan out. It was a bit of fun and then everyone went their separate ways.

"I'm just here to deliver a message love. I'm not even touching you"

That was true. He hadn't touched her or made any kind of move. He raised his hand as if to brush her cheek, his fingers hovering multimeters from her face. Zoe watched it, willing him to be the first to break their unsaid agreement.

"Are you sure you've had all you wanted?" He whispered, his deep voice seemed to vibrate inside her, setting off exactly the sort of reaction she was trying so hard to avoid.

Zoe looked into his eyes, they were full of desire. She remembered them looking deeply into her own just hours ago as she had moved on top of him. His hands on her hips, directing her movement. Slowing her from the fast pace she had thought she wanted, to a languid, almost tender tempo. He had held her gaze then, his strokes rising to meet her, whispering gently with his mouth against hers.

Zoe swallowed, unable to break his gaze. She nodded, not trusting her voice to answer him. "Shame" he muttered dropping his hand to his side "just imagine how it could be if we had a room with a proper bed and everything."

She rose to the bait "You mean there's more?" mock sarcasm ringing in her words.

"I've hardly started" he replied, shifting ever so slightly closer. He lightly trailed his fingers over her lips, gently teasing. Her eyelids fluttered as she let out a long sigh, her breath warming his fingertips.

"You might want to save it for the next one" she replied.

"She's going to have to be something else after you" he brought his other hand up to her face, weaving his fingers into her hair as his thumbs continued to trace her lips. He lowered his head towards her and whispered in her ear. "I can still feel you around me."

Zoe stifled a groan. He was becoming harder to resist, and he knew it. Cocky bastard.

::::::::::::

Fingers was worried he was losing his touch. By now most women would have given in. He hadn't banked on Zoe sticking to her guns. Usually a little bad boy charm, a few dirty words and their knickers dropped. That's how he had operated so far. Molly had made it very clear that her Captain liked the hunt, and he had been a willing prey. He hadn't expected to like her as much as he did. She had thrown herself into all the group activities,she had mucked in and never once expected anything to fall in her lap because of her rank. The lads had thought she was a good laugh, most of them had been trying their hardest to chat her up or find a way to proposition her that wouldn't land them on a charge. She'd shrugged them off with ease. At night, back in the quiet of the camp it had been the two of them, long nights exploring each other before she kicked him out in the early hours.

Except last night. The long days and nights had caught up with them and they had both fallen asleep tangled in each other. He had woken with her pressed against him, her blonde hair spreading over his shoulder. He watched her sleeping by the glow of the camp's security lights. Her face softened, her eyelashes resting on her cheeks. His gut twisted at the thought of this being their last time together, he stroked her body gently, slowly waking her. He wanted to take his time, to savour his last moments with her, to give himself a lasting memory.

He'd got caught up in the moment, as she finally got the message and rode him slowly, he'd looked into her eyes, his lips against hers, muttering god knows against her quiet gasps. When she came apart around him he had kissed her deeply, to quieten their cries of release. God, he'd love to get her somewhere where she could let go, she would be amazing.

When his captain had mentioned that the major wanted her to have dinner at the officers table that night he'd volunteered to take the message to her, he couldn't keep away. Now, as he gently held her face in his hands he was silently willing her to give him some kind of sign. Just one more bite of the cherry, that's all he needed to get her out of his head.

Her breath came in small gasps against his cheek as he whispered in her ear. He could feel the heat coming from her body, so close to his. He brushed his lips lightly across her temple, soft kisses against her eyelids as they fluttered closed. Still she made no move towards him.

He drew back slightly to look at her. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed and she was biting her lip, battling against herself. Nearly there he thought. He moved his hands from her face down, over her shoulders. His fingers stroked the swell of her breasts and she moaned quietly. Now.

"Rob" she whispered, her eyes opening. He gave the slightest self-satisfied grin as he brought his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply. She was ready for him, kissing him back forcefully, pulling his shirt from his trousers, her hands moving up his torso.

Their hands moved over each other greedily, the restraint of moments ago long gone. He pulled her close and she undulated her body against him.

Backing away slightly, his hands moved to her belt, loosening her trousers. She continued to undulate against his hand. He could feel the heat coming from her, dampness spreading against the front of her knickers. She had really been holding out on him, her body couldn't lie.

He drew back, breaking off their kiss. Spinning her around, he braced her hands against the desk and pressed himself against her back. His right hand returned to her trousers, his fingers burrowing under the fabric of her knickers to the slick wetness underneath. His left hand made it's way underneath her t shirt, lightly pinching her nipple through the fabric of her bra. She moaned quietly, pressing her bottom against his erection.

"There, you see, no need to hold out on me" he muttered into her ear. "All you need to do is ask". He kissed the side of her neck. Dropping his left arm so it caught around her waist he burrowed two fingers inside her, his thumb making wide circles around her clitoris, teasing her.

She moaned as his fingers moved inside her faster and faster, her hand came up to grasp the back of his neck struggling to hold onto his short hair. She turned her face to his kissing him as best she could at such an awkward angle as he moved his thumb over her quickly. She came suddenly, and he continued to move his fingers inside her prolonging it as long as he could. Eventually she put her hand over his, stilling the movement. She stayed like that for a moment, her breath slowly returning to normal.

"Fuck" she said quietly to herself.

"Sorry love, I've got to get back. Another time maybe" she turned to face him, he was grinning down at her. He leant down to kiss her slowly, she could still feel him hard against her hip.

"Are you sure about that soldier?" She asked, glancing down.

"Always leave them wanting more" he gave her a wink.

"You're going to do yourself an injury."

"I'll cope."

"You sure?" she made to pull him closer but he backed away.

"I can't stay. I've got to get my lot sorted before tomorrow." He kissed her gently. "If you change your mind I'm sure you can work out how to get hold of me" he held his hand against her cheek, taking one last long look at her before turning to leave.

A/N

I would like to thank everyone who read, reviewed and PM'd me. Thank you so much for your words, they really do mean so much, and thanks to you all for your patience with the erratic upload schedule.

Also thanks to the Mumsnetters and Facebookers for their entertainment. Honourable mention to jenmc for her beta reading duties, encouragement and occasional kicks up the arse. And a very special thank you to CBeebies for providing the hours of distraction which enabled me to write.