Hi, sorry it's taken a while to update! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! Please keep them coming!

I'm glad you all are liking reading my version of Charles / Elvis' friendship…I enjoy writing it. It's a shame we didn't see more of it on the show as I'm much more invested in Charles' story then others… but I guess the whole concept of the show is the female medic… Maybe we need a spin off 'Our Captain' ….Anyway, the story…please review!

A Different Mission

Molly had only been back at barracks 10 minutes when she got called in to see Major Beck. As she stood outside his office, she couldn't help but chew on her thumb nail nervously. Despite Charles telling her the Major had believed him when he said nothing had happened between them in Afghanistan, Molly wondered whether this meeting was because they were in trouble or maybe it was just her that was. From what Elvis had told her, she knew Beck was fond of Charles but there was nothing stopping her being punished without Charles knowing….After all, he was a Captain and she was just a private.

Suddenly, the door opened and she was called into the office. She stood to attention while Beck sat back down behind the desk.

"At ease, Dawes." He told her. "Just got back?"

"Yes, sir." Molly tried to relax but her whole body was tense.

"How is he?"

"Doing better, Sir." Molly reported. "They think the last operation did the trick… He's got some more tests today and then hoping to start on physio."

Beck smiled slightly. "I'm glad to hear it… I'm sure he'll be back on his feet in no time."

"I hope so, sir."

"Now…" Beck picked up his pen and looked down at a document on his desk. "There are some things we need to go over…"

"Yes, Sir." She repeated again.

"I'm assuming you know Captain James spoke with me about his feelings for you."

Molly swallowed nervously and nodded. "Sir."

"And I'm guessing these feelings are not one sided?"

"Nothing happened on tour, Sir…" Molly claimed. "We agreed to wait out…And the boss, he did nothing wrong…if anyone should get into trouble it should be me…cos he's a real good captain…"

Beck held up a hand to stop her. "Due to what happened at the end of the tour, there is a report being put together…The rest of your platoon have already been interviewed and you can rest assured that not one of them mentioned any inappropriate behaviour from either you or Captain James."

"That is because there wasn't any, Sir."

"In actual fact, Dawes the higher ups are impressed with the both of you." Major Beck stated.

Molly frowned slightly. "But I didn't do anything, Sir…I wasn't even on the mission."

"It was your intel that led us to Badrai and other Taliban insurgents …" Beck claimed. "And while it was unfortunate that Captain James was injured, the mission was a success…You should be proud of the work you've done."

Molly blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Sir."

"You and Charles make a good team." Beck continued, a little softer. "But as you know it's against protocol to serve with someone you're having a relationship with…Since Captain James is still in the hospital, I'm happy for you to stay with 2 section until your leave starts but after that you'll be reassigned to your old section."

"Sir." She nodded.

She had grown close to the boys in 2 Section and as much as she would love to stay with them, she knew she wanted a shot at a relationship with Charles more. Besides, like Charles had said, even if they didn't work out there was no way he could go back to being just her Captain.

"The army understands when a group of people are together they can develop bonds and feelings for one another…I believe I know Captain James pretty well and after serving with the two of you I trust your word when you say you both agreed to wait out." Beck told her. "However, if you want my advice, you might want to keep your relationship to yourselves to begin with."

"Yes, Sir."

Molly had no problem with that. She wasn't sure how the rest of 2 Section would react and then there was Smurf. More than anything she wanted to get to know Charles properly without pressure from everyone else.

"Right, well…that's all, Dawes…Unless, you had anything to say?"

"No, Sir." She shook her head.

"Okay, dismissed." He nodded towards the door.

Molly felt instant relief at his words. They weren't in trouble and they hadn't been forbidden to have a relationship. She started to turn to leave the room but hesitated and looked back at her Major.

"Thank you, Sir."

Beck looked up from his desk and gave her a small smile before she made her way out.

XxXxX

"Oi, Molls."

She turned around and saw Kinders making his way back over to her. "Alright, Corp?"

"Yeah, just going to get some scoff with the lads." He told her, walking beside her. "You coming?"

Molly looked at him a little unsure; what she really wanted to do was call Charles and check if the doctor had given him an update yet. "What have they been told about my leave?"

"Just that you had a family emergency." Kinders answered. "Wasn't a secret, was it?"

"No, just don't want to talk about it really…" Molly sighed.

"Well, if they start just tell them to mind their own business…" Kinders advised, holding the door open for her.

"Oh, like that'll work." She replied sarcastically with an eye roll.

Molly heard them before she saw them and it sounded like they were having another eating competition. She grabbed a cup of tea before following Kinders over to them.

"Dawesy! You're back!" Finger saw her first, jumping up and throwing his arms around her.

"Alright, easy, you prannit!" She held her cup away from her in an attempt not to spill any down her uniform. "I've only been gone 2 days."

"Where you been, Molls?" Brains questioned as she sat down opposite him. "Everything, alright?"

"Yeah, just something I needed to sort out."

"Kinders said you had a family emergency." Smurf stared at her.

"Yeah…"

"Funny…your parents didn't seem to know anything about it." He threw at her, causing an awkward silence to fall over the table.

"Well, I happen to have more than my parents in my family and they don't always know everything." Molly shot back. "Besides, maybe they do know but didn't want to talk about it with you…"

She was about to push herself to her feet when Kinders cut in, in an obvious attempt to change the conversation.

"Have you heard?" He asked. "About the boss?"

Molly froze in her seat. "What about him?"

"Seems he is out of danger… They think he'll up and about soon." He told her.

"Yeah, we got him a card…" Mansfield slid a flimsy bit of card across to her. It had a picture of a teddy bear with a bandage wrapped around its head.

She grinned at some of the messages the lads had written; he was going to love it

"You gotta sign it before we go and see him." Baz told her.

"You're going to see him?"

"Yeah, once we get the all clear." Kinders nodded. "Thought you of all people would want to see him."

"Why me of all people?"

"Well, you were so worried about him in Cyprus." Kinders frowned.

"You alright, Moll?" Brains questioned.

"Fine." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a pen and turning her attention back to the card. Simply writing 'get well soon' and signed her name before handing it back to Mansfield.

"You going?" Smurf asked when she stood up.

"Yeah, I need to sort my kit and everything." She replied. "I'll catch up with you all later."

She knew someone was following her but didn't stop or slow down. She managed to get outside before she heard her name being called.

"Molls…Wait up!" Smurf ran to catch up with her.

"What do you want, Smurf?"

"To see if you're okay." He slowed his pace when he reached her side.

"I told you, I'm fine." She kept walking. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I dunno…you're acting weird." Smurf shrugged. "Where have you really been the last couple of days?"

"I told you, just sorting some stuff out."

"Like what?"

"None of your business." She told him.

"Molly…"

"God, Smurf…Just leave it, will you?!"

"You were with him, weren't you?" He took hold of her arm, forcing her to stop and turn to face him.

Molly froze. "What?"

"Your family…I saw them at Brize… They saw you with that asshole from Special Forces." Smurf told her, loosening his grip but still keeping hold of her arm. "That's where you went…Off with him, wasn't it?"

"There is nothing going on between me and Elvis." Molly claimed, avoiding denying she had gone off with him. "And even if there was…It's got nothing to do with you."

"I care about you, Molls." Smurf frowned. "You deserve better then him…I can make you happy…"

"Oh not this bollocks again…" Molly groaned and pulled her arm away. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't think of you like that and I never will."

"Because of him?!" Smurf managed to catch hold of her hand as she attempted to step back.

"There is no me and Elvis!" Molly insisted, trying to tug her hand away but he tightened his grip. "He was there to see Major Beck and I spoke to him for a couple of minutes before he left… Not that I should have to explain myself to you!"

"I thought we were mates." Smurf said sadly. "But you're hiding something from me…I knows it."

"Let go of me." Molly tried to pull away again but he still kept a hold of her. "I mean it, Smurf or I'm going to knock your teeth down your throat."

He stared at her for a few seconds before uncurling his hand and Molly took a few steps backwards away from him.

"Mates don't treat each other like that." Molly told him quietly before turning and walking away.

"Molly!"

"Stay the fuck away from me, Smurf." She called back, trying her best to keep a hold of her emotions and managed to until she reached her room.

Locking the door, she dropped down onto her bed and cried. She didn't know what to do about Smurf. For a moment, she had been scared of him and she knew she should really tell Charles but she didn't know what his reaction would be. As a captain, she knew he would not tolerate Smurf's behaviour but if he did something about it would the rest of the section treat her like a grass like last time?

Also, he was now technically her boyfriend…would he be able to stay professional? Major Beck was trusting them to be discreet…if would not look good if he got all jealous again. Although there was a part of her that wanted him to make it clear to Smurf that she belonged with him…She knew she probably shouldn't…She spent most of her life trying to prove to everyone she didn't need anyone to protect her, let alone a man but since meeting Charles, she had never felt more safe…even when they were in the middle of a war zone.

When she heard her phone beep with a new message alert, she considered ignoring it since her family had been texting her non-stop the last couple of days but when she glanced down, she saw Charles' name.

I was expecting something a bit more romantic then 'I do too.'

Molly grinned, knowing he was talking about the message she had left on his arm. When she arrived at the hospital at 4:30am that morning, one of the nurses took pity on her and allowed her in. She had been hoping he might wake up so she could say goodbye to him properly but he didn't move a muscle when she kissed his forehead, the nurses explained the doctor had prescribed a sleeping tablet.

Unable to resist any longer, she hit the call button on her mobile.

"Hello?"

"I'll give you bleedin romantic…Mr. Ditto."

Charles laughed out loud. "Ditto is a lot more romantic then bloody 'I do too'…"

"How do you work that one out?"

"Because I said so…"

"Whatever, Mate… If you're gonna be like that I'm gonna take it back."

"You can't take it back…it's too late." He laughed again.

"Maybe I lied…"

"I don't think you did, Dawesy."

"You always this big headed?"

"Now you're getting me mixed up with Elvis…"

Molly snorted. "No, no one else is that big headed."

"You got a point there." Charles replied and continued when there was a small pause. "So, you got back okay?"

"Yeah, been back a little while…just had a cuppa with the lads." She told him. "Also got called in to see Major Beck."

"Oh? Everything go okay?"

"He asked how you were doing and told me I can stay with 2 Section for the next couple of days but then after my leave I'll re-join my old section."

"And are you okay with that?"

"Course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you've grown close with 2 Section…"

"Yeah but I've kinda got attached to you and we both can't stay so…"

"Maybe I could transfer…I can speak with Beck and see…"

"You can't do that!" Molly cut in. "They'd never forgive me if you weren't their captain anymore…"

"That's a nice thing to say but I'm sure they'd get over it."

"I'm not kidding…they think the world of you, Boss." Molly told him. "They're even trying to sort out a visit to come see you…"

"I know…Kinders wants to come down before the passing out ceremony…" Charles replied. "Which is good because I could be out of here in a week or so and I'd rather they not turn up at my house."

"They're talking about discharging you?"

"The doctor was pleased with the test results…so as long as physio goes well, I don't start bleeding out again or get an infection in the next couple of days and I have someone to help me out at home, then yeah, I'm back home to Bath…"

"Helping you out? Who's that gonna be, your Mum or Elvis?" She said teasingly.

"I'm not sure who would be worse." Charles replied. "You could always come and save me."

"You want me to come take care of you?"

"You are a medic… So, you'd have the experience."

"Oh, so that's all you want me for?"

"Well, that's not the only reason…"

"Yeah, whatever, Mate…"

"Seriously though…once you've spent some time with your family and you're ready then I would like nothing more than for you to come and see me." He told her softly. "I'm sure I promised to wine and dine you…"

"I'm not sure if I can wait that long…"

Molly wanted to tell him that she didn't need to go back to London and that the moment she was free, she would get on a train to wherever he was but she knew that wasn't fair to her family.

"Are you going to come with the others when they visit?"

"That might not be a good idea."

"Oh…"

"It's not that I don't want to." She said quickly. "It's just… don't you think it'll be awkward?"

"Awkward?" He repeated.

"Yeah because we'll have to act like there's nothing going on…" She tried to explain.

"Worried you wouldn't be able to keep your hands off me?" He joked.

"In your dreams, mate." She shot back but in actual fact, that was the truth. She couldn't think of anything worse than being in the same room as him and not touching him. Especially after the last couple of days where they had been completely open about their relationship.

He laughed lightly for a moment before turning serious. "Okay, you might have a point…"

"It's not like we'd get chance to talk proper anyway…" She continued. "You know what those attention seeking tossers are like…I won't get a look in."

"Dawes, I'm agreeing with you…"

"Oh…Okay."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know…You just seem a bit quiet… And that's defiently not like you."

"You trying to say I got a big mouth, boss?"

"Yes and I'm hoping that big mouth is going to tell me what's really wrong."

Molly sighed. "It's nothing to get worked up about…just Smurf…had a bit of an argument with him…that's all."

"About what?"

"Him just wanting to know where I've been…" She replied. "And I guess I feel a little bad about lying to him…to all of them."

"You could have told them the truth."

"Oh yeah…that would have gone down great…they would have started asking questions about why I was allowed to visit you and not any of them."

"You could have told them the truth about that too."

"Don't think that would have gone down any better…" She muttered. "Besides, Major Beck has advised we keep it to ourselves to begin with and he's probably right…It's no one else business but ours."

"True but if you're feeling that bad about keeping it from the others then you don't have to…that's all I'm saying."

"But Major Beck…"

"Advised us…not ordered us."

"I'm not sure they are different things."

"I could tell them if you like when they come down here…or if you change your mind and come with them, we can tell them together." Charles suggested. "We could just update out Facebooks…that'll get us out of telling a lot of people…I can agree to do one of those TV interviews and declare my love for you live on air…We can take out an ad in the newspaper…"

"Alright, alright…I get the point." She cut in and paused for a moment. "You really don't want to do any of that do you?"

"No, Molly…" He laughed lightly. "But I will if it's what you want… If it'll get Smurf off your back and set him straight on how you feel."

"We don't have to tell everyone yet, do we?" She questioned.

"Of course we don't." He assured her. "If that's what you want."

"I just…I don't want them all to complicate things …I want to enjoy getting to know you better without everyone asking a million and one questions."

"Then that's what we'll do."

"Thank you…" She said softly. "Do they really want to interview you on TV?"

"Apparently some local new station heard about what happened and want to speak to me…"

"Are you gonna do it?"

"No, I'm bloody not."

"Why not? Be nice to see you on TV."

"Yeah well, you not seeing me on TV might give you more incentive to come see me in person."

"You being a TV celeb would give me more incentive." She teased. "Hey, I reckon if you do a couple of interviews, you could probably get on one of them shows…Celebrity Big Brother or Get Me Out of Here…."

"Even more reason not to do it them…"

"You'd be good at that…or Strictly…Can you even dance?"

"Dawes, shut the fuck up." He told her, causing her to laugh. "Listen, I'm sorry…I'm going to have to go…My parents will be here any minute now with Sam."

"Yeah, I should probably sort my kit out and all…" She replied.

"I'll call you later, okay?"

"Okay."

"And if you have any problems you'll call me? If Smurf starts to get too much, have a word with Kinders…He'll sort him out."

"I can handle Smurf."

"I know you can but I'm just saying you don't have to."

"Whatever…" She replied but then suddenly realized something. "He'll be coming to see you."

"What?"

"When the lads come to visit you…Smurf will probably be with them."

"Well, I can handle Smurf too."

"You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?" She asked. "Warn him off or anything…"

Charles sighed. "No, Molly…I'm not going to threaten him from my hospital bed…don't worry."

"Okay…good…I don't want you to get into any trouble." She told him. "Or Elvis …You can't get him to warn him off just cos you promised me, you wouldn't."

Charles laughed. "Do you really think I'd do that?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I might have considered it but I won't ask Elvis or anyone else to say anything to Smurf." He promised. "Although, I'm not sure Elvis needs me to ask him…"

"Oh shit…you're right." Molly now had visions of a fight breaking out in Charles' hospital room. "Can you get rid of him for the day?"

"Elvis? Been trying to get rid of him for days…nothing has worked so far."

"Smurf and him really don't get along…"

"Well, maybe they'll just have to act like grown-ups for once…"

"Please, can you speak to Elvis… Just while they're visiting…they won't be there for long…"

"Fine, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Molly let out a sigh of relief.

"I've really got to go now."

"Okay, I'll speak to you later." She said, suddenly feeling a little sad. "Bossman?"

"Yeah…"

"I love you."

There was a pause and she began to panic, wondering if she had said it too soon.

"Ditto…"

"Ditto?! Are you having a flaming giraffe…" she started to rant.

"Molly…" He cut in laughing. "I love you too…"

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Oh…"

"I'm hanging up now…" He told her. "Go do some work."

"Yes, Sir…"

"Bye."

"Bye." Molly repeated before the line went dead.

She stared at her phone for a few seconds and couldn't help a smile spreading across her face. Despite everything else that was going on, she couldn't remember a time when she felt happier.

She had to hope Smurf did as she asked and left her alone and that when everyone did find out about her and Charles they would understand but for now she just needed to get the next couple of days out the way and get back to him, than everything would be alright.

TBC

Some more CJ / Molly , Smurf still a jerk and no Elvis this time…I missed him! He'll be back next chapter….Anyway, please review and let me know what you think!