Steadfast
Chapter 14
They giggled as they pulled their heavy bags from the car and burst through the front door. The giggling soon stopped though as he cheekily pinched a kiss from her smiling lips. Willing she gave into him and responded with love. She sighed as she relaxed into him as he gently brushed the hair from her face and held her gaze. Ridiculously, despite the winter chill from the open door, they stayed like this for precious moments. Two people so very much in love, communicating with their eyes, and their souls.
It had been one of the best weeks of Molly's life. The skiing was fun, something she'd done a few times before, but never with Charles and initially worried he'd out ski her and leave her behind, but once there she didn't worry, knowing he'd never do that. And so she'd kept up with the group, with Charles, just, her fastest just about acceptable, and always finding at the end of each run a smiling Charles waiting patiently for her. There was no way he was going to leave her, too much of a gentleman, and too much in love. This was their holiday, their together time, their time even with friends, and so no matter how she skied that week he stuck with her each and every day.
It wasn't just Charles' attentions that she had enjoyed. The whole week had been actually amazing. All of the group young and fit, and keen to make the most of the conditions. They skied hard, but partied harder. The après ski and evenings had been equally as much fun. Both Molly and Charles drinking a bit more than they were used to, dancing a bit more than they ever had, and loving each other with an new deepness. As a group they mixed well and when the time came to say good bye to her new friends Molly fell truly sad.
The memories of this holiday though would stay with her forever. Enjoying a whole new group of friends through Charles, had been an education. Realising that she wasn't the burden her parents taught her she was, realising that out there in this new found world of hers people actually genuinely liked her.
They all had known Charles and Elvis for so long, most of them had gone through officer training together, they all had so much history, but they included her and teased them both mercilessly. Apparently Molly being the first girlfriend of Charles' they ever had met, and not knowing their full history, they alluded to wedding bells again and again. Instead of running, panicking at these jibes Charles and Molly merely looked at each other, and smiled. Content where they were in the relationship, every night Charles looking at his watch, kissing her, uttering his thanks for the gift and the promise she'd given him. Life was good.
All good things however must come to an end, they both knew that and here, unpacking their cases proved it. They time together was almost over, the end of their Christmas leave together. Only one day left, for them to share, before they went their separate ways for the working week once again.
"That was one bloody great holiday Molly. I must say." Charles said walking to put the kettle on as she started to pull out their dirty clothes for washing.
"Yeah it was. Wonder where you're gonna take me next to top that?" She challenged him.
She smiled to herself, there had been once or twice on holiday she'd fancied that it was on the tip of his tongue to ask her. She didn't know if he knew that, but she was certain he definitely didn't know that maybe, just maybe, if he had she would have said yes.
He chuckled keeping his back to her, running his hand through his hair. Loving their relaxed banter. Accepting the challenge.
He kept his secret. There had been times on the holiday he'd been close, so close to asking her again. But he didn't, and not because he was unsure if she loved him, but because he wanted it to be right. Perfect...for the one and only time she'd say 'yes' to a marriage proposal. And so secretly in his mind he started to plot and plan.
"God can't believe I have to go back to work tomorrow night." She moaned, softly coming up behind him and cuddling him. "Might gonna miss you all over again."
"You're gonna miss me bringing you tea in bed every morning you mean." He laughed out, turning and quickly pecking her cheek, walking over to the fridge. Focused on getting their drinks rather than Molly's countenance.
She sighed, and returned back to her task. She simply didn't say anything else. There was a grain of truth in what he'd had said, but there was also something deeper to her feelings. Ones she was surprised to be feeling. She was starting to realise that leaving him every Sunday night was something she was starting to dread. This life apart, only seeing each other at weekends was no longer the life she wished to live, but she kept quiet for now.
"Penny for them?" He asked. Noticing her dropped shoulders and quietness. He'd been fully expecting her to have teased him back. He'd been waiting for the famous Molly Dawes' cheek, and when it didn't come, he questioned her.
"Nothing just thinking. That's all." She said, keeping her feelings close to her heart for now. They had one day left, not enough time to sort anything out in.
Charles handing her the cup of tea, was about to give her the famous reply about her thinking being dangerous when the doorbell went.
Instead he strode away to answer it. She couldn't hear what was said, and was too caught up in her melancholy and in sorting out their damp dirty ski gear. She even paid little attention to him when he came back into the room, it was only when he spoke directly at her did she start.
"Molly. There's some people here for you." His voice sounded strange.
She turned and saw their scarlet caps first, and then the well know Military Police Uniform second.
"Charles?" She asked looking from them to him. Military Police in your home, this time of night never meant good news. "What?"
"Molly just listen." He said as he came quickly over and stood next to her. Holding onto her shoulders tightly. His grip on her shoulders was the warning shot she needed.
"Sargent Molly Dawes?" The older of the MP officer said. And accepting her nod as confirmation, he continued.
"We've been trying to get in touch with you for the past five days. You're a hard woman to get hold of." He chipped along.
"Been away. On holiday." She answered defensively. "What's going on?" She asked. Totally bewildered. Looking between them and Charles hoping for some clarity.
"Sargent Molly Dawes I am here to inform you that a complaint has been made against you. That on the 30th December last year you assaulted Lance Corporal Georgie Lane in the toilets of the Furry Fox pub, Aldershot."
"What?" Molly shouted at them, and Charles moved his body even closer to hers. Holding onto her tightly as she tried to pitch forward out of his grip. "The vindictive mare."
Then turning so she could see Charles' face she said.
"I don't believe this. Just wait till I get my hands on her!"
Charles let out an audible 'shhh' as the MP continued, both men fixing her with a warning stare. Not wanting her words or actions to make this more difficult
"I am therefore here to ask you to attend garrison MP offices tomorrow to provide a statement of your side of events. You are entitled to legal representation if you wish."
Molly just stared. Shocked. It was Charles who spoke next. Taking charge.
"What evidence is there? How do we know Lane's not making this all up? As far as we know she wasn't even there that night. She's possibly making it up for attention." He finished.
Molly, so proud of his loyalty to her, but knowing it would look bad if she didn't keep everything straight and above board, needing to tell the truth. She said quietly.
"She was there Charles. I saw her in the toilets."
Charles looked shocked, mouth hung open, and would have continued if the younger MP hadn't started to speak.
"Photos were taken of Georgie Lane's injuries at the time when she reported the assault. Sargent Dawes will be able to see them tomorrow when she turns up to give her statement."
"Injuries. What the fuck." Molly shouted. "I never bleeding touched her. She's lying." Turning to Charles. "She lying Charles. I never."
He stood behind her and continued to hold onto her shoulders. Steadying her. Nodding his belief in her. Presenting themselves as one in front of these two strangers who had entered their world and upset it.
"I know Molly. I know. We'll get this sorted." He internally winced at the platitudes. The truth was this was bad, for Molly, for them and potentially for him too.
The next ten minutes or so Molly didn't take anything in, didn't join in with the conversation. Charles took control of it all, dealt with all the formalities, paperwork, even down to the indignity of the surrendering of her passport to them . Eventually though he showed the MPs out, curtain twitching on the street, signs their evening visitors hadn't been unnoticed by others. The gossip mill would already have started. He took a moment to calm himself after shutting the door, then returned to the sitting room finding Molly just sitting staring into space.
"Hey. You ok?" He asked taking the chair opposite her. A slow gentleness about him as not to startle her.
"I never. Shit. I can't remember much about that night, but I know I didn't bloody assault her. I know that." Molly wailed.
"Hey hey hey." He moved forward and cradled her into his arms. "We'll go tomorrow and get this mess sorted." He promised her. They were false promises they both knew that.
"We? You're gonna come with me?" She asked. "Really?"
"Course I bloody am. What did you think I'd just leave you to sort this out by yourself? Never." He kissed her head to reassure her, and took some comfort in the small grateful smile she gave him
"Shit I just don't remember." She sighed. "I'm trying to honest."
"You never said you saw Lane that night. That she was there." He asked cautiously. "Why not?"
"Don't know?" And the truth was she genuinely didn't. "Wasn't important. We were going away. I was tipsy. Happy I guess. It just went out of my head."
"Did you..." He hesitated about how to put his next question. "Did you touch her, or maybe push her?"
"No. Shit Charles. I didn't. We had words. She went on about me failing her. I moved her out of the way. She was in me face, I might have gently shoved her but I never pushed." Molly cried out.
"So there was actual physical contact though?" He pushed further, slipping into his leader mode.
"Not like that!" She jumped up. Angry. "Fuck if you don't believe me no one else is gonna."
"Calm down Molly. I do believe you. Just wanting to get the facts." He stood following her up the stairs as she fled in tears. "Molly please." He called out.
"No Charles. I know I didn't push her. I wouldn't. She was pissed. Very. She wobbled and hit the wall, but that wasn't my doing... I don't think." She broke down and accepted his out stretched arms. Snuggling into him. Trying to hide from it all. "I promise you I never hurt her."
They both spent a night pretending to sleep but neither of them achieving more than an odd snatch now and then. The daunting process of the next day weighing too heavy on their minds. Molly so grateful that Charles was willing to come with her, but also scared about where it would lead to, what damage it could cause.
"You know it will be alright in the end don't you." He signed into her hair as he pulled her into his warm body. Hoping to calm her down, as she lay tightly sprung next to him.
"Will it? How do you know that?" She said it as kindly as she could, but still couldn't keep the sharpness out of her voice. She knew he was trying to comfort her, but like her he had no idea how this was all going to play out. They were just nice kind words, not certainties.
Charles knew she was right. He didn't know. He'd spent his whole working life knowing, assessing outcomes, familiarising himself with end results. Yet in this situation he was powerless, in the mercy of the process just like Molly. It scared him, made him feel useless. He couldn't do what he wanted to do, he couldn't make this right for her, and so all they could do was wait. They talked no more that night, nothing more to say, instead just lay side by side, hands touching hands, both counting down the hours until the morning. Until the next move in this unravelling nightmare.
The next morning, day, evening all came and went going by as well as could be expected. Shamed, embarrassed, defensive and scared, and a whole lot more, were the emotions Molly felt during the day. Battling constantly with her instinct, constantly trying to rein in her anger at hearing and seeing evidence of Georgie's lies. Listening, controlled as the list given by the MPs, the polite formality of it all, of the accusations levelled at her. Nothing surprising, it was as she had been told the night before, but heart breaking still for Molly to hear again. That Georgie Lane was saying Molly assaulted her in the toilets, had bruised her arm and split her lip in the process. The post assault photos brilliantly showing the damage Molly had supposedly done and backed up Lane's fantastic tale.
And so their last day together had been ruined, poisoned by events, and there was no comfort to be found in anything, so Molly left Charles' early that Sunday evening to start her drive back to her barracks and back to the job she was good at. Charles knew he couldn't stop her, she need to go, to run from this as best she could, and so he held her tight, promising to be there for her no matter what and he let her go. Relief flooding through him though as she whispered promises to him that she'd come back to him, always.
It was initially surprise that he felt when he first received her call mid Monday morning. They usually avoided calls during work hours, both normally too focused on the jobs they were good at. Surprise however soon turned into sheer bloody anger once she explained to him her reason for calling and interrupting his day. Slamming down his work phone, he left his office quickly returning home as fast as he could, desperate to be there for her. Bursting through the front door, seeing her car already park on his drive way again after only a 24 hours absence made it even more real. He called her name and not waiting for a reply he climbed the stairs, double time, knowing just where she'd be. He found her in the office, files and paper strewn about the place. Computer on. Printer noisily churning out reams of paper, and Molly sat on the floor amongst it all.
She barely acknowledged him as he stepped over the mess to kiss her 'hello'. The look on her face though said it all. The determined Molly was back. When she had called him from the car she was distraught. Explaining her story to him in juddering semi coherent breaths and sobs. Turning up for work as usual that morning, her first day back after leave, she had been surprised and marched into her CO's office. Told simply and regretfully the bare facts of the situation. Lane's accusation didn't apparently just stop at Molly physically attacking her, but also continued on to accusing Molly's professionalism too. Claiming that Molly had with 'malice and bias' failed Georgie out of 'pure spite' and had singled her out for 'unfair pressure, bordering on bullying'. With such damming accusations against her reputation as a soldier, as a medic assessor, her CO stated that they had no choice but to historically review all her assessments of other medics on all courses since her commencement with the section. Her presence so close to the unit or barracks therefore was not advised. Two weeks downtime, study leave, was given to ensure she was far enough away from the investigation. Her CO apologising again and again that he had to simply follow procedure, and none of this was personal. Stating as honestly as the current situation would allow, that he valued Molly as a member of his section.
His kind words though didn't help, she was devastated that all she had worked for was now in doubt, being questioned. On being dismissed she climbed into her car and called Charles immediately. Hardly able to speak through the waves of anger and grief, but eventually filling him in with the insults she had to bare, the punishment she had to endure, all because of Georgie's claims, all before she was even tried or found guilty.
It was to Charles she fled to endure her misery, her two weeks away, while they completed their internal review on her fitness to train and assess others. Two weeks of not being allowed back on her camp while the pick over her past decisions. Two weeks where she was unable to have access to any of their decisions or questioning about her. And so as her world started to slowly unravel, there was only one thought of where she wanted to be, and that was with Charles.
On entering the room Charles saw, on the office floor, though not the Molly who had sobbed and sobbed down the telephone line hours ago, but instead one that was very familiar to him. Instead her saw the Molly who had total control of her emotions. Her game face was on, focused. As she sat there amongst rule books, manuals, policies and procedure documentation she was determined. Ready to face this challenge full on and with all the guts she was well known for. She'd had problems in her life to sort out before, maybe not as big as this, but she knew she'd fight every step of the way. Just this time she'd have Charles by her side to help and for once that felt good.
They worked together, looking at her notes as a team, and under any other situation it might have even been viewed as a happy partnership. Each evening he was home, always a known stickler for rules and regulations, he helped her explore avenues, loopholes, precedents that potentially would help her. Manuel, books, traditions all explored. He used his contacts too, friends all who were able to give him advice, ideas. Together they were becoming a force of defence, if needed, to be reckoned with.
They both noticed it, but never mentioned it. Whereas Charles' friends has been very forthcoming about her predicament, Molly's friends, bar Smurf, had been noticeably quiet. It shocked her, and even hurt. Colleagues, team mates, not making contact, even though she knew the reason about her sudden leave was out. It showed her without Charles, his parents, and his support network she would have been very much alone in all this mess. She therefore appreciated this man more than she could say, she tried, so many times to tell him, but just words were never good enough.
Out of all of their friends however there was one person whom they had not excepted such support from...Elvis. He had barrelled himself into their home days after it had all started, bringing with him an abundance of positivity. Elvis! He turned up and helped hold them together. It was Elvis who was both there unexpected, but excellent, confident in all this. Using him to confide in when they didn't want to confide in each other. When they feared speaking out at times would cause more hurt than they already felt. And so Elvis he listened, sometimes offering advice or just plain hard liquor, whatever suited the occasion, but he was there for them.
Molly never realised his hidden depths and marvelled sometimes as to how he really was the strong silent type, it wasn't an act. Showing them both his loyal side, and ability to assess each situation, before acting on it. His special force training obviously coming into play.
There was however one occasion where his level head was very much tested. One situation that truly tested him, funding it hard to just sit back and keep his rage in.
Charles had turned to his friends, confided in him, trouble by the events of his day. The anger in him trying to be hidden after he had being called in to see the Colonel. His CO. An old out of date leader, months away from a very much needed retirement, who was desperate to leave the Army without a stain on his leadership, or those in his chain of command. And so he invited Charles in for an informal, friendly 'chat'. The meeting started nicely, but soon the atmosphere changed once the Colonel's true intentions were known He said he felt, it was only right that he advised Charles that Molly's investigation, the allegations attached to her were not good for him, the platoon or anyone. He offered friendly advice to Charles that he should 'ditch the upstart floosy' for his own good and that of his promising career. Then as quickly as the ruinous advice was given Charles was dismissed. Given 'time to think about it', but was strongly advised to put his 'promising career first'. No time for Charles to reply or retort to the 'wisdom' delivered.
Charles had merely turned and left, knowing his duty, obeying as he always did. However Charles was incensed and barely held it together walking back to his office. Shouting at junior ranks as he passed them in the corridor for minor uniform errors. Trembling as he seated himself at his desk and revisited the words he'd just head.
He held in his rage for the rest of the day. Instead it was his friend Elvis who got his full wrath that night at his local, when he recounted the story. Gaining promises that he'd never tell Molly what had been said, knowing how much it would torment her. Elvis listened, noting how matter of fact Charles now told the tale. Charles eventually calming down quickly once he'd unburden himself, simply knowing that there would not be a choice to make. That time had well and truly passed. He'd made his choice a long time ago and the bonds he had with her, his girl, his Molly would not be broken by this, by anyone, or even by his career. She was his first and only consideration. Keeping her safe, clearing her name and protecting her from the inevitable hurt that was to come.
Charles confiding though made Elvis more protective of Molly, the girl he sometimes regretted not trying harder with. Finding himself spending more and more of his free time with her. He saw himself as a protector when Charles wasn't around, and frequently popped in most days merely to see her. As always, as before, they got on famously. Friendship was all she saw in Elvis. A kinship, both having sense of humours and cheekiness that matched. Often spending their times together putting the world to rights over a cuppa sitting in Charles' kitchen.
They nearly missed his return, would have if the cold blast of the winter wind hadn't followed him and had blown through the house. The front door had closed so quietly, they both looked at each other in surprised, and it was Molly who poked her head around the door from the kitchen shouted as she saw him walking towards her.
"What the bloody hell you doing home so early?" She asked jokingly, but so very pleased to see him as always. Smiling at him. The past days had been hard on him and as she looked at him now she noticed how drawn he looked. Guilt racked through her.
"They haven't given you the sack as well mate." Elvis joked. Joining in with Molly's tease as Charles entered the kitchen.
Both him and Molly laughed at the personal joke made at her expense but directed at Charles. Their laughing soon came to an abrupt stop though when they saw Charles just standing there. Motionless. His whole manner spoke of defeat.
"I'm sorry Molly." Was all he said looking directly at her. Not taking Elvis in at all. "So very sorry."
She looked at him, then stood to go near him, but some second sense in her told her to stay away, to stop and hold back. Self preservation she guessed.
"What for?" She asked. Her voice full of suspicion.
"It's Lane." He choked out. His eyes full of fear as he spoke.
"What about her?" She very slowly, and deliberately asked.
"She's accused me too." He never moved. "Inappropriate behaviour in the line of command...With her." He whispered out the last words. "She's wanting my actions investigated."
"What?" Both Molly and Elvis shouted out together.
"That's crap though isn't it Charlie?" Elvis asked. Speaking where Molly couldn't. Staring at his friend, longing for reassurance.
Charles said nothing. His eyes pleading with Molly's. Desperate to get her to understand. To forgive.
"Nah. It's not. Is it Charles?" Molly said very softly. The tears rolling down her face. Knowing she was to learn something she didn't want to learn.
"No." Was all he said.
"What the hell mate?" Elvis shouted. Banging the table in anger with his fist. "You and bloody Lane. What she's saying is true?"
Molly stood stock still. Watching him, almost failing to hear the words of pleading forgiveness that were coming out of his mouth
"I'm so sorry Molly. So sorry." He said again.
"So tell me Charles. Is it true?" She simply asked.
"Yes." Was his answer.
And with that her world broke apart.