Still feeling a little anxious about posting but hey ho - here's the usual Wednesday update. Hope you enjoy! x S x
Charles couldn't help but notice how tense she was, she checked her phone constantly, kept peering out the windows and drawing the blinds then checking her phone once more "Is there something going on I should know about?" He appeared behind her, planting kisses down the side of her neck "No, nothing's going on. Do you want a massage? It's been a busy day, you must be sore" he followed her to the bedroom where she closed the curtains "Molly, talk to me. What is it?" She took a deep breathe "It's Tom" he immediately back off "No it's not like that. He turned up at mine, Bella was there too. He threatened you because I told him I wanted you back and our friendship was over. I'm really scared Charles, I'm scared he's going to hurt you"
He let out a laugh "Molly, really? He's a silly little boy with a crush and a big ego. He's not going to do anything. And besides, I may have a limp but I'm not completely useless, I'm more than able to protect myself... and you, being the trained killer that I am" he winked at her reassuringly as she wrapped her arms around his solid torso, glad to be back in the safety of his arms "I love you" she whispered. He held her close, the thought of anyone hurting her made his blood boil "I love you too. Now Medic, how about that massage?"
The weeks had passed in a flash. Her stomach turned as she helped him into his strapping, she didn't think he was ready to go back to Barracks. He was still having nightmares although they were less dramatic these days and she found it easier to pull him out of them. And the limp, he couldn't really do much throughout the day before it became heavier and heavier and he had to retreat to the sofa.
"Are you sure you're gonna be alright?" He smiled at her through the mirror as he tidied his hair; he was more than ready to be back in uniform. "Absolutely! I'm on light duties for the foreseeable and I'm doing phased hours until I'm settled. Beck has been kind to me; I can take it as slow as I need too. I've missed my lads, let's hope they've been behaving themselves" she admired him, after everything he'd been through whilst in that uniform, here he was standing proud, ready to start again "I'm proud of you Charlie"
He pulled her into his arms "As I am of you. Now if the offer still stands, I'd love a lift in"
Her heart pounded as she pulled up to park "You will be careful won't you? And call me when you're ready to come home? Rest if it gets too much, remember what the physio said" he saluted "Yes medic, relax please. Enjoy your day of peace" He kissed her hard, slightly nervous within himself but he could do this, he was ready.
Charles was overly conscious of the car that followed as she pulled away from the barracks. Had it been tailing them? He hadn't noticed it until its engine roared to life just seconds after Molly's. He waved her off, completely paranoid he thought.
It felt strange to be back to a place he doubted he'd see again. Nothing had changed, the same faces greeted him kindly as he made his way through the corridors, they were pleased to see him at least - he hoped two section would feel the same. He pulled out his phone; something still niggled in the back of his mind as he counted down the minutes until Molly would likely reach home.
"Let me know you've made it back okay?"
She replied with a smiley face and assured him she was fine. His mind was playing tricks he decided. He wouldn't give in to a silly threat from a kid; he wouldn't allow it to become another thing that played on his mind.
The sound of effing and blinding and the smell of something suspicious aroused his interest as he limped through the door. He followed his nose through to the kitchen; she was turning the air blue as she prodded a dish of something. He watched her with a smirk, thoroughly amused - a cook she was not.
"Problem Molly?" He chuckled as she jumped out of her skin "Jesus Charlie you nearly gave me a Julius" he laughed, moving forward to check the suspicious looking contents of his mother's best dish "What is that?" He raised an eyebrow. She could only laugh "It was a shepherd's pie" he placed his hand on her shoulders, burying his face in her hair "Start small ey Dawsey" he took in her smell, he hadn't worked a long day but he'd missed her immensely "Take away?" He offered "Yeah unless you wanna risk life and guts on this thing" she flicked on the coffee machine "So how was it? How are you feeling? And why didn't you ring for a lift?" She pulled out a chair, Conscious of him favouring his good leg "Sit down you" she pulled off his boots, taking care not to jar his bad foot "It's a little swollen. You need to get it up asap" he pulled her between his legs "I've got other plans for us right now. I've missed you so much" he nuzzled his face into her belly as his hands appreciated every curve of her "You are so beautiful" he groaned.
Her body responded instantly "Well Captain, I think we should get you to bed don't you?" He raised an eyebrow "Purely for medical reasons, obviously" she winked, pulling him to his feet. He leaned heavily on her "Lead the way nurse"
He marvelled at her sleeping form, stroking back stray strands of hair. He couldn't imagine being without her ever again, it had hurt too much. She rolled into his warm body, stirred by hunger. "What you staring at soppy?" he leaned forward to kiss her "You! I'm staring at you. I can't believe I almost lost you...twice" She cupped his cheek "Never again. I promise" she sound of her phone vibrating in the drawer made her anxious "Give me the phone Molly" she shook her head "No leave it. I'm gonna get a new number again tomorrow" he wondered if he should mention the car but decided against it. He would keep his eyes peeled next time; it wasn't worth adding to her anxiety.
"I'm going to start driving myself to and from the barracks, save you the trouble" she kissed his nose before rummaging for a take away menu "It's no trouble, I enjoyed the extra time with you. And I don't think that leg is ready for driving. You can barely walk by the end of the day" she was right but he needed to minimise any risk to her "its fine. My car is automatic" she didn't think much more of it; he would do what he wanted despite her protests. She checked her phone - 17 missed calls, 9 texts messages and 4 voicemails. Tom really wasn't taking the hint. She regretted letting him into so much of her life, he knew everything - Where Charles lives, where her parents lived, absolutely everything.
"Maybe I should speak to Elvis about this situation? See what he suggests? Short of going to the police which you won't do, I don't know how else I can keep you safe" he sighed "It's not me I'm worried about, it's you. He threatened you" Charles laughed "There is nothing he can do to me don't you worry about that. Just be extra vigilant, and please consider the police again. They can do more than you think".
They had a quiet few days on the Tom front. She'd changed her number and the car tails he'd brushed off as paranoia.
The appearance of Elvis to barracks was always welcome as far as Charles was concerned. He shared his fears for Molly, and although he wasn't met with much sympathy. But he knew his friend would never allow any harm to come to her. He climbed into his Range Rover, pulling the ring box from his pocket for one last check. He wanted to make things official again; he wanted her to know how much she meant to him. He added two tiny stones to the inside of the ring, to represent almost losing each other and a reminder that it was just a blip in their story.
He fired up the engine, conscious of the engine roaring to life behind him. "Paranoia" he reminded himself "He wouldn't be that stupid" he was going home to propose to his lady on her the eve of her birthday and nothing would get in his way.
He pulled out, eyes on the car behind at all times. It was definitely him this time. He could make him out. He took an alternative route home, keen to make him although he knew there was little point as he knew where he lived. He was startled by his phone ringing, he would never usually answer but he allowed the car Bluetooth to pick it up "Charlie boy, it's Elvis. It seems you've got a certain twat on your tail" he sighed in relief "I'm trying to lose him. Although there doesn't seem much point"
"Drive carefully and go straight home, I'm on his tail, I'll sort this little bugger once and for all" Elvis ended the call. Molly had been right about not being up to driving, searing agony was shooting through his leg as he struggled to maintain a steady pace.
He took a country lane, despite the fact he'd been making their life difficult, he still didn't fancy watching Elvis ruin his career by beating the crap out of a silly kid. He sped up as Tom sat right up his tail, praying his leg would make it home. He startled as Tom started some kind of road race, they'd lost Elvis that was definite. He ignored the incoming call from Molly, focused on driving safely as the Tom drove erratically around him. He had to get there safely; he'd call the police this time. Things were out of hand now.
"Hello handsome. Did you forget your key? Oh it's you" Elvis pushed passed her "Not the time now Dawes. Where is he? Is he home?"
Molly sensed his panic "He's not Home yet. What's happened?"
"I caught your mate, you know - the one you left Charlie for, tailing him. I lost them on the way but your tosser mate was chasing him"
Elvis felt a bit guilty for digging at her but sod it he thought, she deserved it. She grabbed her keys "There's only two ways he could have gone so if you've come on the main road then I know where he went" she grabbed her car keys and headed for the door.
The sight of blue flashing lights chilled her to the bone. She pulled the car up a short distance from the emergency services, fumbling to remove her seatbelt "Stay here Dawes. Let me check it out first" she was grateful for Elvis at that moment, she clung to his arm "Elvis it's his car" he nodded "Just wait here yeah. Hopefully worse than it looks"
He approached the police tape "This is my mate's car. Please tell me he's alright" the policeman gave a gentle smile as he noted Elvis' uniform "The soldier is already on route to hospital" the state of the car told Elvis the rest. Things weren't looking good.
"What happened?" The policeman let himself out of the cordon "It looks like he was run off the road by and a second car who got away initially but crashed at another point further up the road. We were able to make an arrest" Elvis breathed a sigh of relief "Honestly mate, how bad's he looking? Only I've got his partner in the car. I'd rather it came from me" the police office swallowed hard "I'd get her there if I were you" Elvis extended his hand "Thank you"
He jumped into the car with urgency "We've got to go Dawes. We've got to get to the hospital".