Thank you so much to everyone who's continuing to read this story. It means a lot that people are still invested in it. Sorry it's taken me so long to update, RL and writers block got in the way but hopefully I'm back on track and the remaining chapters shouldn't be such a long wait. I was hoping to finish this story before season 3 aired but I'm not sure that will happen. Hopefully it won't be far off though. As always your reviews are what keep me going so if you get the chance please do let me know what you think. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy xx

The car was silent apart from the occasional burst of music that was coming out of the radio that was turned down low. Charles was driving Molly and Georgie back to barracks. They'd been in the car over half an hour with barely a word spoken. The tension radiating off Georgie was palpable. Molly didn't really know what to say to her. She knew Georgie wasn't in the mood to talk so she just let her be. She'd spent the entire journey so far just staring out the window. Charles and Molly didn't even speak to each other the whole way back. They'd occasionally give each other furtive glances, neither of them sure what to say and not wanting to break the silence. Charles settled for grabbing Molly's hand, and gently rubbing a finger across her knuckles. She wound her fingers round his, grateful for the closeness, in what had so far, been a shit day. He gripped her hand tighter, she turned and gave him a small smile before she too resumed staring out the window for the remainder of the journey.

"But uh oh, I love her because she moves in her own way"

The noise brought Georgie out of her trance and made Charles and Molly jump as Georgies phone sprung to life. She snatched it up off the seat, gave a quick glance at the screen, before clicking it off and throwing it back on the seat. Charles might not have known who the call was from but Molly was in no doubt. Not with that ringtone anyway.

Georgie glanced up to see the barracks approaching just ahead, and as they drove through the gates she appeared to come out of her trance, finally speaking.

"Thanks for the lift boss. You really didn't need to drive us back. We could have got the train"

"It's no trouble Lane. It's the least I could do, besides I'd have never have heard the end of it off Molly if I'd made her get the train" he said grinning.

"Oi, I ain't a snob like you! Quite happy to get the train thanks" she said playfully punching him in the arm

He held up his hands in mock defence "alright alright, I know. I just thought it would be easier. It's been a trying morning and what with you being pregnant I thought it would be nice to drive you back. Besides I've got some work to do anyway so it killed two birds with one stone"

"Well either way it's much appreciated. Thanks boss." She said hurriedly. Charles had barely had a chance to pull into the space and turn the engine off before Georgie opened the door and jumped out. Slamming the door shut she leant against the car and took a deep breath. The last 45 minutes had been stifling. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She needed to get air in her lungs. Her head was swimming. She just wanted to be alone. Without glancing back she moved away from the car and started walking quickly towards the building.

Charles just glanced at Molly. "Give me a minute yeah. I just want to check she's ok."

He gave a small nod. "Of course, I won't intrude. I'll wait here for you" he said before giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.

Molly jumped out the car and started running across the car park after her, only slowing when she realised running wasn't that easy and instead opting to shout across the car park "Georgie wait up". Georgie stopped and turned around and waited till Molly caught up with her.

"Are you ok Hun? I've never known you to be that quiet"

Georgie gave a small smile. "Yeah I'm fine babe. Just tired. It's been a long morning and I've got a lot going through my head. Just need a minute to think and get my head straight"

Molly gave her a sympathetic smile, "I know that feelin'. I 'ate it when I can't get a calmness in me nut". "Is there anythin' I can do?"

"No honestly I'm fine. I've got a couple of things to do in the office but I'll catch up with you later yeah?"

Molly held her gaze and gave a small smile. She didn't want to push her. "Alright. Well you know where I am if you need me".

"Thanks babe". Molly gave her a quick hug before pulling away and heading back towards the car. She took a few steps before she stopped and turned around,

"You need to ring him back you know Georgie"

Georgie stopped and faced her "Who?" She asked quizzically

Molly just cocked her head and gave her a look. "He ain't gonna give up you know. You need to speak to him sooner or later"

Georgie sighed, "I will, when I've calmed down. Right now I'm not sure what I'd say to him. It would only end in an argument". With that Georgie turned and walked off across the car park whilst Molly stared at her briefly, before heading back to the car.

Charles was stood leaning against the car, arms folded across his chest,

"Everything alright Molls?"

"Yeah. I'm just a bit worried about Georgie. She's not really said anything since the meeting and she was mad as hell when she stormed out of the room. I just hope she don't do anything stupid"

"Like what?" Charles said mildly alarmed.

"I dunno. Nothing. Just ignore me" Molly wasn't sure what, exactly, she thought Georgie would do but before the meeting she was talking about leaving the army, not being sure about the wedding and possibly having feelings for Elvis. Something had to give. Molly just wasn't sure what it would be.

Charles couldn't quite read Molly. He knew something was going on. He just didn't know what. And he wasn't sure whether to push it or not. He opted for the safe option. "Look it was a rough morning for her. She'll be ok though. Georgie is strong. Just give her time." He said, placing his hand lightly in the small of her back, to guide her towards barracks.

She wasn't sure if it was the emotion of the last few days, pregnancy or both but everything suddenly came spilling out and she couldn't stop her mouth running away with her.

"Whoa slow down Molls. What do you mean she wants to leave the army? Did she say that? And you're saying she doesn't want to marry Jamie. Seriously? And what's Elvis got to do with anything?" Charles' confusion was evident. Molly had given him a hell of a lot of information in 30 seconds.

Molly just looked at him sheepishly.

"Come on. I think we need to have a sit down and a chat, you can catch me up on everything that's being going on"

She knew she shouldn't have spilled everything, Georgie definitely wouldn't appreciate her CO knowing things but it was Charles, and she'd made a pact to be honest with him since the Elvis debacle the other day. Plus, she was genuinely worried about Georgie and the fact she was now talking about leaving the army. It was definitely taking its toll on her, so if betraying her trust meant saving her and helping her then yeah she wasn't sorry. And Charles was known for his discretion. He definitely needed a heads up if Georgie was thinking of leaving the army and wasn't in the right frame of mind.

He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug, something he wouldn't usually do at barracks but there was no one in the car park and his wife had had a rough morning and he'd wanted to hug her all morning. It was the first bit of alone time they'd had all day.

"Come on" He linked her fingers as they walked across the car park towards barracks, only releasing them when they neared the entrance, but still staying in close enough proximity so that he could gently brush them against hers when she strode close to him. It sort of broke his own rules about keeping emotion out of it, and being professional at work but he didn't care, he needed the closeness

Barracks

Georgie stomped down the corridor towards the office. She was tired and drained and bloody sick of it all, she just wanted it all over. She hoped no one was around. It had been a long morning and she just wanted to take refuge in the office for the rest of the day and to escape everything. To get a bit of peace and quiet, and to think, and to get a calmness in her nut, as Molly would say.

She was so lost in her train of thought that she didn't see the squaddies until she almost crashed right into them.

"Shit. What the f…." she looked up just in time.

"Afternoon staff"

"Sorry lads. Afternoon. Where you off to?" She tried to regain her composure and feign interest but it was clear she was distracted. She didn't really wish to engage them in conversation

"To a lecture boss"

"Well hadn't you better crack on then. Don't want to be late" she said a little more firmly than she'd meant to.

"Erm yeah sorry staff." The lads skulked off to the lecture hall. She knew they wanted to ask her what had happened. Everyone did. They were all hankering for a bit of information. Indirectly of course. None of them were brave enough to actually come out and ask her about it. She felt like she was in a freak show. The subject of everyone's gossip.

She put her head down and continued along the corridor towards the office. Her head was swimming with information that her brain felt like it might explode. Things were rapidly spiralling out of control and she didn't know what to do. Everyone was oblivious to her torment. She wanted to scream, run away, hide, basically be anywhere other than where she was right now.

She was glad that barracks seemed relatively quiet. It meant she could hide in the office for the rest of the day and pretend she was doing paperwork. She couldn't be arsed dealing with bored squaddies who didn't want to listen. She just didn't have the patience today. In fact, she wasn't even sure she had the patience for any of it anymore. Everything just felt wrong. Maybe she should take a break. From work. From Jamie. From everything. She headed down the corridor and swung open the door to the office. Stepping inside she hesitated, something didn't feel right.

Her hand reached for the gun that was usually holstered to her hip, except she forgot she was in civilian clothes and didn't have any weapons with her.

She heard a slight rustle behind her. Where normally she would have turned around, in that split second she was afraid to confront the danger. She was convinced that this was it. That Abu was here for her. Then just as quickly dismissed the thought. There's no way Abu would get into barracks. She allowed herself to relax a faction before turning at the voice.

"Hey"

She spun around, "Jesus Christ Elvis you scared the shit out of me. Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I've got a psychopath stalking me and you think it's a good idea to creep up on me" she spat with a viciousness that shocked her as much as it did Elvis.

She waited a second for her heart rate to slow down before she dumped her bag on the desk, and made her way round it to sit down.

"What are you doing here Elvis?" She said a little more softly, once she'd had a chance to regain her composure.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just worried about you that's all. I've not heard from you in a few days and I didn't know what to think. And then you call me saying I'm a fucker and that we need to talk. So here I am" he said with a smile.

"I called you an hour ago Elvis you didn't come from London in an hour, what did you do fly up the M1" she said skeptically, before understanding. "You were already here" she said rolling her eyes

"Well you've been ignoring me for two days, I wanted to check you were ok. Plus I've been seconded up here cos my unit has experience of dealing with Abu, and I hear you're getting new security detail" he said with a wink.

Georgie eyed him warily, then it clicked "You've got to be kidding me. No way. No fucking way Elvis. That's just creepy. Mind you that's you all over isn't it" she sneered.

"You" she said angrily, pointing a firm finger in his direction "are not being my new bodyguard, what will Jamie say? And there's no way my dad is gonna let you anywhere near me. He'll kill you, well that's if I don't first" she said incensed at the suggestion that Elvis would be her new protector.

"I don't give a fuck what Jamie says. I told you Georgie I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I wouldn't trust anyone else with your life"

"I'm not your responsibility Elvis. I don't need you to be my knight in shining armour."

"Really?" He said sarcastically. "Because last time I checked you called me Georgie saying you needed me. Remember?"

"Yeah well I was upset and confused" she spat. "And anyway who the hell do you think you are telling the brig to put my wedding back. That's really fucked up Elvis. It's not like I can argue about it. You're determined to fuck this up for me aren't you? Cheers for ruining my life, yet again" she said resigned to the situation she now found herself in.

"The Brig just wants to err on the side of caution. He's not saying cancel it. Just move it back a few days"

"On the back of your recommendation?"

"I'm only thinking about you Georgie"

"No you're thinking about yourself. That's why you're a fucker" she said glaring at him.

He knew the suggestion to postpone the wedding wouldn't go down well. He didn't make the suggestion to be malicious, despite what she thought. He genuinely believed the wedding was a security threat but if she didn't end up marrying Jamie, well it would be a bonus. He didn't have to but as part of the security review he checked out Jamie. He was a total tool. Boring. Dependable. God knows what Georgie saw in him. Well actually maybe it was the fact he offered stability, safety and reliability. All the things Elvis didn't. But things were different now. He was different now.

As she continued staring at him she could feel the fire in her slowly waning. She just didn't have the energy. She pushed the chair back and went and stood by the window, arms folded across her chest hugging herself, in an effort to put a barrier between her and Elvis, and to block out everything that was happening and protect herself.

Elvis moved behind her, gently touching her shoulder. His touch was electric, searing her skin and making her flinch at the intimacy. He quickly retracted his hand, feeling the sensation too.

"Georgie we need to talk"

She sighed, "What about Elvis? About How messed up I am? About how a psychopath is after me, how about how I don't even know what I'm doing anymore?" He could hear her voice start to crack. He hated seeing her this vulnerable.

"Georgie. Look at me" he pleaded. She didn't move. This time he reached out for her and pulled her into a hug, not giving her the chance to pull away.

She didn't know what it was, whether it was the emotion of the day, the electricity of his touch or his strong arms around her, but everything overcame her and she broke down on his shoulder.

"Hey, shush it's ok" he said soothingly as he stroked her hair. His heart was racing. She was in his arms. He didn't care why, the fact was she was hugging him. He'd not felt this happy in a long time. He had things he wanted to say and although it might not be the right time it was now or never.

Her head was resting on his shoulder. He breathed in her scent as her hair brushed his face. The sensation made him go weak at the knees. He started speaking softly as he held her tight "Georgie, I need to say something, please will you hear me out" he begged. She pulled away to look at him. He could see tears glistening in her eyes.

"Elvis, no" she shook her head as she averted her eyes and looked away from him

"Georgie, I do love you, you know" he said taking her hands in his. "And I'm not giving up. Whether you admit it or not, I know we're meant to be together. If something's worth saving you fight for it"

Georgie shook her hands free." It's too late Elvis. You had your chance". Although she spoke the words, she wasn't sure she meant them.

"Jamie isn't right for you" he continued

"Oh and I suppose you are yeah?" she said sarcastically, finally turning to meet his gaze

"Yeah. We're the same me and you. We belong together. We only get one chance and I'm not blowing it this time. We need each other and without each other ...we're useless" his tone was pleading.

"No. You are. For not turning up at our wedding. It's a shame you didn't think that two years ago though. And now, well now, it's too fucking late." Her voice was bitter but he could hear her voice crack and her stance falter. "I can't trust you Elvis. I loved you. And you hurt me and let me down". He could see her struggling to hold back the tears, her eyes moist, as they threatened to spill over. "Jamie is a sure thing. He won't let me down."

He grabbed her hands and stared deep into her eyes "but do you love him?"

"Yeah" she said avoiding his gaze. She couldn't look him in the eye

"Georgie look at me. Please." She turned her head a fraction, staring into his eyes, that at this moment she felt could see into her soul.

"Really? Like you loved me?" He gently raised his hand to stroke her cheek. For a second she leaned into it before pulling her face away and letting go of his hand. She was entering dangerous territory.

"What does it matter Elvis. I'm leaving the army and I'm marrying Jamie. You should forget about me. I loved you and I would have done anything for you but you ripped my heart out. It took me so long to get over you. I'm so much happier without you." She said, trying more than anything to convince herself it was true. But the truth was she did love him. But he hurt her and she couldn't trust him. What if he let her down again. What if he stomped on heart like last time. She couldn't put herself through that again.

"I'm not interested in you Elvis" she said firmly.

"Well I don't believe that and neither do you" he said, suddenly very sure of himself.

"Well you're gonna have to. I need safety and security. Jamie can give me that"

"But you don't love him Georgie. I know you don't. Please. Give me another chance"

"It doesn't matter Elvis. It's over. It can't work between us. I can't be happy with you again it's too late"

"Not it's not" he said, his voice tinged with anguish

"Maybe once upon a time, but no, not now." She said sadly.

"This life with Jamie that you're dreaming of, it isn't you Georgie"

"Oh and you know what I'm like do you?" She said, challenging him

"Georgie, I know you better than you know yourself" he said boldly.

"You reckon?"

"Yeah. I do. I know that you think leaving the army is the best thing to do. That it will make it all go away. That the hurt and the pain will stop. That you think this isn't what you want anymore. That you're not a soldier anymore. And that you want to run away and hide, to a life with Jamie raising babies, but that's not you Georgie" he stressed. "It's not what you want. You might like the idea on the surface but not really. Not deep down. Maybe one day. But not yet. You're not ready. Running away from who you are, means Abu has won" he finished softly.

Georgie stared at him dumbfounded, he heart was aching. He really did know her. After all these years he still knew what she was like. He could tell when she was lying. He was still the only one who could really see into her soul. He really saw her. Jamie didn't. Well he did, but not like Elvis.

Elvis could see she was starting to crumble, her icy exterior was starting to thaw. He took the opportunity to continue before her barriers went up again.

"I told you I'd love you to till the day I die Georgie and I meant it. I fucked up. I know that. I can't take back what happened between us but I can try and make it right. If you let me I'll spend a lifetime making it up to you. I promise I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I'd never forgive myself if I let something happen to you. I don't care what Jamie thinks. This isn't about him. It's about you. And if he loves you he'll want the best for you. And if I can protect you I will. I've lost you once Georgie, I'm not gonna do it again" he finished, feeling exhausted by his emotional outburst.

When he drove up to Manchester he wasn't sure exactly what he was going to say and he'd surprised himself at how honest he'd just been.

Georgie just stared at him not saying much, she didn't really know what to say. The truth was she did need Elvis. And she hated to admit it but she did feel safe with him. She didn't feel scared when he was around. And she hated that she was having these feelings for him. She didn't want to feel this way about him. She'd buried those feelings a long time ago, and she didn't want them to come to the surface again, but they were, and they were throwing everything into turmoil.

He placed his hand on her cheek, gently rubbing his thumb across her jaw. She leant into it, enjoying the feeling of his touch on her skin, it awakened something in her. She closed her eyes and let herself remember. Remember the good times they shared, the crazy, raw, electric, volatile love they had.

Elvis just stared at her as she leant into him. His own heart beating rapidly. She was beautiful. He wanted nothing more than to grab her in his arms and kiss her, and never let her go.

"Georgie..." he whispered breathlessly.

Her eyes flew open and she suddenly became aware of her surroundings, and of Elvis's hand cupping her cheek. She pulled away abruptly and turned and walked towards the door.

"Georgie please don't go" he was begging now.

"I have to. Do you love me Elvis?" she said as she turned to look at him over her shoulder

"You know I do" he said softly, his words tinged with anguish.

"Then find Abu and neutralise him. That's the best thing you can do for me". She could feel the tears about to spill down her cheeks and she didn't want Elvis to see her cry. She knew if she looked at him she'd cry, her heart was torn. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. She turned and walked out the door, waiting till she'd felt like she'd put enough distance between herself and the office before she broke into a sprint, pushing open the corridor doors and running out into the parade ground, before collapsing to her knees, and taking in big breaths trying to get some air into her lungs.

Charles was stood at his office window, watching the scene unfold. After what Molly said this morning and now watching Georgie below he was seriously starting to worry about her.