Chapter 54
By My Side
0530
"Deep in thought then Mate?"
The familiar voice was comforting and startling to Elvis at the same time. He glanced sideways at the intruder wanting to visually confirm who he thought was speaking to him.
"Charlie!" Elvis said, verbally pinching himself. It was his best mate.
"Indeed." Charlie answered grinning at Elvis but also acutely aware that his mate was in a turmoil of emotions presently.
"Wha' the fuck are ya doin 'ere?" Elvis asked, relieved and cautious at the same time.
"Good to see you too Elvis. We're your back-up." Charlie said placing a hand on Elvis' shoulder.
"I beg to differ mate!" Elvis said shaking his head. "That ain't happenin."
"Not your call Elvis."
"Well it will be my call. This is too fuckin dangerous and ya 'ave a wife and a new baby Charlie!"
"And you have a daughter and a new wife."
Elvis stared at him as his heart constricted. He almost felt like he could not breathe. It was never like this before. Elvis never gave a shit about going in full throttle on a mission. Now his life was not solely his own anymore. Charlie was right and he gave him a tentative smile in return. He had Georgie and Laura to think about. He felt like he was fracturing into a million pieces. He was stood as stone, but his best mate knew what was brewing inside of him. The rogue, maverick, SAS Commander was now a husband and father. The stakes were tremendously high, for Elvis, for Charlie, for all of the forces. "I'm glad you're 'ere mate." Elvis said placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder.
"Boss!" Spunky called out from amidst the rubble. "We found somethin!"
Elvis and Charlie exchanged quick glances, then they both darted towards Spunky.
"Wha" Elvis said as he began to move debris with gloved hands.
"Looks like a trap door!" Spunky said, squatting down and wiping ash from a metal surface.
"Fuck sake!" Elvis said. "The rat went down a hole!" Elvis, Spunky, Charlie and Jackson made quick work of revealing an iron plate which appeared to have a handle attachment. They tugged and tugged but could not lift it. "Spanner!" Elvis shouted. "On me!" Spanner tossed a piece of rubble aside and immediately responded.
"Fingers! ASAP!" Charlie called out. Instantly the group of men were in position and dug around the plate which had been imbedded with fallout from the explosion. Eventually they succeeded in lifting it up and back to reveal a well-like depression with a metal ladder, indicating a chamber or something more below.
Elvis smirked, "Gotcha!" He tossed a piece of concrete down the opening and they could hear it hit bottom. There was no retaliation from below and Elvis directed a beam from his flashlight, tilting it this way and that. "Good work Spunks! We're goin in chaps." Elvis said as he stood up and immediately made contact with Command. Charlie watched him. He knew Elvis would not fail, certainly not in his determination. Fingers watched as well. He eye-balled each man on Elvis' team. They accepted their Boss' words and appeared to be revving up for the eventual assault.
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Georgie was deployed to the blast site. She along with other military medics were transported from the MOD to the location. During the journey she thought about the time in Afghanistan when Elvis discovered an IED on a rooftop and certainly by grace he survived. "Leave the reckless bit up to me," he had said to her. "Elvis, so help me" She whispered to herself. "I want babies with you!" Unexpectedly her phone pinged. It startled her and she almost dropped it she was so anxious to see if it was from Elvis. It was a text message. It was from Elvis! Oh dear God! Her hands shook as she opened the message – he sent her a red heart emoji. She was shocked. Her eyes squinted shut and she clutched the phone to her chest. He is alive! Oh thank God! He is alive! She looked at the text again and swiped at the tears collecting on her cheeks. Georgie took in a staggered breath and began to message back – "I'm waiting for you." She pressed send and stared at the phone honestly believing her love would respond in kind. Then…..the phone lit up in letters – "I love ya Georgie." She sniffled and let a relieved laugh escape her as she rapidly messaged back – "you are the love of my life." He messaged back – "Ditto – out." She knew then he was back to task and she had this feeling that by nightfall, Elvis would be by her side.
