Hi all, thank you all so much for the reviews! It's been a tough, long week but I love writing this story so it has really helped. I hope you're all well and staying safe!

This chapter, is based on what happened in the show but a little different to fit in with my storyline.

Hope you like it!

Old Friends and Hard Times

"Right, let's get going!" Murphy ordered as they jump down from the truck that dropped them at the start location. "I not only want to win this thing but beat the best time recorded."

"But let's remember, getting the casualty back safely is the important thing here." Charles added.

"Of course, Sir." Murphy replied. "But this is also a timed exercise…"

Charles sighed but said no more, hanging back a little as he followed behind Brains, Richards and Murphy. The captain was obviously trying to prove a point after what happened in Nigeria. Charles couldn't blame him and knew the Brig would be impressed if they completed this task in good time. So, he decided for the time being he would allow Murphy to take charge and observe him with the rest of the team. From what he had seen so far, he wondered whether 2 Section and their new captain were still just trying to get used to each other.

He had to pick up the pace a little to keep up with the others, trying to be mindful of where he stepped. He knew he would have to pull rank and get them to slow down if Murphy tried to push them much faster but wanted to give him a chance first.

"Come on, let's push ahead!" Murphy called without even glancing back to see if his team was still with him.

"We made a good start, Captain…" Charles replied. "We don't need to rush this…"

"But…"

"It'll take us longer if we don't pay proper attention to where we're going and get lost." Charles continued. "Or if one of us gets injured."

Murphy slowed to a stop, taking on board the advice and reached for the map that Brains had been holding.

"We need to work as a team."

"Yes, Sir." Murphy looked up from the map. "I think we need to go this way…Brains?"

Brains looked at the map, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that looks right to me."

"Lead the way…" Charles added, pleased to see the Captain slow down a little and listened to his team.

As they moved in the direction that Murphy suggested, Charles wondered how the other team was getting on. Georgie also seemed to want to make a good impression but Charles trusted Kingy to keep her, Monk and Rab safe.

He couldn't help but feel guilty for how the Brigadier had taken his report. Georgie may have gotten too involved with the kids in Nepal but because of that they were able to save all those children being held by the trafficking ring. Plus, it had given him chance to not only see Azizi and Qaseem but to also see how well Bashira was doing. It was reassuring to know that despite the horrors of war, he had helped make a difference in someone's life. He was also incredibly proud of his wife, knowing that if it wasn't for her then Bashira may not be alive and helping making a difference to other children who were like her.

Since that last tour, they had received letters from Qaseem, Bashira and Zemar. All of them were doing well and Zemar had even started to go to school. He was grateful he had been in a position to help them but now running around a jungle in Belize, it just didn't seem worth being away from his own family for so long.

When they found the dummy patient, Charles glanced at his watch and saw they had made good time. If all things went well, they might just have a shot at beating the record.

"Richards, you assist me, Captain Murphy get on the radio and inform them we've reached the casualty then you and Brains work out the best way back?" Charles said as he knelt on the floor.

"Boss." Richards moved down next to him as he pulled supplies out of the Bergen.

They assessed the dummy for injuries and treated what they could before carefully transferring it to the stretcher.

"We're almost ready to go…" Charles glanced over his shoulder to see Murphy and Brains still huddled over the map.

"Yep, so are we…" Murphy replied, folding up the map.

"Everything alright, Brains?" Charles asked, noticing a concern look on the private's face.

Brains glanced between the captain and major, hesitating slightly but then shook his head. "All fine, Sir."

"Okay, good…" Charles answered, although he wasn't convinced.

"We're all ready, Boss." Richards reported as she finished putting the supplies back into the Bergen.

"Right, Richards and Murphy you two carry the stretcher…Brains, you lead the way…you might need to cut a path through some of the branches." Charles stood up, swinging the med Bergen onto his back.

"Sir." Brained nodded.

"Sir, I think I should take the lead…" Murphy started to protest. "As captain of this section…."

"It's a medic led exercise, Captain and I'm acting as your replacement medic." Charles stated simply.

He knew Murphy was keen to get back before the other team but he didn't want to risk anything going wrong now. He knew he could trust Brains to keep them going at a steady but safe pace.

"Sir." Murphy knew he couldn't argue; not only was Charles their medic but he was also a Major.

"Let's go." Charles gestured to Brains to move forwards.

After a few minutes, Charles grew concerned as they seemed to be going deeper into the jungle.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" He called out, jogging alongside the stretcher in pretence of keeping watch over the patient.

"This way is quicker." Murphy replied. "A shortcut."

"What? I've already told you that we can't rush this!"

"Its fine, Sir…Trust me…"

Charles moved faster as Murphy increased his speed, moving past Brains.

"Captain, we need to stop and reassess the map!" Charles shouted.

"Another few minutes and we'll be back on the track but would have shaved off 10 minutes!" Murphy ignored him.

Richards had little choice but to keep up with Murphy as she was on the other end of the stretcher but now Brains was in line with Charles.

"I tried to tell him, Boss…" He claimed. "But he wouldn't listen…he just wants to win."

Charles opened his mouth to order Murphy and Richards to stop but before any words came out he felt his foot make contact with something hard and heard a loud snap. His whole body jolted and fell into a tree as he felt a white hot pain ripped through his body.

Maisy immediately dropped the stretcher and turned back when she heard the agonizing scream. Her eyes widened in horror at what she saw but quickly raced back as Brains tried to hold Charles upright.

"Boss!" She shared a panicked look with Brains and then to Murphy who had ran back too but now seemed to be frozen in shock as Charles continued to scream in pain. "Stay still, boss! Just hold on!"

"Get onto comms!" Brains shouted at their captain, wondering why he was just stood there. "He needs help now!"

Brain's raised voice startled Murphy slightly but it made him spring into action, pulling out the radio.

"Shit…it's gone through and through…" Maisy told Brains. "What do we do?"

Brains shook his head slightly, having no answer but tightened his hold when he felt Charles start to fall.

"Boss, you gotta stay still!" Maisy tried to tell him.

Time seemed to stop and none of them even heard approaching footsteps over Charles' cries and Murphy's attempts to get through on the broken comms.

"Here, quick!" Kingy called back to Georgie, Monk and Rab.

Maisy almost felt like crying in relief when she saw them rushing towards them.

"Boss?!" Georgie immediately dropped to her knees to examine him.

"He stepped on some kinda trap…." Maisy rambled. "We tried to keep him still….but I didn't know what to do!"

"You did good…" Georgie glanced up to reassure her before turning her attention back to the wound. "Here, cut open his trousers."

She was aware of Murphy informing them that he couldn't get through on the comms and Kingy telling him and Monk to keep trying.

"It's gone through the bone…I can't risk removing it." Georgie stated, pausing for a second to decide what the best thing to do next was. "Okay, let's cut him down…."

She reached into the med Burgan, pulling out some morphine as Maisy, Brains and Rab did as she instructed.

"Okay, boss…I'm going to give you something for the pain." She told him, trying her best to ignore his screams as she injected him. "Okay, let's lie him down…"

"How is he, Lane?" Kingy questioned.

She shook her head gently, trying to tell him it was bad without saying it out loud. She started to instruct Maisy on what she needed and began to treat Charles the best she could.

"We'll have to carry him out …" Kingy started to say when Georgie cut in.

"There is no way he is making it up there…" She stated. "This part of the jungle is too thick…"

"We can cut a path." The Sergeant suggested.

"I can't risk knocking his leg…"

"We got the stretcher to here okay…" Murphy joined them.

"Yeah, well thank god it was a dummy then!" Georgie replied. "He needs to be medevacked from here….there is no other option…"

"Sir, I really think…" Kingy turned to look at Murphy but Georgie cut him off.

"You should all go back and sort the medevac out."

"I'll stay with you…" Kingy replied.

"There's no need…" She stated calmly. "Get everyone back safely and then come back and get us…you know our coordinates."

"Sir…"

"And that's my opinion, Sir…" Georgie also looked at Murphy. "As the medic."

Murphy hesitated, looking between the two of them. "This is a medic led exercise."

"With respect, Sir it stopped being an exercise when Major James got injured!" Kingy argued.

"Even so…Major James himself insisted that we put everyone safety first… "

"And what about his safety?" Kingy asked, glancing down and was pleased to see that although his old CO was obviously still in tremendous pain, it looked like the morphine had kicked in. His screams had stopped and been replaced with groans as he attempted to get his breathing under control.

"Everyone listen up…" Murphy called out, ignoring Kingy. "We need to get back and raise the alarm as quick as possible so let's get moving!"

"Sir…"

"And that's an order, King!"

"Georgie, do you want me to stay?" Maisy offered.

"No, go with Kingy and the others…"

"You sure?"

"Richards, Brains…On me! Let's go, now!"

They both shared a look but turned to follow their captain."

"It'll be alright, boss…" Georgie said softly once they were alone. "They won't be long…"

Charles tried to focus on her but his head was spinning so much that he closed his eyes in an attempt to stop it….

Suddenly he was on his feet, stood alone in the middle of the jungle. There was still a searing pain in his leg but somehow he was able to step forward without any problems. He looked around but there was no one there but him. Just as he opened his mouth to call out, he heard a small giggle behind him. Turning again, he saw a little girl who could have only been about three years old stood watching him, peeking out from behind a tree.

A smile slowly grew on his face as the girl started to run towards him. With brown curls, beautiful green eyes and a smile just like her mothe's, he knew instantly who she was…It was Sarah…his baby girl. Her white dress looked too bright and clean compared to their dark surroundings of the jungle.

When she reached him, she gently took hold of his hand and started to pull him along the path. He went willingly, knowing he would follow her anywhere and as they pushed through some bushes, he saw a blanket spread out on the ground.

She looked up at him and grinned before letting go of his hand and running over to the blanket. He grinned at her when she picked up a plastic tea pot and a tea cup, holding them towards him. He made his way over to her as quick as he could and lowered himself to sit crossed legged on the blanket opposite her. He didn't care about the pain that was still running through his leg nor the fact he was feeling hotter and hotter….He didn't care because he was having a tea party with his little girl.

His eyes suddenly snapped open and all he could see was parts of the bright blue sky through the canopy of trees. He shut his eyes again and took a shaky breath when he realized it was only Georgie with him.

"I need more pain relief…" He said quietly.

"They'll be here soon." She tried to reassure him.

"I'm burning up…" He added, knowing that was not a good sign.

"Yeah, you have a fever…" She placed a hand on his forehead. "That's normal with a fracture…"

They both turned their heads and froze when they heard a noise. "Might be a wild boar…"

"Or them coming back for us with help…" Georgie suggested, hopefully.

Charles tried to focus as an officer and suddenly realized how expose they were. "Move me…We're not safe…move me, Lane."

It took all his strength not to start screaming as Georgie dragged him behind some trees but they could now hear people approaching and he knew for certain, it wasn't 2 section. He had no idea how he managed to stay silent as they hid, waiting for whoever it was to passed them by.

When Ezra turned up, Charles hated that they had to rely on his help to keep them safe. Although, he was pretty sure the younger man did want to help, Charles knew moving from their location would mean it would take longer for the rest of the section to find them. Plus, they were putting Ezra and his family in danger but they didn't seem to have much choice.

He somehow managed to make it down to the river with Ezra and Georgie's help despite his pain doubling. He now wished he had insisted on 2 Section carrying him out the jungle despite the risks. If he could make it this far then he could have got back to base with the help of the whole section.

They were already on the boat when Ezra told them he was taking them to his village and Charles knew he should have refused but he just didn't have the energy. He was floating on the edge of consciousness as he led back, supported by Georgie, torn between wanting to stay alert and wanting to close his eyes in case he got a glimpse of his little girl again.

By the time they had made it to the small hut where Ezra lived, Charles knew they had without a doubt made the wrong choice. No one in the village was happy they were there and it was almost dark, meaning they would have stopped looking for them.

"What do you think, Boss?" Georgie questioned after asking Ezra for some water. "Will they be here soon?"

"They should be out looking for us at the first light…" He answered activing the tracker.

"First light?"

"The jungle is too dangerous in the dark…" He explained, frowning slightly when she shoved a thermometer in his mouth. "Taking my temperature again?"

"Just to shut you up…" She replied, pausing before adding. "Sir…"

Charles resisted rolling his eyes, he knew she still wasn't over what happened with the Brig. Despite all that, he didn't miss a look of concern cross her face when she saw the reading.

"How long until my leg gets infected?" He asked.

"It's alright…" She said lightly.

"Georgie." He said firmer. "How long?"

Again, she paused obviously wondering what the best answer was. "You'll be okay until tomorrow."

They were interrupted by Ezra's mother returning with food and Charles led his head back down onto the ground as Georgie started to ask questions about why the older woman was limping.

He knew she was probably trying to be positive and not worry him but he wasn't naive. He knew it was likely he would lose his leg without hospital treatment very soon and that was if the infection didn't kill him. He screwed his eyes shut tightly and took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't start thinking about that…that he had to keep fighting despite how tired he felt and the growing, burning pain.

He forced himself to sit up a little to watch Georgie treating Ezra's mother. "How is she, Lane?"

"She's going to be fine…" She answered. "Why? Are you going to put it in your after action report."

This time he did roll his eyes, knowing it was bound to come out at some point. "I tried to give an accurate report…"

"Too involved?" She spun around to face him. "It's our job to get involved…"

"Yeah and we all know what happens when you cross the line…"

"Yeah like you and Zemar…." Georgie shot back. "You put your life in danger, ignored all the rules and orders given except you got a medal and a promotion for it…"

"You think I wanted that? Praised for doing something I did out of…." He trailed off, pausing for a moment before continuing. "I know what I did was dangerous, alright? That not only was I risking my life but I knew the damage it would do to the rest of you standing back and watching…The section, my best friend…but worse of all I made that choice knowing it would tear my family apart…that my son would grow up without a father and Molly….all the regrets I have…"

Georgie stayed silent when he stopped again, watching him curiously. She had never seen him like this before and wondered whether it was fever was causing him to be so self-conscious.

"You guys just see me as the Bossman… captain…major…whatever…" He whispered, now lost in his thoughts. "But sometimes, I think you forget that I'm human too…"

Georgie felt a pang of guilt; knowing there was some truth in that. She knew the section thought the world of him and he always seemed so strong and dependable. She turned back to Ezra's mum, not knowing how to reply to that, especially with two strangers watching them.

"Got it." She forced a grin as she was finally able to dig out whatever was causing the pain.

When the other woman gave her a small smile, she was pleased she had been able to help her. She started to dress the wound, glancing over her shoulder once more and saw Charles had led back down. She had been concerned about him in Afghanistan but had easily believed Elvis when he told her there was nothing to worry about. Even when she had tried to dig for some information about why he hadn't returned to 2 Section after their last tour, Elvis just kept changing the subject. Now Georgie couldn't help but wonder what was going on with her old CO and just what the regrets he had.

When they fled the village, Charles had almost ordered Georgie to leave him there. The pain was just too much and he wasn't sure how much more he could take. Then they had to endure the rest of the night, listening to the screams as the village came under attack, knowing it was because of them.

By the time they had found the cave to hide out in, he was ready to give up. The pain had become unbearable and he was finding it harder and harder to stay awake. He kept seeing the image of a little girl in a white dress, playing around them and desperately wanted to follow her.

Feeling someone touch his face, his eyes shot open as he sat up and reached out. "Sarah…"

Georgie blinked at him in confusion. "No, Boss….it's just me…"

"Where'd she go?" He looked around, his eyes glazed.

"There's no one else here, boss." Georgie told him softly.

He slumped back down to the ground with a quiet groan.

"You need to drink…"

"Leave me alone…" He pushed her away. "Just go."

"That's not going to happen." She said firmly. "You're stuck with me, Charlie…"

"I can't…." He shook his head slightly. "I don't want to do this anymore…"

"Well, you ain't got any choice…We're going to that airfield and I'm getting you to a hospital so you can go home to your family…"

"I shouldn't be here…Should have left the army when I had the chance…"

"You want to leave the army?" She asked in surprise, raising the bottle to his lips again and was pleased when he took a sip.

"I can't do it any more…I can't cope."

"Maybe you need some help….speak to someone…" Georgie suggested. "The army can help, boss!"

Charles shook his head slightly and closed his eyes once again, easily and willingly slipped back to sleep.

He watched with a smile as Sarah collected leaves and twigs from the jungle floor, skipping along but kept looking back to make sure he was following her and smiling when she saw he was. He carried on walking despite the pain spreading all over his body now.

When he caught up with her, she sat down on the ground and began to build some kind of nest out of her collection. He looked around and spotted some pink flowers growing from under a tree. After picking them, he re-joined Sarah and sat on the ground opposite her, holding them out to her.

She grinned widely and took them, carefully placing the stems through the twigs so they stood up out of the top. He couldn't take his eyes off her, she was just perfect with her mother's eyes and smile; her little tongue poking out as she concentrated.

He tried to sit up again but his body failed to move. "Sarah?!"

"Still just me, I'm afraid, boss." Georgie answered gently.

He groaned both in pain from his injuries and heartbreak from the dream. "I'm going to lose her again…"

"Here…drink some more water." Georgie offered.

Although there was a big part of her that wanted to ask him who Sarah was, she didn't. She knew he was delirious and probably wouldn't remember much of what happened. It wouldn't be fair to him to start asking questions, despite being a Major she also considered him a friend.

"I messed everything up…."

"I'm sure that's not true, Boss." She tried to reassure him. "And I bet whatever has happened, you can fix it."

He shook his head. "No, it's too late…I've lost her…"

"Who, Boss?" She couldn't resist asking but he fell silent and when she looked down she saw his eyes were closed again.

She checked his leg and placed the thermometer in his mouth but knew it was pointless…she knew he had a raging temperature without it. She was very aware they were running out of time to get him the help that he urgently needed.

XxXxX

Georgie was so thankful they had come across Ezra when they did. Not only had he helped keep them hidden and saved them when they had been found by the bandits but he had also made them a makeshift stretcher. She had been impressed Charles had managed to drag himself along with their help this far but knew he now wouldn't have the strength to go any further.

She had felt like crying when they reached the abandoned airfield. Now they just had to wait out and pray Charles had been right about them figuring out where to find them.

"We're here, boss…" Georgie brushed his hair back from his forehead. "We made it…"

"You got us here…" He mumbled, breathlessly.

"No, you did! It was your plan!" Georgie insisted. "And they're going to find us and then you'll be able to get back home to your family…."

"I don't think that's going to happen…" He sounded defeated as he struggled to focus on her but then his eyes were drawn to a figure stood in the entrance of the building…. A little girl in a white dress…he so wanted to get up and follow her as the pain he felt started to fade.

"No…" Georgie said tearfully, cupping his face to try and get his attention again but then she felt his whole body go limp and his head fell to the side. "No! Boss!"

She glanced up when she heard the sound of a helicopter approaching. "You hear that!? They've found us!"

"Hey!" Ezra run out excited.

"Ezra, no!" Georgie shouted.

"They're here!" He danced around, waving. "They're here with me!"

Georgie jumped up when shots were fired and raced towards Ezra. She ignored the calls for her to get down and continued to make her way towards the young man, keeping low. She knew when she reached him it was too late. They had all made it this far, it wasn't fair for him to die after everything he had done to help them.

"How many times do I have to save your life, Lane!?" Bones asked as he stood over them. "Well, you're going to have to be a fucking good medic to bring him back."

Georgie wanted to scream, stand up and punch him but she somehow resisted. "Major James needs to be medevacked out right now!"

She didn't wait for a reply and instead headed back inside the building, pleased to see Kingy was there.

"He's really bad, Kingy…" She whispered, tearfully.

"Help is on the way, Boss." Kingy knelt down and continued despite Charles being unresponsive. "Just hold on for a little longer."

Charles was back stood in the middle of the jungle. He was no longer in any pain and when he felt someone squeeze his hand, he saw Sarah smiling up at him. He frowned when she let go of his hand and started to walk away. He wanted to follow but he could not get his legs to move. Just before she was out of sight, she turned back and gave him a little wave before skipping off again.

He opened his eyes and found himself being loaded onto a helicopter. He could see Georgie stood with Kingy, watching him and he was relieved that she was safe now. The helicopter lifted off and just as the people on the ground were getting smaller, he spotted a white figure amongst the khaki green.

A small smile crossed his face….he had no idea what would happen to him next. He might lose his leg. He may never be fit enough to stay in the army. He wasn't even sure he wanted to stay in.

The thing he did know, even if it was a dream, he had seen his daughter and she was beautiful and happy.

TBC

Think we're going to have to catch up with Molly and Elvis next! Please review and let me know what you think!

Stay safe!