Road to Redemption
Chapter 12
Still Loving You
Molly made good time to Aldershot for her training which started tomorrow. She arrived with some trepidation at Charles flat. She hadn't been inside although he had stayed with her a few times.
She pressed the intercom and he released the door; he was already halfway down the stairs to greet her with one of his huge smiles, which she couldn't help but return.
"How was the drive Molly?"
"Ok but I feel dead stiff now".
"Bath" he grinned waggling his eyebrows causing her to laugh "Yes please."
OG
Previously…
When Jackie found that Molly had been booked onto the CMT refresher, she phoned through to Blue to confirm. Georgie had already moved down here with Prof and was already proving problematic.
She had been present with the discussions with Captain O'Brian, how the CO felt it understandable that she wanted to move from Stockport and her training role after her demotion to Corporal. The Captain had offered further counselling since her tour of Afghan in dealing with her PTSD but Georgie had refused to accept that this is what the problem was, that she had been right in Afghan and others had made mistakes in their dealings with trying to apprehend Omar causing Captain O'Brian to purse her lips and raise her eyebrows.
"None the less Corporal Lane, you will be assigned here for retraining and it is entirely up to you if you wish to pursue further counselling but be aware that you will not be in a position to train medics or be eligible for promotion until you do."
"Sergeant Aston perhaps you can show Corporal Lane where everything is" Jackie smiled in response standing to attention "Of course Ma'am" nodding her head in the direction of Georgie.
Georgie had put in the paperwork to live out as she wanted to share a flat with Prof and Jackie had dutifully signed it off and passed it to their Captain. She then put her on stores duty checking in and out the supplies for the medical teams.
Once she had confirmation that Molly was due back for a refresher, she organised that 20 of the girls would go to Salisbury for an exercise on fitness and weapons training in case they were called upon to support in combat. This was always done in rotation and there was no reason why she shouldn't have done this as it had been sometime since Lane had been through these assessments.
Jackie was in the stores in the medical area with Lauren and Katy, cross checking stocks that needed to be sent to Kabul for the next bunch of medics that were assigned to go out there.
"It will be nice to see Molly again after all this time" said Lauren "When does her course start"
"Week after next" replied Jackie "So we will have to arrange a girly night out while she is here."
"She staying with you or in barracks?" asked Katy
"Neither" grinned Jackie, both girls raised their eyebrows grinning back.
"Oh God, her and the Captain are working it out aren't they?" beamed Katy "About bloody time."
Jackie could only nod but she was pleased that Molly and Charles were sorting their issues, they had been good together. While Charles' actions had been pretty bloody hurtful at the time, if Molly could forgive him then perhaps she could be happy like she used to be. From what Jackie had seen in the last couple of years no one or nothing had ever come close to making Molly truly happy again. Jackie was aware that both Lauren and Katy didn't know all the reasons for the breakup only that it was Captain James' PTSD and constant tours that had been the contributing factor.
"Right I had better go to see Captain O'Brian and let her know that these stocks are ready for shipping" said Jackie walking away from the two girls.
Out in the corridor Corporal Georgie Lane heard every word. So, Molly Dawes was coming to Keogh for two weeks CMT training while she was being shipped out to Salisbury bloody Plains to go crawling in mud. Well she was going to do whatever was necessary to get her training cancelled so that she could be here to see her.
Walking into the stores the two girls looked up and smiled at her.
"Corporal Pearce" said Georgie looking at Katy "As there is a large contingent of medics coming in for the training in a couple of weeks I was wondering if I wouldn't be better off here rather than on the exercise in Salisbury?" she smiled "It's what I spent a lot of time doing in Stockport."
Katy looked across at Lauren, who shrugged and rolled her eyes. Jackie was the consummate friend and would never betray a confidence and they knew she knew more than she was letting on about Molly. But the army was a hot bed for gossip like any large close knit organisation there were always rumours. Katy and Lauren went way back with Molly, all the way to Basic and she had been a good mate. They may not see each other as often since she transferred out but they still all kept in touch and they had a distinct feeling that things would not go well if Lane was here when Molly was.
"I don't think so Corporal Lane, I'm afraid it has been too long since you last did any combat ready training, before you went to Bangladesh so must be two years or more?" she said with some conviction "I'm sorry Corporal but you will have to attend, but you could always have a word with the Sergeant if you want" She felt a bit guilty landing Jackie in it they had all been good mates for years now but dealing with Georgie Lane was above her pay grade.
She couldn't believe that these girls hadn't agreed with her, surely they must realise just how much experience she had and running around Salisbury was not effective use of her skills. She would go and see the Captain.
So, she made an appointment to see Captain O'Brian who in turn called in Sergeant Aston and she closed her eyes in disappointment. This just got a little more difficult.
The Captain was in agreement with her Sergeants decision, it had indeed been too long since she had done a fitness and combat exercise, how would they know if she was up to the task if she hadn't done the review courses.
"Look Lane" said Captain O'Brian dourly "While you may be a medic your role may require to support on the battlefield and we need to assess that you can fulfil that purpose and help a fallen comrade and defend if under attack" raising her eyebrow at her, showing her displeasure that she felt she didn't need to do these courses.
"But Ma'am if there are medics coming in for refreshers surely I would be more use here?"
"Sergeant Aston, I believe that there are 20 medics on this course in Salisbury, how many will that leave in Keogh and how many of them are needed to help with this refresher course" Jackie had worked with the Captain a long time now and could hear the sarcasm pouring out of her but bit the inside of her mouth so that she didn't smile and carried on standing to attention and looking respectfully over the Captains shoulder.
"There are about 300 medics based here Ma'am" replied Jackie as the Captain continued to stare at Lane. "About 50 medics some based here and some from other barracks on the CMT refresher, there are 5 of us running classes of 10 Ma'am"
Captain O'Brian opened a file on her desk.
"According to your file Lane, it's over 2 years since you attended any fitness training, I can find no record of Weapons training within that time period, I believe you supported some combat training before your last tour?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"But you didn't actually do the combat training" said Captain O'Brian getting weary of the conversation while Georgie had no choice but to shake her head "Therefore you will do this two week course."
It also earned her more comments about seeking support and maybe they should have her assessed again for active duty.
She was furious that she wouldn't be here when Molly arrived. She wanted to talk with her about Charlie, make her understand it wasn't her fault. When she got home that evening Prof was attentive knowing that there was something wrong but she couldn't tell him, just told him that people were treating her badly and using her as a scapegoat for their mistakes.
She had no choice but to pack and go with the other medics to Salisbury for this two week course.
OG
Charles had been to Waitrose got all the things she liked for a Sunday roast which he would put on later. He knew that she would want to go out with her mates while she was up here, after all she had known Katy and Lauren since Basic training and Jackie since that first tour. But this afternoon and tonight it was just them and it had been over a week since they had seen each other.
So, he filled the bath with hot scented water collected the wine and two glasses then took her hand as he led her into the bathroom. Their eyes never leaving each other as they undressed and got in. She leant back onto his chest as he got the sponge and squeezed the water onto her shoulders and releasing the tension that had built up on the drive there. Groaning quietly every now and again her eyes remaining closed. His legs wrapped around her and her greedy hands rubbing his thighs, groaning himself now.
"Charles" she whispered.
"Mmmm?" he mumbled back while nuzzling her neck causing her to push back even further into him making him growl and his hands snaked down her body touching that most sensitive part eliciting a moan in response, making him grin into her neck.
"We are gonna have dinner ain't we?" she giggled as her stomach rumbled.
"Sometimes Dawes" he sighed making the fine downy hairs behind her ear move and sending shivers down her spine "Sometimes you are one of the most unromantic people I know" he snorted a laugh.
"Well you got it in shed loads mate" she giggled "Always have had."
"I'll take that" he replied half laughing "Are you going to wallow for a bit longer while I start dinner?" his chest vibrating with laughter now "No dozing off if you are."
OG
She didn't stay in the bath much longer as she wanted to join him in the kitchen and help. They worked well together each of them with their tasks for the roast dinner he wanted to have ready for her. Something they had always done together when they were married.
"Do you want me to take you to Keogh tomorrow?" he asked while they were sharing the washing and drying up.
"Nah you're alright, Jacs is coming to pick me up."
"Well let me give you the key and the code to get in, just in case you get back before me then."
They both now had keys to each other's homes but still Molly wanted to keep it like this, while they were getting on really well now she still felt that they needed more time. She wasn't prepared to give up what she did and she didn't think that Charles was either, so how could they set up home together when they were both based so far apart. There was no denying he was pulling all the stops out tonight. The meal, the wine, the way he looked at her and touched her.
OG
The course was brilliant, she remembered how much she had enjoyed being a medic being able to save a life. The fact that Jackie was there running the course was a bonus as far as she was concerned, she was an excellent instructor and encouraged all of them to excel, to learn and be the best they could be. She had a way about her that made everyone engage with the subject and a knack for bringing out the best in everyone.
At the end of the first week they had arranged for a Friday night special, her Jackie, Lauren and Katy and it was good catching up with her old mates. Both Lauren and Katy both Corporals just like her and both in relationships. Lauren engaged and due to get married next year and hoping that Molly would be there.
Charles couldn't stop laughing as she came home and couldn't remember the code to get in or where her keys were. He traipsed down the stairs in bare feet to collect her and help her up to the flat.
"I love you Charles James" she slurred clinging to his neck as he lifted her up to carry her back to the flat.
"Tell me that again when you sober up tomorrow Molly Dawes" he laughed but knew she probably wouldn't remember what she had said and even if she did pride would mean she wouldn't say it again, well yet anyway.
He undressed her while she was giggling and trying to distract him with her touch, him knowing that she would probably be asleep in minutes. Although a gentleman he really wished he wasn't sometimes as she kissed his neck and her hands moved down to his backside pulling him close. But he put one of his t-shirts on her and tucked her up in bed and went off to the kitchen to get her water and Nurofen for when she woke. When he got back he couldn't help but grin and shake his head that she was already asleep. He undressed turning out the lights to get in bed beside her turning her onto her side, his chest against her back. Closing his eyes grinning that she was going to be like a bear with a sore head in the morning. Kissing her shoulder as he fell asleep himself.
OG
The course had gone well and Molly had passed with flying colours. She was in the mess with Jackie when the subject of New Year was brought up. Although only early December they needed numbers. It was going to be a good night. They had access to the whole nightclub, there would be a meal and raffle, followed by a singer and comedian, then DJ and dancing to the early hours and all proceeds for Help the Hero's.
"All 2 section are coming" said Jackie "I hear that Blue has booked a table for Special Forces as well, so all you guys and their wives will be there, you've got to come Molly."
"I will, but I probably won't be on your table Jacs" replied Molly with a pained expression "Will probably sit with Blue and the rest of my team."
"If you are worrying about Prof and Fingers being on our table with their partners don't, there wasn't enough seating on one table for all of them" she sighed "We just held onto a couple of seats for you and Charles if you want them?"
"I'll have a chat with him before I go back to Cheltenham, see what he wants to do" she replied sadly "Perhaps he could sit with 2 section and I could sit with Special Forces then everyone is happy. Once dinner is over everyone moves about anyway."
"Look I heard that Lt Hurst is thinking of coming with his wife, he could sit on our table and it saves the dilemma, after all Charles was battle replacement this time" she giggled trying to make her friend feel better. "If you want Charles to sit with you on the Special Forces table I don't think it would be a problem, they are next to each other anyway" noting that Molly had raised her eyebrows in surprise "Well I was part of the committee that worked out the seating" and watched as Molly's face broke out into a huge smile.
"Jacs" she asked hesitantly "Do you think I am a bit of a push over?"
"What?"
"Well thinking of getting back together, forgiving him and that, do you think that's what people will think?"
"Oh Molls" sighed Jackie "Who gives a shit what people think" she said forcibly "You haven't been happy be honest since you split, so if he wants to get back together and so do you then what's the problem?" Molly shrugged looking down at her hands on the table "He's worked hard to get back to how he was, that says to me he regrets what he lost and that includes you Moll" tipping her head in a shrug "I know its easier said than done but maybe Bones was right stop looking in the wing mirrors and look out the windscreen" a huge grin spread across Molly's face.
"I would have failed me test if I had done that" she chuckled "but I know what you mean Jacs. Thanks mate."
OG
Molly talked to Charles about New Year and as it happened it wasn't an issue as his promotion had just come through and he was now a Major although the official announcement wouldn't be made until New Year. So, although 2 section were still part of his chain of command, Lt Hurst was back in charge of them, so he and his wife could have the seats and he would sit with Molly on the Special Forces table. In any event beside her was where he wanted to be.
She had a grin like a Cheshire cat at his news, she was so pleased for him and asked if he wanted to go out for dinner to celebrate. He waggled his eyebrows and said he would rather celebrate with in the flat just the two of them. But if she really wanted to go out then wait until he was in Cheltenham and they could go back to the French restaurant or better still come with him to Bath and go to Cloisters.
So, they agreed they would go to the New Year dinner and dance, they would sit together on the Special Forces table and celebrate his promotion in Cheltenham. In the meantime, they had their own mini celebration in his flat. Although she hadn't said that she loved him again, she certainly made him feel it with the things she was doing to him and his body.
OG
In some ways it was like it was before, how they had to conduct a long distance relationship, texting several times a day, phoning and Skyping in the evenings when they were alone. He just had to wait until New Year to see if his promotion would result him being stationed somewhere else, until then he would remain in Aldershot.
He went to Bath to spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day with his parents but he felt incredibly lonely and missed her immensely, wondering what she was doing in London with her family. Rebecca wasn't on top form as she was now heavily pregnant and due to give birth within weeks and wanted to spend the morning with Sam so he could have all his presents and then she and her husband would bring him over in the afternoon to spend the rest of Christmas Day with him and his parents and stay overnight. Even with his son there he felt that something was missing, especially when Sam started asking after Molly and was she with all her brothers and sisters. Both Martin and Jack being closer in age to Sam giving him someone to play with.
He set up a Skye call for him and Sam and they were all there, round the table in their silly hats, Dave already looking like he was three sheets to the wind. They managed to have a quick chat before Sam took over and was ecstatic talking with Martin and Jack about the latest PlayStation game they were all into. Then Charles and Molly looking a little worried when Sam asked when he could come up there to see them all. Nan did a sterling job at distracting him by asking what he got for Christmas. His parents then coming into the screen to join in with the conversation. Sylvia had always enjoyed Nan and Belinda's company, while they were very different, she enjoyed Nan's no nonsense couldn't give a shit attitude, had loved all her little trips up to London where she met up with them, not that Charles or Molly knew the half of it.
Sylvia watched very carefully and could see the way they looked at each other even over Skype and was hopeful that they were working it out. She knew that they were seeing each other but both of them were reticent and even Nan couldn't worm it out of Molly just what was going on.
They had another Skype call for just them before they went to bed. Both saying they were looking forward to New Year's Eve and that she was going shopping after Boxing Day to find a new dress. God he missed that smile and couldn't wait to get back to Aldershot. As far as he was concerned New Year's Eve couldn't come quick enough. Despite knowing the food would be shit, it'll be crowded, hot and packed with a load of drunken squaddies, it didn't matter as he was going to spend the evening with her and that was priceless.
OG
"I really hate guard duty" moaned Fingers "Especially when I know I have a hot wife sitting at home waiting on me" he grinned Brains and Dangles rolling their eyes at each other.
"Well it's a bit quiet at the moment" smiled Brains.
"Won't be when the pubs clear out" retorted Dangles.
"This is why I hate being on guard duty at this time of year, all the pissheads coming back" Fingers grinned looking at Brains "Suppose your MP has got a shit night ahead of her as well?"
"Only if we have to call them for a disturbance."
The three of them drinking tea in the hut at the entrance to the barracks.
"So, you lot all at this Help the Hero's bash on New Year's Eve?" and both men looked at each other nodding.
"Yeah" Dangles and Brains both said at the same time.
"How come we aren't sitting together then?" and again both men gave furtive looks.
"Well it's hard now, what with us all having partners" answered Brains "It's numbers."
"Yeah Jacs had a hell of a job when she was on the committee to sort it and hire the venue" added Dangles.
"Why's that then?"
"Well people say they will come, then don't give the deposit" Dangles stated, "Then you have to make sure you have the right mix so all the Ruperts are there" he laughed "after all its them that is probably going to spend the most."
"Still don't see why we can't all sit together though" bleated Fingers
"Well we have Lt Hurst and his wife, then King and his wife, me and Jacs not forgetting Brains and his bird Fiona, then Monk and his wife confirmed so that's 10."
"But I've been in 2 section longer than Monk."
"Yeah, but you are on the table with Prof so Marie and Georgie will know each other" said Brains and was really rather pleased that he had come up with that so quickly. "Kinders will be there with his wife and so will Baz and Nudenut."
"Surely Captain James will sit with us?"
"Well he is a Major now, Hurst is our CO now" oh shit thought Dangles, he wasn't sure he was meant to say any of this when Jackie told him.
"Even if he is a Major he is still part of the sections" persisted Fingers.
This time he didn't miss the look that passed between Brains and Dangles.
"What? WHAT? What am I missing here?"
"Well I think he might sit with Molly at the Special Forces table" sighed Dangles and hoped that Jackie wouldn't rip him a new one when he got home later and told her about this.
"What they getting back together then?" he asked and the other two men shrugged.
"Surprised myself" he shrugged "Always a bit shocked at Molly dumping him when he was on tour, she went right down in my estimation doing a Dear John like that."
"What? Where did you get that idea from?" growled Brains, while he had never had a conversation with Molly about all the ins and outs and she had been very cagey over the breakup, he had his own suspicions and he was pretty sure that Dangles did too judging by his look.
"I don't know Marie probably" he shrugged.
"Where would she get an idea like that?"
"Well it's obvious Georgie told her that Molly phoned him to say the marriage was over" he looked at both of their shocked faces "Would have thought you'd both have known, what with Jackie being her mate"
"So that's what you think?" started Dangles, he always knew that Fingers wasn't what you would call observant but even to him that was a bit dense.
"Thought you mentioned to Molly about his PTSD, it wasn't just us that noticed?"
"I thought he was out of sorts but that was no reason to walk out on him."
Brains couldn't help himself "Maybe Fingers this is why you are sat on a different table from the rest of us."
"Why don't you have another little chat with Marie? I'm sure she knows what her sister has been up to" added Dangles noting Brains warning look.
Just then a group of squaddies came back worse for wear so they had to check them through, point them in the right direction and tell them to keep the noise down or they would have to call the MP's. Leaving Fingers to think on what had been said this evening.
While he had been pleased to see Molly when they had been in Afghan a while back he did notice that she was a little standoffish with him. It was Marie that had told him she had phoned Captain James to call time on their marriage and that Georgie was helping him through it. At the time he thought Molly was a bit of a bitch walking out on him like that when he was off his game and then injured in that cliff jump.
He was suddenly transported back to his first tour, when Smurf had told them she was a slapper and he threw her mail at her he was so disgusted, they had all sent her to Coventry but she crawled across that bloody minefield to get to Smurf, even after what he had said, perhaps he should have a chat with Marie and see what she knew.
OG
Molly came up to Aldershot on 30th December with her holdall and dress bag. She couldn't wait to see his face when he saw it. She had got it in the sales when she was in London. It wasn't a black tie event with the all the different ranks that were attending but it would be nice to see Charles in one of his suits, it wasn't often he wore one.
They had agreed that they would spend the night in with a takeaway and Netflix as the following night would be a late one.
OG
After having spent a couple of nights on guard duty with Brains and Dangles, Fingers was glad of the days off to catch up on his sleep ready for the News Year's Eve bash.
He was sat on the sofa with his feet up and flicking through channels but not really watching or wanting to watch anything. That conversation with Dangles and Brains playing on his mind, that they knew something that he didn't, or rather he hadn't noticed.
Marie came in with coffee for him and they sat in companionable silence watching Elf, which is what he had flicked to.
"Marie" he started the conversation "Are you looking forward to this do tomorrow?"
"Yeah course I am" she smiled "Bit disappointed that you and Georgie didn't get seats on the Captains table but I guess we left it a bit late before confirming."
"What Captain…its Lt Hurst that is on the table."
"I thought Captain James was the sections CO, does that mean he will be on ours then?" a broad grin on her face and Fingers face dropped a little.
"Nope, he's had a promotion, apparently" he sighed "I think he is on the Special Forces table."
"Probably paying his respects to Elvis" she nodded "they were always close."
"Nope, think he wants to sit with his ex-wife" turning to look at her trying to read the changing expressions on her face and he saw the look of horror.
"What Molly is going to be there?" wide eyed "What does he want to sit with her for?"
"Yeah, after all she is Special Forces" his heart dropping a little as it was starting to dawn on him "Why wouldn't he want to sit with Molly, surely they've got past the breakup by now" he narrowed his eyes "after all no one was involved were they, they just drifted apart."
Marie turned her head back to the TV and Elf and he knew "So what do you know Marie?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me or we won't be going."
"You know when you said that Captain James was out of sorts, well he might have been, he wanted to look after my sister he felt guilty about his involvement with Azizi and thought it was his fault that Elvis had died" looking down at her hands.
"So, did he look after her?" said Fingers staring at her "Is that why Molly left?"
"She phoned him" shouted Marie "Told him to put the marriage out of its misery, its her fault not my sister's."
"What did Georgie do Marie?"
Marie's eyes filled with tears as she held onto his arm "She slept with him" she said quietly.
"Fuck and you let me think that Molls had walked on her sick husband."
"She had" pleaded Marie "He wanted to be with my sister, she phoned him to put the marriage out its misery and that's when she did it after that."
"Well if it wasn't over at that point having her mate sleeping with her husband certainly put the kybosh on any sort of reconciliation didn't it Marie?"
"Don't you think that Georgie and Charles would be good together, that they would make a lovely couple?"
"I thought she was with Prof now?"
"She is but not sure she loves him, think she would like Charles back, that she was hasty in calling it a day."
"Has she said that?"
"Not in so many words but she has said that she feels they were hasty in ending it and that that was down to Molly's family."
"Well I hate to burst your bubble Marie, but I do still talk with 2 section and from what I heard and saw in Kabul, Captain James has had treatment for his PTSD and is thinking straight now" he sighed "I was being put in the armoured vehicle when he thought Molly was shot and heard him scream her name" looking at her and shrugging "hope your sister isn't too disappointed" raising his eyebrows "I think I'll go to bed now."
"But Frank" she pleaded "They have so much in common."
"What? A dead man? That's no basis for a relationship" and walked out the room and up the stairs.
-OG-
A/N thank you again for all you lovely reviews and we have moved away from the last series. What happens next bears no resemblance to what might happen in the army but I hope that you don't find it too angst or far fetched and some of it makes you smile as we move into our 2nd week of national lockdown. Stay safe