Road to Redemption
Chapter 15
The Price of Paradise - Part 2
They were up at 05.30 showered and dressed before going to the shared kitchen for breakfast. Molly had pre-empted this and brought her coco-pops and a few bars of chocolate which she put her name on and put in the fridge. The milk was that horrible long life sterilised stuff but it would do. She might ask Fingers how much Marmite he brought with him and stick with toast if the NAFFI couldn't get proper milk.
Molly along with Jackie, Lauren and Katy thought they would spend the morning exploring the area, see if they could buy more loose fitting t-shirts or vest tops as they had underestimated both the heat and humidity when they packed. They found the laundry area and the small shopping area before they went to the NAFFI where Molly picked up some UHT milk, better than goat and infinitely better than that disgusting funny coloured sterilised stuff they had this morning and to her absolute joy Fruit and Nut and a jar of Marmite. They also stocked up on proper tea, the strong stuff not that gnats pee they had drunk this morning.
After taking everything back to their rooms or putting in the kitchen they decided to relax by the pool where Dangles had texted that is where the boys were going after lunch.
1 and 3 section had decided on a game of Volleyball, the winning team then playing 2 section. Dangles, Fingers, Mansfield and Brains were already in the pool with Spanner, Jackson, Dyno and Peanut playing some sort of volleyball in there.
The girls found some chairs round a table with a brolly and were happy to just keep chatting and catching up on all their news, it wasn't often that Molly got to see these girls and there was a time that they had all been incredibly close. Her and Jackie still were but was aware that she had probably let her friendship with Lauren and Katy drift a bit, since her marriage broke down and transferring out of Keogh. Within just a few minutes nattering with them she remembered how much fun they all had together.
They hadn't long sat down when what they assumed was a waiter came up with a large jug of what looked like homemade lemonade and 4 large glasses.
"Why do we never get postings like this"? said Lauren "Catterick, Aldershot and bloody Germany and don't even get me started on Bastion."
"I'm sure there must be a downside somewhere" said Molly remembering something Charles had once said "There is always a price for paradise."
"Yeah bloody great spiders and snakes I'll bet" added in Katy and Molly involuntarily shivered, Jackie spotted it and laughed hysterically.
"Oh god I had forgotten" she giggled "What you going to do when they try and get you to eat a spider Molls?"
"So long as it's already dead and cooked I think I'll be able to manage" again she shivered and all the girls started laughing Molly's scream at seeing a spider running across the floor legendary.
OG
Molly and Jackie were looking around the pool area, neither feeling an urge to go in although Katy and Lauren had joined the lads.
"I hadn't realised that Georgie was friendly with Cheese" said Molly observing that Georgie, Mimi and Cheese were sat together on sun loungers and she had her hand on his knee.
"You know she refused to stay at home to look after Prof don't you?"
"Didn't even know he had been injured Jacs."
At that moment Mimi stood up and looked around the area, both Jackie and Molly saw she looked uncomfortable, so Molly waved at her and watched her grin and start walking towards them.
Mimi was so glad that there was someone else she knew and had worked with when she saw Molly wave at her. Cheese was being particularly mean to her about her upbringing. She knew it wasn't good but she didn't really want everyone to know or to be reminded of it for that matter. She saw that Molly was sitting with her Sergeant and a little worried about joining her as she knew from Georgie that she was a problem, but she had worked with Molly while they were waiting to be shipped out of Afghan had got on well with her and found her really supportive too.
"You didn't want to go in for a swim then Mimi?" asked Molly as she sat down with them and offered her some of their lemonade.
"I'm not really very good at swimming" Mimi answered as she took the lemonade.
Jackie laughed, "Don't tell me you pulled a sickie that day too?" and Mimi's eyes widened
"Don't worry Mimi, she is having a pop at me for not being able to swim when I joined up" laughed Molly.
"Would you like me to help you get better at it?" asked Jackie "Seeing as we are going to be here for the month."
"Really Sarg, you would do that?" looking at her shocked that someone of her rank would put themselves out. Wondering why Georgie had said that the Sarg was a bit of a dragon.
"Of course Rogers, we have all been where you are" looking at Molly out the corner of her eye and remembering her first tour and that look of horror when the American casualty came in. "I like to think that we all remember what it was like to start out" and seeing Molly nod.
"Can you swim now Molly?" and Jackie sniggered and got a frown from Molly.
"Yes, I can, someone put themselves out to teach me too" she hesitated "But I still don't like deep water much."
"Child pool only for someone with Molly's restricted height" laughed Jackie "So after we do this run tomorrow I'll see you here after for a lesson then" Mimi grinned before her face started to drop as she watched Cheese looking like he was coming over, still smarting at how mean he had been while she was sitting with him and Georgie, telling her all about her past and she still didn't really like everyone knowing.
"So, you lovely ladies coming in then, come on Mimi" she was shaking her head violently and pulling away as he tried to grab her.
"Leave her alone" said Molly her voice indicating to leave it.
"Come on then my little cockney sparrow you can" and before she knew what was happening he had picked her up and thrown her over his shoulder. She shouted to put her down, which was enough to alert Spanner and Peanut in the pool, he threw her into the deep end fully clothed. Spanner already there to haul her back up and Peanut pulling himself out the pool ready to flatten the idiot.
"You alright Molly?" asked Spanner as she came up coughing and spluttering.
"Private Charlton" came the deep tones of Colour Sergeant King who had just come to the pool area for a swim "That was an incredibly stupid thing to do and you will apologise."
"Sorry Sir" he smirked "It was only a joke."
"Well I don't think Corporal Dawes found it funny."
"Neither did I" glared Peanut towering over him.
Cheese held his hands up in subjugation "It was a joke, I heard she's the type of girl that was up for a laugh."
Molly had been lifted up by Spanner and Peanut held out his hands to help her out the pool, her soaking clothes clinging to her and making it more difficult.
"Apologise" spat Kingy to Cheese.
"Come on Boss it was only a laugh" wheedled Cheese not noticing at first that Blue had also joined the group and was now standing next to Kingy.
"Well shall we see what Dawes finds funny" said Blue smirking but his eyes like steel as he stared at Cheese.
"Can I Boss?" a wicked grin crept across her face as Blue turned to look down at her.
"As you know this is totally unbecoming" he grinned "but as we are not yet in uniform nor have we started the course, I can let you have this one opportunity to have the last laugh, and you know what they say about who has the last laugh."
Spanner, Dyno and Peanut all grinning broadly as she walked up to Cheese. With Molly being a little on the short side Bones had taught her some very unique moves to protect herself, Blue had assisted in the tuition and continued it after Bones had been killed. She hadn't had much opportunity to practise the moves. She grinned at him as she curled her fingers and hit him as hard as she could in his solar plexus. She turned to high five Spanner and Peanut not even bothering to look as Cheese collapsed behind her.
This wasn't what Cheese thought would happen when Georgie had said that Molly needed to be put in her place, she only got into Special Forces because of who she was friends with. Now he not only had Special Forces laughing at him, he also had his section laughing at him as well, he had been floored by someone smaller than himself, totally humiliated thanks to Georgie. Out the corner of his eye he saw Mimi open mouthed in shock before bursting into laughter.
Kingy raised his eyebrows as Blue and the rest of the group moved away "Maybe you should have just apologised Cheese" he said with a smug smirk on his face, watching him kneeling on the ground struggling to get his breath back, before diving into the pool himself.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke could it?" said Throbber to Monk the pair on sun loungers on the other side of the pool "he's been bullying Mimi ever since Afghan."
"Yeah I know and I think there was more to that incident with that old boy in Afghan as well" answered Monk looking directly at Throbber who dropped his eyes.
OG
As a Major, Charles had got rooms looking out over the pool and gardens. He was sat on his balcony drinking coffee and was watching what was unfolding below him. He knew as soon as Molly was thrown in the pool he couldn't rush to get to her. He knew she could swim, after all he taught her, but still didn't like deep water much and to be thrown in fully clothed, how bloody stupid.
He would have thrown himself off his balcony if the pool had been closer to get to her, but saw that Peanut and Spanner were already dealing with it. He watched in awe as Molly and Blue appeared to be in conversation before she walked up to Cheese and thumped him. The look of, well who knows what it was; pride, joy at flooring the tosser. He sniggered as he watched Cheese still trying to get up long after the Molly, Blue, Spanner and Peanut had left. In fact, he thought he was the only one that probably noticed Georgie coming up to him to help him up.
OG
The first week was nearly out of the way, they had been doing the acclimatisation runs, the weapons training and simulation manoeuvres. All the men and women coming along nicely, although after that incident by the pool at the beginning of the week Charles had reservations about Private Charlton's abilities, dedication and conduct, he would have another chat with Captain Hurst and Colour Sergeant King to ask them their thoughts on whether he should continue.
Charles was in the ops room looking at maps leaning forward his hands on the table, the banks of screens in front of him with all the monitors round the training camp. There wasn't much that got past the regulars that were stationed here. The weapons training area, barracks, stores, NAFFI, entrance gates, medical centre, school, well everything really all monitored just in case.
He was pouring over maps along with Captain Hurst and Blue, where would they take them during the remaining weeks of training before dropping them in for the final exercise. Captain Hurst quickly realised that Blue and Major James had history and worked together in the past. There was a competitive spirit between them along with respect and a friendship. They finally succumbed and told him that there was a wager between Special Forces and the Rifles of who would get out the jungle first and he couldn't help but smile and comment that the Rifles would be the first out.
Charles heard the sniggering from the men monitoring the screens in the operations room and looked up. He scanned the banks of TV screens before coming across the one that was causing the derision. All eyes seemed to follow his as they looked at the screens to see what was causing the consternation. Behind the stores was a dark haired woman propped up against the wall with Cheese. It was very clear what they were up to, no sound was required.
"Turn that off" bellowed Major James before turning to Captain Hurst his eyes blazing "Deal with that and speak with Lieutenant Hooper, we are only a week into this training and already discipline has a lot to be desired."
Charles put his hands on the table and lent forward looking down at his hands and the maps. His eyes closed as he sighed
"I thought her bloke was at home with a broken ankle" said Blue "Maybe it's the heat" Charles just looked across at him and raised his eyebrow and a frown on his face.
"After what I saw from my room at the pool and now this, I really don't think either of them should be on this exercise."
"Well let's see what Captain Hurst and Lieutenant Hooper have to say."
"You let Molly thump him."
Blue grinned and shrugged at him, "that was a one off free pass Charles, she knows not to do it again."
"You mean she asked if she could do that and you said yes?" said Charles incredulous
"Charles you know that Special Forces is a male dominated environment, when Bones took her under his wing he wanted to make sure she could handle herself if there was any resistance to whether she deserved to be there."
"Are you saying that he taught her how to do that?" his eyes wide.
"Oh yes" laughed Blue "and I carried on that training after he went to Bangladesh when I took over the team."
"Bloody hell" snorted Charles running his hands through his hair.
"Tough little cookie our Molls" shrugged Blue.
"She always was but you and Bones between you have made it ten times worse" both men laughing but Charles was shaking his head "How many other moves did the pair of you teach her?"
"Trade secret mate, can't reveal her weapons, " he grinned "and let's hope you never find out" throwing his head back laughing.
"Oh Fuck" he snorted a laugh "I married her."
"Life's a bitch ain't it" still laughing.
OG
Captain Hurst had gone to see Lieutenant Hooper to let him know what had been captured on the operations room surveillance cameras. He would deal with Private Charlton while he would leave Hooper to deal with Lane.
The following morning, they had a second meeting where Lieutenant Hooper had told him that Corporal Lane had denied it was her and must be a look alike. As he had been unable to get the Private to admit to who it was and it was a grainy black and white image in low light levels they couldn't be sure although they were all pretty sure it was the pair of them.
There was no way that Captain Hurst was going to tell Major James who Lane had tried to say it was, and he was pretty sure that the Special Forces Captain would probably do unspeakable things if he repeated what he had heard. There was a piece of him that wished he was still at home with his wife on sick leave rather than being stuck in the middle of this hornets' nest. He sent for his Colour Sergeant.
"Look Kingy" he started "He won't say who the woman was and Lane says it wasn't her but she is sure that she saw the female Special Forces operative out there."
"Is that how Lane phrased it?" said Kingy in his deep baritone voice and Captain Hurst nodded.
"There is history there, between the girls Sir" sighed Kingy "Are you aware that the female Special Forces operative is Major James' wife" he gave a slight cough "There was an altercation at the pool at the beginning of the week and after what Corporal Dawes did I think it remote she would be cosying up to him."
"You didn't mention this before Colour, the Major was not happy with what was splashed over those screens and no I didn't realise that was his wife" he sighed "this just got a lot worse."
"I don't think that Private Charlton considers himself part of the team Sir, apart from the altercation at the pool, it would appear he has been bullying Private Rogers Sir."
"Keep me informed about him Colour, I have a feeling the Major has eyes on and already thinks he should be sent home."
OG
They were now in their second week and the classroom activities were taking place with the Gurkhas. They were shown what plants and berries were poisonous and what wasn't and could be eaten. Which ones had to be cooked, and which they could use for fluids. How to start a fire with no matches without setting fire to the whole forest.
Lieutenant Hooper and Captain Hurst joining in the class, neither having done this type of jungle training and knowing they were learning from the best. In the shadows at the back Major James and Blue were watching, absorbing what was being said and how their men were taking it in and learning.
"Do you wish you were going out with them?" whispered Blue
"Not on your life" he snorted a laugh back but couldn't help think back to Belize "You?"
"Not a chance mate" he grinned "been there and got the t-shirt."
OG
Everyone had got into their routines, up early for the 5K run then breakfast. The training taking place during the morning before the worst of the heat and humidity. Charles had found a couple of nice little restaurants off camp so they could meet without prying eyes. They had even had dinner with Jackie and Dangles off site, as the two girls were sharing a room. It gave them an opportunity to meet, chat about normal things and forget for a couple of hours that they were on an exercise and in the army. But mostly they met on their own, just to talk, laugh and acknowledge the simple pleasures of just holding hands.
The end of the second week and just one more week of training before they were dropped into the jungle and he wouldn't see her again until they got back to camp.
"Are you enjoying it sweetheart?" he asked
"Yeah its beautiful out here ain't it" he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Everywhere we have been is beautiful to you, the Afghan mountains, you liked Kenya, Syria not to mention Cyprus."
"Well" she giggled "they are but Aldershot is a bit shit" he grinned, cupped her chin and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"That's why I think we will like it in Cheltenham, I can get to Chepstow and you can get to Hereford."
"So, we can stay in the flat then?" she grinned back at him.
"Well for the time being, but it would be nice to have a house with a garden, somewhere for Sam to play and maybe our own kids."
"Hold your horses Charlie, that's a bit previous ain't it" she grinned "we only just got married."
"Yes, again" he tried fluttering his eyelashes at her grinning widely "but unless you want to practise those moves Bones taught you, I assumed we would think about it at some point" she burst into peals of laughter, her eyes sparkling with humour.
"I won't use those moves on you Charles, I have special one's for you" kissing him on the nose before getting a little serious "I love working with Spanner, Blue, Jackson and Peanut I want to do it for a bit longer."
He nodded taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles "I love you Molly."
"I know and I love you too" she replied running her hand through his hair "I just wanna prove I can do this, be Special Forces and the faith that Bones and Blue had in me wasn't wasted" her eyes staring into his full of love but willing him to understand.
"It wasn't Molly, you always had the ability to be brilliant" her face going red at the compliment, a huge grin spreading across his face "So this isn't another no, this is a we will keep practising until you're ready?"
She fell about laughing, "you can count on it Charlie" wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her.
"When we get back" he said holding her tight against him "Shall we go away, have a honeymoon" she giggled as she leant into him as he started to kiss her neck.
"If you want" she whispered groaning with the sensations he was creating while nibbling her ear "we never had one of those before yeah I'd like that, surprise me."
"Oh, Mrs James I have every intention of doing that" cupping her face in his hands, fully aware that the last time they married was just before he went to Kenya and this time just before they came here. They had only had a few days in Dorset after their first wedding and had holed up in his flat in Aldershot after this one. He wanted to take her somewhere special and he thought he had just the place in mind as he smiled at her.
OG
They separated at the gates her walking back to the female quarters and him walking back to the officers' quarters. He was half way there when he heard his name being called out in the darkness. He stopped and turned to face Georgie Lane.
"What do you want Lane?"
"We haven't had a chance to talk for so long Charlie" and he raised his eyebrow at the name she had called him. Although he wasn't in uniform or on duty she should still be addressing him by rank and certainly not Charlie.
"That's not my name Lane, only Elvis called me that as my friend. You, however, have been told numerous times to address me by rank as a CO."
"You never said anything when I used to call you Charlie."
"That was my mistake" he sighed "What do you want Lane?"
"I think we made a mistake" her eyes filling with tears "We shouldn't have ended it, we're bound together because of Elvis just like you said" she sighed "He would have wanted it, he said in his letter."
"What did he say in his letter?" his heart constricting at the thought of Elvis, to this day he still missed his friend.
"That if anything good happened in my life he had a hand in it and you were the good that happened" she moved closer to him "We're both free, we're not serving together, we could try again."
He stepped back from her to increase the distance between them as he put his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet wishing he was anywhere but here "You're with Prof or I thought you were until I saw you with Private Charlton."
"Prof and I are were never really serious and I wasn't with Cheese that was Molly" she tried to touch his arm but he moved back again, he felt his heart had jumped out and a stabbing pain in his chest at her words. He knew what he saw on that surveillance camera and he also knew Molly wouldn't do that. Apart from the fact Dangles had told him that Molly and Jackie had gone off site shopping that day. Purely coincidence when they had been out for dinner Dangles had been joking about how much Jackie had spent at the shops while out with Molly in their free time.
"Why would you say that Lane?."
"Because it's true and we're meant to be together" he closed his eyes turning his head to the night sky and thinking about what to say next.
"We were messed up Lane, you and I, we were never meant to be together as you put it and for that I am sorry and ashamed I led you to believe that" taking a deep breath before continuing. "You are where I was when I came back from Belize, confused and not in the right head space. You need help Lane" he clenched his fists in his pockets "I don't know if this is still grief, or PTSD or if you have always been like this and Elvis never noticed your arrogance and mean spirit but get help Lane, this can't go on" he sighed "There is no us, there will never be an us. There was one regretful night, and in all honesty if you hadn't come to my quarters that night I doubt there would've been that."
"But she left you" wailed Georgie "I wouldn't have done that."
"She had no choice Lane" he said quietly and with some empathy "I didn't know what I was doing, treated her like shit"
"Molly made us break up, sending her Nan to threaten us with exposure like that" she cried.
"No, she didn't, she gave me freedom to choose the army, you or her" and he looked at her with narrowed eyes "Molly will always be the last thing I want to see and in that instant my choice was obvious. It's always been Molly. We remarried just before we came out here."
"You can't have" she blurted out stunned at this news
He nodded, "you need help Lane, you are not the person I first met; Molly's friend and Elvis fiancée" he looked at her sadly "This isn't what Elvis would have wanted for you and neither am I."
"He did want this, it was in his letter about anything good would be down to him and we were good" she hiccupped "We can see how it is and try again once we get back to Aldershot?"
"Have you listened to anything I've said"? he sighed with frustration. "I won't be going back to Aldershot, I am transferring out now that I am a Major and will be moving to be with Molly" he fixed his eyes on her hoping that she would finally realise that this was never going to happen. "I'm sorry Georgie if I led you on and I am sorry that Elvis is gone, he was my best friend and I miss him too. I've sorted out my life, got the help I needed, and you need to do the same. That's what Elvis would've wanted for you" and he turned away walking back to his room increasing his stride.
OG
Blue was coming back to the officers' quarters when he saw Charles, meaning to stop him for a chat as they walked back but before he could Georgie had called out, leaving him with no option but to stay in the shadows. He watched as he saw Georgie Lane stamp her foot as Major James walked away. He had heard most of what was being said and was grateful he had a nice uncomplicated life with his wife Nicole. He did however worry that this might escalate, especially if she was likely to spread spurious rumours and thought he might have a quiet word with a certain member of 2 section.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Charles he did, he was a different man from the one he met in Bangladesh. He had worked with him in Afghan, here and seen him a few times both socially and in Aldershot. But he hadn't known Elvis or Georgie that well, it was all hearsay and he had to agree with Major James that Georgie Lane was not dealing with Elvis death even now.
OG
They were now in week three of the course continuing with survival skills. Last week being the fruit and veg part of their diet and how to acquire water. This week being all about the protein. They were being shown how to cut through bark for bugs, spiders and how to trap small animals and fish and prepare them for cooking.
This was the bit that Mimi in particular was dreading even after talking with Molly and Jackie, she had only really lived in a children's home or in barracks and everything was provided, she had never had to be self-sufficient in that way.
Molly had invited her to sit next to her, she was thrilled to be sitting with the Special Forces guys and hoped that she could hold it together. They had just been shown a selection of spiders that were non-poisonous, Cheese had picked up a particularly big black hairy one and thrown it directly at her. She screamed, jumping up so that it landed on Molly who followed suit. The spider landed on the ground and Molly stamped on it.
"Well we can't eat it now" chuckled Peanut shoulder nudging Mimi.
"No Molly fucking squished it" laughed Spanner "Only thing left for it now is a fucking toothpick" picking it up and a couple of legs dropped off.
At the back of the training area Major James had watched what happened, he was increasingly worried about Private Charlton and his general attitude. He witnessed the older members of 2 section had started to distance themselves from him. He couldn't help but remember that 4th tour when he had given 2 section that speech about what made the British Army great was that they looked after the man next to them, he seemed intent on isolating himself from the rest of the section.
OG
Fingers sat down opposite Georgie at dinner in the mess. Dangles, Brains and Monk all sat further down the trestle table
"Did you get a letter from Marie this week?"
"Yeah" she grinned "She's doing well with the pregnancy isn't she?"
"Can't wait to see little Frank, at least this is only a month away and we're nearly done" he carried on taking another mouthful of his dinner "What about Prof how is his ankle healing?"
"Yep he seems OK" she sighed "think he is missing being up north with all his family around him as I am away."
"Don't you want to go back to Stockport after this?"
"I just feel closer to Elvis down in Aldershot."
"But he's gone Georgie" he sighed "Why would being in Aldershot make you feel closer to him, he wasn't stationed there" he looked at her straight in the eye "please don't tell me that Major James is the one that makes you feel closer to him?"
"We're meant to be together" and he closed his eyes wishing he hadn't agreed to have this conversation with her. Marie would go mad if she found out.
"No, you're not Georgie" he sighed "You never were" he took a couple of mouthfuls of food before continuing "You were 2 section medic because the Boss and Molly couldn't serve together."
"But he didn't want her anymore"
"Even I noticed he was ill Georgie" he raised his eyebrows at her "I told Molly he was" and Georgie's head whipped up.
"What did you do that for?"
"Why wouldn't I, we were mates" he sighed "I really think you need some help Georgie, you've already lost a lot but get the help before you lose everything just like Major James thought he had."
"Seems to me he hasn't lost anything."
"This is why you need help George if you don't realise that he did" maintaining eye contact "Molly left him, he had virtually no contact with his family and most of 2 section lost respect for him, you made more decisions than he did, including getting us to jump off a fucking cliff. Let's be honest you took advantage of his poor health and manipulated him to get what you wanted."
"But he told me he loved me."
"Yeah when he was ill, confused. Even you said when he was out of it in Belize it was Molly he was calling for" said Fingers rolling his eyes, he really hated conversations like this and Marie was probably going to have his balls for having a go at her sister.
"Look George" drawing in a deep breath "Molly will never be your friend now, Major James wants to be with her, she is the love of his life so whatever little love nest you have planned won't happen; Prof is a good bloke if you wanted to make a go of it but don't use him like you have been Cheese. Prof doesn't deserve it. You are definitely not the girl or the soldier I went on tour with to Kenya, speak with Lieutenant Hooper or Captain O'Brian when you get back but tell them you need help sorting the shit from the clay."
"So, you think I am mad then?" she spat at him angrily.
"I didn't say that George but why don't you want Molly and Major James to be happy?"
"Because it's his fault that Elvis died and why should she be happy if I'm not?" she said angrily her voice rising causing heads to turn to look at them although they hadn't heard what was said.
"Well there it is Georgie" he sighed "It wasn't his fault that Elvis died, it just happened and the risk we all take if we stay in the army too long. But even if that was true why does Molly have to be as miserable as you, what did she ever do to you except be your friend and support you?" he stood up not sure if she was taking in his words "this is why you need help, why you need to see someone" he pointed his finger in the middle of her forehead "these thoughts you are having aren't right and probably haven't been for a long time. Every single one of us in 2 section have tried to support you, followed some of your questionable orders but it can't go on Georgie" and with that he walked away hoping that she had listened, would get the help and that Marie wouldn't tear him a new one for not siding with her sister no matter what. He had been good mates with Brains and Dangles since basic and their first tour, he had nearly lost their friendships because he had closed his eyes to some of Georgie's erratic behaviour.
At that moment Molly came into the mess with Spanner and Peanut, they were Elvis' team and his mates so she stood up to move towards them before feeling a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at Blue.
"Don't even consider whatever it is you were thinking."
"None of you understand what it's like to lose someone."
"Every single person in this room has probably lost someone or knows someone who is hurting, you don't have exclusive rights on that pain" and he looked around at the crowded mess hall "Iraq, Afghan, the destinations that don't even make the news. Elvis may have wanted out of Special Forces but he still had a job to do while he was there, it wasn't his fault and it certainly wasn't Major James'."
"You weren't there so how would you know?"
"No I wasn't but I can read a report" and he raised an eyebrow "Wasn't it your job to be looking after those children, watching them and keeping them safe. How come they were taken then, where were you?" and he noticed her flushed cheeks "Behind another stores perhaps?" he grinned "Is Major James right, is it grief, PTSD or are you so arrogant and full of yourself that everything is someone else's fault and not yours. Take the advice given by your friend or start thinking of an alternative career" and with that Blue walked away to join his team.
OG
Major James came into the mess and saw Molly at the counter chatting with one of the chefs, he couldn't help but snigger and hope that she was getting tips on how to be a better cook, she could burn water when she wanted to.
She was at the tea and coffee urns when he walked up behind her, his height giving him the opportunity to lean over her and pressing into her back while he filled his travel mug with coffee his hot breath against her ear.
"Any chance of you getting a pass for one last dinner out before you get dropped in the jungle" and he could feel her sniggering against him.
"Careful where your leaning Boss, we don't want anything unexpected popping up, do we?. I'll have a word and send you a text" before moving off with her tray of food to sit with Spanner and Peanut still sniggering.
Shaking his head at her cheek, he looked around to see Captain Hurst and Blue sitting together and went to join them with his food and coffee, Blue raised his eyebrows at him and he had the distinct feeling that nothing got past him. It was Blue that started the conversation.
"So, Captain Hurst, how do you feel that Private Charlton is settling in, what with the indecent exposure incident then throwing a spider at one of the medics, he is hardly endearing himself is he or impressing anyone?"
"No Captain, I have moved him out of 2 section and into 3 section to see if that helps, as I don't think his section want to work with him anymore."
"Does he want to remain in the army?" asked Charles
"Not sure Sir" sighed Hurst "Have a distinct feeling that he was pushed into the army rather than wanting to be here."
"Has he done his 4 years yet?" replied Charles
"Well he will have Sir when we get back."
"Then perhaps you and Colour Sergeant King need to have another word, suggest career options for him because we can't have sections being at odds like this, especially if this was real. What he did in that training session was unacceptable" said Charles dourly "Let me know if you need support in dealing with him."
"Thank you Major, but I think from what Kingy has been saying and is now just coming to light we have it under control"
OG
Molly met with Charles outside the barrack gates for their last meal. It got dark early so even though it was only 19:00 it was pitch black. He had his hands in the pockets of his chino's his head down as he waited for her.
She sidled up to him from behind while he was deep in thought her hands creeping round his waist.
"I don't know how I keep my hands off you sometimes" and she could feel him snigger "and don't you dare say bloody ditto" she laughed
"Wouldn't dream of it, I've witnessed with my own eyes the moves you're capable of" he replied grinning turning round to cup her chin with a hand and planting a kiss on her lips.
They went for their dinner, with no one was watching they were free to hold hands and she more than once ran her foot up his leg making him bite his bottom lip as his dark eyes stared into hers both knowing what they wanted to do but would have to wait out until they got home.
On the walk back to barracks he told her about Georgie and the conversation they had had a few days ago.
She shrugged, "I think she has PTSD Charles" she sighed "But she ain't my problem anymore and so long as you remember she isn't yours either, then we won't need to fall out over it."
He put his arms around her and pulled her close so she could feel just how much he missed her "I think you know where I want to be" grinning into her neck "and I really don't want to find out what those moves were that Bones and Blue taught you" nibbling her ear as she groaned pressing herself closer to him "Oh god Molly it's going to be a long week" his hands moving down to her arse as she ground against him and he moaned himself.
"One week Charlie" she grinned into his neck "That's all one week" as he growled with what he wanted to do and couldn't.