I was expecting something a bit more romantic than Ditto!
A series of one shots about Charles and Molly, inspired by songs. Links to the song are under the title. Some are romantic, some are sad and some are inbetween. Rating a T but will inform of any smut beforehand! The chapters are unrelated.
I Miss You- Clean Bandit
( watch?v=uZs1AHQBz24)
I know you didn't call your parents
And tell them that we ended
'Cause you know that they'd be offended
Did you not wanna tell them it's the end?
He sat in his bedroom and stared at the phone in his hands. Several times his fingers had scrolled past her name, clicked on it, and then thought better. He knew he had been a pretty shitty husband recently, hell he had been a shitty husband for a while now, but he couldn't face the fact that she had ended it with him. He knew it must have been hard for her to end it, and even harder when she had heard about what had happened between him and Georgie but she was still there after the cliff jump. There to heal to his (thankfully) superficial wounds and to offer him support. She had stuck with him throughout tough therapy sessions and was there whenever he needed her. He was recovering, slowly but surely and he was beginning to find himself as the man he once was. But they were still separated. She no longer lived in their home, they were not intimate (in fact Charles doubts she will ever want to touch him again), and conversations are brief; only about therapy or exchanging pleasantries.
But he needed to hear her voice right now and know she is safe. Molly was currently deployed in Haiti, providing medical equipment and humanitarian aid. However, Charles had heard of trouble in the area which had resulted in her section needing additional military backup and the assistance of the Special Forces. He knew through Spanner that Molly was safe, but he needed to know for himself. It was 10pm in Haiti, he knew she would be awake, sitting alone somewhere with a cuppa filled with sugar. It was the perfect time.
She answered the phone after 4 rings.
"Hello?"
"Hi Molls, it's me."
"Yes Charles, I do have caller ID"
This made him chuckle slightly, even when they weren't together and he had seriously fucked it up, she could still make him laugh.
"What's goin' on, it's late. Is Sammy okay?"
"What? Yeah he's fine. I just wanted to talk to you…to hear your voice. Is that okay?"
"Erm…yeah but I don't have long. Up early n all that."
She seemed wary and Charles completely understood why. The phonecall was unexpected and to be honest, he had to right to contact her, but he would rather she reject him than him not hear her voice.
"How's Haiti?"
"Same shit different country mate, but I bet you didn't phone to ask about work"
"I just needed to hear your voice, know that you're okay. I miss you."
"Yeah. Hows Sammy took the news? And ya mum and dad? Bet they were sad, daughter they never had I remember them saying?"
Charles took a deep intake of breath. Trust Molly to make a really serious conversation so calm and fun. She wasn't wrong though, his parents adored Molly from the moment they were introduced. She fit into the family in a way that Rebecca never did and for that he was so grateful.
"I…um…they don't know yet."
"Charles! We've been separated for nearly 3 months, how have you not told them? Where do they think I have been?"
"Well, when you were around for therapy and stuff it was easy…. and then I said you were deployed…so not a total lie really. It would kill them Molls, you know it would. And….well….telling them is admitting it's over isn't it?"
"Charles….."
And I know we're not supposed to talk
But I'm getting ahead of myself
I get scared when we're not
'Cause I'm scared you're with somebody else
Her voice was interuped by a male one, shouting her name.
"Molly, where have you put my day sack?"
"It's in the med centre by my bed….give us a minute and I'll come get it"
"Nah I got it, but if you're free I'll make us a brew!"
Charles could feel the jealousy twist and turn in his stomach, lead butterflies which were desperately trying to escape. The phone was silent, all he could hear was Molly's quiet breathing, and the faint noise of the movement around camp.
"Who was that?"
"What?"
"Who was that you were talking to? Why is his kit in your tent?"
"Fucking hell, get a grip Charles"
She snorted; he could imagine the face she was pulling, one reserved for when he was in deep shit. Looking back, he had been getting that face more and more recently.
"You have no right to be asking any question, or getting jealous. Not only are we not together anymore, we are not together because you shagged your fucking medic! Your dead best friend's fiancée! So don't you dare get all high n mighty because I've answered your fucking phone call! We're not together Charles, we're not even fucking friends so leave me alone"
And with that, the line went dead.
You weren't a fan of pictures
So I hardly ever took 'em
Got them saved in my mind from the bedroom
So that way I can't forget your skin
Molly stared at the blank screen for a moment before standing up, brushing the sand and dirt from her legs. She was so angry, how dare he phone her up and act as if nothing had happened? Sure, she had played the role of the dutiful wife during his recovery but that didn't mean they were okay. There's a difference between caring about someone's wellbeing and forgiving the fact they shagged someone else.
"Hey Molls, I got my bag. Did you want some tea?"
Private Brown was suddenly at her side, breaking her train of thought. He was young; a medic in training. His strawberry blonde hair and cheeky boyish charm reminded her of her first deployment in Afghan with 2 Section. She would give the moon and stars to go back to that time.
"No ta Browny, just goin' to go to bed. I'm knackered."
"No problem, that sounds like a good idea actually. Goodnight."
She waved at him as she ducked under the flap of her tent, zipping it up afterwards. Once again, she was the lone female on this mission but truth be told, she loved it. It was so nice to have some personal space after a day of being in close proximity to a bunch of stinkin' boys. She unzipped her fleece, took off her boots and curled into the sleeping bag. Her eyes, adjusting to the light, swept over the small space she had. She had brought no personal items along with her, apart from the necessary toiletries and a picture of her and Sam, on holiday in Mexico the previous year. Charles had hated being in photos, always insisting that he was the one who had to take them. It had never bothered her at the time, because she saw him every day. She was able to lie with him each night, smell his skin and feel his arms around her. If she closed her eyes and thought hard enough, she could pretend she was still there, wrapped up in the sheets of their bed. But right now, she was irritated. She wished she had at least one picture of him, so she could see his face. He was a right shit at times, but once upon a time, he was hers. How she wished she could relive the times they had together.
I, I miss you, yeah I miss you
I miss you, yeah I miss you, oh I do
I miss you, yeah I miss you
Though I'm tryin' not to right now
She had nearly fallen asleep when her ringtone startled her awake. She answered automatically without even checking the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Hey Molls, I'm sorry have I woke you?"
"What do you want Charles?"
"I am SO sorry Molly, I am. I made a stupid mistake, or rather, a series of stupid mistakes and I can't blame it all on being ill I know that and I am sorry. I'm sorry for getting jealous, it wasn't my place you're absolutely right. And I know I've fucked up so much. But I miss you."
His words hung in the air for a moment. She was taken aback by his honesty, and she couldn't understand how she felt. There was still so much anger inside of her, but on the other hand, the man she loves is on the other end of the phone, laying his heart on the line.
"I miss you too Charles. But this isn't the time or place for this discussion…I come back in 3 weeks, meet me at Brize and then we will talk."
"Really? Are you sure? Molly thank you, I won't let you down again I promise you!"
"I'm only agreeing to a chat Charles. But I'll see you then. Let me go to sleep."
"Of course, goodnight my darling. I love you."
"Ditto."