Reckless Moments

by Debs60

A/U: Charles has always wanted to be in the army and Molly has always been fiercely loyal and independent. They have known each other since they were children but had very different upbringings and career direction, despite this their paths continue to cross through to adulthood. Will their differences pull them apart or were they always destined to be other half of each other?

12. Chapter 12

Reckless Moments

Chapter 12 – Too Close

Elvis and Blue were having a meeting in Whitehall. Seems that three Albanians, who were of interest and under suspicion of war crimes had managed to get into the country, had absconded in the final days before the cease fire. They hadn't been here long by all accounts but had already been to the site of the old club in South London. Their contact Victor was still missing and had not been in touch and had not shipped the paid for arsenal they had ordered and were needed for the current campaign against the Serbs. Now with a ceasefire in place they either wanted the weapons or their money. The weapons could always be sold on. While the damage to the club and the building next to it was extensive, the site hadn't yet been cleared and it was pretty obvious to the men that if all the weapons had been in the building the damage would have been much worse and probably extended across the street. It wasn't too much of a leap to work out that perhaps their goods weren't actually in the building. Now they just needed to find Victor or one of his men to find out where their goods were. They had a good operation with a functioning supply chain, it was Victor who had come to them about a new route that would give greater returns, as more guns could be shipped. Now he and their guns had vanished. They were not the type of people to double cross.

"They are strangers in the city" started Blue "Now we know who they are and where they are, I want 24 hour surveillance"

"That's a lot of resources Blue" shrugged Elvis

"True, but we always knew that Artan and Victor were just middle men if it hadn't been their unsuccessful attempt to gain access to the river and the Dawes business down there, they may never have come to our attention" sighing "I think we can safely say that these guns weren't Victor's only interest, once they had the docks drugs would have been the next thing on their list of illegal imports"

"Shouldn't this all be for serious crime or special branch rather than us" asked Elvis

"It is and it will be them doing most of the leg work, we are purely involved for the guns and if there are plans for terrorist acts here and then Bones can close off any loose ends that might still be left in the Balkans" Blue looked down at the file he had so far on the three men, couldn't believe they had even managed to get into the country "They have met with a couple of Albanians and a Russian from the area, but so far they haven't made any contact with the Dawes or been seen anywhere near their clubs or the scrap yard" Blue shrugged closing the file on his desk "Judging by the state they left the Russian in they are not your friendly types"

"So we keep eyes on for the time being and see if they lead us to bigger fish"

"That about sums it up"

-OG-

Charles father came to collect him when they flew back to the UK. William had heard that Charles had lost a man on this tour and it was his first, he remembered that vividly, the guilt of ordering his men to patrol that street in Northern Ireland when there was an explosion as they passed. He had lost two men that day, young men, even after all these years he could remember their faces.

Charles didn't say that much on the drive back to Bath, just the bare details of what had happened. Charles told him that Private Smith's mother wanted him to do a reading at the funeral and he didn't know what to say. William had done this a few times over his career, been asked by the family to speak at the funeral of a fallen colleague and suggested that Charles might like to look at Dylan Thomas Under Milk Wood, he might find what he was looking for there, it was certainly prose he had used in the past.

Charles phoned Molly as soon as he got back to Bath, taking his gear to his room, sitting on his bed he made the call telling her he was back, that he had a funeral to go to in Newport in two days so would stay in Bath till it was over and then travel up to London.

"I could come to Bath by train tomorrow if you like Charlie" she asked tentatively "Come with you to the funeral the next day"

"I'd like that, thank you, it's not going to be an easy day"

"I know, but I'll hold your hand" and he couldn't help but shake his head, all five foot two of her was going to hold his hand, if only she knew what he had seen out there, he should be holding hers.

"Phone me when you know the time your train will get in"

"I'll see you tomorrow Charlie"

-OG-

Molly hadn't been to a funeral before, but why would she at her age. One of her grandads died in an accident down at the docks before she was born and the other they never saw and she wasn't even sure if he was still alive. The coffin was carried in by his section with the Union flag draped over it. Charles did his reading, his soft clear voice carrying to the back of the church, she thought it was beautiful, and not for the first time, wished she was as well read as him.

Apart from Elvis she hadn't met anyone that Charlie had worked with before and at the wake she was introduced to all of Geraint Smith's colleagues. What a pick and mix she thought, one from Birmingham, one Manchester, one Liverpool and a couple from her neck of the woods, well Essex anyway. All of them probably about the same age as her. They all seemed to have nicknames and she got most of them, Nudenut cos he had no hair on his head, Baz Vegas well pretty obvious he came from Basildon, Dangles well it was easier than saying his whole name, Brains, well he must have one she supposed. Fingers was a bit of a conundrum was it because he was a tea leaf, or… and she looked at his hands, nope she didn't want to think about that. Charles couldn't help but grin internally as he watched the cogs turning as she tried to work out all the nicknames, he wasn't going to tell her why he was called Fingers, it served her right for making him have to look up the meaning to half of what she said.

"Well that was our last role before our leave starts" he stated as it looked like people were starting to leave and he didn't want any of the lads to outstay their welcome or get too pissed in front of Mrs Smith. "Enjoy your break and don't get too pissed, keep your fitness up and I'll see you back at barracks in a month"

"You gonna spend it in London Boss" asked Baz and Charles raised an eyebrow without answering

"I hope so, I ain't got a month off" laughed Molly "I've got a club to sort" and Charles shut his eyes, now she's done it

"A club" said Fingers sidling up to her "A club in London"

"Yes but it's closed at the moment for a refurb and won't reopen until December"

"But that's months away" whined Fingers

"Might not be your sort of thing" shrugged Molly

"Will it have booze" and Molly nodded "Will it have women" Molly grinned and nodded, it would certainly have that "Then it will be our sort of place"

"I'll get Ch…" and Charles coughed pulling on her arm, he didn't want them to know his name "We better get off Molly"

"We can get the Bossman here to let us know when it's open and we can come and pay it a visit" grinned Fingers

"Just let me know when you want to come" smiled Molly as she was led away by Charles

-OG-

They had made good time and weren't that far away from the M11 so not much further to start turning in towards London.

"Did I say something wrong back there Charlie, at the wake I mean"

"Not really, it's just I am their commanding officer, its best they don't know my name and think of me as a friend"

"Why not, won't you get more out of them if you are?"

"Chain of command, it's the way it's done" he shrugged

"OK Charlie, if you're sure, it don't bother me and it won't bother Gary if they come to the club"

"Have you seen a bunch of squaddies out on the piss" and Molly shook her head and grinned across at him "Nah but that's what bouncers are for"

"They're trained killers" laughed Charles not really sure they were the way they larked about sometimes, but that last tour had made them grow up a bit, what they saw, losing Geraint like that.

"Maybe you should take a closer look at the doormen next time" she laughed before getting serious and changing the subject slightly "Did you see the twin brother at the funeral" Charles visibly paled and nodded "Yes, he has completed basic and is joining my section when we all get back from leave"

Molly put her hand on his leg and squeezed and he put his hand over hers "Do they look alike" and all Charles could do was nod. It was like seeing Geraint all over again. He drew in a deep breath, patted her hand before putting it back on the wheel "So is this apartment of ours fully furnished now or will we be sleeping on the floor"

"Charlie" she huffed lightly slapping his leg "I sent you the pictures, didn't you get them or have you forgotten already"

"Sorry, yes I did get them I just wanted you to tell me all about it" he didn't want to talk about the funeral anymore, didn't want to think about how Geraint died and now he had his twin in his section as a constant reminder of the man he watched die and there was nothing he could do about it. He looked out the corner of his eye at Molly, watched her face light up with excitement, his heart swelling with what he felt for her as she started to tell him everything she had done in the apartment since the paperwork had come through saying they owned it, while he was away. She didn't stop all the way into London. Barry the concierge was a top bloke, ex-army and had got bored at home with just the wife when she ran out of jobs for him, the allotment wasn't doing it for him even though he was outside so he got a job and he was dead handy to have, got her car going again when she couldn't get it started. Sounded like she had his life story already, thought Charles as he listened to her animated voice chatting away and lifting his spirit. He was just gonna love the gym, Jack thought it was awesome and he was so going to have to use it, she thought it was bloody boring herself but Jack went down most evenings or really early before work. Now that most of the flats were occupied they were gonna start a few classes in the evenings. Her mate Sophie from the club, you remember one of the dancers, he didn't but never mind, was after some extra cash so she got her a slot running some Aqua Zumba classes and the ladies love her to bits, looks like its permanent now, he could come with her if he liked. Charles raised his eyebrow shaking his head and grinning, not bloody likely, he'd rather use the gym with Jack. The flat was blinding, all their stuff had arrived that they ordered before he went and he was so gonna love falling asleep on the sofa. She had got a little table and chairs for the balcony outside their bedroom, they could have breakfast out there if it was warm and she had even managed to find a rattan sofa and chairs for out on the main part of their balcony, they could watch the booze cruises go up and down the river at night. She'd met a few of the neighbours, they seemed alright, were a bit on the posh side so he should well fit in. Some of the darkness he felt started to lift as she carried on chatting away, it wasn't what she said, he wasn't entirely sure he was taking it all in, but the sound of her voice, the happiness and excitement lifted him, made him park some of what he had seen in a box and close the lid.

-OG-

This was the first time he had been in the apartment since they had first looked around all those months ago, when it was an empty shell. While it looked modern, with its cream sofas, wall mounted TV, concealed lighting, Molly had put her stamp on it with throws, cushions and photos. As she grabbed his hand and dragged him through to show him the living area, kitchen, the master bedroom, opened the doors dragged him round the balcony, pointing out landmarks that she recognised. You couldn't help but join in with her enthusiasm, and yes this did feel like home. She was here.

"Do yah like it Charlie" she grinned up at him, her arms wrapped around his waist. He didn't think his smile could get any bigger as he kissed the top of her head and nodded "You hungry, shall we order a take-away, what do you fancy" and she pulled away from him opening a draw and pulling out more menu's than he thought he had ever seen "There's a really nice Italian that does take away or if you fancy we could have Chinese or Indian, what about Thai or Mexican" he couldn't help but laugh as they were standing in the fully fitted kitchen with double oven, hob and microwave all built in and gleaming against the black marble worktops. "We could cook" he grinned as he pulled her back into his arms "What and mess up the kitchen, you having a laugh" and he did, the first time he felt he had really laughed in months.

They decided on Chinese and a bottle of wine which was duly delivered, Barry telling them it was down in reception. It was late August and still warm so they ate on their balcony, watching London moving below them and as darkness fell the lights slowly starting to come on. It had been a long day and a sad one, both of them tired. Charles couldn't begin to describe how he felt when he got into bed. A real bed, where he could move about, with soft sheets and a light feather quilt, the soft breath of Molly as she curled up next to him

"Molly" he asked knowing she was close to sleep herself judging her breathing "Let's look at going away for a bit, somewhere warm, just the two of us"

"Mmmm" she sighed "Sounds nice, where did you have in mind, club's closed til December and there ain't much I can do while the builders are in"

"I thought Gary ran that place"

"He does but Jac's and I went to see a show and came up with an idea for the club and he's letting us change it" she moved in tighter to him "It will be moving in a new direction, bit more up market, well that's if we are still all here in the new year and all the planes ain't dropped out the sky and flattened London and all the bank's computers failed and we're unable to get any of our money"

"Do you believe all that millennium bug stuff" he sniggered

"Nah course not but Dad thinks that if they do fail when the clocks go round to 00 that might be a good time to take the gold reserves that the pillock didn't sell off on black Monday" the pair of them bursting out laughing

"Bloody hell Moll that was years ago"

"I know that and you know that, but me Dad thinks that we shouldn't give the government an opportunity to sell off our assets again so maybe its best we should take them off em"

"I do hope you're joking" he sniggered "That I'm not going to read about Dave and Uncle Fred breaking into the Bank of England and stealing the gold reserves and becoming modern day Robin Hoods"

"Course I am, you know what me Dad's like when it comes to the government". Yes he did know, there were many occasions when Dave went off on one of his rants about the government and how he didn't vote for them. He didn't vote full stop so it didn't really matter who got in, in his opinion they were all bloody useless and were probably bigger crooks than he was.

"So where shall we go then Charlie"

"Well I haven't had much of an opportunity to explore it but Northern Cyprus would be nice at this time of year, we could go in September"

"Is that near Ayia Napa"

"No its not" he huffed "You spend your bloody life in clubs why would you want to go to an 18-30 destination"

"Well cos I am still in the right age bracket for a start" she sniggered "You might want to think about it you'll be too old soon"

"Two years Molly, two fucking years" as he dug his fingers into her ribs to tickle her and she burst out laughing "No what I had in mind was something quieter, just you and me"

"It ain't gonna be a bleedin tent in the middle of nowhere is it half way up a bloody mountain or something"

"No it isn't" he huffed his fingers flicking her chin so she looked at him "You'll like it I promise, I have the place in mind, I'll book it"

"OK" her eyes crinkling with the smile on her face "Just you and me, I'll go shopping tomorrow get meself a bikini"

"Now that I am really looking forward to"

-OG-

Elvis was sitting in the driver's seat of a car opposite the Dawes club, Spanner next to him. Peanut had gone off to do a reccie. The club appeared to be closed but they could see lights on the top floor which is where the Manager Jackie Ashton and the owner Gary Dawes lived. The rear door opened and Peanut got in "Closed for refurbishment the sign says, looks like they have broken the locks and gone in through the main doors" as he closed the rear passenger door "What do you want us to do Boss"

"Did you clock how many"

"Three" answered Peanut

"Could you tell if they were armed?"

"Not sure but probably, one of them definitely looked like he was packing"

"Are the bullet proof jackets in the boot?"

"Course boss"

"OK let's look at going in, see what they're up to"

They were still watching and about to move when a silver Audi pulled across the road and disappeared down the delivery alley at the side of the club. "Shit" said Elvis "You recognise the car Boss" said Peanut "Yes, think it might be the sister Molly Dawes" "You want me to go and have a look" asked Peanut and he was already starting to open the rear door. It was a few minutes before he came back.

"Yep boss it was the sister and she had your mate with her Lieutenant James" Elvis sighed "He's due to be made a Captain, well if he lives that long" Elvis was already opening the driver's door, Spanner raising his eyebrows and doing the same. They were stood on the pavement outside the club. "So what do you want us to do Boss"

"Looks like we better go in now, Spanner contact Blue tell him we have to go in and once we have the situation under control to call in backup, Peanut get the gear out the boot"

-OG-

Molly opened the side door and started up the stairs to the flat, Charles following behind. She knocked on the door as she used her key to open the private quarters. They all had keys to each other's homes. She called out from the small hall but got no response, which made the hairs on the back of her neck go up, even with the TV on Gary always heard her call out, it really wasn't a big flat. She opened the door to the living room to find Jackie tied to a chair with tape across her mouth.

"I'm sorry Jac's" said Molly with some feeling as she pinched the corner of the tape and pulled it quickly causing Jackie to yelp "Where's Gary" she asked her voice raising and showing just how worried she was. "They took him downstairs"

"Who did" asked Charles taking instant control of the situation as he scanned the room and saw the broken coffee table

"Three men" cried Jackie "They've taken him downstairs, they want him to call Dave and Fred, tell him where the guns are or ….." and her voice faded away as she started crying again

"What guns" asked Charles. Molly knew, same as Gary what this was about but she knew that Jackie probably didn't Gary would never say, and she didn't think Charles mate Elvis had told him anything so he probably didn't either because she never said. All Molly could think about was what they were doing downstairs to Gary, she knew he wouldn't phone their Dad and bring him into this. She dug out her phone and called him and she was right he hadn't, she told him what was going on and he said he would be on his way, he would make a couple of calls on route. Twenty minutes tops.

Molly looked across to Charles who was trying to untie the restraints on Jackie, calm her down, went to get her a drink of water. She knew Gary wouldn't keep a gun here, not in the club, a disaster if it got raided but she did know he kept a baseball bat. While Charlie was distracted she could get it and go help her brother, her Dad was on his way all she had to do was stop them from hurting her brother for 20 minutes until Dad arrived.

Charles didn't notice straight away that she wasn't there anymore, he was preoccupied with a hysterical Jackie, untying her and giving her a drink. He checked the rooms of the small flat just in case she was in one of them but he knew she wouldn't be, as he made his way to the stairs that would lead to the club. What the hell was she playing at, surely she wouldn't have gone downstairs. He wanted to call out for her but that could compromise her if she was already down there hiding. These men obviously thought there was no one else in the building and hadn't heard them arrive.

He couldn't believe she had gone off on her own, with three unknown assailants down there who had her brother as some sort of hostage, who the hell did she think she was, the bloody queen or something and that nothing would happen to her. His heart racing as he crept down the stairs, he didn't know this part of the club well, had no idea if there were creaky stairs and he would give the game away. He clenched his fists in rage at her, his lips forming a tight line, if she was in the army by god she would be on a charge and permanent latrine clean for her stupidity and lack of discipline. He could cheerfully wring her bloody neck for taking such a risk without any forethought to consequences.

-OG-

Molly crept into the back of the darkened club. Only minimal lights were on around the bar. She could hear a man shouting and it wasn't a voice she recognised as she continued creeping forward, but the accent was familiar. Now she had a clearer picture as she saw her brother slumped in a chair, his face almost unrecognisable, his eyes swollen and closed where they had been hitting him and still they were asking where their goods were, to call their father and get him to hand them over. She took off her shoes not wanting to be held back by her heels or to make any noise as she moved to step on the wooden floors. It weren't even a fair fight they had him tied up, who the bleedin heck did they think they were hitting her brother like that.

She saw shadows at the entrance to the club, maybe her father along with Fred and Sam, had got here quicker than they thought or they had called in favours and the bouncers had come to lend a hand. She saw one of the men close to her brother go to hit him again, she was crouched down near the bar and not far from them as she had been creeping forward, without thinking about anything except her brother, she screamed like a banshee leapt up running forward a few steps swinging the bat with all her might. The three men totally taken by surprise that anyone else was in the club swung round but not quick enough for Molly not to have hit one of the men as hard as she could round the side of his head, it was enough to render him unconscious and she noted the shocked expressions on the remaining two men. She was already swinging the bat ready to go for the next man who had hurt her brother, when she saw the glint of what may have been a knife or maybe a gun, she wasn't sure. She heard someone scream what sounded like an order "NO, DAWES, STOP" and footsteps behind her, everything felt like it was slow motion but of course it wasn't as she swung the bat again. Before anything happened there was a sudden crack and the man fell to the ground clutching his arm. The shadows that Molly thought was her Dad came into view

"You sure you don't wanna join Special Forces" grinned Elvis looking at her, Spanner pointing his gun at the remaining man, indicating he should drop his weapon as Peanut walked up to the two fallen men and kicked their guns away.

"What the fuck do you think you are playing at Molly" shouted Charles his heart had been in his mouth as he watched her launch her attack on one of the men, momentarily stunned at her actions before screaming at her to stop as she went for the second man. In his entire life he didn't think he felt as angry as he did right now. He couldn't believe it when Elvis, Spanner and Peanut had come into view, he knew the one Molly was swinging the bat at was holding a gun when he called out and if Elvis hadn't been here it would have been Molly on the floor. He remembered a brief conversation with Bones who had told him they were working on something that had origins in the UK. This must have been it. He could feel his blood boiling, even with the under-fives he didn't think he had ever felt this angry and annoyed at a complete disregard for life and limb "and where are your fucking shoes" suddenly noticing how short she looked against him and spotting her bare feet. Her eyes were wide as she stepped back finally realising just how angry he was and she shrugged not saying anything before turning as he watched her hugging her brother and trying to untie him.

"Come on Molls, I'm alright, get off it hurts" he said, but Charles didn't think he looked alright. Did Molly have no idea at how close she had been to losing her own life, how lucky she had been, this time? Jackie was now in the club and clutching at Gary, crying. "Don't start Jacs, you're hurting me an all" "Sorry" she cried but still held onto him.

"You alright Charlie" grinned Elvis as he walked towards him, now he was another one he would love to put on a charge for keeping him in the dark, unfortunately he had already got his promotion to Captain so was the superior officer but that didn't for one moment stop him wanting to give him a thump for what had happened here tonight. What the hell was he doing here? Charles was still facing the entrance to the club and saw his Uncle Fred charge in with Dave, Sam, Jack and two other men he didn't know. Bloody hell this just gets better and better, there was his uncle with a sawn off shot gun. Was he really awake or had he just gone into the twilight zone. His anger going up several notches and he was fit to spit. What the hell had been going on here and why hadn't he been informed completely missing the point that he hadn't been here, was on tour and couldn't have been involved in any surveillance operation.

"You lot again" said Dave looking at Elvis, Spanner and Peanut raising his eyebrows at them before turning to look around the room, taking in his son and Molly and Jackie fussing over him. Turning his head to face Charles, he saw the stance, bolt upright, legs slightly apart his arms crossed and his hands under his armpits, the accompanying scowl said everything that he was bloody furious "My Moll scare the shit out of you there Charlie" Charles looked him straight in the eye one eyebrow rising unable to get any words out that wouldn't have shrivelled them all on the spot. Dave nodded and gave a small grin rolling his eyes before patting him on the arm "Yep she's been doing that to me and her mum all her bleedin life"

The younger men had walked up to Gary, Jack telling him he looked a fucking mess, the other trying to help him stand once they cut his bindings, with a pretty lethal looking knife thought Charles. The man who had been hit by Molly was regaining consciousness and trying to stand and Jack kicked him hard and told him to stay down. "Thanks Jack" said Molly giving him a hug "You alright Moll" and Molly nodded following it up with hugs for the other two men "Your Dad gave Jack a ring told him there was a problem so as me and Tone were with him we thought we may as well come too" Nicky took the bat that Molly was still holding and swung it across the legs of the man still standing with his hands up "Don't want him running off nowhere do we" he grinned as the man dropped to the floor howling and clutching his leg "you gonna stay there or get up". He chose to stay down, looks like it was all over, he was in the country illegally looking for his missing arms shipment. They had routes to and from Europe and the Middle East, but he had listened to that fool of a cousin Victor who told him of an opportunity to own their own docks, here in London where people were too busy to notice anything under their noses. They could transport far more and cut out some of the supply chain costs, more weapons for the cause. It had all seemed such a good idea at the time. Looking at these people he was pretty sure his cousin was dead along with Artan and the weapons long gone and he wondered if he and his friends were going to be joining them soon.

Charles shook his head he was definitely in a parallel universe, he wasn't used to not knowing what was happening, he was used to knowing exactly what was going on and giving the orders. Molly knew these men, who the hell were Nicky and Tone. He had a vague recollection he recognised their faces but wasn't sure where, must have been some family get together, clearly Molly knew them and so did Gary by the sounds of it and Jack had been out with them. He couldn't believe that this Nicky had just struck a man who had already surrendered, but then they were hardly using Queensbury rules with Gary

The one who was obviously called Tone turned to Elvis "You gonna take these shits away or do we need to do a proper job this time". Looks like Elvis had met them before and had dealings with them thought Charles

"Oh no" laughed Elvis "We'll take them thank you" Elvis took out his phone made a call while Spanner and Peanut produced handcuffs "I think they might need to see a Doc" laughed Peanut "They'll have to wait until we get them back to base"

"Is this the end of it" asked Dave "Or can I expect more nutbars coming out the woodwork"

"Pretty sure we have the ringleaders now" grinned Elvis "Based on our surveillance"

"Surveillance" coughed Gary "Are you telling me you knew you arsehole" getting more strength to his voice "Next time let us know so we can be ready" there was a bit of him that had been bricking it while they were hitting him, he thought that this might be his lot and he was worried about Jackie, would they have hurt her, that's why he convinced them to come downstairs, that he would make the call if they came down to the club, he didn't want her to see this. He really was in a world of pain and thought his number was up, he couldn't believe it when he heard his sister screaming and whacking one of them with his baseball bat, it was reckless but he was pretty pleased to see her and she had obviously called for help.

As he squinted round the room at all the faces, thanking his lucky stars he was still breathing, he spotted that Charles looked pretty angry, had a right face on him, he'd have to ask Jack tomorrow if he could hear them rowing two floors up.

"I hate to bring this family reunion to an end" grinned Elvis also noting how angry Charles looked, that thunderous sulky expression he always had when things weren't going his way. Turning to look at Fred, and he really couldn't believe this was a relative of his straight laced mate and had a real urge to laugh "You might want to disappear, especially as you're carrying" lifting his own gun "Ours are all legal"

"You called more of the Spooks in" asked Dave and Elvis couldn't help but think he had watched far too much TV as he grinned "Yes so you might want to make sure this very fine establishment doesn't pique their interest."

"Gary you ain't storing nothing here are you"

"Course not Dad" spoke Gary trying hard to speak through the pain, his lips swollen "What about the booze" asked Sam and Gary slowly shook his head "Not here, we're doing the renovations, took it all back to the warehouse"

Dave walked up to Elvis, squaring up to him, Spanner and Peanut couldn't help but smile as they watched the shorter man poke Elvis in the chest "You better make sure, its sorted this time, we allowed you to help last time and look where it got us, look at the state of me son" he continued to poke Elvis who was getting more than a little irritated by it "If your lot can't teach these nutbars a lesson we can"

"Oh, I don't think they will be coming back from the intel we have on them, they will be questioned by us, then I have a distinct feeling that friends of ours would like to question them" Dave frowned "Yes Mr Dawes" said Elvis politely "They could very well be wearing orange in the not too distant future"

"What the hell did that shit Derek nearly get us into" asked Fred to no one in particular "Come on we better leave them to it" he waved at his nephew although he didn't look happy "See you later Charles". Charles could only nod in response, he had no words for what had gone on tonight. They had only come over here this evening to have a chat with Jackie and Gary, look at the refurb and remind them they were going on bloody holiday tomorrow.

"Nicky, Tone if you could help Gary get out of here with Jack" ordered Dave "Jackie sorry to lumber you love but you better stay here, tell the plods if they turn up Gary went out with friends for the evening and you're not sure when he's due back" Jackie nodded not unsurprised at what she was being asked to do. "I'll call you later Gary when they've all gone" she said and Gary nodded as he was being helped to his feet. Jack would see he got to A&E in another area and it looked like he was spending the night in his spare room. Perhaps he wouldn't need to ask Jack after all, he would be able to hear for himself if Charles and Molly had a bloody great argument over this.

"Fancy breakfast tomorrow Charlie" asked Elvis brightly and the scowl he got in return should have turned him to stone.

-OG-

As it happened he did decide to meet Elvis for breakfast, before their flight later that day. There hadn't been the expected explosion when he and Molly got home. While he was exceedingly angry with her and the risk she had taken, he could understand it, after all she was trying to help her brother. He recalled the night that Jack had been shot, how he found out his brother had been there, how he held Molly back to stop her attacking his brother. He was still angry but a night's sleep had calmed him, albeit he made sure Molly knew how upset he was by turning his back on her falling into a fitful sleep on the edge of their bed. She didn't persist long, trying to explain before turning over herself and leaving him to sulk.

When he woke the next morning and turned over, all he could see was the quilt pulled up round her and a mass of dark hair splayed out over the pillow. His first instinct to pull the quilt down, push her hair away kiss her shoulder and back, make love to her and be grateful that she was still here with him. Sighing he turned over again and swung his legs over the side of the bed, getting up and going to the shower. Nope, he wanted her to be under no illusion, he was still more than a tad annoyed with her. When he came back showered and dressed, she hadn't moved, but he had the distinct feeling she wasn't really asleep anymore. Sighing he left the room, picked his keys up out the bowl in the hall and went down in the lift, he had a text from Elvis and knew where to meet him.

"You still sulking Charlie" grinned Elvis, he had always been good at that, as Charles walked up to him and sat down opposite in the little café. There was a coffee already waiting for him and he took a sip.

"She could have been killed" was all Charles could think of to say as he remembered the previous evening, finding Molly missing from the flat, her shoes behind the bar and that feeling as his stomach dropped to his feet as he watched her lunge towards one of Gary's attackers. He remembered he couldn't stop himself from screaming for her. Thinking she had put herself in such an impossible situation. That he would lose her.

"How the hell were we supposed to know that you were going to turn up last night" huffed Elvis in response.

"You're the one who is special forces not me"

"But you are in the army and with the fact Jack had been shot and the state of those bloody dogs, Christ you wouldn't have been able to drain spaghetti through them they were so full of holes, you must have known something serious was going on"

"Of course I did" barked Charles "But Andrew said…"

"Yes your brother Charlie" sighed Elvis and noted the hurt expression on Charles face, as if he couldn't be trusted because of his brother, now was the time for diplomacy "I don't think your brother realised what he was getting into, didn't realise just how organised and ruthless these people were" and Charles nodded that was exactly the impression Andrew had given him that night, the look of horror on his face "It was only because I was suspicious I started following your uncle" Charles eyes opened wide at what Elvis was telling him "They thought they had a grass in their firm" and Elvis scratched his head, didn't really know how much Charles knew about his extended family "put up enough cameras in that yard that would make special branch envious" he snorted a laugh "When I followed them into that club" and he left out the bit that his uncle had already killed one of them "What I found in there it had to be called in, this was far in excess of just a small scale operation"

Their breakfast arrived as Elvis continued "I was given an opportunity to question Artan and Victor" he started "It was only the greed of Artan and his cousin Victor thinking they could be kingpins, become the next underworld crime barons, take over London for drugs, protection and prostitution that he tried to change a well-oiled trading route for guns"

"Were they in that building when it went up?"

"Does it really matter" and Charles shook his head "Does Molly know" and Elvis shrugged "Don't know mate, I know her Dad was keen she shouldn't know just how badly her dogs had been hurt, he felt that Artan had done that on purpose to hurt Molly, apparently she knocked him back, you'll have to ask her yourself" Charles nodded "She's certainly got some balls, that girl of yours ain't she, charging in like that"

"I'm not entirely sure I would have put it quite like that" snorted Charles "Irresponsible, stupid, hair brained…" Elvis laughed "I get the picture mate" as they stood up to leave Elvis patted him on the back "Well, have a nice holiday mate and try and remember she ain't one of your squaddies and probably does things on instinct not training"

Charles took a slow walk back to their apartment stopping off at a bakery for some Danish Pastries, he knew Molly would like them, and after all there wouldn't be much in the cupboards, as they were leaving for Cyprus later today.

-OG-

This was the first time on a plane for Molly and she was fascinated by the whole process, she knew that Charles still had a bit of a sulk going on, he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, he didn't put his hand in the small of her back or hold her hand to guide her through the airport, he had always done that, she loved the warmth of his hand when she felt it on her, when he did that it always made her feel safe and protected. She had always been a bit reserved with her emotions, she had to be what with her family. Charles had always been special, someone she had known since she was little, couldn't even remember now when it changed for her and she realised she loved him, she didn't want to lose him. She knew she had pissed him off. He hadn't told her what had happened when he met Elvis for breakfast and she wouldn't ask. She had ten days with him all to herself and she had to convince him that she was sorry for upsetting him. Although surely he must understand she was helping Gary.

It was a long flight for a first time, as they had to go via Turkey. Then the taxi from the airport to their hotel. It was half way up a mountain. They had a chalet, a living room with small kitchen area with fridge and sink, a bath room and huge bedroom with a large bed with a wrought iron headboard. The large veranda went across their chalet, trees giving them shade but a view across to the pool.

"Ain't it beautiful Charlie" she gushed all excited as she flung open the doors in the living area walking onto the veranda then turned to face him, he was smiling back, proper smiling with his eyes, first time since she whacked that twat with the baseball bat. As much as he wanted to stay angry with her, for the risk she had taken, for things he felt she hadn't told him, he couldn't when he saw the happiness in her face. This is why he had brought her here in the first place, thought she would like it and they could spend quality time together after his last tour. If only that business in the club and Elvis' involvement hadn't happened just as they were leaving, they could have started this holiday in a much better place.

They unpacked, went across to the bar for a couple of drinks, walking past the pool, nodded to other guests who had turned to look at them before going up to the stairs to an open air restaurant that had views over the pool and down the hillside towards Kyrenia town and up to the mountains. They had a small table for two and Molly decided that she would sit next to him rather than opposite. She didn't think she had ever been somewhere so beautiful. Couldn't imagine seeing anywhere as lovely as this again.

"I'll see about organising hiring a car, we can go touring, have a good look around" he smiled at her digging into her kofta "It has a really interesting history, we could go to Famagusta, you can still see the deserted town with bullet holes, where everything was just left after the invasion look at the green line border in Nicosia"

Putting her knife and fork down, that dinner was rather larger than she expected but it was lovely sort of, she wondered if she ought to mention to Nicky and Toni next time she saw them, that this was one of the best lamb kofta's she had ever had and then thought probably not as she thought about it, she should know this really Kofta was Turkish it was Kleftiko she had when she went to see Cos and his family, she wouldn't say anything, she thought it looked a bit different. She just had to hope that she had actually eaten lamb and it wasn't a goat and she didn't end up with gut rot. Perhaps she should have let Charlie choose for her when he offered.

"I am gonna get an opportunity to wear me bikini ain't I" she grinned putting her hand over his "Can we just soak up a few rays first, you know chill a bit"

"Of course" he grinned at her looking at her left over food and wondering if she really liked it but she beamed at the waiter telling him how lovely it was as he cleared their plates but he had noted her look of surprise when she got a kebab and not a slow cooked lamb shank. He was really going to enjoy this holiday with her.