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?

15. Chapter 15

Reckless Moments

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No cliff hanger so thought I would get another chapter up before Christmas. Have a lovely day tomorrow, whatever you are doing

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Chapter 15 – The World Changed

Who would have thought that a week after there was so much laughter at the opening of the new club that everything would change again. That the world would look on horrified at what had happened in New York.

They watched the news reels, watching prime ministers and presidents around the world condemning what had happened. That terrorism was unacceptable in a civilised society and that they would win the war against terrorism. In October bombing raids started and by November Charles was told he was on his way to Afghanistan.

-OG-

It was his last night in this comfortable bed lying next to Molly. As he opened an eye looking at the clock blinking its early hour the darkness still outside. His eyes and head feeling heavy with tiredness, it had been very late before they had both fallen asleep, neither wanting the night to end as they talked and touched wanting to hang on to this time together but finally unable to keep their eyes open any longer. He looked across and could just make out her pale face, her eyes closed and her hair spread across the pillow behind her and her arm still wrapped around his waist.

They had spent every available spare moment together in the run up to this deployment. He knew she would miss him just like he would her, he could see the sadness in her eyes every time he looked at her. It was the only part of his life in the army he didn't like, leaving her for months at a time. He slid out of bed quietly without turning on the lights in the bedroom, making his way to the main bathroom, he didn't want to disturb her so early in the morning by using the en-suite. Showering, dressing and making his coffee and a cup of tea for Molly, he went back to their room. She was still lying exactly how he had left her and he put the cups down on the bedside table.

He ran his fingers through her hair pulling it away from her neck before bending down to kiss her, closing his eyes, inhaling deeply the lingering smell of her perfume and feel of her hair in his fingers, trying to commit it to memory for his eight months away. It was enough to make her stir as she rolled over facing him, stretching out as her eyes opened.

"Why didn't you wake me" her voice still husky from sleep "I could have driven you to Aldershot"

"No this is how I want to remember you, like this in bed" his eyes roaming over her face as he gave her one of his wicked grins that usually made her laugh but today she could only manage a weak smile. He put a hand either side of her head on the pillow and bent to kiss her, her arms going around his neck and as he tried to pull away, she came up with him unable to make herself let go. She wanted to convey in this last kiss just how much she was going to miss him and how much he meant to her, that she loved him, that she was sorry she had probably made this difficult for him when he told her he was going. She knew how much he loved his job, it was all he had dreamed of when he was growing up but she just couldn't help this feeling of dread about him going she wanted him to stay. He knew, because that was exactly what he was trying to tell her as he wrapped his arms around her, his hands stroking her still warm skin down her back, that he would miss her every day he was away.

-OG-

He was in Aldershot by 5.30 and already making himself more coffee. Tonight he would be in one of the rooms at barracks and tomorrow morning the buses would turn up and they would all be on flights to Kabul. Another Christmas away from home, away from family, away from Molly.

They arrived in Kabul it was fairly warm in comparison to the UK but the temperature certainly dropped at night, they went on patrol after patrol looking for Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Not that they found the man they had been looking for, he had already been spirited away but they continued with their efforts to over throw the Taliban.

He briefly met up with both Elvis and Bones, they were being sent to the East, Elvis couldn't say much but they hoped to get the man they were looking for there. In some ways he was envious of Elvis and Georgie both being in the army, at least she had got to see him albeit only for a few hours before he was off again to another region. He had to resign himself to waiting out for her letters. He wasn't entirely sure what had gone on between Georgie and Elvis while he was in their camp but suffice to say they announced their engagement and were going to sort out the wedding as soon as they got back. Elvis asking if he would do the honours and be best man, obviously it would give him the opportunity to get Molly out of London again sniggered Elvis and perhaps he should start to think about a date for his wedding unless they were going to have the longest engagement in history.

He had heard his sections would be shipping to the outskirts of Kabul to maintain security. The constant patrols felt never ending, there were some he could see were pleased that the coalition were there, but the vast majority seemed to look at them with hatred and distrust, another set of foreigners invading their country.

It was coming to the end of their tour, summer in Afghan and they were going to follow the old Silk Road to Kandahar. Ten hours in a convoy of bloody trucks, although they would make camp half way. On the second day he was in the last truck. Hot sticky and his hair already full of Afghan grim, his arm holding the roof through the open window, hoping for a bit of a breeze in this heat. He was looking at the rear of the second truck, he knew that Private Smith was up front with the driver, all of two section probably singing that bloody irritating song about wheels on the bus and bickering amongst themselves, he could see Dangles on lookout. It was one of the reasons he decided to sit it out with 3 section and get relative peace and quiet. While 2 section had the ability to make him laugh at their antics from time to time, 5 hours in a truck with them yesterday was enough to need a bit of respite and he could read his letters from home.

Everything seemed to stand still as his driver slammed on the brakes. The first truck doing the same when they heard the noise behind them. He watched as if in slow motion the middle truck's front end lift from the ground, a cloud of smoke and sand making visibility almost impossible. He turned back to look at the ashen faces of three section and the medics and heard his own voice issuing orders to stay in the vehicles. Sergeant King in the first truck also coming over the radios issuing the same instruction. As the dust settled they could see quite clearly that the truck had over turned, could see men crawling out the back. It was almost like a delayed reaction as the screams started to permeate their ears. "Wait out" he ordered looking at the devastation in front of him "Who has the vallons, check the area, no one move until the area has been checked" You shouldn't have favourites he thought but he had been with two section since the beginning, Christ Private Smith was in that truck and in his mind's eye he saw Geraint, holding his neck watching his life slip away. He couldn't see Dangles, he had been up top. His eyes darting around the area.

Luck he thought, that's all everything boils down to, bloody luck. The first truck had passed that area and the second had ended up on its side. They called it in, asked for support, urgent medical assistance, and multiple casualties.

Once the area had been deemed as safe they got out their vehicles and he went to the cab. He could see that both the driver and Private Dylan Smith were beyond help. Dangleberries he could see was seriously injured and called for the medic. The rest much to his surprise although injured, definitely broken bones, some nasty abrasions and burns didn't look like it was life threatening. The medics doing what they could, he had to admire Georgie's calmness as she raced from casualty to casualty, barking orders to the privates to apply pressure or tourniquets before moving on to the next but perhaps everyone thought he knew what he was doing too. No matter how many years he spent in the army he didn't think he would ever get used to some of the things he had to see. Men he had trained, disciplined, watch grow to become the soldiers they were, men he would trust with his life and was proud to serve with. Look at them now.

-OG-

Eight months away from home, and another funeral he would have to attend. He had been asked by Candy Smith to say the same words he had for her other son. Some of his men still in Birmingham too ill to attend, like Dangles who had lost his leg, crushed beyond repair. Same age as his Molly, 23 and his future in the army over. He had spoken with Dangles a few times over the years, about his life in Ashton, his mum and how the army brought an income into the household how he hoped it would give him a trade. He couldn't begin to imagine what was going through that young man's head.

It had been a long and silent flight back. One of his sections already on a medical flight back to the UK long before the rest of them were due to leave Cyprus and decompression, he had done his after action reports and spoken with 1 and 3 section, offering support and help updating them on the latest news of their colleagues and friends on their recovery.

Finally though they were back in Aldershot and he was in a position to dismiss them all and tell them to go home, see their families, his normal speech of keep the fitness up and don't get too pissed. They all had the date for Smurf's funeral should they like to attend the family would be pleased. He watched them all leave going back to his office and finalising paperwork before making his way to his own car and the drive to London. Molly had written to him while he had been away and he had looked forward to her letters more than any other and while he felt this overwhelming emptiness in his stomach at the loss of another of his men, by luck or fluke he was going home to her. Still so much to do, the funeral and visit his men in hospital. He just felt so bloody tired, and from what he had seen out there, this wasn't going to be his last tour there, that was a certain. He pulled out the photo he always kept in his wallet, it was getting worn now, the one Molly had taken when she dyed her hair back to its natural colour standing with a huge smile on her face outside the porta cabin at the yard with the beasts either side of her. He couldn't help but grimace as another thought came to mind, did he really love the army as much as he thought he did.

He parked up in the car park at their apartment block and walked through to the reception. Barry was there as usual, looking smart but sombre as he sighed and hoped he wouldn't get embroiled in a conversation for too long, Barry had always been particularly chatty with him once he realised he too was army "Take it that it was bad" and Charles nodded "Miss Dawes is already home, said you were coming and is cooking dinner" Charles couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and give a small tired smile "Although Captain James, I rather think that Marks and Spencer's prepared it" Charles grinned and nodded making his way to the lifts. "Glad you're home Captain James" called Barry just as the lift doors closed.

-OG-

He left his Bergan by the front door, put his keys in the bowl next to hers in their small hall and walked through to the living area, with the kitchen off to the side. He had left Aldershot much later than he intended and although not dark yet Molly had already put the table lamps on and the room had a warm and welcoming glow. She obviously hadn't heard him come in and it gave him the opportunity to savour the moment as he stood leaning against the doorway. Her hair was pulled tight into a pony tail and shining in the kitchen overhead spot lights. She was wearing a long sleeved white shirt with the collar turned up and enough buttons undone to give him a hint of what lay beneath, his eyes darkening his tongue running across his bottom lip. Only a smattering of mascara on her long lashes and her lip pulled in at the corner, her fingers tapping impatiently as she was concentrating on what she was reading as she leant on the kitchen counter. Cartons spread out while she examined each one in turn to see the cooking instructions. He broke out into a wide grin as he took in the sight of her, that she was contemplating messing up the kitchen, he had a feeling that this might be the first time their oven was being used by her and not the microwave. He had to bite his own lip now stop himself from laughing, as she looked at the packaging and then at the oven. How he had missed her, missed this, that even without saying a single word she could make him happy. That luck had been on his side and he was here, with her.

Molly caught a flicker of movement out the corner of her eye, turning her head she saw him just standing there watching her with a huge smile on his face, her own face lighting up at the sight of him. Standing tall, in his uniform, his skin tanned and healthy looking, his hair grown and those curls were back, although she knew he would get them cut soon now he was home. It didn't pass her notice, that hollow look under his eyes, the tiredness he obviously felt. The sadness too, he had written telling her of the incident where Dylan Smith had died and the rest of the section injured. She knew he sometimes carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, his overwhelming feelings of responsibility to his men.

She came out from behind the kitchen counter starting to walk towards him and he now had full view of the ensemble she was wearing his eyes widened and he ran his tongue over his teeth. "Bloody hell Moll, how did you get into those trousers?"

"Getting into them wasn't a problem Charlie" she giggled her hands going round his neck and pulling his head towards hers "Getting back out of them might be"

His hands running down her back and pulling her close to him "Leather" he grinned waggling his eyebrows "Don't think I have seen these before"

"Faux Leather" she grinned "Had 'em ages, you just 'aven't noticed"

"Oh" he snorted a laugh "I think I would"

"Couple of the girls in the parlour were kicking off, so I had quite a lot of running about to do today, thought trousers might be best, don't you like 'em?"

"Oh yes very much" he growled into her ear and picking her up as her legs wrapped around his waist, both of them laughing "Let me help you take them off, relax a bit before you figure out how to cook that wonderful dinner I can see"

"Well, I might need a spot of help with that an all Charlie" grinning and giving him a feather light kiss "I ain't too sure what sort of oven we've got and its different times depending on what you've got" He laughed, for the first time in months he really laughed "you run a nightclub, break up a fight in a cathouse…"

"Massage Parlour Charlie" she interrupted and he nodded as he started carrying her towards their bedroom

"Break up a fight in a massage parlour" he shrugged at her correction but still laughing "and yet you can't figure out how to use the oven" He laid her down on the bed, stroking loose strands of her hair away from her face "I do know how to use it" she replied in mock annoyance and swiping at his arm "I know where the knob is to turn it on, I just don't know if it's got a fan or not and what Gas Mark to use"

Charles grabbed her hand catching a glimpse of her engagement ring kissing her knuckles before looking back into her eyes, recognising the look a mixture of happiness and lust as her eyes wandered over him. His own eyes darkening with the same feeling "I have really missed you Molly Dawes" bringing his head down to kiss her cheek "Well must be all that charm and magnetism" running her own hands greedily up his chest and round his neck trying to pull him closer to her. "You have plenty of that, which is just as well" he started kissing her neck and couldn't help grinning "and just to help you out" he murmured into her ear "the oven's electric"

"Is it" said Molly laughing hysterically, all Charles ministrations coming to a halt she was laughing so much "Well I never knew that"

"Because you've never bloody use it" laughed Charles. Molly pushed him back onto the bed straddling his hips her eyes shining with mischief "it messes up the kitchen don't it"

-OG-

It was sometime before the pair of them cooked the dine in for two and were now snuggled on the sofa with the remnants of the bottle of wine that came with it.

"Well that wasn't so bad was it" smiled Charles and taking a sip of his wine "Perhaps we could invite Elvis and Georgie over for dinner one night"

"What do you think they will like coco pops" grinned Molly her thumb stroking his leg and Charles couldn't help but snort a laugh "Probably not, but you can use the oven as well as me now" kissing the top of her head as his fingers ran up and down her arm.

"When was you thinking" and he shrugged "Couple of weeks perhaps" and his mood started to darken as he thought about what he had to do, what he had been able to put out of his mind for the last few hours with Molly. She sensed the shift in mood and leant into him, her arm coming round his waist. He had told her what had happened out there.

"I can come with you" kissing his jaw "You know to the funeral and that"

"Thanks Molly" he sighed " but I was going to stop off in Bath on the way back, just for the night, see my parents, they are back from Lake Garda" he sighed again he would like her there but could understand why she wouldn't want to go "What with Andrew finished uni and living there I wasn't sure you would be happy staying there"

"I think I can manage one night in your brother's company without wanting to string him up" she rolled her eyes "I ain't ever gonna trust him but he's your brother ain't he and Jacks OK, might have been a bit different if he wasn't but he is, so I can be on me best behaviour"

He looked down grinning at her "Your best behaviour" and raised an eyebrow

"Course, promise" looking straight into his eyes and he nodded "I can come with you see the lads in hospital if you like, hold your hand" shaking his head as he looked into her concerned eyes "I'm a Captain, in the British Army" Molly shrugged and kissed his chin "We all need someone to hold our hand sometimes Charlie". He couldn't take his eyes off her as he pulled her across on to his lap then cupping her face with his hands "I love you" smiling and leaning forward to kiss her, his heart racing with the feelings he felt for her.

-OG-

Charles had the radio on quietly as they drove from East London to Newport. It was a warm sunny day and Molly couldn't help but think it looked all wrong, it should have been overcast or raining. Charles was looking very smart in his uniform but he was being very quiet, not saying much. Apart from mentioning briefly what happened in his letter to her, he hadn't spoken of it again. Hadn't given her all the details, but perhaps he wasn't allowed to, what with him being in the army and that, maybe it was all secret. She wished he would though, she was sure it was bothering him a lot more than he was letting on. Could see it in his eyes, in his face when he didn't know she was watching him.

There were a lot of uniforms there, just like when his brother died thought Molly although she didn't recognise many of the faces from that funeral. Still in hospital Charles had said. Sergeant King was there and so was Fingers, who she met last time. Charles did the same reading as before just like Candy Smith had asked. The folding of the flag and passing it to her by Sergeant King was a bit emotional and Molly could see clearly that she was broken and barely keeping it together, both her boys, different wars, she couldn't think of anything worse. As they filed outside into the sun shine, the men all standing respectfully and her standing next to Charles, Candy walked passed still carrying that folded flag stopping on her way to the waiting car "I gave the army my boys and they gave me back a flag" she said looking at Charles tears in her eyes as she turned away and was supported by a relative before continuing her journey to the car. Molly couldn't tear her eyes away from Charles as his head lowered and she saw it, that expression on his face, she didn't think she had ever seen him look so upset and sad and instantly grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. There was something else there too in that look.

Charles felt her small hand in his and looked across to her, his eyes glistening and Molly thought he looked close to tears himself as she went to bring up her hand to his face but he backed away from it. He squeezed her hand tightly and gave an almost imperceptible nod and she realised her mistake, he was in uniform, he was the Captain and when wearing that he didn't do emotional involvement. That was what he had always told her, the only way to stay focused was to remain detached. He let go of her hand and went to see the sections who were still standing outside the church, this wasn't the man she lived with, the one that held her heart and wrapped herself around at night, this one was detached and feeling guilty. She knew him well enough and he would come back to her, she knew that, when he was ready.

"Hello Molly" and she swung round to face the person speaking to her, recognising it as one of Charles men and smiled at him "Fingers ain't it?" and he nodded grinning at her "Sorry about your mate" she sympathised "How are the rest of them?"

"Most of them should be leaving hospital soon to go home, busted legs, ribs and arms but all getting better, thanks for asking" he grinned and held out his own arm which was in plaster.

"What about Dangles" she asked Charles had told her about him, that he had lost his leg just below his knee. Fingers shrugged "depressed, but understandable, careers fucked, going to spend months in rehab" he sighed "least his family are all up in Brum and they can get to see him no problem"

"I think we are going up to see them all in the next day or two" said Molly sympathetically

"He'll like that" grinned Fingers "You still got that club?" and Molly nodded "The invites still there if you all want to come one night, just let us know in advance and we can reserve a table for you" she said carefully and remembering that Charles didn't want them to know his name for some reason. Charles had seen Molly talking with Fingers out the corner of his eye and went back to join her, nodding at his Private. "Everything OK Fingers" he asked and Fingers nodded "Molly here was just telling me she still has that club in London and we can all come for a night out" he grinned

"Indeed, well yes, just let me know when you are intending on coming so I can let Molly know to lay on extra security for you pissheads" he smiled at Fingers who was trying to look affronted and failing dismally.

"Perhaps when Dangles finishes his rehab, he'd like a good night out in London" continued Fingers the smile leaving Charles face as he nodded.

-OG-

The drive to Bath was equally as quiet as the one from London as Charles ruminated over the day. Candy's words going over and over in his mind I gave the army my boys and they gave me back a flag. He didn't think he would forget that for as long as he lived.

They pulled up in the road outside the big Bath house in Royal Crescent. Beth must have been looking out the window for him thought Molly, they had only just opened the car doors to get out when the front door swung open and Beth came to greet them. Giving Molly a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before trying to do the same to Charles who Molly thought looked a little stiff in her embrace. Pulling away to say he needed to get their overnight bags out the boot. Beth turned to look towards Molly who could only shrug.

Charles wanted to change straight away into his civvies and it was just Molly and his parents in the kitchen when he returned and he could hear them laughing as Molly regaled them with the latest Dawes updates. Apparently Dave and Belinda were finally going to Spain to visit Tony and Doris, he'd only got his bleedin passport. Pissed off he had to get someone to sign the photo's saying he was who he said he was. The only bleeder that knows who I am is me muvva, he insisted. The last time he had seen a doctor was when he was in hospital with his busted legs and if they thought he was going to a cop shop, they were very much mistaken.

"Who did he get to sign it then" laughed Beth

"That funny mare, you know mums mate Shazza, one of the teachers"

"Bet he's glad he never chucked her on the M25 now then" giggled Beth "I can't believe that after all these years Dave is finally going to leave London and go on a holiday that he actually wants to go on"

"Beth, really" responded a horrified William at what she had said, but then heard the hysterical laughter from Molly and realised she didn't seem to be offended at the inference the only other time he left was his eight years in Maidstone prison.

"You and me both Beth" laughed Molly "Don't know how Mum managed it"

Charles was standing in the doorway listening to the chatter. Mundane things, it felt normal, listening to his parents and Molly just talking and laughing about nothing of any importance. He drew in a large breath, his hands in his pockets and thought of his uniform neatly folded away, the people he cared most about sitting in the kitchen drinking tea. How many more times would he be sent back to Afghan, the graveyard of Empires? What on earth made him suddenly remember that? Couldn't for the life of him remember who had said it but he had definitely heard it somewhere. He sighed as he walked into the room to join the conversations, he hoped it wouldn't be for a long time as he sat down next to Molly kissing the top of her head as he passed, his mum passing him a cup of coffee and he planted a smile on his face.

-OG-

Andrew and Rebecca had been out all day but had obviously come back for dinner. Beth had laid on a lovely spread, she knew that Charles was only recently back from Afghan and wanted him to have all his favourite food, while she adored Molly and her exuberance she knew she was no domestic goddess, and why should she be times were different now, she did want her son to have a good meal inside of him before they were off again to visit his injured men in Birmingham. She also knew how difficult this dinner would be for Molly and wanted to make it special for them. Coming face to face again with Andrew must be hard for her, but she seemed to have put that aside to support Charles. She didn't miss the odd glint in her eye as she looked at Andrew and watched as she buried it she'd seen it before in all their eyes Molly, Gary and Jack's. William and she had a few words while they were changing for dinner they had noticed a change in him, that Molly had also noticed and was trying her best to stop him drifting back to silence. She hoped that Charles and William might get an opportunity to chat before they left the next day, he might be able to help him deal with what was going through his mind at the moment.

"So how is the new club going?" asked Rebecca now that they were all sitting down for dinner.

"It's not so new now" answered Molly "I don't really have that much to do with it now the manager is in, it was really Gary and Nicky that set it up, it was Jac's and me that came up with the acts" down playing as usual her input to the layout and design, never comfortable about talking about herself and the family.

"Are you looking for another club" Rebecca carried on, she wanted the exposure for her design work and this would be an ideal opportunity to see if she could get contracts in London that would set her and Andrew up for life. Molly shrugged "Would like me own club at some point, but haven't found anything at the moment that meet with what I'm looking for" shrugging again "then there is do I run it, what with everything else, or stick a manager in"

"Well Andrew can do that if you needed a manager, after all he did run the casino and a nightclub wouldn't be too much of a leap" Molly's eyes narrowed and she felt Charles hand on her leg as she looked across to Andrew, who was concentrating on his food. Typical she thought, still a bleedin coward, hadn't told her nothing about his past and why he came back to Bath. Don't say nothing Molly told herself, she promised Charlie she would be on her best behaviour and she would, he had enough shit going through his head at the moment without her adding to it by kicking off.

"Is Belinda looking forward to her trip to Spain" grinned Beth also wanting the conversation moved away from talking about the clubs, she knew what Rebecca was up to, she had always had ambition that girl and didn't care who she stepped on to get what she wanted, that's why she never wanted her as a daughter in law, Charles she knew never thought of her as anything other than a friend but Andrew had fallen for her and she still wasn't sure if he only married her because she had been a friend of Charles, that jealousy he had always had for his younger brother. She had a bad feeling that her son had far more feelings for her than she did for him. Look what Rebecca had done to their home, she had been allowed to cook dinner for them all in a kitchen that no longer felt like hers. The top floor was hers and Williams if they were here.

Molly looked at her with relief a smile spreading across her face "Too right she is, her first time on a plane" still grinning "I don't know why you don't join them out there, it must be an age since Doris saw you" completely ignoring the sour expression on Rebecca's face "Fred and Josie are going as well, will be a right old knees up"

Beth grinned looking towards William who nodded "Up to you Beth if you want to go we could probably find a hotel near there"

"You don't need to do that Beth" exclaimed Molly "I'll tell mum when we get back, she can phone Doris, you should see the size of their place, they would love to have you stay there as well, you're family ain't ya" still grinning "You know what Doris is like, that's why they built it like they did, she always liked a house full of people"

"Well it would be nice to see everyone again" sighed Beth

"Dave got any new jokes" smirked William

"Ain't he just" she giggled "You'll be pissing your pants" Yep he really was home thought Charles as he couldn't stop laughing, nearly choking on his wine at Molly's response to his father.

"I still can't stop laughing at the one about two men breaking in to the chemist and taking all the Viagra" William chortled and Charles burst into laughter "Yes I remember that one, and the police are out looking for two hardened criminals"

"Yeah always was subtle my Dad" grinned Molly rolling her eyes.

-OG-

Between his mother and himself they had kept the conversation away from London and the clubs. It wasn't for him to tell Rebecca that neither she nor Andrew would ever be included in the Dawes or Smith business. Andrew had seen to that with his actions, which culminated in the shooting of Jack. Molly would never have either of them working with her. He had a distinct feeling that Rebecca's ambition would bring the subject up again though and while Molly had promised he knew she had only so much patience. Early start tomorrow he thought sighing to himself.

He heard footsteps behind him as he stood in the kitchen making one of his coffee's and turned thinking it was Molly, but it wasn't.

"Thought I would join you for coffee" simpered Rebecca "Don't really like tea". Charles nodded and started to make another coffee passing his to her.

"How are you, it's been a long time" she asked and Charles nodded "All good Rebecca, you?"

"Same" she giggled "Although I do find it a little quiet down here"

"I'm surprised, Camberley was hardly a hub of social activity" raising an eyebrow and suddenly seeing what Elvis had always said about Rebecca, reminded him of a scorpion he had said and Charles had an urge to laugh. "Already eyeing up her mate as prey" he had said "Even before the deeds been done she knows she's gonna sting him"

"True" she shrugged "But it wasn't as far to get into London for a show or a decent restaurant"

"Why don't you and Andrew find somewhere closer then?"

"That's what I was rather hoping you could help with Charles" she smiled as she moved closer to the counter and standing next to him "If Molly is looking at opening another club if you could remind her that I am a designer and Andrew an accountant, we could help her set it up, she wouldn't need to look for anyone else to help her get it off the ground"

"Have you asked what Andrew wants, does he want this?"

"Of course he does" but her eyes had left his and flitted to the coffee as she picked up her cup. She hadn't spoken with him, knew he worked in their casino but came back to finish his degree. Now was the time to push, get what they wanted, if she had a name in design, a career it would be far easier to pick it back up again if she took a break. Molly was little more than a kid and as common as muck with no qualifications, so she would be far better placed to run a business after all she had the qualifications to do it. Once they had proved they could and got the contacts, they could break away and set up their own business the profits would be all theirs then.

Charles sighed and thought of previous conversations with Molly, but in this instance he felt that Rebecca had absolutely no idea of what she could be getting into and no idea what would be expected. That was assuming Molly would give her the opportunity to be a part of any new business venture, which he didn't think for one moment she would.

"Molly hasn't any immediate plans for a new club and if she did the family have contractors that would design and build it for them" he rubbed his hand across the back of his neck "You should speak with Andrew and ask him what he wants"

"Have you told her about us" asked Rebecca, she wasn't sure on this as being a good move but her ambition to live and work in London, have a ready-made clientele and business partner outweighed her dilemma of the wisdom of her words. Even as she looked at Charles straighten up and a look of disgust creep across his face she held on to the hope that she would get the contracts for the Dawes and Smith business.

"Couldn't give a shit about you and him" came a voice from the doorway. Charles closed his eyes as he saw her face, devoid of everything no way of telling what she was thinking or what she was going to do next and his heart raced as he opened them again to look at Molly, her arms folded across her chest, her face blank and her eyes were cold and hard.

"Charlie's right" she said quietly containing her anger, after all she promised she would be on her best behaviour "I ain't got plans to start a new club but if I do I have all the people in place and don't need no one else as a partner, it's usually people to work there that we need, you wanna be one of the strippers" she looked across to Charles who was in a similar stance to her, legs apart arms across his chest although he appeared to be looking at his feet digesting that she had clearly heard most of the conversation "Now I have to ask do you give extras a lot of the girls do"

By the look on Rebecca's face, as she stormed out the kitchen, Molly had a distinct feeling she had made an enemy, but who gave a toss, she certainly didn't.

"I sometimes wonder Charlie if you should be let out on your own" she grinned as she watched his shoulders rise and fall his head still looking down towards his feet as he tried to stop himself laughing

"I can't believe you asked her if she gave extras" he couldn't stop it, he burst out laughing. She walked into the room and up close to him, close enough to smell his aftershave and felt the familiar tug of him turning her head up to face him "You have to tell Andrew to have a word before we leave, they ain't ever working for the family"

He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close and still smirking over what she said to Rebecca "I promise, I'll talk to him" she raised her eyebrows at him "I will" he kissed her forehead "I don't think he even knows that is what she wants"

"If you don't sort this Charlie" she grinned "next time they are up visiting Fred I'll take her to one of the parlours, say we are thinking of setting up a dominatrix room and I'd be interested in her thoughts and how many hours a week would she like"

He would definitely have that chat, he knew Molly would carry out her threat if Rebecca persisted. She was well versed in what went on in that parlour and while they did do massages and facials, other things went on there too, and laughed like a drain as she repeated to him some of the stories the girls had told her about what some blokes liked. He hadn't got a clue what some of the things were, never having heard the terms before, but there were some very strange people out there.

-OG-

Charles did get an opportunity to talk with Andrew about Rebecca and her asking if they could run Molly's new club if she set one up. He was absolutely horrified when he heard and visibly paled at the thought. He would tell her that London was not a place he wanted to live again.

They set off fairly early as they were going to Birmingham first to see his men that were still in hospital before heading back to London.

Fingers was already there at the hospital visiting his mates on his way back to Manchester when Molly and Charles arrived. They chatted for a few hours and it would seem most of them were about to be discharged. Even Dangles said it would be a couple of weeks at home before his rehab started but until his injury had healed it would be a while before he got a prosthetic and then more rehab while he learnt to use it. He told her that he would be in Headley for a long time.

Fingers spoke up "Don't worry mate we will come and see you and Molly here has a club in London we can take you there"

"Is that this strip club I've been hearing about from Baz" grinned Dangles

"It ain't a strip club" huffed Molly "but there are dancers"

Charles had been talking with his Corporal when he saw that Molly was surrounded by his men as they talked with Dangles. It was good to see him smiling, he had been worrying about him. All of them really, a good group of lads and their previous tours to Kosovo and Sierra Leone had made them a close knit bunch. What the hell was Molly promising them as he noticed Fingers with his good arm round her shoulder and her throwing her head back laughing, best he go over there and see what they were up to.

Seems they had convinced Molly that they should hold the section Christmas party in their club in Stratford. Right he would be having words with Sergeant King and Corporal Kinders to make sure they were also in attendance, he didn't want it to be just his responsibility keeping this lot from getting too pissed.

-OG-

He had new men in the sections, Monk and Maisie in two section and a lad called Rab in one section. Maisie was driving him insane with her bolshie attitude and questioning everything. Told him he was really posh and spent ages trying to teach him cockney while they were out on exercise, clearly no one had mentioned he lived with one and he could probably teach her more cockney than she already knew. He asked Georgie to mentor her, before he completely lost it with her and put her on a permanent latrine clean. He wasn't noticing much improvement, although there was some, he got the feeling Georgie was tearing her hair out trying to get her to do as she was told.

Still no word of further deployments, they were still sending troops to Afghanistan and there were strong rumours there would be a US invasion of Iraq once they had support. Looks like they would all be home this year and the section would get their night out in London.

-OG-

Georgie and Elvis were staying in their flat for the night. He was glad that Elvis was home, he would have another Captain's support in keeping the sections in check. Seems most of them had booked rooms in a local Travel Lodge, he really wouldn't want to be a guest there tonight.

He was talking with Elvis and Georgie when Molly came out of their bed room, all ready for the night ahead. Tonight she was wearing a dark emerald green wrap over dress, her hair down and over one shoulder, her eyes looking particularly green with that dress as she smiled at him. If they hadn't got guests he wouldn't mind turning her around leading her back to their bed room, taking it off again and skipping the night out.

"Look I have to get to the club" she started looking at her watch "it's a bit early so you're welcome to follow on later, I'll pick up something to eat at the club" as she grinned at Charles, she had seen that look when she walked into the room, kissing him on the cheek as she leant over the back of the sofa.

"It's alright darling" grinned Elvis "Think he wants to go with you anyway" nodding in Charles direction and smirking, Molly couldn't help but giggle looks like nothing much got past him either "We can all eat early, I know he is worried about his sections getting too pissed and causing mayhem, best we are already there in case they turn up early" Georgie couldn't help but laugh at Elvis's remark, she knew that Fingers, Brains and Monk would be there early, they had picked up Dangles and brought him to London hours ago. Barry phoned up to say that Molly's driver was outside and they all trouped down

"Watcha Col" beamed Molly as she got in the back seat followed by Georgie and Elvis, Charles sitting in the front "You on the doors tonight?" "Yeah Molls, that's why Gary said to come get you, saves us all trying to find parking" he grinned in the rear view mirror at Molly "Seems we have a busy night tonight, load of soldiers coming in so I hear" still grinning and looking out the corner of his eye to Charles.

"I don't think they will be causing too much of a problem" laughed Elvis looking at the man mountain in front.

"Think you're Dad and Fred said they might stop by later as well" added Col

-OG-

While Charles, Elvis, Georgie and Jack, who had just turned up, were served an early dinner, he couldn't stop looking at Molly racing around with Jackie and Gary, she looked stunning in that dress. The chef came out and placed a couple of big bowls of roast potatoes on the bar. Every time Molly or Jackie walked passed they grabbed one, along with waiters and bar staff, a bit later more turned up along with sausages. No wonder Molly stayed so trim he thought eating on the hoof like this. He was pretty sure that when he was on tour this is exactly how Molly eat. No wonder she didn't know what type of oven they had, shaking his head and grinning. Food kept turning up and all the staff seemed to just help themselves.

Jackie walked towards them asking if everything was OK and were they ready for the next course. She spotted Charles eyeing up what was in her hand. "Roasted Cauliflower" she grinned "Blindin chef we've got, all stuff we can eat on the run" she grinned at Charles "Don't think we always eat like this, busiest time of year December, rest of the year we actually manage to sit down and eat" She couldn't help but notice as his eyes kept drifting back to Molly and she sat down next to him "She eats with us upstairs quite a bit, sometimes goes round to Belinda and Dave's with Jack, she and I sometimes get the time off and go out for lunch" she continued to watch him as his eyes followed her round the room talking with doormen, waiters and some of the dancers who had come out for some of the food sitting on the bar "think if you are away she just goes home to sleep" she started to stand, it was a busy night, but she sometimes thought that Charles didn't realise just how much Molly missed him when he was away, that she burnt the candle at both ends so she didn't have to sit at home.

Georgie had never been in a nightclub so early before and she hadn't realised the hive of activity that went on behind the scenes before the punters turned up. The man Col who had brought them here all dressed in his evening jacket and dickie bow had winked as he passed them. The lads would have a good night she thought as she smirked wondering how the likes of Brains and Fingers were going to react when they realised their straight laced Captain, who bollocked them for misdemeanours, was living with the woman who was part owner of this place.

-OG-

The sections turned up and Charles wasn't surprised to see how early two section arrived with Dangles. They joined him at his table with Georgie and Elvis, Jack getting up as he saw his Dad and Fred turn up and went to join them at the bar.

Charles couldn't believe that Molly had put this much effort into seeing his sections had a good time, she knew they had a tough time with loosing Smurf and their worries for Dangles. She may like to think she was as hard as nails but he knew different. She would want them to enjoy themselves, they had buried a colleague and were worried about their friend and his recovery from his injuries. Food turned up, jugs of Long Island Tea and he had a bad feeling that this was going to get seriously messy. He stuck with his beer along with Elvis, although Georgie joined in with the lads. The sections alternating between the two. He noticed that Dangles didn't participate in the jugs of tea but stuck rigidly to his pint. Charles knew that he couldn't just sit here with 2 section and moved around the tables to the other sections once the food had finished. He went to stand at the bar with Molly just before the show started, there would be respite in how busy they were while the show was on and he couldn't help but smirk at the expression on Fingers face. He was almost dribbling as the show girls came out in their Basques, stockings and suspenders dancing round their chairs to the latest songs, then another set of girls similarly dressed almost falling from the ceiling on silk sheets as they performed acrobatics to music, contorting into all manner of shapes. He shook his head grinning at his sections who were transfixed and enraptured by the performances. "Thanks" he whispered close to her ear "I think they are all having a good time", his arms around her waist as she leant against him, an hour together while the show was going on "No sweat" she answered wriggling against him and was rewarded with a soft groan making her laugh, his chin resting on her head as he held her tighter.

The dinner and show finished, the club lights dimmed further and the DJ started his session the sections getting up to dance, more people arriving into the club all the time. As usual he didn't get to spend a lot of time with Molly once the show finished, she was racing around with Jackie helping clear tables of food and glasses, the waiters run off their feet with the amount of people here as part of the December office festivities. Gary helping out behind the bar if the queue looked like it was getting too long.

He went to sit with Dangles as the rest of the table appeared to be on the dance floor "Are you OK Dangles" and he nodded as he took a sip of beer "Bit worried about what I'll do" and Charles couldn't help but think that was an understatement, Dangles clearly didn't want to spoil everyone's night with his worries "If you want to talk or need any advice you can always get in touch with me" he offered. "Thanks Boss" To his surprise, Jack, Fred and Dave came and sat down with them.

"Ere you heard this one Charlie" grinned Dave "What's the difference between kinky and perverted" Jack rolled his eyes at Charles, he had heard it and it wasn't really that funny the first time "Kinky is when you tickle your girlfriend with a feather and perverted is when you use the whole bird."

Charles hadn't realised that Fingers had come back off the dancefloor and was standing behind them until he roared with laughter as he came round and sat with them. "You heard this one then Dave" he laughed before he even started the joke, Brains also coming to sit down with them not really being a dancer and concerned for their mate Dangles who probably couldn't and was still on pills and shouldn't drink like they were. Fingers had already had a skinful and was likely to go up a gear and forget that there were 2 Captains here, plus their Sergeant and Corporal, not to mention that he could offend Molly and her family if he went too far with his antics. This looked like a really posh club in comparison to some of the places they frequented on a night out and they might not get asked again if they pissed everyone off. Fingers coughed to get the attention back to him "What's the difference between a tyre and 365 used condoms" Brains closed his eyes, he couldn't believe that he was even contemplating doing this one in front of their captain, completely unperturbed as everyone shook their heads "Ones a goodyear and the other is a great year"

"No, I ain't heard that one" laughed Dave "Fred remind me of that next time we are down the Earl"

The evening was winding down and people were leaving, Charles got to speak with Molly and take her onto the dance floor. Every now and again he checked and looked across to Dangles who was in deep conversation with Fred, Dave and Jack. He worried about Dangles and what he would do once he left the army. They would get him through his injuries but what about after that.

"They're good blokes ain't they" grinned Molly looking around seeing most on the dance floor, some at the bar and her Dad, Fred and Jack chatting away to Dangles "Your sections I mean" as her fingers stroked the back of his neck. He snorted a laugh "Some of the time, yes they are" his own hands round her waist. He looked back to Dangles again, the men at the bar and on the dance floor "It's a family" he sighed remembering his pep talk when they arrived in Kabul "It's not just to look after number one but the man next to you, it's what gets you through it" Molly held onto him a little bit tighter, looking into those dark brown eyes that looked a little lost reminding her of the boy that had helped her down from that tree.