I apologise for the very long delay. I had hoped to make significantly more progress, but real life has been a major distraction. I wanted to get this update posted, even though it is very short, as I know it will likely be a couple weeks before I will be able to dedicate more time to writing. I promise that I will finish this, and that in a few weeks, I should be able to pick up my pace. Also, I know I owe some of you responses to your private messages and will get to them soon. Thank you for your patience.
December 2017
Southern Provence
Sierra Leone
For fuck's sake!I thought as my eyes took in the pathetic create curled up in the corner of the squalid cell. I knew Dawes was small from reading her file, but she looked positively titchy. It was also apparent from the blood, piss, and vomit stains on the ground that the beating she had endured in her proof of life video had not been a one-off.
"Dawes?" I crouched down next to her, only for her to burrow deeper into her protective ball.
"Dawes?" I tried again, before gently pushing a strand of her hair aside so that I could see face. As I suspected, she'd literally had seven shades of shit knocked out of her. Her left eye was completely swollen shut, she had a nasty cut on her lip, dried blood running from her nose and various other scrapes on her face. The fact that someone could do this to her delicate skin had me seeing red. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to dispatch the sick fucks who had done this to her.
Suddenly I caught myself. Since when had I ever given a fuck about a primary? I was here to do a job. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Dawes, I'm here to bring you home," I announced, hoping that this might prompt her to peek up at me.
"Dawes, can you look at me?" I asked gently, knowing that if I so much as touched her, it would only terrify her further. "If you look at me, you'll see I'm telling the truth." I didn't exactly look welcoming with my Crye Precision MultiCam combats, helmet, balaclava, L119A2 assault rifle, and gear, but I knew that If I could just get her to look at me, she would recognize that I was Special Forces.
"Do you think you could try? I know you're scared shitless, but I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you. I'm on the up and up, Dawes. The only thing I plan to do is get you out of this hellhole and get your short arse back to Brum where it belongs. Now, how about giving me a once over? I know you've got it in you, Dawes," I encouraged.
Slowly, Dawes lifted her head to glance up at me. While her picture had been in the recce file I had been provided, her photograph had not done her justice as I found myself best by the most captivating green eyes I had ever seen. Even if I could only see just one eye, it was enough to stop me in my tracks… Christ, what the hell was wrong with me? I never lost focus like this.
"What's your name?" I looked back at her in surprise as she croaked out her question in a hoarse voice.
"Bones," I murmured, as the strangest feeling came over me that something profound had just occurred between us.
"You're…," I could see the recognition filter across her face. Obviously, my reputation had preceded me once again. Either that, or she had been told about my involvement in the arsemonger's rescue from Belize.
"Look, this is no time for a chinwag, Dawes," I cut her off as I reached for my knife and began breaking through the ropes that bound her hands together. "I know you are fit for the knacker's yard, but we need to crack-on before we are rumbled. I want you to take my hand and then I am going to lift you up and carry you. My men are waiting outside and are ready to escort us out of here."
Dawes gave a slight nod in response.
"I promise that I will be as gentle as possible," I assured, as I took in her dazed expression. "Once we get to a safe area, Peanut, will help get you sorted. He's a trained medic like yourself. Now, I need you to trust me, Dawes. I know what I am doing and I promise not to let anything happen to you. All you need to do is hold onto me tightly and let me do my job. It's imperative that you trust me, Dawes. It's the only way this can work. Can you trust me, Dawes?" I asked before reaching my hand out to her.
"Y-Yes," she whispered before slowly reaching her hand out and clasping mine weakly in return, making me wonder for a brief moment if I was holding the most precious thing in the world…
-X-
Mid-September 2019
Newham, London
United Kingdom
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" I looked at Bones sceptically as we exited the Upton Park Tube Station. We had arrived in London earlier that morning for the DMRC Charity Ball. Bones had surprised me by suggesting that we travel to London two days before the Ball. It turned out that he had decided it was time to meet my family.
While I wasn't keen on the idea, I knew that I couldn't put it off forever. I had called my mum a few days ago and had asked if we could visit at tea time. I had yet to tell anyone in my family about Bones. Instead, I had told my mum that I would be in London and wanted to see everyone.
"Keep your hair on Dawesey," Bones smirked. "I have every intention of minding my p's and q's," he assured. To Bones's credit, he'd agreed to take the tube, rather than drive us to Newham in his Rover or pay for a black cab. He'd also dressed down in a black, cotton crewneck t-shirt, faded jeans, and black combat boots.
"Don't be surprised if after five minutes with my family you feel like you've been dropped into an episode of Shameless," I warned.
"I think I can hold my own," Bones assured. It was obvious that he could sense that I was worried that my family might embarrass me.
"And whatever you do, don't give my dad any bread and honey no matter what type of cock and bull story he feeds you."
"I'll think you'll find that there's not a wedge to be found in my wallet today."
"Good," I breathed a sigh of relief, as Bones reached for my arm and stopped me on the pavement.
"As I have told you before, I don't give a monkey about your background. I only care about you. Nothing about your family is going to change how I feel about you," he assured. "Now, will you please stop having kittens?" he requested.
"Yes," I smiled back at him, glad for his reassurance. "But don't say I didn't warn you," I chuckled as we proceeded towards my parents' maisonette.
-X-
Upon entering my parents' living room, I was immediately ambushed by the little bleeders who were not so little any more. It was hard to imagine that Martin, would be eight soon. I was also pleased to find the entire family assembled. My sister Jade, was now married to a decent bloke and worked in the nail bar I worked at previously. Bella had taken a secretarial course and worked as an administrative assistant at a small construction firm. Jake was the oldest of my brothers, and at twenty, it seemed that the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree. He spent most of his time at the pub with his mates and had yet to find himself a proper job. Tommy, my next brother, was in secondary school and didn't seem to be as lazy or daft as Jake. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.
"Look what the cat's dragged in," Dave remarked lazily from where he was seated on the sofa drinking a beer. "Who's the bloke?" he eyed Bones suspiciously.
"You didn't tell us you were bringing your doctor friend, Molls," Nan chided as she gave Bones a flirtatious smile. "You know I'm not one to forget a handsome devil. What was your name again, luv?"
"Bones. It's nice to meet you again, Ma'am," Bones smiled at Nan politely.
"No need to call me, Ma'am, luv. I'm not the Baked Bean," she chuckled, referring to the Queen in Cockney rhyming slang. "Please call me, Nan. It's what everyone else calls me," she invited.
"Thank you, Nan."
"Are you going to introduce the rest of us to your friend?" Jade prompted out of curiosity.
"Umm, right," I shifted awkwardly in my stance. "This is Bones. Bones, this is my mum, who you've met before, along with my youngest brother Martin."
"Mrs. Dawes," Bones politely offered his hand.
"These two over here," I motioned to my other brothers, "are Tommy and Jake, and these are my sisters, Bella and Jade."
"Nice to meet you," Bones was trying his best to be cordial.
"And this is my dad, Dave," I nodded uncomfortably in the direction of my Dave, who was still seated on the sofa.
"Mr. Dawes," Bones made a point to walk over to the sofa and offer my dad his hand.
"What type of bleeding name is Bones?" Dave pointedly ignored Bones's hand.
"His name is Alexander, Dad," I responded, as I joined Bones in front of my dad. "Alexander McClyde. However, everyone in the Army calls him Bones."
"And what does this Army quack have to do with you, Molls?"
"He's my boyfriend," I revealed, much to the surprise of my siblings.
"I told you he was her boyfriend," Nan looked smugly at my mum. As usual, very little escaped Nan's notice.
-X-
"So, you're a doctor?" Jade began to question Bones once everyone was seated in the living room.
"He's not a doctor," I corrected. "Nan just assumed he was when we were here in May."
"What kind of bloke lies about being a doctor?" Jake scowled at Bones.
"Bones was in the middle of a covert operation, and it seemed like a reasonable cover at the time," I defended.
"What exactly do you do in the Army?" Dave continued to look at Bones with derision.
"My work is highly classified, Sir," Bones replied, not intimidated by Dave in the least.
"It's similar to what Elvis did," I revealed.
"Oh," my mum frowned. "I suppose it must be dangerous then," she surmised.
"It can be, but I am a trained professional and I am good at what I do."
"I'm sure you are, but I cannot help but be reminded of what happened to poor Elvis. It devastated Charlie. And Georgie, the dear girl had only just reunited with him. I cannot even imagine how she cooped," my mum lamented, causing me to dig my fingernails into the palms of my hands to avoid reacting. "Are you sure you want to risk putting yourself through that, Molls?"
"I think Molly is more than capable of making her own decisions, Mum," Bella interjected. "Haven't you realised by now that Molly is a lot tougher than she looks?"
"I know but…"
"I for one think it is wonderful you are willing to take a chance with someone after what that scumbag did to you."
"Bella!" my mum looked aghast.
"What? I'm just stating the truth," my sister objected.
"But you don't understand, Charlie was ill," Mum protested.
"He looked just fine to me the night before the wedding," Bella scoffed.
"Jake, I think it is time you told them," Mum looked to her eldest son.
"Told them what?" Dave bristled.
"I've enlisted."
"Enlisted in what?" Dave demanded.
"The Army."
"You've what?" I stared at my brother in disbelief.
"I always thought you were as thick as a brick, but this takes the biscuit," Dave glared at Jake. "You better damn well be talking out of your arse," he warned.
"He's not," Jade interjected. "Mum was sick and tired of him dossing about with no prospects and was afraid he would end up like you."
"What's the harm in that?" Dave countered, clearly miffed at Jade.
"Mum's right. I cannot sit around here wasting my life away. If the Army is good enough for Molly, it's more than good enough for me."
"When do you start your Phase One training?" I questioned, still somewhat taken aback that my good for nothing brother had enlisted.
"I'm headed to Catterick in October."
"For the Combat Infantry Course?" Even I could not hide my surprise.
"What? You don't think I'm good enough to have gotten in?"
"Do you have any idea as to what you have signed up for?" I couldn't picture my brother surviving the first week of his course.
"Of course, I do," Jake scoffed. "Besides, what would you know about combat? You were just a female medic in Afghan. It's not like you saw any real action."
"Don't expect to get very far in CIC with an attitude like that," Bones warned my brother in a steely voice. It was clear he was reaching the limit of his patience.
"Shut your bleeding cakehole!" Jake's face turned red with anger. "Charlie told me all about what a dishonourable bastard you are."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded.
"I thought Charlie or his father might put in a good word to get Jake into Catterick," Mum revealed.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I could not believe my mum and brother would stoop so low.
"He was more than happy to help. In fact, Charlie stopped by a few weeks ago to let Mum and I know that everything was sorted. He also told us about his illness and everything that followed."
"How could you?" I seethed at my mum.
"Molls, you should really talk to Charlie. I know he hurt you, but he was trying to protect you. He loves you, Molly, and he wants to make things right."
"Protect me? The man bloody destroyed me!"
"He thought he was doing the right thing," Jake defended. "If you weren't so stubborn, you would see that for yourself. As for the smarmy bastard sitting next to you, Charlie told us all about him."
"Did he?" Bones gave my brother a glacial stare.
"Charlie told all about the despicable things you've done throughout your career. He also told us how you deliberately preyed on Molly's vulnerabilities and are merely toying with her because you want…"
"That's enough!" I shouted. I was not going to listen to my family insult Bones any further.
"He doesn't love you, Molly. Maybe if you weren't such a daft…"
"Apologise to your sister, right now, you little shitbag!" Bones ordered in his severest Captain's voice.
"I don't want or need an apology," I stood up from where I was seated. "I think it has been made abundantly clear that my family still sees me as the same silly cow they have always thought I was. Even after all of this time in the Army, finishing Uni, and becoming a proper nurse, it's still not enough to convince you that I'm proud of what I have accomplished and that I am not about to settle when it comes to my happiness and fulfilling my dreams."
"Molls, you don't understand…" my mum attempted to protest.
"No, you don't understand," I rebuked. "If you'd had the slightest bit of respect for me, you would never have gone behind my back and contacted Charles. As for Bones, he is a thousand times the man Charles could ever aspire to be. Now, if you'll excuse us, Bones are I are leaving," I declared as I reached for Bones's hand and proceeded to lead him out of my parents' maisonette.
-X-
Full of anger and hurt, I was eager to escape the toxicity of my parents' home. Without really know where I was going, I ended up dragging Bones to Priory Park, where I soon found myself seated on a bench next to Bones, staring into the distance at nothing in particular.
Bones seemed to instinctively know that I needed this moment of silence to collect myself and while he had placed a supportive arm around my shoulders, he'd wisely chosen to remain silent.
"I-I'm sorry," I whispered, after what felt like an eternity. As much as I wanted to look Bones in the eye, I couldn't bring myself to look at him.
"Bloody hell. What do you have to be sorry about?" Bones leaned forward and carefully turned my face to his.
"Where do I even begin? How about the fact that my family acted like a bunch of bleeding chavs?"
"Your sister, Bella seemed to know what's what. Martin is far too young to be a chav, and Tommy seemed like an all right kid. Your Nan is a wonderful character. What's not to like about her?" Bones smirked.
"True," I smiled weakly back at him. "Jake has certainly become a nasty piece of work."
"I have to agree with you on that one. I would like nothing more to give the tosser a painful beating right now. However, I think Catterick will teach the bugger what's what."
"That's if he makes it past the first week."
"There is that," Bones acknowledged.
"Dave was beyond rude to you."
"I reckon I would probably be rude, too, if I was meeting my daughter's boyfriend for the first time," Bones shrugged.
"And then there's Mum. Why can she never be on my side? What is so wrong with me that she always sides with my dad, brothers, and now Charles?"
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with you, Molly. I suspect your mum simply does not know how to relate to you. What you did by enlisting at eighteen and turning your back on everything you knew was fucking courageous. Not everyone possesses that kind of courage or a willingness to set off on their one path. Your mum is likely not one of those people."
"She's not," I acknowledged.
"Your mum should be bloody proud of you. It's unfortunate that she cannot see beyond her own insecurities to realise that you are the dog's bollocks. I know it must hurt like hell that she cannot see what is staring her in the face."
"It does."
"Getting the arsemonger involved in your brother's affairs was also a large cock up on her part. Had your mum, or your knobhead brother, actually told you what they were planning, you could have sorted things yourself. I'm sure the arsemonger relished the opportunity to get his hooks back into your family."
"The fact that Mum even considered turning to him for support makes me sick."
"I also picked up on the fact that your mum is unaware of the arsemonger's misdeeds with Lane?" Bones surmised.
"What would be the point of telling her? She'd probably tell me that it was my fault that he screwed around on me, and then beg me to take the bloody bastard back," I responded bitterly.
"As I said before, you have nothing to apologise for. If anyone should be apologising for today it should be me," Bones stated.
"How so?" I looked at him in surprise.
"I'm the one who pressured you to meet your family."
"While I knew it might prove awkward and embarrassing, I didn't think it would end in complete shambles. Besides, I know you, and for all your hard nut tendencies, your mum and dad raised you to have manners."
"It seemed only proper to introduce myself to your parents as you are my girlfriend and all," Bones conceded. "While it may have gone Pete Tong, it's not like I haven't dealt with my fair share of nutters over the years in The Regiment," Bones chuckled in an attempt to make light of things. "Besides, it could have been worse. I could have been Ben Stiller's character in Meet the Parents. Had your dad been a retired MI6 agent, that may have been more than I could have handled."
"No, instead you were forced to endure my belligerent skive of a father, my mother who has clearly lost the plot, my dickhead brother, and my Nan who would like nothing more than to chat you up," I sighed.
"If that's the price I have to pay to have you be my girl, I'll willingly put up with the lot of them," Bones reassured me. "But make no mistake, the next time your brother or your father, try to insult you, they are getting a punch up the bracket. You should know that I have a mean left hook," Bones warned. "In fact, I know a great way for you to blow off some steam, Poppet. How about we head back to Max and Jack's gaff where I can put you through you paces in Jack's gym?"
"Sounds like a plan," I agreed, eager channel my anger and pain in a positive way so that I didn't allow it to put a damper on our long weekend in London.
-X-
"What's on the agenda for tomorrow?" I asked Bones as we climbed into bed that evening. After returning to Max and Jack's, Bones had shown me Jack's basement gym, where he had put me through a gruelling boxing workout. After, we had enjoyed Jack's sauna and soon found ourselves producing more than enough steam for it.
Later we had walked over to the Star Tavern with Max and Jack for dinner. The Star Tavern was near their home in Belgravia and was a comfortable pub with a rich history and along with a fine selection of drinks and excellent food. Jack had entertained us over dinner and drinks with stories from his days at Gordonstoun with Bones. It was obvious why they had become the best of mates.
"How would you feel about spending the day with Ella and Mia? They have been relentless in their attempts convince their Uncle Bones that he needs to take them to the Whipsnade Zoo."
"Seriously?" I raised a surprised eyebrow. I could not for the life of me picture Bones taking two four-year-old girls to the zoo.
"What?" Bones looked at me accusingly.
"I cannot picture you of all people at the zoo," I chuckled.
"I took them to the London Zoo in April. Had I not been in The Regiment, I don't think I would have survived," he smirked.
"Oh, so you want me to go with you to protect your sad arse?"
"Perhaps."
"Fortunately for you, I adore Ella and Mia, almost as much as I adore their Uncle Bones."
"Does that mean you'll go?"
"Yes, I'll go," I gave Bones a wide smile in agreement.
"You know, Dawesey, I'm one hell of a lucky man to have you."
"And I am one lucky woman to have you," I responded, before leaving over and capturing his lips in a sweet kiss.