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Chapter 15
The Bonds of Love
Part 1
1900 – Hereford, UK
Elvis slowly rocked them in place as they clung to each other. "We need to talk." He admitted hoarsely. Georgie rubbed her cheek against him and she glanced up.
"Damn right we do". She said kissing his chest and releasing her embrace. She wiped her face in the towel draped around his neck and he smiled faintly. "Ya got me all soaked now!" She muttered. He gave her a toothy grin and his eyes sparkled. She saw that and laughed at his cheekiness as she sat down on the toilet seat. "Let's hear it Elvis!"
"Wha? You mean now?"
"Good place as any to start I reckon." She said leaning in on her thighs and looking up at him pointedly. Elvis grabbed the towel from his neck and began to tousle his hair with it, flinging droplets into the air which Georgie deflected away with swats of her hand. He wiped his chest and arms all the while watching her in the mirror. "I'm watching you as well." She said gesturing a hand with two fingers forwards and backwards from her face.
"I see 'at." He said flinging the bath towel off from around his middle and quickly drying himself down.
"At least I'm enjoying the scenery whilst I wait." She said winking at him.
"Fuck sake, ya could wait in the bedroom ya know."
"Why? I rather like what I'm seeing."
"Do ya?" He asked invitingly as he reached for a pair of tracker bottoms.
"Don't get excited Elvis, I have supper waiting." She said, twirling the ends of her hair playfully as he fiddled with the bottoms.
"I can't change yer mind?"
She laughed. "Focus Elvis!"
His face lit up. This was the best part of his day. He began to step into the bottoms and watched her watching him, amused that her eyes were interested in more than his face. "Did ya heat the dinner yet?"
"Just have to steam the broccoli."
"I take that as an affirmative corporal." He said, tying the cord on the bottoms and raking back his hair that promptly fell back down when he bent over to pick up the discarded towel.
"You sir….have some explaining to do."
"Do I?"
"You do. And I am fairly certain if you punch the wall a third time you're gonna crack something." She said as she stood and tossed a tee shirt his way. Elvis looked at his right hand, opening and closing it, flexing his fingers.
"Feels decent enough." He said nonchalantly.
"Ya just got back to full duty Elvis, are ya determined to fuck that up?"
"Now just one second 'ere!" He said as she walked out of the bathroom. "I needed to punch somethin!" He went on, following her out as he forced the tee shirt down over his slightly damp chest.
"Are ya in over your head!?" She asked, turning to face him.
"Nah. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Georgie paused. Elvis sat down on the bed, hands clasped together between his open knees. He looked at the side of his hand and flexed the fingers again. He looked up at her. Georgie's arms were crossed in front of her chest, she was stressed and her appearance hit him like a bullet.
"I'm involved in an internal investigation of Wescott Jones, as well as his nephew." He said with a cautious tone.
"Elvis…why? What's happened?" She said stunned as her arms fell to her sides and she sat down next to him.
"Well, it's no surprise I was fussed up about Jones stickin his nose in my shit, so I ran it by Dave Warner. He took an interest so 'ere we are. There had been a similar incident about six months past where Jones tried to pressure an officer with his demands. There was a complaint filed but Jones argued that the officer misinterpreted his intentions."
"Female officer?"
"Nah."
"So why are your rumblings an issue now?"
"Because Jones allegedly manipulated his nephew's position for Selection and in doing so, drew attention to his own record. I cannot give ya details about Toni. Her statement has been sealed now. If she chooses to confide in ya, I 'ave no part if she does."
Georgie nodded thoughtfully and began to realize the enormity of what her husband was carrying on his shoulders. "Did you want to be this involved Elvis?"
"Well I am now. I ain't backin down from them or my duty."
Georgie expected that answer. She placed her hand on his thigh and gently squeezed. "Warner has you covered?"
"Completely."
"Does Godfrey know?"
"He will at 0700 hours tomorrow."
"You said that Godfrey dined with Jones."
"Yeah, but he hates him. It was one of those dressed up affairs. He has to attend those." Elvis said, waving a hand in the air. Georgie nibbled on her lower lip.
"But you interviewed the nephew, won't they look at you being involved in that?"
"I was involved in an interview with him, yes. But the documentation of my concerns related to it still stands. A panel determines which applicants move forward."
"Have you talked to Pettigrew?"
Elvis stiffened, "Nah and I don't intend to."
"Why not?"
"I don't trust him." He said and as Georgie was about to ask further, Elvis put his arm around her. "Listen, enough about me. Other than going at each other we really haven't been together much today 'ave we?"
She relaxed and smiled. "You're right."
He began to massage her neck and shoulders. "How are ya feelin?"
"I'm fine…" She looked at him. "OK….I'm knackered, but …. Why don't you trust him?"
"I dunno." He said, gently combing through her hair with his fingers. It felt so good and she leaned into his touch. "I aven't sorted 'at out as yet but somethin does not feel right about him."
Georgie responded by gently rubbing his thigh and resting her head against his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and she looked up at him sleepily. "Babe, why don't ya take a warm shower and relax, eh. I put ya through enough today. I'm sorry." He said soflty.
"I'm OK Elvis, really."
He smiled. "Go on. I can finish the reheat."
"Yeah?" She said stifling a yawn. He kissed her again. She was exhausted and decided she liked his idea. Elvis watched as she wearily leaned over to unlace her boots. He gently touched her back.
"Allow me." He said, dropping to his knees and proceeding to finish her task. Georgie took it all in and when he had taken both boots from her feet Elvis looked up at her.
"I love you." She said.
He placed his hands on her knees. "I love you, more than anything in this world." He said.
