Nice that Georgie got the closure
she needed on the televised series.
Elvis wanted her to be happy.
PTSD is a monster and her grief was crushing.
I am sad the soulmates are still apart...but
All is well in the world -
Georgie and Elvis will continue to make beautiful
memories together in my universe. Their
relationship will continue on ...hope to see you along
the way. xx
Chapter 22
Actions Speak Louder
2030 – Hereford, UK
Georgie stared at the ipad screen with a relaxed and happy smile on her face. There it was. Her and Elvis' current dream home. The stone cottage with the lovely back yard. She focused on the grounds and the terraced gardens. Oh the roses she could plant there. Her mum would love it. Georgie fancied trying her hand at a vegetable garden. She would grow tomatoes for Elvis so he could make his homemade sauce. She laughed a breathy laugh. Georgie what happened to you? She said to herself. I have no plans of settling down. Not ever. She drew her lower lip in between her teeth as her eyes looked towards the bathroom door. It's his fault. Her thoughts said to her. Georgie nodded. That handsome captain she had met. He stole her heart and her life was never the same. This is how it is supposed to be for them, creating all of these wonderful memories.
The bathroom door opened and Georgie's heart lurched. Elvis emerged clad only in white pants. His hair was damp, splayed in every direction and the low light in the room accentuated his olive complexion. He watched her watching him as he sauntered into the room.
"Wha?" He asked as he reached his side of the bed and raked his hair back.
Georgie simply smiled at him but her eyes said more, much more, as she was reminded of all of the reasons why this man meant the world to her.
"Ave I rendered ya speechless?"
"Not at all." She said pulling the covers back for him. Elvis sat on the side of the bed making certain the alarm clock was set for 0430 hours. He turned to glance at her. She was still watching him.
"Mind explainin the intrigue?" He asked.
"No." She said, lazily running her hand across his bare back. He turned and looked at her again.
"Somethin I did?" He asked swinging himself into the bed and propping himself back against the head board.
"You could say that." She said coyly.
"Somehow I get the feelin it wasn't a bad thing." He said tickled by her behavior.
Georgie snuggled next to him and kissed his chest as he brought an arm around her, drawing her closer, still wondering what she was about. She tilted her face to him.
"I am just so in love with ya Elvis."
"At's definitely a good thing. I love you too." He said grinning.
They kissed. It was sweet and tender.
"I reckon Laura had a wonderful time. I know we did." She said.
"Indeed we did. Even Reggie came around."
Georgie hugged him across the middle. "I never thought Reginald would be such a massive twat." She said.
"Oh I did. He has twat written all over him."
Georgie's face crinkled with laughter and she kissed his chest again. Elvis enjoyed amusing her. They shared a similar humor. It always sparked their private time together. She nestled herself against him, then a thought crossed her mind.
"Did Debbie send ya a text?" She asked lifting her head.
"Nah. I don't…" Elvis grabbed his mobile from the nightstand. Georgie sat up. He gave her a questioning look.
"She was supposed to send ya a photo of Laura." Georgie said somewhat disappointed.
Elvis checked. Sure enough, Debbie had texted him. As soon as he viewed it he roared. Debbie captioned the photo with: your daughter has your fashion sense.
"Did ya know about this?" He asked laughing.
"I did. She showed me before they left. That's why we were late coming out. Deb said that's what Laura wanted to wear to her recital."
He looked at the photo again and chuckled. "Nice boots."
"Elvis! That is a beautiful little dress." Georgie said poking him.
"Yeah but the boots make it."
"Don't ever say that to Olivia Simms." Georgie said.
"Noted." He looked at the photo and laughed again. Georgie watched him absorb everything about it.
"You'll have to print that." She said snuggling back down against him.
"Yeah I will."
Elvis started to laugh again, swiping a hand down his face as he lifted the other arm around Georgie. She began to toy with hairs on his chest.
"In two days we take a gander at the house. I can't wait." She said.
"Me neither. Reckon it's best to 'ave a plan B though."
"Did the agent say anyone else was interested?"
"No. But 'at was last week. It's a nice dwellin George, surely others 'ave viewed it."
"Well then I am going to pull an Elvis and not take no for an answer."
"Does'at work?"
"I settled down didn't I? I married ya didn't I?"
"Eventually….." He drawled. She leaned up to kiss him. "I'll do everythin I can to get us that house." He said pulling her in for another kiss.
Xxxxx
0545 - Hereford, UK SAS Garrison
Elvis was stood at his office window watching the day begin to unfold on the grounds of the Garrison from his first floor vantage point. He thought about that photo of Laura and started to laugh. The defiant look on her little face reminded him so much of himself. As he was about to take a sip of tea, his hand froze just as he brought the mug to his lips. The happiness faded from his expression as his eyes zeroed in on the actions of two men. One was Arnie Pettigrew. The other was Adam Jones. Jones had hailed Pettigrew and once the captain stopped, Jones easily closed the distance between the two and they began conversing.
Elvis took a slow, thoughtful sip. All the while his eyes were riveted on the exchange. Jones appeared upset. His hands were gesticulating all over the place. Pettigrew stood silent for a bit then raised a pointed finger at the recruit, drilling it into his face. That only seemed to fuel Jones' tirade. Pettigrew looked around as if making sure their little meet up was still unnoticed. He finally appeared to snap at Jones and walked away. Jones thrust his hands into his pockets. Elvis watched as Pettigrew came up the path to the Administration building. He leaned forward to look down and make certain the captain indeed entered the building, then his eyes tracked back to Jones, who was literally stomping towards the barracks.
"Well, well, well." Elvis said as he pulled his desk chair out and plopped. In a matter of seconds he was logged onto his laptop, scanning emails for updates from Dave Warner. Bingo! Elvis' eyes shot back and forth across the screen as he read the detailed message. Action against Jones – Imminent. He archived the encrypted email and checked his watch. 0600 hours. Pettigrew would be settling into his office by now. What the fuck just happened outside the window? Elvis downed a quick sip of tea and began to email a report to Internal Affairs.
Xxxxx
0700 - Medical Training Facility SAS Garrison
Georgie observed medic Edward Downs attempting to apply a combat application tourniquet. He had the principles down but he fumbled when he was expected to work faster. It did not help that his trainer missed nothing.
"Suggestion?' Georgie said.
"Yes ma'am."
"Let your nerves work to your advantage. Your casualty needs for ya to focus on them not on you, yeah? He's missing the lower half of his leg. He's hemorrhaging, breathing is shallow, you have to stabilize him ASAP!" Ya got to be thinking catastrophic bleed. Get the tourniquet on and dress the wound." Seconds are critical Downs."
Xxxxx
0730 – SAS Administrative Building
The Directing Staff's weekly meeting was underway. Elvis was sat across from Arnie Pettigrew, whose body language he discretely monitored. There was definitely some agitation under the surface.
"We have had two fails thus far this week and it is only Tuesday." Colonel Godfrey announced. "Hayes and Dorian are gone. Jones received a strike yesterday for cheating on his Bergen weight."
Elvis' brows lifted. No surprise there he thought. Pettigrew was agitating his pen to and fro until he noticed Elvis looking at him. Why did he suddenly feel intimidated by Harte's gaze? Elvis was nonchalant but Pettigrew took it as an I told you so. He blinked and looked away. Elvis sniffed with a wry smirk. Pettigrew has guilt written all over his face. Jones is the type of bloke the SAS does not want and certainly not what the regular army needs. Pettigrew twitched when his mobile rattled against the table top. He had received a text that clearly added to his agitation. His nostrils flared and he sucked in a breath. Someone was turning the heat up Elvis thought.
"Endurance is moving along. We've lost less than half. You boys have been busy." Godfrey said. "The staff sergeants are on it today. I don't have to tell you this will be a telling week with the Fan Dance approaching."
The Fan Dance, the most grueling trek of the phase. It is more mental than physical but the agony the body must endure is tremendous. No badged SAS operative ever forgets it.
Action against Jones imminent. He won't need to worry about the weight of his Bergen now. Elvis thought to himself. It was simply a matter of time before the military police would appear to enforce their orders.
"Go on then. Dismissed." Godfrey said looking up at Elvis with probing eyes.
Pettigrew just about bolted from his seat and left the room. Elvis would bet a fiver Pettigrew was anxiously in the hall texting his response.
