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Chapter 23

Dreams and Demons

0835 – Hereford, UK SAS Garrison

Elvis stepped out into the hall and observed Pettigrew tucked inside a window alcove speaking in harsh tones. "I told you sir, there is nothing I can do! What is done is done!"

It appeared the caller hung up on the other end because Pettigrew glared at his mobile and hissed, "Son of a bitch!" as he furiously punched in a text message. Elvis moved away with such stealth it was as though he had been embedded in the wall. His form silently drifted down the hallway. Pettigrew looked up just in time to see the back of Elvis Harte in the distance walking away with his self-assured stride. He swallowed hard. "Fuck!" He spat to himself. "That's all I need!"

Xxxxx

0900 – Hereford, UK SAS Medical Support Training Center

"You've seen a lot of combat corporal?" Downs asked as he cleared his simulation station.

"I have seen." Georgie said trying to mask the toll in her memory.

"I have been on tour twice. The first time we did nothing really. Pretty much policed the perimeter of a few villages. No combat casualties." Downs said as he continued to place all of the equipment in order for the next trainee.

"Your section was lucky." Georgie said adjusting her hair bun. She detected shadows in his voice and became curious.

"Yeah, but the second tour, shit ma'am. We were hit hard, really hard."

"Go on." She said, her eyes appraising his demeanor. She was genuinely interested now. Downs seemed to have demons he needed to expel.

"There was this pocket of insurgents who kept at us, chiseling away. I lost good mates on that tour." He said staring down at nothing, obviously recalling the fallen.

"It is the hardest part of our service." Georgie said. "Section mates are like family. We never want to lose any of them." He looked at her with haunted eyes. Georgie put her hand on his shoulder. "Ya did your best Downs."

"Affirmative ma'am. I did do my best. But it was not good enough was it?" He said jamming gear into his medical kit.

"I am certain there were others you did save. You are a skilled medic Downs." She said watching him intently.

"Thank you ma'am."

"I mean it. You would not be here training to support Special Forces if it were otherwise."

Downs looked at her. He felt relieved to have spoken to someone about his feelings and embarrassed for needing to do so. This petite woman was strong and obviously resilient.

"How did you end up working here? Were you part of the Medical Support Unit?"

Georgie smiled faintly. "No. My husband is one of the staff. We both wanted a domestic assignment, so here we are."

"Really? Well good on you both."

"We're happy, yeah." She did not want to pursue getting too personal with a trainee and appraised the completion of his work station. "Have ya talked to anyone about your experiences?" She asked.

"You mean have I had a psychiatric consultation?"

"Anyone Downs, including an army psychiatrist."

"I talked to one once after the tour. It was fine. It helped. I'm not mad. I just feel bad that I could have done more."

"Leave it. You can't live in the past. You are embarking on a new assignment with Special Forces. Make your section mates proud. I know the Regiment needs good medics. If need be talk some more with a counselor. You need to make certain this is what you want. The operatives will depend on you. " Georgie said. She understood how he felt. He had a good heart he just had to control the demons.

Xxxxx

Elvis opened the door to the stairwell acutely aware that there was a set of eyes on the back of his head. He casually pulled a stick of chewing gum out of his pocket and folded it into his mouth, allowing the door to close behind him. He smirked as he began to ascend the stairs with quick strides. He knew it would only be a matter of time. Arnie Pettigrew would seek him out to ascertain what, if anything, was overheard in the hallway. He leaned over the stairwell railing to see if he was being followed. Nah, Pettigrew would not be that stupid Elvis thought. But he would make contact eventually. That one was a nervy type and probably realized he was up to his eye teeth in shit at this point. Elvis was grim as he opened his office door. He had a duty to this Regiment.

Xxxxx

1145 –

Georgie tapped her mobile against her chin waiting for Elvis' response to her lunch invite. He intended to contact the estate agent this morning to confirm their appointment for tomorrow. She could not wait to tell her parents they were looking for a house. She grinned and bit her lower lip when Elvis text came in.

Give me ten babe. Meet you there. All is well for tomorrow.

Xxxxx

1205 –

Georgie saw him as soon as he came through the door. Her smile grew as his fit frame sauntered towards her. Elvis was the very picture of composure but she could see it, the sparkle in his eyes never wavering from her. She stood in deference to his rank.

"Corporal." He said fighting against his desire to pick her up and spin her around. Instead he nodded and they both sat.

"Welll….. What did she say?" Georgie coaxed as they clasped hands under the table.

"Meet up confirmed with Chloe, tomorrow 1830 hours." He said squeezing her hands. He was as chuffed as Georgie was about seeing the house.

"Oh Elvis! I can't believe it!" She gushed.

"Ya do realize this is just a viewin? Chloe's not handin us keys or anythin."

Georgie sobered. "I know that. But I am optimistic that we will in fact get the house!"

"Cottage."

"Call it what ya fancy. I'm calling it ours!"

"Fuck sake George. I don't want to 'ave to pick ya up off the floor if it's not."

"Oh stop! You like it as much as I do!"

"I will not deny 'at."

"See! So it's settled."

"Nothin is settled George." He said not wanting to let go of her hands.

"Is anyone else interested?" She said, almost afraid to ask.

"One." He answered simply, hating to spoil her happiness.

"Have they made an offer?"

"Don't know."

"Shit Elvis! How do you not know?"

He gave her a frustrated look. "Probably because Chloe did not disclose that intel to me."

She pulled her hands away from him and rubbed her forehead. "OK, we go tomorrow, see what we think and…..what?" She said as Elvis sat back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

We 'ave to look everything over Georgie."

"I know. Alright. You're right." She said leaning back in her chair as if exhausted then she pitched forwards and splayed her hands on the table. "But I have a good feeling about this Elvis."

He laughed. "Ya 'ave a feelin we're havin a girl as well."

She grinned at him. "Won't be long and we'll find out." She said. He smiled and relaxed his arms.

"We best get our rations, you especially."

"Yeah." Georgie began to scoot her chair back as Elvis' mobile sounded.

"Shit." He said and pulled it out of his pocket. Georgie studied his face as Elvis read the detailed text message. She saw his jaw clench. That was never a good thing. He looked up at her with an unreadable expression. "Sorry. I gotta go babe."

"Seriously? What's goin on Elvis?"

"Can't talk. I'll see ya later."

Georgie watched him stand and shove the mobile into his back pocket. He looked at her pointedly. "Shit's hittin the fan. Keep yer head down." He muttered as he pressed a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and wanted to hold him in place but knew he had to leave.

"Bye." She said and turned to watch him vanish as the mess door closed.

Xxxxx

1240 –

Georgie walked back to the Medical Support Training Center alone. She was accustomed to Elvis being interrupted when they were together. It came with the territory of being in love with an army captain. At least they were not taking him away from her for a mission. As she walked, she savored the warmth of the sun on her shoulders. Her steps were light as she thought about tomorrow. They were that much closer to owning a home of their own. She could not help smiling and remembered a walk she and Elvis had taken shortly after their move to Hereford…

"Where do ya reckon we'll be a couple years on?" Elvis asked, reaching for her hand as they walked side by side on the woodland path.

"Hopefully still married." Georgie replied playfully as she rubbed her thumb over his knuckles.

He laughed. "Well I know I'm in for life." He said caressing her hand in return. She looked up and smiled. She knew he meant it. She felt the same way. Elvis' exit strategy had worked out well. Coming to Hereford was the best possible decision for them. They still had their careers and Elvis would not be endangered with Special Ops deployments.

"Seriously George…"

"Seriously? We'll have a family, just as we planned. You and me with our own little Hartes running around chasing dogs."

"Our own little section." He said thoughtfully.

"Well, that would be excessive." She laughed. "Two or three. We'll see how number one goes, yeah."

Elvis chuckled. "Come on! You'll be fine."

"Easy for you, yeah? You'll help make them. I'll be the one doing all the work." She said pushing against him.

"I can't do anything about'at George." He said putting an arm around her shoulders.

She snaked her arm around his middle. "Yeah. Special Forces or not, there's a reason men don't have babies." She said tickling his side.

"Oi!" He said grabbing her hand. "But I will always be here for ya. Every step of the way."

"I know ya will." She hugged him tight as they walked. "Can you imagine Elvis we'll have kiddies and our own home eventually."

He stopped them and looked down at her. The moment reminded Georgie of when he first approached her about dating him. When he admitted he had fallen in love with her. His eyes were taking her in now with that very same smolder and Georgie reached out a finger to outline his lips. The warm sun was filtering through the treetops as Elvis slowly lowered his face to hers and their lips touched. "I would give ya the world if I could Georgie." He said, kissing her as her hands reached up to caress his neck…..

The droning sound of an armored vehicle drew Georgie away from her lovely introspection. She turned and witnessed a canvas topped jeep followed by a prisoner transport vehicle approaching. She waited whilst they rolled past her. The jeep driver's right arm was clearly visible from the side window. His uniform bore the scarlet arm badge representing Military Police. She felt her chest tighten. She knew Elvis was in the thick of it now.