I can't believe how long it's been since I worked on this story. I'm currently obsessing over a different TV show and while working on a FF for that, I didn't feel like I could progress the new story while leaving this story neglected and unloved. Our Girl being on TV seems like a lifetime ago so there's probably not anyone following these stories much anymore, but at least I've got a bit more out of my brain and down on the page.

I hope all the other FF writers out there are doing well.

Chapter 19

"Molly?"

"Mm?" Molly lifted her eye mask and looked at Lily questioningly.

They were sitting on the plane, waiting to take off and head home.

Following a late night where they'd made the most of the clubs, dancing into the wee small hours, Molly was trying to catch up on sleep on the return journey.

Lily shifted awkwardly in her seat.

"What is it?" asked Molly.

"I know we've kind of skirted round this army dude issue, but considering he's picking us up at the airport, I think we should maybe just chat about it a bit?"

Molly sighed and pushed herself up a little in her seat.

They had briefly touched on the topic during dinner on their first night, but mostly they'd avoided it. Molly had confided in Lily about the non-sex sexting session because Lily was her go-to for these things and she was thrown by what had happened. She tried to avoid the fact that she wasn't actually supposed to be pursuing any kind of relationship with Charles and Lily carried out her friend duties admirably.

"Tell me again what he said," she'd leaned over the table eagerly.

"The first time you come with me, I want to be there with you, holding you all the way through it."

"Fuck Molly, that's…."

"Hot! Yes Lily I know!"

"Well yeah, but I was going to say romantic."

There was an awkward pause then Lily ordered two shots and they drank the night away.

A couple of days later, Lily brought it up again. Molly had been trying to pretend that thoughts of Charles had not been occupying her every waking moment and if she was honest some of her sleeping ones too. She'd awake from intense dreams, groggy and disoriented, sensations running over her body.

"I've been thinking I'd like to meet this Captain James." Lily had said while they lay soaking up the sun.

"What?"

"Meet him, I can sense this is something Molly."

"It's not Lily I told you. He's going to Africa next week, I can't wrap myself up in worry about him. I need to focus on myself, my job. I can't derail my life like that."

"You ever think that you plan too much Molly?"

"No." Molly replied sharply.

"Planning and being in control is not going to stop bad things happening."

"But it might protect me from the bad things affecting me so much."

Lily shook her head, but she smiled.

"Come on Molly."

"Fine, I'll introduce you."

"Great," Lily clapped her hands together, "why don't you ask him to pick us up from the airport?"

Molly's eyes widened in surprise. A 45 minute drive in a small car, just the three of them. What would they talk about?

"Hey I'm the guy that wants to bang your friend, but I might get blown up next week."

"Hi I'm the friend, my life was ruined by the institution you have devoted your life too."

"Can't we just get a taxi?"

"No I think it's a perfect opportunity."

"I'll ask, but he'll probably be busy."

Of course he wasn't, he jumped at the chance to pick them up.

He'd been going stir crazy since their texting session. He couldn't tell if everything was ruined. He was kicking himself for stopping them. It seemed the right thing to do, but his libido was not thanking him.

They'd kept their conversations in safe territory after that.

His few days at home in Bath had been a blur. His Mum had filled his Dad in so they had a conversation. He'd tried to catch up with his brother, but he seemed to be MIA and his parents were being cagey, weird even. He wondered what the hell his loose canon of a sibling had gotten himself into now.

His preparations for the Africa tour kept going, albeit with a lot less gusto on his side.

He'd even tried to speak to Elvis, but comms were still tricky from the civilian side. Maybe he'd have more luck on tour.

Then Molly sent a message that both excited and confused him.

[Hey just wondering if you would be able to pick us up at the airport on Friday night? I totally get if you're busy or it's too late, but Lily is bending my ear about meeting you. I probably shouldn't have told you that, it's like inviting you to an interrogation, but if you're around it would be great to see you.]

He read it three times before replying,

[Of course, just message me the details. I'll be there. Should I bring one of those little name cards like a chauffeur?!]

So here they were, on the plane, going home, knowing Charles would be at the airport waiting for them.

Lily took Molly's questioning silence as an invitation to continue and as the planes' engines started up and they began to taxi along the runway, Lily took Molly's hand. Anyone watching would have thought she was a nervous flyer, but she spoke in earnest.

"I've been thinking a lot Molly and I know we've stuck to that bloody pact since we were kids, but let's face it, it's never truly been tested. I don't feel right that you could be missing out on something that's so right for you because of me."

She squeezed Molly's hand.

"I think you should go for it."

"Lily, I can't. Thank you, honestly it means so much to me that you're saying this, but I can't put myself into this situation. I would go crazy with worry."

"Molly, don't you think you're already going to be crazy worried when he goes? Just because you've both stopped yourselves from being official and actually slept together or whatever, you're still emotionally involved."

"No, but-"

"Molly come on, I know you. This is is big. You can tell yourself every day that you've got enough distance from him to be able to switch off when he leaves, but I'm telling you, you'll be counting the days until he's back. So why not at least get some action out of it."

They both laughed then, the seriousness fading slightly.

Molly shook her head again,

"I don't know Lils, I don't know what way is up right now. I do know I need to at least try and protect myself. I can't think straight round him and I'm dreading waving him off, but I'll have work stuff to prepare, marathon training, we'll go back to school while he's still away. I'll keep busy!"

"And when he's back?"

Molly shrugged,

"Who knows? I can't think that far ahead."

"Ok well I'm here for you and if I like what I see today, I'll keep reminding you about that lightning bolt."