AN: Thank you everyone who has asked for an update, I can't believe people care about my wee story! I'm so touched! Apologies it's been so long. My planned writing over summer didn't happen and RL took over. I've also been working on some original writing so I had to go with that when I was inspired. I'm excited to be moving this story on now though.

Chapter 12

"So this gun fires every day at 1300 hours?"

"Yes, though it's called the one o'clock gun not the 1300 hours gun." Molly laughed.

They were standing on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle on Saturday afternoon, halfway through their tourist weekend. They'd started at Holyrood Palace where they'd just looked around outside and then Molly had dragged Charles all the way up the Royal Mile until they'd reached the castle. He'd been amazed at how many shops they passed and the sheer volume of tartan on offer so she had to explain it was a very specific street and tartan certainly wasn't so prolific elsewhere! He'd loved seeing the architecture of the old town as well and Molly was a very willing tour guide, pointing out particular sites as they went.

Charles was very keen to see the castle and all its military history though Molly generally found that stuff a bit dull. She was happy to just take in the majesty of the castle itself and the beautiful views across the city. She smiled while the sun shone down and closed her eyes as the breeze blew her hair out of her face.

Charles looked up from examining the gun and caught her look of contentment. He enjoyed watching her for a few moments, taking a guilty pleasure in the fact that she was unaware of his staring and he could really look at her. She took his breath away and spending time with her brought him such peace.

He had begun to feel reluctant about going back on tour which was an alien feeling to him. Normally he was desperate to get back out there, but this time he wasn't and he was wrestling with this new experience.

He hadn't discussed it with anyone, not even his Mum who was usually his closest confidante if he ever felt the need. Over the years Jennifer James had learned to make the most of the rare opportunities when her son opened up to her while accepting that a lot of the time he was a closed book to everyone around him.

Charles had considered calling her, but he was afraid to admit what he thought was happening. When he'd first handed in his resignation, he'd done it because he felt it was the right thing to do, for Sam, for his family. He had a new perspective on the danger and he felt he had to act on it. However, when Major Beck refused to accept it and suggested Charles undertake a further tour before he made up his mind, a part of him was relieved. He wasn't ready to give up that part of his life though he hadn't told anyone that's how he felt. They were all still in shock from his injury and almost losing him, he didn't think it was fair to tell them he really wanted to stay in.

So he'd accepted the deal, made the right noises and told everyone what they wanted to hear, that he would make his mind up after the 6 weeks were complete. He'd even told Molly in the restaurant that he didn't know what he was going to do. He'd been trying to convince himself he hadn't yet made a decision, but deep down he knew he would want to stay in if they let him.

In the space of 3 days though, something had shifted for him. It was madness. He was a logical, practical person. He didn't make decisions based on a whim and he certainly didn't make decisions based on a girl he'd just met. However, in that moment on the castle battlements, sun shining, a sense of peace around them, he began to admit to himself that he didn't want to go. Simply because he didn't want to leave Molly.

He had wrestled with this thought constantly, his mind in turmoil. They weren't even a couple. He didn't know her that well. She made it clear she couldn't be with him if he was in the army. And there was the crux, if he wasn't in the army, he could be with her. And there was the madness again. He couldn't leave his entire career behind because of Molly. Who knew what would or wouldn't happen between them? There was no way he could consider changing his plans for the army on the back of some romantic notion. That just did not happen in his world.

He felt a flutter of panic in his stomach. Turning his back quickly, he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

"Hey, are you ok?"

Charles felt Molly come up behind him as she spoke. She grasped both his shoulders and peered round him, her face was full of concern.

Charles nodded briefly,

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Could do with a coffee maybe?"

Molly looked unconvinced, but she nodded,

"Ok let's head off and get some lunch then."

She laced her arm through his and they walked towards the entrance. She could feel the tension in his body, but was at a loss to know what had caused it. Had she said something? Done something? She was sure they'd cleared the air on Thursday night, but now Charles seemed upset. Suddenly he tightened his arm round hers and slowed their pace,

"While I'm away...do you think...could we..."

Molly stopped,

"What? Charles what is it?"

"Can we keep in touch? I know that might be too much to ask, I know we're not a couple or anything." He shrugged trying to brush off his serious request.

"Of course we can! Charles you're not getting rid of me that easily. I expect daily reports, made on the British Army's time obviously." Molly joked, but inside she felt torn. She desperately wanted him to stay, but she knew it was for selfish reasons. She wanted him, pure and simple. She was drawn to him in a way that showed fate was really taking the piss. I must have been really awful in another life, she thought. First Daniel, now the potentially perfect man on my doorstep is buggering off to Africa and God knows where after that!

Charles was still looking at her seriously. He stroked her hand that was resting on his arm and looked like he had more to say, but Molly could already tell when it was best not to push him. It was so strange, within a few days they'd fallen into this synchronisation with each other, recognising the other's boundaries, likes, dislikes. Molly kept reminding herself that this really wasn't possible, after all, they didn't really know each other.

She reached up then and hugged him tightly. He gasped then held her close to him and they stayed like that for a good while until it became apparent that they were blocking the path a little. After the third person had excused themselves around the embracing couple, they pulled apart awkwardly.

"I'm here Charles. I'm not planning to go anywhere unless you count my mini break next week. Other than that...I'm here." Molly spoke seriously and Charles felt the sincerity in her words. He knew he could speak to her while he was away, about anything really, other than the one thing he couldn't tell her. He didn't want to go.

-OG-

After they'd had some lunch, they spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the Grassmarket.

"It looks different in the daylight." Charles joked.

"Yes and without the sizeable amount of alcohol we had before we were here on Wednesday!" Molly laughed remembering.

"What's that?" Charles pointed to a raised, circular, stone platform.

"That is the monument where the gallows once stood for hanging the poor unfortunate souls of the city."

"Oh, delightful." Charles shuddered a little.

"Don't tell me, Captain James of army bravery etc. is squeamish about a bit of history?!" Molly looked aghast.

"Well it's not the best thing to think about is it?!" Charles replied indignantly.

"True. I guess when you've stood on it during school trips at primary school, you're a bit more nonchalant about it all."

"Primary school trips?! What kind of horror education did you receive here?!"

"A very fine state education thank you, an institution I continue to slave away in every day!"

They laughed and chatted as they wound their way past the ghoulish site and up Victoria Street.

Charles gazed down at Molly's expression as she took in all the little shops and closes as they walked up the hill.

"You really love it here don't you?" he asked smiling down at her.

She nodded,

"Yep, wouldn't want to live anywhere else."

"That's how I feel when I'm in Bath, well until Rebecca makes life so difficult I can't wait to get away again."

Molly frowned,

"Maybe things will change as Sam goes through uni."

"You're a lot more optimistic than me." Charles replied darkly.

"If you don't mind me asking, how are things so bad."

"I don't mind you asking, but that is a long story for another day. This is too good a day to ruin thinking about my ex."

"It has been a good day. And I've got more on the list for tomorrow if you're up for it!"

"I'm all yours tourist guide yoda, what about - wait!" Charles stopped suddenly pulling Molly to an abrupt halt.

"What?"

"I just remembered you said earlier, something about a mini break? Are you going away?" Charles hated how panicked he sounded and it didn't escape Molly's notice.

"Um yeah, Lily is back tomorrow and we're going away for a few days."

"What's a few days?" Charles was worried now.

"Monday to Friday."

"Oh." His voice was small now. Five days she'd be gone. He tried to cover up his disappointment at the idea of her not being there all next week. The irony that he was leaving for 6 weeks was not lost on him. "Where are you off to then?"

"Ehm...Ibiza."

"Ibiza? Wow party island..."

Molly noted how Charles' face fell when she told him her holiday destination. Her heart pulled. If she was reading this right, he didn't want her to go and that made her equally happy at how he felt and terribly sad that their understanding meant she was still going away as a single girl. She hadn't mentioned her holiday, fearful of bursting the little bubble they were in, which was stupid since he was obviously going to find out at some point.

He walked on a little before coming to stand in front of a statue of a little dog.

"What's this?" Charles asked.

Molly moved to his side, still quite shocked at his reaction to her going away.

"This is Greyfriars Bobby. He's a local legend. After his owner died, he stayed by his grave for 14 years until he died himself. It's a sad story."

"Mm, but one of loyalty." Charles mused.

Molly eyed his stance. Feet apart, arms folded so his hands were under his armpits, jaw set. He looked like he was about to address his troops. He'd put his armour on, closed himself down. She shook her head and stepped up close to him, laying her hands on his folded arms.

"I'm not going on holiday to go mad and get with random guys Charles."

He lifted his chin slightly, affecting an air of indifference that she knew was an act,

"Why not? You might meet the perfect man."

Molly sighed and laid her forehead on his chest,

"What if there's a chance I've met him already and he's leaving in ten days?"

She felt the low rumble in Charles' chest as he spoke,

"He's coming back Molly. You just have to wait out."

She looked up then into Charles' eyes, serious and focussed on her.

"For how long though?"

"You know I don't have an answer for that yet Molly."

She nodded,

"Ok, let's put a pin in this just now and keep going with our good day."

"Ok."

They walked further in silence for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry for being a jealous idiot about your holiday."

"It's ok, I quite like you being jealous." Molly nudged his shoulder playfully and smiled.

"I don't know how to say this without sounding like some crazed stalker..."

"I'm pretty sure you're not one of them."

"I guess I'm just going to miss you. This week has been...well brilliant."

"I'll miss you too Charles." There was so much more Molly wanted to say, but right then, that seemed enough.