A/N- Again, thank you for the reviews. They are completely unexpected considering this story has been up a long time. So glad you are enjoying it all over again.

-OG_

Once again, he was memorised by her. Everything about her made him feel alive; he'd never met a girl who made him laugh so much. From her cockney slang to her witty comebacks every time Fingers tried it on with her, he was hooked. The arrival of Smurf was the only downer for him. Charles hadn't seen him since that day on the bridge and it took him right back. He'd never visited him or even apologised for putting them in danger. Molly didn't know Smurf but she sensed the atmosphere as soon as he landed into their private karaoke booth. "Who's the Welsh twat?" She whispered to Elvis "That's Smurf, he's one of Charlie's men, although I don't know why he's here. He's not welcome as far as I'm concerned"

Molly had already caught Smurf's eye, he thought it was a fantastic idea to send her a magnum of champagne "Who's this for?" "It's for you. I'm Smurf or Dylan if you prefer. I'd really like to get to know you" Georgie nearly spat out her drink in mock humour at his forwardness as Charles slowly started to recoil into his seat, uncomfortable in his presence.

"Erm I appreciate it and all that but can you send it back" Fingers and the rest of the lads heckled Smurf as Molly pushed the bottle towards him, turning her attention back to Charles "I'm not sure what's gone on here, with you two I mean but this twat is already doing my nut in" she brushed her thumb along his knuckles "Are you okay?" He nodded, not quite able to bring himself back to the party yet, he was still on the bridge, His heart was racing, and he was sweating "Want to go out for some air?" She offered her hand and pulled him to his feet "Elvis something is wrong with him" she whispered as she shuffled by him "it's okay Molly, I'll take him from here."

Elvis protectively led Charles outside "What's going on here? What am I missing?" Molly was relying on Georgie for answers "Smurf is the reason why Charles was shot. He threw a hissy fit on the bridge; he'd got himself involved with Rebecca and chose that moment to reveal all to Charles. The shit really hit the fan and Charles was hit. He nearly died in my arms; it was so bad Molly I can't even tell you. His stomach was pumping blood and his legs were in bits, there was only me and I didn't have enough hands" Georgie's eyes filled with tears as she recalled that day "it's okay you don't have to tell me anymore. Smurf was shagging his wife, what a cheeky wanker" Molly took an instant disliking to Smurf, she'd already decided he had a face that she'd like to punch" he took the opportunity to slide into Charles' seat next to her.

"Look I'll be straight with you Smurf or whatever your name is, I don't like you and I don't want you anywhere near me, so piss off"

He laughed "I do like a challenge Molly" she rolled her eyes.

"I heard you also like other people's wives too."

He sat in silence for a minute, wondering how to get around this "Look I'm not proud of any of it, Rebecca or what happened to the Captain. I actually came here to make amends before I return to duty. I just want to get to know you."

"Well, you can get to know me from over there, in silence" she packed him off and made her way to the bar. She hadn't known Charles long, but she felt fiercely loyal to him. She watched as Elvis took care of his friend through the window, surprised but glad that a gobshite who loved the sound of his own voice could be such a lovely friend.

The lads from the platoon seemed to be getting a bit too rowdy "Fuck me that lot are playing up. Regret inviting Fingers now, he's brought the rest of them along, might tell them all to sod off out of our booth" Molly passed Georgie a shot "I don't know about you, but I need this after listening to that little blue prat" they downed their drinks as Charles and Elvis met them at the bar. She smiled shyly at him, hoping he knew her loyalty was with him "Sit down lads, I'll get you a drink" "I'll get them in Molly, it's my round but will you wait with me?" her heart flipped.

Elvis and Georgie pissed off somewhere, presumably for another fumble "I'm sorry that he's made you uncomfortable, I've told him to sod off" Charles smiled at her appreciatively "You don't have to do that. You're a free agent if you want to get to know him that's up to you" he lowered his head to the ground scared that she might take his approval and run with it.

"I don't want to get to know him… I want to get to know you" She put her arm around his waist and pulled him closer to her, he winced, not used to physical contact or someone being so close to his wounds "Are you even meant to be out and about this much? You're in pain."

"Not really but beats being alone" she felt a pang of sadness in her heart, how could this beautiful man be so lonely? He liked the feeling of her arm around him, her hand protectively on his back. He placed him arm around her small shoulders, she fit him perfectly.

He paid for the drinks that took forever to come as the ruckus from their booth was growing louder, getting attention from the bouncers "I'd better go and make sure that lot are behaving. Can you manage?"

"I can manage yeah. Why do you have to sort them out though? They are fully grown twats."

He laughed "that's exactly it, twats. And if they get into trouble it ends up being my problem anyway" he struggled off in the direction of the commotion, trying his best to hide his limp. He was so used to trying to hide it now, it had become second nature.

Georgie joined her at the bar "Bloody hell still waiting?" "Disaster innit. Charles has had to go and sort that rowdy lot out" "That's the last time I invite them anywhere. Bunch of tossers." Georgie was dying to ask her what was going on with Charles, she'd already seen the chemistry between them, and how kind Molly was to him "Molly can I ask you something?"

Molly rose an eyebrow "Go for it"

"What do you think of Charles?"

She considered her response carefully; she didn't want to jump the gun and say there was something and get it wrong "I definitely fancy the arse off him that's for sure. I'd like to get to know him, would that be awkward though? Would you and Elvis mind?"

Georgie laughed "Seriously why would we mind? That is one fella who deserves a bit of happiness and if that's with you then I support you both 100% I haven't known you very long, but I can see you both really like each other. Go for it" Molly smiled to herself at the thought of something between them. She'd been single since Artan and was more than ready for something to blossom between them.

"I may be out of action, but I'll still have you all put on charges if you carry on acting like the massive cocks that you are" He was shouting as the finally returned with the drinks, Molly found the authority he exuded strangely sexy "You may be injured but you're still fierce" she winked as she handed him his drink, sitting as close to him as possible. Smurf was sat to the other side of him, they were deep in conversation. She could sense the tension, not only between Charles and Smurf but the rest of them were so shit faced they were arguing with bouncers and passers-by. Georgie eyed Elvis to break up the conversation between Smurf and Charles, she knew he was too much of a gent to engage in anything, but she was worried about where this conversation would take Charles to in his head.

"So, Charlie boy" Elvis forced himself between them, breaking up the conversation "When am I gonna see my boy? My Sammy? Tell Rebecca that Uncle Elvis is missing his boy" The heat rose in Charles' cheeks; he still wasn't sure if she was aware, he had a son but he hadn't got the chance to tell her himself. She was overly surprised to hear of Sam, a little pissed he hadn't mentioned a child to her himself. She turned herself away from him to chat to Georgie, his hand searched for hers, but they were clasped firmly around her drink, he'd fucked it up he thought, she's turned her back on him like everyone else.

He tried to talk to her, but he couldn't seem to get her attention, the noise levels in the room were so high he could barely hear himself think. She excused herself to the toilet and he'd tried to follow but was separated by the crowd. A scuffle broke out in his path, Smurf swings and punches sending people flying and ducking for cover, Charles tries to calm him, spotting the cops outside and to be honest he really can't be arsed with the paperwork it would involve. Smurf fights like a caged animal. In the commotion Charles is knocked to his feet by the fat bouncer who's been gunning for Smurf all night, pain shoots through his leg and his stomach, he can't get to his feet, his ears buzz and his whole body is shaking and sweating. He hears gun shots that aren't there as Georgie appears in front of him. He puts out his hands to touch her making sure she's real, he can't seem to get his bearings and the noise of gunfire out of his ears "Charles listen to me, It's Georgie, I'm here and you're okay, hold my hands Charlie, come back to my voice."

He closes his eyes and he's well and truly stuck in that moment; he can't detach himself from the bridge, bring himself back to the here and now even though in the back of his head he knows it's his mind playing tricks on him.

Molly emerged for the toilets to the commotion, not sure what's going on, she bypasses the empty booth as she makes her way through the crowd. She sees him there, fragile and in a state of panic. She'd studied PTSD as part of her course and knew exactly what she was looking at. Georgie was on her knees in front of him, she grabs Elvis pointing him in the direction of Charles and rushes there right behind him. On her knees beside him she tries to coax him back to her "Charlie what's happened?" He can hear her voice, but he can't bring himself to her "What are you experiencing Charlie? You're safe, remember that was then and this is now and you're safe, you're with friends and we'll keep you safe" his eyes lock with hers "You're okay, you're safe and you're with friends. You're safe" she repeated, bringing him back to her "Can you stand Charlie boy? Let's get you out of here" Elvis helps him to his feet but his leg gives ways "My leg has gone, I can't stand" Elvis wraps Charles arm round his shoulder and helps him from the club "I'll grab our stuff Molly, stay with him please" She places one hand on the small of his back, he feels her, she is what he needs.

The intensity of how much he needs her scares him. How can he be so dependent on someone he barely knew? Elvis parked him on the bench outside the bar "I'm gonna get us a cab mate. You stay here, keep off that leg, Molly is with you and Georgie will be out in a minute. Keep breathing, okay? You're safe now bud" he pulled Charles into a hug.

He finally had control of his breathing again "Molly I'm so sorry" he took her by surprise

"What you sorry for? You have absolutely nothin' to be sorry for" she sat down next to him and used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from his face.

"I didn't tell you about my son."

She was touched that despite what he was currently going through he was thinking about her "You silly numpty. You don't need to say sorry. I bet he's a cutie. Why don't you show me him?" she thought maybe by talking about Sam would take his mind off his racing heart, he fumbled for his phone and showed her his lock screen. "He's adorable, looks just like you" Dark chocolate brown eyes stared back at her, just like Charles' "You must be really proud."

"I am. I just wish I could see him more. His mother makes it difficult."

She could only squeeze his hand; she didn't have anything else to offer him in regard to kids and divorce "How's that leg? Do you think you can walk?" she asked just as Elvis pulled up in a cab.

"No, I can't" he groans in pain as he tries to stand "I'll go one side, Elvis the other" they help him into the cab followed by Georgie "Right let's get him home then we can assess the leg" a concerned Georgie in full medic mode piles in the cab.

"What happened to Smurf?"

"Really Charles? Once again, he's responsible for you being hurt and your still worried about the twat, get him the fuck out of our platoon before I kill him myself."

Molly didn't let go of his hand the whole journey home, squeezing and stroking him praying he would be okay.

-OG-

"Molly I don't know about this leg, what do you think?" Georgie had checked him over but was worried about his inability to stand on it.

"If he can't stand then he needs an X-ray. Better to be safe than sorry with the injury history."

"I appreciate all the concern, but I'm okay I promise. It's just the impact that's all. I already feel like an absolute cock as it is" he was embarrassed, she'd seen him at his absolute worst.

"Charles you really should get checked over. I might be able to pull a few strings and get you seen right away if any of my classmates are on shift." He was too tired, his body drained from his panic attack.

"Please can I just sleep first and see how it is in the morning?" Molly and Georgie looked at each other, giving in to the puppy dog eyes that pleaded with them, going against their better judgement they agreed.

"You're to rest though. If you need anything you are to call one of us" Georgie barked, he nodded in agreement and settled himself into the sofa "I'll leave you to it" Georgie squeezes Molly arm, fully aware of the affect that she'd had on him during his attack "Look after him, won't you?"

"I will."

She stroked his forehead; he was still clammy, "oh Charles what we gonna do with you?"

His eyes flickered open, "I feel an absolute idiot, honestly an absolute fucking prat" she could sympathise with him, it can't have been nice to be stuck in that situation in front of a bar full of people.

"If it makes you feel any better, I've been in worse states than that on a night out and I don't even have PTSD."

He chuckled "I struggle to believe that."

"Oh, you believe me mate, one too many vinos and it goes proper tits up. Come on, you're not staying here, you can bunk in with me. No funny business though or I'll break your other leg" she spat her tongue out at him, something he usually found irritating but she was cute.

"I can't do that Molly."

"Why not?"

"It's your bed and you probably don't want to share it with some near enough stranger."

She attempted to pull him to his feet "I'm offering and you're not a stranger. Come on I can't pull you up without you helping a bit, you're coming in with me no arguments."

She pulled him up to his good leg "Right arm round me neck, ready?" Once again, he was blown away by her, she'd shown him more compassion in a few weeks than Rebecca had in their entire relationship.

"How are you single Molly?"

She laughed "I told you, I'm a bloody nightmare after a few" he threw his head back in laughter, she'd brought him back to the here and now and he felt better just being around her.

"You Molly are a breath of fresh air and an angel."

She smiled "Can I get that in writing? Can you forward it on to my dad?" she helped him pull off his jeans and settle into bed "Remember no funny business." He smirked as she settled into bed next to him. He wanted to wrap his arms around her. She was even smaller than he'd realised.

"Before we piss off to sleep, do you need anything? Don't be afraid to wake me if you need too" She made a last check on his now swollen leg and gathered up cushions from the sofa for him to rest on and Georgie's hangover ice pack "Keep it elevated"

She resisted her urge to kiss him, it wouldn't be right after earlier. She sat down and traced his scars once again "They look angry" he loved the sensation of her fingers on him, he leaned forward and took her hand, gently pulling her closer to him, their eyes once again having a secret conversation. She took his face in her hands and kissed him, gently parting his lips with her tongue, his hands moved to her hips, adjusting himself so he could hide his erection. He was happy with kissing; he didn't want to frighten her with too much too soon. Her arms moved to around his neck "You are so bloody handsome" she whispered.

"And you are beautiful."

She started to kiss down his neck, tempted to go all the way, giving into the ache for him between her legs. "I want you" she whispered, and he wanted her too, more than anything, but he also wanted to wait, for her sake.

She pulled his t-shirt over his head, her hands moving straight to his scars "Ugly aren't they" he needed her approval, her reassurance that she still liked what she saw.

"They're part of you ain't they? Part of what makes you, you" she kissed every single scar on his stomach not once taking her eyes off his. She watched as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of her lips where he'd been caused so much pain. She wished she'd known him then, so she could have been the one to fix him sooner "Does it still hurt?"

"Like hell" her heart was full for him, she didn't know what it was, but she knew he needed her and she was more than happy to be whatever he needed. Of course, she was hoping it would be something meaningful but her craving deep within for him was telling her to take whatever she could get.

He winced, the pain in his leg now becoming too much "We really should take you to A&E."

He shook his head, "let me enjoy just laying with you first" She settled herself into the crook of his arm, her hand tracing his scars once again before leaning up to kiss him goodnight before they fell asleep entwined in each other, in more ways than one.