The weekend had gone far quicker than they'd hoped. They'd made love, laughed, and enjoyed reconnecting after the years spent apart. He was completely depressed at the thought of returning to the rehab centre. Molly had been the breath of fresh he'd needed; he didn't want to let her go.

"I can drive Charles back to the centre on my way home if you like Mrs James? Saves you the journey there and back." Mrs James had been pleasantly surprised by Molly and the effect she had on Charles.

"I can't ask you to do that dear. You've done so much this weekend. I'm so grateful" she smiled and squeezed Molly's hand.

"I'm offering. And I haven't done anything, just looked after him. I love him"

Molly was seeking permission from her; she wanted to know if she was forgiven for her mistakes "I know you do dear. And he loves you. Please just don't hurt him this time, I don't think he could take any more heartbreak."

Molly gave a half-hearted smile "I learnt the hard way that I need him as much as he needs me."

A tear slipped from Mrs James' eye which she tried to brush away unnoticed "Very well dear if you want to drive him, he'll like that. Talk him into that surgery will you?"

"I will" Molly smile was bright and genuine; maybe now she had what she needed from Mrs James they could move forward.

His mood was up and down, mostly down actually Molly thought "When will I see you again?" His puppy dog eyes made her want to weep.

"Well I've got this training, so it's looking like 3 weekends time. I'd love it if you came and stayed with me? What do you think?" The thought of not seeing her for three weeks was truly depressing

"That's a long time, but I'd love to stay with you" she smiled, trying her best not to let him see that she was as upset as he was at their imminent goodbye.

"That's something for us to look forward too then. And you can get your surgery booked in the meantime. You'll be back under my care in Birmingham I'd imagine" she winked at him "Can't wait to get you back into the bog."

He laughed at the thought "Does it really have to be three weeks?" She pulled his hand into hers "You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that shit."

He sighed "You'll be okay, I'm only a phone call away in any case and you can ring me no matter what time it is. I don't want it to be 3 weeks either but it gives you a chance to really work hard and book that bloody surgery!"

He laughed "I'll talk to Jess then and get it sorted" for the first time ever he'd wished for traffic as they approached Headley. She kept her eyes on the road whilst she fought back the tears that were burning her eyes, she didn't want to be apart from him for even a second. Her thoughts had turned to what she would do next; she didn't want to be in Birmingham whilst he was in Bath. No doubt he would return there to finish his recovery once he'd finished at Headley and with her unpredictable shift pattern, she wasn't sure how she'd make it work.

"Penny for them?" He interrupted, stroking her hair as she glared at the road.

"I was just thinking about us" he smiled to himself "Good thoughts I hope?"

"Well yeah I was wondering where do we go from here. Or at least where do we go once you leave the centre. I'll be in Birmingham and you'll be in Bath."

A tightness filled his chest "What are you saying Molly?" She sensed the panic in him "I'm saying that I want to be with you. So, I'll leave Birmingham. I'll be with you wherever you are. If you'll have me?"

His face lit up "You mean you'd leave the job you love for me?"

She giggled "I'd do anything for you, I love you."

He ignored the pain in his ribs to lean over and kiss her cheek "I love you more".

She pulled into a bay at Headley "Right piss off Dawes, Don't want this lot seeing me get emotional."

"Erm, I don't think so Mate. I need to come and get a look at this Jess, see what I'm up against" she winked.

"There's been no one since you Molly."

"I was only joking muppet. I want to see you inside, get you settled down for the night" she jumped out the car before tears could take over, a pretty blonde catching her eye as she helped him out.

"Captain James I hope you're ready for some hard work this week? And that you had a nice time of course!" Jess giggled, a flirty giggle Molly thought. She moved forward to help him as Moly unloaded his equipment from the car "How have you been? Managed okay?" Molly watched as she protectively led him inside, her hand on the small of his back as she sat him into a chair and wheeled him off, furious and she couldn't hide it, slamming the car door in anger.

"Can you point me in the direction of Captain James' room please" another attractive nurse led her to them, Jess fussing over his bad leg already. "Molly sorry I didn't mean to leave you behind" he held out his hand for her to join him "Jess this is my girlfriend Molly" she took his hand and wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

"He's in good hand Molly don't worry, I'll look after him" Jess smiled, sarcastically Molly thought.

"Thanks Jess, I can handle him from here" she replied curtly. Charles bit his lip to try and suppress his laughter.

"Wow Molly" he laughed "If she was a cat she'd have pissed on you.

She does realise she's just your physiotherapist, don't she? And your girlfriend am I?"

He felt unsure of himself "Oh, well only if you want to be? Unless you want to take it slow?" His brown eyes melted her.

"I most definitely want to be your girlfriend numpty and I never want to not be your girlfriend ever again."

He pulled her into his lap to kiss her, taking in her smell for the last time for three weeks "I'll be counting the days Dawes" his tongue parted her lips as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Ditto"

Their temporary goodbye took much longer than anticipated, both left feeling sad and deflated afterwards. He wanted to trust her and believe that he'd see her in 3 weeks but he had to remind himself that when the going got tough, Molly got going. He had to arm himself in case she couldn't hack it again, after all his situation was a difficult one. He was completely rebuilding himself.

"Glad to have you back Captain" Jess called as she strolled passed his door. He'd never noticed her flirting before but now Molly had mentioned it, he'd keep his eye on her.

Molly couldn't help but wish that Jess would fuck off somewhere far, far away. She wanted to be the one who was there for him, and now she was going to be away for 3 weeks. She'd been half tempted to cancel her training but the thought of Sue strangling her with her own lanyard wasn't very appealing. She'd stick it out and then take some much needed time off to spend with him.

-OG-

He found their separation harder than anticipated. Every time she'd rang him, he was down and unhappy, with not much to say. She'd doubled up on her training classes on Friday in order the sneak a surprise visit to him over the weekend. He only had one more weekend to wait out but Mrs James had mentioned he was depressed and not cooperating with his rehab so Molly decided she needed to cheer him up.

She observed from the corridor as Jess put him through his paces on the parallel bars. His leg still didn't seem to be cooperating, much to his frustration. She watched as he panted and groaned "I can't fucking do this. I just can't do this! Nothing is happening. I need to sit"

"No pain no gain Captain. Keep going! You can have a seat when you've moved your leg."

Molly felt a surge of anger watching him struggle. "Jess please I need to stop." Molly couldn't work out if she was enjoying making him suffer or was just demonstrating tough love.

"This isn't worthy of a Captain, keep going."

Jess' words tipped her over the edge "I think you'll find he's done enough; can't you see he's knackered" She pushed his chair towards him "Sit down Charles before you fall" despite his agony he was ecstatic to see her.

"Molly" he watched as Molly and Jess had some kind of standoff between them.

"Take a break Captain. I'll come and find you in a little while."

He laughed as Molly muttered all sorts of cockney slang insults under her breathe as she wheeled him back to his room "Fucking cow" she finally finished off with.

He pulled her into his lap "I. Am. So. Happy. To. See. You" each word punctuated with a kiss.

She nuzzled her face into his neck "Ditto"

"Let's get you out of this thing" she pulled him up onto his good leg quickly so he didn't have time to protest "Hands on my shoulders, show me that leg working. I know you can do it."

Frustration filled his face "I can't Molly" he reached for his now aching ribs, wrapping his arm protectively around his torso "I need to sit."

She felt guilty as he clutched his side "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you" she helped him into bed, sulky Charles happened to be very cute "I'm sorry baby, I just really believe in you."

He gave a sad smile "I need a brain scan Molly. They think it might be an undiagnosed brain injury that's doing this to me."

She took his hand "well let's get you back to Birmingham then. They'll fix it."

The sadness in his eyes was killing her "I promise they'll fix it" she run her hands through his hair "You've got me for the whole day so what do you wanna do?"

He pulled her into him "Anything that involves you" his lips pressed hard against hers, pulling at her bottom lip and nibbling. Her hands found their way up his t-shirt, she was pleased to feel he was a bit fuller than the last time she'd touched him "Want to get out of here for a bit?" She offered, pulling herself out of his grip before things got too steamy.

"I need a shower and clean clothes first" she rummaged through his clothes pulling out the grey tracksuit bottoms she loved so much on him "These are the sexiest thing I've ever seen on you. And you look pretty sexy in everything so that's saying something."

He smirked at the compliment "You'll be pleased to know I can now shower myself."

"That's a shame I was looking forward to it" with a wink she followed him into the bathroom and watched as he removed his clothes, sitting himself onto the chair, she fought herself not to take him there and then.

"Perv" He chuckled, a sound she'd missed so much over the last 2 weeks.

"You shouldn't be so bleedin' perfect then should you" she moved forward and straddled him "I can't wait, I have to have you now" she whispered as she started to remove her clothes.

She felt him growing beneath her as she grinded against him, her hand moving down to cup him "And you want me too" They devoured each other's necks with kisses until the ache between her legs became too much. She pulled off her jeans, mounting him, burying her mouth in his neck to keep herself quiet; no one had ever turned her on the way this beautiful man did. She watched his face, full of pleasure and ecstasy as she slowly moved up and down, teasing him with every movement as his fondled her breasts. She brought them both to a quick climax, neither of them able to wait any longer. His hands roamed her body, she was perfect in every way, he loved everything about her, especially how she made love to him. He moved the best he could to please her, to reciprocate her effort but his battered body still held him back.

She turned on the shower for him and watched as he washed her away. He really is beautiful. She did her best to push away the worry of his possible brain injury, how could they have missed it? She wasn't sure he'd be able to take much more but whatever the outcome she would be there, she'd fix him best she could. They giggled as she ran past the nurses station, pushing him in his wheelchair running through the corridors like children. They strolled around the local town after sneaking him out, the sunshine felt good against his skin.

"I promised myself I would be out of this thing by now" He was self-conscious of people staring at him in the wheelchair.

"There's no rush is there? And besides it's not your only mode of transport, is it? Got ya sticks as well."

He smiled at her cheek "Little piss taker Dawsey."

She spat out her tongue "You love it really."

He looked up to face at her, scooping up her hand that sat on his shoulder "I do. I love you so much. You give me something to keep going for" his eyes glazed over with sadness.

"Things will get better in time I promise you Charles. It won't always feel this bad."

He sighed "How do I ever forgot?"

In that moment she felt so sad for him that the tears that threatened every time he spoke about his ordeal managed to escape "You'll never forget, but you'll learn to live with it. You'll learn to cope."

He nodded "I hope so Molly."

She cupped his face "I wish I could do more. I wish I could take it away" he leaned into her hand, enjoying the warmth of her against his skin.

You'd never know there was anything wrong with him she thought as she observed him lying on the grass in front of her, taking in all his handsome features. He'd been so tired from his nightmares and to be honest there wasn't much for them to do. Food was always the answer, she bought half of the local supermarket for a picnic in the most beautiful flower garden she'd ever seen.

"I wish Sam was here" he sighed at the thought of his son.

"How long has it been?" she knew Rebecca wasn't the easiest of people when it came to Sam.

"Weeks now, he's a bit frightened of me I think, but hopefully soon he'll realise that I'm still just dad."

She kissed him hard "He will, just give him time". For a moment they'd almost been a normal couple, the stresses and strains of the last few months felt far away as they kissed in the long grass.

-OG-

Elvis couldn't hide the fact he was fuming as he waited for Charles. He'd known he was coming all week, straight from the tarmac of Brize Norton. His foot tapping was pissing the nurses off at their station next door. He'd give it 5 more minutes and then he was off, sleep deprived and hungry this was the last thing he wanted to be doing if Charlie wasn't even here to see him.

Molly sheepishly wheeled him back into his room. "Sorry mate it completely slipped my mind. I'm sorry" he held his hand out for Elvis to pull him to his feet.

"I'll let you off bud as you was clearly having a nice time" he nodded, awkwardly acknowledging Molly, still not her biggest fan as he helped his friend into bed. "You look a lot better Charlie. How are the injuries coming along? 2 Section are missing you."

Charles smiled at the mention of his lads "I never thought I'd miss that bunch of fuck muppets but I definitely am. As for the injuries, hopefully on the mend as soon as I get a brain scan and see what's gone wrong with this leg."

Molly hated to interrupt them but the awkwardness with Elvis was too much "I'm gonna leave you boys too it, Charles, I'll see you in a week for our weekend in Birmingham. Be good and take care. I love you."

They shared a long lingering kiss, Charles not wanting to let her go "Thank you for today. I love you too, drive safely" sadness came over him as he watched her leave.

Elvis wasn't used to seeing him that way, pining over a woman. He didn't get it. Sure, she was beautiful and different to most girls. She had the same fiery spark that he loved in Georgie, they didn't take any shit but she'd hurt him so badly before. He didn't understand why he'd put himself through it, he knew she'd do it again and this time he was vulnerable, his ordeal had changed him.

"What's that face for?" Charles interrupted "What face? It's just my face, my very tired face but I wanted to see you before I hit my pit for a week and I've sat here like a mug while you were, god knows where with her."

Charles sighed "I'm sorry, she surprised me and I just forgot. I'll buy you a beer to make up for it. I get out of here next Friday, pick me up and we'll go for a drink?" Elvis was happy to see him forward planning, he'd been in such a hole the last time he saw him, not wanting to leave the house or do anything. While his physical state may still be impaired, he was hoping that his head was on the mend.

"Just be careful with her please Charlie. Be prepared for the worst I just don't trust her. I can't see you go through it again" Elvis had always had a soft spot for Charles, ever since their Sandhurst days. They were the two lookers of the bunch and they well and truly used it to their advantage, although Charles had always been the more modest of the two. Despite their very different backgrounds they'd clicked from day one and time and postings apart from each other never changed anything. Elvis was devastated when he'd heard Charlie had been shot in Afghan. He was a realist and he more than anyone knew the risks of the job, especially since he'd been in the SF but he'd never expected it to be Charles. He was the more reckless of the two, he'd have put his money on him being shot before Charles. Then when Charles was taken, well he felt like his world would cave in. He had to be the one to get him out and he'd stop at nothing to find him.

"I'm sorry mate, I don't mean to put a downer on it. I want you to be happy, fuck knows you deserve it. Just be careful" he got to his feet and patted Charles on the back "I'm gonna have to shoot, need bloody match sticks for my eyes. Friday it is then yeah? Man date, me and you. I'll drop you off at Molly's afterwards" they shared a hug and more back patting and then he was gone.

The knot in his stomach returned before he'd seen the green of Elvis' back disappear from view. He was alone again; alone to deal with the minefield that was his mind.

The sound of her mobile violently vibrating on the bedside table woke her from a much needed sleep. The red numbers on the clock alerting her that she only had a couple of hours left before she had to be up.

She grabbed the phone to see his handsome face flashing up on the caller ID.

"Charlie?"

"Molly"

"What's wrong?" The line was silent, his breathing laboured. "It's okay. You're safe baby. Bring yourself back to me."

She listened as he fought for his breath, her heart breaking.

"Molly I was back there, back in hell. I can feel it; everything they did to me; I can feel it all over again. It's agony Molly help me."

Tears spilled from her eyes at the fear in his voice "I'm coming Charles. I'm coming baby, hold tight for me."

She drove the empty roads like a lunatic, Taking the nurses by surprise as she bashed the locked door down, she needed to get to him "He's in a bad way" she announced as she dashed straight past them.

He was curled into as much of a ball as his battered body would allow him to make. His red rimmed sad eyes met hers "I'm here. Your safe, I'm here" She pulled him into her lap as best as she could considering their size difference. Her fingers stroke through his sweaty curls as she watches his chest rise and fall, a little bit calmer with each breathe.

"I'm sorry Molly" he finally had enough energy to speak.

She gently adjusted so she could see his face "You don't ever have to be sorry for needing me. I promised you I'd be here whenever you needed me and I meant it" she kissed away the frown from his forehead.

"What about your training? Surely, I've messed it up."

She kissed him silent "I've left a voicemail; told them I had a family emergency. You come first, let's get you cooled down and back to bed" Tenderly she wiped away the sweat from his clammy body. Her touch welcome to his still aching body. He's childlike as he watched her; he can see the love in her eyes as she dresses him and puts him back to bed.

"Lay with me?" she lays down beside him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Sleep my love" She whispers, stroking his hair. The warmth and comfort of her body against him sending him into a peaceful sleep.

He woke with a fright as she rustled round the room. The dull ache in his leg, ever present causing him to groan "Hey sleepy. How you feeling?" Instinctively her hands move to massage his painful leg.

"Mmm that feels so good. You should be a nurse" he smirked at his own joke

"They've said they'll let you rest today; I can stick around until dinner time but then I've got to get back ready for tomorrow. I'm really glad you called me though Charles" She was a bit rattled by the look of him. He'd appeared to have taken a step backwards since she saw him last. She was counting down the last 2 days before she could bring him home.