Disclaimer: I don't own Our Girl. Everything you recognise was created by Tony Grounds and is owned by the BBC.

Chapter 10

Charles James was in a taxi heading back up the M40 to Birmingham. He'd hoped he was done with this particular journey for a while, but on the Wednesday after his birthday the e-mail had come from Major Beck to tell him that an officer was coming up from London on Friday to interview the two of them about his after-action report from the bridge. Charles knew that Major Beck had left unsaid that his relationship with Molly was also going to be firmly in the spotlight.

After receiving the e-mail he had been pretty concerned. He already wasn't sleeping that well anyway, but the thought of the likely questioning had added a whole new level of stress. Between finding it tough to get to sleep because he was worrying about the interview, and the dreams he was already trying to deal with, he had barely slept on Wednesday or Thursday nights. He had told Molly that he had to go into Barracks today and when she had asked why, he had just said that there was a query on his after action report that needed to be followed up. He didn't want her to worry and, anyway, since he had to keep the medal situation secret, he didn't think he could tell her anything about the reasons for his visit.

As it happened the meeting hadn't gone badly. The officer in question had been a full Colonel, which showed how seriously the upper echelons were taking this, but Colonel Wilson had been perfectly polite and hadn't been at all abrasive. He had asked some difficult questions but on the whole Charles felt that he'd got out of the interview in one piece. He had told the complete truth about their relationship during the questioning, apart from for what had happened in the compound. He had stuck to his story that Molly and he had had a heart to heart and had hugged, but he hadn't said anything about the kiss. There was no way they could find out. Smurf couldn't remember what had happened (or had blanked it from his memory) and he didn't think Molly would be falling over herself to tell them.

Colonel Wilson had smiled at the end of the interview and told them he didn't see anything particularly out of order and had repeated Major Beck's comment about the Army not court martialling people for having feelings. While they weren't 100% in the clear yet, it certainly looked better. Colonel Wilson had left straightaway but Charles had stayed for a quick chat and catch up with Major Beck, who he had a good relationship with. They had compared notes on their respective leaves, with Charles asking about his family and the Major asking about Molly and Sam. The Major had told him that he would be in touch when there was news and he had taken his leave.

Apart from the issues with the Army, and his dreams, everything was coming along well. He was enjoying helping Molly with her physiotherapy exercises and her movement was improving. She was now able to walk longer distances and they had got to the door of the ward yesterday afternoon.

She had initially been upset when Smurf had been discharged, feeling that Smurf had been unconscious for longer than her so should be in hospital for longer, and that she would never get out of the hospital, but he had told her quite strenuously that even though Smurf had had an operation on his brain, his injuries were significantly less serious than hers, so it was to be expected that he would be discharged earlier. Luckily they had had a meeting the next day with her specialists and they had set 30th May as a target discharge date for Molly. Since then she had been more focused, and more content as well.

Her specialists were happy with her physical healing as well and she was scheduled to have a procedure on Monday to reverse the colostomy which had taken the pressure off her intestines while they healed. She was both pleased and upset about this; pleased because it was the last hurdle before being allowed to go home, but upset because it was a proper surgical procedure and would limit her movement again for a few days afterwards, while her wound healed.

Charles and Marge were expecting quite a lot of stress when she found her movement limited again, but everyone was now just looking forward so much to getting her home again that they were willing to bear it.

- OG - OG - OG - OG -

It was the Monday morning, just before her operation when Charles received the call from Major Beck. He had been sitting in Molly's room with her and Marge. He was reading a book, Molly was mucking about on the internet and Marge was reading from a women's weekly, occasionally holding a particularly funny photo out for them to look at or commenting pithily on a particularly silly statement, which would often result in a conversation as they agreed with her view or disagreed. It was a common way for them to pass the time. They had just been laughing about pictures of a young soap actress which had appeared on the Daily Mail website.

"She's just come out the gym, of course she don't look excited!" Molly laughed, swivelling around her laptop so they could see the pictures, and reading out the "article".

"Yeah, I'd like to see that journalist not looking "tired and dishevelled" after going to the gym! What a bunch of idiots!" agreed Marge.

Charles was saved from making a comment by his phone starting to play "Good golly, Miss Molly". He looked up to see Molly smirking at him.

"Really, Charlie?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Well, what can I say?" he asked, "it just seemed right!"

"James." He answered it.

"Charles? It's Roger Beck."

"Just a minute, sir," he replied, scrambling up and heading out of the room with an apologetic look at Molly and miming "It's work, have to take this" to them.

Closing the door behind him and then walking towards the entrance of the ward he spoke into the phone, "Sorry about that sir, I'm in private now."

"It's just a quick one Charles. The award was confirmed. I am delighted to inform you that Private Dawes will receive a Military Cross and Bar for her bravery in Afghanistan," Charles exhaled noisily, "I know. It was apparently a very close thing, but they decided to go with the MC rather than a CGC and, the way it was explained to me, it's better this way because they get to honour her twice. If it was the CGC, the first act would have been subsumed into the higher award.

"Since she's been transferred the role of informing her technically falls to her new unit, but they've been kind enough to let us do the job since she was serving with us at the time, and because of the special circumstances. So I'd like to arrange a time when you and I can inform her."

- OG - OG - OG - OG -

It was now Thursday and Major Beck was due at the hospital this morning. Molly's operation had gone well on Monday afternoon but she was now bed-bound again and not enjoying it very much at all. As a result, Marge and Charles weren't enjoying it very much either! Being bed-bound when you're very ill is apparently completely different to being bed-bound when you feel you're OK (and when you've been in bed for nearly six weeks as well) and Molly was not dealing well with it. She was irritated and emotional and resenting the fact that she couldn't get up and walk again. But the surgeons had told her she needed to give it a few more days, so that's what she had had to do.

Charles had called Major Beck to discuss his visit again yesterday. Initially they had decided that Molly would like them to communicate the award formally, but Molly's current irritation and anger made Charles suggest that the Major might want to make it a more informal visit. Having listened to Charles' reasoning the Major agreed, noting that there would be enough pomp and circumstance at the investiture to last a lifetime. Having attended a Buckingham Palace investiture himself (including worrying that he would stand in the wrong place or address the Queen incorrectly or somehow insult her) Charles totally agreed.

Charles had mentioned Beck's visit to Molly in passing last night, just saying that the Major wanted to pay his respects and wish her luck with her career before she moved on. Marge had said at the time that four's a crowd and suggested that she could find something else to do during the visit and Molly had agreed. Charles had mentioned to Marge when they were alone at the house later that night that she might want to be there after all.

She had given him a piercing look and told him, "There's somethin' you're not tellin' me Charlie."

He had smiled tightly at her and told her, "I can't deny it Marge, but I also can't tell you. But I can tell you that you'll want to be there tomorrow, both for Molly and for you."

She had looked at him contemplatively for a few moments before agreeing. Which was how they found themselves sitting in Molly's room just before 10.30 that morning. Marge was dressed semi-formally and Charles was impressed that she had picked up on what he had left unsaid about the Major's visit last night. He himself was wearing a shirt and trousers, rather than his customary T-shirt and combats. If Molly had noted their different attire this morning she had kept it to herself. They were in their regular positions, Molly lying on the bed, though tilted up, and wearing her customary uniform of sweat pants and sweat top, fiddling with her phone, Charles sitting in a chair at the end of the bed a little to her left and Marge sitting to his right with the table between them.

There was a knock at the door and they looked up to see Major Beck. He was wearing chinos, light blue shirt and a dark blue blazer, the first time in a long time that Charles had seen him out of uniform, and carrying a bunch of flowers. Charles went over to greet him and shake his hand and introduced him to Marge and then he crossed to the bed to greet Molly as Charles dragged a chair round for him so he could sit.

"Private Dawes - Molly," he greeted her, smiling.

"Sir," she wasn't quite sure how to relate to an extremely senior officer coming to visit her, but she smiled at him and told him, "It feels wrong not to be at attention sir!"

"Well don't, for God's sake. I just wanted to come along to see how you're doing. Charles has been keeping me up to date with your progress and I'm pleased to hear that you're going to be going home soon."

Molly made a non-committal reply and they made quite stilted small talk for about five minutes. Charles offered everyone drinks and when he returned the awkward conversation was continuing. He handed the Major his tea. The Major took a sip and grimaced, "Yuck, that's foul!"

They all burst out laughing. "That's what we said, sir," said Charles, "That's why we all have hot chocolate or cold drinks now!" The Major smiled ruefully and then placed his plastic cup on the table, obviously wanting nothing more to do with it.

Then he looked at Molly, "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here Molly?" he asked her directly.

"A bit sir," she replied, looking worried, "We're not in any trouble are we?" she asked, gesturing at Charles.

"No!" replied the Major, "In fact you couldn't be further from the truth. Given your emerging feelings, Captain James and yourself have acted very responsibly. Obviously, given the nature of what happened, there has been some scrutiny of your relationship but I've spoken to Captain James and we spoke to a senior officer late last week and the Army has confirmed that there will be no action taken against him." Charles gulped, pleased by the outcome, but slightly worried by Molly's glare in his direction. While he hadn't (quite) lied to her about the interview, he had been, in her words, a little economical with the truth about the nature of the meeting, but he felt she had enough to be dealing with and didn't want to stress or worry her.

"Actually," the Major said as Charles thought "here it comes" and braced himself, "I'm here for a much happier reason. Private Molly Dawes" he told her, standing and drawing himself to attention. Charles did likewise, almost involuntarily, conscious of Molly's gasp of surprise, "It gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been awarded the Military Cross and Bar for your exemplary performance during active service on Operation Herrick 19. On two separate occasions during your deployment in Afghanistan you willingly put your life at risk in order to help your comrades. Being prepared to sacrifice your life in order to protect a comrade's is above and beyond the call of duty, and to do it on two separate occasions is outstanding. You were already confirmed to receive the MC for your actions in the rescue of Private Dylan Smith, but your actions on the bridge during the apprehension of the terrorist Badrai were more courageous than the Army has any right to expect. As a result you were awarded a second MC for those actions. You join a select group of people who have received our country's third highest award for bravery twice. Congratulations Private Dawes."

As Molly lay on the bed, stunned, Charles could hear sniffling coming from behind him. He looked to his left to see Marge standing there crying and, knowing that there were likely more revelations to come, he immediately crossed to her and put his hand around her shoulders comfortingly. She immediately hugged him close.

As he expected, Major Beck hadn't finished yet, "It is also my pleasure to inform you Private Dawes that the apprehension of the terrorist Badrai resulted in the breaking of two Taliban cells and the prevention of a number of planned attacks on Afghan and western troops and civilian targets. The American military has nominated you for, and the American Government has approved, the award of the Silver Star, America's third highest decoration for valour.

"If you are fit enough, you will be presented with your MC and Bar by Her Majesty the Queen at the investiture at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 12 June 2014. You will be presented with your Silver Star by the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom at a private ceremony in the American Embassy on Friday 13 June.

"Congratulations Private Dawes – Molly – it makes me prouder than I can say that a soldier under my command has been decorated in this manner. And, as someone who has served with you, I can only say that no-one deserves these awards more than you do."

"Sir?" Charles' heart went out to Molly in that moment. The uncertainty and self-doubt in her wavering voice was almost painful to hear, "Are you sure you've got the right person? I was only doin' my job. That's all I've ever done."

"Yes Molly, we have. Your commanding officer," and here he gestured at Charles, "was very clear in his report about the Smith incident. Medics are a special breed, but I still don't know too many that would crawl across a minefield with no detection equipment–" Charles held onto Marge as she gave an involuntary yelp, "and there were multiple witnesses to you putting your body between Badrai and your section on the bridge. So, yes. We are quite certain that we have the right person, Molly. What you did was exceptional. You should be proud of yourself. Your fellow soldiers, your officers and everyone in this room is. And I'm sure your family will be as well when they hear about it."

That was it. The interview was over. The major made small talk for a few more minutes, shook Molly's hand, then bade farewell to Charles and Marge, promising that he would speak to Charles later. When he came back from seeing the Major out, Charles found Marge and Molly in a tearful hug on the bed, with Marge speaking quietly and reassuringly to Molly. He paused in the doorway, enjoying recalling the moment. He had been so proud for Molly when Major Beck said those things to her. She really was one in a million and he was so lucky to have her as his girlfriend. Mind you, he was not looking forward to her realising that he knew about the awards. While she was very sweet she also had a nasty tongue on her and he was sure he'd be in big trouble once she recovered enough to think about it.

"Bossman?" This is it he thought, wondering abstractly if he shouldn't have worn his body armour today! He looked up to see her regarding him through tear-filled eyes. Her grandmother was standing by the left side of the bed.

"Mols?" he queried, although he knew what was probably coming.

"Why did you do it? I don't deserve a medal. I just did my job." He smiled sadly at her, and then walked round the bed, moving Major Beck's vacated chair closer to the bed and sitting in it so he could grasp her left hand.

"I didn't do anything Molly. I just wrote the report. It was my superiors who decided that what you had done was worthy of a medal." He told her, neatly forgetting to mention that he had told Major Beck verbally that she deserved a medal after the first incident. What she didn't know couldn't hurt her. "And awards and decorations are allocated at a much higher pay grade than mine." He told her.

"But Molly," and here he squeezed her hand and looked directly into her beautiful green eyes, which looked so forlorn, "I truly believe that you deserve these awards. What you did for Smurf was outstandingly brave and you did risk your life for his – twice – once crossing the minefield and once going up in the helicopter. Against my orders I might add! And don't tell me you didn't hear because we both know that's bullshit. But we won't go into that," he told her, smiling, and pleased to see a ghost of a smile cross her face. "And then on the bridge – you made a conscious decision not to move because otherwise we would have been in the line of fire. And then you made a second decision to alter your aim so we could capture him, even at the risk of suffering massive injury, or even death, yourself. You must understand that that is a heroic thing to do? Most soldiers would just get out of the way and let whatever happened happen. If you had you wouldn't have been injured." He finished, hoping she got there.

She didn't disappoint him, "But then you and Smurf might have been injured, or killed." She told him.

He smiled. "Exactly. You were prepared to trade your wellbeing for ours Mols. That's medal-worthy, don't you think?" she stared back at him, annoyed at being tricked. He looked to the side, hoping for some support, "Marge?"

Her grandmother was sitting silently, tears falling down her face, "There's no words, Mols. Charlie's right. I'm so proud of you. Your mum's goin' to bust a gut when she finds out."

"You really think that Charlie? You ain't just sayin?" Molly was going down fighting, but he was determined to make her understand. "Yes Molly. I would have given you the VC if it was my choice, but I may be the teensiest bit biased! Certainly the CGC was a possibility."

She looked at him steadily for a second, as if assessing his sincerity. Then she looked down, "Thank you Charlie." He smiled sadly. "No. Thank you Molly. If you hadn't done what you did I probably wouldn't be here and Smurf certainly wouldn't."

- OG - OG - OG - OG -

Molly was sitting at the table in her room reading her fan mail. It was 08.00 on Tuesday 27th May, and if all went according to plan she would be leaving the hospital tomorrow. She just had to pass the specialists' examinations later today and she could go home tomorrow.

She reflected on an amazing few days. The news of her medal awards had got around quickly and she wasn't quite sure how it had happened. She couldn't deny that the reactions had been rather touching. She had endured a tearful conversation with her parents on the Thursday night that Major Beck had visited and their call had interrupted Dr Matthews' surprise visit to congratulate her. He and Charlie had left together and Charlie hadn't come back for several minutes. The reason for that chat had become obvious later in the week.

Charlie had also let the cat out of the bag to Dangles when he had been in to visit the next day and his pleasure at the award was clearly evident. What was more, she had received calls, e-mails and Facebook messages from all of Two Section and many of the other members of the platoon over the next few days. Just as touching was the call she had received from Qaseem the next morning. He had been delighted. She had enjoyed catching up with him and been even more excited to talk to him in Pashto. She had received a letter of congratulation from Jackie (attached to a separate letter which was filled with gossip about people they both knew from her time at Bastion and in training), which was signed by several members of the MERT teams and the Bastion hospital staff who had treated her, and just this morning she had received an e-mail from Corporal Geddings and Corporal Richards, her trainers at Pirbright. She had also received an e-mail from Corporal Drake and some of the instructors at Keogh which had left her tickled pink. She was unbelievably touched that so many people were reaching out to her and so many were delighted by her awards. Maybe Charlie had been right about how many people cared for her, after all.

The surprises hadn't stopped there though. There had been one last corker. Last night Dr Matthews had returned, and this time he'd brought a guest. She had known that something was up because Charlie had brought a package with him that afternoon and had been pretty stum about what was in it, only telling her that all would be revealed in time. At 17.00 Dr Matthews had knocked on her door, but this time he'd been accompanied by a woman who was very familiar, despite her unfamiliar clothing. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and looked totally different from how she had looked the last time that Molly had seen her. But Molly knew who she was. How could you not recognise the woman who'd saved your life? She had struggled out of her seat.

"Major Watts? How?" she had gasped.

"It's just Nicky, Molly" the woman had told her. "I'm not on duty and neither is Richard. For how, I think you should ask Captain James."

All eyes had swung to Charles, who was currently shaking hands with Dr Matthews. He went to shake hands with Major Watts, "If I'm going to be calling you Nicky, Major, then I think the least you can do is call me Charles!" he had told her, and then with a glance at Molly he had added, "Dr Matthews" he held up his hands in response to Dr Matthews' mock glare, "Sorry - Richard - told me that Major - sorry - Nicky," he grinned embarrassedly, "was coming home at the weekend and I knew that we'd both want a chance to thank her, and Richard told me that she was keen to see you, so I suggested that they stop in."

Nicky told her, "And I'm really pleased we did. It's great to see you standing up Molly. I did wonder whether you would make it. You didn't look too good at all, but it's fantastic to see you looking so well. By the way," she told Molly, "Jackie sends her love. I've been keeping her up to date with your condition whenever I get an update from Richard. She should be back in about three or four weeks and she told me once she gets back we should have a girl's night out!" she winked at Molly cheekily.

That had broken the ice and they had all talked for a long time, with Nicky filling them in about the latest news from Bastion ("there's hardly any of it left now; it looks so forlorn") and Richard and Charles bonding over a shared love of rugby. Finally it was time for the visitors to go and, as they stood up, Charles had taken out the mysterious package.

"Nicky, on behalf of Molly and I, we'd like you to have this. A little birdy told me they were your favourite, and we wanted to thank you, not only for saving Molly's life (chocolates aren't really enough for that!) but for keeping me informed when I was at Bastion and she was back here – it stopped me going mad!"

She had opened the package and whistled, "Charles – you can come again. How did you know? Wow, there must be enough here to keep me going for a month!" Molly looked questioningly at Charles and Nicky who took pity on her and showed her the box, "The best chocolates in the known world Molly." She took the top off, "Here – try one!"

Not sure what to do but not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth Molly reached for a chocolate and popped it in her mouth, "Bloody 'Ell!" she exclaimed, "That's amazin'!"

"Yep!" replied Nicky, "And you can only get them in London. And he obviously knows where from!" she teased, winking at Charles.

He groaned, "Don't be telling her that Nicky! It already cost me a fortune buying those – you'll have to wait for a special occasion Dawesy!"

Nicky winked at her playfully, "Looks like you'll have to use your feminine wiles Molly!"

So far it hadn't worked, but she reckoned she had plenty of time to practice on him. All the time in the world.

A/N 1 The pictures on the Daily Mail website are a reference to the ongoing papping of Lacey Turner and the idiotic articles they write about it. Of course she doesn't look happy – she's just going about her daily life and you idiots keep shoving a camera in her face or invading her privacy! I'd be pissed off as well.

A/N 2 So I kind of bottled it a bit on the medals. I did want to give her a CGC but no medic has ever received one and I wasn't sure whether this sort of act fell into the definition, even though several medics did receive VCs during WW1 and WW2. I didn't want to give offence (on the off chance that anyone from the military might ever actually read one of my fics) so I stuck with the MC, which has been awarded to medics in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A/N 3 I've decided that this will be the last chapter of RNT. I had another 3-4 chapters planned out, but I will now just upload the epilogue.

To my regular reviewers I'm sorry and thank you very much for your support. It means the world to me.