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

Epilogue

"So, you agree then," he said, leaning across her to refill her brandy glass as they lay together on the sofa. He was still a fine looking man, she thought, even at 53 and with all those years of service behind him. His brown eyes still transfixed her, even if he had a bit less hair and what was there was greyed at the sides. His skin was rough from a life of dealing with all weathers that home and foreign lands could throw at you. "I'll resign my commission and take the UN role."

She couldn't help but ask one more time, "Are you sure Charlie? It's a big step. The Army's all you've ever known. I know it's a great role and we'll get to work together, but is it worth throwing away all you've worked for?" While she still had the vestiges of her Cockney accent, it was significantly less pronounced. Over the course of her career she had now spent more time away from London than in it.

He gave her one of his famous lopsided smiles as he answered, "If you'd asked me 5 years ago, Hell, even 2 years ago I would have agreed with you Mols, but life as a Major General is seriously dull! It's mostly desk work. Even as a Brigadier I had some day to day contact with actual soldiers but here it's all staff officers and it's driving me nuts. I want to get back to a role where I'm actually contributing, where I'm making a difference, and the UN role gives me that. I get to make a difference to people's lives on the ground, work on plans and strategy that make a difference on a broader level, and actually get out into the field sometimes. Plus I get to work with the prettiest Colonel in the British Army as my liaison officer!" he finished, leering at her cheekily.

"Well, since you put it that way…" she couldn't help grinning back at him. It was amazing to her that even after 25 years and three children he still thought that she was sexy, but there was no denying he did, because he made sure to show her how much he loved her regularly. Who'd have thought they'd still have an active sex life after all this time? She couldn't complain though – he always took excellent care of her and he was a wonderful partner, both sexually and emotionally. Plus, he always talked everything through with her and was always happy to help, support or advise her when she needed to make a decision. Their marriage truly was a partnership. She still thought of how lucky she'd been that he was her first Captain. Once he'd gotten over his emotional scars and his guilt over her injuries, reassured by the full recovery she'd made, he'd gone back to the Army and they'd both made a career of it.

They'd never served together again, but they'd served in the same force on a number of occasions and the Army had been wonderful about finding them postings together. After lots of effort he had finally persuaded her to go for a commission after three years and she'd never looked back. She had risen steadily up the rank ladder and, after a highly successful tour as CO of 4 Armoured Medical Regiment, she was all set to join the United Nations Centre for Disaster Relief as British Army medical liaison, under its soon-to-be-announced new deputy head, soon-to-be retired Major General Charles James.

Bored with her wool-gathering he leaned over to kiss her and it was just getting heated as her sister Bella walked in, uttered a startled exclamation and covered her eyes, "God, what are you two like? I'm scarred for life – again! It's 25 years and you're still going at it like rabbits!"

Disentangling herself, but not in the least embarrassed (they had been caught in way more compromising positions than this over the years) Molly replied, "Well, it's a good thing he made an honest woman out of me then! It's not like we're embarrassing – we're both fully clothed! Anyway, what is it?"

Bella slowly removed her hands to confirm that it was safe to look. Molly and Charles both grinned back at her cheerfully, now fully disengaged, "Whatever. I came up to tell you that Dylan, Mary and the kids are here, and he's brought Aunt Candy with him."

"Thanks Bella," grinned Charles, "we'll be down in a minute." And then, standing as Bella left the room, he extended his hand to Molly, "so Colonel James, would you do me the honour of joining me?"

"Certainly, Major General James, it would be my pleasure," she replied, taking his hand and standing next to him. They descended the stairs hand in hand and headed to the living room, with its massive Christmas tree, to re-join their guests.

Here they found Molly's long-time best male friend, his mother, wife and their two kids being entertained by Charles' and Molly's own kids, 17 year old Lucy, 15 year old Ben and 14 year old Jackie.

Smurf, or Uncle Dylan to the kids and half of Molly's family, had had a tough few years after Afghanistan, but it had all come together when he'd met Mary Rogers and married her two years later. Molly had already seen the writing on the wall and given him Candy's ring back a year before he actually got the guts to pop the question! He had started off as an apprentice mechanic in his uncle's business before becoming the successful owner of a small string of car dealerships in south Wales. He was godfather to Molly's and Charles' son Ben and a regular visitor to the James household.

Half of Molly's family was also in the living room, with Belinda and Dave taking care of four of their grandchildren, while Celia and Richard James talked with Molly's best female friend Jackie and her husband Bill, who were staying for Christmas. Bella's youngest, Tim, played quietly with his new Lego set while her husband, Dave, and her eldest, George, were having an in depth discussion with Sam and his new wife, Victoria.

As they stood in the doorway watching their family and their closest friends interact, they both shared happy smiles. While the intervening years had been tough at times, they had held together, and now they were reaping the benefits of all their sacrifices, surrounded by their family and close friends. Holding hands, they entered the room to greet their loved ones.

A/N 1 I wrote this Epilogue at around the time I wrote the first few chapters of RNT. There are some parts of it that refer to elements of the story I didn't end up writing about because I ended the story when I did but I decided to post it as I wrote it rather than altering it.

A/N 2 I'm sure some of you are wondering where Marge/Nan is in the epilogue. Unfortunately she died several years ago. While she was a similar age to Charles' mother she'd had a difficult life.

A/N 3 Thanks to those who read this far and posted constructive reviews. I hope you enjoyed this different version of Charles and Molly's journey.