A/N Thanks for all the reviews. I really is nice to hear that so many of you seem to like this. As usual I own nothing.
New Year. New Start
Charles was attempting to wrestle the huge pile of logs up patio steps and through the back door into the kitchen, when he heard the sound of the doorbell echo through the empty house. He jumped, and swore loudly as the neat pile he had nestled in his arms lay strewn over the kitchen floor. Looking up in agitation he swept a gloved hand across his brow, the heat from the Aga hitting him full force, as he contemplated what to do. His parents were still away and it was early afternoon, who the bloody hell could it be? With a sigh he hopped over the discarded log pile and made his way through the hall, pulling forcefully at the old front door, as it tended to stick in the cold weather. There with an impish smile on her face, stood Molly Dawes. "Missed me?" She asks cheekily with a slight tilt of her head.
Charles' face split into a wicked grin as he watched her with a slight shake of the head. She wasn't due to arrive for a few more days, the little minx, having agreed to spend New Year's Eve with him in Bath. With a tilt of his head he gestured for her to enter. She ducked under his arm and turned still smiling as he watched her over his shoulder. Molly's gaze swept over him, taking in his checked shirt and garden gloves as he slammed the door shut, blocking out the brisk draft that had snuck into the hall. Charles reached out and took her face between his hands, drinking her in. "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes," he said softly as he lent his forehead against hers. Molly brought her hands up to encircle his wrists. "You good?" He asked, staring into her eyes.
"Yeah, never better Boss!" She joked softly as they continued to stand in the hall, drinking each other in after three long months apart, neither wanting to be the first to look away. When Molly gave a shiver Charles gave her a soft kiss on the forehead and pulled her towards the warm kitchen. "Tea?" Molly nodded, smiling back gratefully as she followed him down the hall. As Charles busied himself in the kitchen Molly sent a curious look at the trail of logs by the back door. Charles caught her look. "Don't ask," he ordered as he led her into the living room carrying two steaming mugs.
Molly took a seat on the sofa. Charles sat beside her and pulled her legs up onto his lap. "So how was it really?" Molly paused gathering her thoughts. So much had happened, it was hard to know where to begin. "Honestly, I loved it. The Afghan medics were so eager to learn, so determined to do anything and everything they could to help. They're desperate to make a difference too you know. I was brickin it mind. Standing up in front of all those people was well scary. I don't know how Qaseem does it." Molly finished with a smile.
"So, you sorted it out?" Charles asked quietly.
"Yeah, I reckon I did. It was good to get away and gain some perspective. Teaching them medics, I felt like I'd found me purpose again. Helping them reminded me why I wanted to be a medic in the first place. It felt good to be able to help people and save lives. Not take them. I couldn't save Smurf. As hard as it is for me to admit it I know I couldn't help him in the end. I know that now. But those medics, they have a chance now. I helped give them a chance. I just wish I could have given Smurf more of one," Molly confessed quietly. Charles sat there quietly digesting what she had just said. "I'm proud of you Dawes. I don't think you realise how far you've come. How much you've achieved."
"I don't know about that," Molly muttered sheepishly. "After Afghan I felt like I lost myself for a while Boss. I've changed so much I don't recognise meself sometimes."
"Is that a good or bad thing?" Charles asked hesitantly, gently tracing soothing patterns on her knee with his finger.
Molly chuckled, "I dunno. I know for a fact that you wouldn't have looked at the old me twice. I know I'm a better person know. Thanks to the Army and you. I used to feel a bit like a puzzle made up of mis-matching pieces; almost like I didn't belong anywhere. The Army changed all that. It gave my life direction. For the first time I had a chance to actually change my future. Take control. Then I met you. You showed me how to be better. You pushed me to my limits because you knew I could do it. You were there when I needed you after my medal ceremony. You didn't push me to talk about stuff, you gave me the space and time I needed to square it away proper. I wouldn't have had the confidence to have done this last tour if it weren't for your support. I'm the medic I am because of YOU Charles." Molly finished with a soft smile. "Thank you doesn't seem enough. You've done more than you know," She finished giving him a soft kiss. He stroked her cheek gently.
"I knew you'd be brilliant out there. I've told you before that you can be an exceptional medic if you put your mind to it. You have to start trusting yourself and your abilities. It looks like you had no trouble in Afghan. You stayed out of trouble too I hear." He said it with such confidence and conviction that Molly looked up in surprise. She could see his mouth twitch as he fought a smirk. "Boss?" She asked questioningly. "How did ya know I was brilliant? I could have been a shit teacher for all you know."
"Ahhh but I do know Dawesy," He tapped her nose with a finger before reaching up to smooth the frown line that had formed on her brow. "Ok now I ain't got a Scooby what you're on about Charles. What did you do?" Charles laughed.
"You're adorable when you're confused." Molly sent him a glare.
"Boss explain. Now!" without a word Charles reached for the laptop that was sat on the coffee table. He opened up a video and enlarged the screen. Confused, Molly lent forward and stared at the screen. As her brain processed what she was seeing her eyes grew round, as her own voice sounded through the speakers. ""They used to talk about the 'golden hour'... how we as medics had the first hour to treat the patient to intervene to save their lives. Now the talk is of the 'platinum ten minutes.' You are the first people on the ground. Your actions in those first few minutes are what will determine whether you lose a life or save a life. You have a narrow window of opportunity. Disasters happen when we are not 100 % focused. It is important that you stay focused. Stay alert. Stay Alive if we are to minimise the loss of limb or life in Afghanistan." Charles hit the pause button.
Molly caught his gaze. "What?..."
"Let's just say you aren't the only one who has been in contact with Qaseem since we've been back. He videoed me your lectures and has been emailing me to keep me updated. He's proud of you too you know. He sat in the back of most of your lectures at the uni. Said you were so calm, confident. A natural." He looked down at her love and pride clear in his eyes. "Oh by the way it's nice to know you listen to me SOME times Dawes," He joked with a raised eye brow.
Molly smiled softly at him. God she didn't think it was possible to love someone so much. He'd come to mean so much to her. She was glad lady luck was smiling down on her at last. Here's hoping she continues after what she's about to tell him. "Charles. I have a confession," Molly started nervously gazing anxiously at him. "I made Qaseem take me to see Bashira… I know I shouldn't have. He didn't want to. I had to twist his arm. I knew how dangerous Kabul is. But I had to know. I had to see for myself she was safe; that I hadn't broken anything irrevocably. And she is. She's happy and that's all I wanted for her Charles." Molly finished in a rush, worried about what he would say. She knew that during their last tour Charles's had viewed Bashira as a potential weakness to her; that one chink in her armour that threatened to prevent her from becoming the brilliant soldier and medic he knew she would be. She just hoped she hadn't disappointed him. She couldn't bare that.
"Were you both careful?" Charles asked, thinking like a Captain as always. Molly could only nod. Charles took a deep breathe. "Why is it trouble seems to follow your around Molly Dawes. You're going to give me grey hairs," he joked trying to ease the tension. Molly grinned weakly. "You might gunna get some when you hear this next bit." Charles shot Molly a warning look. She grinned back uncertainly. "I gave Qaseem my fourteen grand deployment money. To help give Bashira a life, an education. I took her away from her family. I killed her father. This is my way of helping fix the damage I done Boss," Molly looked at him imploringly, tears sparkling in her eyes, desperate for him to understand. Charles gave a sigh and pulled her towards him. "What am I gunna do with you Molly Dawes? It's your money to do with as you choose. I can't tell you what to do with it. If you think it's the right decision I'll support you." she could only give a weak smile in reply.
"Thank you Boss."
Molly held Charles' hand as they strolled through Victoria Park. Molly smiled at the children chasing each other excitedly, trying in vain to pass the time before the fireworks started. She spotted a young girl waving a glow stick and couldn't help but try and remember a time when she too was that carefree and innocent. She remembers one year when her and Billy Morgan were playing during a display at her school. They were in the middle of an epic battle of good verse evil; who would emerge triumphant in the star wars saga fought bravely with lightsabers made from glow sticks? Turns out she'd never found out. Her dad had been too pissed to stay and they'd all had to leave before they got kicked out. Molly had to sit and watch the display of coloured lights from her window instead.
Molly was drawn from her trip down memory lane by the announcer informing the audience that the firework display was about to begin. Moments later the sky was alive and bursting with colour, illuminating the crowd. She watched amused as Charles' face changed from red to blue to gold and back again. The smile dropped from her face when one firework exploded with a deafening bang, frightening a group of small children between them. The sound caused Molly to jump, her hand automatically reaching for hip as her body fell into a familiar stance. Her breathing escalated and her heart rate picked up as she fought to keep the panic at bay. As she forced her eyes shut she could do nothing to stop the assault of memories that played out on her closed eye lids. The deafening crash of thunder that had her thinking it was the end. BANG. The way the light slowly left Sahals' eyes as he drew his last breathe on earth staring into the face of someone he despised. BANG. The look in Smurf's eyes when he told her it was all her fault. BANG. Rolex boy's dead body, teaming with maggots and dead flies. BANG. The cold, calculating look in Badrai's eyes as he sought revenge. BANG Bossman's chest leaking blood, his anguished cries filling her ears. BANG Smurf's vacant stare as he gazed, unseeing, into the stands of West Ham stadium. BANG
She felt a pair of strong warms wrap themselves around her waist and pull her tightly against a firm warm chest. "Shhhhh. It's ok Molls. Your safe, just breathe." Charles' soothing and reassuring voice penetrated the darkness, anchoring her as she fought to gain control. He reached round to grip her hands tightly in his. "Just focus on my voice Molly. Your home now, everything's ok. Nothing is going to happen to you I promise. Come back to me Molly. I'm right here." Charles continued to whisper calming words into her ear until he felt her tense muscles slowly begin to relax. When Molly wriggled slightly he let go of her wrists as she spun to face him, burying her face in his chest. He reached up and gently placed his hands over her ears and waited as she took several calming breathes, trying to get her trembling under control. She tilted her head up to meet his gaze and Charles' heart nearly broke at how young and vulnerable she looked.
"Do you want to go?" He asked softly. Molly shook her head.
"I have to face this sooner or later. It's only fireworks. They can do this," Molly replied with a hint of steel in her voice. She gave him a reassuring smile and turned to stare at the sky. Charles wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder. "Your one tough cookie you know that Dawes?" she let out a shaky chuckle.
"Only because I have you," she confessed quietly. They stood there staring into each other's eyes, completely oblivious to the noise and crowds around them. The world melted away leaving only them. Charles lent his head against hers as the announcer began the countdown to New Year. 10, 9.8,7,6,5,4,3,2, 1. HAPPY NEW YEAR! The crowds cheered. Charles remained focused on the woman in front of him as he brought her face up to meet his in a searing kiss. They stayed like that for a few minutes before pulling back. "Happy New Year Molly Dawes," Charles said softly, stroking her cheek.
"Happy New Year Charles." Molly grinned and pulled him into a hug. "I love you."
"Ditto Dawes. Bleedin Ditto." Molly laughed.
"Come on, lets get back. It's bloody freezing. Last one back makes the tea!" with that Charles took off, dodging the crowds of tired parents and sleeping children.
"Oi, that's not fair!" Molly sprinted after him, trying to close the gap he had gained due to his unfair advantage. When she finally neared him he was stood by the gate, arms folded and smirking, waiting for her. "Come on Dawes put some bloody effort in!" As he turned Molly took a run and jump, launching herself at his back. He groaned, stumbling at the unexpected weight, but managed to catch her legs easily, wrapping them round his waist. "Home then Dawes?"
"Home Boss. Better crack on it's taters!" Molly laughed as he carried her down the street.
This year was definitely going to be interesting. Molly knew that no matter what happens, as long as she has Charles by her side, she can face whatever life throws at her. She was finally ready to draw a line and look to the future. No looking back. A New Year. A new chapter. A fresh start.