A/N: All characters the property of Tony Grounds.
Some medical references and combat techniques have been borrowed from the episode "She's killing me" from Grey's Anatomy.
Poetry belongs to Dylan Thomas
Luck be a Lady
Molly tried to slip unnoticed into the crowded auditorium. A tall order, considering she was currently the size of a whale and had long forgotten what her toes looked like. Oh how she wished to be able to paint your toenails unaided. It took her several attempts to manoeuvre herself into her seat and find a comfortable position for her aching limbs; the narrow seats clearly not designed to accommodate the little tiny human she was currently growing. Although she was technically on maternity leave, wild horses couldn't keep her away from this lecture. Her husband had tried, Bless him. Her dear, sweet, foolish Charles. Molly had given him such a dressing down that Two Section, who knew all too well how legendary her temper could be, had dubbed her mood swings the "Murderous Mollies."
Molly's gaze swept across the auditorium before settling on the podium where a figure stands, tall, confident, and calm. Molly's ears perk up as the familiar lines of Dylan Thomas wash over her:
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
though lovers be lost love shall not;
and death shall have no dominion."
Molly was completely captivated as Qaseem's smooth voice carried around the auditorium. She couldn't help but reach for the thin cord hidden under her uniform. Qaseem clearly knew his literature. His easy manner clearly conveyed the enthusiasm he had picked up for his subject; having first fallen in love with the poet during the late night poetry readings the Boss Man had made them endure back in Afgan. As he finishes his speech the room get to their feet with rapturous applause. Qaseem stands at the front shaking hands with the two senior officers, as Molly moves down the aisle to the front. When he spots her Qaseem's face breaks into a grin as he reaches to take one of her hands between hers. "Well, well Molly Dawes, look at you."
"Look a bit different don't I?" she laughs thinking about all that had changed since they had last seen each other face to face.
"I hear you are also giving a lecture this evening? About emergency field techniques in war zones no?" a gentle smile on his face as he looked at her with an expression Molly swore was pride.
"Yeh, that's it. Last one for a while," She said laying a hand on her expanding belly.
"Ah, congratulations are indeed in order," he said with a light chuckle.
Since returning from Afgan the first time, Molly had completed a further three tours. Her last deployment to Africa had been harrowing to say the least. In Afgan she had been fairly lucky, gaining access to medical supplies and personnel fairly easily. Her deployment to Africa had been a completely different ball bag. The staff and supply trucks had been limited, often unable to reach the field hospitals altogether. With electricity scarce and unreliable, most of the equipment they had had been rendered useless. Trying to pin down a screaming patient to provide emergency treatment, all without Anaesthetic, was an image that had haunted Molly's dreams for months when she returned. The medical staff had been forced to use anything and everything they could get their hands on in order to treat their patients.
Upon her return Molly had been approached to run a series of lectures on how to give emergency medical care in a trauma zone. She had liaised with surgeons, volunteers and medical personnel to try and develop ways to treat the patients using limited resources that could be found in most war zones. The lectures had been such a success that the Army had decided to make them an annual event. Even extending an open invitation to different faculties from universities across the world, as well as medics from various war zones to talk about their experiences. Molly had felt a huge surge of pride watching the medics she had help to train stand and talk confidently about the difference they were continuing to make in Afgan. She felt like she was still making a difference, helping to fix things, one small cog at a time.
"What time is your lecture?" Qaseem asked. Molly glanced down at the watch on her wrist.
"Not for another half an hour. Though best start making a move now. I'm not as quick on me feet these days." Molly replied. Qaseem laughed and placed a gentle hand on her back to lead her up the stairs into the quiet corridor where Charles was stood typing on his phone. He looked up with a grin as they ambled slowly towards him.
"Have the rabble arrived yet?" Molly asked as Charles shook Qaseem's hand.
"They should be here any minute now," Charles chuckled. Right on cue, the door at the end of the corridor swung open and Two Section dashed in, whooping and cheering as they moved along the corridor. "Dawesy, oh Dawesy where are you?"
"Oi, keep it down, you massive Cockwombles," Molly laughed as they reached her.
"Cor, look at you Mols. You look different…" Dangleberries muttered moving in for a hug.
"Dangles?" Molly asked, her voice dangerously quiet. " Are ya trying to say I'm fat?" The rest of Two Section, sensing danger, began making frantic gestures at Dangles as they slowly edged away from Molly.
Dangles eyes widened as he realised his mistake. "Uh no Molls you look amazing. Gorgeous even. Doesn't she lads?" Dangles eyed the sniggering group, clearly looking for some back up.
"Ha! Good save mate," Mansfield said as he kissed Molly's cheek, "Alright Darlin'" he said, engulfing her in a gentle hug. The rest of the lads followed suit, talking care to not crush her bump.
"Right lads, pack it in. The lecture starts in two minutes. Focus up, double away." Charles ordered, falling back into his old role of commanding officer. A chorus of "Yes Boss Man!" and "knock em' dead Molls," were heard as they disappeared with Qaseem into the auditorium. Molly shook her head as she watched them go.
"You up for this Dawesy?" Charles asked eyeing her with concern as she rubbed her aching back.
"Never better Boss." Charles grinned as he ran a hand over the smooth stiff khaki material, lovingly caressing her bump as he went.
"You in full kit Dawes?" He asked softly, quirking an eyebrow at her. Molly looked down in confusion; her hand automatically reaching for the cord around her neck where the two platinum bands rested alongside the engagement ring Smurf had entrusted to her safe keeping all those years before. Molly looked up to see Charles reach into his jacket pocket and pull out a purple rectangular box containing Molly's medals. "Cheers Boss, I forgot to pick them up."
"I'll put it down to baby brain shall I?" Charles asked cheekily as he finished fastening her Military cross to her jacket.
"Watch it you posh twat," Molly laughed. Charles grinned.
"Piss off Corporal. Go be brilliant," he chuckled whilst clunking her under the chin, missing the brief uneasy look that passed across Molly's face.
Molly stood at the podium staring out at the sea of faces. She could make out the faces of Charles and Qaseem sat with Two Section who were pulling all manner of ridiculous poses, trying their best to distract Molly and make her laugh.
Molly took a deep reassuring breath and looked down at her notes. "Good Evening Ladies and Gentleman. It is an honour and a privilege to be here this evening. When I first signed up to the Army, I never dreamed that I would one day be stuck in a war zone treating injuries with supplies that filled a single cardboard box. To witness casualties so severe that we had to physically duct tape the patient to the table to prevent him moving because they had no anaesthetic." Molly broke off and started to laugh softly, leaning heavily on the platform in front of her as she felt an uncomfortable pressure in her abdomen. "I'm sorry. Where was I?" "Isn't that what trauma is all about? To access the situation, to be able to adapt, to think on our feet, to…." Molly paused again longer than before. The audience began to shift in their seats, sharing uncomfortable glances. Two Section looked at each other worriedly. Something was clearly wrong.
"I'm sorry, I have more but… I think I'm having my baby."
The entire auditorium went silent. Molly scanned the sea of faces until she found Charles' shocked face. He along with Two Section had jumped to their feet and were moving swiftly towards her. Charles reaching her first, gripped her arm and supported her as he moved towards the door. He looked back at Two Section barking orders.
"Right you lot listen up. Kinders call the hospital, tell them we're on our way. Mansfield, get to the guard gate. Black Land Rover, inside you'll find the hospital bag and an overnight bag. Dangles take my phone, call Molly's mum and keep her updated on what's happening. Molls relax and remember your breathing. Everyone Fall out!"
"Yes Boss!" They chorused.
The auditorium watched in stunned silence as the group moved swiftly towards the exit. Once outside the excited chatter from Two Section was cut short by Kinders who yelled in exasperation "will you guys shut up and get on with it."