Back to Base:
The chopper landed and 2 Platoon jumped out. 'I'm starving' Dangles said. 'Me too. An' me, an' me' the cry went through the Platoon as they ran towards the scran tent. 'Molls you comin' Fingers said. 'Nah not 'ungry' 'Dawes Ops Tent, de-brief now' Cpt James strode past her. If she hadn't known he loved her she would have thought he was being a callous arsehole, but sometimes she found it hard to know what he was thinking. Here in Afghan at least!
'Private Dawes, you don't know how pleased we are to see you' said Major Morley. 'Hear hear' said Major Beck. 'Fank you' she smiled. 'I know you have been through a lot Dawes but if you feel up to it now, a full de-brief would be helpful?' said Beck kindly. Cpt James, Kinders and Qaseem gathered round the table with the Majors and Molly. 'First you James' Cpt James re-counted their mission from leaving base to sighting Molly and the subsequent events. Beck and Morley exchanged glances. 'highly dangerous James. All credit to you for getting everyone out safely' said Morley. Beck seconded the statement. 'Sir I have something to add' said Cpt James. He then proceeded to tell them that he allowed the Taliban group to leave having told back-up that in the main most of the insurgents were dead. 'Sir, I realise that I shouldn't have done that and I accept any command reprimand or punishment'.
'Sir, let me tell you what 'appened to me and you will understand that the Boss did that to save the lives of the whole platoon'. Molly re-counted what had happened to her and James visibly flinched when she spoke about her beating. She went onto explain about the injured insurgent and how she had operated as best she could. 'Fank God the Yanks. Sorry Major'. She corrected herself. 'The Americans, have such well equipped trucks. Without that truck I might be lying dead in the sand now' Major Morley laughed. 'You Limeys make me laugh. Carry on'. Molly then told them about the in-fighting between the different Taliban factions, the mortar attack, 2 platoons storming of the buildings, the bravery of Abdul and the re-appearance of the Brit speaking Majid and how he said that as Molly had saved his brother's life, he would spare all of them provided Cpt James didn't mention they were there or try to have them followed. Morley and Beck looked at each other. 'Leave us for the time being' Beck dismissed everyone from the Ops Tent. 'Sir' they all left.
'Dawes my tent now' commanded Cpt James. 'Sir' she looked nervously at Qaseem and Kinders and followed behind him.
When she entered the tent she couldn't see him. Suddenly she felt his arms around her turning her to face him, his warm brown eyes full of tenderness and concern. She threw her arms around his neck and their lips met gently at first and then deeper and deeper. The longing became more and more urgent and their breathing heavy. Molly started moaning quietly as Charles caressed her neck and slipped his hand inside the top of her combats. 'Oh god I love you Charles James. I want you inside me now….please. It's been so long' tears rolled down her cheeks. 'My darling Molly you don't know how much I have missed you. Longed to feel you in my arms. Longed to touch you, to kiss you, to be inside you'. Charles's breathing was coming in gasps. 'Sir, Majors Morley and Beck have summoned us back to the Ops tent now' called Kinders from outside the tent. 'Thank you Kinders' Cpt James said.
Reluctantly he and Molly untangled themselves and straightened their clothing. 'I love you Molly Dawes' he smiled into her eyes, took her face into his hands and gave her one more deep kiss. 'I 'fink a cold shower wouldn't go amiss' she laughed. He slapped her backside and they left the tent and walked towards the Ops HQ.
Major Morley was standing, hands behind his back, Major Beck at his side. 'Come in everyone' he said. 'Major Beck and I have been discussing the severity of the situation', his face was stern, his brow furrowed. 'We have discussed it from a command viewpoint and have concluded that Captain James acted with the utmost responsibility in the circumstances, to save the lives of his whole platoon'. 'And there will be no disciplinary charges to answer as he volunteered for this mission despite being in recovery from injuries previously sustained' added Major Beck.
Captain James breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. Qaseem, Kinders and Molly beamed at him. 'See you ain't a bad soldier, Boss' Molly laughed.
'At ease all of you, go and enjoy yourselves before you leave tomorrow. 5am flight back to Brize Norton' Major Beck laughed.
'I heard the Band's still here Kinders' Cpt James asked quizzically looking at Kinders. 'They are Sir' 'Then tell them and the lads to be ready to party in 15mins' he laughed. 'I'm gonna have that cold shower Boss' she looked straight at him with a smouldering look. 'Me too Dawes, hot here today' he grinned and gave her a smouldering look in return. 'Bastard' she mouthed at him and laughed.
Fifteen minutes later Cpt James walked across to the makeshift stage. 'Listen up lads, we had a hairy one today and I would like to thank you all for keeping your cool and watching each other's backs. It looked like we weren't going to get out alive at one stage….' 'And then Dawsey saved the day so you wouldn't all be brown bread' a loud chuckle came from his right and he turned to see Molly. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her hair was tumbling round her shoulders . She had on a red vest and a pair of skimpy black shorts, both of which accentuated her curves. Her legs were tanned and taut. The lads looked appreciatively at Molly and there was a chorus of wolf whistles. She blushed. Qaseem laughed. He was so pleased to see Molly was safe.
The band struck up ….'Valereeeeee' the boys were singing and dancing the tensions of the day away. 'Duet Dawsey' Charles looked at Molly and winked. 'If you insist Sir' she laughed as he went into 'their' song. 'Don't go breaking my heart, you put the light in my life' he sang looking at her 'Right from the start I gave you my heart, you put the sparks to the flame' Molly sang back at him. Then they both sang together as they looked at each other: 'And now it's up to us babe, I think we can make it'. 'Woo woo' shouted the lads, not knowing the situation still. Qaseem laughed warmly. They were from totally different backgrounds but he knew enough about people and situations, to know that their love would surmount those obstacles.
To Be Continued!