I'd just like to say once again thank you all for your lovely words. It's a subject very close to my heart and I was ver unsure about posting it originally, so thank you for encouraging me to continue.

"Molly?" Charles called, his voice echoing around the empty house. "Molly?" He moved through the house, quickly searching each room. He'd only been gone an hour, just long enough to get some food, and Molly had been fast asleep when he'd left.

He skidded to a halt as he burst in to their bedroom. His eyes drawn to the wardrobe- the doors left hanging open. The small suitcase that usually sat on the top shelf was gone, along with some of Molly's clothes. His mind raced with all the potential scenarios. She wouldn't have left him- would she? Before her latest tour he could've said with absolute certainty that she wouldn't have done. But now? After everything that had happened he wasn't so sure.

His eyes came to rest on his bedside table, where Molly's phone was lying- a small piece of paper sitting on top of it, he walked across the room, picking up the crisp sheet of paper and unfolding it- although if he was honest he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what it said.

Charles,

I've gone back home for a few days. I need a change of scenery, a chance to clear my head. I'm sorry about sneaking out but I didn't want to fight with you. I'll call you when I get there.

Love Molly x

The thing from her note that resonated most in his mind was the fact she still referred to London as home. The thought left a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He'd always assumed that her new life in Bath with him was her home now- but maybe he'd been wrong.

Heading back down the stairs he grabbed his car keys and headed back out. As much as she might want to, she couldn't just run away from this and pretend it hadn't happened- he wasn't going to let her. They needed to deal with it, put it behind them and move forwards. No matter how difficult that might be to do.

LINE BREAK

Molly was still feeling guilty as she walked up to the front door of her parents house. Charles would be worried, and she hadn't even brought her phone with her, so she couldn't call him and let him know she'd got there okay, or even text him to say she was sorry. She'd have to wait and use her parents phone if she could manage to get a moments peace to call him.

"Molly?" She didn't miss the look of surprise and confusion on her Mums face as she opened the front door. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Bath with Charles?"

"Surprise?" Molly replied halfheartedly, dodging the question about Charles. "Aren't you going to let me in? I thought I was probably due a visit."

Her mum frowned slightly, but stepped aside to let her though. "So Charles isn't coming with you?"

Molly shook her head, pausing at the foot of the stairs. "I'll just go stick this upstairs and then I'll put the kettle on. Where's Dad?"

"He took the kids to the park. I was just enjoying a few moments peace. You know what it's like around here. Never a dull moment! You go and out that away, I'll make the tea and you can fill me in on everything." Her mum smiled before disappearing off to the kitchen.

She couldn't help but think, as she climbed the stairs, how bizarre it was that literally nothing had changed since the last time she'd visited her parents- just before she'd been deployed. It was as though someone had pressed pause when she left- everything was exactly as it had been before, even though she felt like an entirely different person inside.

Throwing the bag down on the bed she heard made her way back down the stairs. As she reached the bottom step there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it!" She yelled to her Mum, pulling the door open expecting to find her dad on the other side. "Charles?" She choked out after a brief moments silence, staring at him with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

Charles looked over her shoulder at her Mum, who was standing in the door way to the kitchen looking incredibly confused. He grabbed Molly by the elbow and pulled her out of the front door, closing it behind them. "Did you really think you could just sneak out while I was at the supermarket and I wouldn't turn up at the door? What were you thinking?"

Despite his calm appearance, she could tell he was angry with her, and she didn't blame him either. "I wasn't thinking." She admitted. "I just... I don't know. The house is so quiet.. And I just thought if I came down here it might take my mind of things for a little while. I just want it to stop- just for a little while. Is that so bad?"

Charles shook his head, leaning against the railings. "Why didn't you just tell me? I was worried Molly!"

"Tell you what Charles?" She shot back at him. "That I spend every night laying in our bed, pretending to be asleep. That I'm terrified of actually falling asleep because of what I see when I do? That-"

"Molly? Is that you?" She came to an abrupt halt as her Dad appeared behind Charles with the kids.

She forced a smile on to her face, casting a quick look at Charles. "Surprise! I think Mums just put the kettle on. Go ahead, we'll be there in a minute."

Her dad looked between her and Charles quickly before taking the kids and going inside.

Once they were alone again Molly turned back to Charles. "I can't do this right now okay? Let's just go inside and pretend everything's great. We can talk about this later."

For a second she thought Charles was going to protest, but he nodded before linking his hand with her own and heading for the front door.