Chapter 2
"Well done two section you did our country proud with your services over the past month and a half but remember you're only a month and a half in to your year long tour. Now, I believe Captain James would like to talk to Private Dawes in the ops tent do follow through with these orders Private Dawes. Two Section dismissed." The tone in Sarg's voice tells us he's finished with our squadron so we dismiss and I head to the ops tent. I am roughly halfway towards the ops tent when I see James emerge from the front of the ops tent and jogs towards me: I too start to walk slightly faster to meet him in the middle. He stops just in front of me and gives me a subtle loving smile and let's me walk with him back to the ops tent with his hand on the small of my back guiding me softly. Even thought it isn't a very romantic gesture just the feeling of his hands on my body makes me want to spontaneously combust in that moment. Which, now that I think about it wasn't the best thing to say t when serving in Afghanistan and you're dealing with terrorists. He murmurs to me softly through the corner of his mouth when we are about 500 metres from the ops tent "Do not act as if we are in a relationship. I will be telling my commanding officers of my feelings and only my feelings towards you and then they will either let us remain in the same section or they will separate us into different sections that are still on tour for the same amount of time as the other. But, Molly if I get relocated to another section because of this I promise you that I will make sure I am in a section that works the same missions as you." He says with as much passion as he can portray without showing it in his face too much. But his words are what troubles me most. I wonder constantly wonder actually what would happen if I was to be put in a different section to him. No matter how much I see him. "James, You can't let them break us apart. I've only just got you and I don't want to lo..." I can't even finish my sentence before I notice that not only am I just outside the door of the ops tent but also that there is a faint ticking noise until... I'm being thrown backwards by the impact of an explosion in the completely opposite direction of James. I know because of my medical lessons that because I was closer to the blast I will be more injured than him but all I can think about even while people are calling my name is, Is James alright?
1 day later
James' POV
It's been 24 hours 37 minutes since... No actually make that 24 hours and 38 minutes since I came to seeing a think layer of dust, debris and sand everywhere and a very still, unconscious frightening looking Molly being transported on a stretcher into the hospital ward. The rest of two section helped me into the hospital's minor injuries department where Jackie saw me and tended to my wounds before telling me my commanding officers wanted to talk to me about the explosion. The rest of two section after escorting me to the hospital were given the jobs of clearing away the debris the poor bastard.
What have I been doing during this long and endearing time well; I'd suppose you'd think that I was resting up and tending to Molly's every whim but oh no, how you'd be so terribly worng.I had been (much to my large distaste) banished from entering the hospital until I give the names of all te people supposed to be in the ops tent at the time of the explosion to which I could only respond with no one was supposed to be in there except for Molly and myself and that the rest of the commanding officers I had mentioned were supposed to come 5-10 minutes later alongside 2 out of the 3 'social workers that helped transport Bashira away from her father. Then the inevitable question arose from the ashes which was (if you hadn't guessed) 'What is your relationship with Private Dawes, Captain?' To which I proceeded with my feelings for the young private to which he saide "The other commanding officers will have to review your claim and what the best form of action is best for both you and Private Dawes. However, do not worry Captain it will probably only be a more heightened observation team. We will ask Private Dawes her feelings on the subject and the actions she wants to take if she does not reciprocate your feelings. It's nice to know that we won't be split up if we don't want to be. I was told 2 hours ago that the device planted not put there by accident. Unfortunately but expectedly they weren't and still aren't sure who exactly planted the bomb but the do know it was not by accident as after being scientifically tested by the labs it was a Taliban device and not a great British army device. I was then told after this hour long recon meeting that Molly had got out of surgery two hours ago and was waking up half an hour ago. Unfortunately she did not come off lightly but it was better than it could have been. She had got away with a slightly punctured lung, one broken and another fractured rib, a broken leg and a lot of scrapes and bruises. Due to the slightly punctured lung Molly had to have a breathing tube in for 6 hours to help her lungs heal quicker. But most of her injuries were 65% recovered and that in one week's time she could start physio and in another's week time she would be able to join back in with the rest of two sections (if she is still there) training.
Although knowing she was fine and recovering was a massive relief; I could not shake the feeling that Molly was the target and that someone was not happy with Molly. Moreover, she was the only one except for me to be near any Taliban and it was easy for people to recognise the female medic in a group of young men. Especially, due to her behaviour and relationship with Bashira. Pushing my doubts aside I run towards the hospital hoping that she is somehow able to communicate with me and that none of my commanding officers have gotten there first and have tried to question her not only about the explosion but also our relationship.
Molly's POV
All I could see was black. Black. More black. Oh, and did I forget more black. I juts had one hope and that was for me to see James' face just one more time and to tell him I love him. I could hear hushed whispers but pushed them aside thinking they were just the sound of the debris rustling past my ears but then I heard it. The beeping of medical equipment and that was when I realised I was in a hospital and by the weird sensation in my throat and the tingling feelings in my lungs I assumed that I had a slightly punctured lung and a breathing tube which I could tell because of the little Medical Molly in my head rambling off the medical textbook I had studied. I tried to move any part of my body and found that squeezing something in my hand easiest. It's a hand. Is it James'. I heard shouting and my name being called and someone urging me to open my eyes and then when someone said I'm so sorry Mol we have to amputate your leg. My eyes shot open and I sat bolt up straight. I scan my legs quickly noticing they are still there are screamed at the entire two section as loud as I could "YOU COMPLETE AND UTTER COCKWOBLES." I then felt sleepy and knew I had overexerted myself too soon and was going to have to sleep to get my energy back but would be back up in 2 hours.
James' POV
Well, at least the Molly I know (and love) is still there but now I have to give the boys a punishment and I have the perfect one. "OK boys because you overexerted Dawes you have to prepare for her release so that means Dangleberries, Nude nut go fill and blow up the paddling pool for her and everyone else go find an empty tent and set up molly's kit in there: the Corporal says because of her efforts over the past mission she is being given her own tent when it is available. So boys get to work you've got I say about three hours to do this. So let's go." They all sprint off and I laugh as I see them laughing and cheering as they go getting several disapproving looks as they go. I simply but my hand back into Molly's, rest my head on her bed and let my sleepiness consume me.