DISCLAIMER: I don't own Our Girl or any of these characters. All credit for their creation goes to the very talented Mr Tony Grounds and the copyright to the BBC.

Author's notes at the bottom.

December 2014

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Thankfully our sofas arrived today so at least we will have something to sit on for our housewarming party. We've decided to limit it to friends and not invite our families. We can always do something separate for them for a later date. Molly was surprised (but chuffed I think) when I insisted on sending Marge and Belinda (and Bella) flowers to thank them for helping us to unpack. I was really touched that they were willing to do that for us (and to venture so far from London as well – even going so far as to venture outside the M25!). Now I think about it, it would be good to introduce our families to each other, and it makes sense to do it here. Hopefully they will see much more of each other over the coming years.

It's to be a big week this week. Molly is on a training course today and tomorrow. I have an International Red Cross conference on Thursday and Friday, and it is our housewarming on Saturday (and the grand reveal to Two Section and Jackie Dawlish!). Luckily there is a big Majestic Wine Warehouse in Farnham so Molly and I have decided we will head down there tomorrow evening. Hopefully they will hire us out glasses as well!

Friday 5 December 2014

Phew! What a week – really glad it's over now. Molly had a medical course on Tuesday and Wednesday, then we headed out to get stocked up for the party on Wednesday evening and it feels like we bought half an off licence, but given how much we know Two Section can drink, we may not have enough! In addition to Two Section and Jackie we also have several of Molly's new colleagues from 4 Medical joining us, as well as Richard and Nicola (who we met at Willy and Emma's party), Willy and Emma themselves, George and Dina, and some colleagues from the Red Cross. Unfortunately Georges Dubois couldn't make it since he is in Paris this weekend, but we have eight or nine people coming from my work which should make it an interesting get together. We're both really chuffed with the turnout considering the short notice.

We've told Two Section and Jackie to get here about 6pm and everyone else 7pm so we can get the news out of the way first. I hope they are OK with it. I can tell that it's really important to Molly that they are OK with it. She regards them as a kind of extended family. I'm sure they won't have an issue with us going out per se, it's just a question as to whether they see our relationship as a betrayal of Smurf. Hopefully they won't. Molly is quite clear that she never strung Smurf along and was clear with both him and them that she only saw him as a friend. I know they are all really fond of her so hopefully we should be OK. I think that they will be OK but there is still this little bit of doubt in the back of my mind that will only be assuaged by their actual acceptance. Fingers crossed. And toes. And just about everything else!

We've decided to have a bit of fun with them and Molly and I developed a bit of a script to do the reveal in the most dramatic way. Hopefully it'll be great.

Sunday 7 December 2014

Well it's difficult to see how that could have gone any better! The boys and Jackie all rolled up just after 6pm last night and our revelation was fantastic. Molly got some amazing pictures of the looks on everyone's faces that we will treasure forever! When I made my entrance as Molly's boyfriend they literally had to pick their jaws up off the ground! Jackie Dawlish looked like she was in a cartoon and I will treasure Dangles' expression for the rest of my life; his eyes were wide and his mouth open, looking like he was gathering flies – Molly got a great shot of him. Kinders was fighting hard to keep a poker face and Mansfield Mike just looked more glazed than usual! The reactions were great though and everyone seemed really supportive of our relationship which was definitely a weight off.

Despite taking the piss out of me for cooking, when I put the food out they were converted and Baz (having been one of the worst offenders) mentioned that maybe I could cater for all the Two Section get togethers from now on!

The others started to arrive just after 7pm and everyone mingled really well. We had some great discussions with the Red Cross and the Medical people from Molly's regiment and her company sergeant suggested that we tried to organise a brainstorming session. It seems there are clear synergies where the Army can learn off NGOs and NGOs can learn off the Army. Since the Army medical groups are now shifting their focus more to contingency planning and reacting to emergencies rather than fixed support structures it might be good to start building some relationships. With my background I am the obvious person to reach out but I will speak to Georges before I do so – I don't want to move outside the chain of command.

It was a great party and we went through most of the booze would you believe it! Jackie and the boys from Two Section stayed overnight and I offered to cook Sunday lunch for them the next day which went down very well! I was out first thing to buy a couple of legs of lamb and some more vegetables and I cooked for all 10 of us. Things were a bit more subdued this morning because everyone was a bit hung over but it was really good to spend some time with the Boys and Jackie and reminisce and find out about how everyone is doing.

Dangles collared me while I was cooking to ask for some advice. Turns out he is keen to go on in the Army but his mother has a long-term illness and he wondered whether he should ask for a transfer to be nearer to her. I advised him to seek advice from his new Captain and failing that from Major Beck (mentioning my name). I told him that I don't see why asking for a transfer should be a problem. I suggested for example that 2nd Anglian is based in Rutland, which is pretty close to Birmingham, and there may be other regiments or units that are closer.

When I served lunch everyone shut up pretty quickly about my cooking. Jackie told Molly that if she decided to split up with me then she (Jackie) was next in the queue. The Boys allowed that this may have been the best meal they'd had in months and asked whether we might make this a regular event. Seeing the pleading look from Molly (and the rest of them, but they don't matter as much to me!) and knowing that Molly misses them a fair bit, I allowed that we could do it on a semi regular basis, exercises, postings and emergencies permitting! As long as they did the washing up (I HATE washing up!). That condition was happily accepted.

By 4pm the boys and Jackie had done the washing up and cleared off and Molly and I had the rest of the day to ourselves. We decided to go for a quick run (only 3 miles) and then came back for a nice shower and a lazy evening. Perfect end to a great weekend.

Wednesday 11 December 2014

I broached the idea of opening a dialogue with the British Army with Georges and he told me that there is already a dialogue at a more senior level but it would be great to open lines of communication at more junior levels among the actual doers. If it works out it could be expanded to other countries' armed forces that are involved in disaster relief. I will reach out to Molly's CO through Sergeant Batty. I know he is keen because he followed up with Molly on Monday about it.

I guess attention now moves to Christmas since it is only two weeks away. I have already started looking around for Christmas presents for Molly. One of the guys at work recommended I checked out Hatton Garden which is apparently the place to get jewellery in London. I will certainly have to look there.

I am keen to start organising the days as well. Way back in April, Molly agreed to spend Christmas with me in Bath but quite a lot has happened since then! We will need to split our time between both families and there is Sam (and Rebecca) to think about too. I spoke to Molly about getting our families together and we have pencilled in Saturday 20 December. Logistics are difficult - I will speak to Rebecca and see if Sam can join us and Mum and Dad have offered to drive him over from Bath. I will drive to Molly's place and bring back Marge, Belinda and the two youngest kids and Dave will bring the older children with him by train.

Sunday 14 December 2014

Molly has started her driving lessons. She had her first lesson on Thursday evening and then a second one yesterday and they seemed to go OK. I said I will happily take her out to practice in our car once she has a few more lessons under her belt but it would be better if she stuck to the instructor's car for the time being! I winced at the sounds she made with the clutch yesterday and am hoping she gets that out of her system before driving our car!

After much to-ing and fro-ing we have got an agreement for Christmas! It was a nightmare (especially with Rebecca who also needs to co-ordinate with her family and her boyfriend Sean) but we got there in the end and both Molly and I are really happy with the arrangements. Molly and I will stay at Dave and Belinda's for Christmas Eve and spend Christmas morning with them and then drive to my parents for Christmas evening. I will pick up Sam on Boxing Day and he will spend the day with us and my parents in Bath. I'm really happy and I'm really looking forward to showing Molly the house, just as I described it to her. I've always thought it looks magical at this time of year. I agreed with Mum to take a day off tomorrow and go over to Bath and help set up the Christmas tree and the decorations. I also thought I might take the opportunity of raiding the Christmas market to see if I can get anything.

I'm a bit concerned about Christmas presents this year – particularly for Molly's family. Our family is always really generous at Christmas, but I don't want Dave and Belinda to feel that they have to spend much on me. I mean without getting soppy they've already given me the best present there is, in Molly! I also need to hit the right note with what I get for them. I will ask Molly.

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Had a good day in Bath yesterday helping Mum to set up the house and things are now looking much more festive. Spent most of today Christmas shopping in London, and also bought a Christmas tree (a fake one) for the house. It has been difficult to think of what to get for Molly. I wanted to get her something expensive to show her what she means to me, but I don't want to go too expensive and make her uncomfortable. I was thinking about jewellery but most jewellery sets are pendants and earrings and I didn't want to seem to be coming between her and Smurf's ring. I don't want to go for a ring for obvious reasons (it is still a bit early although I hope I will be buying her a ring at some point), which is how I arrived at my plan to buy her a dress watch. I have been doing some research on the internet and think I have found the perfect gift, what I hope she will think is a really pretty Omega watch with a white and yellow gold strap, a white face with diamonds, and a gold rim. It's a little more than I intended to spend, but she's worth it and I think it will look lovely on her. I also nipped into Rigby and Peller and bought her some sexy lingerie sets for us both to enjoy!

I asked Molly's advice on what to get her family and she recommended stuff for her siblings that I can buy (and actually asked me to get stuff for them from her as well). I suggested some little bits of jewellery for her Mum and Marge, but Molly initially shot me down. I told her jewellery didn't have to be expensive, just pretty and I could find some nice craft-type stuff in Bath, and I did, and Molly was happy with what I got. Buying for Dave was a nightmare. In the end we went halves on a nine game West Ham season ticket (tier 4). We didn't want to get him alcohol since he drinks enough already, but apart from football he doesn't really have any other interests!

My family was a bit easier. I got a nice pendant for my mother and, having shopped with her enough times, Molly was happy that she could buy some clothes for her that she would like. My dad is easy; a vintage bottle of brandy from me and some cufflinks from Molly and for Sam, after consulting with Rebecca, we both got Lego!

Having got all this out of the way (I hate leaving it to the last moment) we can now worry about the family party on Saturday. Oh, and there is the small issue of Secret Santa presents for both Molly's and my work Christmas parties on Thursday night. I have to find something for Julie from Accounts for less than £10 and Molly needs to find something for Corporal Nick Wallace (who apparently is a bit of a dick) for the same. I suggested the best Secret Santa I ever saw given out, a big tub of KY jelly, but also offered to go to Soho for her and buy a dildo if she wanted to make a point! She decided to send me out for the dildo (which probably said everything I needed to know about Corporal Wallace!).

Friday 19 December 2014

We were both a bit worse for wear this morning but both had a great time last night. I got back at a reasonable hour since I had to catch the train but Molly got back at 2am since she could walk back! She was quite frisky last night and woke me up for a bit of fun (which I enjoyed) but, as a result was in a pretty bad state this morning on only three hours sleep. I passed over a two pack of Berocca that I'd bought specially and enquired whether she wanted her tea by intravenous drip, which I thought was a good medical joke but only earned me a glare! As a peace offering I asked what she received for her Secret Santa and she told me she got a reindeer that shat jelly beans – interesting! I only received a calendar – obviously they weren't really sure what to get the newbie!

I was working from home this morning but unfortunately Molly had to go into work. I ran her up to the base (since she still looked a little green) and came back and did some present wrapping for her and me, decorated the tree with baubles bought in Bath, London and Aldershot and draped a bit of tinsel around, ready for the party tomorrow. I also had to do a major shop in preparation for everything. I decided to make beef casserole since it is accessible to everyone and I can cook it tonight and just worry about warming it up tomorrow. Important since Molly will be the only one at home and she doesn't want to be worrying about loads of cooking!

Molly got back about 5pm looking shattered, but seemed to get a new lease of life when she saw all the Christmas decorations up and the presents around the tree. She was like a little kid, checking out what was addressed to whom, shaking some of the presents and trying to identify what everything was. Finally she just ran out of steam and looked around and proclaimed that everything looked "proper nice". We had a quiet night and will be going to bed early. At least that's the plan, anyway!

Sunday 21 December 2014

The party yesterday was hard work, but good fun. It could have been difficult but there was a tremendous amount of goodwill from both sets of parents and I think it worked out well. I set off to pick up the Dawes at just before 8am and got to them at just after 10am. When I rang on the door I got excited kisses from the three oldest women in the house, and copious thanks for the three separate bouquets of flowers I had sent; it turns out they were really chuffed, especially Bella who had never been sent flowers before! [Molly told me later that Bella is rather taken with me and was disappointed to be told that I didn't have a brother!] I was able to bring Marge, Belinda and the two smallest back with me in the car. Luckily the little ones were well behaved and it was a fun journey with lots of banter and teasing.

We got to the house around 12.30pm and I summoned Molly to give everyone the tour while I headed to the kitchen and got the roast potatoes on. My parents, with Sam, and Dave, with the rest of the Dawes kids, arrived within minutes of each other at 1pm. The Dawes kids were as rambunctious as ever, and were stunned by the amount of space, as was Dave. The ladies obviously had seen it before, but not with all our stuff in it (the dining room set arrived last week as well) and all remarked about how nice it was looking. Apart from our bedroom and bathroom (for obvious reasons!) I think the living room is my favourite room in the house. It is really cosy with our sofas in there and when I get my act together I plan to put a real log fire in there as well which should make it even better. Molly and I already spend a lot of time in there.

My mother was really excited about the potential for the garden and was excitedly planning what plants, shrubs and bulbs could be added to make it more interesting. I had to remind her that we wouldn't always be here and not to get too carried away! Both sets of parents were keenly trying to find common ground to talk about while the kids played with no problem at all. Sam seemed to get on well with the Dawes kids which I am really happy about, and Molly made sure to introduce him to all of them and make sure they included him. I think Bella was quite taken by him as well, and he is surely a better age fit than me! However, I am not going to think about fixing my son up with Molly's sister any time soon!

We had lunch on our knees in the Living Room so that everyone could sit together. We had thought about putting adults in the Dining Room and kids in the kitchen but decided to be more inclusive. The Dawes family were very surprised to see me cooking and all (except Dave, who was a bit unsure) congratulated me, with Marge once again telling Molly "he's a keeper"! When Molly told them I do all the cooking there was general surprise, particularly from Dave, but Molly's contention that my cooking was "the dog's bollocks" was confirmed by my parents and Sam! My chocolate cake and vanilla custard went down very well for dessert and Belinda was wondering when I was next coming to visit!

Everybody left about 5pm and Molly insisted on coming on ferry duty with me, which was nice because I didn't fancy driving back on my own. On the drive back we gave the day a post mortem and decided it had gone as well as could be expected. It looks like our parents found some common ground, even though my parents are closer to Marge's age than Dave and Belinda's.

We had a quiet day today because frankly we needed it!

Thursday 25 December 2014

It is Christmas evening and Molly and I are relaxing at home in Bath. As I write Molly is downstairs with my mother getting ready for Christmas dinner. We decided to leave exchanging our presents to each other and my parents until tomorrow when Sam is here. That worked out quite well because I think it is likely that we have both pushed the boat out this year and I didn't want to be waving expensive presents around in front of the Dawes; it wouldn't have been right.

We had a fantastic Christmas Eve with the Dawes. We arrived early afternoon, having shut up shop in Aldershot. It was a little bittersweet for us; I think we both feel that one Christmas soon we would like to host Christmas at our home, but for the first year we are happy to be with our families, particularly bearing in mind where we were this time last year. Belinda had cooked a really wonderful Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings and I was happy to help out in the kitchen. Afterwards Molly and I did the washing up (it was nice to have some alone time) and then the whole family sat around and played charades before we embarked on the great present unwrapping.

The presents went down a treat with the West Ham season ticket for Dave being a particular highlight – he was speechless and just hugged Molly and kissed her. She had tears in her eyes as he let her go. I know she has had a difficult relationship with her father growing up and for him to show this amount of fatherly affection was worth a lot to Molly. He shook my hand and thanked me profusely as well. Belinda, Marge and Bella all appreciated the jewellery I had got for them and Marge teased that Molly "might gonna have some competition" for me! The family had bought me a joint present, a beautiful wooden picture frame filled with pictures of Molly, from a baby up until she joined the Army. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. To say Molly was distraught would also be one! She gazed at her parents and Gran with a betrayed look! She looked really lovely as a baby ("until she opened 'er mouth!" according to Marge!) but I'm glad these days she's a brunette because I don't think I would have been so attracted to her as a blonde! I told them I would put it up in my study ("over my dead body" according to Molly – I can tell we might gonna need a little talk!).

Molly announced that she was sleeping downstairs last night, so we both had a good night's sleep with just a bit of kissing and cuddling. The kids were all up early with their Christmas stockings so we didn't get a lie in, but Molly and I headed out for a short run, as much to get some quiet as anything else. We had turkey sandwiches for lunch and then set out to Bath.

To say Molly was flabbergasted by the house would be an understatement. Now maybe she understands what I was talking about when I said Christmases in Bath are special. It was dark by the time we climbed out of the car, grabbing our overnight bags and our presents, but the front door was all lit up with a beautiful Christmas garland with holly, pine, poinsettias and pine cones. It got better as I let us into the house and Molly saw the hall decorated with lovely fairy lights and candles, with the pine garland hanging down the banisters of the stairs.

I led her into the living room where the Christmas tree, all eight feet of it, was beautifully decorated in red and gold baubles, tinsel and fairy lights, and the surfaces covered with flickering candles. Christmas cards hung from strings on the walls and a real fire flickered in the fireplace. Molly's only word was "wow"! Once we had greeted my parents she was similarly impressed by the Dining Room and marvelled at the silver cutlery waiting for our family dinner, and the beautiful table centrepiece.

We sat chatting with my parents in the living room for a few hours, sipping champagne, and then my mother asked Molly to help with cooking (her excuse for a girly chat, I think) and dismissed me to get everything up to my (I suppose now it's "our") room.

As I sit here I can't help reflecting about what an amazing year it's been. This time last year Molly and I were in Afghanistan. We were over the difficult start and just starting to understand how much we both respected each other, both as soldiers and as people. In the course of the past year, we have both changed so much. It's tempting to say that Molly has changed the most, but I'm not sure if it's right in this case.

Hers has certainly been a spectacular journey. She is older now, more mature and more tempered. Only a year in actual time but a massive amount in life experience. The respect of her peers and her superiors is finally starting to build the confidence that she needs to help her to achieve what she can achieve. She is still feisty (and I hope that never changes) but she is less mouthy and more structured in her approach. She is starting to understand that she has a lot more to offer than she thinks. Although terrible to say, I think Smurf's death helped her; it made her decide to take that second tour and I think that second tour was, and will be, the making of her. She is more comfortable with who she is now and I think that will help with her development. I am so proud of what she has achieved and the journey she has started, and prouder still that she has decided to spend her journey with me.

If you had told me this time last year that I would have left the Army by the following Christmas, I would have been incredulous. Sure, I had doubts as to whether the peacetime army would suit me, but I didn't expect things to change so quickly. But an April day and a huge mistake changed all that. I had always based my self-image on my ability as an officer, my empathy with the men, but above everything my tactical awareness and ability to do the right thing. But on at least two separate occasions I did the wrong thing during that tour. I still believe I made the right decision to leave the Army. When you make mistakes like I made (twice) your brain is trying to tell you something. The mistake on the bridge was the worst. I was hit and Smurf was hit but Molly could have, and was very lucky not to have, been hit and if she had been, I don't know if I would have been able to forgive myself.

Molly has been the catalyst for my change. She has given me the confidence to try to look outside the box, to re-invent myself, to look at other avenues. I have always wanted to serve but now I also want to make her proud of me. I am hopeful that the Red Cross job will give me back some of the feeling of belonging and contributing to something that's bigger than me that I had in the Army while also giving me the chance to use my skills for good. I'm not sure anybody goes into the Army with the urge to kill, I certainly didn't, but it is something you have to face at some point. I've killed my share of people and I didn't like it much. I have passed that stage in my life now and I want the rest of my life to be about saving lives, contributing, building and re-building.

Most importantly I want to build a life with Molly. I want her to be brilliant and all that she can be, but I also want her at my side as much as possible. The two key worries I had about our relationship were the age difference, and the gulf in social class. I am pleased that both of them have come to nothing. Molly's experiences have made her mature beyond her years and we have enough shared experiences and respect for one another to support us. The class difference seems to have been a non-event as well. I love Molly's family, particularly the women in her life, Marge and Belinda, and she seems to get on very well with my parents, better even than Rebecca who was the same social class as us.

As we sit at the table tomorrow it will be difficult not to dwell on how much has changed for us over the past year. Last year we ate Christmas dinner in a FOB in Afghanistan, wondering if we would ever see our loved ones again. This year we have spent and will spend Christmas with our loved ones. Last year I was an only child of a close-knit family, this year I have gained a large, rambunctious second family. Last year I felt honoured to command a great group of people, this year I feel blessed to share my life with one very special woman. I will spare a thought for Mrs Smith however, and hope that she has as good a Christmas as possible under the circumstances.

Saturday 27 December 2014

We had a really fun Christmas dinner with my parents, just enjoying talking and each other's company. My mother was happy to cook (roast goose since we will have turkey on Boxing Day) and I provided a nice apple and blackberry crumble that I had cooked this week and we have trundled around with us in a freezer bag! We adjourned to the Living Room afterwards and sat sipping brandy until late, when we all slipped off to bed.

It was about the only quiet time we had had to each other during the whole day (I don't count driving or running since it's a bit difficult to relax when you're doing either of those things!). I had resolved to give Molly her lingerie since I wasn't sure she'd be that keen to open it in front of my parents and Sam tomorrow, which opinion she agreed with when I mentioned it! She was suitably delighted and happy to model both sets and they looked just as nice on as discarded on the floor! I enjoy spending time with Molly in my room (particularly as we have an enjoyable history there!) but was surprised to find that even after only a few weeks I don't really think of my room in this house in the same way as I used to. Our new house feels more like home now and that is interesting because I never felt that so strongly when I lived with Rebecca; this room was always still my room. It doesn't feel like that now.

We had a good lie in this morning and ate breakfast late after Molly had allowed me to "dip my spoon in her Cocoa Pops"! I went to get Sam at about 11am and it was like a whirling dervish had entered the house. He was massively over-excited, which is a surprise given that it's only been a week since he last saw us, and he ran right up to Molly and started telling her all about his Christmas presents. She sat down with him and played Lego while I went to help Mum with the turkey.

Sam was jumping out of his skin and we only just managed to convince him not to do presents until after lunch. I think my Dad slipped him an extra-large helping of brandy on his Christmas pudding because he was noticeably less loud after lunch compared to before it! Dad has told me in the past that my parents used to feed me sherry when friends came round so that I'd fall asleep early and not be a pain, so he already has form for that sort of thing!

The presents went down well. I was very happy that Molly loved her watch. I had been really worried about her reaction, but she put it straight on and favoured me with a smacker on the cheek and a more in-depth snog in the kitchen later after we had volunteered to take the rubbish down. Mum, Dad and Sam were all happy with their presents. Photos seemed to be in vogue this year because Mum and Dad both got Molly and I folding leather travel frames with two photo pockets. Molly's had one of her and I together in one side and one of her family in the other. She was flabbergasted but now I understood what Mum and Belinda had been whispering about last week! Mine had the same picture of the two of us, but a picture of my parents and Sam on the other side. They are lovely presents and we should be able to take them with us when we are separated in far-away places. They also gifted us £400 of John Lewis vouchers to help with furnishing the house. Sam (or more likely Rebecca) had got Molly a really nice pair of silver earrings, which she thanked him for profusely and immediately put on, and me a Bath rugby top. I thought it was nice that Rebecca had helped Sam get such a nice present for Molly and hopefully it bodes well for the future.

I took Sam home around 6pm and we settled in for another quiet night around the log fire in the living room. Really it has been a pretty perfect Christmas.

Wednesday 31 December 2014

We spent a nice relaxed Sunday at my parents' house. Well, it was for Dad and I anyway, but Molly and Mum went off to the sales! We had a chilled night and then set out for Aldershot on Monday morning. It was so great to be home and back in our own space. We treated ourselves to a bath for the two of us and just had a lazy night in bed.

We spent Tuesday doing a bit of sale shopping of our own, heading up to London and managing to make quite a dent in the John Lewis vouchers!

I sprung my final surprise of the year on Molly this morning when I told her to pack an overnight bag. She had been expecting to stay at home and watch the London fireworks on the TV but I booked a suite at the Savoy with a great view over the London Eye so we will be able to see them in person. I hope she enjoys them! She was bowled over by the room and was going to start objecting but I told her it was one of those boyfriend's prerogative things and she should just enjoy the treat! She subsided eventually but when I mentioned that the suite had a whirlpool bath she decided she might forgive me!

It is New Year's Eve and we are about to go down for dinner. I have decided that this will be the last entry in my diary. I started writing a diary when I first went to Afghanistan. I thought if I was killed, Sam might want to read it some day and find out a little about his father. Luckily that has not come to pass. Over the past few years I have found my diary useful for looking back over and trying to understand my thought processes, and even for remembering key events, but with leaving the Army I feel very much that I am entering a new phase of my life and I think it's time to kiss my diary, like the Army, goodbye. I don't know what the future will hold for me but I do know that, so long as I have Molly at my side, I will be happy. Peter Drucker said that "the only thing we know about the future is that it will be different" and I think it's time to turn over a new leaf now and do something different myself.

A/N1 Please note that I've only covered the basics of the revelation of Charles' and Molly's relationship to Two Section here. The full detail can be found in the one-shot "Revelations".

A/N2 Thanks so much for all the great feedback and reviews for "Captain's Log". I hadn't meant it to be longer than 6-7 chapters when I started, but it has gone on and on. I am totally bowled over with the response and can only say thanks so much for taking the time to review. It really means a lot.

A/N3 Sorry to disappoint those who have asked but there is zero chance of me writing a companion "Molly's Log". While I am pretty confident that, as a man, I have a reasonable idea of how Charles thinks, like most men I am totally clueless as to the finer points of how a woman thinks, particularly a 20 year old one! I'll leave "Molly's Log" to one of you female fans and will read with interest!

A/N4 I'm afraid this is the end for Captain's Log. I won't be writing anything else for this piece. The last chapter was really tough to write as I have struggled with writer's block and I'm not really fully happy with it but I wanted to get it out. I feel I have taken this story and this format as far as I can go now.