AN: Why hello fellow fanfictioneers and Band of Brother lovers! You may know me from my other BOB fanfic "Darker Days" or other random fanfics I've written on here but if not, Hello! How are you this morning? This story idea came to me and I just HAVE to write it. For those who do read "Darker Days" I feel as though I've lost that story and I may or may not go back to it later. Back to this story, I will not tell you who she ends up with but the events in this story are very close to the events of the men's real story. I think that's enough for an introduction don't you think? Italics are flashbacks just so you know. Well, here goes nothing...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Band of Brothers. The only thing I own is my sexy girl and the fantastic idea of the story. Though I wouldn't mind owning some of those hot boys if you know what I mean ;)
Set Me Free
Chapter 1: Scared Voices Within
Wind blew my hair across my face and the sun tried to peak through the dense cloud cover. Men covered in mud raced all around me and my body was stiff and still. I have never been so terrified in my life. Last night they informed us that our jump wasn't going to happen so here we are again racing around like chickens with our heads cut off and I'm almost completely sure that they weren't going to call this jump off. No, D-Day was just around the corner and in mere hours our companies were going to be jumping through the air as bullets race past our head and bombs explode by our feet.
To my left I spotted my company preparing for the worst and our CO was trying to calm some of the more weepy men down. My fiance was keeping busy with the many events going on around him but he couldn't fool me. I could see the sadness and the fear laced in his deep brown eyes. John Hall was not a man to scare easily but I worried that this jump was going to change everything.
Able company was the one company that no one really cared about. Most of the men were put there because they didn't really want them anywhere else. Me, I was put there because I was a woman and I still needed to prove myself before I could get anywhere good in the Airborne. You see, I was accepted into the Airborne by pure talent. I was better with a gun then almost any man and my physical condition could better any person any day of the week. I could do twice as many push ups and I even knew karate. I could kick any guys ass in seconds and the uppers knew this. Those facts were the only reason I was standing here today.
My name is Alexandria Diana Wilkes but my friends call me Alex. I'm 20 years old and was born in the lovely town of Lamar, Colorado.I lived with my mother Sarah Jane Wilkes until I left to join the Airborne two years ago once I turned 18. My father died when I was 2 and my mother never remarried so I'm an only child. Nothing too special about my life accept I'm one of the toughest girls you'll ever meet. I learned how to use a gun when I was six, mastered it by the time I was ten, learned karate and mastered it by my twelfth birthday and my best friend Zack taught me to fist fight when I was 13.
I learned a long time ago that if you want to survive in life you need to be tough and be able to throw down anything that gets in your way. When I saw the article about Paratroopers in a magazine I decided right away that the last thing I had to do to prove myself was to join the Airborne. They only take in the best and I needed to be the best. Sink saw what I could do and I was put into Able company instantly. There I met John. I hated him at first, so much in fact that one day I punched him and broke his nose. I felt so terrible then I carried him to a medic and gave him my week supply of chocolate. We've been best friends ever since. Months later he secretly asked me to marry him and I agreed gladly. That's really the beginning of it all. I trained at Toccoa where I met the amazing Richard "Dick" Winters who is my complete and utter savior in this whole mess. I smiled silently to myself...
-"Yes John, I understand that but it's honestly not my fault that Captain freakin' Sobel hates my guts. He hates everyone! Accept Evans but that's because Evans is a suck up who some how understands how Sobel works. I mean, if I were in charge I would send him off into Europe by himself just to see how long he lasts. Sink should just give him a gun and two grenades and send him on his way for Pete's sake!" I complained constantly to John. Earlier today I ran into Sobel and he dropped all of his papers. He then proceeded to yell at me for ten minutes and then complain to my CO who just gave me a look when Sobel was watching and smirked at me when he wasn't. I was put on Latrine duty for a week just to satisfy Sobel. I mean, it's not my fault that the guys clumsy! We've all heard rumors that Sobel sucks at his job but now I know that the rumors are nice, he's much worse in person.
"Alex, you can't waltz around pissing officers off, especially Sobel. He'll have you Court Martialed then killed if you get on his nerves. Paul told me so! Paul said he saw Sobel get an innocent man killed just for spilling his coffee! I don't think you know who you're dealing with Lexie!" My ever so concerned fiance informed me. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the story. "What are you laughing at?" John snapped, 'It's true, I swear!"
"John, sweetheart, Sobel would piss his pants if a gun was pointed at his nuts okay? He's not exactly the man to do the job. Yeah, he may talk and scare people with his words but let me tell you, when it comes to actually getting the job done with force, he'd rather bitch and moan," I stated finally. John managed to smiled gently as we walked towards the mess hall. I was to deliver a message from Colonel Sink to Lieutenant Winters who had mess duty for a while.
Now, from what I heard about Lieutenant Ricard Winters everyone said he was an amazing guy. Most, if not all, of the men in Easy would rather be fighting behind Winters then Sobel and honestly, I think any man at this point would be better then Herbert Sobel. Winters was known as a kind man who didn't drink alcohol and treated all of his men fairly and justly. Winters was strong, brave, and wise and everyone who met him respected him and enjoyed his company. I was anxious to meet this man. I wanted to know if he was as great as everyone made him out to be or if they were all just crazy in the head which at this point in life would not surprise me and would be completely normal.
When we reached the mess hall I kissed John on the cheek and told him I would see him later after him and a few guys finished their run up Currahee. When I was about to enter the mess hall, suddenly a bunch of very annoyed, pissed off men exited and I stood to the side out of their way. None of them even glanced my direction. I heard a few mumbles about food and running and I'm no medic but I knew that wasn't good in any shape or form. Then I remembered that Easy was receiving spaghetti today. Well, I'm glad I'm not in their company right now, that's for sure.
After the boys were finished piling out, Sobel was the last to leave with a smirk clear on his face. He didn't acknowledge my existence either. My face turned red with rage just at the sight of his face and I had to take a deep breath to cool off. I didn't want to seem hot headed the first time I met Winters. John always said when you meet an officer to appear cool and collected and not to worry. Normally it worked like a charm but this time... not so much.
I finally gathered myself and took a single step into the mess hall. I was greeted by loud clanging of pots and pans and metal spoons. The smell was incredible though. I can't recall the last time I actually ate real food so this was... spectacular. Smacking myself mentally, I returned to the duty at hand. Calmly, I sauntered over to the kitchen with the letter for Winters in hand.
"Excuse me, but is there a Lieutenant Winters here presently?" I asked softly in the most gentle voice I could possibly have. One of the kitchen hands nudged his head to the left and I spotted the only man in an actual army uniform.
"Give me a second ma'am," His voice was sweet like honey and calm like a gently creek. If it wasn't for the large counter in front of me I would have melted on the spot. At the moment all I could see was a head full of red hair and muscles that shaped in his uniform perfectly. Goodness gracious what have I been missing? If all the boys in Easy look like this then sign me up!
I stood there patiently and when Winters finally turned around seconds later my heart caught in my throat and I instantly stopped breathing. My knees buckled and my palms became sweaty. Oh god... please have mercy on my soul! His greenish blue eyes shone with a heavenly light and the freckles on his face made him seem all the more innocent. He had smile lines on his forehead, barely visible but clear enough to see and dimples gracing the side of his mouth. His lips showed a gently smile and I nearly died. Lord kill me now.
"Sorry for the wait, it's been a... busy day. Hello, I'm Richard Winters, what can I do for you?" He held out his hand and it took my body a second to react. I shook it gently in response.
"Private Alexandria Diana Wilkes, nice to meet you," I smiled kindly as I introduced myself. A look of realization appeared on his face instantly.
"You're the woman from Able Company right? The one they all talk about," Dick asked uncertainly. I nodded with a small laugh.
"Sadly yes, that would be me," I replied as I handed him the letter from Sink. "This is from Colonel Sink. He said he needed it to be delivered right away and was in too much of a rush to find a runner and I was close so he sent me to do it. So, here I am," I felt the need to tell him this for a reason, maybe to prove that I wasn't just a girl who ran around sending letters on my free time.
Winters nodded in understanding. "Yes, that sounds like Colonel Sink. That you for delivering it. Must have been an inconvenience for you and I'm sorry you had to waste your time with it. I'm sure your busy training, I don't mean to be a reason to disturb that Alexandria," He apologized. I stared at him quizzically. Was he so kind that he was apologizing for something he didn't do?... Wow, I don't think I've ever met a man this sweet before.
"Winters, I assure you it was no problem for me. Anything to help. You don't have to be sorry for something you have absolutely no control over. I'm a tough cookie," I winked at him. He smiled and laughed gently in return.
"I bet you are. You'd have to be to be here. You know... you're pretty special I hear. The only woman to be in the army never less the Airborne," He mentioned. Sighing, I nodded and prepared for the speech I have told so many times before.
"I guess I'm just lucky, sir." I added. Dick shook his head.
"No, you're not lucky. You're special Alexandria. To be here is a gift and you've made it this far. I bet you're pretty amazing," Dick corrected me. I was surprised to say the least. Everyone just thought I got in by sleeping with someone from the top or money... no one ever believed I actually got in by pure talent, well except John and now Winters. I blushed and stared at the floor.
"Thank you Lieutenant Winters," I whispered meek as a mouse. Dick raised my chin slowly so I was looking him in the eye again... those mesmerizing eyes...
"Please Alexandria, call me Dick," Dick ordered in a playful matter. I laughed softly and nodded my head. His hand fell as he smiled and I found myself longing for the warmth that left with it.
"Only if you call me Alex, Dick," I informed him playfully. This time it wasn't soft, it was a joyful laugh that filled the depths of my heart and warmed my soul.
"Deal... Alex," he winked at me and I was his forever...
-
There was the start of mine and Dicks lasting friendship. Dick was majorly protective and I just enjoyed every second I could have with him. He'd met John once or twice and they seemed to get along well but John always seemed jealous of the carefree relationship that Dick and I had. None of that really mattered anymore. Arms wrapped around my waist the best they could and i felt John lay his chin gently on my shoulder. I leaned back into him and let go of the breath I was holding.
"Lexi... you have to promise me that you will meet me on the ground below... that you're going to be okay and no matter what we are going to see each other again," John muttered harshly. A silent tear slipped down my face and fell onto my equipment. I nodded mutely and he kissed my check silently and I spun around and fell into his arms.
"I promise John..." I whispered. I could hear him choke down his own tears and I died inside.
"I love you Alexandria Diana Wilkes... forever and always my dear..." John assured me soothingly. I sighed in content and I prayed to God above that he would not take my love from me.
"And I love you John Hall... forever and always..." I recited back to him. John slowly pulled back and kissed my lips softly, gave me a wink and was off. I followed him with my eyes until he was completely out of sight.
"You'll see him again," Dicks voice soothed my emotions instantly. Tears sped down my cheeks like a broken damn and a raging waterfall colliding in a disastrous storm..
"How can you be so sure Dick? What if I don't make it out of that plane alive?" my voice cracked at the end and in the blink of an eye I was facing Dicks determined face. He was scared and worried... I could tell. Under his eyes lay dark lines showing me he hadn't slept, or slept well, in a while. Dirt was in smudges all over his pure freckled face and it made me question everything. What if we didn't notice ourselves after the war? I guess we have FUBAR for a reason... Dick was not smiling... his lips were set in a straight line meaning he meant business and his hands were wrapped securely around my dainty arms.
"Don't, don't you ever say that. You hear me Alex? You are going to make it out of that plane alive because if you die up there what am I going to do, huh? What's John going to do? I can't go through this whole war knowing your dead Alex... I can't..." and that did it. For the first time for the two years I've known him... Dick Winters cried. Tears were slowly flowing down the dirt on his face and he closed his eyes instantly. His head faced the ground and he clung to my shoulders for support. My heart tore into millions of tiny pieces. I hated this... As I pulled him into a hug he wrapped his arms securely around me and nearly crushed me but I didn't care. It didn't matter to me because this was the best moment I've had since I left my mother at home in Colorado...
"I promise you Dick... I will make it out of that plane alive and be there to annoy you another day, don't you worry," I assured him finally. He chuckled lightly and when his head lifted back up, the tears were gone and they were replaced with that brilliant smile of his. I saluted him and he returned it gladly. As Dick turned and walked away the tears in my eyes threatened to spill once more again as the storm rekindled the sudden flame. I shook them off and tread over to my destiny.
I sat down with the rest of the guys who were going to be on the plane with me. They all looked worried and scared out of their minds and I couldn't find a reason to blame them. I reached down and grasped the Star of David on a string around my neck and held it to my lips. I prayed silently and let God take away my fears. The cold metal was a hidden sanctuary into my soul, calming and patient with my scattered thoughts. At this point in time, this heavenly star was my only paradise.
By the time we were ready to go I was content with everything around me. Our CO stood in front of us with a look of compassion on his face and I felt sorrow for him. He was the one who had to lie to us all and tell us that this thing would go off without a hitch when most of us knew it wasn't true. Half the men were going onto the plane with the thought that they would die. The rest of us tried not to think of it and our determination to live overcame the fear of anything on and off that plane. We sealed a wall in our mind to ensure that the sadness and pain wouldn't break through. The only problem with that is, one day, that wall will break and we will be left to pick up these broken pieces of our mind and heart that this war will have left behind. So, with that wall, we have to block out those thoughts as well.
"Gentleman, and lady, we've been to hell and back together and I know for a fact that our training has prepared us for this jump. I look forward to seeing all of you on the ground... good luck," he said the last part quietly and it sent a silent and swift shiver down my spine. One by one he helped us all up of the ground and gave us a gentle smile which did absolutely nothing for our fear but in a way helped us cope with what was to come. We came to terms with God and accepted the fact that we may not see the sun rise tomorrow morning.
The weight of the equipment pulled me down but with a little help from my friend James, I was up in the plane ready to go. I was the second to last one on and our CO Peter Dye sat next to me and sent me a reassuring smile. I smiled weakly back at him then became instantly interested with the filthy and rough fabric of my pants and the dusty metal floor below me.
Our plane engines shuddered on and I could hear the propellers circling outside my window. Our pilot started her forward and in the matter of seconds, we were in the open air flying towards our intended doom. I glanced out the window and saw nothing but fields for a miles along the coast. I suddenly was overcome with a queasy feeling and I took a wild guess that the air sickness pills our medic gave us was kicking in. I gave into the feeling and closed my weary eyes. This was going to be a long flight and there was nothing else to do but think and in all honestly that didn't sound very appeasing so I decided to take a nap instead.
-
"You know Alex, one day that big mouth of yours is going to get you into a load of trouble," Dick informed me. I laughed at him and his concern.
"Look Dick, just because he almost punched me in the face doesn't mean he was actually going to go through with it and ruin this beautiful cherubic masterpiece of mine.. I bet that guy couldn't hurt a fly," I answered back cockily. "After all, when you entered the room I knew he wasn't going to do anything stupid in front of his best friend,"
Dick sighed and shook his head in defeat at me, "Alex my dear friend, you are hopeless. Since Lewis is my friend, I know for a fact that sometimes the man can have a temper."
I scoffed, "A temper large enough to hit a girl?" I asked raising my eyebrow at him. Dick stilled for a moment then turned towards me.
"Well..." I waited patiently with my arms crossed and gave him a "I won" sort of look. Dick knew he lost this battle and I smiled triumphantly. "Okay, okay I get your point but you really did get under his skin today Lex,"
"So? He's a pig! Lewis Nixon pointed out that I had big boobs so I pointed out that he was in the army to compensate for something he didn't have enough of. How is it my fault that he can throw the fire but doesn't like to see the flame thrown back at him? His ego is bigger the Europe and China mashed together!" I defended myself. Dick stopped pacing around the room and looked at me in horror.
"He actually commented on your breast size?..." Dick seemed uncomfortable saying the word breast and I couldn't help but chuckle at his sweet innocence.
"Just because you're an angel Dick doesn't mean he is," I pointed out and he continued to blush profusely. As soon as Dick sat down on a simple wooden chair in the corner a small army man stepped in the doorway. I looked at him strangely then over to Dick who just shook his head and smiled.
"Alex, this is Harry Welsh. Harry, this is Alexandria Wilkes," Dick introduced me to the small man. His hair was short, tan and curly and his eyes bright like his smile. His teeth were nearly perfect except for the small gap in between his two front teeth. He seemed like a kind and sincere man so I decided to give him a chance. Couldn't be any worse then grumpy pants Nixon.
Harry extended his hand in greeting and I shook it firmly. "It's nice to meet you Harry Welsh," I offered kindly. He smiled brightly at me.
"It's an honor to meet you Ms. Wilkes. Dick talks about you non stop so it's nice to finally meet the girl who's so damn important. You really are the talk of the camp," Harry informed me. The blush crept back into Dicks cheeks and I liked this man already. Any guy who could get Dick to be himself that easily instantly earned my liking. I loved to see different sides of Dick that no one else got to see. It was a welcoming surprise and it warmed my heart.
"Please, call me Alex. Ms. Wilkes makes me feel old and frumpy. I can't believe Dick actually talks about me. That is a pleasant relief to say the least. I hope it's only the good things he mentions to you Harry. Wouldn't want you to find out about my bad habits quite yet," I winked at Harry and Dick transformed into a ripe, freshly picked strawberry. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, Alex, how could there be any bad things about someone as wonderful and stunning as you?" Harry winked back. I chuckled heartily and slapped his arm playfully.
"Harry, you're making me blush. Let's not embarrass Dick anymore then he already is," We both glanced at Dick to see him staring at anything but us. Harry could not stop laughing for what felt like the longest time.
"Well Dee, I think we've annoyed our poor Lieutenant enough today, don't you?"
"I completely agree with you my little leprechaun," I teased and so started the great ,and completely annoying to everyone else but us, friendship of Harry Welsh and Alex Wilkes.
-
I awoke to darkness and hushed prayers. It took my eyes a few moments to adjust to everything around me. Some of the guys were still fast asleep, others clung to their rosaries, most just stared ahead into the darkness. I glanced to my right to see Peter Dye staring out into the dark abyss below us. I nudged him gently and he turned to me in a stifled jump. I gave him an apologetic look and he smiled softly.
"We're about an hour away from the drop zone!" he yelled over the sound of wind and engine. I nodded barely and went back to taking in my surroundings. James just stared at me with sorrow written all over his face. I reached over and grabbed onto his hand tightly. He came out of his trance and glanced down at our hands briefly before clinging onto my hand like a lifeline.
"Every thing's going to be alright..." I mouthed to him. He nodded but I could tell he didn't believe me. In all honesty, I don't know if I truly believe myself. If I died today I will have broken many promises. A promise to myself to stay alive to help my country, a promise to my fiance, a promise to my best friend, and most importantly, a promise to my father. To live my life with a brilliant vibe that no one can match and a smile always on my pale pink lips. I intended to keep every one of those promises.
Suddenly I could hear bombings in the distance. I'm guessing Peter was wrong. As I glared outside into the night I could faintly see lights flashing which made it look like lighting... I knew it wasn't but in a twisted and strange way it was beautiful. The gun shots and explosions had a beauty in their own. A beauty in the death they carried with them. They were bombing the planes and trying to shoot us down with every weapon and force they had. I guess they knew just as well as we did that if this was a success, we would be that much closer to ending the German army and winning the war.
Mere seconds later our plane was being tossed around like a doll. Lights flashed everywhere and men struggled to stay in their seats. Screams and yells erupted through out the plane and I held onto a rope behind me to still myself from all the havoc. This was going to be rough... James held onto me to keep him and myself steady and I thanked him briefly with my eyes. His were full or terror and rage. Terror at the plane crashing and rage at the German's who were making that thought possible. I honestly never thought that this day would change my whole life. End it, yes. The possibility of my death was high on this mission but I never thought that this day would change me... forever.
AN: Yay! First chapter is complete and I am the happiest camper in the forest!... Whatever the hell that means. So, please review and tell me what you think and I just might reply in my next chapter... Just kidding, I will reply because I'm cool like that ;) Well, I hope you enjoyed this fun filled chapter! Much Love - Jenna