This story is based on the characters of the TV Show Band of Brothers, not the real heroes of Easy Company. I mean no disrespect to them in any way, shape, or form. I own the character of Margaret Henry.
This is my first fanfiction is a very, very long time, and my first for Band of Brothers. I hope you enjoy it.
Margaret Henry was one of nine women accepted into the new paratrooper program as an experiment for U.S. Military. She honestly didn't care how she was here; she just wanted to serve her country in the best way she knew how.
Growing up, Margaret wasn't a typical girl dreaming of dances and dates, but she wasn't a tomboy either. She loved to be feminine, but she always found to be more comfortable around boys. Her best friend, David, had been with her since before either could remember. They got into all sorts of trouble together growing up, coming home dirty and barefoot. Girls always seemed to want to be quiet and clean, which she could understand, but that wasn't any fun.
Her mother had since given up on making her into a proper lady - that's what her sister Judy was for. Margaret could do no wrong in her father's mind, and he encouraged her to do what makes her happy.
Over the years, Margaret and David skipped around with different interests, including hunting, fishing, the fox trot, and once a complete failed attempt at baking a cake for David's thirteenth birthday. Margaret easily fell into a group of guys at school, and they accepted her as one of them. Every once and awhile one would get in his head to try and hit on her, but the repercussions of her sharp tongue usually prevented future encounters. Margaret has always been proud that she could hold her own among the boys.
Now she was doubting herself. Not her abilities as a soldier, but her inability to hold her tongue. She couldn't afford to get the these boys against her.
Margaret walked to the designated women's barracks and stepped inside. She immediately grinned. She saw her fellow women soldiers getting ready for their appointment, and she couldn't be prouder or to be a part of a better group. She was hesitant at first when she found out that she had to begin her basic training only with these fellow eight women as a test to see if they could stand the challenge of joining a company of male soldiers. Not one of them gave up; they each passed the year of training with flying colors.
"Maggie! Where have you been? Sink is a strict man of the clock, as you know," shouted Helen.
Margaret shrugged. "I've been ready for hours, Helen. I see you just rolled out from the mess hall. I can smell the stink of those beans on you from here."
Helen chuckled and nodded. "That's fair. I just hope my new CO doesn't smell them. Can you imagine running Currahee because I reek?"
Betsy cleared her throat. "OK ladies, let's move out!"
The nine women walked towards Colonel Sink's office. Today was the day they would each separately join a company and go under command of a new CO. Each breathless with nerves, they entered the building.
After a short wait, Colonel Sink invited them into a larger room. Inside several officers stood at ease. Margaret and the other women lined up across from the men with Colonel Sink walking up and down between them.
"Ladies, first I would like to congratulate you all on passing your first year of training. I couldn't be prouder to welcome you into the 506th Infantry." The Colonel smiled, looking at each individually before moving on.
"You will now each be assigned to one of nine companies as per the agreement you signed one year ago. Each company is fine and strong in its own way, and I trust that you will fit in well." He turned towards the officers. "And I expect all troopers to accept these fine soldiers as they would any other paratrooper that graces our country. Am I understood?"
All the officers responded, "Yes, sir!"
The Colonel smiled. "Good. Here are your assignments ladies." One by one, he read each private's name and then introduced her to her commanding officers.
"Private Margaret Henry, you will be joining Easy company led by 1st Lieutenant Sobel and 2nd Lieutenants Nixon and Winters." He gestured to three men in the center of the group.
Margaret looked over. The first man, dark and stiff, looked through her with a grimace. Great, Margaret thought. She glanced to the other two. The next had dark, wavy hair and a giant grin. She returned a small smile, and looked to the final officer. Tall and red-headed, she took in his kind face. He didn't smile, but nodded to her in a reassuring way. Margaret nodded back.
After Colonel Sink finished with the assignments, he motioned to them. "Well, I'm off. Please get to know each other. Ladies, you are to report to training with your new companies tomorrow at 0700." Each soldier saluted the Colonel, and he saluted back before leaving.
Margaret hesitantly made her way to the Lieutenants. She stood at attention in front of all three and saluted them. Nixon and Winters returned the salute, but Sobel simply looked her up and down with the sneer and rushed out of the room.
Nixon stepped forward and offered his hand. "Lieutenant Lewis Nixon, it's a pleasure to meet you. Don't mind Sobel. He'll get over it."
Margaret smiled thankfully."Thank you, Lieutenant. I am happy to meet you as well."
Nixon waved her off. "Everyone calls me Nix, unless the brass is around. Please feel free as well."
Winters stepped forward. Margaret held out her hand and he took it with a small smile. She noticed his hand to be cool and dry, but also firm. She couldn't stand when men thought they were going to break her delicate feminine bones if they dared to give her a proper handshake.
"Lieutenant Dick Winters. Welcome to Easy company. We are very happy to have you."
She smile broadened. "Thank you, sir, both of you. I am very proud to be placed with Easy company. I have heard that it's the best one there is by far."
Winters grinned lopsidedly. "Most likely said by someone of Easy company, but true all the same. We have some fine soldiers."
Margaret laughed. "I can't wait to meet them."
