Disclaimer: The Rat Patrol is not my property. They come out to play sometimes, then I send them home.

She's Something

By Suzie2b

It had been a long day on patrol in the desert and Tully was glad to be home. He unlocked the door to the apartment and went inside with a tired sigh. As he closed the door, Tully noticed Charley's pistol on the table in pieces. "Charley? You here?"

She walked out of the closet with a smile and a book in her hand. "Yep. Welcome home." Charley went to Tully and kissed him on the lips. "How was your day?"

Tully smiled at her. "Long, hot, and sandy. Cleaning your pistol?"

Charley held up the book she held and opened it to a basic diagram of a 9mm pistol. She said, "That convoy I was with was harassed by a patrol of Germans yesterday. My gun kept misfiring or jamming … or something. I got this book when I was in training. I'm trying to figure out what the problem is."

Tully took his helmet off and set it on the bed. "Let's take a look at it."

They sat side-by-side at the table. Charley watched Tully closely as he went over every part of her pistol. He couldn't find a problem with the works, but he felt oil and grit between his thumb and forefinger.

Charley asked, "What's wrong with it?"

Tully replied with a question, "When was the last time you cleaned it?"

"I always do it on Mondays. I clean it once a week whether I've used it or not."

Tully showed her the mess of sand and oil. "You're using too much oil."

Charley frowned. "Huh, I swear I do it just like the taught me in training."

"I'm sure you are, but you were trained in the states where guns aren't exposed to the desert. Out here less is best … just enough so things slide smoothly. Otherwise you end up gummin' up the works like this."

"Well, I'll be more careful from now on. I'll get my cleaning kit."

Charley always insisted on cleaning her pistol herself, so Tully sat and watched with a proud smile as her slender fingers worked. He then coached her on the application of oil before Charley reassembled it.

##################

Hitch pulled to a halt. Tully stopped alongside the other jeep and Troy said, "I heard shooting."

Moffitt nodded. "I heard it too." Several more shots rang out. "Shall we go check it out?"

"Yeah, someone may need help." Troy pointed to a hill and said, "Let's see what's going on from up there."

The next time the jeeps stopped they were on top of a rocky knoll. Below they could see a German column had surrounded a small abandoned village and a smoldering hulk of an American jeep not far away. There was only one partially intact house left.

Tully said, "What're they doing here?"

Moffitt shrugged. "There's been no reports of enemy activity in this area that I know of."

As they watched, a shot came from the house and one German fell from a halftrack. The guns of the column opened fire at once. Splinters of wood could be seen flying as the bullets hit the house.

After about thirty seconds, the shooting ceased and the commander of the column picked up a bullhorn and said in English, "If you come out with your dispatch now, I will consider allowing you to live!"

Another single shot … another German fell dead. That's when the Rat Patrol noticed at least four bodies in total among the German vehicles.

Moffitt said, "Sounds like it might be a courier."

Troy nodded as he climbed into the back of the jeep. "Yeah. Let's shake it."

The Rat Patrol barreled down the hill with 50s blazing, catching the Germans completely off guard. It wasn't much of a fight. The heavy slugs of the big machine guns killed a number of Germans before they knew what was happening. The column's commander decided the dispatch wasn't worth it and ordered the remainder of his men to retreat.

Moffitt and Tully chased after the column just to discourage them from turning around.

Hitch pulled to a stop near the door of the house and Troy called out, "It's safe now! Come on out!"

There was silence, then a familiar voice called back, "Sam? Is that you?"

Troy drew his sidearm as he hopped out of the back of the jeep. "Charley?"

Hitch followed the sergeant, grabbing a machine gun from the fender holster. They cautiously went to the door and looked inside. They saw Charley sitting on the floor against the far wall pointing her pistol at them. Troy said, "Put the gun down. You're safe."

Charley let her hands fall into her lap before she set the pistol on the floor. She sobbed, "I am so glad to see you guys."

Hitch went to her and knelt down. He noticed blood soaking the sleeve of her blouse. "She's hurt, sarge."

Troy frowned as he crossed the one room house. He took hold of Charley's uninjured arm and helped her to her feet. "Let's get her out of here." He supported the young woman as they went outside. "Hitch, keep an eye out for Moffitt and Tully."

Hitch checked Charley's pistol and clicked the safety on before putting it in his belt. "Right, sarge."

Troy helped her into the passenger seat of the jeep. As he got a med kit, he asked, "What are you doing out here alone?"

Charley hissed with pain when he tore open her bloody sleeve. "It was a last minute thing. Captain Boggs needed some important updates delivered to the 85th. James and Terrence were already out on missions so I got this one. There weren't any driver's available…"

Troy smiled slightly as he gently pressed gauze against the still bleeding wound. "So you checked out a jeep to drive yourself."

"I checked everything out first and filed my route. The reports from this morning said nothing about German patrols in the area."

"We weren't expecting to see them either."

Hitch was in the back of the jeep with binoculars and suddenly saw a cloud of dust coming their way. "Moffitt and Tully are coming, sarge. Looks like they're bringing company back with them."

Troy took the glasses and saw the jeep speeding towards them followed by a number of German vehicles … more than they had chased away. "Let's get outta here!"

Hitch climbed into the driver's seat as Troy got in the back to man the 50. Hitch started the jeep and hit the accelerator, sending a plume of sand into the air.

The Allies managed to outdistance the Germans after about ten minutes and Troy signaled for a halt. Tully was out of the jeep almost before it had stopped and ran to the other. He saw the blood and knelt next to Charley as he asked, "What happened?"

Charley grimaced as she held her injured arm. "I was on my way back to base when that German column showed up out of nowhere." Moffitt appeared with a med kit to finish what Troy had started as she continued, "Just as I came to that village, they shot out the back tires. Then they blew up the jeep as I ran to the house for cover. The commander kept demanding my package, but I'd already delivered it."

"You were alone?"

Charley nodded and gritted her teeth against the pain. "There were no drivers available and Captain Boggs said it was important. I checked things out at headquarters. The reports didn't say anything about the Germans being out here."

Moffitt smiled as he cleaned the wound in her upper right arm. "The captain didn't appear too worried about the men you were shooting."

"I noticed that too. Ow! Ow! Ow!"

"The bullet's still in there." Moffitt started to put a field dressing over it and said, "We'll get you back to base and let a doctor take care of it."

Just as the bandage was taped off, Troy said, "They're still doggin' us. Let's go."

Tully stood and looked at Hitch. "Take care of her."

Hitch gave a nod. "You know I will."

##################

Again the Rat Patrol outdistanced the Germans and drove for about an hour. Hoping the column had given up the chase the jeeps pulled into a waterhole to let the engines cool a bit. Tully gently scooped his injured wife into his arms and carried her to a shady spot in the ruins of a building that could've been a church at one time. He set her on the blanket Moffitt had spread on the sand and asked, "How're you feelin', sweetheart?"

Charley sighed. "My arm hurts … and I feel a little sick."

Moffitt looked at her critically and said, "Blood loss and shock. I'll get a canteen. She needs to stay hydrated."

"How far are we from base?"

Tully said, "Couple of hours. We're taking a less direct route than you were."

Moffitt returned and handed the canteen to Tully. "How about a shot of morphine, Charley? It'll help you relax."

She nodded. "Thanks."

Tully held the canteen while she drank and Moffitt gave her about half of an injection of the pain killer.

Troy was standing nearby when Hitch suddenly ran up and said, "They aren't giving up, sarge. They're a couple miles out."

Moffitt said, "No doubt following our tire tracks."

Troy looked at Charley and asked, "Did you tell them you'd already dropped off your package?"

Charley leaned against Tully. "Yes, I did. Only the commander didn't believe me."

"And you have no idea what you'd been carrying?"

"Nope. It was sealed and I didn't ask."

Tully asked, "How could the Germans know what she was carrying?"

Hitch said, "They probably have no idea what Charley had. They just assume it must be important because she seemed to be willing to fight to keep it."

Moffitt agreed, but questioned, "But why are they going so far as to try to chase us down?"

"Are we going to take off, sarge?"

Troy shook his head. "Leading them in circles will just make us low on gas and it won't help Charley either. We've got cover here. Let's see if we can find out what's going on. Moffitt, call the 85th and ask for help." The sergeant nodded and headed for the jeep as Troy pointed and said, "Hitch, position our jeep over there by that wall."

"Right, sarge." Hitch hurried off to what he'd been told.

"Tully, as soon as Moffitt's done with the radio, put your jeep at the other end."

As Hitch passed where Charley was sitting, she called, "Hitch!"

The private stopped and turned to face her. "What can I do for ya, Charley?"

She smiled. "My gun, please."

Hitch grinned has he pulled the forgotten weapon from his belt. He handed it to her and asked, "Need ammo?"

Charley eased the strap of her satchel over her head. "I'll take care of it, thanks."

After Hitch gave a nod and trotted off towards the jeep again, Tully knelt next to his wife and asked, "How's the arm?"

Charley pulled a box of 9mm bullets from her satchel as she said, "Sore, but not too bad."

Tully looked at her pale face. "You just keep your head down."

Charley removed the clip from her pistol so she could load it. She gave him a wane smile and said, "Okay."

Tully stood up and went to wait for Moffitt to finish his call.

##################

Tully had just turned off Olive's engine after getting her parked next to the wall like Troy had told him to do when the Germans stopped approximately eighty yards from them. Among the halftracks and armored cars was a tank, and they could see mortar launchers in at least three of the halftracks.

A German major stood up in his staff car with a bullhorn. "My name is Major Achorn! I know you have the woman courier with you! I want what she is carrying!"

Troy climbed from the jeep onto the wall and surveyed the German vehicles, then yelled, "She isn't carrying anything, major! It's already been delivered!"

"That is what she has said … just before shooting several of Captain Zornes men! I have reason to believe she was lying!"

"Even if she was still carrying her dispatch, we wouldn't hand it over to you!"

Major Achorn said, "You have me at a disadvantage! I told you my name! It would be polite to allow me yours!"

Troy gave it some thought, then replied, "Name's Sergeant Troy!"

"Well, I am willing to accept your surrender, Sergeant Troy. However, I am more than willing to destroy you, your men, and the woman to get what I want!"

"You can try, Major Achorn! But before you do, I'd like to know why you're so interested in that dispatch! Do you think you know what was in it?"

The major said, "It does not matter if I do or not! I woman traveling alone in the desert means it must be important, sergeant!"

Troy yelled, "I suppose this means we have a standoff!"

Major Achorn lowered the bullhorn and said with a sigh, "I suppose it does, Sergeant Troy. I suppose it does." He turned and looked at Captain Zornes in one of the halftracks. "We shall try to take them alive first, captain. I would like to have them to interrogate."

Captain Zornes nodded. "Yes, sir." Then he turned and began to give orders to his men.

Troy jumped off the wall into the back of the jeep and said to Hitch, "Keep an eye on them, but let them be the first to fire." Then he ran the length of the wall to the other jeep. "Moffitt, did you get through to the 85th?"

"Yes, I did. They're sending help, but it'll take up to two hours for them to get here."

"That's better than nothing." Troy looked at Tully and said, "Go get Charley. She'll be safer here if they start shooting."

Tully ran to where he'd left Charley. He helped her to her feet as he said, "C'mon … you'll be safer with us."

Charley said, "I heard what Sam and the major said. Why won't he believe I don't have anything?"

"Don't know." Tully had her sit on the ground against the wall where she would be shielded by the jeep. "Stay put."

Hitch saw movement and said, "Hey, sarge. You better take a look at this."

Troy and Moffitt both peeked over the wall to see halftracks and armored cars split from the others. Troy watched them for a second, then said, "Looks like they're going to try to surround us. Hitch, Tully, go keep an eye on them. See where they end up."

Both privates nodded and headed toward the ruins. They watched silently as the German vehicles were positioned around the perimeter of the waterhole, leaving no way out for the Allies.

Tully sighed and said, "We're definitely going to have to shoot our way out."

Hitch said, "Let's hope the 85th gets here before it comes to that."

They ran back to the jeeps and reported what they'd seen as Major Achorn called to them through the bullhorn, "You are now surrounded, Sergeant Troy! Would you like to reconsider your surrender?" When Troy didn't answer, the major signaled for a mortar to be fired.

The shell sailed overhead and hit the ruins where Hitch and Tully had been standing. Moffitt questioned, "Bad aim?"

Troy shook his head. "More than likely a warning shot. I don't think he really wants to kill us. It would be more of an advantage if he were to take us alive."

"Do you think we can hold out until help arrives?"

"We're gonna have to."

#################

Thirty minutes later another shell flew over and hit pretty much in the same place as the first. After the debris settled, Major Achorn was heard to say, "Come now, Sergeant Troy! This is a ridiculous standoff! You cannot possibly get away! Are you intent on dying?"

Troy looked at his watch, then mounted the wall and yelled, "I'll make you a deal, Major Achorn! If you'll let the woman and one of my men go, the rest of us will surrender!"

Hitch hissed from behind the sergeant, "Sarge…"

Troy held up a hand to silence the private as the major said, "I cannot agree to that arrangement, sergeant! You see, I am a greedy man! I want all or nothing!" A third mortar was fired and Troy had to dive off the wall for cover. "We can wait you out! Eventually, you will give up … or be killed!"

Charley sat on the ground listening. She didn't want to give up, and she had no desire to die. While Troy, Moffitt, Hitch, and Tully were otherwise occupied with the Germans that surrounded them, Charley crawled past the jeep to peek around the end of the wall. She saw the major standing in his staff car. She got down on her belly as she clicked the safety off on her pistol and took careful aim. But before Charley could squeeze the trigger, someone grabbed her legs and pulled her back. With a startled squeak she rolled over to see Tully, who asked angrily, "What in the heck do you think you're doin', woman?"

Charley pulled her legs free of his hands and said with just as much anger, "I'm getting a little tired of that man!" Before Tully could comment, Charley's eyes went big as she yelled, "Look out!" Then took quick aim and fired two shots, hitting one of the five Germans who were trying to sneak up on them from behind.

Troy and Moffitt swung the 50s around and quickly took care of the other four. When all five were lying unmoving on the ground, Troy yelled, "It didn't work, major! They're all dead!"

All of a sudden there was the unmistakable sound of a Sherman Tank firing off a round from its howitzer in the distance. The shell shook the ground when it hit, putting several halftracks and their crews out of commission.

Immediately, Major Achorn ordered his men to attack the Americans from the 85th. However, the Rat Patrol also took the cue and Hitch and Tully slid in behind the wheels of their jeeps. Tully yelled at Charley, "Take cover! We'll be back!" Then they went out the back way with 50s blazing.

Charley quickly took cover in what was left of the already ruined building.

Between the men and firepower of the 85th, and the Rat Patrol, Major Achorn and Captain Zornes didn't stay in the skirmish for long. With most of their men dead, and a number of their vehicles and tank blown up, they retreated into the desert.

When it got quiet, Charley stepped out of hiding and looked around. Deciding the fight was over, she ran to the wall and peeked out to see what was happening. She saw dead men strewn across the sand. Smoldering halftracks, armored cars, and a tank dotted the landscape. Then Charley saw a jeep speeding in her direction.

#################

The bullet was removed from Charley's arm when they all got back to the 85th. She was sleeping peacefully with Moffitt, Hitch, and Tully sitting next to her playing matchstick poker.

Troy had left them to deliver the report he'd written while they waited for Charley to come out of surgery to Colonel Stewart. The colonel glanced it over and set it aside before looking at the sergeant. He said, "I hear you've had quite a day, sergeant."

Troy nodded. "Yes, sir. That's one way to put it."

"I got the word that our 'black bird' got a wounded wing out there. I hope she's going to be all right."

"She will be, colonel. The doctors took the bullet out and since it didn't hit bone, she should heal up just fine. When I left, she was sleeping with my men hovering nearby."

Colonel Stewart smiled. "Good, good. Glad to hear it. Now, get out of here. You and your men deserve some rest."

Troy saluted. "Thank you, sir."

When he returned to the hospital, Moffitt and Hitch were gone, but Tully still sat next to the cot that held his wife, eyes closed and long legs stretched out on another chair.

Troy put a hand on the private's shoulder and Tully said quietly, "Everything all right with the report, sarge?"

The sergeant smiled a little. "Yeah. Where's Moffitt and Hitch?"

Tully opened his eyes, straightened up on the chair, and put his feet on the floor. "They went to the mess tent."

"Why don't we go join them?" Tully silently looked down at Charley and Troy said, "The doctor said she should sleep all night. Come on, let's go get something to eat and some rest."

Tully allowed Troy to pull him to his feet. "Okay, I guess that'll be all right." They started to walk out and Tully said, "I was tryin' to think of ways to keep Charley on base instead of running around the desert."

Troy smiled. "Any luck with that?"

"Can't think of a thing that won't get me trouble."

"She did good out there, Tully. She's becoming quite a shot."

Tully smiled proudly. "Yeah, she is. Before this mission I got home one day to find she'd taken her pistol apart to try to fix a problem herself. After taking care of it I watched her put it back together. I've never known a woman that would even care about guns, let alone tear it down, clean it, and get it put together again without help."

Troy continued to smile as he said, "Yeah, she's something all right."