DISCLAIMER: No disrespect is meant to the real Band of Brothers. I only own Courtney and Jim.

Aldbourne-September 1943

Jim McCall sat watching his friend sleep, well if it really could be called that. Court never really slept, dozed yes, sleep no. None of them had had a good night's sleep since Africa. Even as he watched Court move and mumble in sleep, he knew the exact point in the dream where she would sit straight up clutching her shoulder and swallowing the scream that threatened to escape. He knew it so well because it was the same dream he had when he actually slept.

They had only arrived in England a week ago, their company being reassigned to support the 101st Airborne. He couldn't say he was ungrateful, the change of pace was very welcome especially after Sicily, but Court wasn't doing well here, too much time off and too many men. It was causing her to become further withdrawn and suspicious. Sighing he scooted closer to the edge of his bunk and crushed out his cigarette because it was due for the dream to end.

Like a well worn record, Court jerked straight up clutching her right shoulder and swallowing the scream that in reality had occurred. Wildly looking around the room, her eyes finally focused on Jim.

"You okay, that time it seemed worse than the others."

Nodding she swallowed and tried to wet her mouth before speaking, it had dried out during sleep, a harsh reminder of the dream it's self. This time the dream had been worse than normal, the dream had been so real she swore she could feel the sand still scrapping against her skin.

"Yeah I'm good now, Jim when do the dreams ever stop?"

Jim shook his head "I'm not sure it ever does, but hey, since you're up I'm going to rack out for a while. Remember we've got to head to the port in the morning to pick up the new unit."

"Okay, yeah I'm good, you grab some sleep."

Court grabbed a cigarette and pulled her knees up to her chest absently rubbing her shoulder. The wound didn't hurt any more, just the memory of it. The whole thing had been stupid, Patton might be a brilliant tactician, but he was not healthy for the troops. Her convoy had been hauling fuel for his tanks when the Luftwaffe decided they made a great target. She'd lost her co-driver that day and nearly her own life when the fuel blew.

Trying not to think about it any longer she closed her eyes and wondered what the new assignment would mean. They'd all been thrilled to leave the arid gritty environment of Africa that eroded soldier's morale as quickly as it did the equipment, only to end up in Sicily. Where the hills combined with oppressive heat was the same as Africa, just minus the sand. Now they were here and all of them freezing their asses off in England; they held no hope that winter wouldn't be bad. She was convinced the Army was trying to kill her slowly with climate changes.

Since moving to England Jim and she managed to share a room by themselves, the privileges of rank and being some of the last few veterans. Knowing he would need her soon, she quietly got up and went to sit with him on the bed. She'd learned if she put his head in her lap and brushed his hair, the dream wouldn't come. Brushing her fingers through his hair she was thankful again she'd found a way to join up with him.

He really was the only family she had left and well, someone had to look after him. When he'd told her he was joining the Army she'd announced she was going with him. Jim had laughed telling her there was no way to get past the physical and since she lacked some physical equipment for the job…but she'd been resourceful and had a doctor sign off she, no he was fit for duty.

Since she'd managed to beat the odds, Jim agreed to help her keep her secret, even though he hated it. He'd even done it when she'd been wounded in Africa and that had not been easy. The wound coupled with the burn had almost killed her, but the sheer will to live had been the deciding factor between life and death. To the rest of the world Court Davis was still a man, she could almost laugh at the thought of the look on her buddies faces if they ever found out she wasn't a man.

Looking down at the man currently laying in her lap she felt an overwhelming sense of love and affection. They'd know each other since they were children and when she'd lost her parents, Jim and his family had taken her in like a sister. She had no idea what she would do without him, and that was something she didn't like the think about. Now they were in England, it would give them a chance to rest and get ready for the big push.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Court jumped down from the truck and moved to drop the tailgate. The Samaria was just being pushed up to the dock so they had arrived at the perfect time. Jim passed her a cigarette and they leaned up against her truck to watch the ship dock.

"So did you get any sleep last night?"

Court shook her head, "nah, that's okay that just means I'll sleep better tonight. What about you, you seemed pretty comfortable."

Jim lifted and eyebrow, "you know I know exactly what you do when I sleep." Pausing for a moment he looked down and shuffled his feet, "I really appreciate it, I wish there was something I could do to make you sleep better."

"Oh well then, you could make the war end, or better yet how about a decent drink tonight at the pub. If none of those agree with you, I'm sure I'll think of something, okay look alive here they come."

Court tossed down her cigarette and watched her platoon leader run over to the gangplank and begin to yell for the company they were to drive. Finally a group of men separated themselves from the rest and started toward her platoon.

"Corporal Davis, get over here."

Court jogged up to her Lieutenant; a replacement for the one who'd been killed in Sicily was a little too eager to please and annoyed her and the other veterans to distraction.

"Yes, Lieutenant, what do you need?"

The lieutenant waved his hand in the direction of the group of men next to him. "These men are your cargo, get them on the truck and get moving."

Court turned to face the group and watched as a taller man separated himself from the group. His bright blue eyes examined her from top to bottom and for a moment, she had to resist the urge to fidget.

"Ah, Corporal if you'll point us in the right direction we'll get moving."

Court hooked a thumb over her shoulder, "there you go sir, just get your men loaded and we'll be on our way. We've got a hell of a drive, about four hours."

The man nodded turning to the Sergeant next to him getting the men moving. Court moved over to where Jim was standing, each of them facing each other but still turned where they could watch their trucks.

"You know this new group spooks me, take a look at that Lieutenant, he looked me up and down before deciding to speak…strange huh?"

Jim glanced over his should, "what the one with his back to us?"

"Yeah that's him, he's I don't know exactly, but he was just staring at me funny and well it makes me nervous."

Jim laughed loud enough to draw everyone's attention toward them. Court crossed her arms and resisted the urge to punch him; she really didn't see what was so funny.

Jim finally managed to stop laughing and wiped the tears from his face. "you really don't see what's going on do you?"

"Listen to me pea brain, if I was in on the joke I wouldn't be upset right now," she hissed at him.

Jim waved her off, "go on, I'll explain when we get back."

Tossing him a glare over her shoulder Court stomped her way back to the tailgate slamming it shut continuing to mutter under her breath about how stupid men could be.

Climbing into the cab of the truck she started the engine before realizing someone was sitting next to her. Glancing over at the Sergeant sitting next to her, he flashed a smile, "I hope you don't mind, but Lieutenant Winters wanted to ride in the back and well I won the toss for the front."

"Suit yourself Sergeant." Facing back forward she tried to focus on the road, the truck in front of her anything but the Sergeant sitting next to her keeping up a running commentary about his entire company. Finally, when he paused Court was able to ask a question, "so what's your name?"

"Oh, oh yeah, guess I forgot that, it's Luz, George Luz, radio man and all around go to guy. I also do impressions, but hey, what's yours?"

"Court Davis." She didn't bother to offer more information; she'd learned it was just safer that way. From the corner of her eye she noticed Luz frowning at her.

"Wow you seem kind of young, how old are you kid?"

Pulling her shoulders back she did her best to look pissed off, "not that's any of your business, but I'm 18, and this will be my third theater of operation. You got a problem with me Sergeant? She took her eyes from the road just long enough to pin Luz with a freezing green gaze.

Luz held his hands up, "nope not me, just curious, so where you from?"

Court sighed, "Vermont. Burlington if you want specifics. Look Sergeant, is there some reason you're giving me the third degree or is this what you do to everyone you meet?"

Luz actually looked hurt, "no, I was just making small talk; you know I figure we'll be seeing each other from now on and it don't hurt none to make friends. Sorry if I said something you didn't like."

Court wanted to bash her head against the steering wheel. The lack of sleep was turning her into a real bitch and she wasn't supposed to be a woman. Sighing she looked over at Luz again, "I'm sorry Luz, I know you don't mean anything by it, I guess I'm just tired, friends okay."

Smiling Luz clapped her on the shoulder a little harder than necessary, "yeah sure. So Court, where are the good bars?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jim was waiting at their favorite bar by the time she arrived, sliding onto the chair next to him, "so you want to tell me what was so funny today?"

Jim's eyebrow raised and he glance around to see if anyone was too close to them before continuing. "Amazing, you really don't get why he makes you nervous."

Court frowned and took a large drink from her lukewarm beer. She had no idea where this was going but she wasn't really in a playing mood. So she remained silent, knowing Jim would tire of the game and tell her any way.

Beside her he sighed and turned to face her. "Okay, tell me this, of all the men you've been around have any of them made you feel that way?"

"Well there was that one Captain in Algiers."

Jim snorted, "yeah well he was gay, you had a reason to be nervous, and I think he wanted you for a boy toy, but that wasn't exactly what I meant. Okay better yet, have you ever kissed a man?" He quickly held up his hand, "I don't count, I mean really kissed him?"

"Well I don't see how that is any of your business." Court turned her back on him, feigning a pout.

Jim put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her around to face him. "Look, that's not anything bad, I'm just saying you've been playing this male game for two years and you in reality are almost twenty-three, come on are you telling me you aren't the least bit curious?"

Court sighed, "I never said that, it's just I can't exactly do anything about it here. Not like I can be Courtney tonight and Court tomorrow." She absently ran a hand through her male short hair then down to her shoulder.

Since there was no one in the bar but them he grabbed her hand and held it. "I think I might have an answer to your dilemma. There are some nurses coming in at the end of the week and well, where there are women there will be social functions."

Jerking her hand away from him she rubbed her shoulder again. "yeah well the hair is a little bit of a problem, not to mention…well you know how a look under this and well…"

Jim lifted her chin so she couldn't look away from him. "Look, some day none of this will matter," placing his hand over her scared shoulder, "you'll see there is going to be the one who'll make you not care."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two days later they went out to pick up a company out of the 506th that couldn't make the march back due to the heavy rain. Parking the truck and climbing down they quickly loaded the trucks and were getting ready to leave when the cab door opened.

"Davis, you got room for someone up front?"

Glancing down at her Lieutenant, "sure sir, they can ride in the middle."

Hopping back down she moved out of the way to let the officer climb into the truck. She quickly climbed back into the truck glancing over at the Lieutenant sitting next to her.

"Hey sir, I need you to either spread your legs or move them to one side so I can shift."

The Lieutenant didn't speak but spread his legs allowing her access to the gear shift. Sighing internally she cast a quick glance at the man next to her and actually paused half-way to moving the stick shift.

His lips were drawn into a tense line but the cut of his jaw and his profile had her swallowing hard. Damn this had to be the best looking man she'd ever meet.

She was broken from staring at him by his loud sigh and turning to face her. His cold hazel eyes had turned almost black. "Corporal, I think you need to get moving and get your hand off my thigh."

Court quickly moved her hand to the gear shift and got the truck moving. Jesus what was wrong with her. Men didn't stare at other men; casting a quick glance at the Lieutenant again she noticed he was now watching her. Damn now she was in trouble.

She felt the Lieutenant shift in his seat right before his thigh connected with hers. "Corporal aren't you kind of small to drive this truck?"

Sighing, "no sir, I meet the height requirements and before you ask I'm old enough to be in the Army."

The Lieutenant pushed his thigh harder into hers, "I wasn't going to ask."

Gripping the steering wheel harder, Court was convinced that hell had just become England.