"Betty smiled as she opened the door, "I have to look my best for the flyboys today".

"Come on," Jill laughed as she helped Betty put her jacket on and quickly walked out the door.

The girls walked out of the apartment block and both pulled their jackets closer as they felt the cold air hit them.

"We better run," Jill said to Betty as she began to run.

Slightly out of breath, they arrived at the check-up facility and Jill noticed Betty was no longer beside her as she opened the door and walked in. Jill popped her head back through the door to find Betty standing staring at the row of army and navy pilots waiting to come in.

"Betty, Betty," she half-shouted to try and wake up her friend from her trance.

"Oh sorry Jill, I was, well um," Betty replied.

"What are you like?" Jill said grabbing her arm.

They quickly walked through the facility to the cloak room and removed their jackets. Jill brushed the front of her uniform with her hands and walked back to the main hall. The hall was busy with medical professionals trying to ensure they were prepared for the doors opening. Betty followed Jill into the hall and quickly spotted Evelyn and the girls.

"Jill, over there," Betty said pointing in the direction of their medical unit.

Jill and Betty suddenly froze as they felt hands on their shoulders and slowly began to turn in order to identify the owner.

"Girls, you are late" a voice shrieked behind them.

"Sorry Ma-am," Jill replied noticing Sandra and Barbara waving their fingers in mock disapproval behind the Captain.

"This is not good enough, Navy nurses are required to be punctual, committed and so far neither of you have shown this, how do you expect us to win the war if you arrive late to treat someone," the Captain continued to shriek.

"Yes Ma-am," Betty answered in her sweetest voice.

"Now, report to your commanding officer and I don't want to have to speak to you girls again".

Jill wanted the ground to open up and swallow her; she was embarrassed that she had let herself down and more so that she had let Evelyn down. Both girls walked towards Evelyn who showed no emotion as they approached.

"You're both starting at the inoculation station, we're going to rotate throughout the day," Evelyn replied as she pointed them over to where Sandra and Martha were already standing.

"I'm so sorry Evelyn," Jill said as she noticed the anger in Evelyn's face.

"Don't worry Jill, I have to put on a face with the Captain watching," Evelyn reassured her.

Jill silently reprimanded herself again and she walked towards the station. Nursing was all she wanted to do and she had worked hard to graduate from school and get through her training. Jill never expected to sign up to the Navy but the chance to travel and do something she could feel proud of was too enticing to ignore. However, she now felt anything but proud.

"Cheer up honey, the captains been on a mission all morning," Sandra smiled

Jill smiled as Sandra placed an arm over her shoulder. Sandra treated Jill and Betty like younger sisters and she was extremely protective of them. Sandra knew that both Jill and especially Betty were naïve in regard to men and now they were operating in a virtual minefield of young men with only one thought in their mind.

"Thanks Sandra, I just feel bad for letting Evelyn down,"

"You did nothing of the sort besides Evelyn thinks the world of you and you're a darn good nurse," Sandra reassured her, "Now ladies, let us get ready for the morning of naked butts and red-faced men".

Jill laughed as she went over to her table to prepare the first shot she would administer today. The noise in the hall began to increase as the men entered, each dressed in only their vests and shorts. Jill imagined that this would be Betty's idea of heaven but Sandra had well versed her on the ways of army and navy men and especially the pilots.

"Now Jill," Sandra said to her as a young man slowly dropped his shorts in front of her, "don't take your time about this," Sandra smiled as she quickly inserted the needle to the sound of the man releasing a sharp intake of breath. "and remember if they get fresh, just follow Martha's example".

Jill almost sucked in a sharp breath of her own as she saw Martha poke a needle into an unprepared pilot.

"Please be kind,"

Jill looked up to see a tall dark haired man in front of her who held up a file for her inspection. She examined the file, "Lieutenant McCawley,"

"Yes Ma-am," he replied.

"If you just want to drop your shorts a little," Jill asked him as she picked up the needle and flicked it with her finger. Jill could see he was nervous as he glanced over at another airman receiving the not so subtle work of Martha.

"I promise to be gentle," Jill almost whispered as she administered the shot.

"That wasn't so bad but hell it's got a nasty sting," he informed her as he straightened up.

Jill noticed he directed one of the other pilots to go to her and she smiled as the next officer approached.

"Lieutenant Walker," Jill smiled as she placed his file on the table.

"Yes Ma-am," he replied turning and getting ready for his shot.

Jill blushed slightly as she realised she had paused for a moment. This pilot was very cute and the fact he was half dressed with a really nice toned body hadn't escaped her notice either.

"I'm sorry, "she stammered, "I was having problems with the needle,"

Jill could see Barbara looking at her with a quizzical look.

Jill quickly gave the officer his shot and updated his file.

"I'm Danny," he said taking the file back from her.

"Hi Danny, I'm Jill," Jill replied feeling the redness creeping up her face.

"Okay, Lieutenant, time to move on," Barbara suddenly interrupted.

Danny walked away but turned to look back at Jill whom he noticed was still looking in his direction.

"You move fast and hey i thought you were shy around girls," his friend noted as Danny stood beside him.

"Rafe, I only said hello and anyway I was just being polite,"

"mm, sure you were," Rafe teased him as they queued up at the next station.

Jill quickly prepared another needle as the next pilot approached.

"Hey Jill, he was cute," Sandra smiled as she leaned over to speak to her.

"He was rather lovely but I'm not falling for that charm," she said feeling her cheeks get warm again. Jill looked over to the next station where Danny was waiting for his eye exam; she could see his friend flirting with Evelyn. "Yeah, they work that charm on every girl, "she whispered to herself as she injected the pilot in front of her.

The day had passed relatively quickly thanks to Evelyn decision to rotate her staff around the different check up stations. Jill noted that Evelyn would always put herself in the worst station first and she admired the way Evelyn treated her staff.

"Okay girls, that's us finished for the day," Evelyn smiled as the other nurses in her group gathered around her.

"I had a great time," Betty said with a cheeky grin on her face.

"It looks like I'm gonna have to lock you up to keep you out of trouble," Sandra teased Betty.

The girls left the hall and each picked up their cloaks and fastened them tightly as they looked at the cold weather through the window.

"You two nurses," the group of nurses all looked round and sighed as they noted the Captain approaching them.

"Yes Ma-am, can I help?" Evelyn said moving forward from the group.

"Lieutenant, I wish to assign Nurse Hunter and Nurse to further duties as punishment for their lateness,"

Betty and Jill looked at each other.

"Yes Ma-am, I have had the girls work their break to cover their late start," Evelyn half lied as both Jill and Betty had offered but Evelyn knew how important it was for them to rest and had said just to take their break.

"Lieutenant, I need just one pair of hands to finish clearing up over there," the Captain informed pointing in the direction of the medical supplies room.

"I would be happy to do this as it was my fault Betty and I made us late this morning," Jill said stepping forward to the horror of Betty.

"Very well, come with me Nurse Hunter,"

Jill removed her cloak once again while Betty vigoursly protested.

"Look you guys all have plans tonight and Betty I don't mind honest." Jill said

"You're a great friend Jill," Betty replied, "Hey come to the café afterwards".

"I will as long as the Captain doesn't keep me here all night".

"Hey Jill, she better not, thanks for volunteering that was really good of you," Evelyn said rolling her eyes in the direction of the Captain, "I did say she was a dragon,"

The nurses all said goodbye to Jill and made their way out of the building.

"You know girls, I'm going to stay back and help Jill" Evelyn said as they approached the doors.

"We'll all stay," Betty replied.

"No, you girls go and have a great night out, besides Jill will be on her own."

Jill started to update the inventory sheet as she continued to go through the supplies. She was mad at herself for getting in this situation in the first place.

"Hey you," Jill turned to see Evelyn standing.

"Evelyn, what you doing here?"

"We all felt bad leaving you here, I'll tell you I had to battle with Betty to stop her coming back in," Evelyn smiled removing her cloak and checking the inventory checklist.

"Thank you," Jill said relieved to have some help and someone to talk to, "I'm sorry about earlier I feel like I've really let you down".

"You haven't, you worked real hard today and I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with". Evelyn assured her, "come on let's get this finished and get out to enjoy the rest of the night".

Jill and Evelyn made quick work of the stock count, "hey Jill this is the last box", Evelyn cheered

Jill placed the box on the shelf and Evelyn threw her cloak at her, "time to go".

"Are you meeting up with the others at the café?" Jill asked as they made their way to the doors,

"Yeah, I think there will be quite a crowd and lots of navy guys to dance with," Evelyn grinned as she turned to lock the main doors. "It's quite cold out here"

"Hey Evelyn, isn't that the guy who passed out on you?" Jill asked staring at the man who stood at the bottom of the stairs with what looked like a bottle of champagne.

"So it is," Evelyn smiled at Jill

"You should go speak with him," Jill said encouraging her

"Do you think?"

"Definitely". Jill laughed as the man moved towards them.

"I can't leave you on your own," Evelyn replied

"Yes you can and anyway it's just round the corner,"

"Night Evelyn," Jill said walking away before Evelyn had the chance to say anything. Jill looked back and smiled as she saw the man holding out the bottle and ushering Evelyn to the nearby bench. Jill knew Evelyn liked him and well if there was ever a time to just go for it, it was now.

She continued to follow the path to the nurse's residence having decided she was too tired to go on to meet with the girls. Pulling her cloak tighter to try and keep the biting wind out she made her way home. Jill quickened her step as she heard voices close by.

"Great," she whispered to herself as she spotted the men in uniforms up ahead, she wasn't in the mood for another charm offensive.

"Good evening ma-am," one of the soldiers said to her as they stood off the path and removed their caps as she walked past. Jill noticed they were navy men, "Good evening." she replied smiling but trying not to make any eye contact.

"Hey Danny, wasn't that the girl you were talking about?" Danny quickly turned to silence his friend "She'll hear you,"

"Danny just go talk to her, you've nothing to lose,"

"Red, you know I'm not good at that".

"If you don't I will," one of the other men replied starting to walk away from the group.

Danny walked forward, "right okay, I'll go".

Red smiled as he placed his hand on Anthony's shoulder, "good idea".

The guys watched Danny try to catch up with the nurse, "I told you those nnnnnuurses were trouble," Red laughed trying not to stutter.

"Let's go find ourselves our own nurse," Anthony said to the others as they all made their way towards the café.

Danny couldn't work out what to say to the girl in front of him, he was always shy around girls and he knew the easiest thing would be to just turn round and catch up with the others but something was driving him to speak to her. "Hey Miss, excuse me Miss".

Jill sighed,

"Yes," she turned and realised her tone was a bit sharp when the Officer suddenly stopped in front of her. "Can I help you?" she quickly added softening her tone. Jill felt her heart flutter slightly as she got her first real look at the man in front of her, it was the pilot from earlier, the one that had flirted with her and she felt her cheeks redden again. "God, please stop me blushing," she silently prayed.

"Well Ma-am, I was wondering if I, well I was hoping to" Danny said putting his hands in his pockets, "I was wondering if I could walk you home?"

"That's really kind of you but I'm sure I'll be alright,"

"Oh," Danny replied looking slightly lost.

"It would probably be best if you did walk me back just to be safe," Jill quickly added not wanting to hurt him. "Danny isn't it?"

"Yes Ma-am and you are Jill,"

"That's right,"

Jill was surprised at how easy it was to speak to Danny; they talked about where they grew up and how they both ended up enlisting.

"New York is kinda amazing," Jill smiled

"It is, you read about it all the time when you're growing up and to be here and see the city," Danny replied.

"I never imagined I would ever get here, I was so desperate to get away from my home town where the only excitement was the annual fair and now here I am in the big city, having enlisted in the navy and I could be sent away at any minute," Jill glanced over the water to Manhattan, "have you been out in the city,"

"Not really, at the moment we seem to be training every moment of the day but occasionally you get enough time to see the city," Danny said, "next time we organise something you should come, with your friends of course."

"That sounds great, "Jill replied turning to look at him, "well this is me."

Jill rummaged for her key in her bag and quickly unlocked the door, "goodnight Danny and thank you for walking me home".

"Goodnight Jill, it was an honour," he replied removing his cap again.

Jill watched him from the door as he turned round to walk away; she jumped slightly as he turned back round, "Jill, would you like to go out sometime?"

"Sure," she answered

"Really,"

Jill smiled as she watched the smile appear on his face, "I'd love too,"

"Well how about Saturday, we've got leave from the base and we could go to the dancehall"

"I have to work until 7, but if you're okay with that then 8 would be great," Jill answered.

"8 it is then,"

Jill laughed as she tried to reduce the huge smile on her face, she waved to him as he turned and then disappeared round the corner. "If this is the effect he has on me now what hope do I have when I go on a date?"

I just got an idea for a story and I'm new to posting stories. Let me know what you think – even if it is just to delete it.