I don't own a thing, other then my own characters of course, however Saving Private Ryan and its characters don't belong to me.

Introductions.

Waking up the next day came sooner then I had expected and as i stood, slowly once again, i couldn't help but wince slightly, it was true that i was feeling slightly better, but no way was i ready to start looking god knows where for someone in a mission i knew nothing about, i just hoped we weren't leaving quite yet, otherwise it'd be the death of me. Pulling out a wash clothe i stood infront of the small slightly cracked mirror infront of me and cleaned my face, I'd changed so much over the six months whilst being here it was unreal. Maybe it was all the death that I'd seen that had matured my face, or maybe it was the lack of food that had caused my cheek bones to be more prominent, maybe it had to do with the hair cuts i gave myself, always uneven and short, i missed my long hair, maybe now they knew who i really was i wouldn't have to cut it anymore. Looking at my features once more i had defiantly changed, my lips had grown fuller, my eyes sharper, they had a hard and stony look behind them, my skin no longer had a healthy glow about it, instead it was deathly pale, however, you'd never be able to call me ugly, i had never been ugly.

My body had changed drastically over the months aswell, no longer was i soft or fragile looking, i was toned and bruised, slender but till standing taller then other girls my age at 5ft7. Maybe it was my height that convinced people i was a male, and maybe it was how i had used bandages to cover my assets, as my mother called them. But now i didn't need to hide it everyone knew now, they might've disagreed, strongly, but it wasn't their decision and im sure somehow they would get over it, i was only one woman right?

Taking a deep breath i straightened my back and rid my face of all emotions, i was here to kill or get killed trying and my emotions would not be the cause of my death like so many before me. I was a soldier, a good one, and now i would prove myself to the men of my new company.

"Private?" Turning quickly in surprise i saluted, unsure at who exactly was infront of me, Miller maybe?

"At ease soldier, Private Richards i assume, im Captain Miller, and from here out you are in my company, any questions private?"

"Yes sir, I just have one question sir..." I paused trying to get my wording right "Erm, i was just wondering if the company was well, er welcoming?"

He paused for a few seconds "Well, we have another joining us aswell as you" I raised my eyebrows in question "Upham, he's a translator, writing a book and well its his first time out of the base since he entered the war, the er team is a little put off by him, but im sure you'll be fine, they do have some respect for you, every ones heard about you if you don't mind me saying, and what happened with your last company"

My eyes never gave off any emotion, a stone cold look was worn on my face "Well, im glad they know about my history already so i don't have to explain myself again.. is it time to leave now sir?" My questioning gaze stared at his started expression, yes many people would expect me to break down after everything I'd seen but no, that just wasn't me. Nodding curtly he motioned for me to follow him.

"Well, take'a look at wha' tha' cat dragged in" At this point Miller decided he had better things to do and walked off rather quickly, smirking, son of a bitch.

"Another one? really, we already have to deal with Upchuck or whatever his name is over there"

"Its Upham.."

"Upham, Upchuck? whats the difference"

I stood awkwardly, waiting for someone to say something that didn't have anything to do with the infamous Upham.

"So what's ya' name then?"

"Private Richards...or Maria.."

The silence was striking, every man wide eyed.

"Well shit.."

"Nice Reiben.. Swear in front of the lady" the man paused as he turnt and looked down at me, "er im Wade.. Medic"

"Nice to meet you Wade, and really don't mind me with swearing, i was practically brought up with it, its my second language if i do say so myself" smiling brightly at him, he rose both his eyebrows, before smiling back, his eyes shining a bright brown.

"I like her, she seems alright.. Im Mellish, Stanley Mellish" He said Proudly nodding his head in a scrawny mans direction " thats Upchuck".

The other man known as 'Upchuck' huffed and looked at me shyly " er its Upham, Corporal Upham"

"Yeah, i heard you were writing a book?" regretting asking as soon as the words left my mouth, it happened in a second, His eyes flashed in excitement and all the other men groaned, a few muttering under their breath.

I shot a look towards each of the men, and finally when no one said anything i spoke up, stopping Upham from getting shot by one of the men, who now looked as though they wanted to scream.

"Maybe we should talk about it later, huh, i mean i don't even know who everyone is yet, but im sure its gonna' be a hit" looking towards a bald man sitting next to Mellish, who he had referred to Fish a few times, he nodded in understanding.

"Im Carparzo" he smiled tightly, still pissed from the whole Upham thing, he continued pointing at the others "Thats Rieben, but ignore him" a light noise of protest came out of Reibens mouth and just as he was about to snap back a snarky comment Carparzo carried on, smirking "and thats Jackson".

All of the men started back into conversation, minus Upham who awkwardly sat there looking rather glum with himself. So it seemed that they preferred me to this character, not that i could blame them, Upham was too fresh, too cheerfull, too innocent to be in the war. The others had a certain look about them they were soldiers, and they had looked death in the eye and shook his hand. They knew what war was like, they had been tainted, aswell as nearly all the men in this place, their friends had died and some wounded with scars that would be a constant reminder of what they'd been through. They knew exactly what it felt like to have a gun pointed at you and to have to point a gun at someone else. They knew what it felt like to kill.

Smiling i sat down on one of the wooden boxes and felt the breeze run through my short hair as i took off my helmet, shuddering slightly, a small smile on my face. Looking at the men around me, i studied them all, Carparzo was certainly the biggest, he was somewhat scary but his joking voice and smile made it clear he was anything but, however i don't think Upham knew that as he was giving him worried side glances and turning into himself whenever Carparzo looked at him. Next was Wade, i smiled to myself, his face reminded me of my brother, he looked a little lost and confused however, there was a look of determination on his face and his smile lit up like a kid opening is presents on Christmas.

Mellish, or Fish as i had been informed to call him, looked confident, but not the kind that would be overpowering and in your face, he had a sweet look about him, and you could clearly see he had Jewish roots, that and the star of David hanging around his neck was a huge giveaway. Ah Upham, there wasn't really alot to say about him, he was a paranoid wreck, and i would not want to be stuck next to him in combat.

Reiben, i really didn't know what to say that, he was attractive, but his head was so far up his arse any amount of attraction i had for him was out of the window as soon as he started bragging about the fact that in under a week i would be begging for him to "ravish" me. To this i had rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath while he smirked as though he had won the fucking war.

Before i could study Jackson, the Wade spoke to me bringing me out of my trance.

"So is your face okay?" his voiced was laced with concern and i looked at him with confusion.

"What now?"

"Your face is bruised, i was just wondering.." realization hit me.

"Oh shit, im sorry, just sorta' forget ya'know, it's fine really, its not as bad as it looks"

"just come talk to me if you have any problems okay?" I smiled at him nodding in understanding.

Soon i was back to looking at Jackson, he was different looking, attractive and maybe he had southern roots? blonde hair, blue eyes oh and what was that? Looking closely i saw a cross around his neck, religious. He looked up at me then, and smirked slightly as he saw me looking at him, oh he was cocky aswell then, maybe thats why him and Reiben were such good friends.

"Got a smoke?" I asked dryly, half smiling as i saw Miller and a man i had not met yet approaching in the distance.

Jackson patted himself, finding his pack he flipped it open and threw one in my direction, he plucked one out for himself, placed the pack back into his pocket and lit up, sighing as the rush of nicotine hit his lungs, i did the same, savoring the taste and exhaled just as Miller walked up to us.

"We're moving out".