Everywhere it's all around
Comfort in a crowd
Strangers faces all around
Laughin right out loud-"Shame on the Moon", Bob Seger
Chapter 3
She tried to slow her heart beat. She wasn't sure if it was the whole idea of jumping from the plane or the last words he'd growled at her, "I've got no idea what you're playing at lady, but when we get on the ground I plan to find out." She dropped her head into her hands and tried to drown out the sound of his voice in her head.
The interior of the plane was bathed in blood or at least that was the appearance with the red light on indicating it wasn't time to jump. But then again the way her mind was currently screwed up, it could be hell. The plane dipped and bounced as they crossed the channel and no one was talking or even making an effort.
Jen was two people down from her and Meg was the second to last on the left side. Everyone had decided that Lil would jump second; behind the regimental surgeon that way if she tried to stop someone would be able to shove her out the door. She had no idea how tonight would end, but right now all she wanted was to hit the ground alive and uninjured.
Honestly the chances to making it to the ground alive were good, most paratroopers were injured on landing…all she had to do was remember feet, knees, ass…oh yeah that would be easy.
The first rumbling noises outside the plane had everyone looking at each other nervously. She'd heard Bill and Joe talking and thought this might have been the German anti-aircraft fire they'd thought they would be facing. Dear God, the sky was lit like midday, that couldn't be good.
The interior of the plane suddenly took on the golden color of amber, the light and the chalk leader indicating it was time to go. No one could hear what the chalk leader was saying and she was glad she'd actually paid attention to Bill and Joe, at least she knew what the hand signals meant they should check each other and they were about to jump.
Trying to focus on the task at hand she withdrew from everything else around her. She'd be fine; Bill and Joe would be fine, hell they were better trained than her…he'd be fine. Shaking her head she tried to clear her thoughts, him, great what a time to think about him. 'Ah baby girl, he has a name, at least a last name. Now maybe you see what I saw in Tony. Growling she tried to ignore that voice that sounded very much like her mother. Damn, that was not the voice she wanted in her head when the possibility of dying was so close.
The anti-aircraft fire was coming closer rocking the plane side to side and the fear became a living creature inside the aircraft. Everyone was watching the light, waiting and praying it would go green before the Germans got lucky and shot down the plane they were in.
When the plane next to theirs went up in a fireball the light on the wall went green, and everyone began to shove toward the door. One minute she was surrounded by sheet metal and heat the next the cool night wind surrounded her, deafening the sounds. Feeling the heat and confusion from above and behind she twisted and watched as the plane she'd just been in exploded in the night sky taking the remaining personnel with it.
Closing her eyes she tried not to think, who'd gotten out, who didn't, how long before she knew? All around her the sky was filled with falling paratroopers, anti-aircraft fire and exploding planes, so when she hit the ground she was totally unprepared and the breath was knocked form her body, leaving her disoriented and unable to breathe.
Feeling the parachute fall down over her covering her completely she thought it might be okay just to lay here, being covered by the shroud of the canopy. At the thought of anything being deemed a shroud she sat straight up. To anyone who might have been close witnessing it, they probably would have run in fear, convinced that a ghost had risen from the grave.
Digging around she finally forced her shaking fingers to release the hooks holding the harness in place and began a slow crawl from underneath. Standing she leaned against a tree trying to get her bearings. Nothing close by looked familiar and now she was desperately wishing she'd paid more attention to that sand table.
"Okay Lil, you can do this. Remember there was something about either a river or train tracks near the objective. Calm deep breaths and focus." Her pep talk had almost worked when the German machine gun began firing to her right causing her to squeak and drop to the ground. "Okay Lil, forget the damn train or river, just get the hell away from them."
Crawling through the woods on her hands and knees, her bag dragging along the ground. She stayed that way till the firing seemed distance only then did she feel safe enough to get to her feet. Wiping her hands on her uniform she could see the blood and dirt mixed together from her crawling along the ground. Wrinkling her nose she could only imagine what her knees looked like. She vaguely remembered a couple of sharp pokes along the way.
The first thing she needed to do was try to find anyone from an American unit, then try and find out who if anyone had made it out of the plane. She knew her and at least one other definitely had, but maybe just maybe her friends had made it too, after all they could have gotten out of the plane faster than she had thought.
Sighing she started walking in what she could only hope was the right direction. The bad thing about being alone in the woods is that it gave you time to think. Unfortunately the one thought that kept coming to mind was Speirs last words to her.
That just proved what terrible luck she had. Here in all the places of the world to run into the one person she never wanted to see again. Heaving a sigh she gave a slight thought to the fact maybe he'd not survived the jump. After all there had been several planes exploding and crashing. Hmm, one could hope.
She was so into her own miserable thoughts she failed to hear the clicking noise to her right. But she did pay attention to the hissed password that followed. "Flash."
"Thunder, dear God thank you thunder." She was so relieved that when Bill and Joe walked out of the bushes they'd been hiding behind she threw herself into their arms. "Oh my God I'm so glad to see you, my plane blew up and I've got no idea…"
Bill laughed and passed her off to Joe. "Easy doll, no one knows where they are and I don't think anyone is where they're supposed to be. What do you mean your plane blew up? You okay kid?"
Giving Joe a kiss on the cheek she pulled herself together, "yeah, I'm good, I was out of the plane then blewie, plane gone. I don't know who if anyone got out. You guys know where we are or at the least where we're going?"
Joe pulled her into his side, "of course we do. We're paratroopers we always know where we're going."
As they started walking she wasn't convinced they knew any better than she did where they were, but hell at least they were together.
Following along behind them, she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and listening to the two men bicker. Raising an eyebrow she gave them a look then shook her head. If someone didn't know better you'd think they were married. Snorting at her own joke she smacked into Joe's back. "Awe, why'd you stop? Come on if you stop I might not get started again."
Joe slapped his hand across her mouth and leaned in close, "We heard something. So until we're sure how about you not alerting the whole German army."
Nodding her head she watched as Bill crept closer to the noise they'd heard only to be stopped by the password being called out. Feeling the tension go out of the air, she quickly moved with Joe to join the new band.
The only person out of the new group she immediately recognized was Lipton. Smiling at him she moved closer to Bill as they listened to the officer, Winters, explain where they were headed and about how long they had to get there. Wrinkling her nose again she realized how much she hated walking. Shifting her bag to the other shoulder she slid up beside Winters and introduced herself. "Lieutenant D'Amico, very lost Army nurse."
Dick smiled, "Dick Winters, never lost paratrooper."
She couldn't help but smile. Winters seemed like the kind of calming influence that was currently needed, because right now, no one felt very calm. "So not to undermine you abilities, but you do know where we're going right?"
"Oh yes, just another couple of hours and we should be there. How you holding up? I heard Bill tell Lip that your plane blew. Sorry to hear that."
Clenching her hand to her side she tried to use the focus of the pain in her palm to not tear up. She'd known and worked with everyone on that plane, it was painful to think about who might not have made it. "Uh, yeah, well I'm fine and well you never know who did or didn't make it so I'm holding out hope you know?"
Winters gave her a piercing stare that made her believe he could see clear to her soul. The small crease between his eyebrows gave it away that he didn't completely believe her lie. "Yeah well you're right, it's best to wait and see. Everyone is so scattered it might be days before we're sure."
She was grateful he'd let her small lie go. She wasn't ready to think about it yet, that would be dealt with at another time. She was about to speak when a sound from below them had all the men scrambling to find a better position.
Bill grabbed her arm and pushed her down behind a large tree at the base of a tunnel. "Stay put doll, I'll be back for you when it's over. No matter what, don't move."
Nodding her head it was probably the first time in her life she'd ever let a man tell her what to do, but she had a feeling in this case it was probably for the best. When the firing started she wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled everything in as tightly into her chest as she could. She should be braver than this but nothing could prepare you for the first time they all started firing within ten feet of you.
The screaming of the horse was drowning out everything else, but the argument between Bill and Winters she clearly heard. She'd never seen Bill really lose his temper, but as she leaned around the tree she saw him getting back in Winters face. The tension radiating from his body was palatable. Pushing to her feet she walked up just as Joe shot the horse causing her to jump.
"I thought I told you to stay put till I came for ya. Damn you don't listen." Bill had turned his frustration at Winters and the situation on her and she'd had a rough night. There was no way she was going to be his punching bag.
Slapping him upside the helmet she turned her back and walked over to Joe. "You better get control of him before he has a terrible accident with a scalpel and parts of his anatomy. Because if he ever and I do mean ever orders me, yells at me or any other pigheaded thing, he's going to be missing things." The last was yelled so that anyone within twenty feet could hear.
Joe chuckled and put his arm around her, "come on Lil, I'll protect you from the big bad Gonorrhea."
As the sun was coming up they stopped at a deserted farm house with several dead animals as well as paratroopers. Wrinkling her nose she stayed at the back of the small group watching the men spread out picking up more ammo and a weapon for Winters. Sighing she glanced over at Bill who was currently looking anywhere but at her.
"Come on Lil, talk to the man, you know he didn't mean nothing by it. It's just his brother and all."
Casting a glance over a Joe who snuck up beside her she glanced back over at Bill. "Oh alright when we move out again I'll try to talk to him, but trust me he better not be a dumb ass or else."
Chuckling Joe started to walk off, "yeah well I think everyone knows what your 'or else' means. Damn D'Amico, you can be a mean woman."
"Yeah really Joe, well that has to be why you love me so much." She tried not to laugh as he headed back to talk to Lip, leaving her standing alone again. As they began to move she moved slowly over to Bill's side.
"Hey. So you gonna pout because I slapped you upside your helmet?"
Bill snorted and cast a sideways glance in her direction. "I ain't pouting, I just don't like the fact you took his side."
Rolling her eyes she had no idea exactly how he'd think she'd taken Winters side. "First, I wasn't taking his side, but he was right Bill. I know you're angry and hurt and probably a whole array of emotions I can't put my finger on, but you have to listen or someone will get hurt. Isn't that the first thing they teach, followership?"
He didn't answer for a moment and she thought maybe she'd pushed too hard, but when his shoulder bumped into hers she knew he felt better. "I'm sorry doll, I didn't mean to treat you like a normal broad, but I don't want you hurt. You understand don't ya?"
"Bill, I love you for that, but you know you can't spend the entire war trying to get between me and trouble." She grabbed his arm to stop him for a moment and make him face her. "Bill, this is war and I'm afraid that people will be hurt and people will die. But you need to stop holding a grudge at those around you. Focus on what's important, everyone going home." Finishing her speech she started walking again not waiting to see if he followed or not.
Dick had stopped to look back and caught her eye as she passed. Nodding his head he gave a brief smile before returning to the front of the column. She'd just made another friend and this one simply by refocusing Bill.
Dropping onto the ground she scooted around till she managed to find a semi-dry spot. "Thank you for finally being able to sit the hell down."
"Yeah well don't get too comfortable toots, you know we're going to have to move again soon. Or at least when we feel like we have everyone." Bill was currently ignoring his own advice by laying back and closing his eyes.
"Party pooper. I'm not going to sit for too long any way. I really need to go and find the aid station, who knows I might be able to find out who made it." Dropping her chin into her hand she watched as other soldiers passed by, some looking for their units, others just moving through to the next rally point. Frowning she noticed where the wounded seemed to be piling up and pushed to her feet with a groan.
"Well, looks like my services are needed. I'll see you later."
Bill pushed off the ground, "hey where you think you're going? You know better than to head off without me or at least telling me."
Lil rolled her eyes, "well excuse me, I didn't realize in the course of one night that you and I had married or that suddenly you were my father. But to calm you, I'm just heading right over there…" The rest of what she was about to say died on her lips as she caught sight of the latest arrival.
While she was happy to see that Jen was alive, she wasn't very happy at who was currently carrying her into the aid station. None other than Lieutenant Speirs.
Bill frowned at the look on her face and the fact her eyes had taken on that weird glowing light. But as quickly as it was there it had disappeared leaving him to wonder if it had been nothing but a trick of the light. "Hey toots, what's caught your attention? You kind of zoned out for a minute."
She gave Bill a tight smile and shrugged, "nothing, just saw a man I need to see about a dog. I'll catch up later Bill." Focusing her sight on the two people currently standing too close, she decided to let her friend know she was still alive and well.
Jen's heart was pounding as the handsome Lieutenant that had been carrying her let her slide down his body. Shivering in pleasure she couldn't believe her luck, out of all the men that could have found her, she'd been helped by one of the most attractive men she'd ever met. Swallowing hard she finally managed to gain control of her voice.
"I don't know how to thank you Lieutenant. I don't know how I'd have made it this far on my ankle." She tried to give him her sweetest smile and allowed her hands to stay pressed to his chest. A girl had to press her advantage while she could.
Ron smiled down at her, "no problem. Now that you're with medical care I need to be taking off to find the rest of my unit."
As Jen was about to speak a sweet voice came from behind her causing her to grind her teeth together. Talk about all the rotten luck.
"Jen, sweetie, I'm so glad to see that you're okay. I was worried when the plane blew that you might now have made it. Have you seen Meg?"
Turning to face Lil, Jen forced herself to smile and be pleasant. The last thing she wanted to do was leave the gorgeous hunk standing behind her with the impression she was temperamental. "Oh no I've not seen her, but I'm glad to see you too. Let me introduce you to my savior. Ron, this is my friend Lillian."
Ron and Lillian both smiled and shook hands, dropping it as quickly as they could. Ron however found himself pleased. He now knew her name and had just been handed a chance to be around her.
Catching Lillian's eye but patting Jen on the shoulder, "well, I see you are in good hands. Don't worry I'll be seeing you soon."
Lillian watched the man wink at her and walk off. God what she wouldn't give to pick up a rock and throw it at him. However Jen's simpering voice caught her attention, "isn't he just dreamy? I can't believe my luck to find a hunk of man like that in the middle of a war zone."
Lil snorted, "yeah, well just remember the most dangerous creatures in the world are sometimes disguised as the prettiest. I'm heading in, come on let's get your ankle wrapped."
Jen frowned over Lil's comment but wrote it off to sour grapes. After all Ron had paid little attention to her. In fact all his attention had been for her and Jen saw that as a good sign indeed.
Okay yeah so all of you who have ever read What if You...well I think you know where I'm going with that. Jen is going to become a very big problem. Hope you are all liking it and thank you SO much to everyone who was been reading and reviewing. Captain ty and I really appreciate it! :)
HUGE! Thank you to captain ty. After all, she wrote this wonderful work of literature. Oh! And she also wrote my absolute favorite one line out of all her stories. Anyone who can guess who it is gets an internet cookie!! :)
Disclaimer: No disrespect is meant to the real men of Easy. We own nothing but the OCs and any original plot line that you do not recognize.
