Disclaimer: I own nothing but the original characters in this story. I have great respect for the real men of Band of Brothers.

Spoken German is written in Italics so nothing is lost in translation. :)

And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I would

Like to say to you

But I don't know how-"Wonderwall", Oasis

Chapter 4

She was bored; trapped in a small room while she 'healed' was driving her crazy. She'd not seen or heard from Nixon in the last couple of days and she was beginning to worry. Either he hadn't made contact with Matt or Matt had changed his mind about the entire mission. The one thing she did know that if she was going to be stuck here the least she could do was make herself useful.

The knock at the door brought a welcome reprieve to her thoughts. However, who walked through the door shocked her. "Well hello Lieutenant Winters. I did get the name correct yes?"

"Yes ma'am, uh how are you feeling?"

She smiled, the man was very uncomfortable in her presence, or maybe he just blushed very easily. "I'm much better thank you for asking. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Dick closed the door behind him and cleared his throat. He hated that he'd put himself in this position but he felt the lady was owed an explanation. "Well first I wanted to relay a message from Nixon. He did pass on your message and still hasn't heard from Colonel Decker. He's sorry he couldn't get back to you himself, but has been rather busy."

Amanda nodded; she thought Matt was weighing all his options before he responded. The fact that she now had confirmed the double agent made the entire situation extremely dangerous. If she went back now and if Steffel survived the invasion, she had no doubt he'd try again to kill her unless she got him first.

Dick rubbed his neck, "the second reason I stopped by, I wanted to, well I needed to apologize."

She couldn't have been more shocked if he'd told her he could fly. "What do you mean apologize? What in the world do you have to apologize for?"

"Well I should have believed you and I should have noticed that you were injured."

She couldn't help but laugh, "no you shouldn't. When you found me you did exactly what I'd have done, been suspicious. Second, you had no reason to suspect I was injured, if anything I should have said something instead of trying to tough it out. You're a good officer and I believe a good man Lieutenant, nothing that happened was your fault."

Dick relaxed, "well I was also hoping that maybe we could get off to another start. In fact, I thought you might like some different clothes. I was able to find a uniform and some boots that I hope might fit. We're heading out in a few hours and I thought…well that is Nixon suggested you might want to go?"

She couldn't stop the smile that spread, "I'd love to go. If I have to spend, one more day trapped in this room with…with that woman checking on me every hour I'm going to scream. Tell me where I need to be?"

Dick laid the items on the bed, "just be downstairs in half an hour and I'll send someone to get you. Maybe when you see where we're going you can provide some insight on the German defense."

Exactly half an hour later, she was in front of the building looking for anyone she might recognize. When she saw one of the soldiers from D-Day walking toward her she smiled. "Ah Sergeant Lipton, correct?"

"Yes ma'am, Lieutenant Winters sent me to get you."

"Please sergeant, Amanda or Mandy, when you call me ma'am it makes me look over my shoulder for that evil nurse."

Lipton laughed, "alright then Mandy, I can see the whole dislike of the nurses, not to fond of them myself. You can call me Lip by the way, just easier."

"Alright Lip so where are we headed?"

"Carentan seems that we need to take the town to get the armor inland from the beaches. I'm sure the Germans don't want to lose it either. Any chance you could provide some insight."

Biting her lower lip she tried to recall anything she'd ever heard discussed about the town. She knew it was important, but the actually details for the defense were never discussed. In all honesty, the Germans probably never saw the need for it, but who could guess now. "You know, I don't want to give bad information and since I've been away a lot of things could have changed."

Lipton patted her on the shoulder, "don't worry about it. Even if you did know before I'm sure, everything is different now. Come on we need to hurry, don't want Lieutenant Winters thinking I lost you."

Mourmelon, France

Sliding deeper in the water, she tried to ease the tension that had found its way into her shoulders over the last month. She finally made a place for herself working with battalion and Easy. She found that the job was challenging as well as rewarding. She'd been able to provide intelligence on the units that had been operating in this area and last known troop strengths.

She'd felt bad about Carentan because she'd turned out to be little to no help there, except for helping Nixon interrogate prisoners and read documents. Nixon, now there was a character. She actually enjoyed the man's company and considering he'd found her a room to herself while they waited for movement back to England.

England, well that brought with it a completely new set of issues. Matt hadn't bothered to answer her request in the last month and the longer they delayed getting her back to von Hoffer the more complicated the explanation would have to be. She'd thought about sending a note to him herself, but then that could possibly give her away if the Germans managed to decode the message.

She was meeting Dick and Lew for diner later today so maybe they'd have heard something by now and if not, she'd have to figure out a way to stay with the 506th. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in England where she couldn't get away from Matt. Part of her suspected that was the game he was playing by trapping her in England and try to woo her to his side. Well wouldn't he be in for a surprise, that ship had sailed and there was no way she was going to try to hop on board again.

The banging on the door from the other room had her growling. There was no way she was getting out of this nice hot bath, just to answer that door."

"Open the door; I know you're in there."

Smirking she pushed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Fine he wanted to see her, then he'd get to see her. Heading for the door, she jerked it open and leaned against the doorjamb. "Yes, you wanted something?"

It was worth tracking water across her floor to see Speirs standing there speechless. However when he started at her feet and took his time looking up she had to admit she was a little miffed. The fun of the entire situation was completely lost when he spoke.

"So we going to stand in the door with you catching your death of cold or will you let me in?"

Stepping out of the way, she let him in and frowned at his back. "How did you even know where I was?"

The slight lifting at the corner of his mouth gave away his amusement of the situation. "Well Nixon has a big mouth. Besides, I'd been meaning to stop by and see how you were, guess I caught you in the bath huh?"

Pushing her wet bangs of her forehead she sighed, "yes you did and had you not demanded my attention in such a sweet manner, I wouldn't have left it."

The look that passed through his eyes had her taking a step back. "Well you can always go back; I'll be a complete gentleman and stay right here until you call."

Amanda was accustomed to seeing lust in men's eyes, but here was a man with something darker than lust shining in his dark eyes. Hmm, wonder what color they are? She quickly shook her head to stop that train of thought. "Look I do appreciate you checking up on me but I don't believe it's necessary, so why don't you find someone else to watch over?"

She watched him actually smirk this time and take a step closer to her, "because, no one around here interests me as much as you." Reaching out he took a tendril of hair that had escaped her bun and ran it through his fingers. "How long is it?"

Swallowing she felt her throat tighten, there was something so sexual powerful about this man. "How long is what?" The voice that croaked out the question didn't even come close to sounding like her. What the hell was he doing to her?

"Your hair, how long is it?"

"Uh, oh that. Wait why do you want to know?"

With another step toward her, he was completely within her personal space and sizing up her lips like a man starved on a deserted island. When he lifted his eyes from her lips, she met his without flinching. "I'd like to know so that when I fantasize about us together, I can imagine your hair wrapped around me."

She felt the like she couldn't breathe. She should be completely outraged by what he'd just said, yet she found it the most erotic thing anyone had ever said or done. "Uh, Lieutenant, I think you, I think you should leave now."

Stepping back she quickly moved toward the door and opened it waiting for him to move past. As he drew even with her he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I know what you're thinking, but trust me, this will happen."

As he cleared the door she slammed it shut behind him and was rewarded with hearing him chuckle through the door. Leaning heavily against it, she tried to cool her body and slow her heart. She couldn't deny he was attractive and well that whole sexual tension between them wasn't bad either but…

Pushing away from the door, she went back to the tub, resolved to grill Nixon on anything he knew about Lieutenant Speirs.

"Alright Mandy, what's on your mind? You've been eyeing me most of the night and I know for fact I've done nothing wrong…or at least not yet."

She gave Nixon her sweetest smile and used every bit of charm she had, "no, you've not done anything I was just thinking."

Nixon snorted and looked at Dick, "yeah when she starts thinking I get in trouble. Did I ever tell you what she did to me…"

"Focus Nixon, shouldn't we find out what the lady wants before we start running for cover."

"Why thank you Dick. Actually, all I want is some information. Some information about that Lieutenant who kept me from falling on my face." She watched as Nixon and Dick smiled at each other in the smug way that only men can. "Okay what?"

"Well let's just say I find it interesting that you are full of questions about him and I was practically held hostage until I answered questions about you." Nixon sat back in his chair and lit a cigarette. "He was very interested in you specifically where you were staying."

Dick looked between the two of them. Nix was entirely too happy with himself and Amanda looked ready to kill him. "Well I can see that I'm best used elsewhere, so Nix, Mandy, I'll see you both tomorrow. Oh and try not to hurt each other."

Nixon waved a hand in Dick's direction but continued to smirk at her. "So may I ask what has caused this sudden interest in Speirs?"

Shrugging, "I was just curious is all. He seems to know things about me and I just thought I would find out about him."

She jerked her head around to stare at him when he busted out laughing. "Oh baby, you might as well tell me what happened because you are red as a beet."

"Alright damn it, keep your voice down. He came to my room today and well he found me not quiet dressed."

Nixon's laughter stopped immediately, "what do you mean not quiet dressed? He didn't do anything did he?"

Sighing she dropped back in her chair, "no he was a complete gentleman, and I was wearing a towel, but there is just something."

"Oh so Sparky gets you hot and bothered. Got it, well let me tell you what I know."

By the time, Nixon finished talking Amanda wasn't sure whether she should run from him or to him.

Aldbourne, England

She felt like a thief. She knew that Matt had been looking for her and for the last few days, she'd managed to avoid him, but it wasn't going to last forever. In fact, she had to meet with him to determine if she was going undercover again or not. She was also a little aggravated.

Speirs had seen her a couple of times since the room incident yet he'd kept his distance, almost as if he was waiting on something. Well if he was waiting on her to come to him, he had another thing coming. Stopping outside Matt's door, she tensed herself to prepare, the thoughts of Speirs fleeing in the face of this new challenge.

Knocking on the door, she entered when he yelled. Closing the door behind her, she smiled at him. "Well I see that England is treating you well."

Matt didn't speak but stared at her. "Well where have you been? That unit you've been with came back three days ago and you're just now coming to see me?"

"Matt, don't start with me. Remember you've not answered on what you expect of me in over a month so what you think I should drop everything and come running to you?"

He stood and stalked around the desk, "what 'everything' is there for you to drop? Come on Mandy, I've chased you all the way to Europe and all I want is some time with you. Have dinner tonight and I'll give you your next assignment, I promise."

She shook her head, "blackmail? You've now resorted to this just to get me to spend time with you. Fine, dinner and that's all and when it's over you'll tell me where I'm going."

He reached out to stroke her face. "I've missed you Mandy, please can we just have a nice quiet dinner, the two of us?"

"I said fine." She grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her face. "But Matt, don't start anything we're done."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She'd known this was a bad idea and about the time desert showed up, she was convinced. She'd spent the entire meal trying to keep his hands from areas they shouldn't have been and right now, all she wanted was to go home.

"Look Matt, take me home. I don't care what you want me to do but I've had enough."

Had she not had her head down she'd have seen the glow of anticipation that came to his face. "Sure sweetheart, I'll just walk you home."

Taking her arm, he gave her very little choice in the matter. She couldn't believe that he was using his position like this. He'd never done this before and now she was trapped, but if she remained calm, he'd give the answer and she could get on with her life.

When they turned down a quiet street, she stopped and looked at him, "Matt where are we going?"

Pulling her close his lips covered hers, his tongue invading uninvited to stroke the deepest regions of her mouth. Through all this, she remained completely still. At one time, his kisses stirred great passion in her, but now they left her cold and sick by his attempts.

Releasing her lips, "Mandy, come home with me we can be good together, I'll start the move to leave my wife, please just let's be together again."

"Matt I can't. You're not going to leave your wife, so why even lie like that. Go home Matt before we ruin what little friendship is left between us."

When he grabbed both her upper arms and squeezed she winced in pain. "You mean to tell me that after everything I did for you, you feel nothing?"

"Matt you're hurting me, let go of my arms." She calmly stood her ground waiting for him to release her. When the pressure eased on her arms, she pulled away. "Matt stop making this so hard. I care for you and always will, but it's not what it was."

Pushing against him, she kissed his lips softly and stepped away. "Goodnight Matt, I'll expect to hear from you soon." Turning she walked back toward the house she was staying in never noticing the man who followed a discreet distance behind.