Joining the Squad

Three days passed and Maila was still stuck on OmahaBeach, without her Captain she was lost. Nobody had come to find her and nobody seemed to know what she was meant to do next. Her brother and Phelps had been sent home two days ago, she knew her Mother's heart was going to be broken but there was no way she was going to leave the war when James, Peter and Daniel were still fighting. Besides no-one knew that she was Sean's sister.

It had been difficult to get by the last three days, what with the emotional turmoil and the strain of having to be around men all the time was talking its toil. She hadn't slept or eaten much and the stitches on her side kept ripping. Although she was managing to keep infection away with the wash so there was no smell, and Reiben wasn't making anything easier. He was constantly seeking her out to annoy her. Weather he thought he was being supportive was beyond her. The other members of his company had been amazing but wherever they were Reiben wasn't far away.

This particular morning she'd managed to find somewhere to refill her canteen and was just going to find somewhere quiet to sit down when she heard her name being called. She looked up and saw Wade, Carpy, Fish, Jackson, Reiben and Horvath sitting in a circle. They were the smallest circle in the area but defiantly the loudest.

"Hey guys" she waved and Carpy waved back.

"Come sit with us" he called and she shook her head.

"No thanks" she called back.

"Ah come on Mai, we haven't seen you in ages" Jackson said.

"I saw you guys last night" she said "You thought it would be funny to spit in Horvath's food" she said innocently and Horvath turned crossly to his squad.

"You what?" he asked.

"Nothin, Sarge. Ryan come sit" Reiben said clearing a space next to him. Maila rolled her eyes and walked over to the group. She looked around and spotted a patch next to Fish.

"You mind?" she asked and he nodded his head.

"Hey" Reiben wined but Maila ignored him.

The group went back to whatever conversation they were having before Maila arrived. Slowly her eyes became heavy; she was really struggling to keep them open.

xxx

Jackson watched Maila as her eyes gradually closed.

"And she's gone" Reiben laughed and Jackson shot him a look.

"Will you leave her alone" he said crossly to Reiben.

"What I didn't do nothing!" Reiben said.

"You're always putting her down" Jackson said looking back at the sleeping Maila.

"Ah, I know what's going on here" Reiben said getting a cheeky smile on his face. "Bumpkin has a little crush"

Jackson rolled his eyes "Shut up Reiben, none of us care what you think"

"I am so right on this one lads" he cheered.

"Leave off Richard" Horvath said "It's normal for boys to have crushes on girls"

"Yeah it is, I still bet I can snog her first" he said and the whole squad looked at him shocked.

"I'm not making Maila a bet" Jackson said.

"Fine, I'll make it my own challenge" Reiben said taking to himself more than anyone, he looked over at Maila and smiled.

She was now leaning against Fish's shoulder; he was looking down at her. Not really knowing what to do in this situation.

"You alright Fish" Carpy laughed.

"Heads, here comes the Captain" Horvath said and the soldiers all looked up.

"Is Ryan here?" he asked coming forward and his eyes rested on the sleeping girl. "Maila" he called and she opened her eyes. She looked around and then rested her eyes on Fish.

"Sorry dude" she said and he nodded.
"S'lright" he said and Maila looked at the Captain.

"Follow me Private" he said and with cracking joints Maila stood and followed him.

xxx

"We've been summoned" he said as the pair started walking.

"By who sir" Maila asked.

"That's what we're going to find out" Miller said.

Maila had to walk really quickly to keep up with his long strides.

"Sir I don't understand, why have I been asked for?"

"Who knows Private" Miller answered as they came to the main camp.

Maila stood slightly back from the Captain as he said who he was and went further into the camp, Maila watched as the men washed with warm water and ate greedily sized sandwiches. Maila frowned, that was far better resources than she'd had the past few days.

Her attention was then drawn to Miller walking over to a map with what looked to be Senior Commander. She watched as he pointed to spots on the map and the other man nodded. They continued to talk and Maila stood there shuffling from foot to foot, her hair had started to slip from her helmet so she took of her hat and held it between her knees. Then men in the camp seemed to automatically turn and watch her as she gathered her long blonde hair together and tied it in a bun.

"What?" she asked them crossly. "You ain't never seen hair before?"

"Private" Miller called and she looked at him. "Front centre"

"Sir Yes Sir" she said and ran to him and stood to attention.

"At ease" the man who Miller had been talking to said. Maila took a second to glance at the symbol on his helmet; she was just checking that he was a higher rank than her. She relaxed and looked at the two men.

"I believe you've been left without a Captain" he said and she nodded.

"Yes Sir"

"Well know you report to Captain Miller" the man said and Maila looked at Miller who smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Right, I have another mission for you" the Colonel said looking at Miller.

"Yes Sir" Miller said.

"Straight from the top"

The Colonel then proceeded to tell Miller about the mission, Maila only half listened but it had her full attention when he mentioned names that she knew.

"A Private James Francis Ryan, 101st Company. He's got a golden ticket home; three of his brothers are KIA. His sister is also missing, it's our duty to send him home to his Mother" the Colonel said.

Miller only nodded.

Meanwhile Maila was almost hyperventilating. Her brothers, she didn't understand.

"Private are you alright?" Miller asked and she nodded.

"Yeah, I just swallowed the wrong way. May I be dismissed?" she asked.

"Yes Private" Miller said

"Report back to me in ten" the Colonel said.

Maila looked up at him, he had the potential to be scary but she had to do what she was told to do.

"Yes sir" she said and with that she turned and ran as far as she could. If it could have been possible she'd have run to the end of the earth and jumped off. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. She ran behind an empty tent and cried all her tears. Everyone was gone, everyone she loved. Her brothers, her Father, her friends, her Captain, everyone was lost because of one war. If Hitler had been standing there in front of her now she couldn't speak aloud the things that she'd do to him. His extremities would be the first things she'd chop of for starters.

xxx

Ten minutes soon went and she made her way back to the Colonel. The men looked at her wet face and puffy eyes as she walked over to the leader.

"Private Ryan Sir" she said and he turned.

He gave her a sympathetic look and motioned her into his tent.

"Take a seat Private" he said and she sat down, he sat down next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Maila" he said and she started crying again. After a while she sniffed and looked up.

"I apologise Sir" she said wiping her face.

"You have nothing to apologise for" he said and she nodded and looked down at her hands.

"Now I should be sending you home right here right now Maila" he said and her eyes went wide, before she could speak he spoke. "But I know that for you that isn't an option"

"No Sir, it most defiantly is not" she said.

"This is going to be a very personal trial for you girl" he said and she nodded.

"I realise that sir"

"I've told Miller of your identity, he has vowed never to speak a word. Its up to you who knows, I don't know how you slipped through basic kid but now you're here you might as well go for the ride" he said and Maila smiled.

"Captain Jake Phelps sir, he got me through basic. I owe everything to him" she said.

"Then it would please you to know that he made it home to his family" the Colonel said and Maila smiled.

"Yes Sir, that pleases me greatly"

"Right then, go find Miller. You're under his command now"

"Sir Yes Sir" she said giving him a salute and then leaving the tent.

xxx

She managed to catch up to Miller and Horvath before they got to the squad.

"Nice to have you on the team" Horvath said.

Miller patted her back and gave her a wink.

"Right come with me" Horvath said.

"Where we going?" she asked, jumping a little to catch up.

"We're going to tell the squad our new mission" he said.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question sir?" she asked and he shook his head.

"Is Reiben always so, welcoming and charming?" she asked and he laughed.

"He just likes to make life tough for newcomers" he said "And that fact that you're a girl makes it a whole lot more exciting for him"

"Well I guess I'm a very lucky girl then" Maila said and he snorted with laughter.

"What are we doing?" Reiben asked as the pair got nearer.

"First, welcome your new squad member" he said and patted Maila's back. The boys gave a little cheer and Jackson motioned for her to come and sit in-between him and Caparzo. She smiled and squeezed in; Jackson looked down at her and frowned. Her eyes were probably still red.

"You okay?" he mouthed and she nodded.

"So as I said before, what are we doing?" Reiben asked.

"Quit interrupting me" Horvath said.

"What?" Reiben joked.

"What" Carpy said joining in the joke.

"Listen, you gonna go home with a hunk of cheese in ya ass Caparzo, you smart ass" Horvath said.

"You like it in the ass" Reiben laughed.

"What?" Horvath asked irritated.

"I thought you liked it in the ass?" Reiben continued to joke.

"Does it always take this long to get to the point?" Maila asked Jackson who laughed and nodded.