A/N: So, has everyone heard about the Pacific, the new WW2 miniseries coming next year from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg? I watched the trailer. It def looks good but I'm still gunna be a Band of Brothers gal, I love my boys...lol...anyway, you should check out the trailier regardless.
Disclaimer: I don't own Band of Brothers and this based on the miniseries not the actual men of Easy Company.
June 4, 1944
Upottery, England
"Okay boys, let's get this gear stowed."
"Fox Company, we go in five."
"Sergeant Maynard?" Various conversations swirled around her as Eve followed after Guarnere. They were weaving in and out of men, trying to make their way towards where the rest of "E" Company was standing.
"Nope."
"In the name of Father and the Son..."
"1st Platoon, draw small arms. It'll be too late when you face the enemy."
"Easy Company! Listen up! Gather up around me. Move it up! Come on, gentlemen. Let's go!" Lieutenant Meehan shouted from the jeep he was standing up on. Guarnere and Eve both came to a stop, stared up at their company commander. "The Channel coast is socked in with rain and fog. High winds on the drop zone. No jump tonight. The invasion has been postponed. We're on a 24-hour stand-down." Eve sighed as Guarnere muttered a "son of a bitch" under his breath. "Drill Sergeants, take charge." As the sergeants called the men together, Meehan called for Eve. She pushed through the remaining crowd to get to him. They saluted each other.
"Yes?"
"Walk with me, Eve" They walked away from the noise in silence. "Are you ready for the jump?"
"Completely. Whenever that may be. Knowing English weather like I do, this could take a couple days to clear up." Meehan chuckled.
"Your brother mentioned that your family had been here before." Eve nodded.
"Yes. A few years back." Meehan nodded and silence descended once again. After another minute of awkward silence, Eve cleared her throat. "Is there something in particular you wanted to discuss?"
"I've decided to put you in with Lipton and the others." Eve frowned, stopped walking.
"Instead of your plane?" He nodded. "May I inquire why?" He nodded again.
"I've decided to place Sergeant Evans with me." Eve couldn't argue with that. Since Sobel had been transfered and was no longer around to over Evans some measure of protection, the other soliders of "E" Company had taken to messing with him constantly. Not that Eve blamed them. Evans had been a little snitch while Sobel was around. The boys deserved some payback.
"That probably is wise." Meehan smiled.
"I'm glad you can see my reasoning."
"Well it is sound reasoning." He chuckled. "Anything else?" Meehan shook his head.
"No. I hear they're playing a movie tonight."
"Good to know." Giving him a smile, Eve made her way back towards her tent to put her pack down before heading off to find someone to drag to the movies.
Eve knew something was up the moment she saw the look on Guarnere's face.
"Bill?" She whispered, leaning over towards him. "Are you alright?"
"My brother." Eve frowned.
"Your brother what?" She prompted when he didn't continue.
"Shhh." One of the other movie-goers hissed. Eve glared at him.
"Here." Guarnere replied, shoving the letter he had been reading into her hand before getting up and walking out of the makeshift theatre.
A minute later, Eve was chasing after Guarnere as he sped walked towards his tent.
"Bill!" She shouted but he made no signs of slowing down. "Damnit Bill if you don't stop walking I'll scream!" Guarnere turned on his heel, his face impassive.
"You're already are shouting." He pointed out.
"Are you alright?" Eve asked, ignoring his tone.
"How do you think I am? I just found out my brother was friggin' killed by Nazi's." Without a word, Eve pulled Guarnere into a hug. He made no move to push her away but he didn't exactly return the hug either.
"I'm so sorry, Bill." She murmured into his shoulder. Finally, he patted her back.
"I'm gunna be okay, Eve." She pulled away, gave him a scrutinizing look.
"Are you sure?" He nodded.
"I just wanna be alone for awhile."
"Okay. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to come find me." He gave her a small, forced smile, and disappeared inbetween the tents. Eve watched after him worriedly, wringing her hands together.
June 5, 1944
He was beginning to worry that he wouldn't find her in time. The planes would be getting ready to go down the runway soon and he still had to board. But he was determined to find her just in case...no...Lewis shook his head.
"Don't think like that." He chided himself in a mutter.
"Lew?" He turned abruptly and looked down. Eve was all geared up and sitting down at the end of the line. Lewis let out a sigh of relief.
"There you are. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't find you in time." He helped her to her feet. While her pack was slightly lighter than the other paratroopers, because she had only a pistol and not a rifle, it was still pretty heavy. Not for the first time she had placed the pack on, Eve silently thanked her mother for all those tennis and ballet lessons.
"Are you alright?" Eve asked, placing a hand on his forehead. "You look pale."
"Yeah, I'm fine." Lewis replied dismissively, brushing her hand away. "It's not too late to change your mind, Eve." She fixed him with an annoyed look.
"Lewis." She began in a warning tone. He held up his hands.
"Okay, okay. You can't blame me for trying." Winters joined them now.
"It's time, Nix." He interrupted quietly before stepping off again to give the siblings a moment alone. Lewis pulled his little sister into a tight hug, which Eve was quick to return.
"Be careful, Eve, okay?" He felt her nod against his chest.
"I will, you too."
"Always." They pulled apart and shared a quick, nervous smile before Lewis walked away.
Eve would be lying if she said she didn't have second thoughts as soon as the plane took off. But it was too late now. She had made her decision and she was going to stick with it. She glanced up to look around at all the men. A few were sleeping, a couple attempting a conversation over the din of the engines, but most were praying tensely. Eve reached up and grasped the golden cross that hung from her neck.
"Keep them all safe." Her lips moved silently. "Especially Lew." She brought the cross to her mouth for a quick kiss and then let it drop. She wouldn't put in a prayer for herself; she knew Lewis would be doing that for her.
When the anti-aircraft guns started going off, Eve knew it was only a matter of time before they'd be jumping. The queasiness in her stomach increased ten-fold. A hand resting on her knee made her glance over. Lipton was staring at her in concern.
"You alright?" He mouthed at her. Eve remained silent but gave him a grim smile. Lipton squeezed her knee just as the red light came on.
"Get ready! Stand up!" They all stood. "Hook up!" They all hooked up. "Equipment check! Sound off for equipment check!" Next came the chorus' of "okay's!" from everyone in the plane as they patted the person in front of them down. As all of this was happening, the plane was being constantly rocked by the AAG's. A particulary accurate set of missiles ripped through the plane, hitting Cobb, who was right behind Eve.
"I'm hit!" Cobb shouted. Eve was already by his side as Lipton joined them. Cobb looked up at him. "I wanna jump, sir!" Eve looked up from the non-fatal but still serious wound to Lipton.
"Don't listen to him! He's staying on the plane! He's not jumping!" Eve nodded.
"He's okay! Go, Sergeant! Go!" Lipton nodded.
"Alright!" Eve turned back to Cobb, who looked both frustrated and in pain.
"Son of a bitch."
"You're gunna be fine, Cobb." She promised him.
"But I can't jump!" He bemoaned. Eve shrugged as she covered the wound as best as she could.
"There'll be other jumps!" The plane shuddered, knocking Eve, and a few others sideways, as it was hit again. That would be when the green light came on.
"Go!" Cobb shouted, giving Eve a gentle push away from him. She looked at him and he repeated his request for her to go. "I'll be fine!" Eve nodded and stood. With one final glance at Cobb, she jumped from the plane.
A/N: Well, it ain't great but it ain't horrible either. Gah, it makes me wanna so skydiving, which is fun, especially since you aren't getting shot at. Um, yeah...anyway, reviews are always appreciated. Thanks!!
