Almost done with all the chapters I was able to bust out this weekend. Thank you all for continuing to read Evelyn's story! Reviews make for the happiest of days :)
May 1944
Upottery, England
The time had come for the 506th to leave Aldbourne and go to the final destination before heading to war. Well, Evelyn and Adrianna would be leaving, if they weren't currently being held hostage by Lena.
"Mrs. Davies," murmured Evelyn as the elderly woman embraced her once again. She was surprisingly strong. "We have to go."
"It's Lena, love. How many times do I have to tell you?" She reprimanded this into Evelyn's chest as the woman hardly was taller than five foot flat.
Just when Evelyn thought she would never be free, Lena let her go before hugging Judy to her close. The third woman wasn't exempt from the goodbyes. "I know we haven't gotten to know each other much, dziewczyna, but you need to promise me that you'll stay safe."
Judy patted Lena's back awkwardly. She looked to Evelyn and Adrianna for help, but the women just shrugged. "I promise, ma'am."
Adrianna's grin soon disappeared when Lena got to her next. "And you. You need to stay out of trouble."
She laughed with the others and Terry. "I'll try my best, Lena, but those boys are asking for it."
Terry gave her a wink. "That's for sure." He surprised them by kissing them each on the top of the head. He wasn't one for affection normally. "Stay safe, girls. We hope to see you again soon."
Lena began to wail again, and Terry thankfully took her back before she started to hug them all over for the fourth time. He nudged his chin, telling them to escape while they could. They took the hint, murmuring goodbyes as they went out the door.
The women had to run with their packs on. They just made the trucks, right before departure. Perconte held out a hand to Evelyn to help her in. "Jesus, Evie. Didn't think you'd make it."
Evelyn sat down on the ground between his and Hoobler's knees. "Tell me about it. Our adoptive mother was a bit upset to put it mildly."
The ride wasn't long, but the two hours it took to get to the airfield felt like ages. It didn't escape the soldiers that war was right around the corner. They had been training for this moment for two years, but it felt only like a hop, skip and a jump.
It took awhile to settle the companies in, but it was a fluid process. Evelyn was assigned to a tent with five other men. She guessed that the Army figured she needed to learn to live with the guys again at some point. Luckily, she fell right back in with them.
She laid down on her bunk with a sigh. It had been a long day. Liebgott flopped down on the bed across from her. "Christ, I hope you don't snore. I can't remember. I think I blocked it out."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "I sure do remember the whimpers you made in your sleep, Liebgott. I don't think I had a full night's rest in Toccoa because of them."
He threw his pillow at her. "Liar."
"Guess we'll see, won't we, Bull?"
Randleman held up his hands. "Don't get me involved. You and Joe can hash it out as usual until one or both of you kill each other. Don't need no krauts, we got a war here, boys." Shifty, Grant and Popeye chuckled in agreement.
The days began to pass quickly as they were filled with new training from Nixon and Meehan. Now they knew exactly what their mission included: France, krauts and assembly points.
May quickly turned to June and they started to prepare for their jump. On the first day of the month, before the actual preparations began, Easy headed to the local pub in town. Evelyn walked in with Luz, but he soon abandoned her. She noticed that his interest was peaked by a beautiful blonde woman sitting at the bar alone.
Evelyn scanned the bar area for awhile, surrounded by her friends, but she soon realized they all became preoccupied with a pretty face sooner or later. She watched them flirt and laugh, and at first she smiled at the sight. Her friends deserved some nice, feminine attention before they jumped.
But then she felt incredibly lonely. Adrianna had joined her company at another pub, and she had a feeling that her buddy was also looking for one last night of love before the big day. She began to trudge back to her tent alone.
Along the way, she was stopped by multiple soldiers and not just for a hello. Her pockets were soon empty, but she smiled to herself thinking about all the trouble her boys were bound to make tonight in an attempt to woo a pretty girl. She thought about the last time a man tried to woo her - beyond the humorous attempts her fellow soldiers had made for a laugh - and she grimaced. It had been far too long.
Love was the last thing Evelyn was looking for at the moment. She was focused on her job and this war, not trying to find a man. But it would be nice to be affectionate with someone in a romantic way, even just for a night.
She grimaced again. She didn't know if she could have a one night stand with a stranger, not like Adrianna seemed to be able to do. She admired the woman's boldness, wishing for a little, just this once. But she also couldn't see her jumping another soldier like Judy. The risk alone in being found out was huge; they hadn't even gone into combat yet. Besides, who the hell would fit that role?
Evelyn entered the tent and was surprised to see Liebgott lying in his cot already, smoking. With a sigh, she turned her back on him and stripped off her OD shirt, tshirt, and trousers before slipping under her own covers in her underwear.
"Still ballsy with the clothes, I see."
She rolled her eyes and huffed into her pillow. "Glad you enjoyed the show, Liebgott." And with a supreme effort, she fell asleep without another word between them.
June 2, 1944
Evelyn had a hard time finding Luz in the morning since he didn't report back to his tent last night. Finally as breakfast was ending, he strolled in, and she couldn't miss the blatant pep in his step as he slid in next to her.
He stole her apple and took a bite. "Morning, sweetheart."
She grinned widely. "And good morning to you, casanova. Have fun last night?"
Luz bounced happily in his seat. The energy rolled off him. "I think I'm in love."
Evelyn laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. "Damn, George Luz in love. Who's the lucky lady?"
He blushed, something she hardly saw and she laughed again, ruffling his hair. "Jackie. She's actually a British RAF officer. She's due to jump when we do."
Her smile softened. "I'm glad you met her then. Two hard working soldiers deserve a break."
He whistled. "And what a break it was!"
She giggled and gave him a pinch. "Save the details, George, and get your own damn apple."
June 4, 1944
Evelyn marched with everyone else out of the hanger and into the airfield. Nerves bubbled in her stomach. It was time to jump.
After gathering everything for her pack, which took almost an hour, she began to put it all back inside again. The good thing about now being an official medic was that she didn't need to worry about a gun. The bad thing about now being an official medic was that she didn't have a gun, and she was about to jump into enemy territory.
After another hour, she was done well before many of the men. With a sigh, she got out of the way to give them some more room before strapping herself in. She had time to kill.
Evelyn began to walk, saying hello to everyone as she passed, checking in on those who were blatantly dying of nerves. She stopped by a small group who were joking and laughing. She soon found Liebgott to be in the middle of the pack. He was giving outrageous haircuts to whomever would like one for a nickle.
She grinned as Randleman was given an even more butch look than he already had, the sides of his head shaved short, and what was left on top shaped into a box. She had to have it to Liebgott - he had talent with a razorblade.
He caught her eye and smirked before turning back to Randleman's hair, finishing it up. "Looking for a trim, Cassidy? Sorry, I don't primp chicks."
She smirked back. "How about a goddamn paratrooper then? And I don't primp."
The men around them whistled and he gave her a challenging look. "I ain't gonna be the one to give you a mohawk. Luz is sure to kill me for butchering his girl."
She gave him a look back before squatting down next to him. She raised an eyebrow playfully. "First, I'm not anyone's girl. Second, I'm not looking for a mohawk. Just something a little badass. It is a big day after all." She pulled her long hair from her low bun and it cascaded around her shoulders. "Up for the challenge?"
Liebgott smirked again. "What the hell you doin' here, Cassidy? This ain't no beauty parlor."
"Same as you, Joe. Now get to work."
Randleman chuckled before slapping her on the back and getting up to give them room. With an annoyed sigh, Liebgott knelt behind her, his mind racing as he tried to think of what to do. Finally he nodded to himself. "Raise up your hair."
Evelyn obeyed and lifted the dark strands with both hands. She jumped slightly when she felt his finger graze horizontally across her scalp near the hairline of her neck.
"Quit fidgeting, woman, or I'm gonna scalp ya."
She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. Again, his fingernail scraped across, parting the lowest line of her hair to fall from her hands. With a wink to the men, he tugged the hair taut before cutting away the majority with the razor, leaving only half an inch behind.
She could feel his concentration and his cool breath on her neck. She felt it even more when the hair disappeared and she shivered. "Stay still," he murmured. After cleaning it up a bit to keep it even, he sighed and sat back. "OK, doll. All done."
The men around them held their breath as Evelyn ran her hand over the shorn area, about an inch high and crossing her hairline. She like the soft, buzzed feeling of it. She grinned and turned to Liebgott. "Perfect." She somehow felt that Jack would agree, wherever he was, maybe looking down on her in that moment.
He nodded. "You'll still be able to hide it with your bun from the officers, but when you're feeling - what did you call it? - badass, you can show it off."
Evelyn flicked a nickel his way and winked before she stood. "Thanks Lieb. I'll be sure to recommend you at the next badass women's convention." And she walked away to the whistles and laughter of the men.
She finally succumbed to the heavy pack. Her friends helped strap her in, and she tried to do the same for them, but she got distracted quickly by the ice cream being handed out. They pushed her away when she went after her second bowl, and now she was on the ground on the edge of the airfield, enjoying every bite.
A memo had been given out from Colonel Sink. Instead of reading it, she listened to Luz declare it to everyone in his best Sink voice. She knew its contents were serious when he stopped the joke quickly.
Just as she was about to lift the spoon to her mouth again, Meehan stood on a jeep and called their attention. The backs of all the men were to her, and she had a first hand look of their frustration when he announced the jump was postponed due to fog.
Evelyn sighed with them. As the men grumbled and began to walk away, she took a moment to breathe. The anticipation of the jump and then it's postponement was a whirlwind of emotions.
When she looked up, she was surprised to see herself alone in the field. This wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that she was strapped into her heavy jump gear and stuck on the ground.
"Guys!" she called. No one answered. "Hello? George? Bill?"
There was silence; they were too far away. Cursing to herself, she tried to remember the emergency release system, but fumbled with the large buckles and cords. Lapse in my memory or training? Probably my damn mind is going. She made a mental note to figure it out before the jump.
That's how Liebgott found her, marooned on the ground, muttering to herself.
"Whatcha doin' down there, Cassidy?"
She froze when she heard the gleeful tone in his voice. Christ, of course it was him that found me.
Taking a breath, she steeled herself before looking up at him. Sure enough, his face held a wide, chesire grin. "I'm digging a hole, Liebgott. Can't you see the goddamn shovel?"
Liebgott's grin only widened as he sunk down to sit on his haunches in front of her, but far enough away that she couldn't reach for his throat. "Now, is that any way to treat the man that might rescue this damsel in distress?"
"Call me a damsel one more time, and I'll show you exactly what distress feels like."
He chuckled, but his eyes never left hers. "Say 'please.'"
Evelyn sucked on her teeth but relented. "Please," she breathed.
"Now say, 'please, Joe, help me.'"
He watched as her jaw clenched angrily and she muttered through her teeth. "Please, Joe. Help me."
His grin turned into the filthiest of smirks. "Now say…"
"Fuck it!" she cried, throwing up her hands. "I'd rather sleep here tonight!"
Surprising her, he grabbed one of her hands and hauled her to her feet. Not expecting it, she bumped into him, hands on his chest. His smirk grew. "Never thought I'd see the day when Cassidy begs me."
Evelyn pushed off him with a snarl. "I did no such thing! And if you repeat that to anyone, I will push you out of that damn plane."
"Hmm, that is badass. That haircut is gettin' to your head."
She started stalking away as best as she could with her heavy pack still strapped on. He called after her, "You're welcome!"
Evelyn snorted again to herself, still annoyed. She couldn't figure Liebgott out. One moment he drove her absolutely crazy. For two years, he made it his life's mission to torment her, probably hoping she would fail. She and he had spoken more in the past six months than they ever had in the States.
And then she remembered how he helped her when the Able company soldier attacked her. And then again when she found out that Jack died. She knew she hadn't imagined the compassion she saw in his eyes then, but soon after, he returned to what he was before.
She shook her head to herself. No, that isn't true. Their arguments, although constant, didn't hold the same malice as they had once had. It was softer somehow, more playful. She couldn't deny that sometimes she even enjoyed them, but right now, she was just annoyed.
Evelyn almost smacked into Guarnere, who was alone in the canopy outside the hanger. Everyone else was inside watching a movie. "Bill, you scared me. Why aren't you inside with the others?" She then noticed the unnatural pale color on his handsome face.
He turned to her, his eyes wide and sharp. "My brother," he said quietly, but he didn't continue.
She felt her stomach drop, knowing his brother was also at war. She grabbed one of his hands and pulled him into a hug. It was a bit difficult since she still had her gear on, but neither cared. She held him close. "I know it doesn't do anything to say it, but I'm so sorry, Bill," she whispered.
He nodded against her and it was a long time until he pulled back again. "I know you understand, doll."
Evelyn nodded back, and tried to swallow her tears that threatened to surface. "I do." They stood in silence for a long time until he cleared his throat and pinched fingers against his eyes. She tried not to notice the wetness there.
With a breath, he gave her a sad grin. "Let's get that gear off ya, Evie."
June 5, 1944
The day was clear and sunny. When the soldiers woke up, they knew - they were jumping today. They spent the majority of the morning in quiet conversation until making their way out to the airfield once again. The mood was filled with adrenaline, but the area was muted. No one seemed to want to speak about a murmur.
It seemed it was up to the women to get the energy pumping once again. Before they put on their packs, Adrianna ran over to wish them all luck. With a wink to Compton, she purred, "Not that you need luck, lieutenant."
The men chuckled and jostled Compton, teasing him long after she walked away with Evelyn. When they had some privacy, they hugged, something they didn't do all that often. With a pang, Evelyn realized they probably should have. She kissed Adrianna's cheek. "Be good."
Adrianna grinned. "I'll try to be, but no promises." She squeezed Evelyn's hand. "I'll see you at the assembly area." After a nod from Evelyn, she turned to go and ran back to Dog quickly.
Evelyn sighed and made her way back to the men. Luz was there waiting for her, and he had a jar of grease paint. She widened her eyes and shook her head violently. "Nuh uh. Not again. It took me hours to scrub that off last night!"
Luz gave her a look. "Which means it will stay put during your jump. Get over here."
She sighed again before dutifully walking over and allowing him to smear her with the sticky substance. "Not fair," she muttered. She glanced at his already completed face. "I don't get a chance for revenge."
He grinned before adding more to her neck. "If it means it keeps 'my girl' safe, so be it."
She snorted. "You heard about that, huh?"
"Yeah, and I'm absolutely using it now."
"But then people will think we're together!"
He gave her a smug look. "Exactly. Then they'll behave as gentlemen should and keep their hands to themselves."
Evelyn snorted again. "You think after two years they haven't caught on to keep their hands to themselves yet?"
"Ya never know, horny bastards that they are."
She grinned, shaking her head. Jack's words reverberated back to her, but this time, there was no pain in thinking of them. She had his letter in the pocket against her heart.
"I bet you're a good brother."
A flash of white teeth. "You said it, sweetheart. If I could put this stuff on my sisters' faces to make them disappear from any prowling men, I'd do it."
"You'll get a chance soon enough."
Luz looked at her again, but the smile slid from his face. He nodded. "True, but I got you to watch out for in the meantime." Pausing in his artwork, he suddenly hugged her close. "Promise me I'll see you on the ground, Ev."
She closed her eyes at the contact and hugged him back. "Can't get rid of me that easy, George. I bet you that I even beat you there."
He pulled back and smiled again. "You'd better."