December brought in a few new officers to lead and assist the Platoons.

One of the new officers was Lieutenant Compton, or Buck, as he went by. Straight off the bat, the men liked him. Buck was a good guy, had a really fun energetic personality about him, while he was also compassionate and kind towards his men. He was placed in 2nd Platoon. And quickly became friends with Guarnere and Malarkey. Nixon put Buck in charge of physical training for the Battalion. Which meant Buck had to lead the men on long runs, the only officer who had to do so. He had an athletic background. Buck was an all-American catcher on the UCLA baseball team and played football for UCLA in January 1st, 1941, the Rose Bowl game. Winters could admire his athletic achievements, where as Nixon was the complete opposite.

"I don't like jocks".

"Lew!" Rory exclaimed, "how are you even sure he is one?"

Nixon shrugged, "plays a lot of sports".

"You are an utter arse, Lewis Nixon. Is that why you put him in charge of physical training? You know you made up that entire role, just because you dislike 'jocks'".

Rory had nothing against Buck, she thought he was a great addition to Easy Company.

However, she was a little weary of how close he got with the men.

One night, she caught him playing craps with the men. And other times, he'd sit with the enlisted men during meal times, instead of eating with the other officers. What mattered most in this situation was that Buck had proved himself to be a good leader during training, the men listened and respected him. That's all anyone could ask from a Platoon leader. A quick-thinker and someone who knew what they were doing. Buck was fearless, they could already tell that. But Winters didn't like him gambling with the men.

"He shouldn't put himself into a position where he can take from the men".

"Well, tell him". Nixon told Winters, while the three of them walked back from the billets after training that day. "He's – well, he's alright".

Rory smiled a little.

"Roo, don't say anything-"

"I wasn't planning on it".

Nixon looked at her, "I can see your response floating in your eyes".

"You should have been a writer, Lew. That was very descriptive".

Winters snorted softly, shaking his head. "Okay, so, I'm talking to him?"

"Yes". They both answered.

Rory then added, "the men like him, Dick and there is nothing wrong with being liked. Keep that in mind because the men like you an awful lot as well".

"It's a different kind of relationship we should have towards the men". Winters said, "wouldn't you agree, Roo?"

"He has some friends in the Company, that's on him". Rory said, "but you're right about the gambling. You should focus mainly on that".

He pulled a tiny face, "I don't like telling officers off".

Nixon chuckled lightly, "you're 'gonna have to get used to it, Dick".

"And you're not telling him off". Rory pointed out, "you're giving an opinion".

"And my opinion is, he should maintain a professional relationship with the soldiers".

"There you have it-"

"sorted". Nixon said, "good luck, Dick. Me and Roo are going for a walk".

Rory frowned, "we are?"

"Yeah – let the man handle this, huh? We've 'gotta check up on Punch the second".

They had a rare day off on Christmas day.

The men were being served a lovely turkey dinner by their NCO's, while the officers all gathered around the manor for their turkey dinner. Sitting in with the Battalion officers was always a very formal event. Sometimes, it was a little boring. Rory sat between Winters and Nixon, while Welsh sat beside Winters. At the end of the table was Lieutenant Colonel Strayer, who was hosting this event. They were all dressed in their class – A uniforms for this special meal. And it was a delicious dinner.

But having Nixon sit beside her, made the dinner so much better.

He kept on making funny remarks whenever someone spoke to her. And Rory had a hard time trying not to laugh. The humour was so childish and stupid, which is what made it that much funnier. Winters would clear his throat, sending Nixon a tiny glare. The man would shrug, faking innocence, while Welsh snorted into his glass of whiskey.

"Lieutenant Gallagher, how are you finding writing out those reports now?"

"Oh, it's going fine…".

"Now that Sobel's gone, huh?" Nixon whispered to her.

Rory's lips twitched up into a grin.

The other officer frowned a little.

She cleared her throat, "it's enjoyable".

"I can't imagine anything more fun". Nixon said.

Rory sighed and stepped on his boot.

Pretty hard.

Nixon made this choked noise of pain, hand slamming against the table.

Strayer looked down towards them, "Lieutenant Nixon?"

"Oh, fine, sir". He said through a grunt, "I – uh-"

"he stabbed himself with a fork". Rory cut him off, "or almost".

Nixon cleared his throat, "right – almost, best be careful, sir".

Strayer nodded, "uh…yes, Lieutenant".

When he looked away, Rory sighed quietly.

"You're an-"

"utter arse, I know".

She smiled, shaking her head.

"I can't take you two anywhere". Winters told them both quietly, "and you've got Harry at it".

"I'm sorry". Nixon gave him a grin, "just trying to lighten the mood".

"It's Christmas, the moods always light-"

"and merry". Welsh added.

Winters nodded, "yes, and that".

Rory leaned back against her chair, "I don't feel at all that merry".

Nixon looked at her, "you just need more alcohol, Roo".

"That's the last thing we need". Winters mumbled, "Roo, please don't get drunk".

Rory picked up her glass of wine, "I won't get drunk".

She did get drunk, the majority of them got drunk.

But Rory was so drunk, that her and Heyliger were singing Christmas songs.

She even got on the piano and started to play; Silent Night.

It was fine, everyone joined in and gathered around the piano. Rory played a variety of traditional Christmas songs, which the officers all loved. Even Winters couldn't deny that her getting drunk was the highlight of the night. She got sick of playing Christmas songs and left the piano, giving the rest of the men a bow. That might have been a bad move, because Rory ended up falling flat on her face and dosed off a little.

When she woke up the next morning, Rory was in her own bed with a terrible headache.

But it was back to training, she had to get up.

Rory had a quick shower, changed into her uniform and had a cup of tea with Mrs Barnes before they left the house to get the men ready for the day. Rory was practically dragging her feet the entire way, feeling cold and miserable from being hungover. She'd never get used to the feeling and she figured the wine made her feel this rotten. The men were a little hungover as well, but Buck's long run that morning perked them up a little.

It woke Rory up, anyway.

They were planning another field exercise, another offensive.

The weather was cold, it had been raining all day and the men were in their foxholes.

As always, one man stayed up and kept watch, while his buddies slept around him. Winters would catch an hour then and there, but he'd always go around and check up on his men during those quiet moments. The majority of the men who were up felt miserable, cold and hungry. Winters would sit with these men, they'd talk about home and Howell, he'd tell Winters about his girl thousands of miles away. Together they'd sit, look at the photo of the young woman and discuss her best features. When Rory walked by that quiet conversation, equally as tired as the next man, she smiled.

Winters took care of his men. He was always so concerned of the safety of his men. That was his number one priority. He got up, got the men ready and was always the last to get any sleep. You'd never have known that, Rory knew it because she saw it, the other officers knew it too. Buck did the same, as did Welsh. And Rory, she cared for the men, but she wasn't their leader. So, it was different for her. If the men ever needed her, it was always something do with how they were coping. If someone was homesick, didn't feel good, they'd tell Rory. And then of course, Rory would tell their Platoon leader. Rory wasn't an emotional person; she didn't get emotional herself, but she'd always be there for the men and her friends.

When Meehan came in February, Easy functioned as any other normal Company.

It was great having an officer like Meehan lead Easy.

He was a great guy, very strict but completely fair.

Rory would write up each report at night and Meehan actually wanted to see them. And what's more, he'd thank her, which is something Sobel never did. When it first happened, Rory looked a little confused at first but uttered quietly;

"you're welcome, sir".

That confusion remained on her face during the entire walk home.

When she walked into the house, Rory headed up the stairs.

"Has someone given you the world's most impossible riddle to solve?"

"They might as well have".

…

February was a great month.

Winters managed to get them a week's furlough.

Welsh went off to Ireland to visit his relatives, Winters decided to go sightseeing.

Rory didn't know what to do with her week off. And for the first day, she spent it alone in her room, doing absolutely nothing. That was until, Nixon called for her. She headed down into the living room, where he was sitting with Mr Barnes.

"Roo, let's get out of here".

"Where are we going?"

"Let's go home".

Home. She wanted so badly to go home. But she couldn't, the war was still on. However, the pair of them did end up packing up and leaving Aldbourne. They decided to go back to where she lived, they just couldn't go to her actual farm. Rory and Nixon got one train from London, which would take them into the town where she was born. It was a small town, Newton Stewart, which was sat in the southwest of Scotland, in the county of Wigtownshire in Dumfries and Galloway. It was a lovely town, sitting right next to the River Cree. Rory and Nixon bought two rooms in the bed and breakfast, which sat above one of the pubs in town. It was right by the bridge, which went across the river. And it felt good to be home again, despite not getting to see her family.

The next morning, after a lovely meal down at the pub, Rory barged into Nixon's room.

He was sleeping, sprawled out on the bed and hugging the pillows.

"Get up!" She said, "I have hired us a car".

Nixon was quiet for a few moments.

He then looked at his watch.

"It's six in the morning". He mumbled, still half asleep.

Rory looked at her watch.

"Right – I'll come by in an hour".

"Yup".

At seven, Nixon was up and dressed by the time she walked into his room.

"I locked that door". He said, pointing towards the door. "I locked it; I swear I did".

Rory nodded, "yes, you did but I unlocked it".

He didn't even want to know.

They had a quick breakfast at the cafe bar and Rory led him outside, where her hired car was parked. Though, it wasn't a car at all, it was a 4x4 Willy's quad jeep. Nixon watched her open the jeep door and climb up into the driver's seat.

"You ain't driving this".

Rory closed the door, "I am – get the hell in".

He chuckled and quickly got into the other side, sitting himself down.

"Hey, Roo? Don't kill us, alright?"

She sighed and turned on the engine, "so dramatic, Lewis Nixon".

For the majority of the journey, Rory would point out different places and shops she had gone to as a child. They even passed her old school, which she attended through her childhood, until the age of which she might have gone to secondary school.

"I didn't attend". She told Nixon, "I wanted to stay on the farm and I hardly attended Primary school".

"Great – just keep both hands on the damn wheel, Roo".

Grinning, Rory let go of the steering wheel.

Nixon's eyes widened a little, "Rory Gallagher!"

"I'm not even sorry". She laughed, though placed both hands on the wheel.

He shook his head, "you are an ass".

"Yes, I realise".

The jeep journey ended at Glentrool.

She led them towards this hill, on the north side of Loch Trool. Nixon loved it; he had never seen anything like it before. Surrounding them was nothing but forests, large hills and the loch itself. It truly was a beautiful sight, right in the heart of Scottish countryside. They began walking up this hill. It wasn't raining, the sky was clear, but it was still a bit cold. The two officers hiked up, while Nixon took in his surroundings every now and then, getting lost in the beauty of it all.

"I thought you were a seasonal traveller?"

Nixon shook his head, "I must have missed this one, Roo".

When they reached the top, the view looked out towards the loch and the hills surrounding it. Perched on the top of this hill was a large boulder. Rory walked up to it and placed her hand on the stone, giving Nixon a nod to join her.

"You want me to touch it? Is it good luck?"

Rory smiled, "this isn't Edinburgh, Lew".

"What?" Nixon frowned.

"Never mind – this is Bruce's stone. Robert the Bruce. In 1929, the six hundredth anniversary of Robert the Bruce's death, it was placed here, as a reminder of the battle that took place here. This is also the starting point for the challenged hike up Merrick, the highest mountain in southern Scotland". She said, "the battle of Glentrool was a minor engagement in the first war of Scottish independence, in 1307. With that position, it's flanked on both sides, by steep rising hills, making it ideal for ambush".

Nixon peered over the edge, "just down there?"

Rory nodded, "down by the Loch. Though, it's still undergoing investigation as to what actually happened and how Bruce planned the attack, or how the English planned their attack".

"See? You've always wanted to be a soldier".

Rory huffed softly, "no…I didn't want to be a soldier".

"No?"

She shook her head, "no, I was happy on the farm".

Rory sat down and leaned against the boulder; Nixon sat down next to her.

"I wouldn't 'wanna leave this place either, Roo". He said, "it's nice here".

Nixon reached into his pocket, bringing out his flask.

"Vat 69 is Scottish".

"Yup – you guys are great".

Rory smiled a little, "perhaps one day, I'll take you to the factory, where it's made".

"That would be the highlight of my life".

She chuckled, "I'm sure".

Nixon smiled, handing her his flask. "Take a drink".

She looked up at him, "Peter used to drink it".

He frowned a little.

Rory shrugged, "I've never tasted it".

"Well, try it now".

Taking the flask from his hand, Rory took a little sip.

She licked her lips and nodded.

"Yeah – that's strong". She said, through a tight throat.

Nixon smiled, "you get used to it". He then said, "actually, you know where I hide it?"

Rory shook her head.

"Dick's footlocker".

She laughed at that, "oh, that's smart".

"Right?" Nixon chuckled, "they'd never think to check there".

"So sneaky, Lewis Nixon". Rory said quietly, "you'd make an exceptional agent".

"What a lovely compliment".

"I'm full of them".

Nixon smirked, while he put his flask back into his pocket.

He brought out his cigarettes, lighting one up and handing it to Rory before getting one for himself. The pair of them stared out at the view in front of them. She wasn't thinking about her family; Rory was enjoying this moment with Nixon. His hand soon slipped into hers, she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body.

"I love this moment". He voiced softly, "I'll never forget it".

Rory smiled, "you can be very sweet, Lew. I don't even think you realise it".

Nixon shook his head, "I don't".

"Well, that's what makes you different from the rest". Rory said, "and you never know, you might just be perfect to me".

He looked at her, eyes softening into the side of her face.

"Yeah". Nixon whispered, "I think the same".

"Well, it's good to be confident".

He snorted, "not about me, Roo – about you".

Rory frowned a little, "no, that's not true at all. I am full of flaws".

"We're all full of flaws, Roo". He said quietly, "but your flaws, are the things I like most about you".

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Thank you". Rory whispered softly.

Nixon smiled, though his eyebrows furrowed.

"You're welcome, Roo".

When Nixon woke up the next morning, something was by his head.

Sitting up with a tiny grunt, he reached over and grabbed the object.

"What the hell". He mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

He then smiled; it was a flask.

At the bottom, something was engraved.

Nixon turned on the light by his bed.

"Lew, you're perfectly flawed".

…

Nixon got used to her driving pretty quickly and he learned to love it.

It wasn't that Rory was a bad driver, she was just pretty fast.

The pair of them would laugh, sing songs they learned back in training and stop off in the middle of nowhere for a drink at the village pub and a meal. They both shared this adventurous side, which they didn't know either had. Rory guessed Nixon was adventurous, he had seen a lot of the world, but Nixon would never have guessed that about Rory. And it was a lovely surprise.

Their days up at the bed and breakfast were over, they only paid for two nights.

So, they decided to stay in this village inn for the night.

After having a few drinks, they headed up the stairs and got into their room. They had to share a room this time, a lot of travellers were staying at this inn and the keeper only had one room left. The pair of them dressed for bed and got under the covers, it was a cold night, this inn didn't have a fireplace in their room. Rory was shaking pretty bad, so, Nixon wrapped his arms around her, and she snuggled into his side.

They fell asleep like that, with Nixon holding her.

And in the morning, Nixon woke up to an empty space beside him.

Though, it wasn't for long.

Rory came back into the room, wearing his jacket.

Her hair was down, a little messy but for Nixon, she looked perfect.

In her hands was a tray of coffee and toast. Rory smiled and placed the tray down on the table by the window, while she opened the curtains, letting in the rising sunlight. Nixon sat up, resting on his elbows, just staring at her.

"You're so beautiful".

Blinking, Rory looked over at him, he was smiling.

Smiling back, Rory sat on the edge of the bed.

"You know". She whispered, "I might take that compliment as something more".

"Good". Nixon whispered back, "I hope you do".

Rubbing her lips together, Rory let out a quiet sigh.

"We have to leave soon".

"I wish we didn't".

She swallowed, giving him a little nod.

"Me too".

Leaning forwards, Nixon pushed her hair back, fingers gently following her soft curls.

"I – uh – I've never seen your hair down".

Rory smiled, "well, I was lazy this morning".

"You deserve this break".

"So do you". She said, "Mr Intelligent".

Nixon chuckled quietly, "how are we getting back?"

"I think we should drive back".

"In a rented car?"

Rory smirked, "in a stolen car".

Nixon laughed, "Roo, no – alright? Look, I love your wild side, but we can't steal a car".

She sighed, "rules are so boring".

After coffee and toast, they packed up what little things they brought and headed outside.

Rory dropped off the jeep back in town and they got a taxi to the train station.

She didn't see her family, but she had a brilliant time. Nixon was the best company to have. He was funny, smart, sweet and handsome. And there was no doubt in Rory's mind that she was going to fall in love with that man, it was just a matter of time. She could feel it in her gut, in her bones, it sat there on the tip, just waiting to fall. She wasn't scared of falling in love with Nixon, Rory knew she could trust him with her love, in fact, Rory had never felt so compelled to trust someone in all her life.

All they needed was time to fall in love.

And all they wanted was to be together.