Hi All,

Very very sorry for the late update. Work has been very busy lately.

As always, thank you for your messages, reviews, new readers and new followers. *big hug for you ^_^*

As usual, this chapter is un-beta-ed and since English is not my first language, if you see any mistakes, please poke. I'll really appreciate it.

There are some German dialogue on this chapter. I relied heavily on Google Translate. So if you feel like I'm butchering the laguange, please notify me and I will correct them.

"Are you sure you're not impregnated an unsuspecting Jewish girl? Because that kid is as evil as you. He's definitely mini-Luz." Captain Speirs asked as a way of greeting one day.

Ah…shit! "Er…what did Muchik do this time?"

"I ordered him to polish my boots and he performed above and beyond by tied them all in intricate knots and somehow hang them on the ceiling fan." How. The actual. Fuck? "I spent thirty minutes to untie them all. Very convenience, since I was awaited by Major Winters and Colonel Sink to discuss our next objective."

I barely hold the urge to bang my head on the desk. That kid's a fucking menace.

"I'm really sorry, Sir. I'll talk to him." And limit his chocolate intake. No more chocolate after dinner, kiddo! Dammit, was this how it feels to be a parent with a delinquent as kid? How on earth my Mom survived raising me? And my NINE brothers and sisters?

Oh I missed them. I missed my Mom. I missed her caldo verde…feijoada…tripe…and that delicious Pastel de nata that she made special for my birthday…and…

"No worries." Speirs said. Oh right…Speirs still here. Pay attention, Brain. Juvenile delinquent, now. Drooling on imaginary food, later. "I used to your antics anyway." What the hell that supposed to mean? "I ordered him to peel ten sacks of potatoes in the kitchen as punishment." He smirked evilly.

Ten? "Well…that's…." I wanted to say 'overkill, mate!' but…

"Appropriate." He supplied. "We need to give him something to burn that excess of energy."

That's very thoughtful of him...but still…ten sacks of potatoes? "Agree, Sir. I just hope he's not too exhausted for Becca's lecture today."

Becca has scheduled English lesson and other basic knowledge every evening because Muchik has been deprived from education for almost three years in the concentration camp. And Muchik was a smart kid. His parents were teacher; his father taught Science and understands a little bit English and his mother taught math.

Speirs snorted "That kid? Tired? He always bouncing from the moment he woke up until he passed out like he ate fucking fireworks for breakfast." Well…true. Speirs continued, more seriously this time "Another thing. You and Becca must think about his future. We cannot bring him to the States. Colonel Sink had tried his best, but we already stretched direct order by bringing Muchik along. And no, George…we cannot smuggle him in our footlocker… or in our duffle bag. I've think about that."

I felt something in my chest deflated. Even though I know this kid for only a couple of weeks, I care about him deeply. Easy also accept him as their little brother. Joe said that Muchik was our mascot. Our lucky charm. Muchik even able to bring Malark's hair red again.

Speirs sighed "As you know from Captain Nixon, we'll be headed to Bavaria and the Alps shortly. We're going to…um….I don't know if I spell it right. These German words got too many consonant… Berch…Berchtesgaden. It was the presumed HQ for Nazi's last stand and the guerrilla war against the Allies, despite the big man already dead. Therefore, I suggest you and Becca find a good foster parent for him here in Germany, because apparently, Austrians were more sympathetic to Nazi than the Germans. Some of the most prominent Nazis were native Austrians, even Hitler is…was Austrian. "

I nodded weakly.

"I'm really sorry George." He patted my shoulder before he left me. Captain Speirs, for all his bluster and badass reputation, cared for his men.

In the evening, I picked up Muchik from the kitchen and took him to Becca's billet for his evening lesson. Muchik's greeting of "Papa George!" definitely did something warm and aching at the same time in my chest. How the hell I explained to him that I couldn't bring him to the State?

"Muchik…um…I have to tell you something."

"About Captain Speirs?" he grinned.

I snorted "That too actually…I gotta admit you got balls, kid." I shuffled his hair.

"Yes! I have ball. Me and Papa play fußball…um…football…in the field. But before Nazi."

I chuckled. "Americans called it soccer. But no, Muchik…Not that kind of ball. It's an expression. Got balls means you're brave. Not all people dare to prank Captain Speirs. Some people are scared at him."

"Oh…Okay. Captain Speirs is not scary. His..um…gesicht?" he gestured his face.

"Face?"

"Yes…face…his face is funny when mad."

I smiled "Just you and I who think like that, buddy. Why do you think I'm the only one who survived this long becoming his runner? I'm practically immune from his glare of death."

Muchik grinned cheekily. He looked so happy.

Dammit…I fucking hate to deliver bad news.

I scratched my head and continued. "But…yeah…um…that's not I want to talk about with you."

Muchik sobered and lowered his gaze sadly "I can't go to America."

It's a statement. Not a question.

He already knew.

Shit… I just know this kid for a few weeks. But why did this hurt so much? "I'm sorry, Muchik. We did everything we can. Even the Colonel helped."

"I know, Papa." He said dejectedly. "I hear the Colonel. I… verstehen… understand…a little." Do not cry in front of him, George! It's already hard enough for him.

"I'll find you a nice family, buddy. I promise."

"Ja…I believe. You saved me. Your friends…nice to me. Even Captain Speirs. I will miss them a lot." He smiled sadly. "You will…schreiben…um…write for me, yes? From America?"

"Of course. I'll give you my address. You'll always be my kiddo." I ruffled his hair again.

"And you be my second Papa. Who love me like my real Papa…may he rest in peace with Mama and Shosanna."

I blinked several times. I took several shaky breaths before able to say "Thank you, Muchik."

"Nein, Papa... Danke."

We found a nice family for Muchik in a small village on our way to Berchtesgaden. The Maiers welcomed Muchik with open arms. They lost their only son to the Gestapo's firing squad when he was caught involved in the resistance movement.

The farewell was very difficult. Muchik hugged every single Easy men and I swear to God that every one of them got tears on their eyes. Even Joe I-am-the-most-manly-man-in-this-goddamn-Company Liebgott.

"They gonna pay for this, kid. They gonna pay for what they did to our people. I'll kill every fucking one of them." Joe said fiercely while he hugged Muchik. I could see Web frowned at this, but he wisely held his tongue.

Muchik shook his head. "Uncle Joe, Papa said…Rache ist nicht gut. Keine dummheiten, bitte."

"Ich kann Ihnen nicht versprechen" he said bitterly and stormed off to our truck.

Muchik sighed and said pleadingly to Web "Uncle David… Bitte lassen Sie ihn nicht Dummheiten."

Web kissed Muchik's temple. "ich werde mein Bestes geben." And then followed Joe.

I swipe my sweaty hand before hugged Muchik "Take care of yourself, okay Buddy?" Becca's crying quietly beside me.

Muchik nodded sadly "I will, Papa. You too."

Becca and I hugged Muchik for the last time. Becca managed a shaky 'we love you, Muchik. Take care.' before ran back to her jeep with Colonel Sink. The Colonel patted her back and then nodded at me and Muchik.

"I gotta go. Frau Maier has my address. Write to me, okay?"

Muchik nodded.

And I never forget his sad face for the rest of my life.

Berchtesgaden, our objective, was a magnet for the troops of all the armies in southern Germany, Austria, and northern Italy. The small town was Valhalla for the Nazi gods, lords, and masters. Hitler had a home there and a mountain-top stone retreat, 8,000 feet high, called the Aldershorst or the Eagle's Nest (pretentious name, isn't it?). Kind of weird since that man was famously known afraid of heights. Rumor has it, that the walls of the elevator into the Aldershorst were plated in gold leaf.

We, especially a certain Captain that always fascinated in shiny things, were super ecstatic to reach Berchtesgaden before the other armies because, despite it's the symbolic home of Hitler's mad lust for power, it also the best looting possibilities in Europe. It was to the Berchtesgaden area that much of the loot collected by the Nazis from all over Europe had come. It was bursting with booze, jewelry, fabulous cars.

And Easy Company got there first. Accommodations were the first order of business. Major Winters and Lieutenant Welsh went to the Berchtesgaden Hof, the finest hotel in the town. Obviously, the brass would stay there. Captain Speirs ordered me to picked one of the homes of Nazi officials, perched on the hillside climbing the valley out of Berchtesgaden, for Easy company HQ.

Apparently, Berchtesgadener (was that what you called people who stay at Berchtesgaden?) who owned the house had a death wish. He refused. Fucking. Refused.

Major Winters heard this and went to the front door himself, knocked and when a woman answered (the mustached man who refused earlier suddenly disappeared), he announced, "We are moving in. Now!"

"Wow…that's some badass move, Sir." I said.

The Major smiled bitterly "We had been living in foxholes in Normandy, we had been in the mud at Holland, the snow in Bastogne. And we'd seen that concentration camp. These people were the reason for all this suffering. I had no sympathy for their problem. And I didn't owe them any goddamn explanation."

Oh…wow…Major Winters cursed. He's seriously pissed. Captain Nixon somehow looked proud. He had this 'My baby is now able to cursed and shit!' kind of look.

The enlisted men got superb accommodation too. We gladly took over the SS barracks, an Alpine-style apartment house block that was the latest thing in modern design, plumbing, and interior decoration (AND TOILET PAPER!). Berchtesgaden was a soldier's heaven.

With accommodation taken care of, looting and shenanigans ensues.

Exhibit A: Captain Speirs became the happiest man alive. His eyes twinkled as shiny as silverwares and art works he packed. He even smiled (the men even more scared of his smile, to be honest) and his creepiness level reduced a little.

Exhibit B: Talbert got one of Hitler's staff cars, a Mercedes with bulletproof doors and windows. He did some experimenting, as follow:

1. Shooting all the windows with his M-1s and various ammo. Result: the windows were bulletproof, but if you used armor-piercing ammo, it would get the job done.

2. Drained the water from the radiator, to see if it could run without it. Result: It could run for 100 meters before the engine burned.

3. Test the car if it could survive a 30-meter crash. Result: it become a wreck after we pushed it over a cliff.

Talbert then report the results of this experiment to Winters. The Major solemnly thanked him for his important research, agreeing that one never knew when this kind of information would come in handy. We felt like a goddamn scientist.

Exhibit C: We dressed Mercier in Krauts officer uniform (complete with a monocle) and 'hand over' him to Speirs. The Captain, without even looking up, grunted a half-assed "shoot him." Needless to say, nobody wanted the uniform for souvenir because it's rank of Mercier's piss.

Conclusion: Everybody's happy.

And then the most amazing news arrived.

German army's surrendered.

Officially. Surrendered.

The war in Europe finally over.

Every one yelled "Happy VE day!"

To mark the day, Major Winters ordered each company to take a truckload of booze from a certain cellar. The sight inside said cellar can make the manliest man cried in joy. It contained 10,000 bottles of fine liquor, wine, and champagne.

Web, a self-declared connoisseur (emphasize on self-declared), grabbed a bottle and winced in distaste "This champagne is new and mediocre." He said. "There's no Napoleon brandy and the champagne had been bottled in the late 1930s. I'm very disappointed in Hitler."

Joe, ever compliant to the procedure of their friendship, snapped "Booze is booze, college boy. I don't fucking care if it's new or not."

Web mumbled "You're the most tasteless human being I've been unfortunate enough to encounter."

Joe flipped him off while chugging a champagne straight from the bottle.

Becca giggled and whispered at me "Captain Nixon had picked out five truckloads for himself and the other officers."

I chuckled. "The Yale man pulled his rank on the Harvard boy."

Victory in Europe didn't mean we can get home right away. We need 85 points to get home but despite we risked our ass in every fucking front line since D-Day, some of us still didn't have enough points. Hence, we found ourselves reluctantly dragging our asses from our comfy accommodation in Berchtesgaden to Zell am See. Our job there was to maintain order, to gather in all German soldiers, disarm them, and ships them off to P.O.W. camps in Munich.

I had to admit that Austria was fucking beautiful. We thought Berchtesgaden was fairy-tale land with its snow-capped mountains, the dark green woods, and superb accommodation. But when we arrived at Zell am See…Hoooooly shitballs…that place was heaven! It's beyond beautiful.

But apparently, death didn't stop following us.

Jannovec died because of a stupid road accident. Web's very upset because the accident was happened in front of him.

Shifty got an accident on his way home. He survived but had to spend the next few months in a series of hospitals and he lost all his loot and salary.

Chuck nearly died when he was shot in the head by a drunk replacement.

And we're most likely will be redeployed to the Pacific Theatre. From what we saw in the newsreel, it's going to be brutal.

It seems like we trapped in some kind of Purgatory.

It's war, but it's not war.

There're no battles, but there's still too much death.

The serenity of Zell am See was ruined when one morning I heard Joe's shouting at Web. I should have been got used to hear Joe and Web bickering. But this time, Joe sounded very angry while Web sounded….desperate (?) to calm him.

"But he's still human, Joe. According to Geneva Con-"

"I don't give a FLYING FUCK about the Geneva Convention, college boy! Did they follow the Geneva Convention when they build those camps?! Did they follow the FUCKING Geneva Convention when they massacred MY PEOPLE?! IT'S MY PEOPLE THEY BURNED IN THOSE FUCKING OVENS, WEB! For all I know, Captain Speirs ordered me. I killed the man. End of fucking story! Can you give it a rest?!"

"Muchik asked you to not do anything stupid, Joe. You can get court-martialed."

"Muchik is a kid. He's still fucking naïve! I avenged him. That Nazi son of a bitch already dead. Technically, Skinny shot him, even though I want to kill that bastard myself. So why the fuck you keep nagging me?!"

When I heard Muchik's name, I know I had to say something. "Guys…What happened here?"

"Tell this pompous college boy to stay the fuck away from me." And with that, Joe stormed off the apartment.

I gaped at his angry figure "What the hell is going on, Web?"

Web sighed "Joe said Speirs ordered him to kill a suspected German commander of a slave camp. Skinny and I accompany him to a farm and found the Nazi. Joe interrogated him. He then drew his pistol and shot the Nazi twice. The Nazi turned and ran up the hill. Joe's pistol jammed so Skinny shot the Nazi to death."

"Jesus…"

"It became personal, George. It's not just an order for him."

"Give him time, Web…He'll come around."

Web sighed "I failed Muchik."

To prepare us to the Pacific, Major Winters held daily close-order drills. But still…time felt like dragging when your daily activities were just guard duty, drill, and some occasional sport competition. We just want to go home. So consequently, we found our outlets in four other ways: as tourists in the Alps, hunting, drinking, and chasing women. Well…I did the first three, because I didn't have a death wish. Becca can get super scary when she got jealous (see. The Brunhilda Incident).

Every night, if I was not in guard duty, I took Becca for a walk along the edge of Zeller See. It's a breathtakingly beautiful lake and at night, the light from the town looked like stars.

"Are you okay you're not with your friends right now, George?"

"It's fine, Princess. After what happened with Chuck, I don't want to be near drunk people with access to weapons."

"Oh God…yeah…That was scary. Thank God Captain Speirs found that surgeon."

"Yeah….contrary to popular believes, Speirs truly cares about his men. That badass personality is just a façade."

"Mmm hmmm" She agreed.

We walked in silence for a while before she started again "Colonel Sink will throw another party this Friday. Everyone's invited. Will you come as my date?"

"Is this a feminist thing? Asking a man for a date?" Although I didn't mind at all she asked me. We're past debating about gender role.

She chuckled "It's a me thing. I really want you to be my date for that party. Consider it to replace our failed date in Mourmellon. And I already have the dress, you know. And I met this nice local girl who will help me about the hair and make-up."

"Aaaww….You still a woman after all." I ruffled her hair.

"You ass!"

"Rebecca Jones!" I mocked gasp. "That's very improper of you."

"I don't need to be proper" She laughed and slapped my hand. "I'm not a lady."

But Hoooly God…She's much muuuch more beautiful than any blue blooded female I've ever known. Not that I know a lot of blue blooded female. I just saw their pictures in newspaper or newsreel, anyway.

But Becca in party dress and make up was simply…stunning. The make-up was…subtle (was that the appropriate term?) so she didn't look like she's wearing a mask. The local girl who did the make-up seems know that Becca didn't need a lot of those things to look beautiful. Her hair was loose in soft curls and pinned with simple hairpin.

And the dress….

"I'm a very lucky guy." I huffed.

She beamed and mocked curtsy. "Well…Thank you, Sir. You looked debonair as well."

Do not do the victory dance, George!

"Shall we, Princess?" I offered my hand.

Thank you for being cooperative, Brain.

She kissed my cheek before she accepted it.

I may or may not did the victory dance.

She just giggled.

And when the Colonel said "everyone's invited", it's literally means "everyone's invited". Even General fucking Taylor (and to our intense dislike, his aide, Lt. Dike the Troglodyte) came. The Officers loosen up a little, and in some cases, loosen up a lot. Colonel Strayer got drunk and got into a fistfight with a general. Lieutenant Foley and Welsh siphoned most of the gas from General fucking Taylor's Mercedes. We learned in the next morning that the car had run out of gas on its way back to Berchtesgaden in the middle of the night. General fucking Taylor and Dike the Troglodyte had to sit there for hours while the driver searched for a jerrican. Colonel Sink gave us hell but it was soooo worth it.

So in conclusion, the party was a bash.

Becca and I decided to walk in the garden since the ballroom started to feel suffocating. In the middle of the garden, we saw people waiting in turn to talk to Major Winters. The Major just finished talking with Malark and now was talking to Lipton.

Malark has returned to his cheerful self. A little subdued, yes, but still it's better than when in Bastogne and Haguenau.

"Hey, George! Oh…you look very lovely, Becca!" and he kissed Becca's cheeks.

"Thank you, Malark." She smiled beautifully.

I couldn't help to wrap my hand around her waist somewhat possessively.

"There…there, George. Keep your hand above the ass, okay." The fucking Mick teased.

"I'm a gentleman, Malark."

He scoffed.

The asshole.

I continued "You looked happy, by the way. Got some good news from our esteemed Major."

He beamed "Yeah…very good news actually. I've been appointed as advisor for an airborne exhibition in Paris. In PARIS, George! And I get to choose the hotel I will be staying."

"That's very good, Malark. Congratulations!" Becca said.

"Yeah, buddy! Congratulations!" I raised my champagne glass for salute. Becca and Malark followed.

"I always wanted to go to Paris. Remember when we're in Mourmellon, before we're sent to Bastogne?" Malark smiled sadly. "I just wish Skip and Alex could come with me to Paris."

"Oh, Malark…" Becca sighed and hugged him. "They will be happy for you."

"I hope so, Becca." He said.

"So when will you leaving?" I asked.

"Maybe in a couple of days. The Major said that I won't back here anytime soon." He said.

"We should throw a farewell party for you, then." I said.

Lipton walked towards us and said "I heard about you, Malark. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Lip. And how about you?"

"I've been reassign to Battalion Headquarters."

"Because that shitty theory that the men won't respect you as they would another officer?" I said.

Lipton chuckled "Yeah...that."

"Army and their logic. But no worries, Lip. You're still our bestest Mama Bear we've ever had. We'll love you forever and ever, Mommy." I grinned.

"Wiseass" he said fondly. "Oh…by the way, do you see Liebgott?"

"Um…no…why?"

"I might need a translator for tomorrow. I have to soothe a German general who got pissed because he had to surrender to a certain Private Heffron from Philly."

We all laughed at that.

"Okay, I'll tell Joe about this. He won't miss this chance."

"Good…Enjoy the evening, Gents…Becca." He nodded and then left us to have conversation to another officer.

"George! George! Wake up, shithead!"

"Fuck you, Joe! It's my day off!"

"Winter just pulled his rank! On Sobel!"

Well…that worth of waking up early.

"Boys!" I shouted. Because good friend always share this kind of news. "Wake up, you lazy asses! Joe got news!"

Web, Babe, Frank (still brushing his teeth) and Doc gathered around and payed attention to Joe.

"Tell me exactly what happened, Joe. Don't leave anything out." I said.

"You sound like a gossiping housewife." Frank said. I didn't dignify him by responded to that. I just slapped his head. He swallowed his toothpaste. Good for him.

"So as you know," Joe started, "Lipton asked me to translate for this German general surrender ceremony or some shit. Who apparently can speak English fluently with Lipton, the asshole."

Babe cut in "That bastard! He said yesterday that he could speak a little English and only want to speak with officer! Just wait until I spread his 500 porno pictures I found in his briefcase!"

I am pretty sure there're crickets chirping in the silence afterward. Actual. Crickets.

Joe cleared his throat and continued "Ah...yeah…I call dibs on that, by the way. Um...where were we? Oh…yeah…so while Lipton and I waiting for the general to prepare himself, Major Winters and Captain Nixon came with the jeep to witness the surrender….and then….came Captain Sobel. He just walked and acted like he didn't see Major Winters."

"Oh my God…he did not." Web gasped.

Now that sounded like a gossiping housewife.

Joe nodded fiercely "I know! Complete shithead! But Winters called Sobel…God, he's too kind...And that fucking asshole still didn't salute and just fucking nod to Winters! Can you imagine?! Just fucking nod and a very lame 'Major Winters'!"

"And what did Major Winters do?" Babe asked eagerly. His body leaned forward on the edge of his seat with anticipation.

Joe smirked "This is the best part…Winters said, 'Captain Sobel. We salute the rank, not the man.' And that asshole grudgingly salute."

We all guffawed at that.

"Holy shit! And then what?" asked Frank.

"Sobel walked away with the biggest pout I've ever seen! Winters then looked at Nixon, and Nixon just shook his head and smirk like he's a proud Mama or some shit."

We laughed out loud again.

"Lessons learnt, Gents." I said. "Karma's a bitch."

The boys nodded in unison "Amen"

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German Translation:

Rache ist nicht gut. Keine dummheiten, bitte. - Revenge is not good. Don't do anything stupid, please

Ich kann Ihnen nicht versprechen - I can not promise you

Uncle David… Bitte lassen Sie ihn nicht Dummheiten. - Uncle David ... Please don't let him do anything stupid.

ich werde mein Bestes geben. - I will do my best.