I would like to state that I do not own HBO's Band of Brothers nor do I intend any disrespect. I am basing this story on the HBO mini TV series.
Please keep reviewing, I love hearing what you think about the story. Good OR bad. Suggestions are always welcome!
Previously on 'Angels with Dirty Faces'
The quiet confidence that Winters had in his men took the edge off of the fear that had started to creep into her mind. With Winters with them, they were going to be fine. Slinging another ammo belt over her shoulder, she joined the line of men who were marching down the road towards Bastogne. Seeing an antenna wobbling in the air above the men's heads, Rose smiled to herself. Catching her smile, Bill who was next to her winked.
'We ain't in Kansas no more Rosie girl.'
'God, what the hell are we going into? Was all Rosie could think as they made their way towards the dark forest looming in the distance.
Faintest snow keep falling
Hands around your waist
Nameless, standing cold
Take in restrain like a breath.
My lungs are so numb from holding back
Crush by Jimmy Eat World
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rose had always liked the snow. When she was a little girl, she used to run out and play in it for hours. Building igloos, making snow angels and even the odd snowball fight with her little brother James. Rose loved how beautiful and pure the white snow looked right after it had fallen, untouched by the world and the people in it.
In Bastogne though, it was almost as bad as the Germans. The snow and the cold that came with it was her enemy. Every day was a constant battle to overcome it and keep warm.
They had been holding the position on the ridge above Bastogne for weeks now. The Germans knew exactly where they were and bombarded them every day with artillery. It was like hell. But Rose knew that it was too cold for hell...she thought this was worse. At least in hell, she'd be warm.
The German line was so intertwined with their own line that Rose had to be careful not to wander too far, or she'd drift into the enemy foxholes. The forest around them looked the same, it was endless. Tree after tree, the thick layer of snow on the ground covering any distinguishable features that could be used to locate oneself when lost.
Easy Company had been pushing forwards until the enemy had them held at the tree line, just out of Bastogne. Winters had ordered them to dig their foxholes deeper and re enforce their cover; this was it. The German's would be hitting them hard, and hitting them soon.
Rose actually liked digging foxholes. She enjoyed the repetition and the satisfaction of creating something that may save her life.
'Rose, I will give you my first born kid if you help me with my foxhole.' Babe pleaded, only half finished making the hole with his entrenching tool.
Straightening up, Rose wiped the sweat off her brow, leaving a smudge of mud on her cheek and studied her handiwork. It was nice to be working; it warmed the body against the cold winds blowing in over the town.
'Back off Babe, we've gotta finish our own hole first' snapped Skinny who was busy digging next to her.
'What's wrong?' Rose asked, 'Don't you like digging?'
Babe and Skinny both stopped and stared at her before looking at each other incredulously. 'Don't you like digging?' Babe repeated.
'Yeah, that's what I said.' Rose said impatiently, noticing one end of her foxhole was deeper than the other.
'Do you like digging foxholes in the frozen dirt Rose?' Skinny asked her innocently.
'I don't like it, but I've had worse jobs.' She wrinkled her nose remembered latrine duty, 'plus, I'm warm.'
Skinny cast his eyes heavenward and began muttering to himself. 'My mam told me to never hit a girl. My mam told me to never hit a girl,' he repeated over and over.
'Plus the exercise won't hurt you boys!' Rose protested gesturing widely at the foxholes 'think of it as a drill!'
'Don't hit a girl,' Skinny's voice became strained, getting louder and louder.
Rose gulped and dropped her shovel. 'I think that's my cue to take a break.' She said cheerfully, edging away from Skinny who had a violent look in his eye.
At her words, Babe immediately perked up. 'Great, you can help me with my foxhole.'
Skinny broke off his mantra mid-sentence and fixed Babe with a glare before letting out a string of expletives. Rose laughed and covered her ears while Babe just rolled up a handful of snow into a ball and threw it at him.
'Touchy touchy' Babe said just as the tree above them exploded.
'INCOMING!' Rose screamed as she rolled into her half finished foxhole, Skinny falling on top of her. Trees blasted overhead, sending branches and debris flying around them. Rose could hear someone screaming for Eugene.
'MEDIC!' it sounded like Penkala and Rose popped her head out of her hole only to see the company's medic fall on top of her.
'Gahdammit boys! You're heavy!' she said, pushing Eugene off. Sparing her a quick glance, he adjusted his helmet.
'You guys hit?'
'No, we're good Doc' shouted Skinny, grabbing Roses shoulder and pushing her down as dirt and snow fell around them.
'Stick your head up again Rosie and I'll shootcha.' He growled as Rose rummaged through her aid kit to find her syrette of morphine.
Seeing Eugene clamber out of the foxhole, she shouted his name to get his attention.
'Morphine!' she screamed, throwing the small container at him before allowing Skinny to push her down once more.
'STAY!' he yelled at her, looking over to the neighbouring foxhole to see how Babe was doing. Getting a thumbs up as an 'all okay' sign, he ducked back down again to wait out the barrage.
It was starting to get dark before the German attack stopped. Hurrying to get their hole's finished, the men of Easy were rushing around, trying to get everything ready for the next artillery attack.
Skinny was perched on the side of the foxhole, taking a cigarette break while Rose took over the digging. She had nearly finished and was standing in the middle of the hole, trying to judge how much deeper to dig it.
'It looks like you've planted a flower.' Came an amused voice from behind them, Rose didn't even bother to turn around.
'Geddit Skinny...Rose's is in a hole.' George tried to explain as he sat down next to Skinny, pulling out his smokes. Rose just rolled her eyes as Skinny started to laugh.
'You need more material kid' she said, shaking her finger at them both. 'and don't encourage him Skinny.'
Picking up her shovel, she plunged it into the hard, frozen earth. Another half a metre should do it, she thought.
'You've got dirt on your nose.' George pointed out to her helpfully.
Rose just ignored him, focused on the task at hand.
'I think we need to go down another half a metre.' She looked up for confirmation from her foxhole buddy.
'Hey! Why'd you talk to Skinny and not me?' George complained, pulling out his lighter to light his cigarette.
'We're buddies, right Rosie?' Skinny said with a laugh, jumping down in the foxhole and clapping her on the shoulder.
'Buddies!' she agreed as George put his hand over his heart and attempted to look devastated.
'Where's my buddy?' he cried, looking around. Rose and Skinny just laughed.
'Don't worry George; you're still my favourite radioman.' She said solemnly, patting him affectionately on the front of his helmet. 'Now get the hell outta here, we've got a foxhole to finish.'
George just grinned and saluted her, before spinning and marching off to find more trouble.
The night sky over Bastogne was beautiful. Rose could see the stars shining brightly at her. They looked so close that she believed that if she reached out, she would be able to just pluck one from the sky. A killjoy to this amazing thought was the fact that there was no cloud cover, which meant that the temperature dropped lower than usual. Every breath that Rose drew in burned her throat so she tucked her nose into her scarf that was tied around her neck and tried to breathe through the heavy fabric. It did help a little, but she was still cold.
Inching sideways a bit, Rose tucked herself a little bit closer to the sleeping Skinny. She had offered to take first watch, but didn't have the heart to wake him up. It was so rare for any of them to get any sleep, so she wasn't going to interrupt her friend's slumber. Rose didn't want to close her eyes either. It seemed that every time she nodded off, she was haunted by the men who were long gone. Meehan, the German soldier from Carentan, Van Klinken and a laughing Dukeman along with dozens more. A hand on her arm shook her out of her thoughts.
'You s-should t-try to sleep Rosie.' Skinny spoke to her through chattering teeth, 'I c-c-can take over wa-atch.'
'I'm gonna go for a walk down the line.' She replied, crawling out from under the blanket and shoving her hands in her pockets. 'I'll be right back.'
Turning towards the tree line, Rose swore she could hear the sound of people singing. Smiling to herself, she picked her way across the snow towards the noise, stopping when she heard her name being called softly.
'Rose!' came a voice, and as she swung around, she smiled at the man standing behind her.
'Hiya Bill.' she went to stand next to him. 'what you doing wandering around in the dark.? Coulda mistaken you for a Jerry' she joked.
'Nah way...I'm too damn pretty to be a Kraut' Bill replied, holding his arms tightly to his body to keep warm.
'Didja hear bout Babe nearly getting shot in the ass today by ole Jerry...walked right into a foxhole.' Having already heard the story from Malarkey, she just nodded thoughtfully as they walked in comfortable silence.
'Jeesus, its cold.' Rose said eventually, her voice tired. She pushed her bare hands deeper into her pockets as Bill nodded in agreement.
'I'm looking for the Doc.' He said as they trudged forward through the thick snow. Rose looked up at him in surprise.
'How's the leg' she asked, glancing down at his right leg which he was favouring slightly.
'Hurts...' he muttered, 'fuckin krauts.'
'Well, I guess that'd be the last time you steal a motorbike eh Bill.' She tried to joke. But Bill just looked at her.
'Too soon?' she asked, smiling slightly.
'Too soon Rosie girl.' He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and hugging her gently. Rose's smile fell as soon as Bill looked away. Had the German sniper in Holland aimed a little higher, Bill wouldn't be standing there with her. He was lucky to have survived with only a bullet hole in the leg and a piece of shrapnel in the ass. Rose wondered if they all would be that lucky.
Able to see a figure walking quickly towards them, Rose put a hand on Bill arm, making him pause mid step. They watched silently as the figure drew closer. Rose began to reach for her revolver strapped to her waist.
'Rose, is that you?'
Breathing a sigh of relief at the familiar Cajun drawl, she raised a hand in greeting as Bill swore next to her.
'How you doing Gene?' she asked, looking at his pale face with concern. Not waiting for the medic to reply, Bill started to walk forwards.
'Hey Doc, I still got the itching every time I pee' he addressed Eugene who started to stride through the snow. 'It's murder.'
'I know an' I'm sorry but I just dun have any penicillin fo' your biroute.' Eugene spoke over his shoulder as he rubbed his hands together for warmth.
Bill swung around to look at Rose bewildered. She just shrugged in response. What did she know about doctoring?
'Sergeant, look I know it mus' be hell but I can't help yah.' Eugene looked frustrated, but it wasn't at Bill, Rose could tell it was frustration at their situation and their lack of medical supplies.
'alrigh...just drink lots water.'
Bill's mouth opened in surprise as Eugene walked away, heading towards his foxhole.
'Water?' Bill exclaimed 'but its pissin that hurts!'
'C'mon Bill' Rose said gently, grabbing his arm and leading him away and back towards the singing.
'Shut it! SHUT THE HELL UP!' they heard from behind them.
Swinging around in surprise, the saw Buck Compton run up with a wild look in his eyes. His head was darting back and forth, searching frantically for the source of the noise and Rose was reminded of a frightened rabbit that she used to see in the fields around her home back in the States. Her father would take her and her brother James hunting and she hated hunting rabbits. They always looked so afraid.
'what's going on here Bill.' Buck hissed 'Who the hell's singing.'
Bill shot a quick look at Rose who looked confused. The Lieutenant in front of them was clearly panicking and she reached out and patted Buck's shoulder.
'I'll find out, Lieutenant.' Bill tried to reassure their NCO. 'I'll shut them up.'
And Rose watched as Bill took off in the direction of the loud singing. Figuring he'd come back for her, Rose turned to follow Eugene, he had a haunted look in his eyes and she was worried.
As she walked towards his foxhole, she could hear Gene muttering to himself. Pausing to listen, she realised it was a prayer. Taking a few steps forward, she called his name softly to announce her presence and when he didn't reply, she slid into the foxhole next to him.
'How do you do it Eugene?' she murmured, looking at her friend in amazement as he sat sorting through his meagre medical supplies.
'..I am with you, battlefield angel.' He quoted softly, not looking at Rose who looked at him curiously.
'Gene?' she asked curiously.
'its a poem written by a soldier about battlefield medics.' He explained quietly, pulling a worn and torn piece of yellowing paper out of his top pocket and carefully unfolding it. Rose could tell that this piece of paper had been read and reread many times, and she was curious to know what kind of poem had affected this young medic beside her.
'Go on Gene' she urged, her teeth chattering loudly. Gene glanced down at her shyly and began to read, his soft Cajun accent making the words sound exotic and she closed her eyes; happy to listen.
'its called Battlefield Angels...' he cleared his throat.
'I am with you, whispered the medic to 'nother fallen hero.
I am with you, he repeated as he wiped the crimson tears streaming down
the young soldier's face.
The soldier's eyes opened slowly, his lips struggled to smile.
He knew the bugler would not be playing today.
He knew his Flag would remain at full mast.
For he knew he was saved by a battlefield angel.
As his pain faded and his eyelids grew heavy, once again
the young soldier heard the soft whisper of the battlefield angel.
I am with you.
Gene finished and gently folded the precious paper, replacing it in his pocket. Rose just sat there. Her mind was filled with images of all the men that she had seen die in front of her...she realised with horror that Gene had to live with those men...had to live with the responsibility of their deaths; no matter who or what killed them. He was a healer and more often than not, nothing could be done for many of those poor souls. She realised that maybe the horrors of his war were worse than hers.
'Thankyou.' She spoke quietly placing a hand on his sleeve. 'you medics are really something.'
Gene didn't say anything. He just lowered his head, his eyes tightly closed and they sat there in silence, shivering together in the foxhole until Bill came and got her, guiding her back to Skinny and her own foxhole.
'How's everyone doing this beautiful morning?' came a cheery voice early the next morning from above their foxhole.
Rose just rolled over; she had finally gotten comfortable after keeping watch for most of the night, and was looking forward to a couple of hours of shut eye. She was exhausted. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away.
'Wakey Wakey' the voice spoke again; Rose groaned keeping her eyes tightly closed.
The sound of something solid hitting flesh caught her attention as George let out an outraged cry.
'DAMMIT SKINNY...what the hell was that for?!'
She felt the man tucked in the foxhole next to her chuckle.
'It's too early for house calls Luz' he said innocently. Rose just kept quiet, hoping that George wasn't visiting for the reason she suspected. To see her.
'I want to talk to Rosie.' She heard him almost whine.
'Dammit!' she thought.
A moment later, she felt a finger poke into her ribs...hard.
'JEESUS!' she swore, sitting upright and rubbing her chest; glaring at Skinny who just grinned innocently and pointed at George.
'You've got a visitor sleeping beauty.'
'Dammit George, what the hell are you doing here so early!?' she demanded, shielding her eyes with her hand against the bright morning sun.
'Someone's grumpy in the mornings.' George commented sulkily. He had hoped he'd be better received.
Trying to detangle her legs from her blanket, she lost her temper with it and threw up her hands, letting out a string of curse words that would make Bill proud.
Laughing, George reached down and grabbed Rose by the hands, lifting her out of the foxhole and set her on her feet.
C'mon Flower, I've got something to show you.' He spoke as he pulled her across the bright snow.
Temporarily blinded by the light bouncing off the extreme whiteness of the snow, Rose blinked and stumbled slightly. As she bumped into George's shoulder, the ground exploded behind them with an ear splitting bang, sending them both toppling to the ground.
Rose scrambled to her feet and started to run back towards her foxhole where the explosion had come from. She made it two steps before being tackled to the ground. Her body falling heavily into the snow, with George's on top of her.
'SKINNY!' she screamed for her foxhole buddy, trying to push George off. She could see Skinny still sitting where she'd left him, but his head was thrown back and he was screaming in pain.
'MEDIC' George roared, still holding tightly to Rose. He needed to get them out of the open where mortars where still exploding around them, showering them with wood splinters. He could see that Skinny had been hit, but he couldn't take Rose there to see that. Seeing Perconte scrambled into their foxhole to help the wounded man, George looked to the next closest foxhole.
'Babe! HELP ME!' He yelled as the redhead zig zagged his way across the snow to them.
Grabbing the struggling Rose under both shoulders, the two men dragged her towards the foxhole and shoved her in before sliding in beside her. George rolled himself over and threw his arms around Rose who was shaking, and he dragged her body under his. He could feel the violent tremors rock her body as shells obliterated the trees and earth around them.
Pressing his face down into her hair, George started to pray as he heard a shell hit just outside their foxhole. Looking up briefly, he could see Babe tucking himself in close on the other side of Rose and in the corner of the foxhole; he shot a quick look of concern at the replacement Julian, who was curled into himself, his arms over his head, and a look of pure terror on his face.
When the shelling finally stopped, Babe climbed out of the foxhole to check the damage. The cry for medic had stopped, and it was all silent. Crawling off of Rose, George could see that she was still in shock. When Perconte came over to let them know that Skinny had been hit in the leg and taken to the hospital in Bastogne, Rose looked down at her hands which were trembling.
'He's my buddy..' was all that she said.
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