Disclaimer: all the usual apply

Chapter 25

Amelia POV

Driving back into the dense forest, she could feel the air change. It became heavier somehow and the fog that had lifted just yesterday had settled back in by the time they reached Battalion HQ.

As soon as the jeep came to a halt she jumped out, eager to get back to her friends and her rifle. She spotted Dick and Nixon talking to Colonel Sink and tried to avoid their line of sight so they wouldn't ask her any questions about where she'd been the last 24 hours.

"Amelia, just the soldier I was looking for," Sink's booming voice stopped her dead and she sheepishly turned around to face the three men.

She plastered on her politest smile and walked over to join them. Dick eyed her suspiciously while Nixon couldn't hide his mischievous little smirk. No doubt he'd been the one to point her out to the good colonel.

"Sir, it's good to see you again," she greeted Sink politely.

"What is this I hear about you having to be taken to the aid station?" he asked her.

So much for no one knowing. As I said, biggest gossips I've ever met.

"Oh, it was nothing sir. Just a minor infection from a small wound. It's all better now."

Sink nodded approvingly. "Good-good. Now, you probably know why I'm looking for you."

She looked from Sink to Nixon and Dick, hoping one of them would be able to enlighten her since she had absolutely no clue why the colonel was looking for her specifically.

Her two friends returned her silent pleas for help with blank stares so she finally sighed in defeat and admitted, "Sorry sir, but I don't."

"Your decision is due today."

"My decision?"

"It's Christmas Eve sergeant. I need to know if you're staying with Easy or taking your discharge."

An awkward silence fell on over their little group. She glanced at Dick and Nixon and both men stared at her like she'd grown three heads since last time they'd seen her. Clearly they weren't aware of her arrangement with the army.

Sink watched her expectantly and she frantically searched for her answer. She'd completely lost track of time since they'd left Mourmelon and with Derek dying and her own brush with death she hadn't given the letter much thought until just now.

"Well sergeant?"

She filled her lungs with the freezing air and watched her words form in a cloud in-front of her face, "Sir, I want to stay with Easy,"

"Are you sure? You know that once you decide to stay you can only be discharged in accordance with normal protocol."

"I understand, sir."

"You have until the end of the day to decide if you need more time."

"No sir, I don't need to more time. I'm sure. To be quite honest I hadn't been, right up until I had to give my answer and now I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Nixon cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him.

"What is it Captain Nixon?" Sink asked, looking slightly perturbed by the interruption.

"My apologies, sir," he said to Sink before settling his eyes on her. "Amelia, are you sure? The men will understand. Once our lines are open you can go home."

She smiled softly at her friend. "Easy is my home. These men are my family. I don't want to be here. There are hundreds of places I'd rather be. But I won't leave them, not if I have a choice."

The worry that was written all over Nixon's handsome face didn't lessen, but he nodded his head.

"Well, as much as I would like to see you home safe sergeant," Sink spoke and everyone turned their attention back to him. "I, for one, am glad you decided to stay. You've become an integral part of the Company and Easy would be poorer for losing you."

"Thank you, sir. Oh, and Merry Christmas."

Sink smiled. "Merry Christmas sergeant. Now, I'll see you a bit later at Easy for Christmas dinner."

She couldn't even imagine what Christmas dinner was going to be out here in this frozen place, but she smiled and pretended to be excited none the less. It was Christmas after all.

Sink nodded to Nixon and Dick before excusing himself. As soon as he was a decent distance away Dick's face went from professional officer to angry big brother. "Amelia, from what I heard it was more than a little infection? Doc and Lipton said you looked like you were one day away from dying."

Nixon shot Dick a confused look. "That's what you want to talk about now? Jeez Dick, she just gave up the chance to get out of here." Turning to scowl at her he added, "Did the infection damage your brain or something?"

Give me strength, she thought.

"You both need to calm down," she said, rank be damned. "Dick, Doc and Lipton over exaggerated. A little bit. Maybe it was quite bad but I'm fine now and that's all that matters."

Turning her attention from a frowning Dick to a scowling Nixon she continued, "Nix, this was my choice. I've had weeks to think it over, and in the end I went with my gut."

"Well your gut is full of it," he retorted as he crossed his arms and stamped his feet.

She rolled her eyes and he looked about two seconds away from sticking out his tongue.

"You two need to calm down," Dick said, always the voice of reason.

"Sorry," they both mumbled and looked down at their feet.

"I'm surrounded by children," she heard Dick grumble under his breath.

This caused her and Nixon to start giggling which in turn forced Dick to smile affectionately at them.

"The men are going to be upset when they find out you gave up the chance to get home," Nixon said once they'd calmed down.

"Not if they don't find out. I have no intention of telling them and I assume neither to either of you," she subtly threatened them.

Nixon quirked his head to one side. "Have you met this Company? They'll find out eventually."

"Yeah I know. Bunch of gossiping women. But hopefully by the time they do we're out of here and it's a moot point anyway."

"Wouldn't hold my breath if I were you," Dick chipped in.

"Thank you for making me feel better," she retorted.

Nixon chuckled at her scowl as he casually threw his arm around her shoulder. "C'mon, let's get you back to the men."

XXXXXXX

George POV

"Em! Well aren't you a ray of sunshine in this frozen hell!" George exclaimed when he spied Amelia walking towards them over Bill's shoulder.

Bill turned around just as she was within his reach and pulled her into a fierce hug. She giggled into his chest, the sound muffled by his large jacket.

"Bill, I need air," she said.

The Philadelphian let her go almost reluctantly, but before she could straighten herself out George pulled her into an embrace of his own. "Fuck, you can't scare us like that," he said before planting a kiss on the top of her head.

He let her go, watching her closely for any signs that she was still sick and needed to be sent back to the aid station to rest.

"Stop looking at me like that. I'm perfectly fine."

"What were you thinking huh? Almost taking yourself out of the game 'cause of a scratch," Bill scolded her.

Holding one finger in the air she said, "Firstly, it was a bit more than a scratch. I've got stiches and everything. And Secondly, you know how dramatic you boys can be. I wasn't turning at death's door or something."

"Yeah? That's not what Babe told us," George retorted. Now that she was alive and well, he could give her a piece of his mind.

Her mouth opened to say something but he held up his hand and she snapped it shut, crossing her arms like a petulant child that was being scolded by her parents.

"You should have known better. You're always giving us crap for not taking care of ourselves and there you go and do the same thing! Jesus Amelia, you're half the size of most of the guys, you're stubborn as all hell but it wouldn't take much to kill ya!"

"George," she started but Bill abruptly cut her off. "Don't even try, he's right. Babe told us how bad you looked and the fact that he'd never seen Doc that worried before. We know you're hurting now that Derek's gone but you can't do something stupid like that again."

She looked from the one to the other while chewing her bottom lip.

In all honesty when Babe had found them the previous day he'd looked like he was ready to murder someone he was so worked up. It was only after Bill threatened him with bodily harm that the kid had blurted out the story to them. His heart had sunk into the pit of his stomach and he'd let of such a long string of curses even he was embarrassed afterwards.

Losing Amelia would destroy the little morale they had left, and he for one wasn't sure he'd be able to recover from the blow. Then there was Heffron. The guy was so obviously in love with Amelia that losing her would have broken the poor kid after everything he'd been through.

With a deep sigh she said "I know. You're both right."

"Well now hell's gonna freeze over 'coz Amelia just admitted we're right and she's wrong."

"We're already in hell and it's pretty damn nippy in case you haven't noticed, and technically I never said I was wrong."

They both shot her a warning look that made it abundantly clear that, yes, she was wrong.

"Fine, fine. I was wrong and you were right."

"Don't ever pull a stunt like that again you hear?" Bill warned, his Philly accent sounding thicker than usual.

"I promise. And I do really feel bad. I know I was an idiot. I'm really, really sorry."

She looked up at them with her large doe eyes and the anger melted away. How could he possibly stay mad at that face?

"Come here," he said as he pulled her into another quick hug.

"Do you know where Doc and Eddy are? Oh and Lipton? I need to apologize to them too."

"Doc went into town. Krauts attacked our line this morning and Smokey got hit."

Her face fell and she asked, "How bad is it?"

"Don't know, Doc ain't back yet," Bill answered.

"Babe's with Johnny and Bull just over there," Bill pointed into the fog to their right, "and Lipton's walking around checking on the guys. He'll probably find you before you find him."

"OK, well then, let me start my apology tour. If you see Lip or Doc will you let them know I'm looking for them?"

"Sure," he said.

"I'll walk with ya," Bill said.

She gave Bill a small smile and looked to George.

"I'm gonna find Muck and Don. Tell 'em you're back. Kinda like a Christmas present, but a mouthy one."

"I love you too Luz darling," she replied as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Oh, do you know who has all my stuff?"

"Babe," they both replied in unison.

"See you round handsome," she said over her shoulder as she and Bill left to find Babe.

"See you round beautiful," he replied with smile.

XXXXXXX

Amelia POV

She fell into the chow line with Babe and Bill. She'd spent the better part of the day with the two of them in their foxhole. George had been right; Lipton had found her long before she'd even had the chance to go looking for him.

He was genuinely happy to have her back and he brushed off her apology with a shy smile. He always amazed her. He was so good at taking care of everyone and making them feel like this could actually be alright in the end. The man was an angel as far as she was concerned.

She'd hoped to get a moment alone with Babe to talk to him about everything he'd said to her while she'd been ill, but they were constantly interrupted by a steady stream of men who wanted to check up on her. It was adorable, and utterly annoying at the same time.

Now she anxiously searched the faces around her for Gene's. She hadn't seen him all day, and he should have been back from Bastogne hours ago.

Babe touched her lower back and she had to suppress the thrill that ran up her spine. This was not the time nor the place. "There's Doc," he whispered in her ear and she followed his gaze to find Gene sitting with his back against a nearby tree.

His eyes held that far off look she'd seen before with soldiers, like he could be looking right at you and not really see you.

Turning to Babe she touched his arm. "Wait here."

She left the line and walked over to Gene. He didn't look up or even move. Wherever he was it wasn't here.

She bent down and unclipped his mess tin from his belt. Taking it back to Babe and Bill she asked them, "Would you mind getting Doc's food?"

"Sure," Babe said, taking the tin from her hand.

"Give me yours then you can go talk to Doc," Bill said and she handed him her own tin mug.

As she walked back over to Gene she thought of the best way to approach this. If they'd been alone she would have crouched down in-front of him and touched his face to get his attention. But out here, surrounded by soldiers, that would only worry everyone. So instead she dragged a log over and sat down next to him, making sure their arms and legs touched.

Gene slowly turned his face to her and for the first time his eyes gained some focus. "Amelia," he said.

"Hey Gene. Are you alright darling?" she asked softly.

He looked away from her to stare at the line of men. She followed his gaze and waited for him to answer her question.

Bill and Babe were watching them closely out of the corner of their eyes and so was Winters she noticed. They all looked worried. They all looked like she felt.

"Gene, I'm sorry for scaring you," she ventured, not convinced he was ever going to answer her question.

Still staring off into the distance he said, "You could've died. I could have lost you."

Her heart broke and the guilt that had been bubbling just under the surface all day poured over.

"Gene, I'm so sorry. I know it's not enough, but I really never meant to frighten you."

He slowly turned to look at her and he intertwined their fingers. "You don't have to apologize. Just don't do it again. Next time, come to me first."

"Alright."

He turned away from her again and his eyes lost all their focus as he stared off into space, but he never let go of her hand.

"Doc," Babe said, handing Gene the mess tin filled with warm food.

Gene didn't make a move to take it from him, so she reached up with her free hand and took it from Babe. They exchanged a concerned look, but he didn't say anything. She placed the tin in Gene's empty hand and his fingers curled around the hot metal.

"Here doll," Bill said, handing her her own food and quickly glancing in Gene's direction.

"Thanks hun."

She heard the roar of a jeep seconds before she saw Colonel Sink jump out of the passenger side of one.

As the colonel walked through their group, making his way to Dick, he said, "We're all sitting down to a Christmas eve dinner of turkey and hooch back at Division CP. Damned if I don't like old Joe Domingus' rancid-ass beans better!"

This earned him a round of approving chuckles from the men.

"Hello Easy Company," he greeted everyone.

"Hello, sir," followed the chorus of replies.

She turned her head to glance at Gene. He was still staring into nothing. Her stomach contracted and she tightened her hold on his hand. He returned the pressure but never looked at her.

"Men," Sink said and a hush fell over the assembled group, "General McAuliffe whishes us all a Merry Christmas," he read from a piece of paper he held in his hand.

She almost scoffed out-loud. Freezing to death in the middle of a war with people trying to kill you wasn't exactly my idea of a Merry Christmas.

As if reading her mind Sink continued, "What's merry about this all, you ask? Just this; we've stopped cold everything that's been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West."

Yeah, but at what price, she thought darkly.

"Now, two days ago the German commander demanded our honorable surrender to save the U.S.A encircled troops from total annihilation."

He paused and briefly looking up from the paper before finishing, "The German commander received the following reply. 'To the German commander. Nuts!'"

The men smiled, a handful even laughed, but she didn't move and neither did Gene.

"We're giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present, and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms, we're truly making ourselves a Merry Christmas."

Folding closed the paper he greeted the men with, "Merry Christmas to you all and God bless you."

The soldiers cheered the word, "Nuts!" taking whatever humor and courage they could from it.

As she watched the colonel talk to Winters she couldn't find it in herself to join in.

"Gallant feat of arms. Who are they kidding? Your families would rather have you all home safe than dying out here," she whispered the words out loud.

Gene's hand tightened further around hers, to the point where it almost hurt, but she didn't mind because it meant he was still there with her.

"Merry Christmas chérie."

"Merry Christmas Gene."

XXXXXXX

"Hey Em, where you going?" Bill called after her.

She stopped her slow walk through the darkening forest and turned to watch him close the distance between them. "Hey hun, to find Luz. I have something to give him for the guys. You know, for Christmas."

"I was thinking if you ain't got other plans, we could spend Christmas Eve together. What'dya say?"

Squinting her eyes and pulling her lips like she was thinking long and hard she said, "Well, let me check my diary. Mmmmm….there was that cocktail party I was invited to and that fancy dinner at town hall. But I suppose I could miss those if it meant spending time with the most handsome man around. I mean, how can any girl say no to that face?"

"Charmer," he retorted as he shook his head.

She smiled. "I learned from the best."

They fell into step, continuing in the direction of George's foxhole.

"So what you gotta give Luz?" Bill asked.

"It's a surprise."

"You sound just like my ma."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should. Finest woman I know. You'll see when you meet her."

She turned her head the glance over at her friend. "I can't wait."

He looked her way. "So after the war you'd really come to Philly?"

She turned her head to look up at the trees and shrugged. "I don't really have anywhere else to go, it's not like I have a family waiting for me. I mean I'd need to go see Derek's family, but after that I'm all yours."

"Doll, you got a family. You're looking at one of 'em."

She smiled and bumped him affectionately with her shoulder.

"Don't you got a home in New York?" he asked.

"Yeah, the house my parents left me. They had another one in Washington as well, but we didn't spend a lot of time there."

Bill let out a long whistle. "What did your pa do?"

"Surgeon. He had clients in both towns so we moved between them often."

"Fancy."

"Shut-up," she rolled her eyes.

Bill chuckled at her annoyance.

"I actually haven't been to either one in years."

"We can go visit after this is done."

"We can."

There was a beat of silence between them, before Bill asked, "You think you'd want to live in either one?"

She shook her head. "No, not really. I don't know. I haven't thought about 'after the war'. Just trying to survive each day."

"You could come live in Philly," Bill volunteered and she heard the excitement in his voice.

"Well you and Eddy really do sell the place, so maybe I'll take you up on that offer."

"Good! Me, you and Babe. It's gonna be good times!"

She laughed at his enthusiasm. Apparently he had thought about 'after the war'.

"Speaking of," he started but trailed off.

She glanced over to him with a raised eyebrow.

"He's a good guy," Bill stated matter-of-factly.

"He's a great guy. But I don't know, Bill."

With a cross grumble he asked, "You don't know if you like him?"

"No-no, I'm pretty damn sure I like him. A lot. It's just…" this time it was her turn to trail off.

"What?" he asked.

"He's such a great guy, he should have a great girl that doesn't know about all of this. Just a nice, normal girl."

He grabbed her arm, abruptly bringing her to a stop, "Look at me and listen good. Babe Heffron doesn't want a nice, normal girl. He wants you. You don't see it Amelia, but you're one hell of a catch and he knows it."

She smiled up fondly at her friend. "Thanks Bill."

"What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart."

She shot him a disbelieving look, her lips turning up into a lopsided grin.

He winked playfully and said, "There's Luz. Hey Luz!"

She followed his gaze. George was standing by himself just outside his foxhole, stamping his feet and rubbing his hands to try and get some feeling back in either one.

"Bill, Em! To what do I owe the pleasure?" he greeted them.

"Well, I was hoping you could help me hand out Christmas presents to the boys?"

"Sure thing, but I ain't kissing no one!"

Her lips twitched up and she shook her head playfully. "Oh, OK. That wasn't part of the plan, but good to know where you stand on that one."

Ignoring her comment, he asked excitedly, "So? What is it?"

Reaching into her jacket she took out two full packs of Lucky Strikes. "Help me hand these out?"

His eyes lit up and he grabbed the two packs from her fingers, turning them around as if checking to make sure they were real. "Shit! Where did you get these?"

"I kept two packs hidden in case we were still here over Christmas. Figured everyone would need a little cheering up."

"You figured right," Bill said.

"You'll help?" she asked a very excited George.

"Yeah of course, but you don't want to hand them out?"

"Nah, I'll leave that honor to you. As long as you make me one promise."

"Anything?"

She placed a kiss on his stubble covered cheek. "You'll have one and think of me."

"Deal," he replied as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Merry Christmas handsome," she said.

Speaking into the air above her head he said, "Merry Christmas beautiful."

Moments later she and Bill were walking away from a very happy George towards his foxhole.

"Don't worry. I have half a pack left," she assured him with a wicked smile.

"I could kiss ya!"Bill exclaimed as he threw a strong arm around her shoulder, nearly making her lose her balance.

They stopped outside a tarp covered foxhole. He bent down and lifted the cover and the smiling face of Babe greeted her.

"Ladies first," Bill said.

She was just about to jump into the foxhole when she heard Buck call, "Bill, you coming?"

She shot him a confused look.

"I gotta spend the night with Buck out in the OP. This," he cocked his head at the foxhole, "is my Christmas present to you and Babe."

"You sly devil," she said, the excitement already making her hands tingle and her stomach do flips.

Bill shot her a very smug smile and she rolled her eyes at his antics.

"Here," she said, handing him two cigarettes. "I love you Bill Guarnere and don't you ever forget that."

Taking the smokes, he smiled warmly down at her, "I love you too doll."

XXXXXXX

Babe POV

Amelia dropped into the foxhole and just as Bill dropped the tarp cover he shot Babe a sly smile.

She sat down next to him and he instinctively slung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her body against his. She took off her helmet and placed it down on the ground to her other side, before pressing her body even deeper against his.

A little sigh escaped her lips, and peering down he noticed a content little smile had settled on her face.

"What?" he asked.

She tilted her head so she could look up at him, the smile never wavering, "I remember everything you told me on the drive into Bastogne."

"Oh?" he said with a smirk.

"You called me baby and said you'd take care of me for as long as I'd allow it."

"No, I don't recall any of that," he teased as he desperately tried to keep a straight face.

She slapped his chest and giggled. He laughed and kissed the top of her head. "I meant every word," he whispered into her hair.

"Good," she whispered in reply.

He felt her shift around and seconds later heard the hiss of a cigarette lighting.

She took a long drag before offering it to him. He took it from her and as he inhaled the acrid smoke he stared at the burning red tip.

"Happy Christmas Eddy," she said.

Handing the smoke back to her he replied, "Happy Christmas Amelia."

"Bill said I should come to Philly after the war. To live there," she said as she blew out a long stream of smoke.

Taking the cigarette from her he said, "You'd like Philly. My ma would be real happy to finally meet you."

She turned her head slightly to peer up at him. Taking the cigarette from his lips she asked, "Finally?"

A blush crept up his neck, but he shrugged it off. "Yeah, finally. I've been writing her about you for so long she says she can't wait to meet the real woman."

Amelia moved out from under his arm and turned her body so she was facing him. "Whoa-whoa! You've been writing your mother 'bout me? Since when? What do you tell her? Oh my word, she thinks I'm some crazy skirt running around with her son, doesn't she? Oh, no."

He laughed at her over reaction and how animated she'd become in the space of one second.

Reaching over he took the cigarette from her fingers and took a drag through his smirk.

"Well?" she asked.

"Since Aldbourne. I told her about all the veterans and you came up. I think I told her Bill was the most frightening but you were by far the most intimidating."

She straightened out and a smug little smile played at her lips.

He offered her the the last of the cigarette, but she waved it off. He shrugged and finished it for them.

"Ever since then she always asks about you. Keeps telling me I had better be nice to you because you already had to put up with a bunch of rough men."

"Awwww….I love your mom so much already!"

"Trust me, she feels the same. After Holland I wrote her one letter and I didn't mention you in it."

She narrowed her eyes at him and he ran his hand self-consciously through his hair.

"Anyway, when I got her reply the first thing she did was ask me about you. She was so worried you'd been killed and that's why I hadn't written about you. When I told her you were fine, in the next letter she spent half a page giving me hell. I could hear her scolding me from the other side of the Atlantic! If she was there she would have smacked me across the head."

Amelia smiled triumphantly. "Oh, we're gonna get along fabulously."

"I'm doomed. You're gonna gang up against me, maybe you shouldn't come to Philly."

"Hey!" she exclaimed and reached forward to smack his chest playfully.

He laughed and grabbed her hand, giving her a light tug to bring her face closer to his. His laughter faded and her smile softened. She dropped her eyes, studying the hand which was resting against his chest.

Gently hooking a finger underneath her chin he lifted her face. She peered at him from underneath her long lashes. His heart pounded against his chest and he couldn't feel the cold anymore.

He wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. She straddled his legs, never breaking eye contact, and wrapped her hands around his neck. Her body pressed against his, she tilted her head down as his hand slipped from her chin to behind her head, guiding her lips to his.

He lightly brushed his lips against hers and her hands ran into his hair, sending a shiver up his spine. He moved his lips to trace the line of her jaw before they slipped to the delicate skin of her throat. As he planted a row of soft kisses all down the right side of her neck a low moan slipped from her lips and her fingers pulled at his hair.

He smiled against her skin and she tugged at his hair, forcing his eyes up to meet hers. They were darker than usual. Pools of black he wanted nothing more than to lose himself in.

A wicked smile ran across her full lips and he shot her a cocky grin.

She crashed her lips into his, pressing her body even closer to his. He ran his tongue against her lips and they parted willingly. Their kiss deepened, he could hear the blood rushing in his ears and as she drew her nails along the back of his neck he groaned into her mouth.

She smirked against his lips for a second before he pressed their lips together again with renewed need.

The arm that was around her waist slipped down her back and cupped her ass. She laughed into his mouth, a deep, throaty sound that made his hold on her tighten.

She rolled her hips against his and nipped his bottom lip. His muscles shuddered in anticipation and he pressed his lips even harder into hers. Wanting nothing more than to be close to her, not sure he'll ever be close enough.

"Eddy," she purred against his lips.

Without breaking his lips contact with hers he murmured, "Baby, you're my girl now. I'm going to make you forget about this place."

She moaned into his mouth and grabbed onto his jacket, pulling his body even closer to hers.

A dim thud could be heard, he assumed it was his heart or hers. But then he felt the ground reverberate followed by a louder blast which shattered the night.

In one smooth movement he lifted her and placed her down on the ground, covering her body with his as the artillery bombardment continued all around them.

"Fucking Krauts! It's fucking Christmas for fuck's sake!" she cursed violently underneath him.

The bombardment died down and he lifted his head so he could look at her. "That was some colorful language you had going on young lady," he said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

"Trust me, I was holding back."

A proud smile tugged at his lips. "God, you're something else."

She narrowed her eyes for a split second, but he planted a soft kiss on her bruised lips and her scowl changed into a naughty smirk.

The moment of peace was short lived however as the bombardment started up again, this time accompanied by men screaming.

"We gotta help!" she shouted.

He was about to protest when another scream could be heard. "Fine, but stay close."

Grabbing their helmets and guns they clambered out of the foxhole and ran in the direction of the screams as trees burst into shrapnel around them.

Running into a clearing they skidded to a halt and stared in disbelief. Winters was shielding a screaming Lieutenant Welsh from the explosions while Peacock tried to stamp out a small fire.

Spina, Easy's other medic, skidded to stop next to them, eyes wide.

Amelia turned to them and ordered, "Get Gene now!" before she ran to Winters' side.

"C'mon," he said, slapping Spina on the arm, as he turned to find Doc while the shells still rained down all around them.

XXXXXXX

Amelia POV

She slid down onto her knees at Harry's head. Placing his head in her lap she shielded his body from the debris kicked up by another blast.

His leg was torn open by a large piece of shrapnel, the blood glistening darkly in the pale moonlight. Dick was trying franticly to stop the bleeding, but he looked around and she saw the panic in his eyes. Harry wasn't just one of his men, this was his friend.

"Medic! Roe! Doc!" their captain screamed.

She turned her attention back to Harry. He was moaning and screaming, wriggling around from the pain, making it even more difficult for Dick to help him.

She grabbed both sides of his face in her hands and forced his panic stricken eyes to focus on her. "Harry, you will be fine. Kitty needs you to come home to her, so you will fight. Now you need to stay still. You need to stay still and stay with me. Doc's on his way."

He swallowed hard, but gave her a faint nod of his head.

"Shhhhh…." she coed, stroking his hair and trying her best to keep him calm.

His eyes left hers for a split second to glance down at his leg and he started to scream again.

"Harry hey! Tell me about Kitty. OK, tell me 'bout home," she shouted over his screams, the shouts of the men and the bombs going off in the distance.

Harry shut his eyes and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it with all her might as he continued to moan in pain.

Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention and then Gene appeared out of the dark, but instead of his usual decisive action he just stood frozen to the spot, watching them as if he didn't know what to do.

Dick saw she was looking at something, her mouth slack in disbelief and horror, and turned to peer over his shoulder.

"Roe," he said quietly but forcefully.

Gene's eyes looked up from the wounded man to meet Dick's and slowly he came back to life.

He took Dick's spot and lifted Harry's leg as he made a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and poured sulfur powder over the open wound.

Harry flinched at the pain and squeezed her hand even tighter. "You have to stay still Harry," she ordered.

Still working to try and stop the bleeding, Gene said, "I got morphine in my pocket. Give it to him."

Dick jabbed the morphine syrette into Harry's opposite leg and his entire body relaxed as the drugs took hold and dulled the pain.

A jeep screeched to a halt and the driver jumped out, ready to get Harry into town.

Gene wrote the letter M on his forehead in his own blood before allowing the other men to lift Harry onto the jeep. She stayed on her knees and their eyes met. She didn't know how hers looked, or what he saw in them. But seeing her friend break like that, petrified her.

Dick came striding back to them and bent down next to Gene. "Eugene, get yourself into town. Get a hot meal."

She nodded her head slightly, hoping to silently encourage Gene to take a few hours away from the line.

His eyes fell and he got up to join the driver before they sped off to Bastogne.

She watched him leave until the jeep disappeared into the dark. Her head dropped and she rubbed her hands over her stinging eyes. An image of Babe kissing her and wrapping her up in his strong arms danced behind her eyelids. "I hate this fucking war."

She sensed movement in-front of her face and when she opened her eyes she found a hand held out to her. Grabbing it she allowed Dick to pull her to her feet.

"Sink will still let you change your mind," he said.

"And what? Miss all of this fun?" she replied with a wry smile.

"You should get some rest."

"I will. I'll go find Lipton, tell him what happened and then get some sleep."

Dick raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"He's like our mother. He knows something's happened, but until he knows the details he'll just worry," she explained.

"I see."

"Good night, sir," she said, turning to leave.

"Good night Amelia."

XXXXXXX

It was late the next morning, the sun already sitting half-way up the sky, when she jogged through the ankle deep snow trying to find Babe.

She'd ended up spending the rest of the evening with George and Joe. After she'd reported to Lipton, she'd gone back to the foxhole she's shared with Babe, but found it empty. Not sure where he'd gotten to she went from foxhole to foxhole looking for him, but after the third one she gave up.

Her legs were cramping and the stitches in her arm burned from being pulled tight. So she'd given in to the exhaustion that was her ever present companion and slipped into a deep sleep, wedged between George and Joe with a thin blanket for cover.

She spotted two helmets peeking out over the rim of a foxhole that was right on the edge of their line. The one soldier peered over his shoulder and she couldn't stop the smile from forming on her lips when she found Babe staring back at her. Her eyes flicked to the other soldier and the cross painted on the back of his helmet.

Babe held out his hand to her and a flash of familiar blue material tied around his palm caught her eye.

Jumping into the foxhole she peered around him to see if her hunch had been right. She sighed in relief when Gene looked up at her and a smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

Sitting down heavily she asked Gene, "How was Bastogne?"

He ran his hand through his black hair. "Bombed. Church was hit."

Her eyes flicked to the blue material tied around Babe's hand and her stomach contorted violently in recognition. "Oh Gene, Renée?"

He shook his head.

"Shit," she said.

"Who's Renée?" Babe asked innocently.

"A friend of Gene's that worked at the aid station," she answers on his behalf and Babe's eyes fell as he put two and two together.

She gently took his bandaged hand in her lap and traced the lines of the material. "What happened to your hand?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Him," Babe jerked his other thumb in Gene's direction.

The medic shot her a guilty smile.

"I'm gonna need a bit more than that."

"Babe came to fetch me last night when Lieutenant Welsh got hit. In the process I cut his hand open."

"Gene!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

He held up his hands to show his innocence. "It was an accident."

"Yeah, OK," she relented and the three of them fell into an easy silence.

"Hey! You called him Babe!" she exclaimed.

Both men chuckled as if she was a bit late to the party and she shrugged them off. Gene using someone's nickname was a big damn deal.

"Where did you get to last night?" Babe asked her.

"Went to find Lipton to bring him up to speed. When I couldn't find you I crashed with George and Joe."

His lips pursed together and she saw the muscles in his jaw working.

She rolled her eyes, but on the inside she felt rather smug that he was jealous.

"Hey," she said, touching his face, "you have nothing to worry about. Where were you anyway?"

His jaw relaxed and he gently took her hand in his. "They needed help watching the line after the shelling."

As she rested her head on his shoulder and allowed her eyes to drift close, she missed the small smile Gene shot Babe and kiss he in turn planted on her forehead.

XXXXXXX

Hope everyone had a good week and a lovely weekend to look forward to. I know what you're all thinking...FINALLY those to crazy kids kissed! About damn time! hahahaha...

I have to say a special thanks to my amazing reviewers, you guys are the best and I love hearing from you. To everyone that comes back every week to read the story and to those that have added it to their alerts...you all rock!