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Adriana had ended up spending two days in the HQ tent with frequent visits from Luz and almost as many from Doc Roe. Finally Roe let her go on the night of the second day. Luz was there and he promised to keep her away from strenuous activity. The first thing they did was go get some chow then Luz said he had a story to tell her and the boys. She and Luz walked through the freezing forest until they found Malarkey, Muck and Penkala. Luz gathered them into a tight circle and began his tale.
"You fellas know I got no reason to bullshit you right?"
They all laughed at how seriously he said that.
"I'm not gonna bullshit yah, this is what I saw."
Adriana tried to contain her laughter as he began.
"It's so unbelievable, you might not believe me," he said. "So you know who comes running up to Lipton, no helmet, no gear no nothing. 'First Sergeant Lipton, you organize things here, and I'm gonna go… for… help.'"
The four of them snickered at Luz's impeccable impression of Lt. Dyke.
"That's really good," Malarkey complimented him as Lipton called Luz over.
He and Adriana bid the boys goodnight, then went to Lip.
"What can I do for yah sarge?" Luz asked.
"Two things," Lip said. "First, great impression of Dyke."
Adriana laughed.
"Yah think so?" Luz asked. "I thought I was a little off."
"Naw yah got it pretty good. Second, don't do it anymore. Especially the part about what he said to me, okay? It doesn't do anybody any good."
"Yeah I got yah," Luz said.
"Good," Lip said turning to walk off.
Before he did however, Luz did a really good impression of Dyke yawning, earning a snicker and a 'wise ass' from Lip. Luz and Adriana turned and headed for their foxhole, Adriana's arm looped through his. Before they had even gotten two feet, the ground shook with the beginning of another barrage. Luz and Adriana were thrown off their feet by a tree burst behind them. They both landed on their faces, the air knocked from their lungs. Adriana cried out and rolled over holding the side of her body her broken rib was on.
The forest lit up like a bright summer day every few seconds as the bombs exploded in the tops of trees sending shrapnel and shards of wood raining down on Easy. Luz hauled Adriana to her feet and drug her along behind him as the shelling continued. Twice Luz lost his balance and took them both down. Finally he just stayed down army crawled toward Muck and Penkala's hole. He had Adriana by the back of the overcoat and Muck and Penkala were urging him on.
"LUZ COME ON! MOVE IT!" Penkala was shouting.
"Hurry up!"
Luz was concentrating on nothing besides hurrying, but the woman at his side was practically incompetent from the pain in her side. As they made their way slowly toward the hole, Adriana was suddenly startled by the quiet. She looked up and Muck and Penkala's foxhole was empty. She glanced at Luz who was whiter than a sheet. He turned frightened eyes on her, and it only took her a moment to realize what had happened. Tears sprung to her eyes, asking Luz an unspoken question. His gaze confirmed it.
The two lay in the snow, staring at one another for a second then Luz seemed to get his head together. He stood up and pulled her with him in the other direction where he knew they would find another hole. He fell yet again and crawled toward a hole containing Lip. A scene flashed before his eyes as he crawled.
The scene was mute. Muck and Penkala were motioning him forward, trying to make him hurry. He looked back for a second at Adriana, whose eyes were closed against the pain, then back just in time to see his friends disintegrate in a flameless explosion. The sudden silence was too much for him to bear. He glanced at his Lt. She hadn't seen it happen, but she had heard the sudden lack of their voices. She was asking him a question he wished he didn't have to answer. He saw tears begin to fill her eyes as the realization hit her. Suddenly he remembered how easily his friends had gotten blown away, so he stood and ran for another foxhole.
He came back to reality as Lip was dragging him and Adriana into his foxhole. The three huddled together in the hole under some meager reinforcements of logs and rocks. Lip had an arm around both of them, their faces very close.
"MUCK AND PENKALA!" Luz yelled to Lip. "MUCK AND PENKALA GOT HIT!"
As he yelled this, a mortar hit just outside the hole throwing their covering off of them and hurting Adriana's ears. Lip and Luz threw themselves over Adriana, who put an arm around each of them, just needing the closeness of another person. She remembered well her encounter in the foxhole alone. Their foreheads were pressed together, their quick, labored breathing on each other's faces. Suddenly, as quick as it had begun, the shelling stopped. Lip and Luz leaned away from Adriana, but only slightly. A sudden thud on the edge of the foxhole across from them made them all jump. Only when she realized the three of them had just cheated death did Adriana's mouth fall open. Adriana relaxed against Luz's chest, feeling his quick breathing.
They watched the dud carefully as Luz whipped out his pack of Lucky Strikes and handed Adriana two, lit them and took one for himself. Adriana took a long, shaky drag off hers then had it taken out of her hand by Lip.
"I thought you didn't smoke," Luz said, his voice shaking.
"I don't," Lip answered taking another drag off the cigarette.
"Uh-hu," Luz answered and handed Adriana another cancer stick.
He lit it and that is where they stayed that night, all three expecting the dud to explode. Then next morning Adriana crawled out of the foxhole, leaving Lip and Luz, and walked around looking for men she hoped were still alive. In less than a week they had lost Toye, Guarnere and Buck to injuries, and Muck and Penkala were dead. She decided she needed to take inventory of her men. Everyone else seemed to be alive. Finally she went to check out the one foxhole she never wanted to lay eyes on. When she got there, Malarkey was already standing over it.
"Hey Malark," She greeted him.
He didn't look up only put out a hand to her. She slid her ungloved hand into his and he looked at her. His pale face showed off his sunken eyes and red beard. His face was tear stained. Adriana could see the pain in his eyes as he gazed at her. She gave him a sideways smile, but it was only half hearted. He grinned sadly and pulled her into him. She felt his body begin to tremble and she squeezed his waist. He smiled into her hair as her small frame held him upright as his body was suddenly rocked by sobs. He no longer produced tears because he had been crying so much, but sobs still attacked him now and again. He and Adriana stood in the middle of the foxhole his two best friends had died in crying for them.
Adriana took a deep breath and leaned away from him to look up. He patted her cheek.
"Glad the one that hit your hole was a dud," he said genuinely.
She shook her head and kissed him on the cheek, his scruffy beard tickling her face.
"You should try to get some rest," Adriana said to him as she walked away.
He shrugged then turned around. She watched him kneel and pick up a cross that belonged to Penkala. She shook her head again and turned away only to run into Lip.
"How is he?" the sergeant asked.
"In less than a week he lost his four best friends. How would you be," Adriana asked truthfully.
"Like shit," Lip answered. "I better talk to him."
Adriana nodded and watched him go. She watched Lip talk at him for a few minutes, then hand him Hoob's Luger. That seemed to cheer him up a little Adriana sighed and went to find the one person she knew could make her feel better. She found him in their foxhole with Perconte. They were quietly working at reinforcing their foxhole, cigarettes hanging from their lips. She approached quietly. Neither of them looked up so she leaned against a tree.
"How are yah boys?" she asked quietly.
They both jumped and looked up at her with terrified eyes until they realized it was her. They relaxed a little.
"Heya Rosie," Perconte greeted her.
"Are you ok?" Luz asked seeing her pale expression.
"I'm worried about Malark," she said grabbing her entrenching tool and helping them dig.
"Well hell he lost his four best friends in under a week. It's only natural he is sad," Perconte said offering her a drag.
She gladly accepted and shrugged. She held the smoke in her lungs for a few seconds then let it out between her teeth. Luz watched the cloud dissipate then looked back at her face.
"But how are you?" Luz asked.
"I'll be fine," Adriana assured him. "I mean Christ Luz, the shell that hit us was a dud remember?"
Perconte looked at his friend alarmed. Apparently Luz hadn't told him about his, Adriana's and Lip's brush with death.
"Still," she said leaning heavily on her entrenching tool. "I think I'll have Roe look at my rib."
"We should do it now," Luz said straightening up.
Adriana shook her head.
"I'll go. You boys stay here. I'll be back as soon as Roe fixes me up. Don't worry Luz," she added when she saw his face. "I'll be fine."
She climbed out of the hole and off to find Roe.
An hour later she slid back down into the hole between two sleeping men, neither of which woke up when she slid in between them. She knew the attack on Foy was the next day, and she knew she should be out checking on the men, but all she really wanted to do was sleep, wrapped in Luz's arms, because she wasn't sure if she would ever get do it again, but that was not to be.
Someone showed up on the edge of the foxhole. Adriana pretended to be asleep, hoping they would just go away, but they began whispering her name. Finally they went around the other side and gripped her shoulder. Unless she wanted them to think she was dead, she knew she had to acknowledge them. She stirred and turned to look at them.
"Sorry to disturb you Roosevelt."
It was Winters.
"Not at all sir," she said standing.
Winters helped her out of the hole and she followed him a little ways away. Adriana recognized Lt. Foley standing with Lt. Shames and Lipton standing in a clearing a little ways off. She nodded to them in turn.
"Foley, Shames, Lip. What's up?"
"I just wanted to make sure everyone knew what they were doing tomorrow. Shames, you will be with Lt. Dyke in 3rd Platoon. Lip, you will be leading 2nd platoon and Roosevelt, you will be leading 1st Platoon. Foley will be with Roosevelt. Is that clear?"
There were nods all around.
"Roosevelt, is there something wrong?" Winters asked.
Adriana didn't even know she was showing what she was feeling.
"It's nothing sir," Adriana said after a moments deliberation.
"Tell me now Roosevelt," Winters said, his voice warning.
"Sir, I'm just worried about Dyke not being able to take it sir."
"Well Lt. Roosevelt, Dyke is not your responsibility. He's mine," Winters said to her. "That goes for everyone. All any of you need to do is worry about your men. Is that clear?"
They all nodded.
"Good," Winters said. "Dismissed."
Shames and Lip left, but Adriana caught Foley's arm. He turned sparkling blue eyes on her.
"I look forward to leading the men of first platoon in with you," she said formally and put out a hand.
Foley smiled and took it.
"Adriana, don't be so formal. Some men-" Foley leaned forward and he whispered. "like Shames, don't care for women in power. I say, as long as you can handle yourself and Easy Company in battle, then by all means, lead first Platoon, second Platoon, hell lead the whole damn company for all I care. I'm just glad I'm not with Dyke."
Adriana found herself smiling uncontrollably at him. He grinned and let go of her hand.
"Get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."
"Goodnight," she called after him.
He waved over his shoulder and she returned to her foxhole. Luz was awake when she got there.
"Where yah been?" he asked.
Adriana could tell he was trying to me nonchalant, but was really worried about her.
"Winters was briefing us on the attack tomorrow," Adriana said quietly as not to wake Perconte.
"And?" Luz asked.
"And… I'll be leading First Platoon into Foy with Lt. Foley. Lip has second and Shames is with Dyke leading third."
Luz sighed.
"What?" Adriana asked. "You sad I'm leading a Platoon into Foy?"
She grinned but Luz was serious.
"It's dangerous," he said putting a hand on her knee.
"Dangerous?" she barked.
He raised his eyebrows.
"Anything the government wants us to do is damn dangerous. Leading men into battle is just as dangerous as being led into battle."
Luz just shook his head. Adriana frowned and drew her finger down his cheek.
"I could be worried about you yah know," she said.
"But-"
"You know what, but nothing," Adriana interrupted. "You don't get to be worried about me, without me getting to be worried about you. That's the way this goes. If you don't like it… well if you don't like it then tough. That's just the way it is."
Luz was grinning. He reached out a hand and placed it on her cheek.
"I like it," he smiled.
He put the other hand on her opposite cheek then pulled her face toward him. He put his lips against her forehead.
"But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop worrying about you. Ever."
She smiled and nodded.
"We need to sleep. Tomorrow is… well tomorrow is going to be tough."
"Sleep sounds nice," he said leaning away and pulling her against his chest.
Adriana thought about conversing with Luz, but she didn't have time to initiate anything because she was soon asleep. Luz could tell the moment she was out because her breathing changed. She relaxed fully against him and let out a long sigh. He kissed her forehead and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, then let sleep take him.
That night he was plagued with dreams of the impending attack on Foy. One in particular. He was running through the field and couldn't see Adriana. He wasn't worried until Perconte came on his radio and said, "Adri's hurt! Luz, you are the only one who can save her! Hurry!" Luz instantly dropped his radio and flew out onto the field, people behind him shouting his name. He felt hot led rip through his shoulder and another through his leg but it didn't stop him. He ran in circles until he found Adriana barley clinging to life in the hands of Lt. Foley. "Hey Bell," he whispered gently touching her face.
"Your too late," she said glaring at him. "I'm dead because of you."
Luz watched in horror as blood spilled from her eyes, nose, mouth and ears.
"I'M DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" she shouted. "I LOVED YOU AND YOU LET ME DIE!"
"I didn't-" Luz began, but was silenced by her small hand around his throat.
"You deserve DEATH!" she yelled in his face.
"Bell, please, I-"
"Luz! Luz wake up!"
Luz sat up straight practically colliding with Adriana. Her brow was furrowed and her blue eyes worried.
"Luz are you ok? You were having a nightmare," she said gently touching his face.
He watched her hand carefully. That was the hand that had been around his neck. His usually calm eyes were wide and afraid. She saw his fear and drew back slightly.
"Luz," Adriana said feeling herself begin to get worried. "What's wrong?"
Suddenly Luz seemed to snap out of it.
"It was just a dream," Luz said then cleared his throat. "I'm alright."
He tried to smile, but Adriana frowned at him. She wanted him to tell her what was wrong, besides having to attack Foy that day, but she didn't have time. Lt. Foley jogged by and slid to a stop, surprised to see her still in a foxhole on the morning of the invasion.
"Hey Roosevelt. Winters wants us. Luz you better get ready too. The assault is in less than an hour."
"I'll be right there," Adriana promised.
Foley nodded and continued through the forest and Adriana turned back to her shell shocked man.
"You're sure you're ok?" she asked reaching for his hand.
He closed the space and took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"I'm fine."
A smile broke across Adriana's face and she took his face between her hands and placed a kiss gently on his cheek.
"What I don't get a real kiss before we go into battle?" he asked only half joking.
Adriana pulled her face away from him and looked thoughtfully into his eyes for a minute, then grinned.
"Nope."
Luz shook his head and laughed as she climbed from the foxhole.
"You're a damn tease!" he shouted after her before he collapsed back into the hole.
Adriana giggled at herself and at Luz. How she wished she could kiss him, but she knew it would be better to wait. Less of a distraction for everyone. She ran up to the group of leaders gathered around Winters. She greeted Winters, Foley and Lip, but left Shames out of the greeting.
"Are you all ready?" Winters asked.
They nodded while Adriana absently thought that he had been asking them that a lot recently. She couldn't help thinking that it might be some other reason besides just the fact they were about to go into battle.
"I want this to be clean. Easy company has a good tradition of winning battles. This one is no different."
"Excuse me sir, but it is," Lt. Shames blurted.
"Is there something you need to say Lt?" Winters asked, turning calm eyes on him.
"Its Lt. Dyke sir. He is going to get us all killed," Shames said.
Adriana couldn't believe what she was hearing. He seemed to have lost his mind. No one talked to their CO like that and got away with it. Winters wasn't in any mood for Shame's bullshit, but he couldn't reprimand him because he needed someone to be with Dyke on the attack.
"Let me worry about Dyke. You will be fine. Just lead your Platoons and-"
"That's another thing," Shames interrupted.
Winters sighed and wetted his lips.
"Why the hell does she get to lead a Platoon?" he spat gesturing to Adriana.
"Why shouldn't she?" Winters asked patiently.
"Yeah, why the hell shouldn't I?" Adriana asked.
She was ready to knock Shames into next week.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked incredulously. "She is a she. Women don't have what it takes to be in battle. I think it has been pretty obvious with her that she is only here because her daddy wants her to be."
Adriana's mouth fell open.
"You stupid, arrogant, no good, son of a bitch. What makes you so much better than-"
"Roosevelt," Winters said stopping her mid sentence.
She looked up at him then stepped away from Shames. She suddenly realized that both Lip and Foley had their hands on her arms. She relaxed a little and Winters dismissed the three of them.
"Go make sure your men are ready. We attack in half an hour."
"Yes sir," they said.
The three turned and Foley elbowed Adriana.
"He's just sore he has to be with Dyke," he said grinning.
Adriana sighed.
"You're one of the best leaders Easy has had," Lip assured her. "Every time I turn around, you're helping someone."
She looked up at him with a sideways smile on her face.
"I have no doubt that you will keep all your boys safe today," Foley remarked. "Including me."
Adriana squeezed his arm and went off to find her boys. She talked to Liebgott, Bull, Perco, Martin and Rameriz before she finally when to find the man she desperately wanted to see. She found him hanging near Dyke wringing his hands together waiting. She smiled at the quality she had come to love. He spotted her and left Dyke's side. He didn't seem to care. He was yawning.
"Hey. Only a few minutes now," he said shivering slightly. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," she flashing a smile at him.
"Listen, just don't take to many risks out there alright?"
She smiled.
"As long as you do the same."
He agreed with a nod. There was a few seconds where they just stood and looked at one another, then Luz pulled her into him. He buried his face in her hair and took a breath. He felt her hands come up around his neck and comb through his hair.
"We are both going to come out of this fine," she said against his cheek.
It sounded like she was trying to convince herself of it more than anything.
"We better," Luz said. "We better."
He felt her breath against his neck then he breathed. A second later, Dyke was calling him away. the chaos was almost upon them.
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