Disclaimer: I don't own Band of Brothers. This is based on the characters in the miniseries and not the actual men. I take liberties from time-to-time and I own Eve. I'm pretty sure that's everything.

Chapter Thirty Four

She found Lewis first. He was just getting back from the camp.

"Eve, whatever it is, tell me later 'cause I need a drink before I pass out."

"I'm going back to Aldbourne." Lewis stopped dead in his tracks, whirled around.

"What?! Why?!" She took him by the elbow, pulled him to the side.

"Please keep your voice down."

"Why the hell are you going back to England?! Are you pregnant?"

"God no!" Eve exclaimed, horrified. "Jesus! Will you let me talk, please?!"

"Fine. Sorry. What's going on?"

"Sink found about the engagement between myself and Babe. He gave me two choices and I chose to return to England."

"What was the other choice?"

"Breaking off my engagement with Babe and I refuse to do that. I love him."

"So you're just giving up? What if I talk to Sink? You want to go talk to Sink? I'm gonna go talk to Sink." Lewis was already starting to walk towards Sink's office. Eve grabbed his arm again, pulling him back with a glare.

"No!" Eve snapped. She took a deep breath and, when she continued talking, it was quietly. "No. I knew it was against the rules when I went into the relationship." She sighed. "I suppose it was only a matter of time before we were found out."

"I still think I should go talk to Sink." Lewis muttered huffily. Eve sent him a grateful smile.

"I know and I appreciate that."

"Come here." He pulled her into a hug. "Well, for what it's worth, Easy isn't gonna be the same without you."

"Of course it's not. I'm the only one with tits." Eve joked. Lewis chuckled, pushed her away from him.

"On second thoughts, maybe it's good you're going back to England. You need more female company. Have you told him yet?" Eve shook her head, didn't need to ask who 'he' was.

"No. Actually, do you know if he's still on duty or not?"

"I have no idea." Lewis replied, his voice muffled as he ran a hand over his face. "This whole thing is just...chaos." Eve grimaced sadly.

"Yeah."

"Want me to help you find him?"

"No." She replied, giving her head a small shake. "Go get some sleep. You look like you need it."

"Gee, thanks." He muttered sarcastically. "What time do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, 0700."

"I'll be there." Eve gave him a small smile.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now go find your hubby-to-be."

*** *** *** ***

Luck seemed to be with her that night because Eve found Babe after only ten minutes of looking. He, like Lewis, was just getting back from the camp. He gave her a tired smile.

"Hey."

"Hey." They walked in silence up to their room, Babe holding the door open for Eve. Once inside, Babe began getting ready for bed as Eve rested against the door, watching him with a sad smile on her face. "I'm going to miss this." Babe glanced at her questioningly. "I've got something to tell you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"What?"

"Well, there's no easy way to say this but, well, I'm going back to England." Babe froze, turned to face her fully.

"England? What?" Eve nodded. "Why?"

"Colonel Sink found out about us." She informed him. "It was either that or break of our engagement. And that really isn't an option in my book so..." Eve broke off with a shrug. Babe quickly crossed the room, pulled her into his arms, burying his face into her hair.

"I'm sorry." He murmured.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm still going to be doing my part, just in a different place. We'll write each other and the war will hopefully be over soon." Babe pulled away slightly, so he could look at her face.

"How can you be so calm? You're giving up Easy Company for me."

"Don't give yourself so much credit." Eve teased. "I'm doing this for me, too. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Babe took her face between his hands, lifting it gently to give her a soft kiss.

"I love you, too." He dropped his hands, a small smile coming over his face.

"What?"

"Can I just say that I'm somewhat relieved? That you'll be out of harms way, I mean."

"I'll allow you that." She smiled. They kissed again. "I want to stay with you but I need to pack up my things and tell Dick and Gene." Eve exhaled deeply, ran a hand through her hair. "I have so much to do before I leave." Babe smiled, pulled her back into his arms.

"Stay with me for just a little while longer."

"Okay." Eve caved instantly. And she was happy to do so.

*** *** *** ***

Winters had taken the news in stride, though with obvious disappointment. He, like the others, regretted losing her but he understood her choice. She had said good bye to as many members of Easy Company as she could, managing to get in good byes to all the officers, save for Speirs. Surprisingly, it was Speirs who was waiting for her at the departure point, though both Lewis and Babe would arrive shortly. He came to stand next to her.

"So, you're leaving?" Eve nodded.

"'Fraid so."

"We're sorry to lose you."

"Thank you. I'm sorry to go but there's no changing my mind now, even if I wanted to." Speirs nodded absentmindedly before silence full upon them.

"You're curious."

"About?" Eve asked, frowning up at him.

"About what I said to Heffron."

"Oh, that. Well, yes, of course." Speirs met her eyes, giving her that intense gaze he had given her so many times before.

"I told him that if he didn't marry you, he'd be the dumbest man in the world. You're a keeper, Eve, and any man who let's you walk out of his life without a fight is a fool. And no one knows that better than me." Eve's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth falling slightly ajar. He turned away from her. "Have a nice trip, Nixon. See you around."

*** *** *** ***

Paris

Eve had been to Paris before but it was many years ago. So it was with different eyes that she descended from the truck, glancing at the building before her. The trip had been long and bumpy, filled with thoughts of the men in her life. What Speirs had said had surprised her. Eve had been sure that he hadn't cared for her. But, apparently, she had been wrong. Not that it changed anything. She still loved Babe, she would marry him, and they would live happily ever after. Or, at least, hopefully happily ever after.

"Your bag, ma'am." Eve turned, took her pack from the Private who had been driving the truck.

"Thank you, Private." He nodded at her.

"Ma'am." Hoisting her pack over her shoulder, groaning slightly at it's weight, Eve headed into HQ. She stopped before another Private, who was sitting behind a desk, busy at work.

"Excuse me?"

"One moment, please." He snapped. She sighed but didn't press him, choosing instead to look around. She walked up to a bulletin board which was covered with various maps and images of places around Paris.

"We call it our Victory of Paris board." Eve whirled around, or at least whirled as best she could with the pack over her shoulder. Carl was standing before her, a large smile on his face.

"Carl!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I was promoted and then promptly sent back to England. Once I arrived in England, they sent me here, to Paris. I've only been here a month. What brings you to Paris? I wasn't aware that Easy Company--"

"Oh," Eve interrupted. "I'm not with Easy Company. I've been transferred, back to England. Aldbourne, actually."

"They want you out of harms way, do they?"

"I suppose that's one way of putting it." She shifted her pack from one shoulder to the next.

"Here, allow me to take that." Carl stepped forward, took the pack from her, slinging it over his own shoulder. "Where are you staying?"

"Oh, I don't know yet." She replied, completely flustered by his presence. "I've only just arrived. I need to speak with Colonel Gardiner."

"Right this way. And," He paused, glanced over his shoulder at her. "Once you're all settled in, I'm taking you out for a romantic dinner in Paris. I'm afraid I won't take no for an answer." He smiled before continuing on. Eve followed behind her, wringing her hands nervously.

"Oh, wonderful." She said half-heartedly, secretly wishing to be on the front line with Babe rather than in Paris with Carl. "Can't wait."

A/N: Okay, I know it's short and for that I'm sorry but I wanted to get out one more chapter before I leave to visit my mother. Hopefully, it's given you something to think over while I'm gone, lol. And see? I told you what Speirs said to Babe. It's a bit cheesy but yeah. And yes, Carl has returned. Cue fateful music, hehe...Thanks and I look forward to reading your reviews when I get back!!