It was never going to stop snowing.

The winter felt like it would never end. Nights were so long because days were shortened. The Germans still shelled them during the night, no one slept, and things just felt awful. Even more so the same night they lost Nelson. Abbey didn't think it could get any worse. And if it did, she'd never make it to the end of this war. She was on watch that night, by herself. Right at the front, with Grants boys in the OP behind, yards back from her position.

It was her turn for watch.

Jackson went before her.

He wasn't doing very well either.

But Heffron was their main worry.

Abbey didn't have a jacket.

Nelson had it.

So, Toye told her to keep her blanket wrapped around her until he could find her a new jacket. Abbey was frozen, more than yesterday and the day before. Bastogne was hell. But it might have been worse than hell because it was so cold.

Soft footsteps came from behind her.

Abbey listened to them closely.

Slowly, she turned around.

"Hey, trooper".

Winters slid in beside her, very quietly.

"Any movement?"

Abbey licked her bottom lip, shaking her head.

Sighing quietly, the Captain stared out towards the field.

"I'm hoping this fog clears up soon". He said, "at least then, we'll get a clear view across the field. And hopefully, a supply drop".

Abbey grabbed the edges of her blanket again, pulling the fabric closer around her body. Her eyes felt heavy, worn and her body was drained. But not tired enough to sleep. She was passed the point of being tired enough to sleep. Her mind felt hazy and fuzzy. But somehow, Abbey still managed to pay attention to what was around her.

Winters looked at her for a moment.

She didn't look well.

Frowning, he looked back out towards the field.

The news of Nelson was tragic.

Every time they lost a Toccoa man, it was like a pole stabbed them in the heart.

Abbey didn't know what she was looking for anymore. It felt like her mind went numb again when Winters sat down next to her. However, she did remember one thing. The last time Winters sat with her during OP was back in Holland. Abbey had apologised to him about Hall. And there was no apology needed, that's what he told her. But this time was so different.

"You think I should talk with Hall, sir?"

"Would that make you feel better?"

Abbey tilted her head up towards the dark and snowy sky.

Her eyes remined open, while snow fell onto her face.

"I'm sorry, Nelly". She said. Voice clear but soft.

Winters turned to face her.

His eyes were heavy with sadness.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Winters nodded.

"I think he heard that, Abbey".

She didn't feel any better.

Closing her eyes, her head lowered.

The snow slid down her face and she opened her eyes again.

"I don't feel any better, sir".

The air felt still and quiet.

Winters squeezed her shoulder.

"Not yet". He said softly, "one day".

She thought this was a dream.

It must have been.

Because when her eyes opened, Abbey could see a blue sky.

Rubbing her eyes a few times, she sat up.

The blanket dropped from her shoulders, falling around her.

It was still freezing.

But the sun was out.

The fog cleared, it stopped snowing.

Abbey's hand went on Toye's shoulder.

She gave him a shake.

"Joe". She mumbled.

Toye grumbled something under his breath.

"Joe". Abbey said, more firmly this time.

Sighing, he made another noise before answering.

"What?"

Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

And her lips twitched.

"It's the sun". Abbey whispered.

Toye was quiet for a few moments, trying to process what she had told him. His brain was still half asleep, after all. But the Sargent opened his eyes and sat up and sure enough, the sun was out, and the sky had cleared.

It was great news.

They were sure to get a supply drop.

Toye's lips formed a small smile.

And it brightened, while he wrapped his arm around Abbey's shoulder.

They hadn't had anything to eat in over twenty-four hours.

Surely, they'd get supplied with rations as well as ammo and more blankets.

Abbey and Toye continued to look up and admire the blue sky.

Roe came running towards them.

He had heard Abbey was going without a jacket.

And sure enough, she didn't have one.

"Abbey". Roe sat in front of their foxhole, "I'll find you a jacket, alright?"

She looked away from the sky and towards Roe.

Abbey nodded.

"Thank you, Gene". She mumbled.

"Okay – keep that blanket over you".

Her eyes met the blue sky again.

And the medic had to smile a little.

They both looked very pleased with the weather.

Reaching into the foxhole, Roe picked up the blanket and wrapped it around her.

"Keep it on, Abbey". He reminded her gently, before walking away.

Toye gave her arm a squeeze.

"This is great". He whispered, "been so long, huh?"

It felt like a long time since they last saw the sun.

The forest was always dull but not that morning.

Just having that bright light shine down on them, was enough to lighten their morale. After such a horrible day yesterday, a moment of hope appeared from behind the branches and greeted them with a warm smile.

And then, a swoosh came over their heads.

It was their own planes, a supply drop.

Everyone started to cheer and head out towards the edge of the line, letting off red smoke grenades and banners. But then, machine-gun fire rained down on them. Their planes must have gotten confused and thought they were the Germans or something, some of the men started to fire back but Lipton told them off.

"Cease fire! Cease fire, Goddammit!"

Soon enough, they were given rations to last them a day.

Medicine and ammo were resupplied as well but it still wasn't enough.

Abbey hopped into the jeep with Roe, Lipton, Jackson and a few others, who were heading back into town to grab the rest of the supplies which had dropped. She had never been inside the town, not since they walked through it to get to their lines. But it still looked the same. Only this time, the jeep stopped in front of a church. It felt good to be going away from the line, even if it was for ten or so minutes.

"Abbey, go with the doc – the rest of you, come with me". Lipton ordered, once they all got out of the jeep. Roe was already rushing inside; Abbey had to run and catch up with him. The church was a very strange place. Many of wounded men were lying down quietly or moaning weakly from the pain. There were more wounded than doctors and nurses.

She followed Roe inside a small room.

He grabbed a box, while a man started to fill it up with medical supplies.

Abbey grabbed another box and grabbed a few bandages.

"Hold on". Roe told her lowly, "let him decide what we take, Abbey".

She placed the bandage back down and waited.

The medic looked though the window, which led into the main hall.

Curiously, Abbey followed his gaze and saw a woman sitting by a soldier's bed.

The nurse was comforting the wounded man.

She had a hand on his forehead, while the other gripped his hand.

Her box got heavier.

Abbey looked towards the man, who was placing items into her box.

When their boxes were full, they made their way out of the room.

"Medic!" Someone yelled. "Someone give us a hand here!"

Abbey exited the room and saw two female nurses walking towards the wounded man who was being carried inside the church. The nurse Roe was looking at took charge of the situation and got the wounded man down onto a table in another room. Roe placed down his boxes. Abbey frowned and quickly done the same. Soon, she found herself chasing after their medic into the room with the two nurses and the wounded man. Roe took off his helmet and examined the man.

Abbey took a little step back, though could see a lot of blood.

There was a tiny hole, where the bullet must have entered but the amount of blood spewing out was unreal. Every time they wiped blood away, more appeared seconds later. The nurse was speaking in French, Abbey didn't understand a word she was saying but apparently, Roe did.

She took another step back.

"The artery". Roe said, "'gotta find the artery".

Abbey went very pale when Roe's hand dived into the wound.

There came this sickening sound while he done it, like someone had just stepped into wet mud. Her stomach turned; she was certain she'd get sick. But then, she swallowed back that feeling when she saw the look on Roe's face.

He was determined to find that artery.

To stop the bleeding.

To save another life.

"Anna!" The nurse called.

Abbey looked towards the wounded man's face.

Blood was coming out from his mouth.

Like it did for Nelson.

Closing her eyes, Abbey knew what was coming next.

"Anna!" She called out again.

But by the time Anna came along, the soldier passed away.

It was very quiet and still.

Until Roe let out a choked yell and tossed the towel away.

Abbey's eyes snapped open.

She looked over at their medic.

But he was looking at that nurse again.

The woman with the kind eyes.

Anna walked away and Abbey was left with her medic and his friend. Taking a small step forward, she placed a quiet hand on Roe's arm. The medic must have forgotten she was still in the room, as he jumped at the sudden touch.

"Don't worry, Gene". She said to him softly, "I will meet you outside".

The medic looked back at her.

His eyes softened more.

"We need to find you a jacket".

Abbey found herself a jacket.

She placed her Edelweiss in the front pocket and searched around the outside of the church for more supplies, while Roe and his friend sat down and waited for Lipton and the rest to collect them. The pair of them were sitting on two chairs, while they watched Abbey search for more supplies.

"Where does she come from?" Roe asked, "the black girl".

He was referring to Anna. The other nurse, who worked with Renee.

"The Congo". Renee replied.

"How'd she get here?"

"Just like me". She said, "she came to help".

After a moment of silence, Renee reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar.

"Chocolate?" She offered to Roe.

He didn't reply.

Though, looked at the bar with a small smile.

Renee tore at the paper.

Roe watched her fingers and hummed with a tiny laugh.

"What?" The nurse asked.

Roe nodded, "your hands".

Renee stopped pulling away the paper and looked at her hands.

They were covered in dry blood.

"My hands?" She asked quietly.

"You're a good nurse". Roe told her.

Renee stared at him.

Sighing, she looked away and shook her head.

"No". Renee mumbled, "I never want to treat another wounded man again. I'd rather work in a butcher's shop".

Roe frowned.

"But your touch". He whispered, "it calms people. That's a gift from God".

"No, it's not a gift". She said, "God would never give such a painful thing".

Renee broke a few squares of chocolate off and offered it to Roe again.

He shook his head.

Renee took a bite.

Her eyes landed on Abbey, who was picking up sheets and blankets.

"Where did she come from?"

Roe followed her gaze.

His lips twitched up into a small smile.

"Abbey". Roe told her quietly, "she turned out to be a great surprise".

Abbey stuffed the last blanket inside her bag and walked across the road.

A jeep was pulling up outside the church, just as she made it to the other side.

Roe's friend was soon on her feet, when the men inside the jeep called for the nurse. Abbey quickly made her way back over to their medic and picked up the boxes she left beside his chair. Lipton and the others weren't back yet, they were still out picking up supplies. So, she sat down on the empty chair and placed the boxes on her lap.

Looking towards the sky, the clouds were beginning to grow orange.

They were losing light; it must have been close to four.

Rubbing her lips together, she looked down at the box on her lap.

"She's pretty". Abbey mumbled.

But what made Roe smile, was the tiny blush on her cheeks.

He chuckled quietly.

"You think, Abbey?"

She shrugged.

"Yes. Sure. Why not?"

Roe cleared his throat.

"Well, you want her address? Maybe you could write to her, Abbey?"

Abbey's lips twitched.

She shook her head, "no, thank you".

Abbey rubbed the back of her neck and looked at him.

"Maybe she wants you to write to her".

Roe frowned a little.

"What?" He asked.

Her frown matched his.

"I got it wrong?" She whispered.

The medic sighed softly.

"It's complicated, Abbey". Roe mumbled.

Abbey nodded.

She looked towards the jeep and saw Renee direct the men inside the church, starting with the most wounded. Abbey had to admire the nurse. She knew how to take charge. And to have a nurse who cared so deeply.

Her eyes wondered towards Roe.

But then, they had medics who went above and beyond for them.

They lost sleep, meals and warmth, just to look after everyone.

"I wish I knew you better, Gene". She whispered.

The medic frowned again and looked back at her.

Abbey reached over and took his hand.

Taking in a deep breath, her eyes looked towards the road.

And the pair of them sat there and waited for their ride back onto the MLR.