A/N: Back across the Channel. Thanks so much to the kind reviews from WideEyedWanderer and linx007. I'm so glad you both had fun binge-reading this! I know I have fun writing it. I hope that comes across.


Chapter Fifty-Four


August 15, 1944

Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England


As soon as they'd landed back in Aldbourne, Alice had gone straight for Millie's. It hadn't taken long for them to plan a trip into London to see Maggie and enjoy the inner city, and in early August they'd set off. For well over a week they'd pub-hopped and spent time together. Although leaving France had been a sad affair, being able to see the Bratt family again had made it worth it.

When she got back to Aldbourne, the mission they'd been recalled for was cancelled. Alice thanked God because she was not ready to jump again, and had only gotten back an hour before they'd cancelled it. Since then, she'd yet to see anyone but the officers, and decided to make the rounds to see who was back.

As she walked down the main street of Aldbourne, the sun setting behind her, Alice caught sight of a group she'd been looking for. Talbert, Lipton, and Smokey strolled side by side. She jogged up to them.

"You three look a whole lot better," Alice said.

They looked over at her, all smiles. Lipton's wound across his face had begun to scar. Smokey didn't look worse for wear, and Talbert seemed fine as well. She noted a purple heart over his chest.

"Courtesy of Smokey," Talbert explained.

With a grin, Smokey winked. "Alice missed the Night of the Bayonet!"

Lipton and Talbert both groaned. But as they continued down the road, Smokey didn't hesitate before reciting his epic poem. At each stanza, Alice just laughed more. When Smokey finally finished, she clapped.

"That's fantastic," she said. "Did you do that by yourself?"

Smokey nodded. "A master poet doesn't need help."

"Master poet?" Talbert scoffed.

As they started arguing, Alice just rolled her eyes with a smile. It didn't take them long to explain they were heading to a pub to meet up with some of the other men of Easy. She tagged along.

Talbert turned to her "You just got back recently, right? So you've not met the replacements."

At the word, her breathing caught for a moment. Memories of Lieutenant Meehan and the other men killed flashed through her mind. She shook her head at Talbert.

"They're not too bad," Smokey said. "A bit green."

"A bit?" Talbert laughed. He shook his head. "They definitely aren't Toccoa men."

Lipton sighed. "They're going to have to learn what it's like to be in combat, but let them try. I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Bull's squad is basically all replacements now," Talbert added. "And then Ol Gonorrhea adopted one."

Alice didn't even try to hide her shock. "Bill? Hanging with a replacement? I was only gone for three weeks!"

"Oh, Malark's a sergeant, now," Talbert added, grinning. "You sure did miss a lot."

They reached the pub. Alice still stood surprised, shaking her head at the news. It made sense though. Malarkey was well liked by everyone, and had a fantastic knack for leadership. She made a promise to herself to track him down before going to bed.

They opened the door. Alcohol, smoke, and laughter hit them as soon as they stepped forward. Most of the patrons inside were soldiers of the 506th. Other than the paratroopers, a handful of men and about half a dozen young women meandered about. At the far side of the room, Alice saw George, Buck, Joe Toye, and a young red-haired man playing darts. Between the door and the dart game, Bill Guarnere sat chatting up three men she'd never seen.

Lipton, Talbert, and Smokey moved off in the bar to find drinks. Alice settled herself at a table in the corner. She listened in around her. The dart game ended with laughter and jeers, and Alice saw Joe Toye looking more distressed than she'd ever seen him. But instead of going over to heckle him, she decided to watch the replacement that stood with them.

The red-head pulled up a chair to the table where Guarnere still sat with the other replacements. Behind them, Johnny and Bull shared almost imperceptible smirks. Alice had learned early on in Toccoa how to detect their amusement.

"Hey, Sarge, I got a question," the red-head started. His accent sounded unmistakably like Bill Guarnere's. "Who's this Lieutenant Klein we keep hearing about?"

One of the other replacements leaned forward. "Yeah, we heard he runs his own missions."

Bill's smirk grew as he realized they didn't know that she was a woman. He glanced back at Johnny and Bull. After a quick wink, he leaned in. "Klein is the only officer in this regiment that'll scare ya'. Stay outta the way."

"Really?"

Johnny chipped in as well. "Oh yeah. Klein's one tough sonofabitch. Doesn't take bullshit."

"Where's he been?"

"Probably off killing Krauts, 'r somethin'," said Bill.

"By himself?"

"Oh, yeah."

From across the room, Alice just listened in. She tried desperately not to laugh as Johnny and Bill went on and on about her terrifying persona, about how to stay out of her way. She let it go on for several minutes. At one point, she caught Bill's eye and he just sent her a knowing smirk. But eventually, Alice decided enough was enough. She stood up, drink in hand, and walked over.

"Evening, boys," she said with a smirk.

The replacements looked at her skeptically. She could see them taking in her entire person, no doubt focusing on the lieutenants bars at her shoulders. Both she and Harry had gotten the promotion to First Lieutenant upon returning to England, much to her surprise. But she hadn't complained.

"Hey, Lieutenant, you're back!" George wandered over from where he'd still been heckling Joe. He sidled up to her and passed over a cigarette. "How was London?"

"Not bad, not bad."

He glanced back to where Buck, Joe, and Malarkey all stood chatting. With a smirk, he held up a pack of cigarettes. "Joe got beat good," he laughed. "Here."

Alice took the pack he offered. With a smile, she turned back to where the replacements still sat in silence, watching her. Johnny, Bull, and Bill looked about on the edge of breaking down in fits of laughter, so she decided it was time to introduce herself.

"I see we got new faces since I've been gone," Alice said. She looked to the three sergeants. "Care to introduce me."

"These peewees are Hashey, Garcia, and Miller from Bull's group," Johnny said, pointing them out. "And-"

"Babe Heffron, one of South Philly's own," Bill added, pointing at the red-head. Then he smirked and turned to the replacements. "This is Lieutenant Klein."

The change in the privates was immediate. Alice couldn't stop herself from laughing as they all straightened right up and glanced from her to the other men. As soon as Alice had started laughing, the others couldn't hold it in anymore. Soon enough Bill, Johnny, Bull, and George were positively cackling from the shocked expressions of the new men.

"I know Bill was going on and on about how scary I am," she said, "but I promise I don't bite."

"Unless you're a Kraut," Bill chipped in. "Then you better watch out 'cause her aim's deadly."

"Germans, not Krauts, Bill," she muttered. But then she shrugged. "Thanks."

"He ain't wrong," George added. "You're one helluva shot."

Just as Alice went to say more, Smokey's voice echoed through the pub. They all turned to find him standing on a chair over Lipton's shoulder. Someone clicked the radio off to give him their full attention.

"This here's Carwood Lipton!"

"He's already married Smokey!"

Alice laughed along with the rest of the men. It had sounded like maybe Skip Muck, which wouldn't have surprised her in the least. They all moved forward to hear what he had to say.

"This here's Carwood Lipton, the new Easy Company First Sergeant!"

Cheers went up. Alice joined in, clapping. Beside her, George whistled. With a groan, she grabbed at her ear and glared at him. He just shrugged, smirking.

"As befitting his position, he says he has an announcement to make."

Lipton gave a small half smile and nodded. Shuffling from left to right, he waited for them to quiet down. Once they did, he nodded. "I hate to break the mood here, boys, but we're moving out again."

Silence filled the pub. Lipton walked off, almost remorseful as he went to get a last drink. Alice watched him join Talbert and Smokey at the bar. The rest of the patrons pushed in chairs and clinked drinks.

"I swear if this is another fuckin' false alarm," Bill muttered. He slammed his chair into the table. Then he turned to Alice. "You wanna hang with us tonight? Think Millie can spare ya'?"

"She should be able to do without me for one night," Alice said.

With George to her left and Bill on her right, they started down the lane. Dozens of other paratroopers joined them outside. It was quite a sight to behold. Behind them she could hear Skip, Alex, and Malarkey complaining as they walked along.

"So, the replacements. Any good?" Alice asked.

At the same moment, George snorted and Bill started laughing. They didn't say anything more for several moments. But finally, George just shrugged and took out his cigarette.

"They're not stupid."

"High praise."

Bill laughed. "Babe ain't too bad. He's just a kid though."

"A kid," Alice repeated. She looked at him in amusement. "Weren't you barely old enough to enlist when you started training?"

George laughed as Bill began to protest. But then she reminded George he wasn't that much older. With a smirk, Alice lit another cigarette. "You're both younger than me, so don't be making fun of the replacements for their ages."

"Yeah, yeah." Bill just scoffed and waved her off.

They continued down the lane towards the massive farmhouse that had been converted into lodging for Easy Company. Night had fully fallen. They navigated by the light of the full moon and a few scattered lamp posts along the way. While Bill and George started chatting about George's great dart hustling, she fell quiet.

When they walked into the farmhouse, only two groups of Easy Company sat around. Christenson, Hoobler, and Mallet played cards and across from them Liebgott and Alley were comparing letters. George didn't even wait five seconds before announcing their presence.

"Hey, when Toye walks in here, someone ask him if he wants to play darts," said George.

The men sitting around eyed him in confusion but no one objected. Clearly not getting the reaction he wanted, George decided to pick someone specifically.

"Lieb, trust me, just do it."

"What's in it for me?"

George shrugged. "Satisfaction? Pissing off Toye?"

Liebgott went to reply. But instead he caught sight of her and grinned. "Hey! Alice, you're back."

With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she nodded. The others added similar choruses of hellos. It didn't take long to fall back into quiet though as both George and Bill went to their cots and found mail waiting for them. Alice stood watching, smoking. As more and more men of Easy poured into the farmhouse, she moved to the side to watch. Watching had become her favorite past time when it came to Easy Company. It helped assure her they were safe.

Over the next hours, they played a lot of poker and Alice gained a bit of money. Skip read them a letter from Faye. Bill, not one to be outdone, added a quick note he'd gotten from Frannie. Mostly Alice just stayed quiet. Once she'd made some money, enough not to want to risk any more, she sat back against a wall and smiled. Tomorrow they'd have to worry about another jump. For tonight, tonight she only had to worry about whose cot she'd be taking for the night.