"Shit…you've 'gotta get off the line, Babe". Jackson said.
Rory nodded, agreeing with him;
"your hands ain't no good out here, Babe".
Sighing, Heffron stared down at his hands;
"well…guess I'm going, huh?"
Rory's hand fell on his arm;
"come on, let's tell Speirs before we move out".
Rory and Heffron walked down their position. Boots travelling through hard snow, they soon reached their new Company Commander, who was speaking with Lipton and Grant. Heffron didn't open his mouth to politely grab the Lieutenant's attention. So, Rory did;
"Lieutenant Speirs". She called.
Speirs was cut off, just as he was telling Grant something.
With a sigh, the Lieutenant turned around and looked down at her.
Raising an eyebrow, he asked;
"yes, Private?"
Rory looked at Heffron;
"show 'um, Babe".
Clearing his throat, Heffron brought his hands out from his pockets.
Rory told the Lieutenant;
"sir, he can't hold his gun or nothing".
Speirs looked at Heffron's hands.
With a tiny nod, he said;
"head to the back of the line, Private. Go see doc".
"Yes, sir". Heffron replied.
When the two friends left, Speirs turned back to face Grant and Lipton.
Slightly confused, he asked;
"who's that?"
"Private Doe and Private Heffron, sir". Lipton replied, "replacements after Normandy".
"Private Doe is a female, Sargent". Speirs pointed out.
Lipton nodded;
"yes, sir. She is".
…
When it was time for the attack, they were told 2nd Battalion would move across the field single file towards the town of Noville. The order to move single file came as a worry to most of the men. They'd be bunched up and would create the perfect target for the enemy if they were to fire a shell towards the line of men. However, there was logic in Winters plan. The snow was deep, if they spread out, the entire Battalion would be near exhausted by the time they got across. Going single file means that the guys it front could flatten the snow and make it easier for those behind them.
At noon, they began to cross the field.
Four hundred yards to their left, 1st Battalion came under heavy fire. Limbs and bodies were flying everywhere. Pieces of flesh and blood rained down on them. No heavy fire reached 2nd Battalion, however, who were the most vulnerable with going single file across the field. Still, Rory feared that the Germans would catch on and start shelling them next.
Easy soon ran into a new problem.
A German machine-gun ripped open by a stream. It slowed the Company down, who soon hugged the earth for cover. But Speirs quickly thought on his feet and set up two machine-guns to cover their fire while the rest jumped over the stream. Rory and Eddie Joint stuck the gun into the ground and began to fire out across the stream. She fed the machine-gun bullets, while Eddie did the firing. Bullets hit the small cluster of trees behind them, cracking into the branches.
The stream was narrow, the men managed to jump across with ease.
But Garcia didn't.
He fell right into that stream, soaking his OD's.
"Shit!" The guy exclaimed.
Johnny Martin reached down and helped the guy up;
"come on, let's go, kid!"
Most of the men got across that stream without landing in the water, like poor Garcia. Speirs called for Rory and Eddie to cross the stream next. They were the last to jump. Eddie of course, managed without fail. And he waited on the other end for her. Rubbing her lips together, Rory took a few steps back. Running towards the edge of the stream, she leapt into the air, with her legs and arms flapping about. But Rory made it to the other end, without fail. Eddie grinned;
"you ain't a duck, Roo".
"Shut up". She mumbled, "let's go!"
Later on, in the afternoon, Easy made it across the field.
They dug in by a road, shovels and entrenching tools chipping away into the frozen ground. It turned out to be the coldest night they had ever experienced. Men were shivering, while their teeth rattled. It was too cold to sleep, too cold to move or even think straight. It reminded Rory of toothache. A pain that didn't go away and kept you lying there, wide awake. Despite hugging into Jackson and him hugging back into her, they couldn't find any warmth.
One of Winters Battalion officers got up and left, stating that he couldn't stand the cold anymore. He moved to the back of the line and never returned to 2nd Battalion. Winters never saw that man again. At around nine at night, they were pulled out from the cold for a few moments, when they heard the roar of tank engines heading into Noville. They were German diesel engines. The men wondered if the Germans were pulling out or getting ready for the attack at dawn tomorrow. It had crossed Winters mind to start a night attack, to save the men from freezing to death. But that idea was soon pulled out of his head.
"Hey guys, how you feeling?" Malarkey was soon crouched in front of Jackson and Rory's foxhole.
Shaking his head Jackson replied;
"it's freezing, Sarge".
"Yeah…Lip's leading 2nd tomorrow for the attack, alright?" Malarkey told them, "I'll be overseeing the mortar squad".
"We got a plan?" Jackson asked.
"Same as always". He said, "clear out the buildings, push the Krauts out. Fox is supporting our right flank, we're heading straight in".
Shaking her head, Rory mumbled;
"how come it's always us? Ain't we lost enough guys?"
Malarkey shrugged;
"I don't make the rules, kid. I just deliver the message".
When Malarkey left, Jackson and Rory moved towards the edge of their foxhole.
"What we got?" Jackson asked her quietly.
Shaking her head, she mumbled;
"'bout a thousand meters from here into town".
Jackson sighed;
"Christ…we've 'gotta move quick, huh?"
"Yeah, we don't 'wanna be caught out in the open again". Rory agreed softly, "least we ain't got Dike leading us no more".
He snorted;
"shit…we'd be screwed if Speirs didn't show up".
Shaking her head, Rory mumbled;
"you know…I ain't ever 'gonna see the end of this war, Jack".
Frowning, he looked at her;
"you don't think you'll make it?"
"No…I really don't". She whispered, "why would God save me, huh? I ain't got nobody outside of Easy looking out for me".
"If it worked like that…then we'd still have Vernon, Muck, Penkala…Miller".
Frowning, Rory shrugged;
"maybe but there ain't no use in saving me".
Jackson continued to frown.
His eyes searched the side of her face;
"heck, I'd save you".
"Don't waste your time, Jack". She whispered, "the hell am I 'gonna do after the damn war anyway?"
"Plenty". Jackson said quietly, "everything. Your life ain't 'gonna stop after the war, Roo".
Slowly, she looked at him.
"When you was…with Bull". He said, "remember? In Holland? You two got lost and hid out in a barn?"
Rory nodded.
Jackson cleared his throat;
"well…I went out searching for you". He told her, "God I…I couldn't lose you, Roo. And I get on at you sometimes 'cause you don't give a damn about yourself sometimes".
She frowned.
Jackson sighed shakily;
"thing is…I give a damn 'bout you, Roo. I think you're great. I think…your kind and funny. You don't even mean to be funny half the time, huh? But you are". A tiny smile met his lips, "and I know you ain't one for this but…heck, you're smart, Roo. So fucking smart. Don't let nobody tell you, you ain't smart cause you are. Hell, if someone calls you dumb, I'd beat the shit 'outta 'um".
Taking in a deep breath, Jackson swallowed back the lump in his throat;
"we're just…kids, huh? Me and you. Everyone's 'gonna see us as kids cause we're young. But don't I feel old, Roo. Don't I sometimes feel so fucking drained and tired that…heck, I could fall asleep standing up. My mind feels old and…it sometimes feels like a scary place".
Rory's frown deepened when she saw a tear roll down Jackson's cheek.
With a sniff, he said;
"but then I think…oh, you know, I got this person in my foxhole waiting for me. She's great. And she makes me happy. So, I've 'gotta get back to her, don't I? Cause my mind don't feel as scary when I'm with you, Roo".
Jackson's hand fell into hers;
"so, you 'gotta try to stay alive out there, Roo. Cause I can't do this without you".
Rory stared straight into his eyes.
Tilting her head to the side, she asked;
"you 'wanna kiss me?"
Clearing his throat, Jackson let go of her hand and wiped his lone tear away;
"uh…what?"
Rory shrugged;
"I might die, huh? And I ain't ever been kissed before".
Rubbing his lips together, Jackson looked at her;
"you sure? Don't you want someone else as your first kiss?"
Rory snorted;
"who? One of the replacements that don't care 'bout me?"
Jackson huffed out a tiny laugh;
"heck, I'm all nervous now".
She shook her head;
"I ain't".
"Why?"
"Cause it's you, ain't it?" Rory mumbled, "what've I 'gotta be nervous 'bout?"
Jackson, feeling a flutter in his stomach, moved towards her.
With a serious, yet nervous look, his cold hand pressed up against the side of her face. Rory remained still and continued to stare into his eyes. A tiny smile met Jackson's lips. Her eyes lightened, while her hand rested on his. Carefully, Jackson pulled her face closer towards his. Rory watched him close his eyes before their lips met. She did the same.
Her first kiss was cold, dry and sore. Their lips were both chapped and cut from the cold and lack of water. And though the temperature had dropped dramatically, Rory could feel a pool of warmth in her stomach while she shared her first kiss with Jackson. When the sweet moment ended, they both pulled apart. Eyes still closed, Rory smiled and whispered;
"that was nice".
Jackson huffed softly;
"yeah…it was".
Their eyes opened at the same time.
"Thanks, Jack". Rory mumbled.
He smiled in return;
"anytime, Roo".
…
With covering fire and mortar support, Easy made it into the village of Noville. They moved cautiously through the streets, house-to-house, doorway-to-doorway, and they met sporadic fire from enemy rearguard units. The main bulk of the Germans had pulled out under the cover of night. Winters led his men through the shattered town. The war had touched nearly every building inside the town. Some had sustained light to moderate damage, with outer walls pockmarked by bullets or shrapnel. Other houses had been reduced to piles of shattered masonry.
The men didn't encounter anything more than small firearms.
Until they ran into a tank.
It headed for 3rd Platoon first before Lipton and 2nd Platoon encountered the same tank.
Rory had rounded the corner from a half-torn down house when she spotted it.
The tank was heading straight for them.
Eyes widening a little, she moved towards Lipton;
"we've got a tank, coming now!"
"Everyone!" Lipton yelled, "take cover!"
On the run now, Lipton, Rory and several others slipped under a dead Sherman tank that had been knocked out in the fighting on December 20th. The Sherman was useless. However, the German inside the tank chasing them feared the Sherman tank gun was still working. So, he took no chances and put a round into the Sherman tank.
Rory was deafened by the sound. It felt like something had smacked her, inside her head. They were left unharmed, but they couldn't hear for a good twenty seconds. The German tank retreated but it didn't get very far. A P-47 Thunderbolt roared above the village. The men all cheered, while the Jug's pilot unleashed a five-hundred-pound bomb that hit the fleeing tank.
Noville was in American hands.
And Rory had survived.
But a few days later, 2nd Battalion was told to take the town of Rachamps. But that proved to be a cakewalk. They attacked on a wide front, minimizing the effects of German artillery with its dreaded white phosphorous shells, whose foamy chemical floated in the air like a feather, but whose merest touch burned its way into a man's flesh. Only one man from F Company had been wounded in the attack.
The excitement and adrenaline left the men from Easy. Captain Speirs had settled his men into a convent. The Sisters sang for them that night, while Easy spent its first night indoors for over a month. The men were relaxed, warm and listened to the heavenly voices singing for them. Before Rory could enter the church, she found Winters across form them, inside one of the houses. The man was writing out a letter. Rory stepped inside his room and asked;
"that for DeEtta, sir?"
With a tiny smile, he nodded;
"yup…and shouldn't you be with Easy right now, Rory Doe?"
Shrugging, she stepped further into the room.
"Wanted to talk with you, sir".
"Oh, you did?" Winters turned around on his chair to face her, "what about?"
Picking up his cup, he took a sip of coffee.
"Well…me and Jack kissed, sir".
Winters choked on his hot drink;
"I beg your pardon?"
Rory felt her lips twitch;
"I thought I was 'gonna die out there…and I ain't ever been kissed before".
Shaking his head, Winters put his cup down;
"he's far too old".
"He's eighteen".
"Exactly". Winters muttered, "far too old".
Rory sighed;
"well…Jack's real nice, sir".
"Yeah, he's a good kid". Winters reluctantly agreed, "will you remind him, that I don't go anywhere without my rifle?"
She felt her lips twitch;
"alright, sir". She said, "but I don't think it's 'gonna be a problem".
Shaking his head, Winters said;
"boys are always a problem, Rory".
"Jack ain't like other boys". Rory argued softly, "he's real nice to me, sir".
Winters sighed;
"just…not right now, okay? We're not out of the woods yet".
Shrugging, Rory nodded;
"fine, sir".
"Thank you".
Smiling, Rory asked;
"what's DeEtta saying, sir?"
Winters sighed again;
"it's complicated, Rory".
"How come, sir? Don't you love her?"
He huffed out a tiny laugh;
"I'm never good at writing about love, Rory".
With a sigh of her own, Rory sat herself down on a chair;
"me neither, sir…I'm far too busy".
He smiled;
"good. Keep it that way, huh?"
Tilting his head to the side, Winters asked;
"you like 'um?"
Rory nodded;
"he's my friend, sir".
He smiled small;
"alright…so, I don't need to chase him with my rifle?"
She shook her head with a tiny smile;
"no, sir".
The smile soon left Rory's face.
She asked quietly;
"how many of us are left?"
Winters frowned;
"in Easy?"
Rory nodded.
Sighing, he replied quietly;
"around sixty-three, since we dropped into Holland".
Rory stared down at her hands;
"was thinking we was looking pretty small".
Nodding, Winters whispered;
"yeah…I know".
"I ain't ever 'gonna forgot my first Christmas with Easy, that's for sure".
Winters huffed softly;
"was quite an experience". He agreed quietly, "what was Christmas like back in Indiana?"
Shaking her head, Rory mumbled;
"I don't 'wanna bum you out, sir".
"It's okay". He said, "you can tell me".
Shrugging, she said;
"mom and dad went to my Aunts and left me alone".
Winters felt his heartbreak a little;
"by yourself?"
Rory nodded;
"yeah…guess it was 'sorta nice having folk 'round this time".
Before Winters could say anything, Rory said;
"guess I should be going back, sir".
"Yeah. You wouldn't 'wanna worry Captain Speirs".
She snorted and got up from the chair;
"yeah…he's like a scary teacher back in school".
"He's fine, Rory". Winters said, "just don't cross 'um, alright? Don't cause any trouble".
…
Leaving the house, Rory crossed the street and ended up bumping into Speirs.
Frowning, he looked down at her;
"everything okay, Doe?"
She nodded and looked up at him;
"fine, sir…the Sisters still singing?"
"Yup". He said, "but we ain't paying them…so, they'll probably call it a night soon".
Something tapped against her helmet.
Looking up, Rory felt raindrops fall onto her cold skin.
With a tiny sigh, she said;
"if it ain't snowing…it's raining".
Speirs snorted;
"get some sleep, Private".
Nodding, she saluted him;
"goodnight, sir".
"Night".
Rory entered the warm convent. The Sisters were still singing, and the men still looked relaxed. Near the back, she spotted Heffron and Jackson seated. Rory walked up the steps and sat herself down by Jackson. Heffron was leaning against the bench in front of them, where Grant and Malarkey sat.
Jackson looked at her;
"you okay?"
Rory nodded;
"yeah…spoke to Winters".
"What'd you tell 'um?"
Rory shrugged;
"nothing much…just that we kissed".
Jackson's eyes widened;
"what?!" He exclaimed.
Which startled a few men.
Grant and Malarkey looked at them;
"will you shut up?" Grant whispered, "I was almost asleep".
Rory felt her lips create an amused smile.
She chuckled quietly;
"he's sorry, Sarge".
When the Sargent looked away, Jackson panicked;
"he's 'gonna kill me, Roo".
Rory shook her head;
"he ain't 'gonna do that…but remember, he carries his rifle everywhere".
She faced the Sisters again.
Rory leaned back against the bench.
With a tiny yawn, she closed her eyes.
Shaking his head, Jackson wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Leaning into his head, Rory smiled;
"he don't mind that much".
Jackson snorted;
"I should talk to 'um…I feel like I've 'gotta get his permission".
"How come?"
He shrugged;
"well…I 'dunno…I think he see's you as family, Roo".
Rory was quiet for a few moments.
And then said quietly;
"he told me I ain't going back to Indiana".
Jackson smiled;
"maybe you'll live with him after the war, Roo. And hey, you'll be close to me, you know".
"I ain't getting my hopes up". She said, "he might change his mind".
Jackson shook his head;
"I doubt it, Roo".