Authors Note: I know, it's been a while, but here's another chapter.
Just out of curiosity, leave a comment on who you ship Elsie with (if anyone). I know who I plan to have as endgame but I'm incredibly curious as to who my readers would pick to pair with my OC.
"Bed." The nurse said pointedly. "Now."
Elsie smiled sheepishly at Buck, who was a few beds down from hers. He was the only thing keeping her sane in the hospital. It had only been a couple weeks, but to Elsie it seemed like a lifetime. It probably seemed that way to the nurses to. They couldn't get her to sit still long enough for her stitches to heal properly. She had torn them twice already.
She winked at Buck letting him know she'd be back before huffing her way to her bed. And sure enough, a few hours later she was back sitting on a small stool next to his bed.
"Evening Buck." She said.
"Good evening princess." He smiled. "At least it would be if you told me."
"I didn't tell you yesterday, or the day before," She said. "Or the day before that. Or any of the days we've been here. What makes you think I will tell you today?"
"Good point," He chuckled. "Guess it's a good thing I already know."
"Who says any of them would have won anyway?" She tried to deflect. He couldn't possibly know Liebgott won.
"You've never denied that one of them would win." He smiled mischievously. "You just say you won't tell. That's a pretty big implication there would have been a winner."
She rolled her eyes at his wiggling eyebrows. Shit, he had her. She never even thought about that. Maybe because Liebgott already won, she never thought to say there would be no winner.
"Or maybe I just like toying with you lot." She lied. "I gotta have some form of entertainment."
"I'm not buying it princess."
"You can buy what ever you want Buck Compton." She smiled to sell her lie. "That's the truth."
"I won't tell anyone." Bucks face went serious. "We need you on the line."
"There's nothing to tell."
"I saw you two." He looked her straight in the eyes. He knew he had her.
"Buck, I don't know what you're talking about." She sputtered. Shit- she thought.
"You and Liebgott." He said. Her gaze fell to the floor. "I saw you two before the jump into Holland."
Her head snapped back up. So this wasn't about them sleeping together. She let out sigh of relief.
"What do you mean?" She asked, but she knew.
"How close you were standing," He said. "How you were looking at each other. Elsie, you have to be more careful."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"C'mon Princess." He let out a small smile.
"Buck," She said looking him in the eyes. "I can assure you there is nothing going on. We are in the middle of war for Christ sakes. There's no time for love."
"I never said anything about love." He smiled.
"Well then what were you suggesting?" she raised and eyebrow. "And I'd think about what you say before you go implying I'm anything but a lady."
"You joined the war," He smiled cheekily. "You're definitely anything but a lady."
"Buck Compton!" She laughed and smacked him on the arm. "Why I otta…"
Before she could say another word, the doors opened and two nurses walked in. One of which pushed Guarnere in a wheelchair. His smile was big as they wheeled him to the bed next to Bucks. Elsie stood quickly and felt a tear in her side- She'd done it again.
"Hiya Princess, Lieutenant," He was still smiling as the nurses helped him on to the bed. "Miss me?"
"What happened?" Elsie asked from the other side of Bucks bed.
"Was shot in the leg." He still had a twinkle in his eyes.
"You're forgetting the part where you stole a motorcycle and crashed it." the younger nurse said with a teasing smile.
"You what?" Elsie half shouted.
"Hey don't you get angry at me, you steal motorcycles all the time!" Guarnere went on the defense as Elsie made her way to his bed.
"Once! And not through enemy territory!"
"No, you just run out into the middle of the field to blow up tanks." He shot back.
"He's got ya there princess." Buck chuckled.
"You stay outta this." She hissed, with a twinkle in her eye and a crooked smile.
"Uh princess, you're bleeding." Guarnere said, his eyes wide. She looked at her side.
"Again?" The older nurse shouted. "Back to bed. Now!"
"Happens often?" Elsie heard Guarnere laugh behind her.
"Too often." The young nurse giggled. Elsie rolled her eyes, that's all he needed- a pretty nurse to inflate his ego.
Elsie had lost track of time- day after day went by an she was growing more and more restless. Her stitches were healing well since she hadn't torn them in a while. She was moved to a bed on the other side of Guarnere- a smart move on the nurse's part. Since then she hardly got out of bed.
"I think they're getting sick of stitching you up." Guarnere laughed when they moved her.
"And here I thought you bribed them to get me closer to you." This is how it went most days. Buck had gotten relatively quiet despite the effort by Guarnere and Elsie to get him talking.
"Nah, I don't like you that much." He teased.
"Sure ya don't," She laughed.
"I never really got to apologize," He said changing the subject. "For the bet."
"That's all done with Bill."
"I know, but I never meant to hurt you." He continued. "After I got to know you, I didn't care about the bet. I don't think anyone did."
"I know." She smiled lightly. "It hurt, thinking I was just a bet, but after I had time to think about it, I realised there's been so many times you've proved I was more than that."
"I want you to know that when I kissed you, I meant it. It wasn't because of some stupid bet."
Elsie glanced over at Buck, who was thankfully fast asleep. "I know, Bill."
Alley had joined them in what Elsie called hell. The nurses wisely put him in the empty bed next to hers and they chatted away about what had happened.
"Liebgott was hit," His eyes raked Elsie's eyes which had gone wide. She didn't realise she was holding her breath. Buck and Guarnere were also paying close attention to her face. "He's okay though, barely a scratch."
Elsie's whole body relaxed and she let the air out of her lungs. All three men were watching her intently.
"What?" she snapped.
"Oh nothing." Alley twiddled his thumbs still smiling.
"Seriously what?" She huffed.
"Do you love him?" Guarnere asked quietly. Elsie raised a single brow. "Liebgott? Do you love him?"
"Seriously? We are in the middle of war. I don't have time to fall in love."
"What ever you say, princess." Guarnere said.
"I'm serious." She stated. "I had to fight tooth and nail to get here. This war is what I'm focused on. Not some fairy tale romance. I care about him, yes, but I care about all of you."
"Okay, good." Guarnere smiled but still wasn't convinced. Alley rolled his eyes and Buck stayed quiet.
Elsie and Buck were both fast asleep, but Guarnere couldn't seem to turn his mind off. He noticed Alley was tossing and turning to.
"Do you believer her?" He asked as he sat up. "About not loving him?"
"No, but I don't think she realises she loves him." Alley said. "But it's the same with you."
"Waddya mean, same as me?"
"She looks at you the same way she looks at him." Alley explained. "I didn't see it at first. But I do now. I don't think she realises she loves either of you, because she doesn't want to."
Guarnere looked confused and sad, so Alley continued. "She said it herself, she's here to focus on the war. She fought so hard to get here she doesn't want feelings to complicate things. I think she's lying to herself to protect herself."
"She told me that once." Guarnere confessed. "I kissed her and she told me that. I thought it was just an excuse, that she just wasn't interested."
"She cares about you, more than you know."
"I need to get the hell out of here." Elsie huffed at Guarnere after a few more weeks being cooped up in the dreaded hospital. Both Alley and Buck were asleep. Lieutenant Heyliger was brought in with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He was in a bed across from them and had been there for the past week. "You and me both." His leg was almost healed, he could at least walk now. He limped, but he was mobile.
"Good, then let's go."
"You telling me you want to go AWOL?"
"I swear to god Bill if I have to stay here another day I'm going to go crazy."
"Sweetheart, you joined the paratroopers with a bunch of dirty men." He laughed. "I think you were crazy long before this place."
She smacked his arm.
"It'll get worse." She assured with a goofy smile. "Besides I'm perfectly fine. I swear the only reason I'm still here is because they think I'm a fragile girl."
"You're anything but fragile doll." He smiled getting up. "Let's do this then."
They both got changed quietly and with one last look at Alley and Buck she snuck out of the room behind Guarnere.
"Look what the train brought in." Welsh said cheerfully. Elsie was listening from the other side of the door that Guarnere left open.
"The daredevil." Nixon said.
"Hiya Captain." Guarnere said to Winters, who had been promoted in their absence. Elsie wasn't surprised, he deserved it more than anyone.
"Welcome back Bill." Winters replied with a nod.
"Jesus, it's true. I never thought I'd see you behind a desk sir." Guarnere was being cheeky, which made Elsie smile.
"Someday he'll sit behind it." Nixon joined in the fun.
"Well I just went AWOL from the hospital to get back here, sir." Guarnere continued. "Hope that's not going to cause you a problem."
"Would you care if it did?" Winters asked, knowing the answer.
"Not a bit sir." Guarnere smiled. "Oh I also brought something back with me."
"What might that be?" Winters asked straightening up from his desk.
"Me." Elsie smiled walking through the door. Welsh immediately engulfed her in a tight hug.
"Can't. Breath." She gasped dramatically. He didn't let go.
"Lieutenant," Nixon said.
"Sorry," Welsh said sheepishly.
"Glad to see ya kid." Nixon tipped his flask to her.
"Welcome back Montgomery." Winters smiled warmly. "I'm to assume you went AWOL to?"
"I'm completely healed sir." She smiled sweetly. "They had no reason to keep me there."
"Yeah you were there for a while." Nixon added.
"Woulda been out sooner if you'd listen to the nurses." Guarnere mumbled.
"What was that?" Winters asked amused.
"Nothing, sir." Elsie smiled nudging Guarnere's arm. "We should go."
"Oh I have a letter for you here, from Moose." Guarnere said, "Er, Lieutenant Heyliger, Sir. He's recovering, but it's going to be a long haul."
"Thanks Bill." Winters took the letter. They turned to leave, but Guarnere stopped at the door.
"Hey, any of you here of a little joint called Lulus?" He asked. Elsie rolled her eyes and pulled him along. He slung his arm around her shoulder. "Well there's three down, now where's the hells the rest of them?"
"No idea Bill." She said as they headed to their bunker. That's where they found Toye, Talbert, Hoobler, Malarkey, Skip, Penkala and Liebgott. They all looked up when Bill walked in.
"Hiya fellas." He smiled as he was greeted. He was still standing in the doorway so no one saw Elsie. "I brought ya all back a little present. It's small and annoying and ow."
She elbowed him in the back.
"Who you calling annoying?" She said as she pushed her way past.
She was instantly pulled into a hug from Toye, then passed around to each of the guys to be smothered in hug after hug.
"Now why aren't you all that excited to see me?" Guarnere asked pretending to be hurt.
"You ain't as pretty." Toye answered ruffling Elsie's hair.
"Good point." Guarnere laughed.
The only person who hadn't joined the commotion was Liebgott. Elsie met his eyes, she could see so much emotion in them.
"Didn't ya miss me?" She wore a cheeky smile.
"Nah." He smirked at her. He walked over and engulfed her in tight hug.
"Sure ya didn't," She said as she pulled away. His smirk had changed to the smile that made her stomach dance. She had to look away. "Did I miss anything exciting?"
Before anyone could answer Luz came barging into the barracks and crushed her with a hug. He lifted off her feet and spun around.
"Lieutenant Welsh said you were back." Luz said as he let her go. "I'm so glad you're okay Princess."
"Takes more then that to get rid of me." She smiled. "Plus, I had this guy looking out for me."
"Welcome back." Bull, who'd come in with Luz and Martin, wrapped her in a big hug.
"Glad you're okay kid." Martin smiled warmly and patted her on the back.
They were in the mess hall for dinner, she was wedged between Liebgott and Toye.
"Seems like I missed quite a bit while I was gone." Elsie shoveled another bite of food into her mouth.
"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't leave us anymore," Luz smiled from across the table. "It's bad luck."
"Winters was promoted, how's that bad luck?" She raised a single brow.
"Yeah that's good and all, but then our new CO was shot and the CO who took over for him doesn't seem to know what he's doing." Toye said quietly.
"Is he another Sobel?" She ask dropping her fork on her tray.
"No, at least Sobel could make a decision," Malarky said. "Even if they were bad ones."
"Yeah, Dike can't even do that." Hoobler added.
"Great, I'm looking forward to this." Elsie snorted.
Since they were off the line, the boys had taken to drinking and poker games to occupy their time while the weren't training. Alley had rejoined them that day, having gone AWOL from the hospital, and insisted that she play, since he wasn't apart of the last game she joined. Elsie still refused to gamble with them so she left the mess hall and headed for a walk instead.
"How's it going princess?" Lieutenant Welsh asked walking up to her.
"Better since I've been out of that damn hospital." She smiled.
"You're sure you're all healed up?"
"Yes, sir," She said. "You can tell my uncle I'm just fine."
"It's not just your uncle who's worried about you, you know."
"Well you can tell who ever else is worried about me that I'm good." She said sternly. "I'm ready to get back out there and fight."
"Good." Welsh said, but he was skeptical.
"Besides, someone's gotta watch out for you boys."
"Yeah," Welsh laughed. "I guess so, but don't forget to watch out for yourself to."
"Why? I got a whole overprotective company to do that for me." She grinned cheekily. Welsh laughed again.
"That you do." He patted her head then left for his poker game.
Elsie soaked in the peace and quiet while she could. She was sitting off to the edge of town overlooking a field. She watched the sunset paint the sky pink and orange and then slowly the sky turned dark. It was a clear, cold night. She decided to head back to her bunk, some of them men must be done by now- she thought.
She heard footsteps behind her but she didn't turn around. Her heart pounded and she clenched her fists. She had a bad feeling and she could feel it rising in her chest. She was alone. Just like she was alone with Phil. Stop- she thought to herself- you're stronger now, you can fight.
She was twisted around by the arm and she let out a small cry. Those eyes, the same look as Phil's. It's not Phil- she told herself- It's Harting, you can fight him. She tried pulling her arm away but he was much stronger than her. She tried kicking him, but he had learned from last time and managed to twist her around and threw her to the ground. She let out another cry as she hit the ground hard. She tried to get up but he was on top of her.
"I told you I'd show you why you're really here." His smile was cruel, and his eyes terrified her. She knew what was coming. She fought and pushed against him, but it was no use. He had her hands pinned above her head with one of his hands the other undid her pants. She struggled against his efforts, twisting and flailing her body as much as she could under his weight. It wasn't working, he was too big. All she could do was scream. And that's what she did, until the back of his hand met her face.
"Shut up!" He growled. The sting of his hand made her freeze. It silenced her cries and she just stared at him as her tears fell. He was Phil. She couldn't fight Phil and she couldn't fight Harting.
The tears were still streaming down her face as his hand reached to pull down her pants, but he stopped.
"HEY!" Someone yelled. Harting got up and ran in the other direction. Elsie sat up but didn't move from her spot on the ground.
"Elsie?" She didn't recognize the voice. She was shaking and her eyes were blind with tears, she didn't realise she was crying so heavily. "Elsie?"
The man reached out for her she pushed him away with a scream.
"Elsie, it's okay," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you."
She cried out again when he went to put his hand on her arm, "Don't touch me."
"Get Becker, or someone from Easy Company." The man said to his friend. "Elsie, it's Sizemore. I'm not going to hurt you."
She cowered into a small ball and any time he tried to reach for her to calm her down she'd cry or lash out at him.
"What the hell happened?" It wasn't Becker who called out but Alley. He was with Becker, Penkala, Malarkey and Skip. They all knelt beside her which caused her to cry out and cower backwards.
"Elsie it's okay." Alley said reaching out for her. She screamed and backed up more. "Look at me. Elsie look at me."
She did. Through her tears she could see him. One of her brothers. Not Phil. She sobbed and fell into Alley's chest.
"What happened Princess?" He asked her.
"Phil." She cried into his chest.
"Who the hell is Phil?" Becker asked pissed.
"Phil isn't here, you're okay." Malarkey said as Alley stroked her hair. She continued crying into his chest. She just kept repeating it was Phil. Malarkey looked at Sizemore. "What happened?"
"We heard thought we heard a scream so we came to check it out," He explained. "Some guy was on top of her, but the son of a bitch took off when he saw us."
"Did you see who it was?" Skip asked.
"No it was too dark."
"I'm going to find this Phil guy and kill him!" Becker was angry.
"You and me both." Penkala joined.
"It wasn't Phil." Malarkey said. He watched Alley stroke her hair, but she hadn't calmed down. She was hysterical.
"How do you know?" Becker growled.
"Phil was her step-father." It took a few minutes, but it sunk into the rest of the guys. "When she was fourteen."
"Son a bitch." Alley shouted causing Elsie to jump. "Sorry."
"We should get help, Welsh? Or Winters?" Penkala said.
"No." Elsie shouted. She was still crying and shaking. "No, they can't know. Please don't tell anyone. They'll kick me out. Please don't. I don't want to go."
"Okay." Alley said holding her tighter. He was still stroking her hair. "We won't tell anyone. Shhhh, it's okay."
"We should get her back to her bunk at least." Skip said.
They got her standing which seemed to calm her down a bit. The men noticed her doing up her pants and were livid.
"Elsie tell me who did this." Becker said looking her in the eyes. She stayed quiet as more tears rolled down her face. She cried because all she saw was Phil.
They said goodbye to Becker and Sizemore at the door to her barracks and got her to her bunk just as Guarnere and Toye walked in. they stopped instantly when they saw her. Her hair was tangled, her face was dirty and a bruise had started forming on her left cheekbone. She was still shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't get Phil out of her head. She met Guarnere's eyes.
"What happened?" he asked cautiously. She broke down crying again and ran into his arms. He held her as tight as he could. She was mumbling about Phil. He looked over her shoulder and asked again. "What happened?"
"Sizemore found her." Malarkey said.
"But what happened?" Toye growled.
"Someone attacked her." Alley said. He explained what Sizemore told them.
"Son of a bitch." Toye growled. "When I find out who did this I'm gonna to kill him."
"It was like he was here." Elsie pulled away from Guarnere's chest but he still held on to her.
"It wasn't Phil." Guarnere assured here. "He's not here, he can't hurt you anymore."
"It was going to happen again." She was talking and breathing quickly. "he was just there and on top of me, I couldn't get him off, I couldn't stop him."
"Shhh," Guarnere pulled her close again, she was hysterical. "Everything's okay now."
Guarnere finally calmed her down and got her into bed. She was fast asleep moments after her head hit the pillow.
"Do they know?" Guarnere asked Malarkey, nodding towards Alley, Penkala and Skip.
"About Phil?" Malarkey answered. "Yeah, I told them, and Becker and Sizemore."
Before Guarnere could say anything else Liebgott walked in. He noticed everyone hovering around Elsie's bed and knew why as soon as he saw her. That bruise on her cheek stood out vividly against her pale skin.
"What happened?" His voice was dangerously low. Alley explained what happened. "I'm going to kill him."
"We need to find out who he is first." Toye said.
Elsie laid in her bed not moving. It was early morning, but she didn't know what time. No one else was up, so she just laid there. She replayed what the nights events in her head over and over, trying to piece together what happened. It was all a blur. She remembered Harting on top of her. Her heart pounded and she clenched her fists. It wasn't Phil- she reminded herself, and her heart rate slowed.
She remembered Guarnere getting her into bed, but she didn't remember how she got away from Harting and back to her barracks. Sizemore, and Becker, they were there. And Alley. Malarkey told them about Phil. It was slowly coming back to her. Her face hurt and her eyes felt heavy, she could only imagine what she looked like. Luckily they didn't have any training scheduled for the day. She could hide in her barracks and avoid any questions.
She sat up and ran a hand through her hair. She looked up and noticed the men were awake and watching her.
"Stop it." She said.
"Are you okay?" Malarkey asked. He looked scared and angry and sad all at once.
"I'm fine." She knew they didn't buy it. "Seriously. My face hurts a little but other than that I'm fine."
"After what happened last night," Guarnere started but she cut him off.
"I said I'm fine."
"Okay." Guarnere said, though he didn't believe her.
"Who was it?" Liebgott asked. She stayed quiet for a moment, trying to escape all the eyes that were on her.
"I don't know," She finally said. She looked up and met Guarnere's eyes.
"Elsie," He said.
"I don't know, and I don't want to talk about it." She said then laid back down. "I'm going back to sleep."
"Elsie you have to get up," Malarkey said. "Come for breakfast."
"No."
"You're going to hide here?" Guarnere asked standing next to her bed. "You really expect us to believe you're fine?"
"Fine," She sighed. "I'll get up."
And she did. She got up and got changed with the rest of them. She took her time and Toye, Liebgott, Alley and Guarnere all waited. They headed out of the Barracks, but she froze at the door.
"It's okay, Princess," Guarnere assured. "We're right here."
"I know," She said. She clenched her fists and stepped out the door. It's fine, nothing to worry about- she thought.
The four men kept watching her as they headed to breakfast. They kept so close to her she could barely walk. She stopped walking causing Guarnere to walk into her.
"Stop it," She said. "Stop staring at me and stop walking so damn close, some one is going to think something is wrong."
"It is!" Liebgott said. "You were attacked."
"If anyone finds out, especially Sink, I would be kicked out of here." Her fists were clenched, and eyes were narrowed. "No one needs to know what happened okay?"
"And what exactly happened?" A familiar voice asked coming around the corner which made Elsie jump.
"Nothing sir." She said turning to face him. His eyes narrowed when her saw the bruise on her face. Nixon turned her face gently to get a better look.
"That bruise suggests otherwise." He gave her a hard look. "What happened?"
"Just some light rough housing sir." Guarnere answered for her.
"We were just messing around," Toye added. "and I elbowed her face."
"Yeah, it was a complete accident, sir," Liebgott said.
"These boys obviously care enough about you to lie for you." Nixon said still staring at her. "I'd like a word in private Corporal."
"It was just an accident sir." Guarnere tried again.
"She'll catch up with you later." He said turning the hard look on to Guarnere. The men looked at her and she nodded.
"Yes sir." Guarnere said and the four men headed towards the mess hall.
"Let's take a walk," he said. She followed him, not sure where they were going. He didn't say anything until they reached the edge of town. He leaned against the fence post and stared at her for a moment. "Now, what happened?"
"I… can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"If I tell you then I'm out." She looked away. "If Colonel Sink finds out, he'll send me home."
"So we don't tell him." He said. She looked up at him. "But if something happened to you, I need to know."
"I…" She tried to say it out loud but couldn't find the right words.
"Did someone hurt you?" She looked at the ground so he wouldn't see tears threating to fall. She clenched her fists and sighed.
"Kind of."
"What do you mean kind of?"
"He was going to, but someone stopped him." She said quietly. "Before… before he could…"
She felt his arms around her. She tried to keep the tears from falling but couldn't. He just let her cry silently into his chest.
"Who was it?" He finally asked.
"I… I don't know."
"Elsie, you need to tell me." He said pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. "It's okay."
"His name is Harting, from fox company." She broke down and told him everything. From the first encounter she had with him to what he was going to do to her. She felt so relieved to be able to say it all out loud. She even told him about Phil.
"I should have been able to fight him." She said. "My uncles taught me to fight, I should have been able to protect myself. But all I saw was Phil and I forgot everything."
"you were a kid when that happened to you." He said making her look him in the eyes. "It's not a surprise that the fear you felt came back when you were attacked again. This isn't your fault."
"I should have tried harder," She said.
"No, this isn't your fault." He said again. "Say it."
"This isn't my fault." She said quietly.
"Louder."
"This isn't my fault."
"Better." He said with a small smile.
"Please don't tell anyone, especially Lieutenant Welsh," She said. "If he finds out he's sure to tell Colonel Sink and my uncles and I can't get sent home. I just can't."
"And we don't want you to kid." He smiled. "I won't tell him, but if something ever happens again you need to come to me. I'll see if there's anything I can do about Harting while we are here. But aside from saying what actually happened I might not be able to do anything."
"I know." She said. "Thank you, Nix."
"You're welcome, princess." He said. "We need you out there."
Nixon walked her to the mess hall, which she was grateful for. She didn't want to be caught alone again. She grabbed her food and made her way to the table with her boys. Guarnere stood up when her saw her.
"What happened?" He asked, only sitting down after she did.
"I'll tell you later." She looked around the table, they looked back at her with worried eyes. She smiled at them. "I'm still here, aren't I?"
When they were back at there barracks, she told them what happened with Nixon.