AN: Hope you're all having a lovely week! :)
During their maneuvers in Kentucky and Tennessee, the 506th attached itself to the 101st Airborne Division. No longer an independent unit, the men from the 506th were issued the Screaming Eagles patch to wear on their uniforms. Knowing they were a part of something massive, the Regiment walked into Fort Bragg with confidence. After two months of being out in the field, men enjoyed a shower and a hot meal, followed by a real bed to sleep on.
After a good night's rest, the famous foursome explored Fort Bragg. It was ten times bigger than Toccoa, with much better entertainment. The only downside was the heat. Robin could already feel her skin burning from the intense sun. Luckily, her friends were keen on sitting inside the Red Cross centre for a beer. But before they went there, Hoobler wanted to check out the rifle range at the end of camp. Knowing Robin was suffering under the heat, Bob and Dukeman wondered why she didn't start up an argument with Hoobler.
"Still tired, bub?" Dukeman asked her, "suppose it's 'gonna take a few days to get our energy back".
"We'll need a few nights of decent sleep". Bob agreed, "and some hot chow".
"Supper was good last night". Hoobler said, "fried chicken. Best I've tasted".
Rubbing the back of her neck, Robin told them;
"just 'wanna talk with Hoobs for a moment, eh?"
"No bother". Dukeman smiled, "we'll meet you both at the Red Cross, huh? First rounds on me".
"Cheers". Robin said softly, "see yous in a bit".
Bob and Dukeman turned around and followed the path towards a cluster of buildings. Robin and Hoobler continued to walk towards the rifle range. He never asked right away what she needed him for. Instead, Hoobler talked about the camp.
"Did you see the assault course? It's bigger than the one in Toccoa".
"Aye, it is, eh?" She agreed, "massive".
"Ain't this the place where Winters first trained?"
"Eh…no, that was Croft". She confirmed softly, "but Winters didn't meet his pal, Nixon, there".
"They met at Benning, right?"
"Yeah".
Hoobler grinned;
"Nixon's a funny guy…odds on him having booze in his canteen instead of water?"
"High". Robin smiled small, "he's definitely mostly always pissed".
He chuckled;
"he's rich, huh? Must be some top brand of liquor he's drinking".
"What'd you say his dad owned again-"
"Nixon Nitration's, New Jersey".
"Aw, right". She said, "explains the posh booze then".
"Lucky for some, huh?" Hoobler smirked, "but he seems like a good guy, you know".
"Aye, he does".
With the rifle range now in sight, Robin said;
"just wanted to tell 'ye something".
"What's that?" Hoobler asked.
Rubbing her lips together first, she whispered;
"Rosie's birthday today".
Nodding, Hoobler told her gently;
"hell, Robin…I still remember the first birthday George had after he died. But I had to stay strong, you know. Cause of my mom and sister. They needed me".
"How'd you do it?" She whispered with a frown, "like…I can't fucking – 'dunno, switch on or something".
When he stopped walking, Robin stopped.
Facing her, a tiny but sad smile reached his lips;
"honestly?"
Robin nodded.
Hoobler sighed first;
"when they went to bed, I was still up. Grabbed something that belonged to George and cried".
"You did?" She was surprised. Robin could never imagine him crying.
"Yeah, I did". Hoobler confirmed softly, "I ain't heartless, pal. The way I see it, once you get done crying, you just 'gotta move forward, you know".
"Aye, I get it". Robin whispered, "just didn't think you'd tell me that".
"Come on, man…you're my best buddy. We argue and get into it but I still fucking trust you".
Nodding, she clenched her jaw slightly;
"I trust you too, Hoob".
"He was my little brother, Robin". He said, "all I had to hold onto, was his sweater".
"Rosie was older, eh?" She mumbled, "but…sometimes, she was younger than me. Suppose it doesn't really matter when it comes to family".
"Still hurts the same".
With a shaky sigh, she ran a hand down her face;
"it's just fucked, eh?"
"Yeah". Hoobler frowned, "it's shit, Robin".
"Just want to see my dad".
When her hand left her face, Hoobler could see her struggling. Her eyes were burning, and she had to clench her jaw, to stop her bottom lip from trembling.
"He'd make it better?" He asked.
Shrugging, Robin tensed up her body;
"'dunno".
"You hug him?"
Robin nodded.
Hoobler raised his arms to his waist;
"I could hug you?"
Taking in a sharp breath, she shrugged;
"'dunno". Robin croaked.
"I wanted my dad on George's birthday".
When a tear rolled down her cheek, she quickly wiped it away;
"aye but…I just don't go hugging guys, Hoob".
"Do I fucking smell?"
She huffed out what was meant to be a laugh but sounded more like a cry;
"maybe, aye".
Smiling small, Hoobler lowered his arms;
"best shower, huh? Red Cross girls ain't 'gonna come near me".
Rubbing her face, Robin whispered;
"thanks, Hoob. You're a good fucking friend".
…
Leaving the Red Cross Centre early, Robin left her three friends behind to enjoy the rest of the night. She had a few beers and felt a little tipsy but not drunk. Robin couldn't handle any more beers that night, her stomach felt full of grief and homesickness. Rosie would have turned twenty-six, the doctors didn't think she'd reach her late teens. Robin wanted her father. She needed him. But he was thousands of miles away, back in Scotland with her mother.
Running a hand down her face, she stumbled to the barracks.
Breathing heavily, her chest felt incredibly tight. Tears started to fill her eyes and Robin tensed herself up until it physically hurt, to stop them from falling. Through blurry vision, she spotted a figure approaching her. Robin didn't know who it was right away. And that figure soon rushed over, when her legs gave way. Kneeling beside a barrack, her hands covered her eyes. She continued to breathe heavily, near enough panting. Robin knew today was going to be hard, but she didn't expect the reaction she was experiencing.
The figure crouched in front of her.
A hand soon fell onto her neck and shoulder;
"easy, chuckles". It was Luz. "Nice and easy, huh? What've you done? Drank too much?"
She didn't respond.
Luz ducked his head, trying to get a look at her face but her hand was in the way. He gave her neck a gentle squeeze;
"what's going on?" His voice was softer but continued to be light.
Shaking her head, Robin croaked;
"just miss them, man".
With a frown, Luz asked;
"your old man and sister?"
Robin nodded;
"yeah".
"It's alright, chuckles". He assured her, "deep breaths, huh? We ain't running Currahee".
Feeling tears leak out from the corners of her eyes, she sniffed and mumbled;
"fuck sake".
"It's all good, come on".
Luz could feel how tense she was under his touch;
"just relax, huh?"
Clenching her jaw, Robin shook her head.
Luz's frown softened;
"you ain't making this easy, huh?" He joked lightly, "what's got you all juiced up? You feeling a little down?"
With another sniff, she nodded.
Luz shrugged one shoulder;
"just us out here, chuckles. No one else around now. They're fucking wasted. How come you ain't drinking with 'em?"
When Robin exhaled, a tiny, choked sound followed.
Shaking her head, she mumbled tearfully;
"what the fuck 'am 'a doing, George? Rosie fucking dead. 'Am 'no meant to be here".
Luz gently patted and rubbed the back of her neck;
"cause you're a good fucking soldier, that's why you're here". He said, "we gave you shit, huh? And you're still around. You're a team player, chuckles".
"Just 'wanna see 'ma dad, eh?"
Her shoulders started to shake.
Luz's soft frown deepened;
"yeah, I know, chuckles…but you got us, right? We'll pull you out of anything. Cause you'd do the same for us".
Robin took in a deep breath.
And nodded.
Luz felt a tiny smile reach his lips;
"'atta girl. Come on, it's only ten. Let's do something stupid".
Scrubbing her eyes, she uncovered her face.
Raising her head, a little, she met his stare;
"what're you thinking?"
Luz smiled and winked;
"ever been on the back of a motorbike?"
Robin huffed;
"nah…how come?"
"Well, I got this friend, right? And he's got these keys to this b-e-a-u-tiful bike that's just sitting around all lonesome".
Shaking her head, Robin mumbled;
"you're 'gonna steal some cunts bike, eh?"
He soon grinned;
"what a great idea, chuckles".
Helping her up, the pair of them walked away from the barracks and headed towards a garage. Seven motorbikes were standing stagnant outside. Picking one, Luz opened up the seat and brought out a set of keys. The bikes were used for training purposes, for those who were learning to drive. The Sergeant in charge of the bikes was currently on leave. George Luz took the Sergeant's role until he returned to camp. Climbing onto the bike, Robin sat behind Luz and grabbed a hold of his waist. He turned on the engine, kicked up the break, and set off.
Robin started to smile almost immediately.
And she was full-on grinning when Luz increased the speed.
With a cool summer breeze hitting her face, they drove along the road to the end of camp. Robin lessened her grip on Luz's waist and stretched her arms to the side. With a laugh, she told him;
"this feels fucking fantastic!"
The rush of excitement and adrenaline masked any pain she felt inside. For the next twenty minutes, Robin was in a state of pure bliss. Reaching the end of camp, Luz turned the bike around and they began the journey back to the garage. Letting out a deep breath, Robin placed her hands onto his waist and pressed her cheek against his back.
Nodding into him, she said;
"thank you!"
Taking one hand off the bike, Luz gave her knee a soft pat;
"anytime, chuckles!"