(I used Google Translate for the French so I'm sorry if it's incorrect)
Saunders pushed himself off the tree trunk where he'd been napping and stretched his stiff arms before blinking owlishly at the bright sunlight. He couldn't remember the last time he'd allowed himself to be this relaxed; it had to be at least several months. Here, he swept his gaze around, it was almost as if it was untouched by the war. People had once lived here a but all that was left was an old house and stone arch with large cracks in it, he smirked thinking of what Caje had said when he'd seen it, he'd called it La porte du Paradis, Heaven's Gate. And Saunders had to agree, it did feel like a little bit of heaven had fallen right here. The grass was a vivid green, flowers sprung up here and there adding splashes of colors, and there was a little brook that gurgled happily down in an embankment.
He exhaled contentedly and pulled out his last cigarette from the packet and then fished around for his lighter. He frowned, it wasn't in his right pocket, nor his left, he patted his coat pockets but still no lighter. Now slightly annoyed, he turned and examined the ground where he'd been lying.
"Lose something, Saunders?"
He whirled around at the voice and found Lt. Hanley standing over him with a teasing smile on his face, "Here," Hanley tossed a lighter to Saunders, "Found it back on the road, figured you'd want it back."
Saunders easily caught the lighter, "Thanks," he said with a grin.
Hanley nodded and then paused, "I'm going down to the stream, care to join?"
Saunders stood to his feet and lit his cigarette, "Sure,"
The two men made their way down the embankment and sat at the river's edge. For a while, neither man said anything, instead, reveling in the immense peacefulness around them. Finally, though, Hanley's deep baritone voice broke the stillness, "I don't think I can remember the last time I relaxed this much,"
Saunders took another drag from his cigarette and slowly blew the smoke out across the water, "Me neither," he murmured. He swung his gaze to Hanley's face and noted the dark circles and slightly pronounced cheekbones, he looked terrible, then again, they probably all looked terrible. This was what they had needed, a calm away from the storm, a chance to just get away from it all. Too soon they'd be back dodging bullets, killing the krauts, and fighting to stay alive. He felt a bit selfish in his thoughts but was grateful for the bit of peace they were able to enjoy.
Laughter rang down from the abandoned village and Saunders was struck again by how carefree they had all become. "You know what Caje calls this place?"
"Mm," Hanley replied. He was lighting his cigarette and took a deep drag before sending the smoke out his nostrils.
"La porte du Paradis,"
"Heaven's Gate…it fits," Hanley murmured. He stared into the water, had it only been a week since they'd been shooting and shot at, wondering if they would make it out alive? It seemed like such a long time since then…another roar of laughter, he raised his head and then glanced at Saunders who was also staring up the embankment.
"Care to see what it's all about, Gil?" Saunders asked.
Hanley grinned, "Sure, Chip," they stood to their feet and Hanley slung his long arm across the shorter man's shoulders. Right now there was no rank distinction, just two friends enjoying a nice spring day.