Disclaimer: all the usual apply.
Chapter 7
Arlene POV
She tried not to laugh at John's rude joke, but failed and ended up choking on her beer. The men at her table all burst out laughing as she coughed and spluttered, trying and failing to regain her composure.
Alex and John had walked her to the pub almost two hours earlier, both men keen to get a good table and enough chairs for all of them. Almost within minutes of them arriving the five new recruits came in, walking tall in their new dress uniforms.
She'd waved them over and they'd joined them, but not before picking up a round for everyone.
"The uniforms suit you boys," she'd said.
They'd put them through three days of torture and now it was time to make them feel like they were truly part of the family.
Philips, the youngest of the new recruits at 20 replied in his Southern accent, "Thank you ma'am."
"Please, as long as we're not around the brass, you can call me Arlene. That goes for the rest of the unit too."
They'd smiled and grabbed their seats, eager to start the night's festivities.
Now, two hours and a couple of drinks later she was anxiously waiting for Jessica to arrive. Every time a soldier walked in her head shot up just so a wave of mixed emotions could wash over her. She kept expecting Joe to walk in, which would mean she'd need to face him, and she really didn't want to do that without her best friend there.
"There they are!" Alex exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air as he clutched a cigarette between his lips.
She looked up to see Jessica and Clark squeeze past a group of American soldiers, the men admiring Jessica in her light blue dress as she sauntered past.
"Miss us?" Jessica asked as she took a seat next to her.
"You, always. Him, not so much," Alex joked.
Clark placed a firm hand on Alex's shoulder. "And for that, you can get the next round for the table."
"Yes, sir," he said, mock saluting Clark before making his way over to the bar.
Jessica turned to her and said, "You look lovely. I always love red on you."
"Thank you. You clean up well yourself."
"You joke, but it took me a good hour to get all the English mud out of my hair. And then another 20 minutes to clean the tub."
"One of the perks of having brown hair."
"I assume Joe hasn't made an appearance yet?" Jessica asked as she took out two cigarettes from her purse.
Clark held out a hand and she handed both over to him. He quickly lit them before handing them back, never interrupting the story he was telling their newest members.
As she took one of the cigarettes from Jessica she said, "There's more than one pub in town, and he may not even have a pass to come out tonight."
Jessica blew out a long stream of smoke. "Both true. But this pub's the closest to their barracks and I ran into Nixon this morning."
"And?"
"He has a pass, and he told me so does Richard. Now it could be an officers only thing, but Richard and Joe are in the same Company."
"Richard huh? Your handsome redhead from New York and the boat? No wonder you're wearing that dress."
Jessica widened her eyes. "What? This old thing?"
"It may be old, but you and I both know what it does to the colour of your eyes."
"A girl has to play to her strengths darling. Just like you in the red."
"Here you go ladies," Alex interrupted them as he placed two double whiskeys down in-front of them.
"Thank you handsome," she replied and Jessica gave him a wink, her lips already curled around the cool glass.
She returned her attention back to Jessica and said, "What am I supposed to say anyway? Sorry for running out on you. Please forgive me and let's have tons of babies together?"
"Well, I would have settled for 'I'm sorry let's make up and make out', but sure, your way works too."
"I'm being serious Jessica."
"So am I."
She gave her friend a blank stare.
Placing the glass down on the table Jessica replied, "Fine. In an ideal world, what would you want to say. Let's start there."
She paused, taking a sip of the amber liquid to give her some time to get her thoughts straight. Finally ready, she answered, "That I'm sorry for leaving him and not a moment goes by that I don't regret it. That I've never felt as safe as I did in his arms, or as alive. And I know it's a lot to ask, but maybe we could start over."
The words had come out easily, feeling as natural as breathing, and they shouldn't have surprised her but they did. She'd thought about what she would say to him over and over again since leaving him alone in that hotel room. She'd just never said them out loud.
"That is exactly what you should say," Jessica said, soft smile on the corner of her lips.
She took a drag of her cigarette and replied, "No Jess. Things are just too complicated now."
"Things are always going to be too complicated. So why the hell not just give it a try?"
She held her friend's gaze and finally said the words she'd been holding back. "What if he breaks my heart?"
Jessica reached over and took one hand in hers. "What if he doesn't?"
She finished her drink and took a final drag of her cigarette. Jessica let go of her hand and turned to look at their table. The replacements had finished their drinks, whether out of nerves or wanting to impress the original members.
Reaching into her purse Jessica took out some money and handed it to Hunt. "Go buy a round for the men. My treat."
He smiled broadly and slapped his closest friend, West, on the shoulder to follow him. The two of them came from the same hometown and had basic training together. They were inseparable.
She watched them walk to the bar, joking over their shoulders and laughing at a joke one of them had made. For a moment her thoughts weren't on Joe, but on what would happen to the one if the other didn't make it out alive.
She felt a hand on her arm and heard Jessica say, "Okay, don't panic, but Joe just walked in with a girl on his arm. I'm sure she's no one."
With her heart sitting in her throat she turned to the door just in time to see Joe walk in with a very pretty strawberry blonde on his arm. He was talking to the soldier in-front of him, Toye if she wasn't mistaken, and the woman was clinging to him as if he was a life raft and she was drowning at sea.
"Look how she's holding onto him. She has legs, she can walk by her damn self. Tramp," Jessica hissed.
She pulled her eyes away from Joe and his pretty companion. "Jessica!"
"What? She's holding onto your man, I don't' have to like her or play nice."
"He's not my man."
"Well, he should be."
"Can we please change the subject to anything else?"
Jessica shrugged. "Sure, to what?"
She smiled, this time it was her turn. "To the very strapping soldier that just walked in who happened to have red hair and cannot stop staring at you."
Jessica's eyes widened and a shy little smile spread across her lips.
"When are you going over there to say hello?" she asked, enjoying the pleasant distraction the turn of events had provided.
"When doing so won't look desperate. So after a few more drinks with the men."
"I'll make you a deal. I'll speak to Joe, when you speak to Richard."
Jessica smiled confidently and held out her hand. "You got yourself a deal."
She shook her friend's hand, knowing she'd make good on her side of the deal.
Shit.
Joe POV
He'd run into Elizabeth on their second day in England. She'd been one of nurses tasked with giving them their next round of inoculations. A few of the guys had tried to chat her up, bit she'd politely turned them all down.
He'd been more determined that the rest, and finally after the third try she'd caved in and accepted his invitation to the local pub the first chance he got. He wasn't sure why he'd asked her. She was pretty, and seemed nice enough, but his heart wasn't really in it. No, the person he wanted didn't want him, so he needed someone to make him forget her.
Walking into the pub, surrounded by his friends and with Elizabeth on his arm, he felt pretty damn good. That was until he found Arlene sitting at a table, tucked in next to Jessica and surrounded by the men they worked with.
He hated how, even in a crowded pub, his eyes would find her even though he didn't want them to.
He knew Jessica had spotted him because she touched Arlene's arm and then Arlene turned to face him. In the moment their eyes met her swore his heart stopped beating. She was as breath-taking as she's been the first night he'd seen her or when she'd stood by calmly as Sobel had screamed in her face.
Just the thought of Sobel screaming at her made him tighten his fists. God, it had taken all his self-restraint not the punch their CO right in his yap.
He considered letting Elizabeth go, but then Arlene's eyes looked past him as if he wasn't even there as she continued talking to Jessica.
Just like that his anger at Sobel was replaced with something far more painful.
"It seems your friends found a table," Elizabeth said.
He looked past her to the table the men had occupied. He was relieved to see it was far away from Arlene's table, at least he wouldn't have to look at her all night.
He steered Elizabeth to the table and grabbed a seat, making sure to keep his back turned to Arlene.
"Get me a drink?" his date asked.
"Oh, yeah sure. Hey Frank, grab us a drink?" he asked Perconte as the other soldier started for the bar.
"Sure, you owe me the next round."
"Okay."
He turned back to Elizabeth, determined to forget Arlene and the feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Jessica POV
Gulping down her third drink of the evening she felt the all too familiar tingling sensation in her fingertips.
"Okay, I'm going to keep my side of the bargain," she announced to Arlene as she stood and straightened out her dress.
"It really isn't the same thing," her friend remarked.
"You're the one that made the deal, not me."
Arlene mumbled something under her breath which she couldn't hear, but she was sure contained at least two curse words.
She ignored her friend, and squeezed past the soldiers crowded near their table.
Someone grabbed her hand and she turned around to see Clark looking up at her. He looked past her, no doubt to the table of officers she was heading for, before giving her a fond smile.
She returned his smile and with a squeeze he let go of her hand.
She closed her eyes for a split second, calming her mind and heart down like she'd done a million times before. Of course those times were matters of life and death, not talking to a man.
God, what has become of me?
Snapping them open she put a whisper of a smile on her lips as she made her way over the waiting table.
"Jess, doll, so glad you decided to join us," Nixon greeted her as she neared them.
"Well Nix, there are few things I wouldn't do for a free drink."
The men laughed and Nixon got up to give her his seat next to Richard.
"Oh no. You don't have to get up for me."
"I have to buy you a drink anyway. And I'll just take a chair from another table. I have excellent scrounging abilities."
Richard got up and for a moment she was deeply disappointed, thinking he was leaving as well, but then he stopped behind her waiting chair, strong hands resting on the back.
She smiled up at him and took her seat, allowing him to push her in.
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure," he replied, taking his seat next to her. She was happy to see they were sitting very close together, their bodies barely two inches apart.
She reluctantly pulled her eyes away from his to look at the rest of the table. "Well, I know Harry, but I don't believe we've met?" she said, eyeing the lieutenant with light blond hair and square jaw.
"Buck Compton ma'am," the officer introduced himself, stretching his hand out across the table.
She shook his hand. "Jessica, please."
"Sure thing. I gotta say, those shots you took this morning were damn impressive."
She stole a glance at Richard, trying to gauge his feelings towards those three shots. He looked at her, his crystal blue eyes making her head spin for a second.
Looking away she softly cleared her throat and replied, "Thank you. I've had a few years to perfect them."
"Yeah, Nixon told us you've been at it since the start of the war," Harry said.
"Oh yes, but I could shoot before that."
"Yeah?" Harry asked.
"My farther loved guns. Taught me and my bother how to shoot at an age when most kids were playing with their dolls and trucks."
Buck put his glass of beer down on the table and said, "Well, he'd be damn proud of you then. Although, I don't know how he feels about his daughter fighting in the war."
"If he was still around I'm sure I'd get an earful on a regular basis."
The table fell quiet and Buck's face dropped.
Damn.
"Oh, Buck, please don't worry. He passed away a long time ago."
Buck gave her a half-hearted smile.
"Jessica," Nixon said as he returned to the table, delicately balancing four glasses, "I was going to buy you a beer when the bartender said you've been drinking double whiskeys all night. You're a woman after my own heart."
She smiled at Nixon, grateful for the drink and for the fact that he'd lifted the mood. "Thanks Nix. I don't mind beer, or really good wine. But this pub carries a decent whiskey which you don't always get and I'm not passing up the opportunity for a decent drink."
Nixon placed her glass in-front of her before doing the same for Harry and Buck. As he turned to find a chair she looked to Richard, noticing for the first time that he only had water in-front of him.
"Did you have a rough night or don't you drink?" she asked him.
He looked down at his water before looking back to her. "Don't drink."
She bit her lip. She drank, and smoked, surely he was going run for the hills soon.
"Yeah, Mister Goody-Two-Shoes over there has no vices," Nixon chipped in as he pulled up a chair.
Richard scowled at his friend.
Oblivious to the tension between his two friends Harry said, "So Jessica, I heard we're gonna be training with you all."
She turned her attention to Harry. "You sound awfully excited at the prospect."
"You kidding me? Sobel's going to hate every second of it which means I'm going to love every second of it."
"I'm going to be completely professional. I didn't want to embarrass the man, but he went after my men and I'm extremely protective of them."
"He deserved it," Richard remarked and she saw the surprise on the other men's faces.
"All I know is I suffered through basic training under that ass and I missed the show. So I really hope he does something else and that I'm around to see you rip him to shreds," Nixon said as he leaned back in his chair.
"I understand, but it doesn't make my job any easier if he's difficult, especially since we need to decide which Companies we want to work with once you all deploy."
"Wow, you all really get to choose?" Harry asked as he blew out a long stream of smoke.
"Yes, we get our pick. And honestly, if Sobel does or says anything out of line, it'll be Clark that sorts him out and I don't wish that upon any man."
"Really?" Buck asked.
"Clark can be ruthless when he needs to be, he wouldn't hesitate to rip any man limb from limb if need be."
Nixon raised his glass and said, "Here's hoping needs be then."
"Here-here," Buck chimed in as he and Harry raised there glasses.
She looked over to Richard. He was sitting back in his chair, his glass still firmly on the table.
"You don't feel the same?" she asked.
He looked away from his three companions who'd slipped into their own conversation and said, "I want what's best for the men. In combat he's going to get them killed, but what are you going to do? For now he's our CO. All I can do is protect them to the best of my abilities."
"That's a heavy burden to bear Richard. You can't protect your men from the enemy without and within while still succeeding in your missions."
He dropped his head and sighed. "I have to try."
She looked at him and she could see the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. Reaching for his hand she rested her fingers on top of his. "If you need to talk to someone, or not talk, just sit with someone. I'm your girl."
His hand turned around so her fingers were resting in his palm. She imagined how it would feel if he curled his fingers around hers and her heart raced. He looked up from their hands and met her eyes. "If I want to talk about Sobel?"
"If you want to talk about any of it. I know how hard it can be leading men into a war. Sometimes you just need someone that understands."
She felt his fingertips twitch and her heart soared, but then as if he thought better of it he moved his hand away.
She steeled her face, a familiar mask falling into place, as she raised her glass and joined the other men's conversation.
An hour and two drinks later she excused herself. The rest of the night had actually turned out quite lovely after her excruciating disappointment. Harry and Buck were endlessly entertaining and she loved how Nixon would mercilessly tease Richard just for the other to retort with a well-hidden sarcastic comeback.
Making her way over to the bathroom she glimpsed Joe standing by himself near the end of the bar. Turning around she caught Arlene's eye and using sign language, told her what she'd seen.
She could see her friend take a deep breath, looking for all the world like she was about to invade Berlin, before she got up and made her way over to Joe.
Here's hoping she has more luck than I did, she thought dryly.
Knowing Arlene would hate an audience she continued on her way to the door. She wasn't sure if it was because of the full to capacity pub, the smoke hanging thick in the air or Richard's rejection, but she needed some air.
As she stepped outside the fresh air moved a few stray strands of hair against her cheeks. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the feeling of the cool air moving into her lungs. There was giggle to her right. Turning in its direction she saw a dark haired woman pressed up against the wall of the bar, a soldier leaning in against her, his face buried in her neck.
I hate my life.
She turned away from them. With no clear destination in mind she started to slowly walk away from the pub, needing some distance between her and the loved up couple.
When she was a few feet away from the door she heard a pebble skip across the cobbled street. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and for the second time that night her heart beat furiously in her chest. Scanning the street ahead she spotted a dark alley off to her left a few feet away. Forcing her feet to move at a steady, relaxed pace she controlled her breathing. A part of her mind told her she was being paranoid, years of fighting making her see monsters where there were none, but she hadn't listened to that part before and she sure as hell wasn't going to start now.
If it's nothing they'll walk right by, she told herself.
Finally reaching the mouth of the alley she ducked in and sprinted a few steps before reaching underneath her skirt and pulling out the switchblade strapped to her thigh.
Never leave home without it.
She carefully made her way back to the mouth of the alley, pressing herself into the shadows and tightening her grip on the hilt of the knife. Her ears straining, all she could hear were the muffled voices from the pub, but she waited. She knew someone was behind her and unless they'd turned back to the pub, they had to come this way.
As if on cue a tall, dark shadow stopped at the mouth of the alley before moving into the shadowy corridor. He was wearing a uniform and looked strong even in the bad light. She knew she had to be quick and ruthless otherwise she'd be in trouble.
Now.
Stepping out of the deep shadow she rushed the figure, using all her weight to throw him off balance he smacked hard into the brick wall. With her free hand she landed a punch into his stomach, making him bend over, gasping for air. She pulled him up by his hair and pressed her elbow against his throat as she level the blade against the soft skin.
"Think about moving and I'll cut your throat. Why are you following me?"
The man choked but didn't try to fight her off, instead holding up his hands. "I saw you walking off by yourself. I thought it was dangerous for a woman to be on her own so I followed to make sure you were fine. Clearly you're the most dangerous thing out here, but the figments of my imagination tend to be."
She knew that voice, she'd heard it once before on the voyage from the States to England.
Well shit, chalk one up to paranoia.
She slowly lowered the blade but still kept a firm grasp on the hilt. Just in case.
Her eyes had adjusted to the dark and now that the adrenaline was beginning to fade she could make out the soldiers features. His eyes were as dark as she remembered, but he seemed taller now that their bodies were pressed together. He held her gaze, not flinching or trying to move away. She could feel the heat from his body on her skin.
She slowly dropped her arm from his throat and took a small step back. He rubbed his throat while eyeing the knife she still held into.
"I don't know you, and you followed me into a dark alley. So I'm going to hold into this," she said, shaking the blade back and forth.
"You have one hell of punch. You could show my men a thing or two," he said, not seeming the least bit upset that she'd just held a blade to his throat.
She eyed him for a few moments. Deciding he wasn't going to try anything she closed the blade and lifted her skirt.
His eyebrows shot up.
"Calm down. I'm just putting the knife away."
"I feel like I should be insulted for a few reasons."
She rolled her eyes and he smirked.
As she straightened out she said, "I'm not going to say I didn't mean to hurt you because I did, obviously. But I am sorry."
"That's fine. I should have known better than to follow you."
"Why did you? You could just have come up to me and asked to walk me to wherever I was going?"
"And then you wouldn't have pulled a knife on me?"
"Not immediately."
He smiled and reached inside his pocket, taking out two cigarettes and lighting them he handed one to her.
"You didn't look like you wanted company," he finally answered her question.
She took a drag before replying, "I wasn't heading anywhere in particular. Just needed some fresh air. What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Either you were outside already, or you followed me out."
"I was outside already."
"Oh no, you weren't the soldier making out with the girl against the wall were you?"
He smirked. "You almost sound disappointed."
"Don't flatter yourself. I'd just feel bad for her. It sounded like she was having a real good time."
He took a drag and quirked his head to one side. Blowing out the smoke he said, "No, but that was one of my men and he'll be on latrine duty for the next few days."
"That's a bit harsh."
"He should have done it somewhere more private. The locals already think we're a bunch of hooligans coming to terrorise their daughters."
"You don't strike me as the type to worry about what other people think."
"I don't, but my superiors do."
"I see. You still didn't answer my question. Why were you outside. There are a lot of pretty girls in the pub who would give anything for a the attention of a handsome lieutenant."
He paused and she wondered if he was ever going to give her a straight answer.
"A British soldier was telling a story of how he nearly died at some place called Dunkirk. After listening to it I needed some air. My men can't see things like that affect me."
She nodded and took a very long drag, the smoke burning into her lungs. "A place like Dunkirk will affect anyone that survives it. It clings to you, becomes a part of you."
He eyed her before asking, "Were you there?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice as a vivid memory flashed before her eyes.
"Now I'm sorry."
She managed a soft smile. "We survived and more importantly the British Army survived to fight another day. That's all that counts in the end."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head. "No, not now at least. Maybe one day when all of this is a bad memory. Or when I'm really spectacularly drunk."
He finished his cigarette and tossed it to ground, stomping on it to make sure it was out. "Are you the officer that shot a Captain?"
She threw her own cigarette to the ground. "That depends on which Captain you are referring to."
"An American one."
"No, I did not shoot him. I shot near him with the intention of illustrating how close he came to being shot."
He smiled approvingly. "I still don't know you're name."
She held out her hand and he took it, an unexpected jolt traveling from their palms into her stomach. "Jessica King."
"It's a pleasure to officially meet you Jessica. You are by far the most fascinating woman I've ever met," he said, not letting go of her hand.
She quirked an eyebrow up and looked from him to their hands.
He smirked but let go of her hand. "Can I walk you back to the pub?"
She smiled and started for the mouth of the alleyway. "Well c'mon," she said over her shoulder.
"The most fascinating," she heard him whisper to himself just before he fell in next to her.
Winters POV
He watched as Jessica slipped out the door, his eyes never leaving her, and then he continued to watch the door to make sure no one followed her. He couldn't explain why, but he felt a deep protectiveness for the woman.
He'd been so busy watching her leave that he hadn't noticed Nixon move from his seat to the one previously occupied by Jessica, so when his friend said, "What the fuck was that?" he nearly punched him in the face.
"For Pete's sake Nix, don't sneak up on me like that. I have a gun."
"Answer my question."
"What question. You didn't ask one."
"Oh, so you need me to spell it out for you? Fine. I saw you and Jessica. You could have taken her hand and you didn't. No, instead you pulled your hand away like some goddamn fool."
He rubbed a hand over his eyes. He had been a fool and he didn't even know why. All he'd wanted to do when she sat down next to him was put an arm across the back of her chair so the entire place could see she was his. But he hadn't. And when her hand was in his, his fingers wanted to close around hers and drag her out of the noisy pub to somewhere more private, where he could have her all to himself. But he didn't. Instead he'd pulled away.
Typical.
"I don't know what you're talking about Nix," he lied.
"I'm not an Intelligence Officer for nothing. You like her and for whatever crazy reason you refuse to do something about it. So as your friend I'm going to tell you something you don't want to hear."
Nixon paused dramatically and he became a little bit worried about what he was about to say.
"If you don't make a move soon, someone else will. You and I both saw the looks she got from half of the men in this place. And if she ends up someone else, you're going to be miserable and I don't want to have to tell you 'I told you so'."
He knew Nixon was right. In all his life he'd never been this drawn to someone. In so many aspects she was his exact opposite, but that only made the attraction stronger, it only intrigued him more. So why did he refuse to do something about it? Because he needed to remain in control, and she made him feel so out of control he wasn't sure he could handle it.
"I hear you Nix. We'll see," he mumbled.
Nixon stared at him and for a moment he was sure his friend was going to punch him, instead he shoved his chair out as he stood and said, "I'm getting another drink."
Not for the first time he wished he did drink.
Arlene POV
She spotted Joe leaning against the bar, cigarette casually dangling between his lips as he waited for his order. By some miracle he was alone, neither his friends or his date nearby.
She took a moment to admire him and acknowledge her heart beating at a million miles a minute.
You've faced dozens of Germans, you can handle one American, she told herself as she took a deep breath.
With all the cool confidence she could muster she approached him, making sure to stay out of his direct line of sight so he'd only notice her once she was close.
He ran his hand through his slicked back hair and looked over his shoulder. He spotted her and for a moment her world stopped turning. To her surprise he didn't turn away, instead turning towards her, a cocky smirk on his lips as he eyed her up and down.
"Joe, I thought it was you," she said, coming to a stop in-front of him.
"I bet seeing me wasn't the type of surprise you were hoping for," he replied dryly.
His words stung, but she hid it behind a well-rehearsed smile. "Not at all! You'll always be a lovely surprise."
He snorted and took a drink of the beer resting on the bar near his elbow.
"I suppose I deserve that."
He took a drag of his cigarette. "Don't worry about it. You were right, I was planning on making a run for it. You just saved me the trouble."
She looked away from Joe to grab the barman's attention. "Double whiskey please."
The balding man nodded and poured her a drink, sliding it over to her. "On the house."
She smiled her thanks, not yet trusting her voice after Joe's harsh words. Taking a long sip she allowed the bitter liquid to settle her nerves.
"You just get what you want, don't you?" Joe said.
She looked at him over the rim of her glass willing her anger at his insults to win out over her anguish. With a twist of her lips into a thin smile she replied, "What can I say? Unlike some people I actually have a personality people like."
"You seemed to enjoy my company."
She shrugged, anger now having fully won. "Well, there's a reason I left in the morning."
His jaw clenched as he pushed himself off of the bar, straightening out to his full height. She couldn't help herself, she admired the flex of his muscles, the way his jacket tensed over his chest.
Damnit, it's a good thing we're not alone.
Movement over his shoulder caught her eye and she saw his date approach, her pace slowed by the press of bodies she had to navigate. Knowing she had very little time to say at least some of what she'd come here for she said, "Listen Joe, I didn't come here to pick a fight or waste your time. I did come over here to apologise for leaving the way I did, but clearly you couldn't give a rat's ass. We're going to be working together, so I trust you can act professionally."
His stance softened a fraction and she saw his fingers trace the rim of the beer glass. Just as he was about to say something a slender arm wound around his waist, quickly followed by his date's smiling face.
Jessica's right, she does look like a tart.
"Who's your friend darling?" the woman purred.
She swore she saw Joe stiffen at the sound of her voice, his hand remaining on the beer glass and his arm at his side. "She's someone I know from back home. She just came over to tell me we're going to be working together."
"Oh?" the woman said, her voice reaching an uncomfortably high note.
She smiled politely. "Yes. I just came over to catch up a bit so we can just get down to business when we see each other again."
Joe nodded. "Yip, it'll be business as usual."
"Good," she replied, holding Joe's gaze for a few heartbeats before turning to look at his date. "You two have a lovely evening further."
The woman gave her a deadly smile. "You too."
With a nod to Joe she took her drink and walked out the door.
Outside, away from Joe and his date she felt the anger ebb away, again making space for hurt.
She threw her head back, downing the whiskey in one swig, relishing the heat burning her throat.
"Arlene?" she heard a familiar voice.
"Jess? What are you doing out here?" she asked, seeing her friend walk up to the bar, a very handsome lieutenant at her side.
"I needed some air. You?"
"Same, plus a drink. Unfortunately the drink's done."
Jessica nodded, glancing at the door as if she'd find answers there. "Wait here. I'll fetch our things and another drink."
"We don't have to leave now. I just need a moment."
"No, this isn't a mission we have to see through to the bitter end. The men were drunk before I'd left, by now they'll be three sheets to the wind."
"Fine, whatever you want to do," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant when really she could kiss Jessica for saving her from having to watch Joe's date fawn all over him.
Jessica turned to the handsome soldier and said, "Ronald Speirs, this is Arlene Walker. We work together."
Ron nodded. "Ma'am."
She smiled politely.
"Ron, would you mind waiting with Arlene while I grab our things? But I have to warn you, her left hook is meaner than mine," Jessica said, a lopsided smile on the corner of lips.
"I'll keep a safe distance then," he replied, and she felt like they'd shared some inside joke she wasn't yet a part of.
Jessica touched her shoulder and said, "I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Once Jessica had disappeared into the smoke and noise of the pub she turned her full attention on to soldier. He was leaning against the pub wall, absentmindedly playing with a his lighter.
"How did you two meet?" she asked.
"Well, we met on the voyage over here, but honestly I wasn't sure she was real. And then tonight I followed her into an alleyway because I was worried about her safety, and let's just say I know now without a doubt she is very real."
She eyes him. "You followed her into a dark alley. Do you have a death wish?"
He smirked. "What can I say. She wasn't what I'd expected."
Jessica POV
Shoving her way through the crowded bar she made a beeline for their table. She'd been right, the men were truly drunk now. They were leaning on one another as they sang a tune she thought she recognised, but couldn't be sure of through all their slurring and made up words.
"Sorry to interrupt boys! Just grabbing Arlene's and my things. We're heading home for the night," she nearly shouted to be heard over the din in the pub.
"What? No!" Clark objected, trying to grab her but failing miserably in his drunken state.
She laughed. She really hoped at least one of them was sober enough to make sure the others got home safely. Quickly scanning the faces around the table she found her two candidates. Alex and the replacement Hall still seemed relatively clearheaded, at least in comparison to the rest.
"Alex, Hall," she called them and both men got up from their seat and made their way over to her.
Before she even had the chance to say anything Alex said, "We lost the coin toss earlier. We'll make sure they all get back to their beds safely without throwing away their good name to much."
She looked at the table of men. "I think the latter part is a lost cause already, so I'll settle for getting them into their beds in once piece."
"Deal," Alex said.
"Do you want someone to walk you home ma'am?" Hall asked, his eyes scanning the crowded pub, either searching for an escort or a threat.
"Hall, if you call me ma'am one more time when we're not on official business I'll make you regret it."
He smiled shyly and looked down at his boots.
"But thank you for the offer. We'll be fine though. I'll see you all tomorrow afternoon."
She grabbed their purses and jackets and waved at her friends before making her way over to the bar. Spotting two familiar faces she squeezed in between them, shooting them both her best smile.
"Jessica! I mean Captain, ma'am," Malarkey stammered.
"Malarkey, Bill," she greeted them, "please don't call me ma'am when the brass isn't around. I much prefer Jessica or Jess or whatever other adorable nickname you can come up with."
"Our very own Calamity Jane it is then," Bill said and he laughed at his own joke.
"I'll take it. Now, I'm going to have to butt in here, I have a lady waiting for me outside."
"Oh yeah, I saw Joe's girl here," Bill said, looking around for either Joe or Arlene.
"I think his girl is the blonde hanging all over him darling."
"Nah," Malarkey said, "she's just a nurse he met when we came into town. She's no Arlene that's for sure. Not judging by the way he was keeping an eye on her the whole night. I'd be surprised he's said two words to his date since we got here."
She smiled. Alcohol, you beauty. Now only if I could get Richard to have a drink, maybe he'd be more forthcoming with his feelings.
"Sir," she called over the barman.
"What can I get you? Another whiskey?"
"Tell me, how many bottles do you have left? Of the good stuff."
The man ducked his head underneath the bar for a second before popping back up and replying, "Five."
"In that case," she said, taking money out of her purse and putting it down on the bar top, "I'll take two bottles."
The barman eyed her but didn't say anything. Taking her money he handed her two bottles and continued serving the constant stream of waiting customers.
"Are we invited to this party?" Bill asked.
"Sorry fellas, it's a private event, but this one is for you," she replied, handing Bill one of the bottles.
"Shit, really?" Malarkey asked, grabbing the bottle from Bill.
"Yip, have a drink on me with the rest of the fellas. See you around boys," she said, shooting them a wink and turning to leave.
Nearing the door she felt someone watching her and paused, looking over her shoulder to find Richard staring at her.
She threw her hair over her shoulder and gave him her best Hollywood smile, but didn't stick around to see what he did, opting instead for dramatic exit.
Getting back outside she was relieved to see Arlene and Ron making polite small talk. She knew the moment she'd seen Arlene that she was either going to murder someone or start crying, and she didn't want Ron to bear the brunt of either option.
"Here you go," she said, holding out Arlene's jacket and purse.
Her friend took her things, quickly shrugging on her jacket.
She struggled with her purse and the bottle and was about to put both down so she could put on her jacket when Ron stepped forward and took it from her.
"Here, let me help you," he said, holding out her jacket for her.
Switching the bottle and her purse from the one hand to the next she slipped into her jacket, wondering if Ron's hands remained on her shoulders a few moments longer than they needed to.
"Thank you," she said, looking up at him over her shoulder.
He quickly stepped away and straightened out. He glanced at the bottle of whiskey in her hand but didn't mention it, instead saying, "It was nice to meet you Arlene. And as always, eventful to see you Jessica."
"You too Ron," Arlene said.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment you know," she said.
He smirked. "You should."
"Good night Ron," she said, walking past him.
Once they were a few feet away from the bar she cracked open the bottle and took a swig, grimacing at the warm whiskey.
"So, Ron huh?" Arlene said, holding out her hand for the bottle.
Handing the bottle over and lighting a smoke she replied, "We've just run into each other a few times."
"He's very attractive."
"I never said running into him was a bad thing."
Arlene shook her head, but at least she was smiling. They exchanged the whiskey and the cigarette and before she took a drink she asked, "So, what happened?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Oh, mine's quick. Nothing. Nothing is what happened. Something almost happened but then it didn't. I suspect I've officially gone crazy and am making things up in my head, because I'm starting to doubt whether or not Richard 'I'm such an annoying gentleman' Winters has any interest in me what so ever. Your turn."
Arlene took one last drag of the cigarette and held it out to her. Handing her the bottle her friend said, "How much time do you have?"
"For you? All night."
XXXXXXX
Hello! Hope you all had a good weekend filled with yummy food and lots of laughs. For everyone that keeps coming back to the story and those that leave reviews and add me to their alerts thank you so much! You all make my day.