Disclaimer: I own nothing of Band of Brothers and the images I used, just my characters and story. In addition, I meant no disrespect to the real soldiers of Easy Company and I apologize for any mistakes whether it be historical inaccuracies or punctuation/grammar.

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Outskirts of Carentan, France: 1944

As quickly mortars came down onto Easy company, so was the call for a medic. With a nod to each other for luck and hopefully God forbid, a final good-bye, Eliza and Roe sprinted to wherever they were needed to be. Using foliage for concealment against the bullets and mortars, Eliza crouched down and hauled herself until she neared the soldier screaming for help.

The blast from mortars, the ringing from shooting weapons, and shouts of officers ordering to lay low and fire away made it difficult to pinpoint the screams for a medic. Eliza managed to crawl to the soldier who was groaning in pain, shrapnel embedded in his thigh. Upon further inspection, the shrapnel had not fully decapitated his leg, so Eliza tried to ease the soldier with her calm voice, who kept thrashing in pain. Even though it was fortunate that his leg was intact, his movements would have made the injury worse as he could've further lodged the piece of metal. However, the soldier kept squirming in pain, so Eliza had no choice but to use morphine. Once the paratrooper was calm, Eliza immediately tied a tourniquet at the base of his thigh to prevent any more blood loss. When it was secured, she sanitized and wrapped the wound with gauze. After taking care of the injury and making sure the morphine had kicked in, Eliza, gently as possible, hauled the paratrooper onto her back to evacuate him out of the battle. Fortunately, Eliza had managed to do so, dodging bullets and shrapnel while running with the injured paratrooper on her back.

It had become a routine for Eliza as the battle raged on at the outskirts of Carentan, run towards the injured while not getting wounded herself, and doing her best to make sure they stayed alive until she could bring them out. Eliza contrived to treat five more soldiers; however, two out of five had died while she was administering aid. Another two deaths added onto the mounting list of people she couldn't save.

The battle had continued relentlessly; the chaos evident as bodies scattered among the ground, dirt raining down from the impact of mortars, and the quick stream of bullets zipping through the air that could immediately end the unfortunate soldier's life in its way. Eliza had safely evacuated the seventh paratrooper injured from a shot to the shoulder. Propitiously, the bullet had exited the wound, so there was no concern for the metal to cause infections. However, without the bullet, the injury was left open to bleed. When Eliza arrived to treat the paratrooper, it was evident by the fluttering of his eyes that he was nearing unconscious from blood loss. Immediately, Eliza retrieved plasma from her medical pouch and injected it into his arm. Having done this many times before, Eliza cleaned and bandaged the wound and hauled him to safety.

When she entered the battlefield after handing another wounded to two medics, Eliza heard a scream from a distance to her left. Running towards the agonizing scream, Eliza saw up ahead a soldier clutching his stomach with bloody hands. However, Eliza wouldn't be able to save the man's life as the shell of a tank landed near him, ending his life immediately. Because Eliza was a few meters away, she wasn't severely injured; however, the impact propelled Eliza, harshly throwing her to the ground. Without her helmet in place, Eliza bumped her head against the rough foliage, resulting in a concussion and a sharp cut on her hairline.

Eliza remained on the ground, disorientated as her ears rang, and eyes blurred from the dirt caking on her face. She tried her best to fight it, slowly blinking her eyes to try and diffuse the dizziness she was feeling. Eliza knew that it was best to lie down at the moment, worried that the harsh landing caused severe injuries. However, she couldn't wait until the effects of her head injury were gone. Slowly, Eliza turned her head to make sure her neck wasn't broken. She was able to turn her to the right and saw the blurred outlines of the German tanks.

Knowing that German artilleries were increasing in significant numbers and force, Eliza quickly conducted a self-assessment of her injuries by slightly moving her limbs to ensure there weren't any more injuries. When she confirmed that the only injury she obtained from the blast was a cut and a concussion, Eliza gently got up propped onto her elbows. As her eyesight became lucid, she was astounded at the sight of destruction around her. Trees were smothered in black char, the ground jagged due to the gaping holes, and the air was fogged with ash. All through the damage, Eliza found that the worst thing was the pungent smell. It had worsened her throbbing head, while its thickness had sucked all the oxygen from her lungs.

Eliza knew that she had to get out, not only because she couldn't breathe, but also she was a perfect target, stable and inattentive. Therefore, with all her strength, Eliza heaved herself to find cover while getting her senses back. While crawling through dirt, Eliza wanted to check on the paratrooper who called for help, that in all the unfortunate odds, he was able to crawl away from the explosion. But when Eliza turned her head, she saw the dismantled and scorched limbs of what once was the paratrooper.

Because of the increased weaponry of the Germans, the number of wounded drastically increased. It was evident from the call for medics that grew more after the tanks appeared. The demand weighed on Eliza as she tried her best to reach many injured paratroopers, while meticulously doing her job. Fortunately, Shermans from the 2nd Armored rolled into the battlefield, alleviating the pressure of Easy Company to hold the line. Their presence resulted in some of the paratroopers cheering, while others sighed in relief due to the support. Soon, the battle was over with the surrender of the Germans.

Aldbourne, England: 1944

Several weeks after the attack on Carentan, Easy Company was sent back to Aldbourne to recuperate. It was a much-needed rest as the events took a toll on Easy's paratroopers' physical, mental, and emotional state. Currently, Eliza was walking through the streets, trying to clear her mind. The weeks before had been fraught, to say the least, as her mind kept drifting to the destruction from charred trees, dismembered bodies scattered on the ground, and the burnt smell that wafted in the air. But the soldiers' faces that she couldn't save was the worst thing on her mind, resulting in many restless nights.

Sometimes it became unbearable for Eliza, evident from her face became ghostly and the prominent bags under her eyes. During those times, she was immensely grateful that she wasn't back at the battlefield, but in the small town, she fell in love with it. At times when it became too much, Eliza would take short walks around town, trying to remember the cozy ambiance from little brick houses and shops to the kindness that locals radiated whenever they greeted her. The small village had helped Eliza be grounded and away from her thoughts, even for a little bit of time.

Not only has it been an escape from her harsh reality, but also Eliza was able to reconnect with the Watsons. Once she had stepped onto their doorsteps, the Watsons had taken Eliza into their open arms. They had doted on her, cooking until she could eat no more while making sure she was comfortable. It had warmed Eliza's heart as it been a long time that she felt the love from a complete family. However, all good things come to an end, and Eliza knew that this feeling is temporary because her family would never be whole.

Just as she was about to turn a corner, Eliza remembered that Mrs. Watson had something to give her that was important. After obtaining some essential ingredients for Mr. Watson since it was on her way back, Eliza closed the door of the Watsons' home and placed the paper bag on a table. When Mrs. Watson heard that Eliza came back home, she quickly wiped her hands with a kitchen towel and promptly obtained a letter and placed it into the pocket of her apron.

"Welcome home, dear. Oh, thank you for bringing home George's things," Mrs. Watson greeted while helping Eliza with the paper bags.

"Not a problem, Mrs. Watson, it was on my route anyway."

"Oh, before I forget again, there were letters that came in just moments before you were sent out. George had accidentally kicked them under the coat rack. Fortunately, I found them, and you returned to retrieve these," Mrs. Watson replied, taking out two letters and gently placing it into Eliza's hands.

"Thank you, Mrs. Watson, for keeping it safe. I'll take my leave now, so I can have time to read these letters before I meet the men in the mess hall," Eliza stated before placing the letters in her jacket and hugging Mrs. Watson a farewell.

"Alright, have fun, my dear," Mrs. Watson answered, giving a wink and smile as Eliza laughed.

"I'll try my best."

When Eliza left, Mrs. Watson looked at the door as she shook her head with a sad smile because she knew that the young woman had always worked so hard, but never taking the chance to enjoy herself.

Eliza had walked a stoned path with her heels on the way to the vast field that she had found during her first time in Aldbourne. She spent most of her time in there whenever she had the time, especially for breaks after her walks. Nearing the wooden gate at the entrance, Eliza removed the black heels from her sore feet as it would be easier to walk onto the grass. Holding the letters and heels in her hand, Eliza made it to her favorite spot, under the giant oak tree planted at the edge of the field. Although she did enjoy laying in the middle of the ground surrounded by flowers and taking in the sun's warmth when it shined, Eliza had taken a liking to rest on the trunk while the breeze of the chilly weather cooled her down.

When she reached the oak tree, Eliza gently laying her back onto the trunk, making sure that her uniform wouldn't be dirty. Once she was settled, Eliza opened the letter from her siblings, excited to know what they were up to. However, her smile immediately disappeared as Evelyn's letter disclosed that their father's condition was getting worse. As she continued to read, Eliza gripped the note with such force that the paper had crumpled while her face creased in worry. Until she reached the last sentence of Evelyn's letter that Eliza's eyes began tearing up, the doctors saw a limited chance her father would recover, so both her siblings, with Jane's support, decided to pull the plug.

Eliza stunned, trying to reread the sentence as if her eyes were tricking her or tears were disorientating the letters. However, when she read the same sentence, it had struck her. Tears started rolling down her face, droplets landing onto the letter smudging the black ink. Eliza began hyperventilating, as the sudden realization that her father had passed away without a proper good-bye hurt so much, even when her mother passed or landing on the trees during D-day. The day Eliza had visited her father was a farewell if she was killed in action. It was unbearable to think that it would be her father to die when she was fighting in a great war.

And so, underneath the great oak tree, sat a young woman in her class A uniform, crying out the pain radiated so heavily in her chest for her father that she wouldn't be able to see again.

It had been moments ago since Eliza had visited the field to discover that her father had passed away. But signs of grief were fresh from redness of her eyes and nose, puffiness of her eyes, and blotchiness of her face. Once she was able to handle her emotions, without hesitation, Eliza left the field and to the Watsons' cottage to fix herself. The slight makeup that was issued with her uniform was smudged by her tears, her hair was unkempt by the breeze, and her outfit managed to get dirty. Fortunately, Eliza was able to enter the cottage without alerting her arrival as no one was home. So she quickly went upstairs to the bedroom she was staying and got ready once more.

Eliza had made it to the mess hall, sitting next to Liebgott while staring at her drink with such intent. Eliza tried acting normal to not raise any of the men's suspicious, saying hellos to whoever greeted her and smiling whenever someone joked. It was difficult as Eliza wanted nothing more to lie down in bed and sleep the tiredness away. But Eliza knew that if she didn't attend, her comrades would be alarmed. She was trying to focus all her attention on a glass of water, so she wouldn't burst out. However, she didn't notice Liebgott bumped into her as he scooted to allow Malarkey and More to sit at their tables.

Detecting that Eliza hadn't reacted, Liebgott bumped his shoulder to gain her attention and to ask what was wrong.

"Hey, you okay, Liz? You seem out of it."

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Eliza quickly replied, "I think I might be getting sick, but I'll be okay."

"Fine, just tell me if it gets worse, and I'll take you back to the Watsons."

"I will thank you, Joe."

Upon closer look, Joe noticed that Eliza's eyes were puffy and red while her voice cracked whenever she answered. It wasn't her appearance that worried Liebgott, but it was how quickly Eliza didn't act her usual stubborn self. When someone was concerned about Eliza, she made sure to drill into the individual that she was fine and that their concern wasn't necessary. So deep down, Liebgott knew that there was something more bothering Eliza.

Hearing the uneasiness of Liebgott for Eliza's health, the rest of the men at her table chimed in expressing their concern. The hovering and increasing volume of their voices had caused a headache to form, rising as each minute passed by. Eliza knew that a headache would come from the emotional turmoil that occurred several hours ago, but she had hoped it wouldn't emerge at this time.

Not wanting to alert any men of her father's passing, Eliza took a deep breath in and out to control the pain and to steady her voice.

"Thank you all for your concern, but I'm okay, really. It's nothing that I can't handle, plus I wouldn't want to divert everyone's attention from Smokey's Night of the Bayonet," Eliza stated as she winked at Talbert.

With the assurance that Eliza would be okay, the men returned their attention to Gordon, relaying the events that occurred the night before taking over Carentan. However, her attention redirected to Winters, who was talking to Nixon. She had once felt a searing pain when she lost her mother had returned, striking Eliza with a painful reality.

Fate was so cruel that it can take any person you loved even at the worst of times.

So as she gazed at the man that made her heart beat so fast, Eliza knew that Winters was also capable of breaking her heart beyond repair.