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Keeping his word, Speirs came by later on just before dark. He saluted Winters and Nixon first, who were both sitting under the canopy. Winters gestured over to Nelly, she was sitting on the edge of the foxhole, at the mercy of falling snow. Speirs looked at her and felt his heart sink. A frown formed on the older cousin's face, and it stayed there, while he looked at Winters. The Captain offered a kind smile. With a nod of his head, Speirs turned around and walked toward Nelly. The two Captain's watched from under the canopy. They had tried to get Nelly under the canopy with them, to get her out of the falling snow but she didn't move – she didn't want the shelter – for whatever reason, Nelly would rather let the snow cover her. Speirs sat next to Nelly. Nixon drew out a sigh and looked at Winters.

"Do you think this will work?"

"Not really". Winters admitted quietly. "But it might help something that needs mending".

Nelly didn't react when Speirs sat down next to her – she continued to stare – eyes glazed over at nothing but white. The heel of her boot gently bumped against the frozen mud. The worry he felt for his cousin increased at that "thousand-yard stare". Speirs's fingers itched to reach for his cigarettes, but he decided not to smoke – he needed to stay focused on Nelly.

"You know…". He began to tell her lightly, "We might hate all this snow, but I'll bet the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo would love it here". If one of his men showed signs of breaking, Speirs knew to send them to Winters. But he was a somewhat feared Lieutenant – his men would never tell him if they were struggling. "Do you remember those penguins?" Speirs asked her quietly.

Nelly didn't even blink.

Speirs resisted the urge to sigh. It was hard watching her struggle and feeling powerless to help was frustrating for Speirs. But it wasn't Nelly's fault she was frozen with fear and unable to talk or do her job as a soldier. Speirs briefly wondered what might happen to his cousin if she remained silent. Would they pull her away and send her to a hospital? Where would she go? Winters could only hold Nelly at Battalion for so long. Speirs ran a hand down his face before staring down at Nelly again. "I didn't throw away the birdhouse you built. I kept it in your room. I figured maybe we could make it into a tent or something". Speirs said, "Or whatever you 'wanna do with it – it's fine by me, it's your work".

Winters and Nixon could somewhat hear what Speirs was telling Nelly. And it struck Winters at the compassion pouring out of Speirs's mouth. Winters's opinion of Speirs was mixed – Winters thought Speirs was the cruellest man in the army but also a great combat leader. However, what he was witnessing now, wasn't a cruel man – it was kind, human and caring. And the smallest of smiles reached Winters's lips when Speirs placed his hand on Nelly's back.

"I know you'll get better". Speirs said to her softly. "But I also know you're scared. It's okay – it's okay that you're scared, kid. And I know you've been at this a lot longer than me and most of the men and you're probably tired of all this shit. But I believe, there is one more breath left in you – one more fight. I know there is, kid. You didn't go through all that shit, to get to this point. You deserve to fight until the end of the war".

Hands pressing against the snow, Nelly scooted back a little and then slowly rose to her feet. All the Officers watched, anxious to see if Speirs's little speech worked – that she would pick up her weapon and fight again. But Nelly's eyes still remained lifeless. And when she turned around and walked away, she was heading in the direction of the latrine trench – without her rifle. With a sigh, Speirs got up. And he lit himself a cigarette. Walking back under the canopy, Speirs shook his head.

"It's too early to tell if that worked, Ron". Winters said, "Who knows, maybe it had some impact on Nelly".

Nixon sent Speirs a small smile. "Just give it time, Ron".

Disappearing in the fog and snow, Nelly approached the start of the slit trench and stopped. Her hands lightly pressed against her hips while her brain tried to process Speirs's words. She didn't feel like giving up. But the fear had this tight grip on Nelly, and it obscured her reality. It stopped her from talking and being a soldier. It was the first time since Mauthausen, Nelly had let fear consume every part of her being. Hands leaving her hips, she rubbed at her heavy eyes.

And once her eyes were uncovered, Nelly saw a figure coming toward her through the fog. Eyes squinting, she tried to make out if it was a friendly American or the enemy. And as the figure got closer, she saw its weapon was raised and the barrel of the gun was pointed toward Nelly. It was also then she realised, the figure was German. Nelly didn't have her weapon. She wasn't even wearing her helmet.

In English, the German demanded quietly, "Surrender…".

Nelly shook her head. If she surrendered, she'd be made POW and the Germans would find her tattoo and put her back in another camp like Mauthausen. Nelly refused to go back there. She'd rather die.

"Hands…up". The German commanded.

Again, she shook her head. If her hands went up, that was a sign of surrender. And Nelly saw the German frown with her decision. He was probably hoping she'd go easily and quietly. He wasn't out to kill; he was out for prisoners. The soldier's frown seemed sad. But Nelly's heavy eyes soon softened slightly. She gave him a faint nod. And mouthed, "It's okay". Still, her body's reaction to facing death was to stiffen and prepare for pain. Nelly's eyes closed. She didn't want to see what was going to happen – she didn't want to watch the bullet shoot out of the barrel. And her legs turned to jelly. Nelly wobbled. She began to shake. She was cold. And scared.

And when the shot was fired – the bullet flew right over Nelly's head.

He missed.

Nelly's eyes opened. And she looked at the German soldier. He appeared frustrated and upset – Nelly was sure she saw tears in his eyes. Behind her, they both heard the sound of boots running and crunching against the snow. Distressed and tired, the German placed the barrel of his rifle under his chin and pulled the trigger. Nelly flinched when the shot rang out and she watched, as the soldier slumped to the ground. Legs no longer able to keep herself up, Nelly almost fell onto her knees, but a pair of hands gripped under her arms, preventing her from crumbling.

"Are you okay?" It was Winters who caught her.

Nelly didn't react right away.

"Nelly, did he shoot you?" Winters's voice was somewhat demanding.

She gave her head a shake.

"Jesus Christ…". Nixon whispered upon seeing the dead German.

Speirs stepped toward the body and looked down. "Two shots were fired".

Winters looked down to the top of Nelly's head.

Speirs turned around and faced his cousin. "He tried to shoot you, didn't he?"

Nelly's eyes stared up at Speirs. She could see he was frustrated and angry. Angry at the German who tried to kill his cousin and angry at Nelly for not bringing her weapon – for not doing her job as a soldier. Speirs could sympathise that she was scared, he could appreciate that she was tired of the war. But it was frustrating for him. The frustration went both ways. Speirs felt frustration toward himself and at Nelly. Running a hand down his face, Speirs then opened his mouth – probably to start yelling or snapping at Nelly for being so careless. But he stopped himself when they all heard the girl whimper quietly. Her eyes lowered, her body turned, and she buried her face somewhere below Winters's chest.

Winters placed his hand on her back and looked over at Speirs.

"I have to get back". Speirs said quietly.

"Right". Winters said.

Not another word was said. Speirs shouldered his rifle and left.

...

Winters was certain they weren't going to get anywhere quick with Nelly after what happened with that German soldier and Speirs's reaction. Sat in the foxhole, Nelly was curled up tightly by his side, with her head buried into his stomach. Winters pulled the blanket around her small and shaking body – he was sure she was sleeping. He was lost in thought, thinking of ways to help Nelly. The roof opened and Nixon slid in, making himself comfortable on Nelly's other side. Winters briefly looked over at his friend before facing the front again.

"How is everything?" Winters asked Nixon, who'd been making his nocturnal rounds of the Battalion.

"Fine, except that it's cold as hell". Nixon said, "Oh, and Dike's gone again. I can't find him anywhere. He's probably crapping out back in Regiment again".

"More likely he's back in Bastogne with Division. That's where all his buddies are". Winters remarked quietly, sarcastically. "I quit worrying about where he is anymore. My wonder is how the man can expect to be a leader when he's never around to lead. You talk with Peacock, Buck and Shames?"

Nixon nodded, "Yeah. Compton'll take over till the happy wanderer returns".

"Between him and Carwood, I'm not concerned for Easy". Winters said, "The Company's much better off in their hands than in Dikes".

With a nod of agreement, Nixon took a drink from his flask before asking, "How's the kid?"

"Sleeping". Winters replied quietly. "Did you see Speirs?"

"He wasn't in the mood for talking".

Winters sighed. And said, "She doesn't need someone angry at her – Nelly can't help this".

"She can't". Nixon agreed.

Winters looked over at his friend. "How do we – "

Whatever he was about to say was silenced, when a shell suddenly landed right on the canopy and exploded. Both men leaned forward, ducking. Nixon exclaimed, "There goes our CP!" Soon, rockets and shells alit the snowy sky with bursts of white and orange. One after the other – it was constant. Winters could feel Nelly shift and jerk. And he could feel a rumble coming from his stomach, as she groaned and whined. Winters's arms and the top half of his body covered Nelly up like a shield – even Nixon was leaning over Nelly. And when Nelly's legs started to kick out in distress, her boots smacked against Nixon's legs, but he didn't move from his position.

Nelly's hands gripped Winters's jacket tightly – her nails clawed against the fabric as if she was trying to dig a hole and escape. And her brittle nails snapped off at the top, but they didn't come away completely. When the Germans diverted their fire towards the main line, the three of them could still hear the loud booms of shells and rockets. Nixon was the first to raise his head. He let out a sigh before lighting a cigarette.

"Fucking artillery…". Nixon mumbled.

Raising his body off Nelly, Winters sighed – relieved they didn't take a hit but worried for his men on the line who were now facing the wrath of German artillery. He had to check on them and make sure they were ready for possible infantry. Nelly had quietened down, but she had a tight and fearful grip on the Captain. Nixon stubbed his cigarette out.

"I'll go".

Winters looked at him. "You sure?"

"Yeah". Nixon grabbed his rifle. "They probably know what they're doing anyway but I'll make sure they're okay – just stay with the kid".

"Thanks, Nix".

"No problem". Opening the roof, Nixon climbed out of the foxhole.

Watching him go, a tiny smile met Winters's face, but the smile didn't stay on for long. Nelly was still shaking and not just from the cold. His hand rubbed her back, hoping to soothe those shakes and trembles away. Winters wasn't made aware that shells had such an effect on Nelly. A lot of men tended to have the shakes during and after a shelling, but Winters hadn't known them to react like Nelly. The last person who had shown Winters such intense fear was Blithe. And that fear caused him to go blind. A lightbulb moment pinged in his head. Winters stared down at the top of Nelly's head. Blithe developed hysterical blindness due to fear, but it went away. Nelly lost her voice because of fear – in a way, both cases were similar.

With a tiny and distressed moan, Nelly's grip against Winters weakened.

"It's okay, Nelly". Winters said to her softly. "It's over now". He wondered if he should send her to the rear. But it wasn't much better in Bastogne. They were surrounded. No one was going to get evacuated until the siege was broken. Meaning wounded men were stuck in town. Winters decided that if Nelly didn't improve by then, he'd have to send the girl away – to the rear and eventually, they'd stick her in a hospital.

For a few minutes, Winters just rubbed Nelly's back and waited for the shaking to stop. But it didn't stop. And behind her closed eyes, she felt tears. A tearful lump rushed up to her throat and her chest threatened to explode. By that point, the bombardment had ended, and the sound of shots being fired wasn't heard. Infantry didn't follow. Which was a relief for Winters. Ammo could be rationed for another day. The roof opened and Nixon slid back into the foxhole.

"Couple of causalities". He said, "Both from Fox – a Private and a Sergeant. I stuck around and got them a jeep into town. But the rest are fine. They were in cover by the time I arrived, and the NCOs and Platoon Leaders were getting them prepared for an infantry attack – which didn't happen".

Winters nodded. "Thanks – I'll do the report in the morning".

"It's 0200 hours". Nixon pointed out. "Technically, morning".

"Well, when it gets light". He said, "I hate paperwork".

"You don't have to tell me that".

And in the lull of quiet, they heard someone hacking and coughing. Nixon pulled a face and look over at Winters – Winters shrugged. "Sounds like it's coming from 3rd Battalion".

"Christ, that's loud". Nixon mumbled, "3rd's one hundred and fifty yards away – at least". He added, "Heffron's been coughing – not as loudly as that".

Winters frowned. "I saw him after Peacock's patrol".

"Man, the kid was so torn up about his buddy". Nixon said quietly. "He was begging me for him to go back and try again to get Julian. I couldn't let him do that, Dick".

"I know".

"Anyway, I checked in on him as I was leaving to get back here". Nixon said, "Kids with Spina and Roe".

Winters looked at Nixon. "We could use another runner".

"Well, you should ask him tomorrow". Nixon said, "Also, you might 'wanna speak with Liebgott".

Winters frowned. "Really?"

Nixon nodded, "He doesn't look too good".

"I'll speak with him tomorrow".

Nixon added, "When I was back at Bastogne after Strayer's briefing this morning, Sink told me our artillery is critically low".

"I know". Winters said, "Yesterday I helped site a piece that only had three rounds. They were told to use them only for antitank fire. Some of our mortars are down to six rounds and most men have only one bandolier of ammo. This keeps up, we can challenge the Germans to a Christmas Day snowball fight. That's all we'll have".

Nixon huffed. And smirked. "Says the man with no sense of humour".

Her friends weren't doing well – that's all Nelly could register. Babe was struggling and Liebgott was breaking. Dike wasn't around to lead them. And morale was surely low – as was their ammo – low.

Nelly's eyes opened. And she swallowed down that tearful lump in her throat. Taking in a deep and shuddering breath, she pressed her hands against Winters's lap and pushed herself up into a sitting position. She was scared but more from traumatic memories. A couple of tears rolled down her cheeks. Nelly's bottom lip trembled as she wiped those tears off her cheeks. With a tiny sniff, she let out a shaky breath.

Winters placed his hand on her back and frowned. "Hey…". He called out to her softly.

That tearful lump rushed up her throat again. Nelly turned her head and looked up at Winters. And as soon as their eyes met, her face crumbled with tears. The frown on his face saddened by the sight of Nelly crying. Winters's hand moved up toward the back of her neck, where he gently brought her face against his jacket.

"Shh…it's okay". Winters soothed, "You're okay".

A heart-shattering sob slipped out of Nelly's mouth.

Nixon looked over at Winters with a worried look.

And though it was hard to hear one of his soldiers cry, Winters wasn't worried. Tears were sometimes a cause for concern. But not right now. He remembered Blithe crying in the aid station and then getting up a few moments after, claiming he could see again. Winters hoped the same would happen to Nelly. That all she might have needed was a cry and some comfort. His other hand rubbed her back, in soothing circles. Nelly choked and coughed out a few more sobs and put an immediate halt to it. But she still sniffled softly. Nixon gave her shoulder a gentle clap before he settled against the side of the foxhole.

And eventually, Nelly sagged against Winters.

She had fallen asleep.

Wrapping her up in the blanket, Winters kept his arms around her.

Closing his eyes, he tried to shut his eyes for a few more hours.

And hoped the morning would bring a better day for Nelly.