bob

"Oi!"

"Sorry".

Sighing quietly, Nelly's eyes stared at the wall. She was sitting crossed-legged on Speirs's bed, and he sat behind her, determined to save his cousin's hair with a plastic comb. It wasn't going well – Speirs almost felt like giving up a few times because her hair was so matted and filled with difficult knots. Not to mention, each time Speirs untangled a knot, a clump of hair would tangle into the comb. It actually saddened him to see his cousin's curls so damaged. But besides the occasional bit of pain, Nelly didn't seem bothered her hair was falling out. She didn't have any bald patches; it was only dead hair coming away from her scalp.

Speirs grabbed a section of her hair and began teasing a knot away. "I've got some news". He told Nelly.

"What?"

"On Christmas Day, Edwyna had the baby". Speirs said to Nelly lightly.

Nelly stilled and said or, more or less asked, "You're…a dad?"

"I am". Speirs confirmed. "It's a boy. We've called him Robert. After my dad – your uncle".

"Wow". She said softly, "Surprised".

"Surprised?" Speirs questioned kindly. "Kid, you knew she was pregnant".

"Oh". Nelly frowned softly. "Yeah…sorry".

Tilting his head to the side, Speirs said softly, "You'll be Robert's aunt Nelly".

"What does…an auntie do?"

"Babysit". Speirs joked.

Nelly almost looked frightened. "Oh…no, way". She said, "I'll end up…losing him".

Speirs chuckled quietly and said, "How do you think I feel? I've never had a baby before".

"You'll be fine". Nelly said. She felt bad – Nelly had completely forgotten Edwyna was pregnant and her cousin would one day be a father. A lot had happened since the pregnancy announcement – it must have slipped Nelly's mind.

"Guess I've had some practice with you, huh?" Speirs said – voice harmlessly teasing Nelly.

She asked, "Is…Edwyna okay?"

"Yeah, she's doing well". Speirs said, "She's at her sister's for now".

"And…and the baby is – "

"he's great". Speirs said with a soft smile. "Perfect".

"That's good, Ronnie". Nelly said, "I'm glad you're…happy".

"I truly am". Speirs confirmed.

Nelly remembered when Alex told her, his mother passed away after giving birth to his youngest brother. And Nelly also remembered she blamed Alex's little brother for that. Nelly's mind brought her back to that moment so clearly, where Alex snapped at Nelly – and he had every right to, what Nelly said was horrible and unkind. Nelly told him she was sorry, but she wanted to apologise again – and again.

A pain formed in her chest. And she felt something wet roll down her cheek.

Before Speirs could see, Nelly scrubbed the lone tear away.

After a full twenty minutes, Speirs was finished, and Nelly left Battalion HQ and walked back to 2nd Platoons house by herself. The sun was in the process of setting, marking the end of their first day in Hagnuenau. Hands going into her pockets, her eyes shifted toward the gaps between each building, where she caught sight of the calm river and the orange rays of sun reflecting on the surface of the water. Every time the sun was out now, she thought of Skip and Alex because when they got hit, a strip of sun shone into the forest.

Eyes leaving the water, Nelly faced the battered road ahead.

And soon found her way back to 2nd Platoon.

"Who the fuck did this?!" Inside the house, Babe was complaining loudly.

Opening the front door, Nelly stepped inside and spotted Babe standing outside one of the "unusable" bathrooms. One hand was holding the door open, his other was gestured out to no one.

"Huh?! Answer me…you cowards!"

"Babe?" Nelly questioned while closing the front door.

Mouth open and ready to answer, he looked at Nelly. And then did a double take on the soon-to-be Sergeant. Her hair was down, she was wearing fresh fatigues. Babe's eyes widened a little in a comically way. Clearing his throat, Babe's voice lowered when telling her, "Oh, it's nothing".

Nelly looked at him. "You were…yelling, Babe".

He let out a nervous sort of laugh, "Right – guess I was, huh?"

Stepping to the side, Nelly peered in the direction of the bathroom. "Something wrong in there?"

"No – nope, everything is fine". Babe asked – a little too quickly.

Nelly let out a tiny sigh. "Maybe you should…tell me".

"Well, alright, Bricks". Babe agreed. "You know how these toilets don't work, right?"

"Yeah".

"Well…someone took a shit in this one". Babe almost appeared embarrassed.

"Oh". Nelly's voice turned serious, "Is it bad?"

"It's shit, it's always bad". Babe said, "Trouble is, no one's 'gonna own up and get rid of it".

With a nod of understanding, Nelly said, "Okay…I'll do it".

"No fucking way!" Babe slammed the door shut and stood in front of it.

"Babe – ". Nelly began to protest.

"You are a young woman, you ain't touching nobody's shit!" He argued.

Nelly's eyes widened slightly. He seemed very passionate about his argument. Raising her hands, a little, Nelly took a small step back. "Okay".

"I'm a man". Babe didn't look very happy. "I'll do it".

"Okay". Nelly said, "Well…good luck".

"Thanks, Bricks". Babe let out a long sigh. "I'm 'gonna need it".

Walking up the stairs, Nelly reached the bedroom she shared with Malarkey and Grant. They were both lounging in their beds, aware Babe had been yelling downstairs but neither had the energy or motivation to check what was happening.

"Nelly". Malarkey said without looking at her, "What was Heffron yelling about?"

"Someone took a shit in the toilet". Nelly said, "He's…going to get rid of it".

Grant snorted. "Unlucky, Jigger".

"Did you get a shower?" Malarkey asked.

Nelly took off her helmet and replied, "Yeah".

Sitting up with a tiny grunt, Malarkey rose to his feet and faced Nelly. He smiled small. "You look good, pal". He said, "Feel better for it?"

"For what?" She frowned.

Malarkey shrugged. "Getting rid of the mud?"

"Oh…yeah". Nelly said, "And Ronnie combed my hair".

Grant chuckled, "I wish I saw that".

Nelly didn't mention to them Speirs was now a father because Grant was in the room. Nelly would share the news with Malarkey when they were alone. Speirs would probably want to tell Gant himself – the pair of them had struck up a tiny friendship since Speirs had taken command of Easy Company.

After getting dressed for bed, Nelly got into the bottom bunk under Grant and lay down under the blanket. The mattress was thin, but it was a mattress – they hadn't slept on a mattress since Mourmelon. Comfortable and dry, it didn't take long for Nelly to fall asleep.

...

Things moved slow but in the blink of an eye, it could all change in combat. Fox Company were the first to cross the river and a replacement Officer stepped on a Shue mine, lost his foot and died from blood loss. Nelly heard his name was Lieutenant Fitzpatrick. He was a West Point graduate and a friend of Lieutenant Jones. Another man lost his life on the patrol, William Green, who was a Sergeant. And a further six were wounded. Nelly learned all this from a Private in Fox Company who relayed the information about Sergeant Green to Babe. Apparently, the pair had planned a trip to Paris.

That patrol happened on the 15th of February.

The next morning, things went on as normal. Normal was their quieter times in combat. But it didn't take much to stir the silence. Since arriving in town, shells were thrown here and there and if the enemy attacked, the Americans would call in for artillery. It was a brand-new way of fighting a war – Nelly's squad hardly had to lift a finger. However, that all changed in the late morning of February 16th.

"I've been picked to lead a patrol". Malarkey told Nelly.

With a nod, she moved toward the window in their bedroom and looked outside. "Across the river".

"Yeah". Malarkey joined her. "I didn't know who else to pick, so, I picked a bunch of fellas from our Platoon – and you, of course".

"Who?"

"Chuck, Heffron, Liebgott, Jackson, Ramirez and Webster. I'll leave the rest up to Speirs and Winters". Malarkey said, "I wasn't expecting it, you know? Speirs just called me over and told me out of the blue".

"Well, it'll be fine, Donnie – "

"Sergeant Malarkey".

Nelly and Malarkey faced the open doorway and found Jones standing there.

"Yeah?" Malarkey asked.

Jones approached him. "I heard you're leading a patrol tonight".

"That's right". Malarkey confirmed, his eyes looking the Lieutenant up and down.

"Perhaps, I should take over". Jones said smoothly.

Lips pursed together, Malarkey bobbed his head and said, "Lieutenant Jones, no offence, but they'll never allow a replacement to lead a patrol across the river".

"I'm sure if I speak directly to Captain Winters, he will understand".

"Understand what?"

Hands behind his back, Jones said, "That you could use a break, Sergeant".

Nelly looked up at Malarkey and saw a shift of emotion discreetly reach his eyes.

"I don't need a break, Jones". Malarkey said to him quietly. "And I don't need the likes of you – "

"Donnie". Nelly cut him off softly.

With a huff, Malarkey shrugged. "Whatever, sir". He muttered, "Speak to Winters, see what he says".

Jones gave a polite nod and left the room.

"Fuck that guy". Malarkey grumbled. "He's not after my job but he wants me gone".

"He's…twenty-one and…cocky". Nelly mumbled. "Winters will never let him lead".

"Nice of him, huh? To give me a rest". Malarkey remarked with heavy sarcasm.

Nelly didn't miss his sarcasm. With a serious tone, she asked, "Is he…wrong?"

Malarkey rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Nelly…".

"Is he?" Nelly pressed gently. "Do you…need a break, Donnie?"

Malarkey's eyes settled on her. "We all need a break, Nelly. But we won't get one".

"You can have one…tonight". Nelly decided. "I'll do it…I'll lead the patrol".

He frowned. "Shit, Nelly. You need a break too".

"Not as much as you". Nelly said to him softly. "Donnie…you've been running this Platoon since we lost… and it's not been easy. When they left, they left a scar on everyone's soul, and you had to heal everyone – without healing yourself".

Malarkey's frown deepened. "I couldn't help you".

Nelly took a hold of Malarkey's arm. "You did".

But he shook his head. "No – I can't let you do this". Malarkey said, "If I can't go, then you should stay here with me. It's only fair".

"Donnie". Nelly said quietly, "I'm going". She reminded him, "It's not the first patrol I've led".

After a moment of thought, Malarkey said, "Round up the fellas I picked. We're 'gonna have a little meeting".

It didn't take long to grab the men Malarkey had picked for the patrol. They were all either in a bedroom or dotting around the house. Once they were inside the Platoons CP, Nelly closed the door and Malarkey told them all to sit down. Nelly stood by the door.

"I got picked to lead a patrol across the river tonight". Malarkey told them.

A few groans were heard.

"Shit". Jackson whispered. And asked, "We're going with you, right?"

Malarkey's eyes shifted toward Nelly before he addressed the men. "Well, I'm not sure I'm 'gonna be leading anymore. Lieutenant Jones – "

"have you lost your mind?" Liebgott pulled a face. "You're 'gonna let that wide-eyed kid lead us?"

Malarkey continued, "Lieutenant Jones offered but I told him it'll never happen. But he's either stubborn or he doesn't listen. Because he's going to talk to Winters".

With a shake of his head, Grant lit a cigarette and said, "So, what're you 'gonna do, Malark?"

Babe looked over at Nelly. "Bricks is 'gonna lead us".

All eyes turned to Nelly.

She said quietly, "I don't know".

"Jones thinks I need a break". Malarkey explained, "And if I'm to have a break, it's only fair, that Nelly should have one too". He added, "However, Nelly doesn't think so".

"I don't". Nelly confirmed softly. "But Donnie does". She looked at Malarkey. "I think…we can all agree on that".

There were a few mumbles of agreement from the men.

"Let me…feel like…I'm useful". Nelly said, "And if they pick someone else to lead…then I'll still come with you all…tonight". She promised them.

A small smile met Jackson's lips as he looked at her. "I would hate to go without you, Nelly".

"Me too". Babe said.

Malarkey gave her a nod. "Well, you'd best get your ass moving, pal. Cause Jones is on his way – you should beat him to it".

"Shit". Nelly said, "Where's Winters?"

"Back of HQ". Malarkey almost smiled. "Get running".