July 31, 1944 - Aldbourne, England
I stand outside the barn where the others are already eating and wait for Don. He wanted to get something with Alton. I look impatiently at the clock when I hear a motorcycle. And then I see the two of them. They're coming at me, and I almost have to dart out of the way to keep them from running me over. "Holy fucking shit!" I curse lightly and glare at the two. They get off the bike, grinning. "Are you guys in your right mind?!" I shout at the two of them. "What's the matter, Liv? Nothing happened," Alton laughs, and I shake my head. "No, nothing at all... You guys just almost ran me over." Don puts an arm around my shoulder and leads me to the barn. "Now, don't get carried away, sweetheart." "I know it's your birthday, Don, and we still want to celebrate your promotion, but that doesn't mean you have to be negligent."
Don shakes his head and leads me inside. I go to the table and sit in the empty seat next to Tab at the table next to Skip, Penk, and George. I don't realize until later that Liebgott is also at that table. Don and Alton get us something to drink. "Hey, Hoobler. Be quiet for the man," Skip calls out, and Hoobs looks at us with a grin. Then we quickly realize Smokey is standing out front, about to say something. "The Night of the Bayonet," he announces, and we're all laughing already.
The night was filled with dark and cold
When Sergeant Talbert
The story's told,
pulled on his poncho
And headed out
To check the lines dressed like a Kraut
"Why is everyone in such a hurry to get back? Hospital food don't suit you?" now asks Don, who has returned and squeezes himself between Liebgott and me while Alton settles down opposite Tab. "We don't need you anymore, Tab," he says, and we laugh.
Upon a trooper, our hero came
Fast asleep, he called his name
Oh, Smith - Get up; it's time To take your turn
out on the line, So very weary
Cracked an eye, all red and bleary
Grabbed his rifle, he did not tarry
Hearing Floyd but seeing Jerry
"Way to go, Smithy," someone calls, and I glance briefly over at Smith, who is holding his hands in front of his face in shame.
'It's me,' cried Tab.
'Don't do it,' and yet Smith charged
Tout de suite, with bayonet
He lunged, he thrust, both high and low
And skewered the boy from Kokomo
We cheer and clap as I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's Buck, gesturing with his head for me to follow him. I stand up, and Don looks at me questioningly for a moment, but then he's listening to Smokey again. Buck leads me to Nixon, Winters, and Harry, where Nixon explains the next steps. I glance briefly at Don, who looks at me skeptically. "Sergeant Stark, would you please brief the men?" Winters says, and I nod. "Yes, sir." The officers then leave the farm. I take another quick breath and then continue into the room.
"Couple of announcements, men," I call out, and some listen up, but not all yet. "First... Hey, listen up!" I call out again until everyone is listening to me. "First, the training exercise scheduled for 2200 has been canceled," I say, and the men start cheering. I smile briefly. "Secondly... all passes are hereby revoked." Now the men are no longer cheering. Some boo, and others discuss disappointedly with their neighbor. "We're heading back to France. So, pack up all your gear. We will not be returning to England, boys. Anyone who has not made out a will... go to the supply office. The trucks depart for Membury at 0700. As you were." With these words, I leave the barn.
Outside, I take a deep breath and then light a smoke as Lip approaches me. "Back to France, huh?" he asks, and I nod. "Looks like it, yeah." For a moment, we stand silently next to each other. "How are you doing?" Lip asks, and I look at him from the side. "So far, so good... Why do you ask?" "No reason. It's not always easy, and breaking this news to the men isn't pretty either." "Well, they'll be aware that we're not here for fun and that it was bound to come to this sooner or later." "I guess you're right."
As I finish, I toss the smoke on the floor. "So, I'm going to see how we can improve Don's birthday. See you later, Lip." "See you later, Liv."
I step back into the barn as Don is already walking towards me and thrusting a beer bottle into my hand. "Thank you for this lovely birthday gift," he says, and I look at him, slightly shocked. "Come on, as if I could do anything about it." "I know, Sweetheart, I'm just kidding. But still. Come on, let's get drunk."
Turns out we weren't sent to France after all. Plans changed utterly, and we stayed in Aldbourne. We have received some replacements, but they are having trouble fitting in. The so-called Toccoa men won't let them in and are usually rather dismissive of them, which I find obtuse. They had the same training as we did. They may not have fought in Normandy, but still, they kind of earned their wings.
Anyway, we're still in England. Still in Aldbourne waiting for further orders.
September 10, 1944 - Aldbourne, England
Laughing, we sit in the pub. Don, Muck, and I have our pints in front of us and are studying the new replacements they sent us. "Some of them look like they haven't even had their voices changed yet," I grin, and Don nods. "Definitely," Malarkey laughs. "So when do you get yours changed?" Liebgott, sitting next to us, asks and looks at me. "Again, Liebgott? Really now?", Muck groans and looks at him. "What? That's a legitimate question." I defiantly stick out my chin and turn in my chair in his direction. "Probably when you get yours," I return, and the men around us laugh. Liebgott squeezes his eyes shut and looks at me angrily. If you can dish it out, you have to take it.
Next to Malarkey, one of the replacements sits down with Bill. "And this here is Sergeant Olivia Stark... Don't screw up with her, or she'll chew you up and spit you out." The replacement looks at me with wide eyes. "This here is Babe Heffron. He's from Philly, too," Bill introduces him. "Welcome," I laugh and shake his hand. "Take special care of her here, all right? She's our fucking Sweetheart. But hands off, yeah?" says Bill, pointing his finger at Babe. Liebgott, next to us, snorts, earning him a look from Don before turning to Babe as well. "She's my best friend, you understand? No funny stuff, or I'll come after ya," Don threatens. "Guys! Guys! Let him have it... Don't take them too seriously, will you? They're just kidding." "We just want to make it damn clear that you're important to all of us, Liv, nothing more," Bill grins. Beside us, Liebgott nearly chokes on his beer, and I turn back to him. "Okay, what's your fucking problem now?" I ask him, annoyed. Liebgott slowly starts to stand up and looks at me. "They are speaking for themselves, but I don't like you," he hisses before leaving the room and walking outside. His words hurt, even though I shouldn't care about them. I press my lips together and watch him go. "Don't listen to him, Liv... Come on, you know how he is," Don says, but then I'm already standing up, which makes Don, Muck, and Bill groan. "Leave him, Sweetheart; he's not worth it," Bill says, but I don't listen to him and follow Liebgott outside.
In front of the bar, I see Liebgott walking away, and I follow him quickly. "Hey!" I shout, but he doesn't listen to me. I catch up to him and hear him groan in annoyance. "What do you want, Stark? I really don't have any fucking nerve for you right now, okay?" I ignore his words and stand in his way. "What's your fucking problem with me? What did I do to you to make you hate me?" I ask him, staring into his dark eyes. He raises an eyebrow but says nothing. "Because, as far as I know, I'm relatively likable," I say, and he snorts. "How modest," he says, taking a drag on his smoke. "I'm serious, Liebgott. What have I done to you?" "Nothing," he then says with a shrug. "Then why do you hate me?" "I never said I hate you. I said I don't like you. There's a difference." My breath is quickening now. "And what did I do to make you not like me?" I then ask desperately, not knowing why he drives me to despair. "Jesus Christ, Stark!" Liebgott then says a little louder. "There are just people you don't like for no reason. Get over it!" he says and wants to go on, but I stop him again. "I can't accept that, however... If we're going to get through this war with each other, then we have to be able to trust each other, and I'm going to try to do everything I can to make you..." I babble, and Liebgott rolls his eyes. "For fuck's sake, Liv," he curses before taking my face in his hands and placing his lips on mine.
Completely startled, I stand there and am so surprised that I don't move. Liebgott wets my lips with his, and slowly I awake from my rigidity. I put my hands on his chest and return the kiss. Joe's lips lie sweet on mine, and his hands wander to my hips. Suddenly he breaks away from me, turns on his heel, and disappears into the darkness. Still perplexed, I stare after him, not understanding what the hell just happened.
"What the fuck?" I hear behind me and turn around, only to discover George Luz walking towards me. "That... That was Liebgott. Did he just really do what I think he did?" asks George, and I nod slowly. "And that to you?" I nod again. "Oh fuck! This is too good," he then laughs and wants to go in. "George! No! Wait!" I call after him and quickly follow him. "George Luz! You don't say a fucking word about this, or I'll sit on you," I call after him, but that doesn't stop him. As he runs into the bar, I reach him and wrestle him to the ground before sitting on him and twisting his arm back. The men around us start laughing. "Jeez, George, what did you do to piss Liv off now?" laughs Don, looking down at us. "Liv, come on! Get off me!" whines George from under me. "No. Not until you promise to shut up!" "I can't, and you know it!" "Promise!" "I can't." I tug a little harder on his arm, and George groans. "Promise! Come on, George! And this all can be over real quick." Suddenly I notice someone standing in front of us. It's Lip, looking down at us with raised eyebrows. "Oh, hey, Lip," I say, looking at him sanctimoniously. "Liv..." he says, and with another look from him, I slide off George and push him off me. "One word George and I'll do worse to you than that," I hiss at him, and he grins at me. "It's okay, Sweetheart. My lips are sealed." I stand up and go back to Don and the others.
"Hey, you all, listen up. I got an announcement to make." Smokey then calls out. "This here is Carwood Lipton." "He's already married, Smokey," Don calls out, and we laugh. "This here is Carwood Lipton: The new Easy Company 1st Sergeant. As befitting his position... he says he has to make an announcement". Smokey continues, and I grin at Lip for getting promoted. "Sorry to spoil the mood, guys, but we're moving out again," Lip says, and the mood immediately plummets. He presses his lips together and looks at me briefly before leaving the bar again.
My gaze sinks to the table, and I push my glass in front of me. "Hey, cheer up, Sweetheart," Don tries to cheer me up and puts a hand on mine. I look him in the eye and smile forcedly as the door opens beside us, and Liebgott walks back in. Our eyes meet, then he briefly looks at Don's hand on mine and immediately turns away. Again my gaze lands on the table, and I withdraw my hand from Don. "Okay, what the hell was that?" he asks, looking at me. "What happened between you and Liebgott?" he asks, looking at me promptly. Muck also slides closer and looks at me as well. "I'd like to know that, too," I smirk briefly and then look at my best friends. "Well, we've been bickering... Then I yelled at him, and he yelled at me..." "What's new?" grins Don, raising an eyebrow. "And then he kissed me." My two friends stare at me blankly as if they didn't hear me.
"He what?" asks Muck after what feels like an eternity. "He kissed me." "You're shitting us, Liv! No way! Liebgott? Kissed you? Kissed?" then Don says, and I raise my eyebrows. "Yes, Don... Kissed me on the lips. But if you don't believe me, ask George. He saw it." "Is that why you sat on him?" I nod. "It's not like everyone has to know what happened. Besides, I'm still fucking confused myself." "Holy shit. So what did you do?" asks Don then. "What do you mean?" "When he kissed you... What did you do?" "I just stood there at first, not understanding shit anymore, and then..." "And then?" "Then I kissed him back?" "Wow, Liv! That's really... Something," Muck laughs, and Don smirks to himself, too. Then Don holds out his hand to Muck. "Payday Skip," he grins. Confused, I look at the two of them. "What the fuck is going on here?" "Oh, just a little bet between us. I've known from the beginning that Liebgott was only acting this way because he's into you. And you got involved in his squabbles because you're into him," Don says smugly.
"This is bullshit! For the thousandth time: I'm not into him," I say, crossing my arms. "Ah, is that so?" asks Don, amused. "Then why did you kiss him back? Usually, when a woman doesn't like you kissing her, you get slapped in the face, or at least she pushes you off herself." "That' s... Not true. I was just too startled to realize what was happening," I try to talk my way out of it. Suddenly Don leans over the table and presses a kiss to my lips, but I immediately push him away. "Don?! What the fuck?" I ask him, surprised, and he grins. "See?" "Fuck," I curse, and Muck and Don laugh. "That doesn't mean a fucking thing, Malarkey!" I grumble. "And Liebgott kissing me is probably part of his deranged plan to mess with me," I say, waving it off. "Oh yeah?" now Muck grins. "Then you should have just seen the deadly look our dear Joe just gave Malark when he kissed you." I look up at Liebgott, but he is looking stubbornly ahead. "I knew it. So come on, Muck. I wanna see your money." Don grins, and I roll my eyes. "Can we stop this now, please? I'm so sick of you guys," I say, but that only makes Muck and Malarkey laugh harder. "You love us, and you know it, Sweetheart," grins Don. "Yeah, just keep on saying that to yourself until you believe it."
Suddenly George comes to our table. He is still grinning. "What are we talking about? About that little kissing game, Liv played with Joe outside?" I groan in annoyance. "Please tell me you didn't tell anyone, Luz!" "Don't worry, sweetheart. My lips are sealed. But what exactly is going on? Are you and Joe a thing?" "What? No! We're not!" "That's unfortunate." "Why?" "Because you guys looked really cute together. Like two drowning people finally getting their breath back. Except you were each the breath." "Jesus Christ!" I put my head in my hands as the other three laugh. "Come on, Liv. We're just kidding. I'm still interested in where this is all going," George continues to quip. "Nowhere at all! There's nothing between Liebgott and me, and there never will be, got it?!"
Angrily, I stand up. "Come on, Liv, stay. We really are just kidding," Don tries to hold me back. "Stick your kiddings somewhere else. I don't want to talk to you anymore today!"
Don's POV:
Angry, Liv stomps away from our table and joins Joe Toye and the others. "You think she's really mad?" I ask around the table. "Oh, come on," George waves it off. "She's just pissed because she knows we're right." "You guys really think Joe is into Liv?" Skip asks. "Why else would he kiss her?" I ask, looking at my best friend. "Well, who knows... Maybe he thought he could hook up once, and then he changed his mind?" "You don't believe that yourself!" I raise an eyebrow. "Who knows..." "No, he's totally into her. And she likes him." "I agree with you, Malark," George says, and we both look at Skip. "Joe wouldn't risk getting kicked out of the Airborne, or even the Army, just because he wants to get Liv laid. That would be stupid. There are plenty of willing girls out there for that. But in the Army, fraternizing is strictly forbidden, and you know it."
"Should we go for it then? Help these two lovebirds?" Skip then asks, and I think for a second. "Hmm, I rather think not. I could see Joe pulling away from her for now after today. He's revealed himself too much." "That's true..." I glance over briefly at Liv, who is already laughing again, and then my gaze wanders to Joe. I watch as he keeps looking over at her, which makes me smile. Maybe my stubborn best friend will manage to be happy someday, after all.