A few weeks later she was called into Colonel Sinks office. Her palms started sweating while she waited outside his door. She could only come up with two reasons why she was there. One, she was going to get kicked out of easy company- or the army. Or two, something happened to James or Tony. Her hands were starting to shake so she balled them into fists. When the door opened, Lorraine came out and told her to go in.

She saluted and stood at attention before colonel Sinks desk.

"At ease Elsie." He smiled and motioned for her to sit. "I just want to see how everything is going."

"Do you do this for all the men?" She questioned as she sat in the chair in front of his desk.

"I'm not talking to you as your Colonel right now, but as a friend."

"So, James and Tony are alright?" She asked.

"Yes, they're fine. Is that why you thought I called you in here?"

"Either that or you were going to get rid of me." She sighed in relief knowing her uncles were okay.

"Goodness no." He laughed. "I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on you. And I must admit I haven't been doing a very good job at it. I've been up to my neck with work."

"Well, you can tell my godfather that I'm fine," she assured.

"It's good to hear that." Robert smiled. "everything is good then?"

"Yes, other than the headaches I get from wearing my hair up all the time." She half joked.

"Well if you're not in training I don't see why you can't wear it down sometimes."

"Thank you." She smiled then added, "Sir."

"Smart ass." He grinned. "You'd tell me if anything was wrong right?"

"Of course," She said with a smile. Shit did he hear about Harting? She panicked.

"Good." He smiled. "I hear you're doing well in your training."

"I'm trying my best." She smiled a genuine smile. "Can't let these boys out do me."

"No, can't have that." Robert laughed. "Are the men of easy company treating you alright?"

"They're as protective as Tony and James are."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"It's kind of annoying." She snorted but smiled, Robert just laughed. "I've told James and Tony a million times that I can handle myself, now I have to keep telling these guys to."

"Well I can't say I'm upset about that." He smiled, then his tone was serious. "I'm glad your company is looking out for you. You will need them in this war Elsie."

"I know," She smiled softly. "And you and James and Tony can stop worrying so much. I have a whole company watching my back."

She was almost sad when she left Sinks office. Talking to him like that made her miss home. How her, James, Tony and Robert would sit around the study, sipping whiskey, playing poker and talking.


They had moved from Aldbourne to Uppottery, in early spring. There barracks were set up in tents instead of bunkers, but she was with the same men as before, and was immensely thankful for it. She had grown rather close with the men who shared her barracks since Taccoa.

A group of easy company men were sitting in the mess tent with their new Lieutenant. Buck Compton was a very likable man. His bright blue eyes sparkled with laughter and Elsie couldn't help but smile when she met him.

"C'mon princess," He said picking up her nickname right away. "You're not afraid, are you?"

"Not one bit sir." She smiled. "Are you really that eager to lose your money?"

"I think you're all talk sweetheart." He was goading her. It was the twinkle in his eye that made her give in.

"Fine, deal me in."

"Seriously? We've been trying to get you to play since we met ya." Luz complained.

"And you're gonna wish I wasn't playing now." She grinned as she took a seat between him and Hoobler.

"You're cheating!" Hoobler accused when he lost another hand to her. "There's no way you're that lucky."

"Luck has nothing to do with it." She smiled as she gathered her winnings. "It's all about patience and knowing your opponents."

"Who invited you anyways." Luz teased, she nudged his shoulder and laughed.

"She did warn us fella's." Guarnere defended.

"Maybe one day you'll all learn not to bet against me." She smiled and shoved her winnings in her pockets. "I'm calling it quits before you guys lose all your money."


"Each trooper will learn this operation by heart, and know his and every others outfits mission to the detail." Lieutenant Meehan was at the front of the hanger explaining their operation. Elsie was sitting between Guarnere and Perconte. Elsie and Toye spent hours staring at the sand tables, reconnaissance photos and maps. They were the last two people there, but they had everything memorised.

It was June fourth and they were gearing up to head out. The mood on the tarmac was sombre. Elsie stood off to the side soaking in some time alone, and watched the men of easy company, gathering up the last of their belongings. She wondered how many of them would make it out of this alive. She knew not everyone would, and that thought broke her heart. She caught Liebgott's eye and he smiled. It was the smile that made her stomach dance. She returned the smile but hers felt broken.

"Easy company! Listen up. Gather up around me!" Lieutenant Meehan shouted over the crowd. "The channel coast is socked in with rain and fog. High winds on the drop zone. No Jump tonight. The invasion has been postponed, we're on a twenty-four hour stand down."

That night, most of easy company was in the makeshift theatre watching a movie. Elsie, however, was not feeling social. She was afraid of loosing her family and being near the men of easy company was making her feel emotional. It was one of the reasons she promised herself not to get too close to them. The second reason was that she figured they would end up toying with her feelings and hurting her. That reason was squashed rather quickly. They were the brothers she never had, and she knew not all of them would make it.

She was wandering around the nearly empty air strip, looking at the planes and wondering what this jump would bring them. She hadn't been scared or nervous when she signed up, but now she was trying to decide if she made the right choice. She was nearing the end of the makeshift camp when she spotted Guarnere. His shoulders were hunched as ran his hand over his face.

"Bill?" She asked walking up to him. "You okay?"

"Yeah," He said as he stuffed a piece of paper into his pocket.

"Bill, what's wrong." She put her hand on his shoulder.

"I grabbed Johnny's jacket by mistake and found a letter from his wife," He explained. "She keeps up with casualties and what not. My brother was on the list."

"I'm so sorry Bill." She didn't know what else to say so she hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, but he didn't cry. When he pulled away he looked her in the eyes.

"Thanks princess."

"For what? I didn't do anything." She was confused. He smiled but it was small and sad.

"Yeah ya did." He leaned in and kissed her. She let him at first, then pulled away slowly.

"Bill, I…" She started but couldn't think of the words to say. He just lost his brother and was vulnerable. She couldn't meet his eyes. He tilted her chin upward so she would look at him.

"It's okay Elsie," He said.

He kissed her forehead before heading towards their barracks. She stayed rooted where she stood but her eyes followed him until he disappeared. She was completely stunned at what just happened and sat down to try and comprehend it. She lit a smoke to help her think. She could see the makeshift theatre from her spot on the ground and watched as men started to exit it. It was almost curfew so she headed back to the barracks. She was greeted by the guys and when her eyes met Guarnere's he smiled softly but said nothing. She did the same and went straight to sleep.

Waiting around to find out when they'd jump had everyone on edge the next day. Elsie spent a great deal of the day alone. she always found the quiet helped calm her nerves. This time, however, it wasn't working. She was heading back when she spotted Gaurnere alone once again. He was sitting on some crates off to the side of the airfield.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked with a small smile.

"All yours princess." He smiled back so she jumped up next to him.

"How are you doing Bill?"

"I'm alright." He placed his arm around her shoulder. "With all things considering."

She looked up at him, not sure if he was telling the truth.

"Honestly princess." His smile was genuine. "I'm okay. I'm just trying not to think about it."

"Okay." She smiled back and then laid her head on his shoulder. "If you do want to talk about it, I'm here for you."

"Thanks princess," he said. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing alright Bill." And she was now, sitting there with Gaurnere. She realised she didn't need the quiet to calm her nerves, she needed her boys.

"Promise me you'll be careful," He tilted his head so he was looking at her. "When we jump."

"I promise." She said, then after a moment of silence, "Are you scared?"

"Nah, it'll be a piece of cake." She knew he was lying. "Are you?"

"Yeah, I am," She said. "I never thought I'd ever feel so afraid again in my life."

"What do you mean again?"

"my step-father, Phil," she replied. "What he did to me, it terrified me. I didn't really feel anything after that. I thought I was broken. I would do things, reckless things, to try and feel something, anything. I didn't even know how to accept the compassion and love James and Tony showed me. I thought Phil was my only family. It took over a year after moving in with uncle James before I realised they were my family, not Phil."

"I'm glad you had them," He said. "I couldn't imagine doing this without you. I know before I didn't think you could make it, but I don't know anyone stronger."

"Thanks Bill." She looked up at him and smiled. "That means a lot to me."

He his face was an inch away from hers. She could feel his breath but didn't move. He was looking her so intensely in the eyes it kept her still. Then she felt his lips on hers. She kissed him back. She knew she shouldn't, it wasn't right. The timing was all wrong. They were going to war. She pulled back immediately at the thought.

"I'm sorry." His voice was almost a whisper. "I know you're not interested."

"It's not that, Bill," She sighed. "It's the timing, the place. If anyone had seen this, I would be kicked out of here. I need this, I can't stay home while my only family has gone to war, and that includes you."

"Are you saying if it were another time, another place I might have had a chance?" He had a cheeky grin across his face.

"yeah, maybe." She punched his arm lightly. "Who knows how it would have played out."


June sixth rolled around and they were once again getting ready to board the C-47's. They had all their gear packed and were getting into their harnesses. Elsie was in the first plane with Lieutenant Meehan who was over talking to Lieutenant Winters.

"Hey princess," a familiar voice came from behind her- Liebgott.

She smiled before turning around. He was with Hoobler and Tipper. "Shouldn't you be boarding your planes?"

"Had to come see you first." Tipper kissed her head. Hoobler and Liebgott both gave her a quick hug.

"I'll see you boys over there." She smiled. She watched them walk away and caught Gaurnere's eye. He smiled with a nodded his head, which she returned. She was still afraid, but somehow seeing Gaurnere made her feel like she'd be okay.