23rd December 1942 - Fort Benning, GA

"Are we ready to be army paratroopers?" the sergeant in front of us calls out. "Yes, Sergeant," we reply. We now have three weeks of intensive parachute training behind us. Primarily in theory, of course. We don't count the jumps from the high towers now. And today is the day. We jump out of an airplane for the first time. I'm nervous, but I guess everyone is. "I hope so," the soldier continues, looking at all of us. "This will be the first of five exits from a C47 aircraft set for today. Upon successful completion of your fifth and final jump, you'll be certified Army Paratroopers. There'll be a lot of men jumping from the sky today, hopefully, under-deployed canopies. Jumping from 1000 feet AGL, in sticks of 12 jumpers per aircraft. All you have to do is remember what you were taught, and I guarantee gravity will take care of the rest. And gentlemen, ma'am, rest assured, any refusals in the aircraft or at the door, and I guarantee you will be out of the Airborne," the sergeant says sternly, and we nod. "Well, let's go."

We stand up and walk to our assigned planes. I'm assigned to Lt. Winters' plane. I keep looking into the eyes of my friends, who also seem slightly nervous. I knead my fingers and then look up at Don sitting across from me. He winks at me, and I have to laugh. It feels so good to have him with me. "Okay, stand up," the sergeant calls up front, and we do as instructed. "Hook up." I hook up and look ahead. "Check equipment," he calls out, and we do just that. After checking my equipment, I check that of the soldier in front of me. "Sound off for an equipment check." When we have all given our OK, the light turns green. "Okay, go, go, go," the sergeant calls out, and we jump one at a time.

Without much thought, I jump out of the plane. The adrenaline pumps through me, but it also quickly clears. As we learned, I pull on the lines to steer a little, then land. As I gather my parachute, I see Don next to me. I raise a hand in the air. "Whoo!" I shout, and he shakes his head. "You're really disturbed," he laughs, and we gather at the assembly point. "How can you enjoy something like this?" asks Skip as we walk toward him. "How can you not enjoy it? God, this feeling is incredible. You're just... Free." My friends look at me and just shake their heads.

26th December 1942 - Fort Benning, GA

After completing our five jumps over the next few days, today is the day we received our wings. I'm in the bathroom, getting ready and putting on my makeup. "Do you really think this is still going to help?" I hear a voice and turn around. It's Liebgott, leaning in the doorway, watching me. I snort out and continue. "You know what, Liebgott, even you can't ruin my day!" When I'm done painting my lips, I rub them together and give them a quick dab with a bit of tissue.

Then I turn to Joe, who is still looking at me. As I walk toward him, he makes no move to give me room to get through. "Do you mind?" I ask, looking him in the eye. His typical sneer is evident in his eyes, and the dimple on his cheek also appears. His dark eyes scrutinize mine before he steps aside after what feels like an eternity. "Thanks," I say sarcastically and push past him, his aftershave wafting up my nose. A shiver flits down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Jesus Christ, why does this man have to smell so good, too?

As I enter the barracks, Don is already grinning at me. "Wow, Sweetheart, you really made an effort today." "What do you mean, Don? That I don't usually make an effort?" I ask, bracing my hands on my hips. Don looks at me, slightly shocked. "Uh, that's not what I meant..." "Oh, come on, I'm just kidding, Malarkey. You should know me well enough by now." "You nasty little..." I laugh, and then Don holds out his arm for me to hook. "If I might escort you to the Mess Hall, my lady?" he says exaggeratedly, and I laugh before hooking on. "Certainly, milord."

As we enter, the party is already in full swing. Many guys already have beer glasses in front of them and are partying boisterously. I spot Skip, with a few others, cheering Bill on as he downs his glass. Then I see George standing behind some bar. "Hold on, I'll get us something to drink," I say to Don, making my way over to George. "Hey, Georgie... How's it looking? Can your favorite Sergeant get a drink?" I ask him with a grin, and he looks around. "Ah, I think Lip already has one," he returns, and I give him a playfully offended look. "Sure thing, Sweetheart," he then says, grinning. "Make one for Don, too, please." George nods and starts filling the beers.

"Excuse me, Miss, but are you lost?" I hear a voice behind me and turn around, grinning. "Wow, that one was really, really bad," I laugh. "Oh, come on, Liv, you're dragging down my ego," Joe Toye retorts indignantly. "I think your ego might be able to handle it, Joe." "Here, Sweetheart," George says as he pushes my two beers into my hand. "Thanks, George. See you later."

I make my way over to Don, sitting at a table with Penk, Skinny, Bull, and Tipper. I set the two glasses down and drop into the vacant chair. "Well, angel, did you finally find your wings?", Tipper asks me, and I look at him, laughing. "Really? Is today the day of bad 'pick-up lines'?" The guys around me laugh. "Maybe it's just because you're the only woman here, and when alcohol is involved, the desire for female companionship becomes..." says Don, but I immediately interrupt him. "Don't finish that sentence, Don. Jesus," I say, shaking myself. "Come on, guys... Knock it off." "It's not our fault you had to get all pretty," Skinny quips, and I look at him with narrowed eyes. "Watch it, Skinny, or someone will get jealous if you compliment Liv too much," Tip now interjects, and I look at him questioningly. "Well, we wouldn't want to incur the wrath of Joseph Liebgott, now would we?" I groan in annoyance. "Oh, come on, not you too, Tip!" "Yes, another one on my side," Don cheers, but I look at him angrily.

Just as they are about to say something else, one of the officers' shouts, "Ten-Hutt!" We all quickly stand up and are at attention. Colonel Sink, followed by Major Strayer, enter the room and stand in front. "Well, at ease, Paratroopers," Sink calls out, and we all relax a little. "Good evening, Easy Company." "Evening, sir," we reply, and I look briefly at Don. "Now, Parachute Infantry is a brand new concept in American military history. But, by God, the 506 is going to forge that brand new concept into victory." "Yes, sir." "I want you to know that I'm damn proud of each and every one of you. Now, you deserve this party," he says, and Chuck brings him a beer of his own. "Thank you, Sergeant Grant," Sink replies, and my eyes Chuck, but then he lands on Liebgott. Damn, he looks good today. You've got to be kidding me.

Standing there with his hair slicked back, watching what's going on upfront. "Liv?" I hear Don next to me, nudging me slightly. "What?" I ask, and he follows my gaze for a moment. "You were staring." "Not true!" I try to defend myself. "Yes, true. And I know exactly what you were staring at, Sweetheart." "Shut up, Malarkey!" Once again, my gaze wanders very briefly to Liebgott before I turn away ultimately.

"Very well, come on, Sweetheart. Let's shake a leg," Don says, wanting to take me by the hand. "Oh yeah, and how do I know you won't trap me again?" "You'll just have to trust me."

A few hours, dances and drinks later, I'm at the bar with George. "Holy fuck, I think I'm done," I slur to myself, which makes George grin. "Was that one too many, dear Olivia?" "Shut up, Luz," I grumble back. "Oh, you're a mean drunk, Liv." I look around for a moment but have to hold onto the bar to keep from falling over. I can't spot Don anywhere. "Can you tell George... uh, Don, that I've gone to bed?" I ask, and George nods in amusement.

I stagger out of the Mess Hall and out into the cold. I rub my arms and try to get one step in front of the other, but somehow I don't want to succeed like that. "You shouldn't be wandering around out here alone, Stark. Haven't you learned anything from the last few times?"I hear a voice and turn around, but I fall into the person's arms with too much momentum. I don't have to look up to see who it is. I'd recognize that cologne anywhere, drunk or not. Liebgott puts me back on my feet, and I briefly try to sharpen my vision.

"Oh wow," I hear Liebgott say, but I say nothing back. I try to squirm out of his arms and want to take a step, but my balance has other plans, so Liebgott has to grab me by the arm to keep me somewhat steady on my feet. "Jesus Stark, how much have you had to drink?" "Why do you care? You hate me anyway," I slur. "I don't hate you," is all Liebgott says, "Yeah, right... That's why you're always so nice to me." We take a few more steps toward our barracks. "At that, I might even like you. And I don't mean like, I mean like like," I continue slurring, which gives Liebgott pause.

"But you're not supposed to like someone who hates you, are you? That only ends in pain." My eyes keep falling shut, and I stumble. "Jesus Christ," Joe curses as I almost end up in his arms again. "You know what," he grumbles then, lifting me. "Otherwise, we won't be back tomorrow." Liebgott carries me a few feet. "I like you, Joe," I say, patting his chest. "But shhh, don't tell yourself!" I grumble with my eyes closed as he carries me along. I can't see him looking at me, smiling and shaking his head. He takes me to my cot and then carefully sets me down, removing my jacket, shoes, and tie before spreading the blanket over me and disappearing back out of the barracks.

The following day I wake up with a big headache. I rub my eyes and then slowly sit up. "Good morning sunshine, awake already?" Don calls to me from across the room, and I grumble. "Not so loud, okay?" I say and slowly open one eye before looking around. Most of the beds are already empty, and the men are somewhere. Scattered ones are lying in their beds reading, like Liebgott, Penk, and Webster.

"Fucking hell," I grumble again. "Why did you just leave yesterday?" asks Don, sitting down on the bed with me. "What do you mean?" I ask back, looking at him now. Don holds out a glass of water to me and a pill. "Thanks." "You just disappeared. George did say you were in bed at one point, but I had to see for myself. That you even made it that far is amazing, given your state." I think for a moment. How on earth did I get into bed? "Honestly? I have no idea."

"Oh, might your drunken little head not remember?" I squeeze my eyes shut. "Not really. I remember us playing that game, but after that... All gone." "Well, let's hope you didn't do anything stupid, Sweetheart," Don says, and my gaze shifts as if automatically to Liebgott, who is looking at me. Something is stirring in his expression, but I don't know what. "Is something wrong, Liebgott?" I ask him, but he shakes his head. "No," he says, folds up his comic, stands up, throws the comic on the bed, and then storms out of the barracks. "What's his problem?" I ask, and Don shrugs.

"Well, never mind. Come on. We'll get you some coffee first... And maybe something to wipe away that black smear on your face." "I think a shower would be best," I say, and Don nods. "Want me to stand guard?" I just nod and then slowly try to stand up. As I brush the blanket off my body, I quickly realize I didn't change yesterday. "Wow, I guess that didn't work either. What?" asks Don laughing and pointing at me. "Seems like it." I shake my head and dig in my trunk for my shower supplies and fresh OD's before Don, and I make our way to the showers.