A new page had turned in the war and Dick Winters was beginning to look to the next step. The Allies' proximity to victory had became more apparent with Hitler's death that April. Although his work was far from done in Europe, the further they moved into Germany the more Winters sensed things were changing. Generally, the mood among his men had shifted. Now the Major was more concerned with containing his mens fraternization rather than protecting them from artillery fire. A happy problem to have, he thought, yet his pragmatic nature suspected they weren't done being tested. Violence was still raging at full force in the Pacific and little did they know what awaited them in the depths of the Rhineland.
Winters suspicions were validated. Their trucks had passed through green plains peppered with picturesque farms tended to by attractive Bavarian women. From the state of the locals homes and resources there was no anticipating what the soldiers of Easy Company would find in Landsberg.
There are no words to adequately characterize the level of depravity indulged in by the Nazi's who orchestrated the imprisonment, abuse, and murder of other human beings.
Winters was determined to witness the Kaufering concentration camp in its entirety; at the very least to acknowledge the savagery the victims and survivors were forced to endure. And so he stood helmet under arm, gripping his wrist in an effort to maintain his composure as a boxcar was opened to reveal one of many informal mass graves.
Until Landsberg, Winters had been comfortable in the knowledge that he was fighting on principle to defend his nation and it's allies. It was humbling to realize there had been a greater war of morality going on. Winters couldn't help but wonder what - or who - could have been saved if only they hadn't been ignorant.
But it wasn't in Winters nature to dwell on regret for long. Regret only robbed the present of action. The Allied Intelligence operation was industriously collecting information on camps across Eastern Europe. There was more work than ever as people, communities, and nations across the continent began to recover.
A knock sounded on the doorframe leading into Winters' temporary command post, "Major Winters," Emily poked her head into his office.
Winters looked up from the report he was reading, "Emily, come on in."
"Hi," she smiled timidly. Though they got along splendidly when off duty, a somewhat awkward formality settled between them when discussing work matters. Winters preferred it this way and he appreciated Emily's deference to decorum.
"Am I disturbing you?" she asked.
"No," Winters sighed, "I'm not accomplishing anything," his face twisted in distaste. He dropped the report he was looking at unceremoniously on his desk. "It's late, I hope you're not still working."
"All done," Emily smiled and dropped a manila folder into his inbox, "I was going to wait to drop this off in the morning but I ran into Marwa earlier. She thought you might be hungry and wanted me to give you this," she tossed Winters an apple. Winters felt an unexpected pang of disappointment. He wouldn't have minded if Marwa dropped off the apple.
"Thanks, that was nice of Nurse Gamal. And you," he said as an after thought.
Emily shrugged, "I'm just the delivery woman."
"Please tell me this isn't anything pressing," Winters gestured to the report she had dropped off.
Emily laughed, "don't worry, nothing that needs immediate attention."
"Good," Winters relaxed back in his seat. "So you and Nix," he asked. He couldn't resist the little smile that twisted at his lips, "you both seem happier lately."
"Yeah," Emily blushed, "things are as good as they can be. Ya know," she gestured, "all things considering."
"So Nix told ya then?" Winters bit into the apple.
"About the camp?" Emily's tone changed, "yeah, that was terrible. I can't believe how many there are. We've been trying to map them as the information becomes available."
Winters nodded, "great, I was speaking more on a personal level," he gestured between Emily and imaginary figure of Nixon, "between you and Lew."
"Oh, on a personal level? Told me?" Emily looked confused.
Winters' chewing slowed as it dawned on him what he may have just revealed. "Uh, about Kathy?"
Emily cocked her head, questioning. Well, Winters thought, he may as well just say it at this point, "she's leaving him."
Emily's mouth dropped in shock but she quickly composed herself. "Oh," her voice was a higher pitch than it was before, "that's got to be tough for the kids."
Winters had to keep himself from chuckling. This was why he liked Emily; it was poised answer that was respectful but genuine. Winters was no proponent for adultery but in this case, he was able to grant some grace. He was never a fan of Kathy not because she was a bad person but simply because he didn't get along with her. And, based off of Winters own personal observations, neither did Nix.
Kathy played the games of society, something that Emily seemed to consciously reject which was much more on par with Nixon's irreverent nature. Sometimes Winters worried that Emily and Nixon were far too alike. Sure, things were good now but their similar personalities were bound to get them into trouble again. Yet, Winters was glad his friend had found someone who understood him completely and honestly.
"Well, if you're finished up here we're going to have a drink as a sort of send off for Marwa if you want to join us," Emily interrupted his thoughts.
"Oh, I, uh," Winters hesitated.
"I mean, Lew and I are going to have a drink. Marwa doesn't drink either," Emily winked at him.
"Oh," Winters felt inexplicably rattled. He was momentarily overwhelmed by the news of Marwa leaving and Emily's conspiratorial gesture. "Yeah," he stood so abruptly his chair nearly tipped back behind him, "sure, why not."
Winters followed Emily downstairs to a room in the manor in which their friends were posted up. Harry Welsh and Marwa were chatting animatedly on a worn out red settee in the corner as Nixon stared pensively into a clear glass of schnapps. Winters watched as he took a sip and grimaced. Good, Winters thought to himself, maybe he'll hate the stuff so much he'll be forced to quit it.
Winters took a seat next to his friend, "how you doing, Nix?"
Nixon looked up as if surprised at his friends presence, "good, good."
Winters smiled, "you seem good."
Winters didn't miss the smile Nixon suppressed. He could tell his friend was on the verge of saying something so he remained silent.
"I want to ask Emily to marry me when all this business with Kathy is settled."
A little half-smile played at Winters mouth, "that's great, Nix."
Nixon hesitated, "but what if we fight again Dick?" There was a new sort of vulnerability in his voice.
"Well, you probably will," Winters said.
Nixon's fingers danced around the rim of his glass, "I mean- I mean really fight. What if she doesn't want to speak to me again."
Winters paused, considering his friends words, "look, I've never been married, but I think you decide either you're in or you're out. And, if you decide you're in then you commit."
There was a fearful sort of hope in Nixon's eyes. "So yeah you'll fight," Winters continued, "but if you're committed to working it out you eventually will."
Nixon nodded slowly, "thanks, Dick." He threw back the rest of his drink, "you'll be my best man, of course?"
Winters chuckled, "why don't you get the bride on board first."
The friends sat in companionable silence. They watched their friends lounge about the room chatting; their smiles made it almost unbelievable that war had ever touched them. Winters' eyes lingered on Marwa who was perched on the arm of a couch laughing at something Harry had said. Winters noticed how shiny her black hair was and how bright her smile looked against her toasted skin. She wore a slightly outdated gray two-piece; she insisted that it was inappropriate to socialize while in uniform. Winters admired this attitude greatly. He had grown to admire a lot of things about the seasoned nurse since Bastogne.
Beside him Nixon cleared his throat, "anything going on with you?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Winters eyes jerked away from Marwa guiltily, "what? No," he answered quickly.
Nixon smiled and nodded, "she's a hell of a woman." He was saying it for Winters benefit, but his eyes were on Emily.
Winters nodded in agreement, "she sure is," he looked back at Marwa.
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