Last Time: Easy Company witnesses the horrors that took place on the beaches. Guarnere and Toye hear the replacements bad-mouthing Rebecca.

"Respect is not imposed nor begged. It's earned and offered." - Unknown

Now: Rebecca grows more concerned about the replacements. Moving out looms over everyone's heads.


Chapter 17 - Trouble in Paradise

Rebecca had never had a problem with the new replacements coming in. Though there would no doubt be some who would have something to say about a woman being a high ranking official, she was never bothered since her rank made her practically untouchable. However, she noticed lately the replacements had been acting suspiciously respectful and almost afraid of her when she was approached by them.

The first instance happened when Roe and Rebecca were in the aid station. A replacement by the name of Hathaway came in for a rolled ankle he needed to be wrapped. Rebecca instantly saw his demeanor change when he saw she was in the station, his body becoming stiff and the nervousness practically radiating from him though he appeared quite relaxed before Rebecca had entered. She watched carefully as the young private limped over to them, clearly trying not to show his sudden onset of fear at the sight of Rebecca. Hatchway began teetering closer towards the cots until, in his nervousness, he banged into one which had a box of glass plasma bottles sitting on it, knocking it over. The box came down hard, the bottles shattering and spilling their contents all over the cardboard. Rebecca sighed when she saw the mess made by the private's clumsiness.

"C-captain I-I'm so sorry!" Hathaway said trying to pick up the box. He looked into Rebecca's face with absolute fear like she was going to come crashing down on him. She probably should have since that was precious medication they often ran out of in the battlefield, but Rebecca wasn't quick to anger. Who knew when they would be jumping next anyways?

Unfortunately, the box was completely soaked and when Hathaway went to pick it up the bottom tore and the remainder of the bottles came tumbling down on the floor. Whatever could have been salvaged was now completely destroyed. Rebecca and Roe looked at each other, trying to contain their smiles. Poor Hathaway stood with the box in his hands, staring at the broken glass as the remained plasma spilled on the floor, utter shock and embarrassment clearly evident on his face.

"It's okay, private. I can't say I haven't been that clumsy before, myself," Rebecca assured him, picking up the pieces of glass. It was a complete lie, but she was trying to make Hathaway feel a little less embarrassed. Roe raised his eyebrow at Rebecca's comment. He knew damn well no such thing ever occurred on Rebecca's watch.

After Roe and Rebecca picked up the mess before the plasma spread everywhere, Rebecca tended to Private Hathaway's ankle. He didn't move, talk, or flinch as if showing one sign of discomfort would cause Rebecca to rip him a new one. When she was finished, Hathaway quickly hopped off the table and scurried out of the aid station.

"Jesus, Becca, what the hell did you do to him?"

"I have no idea," Rebecca murmured.

That occurrence wasn't a one time deal. Replacements would put considerable amounts of distance between themselves and Rebecca when she was walking from place to place, any conversation they seemed to have suddenly come to an abrupt stop when she walked by or happened to be in the same room, and almost all of them sat in the back of the class when she taught the company first aid. After witnessing the sudden behavior change the replacements seemed to possess towards her, Rebecca came to a conclusion.

I'm getting to the bottom of this, Rebecca deduced.

XXX

During meals, Rebecca liked to switch off between the officers mess and enlisted. She was proud to say that she had a healthy and strong relationship with both of them and it was a nice change from two years ago when the men of Easy Company couldn't even give her a look as she walked by without sneering.

She had eaten breakfast that day with the officers and was making her way to the enlisted mess. She had every intention of sitting with the guys that day, but she also needed to find out what was going on with the replacements. Rebecca entered the smelly barn and got in line. She always felt bad whenever she thought of how the enlisted men had to eat in such a filthy barn, but right now she was on a mission and the barn could be on fire for all she could have cared. After the cook glopped the pile of mystery meat on Rebecca's plate, she eagerly looked around the room and tried to find Guarnere, whom she thought may be a prime suspect behind all this. Rebecca finally spotted him sitting with Toye, Malarkey, and Martin; all suspects too. She power-walked over to them, placed her tray down, and sat.

"Hey, Becca, what's going on?" Guarnere said, taking a bite of food.

"I want to know what the hell you guys said to the replacements that seem to've turned me into Hitler." Suddenly all four men all broke out into smirks and chuckles.

"What makes you say that?" Malarkey snickered. Rebecca looked around the table and glanced at the laughing faces, suddenly becoming flustered.

"Guys, I'm serious!" Rebecca said sternly.

"We noticed that our newest additions were so eager to get into combat, that they forgot their place in this company. We had to whip them into shape," Toye stated blatantly. Rebecca felt angry all of a sudden. She was a captain but no one treated her like one.

They baby me.

"I appreciate all of your concerns, but you seem to forget I am a captain. I think sometimes you guys forget your places too." The smiles at the table suddenly turned to frowns. "Thanks anyways guys, but I can take care of myself."

Rebecca got up in her fit of anger and hurt and left them all at the table.

XXX

It had been weeks and no clear plans of moving out any time soon circulated around Aldbourne. Many missions had been canceled previously thanks to Patton and his tanks, but it had been a while since that happened, too. Many guys and Rebecca were enjoying the peace while it lasted and it also gave the men many chances to misbehave. The number of men coming into the aid station with bar fight injuries and obvious cases of syphilis along with other venereal diseases was rapidly climbing. All the downtime gave the men too much time on their hands.

"That's the third case of syph this week, Dick," Rebecca huffed placing a report on Dick's desk in his quarters. Dick opened up the envelope, read its contents, and pinched the bridge of his nose sighing. Rebecca had always come to Dick with reports on the health status of the men and lately, hearing the words contusion, dislocated, broken, and infected had become frequent in her weekly reports.

"What do you suggest, Becca?" Dick asked.

"I suggest a mission and quick," she laughed. Suddenly, though, she became serious. "There's no way in hell we can stop these men from fraternizing, but the least they could do is practice safely. Venereal diseases are no joke."

Dick looked up and eyed Rebecca curiously.

"Oh, no. No, no, no," Rebecca stammered. "I am a nurse and a soldier, not a high school sex-ed teacher. These are grown men, Dick! I am not giving them the talk. Not in this lifetime," Rebecca sputtered, her face quickly as getting red.

Dick noticed her reddening face and began to laugh.

"It's all right, Becca. I'll get someone else, preferably a man." Dick laughed.

Rebecca let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Suddenly, there was nothing to talk about and the two were in the room alone in an awkward silence.

Rebecca cleared her throat. "'I'm gonna head back to the station and see if anyone else needs a shot of penicillin," she joked. Right as Rebecca's hand was clasped around the doorknob Dick spoke.

"Rebecca, before you go I'm heading to town for lunch. Would you like to join me?" Dick interjected.

Rebecca turned and faced Dick. "Yeah, that sounds great," she replied with a smile. It had been a while since the two had any time together now with them both being higher ranking officers.

"It's a small shop that serves food," Dick stated. Rebecca nodded and walked out the door.

XXX

Rebecca was in the aid station glancing up at the clock, desperately waiting for noon to hit. Every few minutes she would glance at her watch, to the wall clock, and back at her watch. Roe looked up from his clipboard.

"What'cha got a hot date or something?" he asked with a smirk.

Rebecca looked up at Roe. "No, I'm going out with Captain Winters for lunch."

Roe's grin became wider as Rebecca continued to glance at the clock. She caught his grin and looked at him completely unimpressed.

"Roe, stop it. We're friends," she said.

"I didn't say anything," Roe quipped.

"No, but you're looking at me. Stop looking at me like that. We hardly get to see each other anymore and-."

Roe suddenly interjected in her rambling. "Captain, relax. I'm just kidding." Roe laughed.

He glanced at the clock and noticed that it was ten of twelve. "You better get going."

Rebecca followed his gaze and began packing up her stuff. "I'll be back soon. You good here?" Rebecca asked.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. Roe said.

Rebecca gave Roe a smile. "Thank you," she said before leaving.

XXX

It didn't take long for Rebecca to find the shop Dick was talking about. It was practically right outside the base. The storefront was made with brick like most of the buildings in Aldbourne except it was well kept and had beautiful vines growing all along the side of it. The front had a large glass window revealing into the shop that was decorated with signs saying The best butties in England and advertisements for their meats and other goods.

As Rebecca got closer to the building, the smell of fresh food tantalized her senses. There were a few table and chairs set up outside, and seeing Dick at none of them prompted her to go inside. When she stepped inside the ring of a bell signifying her entrance and made the man behind the counter look up.

"Take a seat where you'd like, love," a host greeted. Rebecca nodded her head in response and glanced around the deli for Dick. When she saw the only American uniform cap stick up from a booth she made her way over.

Dick was sitting in a booth reading a newspaper and drinking a coffee. When he heard the familiar sound of Rebecca's dress heels on the old wooden floor, he looked up from his paper.

"Hey, you made it," Dick began. Rebecca sat down in the wooden booth opposite to Dick, taking her purse and placing it next to her.

"Yeah, this place was pretty easy to find," she smiled. The two sat looking at each other before Dick started talking.

"Nix recommended this place. He said they had some pretty good sandwiches so I figured we should give it a try."

"I guess his taste doesn't solely lie in booze," Rebecca chuckled.

"I wonder if they have shaved steak sandwiches," Dick wondered. Rebecca laughed to herself.

"I don't think they have them here. It seems more of a United States thing." Rebecca sighed.

"That's too bad," Dick replied.

Rebecca looked outside of the store's window for a moment, watching the people walking down the street, doing normal people things, shopping, talking, and the like. It was so funny to Rebecca how not so long ago she was one of those people. War really put things into perspective. She looked back to Dick only to catch him staring at her. She didn't know to what he was staring at, but it seemed as if he was trying to read her.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing, you looked like you were deep in thought," he answered.

"I was just people watching. It's so weird to see a place untouched by this nightmare when not too long ago we were living in a literal hell. Just surreal, I guess."

"You got that right," Dick sighed. "Let's go up and order, I'm starving."

The two made their way up to the front counter. Dick ordered first then Rebecca, and surprisingly enough he paid for the whole meal even after Rebecca insisted.

She took a bite of her sandwich and was met with the delightful taste of fresh cut meat and bread.

"Oh my God!" was all she managed to get out as she gushed at the delicious flavor of her sub. She popped a chip in her mouth, appreciating the familiar flavor. After eating the army's food for such a long time and the wretched K-rations, this was like pure ecstasy for the tongue.

Rebecca hand Dick spent their lunch hour having great conversation, laughing and talking about what they had been up to and such. When they ran out of things to talk about, the silence between them wasn't awkward; it was actually comfortable. The two had become great friends and they didn't need conversation all the time, but sometimes it didn't feel like just friends. Rebecca pushed down that feeling, quickly.

Once they had finished their meals, Rebecca was surprised to see how quickly time had flown by when she looked at her watch.

"We should get going. I can't leave Roe at the aid station all by himself on the weekend," she said.

"Yeah, Nix will probably think we ran off and aren't coming back," Dick chuckled.

Rebecca grabbed her purse and put it on her shoulder as Dick began clearing away the basket their meals came in along with the bottles of soda. The two made their way out the door of the deli after Dick threw away the trash. Rebecca smiled when he moved to open the door for her and she could have sworn this was almost a date.

They were halfway back to the aid station when Rebecca spoke up.

"Hey, Dick? Any particular reason why you asked me out on a date?" Dick stopped and turned to face her.

"This wasn't a date, Becca," he answered quickly his face getting a little red. Rebecca smiled when she noticed his flustered expression.

"Oh, okay. I was just wondering since it was just us and you paid and held the door open for me. And now you're walking me back to the aid station," she challenged.

The two made it to the front of the aid station.

"We just went out lunch, Becca. We've both been so busy, I thought you would want to grab something to eat" Dick replied.

"So, it wasn't a date," she asked again.

"No."

"Okay," she replied bashfully, her face turning red, consequently. "I figured that."

"Right." Dick clarified.

"Right," she repeated. "I-I I'm gonna get going now," she said. "And thank you, Dick. I had a really good time." Rebecca quickly leaned in to kiss his cheek and then she hustled back into the aid station. Closing the door behind her, Rebecca leaned up against it with her head looking up towards the ceiling, sighing.

That was disgustingly awkward.

Rebecca didn't expect Roe standing there with his eyebrow raised as he held a clipboard in his hands, jotting down notes.

"What?"

"Nothing," Roe laughed with his hands up in a mock surrender.

XXX

It had been a month and still, questions of the next jump were buzzing around Aldbourne. All the D-Day veterans could have cared less and the thought of going back into combat for most seemed like a giant obstacle that was waiting to be conquered. The veterans knew what it was like to go into combat fearing for their lives, or not having decent food or a shower, or worst of all; seeing their buddies torn up in front of them. That being said many veterans were not looking forward to another jump.

Replacements, on the other hand, were getting antsy and in order to squash their eagerness, officers had numerous combat exercises, classroom lessons, and practice jumps lined up for them all.

For all of the men–most of them anyways–spending time at the local pub was a good way to take their minds off their worries about moving out again. For replacements, it was a good way to get to know the vets and take their minds of their eagerness to jump.

Rebecca never particularly cared to spend her weekends in that cumbersome old pub like most of her pals did. She didn't drink so she never found the point in going. However, one evening for some reason Buck had managed to coerce her into going out that night.

With that in mind, she got dressed up her dress greens – skirt in all – and headed out for the bar.

Rebecca quickly left her room and began the walk to the pub.

It was early evening, around six o'clock and the only noises that could be heard were the sound of her dress heels clicking on the pavement and the crickets that made an appearance at night.

Rebecca sauntered down the streets and took in a deep breath of the cool evening air. Aldbourne was a beautiful place and she was going to miss it. Who knew how long they had left to be here?

Finally, she arrived at the small pub and was immediately assaulted with the heavy scent of smoke and booze as she opened the door. The pub was a decent size and was filled with mostly Airborne guys but also some townspeople. It was a befitting atmosphere for the town of Aldbourne.

Rebecca stood in the doorway unsure of what to do with herself now that she was here. Someone, however, did as Buck Compton approached her with one of his award winning smiles.

"Hey, Becca," He beamed, "You made it!"

The one thing Rebecca loved about Buck was his genuine personality and his heartwarming smiles.

"Yeah, you managed to harass me enough to get me out," Rebecca admitted.

Buck swung an arm around her shoulders and lead her towards where he, Luz, Toye, Babe, Bull, and Guarnere were settled in. It looked like they were all playing a game of darts, and from what Rebecca could tell, Buck and Luz – who were a team – were losing.

"Hey, Becca I didn't expect to see you here tonight!" Luz exclaimed.

Suddenly the group made their way over to her, welcoming her.

While Buck, Luz, Babe, and Toye played darts, Bill and Rebecca stood and watched until he stuck up a conversation.

"So, where the fuck you been anyways? It's like we never see you around here unless it's for training or class." Guarnere pointed out.

"I haven't meant to isolate myself from you guys, I've just been busy. Being a captain isn't all it's cracked up to be I guess." Rebecca jested.

"Ah, it never is." Bill joked along with her.

Silence befell the two as they watched the dart game.

"All right, now, Lieutenant, nice and easy. We've still got a shot." Luz offered.

It was unlike Buck to lose at darts. Rebecca thought. He never loses at any game.

Buck then hummed the dart completely missing the board causing Luz to yell out.

"Tough break, you're having a tough night. People have tough nights." Luz concluded, trying to console his friend.

"I'm sorry, George," Buck spoke in a disappointed manner.

"It's all right," George reassured.

If Rebecca knew one thing, Buck never lost, and Luz never took losing well. The two were up to something, and she knew down to the very way they acted. She smiled at them trying to guess their strategy.

What are they up to? Rebecca wondered.

"Nice shot sir." Bull complemented even though he knew it was an awful throw.

Bull and Rebecca had an odd relationship. The two rarely spoke but for some reason, she always felt even at Toccoa that she had his respect. Bull was unceasingly polite to Rebecca whenever the two did talk, and he was a very smart man and a great leader.

"Thank you, Bull," Buck said handing the dart to Babe.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Babe said, and receiving a quick shoulder massage from Toye to help him focus.

"Finish me up," Buck responded.

Rebecca and Bill were patiently waiting to see how it would unfold until Bill jumped up and got himself involved in the game. Rebecca soon followed after him to get in on the action.

"What does he need?" He asked.

"Double seven," Babe answered.

With that Babe eighty-sixed the dart, finishing up the game with a win. The surrounding spectators and the winners of the game all bellowed and hollered at such a crushing defeat of their proud lieutenant.

"You're embarrassing the Lieutenant, here," Bill mock scolded Babe, "Have a drink."

Bill handed over a drink to the young replacement which he greatly accepted.

"Oh, don't mind if I do, Sarge."

"Better start winning money soon, I think your buddies are starting to miss ya." Bill pointed out.

Rebecca looked over to Babe's table and noticed the in-depth conversation the three were having.

"Yeah, they do look kinda sad, don't they?" Babe laughed.

"They're just serious fighting men, that's all," Bull added.

"Well, I think I'm gonna introduce myself." Bill broke in.

"I'll come too," Rebecca stated.

She had never really gotten to know Hashey, Miller, and Garcia, but they seemed pretty decent from what Rebecca could tell. They seemed to be a few of the many who actually didn't fit the standard replacement profile.

"Careful what you say now. Don't take much to set my guys off."

This statement made Bill chuckle. Those boys looked as fragile as flowers.

"Yeah, and you got some wild-eyed killers right there, Bull." Martin joked.

Rebecca chuckled to herself.

Across the way, Rebecca heard Buck and Luz make a gamble with Babe and Toye.

She smiled to herself knowing that this was their plan all along.

"First one to hit the bull's eye?" Buck asked innocently.

"Yeah, one shot," Babe confirmed.

Luz and Buck huddled together whispering about what the prize should be for the winners.

"Yeah make it two?" Luz asked.

"Two pack, two packs," Buck repeated.

Whoever won would win two packs of smokes each. That was worth its weight in gold around here.

"All right, two packs, here we go, one shot, very good," Buck said nonchalantly.

Suddenly, Rebecca was pulled away from her eavesdropping when Bill began dragging her over to the table where Babe's friends were sitting at. He schlepped a chair over to the table and motioned for Rebecca to sit down.

"Hey, fellas. What do ya hear? What do you say?" Bill began.

All three men looked up from their conversation and glanced nervously at Bill.

"Uh, actually that's Babe's seat, Private Heffron's," Hashey stated.

At that moment Rebecca began to tune out the conversation at her table when she heard Bill say he "didn't care if it was fucking Eisenhower's". She didn't need to hear Bill bully them. Instead, she focused on the interesting dart game across the way.

She watched Buck grab a dart, but then Luz stopped him.

"Lieutenant, are you gonna shoot lefty all night?" Luz asked.

"Hey c'mon," Toye grumbled.

"Just curious 'cause he's right-handed."

"George, what would I do without, George Luz?"

Buck aimed and on release, got it right on the bull's eye.

"Boop, ooh!" Luz exclaimed

"Goodness gracious!"

"Two packs gentlemen." Luz and Buck motioned with their hands.

Realizing they had both been swindled, Babe and Toye gave them both the evil eye but gave them smokes.

Knew it. Rebecca thought smiling to herself.

Her attention was drawn away from the game when Bill mentioned Babe's story about Dorris.

"So, Heffron tell you about Dorris yet?" Bill asked.

"No," Hashey answered.

"No?" Bill confirmed. "Well, then I'm gonna educate you."

Bill began his story. Rebecca vaguely listened and as the story carried on she lost interest and made her way to the bar to buy a drink.

She elbowed past people and finally made it to the bar.

"Hey, Becca." Buck began. "What can I get for you?"

"Aw, buyin' me a drink now, are ya?" Rebecca chuckled.

"Yeah, it's customary from where I come from to buy a pretty girl a drink," Buck explained, smiling at her.

Rebecca rolled her eyes at him, only making his smile wider.

"I'll take a club soda," Rebecca said.

The bartender gave her the soda in a big mug they used for beer and she watched as Buck fished out some coins for the drink.

"I'm going back to my table. Thanks for the drink." Rebecca thanked.

As she made her way back to the table she noticed the uncomfortable silence.

Jesus, what did they say? Rebecca wondered.

"You new boys, you pay attention to Sergeant Randleman. Got that? That's the smartest man in the company."

Right as Rebecca was sitting down, Bill got up leaving her all alone with the new guys.

"Hey, boys. How ya doing tonight?" She began.

Right before any of them could answer, a drunken Cobb made his way over to the table and bumped into Miller.

Cobb was an ass when he wasn't drunk, but under the influence of alcohol made him a mean son of a bitch.

Miller looked over his shoulder to face Cobb.

"Where'd you get that?" He provoked, pointing to the Distinguished Unit Citation on his jacket.

"Cobb, knock it off," Rebecca said, knowing where this was going.

The conversation went on like she wasn't even there.

"It's a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation. For, uh what the regiment did in Normandy." Miller explained.

"That's right, for what the regiment did. You weren't there." Cobb shot.

Hoobler, who must have been listening in, came up to Cobb.

"Hey, hey, ease up Cobb. It's a unit citation." Hoobler defended.

Rebecca glanced at Miller, then at Cobb, then to Hoob, Garcia, Hashey, and Bull to see all their individual reactions.

Cobb stared down at Miller like he was trash. Then Miller carefully took off his pin, placed it gently on the table, and left.

Cobb looked quite pleased with himself.

Bull went in a retrieved the pin. "Shit, Cobb, you didn't fight in Normandy, neither."

Bull walked away.

Suddenly being on the other side of the joke, Cobb went to defend himself.

"I got hit in the plane before I got a chance to jump."

Rebecca was pissed and uncharacteristically lashed out at Cobb.

"Cobb, do us all a favor, get out of here and sober up." Rebecca spat.

He looked down at Rebecca, a little shocked, but quickly left.

"Sorry about him. He's an ass to everyone." Rebecca explained.

Garcia and Hashey looked at her sincerely.

"Hashey and Garcia right?" Rebecca asked.

"How do you know us, ma'am?" Hashey asked.

"Oh, I read everyone's files when I'm bored in the aid station. Plus I see you guys in class all time." Rebecca smiled.

"Hey, Y'all, listen up," Smokey yelled, jumping up on a chair, interrupting Rebecca's attempt at conversation again.

"I got us an announcement to make. This here is Carwood Lipton."

Smokey grabbed Lip and pulled him over to where he was standing, to introduce him. Lip looked very bashful as he was dragged by the shoulder and in front of the crowd.

"He's already married, Smokey!" Malarkey yelled from across the room.

Laughter was heard from around the pub.

"This here is Carwood Lipton, the new Easy Company 1st sergeant," Smokey started again.

Cheering and applause erupted throughout the room. No one deserved to be the First Sergeant more than Lip.

"As befitting this position, he says he has to make an announcement."

Lipton cleared his throat and stepped forward.

Not a good announcement. Rebecca guessed.

"Well, hate to break the mood here, boys, but we're moving out again."

Lipton walked off and an eerie quiet befell the room. This was it, they would be going back. And it looked like for good now.

Many men began to file out but some stayed to finish their drinks.

"Man, they sure know how to ruin a good night," Rebecca mumbled.

She looked up from her drink. "Anyways, it was nice meeting you boys."

"Goodnight, ma'am," Hashey said.

Rebecca got up from her place at the table and made her way back to her quarters.

Her trip back was quiet except for some small chatter from men who were on their way back to base too.

They all had gotten used to the sense of security of being away from the war, and now it was over. It made her feel weak. Rebecca took in a deep breath of Aldbourne's crisp air and admired the stars above her, taking in all the beauty around her. She suddenly knew her days of peace in Aldbourne were numbered.


A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed. More chapters will be on their way, hopefully. Please let know if you liked the update!