Hey my beloved ones ;)

I hope, you're still following this story?!

I'm glad to present you the next chapter (nearly in time) and hope that you'll like it. I'd be very grateful for any kind of feedback, so that I know that there're still people out there who like to see this story finished.

They both awoke early in the morning and Maggie tip-toed to her tent. It wouldn't have done any good, if someone found her in Dick's. Before she went, she said "Thank you so much, Dick. I don't know, if I'd have survived this night without you. Maybe Sobel was right the whole time and I'm really too weak for this. I mean, you stayed so calm and focused and I was a wrack. What if such a thing happens in action?"

"Maggie, please, don't doubt your abilities and your training. You're the toughest young woman I know and I'm sure that you'll excel in combat. You won't freeze up because that would put the boys in danger and I know that you love every single one of them too much to let anything happen to them."

"Thanks, Dick." Maggie was stunned by the confidence Dick showed in her character and abilities. She was now sure that she wouldn't freeze in combat because she didn't want to disappoint Dick. Sure, she had a fat crush on him, but she admired him even more as a soldier and leader and trusted his opinion. If he thought she could make it, she would get the job done.

When she went into the general direction of her tent, she saw Guarnere sitting on a stone. He looked like shit and Maggie immediately knew that something was terribly wrong.

The day before, Maggie had been so deep in her own worries that she hadn't noticed that Bill had received bad news. When Bill told her that his brother was killed in action near Monte Cassino, Maggie was really shocked. Even before they went into combat themselves, they were faced with causalities. She felt so sorry for Bill and didn't really know what to say. "Bill… I'm so sorry. I… How…" "Johnny received a letter from his wife who checks the causalities-lists. Don't be sorry for me. Be sorry for my mum. He was always her favourite who did never anything wrong. Unlike me…"

"Bill, please. I'm convinced that your mom loves you boys all the same. And some people even like the hard cases more than the light ones. Take me for example. You're one of my favourites. And you know that I have a big repertory of handsome men, mh?"

Bill smirked and let himself being hugged. He enjoyed the feeling and noticed just at that moment that he needed somebody close now. He would function again in a few moments but now it was great to let himself being held and think about his brother. He enjoyed Maggie's warmth and was grateful that she was there. He couldn't have been this way with one of the guys because that wasn't one of the things you did in front of them. It was a good idea of Sink to let Maggie join them. Certainly he wouldn't be the last one searching out for the sort of comfort just a woman could give.

Dick came around the corner and saw Guarnere cuddled against Maggie. He couldn't deny that he was a little jealous at this moment but on the other hand, he was very proud of Maggie. She felt when something was wrong and immediately knew what to do. And this ability would help her a lot in combat.

At the evening they sat again on the roll-field and got ready. They checked their gear again and again. Maggie was very grateful that she didn't have to carry one of those terrible leg-bags; she could barely stand with all the equipment stripped onto her back…

They were all very quite and concentrated. Maggie prayed for her family and for the boys. She said a special prayer for Dick and was then ready to board the plane.

Dick gave them all a lift up and when he helped Maggie up, he held her hand a little longer than necessary and looked her deep into the eyes. At this moment they both knew that they shared more than affection and a little crush.

Dick shoved her into the plain and climbed in himself. Maggie gave him a helping hand and took her seat in the row next to Dick because she was the second to jump. The last one to jump would be Bull, the pusher. He made sure that nobody refused to jump at the last moment. But Maggie felt confident now and knew that she wouldn't freeze despite her fear of heights.

Maggie became a little nervous when she saw Dick sitting next to the exit. She had the unreasonable fear that he might fall out of the plane and disappear forever. So she slipped a little closer and took his hand into hers. He gave it a little squeeze but didn't let go. Maggie liked the feeling of having Dick close to her and to know that he was with her. She had never felt this way for another man. Perhaps it was because he was the first one who gave her the feeling of total security…

Maggie had just fallen asleep when the plane started to shake like crazy. She felt bile rise up in her throat but the feeling of sickness faded when Dick rubbed small circles with his thumb on the back of her hand. She gave him a small smile and tried to ignore the ack-ack-fire.

They heard the plane next to them explode and got totally quiet for a moment. Just then they heard the co-pilot yell at the pilot to switch the light on.

"No, were too far away from the drop zone. They…" and the pilot got hit. The co-pilot switched the light on. Now the training fell in and they all hooked up and checked the equipment of their front (wo-) man. When the green light turned on, Dick jumped and Maggie jumped after him.

Everywhere were ricochets of the hit planes and Maggie had to pull on her cord to avoid getting hit. Because of that manoeuvre, she didn't have the time to prepare her landing and landed in a tree.

I know, it's rather short, but better a few than nothing, mhm?