FIRST, LET ME THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR AMAZING REVIEWS! I KNOW THAT EVERYONE IS HANGING ON WINTERS AND ROSE, BUT I WAS THRILLED TO SEE A REVIEW ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH BULL AS WELL. I'M WORKING ON A NUMBER OF ONE-SHOTS AND MULTI-CHAPTERS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN POSTED YET, IN ADDITION TO THOSE HERE THAT I AM STILL UPDATING, AND THE CHARACTER OF DENVER "BULL" RANDLEMAN HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.
KEEP READING. KEEP REVIEWING. I PROMISE THAT I'LL KEEP WRITING, AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE IT WORTH YOUR TIME!
** WINTERS POV **
I threw back the canvas to protest but, as always, I awoke and sat straight up in my bed before I could say a word. It took a moment for me to remember where I was. I looked around the room, finally spotting Nix, still sleeping off his V-E Day celebration, and realizing that we were at Berchestgaden. It had been weeks since Landsberg. Weeks since I'd seen Randleman slip into the showers with Rose. I had no idea what happened between them, although deep down, I didn't think anything had. Denver Randleman was the epitome of a southern gentleman. Still, my mind was eager to fill in the blanks with torrid details and, rather than fading away, the dream seemed to become more vivid as the weeks went by.
By the time we moved into Austria, I was almost afraid to go to sleep because I didn't want to watch it anymore. I'd been so committed to getting over her that I'd pushed her into his arms. Now that it looked like she was comfortable there, everything in me was screaming that I had made a huge mistake… just like Nixon said I would. I really hated it when he was right.
"So, what are you gonna do? I mean, the war here is over. We've got Japan, but who knows if we'll ever…" Nix was saying, just skirting the suggestion that I should go after her.
What he didn't know was that I'd already made up my mind what to do. My solution, while extreme, somehow seemed like the only logical solution to any number of problems. The problem of waiting around in Austria for orders. The problem of my ever-present need to feel useful. The problem of wanting a woman that I couldn't have and couldn't get over.
"I applied for a transfer."
His eyes widened, the cigarette nearly dropping from his lips.
"You did what?"
"I applied for a transfer. Once it's granted, I'll leave for the Pacific right away."
"You're going to go to the Pacific to get away from Rose?"
When he said it out loud, it did sound a bit absurd, but it was the only way. Still, I repeated the lines I'd been rehearsing in my head since I'd made my request.
"No, of course not. If I'm going, I want to get it over with. I'm no use sitting here in Austria, and if I can do some good over there…"
Nix was having none of it, and cut me off quickly.
"Cut the bullshit, Dick. You can say whatever you want, but this is me you're talking to. You're never going to convince me that she doesn't play some role in your big rush to get away. Otherwise, you'd have a hard time considering leaving Easy."
"I'm doing what I have to do, Nix."
"I know I'm wasting my breath, but you're about to make a big mistake."
** ROSE POV **
The charged atmosphere that had seemed to surround Bull and me since Hagueneau finally ebbed back into the comfort and closeness that we had always enjoyed. We both knew that there was the potential for something much more than friendship between us and there were moments, like standing together in the showers at Landsberg, when it felt like everything that we'd been holding back might break free. In the end, though, I think we both understood that the only way we could be anything more than friends would be to finish the war and go home. What was between us was real and strong. The truth was that, away from the constant reminders of the war and Dick Winters, I knew that I could be happy with Bull.
For his part, Bull was the one who always encouraged me to dig into my feelings about Winters. He didn't think that anything should be left unresolved, and it frustrated him when he felt like Winters was playing tug-of-war with my feelings.
"If there is even a chance that something could work between the two of you, you should take it," he told me as we celebrated V-E Day. "Maybe now that the war in Europe is over, he will be able to think about things a little more clearly."
Nothing had changed though, and Winters was now turning his focus to preparing everyone for the inevitable redeployment to the Pacific. We had lost Shifty, at first on purpose because we rigged the lottery to get him discharged, and then because he was in an accident before he could ever get on the boat home. We also lost Chuck Grant because some bastard replacement from I-Company decided to get sloshed and go on a shooting spree. That night was the first night that I ever believed that all of the stories about Captain Ronald Spiers might be true.
I'd resigned myself to enduring my silent frustration a little longer when, one morning as we were gathering for PT, Nixon walked by and motioned me over.
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but I've been watching you two dancing around each other for three years now, and you are about to get blindsided, so I think you should know. The reason Dick isn't out here is because he is in a meeting right now with the brass."
"Why? Did something happen?" My stomach dropped, afraid that he had somehow gotten in trouble over me. Nixon shook his head.
"It's not what you're thinking. At least not that he's in trouble." He noted my sigh of relief and gave me a sad look that said I was not going to like what he was about to tell me. "He applied for a transfer. There's a unit leaving for the Pacific right away, and he wants to be with them when they do."
"He what? How could he…? Why would he…?"
He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me squarely in the eyes so that I could see his sincerity.
"Look, he says he wants to be useful and get it over with, but I'm not going to lie to you, Rose. I'm with him almost constantly. I can tell you with almost 100 percent certainty that this is about you. About getting away from you. You're a kink thrown into his straight-laced sense of duty, and he has no idea how to handle it. He tried to let you go and push you away, and all he's done is make things worse for himself. You're a distraction. And I'm sorry, but I just didn't want you to be caught off-guard when you heard."
"Thank you, sir," I answered, clenching my jaw in anger.
I don't know what reaction Captain Nixon had been expecting, but anger wasn't it. When he saw that I was mad, a small smirk crossed his face.
"You know, he should be out of his meeting by the time you're done with your march. He'll be down at the dock for a swim, on the off chance that anyone had anything they felt like they needed to discuss and get straight with him." I met his eyes and he winked at me, shrugging his shoulders. "Hey, I've been telling him for a long time that he needed to talk to you. He won't listen to me, so maybe it's time I start approaching this from the other side."
I watched him walk away before turning back to the group. I had plenty of time to think as we marched, and the more I thought, the angrier I got. By the time we had finished, I was so eager to lay into him that I didn't even bother to shower or change. Bull was almost laughing at this newfound anger as he urged me on. Resolute, I stormed off toward the docks.
"Major Winters!" I called as I reached the river, seeing the shock of red hair as I approached the docks. "Major Winters, I need to speak to you."
He turned toward my voice, and it nearly stole my words as he stood there dressed in nothing but his PT shorts. Then, as quickly as it had come, it passed. Because when he saw who was approaching, he turned back around, pretending not to see me, and dove into the water. Now I was furious. I had pulled my boots off and was preparing to jump in after him when he finally noticed and spoke to me.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"What the hell does it look like? I told you that I needed to speak to you. I know you heard me, and I'm tired of you pretending that I don't exist, so I'm going to get your attention even if it means that I have to jump in there after you."
"Rose, nobody is ignoring you. Just go back to the barracks," he patronized, grabbing a towel as he made his way back to the bank to usher me away.
"No."
"Yes. I'm ordering you…"
"You're ordering me?" I demanded, incredulous. "Are you seriously ordering me away so that you don't have to talk to me? Is that how you plan on handling me until your transfer?"
His eyes widened.
"Who told you about that?"
I ignored the question. I was too far gone now, and he was glancing around as though he were worried that someone might see us arguing on the riverbank.
"I'm a distraction. You are transferring away from Easy Company, in a big rush to get to the Pacific so that you can be half a world away from me, and you're going to avoid talking to me until then by giving me orders!"
"Dammit, Nix!" he growled, grabbing me by the wrist and near-dragging me the short distance back to his room. When the door slammed shut, he turned back to me, still not releasing his hold on my arm. "Now, you listen to me. I had plenty of reasons to request that transfer. None of those reasons involved you. We settled this back at Hagueneau!"
"Bullshit!"
"What?"
He looked at me as if he'd never heard the word before. I spoke slowly, drawing out the syllables as if I were talking to a child.
"I said bullshit! We didn't settle a damn thing at Hagueneau!"
"What are you talking about? We agreed…"
"We didn't agree on anything! You fed me some line about duty and distraction and moments of physical attraction, whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. Then you dismissed me just like you do that damned orderly of yours. I'm sick of you acting like I am in agreement with everything you say! You've never even asked me what I thought! You just think you know what's best for everybody, and that's fine for the war, but this isn't about the war!" I was on a roll now, and the look of absolute shock on his face pushed me onward. "I've done everything you've ever asked of me. I haven't pressed the issue or done anything to cause any problems for you, short of breathing and being in your line of sight. I didn't ask for these feelings, nor have I tried to push you into them, and now you're willing to leave the whole regiment behind to get away from me! Why is that? If you were so sure that we agreed in Hagueneau to everything being just some brief physical thing, then why?"
My chest was near-heaving with choked-back sobs as I finished my rant. He stared at me for a moment, trying to decide what to say to appease me.
"Rose, I just…"
I lifted my eyes to meet his and he fell silent.
** WINTERS POV **
The air was crackling with electricity, and as much as I tried to formulate an argument or an excuse to avoid this conversation, I just couldn't bring myself to lie to her. When she met my eyes again, I realized that I was still holding her by the wrist and, before I could stop myself, I tugged her forward into my arms. My free hand immediately tangled in her hair, pulling her lips to mine.
"This is why," I breathed against her lips, and her body melted into mine, slender fingers lacing behind my neck. "Because I just can't stop wanting you."
My hands slipped down to cup her backside, only just covered by her PT shorts, pulling her hips against mine so that we both gasped at the sensation. Any hope I had of regaining control was lost in that moment. The whole world got fuzzy. I lifted her. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and one of my hands held her thigh as the other arm held her torso firmly to mine. The kisses were deep and slow, and I could feel her pulse against my tongue as I dragged open-mouthed kisses down her neck and collarbone.
The white PT shirt she wore came off with one tug and her brassiere quickly followed. I fell across the bed with her squirming beneath me, whimpering as I explored every inch of exposed skin between her lips and her belly button. At last, she could stand no more and took hold of my dog tags, pulling me back up to her lips.
Fingers digging into my shoulder blades, she whispered my name against my mouth and it sent heat surging through me. It felt surreal. Hands that looked like mine were running along her stomach and across her breasts, my thumbs and then my teeth teasing pert, pink flesh until it was stiff, brushing against my own bare chest as my hips found a steady rhythm against hers.
My hand held her thigh where it was still wrapped around me, slipping slowly downward as we breathed each other in. I couldn't think. I could barely breathe. I was absolutely aching for her by the time my hands gripped the fabric of her shorts.
"Rose… baby…" I didn't have to finish. She lifted her hips and pulled me back into a heated kiss as I removed her last bits of clothing, finally raking my eyes across the naked body I had wanted to explore for so long. I pushed myself up on my arms so that I could take a good look, and the sight of her stretched out and vulnerable beneath me stole what remained of my breath. Lowering myself in a slow pushup, I drew her back into a kiss and whispered the words that I'd only ever said in my dreams. "I need you so bad right now."
I could feel the moisture of her arousal against my own through the thin material of my shorts, and her voice against my ear finally stole what was left of my self-control.
"I'm all yours."
She had barely finished and we were both tugging at my shorts. I was kicking them off. We were kissing again. My body was joining with hers, the sensation and her whimper making it clear that she'd never done this before. Our hips met and I drew back slowly, and then pushed into her again, trying desperately to restrain myself as her discomfort subsided. At last I drove forward and her body arched against mine. This cry was one of pleasure, and it was all the encouragement that I needed.
She clutched my neck and shoulders, her body rising to meet mine as we swallowed each other's moans with fervent kisses. There were whispered, breathless encouragements. Her muscles quivered around me, and her damp skin slipped easily against mine. Her face was buried in my neck when I felt a hot tear escape her eye. Stilling my movements, I pulled back to look down into her face.
"Sweetheart, what…?"
Another tear slipped out before I could finish, and her confession came out in a whisper.
"You're gonna transfer and I'm never gonna see you again."
The words and the brokenness in her voice in the midst of such a long-awaited and intimate moment shattered my heart into pieces, and I whispered against her lips as I pressed another soft kiss there.
"He denied my request, sweetheart. I'm not leaving."
Her eyes met mine, studying me to see if I was telling the truth, and a silent conversation passed between us. She drew me into another slow kiss, sighing as I renewed the movement of my hips against hers.
The rest of the world grew fuzzy again. It was just the cool of my sheets and the mattress beneath us, and the feeling of her body, soft but firm, moving against mine. Breathing was shallow and ragged now. Her soft moans and cries were like fuel driving my body into hers. The months of attraction and suppressed feelings burned between us, pouring out as mumbled confessions that I couldn't control.
"Oh, God help me, I shouldn't be doing this, but I've wanted you for so long…"
"I love you, Dick," came out in a whisper against my ear, and my body surged forward in response to the words.
I felt her body tense around me, her cry of pleasure and release buried against my shoulder. The sensation was too much. I could hold out no longer, releasing all of the passion I'd been hiding away with a final, shuddering groan.
Spent at last, I lay beside her and pulled her into me, pressing a kiss against her hair. Exhausted, she cuddled sleepily into my chest. My heart was finally content and satisfied, but as the high of making love to her began to wear off, my brain began to scream warnings and doubts. What had I just allowed to happen?
"Rose," I whispered. "Whatever happens, sweetheart, I need you to know that I love you… that this… us… was real."
She didn't respond and I glanced down, realizing that she had fallen asleep in my arms and that, come tomorrow, she was going to hate me.