DISCLAIMER: I still only own Nikki and David. No disrespect is ever meant to the real Band of Brothers

Thanks for all the reviews. For anyone who ever travels, I recommend seeing not only Berchtesgaden, German but Zell Am See, Austria (Next Chapter). These are two of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

Chapter 8 Onward to Berchtesgaden

Nikki didn't want to wake up. The pale light coming in through the window told her it probably no later than five; she could stay in the bed a little longer. Besides, she was comfortable where she was. Closing her eyes, she relaxed. She was lying with her head on David's chest, but for a moment, she could let herself dream it was Ron. Snuggling closer she felt his arms tighten around her. This would be nice if it was Ron. Sighing contently, she dropped her leg across his and snuggled closer.

A couple of thoughts went through her sleep dazed brain, the first one being the fact that David had never smelled this good, and the second was the fact David had put on more muscle over the last couple of months. Hmm, I'll have to compliment him later. Guess he must have been as tired as I was. Hey but I'm glad he at least got us upstairs.

Upstairs…in her bed…Nikki's eyes instantly popped open. It was then she realized that the chest and body she was using as a pillow belonged to Ron Speirs. What the hell?! Slowing moving her head to look up she noticed that he was still asleep. He really was handsome and in sleep, he looked much more approachable.

As if he could sense her watching him, he began to wake up, so she put her head back down and faked being asleep. Chicken, why are you faking it, this is where you want to be.

Before she could change her mind, she felt him slowly slip out from under her. The door opening and closing told her he was gone. Jerking up into a sitting position, she could only stare at the door. What just happened here, he sleeps with me and then sneaks out before I wake up. Yeah, but don't forget you played possum too, so what's up with that.

The noise from outside drew her to the window. Down below Soldiers were loading up equipment and she could see Ron walking around with Lip checking on things. Shaking her head, she went to pack up her stuff. Guess we're moving out it would have been nice for someone to tell me.

When Nikki had her stuff packed she headed down to link up with David, instead she ran into Nixon. "Nix, listen I was being a total selfish-."

Before she could go any further, Nixon had grabbed her into a very suffocating bear hug. "Brat, you never have to apologize, we all have bad days. Now come on and get in the jeep we need to get moving."

"Okay is someone going to tell me where we are going?"

Ron walked up at that moment and took it upon himself to inform her, "Well Miss Klemp if you actually attended meetings instead of running around on your own agenda, you would know we are being moved to Berchtesgaden."

Nikki watched him walk off with shock on her face. "Okay, anyone want to tell me what I did? Also anyone know why I'm back to being Miss Klemp again when I've been Nikki for the last five months?"

Nixon was watching Ron with a frown on his face. "I've got no idea what is wrong with him. Did you and he have an argument?"

"No, in fact he snuck out of the bed this morning without even talking to me, so go figure."

The smirk was instantly on Nixon's face. "So you were in bed together?"

"Get your mind out of the gutter, everyone had their clothes on. I just don't understand why he acts like he does."

"Don't worry; things will work out, besides, if nothing else you can run away with me."

David climbed into the vehicle next her, "well if she is running away with anyone it's me, after all I've been with her longer."

Laughing Nikki slugged David in the arm, "Hey I get a choice in this right?"

Nixon winked at her, "sure but remember I'm rich."

When they finally were moving David leaned over so she could hear him and asked how her morning was. The smirk on his face made it evident he had set her up.

"Well, considering you obviously gave me to him last night, my wake up this morning could have been extremely pleasant. In fact I was in a great mood, until he took my head off."

"What do you mean; I would have thought he would have been in a great mood as well."

Nikki snorted, "Yeah well, I'm back to being Miss Klemp and he pretty much accused me of not doing my job, so I've got no idea of what is going on. See this is the problem with the man. He gets close to me, confuses my emotions, and pulls away."

"Well maybe you'll have time to talk to him on the way."

She shrugged. At that moment, she really didn't care. He had hurt her this morning, first by sneaking out and then by attacking her like she had done something wrong.

Looking back at the truck behind them, she could see him in the passenger side. His eyes met hers briefly and then looked away quickly.

Sighing she turned back facing forward. Maybe Nixon was right and she should run away with him at least he seemed to know how to treat a woman.

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Sitting in the back of the jeep, Nikki was dozing in the warm sun. The road to the Eagle's Nest blocked by tons of rock and the Soldiers had come up with new and interesting ways to try to clear the way.

Dick blew out, "When are the engineers supposed to get here?"

Nixon snorted, "three hours ago."

Ron had come to stand beside the jeep; he glanced at Nikki and quickly looked away. As Dick and he discussed the chance of Easy taking the Eagle's Nest, Nikki just stared at the back of Dick's head. She tried not to listen to him or even look at him. She tried several times to talk to him, but he either ignored or treated her with polite indifference.

Sighing she turned her attention back to watching the Soldiers try to clear the way with a rocket launcher. It wasn't effective, but it was kind of fun to watch. Colonel Sink's arrival disturbed her daydreaming. He told Dick to get second Battalion moving and out flank the French.

It had taken some time but by going back to the Autobahn and going around finally gained them access to Berchtesgaden.

The town was completely deserted which was no surprise. The people who had been living there had fled because there was no way to hide the fact they had been Nazis. Only the highest-ranking officials lived here.

Dick had finally stopped in front of the hotel that would be Sink's headquarters. Climbing out of the jeep, Nikki decided to wait on David, when they followed everyone else in she was amused that Dick had finally gotten into the scavenging with him and Harry Welsh splitting a silver dining set.

When Dick told Ron that Easy could go and capture the Eagle's Nest, he grabbed his helmet and started out of the door. Taking a chance, since no one was looking, she grabbed his arm. "Please be careful."

Ron stopped and looked at the ground a moment, then tossed a glance back over his shoulder to see that no one was around.

Taking her face in his gloved hand, he leaned in and kissed her. Breaking the kiss, he brushed his thumb over her lower lip. "Don't worry I'll be safe. We still need to talk."

As he walked out the door, she stood with her mouth open in total shock. Okay, didn't expect that, what is going on here?

"Okay love, first he ignores you now he is kissing you again. Are you as confused as I am?

Nikki laughed, "I don't think anyone could be as confused as I am right now. But hey, let's go see where Hitler lived."

Once they arrived at the Eagle's Nest, Nikki and David translated documents until Nixon came along with a bottle of champagne.

"Okay children, enough work, now we celebrate. We've successfully taken Hitler's house. Come on out and have something to drink."

When they joined everyone, on the patio, there were several bottles of liquor passed around and everyone was more than just a little happy. Nikki managed to grab a bottle and she and David grabbed one of the empty loungers.

She and David were trading the bottle between them when Ron walked out onto the patio. Walking over to them, he gave David a pointed look that clearly said that David needed to move.

"Love, I think I'll go…well I'll go sit over there."

Before Nikki could tell him to stay where he was, he had moved over to the lounge across from her. Mean time, Ron sat down behind her and took the bottle out of her hand.

Turning to glare out him, she grabbed the bottle back. "We're going to have a long discussion mister."

Still smirking he only pulled the bottle back and took a drink, never breaking eye contact.

Before Nikki could say anything else, Dick and Lip arrived. "Okay I've got a message from division. All units stand fast, Germany has surrendered.

Everyone was hugging and more bottles opened. Dick and Nixon left together after Dick told him he had a surprise for him, leaving only a few people on the patio.

Nikki had continued to ignore the man sitting behind her, instead focusing her conversation on David who was sitting across from her.

Ron was doing his best to distract her. He had started by running his hand up and down her back. She had stiffened and tried to pull away from him, but she wouldn't turn and look at him. Well, it was time to take charge of the situation.

Standing up, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "David, we'll be back in a few minutes. Don't let them leave without us."

Smiling David relaxed back on the lounger, "oh don't worry, we'll all wait on you, take your time."

Nikki glared at him but didn't have time to say anything as Ron was pulling her back into the building.

"Hey have you ever heard of asking? I swear I've spent most of this war being drug around by you."

Ron finally found an empty room, pulled her in, and shut the door. "If I'd have asked you'd have said no. So why ask."

Nikki pulled away from him and paced the room like a caged animal. "You know, I don't understand you. You act like you hate me one minute and you're kissing me the next do you have any idea what you want."

Nikki noticed that Ron had suddenly lost that slightly drunk look he had had on the patio. Uh oh, that can't be good. He was faking, oh crap.

Ron smiled and started moving toward her, Nikki backed up until she could go no further. She watched, as his smile got even wider. "Well I can see you that I've finally got you where I want you, nowhere to run."

Nikki straightened up, "Just remember that a cornered animal can fight back. You keep manhandling me and-."

The rest of her sentence cut off when Ron pulled him to her and kissed her.

When he broke the kiss, he moved to her neck. Finally taking a moment between kisses, "You're not running again and neither am I. I'm going to tell you what I've not wanted to admit even to myself. I've been trying to fight it and I didn't want to become involved while the war was going on, but now that this is over, I want you with me and I want you in my life."

Nikki pushed him back so she could see is face. He was serious. "Ron, I don't know what to say, I need some time."

Smiling he leaned into her again whispering in her ear. "You can take the time later right now I just want to be with you."

It was her turn this time that pulled him in for a kiss.

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When they arrived back at the hotel, David pulled Nikki off for a walk while Ron was checking in with the men.

"So love, I take it that the hours you and he spent locked up in a room alone paid off. You seem happy."

"I don't know, I mean yes I'm happy, but we are still a long way from the end of all this and I'm not sure how I really feel about everything."

Putting his arm around her they walked together down the street where there seemed to be fewer Soldiers.

"Nikki, you've not been happy in so long and I see the way the two of you look at each other, he makes you happy, so why not take a chance."

"David I want to, I really do, but what happens after all this. He will either go back to the states or, who knows. Then what happens to me, I don't see me fitting in back in America." Sighing she dropped her head into her hands.

"Love, worry about that when it happens just take it a day at a time."

"I guess you're right. Tomorrow is another day after all."

"David, why is it when I come looking for Nikki, you've always got her off in the dark."

David and Nikki turned to see Ron standing behind them.

David grinned very unrepentant. "Well, she was mine before she was yours." Kissing her on the head, he got up and left her sitting on the bench alone.

Ron took his place on the bench and pulled her into his side. Leaning in he whispered the words she wanted to hear. "I love you."

She hugged him but somehow could say it back to him, just not yet. Maybe she was more afraid that she was willing to admit. However, being here in his arms was good for right now.

The next morning Easy Company got the word they were leaving Berchtesgaden and heading to Austria.