DISCLAIMER: I still only own David and Nikki. No disrespect is meant to the real men of Easy Company.
Thanks again for all the reviews. We are very close to the end!
Chapter 9 Zell Am See and Beyond
The men had complained about being made to leave Berchtesgaden or at least they did till they saw Austria. Zell Am See was a small town nestled between rolling mountains situated on a natural lake. The complaining had stopped almost immediately with the beautiful scenery and as the men pointed out, they had plenty of time to fraternize.
Most couldn't figure out why they had been moved here, but as Nikki and David soon found out, they were there to process the thousands of German soldiers that still needed to get home.
Dick was lucky enough to find them an abandoned hotel to live in that was right along the water and it actually had running water, so no one was going without hot showers any longer. In fact, Nikki got her own suite that over looked the lake with its own bathroom. She hadn't asked but somehow Ron ended up in the adjoining room.
She was currently enjoying the full size tub when she heard the door open and close.
"David, if that's you, you better have brought food and liquor and not in the order. If you have don't have either of those you can leave."
Not hearing anything from the other room, she turned to try to see out the door and instead found Ron standing in the doorway with a huge smile on his face.
Squeaking she dropped further into the water and under the bubbles. "What are you doing in here?"
Coming further into the room, his smile had only grown. "Well I've been trying to get you alone for two days, but David seems to be stuck to your side, so I thought I would try here. What's wrong, you nervous?"
Nikki glared at him, he enjoyed making her uncomfortable, and this was about as uncomfortable as it got.
"You know you have a very nasty habit of either dragging me off somewhere or catching me at bad moments."
Reaching out he brushed a damp curl back behind her ear. "Did anyone ever tell you that you're beautiful when you're mad?"
Sliding further into the tub, she just glared at him. He really did try to drive her crazy. However, before she could say anything else he started back into the other room.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot the reason I'm here. Nixon says to hurry up he needs you at the school. David apparently managed to get out of processing duty."
Growling Nikki threw a sponge at him, missing by a mile. She heard him laugh all the way out the door.
It was an hour later before Nikki made it down to the school and by then most of the work was over for the day. "Okay Nixon, what was such a rush I had to get down here."
Nixon looked up from his paperwork confused. "I have no idea what you're talking about. David just left.'
Dropping into the chair next to him, "what's the punishment for me shooting an officer?"
Nixon laughed, "Let me guess, Ron told you I was in desperate need of you just to get you out of the tub."
"How did you know?"
"To see a pretty lady with no clothes on, huh, I'd have done the same thing."
"No what I meant was, how did you know I was in the tub?"
"Oh the tub thing, I heard David tell Ron where you were, so did you hear that the Soldiers are planning a big party this Friday?"
"Nope I hadn't, but it sounds like fun, so do I get dress up?
Nixon gave her a look, "well if you mean like in a dress with make-up and stuff? Gees, I don't know if I'll know how to treat you if you look like a girl."
Nikki laughed and punched him in the arm. "Well if you don't need me, I've got a certain officer to find and do bodily harm to. See you later."
She managed to track Ron down but this time it was going to be under her conditions. She had staked out his room and waited patiently until he finally arrived. This time he was the one who got the surprise when he entered his room to find her waiting on him.
"Well this is one of the more pleasant surprises I've had. So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Nikki smiled, and it wasn't a very nice smile. "Well it seems to me that you are always showing up places you aren't invited so I thought I would see what it feels like to get the drop on you."
"Yeah but what makes you think I wouldn't invite you here?"
Damn, she hadn't thought of that. This might actually be something he wanted. Well, we'll just see about that.
Getting up from the chair, she managed to back him up to the bed and push him down. "You know CPT Speirs, you try to intimidate everyone, but you don't intimidate me and you want to know why?"
Grinning up at her, he didn't respond. He had a feeling she was about to show him.
She crawled up on the bed and straddled his hips. Leaning down with her hands on his chest, she whispered into his ear, "Because I don't scare easily and I see the real you."
Dropping a kiss on his ear she sat back up, leaving her hands on his chest. If she hadn't been so proud of herself, she would have noticed the shift of moods on his face. The next thing she knew she was flat of her back on the bed and he was on top of her.
"You know, big girls should be more afraid than anyone. I can show you why now that I've finally got you where I want you."
He leaned down and kissed her. Breaking the kiss for a moment, he got up and locked the door. "Now I have you exactly where I want you."
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It was late when Nikki snuck back into her room. She felt bad sneaking around, but it wouldn't do to have the whole company talking about them. Besides, with Ron's temper, it might just save a life. Yes, most people knew they were a couple, but still, she had a reputation to uphold.
Tonight had been wonderful and had turned out much nicer than she had thought it would. The only down point had been the fact he brought up what she planned to do now that the war was over. She hadn't answered, mainly because she had no idea what she would do. He hadn't pressed, but she knew he would eventually ask if she was coming with him or not. Well she would just worry about that when it happened.
Heading into the bedroom, she stopped short when she saw the box lying on the bed. Opening the box, she found a beautiful dress with shoes. It also contained a note.
Because I know, you'll be beautiful
Love, Nixon
Smiling she hung the dress up to look at it. For a man who didn't know how to treat her if she was dressed like a woman, he sure went out of his way to make sure she looked good. She couldn't wait; this was guaranteed to knock Ron's socks off.
David fell into step with her the next morning heading to the school. "So when I stopped by your room last night you seemed not to be home. So of course, love as your sworn protector I've to ask. Where were you?"
"You really should learn some manners; a lady never kisses and tells."
"Ha, first I would have to find a lady." David barely avoided the swing she took at him. "So I can take it you found the little surprise that Nixon and I left."
"Yes and it was lovely, I can't wait till tonight. I think tonight might be the night."
David looked thoughtful, "Well if it is have you thought what your answer might be?"
Nikki didn't answer; she laid out all the documents she would need for the day. Finally having nothing left to fix she turned to face David. "I don't know what my answer might be. I love him, but-."
"Nikki, no buts, you love him and if he ask you will marry him. Be happy love, don't walk away from it. The future is unknown for all of us so take a chance."
Smiling she assumed her place at the table. Maybe David was right, she deserved to be happy and maybe Ron could do that.
Damn it, she was late and had nearly fallen down the stairs. That's what I get for not wearing heels in years. She had to admit that the dress was perfect and Nixon had picked right.
Nixon was waiting on her at the door. "Well, you do clean up pretty well brat, funny to imagine there actually was a woman under all that combat gear."
"Gosh you are so funny I forgot to laugh. Now are you here to escort me to the dance or just insult me."
Presenting her his arm, he made it clear what he was there to do. "You really do look beautiful. You're going to take his breath away."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah I do, that shade of blue matches your eyes exactly. Hell, every man here tonight will be in love with you."
They entered the ballroom and all conversation stopped. Okay, that didn't make her feel any better.
"Nix, can we get some punch or something."
He guided her over to the punch bowl about the same time the men started to line up for dances.
Speaking up to be heard over the music. "Gentlemen, I'll be happy to dance, but I owe the first dance to a very special man. Captain Nixon, can I have this dance."
Blushing Nixon mumbled yes. When they got onto the dance floor, he had stopped blushing but was still mumbling under his breath.
"Gees Lew, if you didn't want to dance with me you could have just said so."
"Nikki, it's not that I don't want to dance with you, I do, but I think you're trying to get me killed."
She just gave him a confused look.
Nixon laughed, "you don't get it do you. His eyes haven't left you since you came in the room. In fact if looks could kill I would be dead right now."
"He's not going to hurt you Nixon; he knows we're just friends."
"Yeah well you can speak at my funeral. Oh thank God here comes David."
"May I cut in?"
Nixon passed her quickly off to David. "Yep, here take her with my compliments; I'm going to go get a drink."
Nikki growled, "You know that man could make me feel very unwanted."
David swung her around the dance floor without comment. If she had seen the look Nixon was getting, she'd thank him for coming to rescue her.
"You know love, tall, dark, and brooding doesn't like you dancing or even being touched by anyone else. I think the only reason I get away with it is because I'm me."
"Yeah well, you know I was thinking that-."
"David I think you need to go translate something."
David said nothing but smoothly passed her off to Ron.
"You Captain Speirs have the most annoying habit of-."
"You look beautiful Nikki and I knew if I didn't take drastic steps I'd never get near you tonight."
Damn, why did he have to say something nice and ruin a good butt chewing?
Letting it go, Nikki relaxed in his arms. In fact, she stayed either in his arms or on his arm for the remainder of the night. No one got near her, in a way, it was annoying, and in another, it was the most romantic thing ever.
Pulling her outside to the patio, he stopped by the railing. "Nikki, I've never been very good at these things, but here goes."
She watched as he dropped to one knee in front of her. "Nicole Klemp, I'm in love with you and have been since the first night I saw you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me?"
For a moment she couldn't speak. She knew this would probably happen but now it time had come and she had no idea what to say. Instead, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to his feet.
"Ron, please understand I love you with all my heart. However, I need some time to think about this. Please understand."
He didn't speak in fact when he finally looked at her again she saw the man that scared all the men in Easy Company. Finally, after a moment he seemed to relax a little.
"Fine, let me know when you make up your mind. You know where I'll be." Turning he left her standing alone on the patio and the only thing she could think was that she had made a terrible mistake.
The next morning she was already at work by the time David arrived.
"Well you are here early, let me guess last night was so wonderful you've never been to sleep."
"Well you got part of it right, I've not been to sleep."
David finally walked over and took a good look at her. Her eyes were red like she had been crying.
"Nikki what happened? I thought he would ask you to marry him, that's what he had told me."
She felt the tears well up in her eyes. "He did ask, but when I told him I need more time…I got to meet the person everyone is afraid of. He told me when I made up my mind to come find him."
"Oh sweetie, please don't cry. It was just a misunderstanding and once he calms down he'll understand."
"No he won't, but maybe its better this way. Look we need to get to work."
Nikki made sure that she worked without stopping all day the first day and for the next week worked herself into exhaustion so she didn't have to think. In fact, most nights David or Nixon had to take her back to her room. It had been almost five days since she had seen Ron and last night she had tried the door between their rooms and found it unlocked.
Taking heart that the door was finally unlocked and that maybe he would talk to her she had entered the room only to find it completely empty. He had moved out sometime during the week. Well I guess that told her everything see needed to know.
Stretching in her seat to relieve some of the tension in her back, she looked around the room. They had been working since early this morning and it was now eight at night. They were going to have to tell whoever remained that they would have to return in the morning. She only had five more people in her line, she would finish them, and that would be it.
Every German soldier possessing valid discharge papers had to have a travel pass from the US military, so Nikki and David had been in charge of drawing them up with Nixon signing off once the documents were complete
She had been speaking so much German that Nixon had thought it was funny when he'd asked what she wanted for lunch she'd replied in German.
Okay, last one. Just get this one done and you can go home.
"Was ist Ihr Name?" (What is your name?)
"Hauptman Johan Dorr"
"Von wo kommen Sie" (Where do you come from?)
"Haguenau"
"Wo wünschen Sie, zu zurückzukehren." (Where do you wish to return to?)
"Haguenau, Nicole is it you?"
Finally looking up, she met the eyes of the man that was to have been her husband.
"Johan ist dass Sie?" (Johan is that you?)
"Wie sind Sie lebend, ich nicht verstehe, dass ich gedacht habe, dass Sie tot waren." (How are you alive, I don't understand I thought you were dead?"
David, who had been putting away documents, turned in time to see Nikki hugging a German soldier.
"Nikki, what are you-." The rest of the question died on his lips when the man looked up. He recognized him from pictures Nikki carried with her, Johan Dorr, Nikki's fiancée appeared to be a long way from dead.
"David, I'd like you to meet Johan. I can't believe he's here after so long and to think he was dead and now he's here."
David watched the interaction between the two of them. They were both in shock about finding one another again, but David knew this was probably going to mean serious trouble.
Plastering a smile on his face David extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Nikki told me a lot about you. Uh, I guess the polite thing would be to invite you to diner."
Nikki grimaced, diner yeah, that probably wouldn't be such a good idea. They normally ate at the hotel with the men, but that would create questions. "I've got an idea, why don't we go into town; I found a lovely place yesterday."
David agreed and they three headed out on the town. David kept trying to think of ways to get Nikki alone, he really needed to know what she was thinking, but it was obvious from the conversation that he really didn't exist.
The fact Nikki had the shock of her life was an understatement. She was told Johan was dead, yet here he was. He had changed over the last five years and she wasn't sure she liked it. He was harder and she was getting the impression that the man she had loved really did die along the way.
When they finally dropped Johan, back where he had been staying David was able to talk to Nikki alone.
"So what are you going to do now that your fiancée has shown up very much alive?"
"I have no idea, but I'm not sure I would say he's my fiancé any more. Besides, I've someone else to consider when I do make the decision."
David sighed, "Yeah you do and right now if he finds out about this with the mood he's been in, you can forget talking any sense into him. I heard him tell Dick the other day he was staying with the men. Nikki he's not leaving the Army."
Sighing she dropped back against a wall. "What am I going to do? He won't talk to me and he's avoiding me, I couldn't give him an answer even if I had one. Now the man I loved is suddenly alive and I'm not sure I want him either. Please tell me, what would you do?"
David pulled her into a hug. "Sweetie I've got no clue, but you better decide soon. Nixon offered to find me work in Berlin. I leave in two days. You can come with me you know?"
Nikki could almost laugh if she didn't want to cry so bad. Three men suddenly wanted her and she had no idea what she wanted.
The next morning she caught Nixon before he left the hotel. "Nix, have you seen Ron?"
"Yeah I saw him early this morning, not sure where he was going why? Did you finally make your decision?"
"Yeah I did, can you get me a job in Berlin as a translator? I think it's for the best."
Nixon didn't answer her. He had no idea what had happened but he did know that Ron had asked her to marry him. Guess he wasn't going to get the answer he was waiting for.
"Okay Nikki, I'll let you know later today."
"Thanks Lew."
He watched her go. He had never seen someone look so alone and for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why she wouldn't marry Ron. Guess that in the end it really was none of his business.
David found Nikki later that evening sitting alone on the patio. Most of the men had shipped out and there were only a hand full left in Austria.
"So Nixon said you would be joining me in Berlin?"
Nikki looked up from the water. "Yeah, he said they were going to actually need lots of translator support what with the rebuilding and setting up a new government."
Sighing he said, "Look let me get to the point, have you told anyone else?"
"Yes, I told Johan and he understood. He is going home and try to help rebuild. We are just too different now and it's better that way."
"You know who I'm talking about."
"No I've not told him. After the whole Sergeant Grant thing, I didn't want to add to his problems. Nixon told me he was leaving tomorrow for the states to set up the area for the company."
"Nikki, I've tried very hard to interfere in your life, but sweetie if you let him get on that plane tomorrow you'll regret it the rest of your life."
Nikki shrugged; maybe she would show up at the plane in the morning, what did she have to lose.
The next morning she was waiting at the airfield on the hopes of catching him alone, but with all the people leaving on the plane there would be no hope of that. So taking a deep breath, she ran to catch him right before he boarded.
"Ron could I please speak with you a minute?"
He at least stopped, maybe that was a good sign, but when he turned to face her, there was nothing in his eyes. Okay, so much for the good sign.
"Ms. Klemp, I didn't realize you were going to see me off, to what do I owe the honor?"
"Well we haven't had much of a chance to talk over the last couple of weeks and I just found out that you were leaving and well-.'
Grabbing her arm, he pulled her off to the side. "Nikki, get to the point I've got a plane waiting. I heard your dead fiancée isn't so dead, so what do we have left to talk about. Or did you just come here to tell me you were going back with him."
Jerking her arm out of his grasp, she could only stare. At least that explained why he hadn't tried to talk to her. Dropping her head, she wrapped her arms around her waist in a protective measure.
"You're right, I shouldn't have come here, but I guess I just wanted to see you one last time. By the way, Johan left two days ago, I'm not going with him, I guess I thought there might still be something left between us, but at least I know now whatever we had is gone. I'm sorry." Without ever looking up, she walked away and left him to catch his plane.
Ron took two steps to start after her, to hell with going back to the states; it wouldn't mean anything without her any way. He watched as David stepped outside and she ran to his arms. Guess she didn't really need him after all. Walking back to the plane he climbed aboard and leaving Germany behind.