Saints and Soldiers

(Ok, short but sweet. I hope it's good. As always, I don't own anything. Let me know what you think, everyone but especially My.Psuedonym.Was.Taken .)

Chapter 4 - "I should be home"

Kendrick ran through he snow looking like a tragic Shakespearean character. Stopping by a tree he motioned for them to wait. Running again he stopped at a tree stump and motioned for them to wait. He made it to what looked like the collapsed remains of another bombed out house and he again motioned for them to wait.

"What's he doing?" Winley asked confused.

"He's making sure all's clear," Gunderson explained. Even though Kendrick was somewhat clumsy, Gunderson wasn't going to fault him for it. He was a soldier and he recognized that in him. Deacon and Gould quietly watched.

Slipping under the snow covered roof a flock of pigeons flew out when he reappeared. He gave them the all-clear signal.

"Okay, let's go," Gunderson ordered.

At the roof Gunderson spoke to the men. "Okay, we've gone about 12 miles. We've got to stop. We've got to get some shut-eye. Alright?" They all nodded in agreement. "We'll leave in about an hour. I'm gonna take first watch."

"No, I've got it, Sarge," Deacon volunteered.

"No, you don't. You gotta get down there and get some rest," he eyed Deacon, thinking about his and Gould's conversation earlier. "Alright, move in," he ordered the men.

After Deacon and Gould slipped under the roof, Gunderson hesitated a moment. "Hey, Kendrick, that was real nice work," he encouraged him.

"Thanks, Sarge," he smiled feeling proud of himself.

As Winley followed Gunderson, he couldn't resist a jab at Kendrick.

"Yes, thank you for protecting us from the birdies. Very decent of you," he snickered and went in.

"Very decent of you," Kendrick imitated sarcastically, under his breath.

Inside it was filthy. The floor was covered with black ash and half burned timbers. Pieces of broken and charred furniture laid strung across the floor. A rat crept around a timber looking at the new tenants before retreating back into its hiding place. .

Gunderson stood watch at the opening while the others tried to sleep.

Deacon read from his Bible and found his eyes growing heavy. As his head nodded, his chin dropped down on his chest. In a dream, he was stepping into the church as he sought out the sniper, the steps creaking under his footsteps, fear tingling his spine. Firing his rifle, he saw the doll again laying on the floor. Looking on in horror, there was an explosion and he awoke with a gasp disturbing a resting Gould. Gould gave him a look of disdain and closed his eyes again. Deacon, feeling embarrassed, went back to reading.

Until the sound was nearly upon him, Gunderson did not hear the footsteps that crunched in the snow or the soft chatter of voices as he dozed off. When he finally did hear it, he jerked awake just as a band of German soldiers moved into view. Deacon moved over by him holding Winley's pistol ready to fire, if necessary. The Germans moved past the collapsed roof, unaware of the presence that watched them.

"I fell asleep," he apologized to Deacon, after the danger was gone .

"Well, you're not the only one," Deacon grinned slightly.

"What about you?"

"No," Deacon sighed shaking his head.

Later, over a can of Sterno, they heated water in metal cups. Ripping open a white packet Gunderson watched as Deacon sprinkle the contents into the hot water. He was tired and fed up. Nothing made sense to him anymore.

"What the hell are we doing here, Deac. This is crazy," he sighed.

"You got that right," Deacon agreed.

"I should be home right now - should be playing with my nephews, flirting with the girl at my Dad's store … what was her name?" he looked off and wondered for a moment. "I can't remember her name. And you," he looked at Deacon. " -- you should be doing -- whatever it is that you do."

"I should be helping my wife get ready for the baby," he gave Gundy a grin.

"You didn't tell me she was having a baby," he returned the smile, glad to hear some good news for a change.

"Yeah -- I got the letter on Thursday," he nodded proudly. "She says she knows it's going to be a girl." They both chuckled happily together.

"She must be due soon."

"Yeah, the end of January."

Gunderson nodded. "Thursday," he thought for a moment. "That was -- that was the day we hit Essendor."

Deacon nodded with a sad faraway look in his eye. Gundy wished now he'd not brought it up. He knew this would brew up terrible memories for him.

"You'll be alright, Deac," he tried to comfort him. "We just gotta get Winley to Manhay, win the war and go home."

Deacon nodded wearily.