Chapter 5: Inquiry Begins

May 1945—July 1945

Bavaria—Austria

"Well, they wanted to give us a guerrilla war; blocking the roads is one helluva way to do it," Spina commented to Roe.

Lillian just shook her head in amazement at the effort of the SS' resistance as she leaned forward to see what the soldiers were attempting to do. The road had been blocked by rocks that easily looked like they weighed more than ton and older, fatter trees. After a few minutes of just looking at the giant monstrosity in their way, the men began to relax and wait as Winters called for engineers to clear it up. Lillian jumped out of the truck to go and talk with some of the other men as some soldiers tried to clear the rubble with a grenade, that shook the ground, but proved to be unsuccessful.

"When are we expecting the engineers to arrive?" Winters asked, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, letting the sun warm his face.

"Half an hour ago," Nixon replied, not sounding too pleased.

"We're stuck here until they do Nix," Winters said, leaning his head back farther, seeming to not particularly care at the moment. Nixon gave him a look.

"Well, if you're the SS you're not gonna let us waltz into Hitler's house. Probably throw a few rocks at us yourself," Nixon commented, pointing at the block with his left hand. Lillian went up to Winters and Nixon.

"How's your wrist holding up, Captain Nixon?" Lillian asked.

"Eh, doing better," Nixon replied. "I'm just glad I can move it out of that damn sling." Lillian chuckled. "Thanks again for letting me take it off early, Jenkins."

"He took it off early?" Winters asked, looking at Lillian. "I thought he had to have it on for a certain time?"

"He did, Major Winters. His bone is healing nicely, and Captain Nixon has been taking care of it," Lillian explained, which made Nixon smile and nudge his friend to emphasize his achievements. "So, I left it on for an extra day to be safe about my decision; about four days before he was going to have it removed. He should be fine with no splint by mid-May." Winters nodded. "I'm glad to see you're doing better, sir. Have a good day," Lillian saluted both officers before leaving.

"Hey Lillian!"

"Hi Don," Malarkey leaned over the top of the truck.

"Can you—?" Malarkey started, pointing at the block.

"Hardly," Lillian replied, shaking her head.

"Someone doesn't want us to get in." Malarkey commented as a larger and stronger explosion went off, which caused many to look back at the smoking heap of rocks. "And we're not at this rate,"

"Not anytime soon until we get engineers," Lillian agreed.

"Easy company!" Speirs boomed, "We're moving out!"

"See you later Don," Lillian called to him as she ran back to her truck. He waved and said goodbye before helping some of the guys get back onto the truck. Within minutes, the men were walking cautiously through Berchtesgaden, the light wind making them a little uneasy at how quiet and how empty the town was. You couldn't hear anything except their footsteps and the engines of the jeeps. It was too eerie for their liking.

"Lillian, put on your helmet and hair back. Just act like one of the men," Roe explained quickly and quietly as they stepped off their truck and began to walk.

"Why?" Lillian asked suspiciously, putting on her helmet.

"I've seen a scene like this one too many times, and I know what could happen," Roe explained simply as Lillian put her ponytail in the helmet before tightening the straps.

"Jesus Roe, are you trying to jinx us or something?" Luz asked.

"Just being cautious," Roe replied. No one really talked after that, a few of the officers did after a while because they needed to give out some orders and get some clarifications on locations of HQ and OPs. After that, it was okay. People were talking and moving around and going about their business. Easy was ordered to capture the Eagle's Nest, and the boys were ecstatic, to say the least. They were gone about an hour and a half before a jeep pulled in front of the aid station.

"Nurse Jenkins?" Lillian turned around to face a young soldier in front of a jeep.

"Yes?" she asked, walking towards him from the group of medics.

"Ma'am, I've been given orders from Colonel Sink to escort you to the Eagle's Nest," he explained, standing at attention. Lillian looked back at Roe who was just as surprised by the order.

"I'll see you in a while Eugene," Lillian said as she climbed into the jeep.

"Alright," he said, giving her a small smile.

The jeep sped off, leaving Roe in the dust to walk back into the house. Lillian was tempted to ask why she was being called upon, but thought it best just to wait. The soldier probably didn't have a clue either. She shook her head and smiled, however, thinking of the most ridiculous possibilities and scenarios that could be waiting for her when she got to the Eagle's Nest. It was nothing that she had expected. It was so big, far bigger than her own home, and it made her anxious because the Eagle's Nest reminded her vaguely of the Pennsylvania home she left behind. She couldn't tell if it was just the grandness of the place, or if it was the feel of the house; its aura, the cold and desolate atmosphere. Lillian eyed her surroundings wearily as the soldier brought her up a few set of staircases. She could hear a few voices, ones she recognized.

"Thank you, sir," Lipton said.

"Wait outside for a moment Lipton, I want you to come with me after …" Winters said, but his voice trailed off as soon as he saw Lillian in the door.

"Sirs," Lillian greeted, saluting them. Looking around the room, it appeared to have belonged to a woman because of all of the clothes in the open closet, and the dresser heavily decorated with various feminine items that Lillian had been accustomed to wearing back in America.

"Lieutenant Jenkins, I'm glad you came," Sink began, walking up to her. "I've heard from several people that you've been a good help throughout your career."

"Thank you Colonel Sink," Lillian said, thankful for the acknowledgement although confused as to why he was telling her now.

"You've helped our soldiers get through this goddamned war, especially the five-oh-six in its most recent and important hours, and they're celebrating by collecting souvenirs." He opened his arm to the room, "Take what you would like." Lillian's eyes widened in surprised.

"Thank you sir, but I'm—"

"Jenkins, don't you even give me that nonsense," Sink warned. Lillian's open mouth closed against further argument. "Take what you want, and don't leave anything for whoever will be comin' in after us,"

"Yes, thank you sir," Sink left with a satisfied smirk after returning Lillian's salute.

"Happy V-E Day Lieutenant," Winters congratulated, on his way out with Lipton.

"V-E Day, sir?" Lillian questioned, confused as to what that was supposed to stand for.

"Victory in Europe," Lipton explained. Lillian's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"The German Army surrendered this morning," Winters explained, smiling at his best friend's sister. Lillian's face relaxed immensely, and she smiled in disbelief and amazement.

"Happy V-E Day, Major, Lieutenant Lipton," Lillian said.

"Let us know if you need a jeep to carry what you need, Lieutenant," Winters called to her.

"I'll be fine, sir thank you," she called back to him, a smile growing on their faces, unbeknownst to the other. Lillian shook her head and exhaled.

"Well, how am I going to carry—?" Lillian looked around the room and saw a wicker basket next to the bed with a bottle of champagne in it.

"Good enough," she shrugged, taking out the bottle and the wrapping inside the basket.

Lillian folded and placed everything in the basket precisely. Before totally disregarding the bottle and leaving the room, Lillian looked at the bottle. She didn't drink usually, but V-E Day was a cause of celebration after all. Lillian smiled to herself and thought it better suit as a gift to a certain someone who did drink, however. Hopefully, he drank champagne. She grabbed a piece of paper and folded into two before writing something quickly down. Satisfied with her work, she shut the door and proceeded down the halls and down the stairs, out of the Eagle's Nest … and if she took a few other things along the way for two others, who would notice? It took her a few minutes to get down to ground level and back where the boys were, but as soon as she saw people she knew—

"Is OP 2 down here?" Lillian asked.

"That's right, Nurse Jenkins. Fourth house on the left."

"Thanks." She jogged down the street, basket and champagne bottle in hand, past three houses and up into OP 2. There was almost no one in there, so she just left it on a table by the door with the note on top of the cork.

"Now back to the aid station to unload," Lillian sighed and jogged back up. As soon as she walked in, she heard the guys laughing. Everyone had smiles on their face.

"Germany surrendered!" Spina proclaimed. "I have never felt this happy!" Lillian laughed.

"Hey Lillian, have a nice trip up to the Eagle's Nest?" Roe asked, but eyeing her basket, he added, "Nice souvenirs."

"Colonel's orders," Lillian shrugged. "My trip up to the Eagle's Nest."

"Really? It looks nice," Roe said with a smile. "You deserve it though,"

"So do you two, which is why," Lillian explained, putting the basket down and searching through her pockets, "I brought you these." Both Roe and Spina's eyes widened as they took their pocketknives. "Courtesy of Hitler and the Third Reich, property of the Eagle's Nest. Just in case those scissors don't work."

"Thanks Lillian," they both said to her before they hugged her.

"Damn, this is a nice pocketknife," Spina commented, walking back to a room to put it away. Both Lillian and Roe chuckled.

"Speaking of deserving presents and things like that, apparently, there's gonna be a celebration party tonight, twenty-one hundred. I don't if it was Talbert or Lipton who initiated it, the stories are getting too confusing, but there's gonna be party at the restaurant up the street. You can come if you want," Roe explained as Lillian nodded, "but I'm warning you. Everyone's bringing their liquor, and their getting locals from the surrounding villages to come along," Lillian laughed and shook her head before Roe continued on.

"I'll come," Lillian said before disappearing around the corner to put her basket down. "But that means we better start unpacking, right?"

"Not really, we're movin' into Austria tomorrow mornin'," Roe explained.

"Austria?" Lillian asked, reappearing.

"Happy V-E Day," Roe shrugged as the two of them smiled.

"Hey Malark, there's something for you over there," Perconte said to him as Malarkey walked in the door. Malarkey turned to the table that Perconte was pointing at, and curiously looked at his present. He took the note on top of the bottle of champagne and looked at the brand, raising his eyebrows in amazement. New champagne for him to try, but from who? The smile that was plastered on his face since he received the news that Easy was going to capture the Eagle's Nest just widened at the little note.

To Don,

A thank you for being a friend when I was a replacement.

Here's to our friendship and to the end of the war.

Lillian

Lillian zippered the back of the dress, and moved to the mirror to see herself. With the little light from the room later that evening, she thought the pale blue dress that she took from Hitler's Nest suited her body well. Lillian, tired of having her hair being tied up, had taken it out of the bun. The natural waves that came from the bun suited Lillian's look. The shower, precision and tightness of her bun came with the results she had hoped. Finally, instead of wearing boots, Lillian had put on a nice pair of silver heels. She of course had to clip her toenails and shave her legs, which she had to admit was harder and more challenging than she had expected. She figured finding some type of clippers and a knife should've been the easy part, but she had been very wrong. She had even found some nice makeup in the bureau. All in all, the outfit made Lillian feel and look like a woman.

She smiled to herself, pleased with her work before walking out to the little restaurant where the men of the 101st Airborne were to have their celebration. It felt so unusual yet natural for her to be walking in those heels and in a dress. She hadn't worn either in what felt like years or even bothered to leave her hair down for more than a minute. She was just so accustomed to wearing a uniform, she hadn't really cared about her appearance. Just as long as she could work in what she wore, with her hair out of the way, she was a perfectly capable, functioning nurse.

All of the men were there, and most of them had actually gotten dates. The men were dressed proudly in their uniforms, so the ladies definitely couldn't say no. She felt a twinge of nervousness strike in her stomach; how would the men perceive her? Too bold—without a date, looking like this? Or would they be fine with it? Sure, she had been one of the first people to know about it, but none of the men had asked to escort her. She wasn't going to miss out on this, however. Lillian needed to loosen up and relax.

All of the nurses in her training group always commented about her being the most serious and modest out of all them. She was the mother hen, making sure they knew what had to be done first and what to do in times of crisis. Being that in Italy and Algeria and treating countless numbers of wounded men on both sides of the battlefield, she felt she earned the right to go to a dance, even if it was without a partner or escort. She left her home and life because she didn't want to wait for opportunities to come to her. She'd go looking for them instead. She went out and changed her perspective by herself, and she was going to stay true to that. However, walking in, Lillian wasn't expecting the reactions she heard and saw.

"Well, good gracious Jenkins, you continue to amaze us." Lillian recognized that voice—that was definitely Lewis Nixon. She found him accompanied with no one else but Richard Winters, both smiling. Lillian smiled with a chuckle as the two men came over. "Doesn't this lovely lady have an escort?"

"You're certainly the charmer, sir," Lillian commented.

"You can drop the formalities—Lewis," Nixon said, waving it off.

"Lillian," she said, accepting his proposal.

"Now, since you are without a man, why not take one of the 101st's finest officers?" Nixon proposed, pushing Winters forward.

"Nixon," Winters started.

"You'll thank me later Dick," Nixon quickly whispered in his ear before smiling his debonair and mischievous smile. "Have fun!" He winked at Lillian before walking off. Both secretly loved the fact that Lewis Nixon did that, but they weren't sure as to how to express that in each other's presence.

Neither noticed that Donald Malarkey had watched everything from the moment Lillian Jenkins entered the pub. And by God, he had not seen a more beautiful sight. He had heard all of the comments being said around and behind him. "Is that Nurse Lillian?" "I had no idea she was so fine." "So George, where's my twenty?" "I forgot how easily women can pretty themselves up." "It's seeing a whole new person come out of her." For Malarkey, that wasn't true. He had already known she was pretty and different compared to other women he'd known. If she was in uniform or not, Malarkey saw the same beautiful, caring woman. And he watched his superior—who he had looked up to at points as a model and for guidance more than just in the field—walk towards a table with Lillian as the night's festivities began.

They had a band in that crammed restaurant, playing different songs. Some songs were very energetic and bouncy where any of them could dance a lively swing or a fun jitterbug, and some were mellow where they could dance a foxtrot or waltz.

"You know, I haven't danced in so long. I think I might've forgotten the steps," Lillian remarked, watching the countless Bavarian women dance with the men. Winters chuckled.

"With your memory, I highly doubt it," Winters said with a smile. "Me, on the other hand …"

"Oh, don't you dare say that, sir. You said at Oliver's party that you had no idea how to dance, and you came out onto that ballroom floor and showed my brother how to dance," Lillian said before both of them laughed. Winters raised his eyebrows and sighed.

"Would you like a drink? Just because I don't, doesn't mean you shouldn't get to have one," Winters said. Lillian shook her head.

"Nurses aren't supposed to drink. Besides, the first time I tried it I almost got sick, and I don't plan on repeating that experience anytime soon," Lillian replied. "So Major, did you get anything exciting at Berchtesgaden or the Eagle's Nest?"

Winters shrugged, "Some silverware, a couple other things. I wasn't really interested." Lillian laughed.

"Of course Major Winters has more important business to take care while at Hitler's home besides acquiring items because that's how damn good of a soldier he is," Lillian said, teasing him by sitting up straighter and drawling in an accent to sound like Colonel Sink. Winters shook his head, trying to repress laughter, but Lillian beat him to it, and she began to laugh. Winters then joined in for a moment; he forgotten how radiant she looked when she laughed. The last time he had seen her laugh, they were both still in Pennsylvania.

"Did you get all of that from the Eagle's Nest?" Winters asked.

"I did—luckily the woman who owned these previously is about my size in clothes and shoes," Lillian explained, folding her right leg over her left.

"I'm glad," Winters nodded, smiling.

"Thank you again Major," Lillian said.

"Richard," Winters corrected. She leaned up a little and smiled.

"Alright then, Richard," Lillian nodded. The music then changed to a very upbeat tune, maybe one of the most upbeat so far.

"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Luz exclaimed as others cheered.

Lillian smiled and laughed lightly, readjusting herself back in her seat as the guys who came up with their women, trying to teach or trying to dance; some women knew the steps, some of them didn't. Winters looked down at Lillian's feet and saw that she was doing the basic steps in her seat although her eyes were focused on the men on the dance floor. He knew she knew that dance. Winters made up his mind in that second, damning the consequences if there were to be any. He stood up and moved a bit closer to Lillian, extending his hand.

"Would you like to dance Lillian?" Lillian looked up at him in surprise.

"I would love to Richard," She placed her hand in his, and he spun her out on the floor, which drew everyone's attention immediately to her. She was taken aback by that, but couldn't react much to it because the next thing she knew Richard Winters, one of the most respected officers in the 506 PIR of the 101st Airborne, was dancing with her.

"By God—is that Dick Winters?" Nixon exclaimed, eyes wide and partially standing at his table with Speirs, smirking and Welsh, laughing.

It was interesting, watching the usually calm and serious officer dance like he was born to do it with a woman who certainly knew how to as well. The two moved their feet front-and-back and side-to-side with such style and rhythmic timing abilities. Their bodies moved like one, almost like they were miming each other. As Winters threw in some spins, more of the guys encouraged the couple by cheering them on.

"I never thought I'd see the day that Dick loosened up," Welsh commented. Nixon chuckled, smugly smirking as he raised his bottle to the two and downed the remainder of liquor.

"I haven't danced like this in years!" Lillian exclaimed, almost laughing, but with a smile that was so vibrant and catchy that almost all of the men had a smile on their face.

"Nor have I—the last time I did, it was with you!" Winters said to her, spinning again.

"At that charity banquet in forty-one?"

"Yes!" Winters replied.

They did the basic steps very modestly in comparison to the other moves, but as the music became a bit livelier, they jazzed it up with hands motions and moving past and around each other. The two had an aura about them like they were concocting what step to do next telepathically. They both did some kicking and one-handed dancing, and they repeated most of their steps twice or three times, adding something new each time.

All of a sudden, the music became louder, signaling the end, in which Winters and Lillian came back together and pulled a move no one in the room saw coming. Lillian's smile widened before they did it, but they spun once before they moved their hands to make an X. Then Lillian slid under Winters, through his legs; the entire room cheered and exclaimed in awe and surprise, but Winters managed to turn around, spin her, pull her back up and flip her in time for the song to end. The whole room erupted into applause, as both of them, now completely out of breath smiled shyly and walked off, laughing, with their arms around each other.

Unbeknownst to most in the restaurant, Malarkey had stood up and swiftly exited the building. He cursed to himself as soon as he got outside. That dance was the only thing in his mind, replaying itself over and over. She had given him champagne, but had he overestimated her feelings for him? Now his mind was whirling with doubtful thoughts about how far his relationship could advance with Lillian. However, looking back inside through the window, he saw her, Winters, and Nixon talking, having a grand ol' time. His eyes narrowed on his superior officer. He didn't have to dance, or with her for that matter. Winters hadn't been her escort until Nixon pushed him into it. And whether or not Winters was a family friend of Lillian's, that was no ordinary dance.

Lillian laughed harder at Nixon's comment on Winters' dance skills and behavior on the floor before saying, "Thank you for the dance Richard, excuse me a moment." She walked over towards the guys, looking around the crowd for Malarkey, but couldn't find him. "Funny," Lillian thought, "I just saw him a moment ago."

"Looking for someone Nurse Lil?" Perconte asked, coming up to her, drink in hand.

"Yeah, Don actually, have you seen him?" Lillian asked, curiously.

"Malark? Hmm, I thought I saw him around here. Hey, hey George! Have you seen Malark?" Perconte asked, grabbing George as soon as he saw him. Luz looked around and shrugged.

"Sorry Nurse Lil," Luz shook his head.

"That's alright, you boys go have fun. I'm sure I'll find him." Lillian waved the two off before looking around the crowded space again. If he wasn't inside—Lillian then moved through the crowd and stepped into the cool night to find the man she was looking for. "Oh Don, there you are!"

"Hi Lillian," Malarkey greeted.

"What're you doing out here?" Lillian questioned.

"I just needed some fresh air from the tight atmosphere," Malarkey explained, rather vaguely.

"It's not that bad on the dance floor actually. It's probably more comfortable out there, even if you are dancing …" Lillian said, still feeling as if that dance with Winters had just been a mere concoction of her wildest imagination. Malarkey suppressed the urge to express his anger with an angry retort, and bit his lower lip in compensation.

"Speaking of, why haven't you danced yet? I was looking forward to a dance," Lillian put on a fake pout and batted her eyelashes at Don, but then laughed lightly, a smile returning to her face, in hopes of lightening Malarkey's mood.

"Well, it seems Major Winters has already filled your dance card," Malarkey said, rather casually. The way he said it struck Lillian as peculiar, and she gave him a questioning look. This wasn't normal.

"Are you okay—?"

Lillian was cut off by Malarkey saying, "Oh yeah, fine." nodding somewhat convincingly, "Actually, we should probably get back in before we're missed." On that note, Malarkey passed her and went inside. Lillian stood there for a moment, confused by what had just happened. She couldn't imagine what had caused the abrupt change in his attitude. Maybe it was because he was drinking … that could be the normal way he acts when drunk. Lillian didn't know, but she figured she'd better wait until the morning to find out.