Last time on 'A Band of Heroes'

I was getting married to Herbert Sobel.

At the time I had no clue how to handle the situation least having a husband who hit you.

So now here I am only needing a band of hope.

RPOV

Damn that glass hurt. I bandaged up my face for the night knowing that I would have to make another wild excuse for work. After being tired of the constant routine of boredom I volunteered to be a nurse at the base. The skills also came in handy when my injuries were to severe to just grin and bear it. Another wife on the block, Sami also was a nurse for the Red Cross and over the time we spent working we became quite good friends. We really did not have many visitors other than the occasional accident with a bayonet or RPG training. It gave me an excuse to get out of the house and do something productive. That also meant I got a small salary in which I could spend to buy my necessities that Herbert said were not his problem and there for not his bill to pay. Ya, love you too honey. If you have not realized by now, the money once said to be promised to me after I married Herbert were gone. After the stock market crash my dad was literally left with nothing. All had gone to Herbert or to the bottom of the sea for all he knew. I really did not mind though because I still had a job and was able to have money.

The oddest thing about Herbert was that after a late night of drinking and beating in the morning all he did was ignore me and act like nothing happened. He would just conveniently not notice that big hand print on the side of my face so to speak.

I was washing the dishes from breakfast when I heard Herbert's footsteps sprint up the porch and into the kitchen. It was very unusual for him to be here this early in the day. I quickly spun around to face an extremely cheery Herbert…to cheery for my taste.

"Rory I did it!"He proclaimed before swooping me up in a hug and twirling me around. Okay this is…different. What did he do? He probably is here to declare that he had drunk all the alcohol in the bar. It was pretty awkward to be in this embrace although he did not seem to notice.

"What, what did you do?" I said with fake enthusiasm. Damn I was good wife to actually show interest even though it was fake into anything he did. Little did I know how much this new development was going to change my life for the better in the long run.

"I am a First Lieutenant! I finally did it. And with the inevitable force of war coming I will be assigned my own company!"

"Oh…that's um, great?" I really could care less about him being a first lieutenant he could be the president and I would still hate him.

"Yes, it is! I am going to be a ranking man!" he squealed like a girl from just the thought of it. (Lol funny image.)

"Um and you get to meet the men, right?"It was a little strange even for him not to give notice that he was going to meet the new men. Frankly I felt bad for them. I mean come on, he was always pissed off. This was not going to go over well.

"Ah, yeah…but I HERBERT SOBEL will be a First Lieutenant!" Oh yes this was not going to go over well.

"Well that's great. But ah, does that mean that you will not be around as much?" I asked trying to cover the enthusiasm of the prospect of it.

"Unfortunately, yes my darling but that's okay. Oh look at the time! I must go to get a briefing with the actual Cornel Sink. Amazing I know." He gushed like a teenage girl telling her friends about her first kiss.

"Well good luck, I hope to hear about it when you get back!" I yelled following him to the door.

"I will, but I will not be in until late tonight. You know to have a few drinks with the boys?" He said smiling. Okay sure all of the sudden you are just best friends with everyone and are going to get drinks with them? Ah last time I checked he drank by himself. What he said was bull and I knew it. I only wish he could get used to the concept of rejection for theirs and mine sake.

In Colonel Sink's Office HPOV

I shook with pride as I stepped into Cornoal Sink's office. The commander of the 101st Airborne. The room was hinted with the smell of bourbon and cigar smoke. Cor. Sink was seated at his cedar desk looking intently down at some papers and scribbling furiously with a dull pencil. I stood at attention before his desk and coughed to acknowledge my presence. When he finally looked up he smiled and rose up shaking my hand.

"Well Herbert I will get right to the point. This 'Airborne' idea is new to the military but under my command it will be the best! I am intrusting you to hold this true. Easy Company will be under your command. We cannot afford mistakes First Lieutenant. The eyes of the government are upon us and if something goes awry then the whole idea of the 'Airborne' is gone! I have faith that you will command these men with the courage and honor. I am counting on you to help shape the 101st and to make this the best generation, for when people of the future hear our era they will know it was one of the great!" he said pointedly.

"Yes Sir! I will go beyond and make them the finest Company of soldiers you will have ever seen!" I responded.

"I expect nothing less Herbert, that is all Lieutenant." He said sitting back down in his burgundy leather chair. He quickly went back to his work paying me the same attention as when I walked in. I snapped a salute and hurriedly exited his office until I got out into the muggy weather.

I would soon be meeting the men that I was supposed to train, oh joy. I really could care less. I had to focus at the task at hand. If the Colonel wants the best then he will get the best. I will show him that I am ready to be promoted when this is done. Ah but I still have an hour before I meet them. My options were slim. Go back home to Rory or roam around. I think I shall just roam around then be with that backstabbing bitch. She thought that I never noticed how much she hates me. I thought this would have worn off by now but apparently not. See this world is not made of love like some say, it is of fake hope and pure hate. I tend to stick to the second one.

I yearned to get a drink at the local bar but I had to refrain because I was meeting my new Company in less than five minutes. I already figured out how I was going to handle all situations with them. I was going to be a hard ass no doubt but I figured that they need to toughen up and not be babied anymore. I was born in the tough streets of Chicago were you had to fend for yourself. I had lived a hard life there before I got the job to be the mayor's assistant. So why not make them go through the strictness of rules that I had to do to stay alive?I looked at them as a job and nothing else. Just simply something I had to do to move higher up the chain. It was really only a matter of time.

Across the horizon I saw an outfit of green marching to a halt before me. Easy Company. All still kids I would say. They looked young and weak which was the opposite of what I was expecting. I would soon change that. I put on my 'No shit' face and examined the front row in silence. They all looked so excited and curious to be here it made me sick.

"Easy Company, I am First Lieutenant Sobel and I will be your commanding officer. I will not take any bullshit! I will make you the best, and you will be the best. Nothing I say should be taken softly. This is the goddamned Airborne! Now I assume that your NCOS have already gone through the ropes of Curahee, which you already had to run as a placement test as well as the obstacle course. Today we will start calisthenics followed by a nice run by Curahee. How does that sound boys?" I yelled into each one of the front rows faces.

"Yes sir!" they replied.

"Good now get into your PT gear you have two minutes to be back here." I said before watching them retreat back into their barracks. God as I watched them run I could see how out of shape they were even if they had passed the test to get in they still had to pass my test.

The first man to come jogging over had vibrant red hair and piercing blue eyes. I instantly took a disliking to him. Why? I don't know but he struck me for a guy that would want to be 'friends' with the company and shit like that. Well he had better learn that this is not a place to make friends. Just like the saying goes 'We stand alone together'.

"Sir, I am Dick Winters platoon leader of 2nd, transferred from Camp Croft, South Carolina."

"Ah, well then I expect a lot out of you. Easy Company has been on this base for how long?" I questioned trying to be interested in him and make small talk.

"About a week sir. They are acquainted with the base. They are prepared now for what is too come." he said confidently. He sounded like he was the leader of this company but it was me! I am the one who commands this company! He better get the point that I am the leader quick and soon before I do something rash.

"I would certainly hope so." And with that I walked up to where the rest of the boys were, grouped together in their PT gear giving us space to talk.

"Alright, Easy Company on me! We are running Curahee first, I changed my mind. Our goal time is twenty three minutes to the top and back. If you fall out of this run than you fall out of this Airborne!"I yelled while starting to jog up towards the hill or what some would call, mountain.

"Three miles up, three miles down. Heigh Ho Silver!" I screamed as we started to jog. I added the last part as sort of like a call. It was a gallant call at that.

That Night RPOV

I had enjoyed my one day off of leave from my nurse duties by simply sitting down and reading a book. Herbert was so excited about his promotion that it was hard to concentrate when he got home. I tried my best to be interested but I really just could not be of the biggest motivational speakers. He did not seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm so I took that as a good sign. Although in my joy I could not help but feel bad for the men that were under his command now. Oh well I guess if I am in hell I might as well bring them down with me.

There was a gentle knock at the door waking me from my sadistic thoughts. I rose from my comfortable spot and could not help but think of the last time I opened a door for someone. Herbert had walked into my life and ultimately ruined it too. I peered out to see two officers or something of that nature outside. One with vibrant red hair and blue eyes and the other with brown hair and a comical smirk. Their aura was so inviting that I could have jumped into their arms.

"Hello ma'm I am assuming this is the residence of Herbert Sobel, and you are the miss's?" The red haired one asked. I thought for a moment something glimmered in his eyes but I quickly brushed it out of my mind.

"Why yes I am. Rory Sobel to be exact. Herbert should be down any second if you would like to talk with him. Please come in and have something to drink. I am sure that Herbert has worked you hard today." I bustled around after leading them into our living room. I brought out two cups of tea which they both graciously took. I read their names, Lewis and Richard.

"So Lewis what news have up brought to this home front?" I asked.

The man stammered and looked shocked. "Ah we have some things of his Company to discuss. But ma'm how do you know my name?" I looked over to see the insignia of an intelligence officer and quickly giggled figuring he had no idea that I saw his name on his fatigues. Richard also seemed to understand and quickly sipped his tea to stop from laughing.

"Well first of all call me Rory and second maybe I am an intelligence officer myself." I winked over at him to see him yet again baffled.

Before he could ask another question Herbert's voice could be heard booming through the house. I winced at the noise and saw that the men were watching me to see how I reacted. Suddenly Herbert was behind me almost scaring me to death.

"Damn it Rory where the hell is my dinner you fat disgusting who…Oh ah hello Lewis and Richard how can I help you?"

They shifted uncomfortable after witnessing him yell at me. Hey I would probably be doing the same.

"Ah we have orders from Colonel Sink to inform you on the basics of fitness for the Company sir." they both recited.

"Oh yes of course."He said with interest while coming from behind the chair and stood in front of me. He looked back at me signaling me to get up so he could sit, but apparently I was a little too slow for him. He let out an exasperated sigh before growling and gripping my arm and pulling me up from the chair full force. I went flying and hit the ground. Lewis was there an instant as well as Richard as they tried to help me up. Was he serious!? Hurting me in front of somebody. Damn he is messed up.

"Don't worry about her she is just clutzie sometimes and falls too much for her own good. She is fine and does not need your help but your country does so get back over here and explain to me." He said sternly. Uncertain of what to do they let go of me still on the floor before returning back to their seats. I could see their faces filled with remorse and pity but I made sure not to lock eyes with them.

I pulled myself up from the floor once again and quickly scurried away with my head down. I could tell that they kept watching me but were also trying to focus on Herbert. They did so until I was out of the room and he snapped again. You know after falling so much on that floor it makes me think I should just marry it. I mean I have gotten close and personal with it and it seemed to always be my companion now a day. Well it would be an improvement to Herbert by far. At least the floor did not only abuse you but now do it with an audience and act like nothing happened.

As I made my way back upstairs I couldn't help but think; something good will come of this. Like me opening another door and letting these men in my lives but with a happier ending. Herbert might have been bad but maybe like him I opened a door that held better for me.

Talking with Sobel WPOV

"Well thank you for that briefing and I hope to see you well and avid for tomorrow." Herbert said leading us to the door.

He then came over to us and pulled us closer to him grabbing each of us by the collar, joining Nixon's and mine's head together. "And I trust that what happened with my wife will remain an accident in which you will forget, am I clear? Because if not than this incentive might do it for you. 'I' have the power to make both your lives a living hell." He said sending chills down my spine. Then his tone lightened "But I would like to tell you something, truthful. I have NEVER done anything like that before the stress is getting too much for me you know right? I truthfully love her and never want to hurt her. But you must believe me." he said.

"I do sir, it was just an impulsive thing and you are under a lot of stress right now." I said with conviction.

"I do to sir."Nixon replied before shaking his hand.

"Thank you and have a good sleep." he said waving us off.

As we started down the path from his house Nixon asked "That was total bullshit, right? I do not believe a word he said."

"Neither do I Nix neither do I. BUT I am sure it was just a onetime deal, ya know?"I asked doubting myself.

"Hey Dick?"

"Yeah."

"How did Rory know my name?"

"I don't know…maybe she is an intelligence officer." I said chuckling as Nix whined about me not telling him. Rory. She was beautiful. I snapped out from these thoughts fast. That was my superior's wife that I was thinking of! But still…

Did a band of grace just enter my life?

Hey so I had a lot of fun writing that chapter for some reason. I am in the process of writing the next chapter but I am trying to make it so that I get out two chapters before I go to D.C.

I would like to thank sezq and anon for reviewing! It really means a lot to me!=)

Next chapter we get to meet more of the Easy boys and get to talk with them...and maybe someone special??! Yay!

Please review ;)