What's this!? I'm posting a chapter NOT on a Thursday night!? Is the world ending? Is hell freezing over?

Of course not! I'm just being awesome!

Okay, in all reality this is what happened: I looked at what was coming up next and realized the flow of things would make the next chapter be really short (aka about 2,000 words) when my chapters are usually between 3,500 and 5,500. So I decided that to make up for the shortness of this chapter, I'd post it halfway between Thursdays. AND, to make up for it, Thursday's upcoming chapter is over 8,000 words! BAM. Why didn't I split them in half better you ask? Well, because the flow was off. And we all know flow is important.

Side note, the guy came and fixed our internet today. It took him 2 hours and it was ridiculous and annoying. On the plus side, he looked like Riley from National Treasure so I wasn't too upset...haha

Chapter Ten

Meg,

I know it's been two weeks since we visited you in London, so I'm sure you're annoyed at the fact I haven't written to you since we left. However, before you shoot me at the delay of this letter (and I hope after hearing my reasoning you won't shoot me at all. Unlike those British soldiers, I respect what you can do with a gun); I have important news for you regarding your favorite Easy officer. Both of them actually, and no, I'm not one of them.

First, Sobel was transfered out of Easy last week! I feel this news requires you to go to the nearest pub and have a drink to celebrate for us. Sink sent him to Chilton Foliat and as you can imagine, everyone is happy he's gone. In fact, I don't think the boys have stopped celebrating since he left. Of course none are as happy as our good friend Dick Winters. I know you've been obnoxiously worried about him, so I'd like to inform you that with Sobel gone, Dick was relieved of his duties as Battalion Mess Officer and has been made leader of 1st Platoon, meaning he's back with Easy. I guess that means you'll have to have a drink to celebrate for him as well! I told you it would all work out, yet you still doubted me. Have more faith in your favorite intelligence officer Meg. Maybe now with Sobel gone, I can take his place as one of your favorite Easy officers. I won't tell George Luz.

With Sobel gone, Easy's new XO is Thomas Meehan, from Able Company. I'm almost positive you never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I think you'd like him, and you would definitely like him more than Sobel. We've been getting to know Meehan a bit over the past few days and I approve of him 100% (and you and I both know my approval is one of the most important things a man can get!). At least the kid won't turn Easy into sitting ducks once we get over there!

I'm sorry you won't be receiving that kiss under the mistletoe you wanted from Sobel, now that he's gone. Maybe I can make it up to you if you get back here in time for the holidays.

When the boys found out we visited you last weekend (once again don't shoot the messenger, that one was all Harry) their first question was why the hell didn't they get an invite to come visit you. We explained that you didn't have a lot of time to be entertaining, but our excuse didn't seem to stick well with them. You're gonna have a lot of apologizing to do when you get back. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you got a few angry letters. You did say you wanted them to write to you more! Feel free to ignore them if you want. By the time you get back here, they'll be so happy to see you that they'll have forgotten all about it.

And because the boys of Easy care about you so much, their second question was whether you planned to be back in Aldbourne for Christmas. I find myself wondering the same exact thing.

Don't disappoint us Meg.

Lew

Lew,

I was so happy to get your letter. Although you were correct in thinking that I was annoyed at my lack of post from Aldbourne, the delay of it was overlooked upon seeing that Dick will not be punished as I have feared. Thank the Lord for that! I couldn't imagine Dick as anything other than a person in charge of the men, so I'm glad to see he'll get to continue doing what he loves. Of course I'll have a drink to celebrate for all of you. Tell Dick I'm happy for him and I'll be having a drink tonight in his honour as well. A drink of water that is, since I have to be awake and in meetings all day tomorrow, starting at eight o'clock. Besides, I feel Dick would appreciate the idea of my drinking water in his honour instead of alcohol. I'll save that for when you narrowly avoid disciplinary action.

As far as Christmas goes, no promises. Word's going round that we may be here for another month yet, depending on whether these obnoxious men can all find it in their hearts to agree on something. All this arguing that's been going on for weeks is starting to annoy. I wish I could tell you some of the discussions and debates they've had, for I'm sure you would find it all humourous. However, you know the rules, so you'll just have to imagine the most ridiculous conversations a group of military men can have and hopefully it will give you insight as to what I have to put up with on a daily basis. For the most part, I just stay quiet and listen, continually pondering what the hell I'm doing here. Hopefully the reason shall reveal itself soon, even if it means I have to stay in London for Christmas. Of course you know I want nothing more than to be back at Aldbourne with my favorite paratroopers, and I'll try everything I can to make that happen.

And don't think I didn't notice your cheeky comment about the mistletoe. I'm simply choosing to ignore it.

Yours,

Meg

Adam,

You'll never believe it! General Bernard Montgomery has arrived and has been appointed Commander in Chief for the Land Forces! I am to be working with him over the next few weeks, starting immediately! I had the opportunity to speak a few words with him yesterday and it was a delightful conversation. The man is a hundred times better than I ever would have imagined him to be, and certainly over a hundred times better than all the other men I've spent the last few weeks working with. Whether I play a larger role in this whole thing or not, it is still an honour to say I worked with General Montgomery on something so important. And, judging from the conversation we had yesterday, I think he may be more willing to include me than anyone else has been.

I know you're jealous and honestly I think you would have filled this role much better than I. None of the men here seem to think I carry any weight so I mostly get left out of discussions and debates. I know I've whined about this before, but it continues to be a problem. You'd think that after being here for almost two months people would start to realize I have some good things to offer the group. From what I've gathered from talking with Montgomery however, I feel like he will give me a chance to prove myself. I can only hope!

Speaking of hopes, I hope I'm able to return to Aldbourne for Christmas. I would hate to have to spend the holidays here by myself in London. If I can't get away, please see if Marco will let you come visit me. I'll ask him myself if I have to. I just can't bear to spend another Christmas by myself, especially when I've made so much progress in the past few months.

Oh! Silly me, here I am ending this letter to you when I've completely forgotten one of the reasons I decided to write you in the first place. Remember that British Captain I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well it turns out the reason he knew about the IIA was because of a comrade: Sergeant Thomas Wellington! The kind (yet annoying) Captain introduced us last night and I fear the Sergeant and I spent a good part of the evening exchanging stories about you. Don't worry, nothing too personal and certainly nothing that would jeopardize your role as an agent. We just simply enjoyed discussing our mutual interest. And, can I just say that I have a few things to ask you about when I get back; a few things the Sergeant mentioned to me that I was unaware of. We can leave that conversation until we are happily reunited.

I miss you.

Your sister,

Meg

Meg,

That's amazing news about the General! But let's sidetrack for one second and address something a little more pressing that's recently been brought to my attention.

Rumor's going round Aldbourne that two certain Lieutenants visited you in London a few weeks ago when they both had 48-hour passes. Care to explain yourself? Or explain why I wasn't told about it at all? I don't expect you to keep me informed on every aspect of your life, and I certain don't feel that I can or should tell you what to do. It's just that you failed to mention it in any of your letters, which makes me think it was either a) done behind my back deliberately or b) done as a surprise for you. I hope it was the later. I know I can't boss you around anymore, but I still feel the need to inform you that I feel less than alright with the idea of American soldiers visiting you, no matter how honourable their intentions may be. I will say though, that I was pleased it was at least two of them. Having one man visit you in London would certainly look less honourable, not to mention how much it would ruin what little reputation you have been able to create for yourself when you're not working for the IIA. We can discuss this more when I see you in person; I know that my words come out sounding more like I'm angry when you can't read my body language. Just know that I'm not angry, I'm simply concerned. You are my younger sister after all, and I will always be concerned about you no matter what.

Now back to the General. You're correct in thinking I would be jealous, I am. Maybe someday you can introduce us. And stop feeling pity for yourself. You and I both know that you're better at that kind of stuff than I would ever be. You just need to stick your neck out and show them what you're made of. Prove to those men that you can do it all just as well as they can, maybe even better. I can assure you none of them have some of the skills you have obtained over the last few years, so at least there's that positive thought. Hopefully you're right in that the General will give you a chance to prove yourself. If he's anything like the stories and newspaper articles have made him out to be, I'm sure he will. He seems to be a fair gentlemen and, as long as he knows exactly who you are and what your qualifications are, I'm sure he will be more than willing to have you play a role in this whole thing.

On the topic of the impending Holiday, I've spoken to Marco already and he said if you are not relieved of your services for Christmas, I am more than welcome to stop in London and celebrate with you. I know you'd rather be finished with that job and settled back here but as long as we're together, we'll make Christmas work somehow. And don't worry about a present for me; celebrating with you is more than enough.

Your concerned brother,

Adam

Adam,

I'm coming back to Aldbourne! The General announced tonight that he doesn't think having us celebrate Christmas with only each other will help boost morale at all. While we certainly have gotten a lot accomplished since his arrival all those weeks ago, I do not fancy the idea of having to work over the holidays with no break. It looks like I'll be arriving back to Aldbourne sometime on Christmas Eve, as long as travel arrangements are not too difficult to come by. The General said he wishes for everyone to return on the 27th of December. I wish I had a longer break, but you and I both know this is how it goes. The General asked me to meet him this evening before dinner to discuss something, so hopefully it's something positive!

Adam, please don't tell anyone I'm returning. I really want to surprise everyone when I show up. Plus, I've been hearing rumours of mistletoe and I'd really rather not give any of the boys more time to put anything else together. I wish I could have surprised you too, but since we had left our Christmas plans with you coming to London if I couldn't make it to Aldbourne, I really couldn't see how I could keep it from you.

Well that's it for now. I know this is a short letter, but I really want to meet with the General on time, otherwise it will look bad. I'll keep you posted on my final travel plans for Christmas Eve. I can't wait to see you!

Much love,

Meg

Because this chapter's so short, is a filler, and is a present to you guys for being awesome, no review responses this time around! But, I promise I'll respond to all the reviews from this chapter AND last chapter in this coming Thursday's. So please review! It only takes like, two seconds and it makes my whole day. I think the ratio of that situation is in your favor haha.