DISCLAIMER: No disrespect is meant to the real Band of Brothers and what they accomplished. I own nothing except Alana and Sara.

Okay, so once again I used italics to signify spoken German. History note, Heidelberg's Mayor did surrender on 29 March 1945 with a fight. The people of Heidelberg didn't want the city damaged and were tired of the war. I have played with some dates cutting the time closer than it would have been to try to make the story work.

Big thanks to those of you who have reviewed and I'm hoping that everyone is still reading as the reviews have dropped off. To all those reading and not reviewing, I really hope you are enjoying the story as well.

Chapter 9

Pulling one of the letters from her pocket, she laid it on the table next to his bed. She hoped he stayed calm enough to read the whole thing, but knowing his temper, probably not. She could only hope he would understand and forgive her, but it was a chance she had to take.

Giving in to her urge, she leaned in and kissed him gently, then turned and walked out the door.

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Nixon was standing with Dick looking over the map when the voice came from behind them.

"You knew didn't you?"

Lew turned to find Ron standing behind him holding an envelope in his hand. Frowning he turned back to Dick, "I'll catch up with you later."

Grabbing Ron's arm he drug him behind the first available building. "We are not going to discuss this in the open. Now to answer your question, no, I didn't know she was going to leave." Nixon pulled out his own letter and waved it in front of Ron. "See I have my own little love note. Apparently she got to Colonel Sink and he was the only one who knew, and he didn't feel the need to consult with me."

Jerking his letter open Ron handed it to Lew, "That's not what I'm talking about, well it is, but more to the point look at page two."

He watched as Nixon's eyebrows went progressively higher then slamming back down into a frown.

"Yeah, that I knew about, she wouldn't let me tell anyone, not even Sara knows those details."

Ron rubbed his face in frustration, "did she really think I would care if she was German, or that I would ever blame her for what that pig did to her?"

"Look, I can't tell you what she did and didn't believe I just know she felt like she'd done something wrong and didn't want anyone to think less of her. Look, she says she's coming back she'll be back. So what are you going to do when she does get back?"

Refolding his letter Ron took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "we're going to have a very long talk, after that I'm not sure. If she couldn't trust me with this, then how could we ever build a relationship…I just don't know."

Lew watched Ron walk away and could only shake his head. Once again, the desire to strangle Lana rose up in him. He'd woken up this morning with Luz banging on his door just to be handed this lovely piece of news.

He really thought that he and Sara had been successful keeping her away from Sink, guess not because not only had she gained his permission, he'd personally driven her to the link up point with 7th Army.

Frowning again, he moved quickly to catch up with Ron. He finally found him about to board a truck, "Hey, when did you get that letter?"

"She came to see me last night. She slipped out sometime this morning while I was asleep. I found the letter next to the bed when I woke up."

Nixon grinned, "So you guys…"

"Yeah, kept it to quiet okay, I don't want anyone talking about her."

Nixon smiled, "oh I will, but I can guarantee she'll be back now." Whistling Nixon walked off and left Ron to wonder what he'd meant by that comment.

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She'd honestly forgotten how cold it could be in Heidelberg. The trip had taken weeks and thankfully, the town had given up without a fight, not wishing to have the beauty of the old town destroyed. In a week, spring would come to the city on the Neckar River, but for now, winter was holding on.

Moving quickly along the river she finally arrived at her grandparent's house, only to find it dark and locked. While disturbing, she wouldn't get upset until she talked to some of the neighbors and tried to figure out what happened.

Walking up and down the street, she was beginning to worry as most of the homes appeared abandoned. Finally, she found a house on one of the side streets with a light on. Removing her helmet, she quietly knocked at the door.

The woman who answered appeared stunned. Lana didn't know whether it was from her being a woman dressed as a soldier, or just the fact someone in an American uniform was at her door.

"Good evening, I hope you can help me, I'm looking for Herr and Frau von Hoffmeyer."

Lana had spoken German in the same dialect as a Heidelberg native, this seemed to shake the woman from her daze, and she grabbed Lana's arm and pulled her inside.

"Who are you and why are you looking for the von Hoffmeyers?"

"I'm their Granddaughter Alana."

"Oh my dear girl, I didn't recognize you. You've changed so much from the photos your Grandmother had."

Lana smiled, "yes ma'am, it's been a few years, but I'm desperate to find them, I've not heard from them in months."

The woman pulled at her dress for a moment, every move conveyed her nervousness. "My dear, I hate to be the one to pass such news, but the von Hoffmeyers are dead. They died of pneumonia in January, you see there was so little food and it was so cold…"

Lana was sure the woman said more, but her mind refused process more than the fact her grandparents were dead. They had died when she while she was a prisoner; the only consolation she could find was the fact they were together when they died.

The hand on her arm brought her back to reality, "Alana, are you alright? Here drink this; it will bring some color back to your face."

Lana downed the schnapps and passed the glass back. "Has anyone been in the house since they died?"

"No dear, you should go there now, I believe the extra key should be where your grandmother normally kept it."

Lana thanked the woman and began to walk back to her grandparent's house. Going around back, she found the key and let herself in. The silence was like a physical presence closing in on her.

Walking from room to room, she was at a loss for what to do. Entering her grandparent's bedroom, she found her grandmother's shawl on the end of the bed. Sitting down she held it to her nose and the smell of lavender surrounded her. Lying back, she curled up and cried herself to sleep.

She wasn't sure what woke her the next morning, but she had made a decision on what she would do. Packing some photos and a few keepsakes, she walked out of the house knowing this would be the last time. Even if Ron didn't forgive her, she'd start over somewhere else. Alana von Hoffmeyer was dead and only Lana Meyer remained.

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3 weeks later

Lana was about to drop from exhaustion, she couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a night's sleep. She had been transferred from one truck to another in an attempt to catch up with the 506th, finally she was about to meet back up with them. When the truck stopped, she quickly hopped out and went to find Colonel Sink.

When Sink's jeep finally arrived at the top of the road where the convoy stopped due to the roadblock, Lana sat quietly in the back. She'd seen Ron standing at the edge of the road talking to Lew and Dick, but other than giving Sink, a quick salute had really not paid attention to who was in the jeep.

She hadn't realized how much she'd missed him until he was this close. He looked more tired than she remembered, but just as handsome. Sink's next comment had her paying attention.

"I want you to get this battalion turned around and out flank that French son-of-a-bitch. But before I go I brought ya'll a little present."

All three men turned to stare at her. Their faces all wore different expressions, Dick's was happy, Nixon's concerned, and then she looked at the one she cared for the most and found no emotion at all. In fact, when her eyes met his he looked away.

Her shoulders drooped even further; he had given the reaction she expected. That was what she got for telling him the truth. Tossing her bag to Nix, she crawled out of Sinks jeep and into the back of Dick's. Ron said a few more words to Dick and was gone.

Fingers beneath her chin had her raising her head to meet Lew's eyes. "You look like hell kid, when's the last time you slept?"

Shrugging, "I have no idea, what day is it? I've been traveling non-stop for the last few weeks trying to catch you guys." Then mumbling in a lower voice, "now I wish I hadn't."

Dick's hand on her arm drew her attention. "Give him time Lana, he was really upset and when he gets that way everyone pays, including those he cares for."

Lana felt her eyes tear up, "thanks you two. I normally don't cry so easily, guess that proves how tired I am and what a stressful time it's been."

Lew ran a thumb over the purple bruises under her eyes, "did you find them?"

Lana nodded, "yes, but it was too late. They died in January, seems no one is safe from Hitler's destruction. It's okay, at least they are together."

As the jeep turned around, Harry Welsh jumped into the back with Lana. She wasn't sure, when it happened, but somewhere during the ride, she fell asleep, not waking until Harry nudged her.

"Come on sleepy head, Dick needs you to start setting up."

Following Harry and the rest into the hotel Lana caught another glance of Ron. This time he actually met her eyes. Once again, the look in his eyes was the same as china dolls, lifeless and no emotion. Turning her head she walked out of his line of sight, she couldn't stand that look in his eyes. She knew the risk she ran when she told him the truth and now, he couldn't even bear to look at her.

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"Come on Lana, let's go. I have to go pick up Nix and you might as well get out and see the Eagle's Nest for yourself."

Lana grabbed her jacket and followed Dick out to his jeep, "where is everyone? I was sure by now that Sara would have graced me with her presence."

"Well she probably would have had she not already gone up to be with Lew. Yes, young love, they can't stand to be parted for very long. I thought she was going to drive us all crazy when Lew went to jump with the 17th Airborne." Seeing the puzzled look on Lana's face, "I'll tell you later, he's safe now that's all that matters. So did Nixon tell you the news yet?"

Laughing, "no and you probably won't either."

Dick smiled at her, "not my secret to tell, but I promise you will be very happy."

When they entered the Eagle's Nest they found everyone out on the patio, drinking. When Dick told them that the German government had surrendered new bottles suddenly appeared.

Lana did her best to stay behind Dick, she wanted to go join Sara and Lew, but they were sitting next to Ron. He looked happy and she didn't want to ruin that. It was nice to see him smiling again.

Someone grabbing her hand, brought Lana out of her daze, Lipton had her hand in his and was smiling. Tugging her hand, he pulled her from behind Dick. "Come on, he's drunk and I know Captain Nixon wants to talk to you."

Letting Lip pull her over she kept her eyes on Ron, he was turned away from her so he didn't see her until Sara screamed her name.

Ron's head jerked toward her and this time when their eyes met, she saw desire clearly reflected. His slow sexy smile soon appeared. Yep, Lip had been right he was drunk that was the only reason he'd forgotten to hate her.

Sara pulled her down next to her and Lew and passed her a bottle. "Drink up we have a lot of things to celebrate, but first, I want to ask you something."

Downing a healthy drink, Lana put the bottle down, "the answer will be yes to whatever it is you know that."

Sara smiled and turned to Lew, "see I told you she'd agree."

Lana laughed, "could you please tell me what it is I've agreed to exactly?"

"You've just agree to be my maid of honor. We're getting married as soon as the war officially ends."

Lana hugged them both, "I'd love to and I'm so happy for the two of you. Now all you have to do is wait for Japan to surrender."

Dick to the opportunity to walk up and interrupt, "well if I could borrow the happy couple…come on Lew, I've got something to show you."

Lana watched as everyone left the patio except her and Ron. Slowly she raised her head to look at him.

Ron smiled at her and wiggled his finger in a 'come here' motion, indicating she should take a seat between his legs.

Taking a chance Lana moved to sit between his legs. As soon as her butt hit the cushion, he grabbed her and pulled her back against his chest. His breath warmed her neck, quickly followed by his lips sliding down her neck.

The growling voice whispered seductively in her ear, "Do you have any idea how crazy you make me? One minute I want nothing more than to take you to bed, the next I want to strangle you. You could drive a man to drink…oh wait I'm already doing that. I've missed you so bad."

She knew she should say something, after all, he had been drinking and there was no way he would do this otherwise, he just didn't change his mind. Before she could find her voice, he was whispering in her ear.

"I tried to stay away, I was so angry because you wouldn't trust me. But now, seeing you again after so many weeks, I want to be with you, I saw a very nice bedroom in the back."

Lana's brain was screaming at her not to do this, he'd been drinking and when he sobered up, there would be hell to pay, but she wanted him so badly. "Okay, lead the way."

Disappearing into one of the back bedrooms, Lana got her wish as he kissed her and slowly laid her on the bed. She felt loved and she was going to enjoy this moment for as long as it lasted.

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Weight shifting on the bed had Lana waking up. Much to her disappointment, it was Sara sitting down next to her.

"Hey, you look a little better, Ron said you had come back her to get some sleep and he wanted me to wake you up and let you know we were leaving."

Masking her disappointment, "okay, just let me get dressed and I'll be out in a minute."

When Sara had left, Lana quickly got up and dressed. She didn't know what hurt her more, the fact he'd left while she was asleep or the fact he wouldn't come wake her. Sighing she realized that while it had been a wonderful afternoon and that she should be happy with that.

She entered the main room to find him waiting on her.

The smile he gave her sent a shiver down her spine and the heat was still there in his eyes. He held out his hand to her, "come on everyone's waiting. We need to get back and get ready to move, apparently we're heading further south into Austria."

Taking his hand, she let him lead her out to the trucks, where he put her in the jeep with Sara and walked back to join the men.

Sara turned to look at her with a shocked expression, "so did you guys make up or something."

Lana shook her head, "I've got no idea, but right now I'm not going to question it."

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When they arrived in Austria, they found their biggest job was keeping soldiers out of trouble. Lana and Sara had been busy helping to process passes for German soldiers returning home. Both women had typed so many they thought their fingers would fall off. First Sara typed it in English and Lana typing the same in German, tedious but necessary work.

Sara was spending all her time with Lew and planning the wedding. They decided that if Lew and Dick had to go to the Pacific they would marry here in Austria then Sara would go home to New Jersey to wait on him.

"Isn't it wonderful", Sara sighed as she leaned back against the tree they were sitting under. "I'm going to be Mrs. Lewis Nixon and I have you to thank for it."

Lana gave her a puzzled look, "why would you be thanking me, I didn't convince him to marry you."

"No silly, remember he brought you home and you introduced us at the dance. I can't thank you enough for that."

Lana couldn't help but laugh, "well your happiness is important to me, so glad I could help."

Sara sat back up, a serious look on her face replacing the happy one. "Have you given any thought to what you are going to do?"

"Not really, guess go back to the states and find some kind of work." Shrugging, "surely someone out that needs a secretary."

Sara bit her lip in concentration, "well what about coming back to New Jersey with Lew and me?"

"As what your companion while he's away, no thanks, I need a real job."

She saw Sara giving her a strange look, "okay what did I say now, I just meant that I really do need to earn a living."

"You don't know do you…Lew is rich, his family own a factory and he's even asked Dick to come back to work. I'm sure he could find you a job."

Lana looked at Sara in shock, "he's rich…holy cow do you get all the luck. Yeah, I'll think about it. It might be nice to have some friends around."

"Well, I hate to bring it up, but what about you and Ron?"

Shrugging, "what about us, I've not talked to the man for more than two minutes since we left the Eagle's Nest. I think it's best to leave that one alone."

Sara sighed, "you know I really thought the two of you would work it out."

Standing Lana looked back down at her friend. "There's nothing to work out, it was sexual attraction and now it's over, time to move on. Besides, someone told me he is staying in the Army. I don't think he intends to have a wife to distract him."

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The pounding at her door woke her from the first sound sleep she'd had in a long time. Grabbing up a blanket and wrapping it around herself, she opened the door to find Luz standing there.

"Luz, do you have any idea what time it is. This better be important."

Luz dropped his head, "yes ma'am, I know it's late, actually early for the next day, but look something bad happened and well, I think you need to go see Captain Speirs, get dressed and I'll take you to him."

Slamming the door in his face, Lana rushed around the room grabbing clothes. Something bad had happened and now she needed to go see Ron, her mind couldn't focus and she was only partial dress when she jerked the door back open. "Okay let's go and you can explain what happened as we walk."

By the time, they arrived at Ron's room she knew all about Grant being shot and Ron almost shooting the man who'd done it. Luz grabbed her arm right before she knocked. "Sorry ma'am, but this is where I leave you. You he won't shoot, me…I'd rather not test the theory."

Lana glared at him and knocked on the door, hissing 'chicken' under her breath. The door was jerked open and a half dressed Ron was standing there staring at her.

"Can I come in?"

Stepping back, he let her into the room. Walking over to pick up his discarded shirt, she smoothed it out and dropped it on the back of the chair. She nearly jumped when he finally spoke.

"Okay, I don't remember ordering maid service, so why are you here?"

"Your men were worried and seeing as they were all afraid you'd shoot them for trying to be sympathetic, they came and got me. Ron it's not your fault and you did the right thing, first by getting Grant to the hospital and then by not shooting the man. You're a many things, but a cold blooded killer isn't one of them."

He stepped closer to her, pulling her into his arms. She let her head fall on his chest. "Stay with me Lana, for just a while."

Nodding her agreement, she let him pull her to the bed.

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Okay, the last chapter is written and complete, just wanted to break these apart as it was originally 17 pages. So leave me a review if you'd like to read the last part…yeah just a little blackmail, but the muse demands it.