A/N Thank you for the continued support. Please keep the reviews coming, let me know if there is something you like, don't like or something you'd like me to include, I may just!

Sobel had ordered hand to hand combat training, foxhole digging and shooting practise on his return. Fin had been ordered to medical. Sobel didn't want her training with the men. Her military records stated that no.1 she didn't need to and no.2 he didn't want her to. He would however be forced to include her in a field exercise, all he had to decide was whether to have her in his platoon or Winters' platoon. Quite frankly he wasn't happy with either decision and he was getting more angry by the minute that she was becoming a distraction to him.

Fin wasn't bothered about being ordered to medical, she would only have to pretend anyway to be rubbish and she was sick to death of digging Foxholes, besides it gave her a chance to get to know Doc Roe and now another medic called Spina. She was pleased that there were three of them, with her extra missions taking her away at times, at least Doc wouldn't be on his own and the men would get plenty of help when needed. Thinking about the Red Devils she felt a sense of sorrow, she had lost too many brothers already.

Fin entered the building. "Doc Roe?" she asked seeing a medic with his back to her.

The soldier turned round "Hi there, Corporal" Roe said in his Cajun accent.

"Call me Fin" Fin replied, Doc had a kind face she observed.

"I'm really pleased to have you here, a female voice is very calming, you're walking pain relief!"

"Thank you, I hope so, anything to help a wounded man."

"This here is Spina" Doc Roe motioned over to another medic "Spina, Fin is here"

"Hey!" Spina acknowledged Fin.

"He's a man of little words" Doc joked.

"No worries, where do you want me?" Fin asked

"Well technically you're in charge, so wherever you want, but we could do with a hand on the inventory?"

"Absolutely " Fin smiled.

Fin knew Doc and her were going to get on like a house on fire. They shared the same opinions when it came to dealing with the soldiers and Fin could tell he was going to be a massive asset even though he hadn't experienced combat yet. She would naturally let Doc lead because she needed too when she wouldn't be there and she had no reservations with his ability. She was actually quite pleased to be acting as Easy's medic, she hadn't really been one properly ever since her first jump when the British pulled her out to join the SOE. Almost as quickly as she was pulled out to be an SOE agent, she was back on the front line for covert reconnaissance. She much preferred being on the front line even if she was on her own sometimes. The inventory didn't take long with the three of them working on it. They then went on to make sure they agreed on what to have in their packs for the eventual jump.

Sobel decided the best way to keep an eye on the British Special Services soldier was to put her in his platoon for the exercise. Fortunately for Fin, she made her way further down Sobel's shit list when it was becoming obvious that he couldn't read a map. They all ran down a field for Sobel to stop them in the open while he scratched his head over a barbed wire fence that apparently wasn't supposed to be there. It was supposed to be there, we're not supposed to be here Fin thought. She was having serious doubts over his ability to lead in combat. Fin had experienced a number of iffy approaches from Officers in her time, but not being able to read a map was a new one on her.

Sobel ordered them to take cover behind some trees. Crouching down, the men pestered Luz to do an impression of Major Horton. Luz looked over at Fin, who just shrugged with a mischievous smile.

"Is there a problem, Captain Sobel" Luz shouted in his excellent impersonation of Horton.

"Who said that? Who broke silence?" Sobel shouted back.

Luz had to hush the laughter coming from them all, including Fin.

"I think it's Major Horton, Sir" said Tipper, who was standing with Sobel.

"Major Horton? What... what is he... did he join us?" Sobel said to Tipper with slight panic in his voice.

"I think maybe, he's moving between Platoons sir" Tipper replied.

"What is the God-damn hold up Mr Sobel?!" Luz shouted

"A fence Sir! Uh God, a barbed wire fence!" Sobel replied flustered.

"Oh, that dog just ain't gonna hunt. Now, you cut that fence and get this God-damn platoon on the move!" Luz finished to the stifled laughter of Fin and the rest of the men.

Peeking out, Fin saw Sobel search for his wire cutters and indeed cut the fence. Now they just had the embarrassment of catching up with Winters.

Down trodden by Sobel's leadership they all made their way back to barracks after Sobel excused them hastily, no doubt to nurse his wounded ego in private. The only thing keeping up their spirits was replaying Luz's impression of Horton. Luz was hilarious, Fin liked a sense of humour. Half heartedly, they saluted three officers as they walked past.

"How did it go being under Sobel for the first time Corporal Finney? Nix asked cheekily as Fin passed by.

Stopping briefly Fin turned "It was a right balls up Sir" as she turned and continued following the rest of the platoon.

"Did I hear her reply correctly...?" Nix questioned to Harry and Speirs who were stood beside him "...considering how I phrased my question?"

"I have a tough time understanding the Tommys as it is, I also have a hard time understanding women and here we have a female Tommy!" Harry replied.

Over dinner, Fin got wind that Winters had been issued with a Court Martial. She decided to try and seek him out after she had finished eating, could she use her real position in the company to help him? She wondered.

"What is this slop?" Luz questioned, plonking himself down next to Fin, joined by Webster and Liebgott.

"Can you cook Fin?" Liebgott asked

Fin nodded her head as she finished chewing "a few things"

"like what?" Luz asked stirring his slop continually, gearing up to eat it.

"Toad in the hole, bubble and squeak, spotted dick, Shepherd's pie, jam roly poly..." Fin purposely reeled off strange sounding meals and raising the eyes of the Easy lads.

"Jeez! Think I'll stick to the slop!" Luz laughed finally taking a mouthful.

"Heard about Winters?" she asked the lads

"Yeah, it's not good, not good at all" Luz sighed

Fin found out that Winters had been assigned to the kitchens, unfortunately, he wasn't there when she had gone to speak to him. Making her way to the Officers lounge, Fin came across the senior NCO'S from Easy having a serious looking meeting. Fin held back and listened in. She was shocked but not surprised to hear what they had planned. They were turning their stripes in, in protest to Winters' court martial. She did not want to lose Bill, Tab and Lip especially.

The meeting finished and Fin positioned herself in front of Bill and Tab. "don't say anything doll, it's done" Bill said pre-empting Fin.

"But..." Fin started.

"We know the risks, try not to worry" Tab said draping his arm round Fin's shoulder. They walked away silently, Fin hoped to God she wasn't going to be losing them just as she was getting attached to them.

Fin had followed Bill and Tab when they were ordered to Sink's office along with Lip and the rest of the Easy senior NCO'S. She held back enough not to be seen. She was nervous, she didn't think for a second they'd be shot, but she was nervous enough to think that they could be transferred. If they were to be transferred, she wanted to see them before they went.

They emerged. Fin studied their faces, they looked relieved. Bill made eye contact with Fin before he reached her and winked. They were ok she sighed.

"Everything is ok Fin" Bill said "Harris got transferred and Ranney busted to private, other than that we got let off with a warning"

"Thank God" Fin said with great relief

"It actually looks like you care!" Tab teased

"What happens now with Winters and Sobel?" Fin asked

"No idea" Bill said.

Later that day, they all heard through the grapevine that Winters was back in position as 2nd platoon leader, Sobel had been transferred and Lieutenant Meehan had taken his place. Tension in the company eased immediately. Everyone was also very happy with Meehan, he was a good man.

A month had passed and the worst time of year had approached for Fin. Christmas. The Easy lads were all getting ready to celebrate. They had all received presents and letters from home and had acquired some alcohol from somewhere. Their passes had been revoked due to the brass being concerned that things might get out of hand, but they were having a party in the barracks none the less.

Fin went for a walk to escape the festivities. She took her usual 'thinking' spot near the firing range. A bottle of sweet Sherry suddenly dangled in front of her face. "Hi Fin, I heard you Brits like Sherry." Shifty said taking a seat next to her. " Thank you" Fin said immediately taking the bottle and swigging from it.

"Alright! calm down girl, this stuff is pretty potent!" Shifty said gently lowering the bottle from Fin's mouth.

'Where did you get it?" Fin asked

"Luz, who else?!"

Fin nodded and swigged again before passing the bottle to Shifty who shook his head "Nah, you're ok, too sweet for me"

"So what makes Christmas so bad for you?" Shifty asked.

Fin didn't really want to say, but the Sherry was taking affect already and she tended to let her guard down when she was drinking.

"Christmas Eve, 1940 , I had an early Christmas present courtesy of the Luftwaffe"

"The Luftwaffe attacked on Christmas Eve?" Shifty questioned.

"Yes, we never made it out in time to get to the shelter, blew up my whole street, me and my elderly neighbour were the only survivors. Everyone else was wiped out, including my father, mother and my two older brothers"

"Shit Fin, that's terrible"

"It's ok, I've done my grieving, just don't want to celebrate"

"Of course"

"Don't feel sorry for me Shifty, most people in Britain are suffering loss, it's normal"

Shifty placed his arm round Fin and pulled her in close, she lay her head on his shoulder for a couple of minutes before gathering herself and abruptly pulling away. "I need to go for a walk, pull myself together, I'll be fine and I'll see you back in the barracks soon" she said rising.

Shifty looked at her concerned.

"I'm taking this" Fin said holding up the Sherry bottle and then she smiled at him as she turned and walked away.

"Hey Shifty did you find Fin? I've got some mistletoe and I ain't kissing your ugly mug!" Luz called as Shifty got close.

Shifty frowned.

"What's up?" Luz asked.

"Fin ain't in a good place right now" Shifty sighed.

"Why? What's happened?" Tab asked overhearing Shifty and Luz.

"Her whole family were wiped out by the Luftwaffe on Christmas Eve in 1940!" Shifty said a little too loudly.

"Shit! That's crazy" Luz exclaimed.

"Where is she?" Tab asked.

"She went for a walk, she wanted to be alone" Shifty replied.

" Did you give her the Sherry?" Luz asked.

"Yeah, she took it with her" Shifty said.

"Fuck Shifty! Shouldn't have done that, she's hard enough to find sober!" Luz scolded.

"Yeah she does have this knack at disappearing" Tab pondered. "Come on we got to go find her"

Fin wobbled through the training field before she finally fell in a foxhole. She sat there drinking the Sherry not caring , although fully aware that she would need to return soon so Shifty didn't worry too much.

"Corporal Finney?" A voice said gently.

Fin looked up to see a dark figure standing above her.

"Are you ok?" the voice said.

"Smashing!" Fin slurred

The figure crouched down and Fin could now see that it was Speirs. He certainly had a skill at just showing up.

"Sir" Fin hiccupped

Speirs held out his hand "Come on" he said.

"Merry bloody Christmas Sir" Fin said taking his hand and holding the Sherry out to him. Speirs obliged and took a swig, as he pulled Fin out of the Foxhole.

"What are you doing here?" he asked concerned.

"Practising" Fin replied

Speirs raised his eyebrow "Practising sitting in a Foxhole?!"

"Yes, Sir, I need to practise sitting in a Foxhole because in all my time out in France, I never got to sit in a bloody Foxhole enough!" she said sarcastically.

"Right let's get you back" Speirs ordered.

Speirs held both of Fin's shoulders as he steered her in the direction of the barracks. "Why are you upset?" he asked.

"I just found out Father Christmas isn't real" Fin replied.

Speirs grinned, she still had a sense of humour even though she was upset.

"I'm not really upset, just not a fan of Christmas." Fin lied

Speirs knew she was upset, but didn't want to push her.

Fin wanted to tell him, but she didn't want him to think she was damaged goods. "I'll tell you tomorrow" said said quietly.

Fin lost her footing and stumbled, Speirs quick as a flash moved his hands to grab her by the waist , pulling her up to face him. She looked up at him, their lips an inch apart. He could see in her eyes that she was full of sorrow and all he wanted to do was to make it disappear, whatever it was. Fin looked up into his deep brown eyes full of concern. Fin was a professional, but for the first time she felt she could give in to temptation. 'they were definitely having a moment' she thought. Speirs leant in and she could feel his lips brush hers as she melted into his arms.

"Fin! Where are you?" a voice shouted, promptly pulling Fin and Speirs apart before they actually kissed.

"Over here!" Fin called back

Tab, Luz and Shifty appeared.

"Jeez Fin, you had us all worried!" Luz said before realising Speirs was stood next to her.

"I'm fine, don't be daft lads" Fin replied suddenly feeling a bit more sober.

"Sorry Sir, didn't see you there" Luz addressed Speirs.

"Take her back to the barracks and get rid of that bottle" Speirs ordered.

Luz took Fin's arm and the four of them walked away without looking back.

"Sergeant Talbert" Speirs called

Tab turned around and walked back to Speirs.

"What's wrong with Corporal Finney? He asked.

"Her whole family were wiped out by the Luftwaffe, Christmas Eve 1940 Sir"

Speirs felt a terrible guilt wash over him, he had almost taken advantage of her.