A/N I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, so I hope it works. I'm more looking forward to Chapter 7, where I can finally write about the action. Thank you for the review and the new follower. Hope you enjoy, please keep the reviews coming.
Update: I've changed the name of Fin's friend from Bon/ Bonnie to Eve/ Evelyn, due to Bon rhyming with Ron! It doesn't affect this chapter, but will later on.
Upottery
Fin could barely remember that night in Aldbourne at Christmas. Once again she had blanked out that time of year. She was aware that she almost kissed Lieutenant Speirs though and felt terrible about it. How could she have been so unprofessional and put him in that compromising position? She had all intentions of apologising to him, but the opportunity never arose. Fin had been kept busy by Meehan, after finding out her true position in the company, he now insisted that she'd be present in all his meetings and even when she did have a spare moment away from Meehan and her medical duties, Lieutenant Speirs was nowhere in sight or he was busy with his platoon. Training had stepped up immensely, Fin knew the jump was going to be soon and like she thought, they were all in Upottery within a few months for the final preparations.
Walking near the airfield between the tents, Fin was on her way to another meeting with Meehan and Winters, when a Private from Dog company stopped her. "Corporal, can you help me please?"
"What's the matter Private?"
"I've hurt my hand and I can't find my medic" he replied.
Fin stepped in closer as the Private held his hand out to her. Fin took his hand in hers and inspected the nasty cut across his palm. "Ok, come with me" Fin said leading him to the medic tent or Aid station as Roe kept reminding her to call it.
Fin told the Private to sit on the table while she prepared to clean the cut and stitch it. "You're not going to stitch it up are you?" the nervous Private asked.
"Sorry, but you need stitches, don't worry I'll be gentle" Fin said smiling sweetly at him.
The private nervously smiled back. "What's your name Private?"
"Peterson, John"
"Nice to meet you John, can I call you John? If you don't mind?"
"Not at all" the Private relaxed a little.
Well John, do you have a sweetheart waiting for you back home?" Fin asked as she got to work on his cut.
"No, the position is vacant, if you're interested!" the private joked.
"Really? What are the qualifications needed to fill such a position?" Fin replied licking her lips.
"Blonde hair, blue eyes, big boo..."
"Private Peterson!" a voice barked making the private jump so much that it was a good thing that Fin had finished stitching his hand.
The Private jumped to attention.
"Out!" Lieutenant Speirs shouted with a look that could kill.
"Yes Sir" The private replied, shooting past Speirs.
Speirs turned to Fin "at ease"
Fin relaxed and started to clear up.
"Why was a Private from Dog company in here?" Speirs asked
"Said he couldn't find his medic Sir"
"Private Brownhill is right outside" Speirs questioned.
"He seemed nervous about having stitches, maybe he thought I'd be more gentle Sir?" Fin guessed.
"You're very busy these days, send any back to Brownhill if you get asked again." Speirs had noticed Fin's absence after Christmas in Aldbourne and since their arrival in Upottery.
"You've been busy too Sir" Fin replied and then immediately regretted it, a conversation right now wouldn't be appropriate seen as though Private Peterson had already made her late for her meeting.
Speirs grinned before turning and leaving the tent. He wasn't pleased with Fin flirting with Peterson, he knew she did it to distract him from the stitches, but did Peterson realise that.
On her way to Meehan's tent, Fin was stopped again by an orderly this time with a note for her. Fin thanked him, surprised as she never got mail of any kind. She opened it as she carried on walking.
Darling Fin
I'm on leave for a short while. Just found out you're here after some digging. Meet me in the Fox and Hound tonight at 1900 Can't wait to catch up.
All my Love
Eve
Eve was here! Fin was ecstatic! Her best friend and the only person in the world who knew everything, Eve had been recruited after her, they knew each other like the back of their hands. She obviously had done some digging to know that Fin had a pass for tonight. That's what they did though, found things out and Fin expected nothing less from Eve.
In Meehan's tent, they went over the plan Meehan had decided on after their last meeting when they were able to work out that they would be dropping into Normandy on D-day. Fin was ordered to gather information on some guns that they think would be aimed at Utah beach. Upon landing in the drop zone, Fin was to rendezvous with Winters first, before leaving and returning with the information that Winters would need to take out those guns. "We'll go over this again, as we get closer, more information might be in then." Meehan instructed dismissing them.
"What are your plans for this evening?" Winters asked Fin as she strolled with him back to the tents.
"I'm meeting a friend in the pub later Sir" Fin replied
"I'll probably see you in there, Lew is dragging me out again" Winters sighed
Fin chuckled "You act like it's torture Sir"
"It is trying to get Lew back to his bed!" Winters laughed.
'Are my ears burning?" Nix asked catching up with them.
"Yes!" Winters and Fin said in unison before laughing.
Fox and Hound
A pretty brunette Officer in a British Army uniform sipped her Gin and tonic at the bar. Scanning the room for Fin. No Fin, but instead she spotted second best. She walked over and smiled confidently.
"May I join you?" she asked the three handsome American Officers.
"Of course" Nix replied.
Speirs stood and pulled out a chair for her. She thanked him.
"I'm Eve" she said introducing herself. "Lieutenant Evelyn Heaton, British Army"
"Winters, Speirs and I'm Nix" Nix said introducing them all and each man nodding his head as his name was said.
"Here on your own?" Winters asked, he was always concerned for women drinking on their own.
"I'm waiting for a friend, I'm only here for a few hours, but I haven't seen them in two years and couldn't pass the opportunity up" Eve explained.
"Hope he's not bigger than us!" Nix joked
Eve laughed "It's a she, you may have seen her, she's not hard to miss, she's stationed with Easy company"
"You're Fin's friend! We're Easy company, except Speirs, he's with Dog company" Winters exclaimed, Fin had told him about her note from Eve.
Eve was pleased at the information of who was with what company, she would now know what she can and can't say in front of them. "Well isn't that convenient! How's she getting on?" Eve asked
"She's certainly made an impact" Nix replied
"Oh she always does, there are hearts breaking all over the world as we speak!" Eve quipped.
Speirs raised an eyebrow at Eve while he lit a cigarette, before offering her one, she took one gladly.
"Hey Eve you maybe able to answer this, how did Fin get the scar on her upper thigh?" Nix enquired.
Eve looked at each of the men, each one of them with their eyes fixed on her "How do you know about that? Has she been sharing showers with the men?" Eve joked, taking a drag from her cigarette and blowing the smoke seductively up into the air.
A little embarrassed Winters explained "No of course not, a nurse saw it when Fin changed at the Nurse's quarters"
"Well, you've put me on the spot with that question gentleman, all I'll say is that if a nurse couldn't tell what happened from seeing the scar, then Fin is excellent with a needle and thread!" Eve smiled.
The nurse said it must have been a serious wound, Fin stitched it herself?" Winters asked concerned.
"She's one tough old girl, you're lucky to have her" Eve responded.
"We certainly are" Nix smiled.
Speirs was annoyed and knocked back his Whiskey to hide it, Eve had done nothing but make them all even more intrigued.
Eve was saved by any more questions by the arrival of Fin who stood in the doorway at happy disbelief that she was seeing her best friend before the big jump. Fin didn't even see Winters, Nix and Speirs at first, her vision blinkered by the sight of Eve. Eve rose from her seat and the two ladies hugged and laughed. "Fin I think you're even more prettier!" Eve said
"Wind your neck in Eve! I haven't changed, but look at you! You look fantastic!"
Eve pushed Fin's head down and looked just above her hairline, parting her blonde hair a little "Wow it's completely gone! You heal so well, I was so sure that it would leave a scar!" Eve exclaimed.
Putting her hair back in place Fin replied "I know I'm really lucky, but my luck will run out one day!" she laughed.
"So bloody lucky, but stop talking like that, you know it worries me" Eve said holding Fin's shoulders, remembering her dear friend with such admiration.
All three Officers thought the same thing how many wounds did Fin have exactly?
In amidst of their laughter, the two women realised they were being watched. Fin looked down "Sirs"
"Sit down Fin, come join us, no ranks tonight" Nix said looking at Winters and Speirs who nodded in approval.
"Well, you really should still be an Officer" Eve whispered to Fin nudging her but not quiet enough as Speirs had heard, but he made no sign that he had.
Fin and Eve took their seats, Speirs had risen to pull out a chair for Fin, before announcing he'd go and get the drinks in. "I'll give you a hand" Fin said leaving Winters as the third wheel while Eve flirted outrageously with Nix.
Fin wanted to make sure the air was clear, she waited until Speirs had ordered. "I...I just wanted to thank you and apologise for my behaviour at Christmas, it was unprofessional of me and I put you in an awkward position as my superior" Fin finished relieved to have got it out , but apprehensive for the response.
Speirs couldn't believe what he was hearing, she thought she was responsible, she must have been more drunk than he thought. "No apology necessary, nothing happened" he replied matter of factly, keeping his eyes on the bar.
Fin nodded, she knew he was a man of few words, but she felt she may have got more of a response from him? Maybe it was better she didn't, it was water under the bridge now anyway.
Returning to the table, Speirs handed the drinks out and they took their seats. Eve leant over to Fin "I may have to disappear with Nix for a little bit!" she whispered
Fin turned and gave her a disapproving look "he's married" she whispered back
"Minor obstacle" Eve winked
"What about Robert?" Fin enquired to Eve's last known fiancé, Eve had a habit of getting engaged a lot.
"Oh that ended ages ago, come on you know I'm not the settling down type!"
"Care to join the rest of us?" Nix asked referring to Eve's and Fin's private conversation.
Both girls smiled their apologies and joined in the table conversation.
Eve talked about how the girls knew each other, making half of it up knowing that Nix and Winters only had a certain level of clearance and Speirs having none. This amused Fin, Eve made it sound so much more glamorous than it was. Winters talked about America, what he was doing before joining the War, Nix talked about anything but his wife and Speirs joined in very little, in fact Speirs and Fin said the least.
"Oh he's so broody!" Eve whispered to Fin directing her eye sight to Speirs. "Mysterious, the silent ones are always the most interesting" she continued "Oh and he keeps looking at you!" Eve nudged and winked at Fin.
"Oh Fin! Guess who I saw recently?" Eve said a little too loudly drawing Winters, Nix and Speirs away from their conversation and into the girls conversation "I'll give you a clue! Posh, dashing and head over heels in love with you!" Eve said proudly embarrassing Fin.
Fin knew exactly who she was talking about "He escaped?" Fin asked.
"Oh yes, after 3 failed attempts, he had to up his game after you popped in and out!"
"Well, good for him, has he rejoined the War?" Fin enquired.
"Yes back to Bomber Command, asked about you, but of course I had no information to give him, I just told him you were assumed alive!" Eve laughed.
Fin laughed, but felt that Eve was hinting at Fin's real involvement in the war effort, she'd have to quieten Eve down a bit. "I'll go get some more drinks" Fin offered, taking herself away from the conversation might make Eve turn her attention back to Nix.
"This pilot, was he a POW?" Winters asked Eve.
"Yes, he was captured after bailing out when his plane was hit"
"Was Fin a POW?" Nix enquired seriously wondering whether he had been given Fin's full military record from the British.
"Fin a POW! Now there would be a challenge for Jerry!" Eve joked "Well you could say she was for all of five minutes, but then, is one really a POW when one broke into prison?!" Eve laughed some more "I'll go help with the drinks" Eve left the table winking at Speirs who was scowling. Eve liked being a tease, she loved leaving people guessing and she knew instantly that Speirs was keen on Fin, therefore she'd feed him bits of information and wind him up.
"What is this about Fin?" Winters leant over to Nix
"No idea, but I'll be finding out" said Nix
Speirs hated not knowing Fin's story. He knew that Winters and Nix knew more than they had let on and he didn't like the sound of this pilot.
Fin and Eve returned with the drinks. Before the conversation flowed again they were all interrupted by the pub door opening and a pretty red head in civilian clothing walking in. Speirs noticing the woman stood up and excused himself from the table and made his way over to the woman who seemed very pleased to see him, they then made there way over to the other side of the pub.
Fin felt like someone had kicked her in the stomach. She then quickly felt angry with herself, this is exactly why you don't allow yourself to have feelings for anyone and definitely not someone in the military or someone you work with or just anyone! She scolded herself.
"Look Fin, I don't have long left, I'll walk you back" Eve said. The girls said good bye to Winters and Nix and made there way back to the barracks.
"I saw your face when Speirs left with that woman" Eve prodded linking arms with Fin.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Fin replied
"Come on Fin, I'm not a fat head"
"We had a moment, at Christmas, I was drunk, he was looking after me and if we hadn't have been interrupted, I probably would have taken advantage"
"I'm so proud of you Fin!" Eve laughed
"What the bloody hell Eve?"
"That's so unlike you! Even with Henry, you kept him at arms length, you must really like Speirs"
"It is like me though, isn't it? Remember the night before my first jump?" Fin asked.
"You only did that because you didn't want to die a virgin!" Eve laughed.
"Well it doesn't matter. I'm not going to be unprofessional again, I have a job to do"
"You have a right to a life too" Eve stated
"We both know how lucky I've been up until now, that luck will run out soon" Fin replied.
"Stop saying that" Eve sighed.
Back at the tent, Fin told the lads about Eve. They were kicking themselves for having their passes revoked. The mood had changed a little, everyone was getting mixed emotions for the drop. Fin knew this feeling well when it came to the first combat jump.
"Are you scared of dying Fin?" Tab asked perching himself on the end of Fin's cot, distracting her from her book.
"No"
"Not at all?"
"I'm scared of the pain I might feel before I die, but not of dying itself" she replied sombrely.
Fin leant forward and put her hand on his shoulder "it'll be ok" she said gently
"Can I sit next to you on the plane?" Tab asked smiling a little
"Of course!" Fin said laughing
"Hey! I had first dibs on Fin!" Luz shouted across the tent.
"There's another seat the other side of me!" Fin laughed.
"Tell me about your jumps Fin" Tab asked
Fin grimaced, Winters had asked her not to talk about them after learning that she didn't have one straight forward jump, he thought it was best if the men went in with the unknown.
"Nothing to tell really, all were fairly straight forward" Fin lied.
"Is that all you're gonna give me?"
"Afraid so Tab, sorry"
"Leave the broad alone Tab, did it ever occur to you that she just may not want to talk about them?" Bill called over.
"Not talking makes me think they were bad" Tab said turning to Fin.
"They weren't Tab, my jumps are not going to help you in any way" Fin lied. Three of her jumps were made at night. On two of them they were hit by anti aircraft fire and had to bail out too early, Fin was lucky not to have broken a leg. The third night jump, Fin's parachute was hit by bullets, but she was lucky enough to land in water which broke her fast descent. Her fourth jump was in day light, as she landed a krout saw her and stuck his bayonet up several times at her. This was part of what she meant when she said her luck would run out soon. Others had died in less dangerous circumstances than her.
...
You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. The men were preparing for the jump. Shifty gently painted Fin's face. "Thanks, does the colour suit me?" she joked
"All colours suit you" Shifty replied making Fin blush a little.
Easy were checking each other over as they all kitted up. Fin checked the anti sickness pills she was to hand out.
An orderly came out with a letter for them from Colonel Sink "Tonight's the night..." Luz began reading it impersonating Sink before trailing off.
"That's why he gave us ice cream" Bill groaned.
"Easy listen up!" Meehan shouted standing on a jeep "The channel coast is socked in with rain and fog. High winds in the drop zone. No jump tonight. The invasion has been postponed. We're on a 24 hour stand down."
"Son of a bitch" Bill cursed angrily.
Fin put the anti sickness pills away.
...
"Coming to watch the movie?" Luz asked Fin "We can treat it as our first date?" The brass had arranged a movie night to distract them from the cancelled jump.
"Yeah ok, I'll meet you over there!" Fin replied
"What! You just agreed to go on a date with me!" Luz laughed leaning in for a kiss
"Get going before I change my mind!" Fin said pushing him away "If you're lucky you get the kiss at the end of the date, not before!"
Fin wanted to wash off the paint first before she followed the lads to the movie. Cleaning herself up she sighed that's all they needed was the jump to be called off, now the lads had to prepare themselves again
Fin walked out of her tent she shared with Luz, Tab, Bill and Toye to make her way through the other tents to the one showing the movie.
Not looking where she was going on exiting, she walked straight into a tall, hard body. Looking up, it was Speirs. He's firm! She thought before snapping her senses back. "Sorry Sir" Fin side stepped him but Speirs prevented it.
"Are you ok Corporal?" Speirs asked her
Speirs still had his full jump gear on and his face was still painted it was enough to send Fin weak at the knees, but she replied confidently "Yes Sir, why wouldn't I be?"
"I see you always checking on your men, but does anyone check on you?"
"Yes Sir, Shifty checks on me all the time, are you ok Sir?" of course he was, he had a pretty red head to keep him company and wait for him.
Speirs grinned "Were you an Officer once?"
Bugger, he must have heard Eve, it wouldn't do any harm to tell half the truth, it's not unusual to be demoted "Yes Sir"
Speirs was surprised at her honesty " Why were you demoted?"
"Corporal Finney rolls off the tongue better than Lieutenant Finney!" Fin quipped "I have to go Sir" Fin should have really waited to be dismissed, but she left quickly anyway.
Speirs let her leave, he was glad to have the witty Corporal back, he had missed her.
...
Fin crept into the movie tent and sat next to Luz "have I missed much?" she whispered
Luz smiled " thought you had stood me up doll"
"Never"
