A/N Thank you for the new review, I'm pleased you like the interaction between Fin and Speirs. Nix and Eve would be a good couple, maybe I could bring her back somewhere?!
D-DAY June 6th 1944
Each man was dealing with the task ahead in their own way. Fin's way of dealing with it was to keep herself busy. Check her equipment, check her medical supplies, check the anti sickness pills for her squad. She had gone over to see Bill to offer him some comfort after he had found out about his brother being killed in Monte Casino, he was much gentler with Fin than he was with everyone else, understandably, he wasn't handling the news too well. Fin didn't want to 'cliché' him with 'l know how you feel' lines and she felt that he appreciated it. After a hug and a joke that she would marry Bill as his back up if neither of them married by the time they were 35 years old, Fin wondered around Easy Company in search of Shifty, she wanted to see him before they left, he wouldn't be on her plane for the invasion.
Shifty spotted Fin before she saw him. They had grown quite close now and Fin felt that they had become good friends. They both had used the firing range as an escape, but enjoyed each others company , so shared their hiding place together.
"Just make sure you get to the DZ in one piece!" Shifty told Fin with worry echoing in his voice.
"Don't worry about me, this a walk in the park!" Fin joked.
"I mean it Fin!" Shifty scolded her.
Fin pulled Shifty into an embrace "Make sure you get there in one piece" Shifty hugged Fin tighter.
"Hey! Get your grubby hands off my fiancé!" Bill shouted interrupting Fin and Shifty.
Shifty looked into Fin's eyes "Fiancé?"
"Oh, we agreed to be each others back up if neither of us are married by 35" Fin laughed.
"I best get a ring sorted, then!" Shifty said jokingly but with a straight face, confusing Fin a little.
"Fin" Lieutenant Winters addressed her, Fin quickly finished her good bye with Shifty and followed Winters.
"Yes Sir"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes Sir"
"Clear on what to do?"
"Yes Sir"
"I know you've done this before, but don't think I won't treat you any different from any of the men"
"I appreciate that Sir" Fin replied as Winters moved onto the next soldier. He was a good leader, he cared for his men.
"Corporal Finney!"
Fin spun round to see Dog Company's medic fast approaching.
"I fucked up, give these out for me!" he said shoving his plane's anti sickness pills in her hand and rushing off, giving Fin no choice or explanation.
Fin turned to find Winters, running over she explained about Dog Company's medic. "Go ahead but hurry, we're boarding soon" he replied.
"Yes Sir"
Fin hurried over to the already boarded Dog Company plane, not knowing if it would be Speirs' plane. A Dog company Sergeant in the doorway pulled her up.
"Anti sickness pills" Fin stated, he nodded and Fin made her way to the front of the plane to start. Speirs wasn't on there, he'd have been at the back by the door if it was his plane.
Fin was calm and confident, knowing that it showed, Fin hoped her presence would help relax any nervous soldiers. The men chatted to her as she passed, there were a few jokes and Fin even gave out a few kisses on their cheeks. Fin's approach may be frowned upon, but some of these men may not even make it out the plane.
Fin looked down at her last soldier "Anti sickness, you need to take it" Fin instructed gently holding out the pill.
"I...I need water, I can't swallow no pill without water!" the private stuttered, fumbling around for his canteen.
"Here" Fin said handing over her own canteen.
The soldier took it and swallowed the pill, but choked on the water, spluttering into the canteen, much to the amusement of the other men
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, I think my spit got in your canteen, you can't drink your water now!" the private apologised profusely.
Fin crouched down in front of him, placing her hands on his knees. "It's ok, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a man and woman exchanging bodily fluids" she said with a serious tone before breaking into a smile to the shocked and nervous Private. Laughter broke out amongst the men and the Private relaxed. "Thank you" he said.
Fin nodded and stood up, She had two pills left, turning round she saw their recipients. Speirs and Dog Company's medic. She handed both of them their pills, smiled and made her way between them to the door. Just as she was about to jump down, a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Fin turned around and faced a smiling Speirs, Fin didn't think she had ever seen a full smile from him up until now. "See you on the ground" she said smiling once more. "You will" he replied. Fin jumped out and ran back over to her plane where Winters was helping each and every man to board. Coming up last, Winters held out his hand and pulled Fin up. Their look lingered a little before Fin took her seat between Winters and Tab.
The engines roared into life and they began to taxi down the runway.
The flight was bumpy, but straight forward so far. Fin looked around, some of the lads were smoking, one annoyingly played with his cricket, some had their eyes shut, she looked at Tab and smiled, then looked over at Luz and smiled. They both smiled back. Fin looked at Winters, he smiled too, if anyone was scared, they were doing very well at hiding it. The plane bumped quite violently and Tab grabbed Fin's hand. She looked up to him and mouthed 'ok?' to which he nodded in response.
Then came the big bangs.
Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom!
Tab squeezed Fin's hand tighter, "anti aircraft fire" she shouted " Ok?" Tab nodded.
Fin realised they were losing altitude.
"We get any lower and we won't need parachutes!" Bill shouted out.
The Red light went on.
Winters stood up and faced the men and Fin. "Get ready!" he shouted "Stand up!"
The plane manoeuvred sharply and they all lost their balance. Getting themselves up again, Winters shouted "Hook up! Equipment check!"
Then they went through their numbers... until it got to Fin "Two ok!" she shouted patting Winters who in turn followed with "One ok!"
The plane made another evasive manoeuvre and the light turned to green. "Go, go, go!" Winters shouted. Without hesitating, Fin jumped.
She looked all around, the anti aircraft fire lit up the night sky. She could see thousands of paratroopers, damaged planes and planes on fire. She'd be lucky to make it to the ground unhurt.
The ground came quicker than expected, they had dropped altitude a little too much. Fin landed unhurt and immediately unclipped her chute, checking herself, she had lost her leg bag, but had her medical supplies and her side arm.
Fin heard a noise coming from some bushes to her right "Flash" she said quietly
"Thunder" came the reply and two soldiers walked out, crouched low.
"Good to see you Corporal" one of the private's addressed Fin, being the only female in the battalion, everyone knew who she was, even if she hadn't met them before.
"Good to see you too, which company are you with? "she asked
"Private George, Able Company"
"and I'm Private Lucas, Dog Company"
Suddenly some heavy gun fire went off, Fin looked over her shoulder and they were a matter of feet away from some krauts. Motioning the men to lower, she signalled for them to follow her and Fin lead them away into the cover of some trees.
Now at a safe distance from the Krauts, Fin turned to the private's "Anyone hurt?"
No, we're both ok" George answered.
"Looks like two of us are in the wrong drop zone" Lucas said
"or all of us" Fin observed
"Do you know where we are Corporal?" Lucas added
"We've got to find some landmarks and get our bearings" Fin replied "Come on, follow me"
They walked through the trees experiencing no resistance. They came to a road, "Ok, anyone got a waterproof?" Fin asked
"Yeah I do" George said opening his bag.
Fin draped the waterproof over her head, got out her torch, compass and map"
Reappearing, "We've got about five miles, not far"
"Five miles?" George looked confused.
"Sorry, approximately 8km" Fin corrected, then hesitated, "Don't you use miles?"
"I'm an American but grew up in Australia" George replied
"Ahh, ok. This way" Fin said leading the two privates.
Fin was pleased it wasn't too far, she didn't want to miss her next mission. Dawn broke and they heard American voices. Fin turned and smiled at the at the two private's. Looking up the dirt track she saw small groups of soldiers all heading the same way, they had made it.
"Thanks Corporal!" The two private's caught up and walked along side Fin, Lucas placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. "No problem lads" she replied.
A group of German POWs caught their attention as they walked, being guarded by couple of Privates.
Hey! You are a woman?" one of the German soldiers enquired.
"Shut your yak!" one of the privates guarding, barked.
Fin approached the German " that's right and I'm British" Fin addressed him, much to the disapproval of the Private guarding. Fin always thought it was a good idea to chat, you never know what someone may let slip.
Fin turned to George and Lucas, go ahead, I'll catch up, before turning back to the German. " Your English is good"
"I'm from America" he replied
"Answered the call?" Fin asked
"That's right"
...
Winters found Buck, shaking hands the two men exchanged pleasantries. "Any sign of Meehan?" Winters asked.
"No and no one has seen anyone from his plane" Buck replied.
"Have you seen Fin?" Winters continued
"No, no one has, so far, but you made it and she was on your plane, she'll turn up soon"
"She needs to" Winters sighed.
"With Meehan missing, doesn't that make you Company CO?" Buck asked
"Yes, which means I need to fill you in on a few things about Fin" Winters replied
Before Buck could question what Winters meant, Winters turned his attention away.
"Lieutenant Speirs, good to see you" Winters said as the men shared a handshake. "How many of Dog company is there?"
"Handful, maybe 20" Speirs replied looking at the incoming flow of soldiers.
"Are you the only Officer?" Winters asked
"So far, still waiting for orders" Speirs said turning to Buck "You got some cigarettes?"
Buck took out a pack and handed them to Speirs, who took them and walked off "Keep the pack!" Buck called.
Speirs strolled through the incoming soldiers. "Lieutenant Speirs, Sir!" Lucas called pushing his way through.
"Good to see you Private, Dog are further up, keep going"
"Yes Sir"
"Anyone else with you?" Speirs asked
"Not from Dog" Lucas replied
"Well done on getting here then"
"I wasn't on my own Sir, I came in with Private George from Able and Corporal Finney from Easy, she's the one that got us here Sir" Lucas informed Speirs.
"Where is Corporal Finney?"
"She stopped to talk to the Kraut prisoners Sir" Lucas said pointing back down the track.
Speirs turned and carried on strolling down the dirt track.
...
Fin looked at her watch "I have to go"
"Good bye" the German Soldier said
"Good bye" Fin said, rushing off weaving her way through the men on the dirt track.
Fin reached the farm house and scanned the soldiers milling around for Easy company. "Fin!"
Fin looked up, "Bill!" The two hugged catching the attention of Tab, Luz and Toye, who each took a hug as well.
"Really thought we'd have to come find you!" Bill teased
"Hey!" Fin said punching him gently in the shoulder for Bill to react like she'd hit him with a sledgehammer. "Where's Meehan and Winters?"
"Meehan's missing, but Winters is over there" Luz replied
"Ok, I need to go talk to Winters" Fin said, "See you in a bit" Fin left feeling sad that Meehan hadn't made it yet.
"No problem doll" Luz replied.
"Lieutenant Winters Sir!" Fin called 'Good to see You!"
Winters turned looking very relieved to see Fin. "So good too see you too Corporal"
"I need to get going Sir" Fin expressed with a sense of urgency.
"Come on, let's get you briefed and Buck knows now, I'm acting CO until Meehan turns up"
"Yes Sir"
Winters grabbed Buck and the three of them disappeared inside the farm house to where Major Strayer was.
...
Speirs reached the German POWs, turning to the Privates guarding them he asked "Where is Corporal Finney of Easy company?"
"You just missed her Sir"
Speirs scowled.
"Zigarette?" Speirs asked handing a pack of cigarettes to the German POWs.
...
Huddled in a corner of the farmhouse, Strayer, Winters, Compton and Finney looked down at a map.
"Confirmation on the artillery and German numbers Corporal is that clear?" Strayer ordered.
"Yes Sir" Fin turned and walked swiftly out the back entrance of the farmhouse, once outside and out of sight, she removed her red cross and pulled up her black scarf to hide her face, her eyes uncovered.
Fin made her way unseen, crawling across a field towards a hedge in the direction of the German artillery at Brecourt. Crouching down by the hedge, she took note of the guns and head count, moving her way along she quietly moved up the hedge row closer to one of the guns, to continue her head count. Fin could see that that the trench below her lead to a single soldier, a radio and paperwork, Fin couldn't quite see, but it looked like maps, maybe. Should she try and get some intelligence or leave it for Winters? They may destroy things when the assault starts, Fin made the decision to take a look and retrieve anything of use.
Fin crawled through the opening in the hedge and rolled herself down into the trench. She pulled out a knife, she didn't want to make anyone aware of her presence through gun fire, she crept along the trench. At the end, she peeked round and the single German soldier had his back to her, she crept up behind him and in one swift, silent move, she cut his throat. He dropped to the ground without a sound. Fin quickly turned to the paperwork and gathered it all up, she carefully placed it inside her jacket. Turning round, without warning a pair of hands went straight round her throat, forcing her to her knees and then onto her back. Fin trained not to panic, brought her knife up and plunged it into the side of the German soldier. The enemy winced away from her, releasing his grip from her throat, allowing her breathing to steady.
The German lunged back to Fin with a knife of his own, slashing wildly at her, throwing her arms up in protection, she winced as he sliced through her sleeves, cutting her arms. Fin raised her feet and pushed him away and got up, she then pulled down her scarf. The German paused briefly in shock at seeing a female, Fin took advantage and stabbed her knife through his heart.
...
Speirs walked back to the farmhouse and sought out Easy. "Where is Corporal Finney?" he asked Malarkey who was looking a little shaken up at seeing Speirs.
"I think she's in the farmhouse with Lieutenant Winters, Sir" Malarkey replied
Speirs turned and walked into the farmhouse spotting Winters and Compton looking at a map.
"I'm looking for Corporal Finney, she helped one of my men" Speirs said to Winters
Looking up, Winters said, "I think she went to the Aid station"
Speirs nodded and walked out getting very frustrated that the only woman in the battalion was proving to be very elusive.
As Speirs left, Fin walked back into the farmhouse from the rear door. Winters saw her immediately and ushered Buck and Strayer over.
"Ok, four guns as you predicted and I'd say about 60 heads" Fin informed them "Oh and here, I took the liberty of taking these" Fin removed the papers she had acquired and handed them to Strayer.
"59 heads?" Strayer asked pointing at the blood on Fin's jacket
"58!" Fin smiled
"Are you ok?" Winters asked
"Yes, Sir, it's not all mine" Fin replied referring to the blood.
"Good work Corporal, get yourself over to the Aid Station" Strayer ordered. "Winters gather your men."
"Yes Sir" Fin replied
Winters patted Fin's back "Make sure you get yourself seen to and get cleaned up"
"Yes Sir, Good luck Sir"
Winters nodded and smiled.
Fin walked out of the farmhouse gaining looks off the men at the state of her uniform, she hurriedly walked to the Aid station bumping into Private Lucas "What happened Corporal?" he asked looking at the blood.
"Nothing" Fin said pushing past him.
"Why are you showing concern for Corporal Finney, Private?" Speirs said finally relieved to see Fin himself, but now he was concerned after hearing the exchange between her and Lucas.
"She wasn't covered in blood after the drop Sir"
...
Fin made it to the Aid Station without any more questions. Doc looked up from a Soldier he was treating. "Shit Fin! What happened?"
"It's ok, it's not all my blood" she replied
Asking Spina to take over, Doc came straight over to Fin. "sit, where are you hurt?"
"Just some minor cuts on my arms" she said pulling at her scarf that was irritating her little, but accidently revealing a little too much of her neck. Doc immediately yanked down her scarf to reveal finger marks.
"What the hell! Who choked you?!" He said a little too loudly drawing the attention of the other medics and wounded soldiers.
"Shh!" Fin hissed, "it's nothing just a little trouble on the drop, I'm fine really," Fin removed her jacket and pulled up her sleeves to reveal her cuts.
"You're gonna need stitches" Doc said looking concerned
"Let's get it done" Fin smiled.
Speirs stood just inside the Aid Station, hearing the whole conversation between Doc and Fin. Lucas said she wasn't wounded after the drop. When did she receive those wounds?
Speirs waited unseen while Doc stitched her up.
...
Fin thanked Doc and proceeded to leave the Aid Station in search of a clean jacket. As she rounded the building to the side of the farmhouse, she was pulled inside a doorway.
Fin immediately saw that it was Speirs and instantly felt guilty, she had been so focused on her job that she hadn't thought about him once, but at least he was here, safe. She sighed a quiet relief, but also proud of herself that she was able to get on with her job without distraction.
"What happened?" Speirs asked looking at Fin's bandaged arms and then moving her head back to look at the finger marks around her throat.
"I was attacked when I landed Sir " Fin lied
"No you weren't, I've spoken to Lucas" Speirs informed Fin "And no wise ass explanation"
"You need to speak to Major Strayer then" Fin replied, knowing full well that Speirs wouldn't be able to do that.
Speirs scowled "I will find out"
"I'm not in Dog Company, I'm not your concern, Sir"
Speirs slammed his hand on the wall in frustration "Yes you are!" he hissed before storming away.
