A/N Thank you for the new review and favourite and follow. I found this chapter hard to write, but I felt it was necessary to follow the story as much as possible. I'm looking forward to writing about Bastogne, I have some dangerous missions for Fin coming up and some will send her a little stir crazy. Hope you enjoy and please keeping writing reviews, they motivate me!
Fin sat up on the tank moving slowly toward Nuenen at the front of the convoy. Luz sat beside her, Bill, Webster, Tab and Shifty behind them.. Winters had given her a rifle and asked her to remove her red cross, although she was still to be a medic. Winters was worried about snipers and an ambush and wanted everyone armed. Fin felt the breeze on her face and smiled, it was a really lovely day. They moved through the countryside which was surprisingly beautiful considering the war. Fin turned to Luz who in turn sensing Fin's gaze turned and they shared a smile. Luz was enjoying the ride too. Luz had helped her greatly. She had only managed to avoid Speirs because of Luz, he kept an eye out for her, smuggled her around until the tanks moved them out. Fin just couldn't face Speirs right now, she was incredibly embarrassed. Brits were supposed to be reserved and Fin was doing a very good job at proving that to be a myth.
The tanks rolled towards Nuenen with the men pretty much in silence before Webster broke that, "Vincent Van Gogh was born in Nuenen" he informed.
"Really?" Luz asked "Ain't that useful to know!" he added sarcastically "Hey Fin did you know that Van Gogh was born in Nuenen?" he grinned.
"No I didn't" Fin replied "But that's probably because he wasn't, he was born in Zundert" Fin said smirking knowing she was right and Webster was wrong.
"Is that right?" Bill laughed turning to a confused Webster.
"Is that right, Fin?" Webster asked.
"It is" Fin replied confidently.
"Well wouldn't you know! That's a great college you went to Webster!" Bill teased while the rest of the men laughed at Webster's embarrassment.
The laughter was cut short by a lowly figure at the side of a road. It was a woman with a shaved head, carrying a baby. On instinct, Fin shot up only to be pushed back down on the tank by several hands, which then held her in place.
"It's ok Fin, Bull's got this" Luz said gently, all the Easy lads had learnt of Fin's argument with the Dutch resistance leader.
Fin watched as Bull handed a k-ration over to a private, who in turn handed it to the forlorn woman. Fin's heart broke, that baby would have a very hard life ahead of them...if the baby made it that far. Fin wondered silently about the future of the mother and baby until the tanks slowed just as Nuenen came into approach.
The tanks stopped and Fin watched as Lieutenant Brewer walked out ahead of the tanks all authoritive and confident, he held up his binoculars and looked out towards Nuenen. Fin had a bad feeling, she didn't like this. Without realising, she slid down off the tank and walked out towards Brewer.
"Lieutenant!" Fin called, she wanted him to pull back. Brewer turned around casually to Fin's call. Fin watched in slow motion as a bullet ripped through his neck taking him down heavily. Fin ran as bullets sprayed at her feet, on instinct Fin jumped over the gun fire running straight through it, skidding to a halt next to Brewer. Assessing his condition, Fin placed pressure to his wound. "You're going to be fine Sir" she assured him as another medic arrived crouching down next to Fin.
"TANKS!" a call came sending troops scrambling off the tanks and into the ditches either side of the road.
"Take over!" Fin instructed Mampre the arriving medic. Fin stood up and held her rifle, looking through it's sights, she scanned the area in front, locating the sniper quickly, she fired, sniper down.
"Ahh!"
Fin looked down, Mampre was hit in the leg. "I've got me, take Brewer!" Mampre moaned in pain. Fin was quickly back down by Brewer. Doc arrived quickly administering a syrette into Brewer and taking over the compression on his neck. Fin quickly rose, holding her rifle out in front, looking through the sights, she jogged forwards. Shots peppered either side of her and in her path, small, moving targets were harder to hit and that's exactly what she was. Fin kept going searching the area for Mampre's sniper. Sniper located. Fin fired, sniper down. Fin didn't stop jogging forward until she was against a brick wall where she crouched down to assess the situation. Fin hadn't even taken time to realise that she was there on her own.
...
Bill and Luz looked at each other in shock, they hadn't noticed Fin slide off the tank and walked towards Brewer, then running into gun fire to treat Brewer when he was shot, she was a medic after all, but that's not what had shocked them, it was how Fin calmly stood up, located the sniper and took him down and she didn't even flinch at the arrival of the German tanks. They were then left with their chins on the floor when Fin rose again after Doc arrived jogging forward and taking out another sniper.
"Move forward!" Winters shouted prompting the men out of the ditch and towards the town.
...
Fin looked round the side of the building and rose to move forward again before a hand on her shoulder brought her back down.
"Taking on the German Army single handed are we Fin?" Buck asked joining Fin at the wall, along with Bill, Tab and Malarkey.
Fin had zoned out again shit, she managed a smile and dropped behind Buck to let him lead, Buck knew about her though, therefore they'd be no explanation needed for him.
"What the fuck Fin?" There's us all diving into a ditch and there's you running towards snipers!"
"I'm a God damn good medic, taking care of my wounded!" Fin smirked.
Tab frowned, he had a soft spot for her, they all had a soft spot for her. The last thing any of them wanted was to be picking up her lifeless body.
Buck looked round the corner of the building "let's go" he ordered.
They ran forward, towards another wall , right by a burning German tank. Fin looked up at the buildings, quickly scanning for snipers. She needed to go, on her own, that was what she had trained for.
If the opportunity arose and it didn't endanger the Easy lads, Fin decided she would break free and continue in on her own.
Fin cast an eye up to see some of the Easy men setting up mortars and MG's. They moved over to join them, setting up their rifles. Fin glanced around, not seeing the Krauts. It was now her job. Fin turned to Buck " See you on the other side Sir" Turned to her left and ran to the next building before moving forward to the next. The lads didn't see her leave, only Buck, who didn't stop her, he knew what she was about and he had also realised they couldn't see the Krauts either.
Fin ran forward and spotted the Kraut tank camouflaged by webbing and obscured from vision by a large house with only it's cannon peeking out. The rumble of British tanks caught her attention briefly. They wouldn't be able to see the Kraut tank with this house in the way.
Fin turned to see Martin not far from her, she signalled over to him the position of the Kraut tank, Martin took off to inform the British tank crew.
Fin turned back to the Kraut tank
BOOM!
The blast decimated the building behind her thank God Martin had moved
BOOM!
This time Fin was thrown back, hitting a pile of rubble causing her to cry out in pain as a particularly sharp bit penetrated her back.
The British hadn't reacted to Martin's information, the Krauts were going to over run them all. Pulling herself up, Fin tried to run back to Buck before crumbling in pain, the blast had knocked the wind out of her. Get up Fin, the pain, it's not there, it's all in your head. Fin hobbled in a little run back to Buck.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Fin looked up to catch Bull and his men retreating as the building next to them exploded as Fin slid in back beside Buck.
The German infantry appeared peppering their position with bullets. Buck pushed Fin down beside him. Fin pushed her self back up and took aim, returning the German fire.
"Snipers!" Fin shouted drawing Buck's attention upwards.
Buck looked at Fin noticing blood seeping round the front into her jacket "Fall back! FALL BACK!" he yelled, grabbing Fin by the forearm and heaving her onto her feet.
They were in a bad position, the British tanks were in a bad position, they were outnumbered and out gunned. They had no choice but to retreat.
"Fall back! Take cover!" men yelled from in front of them as all hell broke loose around them.
Fin fell back slower, taking out as many snipers as she could, she couldn't run fast without searing pain any way. Buck grabbed her shoulder "Come on Fin, let's go!" he shouted directing Fin's attention to Tab who with others were manning an M1 and would make more of an affect than Fin was.
The Krauts continued to stream out, there was just too many of them, what a disaster this was turning out to be Fin thought.
Buck grabbed Fin throwing her forward as she battled the pain from his action. "Let's go! RUN!" he ordered the men and Fin to retreat.
BOOM!
They dodged falling debris as they ran through a ditch, barely escaping without injury. They headed back to the road as fast as they could.
"Ahh!"
Fin stopped dead and turned to see Buck lying on the ground, she turned and sprinted back to him. Malarkey and Muck joined her. Fin quickly located the wound, You've got a bullet in your arse!" Fin smiled trying to calm him, "another arse I get to see, that's two now!" Fin joked remembering Popeye. Buck looked at Fin forcing a smile. "It's a clean wound, Buck, you're going to be just fine!"
Bullets sprayed all around them as Fin treated Buck.
"Go! Leave me to the Germans!" Buck ordered
"Not on your nelly!" Fin replied. "We need to carry him!" Fin said turning to Malarkey and Muck.
"You're kidding me? You can't carry me! You're injured for starters Fin!" Buck cried.
"Muck stay with him! Malarkey on me!" Fin shouted running back to the town while Buck and Muck watched on in horror.
Fin ran to a small out building "Come on we've got to get this door off its hinges, we can use it as a stretcher!" Fin instructed Malarkey.
Malarkey kicked the door in and the two of them grabbed it and ran back to Buck just as Bill arrived grabbing the door as well to assist them. "Putting on a great show on how to be killed!" Bill said to them all.
Malarkey and Bill ducked as bullets sputtered the dirt all around them. Muck had pulled Buck into a ditch and they all slid in pulling the door down with them. Fin winced as her back hit the mound of the ditch.
"Face him down!" Fin ordered as they rolled Buck onto the makeshift stretcher "Bill, Malark, Muck grab hold and drag him, I'll take the rear!" Fin ordered taking no notice that she was out ranked here but Bill seeing the blood seeping from her back knew she was in no state to be dragging a ton of Buck right now. Fin followed the men, jogging backwards with her rifle aimed.
As they made it to the trucks, Winters was shouting for everyone to get on. Fin finally lowered her rifle and caught sight of a very unhappy Speirs. Not reacting Fin turned her bloodied back to him to attend to Buck.
"Is he ok?" Winters called out.
"Yes Sir! One bullet, four holes", Bill answered laughing as Lip joined them. " Lip, you seen where Bull is?"
Fin looked up, where is Bull? She turned her attention to the town. "Don't even think about it!" Bill warned.
Doc appeared by Fin's side "let me take a look" he asked as Fin stood aside. "Later" Fin brushed Doc off.
"Fin on me!" Winters shouted over, walking between tanks for Fin to follow, joined by Nix. Speirs watched as Fin disappeared between the tanks with Winters and Nix, he hadn't seen what had happened but he had heard enough from the men already about what Fin did. She was some sort of Medic/Sniper, bulletproof super woman, running into danger, he knew it would already be rumours, but there was never smoke without fire. As for the bloodied back, well seeing her covered in blood was becoming a norm. His brown eyes turned black with rage.
...
Sensing on where the conversation was going Fin spoke up first. "I'm a front line medic, a former Officer, trained to protect their wounded."
Winters was about to respond when...
PING!
Nix's head was thrown back as he collapsed heavily onto the road.
"Lew!" Winters shouted in concern
Fin immediately crouched down by Nix assessing the damage.
"I'm ok!" Nix said, breathless, in shock.
Fin picked up Nix's helmet, sticking her finger through the hole "lucky bastard!" she chuckled.
Winters sighed in relief before turning to Fin as Fin and Nix got to their feet. "Yeah ok, that's the story Fin, you can tell the men that"
Fin smiled handing Nix his helmet back.
"What's the damage?" Winters asked Fin.
Fin knew, she was keeping that promise to herself "Eleven wounded and... four dead" Fin replied solemnly "And it appears that Randleman might be missing"
Winters patted Fin on the back to have her wretch in pain, removing his damp hand to find blood, he turning her shoulders and looked at her back. "Christ Fin get Doc to look you over"
"I will Sir"
"Ok, let's get organised and we'll see what to do about Randleman"
Fin jogged back to the trucks to take a seat in the one carrying Buck. Speirs rounded the truck blocking her path. Knowing that they had to move out, he simply said "I will be speaking to you later" before he stalked off.
Ignoring him, Fin rounded the truck and was hauled in by Luz and Tab
"Everyone ok?" she asked, relieved to hear "yes" all round.
"How are you doing Buck?" Fin asked concerned
"I could do with your gentle, warm hands! No offence Doc!" Buck managed to joke.
"Hey no offence taken, I'd rather a pretty girl touching my ass too!" Doc joked in return.
"Thanks for not leaving me" Buck said to Fin sincerely.
"Team effort!" Fin replied.
Buck's eyes rolled back into his head slightly, the morphine was taking affect.
"Hey Fin want to explain the one girl army thing you got going on?" Tab asked a little pissed at her.
"Ahh, yes ok. Look lads I actually started my military career as an Officer. I was trained to treat and protect the wounded. I got caught up and that's what happened."
"An Officer hey?" Luz enquired " What happened Corporal?"
"Court marshalled for not following orders, you know this insubordination thing I've got going on!" Fin laughed.
Tab raised his eyebrows " Yes you do seem to have an issue there, but I suppose being an Officer once, it explains it a little , I suppose"
"Hey Fin,you gonna let me look at your back?" Doc asked
"When we stop Doc" Fin looked at the men and a sleepy Buck, she was relieved to still have their familiar faces sat with her they were ok. Her thoughts then drifted to Speirs he was ok too. She'd have a job avoiding him now though.
...
As the men dug Foxholes, Fin joined Buck in the Aid station, he was to be evacuated back to England. Fin lay on her stomach as Doc dressed her wound. It wasn't bad, just bled more than it should have. Speirs stood in the doorway watching Doc run his hands over Fin's smooth, silky skin, she had removed her bra for him to stitch her up. He was a medic, but right now Speirs couldn't care less, seeing him touch Fin more than he had ever done was fuelling his jealous rage, he turned and left the tent.
...
Fin thanked Doc and stretched her achy body. She walked over to Buck and gave him a kiss on the head while he slept. She had learned from Doc that Bull was definitely MIA and she needed to find Winters and Nix, she had a request to make.
...
Speirs had returned to the Aid station just in time to watch Fin walk out in a hurry, she was completely focussed on something, she hadn't noticed him. She was still in her bloodied field jacket. He followed her as she headed over to Winters. He watched as she said something quietly to him. Winters frowned, whatever she was saying he wasn't happy. She spoke some more and Winters looked as if he was giving in to whatever she was asking.
"Lieutenant Speirs"
Speirs turned angrily "What is it Sergeant?" he snapped
"Private Neil is being sick and is refusing to go to the Aid Station"
Growling angrily, Speirs turned back to Winters and Fin, she had gone, he quickly scanned the area and thought he just made out a figure running back to the road.
...
Fin had managed to persuade Winters to let her go back to Nuenen to help Bull if he was still alive. She had to run and run fast, it was a long way. She was under strict orders not to let Bull know it was her if he was alive, she was just to assist his escape from afar.
As she made her way, she saw the night sky light up in amber. The Krauts were punishing Eindhoven. Nix was right, they wouldn't be home for Christmas, unfortunately for the men, fortunately for her at least war distracted her from remembering.
On approach to Nuenen, Fin lifted her scarf up and did what she does best, move in as if she was invisible. Please be alive Bull.
...
Fin barely made it back before dawn broke and her cover of darkness would be gone. Exhausted she stumbled into the Aid station, luckily it was just Doc in there with a sleeping Buck still. Doc seeing her in shock rushed over just in time before she collapsed into his arms. Doc lifted her into his arms and placed her on the table.
"What's happened Fin?" Doc asked deeply worried for her, she looked a mess.
Fin managed to tell Doc everything safe in the knowledge that it was just the two of them with Buck out cold.
Doc shook his head, this girl had a death wish. Thankfully she hadn't sustained any further wounds, she was just suffering from exhaustion. He'd keep Easy away from the Aid Station to give her time to get some rest.
...
Speirs had stalked up and down the Foxholes all night looking for Fin, after finding she wasn't in any Easy company Foxholes, he searched Fox Company and his own company although knowing there was no way she'd be in Dog Company without him knowing. He finally asked Winters who fobbed him off to the Aid station, she wasn't there and all Doc Roe could tell him is that she had been working on Buck and had gone to stretch her legs. Like D-Day this woman had once again become very elusive. He was frustrated to the point of anger. Not only did he want to scold her for Nuenen he still had the unfinished business from her her drunken admission. It seemed she was good at a lot of things, but she excelled at avoiding him.
...
Fin woke to a hot cup of tea from Doc. "We're moving Buck out soon"
"Thank you" Fin said taking the drink "Good he needs to get to the hospital"
"You were exhausted Fin, you can't keep taking on too much, if a bullet doesn't kill you, exhaustion certainly will"
" I know, I know, but I just couldn't live with myself if I hadn't at least tried to help him"
"When will he back?"
"Hopefully soon, I shouldn't think he would have been too far behind me"
"A group of them have set out to find him, suicide mission they were calling it" Doc said
"Well hopefully they'll meet him on the road" Fin replied with a smile, knowing that's exactly where they should find Bull.
...
Fin stepped out of the Aid Station, she knew she must look an absolute mess, but this wasn't the Ritz, so she didn't care too much.
"Where have you been all night?"
Fin looked up, it was Speirs, where was Luz when she needed him? Oh God was he going to mention her drunken episode?
"Aid Station Sir"
"I came by last night, you weren't"
"You must have just missed me Sir, I did step out to stretch my legs at one point"
"You must have stepped out a lot then" Speirs replied not believing a word she said.
"Can I do something for you Sir?" Fin replied confidently.
"Now there's a leading question!" Speirs smirked causing Fin to blush ever so slightly to his amusement.
Fin thought to try and turn things on him "Are you flirting with me Sir?" she blatantly asked
"That's all depends on whether you mean the things you say when you're drunk" Speirs replied getting his pack of cigarettes out.
Fin and Speirs heard a shout interrupting Fin's awkwardness much to her relief.
"IT'S BULL!"
Fin smiled to herself, she went to turn to head towards the shouting, but paused, she turned around to face Speirs who looked annoyed.
"I always mean what I say Sir, but I was out of line, you have a sweetheart and I have embarrassed myself with a superior once again" Fin turned to walk away before adding "If you want to take things further, I will understand and take the punishment"
Speirs grabbed Fin's shoulder as she turned being careful not to hold her too tightly, he was unsure how tender she would be feeling from her back. He spun her around to face him, but didn't pull her in too close, so that it still looked like an officer talking to an NCO. "I don't have a sweetheart, not since your birthday and I will be taking things further, but not in the sense that you just said" Speirs curled his lips ever so slightly, lit his cigarette and walked away, leaving Fin flabbergasted.
Fin snapped out of her shock and walked towards where she thought the shouting about Bull had come from. On approach she saw Bull and his men 'suicide squad' standing by a jeep. Fin walked over and hugged Bull, "terrific to have you back Bull"
"It's good to be back Fin" Bull replied returning Fin's embrace.
"Hey Fin!" Hoobler called "Bull has this crazy story of how he escaped.
"Oh yes?" Fin enquired secretly smiling to herself.
"A Dutch couple found him and patched him up, they were all hiding in a barn when this Kraut walks in and finds Bull's blood on a rag, prompting him to search the place. Bull had to fight him. At one point the Kraut was on top of him, when suddenly a knife came through his throat from behind!" Hoobler exclaimed " He pushed him off expecting to see one of the Dutch couple, but it wasn't...Hoobler held off in suspense " He saw an American uniform slip out the barn door!"
"Wow! That's crazy!" Fin smiled "lucky for you Bull!"
"Yeah totally" Bull smiled in relief. "I say we got some guardian angel following Easy company!" Bull added.
"Hey Bull, these salty bastards wanted to go on a suicide run to drag your ass back", Bill said
Bull turned to his men, amusement in his eye, "is that right? never did like this company none", he said to his smiling squad
...
They moved out. Like most of them, Fin hated retreating, it meant they would have to do the same job again at some point. Maybe not from the same position, but from somewhere, which in addition meant that there was a chance they would lose more men. It had been a few weeks on the road, Fin hadn't come into contact with Speirs again, Dog Company were close but had moved in a different direction more towards the Neder river.
They had bedded down in a barn for the night, Fin cleaned her rifle which Winters had let her keep. The men seemed to accept she was once an Officer, which was actually true and that her instinct was to protect the wounded. They had all agreed that she should keep her rifle because of her exceptional marksman skills. Only Shifty was suspicious, Fin had credited him with her improved skill, but he knew it took a long time to shoot as accurately as she did, especially while running. He hadn't questioned her though, he was actually glad that she could look after herself so well. He sat next to her and pretended to inspect her rifle.
"What are you doing?" Fin giggled
"Making sure you're looking after it properly"
"Are you looking after your gun properly?" Fin enquired raising her eyebrow.
"Of course, but I'd prefer it if you took it in hand!" Shifty replied smiling cheekily.
Fin laughed "Going have to keep my eye on you!"
The barn door burst open, it was one of Dog Company's medics, Johnson. "Corporal Finney you need to come now!" he shouted. Fin shot up instinctively grabbing her med kit and chasing after the Dog company medic. "What's going on?" she shouted catching up with him.
"It's Lieutenant Speirs, he's wounded, he asked for you!"
Fin felt a terrible dread rush through her. "How bad is he?"
Johnson didn't answer shoving the door open of the out building holding Speirs. Fin rushed over, he was lying on his front, he was bleeding heavily. She cut his trousers, they were sopping wet. He had been shot in the arse.
"What's the damage Corporal?" Speirs asked looking up.
"You've been shot in the arse Sir, You're the third arse I've dealt with now!" Fin quipped, receiving a chuckle from Speirs. "Are you ok?" She added genuinely concerned. Speirs nodded.
Fin administered the morphine and carefully got to work digging the bullet out, it hadn't gone too deep thankfully, Fin already knew though that he would have to be evacuated. She could remove the bullet and stitch him up, but he wasn't going to be able to stand, walk or sit for a while. He was also soaked to the bone, he was exhausted. Fin could feel a fever setting in, his skin was getting clammy. She turned to Johnson "Get him dry now!"
"You're going to be ok Sir, what happened?" Speirs didn't wince once as she worked, only noticing his glutes spasm occasionally. If Fin wasn't so worried, she would have taken time to appreciate his naked arse.
"He swam across the Neder river to collect intel on the Kraut camp, they shot him as he swam back." Johnson informed Fin.
Speirs didn't comment.
Fin frowned, of all the stupid things... what was he trying to do? Steal her job? His rapidly oncoming fever was probably pneumonia setting in as well.
"At least you've got a ticket back to England for a little bit Sir" Fin happily informed Speirs.
"WHAT?" Speirs shouted lifting his head, startling both Fin and Johnson.
"You're going to be evacuated Sir" Fin confirmed.
"I asked for you to avoid evacuation Corporal! You stitched that leg of yours, you can sort this!" Speirs demanded.
"That is true Sir, but you've been shot in the arse, I was wounded in the upper thigh and not by a bullet, I could walk, you can't walk, sit or stand Sir" Fin continued "You also have a fever setting in, most likely to be Pneumonia."
"You are not evacuating me! I refuse!" Speirs growled.
"I don't give a flying fig what you refuse Sir, I am your medic and I am evacuating you!" Fin sternly replied.
"You are not my medic! GET OUT!" Speirs shouted at Fin "Johnson take over!"
Fin slammed down her needle and thread and walked out.
She stood outside listening to Speirs threaten Johnson. Johnson had of course agreed with Fin, there was no doubt, Speirs needed to be evacuated.
Johnson sheepishly crept out "He wants to speak to you"
"Will you go organise his evac?" Fin asked. Johnson nodded in agreement.
Fin opened the door and tentatively walked over to Speirs who was lying face down now.
He lifted his head on Fin's approach.
Fin leant over Speirs pulling back the sheet covering his arse. Fin pulled a face "You should have let me finish the stitching before you ordered me out Sir" Fin covered him back up to keep him warm.
"I know, Johnson's a butcher" Speirs replied.
Speirs lifted his head and moved his upper body side on. Fin went towards his top half and felt his head "You definitely have a fever" she said softly.
Speirs grabbed Fin's wrist and pulled her close looking into her sparkling blue eyes "I'm sorry I shouted at you"
"Morphine must be taking affect, never thought you'd be the type for apologies Sir!" Fin smirked.
"Hell Cara, I am completely lucid"
"Cara?! I don't think you are Sir"
"When we're alone, you call me Ron from now on"
Fin looked confused "What's happening here Sir?" Fin asked refusing to use his first name.
"I'm being evacuated Cara, I'm not leaving you out here without confirming my feelings for you, I know you feel the same way about me. I need you to not take any chances, I need to make sure you'll be ok without me."
"Sir, I wouldn't have got shot in the arse and I would have used a boat!" Fin chuckled "You don't need to worry about me"
Speirs pulled Fin closer, he wanted to kiss her, hell! he was going to kiss her!
Johnson hurriedly walked back into the building forcing Speirs to let Fin pull away without a kiss and release his grip on her wrist. I'm going to damn well strangle that private!
"When I get back, you'd better be exactly how I left you" Speirs whispered to Fin.
"All organised, let's get you prepared Sir, they're taking you tonight." Johnson informed as Fin's heart sank, but at the same time she was elated, Speirs would soon be safe in England and he had feelings for her!
Boyle burst in interrupting Speirs and Fin's good-bye "Alleys down! You got to come now Fin!"
Fin shot Speirs a look "Stay safe!" she murmured that only he could hear as she ran off after Boyle.
...
England
Speirs woke in his hospital bed. He didn't remember much about his evacuation. He'd pretty much slept the entire time, probably from a mixture of morphine and the pneumonia that Fin had correctly diagnosed. Fin, Cara he was livid to be so far away from her. He had already started to plan his escape back to Dog company, he was charming one of the nurses, who was aiding his recovery. He didn't lead her on, just made her feel good about herself. She was blonde like Cara, but that was the only resemblance. What he would give to have Cara in a nurse's uniform mopping his brow. He was worried about her, the last he heard was she was treating Alley and then was called on by Winters to join a squad to the crossroads where Alley had been hit. He didn't want to leave Holland knowing that Fin was already involved in another fire fight. He had to assure himself that she would be fine, she had managed so far without his help, it's not as if he managed to keep her away from danger while he was there, he just felt better being there.
Speirs had his curtain pulled round his bed, he didn't care for small talk with the men. They talked openly about their sweethearts, but he couldn't talk about Cara, not that he would have if he could, but at least this way he avoided any questions. He was unhappy about leaving his men also, he may have a reputation as a hard ass, but he still cared for the well being of the men under his command.
"Knock knock!"
A female voice came from the other side of the curtain and it didn't belong to his blonde nurse. He lifted his head, he was still lying on his front "What?"
The curtain pulled back and Eve slipped in pulling it back around her and sat in the chair at his bedside.
"Ahh! Lieutenant Speirs, how are we?" she asked cheerfully.
"Eve?"
"You remember me, that's good"
"How did you know I was here?"
"I was taking tea in the local tea room, as we Brits do and overheard a table of American nurses cooing over the tall, dark, handsome oh and broody Lieutenant who had been evacuated, of course it didn't take me long to realise they were talking about you!" Eve grinned "Did you know they're fighting over who gets to change your dressing!" Eve laughed pretending to pull back the cover from Speirs' arse.
Speirs didn't flinch, Eve was amusing. He could see how her and Fin were friends.
"What do I owe this visit?" Speirs enquired.
"Just checking on my Fin's crush, she'd kill me if she knew I was in the area and didn't check on you!" Eve winked.
"Just a crush?" Speirs asked a little disappointed.
"Oh, I see, we're being open with our feelings are we?" Eve grinned. "Have you told her how you feel?"
Not really wanting to discuss this, he was very private, but he wanted to know whatever Eve knew. "I told her I cared for her just before I was sent here" Speirs revealed not telling Eve the whole truth.
"That's good!" Eve exclaimed joyfully "She feels exactly the same way, but what about Red?"
"Ended just after Fin's birthday"
'Good! Don't ruin this, but, don't do too much, there is still a war on and I know Fin, she'll be focussed on her job, saying that don't hurt her either, you'll be much less of a man once I've finished with you!" Eve laughed before stopping abruptly and staring at Speirs seriously.
"I have no intentions of hurting her...ever' Speirs stated.
"Correct answer Lieutenant, on that note I have a present for you"
You do?"
"To aid your recovery" Eve reached into her handbag and brought out a small brown envelope, she opened it and slid out a black and white photograph of Fin, handing it over to Speirs "It was taken when only a minimal amount of shit had hit the fan, which is why she looks so fresh"
Speirs stared at the picture, she wasn't looking at the camera, but had an incredible smile across her face, he could see that she was in her dress uniform, like the first time he had ever seen her walking with Nixon, although the picture only showed down to her shoulders. She was absolutely breath taking. A smile spread across his face without him realising. "She's without a doubt the most beautiful woman I have ever seen" he murmured.
"She most definitely is, you're welcome by the way!" Eve chuckled.
Speirs looked at Eve and nodded his thanks.
"Right, I have to leave, pleasant dreams, lover boy!" Eve winked, pulling the curtain away and disappearing.
Speirs certainly would enjoy this recovery being able to stare at Fin's face all day long. Annoyingly, the curtain twitched forcing Speirs to slide Fin's picture under his pillow out of sight.
"Ron?"
Hell! It was Edie.
"Ron! Are you ok?" Edie screeched as she saw him "I came as soon as I heard!"
"There's was no need, I'm fine" he said coldly
"Of course there was a need! I still love you, I needed to see you were ok with my own eyes!"
"As you can see, I'm fine"
"Don't be hostile, Ron, I'm here because I care about you!"
"I know Edie, I just don't want you to think we can reconcile"
Edie lowered her head, distraught. "Ron there is something I need to tell you"
"What?" he replied without looking at her.
"I'm pregnant...You're going to be a father" Edie said gently.
Speirs froze I'm pregnant those were words he never had wanted to hear from Edie. He felt as if he had been stabbed through the heart, he didn't want to look at her, he didn't want it to be real.
"Please don't let our child be a bastard, marry me, look after us!" Edie begged.
Marry me, Speirs turned to her, she had ruined everything, but it wasn't all her fault, how could he have been so stupid?! He put his head in his hands, all he wanted was to be back in Holland with Fin and away from this nightmare.
...
Edie left the hospital skipping happily down the road. She had him back and they were getting married! As soon as he was able to leave the hospital, they would get married in the local church. Not the wedding she had dreamed of, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Edie had overheard those nurses in the tea room as well and seeing that brunette who she knew was that blonde's friend, she had to act fast. The nurses were jealous when Speirs was brought in, in his delirium he had spoken of Fin, the beautiful front line medic. It was all Edie needed to know she was doing the right thing to secure her man. Fuck you Corporal Finney! Edie also hoped Corporal Finney would enjoy the new missions she would find herself on soon. Edie's uncle doted on her, revealing to Edie that Corporal Finney was more than a medic and that he could send her away from time to time. He didn't go into detail, but it was enough for Edie to feel at ease that Corporal Finney would have less and less contact with her Ron. Edie Speirs, it sounded wonderful.
