A/N Thank you for all the reads and review. Apologies once again to Jules for typing your name wrong in the comments, my phone changed it!
...
Hagenau
Fin looked up at the waning moon, the air was cold, but surprisingly welcome as she sat outside of her living quarters amongst the rubble and debris. She had sobered up not too long ago. She had stopped drinking after Ron had returned her to her room. She felt guilty and regret for being too drunk to go back with him. She had let herself fall in love with him, a deep love, one that there would be no return from, she knew this now. How could he feel the same way about her though? He didn't and she knew this even though he had said nothing. It was just sex, he had been passionate, he had wanted her, but it was lust not an act of love. How could it have been anything but lust? He was a soldier, a natural killer with a wife and a child on the way, how could he show love to someone else in the middle of a war? It was easy for Fin, she didn't have anyone else, her feelings for him hurt, they hurt because she knew that one day she would have to cope with those feelings alone, away from him. As long as there was a war, she had him, what a selfish girl she was. She would always love him and hang onto him for as long as she could until the war ended and he returned home to his family. A tear rolled down Fin's face. I love him.
A figure sat down next to Fin and their legs brushed. She looked up to see Nix managing half a smile at such an early time of the day. "Here" he handed Fin his sunglasses "You're gonna need these more than me"
Fin took them, he was right, she would, she could feel the mother of all hangovers starting.
"Reality dawns on you, doesn't it" he said looking straight ahead.
"Yes"
"Strange how you meet the right person in the most hopeless of places"
Fin smiled, he had it spot on "Yes, this is such a hopeless place"
"Things will work out, hang in there"
"I doubt they will, but I intend to hang on for as long as possible"
Nix held up his flask and Fin took it.
Fin was sure he was talking about Eve and Ron. He was, his contemplation had been due to the fact that he would be making a jump soon. They sat there in peaceful silence, a comfortable silence for a while. Dawn had started to break. Fin put on Nix's sunglasses took a swig from his canteen and handed it back.
"I'll be going soon Nix" Fin blurted out quietly.
Nix snapped his head at her "What do you mean?"
"There is one last thing I have to do, I'm not sure when, but I know it's coming"
"Eve hasn't mentioned anything to me"
"She wouldn't"
"Will you be back?"
Fin paused "...yes...I'm determined to come back"
"Good because I think a certain Captain will go out of his mind otherwise"
Fin smiled at Nix's romanticism, Eve was a lucky girl. Fin slipped her hand up her other sleeve and played with the bracelet Ron had given her for her birthday.
...
Fin had an overwhelming urge to see Ron, Nix has left her and she had turned to the Company CP. Will he welcome an early morning visitor? She had to see. She didn't feel right. She needed his arms around her.
The CP was empty. Fin walked to the back and through to the corridor where Ron's room was, taking off the sunglasses and slipping them into her pocket, she stood outside his door, contemplating whether she should knock. Fin held up her hand and hovered it over the door, she took a deep breath.
The door opened without her knocking. "I saw boots under the door" Ron said smiling, standing in front of Fin, shirtless, ruffling his bed hair. Fin was speechless; he realised she had nothing to say and grabbed her hand pulling her inside his room, shutting the door behind them. "Are you here to talk or something else?" he asked.
Fin stared at him they should talk really "Something else" she answered.
He smiled taking her other hand now and pulling her in close to him. Fin leaned in and kissed his chest, releasing her hands from his she placed them on his shoulders. She ran her hands down to his trousers, she unbuttoned them, taking his hand again and pulled him to his bed. He placed his hand behind her head and pulled her in, kissing her, softly, he eased her lips open and explored her mouth. "I'm going to be gentle this time" he whispered pulling away from their kiss.
Fin pushed him down on the bed as he stepped out of his trousers, Fin slowly undressed, teasing him as she slipped out of her trousers and then her shirt, revealing the underwear he saw in Aldbourne. Ron smiled, she looked incredible Fin crawled up him as he propped himself up against the headboard. She stopped and straddled him. He fingered her knickers, wanting to rip them but at the same time not wanting to so he could see her in them again. Fin rolled her hips down onto him, leaning forward and kissing him softly, biting his lip. He barely restrained himself as he flipped her over onto the bed, pulling her knickers off and then moving his hands up and under her bra. He massaged her breasts, gently, he didn't want to be rough with her this time, he wanted to show her how much he loved her. He couldn't say the words. How could he bestow such important words on her when he can't make her his yet?
...
She knew he loved her now. She didn't know whether this would make things easier or worse when he found out, but there would be no stopping it, he would eventually find out.
...
"I think we should talk now" Ron said rolling over and gathering Cara up into his arms, so that her body wrapped over his and her head lay on his chest "We haven't got much time, we'll be moving out soon"
"What do you want to talk about?" Cara asked running her fingers up and down his chest. Could she stall him? She knew this conversation would lead to some lies from her and she didn't want to lie.
"Us, the War, after the War" Ron sighed why was she so difficult?
Cara nuzzled her face into his chest "I really think that is up to you" she mumbled "You're the attached one"
"I'm going to deal with my marriage after the baby is born, I'll file for a divorce" he confirmed to Cara hoping that it would be enough for her.
Cara lifted her head and looked at him "Are you sure that is what you want?" should she let him go through with a divorce? He may regret it.
"Of course, I never wanted to marry her in the first place, her being pregnant was the only reason" Ron was getting frustrated "all this is your fault ya know!" he accused.
"My fault?! Please enlighten me!" Cara replied placing her palms on his chest and resting her chin on the back of her hands, staring up at him.
"If you had never joined 101st then I would never have had to distract myself from you!" Ron admitted remembering that day she walked past him in her dress uniform, she hadn't even noticed him, why would she when there were so many men vying for her attention. He had grabbed the nearest girl that night in the English pub, danced until Cara looked his way while she sang and then she winked at him, he had finally caught her eye. Despite his personal circumstances now, here she was in his bed, she still went to him, she loved him.
Cara laughed "My fault! Maybe you should have some self restraint Captain Speirs! Look at the mess you've gone and got yourself in!" Cara grinned.
Ron shuffled down and cupped Cara's face, leaning in and kissing her gently. "All I know is that I want you and no one else, how we work it out, I suppose we cross that bridge when we come to it. I just want us to enjoy being together."
Cara smiled a smile that she had never done before. It was more than she expected to hear. She didn't see him as a man who would say 'I love you' out loud, therefore these words he spoke were more than enough for her right now. Just to make sure in her messed up head though, she had to ask "Your reaction to my execution and the fact that you're my CO, do we have a problem?"
Ron's smile disappeared. "Your execution shocked me to my very core, you have no idea what I went through, timing your rescue with a very narrow window of success to work with..." he looked away from Cara "I can never go through that again Cara! Christ! Do ya hear me? Never again!" he said turning back to her and planting a passionate kiss on her lips. Cara sighed, she hadn't realised it had affected him so much. She had only thought about herself. She should check on the lads too.
"I'm sorry" she whispered pulling away from him before returning to his warm lips briefly. "I didn't realise, how it would affect other people, I have always dealt with my brushes with death on my own, this was maybe the first time I've needed rescuing...I think"
Ron frowned, he really wanted to pretend she had no dices with death. He released Cara, "Coming off the line makes being your CO a bit easier now, but make my job easy Cara, don't do anything stupid"
"I can't promise that, stupid is my middle name" Cara quipped, smirking.
Ron furrowed his brow "You will promise me! I've read all I can on you that they have up at Battalion and yes your middle name is stupid!"
"Remember everything you disapprove of have been orders!" Cara defended herself.
"I didn't see orders that required you to walk towards gun fire, I didn't see orders to take down a tank, I didn't see orders to cross the line and relieve the Krauts of their wine! I'm only naming a few here!"
"Harry ordered me to face down the tank"
"No he didn't , he confessed to me" Ron replied with an evil smile, he had a way of making people talk just by looking at them. Harry buckled pretty quickly without the need to threaten him.
It was Cara's turn to roll her eyes "You know I work for the SOE, are you really surprised?"
"No not surprised, I just don't like it"
If you don't like this, then you're not going to like what SOE didn't release to Battalion! Cara thought "You've done some stupid things too! Brecourt, late night swim resulting in getting shot and pneumonia, oh and Foy! Let's not forget your 'I'm bulletproof, I can run through the German line' stunt!" Cara mocked.
Ron laughed "Seems we have some things in common, I can recall your river swimming and 'bulletproof' moments too!"
"You know there's not a lot I can do about my 'stupidity'" Cara grinned.
"I know, Nixon told me about how you don't collect points, that the British government owns you"
"It's not as harsh as it all sounds. Nix caught me off guard that day, being back in England makes me want to stay there, I was just moaning about my military restrictions"
"How about America? Do you think you would like it there?" Ron asked, a premature question, but he would like to see what she said any way.
Cara raised an eyebrow don't get excited girl, he still has a wife..."Ahh... well...you see I really don't know...what's the tea like?" she smirked.
"Very good" Ron smiled leaning in to kiss Cara once again "Excellent in fact"
...
Fin approached the truck and looked over to see Captain Speirs approach his jeep, his parting words to her were "don't have too much fun with the men" he was serious! He didn't like her playing games where removing clothes were involved. She liked that he was protective or maybe it was possessive? Either way she liked it. He had nothing to worry about they wouldn't be playing those games in the back of a truck...anyway.
Tab held out his hand and hauled Fin in "Sit next to me" Fin smiled and did just that. "Ever been to Germany?" he asked.
"No" Fin lied, she had in fact been a few times. She wished she could be more honest with them all. They knew less than Speirs, how would they all take it when they find out? Fin was planning on telling them all as soon as she had the official nod from her superiors. Luz plonked himself down next to her propping his arm round her shoulder. "Ya know what doll, now that Guarnere is out the way, I think me and you should hook up!"
"Is that right?" Fin laughed
"Well, ya did say I was the sexiest soldier in the world!" Luz teased Fin much to her brief horror of his gag. Fin swiftly elbowed Luz.
"Hey, you best not have said that!" Tab complained. "Everyone knows I am!"
"What about me Fin?" Shifty questioned "Thought I was the sexiest? We dance good together ya know!" he winked sitting opposite her.
Fin laughed, she had no answer, but Luz better watch his back, she would be seeking revenge!
Speirs stood to the side of the truck, he had walked over wanting one more sight of Cara before they were separated for the journey. He didn't like the teasing she had with the men, he knew it meant nothing, but it annoyed him, he wanted her next to him, to tease him. Jealous was an understatement to what he was feeling right now. Keep your hands off her, she's mine. He hesitated to leave, but stopped to the sound of laughter from the truck, they were cracking jokes now, he felt slightly better.
"Why do they bury Nazi's 20 metres underground?" Luz piped up.
A chorus of "dunnos" replied
"Because deep down they're real nice!"
A host of groans replied.
"Hey Fin!" Perconte asked sat next to Shifty. "You got any jokes?" the truck's engine started "Don't think I know any British ones"
"Yes I've got one" Fin replied as she gained the attention from the rest of the lads in the truck.
"An RAF Group Captain was about to start the morning briefing to his staff.
While waiting for the tea to finish brewing, the Group Captain decided to pose a question to all assembled.
He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sound sleep.
He posed the question of just how much of sex was 'work' and how much of it was 'pleasure?'
A Wing Commander chimed in with 75-25% in favour of work.
A Squadron Leader said it was 50-50%.
A Flight Lieutenant responded with 25-75% in favour of pleasure, depending upon his state of inebriation at the time.
There being no consensus, the Group Captain turned to the Corporal who was in charge of making the tea. What was his opinion?
Without any hesitation, the young Corporal responded, "Sir, it has to be 100% pleasure."
The Group Captain was surprised and as you might guess, asked why?
"Well, sir, if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them."
Laughter broke out. Speirs groaned outside the truck, her joke had to be about sex didn't it!
...
Near Munich, Germany
Fin stood on the opposite side of the road smoking her cigarette as she watched Ron move through the crowd his arms laden with silver candlesticks, trays and alike. Fin smiled and chuffed to herself, he was certainly an opportunist. Fin had looked, but nothing had really caught her eye, she wasn't one for knick knacks why was that? Probably because besides from her parents house, which was no more, she never had another house, nowhere to put knick knacks. She wondered where Ron was sending it all, to his own house? To his parents? To his wife? Fin's thoughts were interrupted by a jeep speeding through and nearly taking Ron out causing her to stop breathing for a second.
Speirs scowled at the jeep for a brief moment before stalking into the APO. He walked over to the counter and placed his looted possessions on it, adding a stack of cigarette packets with them. He was pleased with this morning's loot, although he had a slight shock walking in on Janovec with that blonde German girl. At first glance at seeing the blonde hair, all he saw was Cara. That was his shock, his absolute dread of ever of seeing Cara with someone else. Luckily for Janovec he had things to do and let the boy have some fun.
"Good Morning Sir!" Vest addressed Speirs cheerfully as he placed a stack of letters in a pigeon hole and walked over to the Captain.
"Morning" Speirs replied much less cheerfully "You got a box all this can fit in?"
"Yes Sir I do" Vest eyed up Speirs' haul "Same destination Sir?"
"Yeah" Speirs hesitated as he fiddled with one of the candlesticks "Yeah, same destination" he had been splitting the loot between Edie for the baby and his parents home in Boston for safe keeping until his return. He had started to plan a future for himself and Cara.
"I'll make sure it goes out first thing in the morning Sir" Vest assured Speirs
Speirs turned and stalked back to the door "Thank you Private"
"Your parents are sure going to have a hell of a collection by the time you get..." Vest rattled off until he realised Speirs had stopped and was glaring at him, Vest gulped "...home...Sir" he regretted his words instantly as Speirs' glare continued to intimidate him.
Speirs continued his glare get home he wondered when that would actually happen. He wouldn't be going anywhere without Cara, that he was sure of. He opened his mouth 'Finder's Keepers" he smirked mischievously.
...
Fin watched as Nix jumped out of the jeep still in his jump gear looking extremely unhappy to say the least. Fin didn't even know he was making a jump. It had gone wrong, that was obvious.
Fin crossed the street, back to the Aid station, she had been kept very busy there along with the other medics since they arrived leaving her hardly any spare time. That meant no time with Ron and no time with the lads. She wanted a bit of down time but they all had jobs to do.
Fin made her way through the crowd, it seemed the whole 101st were out on the streets today! crossing the street, Ron stepped out of the APO smiling a sly smile. "Sir" Fin addressed him correctly.
"Corporal" his smile turned to a friendly one. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the Aid station Sir" Fin replied squinting in the pleasant sunshine, she was certainly enjoying the warmth on her skin, enabling her to undo a couple of top buttons on her shirt.
Speirs looked around, no one was paying them much attention, a few looks, but most of the troopers averted their eyes quickly on realising it was him standing there talking to the pretty medic "I need some looking after" he said in a low gruff tone, smiling at her, staring at her neck, her soft skin exposed.
"And what is wrong with you Sir?" Fin replied playing along.
"I've been neglected since arriving in Germany and it's making me feel very tense" Speirs thought back to catching Janovec earlier.
"In that case Sir, I recommend a massage" Fin grinned "There's a curvaceous, middle aged Fräulein working out the back of one of those 'bars' just down the road, she's a bit rough, but satisfying, so I've been told!"
Speirs laughed briefly, then abruptly stopped "I have a poker game tonight, I expect to find you in my room after it" he walked away, brushing his body into the side of hers, leaving Fin feeling electric.
Fin looked over to Nix's jeep, he was gone. She was tempted to go and see him, but she was due back at the Aid station.
...
"Hey Doc! Where's Fin?" Luz called into the front entrance of the Aid Station.
Doc looked up from the man he was treating for severe blisters on his feet, an actual welcome relief to the wounds he had been dealing with in this war. "Fin!" he shouted towards the room behind him. Fin popped her head round spotting Luz standing in the entrance, she smiled.
"Your escort, to today's current events m'lady!" Luz announced bowing to Fin.
"Ha!" Fin laughed "Spina can you finish off here for me? Fin asked to a groan from her patient behind her.
"Yeah sure Fin"
"Thank you!" Fin frowned at her patient " Sorry lad"
Fin skipped over to Luz and accepted his arm and they walked back out into the sunshine. "Still only Yank current events?"
"You're with the Yanks, so yes!" Luz grinned.
Speirs watched as Cara and the technician walked arm in arm through the street as he stood in the doorway of the CP. How he looked forward to the day he could openly walk with her like that. Although he knew they were only friends, he still envied the man, to a stranger they could pass for a couple in love. He longed for the day she would be an ordinary woman with an extraordinary past, hanging off his arm.
Luz lead Fin to the square where they took their seats with the other men. Fin sat herself between Shifty and Luz. "Feel like I hardly see you now that we've arrived in Germany!" Shifty said leaning over.
"Aid station keeps me busy, sorry Shifty, maybe we be can make some time?"
"I'd like that" he replied smiling.
"...You'll be happy to know that Oklahoma is still playing on Broadway!" Nix mentioned flipping the pages on his clipboard while Luz broke out into the tune from the show. Nix looked up smiling and mimed the actions of a conductor.
"Ooooooklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!" the other men joined in much to Fin's amusement, although she didn't. "...where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet, when the wind comes..." George abruptly stopped the singing behind a new replacement O'Keefe who unfortunately had continued on his own.
"...right behind the rain!" he sang in an unusually high pitched tone
"You sitting on your bayonet O'Keefe?" Christenson teased causing an uproar of laughter, including Fin who laughed a little bit harder than necessary.
"You should leave the singing to Luz and Fin!" Tab poked fun at O'Keefe.
Nix chuckled and looked back down at his clipboard as the laughing died down " Rita Hayworth is getting married"
"Oh Rita! Say it ain't so!" Luz chimed in.
"It's ok, Fin is still unattached!" Tab announced looking over at her. Nix looked up at Fin and made eye contact with her grinning, for they knew differently.
"Marry me Corporal!" Christenson piped up at Tab's so called fact.
"How can I refuse such a romantic proposal!" Fin laughed turning to Christenson "Why it's a yes!" Fin replied to a host of wolf whistles and humming to the wedding march tune.
"Noooo! I thought I was on a promise!" Luz announced elbowing her.
"Alright! Alright calm down boys, I'm sure Fin will let you all have a turn!" Nix quipped to an eruption of more laughter.
"Hey I have no problem with that!" Fin joined in.
"Ok, back to reality" Nix quietened them all down "War news! Looks like there is little resistance now and could be a break out soon, apparently the Krauts forgot to blow up one of their bridges before heading back over the Rhine" everyone cheered. "Ok, that's it for now" Nix finished looking up from his clipboard "Fin, Winters wants you in the CP, can you head over there now?"
"Yes Sir" Fin smiled and stood up.
...
Fin knocked on the door to Winters office.
"Enter"
Fin walked in to see Winters and Speirs standing by a map on the wall and Winters' orderly tapping away on the typewriter. Winters looked up and smiled "Over here Fin" Fin joined them standing so dangerously close to Speirs that she thought she could feel the rhythm of his heartbeat quicken on her approach.
Winters pointed to the map "Another reconnaissance job for you Fin" she nodded to catch Speirs scowling from the corner of her eye "...They'll be across the river by now Fin, check it out" then he turned his eyesight to Speirs "on her return send out another night patrol and check out the embankment on the other side"
"Yes Sir" Fin replied and Speirs nodded keeping silent.
"Fin" Winters started concerned, Fin turned to him equally concerned for his tone "We have picked up a morse code message, it seems like it could be a British message according to intelligence, but we have no idea what it means and why it is being repeatedly sent. Battalion think that it's deliberate, aimed for us to pick it up" Winters handed Fin a piece of paper from his inside jacket pocket "Can you shed any light?"
Fin looked at the single word typed in the middle of the page 'Gobble' she knew exactly what it meant "I have no idea Sir, how very confusing" Fin replied staring at the word. It was nearly time.
"Corporal?"
Fin looked up, Speirs looked her in the eyes, she was lying "Are you sure you don't know?" he asked taking the piece of paper from Fin.
"Yes Sir"
"If anything comes to light, you must inform us" Winters ordered.
"Yes Sir"
The door to the office swung open and Nix entered, they all looked up "The president's dead" he informed. Winters and Speirs looked at the floor for a brief second taking in the news.
"What?" Fin exclaimed "Roosevelt is dead Sir?" Fin needed confirmation.
"That's right Fin" Nix replied perplexed at Fin's reaction.
"Oh my God!" Fin mumbled walking towards the door in a slight daze, brushing past Nix as he turned to watch her walk out, not waiting to be dismissed, she had been completely distracted by the news.
"Don't you think that's a little bit of an over reaction from a Tommy?" Nix asked Winters and Speirs turning to them.
"Yes" Speirs stated.
"What you got there?" Nix asked walking over to Speirs.
"Coded message from the British we think" Speirs replied. Nix took the sheet of paper and looked at it 'Gobble' he stared at it and then walked out in silence still looking at the word.
"Don't you hate how those two have this skill for leaving us confused?" Winters said turning to Speirs.
Speirs nodded, glaring at the empty doorway, what the fuck just went on?!
...
Fin walked out into the dark, heading over to Speirs' room, she didn't know what time he would be finished playing poker, but she could get a bit of sleep in his room while she waited. As she crossed under a street light a figure standing in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Fin turned and recognised the silhouette immediately. Grinning Fin changed her direction and walked towards the figure.
"Eve!" she excitedly greeted her best friend "What are you doing here?" she asked grabbing both of her hands.
"Fin darling, the signal has been triggered" Eve blurted.
"I know, I've received it, what are you doing here though?"
"I managed to get myself on the extraction team, I want to be as close to you on this as possible" Eve replied in desperation.
"Thank you, you are a dear friend." Fin smiled "Are you going to see Nix?"
"No, I don't really have time, I needed to see you in case the agent came for you sooner rather than later, no one knows who it is and when they'll come." Eve replied, it was more than the truth although she did need to speak to Speirs at some point soon.
"Thank you, it means a lot, please don't worry though this isn't going to be a problem" Fin tried to reassure her friend, not really being able to convince herself just yet.
"This is the big one Fin, please just do the job and don't deviate! Promise me!"
"I promise" Fin replied as the two women hugged, hoping it wouldn't be the last time.
"Ok I better get going, I don't want them to notice I'm missing"
"Ok my darling Eve, you stay safe please" The two ladies let go of one another reluctantly and parted ways. Eve walked back into the darkness and Fin turned back to the CP.
...
Speirs looked over at the clock on the mantle place, he wondered if Cara was already waiting for him, the poker game had gone on longer than he had anticipated and they were already through too much beer and Whiskey. He had no problem being drunk, he just didn't want to be too drunk, as well as having Cara tonight, he wanted to 'interrogate' her over that British coded message and her reaction to the Roosevelt news. He knew she knew what it meant and it worried him that she wasn't being honest. She was under American contract, he was her CO and if he had to pull rank on her then he damn well would.
"Pair of Queens bets" Lip called
The conversation was flowing quite nicely considering they were all beyond tipsy now. 'Alright, Two bucks" Speirs said throwing the notes onto the table.
"Nix?" Lip questioned as Nix emptied the last drops of Whiskey into his glass
"Nah I'm out" he said getting up and leaving the room.
"Alright, well I'll call your two" Lip replied ignoring Nix and throwing his bills onto the table to the sound of Nix clinking empty bottles in the next room.
"Oh! I can't believe we're not going to drop into Berlin!" Harry sighed taking a drag from his cigarette.
"No shit!" Speirs mused.
"Ike's gonna let the Ruskies have it!" Harry blew out his cigarette smoke, nestling back into his chair.
Speirs was amused "Ha! Ruskies!"
"God damn it!" Nix cursed as he pulled the room apart looking for Whiskey.
"I'll tell ya something else, this war isn't about fighting any more, it's about who gets what" Speirs added.
The three officers all stared at their cards as Nix re-entered the room.
"Why don't you go ahead and deal me out the next hand" Nix suggested as he put on his jacket and walked past the men heading outside.
"What about your money?" Speirs called after him but without looking up.
"Are we waiting on him again?" Harry asked motioning his hand holding the cigarette in Nix's general direction.
"Yep" Lip sighed.
Nix walked outside, standing under the porch to shelter from the pouring rain, while he lit a cigarette. He stepped out into the darkness unaffected that he would get soaked through and strolled down the road.
He stopped outside a shop window.
Nix turned to the jeep parked beside him and grabbed the Jerry can, he swung it, letting go, it smashed through the shop window.
CRASH!
He stepped through the window as a dog started to bark an upstairs light went on and a window opened, a German man leaned out shouting. Nix climbed back out and ever so briefly looked up before muttering and moving on through the street. Angry at finding nothing he walked between a couple of jeeps as troops jumped out dressed in ponchos "Sir" they addressed him as they jogged past. Nix carried on his stroll until he was stopped by two obviously female figures standing in the dark just ahead of him. He stepped back into a shop doorway and waited. He could just make out the voices Fin and Eve! His recognition was confirmed as the two ladies said farewell and Fin jogged past him as he slunk back into the doorway so she couldn't see him. He stepped out and hurriedly chased Eve down.
...
Speirs walked up to his room, he was looking forward to his late night visitor. He opened the door and walked inside to be greeted with bitter disappointment. She wasn't there. He looked around to make sure, although it was unnecessary. He walked over to his window and pulled the curtains shut, it was chucking it down with rain, where the fuck was she? Just as he felt his rage increase twofold in a matter of seconds the handle turned on his door. Cara slipped in closing the door behind her "Oh I was hoping to get here before you!" she said wiping the rain drops from her face and removing her soaking wet field jacket.
"Why weren't you? Where have you been?" Ron snapped, regretting his instant reaction.
"Sorry darling, but I'm here now!" Cara grinned ignoring his mood.
"What delayed you?" Ron replied softening slightly, not wanting to ruin tonight.
"Oh just secret spy stuff" Cara teased. "I need warming up before I catch my death!" She teased him some more.
Ron grinned walking over to Cara he grabbed her pushing her hard against the wall, pulling at her wet clothes, "You'd better stop lying and tell me what you know about that coded message, otherwise you're not going to be able to walk tomorrow by the time I've finished with you!" He threatened.
"In that case, I think I just became a compulsive liar!" Cara smirked slipping her hand down the top of his trousers.
...
"Eve!" Nix called stopping the female dead in her tracks.
The brunette turned round "Lew!" she happily greeted him through the rain as if it was normal for her to be there.
"What! You're here and you haven't come to see me?" He demanded dropping his cigarette to the road.
"I'm here on business Lew" she replied placing her knapsack over her head as a makeshift umbrella.
"You can have a gossip with Fin knowing I'm here and then just leave?" Nix was sobering up quickly, Eve was just what he needed right now.
"Oh darling it's not like that, I was planning on coming to see you, I was... I just had a pressing matter with Fin first" Eve was starting to feel guilty, she wanted to see him more than anything, but she didn't really have the time.
"I know what the message means!" Nix blurted out gaining Eve's immediate attention. He had worked it out before the poker game, but had so far kept the information to himself.
"What message?" Eve played dumb.
"You know! it's why you're here isn't it?"
"Can we go somewhere quiet?" Eve asked
Nix pointed back to the Officer's living quarters and together they walked over. Nix ushered Eve upstairs and into a lounge at the end of the corridor. Eve walked in and sat herself by the lit fireplace in a large leather chair to dry and warm up.
"Time for answers Eve!" Nix shouted "Why is Fin jumping into Berlin?"
"You got that from the message?" Eve tried to divert Lew.
Lew scowled making sure Eve knew not to mess him about. He walked over and stood over her.
"Ok, Ok darling, please keep your voice down, this will explain it all" Eve replied removing a brown folder from her knapsack. She didn't like seeing Lew angry, but all will be revealed soon enough.
"What is that?" Nix demanded.
"Fin's real military record" Eve replied coyly.
"What the fuck did we have then?"
"One of her many decoy records, but you Americans did have one that had more truths than untruths in it!"
Nix took the folder and opened it, all he had to do was read the first line and suddenly everything became clear "You're fucking shitting me!" looking up from the folder, he looked down at Eve in utter disbelief.
