February 3, 1944

Aldbourne, England

Evelyn remained on cloud nine through the entire month of January. Her friends made sure to celebrate with her from night one, and she was sure she hadn't stopped smiling since.

Now that she was a real medic, she didn't partake in as many field exercises as she had before, but stayed in the aid station more often with Roe and Spina. They took turns treating the men for minor injuries from the field, and they quickly set an easy schedule for all three. Roe and Spina were thrilled to have her all the more often, and their team quickly became something other companies were hoping to achieve as well.

Meehan and Winters intensified the training not only for the soldiers in the field, but also the medics. Their CO demanded that they continue to study whatever they could, and to learn from the local doctor down the road. At first they were alarmed by how ancient the doctor seemed to be when they first introduced themselves, but it quickly became apparent that his knowledge was absolute - he was a medic in the Great War.

Evelyn walked back with Roe and Spina to their aid station after their first of many tutorials with the doctor. She whistled. "And the part when he described how he stopped the bleeding from the head wound?"

Spina shook his head in awe. "Packed snow. Jesus, it's brilliant. Not only would it stop the bleeding, but it's clean and it would reduce swelling. Damn genius."

She was eager to get back to her room so that she could write down everything the doctor had told them before she forgot it again. She had begun to keep notes of anything creative and nontraditional that she came across that might help once they were out there. Whatever works.

Before she could get back to the house, she saw a long line near the post office. Luz waved to her. "Evie! You've got letters!"

Forgetting her journal for the moment, Evelyn grinned and ran up to him. He handed her a stack, sending a thrill through her. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and she was pleased to see him blush. "Gotcha that time, Georgie."

Luz nudged her with his elbow. "Last time that happens, I promise you. Now get. I need to see how many love letters I got."

She chuckled before skipping away to the privacy of the garden. Her feet seemed to carry her there whenever she needed time to herself. She had no idea when the Davies, Adrianna or Judy might be at home.

Evelyn eagerly tore through the envelopes, excited to receive letters from home so quickly after getting some only last week. Bet the boys drove mom wild and she spent days reliving it in her writing to me, she thought with a grin. After her father had died when she was a teenager, her mother and she became closer than sisters - especially to survive the craziness of her three older brothers.

She found her bench, but the garden seemed busier than usual, although anyone passing by was hardly noticed by her. She had a letter each from her mother and her brothers, which surprised her - correspondence from Jack was few and far between because of where he was and Henry was never one to be able to put words to paper. She opened his first since she hadn't heard from him since his visit.

As she began to read, the wide smile on her face slowly fell away. Only a few words stood out to her after awhile, and she could only reread them over and over again. Her breath hitched in her throat. She couldn't believe its contents.

Tearing open her mother's letter to deny the claims, she found the paper to be wrinkled and far too crisp, as if dried with tears. Her own began to well up in her eyes.

...the officers tell me that he fought bravely, but I am sure this is just a script they are told to say. I already knew my son was brave. I don't know what else to say, my darling, only, I hope he didn't suffer. He was such a beautiful baby….

Evelyn cried out then, the sob breaking free. With shaking hands, she turned back to Henry's letter.

...Ev, you know I'm no good with words, but I just needed to tell you that I love you. Please be safe. We can't lose you, too.

Tears poured down her cheeks, but she needed to read her eldest brother's letter. She still didn't believe.

...Ma probably didn't say anything in her letter, but I'm worried about her, Ev. She hardly leaves her room and, even then, she doesn't eat. Please write to her as soon as you can so that she knows you're OK. I truly believe the only thing that will help her now is to see your handwriting and to read your love.

Evelyn bent at the waist and laid her head in her hands. She moaned with the pain in her heart, and rocked back and forth on the bench. The final letter was clenched tightly in her hand; she couldn't read it.

"Don't tell me you flirted your way into an extra helping from this mess, too, Cassidy," Liebgott drawled, puffing on a cigarette. Her head was between her knees. "Christ, I can only imagine the pain you must be in eating too much of this limey mush."

Evelyn flinched at his voice, but she didn't raise her head. "Go away," she croaked out, her voice thick.

"Aww, did I hit the nail on the head?" he teased, sitting down next to her. He noticed the letters strewn at her feet. "Or did your sweetheart at home write something so disgustingly sweet that it made you sick? I don't blame you."

"Go away, Joe," she repeated quietly into her knees. "Please." Her voice broke at the final plea.

Liebgott stilled, his fingers frozen around his cigarette. "What's wrong?" he tentatively asked.

Evelyn took a deep breath before sitting up suddenly, her eyes wild. "I said, go away!" she yelled.

He took in her red eyes and streaked face. "What happened?" he asked quietly.

Not even sure why, she silently handed him her mother's letter before leaning her forehead back in her hands. He read it quickly, his eyes closing as if in pain himself. After a moment, he turned to her. "I'm sorry," he said awkwardly.

Evelyn nodded, but didn't say a word. They sat together awhile, in silence, until she finally cleared her throat. "I...I know we are sworn enemies or something equally ridiculous, and I seem to be owing you a lot lately, but...uh…" she stuttered.

"What do you need? Name it."

She lifted her head then and met his gaze. In his eyes held a compassion she didn't know he had. She nodded again before handing him the final letter, wrinkled beyond repair. She cleared her throat again. "Can you… can you read that to me? I can't…" Her voice broke again.

Liebgott nodded back before taking the paper gently. With the envelope already open, he pulled the letter free and unfolded it. From the corner of his eye, he watched her lean down again, fingers clenched in her hair, preparing herself, before he began.

November 29, 1943

Dear Ev,

Look at you, Miss Fancy! Jumping from a plane! Did your big head help inflate the parachute? I shared the news with all the guys, and if you didn't have them all in love with you before, they are now. I'd expect several marriage proposals heading your way soon enough.

I'm assuming that you're heading into German territory since you're in England now. I know you had your heart set on coming to the pacific with me, but I'm glad you're not here. Not because of the danger - you can handle that more than anyone. But because it's so goddamn hot. We all strip down to practically nothing every day, and there is no way I can allow my little sister to do the same in front of these savages. Don't get me wrong, I love them like brothers, but they are some horny bastards.

It's funny to see how similar and different the Army and Marines are to one another. Granted the Marines were stupid enough not to allow women soldiers to fight (They missed out, Ev. I keep trying to tell them that.), but I look forward to debating with you which military branch is better when we both get home - here's a sneak preview - it's the Marines.

Ma seems to be in good spirits, but I'm sure Henry and Chris are driving her mad. Her two best children leaving her to deal with them - we sure are terrible. I hope she doesn't withhold the shepard's pie as punishment. I still dream about it every night. God, I hope the next stop has something more than rotten fruit and rations. I heard a rumor we're headed to someplace I can actually pronounce. Definitely a first. Don't worry, I'll be careful.

I know I tell you every time, and, every time, you tell me that I'm being stupid, but I don't care. I am so proud of you, Ev. You are incredibly brave to go to war as a woman alone. Whenever I am feeling low, I think of you, and you help me get through the day, through this fucking war. You inspire me, sis. Keep at it.

Love, your favorite brother,

Jack

Liebgott lowered the letter and silently watched Evelyn's back shake with sobs. He raised a hand to comfort her, but then lowered it again, unsure if she wanted to feel his touch. He cleared his throat. "Do you want me to read it again?"

It took Evelyn a long time before she recovered enough to sit up and wipe her eyes. Suddenly, a clean handkerchief appeared in front of her. She took it and wiped her nose and cheeks with it before grasping it tightly, almost as a lifeline. "Thanks."

With a deep breath, she stood and blinked at the sun, trying to dry her eyes. Turning to Liebgott, she took the letter he held out to her before picking up the rest from the ground. She paused, unsure how to move forward.

He saw it and gave her a small, sad smile. "Don't mention it."

The pain in her heart and the tears in her eyes blinded her. She impatiently rubbed the handkerchief across her face in an effort to see clearly, but it didn't seem to help. Sobs would break free from her chest every now and then, but her feet continued to move. She was not to be deterred.

"Evie, that was fast," said Luz when he saw her back. He ran up to her side. "I haven't even had a chance to..." He stopped her with a hand. "What's happened? What is it, sweetheart?"

Evelyn pushed against his hand. "I need...I need to get paper. I need to write back."

Luz tried to stop her again. "Evelyn, tell me what's going on."

She shook him off and turned to him. "I need to write back!" she cried. Her voice broke and her chest felt tight and hot. "I need to tell her I'm OK. Chris told me I need to write to her, that it's the only thing that can help because I'm not there." Her ramblings became louder. "I'm not there, George!"

He looked at her with wide eyes and placed both hands on her shoulders. She began to hyperventilate until he held her close. She collapsed into his chest, crying earnestly now. "That's it. Deep breaths, sweetheart. Catch your breath and we will get you some paper. Just breathe, Evelyn. Breathe."

It took her a long time to calm down enough to speak again. She held Luz closer, and he rubbed her back with a hand. She sniffled, "Jack." It was all she could say, but he understood.

Luz closed his eyes and rocked her when another wave of cries began. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm so, so sorry," he murmured in her ear.

When she had recovered enough, he fetched some paper, an envelope, and a pen for her. He sat with her as she wrote in case she needed to stop, which turned out to be often. He didn't speak unless she needed it.

After an hour or more, she had finally completed a letter to her mother. She couldn't stand writing to Henry and Chris yet, but she knew they'd understand. She shakily handed the addressed envelope to Luz. With a small smile, she murmured, "I don't know how to thank you, George. I couldn't have done that alone."

Luz returned her smile. "Then don't. We're family, Evelyn. Family is there for one another, like I know you'd be for me." She nodded silently before he hugged her once again. "Love ya, Ev."

Evelyn hugged him closer. "Love you, too, George."

After a few days to let the news sink in, Evelyn stood by the aid station, a clean handkerchief in her hands. She twisted it nervously. Finally, she spotted him. "Joe," she called.

Liebgott stopped walking in the group of soldiers before moving towards her instead. He waved to the guys, telling him he'd see them later. "Cassidy."

The cloth twisted faster in her hands. "Like I said before, I seem to be owing you a lot lately. I guess I just wanted to..."

He cut her off, something she was beginning to think he was programmed to do whenever she was trying to thank him. "Someone once told me I should work on being a decent human being. Been testin' it out."

Evelyn smiled for the first time in days. It felt strange, as if the muscles were protesting it. "Sounds like good advice." She realized she was ruining the handkerchief all over again, but held it out anyway. "Thanks for this too."

Liebgott ignored it, his hands in his pockets. "Keep it."

She rolled her eyes and shook it in front of him. "Take it, Joe."

"Didn't know anyone could nag about a damn handkerchief."

Evelyn huffed and bit her lip. "Jesus Christ, Liebgott, I'm trying to thank you and give you back what is probably the only clean thing on you, and you have to fight me every step of the way."

Liebgott smirked. "There she is. Been thinkin' we lost ya there for a minute."

She sucked on her teeth, but a smirk twitched at the corner of her mouth. The banter actually felt good, normal. "Back to tormenting then, are we?"

"Naturally."

Evelyn stepped up close to him and looked him straight in the eyes. They were inches away. She stuffed the handkerchief into his chest pocket before patting it. "Can't be in debt to my tormentor. See you later, Joe."

Liebgott watched her walk away, in sudden need for a cigarette.

April 1944

Evelyn threw herself into her work. She tried to write to her family every few days, knowing that as spring arrived, she wouldn't be hearing from them as often, and vice versa.

Easy had been assigned another lieutenant, Buck Compton, who became popular very quickly among the troopers, mostly because he enjoyed beer and gambling as much as they did.

Evelyn made it a point to go out with Adrianna that night to the pub. She had spent too many nights alone or in bed and crying. She was done with tears; it's the last thing Jack would want. If he was here with her now, he'd drag her to the bar, keen on using her as his wingman. Instead of Jack, she supported Luz, his pockets already stuffed with condoms she forced on him.

The three of them entered the pub. As always, it held mostly Easy soldiers, who always had a weakness for weekend partying, but some of the other companies scattered inside the small space as well. There was barely enough room for a billiards table in the connecting room.

Luz grinned and grabbed both of their hands before dragging them towards the group nearby. Compton and Malarkey were playing, and Malarkey was losing spectacularly. Muck, Penkala, Liebgott, and Talbert watched nearby, nursing their beers.

Compton only had the eight ball left, but he just missed it. He straightened before grinning. "I'll get it next time. Looks like you're gonna lose again, Malark. Hope you got enough this time."

Malarkey groaned. He still had four more striped balls to sink before he caught up. He lit another cigarette, preparing himself.

Seeing the opportunity, Adrianna sauntered up to him and took the smoke from his mouth. His eyebrows shot up. She took a drag before placing the cigarette back between his lips. "Leave it to me, handsome." And she took his billiards pole without another word.

Compton scoffed. "What, you need a broad to do your dirty..." He stopped mid sentence when Adrianna walked up to hit the white ball directly in front of him. Bending at the waist and with her well-developed rear end in the air, she aimed, causing all the men to gulp. Compton's eyes glazed over. Adrianna sunk the shot easily.

Straightening up again, she threw Compton a wink before doing it all again in front of the group of men. Evelyn watched as their heads bent simultaneously to the side to gain a better look at her ass. She giggled, shaking her head. Adrianna sunk the second shot.

Making her way back to Compton, she murmured, "Not very dirty, now is it, lieutenant?" And with a smirk, she bent over again. She missed the shot.

Adrianna turned and grinned. "Your shot, sir."

Compton cleared his throat. "Call me Buck."

"Your shot, Buck."

She made her way back over to Malarkey, her fingers teasing his sleeve. Compton was so focused on watching her, that he missed again, wide right. With a wink, Adrianna finished the game out before rejoining Evelyn.

"I want a cut of that, Don!" she called as Malarkey collected his winnings from Compton.

"Anything for you, Anna!" he called back, cackling.

Evelyn grinned and shook her head. "You are too much."

Adrianna winked. "Whatever it takes to make my girl smile again."