The engine of the plane rattled the soldiers. At one point, Evelyn thought it was going to rock her to sleep and then the next, she thought her brains would become addled and ooze from her nose. The airsickness pills did nothing to help; they made her queasy, and if the faces of her fellow soldiers were any indication, they were too. She made a mental note to add the thought to her journal. Skip the pills.

Luz was seated in the middle of the aircraft next to Cobb. She was all the way in the back, her eyes flicking over all of them to make sure no one needed anything.

She watched as Luz shouted something to Cobb a moment before they traded seats. Confused, she soon understand that he didn't want to be near the window anymore; Evelyn knew he had a fear of heights. She smirked. So he signed up to be a paratrooper. Figures.

At first she thought the booms were just in her head, but then she saw the men turn to the sound. They had heard them too. Before they could question anything, the red light went on, flooding the line of faces across from her. She stood with everyone else.

Evelyn hooked up and then twisted to check her equipment and then Shifty's in front of her. He did the same for her since she had no one behind her. With a nod from him, she patted him hard on the arm and shouted, "Twenty OK!"

The shouts slowly dissolved down the line and disappeared into the roar of the plane. And then, they waited for the green light.

Evelyn swore that they must have passed France and were turning back again, the wait was so long. The plane began to shake and bounce as artillery from the ground began to make its way towards the Allied forces. Her heart was in her throat and it pounded. Come on!

Just then, something hit through the window in the middle and she watched as a soldier cried out and fell to the bench, clutching at his face. Evelyn reacted and unhooked before pushing herself forward towards him.

It was Cobb, and his face was bloody. "Roy!" she yelled, pulling at his wrists. "Let me see!"

Just then, a green light washed over his face and she felt the heart in her throat stop. Shit.

After successfully pulling Cobb's hands from his face, she felt the men behind her begin to move. Luz squeezed her upper arm a moment before he was in the front of the plane. She tried to remember his touch in case she never felt it again. She then focused on Cobb.

His right eye was covered in blood from a deep cut above his eyebrow. He couldn't see out of it, and it was beginning to bleed into his left. She swallowed. "You can't jump, Roy!"

His eyes widened, even through the blood. "You can't mean that, Evie!" he cried.

Lipton stumbled towards them. "Everything all right?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Cobb can't jump, sir!"

Lipton nodded as Cobb gaped. "Stay on the plane, Cobb! Cassidy, time to go!"

She nodded again. She looked at Cobb as she hooked up. "I'm sorry, Roy." He didn't answer her.

Following Lipton, she watched as he jumped. It was a few more moments before she was able to get to the front, the plane jostled violently. And then she was at the door. Before she could rethink what the hell she was doing, she jumped.

The ground came at her before she had time to breathe. She rolled gracefully, quickly pulling her parachute in and unhooking it from her back. Her hands now felt empty. I want my gun back.

Pops of gunfire surrounded her on one side, so she crouched and made her way in the other direction. High sea grass brushed her legs as she passed until she found a road. Hiding in the trees and shadows, she tried to figure out where she was.

Walking along the road, she noticed that she was heading inland. Turning around again, she headed back towards the shore until she finally found a street sign. Avranches - 1 km. Where the hell was she?

Closing her eyes, she tried to remember the maps that Nixon and Meehan attempted to wallop into her skull. Finally, she figured it out. She was on the other side of the peninsula, and far too south. Instead of following the coast which could take her days to find her men, she headed inland again, trying to keep north as possible. She repeated northern towns again and again in her head, hopeful to see more signs soon.

After a few hours of walking with no weapon and no sign of anyone else, she finally found another sign, and the sight both cheered and made her wince. Coutances - 40 km. The town was in the right direction, but it was only halfway to the assembly point. She sighed. Long walk ahead.

Evelyn had several mental notes in her head to thank Luz for being so strict on her war paint. More than once, she had happened upon the enemy, and more than once, she had slipped away unnoticed. She tried not to think about the time she was bound to be found.

She had been walking for hours, but, now, as the sun rose, her camoflauge did nothing. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and her nerves crackle around her.

She had just finished hiding in the rotten and hollow trunk of a tree as a company of Germans marched past her. It didn't take her long to realize she must be far from any ally.

Evelyn was more careful in her hike towards the north, but by being so, it took her that much longer to make headway. She stomach grumbled, and she was already halfway through her canteen, but the light was starting to fade. D-Day was almost over.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Evelyn began to run. Her lungs burned, and her head hurt, but she ran. Just as she knew she must be getting closer, she stopped, her instincts taking over. She heard voices. Her eyes widened. English speaking voices.

With a deep breath, she murmured, "Flash!"

Several men replied, "Thunder!"

Another breath, and Evelyn walked out from the brush to find a small group of American soldiers, whom she had never seen before. She held up her hands. "I'd raise my rifle over my head, gentlemen, but I'm a medic and I don't have one."

They stared at her until one of them finally spoke what they all thoughts. "Is that a broad?"

Evelyn grinned. "Very observant of you." She paused. "Although I am a combat medic, I was trained to be an infantryman first. Does anyone have an extra rifle?"

The man in front nodded and handed her the second one he had in hand. "Hope you don't mind a kraut gun, ma'am."

She nodded her thanks. "Not in the least. And please call me Evelyn. 101st Airborne Division."

The man grinned. "I'm William. This here is Jim, Teddy, and Frank. 502nd. Heard the 101st had some women soldiers."

She began to walk with them. "I'm one of five, but we started with twenty-seven. Are we headed towards your regiment? I'm trying to go north towards mine."

William nodded. "Yeah, ours is supposed to be nearby. If you'd like, stop by for a bite to eat and a snooze first. I know we're starved. It's the only thing that we've been able to talk about for the last hour."

Evelyn chuckled quietly, reveling in the feeling of safety the rifle gave to her. "I'll take you up on the food, but I will need to keep moving."

Soon enough, they found the 502nd. To her delighted surprise, there she found Talbert, Smokey and Shifty. They had just finished a battle with the regiment.

"Evie!" cried Talbert, giving her a hug.

She giggled. "Last time you were this happy to see me, Tab, you were looking for a condom."

Talbert wrinkled his nose. "No broads in sight except for you, doll. Unless…" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Rolling her eyes, she smacked him on the head before moving to hug Shifty and Smokey next. "It's so good to see you guys, you have no idea."

Shifty grinned shyly. "Good to see you too, Evie."

Just then there was a shout and a cry from behind them. A bloodied soldier was being carried in. Evelyn jumped to attention and ran towards the men, immediately diving into work. "Grab me when you're ready to find Easy!" she called over her shoulder, and she disappeared into the thick of the wounded.

June 7, 1944

Evelyn was exhausted. She had worked the better part of the night, helping where she could, only sleeping and eating for an hour or two near dawn. Now she was back on her feet and walking towards Easy's assembly point with the other four men. They had picked up Blithe along the way.

It took them the better part of the day, and it was into late night when they finally strolled into Sainte Marie-du-Mont. They had encountered the enemy here and there, but had escaped without much fighting.

As soon as they entered the town, they could feel something was off. It was bustling with Allied soldiers, but after several minutes, they didn't see one soldier from the 506th. Evelyn cringed. Shit, we missed them.

Talbert closed his eyes in annoyance. "Goddamn it," he muttered.

Evelyn sighed, dead on her feet. "I can't walk anymore."

Shifty nodded sleepily. "Besides, they might still be moving. I say we stay the night and start fresh tomorrow."

They all agreed. With a pang, she thought of Luz and her friends, hoping they were with Easy. To wait another day to see if they survived was almost too much to bear, but Shifty was right. They might be chasing a walking target.

June 8, 1944

Coup de Ville, France

Luz bounced on the balls of his feet nervously. He hadn't slept more than a few hours over the last two days, but he couldn't stop moving. He wouldn't stop until he found his best friend. If he had to wait a lifetime, so be it. And he refused to move on again without her. Leaving Sainte Marie-du-Mont almost killed him.

His friends around him were comparing their finds from dead German soldiers. He thought if Perconte showed the ample amount of watches he stole again, he was going to wring his neck.

Adrianna grumbled beside him. Her fingers played with the handle of the knife on her hip. "I could make it quick. Then he'll be quiet forever," she murmured. Unlike Luz, she sat still as a statue, besides her threatening motion with her hand.

Suddenly, they snapped their necks to the side at the sound of boots coming down the lane. When Luz saw her, he ran to meet Evelyn, colliding with her hard.

"Christ!" she cried. "George! Are you trying to kill me?"

Luz pulled back from his hug to grab her shoulders and shake her. "Are you tryin' to kill me, Evelyn? Where the fuck have you been?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, undeterred at his foul language and anger. She knew it was displaced, and besides, she was thrilled to see him. "Missed the DZ. Found the 502nd and these guys first."

Just as soon as Luz let her go, Adrianna knocked into her, squeezing the life from her. She pulled back, her blue eyes flashing dangerously. "What the fuck, D?"

Evelyn didn't even have the heart to admonish her for shouting that. She grinned as the three of them began walking behind Talbert, Shifty and Smokey, his arm tight around her shoulders, and her arm around her middle. "You can't do that to me again, sweetheart. I'm too young for a heart attack," muttered Luz.

Liebgott looked up at the commotion, and a strong wave of relief washed over him when he saw Evelyn alive and well. In the next moment, he hid it again by showing Talbert the Nazi flag he stole. "Look, Tab. Get anythin' this disgusting?"

The men ignored him for the most part to greet the newcomers, taking the time to kiss Evelyn on the cheek and ruffling her hair. She smiled wide at seeing them all. She caught Liebgott's eye and he nodded. Nodding back, she turned to walk into town.

Luz was chatting happily now, and they were joined by Guarnere and Malarkey, who was bringing them up to speed on what she had missed. Adrianna ran off again to join her company, appeased that her friend was alive.

"And then, the idiot runs out there to see if the dead kraut had a luger!" cackled Guarnere.

Evelyn gasped. "What the hell you thinking, Malark? You're lucky to be alive!"

Malarkey gave her a sheepish look. "I'm aware, Evie. You don't need to scold me because they already have."

She gave him a look. "Rest assured we will be having a talk, and scolding will be included. And poor Popeye! His ass has bad luck."

They continued to give Malarkey a hard time until they happened upon a wagon filled with the bodies of a few dead soldiers. Evelyn was about to look away, but one soldier's face caught her eye. Slowly, she walked to pull the sheet back to see more.

Guarnere looked hard at the body and frowned. "He fought with us at Brecourt. His name is…"

"Hall," she finished. "Yes, I know." She brushed the hair back from his face a moment before her fingers touched his cold skin of his forehead. She snapped her hand back when she felt it.

Luz pulled on her other hand. "Come on, Evie. Let's get some food for you."

Evelyn nodded, agreeing, but her eyes stayed on Hall even after they began to walk away. She looked at his face for the last time until she couldn't any longer. "What's Meehan planning for us next?"

"Yeah, about that..."

Turns out, Evelyn only had time enough for a quick snack before Easy was called together. They were on their way to take Carentan. Now that he was reunited with Evelyn, Luz's mood had lifted dramatically, and he tried to keep her smiling, especially after he broke the news that Meehan was still MIA. They began marching after Welsh's order to move out.

"Another thing to remember, boys," Luz called out in his best General Taylor voice. "Flies spread disease. So keep yours closed."

The soldiers chuckled and nudged Luz. He turned to Evelyn with a wicked grin. "Or..."

Her eyes widened. "Don't you dare."

Luz raised the octave of his voice slightly and batted his eyes. "Bag it, gentlemen or feel my wrath!" he added. His impression of her, she had to admit, was spot on.

The men now cackled, moving to poke her instead. She jumped, yelping. "Quit it, you beasts!" she cried laughing.

"Oy!" called Welsh. "What did I say about light and noise discipline?"

The soldiers quieted immediately. She gave Luz a look and knocked her shoulder with his. "Yeah, Luz."

"Right back at ya, Cassidy."

Carentan, France

After losing the other companies during the march several times, Easy had to camp out in a field that night, taking turns to keep watch. Before they knew it, it was morning and time to take the town.

Evelyn had the unique perspective of a soldier who began training solely in combat but then transitioned to the medic role, unlike Roe and Spina who began their medical training immediately. She must have missed the portion when medics were told to stay behind and wait for a call for them.

Watching her friends run into gunfire and mortar strikes wasn't something she was prepared for. She had left her kraut rifle behind, but now her hands itched for it. Everything inside her was screaming to get up and help with the fight. Staying behind was too much to bear, especially when Luz ran out first with Welsh.

And then multiple calls came at once. She looked at Roe and Spina, signaling to them that she'd go up the middle while they each took a side. They nodded back and they quickly separated from one another.

Running up the central street, artillery peppered around her feet, but still she ran. Sliding next to the injured soldier by Lipton, Perconte, and Guarnere, she helped drag him back to safety until she could treat him. The men left her again, but she was focused on the injured soldier. Just as she was about to compress his chest wound, she glanced at his eyes, which were still and glassy. He was dead.

Closing her eyes to take a moment, Evelyn ran back to the heels of second platoon, waiting and listening. They rounded the bend and disappeared once again, leaving her. She couldn't help a peek, and she was surprised to see Blithe leaning against the building alone.

"Albert!" she shouted.

He didn't respond. With another breath, Evelyn ran to his side, but it was too dangerous where they were. "Albert!" she yelled again, but still he didn't respond. He didn't even react.

Pulling him by the straps of his pack, she dragged him slowly back around the bend, praying the krauts didn't see them. It took her several minutes until she finally got him to safety behind the building, her hands aching and her lungs burning from the effort.

"Albert, what is it? Where does it hurt?" she wheezed.

"Evie? I can't see. I can't see anything," he replied. He was unnaturally calm.

Another call for a medic. She squeezed his shoulder before yelling to him once more. "OK, just stay here. I'll come back for you when it's over!" Blithe only nodded.

Easy was clearing the buildings one by one. She watched as Liebgott and Tipper ran into one. Liebgott came back out again, unscathed, but she waited longer to see the same for Tipper. Instead, a grenade launcher zeroed into the home, blasting it to pieces.

"Tipper!" she cried, running towards the building. She arrived the same time as Liebgott, with Penkala quick on his heels. Before they could bust through the doors, Tipper staggered out.

"Jesus," breathed Liebgott and Evelyn together. He recovered first.

"Lookin' good, Tip," he said.

Tipper gasped in and out, the dust of the ruined building being inhaled. "Joe? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me." Liebgott motioned to him and grabbed his arm. "Come on, buddy. You gotta sit down," he added gently.

Evelyn watched the exchange, and the compassion she hardly saw from Liebgott was back and he didn't try to hide it this time. He held his friend close to him and motioned to Evelyn with his chin to look him over. "Hang in there, buddy. Cassidy is here. She's gonna take good care of you."

She snapped to attention and knelt in front of them. She began tearing through sulfa packets for his many wounds. She began with his right thigh, which was easily the worst, a huge and bloody gash. "Hey Eddie," she said, trying to keep her voice bright. "You're going to be OK."

"Evie?" Tipper asked. One of his eyes was either missing or blasted to pieces. The other was caked in dust and blood.

"That's right, I'm here," she replied, shaking the sulfa in the wounds. Without trying to alarm him, she looked at his face, but the bleeding at stopped. She moved next to his foot, unsure how he had stood on it just moments ago with the huge hole there. It was still smoking. "Hang in there for me. Lean on Joe, that's it."

After bandaging his leg and shooting a syrette of morphine into his thigh, Evelyn looked to Liebgott and she nodded. He understood at once, and together they got Tipper into his arms. Penkala got on his other side to help, and the three of them rushed him from the battle.

As soon as she was settled with Tipper, the rest of them ran back to help end the fight. Evelyn watched them go a moment before turning back to him. "That's it, Eddie. Nice, deep breaths. We're going to get you out of here in no time."

Before she could finish dressing his wounds for travel, the battle had come to an end when the German forces fled. Smokey shot a machine gun in their direction for good measure.

With quick work, the men were able to clear a still standing building to make an aid station. Evelyn followed Tipper in and continued to care for him.

The rest of the soldiers were given a short rest, but for Evelyn, Roe and Spina, their jobs were just beginning. After treating the most serious injuries to the best of her ability before they were transported to a hospital, Evelyn sat on the floor with Blithe, who still couldn't see. She had tried everything she could think of, but nothing worked. Instead, she held his hand and hoped his eyesight would return.

She watched as Winters limped in. When he saw her move to stand up, he waved her down since Roe was already there, helping him onto a table. "What happened, sir?" she asked.

Winters grimaced. "Ricochet, I expect. I was being stupid."

Evelyn grinned. "I highly doubt that, sir."

Together they chuckled as Roe gently pulled out the small piece of bullet. Winters sighed. "We're going to secure the outskirts of the town next. I'd like one of you to stay behind here to run the aid station and the other two to come with Easy. It might get ugly."

Before Roe could open his mouth, Evelyn beat him there. "I'll come with Easy, sir. Eugene and Ralph could use the break."

Roe glared at her a moment before he looked at Winters. "Spina could use the break, sir. I'll join Evie in the field."

Winters nodded. "Sounds good. We head out in a few hours. Pack as much as you can."

"Yes, sir."

As she sat beside Blithe, Evelyn's thoughts began to drift. There was no way she could leave her men, but at the same time, she wasn't sure if she was ready to witness another Tipper. Her mind drifted further to the men that hadn't returned yet, including their leader, the man that helped bring Easy together in the end. She wasn't sure how to move forward, but she had only one way to find out.

That completes all the chapters from my quiet weekend! I hope to get something else out again in a few days.