Thank for your to continuous reviews! I look forward to them so much. :::hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink:::

The troopers didn't have to wait long before they were alerted by Lipton that they were heading out again. Evelyn and the men were having fun in a local pub one night in mid September. Now that she and the replacements were on the same page, she was actually enjoying their company.

Heffron was adopted again by Guarnere, Philadelphia seemingly a greater bond than blood or history these days. While they were busy playing darts with Luz, Toye and Compton, Evelyn took it upon herself to get to know the new guys.

"You'd love Portland, Evie," said Hashey. "Its cobblestone streets, beautiful piers, lighthouses. I can't imagine living anywhere else."

Evelyn wrinkled her nose. "Doesn't Maine have a lot of snow?"

Garcia, a Texan, nodded, but Miller laughed. "I've only known you a few weeks, Evie, but I can't imagine a little snow scaring you away. I bet Indiana rivals Maine any day."

Hashey grinned. "You'll have to take that up with my folks, Jimmy. They're more inland than me. I see more rain than anything on the coast."

Guarnere stopped by and sat down. After interrupting their conversation to tell them the story about Heffron and Doris - again - Evelyn stood. "I'll go get us another round."

Walking up to the bar, she motioned to the barmaid for four more pints, leaving Guarnere on his own. While she was waiting, Liebgott leaned up alongside her, trying to catch the woman's eye for another round himself. He looked over at Evelyn and grinned. "See you're makin' nice with the replacements. You don't need to thank me for the introduction. It was my pleasure."

Evelyn rolled her eyes before taking all four glasses in both hands, but grinned lopsidedly. "Although I could have lived without being mauled by Babe, they are good guys." She turned to return to them but stopped and gave Liebgott a look. "But to hell with thanking you, Joe. You're still on my shit list."

"Was I ever off it, doll?"

"Excellent point."

When she got back to the table, it was to witness the tail end of Cobb giving Miller a hard time about wearing the D Day unit citation on his uniform when he didn't fight that day. Miller had silently taken off his pin and laid it on the table before walking away. She placed the beers on the table and looked at Cobb in disgust.

"Give it a rest, Roy," she said, shaking her head. Before he could open his mouth, Randleman picked up the pin from the table and looked at him.

"Shit, Cobb. You ain't fight in Normandy neither," drawled Randleman. He took the pin with him and walked after Miller.

Cobb ground his teeth before leaning in to Hashey. "I got hit on the plane before I could jump." He looked up and glared at Evelyn. "I was sent back here against my will."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, blame the medic. Terribly sorry I didn't allow you to drop into the wrong DZ with only one functioning eye and a gushing head wound. My mistake." When he continued to sneer at her, she stood up again. Taking her beer with her, she left.

Before she could take a few steps, Luz wrangled an arm around her neck and dragged her to the darts game they were playing. "What do you say, Ev? Babe and Toye want to bet against me and Buck here, but we've been losing spectacularly. Should we do it? Maybe our luck will turn."

Evelyn's eye caught Compton holding the next dart with his left hand, and she knew for certain he was right-handed. She also recognized the bluff in Luz's eyes, even if Toye and Heffron couldn't. With a subtle squeeze on her shoulder to remind her of her debt to him, she played the part he was looking for. "God, I don't know, George. How much is the bet?"

"One pack each."

She shook her head. "Christ, that seems like a lot, especially if you've lost - how many times now?"

"Three."

Evelyn whistled. "Buck, what do you think?"

Compton shrugged and tried to keep the smile off his face. "I'm feelin' lucky this time. I say we do it." Luz winced dramatically.

Heffron stepped in. "How about two packs? Make the pot a little more enticing."

Before Luz and Compton could jump on it, Evelyn interrupted. "You say you lost three times already? I say make it three packs each. If you're going to bet, make it good, right?"

The men talked among themselves and agreed. As Evelyn left them to begin, she heard Luz ask Compton why he was shooting left-handed. With a grin, she was almost in the hall when Smokey called everyone to attention. She turned and stood behind him and Lipton, lost in the shadows.

It was made pretty evident that Lipton's announcement wasn't pertaining to more beer or weekend passes. They were moving out again, and Evelyn had a perfect view of the men digesting the news. In her heart, she said a quick prayer as she scanned each of their faces.

September 17, 1944

Upottery, England

After a few days of grueling tactical training for Operation Market Garden, Easy company and the rest of the 506th was sent to the airfield to prepare for their drop into Holland. Evelyn, Adrianna, and Judy better prepared for Lena's long farewell this time; they woke extra early to allow the woman an extended amount of time to fawn over them.

At the field, Evelyn spied a familiar box on the ground. It was full of airsickness pills. Quickly picking them up, she tried to find a place to stash them away. A trashcan would be ideal. Before she could find anything, she stopped short when Sobel stood in front of her.

Trying to hide her shock and the grimace that came with seeing his face again, she placed the box on the ground before saluting him.

Sobel's eyes scanned over her face before smirking. "You don't need to steal the entire box, Cassidy. I think one should suffice for your nerves."

Evelyn bit the inside of her cheek. "No, sir. I was about to hand these out to the men." She met his eyes. "It is a part of my duty as an Easy company combat medic." She watched as his eyes widened at the red cross on her sleeve. How he managed to miss it before was beyond her. She attempted to swallow her glee.

Sobel glanced back at her now, his gaze cool. "I wonder who you needed to please to achieve that insignia, corporal."

She silently fumed, but she kept her cool. "Believe it or not, sir, I achieved it myself." She paused, unable to help herself. "Thanks to you, of course."

"I would never allow this."

Evelyn smiled. "Maybe not, sir, but in an effort to prove you wrong about me, I have accomplished everything I have sought to do since joining the Airborne."

Sobel was quiet for a long time, so long, if fact, she was sure she was about to be court martialed for speaking out of turn to an officer. But in the end, he surprised her. With the first genuine smile she had ever seen him make, he held out his hand to her. With her eyebrows up, she took it and he shook her hand firmly. "I'm glad to see at least one tough son of a bitch come out of Easy company." And without another word, he left.

Evelyn's eyes followed him, even after he began berating Malarkey about the motorbike he stole. Luz came up to her side. "Was Sobel...smiling?" She nodded. "At you?" Again, she nodded. He watched their former CO with her and cocked his head to the side. "And did I see him shake your hand - you - the bane of his existence?"

Evelyn let out the breath she was holding and nodded before looking at him. "Yup."

Together they said the only thing that either could come up with, "Huh."

Giving up on trying to figure out what just happened, Evelyn brightened when she saw Popeye limping towards them. Hugging him hard, she giggled when he lifted her off the ground. When she was on her feet again, she gave him a wide smile. "What are you doing back here? Trying to break your ass again?"

Popeye grinned. "Third time's a charm, Evie. Now don't lecture me about being here. I couldn't let you guys go without me again."

She shook her head, but still smiled. "I'll leave you in peace only if you let me check on that fine rear end from time to time to make sure it's healing nicely."

"You got yourself a deal."

Luz turned to her after slapping Popeye on the shoulder in greeting. "What about my ass, sweetheart? I know you know my rear end is the finest of them all. I think you need an extra looksy to remember properly."

"I'll let Eugene or Ralph know you need an examination. I'll be busy with Popeye, my apologies."

While Luz grumbled, Evelyn wrapped an arm around Popeye's waist. "Come on, Pop. Let's go introduce you to the new guys."

September 17, 1944

Eindhoven, Holland

To say the jump into Holland was the night to Normandy's day was an understatement. It was almost peaceful the way the parachutes fell slowly from the sky. If Evelyn wasn't busy running to the red smoke, wary of an attack, she would almost admit the sight beautiful.

After changing directions towards the town a few times, Easy finally walked through a field on the edge of the first houses. Randleman and his squad stood in front, assessing the gravity of the situation. Apparently the coast was clear - he signaled to them to move forward.

Evelyn couldn't get over what laid ahead. The war was over here - at least the townspeople thought so. The square was packed with cheering families, wooing women, and bright orange flags of freedom. Although Easy tried to keep moving, a few soldiers fell victim to the good cheer of the Dutch.

Evelyn pulled Perconte off the large chest of a woman, his expression glazed. She grinned. "You can breathe now, Perco. One foot in front of the other. That's it." Her eyes scanned the crowd, her grin widening. After so much dread with this jump, it was nice to see such happy faces.

A cry of pain caught Evelyn's attention. She paused in her walk and then heard another. Before anyone could stop her, she turned and made her way towards it. What she saw made her stomach twist in horror.

Several young women were being forced to kneel as their hair was shorn off and their clothes were ripped from their bodies. Her eyes met those of a girl who couldn't be any older than her. Blood trickled down her face from the cuts the razor was creating on her scalp.

Evelyn took in a quick breath with a hiss before charging forward, bandages in hand. Just as she was about to reach the girl, a man stood in front of her, stopping her path.

He shook his head briskly. "Dit is geen zorg van jou. (This is no concern of yours.)"

She snarled. She didn't need to know Dutch to know approximately what he was saying. "She's bleeding! The razor could start an infection!"

He only stood there, forcing her to push him aside before coming up to the girl. The angry woman cutting the hair gave her a look and a curse of disgust, but she stepped away when Evelyn barred her teeth.

Gently, she began treating the girl. She flinched when Evelyn first touched her, but then relaxed. "It's OK," she murmured. "I'm trying to help."

Just as she was about to apply a clean bandage, a large hand grasped her wrist, stopping it. Evelyn looked up and glared at a new man. "Take your hands off me," she breathed.

He obeyed before replying in English. "This isn't your fight."

Evelyn glared at him. "These women need medical treatment! There is no fight here!"

He shook his head and shrugged. "They slept with the Germans. They're lucky they aren't being shot."

She stood and she could feel her whole body shaking with anger. "They're being punished for trying to survive? No, I won't sit by and let this happen!"

With a final glare, she began treating the girl again. As she turned to do the same for the next woman nearby, the girl grabbed her sleeve first. Evelyn turned to look her in the eye. The girl didn't need to say anything; Evelyn knew. "You're welcome," she murmured.

She had just finished helping a second woman when the angry crowd starting closing in. The townspeople, who had chanted hate and disgust to the women, now seemed to have turned on her.

"Hoer, hoer, hoer!"

Evelyn tried to ignore them, but they only got louder.

"Hoer! Hoer! Hoer!"

The crowd got closer. To her shock, an apple was thrown at her head but it missed. Evelyn's eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. More food followed.

"HOER! HOER! HOER!"

She ducked and tried to cover the poor woman in front of her, but in the next moment, her helmet was ripped from her head. Before Evelyn could fight for it back, a fist punched her hard into the temple, causing the world to spin.

Evelyn gasped in pain, but the sound was drowned out by the angry mob. The women cowered on the ground, but they only had eyes for Evelyn now, the intruder on their ritual. Another punch came, knocking the wind from her lungs.

The people was mere inches from swallowing her whole a moment before a bull raged forward, clearing a path towards her. Randleman pushed and shoved the townspeople far enough away so that Luz, Martin and Liebgott could get to her.

"Ev!" cried Luz, but he was too far away.

In the next moment, Liebgott swept her into his arms. He shouted at the men to move forward. "Johnny, go! Bull, make way in the front! George, follow behind and make sure none are following us!"

Evelyn still saw stars, but her breath had come back. As soon as they were out of danger, and it was clear no one was going to follow them, she struggled against Liebgott to get back on her feet. "Joe, let me down. I'm fine!"

Liebgott unceremoniously dropped her before rounding on her in the next moment. His chest heaved and his eyes were black with anger. "What the fuck were you thinkin' back there, Cassidy?" he yelled in her face. "I mean, you see an angry mob, so your first instinct is to run inside it? Are you goddamn stupid?"

Evelyn's jaw dropped before her own indignation and anger boiled hot in her stomach. She had to squint to focus on his face; her head was swimming. "I was trying to help them, Liebgott! I didn't ask you to play the hero!"

He snarled, his lip curling. "Of course. God forbid we leave the little lady behind to be killed. That's just goddamn genius! You didn't only risk your life, you know, but everyone here!"

She clenched her teeth so hard, she swore she heard a few crack. Before she could retort, Luz pulled on her hand, dragging her away again. She shot one last glare Liebgott's way before leaving with him. His eyes followed her, his chest still heaving.

Luz silently handed her helmet back to her as she continued to seethe. "I can't believe him! I honestly can't believe him! Fucking Liebgott!"

Luz was still silent. She stopped his walking with a hand and turned to him. He gave her a pained look. "He's kind of right, sweetheart."

She felt her jaw drop again. "How can you…?"

He held up a hand. "I'm not saying he's the best with words, and he was a little harsh, but, Ev, I can't lie that I didn't want to wring your neck myself."

Evelyn closed her mouth again and swallowed. Her head began to pound. "I didn't know it was going to get like that," she murmured.

He gave her a commiserating smile. "That's your problem. You run right towards the danger and think about it later. I'd prefer it if you weren't so damn brave all the time."

She grimaced and she pictured Henry again and heard his words again in her head. She looked at her hands. "I'm sorry, George."

Luz grinned before lifting her chin with a finger. "Just quit trying to kill me, Ev, and we'll be fine."

She chuckled and they began to walk again, trying to find the rest of Easy. He cleared his throat. "Probably be a good idea to apologize to Bull and Johnny too."

Evelyn sighed. "Yeah."

"And Joe."

She shook her head violently, but she moaned at the motion. She needed an aspirin badly. "Nuh uh. I'm not saying shit to that asshole. 'Little lady'? Fuck him."

Luz chuckled and hugged her to his side. "Maybe after you cool off then. You know, next month. Or maybe in a year or two."

It wasn't until the next day, but Evelyn did eventually cool off enough to realize that Liebgott's anger with her was probably displaced because of the situation. She did act stupidly, but she wasn't about to admit that. Instead, she tried to be nonchalant around him, testing the waters.

Easy was headed to the town of Nuenen next. Most of the soldiers sat on top of several British tanks as they slowly made their way towards the destination. Evelyn noticed Liebgott decided to walk nearby instead. She took the opportunity to join him.

He hardly glanced at her when she fell into step with him. Without a rifle to hug to her chest, she toyed with the next best thing to keep her hands busy - a borrowed side arm from Randleman.

Although she wasn't supposed to be armed, after the angry mob from yesterday, he handed it to her and an ankle holster without another word. She gratefully took it, hoping the officers wouldn't notice or care.

Liebgott and Evelyn walked in silence for awhile until he broke it. "What do you want, Cassidy?"

Evelyn bit her bottom lip not to lash out at his abrupt tone. "Just walking, Liebgott. Is that a problem?"

He snorted and shook his head in disbelief. "Only a problem if you make it that."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Liebgott looked at her, his eyes and tone mocking. "Well, if you walk quietly and leave me the hell alone, we're fine. If you walk your way right into trouble again until one of us has to save your ass, then it becomes a problem. Get the difference?"

Evelyn saw red, her teeth clenched. It took everything inside her not to use her weapon. "I didn't ask for your help. And quit talking to me like I'm stupid."

"Then stop doing stupid things. I saw the way you ran into the gunfire in Carentan. Do you have a death wish?"

"You know what? You're right," she breathed through her teeth. "I'm going to leave you the hell alone, you goddamn asshole."

Liebgott grinned but it looked more like a snarl. "Best news I heard all day." And with that, he moved towards the closest tank and hauled himself up with a helping hand from Penkala.

Evelyn watched him go with a sigh. Well, that went well. She stayed in the field, her eyes on the horizon. She heard the men laugh and joke, until it ended abruptly. She turned to see what was going on and then she saw the woman with the baby.

She marched up to her, just as one of the men handed her a ration. Evelyn's eyes scanned her to make sure there wasn't any serious injury besides the obvious undernourishment. Digging into her medical pack, she found a few bars of chocolate that she kept to distract a wounded man when needed. Handing them to the woman, she gave her a sad smile before rejoining her company. She could feel the men's eyes on her; Liebgott's almost burned.