Thank you so, so, so much for all the reviews! This next chapter was a bit tough, but I think necessary in the development of their relationship.

Schoonderlogt, Holland

Easy headed next into a larger and more accommodating town on The Island. They were given beds, showers, and hot meals; Holland became nothing short of heaven. It also helped that their patrols were farther from the line, and therefore, very little injury happened over the next few weeks.

Now that Winters was heading the entire 506th, Lieutenant Moose Heyliger was now their acting CO. Evelyn didn't know much about Heyliger, and she was hesitant to open up to him immediately. She never could predict the reaction of men with women in the military.

But it seemed that he was used to the idea being that he started with the regiment long ago before moving to battalion headquarters. His good cheer hadn't seemed to change. He was happy to have her in his company.

Evelyn took Winters' words to heart. She hadn't picked up a weapon since the day at the crossroads. Although Randleman refused to take back his side arm, she stowed it away instead, as much as it pained her to do so.

The slow pace of life picked up suddenly when a colonel of the British Army happened upon the regiment, soaked to the bone and exhausted. Evelyn watched him go into headquarters and he hadn't returned since. Hours had passed.

She was alone in the new aid station, unpacking boxes of morphine and bandages to resupply the soldiers' aid kits. The door opened, and Nixon and the British officer walked in.

"Ah, Evelyn," said Nixon with a smile. "This is Lt. Colonel David Dobie of the British 1st Parachute Battalion. He decided to take a bit of a swim and couldn't handle the water, it seems."

Dobie chuckled before coughing hard. "The Rhine is a bit strong, mind you."

Evelyn's eyes widened and she motioned to the examination table. "You swam across the Rhine, sir?"

Dobie sat on the table and nodded. "Last night."

Nixon gave them a wave. "I'll leave you to it then. Cassidy, we need him cleared for a mission in three days time. I hope to count on you to make it happen."

"I'll do my best, sir."

Evelyn turned to Dobie. "Sir, I'll need you to open your shirt for me so that I can listen to your lungs."

He complied and while he unbuttoned it, she gathered supplies. Sitting on a stool across from him, she scooted closer. Breathing on the end of her stethoscope first, she placed it on his chest. He jumped slightly at the cold metal. She smiled. "Sorry. I tried to warm it up first, but seeing as there is no heat in this building, everything is bound to be a bit chilly."

Dobie smiled back. "No matter. The river water was much colder."

Evelyn frowned, listening to his lungs. When she was done, she grabbed a flashlight. She motioned to his mouth. "Open please." She examined his throat. "What were you doing crossing the river, sir? Surely the Brits have boats."

When she was done, he smiled again. "My men and I were trapped in the south after the fall of Arnhem. I crossed to find help and I happened upon your regiment." His twinkling eyes scanned her face while she checked the pulse on his wrist. "Lucky me."

Evelyn heard the change in his tone and her eyes snapped up to meet his. Taking off the stethsoscope, she rolled back on the stool a bit and grinned. "I'll be sure to let Captain Nixon know how happy you were to see him, sir."

Dobie laughed loudly, but it caused him to cough again. "I'm happy to see you can hold your own, sergeant. It's needed in this terrible war."

She smiled and stood, putting away her tools. "That it is, sir." She turned back to him. "You can do up your shirt. There isn't any fluid in your lungs, but your throat is a bit raw. Did you take in water?"

"I may have gone under a few times, but let's keep that between us. My men will give me hell if they find out I couldn't swim as well as I could boast."

She laughed and nodded. "Between us then. You're lucky. I need you to keep warm and drink hot fluids." She gave him a look. "Hot, non-alcoholic fluids, sir."

Dobie grinned and stood up to go. He passed her by and turned to tip his hat to her. "I am in your debt, sergeant."

Evelyn smirked. "Something else to keep from your men, sir. I am happy to help."

October 21, 1944

Evelyn was pacing again. She was in a large barn, that only acted for company meetings, social gatherings, and meals. Roe had gone on this mission, Operation Pegasus, to save Dobie's men. Spina was in the aid station, and she was supposed to be resting, but she couldn't. Not when her friends were out there.

Alone with only her thoughts, faces of those they had lost started to swim in front of her eyes. Meehan. Hall. Tipper. Blithe. Miller. Dukeman. How many more?

She heard a shout in the distance and her stomach dropped. Before she could get to the door, it opened and the laughter and cheers of the returning men entered the room. Luz hugged her close, picking her up off her feet.

"Ev! What are you doing up?" He put her back on the ground and cut her off before she could respond. "Worried about us again, sweetheart? Don't hurt your silly heart. We're all accounted for and whole."

Evelyn smiled in relief. "Everyone? Including the Brits?"

"Everyone. And Dobie and his CO just bought the entirety of the liquor store in town. It's time to celebrate."

Luz wasn't exaggerating. Dobie and his men passed around bottle after bottle of champagne, sweet liquor, and strong beer. Snagging a particularly impressive bottle of bubbly for herself, she popped the cork with a grin. Sipping it slowly, she began to relax and have a good time with everyone. The good mood was infectious.

Awhile later, Evelyn was taking a moment to close her eyes in the corner of the barn. She was due to start her shift in the aid station within the hour.

"Ah, sergeant, I'm glad you're here," said Dobie, stepping up to her. He clinked his bottle with hers. "Cheers to you."

Evelyn's grin deepened from the buzzed smile she had on previously. "I wasn't on the mission, sir. And please call me Evelyn."

Dobie chuckled as he sat down on a hay bale next to her. "I experienced your good work myself, Evelyn. And the men wouldn't stop talking about you. You may not have been with us on the river physically, but you were there in our hearts."

She chuckled, shaking her head before taking another sip of champagne. The buzz she still had was incredible. "I can only imagine what they said."

His eyes raked hers and he smiled softly. "I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable, but you remind me so much of my Susan back home. I find I can't stop looking at you. I'm afraid I'm going to scare you off."

Evelyn smiled back. "I don't mind. How long have you been with her?"

"A few years. We're due to marry when I return."

"Congratulations, sir. She is a lucky woman."

Dobie sighed and shook his head. "It is I who is lucky, darling. Not only to have her, but to be able to go home and see her again. I am forever indebted to your regiment. And you? There must be someone waiting for you at home or perhaps fighting elsewhere?"

She shook her head and blushed. "No. There's no one."

He stood up, taking her hand. Giving it a quick kiss, he winked. "To the lucky man that snags you someday, Evelyn." And then he walked away.

Liebgott watched the exchange from across the barn, his own bottle of beer long empty. When Dobie kissed her hand, he stood up with a huff and left the barn. He took a deep breathe of cold night air and tried to clear his head. The door opened again behind him. He opened his eyes to see the last person he wanted to see.

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh! Sorry, Joe. I didn't see you there."

His chest tightened and he felt his mouth open on its own. "No matter, Cassidy. I'll get out of your way so that you can continue to work over the colonel."

Her eyes blazed and she stopped him with a hand when he turned away. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Liebgott snarled, shaking her hand off his arm. "Exactly what it sounds like. Maybe the guys in this company wouldn't think you were such a hussy if you stopped seducing every man that walks by."

Evelyn stepped back like she was slapped. "How dare you," she breathed before getting up in his face. She poked her forefinger into his chest hard, punctuating every word, getting louder and louder. "How. Dare. You. Just because I am a woman, am I not supposed to be friendly? I'm sorry I didn't adopt the Joseph Liebgott guide on how to be an asshole! I like people." Her entire body shook with rage.

Liebgott sneered and yelled back, "Yeah, you like people alright! Seems you like Dobie just fine."

Evelyn pushed against his chest hard with both hands. "Fuck you, Liebgott! Why does it matter to you who I associate with?" Before he could open his mouth again, she continued. She was livid when she felt angry tears fill her eyes. "And Dobie was only being nice! Am I to be called a whore every time a nice man decides to talk to me?"

"Wait just a minute. I didn't call ya a…"

"You may as well!" she screamed in his face, the tears now streaming down her cheeks. "You implied it! When he only wanted to tell me about his goddamn fiance! Fuck you!"

Evelyn turned away violently, unaware that the noise inside the barn had stopped long ago. She began to stalk towards the aid station. After a moment, Liebgott jogged up to meet her.

"Cassidy…"

"Leave me alone, Joe." She wiped the tears from her cheeks and nose impatiently.

He rushed past her and stood, stopping her in her path. When she tried to go around him, he placed both hands on her shoulders. "Cassidy, I'm…" He paused, unsure how to move forward. When it was clear she wasn't going to move again, he ran a hand through his hair nervously. Finally, he looked back at her and met her eyes. "I'm sorry."

Evelyn chewed on the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. She remained silent. Sighing again, his expression became pained. "I didn't mean any of that. I just...I dunno."

She sniffled, looking away to gather her thoughts before turning back to him. "I've seen for myself that you are a good man, Joe, even if you try not to show it. Deep down, it's there," she whispered. "Don't make me forget it."

Liebgott watched as she walked away, his eyes following her. When she was gone, he squeezed them shut. Stupid. You're so stupid. And then he left towards the barracks to continue to berate himself.

Luz ran by him, but stopped long enough to give him a glare. "If I go into that aid station and that beautiful woman with her beautiful heart is crying, Joe, so help me God, you better make yourself scarce."

Liebgott grimaced. He didn't know what to say. With one last deathly look, Luz continued on his way.

October 31, 1944

Driel, Holland

Easy moved farther east on The Island, pushing the krauts back across the river. Evelyn thought she would be annoyed by needing to set up yet another aid station after just finishing up the last, but she wasn't. She embraced the work. It helped take her mind off the shouting match she had with Liebgott.

It had been over a week, but his words stuck with her. Evelyn had always been affectionate. With her brothers, with her parents, with her friends, and now with her newest family. She never thought twice about the hug or kiss on a cheek she would give to one of the guys, or the playful flirting that she always thought as innocent. Now she second guessed everything.

The men noticed when she began to keep her distance. After not joining into the conversations at mealtimes and getting hell for it, she began eating in the aid station. Luz couldn't even drag her out. She always found something to do to keep busy. It didn't escape anyone how quiet Liebgott was as well.

Finally, Luz had had enough. No matter what he said to her to try and cheer her, it hadn't worked. It was time to take extreme measures.

He walked into the aid station, dragging Liebgott behind him. If there was anything Luz picked up from his mother, it was her ability to use guilt to her advantage. After tormenting Liebgott for the better part of an hour, the man finally agreed to come with him.

Luz walked in first, knocking on the door. "Sweetheart? Are you in here? Not that you leave anymore."

Evelyn walked by him, her eyes down on the mop in her hand. "I'm not going to the pub, George, so save your breath."

Pushing Liebgott back with a hand, he gave him a look to stay until he was called for. Luz stepped into the room. "Come on, Ev. You've been running yourself ragged. Take the night off." He tried to grab her hand, but she shrugged him off. "Is this still about what Joe said? You know it's not true. No one thinks of you that way."

Evelyn stopped at the desk, her back to him, but her eyes filled with tears again. "Whatever you say, George," she replied. She didn't turn around.

With a glare and a chuck of his chin to Liebgott, he motioned for him to enter the room. Sighing, he did. "Oh, Joe! What are you doing here?" cried Luz.

Liebgott rolled his eyes but stopped when Evelyn whipped around, her own red. She turned to glare at Luz, not fooled for a moment. "What the hell is this, George?"

Before Luz could reply Liebgott stepped forward. "I heard you haven't had the chance to go out once since we arrived here." He paused. "I'm here to help."

Evelyn looked at him for a long time before turning away again. "I'm fine. No need to trouble yourself."

"I want to."

Luz crept towards the door. "I'm gonna leave ya to it. Ev, I'll see ya in the bar in a few hours. Don't make me come get you." And then he was out the door, leaving the two of them alone.

It was several minutes before Evelyn turned to face him, when she realized he wasn't going away. She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "What are you really doing here, Joe?"

Liebgott sighed and ran a hand through his hair before sitting on the medic's stool. He chewed on his lip. "I'm sorry for what I said."

"You mentioned already."

He sighed again, tugging at his hair in frustration. His voice was so quiet, she almost didn't hear it. "I didn't mean it, Cass."

She studied him before asking softly, "Then why did you say it?"

His eyes met hers. He looked miserable and he struggled on how to answer for a long time. "I was drunk. It's no excuse, but that's all I got." Evelyn was silent. Standing up, he walked to her, hands in his pockets. "No one thinks of you as a hussy. And definitely not a whore."

She blinked back tears as she tried to verbalize the next question. "Not even you?"

He tried not to cringe; something inside ached. "Not even me." A sad smile twitched at his lips. "But I don't know why you care about what I think anyway. I'm a goddamn asshole, remember?"

It took a moment, but Evelyn smiled shyly. "You're part of my family, Joe, of course I care about you and what you think." She paused, her smile growing. "And all families have at least one asshole."

Liebgott chuckled, thrilled to see a spark of her old self back. "Does this mean you're going to go back to being a pain in my ass again? We've missed ya."

Her smile faded and a serious expression replaced it. "Well, that depends."

"On what?"

She couldn't help but smirk at the worried look on his face again. "On how much help you're willing to give me tonight. I'd really like to go to the pub."

With a laugh, he looked around the aid station. "Put me to work, Cassidy. Consider this a one-time offer of servitude."

"Then you'll start on the bed pans. Tough luck, they're pretty old."

Evelyn never did get to the pub that night. As soon as she and Liebgott had finished and left the aid station - Liebgott still moaning about his sore back and cracking hands - a jeep skidded to a stop right in front of them. Welsh and Winters jumped out. A wounded Heyliger was strapped to the front.

She jumped to action. "What happened?" Liebgott stepped back and watched with wide eyes.

Roe just arrived with an ambulance. He answered her. "Shot by a sentry. Wounds to the thigh, abdomen and chest."

She pressed a bandage to his thigh while Roe worked above her. "Has he had any morphine?"

Roe grimaced. "Yes."

"How much?"

"I don't know."

Evelyn's eyes looked up and met his. "What do you mean you don't know? How much did you give him, Eugene?" she cried.

Roe shook his head. "I didn't give it to him." He looked over at Winters and Welsh. Evelyn followed his gaze. "Don't. I've already yelled at them."

Taking a deep breath, she tightened the cotton strap around Heyliger's leg, hoping it wasn't the artery. "Thigh is ready."

Roe nodded. "Chest and abdomen are ready."

"OK, let's move him. Eugene, ride with him to the hospital. You know more about what happened. Radio in if you need help."

"OK let's go! Move it!" Roe followed Heyliger into the vehicle after Winters helped push him inside. Once the doors were closed, she slapped the back twice, and it drove away.

Taking another deep breath to calm herself down, she turned to look at the officers. Winters held up a hand. "You don't need to say anything, Evelyn. Doc already reamed us about the morphine. We lost our cool and didn't think."

She nodded quietly, a dangerous look in her eyes. Welsh couldn't stand it. He squirmed under her gaze. "He was in so much pain, Evie. I just wanted to make it stop."

She nodded again, but only raised an eyebrow. Winters sighed. "I think it would be a good idea if you held some refresher medical training for the soldiers, Evelyn. Whatever you think is necessary, we will make the time."

Evelyn gave him a look before nodding a final time. "Yes, sir." She lowered her voice to a fierce murmur. "Officers first."

Winters nodded, agreeing. "We're scheduled to go on leave in a few weeks. You can start immediately once we're off the line."

"You can count on it, sir." And with that, she headed towards the showers. "Liebgott!"

He ran up to her side, whistling. "Damn, Cassidy. You've got some balls on ya."

She smiled smugly. "Just needed to put a little fear of God in them." She caught his eye. "I need one last act of servitude from you."

"I am not acting as your pin cushion in that medical training."

Evelyn snorted and grinned. "No, not that, but thanks for the idea." She held up her hands and arms, covered in dried blood. It was also streaked her forehead where she wiped sweat away. "I'm in obvious need of a shower."

Liebgott whined. "Come on, Cassidy, as tempting as soaping up your naked body is, don't you think you can wash yourself?"

She felt blood burn her cheeks, but she ignored it. As if one of the guys hasn't told you that before, quit it. "Yes, jackass, but it's been awhile since I've been able to strip down completely. You're going to stand guard outside the showers."

"And this is my last act as your servant?"

Evelyn looked over and gave him a wink. "Maybe."

He muttered to himself as she entered the showers. "Maybe." Turning his back on the flap of the door, he couldn't help the grin that spread across his face when she began to sing softly to herself, her good mood obvious.