Again, REALLY sorry. Honestly, I knew from the beginning that I was going to off Adrianna, but I had no idea I would get so attached to her. She started off as someone in a similar situation to Evelyn, but grew into something more.

As always, thank you for the reviews! And, yeah, really sorry. Especially to Nirvana14 - apologies for ridding the FF world of Adrianna on your birthday! :/

Evelyn found refuge in the aid station. Her feet automatically took her there, stumbling every so often. She had no idea how long it took her her to get there, but she did eventually. Inside, it was dark and quiet and she was alone. Roe and Spina left earlier that afternoon soon after she had, and for that, she was grateful.

At first, she relished in the feeling, having some time to collect her thoughts and her emotions, but then the tears began and they wouldn't stop.

Blinded, she staggered towards the cot, an addition that she and Eugene placed inside the side room in case any of them needed to stay with a patient. Crashing into the mattress, only one thought plagued her. No patient if she is already dead. She bit hard into the mattress to muffle her screams of pain as her body thrashed. Her fingers became white as she tried to rip the fabric apart, clawing at it just to feel something besides the rush of loss.

Finally, after what felt like days, but was probably only a few hours, her tears had dried up. Her eyes burned with use; she could feel the redness prick the corners. But her biggest concern wasn't crying anymore and if anyone could hear her. No, it was the image of Adrianna in her head. The feel of her cold skin. The smell of her blood. It started to drive her mad.

Evelyn began to pace, but her senses wouldn't shut off. Sleep wasn't an option. There was no way she could rest, and she didn't trust herself to leave the safety of the aid station just yet. She needed a distraction.

She stopped short before making her way just outside the door.

"LIEBGOTT!"

The group of men, who had just returned from the Eagle's Nest for dinner, turned to see a red-faced Evelyn down the square. She waved to him angrily. Perconte whistled. "Damn, Joe. What did you do this time?"

Liebgott rolled his eyes to them before turning towards her. "Probably breathed wrong." He huffed in annoyance before turning away. The sneer faded quickly as he left them, and it was replaced by an excited smirk. He felt his insides clench as he followed her down the lane and towards the aid station, where she disappeared.

When he stepped inside, it was empty. Thinking ahead, he locked the door behind him before raising his eyebrows. He murmured softly, "Cassidy?" Just as he was passing by what could only be a large supply closest, her hand reached out and grasped his shirt tightly, dragging him in with her and slamming the door shut.

Evelyn immediately reached for his belt in the dark and began yanking his trousers down. As soon as they hit the floor, she crashed their bodies together. His eyebrows shot up again when he felt her bare lower body against his and he moaned.

"Fuck, Cass. You really don't have any patience, do ya?"

Evelyn crushed her lips to his and moaned back as his fingers clawed into her skin. "You know what I do have, Lieb?" she asked against his lips.

Liebgott cursed as she pushed his boxers to the floor and her hand found him, wrapping around. "Fuck. What's that?"

He couldn't see her eyebrow raise, but in the next moment, he felt her kick his legs from underneath him and push him back. Expecting to hit the hard floor, he was surprised to feel a thin mattress of a cot instead.

She climbed on top of him, straddling his hips. Hissing a curse together, she took him quickly. She reared her head back and her fingers found purchase on his chest. "The ability to kick your ass," she said through a groan.

It was hard and fast and passionate. After she collapsed on top of him, they both tried to gain their ability to breathe back. His fingers grazed under her shirt, just realizing now that neither stripped down on top. Her skin was red hot and he couldn't get enough.

Liebgott leaned her chin up with a finger and gave her a soft kiss. He circled his arms around her with a sigh. "Christ, woman. I'm beat."

Evelyn was so comfortable. She felt her own eyelids droop, but with it came the image of Adrianna again. She mentally shook herself. Clearing her throat, she sat up and began searching for her pants in the dark. "Did I tire out the great Joe Liebgott?" she teased, trying to erase the images in her mind.

He smirked and she could feel it. He pulled on her hand to try and get her to lie back down but she resisted. "Gonna take a lot more to tire me out, doll."

With a snort, she stood, pulling on her clothes. He sat up on his elbows, watching her shadow. She peeked outside the door, sure that no one had entered, before opening it wider. When the light hit her face and she turned to him, he caught sight of her puffy and red eyes.

"Cass…"

She cut him off with a quick kiss. "Don't make me search you out again, Liebgott," she said hurriedly. And then she left the aid station, leaving him thoroughly confused and alone.

Luz finally found her after searching for a few hours. He heard the news of Adrianna's death through his pal in Dog; he knew at once he needed to find Evelyn.

The sun was setting when he did. She was just about to go for her nightly swim; something she made him promise he wouldn't share with the others or disturb her himself. It was her only time to be truly alone. She had managed to find a lake or river at almost every stop in Germany so far. It had taken her awhile to find this waterfront, especially with her emotions still running high, but she did. Her body seemed to be on autopilot.

"Ev," he murmured right as she began walking along the riverfront in her PT shorts and tank.

Evelyn turned to the sound of his voice and sighed. "You promised, George."

Ignoring her, he walked right up and hugged her tightly to his chest. He murmured in her hair, "I'm so sorry about Anna."

She squeezed her eyes shut and hugged him back; the pain was resurfacing. Her cheek pressed into his chest. "This fucking war."

He nodded. "I know, sweetheart." Luz held her tighter as sobs began to rack her body again. "I know."

Neither saw Liebgott in the shadows of the trees. He had also been searching for her to try and find out why she had been crying. In passing, he heard a few soldiers talk about Adrianna. He had begun running then. But now, when he saw them embrace and begin to talk, he left once again, his heart hurting for a reason he didn't understand.

After crying for a few minutes, Evelyn pulled back and gave him a weak smile. "Thanks, George. I needed that."

Luz motioned for them to sit on the rocks, feet dangling a few inches from the water. He pulled her to his side. "That's what I'm here for, sweetheart. I hope you know that."

Evelyn nodded, but attempted to smile. "And your good looks. I can't imagine going through this war without seeing your handsome face every day."

He laughed, ruffling her hair. "Damn straight. You know you love me."

"I do." She smirked then, happy for the distraction. Anything but thinking of Adrianna. "Are you still writing to that English broad? Jackie was it?"

Even with the darkness arriving, she had the pleasure of seeing Luz blush. "Maybe." She knocked her shoulder against his. "Fine. Every once in awhile." She knocked him again. "OK! Every damn day if I can manage it."

Evelyn chuckled. "You're a smitten kitten, George Luz. Bet she makes you feel real good."

Luz chuckled back, but saw an opportunity for revenge. "Does Joe make you feel good too?"

Immediately, the laughter died in her chest and her face burned red hot. She turned her eyes to him and he smirked knowingly. "You know, I'm a little hurt you didn't tell me about your budding romance. Thought we were buds."

Evelyn opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally stuttering, "We're not together. Christ, George." She looked down at her hands. "We're just having a little fun."

Luz snorted then. "You don't just have fun with Joe Liebgott, sweetheart."

She held up her hands innocently. "I swear. It's just sex." She paused before looking at him, her gaze wondering. "You don't think less of me?" she asked softly.

Luz blinked at her. "Is that why you didn't tell me?" She nodded. He pulled her into another hug. Into her shoulder, he said, "I will never think less of you, Evelyn. You are my best friend and I love you." He pulled back to look her in the eyes, cursing himself that she was crying again. "You deserve some fun."

Evelyn chuckled before wiping her eyes. "Not sure what I'd do without you, George."

"Starve. Get arrested. You name it."

She swatted at his head before leaning into his shoulder. "I'm still not sure how I feel about what Joe and I are doing."

Luz sighed, pressing his cheek against the top of her head. "Like I said. You don't just have fun with Joe Liebgott. The man doesn't do things halfway. You've said it yourself. He's on or off - nothing in the middle. Be careful, Ev."

"Joe wouldn't hurt me. Piss me off, hell yes. But he'd never hurt me."

"I'm not talking about him hurting you, sweetheart."

And with that, they were silent, watching the moon rise, and Evelyn was left with too many thoughts, and this time, they weren't only of Adrianna.

Evelyn didn't sleep much that night. Adrianna's face haunted her, but even more so was Liebgott. She tossed and turned and still he wouldn't leave her dreams.

In the morning, she decided to seek him out. Not even sure what she wanted to say, she just knew that she needed to see him. Luckily, she didn't have medical duty until that afternoon.

It took her a long time to find him. She stopped by all the checkpoints, and found out without trying to be obvious that he wasn't on duty. With a sigh, she just began to walk hoping to find him.

In the end, Evelyn came across him at the same place she ended up last night - by the riverfront. As soon as she saw him, words left her.

He turned when he heard her footsteps, but then returned his gaze to the river. With a breath, she walked up to him, but stopped short at his words. "Lookin' for another quickie? You'll have to try elsewhere; I'm not in the mood."

Evelyn felt a pang in her chest. "That's not why I was looking for you."

"Oh yeah? Then why?"

She walked until she faced him, buying time. He didn't meet her eyes. She opened her mouth but it was awhile until words came out. "I don't really know."

Liebgott snorted and his lip curled. "It's OK, just say it. You came here to fuck. That's what I'm good at, right?"

Her jaw dropped. She could feel the pain in his voice, and she knew she caused it, but at the same time, she thought they were finally on the same page. "I'm being honest. I guess I just wanted to…" Talk? Christ, you're pathetic, Ev. You can't even string a sentence together.

Liebgott turned to meet her eyes and his own flashed dangerously. "Why are you here, Cassidy?"

She threw her hands into the air, grunting in frustration at the question. "Talking to you? Christ, I don't know! You drive me up the fucking wall!" She turned away. "Why do I even try?" she muttered.

Evelyn tried to step away, but he grabbed her hand with his, stopping her. She slowly turned back to meet his gaze, which was surprisingly soft, maybe even endearing. "I'm sorry about Anna," he said quietly.

She nodded, but felt her eyes fill with tears. "Thanks." She blinked several times, trying to clear them. "I'm sorry if I made you feel used. That wasn't my intention."

He nodded back, but didn't deny her words. She noticed, especially as Luz's words floated back to her.

She took a deep breath. "Are we OK?"

Liebgott smirked, and she had to smile in response when she saw it. "OK for us, you mean?" She nodded again, and his smirk disappeared. A soft smile replaced it. He squeezed her fingers. "Yeah, Cass. We're good."

Evelyn smiled back. "Good."

Taking refuge in the aid station again, Evelyn didn't leave it, even for dinner. Luz had to bring her food, but practically dragged her to the tents for sleep. When she entered the one they shared with three others, she stiffly moved to her bunk, waiting.

But the words of condolence never came. Sure, the others looked at her on the sly, trying to catch her face to see how she was, but Luz must have told them to keep their mouths shut about Adrianna. She sighed in relief.

The next day, she tried to continue to keep busy by doing more of the same, but it was becoming increasingly harder to do. Not only because Adrianna haunted her, and she had friends - Julian, Jackson, Hoobler and Renee for the most part, but others visited every now and then - but also because there was big news. The Germans had surrendered; the war was officially over.

They all knew this was coming, but the men celebrated as if it was a surprise all the same. After Nixon allowed a few guys to fill up a truck with liquor from a cellar Winters found, there was going to be an unofficial party that night.

Evelyn kept her distance from everyone for the most part. She watched them laugh and joke and dream of home as they partied in a large house down the lane. Deep in thought and fingers playing with the emerald earrings in her pocket, she didn't hear the officers approach.

"Evelyn?"

She jumped a mile before turning to Winters and Speirs. "Yes, sir?"

Winters studied her a moment before giving her an encouraging smile. "Happy VE Day, sergeant."

Evelyn tried to look as if she cared. "Happy VE Day, sir." Speirs was silent.

Winters continued. "Colonel Sink would have given this to you himself, but he's been called away. He didn't want it delayed further." She spied the black box in his hand and her stomach dropped. Winters opened it and stepped up to her. "Hope you don't mind me giving you the honor instead."

She shook her head. "Of course not, sir."

Winters pinned the Silver Star to her coat. "For your bravery and action on the night of December 24, 1944 in Bastogne, Belgium. It's my honor to award you, Sergeant Evelyn Cassidy, the Silver Star."

Evelyn waited until he held out his hand to her. She shook it silently before saluting him. He saluted back, and after studying her stiff demeanor for a moment, he was on his way.

It took her a moment to realize Speirs hadn't left with him. She looked up at him quizzically when he stepped forward.

"Cassidy, I don't have something as pretty and shiny as what Major Winters just gave you," he begun with a smirk. "But I think you'll like it just the same."

Speirs fished in his pants pocket until he produced the object and laid it flat on his palm for her to see. "I confiscated these from Edwards back in Toccoa. Told her I'd give them back when she stopped threatening the men." He paused, and the smile vanished. He frowned deeply, lost in memory. "Obviously, that didn't happen, and then I forgot about them honestly. I think she'd like you to have them."

Evelyn stared at the brass knuckles for awhile before finally taking them. She studied them hard. Anything to keep her tear-filled eyes away from Speirs. "I remember when she told me about that, sir. I believe she worked extra hard in the boxing ring after that, keen to show you she didn't need them."

Speirs chuckled. "And she didn't. She proved me wrong within a few weeks." He cleared his throat. "She was an incredible soldier and a hell of a woman."

Evelyn couldn't help but meet his eyes now. Tears be damned. "That she was, sir." She pocketed the brass knuckles. "Thank you." With only a nod more, he left her.

As soon as he was out of range, she immediately took off the Silver Star and placed it back in its shiny box. Closing the lid, she stared at it until a shout was heard.

"Ev!" It was Luz and he was swinging his arm wildly for her to join him. "Get your cute butt in here!"

With a sigh to herself, she gave in and walked towards him.

Evelyn peered at the bottle in her hands, the warm brown liquid almost completely gone. "But how?" she asked it, shaking it from side to side. "Where did you go?"

Luz giggled beside her, poking the glass with a finger. "Answer her!"

They were slouched on a plush loveseat, feet up on a table. They weren't the only ones. The majority of the company was there in a similar state, empty liquor bottles strewn everywhere after hours of partying. For whatever reason, Heffron had stripped down to his boxers awhile back, now sitting in the middle of everyone, chirping away excitedly.

He held up his own bottle. "To Bull! May you find your heifer!" He had been saluting everyone for the better part of an hour.

Martin smirked. "Or his heffron." Randleman smacked him on the shoulder.

Evelyn was eager for the distraction. Whenever she wasn't cheering along with him or drinking, her mind wandered to darker times, to lost faces. To their pained moans while they died. To their still chests and porcelain skin under her fingers. The only time she really didn't want Heffron or anyone else to speak was when they came around to cheering for her.

Sure enough, Heffron's eyes flicked to her. She cut him off. "To liquor!" She hiccupped. "And hiccups!"

The truth was, she was beginning to lose her buzz. Even after the bottle emptying between her and Luz. Even through the entertainment from the men. Her eyes kept straying back to the black box at her feet and the heavy weight of the brass knuckles in her pocket. Combined, they pulled her from the sweet haze of drunkenness.

Heffron wasn't to be deterred. "To Evie! For savin' our asses and lookin' pretty while doin' it!"

The half of men still conscious cheered again, but she didn't join in. With a smirk, Christenson picked up her black box from the table as he passed and tossed it to her. "And to her shiny Silver Star. Can't forget that."

It was too much. Evelyn stood, about to leave with bottle in hand, but Heffron only saw an opportunity. "Speeeeeech!"

She waved him off, but others joined him, Christenson in the lead. She froze, what little internal strength she had left snapping. She held up her bottle. "To the friends we lost."

Everyone respectfully quieted and murmured in agreement. She took a big gulp and they followed. She wasn't done. "To those still around, consider yourself goddamn lucky."

A few of the men drank to that, but others froze, unsure where this was going. Liebgott studied her carefully at the change in her tone.

Evelyn smiled brightly, but anyone could see there was no humor behind it. "You are all so fucking lucky." She pointed a finger from around the bottle at them, circling the room. "Because you know, if you were hit, then chances are you'd see me." She took a long drink before continuing and opening her arms wide, laughing. "The goddamn angel of death."

She cackled again and made her way around the room. "I'm surprised none of you have run when you see my face! Oh no, here comes Evie! Better run for the hills before she touches me!" She spotted Webster and whistled. "Christ, I must have laid it on thick with you, Web. You couldn't come back to us for months!" Webster swallowed hard and looked down at his hands.

Evelyn turned on Popeye next. "Pop, you're welcome that I got lost on D Day. I can only imagine that I would somehow fuck up your wound and kill you at Brecourt. I should have just stayed with the 502nd." She paused briefly, her eyes staring blankly. "Maybe losing a bunch of strangers would have been easier."

Popeye cleared his throat. "Evie, don't -"

She snapped out of it. "And you, George," she giggled, brown liquor soaking her hand as the bottle sloshed. "You are one goddamn lucky son of a bitch, you know that?" Luz only stared silently at her. "You, good sir, were never wounded, meaning, you were never subjected to my care."

Evelyn held up her hands in surrender before depositing the bottle on the table and tossing the Silver Star hard across the room. "Happy VE Day, gentlemen. It is a time to celebrate. I can't kill off any more of you. You're safe now." She stumbled out of the room and outside. The men watched her go.

Luz sat still in shock. When he finally recovered enough, he met Liebgott's eyes immediately. With a quick understanding, he left to go after her, Luz helpless on the couch.

It didn't take Liebgott long to find her. She was only a few houses down, in an alleyway. It was quiet and dark there, the buildings unused by the soldiers. He walked up to her.

Evelyn had her head leaned back against the structure, trying to catch her breath and not cry. She turned slightly to face him. "Joe, I'm sorry. I just need a moment and I can go back in there and -"

Liebgott cupped a hand on her cheek, and to both of their surprise, she leaned into its warmth. "How are you doin', Cass?" he murmured.

Evelyn sighed, closing her eyes and allowing her thoughts to collect for a long time. When she was ready, she opened them again and looked at him. "It doesn't feel real. I don't know she's gone, you know?" she whispered. He nodded silently. She cleared her throat, but her voice wavered. "I can't tell what's real anymore and what's a nightmare."

Studying her a moment, he took her lips in his and kissed her softly before deepening it. He could feel her relax against him, even as her heart began to race. "Let me show you something real then," he said against her mouth before kissing her again.