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October 1, 1945

Aldbourne, England

Evelyn stared at the front door of the two family home. Her shoulder began to ache with her heavy pack still slung over it, but she couldn't go in. Not yet. She wished her friends hadn't scattered so quickly once their trucks arrived back into the town, a place that felt like a home away from home. But she didn't blame them.

She heard a commotion behind her and she turned just in time to see those wily bitches step up. They ceased in their conversation immediately when they saw her.

Evelyn silently stepped to the side to allow them to enter the second of the two doors. Garrison went past her without a word, but she was surprised when Tomson stopped.

Tomson gave her a small smile. It was incredible the difference it made to her face, instantly making it younger and prettier. Needless to say, Evelyn was taken back.

"Just tell them," Tomson said.

Evelyn shuffled her feet nervously. "And if they blame me?"

The other woman shook her head. "They'll just be happy to see you." And with that, she followed Garrison and disappeared.

Evelyn turned back to the other door and took a deep breath. After a quick knock, she opened it before she could stop herself.

"Hello? Mrs. Davies? I mean, Lena? Terry?"

The Davies ran towards the front door as quickly as too elderly people could go. Lena gripped his arm tightly when she saw her and then engulfed Evelyn in a hug, causing the young woman to hunch to her height. "Oh my dear, it is so good to see you again." She began crying instantly.

Terry smiled wide at seeing one of their girls back but caught on quickly that she was, in fact, only one of them. His eyes met hers, and he realized Evelyn was waiting to see his reaction.

With a deep pain in his heart, he gently brushed a hand over her hair until he cupped her cheek, the only bit of her available since Lena still hadn't let go. "It's alright, my love," he murmured. "We are just happy you're here."

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. Pulling back to look at Lena, she thankfully didn't need to say anything; the old woman was sharp.

Lena's eyes mirrored her own as realization washed over her. Evelyn mumbled out a few words that Judy was in fact fine, just already back in the States. She had no words of explanation for Adrianna.

Lena took hold of her again and together they cried, Terry by their side. They cried out all the worry and now the grief. They cried together for their wounded friend and for the one that will never return. They cried until there was nothing left.

October 13, 1945

It somehow turned out the the regiment was being sent back to the States in the same ship that they came across in. Evelyn had forgotten how long the journey was, and in the tight quarters, everyone was almost immediately annoyed. It didn't help that they were more than anxious to hit land and be finally home.

Her goodbye with the Davies hung over her. She had a wonderful twelve days with them, catching up on the town news and telling them about the places she saw. She quickly skipped over Bastogne, as well as the Eagle's Nest, but they didn't seem to notice. Their goodbye to her that morning was something she knew that she'd never forget for all her days.

Evelyn slid in Roe's bunk, their legs swinging off the edge side by side. She gave him a grin. They had been on board for only a day, but she was already seeking his quiet calmness. "Who would have thought we'd be complaining about treating them for seasickness again? I know I didn't."

He rolled his eyes but returned her smile. "You'd think they woulda toughened up in two years, yeah?"

She laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. "You have to tell me."

"Tell you what?"

She gave him a pointed look. "How you guessed my name."

"You mean, Dhar-" He was cut off abruptly by her elbow in his ribs.

"Christ, keep it down! There are other companies here!"

Roe smirked, but he had the decency to look a little ashamed. "I didn't exactly guess it." She waited impatiently for him to continue. "Back in Toccoa? Do you remember when you were trying to show me how to inject morphine properly for the first time?"

Evelyn nodded, the day becoming clear. "Of course. I changed into my PT shorts so that you could see the main vein in the thigh, but my hand slipped…" Her mouth dropped open. "Eugene Roe!"

He nodded back and grinned. "You were flying high, cherie. You went on about anything and everything, including your full name."

She shook her head in amazement, but she couldn't stop the giggles. "The other guys always wanted to know how I could describe what a morphine haze felt like. I could remember bits and pieces of my nonsensical chatter with you, but not that."

"Do you remember ranking the officers on how attractive they were to -" Another elbow to the ribs.

"Eugene, if I didn't love you so much, I'd pitch you overboard!"

"How about I buy you a drink one night? To apologize? I suddenly have all this extra cash."

Evelyn smiled wide. "It's a deal. You know that just means we're going to meet again, my friend."

Roe smiled back. "You can count on it."

It was common knowledge that Evelyn had abandoned her own bunk for the most part. Sometimes she visited it every now and then to get away from the men for a bit, their concentrated testosterone becoming suffocating. And sometimes she cuddled with Luz during the day, the habit not breaking really since Bastogne. But other than that, she slept with Liebgott, chatting and joking with his neighbors.

Besides the odd kiss goodnight or good morning, they didn't have any opportunity to enjoy one another's company further than cuddling and behaving themselves. They had already been kicked out from the sailors' quarters, which they thought had been free for a few hours while they tended to the ship, but now they were back to square one.

Evelyn was beginning to get restless. Between being trapped with nothing to do and no space to clear her head, she was also downright grumpy. She felt eyes on her and she looked up to see an all too familiar twinkle in Liebgott's gaze. If she wasn't already flushed and hot from being crammed into the ship with dozens of others nearby, she would have blushed.

He gave her a wink before motioning back behind him with his head. She caught on and began to follow him as he made his way deeper into the belly of the ship. Eventually, she found him in a darkened hallway and he grabbed her hand until their bodies were pressed into one another.

Liebgott tightened his grip around her, grazing his hands around her curves. "That friend of yours that was billeted with you and Anna. Didn't you mention once that you found her with some bloke onboard?"

Evelyn grinned instantly. "I can't believe I didn't think of it!" She broke away from him, grabbing his hand in hers, and dragging him quickly towards the room she and Adrianna would hide in, at least until Judy walked in and scared them away. Sure enough, when she opened the heavy door, the small room was still abandoned.

With a chuckle, he allowed her to pull him inside before closing the door and locking it behind him.

Both knew it had only been a few days since they had last been together, although it was struggle to find something secluded in Aldbourne. But being together now felt as if it had been weeks apart.

Liebgott was determined to make their time alone count. He pushed her hands away when she tried to divest him of his clothes quickly, and chuckled against her mouth when she grunted in frustration. "Patience, Cass. I wanna kiss every inch of ya first."

With no argument to that, she simply kissed him back, trying to press him closer into her.

When his lips moved to her neck, Evelyn leaned her head back to give him better access. She opened her eyes, but her breath began to quicken almost immediately, and it had nothing to do with the pleasure he was giving her. The walls had begun to close around her.

Flashes of the last times she was in this room, laughing with Adrianna, exchanging stories from home, and getting to know one another on a deeper level as they escaped the constant presence of the men on the ship and their nerves going into war. And then the knowledge all over again that she was gone and never coming back.

Liebgott felt her freeze and go rigid. He pulled back to look at her face to find her eyes wide and her skin white. "Cass, what is it?"

Her chest began to burn and she couldn't catch her breath. The room started to spin. "I...I can't breathe," she rasped. She closed her eyes to try and make the images of Adrianna disappear again, but they wouldn't go away. They only traveled quicker to visions of her body on the ground.

He didn't wait for her to explain. Throwing her on his back, he ordered her to hang on as he made his way out the door after unlocking it. Before she could realize where he was going, they were outside and he gently dropped her to her feet before hugging her close. "Take a deep breath. That's it. Just breathe."

It took awhile for the hyperventilating to pass, but the cold air helped. She finally opened her eyes to look at the still ocean surface and began to relax against him. When she was ready, she wiped the tears she didn't realize she shed on her face and looked up to him. "Sorry," she whispered.

Liebgott shook his head. "There's nothin' to be sorry about. I never shoulda suggested that room. Are you alright?"

Evelyn nodded before lying her cheek back against his chest. "I just miss her. It's strange. George and I have been close since the beginning, and I always loved him as if he was a brother. But Anna…" She paused taking a breath. "We were there for one another, pushing for the other to succeed. We were close, but on another level. I loved her in a way...it's hard to explain."

He placed his chin on top of her head after kissing her hair. "You don't need to. I understand. And you love her, Cass. Just because she isn't here anymore, doesn't make you stop lovin' her. Hell, if there is some way she can do it, she's gonna make sure to remind you as often as she can. Probably somehow with a trench knife."

She chuckled against him, squeezing him closer. "God, I love you too."

Liebgott grinned, trying to memorize the feeling searing in his chest. "Oh yeah?"

Evelyn pulled back before chucking her chin behind him. "Yeah. So much so that I think I need to demonstrate to you under that upturned lifeboat over there." And before he could look, she grabbed his hand once more to show him herself.

October 30, 1945

New York, New York

For the most part, Easy company traveled together towards a military hospital just on the outskirts of the city. It was an quick metro ride from the port, and most of their trains home weren't leaving until the afternoon anyhow. They were all eager to visit their two friends. To their happy surprise, there was a third in the rehabilitation hospital waiting for them.

Smokey smiled wide next to Guarnere and Toye. All three were standing, whether on prosthetic legs or with the help of crutches. After making their way around to greet the three boys, Smokey made it a point to shake Roe's hand again.

He grinned wider. "Can ya believe it, doc? They didn't even think I'd be able to move my legs again, let alone walk."

Roe shook his head and smiled back. "That's great, sergeant. Really."

Smokey got serious. "It was all thanks to you." Roe tried to cut in, but he wouldn't allow it. "You saved my life, and I can only hope to somehow return the favor one day."

Roe was speechless, and Evelyn could see the emotion well on his calm face. Her heart thumped happily for him as the group began to settle in the common room of their hospital floor. She made herself comfortable next to Guarnere and Toye on a huge couch, both who looked ready and eager to cause some mischief as always. Some things never change, she thought to herself. She ruffled each of their hair fondly. Heffron and Alley joined them after dragging a few chairs over.

"So how many nurses have you managed to either quit in protest or threaten you?" she asked.

Guarnere shrugged innocently but Toye guffawed. "It's all him, Evie. You gotta believe me. I swear to you, they woulda let me outta this joint weeks ago, but they keep talkin' about punishments for bad behavior. It ain't fair."

Before Guarnere could cackle or defend himself, Liebgott stepped up to them. "Luzzy and me are gonna go scrounge up some food from the cafeteria. Anyone want anything?"

The men immediately spoke up, requesting all sorts of unattainable things. Liebgott rolled his eyes before looking down at Evelyn. "How about you, doll?"

Evelyn gave him a smile. "I'd love some water, if you don't mind."

He grabbed her hand before kissing her inner wrist and giving her a wink. "You got it."

Guarnere and Toye froze, eyes widening and trying to comprehend what they just witnessed. Guarnere recovered first. "No fuckin' way." Toye only gaped. Heffron and Alley immediately began chuckling, trying to decide between themselves who was experiencing the worst shock.

Evelyn noticed and raised her chin up in challenge. "What was that, Bill?" She tried not to giggle at Toye's still dropped jaw.

Guarnere spluttered unable to say anything, a first for him. Liebgott smirked a moment before yanking her to her feet and slinging an arm around her waist. "Let's catch you guys up." And then he dipped her low, kissing her soundly on the mouth.

She giggled against his lips before wiggling free. They both turned to look at the boys and their reactions were even better than they expected. With another wink, Liebgott left with Luz but not before seeing Smokey's wide eyes a moment before he began demanding to Perconte what the hell that just was.

Evelyn sat back down and grinned. She elbowed Toye in the ribs. "So you were saying?"

Both men turned to her and in another beat, immediately began barraging her with questions.

"No fuckin' way," Guarnere repeated.

"You and Liebgott?" blinked Toye. "Lieb?"

"Are ya sure you're OK, dollface? Maybe ya hit your head or somethin'."

"Lieb?"

Evelyn swatted at both of them, but still they continued. ("Joe Liebgott?") Luckily, Heffron stepped in, rolling his eyes hard that he was put in the position to begin with. "She's fine. At least we think she's fine. I didn't even see their legendary battles at Toccoa, but even so, lemme tell ya, you get used to it after awhile." He paused. "The smoochin'. Don't worry, I put an end to anythin' else when they're in public. Damn bunnies."

She gave him a look. "I'd really like to see how you put an end to anything that I was determined to do, Babe."

Guarnere finally recovered, but Toye still blinked silently. "Christ, Evie. We missed all the good stuff!"

Evelyn laughed and reached over to squeeze his hand. "I'm sure we can come up with…" She trailed off when another soldier near the doorway caught her eye. Standing immediately she walked over.

Judy gave her the same thin, hard smile that Evelyn remembered, even past the scars on her face. "So we meet again," she said gruffly.

Evelyn blinked in shock a moment before launching herself around the woman's middle, her cheek barely hitting her shoulder. After a beat, Judy awkwardly put her arms around Evelyn, patting her back softly.

Finally, Evelyn pulled away to look up at Judy's face. "Are you OK?" she murmured.

Judy slowly nodded. "It took awhile since I lost my basic motor functions in the blast, but they tell me I'm due to leave any day now. But hell, I'm glad to see you before I did."

Evelyn tried to swallow the tears in her throat when she nodded. "Me too." She took a deep breath, trying to find the strength to say what needed to be said.

But Judy stopped her. "I know about Edwards."

The air left her lungs all at once, but the look Judy was giving her confirmed what she just said. Evelyn nodded again. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

Judy grimaced a moment before pulling Evelyn into another hug, as much as it pained her to seem to do so. If their topic wasn't what it was, Evelyn would probably have chuckled. Instead she let the larger woman hold her. "I'm sorry, too," Judy murmured back.

Luz was at a loss of what to do. He could only hold her to him and try and relieve her sadness, but his own threatened to consume him. The others, including Liebgott, stepped away on the train platform to allow them a moment alone, but neither had done much more than cry or shush the other.

Evelyn didn't want to let go. Not just yet. She knew that when she did, he would be going home, in the opposite direction from her. She had no idea when she'd see him again.

"George, I…" She couldn't continue, only held him closer and cried noisily into his chest.

He grimaced into her hair, his own eyes burning. "This isn't goodbye, sweetheart. Don't think for a second that you're gonna get rid of me that easy. I'm a lifer."

Evelyn giggled against him. When she felt ready, she pulled back enough to look him in the eyes. His thumb immediately began to brush the wetness from her cheek. "A lifer, huh?" she managed to get out.

Luz nodded, encouraged that she seemed to finally stop crying. "That's right, Ev. When you least expect it, I'm gonna show up at your door. Your phone is gonna ring off the hook, and your mailman is gonna be so annoyed by the truckload of letters he has to haul daily to your door, he's gonna cry out for mercy, but don't give it to him, Ev. Promise me you'll stay strong."

She brushed her lips against his before hugging him hard again. "I promise, George," she said into his neck.

It was a long time before they broke apart. And only then because her train was about to leave. She and Liebgott would be headed west with a handful of others that would ultimately go their own ways soon enough. Luz was headed out soon after them.

Finally, Evelyn broke away, brushing her wet cheeks impatiently. They eyed each other, attempting to smile, but failing miserably.

Liebgott stepped forward to shake his hand. He gave Luz a wide smile. "Can't wait to have you out our way, Georgie."

Luz ignored the outstretched hand and gave his friend a big hug before chuckling. "Wanna bet? You'll get so sick of seeing my face that you'll either kick me out or give in and let me claim your basement or somethin'."

Liebgott laughed before slapping Luz on the back. "Never change, George."

He scoffed. "There'd be riots!"

Evelyn giggled and couldn't help one last hug. She kissed him on the cheek. "I love you."

Luz closed his eyes and lifted her off her feet. "And I love you, sweetheart. Now skedaddle before I whisk you away to Rhode Island."

She pulled away, giving him a wink. The train conductor yelled. It was last call. She had to shout as the crowd ate up the growing gap between them as Liebgott tugged on her hand. "Joe's right. Never change, George!"

Luz threw her a wink back, and before she had a chance to look again, he was swallowed up by the slew of people.

Evelyn followed Liebgott into the train compartment that they snagged earlier with Perconte, Christenson, Talbert and Martin. He looked back at her as they got comfortable. "Mind repeating that, doll? I was right?"

She swatted him before sighing as she settled against him. "Don't make me take George up on that offer to go home with him."

Liebgott snorted. "And soon after I'd be gettin' a call from the Rhode Island police to bail you out for his murder." The other guys laughed, nodding. Evelyn simply shrugged and grinned, unable to deny it.

As they pulled away from the station, she tried to picture Luz's smiling face one last time as the city began rushing by.