October 25, 1944
"Hey Jackie," said Malarkey, running up to meet her. "Did you hear? We're headed back to France soon. We may even get weekend passes again. Isn't that awesome?"
Jaclyn smiled and walked with him towards the barracks. "That's great news. I'm happy for you guys. You all deserve a well-earned break."
Malarkey narrowed his eyes, confused. "Well, you're coming too, aren't you?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm headed for another mission. Seems like I'll be gone awhile this time."
Malarkey cursed. "Hope it's nothing too dangerous." She shrugged. "Man, Luz is going to be a pain in the ass while you're gone."
She looked at him quizzically. "Isn't he always a pain in the ass?"
Malarkey's eyes shifted and he coughed. "Yeah, true, it's just that you keep him occupied, you know? The man has too much energy."
Jaclyn laughed, appeased. "And being on leave is sure to make it worse. Try and keep him out of trouble for me, OK? You too?"
Malarkey smiled. "You got it, Jackie. We'll take care of him while you're gone."
"While who's gone?" Luz came to her other side. "Take care of who?"
Malarkey rolled his eyes. "Your sorry ass." He winked to Jaclyn. "See you later, Jack."
Luz watched him go as they continued to walk. "What I do?"
Jaclyn laughed. "I'm worried that you're going to get into trouble while I'm gone. I asked Malarkey to make sure you don't end up in a French prison cell."
"Gone? Where do you think you're going, Mack?"
"Another mission. Can't say where, but I'll be gone several weeks at least."
Luz stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Several weeks?" She nodded. "You can't be serious."
Jaclyn smiled softly at his shocked expression. She looped an arm through his and kept walking. "I'll be fine, Luz. If I succeed with my colleagues, this could be a huge win for us."
He was silent. And if you don't? If I never see you again? Will they even tell me if you're dead?
Luz sighed, running a hand through his hair. He could really use a cigarette, but he didn't want to move his arm from hers. Attempting at some humor (because what else am I good at?), he gave her a pout. "Enough about you. What about me? I had so many plans for us in France!"
Jaclyn laughed, happy to turn the conversation. Her thoughts were beginning to darken. Can't dwell on what ifs. "Oh, I am dying to hear this. Do tell."
Don't say 'dying.' He forced a grin. "We would begin with Paris, because, of course."
She giggled. "Of course."
"After stuffing ourselves silly with croissants, wine, and cheese, we'd liberate a flock of peacocks…"
"Peacocks?"
"Of course, peacocks. What else would we liberate?"
"My mistake."
Together, their laughter rang down the lane as they walked out of sight.
November 1, 1944
Strasbourg, France
Jaclyn arrived to her destination, joining General LeClerc and France's 2nd Armored Division. The town of Strasbourg was the last German-occupied region of France. If the French, along with the Americans, were able to conquer it, the entire country of France would be liberated.
Jaclyn was to work with the Americans, but they were all being led by LeClerc. Surprisingly, soldiers on both sides respected the General, something very unusual for the yanks. They didn't normally follow orders outside their own commanders.
Their battalion waited on the outskirts of the town. The French had immediately evacuated the city once the Germans overtook Poland years ago. The close proximity to the Reich was too difficult to hold.
Jaclyn's mission was simple - she was to sneak into the town every night and watch exact coordinates until daybreak. Then return and report back. If she couldn't return, she was to hide and try again the next night.
She glanced at the other men and women who would be joining her, only their coordinates were different. Each was slim and small, ideal for tight corners and small spaces to hide. Each with their own grim look of determination.
None of them knew how long their mission would last. It could be days or weeks. They only knew what they were told - memorize their assigned area and its inhabitants so that the Allies could push the Germans out.
Compared to her other missions, Jaclyn didn't mind this one much. No new personality to become. No game she had to play. No stinking German to seduce. The main drawback was the length. She didn't know when she'd get back to Easy, if at all.
Jaclyn didn't dwell on death; she certainly didn't wish for it. But she also didn't expect to live through this war. It was already a miracle that she made it this far.
And it wasn't like she had anybody to mourn her if she died in action. There was no family to speak of. Her friends were long gone. She highly doubted anybody beyond her CO would notice if she disappeared.
Jaclyn hesitated. What about Easy? It was true that she had established a certain bond with those men. They had an annoying way of making their way into her heart. She worried more about their safety than her own, and she'd only know them for two months. She wondered if they felt the same.
Then she thought of Luz. My partner in crime. Would he care if I was gone? Jaclyn hoped he would. She would certainly be devastated if he died. Stop thinking like that, girl. He's going to be fine. They're all going to be fine, she lied to herself.
A call from the General. It was time.
November 29, 1944
Jaclyn packed her bag, getting ready to be taken to the train. She swelled with a great sense of satisfaction, knowing she was going back to Easy. Knowing that she had done her job and the mission was a success.
Six days ago, after weeks of watching the town, the French and the Americans bombed Strasbourg, causing the krauts to flee back into Germany. France was free at last.
Jaclyn smiled softly at the memory of the days long celebration among the troops. She had had a good time, drinking and eating her fill, but she was keen to get back. Back to my family. The thought stopped her. Smiling wider, she let that ruminate.
"Hey Jackie, leaving so soon?" Marie asked, her French accent thick and lovely. She was another operative for the watch.
Jaclyn gave her a grin. "I need to get back. My train leaves in an hour."
Marie gave her a wink. "Back to those handsome American soldiers you told me about."
Jaclyn blushed, but smiled. "I hope that doesn't get back to them. Their egos are big enough as it is." They laughed together, exchanging information and a hug goodbye. It would be nice to write to someone.
"Au revoir," Marie said, waving to her. Jaclyn waved back from the jeep. She was finally going back.
December 10, 1944
Mourmelon-le-Grand, France
Her last train arrived into the station. Her journey had been held up with checkpoints and detours until she thought she'd never make it back. But she was finally here.
She walked from the platform, looking for the jeep that was supposed to be waiting for her. Starting to get annoyed when none were in sight, she turned to look for a phone when she heard the screech of brakes.
Jaclyn turned back and looked at the jeep in front of her. In the driver's seat, sat Bill Guarnere, a large smirk on his face. Next to him was a nervous private, who looked like he regretted allowing the sergeant to navigate the vehicle.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," said Guarnere, stepping from the vehicle and limping towards her. He engulfed her in a giant hug.
Jaclyn laughed, hugging him back hard. She pulled back to look at his face. "Goddamn Gonorrhea. We try to get rid of you, but you just keep coming back for more." She kissed his cheek. "It's good to see you, Bill."
Guarnere was taken aback at first by her comfortable show of affection, but he grinned. "Can't get rid of me that easy. It's good to see you too, doll. Damn you're a sight for sore eyes." He took her bag and placed it in the back of the jeep. Motioning to the private with his thumb, the kid frowned but moved to the back seat.
Jaclyn grinned, taking his place in the front. "How are you back already? I didn't think we'd see you for another month at least."
He laughed, starting the vehicle and driving towards camp. "Went AWOL. I couldn't take being there anymore. Especially just for my damn leg. Had to get back to my guys. And my lady."
She chuckled, ecstatic to have him back. She'd forgotten how easy it was to talk with him. "Well, we missed you. I can't wait to see their faces when we both show up."
"Yeah, where you been? When the kid here said we needed to make a pitstop to pick up a broad, knew it had to be you."
The private leaned forward. "I didn't say it like that, ma'am," he said nervously.
Guarnere cackled. "I may have paraphrased. But seriously, off playing spy again?"
She nodded. "Yeah, and it went well. I'm anxious to get back though."
"Me too, doll. Me too."
Guarnere and Jaclyn walked into battalion headquarters. After announcing their arrival, they walked into Captain Winters' office.
"Bill, great to see you. Jaclyn, you too," Winters said, smiling, shaking their hands.
"Never thought I'd see you behind a desk, sir," said Guarnere.
Winters puffed out his cheeks and nodded. Nixon and Welsh leaned forward to shake their hands as well.
"How many krauts you kill this time, Jackie?" asked Welsh, the usual sparkle in his eye.
She grinned. "None." All their mouths dropped. She raised an eyebrow. "I don't just shoot krauts, you know."
"Yeah, you stab them too."
She giggled. Nixon and Winters caught each other's eye. Without speaking, they agreed. Quite a change since when we first met her in England. They grinned together.
"We were just forcing a 48 hour pass onto our good battalion leader here," said Nixon. Jaclyn watched as Winters started grumbling.
She grinned. "And I bet he's fighting tooth and nail. Where are you headed, sir?"
Winters grimaced. "Paris."
"Well, don't seem too happy about it."
After a bit more small talk, she left with Guarnere to go find the men. She started getting antsy.
"Will you calm down, doll? You're fidgeting like you waiting to see if your prom date shows up."
Jaclyn stuck out her tongue, but she tried to calm down. Why am I so nervous?
They rounded the bend and immediately saw all of Easy company in line up. A new lieutenant stood before them, not allowing them to stand at ease just yet. Prick.
"Who's that, Guarnere?"
He shrugged. "I heard that we have a new CO. Moose got hit back at the end of October." He saw her shocked look, but gave her a reassuring smile. "He's going to be OK, but his war is over. Lucky bastard."
They watched from their position as the troopers remained standing still as the new CO assessed them. Luz happened to look their way and saw them. A giant grin crossed his face before he elbowed Toye.
"What the fuck, Luz?" He motioned towards their left. Toye's eyes widened before he also grinned. He then nudged Malarkey.
"Ow! What the fuck?"
Quickly, the silent word got out that Guarnere and Jaclyn were waiting for them. Antsy, they impatiently waited for Dike to finish whatever the hell he was doing. Finally, they were allowed to leave.
The group jogged over to the pair, handshakes and hugs all around. After slapping Guarnere's back, Luz immediately came to Jaclyn.
She loved how his face lit up when he looked at her. Like a kid on Christmas morning. Bloody hell, it's adorable. She gave him a huge smile right before he swooped in and swung her around.
Jaclyn screeched, pounding her fists on his back. "Cut it out, Luz!"
He laughed loudly, finally putting her down but not removing his arms around her. "About damn time, Mack." Seriously, about damn time.
She smiled again. "Sorry. My boss is a slave driver." God, it's good to see you.
"That bastard." Don't leave me again.