Jaclyn woke up first, late morning sunshine streaming through the window. Her eyes felt overly dry and bloodshot, but otherwise, she felt pretty good. Better she than yesterday. Her illness seemed to finally abate.

She laid on her side facing out to the room, an arm slung around her waist from behind. She slowly twisted in the bed to her other side, careful not to wake him.

She studied Luz's face. Definitely more innocent in sleep than it ever is awake. A tenderness went through her when she remembered his words and caresses from last night.

Any fear Jaclyn felt in telling him about her past had vanished. He hadn't run away screaming. He hadn't judged her. He simply held her, something she had been relying on more and more. Like a drunk finding the wine.

His breathing was still very deep in sleep. Her eyes scanned over his long, dark eyelashes, the scruff on his cheeks, and then down to his mouth. Unable to resist, she gently brushed her lips against his, just dying to feel the texture again. She closed her eyes, as she pulled back, a small smile across her face.

"Got a penny?"

Her eyes flew open to see a smirking Luz looking at her. "That's the price for that kiss you just stole from me."

Jaclyn grinned. "Sorry, fresh out."

He sighed and closed his eyes again, sleepily. "That's OK. You'll just owe me one."

"A kiss or a penny?"

He hummed to himself, thinking. "Definitely a penny." She scoffed. He smirked again, his eyes still closed. "Another kiss is a given. If you couldn't tell already, I'm irresistable."

Jaclyn whistled, rolling her eyes. "Irresistible, huh?" Damn him, he's right. At a loss for words, she narrowed her eyes before nipping him under his arm with her fingers. Luz jumped, not from pain, his eyes widening.

A huge chesire grin spread across her face. Ticklish too.

"Now, Mack," he said, trying to back away, but he hit the wall. "Your debt is forgiven. Remember my generosity and have mercy."

Her grin only seemed to grow as her eyes glinted. Luz froze, trapped. Time ticked by, which only made him more apprehensive. She posed, ready to strike - when a coughing fit overwhelmed her.

Luz sighed, letting out the air he didn't know he was holding. He rolled his eyes before taking pity on her and scooting over to rub her back. He opened his mouth to murmur. "It's..."

She pounced. Her fingers found his sides, squirming them against his ribs. She rolled on top of him, pinning him to the bed, victorious.

Luz gasped, laughing and shouting for mercy, his legs bucking under her. "Mack...cut it out...not...funny...help!"

She giggled, never ceasing. "Surrender, George. Declare your surrender and I'll stop!"

"Christ, I surrender! Make the madness stop!"

Giggling again, she pulled back her hands. His hair stood up on end as he peered at her through his fingers. She gave him a triumphant smile, proud of her victory. "You give in?"

He looked up at her and couldn't help but smile at her happy satisfaction. She still had him pinned to the bed, straddling him between her legs.

With a smirk, he sat up, holding her hips with his hands and bringing his face close to her. Her eyes widened. He watched her for a moment before replying, his own victory in silencing her. "I surrender."

Luz rolled them over until she was on her back. He pulled himself from the covers and started putting on his boots. Jaclyn watched quizzically on her side. "What are you doing?"

"I surrender in the name of the U.S. Army in order to save Easy company."

"Oh yeah? From what?"

Luz glanced at her over his shoulder as he finished lacing his boots. An evil grin glinted on his face. "From the infamous Jaclyn Mackenzie. You smell so bad, doll. I'm going to run you a bath before I head to Winters' meeting."

Jaclyn's jaw dropped a moment before she threw a pillow at his head. "You're going to pay for that one, Luz. And it will be more than a damn penny."

He stood, still grinning. "Looking forward to it."

She pouted before muttering, "I hate baths. I'd rather shower."

Luz rolled his eyes. "You know the only working showers are those set up outside. I'd have to break you outta this joint, commandeer the entire unit, and secure it so you can guarantee your delicate feminine privacy."

"I don't agree with the 'delicate' remark, but the rest sounds perfect."

Luz looked at her, his eyebrows raised. "No way. Nuh uh." A hopeful smile graced her face. "Quit it. It's not happening." She sat up, her eyes widening. "You're shit outta luck, Mack."

"How many Lucky Strikes you getting me for doing this, George?" said Liebgott as they stood guard outside the outdoor showers. The large tent behind them was empty save for one small but unrelenting woman. They heard her humming a song to herself.

Luz looked up at the sky and took a breath. "We'll talk later. I'm good for it." God you gave me my weakness, now please give me my strength.

A few minutes later, Jaclyn appeared clean and in fresh ODs. Her hair hung wet around her face. "Thank you boys. I am good as new. Let's get to that meeting."

She walked forward towards the riverfront bunker, but Luz scruffed her by the back of her shirt. "And just where do you think you're going? You need to go back to headquarters."

Liebgott paused. "Wait, you're not cleared by Doc, yet?" He turned to Luz. "You got me to help break her out? Jesus, I'm a dead man."

Luz sighed. "Just for the shower. You wouldn't believe it by looking at her, but the woman is ferocious." They both glanced at her and she immediately gave them a winning smile. "But the deal didn't include a detour."

"Come on, Luz," she whined. "I'm totally better. It's not like I'm going on a mission anytime soon." She leaned her cheek against Liebgott's arm. "I just miss my guys."

Luz rolled his eyes, but Liebgott grinned sheepishly. "We miss you too, Jackie. It's no fun without you." He shrugged to Luz. "What's one meeting?"

Jaclyn turned to Luz, her evil grin hidden from Liebgott's view. "Yeah, Luz. What's one meeting?"

Luz took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his resolve waning. Could use that strength anytime now, big guy.

"Look sharp for tomorrow," added Winters. "We're moving off the line."

The meeting Winters held brought a huge variety of emotion from Easy company. At first, they were told Colonel Sink wanted another patrol tonight. They felt fear. They felt exhaustion. And they felt disbelief.

Then Winters changed all that. He knew that another patrol was unnecessary. The death of Jackson last night haunted them all. The war was ending. No one else needed to die. Winters made sure that each and every one of them understood that there would be no patrol that night - even if the Colonel thought otherwise.

The relief in the room was extraordinary. Jaclyn hugged each man around her, kissing their cheeks. For the first time in a long time, she felt hope. Across the room, she met Cobb's eye. Waiting for his usual sneer, he surprised her by giving her a curt nod. After a moment, she nodded back.

She pulled back from a big hug from Randleman. He had lifted her off her feet, causing her to giggle and hold onto the back of his head for safety. "Thanks for the ride, Bull." She removed her hands from his hair. "You're looking a little scruffy."

"Little scruff hurt no one, darlin'."

She smirked, but looked around the room. Most of the men were looking a little worse for the wear. They hair longer than normal, their faces covered in thin beards. "Hurt or no hurt, you're all looking a little rough."

She ruffled Perconte's hair. "You guys heard the Captain. It's time to look sharp. If we're headed into Germany next, you boys need a little freshening up. Have to look our best when we take down Hitler."

They cheered around her, excited to conquer the enemy at last, but first eager for a break from the line.

Jaclyn was good on her threat. After a week of leisure time off the line in France, she teamed up with Liebgott, a barber in his life outside the war, to clean up her men. It didn't help their chances that she was feeling better.

"Come on, Jackie. I thought you liked my hair?" whined Perconte as she forced him into her chair.

"I do, Frank," she cooed. "We just need to make sure you look handsome for all the beautiful frau in Germany. Maybe you'll meet your future wife." He tried to stand again, but with a shove on his shoulder, he gave in.

Once seeing the Perconte aftermath, the men started to trust in her ability to cut their hair. In no time at all, she had a line out the door of the apartment sitting room she was staying. Being a woman soldier had its perks sometimes. Getting an entire apartment to herself was one of them.

Pretty soon, Liebgott didn't have anything to do. He puffed on a cigarette and motioned to Martin. "Johnny, I can cut your hair now. Get over here." Jaclyn was busy with Shifty, padding around in her bare feet, humming a tune, while grooming him.

Martin shrugged apologetically. "Thanks, Joe, but I'll wait for Jackie." He saw the incredulous look on Liebgott's face. "Come on, man. Don't look at me like that. It's just a nice change of pace to have a woman's touch."

"Unless, Joe," added Randleman, "you're willing to croon in my ear as well." Liebgott gave him a look of disgust. "That's what I thought. The feelin's mutual. I'll wait for Jackie too."

Liebgott gave up and packed his stuff up. Before Jaclyn continued with Shifty, she leaned over and pecked Liebgott on the cheek. "Thanks for your help, Joe."

He blushed a little, his sour mood evaporating. "Anytime, girl."

Luz walked into the sitting room as Jaclyn finished up with Shifty. "Me next, Mack?" He started to take off his jacket in preparation.

Jaclyn shook her head. "No, Johnny is next. Then Bull and Babe."

Luz walked up to her. "But Mack, it's me. You know, George."

She gave him a smirk before pointing her scissors to the couch. "Hello, George. Take a seat. You're after Babe."

The guys chuckled at Luz's pout as he sat down. Cobb then walked in. His face held his usual serious tone, but the sneer had disappeared. Jaclyn pretended not to notice his fidgeting.

"Joe gone?" he asked.

She murmured the confirmation, and watched as he continued to stand there awkwardly. She patted Shifty on the shoulder. "OK, handsome, you're done."

Shifty stood, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks Jackie," he said with a shy smile.

Before Martin could stand, Jaclyn waved Cobb over. "Roy's next." The four men on the couch erupted in protest.

Jaclyn gave them a stern look and placed a hand on her hip. The sharp scissors glinted in their direction. "Roy is next." They gaped silently. She turned to Cobb. "Come on. Let me clean you up," she said softly.

Cobb hesitated before giving her a small smile. He took off his jacket and sat down in the chair. "New friends get first priority," she murmured to him. His smile grew.

Jaclyn was just finishing up with Heffron when Winters and Nixon walked in. "Major Winters and Captain Nixon," she said, glancing up at them. "Need a haircut? You can go before Luz."

Luz opened his mouth to retort before remembering who had arrived. "Yeah, sure, go ahead," he muttered unhappily. He was the last to wait for a haircut. He had already made himself at home, his stocking feet up on the couch.

Nixon brushed his hair up with a hand. "Now that you mention it," he started before seeing the look on Winters' face. "Right. No, thanks though. We do need you for something else."

With another snip, Heffron was done. "You're good to go, Babe." She walked over towards the officers. Luz sat on the couch, pretending not to listen. Heffron pulled on his coat very slowly, doing the same.

Winters turned to Jaclyn. "The 9th Armored Division needs help pushing the Germans back from Remagen. They're looking for someone to infiltrate documents regarding potential strikes on a bridge that they're holding. If the operation is a success, the 17th Airborne will be able to jump past the Rhine." He paused. "Naturally, you came to mind."

Jaclyn took a breath. It had been a long time since she'd had a mission, but she couldn't pretend that excitement didn't fill her. Her eyes flicked to Luz before back to Winters. "Of course, sir. When do I leave?"

Winters nodded. "Tomorrow at 1200. We'll arrange your transport." She nodded back to them before they turned to go.

Jaclyn took a deep breath before turning to see Luz and Heffron looking forlorn. "Ah, don't do that to me guys. I'll be fine."

"But you sure you're feeling better, Jackie?" said Heffron, standing up. "You just got over pneumonia for Christ's sake."

She nodded. "I'm fine, Babe. But thanks for the concern." He nodded back before turning to go.

Jaclyn looked at George, who sat on the couch, looking at his hands. "George? Why don't you come sit over here."

Luz obeyed silently, sitting down in the chair. As she dipped her fingers in water and massaged the moisture through his hair, he stayed quiet for a long time.

She began to comb his damp hair, focused on the task at hand and not about leaving him. Finally, she sighed, unable to take the silence anymore. "I'll be back before you know it."

He nodded slightly until she stopped the motion with her fingers. She began to cut his hair. He closed his eyes at the contact. "I know."

They stayed silent for a long time. Dark hair fell on the towel on top of his shoulders and onto the ground. The act of cutting his hair was so intimate, so very different from cleaning up the other men. She felt herself mesmerized by its softness.

Finally, she was done. She combed her fingers through his hair one last time before standing in front of him. She looked down on his face, tilting her head. She gave him a soft smile. "You could use a shave, trooper."