I'm so, so sorry I didn't publish this chapter before! I was busy (studying grrrr). Well, I'd like to thank Prinzessin Mia (I may look repetitive, but your comments make my day hahaha) and Miss Avenger: I'm so glad you like the story!

Just a few more things:

1) this chapter is a long one, since I wanted to solve the whole Sobel's thing which acts as a springboard for the whole fanfiction;

2) The title may seem incorrect, since you native would've said ''Take off then land'' but...I think you'll understand why I chose ''fall'' instead ;) ;

3) since I'm so daaaamn busy because of my studies, I had to time to check the grammar and everything so there might be some more errors since, remember, English is not my first language (I'm italian) but I'd be deeply grateful if you could make me notice my mistakes so that I could improve my English (I'm writing this fanfiction for this reason, too).

Well...that's enough, I'm not going to bore you anymore hahaha enjoy!

Since their very first kiss, Dick managed himself to get some decent sleep. Truth was, since they had arrived in Albourne he seemed to not be able to rest in peace. In fact, something troubled his mind every time he closed his eyes. He started to see things he didn't want to: blood, destruction: his men dropped dead on the ground, some Nazi shooting at his best friends, children crying for their parents. He didn't seem to imagine of his death could've been: in a sense, he wasn't afraid of death. He knew he could've felt pain, or maybe it could've been fast; anyway, everything would've come to an end. What scared him the most was the possibility to lose all the ones he loved. Above all, he didn't want to see Nixon dying. Losing him would've meant he was dead. He didn't want to see his bloody body. He could not even imagine to write a letter to his wife telling her that her husband was killed. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw all this and every time he found himself shaking at the thought, and he just couldn't stop it.

Somehow, Bea had taken all those nightmarish thoughts away and brought a light into his life. He felt his heart beating again, and not out of fear. It was life, it was pure. He didn't think he was in love with her but he had to admit that being so close to a woman was something he needed. He wanted to feel touched, he wanted to feel intoxicated by her perfume. He wanted contact. Maybe, he thought, feeling her body against his would've reminded him he was alive. He could feel, he could touch, he could kiss. He could give joy. He smiled at himself. Everything looked bright now. He had found strength into her kisses and he was ready to go to war, to do of his best. He felt energy in his body and for the first time since he got in Albourne, he thought his friends would've survived: he had energies enough to protect them all. He smiled again and finally fell asleep.

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Running was their program of the day. Those warm days had made this task even more difficult than it was, but Dick didn't care. That day, he wanted to enjoy every minute he could with his men.

They were ready to run at 6 in the morning, but someone missed.

''Lieutenant Winters, where's Captain Sobel?'', that was the question everybody kept on asking him.

''He's on his way, Private'' he answered. Actually, he didn't know where Sobel was. He was not a latecomer, so it seemed all so weird.

Dick saw a jeep arriving and thought that their waiting had finally come to an end, but the car stopped he saw only Sergeant Evans on it who got out and made a sign to the driver to wait.

''Lieutenant Winters'' he said and saluted ''Captain Sobel has a briefing so it's your due to guide Easy Company in training today.''

Dick looked confused ''he didn't tell me he had a briefing.''

''It was decided at the last minute,sir'' Dick saluted the sergeant who got back to the car and drove away. He had to admit he had a bad feeling, but it was a sunny day, his men were particularly happy and Dick wouldn't have wasted the chance to train them without the Black Swan yelling into their ears.

''Come on, Easy! Let's get a move!''

''Yessir!'' the cried in return.

Sun rays heat their skin but nobody wanted to take a break. Dick had noticed how his men seemed to be carefree without Sobel around, but this didn't affect their training: actually, they seemed to run fast as the wind but Dick didn't see any drop of sweat falling from their foreheads. He noticed also how tight they were, and this was something that could have helped in combat. He was so proud of his men, and he knew they deeply trusted him.

They had just finished their morning running when Dick decided to give a break to Easy Company.

''Ok, ten minutes!''

''Yes sir!'' they replied.

Dick sat down under a tree. Sun was shining bright and he felt himself filled up by those rays. He looked at his men, patting each other on the back, or laughing. He chuckled in return: what a beautiful day it was. Still, there was something he could not understand: where the hell was Sobel? Two hours had passed and he didn't seem to come. That wasn't in him. He found himself thinking something was going on and maybe, the day they would've got in action had come. He felt himself trembling at the idea and, for the first time, he was not afraid. He looked at his men, so strong, so fierce, and thought he was as well. He had all the capacities to lead them. He had found strength.

''Sir, can I have a word with you?''

''Sure, Eugene.''

''Do you know why Captain Sobel missed our daily training, sir?''

''He had a briefing with Major Horton'' Dick replied. Eugene looked at him with wide-eyes and visibly confused.

''But sir…Major Horton is still in London, do you remember?''

A shiver runt through Dick's body. This bad feeling again. Why did Sergeant Evans lie to him? And where the hell was Captain Sobel?

''That's weird, Roe…''

Eugene seemed to be suddenly hit by something and swallowed hard before talking.

''Sir, I saw Sobel in the early morning, talking to Major Strayer. I didn't pay attention at all, but I think I've heard him saying ''this kind of behavior is unacceptable! He won't get away with it!''

Maybe Dick's sixth sense was right. Maybe something was going to happen, and soon. Clouds started to cover the sky and Dick found himself shaking. Fear invaded every cell of his body.

He got up. ''Ok Easy, let's get a move, it seems it's going to rain soon.''

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He needed to talk to Nixon, and immediately. He was the Intelligence officer, he knew it for sure. His hands were sweating. He was nervously checking out every corner of the regiment to find him, finding himself irritated thinking Lewis had this special ability to always find him. When he finally got to find his friend, he noticed he was not alone: he stopped to gaze at her perfect body shape and he knew a smile was making its way on his lips. He reached the two losing his nervousness. He saluted them both, giving Bea a sweat smile that she returned.

''So…a bird told me Sobel didn't join your training today, right?'' asked Nixon, trying to break up the eye-flirting between the two, no knowing that it was the reason that made Dick's day a bad one.

''Yes...actually, I wanted to ask you if you may know why'' he asked, clearly jittery.

''No, Dick. Actually, I know he spent all the morning with Sink and Streyer, but I don't know what they discussed.'' Nixon noticed that something was troubling his friend.

''Dick, what…'' he didn't have time to ask what was crossing his friend's mind, since Sergeant Evans suddenly showed up.

''Captain Laurenti, Lieutenant Nixon, Lieutenant Winters: this is for you. With Captain Sobel's congratulations'' and after saluting, he got back to his jeep. Dick felt that shiver again. His trembling hands barely managed to open the letter.

''They misspelled court-martial'', Nixon said, trying to avoid his worries. Dick was still gazing at the letter when Bea took it away from his hands.

''Dammit, Dick! What the hell did you do?'' she almost cried.

''Me? Nothing! I…I don't know!'' Bea noticed how confused and scared he was. She could've bet he was close to tears so she decided to be the one to stay rational and to think of a solution.

''What do you want to do?''

''I didn't do anything, Bea! I won't accept a punishment for no reason!'' he said when anger was making its way, replacing fear ''I won't stand for it! I'm done with all his looks and tricks! You know what? He seeks for the fight, and I'm going to give it to him what he wants, as a real soldier.'' Bea could not believe his words. What was he thinking? That wasn't him. Dick left, saying that he needed to rest, to clear up his mind; Nixon was still thinking of a way to get his friend out of that situation and Bea knew what her role was too: she had to talk with Sobel.

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She didn't give him the time to tell her to come in.

''Why the hell you did it?''

''Did what, my dear?''

''What did Dick do, uh? She cried, visibly angry. Herbert gasped for air and sighed but suddenly, the image of his girl and Dick Winters kissing invaded his mind.

''He didn't fulfill my disposition. I can't let him get away with it.''

''But what the hell are you talking about? He did whatever you wanted him to do! He's Dick Winters, dammit!''

''I don't agree. I'm sure Lieutenant Winters understands what I'm doing is necessary and he will accept my punishment.''

''Oh, don't bet on it!'' she said, pointing her finger right to his nose ''because he accepted the court-martial, Herbert! Didn't you think of the consequences, uh?'' she cried at him. Sobel was speechless. He hadn't thought of the possibility Dick would've chosen the court-martial. His hands started trembling when he found out how this whole thing could've ended: Dick would've lost his position and he would've been alone in combat. Alone. He knew he could not handle it. He knew he would've needed Dick.

''I…listen, Bea, I must be sincere. I saw him kissing you and I blazed with jealousy! How could you do this to me?! With Dick!'' Bea was taken aback. So, he knew.

''I didn't know we were exclusive, Herbert! And is this an excuse to punish your best officer?''

''This hurts me, Bea ! And you know it!'' he nervously sat on his bed. Frustration took control of him. The girl he loved had kissed the man he hated the most, the man he knew was better than him.

''Listen, Sobel, it is not a good excuse. You know you need him. You're as fine as him, but you need him! So please, retire your accuse and everything will be alright'' she calmly said, sitting right by his said.

''Nuts!'' he exclaimed ''I'm a man and I will not give him what he wants! No discussion!''

''Fine! So I'll let you be alone with you your hatred, ok?'' she said visibly mad at him and furiously left his billet.

Bea could not help herself from thinking that Dick's troubles were due to her. What a disaster I am! She thought. She would've punched herself. Dick could've lost everything he had worked for, everything that meant so much to him and, above all, his men would've lost him and they would've been entirely alone in combat. What have I done? She burst crying loudly. She felt ashamed of herself: a whore, who had caused so many problems to a great man, and she didn't even have the strength to do something to amend. What the hell am I doing here, if I cannot even be strong enough to solve the problems I have caused? I'm a girl, nothing else than a stupid girl playing with things bigger than me!

''Bea…why are you crying?''

She raised her head to face the undefined figure who was talking to her. Dick.

''Oh Dick!'' and tears started falling profusely from her eyes while Dick sat right next to her and hug her.

''What's wrong, Bea? Please tell me, I can't see you crying.'' How tender he was ! She didn't deserve it ! If he only had known!

''Dick, I'm sorry, I'm such a mess, I'm such a disaster, I''

''What are you talking about? You're not a mess ! You're the most amazing woman I've ever met! ''

''No Dick!'' she sighed and tried to find the strength Dick thought she had. She had to do the right thing ''Sobel saw us, Dick! He saw us when we were kissing !'' Dick frozed. Dammit, that was a problem. The Regiment would've not expected such behavior from an officer, but he wondered why Sobel did find another excuse to punish him.

''But he said I failed to do my duties…why didn't he say nothing about the kiss?''

''Probably, because he wants to protect me, Dick. We…we see each other, sometimes.'' She lowered her head in embarrassment and felt Dick's look on her. At first, he was deeply confused and almost couldn't understand her words, but when he realized she was sincere, his disappointment could be perceived in his voice.

''How could you, Bea? With Sobel! I thought…I thought…you are better than that, Bea.'' He would've wanted to say ''I thought there was something between you and me'', but it was not about him, not at all. He felt like she had offended him, Lewis, and all Easy Company. He was right: she was better than that and she deserved surely someone better than Sobel.

''Better than who, Dick? Sobel? Do you think I'm better than him? Do you think you are better than him? You don't know him like I do! And you know what? You don't know me neither ! ''

Dick was caught astonished by the fervor of her words.

''What do you mean by you don't know me? Yes, I don't know you completely, like you said once, no one can completely get to know one other, since there's so much hidden inside, but I do know that you could've had much better than that!''

''Who the hell do you think you are, Dick Winters? As far as I know, he's a Captain, and you're a Lieutenant! And I'm telling you this: Sobel can understand me better than anyone else, here!''

''Do you love him?'' Dick said, putting on a straight face, as if he only wanted to understand, trying to hide his trembling hands when the idea crossed his mind. Bea gasped for breath.

''I don't, but I need him.''

''Why?''

''Because he needs me, Dick'' she finally made her eyes which were about to be filled by tears with his deep blue ones ''he needs me, he's alone…and I feel useful when I'm with him. Nobody wants him, Dick, he's got no friends. I'm all his world. I'm unreplaceable for him.''

He got closer to her and pulled her into his arms. He felt her tears wetting his shirt and his own heart was about to break.

''You're unreplaceable for everyone here, Bea. Nobody does your job as you do, neither Lew. And we all care about you, we could not be able to survive without your advices, and your smiles and…'' be a man, tell her ''you already know it, but if you hadn't told me all those things, I would've never got to live again. I felt already dead, Bea, and you know it! I've found the strength, and that's because of you! If I make it through this war, it will be because of everything you had told me! And I'm sure I'm going to need your words soon again, and I hope you'll be next to me. I need you too, Bea. I need you to survive.''

Those words should've helped her. Instead, she felt a rush of anger invading her heart and the words Sobel had spoken once about his Lieutenant echoed in her mind: ''Winters wants to take everything away from me: my rank, my company. He wants to be at the center of the universe, and under his false cover of an altar boy, there's a beast eager to devour everything I built to get fame. To be the best.'' She realized Dick was as perfect as she thought and passion had control over him: he didn't want to win this war for you country, but for himself; he didn't want another CO for his company, he wanted to be the CO; he didn't want her because she was special, but because she belonged to someone else, and he could not stand it.

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Uppottery, June 6th

Fortunately, court-martial cleared Dick from Sobel's accuses and when Easy Company realized Colonel Sink had transferred their tyrannical CO, they all sighed of release. It was like they had already gunned down one of their enemies, and they were ready to get in the real combat under the leadership of a fine officer as Lieutenant Meehan. Dick liked him too. He was self-confident, but he would've accepted some suggestions by the other officers. He could read maps and men respected him. Sobel's ghost was far away from him, from his company and hopefully from Bea too. He knew she had lost her mind and he wondered how such a beautiful and smart woman could fall for a dreg like Sobel. He was right: Bea deserved something more than that, definitely. She was a hell of an officer. Dick didn't know what he wanted from her. Did he love her? No, but he had to admit he really needed her: he needed her smile, he needed her advices and her touch. He thought Bea liked him back. Although he had to think of the imminent mission, he could not help himself but thinking if he would've ever get the chance to get closer to her. He craved her touch. He felt chills running up his back every time she was close to him. He found himself having a selfish desire, the one he wanted to fulfil: one night, only one night with her. And he could've died in peace.

Everyone was scared and he noticed his men shitting themselves and literally, since there was an infinite queue for the toilettes. Obviously, he was scared to death too, but he tried to keep calm, confessing his fears to God and asking Him to guide his actions. Even if he still had his feet on the ground, he felt himself closer to the sky, his hopes and confidence growing and the love he felt for his men invaded him. He wanted to wish good luck to his best friend, who was still briefing the rest of the Intelligence officers. Nixon didn't seem to be particularly jittery; when Dick asked him how could he be so calm, he answered ''I'm the Intelligence officer, I know everything will be ok.'' Dick smiled at him and then, he started to search for her.

Bea was mentally repeating the mission and all the things all the Intelligence officers had discovered about the enemy. Maps were all she had in her mind, in that moment. She was totally absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Dick Winters approaching to her. None of them knew what to do. Dick gently smiled at her and wished good luck. ''See you soon, Bea'', he said. ''See you soon, Dick'' she answered back. When he left, she found herself quivering, her mind could not think straight anymore. She knew she was acting childish, and God knew it wasn't the right moment to act in such way, but she knew she had two missions on her back: trying to get as many information she could about those Krauts, and making Dick Winters fall. He had to pay for what he had done. Everybody would've considered him so humble, so strong, so fucking perfect but she knew she could see the truth: Dick considered himself God: he was sure he would haven't made mistakes, he thought he was ironclad, unstoppable. But he forgot he was human, and humans fall, sometimes: she offered herself to remind Dick Winters he was a common mortal, just like the rest of the human kind. He had to fall, and she would've helped.

She got on her C-47, next to Lewis. When she knew they were about to take off, she felt Lewis' hand squeezing hers. She turned to her left to look at him: she saw confidence in his eyes, confidence and hope. She let her head leaning against Nixon's shoulder. She was ready. This whole thing could begin.