Author's Note:

Thank you once again, Straight Edge Queen. Love your reviews! :)

I used Google Translate for the French, so sorry if it isn't accurate!

Cherbourg, France

June 29,1944

The past two weeks had been filled with finishing up business in Carentan, and with patrols. Two weeks of practically being the only company holding the line and the main resistance. The two weeks had drained all of them. After the straining couple of weeks, they really were a sorry sight. They hadn't had showers since the jump, hadn't had much sleep, and hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Marie thought the casualties were over, but on a patrol Blithe had gotten shot and was sent back to England with little chance of full recovery. He had finally started to show promise and then he had to get taken off he line. Marie felt guilty for the negative thoughts she had of him.

Being moved to Cherbourg had been a Godsend. Easy Company had gotten the orders to rest and would soon be moved back to Aldbourne to be relieved. Marie couldn't wait to take off her grimy, sweaty BDU's and take a shower. She hated feeling this dirty, just thinking about how long she hadn't bathed made her skin crawl. She couldn't wait to sleep in an actual bed again; she'd almost forgotten what it felt like.

In Cherbourg they were able to get their uniforms clean and take quick showers. The citizens of Cherbourg let the soldiers reside in their apartments for the time being. Because they were on a strict water and time limit, the shower wasn't as satisfying as it could've been, but Marie didn't complain. At least she'd gotten to wash up. She scrubbed herself as clean as she could and towel dried her hair before pulling it up in a damp ponytail. She put on a new uniform then left to let the next person take a shower.

It was a nice day out; the men's spirits were high with the news that they'd be relieved soon. Marie glanced around the busy street, unable to find Emilia anywhere. She'd been so distant lately, which worried Marie a great deal. She hadn't had the opportunity to really sit down and talk to Emilia since she told her the news about Talbert two weeks ago. Marie spotted Buck, Guarnere and Welsh sitting by some trucks. It looked like they were getting ready to depart shortly, Marie noted this, knowing that she had to find Em quickly before she ran out of time. She jogged over to join them.

"Hey, Hun. What can I do for ya?" Buck greeted, loading a crate onto one of the trucks.

"I was wondering if you've seen Emilia anywhere?" She asked.

"Uh, I saw her talking to the natives about thirty minutes ago or so." Buck told her. "You know, she's the one that helped negotiate on getting to use these places." Buck gestured to the streets, lined up with apartments all down the road.

Marie nodded. "That sounds like her."

"Is everything alright?" Guarnere questioned, seeing the hint of worry on Marie's face.

She fidgeted awkwardly with her hands, deciding whether she should tell them about Emilia's distant behavior. She bit her lip and looked down at her shoes. The men waited a moment before speaking.

"Hun?" Welsh interjected.

"Em has been really… different lately. Ever since Edward Tipper got hit and Floyd Talbert got stabbed… I don't know, she just hasn't been herself. I'm worried about her." Marie admitted.

"She seemed okay when I saw her." Guarnere replied absentmindedly inspecting his rifle. "She might be in one of the apartments if you wanna take a look."

"Thank you." Marie said before turning around and making her way down the street. She glanced back and forth, trying to see if she'd spot anyone with Emilia's features. Not paying attention ahead of her, she ran into a man, causing both of them to stumble backwards.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Marie apologized.

The man looked disgusted, giving her a fierce look that made Marie feel both slightly afraid and offended. He brushed himself off, as if he was trying to rid her very presence from himself.

"Regardez où vous allez, salope Américaine stupide!" He spat. Marie wasn't sure what he said, but she had a feeling it was nasty. The man pointed a steady finger at her. "Vous envahir nos maisons comme de la vermine!"

"Whatever." Marie sneered, waving her hand at him to dismiss his words. She didn't mean to run into the man, it's not like she did it on purpose. She had learned quickly that most of the French didn't really enjoy having them around.

"Laissez-la tranquille, mon vieux." A new voice added. Marie peered behind her to see Webster approaching, his hands in his pockets. "Elle polietly demandé d'utiliser les maisons. Elle est une bonne personne." Web added.

The man didn't seem very fond of Web's words. "Tais-toi! Vous, les Américains sont tous les mêmes!" He countered, shouting at Web. Marie watched as Web and the French man interacted back and forth, not having the slightest idea what they were saying. Finally the man stormed off, leaving Web with a coy smile on his face.

"Um thanks, I guess." Marie muttered, watching the angry man stalk away.

"It's fine. Some of the citizens in this village aren't very fond of us, but who can blame them? Even if Cherbourg has been liberated." Web answered with a shrug.

"Have you seen Emilia anywhere, Web?"

"I think I saw her in the makeshift CP they had goin'. You know we're moving out soon, right?"

"Yeah. Utah Beach then we head back to Aldbourne." Marie sighed. "It's hard to believe we're actually getting a break."

Web smiled, looking exhausted like the rest of the company. "Here, I'll walk you to CP." He offered.

Marie ducked her head under the makeshift tent that had been set up for CP. Inside she saw Emilia, talking rapidly in French to three French women. Marie guessed that she was still trying to negotiate for apartment use. Marie waited patiently, Web beside her at the entrance.

Emilia noticed the two of them standing at the corner of her eye. She gave them a flustered look, then focused her attention back to the tentative looking women standing before her. Emilia sighed, running her hand through her thick black hair that had started to curl on the ends.

"Merci pour votre hospitalité. Vous pouvez partir maintenant." Emilia stated to the women. Marie didn't know what she said, but the three women started to make their way out of the tent. She guessed she just dismissed them. The women giggled as they passed Web before leaving CP. Marie couldn't help but smirk. This was definitely good fraternizing territory for the men.

"Em, do you have a minute?" Marie spoke.

"I'll see you later, Hun." Web leaned over and whispered to Marie. He gently patted her on the back and left.

"What do you need, Marie?" Emilia asked her in a matter-of-factly voice.

"I just wanted to check up on you, make sure you're okay."

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" Emilia answered, her voice tense. Marie waited in silence for a moment, letting Emilia busy herself with her surroundings. She knew Em was trying to play it off like she was fine, but Marie knew better. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

"You've been my friend for years now, Em. I know when something is bothering you." Marie stated softly. "Carentan has been hard for everyone, but I know it's been difficult for you, especially."

Emilia didn't answer.

"With what happened to Tipper and Talbert, I know you've been struggling. Hell, I would be doing the same thing if it was you, Malarkey, or Muck." Marie continued on. "I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you. I promised Tab before he was shipped off that I'd take care of you."

She saw Emilia contemplating her words, biting the inside of her cheek as she thought. Emilia sighed, staring over at her friend with tired but thankful eyes.

"So, you and Web huh? You told me it was nothing and here he comes walking you all the way here. What would Malarkey say?" Emilia teased.

"There she is." Marie said smiling.

Emilia laughed light-heartedly. "Okay, we'll be moving out soon. Can you help me pack up these maps and books?"

"Sure." Marie responded, making her way deeper into CP. She started taking the maps off of where they hung and packed them up in boxes. "Looks like you guys have been strategizing for hours."

"Just checking over how we're doing, along with the rest of the Army. You know Winters, he's quite the tactician." Emilia sighed, wiping her brow.

"At least we'll all be getting a break." Marie concluded.

"I wonder for how long?"

Marie shrugged. She knew that most likely it wouldn't be too long, but she knew any amount of free time would be greatly appreciated. She wanted things to be like they used to be. She finished up helping Em, then they both proceeded to the trucks outside, waiting for them in the streets of Cherbourg.