A/N:
Thank you Byron W.4 for the follow and the review! I appreciate it!
Thank you drovingallday96 for the review! It makes me feel a lot more reassured knowing that the little snippet of their love scene wasn't done too dirty. I wanted it to be more meaningful than the stereotypical fanfic stuff lol.
Thank you BobtheFrog for the review! Yes, Marie's thoughts are such a tornado of activity I have a hard time keeping up myself at times lol. I do feel bad for poor Abernathy, but maybe Marie will finally accept her. I'm glad you liked the letter part! Haha, Marie is finally being bold with Malarkey, about time! Whoops, I went back and edited the pronoun mistakes, sorry about that! Thanks for letting me know :)
Thank you Crazyforkasey for the review!
Thank you LauRa-ReaDing-XoX for another review! I'm glad Marie taking initiative has received a positive response (about time she made a move, right?). I'm excited to see everyone get to know Abernathy! :)
Thank you OriginalyMe for the story favorite!
Wow! I CAN'T believe it – this story has reached 100 reviews! I literally had tears of joys in my eyes when I saw the number. I can't thank all of you enough for taking the time out of your days to write a review for this story. It means so much to me receiving feedback and knowing that there are people out there reading this story. Really, thank you all so much; I can't express my gratitude enough! Dialogue mostly from the episode with elements from the book, I hope everyone enjoys!
Haguenau, France
February 10th, 1945
Marie awoke with a start, hearing a low 'boom' exploding in the distance that shook her from her restful dreams. Sweat stuck to her skin as the bed sheet that draped over her clung to her naked body. She could feel Malarkey's arm resting on her abdomen from under the sheet. She turned her head to her left, seeing Malarkey sleeping peacefully on his back, his head facing away from her. Her cheeks instantly blushed as the memories of what they'd done came rushing back to her as her grogginess lifted. She rubbed her eyes, letting them adjust in the dark as an explosion of colors erupted before them. She had no idea what time it was, all she knew was that it was still dark outside and Bain and Liebgott were still fast asleep in their beds. She sat up in the bed, her body aching and sore from previous 'exertions'. Marie wiped the sticky sweat from her forehead, knowing that she'd have to get dressed quickly and sneak out of here before she was caught by anyone. It was too late in the game now to be discharged for fraternizing, she'd come much too far for that. Marie gently removed Malarkey's hand from her body, being careful not to wake him; he stirred in his sleep but his eyes never fluttered open. She slid out of the sheet and reached for her discarded clothes that were lying on the wood floor. As she quietly dressed herself she thought about the intimate and incredible moments that had occurred between her and Malarkey just hours before. The pain from intercourse had come suddenly and was astonishing, but Malarkey had been loving and gentle when he handled her. She could still hear his sweet voice in her ear as he was over her, whispering through the dark, as her body lay arched beneath his.
'Am I hurting you? Are you okay?'
Marie grinned to herself as she pulled her BDU pants up and fastened them. She glanced over her shoulder at Malarkey's still figure and lovingly smiled at him. She wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed with him and remain beside him forever. She wanted him to be wrapped around her once more like a cocoon where she felt warm and safe for the first time months; embracing him and breathing in his scent as it overpowered her own. She wanted his lips to trail down her neck and collarbone again, leaving love bites that she was positive would be visible in just her undershirt. She couldn't recall if she told him that she loved him or not, she was so caught up in the moment that she could barely remember what she'd said or done. She felt as if she was in another state of mind. Marie finished dressing and tiptoed out of the room, being careful not to cause the wood floors to creak too loudly. She exited the boys room and made her way down stairs, her body felt like it was floating from a strange combination of both ecstasy and exhaustion. She made it back to her room and snuck inside, being sure that Barbara and Abernathy were still asleep. She did not want to wake them and explain what she'd been doing, though her disarrayed appearance would most likely give it away. She didn't want Barb to pry her for details all night long, and she didn't know Abernathy well enough to share. She climbed back into her bed, pulling the sheets over her head as she nestled herself into her pillow. Sleep eventually crept up on her as she felt her heavy eyelids close as she slipped into a dreamlike state.
Barbara shook Marie violently awake, trying to coax the tired woman from a deep sleep. Marie's eyelids flew open, seeing Barbara's face leaning over her as she continued to shake her. Barbara's long hair cascaded down on Marie's face, making Marie swat her long locks away in annoyance as they tickled against her skin and nose.
"C'mon, wake up! Something happened, we need to go!" Barbara alerted her.
Marie jolted upright, feeling her head spin from lack of sleep as it felt too heavy for her shoulders to support. It was still dark out to Marie's surprise; she felt it was morning by now. She noticed Abernathy standing by the doorway, looking distressed and anxious to leave. Marie could hear commotion outside and instantly got to her feet, grabbing her pack and pulling her BDU top over her, though she didn't waste time buttoning the front.
"What happened?" Marie asked, hoping someone would have an answer.
"The guys came back from the patrol." Barbara replied, already headed out the bedroom door. Marie had completely forgotten about the patrol. She rushed outside the room, catching up to Barb's quick pace as they made their way outside and toward the kitchen area. A crowd had gathered inside while some stood outside, pacing in fear.
The women entered to a chaotic scene. Vest was in the corner, wailing and holding a pistol firmly in his hand while several soldiers restrained him from lunging at the German prisoners that stood fearfully in the back of the room, huddled together. The guys were yelling all around them as Marie caught sight of Roe leaning over a body as he attempted to calm down a stressed victim. Marie was immediately at his side, seeing that the soldier lying on the table was Eugene Jackson. His face and half of his body looked as if it had taken the brunt of a nasty weapon or a grenade, and the wounds were mostly fresh. Jackson's flesh ooze of blood and destroyed peeling skin; his brow and eyelid had swelled and completely engulfed his left eye, leaving him partially blind. His one good eye wildly spun around in its socket, drinking in the crowded and confined environment that surrounded him. His grotesque features were crudely lit by a single old light bulb hanging above the table, the casted him with a dim orange light. It was nearly impossible for Marie to observe the state of his worsening condition in this lighting, and with the added distraction of the frantic soldiers that collected around the table. Tears leaked from his eyes as he whimpered for his mother – it was all too overwhelming for the kid. His chances for survival had already appeared slim, even when she first noticed him splayed out on the wooden table. He was in too much shock to feel the pain from his injuries, but soon his hysteria would fade and leave him crippled.
Marie desperately dug through the meager contents of her medical pack, but she had nothing she could give the suffering kid. No morphine, no sulfadiazine, no copper sulfate solution, no Foille ointment. Nothing. She didn't even have the wooden applicator to spread the ointments in her possession. It's not like she had time to make a run to the aide station to check the supplies, Jackson was already showing signs of slipping away. He cried in fear as Roe tried to open his BDU clothing to get a look at his chest. He squirmed and fought against the Doc, his strength was surprisingly powerful enough to keep the Cajun at bay. The men that surrounded them screamed and fought, only causing more panic to be instilled in the poor young soldier; they shouted, fought, and placed blame in every direction, mainly pitting their vicious fury at the POWs.
Marie placed her hands on Jackson's forearm, hoping to direct his attention away from everyone else. "Hey, Eugene. It's okay, the Docs are here, we're going to fix you." She tried to soothe, but her nice words were falling on deaf ears.
"Let the Docs do their job!" Martin ordered from the back, forcing everyone to step aside and give the two medics some room.
Roe cupped Jackson's face. "It's all right, Jackson. Take it easy, take it easy." Roe shushed him as he continued to make efforts to calm him. Jackson's heart rate was sky rocketing at a dangerous rate, and his blood pressure must've been through the roof. He checked inside his mouth, seeking further injury, but it was too dark to see. "Light, I need some light. Gimme some light." Roe asked impatiently.
Skinny tapped Marie on the shoulder, handing her a lighter to give to Roe. She lit it up and handed it carefully to Roe, hoping it was a good enough light source. Roe waved the lighter back and forth in front of Jackson's face slowly; the small flame seemed to draw the young soldier in and calm him down from his raving hysterics. Marie took his pulse on his wrist, feeling that his blood pressure was finally dropping to a normal level. She sighed in relief and nodded at Roe, finally feeling like there was hope for him yet.
"All right, look at the flame, Jackson. Look at the flame, okay that's good." Roe coaxed. Jackson's breathing relaxes though tears still flowed freely from his eyes. Jackson intently watched the fire with his good eye, following the lighter as it drifted back and forth before him. Roe turned to Marie. "Right, let's get him out of here."
Everyone scrambled to help lift him onto a gurney and carry him outside, breaking the peaceful atmosphere once again. An ambulance was already waiting for him outside the mess hall area, the engine running as Winters waited anxiously at the back. Marie gripped the gurney and was trying to get him to the safety of the truck as quickly as she could, but she felt Jackson start to twitch from the gurney.
"I don't want to die!" Jackson started to shriek as he struggled. Everyone had no choice but to place the gurney on the pavement before they dropped him. Jackson continued to scream the same words over and over again, driving himself mad with presentiment. The men around him started to shout at him again, telling him forcefully to calm down and stop talking, but he wasn't listening. His intense level of horror made it almost impossible for him to see any sense other than his impending doom.
"Please, Eugene, calm down! You're going to head to the hospital very soon!" Marie cried. Her fingers were pressed against his neck this time, feeling his heart rate begin to climb again. "Dammit! We need a sedative!" In between Jackson's cries he started to choke, spewing blood from his mouth. This only heightened his panic, causing him to squirm more in the realization that he couldn't breathe.
"Jackson!" Roe screamed, leaning down and clutching the rasping soldier as blood continued to run from the corners of his mouth and regurgitate from his throat. Marie tilted his head back to open a passageway for air, but Jackson fought against her touch and keeping his neck back.
"No, I'm gonna die!" Jackson coughed, his voice barely audible.
"Work with me!" Marie bellowed, trying to keep his head back.
"Jackson, you're not gonna die, you're not gonna die! I need you to hang on!" Roe hollered desperately.
Blood flowed thickly from his mouth as he coughed it up, still choking on it. His body began to violently jerk in uncontrollable movements until finally he abruptly stopped, going limp. Marie watched his still body for a few moments, her mouth hanging open as she held her breath, waiting for him to move again and show any sign that he was still alive. Roe stood up slowly, removing his helmet from his head as the men fell silent around them. Marie glanced at them in a frenzy as she felt her body began to quake. Why were they giving up? He could still be alive, there was still time. She wasn't going to allow another friend to die. She couldn't allow someone else she knew die. She tilted Jackson's head to the side, letting the blood drain and pool from his mouth as it came out from his slacked jaw. She started to rapidly perform chest compressions on Jackson in a meek attempt to revive him. She felt someone hook their arms from under her armpits, pulling her off of the corpse.
"No! No!" Marie fought, but the person holding her back was far too strong. He wrestled her to her knees as she watched Martin place a blanket over Jackson's body. She stopped struggling, balling her hands into fists as she sat on the brick roads of Haguenau, her head dipped downward as rage and disappointment flooded her emotions. She looked up to see Lipton standing over her, staring sadly at Jackson's body as the men began to disperse, some staying behind to watch Jackson's body be taken away. He was lifted into the back of the ambulance and driven away into the dead of night.
Marie stood up, anger coursing through her veins and filling her stomach with a burning sensation that made her want to puke. She whirled around to face Lipton, her eyes narrowing on him. "You should be in bed." She clipped. She'd managed to raid some cupboards and find Lipton some of the ingredients for the home remedies for his pneumonia, but he still wasn't well enough to be walking around. Lipton remained silent, knowing her aggression wasn't focused on him purposely. "What happened?" Marie demanded.
"Jackson got hammered by the handle of a potato masher, apparently he'd thrown it himself but ran ahead too soon. The poor kid walked right into his own explosion. Sergeant Bill Kiehn was also killed on the patrol." Lipton explained, his voice hollow with a hint of congestion from the pneumonia.
Marie buried her face in her hands in dissatisfaction. Jackson was only nineteen years old, he'd enlisted when he was just sixteen. He died from shock from his injuries on a mission that wasn't even worth going on in the first place, a mission that was meant for the brass to brag about over the phone to some bigwig general or something. They'd captured some POWs, but at the cost of losing two more Easy Company members. Jackson was the kid that had been around since Normandy, and now he was gone because of his adrenaline, miscalculation and being assigned to a horrible mission. Marie removed her hands from her face, seeing Barbara smoking in the distance as Abernathy stared aimlessly in the direction of where the ambulance had left, her face as white as a ghost. The two were waiting for Marie to catch up, most likely so they could walk as a group back to OP2, but Marie wasn't sure if she could sleep now.
She looked back at Lipton who was eyeing her messy appearance. His eyes landed on her neck and white undershirt, his brows furrowed. She suddenly realized that she'd left evidence of what she'd done exposed in front of everyone as she was improperly dressed. She crossed her arms, bringing her BDU top closed over her, her face blushing deeply from embarrassment. She turned her head away from him, her lips drawn in a thin line.
He sighed, eyeing her with an unreadable expression. "Don't get caught." He mumbled to her as he passed, returning to CP. She kept her eyes downcast before willing herself to join the other girls and return to their room. She knew her secret was safe with Lipton at least.
The sun arose in the early morning and just as Marie thought, sleep didn't come. She couldn't think of anything else other than Jackson being added to the list of those she knew well who died. She took her time getting ready, but made sure she was fully covered up to avoid any irritated questions. She wore her hair down, though it was still kept short, ending just under her jawline. She ran her fingers through it, but didn't even bother to brush it. She left her room and went to join the guys upstairs, hoping their company would help lift her melancholic mood. She opened the door to find Perconte drinking coffee nearby while Malarkey waited beside his bunk, leaning against the frame. Liebgott lay on his bunk, smoking casually.
Marie and Malarkey's eyes met for a moment but Marie broke contact first, her cheeks already feeling like they were being set aflame. She went to stand beside him by his bed, sitting down and feeling the familiar touch of his bed sheets that she'd come to know so well the night before. His hand lightly brushed against hers, subtle enough where no one else noticed. She swore electricity was surged through her at that moment, but she fought to keep herself appearing neutral as if nothing happened. Webster and Jones entered, the two of them looking worn down, their faces stony.
"We heard you got two prisoners." Malarkey piped up. He glanced over at Jones. "Good work." He complimented.
"Jackson's dead." Webster suddenly interjected, his tone rough as he avoided the gazes of those around the room. His eyes landed on Marie, whom kept perfectly still, fixing him with an equally firm stare. Why'd he even have to bring it up, most of the company knew by now.
"Yeah, we heard." Liebgott mumbled softly, his eyes falling on Jackson's now empty bunk.
Perconte sat up, holding onto his mug so tightly that his hands began to shake. He walked over to the other side of the room, something clearly on his mind. "Yeah, well they want another patrol tonight." He brought up as he sat on a dormant bed. Marie closed her eyes at the news as the others had a similar response.
"I guess we should start preparing…" Jones muttered with no enthusiasm.
Webster scoffed. "This is complete bullshit. We lost two men for what, two prisoners? We had to leave one of the prisoners on the bank because he was injured and was making too much noise. It's not worth it!" He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration rising and becoming visible on his face as his paled skin started to turn slightly pink. "After what happened to Jackson they're going to make us go on another patrol! He just was lying there, dying-"
"Shut up, Webster!" Marie snapped, not wanting to hear anymore.
Webster's eyes narrowed on her, not liking her challenging tone. "What? You think we should go on another patrol?"
"Web, don't-" Malarkey started.
Marie shook her head. "I just don't want to think about it. I couldn't save him and I don't want to be reminded." She explained weakly. Jackson's death was still painfully vivid in her mind, she wanted the gruesome details cast aside until eventually they were nothing but numb memories. It helped her temporarily move on from the other deaths she'd experienced.
Webster seemed to calm down a bit. "Right, sorry." He apologized, ending the conversation.
Marie mumbled an excuse about checking on Lipton and excused herself, not wanting to leave Malarkey but suddenly feeling the need for some fresh air. As soon as she took a step outside she could feel the chill was different in the air. Tonight would be colder than last night, making matters worse for those selected to go on the second patrol. She hugged herself thinking about Sink and the other brass members making phone calls and laughing heartily about the "success" of last night's patrol, on how they captured two POWs and would interrogate them until they spilled all of Hitler's secrets. It all sounded so idiotic in her head, as she sure it sounded to those in Easy Company. Another patrol just meant another chance for Malarkey to be sent directly into the line of fire again. She decided to keep herself busy in the aide station, mainly as an escape.
As the time passed Marie walked back into the mess hall, which had been scrubbed clean of any remnants of blood from Jackson just a few hours before. She saw Cobb cradling a bottle of schnapps, drinking it directly from the bottle as he took long swigs, craning his head back as he drained it. Some members of Easy Company were gathered around, all quiet from loathing about tonight. Marie sat on the kitchen floor, watching the guys in the makeshift mess hall play cards and smoke, though there was no jovial joking and laughing with this card game. Malarkey stood beside her, the two of them craving some alone time to discuss the events from the night before, but they couldn't find any free opportunities to slip away undetected.
"Whatcha looking at, Webster." Cobb slurred loud enough for the entire room to hear him. The crowd fell silent, their eyes landing on Webster whom looked stunned to be pointed out amongst everyone. Cobb's bloodshot eyes, stumbling posture, and flushed cheeks made Marie's blood boil. It reminded her of her alcoholic mother. She could sense the tension growing thicker and thicker in the room as Cobb's drunken gaze didn't waver from Webster. Webster didn't respond, and neither did anyone else, everyone just remained awkwardly silent.
"Yeah that's what I thought, college boy." Cobb scoffed.
"Are you drunk, trooper?" Jones questioned firmly. Barbara chuckled from the doorway, smoking a cigarette as she watched the scene play out before her. She leaned over to Abernathy, whom looked spooked from what was happening. Marie could see Barbara mouth something about how 'the West Pointer should keep his yap shut.'
"Leave me alone." Cobb grunted, waving Jones away dismissively in an unorthodox fashion.
"Answer the question."
"Yes sir, I am drunk, sir. Drunk… sick and tired of fucking patrols." Cobb paused a moment, his mind reeling for more words. "Taking orders-"
Martin whirled his head around, annoyed by Cobb and his drunken antics. "Hey, Cobb? Shut up. It's boring, okay." He grumbled, turning his attention back to the card game.
Cobb smiled testily. "Taking his side, Johnny?"
Martin turned back around in his chair. "Yeah, I am." Cobb rolled his eyes, taking another hefty drink from the bottle. Marie glared at Cobb, wishing the man would shut his mouth for once. Cobb's could feel Marie's heated gaze on him. He frowned at her, taking an uneven step forward in her direction, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process.
"What the hell are you looking at, Hun?"
"A drunken fool." She sneered.
Cobb's eyes narrowed angrily on her as he stood before her. "You have no right to judge me, you whore." He spat. Malarkey made a move to stand up, but Marie caught him by his shoulder and pulled him back down. The men were now staring daggers at the intoxicated soldier. He howled with laughter, whipping his head back and chuckling while he almost spilled all his liquor. It splashed on the ground, almost soaking both Marie and Malarkey.
"You're right, you're just a bitch. A bitch that will only spread your legs for Malark and Skip."
Malarkey shot up then, Marie was unable to hold him back. Martin, Babe, and Barbara had also become alert, moving in on Cobb. Marie scrambled upward, ready to stop a fight that was waiting to happen. Marie got in between Malarkey and Cobb, ready to prevent any fists from flying. Martin grabbed Cobb by the collar, pulling him harshly backward. He lost his footing and fell to the ground, dropping his bottle and shattering it against the mess hall floor.
"Get out of here, you idiot!" Martin ordered. Babe and Barb ushered him out of the mess hall. Barb shoved him in the back, almost causing him to topple over. Marie watched, her feelings mixed. She felt Malarkey grasp her elbow and lead her out of the mess hall. She could tell that he was fuming.
The two of them walked in silence, heading toward OP2. She wanted to speak but Malarkey's tense and furious expression halted her from opening her mouth. There was so much she wanted to speak to him about, but Cobb had soiled any opportunity to discuss something other than his ignorant words. Marie sighed, not wanting to go on any further. She stopped, making Malarkey slow down at the doors of OP2.
"Don-"
"That moron should be court martialed." He grumbled.
Marie smiled sadly, bringing her hand up to gently caress his cheek. "Roy was stressed and drunk, not the best combination."
"There's no excuse. He shouldn't speak to you that way, or speak that way about Skip."
Marie agreed with him there, it wasn't just to speak ill or the dead, especially Muck. "I know he wasn't in his right mind, and his words are useless to me anyway. I don't really care what he thinks about me. I don't want any of you to get into a fight and end up getting hurt or in big trouble. Something as trite as Cobb calling me names isn't worth all that."
Malarkey sighed, simmering down and understanding her point though he didn't like it. He grasped her hand as it cupped his face, encircling his fingers around her hand and palm. He brought her paled hand to his lips, giving her a hasty kiss. The electricity sparked again, warming her entire body from the contact. She smiled at him, feeling an overwhelming sensation of love and admiration for Malarkey.
"Let's see who's going on tonight's patrol."
I mean NO disrespect to the real Roy Cobb whom served with Easy Company! The show portrayed him as being a jerk, so I just went along with that to that to add a little fictional drama. I read that he wasn't as mean as the show portrayed him, but he did assault Lt. Foley and was dishonorably discharged for that.