Idiots! The lot of them!
Alice had been conversing casually with Muck and Luz while she peeled carrots and potatoes.
When Bill Gaunere addressed her as an honorary member of Easy Co, he meant it. The boys took her under their wing and quickly became attached.
George Luz was telling her the story of messing with Captain Sobel by doing his impression of Major Horton.
Alice was laughing hysterically until she saw Bill Gaurnere and Carwood Lipton walking to Colonel Sink's office with a few other men.
"What's going on there?" She asked.
Luz and Muck stiffened.
"Uh... nothing!" George answered quickly.
"Yeah, nothin'!" Skip Muck repeated.
Alice raised a brow at them. "Well, if it's nothing then I can go see what they're up to." She said, getting up.
Skip and George quickly jumped to stop her.
"Woah woah!" Skip shouted.
"Just wait a minute!" George commanded.
Alice crossed her arms. "Then tell me what is going on! Why did Bill walk into the Colonel's office?"
Skip and Goerge looked at each other.
"Mutiny." Skip muttered.
"Against Sobel." George finished quietly.
Alice's eyes went wide.
"Do they know they could get shot?" Alice shrilled.
The boys nodded.
She shoved them away and marched toward her home, tears stinging in her eyes.
It hadn't even been a month but Bill Gaurnere had become her closest friend.
Even if he was a hopeless flirt.
Alice admitted to herself she loved him, yet she cursed him under her breath. She knew he would be jumping into action sometime soon, risking his life for his country, but this? Mutiny?
He was practically volunteering to get shot.
"Bastard!" Alice choked a sob, crumbling to her knees, barely off the base.
Why did everyone she love and care about have to die?
She sat in the grass, crying, thinking about all those people, and now Bill and Lipton were added to the list.
Alice didn't know how long she sat there, in the grass. It could have been minutes. It could have been hours. She simply didn't care. Nothing could move her from this spot.
"There you are, Gorgeous." Bill's voice came softly.
It couldn't be. How was he not dead?
Alice closed her eyes, breathing deeply to calm herself.
"Luz and Muck told me you had gone this way." His voice stayed soft.
Anger bubbled and brewed inside Alice.
How could he be so casual?
"Alice?" Bill pressed. "Sweetheart?"
Alice opened her eyes and looked at him.
He looked worried. Scared even.
Good.
Alice glared at him. Hoping he could feel the knives her eyes were sending him.
He inhaled sharply. Clearly receiving her message.
Bill stepped closer to her, she looked away.
"I'm guessing they told you why I had gone to Colonel Sink's office." Bill muttered.
Alice nodded, seething.
"Are you icing me out, Gorgeous?" He asked somberly.
Alice nodded again.
It was Bill's turn to get angry.
"You do know why I did it, right?" He asked sharply. "I didn't do it because I felt like it. I didn't wake up this morning thinking to meself 'Gee! I feel like committing mutiny and possibly getting shot today! That sounds like good ol' time!'"
Bill crouched in front of her. "I had to do something! Alright? I honest to God believe he's gonna get us killed."
Alice believed him, but it didn't stop her rage.
She pushed him, stood up and began walking away.
"Alice! Baby!!" Bill called after her, following her. "Talk to me! What do you want me to do? Apologize?"
Bingo.
Alice rounded on Bill. "Yes! That is precisely what I want William Gaurnere!"
"Fine!" Bill barked. "I'm sorry! Happy?"
"That depends on what you're sorry for!" Alice shrilled.
"I'm sorry for trying to protect the rest of the men from being lead straight into death because of an incompetent leader!"
Alice slapped him hard. "That's not what I am angry about!" She shrieked, tears streaming down her face.
Bill rubbed his stinging cheek. "Jeez! You really can strike a blow, Gorgeous!"
Alice felt slightly bad for him, but not enough to apologize. She turned away again, fighting back more sobs.
Bill's heart sank as he looked at her, realization dawning on him. He placed both hands on her shoulders, gently turning her around and pulling her into a hug.
She reciprocated, wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm sorry," He began sincerely, whispering into her ear. "I'm sorry I risked my life without even talking to you about it. I wasn't even taking you into consideration. I love you, Alice. In what way, I'm not sure, but you have a piece of my heart."
He pulled away, looking into her puffy eyes. It was like a punch to the gut.
"Awh, Baby..." he kissed her forehead. "Could you ever forgive me? Is there any way I could make it up to you?"
Alice rested her head against his chest and began to sob, this time, not holding back.
Bill held her tightly, rubbing her back. "I'm here, Gorgeous, I've got you."
"I.. thought... you... were... dead..." Alice blubbered.
Bill felt a tear sting in his eye. Now he really felt like hot garbage.
"I'm so sorry, Baby." He whispered, kissing the top of her head.
"Never do that to me again." She ordered.
He couldn't help but snicker. "I'll try, but I am going to war soon."
She smacked his arm. "Shut up! You know what I meant, you bastard."
Bill smirked. "I didn't know you had it in you to talk like that, Gorgeous."
Alice pulled away enough glare at him. She saw the red mark on his cheek from where she had slapped him. Feeling a little bad, she stood on her toes and kissed it."
"I meant it when I said I love you, Alice." Bill said softly. "I would never intentionally hurt you in any way."
"I love you too, Bill." Alice replied, her voice weak from crying.
Bill hugged her more tightly and kissed her nose and both cheeks. "Am I forgiven now?" He asked with an innocent smile.
Alice scrunched her nose, trying not to smile back, but failing.
"I guess."
Luz found them still hugging. "I'm glad you didn't kill him, Alice. We were all worried!" He laughed. "Even Doc is on his way to make sure you didn't hurt Gonorrhea too bad."
Alice pulled away, looking disgusted. "I keep forgetting that's what they call you."
Bill chuckled. "Hey, I don't actually have it." He said, trying to pull her back into his arms.
"Any regret not killing him?" Malarkey asked, approaching with some of the others, including Gene.
Alice put her hands on her hips. "Not funny, Don!"
Gene looked annoyed as he walked over with ice and a rag, making an ice pack. He shoved it into Bill's hand before turning to Alice.
"Are you okay, Alice?" He asked gently.
"Better than I was a few minutes ago." She said, her voice was hoarse from screaming and crying.
"I'm gonna make you some tea, meet me back at the aid station." Gene said, giving her hand a squeeze before walking away.
Alice watched Gene as he left for the aid station, feeling a bit more relaxed than before.
Bill noticed, realizing there was no chance Alice would be with anybody other than Eugene Roe if her feelings were reciprocated. He accepted it. Alice was still his girl, just not his future wife.
"Smile!" Luz shouted from behind a camera.
Alice glared at him, hands on her hips. She didn't want to be photographed in this moment.
--
"And that's the story behind this picture." Emily finished with a sweet smile. "Uncle Bill told me it."