...
It rained all night and come morning; the rain had turned into a cold mist. After packing up their camp, the men were soon ordered to march back to Aldbourne. Three miles outside the village, the 506th were ready to begin their training exercise. With the manoeuvre being simple and easy to follow, the men expected to be back in Aldbourne by dinner. However, Sobel decided to take half of 1st Platoon for the exercise to lead and Easy Company sensed a delay. Nora hadn't experienced a field exercise with Sobel yet, but she didn't have high hopes of it being a fun day out. Unfortunately, Nora was among the unlucky men who Sobel had picked to lead. Even worse, Nora was ordered to stay by the Captain's side and work closely with himself and Tipper, who was reading the map. But Sobel tended to snatch the map off Tipper and read it himself, acting as if he knew better than Tipper. Each time Sobel snatched the map off of him, Nora would cast Tipper a tiny frown. Even 1st Sergeant Evans appeared slightly concerned. Evans was the closest thing Sobel had to a friend…
"Why is there a fence here?" Sobel questioned while staring at the map. "There shouldn't be a fence here…". Looking over his shoulder, he looked to his men who were crouched in the grassy field. "Perconte…take the men, find some cover behind those trees".
Licking her bottom lip, Nora peered up at Tipper who swallowed nervously. With the men now hiding behind a cluster of trees, Nora and Tipper stood alone with Evans and Sobel. Nora would rather be anywhere else. Sobel didn't make good company…
"We could go around the fence, sir". Evans suggested.
"That's not that point!" Sobel hissed, angry. "Dammit…where the hell are we?"
Tipper took a step forward and pointed at the map. "We're here, sir". He said, "We're a whole grid off".
"We're lost?" Sobel whispered. "Goddammit…".
Upon hearing soft footsteps pressing against the grass and a low 'moo', Nora looked over her shoulder and spotted a herd of cows grazing behind them. They weren't supposed to be in any occupied fields, Strayer didn't want his Battalion to anger any farmers. Drawing out a quiet sigh, Nora faced ahead again and looked between Sobel and Tipper. Sobel appeared stressed. He was at a loss for what to do next…
"Is there a problem, Captain Sobel?!" A voice soon sounded from across the field.
Surprised, Sobel, Evans, Nora, and Tipper all turned to face the cluster of trees. It must have come from one of the men. But who was daring enough to question their Captain…
"Who said that?!" Sobel demanded. "Who broke silence?!"
There was a short pause. Tipper licked his lips, to stop the smile from spreading. "I think it's Major Horton, sir".
Both Evans and Sobel stared at each other, mildly confused. "Major Horton?" Sobel questioned.
Evans shrugged. "What is he…did he join us?"
Tipper suggested, "Maybe he's moving between the Platoons, sir".
"What is the Goddamn hold-up, Mr Sobel?!" Major Horton demanded.
"A fence, sir!" Sobel called back. "A barbed wired fence!"
"Oh, that dog just ain't 'gonna hunt!" The Major called back. "Now, you cut that fence and get this Goddamn Platoon on the move!"
"Yes, sir!" Sobel complied. He faced Evans. "Where are my wire cutters?"
Nora stared up at Tipper, who did his best to not show any signs of amusement. She frowned at him softly, she could only think Tipper would find it funny because Sobel had been well and truly humbled by Major Horton. Eyes moving away from Tipper, Nora looked toward the cluster of trees and began to wonder how they missed Horton's sudden appearance…
"Clopper". Sobel said, "Bring the men up here".
"Yes, sir". Jogging down the gentle slope toward the cluster of trees, Nora peered around the corner and found many amused faces. But she couldn't see Major Horton. Casting Perconte and Luz a frown, she asked, "Did Major Horton leave?"
The men tried hard not to burst out into laughter. Luz told her through a wide grin, "Oh, you just missed him, chick…".
"Yeah". Skip smiled. "He's headed back that-a-ways".
"He wasn't here at all". Nora stated. She asked Luz, "Who did it? Was it you?"
Luz sent her a friendly wink. "What can I say…I'm a man of many talents".
But Nora disagreed. "Idiot". She said, "And Captain Sobel is a lot of things, but he's not an idiot. He will figure this out".
"Who gives a shit?" Roy Cobb grumbled. "Let him look like a fool…the bastard deserves it".
"Fine". Nora said, "But you will all get punished for this". She assumed none of the men would admit to Sobel that Luz was behind the prank. So, Sobel would punish the entire Company.
"We're all 'gonna die anyway…may as well have some fun, right?" Luz tried to smooth things over. He said to Nora, "Don't worry about shit that ain't even happened yet, Nora. You'll get wrinkles before you turn forty".
Someone remarked, "She already has wrinkles…".
Ignoring that remark, Nora told them, "Captain Sobel wants you all up front now. Let's go".
Leading the amused men from behind cover, they marched up the slope and reached Sobel, who had already cut the fence. Nora cast a nervous look toward the cows and wondered when they'd plan their escape. With the fence cut, the men left the field. Nora was second last to leave, and Sobel was right behind her…
"Did you see him, Clopper?" Sobel asked the girl quietly. "Major Horton…did you see him?"
In that moment, Nora felt sorry for Sobel and a little angry at the men. She gave her head a shake but didn't rat Luz or any of the men out. "He must have left, sir".
Sobel said, "I didn't know he could move so fast…".
It was obvious doubt had been planted into Sobel's mind. He was no idiot. It wouldn't take long for Sobel to realise his men had played a prank on him. Nora said, "Maybe he used a jeep, sir".
Sobel glared down at her; he looked ready to slap Nora across the face. "We would hear it, you idiot".
"Right, sir – of course, sir". Nora gave her head a tiny shake. She felt her cheeks flush. "That was a silly thing to say…sorry, sir".
Sobel gave the fence a firm nod. "Get a move on, Clopper!" He snapped…
…The prank didn't receive a warm reception from Lieutenant Winters. However, Nixon found it quite amusing. But Nixon didn't have to worry about the consequences, he was free to laugh and smirk at the thought of Sobel being flustered and allowing an entire herd of cows to escape and roam Aldbourne. The farmer was furious, and he yelled at Major Strayer in front of his men. Nora just knew Sobel would catch hell from Strayer, which meant Easy Company were royally screwed. Once the prank was revealed to Winters, he took Nora, and they walked up to a large house Nixon was renting. Inside the living room, Nora stood in front of a full-length mirror and stared at her reflection while Winters expressed his worries to Nixon…
"Sobel will probably know by now that Horton's in London". Winters said, "Meaning, he'll figure out the men played a prank on him".
"Yeah, they're screwed". Nixon snorted softly. He asked, "Where's Harry?"
"With his men". Winters replied. "He's warning them about Sobel".
"Christ, they're in deep shit".
"We all are". Winters corrected his friend. "The men will never tell Sobel it was Luz. So, Sobel's 'gonna punish the entire Company".
Nixon shrugged. "What if he doesn't?"
Winters's eyebrows furrowed at Nixon. "We're talking about the same person, right?"
"Listen…". Nixon said, "This is about respect, right? The men pulled that prank because they don't respect Sobel. So, Sobel might 'wanna start earning their respect now. He knows his men are trying to get rid of him".
"So, what? He's 'gonna butter them up?" Winters gave his head a shake. "I doubt it, Nix". With a sigh, Winters sat down on an armchair. He observed the room and said, "This is a nice place".
"Thanks". Nixon cracked a smile. "I'm throwing another party on Friday. You're welcome to attend".
"Nope". Winters straight-up declined. "Your parties never end".
"You're right". Nixon smirked. "I'm still having one". With that said, Nixon took a drink from his flask. Winters snorted out a faint laugh at the action. Once swallowing his sip of whiskey, Nixon looked over at Nora who was staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Nora, what the hell are you doing?"
Nora's fingers left her face. She gave her head a shake and stepped away from the mirror. Not wanting to confess she was searching for wrinkles on her face, Nora decided to voice her own opinion on the matter concerning Sobel. "What if he interrogates us, sir?"
Winters cast her a frown. "I don't think he'd do that, Nora".
Nixon added, "I doubt he knows how".
Nora asked Nixon, "Do you, sir?"
Nixon replied, "Being in intelligence, we've had lectures about it".
Nora frowned at the idea of Nixon being an interrogator. She couldn't imagine him trying to pull information out of the enemy, by all means necessary. But then again, perhaps the man who had interrogated Nora didn't look like the type before the war. Nora had learned some of the Nazis were fathers and husbands outside of work. It was hard to believe any of them could be a father. Nixon was a father and a husband. But Nora knew Nixon to be carefree, funny, and nice. Almost a minute had gone by where Nora hadn't said anything since Nixon informed her about having lectures on interrogation…
"You were interrogated". Nixon said to Nora.
Winters sent Nixon a frown. "Nix…why would you say that?"
"Because she's scared of me now".
Nora's eyes lowered at Nixon's comment. Staring down at the rug, the tip of her boot pressed against the fabric. Scared. Was she scared of Nixon? Maybe she was scared of the man he could become. Because everyone used the same excuse, 'we're at war, it's different'. Nora tried her best to keep the same morals. She'd never hurt anyone innocent. But Nora had done things out of the norm to survive.
Nixon scoffed. "You think I'm 'gonna turn into a damn Nazi…". He took a drink from his flask and then told her, "Well, that ain't 'gonna happen".
Nora quietly said, "I don't, sir…I don't think you will become like a Nazi, sir".
"So, what's the damn problem, kid?" Nixon's voice had changed. He no longer sounded like his usual, casual self.
Nora's heart dropped into her stomach. She hadn't outright said anything. Not once had Nora announced she was worried Nixon would turn into a Nazi. He just assumed so because her last interrogator was a Nazi. "I don't have one, sir". Nora kept her voice quiet.
Nixon sighed. "Sure you do…you're just too scared to say anything".
Winters's eyebrows furrowed deeply at the interaction between Nixon and Nora. It was clear Nora was trying to keep things civil and calm, but Nixon was pushing her…
"No, sir". Nora gave her head a shake.
"I don't believe you". Nixon said, "I think you're full of shit, kid".
Someone warm and unsettling bubbled up inside Nora's stomach. "I'm not…". Her voice was no longer soft, it had hardened. "You think I'm scared of you, sir?" She said, "There are worse things than you, Lieutenant Nixon…far greater, that I've looked in the face…".
Winters felt his eyebrow softly raise at Nora's sudden change in personality. He had never heard her voice raise, not even slightly. He had never seen Nora become angry or tense…
"You've never seen evil before, Lieutenant Nixon…". Nora said, "And it would make you sick to your stomach. And maybe you'd break. But I didn't…I didn't tell them anything. No matter how much it hurt, sir".
Clearing his throat, Nixon bobbed his head and stood up. He didn't look angry. He looked quite the opposite – he was impressed. Walking over to Nora, Nixon then reached for her hand. "You call me Lewis, Lew, or Nix. I don't give a shit. But don't call me sir, not ever again".
It took a moment for Nora to accept the handshake. She let out a shaky breath and faintly nodded her head while shaking the man's hand. Nora no longer felt angry or tense. She had shared something, and that was Nixon's plan all along. A tiny smile reached her lips. Nora said to him, "Very good. You didn't even hurt me".
Nixon grinned. "I'm great, huh? I've only had a few lectures". His grin dwindled and Nixon ended the handshake. He said, "I'm not 'gonna be like them, kid. It's not in my nature. And I doubt I'll do much interrogating anyway; my German is terrible".
During their handshake, Winters had risen to his feet and was soon standing behind Nora with a hand on her shoulder. "You travelled around Europe, Nix…didn't you pick up the language?" He teased.
Nixon replied, "I never went to Germany". Casting Nora a tiny grin, he then gently ruffled her hair before saying, "You need a shower, kid".
Winters's eyes looked toward the clock hanging on the wall. He said, "Let's go home, Nora".
A warmth spread inside Nora's stomach; it was a pleasant feeling. Home. Mr and Mrs Barnes's little flat above their shop – such a wonderful and comforting place. Leaving Nixon's rather large home, Winters and Nora began following the cobbled streets toward the Barnes's…
"Did you laugh?" Winters asked. "During Luz's prank?"
Nora shook her head. "I didn't find it funny, sir".
Winters's head tilted to the side. "Not even a little bit?"
"No, sir".
Holding up his thumb and finger, Winters almost pressed them together. "Not even that tiny bit, Nora?" His lips twitched, he wanted to crack a smile.
Nora asked, "Do you find it funny, sir?"
"Oh, I never said anything…". Winters kept his voice casual. But Nora could spot the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "It's bad to laugh at someone".
"Very bad, sir".
Winters sighed and said, "Even if that person isn't a particularly nice person…".
Staring up at Winters, Nora smiled small. "You do find it funny, sir". She promised, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone".
Winters said, "I find parts of it funny, yes. But I won't tell my men that".
Looking straight ahead, Nora smiled and stuck both hands into her pockets. When she wasn't looking at him, Winters stared down at the girl. With a smile of his own, he gently ruffled her hair…
"Did you see all the cows at the schoolhouse?" Winters asked.
Nora snorted out a faint laugh and nodded. "Do you think Major Strayer feels embarrassed?"
"I do, yeah". Winters gave a firm nod.
The smile slowly began to drop from Nora's face. If Strayer was embarrassed, he'd probably give Sobel hell, and she worried their Captain might actually start interrogating them. Nora decided to voice her concerns with Winters. "Will he start interrogating us, sir?"
"I don't think so, Nora". Winters said, "But he might question a few of the men". When Nora suddenly stopped walking, Winters halted and stared down at her. "What is it?"
She quietly admitted, "I couldn't handle another interrogation, sir".
A sad frown met Winters's face. Drawing out a sigh, he stared down at the girl. "That will never happen to you again".
Nora frowned. "How do you know, sir?"
"Because I won't let it. Simple as that…I won't let it". Smiling small, Winters set his hand on Nora's shoulder. "Okay?"
With Winters around, Nora wouldn't have to worry about being interrogated again. She was safe as the Lieutenant's shadow. Nora gave him a small nod. "Okay, sir".
Winters squeezed her shoulder. "Alright. Let's go home, Nora".