Genesis: the Beginning and the End | Band of Brothers

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３３ － Ｓｍａｌｌｔａｌｋ】

Chapter 33 - Smalltalk

Thursday evening, and Luz's scheming was getting annoying. He was always whispering about something, always stopping to grin at her when he caught her watching.

It was getting old.

But it seemed as though he sensed that.

After a brief conversation with Roe, he came over, smile as broad as ever.

"So. Doc says your ankle's healin' just fine."

Margaret looked up from her slightly battered book, and watched him sceptically.

"Why're you small talking me? What's wrong? What did you do? Oh god, what do you want?"

Feigning hurt for only a moment, his smile was back in earnest, and she had to fight to not smile right back.

"What do you mean what did I do?! I am hurt that you assume I only talk to you because I have done or want something. Well since you're going to be like that, I shan't tell you!"

He stuck his tongue out and she pouted comically.

"Oh no. Whatever shall I do? George Luz won't bestow his secret on me. It's the end of the fucking world!"

Then he pouted right back at her, sulking that she didn't immediately want to know. So she laughed at him. Because it was funny.

"Fine. Tell me."

"No."

Margaret groaned, and rolled her eyes. But she went back to reading, because he wasn't going to tell her, so why wait?

Though she wasn't really reading.

Instead she was waiting. Listening to Luz get more and more impatient until he plopped down onto her bed, jostling her ankle by accident in a way that was less than comfortable.

"Bull, Martin and I have decided you need to go dancing again."

"Oh you have, have you?"

She looked over to them, and they both shrugged at her from their game of darts, smiling just a bit.

"Tomorrow night, we're off to Swindon. And you're joining us. Not as Watkins though. We'll drive ya home, you'll get dolled up and we'll take you to where the rest of the guys are and you can even see how many don't recognise you! It's a win win."

Did he-?

Did he really think it was a good idea for her to go dancing again?

Her ankle was messed up because she went dancing.

Was he stupid?!

What a silly question.

Of course George Luz was stupid.

Clue's in the name.

George Luz was the definition of sTuPiD. Even spelled similarly.

(They weren't)

Margaret gave him the most deadpan look she could muster.

"Ok, fine. We aren't going to Swindon, I thought you'd be more excited. We're taking you dancing here, 'kay?"

She couldn't fight it anymore, and a soft smile made its way into her face. There was a softness in her eyes.

"Okay. But why tell me Swindon?"

"Well...uh. I don't know really..."

Closing her book entirely, she put it to the side and shuffled to sit beside George.

"Of course I'll let you take me dancing. But the question is, can the guys keep up?"

Grinning, Luz turned to watch the guys. He surveyed them for a bit, before deciding that she'd have to decide for herself once they were all pissed.

"Why'd you offer?"

"Hm?"

"To take me dancing."

All too suddenly, he looked quite serious. Margaret didn't like it. It was so weird.

"You looked so happy. Free. You deserve the chance to do things that make you happy, a break, because it's been so long."

Luz watched as her eyes hardened a bit, but didn't see her form fists, then flex and back again and again.

She didn't feel that way. The things that had happened. What she'd had to do. What she would be asked to do.

Margaret didn't know how to just relax. She always had to be doing something, always had to be focused, thinking about the next thing, the next part of the mission.

"And besides, I want to see everyone's minds blown when they work out who you are. It'll be fucking hilarious!"

She offered a tight smile and nodded.

Maybe she could have a night off.

Maybe...maybe she could have a break. Be herself again. Let her guard down enough to allow people to get to know her. Dare she think it, have fun?

"So what's the plan? Who're we introducing me as?"

He thought for a moment, and lowered his voice.

"I think it'd have to be Peggy. No last name, jus' Peggy."

Margaret nodded.

"Alright, I can be Peggy. You will buy me a drink though, right?"

"Doll, I don't think you'll have to pay for a single drink."

She felt quiet warm, and she ducked her head away, fumbling for words as Luz stumbled through an apology. It was ok. It was fine. She was fine. Just...took her by surprise was all.

Pet names were a thing of the past really. 

_

Yes, I know that small talk is actually 2 words, shhhh