Genesis: the Beginning and the End | Band of Brothers

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３８ － Ｐａｓｓａｇｅ】

Chapter 38 - Passage

"You have got to be shitting me!"

They'd been at Membury Airfield for a day and a night, preparing to jump.

Now,

they were in trucks heading back to Aldbourne.

Their mission cancelled, sounded like someone had already achieved the intended objective.

Margaret was peeved.

What was the point in that?!

At least she could finish some more scarves, acquire some more wool.

Naturally she'd forgo a scarf. She'd survived her house in winter. Which was worse than sleeping outside. Therefore she could deal without one. It meant there was one more to go around.

Margaret hoped there would be one for everyone.

But it was looking increasingly likely that she'd have to pick and choose.

Despite all that had happened in the last day or so, she was feeling better. Having something to focus on that required her entire focus was good for her. It made it go away. For the meantime.

So it was Monday, and when they got back, they'd spend until lunch in lectures. Margaret was a little ashamed to say she didn't pay too much attention as she was bored and tired and grumpy.

And Luz kept making faces at her.

She'd tentatively gone back to him, missing his presence, and the two never spoke of what she'd told him that night. Margaret was sure he looked at her differently. But she couldn't work out how, and if this was a bad thing.

In the few days that followed, Smokey returned from the hospital, and was met with such a welcome he was near speechless. He'd recognised her, and went to say something before he was collared by a few NCOs.

Bull, Martin, Luz, Grant and Talbert.

"Why the hell is Fl-?!"

That was when Margaret stepped outside. She went over, and stuck her hand out.

"Watkins, Margaret, though I'd appreciate it if you'd just call me Watkins."

Smokey shook her hand, albeit sceptically. He was still unsure, and looked to his friends, but they were waiting for Margaret to take the lead. So she did.

"The replacements think I'm one of you, as I did technically fight in Normandy. E Company is my way back into Europe."

"I thought you said you'd never see us-"

"Orders change. I'm to go back into Europe, hook up with whatever resistance you can get me to and organise the sharing of information. But you didn't hear that from me. Understood?"

He nodded slowly, still sceptical, but then he shrugged and went back inside to be greeted by a cheer.

"So that's the story now?"

"So it would seem."

They all stood, fairly relaxed, until Luz suddenly snorted.

"We better be going back to France, cuz then you'll be Peggy in Paris!"

He was deadpanned by Margaret and Martin. But everyone was soon distracted by Talbert's splutters.

"What?!"

Turning on her heel, she looked him straight in the eye. Oh. She guessed he hadn't known.

"Hey, Tab! Now's a perfect time t' propose, she's right here, no more drunkenly asking us for advice!"

Martin was grinning to himself having just chucked his friend in it.

"I do hope you're a better dancer when you're not hopelessly smashed. Don't get me wrong, it was lovely, but I would've enjoyed it more had I not had to concentrate on stopping you holding my arse."

He went bright red. A first for Floyd Talbert. And everyone else laughed.

But Margaret just smiled at him. She really did mean it.

"You're Peggy?! God you must be a saint to put up with me after tha- Hang on. How do you get Peggy from Margaret?"

"That was quick."

Everyone laughed, as no one could answer that question.

It was good to be making friends, but she hoped it would involve less arse-touching in the future.

Margaret expressed a desire to go dancing again soon, since they could be leaving any time soon. And the others agreed, even admitting that they'd enjoyed dancing with her, or simply watching her dance.

And so they did.

Margaret decided, against her better judgement, that she'd go in her ODs. She had a story now. One that she had run by Winters and co., and they were happy for her to use that.

So that was that

She was Margaret. A spy. Who needed passage to Europe.

Though she wouldn't use the word spy.

No.

Intelligence Officer sounded better.

_

Quick warning for the next one, it contains some period typical homophobia, but just a little bit. Dear darling Peggy however is a staunch defender though, we love her xx