Genesis: the Beginning and the End | Band of Brothers

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ４２ － Ｗｉｎｇｓ】

Chapter 42 - Wings

Margaret had decided to go straight home. And went home regularly in the weeks that followed.

However, about three weeks after the last cancelled jump, she was convinced to go out with the guys. It was actually Malarkey who got her to go, he complained about her never being around long enough to talk to her or tease her anymore, then asked for a dance, then promised her a drink. And finally she agreed.

In her ODs, she went out, as she wasn't trying to hide the fact she was a woman anymore. A lot of the replacements had figured it out and asked her about it, so she stuck to her story.

Intelligence Officer needing a way into occupied Europe.

Cobb was a dick about it.

So she stayed away from him as much as she could that evening.

Sergeant Donald Malarkey appeared with the promised drink, and she thanked him with a warm smile as he disappeared back to the dart board.

"Ya should really start payin' for y'own booze."

Was it too much to ask for a frustration free night? All she wanted was to be distracted from her growing frustration at this General Patton, at her organisation. But she'd take the bait, after taking a drink.

"You and I both know I can't do that," he raised an eyebrow and she sighed, "so we're doing this now? You really wanna open that can of worms?" He didn't budge.

"Fine. I get paid less because I'm a woman. It's bullshit, because I'm a better spy than any man could hope to be. And 6 bus tickets in a weekend isn't exactly cheap."

She was ready to leave and go in search of better company, but something about his face made her stay with her back leaning against the bar.

"What're you doin' with six bus tickets?"

His incredulousness made her laugh. She let him wait for an answer, finishing her drink instead.

"I don't exactly live close by, be a mighty fine coincidence if I did. It's three buses to get home, three to get back here."

"You could just not come back."

That made Margaret frown. He was completely straight faced. Not teasing. No joke. Well shit.

"Jesus, Bill. What the fuck crawled up your vagina this morning?"

And with that she pushed off the bar and waded out into the sea of bodies, wishing she'd gone in search of better company earlier, and leaving a very pissed off Wild Bill behind her.

She sat herself on an empty stool around a table.

"Oi, that's my seat."

For fuck's sake. She could not catch a break.

She turned around to face one Roy Cobb.

"Does it look like I give a shit?"

"Oh look, it's the self-important little spy whore. Get outta my way and outta my seat."

Raising a brow, she looked him up and down. But she didn't move.

"I'm getting the impression that you think anyone, even you, could do my job, is that right?"

Cobb scoffed, but his eyes widened when she stood and let him have his seat.

"Now I promise I won't tip you off this stool if you answer me a question."

He was doubly confused as he slowly sat to face her. But he didn't think he was unreasonable, so let her have her fun.

Her smile was unsettling.