A Brand New Hope (Band of Brothers)

-*Jump Wings*-

Ricky huffed as she folded the parachute for the seventh time. The company had spent the morning doing PT, and then they went into this. It was boring her out of her mind. She wanted to jump from planes, not fold parachutes. 

"I hate this." she muttered to herself. Oliver looked up from in front of her. 

"Hate what? Folding parachutes for the last fucking hour?" he said, his eyes growing in irritation. 

"Yeah. When are we going to jump out of planes?" Ricky asked aloud. 

"What was that, Levin?" Sobel called at her, glaring her way. Ricky gave a small sigh. 

"Nothing, sir." she said, trying not to sound sarcastic. Oliver sent her a small smile as they continued to fold their parachutes, starting over everytime they messed up. 

 Easy Company had been in and out of training and classrooms all day. Ricky couldn't say that she wasn't nervous, but she could say that she was excited. She had been waiting for this ever since she had first signed up for the Airbourne. Ricky was so proud that she had made it this far. 

"So," Judas said, coming up to her. "Ready to become a Paratrooper?" Ricky smiled at him. 

"I was born ready." she said with confidence. 

"Glad to hear it, Ginger." Judas said with a smile. It was crazy to think that she had befriended Judas so long ago, all thanks to Currahee. 

"Can't believe we made it this far, man." Ricky said. Judas smiled at her. 

"Yeah, you made it! It's been close to a year man. I can't believe it!" Judas excalimed. "And it's almost Christmas!" 

"Yeah, Christmas is good. Hannukah is better." Ricky replied. 

"How is Hannukah better? Don't you get only one present?" Judas asked. 

Ricky laughed and shook her head. "You get one present every day in Hannukah. And Hunnukah lasts eight days, so you get eight presents in total. There's more to it too." Ricky explained. 

"I see, I see. Do you like Hannukah?" Judas asked Ricky. 

"I love it. I miss celebrating it with my family." Ricky sighed. Judas patted her on the back. 

"You can celebrate it with us, you know that." Judas reminded. 

"Yeah, I can. Anyways, where are we going again?" Ricky asked the boy. Judas chuckled.  

"It's getting a little chilly." he said, shaking suddenly at the chill. 

"I guess so. Barracks?" Ricky asked. 

"Yes, barracks. I need to prepare for our jump tomorrow!" Judas exclaimed. Ricky laughed and they both made their way towards the billets. Ricky was very nervous for the jump tomorrow, but she wouldn't let it get to her now. She wanted to enjoy today.

"Hey guys." Judas said as he walked into the billet. Everyone was in there, either sleeping our smoking and playing cards. Even Oliver was smoking.

"Castor, you smoke?" Judas asked from the door way. A couple of the men looked over too, causing Oliver to throw the smoke on the ground.

"What? N-no." Oliver said, looking around all innocent. Ricky gave him a look. 

"You don't have to hide it. No one cares. You're nineteen years old." Ricky reminded him. It was Oliver's turn to give a look to Ricky. 

"Have you ever drank, smoke, or do anything else that is considered bad for you?" he asked her. 

"I got drunk when I was fifteen. Almost died. Vowed to never drink again." Ricky said casually. Oliver gave her another look, but quickly shook his head.