Genesis: the Beginning and the End | Band of Brothers

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １０８ － Ｓｐｅｅｃｈ】

Chapter 108 - Speech

In the days that followed, Floyd stepped down as Company 1st Sergeant, and took over as Second's Platoon Leader. He spent a lot of time with Peggy. Everyone did.

They were determined to show her that no one hated her for what she did. Because they didn't.

It concerned them yes, but they knew why she did it.

In all honesty, she had the balls to actually do what everyone was wanting to do. They'd all wanted to really hurt that replacement, but no one expected sweet Peggy to snap like that.

No one knew when the Company would be off to the Pacific, and every time there was a moment of quiet it weighed on their minds.

Peggy ate lunch with the officers that afternoon.

"I think I've found somewhere for Malarkey." Her ears pricked up at the mention of her friend and she looked up at Dick. What did that mean? "I'm...I'm trying to find a way to..."

"He's trying to find positions for the men elsewhere, so they don't have to go to the Pacific."

Dick thanked Lewis for wording it for him, and Peggy nodded. Staying quiet. She wondered how many he'd be able to save.

Don felt like a good place to start.

"So, uh, where're you sendin' him?"

"Paris. He's needed as soon as possible, so I plan to tell him this afternoon with a view to him leaving this evening."

That-

That soon?

Well...

Peggy went very quiet, and finished her lunch before leaving.

This was good. He'd be safe.

But she didn't want to lose him. Because...well because she was selfish and she wanted to spend all the time she had left with him, and everyone else.

Peggy wasn't aware that she was at the pier again, or that she was pacing nervously by it.

She should have been glad that he got to be safe...so why wasn't she?

"-ggy, Peggy? Hey, welcome back."

Speak of the devil.

There Don was, halting her pacing with his hands on her shoulders. He looked worried. Oh no, why was he worri-?

"Peggy! Stay with me, okay? I've got something to say."

He looked into her eyes as she blinked, trying to stop her brain.

"Paris."

"What?"

"You're leaving for Paris." He looked confused, so she said that Dick already told her.

Don nodded, and then offered his arm, so she took it. And they walked slowly, arm in arm, back – taking the time to talk.

"There's gonna be an Airborne exhibition, with one of every Allied combat plane used in the war. I'm going, sort of as an advisor, to make sure everything's right."

Peggy hummed and leant into his side.

"You'll do great."

He smiled at her.

"Y'know, the Major tried to apologise for it not being a more hospitable location. I think he was jokin' though."

That made Peggy chuckle. Then silence descended over the pair for a short while.