A new medic

Prologue

Upottery, England - June 4, 1944 

Everyone was tense. An electric atmosphere hovered over the airship. As Jessica looked around she could see men marching, chatting, packing and praying. They all hid their fear well and Jess felt a huge rush of affection for them. In one corner, Liebgott was administering haircuts and she walked around, double checking the health and well being of her boys.

"Easy Company! Listen up!" the voice of Lieutenant Meehan carries clearly over the chatter of the soldiers. "Gather around me," he commanded. Jess followed Easy towards the jeep upon which Meehan stood. Cigarette smoke filled the air as he surveyed the men before him. "Now the Channel coast is socked in with rain and fog. High winds on the drop zone." He paused. "No jump tonight." The reaction was instant. Around her, men began muttering and swearing under their breath. Jess could just make out Meehan telling them they were on a 24 - hour stand down before Easy turned away and trudged back to their row of tents.

A small tent had been set up to show a film during the stand down, so that was where Jess found herself. Seated at the back next to Guarnere and Liebgott, she felt her eyelids drooping as fatigue entered her muscles and the adrenaline rushed out. A figure in the third row in front of her suddenly stood and left the tent as Jess' head fell onto Guarnere's shoulder and she succumbed to the calling of Hypnos.

Outside, the night air was biting at Dick's fingers as soon as he left the film tent behind. Pulling on his gloves, he headed to an open space amongst the field of tents whilst gazing at the sky. "I think it's clearing up," remarked a voice on his right. Dick turned to see Nix leaning against a pile of crates, trusty flask in hand and eyes on the horizon. He straightened and walked over to Dick, asking "you think it's clearing up?"

"No," came the reply as Dick continued to study the sky.

"I think it's clearing up," Nix reinstated as he shook his head and continued to walk, Dick beside him. They both leaned against a jeep and started to reminisce about America and the future. "We'll go to Chicago," Nix promised. "I'll take you there."

"Yeah, we'll see," his friend responded, unease in his voice and face. Nix lighted a cigarette and asked the question that had been preying on his mind all day. "How is she holding up?" Dick sighed and slowly shrugged his shoulders. Nix nodded and sensing Dick's discomfort he moved the conversation back to Chicago. "Actually you know who's from there?" he questioned.

"Who?" replied Dick, turning to face his friend before answering his own question. "Oh, him."

"712 days of that son of a bitch and here we are," Nix smiled briefly. Dick let out a soft laugh before turning his thoughts to Easy Company. His men were fine soldiers and Dick was proud of every single one of them, but he was still worried about what would happen when they inevitably jumped into Europe.

In particular his concern was drawn to a certain young medic. The day she arrived at Camp Toccoa, two years ago caused Dick's world to become a whirlwind of anxiety, stress, love but mostly fear. That fateful day would forever be etched into his mind....