Chapter 5:
That Friday night they were to go on a 12 mile walk with all their gear, and a full canteen of water which they were not to drink, under any circumstances.
"How ya holding up sweetheart?" Liebgott asked her.
"I'm doing just fine, sweetheart. How about you?" Mariah asked back.
"Just peachy, doll."
"Lieutenant Winters!" She heard Bull yell from in front of her.
"What is it?"
"Permission to speak, sir."
"Permission granted."
"Sir we got nine company's sir. How come were the only company marching every Friday night? 12 miles in full pack in the pitch dark?"
"Why do you think Private Randleman?" Winters asked.
"Lieutenant Sobel hates us sir." Mariah couldn't help but chuckle.
"Lieutenant Sobel does not hate Easy Company, Private Randleman. He just hates you." At that nobody could contain their laughter.
When the company got back to camp, they were made to stand in front of Captain Sobel.
"Lieutenant Winters, I want canteens out of belts with the caps unscrewed." Sobel said.
"Easy Company canteens out and open." Everyone reached for their canteens and held them out in front of their torsos.
"On my command they will pour out the contents onto the ground."
"On the C.O.'s order you will upend your canteen." Winters repeated.
"Now Lieutenant." Sobel said.
"Pour em'!" Winters yelled. Everyone tipped their canteens upside down and watched as the water came pouring out.... all except for one.
Upon seeing the man with an empty canteen Sobel came over and began to berate the man, telling him he had to walk the 12 miles again. He then turned his sights onto Mariah.
"Miss Compton, why did you notice this man was dehydrated?" Sobel yelled.
"Sir I was -" Mariah started.
"You were what? Not doing your job, that's what. You're a medic, you should know these things." Sobel yelled.
"Yes sir. It won't happen again." Mariah said looking directly into Sobel's eyes.
"You're absolutely right it won't. As punishment; you will also re-do the 12-mile walk."
"Yes sir." Mariah refilled her canteen then began her walk.
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When Mariah got back, she couldn't feel or legs or feet. As she was walking up the path, she saw Sobel and Winters standing at the end.
"Empty your canteen, Compton." Mariah took her canteen off of her hip, opened it, then dumped out all of her water. That sweet, delicious cold water. As she emptied, she looked Sobel dead in the eyes while maintaing a straight face.
"Will that be all, sir?" Mariah asked.
"Dismissed." Captain Sobel said, looking annoyed that she successfully completed her punishment.
Mariah walked away. "Ow, ow, ow, ow," Mariah said as she rounded the corner and out of sight from Sobel.
"Sore?" She heard someone ask. Mariah turned her head to see Liebgott sitting on the stairs of the cabin, smoking a cigarette.
"What gave me away?"
"The limping - and I could hear you saying 'Ow' from down the road." Liebgott laughed.
"I guess that would give me away, wouldn't it?"
Liebgott laughed again. "Come here, I'll rub your legs and feet."
"Pardon?" Mariah asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Or suffer, doesn't matter to me." Liebgott said, puffing on his cigarette.
"Fine." Mariah said hobbling herself over to the stairs.
"That's what I thought." Joe put out his cigarette.
Mariah sat down on the stairs, as soon as she did Liebgott gently grabbed her legs and pulled them over his. Mariah hissed when he touched her calf.
"Did I hurt you?" Liebgott asked, his head snapping to the side to look at her.
"My legs are really tender." Mariah said.
"I'll be gentle," Lieb said, un-doing her boots.
"You got a smoke I can borrow?" Mariah asked.
"Yeah, here you go." Liebgott threw the pack at her.
"Hey careful, I'm injured." Mariah said lighting a cigarette.
"Is that what we're calling it?" Liebgott said taking her boots and socks off.
"Hey, you decided to give me a massage. You're stuck with me now." Liebgott laughed as he started massaging her left calf. Mariah closed her eyes and leaned back onto the railing.
"It seems like Sobel really hates you."
"It does look that way doesn't it." Mariah agreed.
"Maybe he just really likes you." Liebgott said moving down to her ankle.
"I didn't think about that. He must be harbouring deep feelings for me, that's the only explanation." Mariah said laughing.
Liebgott couldn't help but look at her for a minute. Sitting the dark with only the porch light illuminating her, she looked beautiful.
"You're really good at this." Mariah said as he pressed his fingers into the soles of her feet, creating a deep but needed pressure.
"I guess I just know what I'm doing." Liebgott smiled.
They sat in silence for the next few minutes as Liebgott worked on Mariah's other side. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was peaceful, comforting even.
"And I think you're done," he said.
"Thanks, Lieb, I feel a lot better." Mariah said smiling at him as she stood up and ruffled his hair. "Are you coming in?" She asked.
"Not yet, I'm gonna have another smoke first." Mariah nodded and went inside.
As Liebgott lit another cigarette, he couldn't help but to think of what had just happened. Why was he so eager to help her out and make her feel better? With anyone else, he would've told them to suck it up; but not her. He'd only known her for a week but he felt drawn to her. How could he feel that way about someone he barely knows? And why was it happening here? They were going into war soon for fuck sakes.
He decided right then and there that the feeling he had, had to stop.
That would be easier said than done.
YOU ARE READING
Warriors (Band of Brothers - Joseph Liebgott)
FanfictionMariah Compton is a nurse in a small county in England. She is good at her job; so good in fact she catches the attention of Colonel Sink and Captain Lewis Nixon. She is called into action by both men to become a medic for Easy Company.
