Strawberry Red

Chapter 12 Buck

Buck was dreaming of her. He was dreaming of her dancing and spinning around on the dance floor. He could hear her laughter and see her smile so clearly. She was wearing the magnificent light green dress she had on in the pub. And her hair was falling down in locks over her shoulder. He could get drunk on the sight of her. Her soft humming to the song Blue Sky in the background would forever be branded into his mind.

"Buck," whispered Ruby and put her arms around his neck. He held her by the hips and together they danced. They were standing so close; he could smell her perfume. She smelt like roses and old books.

"Buck." He melted into her soft touch. Her fingertips travelled across his broad shoulders and down his chest. "Wake up."

"What?" Buck sat up in his bed, clearly confused. "What's going on?"

"It's time to wake up," spoke Ruby quietly. "You're going on mission."

"Thanks." Buck swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pushed the covers to the side. He rubbed over his face and inhaled deeply.

"Is everything well?" asked Ruby and sat down next to him. She had a worried expression on her face.

"Yeah, it's nothing," answered Buck and starred onto the floor ahead of him.

"You sure? You can talk to me." Ruby carefully reached for his hand. "Is it the up-coming mission?"

Buck nodded. "I'm just worried about my men. How many will we lose this time? And for what? It's so frustrating not being able to help them as they get hit and go up in flames. The only thing I can do is keep flying my fort when all I want to do is help them."

"I understand," said Ruby and took his hand in hers. "One day this whole nightmare is going to be over. We just got to pull through."

"I don't think I can go back to work as a pilot after this war. I mean it has always been my childhood dream to be a pilot. And then I had the chance, so I signed up. But now I'm not sure if it's the right thing for me," confessed Buck. "I mean we're not the only one who are suffering. Some of the targets we bomb are people's home. A lot of those people probably aren't even at fault and still they are dragged into the crossfire." He paused for a moment before he continued. "Have you ever experienced a bombing?"

"I have, multiple even. But I've never thought about blaming airmen for it. The only one to blame for this mess is the man who started this war, not the soldiers, pilots or anyone else," explained Ruby. "What matters most to me, and the guys is that you come back."

"Hey, Love birds! Briefing starts in half an hour," interrupted Bucky the sweet moment between Ruby and Buck. Buck almost rolled his eyes, there really wasn't a single moment of peace on base.

"I'm coming." Buck stood up and started to change out of his night-clothes.

"You aren't even dressed?", exclaimed Bucky and took off his hat. "You're going to be late. You know Colonel Harding is doesn't like tardiness."

"Get dressed, Buck. I'll get you breakfast, okay?", offered Ruby. "It's kind of my fault that you're running late."

"That'd be great." Ruby rushed off to fetch him his breakfast while Buck was still changing. They had to put on multiple layers as it was freezing cold up in the air.

"So, are you and Ruby a thing now?" asked Bucky his best friend. He was grinning like an idiot. He knew introducing the two would be a good thing.

"We aren't," answered Buck. He was pulling on his jacket. Then he started working on his boots.

"You're kidding me?" Bucky's jaw almost dropped to the floor. He had been so sure about Buck and Ruby. "But you like her!"

"I do. But she doesn't want to go on a date yet. And I respect that." Buck shrugged with his shoulders. He tried to make it seem as if it wasn't nagging at him. He liked Ruby a lot and wanted to go out with her. She didn't say no, she said to ask again in a few weeks. It gave him the motivation to stay alive during the next few missions and fight his way back to base.

"Yet? That means there is still hope," declared Bucky. "You can't give up now."

"I won't. But I'm giving her time because that's what she wants." Buck grabbed his hat from the small nightstand and started to head out. For a moment Bucky was standing there trying to process the new information before he started to follow Buck out.

After a long briefing the aircrews were being sent onto the airfield. But before they got into the cars, many of them stopped at the coffee and doughnut truck where Helen, Tatty and Ruby were handing out food and drinks.

"Hi", greeted Ruby him. "I've got your breakfast."

Ruby grabbed a small bag and a cup of coffee and went around back to give it to Buck. He gratefully accepted the food.

"What's the target for today?" asked Ruby and looked into his blue eyes. They reminded her of the sky on a sunny day.

"U-boat pens in Norway," answered Buck and took a sip of his coffee. "Shouldn't be too rough, hopefully."

"I hope so." Ruby starred at Buck as he tried to set the collar of his thick jacket straight. It was caught up with his yellow parachute. With both hands full it was an almost impossible task.

"Here let me help," offered Ruby and grabbed ahold of the collar. Carefully she untangled it from the parachute. "I like your aftershave."

Buck smiled at the red head. "Roy said the same thing."

"Oh, did he?" Ruby started to blush. She let go of Buck's collar and took a small step back.

"Yeah, but I'd rather hear it from you." Buck was still smiling at her. The way she carried herself and talked, it was mesmerizing. All he wanted to do was soaking everything about her in and never forget it. But he had a mission to complete.

"I can see Bucky starring at us from over there. I think he's trying to tell us that you have to go by the way he's tapping his foot," said Ruby. Buck turned his head and saw indeed Bucky standing next to his car waiting for him.

"You're probably right. Will I see you tonight at the party?"

"Definitively," answered Ruby. "Good luck."

Buck nodded and headed over to his best friend. Without a word they both got into the car and started driving to their planes.