On a Wing and a Prayer

Forgive Me

Wednesday, October 27, 1943: Stalag Luft III: Sagan, Germany: 18:00

Hope found a sigh of relief escaping from her lips as the sight of their hut came into view. Frank had arrived to collect her from the infirmary and walk her back to their hut. He'd become even more protective since Gale had arrived a few days ago and she enjoyed his company, even if he was a little overbearing.

She felt bad that he'd been hovering outside for the best part of an hour but he didn't seem to mind. She couldn't bring herself to head back to the hut too earlier, hating the concerned eyes that seemed to watch her every movement. There was only so many times she could force a smile and repeat, "I'm fine," until she too didn't believe it.

She hopped up the steps, pushing open the large wooden door and following the short corridor down to their room. Frank's heavy footfalls followed her, announcing their prescenes before they'd even arrived.

Their small group of friends were huddled around in the corner, a familiar dark-haired figure had his back to them and although he wasn't sporting his normal sheepskin jacket, Hope recognised in an instant. John Egan.

Their presence must have been noticed because the group's hushed voices suddenly stopped and a few chairs scraped back, as they turned to see who had entered.

Ruth's wide smile and shining eyes met her and she hated the way her heart clenched painfully at her friend's happiness. John, on the other hand, although looking worse for wear with his face littered in cuts and bruises, grinned widely at the pair.

"Hope! Frank! You're back. Ruth's been telling me all about you both since the crash." John cracked a wide smile and his eyes seemed to soften as they met Hope's. She couldn't think of anything to say. What was she supposed to say?

Frank, noticing Hope's apparent discomfort, stepping forward, his hand outstretched. "It's good to see you, Major, sorry it's not under better circumstances."

John shrugged, his arm coming back around to rest on Ruth's shoulders, "We're at war Captain, worse things could have happened. To think that of all the camps I could have gone to I ended up back with my girl. It could have been worse, I could have been stuck in a different camp like Gale and..."

The room fell silent, all eyes falling onto Hope. She bit her lip nervously, eyes falling to the floor.

"Hope, I didn't mean..."John began, his face etched with concern as he realised the weight of his words.

"It's fine, John, really, it's good to have you back. It's nice to see Ruth so happy again." She sent her friend a sincere smile and the blonde returned it, her shoulders relaxing a little. She hadn't realised how on edge Ruth must have been about the situation. Everyone treated Hope with kit gloves, like she was an unexplored bomb that needed to be handled with such delicacy that she might go off at any moment.

Hope sat herself down on her bunk, pulling up the sleeves of her coveralls. She missed her old flight suit, but the Herringbone Twill men's coveralls that Edmund had found her severed their purpose, even if they were a little large on her. She straightened the silver wings pinned to her chest. Despite everything she still wore her flight nurse wings proudly, it was one of the few things she could cling to in these trying times.

She watched as Frank joined in with the group's conversation, enjoying the jovial atmosphere that filled the room. It was nice to know that despite everything some of them could still smile.

She was pleased that John was here, really, for Ruth's sake most of all. To see her friend so happy, wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved and had longed for. Ruth deserved to be happy, after everything.