Warriors (Band of Brothers - Joseph Liebgott)

Chapter 35: Party Time

That afternoon they were off to the Eagle's Nest. Everyone was excited. Driving up the mountain the company caught sight of a few of their comrades running through the trails shouting "HI HO SILVER!"

"CURRAHEE!" Everyone on the trucks yelled back.

Joe put arm around Mariah's shoulder, she moved closer and snuggled into his side.

The trucks continued up the mountain, stopping a few minutes later in front of the nest. "Jesus." Mariah said looking up at the building.

Malarkey came up beside her. "It's a little intimidating, isn't it?"

"Just a bit."

Going inside they found a door, when they opened it, they were inside a large room. The room was built of stone with a wooden ceiling. Spiers and Mariah heard a noise coming from behind one the couches. Both looked at each other before going to investigate.

It was a man; a German solider to be exact. It appeared that he had taken his own life.

"Good riddance." Spiers said leaning down and picking up the gun.

A loud popping noise came from behind them; they jumped. Malarkey walked over with a bottle of champagne. "Here's to him." He put the bottle to his lips and took a big swig.

"Where did you get that?" Mariah asked.

"Mm, follow me." Malarkey led her over to a stack of crates.

"This is all champagne?"

"Yes ma'am."

Mariah grabbed a bottle out of the crate. "Never thought I'd say this but thanks Hitler." She grabbed two bottles and went to find Joe. She found him a few minutes later sitting with Luz and O'Keeffe.

She sat down on the steps beside him. "Hey, I got you a present." She pulled the bottle from behind her back and handed it to him.

"For me? You shouldn't have."

"Hey! How come I don't get a bottle?" Luz whined.

"Because you're not her boyfriend."

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Winters had found the SS's stash of booze; on his orders the companies were told to come down and get as much as they could. Because of this and the fact they were able to take over Hitler's fortress Dog, Fox, and Easy had decided to have a party.

The room Mariah and Joe were staying in had a full closet. She felt unsure because this was a closet full of Nazi's personal clothing, but she had to admit, the dresses were very pretty.

She was standing in front of the closet when Joe walked in. "Hi love, the party's gonna start soon, do you know what you're going to wear?"

Mariah shook her head. "No. I feel weird about this, not about the fact I'm taking someone's clothes but about who the person wearing the clothes was."

Joe moved over to her. "I understand that. However, look at what's been going on since we got into Germany. Everyone's been taking things that aren't nailed down; even some things that are come to think of it. Anyway, I think taking a dress will be fine. Besides I know you'll look better in it than she ever did."

Mariah laughed. "You always know how to cheer me up, don't you?"

"It is my job." He kissed her on the temple and walked over to the closet. "Now, pick away."