Love and War (Band of Brothers) EDITING

1

"So Sargeant Stone, your resume is quite impressive. You've jumped already into Africa with the British Army, lead a rifle team with great success, and received your rank in the British Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service in France. Your officers had a lot of great things to say about you."

"Thank you sir."

"As far as I can see, despite being a woman in a man's world, you've really done a hell of a job proving otherwise. Not to mention you've got some profound medical skills."

"Thank you sir."

Colonel Sink glanced back down at the woman's file before smiling back up at her. Jean couldn't help but remember her father as she looked to the colonel's expressions. He looked similar, and his excessive use of the word 'damn' certainly reminded her of her of him. Sending a silent prayer, she hoped he would watch over her during her time with the American Army.

"Welcome to the 101st Airborne, Sargeant. I'm gonna throw you in with Easy Company. Their the best damn company in the 506."

"Thank you sir." She said with an excited smile.

Shuffling in the chair, the olive green skirt of her dress greens felt itchy against her sweating legs. She had been so nervous during the interview, unsure of whether the Colonel would accept her into the paratroopers or not. But despite her low odds and being a woman, her resume thoroughly impressed him and he was giving her a shot in the U.S. Army!

"Now, due to lack of room you'll have to stay in the barracks with the men. I hope that doesn't make you too uncomfortable. They're rowdy boys but I'm confident they'll treat you just fine. You come straight to me if they dont."

"Don't worry about me, sir. I can hold my own." She told him proudly, and he nodded.

"Alright. I'll have my orderly take your foot locker there. It'll be the last building in the row. Report to Captain Sobel, he should get you situated."

"Yes sir."

He looked back down at her file one last time, determined not to miss a thing.

"It says here that you were wounded?" He asked suddenly.

She cleared her throat quietly before speaking. She could still feel the ache in her leg from last week, almost like it was fresh.

"Yes sir, I took some tank shrapnel in my leg last month. That's part of the reason I was discharged."

"Well, you just take it easy then alright? I'll inform Captain Sobel and make sure he knows."

"Thank you, sir."

"Alright, good luck. Dismissed, Sargeant."

With a quick salute to each other, they smiled, shook hands, and then she was walking outside into the hot morning sun to find her barracks.

The wide dirt path that lead her past numerous long bunkhouses was empty as she walked with her eyes ahead and chin held high. She was excited to be joining Easy company, but she knew she would have to assert herself so the men would know she meant business. She'd sacrificed too much already to get where she was, and she needed to remain tough if she was going to fight alongside the best.

Seeing a group of soldiers running the obstacle course in the center of the camp, Jean smiled with excitement. She'd always been athletic, and couldn't wait to do some PT.

She ignored the cat calls and whistles coming from the windows of the various barracks she passed and focused ahead. She could see the last building in the row, marked with a large, white E. certainly the men here would get used to her presence. She'd had difficulty fitting in with the British company she was in, having to constantly remind them that she was there to fight a war, not to find a potential husband. Though most of her comrades meant well, she silently hoped that Easy company wouldn't be pushy or rude with her. After all, she was a Sargeant.