Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

The Drop

"Anyone seen Shorty?"

Lipton came up to the CP late in the afternoon. He had been looking all over for the small medic and was starting to get worried.

"Right here, Sarge", her voice answered mere inches away from his ear. He jumped, barely stifling an expletive.

All around him, the gathered men hooted and howled with laughter. The guilty party was grinning all over her face, giggling while her eyes gleamed with good-natured mischief. On a whim, Lip decided to go along with her spiel, which was successful in its aim to brighten the guys' mood.

Quick as a flash, he snatched her and threw her over his shoulder. Her laughter was interrupted by a surprised yelp and climbed an octave. Promptly, the girl began to squirm in his grip, squealing and trying to get down.

"Serves you right, scaring me like that", he declared as he carried her around, stopping in front of various snowbanks as if contemplating which one to dump her into.

The men were cheering and pointing to the largest piles of snow.

"Thanks a lot, boys!", Ella called over to them from where she was hanging upside down over the First Sergeant's shoulder. "Nice to know how much you love me!"

"We love you, Shorty, but Lip outranks you, see?!", Skip explained.

She laughed and resumed her attempts to escape Lipton's clutches. "I swear, Lip, I won't give you any of my chocolate", she informed him, twisting her upper body to see the side of his face.

He turned his head to look at her. "Hm...you drive a hard bargain", he said, clearly debating how serious her threat was.

"Careful, Lip, or you won't get any dessert!", Luz crowed.

Lipton laughed. "Alright alright, you win." He set the young girl back on her feet. She gave him an indignant glower, or tried to, at least. It was utterly ruined by the grin on her face.

Later, when Lip made his way to his own foxhole to try and get some rest – Ella's orders – he stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. His fingers brushed against something he couldn't recall putting there. Pulling it out, a fond smile spread on his lips. "Sneaky little girl", he muttered to himself, quickly pocketing the chocolate bar again.

Even after knowing her for over two years, the young medic continued to surprise and amaze him. It wasn't just for her medical expertise or her unique way of interacting with the men and getting them to behave that made Ella such an indispensable member of Easy Company.

It was her entire personality, her charm that she was completely unaware of, her calming presence. It was her small quirks and mannerisms. Her smiles, the way she nearly bounced on the spot with excitement. The soothing melody of words that flowed past her lips when she treated a patient. The way her head tilted in curiosity like a puppy. How she always seemed to know what her friends needed.

When Lipton closed his eyes, he sent a small prayer heavenwards. Thank you, Lord, for Ella Sawyer. Please don't take her away from us. We need her.

***

The evening meal was just as cold and bland as the other ones before. Ella gave up about half-way through, passing the rest of her portion to Perconte before getting up and walking away. Although the constant shivering burned up energy that didn't get replaced, she just couldn't eat. She was in desperate need of sleep, just like the rest of the men, and the exhaustion was beginning to steal her appetite.