Women of War - A Band of Brothers Story

Crossroads

A/N: Hey guys! Before I get to the question I wanted to ask you all, I just want to thank you for reading, faving and commenting on this story. I'm really happy that you enjoy my writing and it's extremely interesting to read your thoughts on the story and characters.

Now, as I already mentioned a few chapters ago, there's a question I want to ask you about one of the characters dying. To give you some context: Soon, we'll be getting to the end of the episode and Easy is going to Bastogne. I already have it fixed that one of the women is going to die during the Battle of the Bulge.

But what I would like your opinion is: "Who is going to die and how is it going to happen?"

For example, you could say something like: "Esther. She's going to die of exposure and freeze to death. Her friends find her in the morning."

Or maybe: "Catherine dies shielding a patient from a mortar explosion."

You get the idea. So let me know what your ideas are and I'll see what works best with the rest of the plans I already have :) I'm looking forward to reading your suggestions and opinions.

Catherine entered First Platoon's lodgings, taking in the scene.

Roe was treating Alley with his usual efficiency and care while Ana María held the wounded man's hand and talked to him. And then, off to the side, there was Liebgott, fuming quietly as he sat on a bench, glaring at some hay strewn on the floor like he was waiting for it to spontaneously combust.

Knowing that Gene and Ana had everything well in hand, she made a beeline for Liebgott. The red-soaked bandage he was half-heartedly pressing against his neck did nothing to inspire confidence in her.

"Hey Liebgott", she greeted him, setting down her bag. "What happened?" She already knew what happened, but she wanted to see how much he'd try to downplay his injury.

He continued scowling at the hay. "Got pinged by some frag", he answered after a long beat, sounding about as mulish as her daughter sometimes did when she was sulking.

She didn't comment on that, though, just nodded and pulled out a fresh bandage. "Alright, let's take a look at your neck."

Now he aimed his scowl at her. "I'm fine", he grumbled.

If I had a dime every time somebody said that... "Sure", Catherine agreed easily and moved his hand and the stained bandage out of the way. Wiping away some blood, she examined the wound.

He had been extremely lucky. The shrapnel from that potato masher could have cut his carotid or jugular and he'd never have made it back from the patrol. But as it was, the cut was shallow and while it bled quite a bit, it wasn't life-threatening.

A statement that Louise had once made about her friend, only half in jest, popped into her mind unbiddenly. "As long as Liebgott is bitching, he's alright. When he stops grouching, that's when you can start worrying."

Apparently, Louise had been right.

"You'll be okay", Catherine told him. She only got a terse huff in response.

Cleaning away the rest of the blood with iodine swabs while carefully avoiding the wound itself, she asked: "Do you want to keep glaring at the hay or are you going to tell me what has you so angry?"

He didn't reply, simply went back to moodily frowning at the floor.

***

Gene was meanwhile finishing up bandaging the last of the 32 wounds that were littering the left side of Alley's face, neck and arm. Ana María was still holding a one-sided conversation with the wounded man, chatting to him about Florida, art and Puerto Rican traditions.