A Soldier of No Importance [ Band of Brothers ] 1

SIXTY EIGHT

Alice had them all up and out on the street by 0900 hours. The sun shone bright, not a cloud in the. Despite the chilly air, the walk to breakfast wasn't unpleasant. As they walked, Alice alternated between just gazing around in wonder and telling them about what they saw around them. She took them to the Champs-Élysées.

"There is nothing like it," she said. As they finally turned onto the main avenue of Paris, she stopped. Despite the crowds of Parisians and servicemen alike, the Arc de Triomphe reared up at the far end, in plain sight. 

"That's a hell of a monument," Joe said. "How big is that?"

"Big," George added.

Alice laughed. "Yes. It is quite big."

"Eh, Statue 'a Liberty's better," Bill added. He winked when Alice turned to him, annoyed.

They moved along the side of the street. Alice watched the boys marvel at the sheer size of the sidewalks. They were like streets themselves. It took awhile, but soon they had found a cafe and ordered drinks and food. While Joe grabbed a table outside, Alice did her best not to abandon the other two in favor of chatting up the Parisian waiters. 

Once they sat down with their breakfast out on the promenade, she turned back to them. That said oddly quiet. When they met her gaze, she saw them smirking. "What?" 

George and Bill started cracking up. Confused, she turned to Joe. He just smirked and shook his head. She demanded what was so funny.

"You ain't payin' attention to us, sweetheart, you're all ears for this place." Bill shook his head, smirking.

"You're getting back that fantastic accent, too," George added.

Alice felt herself starting to blush. She just shook her head. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Sorry."

Joe shook his head. "You ain't gotta apologize."

George and Bill echoed his sentiments. As they turned to talk with each other over various matters, Alice decided to people-watch. She hadn't told them yet, but the cafe meant more to her than they suspected. She and her University friends had used it as a meeting place during the occupation. Being back, people-watching, it felt fantastic.

They went on like that for an hour at least. As her three friends would ask questions about Paris, she would answer honestly and earnestly. But between their questions, she just sat and reveled in the moment. Just as they prepared to head out for the day, to walk more of the streets of Paris, her heart nearly stopped.

"Adélaïde? Est-ce vous?"

She froze. She knew that man's voice. Alice whipped around, trying to catch a glimpse of the face she knew belonged to it. The boys with her shouted after her as she pushed her way through the stream of people walking along the Champs-Élysées. But then she saw him.

She saw his dark hair, a bit messy on his head. He had never cared enough to keep it straight, and it looked good unkempt anyways. When she met his gaze, his brown eyes locked onto her. A massive grin spread across his face.

"Jean-Luc!" She nearly cried as she grabbed him in a hug. "Tu es en vie!"

"Adélaïde! Nous pensions que vous étiez mort." He stood back from her, covering his mouth. "Mon Dieu. Tu es en vie."

She laughed through her tears. Yes, she was alive. And here he was, her brothers' best friend, alive as well. Alice nearly broke down as she grabbed him again.

"Comment tu es en vie? Qui sont-ils?" 

At Jean-Luc's question, Alice pulled back. She looked behind herself. Sure enough, Bill, George, and Joe picked their way over. She nearly laughed at how confused and almost wary they looked.