" The unexpected moment is always sweeter."

- Unknown

✰✰✰

Hazel's stomach turned to unforgiving knots of worrying that always found their way there, but Catherine and Lizzie had reassured her enough that there was nothing to be worried about.

The 101st were presumably not the same as the 82nd, even if they were both American men.

Hazel hoped that they at least had some ounce of respect to throw, because Hazel would respect them back.

Hazel started realizing in that all the worrying she was doing, she was taking down Sergeant Coleman in hand-to-hand training in mere seconds now, with the mass of built up strength in her body, it was now easy to throw him over her shoulder to the ground, or when he put her in a headlock, to simply kick him in the groin. Her weaponry was through the roof and Hazel put it all on Sergeant Coleman for honing in her skills and ability to its peak.

On a September afternoon, Hazel was out with Sergeant Coleman again, working through a few rounds on her sniper, as she lied on her stomach in the boiling heat, her back sweltering as the sun beat down on her. Any day now, the girls and her were supposed to be meeting Easy. But each and every day they were given no news or updates, so Hazel continued her intense training with Coleman. She fired round after round, cleaning a perfect spot on the target, something she was getting better each time at doing.

She became one of the most accurate in the land.

" Sergeant Coleman!" a voice called out and Hazel stopped her firing for a moment as Coleman stood up beside her.

" Colonel Sink." Sergeant Coleman said, as Hazel turned and watched the two men shake hand and exchange engagements.

" Corporal Parker," the man, Colonel Sink, said as he walked over and crouched beside her.

" Good afternoon, sir." she said as she looked up from her rifle. Sink smiled and looked out to the target with a wise eye.

" Seems you haven't missed yet today, Corporal."

" No, sir, I've been out here since 11." she explained.

" Mind showing these gents what they've been missing?" Sink asked as Hazel raised a confused brow. Sink nodded his head to her right and Hazel looked over to see a multitude of Lieutenants and a slew of NCOs. Hazel's eyes widened further. Easy Company, the 101st. The paratroopers. Her heart slowly picked up pace.

" Sir," she said as Sink patted her shoulder.

" It was wonderful meeting you Corporal Parker, why not show off for a change." Sink suggested and Hazel nodded, knowing she had to follow his order. Sink stepped back with a nod to Coleman who crouched by Hazel's side.

" I don't want it to look like I'm bragging," Hazel said to Coleman as he looked at her with his dark brown eyes. He smiled at her.

" I don't think that'll be considered bragging in anyone's book. They've all heard about you." Coleman told her. Hazel raised her brow further.

" They know all about you and your training just the same as Lizzie and Catherine. It's only right you prove it without having to say a single word." Coleman told her.

" Right," Hazel said as Coleman squeezed her shoulder. Hazel turned, pushing the thought that members of the company she'd be going into were watching her every move.

Hazel slowly adjusted the helmet on her head, which concealed her hair. She gently pressed her cheek against the pad on the rifle and swallowed thickly, as she clicked her scope a few times into its highest magnification.

All this was done in the silence that swallowed the outside world in the countryside of England. Hazel then slowly drew her hand back to resting near the barrel of the weapon, and shifted her hand a bit to get it comfortable against the weapon.

Then, Hazel gently put her finger on the trigger, but didn't pull it yet. She waited a few moments, as a few birds chirped in the trees in the distance, and the wind brushed against the leaves. She blocked everything out; Coleman by her side, Sink behind her, the men from her company, her officers watching her.

She only looked at the target in front of her, which would soon enough be someone's head. She sucked in a breath to steady the shaky scope and zeroed in on the bright, red target. Then she fired a single shot. A crack whipped across the entire field, as the bullet sizzled, flying through the air and hit smack dab in the center of the target.

For good measure, Hazel finished out the rest of the magazine in there.

When Hazel finished, she heard murmurs from the group of officers and NCOs to her right. She didn't have to move her head, only her precise visionary eyes towards them to see surprise and intimidation masked along a few of their faces.

" C'mon, Hazel." Coleman said to her patting her shoulder as she quickly scooted back from the rifle and stood up with the weapon firmly gripped in her arms. She could only imagine the surprised faces the men were making, when they saw how short the sniper they were receiving was. And that she was in fact female and a member of Virago Company. It was intended that only Colonel Sink knew of the Virago reception.

" I'm pretty sure you just intimidated the hell out of them. That marker was 500 yards away." Coleman said as the two approached Colonel Sink. Hazel softly smiled.

" Well, Corporal, I'm pretty sure you just impressed some of the hardest to impress members of the 506th." Sink said as Hazel stopped in front of him.

" Thank you, sir." Hazel said.

" She's been training hard, one of the best I know." Coleman said and Sink smiled.

" How about you come meet these gentlemen?" Sink asked her as Hazel glanced up at him.

" Yes, sir." Hazel said as her heart slowly raced. She envisioned this moment of meeting her company officers with Catherine and Lizzie by her side. Instead she walked along, with a giant rifle and scope in her tiny arms, under the hot sun with too many pairs of eyes looking her way.

" Gents, I'd like you to meet Corporal Parker." Sink called as Hazel, Coleman and him approached the group. Hazel's eyes immediately went to the ginger-haired Lieutenant who stood with a small smile and wise eyes.

The name upon the breast was Winters.

'Winters' gave a smile to her.

Hazel's eyes then wandered the group, noticing a few other Lieutenants as well as Sergeants and Staff-Sergeants who she assumed made up the majority of NCOs of the company, reminding her of her favorite NCOs Barbara Miller and Laura Fernsby. She hoped they were doing ok, where ever they were. They were all watching her, speechless it seemed. Hazel slowly reached up and removed the helmet from her head, letting her hair fall out in a messy ponytail, smoothed back by sweat. Hazel slowly ran a hand over her hair and then looked towards the group. Their eyes were wide in shock and surprise, and it seemed no one knew how to react.

" That's why you were so tiny." she heard someone whisper out in a shocked, choked voice it seemed. Hazel smiled slightly.

" Corporal Parker, Hazel Parker. She's a member of the Viragos and will be joining Easy as the equivalent of a sniper." Sink explained, as many still couldn't remove their eyes from Hazel to look at Sink, " And she will be joined by 2 other members as well." The first person to really react was the ginger-haired Lieutenant with the nice eyes. He stepped forward and held out his hand towards her.

" I'm Lieutenant Richard Winters, I'm 2nd platoon's platoon leader." he said as Hazel shook his hand gratefully. Hazel noticed his hands were rough and calloused, but the pads were soft. Hardworking she figured. Hazel nodded to him. Richard Winters was a man who grew up respecting women of the household, especially his mother, who ran it. So, when he had first heard about the Viragos, just like the rest of the men, that's when people began to wonder if the 101st would receive a member. So, now standing here in front of one, who was a sniper and carried herself with a proud, humble stance, he knew he could respect the young woman in front of him.

" Lieutenant Lewis Nixon," Nixon said as he began shaking their hands, " Intelligence Officer." Nixon seemed to have a sarcastic glint in his eye, as a go-with-the-flow sorta guy, with dark brown hair, and a smirk that played constantly on his lips.

" Lieutenant Walter Moore," Walter said as he shook their hands as well, " I lead 3rd platoon." The Lieutenant seemed like the guy your dad would be happy about bringing home, with the blonde, All-American hair, bright blue eyes, and a firm handshake.

" And I'm Lieutenant Harry Welsh, and I lead 1st," he said as he shook all their hands. The Lieutenant was tiny that was for sure, even though the girls were still no taller than him, and he had a gap between his two teeth up front, and curl strawberry-blonde hair that reminded Hazel of Leprechauns.

" I didn't tell you all yet, because I figured that I should make sure we all survive the trip on over first." Sink said and he earned some laughs from the group as Hazel smiled.

" Where's Captain Sobel?" Sink asked Lieutenant Winters.

" He was in a meeting last with Major Strayer." Winters told the man. Sink nodded.

" These are some of our NCOs," Winters said as he turned and pushed through the group of Lieutenants to the NCOs behind him. Hazel slowly followed him forward, remaining still fairly short amongst the members of the group.

" Line up." Winters stated as the members shuffled into a neat line, at attention. It was odd, to be respected in such a way that needed such a formal reception. It was a nice turn of events. Winters nodded to the first man.

" Sergeant Charles Grant, ma'am." the tall, brunette man said, with gentle brown eyes, as he held out his hand towards her. Hazel gently extended her hand forward and shook his. And he smiled. It was a genuine smile. Hazel was taken back by that simple gesture. She had bunked with plenty of men from the British Army and even they weren't this respectful. Being called ma'am, having a semi-formal inspection? Maybe the Viragos were more respected than Hazel had thought. Winters moved her to the next NCO, who was shorter than Grant by a bit, but stood with a commanding presence.

" Sergeant Bill Guarnere, ma'am." the Italian man said as she shook his hand. Hazel took a glance at Winters who merely smiled at her. Bill offered a smile as well. The next man was tall and built, with curly blonde waves atop his head.

" Pleasure to meet you, ma'am, Sergeant Bull Randleman." 'Bull' stated, as he shook her hand gently. Hazel smiled as her cheeks warmed a bit from the use of the word, ma'am, in fact, she really didn't expect to be addressed in that way.

" Sergeant Floyd Talbert, ma'am." the next man said who actually brought up her hand to kiss her knuckles. She saw Winters give him a look but Hazel just smiled at him as she brought her hand back down.

" Sergeant Myron Ranney, ma'am." the shorter man said with kind eyes which made Hazel smile.

" Staff-Sergeant Terrence Harris, ma'am, pleasure to meet you. An honor actually." the next man said, his final sentence, causing Hazel to feel surprised herself. An honor?

" Sergeant Johnny Martin, ma'am." the next man said with gentle eyes, similar to that of her mother's.

" And this is our Senior NCO," Winters said as they stepped in front of the final man. He was fairly tall, and had a kind smile upon his face as he watched her.

" Sergeant Carwood Lipton, ma'am, it's nice to meet you." the man said as he shook her hand. Hazel smiled at him before dropping her hand to the side and looked to Winters.

" These are some of the finest NCOs under Captain Sobel, and they've trained hard to get to the spots they're in now and hope to lead the first members of the Easy Company into battle, including you." Winters told her as Hazel nodded looking back down at the 8 men.

" Thank you for introducing them to me, sir." Hazel said up to Winters and Winters nodded with a smile.

" Of course," he said.

" 'Course, half of them still don't know what Virago means, but we're leaving that out at the moment." a voice said, Nixon, stepping forward to her other side and smiling down at her. Hazel glanced up at him and smiled at him.

" Why'd they all call me ma'am?" Hazel asked the two men. Winters and Nixon seemed to look at each other before looking back down at her.

" Viragos are one of the elite units in the military, they deserve that distinction." Winters informed her and Hazel was even more surprised as he said so.

" Thank you for that wonderful introduction Lieutenant Winters." Sink said as he stepped forward.

" Of course, sir." Winters said with a nod.

" Corporal Parker is not the only member of the Viragos joining us, so if we can start to head back to the barracks, then we can meet the two other Viragos joining the company." Sink explained. The group began walking in the general direction back to the base in Wiltshire, Hazel and Sergeant Coleman sticking close to the front near Sink and Winters.

" Where are you from, Corporal?" Winters asked her. Hazel looked up towards him.

" Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, sir. Born and raised." she said smiling up at him. Winters smiled at her, he had a nice smile.

" Corporal Parker, tell Lieutenant Winters about the 9 months of training you've had this year." Sink said as he looked towards her.

" Sergeant Coleman has been the one to help me through my expanded training as a sniper, sir. He's really helped sharpen my skills and help me improve to get better." Hazel said as she looked towards Winters.

" Well, I'm glad." Winters said with a nod, " We've heard about the Viragos, but we weren't sure if we would be getting one or not." Hazel smiled.

" I'm glad to be here, sir." Hazel told him. As the group approached the base, Hazel immediately noticed Catherine working with Sergeant Sanderson. She was working with her Thompson and Hazel noticed how she hit her target each and every time. Hazel smiled.

" Gents, take watch, this is the 2nd Virago joining us. She could take your head off." Sink called and Hazel glanced back, noticing some surprised looks from some of the NCOs. As they approached, Catherine removed her helmet with a sigh as a similar sweaty ponytail appeared, as she laughed at something Sanderson said to her, her laugh infectious with a bright smile.

" Colonel Sink." Sanderson suddenly said as the group slowly showed. Catherine met the eyes of Hazel who she recognized beside the man and raised and brow. Hazel nodded.

" Sergeant Sanderson, Sergeant McCown, pleasure, I'd like to introduce you to officers and NCOs of Easy." Sink told Catherine who smoothed her hands down on her uniform, wiping sweat from them, with a bright smile. Introductions went similarly, and Catherine was given the title, ma'am, as well, and the men were very receptive as well of Catherine, impressed by her skills and her easy going nature. As the group moved into base to meet up with Lizzie, Catherine went up to Hazel's side.

" Ma'am?" Catherine asked Hazel softly and Hazel smiled softly at her.

" Who would've thought? They're so respectful." Hazel said quietly. Catherine and Lizzie smiled as they approached the aid station. Sink went inside and came out with a wide eyed Lizzie, who had bandages pooling from the medic satchel on her shoulder. She nervously smiled at the group.

" Gents, this is Corporal Elizabeth Elliot, who's trained as a combat medic and has become one of the best in the Army, even out of the British Army." Sink explained as Winters introduced her to the Lieutenants and NCOs. It went very similarly. Finally, the NCOs were allowed to drop their guards and actually talk to the women as Sink called the Lieutenants to a meeting and to hopefully find Sobel. As the women approached the men, Bill Guarnere was the one to call out to them with a smile.

" Parker, I thought you were just some really short guy shooting out there." Bill said and Hazel smirked.

" I figured that's what you all thought." Hazel said as she whipped some sweat from her brow.

" I think all the guys are gonna be excited when they find out we got some Viragos in the company." Charles said as he nodded over to an area of the barracks.

" We've just been excited to finally join up with you guys, we've waited so long." Lizzie admitted, brushing some hair behind her ears with a smile.

" How'd you all sign up for this?" Johnny asked them.

" We all initially came from different areas like the WAC, SPARs, and Cadet Nurses' Corps," Catherine said, " and then when we heard about Operation Virago, I feel each one of us knew we had to sign up."

" Sink showed us videos of your training," Bull said nodding to them, " but he never mentioned a thing about you joining us so that's why we were so surprised."

" That's what I had figured first," Hazel said laughing lightly, and the group smiled.

" You wanna come meet the guys?" Floyd asked them, " They'd want to meet you all."

" I mean, if you want," Lizzie offered with a small smile, as the group started heading towards a barrack.

" Now, I know there may be some friendly competition between us, you know you're these badass Viragos, and we're the Screaming Eagles, but if we have a brawl we'll go easy." Bill said with a joking sound to his voice.

" I was already planning on it, figured we'd let you boys win." Catherine said back with a playing smirk as Bill laughed.

" I can't wait to see the guys' faces when they realize we're the company that gets to fight with Viragos." Charles said shaking his head, " I mean a bunch of douche-bags from Dog were all saying they were getting a few members in June and never got 'em. I mean to say we're excited is a bit of an understatement."

" Really?" Hazel asked him and Chuck nodded as a few others agreed.

" You're all famous amongst the military at least, we all think you're badass." Floyd said, " I mean you're basically Amazon Warriors."

" And boy have we not heard that one before." Catherine said as chuckles rose among the group. It was so weirdly casual.

Casual in a way like they were old friends meeting each other after a while, but the men of Easy reminded Hazel of the British, who had been a bit softer than the brash Americans. But the Easy men were welcoming and inviting and it was like they were wanted. The women didn't know how they'd be received at first, especially since they were women. Gender always seemed to affect things these days, but with the time period of war at the moment, it's like that was out of the question. One look at Hazel shooting that weapon seemed to set off the men.

" The only thing about fucking England that's been exciting so far." Johnny said as they approached the barrack, " It's not everyday you're told you get to go to war with Viragos." Hazel smiled gleefully towards him and Johnny smiled at her. Viragos were truly known now and still kept secret for the publics sake and it was a relief for it to be taken seriously. But by now, so many other countries had women fighting on their front lines, like the female Soviet snipers, or the British women who flew planes and were spies, or even some of the American women who were spies, it was time to put American women onto the front lines and earn an ounce of respect. It was deserving and wonderful change of pace.

When the barrack opened, there were guys everywhere, but it was a calm atmosphere.

" Hey, guys!" Lip called, " You'll never guess who our new members are."

" Tell me we got a Virago, Lip, please. I want to see them clean a Kraut's head clean off." one man pleaded coming forward.

" Well it's your lucky day." Lip said as the group shuffled away from the women and the men's eyes of the barrack went wide in shock.

" No fucking way." the same man said, eyes wide as he approached the women, multiple wide eyed men behind them.

" Yes fucking way." Catherine answered and the guy smiled.

A big, toothy grin.

✰✰✰

last update today, but by this chapter, we've finally met the boys!

thanks for everything, always! :)