" Sometimes we need to be apart to understand just how much we truly love each other."

- Unknown

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Many thought they would be going back to Mourmelon, but that wasn't the case. They were moved to Haguneau, France, Alsace if you will, and the trek there was an exhausting one at that.

Each night they stopped, mostly to bed down and then they were moving the next day. By the time they were pulling into Haguneau, Easy was physically and mentally and emotionally destroyed. They'd lost so many people, so many men who had been friends of many of the soldiers in the company. They had to push back at the Germans, throwing more things for the Airborne to take care of, which was not unusual, Easy was worn out though.

Lizzie had surprisingly recovered from the nasty flu that had taken over her system, but it seemed Lip had picked it up and it had turned to pneumonia.

Poor Lip. He just tried his best and got sick in the end. B

ut Lizzie returned the favor and stayed with Lip where ever he went, a smile on that pale, face. The sickness had drained her but she was eating again and drinking and her eyes were much lighter.

But with Lizzie well again, Catherine saw a stress lift from Gene.

Catherine had known Gene had been stressed for Lizzie more so than anyone with that sickness, but seeing her well again settled people - until Lip got sick then.

Poor Lip.

In early February was when they arrived at Haguneau; even though it was nice to be back in France, it was still dreadfully cold and miserable to be there, out with all the weather.

Catherine, yet not sick, always was frozen like one of the popsicles her mother made in the summer, because of the fact her body couldn't produce body heat. Attached to 2nd platoon, she didn't travel with the officers because Winters had suggested that by staying with the rest of the men, there was still a snippet of humanity for her to experience.

Malarkey had been marked platoon leader. Malarkey had been through hell and back with all his friends deaths and losses, and he was struggling mentally, but he kept up a brave face since being put in the spot. Catherine just tried masking her emotions most of the time.

It had been almost a month with Hazel, and Catherine could tell that everyone missed the woman.

Especially Joe.

Catherine had seen Joe various nights, sitting with the tiny bracelet of Hazel's in between his fingers, staring at it, memorizing it, holding it delicately in his hands, just holding it. Joe's best friend was in fact the tiny sniper, who now had no marked date of a set return.

Catherine watched Joe become increasingly stressed out and shut down a bit. But Catherine knew what was underlying in terms of Joe and Hazel. He had a smile that seemed reserved just for her, and he was only ever really happy when he was around her. She was like that bright shock of light in his life, something he needed. She was his rock, and now without his rock,

Catherine watched him float away.

She glanced towards Joe who sat on the edge of the truck, the tiny bracelet in his hands again, as his eyes remained on the tiny chain, his gloved fingers slowly running over the chain, just holding it in his hands as if Hazel was really there.

Catherine felt a pang in her heart, watching Joe as distraught as he was about Hazel's injury and evacuation. Catherine herself had to push her emotions down into the cold pits of her cold self and keep the company running even in this cold wasteland, but she knew each man and Lizzie were having their own struggles in it of itself. Catherine's entire brain felt frozen as she stared coldly at Babe's booted feet.

To say the least she was miserable, but she wasn't sick and she thanked God for that.

Lip was suffering.

" Hey, guys." Catherine heard a voice say, and she slowly turned her head to the source, her eyes squinted and hazy at the voice. She had no clue who was speaking.

They seemed too happy.

" Some Lieutenant told me to report to 2nd." the voice said as it neared and Catherine squinted again. Then her eyes fell a bit.

It was David Webster.

Where had he gone?

No one really reacted to Webster's appearance, everyone was too worn out and exhausted to have some sort of reaction to him. Catherine sat idly and closed her eyes, jaw clenched. Jackson was staring at Webster, as if he were horrified by his appearance.

" Your name's Jackson, right?" Webster asked him.

" That's right." Jackson answered. Catherine figured that Webster must've thought Jackson was the most gullible.

" Who's leading the platoon?" Webster asked him.

" Sergeant Malarkey is." Jackson said.

" What, no officers?" Webster asked, shocked. Catherine would never lead a platoon, as she was attached to Battalion more so than a platoon leader.

" I guess you didn't hear." Liebgott said speaking up, his voice gruff. Catherine looked at Joe, the pain seeping through his eyes like smoke.

" No, what's that?" Webster asked him.

" They're making Malarkey a Lieutenant." Liebgott told him, as Catherine bit back her lip, " He's on the fast track now."

" Really, that's great." Webster said.

" Yeah, isn't it?" Liebgott said.

" Jackson, help me up, will you?" Webster, asking throwing his bag down by their feet and climbing up in next to Jackson who moved over.

" So, uh, you come from the hospital?" Jackson asked, almost snootily.

" Yeah." Webster said.

" Must've liked that hospital." Liebgott said quickly, " 'Cause, uh, we left Holland four months ago."

" Well, I wasn't there the whole time. There was rehabilitation, then the replacement depot." Webster started, but Liebgott stopped him.

" Well, I'm sure you tried to bust out and help us in Bastogne, Web." Liebgott said quickly. Then he sniffed.

" I don't know how I would have done that." Webster said.

" That's funny, 'cause Popeye found a way." Liebgott said, " So did Alley, right, back in Holland?" Catherine bit her lip. Liebgott was very much right. Babe was nodding from next to him.

Catherine feared Webster would bring up Hazel.

" Where's Hazel?" Webster asked as the group went quiet, " She was part of 2nd right?" Catherine looked over slightly towards Joe, who sat staring at Webster, his emotions portrayed rawly on his face. She saw Joe's jaw tighten, as he looked away. Joe was hurting, more than anyone could imagine.

" I thought I had seen her, but it must've been Lizzie." Webster said.

" Don't continue, Web." Catherine suddenly said, as the group looked towards the Lieutenant.

" Lieutenant McCown-"

" Please don't ask anymore questions about Hazel." Catherine told him, and Catherine felt Chuck's hand on her arm. Webster leaned away and towards Joe again confused. Joe didn't say a word except stare at him, hurting. Joe opened his mouth, speaking again and ignoring Webster's comments.

" Then there was Guarnere-" Webster cut Joe off.

" Yeah, where is Guarnere?" Webster asked, " He still your Platoon Sergeant?" Catherine ball up her hand in a fist.

" Shut up, Web." Catherine muttered, and Webster looked at the rest of the group confused.

" No," Jackson said, " He got hit."

" Alright, let's go!" Malarkey called as the truck stopped.

" Yeah?" Webster said as he watched him stand and jump up off. As Catherine hurriedly pushed herself off, she heard Babe start telling Webster what happened. Everyone in Easy was already fairly pissed off with the situation they were in right now, with no being able to go back to Mourmelon, that bringing up traumatic moments, even though Webster didn't know about them, was like putting salt on the wound. Catherine knew Webster had good intentions, he'd been gone for four months, but Catherine still got visions of hearing about them being gone each night, the horror on Lizzie's face, the cries from Hazel, it was just a lot to have to take in.

" Spread it out! Hold along this line 'till I figure out where we're going." Malarkey called out to the moving part of the group. Catherine followed next to the group, close to Chuck, but glanced towards where Speirs stood with an MP.

The new CO seemed to be observing them as they walked by.

Then a loud whistle echoed overhead, and Catherine crouched a bit as the explosion went off in the distance. She slowly uncrouched and saw Speirs unmoved and Webster on the ground. Catherine bit her lip, but continued walking.

Everywhere was cold and slushy, and there was a slight stench that covered the area, of just rotting coldness. The buildings were mostly all bombed it with no sort of electricity and bombs flew by every so often going from side to side.

Well, it was home for now.

Lizzie was helping George take off Lip's webbing - the man was sick, sick as hell. And Lip cared for everyone, so he always went the extra mile for people, even if it was risking his health.

" Here," Lizzie said, gently taking Lip's arm to help lower him to the couch. Lip let out a tired groan as he collapsed on the ground on the couch.

" Thanks Lizzie." Lip said exhaustedly and she smiled. She had taken it as her duty to take care of Lip. He had been there for her, like Gene had when she was sick as a dog in Bastogne, now it was her turn, to aid him and return the favor, Lip deserved it.

" Let's take your temp." Lizzie said softly and Lip nodded. She slowly reached into her bag as she crouched beside Lip and took out the thermometer.

" Hey, look who it is." she heard George say and Lizzie looked over to see David Webster making an entrance into the formulated CP. He looked clean, healthy and quite possibly a little shaken up.

" Nice digs, huh, Lip?" George said after handing Lip some papers.

" Yeah," Lip answered.

" Sergeant Lipton?" Webster said, as Lizzie worked on the thermometer and gently placed it on Lip's lip.

" Hey, look what I found." Lizzie heard George say and she looked up from her crouched position to see George walking over with a fluffy blanket.

" There you go." he told him, as he straightened it out, " He's got pneumonia."

" I'm sorry to hear that." Webster said.

" Eh, what are you sorry about?" George muttered through the cigarette on his lip, " He's alive, he's got a couch, a goddamn blanket, snug as a bug."

" Yeah." Lip muttered.

" Doc Elliot, how are you?" he asked her, nodding to her. Lizzie smiled.

" I'm okay, Web, doing okay," she said with a nod.

" She just recovered from the flu." George said and Lizzie glared at him.

" I'm sorry to hear you were sick, especially in Bastogne?" he asked her. Lizzie smiled softly.

" It's fine, I'm okay now." she said, " But thank you." Then Lizzie gave a curt smile and turned back to Lip, taking the thermometer from Lip's mouth.

" 102.5." she said and Lip sighed shaking his head.

" Sergeant Malarkey said to check with the CO if I should be in 2nd platoon." Webster said.

" Have a seat, Webster, we'll get you situated." Lip told him, motioning him to sit down.

" How long have you been sick?" Webster asked him.

" Long enough." Lip said, and Lizzie sadly smiled at him. Just as she was cleaning the thermometer, she watched a man walk into the door. It was a Lieutenant, a young one.

" Is this the Company CP for Easy?" he asked. Lizzie quickly moved to her feet and stood at attention as she met George's eyes where he stood over with the boxes.

" Yes, sir." Lip said as Webster stood and Vest turned around to look at him.

" As you were." the Lieutenant said, " Lieutenant Jones looking for Captain Speirs."

" He's on his way, sir, why don't you sit down?" Lip offered, to the other chair that was close by to another chair. Lizzie softly followed the Lieutenant, watching him with her eyes as he moved towards the chair.

" Try getting some rest, Lip," Lizzie said softly, " I'll check back on you later."

" Of course, go unpack with Gene, you have a lot of stuff there." Lip said and then he smiled softly. Lizzie smiled and then walked forward as the Lieutenant met her eyes.

Her gate slowed for a moment as she met his eyes, but she just looked away and kept moving. She avoided Webster's eyes as she raced out of there. Lizzie stepped out into the streets of Haguneau and moved towards the aid station where she knew the rest of the medics would be. Lizzie's feet were light as she moved through the streets, and she managed to avoid any mortar rounds that flew through the sky to the roads.

Lizzie slowly noticed the Red Cross symbol coming into view and hurried up to the door. She slowly clasped the handle and opened the door up before stepping inside. Once she did, it instantly felt warmer and let out a sigh. She gently walked down the center hall to the open back room where the medics would all be. When she entered she immediately saw Gene there, sifting through a box of supplies, his nose just as bright of a red as it was in Bastogne. Lizzie slowly looked over and saw Oates and Mampre hauling in boxes through the side door, most likely from the truck that was outside and Spina and Pepping were sorting out multiple bottles. Lizzie sighed to herself and moved over to Gene.

The past month, Gene had really been there for Lizzie, through their ups and downs that took them on what felt like a rollercoaster. Between losing Hazel, being sick, not being able to go back to Mourmelon, they were just really there for each other and it was nice to have that sense of security there.

" Hey, Gene," she said as she approached him and gently leaned against the table and looked at the box. Gene slowly looked up and met her eyes and smiled.

" Hey," he said and then pulled out another back of bandages, " Lip doing okay?"

" Yeah, I'm going back in a little while to check in on him again, just to keep making sure he's okay, he's been through a lot, he deserves it." Gene smiled at her.

" You feeling okay?" she asked him leaning forward. Gene gave her one of those Lizzie-I'm fine-but-not really-looks.

" Yeah, why?" he asked her.

" Your nose." she said and Gene smirked at her.

" What about my nose?" he asked.

Okay, now he was just playing with her.

" It's red." she said softly. Gene met her eyes.

" I'm okay," he said to her, " yours is too, you know?" Lizzie sighed and rubbed it.

" Hey, no, no, last time you did that, you got a nosebleed, remember?" Gene said as he slowly pulled her hand down from her bright red nose.

" I don't suppose you have a sufficient amount of tissues then?" she asked him lightly and Gene grinned, a rare little grin on his face.

" I wish," he said and then glanced over his shoulder towards where the other medics were, his eyes searching, " we haven't seen any." Lizzie sighed.

" How have you been feeling? No more dizziness right?" Gene asked her.

" Nope, feeling better, a lot better." she said as she met his eyes and nodded.

" Good, you wanna help me with these?" he asked her. Lizzie dazed out for a second thinking about the nosebleed.

" Huh?"

" You wanna help me with these?" Gene asked again, a bit more concerned.

" Yeah, sure," she said and slowly walked beside him.

" How're you feeling, mentally?" Gene asked her as the two worked slowly through the box of bandages.

" I didn't sleep last night." she said, " But it's fine, right? Who isn't used to hearing explosions in your sleep and people's cries in the night." Gene looked over at her. He watched her movements slow down as she squeezed the bandage in her hands tightly in her grasp, as if angrily and let out a shaky sigh, her knuckles were white.

" Hey," Gene said reaching forward to place his hand over hers. Lizzie slowly met his eyes with her exhausted ones, dark circles underneath her eyes, a sign of no sleep.

" Nightmares?" Gene asked her. Lizzie let out a shaky sigh.

" Yes," she said with a nod, and Gene felt her fist clench under his hand, " a lot of nightmares."

" Rest tonight, in the beds above, there's 8 of them, throughout the rooms, forget about everything and just get some sleep okay?" Gene said. Lizzie met his eyes.

" But the men-"

" Lizzie," Gene said, and it cut her off, " I'm worried for you, and I hate to say it but you're not doing well." Lizzie felt tears in her eyes not because it hurt, but because it was the cold hard truth which sucker punched her in the heart. She was not okay at all.

" I'm not." she whispered, " my mind, Gene, it doesn't stop. It doesn't ever stop." Gene watched the tears fill her eyes as she spoke.

" And when I'm awake, I can't focus, I can't concentrate, even now looking at you, I want to start talking about why the sky is blue, but I can't because I have to force myself to stay on topic, or start fumbling my fingers and I feel uncontrollable. I wish I could just turn it off, flip a switch. I mean I feel stupid, now even saying it. And the voices they don't stop ever. I lay awake at night, just hearing this talking and it's my voice just saying useless things in my head. I just want it to stop." Lizzie whispered. Gene's heart broke. Lizzie let out a shaky sigh.

" Why would God put such a burden on me?" she let out in a shaky voice.

" Because he knew you could handle it," Gene said leaning down beside her, watching her, " He knew you were strong enough."

" How do you manage to always make me feel better with like one sentence?" Lizzie said with a soft smile.

" Because you're my friend and friends need comfort, too. Even if they don't think they need it." Gene said and Lizzie smiled softly meeting his eyes. They were warm and soft, like back in the convent.

" Thanks, Gene." she said softly.

" And I'm always here okay, I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, I know you need it." Gene said.

" You'd do that?" she asked him.

" Did you hear my friend speech?" Gene asked her and she laughed lightly.

" You're just the only one that knows about the whole disorder thing, I've been scared to tell the others," she said, " so it means a lot you know?" Gene smiled.

" You deserve a good night of rest, Lizzie," Gene said softly and Lizzie nodded, with a small smile, " and I know it's been hard for you out there, all of it. You deserve it." Lizzie smiled softly.

" Thank you." she whispered and Gene nodded, a soft smile on his face. The softest in the world.

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hello!! i'm putting up one more chapter after this because why not, but we are getting closer to seeing hazel and her arrival back at easy which i know is long awaited and very much needed :) but joe :( my poor little heart, the man is going through it. and lizzie!! i just want to hug her, she tries her best and is still struggling, i love her :) thank u!!