" Sometimes you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time."

- Unknown

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" He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way...." Lizzie sang, her voice slightly slurred, maybe a bit drunk even, as a bottle of white wine sloshed in her hand, a smile on her glowing face.

" He had a boogie style that no one else could play...." Tab sang beside her, a beer in his own hand as they drunkly stood upon the bar table, just as if they were dumb and dumber.

" He was the top man at his craft," Lizzie sang," But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft."

" He's in the army now. he's blowin' reveille-" Tab sang and then pointed at Lizzie.

" He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B!" the two sang together, raising their drinks in the air as the song continued playing and people laughed hysterically watching the duo perform their little dance. Hazel sat in the corner, giggling to herself as she watched the two.

" Man they are whipped," Babe said as Malarkey laughed beside him, sipping his drink. It was nice to see Don happy again, a bit happier than he had been.

" You want a sip of this, Hazel?" Don offered Hazel. Hazel made a face at the drink.

" It doesn't smell too nice," she said as Don smiled.

" It's fine, don't worry about it, it is kinda nasty," Don said and Hazel giggled.

" A root, a toot, a toodlie-a-da-toot-"

" No! No! NO! Elizabeth you're doing it wrong!" Tab complained like a child.

" Then what is it." pouted Lizzie, before taking a small sip from her bottle.

" A root, a toot, a toodlie-a-da-toot."

" You just did the same thing!" said Lizzie and Hazel laughed.

" Just keep singing!" Babe called back to them. Hazel laughed, slowly leaning back in her chair with a small sigh as the duo started their best at performing again.

" Bull, I'd never seen Hashey so shitfaced." Hazel heard Johnny say as him and Bull took seats around the table with beers, just not as drunk as the duo on the bar were.

" What do you mean?" Babe asked leaning forward.

" Pretty sure he's swinging around a poll outside, singing to no one." Johnny answered as the group broke into laughs. Hazel snickered quietly to herself.

" What's he singing?" Malarkey asked.

" I don't know, some Doris Day song, but you'd give him a run for his money any day of the week." Bull said and Hazel laughed. Then there were gently clasped around her neck, in a gentle manner.

" Guess who?" he asked her.

Joe Liebgott. She figured.

" The dofus with a Hershey bar obsession." Malarkey called after sipping his beer as Johnny let out a snort.

" No idiot, that's not an obsession." Joe said as Hazel turned to smirk up at him with a smile.

" What's is called then, Joe?" Babe asked. Joe chuckled.

" A strong love, for chocolate." Joe answered simply, before the table burst into laughter.

" Your all just jealous that I happen to love chocolate that much." he concluded as Hazel laughed shaking her head as she watched him.

" Have a seat, bud," Johnny said shifting over a seat so Joe could sit beside Hazel.

" Thanks," Joe said, " just got down from a run to that wine cellar, sure is a beauty."

" You've been?" Babe asked.

" Oh hell yeah, I can sneak in about any place you want." Joe said, only to reveal a few more beers under his coat, in the little pockets that were stitched inside, for usually holding extra chocolate bars.

" Holy shit," Bull said sitting up and holding a hand out. Joe gave him a look.

" You wouldn't give a Sergeant that look, now would ya boy?" Bull said and Joe forked over the beer bottle. Hazel watched him with a small smirk.

" I'm surprised you didn't drag Hazel with you," Johnny said and Joe laughed.

" Figured I'd save her the trouble," Joe said sitting back, before he in fact pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and gently placed it in her hand with a wink, " so that I could give her chocolate."

" How precious." Malarkey said before he and Babe laughed together. Hazel giggled as Joe rolled his eyes.

" Ooooh, Joe being sentimental, yeah real fucking funny guys," Joe said with narrowed eyes.

" We're just kidding," Babe said as Joe just smirked shaking his head.

" Hey, can we bring it in for a toast?" Bull asked the group as everyone looked his way. Bull slowly raised his glass up and cleared his throat.

" For being here, being in this company," Bull said with a gracious smile as Hazel watched with soft eyes, " I know we're supposed to celebrate, but I also wanna thank the fellows who risked their lives for us to be here, waged their last battle in Bastogne, or Holland or Normandy, lost limbs for us." Hazel watched with eyes that shone brightly, feeling her heart think of each of those men.

" Currahee." Bull said gently, raising his glass a bit more.

" Currahee!!" the group fo men called as they clinked their glasses together.

Hazel whispered a soft Currahee to herself, wishing the men who weren't here could be.

But in the end, it was VE Day - the war in Europe was over. All the horror was finally over.

For the moment.

Hazel looked towards Joe beside her, with a soft look in her eyes, as he met her own gaze. This horrible war and he still wore a smile of gold upon his lips, after breaking down, being so mentally and emotionally destroyed, and he still smiled at her as if she were the stars themselves.

Seeing Joe really break had upset her so much, she hoped she'd never see Joe break like that again, her heart had broken. But seeing him here, looking so happy, so bright, so free, so much like the Joe Liebgott that had walked into her life back in September 1943. She wanted him to be happy, that's all she wanted for him right now and now for every man and woman in Easy - they all deserved it.

With just one look from Joe, it signified in her heart that all she wanted for him was pure happiness.

Hazel retreated to bed that night, leaving the merrily drunk paratroopers behind for the comfort of her bed where 2nd platoon currently was staying.

Hazel walked through the streets of Berchtesgaden, gazing around at the homes, before her eyes made its way up towards the Eagles' Nest were she knew, herself, where Hitler had once stood, looking down on the town below, thinking he would soon rule all of Europe and then the world. Boy was he wrong. Hazel stared at the mountain top retreat for a moment longer, before a warm breeze hit her, and the crickets played their silent tune in the nearby bushes, bringing some comfort of home to Hazel.

Hazel pushed open the door to 2nd platoon and carefully walked through the building, which smelled like wood and oak, a good wood like cabin scent. Upon entering the room, she was glad to see that no one else was inside and she could hopefully get a few hours of rest. Changing into her PT gear, she became slightly chilled and let herself down easy onto the bed. She stared out at the stars that night, through the window, watching the moon look down upon the cheerful group of men, watching as they finally celebrated peace and happiness and joy.

It was a nice turn around, one which was very much needed in this world.

Before Catherine even opened her eyes all she felt was a soft warmth encasing her entire being, cuddled in blankets and pillows, a faint light coming in through the open window, the soft sound of voices outside on the streets trickling in, a few birds tweeting.

Was she home?

Had it all been a dream?

Catherine slowly blinked her eyes open and realized there was the ceiling above her.

Nope.

Still in Berchtesgaden.

Catherine groaned a bit, as she pushed herself up from the bed and then sighed softly, eyes looking towards the brightly lit window.

A lazy smile appeared on her face, as she ran a hand through her hair, a dull aching slowly forming around her head. Catherine softly sighed and then looked down at the comforter.

Whose shirt was this?

On her being, her person?

A size bigger than what she normally wore, and oh-so-warm?

Catherine softly brought her hand forward to touch it. It was warm. Catherine slowly grasped the fabric and brought the fabric to her nose. It smelled so good. Like home in a way, a home away from home, like a soft cleaner that you used when doing the wash, and maybe a dash of cologne.

Okay, who's shirt was this?

The fabric of the shirt in her hand slowly dropped from her grasp as an overwhelming feeling suddenly entered her entire system.

She knew who's shirt this was, she knew that scent.

Catherine gulped and then slowly looked over and towards her right. And on her right, under the covers beside her was George Luz, lying shirtless, the dog tags loose around his neck, facing her, sound asleep, soft snores escaping his lips, with his hair looking rather messy, yet still adorable.

ADORABLE?

Did the word really just enter her brain?

Catherine slowly lowered her head down a bit, peering closer towards his innocent, sleeping face, watching him with curious eyes. George Luz was in bed next to her - and he was shirtless - and better yet his shirt was now on her body. Catherine watched him, as the soft bird twittering came in through the window, and Catherine's eyes couldn't move from his face. Catherine looked at his hair.

Her fingers, her hands, had been in his hair, running through it continuously.

It had been so soft too. A softness, that brought back memories of her childhood bunny, Walter. His face looked so soft, and gentle and innocent, and his eyes were so gently shut, so much so that she got a good view of his long eyelashes which she had never failed to adore. He looked handsome, just lying there curled on his side so effortlessly. And Catherine's heart had never been racing as fast as it was as she watched him.

Then there was knocking, extremely loud knocking on the door, too loud for Catherine and for the sleeping George Luz.

" Cath!" a voice called.

Nixon.

It was Nixon.

It was Lewis fucking Nixon.

Oh no.

Catherine's eyes widened as she prayed the door was locked and that her Intelligence Officer would not see her beside their radioman in bed, wearing his SHIRT!

Catherine's heart dropped as she began to see George shifting himself awake beside her, blinking his eyes a few times before focusing on Catherine. The two watched each other, just as confused as the other, and Catherine didn't hesitate to launch forward into his lap, slapping her hand clamped over his mouth, their eyes watching one another, breathing heavily.

Holy fucking shit.

" Yeah!?" she called back, as she maintained eye contact with George, who was still staring at her in utter shock. She shook her head.

Please, please don't say a word George, spare me my life for a moment.

" You ready? We're moving out in an hour." Nixon called. Catherine's eyes widened.

Moving out?

To WHERE!

She still had to worry about the fact she woke up to a shirtless God that happened to be George Luz, beside her in bed.

" Uh, what time is it?" she called back, her eyes not straying from George's still as he watched her.

" 1100."

1100?!

The TIME!

Her mind was in turmoil.

" Shit." Catherine muttered, before meeting George's eyes again which remained wide as golfballs. Great, he was just as confused. They were both confused, even though her heart was racing.

" You okay? Need any help?" Nixon asked, " Can I come in?"

Can he come in?

NO!

He'll see George Luz!

Shirtless George Luz!!

NO!

" No!" Catherine called back frantically, " No, um, no, I'm uh, I'm naked."

Naked, seriously?

Catherine internally sighed to herself and briefly shut her eyes as she muttered out a curse, wishing she could go back to when it was just her staring at the peaceful George Luz.

" Naked?" scoffed Nixon, as Catherine watched the corner's of George's eyes shrug up in a laugh. She gave him a look, that tough look that immediately sent him holding back laughs.

" Yeah, I was just changing. Interesting timing I guess." Catherine said as her cheeks burned. George was laughing under her hand she could tell, if she saw his smirk, she'd then start laughing too.

" Interesting timing indeed," Nixon said and she heard him laughing.

Screw him.

" Well, put on some clothes and we'll talk real quick then you can pack up." Nixon said.

" Um, okay, one sec." Catherine called back. Then Catherine looked at George. She slowly brought a hand back and pressed it to her lips, watching him.

" Stay quiet." she mouthed, sliding off of him to the floor. She slowly grasped his hand, standing him up, as they both tripped over the boots, the comforter falling off him to reveal the OD bottoms still on his legs, his feet unsocked.

How dangerous.

Catherine kept a finger to her lips as George followed after her, smirking the entire time, eyes traveling the length of her body, which admittedly only had his shirt and undergarments.

Catherine glared at him, before he simply motioned a surrender with his one hand. Catherine led him into the bathroom, before putting a firm finger to her lips in quiet. George nodded, trying to hold back a smirk again.

Catherine just shut the door, softly, before moving back over to the door quickly, face heating warmer and warmer. Catherine cursed as she grabbed her PT shorts and pulled them on, tripping her feet in and out of the holes, before glancing in the mirror.

The shorts did nothing with the shirt, HIS shirt, that she wore.

She sighed to herself, before hurrying over towards the door.

" If I survive, this'll be the day," she muttered before opening the door and smiling. Nixon was on the other side, smirking.

Catherine swore to God, he always wore that dumb smirk like it were the latest fashion trend.

" What?' she grumbled, her smiling dropping, eyes slack.

" Fun night?" he questioned and Catherine narrowed her eyes.

" How about rough night?" she muttered. Nixon raised a brow and then peaked behind her.

" Didn't know you had two different sizes of shoes." Nixon remarked, sipping from the tiny silver flask on his hip.

Oh my god.

Catherine's eyes widened and she glanced over her shoulder, back towards where George's boots were beside hers.

Shit.

Why?

Why?

Why?

George and her had both tripped over his shoes, his boots, both of them, and she had been worried about shorts.

" Someone must've left their pair here, there were quite a few shoe-less guys out there." Catherine said. Nixon watched her with a suspicious raised brow it seemed.

He so knew.

He so knew that someone, George Luz, was hiding in her bathroom. Catherine internally groaned.

" Right, well, finish packing up were moving out at 1200, towards Zell Am See, Austria." Nixon said holding out a map towards her. Catherine took it and glanced over it.

" Doesn't seem to far." she said handing back the map.

" Yeah, right over the border, not too bad." he said as he rolled up the map, " It'll be an hour or two ride, but it won't be bad."

" Ok cool, I'm going to get ready now." Catherine said knowing she'd have to then face George.

What had exactly happened last night?

Drunk obviously.

But had they kissed?

Made-out?

They had to have kissed - she remembered the feeling of his lips on hers, the way he had held her so close, then watched her with those gentle brown eyes.

Yep, her heart was racing again, something had most definitely happened.

" You do that," Nixon said before stepping back with his hands in his pockets a smirk on his face. Catherine narrowed her eyes and watched him walk perfectly down the stairs. Even 4 drinks in and he was walking straight.

Oh man, he SO knew.

Catherine sighed and turned and shut the door behind her watching as George stepped out of the bathroom. Catherine shyly, let the door shut before watching George approach her. He was watching her every move and she was watching his.

The two slowly stopped in front of one another, and Catherine tried her hardest to focus on his face and not the dog tags or his shirtless self. She softly met his gaze, crossing her arms shyly across her chest, suddenly nervous.

" What happened last night?" Catherine asked him, looking up towards his gently gaze, her heart hammering faster and faster.

That look. Why was he giving her that look?

" Were we drunk?" George asked a slight smile on his face. Catherine blushed.

" I'm asking you that," she whispered back and George smirked proudly.

" Drunk," he said," but you kissed me first." Holy shit she had kissed George. She had kissed George. Her entire body was frozen as she stared at him.

" I...I kissed you?" she whispered. George's face peered closer to hers, inches from her own.

" And I liked it." George said and she felt her heart in her throat. Because she had liked it too.

" George-" she whispered, but the second her put a finger under her chin, titling it up to meet his gaze, her voice felt like it disappeared. That look.

" I didn't mean to just kiss you, George, I wasn't thinking, I just..." Catherine stopped. She had wanted to kiss him, she had just really wanted to kiss him.

" I wanted to kiss you," she whispered. George softly watched her.

" I wanted to kiss you too," he said gently back, as a gentle bird tweet came from the window sill. Catherine's heart skyrocketed.

" George..." she whispered, but before she could say anything again he had pressed his lips to hers again and her heart nearly exploded. Her hands went up to his hair, wrapping arm him, pulling him closer, as she felt the smirk in the kiss on her lips. It was warm and passionate and she had never felt safer encased in George's arms, here with him in the soft late-morning light, where the only sounds were the gentle chirp of the birds outside and the soft breeze through the window, hitting her bare legs.

Catherine and George slowly pulled back from each other, their lips inches from one another, eyes gently closed. Catherine had always thought George had pretty eyelashes. It was a soft quiet between the two, holding each other, just being there with one another.

" I wasn't lying when I said you were pretty, Lieutenant." George whispered against her lips. Catherine sucked in a breath, " I would never."

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HEY YALL! i wish i had gotten this chapter out sooner but i loved it sm if i'm being honest, between both the characters of hazel and catherine and then of course catherine and george, i knew so many of you were wondering :)) but honestly i can say i adore their relationship so much and for so many reasons that you'll see later on!! thank you sm for reading! <3