" Sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place."

- Unknown

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The following day was the 2nd, and the anniversary of D-Day was nearing them, big time, which meant someone was going home in that lottery. And if it was who Hazel thought it would be, she made sure she spent as much time with Shifty as she could. He was one of her closest friends and she couldn't bear to see him leave, even though she knew he'd be safe in the end. So that morning, Hazel popped into where 3rd platoon was and noticed Shifty sitting on his bed, pulling his socks up on his feet.

" Shifty!" Hazel said as she entered the room and Shifty turned his head at the sound of his voice.

" Hazel!" Shifty called as he quickly pulled on the rest of his sock before bounding up and the two caught each other in a warm hug. Hazel knew she were counting down the last few days of having Shifty here. But he would be going home, she knew Speirs would do what he could.

" What's up?" he asked as the two pulled back.

" You want to head into town?" she asked him," I heard they have this little antique store that I think we might like." Shifty grinned.

" And even better," Hazel said, " I saw one of those horse antiques in the window."

" Really?!" Shifty said as his eyes widened.

" Yes!" Hazel said and Shifty just about lost it. He turned grabbing his OD top.

" Let's go," he said and the two raced out like children.

Shifty flung open the door and Hazel flew threw before they were out in the sunlight of Austria, with the beautiful mountains cascading around them, the blue lake shimmering below, the white, puffy clouds above hanging just enough for parts to have enough shade, and the little homes, the brightest they had been.

The two sharpshooters hurried down towards where Hazel had seen the antique store and they both skidded to a stop, or more like Hazel skidding into Shifty. Shifty was better on his feet than Hazel was. The two caught each other and then looked up at the store.

" Wow," Shifty said and Hazel nodded, " how'd you even find this place?" Hazel grinned.

" You can thank Joe Liebgott for dragging me to the local chocolate shop." she said and Shifty laughed. They headed inside and were immediately hit by a home-like warmth all around.

" Ello!" a voice called, and it was a young woman behind the counter, waving. Shifty and Hazel waved before they began exploring.

But the horse antique was first.

Hazel led Shifty to the front window, which smelled as if it were sunshine, that poured through the window and carefully pulled the horse antique into her arms before handing it to Shifty. Shifty took it and held it up to the light with big eyes.

" It's beautiful," Shifty said, letting his hand run over the carving of it. Hazel smiled.

" Do you need any help?" the young woman asked as she came walking over, fixing things along the way.

" We're okay, ma'am, thank you though," Shifty said and the woman smiled and nodded.

" You are American?" she asked them.

" Yes ma'am," Shifty answered.

" I didn't know women were in the fight with the men." she expressed, " It's lovely to see." Hazel smiled softly.

" Thank you," Hazel said and the young woman nodded.

" Bring whatever you want up when you are ready," she said and retreated.

" Friendly people," Shifty said as he looked at the horse again, " stunning Hazel, really, I don't even know how you picked this out." Hazel shrugged.

" It was a split second look as Joe almost ripped my arm out of my socket." she explained and Shifty laughed.

Hazel looked over her shoulder and saw a tiny little picture frame. She slowly bent down next to it and reached forward to pull it into her grasp. It was a simple frame, brown, with a bit of a design on it, like green vines, painted hastily. Hazel slowly reached into her front pocket and pulled out the photo of her mom and of Daisy. She smiled to herself. It would fit perfectly.

" Find anything?" Shifty asked. Hazel smiled and slowly stood next to him.

" To put a picture of my mom and Daisy in," Hazel said and Shifty smiled looking at her. He nodded.

Then Hazel slowly approached a little doe figurine. Crouching down and becoming eye level with the little figurine, Hazel stared at the eyes of the doe. Everyone she felt, had doe eyes at some point, soft gentle gazes that people usually sent to one another. Hazel softly watched the figurine. Gently reaching up her hand, she gently picked it up, but then suddenly, a rush of memories flooded her body.

The soft doe eyes of the child in Holland, who had grown up his entire life in war and still managed to remain his innocent self, so gentle, so joyous, so willing to simply love without fear. Eyes that had been one of the most beautiful blues Hazel had ever seen, like an endless sea of possibilities, without limitations, filled with a swimming hope.

But suddenly, her hand retracted, jumping back as green eyes entered her vision.

The green eyes of the German soldier on D-Day, just another human being pleading for his life as she watched him, sweating, knife to his throat, in the silence of Normandy. She remembered how full of life his eyes had been when she had finally met them, but how fast they drained once she had killed him. The deep, dark green color, that lit up like electricity, fading almost immediately, to a pale green, devoid of emotion, color, feeling.

Hazel slowly shuffled back and away, her feet padding softly against the ground, before her back pressed into one of the posts in the middle of the store. She let out a shaky breath, watching the little doe stare back at her. Hazel had seen them, both of them, the child, the man, both of them, staring back at her, praying they saved her, praying that she'd take them from this horrid world, but she only spared one.

She had spared the German - he would never have to live in this world again, the little boy would realize what war he had to live through what horror he'd seen, what he had felt and heard.

All of it.

Just like every soldier.

They'd all have to live with it.

The German man, he was gone, and for a split second, Hazel thought possibly that dying was the better option in war. There was no pain there, or fear, or sadness, or grief, just simple relief from terror and horror.

" Hey," a voice said and Hazel looked up to see Shifty coming towards her a youthful smile upon his cheeks, a brightness in his eyes, his face glowing, " are you okay? You look pale." Shifty immediately grew concerned, the smile dropping, as he looked at her entire face and Hazel swallowed. She could only nod. Shifty watched her not convinced.

" I saw their eyes, Shifty, of the innocent and the gone." she whispered, " War sucks." Shifty softly watched her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

" It does," he said, " I still see their eyes, too." Hazel watched him and sighed with a sad smile. They didn't need to say much else, they knew what the other was thinking, about their most painful experiences, all of it. The pain of war and what you then had to live with. They were both thinking it.

" Let's head out," Shifty said softly a few moments later and Hazel nodded. Hazel told herself repeatedly that she'd be okay, and simply went with it, she needed to affirm herself that whenever she could. This was one of this moments. But she knew she'd never stop seeing their haunting eyes of both the boy and the man. War-torn in different ways, yet connected through the same war. A shiver was sent down her spine.

" Yeah," Hazel said, " let's." The two got their things, paying for their things they got before they walked out into the streets of Austria again. Hazel fitted the picture of her mom and Daisy into the photo and held it with her for the rest of the day, carrying it around like a token. She had never been happier with the little memento.

And plus, she got to be with Shifty for a majority of the day, and the two fell back into the fun they always had when there wasn't a war on, like back in Aldbourne or Mourmelon.

The eyes she had seen in the doe, something so pure, so gentle, so graceful, settled in the back of her mind, but she tried to disregard it for the day.

Within the coming days, the Anniversary of June 6th, D-Day, was quickly approaching and for many it was an odd feeling.

A year ago, they had made that fateful jump in Normandy, their first ever combat jump to hopefully lead the Allies to some sort of victory,t o only had Market-Garden follow and fall on its ass and have Bastogne be horribly depressing. It was overwhelming to say the least, to think back all those months ago on a time when there were still members of Easy who had been there were now gone.

Lizzie was effected the most she felt. because most of the men that were gone, she had treated on various occasions. She sat on June 6th, in her Class-A's her skirt around her knees, legs hanging off the edge of where her bed was, eyes downcast, her mind tumbling. She usually had daily moments where her mind was sent tumbling and all she did was think too deeply into something or focus on it too much and upset herself. But she couldn't help it most of the time.

" Hey, Lizzie? You ready?" she heard Gene's voice call through the door. Lizzie let out a quiet sigh. She always got in these horrible moods and it would turn more sour by the second and usually Gene had to deal with it. She felt bad that he was always dealing with her misfortunes. It made her sick to her stomach - he already had too much to deal with.

" Yeah," she called and slowly pushed herself up from the bed, turning to grab her cover. Lizzie slowly walked towards the door and opened it up to find Gene on the other side, looking neatly put together with his Class-A's on and his hair all gelled up perfectly upon his head. And looking happy.

" Hey," Lizzie said gently, with a tired smile, which Gene noticed. He smiled softly. He knew she hadn't been sleeping again, the look in her eyes said it all, the dark grey circles, the sunken in look of her eyes, the way when she smiled, you could place a hand over her mouth, and her eyes still wouldn't change. She looked sad.

" You doing okay?" he asked, noticing the bedsheets on her bed behind her, strewn around haphazardly.

Lizzie forced herself not to cry.

When talking about her emotions, she had the case of crying usually to follow, and usually it was connected with the stupid thing called attachment or the mood swings, or how deeply she just thought, so hard that she was having trouble, keeping herself as a medic at this point. The other day, she had been too oblivious to hear a replacement calling for her aid as she stared blankly forward a book she had long ago given up on in her lap.

" Fine," she said, " I couldn't sleep." Gene watched her. She bit back her lip and sighed.

" It's fine, it's our celebration, we'll worry about it another time." she said. Gene watched her.

" You sure?"

" Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about." she said and Gene continued watching her.

" Lizzie, if there's something wrong-"

" Gene, I promise, you okay?" Lizzie said taking his shoulders, " I'm fine, please, don't worry about me. We're supposed to be celebrating, don't worry about me."

" But Lizzie-"

" Gene," she whispered, " I'm okay." Gene watched her and bit back his lip.

" Lizzie you know I worry for you, right?" Gene said and Lizzie watched him with wide eyes.

" Yes, and I worry for you too," Lizzie said, " but right now, it's okay, please don't worry for me." Lizzie watched his eyes and gave a smile.

" I'm okay," she reassured him. Gene and her moved out of the room and down the hall as Lizzie fitted her cover to her head.

" You look nice," Gene said to her, placing a gentle hand on her back softly. And Lizzie smiled wide up at him, placing a gentle hand on his own back.

A genuine smile; she felt happier with Gene, he made her feel happier and he helped her out of the slumps when the girls couldn't. The way his eyes seemed to light up now, when the littlest most exciting thing happened, made her smile, or the way he smiled more, and was more willing to get actual sleep now and start taking care of himself, made her heart warm. Looking back, war isn't as scary with someone like Gene by her side. Through everything.

" Thanks, Gene," she whispered softly. Easy Company was moved into their 3 respective platoons on that bright and clear day, where there wasn't a cloud in the sky, with the sun shining brightly down upon the paratroopers who stood in the town square.

Hazel's sniper was comfortably adjusted on her shoulder, the dirt finally removed from her dress skirt, and the sock with the bit of dirt, was cleaned up, courtesy of Catherine.

" Hey!" a voice said knocking her shoulder as she turned and saw it was Joe.

" Joe!" she said, a wide smile spreading across her face, a faint blush on her cheeks, as she reached up to adjust his constantly crocked tie," You look great!" Joe chuckled at the pink on her cheeks and the way she had fixed his tie, so almost automatically.

" Thanks, Parker, you don't look too bad yourself." Joe said and as Hazel knocked his shoulder shaking her head with a smile.

" Thanks," she said and Joe smiled.

" Never thought I'd make it here, to this day." she said and Joe glanced towards her.

" Why?" he asked her.

" When I got hit, I saw the light, you know, when you're close to dying? I thought God was taking me, I told him it was okay and that I was ready," she said with a nod, and a small smile, " I guess he, himself, wasn't ready for me to leave yet." Hazel said with a soft smile, glancing up towards him gently. Joe smiled, wrapping an arm over her shoulder.

" I'm glad he wasn't ready for you to leave yet either," Joe whispered. Hazel smiled, blushing and softly wrapped her arms in the sideways hug around him, inhaling the soft smoke and pine scent.

When they were finally moved into their platoons, they all stood with their weapons held out by their feet, serious expressions masking every facial feature, a sense of pride welling in their bodies as they stood strong, proud and happy.

These were the men and women who made it from Normandy to now Austria - the men who had seen so many others lose their lives, lose their humanity, or lose limbs just to make sure these men made it to where they were today.

Hazel stood, her face pushed up facing the soft, gentle breeze that flowed across her face, the sun kissing her cheeks which were slowly turning more tan than the pale look of Bastogne. She genuinely felt happy here in Austria. There were citizens of Zell Am See watching them, the prideful group of Easy Company paratroopers who had been through hell and high water to be here today. Hazel felt happy.

" Company!" their CO called over the group of soldiers, standing in his fresh and new Ike jacket, pristine medals and awards pinned to his chest, hair neatly gelled back, eyes surveying the entire group, swelling pride for the group over his entire face.

" Platoon!"

" Atten-tion!" Speirs called again, standing proudly watching the soldiers watch him.

" Right shoulder, ho!" All 3 platoons shouldered their weapons, and Hazel pulled her weapon into position on her shoulder.

" Order, ho!" all the men placed their weapons sharply down on the ground beside them, in quick formation.

" At ease." Speirs said gently, eyes watching the group, slowly moving over the entire company, and Hazel let her tensed shoulders gently drop.

" General Taylor is aware that many veterans, including Normandy veterans, still do not have the 85 points required to be discharged. On this, the anniversary of D-Day, he has authorized a lottery to send one man home in each company, effective immediately." Speirs explained as Talbert walked up with a helmet in front of Harry who was to Speirs' left. Welsh dug his hand in before handing the slip to Speirs, a small smirk on his features. Hazel was praying, hoping that the smirk meant that it was Shifty's name, that it would be Shifty's name. It had to be Shifty.

" For Easy Company, the winner is...." Speirs eyes glanced over the paper, " Serial Number, 13066266. Sergeant Darrell C. Powers." Speirs said a proud smile upon his face, and Hazel's lips broadened into a relief filled smile as she met Shifty's eyes. He deserved it more than anyone. He deserved so much.

" That's how it's done, Shifty!" Luz called, and Shifty grinned with a little smile, shaking his head. Hazel's heart was so warm, Shifty would finally be going home, after all this horrid war. The group slowly quieted down after the announcement.

" Sergeant Grant will see to it that 2nd platoon takes over at the crossroads checkpoint beginning tonight at 2200 hours. General Taylor has also announced that the 101st Airborne Division will definitely be redeployed to the Pacific." Speirs announced and suddenly there was a blow to Hazel's gut.

More war.

More pain.

More combat jumps.

More death.

More grief.

More sadness.

Who else would they lose?

Hazel sucked back a tiny breath and then let it out.

So much for the celebration.

" So beginning tomorrow, at 0600 hours, we will begin training to go to war." Speirs called and Hazel watched Speirs, trying hard to not let her shoulders slump in sadness.

But maybe for tonight, she could just celebrate and try to forget about it all.

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i am BACK! with 2 or 3 chapters :)) and i have a feeling the next chapter will be one to remember!! i've been taking time because i just finished my finance summer course with an A, YAY! and my work hours go down next week, so i have so much more time to write, but i am so grateful for my job, truly, especially now!! thank you for all the love and support, i appreciate it more than you can imagine!! <3