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she-wolf09231982 · 5 months

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Chapter 4- The Catch

Summary: Carentan was a harsh bloody battle. As you and Doc are tending to multiple wounded men, you eventually run into Liebgott while he’s comforting a severely wounded fellow soldier he was partnered with. After the Americans claimed the town, eventually the boys of Easy were pleasantly surprised when they had an evening at a pub when you arrived polished up like a lady with a song in your heart.

A/N: Mature audience, Joe LiebgottxFem!Medic, post D-Day, She/Her Pronouns, Y/F/N, Y/L/N, Cursing/Swearing, Derogatory Slurs, Womanizing Comments, Confrontation, Military Terminology, 1940’s slang, Inappropriate Nicknames, Band of Brothers References, Mentions of Weaponry, Descriptive Wounds/Injuries, Death, Blood/Gore, Smoking, Banter, Pining, Consensual Physical Contact/PDA, FOREVER FLUFF 💚

Chapter takes place Episode 1x4 Replacements

Song selection for this piece:

Good Night, My Love by Ella Fitzgerald

{Provided below at the end of the chapter}

*These stories may not fall entirely in accordance with the TV series timeline. I do not know the real soldiers the actors portray in this series, so please understand I show no disrespect. Some or most of historical events and character interactions in my fanfics are fabricated purely for the sake of the enjoyment of fiction*

~~~~~~~

As you come up on Carentan, you’re met with heavy fire from German snipers hiding inside some of the buildings. Most of you take cover in the ditches on either side of the road but are just made easy targets for the Germans since everyone was still out in the open.

Winters shouted at the troops to move forward to get cover and started to physically lift each soldier he passed to get them moving.

“Get yourselves out of those trenches!”

After finally making entry into the town, American soldiers scatter to wherever they can to get cover from all of the gunfire coming from every direction.

You and Doc on separate ends of the streets trying to keep low to tend to the wounded.

“MEDIC!!”

You race to two soldiers landing on your knees next to them, one on the ground with a trail of blood coming from his helmet, the other crouching over him.

“He’s still breathing, help me carry him!” You call out. You each grab an arm of the injured soldier and drag him behind a building.

While you’re working on the nameless soldier’s head wound, a drug store gets blasted by German artillery not far from where you were, the force from the explosion sending you sideways into the brick wall next to you.

Your ears intensely ringing, it’s all you can hear for a moment until you hear Liebgott’s voice.

“TIPPER! TIP! Answer me, Tip!” Joe calls out to his partner, Ed Tipper who sadly had been in the building when the blast occurred.

You shake your head vigorously in an attempt open your ears and regain your composure. When you finally snap out of it, you look up to see Tipper stumbling out of the destroyed storefront of the pharmacy, the left side of his face completely torn up from shrapnel, and his right thigh blown wide open, the artery clearly lacerated and bleeding out.

Liebgott running, stops dead in his tracks when he sees Tipper.

“Joe?? Is that you??” Tipper calls out trembling.

Liebgott stunned by Tipper’s bloody appearance, slowly approached him carefully setting down is rifle.

“Lookin’ good, Tip.” Joe says reassuringly placing his rifle on the ground, “-lookin’ real good.”

Liebgott gently took Tipper by the arm, leading him out of the building.

“Come here, buddy, you gotta sit down. Come here...Come on...” He slowly helped Tipper to the ground, “Easy, easy...There you go...there you go.”

Liebgott crouched next to Tipper and gently guided his head to rest in the crook of his neck.

Tipper’s breath became ragged and labored. As he started coughing up blood, Joe surveyed the rest of the damage on him. He discovers the right thigh wound, bleeding out and pulsating where the artery was hit, then the right foot exposed through the boot also drenched in red.

“Ah Jesus...” Liebgott whispered to himself stroking Tipper’s hair. “You hang in there, buddy. Okay, we're gonna get you fixed up. All right...okay. Guys, you wanna give me a hand here? Come on.”

He started to lift Tipper as you approached. Before the other two soldiers could help Liebgott pick him up, you push through them grabbing Tipper’s right arm to bring it across the back of your shoulders and assist carrying him to safety.

“Over here, Lieb.” You direct.

You both rest Tipper against the wall as you grab a large dressing from your med bag, putting it directly over his thigh to apply pressure. You knew it would be to no avail since the artery needed to be held closed to keep the blood in and he’s lost so much blood already. Without plasma, you couldn’t do much.

“Tip, I’m right here.” You comfort him, putting your face in his line of sight so he can see you.

Liebgott staring stood up slowly, waiting for you to work your healing magic, but you already knew Tipper’s fate was sealed. You look up apologetically at Joe and shake your head.

~~~~~~~

After the dust finally settled, the town was now under American control. The time in Carentan was short lived, as orders came through for Easy to attack East towards the low ground. Easy went from the Western part of Carentan towards the South, near the village of Douville. You all are confronted with a major German resistance upon your arrival. The Germans launched a strong counter- attack with tanks and armored vehicles. Fortunately, Sherman tank reinforcements arrived, breaking the German lines of contact and shortly abandoned the hill.

A few days later, after a failed reconnaissance mission, Easy was removed from the front lines and sent back to Sainte-Mère-du-Monte to recover from the combat you all had endured. To Easy’s misfortune, Lipton announces you all are to return to combat in September. New orders state Easy is to drop into Holland to liberate the people from German tyranny.

But when Easy approaches Eindhoven, the locals commemorate your arrival with celebration in the streets with banners waving and cheers of appreciation. Women of the village kiss each soldier on the cheeks and mouths as they pass, while the men hug or shake their hands showing their gratitude.

It was chaotic. Everywhere you looked, people were dancing and shouting in the streets while music blared from a band off to the side. You were once again separated from Joe.

You hear Lipton yelling, “Keep moving!!” He repeated over and over amongst the crowd as he ushered the guys up the street.

This was an unusual change of pace for Easy Company. Instead of being met with gunshots and explosions, you’re welcomed with warm smiles and affection from the locals. Some of the guys took advantage of the situation getting in some extra kisses from the local women.

You wondered if Liebgott was kissing any of these women. Afterall, they seemed to be wearing some of their best dresses with make-up and here you were, having looked like a hag for nearly four months since you dropped on D-Day. Why wouldn’t he get his kisses in while he had the chance to get one from a lady looking like she had at least been bathing consistently?

This thought discouraged you. You hadn’t done yourself up since Toccoa. You release a sigh of frustration and continue pushing through the crowd.

~~~~~~~

That evening, Easy got together with some of the new Easy replacements in attendance at what seemed to be a barn made into an improvised pub. There was a dartboard on the wall, and multiple tables and chairs set up. A simple radio playing some popular tunes sat on the bar.

“Hey, Lieb, where’s Y/L/N?” Perconte asked.

Liebgott shrugged. “Last I heard she went to one of the local women’s houses to get cleaned up.”

“Betchya we won’t even recognize her.” Guarnere joked.

The guys all laughed collectively. Malarkey pushed through the crowd trying to get everyone’s attention.

“Hey, guys! Get a look at the bird that just came in!” Malarkey pointed towards the entrance with a wide eager smile.

Everyone redirected their attention to the front of the room. Most of the men of Easy caught sight of an almost familiar woman wearing the standard female Army dress uniform complete with skirt, simple heels, and clean white medic brassard displaying the Red Cross around the left bicep. Hair clean and perfumed pulled back into a neat fashionable bun and a face with fresh make-up and painted lips. You almost had the entire room at a complete standstill when you walked in.

Liebgott’s jaw dropped, (as did everyone’s).

“Who the hell is that?” Talbert asked.

“Floyd, you’re an idiot.” Guarnere asserted.

“It’s our little lady medic, boys.” Randleman pointed out affectionately.

Excited murmurs and whispers filtered across the room.

You start to make your way to Easy in the back. Of course, you’re approached by several other members from other companies there, but you kindly decline their advances so you can get to your own.

“Hey, fellas.” You greet as you near the group of Easy soldiers.

They all inaudibly respond with their own forms of welcome, then all fall silent leaving a heavy blanket of tension in the air between you and them. You look around suspiciously wondering why none of them were making eye contact with you or speaking. Some looked like they were even holding their breath.

“What’s wrong with you guys? It just Y/L/N! Quit acting like you never seen a woman before.” Nixon said addressing the men.

“Yeah, but that’s just it, sir, it’s Y/L/N...dolled up. She don’t normally look like this.” Guarnere explained.

Nixon laughed. “Then it would be gentlemanly of one of you to offer her a seat while I get her a drink. What will you have Y/L/N?” He called out to you.

“Thank you, sir, any beer will be just fine.” You replied with a relieved smile.

“You clean up nice, L/N!” Malarkey commended as he pulled you in for a one-armed hug.

“Thanks, Don.” You respond as your cheeks heat up.

The rest of the guys agree simultaneously, each voicing over the other how great you looked.

You laugh nervously, “Gee, guys, thanks.” Was all you could say.

You weren’t used to this kind of attention from the boys. As the awkwardness lifted and everyone started to resume socializing, your eyes eventually met Liebgott’s.

You each smile at eachother.

“Here you go, L/N.” Nixon handed you a bottle with a wink.

“Thanks, sir. Cheers!” You raise your beer clinking it against his highball glass of Vat 69 whiskey on the rocks.

You finally go to stand with Liebgott.

When you reached him, he gently pulled you in by your waist and leaned in to whisper in your ear.

“You’re a knockout, sweetheart.” He professed with that Joe Liebgott smirk.

You felt his warm breath dance along your neck, making your spine shiver and the butterflies rise in your stomach.

Your breath caught in your chest, and you smiled shyly at him.

“Lookin’ dapper yourself, Joe.” You reply as you readjust his tie.

Your little moment was interrupted abruptly by Guarnere.

“Hey Joe, if you ain’t gonna have a dance with her, how ‘bout letting one of us take her once around the room?” He teased.

An upoar of laughter erupted from the group.

Joe looked at you and raised his eyebrows, “How about it, doll?” He asked.

“Oh, I don’t think I can dance in these shoes, Joe. I tripped twice outside on the way over here.” You admitted.

Joe chuckled then Luz came up to you.

“Hey Y/F/N! Bull here says you got some pipes on ya? Can you sing us a little something?” He bid.

You direct a look of betrayal towards Randleman.

“You said you wouldn’t tell anyone, Bull.” You reminded him sharply.

“It would be a crime and shame to keep that voice a secret, lady.” Randleman declared.

Laughter fills the air.

“So, whaddya say? One song? For us?” Luz begged again.

You look around at all the eager faces of the men in Easy Company, and you smile.

“How about some Ella Fitzgerald?” You suggest.

The men cheered and ushered you over to the upright piano against the wall by the bar.

“Hey, we can’t see her!” One soldier shouted from the back.

“Give her something to stand on!” Another one called out.

Toye placed a chair next to the piano as Liebgott offered his hand to help you up.

When you came into view of the audience, all the men applauded, directing whistles and howls of admiration.

You grimace playfully shaking your head mouthing, “Knock it off!” as you wave them down.

A soldier from the crowd sat at the piano.

“You know, Goodnight, My Love?” You ask him.

The soldier nodded and began playing the selection from memory.

You serenade with all your heart and soul, immediately capturing the room. As you sing, you look from one awestruck face to another, making sure to smile as any good entertainer would do in the movies. You felt like a starlet.

The whole room leaning in listening intensively, some ogling at you from the tables, your eyes connect with Joe’s who’s standing along the front. He grins as he watches you admirably and you can’t help but return a smile.

At that moment on the last line of the song, you lost your balance.

🎶Sleep tight, my love, goodnight, my love

Remember that you’re my sweetheart--🎶

“GASP!”

All the air suddenly left your lungs as you feel your feet leaving the surface of the chair. It all seemed to happen in slow motion as Joe swiftly swooped in catching you bridal style before you can hit the floor. The room in unison choked with concern.

The world went still while Joe was holding you. Your faces so close, your cheeks reddened and once again your breath stuck in your throat somewhere.

“Nice grab, Liebgott!” You hear Guarnere shout. The room laughed and applauded as Joe turned still carrying you, smiling mischievously from ear to ear.

“What a finale!” Compton called out.

“No more booze for her!” Luz teased. More laughter.

Liebgott set you on your feet.

“You good?” He asked. You nod.

“Thanks to you.” You beamed. You leaned in and kissed his cheek to show your gratitude for the rescue.

You heard some of the guys mockingly whistle at you and Liebgott for this little show of affection.

His astonishment had left his mouth slightly agape and his eyes wide making you giggle. He leered playfully at you.

“You missed, sweetheart.” He eluded as he tapped his lips with his finger winking at you.

You raised an eyebrow at him skeptically. With your fore and middle fingers together, you press them to your red lips, kiss the pads, then place them onto Joe’s waiting lips which he gladly kissed. A devilish grin stretched across his face.

“Maybe next time we can have that dance?” He suggested.

“Sure, Joe. At least I know I can depend on you to catch me if I fall again.” You proclaim with a wink and a coy smile.

“I’ll always be there to save you, sweetheart.”

~~~~~~~

For your hearing pleasure,

Good Night, My Love by Ella Fitzgerald

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Chapter 5 👇🏼

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