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she-wolf09231982 · 3 months

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Chapter 3- The Business

Summary: On June 6, 1944, D-Day, C47’s with thousands of paratroopers cross the English Channel to France, where they come under heavy fire. None of you land where you’re expected to, and many lose their weapons and supplies in the drop. Even worse, you are separated from Liebgott. Fortunately, you do land near LT Winters, who links up with solitary soldiers, then set off to find other units.

A/N: Mature audience, Joe LiebgottxFem!Medic, post D-Day, She/Her Pronouns, Y/F/N, Y/L/N, Cursing/Swearing, Enemies to friends, Derogatory Slurs, Womanizing Comments, Aggression, Angst, Confrontation, Military Terminology, 1940’s slang, Inappropriate Nicknames, Band of Brothers References, Mentions of Weaponry, Wounds/Injuries, Smoking, Crying, Banter, Pining, FLUFF Chapter takes place 1x2 Day of Days & 1x3 very early Carentan

*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 the historical events and character interactions in my fanfics are fabricated purely for the sake of the enjoyment of fiction*

~~~~~~~

“Y/L/N!” Winters shout whispers to you, waving you over to come to him.

You had landed in the middle of a field, tall grass quite overgrown, and dark as hell. You gather your chute to keep the wind from pulling you off, then hurry over to him.

“You ok, corporal?” Winters asked.

“Yes, sir.” You respond no louder than anyone but him to hear.

Although you say you’re physically ok, your internal activity is utter chaos. Your eyes were constantly on the move from left to right looking for German threats, your fellow jumpers...but most importantly for Liebgott.

During the flight, you were sitting directly across from him. You secretly wished to be next to him so you could land closer to eachother after the drop. Instead, you jumped right before LT Winters, whereas Liebgott jumped and probably landed long before you had left the plane.

Another soldier about ten feet away hustled over.

“Flash!” Winters called out.

“Shit!” The unknown soldier responded.

“I don't think that's the correct reply, trooper. I say 'flash,’ you say ‘thunder.’” Winters advised him.

“Yessir.” The soldier replied nervously.

The unfamiliar soldier was Private John Hall from Able Company. He was the radio man until he lost his radio in the jump. Nobody landed where they were supposed to, and it was clear that everyone was scattered.

You remained to the rear of Hall and Winters to secure behind you in case any Germans approached from behind. The three of you make it to a tree line and enter the woods to get some proper concealment.

“We'll locate some landmarks to get our bearings. Keep your eyes peeled for buildings, farmhouses, bridges, roads, trees.” Winter instructed.

You hear a rustle in the thicket across the stream from where you had been walking. Winters motioned for you all to camouflage yourselves against the brush of some bushes. Winters takes his clicker, then signals to who he deduced were American soldiers by clicking twice. Four clicks in response confirmed they were Easy Company members.

“Lieutenant Winters, is that you?” Lipton questioned.

Sergeant Lipton along with two paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne crossed the stream and you all kneeled in a circle to figure out the next course of action.

“Sir, I saw a sign back that aways, said, ‘Sainte-Mère-Église.’” Lipton declared.

Winters pulled out a map, flashlight and small compass, while an 82nd troop threw a raincoat over him for light control so not to give away your position.

Winters stated it was at least a four hour walk to the assembly point, so you all got walking. You run into Privates Malarkey and Rob “Popeye” Wynn, as well as Corporal Joe Toye.

Easy Company began greeting eachother, relieved to see that some of you made it safe to the ground. Toye gave you a few heavy pats on the back.

“Son of a bitch! You made it, doll!” Toye acknowledged, impressed by your gumption to survive such a vicious drop.

“Good to see you, L/N!” Malarkey was all smiles as he brought you in for a one-armed hug.

When you pulled away, his facial expression turned uneasy.

“Seen Joe?” He asked concerned.

You could only shake your head, too afraid to speak about it outloud so not to make the worst-case scenario a reality.

Malarkey put a hand on your shoulder giving you an encouraging squeeze.

“I’m sure he’s fine.” He whispered to you. You each exchange weak smiles.

You start the convoy following the train tracks to your next destination. As you’re walking you hear another rustle from behind.

“Flash!” Winters called.

“Thunder! LT Winters? Is that you? Malarkey?” A very familiar voice responded.

Fire and bile bubbled in the pit of your stomach...Guarnere. Just what you needed. You yearned for Liebgott to be here with you now that Guarnere had joined up with you guys.

“Hey, fellas!! Good to see ya, Lark! Toye!” Guarnere beamed.

As soon as he saw you, he grimaced, spit at the ground the turned around to face Winters.

“Guarnere, keep moving. You and Hall up front.” Winters directed.

After an unfortunate run in with a group of Germans, you push forward towards Sainte-Mère-Église.

It was the longest night ever but as daylight broke, you come upon what looks to be a small farm with several dead Germans lying under a dead paratrooper hanging by his parachute cords from a tree. The group scrounge any supplies left from the casualties, then continued the trek to the assembly point.

Finally, you see in the short distance where the rallying point is. A small town with bombed out buildings served as an assembly point for the Regiment to regroup. After you pass the cow carcasses made to be a makeshift check point at the entrance of the village, you inadvertently start trailing your team as you desperately scoured the main street for Liebgott.

Your heart began to sink into a whirlpool of despair. Your chest starts to tighten as tears begin to cloud your vision causing the world to close in on you. The voices of the men around you are muffled and distant. You wouldn’t even know or care if any of them were speaking directly to you because it felt like everything was crumbling around you. All because Joe was nowhere to be seen or heard.

Lost in your own underworld, ready to yield to what you thought was the inevitable, you clearly hear a single voice that heaves you from your sorrowful conviction.

“Easy Company!” You hear through the crowd.

Only Joe Liebgott’s voice could revive you from this morbid state.

“That has to be him!” You think to yourself.

Your breath hitched as you frantically searched for him. So many men wearing the same uniform made it almost impossible to tell one from the other. Your ability to speak was muted by distress, you couldn’t even bring yourself to call out to him. You almost thought you imagined hearing him at all, until at last, you look ahead up the road, and off to the side, you see him. A wave of relief rains onto you as you stand there stunned.

He shakes Guarnere’s hand.

“Bill! Good to see ya.” Liebgott gestured with a smile.

His expression shifted to concern when he didn’t see you right away. He started to push through the crowd in hopes of finding you. The guys parted a path for him to see you at the other end of the street, motionless as your eyes finally meet.

Joe, excitement spreading across his face, hurried to you. Your legs fail you, bringing you to the ground on your hands and knees.

“Y/F/N!” Liebgott wailed as he broke into a full-on sprint towards you.

When he reached you, he threw himself to his knees in front of you scooping you into his arms.

“Y/N?? Look at me! Are you hurt?”

He brought his face level with yours, trying to look at you. When you finally look up, he held your head between his strong hands to keep your face straight towards his. Tear streaks stained your filthy cheeks. Puzzled, he tilted his head studying you. He took the sleeve of his uniform and gently wiped your face and with his other hand cradled your head. You bring your hands up and hold his hand that supported your head, leaning into his touch.

He looks you over, trying to find any signs of injury. He looks upon you fervently, affectionately running his thumb across your cheekbone. He’s waiting for you say something, anything to reassure him that you’re ok.

Your tears continue to flow, but you’re smiling.

Liebgott chuckled from confusion.

“Y/N, why the hell are you crying?” He asked you.

After a long pause, and a much-needed exhale after holding your breath for so long, you say,

“I thought I’d never see you again...”

He was pleasantly shocked by your response, not to mention absolutely elated. His smug grin surfaced as he gently helped you to your feet.

His hands gripped your shoulders keeping you stable while your hands rested on his chest. He tenderly shifted your head side to side by your chin to examine your face for any scratches or abrasions...or he wanted an excuse to look at you which was likely the case.

“Don’t worry, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” He stated with that unmistakable confidence.

He smiled at you then winked, sending you into a flutter of euphoria.

“So, you missed me, huh?” He added.

You punch him in the shoulder then hug eachother like you’re not right in the middle of a gruesome invasion of Europe.

But you had missed him. You were afraid for him...terrified. Joe had an unshakable presence of rage that drove him straight to the center of danger with no regard for his own well-being. His love language was sarcasm and any form of banter, so if he ever did feel fear, it was never terribly noticeable.

It didn’t matter right now, though. You finally found Joe. Nothing or nobody else was more important.

~~~~~~~

Winters was told to select some men and lead an assault on a French estate called Brécourt, about 300 yards from where you all were rallied. The Germans have installed four 88mm antitank cannons that were firing directly on Utah Beach and inflicting heavy casualties. Easy Company’s objective was to flank the Germans from behind and demobilize them so American soldiers had safe passage onto the beachhead.

Only having 13 Easy Company members accounted for, this left them having to borrow men from other companies that they picked up on the way to the town after the drop.

Winters addressed the 13 troops that were selected to go on this next mission. This included Liebgott and yourself.

“The 88s we’ve been hearing have been spotted in a field down the road a ways. Major Strayer wants us to take them out.”

He had a sheet of blank paper with a map in the center of the circle of soldiers.

“There are two guns that we know of firing on Utah Beach.” Winters drew x’s on the paper signifying where they were located then continued.

“Plan on a third and fourth here and here.” He drew two more x’s before proceeding.

“The Germans are in the trenches with access to the entire battery. With machine gun covering the rear. We’ll establish a base of fire and move under it hard and fast with two squads of three.”

“How many Krauts they think we’re facing?” Guarnere interrupted.

Winters paused.

“No idea.” He responded.

“No idea?” Guarnere retorted while rolling his eyes.

Winters returned to the brief disregarding Guarnere’s passive attitude.

“We’ll take some TNT along with us. Despite the guns. Lipton, your responsibility.”

“Yes, sir.” Lipton replied.

“Liebgott, you’ll take the first machine gun, with Petty A-gunner.” Winters instructed. Liebgott only nodded.

“Plesha, Hendrix, you take over the other. Who does that leave?” Winters asked collectively.

You, Malarkey, Toye, Guarnere, and Compton raise your hands.

“Okay. We’ll be making the main assault. Understood?” Winter added.

You collectively replied “Yes, sir.”

“Alright, let’s pack it up.” Winter ordered.

You all gather outside to prepare your gear. Winters approached you as you crouched organizing your med supplies.

“Y/L/N.”

“Sir?” You say standing quickly, facing Winters.

“I’ll need you more towards the rear, so we have the best chance of maintaining our medical assist in case anyone gets hurt.” Winters ordered.

“But, sir-” You began.

“Remain to the rear.” Winters repeated sternly before you could finish.

You look at him wanting to protest his order, but only sigh reluctantly.

“To the rear.” You confirmed.

You return to prepacking your gear begrudgingly. Liebgott watched you and chuckled.

“What?” You ask him.

He looked over to you.

“You’re cute when you're upset.” He admitted.

Unamused, you decide not to dignify with comment and keep packing your stuff.

~~~~~~~

“MEDIC!!” You hear from a distance after heavy gunfire and explosions unleash relentlessly onto Easy.

You run and duck, racing in the direction of the yelling, weaving and bobbing trying to avoid getting hit by any oncoming enemy fire. You couldn’t hear anything except your own heartbeat as you ran, but managed to find the spot where you were needed.

You jump feet first into the trench, finding Guarnere, Compton, and Lorraine, with ‘Popeye’ Wynn lying on his side crying out in pain.

“I’m sorry, sir!!” Wynn kept yelling.

“Where you hit, Pop?” You shouted.

“Right in the ass!” He yelped.

Compton, Guarnere, and Lorraine laid suppressive fire while you worked on Wynn.

“Lay on your stomach, Pop, I need to see!” You direct him helping turn over onto his front.

You cut through the hole on the seat Wynn’s pants where the bullet made contact, exposing the wound.

“Goddam it, I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to fuck up!” Wynn called out to Compton.

“Pop, just stay still! You’re gonna be fine, buddy.” You tell him as you applied pressure to his wound reaching for your clot powder and bandages.

You project your voice to Wynn, but it’s calm and steady so not to alarm him. The slightest hint of terror in your voice only makes things worse for the wounded was something Doc Roe told you.

“You think you can make it back yourself?” Compton shouted out to you and Wynn.

You both look up at him.

“I think so, sir!” Wynn responded.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere, sir.” You declared.

Corporal Y/L/N, you’re going with Pop to make sure he gets back!” Compton ordered.

“With all due respect, sir, I’m needed here. I’m staying!” You argued as you helped Wynn to his feet to shove him out of the trench.

Compton grunted in frustration.

“He wasn’t asking ya, he was tellin’ ya.” Guarnere snapped at you.

“And I wasn’t talkin’ to you, Guarnere! You just hold the line while I do my job!” You returned with ice in your voice. You carefully crawl out of the trench to go find anyone else that might need your help.

Guarnere scoffed to himself amused by your response.

~~~~~~~

Easy Company along with Spiers’ Dog Company claimed victory at Brécourt, securing the beachhead.

As the two units walked back to the assembly point back at the town, Liebgott caught up with you.

“Hey, Y/N, you alright?” He asked right away. He looked you over and noticed blood stains on your uniform.

You sense his panic, “Don’t worry, it’s not mine. I’m fine, Joe.” You reassure.

He exhaled then gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze, smiling at you when you looked at him.

“Good.” He replied. “I’ll find you later, Gams.” He added with a wink, then rushed off ahead.

You laugh to yourself, a fuzzy feeling rising within you that only Joe could produce after such a horrific situation.

~~~~~~~

That night was spent recovering. The following day orders were given to maneuver to take Carentan where German soldiers were being sheltered. Carentan was the main crossroad between Cotentin and Calvados where the ally force’s tanks needed passage to attack the main objective, Cherbourg.

“Listen up!” LT Welsh shouted. “It'll be dark soon. I want light and noise discipline from here on. No talking, no smoking. And no playing grab-fanny with the man in front of you, Luz. We're taking Carentan. It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah Beach can link up and head inland. Until we take Carentan, they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor's sending the whole division.”

Some of the men begin to grumble under their breath. Everyone started to stir to gather their gear to begin the journey to Carentan.

Walking in a file formation on each side of the road to Carentan, Liebgott makes sure to keep you in his peripherals. You’re behind Toye, who’s talking to Guarnere in front of him.

“Heard Y/L/N gave you the business back at Brécourt, Bill.” Toye teased him.

“Ah shit, Toye, why?” You whispered to him, not thrilled about the instigation.

Guarnere was unusually quiet at first. Probably thinking of something snarky to say about you.

“She sure did, Joe.” He finally responded almost warmly.

Guarnere looked back at you giving you a small smirk before he added, “Ya did good out there, kid.” He complimented you.

You were surprised to say the least. You’ve earned Guarnere’s respect because you didn’t allow his indifference towards you to break you during combat. Not only did you not allow him to shake you, but you also dished some attitude in return, reminding him to keep his focus on the battle. Things were going to be different between you and ‘Wild Bill’ Guarnere. ~~~~~~~

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