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prettyinlimegreenboots · 18 days

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Taking Comfort (In Your Arms) - Chapter 1

May 14, 1943

Adelaide Baker knew it was going to be a good day, maybe even a great day as she climbed the steps to Clearup Tower. The sun was actually shining out in merry ole England today and she was actually in a good mood. Her hair was actually cooperating with her today and she had her favorite breakfast, waffles this morning.

Humming along to “Blue Skies”, she pulled open the heavy door, quickly made her way inside, pausing to tap her fingers against Josie, her best friend’s desk as she passed. Josie looked up and shot her a wink before getting back to work. She and Josie had been best friends since they were children and when she was transferred to Thorpe Abbotts, Josie made the trek with her and now they worked together daily, side by side.

As she neared her own desk, she noticed an older, tall gentleman standing near her desk, reading a report, awaiting her arrival. Dropping her purse on her desk, she gave him a curious look. “Colonel, what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here at my desk so early this morning?” A bright smile on her face, she slipped off her coat, placing it on the back of her chair.

Taking a sip of coffee, the Colonel grinned seeing the bright eyed lady standing in front of him. “I need you to do something for me, Captain. We have a new Air Exec coming in from Greenland today before his men arrive in a few weeks. Can you show him around and help him adjust to the lay of the land around here?”

“And you’re asking me to show him around? A step up in the man’s world huh, Colonel?” She smirked, shaking her head. “What time does he land?”

Placing the coffee cup on her desk, he flipped through the papers in his hand, studying them intently before looking at her. “He’s due to arrive at 1300 at hardstand 4. My recommendation would be to first stop at the mess before making the rounds.”

“Noted.” She made herself a note, scribbling on a spare piece of paper. “Anything else?”

A full belly laugh escaped her father’s mouth as he shook his head and broke through the military facade. “Major Egan won’t know what hit him when he meets you, Ads. You'll handle all of his requests?”

“Of course. I’ll make sure the boy has everything he needs to be the best Air Exec he can be. Any chance you have any reading material on him?” Cocking an eyebrow, Addie gave her father a look.

“Want to know what you’re getting yourself into Adelaide?” Nudging around some papers on her desk, he held up a folder with a photograph paper clipped to the front. “I’m sure this is what you’re looking for. Remember 1300.”

“Just want to know what he’s about before I spend a few hours with him. I’ll be on the tarmac at 1250 sharp eagerly awaiting his arrival.” The sarcasm dripped off her tongue as her father shook his head.

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Behave Adelaide and I’ll see you later for dinner. Have a good day, you as well Josie.” Mock saluting him, she took a seat, watching him walk back to his own office.

“Well that’s an exciting way to start the day.” Josie’s amused voice called as she looked over at her.

Rolling her eyes, Addie shook her head. “Have you heard what everyone is saying about the Major?”

“Yes and they’re just rumors. No one has met the man, including your own father. I’d wait to meet him before you start believing rumors.” Josie shrugged. “Who knows, you might just fall in love with him.”

Scoffing, Addie’s eyes went wide before adamantly shaking her head. “No, no, no. After the catastrophe in Wisconsin, this heart is locked away.”

“You are allowed to have some fun, Addie. No one is telling you to stay guarded and locked hearted. You’re young, and after the last year, you should cut loose and have some fun. All we want for you is to be happy, however that looks.” Josie smiled sympathetically at her best friend.

Sighing, Addie took in her best friend’s words. The last year had been hell and her dreams were gone in an instant, leaving her with an unexpected future. She thought she would fly the big birds until the war was over and before she knew it, her hopes and dreams went up in smoke.

Addie looked at her watch, it was just after 0900 and she had a pile of papers in front of her that weren’t going to file themselves. She gave Josie a bright smile before getting to work, pushing the Major out of her mind until she actually needed to worry about him.

After being pulled into a few unexpected meetings, the morning passed by quickly for Addie. Before she knew it it was 1245. She quickly grabbed the paperwork necessary and a set of keys that were left on her desk. Hearing the door slam behind her, she quickly made her way down the tower steps, tilting her head back enjoying the sunshine on her face before making her way to the awaiting jeep. Jumping the engine, she grinned hearing the jeep roar to life before pulling out and speeding down the tarmac.

Pulling to a stop on the grass adjacent to the hardstand, she took a deep breath, feeling the light breeze ruffle her hair. She watched the ground crew prep the hardstand for the impending bird’s arrival.

“Miss Addie, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” Lemmons called out, as there were a few wolf whistles from the crew around him.

When she first arrived on base, she was happy to see some familiar faces, including Lemmons who was one that she had seen at Rattlesden when she would deliver planes there. The two had formed a friendship and she was excited to see him when she landed at Thorpe Abbotts.

Laughing, she stepped out of the jeep, thankful she wore flats today. “You tell that to all the pretty girls, Lemmons. You keeping these boys in line?”

“Trying to - it’s a hard task that someone has to do.” He replied back laughing as all the guys around him protested.

She heard the familiar roar of a B-17 as it approached. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked up following its path as it made a smooth landing. Watching as the bird, Saving Grace, came to a stop, she smiled. She had always loved the big birds and loved flying them.

Pushing off the jeep, she watched as the hatch opened, several gentlemen stumbling out attempting to get their balance after being in the air for so long. She instantly recognized Major Egan from his photograph and walked over to him, calling, “Major Egan.”

He whirled around hearing his name called, not expecting a pretty girl to be the one calling his name. He had to stop his jaw from dropping when he took her in. “Yes? And you can call me Bucky.”

“Bucky? Well, I’m Captain Adelaide Baker and I’m here to show you around.” She held out her hand as he gripped it, giving it a shake. Bucky was a rather odd nickname but she didn’t think much of it as she’d definitely heard odder nicknames during her time with the ATAs. “Do you have everything?”

“I’m a light packer.” She motioned for him to follow her to the awaiting jeep, him getting in before giving her a look. “Didn’t know I was special enough for an escort?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Bucky, the brass wanted to make sure you felt a warm welcome to Thorpe Abbotts. Something about not wanting to scare you away before your men come over.”

“Well, so far I feel really welcome.” He chuckled as a flush crossed her cheeks. “And what does the welcoming tour entail?”

Putting the jeep in gear, she hit the gas as they flew down the tarmac towards the mess. “First stop, by recommendation, is the mess where you can get some grub then I’ll show you the barracks and the tower, where your office will be located.”

“Can you tell me a bit more about Thorpe Abbotts?” He asked, as she glanced over at him.

Shrugging, she geared down, slowing the jeep down as they neared the mess hall. “I’ve only been here for 8 weeks so there’s not much to tell. The US has only had the base for the last 12 weeks. Men come and go and the world keeps turning.”

“Eight weeks? That’s not very long.” He commented as she stopped the jeep and made to get out, he followed behind her.

Shaking her head, she opened the door, motioning him to go before her. “I was transferred here recently. It wasn’t my choice to be here but we do what we must.”

He heard the remorse and heaviness in her voice as he walked through the door. The mess was loud and rambunctious with officers scattered around. He followed her as she set her stuff down at a table. “Grab some grub and we’ll discuss what the afternoon will look like.”

“Are you getting any?” The concern was evident in his voice as she shook her head.

“Already ate before you came.” She sat down at the table, flipping through the papers, making some notes along the way as he disappeared to join the line. Addie smiled at some of the men that were scattered around as they caught her eye.

Soon a tray was dropped onto the table, knocking her back into the present. She plastered a smile on her face as Major Egan dropped into his seat and started eating. “This afternoon, you’ll have a meeting with Colonel Huglin and Colonel Baker. They’ll meet with you on expectations and what the next few weeks look like. Any questions so far?”

“All my questions are about you and not the base.” He smirked. “But can I reserve the right to ask some along the way?”

She chuckled. “Ask away, Bucky. Anything I don’t want to answer, I won’t.”

“You mentioned that it wasn’t your choice to come to Thorpe Abbotts, yet you’re here. Why?” He asked, shoveling another bite into his mouth.

She shook her head, giving him a look. “You’re going to have to get me drunk before I start discussing those secrets. Next question?”

“Challenge accepted, Captain. So can I take you out sometime?” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.

Addie giggled. “You haven’t been on the ground for an hour yet you are already asking me out. My, my Major don’t you move fast? I don’t even know where you’re from or your first name.”

“Manitowoc, Wisconsin and John, ma’am.” He showed her the million watt smile that usually got him his way.

Scoffing, she shook her head. “Of course you’re a Wisconsin man. Charm never fails you, does it?”

“What’s wrong with Wisconsin, Adelaide?” Leaning forward, John failed to see the issue with his home state.

She paused hearing her full name come from his lips, a smirk tugging on her own lips. “You can call me Addie. And nothing is wrong with it - I spent part of my summers growing up in Northern Wisconsin, a gorgeous state. You're exactly like the charming man I met in my past life who is from Wisconsin.”

“And where are you from, Addie?” He asked, turning the question back on her.

Pushing aside the papers, she folded her hands, looking at him. “Grew up on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, just north of Detroit, Michigan. My dad has been in the military since I was a baby so we made our home there. My older sister and younger brother are both doing their part in the war effort currently.”

“Did you move around a lot as a child?” John asked, pushing his tray away and leaning back in his chair.

Shaking her head, Addie smiled. “Thankfully no. We moved once from the westside of Michigan to Selfridge on the eastside right after I was born and stayed there until I came over for the war, just before Pearl Harbor. I was part of the ATAs when Jaqueline Cochran brought a group over and never left. Where does the nickname Bucky come from?”

“Childhood nickname, don’t quite remember how it started. So you’re a fly girl?” His eyes widened, impressed with her as he looked at the woman in front of him.

She stood, grabbing her paper, giving him a look. “A former one, yes. Come along Major. We have places to be.”

“But I have so many more questions.” The whine was evident in his voice as he followed her through the mess hall.

Shaking her head, she pushed open the door, holding it for him to follow. “If you’re lucky, you might find me at the officers club tonight. But until then, your tour awaits.”

Climbing back into the jeep, she slowed in front of the infirmary. “Beware of the nurses in there. Some of them aren’t nice.”

“Speaking from experience?” John grinned, looking at her through his aviator sunglasses.

She smirked. “When you come home with a head wound that’s needing stitches, they tend to kick up a fuss and aren’t very gentle. It was Elizabeth, my own sister that did that. But she’s gone now.”

“Gone?” The concern was back in his voice as Addie smiled softly.

“She got transferred to Suippes, France last I heard. But that was three weeks ago so who knows.” She sighed. “That’s what she gets for being so damn good at her job.”

Gunning the engine, Addie continued on pointing out other buildings before coming to a stop at the barracks. “Head in, Major. Lieutenant Davis should be awaiting you to show you your bunk. I’ll wait here before taking you over to the tower to meet with the Colonels.”

He nodded, grabbing his bags before getting out of the jeep. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry your Elizabeth is so close to the action. That can’t be easy.”

“We all do what we must, Major. This is just part of war.” She gave him a tight smile, watching him walk away.

As Addie waited, she had just one question on her mind - what the hell had she gotten herself into?

———————————————————

Fifteen minutes after she watched him walk into the barracks, he was walking out through the door once more. Climbing back into the jeep, he adjusted his hat before giving her a look. “Onward?”

Nodding, she shifted the jeep, pressing the gas pedal as they sped forward. “Who am I meeting with again?”

His voice broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “Colonel Huglin and Colonel Baker. They’ll set expectations for you for the upcoming weeks while we await your boys to land.”

“Any relation to you?” Bucky asked, as she snorted, chuckling.

“Took you long enough to ask.” She pulled to a stop in front of the tower. “And yes, that’s my father. He was reassigned here four weeks ago.”

Bucky’s eyes went wide. “And the fear factor just went up a bit.”

“Awww Major, don’t be scared of Colonel Baker.” She dropped her voice and winked. “The one you need to be scared of is Huglin. He’s a hard ass son of a bitch. And will probably whip you and your boys into shape in no time.”

Bucky threw his head back and laughed. He had never heard a girl with a mouth like hers and he couldn’t say he disliked it. “Damn Baker. You got a mouth on you.”

“Sorry.” She blushed. “When you grow up on a military base, you hear your fair share of words.”

Bucky quickly shook his head. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Just took me by surprise as you have been a perfect lady up until this point.”

“Looks can be deceiving, Major. Best to remember that.” She smirked, getting out of the jeep and motioning him to follow her. “Put on your military hat, Major. Your English military career starts now.”

He two fingered salute her before following her up the tower steps, stepping into the tower right behind her. “Major, welcome to Clearup Tower. This is where you’ll be stationed and awaiting news on your boys’ return. Both Colonels’ offices along with mine and your offices are located here as well.”

A throat clearing caught her attention as she smirked. “Ahh Major Egan, this is Josephine Adams, also known as my best friend. Josie, this is Major Egan, who just flew in today.”

“Pleasure to meet you Josie.” Bucky tipped his hat in her direction as he caught movement from behind him.

Addie came to attention as both Colonels shuffled in behind them. John quickly followed suit before the younger of the two called out “at ease.”

“Thank you Captain for showing Major Egan around. Major Egan, welcome to Thorpe Abbotts. I’m Colonel Huglin and this is Colonel Baker.” Huglin introduced himself, before looking in Addie’s direction. “You’re dismissed Captain Baker.”

Nodding to the men, Addie winked in Bucky’s direction before shuffling over to her desk. Taking a seat, she quickly flipped through the papers left on her desk as the men took their leave.

“Successful afternoon?” Josie whispered as the door to Huglin’s office closed.

Looking from the office to her best friend’s grin, Addie slowly nodded. “I believe so.”

“Well if there’s any consultation, that man couldn’t keep his eyes off of you, Adelaide.” Josie snickered. “So whatever you did earlier, keep doing it. Something has his attention.”

Ducking her face down, Addie felt her cheeks heat at Josie’s words. She didn’t do anything special, she thought. Just showed him around the base and answered his questions.

A million and one questions screamed in her head but one was louder than the rest - just what did Bucky Egan want with a girl like her?

What do you think? Feedback and comments would be most appreciated.

Chapter 2

#taking comfort (in your arms)#masters of the air #masters of the air fan fiction #John Egan fan fiction #John Egan x OC #Addie + John

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