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holdingforgeneralhugs · 24 days

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Bitter Pill to Swallow

Chapter 25 (Chapter Masterlist)

Thank you as always to @tvserie-s-world for her lovely screencaps

A very special shoutout to @wecomrades for offering to be my editor❤️ Your time and skills are appreciated more than you'll ever know. This one's dedicated to you 💕

"Well, why don't you fire on them when you see them, commander?"

"Because, when we fire on them, they just fire back. Blimey, it was a nightmare the other day."

Valerie had to turn away and stifle a laugh when she saw the look of horrified disbelief on Dick's face. The 506th had been moved to Driel, relieving the British unit who'd been stationed by the riverbanks. Dick had brought Valerie and Lipton to talk to the British Commander and get an idea of what to expect.

"I see. Well, thank you for the intel, commander," Dick replied tersely. "Now, we'd better go and get ourselves set up on the bank."

"Godspeed to you, chaps," the British Commander saluted them as they left.

Dick was shaking his head in disapproval as they walked away, and Valerie could contain her laughter no longer. Dick tutted in disapproval as it bubbled out of her.

"It's not funny, Val," Dick admonished. "They've been way too relaxed in their approach to Holland since before we even got here, and it's cost us dearly."

"I know, Dick, I know. But you gotta admit, it's pretty laughable that they don't fire on the Germans because they fire back when they do. They do realise it's a war they signed up for, not a tea party, right?"

"You do have to laugh at how ridiculous it is," Lipton agreed, "but this whole thing is shaping up to be a real shitshow. I can't wait to get the hell outta Holland, and I know the rest of the men feel the same."

"Well, for now we're stuck here," Dick sighed. "We just have to make the best of it and try to push through to Arnhem. Easy is being kept on the right flank, for now. The line bends at an acute angle there, so Moose will only be able to have two platoons on the line and one in reserve. Make sure he's aware of that."

"Don't worry, Dick, Easy can handle it," Valerie assured him. "Ain't that right, Lip?"

"Absolutely," he agreed. "And we won't be too scared to fire across the river either."

Dick huffed out a small laugh at that, but his face quickly returned to the strained look Valerie had seen him sporting more often than not in the last few weeks. Desk work didn't suit him, and it was plain to be seen to anyone who knew him. She'd seen him peering out his office window when they'd been celebrating the success of Operation Pegasus. She'd been tempted to go up and check on him, but after the awkward way they'd ended things the night before, she'd thought better of it.

"Anyway, we won't get anything useful done standing around here," Dick sighed, backing away. "I need to find Nix, and you need to get yourselves set up on the line. Make sure to give 'em hell."

-----------

"I swear, if I don't get out of this foxhole, I'm gonna lose it."

"Yeah, and if I hear Arnhem Annie telling me to cross the river one more time, I'm gonna lose it."

The weather had been far from ideal the moment they'd set up in Driel. It had barely stopped raining for more than a few hours, and they were confined to their foxholes during daylight hours because the Germans had the high ground across the river. They were cold, wet, hungry, and morale was starting to wane. Valerie had taken to crawling between the foxholes, both to keep the boys' spirits up and to make sure they were alright. That was how she'd found herself tucked up between Gordon and Mellet one rainy afternoon.

"Look on the brightside, boys," Valerie chuckled, "at least they're playing American music for us in between all those surrender messages. And the supply guys have started bringing Stars and Stripes for us. We've got a regular home from home set up over here."

"Oh, yeah," Gordon snorted, "If it weren't for all the rain, we could almost pretend it was a holiday."

"Could be worse, I suppose," Mellet chimed in. "We could be snowed under. Now, that would be a nightmare."

"At least we'd be somewhat dry," Gordon groused. "I'd rather be cold and half dry than soaked to the skin in a mucky foxhole."

"Alright, I've had just about enough of you two complanin','' Valerie sighed, pulling herself over the lip of the foxhole and crouching down. "Try to stay positive boys. I know it's hard out here, but we're not the toughest damn company in the battalion for nothing."

As Valerie got back to the CP, she was stopped in her tracks by Heffron.

"Lieutenant Landry, ma'am," Heffron started, "Lieutenant Heyliger sent me to find you. He wants you back at Easy CP, quick as you can, ma'am."

Valerie thanked him and sent him back to his foxhole, before making her way to find Heyliger. She moved quickly, worried that there was something wrong. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary to be called to CP, but they didn't make a habit of calling her unless it was urgent.

"I'm here, what's happenin'? Is everythin' alright?" She called, roughly shoving the tarp door aside as she entered the CP. Heyliger was waiting for her inside, his arms crossed.

"Yeah Valerie, everything's fine, don't worry." Heyliger assured her. "But, it's been noticed that you've been refusing hot meals and I'm worried about you. You need to eat, Valerie, to keep your strength up out there."

"Is that all this is?" She sighed, exasperated. "I'll eat with my boys when the third rotates back into reserve. Until then, I'm fine. It's not fair for me to come back for a feed, while the boys are out there with nothing but soggy rations. It ain't right."

"I know, it's not right," Heyliger agreed. "If I could find a way to get hot food out to all the men, I would. But I can't. I can only get it to my officers, and it's important you take it. We may be at an impasse now, but we don't know when they'll strike. When they do, the men need you at your best, and you can't be at your best if you're not eating enough."

Valerie knew he had a point, despite how much she disagreed with him. She'd been refusing meals for days while they'd been out on the line. She'd also been offering most of her rations to some of the hungrier looking replacements. Thankfully, Heyliger didn't seem to know that, or he'd chew her out good and proper for it. All in all, she was starving, but she was willing to stick it out with her platoon for as long as it took.

"Moose, I... "

"Don't argue with me, Valerie," he cut in, shaking his head at her. "I'm ordering you to battalion CP for a hot meal. For once in your life, don't be stubborn. Just go and do it."

She rolled her eyes in exasperation, but she knew he wouldn't let it go. "Fine, fine, I'm going," she grumbled, holding her hands up in defeat. "I don't think it's fair, but if you're really gonna order me to go then I have no other choice, do I."

"No, you don't. Now, get going."

Valerie left with a sigh, trudging reluctantly to the battalion CP. She had to admit to herself, the smell of the food wafting from the mess as she approached was mouth watering. She grabbed a large serving of spaghetti, and was just about to tuck in when Dick dropped into the seat across from her.

"About time you came to get a hot meal," he commented, disapproval evident in his tone. "I haven't seen you around here once since we dug in."

"You have too much time on your hands, if you're keeping track of who comes and goes for dinner, Dick," she quipped, grinning as his cheeks turned red.

"Well... I just... I don't like the idea of you starving yourself out there on the front line. You need to keep your strength up out there," he stuttered, the pink stain on his cheeks deepening.

"I'm fine, Dick. There's no need to worry yourself over me," she assured, shaking her head. "And, my point still stands. They clearly need to give you more paperwork if you're able to track who comes and goes from the mess hall."

"Oh, paperwork is the one thing I'm not lacking in," he grumbled. Valerie paused, taking a moment to survey him. He had a furrow between his brows that seemed to have made permanent residence there lately, and his fingers were tapping an incessant rhythm on the table. In all the time Valerie had known Dick, she was sure she'd never seen him fidget.

"Is everythin' alright, Dick?" She asked gently. "You haven't really been yourself since you moved up to battalion."

"I'm fine... it's... fine," he sighed. "It's just... not what I expected it to be like."

"Well, yeah, I'm sure there's less action, but... "

"There's no action to speak of," he interrupted, shaking his head morosely. "All I do is administrative work. I miss being out there with you, making decisions and getting involved. It feels less like a promotion and more like a punishment at this point."

Valerie nodded, her eyes softening in sympathy. Dick had been in the thick of everything since Toccoa, aside from his brief stint with a clipboard back in Aldbourne. He was good at making quick decisions, and he always led from the front. She'd seen that back at Brecourt, and at the Island too. He enjoyed the satisfaction of a well executed plan, and she could see how being deprived of all that would start to wear him down.

"I get that," she agreed. "You get used to the adrenaline of bein' on the front line every day, and when that's suddenly not there anymore it can take some gettin' used to. Give it time, Dick, you'll adjust."

"Thanks, Val," he replied gratefully, his lips tilting up slightly at the corner. "It's nice to talk to someone who actually understands. Most wouldn't."

"Well," she chuckled, "I'm not most."

"No, you certainly are not."

Valerie's heart started to pound erratically from the fond look he was giving her. Her thoughts inadvertently flitted back to that moment in his office, where he'd given her a similar look and she'd been sure he was going to kiss her. Her palms clammed up as the memory resurfaced, and she could feel the heat rising up her neck.

"Well, on the brightside," she said after a beat, "at least you get to spend plenty of time with Nix."

"Yeah," Dick laughed, looking away from her, "I'm not sure yet if that's a blessing or a curse."

----------

Valerie was discussing movements with Welsh at the Easy CP when they heard the gunshot pierce through the silence of the night. Their heads snapped up in unison, and they shared a concerned look.

"Jesus, Harry, that sounded close," Valerie breathed shakily. "They've hardly decided to break the stand-off with an ambush, have they?"

"Doesn't sound like it," Harry disagreed, "there was only one shot. But, Dick and Moose said they were coming down here to do an inspection, so we better go and make sure they're not in trouble."

Valerie grabbed her rifle and swung it over her shoulder, before following Welsh out into the night. As they jogged down the narrow path, they started to hear a commotion up ahead of them. They slowed, pulling their rifles into their hands and creeping forward cautiously. The shadows started to solidify as they got closer to the noise, and it was clear that there was no enemy ambush going on.

"Dick, Moose, is that you?" Welsh murmured, swinging his rifle back onto his shoulder as they approached the pair of shadows.

"Yeah, Harry, it's us. Moose is down, some jumpy private shot him because he forgot the passphrase," Dick called back.

"Jesus, is he bad?" Valerie asked, closing the distance between them and falling to her knees beside Dick.

"His shoulder is a clean wound, but his calf is pretty cut up," Dick huffed. "We need to get him back to battalion quick, give him the best chance we can of making it."

"We gotta give him morphine, he's in agony," Welsh said as he started wrapping bandages around Heyliger's calf. "He won't make it back to battalion unless we give him some morphine to dull the pain."

Everything after that was a blur, and they were all so frantic in trying to save Heyliger that they became erratic in their actions. Valerie left Dick and Welsh as they picked Moose up to carry him, running ahead to call an ambulance and a medic.

"Gene, there's an emergency," she called loudly as she ran into the med-bay. Roe dropped the bandages he'd been carrying and ran straight over to her, worry evident in his eyes.

"What's happened, are you alright?" He asked, giving her a frantic once over.

"I'm fine, it's Moose," she replied, "he's been shot in the shoulder and the calf. His calf is pretty bad, and he's lost a lot of blood. Dick and Harry are carrying him up now but he'll need an ambulance to be evacuated."

Roe sprang into action without another word. He called for the ambulance driver to get ready to go, then went to gather the supplies he'd need for the journey. Valerie followed close behind him as he rushed out to the ambulance and jumped into the back.

"Tell the driver where they are, chérie, we'll meet them halfway. We gotta give him the best chance we can."

Valerie and Roe sat in anxious silence as the driver sped down the path. She was so caught up in her worry for Moose that she jerked violently against the back door of the ambulance when the driver stopped suddenly. Roe pushed past her and opened the door quickly, turning and pulling the stretcher out with him. Valerie jumped out behind him, searching to see where she could step in to help.

"Valerie said he's lost a lot of blood," Roe said as he grabbed Heyliger and helped the others put him on the stretcher. "You did the right thing bandaging him up to stem the blood flow. Have you given him morphine? I don't see any syringes, where are they?"

"Uh... Jesus, I... I'm not sure," Welsh stuttered.

"Could have been two or three, we didn't... "

"Two or three?" Roe exclaimed, his nostrils flaring. "Jesus, you could've goddamn killed him. You'll be lucky if he survives as it is after that. What were you thinkin'?"

"We didn't know what to do, he was in so much pain, we... " Dick said frantically

"Well, you are grown ups! You are officers, you oughta know!" Roe shouted, glaring at them as he loaded Heyliger into the ambulance and slammed the doors closed. Valerie, Dick, and Welsh watched in astonishment as the ambulance sped up and left them there, the silence echoing in the night around them. She had never seen Roe get that angry, not in all the years she had known him.

"He's right," Dick croaked, "it was so stupid to give him that much morphine. But he was in agony, and I just... "

"It's alright, Dick," Valerie assured, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You did your best, given the circumstances and the shock."

"It's not alright," he groaned, shaking his head in disappointment. "We could have killed him with a dose that high. I should have kept my head and handled it better."

"It's not your fault, Dick, we just panicked," Welsh sighed sadly.

"He's gonna make it," Valerie assured as confidently as she could. "Gene will take good care of him on the way to the aid station."

"If he even makes it to the aid station," Dick grumbled. "It'll be a miracle if he does."

"Dick, don't be... "

"You two better get back to Easy, tell them they've lost another CO," he cut in tersely, resentment clear in his voice and demeanour. "I'll probably need to write a report on this, so I better get back. I'll see you both tomorrow."

Valerie watched him go, his usual aura of self assurance replaced by sagging shoulders and clenched fists. If anything happened to Heyliger, he would blame himself. He always took it hard when he lost men under his command, and this would be no different. Part of her wanted to follow him, to make him see that it wasn't his fault and he'd done his best. She knew she shouldn't, though, that he'd probably prefer some time alone to process the whole ordeal.

"C'mon Val, we better head back," Welsh said quietly, breaking her from her thoughts. She took one last glance at Dick's retreating frame before turning and heading back to the Easy CP with Welsh, neither of them uttering another word.

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holdingforgeneralhugs · 5 months

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Bitter Pill to Swallow

Chapter 24 (Chapter Masterlist)

Screencap from the ever lovely @tvserie-s-world it's been awhile but I hope this chapter makes up for the very long wait 💕

There was something off about that Colonel Dobey. Dick had been watching him since he'd walked into HQ with Nix, and though he couldn't put his finger on what the issue was, he'd taken an immediate dislike to the man. There was just something about him that put Dick on edge. It didn't take too long for Dobey to prove his suspicions correct.

"So chaps," he started once they were in the jeep back to batallion, "I'm to have Easy Company along on this excursion? "

"Yes," Nix replied, placing a hand on Moose's shoulder, "Easy are one of the finest outfits in all the army, ain't that right Dick?"

"Sure are," he smiled, a little bubble of pride forming in his chest at the thought of Easy. He may not be their CO anymore but they would always be his company, and he'd always be happy to sing their praises.

"Aren't they the company with the lady Lieutenant?" Dobey continued, a curious glint in his eye that put Dick's nerves on edge. Surely he wasn't going to make an issue of a female Lieutenant after he had asked for their help on his rescue operation?

"Yes," Dick replied, a sharp edge to his voice, "Lieutenant Landry has been with Easy from the beginning and she's a model officer."

"Oh I'm sure she's quite the model officer alright," Dobey smirked as the jeep pulled to a stop,"I shall look forward to working closely with her then. Who knows, perhaps we'll become rather friendly after all this. Now how about we source a spot of tea and run through the intelligence for this operation Nixon?"

"Eh...sure," Nix agreed after a moment's hesitation, his gaze lingering on Dick as he waited to see if he'd respond, "Moose and I will go through it with you in my office. Dick here has a mountain of paperwork to do so he gets a free pass." Nix spared a final glance at Dick before leading the British Colonel away, Moose falling into step beside them.

Dick remained silent throughout this exchange, his temper continuing to rise in response to the Colonel's flippant comment. Clearly Dobey had a few ideas about Valerie and how he could...befriend her, but Dick would be damned if he'd let him have the chance.

"Moose, can I have a quick word," he called at the retreating party as he finally climbed from the jeep. Nix glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow but continued on his way without comment. Dick knew he'd ask Moose about it as soon as he had a free moment.

"What can I do for you Dick?" Moose asked, straight to the point. Dick appreciated that about him, that and his all-in style of leadership. Dick had often seen him out on patrols and doing nightly checks on the outposts since he'd taken over Easy, and it eased his worries somewhat to know that they were in good hands now.

"Keep Lieutenant Landry out of this operation yeah?" Dick instructed. Moose's brows rose in momentary surprise before furrowing in confusion.

"But Lieutenant Landry would be -"

"I know she would," Dick agreed with a sigh, "but she can sit this one out alright? There'll be other operations."

"Yes sir," Moose conceded after a terse moment. He looked like he wanted to question the order but ultimately thought better of it and followed after Nix and Dobey.

Dick watched him go with mixed emotions. Knowing Valerie she'd be the first to volunteer for the operation, and she'd have no fear in questioning why she wasn't permitted to go. Moose would of course tell her the reason, and he fully expected her to be banging his door down by the end of the day to give him an earful about it. He stood by his decision though. Dobey clearly had plenty of ulterior motives when it came to Valerie, and Dick could not in good conscience let her walk into something like that. He'd happily take a hundred of her angry tirades if it meant she was safe from Dobey's wandering hands.

~~~~~~

"Alright listen up," Moose called as he walked into the barn, "The Brits are staging a rescue operation across the river in three days, and they want Easy to run it. Welsh and Shames, you'll be on this one with me so pick out fifteen men and bring them to CP for briefing at 1700."

Valerie knew it was irrational and childish, but she couldn't help her frustration at being left out of the mission. She'd been with Easy longer than Shames and Harry both, yet somehow she always seemed to be overlooked. This would be a hugely important mission for Easy and it grated that she'd been excluded. She tried to get Moose's attention then, but he quickly averted his eyes and looked anywhere but her before walking out of the barn. Valerie narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously before following him out.

"Hey Moose, wait up," she called as she jogged to catch up with him. He came to a reluctant stop, sighing quietly before turning around to face her. "What's up Valerie?" He asked carefully.

"At the risk of insubordination," she started, "I was wonderin' why you passed me up for the rescue mission?"

"Well I..." he started, clearing his throat awkwardly before stumbling on, "I just..."

"If you think I'm not capable or somethin' then I....."

"Jesus no Valarie," he interrupted, shaking his head vehemently, "you're one of the most competent officers in this outfit."

"Then why did you pass me over?"

"You're not going to like it..." he sighed, defeated, "and if I tell you you have to promise to not get angry..."

"Moose," she deadpanned, "spit it out."

"Well y'see Dick he.....he told me to leave you out of it. I dunno why but..."

"He what?" She whispered, deadly calm. She clenched her fists so tight her nails dug into her palms hard enough to draw blood. The pure unadulterated rage was rising so quickly inside her it burned in her chest, and her body began to tremble with the effort of holding it all in.

"Now Valerie you promised you..."

"I promised no such thing," she quipped sharply, "now I'm sorry, but I have somethin' I need to do."

Without waiting for a response she marched purposefully towards the house where the batallion officers had set up shop. She drew immediate attention as she stormed into the house, but nobody made a move to stop her, too wary of drawing her obvious ire in their direction.

"I'm looking for Captain Winters," she said tersely to the first aide she came across, "can you point me in his direction?"

"Uh...in the attic ma'am. Only door on the top floor," the aide replied warily. She gave him a rigid nod in thanks before purposefully marching up the stairs, her heavy, stomping footsteps rattling the wooden frame. When she finally reached the top floor she rapped her knuckles on the door and barely waited for the 'come in' before entering the room and closing the door harshly behind her.

Dick stiffened as his eyes met hers, his fingers crumpling the edges of the report he was holding in his hand. "Valerie..." he started warily.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" She cut him off abruptly, "what goddamn right do you have to tell Moose to exclude me from that operation?"

"Valerie please..."

"I've been here since the goddamn beginning, and I've worked my goddamn ass off every goddamn day for this goddamn company and you," she spat furiously, pointing an accusatory finger at him, "have the goddamn gall to order Moose to cut me out of an important mission."

"Valerie if you'll just..."

"How dare you," she hissed, "I knew you were on some kinda newfound power trip but this just takes the..."

"Dammit Valerie I did it to protect you!" He snapped, slamming his palms on the desk with an audible smack, his chair banging off the wall as he stood up abruptly. Valerie was stunned into silence by the sudden outburst, and Dick's heaving breaths were the only sound to pierce the thick blanket of silence that had come between them.

His eyes softened when they met hers, and he pushed himself away from the desk with a sigh before coming to stand in front of her. "I knew you'd come storming in my door to chew me out the minute I made the call but I had to alright? Colonel Dobey was a little too interested in the 'Lady Lieutenant' from Easy and he heavily implied he wanted to get a bit more than friendly with you. And after what happened in London...I didn't want you to be in a position like that again so I made the call. I'm sorry I upset you and made you feel like you're being overlooked, but I won't apologise for trying to protect you from unnecessary discomfort or harm."

Valerie found that for once in her life she was unable to speak. Her heart was hammering a mile a minute in her chest and her throat was tight. This wonderful man, despite all the grief she had given him and all the spiteful comments she had thrown at him, had without hesitation done his best to keep her safe from harm. It was the most thought anyone besides Gene and his family had ever given her, and her heart felt like it was going to burst with the weight of it.

Before she could second guess herself, she flung her arms around his neck and burrowed her face in his shirt. She closed her eyes and exhaled shakily as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against him. She turned her head slightly, her nose brushing gently against the edge of his collar, and she heard his breath hitch. "Thank you Dick," she whispered against his neck, and he gave an involuntary shudder, "Thanks for lookin' out for me."

"No need to thank me Val," he murmured, his thumb rubbing small, gentle circles on her spine, "just doing the right thing. I....I care about you too much to let someone take advantage of you."

Valerie could feel his heart thumping against his ribs, and her own started to beat in tandem with it. She knew they had been holding each other far too long for it to be considered normal, but she didn't want to be the one to break away first.

"I'm sorry for what I said the other day," she said quietly after a moment, "I didn't mean any of it. You know me by now, sometimes my mouth starts runnin' before my head catches up. I just...I guess it just took me by surprise and I worried that with your fancy new desk job...well I guess I worried I wouldn't see you no more because you wouldn't have the time."

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from Valerie, and she felt embarrassed that she'd perhaps been a bit too honest, that he'd read between the lines and see the feelings she was hiding. She squeezed her eyes shut and hoped he wouldn't notice the blush rising rapidly on her cheeks, but alas he pulled back far enough so he could give her an earnest look.

"There's no deskjob they could put me on that would allow that to ever happen," he promised quietly, and Valerie felt the knot in her stomach tighten as though he'd grabbed it and tugged it sharply.

"Well I'm glad about that," she whispered.

They were far too close together, she realised, with her arms around his shoulders and his hands resting on her spine. It was all far too cozy, just the two of them in his tiny attic office, and her heart began to thump so hard and fast she was certain he'd feel it through her back. For the first time she noticed the subtle little flecks of darker green in his eyes. She was so intently focused on his eyes that she noticed when they briefly flickered down before coming back up to meet hers again. If she didn't know better she'd think he'd glanced at her lips, and they parted unconsciously at the thought.

"Val I..."

A loud bang from downstairs caused them to spring apart, their eyes widening. Valerie's cheeks felt like they were about to melt straight off, and Dick ran his fingers through his hair roughly.

"We'd better go check that out," Dick said hoarsely, clearing his throat and looking anywhere but at her.

"Uh yeah, we should," Valerie agreed, her voice pitching. She spun around and made to grab the door, Dick following behind her, but she stopped abruptly in her tracks as the door swung open and Nix appeared at the other side. Her sudden stop sent Dick crashing into the back of her, and he instinctively put his hands on her waist to steady both her and himself.

Nobody spoke for a beat. Nix's eyes flitted between them and a slow, amused grin lit up his face. "Well, if I knew I was interrupting something I'd have come back later."

"You're not," they said in unison, and Valerie cringed as Nix's grin widened.

"In fact I was just leaving," she continued, side stepping around Nix and out the door, "I'll see you both around." She walked down the stairs and out the door without a backwards glance, her heart stuttering unevenly in her chest. For a brief second she'd thought maybe he was going to...no. That was a completely ridiculous thought which she needed to forget all about.

~~~~~~

Dick watched her go down the stairs, pointedly ignoring Nix and his ridiculous, smug expression.

"Hell Dick, about time you made a move," Nix chuckled.

"Nothing happened," Dick insisted, the tips of his ears burning red hot.

"Sure, whatever you say," he teased, "but based on how flustered you both looked I think it's safe to assume something almost happened."

"Shut it Nix," Dick said tersely, rubbing the back of his neck and walking back towards his desk, "she just came to chew me out about leaving her out of the rescue mission. When I explained why I'd left her out she was actually grateful."

"Yeah, a regular knight in shining armour you are Dick Winters," he snorted, "never thought you'd let jealousy get the better of you."

"It was not jealousy," Dick huffed,"Dobey had less than professional interests in Valerie and I didn't want her to end up in an uncomfortable situation so I stepped in."

"Yeah I know," Nix agreed, "he did seem a little too interested in Val. Kept asking about her in the briefing too. Was a good call you made on that one."

Dick stayed silent for a beat, and Nix knew there was something else on his mind that he was debating telling him.

"Val she...." Dick started, scuffing his boot on the floorboard, "she apologised for what she said the other day..."

"Val's spent an awful lot of time apologising to you lately," Nix laughed, "she say why she lost it?"

"She..." Dick hesitated, "she said she was worried that she wouldn't see me anymore, that I wouldn't have the time now I've got a 'fancy batallion deskjob'. But I don't know, maybe I picked her up wrong. She's probably worried that Easy will.... "

"Christ Dick," Nix laughed incredulously, shaking his head, "the woman basically told you she has feelings for you and you're standing here trying to explain it away. She couldn't have made it more obvious if she'd slapped you with it."

"Nix we've been over this," Dick sighed, "I can't.."

"Yeah yeah yeah, duty and honour and commanding officer and all that crap, I know. But Dick, she clearly likes you so..."

"So nothing," Dick insisted, "I can't put her in that position. Its bad enough I almost..."

"Almost what?" Nix jumped in, raising an eyebrow, "You may as well spit it out Dick because I knew the minute that door opened and I saw your guilty looking face that something had happened."

"I...almost...well what I mean is I considered..." he stuttered before his shoulder sagged in defeat, "for a brief moment I thought about kissing her...but it was a stupid idea and I..."

"You're completely hopeless," Nix sighed, rolling his eyes fondly, "trust you to over complicate it. You like her and she likes you, it shouldn't be so difficult."

"Yeah, I know," Dick sighed in defeat, "but we've had this discussion before and I'm too tired and too busy to have it again, so just drop it alright?"

"Fine, fine," Nix conceded, holding his hands up, "but just think about it alright? Now why don't you hand over those reports you have due before the good Colonel gets a stroke. You know he loves his paperwork."

Dick was glad the subject had circled back to work matters, but he knew the warm feeling of Valerie in his arms would be haunting him long into the night.

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