DISCLAIMER: No disrespect is meant to the real Band of Brothers. I only own Courtney and Jim.

Chapter10

His voice came out a low growl, "Court you better be sure, because right now baby, you're playing with fire."

Laying her head against his back she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Good, because I want to be burned."

She was disappointed when he unwrapped her arms and stepped out of her grasp, dropping her arms. She raised her hand to touch his back then dropped it back to her side. Turning she started to move away from him. She'd tried; she wasn't going to allow him to make a fool out of her again.

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Zell Am See, Austria

"Hey Ron I've been looking for you, Dick wanted me to check on Grant."

Court turned back and saw Nixon standing next to Ron. Looking between the two men she could see that Ron was frustrated. Had that been the reason he'd removed her arms?

Nixon glanced at her, "oh I'm sorry, was I interrupting?"

"No. Davis was just reporting some information I'd asked for earlier today." Turning he faced her, "thanks Davis you can go."

While his voice was the same unemotional tone it always was, the wink he gave her took the sting out of his voice and actions. He'd done what he'd done because he'd seen Nixon.

"Uh, yes sir. Have a good night." When she turned her back she allowed a smile, he'd not pushed her away because he didn't want her, he'd pushed her away to keep them from getting caught.

The next morning she was working on her truck when she heard Jim calling her name.

"What! You know its rally early for you to be screeching like a fish wife."

Jim pulled her off the truck and swung her around in his arms. "You know if I wasn't in such a good mood I'd have to hurt you."

Court laughed, "okay put me down and you can tell me why you're in such a good mood."

"Nope can't tell you, you have to come with me, this is something better shown than told."

She shrugged, tossing down the wrench. "Okay, lead the way."

Once they were back to the room they shared, Jim covered her eyes. When she started to bat his hand away he grabbed her hand. "Nope, leave them covered. I promise you're going to love it."

She heard the door open and Jim began to push her inside. She heard the door close then Jim uncovered her eyes. "Okay you can open them now."

Blinking she tried to focus her eyes, standing in front of her was Sadie, with a huge smile on her face.

"Oh my God, what are you doing here?"

The two women came together laughing and crying, both of them talking over each other. When Court pulled back she answered her own question when she noticed Sadie's stomach.

Putting her hand on the small bulge, "oh my God, I'm going to be an aunt. When's it due?"

Sadie put her arm around Jim, "should be some time around Christmas I think. But we wanted to be together when we told you."

Jim smiled, "yeah and well there's more. I'll be discharged in two days and we're heading home, I tried to get the Captain to let you go, but he said they needed you and well you are being moved to Berlin, so…"

Court sighed, "so you're telling me I'm leaving tomorrow huh?"

"Yeah, I know you have some things you might want to take care of so…"

"Well thanks for letting me know, uh, I'll talk to you later. Guess I need to go finish working on the truck."

When Court had left Sadie gave Jim a look. "Okay mister, what's going on that I'm missing?"

"Well see, she's still interesting in Speirs and he's, I think, interested in her and with her leaving…"

Sadie nodded, "I get it, it's now or never right?"

"Right." Jim smiled at his wife. "Well, enough about Court, why don't you come over here to this very soft bed and show me how much you love me."

Sadie laughed and pushed him toward the bed, "with pleasure."

The sun was setting by the time she'd made her decision. She would never see him again so tonight was her last chance.

She'd already packed her bags and loaded them into the truck so she wouldn't' have to worry about rushing in the morning. They were pulling out at seven, so if things worked tonight she could walk away in the morning.

It had taken some discreet research but she finally found which room was his. She knew he'd passed on the party at regiment, so they shouldn't be interrupted tonight. That was if there was something to interrupt.

Standing in front of his door her nerves were starting to undermine her desires. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on his door and waited.

When he opened the door her mouth suddenly went dry. He was only wearing pants and holy cow her mind couldn't think.

His chuckle had her finally pulling her eyes away from his chest and moving to his face.

"Well, to what do I owe this visit?"

Frowning she looked down the hall and then back at him. "Well do you think we could have this discussion out of the hall?"

Stepping back he waved her inside and shut the door, leaning back against the door he waited to see what she would do.

"Ron, I need to know, did you really mean what you said at the Eagle's Nest?"

She watched his eyes darken and he pulled away from the door and stopped in front of her. His hand brushed against her face and down her neck, coming to rest on her shoulder.

Leaning in he stopped short of her lips. Her eyes had slid closed, her lips parted in expectation.

She actually jumped when he spoke, his voice low and soft, "I told you sweetheart, I never say anything I don't mean."

His lips brushed against hers in the softest of kisses. Leaning forward she tried to deepen the kiss only to have him chuckle.

"Okay behave. I told you, we're going to do this right. Part of that is taking this slow." He ran his hands down her arms and grasped her hands. "That also means that I want this to be as painless as possible, so slow is better. The first thing I want you to do is close your eyes and just feel."

Whining she put her hands on his chest, "so what I can't touch?"

"Oh I didn't say you couldn't touch I just said you're not going to rush me. Now close your eyes."

Court closed her eyes. The first thing she felt was his lips on her neck. Soft kisses that progressed to her ear where he paused a moment, "when this is over, I'm never letting you have short hair again."

Her breath caught, his entire statement hinted that he wanted her more than tonight. Shit, now what was she going to do?

His lips covering hers stopped her thoughts. To hell with it, she was going to enjoy this and him while it lasted.

The kiss slowly began to deepen as his hands moved to her shirt, the buttons opening one by one till he was able to remove the shirt leaving her only in her t-shirt.

His hands on her hips began to push her backward, till the back of her knees met the bed. Dropping down, she felt him kneel between her knees.

She gasped as him mouth covered her breast through the shirt. Her hands moved to his head pulling him closer. She was moaning in pleasure before he pulled away and removed the shirt.

He returned to sucking and licking her breast as his hands moved to her pants.

"Ron please, give me a minute to catch my breath."

Chuckling against her skin, "nope, I want you strung very tight, it will make it easier. Trust me baby, you're going to enjoy this."

It seemed his hands and mouth were everywhere at once and it took her a moment to realize he'd removed all her clothing and his.

Opening her eyes she met his briefly before pulling him in to kiss him. When she felt his hand between her legs she pushed against it, begging him with her body for release.

He pulled his lips from hers and pushed her back on the bed, his mouth joining his hand between her legs.

From the first lick of his tongue he had her screaming his name as she came. Feeling completely drained, she felt him lift her further onto the bed and his body settled over hers. His hips fitting perfectly between her legs.

"Wrap your legs around my waist."

She slowly complied, locking her ankles together at the small of his back.

Her eyes snapped open as she felt him begin to press inside her. She could see him sweating with the effort to hold back and not hurt her. The feeling of him entering her was somewhere between pleasure and pain.

They both felt him come up against the proof of her virginity. Bending down he kissed her deeply at the same time he surged inside her breaking through the barrier.

The scream of pain was lost in his kiss. He paused and waited letting her adjust to him being inside her.

Court felt the pain fade and the pleasure of being with him rise, moving her hips she heard him moan.

As he began to move she felt the pressure begin to build. His lips were on her neck again. "Courtney, baby, please, come for me sweetheart, one more time."

Relaxing her body she let the feelings rise and push her over the edge, her mouth finding his shoulder.

Ron felt her clench around him and her sharp teeth on his shoulder told him she'd found her release and he let himself go.

Rolling to his back without withdrawing from her, he draped her over him. Reaching up he ran his hand through her short hair and kissed her forehead.

"That was wonderful, thank you Ron." She sighed against his chest.

Chuckling he wrapped his arms around her, "yeah, well if you thought that was good, wait a few minutes and I'll show you how much better it can be."

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The bright light coming through the window woke her. Rolling over she realized she was in the bed alone. Checking her watch she saw she had about thirty minutes to dress and get to the motor pool.

Standing she began to search for her clothes. Bending and reaching she realized how sore she was. He'd made love to her several times last night. she only wished she'd been able to tell him she was leaving.

Glancing around she found a sheet of paper and quickly wrote a note trying to explain. Sighing she only hoped he wouldn't hate her, because from her perspective last night would live forever as the best. In fact she doubted any man would ever live up to his memory.

Quietly shutting the door behind her she ran to the motor pool and made it just in time to make her convoy.

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Camp Bragg-November 1945

"You know it's a crying shame that soldiers are still dying in Germany."

Ron was trying to focus on the reports in front of him and not what the soldiers were talking about. But when they began to talk about Germany they had his attention.

He had no idea why he couldn't let her memory go. She'd left him, when he'd come back he had no idea to describe the level of anger he'd felt. Shaking his head he realized that Jim had taken the brunt of it, but damn it, the woman left him.

"Yeah but you know this time it's even worse. All these guys were doing was trying to deliver supplies and they were run off the road by the Russians. Damn Ruskies, we'll end up fighting them yet, just wait and see."

Both men glanced up when Ron walked out of his office and grabbed the paper out of the soldier's hand.

He felt his world shift as he read the small story describing a vehicle accident where two soldiers had been killed in a rollover accident.

Gripping the paper tighter he lowered his eyes reading the names, already dreading what he'd see. Praying in his mind that it wouldn't be her he sagged against the desk as he read the names; Sergeant Court Davis and Corporal Mike Devens.

Licking his lips he looked at the soldier closest to him. "How old is this paper?"

"Sir?"

"Damn it, when did this accident happen?"

"Oh, it was last month sir."

Ron dropped the paper and returned to his office. She was dead, had died last month and no one had told him. the voice in his head reminded him that why would anyone have told him, Jim didn't know where he was.

Dropping his head in his hands he thought about Jim. He felt sorry for the man; he'd lost someone that was like a sister.

Frowning he tried to think. Where had she told him she was from? It was somewhere up North, Vermont, that's where she was from maybe he should go and see Jim. Making up his mind he began to outline his trip.

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Burlington, Vermont-December 1945

Courtney eased herself down on the couch. The ribs still hurt if she twisted the wrong way, but at least they and her arm were healing. Closing her eyes she leaned her head back and tried to take a deep breath. Wincing she quickly decided that deep breaths were a bad idea.

"Oh Courtney you're up. Sweetie, can you take James while I finish in the kitchen?"

Courtney patted the couch beside her, "drop the little sweetie right here. I think I can manage him."

Sadie laid the baby down and kissed his head. He'd been born last month and he'd ruled the house ever since.

Jim came in from outside carrying a load of firewood. "You know, the snows really coming down. We are definitely going to have a white Christmas. Hey, what are you doing down stairs?"

Courtney made a face, "I'm tired of lying about. Besides, I do feel better and I want to be down stairs where everything's going on."

Jim laid the wood down and went to sit beside her. Reaching out he brushed her hair behind her ear. "You know, I can't believe how quickly you hair's grown. It looks good."

Wrinkling her nose, "yeah well it's got a ways to go yet."

He ran his finger down the pink scare along her hairline. "How's the headaches?"

"A little better, if I'm not focusing too hard they aren't that bad. They told me they'd get better."

Jim nodded and moved back to the fireplace adding a few more logs. "You know I was just curious, are you going to try and find him?"

He heard her snort, "I don't think that would be a good idea. From what you told me I'd rather not face that."

Sighing he turned to face her. "Did you ever consider he might have heard you're dead?"

"Nah, besides it wasn't' my idea, blame the Army." She giggled, "I really wish you could have seen the brasses faces when they found out I was a woman. They just figured it was easier to kill Court Davis that try and explain how he was a she and had served for three years." She sighed, "you know, there's no way he found out. It was only released in Europe and you said he was already back in the states."

"Yeah, but didn't you care about him?"

"Jim stop, you're making my head hurt."

He held up his hands, "okay you win, for now any way."

The knock on the door drew his attention. Grinning over at her, "please don't get up, I'll get the door."

Courtney shook her head. Sometimes she wished she still had her weapon. She could hear voices from the door but closed her eyes trying to stop the headache. She couldn't concentrate too long without one coming on.

Jim was pleased with himself as he headed for the door. Courtney was out of her bed and smiling again, he had a beautiful wife and baby boy. Everything was right with the world till he opened the door.

The last person he'd expected to see was Ronald Speirs standing on his doorstep. "Ron what are you doing here?"

Ron smirked, "well freezing my ass off right now, can I come in?"

"Sure, get out of the snow." Jim stepped aside and let Ron in shutting the door.

Ron shifted his weight and tried to find the right way to start. Sighing he just started, "I wanted to come and see you and would have been her sooner but I just heard the news."

Jim frowned puzzled for a moment, "what news?"

"About Courtney, I'm sorry about her death, probably more than you realized."

Jim started to laugh and couldn't stop He was laughing so hard that Sadie came to see what was going on, "Jim what's wrong with you?"

Still unable to catch his breath, he waved a hand in Ron's direction.

Sadie smiled and extended her hand, "hi, I'm Sadie, Jim's wife."

"Ron Speirs, I knew Courtney and Jim in Europe. I wanted to stop and offer my condolences."

Sadie looked between the two men, "for what?"

This time Jim answered, "on Courts death. He only recently heard."

Sadie lifted an eyebrow, "oh I see. Hmm, well that's…well come on in Ron."

Jim and Sadie let Ron lead the way. Sadie could hear Courtney humming to James. They knew the exact moment he saw her.

Courtney had picked James up when he began to fuss. Cradling him in her good arm she hummed a song she'd heard Sadie sing. Without looking up, "so who was at the door?"

Jim coughed, "well interesting thin, someone came looking for Court."

"Really, did you tell them he's dead?"

"Well the interesting thing about that is, he already knew."

Courtney shrugged, "okay then. Sadie you probably need to take him, he feels a little…" She'd raised her head to look at Sadie and saw him instead.

Sadie moved between them and took the baby. Stopping next to Ron she laid her hand on his arm gaining his attention. "Please go easy on her; she gets severe headaches very easily since the accident." He nodded his head and focused back on Courtney.

Sadie pulled her husband from the room leaving the two of them alone.

Ron walked over and sat beside her, "so there really was a wreck." He gently ran his finger down the scar.

"Yes, there was a wreck and the soldier with me died. I don't remember it. The next thing I remember is waking up in England with a severe concussion, broken arm and several ribs. Why are you here Ron?"

He laughed and rubbed his face. "Well I was coming to see Jim and tell him how sorry I was but lucky me to find you alive and well."

Courtney laughed, "so if you're just glad I'm alive, does that mean you're not mad over Zell Am See?"

He frowned, "I never said that, I was really upset and when I came back and you were gone."

"Ron I'm sorry, I was going to…"

He put his finger against her lips, "I'm over it, but I'm not over you." Holding his hand up to stop her, "before you say anything else let me say what I would have said had you been there that morning."

He took her good hand in his, "I care for you very deeply and I want to the chance to know you better. So how do you feel about moving South?"

Courtney was laughing and crying at the same time, "well I like warm weather, so yeah I think that would be good."

Ron kissed her gently and ran his hand through her hair. "This is going to get longer isn't it?"

Courtney smiled and kissed him again, "yeah about the time our first child is born it should met with your approval."

"Damn woman, already planning kids and not even married to me yet. Glad to see you're confident."

Smiling she put her hand on his chest. "No not confident, I just know how good you are at the practice so it'll be only a matter of time."

Ron smiled, "well I'm glad you enjoy it as much as I do."

"So why don't you carry me upstairs and let's celebrate."

Ron kissed her hard and easily picked her up. "I thought you'd never ask."