The woods were deathly quiet, the snow falling softly to the ground. Abe surveyed the area, wringing his hands together and blowing warm breath into them to save them from the frost. Everyone seemed to be in their foxholes; all was as it should be.

When out of nowhere, a cry cut through the silence.

Abe pulled his gun up, crouching low as he listened. The cry for help came again. It was a woman. What was a woman doing in the woods by Bastogne? He rose to his feet again, listening intently. He recognised the scream.

"Anna?" he called out, his heart hammering in his chest. He began to stride in her direction, his pace picking up as she cried out again and again for someone to help her. "Baby, I'm comin'!" he yelled, running at full pelt towards the voice.

But he couldn't see her.

It was growing louder, as if she was close, and yet she was nowhere in sight. "Anna?" he called frantically.

"My sister!" she cried out. "Somebody... please!"

"Baby I'm here!" he shouted. "Why can't you hear me!"

"Please! I need help!"

"Anna-" he began again when the tree ahead of him burst into fire and smoke.

All around him, artillery began to rain down, Abe not taking cover. He had to find Anna and Elli. Where were they?

"Baby, please?!" he called out, another tree beside him exploding so that he had to cover his face. Now Anna's calls for help were getting lost amongst the other screams. "Baby?!" He couldn't hear her any more, his men crying out for him instead. They were all around him now, running towards him as he stood, stuck to the ground beneath him. "Take cover!" he ordered, unable to do so himself. Then he heard something hurtling towards him, engulfing him in flames and destruction...

*

Abe sat bolt upright, sweat dripping down him. He was breathing heavily, his hand clutched to his chest. He could still hear the gun fire around him, trees crashing to the ground and men crying out in agony. It already felt like a life time ago. In reality, it was less than six months.

But why was Anna there? That was new.

He brought his knees to his chest, burying his face in his hands and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He hadn't been plagued by these dreams in so many months... not since he'd shared a bed with Anna. His head throbbed, Abe massaging his temples in an attempt to ease it. He knew it was futile.

Sam opened his eyes groggily, looking at him from the opposite cot bed. When he saw Abe's expression, he sat up too. "You okay there, bud?"

"Yeah," managed Abe throatily. "I'm fine."

Sam swung his legs out of bed, Abe doing the same. Sam surveyed him.

Abe's eyes latched onto his. "Knock it off."

"The headaches back?" Sam asked gently.

Abe sighed heavily. "Yeah."

"And the dreams?"

Abe nodded.

"What happened this time?"

"It don't matter-"

"It certainly does!" insisted Sam. "Abe it kills me to see you like this again."

"Same as before," Abe murmured.

"The Bulge?"

"Yeah, only this time, Anna was there."

"What?"

"She was screaming about Elli," he explained, his eyes watery. "Like the day we found 'em. But I couldn't get to her. I couldn't find her... I couldn't help." His head hung low as he tried to choke back tears. "God fucking dammit!"

Sam let out a long breath. "I'll see if I can find Ewie. He might have some aspirin."

Abe gave a grateful nod, and Sam dashed out, pulling on a pair of trousers as he did. Abe lay back on his cot, staring at the tent ceiling.

He missed Anna so much. She made him feel free of the war and all that he had been through. Elli too, but it wasn't in the day he struggled. It was always the night times. Since the Bulge, he'd had terrible nightmares, ones that shook him to his very core. Then he'd have long headaches, some so bad that they split his head in two and skewed his vision. But since he'd met Anna, that had all seemed to dissipate. It was one of the reasons he had always stuck so close to her. Of course, he had wanted to ease her pain, but it aided his own too.

He'd give anything to have her in his arms now, smiling up at him. Or Elli busting through the door and snuggling in with them. He never thought he'd miss anyone the way he did those two. And yet, here he sat, his heart aching even more than his head. What would she be doing right now... was she was all right? He knew she'd be struggling. Perhaps that's why he hurt so much. He wasn't just fearful of his own pain any more. Maybe that's why, even in sleep, her pain was able to find him.

Soon, Sam returned with Ewie, who tied back the tent flap to let some light into the dingy tent.

"Mornin' there, Sarge," said Ewie, standing in front of him.

Abe squinted in the light. "Y'all tryna blind me?"

Ewie grinned. "Just waking you up, I guess," he replied. There was a small pause. "How long your headaches been back, Abe?"

"Couple of weeks," murmured Abe.

Ewie sighed. "Since we got to Austria?" 

Abe nodded.

"And you ain't said anything?"

"This is the worst it's been," said Abe, now able to look at him properly. "Can I have my damn aspirin?" Ewie handed it to him, Abe swallowing them with a swig from his canteen. "I'd better grab a shower before trainin'," sighed Abe, getting to his feet. "Wash this sweat off-"

"Abe, take a damn minute, would you?" said Sam, Abe shooting him a look.

"Sam's right," said Ewie. "At least give it time to hit you."

Abe just glared at them. "Sittin' around feelin' sorry for myself ain't gonna do shit," he spat, grabbing his uniform.

"Well at least go see Bunny. She'll probably have some extra rations for ya," said Ewie.

"I don't need babyin'!" barked Abe.

Sam scoffed. "Bunny wouldn't baby you. She's tougher than any CO we've ever had. Now go on!"

Grumbling, Abe left the tent and stormed away.

Sam and Ewie followed him out and stood watching him leave.

"And he says Anna is stubborn," sighed Ewie.

Sam nodded in agreement. "It's like Bastogne all over again."

Ewie's eyes widened. "He's gotta take a break-"

"He won't," cut in Sam. "He's missing the girls more than he's letting on. I think he's trying to keep busy, so he doesn't think about them too much."

"Never asked for pain relief when he was with them."

"They're the best medicine he's ever had."

"I always thought it was him helping Anna-"

Sam shook his head.

"He needs her just as much as she needs him," sighed Sam. "They're so happy when they're together. I think they talked about the heavy stuff in the early days, but now it's just about forgetting."

"So, it's like he's in withdrawal?"

"Yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it."

"You should talk to the LT," said Ewie. "He's worried about him too."

"Abe doesn't like anyone knowing about this though... look how long it took him to go to you just for some damn aspirin the first time round!"

"Yeah but come on Sam, we gotta do something. He ain't gonna be able to hide it forever. What about when we get deployed?"

Sam fell quiet.

Ewie lowered his voice further. "I think he gets these headaches cause he's burying it all deep down inside. Always puts on a brave face for the men 'cause he don't want them to see. But how is he gonna do that and worry about the girls if we're thousands of miles away in Japan?"

Sam huffed loudly, his arms now folded tightly across his chest. He couldn't bear the thought of Abe in Japan. Everyone always looked to Abe. He never got a moment's peace. It was because he was so good in the field. He was one of the best combat leaders and knew how to keep morale high. He'd been pivotal throughout Bastogne, all of the men leaning on him in some way.

And yet, Abe never let it show how tired he was or worn through.

He was always there, always helping. He had such a big heart and it showed. Only Sam could see the cracks, and that was likely only because they shared a foxhole and Sam felt him wake after his nightmares. All he ever did was shake it off and carry on.

Japan would be a step too far.

He needed to be back with the girls. He'd earned that. And they needed him. Sam knew what it would do to Anna of she lost Abe. That was one thing he was absolutely certain she would never recover from. She must be so low without him.

"You're right," agreed Sam finally. "Let's go find him. He'll think of something."

***

Hollywood ran to get Sam the minute he heard. He couldn't believe it was true. They both made straight for Tread, out of breath as they reached his office.

"What the hell are you two runnin' round like kids for?" he asked, as they tried to regain their composure.

"Is it true that CO's have been fudging points reports?" managed Hollywood.

Tread's eyebrows raised. "Come in and shut the door," he said, both of them doing as they were told. He gestured for them to sit, and they did so, looking at their Captain for answers as he leant on his desk. "How the hell did you find that out?" he asked Hollywood.

"I drink with Captain Alloway," he explained. "He ain't as tight lipped as the rest of y'all."

Tread sighed. "Yes. But it's only in exceptional circumstances. Medical reasons that don't count or-" Tread trailed off as both of their faces lit up. "Look, I know what you two are gonna ask..."

"You've gotta do that for Abe," said Sam, Hollywood nodding.

"He's not the only one that has a wife to get back to," reminded Tread.

"True, but he's the only one that ain't had a break either," said Hollywood pointedly. "He ain't even been injured. He's been on the front since D day!"

"And he's been there for every single one of us," chimed in Sam. "He's the damn First Sergeant for fuck sake."

"Yeah, come one Tread," pleaded Hollywood. "There ain't been a jump he's missed, ain't been a battle he hasn't led his men through thick and thin, ain't even been a moment he ain't been the best Sergeant in the company. And look at all that stuff at the camp. That was all him. We never would've caught any of those fucking assholes on the run without him convincin' Anna."

There was a long pause. Tread rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand.

"It's not even just for Abe," ventured Sam. "Anna deserves this too. And Elli. Think of all the fucking shit they have had to deal with. He can't get sent overseas. What will happen to them if he does?"

"And she's pregnant," said Hollywood.

Tread's eyes widened.

"That's his kid in there. You've gotta let him go."

Tread sighed again, clearly mulling it over. "Get the entire company to agree to it, and I'll engineer it."

"That's my man!" cried Hollywood, clapping his hands together and shooting to his feet.

"You won't regret this Tread," promised Sam, joining Hollywood by the door.

"I'm sure I won't," smiled Tread. "I want every man's agreement by the end of the day. If you get it, the announcement will be made tomorrow. Better hop to it!"

They both tipped their cap to him and ran down the corridor.

"Right," said Hollywood, both of them keeping step beside the other, "where is the great big hick anyhow?"

"Gate duty," said Sam. "But he finishes any minute."

"Stall him whilst I tell the others," said Hollywood as they burst through the doors to the main courtyard. "And don't say a word to him 'til we know for certain." Sam nodded, both of them filtering off in different directions.

Hollywood practically sprinted to the lakeside where the others were relaxing with a beer. Bunny was there too, her hand firmly planted in TT's. Hadn't taken the two of them long to fall for each other, but romance was always welcome. Especially when you saw someone as fearless and imposing as Bunny fall for the literal spot of sunshine that was TT.

Harrison noticed him, waving to his Lieutenant as he approached.

"Saved you a seat boss," he called.

"Thanks Harry," said Hollywood, he said, falling into it.

"What did he say?" asked Frenchie.

"We just gotta get the rest of the company on board," said Hollywood.

"I reckon we can convince 'em," said Ewie with confidence. "We all owe Abe in some way or another."

"Yeah you do!" piped Bunny. "I've only known you boys weeks and every single one of you has told me what a stand up guy he is."

"'Cause he is!" said Harrison.

"What if they don't agree though?" asked TT.

"Then we fuckin' make 'em," said Andy. "We all agree that he deserves it most."

"We need to get him back to Anna," said Hollywood with a serious expression. "None of us got the fucker a wedding gift, let this be it."

"How long have we got?" asked Harrison.

"End of the day," said Hollywood.

"Let's get to it then!" said Frenchie, getting up from his seat. "Ewie, you come with me."

"Sure thing," said Ewie, rising also.

"TT and I will team up, and we'll take Bunny too," said Andy.

"In case you need some muscle?" she grinned, flexing her arm.

"Well exactly, we ain't scary," laughed Andy. "Harrison, you go with the LT."

"Thank you, guys," said Hollywood earnestly. "This is gonna mean the world to him."

"We know LT," said Harry, slapping him on the back.

"Good luck!" said Ewie, lighting a cigarette as he and Frenchie left for the tents. Andy and TT got to their feet, saying they knew the other bar where the rest of the company hung out. That left Hollywood and Harry to check for any stragglers at HQ.

"Reckon we can do it LT?" he asked as they both set off.

"I fuckin' hope so, son," sighed Hollywood, taking a swig from his hip flask before they set about their most important task yet.

***

The men stood lined up in the summer heat, Abe waiting for Tread to come and make the announcement. He had no idea why they were all gathered here, and it was really frustrating him. He was certain it was an announcement that they would be heading to the Pacific. It was breaking him in two. He glanced around at the other men, curious as to their expressions. All of them seemed excited which greatly irritated him. Were they all so ready to throw themselves back into a God damned fray? It was ridiculous. Eventually, Hollywood came into view.

"Attention!" he shouted, all of them standing to attention as he looked over them. Tread now walked out, standing beside Hollywood and looking at all of them.

"At ease," Tread called, all of them following the order. He seemed relaxed, Abe's brow furrowing. Why the hell was everyone so damn cheery? "Well gentlemen," he began, "I know that all of you have been training hard over the past few weeks. And I thank you all for you commitment and drive. It is easy, in this beautiful place, to become complacent. And yet, you remain a fine company. I am very proud of you all." He paused a moment. "It is, therefore, my great pleasure to announce the names of the men who have enough points to return home this month."

Abe's heart sunk in his chest. He hated hearing them. It was only a reminder that he was stuck here.

"The men returning home are, Corporal Ian Cook, Sergeant Abraham Coleman, and Private Alexander Wooton."

Everyone immediately cheered, Abe suspended in disbelief as he was slapped on the back. He looked at Hollywood again, who was shooting him an enormous grin.

Tread smiled at them all. "Congratulations boys. Dismissed!"

The moment they were free to do so, every man ran over to Abe to congratulate him. He kept trying to explain that there had been a mistake, barely able to distinguish who was who in the wave of cheering. Finally, Sam and Hollywood got to him.

"I don't have enough points," he managed. "They've made a mistake-"

"Nope," confirmed Sam. "It's all true."

"But how?"

"Here," said Hollywood, handing him a sheet of paper.

Abe looked at it, his eyes scanning over the point tot up. "Says I have a dependant child-"

"Cause you do!" said Hollywood.

"We're all pretty certain that Heidi has the adoption sorted by now. So, that means Elli is your kid, right?"

Sam hadn't finished speaking before Abe pulled him into a bear hug so that he coughed as he smacked his back. "So you're way to celebrate is to wind me?" asked Sam.

Abe choked out a laugh as he did the same to Hollywood. "That's so lucky that Tread thought that!"

"Luck ain't got anythin' to do with it, you dumb Hick," laughed Hollywood as he stepped back.

"What d'ya mean?" asked Abe. He looked up to see the entire company standing and watching him, his close friends all at the front.

"Turns out some of the higher ups have been messin' with points reports," said Sam in a hushed tone.

"We took a vote," explained Hollywood. "We reckoned if anyone in our company deserved it, it was you."

"You did this for me?" asked Abe in disbelief, the men all tittering.

"'course we did!" said Ewie.

"Yeah, we couldn't wait to get rid of you!" called Frenchie.

"We figured Anna and Elli needed you more than we did," said Sam, squeezing his shoulder. "And after all you've done for all of us, I reckon it's time you went home, don't you?" Abe was stunned.

"I'll never forget this," he managed, his voice choked up.

"You better not!" laughed Hollywood. "I'm expecting you to be in our debt forever!" There was a pause, Abe looking at all of their smiling faces. "Now go on, get!" said Hollywood with a sniff. "Can't keep the girls waiting any longer! Get packed, and we'll see you off in a few."

Abe grinned again, needing no further encouragement to dart off, and prepare to leave the war behind for good.