THE SOOTHING IRISH TUNE that Juliana Bennet hummed, calmed her. It also seemed to relax the two lance corporals who laid on the ground in front of her. For they had their eyes closed and laid perfectly still. She sat up with her back against a tree. Lance Corporal Schofield was doing the same, while the other, Blake, laid flat on the ground. All three knew of each other names, and nothing else.

Juliana's mother was a strong Irish woman. The young lady of twenty resembled her mother very closely, in looks, and personality. Both were strong willed, fierce, and at the same time, caring.

Juliana felt herself drifting off, and closed her eyes. They weren't that way for long, for a particular statement caught her attention.

-"Pick a man, a medic, and bring your kit."

Medic....

She watches as Blake stands, he stretch's a bit before offering a hand to Schofield, whose eyes are closed. He opens them, and looks around, he sees Juliana sitting across from him, his eye then shift over to Blake's hand. He slowly grabs it, and is helped up to his feet.

Blake then turns too Juliana. She looks up at him, with curiosity dancing in her eyes.

-"He said bring a medic,"

Juliana looks down at her outfit. She was wearing a blue dress also known as her "uniform", and on her head was a long, white veil like piece.

-"I suppose that'd be me then," Juliana spoke with a sigh before taking Blake's outstretched hand.

Now that all three were standing, they made their way into the trenches. Juliana kept her distance, not too far back, but far enough. On her right shoulder laid her medical bag. She wasn't sure why she was needed, but then again, nor did the other two.

"I'm bloody starving!" Juliana hears Blake announce to Schofield. She couldn't hear the rest, for it was hard for her to keep up with their long strides.

She heard Schofield laugh, and then she saw him reach into his pockets. He pulls out  something that looks like food, and Juliana's mouth waters. It's been awhile since she's had a bite to eat.

-"What have you got there?" She asks, jogging lightly to keep up. She was now walking next to Blake.

-"Ham and bread." Was the reply. Schofield looked up, the one thing that caught his attention, were Juliana's stunning blue eyes.

Blake and Julian were too busy to pay attention to what he was doing. They were chuckling about that fact that Scho even had food in the first place.

-"Where'd you find that?!" Blake asks, a bit shocked, amusement lancing in his tone.

-"I have my uses." Scho answers with a small smile. He then proceeds to rip the bread into three pieces. He hands one to Blake, then one to Juliana. The young lady nods in appreciation before looking around. They were now approaching the trenches, and the world seemed to grow smaller as they descended into the earth.

The bread was stale, and hard to chew, but Juliana didn't mind too much. Blake then commented on the fact that "it tasted like shoe leather" and she laughed in response. Schofield looks up, and see's merriment in those blue eyes of hers. He looks away just as he feels a cheeks heat up a little.

-"Cheer up! Next time it'll be chicken dinner!" Juliana says with a smile, trying to cheer him up. Blake's chipper mood shifts into a slightly serious one.

-"Not me, leave got cancelled,"

-"They say why?" Schofield asks between bites of "shoe leather".

-"No idea," Blake shakes his head sadly. They walk in silence before Schofield says,

-"It's easier not to go back at all,"

Juliana looks up and eyes the young man. His features are soft, and his eyes seemed to be full of wisdom. What he had said though, was what bothered her. That's because it was truth, and the truth hurts sometimes.

Blake looks over at Schofield and the same thoughts that Juliana had run through his head. Suddenly, there's commotion, and a lot is happening at once all around them.

-"Somethings up," Blake speaks, changing the topic of discussion.

"Did you hear anything?" He asks Schofield as they quicken their pace. This time, they made sure that Juliana could keep up.

-"No." Was the answer.

-"What about the push?" Juliana asks, Blake and Schofield look over at her. She quickly grows a bit flustered before correcting herself.

"I mean, that's what it's called, right? I could be wrong..."

-"No you've got the right word, I'm just not so sure that's what it is." Schofield says quickly.

They continue to quicken their steps, and catch up with Sargent Sanders. They had questions that needed answers. Blake is the first to approach him, asking him if there's news.

-"News of what?" Sanders questions the youth, the sound of annoyance could heard in his voice.

-"The big push. It was supposed to happen weeks ago. They told us we'd be home by Christmas." Blake informs him. He and the other two with him, had been looking forward to going home for the holiday.

-"Yes, well, sorry to disrupt your crowded schedule, Blake, but the Brass Hats didn't fancy it in the snow." Sargent Sanders voice was now dripping in sarcasm, and Juliana didn't appreciate it.

-"More's the pity Sarge, I could have done with some turkey." She spoke harshly towards him.

-"Look here miss, I'm make sure to relay your displeasure to command." Sanders spoke in response. He stepped forward towards the young nurse.

-"Thank you," she responds, before moving back towards Schofield. It felt like a natural thing to do, for he was much taller than her, or Sanders.

-"Juliana calm yourself please," Schofield pleads lightly while looking her in the eye. Juliana nods and steps back.

"So what's on the cards then, Sargent?" He asks as they continue to walk through the crowded trenches. Wounded, hungry, dirty, and cold men all around them.

-"The Hun are up to something." The higher ranking officer answers, this time, less sarcastically.

-"Any idea what?"

-"No, but it's bound to ruin our weekend."
Juliana rolls her eyes and bites the corner of her bottom lip, a habit of hers when she was nervous.

They follow the Sargent to a dugout, and just before entering, Sanders informs them that General Erinmore was inside. He then leaves them on that alarming note. 

Schofield takes a deep breath a buttons up this jacket. Blake tidies himself up nervously, and Juliana smooths our her dress and head piece with trembling hands.

-"Here," she says to Blake as she brushes some dirt off of him. She then turns to Schofield and helps him fix his collar.

"It looked like you were struggling." She informs him when finished. A smile small appears on his lips in appreciation.

-"Must be big if the General's here." Blake comments to the others lightly.

They nod their heads in agreement and enter the dugout. Juliana blinks her eyes for a couple of seconds, to adjust to the light, which is dim. Schofield and Blake salute, and stand at attention. Juliana followed suit, and stood still and upright next to Schofield.

-"Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield, Sir and combat nurse Bennet." Sargent Sanders announces them.

General Erinmore eyes them. It wasn't too much of a surprise to him about how young they looked. For the army was full of young men, nurses were usually young women.

-"Which one of you is Blake?" Erinmore asks while looking between the two soldiers. Blake steps forward and says "Sir."

"You have a brother, a Lieutenant, in the second Devons?" The General questions him.

Blake's serious disposition changes into a curious one. He sends a look over towards Schofield and Juliana before asking about him.

-"Yes, sir. Joesph Blake. Is he...."

-"Alive, as far as I know. And with your help I'd like to keep it that way." Erinmore answers. He watches Blake's eyes go wide, he'd do anything to keep his brother alive.

-"Sanders tells me you're good with maps. That true?" He asks the youngest of the three. Blake replies with a "yes sir" then Erinmore turns to Will and Juliana.

"And do any of you have anything that you can contribute?"

-"I have a good memory sir." Juliana speaks up. Erinmore nods in approval before commenting that a good memory is a good thing to have in a situation like now. He then turns the map that he's been studying around for the three to see.

-"We are here." He points to a blue line on the map. Blake, Schofield and Juliana crowd together to see.

"The 2nd Devons are advancing here." He continues, all three pairs of eyes follow his finger to a red "X", or Croisilles Wood.

"How long will it take you to get there?" Erinmore looks up and into Blake's eyes.

Blake looks around in confusion, and Juliana and Schofield share a look with the same expression. Blake studies the map with furrowed brows, before admitting, that he didn't understand what was expected of him. 

-"Sir, that land is held by the Germans." Schofield speaks for the first time. Blake nods in agreement and Juliana stays quiet and still.

-"Germans have gone."

All three share a look of shock. General Erinmore gives them a few moments to register what was said.

"Don't get your hopes up. It appears to be a strategic withdrawal. They seem to have created a new line, nine miles back here, by the looks of it." He drags his finger along the map to show the new line of German trenches, which are marked in red ink.

"Colonel Mackenzie is in command of the 2nd. He sent word yesterday morning that he was going after the retreating Germans. He is convinced he has them on the run - that if he can break their lines now, he will turn the tide. He is wrong."

Blake grows uncomfortable, and Juliana wishes she was standing beside him. She could give his hand a light squeeze, or rub his arm in a reassuring way. Schofield also notices Blake's uncertainty, but continues to hold a straight face.

"Colonel Mackenzie has not seen these aerials of the enemy's new line. Come round here, Gentlemen, and Miss."

The three follow Erinmore over a table which held another map. Their full attention on what Erinmore was showing them.

"Three miles deep." Erinmore continues, the three looking up with slight discomfort. Hadn't they already been given enough alarming information?

"Field fortifications, defences and artillery the like of which we've never seen before. The second are due to attack the line shortly after dawn tomorrow. They have no idea what they are in for. And we can't warn them - as a parting gift, the enemy cut all our telephone lines."

Juliana let out a slight groan before looking away. Her whole mindset while signing up was to save people, but right now she really felt like killing a Kraut.

"I know it's frustrating Miss Bennet." General Enirmore speaks, catching her off guard.

-"I'm sorry Sir." She apologizes, her head bent downward in embarrassment.

-"Don't be, that's how we all feel. Your orders are to get to the second at Croisilles Wood, one mile south east of the town of Ecoust."

He hands Blake an envelope with a red stamp that read, Army Command. Blake eyes the envelope carefully, his breath quickening along with his heart beat.

"Deliver this to Colonel Mackenzie. It is a direct order to call off tomorrow morning's attack. If you don't, it will be a massacre. We would lose two battalions. Sixteen hundred men, your brother among them."

Erinmore speaks slowly, letting his words sink into the three before him. Schofield does his best to hide his shocked expression, but Blake nods in full understanding. Determination is etched in his face. The only thought Juliana had, was why a medic was needed.

-"Why a medic sir?" She asks aloud. This earns her looks from everyone in the room.

-"It's a dangerous world out there Miss, and we need these boys to get there alive. They'll protect you, you protect them." Is the simple answer. Juliana nods, why was she acting this way? She was embarrassing herself, asking stupid questions, and speaking out of turn. Will could sense her frustration and made a note to tell her afterward not to worry about it.

Erinmore turns back to Blake.

"Do you think you can get there in time?"

-"Yes Sir."

-"Any questions?"

-"No Sir."
Schofield sends him a look of confusion. No questions? Blake pretends to not see him, but continues to hold a serious look on his face.

-"Good. Over to you, Lieutenant."

The Lance Corporals salute their leading officer before going over towards Lieutenant Gordon. Juliana follows closely behind, hoping that the darkness could swallow her up.

-"Map, torches, grenades, and a couple of little treats." Gordon describes the items displayed before them.

"Oh, and you might want this," he hands Juliana a helmet as the others are busy filling their packs.

-"Thank you Sir." Juliana whispers. She stuffs the helmet in her pack, along with a torch, and food.

-"Leave immediately, take this trench west, up on Sauchiehall Street, then north west on Paradise Alley at the front. Continue along the front line until you find the Yorks." Gordon says quickly, he then slides a piece of paper into Blake's top pocket.

"Give this note to Major Stevenson. He's holding the line at the shortest span of No Man's Land. You'll cross there."

No Mans Land? The three look among each other in fear. Survival was surly the name of the game now.

-"It will be daylight, Sir. They'll see us." Schofield reminds the Lieutenant. Juliana nods, and Blake stands still at attention.

-"No need to be concerned. You should meet no resistance." Erinmore informs them confidently.

Just as they're about to leave, Schofield turns around and asks the General if it was only them who were to be going.

-"Down to Gehenna or up to the Throne He travels the fastest who travels alone." Wouldn't you say, Lieutenant?" Enirmore answers while looking over at Gordon for a response.

-"Yes, Sir. I would."

The General eyes them once more, he nods before Schofield turns to exit.

-"Good luck."

Was the last thing they heard before exiting the dugout.