As a nurse in France during the war, she had seen the horrors that battle had to offer. Mustard gas, bullet holes, severed limbs, had all become common place; yet that was just the physical trauma. To (Y/n) there was something worse; and that was the change in the men as the war progressed.

Some had come in at the start with just minor wounds, and had been happy and carefree, wanting to do their bit for king and country. As the war had gone on though, these same men turned into different people, a part of their soul being taken. A part they would never get back.

She heard them at night screaming in agony as they dreamt of the horrors that they had seen; horrors that no one should have seen. And one of those men was Arthur Shelby.

Arthur was a sapper, digging tunnels under the enemy in order to plant explosives. But an accident had occurred, and one of the tunnels had collapsed, coming down on Arthur and his younger brother Tommy, both of which (Y/n) was now caring for.

Both had nightmares, but poor Arthur's seemed more violent. And (Y/n)'s soft spot for the two men, had led the devoted nurse too take to working extra shifts, just so she could keep an eye on the pair at night. And this night was proving particularly bad. From down the hall she heard Arthur screaming and shouting, the horrors of war filling his dreams.

"Sister (Y/l/n), I can't wake him." Tommy yelled at her, as she rushed into the ward. The younger Shelby shaking Arthur by the arms.

"It's alright Tommy, get back into bed." (Y/n) ordered, as she took hold of Arthur's shoulders holding him down as he shook uncontrollably.

"Now listen here Arthur Shelby, I know you're in there. Come back to us, you're safe, and nothing will happen to you as long as I'm around. Come back Arthur, it's safe." (Y/n) told him as she leant down to whisper in his ear.

All of a sudden Arthur sat bolt upright, staring at her for a moment before he pulled her in to a tight embrace, then pulling away slightly and kissing her roughly on the lips. Shocked for a moment, (Y/n) soon found herself melting into the kiss. She knew it was unprofessional, but she had to admit to herself that Arthur was very handsome, he had always been a gentleman, and she couldn't help but be drawn to him.

"Sister (Y/l/n), you saved me." Arthur's said, his voice quiet and wavering. (Y/n) brushing back his sweat drenched hair, as she straightened herself.

"I did no such thing Arthur Shelby, I just brought you back to us. I won't let anything happen to you or Tommy on my watch. You are my favourite boys after all." She said, smiling as she looked over at Tommy.

"Thank you, Sister, I thought I'd lost him this time." Tommy told the nurse, obviously concerned for his older brother.

"There's no need to thank me, it's all part of the job. And I do wish you two would stop calling me Sister, my name is (Y/n) I've told you before." (Y/n) began, as she slowly got up from Arthur's bed.

"Now young man let's get you out of that bed so I can get you some fresh sheets, and a new nightshirt. I can't have you sleeping in a sweaty dirty one can I?" (Y/n) continued, as she helped Arthur out of bed, and placed him on a chair.

"Wait there, I'll be right back." (Y/n) ordered, as she left to get fresh linen.

"She's a bit of alright don't ya think Tommy?" Arthur asked his brother, as he watched her walk away.

"She's beautiful, intelligent, gentle and kind, she's way out of your league Arthur." Tommy laughed, as he ignored his brother's glare.

"I'm probably more her type." Tommy added, as he grinned at Arthur.

"Oi, I saw er first, keep your hands-off Tommy." Arthur barked, as he tried to get out of his chair and make his way over to Tommy.

"Keep your hands off what?" (Y/n) asked, as she returned with linen and clothing. Arthur dropping himself back down in his chair before he was chastised by the beautiful Sister.

"Oh nuthin (Y/n), Tommy was trying ta be funny." Arthur huffed, glaring at his brother.

"Well anyway, let's get you sorted." (Y/n) said, as she began to strip the bed and put on fresh linen. Then turning her attention to Arthur.

"Come on, arms up, I want that wet nightshirt off you." (Y/n) insisted, as she stood in front of him. Arthur coughing uncomfortably.

"Arthur Shelby are you embarrassed? I assure you I've seen it all before, even yours. And you're not that much different from other men." (Y/n) informed him, giggling slightly as a warm pink glow came to her cheeks. The nurse moving closer to the soldier, and pulling the damp fabric from his body, before taking a warm damp cloth and cleaning the sweat from his face and torso, then drying him and putting a fresh shirt over his head.

"There, all nice and clean again, let's get you back into bed." She told Arthur as she put her arm under his shoulder and helped him back onto the bed.

"There we are, and now this time try and sleep without the nightmares alright? I'll stay right here so that I'm sure you two are alright." (Y/n) told the two Shelby boys as she tucked Arthur in, and moved to the desk in the middle of the ward to start doing a pile of paperwork. Tommy looking over at her, an evil glint in his eye.

"(Y/n), what does your husband think of ya being over er and working with us lot?" Tommy asked. A smirk growing across his face as he glanced at a suddenly very interested Arthur.

"I'm not married, I don't need a man telling me what I can and can't do. Plus, I love my work and I care about you boys." (Y/n) said, smiling at Tommy before returning to her paperwork.

"Do ya care about all of us, or are me and Arthur special?" Tommy continued. (Y/n) looking up at Tommy to see the soft smile on his face that she had grown to love. Getting up from her seat, (Y/n) made her way over to tuck Tommy in.

"I care about all the boys that come through here. But I do admit that you and Arthur have managed to find a special place in my heart. It must be that Shelby charm." She told him. Winking at Tommy as she straightened his sheets.

"Now, will you two get some sleep so that I can finish my paperwork before matron bites my head off." (Y/n) continued, as she kissed Tommy on the forehead before doing the same to Arthur.

"Now Sleep!"

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As the days passed, (Y/n) spoke to Tommy and Arthur more and more. Her liking for the pair, growing as they became more familiar. But as they got better, she couldn't help but find herself growing sadder, not wanting either of them to leave and have to go back to the war.

One morning she took Arthur for a walk in the grounds of the hospital, finally sitting, as they came to a wall in a quiet corner out of sight.

"Ya know me and Tommy are leavin in a couple of days don't ya?" Arthur asked as he gently took her hands.

"Yes, Arthur, I know. I hate the thought of you two back there. I fear I'll never see you again. I fear what you will see, and what you will go through. I just wish I could protect you from it." She said, lowering her head, fearing that if she looked up at Arthur she may cry.

"Love, you've dun everything ya can for me and Tommy, we'll never be able ta repay ya. Ya looked after us and made us feel special yeah, no one has ever dun that for us." Arthur told her, as she smiled and weak smile. The oldest Shelby squeezing her hands tighter.

"Ya ever been kissed properly (Y/n)? I mean other than that night when I kissed ya after the nightmare." Arthur enquired as he looked deep into her eyes. (Y/n) taken aback for a moment by the question, before slowly shaking her head.

"Well, would ya mind if I kissed ya?" Arthur asked. (Y/n) feeling the heat in her cheeks, as she smiled and nodded her head. Arthur placing his hand on her cheek and slowly leaning in so that their lips met. Both knowing that this may be there only chance they had to kiss one another.

(Y/n) placed her hand at the back of his neck and pulled Arthur into her, trying to deepen the kiss. After a second's hesitation, Arthur responded, as his arms made their way around her waist holding her tight. The kiss becoming more passionate as they clung to one another.

"Well, I ain't ever been kissed like that before." Arthur chuckled as he pulled away. The two smiling from ear to ear.

"Arthur Shelby, I'm sure you've had plenty of kisses just like that." (Y/n) insisted, as she readjusted her apron.

"I've had plenty of kisses love ya right, but never one like that. That was special." Arthur insisted, as he brushed a few stray hairs back behind her ears.

"Come on let's get you back to Tommy, before he thinks I've run away with you." (Y/n) said, as she slowly got to her feet, and held out her hand for him to take.

"I wouldn't mind if ya did love." Arthur replied. Happily taking (Y/n)'s hand in his, as they made their way back to the ward.

>>-----------------------------<<

The next two days passed too quickly. And as the morning arrived, Arthur and Tommy were prepared and dressed in their uniforms, ready to go back to the war. (Y/n) standing in front of the pair, straightening their uniforms and their collars.

"Well don't you two look perfectly handsome." (Y/n) told the two. The young woman feeling the tears well in her eyes; sniffing in a desperate attempt to hold them back, as she took hold of their hands.

"Now, I don't want to see either of you two back here, do you hear me? I want you to stay safe and look after one another. And whatever you do, neither of you die alright, if only for my sake." (Y/n) said, smiling at the pair as Tommy pulled her in for a hug.

"Thank ya (Y/n), I promise I'll look after him." Tommy replied, winking at her before looking at Arthur.

"Giz a second will ya Tommy?" Arthur asked. Tommy nodding and making his way out of the ward.

"Listen lass, I don't know how much longer this shit is gonna last, but when its ova, if ya need anything just come to Small Heath and find me or Tommy, alright?" Arthur insisted, as (Y/n) stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"The only thing I need is for you to get through this alive. And this will help you remember me." (Y/n) said, as she pulled his face down to meet hers, kissing him hard as she snaked her arms around his neck. Putting all her sorrow of losing him, all the passion of wanting him to stay into just that one kiss. As the kiss ended, she took his arm and lead him to the front of the hospital where Tommy and the truck were waiting to take them away. The young woman smiling sadly and waving as the two mounted the truck and disappeared.