The landscape and architecture that surrounded her were astounding. She knew they were beautiful but didn't realize this much. The bass of Love is a Battlefield echoed the small car as she made her way to the UN building. Finally, she was in Germany. Over a year of getting all the paper works, records and cards; plus, the ensuing war was putting a lot of countries on edge as it got worse by the months that passed.
The drive to Bonn wouldn't have been bad if it wasn't nearly five hours away from Berlin and her hotel. She didn't realize that she'd be traveling so much, well until she found the place she was supposed to go to first. The company had told her she was boarding with others and yet she still hadn't found the place. Seems they kept themselves quite quiet to the world.
The GPS gave its command to her as she approached the intersection. Of course, it'd want her to take the good world famous Autobahn. As much as she wanted to taste the speed that her car could deliver, she turned the other way.
"Not confident enough for that yet." she muttered as the device gave her a new route through the quieter half of the city.
Her mind wandered aimlessly as she continued her way to the building, praying she really was equipped for something like this. Not that she hadn't done well before in Boston, but things in other countries were much different on multiple scales. The only real advantage she has was being able to speak the language, thank god for school and her Uroma. That woman was a godsend for her back then, deep down she still wished she was around.
The burning sting to her nose and eyes attacked her, forcing her to pull to the side as her skin began to burn.
"Fuck not again." she rubbed her eyes and nose in failed attempt to rid the pain, but she knew better.
It intensified, the bullets ringing out as screams filled her head. She tried to blink away but all she could see where the bodies. Thousands and thousands of bodies lying upon the ground. One standing out with the sweet red coat, covered in mud and death. The lifeless eyes staring into a void of nothing as the cries of one person came out loud and clear.
"I didn't know." they sobbed, "I didn't know!"
And then, silence. As quick as it came it went away leaving Marie gasping for air and trembling at the wheel. Years this had happened to her, years of unknown answers, doctors and specialist and other remedies to remove it yet no matter what she did, they were always there. Pulling out a cigarette, she lit the thing and took a long pull, filling her lungs with the needed release of pain and desire.
"Fuck those things suck." she said throwing the car in gear and continuing her way.
Not long after the attack, the large UN building came to view as a relaxed sigh escaped her. Finally, she made it to the damn thing. Once settled, she went into the vast building and awed at the uniqueness of it. Historical figures here and there, giving the cultural flair you would expect from it.
"Entschuldigen Sie mich, wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?" someone asked her.
"Oh, ja." she said opening her file and showing the woman the paper, "Wo ist das Zimmer?"
The woman smiled and pointed her in the direction she needed. With curt nod and thanks, Marie made her way into the building, turning where she needed and followed the numbers like she said. As she got closer, she could hear arguing. Loud arguing to be exact. She came up to a viewing point to a large room, slowly she peered in only to see multiple men and women yelling at each other. Languages thrown around and accusations pinpointing at others. Marie backed away, shocked by the sight. She had to counsel people like that of war?
"Hey." someone said.
Marie turned to see a young woman coming her way, a stray Indian feather gracing her ebony hair, "Are you the new counselor?"
"Oh, yes." she said holding out her hand.
"Good, you didn't get lost. I'm Amber Jones." she said taking Marie's hand.
"Marie Brown."
"Come on, you don't need to be surrounded with that on your first day. Let's make you feel at home first."
Marie followed Amber as she took her elsewhere in the building, "So gotta ask before you get in there, like music? We're always got something playing."
"Very much; more of a certain era."
"Oldies?" Amber asked.
"Depends but more eighties, late seventies."
"Good taste. Cher is my go to no matter what mood."
"I'm more of a Pat Benatar girl myself."
"Not bad, not bad at all." Amber said as they came to a large door, "Oh, another thing, do you like kids."
Marie felt her heart drop. Kids? No one said kids would be here. "Yea, I like kids."
"Good, prepare to be attacked the rugrats." she said opening the door.
"Oh wow." was all Marie could say about the large space.
It was beautiful to say the least, large couches and chairs that you could sink into for hours, the vast windows showing the city of Bonn, the delicious smells of foods and drinks filled the air along with peaceful chatter.
"Pretty huh? Our boys always make sure we are all taken care of." she said making her way to the couch.
"I'll say, got good men on your arms." Marie said, following behind.
"That we do." Amber smiled, "Hey guys, what's cooking?"
"Lots." was the reply she heard along with laughter.
"For the love of God Brie, put the baby down before you drop her." she heard someone yell.
"I have to pull a final burp." was the reply, "There it is."
"I swear, you finish nursing one just to have another. Crazy woman."
"Only to you Juliet." Marie saw a brunette woman come out of the small kitchen area with a blonde baby within her arms.
"I'm not the one producing like rabbits!" A blonde poker her head out.
"Don't mind them Marie. That's normal between the English and the French." Amber sighed at them.
"Is everyone here from different countries?" Marie asked.
"Yep. You and I are the only Americans. Do have a Canadian, whom is our other therapist. She specializes in child loss and family." Amber replied.
"Talking about me again eh?" Someone spoke behind them.
Marie saw a strawberry blonde walk up to them, her green eyes sparkled as her smile brought her own to surface.
"Sorry girly, had to. Meet your partner in counseling." Amber said.
"Marie Brown, pleasure to meet you. I'm Marissa Williams." She said, holding her hand out.
"Pleasure as well. Seems you knew me before I know you." Marie shook her hand, catching a glimpse of a growing belly.
"I went to one of the cases you protected back in December. The one over the Iraqi Vet and the post trauma he received." She explained, "You are a force to be reckoned with I must say."
"Ah, the McCartney case." Marie nodded remembering the tiring case, "Sucker was hard but at least he got what he needed."
"That he did." She smiled at her. "I can't wait to be working with you. Well, until this one gets here."
"Yes." Amber said leaning down to the bump, "And how is my little Alyssa?"
Marissa gave a small pout, "Um actually from the last ultrasound, Alyssa's an Alec."
"You traitor." Amber poked her belly.
"Blame Mattie." Marissa giggled.
Marie laughed lightly at them, she could feel the cozy warmth of family and friends within the room as she was slowly introduced to everyone, including the children. She watched Jeanne attempt patty-cake with her baby sister, Satine as Alexei and Liberty played side by side each other, sharing pats and hugs, while little Jacque was in her laps.
"Jacque! Don't be fresh to Marie!" Brie scolded as Marie felt his tiny hand upon her breasts.
"Well, he's a true man." Marie joked.
"Yes, and with his father's genes it terrifies me."
"Then drop him with Uncle Charles for a little, Monique and I will teach him to be a proper man." Brie's brother-in-law said.
"You all are crazy." she heard Philip, the Vietnamese chef say as he brought out trays of decadent foods.
"So, Marie, are you traveling back to Berlin after this or spending the night in Bonn?" Lily asked.
"Heading back to my hotel until I find the place I'm supposedly boarding with." she replied, "Still trying to find it."
"Is there a name with it?" Marissa asked.
"Yea, Beilschmidt."
"Beilschmidt?" they all spoke together.
"Um, is that a bad thing?" she asked.
"Nein, not at all." someone replied from the door.
Turing to see, Marie saw an elegant woman of high class enter the room. Her wavy brown hair caressed her porcelain skin as her blue eyes glowed, "It's not bad at all. Just hard to believe that the brothers were willing to do that."
"Oh, seems you know a lot." Marie said, standing to greet her.
"Ja, I do. Delilah Edelstein." she said taking Marie's hand.
Marie could feel tension within the air and so could Delilah, "Brie, please don't be mad at me." she spoke softly to the French woman.
"I'm not mad at you Delilah, nor Roderich. Just more over the situation and the hurt that ensued." Brie replied.
"You know Elizaveta found her love, that is what should count." Delilah stated as she pulled Marie to the door.
Placing Jacque in Charles arms, she followed the woman out to see what would be going on.
"So, you know the home?" she asked.
"Ja, they have a few. Do you have the set address?"
Taking the file out, Marie saw the woman light up, "Ah Berlin. That's a beautiful one. I can tell you now for tonight they'll stay here in Bonn. Afterwards they'll head back."
"You don't stay with them?"
"Heavens no. My Roderich and I are going back to Austria after today. Elizaveta might join them, along with Lili too if Vash okays it."
"I see." Marie sighed, "What can you tell me of the Beilschmidts?"
"They're good boys. Ludwig is the youngest yet mature and Gilbert is the oldest and yet the wild one." she explained. "I believe Ludwig is the one that set up the whole plan of having you within the UN. Since of late they have brought many outside professions within, like myself, for one day use."
"And yours is?"
"Teaching." Delilah smiled as they walked to the large viewing area, "Now, I don't see Gil running around so maybe Ludwig made him stay at the house. A good thing really, crazy Prussian."
"Prussian? Prussia was dissolved over seventy years ago, and that was the East half for Poland to the Baltics, the true one was nearly one hundred years ago." Marie stated.
"Don't tell him that." Delilah laughed, "Ah, there he is. See the eight near the high podium? The military blonde there, that's Ludwig."
Marie followed her finger and saw the man in point. His hair was slicked back, his suit was even and pressed to the sharpest of ways, there wasn't a hair out of line on him which meant he kept a home like that too. Yay Marie...not.
"Taking a guess, he runs the house military style?" she questioned.
"Pretty much. If I were you, I's stay close to Elizaveta. She's more the sane one that is there." she said as someone called her name. "Well, I must be off. It was a pleasure to meet you Marie, Bis dann. Auf Wiedersehen."
Marie watched as Delilah stood beside a sharp dressed man, same style and pose as she. Yea, those two were really made for each other. She looked back down at the sea of men and women and looked once more at Ludwig. It puzzled her mind, yet the more she looked at him, the more familiar he seemed.
