Disclaimer: I own nothing but the original characters in this story. I have great respect for the real men of Band of Brothers. I own nothing but Amanda, Marga and well anyone else you don't recognize from the series. I'm at it again and I hope that those of you who enjoy original stories centered on Band of Brothers will enjoy this one. Of course my muse loves reviews. LOL

Italics indicate memory or German spoken. That's right, I'm not even trying the translation piece. LOL

Leaving, I hate to see you cry
Grieving, I hate to say goodbye
Dust and ash forever, yeah

Though I know we must be parted
As sure as stars are in the sky
I'm gonna see you when it comes to glory
And I'll see you, I'll see you on the other side
Yes I'll see you, I'll see you on the other side
-"See You On the Other Side", Ozzy Osborne

Prologue

She was so cold. There wasn't any snow yet but the air coming off the North Sea was especially cold in winter, the wind mixed with the dampness chilled her to the bone. Where were the contacts? She couldn't see what time it was, but it had to be later than what she thought it was and they were late. Time was running out she had to get back before she was missed.

She rubbed her hands up and down her arms trying to bring some warmth back into her body. She felt like she'd never be warm again, these last few months had frozen more than her body, it'd frozen her soul.

The snapping of a twig behind her turning and the welcoming smile slid from her face. "What are you doing here? I'm sure that Kurt had something you were to be doing?"

A man stepped from the shadows with a pistol in his hand, "now, now Fraulein, I could ask you the same thing. Seems that you like to take long walks alone, now why is that?"

The shiver ran down her spine. She'd never liked him, and she sure as hell had never trusted him. Could he be the man she was sent to find? Squaring her shoulders, "maybe I just enjoy the outside, it's good to be out in the fresh air, and maybe you should do it more often."

His soft chuckle carried on the cold breeze. "Oh but you see, I've been getting out more lately and I find that you are very interesting to follow. I would wait for your friends to arrive, but I must be getting back, so I'll say Auf Wiedersehen."

The sound of the weapon firing was deafening, but it was nothing compared to the burning pain in her chest. Reaching up she tried to cover the area that was burning to find it warm and wet. Opening her mouth to speak she found no words would come and her legs were suddenly very weak.

Dropping to her knees she was suddenly so tired. She knew what was wrong; she knew there was no chance. The ground rushed up to meet her and she could no longer keep her eyes open. Her last thought in this world was regrets for what she'd done to her sister.

Chapter 1

Washington, DC-February 1943

Her heels clicked on the tile corridor as she tried her best to move fast without breaking into a run. When Colonel Decker had called her and told her to be in his office in ten minutes, he'd apparently forgotten she worked on the other side of the Pentagon. Not to mention they had only occupied their offices just a few weeks ago and she'd not given any thoughts to developing short cuts. Thankfully it was early in the day so there was little foot traffic between her and her bosses office.

Stopping outside the closed door she braced a hand on the wall and tried to slow her heartbeat along with her breathing. When he'd called something had seemed off with his voice, almost as if he was distracted. Not at all like the commanding voice he normally used. Feeling she could now speak without panting the words, she knocked on the door and waited for him to respond.

"Enter and if you're not Schmitt stay the hell out."

Smiling she pushed the door open and stepped inside closing it behind her. "Well, here I'd been worried all the way over that something was wrong with you. You seemed a little distracted on the phone, is everything okay?"

Decker frowned down at the papers lying on his desk. From where she was sitting she couldn't read them, but she had a strong feeling that this meeting had something to do with them. She watched as Decker picked them up and laid them back down several times before he sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Amanda, how long have we known each other?"

The shiver of unease she'd felt on the way over had suddenly reappeared pushing her anxiety level higher. "Well let's see, you hired me and my sister in oh early 1941, so roughly two years."

He nodded and stared at her a moment as if trying to decide what to say. Anxiety had just kicked itself up to full level terror. His eyes had softened and for a moment she swore that they had tears in them.

"Amanda, I know that your sister and you haven't had contact in a while and I feel completely responsible for that. I did something I shouldn't have done."

"Sir, maybe you should explain what is going on."

Decker stood and moved to the window to stare out at the gray landscape. In his own mind he knew telling her was the best course, but right now he hated himself and would give anything to not face her. Gripping his hands behind his back he turned to face her. "Amanda, a year ago we needed a young woman who could blend in to report SS troop movements and act as an agent on our behalf. We had other male agents but they were closely watched and we knew that a female would be able to slip through areas where a man would be noticed." Clearing his throat he moved closer to her. "I discreetly sent out feelers among certain staffs to find the type of woman we were looking for. The qualifications weren't easy, no family, attractive, young, and fluent in German."

Her fingernails were digging into the palm of her hand. She didn't want to hear this; she knew this had something to do with Marga. Her sister, who suddenly dropped out of her life without a word? "Sir, maybe you should just get to the point of what you're trying to say."

"God Amanda, Marga took the assignment. I had an idea when she did that there was a possible double agent working there, if I'd known who, maybe she'd still be alive." She watched as he dropped into the chair next to hers, suddenly looking older than his forty-two years.

"Marga's body was found outside of Caen yesterday by some of our sympathizers. She was shot and apparently had bled out. I'm so sorry Amanda, I know this is the worst thing I could do to you, but we are reaching a critical time with the war effort, more critical than some in this building realize. The only people who know she's dead are our side, her lover isn't aware of her death, so that's why we need someone to replace her and quickly."

Swallowing and trying to wrap her mind around what he'd just said, yet she could only focus on one thing. "So that's why you wanted to see me. You need me to replace Marga?" Somewhere something deep inside her she raged at the idea that this man would ask her to not even grieve, but just pick up where her sister left off. But another part, the darker side demand revenge and right now, that side was winning.

Decker didn't speak. Amanda was silent but seemed to be deciding what to do. He watched her face go through a fast array of emotions in what seemed to be instantly, but actually took several minutes. He was beginning to think she wouldn't do it when she finally raised her head to look at him. Her gray eyes were as dark as a winter sky in New England.

"I'll do it. Let me go home and pack some items." She held up her hand to stop him, "I want some things that are uniquely mine. I'll be back tonight and then you can send me where ever you wish. Provide me with the packet so I can review all the details of Marga's life these last few months."

He patted her hand, "of course. My car will drive you home and wait. I'm afraid this is going to be a difficult journey, but we can't lose any more time."

Taking the files she thanked him and let herself be escorted to his car. She knew she answered with the words expected of her, but she felt numb and confused. Looking at the files lying in her lap she just couldn't bring herself to read them. Closing her eyes she laid her head back against the seat.

So many questions, what had really happened to Marga? What kind of situation was she walking into to? Her eyes shot open at the next question that drifted across her mind, she was expected to be this SS officer's mistress, would that entail everything?

Damn you Marga! Look at what you've done to me, to us. Why didn't you talk to me, I would have understood I would have helped? Now you've doomed us both.

"Ma'am we're here. I'll wait for you, but Colonel Decker wanted me to remind you not to take too long."

The driver's voice brought her back to the harsh reality. "Alright, I'll just be a few moments."

Stepping into her apartment she glanced around and felt all the energy she'd had drain from her body. Dropping onto the couch she tightly gripped her hands together in her lap. She wasn't going to cry, it would be useless at this point and well she just didn't have the time. Taking a deep breath she glanced at the photos lining the mantel of the fireplace. Her eyes stopped on one of her and Marga. The photo had been taken before they left Germany. The stabbing pain in her heart caused her to close her eyes. Germany, why did they ever leave? Marga would be alive if they hadn't.

Twins. Weren't they supposed to share everything? That had never been the case with her and Marga. Marga wanted to leave Germany; she hated Hitler and couldn't stand what he was doing to Germany. When Marga's friend Gabby disappeared from school, Marga had become obsessed with them leaving.

Heidelberg, Germany-1941

"Damn it Mandy how can you sit by and let people just disappear? Do you feel nothing?"

Glaring at her sister from across the table, "I feel plenty, but how is it going to help for us to leave Germany, to leave our friends? Or do you forget that Max and I are engaged?"

Sighing Marga turned to stare at the fading lights before replying. "No I've not forgotten. I love you and I want you to be happy, but how can you marry a man who supports this…this…murdering of innocents?"

Grabbing her sister's hand, Amanda hissed across the table, "Shh, quiet. I have no wish to have a meeting with the Gestapo tonight, besides, Max told me he fights for the Fatherland, not Hitler."

Marga grabbed her hands, her light gray eyes pleading for understanding, "you have to realize Mandy, a soldier might be able to separate those two things, but how can you? Max is a good man, but well I've made my decision and I was hoping you'll come with me. I'm leaving for Switzerland on Friday and from there America. Please I've bought two tickets, just think about it. Please, promise me you'll think about it."

"Alright, I'm seeing Max tonight, I promise you I'll think about it, but that's all I'm promising."

Marga sat back and gave her a weak smile, "well that's all I can ask for now isn't it."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Amanda had opened the door and saw Max's face, she knew something was terribly wrong. Stepping aside she'd let him enter and attempted to keep her fear restrained.

She and Max had been engaged for the last year and were going to wed soon. When she looked over his tall frame she considered herself lucky. He was attractive and attentive, everything she could want in a husband. They'd meet through friends at the university and it was mutual interest that had kept them dating; now he was an officer in the army with prospects to move up. Taking her hand in his he'd led her to the couch, briefly touching his lips with hers. When she tried to deepen their kiss he'd pulled away.

"Mandy, I have something to tell you and I hope you'll be happy for me."

Forcing a smile she grabbed his hand in both of hers, "of course I'll be happy for you. I love you. What makes you happy makes me happy." Even as she forced the words past her lips the unease she'd felt when he arrived turned into stark fear.

Max's pale blue eyes didn't reflect any happiness. "I never said I was happy with this, but you need to understand that as an officer, an officer with aspirations, there are things I must do regardless of personal feelings."

"Well of course, Max you're starting to scare me what's happening."

Cupping her face with both of his hands he pulled her to him and kissed her with almost desperation. Pulling his lips back, yet close enough to brush against hers, "Mandy I was married today."

Grasping his wrists with her hands she pulled her head back. "Max that's not funny, you must be joking." The trembling in her voice gave away her true feelings.

Wrenching his hands free, "no Mandy I'm not, the leadership felt I should be married to a woman with better qualifications."

"Better qualifications?! My blood line is pure what the hell do you mean better?"

"Darling calm down, you're right, you were perfect but Magda is the daughter of a SS General and I thought…"

Amanda lost all her fight. Watching Max she realized that she'd been used. She was merely a stopping point till something else came along. Nodding her head she smiled at him. "Fine Max, thank you for at least being man enough to tell me face to face and I certainly hope that you get everything you deserve in life. Now I think you should leave."

Max paused taking a step toward her for a moment she was afraid that he was going to touch her again. Then he dropped his head, "I'm so sorry I never truly meant to hurt you Mandy. Be safe."

She managed to hold it together until the door closed. Dropping her head in her hands she cried for everything she'd just lost. The soft arms pulling her close only made her cry harder and she relaxed into the embrace. Her sister's soft voice soothing her, "Don't cry Mandy, you'll always have me. We'll take care of each other. As long as we have each other, who needs some silly man."

"Amanda, damn it open the door, I know you can hear me, open the door."

The pounding brought her out of the daydream. She didn't realized she been sitting here for over an hour staring into space, but obviously and hour was too long for Colonel Matt Decker who was currently trying to bust her door down. Pushing off the couch she wiped the tears from her face and headed for the door, managing to jerk it open before he hit it again with his shoulder.

"Do you have any idea how long my driver has been waiting on you? Are you packed, we need to get moving."

She watched as he spun around the room looking for a suitcase only to find it empty. His puzzled expression finally turned on her. "I thought you were packing?"

"I was going to but then I realized nothing here really matters any more. I have everything I need we can go."

Decker put his hand on the door above her head and pressed his body into hers. "Are you saying nothing here matters? Not even me?"

Turning she looked up to meet his dark brown eyes. Running her hand along his cheek she felt the stubble along his cheek from where he'd not shaved that morning. He really was a handsome man, his dark hair had only begun to show flecks or gray in the last year. Pressing forward she kissed him gently. "No Matt, you matter, but how can you ask me this now when you know that you are sending me to become the mistress of another man?"

Turning from her he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know, maybe this isn't such a great idea. I don't like the idea of sending you into such a dangerous situation, but Mandy I've got no choice."

Wrapping her arms around him from behind she laid her head on his broad back. "I know that Matt, and well, you can't make me promises anyway, regardless of how we feel about one another. How's your wife?"

She felt him chuckle, "you are a cold woman. You're the only person I know that would bring the wife up at a time like this."

Pulling away she stepped over to the window and looked out at the small park across from her apartment. "You never made me promises Matt and I'm a big girl, I care for you and I believe you care for me, but some things can't be changed. Don't worry I won't hold it against you."

She felt the heat from his body before she felt his touch. He let his hands caress her shoulders before sliding down her arms and onto her breast, cupping them. She felt her nipples harden under his touch. His lips brushing her neck in soft kisses caused her to shiver in pleasure.

"You know I'm sure we could spare some time, since you don't want to pack anything. Please Mandy, let me hold you again."

Turning within his arms she wrapped one hand around his neck, the other reaching down to cup him. "Oh yes, one last time."