Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC's and all rights go to Marvel.

WARNING: I've determined this story to be going some very dark places. For example, it's set in World War II so there's going to be some disturbing things happen, and I don't want anyone to get offended. There's scenes with death, various types of assault (including rape) and it could prove mentally taxing for some people. I apologies for the person (who I won't name) that read this story and wasn't aware, and is also the reason I'm putting this warning up now. I've also put in place extra warnings for when these scenarios happen, if you still would like to read but skip ahead the bad stuff than you can. I rated this story M for a reason, if this is 'not' the type of story you feel comfortable reading I would suggest clicking the exit button.

A/N If however you do decided to read, let me know what you think.

I felt as if I were ripping into two. The pain was like nothing I had ever experienced, it was unbearable "Please…make it stop" letting out another loud groan, I gulped to feel my throat had gone dry. Screaming for what felt to be eternity, my voice had gone to nothing but a croak "please…it hurts. Make it stop" I begged wanting relief.

Squeezing tightly to his hands, I leaned back against the warmth of his chest. It was the only comfort I could find in a time like this. The only person who could keep me going. As long as he was close, that's all I needed to know everything would be okay. That I will get through this. That this pain would all be worth it "I know…" he said leaning down to whisper in my ear. Feeling his right hand come to my face, I breathed in and out as he wiped away the dampness on my forehead. I was both grubby and sweaty, and the place we now sat in was no better "I know it hurts…but you have to keep pushing" he ordered sternly.

Shaking my head, I looked down to my large, round stomach as my legs stood perched and bent in front of me "I can't…" feeling another gruelling contraction, I let out another scream. I wanted this to be over. Why couldn't this be over?

Feeling him hush me in a calm tone, he continued to give talk "Come on…push" he said as I squeezed his metal hand as tight as I could "…you're almost there…push" sucking in another breath, I groaned as I did what he instructed. Using my muscles, I pushed as hard as I could. Taking laboured breaths, I could feel that he was right. I was nearly there "that's it…good girl" he praised.

Tightening my grip like a vice, I gave one last effort before I felt a sudden emptiness. It was over. Feeling him shift behind me, I leaned against the dirtied wall instead for support. Closing and opening my eyes, I looked down "…James…" I called drowsy and exhausted from the long ordeal "…James…why can't I hear it? Why isn't it crying?" I asked, feeling my body slowly starting to panic. I had just realised, that even after giving birth, I had yet to hear the baby cry. What was wrong?

Staring at him as he crouched and pulled the new born away, I watched as he wrapped the silent infant into a piece fabric "She's beautiful" whispering, I could barely hear him as he cradled the bundle in his arms. It's a girl. A beautiful baby girl.

"Let me see" looking as James' gaze snapped from his arms to me, I noticed his steel eyes had gone hazy and clouded. Slowly making his way over to me, he gently passed the baby down. Nestling the girl in my arms, I stared down with tears in my eyes as I looked at the pale blue face. Her eyes were closed, and her chest was still. The little girl wasn't crying, because she was already gone.

Gone before I could even see the colour of her eyes.


1944

Standing in the knee length grass, I looked next to me to see my older brother Garrick watching with wide eyes as he peered into the distance "What do you think you two are doing?!" screeched our mother not far behind us.

Jumping from the sound of her voice, I picked up the edge of my dress and turned around to start making my way toward her. Stopping in my tracks, I noticed Garrick wasn't following "Garrick!" I yelled, my efforts failing to catch his attention. Looking him up and down, he appeared as if he had been turned to stone "Garrick hurry…they're getting closer!" I said storming back to him. Grabbing his muscly arm, I pulled him until he obliged.

Running back to our mother together, she quickly scolded us with a panicked look "Come on!" she said pushing us to get back to our small home in town "we need to get inside. They're almost here. Hurry now" picking up my feet, I ran as fast as I could in the dress that I wore.

Looking around, I could see a few stragglers as they rushed to get into the safety of their homes. Apart from the few people, the whole town was deserted. Not a soul in site wanting to be outside when the Nazi's came.

Since 1939 when World War II had been declared, my brother and I listened on the Radio as Hitler gave his speeches and America was sent into panic. Not a month ago, we were given the news that they were now coming here. For what, I didn't know. Maybe for more workers, or more people to send to their camps. Whatever it was. I didn't want any part of it. No one did.

After locking the door, mother turned to us. Her brown hair frazzled "Lock the windows and shut all the curtains" she instructed Garrick. Nodding his head, he did as he was told before, I too, was ordered "Amelia light the candles, it's going to get dark soon" rushing off, I went into the kitchen and collected the matches under the stove. Walking around the house, I lit all the lanterns and candle sticks until the three rooms that made up our sanctuary, were lit with a dim yellow glow.

Coming back into the lounge room, I sat on the scratchy couch as I listened to the tanks and soldiers come closer and closer. Feeling a dip in the cushion next to me, Garrick began to cradle me into his arms. Knowing that I was more scared than I was letting on. Being twins, he always seemed to know what I was feeling. Even if I didn't show it "It'll be alright. I promise. I won't let them hurt us, I swear it" he said, trying to reassure me. Wrapping my slender hand up under and around his arm, we sat huddled together as the sun lowered in the sky. Everything was going to change.

It seemed like hours. Staring at the front door, I could hear them outside; talking amongst each other. Their voices muffled so we couldn't hear. Mother had sat down at the small kitchen table, her head in her hands. I could hear her sobbing quietly. I could tell she was wishing with all her strength that father was still here. That he hadn't died of an illness.

Turning my gaze from the door, it landed on Garrick who had gotten up only to pace a few steps. Up, and then down. Looking into his brown eyes, they were filled with worry. Now that father was dead, he had been given the responsibility of keeping us safe; of being the man of the house. But I knew he was just as frightened as me, and confused. He doesn't know what to do. I don't think anyone does. All that we could do, is sit and wait "Garrick…please…stop pacing. Come sit down" I said, patting the seat next to me.

"They're outside Lia" he spoke, stopping his pacing to look at me. He had used my nickname.

"I know…but there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to wait. Just come sit…please" patting the spot again, he gave a sigh before joining me on the couch once again. Resting his elbows on his knees, I rubbed his back for comfort before threading my fingers through his thick chocolate brown hair. I couldn't help but realise, again, how similar he and I looked. We shared everything in appearance, the only difference was our gender and personality.

Peering through the thin drawn curtain, I could tell it was completely dark outside. Giving a small shiver, I also realised it was getting cold. Moving from the couch, I went over to the small fireplace and crouched down to my knees. Piling in a few blocks of wood, I lit a match I had put in my dress pocket. Carefully lighting the wood, I sniffed the air as smoke rose and flames bubbled to create warmth. Jumping from the floor, a startled tingle went up my spine as a loud knock echoed on the door. Looking to Garrick, none of us moved as another loud knock pounded again "Open the door!" yelled a man from the other side.

Hearing mothers footsteps, she went and did as the man instructed. Cracking it open, it didn't take long as three large men in uniforms barged their way in while holding their guns. Looking around the room, the men noticed me and brother before speaking again "How many are there?"

"It's only me, my son and daughter" spoke mother in a submissive tone. She didn't want to give them any reason to be violent – but they didn't need to have one. Striking her with the butt of his gun, my mother tumbled the floor with a squeak.

Quickly getting up from the couch, Garrick moved to help her when one of the men grabbed him by his collar to stop him "Take them outside" instructed the man who had spoken before.

Squirming with fright, another soldier marched toward me and yanked me up from the floor by my arm "Get outside" yelled my captive, pushing me with his hand. Stumbling along the direction, I kept walking forward with my head down low. Grabbing me by the shoulder to stop, I was pulled to turn around when I realised I was now standing in a line with a handful of other girls. Glancing around, we were all being dragged from our homes and separated. The young girls were in one line, boys in another and the children, parents and elderly completely pushed away into a separate group.

Turning to my side, I whispered to an unknown girl next to me "What are they doing?"

"I don't know. They won't tell us anything. I think-"

"You there girl…say another word and I'll cut out your tongue" barked a rather built man. Coming to stand in front of us with a clipboard, my attention became completely focused on him. Looking the military man up and down, I acknowledged he wasn't dressed like the other Soldiers. Instead he wore a neatly pressed uniform, with a badge I didn't recognise – a skull and five tentacles "Now, I want you all to tell me your name and age. If I think you're lying…then I will kill you. Am I understood?" he said, his accent thick with German. Nodding my head, a few girls down the line mumbled too quietly for his liking "I said am I understood!" barked the man again.

"Yes!" we all answered.

Watching the man move, he started at the end of the line before making his way down toward me. Standing a step away, he paused with a pen "Amelia Diederich, sixteen" I announced loud and clear. Scribbling the answer down, he moved on to the next girl and I silently let out the breath that I had been holding.

When the man had finished, he nodded behind him and Soldiers from all sides began to push and pull us toward a row of trucks. Frantically looking around, I tried to find my mother and brother. Thankfully I had eventually found the familiar face of Garrick. Watching through the crowd of people, I could see that he too was being loaded into a truck. Where was he going? Will I see him again? Still standing in line, I didn't have time to act when I was eventually pushed in by a forceful hand and out of site from Garrick. Tight and cramped, there wasn't much room for us to move and I prayed that the journey we were about to embark wasn't long.

Taking a deep breath, I could only prepare myself for what was to come.