The next day Alma found her way back to the building she had so recently feared. It was nearing four p.m. and the fog was thick from the previous night's rain storm. A storm that was so very fitting of the raging disaster she felt inside. Dressed in dark pants, tunic, and a thin wool coat Alma felt the breeze bite her like bee stings. She adjusted her scarf tighter around her neck.

She slowly approached the building and spotted two men guarding the entrance. She paused in front of one, speaking slowly in German. As it was not her first language she occasionally struggled with it, she didn't want to look like an idiot in front of these men lest they never believe her.

"Excuse me, is there any chance I could speak with Captain Hellstrom?" Speaking his name aloud suddenly made her feel even dirtier.

"What is your business with the Captain?" He replied strictly, hardly glancing at her.

"I...I would just like to speak with him." She almost added a 'please' at the end, but thought against it. Germans never say please.

"Is this an urgent matter, Fräulein?" Alma swallowed.

"Yes."

"Then I shall take a message and deliver it myself." Alma's breath hitched, she was beginning to get frustrated.

"No, it is very important that I speak with the Captain. Urgent, like I said." Alma pleaded, batting her eyelashes. The officer narrowed his eyes at her for several moments. He then nodded his head toward the adjacent officer who rushed through the entrance. Alma smirked. She couldn't believe that worked.

"One moment, Fräulein." She nodded and turned toward the street, watching cars and bicycles pass by. She pulled out a cigarette and lit it, watching the mist coat her fingers. They were still bruised, blood still stained around her fingernails like dirt, but she'd managed to cover the bruises on her face with some powder. She figured by now, though, the powder to be washed away with the mist. She did not mind.

Several minutes passed and Dieter had yet to step through that doorway. She glanced back at the doorman who just shrugged. She sighed and turned back to the street, lighting another cigarette.

What are you doing Alma? She asked herself, rubbing her forehead. She pondered the question for a while and assumed the answer to: exactly what she needed to be doing.

Behind her the door creaked open, she tried to conceal her smile. A quick footfall exited, followed by a more softened pace accompanied by that voice.

"Erich, what is the source of this urge-"

Alma turned and Dieter paused and stared at her. A smile graced his face for a moment, before confusion coated his brow as he stepped down toward her.

"Alma Antony..." She had not expected to feel such pleasure in him saying her name. He continued in English. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Alma swallowed. "I would like to speak with you, privately, if you'd allow it." Dieter tilted his head to the side, pondering for a moment.

"Why, of course..." He extended his arm. "You lead the way."

Alma swallowed hard and placed her hand on his arm and led him down the street. They walked for several moments before she could even look at him. And of course, he was staring down at her. She looked at his eyes, then his lips, then to the street. She spotted a covered alley way and ushered him toward it.

"I hope you are not planning on murdering me in cold blood, Fräulein." He chuckled. Alma lifted her arm out of his hold and turned away from him. She stared at the brick wall, shimmering with wet dust. "Alma-"

She groaned quietly. Why did he have to say her name like that? Like a hushed, lust-filled whisper.

"What did you bring me here to speak of?" She turned to him quickly, to which he jumped in surprise. She didn't say a word. She stepped forward, and without hesitation Alma pressed her lips against his. Suddenly an immense weight flew away from her in that moment. Dieter pulled back gently, his eyes widened slightly.

"I see..." Dieter looked Alma in the eye. She bit her lip, nervously watching him. At that lip bite Dieter grabbed her and kissed her again, fully, with all his strength. He pushed her against the wall and continued to kiss her. She ran her hands through his hair, knocking his hat off his head, it fell to the ground with a thump.

If his lips hadn't been covering hers, Alma would have been smiling like an idiot. Never had something this terrible felt so good. She pulled away from him, her forehead meeting his, their breath both ragged. Her lips lingered centimeters from his.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so precocious." Dieter smiled the biggest smile she'd seen on him yet. He grabbed her arms and pulled her toward his chest. Alma sighed into his rough leather coat.

"Alma, Alma, Alma..." He trailed off. She moaned into his chest. He smiled.

"Dieter..." She sighed out. His eyes closed and he sucked in a long breath, seemingly relishing in the sound of his name on her lips as well.

Alma lifted her head and smirked. She grabbed his arms and turned him around, pushing him against the brick wall she'd just inhabited. She kissed him again, fully. This excited Dieter as he pulled her hips to his, moaning into her mouth. He grabbed a chuck of her hair and held her against his body.

It was several moments before they separated. Dieter suddenly grabbed her and pushed her against the wall, nearly knocking the breath out of her. But she smiled, deep down she knew that they would have a power play.

An old woman suddenly appeared at the entrance of the alley, Dieter's arms rested above her shoulders, looming over her.

A worried expression creased the woman's brow upon seeing Alma trapped by a man in a Nazi uniform.

"Are you all right honey?" She spoke in French.

"Oui, I am. Merci." Dieter's eyes never left Alma's as the woman nodded slowly and went about her way. He smirked, still looming over her. Alma slowly reached inside her coat and pulled out a piece of paper. She slipped it into his coat, their eyes never separating. "Meet me here. Tonight. Eleven p.m. Don't be late."

Dieter brushed his thumb against her cheek bone and placed a hand over his heart. "I promise...Alma..."

Alma bit her lip as she stepped back from him. She turned and walked down the alley, fully aware he was watching her. Just as she was about to turn the corner she glanced once back at him, a smile on his face - staring back at her.