Part Three:

A Failed Attempt


Author Note: There is light smut in the beginning but nothing major, actually its more fluff than anything. But it has a purpose I assure you, you'll see more of what I mean when you get to it.


For the time being, Hans and Catherine moved into a small apartment in Washington. The two planned on staying there for about a month before traveling to their house on Nantucket island. Catherine sat idly in her room, getting some much needed rest after finally procuring the apartment and such. She tapped her pencil lightly on the desk, staring blankly at a drawing she had tried to do for a half an hour now. It wasn't much to her, just simple scribbles to pass the time. She looked up from her page, upon hearing a noise in the distance. Catherine set her pencil down, slowly walking up from her desk.

"Hans?" She called out, the thought of an intruder welling in the back of her mind.

"Hallo mein liebe," said Hans, walking up to her a wide grin on his lips.

"I would much rather if you would let me know when you come home rather than walk around and leave me guessing." She said, kissing him lightly.

"Of course, I'll see to it I remember to let you know." He said moving closer.

Hans pulled Catherine into his arms as she turned back around, taking her by surprise. She gasped lightly, not expecting to be grabbed, tightening up slightly. Hans could feel her adverse reaction to him, he placed his lips on her neck kissing up to her cheek lightly.

"Did I scare you?" He asked.

Catherine bit her lip, nodding her answer. She loosened up a bit at the sound of his voice, but she still held back slightly.

"Es tut mir leid mein liebling," he said apologetically, squeezing her a little tighter for a moment.

"Can I make it up to you?" Asked Hans slyly, his hands slowly trailing down her front.

Catherine felt Hans pull at her shirt, kissing her neck as he did. She turned around, placing her hands on his chest, looking up at him. His gaze met hers, he moved down taking her lips for his own in a strong kiss, his nose fitting smoothly with hers. Hans smoothed his hands down her sides, one hand playing with the zipper of her skirt. Catherine gripped his uniform tightly as she felt him slip her skirt for her hips, causing it to fall down to her ankles. She moved her lips from his, pressing lightly into his chest.

"H-Hans please slow down," Catherine softly commanded, her voice sounding small.

"Are you alright mein schatz?" Asked Hans caressing her cheek with his hand, brushing some of her hair from her face.

"Yes, j-just slow down." She stammered, pressing her quivering lips to his lightly.

"Alright," he said softly kissing her back, "I'll try to go slower mein liebling."

Catherine let a small smile slip onto her lips, she took in a small breath, wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him closer. Hans moved back to her neck, nibbling lightly as her soft skin under her shirt. Hans lingered for a moment, waiting to see if she would stop him again. Catherine said nothing, simply gripping him tighter. Hans grinned, pleased to see he could continue.

He moved his lips back to her shoulder, biting lightly at her soft spot. Catherine moaned softly, gripping at his hair. Hans smirked into his kiss, taking her reaction to be a right away to go further. He smoothed his hands up her shirt, briskly slipping it up over her shoulders. Catherine shivered slightly but she did not stop Hans. She moved her hands down to the buttons of his uniform, beginning to pull them.

"Shall we continue liebchen?" questioned Hans.

"Y-Yes" she quickly replied looking up at him.

Hans took in a breath, moving her over to the bed, placing his arms on the sides of her shoulders, his hips now straddling raised her hands to his cheeks, her thumb playing with the soft graying hairs at his temples. Hans smiled down at her, loving her soft innocent touch. He moved closer, pressing his chest onto Catherine's, his hips lightly grinding with hers. Hans moved one hand to his trousers, unbuttoning them, letting the garment slip from him. Catherine bit her bottom lip lightly, her body tightening against his again. Hans slipped his hand up to her breast, lightly groping her under her bra.

He continued to undress, tossing his jacket from his shoulders. Catherine's eyes grew wider as she began to tighten up even more. Her hands moved from his face down to his chest, pressing hard against him.

"H-Hans s-stop." She commanded, no longer sounding pleased.

"Mein liebe-"

"Please Hans s-stop," she pleaded interrupting him.

Hans leaned up from her, moving his legs from around her hips, a concerned expression etched onto his face. Catherine leaned up, her chest heaving up and down, her pulse racing. She hugged her knees to her chest, tears falling from her eyes. Hans moved over to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"I-I'm n-not ready Hans, I'm s-sorry." She sobbed, her black hair falling over her arms.

"I can't stop thinking about him Hans, that night in France. I can't get it out of my head!" She cried, her voice breaking as she continued.

"What would you like me to do Catherine?" He asked, brushing back her hair.

Catherine looked up at Hans, with red teary cobalt eyes.

"J-just stay here with me," she replied wrapping her arms around his neck.

Hans sighed, laying back, softly whispering sweet nothings in her ear to calm her down. Catherine's sobs subsided slightly, but her grip on him only grew tighter. She tried to get Ehret out of her mind, trying to simply focus on Hans' voice, but no matter how hard she tried 'he' was there. His piercing blue eyes tearing into hers, his fingers ripping into her scars, his foul alcohol stained breath on her skin, his body forced onto hers. It was because of him that she was afraid to be touched, even by her husband, she hated Ehret more than anyone, for what did she do to deserve this?

"I-I'm sorry Hans." She murmured softly, her voice still shaky.

Hans felt part of him tighten up, he could not believe Catherine was apologizing to him. To hear her utter those words tore at him harshly, making a tinge of rage boil inside of him for the man that caused Catherine such anguish.

"Don't say that mein liebe, it's not your fault." He said kissing her forehead, his hand stroking her cheek of the tears that trailed down her face.

"I-I know its b-been a long time," she added, her hand gripping his arm. "I-I just-"

"Shh, I don't mind, please don't think on it, there will be other times." Said Hans disguising the disappointment, in his voice.

He did not want Catherine know how much it bothered him that he had to stop, he knew she was going through far too much already than to have him add to it. His eyes trailed down her skin, feeding his imagination of their first night once more. He remembered how receptive she once was, there was no fear to hinder her back, she gripped at him tightly as he took her for the first time. Hans relished the memory, closing his eyes as he softly stroked Catherine's side. Catherine rested her head on Hans' chest, her arms wrapping tightly around him as if to protect her from the memory of France. She could feel his hands slowly caressing her sides, it was comforting to her in a way. Catherine closed her eyes, letting herself slowly drift off to sleep, letting Hans' voice lull her from her memories.


Hans walked idly down the sidewalk, briefly glancing up at his apartment. He placed his hands in his coat pockets, letting out a low sigh. A bit of walking was much needed right now, at least it would be something to clear his raging mind. It was mid-afternoon, there didn't seem to be many people out today. The air was crisp, lightly chilling as the wind lightly pelted his coat and face. Hans wanted to be with Catherine, but he knew the feeling was not entirely mutual between them. Here laid his problem, for what could he do to change that simple fact. Hans glanced around, spotting in the corner of his eye a small cafe. Maybe a cup of coffee could get his mind going on a solution. He walked up, his hand moving from his pocket to the door handle, walking inside. A few heads turned in his direction as the bell on the top of the door chimed, but then quickly moved back to what they were doing.

Hans walked up to the bar, where the barista stood idly, picking at her nails with a long silver file. He coughed lightly, catching her attention. The girl looked at him, her eyes widening sharply as they met the swastika carved into Hans' forehead. Hans followed her eyes to the symbol, frowning inwardly. He flashed the girl a charming smile, hopping to drift her attention from his forehead.

"Um, w-what would you like sir?" She asked, her voice a little hesitant as she picked up a note pad.

"Coffee, black." Said Hans in reply, looking around a bit.

"C-Coming right up sir." The girl walked to the back, where one of the other workers stood, just as bored as she was a few moments ago.

"That man over there, you see him!" She asked in a hushed whisper.

"Yeah, what about him?" He asked, oblivious as to why they were whispering.

"He has the- the thing on his forehead." She said in a hushed shriek.

"The what?" The man looked more over at Hans, but he was too far away to see what she was talking about.

"You know," Her voice dropped to an even lower whisper, "A swastika."

The man scoffed, shaking off what she said by simply replying with, "So what?". He took the note pad from her, glancing down at it. With out much hesitation he grabbed the brewing pot of coffee from the back, along with a freshly cleaned glass walking up to Hans. He placed the cup in front of him, beginning to pour the black coffee into the mug. His eyes lightly glanced up, meeting the swastika the girl was talking about. He tightened up slightly, but he did not give off a clear expression that he took any notice of the symbol. Simply smiling he walked back to the kitchen, where the girl stood, her hand on her hip and her face in an expression that read 'I told you so'.

"Yeah I see what you mean, but come on the war just ended he might just be an American who got caught up with the wrong crowd."

"But you didn't here him speak! That accent isn't any American one I've ever heard of." She seethed, taking the coffee pot harshly from her coworker.

"Well you think he's a Nazi? What kind of man carves any symbol into their skin like that?" He asked sarcastically, looking back with a raised brow.

Hans glanced up from his cup, despite the barista's attempts at being quiet he could hear every word uttered from her lips. He growled lowly, taking his cup to his lips for a sip. This was just what he needed, some ditsy American running her mouth off plainly in front of him, did she think he was deaf? He brushed his hand idly through his hair, trying to better cover the swastika from her prying view. The girl walked back up to him, flashing a laughably fake smile.

"Is there anything else you would like Sir?" She asked, her voice bordering on annoying him.

"No, thank you this will be it." Hans slipped some money from his pocket handing it to the girl, not bothering to look up from his cup.

The door chimed once more, causing Hans took look up for a moment. A tall, lanky woman with curling blonde hair and sharp amber eyes walked up beside him, taking a seat at his left. She wore a white-grey suit and skirt, her hands clasped in black gloves with a cream clutch in one. The barista looked over at the woman with bright eyes, as if she were a good friend.

"Hello Dr. Canton, will it be the usual today?" She asked in a genuine cheery tone.

"No Amy, I think I'll go with a regular coffee, light cream, no sugar." She replied, slipping her gloves from her hands.

"Coming right up," Amy the barista didn't bother to write down the order like she did for Hans. She walked into the back to get the coffee for this Dr. Canton.

Dr. Canton glanced over at Hans, taking in his appearance with a single lingering look. She turned more towards him, focusing more of her attention on him. She looked as if she were trying to distinguish if she had seen him before or not, her gaze more in a concentrated fashion.

"Forgive me sir, but you do look frightfully familiar." She said speaking up, "Have we met before?"

"No I can't say we have," replied Hans, glancing over to her.

"I know I have seen you somewhere," she mused aloud. "Oh but where are my manners, I am Doctor Elizabeth Canton."

She extended her hand for Hans to take, he received her hand giving it a firm shake. Dr. Canton continued to look at Hans, determined to find out who he was. Hans looked at her with a raised brow, and with a sigh he decided to offer his name.

"I am Colonel Hans Landa, pleasure to make your acquaintance." He added, taking another sip of his coffee.

Dr. Canton's eyes brightened instantly at the mention of Hans' name, as if at that moment she had figured out who he was. She smiled widely, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So you are the SS Colonel who received the Congregational Medal of Honor?" She let out a breathy laugh of surprise, "Never thought I would run into you so quickly."

"Yes I am him, though you seem quite receptive, rather than apprehensive to my presence Miss Canton," remarked Hans, "Tell me are you aware of my previous history?"

"Actually I am Colonel Landa, they say it was all part of the act for the Allies."

Hans could not help but grin widely when those words left her lips, his deal with the Allies went by so smoothly that even that little part got through. He leaned back in his chair, an air of confidence about him. Amy came back with Dr. Canton's coffee, a little shocked to find that she was talking to Hans. Dr. Canton nodded towards her in a silent show of thanks, but her eyes never moved from Hans.

"Yes that is true, and so here I am."

"So what do you plan on doing now that the war is over, find a wife, get married, or what?" She asked taking the first sip of her coffee.

Hans raised up his left hand, showing the wedding band on his ring finger. Dr. Canton's eyes grew a little wider at the sight, mostly surprised she hadn't noticed it till now.

"I had no idea you were already married, my apologies." Said Dr. Canton with a light laugh.

"It was quite recent actually," he said with a smirk "Rather quick as well."

"How recently were you married if it's not to bold of me to ask?"

"Less than a week ago," said Hans, twisting his ring idly on his finger.

"Congratulations," She said from behind her cup.

"Thank you, and I am quite curious Miss Canton, what kind of doctor are you?"

"Mental health, I am a therapist. Been practicing for over seven years now." She replied setting her cup down.

Hans thought for a moment, his mind drifting back to Catherine, could a therapist help her? He mused lightly on the thought, leaning forward towards Elizabeth.

"A therapist, you might be of some help to me."Said Hans, his hand lightly brushing over his lips.

"How so?" She asked, "You seem quite sound as of right now."

"I mean for my wife," interjected Hans his voice slipping lightly from its pleasant tone.

"What make's you think she is in need of therapy?"

"She has gone through more than her fair share of trials when she was in France. Trials that I am not at complete liberty to freely discus with you at the moment" He replied.

"I could arrange an appointment later tomorrow afternoon," said Elizabeth, handing Hans her business card.

"I shall let her know, though it may take some convincing on my part." Hans stood up from his chair, giving Elizabeth a wide smirk as he took the card. "We will be seeing you later then Miss Canton."

Hans walked out of the cafe, very much pleased with himself. He felt accomplished that an opportunity to help clear this problem with Catherine surfaced so quickly, even if he had to deal with some stigma before hand. Hans pushed his bangs back slightly, his finger tips idly touching the scar on his forehead. He would have to do something about that sooner than later. Hans began to walk up the few flights of stairs to his apartment, pulling his keys from his pocket as he came closer. He knocked at the door, alerting Catherine before he walked in. There in the foyer was Catherine, a book in her hands, her fingers gripping lightly at the pages.

"I'm home," said Hans walking up to place a kiss on her cheek.

Catherine smiled, looking up from her book. She placed it down on the table on its face, holding her spot for the time being. Hans sat down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"So did your walk help any?" Asked Catherine with a hint of hesitation to her voice. Part of her still felt bad about making Hans stop earlier but she tried not to let it show so much.

"Yes as a matter of fact it did," said Hans in reply, "In fact there is something I must ask you liebchen."

"What is it? and you can't surprise me this time, you already did that once." She said her fingers playing with her wedding band.

"I came across a woman, who I believe might be able to help you cope." Said Hans.

"You mean like a therapist or," she began.

"Yes, that exactly, I believe she might be able to help you move on from what happened in France."

"I never thought you would be up to such a thing." Remarked Catherine.

"Ah well I wouldn't think much on it if I didn't have a remote idea of it working." Said Hans,"So what do you think, shall we try this?"

Catherine bit her lip lightly, thinking on the idea of going to a therapist, part of her knew that it would do some good but there was still a lingering thought of it being a waste of time. After all what good could just sitting in a room telling a complete stranger things they could care less about while you paid them by the hour.

"This woman seems to have a good head on her shoulders, and from my judgment it might be of some good help to you."

"Well, what could it hurt." Catherine still was not completely sold on the idea but she decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.

"And I will be there with you each step of the way."