Disclaimer: I own nothing but the original characters in this story. I have great respect for the real men of Band of Brothers.

Spoken German is written in Italics so nothing is lost in translation. :)

Chapter 7

Bastogne Belgium-German Headquarters

She watched the soldiers run across the frozen terrain and shivered as the fog from their heated bodies began to rise above their heads, mingling with the surrounding cloud cover. She hated the cold and always had; now she was trapped in what had to be the coldest place ever.

Kurt was kept busy trying to keep the Americans surrounded in Bastogne. Steffel was busy watching her watching him. Somehow they had managed to find neutral ground, for now at least.

They had moved from town to town surrounding Bastogne making it more difficult to provide information on the troop movements. Traipsing through the woods at night around here could quickly become hazardous to a girls health. Glancing over her shoulder she could see Kurt and another officer discussing something that was on the map laid out. She couldn't hear them and getting closer was too risky. Since moving to Foy it had become harder to find information and then figure out ways to get it to the Americans in Bastogne.

When they'd first moved into the area she spent late nights establishing contacts that could pass information, now with the circle tightening and the Germans becoming more concerned about a counter attack, getting letters to the encircled 101st was a real problem.

Every time the Germans fired into the woods she cringed. Nixon and Dick were out there and she knew if something happened she'd be months finding out. Her inner voice decided to remind her that he was there too. Frowning at her reflection in the window she tried not to think too hard about him, but was currently failing miserably.

When she felt the arms come around her waist she jumped, "oh I'm sorry darling, I thought you heard me. What is it that has you so deep in thought?"

Turning she smiled at Kurt, "nothing I guess I was simply daydreaming. So is your meeting finished?"

Releasing her he stepped up to gaze out the window. "Yes for now. These American's are stubborn. I don't understand why they continue to sacrifice good men, to hold one little town."

Laying her head on his shoulder she quickly changed the subject, it would never do for her to appear too interested in military conversations. "So what is it you would like for Christmas?"

"Humph, home in my own bed." Seeing the hurt expression on her face he quickly moved to explain, "no, it's not what you think. I'm just tired and well I'd hope to wait a little longer to tell you, but I must leave you alone again. I've been called back to Heidelberg. But I'll bring you something nice if you'd like?"

"That would be nice, so do you want me to stay here then?"

He patted her hand, "of course, the German position is strong, you'll be safe here. I'll leave Hans with you; he's still in no condition to travel."

"Of course my darling." When Kurt turned to go back to the meeting she let the evil smile she'd been hiding come through. This was the chance she'd been waiting for, Steffel was staying with her and that would give her a chance to take care of him for good.

Bastonge, Belgium-American side

Nixon did his best to shift position without dislodging any of the blanket he'd so carefully and painstakingly tugged around him. Growling in frustration he jerked the blanket back and moved positions. He had no idea what the point of trying to stay warm was. At this point, he didn't think he'd be warm ever again.

"Nix, hey I know you just got in, but someone's here to see you."

Letting his head drop back against the wall of the foxhole he thought about ignoring Dick and faking sleep. But if it was important enough for Dick to bug him then it was important enough that Dick would wake him up. "Yeah, be there in a minute."

When he walked into the tent that was currently serving as the CP he was shocked to see Speirs standing there. "What are you doing here? Looking for small children to scare?"

"Funny Nix, no I want to know if you've heard anything from Mandy?"

Rubbing his face Nixon cooled his temper. He couldn't believe that Dick had gotten him up for this. "No nothing, look I told you if I heard something I'd let you know."

Nixon watched the other man pace the small space, then tension rolling off him in waves. The thing Nixon couldn't understand is why he was so interested. As far as he knew there was really nothing between the two of them. "Look, Ron, you need to relax. I'm sure when she can she'll contact us, but you know as well as I do, it would be putting her life in danger if she was careless."

Speirs stopped pacing and pulled out one of his last cigarettes, "look, I just want to know where she is and that she's okay."

"For the last time, I don't know." The last three words were shouted and Dick who'd been a good twenty feet away looked over and lifted and eyebrow in question.

When Nixon shook his head Dick returned to the conversation he'd been having with Doc Roe. "Look Speirs, I'll find out everything I can if you'll just leave me alone."

He didn't like it, but knew he'd probably already pushed Nixon too far, so he gave a quick jerk of his head in agreement. "Fine, sorry I bothered you."

Nixon watched him go clearly confused. Dick nudged his arm and nodded in the direction Speirs went. "You want to tell me what that was about?"

"No, not really I've got to get some sleep. If anyone comes looking for me under the rank of General…tell them I'm dead."

German Headquarters

She paced her bedroom waiting, not patiently, but waiting none the same. She'd been watching Steffel's routine carefully. She knew he was still in pain from the shrapnel wounds, and while Kurt had been here he'd taken fewer painkillers. But tonight, tonight was her night. She'd seen him take his normal one late in the evening, never knowing she'd put two more in his coffee.

Smiling she couldn't help but feel elated. She knew you shouldn't feel happy murdering someone, but she felt confident that in this case…that she was owed a little happiness. Her only regret is that he was so drugged he'd never feel the pain, he'd never hurt like Marga had. She only wished she could inflict a little of that torture on him.

The noise slowly began to diminish and checking her watch she saw it was nearing midnight. After midnight the night shift would take over and there would be very few people around to see or hear anything. Also that would keep people from coming in an interrupting her.

Double checking the Luger she cracked the door and looked left and right, seeing only a pale light in the hallway. Kicking off her shoes she picked the pistol up and dropped it in her pocket. The chill from the floor was worse than she'd thought and her feet felt frozen to the spot. She had to get moving, his bedroom was only two down from hers, and she could easily slip in and out if she was quick.

Cracking his door she held her breath and peeked inside. The man in question was on his back with one arm thrown above his head snoring slightly. Smiling she quickly slid her body in and eased the door closed with a tiny click as the lock slid into place.

Balancing on the balls of her feet she quietly made her way to his side of the bed pulling the pistol from her pocket. Glancing down at him she found that even the hate that had driven her for so long was fading, almost to nothing. All that was left was the dull empty ache of loneliness.

Ensuring she was on the correct side she pressed the pistol to his temple, her intent was to make it look like a suicide. Squeezing back on the trigger she waited for the weapon to discharge.

The pounding at the door almost caused her to nearly drop the weapon.

"Herr Major, wake up. General von Hoffer is on the phone and he says it's urgent."

Jerking the pistol back she moved quickly across the room and hid behind a chest of drawers. Damn she'd been so close. Pulling herself tighter into the corner she was able to watch the room and still not be seen. The young soldier ran in finally managing to shake Steffel awake.

She smirked at how drugged he still was, she doubted he'd make much sense when he got on the phone with Kurt. But worse yet, she'd missed a very good chance and would now have to work to find another opportunity to set him up again.

Waiting till she was sure they were down the hall she quickly crept back into her room and placed the pistol back in its hiding place. Glancing at the back of the closet she could see the winter uniform she'd stolen and hid never knowing when it might be needed. Frowning she closed the closet door and leaned heavily against it. It would appear that the uniform would be needed sooner rather than later.

Hans watched the woman across from him. Frowning he tried to pinpoint exactly what was different with her. When the General had left she'd become very quiet almost withdrawn. She'd stopped baiting him with looks or comments and in fact appeared bored with his existence.

The guards he'd had watching her reported that she went to the makeshift hospital daily treated the wounded and returned here every evening retiring to her bedroom where she remained until morning. Something was off and he couldn't put his finger on it. Not that he'd had the time. Christmas was only three days away and there was news that an American armor unit was on the move. He had to be ready just in case they moved this way.

"So Han's if you happen to speak with Kurt today, please tell him I wish him a Merry Christmas. Good day."

Grunting his reply he watched her leave more nervous than ever. Something was going on and tonight he had to meet with the American contact in order to pass on the fake information. Whatever was going on with her would have to wait.

When Han's had sent word that he wouldn't be joining her for diner she knew that this was her one last chance. Claiming a headache she retired to her room and sent for some tea and toast. Waiting until the young soldier set it on the table and thanking him for his kindness she moved quickly the moment the door closed.

Rushing to the closet she threw on the winter uniform tucking her hair up inside the cap. She wasn't as stupid as Han's thought she was and knew that the guards would check on her in an hour and quickly made her bed to appear she was sleeping to include a wig she'd found.

Easing the window open she dropped to the ground below and hurried to the car that sat idling slipping easily into the back. Sitting in the floor she waited patiently until she heard Hans dismiss the driver and get in himself and pull the car away. Giving the situation another couple of minutes she eased from the floor and quietly put the pistol against the base of his skull.

"Well good evening Major. Nice night for a drive isn't it? My, my where would you be going on a night like this? It wouldn't possibly to pass on bad information?"

"You bitch I should have known. What do you want?"

"Very simple, you are going to follow the road for about a mile more then you'll stop the car and you and I are going to take a little walk in the woods."

"Are you insane, that's close to the American lines, you'll get us killed."

"Hmm, I never thought of that. But you see, I don't care, you're going to die tonight one way or another and why not let the American's kill you? At least that way you might not die a traitor."

She watched as his hands tightened on the steering wheel. She could almost read his thoughts. He was thinking about wrecking the car and possibly killing her in the act.

"Now now Major, I know you are thinking about running this car into the ditch and maybe getting lucky enough for me to die or be hurt badly enough to allow you to escape, but if you so much as twitch again, I'll shoot you now and take my chances."

His growl echoed in the car and caused her to laugh. She really was enjoying this. "Alright, this is far enough. Pull over and turn of the ignition and had me the keys."

He did as he was told and they moved out of the car as one and began the hike into the woods. She paused often to listen, knowing roughly where the American line was but not wanting to get too close.

"Alright that's far enough. Get on your knees."

When he turned to face her the same defiant look he'd always worn wasn't so confident now. "No and you can't make me."

Shrugging, "yes I can." Pulling the trigger she put the bullet through is good leg high in the thigh causing him to drop to the ground. "See, told you I could. Now shut up before we have more attention than we want. It's over and I have documents that will prove to either the Americans or Germans, whichever find you that you're a traitor to both sides."

Moving closer she pushed the gun against his forehead, her eyes never leaving his. "Before you die there is something you should know. The woman you shot the first time did die, she was my sister Marga. We were identical twins that's why you thought you'd failed the first time. So you see this time I'll be saying Auf Weidersehn and I'm not taking chances."

She took one step back and pulled the trigger the echo of the shot dying away in the frigid night. Pausing she looked up at the fog covered sky and drew a deep breath releasing it slowing. The anger and pain she'd been feeling for the last two years was gone, now she could move on. Tossing the gun down she quickly putting the damaging documents into Steffel's jacket and walked back to the car.

506th Headquaters, Bastogne

"How many times do I need to tell you I want those intelligence reports immediately? Damn it, we have to know what's going on out there. Has anyone heard from Nixon?

Sink threw the reports down on the desk. He was fed up with the new intelligence officer he'd been sent, but having Nixon out in the field was more important, but yet this guy was afraid to go out and get the latest intelligence from Nixon. Sighing he closed his eyes and gripped the area around the bridge of his nose. Damn did he have a headache.

"Uh sir, there's someone here to see you?"

Opening his eyes he glared at his clerk, "if it's name ain't Nixon I don't want to see them."

"Well sir, this isn't Captain Nixon, but well sir, it's a woman dressed in a German uniform and she said…"

"Well what did she say son, spit it out."

"She said she didn't have time to listen to some old man tell her he didn't have time."

Laughing he wave at the clerk, "bring her in, I know who it is."

Amanda entered the room and cocked an eyebrow at Sink, "well I see that your mood hasn't improved."

"Well I see you are dressed to impress. Where the hell did you get that?"

Dropping in a chair, "where do you think I got it? The German Army has lots of winter clothing. So can you give this to Nixon, it's kind of important. I need to get back." Standing she headed to the door pausing to look back, "oh and if you intend to invade Foy, morning is best and well you better move fast, they are waiting."

Sink looked at the letter in his hand and then watched the woman who'd handed it to him walk out. Damn if he didn't know better he'd have sworn it was a German soldier walking away from him.

Nixon looked at the letter in his hand and headed into the Dog CP. "Hey, I'm looking for Speirs, you seen him around."

The Commander waved off to the right side, "yeah he should be out there about twenty or thirty feet. Is there something wrong?"

"Nope, just need to give him something." Heading down the line he found Speirs leaning up against a tree smoking a cigarette. "Well glad to see you're doing well, I've got something for you."

Speirs took the letter and frowned, "what's this?"

"Well you see I've got no idea, Colonel Sink told me to get that to you under threat of death. Seems that the person who delivered that took a great risk seems they think you're worth it. Make sure you are."

Speirs watched Nixon walk over with a scowl on his face. Nixon was constantly carrying on with silly things this was obviously another one. Ripping open the letter he immediately noticed the writing was very feminine.

Ron,

Meet me tomorrow night in Bastogne at the bombed out building next to the church. I'll be waiting.

A

He smirked and folded the letter and stuffed it in his pocket. Yep, tomorrow night would be a very good Christmas Eve.