TC Stark: Hello, hello everyone! I do hope you all like this chapter, I really tried to pin point everything that would be going on in Assunta's mind regarding this whole Archie thing. As you can all imagine, it's not easy for a gal like her to just willing accept out favorite Brit's charm. So, I hope again you all like this and I look forward to hearing from you! Also, I should mention the story I write for Wicki is made up for the purpose of my story :)

Disclaimer: I only own Assunta and my ideas.

Chapter Seven

Buried under her large comforter, Assunta could not get the feel of Archie's body off her mind. His scent was permanently trapped within her nostrils. She had never really put so much thought into a man before, but the Englishman had made a home in her brain. Just as she had looked to pull him into her world, he had done the same to her. He knew how to play the game well and she feared that she might be losing.

Assunta had seen the smugness in Archie's eyes. He knew that he was reeling her in and made sport of it. Personally, she'd do the same thing. But, there was something underneath all of that. Something she felt as the two danced together under the dim light of candles. A sincerity that she had never really felt before. He had promised her that he wasn't taking her out because he thought she was easy, but then what was it?

The English were always so confusing. The Jewish American decided that she was over thinking it all and put off questioning the strange behavior. It couldn't have meant anything. Certainly nothing romantic. It had been long since she had even thought about something along those lines. Over the years she had seen what romance could do to a girl. And she was certainly not one to depend on anyone else other than herself.

Then why were her thoughts consumed with Archie? She had spent a lifetime of only concerning herself with her own success. Her own career. Her own happiness. Of course there were her friends. Especially Donny. And while friends were made to enrich the whole experience, at the end of the day there was only one person she needed to look out for. And that was herself. She didn't just feel that way because she was a woman, but because she was a human being and it was time people knew the meaning of self worth.

Truth was, though; she was having a fun time. That's all that should have mattered. When first seeing Archie on the street, the only intention Assunta had was to show him a good time. And that was all that ran through her mind. She enjoyed his company and didn't it a second though. The night that he had seen her and Donny together had really changed their friendship. She absolutely hated when shit got too complicated.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and a part of her wondered if it was Archie. Suddenly, the ball seemed to be in his court. Not too long ago she was the one ringing on his doorbell and having the upper hand. It technically was her turf and the Englishman was not playing fair at all. A small smirk formed on her lips, as the ringing continued. It was then that she hoped it was him; she'd soon get her footing back. Archie may have tripped her slightly, but she could quickly recover.

Almost invigorated, Assunta jumped out of bed and threw on an oversized button up shirt. It wasn't hers; she surmised it was one of the few collared shirts Donny owned. But, it was in her line of sight and she wanted something to at least cover her private parts when she opened the door. It was her house; she could sleep in her underwear if she wanted to.

Archie was not the one on the opposite side of her, but she wasn't displeased to see it was Donny, "Why are you so fucking cheerful? Do you know how early it is?"

Grinning ear to ear, Assunta lightly brushed her fist passed his bicep, "Just seeing your mug is enough to brighten up my morning."

"Alright, you're making me gag." The Bear Jew curled his lip up and rolled his eyes, while walking passed his female friend.

There was nothing like the usual berating to make Assunta feel like herself again. Sniggering, she closed the door and turned to follow her friend. Donny had already made himself at home on her couch, after turning on the radio. There was no way that he was going to miss a Red Sox game and if he couldn't physically be there, he'd make damn sure to hear it.

Assunta joined her friend on the couch, as he slammed his hand down and shouted, "Johnny fucking Lazor! You got your eyes up your fucking ass!? What the fuck was that? Catch the damn ball!"

Anyone could see that Donny was passionate about his town's baseball team. Assunta personally found it hilarious. Of course she was a Red Sox fan, but nowhere near as much as her friend was. Amused, she took a pull of her cigarette and stated, "Alright, give it a rest, huh? They can't actually hear you, you're gonna give yourself a heart attack."

"Listen, don't sound like my ma," He pointed his finger over, before looking back at the radio. He took a moment to make sure he wasn't missing anything important, while turning back towards the Rosie, "Hey, is Hicox still in town?"

"Yea."

"Good, bring him to the next poker night, I wanna win my money back."

Assunta snickered, while taking a drag of her cigarette, "Oh, come on, Donny, that's not gonna happen. Whether it's him or me, you're losing your cash."

Donny grumbled under his breath, as his friend sniggered before getting up and heading to her kitchen. She was personally starving and if he was going to rant around about the game, then she was at least going to make something. The advantages to living in an Italian household, was that she had been taught to cook. It wasn't about gender in her home when it came to food, even her brothers knew their ways around the kitchen.

But, it was just breakfast and simple eggs would suffice. While preheating her pan, she asked, "How is Mama Donowitz doing?"

Groaning, The Bear Jew hung his head back and complained, "She's on my fucking case. Asking when I'm gonna get married and when she's going to get grand kids. She's really doing my head in."

"Ha-ha; just what the world needs – a bunch of little Donny's running around."

"Hey," Donny pointed his finger at a laughing Assunta, "Don't talk about the future Donowitz clan."

While cracking two eggs into the pan, she grinned, "Oh, calm down. They're gonna be my future nieces and nephews."

Donny smiled at the thought. They were best friends so it made sense that they would be an aunt and uncle to each others' children. Hanging his arm across the back of the couch, he asked, "Hey, Assunta, after breakfast you wanna throw the ball around?"

Now, Assunta may have not been as crazed about the Red Sox as Donny was, but she did love to play baseball. And playing catch was so relaxing that she couldn't deny the offer, "Yea, definitely."

"Cool," The grin on the bigger man's face stretched from ear to ear, "You still got my glove, right?"


Assunta's afternoon was spent throwing a baseball back and forth with Donny. Moments like that made her feel like a teenager again. It was easy and didn't require any thought. Moments like that made her thankful for her life. She may not have had much of a glamorous life, but she enjoyed every moment of it. She had been through war and had almost died several times and doing something so simple as playing catch was like a breath of fresh air.

When she had got home, later in the evening; she had gotten a call from Archie not too long afterward. He had told her that he was heading back to England in two weeks for business and would like to go out to dinner with her. Assunta had laughed and agreed; it was time she gained the upper hand in their game again.

A part of her had considered throwing on her usual attire and proving him that she wasn't one to change. But, then she realized that it would shock him even more if she wore a dress. It would look like she was giving in and that his charm was working. Well, of course he was a charming man, but she was a tough player.


Archie was sitting at a small round table, at a nearby restaurant; when Assunta walked through the door. He had received a phone call that morning from his publisher, asking to come back to England so they could talk about his new book. A part of him was a little upset that he had to leave the Italian temporarily. It seemed like they were really connecting and he wanted to see where that could go. He would make it a point to make his time in England short.

The Englishman was in the middle of drinking his scotch, when he noticed someone was standing in front of him. Raising his gaze, his breath became hitched in the back of his throat. Assunta looked absolutely stunning in a long sleeved black dress that flowed down to the floor, with a slit that showed off her leg and the silver strapped heels she wore. When his gaze rose, he saw that her long tresses were pinned up and she wore red on her lips.

Once again the image of smearing the red off her lips ran through his mind. But, Archie quickly recovered while smirking and standing, "I see you decided to get done up. And all for me?"

Assunta smirked, as the Englishman pulled the seat out for her. As he sat back down, he noticed how confident she was. Her shoulders were held back strongly and her chin was tilted up. She had that vixen look that he had seen on her lips the first time they had met. It was clear that she was in charge of her thoughts, emotions, and movements.

A waitress came by and asked what she would like to drink. After quickly ordering a glass of whiskey, she turned back around and casually asked, "So, flying back to merry ol' England, hm?"

Chuckling lowly, Archie shook his head and began to speak, "Yes. My, um, my publisher is interested in a third book. This one will actually be on American film."

"And you have to go back to England to talk about America?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it is always easier to discuss things in person," Taking a sip of his drink, Archie coyly asked, "Are you going to miss me?"

Assunta cackled at the question, as her drink was placed down before her, "Absolutely heart broken."

Archie snorted, "Your concern for me is comforting."

"Only cause I really care." She grinned largely, while winking.

With an amused smile, he tucked into his inside pocket and pulled out a metal cigarette case. Tucking one in between his lips, he brought his lighter up to the tip of his smoke, "Well, I'm not just going back to England for work. There's going to be a German film night. Too bad you're not coming as my date."

Her drink was placed down in front of her, as Assunta snorted, "Oh, yea; German film night. Sounds festive. And what is the need for something like that?"

"It's not just any German film night. They're certainly not showing any of Joseph Goebbels. It's a tribute night to Bridget von Hammersmark. Not only was she a beloved German actress, but a vital spy for the English. The entire film community mourned her death and it's only fitting to remember her doing what she loved the most."

In the past, Assunta hadn't the nicest things to say about Bridget. It wasn't entirely right to speak of the dead in such a negative fashion, but they had gone to war with the possibility of not making it out alive. In her personal opinion, if neither the German actress or anyone else didn't want her in danger, then she should have never been made a spy. Causalities occurred all the time in battle and she didn't see a tribute night for all the members of her unit who lost their lives.

But, Archie really seemed to have liked the deceased actress, so Assunta decided to keep her mouth shut. Currently, he seemed to be able to handle anything she said, but she knew that voicing her opinion would be crossing the line. They'd no longer have a lovely evening and she personally didn't want his panties in a bunch.

Taking in a drag of his cigarette, Archie offered his condolences, "I know you lost two good men that night and it is unfair for them not to be remembered or honored."

Lighting her own cigarette, she nodded, "I liked Hugo. I didn't at first, because he was a German, but he grew on me. Both him and Wicki wanted nothing more to see the war end."

"They died for the cause. They were Basterds; they fought for what they believed in."

"Did you know Wicki has a son?"

It was then that Archie looked at her confused, as he asked, "Are you sure? He had never said a word."

Assunta's smile was lopsided, as she took a drag of her cigarette, "He met her when he first came to America. He wanted to marry her, but she's Christian and neither were willing to convert to the others' religion. But, they were in love and she was pregnant when he left. He didn't need to go overseas; he left Austria and became an American to escape what was happening to Jews. And he was about to start a family. But, he couldn't sit aside and watch a madman create mass genocide."

Archie couldn't believe his ears. He had no idea that Wicki had a family. They hadn't spent much time together and he guessed that none of the Basterds wanted to talk too much about their personal lives. They were at war and the only thing they needed to concentrate on was the main objective. The man put himself at risk, with a pregnant girlfriend back home. No wonder Assunta was so bitter at Bridget's mistake.

Clearing his throat, the Englishman lifted his glass while announcing, "To fallen comrades."

"To fallen comrades." Assunta lifted her own drink and clinked it with Archie's, before taking a sip.

Also taking a sip of his own drink, Archie smiled while asking, "You know, you've had this curious little smirk on your lips since you arrived. Is there something you'd like to share?"

The smirk on her mouth grew even wider, as she leaned back into her chair, "Aw, come on, chap, don't throw in the towel so easily."

Archie lowly chuckled, while leaning forward. The candle on their table lit up his face and his eyes bore into hers, "Do you believe this is some sort of game?"

With a wink, Assunta stated, "I'll admit, you're good. Getting me in a dress. Taking me out of my element. Well played. But, I'm better."

There was a confident smirk on Assunta's face. Archie rubbed his thumb along the butt of his cigarette, while running his tongue along the base of his teeth. Finally finding the words, he looked back up at her and slowly pointed out, "Assunta, there is nothing wrong with allowing someone to make you feel special. To treat you in the manner a man is supposed to treat a woman. It does not make you weak. Put your pride aside. Even just for tonight."

Archie's words stopped Assunta in her tracks. Instantly her face fell and her eyes went wide. It wasn't...wasn't a game. She didn't understand. Could he really be genuine? There was never a man who wanted to treat her the way he claimed to want to. His smooth words really resonated in her mind. It does not make you weak. Could that really be why she was so defensive? Why she felt the need to crack jokes in front of him and refuse to believe that they were actually on a sincere date? No. She wasn't like that. She had no self esteem issues. She didn't doubt who she was. She wasn't prideful...

Archie could see the confusion on her face and certainly did not want her questioning herself. She was such a strong woman, but she needed to push aside that stone wall and see the positive side of allowing a little romance in her life. Giving a comforting smile, he asked, "You really are out of your element, aren't you?"

"You can say that, chap." Assunta groaned, while rubbing her temple. He couldn't help, but laugh. Considering she was usually the one doing his head in.

Smiling, Archie stood up and held his hand out, "Would you like to dance?"

There was smooth music playing and a few couples were dancing. The Jewish girl slightly whined, "Again?"

Archie nodded with a smile. Assunta looked at his hand hesitantly, before taking it and following him out to the dance floor. She had gone into the date with a clear head. A confident grin on her face. But, he really knew exactly what to say. He made the argument that just because they were being romantic, didn't mean she was losing her independence.

Being pulled into his body, Assunta commented, "You really don't play fair."

"Well, you are a challenge," He smiled, while snaking his arm around her waist, "You are the most different kind of woman I have ever met. But, you have made home in my mind."

Lightly laughing, she commented, "Yea, that makes the both of us."

Archie smirked, while cooing, "Do you still thinks this is a game?"

Assunta raised an eyebrow, as the Englishman reached up and ran his thumb against her cheekbone. With his eyes bearing into hers, he smiled while then leaning down. Under the dim light, Archie gently pressed his lips against hers. They formed perfectly with hers, capturing her mouth as their bodies slowly swayed. And against her confusion, she gave in.