Chapter 8
Victoria sat up abruptly.
"Hans." She whispered, poking his arm.
His eyes blinked open and he leaned forward, looking out the plane window.
"I see we are here." He yawned, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"I can't believe we actually made it out of the country." She continued to whisper, careful of their neighbors.
"Do not sound so surprised – I came well prepared."
"This is your captain speaking – we will have touchdown in twenty minutes. If everyone could please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
Victoria checked that her belt was buckled and saw Hans looking out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm fine; I will not go down in a torrent of fiery death." She sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Only checking."
They had caught an early morning flight and were currently entering London at ten in the evening on Christmas day. Ever since leaving the motel after Karl and then Theo, Hans had been checking to make sure she was still there. Every few minutes his gaze would slip over her to make sure she was fine.
"I have already told you that I'm not going anywhere Hans; I meant that."
"I believe you." He leaned over and gave her a chaste kiss before sitting back in his chair.
They began their descent. Hans clutched Victoria's hand tightly.
"Are you afraid of flying?" She asked with a raised brow.
"It is not my favorite, no." He replied, a nervous tick in his voice.
"Don't worry; nothing's going to happen." She promised.
Secretly, Victoria was a bit pleased that there was something Hans was frightened of. It made him seem more human to her, and less frightening. However, she would never use his fear against him, or make fun of him for it. Everyone had something they were afraid of.
"We're landing now Hans. It'll be okay." Victoria ran her thumb over the back of his hand in gentle circles.
He felt better, his raging stomach calming. Admittedly, he felt slightly ashamed at showing fear, especially in front of Victoria. The fact that she was not laughing, or poking fun at him made him feel better about it. He had never shared his fear of flying with anyone before. On the plane ride from Germany to America, he had simply taken a sedative so none of his men would know.
"I'm scared of boats." Victoria leaned over and whispered.
"What?" Hans turned to look at her.
"I know you're afraid of flying, and we're supposed to be learning more about each other. So, I'm afraid of boats."
"Why boats?" He asked his interest piqued.
"Ever since I learned about the Titanic in school I've refused to go on one. The one time I did, for a family trip to France, I made myself sick."
"When did you go to France?"
Victoria smiled; she had been trying to get Hans to forget about the plane's descent and it was working. He was also getting to know more about her, which was the reason she had come with him in the first place.
"When I was fourteen my parents took me to Dijon for two weeks. That was when I decided I wanted to learn French."
"So you have never been to Paris?" Hans probed.
"No never." Victoria shook her head sadly. "I wish; I've heard it's beautiful."
"That's where we are staying." Hans smiled at Victoria's astonished expression. "After London we are moving on to Paris, and eventually the rest of France."
"You mean we'll live in Paris and we'll get to go to the Eiffel tower, and eat patisseries?"
"As many as you want."
Hans leaned over and kissed Victoria's cheek. He would never grow tired of it; of being able to shower her with his adoration and desire. They were not safe yet, by no means. Victoria had only gotten John McClane to promise them twenty-four hours of freedom: twenty-four hours when they would not be harassed by police, FBI, CIA, or Interpol. After that, they would have to be careful; they would have to run.
Hans jumped in his seat when the plane landed and bumped its way down the landing strip. He fought back the raging current of his stomach, eyes closed. He tried to imagine a calm place: a meadow with beautiful flowers and it was raining…raining money. Hans smiled to himself as he imagined it all.
Victoria looked at the man in the seat next to her. She would only be able to call him Hans in private now. Until they got to the hotel and were secluded, he was 'Sir' and she was 'Miss.' They would come up with aliases at their second destination, which Hans had kept from her.
Victoria patted Hans' arm to get him up.
"We've landed." She said simply.
Hans promptly got up and reached overhead to get their carry-on bags. He had brought cash and a concealed gun in his, as well as his passport and several fake identities; anything he needed to make a quick getaway.
Victoria took her small backpack from Hans' outstretched hand. While he had been packed for this for weeks, she had not. All she had had time to grab had been some food from a local gas station and her bloody white shirt. It was a good thing she always carried her passport in her purse, and had grabbed it before leaving Nakatomi.
Hans shouldered his bag and took Victoria's hand, leading her off the plan and to the luggage carriage. They grabbed their black duffle bags and quickly left the airport before anyone could think they looked suspicious. Hans hailed a taxi and gave the man the address of a hotel he had reserved weeks ago.
"You really were prepared Sir."
"Yes we were Miss."
The cabbie looked at them strangely before setting off.
"When we get to the hotel, I'm afraid I will have some business to attend to and you will be alone for a few hours."
"Alright; I don't mind." Victoria said truthfully.
It was fifteen minutes past ten on Christmas but she did not mind being left alone. She knew what to do in case McClane had lied about giving them twenty-four hours. Nineteen hours had been used in travelling to London; they only had five hours of freedom left. Five hours before the running began.
"I'm going to meet a friend of mine for drinks." Hans continued.
"Well it is Christmas Sir."
Hans squeezed Victoria's hand gently. She understood that he was really going to empty his one of many of his London accounts and get a car. They could not stay in London; instead, they were going out to the countryside. In his scouting, Hans had found a quaint cottage home that was hours away from civilization. He had purchased the property under a new identity and had taken care of anyone who knew Hans Gruber had purchased it, and not Mark Vesterberg, his alias.
He was sure that they would be safe there for some months until the coast was clear enough to move into France.
"That'll be thirty quid." The cabbie demanded.
Hans sighed at his rudeness but paid him. Victoria stepped out of the cab and whistled when she caught sight of the hotel.
"Are we really staying here?" She asked her voice full of wonder.
"Do you like it?" Hans asked, taking the bags from the trunk.
Victoria took two bags to lighten his load and smiled. "I love it."
The cab had dropped them off at a tall building made of brick with old Victorian looking window hangings. The building itself appeared to be only ten stories tall, and old.
"This is a very old hotel my dear, and one of the best."
"It looks incredible." Victoria breathed.
"And they don't ask questions."
Victoria caught Hans' gaze and he winked before stepping inside. Piano music was drifting through the room and the source was impossible to tell. The air smelled of jasmine and freesia, which tickled Victoria's nose in a pleasant way.
"Sir, can I help you?" The man at the front desk asked
"I reserved a room some weeks ago; the name is 'Thomas'." Hans said, setting the bags down in front of his feet.
"Ahh yes here you are; would you like a luggage cart?"
"I would love one." Hans smiled devilishly, catching the man off guard.
Another man brought a cart over and began piling their four bags, and two backpacks onto it.
"Monsieur, these are quite heavy!" He exclaimed.
Hans looked at him with a cocked brow, daring him to speak again. The Frenchman did not. He finished his work quietly, whilst avoiding their gaze, and followed them onto the lift and up to their room.
Hans opened the door for Victoria and the luggage man. Once he had finished piling their duffle bags into a corner he received his tip quietly and left.
"What a bothersome sort the French." Hans commented, putting his wallet away.
"You don't think he'll get curious, do you?"
"No he shouldn't."
Hans looked around the room to make sure that everything was satisfactory.
"I do have to go now; I'll be back early in the morning. Don't unpack anything; we'll be leaving as soon as I get back here."
"I know; you only told me a hundred times on the plane." She said, rolling her eyes.
"I have had women not listen to me before."
"Women? Plural?"
Victoria frowned. Hans noticed and stepped towards her, pulling her into his arms.
"Women who have meant nothing to me. You forget that I am a man who likes very specific things."
"Like what?" Victoria asked irritably.
"Well recently I have found myself attracted to blond hair." Hans caught a strand of her hair and sniffed. "And grapefruit."
"Hans…" Victoria warned.
She was not in the mood to play games with him. He was trying to cover his slip and she did not want to hear it. Victoria should not have been surprised. Of course, the man had had previous partners: he was forty-one years old! Victoria would be twenty in just a few days…her birthday was December 27th. She had not told him yet; it was not as if they could do anything for it.
"Every other woman I've been with has been for sex, and that's the honest truth. I never found a romantic connection with any of them." Hans insisted.
Victoria did not feel much better; so he had had sex with multiple women. Strangers to her; women who were probably far more experienced; of course they would be. Victoria still had her 'V' card. This was also something she had neglected to share with Hans, for obvious reasons.
"I hate to leave you on such a terrible note but I must go."
"I know that. Just be careful, and don't get anything too conspicuous." She warned, wrapping her arms around him.
"I will be back, hopefully by ten."
"Be safe." She mumbled into his chest.
"Order some room service for your dinner, and try to get some sleep. We will have a busy day tomorrow."
Hans held her face carefully and softly kissed her lips. He wanted to get to know her as well as he could now, and slowly. In the rush of Nakatomi, their comfort level had advanced. He wanted to slow things down and really get to know her before taking things too far. This was the first woman he had felt this way about, and he was not going to ruin it.
Victoria deepened the kiss and pressed her palms against his back, keeping him there in her embrace. She knew he had to go but she did not want him to. He obliged the heat of his lips on hers but when the fire became too hot in his gut, he pulled away.
"Stay safe darling." He whispered, kissing her temple.
She stood there and watched him walk across the floor before opening the hotel door and leaving. It felt different this time; whenever he had left the office in Nakatomi she could follow. Always she could go where he went. Now it felt as if she would spend too much time apart from him, always waiting for him to come back home.
Victoria shook her head at the silly thought. Another, less obtrusive thought, replaced it. How can Hans get a car here? He would have to have a driver's license from England. But…he probably does have one, with as prepared as he always is. Victoria sighed and flopped down onto the queen-sized bed. The sheets were soft and their golden color relaxed her. She hunkered down under the blankets and sheets and quickly fell asleep.
†
"Whoa!" Victoria screamed excitedly as Hans raced down the empty country road.
They had been driving for hours; Hans had just announced that they were 'almost there'. He had arrived back at the hotel at a quarter to seven and taken their bags out to the car he had retrieved. They had left London immediately without a backwards glance. Victoria was a little sorry; she had heard London was a fashion capital and she only had the one outfit, which she had now been wearing for almost three days.
"Just a few more minutes and we'll be there." Hans announced.
"You still haven't told me where there is." Victoria complained.
Hans smiled from the driver's seat. Victoria turned right in her seat to look at him. The way his rolled up shirt and firm grip on the steering wheel allowed some of his corded muscle to show; his soft hands holding the wheel tight and the way his thumbs brushed the leather whenever he turned it. His smoothed back brown hair, with just a colorful hint of gray. She smiled whenever she saw the sunglasses he was wearing: tinted aviators she had bought for him at a gas station near the airport, before they had left California.
Hans saw Victoria watching him out of the corner of his eye. She looked so good sitting in the front seat of his car, that coy smile on her lips. Almost as if this was a normal couple's trip and he was not a wanted man the world over right now. He could not help it when his gaze roamed up from her heel-clad feet – for some reason he now found heels incredibly sexy – to her deliciously ivory calves, her thighs, and that damned black skirt that covered the rest. Even the awful purple shirt Theo had found for her looked good. Or is it just that she makes it look good? He asked himself.
Hans did not care; they were almost to the cottage and he could see her about to die from anticipation and excitement. He had been careful in Nakatomi to give her details, but not specifics. This was as much to save himself if she had changed her mind, as it had been to surprise her if she had come along. He was glad now that he had not told her. Every time they passed a tiny house, or anything resembling a house really, she perked up and looked out the window. She immediately would then look over at him with a pout and he would laugh.
He reached over a hand and touched her creamy thigh. Hans delighted in the shudder that ran through her body.
"Less than pleasurable thoughts?" Hans asked a wolfish grin on his face.
Victoria did not answer; instead, she leaned over the middle console on all fours and pressed her lips fervently against his. Hans groaned deep in his throat and fought to keep his eyes on the road. He took one hand off the wheel to grab her waist and pull her onto his lap, so his view of the road was not as obstructed. She bit his bottom lip in approval causing Hans to swerve the car almost off the road.
"Less than pleasurable thoughts?" She whispered in his ear, her voice a husky whisper.
"Damn woman."
She laughed in his ear before kissing along his jaw, his chin, and finally she put her mouth on his again. He kissed her back like a dying man desperate for oxygen. Her mouth was hot like fire and it burned but he needed it. He turned off the road and pulled into a long gravel driveway, finally turning the car off. She never once turned around to look. She only pulled away once to catch her breath.
"Do you not want to see the house? Because I could do this all day." He growled.
With one quick move, she was back against the seat and he was on top of her kissing her roughly. Victoria wound her fingers in his hair and pressed herself against him, trying to get closer. Her body was on fire and she needed him to cool it but he only made it burn.
Reluctantly she pulled away, her skin burning and her cheeks flushed. Hans felt the stoking fire in his belly die down, but only a little. Seeing her underneath him flushed and panting, out of breath, was doing wonders for his ego.
"I do want to see the house." She said.
"What if I do not want to let you?" Hans retorted.
He brought his mouth to her neck and nipped the skin gently with his teeth. Victoria gasped in surprise before her hand came to rest on the back of his neck, keeping him there. Hans was pleased that his playful attentions were causing such a reaction in her. He had honestly expected her to push him away and rush inside but this was much, much better.
Victoria's other hand came up to rest on his chest, feeling his erratic heartbeat. She smiled at the feeling under her palm. She let both her hands rest on his neck and with a herculean effort she pushed him from her, only to capture his mouth with hers again.
In Nakatomi, Victoria had made the decision to stay a virgin until she was sure of Hans and his intentions but every moment they spent together her conviction weakened. She wanted to be with him but she wanted to make love not have sex. Victoria felt that she did not know him well enough yet, was not comfortable enough yet – it had only been two days after all – but she wanted him.
As soon as her thoughts took this unsavory turn, she pulled back.
"I think we should go see the house." She whispered nervously.
She did not want Hans to think she did not want to kiss him because she did; she just did not want to be carried away.
Hans pulled away and opened the driver's side door, his expression blank. She wormed her way out from under him and got out of the car. Hans tried to calm his raging mind; it was full of thoughts of Victoria's sudden rejection.
Why did she pull away? Did…did her feelings change? No, how could they so quickly…is she nervous? Hans was not sure what to think of her reaction; clearly, they had gone too far. That was all, he told himself. Hans would have to be more careful with her, and not so hasty with his affections. It had not even been three days since Nakatomi and he had so quickly forced himself upon her.
He got out of the car and slammed the door shut, causing Victoria to wince.
"I will get the bags; you go inside." He urged her, a small smile on his lips.
Victoria breathed a sigh of relief; so Hans was not mad at her. She nodded her head and bounded up the stone path to the little cottage. The outside could tell her nothing of what she would find inside.
It was a one-story home with a stone path leading up to the white front door. The house itself appeared to be made of stone but…no. Victoria could feel that they were rocks glued onto the actual house itself. There were sedges planted on either side of the door and dark brown mulch for them to bathe in.
Victoria held her breath and reached out to touch the door handle. This is it. Once I open the door there is no going back. You could have come back from the kiss…from the hotel. But once you open this door that means something. That means you are his.
She turned the knob and opened the door, stepping inside. The house was dark. Suddenly, light and warmth filled the house causing Victoria to blink rapidly. Hans stood behind her in the doorway; he had flicked the light switch. He stood nervously behind her, hoping she would find the house acceptable.
Victoria walked around her, her fingers trailing over every available surface. The interior of the house was all one main room with the exception of a door for the bedrooms and a door for the bathroom. The floor was a dark paneled wood that extended into every inch of the place; a crème colored rug stood in the middle of the living room floor. A coffee table stood on top, surrounded by two plush armchairs and a crème colored sofa with three large yellow pillows.
The walls were an inviting green throughout the home, to give it a sense of continuity. There was a wood-burning fireplace in the living room, set away from the seating. There was also a large bookshelf filled with books and board games. Sunlight filtered in through the windows, giving the home a picturesque quality.
Victoria stepped into the adjoining kitchen. There was a small wood table and four chairs set evenly around it. The stove cooked on gas and hanging above it were pots and pans to cook with; the countertops appeared to be made of some sort of stone but Victoria was not sure. There was ample space in the kitchen; it had been made for a family.
She worked her way down the hall and peeked into the two bedrooms. Both contained a queen sized bed and a dresser, but no sheets. The rooms held no personality. A quick examination of the bathroom told her it would need to be stocked. There was one roll of toilet paper and nothing else; no hairbrush or toothbrush, or even soap.
Victoria turned around and ran into Hans, standing in the doorway.
"We'll have to get supplies." She commented, gesturing to the bathroom.
"Yes; I had planned on doing that upon my arrival. As you saw the beds also need dressings, and clothes will have to be gotten." Hans informed her.
"I didn't think to check the cabinets; do we have dishes?" Victoria asked, stepping around him to walk down the hall.
"I do not believe so." Hans called from down the hall.
He was busy putting away the duffle bags and his backpack in the bedroom nearest the front door. If anyone barged in, they would find him first.
"No; we'll have to get those too." Victoria called from the kitchen.
"Could you start a list?" Hans asked.
There was not a reply; Hans assumed she was busy looking for a pen and paper. He lifted a loose floorboard and dropped a duffle bag down. Another he put in the top of his closet. He knew there was a loose floorboard in the bedroom Victoria would be using so he headed across the hall to put a duffle bag there as well. The harder it would be for someone breaking in to find their bonds, the better. The last duffle bag Hans tossed aside; later he would bury it in the backyard.
"Have you finished?" Hans asked Victoria, walking into the kitchen.
"Almost; I'm trying to think of everything we might need."
"We'll only be here for a few months remember. Just enough time for me to empty my accounts and then we'll go to Paris."
Hans looked over her shoulder at the list she had made. She had started by room: dishes and groceries for the kitchen, washing and grooming essentials for the bathroom, sheets and pillows and blankets for the bedroom, and then clothes.
"This is good enough to start; you have everything down." Hans pointed out.
"Can we go now? By the time we're done shopping I can make dinner."
"It's only two in the afternoon; how long do you think this will take?" Hans asked glancing at his watch.
"Have you ever gone house shopping with a girl?"
"No; I have never before found a reason to."
"Trust me then: this will take until dinner time."
Victoria grabbed her purse out of her backpack and walked outside to the car, list in hand. Hans followed shaking his head. He really did not believe it could take so long to find everything.
†
"Did we really have to get so much?" Hans huffed, carrying several large bags of groceries inside.
Victoria smiled. She was in the kitchen putting away the food they had bought while Hans brought everything in. It was half past nine in the evening and they were both starving. She worked quickly in putting the groceries away so she could start on a quick recipe.
"I'll work on dinner if you could make both beds." Victoria proposed.
Hans huffed but grabbed the bedding sets. "This is all terribly domestic." He called from his bedroom. He started putting sheets on the bed before ending with the white stitched comforter. He put the pillowcases and pillows on the bed and walked across the hall to give Victoria's bed the same treatment.
"Dinner's done." Victoria yelled just as Hans finished fluffing her pillows.
He walked down the hall and to the kitchen, his nose wrinkling, as he smelled dinner.
"What is that?" He asked distastefully.
"Hotdogs and re-fried beans; I was too starved to try and cook anything else."
Hans scowled but his stomach chose to audibly groan at that moment. "It seems I am in no position to complain."
Victoria gave him a weak smile; even if she had made hotdogs and beans, who was to say she had not made them well? She handed him a plate and sat across from him at the tiny table.
Hans scooped the two together on his plate and took a large bite, his stomach yelling at him for food. He moaned appreciatively and started eating faster.
"So it's not bad?" Victoria asked coyly.
"It's delicious; and I never thought I'd say that about a peasant meal."
Victoria frowned. Apparently, Hans had a rather large sense of entitlement. She would have to encourage him to make another trip into town to get some cookbooks. She was good, but even that might not be good enough.
"I'm glad you like it." She said taking a bite of her own.
"My mother used to cook for Peter and me." Hans took another bite. "His favorite was when she'd get Dad to grill hotdogs and sauerkraut in the backyard." Hans paused and looked up.
Victoria smiled before taking another bite. It was good for him to open up, healthy even. The more she learned about him the more fascinated she became. So it seems he did have a regular home life.
Hans was speechless. He avoided Victoria's gaze and looked down at the table. He had shared a memory with her, and he had not even thought about it! It had all just come tumbling out with no warning. The worst part was it felt natural. He liked sharing himself with her. Why does it have to feel bad? That is why you brought her here…to get to know her, and to allow her the chance to know you. You might as well; there is nothing else to do.
"What was your favorite food, growing up?" He asked hesitantly.
It felt strange for Hans to be asking a personal question of someone he knew. He had never done so before with a woman; before they had all just been for sex. Victoria was different though; he cared about her; or he wanted the chance to be able to at least.
Victoria smiled, recognizing the effort it had taken Hans to ask the question.
"I was a typical California girl: pineapple pizza."
"Pineapple pizza?" Hans repeated in disgust.
"I'll make it for you some time; it really is quite good."
Victoria laughed at the expression on Hans' face.
"Are you done?" He asked, holding his hand out for her plate.
"Yes, thank you."
"My mother made Peter and I do the dishes; she did the cooking, we did the cleaning." He said simply.
To Victoria this was a much bigger deal. Isn't this domestic? Offering to clean when I cook, it's almost as if we're playing house. Victoria scoffed at her thoughts. We are making do with what we have now; in a few months, we will move on and…
However, she didn't know how to finish her thought. Victoria did not know what would happen in a few months. They would still be together, and in France. But how would their relationship have progressed? Would they be any closer emotionally, physically? Victoria hoped for more nights like this one, when they could be open with each other. It was a peculiar situation but one she had gotten herself into, and she would have to live with it.
"I'm tired; I think I'm going to settle in for the night." Victoria put her hand on Hans' shoulder.
"It is late; I think that's best." Hans continued scrubbing.
Victoria sighed but kissed his cheek and walked away. Hans smiled; yes, it was terribly domestic, but he liked it.
"Victoria?" He called.
"Yes?" Her head peered around the doorframe, her hand gripping the edge.
"Good night; stay safe."
"You too." She said with a soft smile tugging the corners of her lips.
She retreated down the hall, leaving Hans alone in the kitchen. He finished with the dishes and checked that the doors were locked before heading to his own room. Hans peeled off his shirt, his tired muscles aching, and kicked off his shoes before falling into bed, exhausted.
It had been a hell of a day trying to find everything they needed to make this place livable. Looking back on their shopping trip, and what Victoria had picked out, it almost seemed like she had been shopping to furnish a home. The thought brought a wry smile to Hans' lips.
A/N: It's been a while since I updated and I would like to apologize for the length of time. I've been working on this chapter for a few days now and trying to work on some sort of outline for the book (unsuccessfully). Hope you enjoyed, please review!
