AN: Hello readers! Thanks for all of the reviews and story alerts I've been getting! :) This chapter is longer than the last one. I have a feeling that you guys will like this one. Enjoy!
The truck rolled along the unsophisticated dirt road, rumbling as it went. It rolled over everything standing in it's path causing the insides of the truck to imitate the sounds of thunder. Everyone in the truck shifted and bounced around in their seats unintentionally, especially those who unluckily lacked seatbelts.
The inconsistant tumbling of the truck is what caused me to awake. I let my sleepy eyes close once again, trying to fall back asleep. For a constrained truck, I had slept quite easeful up to this point. I was in a sitting position, slouched over and leaning to my side on something warm as well as soft. Seeing as I was half asleep, I was under the impression that I was leaning against a pillow. It wasn't until a rough hand began stroking my cheek gingerly, was when I realized that it wasn't an object I was leaning upon. My eyes popped open in an instant. It was a person whom I was leaning against. Not just any person. Hugo Stiglitz. It was amazing how a mere few days ago I'd be fleeing at the sight of his shadow, but now I was snuggled up against him, immune to his intimidation factor.
I blinked a few times to get the sleep out of my eyes. I peered up at Hugo and took note of my surroundings. Hugo was sitting on a crate, so he was sitting higher than me, thus, I was leaning in to his stomach, or should I say abs. He had his arm tucked around my neck and navigated his hand to my cheek and grazed it gently.
He was looking straight foward at the wall with tired eyes. I couldn't tell if he realized that I was awake. Chances are he did. "Sorry Hugo." I sat up in a crouching position, and moved out of his grasp in the process.
"It's alright,"he mumbled. He sounded almost dissapointed, or maybe my ego was just assuming things again.
"So you're leaving tonight?"Hugo asked voided of emotion. He still wasn't looking at me and his lips curved in a sneer.
"What?"I asked in a panic. "Says who?"
He replied sounding just as irritated as I felt, "That's what Aldo was saying when you were sleeping..." I guess what they said was true. When you snooze, you lose, but this was no time for lame puns.
Now I was striked with a new problem. I didn't plan ahead for this. I didn't know what to do or what to stay to ensure that I stayed with them even longer. I should've thought about this earlier. Then maybe I'd have some sort of plan and wouldn't be distressed like this now. I couldn't let this end now. It was too early. I had to finish the mission that I started.
However, deep down, I knew that my mission wasn't the only reason I wanted to stay so close to them...I hated to say it, but I was becoming attatched. To all of them. Most of the basterds seemed like brothers to me. Although I was mildly tramatized by the thought of him still, especially Donny. Maybe I've been with them longer than I thought...
However, one of the basterds who I felt closer to that wasn't exactly the brotherly connection. He was the one who I had been in the embrace of moments ago. I hated to admit even in my thoughts that I actually liked him and in fact, was attatched to him. I just felt so safe. Like no one could harm me as long as I was with him. With Landa, I knew I was secure, but I didn't feel it. Hugo didn't need a high stature to show that he was powerful. All you needed to do was look at him and you'd be aware of how mighty he was. I couldn't say the same about Landa...
I felt the truck gradually slow up until it came to a halt. My eyes widened discreetly. Now what do I do? I needed time to devise a plan to ensure that I stayed with them longer, but there wasn't enough time.
"Looks like you're going now,"Hugo muttered. He sounded frustrated. I couldn't imagine why. Did he not want me to go either? Maybe he liked me as much as I did him. Another complication.
I had my eyes set on Hugo so intently that I didn't even notice Aldo making his way to the back of the truck where we were. I was feeling lousy enough, and he wasn't making me feel much better. If he would just look at me, that would relieve my worries even if only for a moment. All I needed was to see that strong look in his eyes.
A firm hand was placed on my shoulder. My head darted from Hugo and I looked to my side and saw that Aldo was standing behind me leaning foward, staring at me with a grin.
"You ready to go? Up the road a peice is a town. We drove even further just for you...So that you wouldn't be stuck in a town with Nazis."
I complimented half heartedly, "How thoughtful."
He slapped my shoulder lightly as he stood up completely. "C'mon." Reluctantly, I rose to my feet. I watched Aldo as he left the truck and expected me to follow.
I moved directly in front of Hugo to force him to look at me. I put my hands on my hips. I was thinking about yelling at him for acting so cold to me earlier, but I decided against it. "So this is it, I guess..." Just in case this was really the last time seeing him, I didn't want it to end on an angry note.
He sighed dissapointed, "Seems that way..." It was flattering to know that he cared though.
"See you around..."I mumbled and began to head out of the truck. However, I didn't get very far because Hugo grabbed my wrist to stop me from walking away from him. He yanked me toward him by my wrist and I ended up falling on to him so that I was sitting on his lap. I stared at him in awe, still not having my composure regained.
He smirked smugly at me, satisfied that he took me by surprise. I didn't have an opportunity to demand of him what kind of stunt he was trying to pull on me. Everything seemed to happen so quickly and I felt like I was moving in slow motion. He grabbed my chin roughly and pulled my face closer to his. Next thing I knew, our lips collided. For a moment I sat connected to him by our lips, motionless. My body reacted quicker than my mind because before I could think to pull away, I began to kiss him back.
Although this wasn't the first time we've kissed, this time I was starstruck. Last time we kissed, I felt nothing but repulsion, but now I felt like a jittery school girl who just recieved her first kiss. I even had butterflies in my stomach. It was so much different since now I actually develuped feelings for him.
I felt like such a fool for falling for one of the basterds. Falling in love wasn't part of my mission. In fact, it was something that was capable of foiling all of the plans that have been arranged.
What would Landa have thought of this if he knew? I felt like I've betrayed him now. I couldn't bear it. I was beginning to feel the same about a basterd and a sophisticated SS. officer. Compared to Landa, Hugo was only scum on the bottom of my shoe, so why is it that I care about him so much? I hated how it was impossible to really choose who you want to love. If it were possible, I wouldn't be feeling so much turmoil. All I knew was that I wasn't going to let my love for him be victorious without a fight.
We pulled away from each other abruptly when Aldo cleared his throat obnoxiously to get our attention. "Whenever you're ready, hun!" He sounded irritated. Maybe I was better off leaving now like this before my feelings for Hugo, or any of the others increased. Then I'll be able to tell Landa everything about then and sabatage them without feeling guilty.
"Bye Hugo,"I sighed. I didn't bother to say bye to anyone else because they were all sleeping. My eyes fell upon Smithson and I wanted to tell him by just in case I never saw him again, but of course he had been sleeping. Hopefully, I'd be able to come back, but I was sure that if I did, things would be so much harder for me.
Hugo nodded at me before I went. I couldn't help but to woder why he did that. The whole kiss thing. Maybe he wanted me to remember him by it. Surely I would if I didn't come back on the truck with Aldo.
When I got out of the truck I saw that he parked a distance from the town so we had some walking to do. "C'mon. I'll walk you there,"Aldo offered.
"What a gentleman,"I humored and smiled at him lifelessly.
He chuckled at me softly as we began walking. "Ya know..."he began. "I'm actually really impressed with ya. Earlier today I never woulda thought you'd be so...well, helpful...You did good."
I felt my face heat up and I knew my cheeks were turning red. "Thanks Aldo..." I knew that it was rare for him to give compliments, especially to me so I was going to take it without any objections.
He added, "I used to think you were another useless girl. I actually used to think you were the most annoying thing I've ever met, but you ain't so bad. I guess I was wrong about you." He sounded uneasy, like he was embarrassed to admit stuff like that.
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment..."I decided bashfullly and slightly confused. "I was wrong about you too...I used to think that you were just a stupid american without a brain...Oh wait, I still think that!"
He glared at me comically. "I compliment ya, and I only get an insult!"he exclaimed and punched my arm playfully.
I laughed and rubbed my arm where he hit me. If I was 'Cecile' right now, german officers would have killed him for such a gesture. It was refreshing to see that not happen for once. Afterall, I wasn't a porcelen doll, but they sure did think so. "I'm just kidding! You're smart and a great leader,"I told him sincerely. By the way, I wasn't lying about any of that. Although he got on my last nerve, I couldn't deny the facts.
He grinned at me widely. "Of course I am!" he confirmed.
Irritated by his childish demeanor, I pinched his arm causing him to fuss. "Don't let that go to your big head!"I shouted at him sternly.
He laughed and went quiet for a moment. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but he was holding back. I noticed he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye. "What?"
He looked foward as he spoke. "Nothin'...I was just thinkin' that, things aren't goin' to be the same without ya..."he answered uneasily.
"Hmm?"I uttered inquisitively. "How so?"
"I ain't gonna have no one to argue with anymore!"He exclaimed. "And it was sort of nice having a woman around for once..."he muttered the last part, humiliated to say it aloud.
"What was that last part?"I teased obnoxiously earning a glare from him. After a moment of walking in silence, I confessed,"I hate to admit it, but I'm going to miss you guys. I feel like I'm not going to be able to make it through the day without you guys."
He looked at me skeptically as I looked down at the rocks which I was kicking as I walked. "You don't think you're gonna' make it? That's wierd...You always seem so tough. Of course you'll be fine."
Our footsteps came to a stop at the entrance of the town. The lights coming from the town seemed to be the only light for miles in the dark night. I tore my eyes from the town and looked up at him bashfully. "Maybe, but I'm sure as hell not going to like it." I stared up at the entrance unwillingly. Leaving them was hard enough, but going back to Landa and telling him my mission failed already was going to be worse.
"You know Gabrielle...You ain't as bad to have around as I thought,"he announced. "In fact you're helpful. If you want to stay with us a little bit longer...we can postpone er, this..."he suggested generously. My eyes widened. My mission wasn't over! I couldn't believe it...I was convinced that this was where we end. I wanted to jump up and down with excitement, but I suppose that could wait till later.
"Seriously? You're the best!"I exclaimed. I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around his neck and give him a tight hug.
I felt him stiffen awkwardly. "Thanks honey."
Even though he got on my last nerve, you had to love the guy. Well maybe not that far, but atleast like him. No matter what the situation I was always smiling when he was around. Even in sticky situations, he always had his sense of humor, no matter what. Even when he was furious, he was still cracking jokes or sarcastic remarks. I loved that about him. When I was with him, I always felt content.
I pulled away from him and we started walking back to the truck. Now I knew things were going to become challenging for me. I had to be sure to not fall even further for any of these men.
He walked crookedly and crashed in to me purposely. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled to to him tightly so I couldn't move from his grip. "What are you doing?"I demanded and glared at him. I felt my cheeks heat up dew to the fact that he was so close to me. I tried to hide my rosy cheeks.
"Now what's goin' on with you and Hugo?"he asked spontaniously. What the hell? Where was this coming from? When I didn't respond, he added, "Are you two a thing now, or what?"
I shook my head smiling contently. "Of course not. I'm not anybody's girl." More of my lies. If only he knew about Landa.
He smirked and let go of me, but didn't let a gap form between us. "Let's keep it that way."
I stopped walking. "What?"I inquired completely bamboozled. "Are you jealous Aldo?"I teased.
His face blushed noticably causing me to laugh loudly. "No!"he denied. "I just don't want to see your tongues down each other's throats all day!"
"Just keep telling yourself that Aldo..."I mocked him passively.
In no time we got back to the truck. I went to the back where I had been earlier. I was awaiting to be interegatted as to why I was back, but it never came. Hugo along with the rest of them had fallen asleep.
I sighed and walked by him where I had been sitting earlier. I looked down at him indifferently. He didn't look like that cold blooded murderer when he was sleeping. In fact, he looked kind of cute. I wanted to...but I shouldn't, but I really wanted to. Oh fuck it. I leaned foward and planted a gentle kiss on his lips.
AN: I hope you liked it! :D I have an idea of who I'm going to choose for the 'love interest', but after reading this chapter, you guys should know that it can still go either way. ;) Review please! ^-^ I haven't gotten a whole lot lately. Please and thank you! 3 (btw; I don't know if I have, but if I didn't reply to a review, Sorry! _ I want to reply to all them, but sometimes I get confused and think I replied already but I didn't. so i don't know if I've done that or not)