I own nothing.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

You run behind Fritz, who is running as fast as he can while healing Ivan, who is spraying the area with minigun shells. Behind you is the team's other medic, Franz. Only seconds remain in the round, and there is only one intelligence case left to steal. You feel Franz's übercharge being deployed, and laugh, the sheer power washing over you. You rush ahead of Ivan, whose body is crackling and glowing with the effects of Fritz's übercharge. You find the case in a back room, snatch it, and run as fast as you can out of the enemy base, Ivan, Franz, and Fritz following close behind.

The four of you dodge Sticky Bombs, a few stray rockets, a burst of flame here and there, and finally reach base, tossing the case on top of the already-heaping pile. "Leetle girl is credit to team. Doctors, girl, and me need to team up more," he says, scooping you up in an enormous bear hug. You laugh, at once proud and full of adrenaline.

"Couldn't have done it without you, Iv," you answer, squirming a little, trying to find a way to breathe while the life was being unintentionally squeezed out of you. Fritz coughed weakly as if he is trying to draw attention to himself. You see that he and his doppelganger have their arms around each other, and you laugh. "Or you guys. Man! Did you see us? We were untouchable!" Fritz laughed, and Ivan put you down.

"You were amazing, meine leibe," he murmurs in your ear, pulling you into an embrace of his own. You breathe in the intoxicating scent that you have already associated with Fritz: his natural musk, the peppery scent of his shampoo, and a hint of black licorice. You sigh into his lab coat, kissing his neck softly. "Later, kӓtzchen." He releases you, and Franz takes hold of you while Fritz is crushed by Ivan. Franz smiles and hugs you lightly. "Come, kӓtzchen. Let us be off," Fritz says, taking your hand in his hulking paw and leading you back to tfort2.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

Back in the hallway between your rooms, you are still alone; no one else has arrived back at base yet. Fritz has a protective arm around your shoulder, occasionally leaning down to say something into your ear. "D-do you want to go to my room or yours?" you stutter, trying to keep your voice even. He growls and turns on you, pushing you up against the wall, pinning your arms behind you. He slams a fist against the wall near your head and you cower, suddenly afraid. He puts his forehead against yours, noses touching. You feel his breath teasing your lips, the minty aroma assaulting your nostrils.

"Mein Gott, Ich liebe dich," he growls, moving to bite your ear. You feel yourself relax, no longer afraid.

"Your room, then," you say, your voice quivering with anticipation. He nods briefly, picking you up and carrying you into his room.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

You lie with Fritz, head on his chest. "So... You'll stay, right? You won't leave me now?"

"Of course, meine kӓtzchen... I will not leave you," he purrs, his chest rumbling pleasantly beneath you.

"I've known you for a year or two now, so I think it's okay for me to say this," you say, pausing dramatically, "I think I love you, Fritz." He chuckles, sending another set of tremors through the bare flesh which you laid on.

"Ich liebe dich," he says simply. You pull away and look at him, hurt.

"I don't really expect you to say it yet, but couldn't you at least acknowledge the fact that I said that I love you?"

"I did, kӓtzchen," he answers, pulling you back down to him.

"No you didn't," you grumble, "All you said was Ich liebe dich." He laughs again, stroking your hair.

"I am very surprised that you do not yet know the meaning of that phrase."

"I told you that I don't speak German..." You massage your temple with one hand.

"No, but that is one of the German phrases that most people know," he says, capturing your hand and kissing your temple.

"Well, what does it mean?" Medic shakes his head.

"Another time, kӓtzchen."

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

Hooray for crappy sappy chapters! German in this chapter should be either easy enough to understand, or at least so overused that I don't need to define it anymore... But for the record, kӓtzchen is kitten. =p