The OSS base turned out to be a normal, low-sitting building on the outskirts of an Allied French town. In Josie's opinion, it didn't look like secret military personal would be working inside.

But her opinions changed when they entered the building. Though on the first floor, it appeared to be a quaint little office building, all of the pencil pushers addressed the Basterds by name. Aldo smiled politely to the people who greeted him, but he didn't return their hellos.

The elevator took them underground instead of up. Stepping off of it, Josie saw what she expected of such a place: weapons lining the walls, men in uniforms, and a heavy cloud of cigarette smoke in the air.

Aldo was walking towards an office pretty far away, and Josie was following blindly when she was tugged backwards. Donny explained, "We don't all go. Just Aldo. Sometimes I'm allowed in, but only when I'm called for."

"Oh, I didn't know," Josie frowned. She noticed the other Basterds had sat down in a small waiting area. She joined them.

The minutes ticked by and everyone was showing signs of restlessness and anticipation at whatever news Aldo would come back with, if any.

After what seemed like an hour, a woman walked up to the group. She appeared to be in her early thirties. She had long blond hair, green eyes, and very large breasts. She was wearing a rather casual looking dress to be in this sort of place, but she looked important despite that. "How are my boys doing?"

As if on cue, all of the men stood and shouted and were generally excited by the woman's visit. "Vera!" and "Oh, V, it's been too long!" were among the greetings.

After a round of hugs, she focused on Donny, placing a hand on his chest. "Donowitz, you didn't exactly keep in touch after our last encounter, did you?" She asked quietly.

Donny rubbed the back of his neck, searching for anything to say. At first Josie was perplexed, but a second later she was fuming. She quickly stood up and positioned herself at Donny's side.

Vera jumped at Josie's sudden appearance, which caused a few of the guys to chuckle. But Vera regained her composure, "Ah, you must be Laroche. We've heard a good bit about you."

Josie set her jaw, "Apparently you haven't heard everything."

"Josie, settle down," Donny said with only a little force. "It's nothing."

Vera laughed, "Oh, I see. This is your new girlfriend. Cute." She turned to Josie, "I'd listen to Donowitz. I'm not a Nazi, you can't shoot me and expect to be rewarded."

Donny sighed as Josie crossed her arms. She didn't want to say anything else to this woman. After a long glance at Donny and then another threatening one at Josie, Vera walked away.

"What the fuck, Donny?" Josie asked in a dangerous tone.

"It was before you even came along. What do you want me to say?" He threw his hands up.

"I don't mean that. You didn't even try to stand up for me!" Josie was nearly raging now. Since being around the Basterds, her temper had grown more than she liked.

Donny looked around at the other guys for support. It didn't come. Omar and Andy actually shrugged as if to say, "Sorry, man."

Wicki nodded, "Donowitz, she makes a good point."

"It's not like I can just be rude to Vera, she's second to the boss!" Donny exclaimed. By now a few people around the large, cloudy room were quietly watching.

Josie sat back down, between Hugo and Utivich. After a few awkward minutes Donny walked away.

Smithson patted her shoulder. "You guys don't seem so great these last few days."

Josie tried to turn her anger and sadness into humor. "Are you flirting with me, Utivich?"

He blushed slightly, but the concern didn't leave his face.

After a few more minutes, Aldo was walking toward them. He looked almost too happy to be considered sane. "Big things are about to happen, boys. Very big things." He paused, and then asked, "Where's Donowitz?"

At that moment, there came a crash from an office on the right, with Donny running out of the door just as something else flew by him. He ran back to the elevator without noticing Aldo was back. Vera came out of the office with her once neat hair in shambles. She briskly walked back over the waiting area.

"You!" She pointed at Josie. Aldo stepped nearly in front of the petite girl.

"Now, Vera, there's no need to point. That's rude," He said smugly.

Vera was surprised to see Aldo; she gaped, and then continued, "Aldo, if you ever bring that French whore back in here, I'll rip her hair out!"

Aldo laughed, "Now Vera, our boss knows about little Josie here, and he's pretty enthusiastic about her being on the team. I'd settle down with the insults if I were you. Besides, this little French whore has done a lot worse things to grown men than rip out their hair."

Josie smiled, as Vera looked shocked at Aldo's words. Before Vera could retaliate, Aldo led the Basterds to the elevator and up they went.

Donny was waiting for them, cigarette in hand. "So what's going on, Lieutenant?"

"I've got some big news, but first why don't you inform me what the fuck just happened down there?" Aldo asked with his signature squinty face.

Donny fumbled with his words, "Uh, I-I, Vera mentioned this little thing we used to have, and then Josie got mad, and then they were giving each other these deadly looks. I didn't know what to do! But Josie got madder because I didn't stand up for her, so then I went to Vera's office… ya know… to defend Josie's honor, and it ended in some smashed vases." This was said at a barely intelligible speed, and there was lots of laughter from everyone else throughout.

Josie walked over to Donny and Aldo. "Well, I'm not sure what you said to her, but Aldo did a much better job of "defending my honor.""

Donny rolled his eyes. "Nothing's ever enough with you! I'm trying to do my best, and everyone knows I'm a fucking moron that's only good at bashing in skulls. Why can't you accept that sometimes I'm just a clueless asshole?"

Josie spoke quietly, "Well maybe since I'm so hard to please, we should just reconsider… whatever it is we're doing! I like that you're a jerk, Donny, it's who you are. But there are times when you take your girlfriend's side, even if it's stupid to you!"

Josie stomped back to the cars and got inside the one Aldo traveled in, ultimately leaving Zimmerman to ride with Donny, Smithson, and Omar.

Aldo sighed, "Dammit, y'all! I have to tell you the news! Now it'll have to wait till we get to the next stop…"

I'm sooooo sorry for the extreme delay. I had midterms to study for, but I should get right back on track now. Anyway, if you're still reading, thank you! And don't forget to let me know what you think :)