Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Hey guys. Here's the next chapter. Z's moved to the sofa... hold on... *reaches over and slips hand over her belly* Well?

~ Too soon to know, Ev. We've only been trying for a few days-

And you've been off your pills for three weeks because someone ran out and forgot to refill.

~ I didn't... exactly forget. And we've been using protection up until about... two weeks ago. But I'm hoping.

Well you're getting my hopes up. And probably all of theirs, too.

~ I doubt they would care whether we have a baby or not, or whether we're even trying. They're my readers, they don't care about trivial things like making babies. I know it sounds harsh, but-

How can you say that? They've invested in your writing and... and in this, since we've been sharing it with them. I'm sure if it turns out that we are, they'll be thrilled for you.

~ You think?

I know they will be. And even if we aren't, we'll keep on trying.

~ You still want to keep trying with me?

Absolutely. *pulls her into my lap* I love you. And... if it doesn't happen the first time, we'll keep trying until it does. I love you, Z. I'll try with you for the next two hundred years if you'll let me.

~ I love you, too, Ev. *curls into his arms* I want this so much.

I know, Z. Believe me, I know. I want it too.

- Sorry guys. Here's 21.

"The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world."

- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918 - 2008), Nobel Prize-winning Russian novelist

Berlin, Germany

8:00 A.M.

Adrian watched her dark eyes dart from the hole in the wall of his room to him and back. Clearly, she was in shock. Honestly, he didn't blame her. After several minutes, she was finally able to form some semblance of words. "You... you cannot be... be serious." She met his gaze. "You want Chava and I to live within a wall? How? It... it is not possible! There is not room for even a mouse, let alone two girls!"

He shook his head, moving to the hole and beckoning her forward. Slowly, she followed. "It's plenty big enough for both you and your sister." He said, as she leaned in to look inside. He was right. It looked almost like a small ante chamber within a castle, hidden away from the world. There appeared to be enough space for movement as well as to lie down, and even place a few things for safekeeping. After a moment, she leaned back and turned to him.

"How did you make this?"

"I didn't. When we bought the house, Father did some work fixing it up, and he came across it, but then he got busy and never bothered to fix the hole he left. It's a good thing he didn't." She turned back to the wall.

"So... you expect Chava and I to... to hide in here." He nodded. "For how long?"

Adrian shrugged; he hadn't really thought about how long they'd have to stay hidden. "... maybe until the war ends."

"But that could be years!" She cried. He rushed to her, clamping a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened at the close contact, and their gazes locked. He held a finger to his lips.

"Shh. You have to be quiet. My parents are asleep. Okay?" She nodded, and slowly, he released his grip on her.

"What if they find us? They will turn Chava and I into the Gestapo!" But he shook his head, reaching out and taking her face in his hands.

"No, Zara, they won't. Father feels the same way I do. He believes that Hitler is destroying the country, and the world, and destroying the Jews in some... misguided bid for complete world control. Today, when I found you, I was coming back from the courthouse. My father is a lawyer, but at night he makes leaflets and pamphlets protesting the Nazi regime. He doesn't believe like the rest of Germany does. There are good Germans, Zara. My family are some of them."

She bit her lip, glancing towards the door. "What... do you expect us to do during the day? Stay within the wall while you go to school?"

"I don't go to school anymore. I had to... leave because of the group I was affiliated with. We were nonviolent, lashing out at Hitler through words and paper, and those that led it were captured- put on trial and beheaded. Those of us that survived, we had to flee. Cora goes to school, but I'm not going back. I can do more good outside it than I ever could in." He sighed, as she studied his face. "Look, give me a couple of days to figure this out, okay?" After a moment, she nodded. "Good."

Then, without a word, he quickly gathered blankets and pillows and laid them within the wall, spreading them out so the girls could climb beneath and settle down for the nights ahead. At one point, he felt Zara's eyes on him and turned; she'd perched on his bed, and sat watching him, playing with something that hung around her neck. Once done, he stood, going to the door. "Stay here. I'm going to go downstairs and get your sister." She nodded, fear reflecting in her eyes. As he turned to go, the sight stopped him and he turned back. Unable to stop himself, he returned to her, leaning down towards her. She tilted her head up to look at him, and after a moment, he brushed a soft kiss to her forehead; their eyes closed as their skin touched.

He pulled away far too soon for both of their comforts, and hurried downstairs, soon returning with Cora and Chava in tow.