That evening she walked home quicker than usual. Her run-in with the major had shaken her up more than she'd like to admit.

"Get your shit together," She whispered to herself as she changed out of her work clothes. "You're a federal agent for God's sake."

She was trained to intercept and decode messages, even trained to kill, but coming into contact with one of those barbaric animals and having to pretend like everything was fine pushed her right to the edge.

That night she dreamt of her childhood for the first time in years. She was with her parents once more in the garden behind their house. She dreamt she was picking flowers with her sister and playing catch with her brother. Suddenly her mother called her name, but as she turned to look she saw the major instead in his black trench coat, sprinting after her in his heavy leather boots. There was nowhere she could run, and no matter how quickly she moved, he was right behind her. Just as his hand clutched her shoulders, the piercing ring of her alarm went off. Air rushed into her lungs as she quickly sat up and silenced it. She lay breathing heavily, collecting herself before moving to begin her day.

Get. It. Together.

She willed herself to gain control again, but only time would tell. Thankfully it was her day off, and she'd no longer have to risk enduring the sickening attentions of the major. But her work was far from finished.

The knock at the door came exactly at 9:02 am.

"Madam Barteau, how lovely to see you," She said, as she greeted the woman with a kiss on each cheek just in case any of the neighbors were watching. "Please come in."

"Thank you, dear." The older woman replied as she walked in. The moment the door shut, business began. "There's been a new development in your station."

"What'd you mean?"

"Your partner has been replaced. Lieutenant Archie Hicox is the new recruit, and Prime Minister Churchill is quite thrilled with his placement."

"A Brit?" She asked, dumbfounded. "Why the hell would you choose a Brit to play a Canadian over an American? The accent is almost exactly the same!"

"His knowledge of German cinema and propaganda has proven to be indispensible," Barteau shrugged. "That coupled with the fact that he is entirely fluent in German prompted them to make the switch."

Anna sighed and lit a cigarette. Her German wasn't where it needed to be, she couldn't argue with that. Yet having a new partner entirely? She felt like a pawn being moved around a chessboard with her every move being decided by someone else. Except this wasn't a game; her life was on the line.

"Even so, cinema? What does that have to do with anything? We're here to take down the Nazis not take them to the goddamn movies."

"There's been a change of plan. Operation Kino is officially a go. Joseph Goebbels will hold his film premiere in Paris at The Ritz, and you are to attend as the guests of Bridget Von Hammersmark."

"Who?" She asked, as Madam Borteau slid her a photo of a blonde woman who was almost unbelievably gorgeous.

"A German movie actress. She's working as a spy for England. I'll let him fill you in on the rest when he lands tonight."

The older woman smiled cheekily, and somehow Anna knew this would end badly.

…

Aldo and his men were waiting at the rendezvous point when she arrived. They made arrangements to keep in touch almost monthly since she first landed in France, but tonight was different. Apparently she wasn't the only one who was hesitant to let a new member in, especially one they knew next to nothing about.

"How the fuck did we get saddled with him?" Aldo asked angrily as they waited for the new arrival.

"He's a film expert apparently. He'll help us get into the premiere," She explained but Aldo still looked dissatisfied.

"They think they can just change everything at the last goddamn minute. We don't know this fucker from Adam."

"At least you don't have to live with the guy," She retorted bitterly.

She'd had plans with her other partner. They'd taken time to memorize each other's backstory, habits, likes and dislikes just as a real married couple would. He was brushing up on his French before he'd officially join her, but now all of that work was for nothing. And all for some English prick who thought he could singlehandedly win the war with his knowledge of the German film industry.

"Oh yeah. That should be just dandy." Donny said sarcastically as if he could read her thoughts.

It wasn't too long after she arrived that there was a knock at the door. Wicki, Utivich, and Stiglitz walked in with their newest member. He was tall with crystal blue eyes. His gaze was stern yet soft at the same time. Truthfully he was more handsome than she could've ever hoped for, but he still had to prove himself as an asset to the operation.

"Lieutenant Archie Hicox," He said, sticking his hand out to Aldo. He took it and introduced himself and the rest of the basterds before turning towards her.

"Anna Thomas," She said stoically, shaking his hand.

"Pleasure," He replied, kissing her hand in an attempt to be charming. It had the opposite effect on his new wife, however.

"I gathered that," She replied, quickly taking her hand from his.

Aldo briefed them quickly on the basterds' status in the field and their next plan of attack. As usual they were working mostly just outside of Paris but would notify them of their next rendezvous point in a few days. They said their goodnights and headed back home. He offered her a cigarette and pulled out his lighter before starting the car. A smile curled around her lips.

"A good husband would light his wife's cigarette before his own."

He laughed slightly before leaning over to light hers. As irritated as she was at this last minute change, she started to feel like it might not be such a bad set up after all. There was something about him that was comforting; intriguing even. She checked herself as her mind began to drift too far into her emotions. This was business, and they had a very important job to do. She just hoped to God he wouldn't screw their entire operation up. She directed him back to the flat and quickly led him inside. Once more, as soon as the door closed business began.

"Ok, honestly, I'm just going to cut right to it," She started, pouring herself a drink. "You're not who I would've picked for the job. I had a partner before you who knew his shit and wasn't afraid of anything. We worked well together, and frankly I'm not sure the two of us have enough time to establish the same relationship without totally fucking everything up."

His brow furrowed slightly as he took a seat in the armchair.

"I've been here longer, and I know the mission inside and out," she continued. "So just follow my lead and try not to get in the way. Any questions?"

"Only one, and it's more of an observation really," He began, locking his eyes with hers. "A good wife would offer her husband a drink before pouring her own."

She scoffed and reluctantly poured him a drink as well. He slowly rose to take it, nearly pressing himself against her and intentionally brushing her fingertips as he took the glass from her.

"Thank you," He replied after knocking glasses with hers and taking a sip. He gazed at her intently just as the major had done yesterday in the shop, but, unlike the major, Archie's gaze seemed to light a fire within her. Her pulse rushed and heat flooded to her cheeks. He leaned towards her, but she stopped him before his lips reached hers.

"You know we're not actually married, right?"

"Right," He sighed and his jaw set in disappointment. "Apologies."

"How long has it been since you've seen a woman?" She giggled.

His brow furrowed. Before she could react he pulled her in and kissed her long and hard.

"Does that answer your question?" He asked as he pulled back.

Without another word she slapped him hard. She wanted to cuss him out, hit him again, and go on kissing him all at once, but somehow couldn't find the words or the will to do any of it.

"Well this is a wretched beginning." He sighed.

Her breath caught up with her at last, and she managed to clear her throat.

"I think you can find your way to the couch." She said quietly, looking up at him. "Goodnight."

"Yes. Goodnight." He replied, locking eyes with her once more.

That night she lay in bed wondering what the hell she was going to do. Instead of discussing their plan of attack they were on the verge of breaking the one rule she promised herself she would never break: falling in love.