"Fuck a duck!" Donnie yelled once they heard the news.
"Alrighty, boys, who's ready to rendezvous with Hitler?" Aldo said.
The basterds cheered in response. A chance to win the war was on the horizon, and it was more than any of them could've ever hoped for.
"Since the venue has changed whatever explosives we've brought should be doubly effective. All we need to do is get them inside and ensure their proximity to the targets." Archie said.
"We got enough dynamite to blow those cocksuckers from here to kingdom come, so I reckon that shouldn't be a problem." Aldo responded as they all laughed triumphantly in response.
That night they strategized and made their big plan. Bridget would take Archie, Anna, Wicki, and Donowitz to get fitted for the premiere. Although the two basterds were going under the guise of members of the German film industry, they couldn't risk someone recognizing Stiglitz. Wicki was just going to have to do all the talking and pray that no one took an interest in Donnie. It was ultimately for the best though – if there was a chance to get to the Fuhrer there was no way the Bear Jew was going to miss it.
"Alright alright, that's enough business," Aldo said once they'd mapped everything out. "This calls for a little celebration boys."
Immediately the bottles of whiskey were brought out, and everyone was toasting a swift and imminent victory. For the first time in years Anna allowed herself to take part in the celebration. Her blood felt hot and her head foggy as the alcohol flowed. She laughed, and danced, nearly all of the basterds fought for a turn with her, and she could safely say this was the first night since she couldn't remember when that she felt happy. Genuinely and blissfully carefree. Archie stood across the room talking to Utovich and Ulmer. She made her way across the room to join the conversation, dodging attempts to dance again by Ulmer and Donnie, and smiled up at Archie. He had the wherewithal to know when it was time to leave, so he bid the rest of the party goodnight as he escorted Anna out to the car despite her weak protests. Truthfully he loved seeing her enjoy herself. Loved seeing her smile. And her laugh was infectious to the point that he found himself laughing just remembering it.
"Why did we have to leave?" She asked once they were back in the apartment. "We just started having fun and being friends."
She kicked her high heels off and began to undo her dress.
"Not here, Anna," Archie stopped her from going further. "Hold on."
"Oh I see," She said as he opened the door to her bedroom. "This is just another attempt to get into my panties, isn't it?"
"I can see why you'd think that," He said, turning on the light and placing her heels in her closet, "but a true gentleman never takes advantage of a lady when she's in such a state."
"A good husband…and his wife first…you know what I mean." She drunkenly stammered.
She crashed into him, and he stumbled back slightly as he turned to catch her in his arms. In an instant her lips were on his, and she felt her blood warming once more as he kissed her back.
"We shouldn't," He said pulling away from her. "It makes things more complicated."
"Killing Hitler's not complicated enough for you?" She laughed.
"Well I suppose you do have a point there, but – "
"Archie," She put her finger to his lips, "we're gonna kill the most evil man in the world at the end of the week…or die trying. I don't wanna…I don't wanna leave this earth not knowing what this feels like."
Without another word their lips met once more and they fell into each other's arms. Archie felt himself let go of all inhibitions and restraints as he felt her body against his. He knew they shouldn't, but considering they might die sometime soon what was to stop them now?
Still, as he held her, finally kissing her as he'd been wanting to since he first met her, he knew she wasn't prepared to consciously make that same decision for herself. Reluctantly he pulled away.
"We should stop," He said quietly.
She protested, but he left her to change without him. He heard her flop onto the mattress, and it wasn't long before she passed out snoring on the bed.
…
The next morning her head pounded. She slept in her underwear, and all of a sudden she realized she had no idea how she got home. Vague memories of a car ride and someone helping her upstairs flashed through her head, but it was spotty to say the least. She remembered her dream though. Archie held her in his arms and was finally kissing her just like she always wanted. A smile crept across her lips as she buttoned her dress up.
"Only a dream," She muttered to herself. "A good dream though."
She laughed a little, especially because her appearance this morning was less than ideal, but nevertheless she made her way to the kitchen. Archie made breakfast like normal, but with coffee instead of tea.
"Thank you for this." She said, mimicking a toast to him.
"I thought you might need it."
"So how drunk did I get last night? If I ended up kissing one of the basterds, don't tell me. Just let me live in blissful ignorance."
He laughed a little nervously as he scooped eggs and forked sausage onto her plate. So she didn't remember. All the better, he supposed, but part of him was disappointed. If she only knew how much that kiss meant to him. He wished he could tell her. Instead he did what he did best and put on an act.
"It was an interesting evening," He replied. "But more importantly we have a concrete plan for the premiere. We just have to keep calm and avoid blowing our cover at all costs."
"You mean I shouldn't tell my boss I quit because we're killing Hitler next week?"
"Probably not the best course of action."
They both smiled, made small talk as they ate the rest of their breakfast and she headed off to work. He smiled sadly to himself as he remembered last night. He knew after he kissed her that she would have no memory of it in the morning. That's why he stopped to begin with. But to him the kiss was everything he'd imagined it would be and more. That at least was something he could take with him no matter what happened.