Lemony a little more than halfway through chaper.

AN: I do not own the characters.


Chapter 6: The World's Oldest Profession

C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous, les deux ensemble
Toi que m'aimais moi qui t'aimais

Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants désunis.

"The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall."

(French lyrics by Jacques Prévert,
English lyrics by Johnny Mercer)

Although Mia and the girls landed roughly in the outskirts of the capital city, they were in one piece and had returned at last to their home country. The quartet weren't nearly as winded as they had been from the last transport. In addition to practicing transforming at will, Mia had easily slipped back into her leader role and had taken drilling the girls seriously. Breathing a sigh of relief, Mia would be glad for the change. Between protecting Serena, attending social functions, planning their politics, honing their new attacks, desperately missing their soldiers, and trying to come to terms with their former lives, the senshi were usually asleep as soon as their pretty heads had hit the pillows.

Amy had calculated the best time to leave and had accurately assessed the time differences. They were not going back in time, but merely moving from one place to another. It was seven hours later in Ginzuberg than New York, and dawn was just breaking.

Lita was the first to regain her strength and stood up, helping the others, "I wouldn't say we were ready for a trip to the Moon, but altogether, I think we did okay."

The others smiled and Mia began ticking off their mental 'to do list.' After destransforming, she said bravely, "Well, senshi, this is when we prove to everyone that they should take Serena and her court seriously."

As the more 'experienced' of the four, she and Rae had volunteered for the most difficult and dangerous duty. They would go undercover to try and become mistresses to some of the top Nazi officers. Neither girl was looking forward to what might happen, but both knew it was the best way to immerse themselves within the new regime. They would be privy to information that couldn't be obtained anywhere else. She and Rae were in this together and knew they couldn't allow themselves to see Jake and Malcolm if they were going to have the strength to continue with their plans.

Standing up straight, she nodded to Amy and Lita seriously, "You cannot let them know where we are or what we're doing. It could jeopardize everything. It's something we're going to have to discuss with them sometime when all this is over."

Amy asked in a concerned tone, "What if something happens to you?"

Rae said stoically, "We transform and find you, but don't worry, we're going to be fine."

The girls shared a hug before the pairs split up. Lita and Amy were going in search of the Americans, eager to add their skills to the cause. In the glow of the morning sun, the quartet parted ways, hoping against everything they would meet each other again.

Within hours, Mia and Rae had found a bordello near the Palace. Although Hitler abhorred any of his soldiers visiting 'ladies of the night,' these men were a long way from the reach of Berlin, and local establishments had seen a large upturn in business. The Madam of this particular club, Luna, was a beautiful, radiant woman with gorgeous black hair. Luna, who was just as wise as she was beautiful, recognized the girls as soon as they had entered her place and immediately whisked them to the back room.

"What do you think you're doing here? Have you two gone mad?"

Rae and Mia looked at each other. They had painstakingly changed their appearances, both sacrificing their gorgeous and recognizable locks, and exchanging their fine clothes for simple homespun.

Mia challenged Luna's questions, "Who do you think we are? You must have us confused with someone else."

Luna scoffed immediately, "I think I would recognize Princess Serena's court anywhere. You're endangering yourselves and anyone else who knows your here. If the Nazis figured out your true identities…they could hold you hostage."

"It's a sacrifice we must make for Ginzuberg," Rae answered boldly.

"You have heard what happened to the Queen, haven't you?"

Mia and Rae nodded sadly.

Luna burst out, "Then what are you doing here? Are you so naive that you don't think they'll do the same to you if they find out who you are?!"

Rae said confidently, "It's a risk we have to take."

Mia added, "Believe it or not, we're not as weak as you might think. Selena had us trained in a number of different types of combat."

Luna looked unconvinced that these girls - these teenagers - would be capable of fending off an abusive soldier or situation.

The fiery girl put her hands on her hips and asked, "So, are you going to help us or not?"

Luna thought a moment. In another lifetime, before the girls had been born, she had been a playmate of the former regent. She felt that she owed it to the fallen Queen to watch over these girls as best she could. She asked calmly, "What are your plans?"

Mia smiled demurely and said shyly, "We were forced out of our homes and came here to the city."

Rae said wickedly, "My sister and I have never known the touch of a man."

Luna, in all her years, had seen a lot of things. Still, her cheeks flamed as she thought of what these girls were willing to do. She addressed the two, "Fine, you two have proven you can act, but I still don't like this at all. I know you want to save your country, but there has to be some other way."

Mia said sharply, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Luna twisted her hands, "There have been rumors. Rumors that Serena…the Queen is to be married to a wealthy, well connected American. Surely they will come to our aid."

Rae laughed, "We just came from the wedding and unfortunately, that may take awhile still. We move faster than politics."

Mia concluded, "Listen, don't use us for regular customers. We only need to make contact with higher ranking officers. Can you agree to that?"

Luna looked out the window sighing, but nodded resolutely, "The children of this generation had to grow up too fast."

Amy and Lita moved quickly through the town, and were unconciously being drawn to where the American headquarters were. Art had set the group up above an old tavern in one of the oldest parts of the city.

The men had awoken simultaneously when the girls had touched down on Ginzuberg soil. Malcolm had quickly ordered them all to stay put, "With their recovered memories, these girls know exactly what they are doing. We will not risk our positions to ascertain their safety or objectives. I trust Mia's skills and respect her leadership. If she needs us, she will know where to find us."

The rest of the men visibly slumped. Zach took up a post at the window, while the rest of the men went about their business during the day. He waited patiently, willing his beautiful Amy to return safely to him. As the day was ending, he thought he saw a familiar figure.

Zach quickly found Malcolm, "I've spotted Amy and Lita, sir. Permission to retrieve them?"

Malcolm looked up from his maps, and nodded, "Permission granted."

Zach sprinted down the stairs and to the café he had seen Lita and Amy enter. It took all his strength and resolve not to sweep Amy up and never let her go when he saw her petite figure. Instead of embracing his love, he calmly went to the counter and ordered a coffee. He did his best to idly drink, while sapphire blue eyes stared right into his. After finishing, he stood up and left. He knew the girls were watching and would follow him when it was safe.

Malcolm paced the small room like a caged tiger. He had been interrogating Lita and Amy for hours and neither would give in. He growled impatiently, "Now tell me again, where are Rae and Mia?"

Lita, who was a master under pressure, locked her emerald eyes on Malcolm's grey ones, and answered, "I already told you. We decided it would be best if they remained behind to protect Darien and Serena."

Something isn't adding up. I distinctly felt Mia's presence here this morning.

Malcolm shared a look with Jake. Jake nodded, he had felt Rae this morning.

Zack and Nick were obviously itching to get some alone time with their former loves. Malcolm addressed the girls again, "Well, I know you've both had a long day. We'll finish our discussions in the morning, however, if you do happen to remember any details that might have changed, please let me know."

Lita and Amy shared a look, not likely, they would take the location of Rae and Mia to the grave.

Serena and Darien were riding a ferry back to the city. Serena looked up at Darien, the wind whipping her long silvery blonde hair around her face and asked, "They'll be okay, won't they?"

"I'm sure of it."

"I just wish I knew exactly what they were planning."

Darien wrapped his arms protectively around his little wife who was shivering with cold, "We all decided it was best if we didn't know exact details. Should someone interrogate any of us, they won't be able to get anything out."

Serena nodded into Darien's broad chest. They didn't say anything for the remainder of the trip home.

Luna was showing Mia and Rae to their new room and introducing her to the rest of the girls in the brothel. The pair had already come up with their names, Venus and Mars, and were surprised to be introduced to young women known as Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

In the privacy of their room, Mia and Rae discussed their day. Rae was brushing what was left of her long raven hair, "I don't care, I think they are somehow connected to us.

The blonde rolled her eyes and answered pragmatically, "Don't you think we would've remembered them? I mean, other than the whole 'planetary' connection - what else do we have to go on?"

"I'm not sure—"

There was a knock at the door.

Mia, replied softly, "Come in, please."

Luna walked in, a pained look on her face, "Looks like you're going to get your wish sooner rather than later. An officer downstairs, has a thing for blondes… He even perked up when I said we had a Venus."

Mia took a deep breath. There was no time to prepare. Only a quick hug from Rae and a check to make sure she had her precious pen on her. The blonde duchess walked downstairs and scanned the room for the officer.

As he turned around slowly, she gulped; there, in a full Nazi uniform was Malcolm! She looked pleadingly into his eyes, but it was obvious he didn't recognize her. His grey eyes remained cool.

"She'll do."

Mia swayed and passed out… The Venusian senshi only blacked out for a few seconds. The first face she saw when she awoke was the concerned look of…Uranus, was that her name? The woman with short blond hair and raging blue eyes looked over her and spoke in a low, almost masculine voice, "Get up. You're stronger than that!"

Mia's cerulean eyes opened wide, it hadn't been a bad dream, Malcolm, or whoever he was still standing there, leering down at her. He looked over at Luna, "If she's not strong enough…"

I'll show you who's strong enough…

Mia launched herself up and spoke up quickly, "I'm sorry, sir. I haven't had much to eat today. Please…"

The Malcolm doppelganger looked her over, "Fine. Come with me."

Mia allowed herself to be drug along.

This is not happening…

It was like a replay of every bad memory from her past life. Mia remembered the horror her past self felt when Kunzite had marched across the field with a look of murder on his eyes. This man had the bearing and coldness of the changed Kunzite. As they exited the brothel, the man looked her over again, his eyes stopping appreciatively at certain places on her anatomy. He barked in German, "You can call me Herr Kunsen."

"As you wish," Mia said demurely.

She followed him mutely though the Palace…through her home. It was definitely not the way she remembered things. Seeing her beloved Palace in its present condition was enough to make her choke back tears. Herr Kunsen led her to, ironically, her former bedroom and pushed her roughly onto the bed. She took a deep breath and tried to prepare herself for what was going to happen next. She kept her eyes squinted closed, tears leaking through her long lashes, but what she was waiting for never came.

"You will stay here."

His boots clicked as he walked briskly out of the room, leaving Mia to wonder if she had made the right decision.

Back at the brothel, Luna was in Rae's room, and commented, "It was the strangest thing. Are you sure I made the right decision by sending her with him?"

Rae scanned Luna's almost dark brown eyes with her amethyst ones, "What did he look like?"

"He was new. I've never seen him here before. He was tall, with the longest platinum hair I've ever seen. The hair was the thing that struck me as particularly odd. Most of the Nazi's are cookie cutter images of this so-called master race they won't shut up about. But this man…"

Rae shuddered.

Luna put an arm around her, very concerned, "Do you know him?"

Rae answered, "I just hope it's not who I think it is."

In a room just down the hall from where Luna and Rae were having their conversation, the other young women of the brothel were having secret talks of their own. Uranus was pacing around the small room. A delicate woman with short dark brown hair and greenish highlights, spoke softly to her, "Haruka, what's wrong, love?"

"I…I knew that girl."

Pluto, a long legged beauty with long, shining black hair sitting in the corner, said, "I think she's right, Michiru. There's something definitely familiar about our friends Mars and Venus. What do you think, Hotaru?"

The pale skinned girl with large purple eyes thought a moment before saying, "I think we are all definitely here for a reason, Setsuna. What that reason is, I'm not sure."

Setsuna crossed her arms, "I guess time will tell, but I feel we are on the eve of something very important."

After thoroughly catching up with Nick and Zach, Amy and Lita begged a few minutes alone with Art to catch up on some of their friends and advisors. As they walked down the hall, Lita told Amy, "Go ahead. I need to check out the kitchens here. I'll catch up with you soon."

Amy nodded, knowing Lita felt safest and most in control in the kitchen. It was her sanctuary, much like a laboratory was her own. As she walked downstairs, Amy was happily embraced by Art. Although the older man was like an uncle to each of the girls, they all knew his favorite was the sunny blonde duchess of the Western Lands.

After Amy filled him in on what had taken place in the States, Art looked directly at Amy, "And Mia? Please tell me she's okay."

Amy nervously chewed on her lip; Mia didn't say anything about not telling Art…

"Well…"

"Well what?"

Amy looked around to make sure none of the soldiers were within hearing distance. After a very brief internal struggle, she said softly, "She's here."

"What?!" He was surprised to hear the information. He didn't believe Mia would leave her Princess alone in a foreign country.

"Shhhh…"

"But, what about Serena, you all left her?"

Amy quickly came up with an excuse. She didn't think Art was going to believe Serena had unlocked some serious magical powers in her absence, never mind the fact that the family she married into was very well connected. The senshi from Mercury answered simply, "Just know that Serena is safe…we all agreed she was safer there than she was going to be here."

"But the young Princess…the Queen, on her own?"

Amy looked directly into Art's silver eyes and said sternly, "She's fine. Don't worry."

Art was taken aback; he had never seen the petite duchess show this kind of emotion. He supposed the girls had been through and seen things no royalty or gently bred young women should ever be witness to. He took a deep breath, and replied, "I trust you. Now, you said Mia is here…can I go to her?"

Lita had overheard Art's first outburst and had joined the pair. Her emerald eyes searched Amy's sapphire ones. Although Mia was the experienced leader, Lita and Amy knew she could sometimes go overboard at the detriment of her own self. Not to mention, if anything should happen to them, they needed an ally to be aware they were not alone in the country. Lita confided, "She and Rae are both here."

Art let loose a sigh of relief.

Lita continued, "And are in the closest brothel they could find to the Palace."

Art looked confused and asked, "Why would the duchesses be there? Surely they will be recognized?"

"They are going to be um, employed there."

Art's silvery blue eyes grew huge, and he hissed at Lita and Amy, "Are you telling me that two of the duchesses of this great country, members of the court of Queen Serena are going to become…ladies of the night?"

The girls nodded. Art turned around and stormed out of the building.

Lita said drily, "Well, that went rather well."

"What did you think was going to happen?"

Lita linked one of her arms through Amy's as they walked back to the command room, "I just hope he can get them out before anything happens."

Art didn't care who saw him, he had to find Mia. He was all she had...

A much younger Art looked at his new charge. Duchess Mia from the Western lands had recently arrived at the Palace. She was the only daughter of a rich lord and a beautiful duchess…both of whom had recently passed away in a terrible accident. Mia was too young to really know what had happened. Without questioning her decision, the bachelor Art had accepted the Queen's decree to become the guardian of the young girl.

Selena and Mia's mother had been close friends, and Selena knew it was the right thing to have her own daughter, the Crown Princess, and Mia grow up together.

Once she was settled, Art had taken Mia to meet the Princess, only a year old, for the first time. Mia peered over the edge of a beautiful bassinet, "Is that Sewena?"

Art nodded, "One day she'll be your Queen."

"Can I be a pwincess then?"

Art gave a kiss on the top of her blonde head, "You can be whatever you want to be."

On lookout duty from the roof above, Malcolm saw Art tearing out into the night. He looked over to Jake and requested, "Follow him, will you? I will not have our plans be jeopardized."

Jake covertly followed Art through the nearly deserted streets. Something deep was pushing the older man forward. It was close to the city sanctioned curfew and whatever, or whoever, Art was after was worth risking his life. The solider was more than surprised as Art turned onto a very distinct street.

What in the hell is Art doing here?!

Jake hung back and watched as Art when in and out of the different brothels. When the older man went into one and didn't come out for some time, Jake knew he was cornered. Jake made his way into the brothel called Luna's.

Art was completely embarrassed and exhausted. He walked up to the bar and slumped down.

"What'll it be, stranger?"

Art looked up and locked eyes with one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She had long, curly black almost purple hair and was wearing a fetching yellow dress. He tried to form an answer.

"Cat got your tongue, darling?"

Art still couldn't speak.

"I've seen that look before. Let me pour you a drink."

Jake took a seat near the back and looked around. He saw Art chatting up a beautiful woman behind the bar and wondered why they hadn't picked up on this romance before. He was biding his time to follow Art's return when he caught a glimpse of raven hair and some familiar cruves.

It couldn't be…could it?

Jake glanced at Art, who was obviously not going anywhere for a the next few minutes and followed the mystery woman. She was making her way up the stairs, when he called out, "Miss?"

She slowly turned around.

Jake whispered, "Firefly?"

Rae flew down the stairs and straight into his arms.

Mia looked out the window of her old room. She was struck by how many times she had looked out this window before…in what seemed like another lifetime entirely. The clouds broke and Mia saw the moon…that had truly been another lifetime. Mia remembered how she had been instantly infatuated by Malcolm, General Kunzite then…which brought her back to what was in front of her this evening. Who was the man who had brought her to the Palace tonight? He was an identical twin to Kunzite, right down to the long platinum hair. Malcolm, also identical to Kunzite, had his hair cut short. Why were there two of them? If Malcolm was the reincarnated Kunzite, just as she was the reincarnated Sailor Venus, then who was Herr Kunsen?

Mia sighed and wished she had Amy's powers of deduction, Rae's bravery, and Lita's strength. Her fellow senshi, she reminded herself, she was here for them.

"Herr Kunsen" alias Captain Steig walked away from the room unsure of himself. He had put on a good show at the brothel where he had found the wench, but there was something altogether unsettling about her. When she had looked up with him with those big blue eyes, he had an eerie case of déjà vu.

No…he wouldn't do anything with her just yet, not until he figured out what was going on.

Jake could not contain the grin on his face as he swept up Rae into a big hug. Then he squared her shoulders and looked directly into her purple eyes, "What in the hell are you doing here? Don't tell me you work here!"

Rae looked around desperately, "Keep your voice down!"

She grabbed his hand and led him out into a small courtyard. She sat down at a bench and sighed, "Come on, Jake, I think you of all people should be able to guess why I'm here."

It only took a few seconds for the quick-witted American to put things together, "Surely there are other ways to access the soldiers."

Rae's mind was reeling, Jake was not supposed to be here and sent her carefully crafted resolve into a desperate tailspin. She asked sadly, "Do you know any?"

Jake looked her directly in the eyes, "Amy and Lita came to the base. Couldn't you have at least come and seen me?"

Rae looked away, so Jake couldn't see the tears in her eyes, "It's for the best."

"The hell it is!"

"Jake, this is why I couldn't see you. If I..." Rae's voice cracked.

Jake reached over and held her hand. Rae took a deep breath and continued, "I knew if I saw you, I wouldn't be able to come here and complete my assignment. You'd give me that look."

Jake was indeed giving her that look. Rae continued, "And it would make it nearly impossible for me to leave your side."

"I don't know what to say."

"Just…please…don't ask me to return with you."

Jake stood up and started pacing, "I promised myself the next time I saw you that I wouldn't ever leave your side. We've already wasted so much time in this life and there's so much to make up for…"

Rae was trying her best not to break down completely, "I'm just asking for a few more weeks. Not for me, but for my Queen, my country..."

Jake had not stopped pacing, "You're telling me I have to stand by while you stay here and…" he couldn't bring himself to say what she was doing here, "And, be with Nazi soldiers."

"Yes."

Jake stopped and kneeled at Rae's side. He took one of her hands in his and pressed it to his chest, "Do you feel that, firefly?"

"Yes." Her voice was just barely more than a whisper.

"The only thing that's keeping it beating is you. If anything happens to you, it will stop."

Rae held her breath. If he asked her to stay, she would. He continued, "I'll hold out as long as I can, but tonight…"

There wasn't much of an argument the senshi from Mars could put up as Jake swept her up bridal style, kicked open the door, and practically ran up the stairs to Rae's room, quickly locking the door behind him. Although Rae's breath was temporarily taken away, she had been waiting for this night for at least a month and there was a lot to make up for.

After waiting for over a month to consumate their relationship, Jake didn't have time to waste with tenderness. Sweeping aside the contents of the small vanity, he placed Rae on top of it, and quickly hitched up her skirt. Roughly tearing her undergarments aside, and placing his fingers in a spot he remembered to be particularly sensitive, he was pleased to find her more than ready. Her clever hands had quickly dispensed of his own trousers and boxers, and in one quick motion he thrust into her - eliciting a muffled cry from her throat. Their lovemaking was passionate, fierce, and over - leaving both parties gasping for more.

"I'm...sorry," Jake apologized awakwardly, as he leaned, sweating against her, embarrassed for his primitive actions.

"No," came the breathless response, "We have more time to make up for things tonight..."

Luna's ears perked up at the sound of the door slamming. In her years and experiences, whoever was behind that door wasn't going to be seeing a lot of sleep this evening. She had been so engrossed in her conversation with the handsome stranger in front of her that she had completely neglected the other patrons. She looked at the clock on the wall…it was past the town's curfew. She looked up at Art, and said, "It's past ten o'clock."

The usually prompt Art was in shock. This past month he had done a lot of things he could never have remembered doing before.

What was the reason I even came here? He had become so entranced by Luna, that he couldn't even remember… Mia!

"Well, umm…" Art didn't know a lot about women, but judging from Luna's personality, he didn't think she would like it if he started asking about another woman.

Luna saw Art struggling to form a sentence, so she made it easy on him, "You don't strike me as the brothel patron. What made you come here tonight?"

"I'm trying to find a girl."

Luna's eyes flashed. Art continued, "Not like that. She was a friend…before all of this happened. I was entrusted to look out for her and I've done a horrible job."

"You don't know that, she could be somewhere safe. Now, I know most of the 'working' girls in this town. What does yours look like?"

"She has…had long blonde hair. I'm not sure what it looks like now actually, she may have changed her appearance."

"Would she happen to have a pair of big blue eyes to go with that blonde hair?"

Art looked up, "You've seen her."

"She was going by the name of Venus…but I recognized her..."

"Where is she now?" Art was tensed; he was ready to spring up and start turning the place over looking for his lost duchess.

Luna was torn, but knew she had to do the right thing, "She has already been employed for this evening."

"Em-employed?"

"I'm sorry, but she came here with a mission, and I am not one to argue with any one in the Queen's court, especially their leader."

Art put his head back in his hands, trying to hold back tears, "I've failed her."

Luna walked around and put her arms around the man who had walked into her life and her heart this evening and said, "It was her decision and she was not going to change her mind."

Art looked up suddenly, and said one word, "Malcolm."

Luna, with her arms still around his shoulders, looked at him strangely, "We don't have any men at this establishment."

Art stood up, "No, beautiful Luna, there's still hope. I just need to make it home. There's someone who can help me."

Luna forced Art to look at her, "Are you crazy? There are troops everywhere. You'll never make it back without being noticed and this Malcolm doesn't stand a chance of making it into the Palace."

Art looked pleadingly at her, "I know every corner of this city. I must get to Malcolm tonight."

Luna sighed, but said, "Please be safe. Let Malcolm know it was Herr Kunsen that escorted her this evening."

Art kissed her hand and walked toward the door, but paused before he walked through the threshold. He looked back at Luna, and asked softly, "Can I call on you at a later date?"

Luna very uncharacteristically blushed, and replied, "Please do. I would like that very much."

Malcolm, unable to sleep, was standing guard that night, letting Nick and Zach enjoy some further private time with their sweethearts. He was getting anxious for Jake's return and report on where Art had scurried off to, when he spied Art appear out of nowhere near their entrance. Malcolm walked downstairs to meet him. Art looked twice before entering the building.

As soon as the older man had cleared the threshold, Malcolm asked, "Where the hell have you been?"

"I…Malcolm, it's Mia."

This subject instantly received Malcolm's undivided attention, "What do you mean, Mia? She's safe in New York with Serena and Darien."

"Actually…"

Malcolm cursed. Loudly. "I knew I should've trusted my instincts."

"She's here, at the Palace."

"How do you know all this?"

Art wavered, he didn't want to put Amy and Lita's trust in danger, "That's not important. The important thing is that she is…"

"She is what? Spit it out, Art."

Art took a deep breath, "Mia has gone undercover as a, um, lady of the night, she was 'employed' earlier this evening by a Nazi general."

Malcolm felt like he had been punched in the stomach. His Mia, being violated by another man? Not on his watch. Art was looking expectantly at him. Malcolm asked bluntly, "How long ago?"

"1 or 2 hours? She was taken before curfew."

"And you're sure it was the Palace?"

"Positive. The person who I received this information mentioned the soldier's name was Herr Kunsen."

That was all Malcolm needed, he ran upstairs to rally his soldiers. He wasn't surprised to find two persons in both of the single beds. As much as he hated to wake them, he was going to need everyone's help on this. The men and duchesses were awake as soon as Malcolm walked in the room.

Malcolm began addressing the group, "Mia is in trouble. She's here in Ginzuberg and has already been taken to the Palace."

Lita crossed her arms and spoke up, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

Malcolm looked at her, "What do you mean?"

Lita stared at Malcolm through the dim light in the room, "Did you ever stop to consider she's there for a reason?"

Of course she's there for a reason…

Malcolm gritted his teeth and thought quickly through his options. If he went to rescue Mia he could risk exposing not only her position, but their positions as well, if he didn't go, Art would probably go ahead and try to go himself. If he did go, he could have the love of his life return, if he didn't she could be raped by a Nazi soldier. If he did go, she could be very upset with him for not trusting her, if he didn't go, she could potentially gain access to information they desperately needed.

Malcolm sat down heavily. Amy and Lita went to his side. Amy spoke in a soothing tone, "You just know she didn't want to do this, Malcolm. She was thinking of Serena and the quickest way to end this whole situation. The actions of a few can save the lives of many."

Lita nodded in agreement. Zach and Jake looked at each other, and shared the same pained look in their eyes. Malcolm stood and walked to the window. He looked up at the clear sky and then looked back at Amy and Lita, "What if I sneak over for a few moments, to make sure she's okay?"

Lita asked sharply, "Why are you giving us that look? What do we have to do with this?"

Malcolm smiled grimly, "If my past memories serve me correctly, you two might be able to create exactly the diversion I'm looking for."

Lita and Amy smiled, proud of their abilities. Amy said slowly, "I think that can be arranged."