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"YOU DID WHAT?" Alexander exclaimed with his mouth wide open staring at Béatrice in complete and utter shock. Her friend didn't know what to say as she had finished telling him about the rest of her evening after leaving the bar. How it had consisted of spending time with James that eventually ended with the two of them deciding to spend time with one another further. "Why...how...are you sure that alcohol didn't affect your judgement?"
The German brunette just looked at him with narrow eyes and a look of displeasure. She sighed and rolled her eyes. She didn't really understand why he was reacting this way. "I don't see why you are making such a fuss about this. He's quite...charming." A small smile formed upon her lips, which only caused Alexander to groan loudly.
He sat back in his seat and just shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Who was this woman in front of him? Where had Béatrice gone? The woman he knew would have never done something like this ever. "I don't know what I should be making a fuss about more the fact that you actually had enough courage to be so bold with him or that he's clearly trying to make the moves on you." He fell silent for a moment before he began to shake his head quickly. "That's it. I've decided. I'm going to find him and punch him." He quickly got up from his seat, prompting Béatrice to jump up and go over to him.
She quickly put her hands on his shoulders, stopping him. You're going to do no such thing Alexander McPherson" she glared at him, pushing him back into his seat.
"But..." he made a face protesting.
"I appreciate the concern Alexander. I really do, but I can handle one soldier" she continued. "He's a friend. Just like you."
Alexander moved forward and looked at her curiously. "Just a friend?" he repeated. "You sure about that?"
"Yes" she huffed turning to go back to her own seat at the table. "A friend."
His face of curiosity soon turned into that of a smirked grin. "Well friends can turn into something more you know."
She was well aware of that of course. The thought had crossed her mind after he had left. Especially after hearing his 'for now' comment. Things could always turn into something more, but something was against her. Time. The timing was not right. "It's not like that" Béatrice snapped in response sighing. "Besides if it did, what's the point? He's leaving in a few weeks. I'm hopefully going to be going back to Europe. Chances are we'll never see each other again. It's just a friendship. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"Alright" her friend told her almost immediately. He didn't look completely convinced, but she didn't want to push the matter further. Neither did he. Still, Alexander knew what he had to do. Béatrice wouldn't like it, but what she knew would hurt her. However, Private Barnes would tell her, but that was something he'd deal with later. He would feel much better doing what he felt what best for his good friend. She was family and family had to be protected. He then stood up and grabbed his hat, preparing to leave.
"Where are you going?" Béatrice frowned and prepared to stand up herself, ready to hold him back if she needed to again.
He held up his hand and shook his head. "I only have work to do. I'll see you this afternoon."
She nodded her head in response and then bit her lip. She was still worried that he would do something to James, "Alexander if you see Barnes, promise you'll be nice" she looked up at him.
Alexander sighed heavily, but nodded his head, giving her a small smile. "I promise. If I see your precious Private Barnes. I will be nice. I swear on my future with Evelyn. Not a hair touched on his pretty head."
As Bucky ran during his morning jog with the other recruits, he couldn't keep a smile off of his face. He knew he probably looked like an idiot with the stupid grin on his face, but he just couldn't help it. Spending time with Agent Faust...Béatrice...it just awoken something in him. He couldn't get their conversations out of his head from the night before. He kept picturing her smile in his mind. She really wasn't like anyone he had ever met before. She wasn't easy. She wasn't interested in the normal things girls back home were. She didn't have a boy crazy attitude and wasn't making herself seem desperate just to get his attention. It was a change he wasn't used to, but it was a good change.
Finishing up with his run, he caught up with Samson and Harrington. The two men were in conversation about letters that had received from family members and their plans once training was over. However, Bucky did not partake in the conversation. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to something else. Captain McPherson. The blonde was staring directly at him. His eyes were narrowed curiously at him. This wasn't a good sign at all. Somehow, Bucky had found himself on the bad side of the captain and he didn't understand why.
"Private Barnes" he suddenly called out, his eyes still directly on Bucky's. "A word?"
"What'd you do?" Samson looked over at him in confusion as did Harrington.
Bucky's brows furrowed in confusion. "Nothing" he said as confidently as he could. However, he felt his confidence slowly draining from him. What did McPherson want with him? He walked over to the captain slowly. He wasn't sure what to prepare for, but he was preparing himself for anything. To be yelled out. Punched. Thrown out of the military for being "involved" with a superior officer.
As he approached McPherson, his lips formed a smirk. "Walk with me Private." The blonde motioned for him to follow and Bucky did so. McPherson kept silent as the two walked through the camp, away from any wandering ears. Clearly, this was a conversation that he did not want anyone else to hear.
He felt himself starting to get more and more nervous. The silence was killing him. "Can I ask what this is about?" Bucky suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Have I done something?"
"Not yet" McPherson stopped, turning to him. "I understand you and Agent Faust had an eventful evening together and that you two plan on continuing to see each other."
Bucky avoided his gaze for a moment, but then looked him directly in the eye. It was time to stop being intimidated by McPherson. He hadn't done anything wrong. "I don't see how that's any of your concern"
"Béatrice is my concern" the captain snapped in response. He took a deep breath and looked Bucky up and down silently. "I'll admit I keep going back and forth on how I feel about you, but that still won't stop me from telling you this. You try anything with her. Anything at all. Take advantage of her. Make her feel uncomfortable. Lead her on. I'll make sure by the time I'm done with you; the Army will have never heard of a James Buchanan Barnes. Is that clear?"
Bucky swallowed the lump that had been forming in his throat as McPherson threatened him. "Crystal" he told him. McPherson looked him over one last time, before turning to leave. He was a few feet away from Bucky when he decided to open his mouth one last time.
"But I won't do any of those things to her. I promise" he called out. "The last thing I want to do is hurt her. I've never met anyone like her. She's special and deserves to be treated as such. I'm not just saying that. I mean it."
McPherson didn't turn around to face him at all. He just stood with his back to him the entire time. It took a few moments, but eventually he did start to walk once more, making sure that Private Barnes didn't see the smile on his face after hearing his promise to treat his friend well. Regardless of what happened between Béatrice and Private Barnes, Alexander McPherson had nothing to worry about. For now, at least.
Captain McPheron's words kept replaying over and over in Bucky's head as he walked back to his quarters. Any normal person probably would have felt shaken over a conversation like that. The captain had, in not so many words, threatened to kill him more than likely. However, it didn't. It only made him feel more determined. He had four weeks of training left and he was going to make the most of his training and his time with Béatrice.
Four weeks.
It finally hit him. That's all they had left together. He had another four weeks before he left and headed back to Brooklyn. It would. He still didn't even know what she did. There was a large possibility that they would never see one another again. So if this was the case then why was he so insistent on continuing whatever they were starting? It wasn't logical and probably wasn't fair to either of them. Part of him wanted to just end it here and now. But there was a bigger part of him that told him to see this through. Not to give up. That part of him won out in the end. They could be just friends? Couldn't they? What if he didn't want to be? What if he wanted to be more? What if she did? He groaned silently in frustration walking back into his quarters. He was thinking too much.
"Everything okay?" Harrington asked noticing the look of worry on Bucky's face as he walked back over to his bunk.
Bucky nodded silently and looked at his bed. Sighing, he was on the verge of just flopping onto it to take a nap before his next training session. Maybe that would make him stop thinking. However, before he could, something caught his eye. Something was sticking out from his pillow. Frowning, he leaned forward and pulled it out. It was a folded piece of paper and it definitely wasn't there when he left for the morning. He pulled it to in front of his face and saw that something was written on the front of it and elegant cursive and saw that beside it was a drawing of a small rabbit.
Follow the white rabbit.
He felt himself smirking at it. Automatically, he knew who it was from. Starting to unfold the piece of paper, he saw another drawing of a rabbit. He unfolded the next section of it and another small rabbit appeared. This occurred two more times before the paper was fully unfolded and he saw the message inside, causing him to smile.
9:00 South side of camp by the fence.
"Someone's got a date tonight" he heard Harrington say directly behind him, causing Bucky to jump. He looked at the other recruit in disbelief and rolled his eyes.
"It's not like that" he said shaking his head and folding the piece of paper up before putting it in his pocket.
"Mhmmm" Samson suddenly poked his head out from one of the top bunks, grinning at him mischievously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bucky shot him a look.
Harrington rolled his eyes at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've been saying that for four weeks, but your actions have been saying something else. Admit it Barnes, you like her."
"We're just friends" Bucky protested looking at Harrington.
"If I had a dime for every time, I heard that from any man, I'd be rich" Samson interjected, climbing down from the top bunk. "You might be friends now, but that doesn't mean you're going to stay friends."
Bucky rolled his eyes and sighed. All his thoughts telling him no were coming back "We're leaving soon."
"So?" Harrington shrugged at him, appearing to not understand the problem. "When I met my wife, she was three states over. We worked things out."
"I don't know what she does" Bucky said sitting on his bed.
"Would it matter?" Samson asked looking down at him.
Bucky shrugged at him. The more he thought about it, the more obstacles he was coming up with in his head. He wished Steve was there. He would know what to say in this situation.
Harrington and Samson looked at one another, shaking their heads. "Look, Barnes. Stop thinking so much. Maybe instead of just worrying about the future, think about the here and now. You got four weeks left. Make the most of it. What happens, happens" Harrington told him.
"Joe's right" Samson nodded in agreement. "You've been chasing this girl for weeks for some ungodly reason and now you want to just give up? Look, Joe and I will cover for you tonight. Just go be with her. Give her that Barnes charm that has finally started to work. Must be a reason why she's doing this. Maybe she's interested in you too."
Bucky laid down on his bed and looked at the note from Béatrice. Harrington and Samson were right. His previous thoughts from earlier were right. Whatever would happen would happen. He was going to make to the most of it. Whatever it was.
At nearly 9:00, Bucky made his way to the south side of camp as Béatrice had instructed. All his pesky thoughts from earlier were gone for now. He was excited to be able to spend more time together, just the two of him. He felt himself staring to grin like an idiot again as he was earlier. He felt good about this. Confident about it. However, that confident slowly died as he reached the fence. No one was there. He looked at his watch. It was 9:00 exactly. He looked around. Nobody was around at all.
"You're out past curfew you know soldier" he heard a voice say causing him to jump and turn around. Behind him stood, Béatrice with of course a cigarette in hand.
"Well I've been given special permission by a superior officer" he smirked walking over to her. She raised her eyebrows at him, keeping silent and taking a puff of the cigarette eyeing him closely.
"Hello Béatrice" he smiled at her.
"James" she smirked at him in return taking another another puff of her cigarette.
He walked over to her and took the cigarette from her mouth, putting it in his own, taking a puff. "Anyone tell you, you smoke a lot?"
"I know" she shrugged at him. "It's a terrible habit I've picked up since being here. Calms my nerves."
He smirked at her again, which caused shivers to crawl up her spine. "Do I make you nervous Agent Faust?"
"Of course not" she said grabbing the cigarette from him and taking a puff. "It's just been a long day."
"Are you ever going to tell me what you do?" Bucky eyed her closely. She smirked at him, keeping silent the entire time. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "You are one hard dame to crack. I hope you're getting paid enough. Just promise me it's nothing dangerous."
Béatrice continued to stare at him. She debated what she would tell him. Of course her work was dangerous, but if she had told him it was, she would have to divulge what she did and she couldn't do that. She put the cigarette back up to her mouth and inhaled deeply. "It's not dangerous."
Bucky breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to worry about her being in danger wherever she ended up. He walked closer to her to the point where he was only inches away from her. "So what do we do now?" he asked.
She smiled up at him, her dark eyes locking with his. She dropped the cigarette on to the ground and stepped on it. "Follow me." She turned and Bucky with an intrigued look on his face followed. She walked over to the fence and pulled back an area of metal that had been cut, creating a flap and a hole in the fence. He looked at her in confusion. "There's a method to my madness, I promise" she said noticing the look on his face and laughing slightly.
"Lead the way then" he told her. She nodded and lifted the flap up and crawled through the hole. When she was half way through, Bucky grabbed it, lifting it to make sure she got through before following suit. Once they were out, there was nothing but a large field ahead of them. She began to walk and he followed. The entire time, he wondered where they were going.
"Tell me" she suddenly spoke. "How was your day?"
He smirked slightly at the question. He took a deep breath and rubbed a hand on the back of his head. "Your buddy Captain McPherson and I had an...interesting conversation earlier today."
Béatrice stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide. "Oh no" she breathed. "Please tell me he was nice to you. I told him we would be meeting and I told him to be civil."
He bit his lip and made a face in response. "I think he may have threatened to kill me in not so many words."
"Ugh Alexander" she groaned loudly.
"It's fine" Bucky laughed at her reaction. "He's very protective of you. I get it."
She only shrugged at him as she began to walk once more. "I think that has to do with the fact that no one really knows what to make of me. You've seen the reaction people have towards me."
He looked over at her. "People are idiots" he told her. "They just need to get to know you. Can I asked how you met old grumpy pants anyway."
She nodded her head at him and stayed quiet for a moment. "I met Alexander when I first joined. To be honest, I think he was a little freaked out by me. He had just started dating his now fiancé, Evelyn. He had it in his head that every woman would be flirting with him and his relationship with Evelyn would be ruined. I shut that down very quickly and knocked some sense into him. Then we worked together on a few things, got to know one another, he realized I wasn't a threat, and we've been friends ever since."
"Have you met Evelyn?" Bucky continued with his questions.
"Not yet" Béatrice shook her head. "I've heard wonderful things about her and Alexander told her about me. She wants to meet and invited me to their wedding."
"Must be nice" he replied causing her to look at him in confusion. "Having someone waiting for you during times like these. Guy's got it made it sounds like."
"I suppose" she nodded her head. "I've never really thought about stuff like that to be honest, but in a world that's filled with so much bad, you really do have to hold on to any shred of happiness you can find. I agree, it must be nice for him."
"So, you're not someone who's got her entire wedding planned and kids named picked out?" he looked over at her.
"Oh goodness no" she let out a laugh. "I'm going to be lucky if I'm married by the time I'm thirty. I'm kind of at that point right now where I'm not sure if I even want to get married or have kids, but I guess it also has to do with the fact that I've really never gone on dates or been with a man I care about."
Bucky stopped and turned to face her. He looked her up and down and gave her a playful smirk. "Sounds like you just haven't met the right man yet."
"Guess not" she nodded her head in agreement.
His eyes flicked around the scenery, realizing they had been walking for quite a long time. "So" he spoke looking around. "Are we just walking or do we have a destination?"
Béatrice quickly nodded and motioned her head. "We're here actually." Bucky looked over in the distance and once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw where they were. There was small bench overlooking a lake. She looked over and smiled at him before continuing to walk towards it. He quickly followed behind.
"How'd you find this place?" he asked her as they approached the bench.
"Stumbled upon it one day taking a walk when I first arrived" she said as she sat down on the bench. She pulled her jacket closer to her at the night wind nipped at her face.
"Are you cold?" Bucky asked sitting down next to her.
"It's a little chilly" she shrugged slightly. "But I'll be..." Before she could finish, he had taken his jacket off and put it around her. She looked at him in shock. "But won't you be cold?"
"Nah" he shook his head. "New York has some pretty brutal winters. I'll be fine."
"Thank you" she gave him a small smile. "I've never been to New York. Tell me about it."
Bucky smiled at her, chuckling. "You want to know about New York huh? Well it's noisy, bit cramped at times with all the people, but there's so much to do there. So many different kinds of people. Things to see. It's never boring that's for sure. I think you'd like it a lot."
"It sounds perfect" Béatrice nodded her head in agreement. "Maybe one day I'll get to see it."
"If you do..." Bucky began. "Maybe I could show you around. Take you out to a nice restaurant to eat. Maybe go dancing? I'd make sure you'd have a great time."
Béatrice smirked at him, making a face almost as if she was contemplating his proposition. "I'd like that a lot" she nodded her head. Just hearing that made Bucky beam.
For the next few days, Bucky and Béatrice met nightly. He'd always find a note under his pillow when coming back from mid-morning training. There would always be some sort of quote from Wonderland along with a picture that would lead him through opening the note. He kept all of them. He had also kept his promise to make the most of their time together. Some nights they would spend the night in her quarters, while others they would sneak out of camp and go on walks or to the bench. The two would spend time talking nonstop about their days, the happenings of the camp, and of course their lives. Bucky told her about growing up in Brooklyn and Steve, including all the dates he had forced his friend to go on. It didn't seem to bother her, hearing about his past romances as it would with other girls. She was genuinely curious as she herself had not been on many dates and wanted to know about American culture as much as possible.
Béatrice continued to teach him some German words and phrases, which he would practice on her during their talks. She told him about going to school and growing up in a predominately Jewish community. He was becoming fascinated by the fact that a culture that had turned against one race still had shining glimmers of hope of humanity. She was one of them. However, she still didn't tell him about what she did in the military. Bucky continued to be curious about it, but understood her hesitation. He was still barely an officer and if her work dealt with critical information, more than likely she was sworn to secrecy. But there were times where he was desperate to know. Even when he asked specific questions her about her life in Germany, she told him, but it was almost as she was still holding back something.
One night while Bucky was telling her a story involving him and Steve having to ride back to Brooklyn in a freezer truck because his friend had spent all their train money on hot dogs, there was a loud knock on her door. Béatrice frowned and got up. Seeing out the window from her table, she saw that it was Alexander.
She walked over to the door and opened it. Her friend looked out and breath, breathing heavily. His eyes flicked directly toward Bucky's. "You need to get rid of him. Colonel Phillips is here" the blonde said very quickly.
Bucky watched as Béatrice's face fell in shock. "Why?" she answered immediately. She felt her heart stop. Why was Phillips here? She was unaware that he was even in the states. Was he finally sending her back to Europe? Was this it? Would she be going to get her family out?
Alexander shook his head. "I don't know, but he's asked to see me first. I suspect once he's done with me, he'll want to see you. I just wanted to prepare you and warn you, so you don't get caught with him."
She nodded her head, still very confused as to why their boss was in here of all place. "Okay. Come and get me, if he needs me. If not, tell me what happened." Alexander nodded his head quickly before he went running off.
She then looked over at Bucky, who was still sitting at the table. "Who is Colonel Phillips?" he asked standing up and walking over to her.
Béatrice took a deep breath. What could she tell him? She could tell him the truth about her family and her mission, but would he understand. She thought he would, but she wasn't one-hundred percent sure. She had been going back and forth between whether or not she should tell him the truth, but every time she even got close to doing so, she couldn't.
"Béatrice?" Bucky asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"He's the superior officer who technically overseas Alexander and I" she said looking up at him.
Bucky frowned in confusion. "But I thought Colonel Matthews..."
"No" she stopped him shaking her head. She took a deep breath. "James...Colonel Matthews is...well to be honest the only reason that Alexander and I are here is because I'm being punished."
His face fell further into confusion. "Punishment? For what?"
Béatrice avoided his gaze. He got his answer right there. She wouldn't tell him. He walked closer to her and took both of his hands in hers, rubbing his thumbs over her knuckles. "You can't tell me, can you?" he sighed in disappointment.
"I'm sorry" she looked up at him squeezing his hands a little tighter.
"I wish you could tell me" he told her quietly looking at her. "I feel like I could make you feel better than what I am if I knew." She looked up at him and what she did next took the solider aback. She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. After he realized what was happening, Bucky put his arms around her waist and squeezed tightly. It took him seconds to realize that he liked being this close to him. He didn't want to let her go. He took in her scent of lavender. It was calming and soothing.
"You already are making me feel better" Béatrice finally spoke, whispering to him.
Bucky buried his face into her neck and inhaled deeply. "You're going to be okay" he told her gently. With that he pulled away, but his hands still rested on her hips and her hands on his forearms. "Just do me a favor. Come find me in the morning. I just want to make sure you're at least okay."
Béatrice nodded her head silently. She knew she could do at least that. She felt as though she was lying to him and it was slowly killing her. She wanted nothing more in that moment that to just tell him to stay and explain everything. However, she didn't. "You should probably go. I don't want you to get into trouble."
"I've been in trouble since the day I met you" he smirked at her. "It would be worth it."
Alexander stood in Colonel Matthews quarters, waiting patiently for Matthews to return with Phillips. He, himself was feeling nervous. The unexpected visit from Phillips was unlike him. What did it mean for him and Béatrice? The two were doing as they were told, both had kept out of trouble, so there should have been no issue. Phillips wouldn't have come unless it was urgent or a matter of life or death, so which was it? He looked up to see Matthews and Phillips walk into the room. Immediately, Alexander gave both of the officers a salute, standing at attention.
"At ease Captain" Matthews nodded to him.
Alexander nodded in response and turned his attention to the man who was his superior officer. "Colonel Phillips, I wasn't aware that you would be coming" he looked at his superior officer shaking his hand.
"Officially, I'm not here Captain. However, after receiving your last report from Faust, I felt that I needed to come. How is she? Any other news?" he asked in response.
"No more letters than the one I just sent you with, but..." Alexander suddenly stopped. He looked up at Phillips and licked his lips. "Colonel, may I speak freely?"
Phillips nodded at him. "You know I prefer it."
"She's frustrated sir and frankly I am as well" Alexander said sternly looking between the two colonels. "Béatrice has been at this for over a year. Time and time again, she's gotten herself into enemy territory, saved lives, and gotten the information you needed. She's risked her life countless times and her family continues to risk it daily. Sir, after the last letter, I am recommending that we pull the Faust family out as soon as possible. Oskar Faust is being watched and with the return of Christoph Faust and his involvement with Hitler, it is becoming too dangerous. I understand that what happened in Austria was a close call, but she needs to be back in Europe, not sitting around watching recruits day in and day out."
Phillips looked at Alexander closely and twitched his lip to the side. He nodded before looking over at Matthews. "Jefferson what's your assessment of our German friend. Think she's served her punishment enough?"
"Chester, I gotta be honest with you" Matthews began taking a deep breath. "I don't know why you're bothering with the girl. Sure, she's good, but is this really worth the risk? She's a danger to everyone. She's going to end up getting herself killed or other soldiers."
"She still saved dozens of lives. Jewish, German, Americans, French, dozens of other Europeans. Isn't that enough?" Alexander protested crossing his arms. "She's been an asset to us. Without her, we wouldn't be as prepared as we are. The information she receives is critical."
"She blew up an entire neighborhood block in Vienna and killed three Nazi officials. She caused a scene regardless and nearly blew her cover" Matthews huffed at the captain. "She's becoming more and more dangerous. Her father's a former German strategist, her brother is a Nazi officer, and she's working as a spy. If that isn't a recipe for disaster, I don't know what is. She's done good work, but she needs to stop. Set her up with a place to live. She'll find someone, get married, pop out a couple of kids and forget Germany. That's what she needs to do."
Alexander felt both of his hands turn into fists. He was fuming on the inside, unable to fully comprehend what he was hearing. He was sick of how Béatrice was treated and seen by his superior officers. It wasn't right. She had done so many, while others had done so little. It wasn't fair to her at all. Phillips noticed the Captain's face, looking as though he was about to tackle the other Colonel.
"Jefferson, could you give McPherson and I a moment alone?" Phillips suddenly spoke up.
"Of course" Matthews nodded his head looking between the two soldiers. With that, he turned, stepping out of the room and shutting the door behind him. Once it was fully closed, Phillips walked straight up to McPherson and looked him directly in the eye.
"Pull yourself together Alexander" he snapped at him. "You need to keep your head on straight. Once these recruits ship out in three weeks, you and Faust are on the first plane back to London. I need my best two agents with clear heads, is that understood?"
Alexander looked at the Colonel in shock. "But what about Colonel..."
"Jefferson is wrong. You and I both know it. Faust is valuable to us. You know that. I know that. She's not going anywhere" Phillips raised his eyebrows and gave him a smile. "Besides, we need to start preparations to get her family out of Germany finally." Alexander smiled widely at the Colonel. It was finally happening. The Faust family would finally be getting out. He couldn't wait to tell Béatrice.
"You can't tell her though" Phillips continued. "This is going to take a lot of time and planning. It could take months or even a year, but I assure you, we are starting."
"Yes sir" Alexander nodded his head in understanding.
"Now go get her. I want to talk to her" Phillips instructed. Alexander nodded his head again. As he did, Phillips took a sit in a nearby chair. Neither one of them aware that outside the window that was currently open, someone had heard the entire conversation.
Bucky slid down to the cold ground. He felt completely flattened by everything he had just heard. As he had began his walk back to his quarters, he noticed Colonel Matthews walking with another officer, who he assumed what Colonel Phillips. His assumption was correct as he followed the two men to Matthews quarters. He had quietly walked around the building and to his luck, the window to Matthews office was open. He knew he shouldn't have been listening in on a private and classified conversation, but he couldn't help it. He was too curious.
However, after everything he had just heard, he regretted his decision. It made sense as to why Béatrice kept her mission and information about her family a secret. She was working for the Americans to spy on Germany. She was a spy. He couldn't believe it or wrap his head around it. Her father had been a German sympathizer? Her own brother wasn't dead. He was perfectly alive and a Nazi. She had lied to him about that. Her punishment was because she blew up a neighborhood and killed people. This wasn't the woman he had met and had grown so fond of over a short period of time. It had all been a lie. Everything had been a lie.
Running his hands through his hair, he shook his head. He was an idiot. His gut had tried to warn him that being around her was a bad idea, but he didn't listen. He quickly stood up and his eyes darted angrily at Béatrice's quarters. He knew what he had to do.
A loud knock on her door cause Béatrice to jump slightly as she waited for Alexander to come back. She frowned as she was brushing her hair in front of a mirror. It was time. Alexander had returned. Putting her brush down on her dresser, she walked over and saw from her window that it was not in fact Alexander, but James. What was he doing back?
Walking over and opening the door, she looked at him. "James, what are you..."
"Is it true?" he suddenly snapped before she could even asked why he was there.
She frowned in confusion at him. He looked angry at her for some reason. "I'm sorry?" she looked at him.
"Is it true?" he repeated more angrily slamming the door behind him.
Béatrice blinked twice and titled her head. She had absolutely no clue as to what he was referring to. "I'm not following. Is what true?"
"About your father, a former military strategist. Your brother's alive and a Nazi and you" he hissed angrily at her. "You're spying on the Germans for us. The only reason that you're even here is because the military is punishing you for blowing up a neighborhood in Austria and killing three Nazi's"
He knew. James knew everything. Béatrice just avoided his gaze, her eyes slightly wide staring at the floor. She was shell-shocked. She tried to say something, but no words would form. She blinked, staying completely silent.
"You're not denying anything. You can't even give me the decency to look at me. I can't believe I wasted so much time on you" he let out a bitter laugh looking at her, shaking his head. "You lied to me. I mean I figured your job was super secretive, but you told me you didn't do anything dangerous. Everything you do is dangerous. I thought you were different. For the first time, I thought I had met someone who was open and honest, but you're just like everyone else. Only saying the things I would want to hear."
At that point, Béatrice felt numb. Stray tears that she had tried so hard to hold back were falling down her cheeks. He knew. He knew. She kept repeating it over and over in her head.
She heard James huffed loudly and felt him grab her roughly. She looked up at him. He was furious. His eyes were full of pain and anger. The truth had broken his heart. She did this. She had no one else to blame.
"Is it true?" he demanded once more.
"Yes!" she exclaimed loudly with more tears rolling down her cheeks. "It's all true." She pulled herself away from his grip and just shut her eyes, trying to hold back more tears, but it was no use.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she heard him exclaimed.
"Private Barnes."
She opened her eyes and saw Alexander standing in the doorway of her quarters. James turned around and saw him, glaring at him angrily.
"I suggest you return to your quarters immediately. It's past curfew and I'd hate to have to write you up this close to graduation" Alexander sneered at him. James took one angrier look at Béatrice before turning to leave.
As he approached the doorway, Alexander stopped him with his hand on his chest. "I warned you Barnes."
"I'm not the one who's been lying" James growled in response at him. With that he shoved, Alexander's hand off of him and stormed off into the night. The blonde watched as he did so before turning his attention back to his friend. However, what he saw scared him. She was blinking nonstop wearing a blank face.
"Béatrice?" Alexander slowly walked over to her. "Darling are you okay?" As he stepped closer to her, he noticed her shaking. In a matter of seconds, she was hysterical. Sobbing and breathing, heavily. Soon, her breath became shallow and short. And the next thing Alexander McPherson knew, his best friend had collapsed into his arms, completely unconscious.
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