A/N: Do you hate me for waiting so long? I'm sorry!

Life was so hectic, but my motivation has come back so hopefully I can keep up with this story more! Sorry about the wait, but hopefully it was worth it!

Enjoy!

"What's ya favorite color?" Donny questioned.

It had been two days since the last time she'd seen him, but when Donny had shown up (a bit unexpectedly) on her doorstep, Klara had been more then happy to let him into her home. He'd looked tired and dirty, as usual, and for the past thirty minutes had been lounging comfortable on her couch, content to just relax and watch her as she moved about the living room cleaning everything in sight. It was her end of the week ritual but having The Bear Jew present made the task much more enjoyable then usual.

"Green." Klara answered with a smile, gesturing to the sage-green pillow resting under his head.

He lifted his head to inspect it for a moment before nodding, lying back down, and narrowing his eyes at her in a studious manner. "And ya favorite time'a year?"

Klara laughed and shook her head, amused with his obvious prodding. "Summertime."

"And if ya could go anywhere, anywhere at all in the world, where would ya go?"

She finally came to a halt in front of him and placed her hands on her hips, staring down at him with a quirked brow. "Is there a reason for your prying, sir?" She asked him. "You must have asked at least a hundred questions since the moment you arrived and yet you still seem to find more. Is there something I should know of?"

"No." He said a little defensively. "Ya wanted to know more 'bout me. Maybe I just wanna know more 'bout you." He continued, sitting up and meeting her stare pointedly. "Got a problem with that?"

Anyone else might have been offended by his tone but Klara only smiled, feeling flattered, and reached down to smooth some of his hair back. His gaze didn't leave hers and she smiled wider when she noted that his shoulders seemed to relax further at her touch. "Of course not." She responded, finally pulling her hand away from him to resume cleaning. "But if you are going to badger me to death, you could at least get off your arsch and help me clean." She tossed over her shoulder with a smirk.

Klara only made it a few steps before Donny was hauling himself off the couch and grabbing her by the waist. "Ya know, your curse words sound way worse in German..." Donny grumbled in her ear before pressing a kiss just below it.

"They are meant to." Klara responded, dutifully trying to ignore the butterflies that erupted in her stomach at the gesture. "Now get to cleaning."

"And here I thought I could get a little rest, but noooo…" Donny chided, releasing her waist so he could snatch up a rag. Then he headed towards the bookcase, seemingly with the intention to clean the shelves.

Klara knew that Donny would only ever praise her for helping out his people but the sight of him so close to the secret room still scared her and made her heart leap into her throat. It was the reaction she always had whenever someone other then herself was near the hiding place. Then she thought about the fact that the family couldn't understand the conversation she and Donny were having and, therefore, had no idea who was standing only feet away. They were probably scared and anxious and Klara suddenly felt extremely guilty for having caused them any possible discomfort.

"Lieutenant isn't so pissed with me anymore." Donny commented conversationally as he paused to flip through one of her books, snapping her out of her thoughts and drawing her attention again. "I think he's startin' to come around. I may even be able to get away for longer periods of time…and unattended." He added with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Klara smiled and went to join him at the bookcase. "And how did you gain his trust back?" She questioned.

Donny smirked widely and pulled at a chain underneath his shirt and jacket before dangling a piece of silver proudly in front of her face. Klara reached forward to grab the new German dog-tag adorning his neck and quickly read the name.

"Holger Weiss." She read aloud. "Another officer, I presume?"

Donny nodded and tucked the dog-tag back underneath his shirt. "Lieutenant was a bit more willing to listen once I showed him that."

Klara nodded and then sighed, shooting him a regretful look. "I am glad that you will be able to visit more often but I must warn you of something." She began to explain. "My brother will be coming to visit soon, though I am not entirely sure when – we will have to plan our meetings very carefully."

Donny immediately frowned down at her. "I take it you and ya brother don't see some things eye to eye then…"

Klara cringed and then slowly shook her head. "We do not." She confirmed. "If he knew about you…"

She didn't need to finish the statement for him to understand what she was getting at. Donny nodded at her with furrowed brows, obviously displeased with what she'd told him, before turning to resume wiping down the shelves. Klara frowned, staring at his tense back for a moment, before closing the gap between them and wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. He was stiff under her touch at first but relaxed when she pressed her cheek against his shoulder and squeezed her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Are you angry?" She asked him quietly.

"No." He responded immediately. The gruffness in his voice said otherwise though.

"Donny…"

"I'm fine." He said, moving a book roughly out of the way. "Kinda used to things being complicated by now." Klara sighed and slowly released him, deciding to give him his space, but before she could move away he turned and wrapped a hand around her arm to keep her in place. "Hey..." Donny started with a bit of a guilty gleam in his eye. "Didn't mean to ruin the mood. I guess…I guess I just like being here and don't want somethin' to ruin it. I feel…normal when I'm here." He explained, now looking a little uncomfortable with his own confession as he ran his free hand through his hair

Klara knew exactly how Donny felt, because it was how she felt as well. When they were here, together, she wasn't the only sister of a decorated Nazi hero who spent her nights helping Jewish families escape Europe and Donny wasn't a bat-wielding Nazi hunter – they were just two normal people tucked safely away from the chaotic world outside of their temporary haven.

"I understand completely." Klara agreed, sliding her arm out of his grasp so she could lace her fingers with his instead. "Perhaps someday, when Hitler is dead and the war is over, we will be able to find real normalcy again." She said encouragingly. "But until then, you are welcome to seek it out here in my home."

Donny didn't say anything in return, simply wrapped a hand around the back of her neck to pull her in for a long kiss. Where most of their previous kisses had derived from lust and desire, this one was vastly different. It was slow, almost tender, and Klara could easily pick up on the vulnerability that he was valiantly trying to conceal. When he pulled away he flashed her a rare, genuine smile and she knew right in that moment that something significant had shifted between the two of them.

Before she could comment on it, however, a tap on the study window drew their attention. "Omar." Donny said with a frown, glaring in the direction of the noise for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "Gotta go

"Of course." Klara said with a nod. They met each other halfway to share another kiss before Donny pulled away to begin gathering up his things. "Come by whenever you like." She informed him with a smile. "If my brother is here then I will put this plant," she continued, grabbing the nearest flowerpot, "in my window."

"And if he decides to turn up while I'm already around?" Donny asked with raised eyebrows, slinging his gun over his shoulder as he came to stand in front of her again.

"Do not worry – I can handle that." Klara reassured him.

Donny quirked an eyebrow at her before wagging a finger and smirking. "Ya scare me sometimes, blondie." He admitted.

She laughed and kissed his cheek before pushing him towards her door. "Go now, before you get into trouble again."

"Yes ma'am." Donny said with a quick salute.

"And what would your men say to that salute?" Klara teased as he started to open the door.

"Like I give a shit." He said with a snort, making her snicker to herself. She heard his comrade outside hiss at him to 'hurry the hell up', but Donny simply smirked at her and flashed her a wink. "See ya soon."

"Goodnight. Be safe." She said before he was slipping out the door and shutting it behind him.

As soon as he was gone Klara immediately walked over and locked the door, making sure her curtains were still closed tightly and that all of the entrances to her house were firmly locked. Then she headed over to the bookcase and pushed the furniture out of the way to make sure her guests were doing alright. Her guilty from earlier returned when she spotted the family practically cowering in the corner – they'd obviously been petrified the entire time that Donny had been there.

"Do not worry." She instructed, moving into the small room. "There is nothing to be afraid of." She then explained. "Is everyone alright?"

After a few unsure glances at one another the mother nodded slowly, seemingly understanding what Klara was asking. The German then spent the next five minutes trying to convey to them that the visitor had been a friend, not a foe, and once she was sure that they understood what she was saying, Klara gathered up some food so that all of them could enjoy a dinner together. The family relaxed once they realized they weren't in harms way and settled in around her comfortably, looking pleased that she was joining them for their meal.

Communication was slow between them, but they managed to hold conversation as long as they spoke slow and used lots of hand gestures. All the while, Klara couldn't help but mull over her own thoughts and worries – the family felt safe knowing that neither she or Donny would turn them in or hurt them, but how would they feel if she were to tell them of her Jew hunting brother or even her S.S. suitor? They'd think she had ulterior motives, thing she was a liar, and never trust her again.

Then there was Donny. Things were changing between them, that much she was convinced of, and it was as exciting as it was terrifying. Would they become something more? Was all of this going to be much more serious then she'd originally thought? And when the time came to tell him about Kurt, which she knew she'd have to do, what was going to be his reaction?

Klara sighed to herself before finishing her meal and bidding the family goodnight, desperately needing time to herself in order to sort out her thoughts.

She didn't when things had gotten so unbelievably complicated but one thing was for certain – everything was going to be much trickier, and riskier, from here on out.


BANG, BANG, BANG!

Klara was startled out of her sleep at the loud, insistent banging that sounded on her door two mornings later. The abruptness at which she awoke left her a little disoriented for a moment and she glanced towards the window in confusion. She couldn't yet tell what time of day it was, but judging by the bright sun pouring through her window she had definitely overslept after a long night of making her rounds to deliver messages to both Dieter and Remy.

The return of the loud knocking shocked her out of her thoughts and, in a flash, she was jumping out of bed. When a male voice began to call out from the front of the house in German, however, Klara's heart plummeted to her stomach.

"Open the door at once! Do not make us use force!"

This was it. The very thing she'd been both dreading and preparing herself for had happened – someone had found out what she was doing and now she was going to be arrested then most likely executed.

Klara looked around her room wildly before throwing on the nearest clothing she could find, shaking like a leaf as the determined yelling continued outside. For one brief second she considered escaping through the window, but when the faced of the helpless family flashed through her mind she knew she'd never be able to abandon them in such a way. Klara stood rooted to the spot for a long moment, thinking of how horribly she'd failed the family and how sorry she was going to be to leave Donny behind, before finally squaring her shoulders and venturing out to face her would-be captors.

When she jerked the door open however, ready to face whatever wrath awaited her, she was stunned to see who waited on the other side.

"You are a bastard!" She cursed in German immediately, swatting at the blonde haired man in front of her.

Kurt Bathurst immediately began chuckling to himself gleefully, trying to avoid the hits she attempted to land on him, before pulling her into a tight hug. Klara smiled in spite of herself and returned the hug her brother was giving her – Kurt may have a taken a turn for the worst upon joining the Nazi regime, but Klara knew that deep down there was a small part of her that would always hold onto the hope that her brother could change his ways, no matter how foolish the notion may be. She didn't want to fully believe he was a lost cause just yet.

"Why are you so frightened?" Kurt asked her as he barged into her living room without asking.

"How would you like to be awoken by the sounds of an angry Nazi on the other side of your door?" She jabbed at him, happy to close the door on the two S.S. soldiers loitering around on her porch. While Kurt surveyed her living room, she grabbed the small flowerpot she'd shown Donny the last time she'd seen him and placed it in the window.

"I would not be worried. Why, have you been doing something to rouse the wrath of an angry German?" Kurt asked with a smug grin, tossing himself carelessly onto her couch.

"Do not be silly." Klara lied with a broad smile. If only he knew. "I was wondering when you would finally arrive – tell me, brother, how are you faring?"

Kurt waved his hand around dismissively. "Oh, Hans has had me running about everywhere in France." He informed her with a long sigh. "I have been working so tirelessly these past few weeks I was beginning to question if I would even be able to visit at all."

Klara took the seat next to him and frowned in confusion. "You are only visiting for a short while?"

Kurt nodded regretfully. "Yes. We have more business to attend to in Germany, but we shall be back in time for the premiere." Then he paused and raised his eyebrows at her questioningly. "You will be attending the premiere with me, will you not?"

"And if I do not?"

He glowered at her for a moment, albeit teasingly so. "I shall have to have you arrested for being a horrible sister."

"I shall attend then."

Kurt smiled approvingly before patting her knee. "I only have a week here before the Standartenführer is expecting me in Berlin. I will not be able to spend every moment with you but I shall certainly try…I have missed my sister greatly."

This was the Kurt that Klara had desperately hoped still lingered – the nice, playful, enjoyable Kurt. "Shall our adventures begin then? Perhaps a visit to our grandparents is in order?"

Kurt pulled a face for a moment but agreed anyway and within twenty minutes, they were en route to visit some of their only remaining family.

Klara was ecstatic to hear that Landa was not only not going to be joining Kurt on any of his visits, but also that he wasn't even in France at the moment – it was a huge comfort to know that the Jew Hunter was nowhere nearby while she was partaking in the exact treason he had been hired to put an end to. There was no doubt in her mind that she could handle Kurt, but Standartenführer Hans Landa was a completely different story. He may not suspect her now, but she knew that if he were to spend a day in her house that she would be in prison or executed the very same night. His skills were far too great and her nervousness would be a dead giveaway.

Her day with Kurt went surprisingly well. They explored France, took care of some errands, and even enjoyed a nice (and fairly expensive) dinner together. Once they'd decided to wrap up their adventures for the day Kurt opted to show her back to her home before continuing on to the military base he'd been ordered to stay at. But just as their car stopped in front of her home and Kurt was turning to help her out, another vehicle came to a halt behind theirs, gathering their attention.

"Expecting company?" Kurt asked with raised eyebrows, eyeing the all-too-familiar German currently exiting the car behind them.

"No, but that does not deter him." She answered in annoyance, taking her brother's hand and allowing him to help her out of the car.

When Kurt caught sight of Emmerich, who was practically bouncing over towards them in his excitement, he immediately stood a bit taller.

"Miss Bathurst." Emmerich greeted, acknowledging her for a quick moment before hastily saluting her brother. "And if I am not mistaken, you are the one and only Kurt Bathurst." He said, earning himself a quick nod from Kurt. "It is an honor to meet you, sir."

Kurt saluted him, casting a quick, amused smirk at Klara, then shook Emmerich's hand when the younger soldier began shaking his enthusiastically. "Emmerich, was it?"

"Yes, sir. I am a friend of your sister's. I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival so I may be presented with the chance to make your acquaintance." Emmerich managed out excitedly.

Klara felt nauseous as she watched the exchange, practically able to see the wheels turning in her brother's head, and decided to escape into her home before Kurt got any brilliant ideas. She needed to get away from the two of them as quickly as she could, knowing all-too-well that Kurt would begin pressing her to accept Emmerich's courting as soon as he learned of it.

"Klara?" She cringed and came to a screeching halt, slowly turning to face Kurt and Emmerich again. "Why do you leave when you have company?" Kurt asked her sternly, obviously displeased with her decision to leave.

"It would appear that Unterscharführer Haugg's visit has nothing to do with me." She said with a sweet smile. "And seeing as I have duties to attend to tomorrow, brother, I feel it wise to get some rest." Kurt opened his mouth to protest but she quickly spoke up to cut him off. "Emmerich," she said, turning her attention to the soldier, "will you not introduce my dearest brother to the after-dinner endeavors of the French?"

"It would be an honor, if your brother would allow." Emmerich said quickly, looking absolutely beside himself with delight.

"Of course, I am in need of a strong drink." Her brother agreed before turning his attention back towards her. Kurt walked up a few steps until he was eye-level with Klara then pegged her with a stern stare. "We shall speak about Emmerich tomorrow when I take you to lunch." He instructed lowly, leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, brother." Klara agreed, knowing better then to argue with him. "Have a good night, gentlemen." She said, bowing her head down to them before turning to enter her house.

Once she was inside she could hear them speaking on the other side of the door for a few moments before the sound of doors opening and closing sounded in the air. Then she shook her head to herself and went to peer out the window, unsure if she was relieved or not when the car carrying them pulled away and, eventually, disappeared.

This could end up being disastrous.

Why did Emmerich choose tonight of all night to show up? Had he known her brother was in town? She knew without a doubt that if Kurt began to press her to be with Emmerich that things would become even more complicated then they already were. Klara could try to stand up to Kurt and refuse to follow his commands but that was usually much easier said then done – Kurt wasn't used to the word 'no' and, brother or not, when he wanted something done it was usually seen through. He'd been trying to find her a 'suitable' husband for years; Emmerich, she knew, would fit Kurt's requirements perfectly.

Klara shut the curtains roughly and then headed for the bedroom, frowning to herself all the way.

It was out of her hands for now. Now all she could do was pray that, by some miracle of God, Emmerich wouldn't make a good impression on her brother.

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