A/N: I'm sorry.

I know it's been an incredibly long time since I updated this story. For a while, I had no access to the movie, which hampered my writing, and then the past five months of my life have been complete chaos. I had never lost anyone I truly loved until this year, and then I lost both my father and my grandfather within two months of each other. I've been trying to find a way to feel like my old self again, and I decided to give writing a shot. So far, it the one thing that's really helped me feel normal again. So I'm sorry if it sucks, but I'm putting forth my best effort!

I missed this story, I'll be the first to admit it!

Enjoy! And review, I love reviews.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Having Donny come to visit her then being forced to let him go so he could disappear with his comrades for unknown lengths of time was something that Klara had been doing ever since the day she'd met him. And by this time, saying goodbye was something that she might have thought she'd grow accustomed to.

But as it was, now that they had exchanged some of the most important words two people could exchange she found that her concern for his safety had increased significantly. The twelve days that had passed since they'd professed their love and then gone their separate ways (yet again) had been complete torture for Klara. Her mind had been constantly plagued with thoughts of what could have happened to him while they were apart and the days had been spent wondering when she would see him again. Running errands, visiting with Shoshanna, busying herself around the house – though they had been enough to effectively keep her mind occupied at one point in time, they were no longer enough to distract her from her bothersome thoughts.

This was why the note she'd received from Remy earlier that week couldn't have come at a better time – it was the first time Klara's worries had been successfully diverted away from Donny since watching him walk away from her window nearly two weeks ago.

So now she sat perched on the edge of the bed and slipping into her shoes. When the blonde straightened up again she stretched her neck first to the right, and then to the left, before sucking in a deep breath.

One thing was certain, Klara was definitely beginning to feel the urgency behind everything happening in her life. She needed to help more families, because every day more and more Jews were being killed. She needed to be with Donny any moment she could, because she never knew when her last day with him would approach. She needed to find a way to get rid of Emmerich once and for all and preferably in a way that didn't involve bloodshed, though if he didn't get the hint soon the idea of setting The Bear Jew loose on him was becoming vastly more appealing. Then of course there was the fact that she was related to a Jew-hunting monster. Klara wasn't naïve – she knew that someday she would either be caught (maybe even killed) in the act, and deep down she had the feeling that Kurt would be the one to figure out the truth.

The stress of it all was beginning to catch up to her, but Klara tried hard not to let it consume her completely. She needed to keep her head on straight. If not, everything, including her, would come falling apart at the seams.

When the clock chimed eleven times, signaling the new hour, Klara shook her head to rid herself of the troublesome thoughts. Now wasn't the time to sit there fretting over the tangled web she currently resided in, now was the time to focus on the task at hand – there was another family depending on her and waiting to get to safety.

Klara stood resolutely from the bed and walked to the vanity, snatching up a hat before securing it over her blonde hair. Remy and her new guests would be waiting for her in the bar, where she knew she'd have to divulge the same secret she'd revealed to Dieter concerning her involvement with Donny. She wasn't overly worried about him losing his head over it, since Remy wasn't nearly as hot-headed as Dieter, but where the Frenchman lacked temper he made up for it with paranoia. He was sure to have as poor of a reaction to the news as Dieter initially had.

The moment that Klara finally slipped out of her study window and landed in the alleyway, she was hit with the strange nagging feeling of being watched.

She paused, looking towards the right and then to the left as the hairs on the back of her neck immediately stood on end. She, Remy, and Dieter had decided long ago that if the operation felt compromised in anyway to abort the mission, and for the first time Klara felt like doing just that. For a few long moments the German stood perched on the crate, strongly considering going back into her home and forgoing the whole thing, but finally pushed away her doubts and continued on when nothing around her showed signs of life or movement. She still felt a little uneasy as she turned back to close the window but decided her paranoia was just derived from her growing apprehension for everything going on in her life just then.

Klara hopped off the crate and listened to her own echoing footsteps as she scampered down the alleyway, turning right once she reached the street to start in the direction of the bar. As usual, a few drunken guards and Frenchmen were wandering the streets and, as usual, she darted past them with as little conversation and interaction as possible. The feeling of being watched subsided the further she walked and she breathed easier as she took a moment to duck into a darkened alcove, peering in the direction she had come from to make sure no one was paying any mind to the German woman's whereabouts.

Once she was convinced that her presence was old news amongst the tavern hoppers she slipped back out of the alcove, dug her hands into her pockets, and set off for the bar again. To her relief she didn't encounter anyone else and as soon as Klara reached the rotted, partially destroyed door to the old bar she knocked the designated pattern and then opened the door, smiling in greeting when she spotted Remy.

"You were quick tonight." Remy commented with a small smirk, sitting at a table and drinking casually from a flask. His feet were propped up as though he was relaxing but his index finger with placed securely on the trigger of his gun, ready to jump into action if the occasion called for it.

"The nightlife is slow tonight – I was able to slip past without drawing any attention." She stated as she shut the door again. Then she walked over to join him and extended a hand towards him, silently requesting him to pass over the flask he held. "How many this time?"

"Only three." He answered, handing her the flask. "I have been keeping my eye out for smaller groups now that your brother is hovering." He paused and watched as she knocked back some of the alcohol, smirking when she pulled a face at the potency, then snatched it back from her. "I also received a note from Dieter." Remy revealed slowly.
"It would appear you and I have something quite serious to discuss, friend."

Dieter the Snitch, Klara thought accusingly before slowly nodding her head. "Yes, we do."

"And am I correct in assuming it involves this Bear Jew we have spoken of previously?" He questioned knowingly.

Again, she nodded. "Yes. He and I…well, I do not really know what we are." She stated with a shrug. "But whatever it is, it is far more intimate then both you and Dieter would probably be comfortable with. And yes, he knows what we do but knows we have no wish to combine our mission with the one he and his fellow men have embarked on."

Remy stared at her for a moment, processing the information, then knocked back some more of his drink. "I cannot say that I am surprised." He finally admitted, finally standing from his seat. "I saw the look in your eyes when you were speaking of him. I figured it was only a matter of time before something…progressed between the two of you."

"You could always see right through me, Remy." Klara conceded with a short laugh.

Remy smirked and then cocked his head to the side. "So you told him then?" He inquired curiously.

"No. My brother decided to show up while The Bear Jew was still in my home." Klara revealed. Remy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I hid him with the family and he figured it out for himself."

"You are lucky to still be alive." Remy said matter-of-factly.

"That is how Dieter saw it as well."

"Klara, you must be more careful." Remy chastised. "If The Bear Jew had thought for even a moment that you were a double agent, he would have killed you – if Kurt had discovered who was hiding in your spare room, he would have killed you. You must practice more caution. None involved can afford to be careless."

Klara frowned, mulling over Remy's words. "You believe Kurt would have killed me?"

"You said yourself your brother has changed." Remy said simply. "And from what I hear and read, he takes his job very seriously." He slipped his flask into his pocket then brought his free hand up to rest on her shoulder. "I would suggest that you do not let yourself become too comfortable in the presence of your brother. I fear it would be a very unwise decision."

She nodded, feeling a little disconcerted with what Remy had said. It was already her plan to avoid both her brother and his wishes to see her become Mrs. Emmerich Haugg, but now Remy's worries had opened her mind to an entirely knew issue – Kurt had proven to be cruel and violent, but could his maliciousness extend further then physical abuse? Was it possible for him to be so cold-hearted that he would actually end his own sister's life?

Remy was about to speak again when the sound of multiple sets of footsteps suddenly resonated in the alley just outside of the bar. They both froze, sharing a look for a moment before Remy raised his gun, bracing it against his shoulder and pointing it towards the door. Klara reached into her jacket pocket to produce the small handgun she carried with her on nights like this, wielding it quickly as the footsteps drew closer. She hadn't realized how loudly they'd been having their discussion and cursed herself for their lack of discretion, cringing as the steps outside slowed upon nearing the door to the bar.

"They may keep going." Remy murmured to her, keeping his eyes trained on the door.

Klara glanced at him and shrugged uncertainly before shifting her gaze back to the door. When the doorknob suddenly jiggled, she and Remy both cocked their guns to the ready. The handle immediately stopped moving and she immediately heard whispers on the other side. Her heart began pounding in her chest out of fear that she and Remy were about to be bombarded by Nazi guards and she took a steadying breath, bracing herself for whatever was about to come through the door. Remy moved forward slowly and finally called out in French, demanding to know who was on the other side of the door.

"Announce yourself!" He called in a no-nonsense tone.

Klara listened out for the response, half-expecting the door to be kicked in at any momrent, but the only response was more whispering. But as she started to catch small snippets of the conversation outside, her eyebrows came together as she slowly figured out who might be on the other side of the door.

" – hell if I know! I don't speak French!" A voice whispered harshly.

"Just call for her!"

"Yeah, and get shot in the balls? No way." A familiar voice responded haughtily. "I know it's me, but they don't!"

Remy opened his mouth to speak again but Klara put a hand on his arm to quiet him, shaking her head at him and then smiling to herself as she slipped her gun into the waistband of her pants and walked to the door, pausing just outside of it. "I am opening the door. Please do not shoot me." She called out with a happy grin. She waited only another moment before yanking it open.

Once the door was open, the first person her eyes landed on was Donny. They shared a smile before she stepped to the side and motioned the three men inside, shutting the door securely once they had all filed into the dingy bar. Remy didn't look too pleased at the turn of events and rested his gun against his shoulder again with a frown, staring each man down. Klara took the place next to Donny but didn't make a move to touch or hug him – she'd missed him greatly but the last thing she wanted to do was put their romance on display in front of their comrades.

"What are you doing here?" Klara asked curiously, taking in Donny's appearance. Again there was a few days worth of stubble on his face and his hair was growing longer now, but she found his ruggedness quite appealing. She spied a few faded bruises on his arms and face but didn't worry herself over them too much because that seemed to be the extent of his injuries.

"Lieutenant wants to hold a meeting." Donny said, crossing his arms over his chest. "He wants to talk with ya…and the people ya work with. We were coming to leave ya a note when I saw ya slip out ya window. I assumed ya were coming to meet with someone…" He trailed off, looking over at Remy. "Seems I was right."

"A meeting?" Remy asked skeptically. "For what exactly?"

"Just to straighten out a few details." Donny answered. "And discuss a few options. Can ya do it?"

Klara and Remy shared a look and she shrugged, turning back to Donny. "It is not an easy task meeting with Dieter. He is on the road more then either of us." She explained to him. "But I will have to contact him so we can arrange a night to g move this new group to the shore….perhaps we can arrange a meeting on the night we move them. I can warn him ahead of time that when he comes to collect them that a meeting will take place as well."

"Perfect." Donny said with an approving nod.

Remy cleared his throat to catch her attention and then motioned her over. Klara flashed Donny an apologetic look before walking over to Remy. "We said we would not be involved with them, remember? You are already involved to deep. Do not bring us into this as well." He said lowly in French so that the Basterds present couldn't understand him.

"It is just a meeting." Klara shot back. "They know fully well we want nothing to do with their excursions."

She had a feeling that Remy's protest would have continued but when an unexpected noise sounded outside, sounding suspiciously like a group of soldiers marching past the bar, everyone in the room immediately went still and fell silent. Klara shared a look with Remy before creeping over to the window, ignoring both Remy and Donny when they moved to stop her, and pushed a blind out of the way just enough to look out into the street once she was close enough to. A small band of German soldiers was patrolling past but seemed none the wiser of what was happening in the dingy old bar they had just passed by.

"We need to end this meeting." She said quietly once the soldiers had cleared the area. "Those soldiers are not suspicious, but they will not be the only squad to patrol past here." Klara turned back to them, moving the blind back into place, and joined the group of men again as she checked her gun. "How long will you be here for?" She asked Donny.

"A week, at least."

"I will try to leave word of when we can set up a meeting within the week, then." She confirmed with a nod. "Remy, will you be able to make more visits so that I may leave word for you as well?"

"Yes." Remy agreed, albeit reluctantly so. He eyed the three men before him with a hint of distaste before walking up to Donny. He didn't move to shake the Bear Jew's hand but he did stare him down and bring himself up to full height to try and intimidate him. Judging by Donny's unaffected look, Klara didn't think it was working in the slightest. "If anything happens to our operation because of the relationship between you two, I will wring your neck myself." He threatened. "And I trust that since you now put Klara in harms way even more, that you will keep a close eye on her when you can spare it."

Donny actually looked offended for a moment before he glared at the Frenchman. "You bet ya sorry ass I'm keepin an eye on her. Ya think I'd leave her out to dry?" He snapped, squaring his shoulders.

"Good." Remy retorted before turning to Klara. "I will check back as often as I can. Now get those three out of here while I can still provide cover if it is needed."

"Hey…" One of Donny's men said, also looking offended.

"He was not speaking of you." Klara reassured him before turning to head for the stairs and taking the steps two at a time to go collect the three hiding Jews.

She wasn't too surprised to hear dead silence between the four men downstairs but was very surprised when she entered the attic and realized that the three Jews all looked to be young teenagers. They huddled together when Klara came into sight but relaxed when she offered a friendly smile, explaining the situation before leading them downstairs. Remy headed for the door when she reappeared with the three teenagers but Klara paused by Donny, motioning the three young teenagers to head towards where Remy was. Donny eyed the teenagers before turning his gaze back on Klara – she didn't miss the proud gleam residing in his eyes.

"We will leave first." Klara told him, readying her gun again. "Remy will guard us until we are a few blocks away. When he leaves, you three should take your leave as well."

"Ya think I'm gonna leave ya to this by yourself? No fuckin' way." Donny argued.

Though Klara did appreciate his protectiveness, she shook her head at him in slight exasperation. "This is not the first time I have done this, Donny."

"Yeah, but it's the first time I've known you're doin it though. I'm coming with ya." He said stubbornly. When she opened her mouth to protest, he cut her off. "My decision's final."

She stared at him for a long moment before sighing in defeat. "Fine. Just you though. We do not need the group to be any larger or we shall attract far too much attention."

Donny nodded and then turned to explain to his men what the new plan was while she rejoined the teenagers, patting Remy's shoulder. She said a few parting words to the Frenchman before Donny was at her side and pushing the door open, poking his head out first. He motioned that the coast was clear and then ushered the three teenagers out. Klara followed and nodded to Remy and the other two men in parting.

"I shall see you soon." She said before she, Donny, and the teenagers set off for her home.


"I don't like this at all." Donny said grumpily as he helped the teenagers into her house through the side window. "Is this really what ya been up to this whole time? This is so fuckin' dangerous it's stupid."

Klara rolled her eyes but kept guard, only sparing a glance in Donny's direction. "Donny, if I had a dog tag for every time I have done this, my souvenirs would put yours to shame." She told him with a smirk.

Donny didn't look amused. "It only takes one time to fuck everything up, Klare."

"I know." She said gently, switching tactics when she recognized the concern in his voice. She made her way over to him as the last teenager went through the window and rested a hand on his cheek, smiling at him fondly. "Thank you for being so worried, but I understood what I signed up for when I took this mission." She explained. "I have been lucky and I stay lucky by keeping myself optimistic. Try not to see the negative."

"It's hard not to when the girl I love is putting herself in harm's way." He said with a scowl.

"And the man I love is going on suicide missions half of the time, but you do not hear me fretting. I just pray that you know what you are doing and that you will do nothing to compromise yourself." She responded pointedly.

"I'm smarter than that." He shot back.

"Sometimes."

He huffed at her but Klara only let out a short laugh before leaning up to kiss him. He returned it eagerly, immediately wrapping his arms around her, and she allowed herself to become carried away with his fervent kiss. But when his hands began to boldly run over her body she gently pulled away from him. She was burning with desire for the handsome man in front of her but now was not the time to let their need for one another get the better of them. Donny snuck in one more kiss before she pulled away from him completely and stepped up onto the crate.

"I hate to see you go, but we must part way tonight. I need to keep a low profile." She said regretfully.

Donny nodded, looking disappointed, but didn't protest like she thought he might. He simply slung his gun over his shoulder and backed away a few steps. "I understand. I'll probably be around in a few days, then we can take some time to ourselves. I've been dyin'." He told her with a pitiful look. She giggled and shook her head, feeling butterflies of excitement erupt in her stomach. "Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect." She agreed immediately, just as eager to have private time with him. "Be careful."

"Yeah, you too." He shot back, moving even further away. "I'll be thinkin' about ya, Klare. Just…don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

"I won't." Klara promised him. "And Donny?" She hissed, making him stop. He tilted his head, waiting for her to continue, and she smiled at him lovingly. "I am glad you have returned safely."

"Me too."

"I love you." She said in parting, still feeling giddy to be saying the words even though this wasn't the first time she'd spoken them to Donny.

"Love ya, too." Donny responded with a small smirk before turning on his heel to leave. "See ya in a few days, Blondie."

A/N: Review!