Warning, there is some offensive language in this chapter and offense names. I mean nothing by it, its for the sake of the story!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Own nothing.
It was all Klara could do to not pay attention to the small group of German soldiers sitting three tables away from her, and it was a feat that seemed to grow more and more impossible by the moment.
Ever since she'd sat down the men had been making comments and conspicuously leering at her, and though they seemed oblivious to it, their actions were making her temper flare wildly inside of her – to the point where it felt as though she were only moments away from finally losing her control and berating the men for their crude behavior. She chanced a glance at them over the top of the menu when they fell silent, just to see if they were still paying attention to her, and immediately regretted the decision; most of the men wiggled their eyebrows at her or made kissy faces while the other simply smirked or laughed at their friend's antics.
This was just the icing on the cake after the stressful two days she had been having. The young teenagers were settled comfortably in her secret room, so everything was going according to plan in that respect, but the arrival of another note from Emmerich (asking for another date) the morning after they'd come to stay had brought forth a new round of stress. All Klara wanted was for something, anything, in her life to be uncomplicated even if just for a moment, but she had the distinct feeling that she would not be allowed that luxury. By this point the German was only moments away from asking Donny to finally take care of the Emmerich debacle and rid her of the Nazi pest – somehow she'd managed to refrain from doing so by trying to convince herself that Emmerich would get what was coming to him sooner or later (and hopefully sooner rather then later).
So now she sat in the usual café that she and Shoshanna frequented for their weekly brunches, yearning for relaxation, but thanks to the annoying German soldiers she was still apparently far from obtaining such a luxury. Klara had no idea why men thought they could treat women in such a disrespectful way, or why anyone would find their roaming eyes and obnoxious cat-calling flattering, but they had been severely misguided.
Klara jumped a few moments later when the chair across from her was first pulled out and then occupied, having been so wrapped up in her angry thoughts that she hadn't even realized that her friend had arrived. Shoshanna cast her a strange look before turning a scrutinizing look towards the table of soldiers as she shrugged off her coat.
"You look as though you have been having a bad morning." Shoshanna commented with a smirk.
"And it is still only eleven in the morning." Klara grumbled. "It has been one of those days, I am afraid. This morning I burned my hand then proceeded to rip my favorite dress when it got caught in the door, not forgetting that I was nearly run down by a car just outside of the café when I arrived." She explained huffily, recalling the misfortune she'd been experiencing all day. With a shake of her head Klara dropped the menu, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "I need a holiday."
Shoshanna bit back a smile and reached out to pat her arm, forcing a small smile out of Klara with the comforting gesture. "Are you still worrying about Donny, as well?"
"Of course. I always do. But, thank God, he has returned safely." Klara informed, dropping her hands onto the table. "I saw him two nights ago and I will see him again tonight. He left word this morning."
Shoshanna nodded then raised her hand to motion a waiter over. "That is good news to hear at least." She said reassuringly before ordering two drinks for them once their waiter had arrived at the table. After he walked away, Shoshanna leaned in closer. "Any news with the Basterds?" She asked, dropping her voice low so as not to be overheard.
"That is still to be determined." Klara responded. "As it turns out, Aldo the Apache wants to hold a meeting between my people and the Basterds." She revealed in a hushed voice. "I do not know what about, though – seeing as neither of my partners were too pleased with how much we have become intertwined with them, I should hope he is not attempting to join forces."
Shoshanna nodded. "I can understand that." She said just before the waiter returned with their drinks.
"As can I." Klara agreed. For a moment Shoshanna became distracted by the group of soldiers, an irritated look crossing her feature for a moment at their behavior, but quickly turned her attention back on Klara when she continued speaking. "A meeting is necessary, however. It will make things much clearer, let everyone know exactly where we stand – this is something I most certainly am not opposed to." Klara glanced at the group of men, who were paying their tabs but looking like they were in no rush to leave, and scowled. "Sometimes I truly hate men." She added, effectively changing the subject as she eyed the men distastefully.
"Yes, well, for the most part you have been surrounded by a bunch of Neanderthals." Shoshanna said cynically. "I understand your animosity." Then she smirked in amusement as she realized how irritable Klara really was. "I cannot recall another moment where I have seen you this aggravated. Is there something else happening I should know of?"
Klara shook her head, glaring at the men. One of them had finally gotten the hint and was no longer paying their table any mind, but the others with him had not. They were becoming bolder and more raucous with their ogling and comments, and Klara had just about reached the end of her patience. She was simply in too foul of a mood to tolerate the soldiers for much longer and whether they knew it or not, they were about to feel her wrath.
"Klara." Shoshanna said, catching her attention. "Just ignore them."
"I am trying. It is incredibly hard to, however," Klara started to say in French, "when rude and barbaric men are distracting me from my conversation." She finished in an annoyed voice, switching abruptly to German. She knew Shoshanna couldn't understand her but the men certainly could and they look highly surprised to not only hear her speaking in German, but also that she was addressing them. "Have you no manners?" She asked, throwing a napkin at their table. "Did your mothers raise you with the belief that ogling women and making ungentlemanly gestures would somehow acquire you a wife? I find that very hard to believe and I suggest you correct your ways, because the only thing your behavior will catch you, sirs, is an annoyed German woman and a hard hit to the face!"
The men were dumbfounded for a moment as they recovered from her lecture, but as they started to protest and argue back Klara stood from her seat, determined to hold her ground and glaring angrily at them. "I would choose your words carefully, soldiers. My brother, Kurt Bathurst, would not be very pleased to learn that his only sister is being harassed by his fellow men in battle." She hissed dangerously.
Klara had said the magic words – as soon as they realized just who she was they immediately fell silent and looked as though they had seen a ghost. One finally stood and wrung his hands together nervously, bowing his head to her slightly. "Forgive us, Fraulein Bathurst. We did not recognize you."
"Apology unaccepted." She snapped in return, making the man flinch. "You should be kind to every woman you meet, not just those related to someone you admire." Klara added in aggravation. "Now gather your things and leave or you will regret not doing so…now!"
The group fumbled over one another in their haste to depart and ran out as though the place was on fire. Klara watched them go in satisfaction, ignoring the numerous sets of eyes currently trained on her back, and smoothed out her skirt before sitting back down at the table. Shoshanna, who had been quiet throughout the whole exchange, looked to her with an expression that was both surprised and highly amused. The blonde finally let a smirk creep through and grabbed her drink, raising it in salute to her before taking a drink.
"Other than hearing your brother's name I do not have any clue what you said," Shoshanna started. "but I am sure it was terrifying." She finished.
"Yes, well, telling people of my relation does seem to work to my advantage now and again." Klara grumbled. Then she scoffed cynically before taking a hearty drink of her wine. "At least by speaking of him I probably will have earned myself a bit more time before people become suspicious of me."
A concerned expression immediately took residence on Shoshanna's face. "What is this then? Why do you speak of such things?" When Klara didn't answer, Shoshanna frowned. "Are you sure you are well? I have never seen you in such a state, especially not over something as significant as a few rowdy German soldiers."
Klara shook her head and pressed raising her drink up to press the cool glass of it against her forehead, sighing with the relief it brought to her suddenly hot body. "I do not know what has gotten into me today. I have been in a sour mood since I left my home." She admitted. "I am merely stressed. With everything that is happening and with Kurt hovering…" Klara sighed. "I suppose I am just afraid that whenever I get caught, it will be he who will drag me to the execution stand." She finally admitted.
"If you get caught, Klara." Shoshanna corrected. "Which you will not – you must think positively." The two friends shared a long look before Klara finally nodded her agreement. Shoshanna didn't hesitate to raise her hand to signal the waiter again. "Here, let us order another round. You could use the drink."
After ordering just enough rounds of red wine to make her feel warm and tingly, Klara had made her way back to her home and spent the rest of the day trying to occupy herself as she waited for Donny's arrival. She felt a little more like herself after a nap, a hot bath, and then a large dinner…that was at least until eleven o'clock finally rolled around and she heard the firm knock on her door. Then her body was tingling with excitement and desire.
In an instant Klara flew off of her couch and yanked the door open, grinning at Donny once her eyes had landed on him. She didn't waste any time and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket, pulling him inside and dragging his lips down to her at once. He responded to her urgency and kicked the door shut behind him as they kissed one another hungrily, but after a few moments he pulled away, keeping her at bay with his hands on her shoulders. Klara looked at him in confusion but he only gave her a serious look in return, immediately making her a bit nervous.
"I need to talk to ya."
Klara felt her stomach drop and gulped. "What about?" She asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Donny seemed to think over his words for a moment. "I don't want ya runnin' these late night missions with those guys anymore."
Klara was surprised, but at the same time a bit relieved, to hear what he had to say. She had been sure a moment earlier that he was going to end their relationship and the mere thought of such a thing happening had almost forced her heart up into her throat – the fact that he hadn't said anything of that sort eased her anxiety at once. But then, as his words really processed in her head, Klara's relief came to a screeching halt and she pulled away from him a bit further. "Wait…you want me to discontinue helping families?" Klara asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"I didn't say that." Donny said quickly. "I just don't want ya runnin'around France in the middle of the night. What ya've been doin' is extremely dangerous and the fact that ya move families from the bar to ya house alone is downright fuckin' moronic."
Klara crossed her arms over her chest. "We arranged it that way for a specific reason, Donny." She defended. "We do not share important details about our private lives so that if one of us were ever to be caught, then we would not have information to provide on the others involved." Klara explained. "It is safer for everyone if we do not know where each other live, names of our family members, things of that sort – trust me."
"Safer for who?" Donny countered. "'Cause it seems like you're the one riskin' ya damn neck while the other guys sit around and twiddle their damn thumbs." He shot back, his frown deepening.
"I know what I am doing." Klara responded calmly, trying not to become annoyed with his over-protectiveness. "Remy and Dieter do plenty and they would never betray me, if that is what you are getting at. I was doing this long before I met you, Donny, and I will continue to do it after you leave."
Donny's eyebrows instantly rose at her choice of words and Klara inwardly cringed, rubbing her forehead once she realized just how bad they had sounded. "And just when am I leavin', Klara?" He asked condescendingly, now crossing his arms so that he was mimicking her stance and pinning her into place with an irritable look.
Unfortunately, if there was one thing in the world that Klara hated it was when someone talked down to her or made her feel as though she were two inches tall. His tone caused her anger to flare up again, fueled by all of the annoyances throughout her day, and she shrugged a shoulder at him. "You tell me. It is not as though you ever actually told me what this…" She took a moment to motion between the two of them, "arrangement was anyway."
That was apparently the wrong thing to say, if the dark look on his face was anything to judge by. "I didn't think I'd had to – thought that was pretty fuckin' obvious." He growled. "I seem to recall telling ya that I loved you more then once…unless ya have some look-a-like runnin' around and that's who I've actually been fuckin' this whole time." He finished rudely.
Her jaw dropped for a moment before she ground her teeth together and glared at him angrily. "You are being incredibly offensive at the moment."
"And you are fuckin' confusin' me." He retorted, sounding exasperated. Then he shook her head and started to head back for the door. "I don't understand where all of this is coming from but I have too much shit on my plate to be fightin' with ya right now." And with that he was reaching for the doorknob and obviously about to depart for the night.
Klara might have been angry with him but when she remember how unstable their lives were, how unpredictable and dangerous their worlds were, her anger melted away and heart stopped at the thought of them parting on angry terms. If something happened to him and these were their last moments together, it would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Without hesitation Klara immediately moved forward, skirting around him so that she could place herself between him and the door. An impatient look passed over Donny's handsome features and he came to a quick halt, shifting his weight on his feet. "Wait, do not leave." She requested with a shake of her head. "Not like this. Please." Donny said nothing in response and for a long, silent moment they watched each other, Klara with pleading eyes and Donny with stubbornness radiating off of him. When it became apparent that he wasn't about to give in first and try to righten things between them, Klara finally sighed and placed her hands on his tense shoulders. "Forgive me, I apologize for being so grumpy." She said softly. "My day was terrible and I was expecting to rid myself of all my worries by making love to you all night. I was not anticipating a lecture and was just caught by surprise. I should not have reacted so poorly to your concern for my safety." She admitted.
"I didn't lecture." Donny huffed with a roll of his eyes, even as he relaxed under her touch a bit.
"You did to an extent." Klara corrected gently.
For a brief instance it seemed as though he knew she was right, but he merely looked at her for a moment and refused to admit to anything. "Is it that time of the month?" He asked with a quirk of his eyebrow. "That why ya so moody?"
Klara immediately smacked his shoulder, shooting him an offended look that finally made him crack a smile. "No, it is not, thank you very much." She said, sticking her nose in the air. "Not that it is any of your concern, but that will be next week."
"Got it." He said with a nod. Then he finally placed his hands back on her waist and pulled her closer so that he could kiss her. Klara happily responded until he pulled away from her once again, just far enough so that he could speak. "I win, by the way."
Klara shook her head and let out a short laugh. "Do not get used to it."
Klara and Donny saw each other only one more time in that week and before anyone knew it, the night for the two groups to finally have their meeting had approached. Klara agreed to meet with Remy at a checkpoint about halfway to the meeting spot, so that they and the teenagers could arrive together, while Dieter had informed them that he would show up in the clearing with the truck. The original plan had been to move the teenagers the following week, but in the end they had all agreed that since they were going to be gathering in the clearing anyway, they might as well move the three a little bit ahead of schedule and get them on their way to safety that night.
So now the three teenagers sat around her kitchen table, finishing their hearty meals off, while Klara changed for the impending journey. Their plates had all been cleared by the time she was ready to leave and upon entering the kitchen again, the three teenagers stood and looked to her expectantly, seemingly awaiting further instruction. Klara motioned for them to follow her and led them to her study.
"I will go out first." Klara explained once they were by the window. "I will see if the coast is clear then I will whistle for you. Do not leave this house until you hear my whistle, understood?" She asked, looking each teenager directly in the eyes.
When all three nodded in understanding, Klara offered an approving nod of her own before turning to the window, opening it, and climbing through. She landed easily on the cobblestone below her window and immediately walked all the way to the end of the alley, studying the surroundings to her left first, then the right. The streets were emptier then usual tonight but this didn't cause her much worry – less people roaming about meant it would be easier to sneak around. Klara checked once more before turning and heading back in the direction she'd come, moving the crate into place under the window as she went past but continuing on without giving any signal so that she could check the front of the house as well, just in case. When she got to the opening of the alleyway, however, she just about had a heart attack.
There, on her porch and about to knock on her front door, was Emmerich. And he had obviously heard her approach because he was now looking in her direction in confusion with his hand still poised to knock. When he realized it was only her, he dropped his hand and took a few steps in her direction. "Miss Bathurst?"
"Emmerich!" She said, her heart suddenly beating wildly while anxiousness spread to every inch of her body. Almost at once her palms began to sweat. "What are you doing here?"
"I was coming to invite you to the tavern with me and my comrades." He informed her before glancing towards the alleyway with an odd expression. "What were you doing in the alley?" He asked curiously, finally making his way down the steps of her porch so that he could come join her.
"I…I…" She stuttered nervously as he approached. "I thought I heard something moving outside of my home and went to investigate." Klara lied quickly. Then she plastered on a smile and put a hand over her heart to play up her performance. "It was a shock to come around the corner and see you there when I was already so frightened."
Emmerich seemed the buy her lie and nodded, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Forgive me for adding to your fright." He said, inclining his head to her for a brief instant. "No doubt a drink might calm your anxiety – shall you join me tonight? Assuming all is well here, of course." He added, eyeing the alleyway for another moment.
"All is well, but I am afraid I cannot join you all the same." Klara told him, hoping that her regretful tone sounded believable. "Thank you, though, for the kind offer."
Emmerich's grin fell and watched her for a long moment, the look on his face now quite unreadable. "You really do not like me, do you?" He asked, catching her off guard.
"No, it is not that!" She lied quickly, hoping to keep him from becoming too angry or upset. Men like him didn't handle rejection well, she'd come to learn that fact all too well. "It is merely getting late and I need to rest. I have a very busy day planned for tomorrow, that is the only reason for my rejection."
There was a stretch of silence before Emmerich nodded and scooped up her hand, kissing the top of it. But where in the past he'd donned a charming smile for moments like these, now he was acting very differently. She didn't know if he'd finally reached his breaking point or not, but something in him had most certainly changed and Klara found that she didn't like the way he was looking at her one bit. It was making her very nervous and even a little afraid – she wasn't able to breathe easier until he finally released her and took a step away.
"Emmerich?" She asked unsurely.
"Have a good night, Miss Bathurst, and get some rest." He said in response. "No doubt I will see you soon enough."
With that being said he then proceeded to turn on his heel and walk away without another glance in her direction, making her stare after him in confusion. What in the world had just happened? One moment he was happy and asking her on a date, the next he had been as cold as an ice sculpture – had he finally gotten the hint? Had she finally managed to get rid of Emmerich? Klara watched him walk away until she couldn't see him anymore, mulling over what had just happened. As much as she wanted to believe that she had finally solved the Emmerich problem, a nagging feeling kept telling her that was more then likely not the case.
Not so surprisingly, her run in with Emmerich had taken up just enough time so that when she and the teenagers finally arrived at the checkpoint Remy was nowhere in sight, his paranoia no doubt making him impatient with her and prompting him to move on to the meeting spot without her. So once Klara was convinced that her partner was nowhere in sight they continued on the all-too-familiar path to the forest – Remy and a very impatient looking Aldo were waiting just inside the tree line when they finally arrived.
"What took you so long?" Remy asked as soon as she led the teenagers over the fence. "Was there a problem?"
"Nothing of importance." She reassured him. "A brief encounter with a Nazi is the reason for my delay."
"Oh yeah, that's nothin'ta be concerned about." Aldo chimed in sarcastically. As Klara and the teenagers joined him and Remy, the American turned suspicious eyes in the direction Klara had just come from. "Did 'e follow ya?"
"No. I made sure he was long gone before venturing this way."
"Good." Aldo said with a sniff. "Let's get this show on the road then."
She, Remy, and the teenagers followed behind Aldo as he led them through the trees to the familiar clearing. There was hardly any light as they made their way deeper into the woods but she could just make out the faces of all the Basterds once they reconvened with the group, her eyes lingering on the handsome one she had just parted ways with only three nights previous. Donny winked at her discreetly in greeting, the corner of his mouth turning up just a bit, and she flashed a quick smile in return.
"Where's yer other man?" Aldo asked, crossing his arms over his chest once he'd come to a halt in the center of the clearing.
"He should arrive any moment." Klara answered before accepting a flask that was suddenly passed to her. She sniffed at it and blanched a bit at the strong smell before passing it on with a shake of her head – Remy accepted it gladly.
While some of the Basterds talked quietly amongst themselves, Donny moved a little closer to her side. "What was the hold up?" He asked in a hushed tone, seemingly uncaring of the looks currently being shared between his comrades as they watched her and Donny interact.
Klara cringed, knowing all too well that he wasn't going to like her answer. "Emmerich." She stated simply.
"That fuck again?" Donny asked in exasperation. He shook her head with a heave and she could tell that he was grinding his teeth in annoyance.
"Unfortunately. But he acted…strangely." She admitted. "I think something may have changed – perhaps he has finally admitted defeat and will leave me be."
"Doubtful." Donny said with a snort. "Ya looks are becomin' a liability." He added.
Klara immediately flashed him an annoyed look. "So sorry that I take care of myself and like to look my best." She retorted, diligently ignoring how vain she sounded right then. "Do you forget that my brother has been attempting to arrange our marriage?" Klara reminded him, causing Donny to grind his teeth again. "If you have a problem, address it to him."
"Believe me, I have a lotta problems waiting to be addressed to ya brother…and to that bastard followin' ya around like a lost puppy." Donny told her matter-of-factly, sounding and looking just the slightest bit maniacal as he began to tap his bat impatiently against his shoulder.
Klara felt her brief annoyance with Donny fade away and instead felt a pleasant warmth in its place – Donny's protectiveness over her was endearing and, she had to admit, the fire in him that drove him to punish any and every Nazi in his path was actually something she found to be very appealing, even if it did make her question his sanity from time to time. She reached over to him discretely as the other men continued talking amongst themselves, running a hand over his back. When he looked down at her, she offered him a small smile. "And one day, I just might serve them to you on a silver platter."
Donny's eyebrows rose. "What happened to not gettin' involved?"
"I can see when someone needs to be taken care of. My brother is a dangerous man and Emmerich just might prove to be a rather large problem some day if we are not careful. The situation needs to be remedied." She reasoned logically. "Besides…I will not be the one wielding the weapon. I shall leave that to you."
Donny stared at her in a way that made heat course through her then let out a slow, heavy breath. "God, I want ya right now." He said for only her to hear, his voice a bit huskier then usual.
Klara would have said something in return but Aldo took that moment to interrupt. "Alright, lovebirds. Knock it off over there." He called out. Klara and Donny immediately focused their attention on him as he began to pace around at a leisurely pace, looking to her and Remy with a bit of skepticism. "This third man…he can be trusted right? He wouldn't think this a prime opportunity'ta cut 'imself a deal 'n turn us all in?"
"Of course not." Remy immediately vouched.
As if on cue, the sound of an approaching car caught the attention of the group and made them all look in the direction the sound was coming from. The Basterds readied their guns as the large truck stopped at the edge of the clearing, just in case, then looked to her and Remy questioningly as Dieter flashed his headlights. "That is him." Klara informed them, taking a few steps closer to the truck and watching as Dieter exited the vehicle. The Basterds relaxed (mostly) when the newcomer came to stand in front of his truck and survey the group before him.
"Greetings, everyone." He said calmly, as though they were all old friends meeting for a night out at the tavern. "Before we begin anything, I think I have something we all should see."
There were shared looks of confusion amongst everyone in the group as Dieter walked back to his truck and headed for the passenger side. Klara frowned when he opened up the door, roughly pulling out something – or rather someone – who was producing muffled noises and struggling to get out of the German man's firm grasp. Donny was by her side again in a moment, looking on with curiosity, and just about everyone took a step closer to get a better look. When Dieter finally rounded the truck and the moonlight hit the mystery person that he was half-dragging into the clearing, both Donny and Klara looked on in absolute shock.
"Where did you find him?" She asked slowly, her eyebrows furrowing together as she stared at a bound, gagged, and very disheveled looking Emmerich Haugg.
Dieter tightened his hold on his captive as the Nazi fixed his glare on her. "Damn near ran him over with my truck." He revealed. "He was skulking around in the woods about twenty yards back. I believe he was attempting to spy."
"Where there's one there's more." Donny grumbled. A number of the Basterds were eyeing the trees around them untrustingly. "See anyone else?"
"No. Just him."
Klara moved towards Emmerich, their gazes holding steady as she approached, and pulled the handkerchief keeping him silent out of his mouth. "You fucking traitor!" He growled at her in German the moment he was allowed to speak again. "You will burn for this! For helping this scum! For helping the kikes! For everything!"
The offensive words had her seeing red and before she realized what she was doing, Klara reared back and slapped him hard across the face, her anger momentarily getting the better of her. "You would do well to choose your words carefully." She warned dangerously, speaking to him in their native tongue. "And it is not I who will burn, that you can be sure of."
"Do they know?! Do they know who your brother is?!" Emmerich demanded to know, his eyes looking a little wild. "They would surely kill you if they did!"
Klara glared at him for a lingering moment and then turned to face the group. "I am Klara Bathurst, the only sister of Kurt Bathurst." She announced to the Basterds. All of them looked stunned to hear this revelation while a few instantly swung disbelieving eyes in Donny's direction, looking at him as though he had lost his mind for getting involved with her. "And I have been helping Jews escape Europe for over a year now and I plan to do whatever I can to bring down the Hitler and all the monsters working under him." She continued. "If anyone has a problem with this, come forward now."
Though still surprised, none of the Basterds spoke up against her. Klara couldn't help but cast a triumphant smirk down at Emmerich before turning her back on him and rejoining Donny. Aldo came forward to occupy the space she'd just vacated, shooting a look in her direction that could only be described as impressed, then crouched down in front of the fuming mad Nazi so that they could speak face to face.
"Well, had I known we was expectin' company, I would'a gotten a bit more fancied up." He told him with a smile, his voice unusually chipper. "You in a sharin' mood, son?"
Emmerich met Aldo's stare with a challenging look of his own before spitting at the man. "I will never give away anything." He said resolutely as Aldo heaved and wiped at his face. "I am not stupid. I will not survive this."
"And what makes ya say that?"
"Her!" Emmerich growled, nodding towards Klara. "You know I will tell her brother and Landa and every Nazi I have ever known what she has been doing. It will end in her being shunned, tortured, and killed. I know better – you will not let me leave freely from this clearing."
Aldo pursed his lips and then nodded in confirmation, shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah, well, ya have a point there." He conceded. "Any other day I'd offer her up fer information, but I don't think my friend over there'd be too happy with me if I did." He said, motioning to Donny. "And since I kinda need him around, it'd be in my best interest not to hand over 'is woman. Sorry 'bout yer bad luck."
As Aldo's words sunk in, Emmerich turned a disbelieving look on her and Donny. When the Basterd flashed him a condescending smirk, he immediately became enraged. "You let this filth into your bed?" He asked incredulously, addressing her in perfect English so everyone could understand him.
"I fail to see how that is any of your business." Klara responded, even though her lack of denial proved well enough just what the nature of their relationship was.
Emmerich opened his mouth to begin ranting again but Aldo beat him to the punch. "Ya got one more chance'ta talk, son, because we can't be havin' all this yellin' goin' on here." Aldo interrupted sharply, immediately making Emmerich quiet whatever argument he had.
"I would rather die." Emmerich told him bitingly.
Aldo stared at him for a long moment before resigning to the fact that Emmerich wasn't going to talk, standing up, then nodding once to Donny. Donny didn't hesitate as he handed Klara his bat then proceeded to shrug off his jacket. They exchanged their items, Klara flashing him a small, encouraging smile, before Donny began swinging his bat around menacingly as though warming up – though it was obvious Emmerich was trying to hide it, there was the hint of fear on his face with each step the Basterd took in his direction.
"Do your worst, kike." Emmerich said as Donny came to a halt in front of him. "I do not fear you."
"Ya should." Donny responded pointedly. "Ya've killed my people, have done God-knows-what to those ya capture, and insulted my girl to my face." He listed off, raising his bat up until the end hovered directly in front of Emmerich's eyes. "And now the only thing between me 'n you is my friend here."
Emmerich eyed the bat in front of him, his eyes almost going cross-eyed as he did so, and then turned his eyes up to Donny. Then, as they glared at one another, he puffed out his chest and jutted his chin into the air, obviously not going to speak anymore and silently telling Donny to proceed. Donny stared at Emmerich menacingly for a long moment before fixing his grip on the bat, leveling it with Emmerich's temple, and then swinging with all his might.
Klara wasn't naïve or ignorant – she knew exactly why Donny was so feared by the Germans. And though he had killed someone in front of her before (when he'd rescued her in the bar), this was the first time that she was actually consciously aware of what was happening. The crunch of bone under solid wood, the sickening procession of THUNK, THUNK, THUNK as Donny beat the life out of Unterscharführer Emmerich Haugg; even the cheering of the Basterds around her couldn't drown out the sounds. But as disturbing as it was, Klara couldn't bring herself to turn her eyes away. She watched as Donny repeatedly brought his bat down on Emmerich, wincing a little bit each time he made contact – it occurred to her that she probably should have been horrified, should have felt some kind of fear at that moment, but instead Klara found herself almost (strangely) fascinated now that she was seeing Donny in his true element. Fascinated and, truth be told, proud.
The grotesque sounds ceased only seconds later and the clearing went quite, the silence only broken up here and there by a few last cheers of the Basterds and Donny's heavy breathing as he moved away from Emmerich's unrecognizable body. There were smatterings of blood all over him as he came to join her again but he seemed unbothered by it – his focus was trained on her as though he were trying to gauge her reaction to the situation. Klara simply offered a smile, nodded once, then produced a handkerchief from her pocket so that she could pass it over to him.
"Well, this's become an eventful night." Aldo said cheerily as Donny flashed her a smirk and began to wipe his face clean. "'Fraid we can't linger too much longer, though. Anyone could'a heard what was happenin' here." He then rounded on her, Remy, and Dieter. "The main reason we called ya out was so we can all finally see each other. Gets'a little tricky out there 'n the last thing we want is'ta mistakenly injure a friendly should we happen'ta cross paths unexpectantly."
"Of course." Remy responded. "And we want you to be clear that we will have no part in your operations." He continued on, leaving no room for argument. "We support what you do and hold you in the highest regard for it, but it is far too dangerous to our mission if we risk our lives in the way that you do."
Aldo considered Remy's words for a moment and then nodded in understanding. "I read ya clearly, friend." He said, moving forward to shake Remy's hand – Remy eyed it for a moment before shaking his hand firmly. "And on behalf'a all my men, I'd like'ta say how much we 'preciate what you three been doin'."
"Thank you."
After that everyone began to prepare to depart. Dieter went to round up the Jewish teenagers, ushering them in the direction of the truck, while the Basterds all began to collect their things. Klara firmly kept her attention on anything but Emmerich's body and turned towards Donny instead, offering a small smile as he closed a bit of the distance between them. "What did I promise? Silver platter." She informed him.
Donny nodded and then passed over her handkerchief with a grimace. "Sorry 'bout the blood…" He apologized.
"Do not worry over it." She told him with a shake of her head, plucking up the bloody kerchief and slipping it back into the pocket of her jacket.
Donny glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention to them, which nobody really was, then reached out to run a hand up and down the length of her arm. "Ya alright after seein' that?"
Klara sucked in a breath and then nodded. "Yes, I am fine." She answered reassuringly. "He was a Nazi – there is no knowing how many terrible things he did."
He nodded again in agreement then frowned, lowering his voice when he spoke up again. "Listen, I don't wanna lecture…" He started.
"I know. I made a mistake and I apologize for it." She finished for him with a sigh. "This could have turned out much differently." She then admitted. "I must be more watchful from now on."
"Yeah, ya should." He agreed. "I know ya won't give this up, it means too much to ya. So just…be careful. Watch ya back."
Klara nodded. "I will." She readily agreed.
"Donowitz! Get your bat and let's go!" One of the Basterds called to him.
Donny glanced in the direction of his comrade for a second before turning to Klara and kissing her despite the fact that they were not alone. Remy and Dieter were saying their goodbyes when she and Donny parted again and she waved to her friend in parting, smiling as he hopped back into the truck, turned on the engine, then went driving off. "Go." She said to Donny as Remy began to make his way towards them. "I will see you soon."
He nodded but then looked over at Remy questioningly. "Can ya at least stay with her part of the way?" He requested.
Remy nodded once in agreement. "Yes."
Donny seemed pleased to hear this and turned back to her so he could kiss the top of her head. "Go on." Klara urged when another Basterd began impatiently calling for him.
"Alright." He said. "Love you."
"And I love you."
As the sound of Dieter's truck disappearing into the darkness faded away, Donny pressed one last short kiss to her lips before snatching up his belongings and then trailing after his comrades. He waved goodbye to her one last time at the edge of the clearing just before ducking into the brush and disappearing from sight, leaving Klara to suck in a breath and then release it heavily. Be safe, she thought to herself.
"Well, that went smoothly." Remy said, catching her attention.
"I suppose." Klara agreed with a shrug. When the two of them turned to leave she couldn't help but pull a face when she had to step around Emmerich's dead body – she hesitated, however, when two remaining Basterds trailed behind them and grabbed the body by the ankles. Both saluted Klara and Remy before beginning to drag the body away.
Remy shot her a look and she shrugged. "I do not want to know."
"Me neither."
And with that, the clearing was vacated and fell silent again, leaving no signs of what had just transpired with Klara and her men, the Basterds, and the Nazi whose curiosity had ended up being his demise.
A/N: Review!
