DONNY
I tapped my foot against the street in annoyance; this Von Hammersmark woman was late. "Donny, be patient!"

I looked at Hugo. I didn't give a damn if she were the queen of England, it's a sign of respect to show up on time or even early to meetings. Especially in war. With Everyone of the Basterds faces practically memorized, disguises of dirt and Nazi uniforms would only work so long. "But Hugo, she's fucking late and people already know who we are."

Hugo raised his eyebrows to me. "Be calm Donny. She should be arriving soon."

Hugo lit another cigarette and leaned on a nearby building. We stood in silence, each of us watching one side of the street for this double agent. A sleek black car pulled up and a tall, well dress chauffeur got out, opening the back door to the car. "Gentlemen."

I stared at him, not sure of what was happening. Was this actress getting out, or were we going with her? Hugo stepped forward and got into the car, looking back to me to get in. I really did not want to trust this woman so soon, it could be dangerous. Hugo looked back out from the car. "Get in."

I followed his order, sitting next to him. I rested my gun over my knees, staring down the woman in front of me. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Donny."

Hugo chided me. I grinned widely, and leaned back in my seat, letting Hugo do the talking. I was here merely for intimidation and security. "We hear that you can get us into the premier."

"You heard right. I have another friend who will be my escort, and I think I can get about two of you into the premier. Maybe more, after all I have connections." she ruffled her short curled hair, and a haughty look came over her face.

Hugo gave her a smile, "Excellent. We'll be in touch with you about who and what and when. We need you to keep in contact with Hicox and he will be in touch with us."

How could things like this be so simple? Weren't there supposed to be bulky armed guards around her, and more for us, set in a dark room with one light above the table we sat at? Nothing in the war was this simple. Hugo tapped on the window behind our heads, making the car slow to a stop. He threw the door open and got out, waiting for me to follow.

"Remember, keep on top of things." he told Von Hammersmark.

"Ja." he shut the door and the car was down the street and turning left at the corner a few seconds later. Hugo stared after the car for a minute or so, and seeming to come to his sense, took off the opposite way from the car, adjusting his gun in his arms.

"That seemed fishily uncomplicated."

Hugo chuckled. "Get used to it with Von Hammersmark boy. She's not one for military men, especially American ones."

ANA'S POV

The cool evening air blew through my hair and made the leaves on my bracelet jingle. I missed Boston and all the baseball games I would go to see my friends play. It was where the sparks first flew between Donny and I too.

I didn't do well with being homesick, and I could only laugh at myself for being a spy. I pulled my knees to my chest. The first few days were always the hardest after seeing Donny. I missed him more and more each time.

The stars hid behind the clouds, like they were shielding themselves from the horrors happening beneath them. My mind whirled with the two missions I was assigned. Killing Landa would be hard, no doubt about it, but he could easily show me where Hitler resided.

I was the back up plan to Operation Kino.

In a little while, I'd be sitting in Erik's, drinking a few shots. Landa wouldn't be there this time, his next day off was sometime next week. My head throbbed dully, making me cringe. Headaches always had the knack for bringing me down quickly and easily. I pressed my finger tips to my temples, rubbing them tenderly. Headache or not, I'd have to be at the bar by five.

Anything out of my normal schedule could draw needless suspicion to me. Landa's infatuation with me was already a huge complication to my plans. Instead of receiving an order of explosives next week, I'd be spending the day with the Colonel. The mission seemed to be revolving around him and his ever changing antics. I looked to the clock tower, biting back a sigh.

Once on my feet, I dusted the seat of my pants off.

At least I could find comfort in alcohol when Donny wasn't around. I wondered if he thought about me as much as I of him. He never really could show me much emotion past 'I think you're pretty.' I could never read him as well as I could read other people.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I could look at a person and know a ton about them, but I could at least summarize how they felt at certain points. With Donny, I never could; it was like he had perfected using a mental shield. He was a waking headache.

I left my house without grabbing a jacket, deciding the night air was too warm to hide under one. I could walk the streets to Erik's blindfolded, and even let my eyes stay shut longer then normal. My stomach flipped over several times, my fingers trembling in nervous excitement. I was quite eager to see if Landa had sent any of his men to tail me.

The bar was busier than normal, maybe four or five patrons instead of two or three. I swallowed hard, slightly disappointed that no German soldiers had bothered to show up. "Hello Erik! Just a few tonight, I have a few chores at home I need to finish."

Erik nodded, motioning to a shot that was waiting for me. I smiled and strode confidently to the bar, throwing it back. The alcohol made my eyes water momentarily, clearing up a few seconds later. A few of the people in the bar seemed shocked that I had the nerves to be here; This was Paris! Not America their expression read. I smiled to myself.

Oh the things I knew of. My shot glass was refilled, and I threw it back again, waving Erik off. Tonight sobriety was a must.

Minutes ticked by slowly, turning into quarter hours, into half hours and into full hours. Outside was dark, and I decided that I could leave now. I slid off the stool and walked towards the door, being sure to add a drunken swagger to my step.

I had a feeling that I would definitely be followed, at least tonight. Hans was no idiot when it came to meeting attractive American's. I kept my ears tensed for any tell-tale signs of someone behind me. I repeated that I was not being followed to myself several times, but it just wouldn't sit well with me.

My instincts were right.

As I turned the corner by the cinema, I heard a light jingle. It wasn't much, but to my expertly honed senses, it was like a horn blowing in my ear. Of course, I could do nothing about it, but lead this Nazi trash to where I lived. I continued to press forward, hopefully without a pause in my step.

Home came quicker then I expected, and I jogged up my steps like I normally would. I mumbled under my breath at my absent mindedness. A mistake like this could be the end of me.

I let the door slam shut behind me, allowing the sense of security to flow through me. For added security, I slid the bolt lock into place, and tugged on it to be certain it had worked. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling shocked that the war was beginning to have this effect on me. I carefully walked to the record player in my room, smiling as Frank Sinatra's soothing voice filled the room.

HANS

Three loud successive knocks on my door disrupted my thoughts. "Enter." A breathless Private came into my office, standing stiffly at attention. "You may speak."

The Private visibly relaxed, although he remained facing forward. I looked back at the records I was double checking, trying to double task. "I trailed the American girl to her home. The baker was right on where she lived." Of course he was.

People would give the one they loved most up in times of great pain, if only to save their own skin. "Did She see or hear you?"

"No, sir."

Carefully, I regarded his appearance. Out of breath, his chest heaving, his skin slightly off color, like he had just been scared. Grabbing my pen, I pushed away all thoughts that he had failed me. "Give me her address and be gone. I have too much to organize with Joesph's luncheon tomorrow."

As soon as the Private left me, I tossed the ink pen onto my desk, rubbing my temples. I needed a stiff drink, and a long batch of intellectual conversation that would stay away from war. I hated the uniform I wore, simply to show my loyalty. My feet took my away from my study and towards my room. It seemed I moved independently from my thoughts, even as my hands fiddled with a spindly glass and a bottle of whiskey. A sip of the warm slippery liquid brought me back to myself.

I swirled the glass around, disgusted in my need for alcohol to keep me grounded. Had the war effected me that much? Had I become a shell of myself? Two steps took me to the half open window and a flick of my wrist sent the golden alcohol to the pavement below.

My head throbbed, and I shot down any lingering ideas of abandoning my position. I had control, and that was all that mattered. No way could, or should I abandon my country.

DONNY'S POV

I stretched out on the cold ground, moving my bat away from me, but being sure to keep it within arm's length. For once, I was assigned last watch, allowing myself to attempt to get a full night's sleep. The hard, frozen ground set a chill deep in my bones, not letting me get comfortable no matter how close I lay to the fire. Tremble rumbled the length of me, and I gathered my knees to my chest. I closed my eyes and tried to fill my head with thoughts of hot suns and sandy beaches and fiery explosions.

I could feel a gun in my hand, momentum causing it to move back and forth. I counted seven clips loaded and emptied out. Things stood still for a few seconds, and a large explosion burst forth, sending my body straight up. It was pitch black, leaving my mind frayed on the edges of consciousness.

"Hey! Up just in time for your watch!" Wicki patted my shoulder, and gave me a half smile

So it all had been a dream. I opted out of replying, getting to my feet confidently. A blanket hung around my shoulders, my gun in one hand, my bat in the other. I sat upon a rock, facing my back to camp. I slid my bat across my knees, holding my gun in both stiff hands.

When I shifted to a more comfortable position, the box of leaves in my pocket jingled mellow. Nothing seemed to be happening at this point, so maybe one look wouldn't hurt. The lid gave a light creak as I opened it, the leaves shimmering in the moonlight.

"Donny. If I'd have been a Nazi we'd all be dead." I flinched at the tone Aldo's voice held.

"Sorry Aldo. I've just not been myself lately." I thought I heard a 'You can say that again.' from Aldo, but I pushed it aside, blaming it on the cold and lack of sleep. I grabbed my gun again, "You know LT, you should get some rest."

"Couldn' sleep. Been thinkin' too much bout Operation Kino. I dun know if it'll work. S'like it's Revolv'in round Ana and Landa." I could only nod. I felt the same way. Well maybe in another way. I always worried Ana would find a Frenchman and leave me. I felt like such a woman whenever I thought of her. But whenever I tried to stop thinking of her, I thought of her more and more. "Wake every one up Donny, I'll finish the watch while you do. It couldn' hurt to get a head start back to Ana's."

My heart did a pitter patter of longing. It had only been two days since I last had seen her, but we were farther away then ever. Aldo had jacked a truck, and for a few hundred miles we rode in style. Unfortunately, it had broken down a few hours ago. Everyone's fears of explosions drove us out to sleep on the ground. I estimated it would take us about a week to get back, given the fact we kept a steady pace.

A week... that would mean I'd see Ana once before the premier. Aldo gave me a knowing grin. "That's righ' Donny. We have one detour though. We gotta make sure everything is still on track." I nodded, walking towards camp to wake everyone.

Complaints arose at the spoils of good dreams, deep sleeps and the cold arose, only soothed by the flare up of a small fire. Bodies crowded around, leaving scarcely an inch to move. I hung around the outside of the circle, trying not to fidget, and not to groan in my irritation.

I had a hard time being patient. Knowing that the guys were slow starters, I stepped aside and took a few practice swings with my bat. I imagined I was at Fenway heading up to bat to smash another home run into the seats. A contented sigh escaped my lips.

"You're cheerful today Donny." I glanced at Utivitch.

"Yeah, I am." Utivitch smiled, and walked back to the circle, elbowing everyone to get a move on. He of all people knew I'd be incessantly impatient, always looking to get that extra mile before we stopped for the night. Any German squads on the way to Paris would be sorry we crossed paths. They'd be catching me on a good day.