A/N: I'm so embarrassed! I uploaded the wrong draft. So embarrassing…

Lena

Chapter 15: Check Mate (The Premier: PART 2)

My arms felt frozen as they hung uselessly at my sides. My body felt numb as it was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug. The only movement I made was the slight twitch of my nose at the assault of potent perfume.

"Oh my dearest Lena!" my mother cooed as she made a dramatic reunion scene. "I have missed you so much! How could you worry your poor mother?"

I ignored my mother as she cried crocodile tears, in attempt to draw in attention for herself. My eyes flickered over to where I knew Wilhelm was standing. Our eyes met and the familiar warmth filled my body, giving me strength.

I knew my mother would keep on until I participated, so I wrapped my arms around her with a roll of my eyes. Moments later, she finally released me, thankfully, and wrapped her arms back around Landa's. I snickered under my breath as I took sick satisfaction from the fact that he looked like he was as miserable as I was.

I barely paid attention to her inane chatter. She talked about how surprised she was when Landa called her, even sending a military plane to pick her up. I was more focused on Landa himself. It was like we have been playing a very complex game of chess ever since the incident at the LaPadite farm. I should have known he would pull dirty trick like this. I did not like my mother, but she still was my mother and I loved her. Landa had made his move and put me in check. Now it was my turn to get myself out of it.

"So who did you accompany, Fräulein Lena?" Landa asked with a sly, knowing smile.

"She was my plus one, Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers," my grandfather said from behind me. Landa's eyes brightened as if he was intrigued by the turn of events. I was simply confused and unsure how to proceed. Landa knew I came with Bridget, knew that I did on purpose, and I was pretty sure he knew what we were here for. All my grandfather had achieved was endangering himself.

Landa's eyes met mine and mine narrowed in return. Mother had stopped her chatter and was now staring at us curiously along with grandfather.

"I need some air," I said suddenly. I gave a big fake grin and tugged on my Grandfather's sleeve dragging him along. I maneuvered easily thru the throngs of Nazis and the floozies hanging off their arms on display for all to see.

"Don't be alone Landa," I whispered to Bridget as I passed. "He knows. I am not sure how. But he knows."

We made it out the side door and I immediately leaned against the wall. I closed my eyes and let out a long breath of air.

"Lena?" My grandpa asked worriedly next to me.

"I need you do something for me, Grandpa."

"Anything," he said with conviction. I gave a small smile at the amount trust and love my Grandpa had for me.

"There is a hideout two blocks from here, in the old coiffeur. Knock three times then tap the door with your foot. Ask for Baum Mann, they will let you in after that. Speak to Aldo and let him know everything that has happened. Tell them that Landa knows and plans have changed. Then I want you to get out of the city. No, the country. Okay?" My grandfather nodded once and made his way down the steps, only looking back once.

I turned and realized that there no handle on the outside of the door. I groaned and trucked myself to the front of the cinema, my heels making an annoying click as they hit against the concrete. I would never understand why women insisted on heels, I personally loathed them. A man must have invented them, making it harder for a woman to run away.

I glanced around the corner and noticed the room was still packed. I spotted Wicki and allowed myself to admire how good he looked in the tailored suit. I shook my head and decided to slip thru the back door, my guess it lead to space behind the movie screen. I slipped inside the door and stopped in my tracks.

"Fuck. A. Duck."

-o-

"Fuck a duck!"

"I know, right?"

"I'll be damned, how 'bout that?"

"…"

"Holy hell."

"Damn."

We all just stood there for a while trying to take it all in. It was a massive pile of movie film. They were basically staring at bomb.

"Well it seems that we were not the only ones with the bright idea to blow this Nazi fest to high heaven," Aldo said as he leaned back on his heels.

"That is what is seems like," I said, looking up watching bits of the movie playing on the screen. "We have to get Wilhelm, Bridget, and Hicox out of there. I will do it, since I am the only one dressed…"

"Who the hell are you?!" Some asked behind us in French. We all spun on are hells, Hugo already pointing his gun at the black French man.

"Calm down. Is this yours?" I asked, in French, gesturing to the pile of film. The man said nothing, but he spat in disgust at my feet. I decided to bet it all on a gut feeling. "Where is.. Shosanna?"

The reaction was instant, his faced morphed into a fearful anger as he tackled me to the ground. Donny and Omar peeled him off me as Hugo shoved the gun in his face.

"How do you know Shosanna?" he rasped, struggling against Donny and Omar's iron grip.

"I'm Lena," I said after Hirshberg helped me up.

"Lena Zimmerman?" I nodded my head and I was surprised to see the man grin. "She always feared you died… Why are you here?"

"Same reason you are obviously," I said gesturing to the pile of film again. "We are the Basterds," I said with a proud smile. "We kill Nazis."

"So now what?" the man asked after I motioned for Donny to release him.

"Something different. I have a plan," I said, almost smugly. "You, sorry I didn't get your name."

"Marcel."

"Okay, Marcel you will retrieve Wilhelm, Hicox, and Bridget. Make up some excuse, but get them out."

"Shosanna has planned a piece a film that is about to start in about ten minutes. I was going to light the film ablaze."

"Then we better hurry." I repeated the conversation to the men and they all nodded. Marcel and I walked back into the main room. He left for the movie room and I made my way upstairs. I nodded to the guards who were too busy admiring my form then wondering what I was up too.

As I got closer to the projection room, I heard two separate voices. A man was yelling and then I heard Shosanna's voice.

"Leave her alone!" I said charging into the room. I positioned myself between Shosanna and… Fredrick Zoller?!

"Lena?" I glanced back and gave Shosanna a small smile. I looked back and saw that Fredrick had whipped out a gun that was currently in my face.

"Never much cared for the German hello. That is why I left or what it because the Nazi vermin," I sneered at the 'Boy Wonder'. I knew I was digging my own grave, but I couldn't stop. I slipped my hand into my purse behind my back and pulled out a knife, just when the door burst opened. It was as if time slowed to a crawl. I watched in horror as Wilhelm entered the room and Fredrick spun around, gun ready to shoot. Blood splattered from Wicki's chest as several shots went off. I screamed as Wicki fell to the floor. I tackled Fredrick from behind, knocking the gun from his grasp. I lodged the small knife into his back as we fell to the floor. He screamed in pain. He rolled over, knife still in his back, toppling me off him. He tried reaching for his gun, but I caught him by the collar and pulled him backwards. He landed on his back with another scream, as the fall pushed the knife further in. Because I couldn't reach the gun, I grabbed the nearest item as I straddled his waist. I gripped the metal film case with both hands and raised it above my head. I brought the container down with all my strength. I repeated the action until it Fredrick's face was unrecognizable, and even then I continued the vigorous beating. I finally dropped the blood covered film case, and let my tired arms sag at my sides. Tears racked my body as I crawled off Fredrick's beaten body, over to Wilhelm and hug his cooling body.

"No," I whispered into his hair. "This is not how it was supposed to end."

"Lena, we have to go!" Shosanna pleaded behind me.

"Ich liebe dich," I said as I placed a kiss on his brow. I lowered him to the floor and let Shosanna grip my hand as we ran down the hallway. Without even blinking Shosanna shot the two guards in front of the balcony door. I watched as she locked the door and then motioned for me to continue running. We exited the cinema and saw that Landa was waiting for us.

"Hurry up, ladies," Landa said smoothly, gesturing for us to get in the back of the truck. "We don't want to be here when the cinema goes… boom."

I nodded and it was my turn to take Shosanna's trembling hand as we stepped into the truck. However, Shosanna visibly relaxed when she saw Marcel in the back. We allowed our hands to be bound and unwilling allowed the bag to be placed over our heads. I supposed that I was sitting between Omar and Utivich, but I wasn't sure.

We all sat there silently, expect for the occasional grunt when the truck hit a particularly brutal pothole. I took solace in the silence. I didn't want to speak, I wasn't even sure I could. I was afraid that is I opened my mouth all I would do is scream.

The truck finally stopped and we were lead into some random building by Landa. I watched as he brought Aldo and Donny to a small table, then I turned back to my companions. I saw Hirschberg, Bridget, Hicox, Hugo, Omar, Utivich, Marcel, and Shosanna. Hugo stood next to me; I leaned into his silent comfort. It was painful truth when our bags were lifted and Wilhelm was nowhere to be seen.

I glanced over at Landa who no seemed to be carrying to someone over the radio line. My eyes narrowed at his grand gestures and demands for being a 'hero' in the war. But I held my tongue and soon enough we were all piled back in the truck.

We were headed to American base, according to Aldo. I expect that Alfred and Ivan will be part of the welcoming committee. The silly American and the crazy Russian. We had all made it, expect for Wicki. I tears fell down my face as I thought about him. Surprisingly, I didn't feel much pain when I realized that my mother would be counted amongst the dead. I felt Hugo rest his chin on top of my head and Donny wrapped his leg around mine.

I knew Shosanna wanted to say something as she sat across from me in the crowded truck. But she refrained from doing so. Maybe, one day, we can be as close as we once were. However, that day was not today. Today, I needed the comfort of my brothers.

The truck finally stopped and Donny and Hugo released their embrace. I watched as Aldo, Donny, and Hugo exit the truck, leaving the rest us waiting in the back. Aldo looked back and gave me a wink before disappearing around the side.

I gave a small smile when I heard the first gun shot and the sounds of Landa's surprise at Aldo treachery. My smile grew further as did Shosanna's when we heard Landa's screams fill the quiet forest.

"Check mate," I whispered to Landa. I knew he couldn't hear me, but I knew he was feeling it courtesy of Aldo's blade.

A/N: Please don't hate me, please don't hate me, please don't hate me! I promise this is not the last chapter! Honest! Lena has a sappy gushy happy ending in the next chapter. So, please lower your torches and pitch forks Till next time –Macbeth (P.S. sorry for the confusion! And, as always, I LOVE hearing from you guys and gals. Reviews = Love :D)