Four months previous

He was waiting outside her door, impatiently. He knew she'd have to come out and he planned to walk her to school as he had done since the first night they'd met. He could see Thomas down the street looking annoyed and slightly irritated by Peter's haulting of the trip. When Ana never came to the door and they had five minutes to make it before the first bell, Peter figured she was ill today and he and his friend ran off.

On the second day she didn't show he considered that she had a flu or perhaps a cold and it kept her from feeling well enough for classes. On the third day he began to worry until Thursday afternoon when he saw her in the street shopping for groceries. He was with the HJ so made a point not to disrupt her. He'd talk to her later.

She didn't come to any of the clubs that weekend so on Sunday morning, after church, Peter brought what was left of mother's breakfast and knocked on her door. When Analise answered she was in a robe and still looked quite tired and slightly put off.

"Do you know what time it is? Peter you shouldn't be here." She barked.

"I've missed you! Where have you been? You disappeared on me. You haven't been at school and you haven't been dancing… " Peter stepped closer.

She backed further into her home. "I can't see you anymore. Good-bye Peter."

Ana moved to close the door but he stopped it with his hand. "Wait! Why?! Is it because of the HJ thing? I know you hate them and I didn't have a choice… I told you that."

She flinched, and for a moment he saw tears in her eyes. He moved his hand, intending to make a bold move in and wrap his arms around her, sooth her tears. But Ana immediately slammed the door in his face. He stepped back to avoid being hit, almost taking a fall down the stairs. He sighed heavily, looking at it before turning to leave, but was distracted by a piece of paper slipping under the door.

Tonight at the Café Bismark. Don't be late. This will be the last time I see you.

Peter looked it over in disbelief. Crumpling it and shoving the note into his pocket, he took off toward home.

When he arrived, she was already there. She sat alone in a corner her eyes fixed on the table in front of her, completely uninterested in the behavior around her. Ana looked miserable, if he had to label it. When he sat with her, she didn't even look at him. She had been crying. Peter could tell by the black streaked tears on her cheeks. Leaning over he lifted her head and wiped her cheeks with his thumb. She jerked away.

"Stop." She hissed.

"Why? What is going on?" He asked sounding confused.

She said nothing, just returned her gaze down. He leaned back in his chair and studied her hoping to get an idea of what was wrong with her by her body language. He got no real read other than it was clearly disturbing.

"Okay. Analise you need to tell me whats going on because the only way I can help is if I know the problem." He finally reasoned.

"You can't help. You won't help. I shouldn't have even come tonight." She got up and headed for the door.

He stood and took her hand but she pulled away from him, shooting a warning look before continuing out of the building. Still a bit put off, but not discouraged Peter followed her out the door. Once outside, he looked for her and jogged to catch up with her head start down the street.

"Ana wait!" He called.

She didn't slow down.

"Ana!"

Peter grabbed her by the hand and turned her to face him, like he'd done in the cafe. This time she didn't pull away or scowl or meet him with anger. This time she buried her face in his chest and began to sob. He pulled her close, holding her against him. Her body shook in his arms, and though he had no idea what was wrong, his instinct was to comfort her.

"Shh, it's okay. Whatever's going on, I'm sure it'll work out." He said softly, rubbing her back.

"It won't work out." She sobbed. "It's never going to work out. They're going to find me and they're going to send me away to God knows where or just kill me and you're in danger just by talking to me! Why don't you get it? Why don't you just go away?"

"Ana… what are you talking about? I love you. Why would I just go away? I don't know what you're saying…"

"I'm Jewish, Peter!" She almost screamed.

If he hadn't known better, he could have sworn the world had just crumbled around them.