I'm on a roll! :D

Fully Alive

All my complaints shrink to nothing
I'm ashamed of all my somethings
She's glad for one day of comfort
Only because she has suffered

---

I slipped onto the barstool, my head pounding. Having your husband arrested for murdering thirteen Gestapo officers can be really taxing. The bartender glanced down the bar at me, his eyes registering shock. He knew who I was. Hugo and I always came in here on Friday nights. My eyes fell onto the scarred wood, I didn't want any complications. There was a large burst of various laughter, I glance over my shoulder and spied five S.S soldiers drunk off their asses. Sighing, I looked away before they could spot me. After Hugo's revelation, I tried very hard not to draw attention to myself. Not only was I Hugo Stiglitz's wife, but I was a German-American. Thankfully, my fifteen years in Germany had made my American accent very slight. My thumb mechanically found my ring finger and I twisted my wedding band subconsciously, as I picked at the chipped wood. The glass that bumped into my arm jerked me out of my stupor; I looked in the direction of the bartender and nodded, and even though he had his back turned.

I grabbed the glass and tossed back the whiskey. Married to Hugo for five years had me handling the drink like a pro, as I barely recognized the burning sensation as it slid down my throat. The soldiers were obnoxious in their over exaggerated stories and I couldn't help, but want to hit them all. When I heard the mention of Hugo, I tensed. It took every restraint I had built up from being married to stubborn Hugo, to not go over there and beat them with the bottle that they were passing around. There were sharing their experiences in torturing him. I blanched just thinking about my gripping hands and the pain he must have been in. Of course, he wouldn't have told me. Hastily, I threw some money down and hurried out of the bar before I did do something. I took a step out of the bar and was relieved by the gush of cool air; it had been stifling in there. An old piece of newspaper fluttered before me, its headlines screaming at me in bold; Basterds Strike Again! Cocking my head, I reached down at grabbed it. After a quick scan, I knew what I had to do. Find the Basterds. Men like them would love to have Hugo among their ranks.

---

I grabbed a map of Europe that Hugo kept at his desk and studied the countries. I glanced at the paper before turning back to the map and circled the places where Nazis have been ambushed; I sat back and revised the map. Thinking back to Hugo's last letter, I looked for the wooded area that he discreetly mentioned and circled it. I stood back and noticed that it was in the middle of the areas that the Basterds had struck. This had to be it. I snatched the map off of the desk and rushed out of the room. Bursting into my room, I grabbed my bag and began stuffing clothes into the small duffel bag. Once I was done, I stood there and looked around our bedroom. My eyes landed on the black-and-white photograph beside my side of the bed and smiled. It was our wedding picture. I sat down and gingerly picked it up. He looked so handsome in his suit; I remember that he didn't last that long after the ceremony. We had spent the past three days in bed, mapping each other's body with our lips.

Lying down, I curled up with the picture in my hand and closed my eyes.

---

"Mina, dear, could you come down here!" My mother's sweet voice drifted up from downstairs.

Looking up from my novel, I paused and tried to remember my German lessons from when I was a young girl before we moved to America and I got used to English. I believed that she was beckoning me; I tossed my novel on my bed and exited my rather spacious room to see what my mother wanted. As I descended the stairs, I could see the skirt of her pleasant red dress and a pair of pant legs next to her. Furrowing my eyebrows, I wondered who he could be. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, my eyes went from my mother's smiling face to the handsome stranger next to her and he really was handsome. He was taller than my mother and I with short, blond hair, blue eyes that stood out from his tan face, and a strong jaw. He nodded at me. Shyly, I tucked my curling, dark hair behind my ears and looked at my mother pointedly.

She turned to the stranger and said something in German; I picked up the word English. She then turned back to me. "Oh, Mina, this is Hugo Stiglitz, he's a friend of the family. In fact, I babysat him when he was just a boy. As you can see, he's no longer a boy."

She laughed. I glanced at Hugo Stiglitz. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stiglitz."

"You may call me Hugo; Mr. Stiglitz is my father…Mina." Hugo requested, his blue eyes doing wonderful and scandalous things to my insides.

My mother delicately touched his arm. "Now, Hugo, I would much appreciate it if you were to help Mina with her German. It's absolutely dreadful!"

I glared daggers into her with my blazing, green eyes. "Thank you, mother."

She chuckled. "Oh, Mina, I keep telling you that you'll never find a man with that attitude."

I glanced at Hugo, who seemed to look uncomfortable. "I would be happy to help her with her German, Miss. Petersen."

My mother beamed, as she clapped her hands. "Wonderful, Hugo." She turned to me. "Mina, I must go get ready, I have a date with an officer. Could you escort Hugo out?"

My face paled. "You…have a date?"

"Oh, my baby, you know it's been over with your father and me for a long time," my mother cooed, cupping my face, her green eyes sad.

I nodded. She kissed my forehead before racing up the stairs. Sighing, I turned to Hugo. "Would you like something to drink before you go?"

He shifted and I knew he was uncomfortable with being alone with me. "Thank you."

I gestured for him to follow me while inside my head I was screaming at myself for asking him that. I was attracted to him, that much I knew, but he was at least ten years older than me. In the kitchen, I went to the cabinet and grabbed a mug. "Would you like some coffee?"

He was silent, I glanced over my shoulder to see him studying the painting that I had finished earlier that morning, and it was still wet from the paint. It was of my mother sitting out on the veranda with a cup of steaming tea in her hand, the sun shining on her hair had created a halo. She was looking out into the gardens with a wistful look on her face; the only time I've ever seen my mother look so serious. I remember when I was with my father in the States; he made a comment of her being flighty. I was mad at him for saying that, but I realized how right he was when I was sent to live with her. But, I love her.

Hugo turned to me. "This is very good."

Blushing, I thanked him. "I'm used to her with a silly smile on her face and when I saw that look on her face, I just had to paint it."

His eyes were unnerving, as he studied me. "Why were you sent back to Germany?"

Sighing, I turned away. "My father remarried and apparently, I didn't fit in his perfect little world anymore. He said that he felt ashamed of marrying Clarissa when he had me; another woman's child. God, when I told mother, I actually thought she was going to fly to Maryland and scratch his eyes out. I would have loved to see that."

Realizing what I said, I ducked my head. "I shouldn't have said that."

"Why not," Hugo asked, his voice a deep growl that sent tremors down my body.

I glanced up at him and realized how close we were standing. I could feel the warmth from his body and suddenly, I felt weightless.

---

My eyes fluttered open and for a moment it felt like Hugo was lying right beside me, I turned over onto his side and sighed in frustration. I sat up in bed and looked at myself in the mirror that was across the room, hanging over the bureau. My long, dark hair was tousled; my face was wan making my big, green eyes stand out. I looked tiny in our big bed. I remember many mornings when I would be standing in front of the bureau, getting ready and Hugo would be sitting up in bed watching me with his big, strong arms crossed over his muscular chest. I climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom to wash my face, then I ran a brush through my hair and then, deftly French braided my hair.

I exited the bathroom, crossed over to the bureau and pulled out a pair of black trousers, slid them on and I was about to take off my nightshirt, an olive green shirt of Hugo's, but I decided to keep it on and tucked it into my pants. I grabbed my brown, leather riding boots and slipped those on, shoving my pant legs into the boot. Straightening up, I glanced at myself in the mirror and saw a changed woman staring back at me. It was time to find the Basterds.

---

I peeked around the large tree, my eyes sought the seven men huddled around a pitiful fire, laughing and ragging on the smallest one. That was them? Seven American men were the Inglorious Basterds? Frowning, I leaned against the tree and looked up at the darkening sky. Could I really do this? Closing my eyes, I thought back to Hugo and the stories those soldiers were boasting about. He is my husband, I have to help him. If I was in his position, he'd kill all of Germany to get to me. There was a quiet snap, I opened my eyes and was about to gasp when a strong hand clamped down my mouth. I flinched when I felt a gun dig into my ribs; he turned me around, gripped my braid and shoved me out from behind the tree. "Lieutenant, we got us a spy!"

The men around the fire stood up, guns and knives in their hands. Widening my eyes, I had no choice but to move forward, as the hulking man behind me, shoved me towards them. A stocky man with slicked back hair stepped forward, cocking an eyebrow when he realized that I was a woman. He glanced at the man behind me. "Donowitz, let her go. She ain't even armed."

I stumbled when the strong grip on my hair was released. The leader looked at me. "Now, sweetheart, ya better start explainin' yerself. My men are trigger-happy."

My eyes slid to the intimidating men behind him. Maybe, I was too quick to judge. The man, Donowitz, came around me to stand next to the Lieutenant; I paled at the sight of him. He was a big, muscular man with dark hair and feral, dark eyes, adorned in a dirtied wife beater, suspenders, and trousers. I cleared my throat. "I've been looking for you."

They looked surprise. "And, why have ya been lookin' for us?"

"I need your help and with your aid, you'll have a very valuable member of your little…group." I said, glancing at them.

The Lieutenant crossed his arms. "Oh, really? And, what could we possibly help ya with, sweetheart?"

I straightened up, clenched my jaw. "My name is Mina Stiglitz, not sweetheart. It'd be best if you don't patronize me, Lieutenant."

His eyes took on a new light. "Stiglitz, you say? Any relation to Hugo Stiglitz?"

Smirking, I answered, "He is my husband."

He raised both of his eyebrows. "Now, that's interestin' that you say that, Miss. Stiglitz. Because, we are very interested in yer husband's work. Am I right, boys?"

His men cheered, excepted for the imposing figure next to him. I smiled. "Why do you think I wanted to find you? To have a cup of tea? I want your help in getting him out."

He rubbed his jaw, considering. "Hmm. Do you know where they're holding him?"

I nodded my head. "Do we have a deal, Lieutenant…?"

He stuck out his hand. "Lieutenant Aldo Raine, ma'am, and we're the Basterds."

I placed my dainty hand in his larger and rough hand. "Pleased to meet you."

---

I crouched down next to Aldo. "Are you sure this will work?"

He nodded and patted my knee. "Don't worry yer pretty, lil' head, Miss. Stiglitz, we'll get yer husband."

"What should I do?" I asked, remembering that I was left out of the plan.

"Wait here until all the guards are dead. Do you remember how many there were?" Aldo asked.

I squinted into the night. "Two for sure, maybe three."

Aldo chuckled softly to himself. I glanced at him. "What is so funny?"

"That's not even a challenge."

I rolled my eyes. Men. No matter where you are, they're all the same.

"Time to go get us a new recruit, boys." Aldo announced, softly, glancing over his shoulder.

Okay, there's chapter two! I hope you all like it.