Okay, first I owe all of you an apology. I know I said I'd always put my chapters up Thursday evening and it's already 24 hours late! I'm really, really sorry! But I promise it was a good reason. This week has been hectic beyond belief, and while I can't go into details now, let's just keep our fingers crossed! If things go my way, my life may be getting a MAJOR improvement!
Anyway, on with this chapter. It's been hard because, although I have this whole story finished, there was this large segment where I wrote an author's note which said: "Fill this all in later!" and then I never did...and since this was all written over six months ago, it's hard to get back in my mindset. But never fear, I shall not give up!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Meg closed and opened her eyes in the hopes of adjusting them to the darkness. It was almost three in the morning and she was tiptoeing through all the rooms, hoping to come across her contact somehow.
After the General had dragged her from the sudden meeting, Meg hadn't been able to take her mind off the girl. Finally, she had a kindred spirit in this place with her. Just the thought of that sent a wave of relief through her. It didn't matter if she and the girl didn't get along at all, at least it was someone on her side.
"What are you doing?" a male voice suddenly asked and Meg jumped, just barely holding in a shriek. Turning around, she threw a hand up to her chest and forced out a chuckle.
"Oh you frightened me," she said in French, despite the fact that the tall man had asked his question in German. It was obvious he was one of the many guards Hitler had running around to ensure their safety.
"What are you doing down here?" the man repeated in French and Meg was quick to note his tone. No false formalities when no one else was around. She was a whore, and she was going to be treated like one.
"I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to disturb the General," she began to explain. "I thought I could come down here to the..." she trailed off as she looked around the room they were in, "the dining room and spend some time to myself."
"You're not allowed in here without supervision," the man said and Meg sighed, realizing it would be easier to agree than argue.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that," she said as she started toward the door. However, a shadow in the doorway caused them both to stop.
"What's going on?" a familiar voice asked and Meg silently thanked the God above.
Her contact, the blonde haired, blue eyed maid, was standing in the doorway, hands on her hips as she looked at the two of them.
"I found Hitler's slut wandering in here," she heard the man say in German and she had to resist the urge to react. It was appalling that, not only would he refer to her as that out loud, but that he would say it to another woman.
"I don't like your language sir," the contact said in German before motioning to Meg. "Come dear, I'll show you back to your room."
And before the man could protest, the two women were off down the hall.
"What's-" Meg started but the woman clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Shh," she whispered harshly before shoving them both in a side room and shutting the door. "Keep your voice down or we'll be heard."
"Don't you think this is a little dangerous then?" Meg accused, already annoyed at the other girl's scolding behavior. Didn't she know who Meg was? Didn't she know this wasn't Meg's first mission?
"Not if we go over in the corner and keep our voices hushed," the girl said as she walked over to a nice window seat and sat down, patting the cushion beside her. "I'm so glad we were finally able to make contact. All those days of serving you dinner and I couldn't figure out a way to get a word in. I was worried it would be months before we could speak."
"How long have you known about me?" Meg asked, thinking it unfair that Marco had told this girl about Meg, but hadn't told Meg about the girl.
"Since your arrival," the girl said. "Like I said, I've been trying to speak to you for days, but the opportunity hadn't struck until now."
"Well, you obviously know who I am then," Meg said, trying not to sound as put out as she was. That was just like Marco; he had so much faith in her that sometimes he forgot to tell her important things. Things like the name and information of her contact.
"My name's Lydia. Lydia Farrow," the girl said, holding out her hand for a formal handshake. "I must say that it's an honor to meet you Miss. Myeroff."
"Please, call me Meg," Mag said with a small roll of her eyes. Luckily it was dark and the girl didn't see. "However, since we're here it would probably be best if you called me Vivian."
"Yes of course, Vivian," Lydia said to herself. "Then I suppose it's only right you call me Birgit. That's my name while I'm here."
"How old are you?" Meg asked, thinking that was the simplest of all the questions in her mind.
"The same as you," Lydia told her. "I know because I was a year behind you in the IIAA and Marco always spoke so highly of you."
"So have you been in the field since then?" Meg asked, hoping that the girl said yes. At least she wouldn't be stuck with a novice as her contact.
Before the girl could reply however, the sound of a door shutting caused them both to jump.
"This is dangerous," Meg said as she pulled them both up. "We've already risked too much for the short amount of time that we've been sitting here. We'll have plenty of time to discuss things later. For now, I am glad to know who you are, and to know I'm not alone."
"The same to you Vivian. I hope we can be friends," Lydia replied before sneaking out of the door. Meg waited a moment before also disappearing into the dark.
Friends? Would it be possible for her to be friends with another agent? With another woman? It had been a long time since she had had female company, if one didn't count the whores at Lynette's. In fact, she couldn't think of a time when she had been close to another woman, save for her mother. Her life had always been surrounded with male companions, first at the IIA, then in the field, then with the men of Easy. Would she have the abilities to be friends with another woman?
The thoughts filled her head, so that when she finally climbed back into bed with the General, she couldn't fall back asleep.
At dawn she finally came to a decision.
She didn't know if she could be friends with another woman, but she was certainly willing to try.
A couple weeks later, the halls willed with the buzz of servants chatter.
Hitler was finally coming.
Meg was kept in her room, out of the way, while the General assisted in the preparations. Everything must be perfect for his arrival, which meant all the Generals were required to work overtime to achieve that.
Even the servants days were full, meaning Meg couldn't even try to speak to Lydia again. The girl was constantly busy; every minute spent getting every inch of the building ready for Hitler's arrival.
Finally, Meg was sitting in the windowsill of her room, reading a book, when she heard the sound of a car engine. Looking out the window, she gasped when she saw who stepped from the vehicle.
Although she had never seen him in person, there was no mistaking Hitler.
"He is here," the General said as he opened the bedroom door. Immediately, Meg dropped her book and stood up.
"Am I to meet him now?" she asked but the General shook his head as if this was the most ridiculous question.
"Of course not. The arrival of the Fuhrer is no place for a girl like you. You will meet him at supper tonight."
And before Meg could reply, the General was out of the room.
She knew she shouldn't be offended by him calling her "a girl like you." After all, that was the role she was playing. Still, she couldn't help but be angry for all the women who truly fit his description.
At supper that night, Meg had the amazing and terrifying opportunity of meeting both Hitler and his mistress. While she had once lead a mission to kill the man in front of her, she had never actually seen him in person. Despite hating him, there was still a feel of intimidation in her as she took him all in. He may be evil, but he was still extremely powerful.
"Miss Vivian," he said, leaning forward to kiss her hand. "I hope you are enjoying Berlin."
The phrase was said in German and Meg was proud of herself for not faltering. Although she had understood him, her cover did not understand German so instead she turned from Hitler to the General with a slightly confused look on her face.
"Uh, she does not speak German Mein Fuhrer," he explained quickly, "only French."
"Ah, Francais," Hitler responded with a laugh before turning to repeat the question to her in French this time.
"Oh I am enjoying it very much," she said, hoping she sounded like a girl who didn't get out much. "It is very beautiful, I thank you for allowing me to stay here in your home."
A few of the men in the room chuckled before they all walked into the dining room.
"Remember, do not speak unless you are spoken to," the General whispered harshly, giving her arm a quick tug to show her he was being serious. Meg nodded, gulping lightly as the General led her to a seat and helped her sit down.
"So tell me Vivian," Hitler said immediately after everyone had been seated, turning to her. "What is it like living in Paris now that the Allies have taken over?"
"Oh, not nearly as much fun as before," Meg said, trying to phrase everything perfectly. "The American soldiers are not as nice as the Germans. When will the Germans be coming back?"
The men all laughed at her naive question.
"Hopefully soon," the general said and Hitler nodded, turning his attention to someone else in the group.
"Miss Vivian," Eva, Hitler's mistress, said. She leaned across the table, tuning out the men's conversation. "You have the most beautiful hair. You must let me play with it sometime. I'm sure we could get it to do the most wonderful styles!"
Meg had heard the woman was interesting, but the gossip did not prepare her for the real thing. Eva seemed eccentric. She did not seem to care that the things she said were ridiculous and not appropriate for certain audiences; she spoke her mind as a child would.
"I would love that Ma'am," Meg said, bowing her head in fake embarrassment. "The other women I live with are not friendly with me because they are jealous of the General. It has been a long time since I've had woman companionship."
She felt a pinch on her thigh and jumped, turning to see the General frowning at her. She didn't know what she could have possibly said, but she knew she'd pay for it later.
"Of course my dear!" Eva practically shouted with a clap of her hands. "If it's just the two of us together, we must become friends."
Ignoring the General's continued pinch in her thigh, Meg smiled and nodded before reaching for her wine glass.
It was going to be a long night.
Sure enough, as soon as they made it to the room, the General flung her across it until she hit the wall.
"What have I told you?" the General cried, rushing over to pick her off the floor and shove her again. "Do not ever mention where you come from! Now they all know you are a common French whore!"
Meg thought his anger was a little silly. They all had to know exactly where she came from; it was completely obvious. Still, she played her role and began to cry apologies.
"I'm sorry sir, I wasn't thinking. It will never happen again, I swear," she practically groveled at his feet. Still, it did not prevent him from pulling her up and ripping her dress off her shoulders. She ignored the sound of ripping fabric as she gave in, becoming the limp doll she became every night.
"Of course you will never let it happen again!" the General shouted as he pulled off his own clothes. "You know well what I do when you misbehave. We don't need any more of that happening while you are a guest in this house."
"Yes sir," Meg said with a sigh, accepting her fate for the night.
Please let it be over.
"Vivian?"
The voice sounded familiar and Meg jumped, hurrying over to the door. She had been in Berlin for just under two months and was already going out of her mind crazy. Her days were still mostly spent in her room, reading through books Eva gave her to read, or writing letters, or staring out at the scenery. It was cold in Berlin in January so she mostly spent her time in doors.
She wished she could spend more time with Lydia. The girl was sweet and Meg was surprised to admit that she enjoyed their brief moments together. It was nice to have a comrade, a friend to help her stay sane.
The morning after that night with the General, Lydia had kindly soaked Meg's bruises and washed her cuts. Since then the General had been gentler, but Lydia always made sure to look the older woman over when they got together. It was nice to know someone was looking out for her.
Thinking of someone caring for her brought her mind back to Easy Company. She wondered what they had done for Christmas and the New Year. She hadn't heard back from Adam since the letter she had sent soon after her arrival. It worried her to wonder what he was up to, but she knew he could take care of himself.
Thinking of Adam made her think of Lew, something she had been trying not to do. She knew she had been away from him for longer periods of time than this, but this time it was harder. For one thing, they were much closer than they had been before; their romance was much more serious and much more passionate. She missed having him near. On a more dreadful note, she didn't know what their futures held. For all she knew, their moments together back in December could have been their last. She could very well die on this mission, and it was just as likely that Lew could be killed on the lines. Both of them were risking their lives for their countries, and it hadn't completely hit her until now.
Many times she had sat down at her desk, intent on writing Lew a passionate letter of love. She didn't care if she was caught; she wanted to give him one last thing to remember her by.
Of course than her sensible side took over and she'd realize that her idea was foolish. She was an agent first and foremost; she couldn't toss that aside for the sake of love.
"Vivian?" the voice called again, just as Meg pulled the door open, pausing when she saw Eva on the other side.
"Oh! Miss Braun," she said, giving a little curtsey for propriety.
"Vivian please, I've told you many times to call me Eva," Eva said, reaching out to take both Meg's hands in her own. "Now come with me, I want to show you something."
Meg was pleased Eva spoke French. It definitely helped her a little to know that a woman here, Lydia the servant aside, could speak the same language she had to pretend she only knew. It helped keep her from foolishly running to Lydia's side and blowing their cover. Still, no matter how many times it happened, Meg was always surprised when Eva showed up at her door.
"Where are we going?" Meg asked and Eva smiled, a twinkle in her eye.
"It's a surprise, now grab a coat and boots."
All bundled up, the two women headed outside, stopping in front of a horse-drawn sleigh.
"Oh Eva!" Meg gasped, forgetting for a moment that she was supposed to be a poor French whore. "I've always wanted to go for a sleigh ride!"
"And now you shall," Eva said, pulling the girl up into the sleigh with her. When they were all settled, the driver cracked his whip and the horses took off, bells jingling as they drove through the snow.
This was how it was. Meg was mostly the outcast, staying in her room unless she was called upon for meals. Occasionally Eva would come to her and the two women would do something fun, but for the most part Meg was alone.
Okay so I was just thinking about this: I'm trying to picture what I think all my characters would look like. Meg is the girl in the cover image, obviously, but I'm interested in what you all think the characters look like (well, MY characters haha. We know what the Easy boys look like). I'm eager to see if anyone has imagined them as anyone throughout reading this story! I have a few ideas in MY head, but I'm more interested to hear all yours first!
LovingBOBThePacific - Thanks for your review! And thanks! I was worried some people might not like the fact that I've strayed from just the boys, but personally I feel like we know what happens to them from the show/book. I didn't want to try to shove Meg into every scene of theirs, so I felt this was more realistic :) And that picture of you sounds so cute! hahahah I love my baby pics, but mostly because I was an adorable baby...and then I grew up all awkward hahahaha.
SparkELee - Yay your reviews made it just in time! I'm excited that you wonder about where the story is going. Sometimes I feel like my story plots are really predictable, so it's exciting for me to hear that you don't really have an idea. Yay! haha And I'm sorry the chapter before last caused you pain :( Although I guess the selfish part of me is glad that my writing and characters are so good to make you feel that way. I swear I'm not cruel hahaha. And I want Meg to have that inner turmoil, so I'm glad you picked up on it. If you think about it, her life up until now has all been sort of robotic. It's mission after mission, doing her duty and only being close to her partners. Now she's got Lew (and the other men of Easy) and she's realizing what else is out there. I'm glad you think my juggling of characters is good. Sometimes I read stories (or see movies) and there are so many characters I can't keep track of them all. I'm trying to stick to a good number and give them enough characterization to make them memorable. I'm glad it's working! haha thanks for your reviews!