CHAPTER 6.

Standartenführer Hans Landa watched Sturmbannführer Hellstrom and Rhiannon's small fight play before his eyes like a great symphony shortly after his colleague had sat down. Rhiannon had looked like a frightened animal whilst Schütze Zoller had looked like someone who had just won the war. There was no need to pry into the girl's thoughts or search Hellstrom's loft to locate some evidence that something had happened shortly before they arrived. Landa's eyes surveyed the young teenager before him as he watched her entire body flinch.

The flinch started at her neck and travelled down to her legs, it was quite easy to see where her tension was at, he hands moved protectively in front of her as if to be hit in the chest while her expression struggled to stay impassive. Her eyes blinked rapidly as Hellstrom crossed the room with his usual cigarette and then passed by her again; it was like she was holding in tears.

Hans Landa has seen his fair share of tears through vigorous interrogations and inflicting pain. But he rarely saw someone try to contain love and fear at the same time and flinch as if in pain. He remembered when he first laid eyes on the young girl in the outskirts of France. She had grown since then, transforming into a beautiful woman with a stubborn mind. Her hair wasn't dirty like it had been; it was clean and long, down to the middle of her back almost. The mud had been washed off and the dirt was scraped off to reveal a tanned girl with sun freckles on her cheeks and nose. Her brown eyes were bright and burning with a fire that the Nazi Party usually looked for in soldiers. Bravery.

But now…now as she walked to the room and picked up a shirt, Landa saw a broken mess with fear quaking her every step. Landa took a sip of his drink and turned back to his young colleague who was watching her intently until the door closed behind her. All he had to do was wait, not very men stood the intimidating silence Landa cast around them and Hellstrom was no stranger to it. Hellstrom was always a quiet man, only speaking when spoken to and following orders even if they were absurd. Landa liked him, he was the ideal soldier and had no doubt worked his way to the top through fear and respect much like Landa did…only, Landa did it with less violence than Hellstrom.

He had heard what the young Sturmbannführer had done to the young girl to make her forget the Basterds the next day in that disgusting barn. He was not there to witness it but frankly, he wasn't sure if he had wanted to. He had whipped her back continuously while shouting at her in German about where her loyalties lay with. The Führer of course. He had beaten her with sticks and forced her to help burn the Jewish bodies in the back while repeating his words to him in German while she cried.

There were other things he had done to make her forget of course but the one that stood out to him the most was making her shoot the children that were brought, alive, while heiling Hitler loud enough for Hellstrom to hear a hundred feet away. She had to chose which children were 'worthy' of burning or being shot in the head. Of course Hellstrom was never a one-step man and he had many ways of manipulating the young Basterd girl.

Landa would have just done the whipping if it was up to him, something quick and easy.

Then there was Private Zoller who had stayed there the whole time and watched. He had refused to return back to Base with Landa, claiming that he was needed there more than here. Landa didn't pay attention to the rumors surrounding the young Private and the Basterd but he knew that he had befriended her and was the only one who managed to hold a three minute conversation with her before she started to curse everyone. Hellstrom took over from that point.

Landa's eyes wandered over to the window as Hellstrom shifted in his chair and risked a glance back to the room where a dull thud could be heard then a surprised remark from the girl inside. The girl was in love with him; that had been clear as day earlier when he questioned them in the car and Hellstrom's short and icy reply was all the confirmation he had needed. Sturmbannführer Hellstrom was not at all loving, caring or a remotely funny man but to see him defend the two of them with such arrogance and anger quirked Landa. Of course half the SS and army knew that he had been seeing someone by the way he was nearly late to the meetings and other things, but now that Landa knew that it was Rhiannon…it made sense. Weirdly. Landa set down his glass with a soft 'click' on the table.

"What is on your mind, Dieter? I hope you do not mind switching to English, I find German very exhausting after an entire day of it?"

Hellstrom's eyes flashed at the use of his first name by his superior but he didn't comment. Instead he set his glass down as well and leaned further back in his position.

"No Landa, I don't mind."

"Good, so begin."

"There is blood in the bathroom. Smeared against the wall and the underside of her chin was dry with it."

"I noticed." Landa nodded, the young man was still as sharp as a nail as he was, "What else?"

"Zoller had a towel wrapped around his hand and the lamp is on its side." He gestured to the lamp next to his feet. Landa nodded again, "I'm going to kill him."

"Because he may have hurt Rhiannon?"

"We need her to figure out where the Basterds are and their reinforcements. If he has broken her-"

"Is that all you care about, Dieter? If she will be ready to shoot?" Landa interrupted coldly as Hellstrom stubbed his cigarette in his ashtray and leaned forward. The young men these days could be so blinded, "does she mean that little to you? Perhaps you should just give her to Zoller if you do not care."

"Zoller is incompetent and will probably have her killed."

"Because he fell for the wrong woman?"

"Because he is stupid and full of pride and gets what he wants because he's Goebbels favorite. He has no discipline." Hellstrom looked up with his face cast in shadows because of the bad light. Landa leaned back and eyed the bedroom door.

"Discipline brings most men down, Sturmbannführer Hellstrom. Did you not have trouble following orders when you first enlisted?"

"Zoller has been enlisted for far longer-"

"But did you?"

"Yes, Standartenführer Landa. Everyone does."

"There you go. Now back to the blood on the wall, what do you think happened?"

"They fought, Rhiannon cut his hand and he bled then put it over her mouth to silence her but were interrupted by us coming in."

"You are sure?"

"It's what I would have done." Hellstrom nodded than paused as he reran through his words again, "but there was no weapon…they fought in the bathroom then came out here."

"Her shirt was ripped as well. So! What we have here is a mystery: Zoller bleeding, Rhiannon's shirt ripped and her mouth with Frederick's blood on it, a broken lamp and a crack in the wall." Landa clapped his hands together as Helsltrom's eyes flickered to the door yet again.

"He did something to her and she fought back but then fell to his charm again."

"Why is that?"

"This couch reeks of him; he was on here with her." Hellstrom's kicked the couch with his foot as he got up and surveyed the room.

"Perhaps he showed her something and she didn't believe him."

"What are you getting at Standartenführer Landa?"

"Didn't you find it odd that the blood was on the wall of the bathroom? Why would they need the bathroom? They had the couch, the bed, the floor…you have a mirror in your bathroom correct?"

"Yes."

"What do you see in the mirror?"

"…My reflection." Hellstrom was catching on slowly, his shiny boots pivoted on the hard floor as he faced the bedroom, "The shirt was ripped…her back."

"Tread carefully around Schütze Zoller, Hellstrom. He may be young but he is in love and most dangerous when at that stage." Landa got up and fetched his things as Hellstrom began walking towards the bedroom, "Sturmbannführer Hellstrom."

"What?"

"…Tread carefully." Landa put on his hat and exited with a slight flourish as Hellstrom waited for the door to click.

Colonel Hans Landa walked out into the fresh air as he straightened his coat and smiled to himself.

Oh, what it meant to be in a dangerous love.

Dieter Hellstrom had been pacing the room for several minutes now, his hands locked behind his back as Rhiannon sat in the middle of the bed tensely. She wasn't even hiding how fearful she was of him now, her eyes were hard and icy but she kept twitching with every turn he made. He had stripped off his strict uniform and had settled for some dark slacks and a loose large shirt. His hair was messy because of his fingers running through it as he tried to start off this conversation. He could lie to her, it was easy and she'd believe it unless she ran to Zuller and had him blurt it out like the arrogant boy had showed her the scars. This was truly amazing, he had never lied to her before simply because it was impossible to with her being friends with other higher men. Of course he never told her everything and just let her figure it out but he had never lied to her before.

He was becoming weak under her influence. He had stayed up late at night while she slept soundly next to him and convinced himself it was out of pity and to keep an eye on her when he could but…something had come up during those nights, during those stolen moments, glances and kissing her goodbye when he could. The last fight too had broken something in him when they had exited the theatre with Zoller attached to her like a lost puppy.

Dieter stopped pacing and faced Rhiannon, she refused to drop his gaze but her eyes wavered and trembled and he felt a sneer curl up on his lips but then he dropped it and opted to pick up the ripped shirt on the floor. That arrogant Private had ruined everything, all because he loved the enemy. Dieter sat himself on the bed and stared at the young Basterd and waited. He was excellent at waiting and enjoyed the silence that made the other's hairs stand on end until they finally blurted out whatever was on their mind.

It had become a bit domestic between them now.

He would never admit it to anyone but he found Rhiannon comforting and easy to listen to when he wanted background noise. She never seemed to mind though, she'd go off about her day knowing he wasn't listening but continued anyways like she knew this was what he wanted. Dieter didn't have many friends; he had comrades and colleagues but no friends he could rely on. Besides, he rose to the SS and Gestapo through hard work and fear and not kissing ass like Zuller had. Dieter ran a hand through his dark hair and dropped the shirt to the ground.

"Nothing happened."

"Explain to me the blood on the wall and your chin." He replied back easily, satisfied she had broken sooner rather than later.

"A small fight. I bit his hand and he bled out."

"Your shirt."

"Ripped on the door as I tried to get away."

"The lamp."

"I bumped into it."

Dieter watched her mouth twitch and her eyebrows push together as the lie fell from her mouth. He smirked, she was a horrible liar and she knew that. He had practice throughout the many years and he knew what to look for if a person lied. This was rather often. Her cheeks reddened as her eyes finally lowered to her lap, he smiled.

"Frederick hit it over…I'll pick it up."

She looked up again and that fear had spread out through her eyes and now enveloped her entire body. The bed moved beneath him as he crawled over to her and ran a hand through her hair. She flinched and drew her legs up to her chest before remembering that he may not know what Frederick had showed her. He let out a rough scoff as he settled behind her and pulled her against his chest and in between his legs. She was so tense he could shoot a bullet at her and it would bounce off. He pulled back and ran a hand over her back as she sat there, he could taste the tension and anger now.

"Why exactly was Schütze Zoller taking your shirt off?"

"I said it ripped-"

"Clearly a door cannot rip a shirt so cleanly and leave no strands behind."

"…I don't know."

"Fine. You've seen your back then?"

She grew silent and still as his hand dipped underneath the hem of her shirt and traced along her finely tanned back. Her skin was always warm no matter how cold the temperature was. Tan was not a color of skin many people saw in the heart of Germany or France. Only farmers had that type of skin but most farmers were Jewish so...her skin clashed with his pale skin nicely. The scars were silver and white, almost creating a masterpiece on her back in a vile and twisted way. Hellstrom liked it, no matter what, she'd always have these.

"Zuller has feelings for you, that much is painfully obvious. Every day since you've met him, he's been in boyish love…like a lost puppy. But I promise you I've never harmed you…have I?"

She remained silent as his hands left her back and he bent closer to her, wrapping his arms around her warm body. His lips brushed her ear softly; he was good at manipulating people.

"You've heard of these 'Basterds' in the paper?"

"Yes."

"We found you with them."

Her eyebrows pushed together in confusion, the lies were so easy now.

"They were…investigating you in a barn house by a field in the middle of nowhere where they were burning German bodies. The one they call the 'Bear Jew' was hitting you with a bat and a whip because you had tried to escape. You were bleeding and nearly half dead when we came with reinforcements. I found you lying in a pool of blood which thankfully, wasn't yours, but you were so lost you could barely care who was standing over you. You couldn't remember who you were but you could tell we weren't enemies."

"Frederick said-"

"Frederick is nothing more than a young boy in a lion's den. It its true, I whipped you. Once."

She flinched as his hand went back to her back and stroked where a deep diagonal cut was in between her shoulders.

"But I had thought you were going to shoot us when we got you up. I acted out of rational belief. I regret it, you were not the enemy."

Tears were beginning to fall down her face as he rested his chin on her shoulder. It was almost real to him; he could picture how it could go perfectly in his mind. Dieter opened his eyes again as she dried her tears away.

"I've never lied to you."

"Then why didn't you-"

"It was painful; you blocked it out yourself…until Zoller came along. I didn't want you to remember it."

She wasn't tense anymore as she relaxed into his arms; he moved her hair away from her face as he pressed a kiss to her neck.

"I meant it."

"What?"

"I meant that I didn't want you to remember it. But you know it now…and Zuller blamed me."

"Maybe he doesn't know the entire story…"

"He was with us; he scared the Basterds away in the first place."

"Wait…he…"

"Zuller should not be trusted he's only trying to manipulate you." Dieter stroked her cheek. This was damn near exhausting, "I need you to stay away from him. At least until the Premier then you can resume with him."

"Dieter." She turned around to him and drew back a little as her nose almost touched his. She believed him he could see the fear gone from her eyes replaced by hesitation. At least it wasn't anger, "he'll know I'm…avoiding him."

"No, not unless you have an order to follow." She stared at him as he quirked a smile, "Landa wants you to go out with Buttz tomorrow with his men to a group which we believe are the Basterds not far from here in the woods."

"Really?" she smiled and her eyes lit up, he gave a soft laugh. This was the girl he had gotten used to, "Tommorow? That's…too soon."

"Then get some sleep." Dieter shifted away and pulled the blankets around her still sitting form as he grabbed a pack of cigarettes. She blinked then looked down at her hands again.

"I'm sorry…Dieter, I'm so sorry."

Dieter Hellstrom looked down at the brunette on his bed and sighed. He had met many women while working here but no women could compare to the one currently lying in his bed. She was stubborn, strong headed, tough with a quick tongue and a hot temper to match. She was perfect for him.

Dieter shook his head and sighed, putting his pack on the bed and went to turn off the lights, putting his loft into complete darkness save for the Paris lights leaking in through a sliver in the curtain. He slid into the bed as well, pulling the timid girl down next to him and pulling the blankets over her as well. He moved closer and adjusted them back-to-chest as he wrapped his arm around her waist until she was forced to give in and relax under him. He brushed her hair away from her neck and placed a kiss there as she sighed and closed her eyes.

Dieter Hellstrom fell asleep behind Rhiannon while the lights of Paris twinkled and shone before them.

I scrubbed my face as I stood alone in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror as the water dripped from my face and down into the sink. I didn't see myself, I saw a soldier. Green uniform with the Iron Cross on my left breast pocket along with other ribbons and victories I had achiever here. The swastika was sewn onto my left arm and my boots were spit shined until they shone. My hands were shaking as my boot nudged the machine gun on the floor next to my belt that was armed with grenades and ammo. I picked up the helmet that was waiting patiently on the counter next to my wet hands. I picked it up carefully and felt over the fabric before I pulled my hair up into the hat and slid the hat over it. I was going undercover as a male soldier. I pulled my jacket on and flipped the collar up so it wouldn't show my face or give away my more feminine features that I had. I slid on the gloves as well and stared at my reflection in the mirror while shouldering the leather over my head and gripping the gun in my right as I turned off the cold water and wiped my face.

This was nerve wracking.

The Basterds were more famous than Mein Kampf now and the stories that I had read and heard about them. I didn't want to go, but Landa had asked me to go and I admired the scary German man greatly so here I was now. The rest of the men were outside loading their things into packs and gearing up for the cold. Sergeant Buttz, Sergeant Rachtman and one other man were the only ones who knew I was a girl but they liked me so they kept their mouths shut.

I spun around at the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing with a soft thud. Major Dieter Hellstrom entered the room with his long trench coat jacket swishing around his ankles while his sly grin rested upon his face as I wiped a stray drop of water from my eyelash and flung it onto the floor as the gun in my arms clinked together silently. He circled me once and I felt my cheeks redden; he always made me so nervous.

"Aufmerksamkeit, Soldat. Attention, soldier."

I straightened up and stared at the wall before me.

"Was sind Ihre Aufträge heute? What are your orders today?"

"Finden Sie den Feind. Nehmen Sie sie heraus. Keine Überlebenden. Find the enemy. Take them out. No survivors."

"Werden Sie laufen? Will you run?"

"Nein. No."

"Wie wollen Sie nach Deutschland zurückkehren? How will you return to Germany?"

"Mit Stolz und Respekt. With pride and respect."

"…Wie wirst du zu mir zurück? …how will you return to me?"

"Mit Liebe. With love." I turned to him and smiled as he stopped behind me, his arms locked behind his back with his feet together.

He chuckled silently as my too big hat slid over my eyes and obscured my vision for a moment. He stepped forward and tipped the hat up until he could stare down to me. His blue eyes searched my face for something as his bare hand tilted my chin up.

"Sie Sollten tun, feine. Versuchen, nicht erschossen warden. You should do fine. Try not to get shot."

"Was ist… What if…"

"Ja? Yes?"

"Was ist, wenn ich sterben? What if I die?" I looked down but his hand on my chin forced me to look back at him. When I did he pressed our mouths together roughly, making my breath speed up as the kiss deepened and I grabbed his jacket to pull myself closer to him. I could taste him through my entire being. He pulled back all to soon as a bell was sounded outside. I released him and unconsciously licked my lips as I fixed myself. He gave me a pat on the cheek.

"Ich bin sicher, wir würden Ihren Körper finden. I'm sure we'd find your body."

"Very comforting Hellstrom."

I turned away and we exited down the halls, soldiers saluted Dieter respectively as I turned my collar up more and bunched my shoulders. Dieter just chuckled at me but continued following me until we stood outside shoulder to shoulder as the men got into the truck with smiles on their faces. Dieter bumped me as Buttz signaled over to me to hurry up. I gulped and gripped the gun tighter as I took a step forwards. Dieter grabbed me around my shoulder and I whipped back to him. His breath was a cloud of white in the coldness of the French streets.

"Ich liebe dich. I love you."

I blinked as he released me then smiled.

"Ich liebe dich auch. Sehen Sie in einem Bit. I love you too, see you in a bit."

My smile was gone as I turned around and jogged over to the happy Sergeant Buttz who helped me on the truck, I had a feeling I wasn't going to make it. I looked back between the truck's wooden boards as I settled myself in the corner. Hellstrom was standing and smoking leisurely but next to him was Hans Landa…and Frederick standing ten feet away as he stared straight at me. I turned away and looked at Buttz's feet as he sat next to me. The truck jolted forward then turned down a dirt road.

It was time for war.