CHAPTER 10.

We were running through the streets quietly with our backs pressed close to the shadows of tall buildings. Aldo led the way as rain poured down from the sky and hit the French streets. Aldo lifted a hand and we jumped back to the wall of na alley as tow guards walked by. Aldo nodded to Donny who slowly crawled behind them as they turned down the street, he slunk like a snake in the shadows as he twirled his bat in his hand. Omar tugged me along as we ran down the rest of the street Donny's usual loud cries when he killed were gone. Now we only heard loud grunts and the wet slap of skin hitting the ground.

I wiped the hair out of my face as I held a knife in my hand and a pistol in the other I could make out a couple more guards coming down the way. Hugo pressed close to my shoulder as Aldo stopped next to a building and peered around the corner before turning and shouldering his way into the building.

We skipped into the darkness of the abandoned hotel and waited silently for Donny to some bounding in. I looked around me only making out a table in front of me. Donny bounded in with his bat snacking Aldo in the face as he stepped into the darkness along with us. I was really starting to feel blind as I put my hands in front of me to feel around. I could hear Wicki and Hugo muttering to each other to my left as I smelt Utivich's clean smell. Aldo was locking the door as Donny talked to him silently. Aldo shoved a chair against the door, making an odd lock barricade.

Our feet shuffled nervously and our uneven breaths filled the room. I bumped up against a soft chair.

"Crap it's dark in here." Donny voiced and cursed to my right. I heard him curse some more as a loud screech sounded, "Where the hell's this guy at? Damn chairs are freakin' everywhere…"

"Major Archie Hicox?" Aldo spoke up, his south accent making it sound like 'hick-oxsh'. There was a bang above me and everyone's gun clicked immediately. The chair nudged my thigh.

"Lieutenatn Aldo Raine."

A light flickered on above me and I blinked as my vision swam to get all the colors right. I jumped as I turned around and bumped into a solid chest dressed impossibly neat. I screamed and fell back landing on my butt. Donny burst out laughing above me as this 'Hicox' stared down at me apologetically. He held out a polite hand as I growled. Freaking limeys.

"I didn't know they enlisted a…woman in your Operation." Hicox smiled as I took his hand and dusted my self off. I nodded and fell into Donny, as Aldo walked up and shook the Brit's hand, "Pleased to meet you Raine."

"Same. So we got some place we can talk?"

"Right to the point then I see. I was hoping I'd be introduced." He joked and reached behind him, opening up another door where a faint light could be seen, "Follow me then, the top floor's stationed as our HQ for now. Last one up get the light will ya' boys?"

"How much do you think his hair is worth?" Donny whispered as we follwed our two superiors up the stairs.

"How about that hair?"

He laughed again as we walked into a bare room that had two rooms. Both bare and a very rained on window. We walked into the room soundlessly as Omar shut the door behind us and shoved a chair against it. I stood in front of hugo as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and leaned his chin on my head. I watched the two superior men converse silently; Aldo seemed agitated but Hicox seemed relaxed enough to be fully smiling like nothing was wrong. Hugo nudged me.

"Who is he?"

"Some Major from England. Really good with having resources."

"…then what are we doing here?"

"There's a German actress who's a spy. Uti was gathering info some months back on her, Bridget von Hammersmark."

"…she's going to help us."

"Yep."

"…Odd." Hugo muttered as Aldo turned to us, Hicox sneezed. I stared at them again.

They were like night and day these two. Aldo was dirty, un-shaven and sharp all around the edges. Hicox was clean, definitely shaven and soft. There wasn't even a fleck of dust on his uniform. He was a hell of a lot nicer though I'll tell you that. Aldo still had blood splatters on his clothes.

"All right boys, looks like we're getting showers and food tonight."

The Basterds smiled.

"Secondly. 'Majer' Hicox over here says we've got to do some heavier connin'. Stiglitz I want you to get some higher SS uniforms. Wicki, you and Hicox are meetin with this Frau woman tomorrow night. Three suits."

Stiglitz nodded as my heart beat suddenly sky rocketed for no reason…heavier conning?

"Thirdly. The rest of you boys tomorrow are layin' low. Not shootin' anything 'cause 'yer bored. Sound good?"

"Yes sir!"

"Rhiannon."

"Hm?"

"You've been 'round uniforms. Make sure they're spot on. I want no deaths."

"Sure."

Aldo gestured to us as Hicox joined back in on the conversation. Aldo justted his chin out as he pulled out his snuff box.

"Major Archie Hicox meet the Basterds. Sergeant Donny Donowitz the Bear Jew. That there's Private Smithson Utivich and Omar Ulmer. Our two Germans are Sergeant Hugo Stiglitz and Corporal Wilhelm Wicki. Then that's Private Rhiannon Tchaikovsky."

Aldo motioned to us as Hicox memorized our names to our faces. He landed on me again and I shifted closer to Hugo's chest. Hicox took a step forward.

"I'm going to assume you're not enlisted?" his blue green eyes sized me up as he looked back to Aldo with an amused smile on his face, "When did you start letting children into this war Raine?"

"Found her on a raid. She;s my daughter and she can kick 'yer ass to yesterday." Aldo walked up to me proudly and placed himself between me and the Major. Hugo relaxed slightly. Hicox nodded thoughtfully and aldo stepped away. Hicox smiled warmly at Hugo.

"Hugo Stiglitz is it?"

"…Ja."

"Do you mind if i…" he gestured to me. I rolled my eyes and broke away from Hugo and grabbed Hicox's outstretched hand. He smiled, "Rhiannon, correct?"

"Archie Hicox." I nodded, "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine I assure you. I've never met a woman in the forece with such a suicidal spirit such as you. I applaud you. You have experience in the field then?"

I let go of his hand.

"Enough to have survived this long. Served here in the military for a few months a while back."

"Really? Interesting, you'll have to tell me the story of it some time….charming you are." He smiled and pinched my cheek before turning away. I glared and rubbed my cheek as the Basterds went about on their own business now, "Oh before I forget boys, bathrooms are down the hall behind the bar."

"Finally." Donny muttered as he grabbed his pack off the floor. He turned to Aldo, "How we doin' this?"

"Make it quick. One guard outside." Aldo nodded as the men grabbed their stuff off to bathe. Hugo gave a brief kiss to my cheek before taking off as well. I sat next to Aldo on the rickety bed. "You waitin' then?"

"Why not?" I smiled. I turned to Hicox, "How'd you know about us Major?"

"Heard it from my General who heard it from Churchill. ." He leaned back in his chair balancing on the two legs, "It's quite simple really."

"Churchill?"

"Yes, Churchill." He eyed me with that amused glint in his eye, "How old are you precisely Rhiannon? You don't look old enough to drive if you take my meaning."

"Seventeen…or close to it."

"You know…I think I've heard of you or at least of your last name a while back, you or someone else was very famous amongst the Gestapo men I believe."

Aldo stilled next to me as Hicox waited for an answer. Hugo and Donny were the only ones that really knew what I did when I was in the French Nazi Party not only…what…a week ago or so? Aldo regained his consciousness apparently and leaned forward, watching me out of the corner of his eye.

"I suppose so…depends on what you've heard."

"Well, I heard you were damn closer to a Major Hellstrom and Hans Landa than an Irish man is closer to his drink." Hicox regarded me closely, "but that was just a rumor."

"Rumors are misleading." I nodded, my neck began to burn and my heart flared up. Blue eyes flashed across my mind and my heart twisted again. An idea went through my mind as my knees began to shake, "I knew them though if that can satisfy the rumor for you."

"…Very well. I just wanted to know if you had some enemy guidelines that may help us along the way."

The room grew brighter as Hicox laughed, Aldo relaxed and leaned back against the wall as Hicox put the legs of the chair back on the floor. I smiled to myself as Omar and Utivich came waltzing back into the room toweling off their hair with Uti laughing good-naturedly at something Omar said.

"Spirits brighter boys?" Aldo spoke up, Uti and Omar shared a look before nodding.

"Yes sir."

"Good, the others still in there then?"

"Donny's standin' guard I think." Uti took a seat next to me, he smelt extremely nice and pleasant, "You can go on down sir, Hugo's takin' Donny's spot when he's done."

Aldo seemed to contemplate it for a second as I ran my hand through Uti's soft towel-light hair. Damn, without all that gel in his hair Uti was like a pillow.

"I might as well. Rhia do you want-"

"I think I can last until morning."

"Suit y'erself."

Aldo got up and fetched his things before striding downstairs and disappearing. Hicox grew silent as Uti and I conversed silently, waiting for the rest of the men to come back up. It was strange how a simple shower could lift these guys' spirits to heaven. Of course, I'd probably be bouncing off of the walls myself when I'm done but still. Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen Omar or Uti smiling this wide since…ever. I shifted as Uti cracked a smart joke to Omar, the heat on my neck began to burn and itch.

My shoulders tensed as I reached up a finger and ran it over the small silver chain. The chain seemed to sear my fingers and make them combust into flames. My stomach did a twisting flip and I closed my eyes, breathing through my nose until I couldn't feel that sensation running up my spine. The room turned hot as I opened my eyes right as Wicki and Donny came in through the door. I took a deep breath as I gripped the chain harder…I had to do it…

"You all right Rhia?"

I snapped out of my daze and looked up as Wicki stood over me, tossing his towel onto the pillow next to the headboard. Donny collapsed next to me and propped his feet on my lap. I gulped.

"Yeah…I'm fine…all you nice smelling men around me makes me dizzy."

Wicki chuckled and let it go as he walked around the room, I cursed myself. Thank god they could never tell when I was lying or else I'd be in deep shit. Donny nudged my thigh softly.

"You sure you'ah okay?" he leaned forward smelling of woods and spice; a nice change from the blood and dirt odor. I jabbed at his accent and Donny smiled back, ruffling my damp hair.

By the time everyone got back the rain was pouring down hard and making the sky dark and threatening. I was leaning against Hugo's chest on the ground as he slept softly with his hand slightly entwined in mine. Wicki was leaning against the door sleeping as well. Everyone else was awake or slightly dozing off but then waking up instantly. How these Germans slept through the pounding rain was beyond me, Aldo was actually getting mad at the rain. I picked at the chain around my neck; I had to do this…for the last time.

"Hey Aldo?" I spoke up, I could see him eye me from the reflection of the window, he jerked his head for me to continue, "Is…is anyone else hungry?"

"Food?"

Donny peeked out from behind a doorway, his face half shaven and foam still dripping down his face. Aldo snorted and turned around as Donny resumed shaving right there with his knife.

"I suppose we could all do with some food…you know any places 'round here then?"

"There's a deli about twenty blocks away…it's really good. Then there's a regular store a few blocks from that that has water and stuff." I shifted as my neck grew hot. Hugo shifted behind me and I looked back to see his blue eyes opening slowly.

"You'll get spotted for sure." Hicox spoke up. I glared at him, "You probably don't even know-"

"You remember when I told you I worked here earlier?" I interrupted. He paused then nodded, "I was within the Nazi army and I know France well. I'm fluent in German and French which is all they speak here. You sir would not fit in with your English accent though so the best option would be for me to go since I would not attract too much attention."

"Don't argue. She's got a mouth on her." Aldo advised as Hicox opened his mouth to argue but then closed his mouth. Aldo turned to me, "Go on then, Hey Donowitz?"

"What?"

"Rhia's usin' 'yer bag son."

"Well as long as she comes back in one piece." Donny replied from the bathroom. I smiled and got up slowly as Hugo moved to get up as well. He was still waking up apparently because he nearly fell onto me. I grabbed Donny's pack and emptied his stuff out onto the bed, there wasn't much. Hugo grabbed my arm as he handed me Wicki's warmer jacket.

"Danke."

"What do you think you're doing?" his blue eyes were hard as he searched my face for an explanation, "this isn't safe. You know there are patrols all over at night."

"Not where I'm going. I'll be safe." I leaned up and kissed him softly as Aldo dug in his pocket for some crumpled dollar bills, "I love you."

"Hey Rhia, we could do with some liquor too."

"Of course you can." I smiled and took the money as I slid on the jacket and bag, "Give me an hour, it may take a while."

I gave a wide fleeting smile as I opened the door and closed it behind me. I took a deep breath as I leaned against the door closing my eyes. I was so close…

Thunder rang outside.

I skipped down the steps quickly, banging the door open at the bottom then slamming it behind me before dragging a chair to act as a light barricade. A sob of joy and hysteria racked through my body as I stumbled through the darkness and through the main door. The ran blew in and hit my face violently as I began to sprint down the street, my shoes became soaked instantly as my heart beat so wildly I could hardly run a straight line.

Dieter had to still be here surely, it hasn't even been a week yet, I rounded a corner and just barely sidestepped two soldiers. I pushed into them and they let out an angered cry of surprise as I continued running. They cursed to me loudly but I wasn't paying attention. I turned down another street and slowed to a stop as bright lights hit my face. I was staring up at LA Gammar.

STOLZ DER NATION

A Deutsche event

The movie was to air in two days from now. I dropped my head and coughed dryly as a car drove by. How could I have forgotten this? My hair was soaked now and my clothes weren't far off…my shoes were a lost cause entirely. I stood up again and let out a metallic tasting breath. I continued on as La Gamma watched me with those theatric eyes.

Cars passed me and the occasional mist would dampen me and force a shiver out of me, I was freezing now. The need to touch and feel Dieter though, to just see him again was enough to sicken me but it was also enough to numb out the freezing cold…Hugo had been right though, I had loved the Gestapo man. I chuckled quietly as I walked past a closed store kicking a rock. It was like those love stories talking about 'forbidden love'. This sure as hell was a forbidden love. If Dieter hadn't taken the initiative that day when I was brought to Base to only bring me to his place and take care of me…I'd probably be dead.

Or with Frederick.

I remember how I had hated him when I was first caught, oh god how I had hated that cocky Gestapo man…but then I realized that I didn't. A foolish thought on my part of course, he had whipped me and beat me but wouldn't have we done the same thing to him if the roles were reversed? If we were the bad guys and Dieter had been the Basterd? I know we would have.

"Watch it." A man snarled as I turned the last corner. I moved out of his way with my head down, my face was still popular.

Dieter didn't live in a luxurious apartment for Gestapo's like he always said, "I like things within walking distance", so he had chosen the place right here. I paused as I looked up at his place from across the street wiping the hair out of my eyes. A light was on but the curtains were closed. A car went pass and I eyed the fire escape going past his balcony. I could always wait until he was asleep and slide inside but that would take time and I was on a time crunch. He was a heavy sleeper though so it could work to my advantage and besides, it always took him at least ten minutes to comprehend what was going on around him.

I made my way across the street quickly and jogged up to the railings, looking up. Water hit my face as I tried some small jumps to figure out where the ladder exactly was. The wet steel made it hard to get a good grip unfortunately. I cursed and wiped my hands on a dry patch of clothing as I made another weak attempt to jump. I would have to reach the second bar if I was going to go up.

I crouched onto my calves as I eyed the second bar. My muscles bunched and trembled as adrenalin shot through my legs…wait for it…I had to wait for the right…moment…

I jumped.

My legs swung beneath me as I gripped the cool wet metal, my elbows hit the first bar harshly as I swung from side to side so I could gain momentum. When I gained enough I reached up and looped my arms through the ladder and repeated the process again until I was able to stand up. I let out a small breath; damn it was a long way down. I continued up until I could stand on the actual fire escape part and walked up those sharp stairs until I came next to Dieter's window. The building sheltered me from the rain so I took those moments to make my clothes dry by ringing out what little water had accumulated on me. They weren't soaking completely but the tops of my arms were soaked completely through. My shoes were still lost for any hope. I pulled my self over the railing so I could grab onto Dieter's ledge and lean on the fire escape with my back. Two feet separated me from his ledge and my safety. I pressed myself away from the cool metal and hopped over Dieter's balcony softly and peeked in through the window where the curtain had risen up. My heart vaulted and stabbed itself with a knife as I touched the glass.

Dieter had his back to me as he sat on the far end of his dark bed. His bare back glistened with sweat as he ran a hand through his light hair and stopped at his neck, rubbing it. Bottles of liquor were strewn across his night stand and a half empty one was leaking off the bed.

The room was dark, the dim light from the lamp threw everything into deep shadows and Dieter stood out like a star. I leaned in closer to the window, my breath fogged up the glass.

His hair was fading back into a dark blonde instead of that dark brunette-like hair. His hair usually did that when he didn't go outside in three days or so. His hair was loose and carefree instead of being gelled back. I could remember running my fingers through that soft hair as he slept after coming back from an exhausting day with Landa or some other officer.

Dieter's shoulders slumped forward and he sighed, his head came up and he stared at the ceiling for the longest time. I looked for the lock on the door in front of me and eyed it as Dieter shut off the light and collapsed into his bed.

I waited five minutes.

Dieter's soft snores reached my ears as I expertly picked the lock in the outside window, I tugged it open slowly as I slid off my wet shoes and put down my weapons as well. I slid in through the crack I made.

The room was warm as I closed the door quietly, my feet made no noise on the floor as I eyed Dieter's steady rise and fall of his back as he slept away. I crept closer to the bed until my breath ghosted over his face. His features had changed drastically since I last saw him. My lips tingled from the last kiss we shared. He had dark circles under his eyes, darker than his usual shade. His cheek bones were more prominent and a frown was drawn on his face stubbornly as he gently shifted his head. I reached for my necklace again, I loved him so much.

I got up from where I had been crouching and moved towards the dripping bottle on his bed and onto the nightstand. It clonked slightly and I stilled going for the knife on my waist but found none. I looked outside.

Crap.

"Wer zum Teufel bist du? Who the fuck are you?"

Dieter's low and raspy voice rang out in the silence of the room and a hand went around my neck as I was forced against the wall face first. My thigh caught the edge of the night stand and a sudden pain shot through my leg. I cried out as Dieter's hand moved to just pressing down on my throat as he flipped me around. A gun was pointing at my head and I could see Dieter's hazy eyes as lightning crashed outside.

He was terrifying.

"Speak up!" he shouted again, I could smell the liquor so clearly. His eyes were cold and angry. I clawed at his hands and tried to breathe in.

"Rhi…Rhiannon!" I gasped out. He hit me over the head and I fell to my knees when he released me. He was breathing hard above me, I could feel him shaking. I rubbed my neck and felt where the chain had rested on the skin…

My chain…

I looked up at Dieter held the ripped off necklace in his hand. It twinkled and twisted as he dropped the gun onto his night stand. He was…shocked. He looked like he was in a trance almost as he stared at the necklace. I looked outside then back to him as he lowered his hand, gripping the necklace tightly. His eyes found mine and watched as the tears spilled over my eyes…the memories didn't want to fade from my mind.

Oh how I had loved him.

"Rhiannon."

He dropped in front of me and regarded me with still icy-cold eyes. I yearned fro him to at least touch my skin.

"Wo zum Teufel bist du gewesen? Where the fuck have you been?"

His German was broken and choppy, unsteady because of the booze but he seemed to comprehend.

"Do you know what the fuck's been going through my mind? Buttz comes back shaking like a god-damned Jew with a swastika carved in his fucking forehead like a branded monkey saying that they ran off with you! What the hell were you thinking? They could've bashed your brains in with that bat and then what? I'm supposed to pick up your fucking god-damned BRAIN?"

He screamed the last part and got up, swiping a hand across the stand and letting everything crash to the floor. The necklace swung wildly in his hand as I slowly got up with my back pressed against the wall. I wasn't that small and shy Nazi girl he had transformed…not anymore.

Dieter's breath came sharp, his eyes were crazed. Now that he was in front of me I could see the dark bags, the red rims surrounding the whites of his eyes. Those dark bags contrasted with his light blue eyes so drastically I looked away. I took a breath and stepped forward, putting a foot between us just in case. He towered over me as u stared straight at his chest.

He relaxed as I closed the distance and ran a hand down his cool naked chest. My hand was instantly chilled as I ran it further down the smooth skin. A soft sob racked through my body as Dieter's hands came up and clasped mine in his own. Next thing I knew I was wrapping my arms around him as he pulled me into him softly. His hands ran through my hair and crushed me into him. Tears fell out of my eyes and I pulled back so I could brush them off his chest. He gripped my chin in between his fingers harshly, forcing me to look up at him. I did.

"I thought you had died."

"You'd be able to find my body."

"Did they mark you?"

"Nein. I was simply a hostage…but I came back…like I said I would."

"Buttz told me they knew you." His grip tightened, "even though you were posing as a man."

I nodded as he pulled me back onto his bed and pulled me onto his lap. I straddled him lightly with his arms wrapped around me again until I was chest to chest with him. His lips touched mine briefly before kissing down my neck. I ran my hands through his hair tugging slightly as the air around us became claustrophobic.

"How did you get away?"

He pulled up and we collapsed side by side on the bed, his arms trapping me in. I looked outside, I still had time.

"I ran. God did I run Dieter." I burrowed deeper into him, "You should've seen them…the way they beat in Rachtman's head. They're monsters Dieter. All of them, monsters." He kissed my forehead softly as I took in a deep breath, "They have Hugo Stiglitz too, I met him."

"Traitorous fucker." Our noses brushed, "Did they touch you?"

My eyes opened and I stared into his pale neck.

"No, I didn't let them." I looked up into his eyes as his hands ran down my sides; he hitched my leg over his waist to get comfortable, "they stopped trying to even talk to me."

"Good where are they?" he bent down and captured my lips in a hungry kiss as he invaded my mouth savagely. His warmth cascaded around me as he gripped my jaw. We moved against each other like a practiced art, his hand tugged on my collar, "Rhiannon."

"The woods. Twenty miles North of here last I heard." We pulled away, "They won't be enclosed in trees, look for an open area."

He looked over me slowly, digesting the information as a snarl curled on his thin lips.

"We have them then."

I nodded as he smiled cruelly, his touch turned suddenly gentle on my face. I smiled kissing his sharp cheekbone as he toyed with the button on my sleeve.

"Stay…please."

"Why do you think I'm back?" I whispered. He leaned forward and bit my lips before kissing into me again. I closed my eyes and wrapped myself around him.

Hugo Stiglitz sat in the backroom of the 'Home base' which was just a shitty attic in his mind but the damned British Major acted like this was home. Hugo didn't necessarily care he was just waiting for Rhiannon to hurry up. It had been forty five minutes, it shouldn't have taken this long if she knew the roads.

But she had been lying.

Hugo knew there was a small Markey two streets away that held everything they could have needed. He also knew that twenty blocks away there were housings for Gestapo and other high ranking men.

Hugo dug out his knife and viciously slammed it into the wall with a loud bang. The Basterds in the front room jumped. He sneered.

"Stiglitz, that you boy?" Aldo called out as Wicki stepped in lazily lighting a cigarette.

"Ja."

"Keep it down son."

Hugo just scoffed and accepted a cigarette from his friend as the Austrian shut the door, giving them some privacy.

Hugo knew what the other Basterds thought of him, he wasn't stupid. Hugo lit the cigarette and held it in for a few moments before letting the smoke out slowly. They feared and hated him. They feared him because he was a pure German man that took joy in killing his fellow race and they hated him because he was purely German. He could remember the first few weeks with the Basterds; those long countless nights he felt their eyes on him, always watching. Hugo didn't sleep for two months until Wicki stepped in and offered to teach him English. Despite him being Aryan and Wicki being Austrian they got together quite well…well enough for Hugo to think of him as a friend at least. He was accepted after that. Then they had found Rhiannon and everything Hugo knew went to hell.

First of all he had to be at least fifteen years her senior, which was rape nearly in his eyes.

Secondly if he even, if he ever wanted to follow the Nuremburg Laws…she was Jewish, and Jews couldn't be with Germans.

Lastly, the girl shouldn't even be in this war with them. Screw Aldo's and her being related, a child shouldn't have to live through this.

Wicki collapsed on the moth eaten bed and puffed out a cloud of smoke as Hugo eyed the knife above his head. He sucked in the cigarette, only Wicki knew how he truly felt.

"She's been gone longer than expected." Wicki spoke up, Hugo glared at the knife longer, "Thoughts, Hugo?"

"She's with him. I know she is." Hugo bit out angrily. Wicki sighed and leaned forwards towards him, "She'll tell him where we're at,"

"You don't know that Hugo, nobody does. She could have merely gotten lost."

"She's young Wilhelm, she doesn't understand what she's feeling towards that vermin. If she tells him…" Hugo sighed and let the words hang, "she trusts him…she'll tell."

"She also trusts you." Wicki glared at Hugo's face hotly, "for being men of war we barely look at ourselves and our emotions."

"What the fuck is that?" Hugo's head whipped to Wicki, "God damned riddles now Wilhelm? She will tell him. We're good as fucked."

"How many times has she bedded down with you?"

"…Was? What?"

"In the winter and in the summer when we didn't need body heat how many times did she sleep next to you? Between all of us she's slept with you the most. You can tell a woman by the men she chooses, of course she slept with Donowitz a fair lot but she always slept with you."

"What are you getting at Wilhelm?" Hugo sighed and ripped his knife from the wall tiredly. Wicki chuckled.

"I think it's fair to say she's attached to you…more than anyone. She loves you Hugo, loves you more than anyone here."

"She shouldn't. We're all goin' to die sooner than later, then what'll she have?"

Wicki and Hugo jumped up as Aldo entered the room; his voice rang through the air quietly as Donny followed closely behind shutting the door. The Bostonian nodded to Hugo respectfully as Hugo watched Aldo take a seat to the relaxing Wicki. He too sat down. Aldo leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees as he eyed Wicki and Hugo.

"You, Wicki and Hicox are meetin' with this Hammers-mark you hear? So that means we don't need no trouble."

Hugo nodded cautiously; he already knew this, what was the part in telling him again? Aldo locked eyes with him.

"This means I don't need any dumb-shit emotions playin' through 'yer head and blowin' our cover. Rhia's old enough to make choices with who she loves…I reckon you lover her?"

Hugo's eyes flashed to Donny's fiery brown ones for a second. Donny looked at his feet and his jaw clenched angrily. If Hugo loved Rhiannon…then Donny was obsessed with the girl. Hugo nodded.

"Ja."

"Good. Means we're not all heartless sons-of-bitches after all. So son, I suggest when she come back you make peace with her, I got a bad feelin' somethin's goin' to go wrong." Aldo gave him a curt nod before getting up as they heard the front door slam shut from downstairs. Donny's eyes lit up as he looked behind him, "That'll be her. You got one hour of food before I send 'ya off to get uniforms all right Stiglitz?"

"Ja."

"Good. Donny?'

"Yeah?" Donny watched as Aldo stood in front of him. Hugo wanted to laugh; Aldo was half a head shorter than the bear Jew. Donny raised an eyebrow questioningly, "What?"

"Move boy your body is takin' up the entire hallway" Aldo chuckled as Donny opened the door and ducked out with that lopsided grin. Hugo sighed and got up as well. Wicki's hand came down heavily on his shoulder; the Austrian gave a friendly smile and squeeze.

"Don't worry my friend, enjoy the time right now."

Hugo nodded gratefully as he stepped out into the room where Rhiannon was currently dumping food out onto the floor. Hugo relaxed as he went to lean against the wall. Not a hair was out of place on her it seemed, of course she was soaking wet but nothing seemed to be wrong. She brushed some wet hair off her shoulder and Hugo froze.

The necklace was gone. She had gone to him.

Hugo watched as Donny bounded over, his face alit with joy as he messed up her damp hair and bent to grab food. Hugo couldn't breathe…his body wasn't on this ground anymore. He couldn't seem to grasp reality…he couldn't…she…

"Hugo."

Hugo snapped back into focus as a soft hand wrapped around his muscular wrist. His eyes flashed to Rhiannon's as she stared up into him quizzically. Her throat was tinged red as if something had held her by the throat.

He had hurt her.

Rhiannon gave a startling bright smile as the other Basterds sat down around the room and started up conversations.

"You okay?" she questioned softly, her usually warm hand came up and smoothed out a wrinkle in his old uniform. Her hand was like ice, he could feel it now as she let go of his wrist. She was trembling. Hugo nodded slowly, Wicki was right…he really had nothing to be afraid of with her. She sighed as he pulled her into him, he face buried in his chest. Her shoulders heaved as she took in his scent as he kissed her drying hair. Her arms were tight around him and when Hugo opened his eyes he found Wicki smirking in their direction as Omar told some story. Hugo just shook his head lightly.

"Sie brauchen Ruhe. You need rest." He whispered as they slid to the floor as one person, Wicki got up and brought them their food. Hugo nodded and accepted it as the Austrian sat down bumping shoulders with him. Rhiannon just curled into his lap and hooked her arms around him loosely closing her eyes.

"Gessagt. Told you." Wicki smiled softly behind his spoonful of meat. Hugo shook his head again putting an arm around her as he took a bite of meat.

"Ja, Ja Sie haben. Yeah, yeah you did."

Hugo kissed her head softly, nothing would ever harm her again.

He loved her.

I opened my eyes slowly as something hard touched my face, blinking I stared up a long wooden bat. Groaning, I shifted to sit up as Donny knocked me upside the head teasingly. I shoved it away as I slumped back against the wall and rubbed my eyes. Wicki's coat was draped over me so I slipped that on.

"Mornin' sunshine!" he smiled as I stared up at him warily. I gave him the finger and yawned. He whistled high, "Oh, we gotta fight'ah ov'ah here!"

"Shut up Donowitz. No human should be as happy as you are in the morning." I replied as Aldo came up the stairs while talking to the Major we met last night, "What time is it anyways?"

"One. Aldo told us to rest up since we're not doin' anythin'. Hugo's in the back arrangin' uniforms for tonight with Wicki. They'll be posin' as some real high-class people."

"It'll get 'em respect if we run into trouble." Aldo popped in as he locked the door behind Hicox who smiled lazily and bent to ruffle my already tangled and messy hair. I hissed at the Brit fondly. Aldo just laughed. For jusr recently finding out Aldo and I were related it didn't really change a whole lot of things…well you know other than the fact he's like super over-protective now.

For instance, ever since I came back and 're-joined; myself with Hugo, Aldo seriously gives him the stink eyes when Hugo's not looking. I told Hugo that a day or three ago and he simply laughed…stupid German…

A other thing too, if I wasn't allowed to fight before all of this happened then I sure as hell wasn't allowed to fight now. I yawned and got up as Aldo called everyone in for a meeting. Aldo was a good man though, always was and always will be.

Donny threw an arm around me lazily, I punched his gut softly and heard his chains rattle but he gave nothing away but a grin.

"Allright. Omar close the window will ya? I'm freezin' my ass off here…Everyone here?" he cast a wide glance to us then dropped his gaze, "now you boys know I ain't big on the pep talk, ya'll have enough energy to fuel a house…but we're down in numbers I'll admit that. So if you boys don't mind I'd like to take a minute for our fallen men."

Silence fell over us as a low drizzle of rain started outside for the afternoon. Donny's bat tapped the floor. Aldo looked back up at all of us.

"Zimmerman, Kagan, Hirschberg and Sakovitz may not be with us anymore boys but let's surer as hell meet them on the other side sayin' we killed Hitler."

Everyone gave a loud whoop and smiled. I could feel the new energy in the air spike suddenly. Aldo nodded to Hicox who procured large bottles of brandy and whiskey.

"So…in honor of our fallen Jewish comrades we'll drink. Stiglitz you and Wicki watch it, I don't need you drunk and blowin' our cover with the Frau tonight."

Hugo nodded and gave a small grin, I felt Donny snort in amusement.

"I bet Stiggz could drink all of us und'ah the table…kraut." Ht last word was said affectionately as Donny bumped shoulders with the German. Hugo clapped Donny on the shoulder and smiled.

"…You're right." He leaned in close and whispered something to Donny as he pressed a bag into the Jew's hand. Donny just nodded with a thin frown on his lips, I shook my head as Aldo handed me a bottle. I sniffed it.

"This is disgusting."

"I figured you say that. Hicox stole some cider." He smiled warmly and I took the crack-cocaine-for-teenagers-in-the-form-of-a-cider-bottle. He sighed, "God you've grown…"

"We're in a war Aldo, no use getting sentimental." I smiled as I popped the cap off softly," I'm guessing I'll have to watch everyone tonight?"

"…Good point." He mused and downed half the drink. I shook my head and smiled.

Damn good scotch I suppose.

Nerves were running high now. The happy energy everyone had those few hours ago was completely wiped away. Replacing the energy now was paranoia, fear and the dread that something was going to go wrong.

Hugo, Wicki and Hicox were fully dressed in Nazi gear right down to the socks they were wearing. Hicox had received a message an hour ago saying that they were officially meeting Bridget von Hammersmark in a tavern across the way from our hideout…which Aldo made a big deal out of.

"You didn't say the goddamn rendezvous was in a fuckin' basement." Aldo griped harshly as Hicox stood leaning over him looking into the street from the rained on window trying to button his collar correctly.

"I didn't know."

"You said it was in a tavern."

"It is a tavern." Hicox argued back as I walked over and straightened everything before he got frustrated. He put his hands on my shoulders so they wouldn't be hanging uselessly at his sides.

"Yeah, in a basement. You know, fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fightin' in a basement!"

"Just let him run." I whispered to the Brit as I refastened his belt perfectly. Hicox snorted.

"At least we'll have some privacy is all." He muttered under his breath.

"Speaking of Frau von Hammersmark, whose idea was it for the death trap rendezvous?" Donny spoke up from his spot on the bed.

"She chose the spot." Hicox turned to Donny as I moved away.

"Well isn't that just dandy."

"Look, she's not a military strategist. She's just an actress." Hicox sighed, rubbing his face tiredly.

"Well, you don't go Stonewall Jackson to know you don't want to fight in a basement."

"Enough of the basement!"

I laughed, turning to make sure Wicki and Hugo were perfectly set. Hugo was busy sharpening his knife on a leather strap and Wicki was listening to Uti go on about some spider bite he got on his arm last night.

"You have everything?" I crouched in front of Hugo and smiled. He grunted and paused to run his hand through his hair before returning to his knife.

"Ja. Check Wicki, he thinks he's got the clips down."

"…and I'm sure you think you're crystal perfect?" I stood up as he offered a small grin. I laughed.

"What?"

"Your belt's on upside down Sergeant."

He cursed and looked down at himself as I walked up to Wicki. He gave me a brief hug and held me underneath his arms as he leaned against the wall. It was strange; all these men just hugged me randomly…everyday. I didn't mind though, it let me fell that they were real, safe.

"You come to check on me now?"

"Stiglitz thinks you're incompetent…but you seem fine to me." I smiled up at him and tugged in his green jacket I was wearing still, "By the way when you come back you're not getting this again."

"We'll see." He smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead and let me go. I stuck my tongue out.

"Arse."

"Child."

"Danke, Corporal Wilhelm Wicki."

"You two bicker worse than I did with your mother." Aldo shook his head at us as Hicox wandered into the backroom to talk to Hugo, he came back a minute later and whispered something to Aldo who just waved it away, "All right boys, since I'm on a roll now let's have another pep talk."

I moved to stand next to Hugo, his arms wrapping around my shoulders in an instant. Aldo eyed us softly before turning back to his men.

"Wicki, Stiglitz and Hicox are retrievin' important inf'ermation tonight and I want no trouble. No one leaves this building or room unless you hear gunshots. I'm givin' you boys one hour before I go down to that damned basement…" Aldo locked eyes with his leaving men. I gripped Hugo's hands tighter, "if something goes wrong though…it's been a downright pleasure workin' and killin' with each of you. So Major I wish you good luck."

"Follow me then." Hicox sight numbly nodding as our men saluted him, Hugo and Wicki; something we rarely did. Hugo bent down and pulled my chin up, pressing a slow languid kiss that made something in my heart race. I closed my eyes and felt his jaw work mine slowly like we had all the time in the world. His hand was strong as he cupped my face, his thumb brushed down my cheek as he pulled away slowly. ,y eyes fluttered open as he stared down at me. His blue eyes were like blue sparkling crystals in the dim light. His thin lips glistened so I pressed a smaller kiss against them. His thumb pressed against my parted lips as he moved a strand of hair away from my face.

"Noithing's going to happen, Rhia."

"Don't start anything you can't win."

"Stay safe…"

"…you too." I nodded, letting my hands fall away as Wicki call to Hugo from downstairs. I looked around, nobody was here. Hugo smirked, "What's…"

"They went out when I kissed you."

"…basterd." I murmured fondly as he kissed my forehead again.

Hugo laughed as he pulled away, the cocoon we had been in vanished as he bounded to the door with his Nazi cap in his hands. I took a seat on the bed Donny had been occupying and listened to the men clamor up the stairs. I picked up my knife and pulled Wicki's coat closer around me. Aldo walked in first and took his seat by the window again, his eyes darting down the streets every once in a while.

Donny plopped himself right next to me and leaned against the ragged headboard as he carved in things on his bat. Utivich and Omar started playing cards. Something hit me…Aldo had started out with eight Jewish-American soldiers…now he only had five men left. Kagan, Zimmerman, and Hirschberg were long gone. Aldo only had five men now…five.

I shook my head and turned to Donny, pulling my feet up and throwing them over his outstretched legs. He didn't even look up.

"Donny."

"Hm?"

"…Why do you carve names into your bat? I mean, I've never really gave it much though until now."

He shrugged as he chipped off a small splinter; his brown eyes studied me before he tossed me the slugger. It was light surprisingly yet I knew how much destruction and pain this object could bring. I ran my fingers over the grooves, liking the way the indentations felt under my fingertips. I peered closer to a name.

"Ben…jamin…Donowitz…Benjamin Donowitz." I looked up, "Relative?"

"Benji, my li'l broth'ah…God, he's gotta be like what…twelve by now." Donny tucked his hands behind his head and smiled dreamily.

"Karen and Joseph are also under Donowitz."

"My Ma and Pa. They used to run a grocer store then they moved to Boston and had me. He ran a barber shop beneath our place after that. We lived in a real shi' hole though, a lot of the names on there were the kids in my neighbo'hood that came by. Used to play baseball with 'em everyday. One kid gave me the bat aft'ah Aldo came and recruited me. So I thought if I took it and used it, I'd be protectin' everyone from these German ass-kiss'ahs. It's worked so far."

"You've never said that before." Utivich spoke up as I handed the bat back to Donny.

"That 'cause I've nev'ah told anyone Smitty." Donny grinned as he tucked his bat by his side. I rolled my eyes.

"Why don't you tell us something then Uti…even us out a bit." I suggested and glanced to the window, "We've got some time."

"I think I'm good, thanks." Uti smiled back as I faced Omar.

"What about you? Omar?"

"I'll stick to the cards."

"Aldo?"

"This ain't confessional."

"Mein Gott you three! It doesn't have to be anything personal…like…okay, what's your favorite animal for instance?" I nudged Donny, "You're up to bat Bear Jew."

"Tigers." Donny grinned "Smitty you'ah turn."

"Maybe…I don't know, I used to like wolves when I was little. I liked the idea of a pack and stuff." The blue-eyed man nudged Omar.

"I had a Rottweiler back home." Omar shrugged slightly, "Lieutenant?"

"Let's see, I think my favorite animal may have been a horse." Aldo leaned back in his chair as he pursed his lips. Dead silence.

"A horse?" Donny voiced incredulously. Aldo nodded.

"Used to have one growin' up. They're strong animals that'll go to death for their owners…what about you Rhia?"

"Elephants." I smiled. Donny burst out laughing as the others smiled. I wacked him on the head, "you won't be laughin' when it steps on you Donowitz."

"Yeah yeah. I bet a tiger could beat you'ah elephan' any day." He grinned and pulled me in. I growled as he wrestled me into the dirty bed. I hooked a leg through his but he had locked my hands behind my back. The Bear Jew's weight never seemed to change, "…Uncle…say it."

"…no…"

"Rhia say it." He grinned and I bucked back against him.

"No!"

"Say it!"

"…gerr-off…"

"For Pete's sake Donowitz yer snapping her arms off." Aldo tried to conceal his laughter as Donny simply snorted twisting my arm back a bit more.

"Please, she's got'en shot at more times than any of us. this girl's more like man."

"You know, I am right here!"

"You hear somethin' Lietenant?" Donny pressed his hands harder into my lower back as I kicked my legs up and gasped for breath when I managed to pull my face from crushing into the pillow.

"I hear her plottin' her revenge is what I'm hearin'." Aldo turned to the window again, "a child can beat anythin' if she's mad enough."

"Fine Donowitz. Uncle." I relented. Donny pulled his hands away and moved off of me as he turned to argue with Aldo. I smiled and launched myself at him with what little strength I had.

"-the fuck!"

Donny and I fell to the floor, creating a loud thump as a few more curses flew out of his mouth. I managed to pin his arms behind his back and sat on them so he couldn't just 'throw' me off like he usually did. Aldo snickered as Donny flexed his muscles, his rough cheek pressed against the wood harshly. I gripped the back of his neck with my hands and pressed down with my thumbs into a pressure point like Hugo had taught me. Donny went still but growled anyways.

"Cheatin' mutha-"

"Language Donowitz." I leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to his temple, he hated that. His jaw clenched, "Now, what's the magic word?"

"I'm not sayin' any-"

POP-POP.

RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT.

Silence.

Feet pounded to the door as Aldo crushed the top light with his hand. Donny's heavy foot kicked the door down and Utivich pushed it off its hinges as he leapt down the stairs. I could hear my blood pounding in my ears as I followed Omar through the pitch black lobby. Aldo was cursing as he barreled past us and shouldered the door open. Cold rain weather hit my face but it felt like ice as I clutched the weapon in my hand. When had I grabbed a weapon?

I couldn't breath.

My hands were wrapped tight around the machine gun as we ran across the street.

Everything was going so well.

I was slammed against a brick wall by Aldo as Donny burst in the place where our men had entered; blasting away everyone in his path. I heard the screams as Utivich followed but I didn't flinch. I couldn't,

Hugo.

"Rhiannon! Stay. Here." Aldo yelled as Utivich went in. I nodded as Aldo jumped into the room after Utivich as well. Omar stood in the rain looking at me.

"There's a door around back…" I whispered as Omar closed the door. He nodded.

"Go…that's an order."

I took off around the corner, Wicki's coat flapped in the high wind as I wiped the wet hair away from my eyes. I spotted a silver glistening handle. My legs weren't even a part of my body anymore, they were gone. I couldn't feel them splash in a puddle and get soaked. I didn't feel or hear the gun fall from my arms and hit the ground sharply. I held my breath as I opened the door and tasted the blood, bullets and liquor leaking in the air. The scents lifted me into a high as I entered the dimly lit room that was attached to the rest of the tavern.

On a table was a lamp and a book that had been marked at page sixty-two, a small ring of condensation cooled next to it letting me know some bottle had sat there for quite some time.

I blinked as I entered the tavern completely.

Blood was splattered across the walls and created dark lines as it slid down to the floor. Bodies lined the floors. German soldiers in their uniforms were slouched over the tables. A blonde woman lay stretched out next to my right foot as I managed to stop moving. Bullet holes lined her stomach. The table had been overturned and I flinched as a bottle clanged to the ground.

POP-POP-POP.

I stifled a scream as a man crumpled in on himself and hit the floor like a brick next to me. The gun he had been holding fell on his hip then hit the floor with a soft thump. I raised a hand to my mouth as blood pilled out of his.

Wilhelm.

I crouched in front of the fallen German man softly as a woman on the floor, the one that had shot him raised a gun to me then lowered it. I pried my eyes away from her and looked back to Wilhelm. His light blonde curly hair was dirty and streaked with fleck of blood that did not belong to him. I put a shaking hand on his head and brushed some blood from his temple.

"She's ours."

Aldo's voice sounded far away as he came down the stairs. Wilhelm's eyes relaxed as Aldo crouched next to the woman that had shot him…it was Bridget von Hammersmark. Wilhelm's body slumped to the ground. I closed his eyes.

I looked around me as Aldo lifted Bridget onto the bar table and rummaged through the cabinets for something to wrap her leg in. She had gotten shot in the leg by the crossfire. Donny, Utivich and Omar came down softly and guarded the stairway. I stood up and eyed Donny as he gave the room a once over. My hand was shaking from Wilhelm's blood, my legs moved robotically as I walked towards Donny. I stopped as I saw something to my left twitch.

No…

"NOOOOO!"

The scream I let out ripped my throat in two and put a fire to my lungs.

Hugo's body was in the crook of the cobbled wall. His crystal blue eyes were wide open as his bloodied black hand tried to stop the blood from leaking out his chest. I dropped to his side as he gripped my shoulder tightly. I leaned over him and wrapped my arms around him. I could feel his warm blood leak into my shirt as he weakly lifted his hand to rest on my neck. I buried myself into him as cries racked through my body. I tried to scream. I couldn't.

Hugo was gasping for breath when I pushed up and faced him. Blood trickled out of his lips.

"Please Hugo, bitte." I sobbed; my tears fell on his cheek and neck. They washed away the blood from his skin, "oh go-od…"

"Rhiannon…" he gasped again. I felt the blood stop leaking. His face began to lose color.

"I love you." I sobbed, "Hugo please…no…"

His hand fell from my neck and I watched as he used his last bit of brute strength to rip at the tags around his neck.

He held them out to me.

"Take…them…"

I wrapped the tags around my wrist as I saw Donny crouch next to a body and start talking to it slowly.

"I love you…"

I pressed a kiss to Hugo as the spark in his eyes began to fade out. His hand fell to the floor as his lips pressed against mine. I pulled away as he closed his eyes. The smirk faded from his graceful lips as his body sighed.

The tags clanged together as I huddled over Hugo's body…I couldn't feel anything now.

"Rhiannon."

Donny's soft voice reached my ears as he looked at me from behind the upturned table. I ran a hand through Hugo's short hair and grabbed his knife as I stood up numbly. My throat tightened again as I dropped next to Wicki, his startling dark green eyes were shaking as he drew in deep rattling breaths. A bullet was wedged in his side as blood spewed out and soaked Donny's hands; he was trying to save Wicki when we knew there was no chance…I smiled weakly as Wicki gave a pained grin back.

"I…see your holdin' on." I whispered as he grabbed my hand and interlocked our fingers. They slid together like oil.

"Rhia…Hugo-"

"I know. Shh, keep your breath." I smoothed his hair back as Donny pressed harder, "Wicki, Donny won't-"

"Ich weiß. Wusste nicht, warum…warum er stört auch. I know. Didn't know why…why he even bothered." The Austrian gave another pained grin as he locked eyes with Donny, "Take care of her Don…Donowitz..."

Donny looked at me, Wicki's blood seeping through his fingers.

"I will."

"Besser auf der anderen Seite warten. Better be waiting on the other side." I laughed as tears spilled down my face, "Tell Hugo I said hi all right? Oh god…Wicki."

"Ja." Wicki nodded then grimaced in pain. His grip on my hand tightened as his body spasmed. Wicki's sea green eyes opened and flashed to Donny who had tears leaking down his cheeks, "Donny…let it…let it go…"

Donny nodded solemnly as he removed his soaked-stained hands slowly. He was trembling. Wicki's blood oozed out of his side like a smooth waterfall. The uniform had turned a deep black-red. Wicki gasped for breath, his throat rattled in pain.

"I hate dying."

I laughed sadly at the Austrian's small outburst but I agreed. Before anyone faced death, they were breathing and fighting…then they were fighting to breath. I cupped Wicki's cheek and kissed him softly. His green eyes began to dull. I bent down to his ear.

Macht's gut meine Fruende bye bye.

In Gedanken werd' ich immer bei euch sein.

Macht's gut, meine Lieben bye bye.

Das ist nicht das Ende-wir sehen uns bald.

Doch für mich sit es Zeit jetzt zu gehen.

Macht's gut.

Ich weiß nicht genau.

Wo das Leben mich hinfürt.

Der weg erscheint dunkel.

Doch ich weiß ihr seid Ich finde mein Ziel.
Wenn ich auf mein Gefühl hör Ich bin nicht allein,
Ihr seid immer bei mir.
Ihr habt meine Welt und mein Leben verändert.
Meine Träume wurden wahr.
Macht's gut, meine Freunde bye bye.
In Gedanken werd' ich immer bei euch sein.
Macht's gut, meine Lieben bye bye.
Das ist nicht das Ende - wir sehen uns bald.
Doch für mich ist es Zeit jetzt zu gehen.
Macht's gut, meine Freund bye bye.
In Gedanken werd' ich immer bei euch sein.
Macht's gut, meine Lieben bye bye.
Das ist nicht das Ende - wir sehen uns bald.
Doch für mich ist es Zeit jetzt zu gehen.
Macht's gut.
Macht's gut.

My voice faltered out slowly as the last note rang softly in the air. Wicki's hand lay on the floor softly. Donny sniffled as he wiped his nose on his jacket. I looked to him and he nodded rising to his feet. I unhooked Wicki's tags and wrapped them around Hugo's on my wrist.

"We need to go!" Omar yelled as he came thundering down the stairs. His eyes were wide in fear. Donny pulled me to his side and tucked me against his side as Aldo picked up Bridget in his arms again.

"She needs a hospital, Aldo." I watched the German actress' face contort in pain as she pressed down on the bullet wound, "Aldo, she won't be able to walk if her leg doesn't have any feeling."

"Vet hospital. Down the road." Bridget gasped out loud. Aldo nodded as he easily made his way to the back door where I had come in and pushed it open. Uti followed after as Omar baraccaded the stairs with some broken chairs.

Donny pulled me through the bar and I forced myself to look away from Hugo's body. I bent down and scooped something up from the ground as we ran outside. The rain hit me for the third time tonight.

Donny was silent as I closed my eyes in peace for a second, our footsteps echoed around us.

Dieter had been lying in a red pool behind me.

The vet hospital was clean, sterile and smelled like morphine. There were dogs and cats in cages along with a couple of birds scattered around. Utivich and Omar had burst in first, waking the old vet and his wife up by shooting around wildly. They had agreed quickly to fix Bridget right away but Aldo held off.

When Donny and I entered the room, Bridget was on the operating table with her bloody leg sprawled oddly as her other elegant blood-splattered leg moved to get a solid grip on the slippery table. She was, or had been wearing, a tanned jacket with a lighter tan blouse under it and a figure fitting skirt with high heels. Now she was wearing a ripped jacket, bloodied blouse and splattered skirt. Her hair was down from its messy bun and was hanging in her hair loosely. The cool façade she had, was gone. She was a beautiful woman, an ideal Aryan actress woman. She had golden blonde hair and a light creamy face with high cheekbones. Now her cheeks were splattered with red.

Bridget glared as Aldo sat himself on a desk across from her, Omar sat on a chair guarding the doorway to the room. Utivich stood next to the vet solemnly as I stood next to Bridget pressing down on her wound to try and stop the bleeding. Donny stood leaning against the empty cages behind me.

Currently, Aldo and Bridget were arguing about what went on in the tavern but she seemed closed off about it. I watched as my hands were soaked with blood when I relesed the cloth from her leg and poked the calf muscle. She hissed.

"I can see since you didn't see what happened-mein gott that hurts!-the Nazi's being there must look odd."

Aldo pulled out his snuff box then just tossed it to the ground as Bridget gripped the sides.

"Yeah, we got a word for that kinda word in English. It's called suspicious."

"Suspicious?" Bridget laughed at him, "Well of course it was suspicious your men gave it away so clearly!"

I shook my head as they continued arguing. I highly doubted that. Hicox was, if not annoying, a highly thorough man. How could he have possibly 'messed' up and given us away? I looked back to Donny for an explanation but he just shrugged. I looked back to Bridget. The argument continued on for a few more minutes, I watched as Aldo moved forward and stuck his finger right into Bridget's bullet hole as she sontinued to refuse to give up the information. It made my stomach go queasy as she screamed in pain. He released her.

"Because there's been a few major developments that could change the course of your Operation!" She cried out as she touched her leg gingerly and glared at all of us within her sight. Aldo snorted.

"Enormous changes at the last minute? That's not very Germatic. Why the hell is Goebbel's doin' stuff so damn peculiar?"

"It probably has something to do with the second development."

"Which is?" Aldo prodded. Bridget smiled wildly as she straightened up on the table.

"The Fuhrer is attending the premier."

Silence overcame all of us, including the vet and his wife. Aldo's face blanked perfectly as he thought over this information. My mouth gaped open as I stared att he side of Bridget's face. No, this couldn't be.

"Fuck a duck!" Donny bellowed happily, slamming his hand down next to me and snapping everyone out of their reverie. Aldo gave a triumphant smile as I closed my mouth. Utivich locked eyes with me and smiled. Now, now we were close to ending the war. I turned back to the two as they discussed how to get into the theatre, something about us being her camera friends that worked for some industry…I couldn't really follow.

"I know this is a silly question before I ask it, but can you Americans speak any other language besides English?" She brushed her hair away from her face and let out a ragged breathe.

"We speak a little Italian." Donny offered up, coming up and standing next to me.

"An atrocious accent no doubt. But that doesn't exactly, get us in the club." Bridget bent forward, looking at us curiously, "Germans don't have a good ear for Italian…so you mumble Italian and brazen through it, is that a plan?"

"That's about it." Aldo nodded after a few seconds. Bridget nodded confidently.

"That sounds good."

"Sounds like shit, what else we gonna do go home?" Aldo scoffed.

"No. That sounds good. You don't blow it, than I can get you into the building. Who does what?" Bridget prodde, Aldo just sighed.

"Well, I speak most Italian, so I'll be your escort. Donowitz speaks the second most, so he'll be your Italian cameraman. Omar third most, so he'll be Donny's assistant." Aldo thought about it as Omar's head shot up.

"I don't speak Italian."

"Like I said, third best. Just keep your fuckin' mouth shut. In fact, why don't you start practicin' right now. Then Rhia here speaks everythin' so we'll have to figure out some back story for her so we don't die." Aldo motioned to me and I nodded, Bridget stared at me then at Aldo for an explanation, "she helps around…better fighter than you are it seems."

"…all right then. Good enough for me." Bridget glanced to me again, "so, now that we've reached an agreement I'd really appreciate it if I can have this bullet out now."

Aldo nodded to Utivich who let the vet get up and get his tools as Bridget gratefully lay down on the table. I was hustled into the back room with Utivich as Donny and Aldo along with Omar stayed with them. I turned to Utivich as we slid down a wall and shut the door. Around us were sleeping dogs and cats.

"You know Uti, today ain't half bad." I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. He chuckled.

"Down with Hitler."

"All the way."