A/N Another chapter. Let me know what you think :)

Waking up the following morning, I felt much better with the medication the soldier had given me. Although the sleep I had gotten that night was non-existent – not after what he had said, but I didn't blame him. I didn't hold it against him either. It was the truth that I had asked for, and even though I hate to admit it, he's probably right.

Standing over the kitchen sink, I proceeded to wash the few bits of clothing I had with the water from the tank and the soap I had found. It wasn't ideal, but at least the clothes were somewhat clean and didn't smell of stale sweat and dirt. Holding two bits of the shirt, I scrubbed it against each other to try and remove any stains. Watching the water turn a faint brown over time, I continued to scrub before dunking the shirt under water.

Once I was satisfied, I twisted the shirt several times before wringing it as tight as possible. Listening as several drops of water poured from the fabric to bounce back into the sink, I repeated the process. Folding it out, I hung it over the rack I had set up in the sunlight of the living room. Heading back to the sink, I let out a huff as I wiped the back of my hand along my forehead. It's hot and I'm starting to sweat with the torturing weather and all this extra weight I had to carry around.

Leaning forward I unlatched the hook of the kitchen sink window before pushing it open. Feeling the instance relief of the breeze as it rushed through and along my skin, I lifted my long brown hair up and away from my neck "You shouldn't be standing for so long. It isn't good for you" came the voice of the soldier. A constant 'scolding voice' whenever I do anything I shouldn't be.

Leaning on the edge of the sink with my hands, I turned my head to look at him as he stood just outside the kitchen "I can't sit on the couch all day and do nothing. I need to do something or I'll go mad" picking up the last piece of clothing from the bench, I dropped it into the water and swished it around.

Heaving a sigh, I could feel his glare before he turned and left without another word. He does that a lot. After scrubbing the clothing and hanging it out to dry, I unplugged the sink to let it drain. Drying my hands, I couldn't help but look out the window and see what a beautiful and crystal clear day it is. Just for a few minutes I thought. Heading down the hallway, I made my way out onto the back patio to stand on the balcony.

Breathing in the fresh air; scented with a mixture of dry leaves and mud, I sat down on the old wooden chair. Looking out into the distance, there of course wasn't anything for miles. All that I could see was the chicken coop with feathers still stuck in the mesh, a few weeds, and wild flowers. Listening to the wind howl past one more time, it had suddenly gone quiet, and if it hadn't – I don't think I would have picked up the shuffle and loud snap that sounded awfully close by.

With my brows furrowed in slight worry and curiosity, I waited until I heard the rustle once again. It was coming from right underneath me. Right under the house. Turning my head back, I thought it might have been the soldier, but he's still inside. Getting up from my seat, I carefully went down the steps; my hand resting on my swollen belly. Distancing myself slightly from the edge of the house, there were a few worn hedges surrounding the bare underneath.

Ducking to take a look, the hedge rustled in an unusual manner and I swear I could see something behind it. Taking a step forward, the thing moved and I could now make out a pair of brown eyes "H-hello…" I spoke with a stutter "it's okay…you can come out. I promise I won't hurt you"

Watching the thing shuffle, it didn't answer, but its head and upper torso had slowly poked out from the side of the hedge. Wearing a faded black and white striped uniform and fabric cap, I realised it was a person – an old woman to be exact. Her face was aged and dirt covered, her eyes sunken in and her body frail looking. She had almost no hair under the cap, and she held a look of fear.

"Are you the person the soldiers were looking for? The prisoner?" I questioned. She has to be I thought. Who else could she possibly be? All the way out here, alone and dressed like that. Watching her take an instant step back, I held my hand up "please, I won't hurt you. I can help" I tried to reason, but then I noticed her eyes weren't on me. Marching past, the soldier had the woman in a tight grip in a matter of seconds "No! Don't hurt her!"

Ignoring me, the soldier spoke in a language I didn't understand "Kim jesteś?" (Who are you?)

"Proszę nie rób mi krzywdy! Nie bierz mnie z powrotem" (Please don't hurt me! Please don't take me back) spoke the woman in a rush, her eyes wide and her voice a croaky plea for mercy.

"Zadałam ci pytanie" (I asked you a question) spoke the soldier firmly. Standing back, I watched the scene before me as the woman cowered in the soldiers grip. She looks so afraid. I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Taking a single step forward, he sent me an instant glare and I gulped at the icy grey tone in his eyes.

"Uciekłem. Jest to jedyne miejsce, gdzie można myślę, aby ukryć, kiedy szukał dla mnie...to jest mój dom" (I escaped. This is the only place I could think to hide when they came looking for me...this is my house) watching the woman stare up at the soldier, he then let go of the woman and took a step back. What did she say?

"Jej niebezpiecznie. Przybyli patrząc na ciebie, a prawie znalazłeś nas" (Its dangerous here. They came looking for you, and almost found us) spoke the soldier with a slight growl to his words. Sighing, he glanced to me before asking the woman "Czy mówisz po angielsku?" (Do you speak English?)

"Yes, I can" replied the woman, her muddy brown eyes taking a look at me before diverting back to the soldier. At least she speaks English "please. I have nowhere else to go" clasping her dirty hands together, she begged.

"You can stay…" he replied "but you will follow the rules and do as I say" nodding her head, the soldier turned around and walked toward me "it's getting dark…" he said, meaning that I need to go back into the house. Nodding, I watched him go back inside before I turned toward the woman.

"Please, come in side. I'll get you something to eat" looking over her clothes once again, I grimaced internally at the site. I felt terrible for the condition the old woman is in, but I'm glad she's no longer where she used to be "the water work if you'd like to have a bath, and all your clothes are still inside as well" I said with a smile before gesturing to the house.

Taking a few steps forward, the woman followed beside me as we entered the slightly warm house. Walking down the hallway, we entered the living room – the soldier strangely nowhere in sight. Sitting down at the small two seater kitchen table pushed against the wall, I fixed her a meal before giving it to her and taking a seat. Watching her eat the food hastily, she suddenly stopped; her hand covering her mouth. I suppose she's probably not used to eating meals like this, let alone all in one go.

Pausing for a moment to recover herself, she then took a sip of water from her cup before looking up at me; her eyes landing on my belly. Opening and closing her mouth, the woman was hesitant before finally speaking up "I know it isn't any of my business, but what are you doing all the way out here? Especially in your condition"

Looking down at my belly, the story she wanted is far too unpleasant and long, so I simply answered "It's a long story, but where here because it's safer for us – at least for now"

"And the baby?" she asked.

I knew from the look she was giving me that she just really wanted to know who it belonged to without seeming to pry, and it didn't bother me to tell her the truth "It's his…yes" I answered. Looking down at her plate, the woman folded her hands in her lap "he's not a bad person" I spoke, trying to push any negative thoughts she might have conjured up after her abrupt and frightening encounter with the soldier "he's just – protective"

"I can see that, and I suppose for good reason…like he said, it's dangerous out here. It isn't a nice world. You can't trust anyone…you're lucky to have someone looking over you in times like these" spoke the woman, her eyes distancing out as if she were recalling something. Letting out a light cough, the woman snapped back to reality as I stood up.

"The water should still be hot if you'd like to have a bath" I said while getting up, trying to change the topic. Nodding her head, the old woman got up from her seat and made her way to the bathroom; passing the soldier on her way as he came into the living room.

Taking the few steps to walk into the kitchen, I stood at the sink; the window still open allowing breeze to waft through. The sun had almost set, the blaring bright light barely visible on the horizon "What were you doing outside?" questioned the soldier. I knew this was coming I thought with a sigh.

"Getting fresh air…I heard something and I went to find out what it was" I replied without hesitating.

"You were careless. It could have been anything, or anyone…you should have told me" turning around, a pang of something along the lines of anger had entered my chest.

"So you could kill her? If you had found her before me, she'd probably be dead – an innocent woman" I snapped.

"Whether she lives or dies isn't any of my concern…" he started.

"Then why let her stay?" I question with a gesture of my hand "why not tell her to leave? Let her roam around in the dark with nothing. What made you change your mind?" standing there, I stared at the soldier intently, waiting for his answer. What would he say to that? What reply would he conjure up?

Grumbling, his eyes squinted "Don't go outside again" he ordered before turning and leaving once again. Hearing the back door to the porch slam, I scoffed as I turned back around. All my emotions are so high at the moment. My body pulsating with something knew and strange.

Listening to the water pump switch off from the bathroom, I instinctively rubbed my stomach before going to sit on the couch. Waiting half an hour, I filled the space of time with a book I had found in the house. Looking up, the door to the bathroom had opened and the woman had crossed into the main bedroom. Later coming back out into the living room, she now stood in a simple white cotton gown; her thin arms and legs more noticeable now that she didn't have on the baggy striped uniform. At least now she looks much better than she was beforehand.

"I didn't mean to bother you, but where do I sleep?" she asked. Getting up from the couch with some effort, I smiled and led her into the master bedroom.

"I'm afraid there's not much space, so you'll have to sleep beside me. There's plenty of room" I added "I would have moved to the second bed, only it was ruined when we got here and I threw it out"

Stepping inside the room, the woman slowly approached the bed and sat down on the edge. Her hands caressed the fabric of the sheets; a faint ghost of smile gracing the edges of her lips. I wonder why?

Taking a step forward, I played with my fingers in my lap "I never asked, but I would very much like to know what your name is" looking up, she smiled brightly at my question.

"My name is Dita" she said "…and what are yours?"

"Amelia, and as for him – I refer to him as soldier" simply nodding her head, she didn't question the name I had given for the man dressed in black. Although I'm surprised she didn't ask as to why? Then I came to think about the camp. I doubt the soldiers and S.S offices liked the prisoners asking them questions "I'll leave you too it" I said with a quick smile. It's getting late and I'm sure she's tired.

Exiting the room, I turned to walk down the hallway. Opening the back door to the porch, I headed out into the dark. Turning left and right, it was somewhat difficult for me to see, but the moon light did an alright job at giving me some light "Not a few hours ago and here you are…" spoke the soldier. I could hear the ice and anger in his words.

Sitting on the wood chair, he slouched with his left arm on the table beside him. Staring straight forward, he didn't looked at me as I approached him "I was looking for you…I wanted to make sure you were alright"

"Scared I might have left" he retorted.

"No…scared you might have done something stupid" I snapped back as I crossed my arms above my round stomach. He could be so irritating at times.

"I'm not the one who's stupid – that's you" he said while getting up from the chair. Watching the metal of his left arm glint in the moon light, I glanced at the red and almost black star decorated near his shoulder. Even now, after all the months, it still gave me chills on the back of my neck. I wondered about it every now and then – how he came to have it.

Going to move past me, I stepped in his way "Why do you always have to do that? Get mad at me and everything I do, then storm away?" I asked.

"Move…" he ordered lowly. I could hear the wiring of his arm as his metal fist clenched by his side. He's doing it again, right now – getting angry.

"Just answer the questio-"

"Because you're insufferable. You don't make anything easy – you don't listen" he replied in a flash "you don't understand where we are, or how bad things could get in an instant…all it take is one mistake, no matter how small, and we could all be dead"

Taken aback by his words as they slowly sunk in, I lowered my head feeling guilty. I know I haven't exactly been easy or nice from the start and especially now, but I didn't recognise or understand the dangers of my actions. Even now my brain was raking over everything I've done and outcomes that could have happened. I just – don't think the way he does.

"I'm sorry…" I apologised genuinely.

"You don't have to be sorry" he said with a sigh "you just have to understand" feeling him gently nudging me to turn around, I didn't know what had come over me but I stepped forward and hugged him. Feeling his body instantly stiffen beneath me, the round bump of my stomach wasn't making it easy but I didn't care. I just wanted the contact. I needed it.

"I really am sorry" I said again "I don't know what I would do if you weren't here. I don't know if I would have made it this far" feeling a tear slide down my cheek, I sniffled. Why am I crying? Why do I have to be so emotional? He probably thinks it's pathetic.

Standing there for a few more seconds, I sniffled every now and then as a few more tears flowed – then it happened. His arms moved. Feeling his hands rest on my hips, they glided over the fabric of my shirt to press at the bottom of my spine before going up half way. Feeling an ever so slight tug, I didn't move as he leant forward to slightly hug me – I couldn't believe it, and it only made my arms squeeze slightest bit tighter around his waist.