Dietrich always had the impression that fishing was supposed to be something relaxing, and a chance to bond with another person. Not a tense activity where one was constantly on the lookout for extremely territorial beavers.

He followed Troy down an overgrown path through the woods until they came to a huge lake, sheltered on all sides by towering trees. He cast a wary glance to the beaver lodge at one end of the lake. "Would it not be better—and possibly more intelligent—to just find another lake, Troy?"

"That'd be about an hour-long drive away," Troy said. "Just stay on this side of the lake, and we'll be fine."

Dietrich wasn't sure he believed that. He listened as Troy gave him a quick lesson in fishing, and then was handed a rod. He could see one of the beavers climbing on top of the lodge.

Troy took Dietrich's head and pointed him to the fishing rod. "Don't look at them. Pretend they're not there."

"You are the one who said they are needlessly cranky," Dietrich said.

"I know, but that doesn't mean they're going to come over and bite your ankles."

Dietrich sighed, then cast his line out. "Now what?"

"You wait for something to bite."

"Alright." Dietrich sat on the ground, holding the fishing rod.

Troy did the same once his line was cast. "You know, Tully once said that when the war was over, you and I would eventually be doing something like this."

"Now one of us can tell him that he was right," Dietrich said. "I was thinking about visiting him again this summer. Hitch as well."

"Does this mean you're not mad at me over sending them to help you?"

"I was mad at first, but if you had not sent them, I would not be nearly as happy as I am today. They welcomed me into their hearts, and their families were more than happy to welcome me into their homes. I… honestly cannot remember the last time anyone welcomed me anywhere like that. Even this past Christmas, when I visited Moffitt, his parents treated me with such kindness that… I had no clue how to thank them."

Troy grinned a little, but it quickly faded. "I think my grandparents would've liked you."

They had just spent a great deal of time talking about the difficulties Troy had with his family. Dietrich tried to change the subject. "Are you planning on doing anything special after you and Shauna get married?"

"You mean, take a trip or something?"

"Yes. Anything."

"We haven't really talked about taking a honeymoon. I'd be okay if we didn't. There aren't that many places I'd like to go."

"I imagine Greece is lovely this time of year."

"Oh, I don't doubt that. I feel like a honeymoon should be about both of us spending time together. I've been planning on taking a trip to Greece for a while, just because I want to know a little more about where my grandparents came from. I don't think that should be part of our honeymoon."

"Do you know what part of the country your grandparents came from?"

"They came from a town on the Gulf of Corinth called Galaxidi. Well, they had a farm north of the town, but they bought and sold cattle and went to church in Galaxidi itself. I've only ever seen it in pictures." Troy gestured back in the direction of the ranch. "I can show you when we go back to the house."

"I take it you would like to go there for your trip?"

"Yeah. I just can't decide if this is something I should do alone, or bring someone with me."

"I see no reason why you should go alone, unless you feel that you should."

"I've thought about taking Moffitt, but then that means Anah has to come, too."

"I would think she would understand and let you take Moffitt for a week or two. And I thought you mentioned that she helped you and Shauna fall in love last winter."

"She did. I know she has her moments where she's wise and insightful, but I'd like to discover a few things about myself and my heritage without her poking around my brain." Troy glanced at Dietrich. "You could come, if you want."

Dietrich gave him a confused look. "Me?"

"Yeah, you. I'm not talking to the beavers, am I?"

"No, but… why me?"

"Why not?"

"This seems like something you should be undertaking with a friend, or Shauna. It would make far more sense to take Shauna than me."

"Dietrich, wasn't the whole point of you coming here was so you and I could truly start fresh with each other?"

"Yes. I just… feel like your friends and Shauna should take precedent over me."

"Maybe I like you just as much as I like them. Except for Shauna, because I love her."

"So take her to Greece with you. Not me."

Troy sighed. "Does this mean if I asked you to come with me, you'd say 'no?'"

"No. I would go if you asked me to."

"It would be fun."

"Maybe. I would have to rely on you as an interpreter."

"And you can trust me to translate everything over there. I promise."

"Can I?"

"Yes. I'm not going to take advantage of the fact that you don't speak Greek. Again, promise."

"Alright."

Things became quiet for a few moments aside from the chirping of crickets and birds in the woods surrounding them. Dietrich could see why some people found this to be a relaxing activity.

"You know where else I'd like to go?" Troy said.

"Where?" Dietrich asked.

"Wouldn't mind going to Alaska someday. All my horses are named after mountains in Alaska. I'd like to climb at least one of those mountains."

"Alaska seems a bit too cold and remote for me," Dietrich said.

"Wyoming can be no different in the wintertime." Troy paused. "Lot of snow, freak blizzards…"

Dietrich sensed that Troy was talking about the blizzard that trapped him and Shauna, and nearly killed them that past winter.

Troy changed the topic when he started struggling with something on his fishing line. "I got something! Holy crap, it's tough! Come on!"

Dietrich watched as Troy reeled in a tree branch—with a beaver attached to it.

Troy's face paled. "Oh, no."

The beaver didn't look too happy about having to fight over its branch. Its little black eyes were narrowed and a snarl was coming from deep in its throat.

"Okay. We're going to set this down…" Troy put his fishing rod on the ground, "and we're going to back away slowly. Show the beaver we come in peace."

The beaver came up onto the lakeshore, abandoning the wood and making a beeline for Troy.

"Come on, we've been over this before. I'm not trying to take over your lake. You can keep the lake. Go away."

Dietrich wasn't sure if he should be amused or concerned. "Troy, you represent the jackal in the prophecy. Jackals are not scared of beavers."

"Shut up." Troy kept backing away from the beaver as it waddled toward him.

Dietrich felt a tugging on his line, and quickly stood to start reeling it in. He gave one hard pull, and a huge fish came flying out of the water. "Ha! I actually caught something! Troy, look!"

Troy had already taken off toward the house. The first beaver now had several of its companions with it, and they all had taken an interest in Dietrich now that Troy was gone.

"Oh, dear," Dietrich said quietly. He picked up the fish and the rod, and started running after Troy. He didn't care look back, lest those beavers were following him.

Dietrich nearly tripped over a tree root jutting from the ground as he ran through the woods, but he managed to get back to the ranch in one piece, still holding the fish despite it trying to flop out of his arms.

"I thought you were a goner, Dietrich," Troy said when the skinny German dashed up to the front porch. "You okay?"

Dietrich held up the fish. "I caught dinner."

"And on your first try, too." Troy nodded. "I'm impressed. Good job." He patted Dietrich's head. "Alright. You ever clean a fish before?"

"No."

"I'll show you." Troy led Dietrich to the kitchen, and had him set the fish on a cutting board. As he started showing Dietrich how to gut and fillet the fish, Shauna entered the kitchen.

"What are you two doing?" she asked.

"We went fishing," Troy said. "Look what Dietrich caught."

Shauna squeezed between the two men to get a look at the fish. "Nice. Is this what we're having for dinner, then?"

"Yes, it is," Dietrich replied.

"Oh, are you going to be cooking it, Hans?"

"I am."

"I look forward to it." Shauna squeezed Dietrich's arm, then gave Troy a kiss. "You seem to be feeling better."

"Yeah, I told Dietrich the truth about… everything that happened before I enlisted." Troy glanced at Dietrich. He looked like he wanted to say something, but went back to cutting up the fish.

Troy went outside to tend to the horses while Dietrich made dinner. He was left alone until Shauna came back into the kitchen with a basket of raspberries.

"They grew this year!" Shauna said happily. "And look how big they are! Here, try one."

Dietrich took one of the berries. They were indeed quite big, and full of rich, tart flavor. "I better stop at just one," he said.

"They're good, aren't they? I'll be making jam with this batch. Should have enough for two, maybe three jars. Would you like a jar to take home, Hans?"

"If you are offering."

"Of course. I should also write down the address of Farmer Hopkins. He'll be delighted that you enjoy his honey."

"Thank you, Shauna." Dietrich looked out the window at where Troy was spending time with one of his horses, Akutan.

"Sam must be feeling better if he took you fishing," Shauna said. "I was a little worried when he told me what happened."

"I do understand why he walked away after telling me the story of what happened to Rainflower. I commend his bravery for returning and telling me everything else. That is not an easy thing to do."

Shauna nodded. "He's been a little more open about things like that ever since we started dating last winter. He's admitted that it's difficult sometimes, since he hid for so many years. That hasn't stopped me from loving and caring about him. I know, mostly, where he's coming from. I told you my mother wasn't the nicest person. Funny story about her, actually—just a week before you came here, she made the flight here, all to see why I wasn't returning home. Long story short, she didn't approve of Sam, or the fact that I worked on a ranch."

"Ah, so you both can bond over the fact that your mothers are bitter people."

Shauna smirked. "Yes. Yes, we can."

"That is a shame. Hitch's mother, Irena, is a wonderful lady. She hardly knew me, aside from the fact that I shot at her son on more than one occasion during the war, but she welcomed me. I have a hard time expressing my gratitude for that."

"I haven't met Sam's friends' families yet. I'm looking forward to, though. They all sound like wonderful people."

"I can verify that they are wonderful people."

"Thanks. I hope they can all come to the wedding—whenever that will be."

"If all goes according to plan, it will be soon."

Shauna's grin widened. "How soon?"

"Very soon. Well, your surprise will be very soon, I can say that much."

"And what is 'very soon?'"

Dietrich debated whether or not he should tell her. He sighed and said, "Less than two weeks."

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Yes."

"You give me your word?"

"Of course."

Shauna continued smiling. "Alright. I'll take it."

"Good, because that is all I will tell you from now until then. Think you can wait that long?"

"Of course I can. I still might annoy Sam about it, though, but you're free to go." Shauna handed Dietrich another raspberry.

"Thank you." Dietrich accepted the raspberry, then tried to remain focused on making dinner, rather than thinking of a way to sneak more raspberries from the basket on the table. "I asked Troy while we were by the lake, and thought I would ask you—do you have anywhere you would like to go as your honeymoon?"

"I haven't given that much thought, honestly," Shauna replied. "I know Sam wants to go to Greece for a personal trip. There are so many lovely beaches in Greece, though. I'd love to go. I've actually never been to a beach."

"Never?"

"Never."

"I used to spend leave on beaches in Egypt. The secluded ones in particular. Although, I learned the hard way why I should not have gone by myself—never fall asleep on a beach in Egypt. A decent tan will quickly turn into an awful burn." Dietrich smirked. "The medics were not happy with me."

"I can imagine! That must've been quite nice, having a beach all to yourself."

"It was. I do miss it sometimes. There are many other beaches around the world, but I do hope Troy takes you with him to Greece."

"I do, too, but I understand if he wants to go by himself." Shauna glanced at Dietrich as she began making jam with the raspberries. "I'm not in your way, am I?"

"No, of course not. I appreciate the company."

"I'm glad. I do tend to move around the kitchen a lot, so I'm sorry if I bump into you."

"As long as you are not like one of the chefs at the restaurant I played piano at in Munich. He was quite a klutz. Brilliant cook, but somehow managed to trip and stumble into everyone at least once on any given night."

"Oh, that sounds awful. I can be a bit clumsy, but not that clumsy. Sometimes I run into Sam on purpose, though."

"Ah, yes, the 'sorry I just fell into your arms' routine."

Shauna blushed. "Yes."

"I watched Moffitt do that several times with his wife this past Christmas. It is adorable to watch, but if I wanted to display affection to someone, I would much rather approach them and ask directly."

"I think it's sweet how polite you are, but when you're in love with someone—really, really in love—it's never a bad idea to be playful once in a while. Make each other laugh and smile."

"If they enjoy things like that."

"Then I hope you find someone who does."

A relationship is a serious commitment, Dietrich thought. I would be happy if I can find someone who will understand what I have gone through. Someone who values loyalty as much as I do. "I… hope I do as well."

"Are you alright? You sound a bit lost."

"Sorry. I know we discussed this a little yesterday, and… I feel it will be some time before I am ready to start looking for a relationship. I am not jealous of what you and Troy have, but I would be lying if I said that I did not… wish I had something similar." Dietrich trailed off, wondering if that was something he should have expressed. He quickly turned back to the stovetop, poking at the frying fish with a spatula.

"There's a difference between wishing you had something similar and being jealous," Shauna said. "When you are ready, I think any woman would be lucky to have you."

Dietrich glanced over his shoulder at her. "Thank you… I… was a little afraid that I sounded… like I really was jealous."

"You didn't. The right person will come along when you least expect it. I certainly wasn't expecting to fall in love with Sam. Or for him to feel the same way. When you do find the right person, don't be afraid to ask for advice, okay?"

Dietrich nodded. "I will… try to remember." It will probably be a long time before I need to worry about advice of a romantic nature anyway.


Conversations remained fairly mundane for the rest of the night. After saying goodnight to Shauna, Troy was left with the question of what to do with Dietrich now that it was just the two of them. When Shauna was pulling out of the driveway, the two men had a cigarette out on the front porch, watching the blue sky gradually turn red, orange, and pink as the sun began setting.

Troy went to check that the chickens were indeed secure in their coop for the night, then headed inside with Dietrich. The two eventually settled on a couple rounds of gin rummy to pass the time, as neither felt particularly ready for bed. There was silence at first as the night progressed, then the gentle tapping of rain against the windows made Troy look up from his cards. The rain came down a little harder as time went on, but it didn't distract either of them too much from their game.

"Seeing and hearing rain for the first time after being in the desert for years was definitely an interesting experience," Dietrich said, unprompted. "I remember after Field-Marshal Rommel sent me home for a month of rest, I arrived in Munich to find it raining pretty hard. I felt… safe. Well, safe from you. Turns out, I was far from safe, even in my own apartment. I was being followed by someone, presumably Gestapo, or maybe Sorcery Division. I never found out. They got into my apartment, and bugged it."

"That had to be terrifying," Troy said.

"It was not exactly a surprise, given what had happened in North Africa in regards to Sturmbannführer Augenstein, how I refused to tell him where Moffitt and the cobra pendant were, and my lieutenant hitting Augenstein with a car and crippling him permanently." Dietrich studied his cards for a moment. "I was scared, and so was Aunt Miriam, because her home was bugged as well. I have a feeling the Nazis looked through my mail and saw she was the only person who wrote to me. When she figured out that someone had been in her home, she was frightened, and she was not someone who scared easily. Seeing her like that made me angry. Not angry enough to do anything, though."

Troy set his cards face-down, and looked at Dietrich, feeling like he needed to pay attention.

"After Miriam passed away, I continued to do nothing. I had no one at that point, except my soldiers, and I was afraid of what could happen to them if the Nazis decided they were tired of me and hauled me off to be shot, or worse." Dietrich made eye contact with Troy. "I still feel like I had behaved like a coward."

Troy shook his head. "You were never a coward."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I know that a lot of our escapes had more to do with you just letting us go than our own craftiness. It wasn't hard to see that. You had a lot of chances where you could've just shot all of us and been done with us, but you didn't."

"There was the prophecy—"

"Aside from the stupid prophecy. We respected each other, and you knew that if you ever needed to be saved from your own side, we'd be the ones saving you. At least, that was my theory. I wondered how long it would be before your superiors realized what you were doing."

Dietrich nodded a little. "You were right. You were the ones who saved me when I realized the war was lost."

"And on the topic of your supposed 'cowardice,' how many times did you shoot at your own people? There was the time you dressed up as Moffitt when we went to stop the Sorcery Division from getting the crystal ball. You again shot at the SS when Augenstein tried taking over your camp. You shot Wansee and Augenstein. You did fight them, in your own way."

Dietrich didn't respond.

Troy took a drink from a mug of beer he had poured himself before they started their current gin round. "Did your aunt do anything?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did she hide people?"

"No. She did provide money for several Jewish families to leave Germany. That was about the extent of what she could do. If she did hide anyone in her home, she never told me."

"Do you consider her a coward?"

Dietrich glared at him. "How dare—"

"Do you or don't you?" Troy raised his voice.

"Of course not!"

"Then neither were you! You both did what you could with what you had. Neither of you were cowards. You, especially, weren't a coward. Stop trying to convince yourself you were."

Dietrich set his cards down.

"If I can't say that I deserved being tortured, then you can't say you were a coward."

The only sound that could be heard in the house for the next minute or two was the rain pelting against the windows and the roof.

Dietrich stood up. "I am getting a shower."

Troy let out a frustrated sigh once Dietrich was upstairs. I probably could've handled that better. Hitch told me that Dietrich had moments where he closed himself off. Just gotta be patient with him. Troy headed upstairs, wondering if he would be able to catch Dietrich before he got in the bathroom. The bathroom door was closed, but Troy didn't hear the shower running. Concern squirmed in his gut. Troy knocked on the door. "Dietrich?"

"What do you want?" Dietrich asked, not opening the door.

"I came to apologize, and ask if you were okay."

Dietrich groaned. "Yes, I am okay. Please leave me alone and let me shower in peace, Troy."

"Do you accept my apology?"

"If you leave me alone, I might."

"Okay." Troy stepped back, and didn't leave the hall until hearing the water turn on. He went back downstairs to finish his beer and put the deck of cards back in a cabinet. The steady sound of the rain was, admittedly, starting to put him to sleep, but he still needed a shower of his own.

After washing out his mug and setting it to dry, Troy heard the shower turn off upstairs. Within a few minutes, Dietrich was entering the kitchen, tying the waistband of his bathrobe. The skinny German glared at Troy while opening the refrigerator to grab the pan of leftover bee sting cake. "I honestly thought you had more manners than that."

"What?" Troy asked.

"When someone is using the bathroom, they do not like being disturbed."

Troy rolled his eyes. "You kinda stormed off in a huff. Forgive me for being a little bit worried."

"I have said this before, and I will say it again—" Dietrich frustratedly cut a huge piece of cake and dropped it on a plate, "there is nothing for you to be worried about. Not anymore."

"Fine. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was accusing your aunt of being a coward."

"I know that was not your intention. You were trying to prove a point. I should apologize for how I reacted."

"Apology accepted."

Dietrich let out a sigh while putting the rest of the cake back in the fridge. "Before I came here, I confided in Hitch that I worried about how you would respond whenever my depression decides it wants to take control of a situation. He insisted I should not worry, but at the very least, I should not dismiss your concerns."

"He's right. Dismissing me just makes me certain that there's something wrong."

"I am very, very aware of that." Dietrich sat down to his cake.

Troy pondered for a moment if he should leave Dietrich alone with his dessert. Instead, he leaned against the sink behind him, and looked over his shoulder out the window. Rain trickled down the glass, distorting the light of a half-moon peeking through the clouds. The black silhouettes of the tall trees off to the west of Troy's property line waved gently with the rainy wind.

"I do understand… why you would be nervous of me suddenly storming off. I need to take that into consideration, but I would like to know what it will take to convince you that I do not want to hurt myself. Not anymore."

"Honestly, I don't know. I think it's something I'm always going to be afraid of, especially since your depression and the abyss and all that aren't exactly going to go away. I know Hitch and Tully worried about you, but they didn't become overbearing."

"Exactly. They did not watch over me like hawks, nor did they constantly ask if I was alright." Dietrich put a generous forkful of cake in his mouth. "They were kind to me, and did a lot for me in the week they stayed with me. I wished they could have stayed longer, and at no point did I feel like kicking them out."

"Have I been at least trying to not be a pain with you?"

"I will admit, you have been better than I was expecting you to be. Perhaps it is because of Shauna, or perhaps you have learned to be less of a pest."

Troy glared at him.

"But, yes, you do seem to be putting in a bit of effort. I appreciate that. I should be doing the same, by not assuming you are being a 'mother hen,' as Hitch and Tully have described."

"Oh, that wouldn't be the first time one of them has called me that. Even Shauna has. I mean, what did she expect showing up and trying to work in the middle of February with a sinus infection?"

Dietrich grinned a little. "Were you annoying?"

"I don't think I was. I wanted her to get better. Anyway… yes, we both need to trust each other. It feels like we do, but there are times where I wonder if there're things we're not trusting each other with yet. I know everything had to come out in a violent torrent with you because of your…" Troy motioned to his wrists, "but if that hadn't happened, I imagine you'd still be a mystery to me, like I am to you."

"You are becoming less of a mystery, Troy. I knew you as a soldier first, and now I am knowing the man who made that soldier."

"And what do you think of the man who made that soldier?"

Dietrich was quiet. "My first thought is that… I feel sorry for you. I felt sorry for you when Hitch and Tully told me that you were tortured by Colonel Beckmann, and now that I know your life growing up took a nasty downward spiral, I feel even more sorry. Worse yet, you have dealt with the resulting pain, loneliness, and general difficulties all on your own, refusing help from anyone, and refusing to tell them that all was not right with you."

"Because I didn't want anyone's pity. How could my men have faith in me while they're feeling sorry for me? If you learned all this before seeing me in action, would you believe I was even capable of pulling off half the things I did? Probably not, because all anyone would see is a broken human being." Troy shook his head. "I didn't want people assuming that about me, so I kept my mouth shut. I bottled everything up, and hoped it would eventually go away the longer I kept it locked away."

"Were you ever afraid of going down a similar path I did?"

Troy wasn't sure how to answer. He looked down at the floor, and sighed heavily. "I've said my life is worthless out of frustration, but I've never seriously thought about ending it. If… I ever did, I'd tell Shauna. I'd tell Hitch, Tully, Moffitt… and you. Frankly, you should be the first I go to, because you've been down that road."

Dietrich stared at Troy, another forkful of cake in his mouth. "Me? You really think I would be the best person to help you?"

"Yeah."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Yeah. You've said so before."

Dietrich shrugged. "Fair point." He finished his piece of cake, and stood to bring his plate and fork to the sink in order to wash them. "I doubt I am truly the best option for you to go to if you need help."

"Too late. I picked you."

Dietrich rolled his eyes. "You really are serious about this whole 'actually being friends' thing, that you place me over your own friends—"

"Yes, and it's not because they're unworthy. Don't start. I trust you. Let's leave it at that."

"Fine."

"Good." Troy patted Dietrich's back. "You need anything else?"

"No. I will be going to bed after this."

"Alright. Good night." Troy lingered for a moment before heading upstairs. He spent a long time in the shower, thinking about how that day felt like several rolled into one. He had found the perfect ring for Shauna, and opened up to Dietrich about his past. There was still a ways to go with Dietrich, but at least it felt like things were moving forward.

When he left the bathroom, Troy noticed the guest bedroom door was closed, but the lamp inside was on. He went to knock, habit wanting him to make sure Dietrich was okay, but stopped. You said you trust him. Actually show it and don't bother him. Keeping that in mind, Troy went to his own bedroom. He turned his light off before laying down in bed and watching the rain continue falling. It would be a little while before sleep came, and he tried to think of more pleasant things instead of worrying about Dietrich. Troy turned his mind to Shauna, and tried to picture how the moment would go when he asked her to marry him. As he thought of the smile on her face, he finally relaxed enough to drift off to sleep.