A Benghazi Meeting

"So, Tully, what do you think of everything so far?" Moffitt asked.

"It's a lot more interesting and exciting," Tully said from behind the wheel of jeep he was driving to Benghazi. "Being in the field is a whole lot better than the classroom. I'm learning a lot more by doing things than reading about them."

"I knew you would," Moffitt agreed. "You're doing quite well. I'm glad you were able to come along as part of the team."

"In addition to the experience, I'm getting credit hours as well, so I'm very grateful for the opportunity," Tully answered.

"How was your first semester?" Moffit was interested.

"Better than I thought. Hitch taught me a lot about writing essays before classes began and if I have any questions about math, I call him, and he walks me through the steps. I just want to get these general study classes out of the way so I can focus on the anthropology and archaeology courses," Tully replied.

"How do you like being back in the desert?" Moffit asked.

"It's a lot better not dodging bullets or fearing capture. Somehow it seems hotter than I remember, but I still think the desert has a beauty all its own. It's not as nice as woods and mountains and a clear lake to fish in, but it's okay," Tully grinned.

"What did Mary Ellen think?" Moffitt returned the grin.

"We were just happy to be together when she visited. She didn't care for the heat when she was stationed here but then, we wouldn't have met if she hadn't been an Army nurse. It was hard to say goodbye for another three weeks," Tully sighed. "How did Pippa enjoy her visit?"

"Like you, we were glad to be together after being apart for several weeks, but I don't think she cared for the heat at all. She much prefers the fog and mist of England. Still, I'm going to miss her while we are apart," Moffitt admitted.

"Sounds like things are getting serious between the two of you," Tully teased.

"I believe so," Moffitt said. "It's strange. We've only known one another a few months and yet, I feel as though she knows me better than anyone. This is the first dig I've been on where I'm actually homesick and it's all about missing her. Every day I find myself wanting to show her what we've done or what we've found."

Tully nodded in agreement as he expertly avoided a large rock in the roadway. "I know the feeling," he added.

"Well, the museum in Benghazi should be happy with the artifacts we're bringing," Moffitt stated as he glanced back at the crates in the back of the jeep. "There's a lot more room without the Browning .50's taking up so much space."

"It's a bigger jeep, too," Tully pointed out, "Not like the Willy's."

"How's Olive doing?" Moffitt asked about the jeep Tully drove in the war that had been a wedding gift from Matthew Hitchcock.

"Purrs like a kitten," Tully remarked. "I keep her in good shape."

"You always did," Moffit agreed.

At Benghazi they dropped the crates at the museum, planning to return the following day to unpack the items and speak with the curator. They checked into the hotel where Moffitt was handed a telegram.

"It's from Troy," Moffitt was amazed. "He wants us to have dinner in a particular restaurant tonight."

"You don't think he's planning to surprise us, do you?" Tully suggested.

"Doubtful," Moffitt was pensive, "I believe he's still in Nuremberg, but with Troy, who knows?"

They found a table in the restaurant at the time Troy had mentioned, ordered food and drinks, and waited for whatever was going to happen to happen. They were enjoying some after dinner tea and wondering whether this was a prank Troy had arranged when someone approached their table.

"Good evening, gentlemen," came an accented voice and they looked up astonished to see Hans Dietrich standing before them. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit and tie instead of a German uniform, but it was Dietrich all the same. The both rose to greet him.

"I gather Troy didn't mention he set up this meeting," Hans said, placing his dark fedora on the table.

"No, he didn't," Moffitt admitted, "How typical of Troy. How are you, Captain?" he held out his hand for Dietrich to shake.

"It is good to see you, Sergeant Moffitt, forgive me, Captain Moffitt," Dietrich said. "I promise you this isn't a trap, nor do I have ulterior motives to take you prisoner," the German said with a slight smile.

He shook Tully's hand saying, "And you, too, Sergeant Pettigrew. I understand congratulations are in order for you and your bride."

"Thank you, Captain. "Won't you sit down," Tully indicated an empty chair, and they sat down together. Moffitt ordered drinks and they nervously faced one another.

"Troy has mentioned the two of you met in Nuremberg and put the past where it belongs—in the past," Moffitt wasn't quite sure what to say to someone who had made their lives hell for two years in North Africa. Someone who had imprisoned them on several occasions, wounded them all and basically tried his best to kill them.

"Yes," Dietrich replied. "It took some doing on both our parts, but I believe we were somewhat successful in overcoming some of the grim circumstances of being on opposite sides in a vicious war. We have begun a tentative friendship and confessed we are very much alike in many ways."

"I think we all saw how much the two of you thought alike," Tully said dryly. "But we also came to admire your integrity and honor."

"Thank you, Pettigrew," Hans was touched.

"Tully," the Kentuckian insisted.

Thank you, Tully," Dietrich continued, "I have great admiration for your patrol as well."

"Forgive me, Captain," Moffitt was still uneasy, "I'm not quite sure how to proceed. You are probably the very last person we expected to meet this evening and I'm not certain how to proceed."

"I will go if my presence is unwelcome or makes you uncomfortable," Dietrich began to stand.

"It's not that," Moffitt continued, "it's just going to take a bit to understand and accept the shifting paradigm of our relationship."

"Of course," Dietrich agreed. "Suppose we begin with another drink and discuss our time during the war. Who knows where it might lead—for good or ill?"

"I think that's as good a place as any," Tully concurred and ordered another round.