General Frederich Metternich stood tall in front of the mirror in his house, straightening his uniform. Unlike many of the other men he served with, he only had the one formal one and he took care of it like his own child. Spots were quickly cleaned, he brushed it himself and he couldn't count how many hours he spent polishing the buttons and various decorations he had received.

It looked well on him in the mirror, tailored to fit him precisely.

He smiled a bit as he checked the fit, Sophie had tailored it for him. He had chuckled to see his sister wandering around him with a packet full of pins, when he and his brothers made sure that she had the finest dressmakers they could afford. But she had always been the one to want to take care of his uniform, and he knew he was the only one who spot the small, fine stitches on the left cuff from the one time he had ripped it. Sophie had immediately pulled it off of him and fixed it, giving him a lecture about taking better care of his clothing.

He had made her sit down and teach him a few stitches, just enough to keep his clothing in good status. He kept minimal staff in Berlin, always passing it off with a shrug and saying that it kept him from spending too long in the city. But even at home they economized, most of the estate was shut up. Although now, now they were able to open part of it back up and he could actually afford a housekeeper for his house.

Frederich could smell her cooking, and despite the delicious smell of the veal she was cooking, he wrinkled his nose. Every time he thought about how nice it was to have something new, he reminded himself exactly what was affording that. His sister, his sweet little Sophie, married to some boor of an American. Dancing attendance on him, having his children, he had fought against it. He had always told Sophie that they would figure something out, but she had insisted.

They had sacrificed much to see her kept in comfort, she would do this to better their family's position, that way they all could live as they should.

Every time he noticed something new he had, he cursed himself for not realizing what Zachary was. He had been charming when he had first showed up, with his fine clothes and excellent German, and he had quickly made himself at home in the Berlin scene. When approached he had been quite honest about looking for a good German woman to marry, that he much preferred them to American women. The girls back in America were too fast, too frivolous, and too absorbed in themselves. So he had come back to where his grandfather had left, looking for a girl to take back with him.

When word of the wealth he would bring with him came around, Sophie had selected a new dress, had her hair dressed stylishly, and set out to charm him. She batted her eyes, she pretended to be empty headed when he would discuss more serious matters and she always made a point to be the first to greet him at every party. Otto had remarked that it made him skin crawl to see Sophie acting like such a fool, but it had worked.

The highlight of the season had been their engagement and return to New York.

Frederich had been sad to see her leave, and all three of her brothers had seen her off together. Berlin seemed far less exciting when Sophie was gone, it was colder and Johann had retired to their estate after a week. Otto had fled back to Kiel until they had visited her, and Frederich had been left to what he always did. Flatter the Kaiser, discuss strategy with the others and try to earn himself some kind of reward for his services. That seemed to be all he was good for, and what he needed to do now.

He shook his head, taking his hat in hand as he left. His valet had already called for a car to be waiting to take him to the palace, and Frederich had him let him out a few blocks away. It wouldn't do him any favors to have everyone see him get out of cab instead of being dropped off in his own private car. The servants always thought that he was simply a healthy man and thought nothing of it, letting him into the palace with little hassle.

The palace was beautiful, but rather cold which came as a relief from the summer heat. He knew the way though the palace fairly well, and was shortly outside the Kaiser's secretary's office. He gave a quick rap, then cracked the door open. He gave the harried looking man a smile, "Ah, Heinreich, any word from His Majesty?"

"Much as last week, General Metternich, His Majesty is still debating what shall be done." Heinreich barely looked up from his papers. "I suggest you talk to the Crown Prince, he seems to be rallying the others to his cause."

Frederich fought against blanching. "I shall seek him out! My thanks Heinreich, although if I may?"

"What?"

"What uniform is His Majesty favoring today?"

"His Prussian blues." Heinreich waved his hand, "Out, out General! I have to be ready for any communications, you know that."

It was only practice that kept Frederich's courtier smile on his face as he strode through the halls, happily calling out to friends and those he tolerated. Inside he was fuming that Crown Prince Wilhelm was getting such attention. The man was a warhawk, and if he was the one getting support then it was clear what path everyone else was leaning towards. So he steeled himself as he stepped into the Crown Prince's office, clicked his heels and bowed.

His greeting was returned by everyone, mostly army officers although he did spot a few navy men. Otto wasn't there, of course, he was stationed in Wilhelmshaven. But more than likely some of the naval men knew him and would pass on word of how Frederich carried himself today. So he adopted an easy grin and gave an additional nod to the man looming over a map of Europe. "Your Imperial Highness, how goes it?"

The Crown Prince, with his smoothly parted hair and bristly mustache, looked up with a laugh. "It goes well, General von Metternich, as it can only go with an army like our's."

"All thanks to your father's efforts and your skill." Frederich didn't mind playing the flatterer. "Has our course been set, then?"

One of the other officers chuckled, "All but confirmed, you should write to that sister of your's and tell her to come back soon! She might miss the war if she doesn't, and I'm sure she'd like to see you and your brother in our victory parade. It might even be in Paris again!"

"I'll tell her to pick a pretty dress." Frederich deflected, "Perhaps she can bring her son, she can raise up with an example of what a proper German is."

"Gentlemen, we were discussing strategy." One of the older men spoke up, and they quieted down. Frederich kept his ears open, he had never been the best at strategy but he was desperately hoping that all this planning wasn't needed. All the Serbians had to to was give into to Austria's demands and then everything could go back to normal.

Because, to be quite honest, Frederich hated the army.

The uniforms were nice, when he had his men and drilled them things went well, but he didn't have the dedication to it that these other men did. To them the army was their life, to Frederich it was simply pay. He could send money home, he could get promoted and have his pension increased, and he could go on in it until he could retire. He'd never wanted to actually fight, he was never the kind of man to get himself a set of dueling scars in college.

And now there was war on the way.

Frederich lingered in the room until the Crown Prince called the meeting for the day, sending all the officers wandering off. A few stopped to speak to him about his view of things, and Frederich was no fool. He parroted the Crown Prince, not mentioning his own feelings. When leaving the palace though, he eschewed flagging down a cab. He needed a walk, a chance to clear his head.

It seemed everywhere there was talk of war, not just in the palace. Old men bickered in coffeehouses over cooling cups about the best way to move against Russia, newsboys hawked papers on every corner and young men were rushing towards recruitment offices joking about how they would bloody France's nose. It seemed even his footsteps sounded like war, every step of his polished boots on the street sounding out.

Krieg.

Krieg.

Krieg.

His walk eventually found him outside a house he knew well. He smiled to see the lit windows, and the servants knew him well enough to open the door. they also knew him well enough to set another place at the table, although Frederich stood at attention as an older man, leaning heavily on a cane, entered. He bowed, "Colonel Jurgen, I hope you don't mind my dropping in."

"If I minded Metternich," The old colonel dropped heavily into a chair, "I would have told the servants to toss you out." Frederich stayed quiet as the servants laid out the dinner, although he ate sparingly. The colonel was not known for a great table, and Frederich did have the veal to look forward to at home. It was only after his plate had been attended to that the colonel sighed. "Well, what is it?"

"I can't drop in to see my old friend?"

"You always have questions, so just get it over with and ask them so I can go to bed."

Frederich fiddled with his fork, setting it aside. What little appetite he had for the colonel's food had disappeared. "I'm uncomfortable with some talk that I've heard and wanted to hear your thoughts on it."

A bit of the field commander he once had been reared up in the Jurgen as he barked at a servant. "Bring a bottle of brandy, two glasses and leave. Lock the doors, and if I hear any bit of gossip I will sack the entire staff." The servants were used to his manner, and soon enough Frederich had a glass of brandy in front of him and Jurgen had pulled his chair closer. "Speak quietly."

Frederich kept his voice low, "All they talk of is war, as if it's already decided. I don't want war, I just want things to keep going as they are. But it seems like everyone else can't wait to go spill blood and I can't speak up."

Jurgen leaned back with a hiss, "Frederich, you can't-"

"Even Otto's written about it! The Navy is already provisioning U-boats, like it's all been decided before it's been announced. Why can't they see how foolish this all is?"

Jurgen reached across, grabbing his wrist painfully. "Quiet! Frederich, to speak against the Kaiser is treason, which means that this never happened. Understand, boy? This talk during peace is all well and good, but the path is set and such discussions can lead to consequences when we're told to march down it."

"But-"

"You have a good heart, Metternich. I remember you in school, helping the lowest ranked get better. But good hearts aren't what Germany needs right now. What Germany needs is men with wills of iron, and those men will run that good heart of your's through in an instant. So pretend, and we will never speak of this again." Frederich was dismissed with barely any ceremony, ate the veal without tasting, and dropped into bed with a troubled mind.

In the morning, before heading back to the palace, Frederich stopped in a telegram office. He quickly scrawled out a message, tipping the boy well to see it was sent quickly. Sophie, I was so glad to get your letter from Newport. It sounds as if the climate suits you, you should stay until you're fully recovered. I have tried to convince cousin Willie that we should holiday in London but he refuses to leave off his hunting trip. Otto is puttering around Wilhelmshaven, he says the fishing looks to be good in the Bight. I will see if Johann and Marta can make a visit, I know they would love to see Adam. Hugs and kisses little sister, and pass them onto Adam from his uncle.

I was standing by the windows upstairs, looking out and watching as a group of men struggled with a mattress across the sand. I'd pestered Will about it when they'd first showed up, but he'd refused to say anything. When a truck had pulled up, filled with flowers and more men had taken them to the lighthouse, Will had just shrugged. I had found him earlier talking with Mrs. Van Gerten, who was thanking him for bringing such good ingredients for her to work with. Will had simply smiled and sent me upstairs.

Where I was now fuming.

It wasn't that I was angry with him, he was obviously planning something and wanted it to remain a surprise, but I wanted to know what was going on so badly that I started pacing in front of the windows. More men were following the ones with the mattress, carrying pieces of a bed frame. I stopped for a moment, running my thumb over my lip as I thought. I doubted Will was doing all this so the gardener who made the trip over to turn on the machinery at night could be more comfortable. The gardener could grow his own flowers, he didn't need all the ones that had been brought.

Which meant it was all for me.

I sighed at the thought, feeling my heart flutter. It was so kind of him, so think of me and want to make me happy when I had been so out of sorts lately. He really was a good husband, and I vowed to tell him that more often. When I heard footsteps behind me, I turned and gave him a wide smile. "Are you still not telling?"

He smirked, coming closer. "Not a bit, but I will give you some hints."

"What if I guess what you're planning?"

"I doubt you will." Will chuckled, his blue eyes dancing. "But I will tell you to dress comfortably, be hungry, bring a few blankets and find a book on Greek mythology."

The last one made me snort and shake my head. "You're right, I have no idea what you've got in mind."

"Just be waiting on the back porch a bit before sunset." He leaned down and kissed my cheek, "I think you'll be happy."

"I'm already happy." I pulled him back down and kissed him firmly. "I'm very happy with my wonderful husband." He brought his arms around me at that, pulling me tight to him and threading his fingers through my hair.

He pulled back, "Will you wear it loose for me tonight?"

"Of course." I sighed happily as he brushed his fingers through it. "As long as you'll keep doing that."

Will gently tugged on my hair, "So long as you're good, I will." He left me at that, and shortly appeared on the sand and made his way to the lighthouse. I almost floated to my rooms, focused on nothing but making myself pretty for him. Although one thought brought me short, where was I ever to find a book on Greek mythology up here? We didn't really have a library, and I was puzzling that over to myself when I walked into my room.

Waiting for me on my bed was a new book, and when I opened it up, sure enough it was all on Greek myths.

I rolled my eyes, setting it aside and gathering the blankets that Will had told me to bring. Will had obviously been preparing not just the lighthouse, and I decided to begin preparations of my own. I knew Will loved me smelling like roses, so I made sure to use my rose soap and run a bit of rose oil through my hair when I washed. A bit more rose oil on my wrists and neck left me smelling quite pleasant, and I picked a lovely ivory and blue dress to wear. It was rather loose fitting, which meant that I could wear a brassiere with it.

What made me smirk though was the navy silk nightgown I slipped into the basket I had asked for to carry the book and blankets. Will did love that nightgown, and I had no doubt he wouldn't mind me changing into it. A blue ribbons held my hair back as I made my way to the porch, the breeze tugging at it playfully. Will, in a fresh gray pinstripe suit, was already waiting and smiled widely when he saw me. "I hope you managed to find a book."

"You made it rather hard to miss." I teased, taking his arm.

"And you tied your back." He pouted slightly, then reached over and pulled the bow loose. I couldn't help but give a little snort of distress as my hair quickly began to blow everywhere. "Much better."

"I was going to untie it when we got there!" I shook my head, trying to get my hair out of my face. "Oh, I don't know what I will do with you."

Will chuckled, pulling me a bit closer. "I have a few ideas." There was still enough light left that we could easily make our way down the cove to the lighthouse, although Will stopped before the door. "Close your eyes."

I raised a brow, but did as he asked. He slipped his hand around mine, gently leading me forward. The lighthouse felt much warmer than usual, and smelled better too. I could smell the wonderful perfume of roses, and not from my own perfume. Underneath it was some kind of rich food, I couldn't quite make it out what with the roses, but it smell delicious. I gave Will's hand a squeeze. "Can I open my eyes?"

"Yes." He squeezed my hand back, and I sighed when I saw what awaited me. The table was laid with a fine tablecloth and a few cloches, candelabras around the room to provide a soft light, and the bed I had seen being manhandled out here taking up a good portion of the room. Flowers spilled over vases and bowls, and I turned to Will with my heart fluttering. He had a nervous smile on his face, "Do you like it?"

"I love it," I leaned up, kissing him. "And I love you." He had a very pleased smile on his face when I pulled away, although it quickly became a smirk when I spoke again. "But what does Greek mythology have to do with any of this?"

"You'll see." He shook his head, gesturing to the table. "Let's eat first." Mrs. Van Gerten had outdone herself, there had to be a dozen different dishes. Will and I dined on steak and lobster, fresh cheese and bread, and wine that would have made a sommelier weep. A wonderfully rich custard finished things off, and Will leaned back in his chair. "I should have taken you up first, now I'm not going to want to move."

I couldn't help but agree, "There was so much food."

"Five minutes, and then we'll head up." He sighed, "As much as I'll regret it." Five minutes of digestion did us both good, and Will bid me to bring the book with me. He carried a lantern and a spyglass. When we gained the floor with the light, I was surprised to see it was out. Will chuckled when I remarked on that, "I got the keeper to show me how to start it up, we won't be up for long enough for it to be a problem."

"For us, but I don't know about anyone in a boat." I muttered, although the night was clear and bright when we stepped outside. I set the lantern down, looking up at all the stars spangled across the sky. "So what is you plan?"

"I thought that I might find a constellation, and you would read the story." He held up the spyglass, swinging it around as he orientated himself. "We'll stay up here until we want to head down, and we can even have some more wine. I thought it might be nice to not have to go back to the cottage."

A knowing smile spread over my face, "Oh, it would be very pleasant. Now, find me something."

"Ah, Orion. An old friend." Will grinned, then handed me the spyglass and directed me on how to find it. After admiring the stars, mostly the ones on his belt, I found his myth quickly in the book. And so it went, on and on. From Ursa Major to the Pleiades and Capricorn, Will seemed to know all of them and the stories were rather entertaining to recount. But eventually he let the spyglass down with a sigh. "Unfortunately, I don't see any from one of my favorites."

"And what would that be?"

"Odysseus, he had so many adventures. Is he in that book?"

"I think so." I muttered, holding the book closer to the lantern as I flicked through it. Sure enough it had a more compact version of the Odyssey, and what was happening back on Ithaca while Odysseus wandered. While reading the words, I couldn't help but admire Penelope. So smart, so loyal to a husband who had gone to war, and yet her husband quite gladly strayed. She remained loyal for ten years while he took lovers, it was simply too much.

Will must have noticed my tone when I read those portions. "He was stuck there for years."

"And he was married." I rolled my eyes, "You didn't see Penelope taking up with any of her suitors."

"And you saw what happens to them." Will had joined me on the floor of the platform, "So no taking up with anyone while I'm on a crossing or there will be hell to pay when I get home." I collapsed into giggles at that, it was so absurd. Will laughed a bit too, but then he leaned close and whispered. "Why don't you head down and pour us some of that wine? I'll get things lit up here and meet you."

"Don't be too long." I whispered back, letting my teeth play a little along his earlobe and making him shiver. While he handled things up there, I raced down the stairs, shedding my clothes as I did. I thrust all of them into the basket, not caring if they were wrinkled, and shrugged my way into the nightgown. I hastily poured the wine, bringing it with me to the bed. The sheets were crisp, the blankets soft, and I did my best to arrange myself alluringly on them.

I was glad that the bright light of the lighthouse couldn't reach us, and the candles were low when Will came down the stairs. I heard him inhale sharply when he saw me, "Ana."

"Come here," I smiled, holding out a glass. "I have wine."

"I don't care much about the wine at the moment." He came forward leering, but accepted the glass and took a healthy swallow. "I didn't know you brought that."

"I wanted to surprise you." I sat up on the bed, reaching for his tie and beginning to undo it. "I take it you approve?"

"Heartily." Will chuckled, reaching up to help me disrobe him. In his shirt and trousers he laid across the bed, and I laid myself across him. I couldn't help but sigh as his hands slid underneath the nightgown, sliding over my rear and waist. "God, what did I do to deserve a wife like this?"

I pressed a kiss to his lips. "You were a good man, that's all you needed to be."

"And what if I chose to not be good at this moment?"

"Well, I don't feel like being good myself."

"Then I suppose I'll have to punish you." Will chuckled, his hands now pulling up the skirt of my nightgown. "Now, take this off." I quickly complied, and reached down to unbutton his shirt. His trousers followed shortly after, and Will tumbled me down to the bed. His fingers traced over my breasts, lightly pinching at my nipples when he reached them. "What am I to do with you?"

"Anything you like." I mumbled, my eyes shut and my lips sighing as he dipped his fingers lower. "I'll do anything."

He leaned down and kissed me at that, his tongue swiftly swiping against mine and tasing me. "So eager, aren't you?" In response to that I pulled him back down, my own tongue taking command this time and I hook a leg around his hips. But then I moaned int his mouth, for he has slid a finger inside me and had set to stroking while his thumb teased me. I groaned as he began to move it faster, panting when he released my lips to rear up and look at me. "Ana, I want you on top."

I didn't even reply, merely letting him tumble us again so that I was straddling him. It was the work of a moment to lift myself up and guide him into me, and I cursed as he stretched me full. Will seemed content to take a moment, and I needed one as well. I loved riding him, loved seeing how his eyes followed my every move and his hands guided me into the rhythm, but it was different from normal and I did prefer to have a chance to accustom myself to the position.

But then his hand slapped my rear lightly, sparking me into motion. The sound of our flesh slapping against each other, the wet noises from where we were joined, it always made me blush to think of it, but right now it drove me on. I wanted to hear him curse and moan, I wanted to have him crack his palm across my bum and spur me faster, and I heard all of that, but something else was a bit louder. The bed was groaning with us, the mattress moving far more than the one in the cottage as I rode my husband.

"Ana," Will seemed to notice it too, his hands making me still. "I don't think it can take it."

"Well, too bad." I grunted, resuming my pace. "I'm too close, I can't take it anymore."

"I'm close too."

"Then let's both finish and it won't break." I thrust myself down against him, making him curse and his hips rise up to meet me. Together we strove on towards our completion, and it seemed I saw stars when my pleasure crested, although nothing as complicated as the constellations we had seen before. Will only lasted a few more moments after I had gone limp against his chest, and he wrapped himself fully around me.

The bed groaned a little more as we situated ourselves, but settled down as we fell asleep.