A/N: I DO NOT own Inglourious Basterds. I'll be returning to school shortly, trying to squeeze more writing time in so I'll try and post bi-weekly, on the first and third week of the month. Setting a deadline seems like the best way to settle things. Music credit for this chapter goes to Frank Ocean and his album Channel Orange. For now, keep reviewing hopefully we can get to 100 soon !

Ti Punch

"Do you have anything in white? Seems quite the color for my darling here. I'm sure you ladies can do something for her. Perhaps tailored right below the knee with a pair of heels to match."

I turned my head, glancing back at Walter as he spoke with the women in the shop. Trying to hold back a smile I bit my lip and glanced at myself in the mirror. Reaching down, I touched the hem of the pink Lanvin dress Walter had me dolled up in up on the podium as he flashed his German status about him.

I was so unused to being treated this way. Once upon a time as a child I was the princess of the ball. I lived like every girl wanted to, the spoiled daughter of Franco-German royalty with her desires set on everything she could possibly have. I gave up that dream long ago, even during the rise of the Wiemar Republic when desire and gluttony stood as a symbol of everything the motherland stood for.

I could not afford the luxurious. Of course I made a good deal of money as a prostitute, but never so great as this. Standing in the shop, prodded and poked by gentle ladies who whispered like a dream I found my childish fantasies coming to life as I spun around on the podium, letting my dress fan out beneath me.

"Of course. Luisa, fetch the dress Pierre brought in last week!" a woman exclaimed, and I stepped down from the podium, peeling white lacy gloves from my fingers as I stepped towards Walter, guilt pommelling its way into my stomach as I once again remembered the nature of the situation. I was supposed to be at home, beside Donny comforting him in his time of need. How had I gotten so haphazardly pulled into an outing with the man who was manipulating me into serving his sexual desire?

"Walter this is very kind and all, but I cannot accept these gifts. It is too much." I breathed and he turned his cold eyes on me, reaching down and letting his fingers slide across my jaw. What would have been a tender gesture to outsiders was menacing to me as he gripped my face, squeezing the bone of my jawline so that I winced. Inhaling at the pain.

"Don't ever think anything I do is for you. It's for me Elise. You'll wear my clothes and eat the food I pay for and do it all graciously because you're my little pet. Isn't that right?" he smiled.

I nodded slowly, swallowing as I found myself unable to answer before he let go, turning to face the ladies as they walked back into the room, a white dress on a hanger. Pushing me towards the podium once more they stripped me of my clothing, letting me step into the dress it slipped it over my body, tightening it with pins to mark alterations as they adjusted the fabric.

"She has a perfect figure, no corset needed! You are a lucky man!" one of the women exclaimed and Walter laughed heartily, a cold cackle that may have fooled others but certainly did not fool me.

"Oh believe me I know. And she is just as lucky to have me." He responded and my falter smiled as I felt my façade slip momentarily. Sensing my weakness Walter turned his eyes upon me, as though silently conveying the message that there was punishment in store for me should I not play the role of adoring wife well. Turning away I glanced in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman I saw. She was dressed in designer clothes, her face a porcelain image which threatened to break and expose her true self. Perhaps she was misleading to those that didn't know her, but to me, the augmented reality was an overwhelming and strange sight.

"Just as lovely as I thought. What do you think Elise?" Walter asked, stepping beside me and I continued to stare at the mirror, going to the darkness of my mind as I did when I first started at the brothel. It had been a long time since I had sought refuge there, but here and now I found myself crawling into the damp corner and hugging my knees to my chest as I escaped a crashing world. I suddenly wanted to hurt Walter. I wanted to turn around and grab the bottom of my heel, plunging it into his eye socket until the delightful squish sprayed blood onto my arms.

I wanted to feel the hot, sticky blood and listen to him scream before ripping his tongue out and squishing it between my fingers. I sat in my corner, listening to the damp echo of water as I thought the violent thoughts that told me indeed, I was my father's child.

"I agree. I think it's lovely. Can we buy it?" I asked, turning to Walter with a sugary grin that could only have come from the darkness. Smiling, he nodded as he reached up and placed a hand firmly on the small of my back.

"Of course we can. In fact, why don't you wear it out? Ladies can you tailor this for us we're due at breakfast and think this will be lovely for a sunny day."

"Of course, of course." They all nodded, exclaiming at each other in French, German, and Italian as the immediately went to work fitting the dress. Glancing at Walter I noted as he frowned slightly, evidently unhappy about something and I stepped down, placing a hand on his wrist tenderly like I never had before. The monster inside led me to coax men into thinking I loved them. The monster protected Juene Elise and now it protected me as well.

"What is it sir?" I asked eagerly, and he turned to me slowly, looking into my eyes with a furtive search.

"I see that look in your eyes. I recognize it, and you may fool every man on this earth except me. The deeper you sink into yourself, the more self-destruction you cause."

"Hm, so you care about my well-being? Or do you just want to hurt me all yourself?" I grinned and he twitched, not daring to strike me in public thought it would suit him well to show me a lesson.

"Just an observation. I expect better company during my meal also." He growled.

"Oh Walter, don't you know you're dining with the best?"

I fanned myself as I walked into the house, bags dangling from my wrists and arms. Setting the clothing and jewelry which I had claimed for my own during the day I closed the door behind me as Aldo stormed down the stairs, Donny behind them.

"Jesus where the hell have you been we've been looking everywhere for you!" Donny exclaimed, sweat beading on his forehead and I bent down as I began to collect my things, studying Donny as he hit the base of the stairs. Indeed, he looked a bit worse or the wear, his face full of staggering worry. Aldo wore an unreadable mask beside him and I couldn't find it within myself to care. I was still hidden in my corner, shrouded in unfeeling darkness that fed me nothing but anger and hurt for just about any man. I couldn't give a damn about how any of them felt. In fact, I wanted to hurt them all.

"Out, can't you see?" I responded sharply then headed for the stairs as Aldo swore under his breath.

"Whole lot of nerve." He mumbled, then stormed off leaving a cloud of fury behind him. Watching him go with mock interest I turned towards Donny and gestured towards the stairs.

"And you? Are you going to let me through?" I raised an eyebrow and he furrowed his own in obvious confusion for my attitude.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I've been here worried out of my goddamn mind that you're dead somewhere and you come in from shopping?! Where the hell did you even get the money for all this shit?!"

"What I do on my own time is none of your damned business! Or do you own me now? Like a piece of property? Well I hate to disappoint you Monsieur, but I belong to no one. Not you, not Walter, not Aldo, not anyone but myself!" I screeched, storming up the stairs as Donny remained behind, open mouthed. Barging into my room I threw the bags down and looked around, not knowing with the do with myself. A glance in the mirror only fanned my flaming fury and I reached up, ripping the dress violently as I listened to the fabric tear.

Cursing at the top of my lungs in French and German I picked up the fabric, straining my arms as I continued to rip apart the expensive dress which had been hand crafted and designed as a work of art. How could I care about anything? More importantly, why should I? When I had been thrust into the center of two warring parties and forced to sleep with my enemy all because I opened my heart to a man.

Falling to the floor, I grabbed a letter-opener from the vanity and brought the blade to my skin, dragging the sharp blade against my flesh as I hatefully cursed myself and everyone around me. I cursed France, Germany, and the war. I cursed God and his willingness to allow the world to go at it. I cursed Adolf Hitler for bringing this entire mess into our lives and robbing me of the life I should've had.

Gritting my teeth, I watched as droplets of blood beaded at the cut, red warmth spilling onto my flesh as stinging air brought me relief. I was destructive, a pulling force I had never felt so strongly and I pushed aside the tiny voice in the back of my head that told me I needed help.

The door flew open and I glanced up, frozen as Donny walked in. Immediately zeroing into my arm he simply stared, his eyes full of confusion and fear that embarrassed me. He stared at me as though I was crazed, a psychotic lunatic preparing to spring at any moment. I supposed the destructive forces that held me had already lashed out, and I could no longer be surprised by what I did.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he exclaimed and rushed towards me, falling to the floor and ripping the letter opener from my hand. Tossing it aside he grabbed my arm and stared at it, observing the wound and the stinging pain that forced me to close my eyes as my mind swam with dozens of thoughts and feelings.

I wanted to feel something, instead of the numbing darkness which pulled at me like a sharp-talon demon. The darkness was a demon, and Walter was Satan, holding me tightly in his crutches no matter which way I pulled. He toyed with me, manipulating me like a puppet on strings so that I felt and thought exactly what he wanted.

I wanted things to go back to the way they were before. Before any of this, before the shit, the war, before my father became a bigoted murderer. I needed a distraction, and could think of nothing but having Donny violently take control of me as I grabbed his face, leaning in and kissing him so that our teeth scraped.

"Elise, stop!" he responded but I ignored him, placing my other hand on his face as well before kissing him again. Biting his lip I let my fingers run through his hair, pulling at it before reaching down to grab his shirt.

"Come on. Fuck me. Right here on the floor." I breathed as he struggled against me, pushing me away.

"Elise stop I don't know what the hell is wrong with you but you need to stop. Look we need to bandage your arm." Donny resisted me, only furthering my frustration. Grabbing his shirt I looked into his eyes desperately as I felt myself slip.

"Please I need you. I need to feel you." I whispered, stroking his face. Kissing him I let my lips venture across his jaw then moved to his neck, biting roughly as I spread my legs on either side of him.

Still, he continued to push me away until I angrily cried up, pushing him away and standing up.

"What?! You don't want me now?!" I asked in crazed frustration and he moved his hand to his lip which bruised slightly from my aggressive bite.

"What the hell's the matter with you? We need to get you help!" he exclaimed, glancing at my arm which I knew to be much worse than it appeared. Tilting my head to the side I felt tears bud behind my eyes.

"Then help me." I whispered desperately, in need of a man to take away the feelings that consumed me. Stepping forward I pushed him against the wall, this time reaching down and grabbing Donny's crotch so that he gasped, twitching at the contact. Smiling I slipped a hand into his pants as he continued to protest, grabbing him as I began to stroke softly, letting him harden beneath my hand. Just as I anticipated, his attempts to push me away became less forceful as his erection grew.

"Damn it." He swore into my mouth, kissing me and I grabbed him by his shirt, spinning around and pushing him forcefully backwards onto the bed. Climbing on top of Donny I leaned down, kissing his neck like I never had before while I began to grind myself against him.

Reaching down, I unzipped his pants and pulled him forth, feeling his hard cock between my hands. Never before had I been so forceful, not since my days of dominating and for once it felt good to have control instead of surrendering it. I would take what I want instead of being taken. Bending down, I placed a hand on Donny's neck as I pushed my underwear aside, moving forward and letting him slide into me.

Pushing him down, I rode him furiously as the blood continued to trickle down my arm, pushing away my growing fury as I embraced my damaged self and basked in the feeling of power.

I let the wind whip past my face as I bounded through the hills on horseback, grasping at Leroux's mane as I silently cursed the horse's inability to wear a bridle yet. It was a miracle I had gotten a saddle on the wild creature after lots of coaxing and treats, and even more still it amazed me he allowed me to ride him.

Turning his head he shook his mane out as a silent signal to let go and I did, holding on as he continued to gather speed threatening to jump into the wind and carry us both off forever.

Kicking my heels into his sides I forced him to slow down only slightly as he shook his head once more in a sign of insubordination. Gaining speed again, I wondered if I would face my death by falling off the wild horse I had attempted to break in, certainly not what I had in mind.

With a sharp turn, Leroux suddenly whinnied, jumping up on his hind legs as he suddenly spooked. Attempting to hold on I grasped at him as he reared, before sliding from his body and crashing to the ground painfully. As every bone in my body jarred I gasped, inhaling as I looked up at the pink sky. Sitting up, I rubbed my body as I wondered if anything had been broken. Bringing myself to my feet slowly I turned towards the trees parallel to the mansion and the direction which caused Leroux's actions.

I caught sight of movement between the trees, a yellow flash that could not be a deer. Turning back to the horse I began towards the tree line, limping slightly as my hip ached from the fall. Behind me, Leroux inched forward behind me, almost protective if I could believe it. As I quietly crept towards the trees I watched as the yellow grew closer just as night came threatened to break free. Looking up at the sky the pink and orange dome lead the night.

As I came closer, the flash disappeared behind a tree trunk as I squinted my eyes to see better. I only had perhaps 10 more minutes of light left before and I still had to make it all the way to the house. There was a small toolshed about half the distance back though I knew venturing into the woods at night was risky in itself.

It could've been a scout or the entire German infantry waiting to take us all. I was unarmed, without protection, and had no one expecting me.

"Hello?" I called out as I neared the edge of the woods, watching the yellow spot move again. Stepping closer, I identified two pairs of eyes which peered from behind the tree as I realized I was staring at a small child, hidden tearfully in the darkness.

From where I stood it could have been either a boy or girl, caked in dirt and grime so that I could make out very little but the yellow shirt which came through dirty smudges.

"Oh my God." I breathed in disbelief. As I took another step the child gasped, clutching the tree tightly and I stopped.

"…Do you speak French? Or German?" I asked only to receive silence. Biting my lip, I tried again in German as it grew darker.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Elise I live in a big house over there. Will you come inside with me it's getting dark?" I whispered softly and the child only whimpered. Stepping forward again, I resolved myself and stepped as close as I could then bent down on one need, glancing up into the dim brown eyes of a little boy who had brown hair.

"I promise I won't hurt you…" I said again, then extended my hand and he stared at me, then began to speak in French.

"I haven't eaten in four days."

Standing where I was for a moment, I felt relief swell within me when he spoke then nodded, rising to my full height.

"Well we'll get you some food. Can I carry you?" I asked, and he nodded hesitantly before I leaned down and picked him up. He was small, before five or six years of age and extremely light. Walking towards Leroux I eyed the horse carefully then began towards the house, not wanting to put him on the wild creature. Snorting behind me, Leroux kept up with an easy trot and we walked back to the house as night fell, the little boy clutching me innocently in a way that made me feel for the first time. I could feel my heart beating with whirling sympathy as a foreign outpouring of whatever was left in my heart ached for him. I wanted to fix him and soothe away all the hurt and pain,

"I promise everything is going to be okay." I whispered, a promise to the both of us.

"What about his mother? Father? Anyone?" Aldo asked with his hands on his hips and I glanced back into my bedroom, watching the tiny boy fast asleep in my bed beneath clean sheets. A change of clothes, bath, a hot meal, and series of questions seemed to fittingly exhaust him beyond words.

"I'm sleepy." He said in a childish voice, and I nodded as I tucked him in carefully and watched over him as he likely fell into deep sleep for the first time since his ordeal. He felt safe now, and he was right; there was no way in hell I would let anything happen to him here.

"Gone. His whole family was taken before his eyes. Ever since the deportations he's been hiding out in abandoned villages. He was with a family in the country before they were caught and executed. He managed to survive, with another girl though he says she got away. Since then he's been living of the land. I know you have your reservations Aldo but we can't turn him away, he's a child!" I exclaimed, trying to persuade him.

I knew Aldo to be a kind and caring soul, which is why I couldn't understand his hesitation in allowing the child to stay. He was without home, family, and in constant risk of being captured by German soldiers. There was something cold and unfeeling in his eyes, a completely foreign expression that baffled me.

"We can't help him Elise. It's a difficult decision, but that's what this time is about making difficult decisions."

"Why?! What can hurt us having a child staying here? So you'll leave him for the camps? To be starved and gassed to death just like his parents?"

"He's not our concern. We have a job to do here, that doesn't involve playing caretaker. I'm not going to be responsible for the death of a child when something goes wrong."

"Isn't that what you're doing anyway?! I don't understand I know you don't believe any of it! You'd have that child stay under your care so you can watch over why now are you being so harsh?"

"This is a war! Don't think for a second you understand a damn thing. After tonight, that kid goes. I don't know where but he goes and I ain't hearing no more argument about it!" he shouted, face suddenly red and full of fury.

"I'm not leaving him Aldo…if he goes, I go. I can't leave him!" I heard myself exclaim without any thought of my words. As they left my mouth we both stared at one another, basking in realizations. I had found myself strangely attached to this boy whose name I did not even know.

Of course I long envisioned having children. Somewhere down the road, at the age of 21 or 22 when I was married to a man of equal or even higher status than my own. We would situate ourselves in a villa in the French countryside, just as I had grown up in.

So young had my mother married and given birth to me. In fact, so many French women were on their second or third child at 22 it was unheard of to plan just starting my life then. Had things worked out differently perhaps, had Walter survived and the war never happened there was a chance I would already be making my start as a mother now.

Things had changed, however, and it seemed fate had an interesting way of playing things out in her massive theatre. This child had come to me in the most unusual of circumstances, and I refused to let him go. This was my one chance to change something in this damned country that once was France.

"Look, I'm sorry but we ain't arguing about it anymore."

"…Then I guess it's settled. I'm leaving with him in the morning."

"Don't be stupid-" he began before Donny cut him off, appearing behind him in the hallway.

"Aldo, stop." He said, and Aldo glanced at him then walked off, muttering under his breath. The moment he disappeared from view Donny stepped past me, glancing into the bedroom to peek at the child fast asleep in my bed.

Stepping into the room, I sat down on the bed beside him, reaching over and touching him gently. He did not stir beneath my touch and breathed easily as I ran my fingers through his dark brown hair.

"You seem to have really taken to him." He said behind me and I nodded, tracing one of his soft cheeks as I marveled at how innocent and free he looked.

"He's like me. Without a home, without a country. Without anyone. Aldo wants to send him away tomorrow." I responded softly as I continued to stroke his hair, hoping my touch would still the inevitable nightmares from his ordeal. I wonder how long it had been since he had slept. The sunken eyes empty and without their youthful sparkle suggested sleep did not come easy when on the run.

"He has a point you know. What if something happens like we get discovered? I mean, the Nazi already knows where we are if he and his friends ever discovered what we have going here they could blow this place to bits before we even opened our eyes. You wouldn't want his death on your shoulders, would you?"

Too bad Walter already knows everything. I thought bitterly but quelled my thoughts.

"And what is better alternative? Sending him out so he can be slaughtered on sight or sent to the camps? He has a better chance here then he does on his own. I promised him Donny, I promised him everything was going to be alright."

"That's a promise we can't keep all the time. And it's not your fault it's the fucking war'. I'm sure he'll be alright. Aldo won't just send him out without anything, we'll give him enough food for a month probably."

Shaking my head I glanced up at Donny.

"No…I can't. I'll leave. I'll go with him."

"You know you can't do that. Look Elise, just try and keep a level head. Don't let your emotions get in the way of what's important. Now, Aldo is right in a sense. You have to remember where we are. Charity and kindness are no longer a priority we have to do everything we can for our country and our people."

"Well what about this one right here?!" I exclaimed, then bit my lip. Shaking my head, I finally took a deep breath then glanced up at Donny. I had no one. I knew no one. My only friends were in this very house with me and the only outsider I had to rely on worked for the very men we were trying to stop.

I was uncertain why Walter came into my head. Perhaps it was because I knew he, if anyone, had to power to keep this child alive. Not knowing whether he would or not. But perhaps it was my greatest chance. A previous conversation between the two of us ran through my mind, a man who had long wished for children but never got them.

And what did that mean for me? Turning this child over to the very men who had hunted him? But what if doing so meant saving his life? It was a difficult decision, and quietly I made a resolute promise to myself.

I told him everything would be alright, and it would be. No matter what, I would make certain of that.

"Elise? I must say I don't think we expected to see you so soon. You aren't due back until tomorrow, though I suppose a good slave comes crawling to her master even when she knows he is simply thinking of her."

"David…there's something…I need to speak with Walter. Please tell me he's in?" I said anxiously, glancing back at the car. Peering behind me curiously David's eyes studied me, moving down to the neckline of my dress which I had so hastily thrown on. It was a raggedy old thing, not even suitable for life in a brothel though I had paid no mind to what I was wearing. This visit was strictly out of necessity.

"And what do you have there?" he asked.

"Please, David. I need to speak with him. Is he here?"

"You know Elise-"

"I must say I'm surprised to see you so soon. I see the look in your eyes inquires about something, come in."

"I think Elise has brought along someone with her…" David interrupted and nodded towards the car. Feeling myself stiffen I glanced back in the car where a sleeping Henri (as I had learned his name to be) lay in the backseat, clad in the best clothes I could find for a little boy on such notice.

Walter stepped past me, dressed in his finest as his medals glinted beneath the moonlight. Walking past the fountain in the center of the courtyard he made his way to the car and stopped, peering into the window. Immediately, I watched as he spun around, face contorted in harrowing fury.

"What is this?!" he exclaimed and I rushed to him like a scorned lover, leaning against the door.

"Please, I need a favor!"

"What is the meaning of this?!" he repeated, reaching out and grabbing me by my arm violently. Spinning me around he wrenched me so that I fell to the floor and I glanced up into the window desperately, hoping he would not awaken Henri and frighten him further.

"Please, please I'm begging you! I need your help!" I exclaimed desperately, clinging to the hem of Walter's pants. Wide-eyed and opened-mouthed he stared at the sleeping boy through the window as I pawed at his leg. Clinging to the fabric I humbled myself before him without effort, truly willing to do what I must to find this boy a home.

Walter continued to stare, panting and after several long moment he looked down and placed his hands on my arms, pulling me to my feet. Gasping he took several shaky steps backwards, seemingly fearful and overwhelmed.

"Walter I need to find him a home. Please, just listen to me please just listen to what I have to say." I panted and he continued to stare down at the car.

"…W-where? What is this?"

"Please…just listen to me. Please will you just listen to me Walter?"

"Come inside. David! Here!" he exclaimed, voice still hollow as he suddenly spun around, beckoning David over. Following him as he powered towards the house quickly he stopped at David then pointed to the car.

"In the car, a child. Bring him inside, see that he is alright. Elise, come with me." He commanded and I followed, in awe of his actions which continued to surprise me to no end. I wanted to know what he was thinking, what he would do. All I could see was a man as unreadable as the next day.

"Who is this child? Is he yours?" he asked as we entered the house. Glancing back I watched as David stood next to the car and continued to stare at us before Walter ushered me into the sitting room.

"No…I-I found him. He was hiding in the woods behind the mansion he was filthy."

"He's a Jew. Did you tell anyone?"

"No. Please, you can't send him to the camps! I hoped…if there's anyone who can protect him it's you. As a favor. I'll do anything you want, whatever you want jut please give me his safety." I pleaded, falling to the floor once more and placing my hands on Walter's knees.

"Why? Why should I?" he responded and made a move to stand but I grabbed his legs, pressing myself against him.

"I know you've longed for a child, please Walter I beg of you. I'll do anything. Anything you ask without another word. He's only a child he has nowhere he has no one!"

"And what of your…Basterds? Not a man amongst men willing to care for the child?"

"Not with the risk of falling prey to attack. What must I do for you to help me? Anything, anything at all I promise I give you my word."

Never before had I found myself so enshrouded in desperation. And for what? This boy I did not know in the middle of Nazi-occupied France. I could not say what made me feel such devotion to him. Perhaps it was the reminder of myself, wishing to give him a better future than I had. Perhaps it was some deep-delved maternal instinct that had unearthed itself when I held him in my arms. Maybe it was even my wish to change one life in the war, even if it was just one.

Whatever it may have been, as I fell to my knees before Walter I found myself full of pleading grace never before held. I was willing to do just about anything in the world I had to in order to make sure he was safe.

"YOU HAVE SOME NERVE COMING IN HERE!" a voice shrieked in rough German and I spun around as Walter's wife stormed into the room, her hair flying about her furiously. The elegant woman I had first met at that party which seemed many a lifetime ago was no more, replaced by an unkempt demon who sported deep circles beneath her eyes and a frightening expression of madness.

Walter quickly pushed me away, intercepting his wife as she made her way into the sitting room, followed by several frantic servants who attempted to control her. Standing up I brushed off my skirt as she spat at me, eyes wide with crazed anger.

"Control yourself woman!" Walter exclaimed and she only ignored him, staring at my wildly.

"First you take my husband then you come into my house you whore!" she screeched, and Walter pushed her back towards the door as several servants attempted to quell her. Turning my head I watched as David walked in, stopping in the doorway as he held Henri in his hands. Immediately, the boy wrenched himself to the floor and rushed towards me, arms extended.

"Elise!" he exclaimed in his childish voice and I picked him up, clutching him tightly. "I thought you'd left me." He whispered in my ear and I shook my head, feeling his soft cheek against my own as I clutched him tightly.

"I told you I wouldn't do that. I promised you didn't I?" I whispered and he turned his head as Walter's wife started up again despite her husband's attempts to calm her.

"YOU GET OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU BITCH!" she screamed, making a final attempt to lunge at me before Walter lifted his hand and struck her violently. She went crashing to the ground and Henri let out a small cry, burying his face in my shoulder as I looked on in horror. Cowering on the ground, Walter's wife lifted a hand to protect herself as he slapped her once more, bending down as he hissed in harsh German.

"You stay away from her." He breathed, and she shook, letting out a tangled sob as I took several steps back onto the run into David.

"…And now you know." Was all he said, nodding at the battered woman on the floor who continued to whimper fearfully. Turning to him I held Henri tightly as Walter walked over. Giving one last spiteful look at his wife he nodded as Henri flinched away from him, terrified of the monster we had all beheld.

"Let's discuss this in my study."

"I can't believe you! What the hell were you thinking bringing him to the very people he's running from?"

I clutched the phone tightly, nodding my head as Donny continued to scream through the other end of the phone. I made no attempt to argue with him, knowing that he was right and simply allowed him to express his anger as I sat down on the stiff bed.

"I know but…I didn't know what else to do. I told you I was coming here." I replied quietly, glancing across the unfamiliar room as I stared at a portrait of a German baroness sitting regally in an elegant gown. Her eyes watched me intently and I turned away, unable to look at the picture any longer.

"Well you didn't tell me you were going to stay there! Jesus what the hell am I supposed to tell Aldo? This isn't even for work do you have any idea what he'll do to you tonight? He'll probably cut you up and ship the kid off to the gas chambers. You must be out of your goddamn mind you take him right now and get the hell out of there. No, I'm coming. We're done with this, I'm telling Aldo you're done with the Kraut and all of this."

"He won't hurt him Donny. I offered to stay just in case but I know he won't hurt him. I can promise you that."

"Can you? And how is that? How can you promise me that a Nazi officer who has been rounding up our people isn't going to kill the Jewish kid under his roof? Do you know how you sound? Stop being so naïve!"

"I'm not. If anything I'm not naïve and you know that. This child is the only thing that may let itself into Walter's heart. He feels nothing but I saw the way he looks at him. He's always wanted a son, and he doesn't give a damn about him being Jewish. Besides, he doesn't give two shits about the Jews, he just wants power. Look, either way this is a good chance for me. I can look around the house, see if I find anything."

"No, DAMN IT ELISE I WANT YOU HOME!" he screamed and I sighed, standing up and glancing around the room.

The aristocratic suite had not seen a guest in quite some time it seemed, though it was no surprise with the number of rooms in the house. Next door Henri slept peacefully beneath my prying ears and I constantly wondered what I would be forced to offer Walter in exchange for his safety.

"We both know that's not an option. Not until I know that he's safe. And the moment you come here you compromise everything."

"Like it's not compromised already?! I'm talking to Aldo! We're pulling you out!"

"Fine, do so. And you know what he'll tell you? To shut up while he plans to have me crawl up beside Walter in his bed tonight!" I snapped then slammed the receiver down on the hook angrily. Turning back to the bed, I adjusted the sleeves of my shirt then bounded across the dark room, throwing open the door.

Looking around the hall, I ignored the servant posted at the end of the corridor and headed to the room next door, opening it slowly and peeking inside. Henri was asleep, just as I had left him and I left the door open as I slowly walked inside, kneeling down beside his bed.

Reaching up, I stroked his head and smiled as I watched him sleep. It never ceased to amaze me, how he had been through so many things yet still found a way to fall into a deep slumber with the aid of food and comfort. Despite his fear, regardless of the terror that haunted him he allowed the smallest bit of hope even when everything had the potential to go wrong.

I had done all I could to assure him that Walter was different from the other soldiers, when I didn't even believe it myself. I wanted to think with my broken heart that there was some kindness deep within the devil though he continued to prove nothing but cold fury existed inside of his black heart.

Still, the sad twinkle in his eye as he looked at Henri made me question I there was still some semblance of humanity within him. He truly wanted an heir so badly he was willing to overlook wherever he came from. He was even willing to forget the man he named his own—David.

Henri stirred, opening his eyes slightly and I smiled as I studied his face, looking into his angelic brown eyes which were kind enough to have once belonged to his mother.

"You're here." He breathed, and I nodded as I stroked his cheek.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you." I responded and he sighed, drifting off the sleep once more. Resting me head on the sheets beside him I closed my eyes as well as I listened to him breath, wondering what he dreamed about. Was it dreams of his mother? A child looking upon the face of a woman who would always be beautiful in his eyes? Or were the terrors of seeing those around him gunned down and wondering if he would be next?

There was no way to tell, however I found myself unable to think about it any longer as my own eyes shut on their own accord. Climbing into the bed beside him I buried myself beneath the covers as Donny's voice echoed in my ears, full of worrying resentment and undeniable anger. He was furious, and not without reason. I still was not sure if I would make it back to him, or whether Fate would prove to be just as cruel as she always had been.

I was uncertain of how long I was asleep, when I awoke to a sudden stifling feeling. Opening my eyes, I realized I couldn't breathe and attempted to inhale as I felt something press against my mouth and nose forcefully.

Kicking instinctively, I reached out and felt a shred of fabric as a voice rasped into my ear.

"Don't scream or I'll slit your fucking throat."

The angelic drawl was familiar, a cold and cocky tone that could only belong to a man who had been raised in the company of a monster. Inhaling as best I could, my nostrils were flooded with David's scent as I struggled against him, squirming beneath his weight as he pinned me down on the bed.

"You think, you can come in here and just ruin everything? Take everything away from me? You fucking cow." He hissed, spittle flying from his lips which smelled of scotch. Panting, he reached forward and placed a hand around my neck, squeezing tightly not up like the familiar clench of a man asserting his dominance, but down in a crushing-motion meant to deprive me of breath.

Looking over, I squeezed my neck as I closed my eyes, feeling myself slip. I jammed my knee into David, attempting to reach for his groin. Falling short I wrapped my leg around his calf and reached out for something—anything—that I could.

Slapping my hand away he pushing down on my windpipe again and the air flew from my eyed as my eyes rolled.

"You're not bringing that Jew in here and FUCKING UP EVERYTHING!" he roared, before reaching down and grasping at my pants. Still I continued to fight, reaching up and raking my hands down the side of his arms, pulling away fabric and flesh as David roared on top of me before knocking me across the face.

"First I'm going to take care of you, then the fucking kid." He hissed, reaching down once more for my pants. Kicking violently I head-butted him and he fell back, allowing me a brief respite from his attack. Launching off the bed I looked over at the empty spot which Henri previously rested in then glanced around the room looking for him, mistakenly giving David the time the launch a second assault.

"Now you're going to get it!" he exclaimed, pushing me onto the bed. Pinning me down on my stomach he tore through the air with a knife, freeing my legs from the baggy pants and tore them away before grabbing for my underpants and pushing them aside. Pressing my legs together in protest he forced them apart then wrapped his arm around my neck, placing me in a chokehold.

"If you want to die without getting your throat slit then you better not struggle." He warned me and I closed my eyes, waiting for whatever may come as I tried to find what fight I had left.

Suddenly, a strangled sound that did not come from my lips erupted on top of me and I suddenly found myself free of weight. Scrambling off the bed I turned around and watched as Walter threw David across the room, pushing him up against the wall as he punched him over and over again, screaming in German. As I sank down onto the floor Henri crawled from beneath the bed where he must have been hiding the whole time and ran to me, falling into my arms. Holding him tightly, I squeezed him until Walter finished David by slamming his head against the wall, knocking him unconscious.

Turning back to glance at me, he shouted and several of the servants ran in, looking around the destroyed room.

"Get her some new clothes. Bring him downstairs." He barked, then left without another word, leaving his workers to clean up after his mess. I stared at David' body as Henri whispered several words in my ear that made my blood run cold.

"He saved you. He saved us."

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all wherever you are!