• • •

"You all right?" Elisabet asked me nudging me with her elbow.

"What? Sorry, I was-,"

Ding!

And there he was. Our eyes locked for a moment before he walked to the counter. Resting his cover on the glass. I watched him look through the glass at the treats below. Elisabet had left the room the minute he walked in. His eyes weren't on the cakes below anymore, but on my legs. He pulled them up ever so slowly. I was anticipating the shock when his eyes reached mine.

I smiled, and he ducked his head only to look back up with a bigger smile on his face.

"How are you?" He asked softly.

I tucked a stray hair behind my ear,"Alright,"

"You know, I still don't know your name. Miss. Gallagher doesn't seem personal enough- does it?" He asked me.

"It's Imogen,"

"Imogen?" He scrunched his nose testing it on his tongue.

"My Grandmothers name," I told him flatly.

"I did not mean to offend you. I like it. It's different," He told me smiling.

"And yours?"

"Callan Ritter," He said sincerely.

"Callan, it's nice to meet you," I held out my hand, and he clasped his around mine.

"The pleasure is all mine, Imogen," His voice saying my name sent chills down my spine. I quickly pulled my hand from his when I heard footsteps on the stairs. He stood up straight and narrowed his eyes.

"No, I want those," He barked pointing at the chocolate chip cookies.

"I apologize, Captain," I quickly reached for the ones he requested when Elisabet came around the corner. Her eyes were darkening at the sight of him. I handed him his bag, and he shoved money at me.

"Women," He boasted glaring at Elisabet before stalking out.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine,"

"He was mad,"

"Yeah, Nazi's tend to be mad sometimes," I told her, "Hey, think you've got the shop for now? I want to go check the market," I told her as I threw on my jacket and headed for the door.

He found me first — his strong words pulling me behind an abandoned shop down the street. We were sitting on a bench behind it eating the cookies. I licked off melted chocolate from my thumb.

"Why did you join the military?" I asked.

Startled by my question he looked at me, "What?"

"Why'd you join the military?"

He thought about it for a moment, "My father,"

"He's the reason?"

He nodded.

"What about you? You obviously aren't from around here,"

"I grew up in America," I told him. He stared at me.

"American?" He said in his native tongue.

I nodded feeling small again. My gaze dropped to the bricks below our feet. His hand on my knee brought my eyes up to his.

"Do not fret, I hear American girls are great lovers," He told me with a smirk.

"Could be a rumor," I cooed pulling him close by his collar.

Our lips met and I melted when the spark sprang from my toes, through my core to my heart. I sighed into the kiss wrapping my arm around his neck pulling him closer. His hand clutched at my back. I somehow ended up straddling him our breathing heavy as my fingers snaked through his hair. My dress was hiked up as his hands ran up and down my thighs. The heat between us was unmistakable. His hands pulled off my coat and tossed it aside.

• • •

I silently entered the shop. Closing the door behind me. It was dark outside now and all the lights were off. I flicked one on, knowing it was against the rules. A hand shot out and flicked it off.

"Oh my god, Elisabet! You scared me," I cried trying to catch my breath.

"Can you come upstairs already? I was worried sick about you, It got dark," She told me as I followed her upstairs.

"I know, sorry, I had my Ausweis," I told her. She nodded and turned to her room stopping mid-stride.

I looked up at her, "You OK?" I asked. She turned around, and her face tugged into a frown.

"Elisabet, what is it?"

"Promise to answer honestly?"

"Yeah, what is it? You're scaring me,"

"No, Imogen, you are scaring me. Are you sleeping with that man?"

"What man? Who are you talking about?"

"I listened in on your conversation earlier, exchanging names? Kissing your hand? I couldn't believe it-I had thought that maybe he was forcing himself upon you. I was scared for you, so I followed you. And I saw the both of you together, sharing stories, kissing. That man killed my husband and you're sleeping with him!" She screamed at me.

"He didn't kill anyone- he certainly didn't kill your husband!" I shot back at her.

"Oh, what you expect him to tell you all his secrets now? He's a Nazi, Imogen! I heard he came from Auschwitz. Do you know what they're doing to my people? You don't forget the face of the man who killed your husband."

• • •

She was right. I didn't know a thing about him. I found out his name after we had kissed, not before. I'm only attracted to him because of the danger. Being caught with him would mean death to my people, I'll probably be exiled- I wouldn't even dare to go back to America and for him it surely would be just that. I couldn't sleep.

My mind kept me awake. No matter how many times I was almost there her words would seep into my brain and scream me awake, repeating over and over. I am not willing to throw both of our lives away just for a fling. I had to stop this. I can't be that woman- the one who married the evil man, because he wasn't evil to her. No one likes that woman ever. I turned and stared at the wall waiting for morning to come. I need to apologize to Elisabet and she needs to tell me what actually happened to her husband.

Morning came.

I was awake before Elisabet and I took it as an opportunity to make amends. I was down in the kitchen making breakfast when she came down. Her nose was turned up, her chin jutted out in a manner of anger and I didn't blame her. I was fraternizing with the enemy. Literally.

"Elisabet, I'm sorry,"

She didn't look at me.

"I couldn't sleep last night," That caused her to look at me, "Your words kept replaying over and over in my head. And you're right; I don't know who he is. I don't know what he's done, this entire ordeal is basically girl sees guy, guy sees girl. It's all lust. I'm really sorry, I don't want to loose the only friend I've ever had here because of a man- a Nazi at that," I told her.

"I guess I was a bit rough last night," She shrugged her silk robe shined in the morning light as she gave me a weary smile.

I shook my head, "No, you were just what I needed. Thank you," I told her. There was a loud bang at the door, and we both jumped, startled.

"Stay here," I secured my blue robe over my silk Nightgown. The silk is quite incredible to the touch. It is smocked across the shoulders and inset with lace along the neckline, the open arm areas, and around the waistline. The smocking creates a pleated effect down the bodice. There is more fine smocking below the lace at the waist. The bodice does up with nine covered buttons and loops. The waist is cinched with a matching sash belt. I had got it last year in London when I had visited. It's one of my most expensive things I own and it's a nightgown.

I peered out the window and saw Callan standing with his hands in his pockets. He was in casual wear holding a basket of some sort. I looked down at my watch.

6:52

I pull the door open and he turns around smiling.

"What are you doing here?" I question pulling him inside. I glance over my shoulder, Elisabet must have gone to the bathroom. I pull him into the back where I store my baking equipment.

"I was hoping we could have a picnic," He told me- his voice wavered as he clutched the basket. I was shocked honestly.

"A picnic? Callan, it's seven in the morning," I sighed rubbing my temple.

"That's why it's perfect; everyone is still asleep nursing Friday night hangovers. We can go to the park- have fun, and I'll get you back here before ten o' clock," He told me. I could say he was nervous; he kept shifting his feet.

"Callan," I sighed again, but he had set the basket down and grasped my hands. I looked up at him as he spoke.

"I want to know more about you. I-,"

"Callan, I can't. Not today. I'm sorry, but you need to go," I told him picking up the basket and handing it to him. He looked confused and hurt.

"Imogen?"

I sucked in a breath, "This was a mistake,"

"I'm sorry if I offended you, maybe a picnic for the first date is too much?" He questioned and I looked up at him. He wasn't getting it.

"No, all of this. Us. What we're doing. Callan, this isn't going to end well. You're an SS Officer. I'm an American-stuck in France because of you and your people," I told him.

He frowned and stepped back, "What are you saying?"

"You're a smart man, Captain," I sneered. I knew to call him Captain was going to get under his skin.

"Not when it comes to you." He growled. He was angry, his eyes were narrowed and his brow furrowed," I don't want this to be it, Imogen,"

If he looks me in the eye, I'm going to lose it. Our eyes locked.

"Get out."

He didn't move. I picked up the basket and shoved into him, "Are you daft? Get out!"

I pushed him out of the storage room, and Elisabet shrieked when I threw a can of cream at him, "Get out!" He had ducked and turned to look at me before placing the basket by my door.

"Go! Get!" I pointed furiously. And with a huff, he swung the door open letting it slam shut.

"I don't want your basket! Stupid picnic!" I cried kicking the woven object. Apples, and bowls filled with granola and raisins fell out. Sandwiches wrapped in foil spun around the floor, I looked at the basket with pain in my eyes and knelt down, for I saw a stem to a rose. A red rose. I sat on the floor clutching the rose to my chest, I was so mean.

And for what? So Elisabet would feel better? What about me? What about how I feel? I've only known him for a short time, I was always taught that a man is to court you, meet your parents; you were supposed to fall in love slowly. Not this way. And he was willing to put his life on the line so we could have a picnic? He was ready to get to know me- he wanted too and I shut him down because someone told me it was wrong.

Elisabet watched me as I thought hard and long, her drawn-out sigh caused me to look up at her.

"What should we do with the food?" She asked. I just looked at her.

"Eat it," I said.

She reached for an apple and the granola. I moved to my knees and put the rest of the food into the basket and stood up. I carried it to my room and set it on my dresser. Changing from my nightgown into a dress with a cinnamon brown color with lots of darling little details like slightly contrasting hem on sleeves and along the front of bodice.

Stitch detailing on the inside of sleeves and along the waistline. I slipped on a pair of brown heels and did my hair. Pinning back loose hair I began to do my makeup, Elisabet told me she was going to the clothing store down the street. Said she couldn't keep wearing my dresses. My make up was simple with a small wing and light coverage. I topped it off with a dark red lip.

Once I was finished, I went downstairs to find an SS Officer in my store. He was waiting by the bookcases, his head swiveling to me when he heard my heels against the floor.

"Can I help, sir?" I asked as he approached me. He was an older gentleman his eyes droopy with age.

"Have you seen this woman?" He asked handing me a picture of Elisabet.

"Why are you looking for her?" I asked.

"She's wanted in the murder of her husband,"

"She killed her husband?" I asked. He watched me with narrowed eyes.

"She bludgeoned him with a hammer from his tool box,"

• • •
Bold and in Italics- German

Italicized- French

Normal- English