Thomas groaned, gingerly he reached up and fingered the cut above his eye. His fingers came away sticky with blood. Scrubbing the dust and mirror from his eyes he frantically searched for Ava. Shoving aside bits of brick and wood he found her curled up partially covered beneath his torso and the shredded mattress.

With a sigh of relief he shifted it away from her so he could assess her injuries. Keeping his breathing steady be tried to slow his racing heart. Panic would not do. The last six months in the RAF (Royal Air Force) had taught him that. The heavy iron frame had acted like a coccoon, shielding them from being pelted to death by the rubble as the townhouse came down around them. There wasn't much room, but if he moved slowly and carefully he would be able to shift the larger chunks to the edges.

"Ava honey, are you hurt?" He touched her shoulder tentatively. Her skin was cool and for a moment he thought the worst.

Then she whispered and coughed. "My back hurts." She gasped out.

He leaned away, trying to shift some of his weight off her. His body had taken the brunt of the falling debris, but he had somehow been flung so he was only partially covering her. His hip and knee throbbed dully and he cursed beneath his breath.

"The planes, they are still dropping bombs." She cried. "On the houses... The bastards."

"Yes." He grimaced as he reached to wipe her face. Though covered in dust she was still beautiful. Her blue eyes bright with tears and the wetness carving rivers into the chalky powder that covered her hair and body. "It seems there is no honor among the Nazi bastards."

"Thomas I'm frightened." She admitted, clutching his hand. She was trembling.

He pulled her as close as he could ignoring the pain in his hip and leg as he tried to warm her by rubbing his hands up and down her arms.

"It's alright. It's alright." He whispered. Let's just rest a moment, then we will start digging our way out." His eyes began to droop.

"Thomas.... Thomas! I smell gas!" She shook his shoulder hard, her fingers digging painfully into his shoulder.

He just wanted to rest. For just a moment.