Anna snuggled in closer to Abe, still half asleep. He chuckled throatily, kissing her on the forehead.

"You're finally awake," he said, Anna's eyes fluttering open to rest on his face.

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Eight," he replied.

She groaned. "No! You should have woken me! You have debriefing in half an hour!"

"I'll see you after patrol!"

Anna buried her face in his chest. "But I like our mornings together," she mumbled.

"So do I, baby," he sighed, "but you looked so damn cute."

She glared at him grumpily and he just laughed. He stretched, then kissed her before he got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Anna was so annoyed at herself. She had meant to wake early. Elli had had another bad night last night, so they had just gone straight to bed when she had finally fallen asleep. Anna had not had the opportunity to try to seduce him again. Elli always left them alone in the mornings. Gabby and she had got into the routine of having breakfast together and then going for a walk. The mornings always belonged to Anna and Abe... that is, until he had to leave for a patrol or something. It was infuriating. Perhaps they still had time...

As Abe returned, he grinned at her, and she back at him. She had an idea. He started tugging on his clothes, so Anna went to her wardrobe opposite him. He sat on the bed, doing up his boots, unaware that she was grinning mischievously at him. She pulled out an outfit, then took her night dress off. He glanced up at her, now noticing that she was only in her underwear.

"Woah," he said, quickly looking down again with wide eyes. "Baby, what're you doin'?"

"Getting dressed," she said nonchalantly.

"Don't you usually do that when I'm not around?" he said, still keeping his eyes averted.

"I thought I would try something different," she said, now standing directly in front of him.

He snuck a peak again, his breathing deep.

"Do you not approve?" she asked playfully.

"No, I very much approve," he said, his throat tight. "Just... tryna be respectful is all."

Anna stepped even closer, cupping his face as his hands rested lightly on her thighs. She loved how they seemed to instinctively pull her closer, one of his legs now slipping between hers.

"You're makin' it very difficult to stay a gentleman," he mumbled.

"Then don't," she whispered, kissing him softly on the mouth. She ached for him, as he did for her.

Abe couldn't help but let his hands bite into her skin, kissing her deeply as her chest pressed against his. It was clearly killing him. "Baby, please," he begged. "I'm gonna be late."

"Then let's be quick," she whispered.

He picked her up, fighting every impulse as he quickly set her down on the bed and stood away from her. She looked so enticing, her big blue eyes staring up at him pleadingly.

He took her hand, kissing it tenderly as he held her cheek. "I don't ever wanna have to rush a moment with you," he said softly. "We've got time-"

"This evening?" she suggested, now kissing his thumb playfully.

"We've got time," he repeated, almost to himself.

Before she could say anything else, he kissed her quickly, then darted out of the door. She fell back on the bed, letting out a sigh of frustration.

Anna should be pleased that he was being so respectful, but now it was just annoying. God how she wanted him. She would have to be even more obvious about her feelings. Outside, she could swear she heard a loud, pained grunt. Pulling on her dress, she looked out of the window. She saw no one. Perhaps she had imagined it. Shaking off the frustration, she went down to breakfast.

Elli was sitting at the table with Heidi and Gabby, grinning at Anna as she walked in and sat opposite her.

"What's got you so smiley?" asked Anna quizzically as the housekeeper served her some fresh bread and jam.

"You have a letter," she said, Anna's eyes widening. Gabby smiled as she handed it to her, Anna eagerly snatching it out of her hands. It was open, Anna's brow furrowed.

"It went via my mother," explained Gabby, "who sent it to me. It came with that." There was a larger, heavy package that Gabby pointed to in the corner of the room. Anna opened the letter and began to read.

My Darling Anna,

I cannot tell you how glad I am that you and Elli are safe. I was so worried when you didn't return my letters about Karl, but given your situation, I am sure there was a good reason. I am glad that the Americans are treating you well, and that you have found new friends in Gabby and Rosa. Freda has reached out to me, and I am keeping her and her brothers safe as best I can. Maria also came to see me before she left for Hamburg. She will write to me when she can. I am so very sorry to hear about Freddie. My heart broke to read your letter.

I was sure you would need them, so I have enclosed Elli's guardianship documents from your parent's will. I made sure to keep it safe for you all. I always had faith you would find one another again. Please, my darling girl, telephone me when you can. I need to hear your voice. You can reach me through the same address.

All my love,

Helga.

Anna ran immediately to the telephone, not even looking at the documents that must be lurking in the huge parcel. She asked for Helga's address, then waited patiently to be put through, her hands trembling. With everything that had happened since they had arrived in Berchtesgaden, Helga had slipped her mind. She felt dreadful. Finally the line clicked through.

"Von Hart residence," came her voice from the other end.

"Hello Helga," she managed, Anna hearing her gasp.

"Anna!" she cried. "My darling girl! Thank goodness!"

"I am so sorry I haven't called... so much has happened, and I didn't have access to a telephone until now..."

"It's all right, darling, it's all right. Are you no longer staying with Gabby and Rosa?"

"I'm still with Gabby, but we're in Berchtesgaden now. We moved with the Americans and Gabby has a place here. So I can telephone you now."

"I'm so pleased," she said. Then they both felt silent for a moment. There was so much they both wanted to say and couldn't find the words. "How's Elli?" she asked finally.

"So wonderful," said Anna. "She's thriving now."

"Good. Your parents would be so very proud of you, my darling."

"Thank you, Helga." Another silence. "Was Maria all right when you saw her?" she asked; Anna needed to know that her friend was doing well.

"She seemed fine. She was terribly worried about you though. And of course, I had no news to give her. But she promised that she would write when she could."

"That's good. And how are Freda and the boys?"

"They're well," sighed Helga. "My heart goes out to them, the poor dears. Freda is over here a couple of times a week, and she brings the boys with her every so often."

"I'm so glad," breathed Anna. "I was so worried about them. Thank you for looking after them."

"They're a joy to have around," Helga promised her. "It's nice to have laughter in the house again."

The same, choked silence fell. It was time.

"Helga, I'm so sorry about Karl," sniffed Anna, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"It is not your fault my darling one," she managed, her own voice stunted by grief. "You have lost him just as much as I have."

"I miss him so much," whispered Anna. "Nothing is the same without him."

"No, it isn't. And Freddie... what happened?"

"He..." began Anna, but her hand covered her mouth. She tried to collect herself. "He died trying to protect me. They shot him."

"Dear god," murmured Helga.

Both of them sat, lost for words. The weight of the loss coursed through them and hearing the sorrow in the others voice made it only more painful.

"I wish I could have met him," managed Helga after a time.

"You would have liked him. He was such a sweet boy. And Karl adored him."

"Were they..." Helga started, then collected herself. "What were they like together? I've never seen Karl talk about someone the way he did him."

"They were perfect," replied Anna, smiling at the memory of them both as the tears continued to fall. "They knew true happiness in their time together."

"Good," was all Helga could say. "My boy..." Anna could hear her really crying now, wishing she could hold her and comfort her. "What about you?" asked Helga, changing the subject. "Hans... have you heard anything about him?"

"He's gone," replied Anna, her heart sinking even further.

"Oh my darling," said Helga. "You must be really struggling, what with the baby and all. Is it not due now?"

Anna felt as though she might be sick. "Helga, I lost the baby."

"What?"

"Well, not lost. It was Ernst... the Commandant. He..." Anna didn't finish, trying to calm herself. "She was Hans' child."

"She?"

"I named her Reina."

"But, Karl never said..."

"He didn't know. I didn't find out until they had left." There was a horrible pause.

"You have lost so much. It's so unfair."

"You're right," said Anna, wiping her wet cheeks. Elli poked her head around the corner, Anna glancing up at her. She bounded over and tucked herself into Anna's embrace, Anna burying her face into her hair. "But I promise you, I have found some good in this world."

"In Elli?" ventured Helga.

"Not just her," smiled Anna, her sister staring up at her with big brown eyes. "She is sitting with me if you wanted to say hello."

"Oh yes please!" Anna held the telephone between them so Elli could hear too.

"Is this Helga?" asked Elli.

"It is!" cried Helga. "My goodness Elli, you sound so grown up! How old are you now?"

"Eleven," grinned Elli.

"I can't believe that," laughed Helga through her tears. "Are you all right, my angel?"

"I'm so good!" said Elli. "I love it here! Gabby and Heidi play with me all the time. And so do the Americans."

"That's wonderful!"

"And Abe says he's going to take me to America to meet all of the pigs on his farm! Anna and I are going to go with him when the war has finished!"

"R-really?" asked Helga, Anna taking the telephone back.

"Yes," said Anna. "Well, we haven't talked about moving to America properly yet."

"But, this Abe fellow..."

"He's wonderful," said Anna, her voice soft and happy. "So very wonderful."

"Oh Anna," gushed Helga. "You sound so happy!"

"I am," she said with confidence. "I truly am. He's the best of men."

"I should love to meet him," said Helga.

"Perhaps we can swing by Berlin," laughed Anna.

"You know you always have a home with me," said Helga seriously. "I love you both so much, and if you both love this new man, then he is welcome too."

"Thank you, Helga," said Anna. Helga cleared her throat.

"So, come along then! I want to know all about how you two met!"

"It's a long story," began Anna.

"We have time," assured Helga. "Now, off you go." Anna grinned, settling further into her seat with Elli as she began to tell Helga of the happiness she had found in the giant American.

***

"Go on... tell me one more time," said Hollywood, trying incredibly hard not to smirk.

Abe glared at him. "You know exactly what happened, you asshole," he grumbled as Ewie bandaged him up, Sam, Hollywood and Frenchie all watching. Abe had arrived at the morning briefing in a foul mood, his hand clutched tightly to his chest.

"Yeah but Frenchie hasn't heard it yet," grinned Hollywood.

Abe sighed heavily. "I punched a god damn tree, all right?"

"And why was that?" teased Hollywood, Abe's nostrils flaring. "Shall I tell him?"

"Fuck off," muttered Abe.

"Anna took her clothes off for him and he panicked and ran away," smirked Hollywood, Frenchie erupting into laughter as Abe tried to swipe at him with his good hand.

"All right, leave the poor man alone!" said Sam, then added, "even if it is really funny."

"This is gonna take at least a few weeks in a splint," said Ewie, letting him have his hand back. "Bet you wish you didn't have that hick strength now, don't you?"

"Why do I bother talking to you lot?" sighed Abe.

"Honestly, I don't see why you didn't just go back in there after her!" said Hollywood.

Abe downed his bourbon. "We had briefin'," he said.

"Lies!" insisted Hollywood. "Y'all know you could have had a lot of fun in just ten minutes."

"You know why!" said Sam. "Anna is fragile!"

"Doesn't sound like she feels that way," continued Hollywood. "She's been giving you signs for over a week now! Quit being such a little bitch and give the woman what she wants!"

"I'm worried it's too soon," protested Abe.

"Is this you fillin' his head with nonsense?" accused Hollywood, looking straight at Sam.

"You mean being respectful to women? Yes!" said Sam haughtily.

"But if she's giving you signs, Abe, why aren't you just going for it?" asked Frenchie. "I mean... she's fucking gorgeous! I'd be all over her if..." He shut up when Abe glared at him.

"Sam has a point," said Ewie. "The stuff Anna's been through; you don't just get over that."

"I'm not saying she's got over it," snapped Hollywood. "Don't you think it's kinda disrespectful to ignore what she wants?"

"What if she's just doing it because it's what Abe wants?" retorted Sam.

"Nah... she knows Abe ain't pressin' her. A woman only teases you like that when she feels safe... and wants to jump your bones."

"Please don't talk about it like that..." groaned Abe, frustratedly.

"Well..." said Frenchie, "don't you wanna have her?"

"What d'you think?" Abe replied grumpily.

"He's being respectful!" cut in Sam.

"He's being a jackass," retorted Hollywood.

"You're the one being a jackass!" snapped Sam.

"Shut up, college boy..."

"For fuck sake, all of you, SHUT UP!" cried Abe, getting to his feet. "This is why I don't fuckin' talk!" He ignored their tittering, huffing loudly. "Thanks for the patch up Ewie."

"Where are you going?" asked Sam.

"I need a shower before patrol."

"Watch out for trees along the way!" called Hollywood. 

Abe stomped off, his head swirling with a thousand thoughts; every single one of them about Anna.