Author's note:

Hello everyone! It's Mac here! I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for their support! And for 1000 reads!!! I am so thankful that people actually enjoy my writing, and the only thing that's been keeping me going is your support. Thank you very much for that!!! :D So, we're on chapter ten... I think its time to start getting to the real goodies. I've been too caught up in the storyline lately, and have neglected our main cause! I am so very sorry! Hopefully this chapter, along with the others, will please! Anyway, I've ranted far too long. Without further ado... I give you... Chapter Ten!!

(I hope there aren't any typos or mistakes in this chapter. I wanted to release it ASAP!)

The next morning, I woke up with work on my mind. I had fallen asleep in my study, in which the central heat had apparently kicked off, and had awoken with a terribly dry throat. However, I was delighted to see that I had been covered in a small blanket, not near enough to heat one's body of course, but an obvious act of kindness by none other than Eliza. She must have discovered me last night, and canvassed me with the blanket.

Feeling queasy upon standing, I stumbled toward the door and supported myself against the wall. I assumed that this was just a sort of morning sickness, brought on by my abrupt awakening. Suddenly the door creaked open, revealing a quiet Eliza, whose eyes at first did not look at me, but toward the chair from which I had risen. When she noticed my presence beside her, she gasped and backed away from the door.

"Edward!" She cried. "I was just coming to check on you..." She trailed off.

The smell of bacon met my nose as I smiled.

"Thank you, Eliza. I am just fine." I walked out of the doorframe, closing the door behind me as I advanced down the hallway. I could hardly wait for breakfast this morning, as I seemed to be remarkably hungry. "And good morning!" I said as she followed behind me. She returned the greeting with the like.

Eliza seemed to have something on her mind as she tidied up the kitchen.

"Is something bothering you, Eliza?" I asked, noticing the way she furrowed her brow.

She gave me an unconvinvcing look of innocence. "Nothing at all, sir."

I had questioned her enough the previous night, so I didn't pester her. I glanced at the clock and made the decision to go to work, as I had missed enough time already. Quickly I got cleaned up and dressed, bid Eliza farewell, and headed out the door.

I took my time this morning, as I wished to delay the possible horrors of the day. I prayed, to whatever god was listening, that I wouldn't have to relive the peril I had felt a few days before. When I arrived at the door, I was greeted by a heavily armed security guard who asked for my name and identification, which I forked over without opposition. That was new.

Clearing the gate, I entered the facility to find Dr. Schuster glancing down at his watch.

"Doctor Richtofen!" He began with a smile, "It's so good to see you. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show..." The older doctor cleared his throat and continued as I listened intently.

"Anyway... please walk with me." Schuster took off in the direction of the laboratory, with me close by his side.

"Is something going on, Doctor Schuster?" I asked, my voice harboring curiosity.

"Well... it will be easier for me to show you." He entered the lab and proceeded to the back of it. He led me to an annex, which I assumed was his personal lab, as he was a high member of 935. In the middle of the room was a large machine that looked like something from an alternate universe.

"Behold!" The doctor pointed his hands at the machine as I stepped closer for a better look, fixated on the peculiar device. I examined its numerous bolts and the glass case that sat inside of it.

"What is it? This is a masterpiece..." I trailed off.

"Doctor Richtofen, this is your greatest project. We are going to master the art of teleportation." He smiled a confident smile as I pondered.

"T-teleportation?" I stuttered in disbelief.

"Moving things from one point to another instantly." Schuster smiled with confidence.

"Amazing..." My voice stopped in awe.

"And you are the one who will make it work. So far we have only been able to move a sunflower seed a couple of inches. The receiving end is across the hall, in Dr. Groph's lab, but we haven't even come close to reaching it."

"Me? I will make it work? I don't know if I can-"

"Nonsense, Richtofen," the doctor cut off my words. "I'll let you in on a little secret. You are the smartest young scientist that we have had in a long time, perhaps ever. When Maxis viewed your profile from Hiedelberg University, he could not wait for you to arrive. Every day he would ask, 'Has he accepted yet?'" Dr. Schuster chuckled. "It was as if you were his long lost child."

I knew not how to reply. Instead, the rambling doctor continued.

"No wonder you got a house when you first began... We all had to earn ours. Most of us don't even have servants. Pretty girl, your servant... Eliza, is it?" Schuster waited for an answer.

"Yes, it is." And she's a beauty, though I would not agree aloud. I could hardly believe my ears. Why was I chosen to receive a home upon my arrival? And why did Maxis know so much about me before I even came here? Questions flooded my mind, and everything that Schuster said after that point was a jumble of syllables, which I assumed held no significance anyway.

After the doctor dismissed me to the main lab, I continued my studies on advanced German weaponry until the lunch bell rang. I took out the brown paper sack, smiling widely on the inside. I had just bitten into a ripe red apple when an alert noise rippled off the walls of the laboratory. The intercom started up with the voice of Sophia, who spoke calmly.

"Doctor Richtofen, you are needed in Doctor Maxis's office momentarily." Then came the click of the phone being put back in the dial.

A form of embarrassment showed on my cheeks as almost every head turned in awe to look at me. Promptly, I stashed my lunch items back into my bag, a little sour that my recess had been interfered with, and headed out the door.

What could the man possibly want now? Today had already been too eventful.

Maxis greeted me with a smile when I walked through the doorway.

"Richtofen, my boy! I'm so very sorry to have interrupted your lunch, this will only take a moment." He placed his hand upon my back, leading me out the door. "Walk with me, son."

We walked down the hallway as we had so many times before.

"Every year, Group 935 hosts a party for the prestige members of the facility. This year, it will be held right here in Northern France. Representatives of all branches of 935 will be present, including its ultimate leaders." Maxis paused and stood in front of me, gripping my shoulders. "I'd like you to be my guest. There will be food, music, dancing!" Maxis smiled wide.

I was not a social person. The very thought of large crowds made me sick.

"W-with all due respect sir, I-"

"You won't come?" Maxis interrupted, as he knew where I was going with this statement. A sad, almost disappointed expression overcame his face, planting a seed of guilt in my stomach.

"I am not a very social person... I'm not good with people." I explained.

"Nonsense, Richtofen. I liked you the second you walked into this building. Come on now, you're a fine young gentleman, and there's no reason to be shy around anyone here. Be yourself, and people will like you." Maxis awaited my final answer.

With a sigh, I contemplated. I was trying to avoid letting my new superior down, at any cost. Quickly, I made a plan to go to the party, and simply stay out of sight for the duration of the charade.

"Alright," I agreed finally, "I will go." I put on my best smile, as Maxis returned the same face. I reassured myself that I had made the right decision.

"Wonderful! This is so exciting, everyone will be so glad to meet you!" Maxis pat me on the back and began to head back to his office, pulling me with him. "The party is in November, the height of the season. You'll need to wear something nice, of course."

"Certainly."

"And you'll need a date." Maxis finished nonchalantly.

I paused in my tracks. My eyes widened and a sudden fear immediately overcame me.

"P-pardon?" I stuttered, though I had heard him very clearly. A date. A woman, a significant other, a person of the opposite sex by my side all night!

Maxis turned around, smiling. "Well of course, you don't want to look like a loner, do you?" He chuckled. "Not to worry son. I know that your options here are somewhat... limited. And that's why I have arranged you on a date with Sophia, our desk lady."

My eyes grew even wider. Sophia!? I barely know the woman, we've exchanged glances only a few times!

"She's a good person Richtofen. Give her a chance." Maxis said, seemingly reading me like a book.

My conscience was screaming a different name.

"Yes sir...." I consented, trying to please him.

He nodded and smiled. "Well, that's all I wanted to talk to you about. I look forward to seeing you at the party!" With that, Maxis returned to his study, as did I.

Eliza's POV:

This is not the person I am.

Please, let me go.

Let me go back to my home.

My own voice echoed in my head with redundant sounds of sorrow. With Richtofen no longer causing my mind to scatter, I had taken the time to recollect on my feelings. Right now, I felt so angry that I could bust a window. I clutched the broomstick in my hands, the emotion building within me.

You are nothing but an insolent brat! A shadow of the past, you pathetic girl! Memories of past encounters flooded my memory.

Helen, I cannot forsake the security of my company for the well-being of some mistake! If you think I am staying here then you are a fool!

Maxis! You are the fool! You would forsake your own daughter for the production of your company!

I am above you all. I will change this world! I will make the armies of America stronger and then you will bow to me!

Leave then! She and I have no use for your sorry hide here anymore!

The revolting thought sickened me, and I pushed it from my mind. So much pain and betrayal, to prove one point.

I wanted so badly to tell Richtofen about my daunting past, but my safety and his could be compromised.

Speaking of the man, as I was sitting at the kitchen table, he came through the door. I could not hold back a smile as he lazily sat his suitcase upon the ground, shredding his coat. His hands travelled to his neck, where he loosened his tie and tugged gently on his collar. He let out a sigh before his form drifted up the stairs, thankfully without giving note to my infatuation.

His motions were enough to leave me blushing. The way he pulled his collar, just enough so that it revealed a few more inches of his skin sent me reeling.

You really are an insolent brat, Eliza, and a whore at that... My head cursed, as if I didn't already know. Shaking off the remnants of feelings, I trailed Richtofen up the stairs, unintentionally, as if my legs carried me without my brain's will. I moved toward his bedroom, the door to which was open, and saw piles of clothes scattered on his floor, perhaps because he had hopped into the shower. I scooped the clothes up for later washing.

I felt it odd that Richtofen didn't address me in any way when he entered earlier. Perhaps something else had happened at work, or maybe he was angry with me? Was it because I forgot to sweep the floors? My eyes widened. Dear God, I forgot to sweep the floors!