Pushing open the door to the copy room with her hip, Mila strode down the hallway of the War Office, her arms wrapped snuggly around the stack of brightly colored file folders she held against her chest.

Turning the corner into the main work room, she glided past her desk, dropping off a few of the folders before continuing. Nearly 5'oclock, the room was abandoned, the other typists having gone home for the afternoon. Striding across the hardwood, she slipped between the empty desks, making her way to General Eichmann's office, knocking lightly on the open door before stepping inside.

"Sir, I have the minutes from today's meetings if you'd like to review- Oh," Looking up from the files in her hands, she stopped mid-sentence, her eyes falling on Josef, who was sitting in one of the armchairs across from General Eichmann.

"Thank you Ms. Vanderwall," General Eichmann smiled, gesturing for her to come in. Shifting her gaze between Josef and General Eichmann, she stepped forward, placing the files in the General's outstretched hand.

"They're color coded as usual," She commented, her cheeks flushing lightly as her eyes met Josef's for a fleeting moment.

"Well sir," Josef spoke, his gaze lingering on Mila for a moment as he stood to his feet. "I believe I should get going."

"Of course. Thank you Captain," General Eichmann said. Nodding, Josef turned and exited through the door, closing it behind him.

"Ms. Vanderwall," General Eichmann spoke as Mila made her way for the door as well. Turning around, she looked at him expectantly. "A word?" He asked, though it hadn't been a question. She nodded slowly, a knot coursing through her stomach. Was she in some sort of trouble? Had she been found out? Don't be ridiculous, she thought. If her cover were blown, being called into her boss's office would be the least of what would happen to her.

"Please, sit down," He gestured to the chair Josef had just been sitting in. Sitting down, she drew in a deep breath. "I wanted to thank you," He said, a pleasant smile turning up the corners of his lips. "For all the hard work you've been putting in here. It hasn't gone unnoticed."

"Oh," She stammered, the knot within her abdomen loosening slightly. "Thank you sir."

"There are other things..." He began slowly, "That haven't gone unnoticed." He paused for a moment, as if trying to decide how to proceed. "I saw you and Lieutenant Hoffmann at the party last Friday ... As well as around the office these last few weeks."

"Sir-," She began, her cheeks flooding with warmth.

"He seems to be taken with you," General Eichmann continued, causing her blush to deepen. "You with him ... Not so much. As a matter-of-fact, he seems to make you quite uncomfortable." He shifted in his seat, resting his elbows on his desk before continuing. "I don't normally concern myself with the private affairs of my staff, but if Lieutenant Hoffmann is being too forward with you, I can speak with-,"

"That won't be necessary," She cut in abruptly. "I don't want any trouble," She added at his surprised expression.

"If you're sure," He replied, clasping his hands together.

"I am," She nodded. "Lieutenant Hoffmann is quite persistent, but he's harmless."

"I also noticed Captain Fischer and yourself at the party," General Eichmann commented, a knowing expression painted across his features now.

"Sir, I-," She shook her head, ready to defend against any insinuation that was about to be made.

"Captain Fischer's already informed me of the nature of your relationship," He said, raising a hand to stop her objections. He didn't appear angry or disapproving like she thought he would be. In fact, he seemed amused, his lips curled up into a subtle smirk. "And was insistent that it would not get in the way of either of your duties here at the War Office," He added, his smirk widening.

"Of course not sir," She shook her head, the warmth that had flooded her cheeks now creeping down her neck as well. "I'm sorry ... For not being honest."

"It's quite alright," General Eichmann shook his head. He smiled pleasantly, his eyes lingering on her for longer than they ever had. "You know," He began, breaking the silence that had filled the room. "I have a daughter about your age," He smiled fondly. "You remind me of her ... Just as smart ... resilient."

"That's kind of you to say sir," Mila replied, smiling back at him.

"Well..." He cleared his throat. "Despite what you might think, I didn't call you here just to medal in your personal affairs. I actually wanted to ask if you'd consider attending the security briefings. It would be adding a good bit of work to your already full load, but the meetings could use a bit of your organizational skill."

"Of course sir," Mila nodded, trying to mask her surprise.

"I'll speak with Mr. Muller and let him know you'll be busy in the afternoon now," General Eichmann said, standing to his feet, extending a hand towards Mila.

"Thank you sir," She replied, shaking his outstretched hand.

"What did the General wish to speak with you about?" Josef asked casually, pushing himself off the brick face where he had been waiting for her. Striding alongside Mila, the pair of them descended the front steps of the War Office.

"I suppose you already know, don't you?" She cocked an eyebrow at him, but didn't turn her head to look at him. "You could've consulted with me before spilling all of our secrets to General Eichmann, you know?" She added, trying to conceal the smirk threatening the corners of her lips as they walked along side each other down the pavement.

"I suppose it was a bit reckless of me," Josef admitted. Grasping her hand, he pulled her off the main road, and into an empty alleyway. "But I want you ... All of you," He said, peering down at her.

"You have all of me," She replied, a combination of the cold brick against her back and his eyes on her, sending a shiver down her spine.

"I know." Grasping her other hand in his, he brought them together, placing a light kiss on each of them before resting them against his chest. "But I want to hold your hand while we walk down the sidewalk. I want to take you out to dinner without worrying someone from the office might see us. I want to kiss you ... And not just when we're alone," He added, resting his hands on her hips.

"You could kiss me right now," She said softly, running her hands over his chest. "Seeing as the secret's out."

"I suppose I could," He replied, their noses nearly touching now. He brushed his lips teasingly against her's, the fleeting touch sending a million, tiny, electric shocks through her body. His lips glided against her jaw and down her neck, never once stopping to plant a kiss. She closed her eyes, his warm breath against her skin a stark contrast to the bitter, winter air. "Let me walk you home," He said against her ear, his grip on her hips tightening subtly. She nodded knowingly, taking a deep breath in an effort to compose herself. Releasing her waist, he grasped her hand, leading her back onto the sidewalk.

"General Eichmann asked me if I'd start attending the security briefings," Mila said, tracing a finger absentmindedly over the scar on Josef's abdomen.

"Really?" Josef replied, stroking her hair as he had for the past half hour. "Well they could certainly stand to be more organized, and that seems to be your specialty," He commented, twirling one of her curls around his finger. "He likes you, you know."

"Who?" She asked, lifting her head from his chest to look at him properly.

"The General," He replied matter-of-factly. "The men in those meetings are hand selected ... They're men General Eichmann trusts. To be asked to attend means he thinks very highly of you."

"You sound surprised," She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Not in the slightest," He smirked, his fingertips running down her bare back. "You have that effect on everyone you meet ... They can't help but like you."

"Well, not everyone," She retorted, folding her arms on his chest, her chin resting against them. "Mr. Muller doesn't seem too keen on me."

"Fred Muller is intimidated by you, and any other woman not afraid to speak her mind for that matter," Josef chuckled.

She laughed. "Well you're quite charming yourself," She smirked, rolling completely over until she was on top of him. "You did convince me to let you take me out after all," She added, her smirk widening. Propping her elbows against his shoulders, she rested her chin against her knuckles. Gripping her waist, he flipped her over onto the bed, his body on top of her's now.

"That was dumb luck," He replied, his hand cupping her cheek gently, his chest flush against hers. He gazed down at her, neither one of them saying a word. "What I said ... About thinking I love you," He spoke after a moment. "I meant it."

"So did I," She replied earnestly. And she did. She was falling in love with Josef Fischer.

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