HOME FRONT42...The Play!

[captainb]

At Sophie's apartment

Earl crept upstairs with his pistol drawn, listening quietly as Greene filled him in. He looked at the three remaining doors, trying to remember who lived there. He nodded at Greene and started creeping to the first door. Then he heard a woman's voice cry, "Help! Stop!" immediately followed by two gunshots. The door at the end!

He ran and threw his weight against the door. It crashed open and Earl crouched, his gun swinging an arc through the room. Broken pottery under his feet, and two doors open, one to a closet and the other to a bedroom. He moved against the bedroom door and glanced inside, then motioned Greene over. As he did, he saw the body lying inside the closet. Earl blinked, then heard a shout and another gunshot from the bedroom window.

He ran to the window and carefully looked out. His heart froze. Below, he saw the German backing into an alley and looking up at him, his body concealed by a woman he held as a shield. Sophie Kelly! The German had his gun to her head, looking at Earl and then down again to the base of the building. Risking a look, Earl leaned out quickly and saw Smith crouched at the corner, his gun trained on the escapee. Gresh and Houser were lying down, Gresh holding his pistol before him but Houser unmoving.

"Hold your fire!" he yelled, staring at the German's face, barely visible behind the red tangle of Sophie's hair. The kraut grinned with brilliant white teeth, and continued backing down the alley.

Earl rushed out of the room, sweating visibly. "Greene," he panted as he raced down the stairs, "take Munhall and block off the other end of that alley. For god's sake, be careful of the girl!"

At the rear of the building, Smith was crouched, peering down the alley. The killer had slipped behind a stack of boxes and dropped out of sight. Gresh was shot in the leg, but Houser had taken one in the belly and was writhing slowly and groaning. By the time the ambulance arrived, Earl was in contact with Greene on the two-way radio. No one had come out the other end of the alley. The German and Sophie had disappeared.

 

[MtnAngelWV]

Sophie Kelly

I know that the German will kill me if I utter a word but still I can resist yelling for help. I have already seen one man shot and killed, but I cannot stand by and allow more bloodshed. I wince though as he fires two more shots, hitting the police officers. This isn't my damn war and yet I am involved nonetheless.

I look up at my bedroom window, seeing Chief Talbrut cautiously perring down at us. My eyes plead with him for help but I know that it is useless. The cold steel barrel against my head causes me to break out in a cold sweat.

"There is an abandonded building just behind us. Maybe we can hide there for a bit," I whisper to him without moving my lips much. Hopefully, once inside I can persuade him to give up the fruitless effort for his freedom.

"You better not be lying to me, Bitch! Or I swear to God I will blow your fucking head off!"

Pulling me roughly by the arm we back up and I instruct which door to enter. The door openes easily and we enter the decrepit building that once housed the old bar. He throws me inside and deadbolts the door. Flinching from the pain, my nostrils detect the pungent odor of the musty interior. The Nazi lights a cigarette lighter and looks about.

"listen," I say softly to him. "I have been desparate and alone before. Maybe not the for the same reasons but I have had the same emotions. Let me help you! This isn't my fucking war! I couldn't give a rat's ass whether you escape or not. I am only interested in saving my own skin here!"

"You lying Cunt!!" His voice low and raspy. "If you honestly felt that way you would have kept your fucking mouth shut!"

"Oh and I suppose you have never felt fear!! It is human instinct to do what I did. Remember I am trying to save myself!"

"Just shut up and let me think!" He growls.

My mind whirls of plans to save myself. I wonder exactly how long it really has been since he has felt a woman.

"By the way, Commie Bastard, how long has it been since you have been with a woman? You promised me certain pleasures earlier but never did finish! Aren't you man enough to fuck this body? Do I intimidate you?" My voice and gaze challenging him. With that the German leaps over to where I sit and rips the material from my breast, revealing my bare, plump breasts.

 

[ariosto]

Carmody

John had gone to the jail, the police department and finally found himself at his old home the Editor's office of the Free Press.

Matt Fiesler, one of the reporters that followed the crime scene in Fair Harbor had the latest information.

"The Kraut, holed up with a dame on West ninth off of Farragut. She's a floozy worked the trade from the shipyard. Tarlbut got a tip, made it to her apartment and there's been a shooting. That's all we know Mister Carmody."

John stood up and put on his hat. He thanked Fiesler, the kid was a good reporter, and headed out the door.

"Wait up John," the City Editor handed him a teletype ticker from AP.
"Just came in...take a look. Two Fair Harbor boys and one from the County."

The list was long, three names were circled in blue pencil.

Navy Department Release...15 June, 1942
Casualty list, recent naval battle near Midway Island.
I. Confirmed KIA...

John new all three names but one he knew better than the others.
His eyes filled with tears as he handed the list back.

"You OK John?"

"Oh yes...just...just a waste, a horrible waste."

He shut the door behind him and walked into the street. He had thought of a surprise call on Bette for lunch but now that was not an option.
He would go to the Harbor View and break the news to Claire. It would be better than letting her read it in the paper.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

Maggie Sinclair left for lunch with the promise that she'd be back. It was nice having an extra person in the office, Toni mused as she locked up and headed down the street to the diner.

Toni got there in plenty of time, but Jack had arrived before her. Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted him and hurried over to the booth where he was sitting. "Hey, you," she said as she leaned over to kiss him. His hand slipped up to her breast, cupping it for a moment as she slid onto the bench beside him.

"Hey, Doll," Jack said as he slid his arm around her shoulder and leaned over to kiss her again. "Mmm... you smell good," he added as he nuzzled against Toni's neck.

"Thought it would never be time to break for lunch. How was your morning?" A strange look came over Jack's face as she asked, but before he could answer Claire was standing in front of them with her order pad in hand. "Hey, Toni. What can I get for the two of you?"

"Coffee!" Jack and Toni said simultaneously and laughed. "I'll have a grilled cheese, Claire. Please," Toni said. "Jack?"

"Umm.. nothing thanks," he replied. "Give him a burger, Claire. Fries, too." Claire grinned and walked over toward Mel to give him their order as Toni turned toward Jack.

She caressed his face as he turned toward her, covering her hand with his own and kissing her palm. "Lousy day, Tone. The German escaped and fat boy thinks I had something to do with it. I don't need this shit. Just cause I speak German doesn't mean I'm a Nazi for cryin' out loud."

"I'll get John to talk to Earl. He'll straighten it out. You'll... " Toni looked up spotting John Carmody as he walked into the diner. She started to call out to him when she saw him go up to Claire, walking her into the kitchen. "Wonder what's up?" she said to Jack with a gesture of her chin. "Dunno," he said with a shrug.

"Listen, Jack. It'll get straightened out. You'll see. Promise." He nodded his head slowly, only half believing. He remembered Earl shouting, "You know any pretty girls that a kraut might like? That kraut's gonna find someone, some girl in this town, and he's gonna HURT her!" He looked at Toni and sighed. No matter what it took he would keep her safe.

Jack took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his, kissing her long and hard. Toni felt herself melting into him, memories of the night before washing over both of them. As they drew apart, each spoke the other's name in unison. They laughed, "You go first." "No, you." "Well, okay. Toni, I..."

 

[Tornado]

Discipline ran deep in his icy veins and the Nazi refused to be provoked again. He could not afford it. The last time he had let this woman get to him, he had barely escaped. He needed to get information from her above all else. He would make her sing and then, and only then, would he make her scream.

He ripped her dress, revealing Sophie's breasts.

"My dear girl, you are only making this difficult for yourself. I will not be tempted by your sweet charms." He ran he hand over her nipples, barely grazing them with his open palm.

"No, darling Sophie, it is I who will tease and torture you into helping me escape."

He roughly pushed Sophie backwards against the wall, her head smacking the rough cinderblocks. Unlocking the handcuffs, he quickly pulled her arms above her head. He looped the cuffs around a pipe running vertical along the wall, and snapped them back on her wrists.

"And, Sophie, when you have satisfied me that you have told me everything you possibly can, you will satisfy my body."

Weiler left her side to retrieve his satchel. He placed the pistol into it. A gun was certainly not the instrument for a proper interrogation. He rummaged in the bag until he found what he was looking for.

When he returned to Sophie, she could see that he was carrying a eight inch Buck knife, single edged with a lethal curve to its tip.

His tone was almost conversational. "A present from your Polizei." The blade glinted in the low light. "Used for skinning deer, no doubt." He moved to Sophie's side.

The Nazi ran the blunt end of the tip over Sophie's right nipple. "Now, why don't you tell me about the coast guard station in this grubby little town."

 

[ariosto]

John Carmody had lost his appetite after telling Claire the terrible news. The Yorktown had gone down and her fiancé was missing and presumed dead.
She hadn't broken down. Her eyes had gotten a far away look and she walked away to the window. Benny the cook had overheard and came over to her, but she seemed totally unaware.

"I'm so sorry Claire. He was a wonderful young man. I..." John couldn't get the next words to come out.
He walked out of the kitchen and nodded at Toni and Jack. They could see by his face that something very bad had just taken place. He looked at his assistant and gestured towards the kitchen.

"Jack, I have to go in and talk to Claire."

"Sure Baby, I know..see what you can do."
Jack stared at his hands and wondered if he should go as well, but he wasn't good at such things.
Damn War...God Damn war...


John walked out of the Harbor View and wondered how Claire would react to this. Some girls wore black and mourned, others just threw off restraints and went wild. Who knows...

He decided he needed a drink very badly, something he never did in the middle of the day and made his way to the TradeWinds.

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy Taylor

With one hand on the top of her head, the other starts going down her back slowly, exploring the feel the shape of her body through the drenched clothes.

His arousal building, his hand reaches her bottom and gently, he starts to squeeze it...

Maisy can hear someone moaning. It takes a few seconds for her to realise it's her. Her! She feels his hands on her and she blushes. They're practically naked, the water having made their clothes stick like a second skin.

She felt his arousal and felt a slight twinge of panic before his arms had calmed her with that familiar strength

It felt like he was claiming her as his and she responded readily. Opening her mouth to his kiss and using her own naive touch to explore him. Her hands softly running across his shoulders and touching the back of his neck. She felt sand and water... and the heat of his skin.

She sighed, bringing up one knee to steady herself, unaware that her skirt was riding up exposing her softly tanned leg.

Frank gently rolled her off him so that he could get off the wet clingy sand. He knelt beside her looking down at her flushed face. He smiled gently as he bent over to pick her up.

Holding her easily in his arms he carried her back towards the drier sand into a natural alcove between two jutting rock faces that seemed to carve a secret place out on the beach. He lowered her down gently and brushed a damp trendle from her brow.

She smiled up at him trustingly.

He was kneeling beside her looking down. He was looking at her as if seeing her for the first time. She smiled questioningly up at him. She reached up with her arms and finally, he smiled that smile. He lowered himself down so he was by her side, and he kissed her.

She kissed him back again pulling him closer. His hands were bolder now. He rested on hand on her waist and slowly brought it up across her rib cage and finally, the sweet swell of her breast. He held his breath waiting to see if she would stop him, but she didn't and finally he cupped her there and felt himself respond to that touch.

She responded by kissing him even deeper. Her hands, unsure, touched his chest a started to move lower. Across his stomach.

Their breathing was heavy, but the sound of crashing surf made them feel as if they were all alone.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Carter Moorehouse Sims IV

OOC: Sorry about the delay in posting, RL and this computer have been giving me fits.

Sims smiled graciously at Claire's invitation. His voice was calm as he replied, "I would be honored to join you for dinner at your place. Where do you live?"

Sims put a firm rein on his excitement. There might be an opportunity to actually meet Jack Becker, and get something of the measure of the man.

About then, police cars with sirens screaming pass the diner. Sims looks out the window and murmmurs, "Hmm, seems to be some excitement somewhere."

 

[sojournerwolf]

Lt. Cmdr. Nels Bronson

The USCG cutter EG LAWRENCE pulls along side the Quincy. Nels and the captain exchange some good natured insults by gramaphone. Nels gives the ensign at the wheel a heading to follow, watching carefully as the youngster turns the wheel. Nels grins at his near perfect execution of orders, and the faint beads of sweat popping out on the ensign's forehead. The EG LAWRENCE accompanies the Quincy back to dock. Nels smiles to himself, thinking of the USO dance that night. Perhaps Sophie will be there, or some other young lady on which to set his sights. Or, if nothing else, and Nels grins wolfishly at the thought, perhaps the Nave and USCG might have a little fun with any of the Army air boys that show up.

 

[Moneytalks]

Re: Mrs Taylor

She fixed her hair and took off her apron, applied some soft coloured lipstick to give herself a bit of a boost and headed out towards the harbour.

Marie had spent a few blissful hours looking into shop windows for material. She'd seen an article in the latest newspaper on how to make good use of scrap material for clothing and such and was keen to give it a go.

It was almost time for lunch when she heard the sirens and someone had stopped her in the street to warn her to stay indoors.

An escape from the jail. A German!

Her first thoughts were of Maisy... but she convinced herself that Maisy was with Frank and that they probably weren't even in town and would be safe... then she thought of Deacon.

Where had he said he was going? He hadn't said. She started to panic but calmed herself. She should go straight home in case either of her children needed her. They would expect her to be home.

She walked briskly back towards her house, looking with distress back towards town every time she heard a siren.

Finally back home. The house seemed incredibly silent. She nervously paced the living room trying to tell herself it was alright, her children would be okay.

"Damn it!" She cursed, almost shocking herself with her language, "Edward is never home..." she sighed her face showing signs of years of pent up sadness.

She'd been madly in love with Edward. He had been like a knight in shining armour after the death of her first husband. She could scarcely believe that he would look at her twice, her, a widower with a small child of her own.

He'd been warm and comforting and gentle with her and he'd wooed her deliberately taking her shyness in stride and slowly getting her to see there was a world for her after the misery of David's passing.

Maisy had taken to him instantly. She'd always been such a warm and loving child and she'd run happily into Edward's arms when he'd come to visit. Soon she was calling him 'pa pa' which had initially given Marie pangs of doubt. Did she want Maisy calling another man her father? Her misgivings were soon banished when she saw how kind and gentle Edward was with her. He'd explained that he wasn't actually her father but he'd like to take care of her and her mommy if she'd let him. She had laughed and nodded in the simple agreement that came with child-like insight.

A year later they had married.

It had been different after that. Edward suddenly felt the need to earn more, to care for his new family. He worked harder, longer hours. She saw less and less of him and what she did see was a distracted man who had his mind on work even when he was home. Oh, he was still kind and gentle, perhaps more so to Maisy who was not shy to demand his attention as she grew, but to Marie...

Well... sometimes she just felt like she was a part of the house... something that was just 'there' to him.

She sighed, shaking her head. She was being unreasonable. He provided for them, treated Maisy like his own. Even when she'd found out later that he'd been married before, and that he had a son to that other woman... he'd only agree to let the boy come to stay if she'd agree. He was most adamant about it. She had of course agreed. Yet, Edward had remained deliberately vague about any other details. His other wife's name? How long ago? Had she passed away? She had assumed she had but it was just as possible that they had gotten a divorce. Sometimes... when she was feeling particularly doubtful... she believed there was another woman out there... carrying her husbands name and it gave her chills of self doubt.

She sighed and quickly walked to the kitchen to make some tea. That should calm her nerves.

 

[captainb]

Chief Talbrut

Earl was furious. He'd had no choice but to alert the military police and, as he feared, they had taken complete control of the operation, going so far as to warn him and his men to "mind the town's business and they would handle the military's." Earl had tried reasoning that the hostage made it his business, but they would have none of it. So he and Greene had watched helplessly from the street as the MPs moved through the old buildings.

He thought about Sophie Kelly. She'd been nothing but trouble ever since that Nichols boy left town way back when. There was a bad story behind that. Earl suspected she'd gotten knocked up, but nothing had come of it and he wasn't one to go around talking trash about people. She'd never had any serious scrapes with the law aside from being found drunk on the streets, but she usually was able to find some guy to walk her home. Damn shame how that boy had fucked her up. Sweet kid in her youth, still beautiful now but with an edge that caused him to grimace at what might have been. When he checked her apartment before the MPs arrived, he'd found that black rubber thing lying on the bed. No sense in covering up the truth, but it sure didn't need to be made so obvious to the investigators. When Greene had his back turned, he'd shoved it between the mattresses.

But she'd done nothing to deserve this. What Becker had said about the kraut made him boil. The girl was in danger. That was Andrew Sinclair in the closet with a bullet in his head. The bastard would think nothing of shooting Sophie; hell, he'd been ready to have her take a bullet for him. If that sonuvabitch hurt her, he'd find his corpse even if the MPs got him first and....

The depth of his anger surprised him. He hadn't realized that he cared that much about what happened to her. Protective, fatherly? What the hell was this feeling? Earl was quiet as he and Greene drove back to the station, and he sat behind his desk as the deputy went to the diner to pick up lunch. Greene and the others would spread the word and people would be keeping their doors locked, even in the middle of the day. Damn way to run a town. He wanted to be in the thick of things, looking behind every rock for that German scum, but they'd tied his hands. He needed to talk with John Carmody. The police and the press had had their share of headbutting, but he respected John and knew he had a straight head on his shoulders. Earl wasn't used to being helpless, and sat still for a long time as he worked out what to do next.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

Taking John's cue, Toni excused herself from Jack and headed toward the kitchen where she had seen him take Claire just moments before.

What ever it was, Toni knew it wasn't good from the look on her boss' face. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the swinging door that led into the kitchen.

Claire was standing on the far side of the room with her back to Toni. "Claire? It's me, Toni." She walked over to the young woman and laid a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong? How can I help?" Toni asked as Claire turned around to face her.

 

[SexyChele]

Claire

How quickly an afternoon can change your life! One minute everything is going along great, everything working out just fine. When Mr. Sims accepted my invitation to dinner, I'd only thought how Jack might look forward to having some one else to talk to besides gramps. Then seeing him with Toni - how truly perfect they were together - made my heart swell with their happiness and with longing.

Then the words from John - Jeremy......missing? Presumed - no, NO!! The word would not even come to my lips. Jeremy - the guy everybody liked, so full of life, so optimistic, so sure of himself. Gone?? No, not my Jeremy. If anyone could survive, he would.

I don't remember John leaving me, I just remember being lead into the kitchen, my brain whirling - Mel mumbling something about taking the rest of the day off. Why? Jeremy was OK....yes, he was OK. Only presumed - that meant there was always hope.

I hugged my arms to myself, suddenly feeling a chill in the overly warm kitchen. Through the fog in my brain, I hear the kindness of a woman's voice - familiar, caring. I turn and see Toni standing behind me...

"What's wrong? How can I help?"

As I looked into her eyes, tears welled up in mine.

"It's Jeremy, Toni. They say the Yorktown went down. Jeremy's ship. He's, he's......missing, Toni! He's out in the Pacific somewhere - missing!"

The tears flowed freely as I felt Toni's arms go around me, my body shaking.

 

[Yoc]

Frank Jnr

He lays next to her on the dry sand, kissing, while his hand gently squeezes her breast. He is trembling, shivering with excitement, his heart pounding and his groin tingling as he grows erect.

Maisy has never let him to this before. Not to touch her like this.

He can feel her hands slowly moving down his body, one seemingly going near his crotch.

Her kiss becomes stronger as her mouth opens up to his., the boy tentatively slides his tongue into her mouth, ready to stop if she objects. But instead only to find her tongue comes forward to embrace his own, causing him to squeeze her breast more firmly.

Oh God! This is actually happening!

The excitement, the arousal is rising higher. Lust and love coursing through his body. He wants her so much, the uncomfortable bulge in his pants now aching.

Pulling his mouth away from hers, he nibbles down to her neck as he listens to her panting. His hand now moving up to her top. Slowly, he undoes the first button...

Wait! Does Mai want this? What if he is forcing himself?

With a great deal of effort, he pulls away from her, kneeling by her side though wishing nothing more than to continue on...

 

[Yoc]

Deak

He is aware of sirens in the distance.

Suddenly scared that they are coming for him, Deak struggles to regain full consciousness. Imediately he starts to feel pain.

Slowly raising himself up, he finds that he is lying on the ground in the alley.

He must have collapsed.

Gingerly he gets up to his feet.

For a moment he just stands there, waiting for the nausea and giddiness to hit him. It does not. In fact he feels a little better apart from the pounding headache and sore stomach.

He touchs his face and feels that the blood has dried. Then he realises that he has a cut lip and a nasty gash above his right eye. But luckily nothing else seems to be broken.

Realising he can walk and not wanting to hang away, he slowly starts to make his way through the town towards his home, masking his appearance the best he could...

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

A high keening wail surfaced from somewhere deep within Claire as Toni put her arms around her. She had no words of comfort to offer. No words of hope. All Toni could do was hold her close as the young girl's body was wracked with sobs.

"We have to get you home," Toni said in a soothing voice as the Claire's crying began to subside. She couldn't take her on the bus. There had to be someone in the diner with a car willing to drive her home. Oh, hell. She'd just call a cab. It would be a lot easier than explaining to someone what was going on.

Leading her to the Ladies' Room, Toni looked sadly at Claire's tearstreaked face. "Rinse your face with some cool water, Claire. I'll go see about getting us a ride back to your Granddad's." After turning on the tap, Toni stepped back into the kitchen of the diner.

"Mel. Need to use your phone for a sec. Calling a cab to take Claire home." "Sure, Toni. How is she?" Mel asked. Toni shrugged in response. "Tough question to answer, Mel. How would any of us be?"

 

[Tornado]

Oberleutnant Hermann Weiler

"You do not know anything about the coast guard. Is that it, Sophie? All right then. I'm sure you have something in that pretty little head of yours that can help me. A woman like you gets around, especially in a pissant little town such as this."

Weiler increased the pressure on the knife in his hand, without breaking the skin. He didn't want to damage Sophie, yet. He simply wanted to add emphasis to his words.

"And hurry, Sophie, hurry. The longer you take to divulge information, the more I can do to your luscious body."

That body was slowly revealed as the German cut away the rest of Sophie's dress. The woman would have had an effect on any man and Weiler was not immune. His eyes became hungry as he took in every inch of Sophie's vulnerable skin.

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy

Pulling his mouth away from hers, he nibbles down to her neck as he listens to her panting. His hand now moving up to her top. Slowly, he undoes the first button...

Wait! Does Mai want this? What if he is forcing himself?

With a great deal of effort, he pulls away from her, kneeling by her side though wishing nothing more than to continue on...

Maisy looks up quite dazed by the passion building between them as she feels him withdraw from her and look down.

He seems... uncertain.

"Frank?" She questions uncertainly.
"Is... is something wrong?" She looks down at herself as if wondering if she is what is wrong.

"D... don't..." she takes a breath as if trying to start again... "is... isn't this what you wanted?" She asks him softly.

Her lips soft and full from their kissing beckon him.

 

[Yoc]

Frank Jnr

He looks down at her. Her face flushed. Her lips wet and full. The wet clothes hugging her body, revealing its shape to his hungry eyes.

His erection lurch at the sight.

"Frank? Is... is something wrong?" She looks down at herself. "D... don't...is... isn't this what you wanted?"

This time it is his heart that lurches.

"Oh yes, Mai." he says, getting up, suddenly embarrassed of his large bulge in his wet trousers.

"I-It's not you." staring at the ground. "I-It's just that I can't forget what Deak has been saying. He says that it isn't fair to you that we keep hanging out together since I'll could be getting orders to ship out any day soon. Especially if anything..." realising what he is about to say, he stops himself.

"Anyway, maybe he's right." he says, turning back to her. "I-I don't want you to do things because you think you have to, to go out with me because you think you have to. I..I..I" his voice trails off and he looks away...

 

[ariosto]

As they sped by, Jack noticed a number of Police Cars down Farragut and wondered if it had anything to do with Weiler. He also figgured he was in trouble. Turlbut hated his guts and he knew he would never be able to get back at work in time.
He sat up with the driver and looked back occasionaly to see the two women behind him. They were both dry eyed but Claire seemed in a state of shock and Toni for the first time he could remember, seemed at a loss.

The cab pulled up at the house and he helped Claire out, then turned to Toni.

"Maybe you should stay with her T.
Carmody won't expect you back anytime soon.
I hate it but I should get back..."

"No way! Jack Beck, we both stay here with her for awhile. She needs us. Claire, we..."
She said turning, but Claire Fouree had already disappeared into her Grandfathers home.

 

[ariosto]

John Carmody

Carmody drank two tall gin and tonics hardly noticing the substitution of Schenleys for the unavailable Beef Eaters.

Bending into the phone booth in the dark cool interior of the bar, he dialed Bette's number.

"Hi...It's John.
-____________

"Have you heard the news?"
__________________

"No...not that. The German has escaped."
_____________________

"Listen Bette, I'm pretty low right now. What have you got for lunch?"
_____________________

"Spam?!...What's that?"
_______________________

"OK. Why not, be there in thirty minutes, bye."

He hung up and placed a quick call to the office.

Rosey Sullivan answered and he told her he'd be delayed returning. No Toni wasn't back yet.

John caught the same cab that had delivered Jack and Toni to the Fouree home.

 

[faith]

Leaving the apartment...

As Maggie looks out she realizes this morning's drizzle is turning into a pouring rain. Going back into the apartment she grabs her shopping list and the utility bills for her haven...

I hate taking the car but I really have no choice...so many places to stop...the flower shop, the grocery, and while I'm out I'll stop and pay the utility bills

Running from the apartment entrance to the car to avoid getting wet, Maggie jumps into the car. She sets the her purse in the passenger seat along with the bills and starts the engine....

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy

"I-It's not you." staring at the ground. "I-It's just that I can't forget what Deak has been saying. He says that it isn't fair to you that we keep hanging out together since I'll could be getting orders to ship out any day soon. Especially if anything..." realising what he is about to say, he stops himself.

"Anyway, maybe he's right." he says, turning back to her. "I-I don't want you to do things because you think you have to, to go out with me because you think you have to. I..I..I" his voice trails off and he looks away...

"Deak... Deak said that?" She asks suddenly focusing on his distressed expression.

"Frank... Frankie..." she cajols... reaching out to him. Taking his slack hand in hers she tugs him so that he sits down beside her. Side by side they sit together watching the surf pounding rythmically against the sandy shore.

"Frankie... I love you... I've loved you since the day you first asked me out... maybe I even loved you before that... and I'll never stop loving you... it doesn't matter to me what anyone else says... only how I feel about you... and that you love me too... "

"Oh Maisy... you know I do..."
"So... whats the problem... there is a war... you're doing you part for our country... like many other men... they all have families and loved ones... are they expected to break all ties just in case something happens? I love you Frank, and I'm not going to let you tell me it's wrong to love you, because I'll never believe that."

She turns to him and takes his face between her hands pulling him close for a kiss. Her soft lips gently covering his. She shivers a little.

They look up and notice the sun has moved behind some clouds.

Maisy's stomach grumbles and they both look at each other in surprise.

"Oh my goodness! So embarrassed!" She blushes and giggles.
"Must be hungry... I didn't really eat the breakfast mom made me, too excited about seeing you!" She smiled.

 

[Tornado]

Oberleutnant Hermann Weiler

"But, I don't know anything!" Sophie murmured as Weiler removed the gag from the woman's mouth. He had resorted to gagging her while administering torture. At the beginning, Sophie had quite a capacity to yell. Now the Nazi doubted he needed to use the filthy rag. Instinctively he knew that nothing more could be gotten out of the woman. He had chosen his hostage poorly. An ignorant bitch who knew nothing. It was time to leave.

Weiler packed his satchel, noticing for the first time that it had started to rain outside. He pulled a trenchcoat from the bag and slid it on. The Nazi had retrieved his pistol and as he started to leave he looked down at the pathetic woman, still handcuffed to the pipe. She glared up at him with a last show of defiance. That was her undoing. The Nazi brought the butt of the pistol down hard onto the back of Sophie's skull. Her head fell forward and Weiler stooped to wipe the blood off the gun, using the torn shreds of her dress.

Hermann Weiler walked to the door, but turned before leaving. To the unconscious woman, he with a sardonic smile, "Ms. Kelly, a minor point at this junction, but I am a member of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei. I am not a communist." He turned up his collar and walked out into the rain.

He was in an ally between a building identifiable as the Tradewind's Bar by a large neon sign. Weiler walked down the ally towards the main street and crouched in the shadows at the ally's entrance. Luck was with him. He was less than ten feet from an intersection, one that did not appear busy. All he had to do was wait for the right opportunity, the right car. The adrenaline coursed through his veins.

 

[SexyChele]

Claire

Vaguely, as in a fog, I remember Toni and Jack leading me outside the diner and placing me a cab. I leaned into Toni, seeking the warmth of another person, but couldn't speak. The tears had stopped, and I glanced out the window, seeing police cars speed past, hearing sirens, and wondering if I was dreaming. Wondering if they were on their way to save Jeremy.

But no - Jeremy was in the Pacific, not Fair Harbor. Remember that, Claire. And he would be home soon, very soon. He had promised he would be - and Jeremy never broke his promises.

As the taxi pulled up in front of the house, hands helped me from the cab, and I wandered up the walk to the front door. Opening the door, I begin to walk up the stairs to my room, though why, I don't know.

"Claire? Claire, what is wrong? Why are you home so early? Is it because of those sirens I hear? Claire?!?"

I stop, and backup to the doorway of the living room. Gramps is sitting by the window, reading his newspaper, looking at me with concern. Suddenly the impact of the afternoon descends on me, and I rush to him as I did when I was a little girl.

"Oh, Gramps!" Tears falling down my cheeks once more, I kneel beside him and place my head on his thigh. I feel him stroking my hair, as he did whenever something was hurting me.

"Tell me, Claire, what makes my favorite granddaughter cry like this?"

"Gramps.....it's Jeremy! I just got news - he's, he's.....missing! The Yorktown went down somewhere in the Pacific. Jeremy was on it, and now he's missing! Oh, Gramps.....!"

Tears come fresh, and turn quickly to sobs. As Gramps tries to make sense of what is happening, his attention is drawn to the doorway, where he sees Jack and Toni standing.