Captive

It was several hours before the Christmas party died down. Gradually everyone left leaving Versie alone with Karl. He faded off to sleep, exhausted by the events of the evening. She removed her shoes and lay across the bed. Though it had been over twenty-four hours since she last slept, she felt she had to stay awake to keep an eye on Karl's fever. Slowly her eyes became heavier and heavier until she was no longer able to fit it. Soon she found herself drifting into the twilight that lay between wakefulness and sleep. There she dreamed. At first it was a quiet happy dream. Then it morphed to a nightmare where she could hear Karl crying out for her but she could not find him. Running down dark pathways she desperately searched for him. She could hear his cries which echoed a pain and hurt that tore at her soul. Still she was unable to find him. Shadows lengthened and the darkness became oppressive but she would not stop searching for him.

Awaking suddenly, it took her a moment to realize she had been dreaming. It took her another moment to realize the cries she heard in her dream were actually coming from Karl. Quickly rushing to his side she felt his forehead. Getting her medical bag, returned to the couch and perched on the edge of the cushion. She looked down at Karl and saw his face was contorted into what she thought were pain and fear. He was thrashing about as if he were fighting some unseen assailant. Versie also noticed he had stopped calling her name and now was softly moaning another name. Leaning close, she placed her ear near his mouth. Listening carefully, she thought she could make out the name Ralf. Gently she shook him awake. Upon awaking, he lashed out at her. Soft words and her touch calmed Karl.

After making sure he was fully awake, Versie took his temperature. She was relieved to find Karl's temperature had not risen but actually had fallen a degree. Getting up, she got a cold wash cloth and returned, placing it on his forehead. Softly she caressed his face and watched the tension leave his body.

"Bad dream?" she asked as she took his hand.

"Bad memories," Karl replied in a hoarse whisper. His free hand reached up and touched her face. "But I don't want to burden you with them."

Taking his free hand into hers, she kissed both of them and then held them in her lap. "You can share anything with me Karl. You where there to listen to my nightmares and bad memories, remember? It made me feel better to tell them to you."

"I remember," Karl said, "but I don't know where to start. It was bad for so long."

"Why don't you start with who Ralf is." she said encouragingly.

Karl began to tell her about how he met Ralf, about Johannes and his experiences in the cage. He told her of France, the fate of his friends and his escape. She laid her head on his chest and listened without comment. He talked until his voice gave out and then he cried for his friends until there were no more tears. She murmured words of love and devotion to him until he finally drifted off to sleep. There in the dark she held him close to her and silently vowed she would never to be parted from him again.

In the morning Versie got up stiff from the position she had been in all night and began to make some breakfast for Karl. She mentally went down a list of things she had to do today. Aside from the doctor for Karl, she needed to call Hogan. Not only to make sure he knew where Karl was but also to find out what were the repercussions of his escape. Every German veteran of the war had to have discharge papers in order to work or get a ration card. She chewed her lip in worry that it might extend to medical care too. She knew he had false identity papers they could use if push came to shove but she did not want him to have to live a lie for the rest of his life. After plating the food, she went over and woke Karl. They both ate breakfast together. Then she helped him with his early morning routine and then put him back on the couch.

"I need to go and take a bath and get dressed. Then I need to get a doctor to come and see you." Versie said as she tucked the blanket under Karl. Taking her hand he pulled her down until she laid half across his chest. With his hand he slowly stroked the outside of her right breast.

"Thank you for last night." Karl said as he kissed her.

"Anytime," she replied brushing the hair from his eyes.

"You do realize if I hadn't been so sick, dirty and a generally miserable human being, that bath you gave me might have gone an entirely different way." Karl said teasingly.

"I'm sure." she said as she gave him a kiss.

'Just thought I'd get that straight because next time…." he said letting the sentence trail off as he reached into her hair and pulled her down for a hard kiss. "Because next time, I'm not going to be bathing alone." he said as he released her.

"I need to get you well first and then I'll find out if you're all talk or not." Versie said before giving him a final kiss and disappearing into the bathroom.

She reappeared later refreshed and ready to do her errands. Putting on her coat she walked over to Karl, bent down and kissed his forehead. "I will be back shortly. Do you need anything before I leave? Maybe I can get a book or magazine?"

"How long will you be gone?" he inquired.

"Not long I promise. I'll be back in time to fix you some lunch. Is there anything special you'd like for lunch?" she said picking up her handbag and opening the door.

"No, I am fine. Hurry back."

"I will." she said as she left the apartment.

HHHHHH

Karl settled back and waited for her to return. Minutes passed into hours. When Karl noticed the kitchen clock said it was 1421 hours, he started to become very concerned. This wasn't like her. She was always very punctual and was not the type of woman to become sidetracked. He lay there a few minutes trying to determine what to do. Finally he decided to try and find Newkirk. He would know where to look for Versie.

Oskar Danzig had just reached the apartment door and was about to knock when the door suddenly opened and he was face to face with his brother.

"What is this?" asked Danzig. "Where are you going? You're supposed to be sick."

"Versie's gone." Karl said trying to push his way past his brother. Danzig placed a hand on Karl's chest and applied just enough pressure there to force Karl to take a step back.

"Gone where, shopping? Maybe to work? Where would she be?" Danzig asked while gently pushing Karl back into the apartment.

"She left to do some errands but hasn't returned. She said she'd be back for lunch." Karl said with anxiety.

"She probably got caught up in some girl talk somewhere. Nothing ladies like more than a good hen party. Maybe she found a good sale. You know how short these American's attention can be. If you're hungry I can fix you something." Danzig said as he started to paw through the kitchen cabinets for something to eat.

"This is serious. You don't know her. Something has happened to her and I am going to find out what." Karl said as he once again attempted to leave the apartment. Danzig grabbed his arm but Karl shrugged it off and opened the door to leave.

"Wait Karl, you are in no condition to be out in the cold. Your lady will have my head if I let you get any sicker. Besides, you can hardly walk. Come back and tell me all about our sister Ilsa. That's why I came to see you. I am sure your lady friend will return shortly." Danzig said trying to placate his brother.

"Stop it Oskar! I am not the child you left behind. When you went away, I had to take care of mama and papa. All through Gymnasium, University, teaching, the war and prison, I managed without you. When our parents died it fell to me to make sure Ilsa was safe. I did it all without any help from you. You chose to leave on your idealistic crusade, leaving us behind to worry and make do. Well I did alright without you. As you can see I am neither a child anymore, nor am I of feeble mind. I am telling you something has happened to Versie and either you can help me or you can get out of my way. Either way I am going to find her." Karl raged at Danzig.

"Calm down little brother. I'll help you but we can't just start roaming the streets looking for her. We need some kind of a plan." Danzig said as he steered Karl to a nearby chair. After he had Karl seated, Danzig continued, "Where did she say she was going?"

"She didn't say. I know she wanted to get a doctor for me but I don't know if she had any other plans. I've seen her caring for the sick. There is no way she would have left me alone for this long. She worries about her patients too much. What could have happened Oskar?"

"I don't know Karl but we'll find her don't worry." Oskar said. He was about to continue but was interrupted by a soft rustle by the door. Looking over he saw an envelope had been slid under the door. Walking over to it, Danzig bent down and picked it up. He then opened the door and looked out into the hallway. Not seeing anyone he shut and locked the door.

"What is it Oskar?" asked Karl who had become slightly alarmed at his brother's behavior.

Danzig opened the letter and groaned. Growing more alarmed, Karl got up and crossed the room to where his brother was. "What is this?" he asked.

"She has been kidnapped and they want to exchange her for Newkirk." Danzig said.

"What will we do?"

Shaking his head, Danzig replied, "I don't know little brother. I just don't know."