Invincible {JAN}

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie entered one of the restaurants. She sat alone. The waitress had come and took her order and she sat there, feeling rather lonely. Being a nurse was a tough job yeah, but to have someone to share it with, was a little mroe easier than to carry the burden on her own. She crossed her arms over the table and rested her chin on them, watching a few couples enter the restaurant and a pang hit her chest.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea she thought to herself as the waitress came and dropped off her food. She began eating, but only cause she was hungry. She chewed on the food thoughtfully and wondered if the war would ever end. It was nice being home for a bit in Germany but that probably wouldn't last long.

She took a sip of her wine and tended to her steak. Her nurses bag was on the floor under the table at her feet. She always traveled with it and never left home without it. You never knew who could use her help if they were sick or injured. It was just something that Maddie carried around like a baby. You can't leave it anywhere.

Once Maddie's meal was finished, the waitress offered her some desert. Half obliged, she chose a chocolate cake. As she sat there, watching the mingling of people, she began drifting off into her own little world, just thinking of all kinds of things. People were either rich here, or some from middle class families and bloodlines. Once and a while a rich family popped into this place, but that was rare. She sighed and waited for her cake to come, feeling slightly sorry for herself.

[Deleted]

Leutnant Jan Nordmann pulled at his collar as he entered the restaurant. The man waiting to take him to his table had an air of superiority about him, his large mustache and ear-length gray hair neatly trimmed suggested this man was of the upper middle class. "Tisch für einen?" the man asked in a rich accent, bowing slightly and reminding Jan of his rather stiff and formal grandparents on his mothers side, of course. His grandparents on his fathers side were more homely and kind than the cold arrogance this man showed.

Once he sat down at the table, Jan ordered a cheese salad and requested the wine list, which the waiter left to get. "Haken-spürte Haufen von Eiter auf," he mumbled under his breath, pulling at his collar once more. He never did this sort of thing, preferring to stay and eat with the enlisted men. But they had insisted he take a night off to see the town, compliments of his platoon. He couldn't refuse, so here he was. We was still wearing his black Panzer uniform, and field-gray Officers crusher cap. Maybe it was his scruffy clothing and the smell of oil which had put the waiter off. He didn't really care what the man thought. While he was playing 'God of table 6' Jan would be fighting like a real man.

When the waiter came back with his food and the wine list, Jan took a quick look and ordered a bottle of Haut Brion 1937.

He took a look around the restaurant to see what upper-class fops the place served today. Most were the stiff upper lipped yabbos Jan couldn't stand, but one person in particular looked as out of place as he. He could just make out the nurses bag under her table. He couldn't help but wonder why she ate alone. "None of your business, Jan. Focus on your salad and quit staring," he thought to himself, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from the woman.



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Translations:

"Haken-spürte Haufen von Eiter auf,"
"Hook-nosed pile of pus."

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie finished her meal and looked around. She spied another person that seemed to not place right in here. She looked at him curiously. Their tables were fairly close to one anothers so Maddie could talk to him easily if she had to. She smiled and gently reached over to tap him on the shoulder.

"Looks like we're both eating alone huh?" Maddie asked him softly as she took a sip of her wine again.

"Haben Sie hier vorher gewesen?" she asked him.

This was pretty much her first time eating here so she wondered if he'd eaten here before. The only sound in the place was soft chatter and the tinkling of silverware. Occasionally laughter rang out and reached her ears. Some of the men were smoking cigars and cigerettes. The scent burned her nostrils and she wrinkled her nose in disgust.

She hated smoking with a passion. But, most did these days. It was some kind of 'fashion' craze that some men thought smoking was cool. Yeah it was cool...to possibly die early. She turned to the man again.

"Ihre Lebensmittel Hier besteht eine große" she said brightly. The food here was wonderful and she had to admit, she would come here again for dinner or lunch. Maddie made a mental note about it and studied the man before her. He was certainly a soldier...Lieutenant at that. She'd never met many soliders that were unwounded, so it was a refreshing breath of fresh air for a change.

Haben Sie hier vorher gewesen?-Have you been here before?
Ihre Lebensmittel Hier besteht eine große-The food here is great

[Deleted]

Jan felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Looks like we're both eating alone huh?"'

"Indeed," he replied, a bright smile appearing on his face. He was rather surprised anyone in the place would acknowledge him, much less speak to him.

"Haben Sie hier vorher gewesen?"

"Nein. Dies ist nur mein zweites Mal in Berlin, und mein erstes Mal, daß ich nicht bekam, hier zu essen bedauerlicherweise," he said, his eyes meeting hers for the first time. He felt as if the air was sucked out of his chest.


"Ihre Lebensmittel Hier besteht eine große," the woman said, and Jan nodded in agreement. "Es ist viel angenehmer mit Gesellschaft, ich muß zugeben," he managed, pouring a small amount of wine into his glass and raising it to her. "Zu deiner guten Gesundheit, Fehltreffer," he said, taking a sip of his wine. It was more like a '38. Lots of body.

"Ich hatte nicht bis '31 bei Deutschland gewohnt. Ich hatte von '20 bis '24 bei Neuem Pullover gelebt, und dann bei Norwegen sieben Jahre lang," he said slowly, taking another sip of his wine. "Nehme ich es von deinem Akzent, daß du von Berlin bist?" he asked, looking over her face slowly. She sure was lovely to look at. Kind of made him forget all about the hard fighting against the Russians he had weathered.


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Translations:


"Nein. Dies ist nur mein zweites Mal in Berlin, und mein erstes Mal, daß ich nicht bekam, hier zu essen bedauerlicherweise,"
"No. This is only my second time in Berlin, and my first time I did not get to dine here, regrettably,"

"Es ist viel angenehmer mit Gesellschaft, ich muß zugeben,"
"It is much more enjoyable with company, I must admit,"

"Zu deiner guten Gesundheit, Fehltreffer."
"To your good health, miss."

"Ich hatte nicht bis '31 bei Deutschland gewohnt. Ich hatte von '20 bis '24 bei Neuem Pullover gelebt, und dann bei Norwegen sieben Jahre lang,"
"I hadn't lived in Germany until '31. I had lived in New Jersey from '20 until '24, and then in Norway for seven years.

"Nehme ich es von deinem Akzent, daß du von Berlin bist?"
"I take it from your accent that you're from Berlin?"

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie beamed at him. She gestured to the seat across from him.

"Dagegen, wenn ich mich Sie an Ihrem Tisch?" she asked him curiously.

If he didn't mind , she would come sit with him. She'd already ate, but that was ok. She didn't mind one bit. He had raised a glad to her health and Maddie smiled at him and raised her own glass, repeating it.

"Ah, yes I am from Berlin," Maddie responded to him softly. "ICH Reise rund um die Pflege alot. Ich allein bin grundsätzlich. Keinen Mann oder Freund. Es ist interessiert mich ein bißchen" she admitted to him.

Something about him clicked and she felt calm and relaxed around him. Her waitress offered her more wine and she nodded. The waiter refilled her wine glass and she turned her eyes back onto the man.

"My name is Maddie Adler," she introduced herself. "Was ist ihre Namen auf?"

Her tone was soft and kind and polite. Her dark eyes studied him as she waited for him to respond.

Dagegen, wenn ich mich Sie an Ihrem Tisch-Mind if i join you at your table
ICH Reise rund um die Pflege alot. Ich allein bin grundsätzlich. Keinen Mann oder Freund. Es ist interessiert mich ein bißchen-I travel around with the nursing a lot. I am alone basically. No husband or boyfriend. It does bother me a bit
Was ist ihre Namen auf?-what is your name?

[Deleted]

The woman gestured at the chair across from him and asked to sit at his table. "Oh, please do!" he breathed, standing up until the lady sat down. What he thought was going to be a boring evening was quickly becoming quite interesting.

"Es würde mich auch stören, wenn ich in deiner Position wäre. Eine Krankenschwester, und ein schön dabei. Ich hätte geglaubt, daß du Freier hättest, die um deine Aufmerksamkeit, Fehltreffer, betteln." He paused, taking a slow bite of his cheese salad. He was nearly finished with his plate.

His voice soft, he continued. "Ich habe keine Frau oder die Freundin. Ich glaube nicht, daß viele Leute jemanden wollten, der moe ist, wahrscheinlich im Osten zu sterben, als lebend, eine Familie zu heben. Ich weiß, daß viele gute Jungen nie zurückkommen werden," he said, his voice rather sad. It seemed like such a waste of the youthful spirit and talent of the younger generation. Jan was twenty-two. That was practically an old man in the East, where a lot of boys were younger. A lot younger. Boys no older than sixteen were holding off Communist hordes in Stalingrad, or launching offensives on Kiev.

The woman introduced herself as Maddie Adler, inquiring as to what his name was. "Nordmann, Frau. Leutnant Jan Nordmann. Panzer vier-sieben-zwei, bei deinem Dienst." He raised his glass to her again. "Adler. Maddie Adler." he thought to himself. He basked in her beautiful eyes, his smile never lessening. The rest of the room melted away into nonexistance. The snobby rich people, and annoying waiters. They all disappeared. The whole world disappeared, leaving only Maddie and himself.

To think that a few hours before he had been protesting going into town at all! Sitting at a table with someone who ought to be in show buisness actually talking to him! He felt rather underdressed. He wished he had bothered to wear something other than his black Panzer wrap. He was self-conscious, for the first time in his life, of seeming crude and caveman-like in comparison to the soft-featured beauty sitting across from him. "Jan. Jan Nordmann! Time to come back to the present. Focus!" he said to himself, coming out of his thoughts.






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Translations:

"Es würde mich auch stören, wenn ich in deiner Position wäre. Eine Krankenschwester, und ein schön dabei. Ich hätte geglaubt, daß du Freier hättest, die um deine Aufmerksamkeit, Frau, betteln."
"It would bother me too if I were in your position. A nurse, and a beautiful one at that. I would have thought you would have suitors begging for your attention, Miss."

"Ich habe keine Frau oder die Freundin. Ich glaube nicht, daß viele Leute jemanden wollten, der mehr ist, wahrscheinlich im Osten zu sterben, als lebend, eine Familie zu heben. Ich weiß, daß viele gute Jungen nie zurückkommen werden,"
"I've no wife or girlfriend. I don't think many people would want someone who is more likely to die in the East than live to raise a family. I know a lot of good boys will never be coming back,"

"Nordmann, Frau. Leutnant Jan Nordmann. Panzer vier-sieben-zwei, bei deinem Dienst."
"Nordmann, Miss. Second Lieutenant Jan Nordmann. Tank four-seventy-two, at your service."

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie blushed furiously at that and looked at him sadly.

"I know several nurses who have been injured as well" she said quietly sipping her wine.

"Ich dachte so zu, aber leider nicht. Ich glaube, ich habe nicht gefunden jemand, möchte mich." she offered Jan a faint smile at that comment and shifted her weight in the seat. She tilted her head to the side.

"It's nice to meet you Jan," Maddie said warmly to him. "Ich bin selbst 23. Arbeiten Krankenpflege seit ICH war 19"

She'd been working nursing since she was 19. It was a hard job but she loved it anyway. She reached up and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"Was sind deine Pläne für nach dem Abendessen? Vielleicht können wir einen Spaziergang irgendwo?" she implied of him curiously.

It would be nice to have someone to talk to her that was her age, and a walk sounded great if he would like to join her of course. She hadn't met someone who clearly enjoyed her prescence. It was a real refreshing change for once. She smiled at him, the light in the restaurant catching her hazel eyes making them twinkle slightly.

"Wenn Sie beschäftigt ICH vollkommen verständlich."" she said to him softly and quietly. It wouldn't be the first time she would end up being alone in the evening. She waited patiently for him to speak again.

She had to admit it would be wonderful. Maddie finished her wine and her waitor came over to the table. She paid him for her wine and dinner. She turned her eyes back onto Jan. He was handsome. It shocked her that he didn't have anyone either.

Ich dachte so zu, aber leider nicht. Ich glaube, ich habe nicht gefunden jemand, möchte mich--I thought so too, but alas, no. I guess I haven't found anyone that would want me
Ich bin selbst 23. Arbeiten Krankenpflege seit ICH war 19--I myself am 23. I've been working nursing since i was 19
Was sind deine Pläne für nach dem Abendessen? Vielleicht können wir einen Spaziergang irgendwo-- What are your plans for after dinner? perhaps we can take a walk somewhere?
Wenn Sie beschäftigt ICH vollkommen verständlich. If you are busy I completely understand.

[Deleted]

He was surprised when she asked him if he would like to take a walk.

"Ich bin nicht beschäftigt, Fehltreffer. Ich habe ungefähr sechs weiter Tage die Erlaubnis übrig. Deine Gesellschaft ist sehr willkommen," he said warmly. "Ich bin bereit, jetzt zu gehen, wenn du magst," he said, gesturing towards the door. "Kellner, die Rechnung bitte."

Standing up, he paid the restaurant, and he had the feeling the waiter was glad he was leaving. "Toffee-nosed git," he thought to himself. Oh! how he despised the upper class!

He offered him arm to the woman and headed towards the exit. He nearly ran into the door as he was looking into her eyes and not watching where he was going. He couldn't help but wonder what she thought of him. She probably thought him a terribly ugly brute and was just being polite. Surely she couldn't be sincere? Her eyes said otherwise. They twinkled. She appeared to have a halo around her. She was without a doubt the most beautiful and perfect creature he had ever seen.

Several more times he nearly ran into objects and people.

"Mir tut es leid, Frau Erle. es scheint, daß, wenn ich in deiner Gegenwart bin, mein Gehirn aufhört zu funktionieren. Es gibt definitiv etwas über dir bezaubernd," he said apologetically. He reached down and took her hand in his. "Wo gingest du gern? Der Park ist diese Zeit vom Jahr schön."



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Translations:

"Ich bin nicht beschäftigt, Fehltreffer. Ich habe ungefähr sechs weiter Tage die Erlaubnis übrig. Deine Gesellschaft ist sehr willkommen,"
"I'm not busy, miss. I have about six more days of leave left. Your company is very welcome,"

"Ich bin bereit, jetzt zu gehen, wenn du magst,"
"I'm ready to go now, if you like,"

"Kellner, die Rechnung bitte."
"Waiter, the bill please."

"Mir tut es leid, Frau Erle. es scheint, daß, wenn ich in deiner Gegenwart bin, mein Gehirn aufhört zu funktionieren. Es gibt definitiv etwas über dir bezaubernd,"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Alder.. it seems that when I am in your presence my brain ceases to function. There is definitely something enchanting about you,"

"Wo gingest du gern? Der Park ist diese Zeit vom Jahr schön."
"Where would you like to go? The park is beautiful this time of the year."

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie looked pleased and happy that he'd accepted her company. He linked her arm with his and they'd left, but not before Jan bumped into the door almost and a few other objects. She couldn't help but giggle.

She looked at him and spoke softly.

"Entspannen. I dont biss" she said jokingly and lightly to him, hoping he would relax some more.

He asked about the park. That sounded like a lovely idea. The park was always lovely this time of year anyway. She walked along side him, enjoying his company.

She smiled at him.

"ICH nicht verstehen, wie ein schönes modernes gentleman wie sie hasnt jemanden gefunden" she said to him warmly.

It seemed to have been fate that caused her to go into this restauarant on this day, this moment. Perhaps if she hadn't, she would never have bumped into Jan. Fate was smiling on her for sure.

"Do you live nearby too?" Maddie asked him curiously tilting her head to the side.

She bundled her peacoat up a bit and let her hair fall around her shoulders in soft waves, gently bobbing against her back as she walked. She kept her eyes on Jan, but then turned them forward as they walked toward the park.

Entspannen. I dont biss--Relax. I dont bite
ICH nicht verstehen, wie ein schönes modernes gentleman wie sie hasnt jemanden gefunden--I don't understand how a handsome gentleman like yourself hasnt found someone

[Deleted]

"Relax. I don't bite." Maddie said to him, and he did relax after that, steering them towards the park. "Ich nicht verstehen, wie ein schönes modernes sanftmann wie sie hat nicht jemanden gefunden," she said to him, making him rather curious as to her feelings. Maybe she felt it, too? That spark... that undefinable spark that was felt when all the planets aligned and the world was in perfect harmony. Fate had indeed brought them together.

"Ich habe vorher Freundinnen gehabt, ja," he started, stopping her and taking both of her hands in his. "Ich werde das nicht bestreiten. Aber sie alle hatten das gleiche Frage, Maddie."

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Sie waren nicht du," he said, wondering immediately what possessed him to say such things.

"Komme, laß uns den Park sehen!" he exclaimed, taking her by his side once more, the laughter of children and gossip of old folk filling the air. When she asked him if he lived nearby, he had to think a moment on that.

"Nun, mein Familienheim ist in Altomünster, wenn das das ist, was du meinst. Im Moment bleibe ich hier in einem Hotel in Berlin. Ich, der die Kaserne beschlossen wurde, paßte nicht für meinen Zug, um auf der Erlaubnis zu genießen, deshalb legten wir alle unser Geld zusammen und mieteten das Hotel," he paused.

"Es ist nicht die kunstvollste von Einrichtungen, aber es ist in der Nähe vom Zentrum der Stadt, und es war erschwinglich."

"Ich schätzte mich wirklich glücklich, fähig zu sein, heute abend zum Restaurant zu kommen. Wir gaben das meiste unseres Geldes auf unseren Zimmern aus, deshalb müssen wir uns von unseren Rationen ernährt haben. Die Typen gaben mich, welches kleine Geld sie verlassen hatten und mich abgeschickt hatten, um in einem kunstvollen Restaurant albern auszusehen. Ich bin froh, daß sie machten, oder ich hätte dich nicht getroffen," he finished.

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Translations:

"Ich habe vorher Freundinnen gehabt, ja,"
"I've had girlfriends before, yes,"

"Ich werde das nicht bestreiten. Aber sie alle hatten das gleiche Frage, Maddie."
"I'll not deny that. But they all had the same problem, Maddie."

"Sie waren nicht du,"
"They weren't you,"

"Komme, laß uns den Park sehen!"
"Come, let us see the park!"

"Nun, mein Familienheim ist in Altomünster, wenn das das ist, was du meinst. Im Moment bleibe ich hier in einem Hotel in Berlin. Ich, der die Kaserne beschlossen wurde, paßte nicht für meinen Zug, um auf der Erlaubnis zu genießen, deshalb legten wir alle unser Geld zusammen und mieteten das Hotel,"
"Well, my family home is in Altomünster, if that's what you mean. Right now I'm staying in a hotel here in Berlin. I decided the Barracks wasn't fitting for my Platoon to enjoy on leave, so we all pooled our money and rented the hotel."

"Es ist nicht die kunstvollste von Einrichtungen, aber es ist in der Nähe vom Zentrum der Stadt, und es war erschwinglich."
"It isn't the fanciest of establishments, but it is close to the center of the city, and it was affordable."

"Ich schätzte mich wirklich glücklich, fähig zu sein, heute abend zum Restaurant zu kommen. Wir gaben das meiste unseres Geldes auf unseren Zimmern aus, deshalb müssen wir uns von unseren Rationen ernährt haben. Die Typen gaben mich, welches kleine Geld sie verlassen hatten und mich abgeschickt hatten, um in einem kunstvollen Restaurant albern auszusehen. Ich bin froh, daß sie machten, oder ich hätte dich nicht getroffen,"
"I was really lucky to be able to come to the restaurant tonight. We spent most of our money on our rooms, so we've had to live on our rations. The guys gave me what little money they had left and sent me off to look silly in a fancy restaurant. I'm glad they did, or I wouldn't have met you,"

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie grinned at Jan. He'd leaned in and whispered in her ear that they weren't her. She blushed furiously and listened to him speak about his family.

"Ah. My family lives just on the outskirts of Berlin" she said to him softly, affectionately squeezing his arm. "Meine Familie nicht wirklich Mühe mit mir viel. Ich schätze, dass sie nicht einverstanden Ich als eine Krankenschwester in diesem 'Situation'"

It was true. Her family must've hated her so much that they didn't even bother sending her letters or trying to contact her in any shape or form. She was basically on her own.

When Maddie's eyes landed on the park, she sighed happily. She had felt a spark the minute she'd spied Jan sitting across from her at the table.

She spied a bench and they sat down. Maddie sat down next to him. Their was filled with all kinds of melodies and even children's laughter. She smiled as an adorable blond haired little girl bounded by with a blue balloon. She caught Maddie's eye and beamed back at her before her mother took her hand, leading her away.

As Maddie watched, she felt a pang. She cleared her throat and turned back to Jan.

"Das ist gut! Und ich glaube, es war Schicksal, landete in die gleiche Restaurant, in der Nähe von Tabellen. Sind Sie damit einverstanden?" she asked him softly, looking up into his handsome face.

Maddie was never one to believe in coincidences. All things happen for a reason and today was definitely an example. She kept her arm linked around his. She gently rested her head against his shoulder and enjoyed sitting there with him, waiting for his reply back.[/blockquote]

Meine Familie nicht wirklich Mühe mit mir viel. Ich schätze, dass sie nicht einverstanden Ich als eine Krankenschwester in diesem 'Situation'==My family doesn't really bother with me much. I guess they don't approve of me being a nurse in this 'situation'
Das ist gut! Und ich glaube, es war Schicksal, landete in die gleiche Restaurant, in der Nähe von Tabellen. Sind Sie damit einverstanden?==That's good! And I do think it was fate that landed us in the same restaurant, close by our tables. Do you agree?

[Deleted]

"Ich weiß nicht warum das würde mißbilligen. Ich würde geehrt werden, um in meiner Familie eine Krankenschwester zu haben und ihr Leben riskiert werden, um Soldaten die medizinische Hilfe zu bringen, die sie brauchen," he said, grinning at the little blonde girl and her innocent smiling. That innocence may be tainted by the end of this dark bloody war.

He wondered where he would be this time next year. There was no telling. Chances were that he would be facedown in a ditch in the Ukraine or some damned place, dying for someone he'd never even seen in person. What a peach. It was that sort of typical leadership faux-pas that was making this war turn in favor of the enemy.

"Das Schicksal? Ja. Ich glaube, daß es war. Ebenso wie es das Schicksal ist, das ich in sechs Tagen Zeit für das Schlachtfeld verlasse," he nodded sadly.

"Einigen Sachen kann nicht geholfen werden. Mir tut es aber nicht leid. Es ist nur, indem es zurückgeht, daß andere Männer vielleicht zu Hause mit ihren Familien und geliebten bleiben. Wenn ich nicht machte, wäre der Gedanke, daß jemand anderer seinen Hals riskieren würde, um mich nach Hause zu behalten, unerträglich," he ceded. Indeed some things could not be helped.

"Es ist wie es, damit Männer mit einander in Harmonie leben. Um deinen Mit Deutschen zu pflegen, obwohl er vielleicht namenlos und gesichtslos ist... das ist das, was dieses Land in solchen gestörten Zeiten zusammenhält."

Jan looked around the park, doing his best to imprint the image in his memory for when he needed it. When he was in a place with no laughter. No grass. Where everything was snow, and mud. It wasn't like fighting the French, or the British. It didn't have the civility of the Western front. There was no surrender. No mercy. Only cold, uncaring steel. Whethe it be a bayonet or an artillery shell, the steel was always seeking. Seeking for its target. It wasn't a matter of skill. The most skillfull of men would die just as easily as a coward.

It was a matter of time. It wasn't long before men came to the third degree of knowledge. And that was that eventually, they would be killed, if the war didn't end. So a soldier could either throw down his arms, or fight harder to end the war faster. And when Germany and the Soviet Union clashed, two countries who were determined to fight harder, things became messy.


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Translations:

"Ich weiß nicht warum das würde mißbilligen. Ich würde geehrt werden, um in meiner Familie eine Krankenschwester zu haben und ihr Leben riskiert werden, um Soldaten die medizinische Hilfe zu bringen, die sie brauchen,"
"I don't know why the would disapprove. I would be honored to have a nurse in my family, risking her life to bring soldiers the medical aid they need,"

"Das Schicksal? Ja. Ich glaube, daß es war. Ebenso wie es das Schicksal ist, das ich in sechs Tagen Zeit für das Schlachtfeld verlasse,"
"Fate? Yes. I think it was. Just as it is fate that I leave for the front in six days time,"

"Einigen Sachen kann nicht geholfen werden. Mir tut es aber nicht leid. Es ist nur, indem es zurückgeht, daß andere Männer vielleicht zu Hause mit ihren Familien und geliebten bleiben. Wenn ich nicht machte, wäre der Gedanke, daß jemand anderer seinen Hals riskieren würde, um mich nach Hause zu behalten, unerträglich,"
"Some things cannot be helped. I am not sorry though. It is only by going back that other men may stay home with their families and loved ones. If I didn't, the thought that someone else would be risking his neck to keep me home would be unbearable,"

"Es ist wie es, damit Männer mit einander in Harmonie leben. Um deinen Mit Deutschen zu pflegen, obwohl er vielleicht namenlos und gesichtslos ist... das ist das, was dieses Land in solchen gestörten Zeiten zusammenhält."
"It is like so that men live with one another in harmony. To care for your fellow German, even though he may be nameless and faceless... that is what keeps this country together in such troubled times."

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie looked at him sadly.

"Oh Liebe. Nun, ich möchte mit euch zu kommen. Gibt es wirklich nichts, was für mich jetzt. Wir könnten zusammen." Maddie said to him softly gently reaching out and placed a hand on the side Jan's face. She looked up into it and noted all the kindness it expressed. It was true. She had no one here. She could travel with his infantry and nurse the soldiers that were in his company. The horrible truth was she only hoped that she would never have to nurse him.

She continued to stare up at him. She had begun falling for him but she wasn't sure if he had felt the same way. He spoke about the country and she nodded.

"Ich völlig mit ihnen einverstanden" she said nodding furiously.

She kept her arm looped through his and snuggled up against him. He'd been so sweet to the little girl that had been there. Maddie wondered what would become of her. Would she be an old maid? Or married with a family of her own? She was hoping the latter. She shut her eyes and forced these thoughts away. She turned back to Jan.

"Nicht mehr Düstersten Farben. Wo möchten Sie jetzt? Die Nacht ist noch jung können wir verbringen mehr Zeit zusammen" she beamed at him softly, her face inches from his as she waited patiently for him to speak.

Oh Liebe. Nun, ich möchte mit euch zu kommen. Gibt es wirklich nichts, was für mich jetzt. Wir könnten zusammen--oh dear. well i would like to come with you. there is nothing here for me anymore. we could be together.

Ich völlig mit ihnen einverstanden i completely agree with you
Nicht mehr Düstersten Farben. Wo möchten Sie jetzt? Die Nacht ist noch jung können wir verbringen mehr Zeit zusammen--no more doom and gloom. where do you wanna go next? the night is still young. we can spend more time together.

[Deleted]

"Vielleicht könntest du." One could always hope. A part of him wished she could come, and another wishing she would stay as far away from him as possible while he was at the front. If the Russians got hold of a German Nurse, she would be raped non-stop. Passed around like the bottles of foul-smelling vodka they drank. After they had their fun, she would be bayonetted, most likely somewhere painful, and left to bleed out in the snow. Not a very nice fate for anyone.

Looking into her face, he imprinted that on his memory as well. Whatever else happened that night, he would make sure to remember her forever. He had never met anyone quite like her. Easy to talk to. Easy to be around. He didn't have the queasy feeling in his guts when he spoke to her. He didn't mumble or stutter.

"Nicht mehr Düstersten Farben. Wo möchten Sie jetzt? Die Nacht ist noch jung können wir verbringen mehr Zeit zusammen," she said to him, her face quite close to his. He was tempted to kiss her right there. It was rather unbearable being so close to her. Intoxicating.

"Wir konnten immer gehen, sieh das Brandenburg Tor. Nicht viele Leute dort diese Zeit von der Nacht, und sie haben Verändern-von-der-Postenzeremonien für ungefähr zwanzig Minuten. Nicht der romantischste von Anblicken, ich gestehe, aber ich weiß nicht viel fast Berlin," he said, inching closer a little. He could get lost in her eyes and never find his way out. Never want to find his way out.

"Ich weiß wirklich nicht, daß was für ein alter wertlos-Blindgänger wie ich eine charmante und schöne junge Frau wie dich anbieten konnte," he said, inching closer. His nose was touching hers now.

"Ich habe irgendjemand wie dich nie getroffen."




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Translations:

"Vielleicht könntest du."
"Maybe you could."

"Wir konnten immer gehen, sieh das Brandenburg Tor. Nicht viele Leute dort diese Zeit von der Nacht, und sie haben Verändern-von-der-Postenzeremonien für ungefähr zwanzig Minuten. Nicht der romantischste von Anblicken, ich gestehe, aber ich weiß nicht viel fast Berlin,"
"We could always go see the Brandenburg Gate. Not many people there this time of the night, and they have changing-of-the-guard ceremonies in about twenty minutes. Not the most romantic of sights, I confess, but I don't know much about Berlin,"

"Ich weiß wirklich nicht, daß was für ein alter wertlos-Blindgänger wie ich eine charmante und schöne junge Frau wie dich anbieten konnte,"
"I don't really know what an old fuddy-dud like myself could offer a charming and beautiful young woman such as yourself,"

"Ich habe irgendjemand wie dich nie getroffen."
"I've never met anybody like you,"

[Maddie Adler]

Maddie watched as Jan's face inched closer to hers. Her heart hammered in her chest as his nose was practically touching hers now. She took his face in her hands and spoke to him softly.

"Und ich denke, wir sollten ja?" She whispered to him softly.

She chuckled when he mentioned what she would want with an old fuddy duddy like him. She grinned at him broadly.

"Sie sind nicht ein fuddy duddy. Sie sind eine Art, gentleman, ein Mädchen wollen" she said warmly to him. He suggested going to see the Brandenburg Gate. She nodded at that suggestion. She enjoyed his company greatly. Normally she was nervous around handsome men, but not him. She was calm and found he was really easy to talk to as well.

She smiled at him. No one here would miss her so why bother staying? Granted the Russians were another issue. She knew she would probably more than likely be raped and then when she was finished shot and killed somewhere. The image left in her mind was not a pretty picture. She briefly shut her eyes and shivered violently, but it had nothing to do with the cold weather.

"Sicher let's go to the Gate. Ich habe noch nie wirklich gesehen habe." she said brightly to him not removing her hands from the side of her face. She blushed when he said she was charming and beautiful. No one has ever really told her that.
"Vielen Dank. Niemand hat jemals rief mich schöne vor" she admitted blushing.

Und ich denke, wir sollten ja--Then maybe we should yes?
Sie sind nicht ein fuddy duddy. Sie sind eine Art, gentleman, ein Mädchen wollen-You are not a fuddy duddy. You are a kind, gentleman who any girl would want
Sicher let's go to the Gate. Ich habe noch nie wirklich gesehen habe--Sure let's go to the Gate. I've never actually seen it myself.
Vielen Dank. Niemand hat jemals rief mich schöne vor--Thank you. no one has ever called me beautiful before.