Chapter 23: Augen Öffnen Weit Sich. [Eyes Wide Open.]

The next couple of days en route to Athens were filled with conversation, leftover meals from Venice and Alessandro visiting each couple to talk with them. He thought of the gang as "illegitimate aunts and uncles" and were more than willing to keep them company as the train effortlessly made its way on its tracks for their next destination. For one, he got Karl and Anneke to be their humorous, joke-filled selves again, which was his favorite accomplishment.

Meanwhile in their usual train car, Elizabeth looked out the window from where she sat. Across the width of the car, looking out the other window, Florian sat there, his eyes glowing in fascination over the world outside. But after more than enough silence she looked to him, thinking of something that would not only break the silence but also keep him from worse than bored. And then, a smile crossed her face, turning into a grin, as a mental lightbulb went on.

News flash to Florian she thought, you're mine, sugarplum.

"Hey Florian" she spoke, still grinning.

The Roboter blinked and looked to her. "What is it, Eliza?" he asked, wondering about her smile.

"Come over here" she answered. "I've got a challenge for you."

"Oh really?" he remarked, going over to sit next to her.

"Really" she retorted with a proud grin.

"So what is it, then?"

"Simple. A staring contest."

Florian's eyes widened. Wait--WHAT!? he thought, Eliza doesn't do staring contests!! The heck is she goin' on about!? But Elizabeth just smiled smugly.

"Now, seriously, Eliza" the semi-human being said. "You call me over here... just for a staring contest!? What. Is. Up!?"

"Simple" she replied. "There are two rules to this staring contest. Rule number one is, winner gets a kiss from the loser."

Florian grinned to this rule. "Okay, I'm in already!! And rule number two is...?"

"Rule number two is, you can't laugh."

His face quickly sobered. "...at... at all!?" he stammered.

She nodded. "Yep. You can smile. But you can't laugh."

He simply blinked. But she smiled slyly. "Trust me, you know you want to take on this silly little challenge" she taunted.

"Hmph!" he retorted as the two now sat facing each other. "Bring it on, sweet stuff."

"Hey, I'm the one callin' ya sugarplum, sugarplum" she replied with a smirk. With that the staring contest began.

After about five or ten minutes simply staring at each other, Florian broke out into a smirk, while Elizabeth raised a brow and shook her head. Unamused, the semi-human being made a mock-scowling face; in response she rolled her eyes, then stuck out her tongue. His eyes widened for a moment; a smug grin appeared on her face.

This woman is murder on this Roboter's heart! he thought to himself as he shook his head. Then... it was as if he figured it out. Quickly he grinned and then, a second later, broke into a funny face. Undaunted, the usually-well-behaved young lady raised both brows, and a moment later she made a funny face.

Hey, I can be stupid too, you know she thought to herself as the exchange of the funny faces went back and forth for what felt like almost an hour. The funny faces soon turned into mirroring faces as she mirrored whatever face he attempted. Eventually he gave up on the fight and just sat there, somewhat exasperated. And just like that, so did she.

After what felt almost like another hour of simply sitting there, a small smile broke on their faces... and then a giggle at the same moment escaped there once-silent lips. And then the giggle turned into an amusing chorus of laughter as the two laughed without a single care. The contest had ended in the best possible manner; Elizabeth's experiment was a success in every possible sense of it all.

Moments later the train arrived in Athens, where there was an underground shelter at the station. After the gang settled to their rooms for the evening, Florian and Elizabeth sat on the bench at the windowsill, her in his arms, her head on his shoulder. Their faces looked to the city at nighttime, the lights glowing to brighten the ancient city, and on their faces each a content smile.

"Eliza" the mensch-maschine spoke at last.

"Yes, Florian?" she asked, her face now looking up to his.

"Why'd you challenge me to that staring contest?" he asked, an amused smile on his face as he looked to her.

"Because I was bored," she admitted, "and because not only did that give us something to kill time over, it also gave me a chance to do something I usually never do--which was challenging a staring contest."

"But I thought you said you don't do staring contests, Eliza!!" Florian exclaimed in surprise.

"I didn't. At least, for the most part" she replied frankly. "But, sometimes I have to just go off the deep end and do something a little bit different. A bit, if you will, daring."

"Nicht ehrlich, Eliza!!" he laughed. "Not fair!! If you don't do staring contests you shouldn't do that!! That's just not you whatsoever!!"

"I know, I know" she laughed in defense. "I'm sorry I did that." Her laughter then stopped and she fixed her face back to life outside the window, her face now a bit more sober.

The Roboter blinked. Oh my God! he thought to himself, don't tell me what I said offended you!! But she kept silent and, after another moment, stood up.

"Where are you going--" he spoke, but was silent when she turned to face him.

"I'm going to get ready for bed" she replied quietly, but he quickly stood up and grabbed her hand.

"Eliza" he spoke, and she stopped and turned to face him again.

"...yes, Florian?" she asked.

"...I'm sorry if what I said... hurt you in any way" he apologized. "I didn't mean to be offending in any way. I just... I didn't expect you to challenge me the way you did. And... well...

"I actually loved that challenge. I really did. It was just unexpected and fun and humorous as to how long we could keep from bursting out in laughter! It was just... just fun!!

"I just couldn't believe it when you challenged me. And I can't believe it now when my words offended you. And I'm really sorry I said what I said." After his apology he lowered his head, realizing just how much of an idiot he turned himself into.

Elizabeth couldn't help but look at him with a sad smile, squeezing his hand. "Verziehen" she answered quietly. "Forgiven."

Florian lifted his head to face her again, smiling. "Thank you" he said humbly, then pulled her into a hug. But she stared blankly for a moment, wondering if it really was worth the experiment, the attempt at doing something different, to be a bit more than simply a woman whose heart was more set on protecting others than simple humors. Realizing her own failure, she pressed her face against his chest to stiffle the sob that was rising in her chest, the tears that welled in her eyes.

"Eliza--!?" he whispered as his eyes fixed on her. Then he realized what had happened, and he spoke again, smiling sadly.

"You were trying to be a bit more cheerful... to brighten up the silence that was there between us... to do something different. You were tired of simply being someone known for caring about others, for having no sense of humor, and so you wanted to do something different...

"Yet every time you attempt it, it seems to backfire in the end because someone had to chastize you about who you are and how you're supposed to behave.

"I just triggered those memories, didn't I?"

But she gave no answer as he pulled away for a moment to look at her face, his hands on her shoulders. Her eyes were closed, her face just solemn as tears spilt down her cheeks. She simply stood there, silent in her own manner. He was right, but she didn't tell him this. He knew he was right, and that she didn't have to tell him. Finally she opened her eyes and lifted them to his, a twinge of anger in her own.

Florian gave up whatever words he wanted to say at that moment and simply held her against his chest again, as she sobbed quietly. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth... I'm so sorry" he whispered gently, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..."



After what felt like a few hours the semi-human being finally pulled away again to look at her face. There was only one tear this time, and that tear he wiped away with his thumb. Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked at his hand that wiped that last tear, then up at his face. His heart still filled with regret over his actions, he kissed her forehead.

"What was that for, Florian?" she asked in a hushed whisper.

"Because I'm still sorry, and because I owe you a handful more kisses" he replied.

"How so?" she inquired, raising a brow.

"Because" he answered, holding her face in his hands, "you said the winner gets a kiss from the loser, remember?"

"Yes but, we both ended up laughing at the same time!" she retorted, her face still a bit somber.

"I know but, after all that's happened here, I've given up this round" he admitted. "And anyway, I'd rather I'd lose to you any day, gladly given up the fight, because I love you dearly--and because I'm still sorry."

After a moment of silence she sighed... and gave a small, lopsided smile. "Y'got a point there, Sugarplum" she answered.

He blinked for a moment--"Wait a minute--Sugarplum!?" he asked with a laugh. "Whatever gave you the whim to call me that!?"

"Earlier. On the train. When the idea for the challenge came to my head" she answered with a grin.

"Oh dear God" he said, shaking his head. "I remember that damn grin. You had that grin of pride on there, like you knew you wanted to start something surprising.

"I swear, I am never, ever going to question that move again, now that I've figured out the why of it."

"Well then, good!" she affirmed with a nod. "Now, what did you say about owing me a kiss?"

He pressed his forehead against hers. "Keep in mind I rightfully lost this round.

"However..."

"...however?" she asked with a raised brow.

"...next round" he declared with a proud grin, "you're mine, Shortcake!!"

With an amused smile she shook her head and sighed. Words were not needed afterwards as he gladly pressed his lips against hers in a sweet gesture of defeat from the staring contest earlier in the evening.

Chapter 22: Das Alphabet des Verliebens. [The Alphabet of Falling in Love.]

A couple of hours had passed since the game of Truth or Dare had ended, the couples dispersed with Alessandro keeping Fritz company, and the sun had finally set on an otherwise exciting day onboard the Trans-Europa. In one train car sat Florian and Elizabeth, who sat there quietly to recover from all the insanity that had happened. The Roboter had his arm around her, while she rested her head on his shoulder. While he kept his eyes to life outside the window, her eyes were closed as she was half-asleep.

Finally, Florian spoke--"Eliza?"

Elizabeth opened one eye to look at him. "What is it, Florian?"

With a smile he looked to her. "A is for admirable, B is for brains, C is for cute, D is for darling, E is for educated, F is for fearless."

"Oh my God, Florian" she said with a soft laugh. "You're actually attempting the dare!!"

He nodded and continued. "G is for graceful, H is for human, I is for interesting, J is for judgemental, K is for kind, L is for laughter, M is for... erm... M is for..."

"M is for Marissa, which is my middle name" she added with a proud grin.

He blinked. "Really!? I didn't know that...!"

She shrugged. "Just ask Johanne!!"

He shrugged also. "Anyway!" he said, continuing where he left off. "M is for Marissa, N is for nowhere-near-normal, O is for off-the-wall, P is for pretty, Q could go for quite precise, R is for really cute, S is for the staring contests we almost always seem to have, T is for trains, U is for unusual, V is for very dear, W is for wonderful, X is in the word fix, Y is in the word snarky, and Z stands for what you're not: a zebra!"

Elizabeth laughed and applauded Florian for a job well done on his alphabet.

Meanwhile in another train car...

"Wolfgang, have you figured out anything?"

"About what, Reki?"

"I don't know. I just... about anything. I don't know."

Her boyfriend held her tightly in both arms as the two looked outside the window. "I know that..." he said, "A is for amazing, B is for bright, C is for courageous, D is for dearest, E is for enlightning, F is for fantabulous--which you are, by the way."

She grinned at him. "And you're quite the goober!"

"Thank you for the letter G, sweetheart!!" he laughed, kissing her forehead. "And H is for heartwarming, I is for imitable--which you're not, because there's no one to be you except for you. And J is for jumpy, K for your sugary-sweet kisses, L is for lovable, M is for mornings I wake up to see your smiling face, N is for...

"...uhm..."

"N is for Novalee, which is my middle name!" she giggled.

"Holy cow, Reki!" Wolfgang exclaimed. "Nice middle name."

"Thank you, honey" Rebekah replied, kissing the tip of his nose.

He continued, but not before wiggling his nose out of humor. "Alright--O is for outside-the-lines, P is for perfect shooting aim, Q is for quiet, R is for your bold red hair, S is for sweetness, T is for trusting me for who I am, U is for unusual because it's unusual for a sweet girl like you to love a former playboy like me... V is for a very, VERY darling girl, W is for the world I'd surrender just to stay yours, X is in the word sexy because... well, you just KNOW you are!! Y is in the word sassy, because you can be at times too--and that's alright with me! And Z... well... it's the last letter of the alphabet but..."

"...but?" she said, raising a brow with an amused smile.

"...but you'll always be the first in my heart" he admitted with a blush.

"...aww" she said softly, and hugged him tightly. "Those were the best ABC's I ever heard." He smiled back at her, hugging her close to him, proud at himself as if he wrote the best love letter in the world.

In another car, Karl and Anneke kept their silence for the most part, which was uncharacteristic of the two. For one, they were a bit exhausted after all the madness that the day could've overrun them with. For another, they had said all that was needed to be said when they spent the night together in the abandoned park in Venice. But sitting quietly against the wall, the Roboter stretched out his legs and rested them on the other chair. His beloved, meanwhile, had sat across from him, looking out another window.

Yet as Karl's eyes fixed to the brown-eyed princess of pranks who sat across from him, his soul was moved. How on earth did his heart ever get to be so strung through and through for someone he knew only a handful of weeks, maybe even a couple of months? He wasn't sure how but, when his eyes met hers, ever since their eyes first met, he'd felt a strange yet marvelous linking at the heart with hers--even though, for the moment, he was rewired without a heart.

"Anya" he whispered, and a second later the girl's eyes darted from the window to him. He blinked and gave a small half smile. Returning the smile she got up from her seat and walked to him. He stood up and hugged her tightly.

"A is for Anya" he whispered, kissing her after each letter, "B is for your braids, C is for your confession, D is for being downright daring, E is for the brown eyes I always gladly drown in, F is for friendship, G is for your bashful grin, H is for the heart whose beating I count my seconds in joyful sleep."

Anneke closed her eyes listening to his words, a sweet smile on her face which itself was adorned by light kisses from the one she loved. Karl was apparently attempting the dare yet, whatever surprises came out of his mouth, she loved and took in every word, every embrace and every kiss. It dawned on her that, apparently, he was still lost in the memory of the night she confessed her love.

"I is for inventive, J is for a joyful company of friends, K is for the knuckles that fight in defense of innocence, L is for being lost in laughter whenever I'm with you... M for the memories made so far since we've met, N for the new memories that are yet to be made, O is for... Ophelia, isn't it?" he asked, his eyes meeting hers for a moment.

She nodded. "Yep. You got it. Ophelia. My middle name."

"See, I told you I was paying attention!!" he retorted with a grin.

"You goofball" she laughed softly.

"But meanwhile..." he resumed, "O for Ophelia... P is for purple, Q is for quirky, R is for the ribbons that adorned your hair, S is for the sweetest soul that I'm glad to be with, T is for the tears you cry that I'm more than happy to wipe away, W is for these silly little whispers... X is in the word extremely which goes with 'I'm extremely happy to be with you', Y is for younger-at-heart-than-not, and Z... well, I don't know what we can find with that letter."

But Anneke didn't say a word in reply, but instead held his face in her hands and kissed him on the lips. Karl blinked for a moment over what she had done, and realizing that words were not worthy of saying how she felt, held her tightly to drown for that moment.

Meanwhile Ralf and Johannes talked much of the afternoon away, the conversation ranging from the moment they met to their time together in Venice.

"You know, all that we've been through, it's got me inspired finally" Ralf said wistfully, smiling to Johannes.

"Inspired to do what?" she asked.

"Well, let see" he answered, thoughtfully. "A is for adorable, B is for beautiful, C is for your cheerful smile, D is for this crazy Dare, E is for your enchanting face, F is for the flowers that graced your hair in Venice yesterday..."

"Oh Lordy" she sighed with a giggle.

"...G is for your grace that inspires and captures me, H is for the hope we both share for the sake of Eastern Europe, I is for that infectious giggle!!" he continued, stopping only to giggle with her. She held him to her.

"Oh please" she spoke, "do keep up with your humorous words, Ralf!"

"Gladly!" he responded. "J is for Johannes, that dear sweet little angel who, though blind, can see the world around her. K is for the knowledge that you rightfully possess, L is for the love we've found for each other in each other, M is for missing your company yesterday because I talked with Florian too much!! N is for naptime together well spent, O is the openheartedness, P is for pink which is the color of your cheeks, Q is for the quick-hearted intuition that only you have. And R is for that really jawdropping outfit you wore yesterday!!"

Johannes grinned proudly. "Well, my sis said Mama had made the outfit just for me. And, although I cannot see it, I can feel it. I actually feel a bit like a princess in that outfit. I rarely ever wear it, and I'm glad that Elizabeth saved the outfits Mama made for me."

Ralf held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. "And rightly so, as you are my princess, and no one else's... well, except for your sister of course, but still."

She snuggled up to him. "Please do finish the alphabet, pretty please" she begged with a giggle. Hugging her to him the mensch-maschine smiled and continued.

"S is for your middle name Seraphim, T is for the truth of angels among us, U is for this unlikely yet undeniably nice romance, V is your vibrant soul, W is for words that sometimes need not be said but felt. I can't really think of anything for X but I do know one for Y, and Y is for you, because as Dr. Suess said, 'there is no one alive who is youer than you'! And Z... I can't really think of one for Z either..."

But Ralf's thinking-through was interrupted when Johannes, sparked by her intuition, placed a finger to his lips. He blinked for a moment while she smiled and, wrapping her arms around him, spoke up in reply--

"A is for awesome, B is for brilliant, C for cuddly, D for dreams, E for endearing, F for funny, G for gracious, H for humble."

The semi-human being blinked and continued to listen to her, eyes widened in surprise.

"I for intriguing, J for joyful, K for my knight in suit for armor, L for love that knows no bounds, M for the music that raises up hope" she continued, smiling contentedly. "N for the joyful noise of birds that sing, O for the one whose heart beats inside me, P for the patience to be there for me. Q for the quiet ways of letting me know I'm loved, R for romantic--just like Ralf, my Roboter. S for the smiles that warm my soul, T for taking my heart and soul just as I am. U for unexpected but mostly pleasant surprises, V for my Valentine, W for the whimsey I can't find in anyone else. I'll agree on X and Z, but I'll also agree about Y--for YOU!"

Ralf smiled and, hugging her tightly, cheered. "Now THAT was what I call a good alphabet!!" But Johannes just smiled, held his face in his hands, and planted kisses along his cheeks.

"I do silly things like that" she explained "because no other force greater than love will make me do this. Love makes people do what no one would ever expect."

The half-human robot then stood up carefully and, helping his beloved stand up, held her face in his hands, and smiled sweetly.

"Then, I suppose, it's enough to allow us to be the unexpected, then?" he asked.

She nodded lightly. "Y-yes, for love is the only force that can help make this chaotic world whole... or at least, in my opinion anyway. And the string that ties hearts in love to each other, no matter what the distance. With love, the distance is immeasurable, as it does not matter."

His own feelings for her overwhelmed him slightly and, leaning against the wall, he pulled her over to him and hugged her tightly. "I pray that there be no distance between us then, Johanna" he whispered before taking her face in his hands. "And even now I fear that words are not enough to say whatever else I wanted to say."

But Johannes wrapped her arms around his waist and blinked for a moment, her usually cold gray eyes adorned with a spark of love. "Words need not be said," she whispered. "In times like these no words are needed."

"And I truly believe it, mein liebe" he whispered as he lowered his lips to kiss her still-smiling mouth.

Chapter 21: Wahrheit, Trauen und Umstand.. [Truth, Dare, and Circumstance.]

The gang all found themselves in a humorous game of Truth or Dare a few moments after Florian joined the lot, as Karl dared Wolfgang to admit to the gang how much he loves Rebekah.

"Well... more than Andelina's sugar cookies, that's for sure!" was the electrodrummer's reply, with a bashful grin to adorn his face. His next target was Johannes, and she was dared to figure out whose hands held hers. The mess of it was, it wasn't Ralf's, so she had to think for a moment before agreeing to the dare. When Florian's hands held hers she closed her gray eyes for a moment. Opening them she squeezed them for a moment.

"Certainly not Ralf's... yet similar to Elizabeth's... and it's not any of the Robots or the girls..." she said softly. "I believe they belong to Florian?"

Laughs abound, Florian nodded. "You got it, those are mine!" he confirmed. Wolfgang's jaw dropped as the blind woman smiled and picked Ralf for the challenge. When he chose Truth over Dare, she asked him what his favorite pasttime was.

"Either it was playing with robots or hanging out with the guys" he recalled, "but the piano lessons were a pain in the neck!!"

"Oh, those were the days" Florian chuckled, shaking his head.

Ralf then smiled to Alessandro, who was then picked to choose either of. After opting for the Dare, the mensch-maschine dared the boy to sing a German folk song. Alessandro, with a grin, began to sing Die Gedanken sind frei in a clear voice...

Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch, mein Begehren kann niemand verwehren,
es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei, die Gedanken sind frei!

Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen
und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich bin nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Cheers and applause from the gang to Alessandro filled the train car, the child smiled to the guys. "Ralf, Karl, Wolfgang, Florian... Truth or Dare?" he asked.

After a quick glance and a quick nod, all four said in a firm voice, "DARE!"

The boy grinned. "I dare you four to put together an alphabet for your girlfriends," he said, "to be done within the week!"

The girls giggled, the guys blinked. Alessandro just smiled.

Chapter 20: DURCHLAUF!! [RUN!!]

Another morning in Venice. All was well. All was quiet.

Until the sun broke through.

"EVERYONE!! CODE RED!!" Karl's voice sounded through the entire hideout as he ran through the halls, knocking on the doors. "We gotta go, guys!!"

"Was ist es, Karl!?" Florian asked as he poked his head around the corner from his room.

"Darkstrom Troopers have stormed the city. We need to get the hell out of here. NOW."

"...fucking hell. EVERYBODY OUT!!"

In half an hour all had showered and were dressed, packed up, and swiftly en route to the Trans-Europa station. Johannes tapped her Übermittler on the hand that was held by Ralf. Quickly switching hands she spoke onto the transmitter.

"Herr Fritz?"

"Johannes!! Dear child, how are you?" the Conductor spoke.

"We are on our way to the station now," she said.

"Why so early, have you even had breakfast?" he asked.

"No."

"Why not!?"

"Enemy forces are storming the city. Get the Trans-Europa ready."

Fritz's eyes widened. His resolve returned and he nodded. "Consider it done, Miss Johannes. We'll leave as soon as all are ready."

"Thanks, Fritz" she answered, then spoke up louder so that Ralf and the gang could hear her. "I just notified Fritz of the situation. He's getting the train ready. As soon as all is ready we're out of here."

"Smart thinking, sis" replied Elizabeth with a smile. "Thank you."

Suddenly shots were fired and, as Karl, being the one to watch out the rear of the gang, turned his head another shot was fired. The Troopers were firing into the city.

"Son of a bitch!" Karl shouted. "Everyone, RUN!!"

Ralf carried Johannes in his arms while the rest of the couples ran hand in hand to escape the madness and get to the station. A bullet dodging them, particularly Wolfgang, Rebekah glared at the officer that shot the bullet, and looked to Anneke.

"Annie, the gun, please" she asked. Her friend nodded and, handing her the gun, kept running with the others. Rebekah carefully aimed the gun at the officer, who was shooting at an innocent child, and fired a shot into the officer's head. It only hit his neck, and with a low growl she fired one more shot. A perfect hit, and the officer slumped to his death. Quickly the child ran to the gang, and Rebekah took the child in her arms and ran to catch up to the others.

"Where is your mother, little one?" the resident child of the Quartet asked.

"Mama and Papa died. Bad guy almost killed me" the little boy answered.

Tears filled the usual coward's eyes. How could the bastards of the Darkstrom leave children to be orphaned? It wasn't fair. Even to not have anyone to look out after them. Elizabeth and Johannes were lucky to have her and Anneke look out after them. But this dear, parentless boy...

"What's up with the child, Rebekah?" Fritz asked as the gang entered the station.

"An enemy officer was trying to shoot him down" she explained. "His parents were killed. They could've been killed by that same officer too."

"Wait" Johannes spoke in a soft voice. "That voice... is familiar to me."

The boy looked up at the blind woman. "I remember you from yesterday. The kind lady with the gray eyes!" Immediately his face lit up. "Thank you again for getting down my kite for me!"

Carefully she knelt down to catch the dear embrace of the boy, who smiled. "I remember you too. Especially your voice. I didn't know you have no parents."

"They died because they were metà-robot, half-robot. The mean people killed my parents because they would not respect them. I refuse to respect them. They don't like our kind."

Johannes' eyes widened. "Wait a minute--you mean your parents were mensch-maschinen also?"

The child nodded. "Yes. As I am too. Parents almost died while Mama was pregnant with me. They became man-machines. I was born a man-machine."

The eyes of the gang filled with tears. The child hugged the blind woman tightly, but she hugged him gently. She didn't know what to think.

"I... I'm sorry, little one" she whispered.

"It is okay, Miss..." the child answered, unsure of her name.

"It's Johannes" she said with a kind smile.

"Thank you again, Miss Johannes" the boy spoke. "I am Alessandro."

"Well Alessandro, Venice isn't a safe place anymore, I hate to admit it."

"I do not care, I just want to go away from these mean people. I'm scared to die."

"There's gotta be something we can do, guys" Wolfgang said, looking to the others. "But what can we do? seems to be the proper question for the moment."

"He could tag along with us for a bit of ways" Karl suggested.

"Are you insane!?" exclaimed Florian.

"Well God forbid Alessandro stays in this hell and gets killed!! Don't forget he's one of us, Florian!!" the percussionist shot back at the flutist with a glare. "And I myself be damned that he stays here on his own and without a single help. He's going with us."

"And all of a sudden we're a daycare, Karl?!" the flutist retorted.

"It's better than the hell this city's become" Ralf answered quietly. "You wouldn't leave anyone of us fellow Roboter behind now, would you?"

His best friend nodded. "I wouldn't leave anyone of you behind even if it meant my own soul."

"And you wouldn't leave Miss Elizabeth and the girls behind, even though they're only human, right?"

"Right."

"Then why Alessandro, when he himself has no parents because he AND his parents all are just like us? I wouldn't leave my own child stuck in this miserable chaos, surrounded by death's soldiers. Would you?"

"No, I wouldn't if it was my child."

Ralf glared at Florian. "Then, if the child stays behind in hell, so will I."

Ralf's best friend looked at him in shock. Then he shook his head. "You... you wouldn't, would you?"

"I would, even though he's not my own son. But he is of the same thread. We mensch-maschinen have to stick together through this mess. And I'll be damned if we leave Alessandro behind to die in the hands of the Darkstrom.

"So, will the child be left behind?"

Florian sighed. "No, the child won't be left behind."

"Good" Ralf replied. "Then neither will I. Conductor Fritz, the child's coming along with us. We'll find a safe family for him to stay with at the next stop."

Fritz nodded. "You got it, Ralf. Plus, the child could be a blessing to others, since he's got a new chance to live."

Alessandro smiled at Ralf. "Thank you, Sir!!" he exclaimed, hugging Ralf's knees. The Roboter hoisted up the young one and hugged him as the gang all boarded the Trans-Europa.

Along the way to the next station at Athens, Greece, Florian sat by himself, not wanting to sit with the happy lot. He feared that he had unnecessarily angered the gang with his comments. For the most part, he only thought about himself and the gang, and was unsure about anyone else. But his train of thought derailed when a young voice spoke.

"Mister Ralf asked why you are not sitting with the others, Mister Florian."

Florian blinked and his eyes met those of Alessandro, and a sad smile crossed his face.

"I'm sorry I made those comments earlier, little one" he spoke carefully. "I didn't quite consider you one of us at the time. But when I give it some thought, a mensch-maschine is a mensch-maschine no matter what age. You're a fellow soul. I have no right to say things against one of our own."

The child-robot then hugged the adult-robot, in a kind gesture of goodwill. "It is alright, Mister Florian" he spoke in his childlike voice. "We all get mad over stupid stuff, as Papa reminded me and Mama sometimes. Sometimes you need time to think it over, get over it, and move on."

Florian smiled and hugged him back. "I guess sometimes it takes a child for me to figure out what needs to be taken care of" he said, as the child nodded back.

"Now, come on, Mister Florian" the child said, taking him by the hand. "Everyone is waiting for you!!" And with a smile he led Florian to the rest of the gang to join in the conversation.

Chapter 19: Eine Einfachere Freude Haben Überfluss. [A Simpler Joy Abound.]

"ANNIE!! The hell were you two all night!?"

Rebekah jumped into the arms of her older friend, who hugged her with a small laugh. Karl watched as the eyes of the gang turned to the couple, who had finally walked through the door of the hideout. Wolfgang raised a brow to him.

"Alright children, you got some explaining to do" he said.

"Bite me, quirkface" the percussionist retorted.

"Come on you two" Florian said, somewhat exasperated with their quarrelsome behavior. As usual.

Anneke looked to Rebekah. "Rekah, get Miss Andy on the phone. Pronto. I need to talk to her." The younger girl nodded and called up Andelina back in Vienna.

"Andelina? ...hey, how've you been? ...yeah, uhm... Anneke's got a bit of a dilemma to ask you about. I'm putting you on speaker, alright?"

On that note, Rebekah turned the speaker/videophone on. A moving image of Andelina came on the screen. "Alright, is this thing on?" the Viennese Clandestinian asked. She then saw on her phone screen the faces of the gang.

"Suh-weeet!! Hello there, Anneke, how've you been?"

"I've been well, danke" the resident goofball replied. "Listen, I sort of have a question... for you. I met this particular person last evening at a park--she wore a cloak. Had me give something to Rekah, which I still have in my locket."

"What was so strange about her, Annika?" Andelina asked.

"She... she looked like you, Andy" Anneke replied. "She gave me this to hand to Rekah--" She then took out the Mizpah coin. "It was this she wanted to give me to Rekah and Wolfgang."

The woman gasped. "That was... I recognize that coin."

"She said her name was Rinalee..."

"--Rinyalena!? My own Rinalee!?"

The young lady blinked back tears. "You mean... the child I met... who wore a black cloak..."

"Did she wear a white outfit with stars on it?"

"Yes. She did, Andy."

"What were the stars' color? Did her cloak have any lining..."

"The stars and the cloak's inner lining were blue. And there was a cross... between her eyes..."

Andelina's eyes overflowed with tears. "You've met her... you've been blessed... all of you..."

"What happened!?" Rebekah asked, running to the phone.

"Annika has met my daughter, and my child has a gift for you."

Anneke smiled as she handed the Mizpah coin to Rebekah, who looked at it. Wolfgang joined the two, looking to the phone's screen.

"...I remember... she wore this all the time" he asked.

"She wanted you and Rekah to have it" the goofball explained. "She saw no further reason to wear it after her death, so she gave it to me to deliver it to you two."

Rebekah hugged her friend. "But you're even more blessed!! You got to meet Rinalee!! And how often is it that we are blessed with the sight of angels!?"

"She's right, you know" agreed Andelina. Anneke smiled.

After the conversation, Elizabeth looked to her childhood friend. "I just noticed... how different you look without your braids."

The friend blinked and looked to her. "Oh... yeah... well... let's just say Karl had his way with the braids last night" she explained with a wry half-smile.

Her best friend smiled. "Well, you do look rather lovely without 'em."

Meanwhile Florian explained that the wheel on the train was fixed but it would take another day to fully set. Which meant another day in Venice, which was fine for all involved. After the meeting, the gang, in couples, dispersed to prepare for the day. And that meant a much-needed shower for Karl and Anneke, which they took separately to primp and pretty up.

Later on in the afternoon Johannes found her way back to her room in the hideout. For the most part Ralf was concerned about picking up stuff for the trip back on the Trans-Europa and talked more to Florian on the Übermittler, while all she did was walk alongside him, holding on to his hand that held the bags of what-not. Trying to talk to him became hopeless and, quietly, she let go of his hand and found her way back to the hideout--all while Ralf concerned himself over the train and the conversation with his best friend.

Lying down on her bed, she tried to sleep, looking back on all she had gone through so far. Before she'd met Ralf, it was her, Elizabeth, and their two best friends Anneke and Rebekah. Now the girls had apparently found themselves boyfriends. But even then Johannes had found herself to doubt whatever it was that she and Ralf had found in each other. He could see. She couldnt. But he was kind and caring enough to understand she was blind, that the odds of sight were well against her. It wasn't her fault that she was born blind, he noticed.

Yet, her fears were that she was a bit more "high-maintenance" because of this.

"Fräulein Johannes!? Are you here!? Are you alright!?"

Ralf's voice echoed through the hideout as he returned after sunset and, putting away the stuff he had found for the gang's trip on the train, he looked around. Taking off his coat and tie he hung them over a chair in the dining room and walked around, his eyes on alert and top two buttons loosened after a long day outside. Finally he noticed the door to her room was open. Quietly he walked in and closed the door, then turned to see the young woman asleep, turned on her side, facing the window. Her back to the door.

"...Fräulein Johannes?" he whispered softly. When she didn't say a word he lied down beside her on the bed and wrapped an arm around her. Yet still she didn't react. It worried him. How could a young blind woman, so unnotable no matter what had happened, suddenly cause a semi-human being to go weak in his resolve?

"Johanna... please... speak to me" he whispered in her ear. Giving up at last on the effort he spoke no more until she moved, her eyes still shut in slumber, to turn over on her side so that she faced him. What he saw and finally noticed about her blew him away.

Her bright face was slightly pale, her long wavy black hair adorned with flowers that were strewn about in the wind. A black longsleeved corset top decorated with lace and ribbons, black skirt that reached to her ankles to match. Her black boots did justice to the outfit, which in itself did justice to her as a whole.

Ralf looked her over in a small case of shock. This usually wasn't what she wore!! he thought to himself; Usually it was her black and red coat, gray skirt. But not... not this. How'd he not notice what she wore? How could he? Was he that overly concerned with Florian that he completely forgot about her until he noticed she was no longer walking beside him?

But she didn't speak a word, nor did she open her eyes.

Soon his feelings got the better of him and, his arms still wrapped around her, started planting kisses along her cheeks and jaw, down her neck and along her shoulder. He never meant to have neglected her the way he did earlier. He didn't mean to; he didn't want to. And he'd gladly surrendered his entire being to her if she but dared to say the word. Yet even without her asking, he'd willingly do it, because he loved her dearly.

Finally she opened her grey, lifeless eyes and, as his kisses trailed along the side of her neck again, wrapped her arms around him and held him to her tightly. In her heart she felt his remorse for the way he acted to her during the day. Noting her reaction Ralf looked up at her, trying to find the eyes. But he gave up that effort and kissed her along her ear.

"Johanna... I'm sorry... I'm sorry" he whispered softly, unable to say anything else. Yet not another word was needed as she closed her eyes and, her mind and heart serving as the eyes she never had, trailed a hand along to his neck, and then along to the collar of his shirt. Mental reminders replayed a bit in her head, and she took note of what her fingers ran through. But he also took notice and trailed a finger to her hand.

"What is is, Johanna?" he asked quietly.

"I would've hoped... that I could at least find some way to hand you half of my heart... so that at least you have a heart beating inside of you" she answered, her voice calm and her mind and heart least bit concerned with her well-being. But Ralf knew better than to let Johannes jeopardize her own life just because she loved him.

"Johanna..." he whispered, unable to think of what else to say. Giving up whatever words would've been spoken he had her lie on her back, then lied on top of her and held her tightly to him. She too held him tightly, her hands gently clenching his shirt. Finally, he spoke again.

"Fräulein Johannes... I told you once before, I'll tell you this again" he spoke softly. "I have a heart. It beats inside of you.

"I'm sorry I left you a bit worse than just by the wayside. I didn't think you'd just quietly up and head back here on your own. When I noticed you weren't beside me, I panicked for a moment because I was worried of what might've happened to you.

"I am so sorry, Johanna..." he mourned sadly.

But Johannes wouldn't worry herself over this as she held him tightly again and ran a finger to find his mouth. When she had done so she tried to kiss him, but he held her hand in his and rested her head against the pillow again.

"It's okay, my love, it's okay" he whispered, "I'm here."

"...and I believe it," she replied. But whatever more words she had died when his lips pressed onto hers and stayed there. She blinked for a moment, the shock lightly surging her every nerve, but then the shock subsided and, what was a moment of What the hell just happened!? became a moment of peaceful and unspeakable bliss. Sure, this was meant to happen to anyone, or so she thought. But the longer the moment lasted, the more she realized that he proved she no longer had the longing to be alone, that her fears that no one could love a blind woman were meant to fade to misery's dust and ashes. A small but warm smile graced her mouth as the kiss lingered, and she realized in her heart that, truly, he loved her so much more than anyone else he'd known... that his heart, or at the least his soul, rightly belonged to her, as her heart rightly belonged to him.

Ralf finally broke the kiss to catch his breath, his eyes fixed on the gray eyes that adorned the face of the one he loved. Johannes just smiled, her heart feeling a little bit light.

"Can I confess to you something, Johanna?" Ralf whispered in her ear.

"Yes, please tell me" she requested gently.

"I've finally realized that I love you very much" he said softly before planting a kiss on her ear.

"And I love you just as much" she admitted, still smiling, as she turned her head to kiss his lips. But he held her face with one hand, her body draped in black with the other hand, and kissed her cheeks before returning to her now slightly pink lips. The smile stayed upon her as she held him to her. Hours would've passed, the rest of the gang would've had dinner and talked some more until they went to bed. All of this would've happened, and Ralf and Johannes could not have even noticed, not even if all the world stood still. For the moment, the world outside her room wouldn't matter.

Midnight crossed through as the two finally spoke again.

"Remember when Rebekah asked about how often is it that we are blessed with the sight of angels?" Johannes asked.

"Ja, I remember" Ralf answered. "Why?"

"Because these past couple of months, I've felt I've been with the dearest angel that I could've been blessed with, and I'm blind!" She smiled warmly.

"Who, mein Fräulein Johannes?"

"You, Ralf."

Her heart tweaked with kindness, a sleepy smile crossed her beloved's face, and he kissed her forehead. Wrapping their arms around each other, the two whispered "I love you", closed their eyes, and went to sleep.

Chapter 18: Erinnerungen. [Recollections.]

The sun had risen when Anneke opened her deep brown eyes and looked around for a moment. Flowers everywhere, just as the night before. Dew had sparkled the empty park with a sense of sweetness. To the side were four purple ribbons and a coat. At another point near her was a camera. The park looked even more beautiful in the morning glow than during the night previous. Finally, she looked to her right, where still asleep was someone she had at first thought of as a dear friend before realizing that, there was something so much more than just their friendship.

Quietly she lied back down beside him, her eyes fixed to the sky. How the hell did she luck out to be with someone who could find a joke in almost anything, let alone have a serious side to him with a quiet, snarky attitude that was overrun by his kindness? How the hell did even her best friends luck out, given the circumstances they grew up in, the dilemmas they suffered through together? Somehow, either there had to be a mistake, or it was about time they had enough of relying solely on each other. She blinked away the tears that welled up her eyes, and turned on her side to look at her sleeping companion.

She glanced for a moment to the four purple ribbons that were once, all her life, a part of her past she could never erase. Ever since she was a little girl, her light brown hair was mostly loose, all but two braids in four purple ribbons that got replaced every couple of months. Father always tied two sections of her hair, equally separated and divided, into ponytails, and braided them. She'd hold the braid together while Father tied the bottom ribbons to seal the braids tight. The ribbons would hold--she swore that she'd rather die than have anyone see her without the braids that set her apart from anyone else.

But that night, beneath the stars, in a lonely park in the near-outskirts of Venice, she faced her own fears, her own vulnerability. And for the first time since the days of childhood when her Father would braid her hair every morning until she was able to fix her hair herself, someone else saw her in a new light, a unique standpoint.

Someone had the courage to undo a part of her existence.

Das Mädchen mit purpurroten Bändern für Flechten, boys in school would call her. The girl with purple ribbons for braids. But she never let the namecalling get to her, at least in their presence, and would reply with a snarky comment to counteract to their insults. But watching her friend Rebekah suffer in silence over the haunting chaos of the boys, she swore off even the nicest guy asking her out for coffee. She couldn't run the risk, as people knew she was one of the three girls who protected what people at times called das Kind von Blindheit. The child of blindness.

But he who undid the braids... he saw in her what no one else could. Whatever he saw in her, he loved dearly. He told her so the night before, when she ended up in a situation that she never realized could've existed. She was a strange goofball, her sense of humor could've kept her friends laughing for hours. But she was also always prepared for anything.

Or so, she thought she was. But she was nowhere near prepared for what happened to her that night, when the braids at last came undone and she was willingly unable to stop whatever was going on.

Finally her gaze fell to her still-slumbering companion, still dressed except his shirt was no longer tucked in. She still wore his tie, wondering if she should tie it back on him, but the thought perished as she turned on her back to face the morning sky again.

Why'd I let him love me this way?

The thought crossed her mind as she closed her eyes, crossing her arms behind her head as a pillow. Why did she allow him to be with her, when she'd shunned at the thought of love nearly all of her life? What was it about him that brought her to lowering just about all of her defenses? Was it the way they connected in a way they couldn't connect with anyone else? Did they see something in each other past the silly reputations, the humorous laughter in front of and behind the cameras? She couldn't really think much more on the matter, until she felt someone's head rest against her heart, arms wrapped around her tightly. But she didn't open her eyes right away--she knew whose mind was well set against the love of his angel, whose arms wouldn't let go of her for even all the world.

Her beloved meanwhile kept his eyes on her, and finally moved to rest on top of her, holding her face in his hands. Finally, unable to think straight anymore, she opened her eyes to meet his, unsure of what was going on, yet liking whatever was going on.

"Karl" she whispered quietly, her mind still numbed from the daze of the night previous, "how long... have you been in love with me?"

He smiled. "For a while. Problem was, I wasn't sure of myself, let alone how you felt, so I kept to myself and still admired you--

...no, admire no longer does justice for how I feel about you anymore."

She blinked for a moment. "What do you mean... by that?"

"What I mean is, admiration has turned into love" he explained. "I'd hoped you felt the same."

"I do feel the same. I did then. I wasn't sure though, because I was afraid."

"No, angel, no" he whispered, "I can't see any reason why your past should attempt to take over what brighter future waits.

"That and, I'm afraid I love you too much to ever want to leave you."

His hands found hers, and clasped them tightly. He touched his nose to hers and smiled.

"You know, I bet that if I were to kiss you you'd end up with your fingers gone numb... just like last night" he said coyly.

Anneke, now slightly amused, raised a brow. "Oh really?" she asked.

"Mmhmm" Karl answered in reply.

A giggle finally escaped her lips, but it was a soft one, not the usual fit-happy laugh she usually had. Her hands still in his, the mensch-maschinr kissed along her left ear, near the scar she had suffered. Meanwhile her giggled softly quieted down, and she smiled contentedly, basking in his affection. This wasn't what she had grown to know as a child or teenager, but it was definitely something she could get used to.

After a while longer she took his face in her hands and smiled. "By the way, you're the first person since my Father who's ever seen me without my braids and ribbons" she said softly. Karl blinked, slightly stunned, but she still smiled.

"You should realize that, it's an honor. I don't even let Elibeth see me without 'em!" she noted.

His shock died down, and he smiled back, hugging her tightly. Then his eyes met hers again.

"My dearest Anya" he whispered. "My angel, my princess."

Words were finally rendered useless as his lips met hers, and she wasn't sure if either her lips smiled into the kiss or if her heart did. But whatever her heart was feeling, however strong or sweet it felt, whatever it was, she felt it was very, very nice...

Chapter 17: Geständnisse. [Confessions.]

Damnit Anneke!! she mentally cursed herself. Now you've got yourself stuck in a situation you probably didn't want!!

...or maybe that you wanted more than you thought.

With a sigh she gave up whatever battle could've started by her resistance, and looked him square in the eyes.

"If... if I were to tell you everything that was in my heart... about you" she started, "I fear we'd be here all night and not be back at the hideout until dawn."

"But" he counteracted, "isn't that what you really wanted?"

She blinked. By damn, he was right.

"You know" she retorted, "if you had the capabilities of reading my mind and heart then you'd probably already know what I would say, and then I wouldn't be stuck in this situation, right?"

"Perhaps" he replied. "Except I'd rather hear it out of your own sweet lips."

His adorable smile was enough to unnerve her. But was it worth just to finally admit whatever her heart needed to say, to really confess what should've been said? Her eyes fixed to the stars above for a moment, then to his own eyes. And finally, she spoke.

"I... I'm in love... and it hurts sometimes" she started as he kissed her forehead, and looked back into her eyes with a smile. She took a deep breath, not sure what else to tell him, until an encouraging nod from him meant for her to keep talking. She glanced to the stars again, said a mental prayer for encouragement, and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them, and continued with what she needed to tell him.

"I know... we're both very different, given the circumstances, but it seems we're not that different at all, and sometimes I wonder if... if I ever could be the one you'd wanted" she spoke, her eyes locked on his even as she could hear her own heart pound in her head. "And, perhaps, this has been the best thing to happen to us all since the days of old, before the Darkstrom took over. It just has to be. I cannot see Johannes as happy as she is now unlike then. Same for Elibeth and Rekah.

"And while I'm thinking on... those three have been, since my parents and grandparents and relatives, the only people I love dearly. They know this.

"But... you..."

She couldn't speak more, as Karl noticed the tears that welled up in her eyes and hugged her to him. "Shh, it's alright, angel" he whispered, "it's okay. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere no matter what you say. I'm going only wherever you're going.

"Wherever you go, angel, I follow."

He kissed her tears away, then straddled her for a moment to check his coatpocket for a handkerchief. With that he gently rested on top of her again, drying her eyes from the tears.

"Anya..." he whispered, and she looked at him again, perhaps unwillingly. She was known to be anything but vulnerable, but he was the only person who'd ever seen her this way. And not even her lifelong best friend Elizabeth had seen her this vulnerable, this human.

"Don't let your heart take over you as fear" he said. "Just say whatever you feel needs to be said."

Anneke thought this through for a moment. Perhaps... perhaps he was right. Yet what were the odds that his feelings for her were mutual? But even now she knew that there was something there between the two of them, and that in itself was something no one else could take away from them.

Wrists tied behind her head, face in his hands, she took a deep breath and finally got her nerve together.

"Karl, to death I dearly love Elibeth, Johannes, and Rekah. We've been together all our lives, through thick and thin, Birthday parties and funerals. We've suffered together, we've laughed together, we've cried together, we've fought together. Til death I will always love these girls, these sisters that they've become for me.

"But I swore I'd never fall in love and suffer the pain that Rekah felt. Her heart was broken simply because she took care of Johannes.

"You... you're the reason I changed in such a strange way. For the first time, I felt more... dare I say, vulnerable than I'd like to admit. I felt my heart be happy, at the same moment I felt that same heart break. And God forbid something ever dare happened to you, I wouldn't know what to do, how to act, what to think.

"And I think I'm beginning to realize that, this must be what love does to people. It makes people really see how much they're truly worth.

"It scares me to think this but... but I love you a bit much more than I love my sisters."

She stopped for a moment--oh my God!! she thought, I can't believe I just told him I love him!! Their eyes locked for a moment before she could think of whatever else to say. Then she realized, there wasn't anything more to say.

Karl looked at her and, eyes still warm with love, kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and along her scar again. While he adorned her scars with kisses, she untied her hands from the purple ribbon and, as he made his way back up the scar to her ear, clenched her fists upon his shirt. By damn, he truly was more than enough to unnerve her, and she was powerless to stop him--willingly powerless.

His hands caught hers and, as he brought them behind her head again, he kissed her cheeks again.

"Why'd you break free from that silly little prison?" he asked in a hushed whisper.

"Well, does it look like I want my hands to lose circulation?" she retorted.

"No" he answered.

"Well then there ya go" she replied, trying to find his eyes, but she could only clasp his hands as he kissed along her ear.

"I guess I owe you a confession myself" Karl whispered after he had kissed along the scar again. "Well then, where to begin, where to begin..." Anneke blinked watching his every move.

"For one" he said, straddling her again, "you look damn beautiful like that." With a smile he grabbed his camera and, as she giggled for a moment, turned the camera on. "This one is going in my own little photo album." With that he took a picture of the beautiful, bashful woman. Putting his camera to the side, he lied down beside her again and smiled.

"Two, that tie looks sooo much better on you than on me" he admitted as he ran a finger down her cheek, along her neck, which made her giggle.

"I love your smile, I love your laugh, I love how your eyes just glow when there's a case of moonlight about. I love the way you look, I love the way you think, I love all of that and more than I could count at the moment. I...

"I couldn't love anyone else that couldn't be you" he admitted. "And for me I don't want anyone else. For me, there is you, and that is all there is to it.

"So ja, what I'm trying to say is, I guess... that... I love you too."

Anneke smiled. That was the best bit of good news she had heard since... since so long ago... she couldn't remember. In any case she was happy, and there wasn't anything else in the world that couldn't change that. It was in this kind of strange happiness, the happiness that she had desperately dreamed about in her youth, dashed away as she grew older, now willing to drown in. But this was more than enough, this moment, to drown the smile as she held him tightly to her. Again, her heart pounded in her ear, her senses could've driven her dizzy. Still she held on to whatever was left of her common sanity... even if it wasn't enough to render it as common sense.

Again Karl trailed kisses along the scar that reminded her of all the pain she suffered through the years against the enemy. For the moment, the scar became a new memory, one that now belong to them and no one else. But when the sun would rise the next morning, and the morning birds sing and their souls were fresh and renewed, would the memory of this night still reverb in their memories? She hoped to God this would be the case, that they would constantly remember this moment, this night, for many a year to pass through. But for a moment not a word was spoken as she tried to figure out what went on, why circumstances worked out the way they did.

And finally, she could not stand the torture.

I think... it's time to turn the tables she thought to herself as he kissed her cheeks once again. But this time she stopped him from continuing, as she this time held him and planted a few kisses along the scar that ran along to his shoulder. The Roboter was a bit speechless--Anneke had surprisingly turned things around on the situation. Unable to move much, unwilling to move much, he kept her there until he himself could not bear it much longer. He grasped her hands and, placing them behind her head again, tried to find her eyes. But all that she had done was enough to unman him, and all he wanted to do was kiss her again. But she kept her composure and, without thinking twice, kissed him along the jaw. That was enough for him to find her eyes and drown his in them.

And finally, their lips collided. For a moment, time stopped. Or so it felt.

...midnight.

Had anyone sent out someone to find Karl and Anneke? No, didn't think it necessary.

But alone, at the park, surrounded only by grass, flowers, and dewdrops, the two lovers rested in each other's arms. Earlier that night they had made out until their fingertips sizzled and they felt dizzy enough to stop for air. Their eyes locked until their lips collided again. But for now, they slept in each other's arms, in each other's company. It was more than anything they had dreamed of.

The only matter now was, when dawn broke they would have to hurry back to the hideout to reunite with the rest of the gang. At this point however, it was the last of their worries. All that mattered now was each other.

Chapter 16: ... zum Herzen des Momentes. [...to the Heart of the Moment.]

Night had fallen between the converstion that Anneke had with Rinalee, but now it was her and Karl. And, in all honesty, she was in a situation that she could not even attempt a joke out of. Her own heart, her own soul was now out for the revealing, but it would only be for the person she had admired for quite a while.

Hide what must be hid, tell what must be told.

Karl's words echoed in her head. What was she to do? Should she think through her words or simply spill out her heart?

Suddenly she felt a tie being tied loosely around her neck, and her gaze looked up to his smiling face.

"I kinda wondered if that tie looked better on you than on me" the Roboter said, keeping the tie loose around her neck. He had his top two buttons undone, and a faint scar had shown at the base of his neck.

"...what happened there, Karl?" she asked, glancing to the scar.

"That was from the accident that... that almost killed me" he replied sadly. Curious she opened one more button to see the extent of the scar. It was only enough to scar the shoulder, yet it missed his heart. But, of course, the circumstances of that injury could've been much worse also.

Quietly she undid the back buttons of her high collar, and one button from each side of her coat, revealing a scar that started just below her left ear, running down the side of the neck, over her collarbone, stopping just above where her heart was.

"This" she explained "was when I fought against the enemy in the beginning of their invasion. One of the Troopers almost killed me. Rekah had to heal me before taking care of anything else. The girl almost died." She then sat down on the grass, hugging her knees to her chest. "I wanted to help out the girls, and two almost died because of it." She closed her eyes, sighed for a moment as a tear or two fell down her cheek. Karl did NOT need to see her in this state.

Finally she lay down on the grass, staring at the stars beyond the trees, the bright moon that added a spark to the tears that finally spilt down her cheeks.

"There's a lot that needs to be said" she said, her eyes finally meeting his. He nodded and, lying down on his stomach beside her, began to undo one of the four ribbons that held part of her hair in a total of two braids. But she was unaware of what he was doing, her eyes back to the skies. "There's just... there's just so much I want to tell you, but I'm afraid.

"There's just this... unsettling fear in my heart that--"

But Karl interrupted her by placing one finger on her lips, and in silence he undid the remaining three ribbons and, placing them to the side, looked at her adoringly. Her eyes blinked and, glancing to the side, bit her lower lip. No one, and not even her three best friends of their entire lives, had dared to see Anneke without her trademark two braids that adorned her face and the rest of her loosened hair. But the mensch-maschine, in all his admiration for her, dared what the girls themselves would've considered unthinkable.

"If all you've known is fear, it's time to disregard that fear" he said. "Yes, I overheard the conversation with Rinalee. And no, I understand. Trust me. If I didn't, I don't think I'd be here now, would I?"

A lopsided smile crossed her face, and she shrugged. "Good... good point, Karl" was all she could say. But why the silence? Somehow there was more that needed to be said, but for the moment the words died when he wrapped one arm around her, held her face gently with the other hand and trailed soft kisses along the battle scar.

Her train of thought derailed quickly--what the hell is he doing!? became her last thought as her eyes fixed towards the starry sky, and then at the quiet scenery around her. This was something highly new to her and, even more surprisingly, highly unexpected of Karl to do. Yet she lacked the nerve to stop it. In fact, she didn't want to stop it. But not much was left to be done as he made his way back up the scar to her left ear, and God help her if she didn't do something, say something. NOW. But even that train of thought derailed as his lips kissed her ear and, tormentingly, brushed against her cheek.

"Karl?" she spoke--at long last.

"Mmhmm?" he wondered, his eyes meeting hers.

"You have any idea how much of a pain in the neck you really, really are?" she asked with a wry, lopsided smile. His eyes widened.

"How so, Anya!?" he retorted.

But she still kept that smile on her face. "You didn't ask me what needed to be said, you dork" she replied dryly.

He blinked. "Oh."

She giggled in reply. "Never mind, disregard, disregard..." She wanted only to be with him, to just think the night away and he could happily trail kisses along her scar to his heart's content! But his eyes fixed back to hers.

"Now now, Anya... you're tellin' me..." he demanded with a grin as he trailed a finger along the scar. She giggled even more in response.

"Cut that out, goofball!!" she squealed. "That tickles!!"

Karl's eyes lit up. "Oh my!" he exclaimed. "So my little princess Anya's ticklish, eh!? Well then I guess I'll have to torture you until you speak up!" And he tickled her mercilessly until she pleaded for him to stop, so that she could catch her breath. Quickly he took both of her hands and placed her arms criss-crossed behind her head so that she rested a bit on her wrists; taking one of her ribbons he tied her wrists together so that she couldn't get away or fight back. Finally, he took off his jacket and, after placing that besides the ribbons, held her face in both hands so that their eyes met.

"Now, are you going to be a good goofball and tell me what's up or do I have to mercilessly force it out of you in excruciatingly good measures?" he said softly, a content yet amused smile on his face.

Chapter 15: Eine Prüfung der Seele... [An Examination of the Soul...]

"Oh come now, dear soul" the childlike figure spoke again. "Who are you? Speak up."

"I..." Anneke started, but her brown eyes were with fear as she faced the figure. Was this character friend or foe? Where did this being come from? Who sent it? Why? She had to know before anything else was to pass. But who was this person to ask such questions!?

"Speak up, coward!" the figure taunted.

Coward!? Anneke dared not find herself as a coward in the eyes of what might be a possible enemy's challenge. Finally, face determined, she found her voice.

"I am... I am certainly not a coward" she spoke calmly.

"I noticed" the oddity spoke again. "And that's why I've kept an eye on you."

"--on... on ME?" the Clandestinian wondered, eyes widened in slight shock. The figure nodded.

"But before I get to what needs to be said, I have to wonder... about your heart" the being spoke again.

"My... my heart!?" This was all too much already. Maybe she and Karl should've just stayed with the rest of the gang after all.

"Yes, your heart."

"But what about it?"

"There has been something you've wanted to tell someone, but you're afraid."

Afraid!? How dare this child says such things!? Anneke thought to herself.

"Oh now, come along, sweetheart" the figure spoke again, moving back the hood of the cloak to reveal a girl's face. "You know your heart's been afraid."

"...afraid!?" Anneke said, looking to the child's face. "But how..."

"It's there" the young girl answered, this time with a kind smile. "All those years of being concerned more for your best friends than finding that one true love. You even feared falling in love because of what your dear Rekah suffered through."

Suddenly the Clandestinian's face sobered. The young child was right--but how'd she find out about the past of the Quartet??

"I..." she tried to speak, but the words died before they she could open her mouth.

"It's okay, you are a friend of Miss Rebekah and my Uncle Wolfgang, are you not?" the child asked again. Anneke nodded before fixing her eyes on the cross between the young girl's eyes.

"What... what happened to you...?" the woman asked.

"That was where I was shot" the child replied.

"...shot?"

"Yes."

Then the child reached out a hand to the woman. "Here, please give this to Miss Rebekah, I want for her to have it." Anneke held out her hand, open to receive the present. The young being placed what felt to be a pendant with two chains in her hand.

"What... what is it?" Anneke asked.

"It's a Mizpah coin, Anneke" the child answered. "My mother gave this to me when I was young, in case I found someone I loved to have a half, but after I died..."

"...you felt as if you had no reason to wear it anymore" the woman finished.

The girl nodded. "Exactly."

Anneke looked at the Mizpah coin and smiled sadly. "I think Rekah and Wolfgang will appreciate this greatly, Miss..."

"Rinyalena, Rinalee for short" the child answered, smiling.

"--wait, Rinalee--!?" Anneke looked at her, eyes widened. But the child only smiled.

"Meanwhile, your heart, Anneke" she spoke. The woman placed the coin in her box-locket pendant, and looked at the girl.

"Y-yes, my heart...?"

"Yes. What... what are your feelings..."

"For who?" Anneke asked quietly.

"For the one you admire?" Rinalee answered.

The woman looked down at the ground, thinking this over. All the while she had been with Karl, life had been at its most whimsical. They had indulged in their love of taking pictures and being silly, of sticking to their companions through and through. And she couldn't help but drown in his bright blue eyes, as he himself couldn't help but enjoy her company.

"Karl... to me... is a friend, a companion... someone I want very much to take care of... and someone I want to always be with... like with Rekah and Elibeth and Johannes..." she admitted with a smile. "But... at the same time... when I'm happy... my heart hurts a little bit too, because I'm afraid that the enemy will find and kill us all."

Rinalee jumped off the branch and ran to hug Anneke. The woman hugged the little one back as the child smiled up at her.

"Whatever your heart needs to tell him, tell him" she said.

The woman nodded, smiling, as the child ran away from her. But she stopped for a moment and waved her goodbye.

"I'll be watching you guys!!" the child shouted, smiling. "See you around!!"

And with that, in a swirl of blue stars, she disappeared.

"...wow" Anneke whispered to herself, amazed at what had happened. She didn't realize that, she had just unveiled her entire heart and soul to a child who died. Even more so was the reality that shocked her when a familiar voice caught up with her.

"Anya, are you alright?" Karl asked, looking at her.

Dear God--what if he heard her talking to the child!? Then what?

"I..." she started, then sighed as her face looked to the ground. "I have... there's something I guess... I guess I've been trying to tell you yet I'd been afraid all along."

Karl touched a finger to her chin, tilting her face to fix his eyes upon hers. His face was now not of concern but of kindness. But the words he told her struck her as a dart of panic to her very heart. It struck a new chord of fear as the quiet words were said.

"Hide what must be hid, tell what must be told" he said.

Chapter 14: Ein Abbildung-Vollkommener Nachmittag. [A Picture-Perfect Afternoon.]

"What the hell ya waitin' for, Karl!? LET'S GO!!"

Anneke dragged Karl out by the hand, literally running out the door to a gorgeous morning in Venice, Italy. The Roboter laughed as the two ran together to the busy city square that awaited them. A bright sun warmly greeted the rest of the gang, who were already out and about. But this couple in particular, the last of the gang to actually wake up, have breakfast, get a quick shower, and finally decide on what to wear, opted to grab their cameras and capture the day ahead of them.

"Wow!!" Karl said to himself as he looked around at the vibrant city. Maskmakers busy with making masks for Carnaval, gondoliers and water taxis out and about on the waterways, people out and about and going their daily business. It was nothing like his hometown. How'd he and his friends miss out on this because of the enemy?



Meanwhile the rest of the gang rode on gondolas throughout the city, taking pictures along the route. Ralf held Johannes' hand while they were on the gondolas, and the blind girl's curiosity was piqued.

"We are not on the Trans-Europa" she said with a light giggle. "Why then are you holding my hand?"

"Because it feels nice to hold your hand, and because I want to" the semi-human being replied with a warm smile. "And anyway, that way I can just pull you over and kiss you on the cheek." To which, he did too. She blushed smiling.

"You are quite a charmer, Ralf" she admitted. He shrugged, a bit bashful, and held her hand tightly.

Wolfgang meanwhile could not stop smiling at Rebekah, who took a lot of pictures along the gondola ride. None of the gang had ever been to Venice before, and the young lady had read about Venice, and always wanted to go, but never had the chance. Now a childhood dream she had was coming to life, and she could not help but take pictures to remember her first time visiting the legendary city.

"You must really love this city, Reki" the mensch-maschine spoke with a warm smile. His girlfriend smiled brightly.

"I've constantly dreamed about visiting this city since I was a child, Wolfgang!" she answered enthusiastically. "And now this dream is real! We are all together in Venice!!"

On a bridge they were crossing under, some of the locals were throwing flowers and petals to all the gondolas below. Wolfgang caught a flower and, with a bashful grin, tucked the flower upon Rebekah's ear. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. He hugged her for a moment, and she resumed taking pictures, the first being of the kind locals with their flowery cheer. Afterwards she waved to them, and took more pictures of the city.

Elizabeth, watching all of this, giggled to herself, smiling to Florian. He glanced back to her and, without warning, kissed her on the lips. She blinked for a moment, and giggled some more. Finally the case of giggles caught on to him, and the two were laughing together, happy in each other's company.

In the meantime, Karl and Anneke strolled through the town, taking pictures of the city and each other. Among one stop was the -Basilica di San Marco, Saint Mark's Basilica...

"Whoa!!" exclamed Karl. "That's a huge Church!!"

"That is the Basilica di San Marco, Karl!!" noted Anneke with a smile. "Rekah always dreamed about visiting this city, and she used to tell me, Elibeth and Johannes about what she read in books and encyclopedias. And she even saved a picture of this Basilica that her dad gave her from when he helped out here years ago."

"Hey! stand up at front and I'll get a picture!!" the Roboter said, and the young woman stood where he could get a good shot of the Basilica and her.

*CLICK!!*

"...good picture, Anya!!" he then said with a grin, lowering the camera. She grinned back at him warmly.

After an afternoon of pictures, the couple regrouped with the rest of the gang, and they all set out on gondolas down the waterway some more, as sunset approached. One of the gondoliers led a sing-along of "That's Amore," and Johannes in her recollections of Vienna giggled.

"What is it, Fräulein Johannes?" Ralf asked, still holding her hand.

"Didn't we sing this melody back in Vienna?" she asked.

Ralf thought through for a moment, and nodded. "Ja" he confirmed. "We did, didn't we?" And with a hug he sang along. Johannes, with a grin, sang joyously with the gang, and all were in vibrant spirits as the gondolas approached the Ponte dei Sospiri.

"De Ponte dei Sospiri!!" cheered Rebekah. "The Bridge of Sighs!!"



"What's so awesome about a bridge so beautiful, Rekah!?" Anneke shouted to her friend from her and Karl's gondola.

"There's a legend here that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge" explained the bright-eyed redhead. "And if the clock strikes us all proper..."

"Looks like sunset time for all" noted Florian as the bells of sunset tolled and the gondolas were passing under the Bridge.

Johannes reached out a hand to find Ralf's face, but he caught her hand and kissed it, smiling.

"It is alright, Fräulein Johannes" he said softly, "I am here."

"I know but" she answered, "I want to kiss you at the moment."

Ralf blinked for a moment. Hold up--she WHAT!? he thought to himself, as if to make sure he heard proper. But considering what Rebekah had told the gang, his slight panic subsided and he smiled again. Leaning over, as their gondola passed under the Bridge, he kissed her. And the remaining three couples, each in their gondola, too shared a kiss as the gondolas passed under.

After the gondola ride and the sunset kiss, the gang opted for dinner and to call it a day. But Karl and Anneke, still wound up from the adventurous day they had so far, opted to continue taking more pictures and sightseeing until they felt tired enough to call it done. With that the two set forth on more picturetaking and misadventures.

At one point the two were strolling down a walkway, when Anneke glanced to her dear friend and simply smiled. Karl raised a brow, wondering what was up. Then she winked and let go of his hand.

"By the way," she said, "betcha can't catch me!"

But as the semi-human being blinked she'd run a couple of paces ahead, he laughed and ran in pursuit of his companion. The chase pressed on, and for a moment Karl caught up with her, but she glanced to him and, with a quick wink at him, faced ahead and speedily dashed ahead of him, running into a park straight ahead. Dodging trees and bushes, leaping over benches, she lost him somewhere in the chaos of it all, and slowed down to catch her breath.

Damn!! she thought to herself, I hadn't run this fast in years. I didn't know I still had it in me.

Her heart pounding in her ears, Anneke quietly looked around, unsure of herself as to where in the park she was. But then she turned around, someone had caught her eye.

A cloaked, winged figure, seated on a low tree branch.

"What the..." Anneke thought, stepping closer to the figure.

But, in a young girl's voice, the figure spoke:

"Have no fear, except for what's in your own heart."

But the Clandestinian, in her unspoken fear, kept her eyes on the being.

Chapter 13: Eine Richtung des Verstehens. [A Sense of Understanding.]

Florian rested for a while on the Trans-Europa while the rest of the gang explored Venice for a Clandestian hide-out for the next couple of nights. After the gunfight with Darkstrom forces and one of the wheels on the train being shot out, he needed every moment to recover from the injury to his arm. Rebekah strengthened the healing process, shortening his recovery time by a very long shot. But he insisted the rest of the gang go explore the city while he stayed in and recovered a while. The one person concerned the most was the one who wanted to stay behind...

"Elizabeth, go with the others" Florian had insisted.

"Florian, I'm not leaving you alone here" she answered back.

"Look, Eliza, I will be alright" he insisted. "Now go along and be of good cheer."

"Good cheer be damned!" she replied defiantly. "I'm not leaving you alone."

But he wouldn't have any of it. He gave her a sharp look, which silenced her and even worried her.

"...fine" she answered quietly, and stormed out of the train.

"Damnit Florian" he muttered to himself, "the hell were you thinking being rude to her like that!? She..." But the thought died as tears of regret filled his eyes, the image of a distraught and hurting Elizabeth flooded his memory.

She only wanted to take care of someone she loved.

Why did he push her away like that? Was it because he felt as if he would've been fine taking care of himself? Did he feel like he could've been alright if no one worried so much about him? Or was there something deeper--the real reason he couldn't bear to be around her while she worried?

That, he wanted time to rest and sort his feelings out?

He thought things over--his fascination over someone who didn't do well with staring contests, and his curiosity was stirred. Along the way he noticed her steadfast courage; her devotion to protecting the Quartet and, more importantly, her blind-since-birth younger sister Johannes; the humor she shared with not just her sister but Anneke and Rebekah. But he also took note of the bold copper highlights in her brown hair, the way her pale green eyes shone as she faced a sunrise the morning they left Vienna, how despite her courage she was still vulnerable...

how despite she was strong, she was still human, and feared for the lives of all the gang.

Yet in spite of the circumstances, what were her feelings for him? She had loved his company, and their conversations were lively even during their silences. Even as they fell asleep in conversation, she loved to be around him. His presence was comforting, almost as if a guardian angel was assigned to watch over her.

But really, what were her feelings for him?

Sitting in his seat, drowning in the misery of his own tears. This was not the Florian Schneider that his darling Elizabeth deserved to see--that he himself was hurting in his own thoughts, his own fears.

And yet he wanted to tell her everything that his heart had to say.

Finally night had fallen and, as the gang hadn't returned yet, he decided it best to dry his tears and go find and reconnect the lot. But as he stood up, he saw a familiar figure, sitting outside the train, knees hugged to her chest. The brown-and-copper hair. The outfit she wore. Tears returned to his eyes, her name escaped his lips.

Elizabeth.

Quickly he pushed the door of the train open and ran out to see what had happened. But she sat there, her eyes fixed on him.

"...what happened? Where are the others, Eliza?" he asked.

"They are at a Clandestinian shelter a mile from here" she answered quietly. "After the gang settled I came back here."

"For what!?" What could she had possibly come back here for!? he thought to himself.

But, she lowered her head, silent.

"Answer me, Elizabeth!!" he demanded.

Her face glared at him sternly. "Do not yell at me, Florian" she answered bitterly as she stood up. "I walk half past hell all afternoon, then back to check up on you.

"And this is the thanks I get."

Florian's face sobered as she turned to walk away. She had walked all this time to make sure the gang was settled safely for the night, and diligently returned to check up on the one person she wanted to protect who'd protected her in return.

"Eliza--" he spoke, but she kept walking.

Damnit Florian!! he scolded himself mentally. Now you really have to humble yourself. And open your mouth while you're at it!!

Fed up with his tendency of silence he finally stormed up to her and stood in front of her. She fixed her gaze to his eyes, which was in the meantime fighting tears.

"...Elizabeth, I'm sorry."

"...for what, Florian?" she asked quietly.

"For... for being the bastard that I shouldn't be" he answered, lowering his head. "I didn't mean to push you away and snap at you and act the way I did. I was wrong to do that. And...

"and I'm truly sorry. I just... I just don't deserve you."

Elizabeth blinked and tried to look him in the eyes. "--what?" she whispered.

But Florian shook his head. "Really, Elizabeth... I just... I didn't mean to hurt you the way I did. I...

"I knew better than to have acted like that--and even Ralf knows me damn well I would never do that. Hell, if he heard about what I did today he'd sock me in the jaw and scold me half to death. And I damn well deserve that but..." Finally the words died. "Damnit to hell, I don't know what else to say. I'm miserably in love with the one woman I acted so coldly to. I'm..."

The young woman blinked her eyes at what she was hearing. This wasn't the Florian she knew, who kept quiet about his feelings and often could've cared less about his actions. This... this was the Florian that not even Ralf would've seen.

"Florian..." she whispered, and with a sigh took his hand in one of hers and, with her other hand, lifted his chin so that their eyes met. What she saw had put her speechless--a small river of tears down each cheek, his face pale and filled with remorse. Her heart now broken altogether, she placed his face upon her shoulder, wrapped her arms around him, and consoled him as he wept silently in her arms. Now which pain was worse than enough for him to bear--the pain from the gunshot wound to his arm, or the pain of the heart that he unnecessarily broke?

With a sigh, she spoke again.

"Florian... for most of my life I've been watching out for Johanne, Anya and Rebekah. After the parents were killed it was us four looking out for us. We were captured, sent to Lisbon. Three years of hell later we meet civilization. We knew different people, we were different people then to now.

"But you... I never met anyone else like you.

"The very moment we fixed our eyes on each other I noticed... a sense of silence yet a sense of guardianship. And admiration--a strong sense of admiration.

"One that I... I guess I was a bit cowardish to show myself."

Time out--what was she saying!? Florian blinked for a moment, not believing his ears. Did Elizabeth mean to say that... she had fallen for him as well?

"I always enjoyed your company" she continued sadly. "And you always made sure I was alright, that I would be okay after an attack from the nightmare. You looked out for me when I had a tougher time to even consider looking out for myself when I was more concerned about the others.

"It hurts me even now to admit all this yet..."

...yet? he asked mentally, the tears escaping whatever was truly left of him until all that remained was in the safekeeping of the woman he loved.

She hugged him even tighter as she quietly confessed--

"...yet, I love you too dearly, Florian."

And quietly, she sobbed against his shoulder, her embrace even tighter as she whispered the three words over and over. The mensch-maschine was moved enough to embrace her just as tightly, knowing the pain in her heart was the same he'd felt in his own nerve.

"I am so sorry I hurt you, Elizabeth--" Florian started, but she quickly pressed a finger to his lips, her eyes finally meeting his.

"Really, you can call me Eliza, Florian" was her quiet answer.

The semi-human being was stunned beyond thinking--had her temper finally ceased to burn after all that had just happened? He could only think of one answer as he took a deep breath and, carefully holding her face in his hands, planted a bittersweet kiss on her lips. She blinked but for only a moment, then closed her eyes and smiled a tiny bit into the kiss.

All of a sudden... a moment she captured returned. That first night in Paris. The nightmare that returned, and he had comforted her. The slight argument they had, how she thought he was heartless because, in her eyes, he was a robot. How he assured her he and his friends would protect the Quartet. The moment she fell asleep holding his hand. The second he kissed her good-night.

Except, this moment was even sweeter than the first kiss good-night.

Finally Elizabeth broke the kiss and smiled up at him, her pale green eyes glistening in the moonlight. Florian kept a hand to her cheek and, with a kiss to her forehead, smiled warmly.

"I think we've had a long day, Eliza" he said. "Bedtime in order?"

She nodded a bit. "Ja, it sounds about right this time of night."

"Piggy-back ride then? You lead, I carry?" he asked.

"...you can't be serious, Florian!" she exclaimed with a laugh, but he insisted.

"My dearest Eliza, you're insane if you think I'm gonna have you walk all the way back to where the gang's at" he explained.

With an amused sigh, she shrugged. "Good point."

After the piggy-back ride back to the hide-out, the two spent much of the night enjoying each other's company in their quiet room. Florian kept Elizabeth in a warm embrace while she rested her head against his chest. The Roboter had been facing the ceiling, when his thoughts stopped for a moment.

"Eliza?" he whispered.

"Yes, Florian?" she answered.

"Did I ever tell you I love you?" he asked.

"...nein" she replied, looking to him. "I recall you said you were in love with me but... that's about it."

"Well then" he noted, his eyes fixed on hers. A smile was on his face and she knew that whatever he was about to say, by damn, he meant it.

"I love you, my dearest Eliza" he whispered, before gently pulling her lips to his for a dear kiss good-night.

Chapter 12: Unter Angriff!! [Under Attack!!]

After another two days in Vienna, in which Andelina kept watch over the gang in the underground shelter, the Trans-Europa was prepared for departure. Receiving the all-clear in Morse code by the Clandestinian Lookouts, Ralf and the gang packed up some extra snacks and beverages diligently prepared by their hostesses. Florian glanced to his best friend as they packed up a local Clandestinian-friendly carriage.

"You know, Ralf" he spoke, "that was a good idea to stay over and try some of their awesome cooking."

"Ja" Ralf answered with a smile. "Even Johannes ate a bit more than she should've--she actually apologized for eating more than she usually should've!!"

Florian laughed. "But Elizabeth said it was alright--that it was good to see Miss Johannes eat plenty. That's the first time since before they were imprisoned in Lisbon that she's had more than a plateful of food in one sitting!! And the girls were highly delighted!!"

The blind girl's true love smiled humbly, blushing slightly. "She'll be thrilled we packed up extra food. She's gonna miss Andelina and the baristas."

"Especially Rebekah--she'll miss Madame Andelina tremendously" noted his friend. "The two have come to be wonderful friends thanks to Wolfgang."

"Hmph!" Ralf huffed. "The playboy that he is."

"You do know he's planning to quit those ways for good, right?" Florian informed. Ralf just looked at him with widened eyes, absolute shock. His best friend just nodded. "Ja, it's true. He's been inspired by Rebekah to straighten up, because he's finally fallen in absolute love with her. Quite a surprise but, I do think they'll make it well past the altar the way this is going."

After all was packed, the gang boarded the carriage, the last to board being Rebekah who had one final chat with Andelina.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality and the food!" grinned the younger Clandestinaian.

"You're absolutely welcome" replied the hostess. "I pray you all come and visit again after you've returned home safely. Send some postcards too, I'll add them to the Wall of Memories."

"Absolutely" Rebekah affirmed with a grin.

"Also" Andelina spoke again, "I'm praying that your dear Johannes does get her sight. I noticed she's a bit cynical about her sight yet more hopeful for the freedom and future of Eastern Europe. However, I will pray and hope for the sight to be granted to her, as I'm sure she deserves to see."

The young girl nodded, smiling. "I think we all can appreciate that. Thank you."

"Always welcome, Rivka" the hostess answered warmly. "Always."

After a hug farewell and blessing from Andelina, Rebekah boarded the carriage, and the humble transport made its way for the Station.

"You know, Wolfgang" the girl spoke, "she has to be the coolest hostess here in Vienna. Maybe one day we can invite her over to Düsseldorf and return the favor!"

Her boyfriend nodded, smiling to her. "Actually... that would be a good idea. I bet she hasn't been home in Düsseldorf in years. That's a brilliant idea, Reki!!"

"...Reki??" she asked, a lopsided yet curious smile now on her face.

Wolfgang nodded. "That's my new nickname for you. Reki. Get used to it."

"Like she's gonna get used to that this quickly, Sweetmouth" retorted Karl.

But the other Roboter wouldn't have any of it. "Shut it, Sugarplum Fairy" he snarled back.

"Oh good God..." Florian sighed as Ralf shook his head.

"Hey, at least I didn't eat all the candy canes" Karl replied.

"Uhm... that was Florian, remember?" Ralf noted.

"...oh, yeah. My bad" the percussionist replied.

"Hey, the candy canes were good, Ralf!!" the flutist answered in defense. "I couldn't eat just one!!"

Wolfgang rolled his eyes. "Well, it's safe to say the one who ate the most was our own Johannes. That. Girl. Can. Eat!"

"Well she deserved all that was on her plate" Elizabeth spoke with a chuckle. "I hadn't seen her eat so much food since before the imprisonment in Lisbon--and that was at least three years ago!!"

The guys looked at the elder sister. "Are you serious!?" Ralf asked in shock. She nodded in reply.

"After we were captured and sent to Lisbon, our morales grew bleaker" explained Anneke. "The food was barely enough for us to survive the day. Small bowl of watery potato soup, a few small loaves of bread, and a small glass of either milk or water--and even the milk wasn't all that wonderful. We grew a bit weaker because of the terrible rations; we were lucky if we received any extra loaves of bread or a spare bowl of soup.

"Johannes however didn't eat much since, and chose water over milk almost every day. But... to see her eat more than what she usually ate lately, in the underground shelter... it's warmth to our souls.

And yes, for the first time in over 3 years I can say, that girl knows how the hell to eat!!"

Her statement drew laughter from the group, even from Johannes who laughed heartily. Ralf smiled warmly at her, happy to see her in such jovial spirits as the carriage approached the Station. After loading up the train with the sweets and beverages, the gang boarded the train, where the conducter, Fritz, spoke through the intercomm.

"All ready for Italy?" the conductor asked.

"Ready when you are!" was Ralf's enthusiastic reply. "ALL ABOARD!"

And with that the Trans-Europa set forth on its next destination--Venice, Italy.

"You never told me you used to eat quite a bit before your imprisonment, Fräulein Johannes!" the mensch-maschine said to his blind sweetheart. She blushed and giggled.

"You never asked" was her amusing reply.

"You must've ate a lot then" he replied, taking her hands in his. "But, that's another humor for another afternoon." And with that he kissed her forehead.

"Ralf... did I tell you I actually feel safe around you?" Johannes spoke softly.

"Nein, I don't recall" Ralf answered.

She snuggled up to him, wrapping her arms around him. "Well, it's true" she responded quietly, as she closed her eyes for a small nap. The semi-human being smiled and held her tightly.

The rest of the gang were engaged in lively conversation, when all of a sudden something went wrong--very wrong.

*KA-CHOOM!!*

*CLANK-CLANK-KERRANG!!*

The train shook, tilted slightly to its side for a moment, and got back on track, but the gang knew immediately that something wasn't right. Even Johannes woke back up and sat up, clutching Ralf's hands tightly.

"Was geschah gerade?" Karl asked, as Wolfgang stuck his head out of the window on the side of where the incident occurred. Florian and the rest of the gang looked on in worry.

"...aww damn" the electro-drummer cursed. "One of the train's tires is down--look, see how shot up it is?"

Florian looked out the window beside him. "Yep... that one's done" he confirmed to the others.

Wolfgang's eyes then fixed upon the source of the matter--and his eyes widened in panic. A team of Darkstrom troopers were following along the train in carriages and horseback.

"GODDAMNIT!!" the Roboter shouted to his friends. "Darkstrom Troopers about to attack!!"

Ralf shook his head again as Johannes held on to his hands. Elizabeth sighed in grief, and Anneke contemplated what their next move should be. Rebekah however didn't take this too well.

"Oh m'God, oh m'God, oh m'God..." she whispered to herself in a frantic.

"Fucking hell" Florian growled as he pulled out his gun from his inside coat pocket. Wolfgang followed, his .45 in hand. Together the two marched to the next train car, and poked their heads out of the windows.

"Ready, Wolfgang?" Florian asked.

"Bereit" his fellow semi-human being answered.

Meanwhile the rest of the gang stayed in their train car, until finally Rebekah couldn't stand just sitting there worrying. She had to do something.

"Annie..." she said quietly to Anneke, "get your gun."

"--what!?" the resident thinker asked her panic-happy friend.

"Just... Annie, get your gun" the girl requested. Anneke sighed in grief and pulled out her shotgun.

"Now, hand me the gun" Rebekah said, looking in the direction of the car where her boyfriend and Florian were.

"What the heck's up!?" her friend asked, and reluctantly handed her the gun.

"I promise I'll take good care of it" the girl answered as she stormed to the next car.

"...what is Rebekah doing, Ralf?" Johannes asked, unsure of what was going on.

"It seems that... she's adding to the fight against the enemy troopers" he noted quietly with a sigh. "Looks like she couldn't panic any longer."

As Rebekah walked into the other car, Wolfgang and Florian looked at her. "What is it, Reki?" the boyfriend asked as the other Roboter resumed looking out the window. The young girl just walked to where her beloved was.

"I'm tired of hitting the panic button until it breaks" she sighed, and quickly shots were fired and exchanged between Florian and the troopers. "Damnit!!" she muttered and ran to the window and, aiming for one of the troopers in the enemy carriage, shot him clear to the head. The trooper fell down, dead.

Florian looked to Rebekah, wide-eyed. "How the hell...?" he asked, his eyes returning to the carriage and horseback troopers.

"Yeah, how'd you get to shoot 'em so good!?" Wolfgang asked in curiosity. But she just kept her glare at the enemies not too far from the train.

"I used to be on the Archery team in school" she answered. "And I think that this is no different. Daddy taught me how to aim proper when I was 7, but he made sure I mastered archery before I ever dared touched a gun."

"...well, daaaaammmmmmn you're good" her boyfriend complimented as the three resumed the shoot-out.

In the gang's car, Anneke stuck her head out to watch the fight for a moment. One of the troopers shouted an insult at Rebekah, calling her a "sissy girl with a water gun" and other verbal assaults. Wolfgang and Florian looked at her to see what her response was, but she kept her face unamused and, aiming perfectly, executed the trooper with a gunshot to the head. Anneke quickly stuck her head back in and gave an update to the others--

"Good Lord Almighty!! Rebekah's shot 'em down, them bastards!! Florian and Wolfgang are speechless!!"

"Are you serious!?" Karl asked, and his object of admiration nodded in reply.

"She's still got that perfect aim then" noted Johannes quietly.

"Yep, she still does, even after all these years" answered Anneke.

Dodging bullets and verbal shenanigans, the trio of sharpshooters took care of each trooper until the carriage stopped at last and all that remained alive were the horses, who were now confused and in disorder. Florian however was hit in the right upper arm by a trooper's final bullet just seconds before the shot-down. The trio returned to the main car, and Rebekah returned the gun to Anneke.

"You, my dear, kicked serious ass" the owner of the gun complimented, nodding.

Rebekah shrugged. "Daddy taught me well, that's all."

Florian meanwhile sat down in pain. The bullet had struck his arm well, and he wasn't sure how to deal with it. Rebekah quickly saw this and ran for her back-pack, pulling out the first aid kit. She then dashed back to the wounded Roboter and, kneeling down beside him, touched his arm with her hand, trying to find where the bullet struck.

"Bloody hell..." she muttered, "where is it...?"

When she finally found the wound, she took out a small knife and cut a square from his jacket, then from his shirt, to get to the wound. Then, she took a small cloth and, pouring antiseptic on the cloth, pressed it to the wound. Florian winced for a moment but then, the pain quickly subsided, and he felt much better in seconds. She then removed her hand from his arm, but he spoke up--"Wait, don't. Put your hand back on the wound."

"--what?" she asked, glancing to him.

"Just do it. Whatever you're doing, it's working. You remove your hand, and it doesn't work."

"What, the antiseptic?"

"No... it was while your hands were on the arm."

She looked to her boyfriend. "Wolfgang, how long does it take for a mensch-maschine to heal from a bullet wound, on average?"

He thought quickly--"Four hours perhaps, at the most. Why?"

She realized something of extreme importance. "I think I know what is going on" she told Florian as she placed her hand on his arm again. "Is... is it working now?"

He nodded. "It feels like a warm electrical current passing through, just fixing whatever needed repairing." He watched her hands as it stayed there, and she closed her eyes, fully aware of what had happened.

"It seems I still possess the ability to heal others" she spoke softly. "I haven't attempted to use that gift in a very long time.

"This would explain why you're healing faster, as well as how Wolfgang healed from his bullet wound so much faster.

"The bullet should appear in your hand by now, Florian" she concluded, opening her eyes to look at his hand. He opened it and, behold, there was the bullet. She smiled.

Wolfgang smiled as well and, touching the bullet, formed a chain with some of its metal. "Now you can wear it and say you got wounded too" he spoke, revealing his chain with the bullet from the incident in Paris.

Florian smiled to Rebekah. "Thank you very much, Miss Rebekah" he said, as she smiled in humble gratitude. The rest of the gang also smiled as the Trans-Europa swiftly made its way to Venice--which, thankfully, had a repair stop at its Station. And, with that one wheel shot out, it was going to be a necessary operation to undertake.