Climbing the front steps of the War Office, Mila pushed through the double doors, the soft strum of jazz filling her ears immediately. Turning opposite of where she typically reported to work, she walked down the hall towards the large banquet hall stationed in the west wing. Smoothing down the velvet material of her emerald green dress, she inhaled sharply, regretting the decision she had made to wear such a formfitting dress - Why was she so nervous? Adjusting one of the pins that held her hair back away from her face, she tucked a curl behind her ear and turned the corner, walking through the arched entryway of the banquet hall.

Dozens of people filled the room, some gliding across the dance floor while others grouped together chatting, sipping on champagne. Mila glanced around, searching the crowd for Josef. They had agreed to meet at the party since she had needed to go home to get ready, and Josef had needed to finish up on some paperwork. She was wishing they had arrived together now. She hated feeling so out of place.

"So where's this friend of yours?" A voice called behind her, immediately sending a knot of dread coursing through Mila's stomach.

"He's here somewhere I'm sure," She replied casually, keeping her eyes on the crowd instead of Lieutenant Hoffman, who was standing at her side now.

"Well while you wait for him, how about that dance?" He began, stepping in front of her, impeding her view of the room.

"Oh, I'm not much of a dancer," She waved him off, forcing a smile.

"I'll teach you," He insisted, taking her hand before she could object. "Oh come on, its one dance," He added at the hesitant expression on her face. Deciding it wasn't worth the fight, she allowed Lieutenant Hoffman to pull her to the dance floor.

"You look beautiful tonight," He commented, his eyes trailing down her frame. "That dress..."

"Thank you," She cut him off, giving him a stiff smile.

"You still haven't answered my question you know," He began coolly, placing his hands against her waist as they began to sway to the music.

"Question?" She furrowed her brows, placing her hands stiffly on his shoulders.

"When you're going to let me take you out to dinner," He smirked.

"Oh," She stammered, grasping for an answer that would get him off her back but wouldn't divulge too much information about her's and Josef's relationship. "I'm afraid I'm ... Seeing someone."

"Is he in the military?" Lieutenant Hoffmann asked, seemingly unperturbed by the news.

"Yes," She nodded.

"Well," He began, the same confident smirk he always wore turning up the corners of his mouth. "It can't be that serious."

"Excuse me?" She asked, taken aback by his response.

"No man in his right mind would leave a beautiful woman like you behind to go fight in a war ... At least not without putting a ring on your finger," He smirked, taking her left hand in his and lifting it up as if to inspect it. Slipping her hand out of his grasp, she stared up at him, an incredulous look painted across her face at the pure audacity he had. "So I'm sure one date couldn't hur-,"

"Hello Ms. Vanderwall," A familiar voice called, cutting Lieutenant Hoffman off. Mila turned her head, her eyes falling on Josef, who was dressed in full uniform, a pleasant smile on his face. "Lieutenant Hoffman," He nodded in the lieutenant's general direction but didn't acknowledge him further. "I was wondering if I could trouble you for a dance?" He asked, holding out a hand.

"I'm afraid we're not finished dancing," Lieutenant Hoffman spoke up, his grip around her waist tightening subtly.

"With all do respect Lieutenant," Josef said, his pleasant demeanor never faltering for a second. "I was asking the lady."

"Well," Mila began, glancing between the two men. "I suppose one more dance couldn't hurt." Grabbing Josef's outstretched hand, she slipped out of Lieutenant Hoffman's grasp, leaving him standing there alone, a scowl plastered across his face.

"You looked like you could use rescuing," Josef muttered against her ear once they had walked far enough away.

"Did I?" She asked, a small smirk forming on her lips as Josef led her farther onto the dance floor.

"Just a little," He replied, placing a hand lightly on her waist as they began to dance.

"Thank you," She said genuinely. "He's quite persistent."

"He certainly is," Josef smirked. "I might be a bit jealous if I didn't know you were completely uninterested."

"Just a bit?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"I'll admit," Josef began, his smirk widening. "I didn't love the sight of you dancing with another man ... Especially a man who seems to fancy you so much."

"You think he fancies me?" She asked sarcastically.

"You're practically all he talks about," He replied. "He seems to be under the impression the two of you are going to have dinner soon."

"Well I'm afraid I dashed those hopes just a moment ago," She chuckled.

"Told him no?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.

"More or less," Mila shrugged. "I told him I was seeing someone," She added, her heart skipping a beat as the words tumbled out.

"Really?" Josef asked coolly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as a smile threatened his lips.

"Mhm," She nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Good," He said, his mouth twisting into a small smile, his eyes scanning over her face. "You look lovely tonight, by the way," He added, pulling her closer as they continued swaying to the music.

"Thank you," She replied, the red blush that had formed across her cheeks beginning to creep down her neck.

"Would you like a drink?" He asked once the sound of soft jazz began to fade and the band began to play a new song.

"Lead the way," She smiled, following behind as Josef led them off the dance floor.

"Captain Fischer," An unfamiliar voice called in German as they reached a table lined with champagne flutes. They turned around, their eyes falling on a brawny man, whose graying hair was thinning in the middle.

"General Krause," Josef said, standing at attention immediately.

"At ease," The man said, a wide grin flashing across his face. "How have you been my boy?" He asked, taking Josef's hand in his for a hardy handshake.

"I've been well," Josef smiled, returning the general's handshake.

"I trust Den Haag is treating you well?" General Krause asked, continuing to speak in his native tongue. "Though I heard you had a bit of trouble getting here," He added, his forehead creasing slightly.

"Yes sir," Josef nodded, replying in German as well. "I managed to make it here in one piece, give or take a few new scars," He chucked.

General Krause laughed, patting Josef hardily on the shoulder. "Well they're lucky to have you here at the War Office."

"Thank you sir," Josef smiled.

"Who do we have here?" General Krause asked, turning his attentions to Mila, his pleasant smile broadening. She flushed slightly, fiddling with the straps of her dress that hung loosely off her shoulders.

"This is Mila Vanderwall," Josef replied.

"She's quite easy on the eyes," General Krause commented, cocking an eyebrow at Josef.

"It's a pleasure to meet you General," Mila spoke in German, extending a hand to General Krause. Both men's eyes widened in surprise as they realized she could understand them, though the subtlest of smirks appeared on Josef's lips.

"You speak German?" General Krause asked in an amused tone, accepting her hand and bringing it up to his lips, planting a light kiss against it before releasing it.

She nodded. "I'm afraid I'm a bit rusty though."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you," General Krause replied in English, his German accent thick.

"Likewise," Mila smiled.

"Mila is General Eichmann's personal typist," Josef explained. "She attends all of the briefings at the office."

"I'm sure she keeps you on your toes," General Krause smirked.

"She certainly does," Josef chuckled.

"Well I won't take up anymore of your time," General Krause began, taking a champagne flute from the table beside them. "You two enjoy your evening."

"You too sir," Josef replied, shaking his hand one last time.

"I didn't know you spoke German," Josef said once they had gotten their drinks from the table as well, and had made their way to a more secluded corner of the banquet hall.

"I learned it as a girl," Mila shrugged, "I know enough to carry on casual conversation ... And to know when I'm being talked about," She added with a coy smile.

"General Krause seemed impressed with you," Josef commented, taking a sip from his glass. "And that's quite a feat. He's not easily impressed."

"How do the two of you know each other?" She asked, blushing at Josef's compliment as she took a sip from her own glass.

"He was my training officer and superior in Calais," He replied, shifting his gaze awkwardly at the mention of his time spent in France.

"Well he seems to think very highly of you," Mila smiled, trying to steer the conversation away from where it was headed. "And if what you say is true, that's quite a feat," She added, using the phrase he had moments ago.

"He's actually the person who got me this job," He said, bringing his glass up to his lips again. "When I put in for a transfer he made a few calls."

She nodded, unsure of what to say. Why had Josef put in for a transfer? Was it because of what had happened to his brother? She wanted to ask, but knew it wasn't the time to bring up such a sore subject.

"I know the night's still early, but would you want to get out of here?" Josef asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. "These parties aren't exactly my cup of tea," He added, giving her a small smile.

"Mine either," She chuckled, returning her smile. "But won't they realize you've left?"

"I don't think anyone will miss me," Josef smirked, gesturing to the vast crowd of people encompassing the banquet hall.

"Then lead the way," She grinned, sitting down her glass and taking Josef's hand.