"What if they see through us?" Adeline looked around at the gawking men.

"They won't if you will stay quiet."

Adeline nodded. Eloise passed by the tents. The sight of airmen conversing among themselves created a flashback. Carefree and calm, traits Eloise wish existed beyond the airfields. The two men raised their hand, halting them as they neared a lone tent.

"Captain," the man called into the tent. "during our patrol, we found two lost women."

"Women?"

Rustling sounds followed the confused voice from inside. Eloise's heart leaped with the intensity of the moment. She looked at Adeline who gnawed on her bottom lip. She patted her on the arm, bringing a simple smile onto her face. Eloise entwined her hand with Adeline, hoping to ease her for the captain's debut.

"Yes, sir. There are two women here who claim to be nurses. They say that they have lost their way to a hospital. Their motor-vehicle failed them and they could not reach their destination. They are taking medical supplies to another hospital."

"Send them in." The voice from within called out. The two men motioned for them to enter.

They inched their way inside the dimly lit tent, looking around at the quaint space. The silhouette of the officer stood against the white backdrop. He continued rummaging through a cabinet of papers, ignoring them. The slam of the drawer caused the women to jump. Adeline instinctively stared down at the ground, fearing the worst.

"It is strange you are lost going to a German hospital," his voice was distant. "A British hospital is the only one within miles of this location."

Eloise remained silent. The shadow of the man danced wildly as he moved. Eloise kept her eyes locked on his form. The pounding in her heart reached her head. The uncertainty of the moment built a mound of tension. Carefully he lit a lantern, illuminating the small space. Her eyes grew wide at the familiar profile that stood before her.

"Albert..." a faint voice spoke.

Her breathing intensified as the man slowly turned around. The piercing blue eyes of Albert stared back at her in disbelief. Both remained silent, unsure of what to say—unsure if they were in reality. The only thing they could do was stare.

"Eloise," his voice softened, letting her know he was real. "Is that you?"

She opened her mouth to speak but no words could escape. She was frozen where she stood, staring at Albert before her. He dropped the papers from his hand and slowly neared Eloise. She looked at Adeline, mouth agape. A puzzled expression was written along the face of Adeline. Eloise knew that she could not explain anything to the woman.

"Eloise..."

Her eyes fell closed at the whisper of her name. She had longed to hear his voice speak her name and here he was, speaking her name. Before she could open her eyes, the heat from his body wrapped around her. She tightly bound her arms around his body, pulling him close to her as she could. He buried his head in the nape of her neck, peppering kisses along her skin. She let out a breath of air.

"Albert." She whispered in his ear before placing a kiss on his neck.

"I thought I would never see you again." Albert spoke gently against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Neither did I."

He began to spin excitedly around with her clutched in his strong arms. He stopped sharply and pulled her away. His eyes fixated on her face. A gentle hand gravitated toward her cheek. She instantly melted into his hand, reaching to entwine her hand with his. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. The well-chiseled lips formed a wide grin.

"May I kiss you?" He nervously asked, caressing her cheek once again.

In her shocked state, Eloise could only muster an agreeing nod. In an instant, she felt the warm lips of Albert meeting hers. Her heart leaped wildly from her chest, fearing that he could feel it. He pulled her close to him, intensifying the moment. She trailed her fingers along the back of his neck, running them along his hair. They pulled away for a moment to share a pleased smile before they were drawn back together. In his arms, Eloise was home.

"What is going on, Eloise?" Adeline abruptly questioned, breaking the intensity of the scene.

Eloise looked over her shoulder at Adeline, who could only shake her head.

"Who is this man, Eloise? You seem to know him rather well."

Eloise's eyes found their way back onto Albert, where she could not help but to smile. He took Eloise by the hand as they walked toward Adeline.

"Ma'am, I am Albert von Brandt." He introduced himself respectfully, bowing gently to Adeline. "Eloise is the woman who will become my wife."

Eloise quickly looked up at Albert, who only nodded. Shock flooded the face of Adeline.

"The Black Knight?" Adeline's eyes roamed the room wildly. "This is the man you never mention?" Her eyes grew wide as she drew a breath, "This is the father of Ulrich?"

"Yes, he is." Eloise steadied her friend.

A silence filled the room as Eloise stared at Albert, who beamed with joy. The happiness that filled his eyes was just as Eloise had dreamed.

"Where is our son?" Albert asked, resting a steady hand on the small of her back.

"He is with the women at the hospital." Eloise dropped her head as she spoke, "Adeline and I were only going to be gone a few hours, but we have run into some trouble."

He thought silently to himself and nodded, "Lieutenant!"

The man from before appeared in the entranceway and stood at full attention. Albert took Adeline by the arm and neared the poised man.

"I would like for you to take Miss Adeline to eat. She must be famished from her trip." He gave a reassuring smile to Adeline. "Try to ease her mind of the fearful situation. Also, you should begin preparations for a motorcar. These women have a journey still ahead of them."

The man nodded and outstretched his hand to Adeline. Reluctantly, she followed behind the man. Silence filled the space between them in the empty room. She studied as Albert turned away from her, straightening his uniform. Uncertainty filled the room. Her stare fell to the ground as she nervously pushed back a strand of her hair.

She quietly eased herself onto a nearby chair, watching as Albert poured a glass of water. She noticed him wink as he placed it before her. A nervous laugh emitted from her lips, making him smile. He sat himself across from her and stared intensely at her. She felt her face growing warm as she supped her water.

"Why are you staring at me?" She finally whispered, breaking his trance.

He looked around; a wide grin plastered on his face. "I feel as though I am in a dream and I fear that when I wake up you will be gone."

"This is no dream, Albert." She placed the cup down and rose from her chair. "I am here."

She neared Albert, who viewed her with immense adoration. He placed his hands on her waist and their eyes instantly met. Time paused in that moment. She took his face into her hands and leaned him into a tender kiss.

"Could a dream do that, Albert?"

He shook his head, pulling her onto his lap. "No."

A tight embrace followed the short answer. Eloise rested her head in the curve of his neck. Her fingers traced shapes lightly along his chest. The warmth of his body welcomed her. She never wanted to leave.

"How are you fairing with them?"

"I cannot complain. They treat me well." She glanced up, "What about yourself?"

"I stay lonely." His face quickly dropped. "The men of my squadron are dead. These people that fill my airfield are simply strangers."

"I saw Moritz." She rested her head against his chest. "They brought him to my hospital."

She felt his breath hitch beneath her. He suddenly began rubbing her back, fighting the nerves that was appearing. An unfamiliar anger formed in his eyes. The change of his mood was immediate, worrying her.

"I am going to kill the man who killed him." Albert brashly swore, shifting his tensed body. "Moritz was on his last flight. It was only supposed to be an observation. He wasn't going to fight anyone. He had finally agreed to stay on the ground and work for the High Command."

He went silent as did his expression. The eyes that looked upon Eloise were hollow. She could only imagine what filled his silent thoughts. He was not the same Albert she remembered.

"I spoke the prayer over him." Eloise answered mildly. "I knew that his death would be overlooked by the British. I could not bear to think that no one prayed for the kindest man."

A partial smile formed on Albert's face, "I know that he heard it."

Melancholy thoughts plagued their minds, leaving nothing but a lingering silence in the air. Anger toward the war ached in their hearts. Neither could change the bitter facts that were placed before them.

"Their praised captain has taken many of my comrades." Albert's voice was distant. "Captain Bradford is a man I want dead. I will not stop until he is gone."

Eloise tensed at the mention of his name. The image of Everett appeared in her mind. Previous words he spoke repeated in her mind. She dared not mention that she knew him, let alone the fact he admired her. She pushed aside the thought of him, for she was in the arms of the man she loved.

"He wants you dead as well." Eloise remarked, rising from where she sat. "They all want you dead. Conversations about you are on the lips of many men. It breaks my heart every time I hear them speak bitterly of you." Tears began to well in her eyes and slowly trickled down her cheeks. "I cannot bear the thought of it."

Albert rose, concern returned in his eyes. "The thought of what?"

She nervously bit her lip, looking up at him. "The thought of you dying."

Albert brought his hand to her face and rested it gently on her skin. With a rough thumb he brushed away the tears that painted her face. No words came from him, only a soft kiss upon her forehead as he pulled her into his chest. She closed her eyes and began to cry. With a soft touch, he tilted her face upward. His eyes stared longingly into hers. The light touch of his hand erased any fears she had. She was lost in his calming stare.

"Don't cry." He brushed the loose strands of hair away from her face. "I don't want to spend this rare time together in tears."

Before she could speak, his lips had found their way onto hers. His hands trailed along the form of her body, where they rested firmly against her hips. Eloise surrendered her body completely to his touch. In a moment of passion, they staggered toward the desk. In a gentle swoop he sat her upon the surface. He began to pepper warm kisses across her jawline, trailing to her exposed neck. Eloise let out a ragged breath, wrapping her arms around his neck.

His hands carefully loosened the top button of her blouse, displaying her collarbone. She looked up at him and touched his cheek. Adoration filled her eyes. With a light finger, she began to trace the outline of his face and smiled.

"I see that your tears have vanished." A pleased grin came onto his lips.

Her finger ran along his square jaw, feeling the stubble beneath her touch. She pressed her lips against his jaw, feeling his breath shift to her touch. His hands continued freely along the outline of her body. Her eyes fell shut, succumbing to his every touch.

"You do not know how much I have missed you, Eloise." His husky voice whispered into her ear, pressing another kiss behind her ear. The warmth from his breath sent a shiver down her spine. "You do not know how much I have needed you."

His lips nipped along her neck. A soft moan slipped from her lips. Before she could speak, he leaned down, placing a single kiss upon her stomach.

"I still cannot believe that you carried my child."

Eloise smiled at his sincerity. She ran her hand along the top of his head. To touch him brought back the emotions she had lost in the reality of war. His gaze shifted upward, meeting hers. The burning desire in his eyes hypnotized her.

"Albert," her voice trembled. "We can't go any further."

His stare remained locked on her, "I know." His hands fell to his side as he slowly stood upright, lifting her with him. "I can imagine, however, of the day when you can return to my arms."

A single peck on the lips ended the intensifying scene. Eloise steadied her breath, hoping to settle her flustered body. Albert's eyes remained on her as he strolled the corner of his tent. She carefully watched him as he returned to his previous work, impressed by his composure. The area around soon became succumbed to the dreadful silence once again.

Eloise sat down at his desk and began inspecting the objects that covered it. Photographs of his deceased comrades scatted the area. A certain sadness came over her as she recalled their jovial faces. Allied newspapers were neatly stacked on the corner. Names of the enemy were scrawled across papers. Letters addressed to Albert were organized. She read the words that had been written, amazed at the admiration the public had for him. A formal letter hidden beneath the papers caught her attention. Shock and betrayal filled her heart as she read the official words.

"You could have a grounded position?" Eloise whispered in the stillness, gaining his attention. She gently rose from the chair and approached Albert, who remained hesitant. Quietly, she reread the words again.

Eloise shook her head in disbelief, "You can stay on the ground, Albert."

"That is no guarantee to live. Look at what happened to Moritz."

She took his face into her hands, "If you keep flying you are sentencing yourself to death."

Albert shrugged, "I suppose I am. Every soldier fighting this war knows that they can die. If I stay on the ground because I fear death, I am a coward. Those men in the trenches cannot simply leave and I know they are afraid."

"I don't understand." Eloise shook her head. "If any man was given the option to stop fighting, they would. Why would you continue?"

"Please, Eloise." His voice lingered. "I don't wish to talk about this anymore."

She knew not to press the situation anymore, yet she wished she could. No amount of persuasion would change his mind. Her eyes locked back onto the photograph of his comrades. He was the last remaining of his former squadron. A strong vendetta drove him higher into the sky. Albert was a vengeful man alone with nothing but his thoughts. Eloise knew that she could not stop him.

"I suppose that I should find Adeline." The change of subject eased Albert. "She is probably nervous wherever she is at."

"I am sure the men are taking good care of her." Albert approached her, offering her a hand.

With a tender smile, she graciously accepted his offer. Together they strolled leisurely among the tents. Memories of the past flooded her mind. She studied the scene as she once remembered. Large white tents and planes lined the vast field. Huddles of men scattered the area. Although, the faces of the airmen were different everything else remained the same. She felt like herself once again. Her gaze turned to meet Albert, who nodded at her. She could see relief in his eyes as they walked. Together they were finally at peace in an unpeaceful world.

The walk ended sooner than Eloise wished. A bustling sound echoed from within the open tent. They shared a calm glance before entering. An unexpected scene was painted upon the entrance. Adeline sat beside Augustus laughing over a steaming plate of food. Eloise could not help but smile at the sight. She glanced around at the chattering men, imagining the faces of those she once knew. For a moment, her heart ached.

"There she is." The voice of Augustus boomed over the crowd. "I had to see it with my own eyes. I am so glad to see you here in German territory," he paused waiting for them to get closer. "where you belong."

Eloise approached the table, "I am glad to see you are alive and well." She eased down across from them. "Adeline, I am glad to see you smiling."

Adeline blushed at the remark and continued eating. Conversations continued among them. For a moment in time, the war had stalled and they were enjoying the company of each other. Time passed quickly. Eloise carefully watched at the familiar lieutenant approached the table. She knew that he carried news that she did not wish to hear.

The man halted beside the table, patiently waiting for Albert's nod of approval before speaking. "The motorcar is ready to leave. I don't want to rush anyone, but evening will be falling and the darkness is dangerous."

Albert retrieved his pocket watch, observing the time that all were unaware of. Eloise glanced at Albert, who hung his head. The dreaded reality of wartime had returned to the patrons of the table. She placed her hand firmly against his back, staring at him intently. Hurt flooded his eyes. Adeline and Augustus quietly parted, leaving only Eloise and Albert to face their lover's demise.

"I knew that it was too good to be true." He turned to face her, cupping her face into his hand. "I knew that you would be gone so quickly."

Eloise leaned toward him, "I will always be with you."

A meek nod was the only response as he rose, helping Eloise do the same. They entwined their arms and strolled slowly from the tent, savoring the fleeting moment together. Eloise pushed the spiraling thoughts from her mind. Her heart longed to stay with Albert forever, yet she knew in her mind she had to leave.

Outside the tent sat the running car. Beside the vehicle stood the waiting lieutenant. Eloise watched as Adeline spoke parting words to Augustus before climbing into the cab. Her tearing eyes found their way back onto Albert. With sturdy hands, he took her into an embrace. The warmth of his body comforted her for only a moment, for she knew the cold world awaited her.

"Stay with me, Eloise." His hushed voice huskily whispered into her ear.

She held him tightly, fighting back tears. "I have to go back to our son."

She looked up at him. Glossy eyes stared back at her, letting her see the pain within his heart. More than anything, she longed to stay with him but the image of Ulrich flashed in her eyes. Only with their son could they be a united family.

He placed his hand on her cheek. With a thumb, he brushed away a stray tear from her face. She pressed her lips against his wrist. She rested her hands on his chest. Her mind replayed their first meeting. How she wished they had stayed in the woods, hidden from the world. Only in their dreams could they be together.

Albert leaned down and kissed her once again. "Make sure you take good care of our son. I can't wait for the day when I get to hold him in my arms."

Eloise smiled at him and nodded, "He will be the best around, just like his father."

"Eloise, you need to come on." Adeline impatiently called from the truck.