A minute or so later the Brigadier signalled to the Colonel who went over to him."I have not heard a shot, Colonel?" the senior man whispered."Natural...y not, sir. I did not wish to upset the other ladies, so the woman was taken away, out of earshot of this building." It was not a lie, in that she had been taken some distance away, but by omission the Colonel carefully concealed the fact that she had not been executed as he had decided to use her to repay a favour to the Gestapo.They had helped. And I didn't know how to tell you. I guess my feelings got out of hand because they were bottled up fir so long. I can't take this. I just want you so bad, Saph. I think I love you."I winced at her last sentence, gazing up into those beautiful green eyes with my deep blue ones. I sighed, than pulled her close to me.She looked up at me, confused as I ran my hand through her silky curls."I love you too," I whispered, then plunged my other hand up her night gown as my lips touched her's.We kissed. Ariel went to Jack and said, "Joanie and I are going to walk to the drugstore down the street to get some gum and breath mints, ok? Do you want me to pick up anything for you while we're there, honey?" No, I don't think I need anything, love. Don't be gone too long, we need to be at the hotel by 3:00, ok?"She kissed him and said, "Ok Jack. We'll be back in about ten minutes."Joanie kissed Andy and the two ladies went down the street to the drugstore. Ariel went to the aisle and got her. Director Berry had spelled it out. This was a woman's world, and therewere few publishers willing to publish a book by a man. Especially aman who had been black-balled by one of the most powerful women on thisplanet."When do I start, Director Berry?" Although Mike felt good about hisdecision, he still couldn't shake the feeling that he had just sold hissoul to the devil. ***************************Six years later - Planet EarthMarc 'Pappy' Casewell smiled as he strolled down the peppered.