If I live, I will fight, wherever I must, as long as I must, until the enemy is defeated and the national stain washed clean.
- General Charles de Gaulle
* * *
As Nicole stood looking out the full-length window of her Paris loft, she reflected on the changes the city had gone through over the past few years. It was the Spring of 1943, and life for Nicole had changed since the Germans stormed into and occupied Paris, the city she loved since first discovering it as a child. Gazing out the smoky colored glass, she focused her eyes on the Notre Dame, perched majestically on the river Seine. She marveled at its twin towers reaching sixty-nine meters up towards the sky and like so many of the French, was grateful no damage had come to it during the German occupation. Its walls were intact as was her life, yet it's outline against the cold gray skyline equaled her own somber feelings. Known as the "City of Light", Paris no longer shone brightly, and for some, the darkness was overwhelming.
Nicole resented that the French military had not been fully prepared for a potential invasion. While the rest of the world made superior war machines and all the French could do was to make some idiotic wall to keep the intruders out of France. The timid, ineffective effort reminded her of children drawing lines in the dirt, and daring each other not to cross it. The uncertainties of war frightened Nicole, and she yearned for the days when she and her parents strolled along the Seine together. The time they spent there held many memories for Nicole. Even as a child, she would found a sense of peace and strength along the Seine. Nicole longed for the simplicity and security that her childhood had offered, but she feared that it had left her forever.
Schooled in Paris, and educated in English at home, she grew up literate in both French and English, which facilitated her employment at the small travel agency. The business attracted many people, despite the scarcity of money. Nicole had long suspected the business was a smoke screen for the Resistance, but she never asked questions, believing it to be safer for her. The French, who found the Nazi slaughter of Jews so horrific and intolerable, joined the Resistance to stop or slow the German's efforts. Her friend Demi, worked sporadic hours and often disappeared without warning, which led Nicole to believe Demi was involved with the "inside activities." The two had grown up together, and it was through Demi she met Armand, the one true love of her life. Nicole met Armand at a party, and the two had hit it off immediately.
"What is wrong ma chere?" Armand asked. From they day they met, Armand had an uncanny ability to gauge her moods.
Withdrawing from her far away thoughts, Nicole turned to look at Armand. The pre-dawn light coming through the window outlined her flawless figure, temporarily hidden by her white cotton nightgown. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders, lending a striking contrast to her porcelain colored skin.
Moving towards him, she sighed and said, "Oh Armand, nothing is the same anymore. I hate this war and all the misery it brings. So many lives tortured. Why can't things go back to they way they once were?"
Armand pulled her into bed, drawing her close to him under the feather comforter. Cradling her face in his hands, he kissed her lips, lightly touching them. Safe in his arms, Nicole pushed all thoughts of war out of her head.
"Nicole, if I could give you back the Paris you grew up in, I would. The war has changed everything but my love for you."
Pulling him closer to her, Nicole tasted his sweet lips. Being with him was all that mattered now. Sitting up she pulled the nightgown over her head before lying on top of him.
"I know you love me…"
"But?"
"But I miss Paris."
"Nicole, Paris is all around you."
"The German's Paris. Not my Paris."
"I understand."
"I want to be able to go outside without wondering if bombs will be dropped in the next few minutes."
"And I want to know my friends are not in any danger. I despise the Germans stalking us like open prey. It scares me, Armand."
She kissed his cheeks, and found pleasure as her lips moved over the roughness of his face. She felt the urgency of his sexual hunger as his mouth came down hard aggressively on hers. She sucked hard on his tongue, while he pushed his tongue deep in her mouth, seeking out his own pleasure. Positioning herself over him, she rubbed her pubic bone over his stiffness, causing him gasp. He cupped her breast and caressed the soft pale mound of flesh, closing his fingers around the firm pink nipple.
"Oh Armand, I love you so much. I want to be with you forever."
Pulling her close, his lips pressed hard into hers, and his tongue pushed deep in her warm mouth. They continued exploring each other; both aware of how and where to elicit desire using their tongues and hands. Covering her nipple with his mouth, and sucking eagerly, shivers of excitement started flowing through her. Nicole let out a series of soft moans, similar to a cat purring, which heightened Armand's state of arousal. Moving his hand between her legs, and feeling the warmth of her excitement, he began pushing his fingers deep inside her.
"God Nicole, you are so beautiful to me."
Nicole closed her eyes, concentrating on Armand's every move. She pulled him closer, as her desire intensified and urged him to go deeper inside her.
"Armand, take me, make love to me, Armand. I want you so much."
He guided his erect shaft between her soft folds, now moistened with her lust for him, and began pushing slowly into her. She loved watching him as he made love to her, his excitement building and then eventually releasing deep within her.
"Oh baby, I so love you."
"Oh Armand," was all Nicole could utter.
She wrapped her legs tightly around him as he drove himself harder and deeper into her, not wanting to release him, until her feelings of pleasure were unleashed. The sexual frenzy did not last, and within seconds, both were moaning as waves of pleasure moved through them.
"Oh Armand, it feels so good. I love making love to you in the morning."
"Nicole, my love, I love you, and wish I could spend the day in bed with you, but it is time for work."
As Armand headed to the shower, Nicole watched, fascinated as the muscles of his ass rippled with each step. He was tall, blonde, and very muscular. She told him often he could pass for being of German descent, which allowed him to pass freely on the streets without being harassed like so many others. Armand had an obsession for keeping physically fit, which had always puzzled Nicole, since his job did not require any real physical strength.
Lying in bed, Nicole reflected on her relationship with Armand.
They had lived together for six months, and in her dreams, they would eventually marry, but with the uncertainties of war, their future was also uncertain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicole and Demi were sharing lunch and giggling like two schoolchildren, when a co-worker approached them. She handed Demi a note, and Nicole watched as her friend's demeanor changed to one of worry. As the co-worker briskly hurried away, Demi grabbed her unfinished sandwich and threw it into her lunch basket.
"Demi, is everything alright?" Nicole asked, grabbing Demi's arm.
"Yes, I am okay, but I need to tell you something."
Demi scanned the room, leaned in closer to Nicole, and in a whispered voice began telling Nicole about her connections with a group called "The Sixth." She explained the purpose of this small group of the Resistance was to help Jews escape from the hands of the Germans. They primarily placed children into non-Jewish homes for protection and helped others escape over the borders into Spain and Switzerland. Demi's involvement was assisting in the production of forged identity papers.
Nicole sat tearing papers in front of her into small pieces, and listened intently to what Demi was telling her. She had suspected her friend was involved in the Resistance, but she refused accept the fact that war had invaded her own small world. She knew fellow Frenchmen were helping the Jews, and she knew the repercussions if caught. Nicole understood the danger her friend was dealing with, but at the same time, she admired her courage for helping.
"Demi, what you are doing is dangerous. You must be careful."
"Nicole, I am telling you this for one reason. We need more help, and I think you should consider helping us. You and Armand could work together."
Demi let out a small gasp and put her hand to her mouth, and Nicole knew Demi had betrayed Armand's confidence.
"What do you mean? Is Armand helping too?"
Nicole sat back in her chair, sighed, and proceeded to cry softly. It was bad enough she might lose not only her best friend, but Armand too.
"He will tell you in his own way, but I will share that he is helping us too. He has the connections we need. Please, you must ask him."
Nicole returned to her job after lunch, and searched the office for any signs that others might be involved. Who else was involved, and for how long? When was this all going to end? She could not wait to get home to Armand, to discuss his association with the Resistance. Or could she?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walking through her front door, the familiar smell of cooked sausages and the warmth of her flat welcomed her home. Armand was in the kitchen preparing their dinner, just as he normally did, and she wondered how she would broach him about Demi's revealing remarks.
"Armand! I am home."
As she approached the kitchen and looked into his eyes, she saw in them the look of worry and knew instantly that Demi had forewarned him. Rushing to his open arms, she felt his strength and love and never wanted to let him go. The tears began uncontrollably, and his soothing touch did little to alleviate her fear. Armand pushed her away, breaking her hold on him, and took her face in his hands, kissing away the tears.
"My sweet Nicole, you must not worry."
"Armand, I am frightened that I might lose you."
"I am being very careful. But you must understand I have to help these people. It is not fair that they have been harassed and beaten for no reason."
