A/N:
Just like the missing agent I will do all Russian in Italics so that you don't get confused:)
I walk through the thick snow of Aero City settle in the shadows of a rundown building; my target is in front of me. He is sitting huddled next to the convenience store. The usual skate boarders are making a noise in a deserted car park. My target suddenly gets up and follows a young woman in a classic Russian fur hat and leather jacket. I stay behind in the shadows as the boarders pick up their things and follow my target. I trail behind him and the boarders, I follow them to another deserted car park. My asset is lying moaning into the snow while the skate boarders are beating him up.
"ой вы!" I shout across to the boys, the Russian rolling off my tongue with ease.
They stop what they are doing and turn to face me; I put on my best I-will-kill-you expression.
"What do you want?" Joe asks.
"Mate, do you know who she is?" a small voice from the back of the crowd says.
"Oh, uh..." The leader Joe stumbles over his words. I guess word has gotten around about my reputation.
"Scram." I growl, stepping up to the leader. He stumbles backwards and flicks his wrist, ordering his minions to follow him.
They scamper away and I make sure they are gone before I turn to my target who is lying in a bleeding crumpled heap.
"Get up." I say.
He rolls into a sitting position and runs a hand through the blonde hair which is stuck to his forehead with blood. "I can't" he mutters in terrible Russian.
I sigh heavily before steadying myself in the ankle deep snow and lifting him to his feet. He slumps heavily against mw as I lead him to the awaiting car which has pulled to a stop in the car park.
I push my target into the back of the vehicle before clambering in after him. The warm air comes as a relief to my numb fingers.
"James!" Eric says from behind the steering wheel.
"Slava?" the British boy James asks.
"Call me Eric." he says.
"What are you doing?"
"I work for the CIA, have been for the past twenty years. I was working on breaking the Obidin's, and have been for the past three years. Sadly you and CHERUB turned up and messed up everything." Eric says simply, tearing his gaze from the icy roads to look at James.
James glances at me with alarm. "You shouldn't speak so openly!"
Eric chuckles. " Oh don't worry my boy, she doesn't speak a word of English. Knows pretty much most European languages for that fact."
If only he knew.
James visibly relaxes at this news. "So how did a CIA operative like you end up with her?"
"That is a long story. I picked her up in Moscow, little bugger tried to con me. Almost worked. But I saw past it, just some girl off the street searching for a way out of this country. I gave her a deal. She does my dirty work, snooping, the likes and I find her an opportunity to get out of this country."
"That's one hell of story." James mutters glancing sideways at me.
"Yeah, I'll patch you up and then find you a way to get home. I will finally be able to see my little girls." Eric sighs wistfully as we pull up outside the block of flats which have been my home for the past three years.
Eric patches James up while I make a light dinner. Once James is settled on the couch I hand him the satellite phone and he rings CHERUB. Eric leaves soon after to make an appearance at work before he is questioned about his absence. I scrape up what few belongings I have into a small back pack and place it by the front door.
"You glad to leave this country?" James asks in Russian.
"Yes." I reply walking over sitting on the opposite couch.
He nods and stares at his hands.
"Your accent is terrible." I say.
"I know. I've only been learning Russian a little while."
"Same with Italian. But listening to lots of CDs has helped."
"Why don't you learn English?"
"Eric doesn't want me too. I guess he doesn't want me to understand his hushed conversations."
"Well have you learnt any English." James asks. "In your spare time I mean. Do you have spare time?"
"No." I lie, staring hard at him. I don't trust the flat. It could be bugged.
oOoOo
It is nearing the dark side of twilight when we near the private airstrip, my ticket home. I am given a wheel chair which I help James into before pushing him across the icy surface towards the little shack where we are greeted by two retired navy officers. Eric goes off into another room with the couple while I lean against the radiator, twisting the USB around in my fingers.
"You nervous?"James asks from opposite me.
"Yes." I reply, placing a strong Russian accent over the familiar English words.
James gapes at me in shock. "You speak English! So you have been learning it!"
"A little." I say returning to Russian. "I have been teaching myself, so that when I arrive in Britain or America I can understand others."
"Why did you lie to me before?"
"I don't trust Eric."
"Then why are you telling me this? I could be more untrustworthy than him."
I smirk at him. "Well I know I can trust you. There are some things you don't know about yourself."
"Like what?"
"Doesn't matter."
James starts to question me until I turn away and stare at the carpet. We sit in silence until we hear the roar of plane engines. I leap to my feet as Eric comes out of the other room.
"Let's get moving people, we don't have much time." he says clapping his hands and walking out the door.
I push James outside and the cold winds hit me hard and I struggle to keep the wheel chair in check as I jog steadily across the ice.
Before us a figure leaps off the cargo plane and greets Eric with a handshake. I recognise him and I stifle a gasp of relief with a cough.
"James! Everyone has been so worried. Especially Lauren." Ewart says clapping James on the shoulder.
"Am I glad to see you." James says happily.
"Well we aren't out the water just yet. You'll have to give a statement when we get back."
I stand in the background as Ewart turns to Eric and to discuss the journey. I help James out the wheel chair and he leans against me as the plane nears.
"Let's go. Here's the plan. Eric and..." Ewart turns to face me.
"Dakota." I choke out.
"Dakota will help you onto the plane, and then the rest of us will get on."
The moment arrives in a gust of snow as the plane slows as it passes us. Eric and I push James into the aircrafts open hatch, he falls inside before turning back to help us. Eric clambers in after him.
"You go next." Ewart says in terrible Russian as he stares at me.
The plane is gradually picking up speed. "No you go, you're more important."
Ewart nods and jogs alongside the plane before leaping inside. I am soon sprinting alongside the aircraft.
James and Ewart help lift me over the side. I'm almost in when Eric tries pushing me out.
"What are you doing?" Ewart yells over the roar of the engines.
"I don't trust her!" Eric shouts back.
My grip on the plane loosens as Eric shoves me backwards. Ewart tries stopping Eric but the CIA officer is no match for him.
"Hold on!" James shouts somewhere from in front of me. Black splotches fill my vision as my one arm strains to hold me up. With my last ounce of strength I reach for the USB in my pocket and place it in Ewart's hand.
"Give that to Mac." I shout in English, James reaches for my hand as I let go, but the momentum of the plane lifting off the ground is no use and I fall backwards. Bringing James with me. We hit the icy ground as the plane lifts off.
A/N:
Like it yet? Please review, if you review mine. I will review yours. Simples.