The chill of a Russian fall day normally kept Lily buried under the blankets, however, sharing a bed with a man that doubled as a furnace made it almost unbearable waking to. Not that she fully complained. She loved being wrapped in his arms, close to his chest, listening to his beating heart.

Groggily, Lily stretched out, looking over at Ivan. He was dead asleep, his sweet face relaxed in peace and slumber. Lily couldn't stop herself, she traced his jaw with her fingers, letting them slide down his neck. A sleepy sigh came from the man, just for him to loosen his grip and roll to his back. She held back a chuckle, enjoying the sight before her. It had been about two weeks since the Paris and they had practically christened every room within the home. Most of it within their bedroom, as she looked around and saw her bra laying on the clock.

"Tire him out. Go to the room then." she heard Brie's words echo in her head.

Could she really get away with it? Slowly moving from the bed, Lily made her mind. Today was the day. Throwing clothes on, she quietly made her way to the door, praying its hinges wouldn't make a sound. To her luck, they were silent as she slipped into the hallway. The only place she could think where the key could be, was his office. Darting down the stairs, nearly tripping over Whiskey, she managed to make her way to the office. Now the real test began, where the hell was it in here. Checking as many drawers and cupboards as she could, Lily searched desperately for the damn key.

"Where in the world is that blasted thing hiding?" she mumbled to herself.

"Where's what hiding?" someone asked.

A startled yell escaped Lily, she threw her hands over her mouth hoping it wasn't loud enough to wake anyone. That and praying Ivan wasn't behind her. But as she looked, she was met by an older woman, looking to be a house maid.

"Oh, pardon me. I didn't realize Ivan hired anyone else." Lily spoke.

The woman laughed, "Only when the others aren't here."

"Right." Lily nodded, "Makes sense."

"What are you searching for dear?" the woman asked.

"Oh, a key. Knowing Ivan, it's hidden away in here somewhere." Lily replied.

"A key for what? I know where all the keys are for each room."

"Brilliant!" Lily exclaimed, "Right, the door that is constantly locked. Ivan threatens anyone that goes near it. Let's just say curiosity killed the cat."

The woman smiled and nodded over to the old nesting dolls on the shelf, "Got to think like a Russian sweetie."

Lily laughed at the thought, it was obvious really as she reached up to the nesting dolls. Whiskey pounced up, perching himself beside the dolls, "Only you cat."

"He's just watching his pride."

"That he does." Lily said opening up each doll until she had the key in hand, "Yes. Thank you so much ma'am."

"You're quite welcome dear."

"Odd, why didn't you tell me not to go into the room like everyone else did?" she asked.

"Because you are needed in there to relieve Catherine and Anastasia."

Lily whipped around to asked the woman what she knew only to find her gone. Just her and Whiskey were in the room, as if she was never there. A cold chill ran down her spin, that was the freakiest thing she had ever dealt with.

Not letting time slip any more, Lily made her way to the door. The whispers beginning as she got closer.

"Here. This way. Come here." the whispers spoke over and over.

Her nerves were a wreck as she approached the door. She felt like hell going behind Ivan's back like this, but it was the only way. She needed those answers. The whispers grew intense, louder, more demanding than before. Her hands shook as she finally stood before the wooden door, she wanted to flee, to be back in bed with Ivan, to forget this room. No, she couldn't do that. This had to be done.

With shaky hands, Lily unlocked the door as the whispers screamed at her. Gulping back the fear, she pushed the door opened, only to be met with silence.

"Are you kidding me? Of all times to be silent, you choose now?" She asked aloud.

Entering the small, dusty room, she saw an array of items. So many dating back days of time, the rise and fall of Russia. As strange as it was, it felt warm and comforting, like she belonged within the doors. Pictures of royals and rulers, furniture of eras, and trunks galore filled the room.

"If there is an answer in here, it's going to take me forever to find it." Lily said to herself, "Never realized Ivan was much of a hoarder."

She scanned the room for anything that stood out, yet it all looked the same. There was nothing that screamed at her to look at it, to see what she needed to. Nothing. Disappointment filled her once more as she roamed the room, how could she have thought that the answers were-

"Turn around. In here." they finally spoke.

Turning to the voice, she saw an antique trunk sitting in the middle of the room, it looked just like the rest of them yet there were small designs on it. She approached it with caution, half afraid of something popping out. Her fingers traced the little Russian and Slavic designs, awed by its beauty.

"Now or never." She whispered to herself as she began to lift the lid.

Inside laid an old sheet, covering whatever he wanted hidden. Lifting the fabric, she gazed upon two small paintings and crowns, jewels and trinkets, and clothing of a young girl's dreams.

"My god." She was amazed by the trunk, so many beautiful things. "Feel like I'm five looking in grandmother's old chest."

The crowns called out to her more than the others. Their gems and diamonds glistening in the light, it made them sparkle like stars at night. There was no way they were real. But to Lily's surprise, they were. Carefully lifting the beautiful pieces up to her sights, she took in everything of them. The more she looked at them, the more they became familiar.

Lily's vision fogged, sounds became distorted as she heard a man proclaim about a woman. The crowns grew heavy but she couldn't let them go. Closing her eyes, she hoped it would just snap back to normal, that the whispers weren't sending her on another spiral. But when she opened them, she found herself in another era.

The heavenly gowns, the regal dressed, all the men and women of worth stood in awe of the crowning, yet seemed stiff. Looking at the new queen, Lily's eyes widened, Catherine the Great stood before them all, scepter and orb in hand. Head held high, her face showing no emotion but deep down she could feel Catherine's turmoil. The fear that she felt being a Prussian princess and married into the Russian ways. She also could feel burning, distrusting eyes from across the room. Lily scanned the room, trying to find the source, only to stumble back in shock. There in the corner of the adjacent doorway stood a man in the dark green uniform, eyes narrow at the new queen. As the room applauded her, he left with a huff; Lily couldn't stop herself from following him. His walk, his stance, the dark aura that poured off him, it was all too familiar and one she truly couldn't believe. It really couldn't be him. There was no way.

He moved down the vast hall in massive strides, making it almost impossible for Lily to catch up to him.

"Ivan!" someone shouted.

Looking back, Lily saw Catherine making her way towards him. The woman screamed elegance, her poise and beauty like no other that she had seen before. She stood beside Lily, awaiting the man to answer. He turned on his heel, his boots snapping to attention, slowly making his way towards her. Lily could feel her fear within her, yet Catherine never showed it. As he came closer, she realized that her thoughts weren't wrong at all.

Ivan towered over her, glaring daggers in her very soul. He leaned down to her ear, the cold expression never leaving his face, "You are not queen here, Sophie."

Catherine just smiled at him, his threat rippled through her yet held no real worry to her, "Ivan, I will do what I can to be the greatest queen for Russia."

The world whirled around Lily changing once more to a large field, soldiers standing in rows, listening intently on the royal speaking. Catherine rode around the men, words of wisdom fell from her. She wanted them all to stand tall, to know she has her heart with them. She knew they could beat the Turks, no doubt within her mind. With a final cheer from the men, they marched onward to win the war before them.

"Not very lady like to ride horse like that." she heard the familiar voice call to her.

Lily looked past the large animal, she saw Ivan in the same uniform, smiling up at Catherine. The dark aura was gone from him, now replaced with the childlike smile that Lily loved so dearly.

"I'm not your typical lady."

"Most don't speak like you to the soldiers."

Lily felt Catherine's heart grow in admiration toward the men fighting for her country, "I praise loudly. I blame softly."

Once more her vision blurred, now bringing forth the cool, somber room.

"Ivan?" Catherine asked from the bed.

"Da?"

"You know it's time."

"Net."

"I'm not like you. I can't live forever."

Lily watched as Ivan held a stiff lip, his eyes welling with tears. She felt Catherine's sadness for the man she deeply loved. She tightened her grip as best as possible on his hand.

"Ivan, I have one last request for you."

"Da?"

"We are behind closed doors, do not hide from me. Let it go."

Lily's heart broke, between Catherine's words to Ivan's tears slipping down his cheeks, it was becoming too much, yet she fully knew what was coming next. She watched as Ivan's face crumbled under Catherine's words, the sniffling and break of a quiet sob ended the silence.

"Please, don't go." he cried. "Don't leave me. I'm noting without you, Russia is nothing without you. You are what makes Russia, what makes me."

Catherine raised her hand to gently cup his tear soaked cheek, he begged and pleaded for her to stay with him, even though he knew she couldn't. Lily cried along with him, wanting to comfort him, to tell him that he will be loved.

"You are a powerful country. You always will be." she told him, "And I know you will love another just like me."

His cries grew louder, laying his head down next to Catherine as she stoked his hair for the last time. Lily tried to walk over to him but as she moved the world changed once more.

She found herself in a vast garden, she knew exactly where she was, dreading this vision even more as the new automobile came to view. Pulling to a stop, she watched as Ivan came out of it along with the Tsar, Nicholas II. The two men laughed, as they approached the palace as a flurry of excited squeals left the home.

Lily turned to see a young girl and boy flying out the door as the older ones waited eagerly at the door. The little boy ran to his father as the girl tackled Ivan to the ground.

"I'm so happy you're home Ivan."

"I told you I'd come back, Anastasia. I always have." he smiled at her, hoisting her in the air.

"Glad to see the two of you back safely." a cool, sly voice spoke out, cutting the moment short.

There behind them stood Rasputin, the greed laid heavy within his eyes as he licked his chapped lips at them. Nicholas nodded to him, walking over with Alexei, however, Ivan glared at him with pure distrust and hate.

"Please don't hate him. He is helping Alexei out, mama said that he's doing good." Anastasia scolded Ivan.

He gave the princess a curt smile, "Net, I won't be mean."

"Ivan, duel with me, you said you would." Alexei said making his way over to him.

Lily watched at the childish side of the giant came out as he 'dueled' with the young prince as the world faded and brought her to the Siberian country side, the shack that sat there was dramatic change from the bountiful palace she was at. Yet there were still smiles and hope within the Romanov family it seemed, within the situation they all still had one another.

Lily watched as Anastasia, now a blooming teen, and Ivan talked about the ongoing war and uprising.

"We will be fine Ivan, please, do not worry over us."

"The sooner you are away from this, the happier I'll be. This is not a place for you."

Anastasia laughed at him, "You worry too much. We will board the train and be in Ukraine before you know it. I have faith in you."

Ivan smiled at her, Lily knew that face. The internal fight within him was raging against him, she had seen it time and time again. She knew it was coming.

"Ivan, I have a request." Anastasia asked, "I know it's wrong but I want it."

"That would be?"

Lily watched as she twirled her fingers together like a nervous school girl, "Would you please be the first for my kiss?"

Now she fully knew why Ivan was afraid of love, not wanting to be close. She threw her eyes closed as she heard Ivan kiss Anastasia, tears rolling down her face.

"I will never let anything bad happen to you Anastasia. You will be back to my side once this is over, my princess."

Opening her eyes, Lily found herself in the small room. Anastasia, her sisters, mother, father, and Alexei sat in wait. Their last picture together before departing Russia. Lily tried to scream at them, to get out, to run before it was too late, but no sound was made. The sharp knock intensified Lily's fear, as the soldiers came in along with Rasputin. He smiled over at the Romanov's as they raised their guns. The room echoed with the blasts of the guns, the smoke making it hazy and suffocating. She finally gained the courage to look up only to sink back in horror. The family laid upon the ground, no life from any of the bodies...or so she thought. Rasputin made his way over to the girls and smiled down at Anastasia, sure enough, her chest shook and rose lightly as she stared up at the man, her hand outstretched to him in fear as he placed the barrel of the gun to her hear. Lily let out a silent scream as Anastasia looked at death, calling out for Ivan as the trigger was pulled.

Lily's world went dark for a moment, just to find herself in the dim hallway. "No, not this."

There in the hallway stood Eduard and Iryna, their conversation getting deeper and intense as the shout for the family silenced the building. Raivis flew up to the two of them as Natalya entered the room. Lily felt herself move toward the door, finally getting a glimpse within. There stood Ivan, anger and worry riddled his features as a bandage covered his eyes, his uniform shirt was wrinkled and untucked, the desk a mess as he felt around it. Why were his eyes wrapped up, what happened?

Just then Toris came in the room, a heavy sigh left him as his teary eyes looked at the group.

"Toris, what is it?" Iryna asked.

Toris just stood there, quiet and unsure of words, "I know why you can't see Ivan. It's happened before with Alfred. It's an effect of-"

"An effect of what Toris? What? Where are the Romanov's?" Ivan yelled. "Iryna, Eduard, you said they weren't on the train, so where the hell are they?"

"They're dead." Toris replied.

Gasps filled the room as it filled with bitter silence, Toris sniffled, trying to hold his emotions back, but his voice gave him away, "They were found at the home, hiding away. They were all shot to death. Someone within the ranks gave away their location. I'm sorry Ivan."

"You can't be sure?!" Natalya yelled, "There has to be something else you're missing."

"There is nothing else." he stated.

The two went back and forth as Iryna and Eduard joined in trying to understand the situation, yet Ivan stood there silent, taking in what Toris had told him. Lily cried as she tried to go near him, frozen in place again.

"Out." Ivan said.

"Big brother?" Natalya asked.

"Out."

"Ivan, we need to get everything straight. We just can't-" Iryna started.

"Out." he became more aggravated.

"Ivan, please, I'm telling-"

"OUT!" he yelled.

They all scattered out, Lily somehow following suit. She tried to stay in the room, wanted to comfort him for she knew now where the crying came from and what was to come next. Iryna held the door, hanging on for dear life as Natalya and Raivis questioned her. An explosion erupted from the room, items being thrown around the room, hitting and breaking everything in its path as Ivan screamed out in devastation and pain. Lily covered her ears, hoping to block out the sound, only to find it louder within her head.

Then it was silent. Iryna and Natalya darted in to gather their brother in their arms as she cried against them. Eduard and Raivis stood by the door, terrified to enter as Toris slowly made his way into the destroyed room.

"I want their bodies." he sobbed out, "They need to be buried properly."

"You can't." Toris said.

"What?" Iryna questioned.

"What do you mean?" Natalya demanded.

"They're gone." Toris replied, a small cry broke out of him, "They destroyed their bodies completely."

And then, the pained wail filled the room as Ivan's broken heart shattered. Iryna and Natalya rocked him, trying to sooth him. Iryna began to hum, then sing the Cossack lullaby to him as he continued to sob. Lily shook with emotion as everything finally made sense to her. Francis and Brie's words buzzing in her head as her dreams, the voices and cries, coming together. She was Catherine the Great and Anastasia Romanov, she was a woman with past souls.

In a flash, Lily found herself back in the room. The crowns back in the trunk where she had found them, her heart raced as tears poured out of her.

"Dear god." she stammered out, "I'm Anastasia and Catherine, Brie was right."

Lily looked around gathering her wits, she had finally found the truth and it was her going behind Ivan's back to find it.

"Oh, god Ivan, I'm so sorry. I betrayed you. I'm sorry, but god I know who I am now, and with it, I love you more." she said aloud to herself.

Time donned on her as she confessed to herself, "Oh lord, he'll be awake."

Shaking her head, she brushed herself off, "Alright. The moment you explain your findings he'll understand. Might be a little mad but understanding. All you have to do is close the trunk and-"

The trunk was slammed shut, frightening Lily. Her eyes saw a hand on top of the trunk, following the limb as she found herself staring into those amethyst eyes.

"Ivan." she gasped.

The dark aura surrounded him, his eyes becoming darker as his anger showed more upon his features. He gripped the trunk with white-knuckling force, she waited for it to splinter under his hand.

"Ivan, I can explain."

"Out."

"Ivan please."

"Out."

"Would you give me-" she was cut off as his free hand grabbed her wrist with bruising force that she swore she heard the bones creak under the pressure.

"GET OUT!"

Lily didn't give it a second thought, she fled out the door, running towards the front door, leaving behind the bewildered trio as she made her way for her car. She infuriated him, broken his trust and hurt him. She was wrong in doing so but needed to at the same time. As she made her way down the road, the only safe place she could think of. And she would stay there as long as needed, knowing her, she'd keep Lily there until, she herself, knew her brother was completely calm.