A/N: Chapter nine was the tipping point, but ten is when people start to get moving. It's now make or break for Renton and Eureka, and they have to decide whether to stay on the sidelines or take part in one last adventure. The last campaign will be bloody and there will be no shortage of losses, but there will be some moments for sweetness as well. A bit of warning for this chapter: there is some sensuality, but it doesn't dip into NSFW territory. However, readers under the age of 16 should tread with caution.

Read on and enjoy!

Chapter Ten

June 5th, 1945

San Francisco docks, USA

As Holland looked on at the small squad of soldiers boarding the Lend-Lease ship, he could not help but wonder just how far they had come, and how far some of them had fallen. To think he had traveled the world and had seen some of the greatest places on earth was astounding to contemplate. He had seen France, visited Paris, and lived in America after traipsing through his native Russia. However, there was still a sense of melancholy amongst the troops, and in his own heart.

Renton had vehemently refused to accompany him to Russia and aid in his search for Dewey. Eureka likewise stood by her man. Many soldiers did not even know the worth of their mission. For some, it was merely a personal vendetta of their superior officer. They were dragged along in the pursuit of a brother who was probably not even alive. Holland himself wondered if that was possible, and this whole chase was for naught. But it was not knowing that worried him more. It was being alone that troubled him more.

In the end, he should have known Renton would resist from the start. What else would he do, after three years of constant combat and bloodshed? He still remembered how they talked over and over again on the long trip home from Normandy about their future plans. How Renton would marry Eureka at the end of the war, and go back to his old farm. The dream he had coveted so long was snatched away when the assassination happened.

And so he refused to even acknowledge the threat, even going so far as to shut Holland out of his 19th birthday party. He sighed heavily, knowing there was nothing more he could do. Perhaps in the end, it was understandable. Anyone would want to turn away after a long and destructive war.

So be it. He would be alone this time, with just a squad of 10 soldiers and Sergeant Talho Yukieva for company. Talho, who despite joining Holland, did not press either Renton or Eureka to join. She didn't blame them for wanting to stay. She once felt like running away from everything after Denisov's death.

"It's finally happening, isn't it, Holland?" Talho asked her beau. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," he muttered, watching the soldiers climb up the gangway to the ship. "I just didn't think it would turn out like this."

"Life happens in mysterious ways. We can't always get what we want, you know."

The hazel eyed sergeant placed a soft hand on Holland's shoulder.

"Come on, walk with me to the ship. We don't want to keep our men waiting."

Holland was reluctant at first. There was a forlorn hope that maybe, just maybe, they would reconsider. Ultimately it took Talho leading him by the arm to the gang plank. She had expected this. And she still held no grudge. As he stomped his boot on the first step, another group joined the soldiers at the dock.

"Hey..." called out the voice that was far away.

Holland and Talho turned around to figure out who that was.

"Hey! Wait for us!" shouted a boy of oak brown hair, running towards the ship with a girl with lighter brown hair following close behind.

Both were holding suitcases and were sprinting straight towards the docks like Olympic marathon runners. Holland's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight of them running. He hoped he wasn't just seeing things, a mirage from the stress and frustration. No, they could not have changed their minds so easily. What arguments did Nadia lay out that convinced the stubborn couple?

"No, it can't be..."

Renton, wearing a white shirt and brown slacks with shoes to match, was trotting like a race horse to reach to the port and make it to the ship to Russia. Eureka, his future wife, followed him closely, wearing a pink sleeveless blouse and a long white skirt and black shoes. Sweat was visible on both of their foreheads, as they puffed and panted to reach their friends and family. How far did they run?

"It's really them, Holland!" Talho thought out loud.

"Y-yeah, it is…" Holland managed with shock in his voice.

Renton grabbed his knees and heaved a heavy breath, dropping his suitcase. His white shirt was soaked in sweat, meaning he had run a fair distance. How did they even manage to find the right dock?

"Are...are we late?"

"No," Talho said with a wry smile. "You're just in time."

Eureka finally released a long sigh of exhaustion before standing up to look straight at her brother.

"You...you win, Holland."

"What?" Holland asked, still bewildered.

"You were right all along, my friend," Renton said, somewhat reluctantly. "I was just running away from everything. Both of us were. What you said to us back in the office was true. We just didn't want to face the truth."

"It was wrong of us to shut you out," Eureka continued sincerely. "At the end of the day, we are still family. We need to stay together. And Dewey is our brother too." Renton nodded in agreement.

"We never should have shunned you and I was a jerk for not inviting you to my party. You are my oldest friend, Holland. You've always been there for me, so now, I will return the favor."

Holland was stunned, not just at the sudden change of tone, but just how everything had fallen into place. It all came together rather haphazardly at the end, granted. At least Renton still had some fight left in him. He still was the same brave boy who came to Stalingrad in the dead of winter and who led them through Normandy. At the end of it all, some things about his best friend never changed one bit.

"Well, it certainly took you two long enough," Holland smirked. "Now let's go find our idiot brother, eh?"

"Yeah, let's." Renton and Eureka respond in unison.

They walked up the gangways to the deck of the freighter together, helping each other when they stumbled. In the end that was all it ever was; a stumble on the long road to a final victory. It was only natural to turn away, but in the end, Nadia was right. One could only hide from the truth for so long. Eventually, when a threat stared at them in the face, it was impossible to avoid forever.

On the deck of the ship, Nadia looked down over the gangway, smiling. Dressed in her old NKVD uniform, she too was facing old demons, demons she would rather leave locked away. But she knew too that there was more to this than the petty vendetta of Chertov. Something else was directing all of this. The truth had to be known, one way or another.

At the top of the gangway stood another former assassin who turned away from a life with the blood of innocents on her hands. She greeted Renton with a warm smile and a respectful salute. Renton was understandably puzzled, not remembering meeting another who turned on Chertov. He always thought Nadia acted alone.

"It's good to finally meet you, American Russian," she said, extending a hand to him. He shook it somewhat hesitantly, trying to discern who she was.

She was rather young, at least in her 20s, looked to be Asian, with a tanned complexion and straight, short black hair. The girl stood roughly at his height, and her dark eyes had a strange earthly quality to them, witnesses to many hot days spent on the summer steppes. Renton slowly responded to the girl, slightly bewildered.

"The feeling is mutual, miss…?"

"Oh, that's right, we never met, did we? I worked with Nadia in the squad of assassins under Chertov two years ago."

"Then I take it you betrayed him too, like Nadia."

"Yes, I did. We worked together to ensure his capture."

"In that case, I am glad to have you with us, miss…?"

The girl released her hand from his and pressed it to her heart.

"My code number was 271. My real name is Roza. Roza Aliyeva."

"I'll never understand why the secret police have to adopt code numbers. Still, I am glad to know you're with us, Roza."

Indeed, for where they were going, every bit of help was needed. The Soviet Union would be treacherous, and none of them really knew how deep this conspiracy went. However, it was the best place to find answers. Nadia and Roza would have their own parts to play.

»»»»»

June 10th, 1945

Vladivostok harbor, USSR

The ship breezed through the Pacific Ocean with no major incidents. The Soviet Union was still technically at peace with Japan, but evidence of the changing situation was clear as Nadia walked through the busy streets to a nearby post office. Red Army soldiers had just arrived from the West, and she saw a few T-34 tanks being unloaded off of flatcars from a nearby train station. Soon the war would be on Japan's front door. Hopefully, the overwhelming power of the Red Army would force a capitulation. Whenever the final blow was struck.

The entourage of Americans and Russians were left at the docks while Nadia figured the best way to start the search for answers. In her mind, the best place to go was the capital. The center of Russia and the Soviet Union. Moscow.

The very name brought back memories for the former State Security agent. When she was last in that majestic city, she was in line for the NKVD entrance exam. One of the youngest cadets to apply, the large city mesmerized and captivated her. To visit her old stomping grounds brought a pang of nostalgia with a hint of worry. Undoubtedly, there will be those who know of her long absence and have questions. She and Roza would have to be prepared.

The bell rang atop the door frame as she walked in, looking to approach the telegraph office. However she felt a hand on her shoulder, and every muscle tensed up. Did someone already find them out? But who? Was there a double agent in their group?

"Agent 340," a familiar voice asked, "is it really you?"

Nadia turned around and saw a man a year older than herself. He had dark, raven hair and eyes to match. He was smartly dressed with a light brown uniform that complimented the summer heat. His face was round, with a scar at the center bridge of his nose.

Nadia's eyes almost popped out of her head at the sight of the fellow security agent. She recognized him from her entrance exam.

"Agent 551? I haven't seen you since Moscow in '37! What are you doing here?"

Agent 551 smiled, showing a silver tooth in the center of his mouth.

"When Germany surrendered I asked for a transfer. The Commissar was kind enough to give me one, but it was a little too far out if you ask me."

The former comrade caught her by the hand and shook it. His grip was firm, and his hands calloused, feeling slightly of wood and metal. He must have spent his last years on the front lines, holding a gun always in search of enemies to destroy. Foreign and domestic. He led her over to the telegraph office. But before she could even think of who to write, 551 had another question for her.

"Last I heard from you, you were on some special mission overseas. Then I never hear from you. What had you so busy that you missed the rest of the war?"

Nadia hesitated for a few moments, wondering just how much was worth divulging to this agent. And why was he asking such a thing? Perhaps he was feeling her out, trying to see if she was hiding something. No, she would not risk ruining everything because of some busybody. She remembered her training, and where she was. Any probing questions were signs of suspicion.

"I was…acting as a liaison for the consulate in San Francisco. Wiring cables and such. It's why I'm here, actually. Need to send a telegram."

551 seemed satisfied and let her continue on to the telegraph office. There was a short line, and so 551 continued on with his inquiry.

"Say, comrade, did you hear about our Hero of the People, Renton Daniels? There is a rumor going around that someone tried to kill him recently."

At that revelation, Nadia whipped her head around, her blue eyes now colored with concern. How did 551 know about this? Were there other agents who kept a watch over all of them? The eyes of the NKVD could see farther than the borders of the Soviet Union, and had an ear in the most important places.

"How did you know? Who told you?"

"One comrade in the office heard through a contact back in San Francisco. You were there, so surely you must have known."

"I did, actually. It's why I'm here."

"Pravda? So what do you know about it? I heard it was some loony who went on a shooting spree."

Nadia averted her eyes, looking to see if there were any more prying ears listening in. She pulled her old comrade closer.

"You can't say this to anyone, but the shooter was one of our own. I have good reason to suspect someone in the NKVD wanted him dead."

551 suddenly turned whiter than snow, and was so visibly floored.

"Tiy seryozna? What traitor in our motherland would want the American Russian dead?!" (A/N: Are you serious?)

"That's just what I want to know. So I need to get to Moscow to find some answers."

"In that case, you should talk with Commissar Gudkov. He is supposed to be very close to Comrade Beria, so he might be able to help." Nadia nodded. (A/N: Lavrenti Beria (1899-1953) was chief of the Soviet secret police under Josef Stalin during World War II. During his tenure he would served as de facto commander of the NKVD field units, coordinated anti-Nazi partisan activities, and organized the communist takeover of Central and East European countries after the war.)

"Spasibo, I'll be sure to look him up. By the way, Agent 551, if you were to go to Moscow, what's the fastest way?" Agent 551 smiled and laughed quietly at the question.

"Otsyuda? Tol'ka yest' odna poyezdka v Moskvu." (A/N: From here? There is only one route to Moscow.)

"Kakaya?" (A/N: Which?)

"The Trans-Siberian Express. There is one leaving tonight. If you want to get to Moscow soon, you better catch it."

"In that case, I can't waste time. Thank you, comrade."

»»»»»

Nadia managed to get train tickets for all in her group, thanks to Agent 551's help. It still paid to have a connection in the NKVD. Of course, associating brought back bad memories. Memories of nights spent interrogating suspected enemies of the people, show trials, and unimaginable pain to prove her loyalty to the State and the Party.

While Nadia came to grips with returning to her old, deadly work, Renton was likewise facing the prospects of finally returning to Russia, and was gripped with anxiety over what he would find. He ultimately decided it was better to know what lay at the heart of the assassination plots against him, but he still wondered if the answers were worth knowing. The truth was often ugly. He had come to know the ugliness of the world far too well for his liking.

Renton sat in his compartment, in front of a table that had nothing but black bread and a clear bottle of water in front of him. He did not feel much like eating for some reason. Seeing that traditional Russian bread made him feel slightly ill, as it reminded him of the hardships he suffered in Stalingrad. Cold nights spent in hunger and worry for Eureka.

Eureka…

She had been the reason for everything, in the end. He fought, killed, and went insane countless times just to see her again, and be close to her. By what magic she had managed to survive this war he did not know. Would she survive this, too? If she ever died, he could never live with himself.

Ever since Holland, in the heat of the moment, brought up the deaths of his French comrades a month ago, Renton tried to bury those names. He wanted to put away those feelings of helplessness he felt last year, watching his friends die back to back. He did not want to remember his dark days of a brutal and bloody campaign, shunning them as nightmares.

What Holland and Nadia said was true, he was running away from his past. He realized that now…and yet...

"Why did I even come here? This could be a mistake."

But, alas, it was not worth thinking over such things. He had made his decision the moment he boarded the ship and he could not back away now. Renton could not return home, and he suspected he was not going to for a while.

Right at that moment, Renton heard the door open and saw a much needed person in his presence.

"Hi, Renton," Eureka said, softly.

"Hello, dear," Renton replied with a false smile.

Eureka almost waltzed into the room, as if floating on air. In her bright blue skirt and white blouse, she gave the appearance of a nymph from mythology. She joined him at the table and looked on at the basket of black bread.

"Feels like a lifetime ago since I ate rye," she thought aloud as she picked out a slice of bread.

"We may not have sourdough for a while now. Think you can stand it?" Eureka grinned wryly.

"I lived just fine before you introduced me to it. I'll survive."

The couple bit down on their slices after saying a quiet prayer. Slightly sweet, but bitter too. Much like their return to this place. The smile Renton braved to please his fiancée faded, giving way to pensiveness and doubt. It did not take long for Eureka to recognize something was troubling her soul mate and love of her life.

"Rentoshka, shto ne tak?" (A/N: Rentoshka, what's wrong?)

Renton looked out the window, seeing the rail yard where more T-34 tanks were unloaded. More weapons of war to finally put to an end the war that cost too many lives. How long until the final blow was struck? Would he even be around to see it?

"Ya ne trus', no ya boyus'." (A/N: I'm no coward, but I'm afraid.)

"Pochemu?" (A/N: Why?)

The oak brown-haired lad sighed, taking his eyes off the window to meet Eureka's snow grey orbs.

"Do you think we are doing the right thing? I mean…I can't shake this feeling that we may be in over our heads here."

Eureka took another slice of rye bread, as she continued listening to Renton.

"And…?"

"And, now that we're back in Russia, we might not return home…alive."

There was a daunting silence as soon as Renton finished speaking out his concerns. Judging from the look on Eureka's face alone, it seemed that she too was having misgivings about the trip. However, she lifted her head up, with a spark of resolve in her eyes.

"Rentoshka, we already discussed this long before boarding the train. We both promised to support Holland, didn't we? Both of us wanted to know what Dewey is trying to do, right? All this time, we've been running away. From Russia, most of all. If we don't confront our pasts, we won't move truly forward in life. Things can't always happen in your favor."

Renton nodded slowly, still unsure. But, he appreciated his fiancée's opinions nonetheless.

"I…guess…"

"Besides…" Eureka jokingly added, moving herself next to Renton, "...you shouldn't doubt and worry forever. You'll just get grey hair before your time." Renton smiled.

"I definitely don't want that."

"So hold your worries for after this is over," she whispered, climbing into his lap. "If you ever start to doubt, know I'm still here with you. I promised you I won't ever leave."

One of his hands found a soft spot behind her head, running his fingers through her dark hair while another grasped at her soft hand. Knowing she was with him at least gave some consolation. He wasn't alone on this journey, like when he started. Eureka was here, as was Holland, Talho, and the others. Any more people and he'd have an army to command.

"I'm fortunate to have a such a cute fiancée…" he muttered as he leaned in for a kiss.

However, at the word "cute," Eureka pulled away, a small pout plastered on her face.

"Cute? That's all? I'm just cute to you? What a disappointment."

"You don't like my compliment?"

"Absolutely not! I'm not a little girl anymore, you know! I'm a grown-up woman. I can be…sexy if I wanted to." Renton laughed whole heartedly at the thought.

"No way! Prove it."

After a second or so, he regretted his challenge. Eureka looked back at him, almost surprised by his response. The pout gave way to a mischievous smirk. She reminded him of a troublemaking cat up to no good.

"Prove it? Well, alright."

She leapt off his lap, and sauntered around his chair, eventually resting her head on his shoulder as she whispered sensuous words. Renton's ear burned just from listening.

"Do you have any idea about all the things we can do together when we're alone? I mean things that don't involve…talking."

"Like what? Kissing? We do that all the time." Eureka chuckled mischievously.

"Oh, no, darling. We can do so much more than that. When I'm done with you, all you will ever think about when you come into this room, or any bedroom for that matter, will be me."

Renton swore he felt his face burning from the heat of Eureka's sultry teasing.

"U-u-umm…"

"Cat got your tongue?"

Eureka gave him the most loving smile a fiancée could give and gently pulled him out of his chair. Guiding him to the bottom bunk.

"Hmmm…I wonder if the top bunk is better."

"B-better for what?"

"For what I have planned for you, darling…"

They stopped short of the bunk before Eureka pulled him close to her. Her cheeks were flushed as well, but her grey eyes showed no hesitation. It was like she was a completely different person. Renton did not find himself averse to it, though. In fact, it seemed exciting.

She kissed him fully on the lips, pressing harder than she ever had before pushing him onto the bunk. Renton did not have a moment to think before Eureka leapt on him like a tiger. She unbuttoned his white shirt, and hungrily kissed up and down his chest. She said nothing, and he said nothing either. Instead he was lost in a haze of passion and ecstasy, unlike anything he ever felt with her before. He felt alive, more alive than their night alone in the cabin in France, more alive than after his proposal on the streets of Paris, more alive than when he at last admitted just how deeply he loved her.

Eureka was also lost in an ecstasy of her own, one of passion kept bottled inside for years. She dreamt of this moment during many a sleepless night. She daydreamed of what their first night as a married couple would be like. If it was like this, marriage could not come sooner.

Finally, she stopped, just as her grey eyes were aligned with his green ones. All that could be heard was synchronized panting. They finally felt alive, even with the harrowing future ahead of them.

Renton felt hot, hot enough to fully shed his shirt and overcoat. His face was bright red, redder than a beet. He looked up at his fiancée and thought he saw an angel looking down from heaven. She smiled and said,

"Are you alright?"

"Just…a little feverish."

"Then let me help you cool off…"

She gingerly picked up the hem of her skirt and start flapping it, using it like a fan to blow a gentle breeze over his body. As she fanned him, he was teased with glimpses under her skirt. He thought he saw a hint of pink with white. Still lost in a haze Renton's view drifted, until they became fixated on her well-shaped thighs. The breeze relaxed him enough to answer coherently when Eureka noticed his gaze. Her voice was sultry, dripping with want.

"See something you like under there?"

"Just you…although…I prefer you in blue."

Eureka blushed and smiled impishly.

"It would be boring if us ladies didn't change routine sometimes. Still want to call me cute?"

"Well…maybe you're a little sexy, too."

"That's still progress…"

She scooted closer to him, only to lie down on top of him. Their eyes were perfectly aligned with each other, and Eureka leaned down for another kiss. However, Renton was a little disappointed to see the lovely view he had disappear.

"Aww, you couldn't have let me enjoy the view a little longer?"

"Down, Rentoshka," she said seductively, giggling in-between kisses. "There are still some things I wanted to do with you first."

Renton arched an eyebrow as he smirked.

"Oh, really? And what could those things be?"

"I'm glad you asked."

Eureka slowly lowered her head to Renton's level and kissed him. However, what Renton felt through the kiss was more surprising than usual. Unlike previous times, where their lips simply met, the young boy felt something slip into his mouth. Wet, slippery, and squirming like it was alive. Her…tongue?

"T-Eureka..."

The dark haired girl drew back from Renton, discreetly wiping a trail of saliva from her mouth.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" Eureka asked with a giggle.

"No…I didn't. But at the same time…"

He pulled her back, the distance between them just the width of an eyelash.

"…it felt so amazing."

His lips crashed into hers, and tried the same technique she used before. His mind was enveloped in a fog as his tongue explored her mouth. In the meantime, one of his hands slid down her back, creeping its way underneath her skirt. Now adjusting to the new form of kissing, Renton's tongue danced along with Eureka's. The waltz in their mouths continued for some time, until they broke apart in a huff, both desperate for oxygen.

"You know," he breathed, "this made me realize there are some things I've wanted to do, too."

Eureka placed a hand in Renton's bare chest, her hand making small invisible shape patterns.

"Oh?" Eureka said, jokingly pouting. "Have you been holding out on me, my dear?"

"Only because I wasn't sure if it was right or not. But now, since you're doing it..."

His hand felt her soft buttocks underneath her skirt, and lightly pinched one cheek with his thumb and forefinger. She yelped in surprise and blushed bright red in embarrassment. However, she did not recoil from him, and could only smile at Renton's unexpected move. He had always been reserved in intimacy, maybe somewhat standoffish. But to feel him be teasing, even cheeky, was refreshing.

"OOH! Oh my, Renton!" Eureka laughed. "That was naughty of you."

He smiled, showing a little pride that he could surprise her. But at the same time, he was blushing bright red, knowing he was doing and thinking things he had once only dreamed of.

"Sorry. I can't help it when you're so lovely."

"Well, I like this side of you…" she whispered seductively as she leaned in for a kiss.

"Oh, do you now?"

"Mhm…"

"In that case…"

He pinched her on her buttocks again, which made her jump only deeper into his embrace.

"OOH!"

"…I'll remember that in the future."

It was getting on in time, and the sun was slowly sinking in the window. They took that as the cue to change into their sleepwear, as a long journey awaited them. But they still felt undaunted, if only because they knew more nights like these were ahead of them as well. When at last they laid down next to each other, and both wrapped the other in their arms, Renton whispered a proposition.

"Tomorrow night, it's my turn."

"I will be looking forward to it, my love," Eureka said, kissing the nape of his neck.

And with a lonesome blow of the train's whistle, and a switching off of the lights, nothing more needed to be said.