Finally, after four days of watching fields, grass, and cities flash by outside the window, Alfred began memorizing the map provided in their compartment, counting down the miles to Moscow. Unfortunately, accompanying the map were a number of brochures, introducing visitors to Moscow and to Russia as a whole.

"Hey Ivan."

"What."

"Did you know that Russia spans 11 time zones?"

"Yes. It is actually quite annoying."

"Sure, sure. Did you know that Faberge eggs first came from Russia?"

"Yes."

"Cool. Did you know-"

"Alfred…"

"What?"

"I went to school here. I was forced to learn all this. I know."

"Sheesh, Ivan, calm down-"

"Are you bored?"

Standing, Alfred tossed the brochure away before nodding. "Well, duh! I'm not sitting here for my own entertainment!"

"Could have fooled me…" Ivan mumbled, moving to take the brochure. "They do not even broadcast the good stuff in here-were you ever a drinking man?"

"You mean alcohol? Before we hooked up I used to stop at the bars once in a while, but…nothing much, no."

"A pity. My sister might drag you clubbing."

"Like-in clubs?"

"Yes, in clubs. I wonder if she still does that."

"Ivan…" Sitting again, Alfred shifted to sit sideways in the chair, feet hanging over the armrest. "You never did tell me much about your sister."

"You did not need to know."

"Well-now I do. What's she even look like? She's younger than you, right?"

"By two years. She looks like me, of course."

"Right, right…"

"She, ah, endorses our hobby. She participates, from time to time."

"Really?"

"Yes. She helped me a great deal when I still lived here."

"Okay, um-what does she do?"

"Secretary. Nothing special."

"Okay, good to know-"

"She has an apartment. We will be staying there."

"Oh. Um. Is she okay with that?"

Ivan raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Alfred. "You are questioning the fact that you will be able to spend your time in the same area as a single woman? Unhindered?"

"She's single?" Alfred sat up, then shrugged, hiding his enthusiasm. "Actually, never mind. She's, um, your sister…"

"It would not be strange." Ivan paused, then leaned back. "You can hit on her."

"But she….does what we do. Hitting on her could be dangerous." Alfred thought for a moment, then sank back in his chair. "Gah! How much longer are we stuck on this stupid train!"

"Not much longer. An hour. Maybe two."

"So what can I do?"

"Shut up."

"But-" Alfred cut off suddenly, facing Ivan's glare. "Fine. Shutting up."

"First one to talk loses." Ivan declared, folding his arms. Alfred raised an eyebrow, then nodded firmly, setting his jaw defiantly. They sat there, staring, for nearly thirty minutes, before Alfred suddenly got up. Ivan watched him go, amused, then waited until he returned several minutes later. Ivan raised a brow, which was returned with a shrug, and Alfred settled back down and pretended to sleep.

Fortunately for him, it was only a few minutes more before the train pulled into the city proper, and the call went out for the passengers to disembark. Alfred leapt up, taking his bags, then shoved his way out through the main doors to end up in the station. Ivan cursed quietly, trying to keep up, and eventually caught up with him as they ended up in the center of the terminal.

"So! What now!" Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Alfred glanced quickly around, taking in the sight. Ivan sighed, watching him, then shook his head.

"You lost."

"Suck it, the game ended once we got off the train. Anyway-"

"We wait for Natalya."

"Your sister? She's coming here?"

"Yes. We have no other means of transportation. Or money, for that matter."

"Wait-how much do we have?"

Ivan resisted the urge to sigh, instead looking to Alfred tiredly. "I had Kiku manage the basic conversions. But I did have to pay him. We have only a little left."

"Right, um-wow." Alfred paused, putting a hand to his chin. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry." Raising a hand, Ivan jerked his head up, beckoning to Alfred. "She is here."

"Natalya? Awesome, where-" Alfred rushed forward, almost grinning, then paused. "Is that her?"

"Yes." Ivan nodded to a slim woman, standing several yards away. "Hurry up."

"Whoa, Vanya, you didn't tell me-" Alfred broke off suddenly, leaning in. "You didn't tell me she was hot."

"I rarely know what you prefer in women." Ivan muttered in reply, nodding curtly to Natalya as they drew closer. "Sister. You look well."

"As do you, brother-and I must assume this is Alfred?" Her English, though heavily accented, was clear, and Alfred nodded before holding out a hand.

"Name's Alfred Jones, and it's a downright pleasure to meet you."

She stared at his hand with cool, dark eyes, then turned without touching the proffered appendage. "I have the car."

"We have a stop to make. Midcity. Then we can go."

"Of course." Natalya nodded, striding quickly ahead of the two men, and Alfred rushed to walk beside her.

"So, Natty, what's one thing you can tell me your brother wouldn't know?"

She glanced up at him, raising an eyebrow, then sighed. "Do not call me Natty. First order of business."

"Right, right…Natalya…so, um, what do you do for fun?"

She walked in silence for a moment, thinking, then nodded curtly. "Ignore men trying to hit on me."

"Ouch. You're even frostier than Ivan."

"You tried to hit on him?"

"I, um, well-I wouldn't say I tried to, I mean, there was very little flirting actually involved-"

"Alfred?" Ivan spoke up, eyeing the American.

"Yeah?"

"Please shut up."

"But why! Natalya and I were having a good time!"

"No. Please-"

"Just shut up." Natalya echoed her brother, and the siblings nodded as one. Alfred winced, hesitating, then resigned himself to silence, trailing behind the two Russians as they made their way to the parking lot. Natalya quickly led them to her car, letting them enter, then began conversing quickly with Ivan in Russian. He replied curtly, pointing momentarily as he sat in the passenger seat, then glanced back to see a disgruntled Alfred crammed into the back.

"Do not worry. It will not be far."

"It better not be." Alfred folded his arms, nearly pouting, then shifted to glance out the window, mind racing intently.