A/N: Hi everyone! I'm a little late for this chapter, but I'm afraid it'll be like that for the next three weeks! As usual, enjoy and please review!

Chapter 10

Kestrel drove Elena and Aliosha to the kindergarten, the boy on his mother's knees at the back of the pickup, and while he waited for her in the car he told himself he would buy a child car seat for Aliosha. And when she climbed in the passenger seat, he sped away towards Johns Hopkins. He parked at 9.27 am, so they were just on time.

In the lobby, he met Dr Collins and Briggs, waiting for them. Kestrel shook hands with the two men then did the introductions:

_ Doc, Briggs, meet Dr Elena Rykova, my girlfriend. Lena, meet Dr Collins and my best friend Isaac Briggs.

He smirked at the sight of Briggs' astonished face, but soon felt warmth flooding in his chest as his teammate shook hands with Elena, saying with emotion:

_ I'm very happy to meet you, Elena.

_ Same for me, she said with a thick Russian accent.

_ It's an honour, Dr Collins said. Agent Kestrel told me maybe you would be able to help Sam?

_ Yes, she nodded. I read file, maybe not too late prevent osteoarthritis spreading in body.

_ How? the doc asked. I'm sorry, but...

_ Know Professor Yarmolenko? she cut him softly.

_ Yes, of course, Dr Collins said, looking impressed.

_ He my boss in Krasnodar, she said simply.

_ I see, he said thoughtfully. Then I trust you blindly, Dr Rykova.

_ Doc? Briggs asked in bewilderment. Who's this Professor Yarmolenko?

_ An underrated genius, the doc said in admiration. He's a leading light in osteoarthritis, I read a lot of his papers on the matter. This is just wonderful!

_ Indeed, Kestrel said, smiling widely at Elena. But now we should go and see Sam.

They set off, Dr Collins asking Elena a lot of questions about her former job, and Briggs told Kestrel in an undertone:

_ She looks awesome, and smart. Congratulations, mate!

_ Thanks, мой друг (my friend). I'm very happy with her.

Briggs put a hand on his shoulder, and he felt good. He had always thought his best friend lucky, having a wife and a cute daughter, but now it seemed fate was smiling at him too at last. And Briggs winked at him as they reached Sam's door. Dr Collins knocked, and this time Sam answered:

_ Come in.

They went in, and Kestrel saw his boss sitting on his bed, looking a little tired and in pain, features tightened. But he smiled at them and said:

_ What a party! Is it a deathbed visit?

_ Hello, Sam! Dr Collins said. Of course not.

_ Hi, Sam! Briggs said, shaking hands with his boss.

_ Hi, boys!

_ Hello, Sam! Kestrel said, shaking hands too. I'd like you to meet Dr Elena Rykova, my girlfriend.

He grinned before Sam's surprised expression and turned towards Elena, who had a wide smile on her face.

_ Lena, meet Samuel Fisher, my boss and dear friend.

_ I honoured, she said seriously, shaking Sam's hand.

_ Me too, Sam told her, beaming. I'm very, very happy to meet you, Elena. You'll have a tough job taking care of Kestrel, but he's a good guy.

She laughed and took Kestrel's hand, and the ops felt wonderfully good and happy as she said, shooting him a softened look:

_ He has complicated life, but he is good guy, yes.

Around them Sam, Briggs and Dr Collins were grinning widely, but soon the doc regained his usual serious face and said:

_ But now I have to tell you, something, Sam.

_ I knew it, the Splinter Cell said calmly. Such a party just for a bloody knee was very suspect. Okay doc, fire away, then.

_ Your knee still hurts?

_ Like mad, he grumbled, pushing away his blankets.

And Kestrel saw that in the splint the knee of his boss was still very swollen under the bandages. Elena, after washing and disinfecting her hands, came closer and bent over it. She asked Sam softly:

_ Can I look?

_ Sure, Sam said, arching his eyebrows.

While she unstrapped the splint and removed the bandages, Dr Collins said:

_ Sam, your knee still hurts because you have osteoarthritis. And I had you have a scan of your body. You have osteoarthritis everywhere, in all your limbs. If we don't do something now, in ten years your limbs will be like your knee now, and you'll end in a wheelchair.

Kestrel saw Sam taking the hit without flinching, but his eyes betrayed him. They showed his worry and disarray. But the Splinter Cell asked calmly:

_ What can I do then?

_ You have to stop all physical efforts, Dr Collins told him gently. No more training or Krav Maga. But if you lead a normal life, you'll avoid the pain and stiffness of your limbs.

Sam winced as Elena made his knee bending and extending, carefully watching the movement and feeling the kneecap. He asked her:

_ Elena? What are you doing? Ouch!

_ I here to see if I help you, she said calmly. I am doctor in physiotherapy. Can I see other limbs?

_ Yes, he said, puzzled and shooting a questioning look at Kestrel.

The ops smiled faintly and told him as she examined his arms and other leg:

_ I told her about you and your osteoarthritis, Sam. And she's worked with a specialist in this matter in Russia. Maybe she'll be able to prevent you from suffering and the arthritis from spreading.

_ Okay, Sam said, surveying her with caution. Well, if I can avoid the wheelchair and the pain, I'll be most grateful.

_ I here for that, she said simply, straightening. Okay, I tell you. It is not too late, you avoid pain and wheelchair. But you do what I tell, okay?

_ Anything, he agreed seriously. I still want to play soccer with James, even if I don't like that fucking sport! Thanks again, Kestrel!

Kestrel smirked and said:

_ As a matter of fact, I'll bring James to a soccer match tomorrow in Washington, Sam.

_ Wonderful, his boss grumbled. Your team?

_ Yes. The Saint Petersburg Zenit, he added for Elena.

She smiled and turned back towards Sam, saying:

_ Sam, you not do violent efforts, but soccer okay. Soft movements and training okay, if you see me every day for one week then once a month.

_ I'll be able to train? he asked her, frowning.

_ Running slow, she explained, slow Krav Maga okay. No quick move. But it will be okay, if you do slow. And I see you like I told.

_ And what about my knee? he asked, looking relieved.

_ Your knee a problem, she said grimly. So I care about it now, okay?

_ Okay, he nodded. Anything.

_ You maybe regret that, she smiled. Mishka?

_ Yes, the ops said. What can I do?

_ You and Dr Collins hold Sam, she said calmly, putting her hands on Sam's knee.

He and the doc went on each side of the Splinter Cell who looked a little worried, and she said:

_ On three, Sam, you take deep breath, okay? Mishka, doctor, hold.

The ops grabbed his boss tightly, pinning him to his bed, as Dr Collins did the same across him. And as Briggs watched apprehensively, Elena said:

_ Ready? One... Two!

But she made her movement at the two, twisting a little Sam's knee, and the poor guy jumped violently, yelling loudly.

_ Dammit! he panted, shaking under Kestrel's grip. Elena, why...?

_ Sorry, she said, making his knee bending and extending again, I had no choice. You too tense, only way.

But Kestrel noticed that Sam wasn't wincing anymore, and Dr Collins noticed it too. He asked:

_ Sam, how's your knee, now?

Then the Splinter Cell realized that Elena was twisting and rotating his knee, and he hadn't felt anything. He said with a huge sigh:

_ It's good! It still throbs a little, but it's so much better!

_ That is well, Elena said, putting his leg back in the splint. You not walk on your leg for two days, and it will be good, okay?

_ Okay, he said, looking better already. Thanks a lot, Elena!

_ My pleasure, she said, glancing at Kestrel who grinned. But I see you tomorrow, and day after, for one week, then once a month. Promise?

_ Yes, Sam nodded solemnly. I promise. At least when I'm around.

He shot her a questioning look, and she nodded.

_ Mishka told me he leave quick and for months. I understand. But when you here, you see me, okay? And when you not here, you move slow. Promise?

_ Yes, I promise, Sam repeated.

_ Good, she said, taking a step back and grabbing Kestrel's hand.

_ Thank you, Lena, he said softly, kissing her. I'm so relieved!

_ Me too, Briggs said, grinning widely. We're very lucky Kestrel met you, Elena!

_ Fate, she said, her eyes twinkling. Mishka helped us so much!

_ Us? Sam asked, puzzled.

_ Elena has a son, Kestrel explained, smiling. A cute boy named Alexei, nicknamed Aliosha. He's three years old.

He grinned before the startled expressions on the men's faces around him, but soon Sam grinned too, saying:

_ So you really have a family now, Kestrel. That's just wonderful, sonny.

_ No, Sam. My family is just expanding.

Elena kissed him briefly, and Briggs watched them with bright eyes, beaming. Sam, obviously moved, was about to speak when his smartphone rang. He tok the call, gesturing at his team to stay.

_ Hi, Sarah!... How are you, honey?... And the twins? … Yeah, I can imagine. Kestrel's fault, as usual.

He shot an amused glance at Kestrel, who guessed that the twins had expressed their joy at going to a ballet and a soccer match in a nice way for them, but not so nice for their parents. He grinned wickedly as Sam went on with his conversation:

_ You know him, he's helpless. Well, maybe not, after all. Elena is with him, so... What? You don't know?

Sam shot an incredulous look at Kestrel who shrugged, still smiling, and said calmly:

_ No, she doesn't know yet. I only told Briggs and you.

Sam shook his head, scowling but smiling, and told his daughter:

_ Well, then, know that uncle Mishka has met a charming Russian doctor called Elena Rykova! … Yes, wonderful! … They're here with me, and she's taken care of my knee. … Yes, honey, I'm all right. Well, except the osteoarthritis, but... Yes, I have it everywhere. But it's okay, Elena will prevent me from ending in a wheelchair. … No, no, honey, it's all right! Don't worry, it's okay! … It's okay, I swear. … Please, honey, don't cry. I promise I'm all right.

Kestrel exchanged a concerned look with Briggs and squeezed briefly Elena's hand before coming next to his boss, putting a hand on his shoulder as Sam said, forcing down his emotion:

_ I'm all right, Sarah. … Yes, of course, you can come. … I don't know, I'll ask Dr Collins. … Yes, I'll go to Briggs' place. … Don't worry, I'll be like a rabbit in clover, of that I'm sure. But tell me, honey... how's Grim?

Kestrel, his hand still on Sam's shoulder, watched his boss' sad and concerned expression as he listened intently to his daughter, and finally said:

_ When will we talk, then? … I see. … Well, please tell her I love her and miss her. And don't tell her about my osteoarthritis, please. … No, it's just that I want to tell her myself. … Thanks, kiddo. … Say hello to everyone for me, please. … Yes, see you tomorrow, then.

Sam hung up, his hand shaking a little, and said before anyone could ask:

_ Grim still doesn't want to see me yet. But maybe we'll see each other in two days, Sarah told me.

_ That's good news, Sam, Kestrel said calmly, squeezing lightly his boss' shoulder. Don't worry, it'll be all right.

_ But what's happening, for God's sake?! Sam suddenly burst out, anger and sorrow on his face. Is it my fault? What have I done? Tell me, Kestrel!

_ Sam, he said seriously, his guts twisting in dismay, holding his boss' lost stare. I can't. I made a promise. Grim wants to tell you herself, just like you want to tell her yourself about your osteoarthritis. So give her time. She'll talk to you.

He saw Briggs' quizzical and worried look, and blinked once. He would have to tell his best friend, but not now. Briggs made the tiniest of nods as Sam hung his head, rubbing his eyes. Finally his boss inhaled deeply and nodded:

_ Okay. I'll know in two days. It'll be okay.

Kestrel patted him on the back once more then took a step back as Sam turned towards Dr Collins:

_ Doc? When will I be able to leave?

_ I'll call Dr N'Guyen, the doc told him, and he'll examine your knee. If all is well, you'll be able to leave right afterwards.

_ The sooner the better. Briggs? Are you sure that...?

_ I'm sure, Sam, the ops sighed, winking. Molly can't wait.

He explained to Elena as the doc exited the room, phone in hand:

_ My wife Molly is a nurse, and she's pregnant, waiting for our second child. She's confined to our house, so she's bored. And she can't wait to have Sam under our roof for his recovery.

Elena smiled, and Sam asked, having regained composure:

_ Speaking of Molly, what can I bring her to thank her?

_ Peanut butter, Briggs answered immediately, making everybody laugh.

_ But if I go to your place today, Sam asked, frowning, where and when will I see Elena?

_ I can drive Elena to Briggs' place before the match tomorrow, Kestrel suggested, asking silently his girlfriend. And pick her up when it's finished.

She nodded, smiling, but said:

_ I have Aliosha with me, it is Saturday.

_ It's at 5 pm in Washington, Kestrel said. So I'll have to drop you around 2.30 in Towson.

_ I have a better idea, Briggs said. Why don't you come and have lunch at my place? Molly and me would be delighted, if Sam doesn't mind, of course.

_ I would be delighted as well, sonny, Sam said, still preoccupied but looking better. Please don't worry about me and do whatever you want to do.

Kestrel looked at Elena and she nodded, smiling and telling him in Russian:

_ Okay, then. I just hope I won't start working tomorrow.

_ Okay for us, he said to Briggs, rejoicing inwardly. Elena, Briggs and Sam roughly understand Russian, so be warned.

_ Okay, she smiled.

_ So that's settled, then, Briggs said with a grin. Molly will be most pleased.

Dr Collins entered the room, followed by Dr N'Guyen, and they asked the visitors to leave them for a few minutes, so Kestrel and Elena followed Briggs to a nearby waiting room. There Briggs asked him:

_ What about Grim, Kestrel?

_ Sit down, мой друг.

They all sat, Kestrel taking Elena's hand and kissing it before inhaling deeply and saying seriously:

_ Grim's pregnant.

_ What? Briggs asked, flabbergasted.

_ Yes, he said darkly. She's completely upset, she doesn't know what to do.

_ I can imagine. Being pregnant at her age...

_ How old? Elena asked softly.

_ Forty-seven, Kestrel told her grimly. And Sam's sixty-four. But that's not the most concerning. Grim works with us, so she isn't often home.

_ That is difficult, Elena nodded. Manage baby and work is very hard.

_ My God! Briggs realized. She'll go nuts!

_ Sarah is helping her, Kestrel said, but I suggested a psychologist. Sarah is Sam's daughter, he explained to Elena. And the mother of James and Mary, my nephew and niece.

_ Okay, she said with a small smile.

_ Good idea, mate, Briggs said at last. But when Sam learns about it...

Kestrel stayed silent, and could see on his best friend's face the same anguish that he himself was feeling tightening his guts.