"He's alive, Martha. He's still alive."

"Angie… Oh my God…" Angie was supporting Martha toward the car, flanked by Agent Cardona and a squadron of FSB agents.

"Hurry, Mrs. Logan. We need to get you out of the attack zone as fast as possible." A worried-looking Cardona hustled her bodily into the car with the Gardners, then jumped into the front seat. He nodded to the driver, who shouted out the window to their motorcycle escort. Instantly a cacophony of lights and sirens started up and the driver accelerated out the gates of the embassy compound.

Martha never knew afterwards how she was able to keep from breaking down completely during the ride back to the Kremlin, but somehow she managed to conceal her distress over Aaron from the Gardners. Beth supplied a diversion by leaning on her husband's shoulder and having a mild case of hysterics; Angie held Martha's hand and kept handing her tissues. Once back at the Kremlin, they were escorted to the Suvarovs' living quarters by a group of agents. Anya and Yuri Suvarov, looking equally shaken by the evening's events, were already present.

"Martha…" Anya Suvarov led her to a couch. "I told the FSB what I heard during the attack. Those men were looking for you. I heard them say that you were to be taken alive. We have to find out more about what happened."

"You mean tonight was my fault?" Martha was hardly able to get the words out. "Oh God, it is my fault." Unable to support herself any longer, she slid down onto the couch.

"No, no!" Anya sat next to her: "Of course it wasn't your fault. They were trying to kill as many people as possible, and I'm sure that Yuri and I were targets also. What I mean is, our agents need to ask you some questions."

"I think I'd like to be present for this." Cardona looked toward the Russian agents. "If there is an ongoing threat against Mrs. Logan, I need to know about it. I'm responsible for her safety."

"I'd like to hear more about this as well, Mr. President," Hal Gardner chimed in. Suvarov nodded his assent. "Beth, I'll take you to our room first and then I'll be right back."

Martha made an effort to pull herself together. "Okay." She looked at Angie: "I'll be fine. Anything you can find out about how Agent Pierce is doing…" she looked appealingly around the room.

"Mrs. Logan," one of the agents said, "Agent Pierce was taken to St. Basil's Hospital. It's a private hospital with excellent staff."

"There are Western-trained surgeons there," Yuri Suvarov added. "I made it clear that his case is top priority. They were getting an operative team together and the plan was to take him to surgery immediately."

Martha nodded. "Thank you. After what he's been through already, I can't believe he's been injured again," she added in a weak attempt to explain her concern.

Hal Gardner touched her shoulder. "He was doing his job, Martha, and he did it well. Unfortunately, he's always at risk."

Martha nodded grimly. "I know."

A few minutes later Agent Kryukov entered the room. "I am sorry not to have been here sooner, Mr. President," he began, addressing Suvarov. "I was at St. Basil's with Agent Pierce, and I did not want to leave until they had taken him to surgery. He has a serious chest wound. The bullet went through his lung but did not hit any major blood vessels. They think he has a good chance. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the other agent…"

"Williams," Martha whispered. "His name was Williams. He was assigned to me during the retreat in Los Angeles." She started to cry again. "He was so young, really." She looked at Cardona and saw that he too was upset.

"He was really excited about this trip, Mrs. Logan. It meant a lot to him to be here." Jon looked away, trying to collect himself.

"I am sorry," Kryukov repeated gently. "I can tell you that he was near me during the attack and he performed superbly. He was well trained." He looked toward Martha. "Mrs. Logan, time is of the greatest importance. We captured some of the terrorists, and my men are interrogating them as we speak. So far it has become clear that this was a very well-organized plan. The SVR has tracked some of these men to a terror cell located in Central Asia, and it would have taken some time to bring them to Moscow and to organize the attack." Martha nodded her understanding as Kryukov moved to stand in front of her. "If I have heard correctly, it was not widely known that you were coming to Moscow with the Gardners?"

Martha shook her head. "No. I had some concerns about the trip, so I asked President Gardner to keep it quiet for as long as possible. The press was not informed that I would be joining them until less than forty-eight hours before we left."

"You told no one yourself?"

"No one who was not immediately involved. I had to reschedule some personal appearances, but my assistant only said that I would be out of town. She didn't say where."

Kryukov looked to President Suvarov. "We checked with the SVR. They denied receiving any recent information about suspicious terrorist activity and they say they had no reason to assume an attack was likely. I can promise you, Mr. President, that further questions will be asked. Their agents are coming to assist with the investigation."

"Excuse me," Martha interposed, "what's the SVR?"

"The SVR is the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. It is the equivalent of your CIA or CTU. My agents and I are FSB, which is similar to the Secret Service. We are both branches of the old KGB. In the old days," Kryukov explained dryly, "the KGB was responsible for everything. We are more specialized now." He gave her a direct look. "Mrs. Logan, is there anything that you can tell me, anything at all, about why these men should be targeting you? What use would you be to them?"

Martha shot a brief look at Hal. He nodded imperceptibly. "Go ahead," he muttered.

"I can think of only one reason," she began, glancing at the Suvarovs and then at Kryukov. "They might have wanted revenge on my ex-husband. I don't know how much you know about this, Agent Kryukov, but the truth is that during his presidency he became involved in a conspiracy with a group of separatist terrorists who wanted to attack Russia. Everything that happened the day that President and Mrs. Suvarov and I were attacked was related to that conspiracy. Charles is no longer President now, as you know, and he's in jail, but they may still be afraid that he might betray them in some way, or they may blame him for the failure of their plan. I really don't know." Exhausted, she slumped back on the couch, stealing a look at Gardner, who was looking worriedly at Suvarov.

Yuri quickly took control of the conversation. "I appreciate your honesty, Martha. Ivan, the SVR and I were… aware of some aspects of Mr. Logan's involvement. We believe that he acted alone, and that the situation got out of his control." He nodded toward Gardner, who relaxed somewhat.

Kryukov raised an eyebrow. "If this is the case, I am surprised that he has not been executed," he commented matter-of-factly.

Gardner opened his mouth to protest, but Martha responded before he could say anything: "The last time I spoke with him, he didn't sound as though he expected to stay alive for very long."

Kryukov gave her a look of comprehension, and stepped back. "Very well then. Thank you for your help, Mrs. Logan. We will take this information to the SVR and continue our interrogation. These terrorists, I am afraid, are ruthless people. They killed most of the catering staff before taking their places. I would strongly suggest that you cancel any plans you might have for tomorrow."

Martha stood up and looked toward the Suvarovs. "I am sure staying in the Kremlin will not be a problem. If I can be of any further help, please let me know."

Kryukov bowed and waited as she and Gardner left the room, escorted by Cardona. "Mr. President, before I go there's something I have to tell you," he then said quickly, switching to Russian. "It relates to the recordings we made at your request."

"The Gardners?"

"No, Mrs. Logan. It is information of a personal nature rather than relating to your talks with the American President, but given what happened tonight I thought you would need to know." Kryukov had lowered his voice as he spoke, and now closed the door.

The following morning was the last scheduled day of the Gardners' stay in Moscow. Although exhausted from the events of the night before, Hal Gardner found himself pleasantly surprised upon entering the conference room. There he found Suvarov waiting for him with a resolute look and, looking past him, saw two thick, bound documents upon the table.

"What happened yesterday is unacceptable," the Russian President began without preamble. "It is clear to me that these madmen are simply going to continue attacking both our countries. I have been giving some thought to this since last night and I would like to review the treaty with you." He gestured toward the table.

Gardner found himself speechless for a moment. "I'd be more than happy," he stammered. "And I completely agree with you. This problem isn't going to end until we take definitive action."

"Good." Suvarov sat down. "In addition to the military inspections that have already been organized, I had thought perhaps of beginning an exchange program between the SVR and CTU. I believe Interpol could be of help to us as well."

It was nearly five in the afternoon before Gardner and Suvarov emerged from their conference, triumphant. "We have been successful," Yuri announced, hugging his wife. "The treaty will continue and we have some new ideas for fighting terrorism." He looked toward Martha and smiled. "You will be able to return home tomorrow with good news for your country."

"I'm not going." Martha didn't realize that she had spoken out loud until she became aware that everyone in the room was staring at her. She realized instantly that if she were to stay behind with Aaron, she would have to reveal the truth of their relationship. Acting on impulse, she looked toward Hal Gardner. "There's something you don't know, that I haven't told you. Since I separated from Charles, Aaron Pierce and I have started seeing each other."

Beth stared at Martha, aghast; Hal merely looked stunned. Martha hastily averted her eyes from the Gardners and noticed that Kryukov was regarding her with respect rather than surprise. To break the uncomfortable silence, she addressed herself to Cardona, who did not look particularly surprised either. "We didn't want to make this trip any more complicated than it already was, so we agreed to keep things quiet until we returned home. But I can't leave tomorrow, not with Aaron still in the hospital."

"Mrs. Logan," Cardona responded, "we don't have a choice. Agent Pierce is disabled, and for now I'm in charge. We're down two agents, which means I have to leave with the Gardners tomorrow. I'd stay here with you if I could, but I can't. I'm afraid I have to insist that you accompany us tomorrow. It's for your safety, and I know Agent Pierce would say the same."

Martha shook her head stubbornly. "He probably would, but I also know that if our positions were reversed, and I were the one in the hospital, he'd stay with me. I can't leave him here."

"If that were the case, I'm sure he would," Cardona began, "but—" he was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder from Kryukov.

"A moment, Agent Cardona. Perhaps we can offer you an option." Confused, Jon allowed himself to be pulled off to one side. After a hasty glance back at Beth and Martha, who were now regarding each other rather in the way of two hostile stray cats, he focused on Kryukov.

"I know you are in a difficult situation," the other agent began calmly. "My impression is that Mrs. Logan will not leave tomorrow unless you physically restrain her." He smiled for a moment. "I don't think I would recommend that course of action."

Cardona eyed him suspiciously. "How much do you know about—what she just said?"

"As much as I need to know." Kryukov raised an eyebrow. "It's our job, yours and mine, to know such things. Privacy here is not regarded as a right the way that you are used to, perhaps, but I can promise you that we had no intention of revealing what we knew until Mrs. Logan made it public herself."

Cardona gave himself a moment to take in the implications of what Kryukov had just admitted to, then nodded. "You said you might have options?" He tilted his head back as he spoke to catch Kryukov's eye; the Russian was a full head taller than he was.

"We will be more than happy to make Mrs. Logan's safety our responsibility. Let me first tell you that from all we have gathered from our investigation of the attack, the terrorist group responsible has been broken. They will not be able to regroup any time soon. Also, we are fully prepared against a second attack. We will not let it happen. Mrs. Logan will not be traveling anywhere except between the hospital and the Kremlin, and we can take every precaution necessary. Leaving at unscheduled times, concealing her in utility vehicles or ambulances… all the usual strategies," Kryukov shrugged. "I also understand that her assistant, the woman Johnston, is retired military personnel?" He paused as Jon nodded assent. "She will accompany Mrs. Logan into the hospital daily. Her help will be invaluable."

Meanwhile, Beth had been shooting a barrage of accusing looks at her predecessor and now gave in to temptation. "Martha, what were you thinking?" she inquired sharply.

"About what exactly, Beth?" Martha answered coolly. "That I care about Aaron, or that I'm willing to speak up and say so?"

"I can't understand this. I mean, Aaron Pierce? A Secret Service agent?"

"Yes, Aaron Pierce. He saved my life; he's done more for me than I can possibly tell you. If it weren't for him I'd probably be locked up back in Vermont right now." Martha noticed Hal wincing out of the corner of her eye, but continued to focus on Beth.

"You realize what people are going to think?" Beth continued. "That you got involved with him while you were married to Charles…"

"I don't care what they think, but for the record, that absolutely did not happen. Nothing happened between us until after I made the decision to divorce Charles and after I moved out of the White House. I want to make that clear," she added with a glance at Hal. "Besides, now that what Charles did is public knowledge, more or less, I don't think I'm going to be criticized all that much."

Beth shrugged. "Public opinion is in your favor, Martha, no question. You can date anybody you like. But there are people I could introduce you to, Hal could introduce you to… you know, people who matter."

Martha saw Anya Suvarov moving toward them, and willed herself not to create a scene by pulling Beth's hair. "Aaron matters to me. I'm not going to argue with you about this. There is no way I am leaving him here. I don't want to be a burden on the Suvarovs, I'm sure I can make some arrangement to stay locally, but I am not leaving Moscow until he's well enough to fly home."

"We would be happy to have you stay with us, Martha," Anya now intervened. "I think Ivan Kryukov has persuaded your Agent Cardona that we can take care of you properly. Colonel Johnston will remain with you, too, of course."

Martha restrained a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Anya. I appreciate it, I really do." Still fuming, she turned away, then stiffened as she realized Beth's remarks had triggered a memory. "Agent Kryukov!" she called urgently.

"Yes, Mrs. Logan?"

"I just remembered something. Last night you asked me if I had told anyone of my travel plans—I did tell someone, a personal friend, and I had forgotten."

"Who was this?"

"His name is Mike Novick. He used to be my husband's assistant."

"Would he have told anyone?"

"He may have. I didn't tell him not to. We were discussing other matters, and I mentioned the trip in passing."

Gardner looked at Martha. "I'll get in touch with Mike as soon as we get home. This may be important."

Martha stretched out her hand toward him warningly. "Try to keep it quiet, Hal. If Mike did tell anyone, I'm sure he had no idea that he wasn't supposed to. We don't want to raise any suspicion. I think Charles's fellow conspirators are still out there, and I don't want anything to scare them into hiding."

After a relatively subdued farewell dinner, the Gardners left early the following morning for Washington. As they departed Gardner took Martha aside and muttered, "Good luck. Get in touch if you need anything."

Martha gave him a hug of real gratitude. "Thank you, Hal. Thanks for understanding."

"I have a lot of respect for Aaron, and for you. I want you to know that." He turned away, then looked back at her and whispered, "Don't say anything here that you wouldn't want overheard. Agent Cardona thinks our conversations in the Kremlin may have been recorded." Martha gave him a shocked look, then nodded in agreement.

Shortly afterward, Angie and Martha found themselves being herded toward a small freight elevator in a dimly lit hallway. "Hurry," Kryukov ordered. "We are going to conceal you in a laundry truck, Mrs. Logan, to get you to the hospital." Noting Martha's look of surprise, he added, "I promised Agent Cardona that I would do everything in my power to keep you safe. This means we must resort to some unconventional methods to transport you."

"I'll do whatever you recommend," Martha replied hastily. "I appreciate the trouble you're taking, Agent Kryukov."

Kryukov gave her a quick smile. "Anything for a brother agent."

Once in the truck, Martha whispered: "Angie, did you get the cigarettes?" She gratefully grabbed the pack Angie handed to her. "Oh, thank God. Where did you get them?"

"A kiosk," Angie said dryly. "They're sold on every street corner."

"I love Russia," Martha muttered as she inhaled.

"I thought you were quitting."

"Well, I was… till this happened." She regarded the cigarette in her fingers, then shrugged. "Someday. When we get home."

Soon they arrived at their destination. Martha found herself escorted through an evil-smelling loading dock onto another freight elevator, then down a brightly lit hall lined with FSB agents and through a set of swinging doors.

"He is here, Mrs. Logan. Don't be shocked, the doctors just took him off the ventilator and he is still on an oxygen mask. He may not be able to speak." Kryukov gave a sharp look to the nurse about to accost them. She backed away quickly.

Martha sank down in the chair beside the bed, noting that Angie had been provided with a chair on the other side of the room. At first Aaron looked disturbingly anonymous, like any patient in intensive care; the oxygen mask hid his features, but his labored breathing was somehow familiar. She suddenly remembered the night in the stables when he had been beaten, and tears sprang to her eyes. She took his hand in both of hers and laid her forehead against it.

"Martha…" she barely recognized the croak as a voice at first, then looked up with hope.

"Aaron." She saw his eyes, open and looking back at her.

"You're all right?"

She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Yes, I'm all right. Everything is all right. We're safe and all you have to do is get well."

He gave her an anxious look. "Williams?"

She hesitated, then realized she could not lie to him. "Agent Williams is dead, Aaron. I'm sorry," she added as a flicker of pain crossed his face. "The doctors tried, but there was nothing they could do." She kissed his hand. "I'll talk to his family, I'll do whatever I can."

"Cardona?"

"He left this morning with the Gardners. I was supposed to leave, but I'm going to stay with you. Angie is here—" she nodded across the room—"and Agent Kryukov is in charge. I'm staying with the Suvarovs. Don't worry," she added with emphasis. "I promise you I'm in very good hands. I do whatever Agent Kryukov tells me."

He tried to smile: "That'll be a first."

Martha found herself laughing. "You're important enough. I'll do it if I have to." She squeezed his hand and whispered in his ear: "I love you, Aaron. Please get better." Leaning over, she heard him whisper back: "I love you, Martha."