After 24 hours delay, a tiring but ultimately successful day in Irkutsk, the round robin business meetings were over and the party from East Siberian Gas and Oil and their security were ready to travel to the airport and return home. Max assumed Sasha and his bodyguard were at the airport waiting for them, but there had been no communications nor confirmation that either Sasha or Nick had received the messages sent last night. The lack of a return text had been first inkling that something had gone terribly wrong. Confirmation came when a team of FSB internal security agents were waiting to ask questions before they boarded their plane. Ivan moved to intercept, fielding questions about his security team. It had became clear that Nick Belling had serving another master, and yesterday he had kidnapped his target. Not Maxim as the FSB had assumed, but Alex Rider.

"We assume his identity is an alias and that he is freelance, probably either exCIA, Mossad or MI6. The extraction used the cover of a medical emergency. A reputable Swiss air ambulance company had been hired by a dead drop company in Panama, for the transfer from Ulan-Ude to Denver. The fact there were two highly trained medical personnel aboard saved Rider's life, one because he went into cardiac arrest and the attending doctor insisted on a diversion to a hospital. Rider is now in London at the London Chest Hospital. His 'bodyguard' has disappeared, as we have issued a warrant for kidnapping and attempted murder."

Maxim had listened in but he now stepped forward, "What went wrong, causing Sasha to nearly die?"

The older officer knew the personal details, that Belkov and this Rider were lovers. "We arrested the driver in Ulan-Ude, it looks like Rider was on high alert and likely to scupper the snatch, so he was tasered when the car approached the Medevac business jet. The massive electric shock was not so good for his damaged heart and pulmonary system. He's lucky to be alive." The fact was Rider had been a medical miracle to survive the sniper in 2001.

...

Of the last twelve hours, Alex only remembered bits and pieces. Various medical personnel bothering him, either asking annoying questions or poking him. There had been a helicopter ride at some point and he had arrived at a large hospital in London. He was confused as to how and why he had somehow left Russia and returned to England. He'd barely understood the technical babble, the surgery this morning had been to stabilise his heart. He had woken to Edward Pleasure by his bed looking both tired and worried. Alex knew he was in the Intensive Care Unit and was recovering from two cardiac arrests and open heart surgery. At 22 years old, he now had a piece of electrical equipment in his chest keeping his heart beating within normal parameters. Clause 14 in his contract of employment had been triggered, a full payout as a result of injury or incident at work.

Alex then worried on why he had been kidnapped. Was it part if the plan to take out the primary target, which logically did not make sense, it would have been cheaper and easier just to put a bullet in his head. Alex then spoke in a harsh rasp, "Dad? Is Maxim OK?"

Edward was startled from his worrying and grasped Alex's hand. "Morning, trouble. Max is completely fine according to the woman I spoke to this morning. Larissa, his PA I take it? Stop worrying about work. You need to concentrate on you and getting well. Rest and recuperation for at least six weeks."

…..

In the semi privacy of the plane, when most of the staff were asleep, Ivan noted his good friend was still awake. With a low whisper, he started a conversation he should have had months ago, he feared his hesitation had ruined his friends chance of future happiness. "You know not a day goes by that I do not thank God about our friendship. Ever since you saved my Nadia from that fire. You still carry the scars from those burns, proof of your selfless heroism. You showed me then you were not the cold ruthless bastard all take you for. It never mattered to me that you are not attracted to women. How things have changed concerning that, especially in the west. Change is slower here, but it is no longer a crime for consenting adults. This past year, you are more relaxed, happier working, you handle situations less aggressively." The soldier paused considering his words, having to make a man who had decided to be alone that he could change, that he had changed already. "I have been in love for a long time, I found my soul mate as a young conscript. Beautiful Nadia who rules my life. We manage our home and work with prolonged separations and my travel commitments. I am still a love sick fool, I am now going to give you some advice on that score. It is not a criticism, nor me putting my nose where it's not wanted. You being happy is good for everyone. That strange English boy makes you happy."

Maxim sat and remained silent as he pondered that statement, as everything Ivan had said was truth. Only Aleksandr had been taken from him despite of and possibly because he hired in those English bodyguards. The three others had already been taken to Moscow and questioned by the FSB, their work visas revoked. All guilty by association. Now he was alone again and he felt numb, in shock, like a piece of him had been lost.

Ivan pulled out a small hip flask, and handed it to his friend. "Have a sip of good homemade vodka." He watched his friend grimace as the oily liquid burned its way to his stomach. "You have a choice to make. Are you willing to be brave again? This time to save yourself and your beautiful Sasha. He is damaged, even more so than you. He runs from love, from stability, from home. You had become home to him and you have to fight to stop him running and denying himself home and happiness. He has no reason to return to Russia. You need to make a decision, old friend. Do you want your lover or not? Are you going to do nothing and lose him? Or are you man enough to allow yourself to take what you want, to love and protect Aleksandr always."

The Siberian pondered Ivan's description of love as protection and possessiveness. Everything in his being wanted to go to Sasha. It would take some organisation and trusting his employees, to learn to delegate. All was possible, he could go to London. Maxim bitterly thought that Alex could still reject him, but Alex was still in danger. Whoever had wanted to take him still could. He above all wanted his lover safe and well, be that by his side of not. A long distance relationship was still a relationship. He had been spoiled by nearly 16 months of having his lover with him 24/7. He might have to compromise, to change how he worked and lived. He had already changed because of Sasha. Now he was going to fight to keep his lover, to ensure he was happy and safe. Business for the first time in over thirty years was secondary. "You are right, Ivan. I need to decide, I have decided. First, I will sleep and consider everything when we get home."

...

Arkady had been promoted to Close Personal Protection for this trip to London. He alone was travelling with Maxim as a team had been hired in to handle all other aspects of security while they were abroad. He had endured a long and detailed induction from Ivan, about more than just protecting his boss but also acting as guidance and looking after the well being of Ivan's friend. The whole security team had been affected by the loss of Sasha, even though the kid had tried to remain aloof, they had trained with him and he was a member of their team, who had been assaulted and abducted.

It was 10, by the time Maxim sat down for breakfast. He calmly ate his bowl of buckwheat porridge and went through to do lists in his mind, most could be done on his journey to England. Lara would accompany him there and return alone. His PA, directors and managers would handle things in his absence and he was only a flight away from any problem that could not be handled by email or over the phone.

His housekeeper was packing his bags when he returned to his room. "Maria, remember to pack some essentials for Sasha. I assume he has nothing in London." That was he truth, that this had been Aleksandr's home. He had sold the house in Bermondsey last autumn and had been looking to buy an apartment in Moscow.

Ivan was right. He was not a coward. If he had been he would have listened his father's cruel taunts and taken them to heart. He would have married to pretend to be normal and settled for the life of an insignificant manual worker. He had always been truthful to himself. He was gay as they called his perversion in the west. Now he was going one step further, he was going to ask Sasha to share his life with him. They could even have a legal partnership in England.

On the plane, Lara had gone through the diary, through all current projects and the goals for expansion. Maxim closed his laptop. "Do we have a legal team in London?"

"Yes, Maxim. Leftbridge, Black and Partners. I will email you their details." The woman then asked "do you need me to talk to them?"

"Not yet. After I see Sasha. It all depends on what he wants."

...

Sabina was glad she had the day off, even though she would be spending it in a hospital. Her boss was aware her foster brother was seriously ill, but the ogre had stressed the foster prefix, implying Alex was not really family. He was to her and her parents and in an ideal world he would have been her adopted brother. On the tube, she clutched the bag of goodies she had purchased and under her breath damned Sunny Brennan to the lowest pits of hell along with all other child abusers. At least Alex was no longer in ICU, just the High Dependency Cardiac Ward. He was likely to be discharged by next Tuesday, her parents had already prepared the guest room for Alex. The cardiologist wanting regular appointments to assess the damage to Alex's heart. The doctor had stressed that if he had not been at the peak of physical fitness, he would have died in Ulan-Ude.

She made her way to the ward and saw Henry Dunning had beat her too it. The sixty something jeweller and pawn shop proprietor had met and fallen in love with Loony Dave in prison, the lovely man had been serving time for receiving stolen goods, which he had cheerfully passed off as an occupational hazard.

The older man put down his book and went to hug the beautiful young lady and offer her his chair. Alex was sound asleep.

Henry then brought Sabina up to date. "Bad night. Nightmares the sister told me. They might move him into a private room if they continue. Alex has refused to see a shrink. Being stubborn as usual. He barely ate any lunch. How was your morning, beautiful?"

"Working nights is a bind, but work is work and I'm lucky to have a job. I raided M&S for some tasty treats on the way over." Sabina was lucky to be a sub editor for the London office of Reuters. Jobs were thin on the ground and times were hard. This was better than an internship as she was getting paid, even if she still lived in a sublet room.

After dinner, Sabina read the text that her mother sent informing both that she would not be there until 8. The siblings were playing blackjack and Sabina knew Alex would beat her every time as his pile of Skittles proved the point. A forty something man dressed in an expensive suit, coat and shoes combo arrived at 7:45. Alex tried to sit up straight but only managed to wince in pain. He then spoke a long phrase in Russian that made the stranger move in close and stroke Alex's face, with care and gentleness as fully aware of his recent open heart surgery.

Alex leaned up and kissed his lover, not caring for the audience or open view to the hall. He had mumbled "I feared you were dead. I still don't understand why I was snatched and then dumped in hospital. Nothing makes sense."

Sabina smiled as it was obvious Alex was completely smitten and that his feelings were returned. Maybe he could have a chance of happiness with his Russian.

Maxim looked embarrassed as Sabina Pleasure brought him a seat. The woman with dark hair and cheeky smile then said "Hello Maxim. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances but welcome to the family."

Maxim had been welcomed by Alex's family as both his sister and mother accepted him as their son's lover with no disgust nor disapproval. If he made Alex happy, that was all that mattered. In fact, both knew he had dropped his business commitments for his lover and approved wholeheartedly. The only downside is that he got no time alone with Sasha and too soon visiting hours were over until 11 the next morning. The Russian was even invited to stay at the family home. He declined and returned to his suite at the Dorchester.

...

Alex lay back in his bed and tried to process what Max had just asked him. He had understood the sentence, but was sure he had misunderstood at a fundamental level . He then asked his visitor "can you please repeat that in English as I want to make sure I fully understand you."

"Sasha darling. I cannot bear to be parted from you. Your contract has been fulfilled but I still want and need you. Would you please consider being my legal partner, my husband? I am asking for a civil partnership, with a pre-partnership agreement."

The twenty two year old considered this. "This is you being possessive and selfish, isn't it? You want me above and beyond our annual contract."

"Divorce is possible; but I am selfish and possessive. I am used to getting my own way."

Alex could not help but smile at his lover's candour. He got that this was a man who was ruthless and wanted to keep his lover safe without mentioning the words that triggered Alex's control issues . No mention of love or happiness. He was fine being a possession or a plaything. This was a long term version of the last sixteen months. "Yes, Maxim. I agree to be yours as long as you want or need me."

…..

In an open ward, the fact one of their patients just got engaged seemed to have spread like wildfire as the nurses came and offered congratulations to the happy couple.

With a date set, for the following Friday; in preparation, Maxim had his lawyers draw up a prenuptial agreement. It was generous, but contained a full non disclosure agreement, but if they split, Alex would be guaranteed an income and a place to live. He was making sure that Alex was aware that he wanted them to remain friends even if the relationship broke down. Later that afternoon Alex would sign and get Dave to witness it. It seemed surreal that Maxim was a possessive enough bastard to want Alex tied into a full possibly lifetime contract. How would his business competitors react to the fact he'd effectively married his escort?

….

The consultant had brought round a team of students and junior doctors, all interested in both his gunshot wound and the serious effects of being electrocuted. As the crowd moved on to the next patient, Mr Wood stated "Congratulations on your engagement. The American Hospital in Moscow has a superb cardiac team for your aftercare. You need to have regular follow up appointments and please adhere to medical advice. For the next six weeks do not over exert yourself and you will not get the all clear to fly until I deem you fit enough. Just a word of warning, even with your prenuptial agreement and civil partnership, you have no legal rights in Russia."

Alex had spoken to the Interpol Officers and the staff here assumed he had been kidnapped as a means to threaten his boyfriend. "Thanks for the warning, but I've always known Maxim was a man loathed and feared by his business rivals. On a personal level he has been a kind, gentle and always considerate lover."