The sun reached its apex high in the sky as Webb stepped outside the small cafe and back onto the Moscow street, already wanting to go back to the safehouse and relax. While the warm drink was supposed to wake him up, it instead did the opposite, and put him into almost comatose state of relaxation. His eyelids were beginning to get heavier by the second, and all he wanted to do was just get back to the safehouse and rest. Just fall asleep.

But it wasn't that simple, or easy.

"One last thing." Chloe declared, causing Webb to sigh. "Just need to pick up a package and were done."

"What, Miller's dry cleaning?" Webb asked sarcastically, already getting sick of being an errand boy.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Very funny. Fortunately not.

"So what then?" Webb asked, the two walking down street. "What is this important 'package' that we have to pick up?"

Chloe shrugged. "Don't know, wasn't told." she replied simply.

Webb gave her a weird look. "So that's okay with you?"

"If it was important for me to know, I would have been told." Chloe replied without missing a beat. "I don't put my nose in business that isn't mine, and neither should you."

Webb smirked, already thinking back to breaking into Miller's room back at the safehouse. "I should know, shouldn't I..."

"Anyway, look at it this way." Chloe said. "Once we get this errand done, then we'll be done and you can take your beauty nap."

Webb rolled his eyes and looked away, annoyed. "Lets just get this done. The sooner, the better."

"Well, lucky for you then, it's just a few blocks up the street." Chloe said, causing somewhat a relief from Webb.

"Lucky for us." Webb replied as the two continued to walk down the side walk, beginning to cross the street and heading to the next block. The sooner he could finish Miller's 'chores' and 'errands', the better it would be for him. He still hadn't forgotten about he address he had took from Miller, and was eager to look into it.

Makarov opened the door to a near by library and walked through the entrance. The swift breeze of the cool air rushing past him put him from a tense and alert state to a relaxed and passive one. This was a haven for him. Cool. Quiet. No cameras or anyone watching. Just the place he needed to be. The perfect place for someone like him to meet, and it was in the simplest of places. A Library in the heart of Moscow.

He gave a polite nod at the receptionist at the desk and calmly walked along the many aisles stacked full of books and other sources of knowledge. In an age of technology and computers, many of these masterpieces and works of literature had been replaced and overlooked, forgotten and ignored. Many people never went to the library for entertainment. They would go to a movie or watch a sporting event. Libraries have slowly become ghost towns in themselves, were there were only a few people scatted about, either doing work or reading a newspaper.

It was a place that had no cameras, no one watching. It wouldn't look suspicious or out of place in his 'daily schedule'. It was perfect for what he needed to do.

He kept on his route until his finally reached the aisle he was looking for. 135.3. Adult Fiction. Author names Laiette to Lynn. Just as he had specified.

Makarov turned down the aisle and walked along down the narrow corridor formed by the stack of books on either side. Just the number of books combined with the distance away from the main area made the area feel darkened, the light from the ceiling not being able to reach as far back as it could. A nice quiet spot tucked in a library, out of anyone's sight and earshot.

He finally stopped until he reached a young girl sitting on the ground, reading a book to herself, looking very interested in the title. Makarov stood behind her, his back turned to hers, both not making eye contact with each other. He grabbed a random book off the shelf and opened it, making him appear to be reading as well.

"So, you made it." The girl said, still looking at her book. "What took you?"

"An unexpected problem, but one that was resolved." Makarov replied, turning a page. "Its nothing to be concerned about Elena."

He heard a familiar sigh behind him. "And your reasonably sure?"

Makarov's eyes narrowed. "I'm absolutely sure."

There was a small pause before a simple response.

"Good. But that's obviously not the reason why you told me to come here?"

"Of course not, we need to talk." Makarov replied. "It's about this Patriot."

"And what about it?" Elena replied. "What is there to talk about?"

"I need an update. How much progress have Anatoly and Victor made?"

She shrugged. "Not much progress at all. They've been trying a few odd sources here and there, but nothing concrete."

"Thats not good enough." Makarov replied, frustrated in hearing what he had expected. "They need to work harder. He's here, I know it."

"And how do you know that?"

Makarov opened his mouth but stopped, tensing up. He hadn't told Elena or anyone else about the Patriot's call he had received at the phone booth. He hadn't told them about the ultimatum given to him, about having 500 days to kill President Vorshevsky to save his sister. He hadn't seen the Patriot, but he knew he was in Moscow. And if that was the case, then so was his sister.

"The game has changed." Makarov replied simply. "I have 500 days to kill Vorshevky."

"Or else the Patriot will kill your sister?"

Makarov closed his eyes. "Yes."

"You know, there's just something about books that I find fascinating, just something about them..."

Makarov's eyes opened in surprise. "What? What are you saying now?"

"I mean, rubix's cubes are fun and all, but even they can get old after awhile..." Elena continued, still not answering Makarov. "Theres stories and stories, all different and unique, all with a beginning and an end."

"Make sense, what are you going on about?" Makarov demanded, glaring over his shoulder. "What do books and stories have to do with any of this."

"In every book I read, the hero always saves the girl and defeats the bad guy." Elena replied, still not giving Makarov any explanation. "There are obviously differences in each book I read, but they all end happily ever after..."

Elena closed her book, slamming it shut. "What do you think your ending is going to be?"

"I'll save my sister." Makarov replied instantly. "and I'll kill Vorshevsky and the Patriot."

"And you truly think that's what is going to happen. Your going to kill the bad guy and save the girl?"

"Sure. If you want to use that analogy, fine."

Elena sighed. "Even happy endings can get boring..."

She stood up and placed the book back in the shelf. "Do what you have to do. We'll be there to support you when you need it. Remember, were working with you, not against you."

"Of course. But I need results." Makarov replied, putting his book back on the shelf. "Time does run out eventually."

"Results will come when they come, and we'll continue to monitor the police closely." Elena replied. "Anything they find before us, we'll know about it."

"Also, theres something else that you might want to be aware of...

Makarov raised an eyebrow. "That being?"

"This is just a rumor, but while monitoring the police, I noticed a familiar individual I haven't seen in quite a long time..."

An annoyed look came across Makarov's face. "And how does this concern me?"

"The individual I'm referring to in currently investigating the Patriot, as well as you." Elena explained sharply. "And she's very effective at finding people."

"Another Investigator?" Makarov asked, amused with Elena's level of alarm. "They can be easily tricked and fooled. Who ever she is, she won't be a problem."

"I wouldn't be so confident." Elena said carefully. "After all, I actually knew this person. I'm not over exaggerating anything when I say she's good."

"No matter how 'good' she is Elena, it won't make a difference." Makarov countered. "So long as she working with the police, she will just another person that can easily be fooled."

"She isn't working with the police. She's investigating independently."

Makarov smiled. "Then she's even less of a problem."

"Actually the opposite."

"What?" Makarov asked, looking over his shoulder.

"She has her own way of doing things, her own way of solving problems no one else can. She can figure out what to do and how to do it. And in the time I knew her, she could always figure anything out."

Makarov raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you know this individual?"

Elena gave a small smile. "That is another story. For another time."

Makarov sighed, giving up and already losing interest. "Fine. I'll contact you the next time we need to meet."

"Fine." Elena said, beginning to walk down the aisle. "Just make sure you careful. It's a problem to me if you get yourself arrested."

Makarov gave a half nod. "Sure, of course."

He watched her walk down the narrow corridor of books before she stopped suddenly, causing Makarov to look up in question.

"What is it?" Makarov asked, staring at her in confusion.

"Ellien Lelend." She replied simply, before turning back and continuing to walk away. "That's her name."

Makarov gave her a weird look. "Ellien Lelend?" He repeated, still not understanding. But Elena gave no reply. She had rounded the corner and disappeared out of sight, leaving him with questions and still confused.

"Ellien Lelend..." Makarov repeated again in his head. Whoever Elena was talking about, it would just be another problem that he would easily solve. Just one of many he needed to work around in order to save Nina.

Webb looked up at the large oak door that sat in front of the stone brick building, standing guard over the residence. It had what you would expect from a well kept antique clock shop, the gold handle, the glass windows at the top, just what you expect at such an establishment. But what he didn't expect was Miller had sent them to such a place to pick up a package.

"So why are we in front of a clock shop?" Webb asked, annoyed that they were waiting. "What, Miller need his super secret clock picked up?"

Chloe smiled. "No, I'm sure its not that?"

"A very fancy secret clock?" Webb asked again, still not seeing the point of being here.

Chloe just shook her head. "I have no idea what Miller sent us here for, but I do know who to meet."

Webb raised an eyebrow. "And just who might that-

He was interrupted when the door opened and the two we're greeted by a portly old man wearing horned trimmed glasses. He had pale gray hair around the sides of his head, the rest was completely bald. Liver spots and wrinkles all showed gave further evidence of his age, as well as his appearance. Simple brown loafers and pants, with a simple sweater vest and tie on top.

The old man blink and squinted at them, almost trying to focus as if they were standing miles away.

"Miss Williams?" The man asked, looking at Chloe. "Miss Williams, is that you?"

Chloe smiled warmly. "Its good to see you to Mr. Sebastian."

The old man smiled brightly. "Ah, Chloe! It's seems like it's been an eternity!" Sebastian exclaimed. "I never seem to see you anymore."

Chloe gave a smile and put her arms on her hips. "Maybe its because you should get out more."

Sebastian chuckled. "that might be, but my age just doesn't agree you I'm afraid. How is your sister?"

"She's fine." Chloe replied. "Still the same as she always been."

He noticed Webb standing next to Chloe, and leaned in to study him.

"And your friend..." Sebastian said, looking at Webb. "His name is...

"It's Matthew sir." Webb answered for him, presenting his hand. "Matthew Webb."

Sebastian gave a warm smile. "Its a pleasure to meet you Mr Webb."

Webb smiled. "Thank you, but just Matt or Matthew is fine."

Sebastian nodded. "Sure. Of course Matthew."

He opened the door. "Do you want to come in? The store is closed so there's no customers."

"Actually, we're here on business I'm afraid." Chloe replied. "We were told to pick up a package from you."

Sebastian paused, thinking to himself before remembering what Chloe was talking about.

"Ah yes." He replied. "Old Nathaniel's order..."

"Then you have it?"

He nodded. "Yes. Just give me a minute, and I'll be right back with it."

Sebastian turned back into the clock store and vanished out of sighed, leaving Webb and Chloe alone on the door step once again.

"So an old clock maker in the middle of Moscow is the person we have to meet?" Webb asked in confusion, not expecting to be meeting such a person. After meeting street hood after street hood, gang member and street junkie, an old clock maker wasn't someone he had in mind of meeting.

"The last person you'd suspect, right?"

Webb sighed. "You had me. I didn't know you knew him so well. You seem like old friends."

Chloe smiled. "We have for a while, and for good reason. Not only does he help us out, but he's help me out personally. Off the record so to speak."

"With?"

She sighed. "You can't just hop on a place and expect to start a new life just because your in a new country. I still had my family, or what was left of it anyway..."

"Family?" Webb asked. "I thought you said they all died during the invasion."

Chloe closed her eyes and nodded silently. "Yes. But my younger sister survived. Everyone else, well..."

Webb look at her in surprise, remembering the subtle reference in Sebastian's brief conversation. "Sister..."

He hadn't been one to prod, especially around Chloe. He knew well that she had lost her family during the invasion, and he wasn't one to push it. He had lost so much to. They all did. Every one in the USSA had.

"Mr Sebastian is also a landlord, and offered to put my sister in one of the apartments he owns for free." Chloe continued to explain. "Thanks to him, I can still be with close to her and still stay here. It's better this way. There's no way I could leave her."

Webb nodded. "I understand..."

"What about you?" Chloe asked, trying to change the subject. "Don't you have any brother's or sisters?"

Webb's eyes saddened. "Yes...Had. But its a long story, one that-

He was interrupted again by the door opening, Sebastian reappeared, this time with a small book sized package under his arms. It was wrapped in brown paper and held by a small piece of twine, tied neatly in a knot on the top.

"Here you are, just as requested." Sebastian said, handing the package to Chloe. "I hope Nathaniel is happy with it."

Chloe sighed. "I sure hope so too..."

She stuffed the package into her bag and smiled up at the old man. "See you next time Mr. Sebastian."

The old man smiled and turned back to the door. "Goodbye Miss Williams, Mr. Webb." He waved before proceeding back inside the shop. "Tell your sister hello the next time you see her!"

Chloe nodded. "Will do."

The oak door swung close and Webb walked down the concrete steps back to the street, his eye looking at the package in Chloe's bag. Miller's order, whatever it was, could reveal information on the Patriot. If such information could be traced back...

"Are we done?" Webb asked, wanting to get back to the safehouse.

Chloe sighed and nodded.

"We're done. Lets go."

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Author's note: Responding to a review written by 'Jacob": I hae drawn some original characters in this story already. Just go to my profile page and click the link to my deviantart page if your interested.