Moscow, still in 1986

Toris wondered a lot about the abandoned girl.

Watching over her wasn't new to him. Ever since he found out his new friend's sister lived in the house, he felt this urge to keep an eye on her. Vaguely aware of Eva's regular late-night visits to Ivan, he listened at the door once or twice. It only confirmed that there was absolutely nothing to worry about. He knew the Russian far too well.

(Which was also why he was so terrified of him.)

The true problem, just as expected, turned out to be Natalia. He knew the Belorussian well, too.

(Unfortunately, that never prevented him from loving her.)

And thus, he turned into some kind of buffer zone, keeping the girls apart as much as possible.

But things were different now. The Slovak surely needed to know someone was there for her, caring, honest and ready to help if such a need arose. Someone to replace her brother for a while. Still, telling her was out of question. He promised to keep his mission secret.

Moreover, he'd never been of much use around such young broads. How did one approach them? They seemed like a whole different species to him. Therefore, he just went on secretly watching her, waiting for the right moment.

Somewhere outside the Eastern Bloc, still in 1986

Nothing. Just… nothing.

I blinked, wondering how come I was still alive.

"Wow, dude, that sounds like one hell of a story! I want to hear it." He sat down on the ground and gestured for me to do the same. I was in too much of a shock to move, but he gestured with the gun and that helped.

"Sum-up or full version?" I managed.

"Depends on for how long you want to go on living."

I gave him the special deluxe extended edition.

"You mean to say you're friends with Lithy?" he yelled, eyes wide with astonishment. Actually, I don't think it was his intention to yell; he generally talked way louder than I was used to.

"Well, yeah." I shrugged.

"Isn't he cool?"

"He's… okay."

"And you hate Ivan."

"Most of the world does."

"That's awesome! Everyone who hates Ivan and is Lithuania's friend is a friend of mine, too! Come on." He held out his hand and literally pulled me up. "Let me give you a proper welcome. I'm Alfred, by the way. Oh, and sorry for having tried to kill you. Just a basic precaution. You know, better safe than sorry. You hungry?" he asked, eyeing my silhouette, considerably thinner than his. Everybody was thin in USSR. Not that there was nothing to eat; it was the appetite we lacked.

"So let me get this straight," he started a while later as we were munching on some chicken wings. At my place, the bucket alone would feed a whole family. "Ivan has sent you here to observe my way of life and then provide him with a report containing all my secrets."

I nodded.

"He sent you, a person undeniably from his house, a person with no spy training whatsoever, to his biggest enemy."

"Yes."

He burst out laughing.

"Dude! You're probably the only guy Ivan hates more than me."

I snorted and shrugged again. Yes, probably.

"So what will happen now?" I asked after we finished eating.

"Well, I still owe you a big one. Although, of course, I'm the hero - I would have surely found a way to beat the shit out of that guy. So what will happen now is that we'll go get you a bunch of notebooks and plenty of pens. You don't want to get back empty-handed," he said with a smile. He smiled most of the time, but right then, it was sincere. So I smiled back. And we became friends.

As we were leaving the restaurant, I couldn't contain my curiosity anymore.

"I was just wondering. About earlier. How did I blow my cover? How did you know I was lying?"

"Ah, that." He rolled his eyes. "You're wearing flag underwear."

Moscow

The library in Braginsky residence was truly rich, but Ivan preferred to keep some publications in less accessible spots. World atlases, for instance, were placed so high on a shelf that Eva, even when standing on a chair, couldn't reach them. She hesitated before asking Lithuania (What if he tells on me?), then decided that all in all, she didn't have that much left to lose.

"Which one would you like? There's quite a bunch."

"One with languages, please. I'm considering learning English. I'd like to know which countries speak it," she recited her carefully prepared lie. The Baltic took a quick glance around the place and, though relieved nobody was around, gave her a stern look.

"I'll act like I haven't heard that. And don't say it in front of the others," he hissed.

"Why?"

"English is the language of Mr. America. He and Russia are arch-enemies," Toris explained in a low voice. "This is his house." He opened the book he'd retrieved and pointed to a continent a long way from Europe, then briefly explained about the Cold War. "But since you're asking, there are other countries who speak the same language. Like…"

Although the Baltic went on and on, Eva had already stopped listening. That must be it.

She didn't know a single English word, but could identify the language easily. And she had heard Hynek speak it with someone while on the phone. The quality of sound suggested the call wasn't coming from Europe. Also, he had admitted having gone west.

This is so like you, Ivan. Delicate diplomatic matters, huh? Delicate indeed. You really have no conscience at all. Sending him to the worst, most dangerous place on Earth. But this time, you've gone too far. I'm really fed up with your shit. And, in case you've forgotten, I don't need a nuke to tear you apart.

-END OF CHAPTER 37-