Spent an hour looking through the beta readers for this fandom and couldn't find one that I liked. If any of you out there would honor me with their interest PM me?


Vy stared at the slit of light from the darkness. It was like he was inside one of those English post boxes. The idea of it appealed; being able to see without being seen, the goal of his life. Perhaps there was something in those niqabs that some Muslim women wore, they certainly afforded a complete detachment from the world, constantly an outside opinion. No direct experience.

For now pushed up against the wall underneath the bed was going to have to do. It helped him think. It wasn't like he felt safe, he never did, it just gave him a sort of clarity to narrow down reality to a slit two foot wide. He'd tried sitting in a cupboard at Malagosto but it was too dark, he'd felt like he was back in the cellar with the lights out. Under the bed was best, even if it was a cliché place to hide from the world.

Yassen had gone to find Alex. Probably a good idea, the boy had no idea where he was and with his luck he'd likely run into a Russian spy by accident. Loosing him at this point would be plain stupid after all they'd been through.

As for what he was going to do… His heart leapt in his chest again and he took a deep breath to fight the panic. A decision to make, whether to trust Wilson or not… The truth was of course that at this point in time, when he need the network the most to try and keep Yassen and Alex alive, he couldn't afford to loose the man… He simply couldn't be everywhere at once and maintaining agents all over the world was impossible without another pair of hands.

Then there was the assassination… Wilson obviously knew some of the people involved better than he did which would be invaluable during any negotiations if Yassen decided to take it, and the more Vy thought about it the more he realised that the assassination might be the only way the two outcasts could survive. Making a quick list of their enemies he swallowed, Alex alone was wanted by several different criminal organisations along with the ASIS, MI6 the CIA… The triads, the mob and the Yakuza united could be the only force strong enough to back them.

The door opened and Yassen came back followed by Alex's limping step.

"Where is he?"

Yassen was silent for a second and Vy found himself holding his breath. "He's thinking."

"So he's gone out?"

"Not necessarily…"

"Is he in a cupboard or something?"

"Perhaps…" He saw Yassen turn to Alex and guessed that he took his hand pulling him into the kitchen. After a moment Vy realised that he'd done it so that he could come out without looking stupid in front of Alex. He was grateful, he didn't think he could handle that raised eyebrow and a sarcastic comment right this moment without hitting the boy.

It took some effort of will to pull himself from beneath the bed and straighten himself out, washing his face in the bathroom and rubbing at the dark circles under his eyes and his blotchy eyelids. His headache from crying had already begun to fade and he felt empty, a still pool with the panic and fear hidden beneath the surface. Looking into his own dark eyes he came to a decision.

He'd have to trust Wilson for the moment, or at least let him live while he trained a suitable replacement. During that time he could help with the negotiation of the terms of Putin's assassination and once it was done he could be removed. With the plan came even more calm till his eyes were void of emotion, dead dark pools of impenetrable depth.


The change in Vyacheslav was more than marked as he came into the kitchen. He was pale but his face was set and nothing showed through the mask he'd put on. Yassen rubbed at the back of Alex's neck, fingers running through the soft blond hair, as much as it was meant to comfort Alex it probably had a greater effect on his own nerves.

"Do you want to take the hit?"

"If you think the protection's worth it."

"Then we need to make plans. Starting with getting out of Moscow today."

"So you've made a decision then?"

"He can live till I find a replacement and the hit's over. I think he knows much more about the people involved… It's always good to know who you're dealing with."

"You're sure?" Yassen asked him.

"Yes. I'll ring him now."

He went out to make the phone call and Yassen looked at Alex, he was frowning.

"What happened to the case of DVDs that I had with me?"

"What case of DVDs?"

His face lost all colour and he slipped off the table following Vy into the bedroom. He was just finishing his phone call.

"What happened to the DVD case I had?"

"Erm…" he scratched his head. "It's around somewhere."

"Where?"

"I don't know… It's probably in your bag in the car."

"Keys?"

He sighed and looked around. "In my coat."

Grabbing his coat he patted down the pockets grabbed the keys and flew down the stairs as fast as his injured leg would carry him. Yassen looked questioningly at Vy.

"What's so important?"

"I don't know."

"Are you alright?"

He nodded coldly. "Fine if we can just play this right."

Studying him, with his stiff expression Yassen put an arm around his shoulders and kissed him on the forehead. "It'll be alright…" Vy turned and wrapped his arms around him briefly before letting go and stepping away. "You know it'll be alright."

"Pollok always told me I could never know anything for sure."

"There's always me."

"There is always you…" He half-smiled and turned to face the door at the two sets of footsteps that were coming up the stairs. "If I get even the vaguest idea that this is dodgy you aren't doing it."

"Agreed."

"I mean it Yassen. This is going to be the most dangerous thing you've ever done and if even the smallest thing is out of place I'm pulling you out."

Before Yassen could answer him Wilson opened the door with Alex in tow clutching his bag and a black CD case. He put them down on the bed and watched as Wilson and Vy eyed each other then Vy went into the kitchen and Wilson followed giving Yassen a wide berth.

"What's in the case?" Yassen asked softly.

Alex got up and crossed to him. "I'll tell you later." His fingers brushed over his abdomen above his belt and he leant down and drew him into a short kiss.

"Alright, later." He pulled him back for another and whispered. "Keep an eye on Wilson."

"Okay."

They went into the kitchen finding Vy leant against the counter and Wilson sat at the table.

"Right, I take it that you want to do it?"

"What would they offer me?"

"I heard ten million plus protection, you could probably push for twelve."

He saw Alex swallow, he hadn't told him yet that he'd already accumulated seventy million. They still needed to have that conversation… He'd been too panicked on the stairs. After this… Yassen sighed as he realised he was putting off doing it, scared that Alex wouldn't agree with his plan, wouldn't want to go with him.

"Course you probably wouldn't ever be able to work again…"

"That wouldn't be a problem. Who would I be negotiating with?"

"Well… the three men in charge are Ning, Watashi and Sukachevsky."

Yassen suppressed the urge to look at Vy. "Yuri Johanavich Sukachevsky?"

"Yeah, you know him?"

"I know him. He owes me a favour."

"Why's that?"

"Killed someone for him. He must be getting on…"

"Yeah, eighty something now… He went blind a couple of years ago."

"What about the other two?"

"Well Watashi and Ning are both pretty level headed and smart. I don't think any of the higher ups are taking any chances with any loose cannons. They're dangerous though, Watashi killed his own son recently for stepping out of line and Ning is one of the old school triads Death before dishonour to the clan."

"What are they hoping to achieve?"

"I don't know yet, their chosen men are very watertight."

Yassen nodded. "That's not a bad thing."

"I gave Alex a Memory stick it has some Intel on Putin." He turned to Vy. "Chernova could probably get his itinery if you think you can trust her…"

Vy nodded.

"I have a car too… You said St. Petersburg…"

Yassen swallowed. "Sorry?"

"I thought St. Petersburg would be good, far enough but not too far." Vy explained.

"I suppose…"

He didn't want to go back… the city would be how he remembered it, the Lena frozen the trees covered in frost. Alex was suddenly beside him leaning against the counter his hand on his lower back, he looked at him and for an instant they locked eyes. In an unnerving way he knew that Alex understood that he didn't want to go back and why. He was unprepared for how grateful it made him and how much he just wanted to kiss him.

"I can drive if you want you all still look shattered." Wilson said.

Yassen looked up and saw Vy studying Wilson and then he nodded. "Alright."