Russian Translation: Я очень благодарен = I'm very grateful and zasranec = asshole

xXx

They've made it back to the base, just in time for it to start snowing. Skylar placed her purse on the desk and took off her jacket, tossing it onto the bed before sitting down with a sigh. She would've liked to stay out longer, but you can't compete with mother nature and she would rather be inside being warm.

Alex took his wallet out from his back pocket and placed it on the desk next to her purse and took off his jacket, setting it on the back of the chair before taking a seat next to her on the bed. He grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze, that made her look over at him with a smile on her face. Yet he could still tell something wasn't right.

"Are you sure you're okay kotyonok?"

Skylar hung her head and mumbled the words 'no' and then looked over at him with glistening eyes. "Henry's been texting me, I have no idea how he got my number. I've been ignoring him but…"

"Skylar, why didn't you tell me? How long has this been going on?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I wanted to but I was scared." She wiped the tears from her eyes, only for more to come. "It started shortly after work started again."

"Kotyonok, why were you scared?" He embraced her in a hug and kissed the top of her head. "I would like to know if that abusive zasranec contacts you again. He's not going to hurt you ever again, I promise."

"I wasn't afraid to tell you specifically, I was scared that even though we're thousands of miles away, the fear he instilled in me is still there. The fear of what he would do to me if I told anyone."

"Oh kotyonok!" He felt her body tremble against his and he slowly swayed back and forth, hoping to calm her a bit. "Just remember you're safe, here, with me. He can't hurt you. I won't let him."

"Thank you moi sladkiy!"

Her words were barely audible through her crying but he heard them clear as day. As her body trembled more he let out a shaky breath to keep himself from not crying as well. Just hearing her pain made his heart break and knowing Henry has been contacting her didn't sit well with him. If he already found out her number, then who knows what else he could find out. The only thing that made him feel at ease is knowing how strict the base is for visitors.

Still, deep down he knew she should take legal action, get the police involved and make sure he doesn't touch her or even come near her again. On the other hand they weren't in America, so it might not work out well in England.

"Kotyonok have you ever thought about filing a report?"

Her trembling ceased and she looked up at him with a tear stained face. "No. I didn't want to go through with it because I knew he would get off scot free. It's not fair, the victim has to live with what happened for the rest of their lives while the abuser just walks off into the sunset without even a slap on the wrist."

"No, it's not fair kotyonok and I wish things could be different for you. Just please don't hide things like this from me, I want to know. You don't have to deal with this alone anymore."

"I know and I'm sorry moi sladkiy!" She wiped her eyes once again and exhaled a breath. "I'll make sure to tell you from now on."

"Thank you!" He pulled her in for another hug and softly sighed. "I love you Skylar!"

"I love you too Alex!" She pulled away and chuckled, wiping away the remaining tears. "I feel kind of bad that I couldn't go to you for help. If I can't go to you for help…."

"Don't be, this is your first relationship since you left him. And old habits die hard. Before you know it you'll be able to come to me for anything."

Skylar looked down at her hands for a moment, letting his words sink into her brain. One day she'll be able to come to him for anything, she knows that will come true someday and probably sooner rather than later. Yet, she already opened up a lot to him, things she hasn't told anyone because she trusted him enough. But she couldn't open up about Henry texting her and how it kept her awake at night and even made her cry herself to sleep a few times while he was sleeping soundly next to her. She shouldn't have had to suffer on her own when she knew she had a shoulder to cry on a foot away.

"That's the thing I should've been able to come to you with this." She groaned and stood up, pointing at her side of the bed. "I shouldn't have spent those nights crying myself to sleep because I felt scared, knowing full well you were right there next to me." Alex's face fell white and he stood up, grabbing both of her hands in his. When they finally made eye contact that's all it took for Skylar to slowly collapse onto the floor, crying. He didn't say anything, just followed suit and took her into his arms. "I'm so scared Alex and I don't know what to do."

Those words were what sent his own tears down his cheeks. He wasn't much of a crier, but hearing the pain and suffering in her voice was enough to send him over the edge. Yet he still somewhat maintained his stoic nature. The one thing that hurt the most was not knowing what to say.

"It's going to be okay kotyonok, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you!" She didn't respond back, just kept crying into his chest. It wasn't a shock she was balling her eyes out after all and she would speak when she wanted too. Though an idea did pop into his head, he wouldn't do it unless she was absolutely a-okay with it. It's not his place to tell anyone. "Kotyonok I have an idea. I'm not entirely sure you're going to like it."

Skylar pulled away and sniffled, looking up at him with tears still running down her face. "What is it?"

"There might come a day where I won't be with you, and I want someone who I trust to be able to watch over you."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I or you tell Timur. I know how close you are with him and if I'm not there at least I know he could step in until I come back."

She blinked her eyes a few times contemplating his words. Telling Timur? Maybe that was a good idea, but deep down she didn't want him to look at her any differently after he found out. On the other hand it would be a good thing because if that dreadful day ever came she would have someone else to go too.

"I want you to tell him, I'm too emotionally exhausted to do so."

"Okay, just tell me when."

"I guess now. All this crying has made me tired, I think I might take a nap before getting the rest of my things."

She stood up and he followed suit, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "Okay, if you need me just text me."

"I will!"

He gave her one last kiss before departing, when the door closed Skylar sat down to take her shoes off, tossing them near the desk. Before she got under the covers she went into the bathroom to clean up, when she turned on the light she grimaced at her own reflection. She looked like hell rolled over.

She turned on the faucet and let the water run for a bit as she used a tissue to wipe her eyes and tossed it into the trash. She sighed and cupped her hands under the water and splashed some on her face and turned it off. To her left she grabbed a towel to dry herself off and shut the light of before heading back into the bedroom.

All the crying drained the hell out of her and now she felt kind of numb, maybe a good nap will help make her feel better. If not, then she sees drinking in her near future.

She took off her bra and got under the covers, leaving the light on so Alex wouldn't come back to a dark room and trip over something. And if she couldn't fall asleep then maybe she could reorganize their room. God knows it needs it. Skylar made herself comfortable and then closed her eyes, hoping sleep would take her very soon.

xXx

Alex made his way to Timur's room, thinking that'd be the best place to start. He just hopes Kapkan isn't there, if he is he can always ask him to leave so he can talk to Timur alone. Normally he wouldn't care if the other was around, this was different, this wasn't his personal business it was Skylar's, his kotyonok. And no one else is gonna find out unless she wants them too.

He came to his room that wasn't far from his and knocked on the door a few times. It only took a few seconds for Timur to open the door, paintbrush in hand. "Alex? I wasn't expecting you."

"Can we talk?"

"Da, of course." He moved to the side to let him in and shut the door. "Something wrong?"

"It's about Skylar. I love her, more than anything and there will come a day where I can't protect her."

Timur set his paintbrush down and looked over at him with a raised brow. "You..want me too? I think she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I don't think she needs me to look after her."

Alex scrubbed a hand down his face and sighed, looking over at Timur more sternly than before. "She can take care of herself. Before she joined Rainbow, back when she was a Marine she was in an abusive relationship. It broke her. That ex has now been texting her and she's terrified. If that day comes I want her to have someone she can go to for help if I'm not here."

Timur's face went white and his heart skipped a beat. He never would have thought Skylar went through something like that. She always seemed so upbeat and happy, little did he know she was silently suffering. "I never would have guessed. I know how much you love her and I'll protect her when or if the time comes. She'll be safe!"

"Я очень благодарен!"

"It's the least I can do, she's one of my closest friends on base and I wouldn't want anything to happen to her either."

Alex took a seat on his bed and looked over at him with gratitude in his eyes. "No, you're doing much more and she's grateful for it. I just hope it'll never come down to it."

"Me too! Where is she now?"

"She's taking a nap, she just admitted to me that her ex has been texting her for a few weeks and kind of broke down."

He looked down at his hands and sighed, he wished he knew long ago and it made him feel bad for not being there for her when she needed him the most. It was even worse when they shared a bed and he didn't even notice her crying in the middle of the night. How could he be so oblivious?

Timur nodded his head and sat down next to him. "At least she told you. You can't blame her, leaving an abusive relationship is the scariest time for any victim. Now that he's made his way back into her life those feelings came back. Give her time, she'll open up more."

"I know, that's not my issue. I sleep a foot away from her, how the hell did I not hear her crying in the middle of the night? I'm not a heavy sleeper, you know that."

He gave him a small smile and his bright blue eyes dulled. "She didn't want you too. This is her first relationship, da?" Alex nodded his head. "I don't think she knows where she stands, being an abuse victim and trying not to seem like a burden. She's going to be dealing with this for the rest of her life, I think she's afraid that maybe her emotions and PTSD will push you away."

"That's never going to happen."

"Tell her that. It's not my place but maybe you two should sit down and have a long talk about it. Set those fears aside."

He went quiet and looked away from him as he contemplated his words. Timur was right, maybe a long talk would help, Skylar could tell him her fears regarding their relationship and they can figure things out from there. He's also not going to push her, when she's ready she'll tell him.

"I'll talk with her later, I'm not pushing her to open up. She will when she feels like it."

"Obviously, you would push her away if you did that."

Alex glared over at him and stood up. "I should get back to her, I don't want to leave her alone for too long. Thank you again Timur, it means a lot!"

"You're welcome Alex!"

He left after that, heading back to his room to make sure Skylar was alright or to see if she actually fell asleep. He hoped the latter, she needed some rest after all that crying and he's sure she would feel better afterwards. Hopefully.

A few minutes later he came to their room slowly opening the door, only to see her wide awake and sitting on the bed. He walked in, shutting the door behind and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I thought you would be sleeping kotyonok."

"I tried, I just feel so...numb. For four years I've been running from my past and now it has finally caught up to me."

He moved closer to her, grabbing her hand in his. "Skylar, you're strong and a survivor. Don't run away from it, show the past that you're not going to sit around and let it bully you any longer."

"How?"

"Because you have people who will love and protect you!" He watched her face soften and shoulders relax under his gaze. "A lot of people here care about you kotyonok, you would be surprised what some of us will do."

"I think you care about me the most moi sladkiy! And what would you do?"

"No argument there kotyonok." He laughed. "That's not for a lady to hear."

Skylar laughed and that was like music to his ears. "I think I have some ideas."

Alex laughed and leaned down to give her a quick kiss, he pulled after a moment and let out a sigh. "Kotyonok, can we talk?"

"About what?"

She sat up a little straighter, sighing through her nose. She already knew what it was about, what happened the past few weeks. Her crying herself to sleep next to him and not telling him what was going on, even though deep down she knew she should have. Like he said earlier, old habits die hard.

"It's about what you did. I'm not angry or disappointed, I wish to understand more. It hurt me more knowing I didn't even hear you, you needed me and I didn't hear you."

"Okay." She inhaled a breath and exhaled it a few seconds later, trying to ease her emotions. "That's because I didn't want you too. Dating was never in my itinerary, then you just had to swipe me off my feet." She chuckled. "I don't want to hide my emotions from you, I don't. I just don't know how to ask for help."

"If you have a nightmare or a PTSD episode or anything, don't hesitate on waking me up."

"You won't get mad?"

Alex's face faltered at her words and he watched her submit herself to him. Before him wasn't the young specialist he knew, but the nineteen year old who's been through hell. The past didn't just show up, it came barreling in without warning. Like a tsunami in the middle of the ocean.

"Never! I want you to feel safe, comfortable with me. You don't need to tell me what happened unless you want too, I won't put you through that. But I'm not going to sit by and watch my girlfriend suffer in silence when I'm a foot away from her. What I said on that dog tag was true, my heart will be your shelter and my arms your home."

"I'm sorry!"

He moved closer to her and wrapped her in his arms. When he found out about her past he knew things wouldn't be easy and maybe he missed something in the beginning, like boundaries. Maybe she might feel more comfortable with them in place, no matter what she says he was going to be fine with it.

"It's okay kotyonok. Do you want to set some boundaries? I know I never asked after finding out."

"I don't think I need to set them, you seem pretty keen on understanding my body language. That's enough for me." She pulled away from him and reached for her phone, pressing a few buttons until she came to what she wanted. "I want you to read them."

He took the phone from her hand and began reading through each text. They started off tame to only get worse and worse. It made his blood boil, he couldn't even get through half of them before setting the phone down on the bed. Those messages weren't just cruel, they were sadistic. They went into depth of what he did and was going to do to her.

"I can't find the words. I.."

"You don't need too, I have a pretty good idea what you're thinking moi sladkiy!"

"Have you thought about changing your number?"

"Yes, I was waiting until work became less hectic and I had more time." Truth be told she never thought about changing her number, she was too worried about Henry being back in her life. "I'm just happy he doesn't know where I am."

"If he did know where you were then I'm beating him with my degtyaryov."

"Sure moi sladkiy, you would definitely use your precious degtyaryov to beat someone."

"Kotyonok I care more about you than I do that gun. The gun can be replaced, you can't."

Skylar didn't say anything, she just moved the covers off of her and straddled him - wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, embracing her in a gentle, yet firm hug. In a way she didn't need to say anything, he understood just by the gesture. It felt nice to be so close to someone where all you need is a certain look or body language to understand.

"I hate feeling like this, I hate feeling that I would be better off alone. Who wants to date someone like me?"

"Don't say that kotyonok." He gently moved her head off his shoulder, placing his thumb in the dip of her chin. "Anyone would be happy to have you! Your PTSD is a part of you now, da. But you're still compassionate, kind, funny, strong and much more. Your good qualities outweigh the bad ones. Da, some people may not understand fully what you've been through, and may only be able to help in certain ways. Kotyonok, that doesn't mean you are any less worthy of being loved."

The tears started to well in her eyes once again and she laughed, wiping them away with the back of her hand. "I'm really getting tired of crying. Do you really mean that?"

"With all my heart!"

"I love you moi sladkiy!"

"I love you too my kotyonok!"

She sniffled and gave him a soft smile before leaning forward until their lips met. As they moved in tandem she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down onto the bed with a chuckle.

"Lay with me please?"

Alex laughed and laid down beside her, letting her curl up next to him. "Better?"

"Much better." She let out a content sigh and fiddled with the collar of his shirt. "I'm grateful to have you!"

He moved onto his side, gazing into those hazel eyes he sees everyday and moved a few strands of hair behind her ear. "And I'm grateful to have you!"

Skylar's smile grew wider and her face softened. She was agnostic, has been ever since she was a little girl, but this...joining Rainbow, meeting Alex. The actual love of her life. It almost seemed like a higher power was involved in it, like they were destined to be together no matter what.

"I've been thinking about telling my parents what happened, what truly happened. It's going to kill them."

"What did you tell them?"

"That he was emotionally abusive to a point. A part of me always wanted to tell them the truth, I just couldn't."

He nodded his head, he understood why she did that. She didn't want to hurt her parents, and to find out what she's been through would kill them.

"Do you want me to be with you when you do tell them kotyonok?"

"Yes! I'm gonna need the support."

"Okay." He laughed. "Why don't you take that nap you were secretly waiting for me to come back for. I'm not going anywhere."

She laughed, face turning slightly red. "How did you know?"

"I know my girlfriend!" He gave her a quick kiss and sat up. "Now get some sleep, I'll only be a few feet away."

"I hope you know I plan on marrying you one day!" She chuckled and got under the blankets, letting out a content sigh.

"Well I hope you know I plan on marrying you one day too!"

"Yay!"

Alex laughed and leaned down to give her a much more passionate kiss, that seemed to spark that invisible lightbulb above his head. "I just wanted you to know that if there comes a time where you don't want sex, no matter how long. I will never be mad or upset. Our relationship isn't built on that, it's built on trust, understanding and love."

"Thank you!"

"It's nothing to thank me for kotyonok! I'm doing this because I care, sex doesn't mean a thing if you're not into it. We can have sex anytime you want, I can wait."

"You're already an amazing boyfriend and you're going to be one amazing husband Alex, I mean it!" She propped herself up on her elbow. "I'm not a believer, but I can't help thinking that a higher power brought us together. Like they knew exactly who I needed in my life!"

"I'm not much of a believer either either, if there is someone out there I'm grateful he did bring us together!"

xXx

It's been a few hours, Skylar slept about two, feeling both better and a tiny bit worse, but she digressed. During those few hours Alex decided to organize their room some more, organizing the papers on the desk and putting their dirty clothes in a hamper, along with their jackets in the closet. She was surprised to see how clean their room was and they could now use the desk more.

"Wow it's so clean." She chuckled and rubbed her still tired eyes. "You did a lot while I slept."

He looked over from the chair and placed the paper he's been neglecting down on the desk. "Da, I thought it was time I cleaned this mess and to make it more welcoming for you."

"Hey half the mess is mine too, work just gets in the way of things. Besides this room has always been welcoming, with or without a mess."

Alex stood up, moving from the chair to the bed. "That's true, and we seem to be more occupied with each other!"

The smirk on his face made her laugh. However he was right of course, they were enamored in each other rather than the mess in their room. And thanks to Alex it looked a lot better.

"Oh definitely! It looks good though, maybe we can try and keep clean from now on." She scrunched her nose and shook her head. "Probably not."

"Only time will tell kotyonok."

She laughed and the smile that spread across her face melted his heart. "I suppose so."

Alex mirrored her smile and leaned over to give her a quick kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, a lot better. I also feel a little bit worse too. But better nonetheless."

"Better is still good, it's progress kotyonok."

The smile on her face started to fade and she looked down at her hands. She didn't know how to work with this new version of herself, before it was façade until she got back to her apartment. Now she's in a place and with someone where she can be more open and act more like herself. Well the newer version.

"I don't know how to work with this new version of me." She looked back up at him, seeing his face softened and hand reach out for hers. "A part of me wants to go back to how I was, but I know that's not possible."

He gently squeezed her hand and sighed through his nose. "Kotyonok, do you mind if I be completely honest with you?"

"I would rather you be."

"Kotyonok you've spent too long trying to heal on your own. I think it's time for you to take that leap and get more professional help." He scooted closer to her, surprised she didn't seem taken aback by his words. "I think it will help, and you know I'll be with you every step of the way."

"I know, I know. And I know you're right, maybe getting a new therapist will help. I'll do that after I change my number." She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. "Now let's go get the rest of my stuff." He let out one of his booming laughs as she got out of bed and went into the bathroom to brush her hair and put it up in a bun. Once her hair was to her liking she walked back out and put on her shoes. "Okay I'm ready."

xXx

She looked through her stuff that was still in the room, mostly clothes, some jewelry and a few other miscellaneous things. Not much thankfully and it shouldn't take long to move them to the other room. Skylar was now happy she moved her weapons to her locker when she did.

"I swear I had more stuff."

"We did bring a lot of your stuff into our room a few weeks ago."

She held a necklace in her hand, a small heart shaped stone in amethyst which happens to be her birthstone. She bought it at one of the shops in town while out with Ela. "That's true. I forgot I even had this necklace."

"I think I've seen you wear it once." He laughed. "It's beautiful!"

"It is, it's also my birthstone."

He laughed, which happened to make her raise a brow. "It's kind of ironic that your birthstone is purple, knowing it's your favorite color."

She had to laugh at that too, it was ironic and she never even thought about it before. She put the necklace back in its case and placed it back on the bed. The clothes she left behind were some she didn't really wear, and it made her wonder why she brought them in the first place.

"Y'know I would really like to go back in time and question myself why I brought some clothes I barely wear. What was the point?"

"Maybe you thought you would wear them more."

"Perhaps. I should donate them, after I buy more clothes, that is."

Alex chuckled and he sat down on the bed, glancing over at the stuff on it. "Do I sense a shopping trip in our near future kotyonok?"

"Oh yes." The door opened, forcing their attention over there to see Ash walk into the room. Looking to be in a hurry. Skylar set down what she was looking at and turned to her. "What's going on?"

Ash grabbed her duffel bag from underneath her bed and dropped in on top of her bed. "There's something going on in New Mexico, some kind of outbreak. Six wants me to go do some recon on this outbreak and inform her on anything."

Skylar gave a quick glance to Alex before looking back over to Ash. "Was it the White Masks?"

She went over to the dresser and opened a drawer, pulling out a few of her fatigues and placed them in the duffle bag. "We're not sure, it doesn't seem like it. I'll know more once I get there."

Skylar sat down on the bed with a sigh. "That's all we need another terrorist organization to deal with. Keep me updated please, if you can."

Ash looked over at her after she grabbed her wallet, passport and everything else she needed. "Sky, if this gets worse you'll be in New Mexico with me."

"I object, if she goes I go." Alex chimed in.

She looked over at him and rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say Tachanka."

He glared over at her and crossed his arms, hearing Skylar chuckle from beside him.

"Anyways I have a plane to catch and it probably won't be long until I see both of you again."

"Alright, be safe!"

"I'll try!"

Skylar scoffed and stood back up, hearing the door shut as she placed the clothes in the bag she brought with them. She looked back over to Alex, face faltering for a moment. "I hope this outbreak can be contained, we don't need a pandemic on our hands."

"No we don't, I'm sure we'll find out more sooner rather than later."

All she could do was nod her head.

xXx

As Skylar started to fall asleep in Alex's arms, she thought back on this very eventful day. She was happy she told him about Henry, even if it took her weeks to do so. Things were beginning to look a lot clearer now, or at least she hopes. First she would have to get a new number. Second, find a therapist and start that long awaited start to full recovery.

She was kicking herself in the ass for that, the last time she saw a therapist was a few months after she left the Marines. That lasted until she joined the FBI a year later. She should've found one in Los Angeles, it was stupid to stop seeing one when she moved and now that did more harm than good. How could she think she would be able to deal with it on her own? She couldn't and she found out the hard way.

At least she didn't lose her compassion and could still be a pretty good girlfriend, that was important. Alex didn't deserve someone who's closed off and a bitch for what happened.

And last but not least, train her brain that Henry can't hurt her anymore. He's miles away, he can't get to her. She won't have to endure anymore agony from him and she knows Alex will protect her, no matter what!

A soft smile started to spread across her face as she felt his lips against her neck. She may have far to go, but she has Alex and people who love her and are willing to help her along the way. She's not in this alone, never was to begin with!