A freezing wind was whipping over them and the snow beneath him wasn't warm either, but it didn't bother Illya.
It was nothing against Russian winter and the slight form pressed next to him in the snow didn't complain either.

„It's nothing compared to Swiss winter!" She had hissed and had given him a broad smile.

Martina had found him on the hotel room floor and had generously poured water on his face.
Before he had the chance to snarl at her she had offered him two white tablets.
„To ease your headache!" She chimed and smiled at him.
Behind her her constant Chinese shadow was eyeing him carefully.

Illya shot her another glance.
Martina had followed him like an annoying fly and had snatched the sniper rifle right out of his hands.

„We don't want you to shoot someone!" He had narrowed his eyes at her and Cho behind her had crossed his arms, daring him to do something.

Illya hadn't been in the mood of getting on the bad side of the Chinese man nor the Swiss woman, who generously gave him her best binoculars.

„They are Swiss made and yes I want them back!" Cho had used it as his key to disappear into the forest to take over his post.

„He is quite the chatter box!" Illya had huffed as he had watched the man walk off.

„Mmmh, sometimes I hardly can shut him up!" Martina had hummed and had glanced over her shoulder with a soft smile playing on her lips.

Now they both lay hidden, watching the compound down below with great interest.
Illya's whole body stiffened as two figured appeared in the wide entry of some sort of a garage.
He immediately recognized Solo even though his face was behind a mask.
His partner's fingers were tightly wrapped around an arm.

Cowboy had found her.
Breath escaped his lungs in a rush as he took in the small form of his German partner.
Solo might have been right.
He didn't think he would have been able to control himself.
Even now from so far away Illya could feel hot anger boiling up inside of him as he took in the gravity of Gaby's injuries and those were just the ones he could see.
He balled his fist.
Earning a cautious look from Martina.

Solo was just dangling a set of keys in front of Gaby, coaxing a smile onto the lips of the little mechanic.
Illya drummed his fingers nervously on his binoculars as he watched his two partners.

„Common Cowboy! Stop wasting time!" He wanted her out of there as fast as possible.

„I think we have a problem!" Martina breathed next to him.

Illya didn't need to turn as he could see first Gaby's eyes widening in shock and then Solo's body stiffening.
He didn't need to read his lips as he knew is partner all too well that he swore under his breath.

Solo, you have to leave!

Illya's insides turned to ice.

„Don't you dare, Cowboy!" The tall Russian hissed through his teeth and to his satisfaction the American refused.

His fingers wrapping tighter around her arm.
He wasn't able to read the American's lips, but he knew anyway that Solo argued.

It's okay! He will understand! Please take care…

Two soldiers reached them and he could see a mask slipping on her face.
Indifferent.
Annoyed.
He felt pride flare up.

With dread he watched as Solo let go of their partner.
It was like a slap in his face to see her dragged away from Cowboy.
Gaby held her head high like the strong woman she was.
Illya knew how hard it was for her not to look back.
Not to glance over her shoulder for the last time to see her rescue slip through her fingers.
It took everything inside of him not to howl outloud.

„I could shoot them!" Martina suggested.

Illya's lip parted just as Gaby's eyes darted up, locked with him.
Her brown warm eyes boring into his blue ones.
She probably didn't know that he was there, but something must have told her.
Maybe her instinct or maybe the little chop shop girl just always knew where he was.

Don't do anything stupid!

The message was loud and clear.

„Njet, we need better plan. Shooting will just make them change compound!" Illya grumbled and watched Gaby stopping in front of her uncle.

The thick coat Solo must have hung over her shoulders just minutes ago did little for her as she was shivering in the cold.
All Illya wanted to do was tuck her in his side and warm her.

„You know I would love to put a hole through that head!" Martina mumbled annoyed.

„Patience my Swiss friend! You can help me torture him later!"

„I take this as a promise you know! Cho has showed me some Chinese torture methods and I haven't tried them out yet! He would be the perfect opportunity!" She gave him a wicked grin.

Illya nodded once and his knuckles turned white as he watched Rudy slap Gaby.
The small woman went to her knees from the force of the hit, but the soldiers to her side straightened her right away.
Blood was dripping down her split lip as she grinned at her uncle and mumbled something.
One of the soldiers squeezed her arm and her face turned white.
She looked like she would pass out any minute.

„Don't break my binoculars, please!" Martina's glove covered hand touched his shaking hands, pulling him out of the red mist, which was about to descend.

Illya breathed in shakily.
The freezing air freeing his lungs.
They both watched as her uncle commanded his group back to the shelter of the compound.
The two soldiers grabbing Gaby on both sides, dragging her along behind the group.
The gap from the group seemed to grow as all of a sudden Gaby tripped, taking the left soldier with her.

„What the…!" Martina breathed in astonishment as the German woman punched the first guy then whirled her legs swiftly around sweeping the remaining soldier to the ground.
She was all of a sudden on her feet, kicking the head of the soldier.
Not waiting to see if he was out she ran.

This brought movement into Kuryakin.
Before Martina could hold onto the Russian he was up and sliding down the snowy hill.