He was sure she didn't see him at first.
Racing towards her through the ridiculous deep snow.
He believed nothing could stop him now.
It's like they have a string between eachother and it is guiding the little mechanic through the snow towards him.
He noticed the moment she realized him closing in.
The flicker of relief washing over her, making his own heart miss a beat.
The joy however was quickly replaced by panic and he watched her running faster.
The tall Russian himself gained speed, moved faster than before.

All of a sudden she stumbled.
Something had hit her.
Her head snapped up and he could see the pain in her face.

"Don't Illya! Hide!" Even though she was just mouthing the words.
He heard them like she was yelling them at him.
The hell he would hide like a coward dog.
To his shock he saw her stumble as something hit her again and his little chop shop girl fell into the snow.
Did they shot her?

His blood ran cold.

No!

Not like this!

Panic made him stop.

Halt in his steps and suddenly there was someone grabbing him with so much force he stumbled to the side.
Hands pulled him into the safe shadow of a pine tree.
Illya was so stunned he didn't fight back at first.
The person slammed him into the thick tree trunk, knocking the air out of his lungs.
The KGB training quickly kicked in, but before he could defend himself there was a pair of blue eyes glaring at him.

"Why did you think I knocked you out? To follow me?" Solo whispered anger lacing his voice.

"Martina said we could go!" He answered timidly. Even in his ears he sounded like a kid trying to evade punishment.

"Strittmatter? She is here?" Solo let go of his collar and looked back as if agent Strittmatter would walk up to them.

Illya nodded and tried to get away from Solo's grip.
He had to help Gaby.
But Solo's grip on him was firm and he slammed the tall Russian back on the trunk.

"Where do you think you are going?" He hissed his eyes shooting daggers.

The two agents had no time to discuss anything further as they both straightened up as they heard someone coming closer.
Solo quickly nodded towards the treetop and without another word the two partners climbed up the pine tree.

Solo glanced at his partner as they sat on different tree branches.
Through a gap in the tree they could see the whole scene unfolding beneath them.
Gaby was laying in the snow.
Face down.
Unmoving.

For a short moment Solo believed the little mechanic to be dead.
Illya watched with a grim face as a commander of some sort stepped next to their friend.
Solo felt his shoulders relax when he noticed a tiny twitch in her hand.
She was indeed tough their German comrade.
Solo flinched as the man kicked the small woman and he believed Illya nearly launched himself from the tree.
Gaby turned on her back clearly struggling to breathe.
Her hands still in handcuffs was she no match for the towering commander, who watched his minions search the surroundings.

The man's head snapped to the little mechanic.
The two agents couldn't read what she had said, but they could see the anger on the man's face.

"Oh Gaby!" Solo breathed and they helplessly had to watch the man kicking their little mechanic in the head. Knocking her out. Illya next to him growled and Solo noticed his hands shaking violently.

"We need a plan to get her out", Solo murmured not really getting the attention of Peril, "tonight!"

The Russian's eyes darted back to Solo just for half a second and then setteling again on Gaby.

"I'm all ears Cowboy!"