Prologue: From Russia With Love

"Remind me again why we came on this trip?" Bobby Popko asks his friends. The 18-year-old is the first student off the bus currently parked in front of the snow-covered museum. The Bayview senior from the class of 2021 looked around at the streets covered in snow. As the cold wind cut through his winter coat he couldn't help but think that the temperature felt far colder than the twelve degrees that his phone said it was. He was followed off the bus by his partner and classmate, and former girlfriend, Ramona Gibbler who was decked out in a knee-length winter coat, gloves, and a Russian-style hat with flaps covering her ears.

"We won this trip remember. It was free and you could have opted not to come." Ramona reminds her whinny ex-boyfriend.

"Not sure which is worse, sitting in school or the weather here," Popko says as he and Ramona make way for the next pair to step off of the bus.

Despite Popko's distaste for the weather, the group as a whole was enjoyed their free trip to visit Russia. While none of the teens was particularly fond of the fact that they were visiting the country in the middle of winter the snow added a certain amount of charm to the scenery. Ramona was especially pleased that she was traveling with her best friend, Rocki Mahan, close friends Coco Davis, Ashlyn, and her surrogate brother Jackson Fuller. They were five of the twenty students (10 guys, 10 girls) from their senior class that chose to make the trip. She was quite sure that many of the seniors that opted out did so in large part to the weather. Still, it was a free trip with all expenses paid, so Ramona and her friends really didn't have a whole lot of complaints.

"Popko would complain if someone gave him last year's Ferrari for free." Roxanne "Rocki" Mahan announced as she stepped off the bus.

"Especially if it only had a radio." Jackson Fuller added as he followed his lady love off the bus. As soon as they were side by side the couple held hands.

"Really dude. You too?" Popko and Fuller had been best friends since middle school and he expected more loyalty from his best friend.

"The truth hurts doesn't it Popko?" Rocki asks rhetorically.

"All right kids. We have several sites to see before dinner time so the sooner we get through them the sooner you get your free time." Ms. Lau, the world civilizations teacher stated. The five-foot-four-inch tall woman of Malaysian descent was the teacher that applied for and got Bayview High School the trip that they were currently on. She had long flowing black hair that ended just below her shoulder blades, traditionally tan skin of her race, and golden-brown eyes.

There were three other teaches, one female and two male all with five students assigned to them. The teens were encouraged to do intergender pairings during their excursions through the Russian cities and as such there were two chaperones per group of ten. Jackson and Rocki held hands as a couple and walked through the snowy streets. The trip was almost over but the group had seen many historic sights and others not so memorable. Ms. Lau wanted the teens to experience everything from all of the best sights Russia had to offer to its lowest being some of the more impoverished parts. While they only traveled through those areas (as opposed to walking through them) the kids saw the similarities and differences between their culture and Russia.

As the teens were walking down the street to their next destination Jackson noticed a woman carrying several large and heavy bags to what appeared to be a school of some sort. She was in the middle of the intersection when she lost her footing and drops her bags. Turning his head back he sees a large truck approaching. The driver sees the fallen woman in the middle of the walkway and presses down on his breaks. Unfortunately, the massive truck hits an ice patch and as the truck attempts to stop skids forward, breaks squealing down the street. Jackson didn't even realize he had moved but on instinct darted into the street towards the woman who looked like a dear caught in headlights. Seeing the vehicles in the other lanes have stopped Jackson jumps forward and tackling the stunned woman and rolls with her into the empty traffic lanes. The large cargo truck continues forwards until it finally manages to gain enough traction to stop in place, exactly where the woman had fallen.

Jackson and the woman are lying in the snowy street gasping for air. Jackson finally rolls off the woman he has just saved, not realizing he was resting on top of her. As he stares up into the blue sky he can see the white puffs of air leaving his mouth as he tries to catch his breath. The truck driver exits the cab of his truck and goes to see the woman first as she was the one almost killed. Jackson is fine with this as other than a racing pulse and shortness of breath he feels fine.

"Спасибо," The woman says to Jackson as the truck driver helps her up.

"Sorry, I'm an American. I don't understand you." Jackson tells the woman.

"Thank you." The woman says upon hearing Jackson. "You... save my life."

Jackson smiles. The woman speaks English well with her typical Russian accent."You're very welcome. I saw you fall and the truck skidding out of control. I knew you would not be able to move in time." Jackson explained. "Sorry if I hurt you when we collided," Jackson says.

"A little pain is a small price to pay for not dying." The woman says.

Popko and another male classmate run over and help pick Jackson up off the snowy street. When he is upright Jackson dusts the snow off of himself. An ambulance arrives to collect Alma, the woman Jackson saved, and take her to the hospital to be checked out. Jackson and Popko collect the bags and the belongings that the woman dropped when she fell and take them to the building, a youth center, for the injured woman before they rejoin their tour group. Alma's assistants thank Jackson and Popko for delivering the good for the children. Her assistant gives Jackson the woman's name, Alma Gregov and Jackson passes along his information should Alma want to get in touch with him just to let him know how she is doing once she has recovered.

After spending another cold Russian day sightseeing the teens returned to their hotel for dinner and recreation time. The hotel was very posh, even by the student's standards. Prior to dinner, Popko pulled Jackson aside to talk to him.

"Action Jackson, are you sure you're doing ok?" Popko asks Jackson who has seemed shaken since his afternoon encounter.

"I'm good Popko. I did a good thing and didn't even think about it as I was doing it. I guess I'm still coming down from the adrenaline rush."

"Well, just make sure you're back to normal by 8:00 PM. This trip is about to get epic." Popko informs his best friend.

The twenty students were divided into five tables of four with another table of four belonging to the chaperones sat in relative quiet while everyone ate. The chaperones were actually apprehensive this evening as for the first time during the entire trip the kids were subdued during the evening meal. That had not happened thus far. Ms. Lau looked about and saw that various students were adamantly watching their table as they ate. The students were allowed to have free time in the hotel swimming pool, fitness center, or hotel lounge but they were not allowed to leave the hotel unaccompanied. They were allowed in each other's rooms but the doors were to remain cracked open until bedtime to keep couples from getting too frisky. Those were the rules for their evening free time. Bedtime lockdown happened at 9:00 PM at which time the doors were taped shut after the room's occupants were verified. This night however lockdown did not go as planned. Popko paid one of the wait staff twenty dollars to slip a sedative into the chaperone's drinks. It was slow-acting but after they ensured everyone had ingested it they simply waited for 8:00 PM and checked on the staff members. Sure enough, all of the adults were fast asleep in their rooms leaving twenty hormonal teens to their own devices.

"Have fun tonight Jackson, the room is all yours," Popko informs his roommate.

"So where is Popko off to tonight?" Jackson inquires.

"Me and three of the guys have dates... Russian girls, we met in the museum." Popko tells his best bud.

"Be careful. You don't want to end up taken... or knocking up some girl that just wants an American husband." Jackson warns his friend.

"I can think of worse things... meaning the later, not the first one," Popko says as he heads out the door.

Jackson is lying alone on his hotel bed thinking about the remote possibilities that Rocki might join him in his room for the night. At the very least she might sleep next to him, which would be a first for the couple. In the three years that they have been together, Jackson has gotten many kisses, make-out sessions on the couch, a few days with a scantly clad Rocki at the beach but never anything so intimate as sleeping together (clothed or unclothed).

A knock at the door brought Jackson back to earth. He didn't really believe that the chaperones would fall victim to Popko's ploy. Walking over to the door, which Popko closed, Jackson pulls the door open and finds his girlfriend standing there in a robe.

"Move it, Fuller," Rocki says pushing her way into his room. Jackson moves over, checks the hallway to see who, if anyone, was out there, and satisfied that they were alone securely closed the door. "I suppose you know what's going on right now all over this hotel."

"Popko told me what he did. I can only imagine what is going on as we speak." Jackson relates.

"There are a few people, like Ramona, that are huddled up in their room not getting into trouble. I came here to make sure you weren't out with your best friend or running around the hotel with someone you weren't supposed to be with." Rocki says.

"As if," Jackson replies closing the distance and kissing Rocki Mahan, Rocki returns Jackson's kiss. "If I was running around it would be with you. I love you." Jackson reminds her girlfriend.

Jackson kisses Rocki and things start to get heated. Rocki breaks off from the kiss and Jackson pulls back. When Rocki stops Jackson takes that as his cue to stop. "What do you think is going to happen?" Rocki asks her boyfriend.

"I was just planning to stay in my room," Jackson says hugging Rocki by her waist. "Speaking of which, you are the one that came here, knowing that the chaperones were indisposed... what exactly were your plans for the evening?" Jackson asks.

"I was thinking..." Rocki starts with a sly smile. "that if my sexy boyfriend was inclined..." She says planting soft kisses along the left side of his neck. "that we would possibly..." Rocki states before kissing Jackson's lips as she unties the sash on her robe. "make love for the first time."

Rocki takes a step back from Jackson and lets her robe fall from her body. She is standing in front of Jackson in a pair of sexy black lace bra and thong set. Jackson would never have suspected that Rocki could be so... girly.

"I bought this for my first time... our first time." Rocki says. She knows that she won't be wearing them for very long but the look on Jackson's face is one that she will remember for the rest of her life.

Rocki helps Jackson out of his clothes and once he is naked she allows him to help her out of her bra and then takes off her panties in front of him. The young lovers make their way to Jackson's bed and under the covers. The two lay together with Rocki on her back and they start off just kissing before their hand begin roaming over one another's bodies. The young lovers begin mapping out one another bodies with their hands as their lips remain locked in a heated embrace. When Rocki is ready she takes hold of Jackson' member and guides him into her.

"Take me... now..." Rocki declares.

Jackson thrusts forward and Rocki feels her barrier split in an instant. Jackson is fully embedded in his lady love and holds still the moment that Rocki moans in pain and digs her fingernails into his back. Rocki kisses Jackson and whispers for him to love her. Jackson, having never made love before just goes with what feels right. He kisses Rocki while running his hands over her b-cup breasts while moving his hips. The two move but in a clumsy manner. Jackson and Rocki were two virgins trying to discover their own sexual rhythm.

Like many first-timers, Jackson was not long into making love to Rocki before he felt himself on the verge of coming due to overstimulation. Rocki was aware of this potential fact but was bound and determined to make the most of this. Jackson explodes within Rocki and the brunette held her lover as she feels him unloading within her. Jackson holds still until he is completely drained of his life-making essence. Jackson rolls onto his side to catch his breath. Rocki snuggles up to Jackson and kisses his face, neck, and chest.

"I'm glad that I shared my first time with you, Jackson Fuller..." Rocki says.

"I love you, Roxanne Mahan," Jackson states.

As the two kiss, Jackson's semi-flaccid member hardens again so Jackson re-initiates their coupling. As he has already come once, Jackson's second go-round finds him outlasting his lover this time. Rocki is panting and moaning loudly into Jackson's ear as he thrusts into her again and again. Jackson comes a second time with Rocki flooding her womb with his seed. After their second tryst, Rocki moved on top of Jackson and the tired teens nestle into a loving embrace. Jackson does not know how long he stayed conscious after their encounter but Rocki passed out first and the rhythmic motion of her breathing put him out quickly.

Jackson and Rocki were roused from their sleep by the sound of a pounding on the door. Jackson pulled on his sweats and shoes and walked over to the door. Upon opening it Jackson was met by three Russian police officers and a neatly dressed older man.

"Jackson Fuller?" The plain clothes man asked.

"Yes."

"I'm ambassador Ruthford," the ambassador says flashing his credentials to Jackson. "I'm afraid I have to ask you to come with us for questioning."

"Questioning?"

"Yes, the Russian government has reason to believe that you have committed a capital crime. We need you to come with us." The ambassador states.

The officers in question enter the room startling Rocki who was barely coherant but woke up very quickly as the police handcuffed Jackson and carted him out of the room. "Sorry to disturb you miss." The ambassador states.

Rocki quickly puts on her lingerie and borrowing Jackson's other sweatpants and one of his t-shirts grabs the phone and calls Jackson's mother to tell her what is going on. The day after Jackson was arrested his mother flew to be by her oldest son's side and try and lend support to him during this trying time. Rocki was to fly out with her class on Saturday but called her parents and received permission to stay with DJ. Jackson's lawyer was optimistic about his chances and Jackson was in good spirits until the prosecutor provided the video of a man appearing to be him performing the assassination of the Russian minister. After that, it was just a matter for the prosecutor to keep key witnesses from testifying or destroying the credibility of others.

Jackson stood before the Russian judge as the guilty verdict was delivered. Here he was, several months short of his 18th birthday and he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit nor ever would have. The trial was a sham as his alibi was discredited for being romantically linked to him and thus not trustworthy. DJ and Rocki could only watch helplessly as Jackson was shackled. Rocki ran to Jackson and wrapped her arms around his neck telling him how sorry she was.

"I love you Rocki," Jackson says hugging Rocki as he feels the Russian guards wrapping his hands on Jackson's shoulders. "Take care of yourself and never forget that I will never stop loving you."

Rocki's hands pull Jackson's face to hers and the kiss until Jackson is pried away by the two guards. Jackson watches as his mother wraps her arms around Rocki as the devastated girl's tears fall freely for the man she loves.

Jackson is escorted to Chornya Cholmi Maximum Security Prison. When Jackson was led from the prison transport he noticed that all eyes seemed to be on him. He found that odd as it wasn't like he was some famous celebrity, he was just a teen charged with a political crime. He knew his mother promised to do everything that she could as he was being led to his prison transport but Jackson had told her just to take care of everyone as he didn't see any chance short of an act of God for him getting out of his sentence.

Jackson was greeted by the Warden, a man named Markov. "It is a pleasure to have you with us, Mr. Fuller. We don't get too many political assassins here. Under normal circumstances, you would have ended up in a gulag in Siberia but apparently, you must have made a friend somewhere along the line."

The warden instructs the guard that once he is processed through he is to be placed in a specific cell. The name was Russian and Markov said it so quickly that Jackson didn't catch it. Jackson was taken to the first processing room where he surrendered what few possessions he still had on his person. Anything of value had been surrendered to his mother at his arraignment. He just had his clothes and a picture of himself and Rocki. The guards allowed him to put the picture in his clothes but he had to turn over all of the clothes he was wearing. Once he was changed into shorts he was taken to get washed off in freezing water. Once he was dried off Jackson put on his prison clothes and shoes and carrying his bedding was escorted through the population to his cell. The guards unlocked the cell door and once Jackson was in locked him inside. The cell seemed larger than some of the ones he passed on his way to this block.

"Jackson Fuller..." A deep Russian voice says from the shadows. "Welcome to hell."

To Be Continued