Disclaimers 'n' crap: Haihai peeps! Well, here's the next chappie! No, it is NOT a sex scene. It's just warm fuzziness and some foreshadowing. Chistoper C. Zenning and Carol are my characters but they're actually Rosemary's parents (Rosemary C. Zenning…pun…meter…overloading…). You know the rest. Enjoy!

Marilyn woke up the next morning feeling as rested as she'd ever been. She sighed contentedly and then suddenly noticed someone's arm draped over her. She almost screamed, but then she turned around to see that it was attached to a certain snoozing blonde. Marilyn smiled. Raikov looked so sweet and innocent when he was asleep. Marilyn scooted over and wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling him affectionately. Raikov stirred and opened his eyes. He looked down at Marilyn, smiled, yawned, put his other arm around her, and murmured "G'morning."

"I never thought I'd be waking up next to you," said Marilyn, still smiling.

"Well," said Raikov "You probably are right now because I've finally gotten things straight." He winked at the word "straight". Marilyn's eyes lit up.

"You mean…" she said.

"Mmm hmm," said Raikov.

"C'mere, you," said Marilyn, playfully, throwing herself at Raikov and locking him in a deep kiss.

November 21, 1971

Dear Diary,

Goodness, I've got a lot of catching up to do. I guess that's what happens when you meet your soul mate in Russia in '64 and forget about your little book of personal thoughts for about 7 years. Ivan and I have been living together since we met. We still haven't talked about getting married. He works as a substitute History teacher now and a part-time operative for the USSSSD. I, myself, was given a discharge to part-time by Major Fisher so Ivan and I would have more time to spend together. He certainly seems determined for me to get settled down. Our affiliation with the USSSSD kept Ivan from being sent to Vietnam a few years ago. The USSSSD's sister organization, FOX, was disbanded last year, but their foremost operative, Big Boss, reestablished it as FOXHOUND earlier this year. Major Fisher says that next year, he's going to be taking part in some advanced cloning experiment. Supposedly, it's called the "Les Enfants Terribles" project, which, translated from French, means "The Terrible Children". I wonder if they're going to use this to create a new, cloned army for the United States. An army as good as Big Boss. Well, we'll just have to wait and see.

Marilyn Flynn

P.S.

I've also made some new friends: Christopher C. Zenning and his fiancé Carol (USSSSD), Prof. Herbert Emmerich (FOXHOUND), and Roy and Matt Campbell (and Matt's fiancé Carrie, FOXHOUND).

Marilyn put her pen down and sat back in her desk chair. She looked over her diary entry again and noticed, with some dismay, that the women she had just listed were all engaged. She looked at her plain, empty hands and sighed. There was knock on the door.

"Marilyn?"

"Yes, Ivan?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

"Thanks." Raikov entered the room looking like he had just found a 100 bill on the sidewalk. "You busy this evening?"

"No," said Marilyn "Why, did you want to go on another date?"

"Why not?" said Raikov "It's supposed to be a really clear night tonight. Why don't we go to that place with the lobster?"

"Alright, then," said Marilyn, grinning widely. The two burst out laughing. The "alright, then" phrase had pretty much become a little personal joke between them. After dinner, they got back in their car and prepared to drive home. Or, at least that's where Marilyn thought they were going. Instead of turning North, Raikov drove South-East.

"Um, Ivan," said Marilyn "You're going the wrong way."

"No, I'm not," said Raikov, grinning slyly.

"Then why are you…"

"Marilyn," said Raikov, cutting her off "Close your eyes."

"Huh?" said Marilyn, then she closed her eyes "…Okay…" After driving for a few more minutes, Raikov stopped the car and led Marilyn out. He held her hand and led her up a slope. Marilyn was still clueless to what Raikov was planning.

"Okay," said Raikov when they stopped "Open your eyes." Marilyn did so and gasped. They were on the Manhattan Bridge, at the same spot where she had confessed her love for Raikov, the same spot where they had shared their first kiss. Off in the distance, behind the Brooklyn Bridge, the sun was setting behind the Statue of Liberty.

"Ivan…" she gasped "You…" She turned around to see Raikov getting down on his right knee, reaching for something in his coat pocket. He pulled out a small black box.

"Marilyn Cody Flynn," he said, opening the box to reveal a ring with a glittering diamond "Will you marry me?" Marilyn just stood there for a moment before managing to say:

"I…yes! Yes, of course I will!" Raikov smiled, tears of irrepressible happiness welling in his eyes as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Then, he stood up and clasped Marilyn tightly in his arms; she did the same for him. "Ivan…" she stammered "I…you…"

"I did it because I love you," said Raikov, letting his tears flow "I wouldn't be here without you."

For those of you who don't get the "C. Zenning" pun, all 3 of you, here's what it means: think "C. Zenning…seasoning", "Rosemary"…GET IT NOW? Now, here's where The Crystal Journeys gets involved: in a couple chapters, Rosemary's brother (my character, MINE. NO STEALING) will show up and he becomes an important Crystal original (He fosters Olga's child, who ALSO becomes an important Crystal original). Next time: another time jump and…let me put it this way: Raiden was sooooo cute when he was little. : )