Chapter 8

Anna woke up the next day feeling rather refreshed after the night's events. She'd remembered having a very vivid dream about Semyon and herself venturing into the back of the Gorsvet truck. Then Geser had told Semyon off for not behaving himself. Anna blushed; she'd better not mention this to anyone else. She got out of bed and dressed, suddenly remembering that she was still in Semyon's flat. She glanced at her watch; the digits on the LCD display read 8:28am. They needed to be at the hotel for around 9:00 to catch Sarah and Kate during breakfast. Hopefully they would have had a translated message from Semyon.

She left the bedroom and entered the living room, seeing that Semyon had not yet woken. She blushed again; he had thrown off his blanket during the night and was now sprawled out on the sofa snoring, dressed only in a vest and a rather tight fitting pair of shorts. Anna sat down on the chair near to the sofa and put on the TV, flicking through until she eventually found a news channel. Semyon woke up to the sound of the TV, grumbling a little as he sat up.

"You're an early riser," he growled.

"Not really," Anna replied. "It is 8:30."

"Bugger! I thought it was earlier than that."

"You can't really tell in the winter when it's dark 'til quite late."

"Hmm. Come on, we need to get to the hotel."

"You're not going dressed like that are you?"

"Of course not! I did plan on getting changed first."

She laughed. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No, it doesn't bother me."

He pulled off his vest and revealed his podgy stomach and chest, Anna averting her gaze back to the television as her face reddened. The memory of her dream last night came back to her, but the sound of Semyon's laugh quickly brought her back to reality.

"I'll invite you to look if you like," he noted.

"Semyon!" Anna exclaimed, horrified.

"What?"

"That's… well… disgusting!"

"Perfectly natural for you to want to."

Anna didn't reply to that. Yes she liked Semyon, but they'd not known each other long enough to expand on their relationship just yet. However, something told her that it was most likely she and Semyon would eventually form a close and intimate companionship. She smirked a little; of all the muscular, good looking men she'd smiled at over the past year or two, she found a podgy, balding, unshaven and very pleasant Russian the most attractive. Everything seemed to draw her towards Semyon and he seemed affected by it a bit too. Eventually, he sat back down on the sofa now fully dressed with his Gorsvet jacket on.

"Anything good on?" he asked her.

"A bit of news," Anna shrugged.

"TV gets worse every year."

"Hmm, English TV is just as bad."

"Watching TV is much more fun when Vyacheslav's around. Because he's a psychic, he will tell you exactly what each reporter is thinking, and trust me; most of it is totally different to what they're saying!"

"I'll have to remember that."

"Don't worry; he does it every time we watch something."

"Absolutely any kind of programme?"

"Oh yes; documentaries, cookery programmes, Star Trek, you name it!"

"Star Trek?"

"Yeah! He caught Patrick Stuart thinking about his lunch once."

The both laughed.

"Come on, let's go," Semyon said eventually.

They got to their feet, Semyon swiping his keys up from the top of the side table. They left the flat block quickly via the staircase, Semyon leading her over to where he'd parked his yellow van. They sat inside it, fastening their seatbelts for the journey and heading off towards the hotel.

"What's it called again?" Semyon asked.

"Cosmos," Anna replied.

"That's the one!"

He turned a corner sharply.

"You'll have to start work soon."

Anna glanced at him. "What will I be doing?"

"You know, fixing the lights and stuff…"

He trailed off and winked at her.

"Catching Dark Others breaking the Truce," he added.

"I was wondering if I could learn to drive," Anna queried.

"You can't drive already?"

"No, it was too expensive to learn."

"Well, I suppose I could teach you."

"I learn fast, I assure you."

"I'll be happy to test that out."

They arrived outside the hotel a moment later, Semyon switching off the engine and releasing his stomach from the seatbelt. Ahead of him, a black car pulled up and parked in another space, a woman getting out of it. Anna recognised her as the unattractive one the Night Watch shared an unfriendly conversation with.

"Not that fucking bitch," Semyon growled.

"Who is that?" asked Anna curiously.

"Alisa Donnikova, one of Zavulon's best Dark Witches."

"The one Geser said would put me off the Day Watch?"

"Spot on! She and her friend Piotr are as bad as each other."

Grumbling away with irritation, Semyon got out of the van and slammed the door shut, walking around to the other side as Alisa was busy scrutinising him. He opened the door and took Anna's hand, helping her out of the door and shutting the door. They walked over to the entrance of the Cosmos hotel, attempting to avoid Alisa but she stopped them.

"Day Watch," she said, pointedly.

"Yes?" Semyon asked, grumbling.

Alisa ignored the Magician and turned to Anna. "Turned Light then?"

"Yes," Anna replied, aggressively.

"Were you forced to make your decision?"

"Certainly not; that's against the Truce and the Inquisition would not allow it,"

"You could have been more powerful with us," Alisa carried on.

"Unlikely; I feed on light not darkness."

"Clearly that is the case. Does your father know?"

"He will do; he wanted me to choose the Light."

"I bet that little traitor did."

"Leave Vsevolod alone," Semyon cut in, angrily.

Alisa turned to him, her expression becoming acidic.

"Semyon Pavlovich," she snarled. "Still here."

"Of course, much to your boss's dislike, I imagine."

Alisa turned back to Anna.

"What can you possibly see in this man?" she asked.

"A very lovable person," replied Anna defiantly.

"Does the Light blind you then?"

"Watch your mouth, Witch."

"And get the fuck out of here!" Semyon growled.

"Your language is shocking, Semyon Pavlovich!" Alisa responded.

"Bugger off!"

Semyon put an arm about Anna's shoulders and walked away from Alisa, entering the hotel. Fortunately, Alisa decided against following them and got back into the car, Piotr driving off. Semyon and Anna entered the hotel restaurant, noticing that Kate and Sarah were not yet around. For now, Anna fetched herself and Semyon a bit of breakfast to avoid him paying, joining her companion back at the table. He was sat watching the black car wait at a set of traffic lights before being released.

"Don't listen to her," Semyon snarled.

"She was right about one thing," Anna noted.

"About what?"

"Your language is shocking!"

He laughed and gently brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.

"One of my many charms," he purred.

"Hmm, quite smooth then Semyon," Anna smirked.

He shrugged. "I can be for you."

"I feel very privileged."

"A tone of voice I've never used, so I'll be trying it out on you."

They shared a smile, Anna's gaze being drawn into Semyon's pleasant face and his dark blue eyes. However, as soon as her mother entered the restaurant and headed over to the breakfast table, Anna was drawn back to reality. Semyon cleared his throat and shifted slightly in his seat.

"I'll need to explain to your mother about me," he noted.

"I could explain you," Anna shrugged, smiling at him.

"I'm supposed to be an electrician, not a police officer; remember!"

"Didn't Vyacheslav tell them you witness the events?"

"Yes he did, but I need you to tell her that."

Anna looked confused. "Can you not tell her yourself?"

"I can't speak English!"

"Oh right!"

Sarah soon came to join them at the table with her breakfast, sitting down besides Anna. She glanced at Semyon, who smiled briefly and then turned back to Anna, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I need Vyacheslav!" he proclaimed.

"I'll handle it," Anna replied reassuringly.

"Tell her about you having a job."

"A job?"

"You know, without mentioning the Night Watch!"

"Of course! Yes, I'll make something up."

"Thank you."

Anna turned to face her mother.

"Who's your friend?" Sarah asked.

"Semyon," Anna replied. "He's an electrician."

"He was with you last night, too.

"I know; he's the same guy I was chatting up outside the airport. You remember there was a power cut last night when Kate was attacked. Well, Semyon was there fixing the lights and he saw the man luring Kate into the hotel room. He was a witness to the event too, so the police wanted him to write a statement about it. He and I got a little friendly, so we decided that I'd stay with him overnight and come back this morning."

"Are you alright?"

"Fine! Semyon's lovely."

Sarah glanced at him.

"Does he speak English?" she asked, trying not to sound rude.

"No," Anna replied.

"Thankfully you can speak his language then!"

"I know; he complimented me on my Russian."

"You'll have to teach him English."

"Hmm, perhaps. I've got a job, too."

"Really? What kind of job?"

"An electrician for Semyon's company."

"Do you know how to do that kind of work?"

"Oh yeah! My first year of the engineering course talked a bit about electrical engineering and fittings; the ones in Russia aren't that different. All I really need are some extra skills that the company will train me in. For example, Semyon's going to teach me how to driver the yellow vans."

"So you're going to be working in Moscow?"

"Yeah, for the City Light Company."

"But what about coming home?"

Anna paused; she hadn't thought of that. However, she wasn't able to say anything in response to that because Kate came down and fetched her usual nondescript breakfast before coming to join them. Semyon glanced at the small salad on her plate, his expression rather shocked.

"Is that all you eat?" he asked.

Kate stared at him. "What?"

"Sorry," Anna cut in. "Semyon can't speak English."

"Well what the hell did he say?"

"He asked if that's all you eat."

Kate observed the Russian critically.

"Just because he's fat doesn't mean I have to be."

Anna looked taken aback. "Less of that!"

"Sorry, but he is fat."

"Only podgy Kate."

Semyon glanced at Anna, looking confused.

"Can I get paid to be your translator?" Anna queried, smiling.

"Sorry, Vyacheslav's our translator," he replied.

"I thought so. She was just saying that she… err… likes to eat so-called healthy food. She's paranoid that she'll get fat, so she won't eat fatty foods. She's almost borderline dangerously underweight, but she won't listen to anyone."

She decided against telling him what Kate said.

"I love my food!" Semyon proclaimed.

"Kate picked up on that," Anna replied.

"Did she now? At least I'm not anorexic."

"You're nice and cuddly Semyon!"

She leaned over and ruffled the hair on the back of his head, smiling at him warmly. Semyon winked at her and called over the waiter, fetching out his wallet. Clearly all this talk about food was making him feel a little hungry and wanted something a bit more substantial for breakfast than cereal.

"Are you staying here?" the waiter asked.

"No I'm visiting," Semyon replied.

"Are you paying the bill then?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. Your order please?"

"Hmm…"

He picked up the menu and looked down at the Russian version of the breakfast list, ignoring the English translation. Anna watched him with a smirk on her face, almost dying to tell the waiter that he'd eat pretty much anything there. It was unusual; even though she had only known Semyon for about a day, it almost felt like she'd known him for a long time.

"What's a Full English Breakfast?" he asked.

"You don't know?" Anna questioned, laughing.

"I'm no good with foreign food."

"A lot of Russians like it," the waiter explained. "If you want a large one, you get two sausages, four bits of smoked bacon, beans, three fried eggs and a choice side option of friend bread, tomatoes or mushrooms."

"Hmm, I think I'll take all three side options!"

"Anything else?"

"Do you do streaky bacon?"

"Of course."

"Burnt to a crisp"

"Can do, yes."

"With brown sauce?"

"Imported British HP."

"It's a deal!"

Semyon smiled and leaned back, not suppressing a rumble from his stomach. Anna laughed at him and ruffled his hair again, leaning over and kissing his stubbly cheek. He reddened slightly but smiled broadly all the same. Sarah and Kate stared at him slightly before looking back to Anna, who shrugged.

"He was just deciding over breakfast," Anna replied.

"And what is he having?" Sarah asked.

"Full English Breakfast."

"Isn't that full of meat?" Kate asked.

"Sausages and bacon, yes."

"But I'm vegetarian."

"Semyon isn't and he's the one eating it!"

"I'll have to look away then."

Kate disappeared off to get some fruit juice, Semyon glancing at Anna.

"She's vegetarian," Anna sighed.

"Insane!" Semyon replied.

Clearly Semyon was very particular about food, and anyone who had a dislike for large portions of it must have come across as a little strange. Especially vegetarians. There was a sudden loud banging on the window outside, Semyon jumping and almost falling backwards off his chair. Outside, the other four Night Watch officers she'd met last night were hammering on the window. Semyon indicated for them to come inside, turning back away from the window.

"Time for introductions Anna," he told her.

"Over breakfast too!" Anna replied, smiling.

Eventually, Tiger Cub, Bear, Anton and Vyacheslav showed up, moving over to wear Semyon sat with Anna and Sarah. They each pulled up chairs and crowded around, taking off their sunglasses.

"Hello again Anna," Anton greeted.

"Well, you'll be seeing a lot more of me," Anna replied, happily.

"Excellent, you did join the Night Watch!"

"There was no other choice for me really."

"I heard you spent the night at Semyon's," Vyacheslav cut in.

Anna blushed. "It was kind of him to offer."

"Hey Semyon!" Bear laughed. "Getting on well eh?"

"Shut up, you're a fine one to talk!" Semyon replied.

Bear slipped an arm about Tiger Cub's shoulder, she laughed and returning the gesture about his waste. Sarah had now become completely confused by all the people speaking Russian that she decided to stop asking her daughter for a translation. Kate soon returned and sat down by her mother, glancing around at all of the well built Russian people with shock.

"Who are all these people?" asked Kate.

"My friends," Anna replied.

"You've got a few."

"We're all electricians."

Vyacheslav glanced over to Kate.

"Are you alright after yesterday?" he asked.

"A little," Kate replied.

"Good. He's been arrested now."

"How come you can speak English?"

Vyacheslav shrugged. "I learnt it."

"I thought you were a police officer."

"Err, FSB! Special police, I also work as an electrician to hide myself."

Semyon laughed at that, only succeeding in earning a glare off Vyacheslav. Eventually, his breakfast came on a large plate, the waiter being careful not to spill all of the food over the side. Semyon smirked and began to eat straight away, ignoring the expressions of hunger on the faces of his comrades. Kate looked at it rather disgustedly, Anna glancing at her.

"It's healthy enough," Anna noted.

"But it's all fried!" Kate replied.

"Lots of protein."

"But he's fat not muscular."

Vyacheslav flinched at that remark and Semyon dropped his fork onto his plate, the other Night Watch officers looking a little offended about it. Anna suddenly understood; Vyacheslav had been translating English into Russian for them all, so they had all understood what Kate had said perfectly clearly. Semyon looked rather hurt, his deep blue eyes expressing it.

"Take that back Kate," Anna warned.

"Why?" she asked. "It's true."

"He's offended, now take it back!"

"But he can't understand me!"

"Secret technology," Vyacheslav cut in with more stories. "I'm an officer of the FSB as I told you before; this secret police force gave me a unique device that translates English into Russian. I use it to spy on people and catch criminals. Unfortunately, I keep leaving it on by accident and it affects all of the Russians within its radius. That's how Semyon understood you."

"So take it back," Anna added.

Kate glanced at Semyon, no hint of an apology on her face.

"Change your diet and no one will offend you," she noted curtly.

"Hey that's not good enough!" Anna growled.

"It's perfectly true."

"Miserable bitch," grumbled Semyon.

He continued to shovel down his breakfast, Sarah watching him with fascination. The other Night Watch officers watched him too, all of them beginning to look hungry. Perhaps they'd all soon start ordering large breakfasts too. Anna smiled, absently regarding Semyon and watching every move he took. He was such a nice man.

"You said he'd eat anything Anna?" Sarah queried.

"So long as it tastes good I imagine," Anna replied.

"Well, it'll be nice if you would bring home a boyfriend who'd appreciate my cooking. None of Kate's ever have and you've never had any to bring home. I always end up cooking far too much, so I guess that would make your Semyon happy."

Semyon glanced up from his breakfast and nodded.

Anna smiled. "I think he'd like that."

"He's your boyfriend?" Kate asked, sneering a little.

"Button it Kate."

Semyon was even able to clean up the rest of his plate with the fried bread, leaning back into his chair. He smiled and stretched, happily massaging his satisfied stomach. Anna laughed at him.

"Full?" she asked.

"Only just," he replied with a playful wink.

Vyacheslav turned to Sarah briefly.

"If it's alright with you, I'd ask if we could all join you at the Cosmos for dinner this evening," he offered. "We'll all pay for out own food of course, but we need to discuss your daughter's future. Plus we could all do with eating some decent food for once!"

"I guess that'll be alright," Sarah replied.

"Excellent! What time shall we come?"

"Around 6:30 will be good."

"That'll do nicely. We'll need eight seats then."

"That's certainly a good crowd!"

"I can set the translator to go both ways, so we'll all be able to understand each other with none of this asking. Trust me, it's perfectly safe. That then means no more remarks about the weight of some of our team."

Kate blushed.

"Of course," Sarah replied. "I'm sorry about that."

"Not your fault. Have you seen Vsevolod Kepalenko?"

"You know about him?"

"Yes; he's Anna's father. Have you seen him?"

"He doesn't seem to want me to see him."

"That's good. Please don't either, it's personal why."

"Anna has told me that."

"Trust me; it's about Vsevolod himself, not you."

"I can understand why it could be about me."

"But it's not, so don't worry about it."

"Alright."

The waiter came over to collect Semyon's plate and the money for the food. All of them got to their feet, Anna glancing up at Semyon who smiled and offered her his hand. She took it and got up, Vyacheslav noticing that and turning to Sarah once more.

"Do you mind if Anna comes with us?" he asked.

She turned to Anna. "Where are you going?"

"Semyon's teaching me how to drive," Anna explained.

"Well, I suppose that is alright."

"Brilliant!"

"Don't worry," Vyacheslav added. "She's in good hands."

"I'm sure she is."

Anna said goodbye to her family for a bit, being lead out of the breakfast room by her comrades in the Night Watch. Semyon slipped an arm about her shoulders, turning to speak to her.

"Geser will want to see you first," he stated.

"What about?" asked Anna, curiously.

"Controlling your power."

"Of course, that is important."

He winked at her. "Then we'll drive."