Chapter 11

Anna woke up at a normal time the next day. She got out of bed and looked out of the window and, to her amazement, everywhere was hidden beneath a thick layer of snow. There must have been an extreme amount of snowfall overnight to accumulate this amount. This would be the perfect opportunity for a snowball fight. Anna glanced uncertainly at her sleeping sister; there was no way she would have a snowball fight. Perhaps she would head over to Gorsvet later and find her comrades.

"What are you looking at?" Kate asked.

"Overnight snow accumulation," Anna replied.

Sighing, Kate got slowly out of bed and walked over to the window where Anna was standing, her eyes still half closed and her hair messy. She glanced out of the window, took one look at the snow and groaned, climbing back into bed and wrapping herself up in the covers.

"Too cold," she grumbled.

"This is mainland Europe!" Anna proclaimed.

"So. England never gets this cold."

"England has a different climate; don't you learn anything in geography?"

"I prefer the English climate."

"But snow is the best kind of weather!"

"Hot and sunny all year round; heaven."

"Bollocks. Cold and snowy all year round, more like."

Anna quickly dressed into a warm, roll neck jumper and her combats over a pair of thermal trousers. She slung on her Gorsvet jacket and pocketed her shades, leaving the room and her sister behind. She ran downstairs and into the breakfast room, looking around to see if other people were reacting in this way to the snowfall. Surprisingly, she found Semyon sat at a table on his own reading the Moscow Times. Grinning broadly, she ran over to him and put her arms about him in a rough embrace, he dropping the newspaper in shock.

"Morning!" she told him, still smiling.

"So I've noticed," Semyon replied.

"I didn't expect to see you."

"I thought you'd fancy a snowball fight at Gorsvet today."

"You know me too well, I'd love to!"

Semyon smiled. "Good."

Anna kissed his stubbly cheek and sat down on a chair next to him.

"How cold it is outside?" she asked him.

"I was freezing my bollocks off getting here," he replied.

She blushed deeply, turning away from him as he laughed and called over the waiter. They both ordered English breakfast, Semyon taking a large and Anna taking a small. They talked and ate happily until Anton showed up, pulling up a chair and sitting down besides his comrades.

"How did I guess you'd be here," he noted, cheerfully.

Semyon gave the Seer a warning stare.

"Well, morning!" Anton greeted.

"And you," Semyon spoke through a mouthful of food.

"Sorry?"

Semyon went to hit him, Anton recoiling slightly.

"We're meeting Bear and Tiger Cub at the metro," he began. "Vyacheslav's circling one of the stations and he's picked up a brainwave pattern. Typically it's Wolf, one of Zavulon's agents and he always troubles us during the day when we're trying to relax before we come on duty. We've got to go down and nail him; I'm keeping up contact with the others."

"Wolf?" Anna queried.

"He's a Dark Shape Shifter."

Semyon laughed. "I'd love to see a wolf running around the Moscow underground! I'd also like to know how he honestly thinks that we, or the humans, wouldn't notice a dirty great wild dog running around."

"He is in the Gloom, Semyon," Anton noted.

"Then it'll be easy; find the wolf and tranquillise him."

"We'll need you to haul him back to headquarters."

"We're just finishing up here."

They finished their breakfast quickly, Semyon waiting for the waiter to come over and take away the empty plates. He paid him and got to his feet, Anna and Anton leaving with him. However, they ran into Sarah outside in the corridor, who looked between Anton, Semyon and Anna with interest.

"Off so soon?" she queried.

"We've got a fitting to fix," Anna replied.

"A fitting?"

"And a meter. Can't stay!"

They ran out of the building and over to the Gorsvet van, which had written on it 'Emergency Service – Gorsvet' in bold Russian Cyrillic. Semyon climbed into the driver's seat, Anna into the middle passenger seat and Anton next to her.

"A fitting and a meter," Anton stated, raising an eyebrow.

"She thinks we're electricians," Anna replied.

"Hmm."

"Well what do you expect me to tell her? Hi mother, we're just going off to arrest a man whose shape shifted into a wolf in the train station. Yeah, that'll go down brilliantly Antosha!"

"But it's true."

"My mother's human."

Anton paused. "Also true."

"Semyon laughed and pulled on his seatbelt, starting up the engine and firing up the truck. Anton took his mobile phone out of his pocket and phoned up Vyacheslav, waiting for his friend to reply.

"Hello Vyacheslav," Anton said.

"Is Semyon on his way?" Vyacheslav asked.

"Yes, he's driving Anna and me to the metro."

"Anna's with you?"

"Yeah."

"Good! Bear and Tiger Cub have tracked him in the Gloom and flushed him out of the metro. They're now on a train with him going to Taganskaya Station. Wolf doesn't know they're there yet. Tell Semyon to drive to the station as fast as possible and get Anna to try and shock him."

"Sure."

Anton put his phone back into his pocket.

"Where are we going?" Semyon asked.

"To Taganskaya Station," Anton replied.

"I'll put my foot down."

"In this traffic? Are you sure?"

"Anton, I've driven trucks since they were invented!"

Semyon turned up the acceleration and lit up a cigarette in the process, still grumbling as if Anton should know this perfectly well. Anton winced slightly as Semyon initiated several outrageous overtaking manoeuvres, especially the one on the big lorry before turning to Anna.

"We need you to do it," he said.

"Me?" Anna asked. "Do what?"

"Use the electrons and stun him."

"I'm not sure I know how to Anton."

"Try. If it fails, we'll use our weapons."

Anna sighed. "I'll give it the best shot."

"We'll have to go into the Gloom."

"I still need to be trained."

"I'll show you how," Semyon reassured her.

He turned a swift corner, hurling them onto the road towards Taganskaya Station as he put the cigarette back into his mouth. Soon, Anna saw the train station up ahead and heard the faint sound of trains. She sighed deeply. Now was the moment of truth; could she do it? She tried to calm her nerves and she and Anton got out of the van and joined Semyon outside in the snow. They walked towards the station, Anton picked up his phone as it rang.

"Hello Anton?" it was Bear.

"Yeah," Anton replied.

"Our train's just got in."

"Where will he be coming from?"

"The pass into the metro."

"We'll get him."

Anton put the phone down and found the metro pass.

"There it is," he observed.

Semyon turned to Anna.

"We'll have to step into the Gloom now," he stated.

"Just tell me what to do," Anna replied.

"Now remember Anna, the Gloom is a powerful reality where only the Others can exist. Anything we do here is more powerful, but it can also drain all of your energy; you'll have to make sure it can't take it all in one go. People in the station cannot see us, but they can be influenced if we get in their way; normally they'll just skirt around us. To summon the Gloom, you need to see within and step into it."

"Right."

Anna took a deep breath and took hold of Semyon's hand, turning to watch as Anton vanished into the Gloom. She stared straight ahead, following Semyon's direction and seeing into the Gloom, reaching out to it. At that, she felt a familiar darkness surround her and she was surrounded by the bustle of Taganskaya Station, but in a different reality. It was strange to watch people hurriedly jerk out of your way and see everything in an absence of light and dark. But she didn't have long to take it all in properly until Semyon put an arm around her.

"You're doing fine," he stated.

"It's so different," Anna replied.

"Shall I let you go?"

"Yes, I'll need to start charging up."

Semyon released Anna's hand and withdrew his arm, both of the moving forwards to stand alongside Anton. All three of them put on their sunglasses, watching the stairs leading down into the metro station. Anton saw the black wolf running through the metro station in the Gloom, the form of the polar bear and the tiger chasing after it, surrounded by light.

"He's coming," Anton stated.

"Alright Anna, you'll know what to do," Semyon instructed.

He gently brushed her arm. "I know you can do it."

Taking a deep breath, Anna stepped away from Semyon slightly and raised her hand to the lights above, seeing the glowing electrons running through them. She used the Gloom to seek out electrons only containing 20 volts of electricity, drawing them through the darkness and into her fingertips. It seemed easier now. The tingling sensation came to her as the electrons flowed through her fingers, glowing in the palm of her hand, waiting for her command.

"He's coming!" she heard Anton shout.

"Get ready!" Semyon added.

Looking towards the stairs, Anna saw the wolf running towards the people. But no one had noticed him; they only felt a strange presence they could not see. Wolf spotted them and growled, saliva running down from his mouth. Arching his back, he dived at them but Anna moved in front to protect Semyon and Anton. She concentrated on Wolf, raising her hand to the attacker.

"You don't know how to use it, Light Magician," Wolf sneered.

"I do," Anna replied, defiantly. "Geser showed me."

"Geser teaches you nothing!"

"He'll teach me everything."

"You can't."

She narrowed her eyes behind her sunglasses. "Try me."

Wolf snarled and lunged at her, his claws and teeth poised for attack. Anton and Semyon dived to the ground, Anna swiftly crouching down. She released the electrons at Wolf, the bolt of light shocking him around the chest. With a yelp of pain, Wolf landed on the hard ground and crashed into a wall mounted board, the glass shattering all over the floor. Semyon and Anton got back to their feet, Anna collapsing back against Semyon as he put his arms about her.

"Well done," he whispered into her ear.

She closed her eyes. "Thank you."

"Can you withstand the Gloom a bit longer?"

"I think so."

"Then we'll get him to the truck."

Anna and Semyon rushed over to Anton, who was crouched down over Wolf, who had now shifted into his human form. He was very thin with lots of long, dark messy hair, a prickly beard and badly scarred skin. He was presently unconscious and his hairs were raised from electric shock. Anton touched him, but withdrew his hand as the static crackled.

"I'd better do it," Anna noted.

Tiger Cub and Bear soon joined them, both of them no longer in animal form.

"Is he alright?" Bear asked.

"Just a little shock," Semyon replied with a smirk.

Summoning extra strength, Anna lifted Wolf up onto her back and hauled him out of the train station and back to the yellow truck. As he began to come round, they shifted out of the Gloom, Semyon and Bear pinning him securely to the side of the van, Anna taking a card out of her pocket.

"So you do have talent," Wolf snarled.

"You sound surprised," Anna replied.

"You are not yet a fully trained Magician, and Alisa said you seemed too young and careless."

"Did she now?"

"And she said you liked the van driver."

"Well then, when you fully recover from a 20 volt electric shock, you can tell Miss. Donnikova that my skill in my gift is not related to my taste in men. Indeed, my taste in men is probably better than hers."

Anna winked at Semyon.

"I'll do that then," Wolf replied.

"After you behave," Anna added.

She leaned over and took a pen out of Semyon's pocket, taking off the lid and writing his name on the form.

"What were you doing in the metro?" questioned Tiger Cub.

"Stretching my legs," Wolf replied, lazily.

"Is that on your licence?"

"I don't need a damn licence to exercise!"

"Hmm, skulking through the gloom as a wolf in the height of the Moscow commuting hour?" Anton queried. "That is a very strange activity for a licensed Dark Shape Shifter. Come on Wolf, we're officers of the Night Watch, not idiots. Tell us what you were really up to."

"Doing what your boss licensed me to do."

"So who were you spying on then?"

"None of your business."

"Funny, because we're the ones holding you captive against the side of this truck," Bear cut in, angrily. "So you explain to me why this is not our business, pig?"

"It's Zavulon's business."

"Then it is also Geser's."

"Then Geser can speak to him."

"We're the ones arresting you," Anna told him, pointedly.

"You're too young to arrest me!" Wolf sneered.

"Tell that to your prosecutor."

Anna filled in the form, but they were soon disturbed by the smart looking black car used by the Day Watch. Alisa and Piotr got out, Tiger Cub and Anton turning around to face them with unfriendly expressions on their faces.

"You have our agent," Alisa stated.

"Let us make our arrest," Anton replied.

"We'll deal with him."

"Wait, we need to do our job."

Anton turned back to Wolf.

"Who were you spying on?" he asked again.

"Get lost cops," Wolf replied.

"He's not breaking the Truce," Alisa cut in. "He didn't hurt anyone on the metro and he wasn't planning on hurting anyone. You got in his way, doing his job; Anna threatened him with high voltage electricity and he defended himself. The Day Watch gave him a job to spy of the Night Watch in order to keep the balance and you licensed him. So I think you need to drop all charges and give him back."

Anna sighed.

"He's booked and cautioned," she stated.

"And so are you," Piotr added.

Anna spun round to face him. "What?"

"A level 5 caution, minor but still appropriate."

"What the bloody hell for?"

"High voltage electricity and aggressive use of magic," Alisa explained.

"Get stuffed."

"Now let us have our agent back. He's booked, your booked; it's done."

"Wait a second," Tiger Cub protested. "He went though the Gloom on the Moscow metro system. We need to caution him for a possible attempt to try and injure people through the Gloom, something forbidden by the Truce. He's been charged with this before, even if it didn't happen this time…"

"Hush," Piotr cut in. "Let him go."

Tiger Cub looked a little put out for being hushed, but there was nothing they could do about it. Anton sighed and glanced at Anna, who put away the arrest card and shook her head. Bear and Semyon released Wolf, who pushed his way passed the Anton and over to the black sports car. Smirking, Alisa and Piotr returned to the vehicle and drove off, leaving the Night Watch officers alone with the van. Anton approached the truck and punched the metal door, Semyon taking him by the arms and pulling him back slightly.

"Come on," he grumbled.

"Bastards!" Anton swore. "Curse them!"

"Less of that. This is just typical Day Watch for you."

"Let's get back to Headquarters," Bear stated. "Geser will need to know that Zavulon's up to something again. And we'll need to ask permission to pursue this investigation and find out who Wolf is spying on."

He and Tiger Cub opened the door into the back of the van and climbed inside, Semyon climbing in at the driver's seat while Anton and Anna joined him up front. They settled themselves in, Anton reaching for his phone once Semyon set them off with the usual burst of speed.

"Gorsvet," Geser replied.

"We got Wolf sir," Anton stated.

"Good Anton! You're not injured."

Anton looked a little put out. "Thanks."

"How did it go?"

"Not as bad as it might have done; no one got hurt. We caught Wolf travelling through the Gloom on the metro into Taganskaya Station. Anna stunned him with about 20 volts of electricity, but she thinks it may have been a little more. We were about to arrest him and that was when it all went out of the window."

"What happened?"

"The Day Watch showed up; the bitch Alisa and her stupid driver Piotr. They forced us to hand him over because he wasn't breaking the Truce. All Anna could do was caution him and she was cautioned herself. It was only a level 5 offence for using aggressive magic and high voltage electricity on a Day Watch spy."

"Is she alright?"

"She's good."

"Excellent."

"We're on our way now."

"Good. Explain everything to me then."

Anton put the phone down and sat back, noticing the slight look of irritation on Anna's face.

"You are alright, eh?" he queried.

"Oh yeah," Anna replied.

Semyon smirked. "Yeah right."

"High voltage electricity; bollocks!"

"Semyon, you're affecting her already," Anton laughed. "First it's a wrongly given level 5 offence for electricity misuse, next it'll be a bad language warning and maybe, if you take a look at me, it'll be an alcohol abuse offence!"

Anna punched Anton on the arm.

"20 volts is not high!" she protested.

"Ah Anna, you're first caution by the Day Watch," Semyon noted, smirking. "Don't worry Anna; you'll have many of those during your time with us. You should see how many times Anton's been cautioned."

"Is this 'breaking in' then?"

"Why not."

They arrived shortly outside the Gorsvet Headquarters, Semyon putting on the handbrake. The three of them joined Tiger Cub and Bear outside and entered the building, climbing up the stairs to Geser's office. When they entered, they found Vyacheslav sat at the long table talking to the Gorsvet boss, who was not looking very happy. The other five joined them, sitting down alongside their comrades and glancing cautiously at Geser. Clearly he was known for having a little bit of a temper when he was in a bad mood, so they were politely trying to skirt round this.

"You got back alright," Anton greeted.

"Fine thank you," Vyacheslav replied.

"Did you hear about what happened?"

"Geser told me that Day Watch gatecrashed again."

"Hmm, and they cautioned Anna."

Geser smiled and turned to Anna, who was still feeling a little annoyed about the high voltage offence.

"You see," he told her. "You can do it."

"I somehow felt confident," Anna replied.

"It's natural; any Magician can summon up such confidence out of the Gloom when they need it to do certain things. That reflects on your skills in combat today. The Light has awoken inside of you and because you believe in it, you can now control it. Like going into the Gloom and using your powers successfully."

"All to serve the forces of Light."

"And that is all you must do."

"Your first mission success," Vyacheslav added.

"Now to the point," Geser continued. "I know you said that Wolf refused to tell you where he was going and who he was spying on. However, he was unable to hide his thoughts from Vyacheslav."

"Good old Slava!" Bear proclaimed.

"I'm younger than you," Vyacheslav replied, curtly.

"And by a long way comrade!"

"I couldn't get the name of the person he was spying on, but I did get the location. He was on his way to Anna's hotel to do something, but he was hiding his thoughts too well to catch a name. He already knew that we were onto him and was ready for the Day Watch to come and rescue him. I had the feeling that he wanted us to know he was up to something."

"Scheming again," Semyon growled.

"It sure looks like it."

"After this Great Other?" asked Anton.

"Maybe; maybe not. We haven't got much in the way of evidence for field work just yet and Wolf's gone out of range again. But I think this needs to remain an ongoing case boss; I'd like permission to follow this."

"Of course," Geser replied. "Take all of these comrades for your team."

"Thank you. Anton, I need you to keep a watch on an visions you may have and see if you can see anything that might point to something bad. Any funny dreams, something to do with Black Vortices, anything! I need you to let me know. Semyon, I'd like for you to do the same if you can."

"If I get anything, I'll let you know," Semyon nodded.

"As soon as Wolf gets in range, I'll contact you."

All of them nodded affirmatively.

"This is good," Geser noted. "You're all acting like real officers of the Watch and not going around firing curses and spells at your enemies like there's no tomorrow! It's a good example for everyone, especially Anna who is only just starting to find her feet in the Night Watch. I'm proud of you all."

They all nodded politely.

"And now you've all earned a well deserved break until tonight!"

"Thank you very much sir!" Bear noted, happily.

"Anna, if you'd remain behind for a bit."

She nodded, staying back while the others gradually filtered out through the door. Semyon remained with her, but Geser waved him off much to his dislike, but he obeyed all the same. Geser moved back behind his desk, fumbling around inside one of the drawers.

"Do you feel different now?" he asked her.

"Very much so," Anna replied.

"In what way?"

"Stronger; more confident."

Geser nodded. "Good!"

He shut the drawer again and returned from behind his desk, fiddling with a key attached to a large key ring displaying the Soviet Union flag. He moved back over towards the long table, handing the key to Anna. She took it curiously, observing the Lord of Light with interest.

"What is it for?" she asked.

"Semyon tells me you're a good driver," Geser replied.

"He told me that, too."

"You'll need a van then."

"My own!"

"Oh yes. I fear that Vyacheslav's investigation will be a long one and I've given him a very large team to work with. More than just two or three. Six is far too much for a mere three seater ban, even with all the space in the back and Semyon can't be expected to do all the work, even if he likes driving. So I though you could drive around Vyacheslav and Anton while Semyon takes Tiger Cub and Bear. Don't worry, I'm not splitting you up from Semyon, I'm just being more realistic for transit."

"I'd love my own truck!"

"Then I'll introduce you."

Geser and Anna exited the office, travelling downstairs and going outside to the back. Here was a large car park with two rows of yellow Gorsvet vans, all of them with a thick layer of two piled on top like cake icing. They walked down to the far end of the second row until the stopped in front of one of the yellow vans. It looked a little like Semyon's except more worn, a flatter front and one big red flashing light on top of it compared to Semyon's two orange ones.

"She's one of the first we had," Geser stated. "But reliable."

"Doesn't anyone drive her?" Anna queried.

"Not any more, no. Agent Ivanova used to drive her, but she passed away eight years ago. She was killed by Wolf and this truck has never been driven since. It's always been known as a woman's truck, but we haven't had any more women drivers; Tiger Cub uses her own vehicle from time to time. You will be the first female van driver in eight years since Ivanova."

"I feel that is a great honour."

"It is Anna, a huge honour."

"How did she die? If you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all Anna. It is a horrible story, though. She was eaten alive by Wolf after her van was chased down by the Day Watch; it was been driven by Piotr, who's with Alisa normally. Agent Ivanova was driving to rescue our latest recruit; Anton. She was trapped and barely alive when we came to rescue her; it was too late for me to repair the damage done to her. I made sure her promise was kept to keep the van ready for another willing driver; she also predicted you would come to the Night Watch."

"And that was eight years ago?"

"Yes; that's how likely it was you'd choose the Light."

"I bet that unnerved poor Anton a little."

Geser gave a small smile. "Oh it did, but he came around."

Geser brushed some of the snow off the windscreen as Anna opened the driver's door and climbed inside, having a looking around. She took a small photograph that had been laid on the dashboard; it showed a well built woman who looked as though she were in her early to mid fifties.

"Is that her?" asked Anna.

"Yes," Geser replied. "Agent Nadezhda Nikolaiovna Ivanova."

"How old was she?"

"About 200 years; she was a Magician, very skilled in healing."

"How many of you are left from the beginning of things?"

"Right from the beginning? Myself of course; Semyon, Bear and Tiger Cub were also there. So was Ignat, but you haven't met him yet; something he'll decide to amend, I am sure. As for the Day Watch, Zavulon, Alisa and Piotr remain. Wolf is perhaps not so recent; he joined the Day Watch 400 years after it was formed."

"Vyacheslav is also recent, isn't he?"

Geser nodded. "And indeed is Vsevolod."

"Can my father ever become human?"

"No, he's an Other. But he can try to fit in; his powers can only be traded with something really important, and humanity can only be gifted back to him by the Dark as a Vampire. We're protecting him; Semyon keeps an eye out for him; he's my most trusted Magician since Agent Ivanova's death. And trust me, Semyon is a man you need as a good friend; I predicted your father would flee from the Dark, and I trusted Semyon to watch out for him. He saw him escape and he came to me straight away. You may need him to look out for you."

"Why?"

"You may need protection."

"From Who? Wolf? Zavulon?"

"Listen Anna, Zavulon is angry at your father's choice to be uninitiated from the Day Watch and become a lone Vampire living off donated blood. He did not agree with Anton's vision of the Lost Other who came from a Dark Other, but chose the side of Light. I have a feeling that Zavulon may try to use you against us."

"But how? I've chosen the Light."

"Hmm, Zavulon will have his evil ways."

"That wont make me sleep easier at night."

"You'll do well to be on your guard."

Anna got out of the truck and shut the door, stepping out onto the snow.

"Anyway, you'd better get back to your comrades," Geser stated.

"Are you not joining us?" Anna asked.

"I have things to do."

Anna left the boss as he entered the Gorsvet building again, she walking across the grounds. She met up with her fellow comrades and joined them in a well earned snowball fight. Before she returned to the hotel in the evening, Anna drove Semyon back to his flat in her new van. He was rather impressed that Geser had allowed her to drive Ivanova's old vehicle.

"Then you must be special!" Semyon smirked.

"Geser said she was the last female driver," Anna replied.

"She was, I remember her. She treated us all like her children; even the boss!"

"I feel that Geser was fond of her."

"Everyone was, and she was a great Magician… and driver!"

Anna and Semyon got out of the van, walking over to the towering flat block. They stood with each other for a few moments outside.

"Good day eh?" Semyon asked.

"I enjoyed it!" Anna replied, smiling.

"Well, now you're a real Night Watch officer."

"I do feel quite different."

"I'd like to ask you something."

"Always welcome Semyon."

"Well, you know that it's the start of the year 2000 and the new millennium soon. Moscow has a firework display going on and it's supposed to be better than the rest, seeing as it is the millennium. I was just wondering if you'd join me at midnight and we could watch them."

She smiled. "I'd love to Semyon."

"I'm glad you'd like to."

"But for the next day or so before then, I'd like to spend a bit of time with my family in case I decide to remain here. You can understand that can't you?"

"Of course."

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all Anna!"

"Goodnight. I'll see you soon."

They embraced each other fondly, Anna kissing his cheek before returning to her truck and driving back to the hotel. For the next two days, and New Year's Eve, Anna spent most of the time with her family while she tried to make her decision. She even went to visit her father. But she was aware that the one thing that might make her decide was still to come.

---

New Year's Eve, 23:00

After dinner that evening, Anna was sat in the bar with Kate and Sarah. Semyon was on his way and she was beginning to feel rather nervous. Not really about spending a few hours alone with her closest friend, but at the possibility of living in Moscow. Should she stay with the Night Watch or return to Worcester and continue with her engineering course? As the time neared 11:00pm, she began to assume there was only one right choice. Outside, a horn beeped and Anna looked up, spying Semyon's van.

"He's here Anna," Sarah observed.

"Goodnight then," Anna replied.

"Are you coming back?"

"Maybe, but if I don't you'll know where I'll be."

She stood up off her seat and left the bar, running over to the waiting yellow van. It was certainly freezing cold during the late night in Moscow, she thought as she clambered into the warmth of the van, Semyon smiling at her.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Let's go!" Anna replied, grinning.

"I know a good part of town to go to."

"Well, you know the way driver!"

He laughed at being called 'driver' before putting his foot down and driving off. Anna watched the snow falling down and landing softly onto the bonnet of the van. This was already shaping up to be a beautiful night worth remembering. They didn't speak much as Semyon watched the road, leading them out of the city centre. Anna glanced at Semyon out of her corner of her eyes; would this also be a night worth remembering in their relationship? She hoped that if it was, it would only be for the right reasons.

Eventually, Semyon drove his truck up along a grassy bank outside of the main city. He parked and he turned off the engine, unfastening his seatbelt and shifting over into the passenger seat next to Anna. He smiled at her and winked playfully, looking down across over the city. All the lights were on the flat blocks and retail buildings; this would certainly be a perfect evening alone with Semyon watching the fireworks.

She sighed. "What a beautiful view."

"It's a nice place to come when you're feeling lonely," Semyon replied.

"Are you a lonely man Semyon?"

"Hmm."

"Moscow is an amazing city."

"I admit it is, and I see it every day!"

"Does it not get boring for you?"

"Only when it doesn't snow, but it snows most of the year."

Anna glanced down at her watch. "One minute 40 seconds to go."

He glanced at his. "One minute 53 by mine."

"We'll soon see who's right."

"200 roubles it's mine!"

Anna glanced at him, sharing a smirk. "You're on."

The both shook hands, leaning forwards against the dashboard, occasionally looking at their watches to check the progress of time. Anna caught Semyon's looking into the Gloom to try and predict how long in actual time.

"That's cheating!" she laughed.

"I'm Russian my love," he replied.

Anna blushed at the note of affection in his voice, quickly turning her gaze back to her watch. She'd found it difficult to ignore Semyon's suggestive comments over the time they'd known each other, but in a way she liked them. She was beginning to think that if he ever asked, she'd happily accept him. But what if he never did ask? Then she would have to.

"There we go!" Semyon exclaimed.

Anna came out of thought and looked into the sky. The first firework had been fired; it was a rocket that exploded with a massive bang and spread bright red light across the starlit sky. She glanced at her watch and smiled, turning to regard the expectant expression on Semyon's face.

"3 seconds passed 12!" she proclaimed.

"Ah!" Semyon growled. "Bloody slow."

"You owe me 200 roubles mate."

"Yeah, but you were three seconds too fast."

"But closest to the real time."

He looked at her smug expression and smiled.

"Happy new millennium."

They embraced each other, leaning back against their seats to watch the firework display. Anna had a quick thought back to the BBC in England; she wondered if they'd show a bit of Moscow. Was Russian TV showing a bit of London? But all that really mattered now was that she and Semyon were getting their own private showing alone on a snow covered grassy hill out of town.

"Should have brought some vodka," Semyon suggested.

"Even while you're driving?" Anna questioned, sternly.

"Ah, you see there's this nice little trick I'll have to teach you!"

He lit up a cigarette, winding down the window.

"I can actually remove alcohol toxins from the bloodstream," he explained. "I have to do this with Anton sometimes. It stops you from getting drunk, but I cannot use this for leisure, only in important circumstances. The same goes for smoking; I'm allowed to clear my lungs of all the crap because I'm saving my life!"

"True, because if you got hurt, it would be your fault."

He glanced at her. "Direct, aren't you?"

"It's the only way to deal with men."

"Do you know any better ways?"

Anna thought about it. "For a rare case."

"Does that apply to me?"

"If you behave."

"Then I'll see to it that I do."

They laughed, Anna inching closer to Semyon's side as they watched the rest of the firework display. He put an arm about her shoulders and rested his head on hers, unable to stop himself from smiling. This was going so well, he thought as he kept focus on the fireworks. But would Anna really accept his offer? Or was she only teasing him? He guessed he'd find out once the evening wore on. But the fireworks soon came to an end and Anna yawned and stretched by his side, beginning to feel tired.

"It's really late," she noted.

Semyon finished the cigarette and threw it out of the window.

"I know," Semyon replied, shortly.

"I suppose you'd better drive me back."

"Actually, I was wondering if you'd… err…"

He trailed off and scratched his head awkwardly, Anna shifting in her seat to observe him.

"If I'd what?" she asked, curiously.

His face reddened. "If you'd spend the night with me."

"Semyon, tonight's been wonderful sitting up here in the van with you on this lovely cold, winter's night. With all the snow and the fireworks, it really has been the perfect end to the day."

He looked unsure, Anna almost enjoying his uncertainty about whether she'd accept or not. He really was genuinely regretting a refusal. A smirk came to her lips as she reached up to take his face in her hands, stroking his stubble.

"Going home with you would complete it," she finished.

The smile that came to his face was priceless.

"You really think that?" he asked, softly.

"I do."

She brought his head down to hers and kissed him, a few seconds passing before his surprise ebbed away and he responded. This was exactly what her mother had meant; she did know when the moment was right, and this felt good. There could be no doubt that Semyon was the right choice for her. And of all the choices she'd made so far, including joining the Night Watch, this one felt the most important.