Chapter Eleven

Redwood, nestled in the mountains of central Europe, was heaven after the past few days. It was architecturally something between a French chateau and a Bohemian castle, with turrets and gothic windows and a huge arched gateway leading to a small central courtyard before the main house. It teetered on a hillside overlooking a placid lake, and snow-capped mountains rolled down towards it, trees and meadow grasses clinging to the lower slopes. From the helicopter, Kalina gasped in delight.

Yassen scowled in return.

The chopper landed carefully in the courtyard, much to Kalina's horror. She was convinced the space wasn't big enough, and with thick stone walls rearing up on all sides as they descended, she found herself gripping her seat and fighting the urge to whimper. When no grinding noise of helicopter blades snapping off occurred, she sighed and undid her seatbelt, glancing at Gregorovich. He was sat to her left against the door, his hand already opening it as soon as they touched down. This time he didn't wait to help her down; instead, he jumped lightly out and stalked off towards the front door without a backward glance. Even though she rankled at being helped on account of her gender, Kalina wished he'd shown some old-fashioned chivalry just then. It was obvious he still disliked her.

Gregorovich lifted the heavy knocker of the oak door, but it opened before he could let it fall. A youngish man gazed out at him, then broke into a confident grin.

"Gregorovich!" The man was tanned, blonde and athletic, about the same height as Yassen, with clear brown eyes and American-white teeth. Yassen vaguely remembered him being French, but he wasn't entirely sure. His name was Charles, he was another Scorpia agent and his speciality was subterfuge. He was an excellent mole and confidence trickster; the kind of person who always played a role. So much so that Yassen never knew if he was talking to the real man or just one of his many façades.

"Good to see you, what are you doing here?" Charles continued, holding out a hand and opening the door wide.

"Same as always" Yassen replied, taking the proffered palm. "Lying low"

Charles nodded understanding. "Me too. Who's this?"

Kalina had caught up and looked Charles up and down calculatingly. She smiled apprehensively and got a wide grin in return.

"Kalina Moon" Yassen said simply. "New agent"

He stepped past Charles, ignoring the noise of surprise and pleasure the blonde man made as he took Kalina's hand and kissed it.

"Come in, come in! My name is Charles de la Coeur, also of Scorpia…" he ushered, and Yassen heard small steps following him into the hallway.

"Will you take your usual room Gregorovich?" Charles called after a disappearing Russian. When no reply came he shrugged and turned to the woman.

"We'll have to find a room for you too" he said with a charming smile. "Which would you prefer, a view of the courtyard or a view of the lake?"

"The lake, please" Kalina said, smiling despite herself. The hall was lofty and cool, with tapestries on the wall and dark benches against the walls. Doors opened off it to mysterious rooms, and two staircases led to upper floors straight ahead. It was like something out of a fairytale, and the man who had greeted her so enthusiastically was certainty attractive. Things had suddenly started to look up; she'd envisaged being stuck alone with Gregorovich in uncomfortable silence for days on end. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.

"This way then"

Charles led the way up the right-hand staircase and along a red-carpeted corridor. "Those stairs lead up into the turret" he said as they passed a narrow staircase. "Good view from up there. I think…yes, this one should do." He opened a door with a flourish and motioned Kalina inside.

"Wow" she breathed.

There was a four-poster bed, bay window complete with window seat, and a large fireplace on one wall. Beyond the window the lake sparkled enticingly. Kalina stepped up to the glass.

"Can I swim in the lake?" she asked as Charles came to stand next to her. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes. I go for a swim every morning. You're welcome to join me"

"I might just do that. Are there many Scorpia agents here?"

Charles shook his head. "Just myself at the moment. Of course, more may turn up, but as a rule not many agents use Redwood. It's more of a hotel than a safehouse and only certain people are given access. Lightfoot thinks it should be stayed in only by those who appreciate it."

"I see…"

"There's a butler around here somewhere if you need anything" Charles continued. "My room is just down the hall, the one next to the painting of Count von Bismarck"

"And…erm…Gregorovich's room?"

Charles raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "In the east wing…that's up the other staircase from the hallway."

"Ah…"

Silence fell for a few seconds, then Charles cleared his throat. "How about a tour?"

Kalina smiled and tried to relax. "That would be great."

She followed him out of the room, listened to his easy banter and laughed at his jokes. He was good company, saying the right things to draw her out of herself and let her guard down, making her comfortable in his company. At the back of her mind however, Kalina couldn't help wondering what Yassen was doing at that moment, if he was friends with Charles and would join them at some point, or if her very presence would keep him away. If she should do anything to try and approach him, or just leave well alone.

Yassen liked Redwood. He liked its peaceful, spectacular location; the ancient grandeur of its rooms; the history which permeated every wall. It was a pity it was all so impersonal. It felt to him like someone else's house, which indeed it was. He could never feel entirely at home there, surrounded by the heirlooms of another dynasty.

He wondered if he'd ever see any of his artworks again, the ones that were in his safehouse. They didn't mean much to him but he'd chosen them all and it would be a shame to have wasted that much money.

As he sank into an overstuffed armchair in one of the well-appointed living rooms at the back of the chateau, Yassen felt a strange kind of relief that Charles was present at Redwood. Although he hadn't always connected with the man, he was inoffensive company and would probably take Kalina off his hands. Charles enjoyed women; unlike Yassen, he seemed to have a way with them. All the Russian would have to do for the next few days was relax and enjoy the wine cellar, library, and walks in the surrounding woods. The chateau was so big that he need never see the woman the entire time. Yassen allowed himself a contented sigh as he stretched his legs out before him. He had let himself get too involved in this particular case, and it wasn't even over yet. Soon enough Lightfoot would call with further instructions, and Yassen would have to be ready once again to do whatever was required. He needed to clear his mind and prepare himself, with no distractions. Kalina might not even be working with him again, ever. They may never have to have another uncomfortable conversation...

May never be able to put things right… Yassen's inner voice reminded him. He shook his head. There was nothing to put right. He didn't really care. Missions came first, personal relationships a far distant second and that had always been the way of things.

So she was…what? A blip?

Yes, a blip. A girl he'd looked twice at, a girl he'd happily spend a night with, but one who came at too high a price.

I do not need emotional involvement, and anything beyond simple acquaintance with Kalina would bring more entanglement than I could bear.

And that was that.

A/N: I've broken the 10-chapter-barrier, wooo! Look at my other stories and you'll realise I haven't managed that before... I hope you still like the story, please review and let me know.

Chalice Blackbird has made some wallpapers for this story (they are really excellent!) and they can be found on her homepage. Just check out her profile for the link. If you like Serenity (and who doesn't?) you'll love her homepage. Thank you Chalice Blackbird!