He smiled, closed his eyes, and waited for sleep. It was early in the morning when he was disturbed once more by his cell phone was ringing. He heard Alexandra shift on the bed and went out into the hall.

"Zdravstvuĭte, Ivan vystupaya."

"Hello G-n Braginsky. I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning but the Prime Minister just called us here at the Embassy and asked us to inform you of a change in plan."

Probably because he didn't want to disturb me at- Ivan checked his watch 4:04 in the morning.

"Da?"

"He will be flying to Washington DC later today and would like you to meet him there. The Russian Embassy will arrange a ticket for you and book you on the next available flight to Washington. Are you still in Anchorage, Alaska sir?"

"Da. When does the next flight leave?"

"In about three hour's time sir."

"Very well. Do svidaniya."

"Do svi-" He disconnected and walked back to Alexandra's room to get his clothes.

Alexandra lay spread out over her bed still asleep, for which he was grateful. She could be a bear in the morning if woken too early. She had kicked off her covers during the night. He grinned as he picked up his clothes, same old Aleksandra.

"Vanya, can I sleep with you?"

"Aleksandra, what are you doing up?"

"I'm cold."

"Where are your blankets?"

"I don't know."

"Very well, but just for tonight. You're a big girl and need to learn to sleep by yourself."

He smiled at the memory and picked up the blanket, she would wake up cold in an hour or two. He leaned down and tucked her in; she curled up like a puppy. He brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. "

"If it had been up to me, up to Ivan. I would have never let you go." he whispered, then gently kissed her forehead. She didn't stir; he wouldn't have dared to do it if he knew that she wouldn't sleep heavily from the beer. He smiled down at her sleeping face then left, closing the door behind him.

She woke groggy, still half in a dream, a memory more like. She had been very young; she remembered "tripping" and falling into the sea just before the Russian trading ships were to leave, and take Ivan with them. Ivan had fished her out, taken her back to the cabin they shared during his visits, dried her off, made her change into some dry clothes, and made her a cup of tea. Then when she was settled with her drink he had sat next to her and asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing Vanya."

"Don't try that with me. You've been acting sad all day and I've never known you to be so careless. What's bothering you? You've made the boats miss their tide, so now we'll need to wait for the next one."

"You will be staying?"

"Only for a few more hours. Then I will be going back to Russia."

"Why, why can't you stay? Your boats are late you should just stay here!"

He looked down at her, his violet eyes stern. "Aleksandra, did you fall off the dock on purpose?"

"No!" she wilted under his gaze "Yes." She admitted looking into her mug. "I hate it when you leave, brat! I don't like being alone. I wish you could stay here with me."

She was surprised when she felt a large strong arm encircle her shoulders, "I wish I could stay here with you too Podsolnechnika. But I am a very important man in Russia, and I need to go back there. But believe me there are times when I wish I could just stay here with you."

"Really Brat?" she looked up at him hopefully.

He smiled, "Really. But now I think you owe me something."

"I'm sorry I made you miss your boat Vanya."

He hugged her "I forgive you, Podsolnechnika. And YA lyublyu tebya, remember that."

She put down her tea and hugged him back, "YA tozhe lyublyu tebya, brat."

Brat, Vanya. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. I suppose that's why it would never work. He's my brother but he's also Russia, and as long as he's Russia and I'm Alaska we'll never be able to be like that. But... She looked to the right. Her sleeping pads were neatly rolled up and the blankets folded. She swung out of bed and ran into the kitchen. On the counter was a note.

Aleksandra,

There has been a change of plan and I need to meet the prime minister in Washington today. I'm leaving for the airport soon. Thank you for the lovely dinner and evening. I hope we may do it again sometime soon.

Lyubovʹ,

Vanya

"Jerk" she muttered as she glanced at the clock; it was 6:00, maybe if she hurried. She grabbed her cell and dialed the Airport as she ran back inside her room to grab some clothes. She raced outside to her car; she had an hour until his plane left. Hopefully that would be enough. She reached the airport and found a parking space in record time, maybe it was a day for miracles. Once inside she hurried over to an official.

Family fluff, it's so sweet.

Wow, no real historical notes for this chapter. I'm shocked!

Will she make it in time? Epilogue tomorrow...

Please review. Especially if my Russian is totally bogus and sounds like it came from an online translating engine. Which, sadly, it did. *Goes to put learning Russian on list of things to accomplish before death*

Oh, and I fixed the links from Chapter 4 if anyone is still interested in seeing what a Kuspuk and Frigid Arnica look like. Sorry it took so long. is weird.

Thanks for reading everyone, especially all those who have reviewed, faved, and alerted. You make my day.

1 Russian for "Hello Ivan speaking."

2 Russian for "Mr. Branginsky"

3 Russian for "Goodbye."

4 Russian for "Brother"

5 Russian for "I love you."

6 Russian for "I love you too, brother."

7 Russian for "Love, Vanya"

Love, lyublyu, love...There's nothing you can do that can't be done, there's nothing you can sing that can't be sung... Take it! *throws mic*

Commission will be taken from the first person to take it and name the artist and song.