Sorry it's late. Busy week so I am going to drop both chapters today as I might not have another chance to post. Please enjoy and have great day! ^.^

T/Ws: Torture, Violence, Abuse and Threats.

Chapter 31: Know Your Place

Ivan was awoken by a knocking on the door.

'What is it?' Ivan grumbled, as he buried his face into the covers to avoid the light coming in from his window.

'You Boss is on the phone and he wants to talk to you immediately.' Lithuania explained.

That wasn't good, his Boss calling him suddenly this early only means bad things.

'I will be down in a minute, da!' Ivan yelled back and he got out of bed and headed for his wardrobe.

'Ummm… what's going on?' Gilbert stirred as he looked over at the Russian who was quickly throwing a uniform on.

'I am just having to head out. Don't worry. I will be back soon. Take the day off and rest okay.' Ivan lied with a smile.

'Okay.' Gilbert smiled, going back to sleep.

Once he had his uniform on he quickly wrapped his neck in a bandage and ran out the room to the phone, snatching it off the poor Lithuanian.

'I am here.' Ivan said stoically.

'Took your time.' His Boss grumbled.

'I was in the shower.' Ivan lied.

'I expect you to make your way to meet me now! After yesterday's incident I think you need to be re-educated on your role.' His Boss said forebodingly.

'Yesterday? Nothing happened yesterday!' Ivan said nervously, how could he have known about the fight.

'So you didn't receive a call from a payphone in the DDR to your personal office and DDR didn't abandon his position to come back to Moscow?' His Boss asked doubtfully.

'Oh… yes… that… I must have forgotten.' Ivan shook out, relieved it wasn't about the fight but still afraid.

'I will see you soon. There is a car outside waiting for you already.' His Boss scoffed before hanging up the phone.

Ivan stood there as the phone beeped, staring into the air blankly as fear took him over.

'Mr. Russia?' Lithuania asked nervously.

'Lithuania. Please get me my scarf from the washroom and a hair brush. ASAP.' Ivan said blankly as he placed down the receiver.

'Yes sir.' Lithuania said running off.

Ivan walked over to the mirror in the hall and took the bandages off his head and nose. The bruises had almost faded however he still looked like shit but he had to try and look like he hadn't fought, god forbid what his Boss would do to Gilbert if he knew. Ivan grabbed his gloves from the table and placed them over his bandaged hands.

'You scarf and a hair brush.' Lithuania said placing them in front of Ivan on the table.

Ivan brushed his hair, careful not to reopen any of the cuts on his head, before wrapping his scarf around his neck snugly.

'I may be gone for a while. Please eat without me and care for the house while I am gone and if the others ask I am at a meeting away.' Ivan said sadly.

Re-education meant he was going to be sent away to be tortured for falling out of line. This only happened when his Bosses were very very bored or when he had disobeyed them badly. This time was no doubt the latter and the latter was always harsher.

'Understood.' Lithuania nodded.

'Goodbye.' Ivan said walking out the door and walking towards the car waiting for him.

His feet felt heavy as he got closer and closer to it. Its door was open with two KGB soldiers stationed at either side. He got in wordlessly and the door was shut and locked behind him. He looked longingly at the house, not knowing when he would see it again as the car drove away.

Once he got to the building he was dragged out the car, a bag put over his head and cuffs forced onto his hands before being led through to a room. Once inside he was chained to a metal table that was mounted to the ground and the bag ripped from his head.

'What happened to you?' His Boss asked angrily.

'I got into a bar fight.' Ivan lied.

'This is out of hand. Not only are you fighting like a common crook but you are letting your subordinates run amok.' His Boss scoffed before playing the recording of their phone call.

Ivan sat there trying to stay emotionless as the call played out. He didn't even think to think it was recorded. The question now was if his office phone was tapped or the payphone, maybe both.

'I confirmed with the border patrol that a man of his description indeed had tried to cross several times. That's not what makes me so mad, it would appear that you had been letting him cross the border to see his brother every time he went to Berlin for god only knows how long.' His Boss said darkly.

'So how long have you allowed this disobedience to fester and why?' His Boss asked.

'Since the end of 1949… but you have to understand it was my idea!' Ivan said anxiously, he needed to protect Gilbert no matter what.

'Your idea? Please do enlighten me.' His Boss scowled.

'He wasn't settling in right… so I thought if I let him see his brother… he would settle in better and he did…' Ivan sputtered out.

'WE DON'T PUNISH NAUGHTY CHILDREN BY GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT!' His Boss shot up and slapped Ivan in the face.

'That and it seems you have made no attempt to force him back to Berlin for his meeting that he ditches to run back to you. For help crossing the border to give information to his traitorous brother no doubt!' Ivan's boss spat.

Ivan just sat there looking down. He was scared that they might punish Gilbert as well. He didn't want him to go through what he had been. He didn't want them to break his precious DDR.

'It seems to me you need to be taught your place, I then expect you to go home and teach that wretched German his place too, with photos, you understand!' His Boss ordered.

'Yes sir….' Ivan whispered out.

'Take him away and do whatever is necessary. Break him down so he knows where he stands.' Ivan's Boss said before walking out the room.