Fair warning everyone… I originally did not intend to go this dark and take this route, but I couldn't scrap all the hard work while trying to redo it all. And like every attempt I take to have a slow, fun, happy go lucky chapter- the action decided to slam its hands on the keyboard and take over.
Again. Red flag warning for some depressing themes and a downer of a time.
aaaaaa
His pillow had long since lost his scent as Kate hugged it to her, but it was a lifeline she refused to put down. The extra hot bath, then shower, then hastily rummaging through Niko's suitcase for something that smelled like him had gone by too quickly. Now she found herself curled up in the middle of Kenny's bed blankly staring at the large, loudly ticking wall clock.
'He has only been gone for an hour…'
Her skin felt tightly pulled across her face and she winced at the sensation. There were no more tears to let out in order to rewet her cheeks. Niko's pillow was testament enough as it was still slightly damp where her face had been planted.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The orange glow across the hardwoods from the cracks in the curtains drew her attention and pulled her from the solitude of the overly sized bed. Satin sheets caressed her legs as if asking her to stay just a little bit longer. But Kate's curiosity to see what was causing such a vibrant color grew exponentially. The air was cool within the apartment, and it forced her to tug Niko's thick sweater tighter around her smaller frame.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Everything in the apartment felt like it was watching her every movement. How the floors chilled below her bare feet- the dim lighting soaking into the tan color of her new favorite article of Niko's clothing- She knew the furniture wasn't moving, but in her mind's eye chairs and the sofa scooted back as she approached the drawn blackout curtains.
Her fingers curled around the heavy thick material and shifted it just enough to peek an eye out. The sight stole her breath away. Carefully she flung the curtains open to bask in the warmth of the setting sun. Vibrant streaks of every beautiful shade of red, orange, pink danced before her eyes. The deep violet purple of night crept along the edges as if asking for permission to join.
Her hands sought out the latches for the large window, which upon closer inspection was actually a door leading to a small balcony. The heavy latches clicked as she moved from top to bottom, a sudden urgency brewing in her chest to be outside and feel what the world was trying to show her.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The hinges creaked as she shoved the metal and glass open, the frigid air blasting her on its way inside the apartment, and she greedily sucked in a lungful of crisp, pain laced wind. Her blood slowed and the roar behind her ears muted instantly. Dull blue green eyes searched the endless sky for a cloud and couldn't spot a single thing marring the masterpiece before her.
Her hands lifted as she braved a couple of steps out on the balcony to land on the frozen metal railing. Her skin's heat was zapped away with the sting of the wind chill. But it numbed everything.
The tingling, pin pricks darted up her legs, shooting over her back and shoulders, and nestled on her chest chasing away the heavy ache within. Light kissed her forehead as she sucked in a deep breath, tilting her face up to simply soak it all in. There was no one else in the world but her and the wind that brushed her hair away from her face.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
But she couldn't lie to herself like that.
Her shoulders deflated and she dropped her head back down to take in the private courtyard that was surrounded on all four sides by the compound. The snow mirrored the sky and bounced the colors off the metal benches and chairs. A three-tiered water fountain rested in the center of spiraling and winding cobblestoned pavers. A set of double doors were located at the northern and southern ends of the, what she assumed, was a private garden.
"When you wake up Kenny the first thing I'm going to say is you're a complete idiot for never using your apartment…" Kate whispered the words and felt a longing to climb down and see what other treasures he had tucked away in his sanctuary. She turned to head back inside to avoid frostbite when the form of a metal ladder caught her eye. It rested against the exterior wall close to the edge of the balcony, and there were scratch marks from where the top had hit and scraped at the faded brick.
She pursed her lips as she tried to figure out why it was there if no one used Kenny's apartment. But she only shrugged and shivered when the wind picked up a notch. The doors nearly slammed as she pulled them closed and redid the locks. It was an angry retort for leaving the tranquility behind.
Hunger the likes she had never felt before gripped her ribs and stomach and she stumbled with the cramp it produced, "Alright… Food first, then we can figure out how I'm going to keep going…" Pain flared through her insides, and she gagged at the nausea that rose within. As soon as it started, it vanished, leaving her breathing heavily and fighting off hunger pains. Shakily she rubbed over her womb, 'Odd… But don't worry. I'm going to feed you…'
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Silently, but with the encouragement to find something hot, and warm to eat, she yanked on her thicker pair of leggings and stepped into her faux fur lined boots. Georgi's concealed knife slipped over her hand, and she tightened the straps to seat it correctly. A small flutter tremored in her heart, and she ignored the thoughts that wanted to provoke her for wanting to be armed.
'It's a layer of protection. Cut it out…'
She scowled at her reflection from one of the numerous mirrors hung by the dresser. When was she ever going to be able to pick up a gun or knife or whatever and not feel her Pa's approving smirk. She was not violent. She was not vile. And she most certainly was NOT like her father.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
"I swear to God if you don't cut that out, I will take you off the wall and remove your batteries!" Kate glared at the blasted clock and pointed a finger at it in warning, but the second hand just kept up its rhythmic cycle around the face. Taunting her.
"Whatever…" Kate huffed and grabbed the key to the apartment off the dresser and headed for the solid door. Her stomach was turning on her and if she didn't get something to eat she was bound to throw up and lose her appetite all together.
The key slid into lock, and she twisted it harshly, shutting off the annoying ticking of the clock, the mocking mirrors, and the laughter that was building as she practically ran out of the unit. It was as if the entire building knew she was ill equipped to handle the life of someone who walked the halls and lounged about on the worn-out furniture. A bitterness twinged in her jaw, and she shoved away from the door and in the direction she hoped was the way to the kitchen.
Doors blended together, halls crisscrossed, staircases all looked the same.
'I'm about as lost as I feel…'
The thought attempted to derail her, and she sank down to sit upon the top step and buried her face in her hands. A light tap to her shoulder jerked her upright and in the direction of whatever or whoever was touching her. Happy chocolate eyes set in the tiny face of a small child greeted her and she had to do a double take.
"Hello! Will you be my new friend?" The boy hopped down a step and sat next to her, extending his hand out to shake hers. The tilt of his head the longer she didn't respond knocked her back into her body.
"Apologies. Do you know English?" Kate took his hand and had to smile when he enthusiastically jerked hers up and down.
"Very small. I am… leeerning?" He bobbed his head and tapped his chin with his free hand as if deep in thought, before once more the brightest of bright smiles lit up his face, "I know! Мать (mat') can help!" He rapidly shot to his feet and tugged on their still joined hands.
"Oookay." Kate stood on shaky legs and let the boy curl his fingers around her index one and guide her down the stairs. She had absolutely no clue if she was hallucinating or if there was actually a young boy just wandering around the complex.
"My, Lova!" He patted his chest and swung his arm that was attached to Kate, "You?" He poked her thigh and somewhat bounced on the balls of his feet as they took step by step down the stairs.
It took her a second to realize he was telling her his name and asking for hers. A blush formed on her cheeks at the miscue, and she cleared her throat, "My name is Kate. It is nice to meet you Lova. Did I say that right?" Kate had to bite her bottom lip to keep the laugh contained when he nodded so hard he nearly fell over.
"Lova! Yes. I… I am this many!" His English was rough but had such an adorable accent to it that Kate didn't mind trying to decipher it. She let him jump the last step and looked down at his hand that he was waving back and forth with four of his fingers lifted.
"You are four years old? My goodness you are getting to be such a big boy!" Kate nodded and smiled at him encouragingly to hopefully let him know what she was saying was positive and a good thing. Her voice was light and merry, and it was going to have to do till they bumped into someone else who spoke both languages to help them communicate better.
"Big boy! Like big broooher to sissy?" His eyes widened and he looked up to her waiting for confirmation that he was a big boy and that his parents were showing him how to be a big brother.
"Sort of. I am guessing you have a baby sister?" Kate nearly tripped over her feet as he pulled on her arm and started walking super-fast down the hall and to where she was hoping whatever enticing smell was coming from.
"I show!" Lova yelled out and kept a steady pulling on his new friend's hand. They reached a push/pull metal door, and he released Kate's hand and used all his strength to shove it open, "Mama! Look! I found a new friend and she thinks I am a very good boy!"
"I swear if you have brought in another dead animal or live one, heaven forbid, I will tell your father and you WILL be in timeout!" A woman's voice shouted out from behind the large industrial refrigerator door and over the chaos that was a bustling kitchen. The sounds of chopping vegetables, meat being tenderized, boiling water bubbling away, and the pop and sizzle from a frying pan assaulted Kate's ears as she glanced around her new surroundings.
Kate lifted a hand to hide the smile that was forming along her lips as the tone from the woman had made her think of the countless times her and her brothers were scolded for doing something wrong by their Ma. Lova looked over his shoulder to her and waved her in, before just grabbing her hand again and dragging her forward so the door would shut behind her.
"No Mama! She has red hair like my firetruck!"
All noise ceased in the kitchen and a slightly rounded, sporting a horrified expression, face poked out from behind the refrigerator door. Other women and men in the kitchen dropped their utensils and bowed their head, moving back to put as much space between them and Kate.
The rolling gurgle of one of the boiling pots was the only thing that broke the silence up.
"I beg for your forgiveness Высочество (Vysochestvo). My son- He likes to wander. I have told him many times to stay with the other children. I- I. Please." The woman trembled from head to foot and shakily walked to place her hand's on Lova's shoulders, trying to escort him back from the Pakhan's equal.
"Mama! Let go!" Lova whined and twisted back and forth to break his mother's hold. Once free he ran up to Kate and took her hand, tugging on it to get her to lower to his level. The sharp inhalation of air from the boy's mother concerned Kate greatly. What was so bad about her son being around her?
"It is quite alright Mrs. He actually helped me find the kitchen. I don't think I am having much luck remembering where everything is located." She knelt down accepting the bear hug from Lova, patting his back slowly and gently to not cause to poor woman to faint, and looked up to see his mother's reaction. As she looked around the vast kitchen she could see the fear and hesitancy to meet her eyes. 'Am I not supposed to be in here…?'
Running footsteps echoed from across the room before Anton rushed through another set of swinging double doors. He looked around wildly for a second before he spotted Kate crouched down with her arms around, "Son! What have I told you about sneaking out of class?!" He frowned when his son only tightened his arms around Pakhan's girlfriend.
"Lova? I think your parents need to talk to you." Kate leaned out of his firm hug and brushed some of the wispy soft light brown bangs from his forehead. She lowered her head when he scooted closer as if about to tell her all the secrets of the world.
"Will you tell Мать (mat') and Отец (Otets) I am big boy?!" He whispered the words as if conspiring with her to get him out of trouble. Lova slowly nodded his head trying to convince her to be on his side and to get him out of having to play with the other kids in the gym.
Her heart melted at the sight of him, and she lightly tapped the tip of his nose with her finger before standing up, "Anton thank you for letting me meet your adorable and very polite son. I am under the impression that he is a very big boy and loves his little sister?" Kate let him retake her hand and she returned the squeeze she felt.
"Yes, Nina. He tries to take her out of the crib to show his friends in class. But my apologies for any trouble or stress he may have caused you. My wife and I both apologize," He grasped the pale woman's hand and guided her to stand next to him, "Kate I would like to introduce you to my wife, Marta. Marta this is-"
"We should not be talking to her or even conversating in front of her! You know the rules. I don't want to have to pack up and move. Sweetheart please. I am scared." Marta lowly whispered quickly to her husband and beckoned Lova to come stand with her. The boy simply skipped over to his mother and smiled when she picked him up to rest on her hip.
"Manners. Niko has been gracious enough to introduce her to us. Aleksei and Georgi both have stood as her personal guard, and I have been tasked to do the same while they are out on business. Now calm yourself and who knows? Maybe you will make a friend tonight." Anton kissed the top of her head and winked at Lova, "Did you somehow force her to tell us you're a big boy?"
"No! She said first!" Lova negatively shook his head and buried his face in his mother's neck.
"If I am doing something wrong by being in here or… I am sorry. I was hungry and looking for the kitchen when Lova was kind enough to help me. I can just go back to the apartment and make myself something to eat." Kate awkwardly pointed back at the door she had entered through and felt completely out of place and like she was on stage trying to not pass out from panic at not remembering her lines for the school play.
Anton could see her fear, pain, and reluctance splash across her features before she started to turn back toward the side entrance of the kitchen, "Nonsense. By the looks of it dinner should be ready in about twenty minutes. I can show you the cafeteria where we all sit and eat?"
"Actually… Do you think I can help cook?" Kate paused in her retreat and craned her neck to see what was laying on top of the counters and on the stove. It had looked like an interesting dish and not something she had ever made before, "I am handy in the kitchen."
"Captain… It would be wrong to have her dirty her hands or work to feed us. That is our job…" One of the head chefs spoke up and dared to lift his eyes to meet those of one of Kenny's most trusted men. The speck of courage he clung to only manifested because of how relaxed Anton appeared and how open he addressed Pakhan's woman.
"She is struggling with some things and could use the help from everyone to keep her mind busy. You will let her cut, chop, cook, bake- whatever it is she wants to assist with. Show her how a true Russian kitchen is run and welcome her to your domain. It would be disrespectful to shun her. I understand your fear, but I can promise you that Niko would be disappointed if you excluded her." Anton pinned the chef with a look and dropped his gaze to his worried wife. He gently smiled to her and kissed the prominent scar on her forehead. His fingers brushed over her arms where he knew her other faded wounds rested.
Marta let him hold her and shuddered under his hands. She leaned into his head when he moved to whisper in her ear, "You understand her pain my love. Now is not the time to run and hide. Where is my brave warrior woman? Hm?" She shivered with his words and turned to meet his eyes as clarity dawned within her.
"Um. Miss McReary? Would you like to help me peel the last batch of potatoes? Or if you prefer we can start on rolling out the dough for the Vareniki?" Marta's voice had a small waver, but she would push through her anxiety and do as her husband asked. He never asked much of her and worshiped the ground she walked on, so she would steel her spine and be the best host she could be for her Bratva.
"Vareniki? I don't think I know what that is, and I would very much like to learn. Thank you." Kate smiled and shifted her eyes to Anton, hoping he could see her gratitude and happiness at getting to be included. She was not looking forward to being shut off in the apartment with her oppressive thoughts and heavy heart.
"I think you would know them better as Pierogi. Come. I have a station set up for rolling, stuffing, and then sealing them." Marta placed her son on the ground and smoothed over his hair, "Lova you can stay if you behave and wash your hands." He ran out of her arms and over to the large wash basin sink to clean up. His excitement easy to see as he jumped to try and reach the spout.
Anton watched as his wife moved over to help their son clean up and shook his head. This was not something he ever expected to happen, and it was just another reminder that Niko differed vastly from Kenny. He turned when Kate approached him, holding his hand out to her. Knowing Georgi had been given permission to show his favoritism, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles before resting them to his forehead.
"I promise to start learning the rules and laws you have." Kate smiled up at him and blushed at the gesture Georgi tended to do with her when he was left speechless. It was such a change from being starved of physical touch to practically having everyone kiss her hand or bow to her. If her Ma could see her now…
"Ah my dear. Your word is law. I await the chance to win back some of my hard-earned money." He busted out laughing when she jabbed her fingers to his stomach and huffed loudly.
"Georgi is the one who owes you! You can't tell me you didn't realize he was always upping the bets right after my turn. He was purposefully tilting the pot in my favor. He says I'm the sneaky one. Pfft." Kate rolled her eyes and giggled with the thought of going head-to-head with Georgi to see who would outsmart who. He had a calculating mind, and it was fascinating to see it in action. He reminded her of how Niko used to be when they first met; Just observing and planning out everything silently.
"Now that is a dangerous look. I'll take that as my cue to leave you and my beautiful, loving, caring, the most exquisite-"
"Da. Da. Da. (yes, yes, yes) you spoil me with the flattery. Now get. Otherwise dinner will be later than usual!" Marta swatted at her husband, but the ire never reached her eyes as she lovingly gazed at the man who had saved her life. She accepted the kiss and had to lightly shove him back when he kept diving in for more, "You know if this was Kenny's wife we'd both be in so much trouble!"
"Mmm. That's why it is so much fun and is kind of turning me on." Anton nuzzled her neck and trailed his fingers over her waist.
"Why don't I have Lova show me the station and you two have a moment to yourselves." Kate turned redder in the face and ducked her head with a knowing smile. Now she knew how Georgi felt when Niko would get lost with her. She held her hand out to Lova and couldn't ignore the joy that shot through her soul when his tiny hand would firmly grasp her fingers.
"I show! I am better than other day." Lova beamed up at his new friend and guided her around the half wall of freezers and fridges to a wide steel workstation. Flour, mounds of some kind of dough, bowls of mashed potatoes, and various other seasonings littered the surface. A few pierogis that were already formed were carefully spaced out on a gigantic baking sheet tray.
"Alright. Doesn't look too difficult. How do you make them Lova?" Kate studied the perfectly formed and sealed packets of dough and potatoes. She had seen this style of dish before, and it was trying to jog a memory from when she was in high school. She highly doubted it was something they ever had at the dinner table, but somewhere she had seen- 'Gerry's first wife ordered these when they took me out to eat for graduation!'
"Watch me." The four-year-old climbed up on the stool and pulled the large metal bowl of cooled mashed potatoes to him as well as fisted his hand in the dough to grab a chunk of it. He splatted the clump of dough onto the floured surface of the counter and leaned over to take the wooden rolling pin. As best as his small hands would let him he kneaded and flattened the dough out into a misshaped oval that impressed Kate with the even thinnest.
"Make this. Then add this." Lova placed the roller to the side and picked up a spoon from within the bowl of potatoes and dropped a good-sized dollop into the center of his thinly pressed dough. His eyebrows drew down in concentration as he formed the potatoes into a semi-balled look and lifted one of the edges of the dough and covered the softened potatoes.
"Мать (mat') does… better. But I try!" He tucked the dough around the potatoes and started to crimp the edges to seal it shut, his tongue jutting out from the corner of his mouth as he fixated on making the perfect finger presses like his mother had shown him a thousand times. Satisfied that it wasn't going to break open when sauteed he lifted it up in pride to show Kate, "See?! You make!"
"I will need help. Can you help me?" Kate lowered down on the stool next to him knowing she wouldn't need much help but liked the idea of having him chat away and point things out to her. Just seeing his eyes light up at getting to help her was enough to cool the burn in her chest and take the edge off of her mind. They set into the task of making pierogis basking in the noisy atmosphere of the kitchen.
Russian chatter from the other side of the half wall would make Lova look up every now and then or laugh. And he would partially start to sing some kind of nursery song in his native language when he worked on flattening the dough. Kate didn't mind that she had absolutely no clue what was being said and just enjoyed feeling like it was just a normal typical evening making dinner with family.
'Family…'
She gently elbowed Lova and smiled at him when he giggled and shifted around as if she had tickled him. The simplicity in which he accepted her and welcomed her astounded her. The innocence and kindness was a balm to her troubled soul. The way his eyes took everything in and marveled at the world around him helped her to remember that not everything was out to get her. There was good and positivity to be had so long as she searched it out.
'Because you are alive and survived, everything is possible…'
"I see he has put you right to work. I hope you don't mind?" Marta casually walked into the open area, redoing her ponytail and kerchief. There was a slight glow about her as she turned the sink on to wash her hands.
"Of course not. I am enjoying getting to learn to make… How did you say it?" Kate paused in pinching the dough closed on the counter and had to hide her smirk with the way Marta looked. She could image that's how she appeared after Niko thoroughly riled her up.
"Vareniki! They are so yummy and fill me up and I can eat ten of them and not get sick!" Lova sang his words and danced on the stool, a sealed pierogi waving back and forth in his hand.
"On the tray mister. Alright let me look over your work and then we can really start getting these made." Marta sat across from Kate and her son and lifted a couple to check the crimps and dough, "I'm impressed!"
"Lova is a great teacher. Thank you, honestly, for allowing me to be here. I know it is probably awkward and uncomfortable, and I will do my best to not make it so." Kate lowered her eyes back to the pierogi she was working on to give Marta a chance to compose herself and not feel scared in her presence.
"No, thank you. You are taking some of my workload over so that I can enjoy some time with my son without a screaming infant in my arms." Marta laughed a little and started to quickly make pierogi after pierogi- years of cooking and baking on display.
"If it is alright… Maybe after dinner I can meet your daughter too?" Kate placed her's and Lova's on the tray and nodded at a man that walked up to them to take the tray away, his eyes glued to the ground and his body about as far away as he could get from her.
"If drool and dirty diapers do not bother you?" Marta paused in pinching the edges of the dough in her hand to look up at who her husband said was friend.
"Not at all. I used to work at the community center and young women had babies up there all the time. I've had plenty of practice changing diapers and swaddling a tiny little baby. And I um… It would be nice to have Lova show her off to me." Kate let the real reason die in her throat. The yearning to hold an infant in her arms was getting harder and harder to bury. The rolling sickness washed over her again, and her stomach cramped impossibly hard.
"Ma'am? Are you okay?" Marta stood up as she saw Kate's face take on an ashen color and she hunched in on herself, gripping her midriff.
"Yeah…" Kate sucked in air and willed the pain to subside, "I'm really hungry and still recovering from being attacked by an assassin." A trickle of fear coiled in her chest as the cramping seemed to be lower than her stomach and more centered below her navel. The vice like hold lessened and she was able to take in a breath without feeling the need to throw up.
"Anton can you come here please?! I think we should get you out of this stuffy hot kitchen. Maybe a cold glass of water?" Marta rounded the counter and placed her hand on Kate's shoulder noticing how warm she felt through the thick bulky sweater.
"What did our little troublemaker do now?" Anton rolled his eyes believing his son had once more made a disaster out of the kitchen, only to stop in his tracks with the pale complexion of Kate. Sweat was forming along her hair line and his wife was worriedly looking his way, "Is everything alright?"
"I think I just need something to eat. I'm feeling a little weak and tired." Kate answered him and accepted the hand towel from Lova. Her hand shook as she lifted it to wipe away the moisture she felt on her face. 'Am I sweating?!'
"Okay… Let me take you into the dining hall and I'll have someone bring you a couple of things to nibble on. Georgi mentioned to me that you were feeling feverish this morning. Is this the same thing?" Anton hurriedly walked up to Kate and with his wife's help, stood her up, "Lova can you get a cold bottle of water out of the fridge? You know where they are. Your friend would like one."
"Yes papa." Lova hopped down from the stool and took off to where he knew to get what was asked of him.
Kate stumbled when her full weight was pressed on her feet, "I have no idea why I am feeling this way!"
"It's been an action-packed couple of days. Here. Marta, my love, get the door for me. I am going to take her to the living room instead to sit in a comfortable chair. Can you see what all they have cooked that won't upset her stomach? I believe she is pregnant, and this could be her body having difficulties adjusting and not having enough rest." He scooped Kate up in his arms, ignoring her feeble attempt to protest him, and motioned with his fingers to get his wife moving.
"Ah. I can relate." Marta smiled softly and rushed to hold the double swing doors open for her husband to carry Kate through, "I'll put together some of my favorites that helped me with the early-stage sickness."
Kate dropped her heavy feeling head to his shoulder and sighed, "I am so sorry about all this. I really was enjoying myself making food and listening to your son sing. It felt so… Normal."
Anton adjusted her in his arms as he walked down the hall and back into the living room they had been playing poker in, "Do not apologize for being under the weather. With how little sleep and rest you have gotten since Niko took over; I am shocked you haven't just collapsed." He lowered her back down into Kenny's armchair and shifted the blanket and pillow around to get her comfortable.
"Could use a week of just sleep." Her vision blurred when she shuffled down to be able to lay against the pillow and armrest.
"Then that is what you will get. I can have Georgi postpone the dress shopping till Sunday to give you another day to relax. Next Friday is the spa day. And unless you have other plans you want us to work on, you will have plenty of down time. How are you feeling otherwise? Headaches? Chills?" He brushed her hair from her eyes and schooled the frown from showing. She was burning up to the touch and shivering slightly.
"There is a sharp cramping pain that started up not long ago that is making me feel sick. I thought it was just my body telling me to eat something more than the little bit I've had today." Kate closed her eyes and focused on taking slow, deep breaths, "And can you close the windows? It's really cold in here."
"They are closed. I think you are running a fever. Are you allergic to any medication?" He looked up when his son ran in carrying two bottles of water. He took one from him and opened it for her.
"Not that I know of…" Her eyes barely opened to see that the windows were indeed shut and accepted the water. Another wave of cramping crashed over her, and she curled in on herself.
"Lova stay here. I'm going to go get something for the fever and pain." He patted his son's head and waited to start running till he was out of the room. He pulled his cell phone out and dialed Vanya's number. It rang only once before his generic greeting echoed over the connected call. "Vanya? Do we know exactly what the poison was? And if Georgi had the correct antidote?"
"We can confirm it is what Bulgarin's old crew used. Georgi's stuff should have worked like it normally does. Why?" Vanya sounded like he was starting to become more alert.
"I am headed to the lab. Grab some of the liquid pain killers and the triage kit. She is about to crash from the aftereffects." Anton ended the call and started to sprint toward the staircase that led to the basement levels of the complex.
Kate rolled her head back and forth and fought off the intensity of the stabbing sensation in her lower half of her body. The room was spinning, and every single movement forced the air from her lungs. A bitter and metallic taste filled her mouth and she twisted to her side to figure out where she could spit the offending taste out.
"KayKay?" Lova put the water bottles up on the table and climbed on the chair his new friend was laying on. He was worried and getting scared at how tightly her eyes were closed and the shaking he could see and feel. His tiny little hands patted her back like his mother did when he needed to throw up. He stilled when something red stained her lips and dribbled down her chin.
Kate coughed and tried to ignore how much that added to the agony that thrashed through her. She willed her eyes to open to see if she had thrown up and look for something to clean it up with and spotted red dots soaking into the fabric of the chair and faded area rug. Confusion filled her mind before it clicked that it was blood- her blood.
"It okay. I make messes too." Lova poked at her cheek where some of the blood was smeared. He just hoped his mom wouldn't get mad at his friend for messing up the rug in the room he was typically forbidden from being in.
"Lov-" She started to talk before something filled her throat and forced its way out. She gagged and coughed as more blood oozed from between her lips. Pressure built at the back of her head, and she blacked out. Her body limply fell forward and off the chair, Lova scrambling to catch himself from hitting the floor face first.
"KayKay?!" Lova screamed her name and climbed on her side, patting her face. Fear flooded his small body, and he jumped up to his feet when his friend gave him no response. "PAPA! MAMA!" Lova yelled at the top of his lungs, and he took off the to hall to find his parents. He ran into his mother's legs causing her to drop the plate of food she had gathered for Kate.
"Lova! What in the world-?!"
"She is sick and laying on the ground!" He tugged on his mom's long skirt and started crying.
"Take him to the apartment and have dinner there." Anton slowed his sprint as he neared his crying son and his confused wife.
"Babe? What is-"
"Don't question me right now and when you see Vanya or Sergei tell them I need help. And hurry." He rested his hand on his son's head wishing he had the time to help calm him down and explain things, but he had seen too many of his past friends succumb to the poison in the most brutal and painful ways. Niko will have his head if Kate dies on his watch. Marta picked up Lova knowing that when her husband spoke English to her and held that tone she was to simply do as he said and wait for his return.
He didn't wait to watch them head off to where they lived and dashed into the living room. He spotted her hair peaking out from the side of the chair on the floor. His heart jumped into his throat as he neared her. Blood trickled out of her nose and mouth, and he swore recognizing the first signs that the poison was still active and working on killing her.
"I thought Georgi gave her his backup antidote!" Vanya ran into the room carrying a hard plastic case.
"He did. Fuck." He dropped to his knees and dragged her to the more open space on the floor, rolling her to her back. He frantically tapped her cheek, "Kate? Kate? Can you hear me?" She didn't respond and her body was on absolute fire.
"Your wife instructed me to come help?" Sergei entered the room, thumb lifted and pointing back toward the hall unsure of what was going on. Then he saw Anton straddle Kate's stomach and lower down to her face, turning his direction closing his eyes in concentration.
"Sergei get the doc in the surgery room and tell him we are bringing someone to him. It is priority and he will call whoever he needs to help!" Vanya quickly walked to the table and snapped open the medicine box and started to shift through the vials looking for the epinephrine.
"Damnit she isn't breathing. Come on Kate… Don't do this to us." Anton fisted his hand over the other and started to do chest compressions. He heard Sergei take off down the hall shouting out for other lower ranking members to start locking down the compound and to start prepping the humble emergency wing they had. It wasn't a full-blown hospital by any stretch of the imagination, but they had saved a couple of people from the brink of death, and he prayed they'd be able to do it once more.
She sputtered underneath him, and he cupped her face to turn it to the side, "Vanya, could use the adrenaline or something to help her throw up." She coughed and made a sickening hacking sound as more blood dripped from her nose, "That's it Kate. Cough it out."
Kate thought she heard her name in the distance and she turned her face in the direction hoping to hear it one more time. Visions of the sunset faded in and out and her fingers twitched wanting to reach up and brush the clouds away from blocking the reds and orange. There was an eerie peacefulness that blanketed her and for the first time in so long, she felt one hundred percent safe and warm. Her soul lurched up and longed to dance in the heat of the sunbeams of the setting sun.
But the deep, dark violet of the night sky captured her,
and it all vanished.
"Kate?!" Anton turned her face up to him and rubbed his thumb over her rapidly turning blue lips, "Epinephrine! Now!"
Vanya dropped the large syringe in his outstretched hand, and he pulled his knife, "You will just have to forgive me later." He slashed the sweater open and firmly dragged his fingers over her chest counting the spaces between her rib cage looking for the spot he needed to jam the needle down in. The dip and space was quickly found and he flipped the larger gauged needle in his hand, lifting it to give him the extra umph to break through to her heart.
"May God be with us…" Vanya whispered, bowing his head and praying that this worked.
Anton slammed it into her chest and pushed the meds into her body. Sergei and the doctor ran into the room, the doc carrying the electronic shock machine. They worked together to stick the pads on her body and turn the machine on. The robotic drone in English listed off instructions for chest compressions, breaths, and to move back when the shock was needed.
"Heartbeat not detected. Begin chest compressions." The machine's cold and emotionless voice spoke over the commotion in the room.
Vasil entered the room from the back staircase and froze at the sight of Niko's chosen on the floor, shredded sweater open over her body, and his fellow men working on bringing her back.
"Don't just stand there! Go ensure the compound is secured!" Anton yelled at Vasil when he spotted him just standing there openly staring at them. He was getting frantic inside but would keep a level head and a sharp focus. He was not about to fail. Not today. Not tonight. And most certainly wasn't going to fail his boss.
"As you have asked it, so it shall be done…" Vasil edged around the room and shook his head. Slowly he walked down the hall and toward the surveillance room to check the security cameras and locks, checking his watch for the time.
"Fuck! Kate come on!" Anton tilted her head back and breathed air into her lungs, "Sergei call Georgi or Aleksei. Get Niko back here, now!"
"Stay clear. Administering shock in three, two… one." The machine beeped loudly as it counted down. Kate's body jerked at the electricity.
"My sweet little Katie. It is not time."
"Ma?!" Kate groaned as her mother's voice whispered in her ear. Every fiber of her body was screaming at her, and she gasped at the level of pain that scorched her. The inky blackness tugged on her mind, coaxing her to return to it, but something else was nagging at her. A small ray of light drifted past her, and the overwhelming feeling of love settled over her in a welcoming embrace. It hugged her, kissed her, nuzzled into her skin.
"Heartbeat detected. Beginning monitoring." The machine droned out and started to play a soft beeping. The cadence slow and spaced out.
"Stay with me Kate." Anton sagged forward as relief slammed into him. He tugged the jagged sides of her sweater up to cover her better as more of Kenny's men had joined them in the room.
"Vanya get another dose of antidote ready. She isn't out of the woods yet." The doctor worked the sleeve up Kate's arm and started looking for a vein to hook an IV in.
"Niko?"
Kate's broken and scratchy voice called out and broke the thin resolve Anton had been holding on to, "He is on the way. Just keep breathing and focus on that." He rubbed the back of his hand over his forehead, wiping the sweat away. He glanced at all the blood on his palm when he lowered his hand.
"I have Aleksei on the phone wanting an update. What do I tell them?" Sergei hovered behind Anton and asked for clarification. He was not normally the one to give orders or updates. He was usually the one enacting the commands and following the boss' orders.
"Tell them Kate is suffering a setback from the attack. But start with saying she is alive." Anton slouched down on his legs and started to cut away the sleeve the doctor had pulled upwards. He listened as Sergei started lowly talking in Russian to Aleksei about Kate's condition and to possibly hold off on telling Niko till they were in a stable or guarded environment. A vibrate shook the tattered sweater and he patted along her side and felt her phone. He figured she wouldn't mind if he looked to see who was calling. Georgi's name lit up the screen and he frowned. 'Why would he be calling?'
The thought that something bad had happened while his boss went after the handler hit him like a bucket of cold water.
"Actually. Here. Give me the phone."
The overhead lights cut off and the sound of the power being forcefully shut off boomed throughout the compound. The red emergency lights snapped on and their security alarm blared to life.
"Sergei take point. Vanya check in with Vasil! To your security posts men! Doc we move her now to the hospital room Kenny is in! Move!" Anton barked out orders and tucked her phone back in her pocket before slipping his arms under her body.
"The phones are dead!" Sergei lowered his phone seeing the no signal warning flashing on his screen. He caught a rifle one of the men threw to him and flicked the safety off, "We under attack?" People went into motion and filed out of the room, weapons raised and at the ready to protect the Petrovic Bratva.
"No fucking clue. Go!" Anton cradled Kate's limp form to his chest and ran best he could after Sergei. The doctors' frantic footfalls behind him urged him on. They needed to get Kate safe and then figure out if someone was trying to break in, shoot the place up-
Muffled gunfire bounded down the hall to them.
"Direct route or the long way?" Sergei paused at the corner and tilted out of cover to check for gunmen.
"Direct." Anton hoped his wife and kids were in the apartment with the door locked. He had given his wife instructions on what to do should the impossible happen and someone attacked the compound. It was never meant to be put to the test, but here they all were- more than likely out numbered and with two high priority targets unconscious.
"Clear." Sergei took off in a quick jog, rifle steadfast and shifting between doorways and halls as they rushed to the other side of the massive complex. The seconds ticked in their heads as screaming and gunshots echoed all around them. Bright lights at the end of the hall let them know the medical rooms at least had their backup generators working.
"Standing guard." Sergei turned and waved Anton and the doc into the room and pulled the door shut, taking post to shoot anyone that entered the hall.
Anton lowered her onto a gurney and followed the docs instructions on what to hook up to her. They worked in tandem, and they moved quickly. He needed to get his rifle and help protect his home. 'This can't be happening…'
"I can manage from here. Go." The doc slid the IV needle into a healthy-looking vein and tapped it down. His eyes lifted to Kenny's captain when he made no move to leave Kate's bedside.
Anton trailed his eyes over Kate's face and felt a tightness settle in his chest. Blood smeared her lips and cheeks. A large bruise was forming over her chest where he had slammed the adrenaline needle down. Red blotches rose against her pale skin in response to the antidote that was being pushed through her IV. He darted his eyes down to her stomach and hovered his hand over where Niko's child was growing.
'I will not fail.'
"You keep her alive and safe. Pakhan will exact retribution should you fail." He turned on his heel and spotted Kenny on his own bed, tubes and wires crisscrossed over his body- but there was a rise and fall to his chest. He lifted his fist and placed it over his heart.
"The Bratva is in good hands. Good hunting." The doc watched Anton salute their boss before heading toward the closed door.
"I will show the enemy what it means to come for us." He let his words hang in the hospital room as he exited into the hall, drawing his pistol from his side holster. He met Sergei's eyes and knew he would stay and put his life on the line to protect Kenny and Kate. He received a sharp nod of acknowledgement and a quick salute. 'Maybe it is time to promote him…'
"It's the front gate! Anton we need a sniper!" Vanya yelled down the hall, skidding to a stop holding up one of Aleksei's spare long rifles in the entrance to the medical wing.
"I'll take post. Get Pakhan on the phone to alert them to stay away till the threat is eliminated." Anton started to run in Vanya's direction before a barrage of bullets sprayed his brother in arms. He tumbled back into the wall and slumped down, the sniper slipping from his grasp. "VANYA!"
A body rounded the corner and Anton unloaded his pistol into the enemy, "Vanya!" He stepped over the dead body and checked his corners before lowering down at his friend's side. He searched over him with his eyes counting bullet holes and where the most pressing injury was located.
"It. I'm good. Protect- Protect the Bratva." Vanya struggled to get the words out between panting for air. He shoved the sniper in Anton's direction and locked eyes with him, "Go."
"Sergei! Help him then get back to your post." Anton cupped the back of Vanya's neck and squeezed once in respect. He didn't want to leave his friend, but the front gate was under siege, and he had a job to do. The sniper felt heavy and weird in his hands. He was not as skilled as Aleksei, but he would make do and kill those that dared to come for him and his people.
The overhead lights flickered back to life, silencing the alarm with their return. He glanced up at them before sprinting off to the top floor and the overlook ledge of the front entrance. There was a large industry sign he could take cover behind and scope out his targets. His phone started to ring loudly in his pocket, and he yanked it free. Georgi's name flashed as the caller.
"We are under attack. Take Pakhan to a secured location. It is not safe here." Anton snapped out as he took the stairs two at a time.
"Fuck that. No. I am going to be there in five minutes to help kill everyone. They dared to attack Kenny's home. This is not something I can just take lightly. I have the Yardies in route as well. And do you really think I can stop Pakhan from showing up at the compound?! His…" Georgi's voice faltered as he started talking about Niko.
"Kate is alive and being tended to. You want to reach out to Roy and Gordon? The extra guns might be worth it." Anton figured he was going to bring up Kate but couldn't find the strength to talk about it. 'Plus I'm sure Niko is breathing down his neck…'
"I will. Be safe and protect our people. We will be there shortly. Good hunting." Georgi took the out and hung up the phone. He had heard harsh Russian in the background and recognized his boss' voice before the line went dead. A chill slid down his spine as he came to a stop at the top of the stairs.
"Niko is going to be one pissed off solider…"
aaaaaa
So…
Time to heat up the action and figure out who is attacking Kenny's compound;
As well as figure out if Kate is pregnant or not. I think that needs to be established before the Valentine's Day party.
Unfortunately, I am moving this month, and with two small kids, that is no easy task. Plus, you know- work, life, bills… I will get the next chapter out soon. And if you know me and my ultimate wishes for this story then never fear!
But… For those who avidly played the game start to finish, 100% complete, and did the online "missions" then you kind of already have a leg up on guessing what happens. I am also toying with a couple of characters and plot points to suck in more of the GTA V world into this story.
Stay tuned, and One Love!