iron. (nikolai)

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

A crawling sense of admiration inched up her spine as her skin felt the soft touches flowing on her cheek as Nikolai tenderly brushed a loose strand of bothersome brunette hair from her face. Just everything about this man intrigued her, made her want to forget her responsibilities to run away to a more tranquil land- but alas that would be unrealistic for the call of war drove a stake through any strong emotion of love. 

"There's nothing bland about you, Ivana."

She believed every word he uttered about her, despite how prominent the counter voices were; Ivana held onto her smile, her eyes filling in the gazes between them. Her heart could not help but to skip a beat or two. Once the distance was separated between the two souls, more words seemed to have dribbled forth, sealing the spaces of any form of awkward silence to seep in through the cracks. 

"I would love to hear your music sometime. I was told once that there are two ways to look into someones soul. One is through the eyes, and the other is through the music they make. In your case, I believe both are beautiful and should be remembered in history, for years to come."

A small laugh escaped from her lips as more heated rouge painted her pale cheeks. Nikolai seemed to never run out of compliments; the spy was just to soft the such advances driven by other men in her travels, for their intentions were for appearance than for the experience. 

"That is very sweet Nikolai, I just hope that my music will be noticed like that."

The heat did not die in her cheek, not did the rising connection her strings were getting attached to each second she was in the sniper's presence. 

"I would like to build a life. I would like to work and live by the sweat of my own brow and to provide a life for the woman I marry and the children I raise. But, if it is how they say, I will be able to offer very little. I have always pictured living out the rest of my days in peace, perhaps..."

She understood every word he spoke, yet there was a slight sense of uncertainty in his tone. War questions intentions and the future, God knows that Ivana was uncertain if she would see another sunrise, but so far her back was clear and her lungs were still inhaling oxygen. It was a lost sense of optimism that bubbled forth, an trait that the spy believed that the war murdered a few years ago. She did wished for the best for Nikolai, it was her pure intentions to see him prosper beyond the electric fence of battery. It did hurt her once he uttered that he had little to offer, yet it held an ironic taste due to the fact that the same sluggish thought crept through her mind from time to time.

"You have plenty to offer, if not to anyone else... you have a lot to offer to me. I see you more than a sniper or a soldier, I see you as a kind man who hold good intentions for his future. I just hope I have more to give than what I take credit for."

Ivana's fingers started to pick at some of the stark lint clinging onto her thing covering. It was true that she doubted that she would break forth from the mold of espionage, and who is she to say whether or not her future would be remotely normal? Her fingers paused their motions as she found her footing in the close proximity of the man she loved; in this moment it did not matter what negative thought had floated through her brain. Ivana's hazels found Nikolai's blues, retracing the natural bond that seemed to have drawn the two closer. The sensation of the contrast of their skin filled Ivana to the brim with silent joy. A shiver crawled up her spine as soft pecks were trailed from her cheek to her small ear.

"You read my mind, Ivana. I love you too."

A pleased sigh escaped from her parted lips as she desperately used one hand to cling onto the modest front of the sheet wrapping her body. She truly did not expect the chain of events that fell into place, the contact of their noses, the feeling of his lips on hers, the passion that radiated from both of their souls; it was all sensations that she did not mind to feel every single day of her life. 

"I don't want this to end..."

Ivana melted into his embrace, feeling a sense of warmth from his clothed body. As his voice faded the reality of the impending parting struck her sense. She knew that her train for Moscow would beckon her tomorrow morning. If she held the power in her hands she would AWOL and disappear to fall into the caresses of her lover- but that would be treason and neglect, two things she could not afford to bare. 

"I-I don't either. My train leaves for Moscow tomorrow morning, I need to go back to my assigned room to pick up a few things... if it is not a bother, would you stay with me longer?"

Her soft voice uttered once more as her hands still clung onto the larger frame of Nikolai. She wanted to spend as much time with this man before she departed.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

The subtle, cute laugh escaped his lover's lips once again. The noise was sweet to his ears and he smiled. He loved making her laugh, it made him feel as though he had incited some furtherance of beauty. So far in his life, he felt that he had only brought pain and fueled hatred. It was a small thing, but made Nikolai feel good.

"That is very sweet Nikolai, I just hope that my music will be noticed like that."

Nikolai kept his wits and saw through her. He noticed that she was not very confident in her former talents. He understood why. The war had changed everyone's character traits and skills. Nikolai's traits had stayed somewhat the same. He had sharpened his skill as a hunter, but rather than hunting wolves or elk, he turned to the flesh of humans to be torn by his bullets.

He kept speaking but got hung up on the last few words. He really did not know what he had to offer. He had no real trade, had no skill meant for civilian life. He had always hunted and helped his father sell the hides as a side business, but his father had stopped since Nikolai had gone to war he guessed. He supposed his father went back to metal working. Perhaps he could pick that up as a trade. His father had shown him a few things when he was younger and supposed he was quite adept at it.

"I would like to build a life. I would like to work and live by the sweat of my own brow and to provide a life for the woman I marry and the children I raise. But, if it is how they say, I will be able to offer very little. I have always pictured living out the rest of my days in peace, perhaps..."


"You have plenty to offer, if not to anyone else... you have a lot to offer to me. I see you more than a sniper or a soldier, I see you as a kind man who hold good intentions for his future. I just hope I have more to give than what I take credit for."

Nikolai smiled and looked down when she spoke about him. It made him see a different side of himself. The human side was able to come out of him when he was around her and he missed that side. That side had long be gone with his brother and cousin and it came out very little since their departure.

Ivana's hand worked on the sheet. Nikolai smiled and spoke slowly, measuring his words.

"Thank you, Ivana. I would love to spend a lifetime with you."

His words held no lie or deception. He truly wanted to be with Ivana, but the constant shadow of the war was over him. Otherwise he would ask for her to marry him right there, but fate had other intentions. He was not meant to meet her in peace and he would strive to meet her once again when times were not as they were now.

The two stayed in their small embrace for a few seconds. Nikolai felt her warmth radiating from her skin. It made him feel like everything was going to be alright. Now he had something to stay live for. He had something to motivate him and survive the rest of the war. Not just for himself, but for her. For Ivana. Nikolai smiled at his new found motivation to do his best. Before, he had been driven by loss and hate, now he was driven by something opposite. He was driven by a person to be with.

"I-I don't either. My train leaves for Moscow tomorrow morning, I need to go back to my assigned room to pick up a few things... if it is not a bother, would you stay with me longer?"

Nikolai still held her as he listened to her voice. He pulled back and looked into her eyes with his hands still around her hips.

"I understand. Well, you lead and I will follow, tsvetok." Nikolai used this word because he thought it fit her perfectly. Her beauty, her grace and elegance. The word meant flower and he had remembered that he had not seen one in years.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

Her fingers on her free hand traced its way from the rough texture of Nikolai's cheek to his clothed chest. She truly felt safe and welcomed I his arms- a feeling that she had never felt since being with her grandparents many years ago. It was nostalgic and refreshing, a spoil that she was delighted to claim. Ivana deeply inhaled his scent, making a silent prayer that pure memories of him would visit her dreams during the many nights they will spend apart. 

"Thank you, Ivana. I would love to spend a lifetime with you."

In those breathed moments, her focus shifted back to face her lover. She wore the smile that he seemed to have admired, hold more silent pictures of every detail of his features. 'Spend a lifetime with you', those words and smile weld up inside of her being. Ivana was utterly speechless in that moment, her invisible hands attempting to cling onto any floating word and piece the shards together in a coherent word. She swallowed a budding lump in her throat, her eyes glossing over with the sea, he did want to be with her... as long as their hearts were still beating. 

"And I with you, Nikolai."

She let in a small sniffle as she placed a tender peck on
his thin lips. It was her guilty pleasure to always find a reason to utter his name, to feel the words on her tongue, to see his face light up every time prose fell from between her lips. Ivana was honest about her words, fully open about any emotion that courses through her veins. She blinked back a few tears, as she buried her face into his chest once more, trying to stifle any free flow of tears. It was a mix between having to part from his touch for as long as the hellhounds drove the land to madness, and for his deep love to spend his life in her presence- Nikolai never failed to make her truly feel beautiful. 

"I understand. Well, you lead and I will follow, tsvetok."

Ivana gained his eye contact once more, wearing a wider smile at his acceptance and the name he called her. Tsvetok. She giggled at the newfound nickname, how tender it was to be his flower. 

"Thank you I just do not want to leave you, you don't know how much that means to me, volk."

If she was his flower, then he was her wolf. She laughed a bit as she placed another deep kiss on his lips before pulling away.

"I guess I should get dressed then, don't peak."

Ivana laughed as she incorporated her own banter in the moment. She still held onto her sheet as her feet trailed around the room, picking up the scattered fabrics of clothing from around the room; letting go of her sheet, exposing her frame. With a small hum, she slipped on her underwear, tights, and placed the holster around her upper thigh. Locating her dress, she slipped the fabric over herself. Running her fingers through her messy hair, Ivana made her way to the small bathroom, smoothing out the wild locks to the best of her ability; touching herself up in the mirror.

"I am almost finished, I hope you did not peak"

Her voice slightly carried from the restroom as she turned off the switch, leaving the bathroom in the glow of darkness. Ivana made her way near the foot of the bed where she found her black pumps a few paces from one another, without another second of hesitation, she slipped the heels. Her hazels caught sight of a bent leatherback on the nightstand. Nikolai Boryenko, was the name etched on the bent cover. Underneath that was a sickle and hammer, the Soviet coat of arms; perhaps she could write something or delve her curiosity in what he wrote.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

The touch of her hand made Nikolai's heart beat a little faster as it ran from his face to his chest. He enjoyed her touch, even craved it. He hoped that he would not have to wait long to feel it once again.

"Thank you, Ivana. I would love to spend a lifetime with you." He didn't miss a step or pause when he said it. He poured himself to her. He let himself be open and free with what he said. He didn't feel like he had to be someone else or sugar coat anything. He could just say what he felt.

The beautiful brown eyes that had squinted when she smiled and laughed now became water logged. Nikolai was somewhat confused. He thought this would make her happy, he didn't think this would sadden her. But he felt as if he understood why it made her eyes well up when he spoke these few words. The possibility of them never seeing each other again was somewhat high, although Nikolai knew the war was ending. He really did not know much about this woman. Even her last name. She had never given that to him.

"And I with you, Nikolai."

She gave him a small kiss as she drew into him. She buried her head into his chest. He let the touch of her soft lips touch his and held her tightly, but gently. He held her as if it was the last time he ever would, putting one hand on her back and the other holding her head. His one hand stroked her back lightly as he stayed in this moment and archived it away for the cold months on the line to come.

"I understand. Well, you lead and I will follow, tsvetok."

He had deemed her his flower. It had been so long see he had seen one that he felt it was only natural that she were his flower. It had been so long since he had been able to look upon such a beautiful person and feel for her and her feel for him. She looked at him and giggled lightly. It seemed that she enjoyed the name that he had given her. She then placed a long kiss on him and he responded. He ran his fingers through her hair as he kissed her.

"Thank you I just do not want to leave you, you don't know how much that means to me, volk."

Nikolai smiled broadly at her.

"You know, that is the name my enemy has kindly given me...it sounds much better when you say it, though." Nikolai spoke in a joking manner as the two stood within inches of each other's faces. He kissed her nose lightly. She then pulled away and then started speaking once again.

"I guess I should get dressed then, don't peak."

Nikolai gave a light laugh and turned from her, placing his hands on a chair and leaning forward on it.

"You have my word." He said in a lighthearted tone.

He heard some rustling behind him. It was odd, he thought, that he would so willingly just turn his back on someone that he had just met. It ran across his mind that she could have pulled her weapon and shot and left before anyone had a second guess. He smiled at the thought. To be killed by such a beautiful woman...doesn't sound too bad.

She moved past his side into the bathroom. Nikolai's eyes trailed her perfect physique as she made her way into the small room. She spoke once again, poking a little more fun at the soldier.

"I am almost finished, I hope you did not peak."

Nikolai leaned up against the chair. "No worries, tsvetok. My eyes were on the fireplace the whole time." He smiled as he saw her touching herself up in the mirror. "I'm going to go see if there is anything Fyodor needs before we leave." He said in a light tone. He then moved to the door and let himself out.

As he made his way down the hall and stairs, some gloom in his path. He did not want to be away from Ivana. He did not want to be away from her, but he knew he had a duty to fulfill. It was his duty to fight the Nazi's and drive them back to their on country. He had to finish his task to keep his country and his new love safe.

Nikolai had spoken to Fyodor. There was nothing more the man needed. He was very kind to Nikolai, wished him good luck and told him to fight well. Nikolai smiled and told him he would always fight as long as there was a need to. The man accepted his answer and gave him a grim smile. Nikolai then started back to the room where his love awaited him.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

His few words placed an untouchable comfort in her soul, it held an optimism that Ivana seemed to have lacked due to her extensive operations on both the Western and Eastern front, dare to say it seemed to have patch together the mangled threads that seemed to have clumped together and rot. It was an uncontrollable wild thought that wrecked through any euphoria of happiness- the daunting thought that they must part ways, hopefully for a temporary cause, but alas the spy knew very little about absolute warfare, for all she could grasp and understand that bloodshed was running through the grooves in the earth on both ends, but it was that regained optimism that silently prayed that this would all end, and all would retreat the their predestined resting places. The warm sea that have bubbled forth was not a drawn emotion, but the response to the bitter pill she was forced to swallow; God how she desired to stretch out the stars and time long enough to remain in Nikolai’s embrace. The heartfelt promise rehearsed in her brain, past the tender moments they spent clinging to one another’s soft lips. ’He does not even know my full name’. She slightly cursed herself on the slippery fact, but that was out of learned protocol, but it was never too late for his ears to grasp its full context; it was left as a reminder in her mind before their final kiss kept their souls away until they could meet once more.

"You know, that is the name my enemy has kindly given me...it sounds much better when you say it, though."

The banter that was in his words had counterbalanced the warming sense of awkward embarrassment that was within her, of course she went by how she felt- how he was strong, courageous, and keen on his surroundings, but another chunk of her decision on the name stemmed from the codename that was given to her in the beginning of the assignment. Ivana parted a laugh as she looked into his eyes; it was good to know that the name falling from in between her lips were more gladly welcomed. As she broke free from is touch to dress herself, more of his jovial prose tickled her.

"You have my word."

Ivana let out another laugh as she continued about her business, holding onto the momentary thought that maybe he was lying and would cop a glance for himself, not that she would mind. It was pleasing that Nikolai held the trusting streaking about him, despite the odds of the spy planting a solid iron bullet through his skull and abandon him, he still surrendered his trust. It was a nice thought to think upon, not the Ivana would masquerade her feelings and deep love for his man- she would never bring her fingers to commit such a terrible act, and even if she did… she would pray to the God above that she would never be forgiven and damned as long as her heart still held its beat. As she passed Nikolai to make her way into the bathroom, she could feel his eyes drinking in the sight of her.

"No worries, tsvetok. My eyes were on the fireplace the whole time."

Nikolai must be a jokester at heart, it was difficult for Ivana to hold a straight face around him, and even when she was able to accomplish that feat it was fleeting. Ivana caught him watching her from his seat in the room; she released another giggle as she made her way back into the room.

”It is hard for me to be serious around you; I really love that.”

A smile married her full lips as she continued to slip on her heels.

"I'm going to go see if there is anything Fyodor needs before we leave."

The smile faded from her features as her eyes trailed to his figure by the door.

”Okay, don’t be too long.”

It was funny how she sounded like a wife in that moment, a trait that she definitely would not protest against, it was now her newfound dream to someday be that to this man, to never have to part for as long as they should live. Once the ‘click’ was heard on the door, her mind traced back to the journal she found nearby; with his absence, perhaps she could leave a surprise note. Without further hesitation, Ivana stood up, smoothing the skirt part of her dress before making her way to his book taking it to the small desk that was nearby. Her hazel eyes searched around for a pen, it took some searching but she finally grasped one. With a sigh, the spy sat herself back in the chair, lightly tapping the pen on the desk, attempting to grasp any words floating about in her head. There was just so much to write, but of course it would be selfish to take up so much room. Without further thought, Ivana surrendered her hand to the ink.

Dear Nikolai,
I am so glad that I met you; you have truly changed my life in so many ways in these hours that we have known one another. It truly pains me that we have to part so soon, but I am praying that we will find each other’s warm embrace when this war is all over. I would be counting the days until that could become a reality, the hours where I could look into your wonderful eyes once more, the endless seconds that I will spend by your side. Those are one of the few dreams I have held close to me, the others were on what you spoke about with your place of home. I want to visit there one day; the Moscow scenery depresses me from time to time. Nature was something that I could connect with, a place of refuge where my thoughts could run free, a place where I would want our children to feel connected to.

Yes, our children- I hope you feel the same way about this thought. It was a desire of mine to have three, but I don’t know where you stand though. I will dream about you every night, holding onto every memory I spent with you; I just have one wish until we meet again, dream of me.

Yours forever,

Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsov

With a warm smile on her lips, Ivana put the cap back on the pen and read over what she wrote; she was halfway when a small ‘click’ was heard. The spy slid the book nearby and propped her elbow on the desk, resting her chin on her hand, appearing to be awaiting his return.

”Back so soon?”

She tried to keep her face clear of any suspicion and her banter limited, but of course she doubted that Nikolai would buy into the ruse.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai was somewhat overwhelmed at the thought. The thought of being with Ivana for a lifetime just tickled Nikolai. The thought of being able to spend every moment with her and his future family made him feel like he had never felt before. He only thought it was a shame that his mother and brother would never get to see his beautiful wife and children and would never be able to teach them such valuable lessons that they had been able to teach him. But Nikolai would do his best to be good to them; to show them how a decent person was like. But Nikolai forgot that there was always a side of him. A side that was not so kind. Not so decent.

”It is hard for me to be serious around you; I really love that.”

Nikolai had actually been very serious as a child. Most of his days were spent hunting, getting in fights because he was made fun of or because his sister was in trouble with some of his peers, or near the end of her life caring for his mother. Ivana just seemed to bring out the younger, more innocent side of Nikolai that had long since been lost. He did not mind, a laugh and a smile suited Ivana very well he thought.

"I just enjoy coaxing a smile and a laugh from such a beautiful girl. It's much better than a serious tone I'd say." Nikolai said, playing a little bit more on his joking side.

He caught her smiling as she finished putting on her shoes. He had just made his way to the door.

"I'm going to go see if there is anything Fyodor needs before we leave."

He caught her eyes as he moved away. She seemed to be sad that he was leaving. Nikolai smiled and winked at her as he shut the door. He strolled down the hallway having mixed feelings. He was in love, which was the best thing he had ever felt, then there was the fact that he was in love in the middle of war. He wished for the whole thing to be over, but that would be a while and for all he knew, he wouldn't live to see the end of it. The only thing that made him keep his hopes up, was Ivana. He had a future there. He had a family there.

Nikolai laid his arm on the table where Fyodor sat. The man looked up and smiled.

"I hope your stay was...good?" Fyodor said in a joking manner. Nikolai raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Our stay was exceptional, thank you very much sir." Nikolai said looking at the man. He picked up a small card that was for the Alexandrov Railroad Station. He flipped the card over. It read from 1915. Nikolai looked at the man and showed him the date. Fyodor just shrugged. Nikolai gave a small smile and a laugh.

b]"Is there anything you need us to do before we leave?"[/b] The man waived his hand and shook his head.

"Nothing at all friend, you may leave when you are ready. Just stay safe and fight well for our Motherland." The man smiled and shook Nikolai's hand.

"As long as there is an enemy, we will fight. 'Not one step backwards.'" Nikolai said shaking the man's hand, ending his conversation with the man. The words he quoted were from Joseph Staling in order number 227. These words were well-known amongst the people of Russia. It had been their battle cry for the last two years. Nikolai had heard many warriors cry it as they charged to the gates of hell to meet the Nazis in a hail of gunfire.

He made his way to the stairs where he found his way down the hallway to room five. His mind took him back to last night. He smiled at the recent memory of Ivana's hand interlocked with his as they walked there with their hearts full for each other.

He reached the door and opened it with door making a 'click.' He turned and shut the door behind him. He then looked at the room where he saw Ivana, looking at him with her elbow resting on the desk where he had left his journal and the leather-bound booklet. He raised an eyebrow and started walking over to her slowly with a smirk on his face. Her eyes gave her away when she spoke.

"Back so soon?"

He played into it, bu couldn't resist calling her out in fun. He would find out sooner or later what had conspired while he was in the field. He hoped it would be something good rather than bad, but anything of hers would be welcomed to him.

"I couldn't stay away for too long, knowing you were up here all alone up here, causing mischief as you agent types are so popular for." He spoke with a light, joking tone, brandishing a playful smirk as he made his way to her, putting his workman's hands lightly on her shoulders where he rubbed them gently and kissed her on the crown. He stood there, letting his hands work gently on her petite frame. He let himself stay in that moment for a minute or two; just losing himself in the feeling of her fair skin. He wanted to experience the most of her as he could, before their duties separated the two lovers.

"Fyodor said everything is fine. We may leave whenever we are ready." Nikolai said this with a heavy tone. His feelings betrayed his vocal chords. He leaned over once again and planted a small kiss on her neck then groped for the two books and placed the journal in his right pocket and the intel in his left. He then picked up the bayonet by its notched hilt and strapped it to the suspenders that rested on his shoulders. There were seven total notches. He kept them as a reminder rather than a trophy. It reminded him of what he had done. He felt somewhat naked without the blade resting on his chest. It was a feeling that he wished he had never gotten used to.

Nikolai then proceeded to lean against the desk, stroking Ivana's arm lightly. "Do you ever regret it? Doing what you do? How you became who you are?" Nikolai asked her in a curious tone. He had lost his judgement of character long ago. He had seen too many horrors and atrocities to even begin to judge the things that anyone had done. Unfortunately, he had committed a few himself. Everyone had their demons. He was just wondering if hers were her own or brought upon her by the Motherland. Nikolai was prepared to answer if she deflected the question to him right after she had answered.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

Ivana could not help but to play upon the smile that was so dearly cherished by Nikolai, her eyes catching his frame as he moved towards the door.

"I just enjoy coaxing a smile and a laugh from such a beautiful girl. It's much better than a serious tone I'd say."

There was no further doubt that he held different intentions, it seemed that just their small meeting alone drove some kind of stake in their hearts- brandishing their beating muscles with the tender thoughts and memories of one another; it was painful that tonight and bright tomorrow would be the last time she heard his voice, to feel his skin on hers- but she would refuse to swallow the realism that it might be her last sight of the sniper in this life.

"I'm going to go see if there is anything Fyodor needs before we leave."

A sad smile caressed her lips at his temporary departure; it was not because of the present- but what tomorrow would bring, when she would have to truly leave his side, watching through the hazy smoke- her sight attempting to grasp the last photograph of his face before she disappeared into the unknown horizon. Those were the thoughts that choked her happiness; that constantly knocked at her door. Ivana did her given best to see past the warpath, to perhaps glimpse at a brighter future ahead, but the wall that was built hindered her view, only the cracks allowed glimpses of what could be to touch her taste buds. It was the writing that kept her purity flowing, the jotting of her manuscript in Nikolai’s personal journal, the secret she wanted him to glance upon during the lonely nights on the battlefield or once she departed for Moscow. It was perfect timing that the spy was somewhat able to gather her bearings, to put on a façade to stifle any warming suspicions, but of course she left enough holes in the mask for her lover to see right through her ruse.

"I couldn't stay away for too long, knowing you were up here all alone up here, causing mischief as you agent types are so popular for."

Ivana watched as Nikolai made his way over to her, holding onto the joke to lighten her heavy heart. For a second she looked away, giving a small, playful shrug of her shoulders as she attempted to continue the banter for as long as her words could still float.

”I sense some kind of untrust. What makes you think that I would cause some mischief?”

Another chuckle escaped from her breath as his tender touches on her shoulders brought a deep sense of relaxation to her nerves. The chaste kiss on her crown caused a small flicker of the dying smile to resurface. She wanted to feel him once more, to draw forth on the raw passion that was brought forth on their last charade… that was her wish before she left.

"Fyodor said everything is fine. We may leave whenever we are ready."

His heaviness matched hers, was it possible that they held the same feelings? Harbored the same forlornness of the imminent departure? Well those were thoughts that the spy did not desire to entertain. A small, pleased sigh breathed through Ivana’s full lips, the soft kiss on her sensitive neck caused a wave of warm pleasure to flow over her, her eyes trailed to one of Nikolai’s hands blindly groping for his journal and intel booklet. The thought of him reading what she had stowed away brought a prick of joy to her being; it also brought forth an unsung eagerness to see his expression, if she ever had the honor to. His touches were void as he grasped his rifle, slipping it into one of his holding suspenders. Her eyes noticed the carvings; some were straighter than others- while others were deeply engraved than some. It was a peculiar notion, but she dared not ask upon it, dared not to surface any unwanted memories.

"Do you ever regret it? Doing what you do? How you became who you are?"

The weight of his question blindsided her, it caused her spine to align straighter. There were moments very few and far between that she held a pang of regret inside her, to hold blood on her hands, both directly and indirectly. It was her grandfather that had referenced her into the intelligence branch of the NKVD, it was him that took away any sense of imagination or wonder, to take away her independence right when the dewy taste fell on her skin. But it was the training that had hardened her heart, made her question herself and who she really was; gave her a name, history, and persona that was not her own. Ivana dryly swallowed before she spoke, keeping her eye contact straight ahead.

”Some days I do, others… I do not know how to feel. I know it was my duty, but I did not choose this
life, my grandfather did. He was a former agent in the intelligence sphere- right when I was able to claim my own independence he took it away, wanting me to follow his footsteps. Sometimes I believe that my well-being only matters to me, no one on this earth truly cares about me. Each time I take a life, it does kill me, and it feels like a part of me is dying slowly. I just don’t know who I am anymore.”

She could feel the lump welling in her throat, the burning tidewaters sting her eyes once more, she held it in her heart to ask the same, but the words could not come out. Ivana despised feeling this way in front of the man she loved, but it was a strong sting of following through with orders that caused unrest during the midnight hours, the constant glancing over her shoulders on whether the Gestapo would catch the wiser and end her.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

”I sense some kind of untrust. What makes you think that I would cause some mischief?”

The soothing banter of the two made Nikolai's heart feel warm. He was always touched when Ivana was willing to humor him in his jokes. She never turned down an opportunity to poke fun with him. It was a small connection, but a connection nonetheless that made this woman different from the others that Nikolai had met in his pat years. It set her apart and made her even more desirable. Her warm laugh touched his ears once again as he made his way to her.

"You have a look of mischief about you, my dear. A very seductive posture and the nonchalant tilt of your head." Nikolai let his voice trail off as he made contact with her.

Her fine shoulders filling his grasp. It made him feel at ease to in physical contact with her again, but nonetheless made him sad that within the next day, it would be a very long time until he saw her gain.

"Fyodor said everything is fine. We may leave whenever we are ready."

Nikolai's voice betrayed him. The thought of being away from his new found love made him sad. But he would wait however long he had to if it meant that she would be there waiting for him when he made his way back home. A small inkling of excitement touched his soul. His father and sister would be so shocked and very proud of him. He knew his father would be most happy and would love to get to know Ivana, for he had lost his other son too soon for him to ever meet a significant other.

Nikolai's movements took him away from Ivana and to the desk, within arm's length of his love. He stroked her arm lightly as she sat there. His curiosity got the best of him as it so often did outside of the battlefield. He knew this question would be hard for anyone to answer, but he ventured forward.

"Do you ever regret it? Doing what you do? How you became who you are?"

Nikolai knew the question was of a strong subject, but it seemed to go a little deeper into history than Nikolai suspected. Her body shifted and she sat a little straighter. Nikolai would not have been offended if she refused to answer. Many soldiers could not even deal with their first kill. He had seen one in particular become a broken man after taking the life of a Hitler's Youth soldier. The guilt of killing that young man was too much for the forty something soldier. He took his own life a few days later.

"Some days I do, others… I do not know how to feel. I know it was my duty, but I did not choose this
life, my grandfather did. He was a former agent in the intelligence sphere- right when I was able to claim my own independence he took it away, wanting me to follow his footsteps. Sometimes I believe that my well-being only matters to me, no one on this earth truly cares about me. Each time I take a life, it does kill me, and it feels like a part of me is dying slowly. I just don’t know who I am anymore.”

Nikolai listened to her as she spoke. His heart filled with every word she spoke. A wide array of emotions took their toll on him. He felt honored that she would tell him so much. Anger that someone could do that to their own flesh, their own blood. Shame that he had made her feel this way. But most of all he felt more for her than he had previously. This young woman had been through more than Nikolai suspected and his heart beat a little faster for her as he crouched in front of her taking hold of her hands and looking into her now water logged eyes with no guile.

"I know who you are. You are the person that has given me a knew meaning in life. You are the one who has brought beauty into a life, riddled with hopelessness and blinded by hatred. Ivana. You are my wonderful and beautiful Ivana. You are the tsvetok of my very being Ivana."

Nikolai's speech became more and more heartfelt with each word he spoke. His passion had boiled to the top and pushed everything else aside. In this moment the world could be set ablaze and Nikolai would not move a muscle. His focus was completely on Ivana and nothing else could tear his focus from her. Unless she forced his focus out. Nikolai only hoped the honesty in his voice could sway her to believe the truths that he spoke to her. He thought it only fair to answer the question himself now.

"Regrets are odd, Ivana. They can drive even the most sane human to do unimaginable things." He started slowly.

"I don't regret signing up for this military and I certainly don't regret letting it lead me to you. We all have blood on our hands. That is the part of war that every patriot must deal with. My demons haunt me by showing me my brother...God only knows what he endured. I only ever regret leaving my father and sister behind and alone."

Nikolai spoke, pouring his heart out to Ivana. It was such an intimate thing to share with another person that he had never actually spoken of it before. Nikolai's hands were holding Ivana's and his fingers had been circling the back of her palm.

"Your independence is your own, my love. After your vow is fulfilled, it is yours to reach out and grasp for yourself." Nikolai knew he spoke true for it was his choice after the war was over as well.

"Will you allow yourself to claim the prize your country offers you once the war is over, Ivana? The future is a blank book that needs to be written by someone...I'd like to spend my lifetime writing a tale of love and passion with you." Nikolai said with a boyish smiled as he moved one of his hands to her face, wiping away a small escaped tear from her flawless cheek.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

As smile wrapped in slyness could not help but to arch her lips. It was these moments where Ivana could truly be herself- or the fragments that were still laying about her feet. It was these memories that she would hold onto until their arms wrap around one another’s skin once more, the tender kisses that would comfort her loneliness and fill her dreams with an unquenchable expectation to see his wonderful face once more.

"You have a look of mischief about you, my dear. A very seductive posture and the nonchalant tilt of your head."

A small laugh bubbled forth as his words wrapped around her ears, for all she knew her body was just angled enough to prevent an uncomfortable pull- not beckoning any unsung seduction, but Ivana clearly did not mind of the jovial compliment. The touches on her body and the kisses that had enveloped her being brought the contrast of joyfulness and sadness, colliding together to create an impending storm. The innocence of the conversation melted into raw emotion and pent up secrets, of course the question that her lover brought forth to the feast held an uncomfortable taste, but it did reap upon a deeper understanding of the past the spy kept so hidden for so long.

"I know who you are. You are the person that has given me a knew meaning in life. You are the one who has brought beauty into a life, riddled with hopelessness and blinded by hatred. Ivana. You are my wonderful and beautiful Ivana. You are the tsvetok of my very being Ivana."

For a second a small smile wavered through the tears that fell; in her heart she would have loved to believe that Nikolai held a knowledge on who she was, her brain was quick to brush aside his comment, to hold onto the bitter seed of a harsh counterargument, but it was the strong beating of her heart that forced any negative thought to be swept away into the wind. Her ears traced every word that fell from her lover’s lips. A calming warmness could not help but to rise in her heart with every beat, in that moment she truly believed the words the Nikolai spoke. The way that he seemed to have claimed her love and being, without truly being harshly possessive truly swelled up her love for the man holding her soft hand. He never hesitated in expressing his emotions for her, how he seemed to have truly felt without any untruthful prose. Despite how she felt, the spy could not trace her wet eyes back to the man besides her, it was in her to catch his loving gaze once more, but her attention remained before her.

”Those words you speak… you don’t know how much they mean to me, you have changed my life in ways I can not explain.”

Her voice spoke in a soft whispering tone, but it held the epitome of raw passion, gratefulness, sadness, and love; personal messages that the spy could only dream about before she met her lover.

"Regrets are odd, Ivana. They can drive even the most sane human to do unimaginable things."

Nikolai’s tone was drawn out, as if he was piecing together his words tenderly.

"I don't regret signing up for this military and I certainly don't regret letting it lead me to you. We all have blood on our hands. That is the part of war that every patriot must deal with. My demons haunt me by showing me my brother...God only knows what he endured. I only ever regret leaving my father and sister behind and alone."

How she wished that she was as sound in her decision, how she held the choice in her hands to sacrifice her life for the Motherland, but upon further listening he held similar demons that trailed her heels- regret. She never held the luxury of siblings to look forward to, or a father to embrace- fate seemed to have held the honor to whisk their souls away to a distant unknown.

”At least you have a father and a sister to come home to… I have nothing and no one to embrace, I never had siblings, and my father died when I was five. My mother died giving birth to me.”

It was a personal account that should have remained locked away in a wardrobe, but for some reason the words just filed out before her thoughts could snag them by the collar. Ivana let in another sniffled breath as she melted into the touch of the caressing motions on her hand.

"Your independence is your own, my love. After your vow is fulfilled, it is yours to reach out and grasp for yourself."

Those words were memorable, much like the sniper. She knew that his silent promise would echo through the corners of her thoughts during the bleak hazes of the future.

"Will you allow yourself to claim the prize your country offers you once the war is over, Ivana? The future is a blank book that needs to be written by someone...I'd like to spend my lifetime writing a tale of love and passion with you."

He finally seized her full attention; her hazel’s found his eyes once more and her full lips graced another smile as his calloused finger brushed a single tear that escaped from her lids.

”I would love to share whatever life I have left with you after all of this is over. I just pray that I still have room to write in yours also; God you just don’t know how much I love you Nikolai.”

For a moment, Ivana closed her eyes, fully holding onto the experience of his presence, with a small smile, she planted a couple of soft kissed on the outer palm of his hand, resting it on her warm, stained cheek. It was purely amazing how he seemed to have reaped emotions that were discouraged by her training, thoughts that a spy should be weary of, and a heart that should have been as cold as the Siberian winter whipping outside of the heat.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

”Those words you speak… you don’t know how much they mean to me, you have changed my life in ways I can not explain.”

Nikolai would have been flattered had he not truly been in the moment. Right now, he felt closer to his love than he had felt previously.

"You have changed mine as well. The way I feel around you...words can't express it." Nikolai said through a smile.

Nikolai was never really one with words, but the way he was able to speak around Ivana felt like poetry. It was easy for Nikolai to speak to her about his feelings. The natural feeling he got whenever he spoke to her about his feelings. The way he was able to spill his soul to her, it felt like he had known her for years. Like they had been in love for a lifetime without anything to dull their feelings.

"Regrets are odd, Ivana. They can drive even the most sane human to do unimaginable things."

His thoughts were carefully being fitted together in his mind as he was speaking.

"I don't regret signing up for this military and I certainly don't regret letting it lead me to you. We all have blood on our hands. That is the part of war that every patriot must deal with. My demons haunt me by showing me my brother...God only knows what he endured. I only ever regret leaving my father and sister behind and alone."

His mind had been settled for a little while. He expected that he would live his life in solitude. In his hometown perhaps, being visited in his dreams on a nightly basis by the terrors that gave him little rest. He would live his life probably caring for his father until he passed then picking up his trade and keeping himself alive by providing for himself.

The tune had now changed. He now had someone who cared about him. One he could share a future with. He honestly didn't care what she had done in her past. He would accept her for who she was in the now. Nikolai could only hope that she would accept him.

"At least you have a father and a sister to come home to… I have nothing and no one to embrace, I never had siblings, and my father died when I was five. My mother died giving birth to me.”

Nikolai felt sorry. Not for what she had been through, but that he had brought it all back up. Nikolai squeezed her hand lightly as she spoke. He let himself become engrossed with her story. He let himself respond.

"My mother also met the Lord early. She died when I was thirteen and my brother...killed by a sniper soon after I finished training. I left my family when they needed me the most, this is where my regret lies."

Nikolai felt that he should help her, perhaps give her a small challenge. A challenge to keep her interest.

"Your independence is your own, my love. After your vow is fulfilled, it is yours to reach out and grasp for yourself."

His words came out of his mouth like he had rehearsed them. The way he spoke when he was with her was different than giving orders to his soldiers or giving a small prayer before he took the life of an enemy. It was intimate; much deeper than anything he had ever had.

"Will you allow yourself to claim the prize your country offers you once the war is over, Ivana? The future is a blank book that needs to be written by someone...I'd like to spend my lifetime writing a tale of love and passion with you."

He let his hand follow the top of her cheek to rid her complexion of a tear that fell from her eye.

”I would love to share whatever life I have left with you after all of this is over. I just pray that I still have room to write in yours also; God you just don’t know how much I love you Nikolai.”

Ivana's lips turned up into a smile. She planted a few kisses on Nikolai's rough hand. He let welcomed the soft touch of her lips. He let his other hand wonder to rest on her thigh.

"I love you too, my beautiful girl. You know...there will always be pages in my book, because it'll be your book as well."

He then leaned in to give her a kiss then stopped an inch away from her.

"I think I do Ivana. Because I feel the same about you; I always will."

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

"You have changed mine as well. The way I feel around you...words can't express it."

The smile he wore drew the spy in even more; she felt the truth and love behind it- even though they were both void of words. Despite how happy she felt around the Russian, there was still an unseeded sorrow buried deep within her; something planted by the small drop of years enshrouded by war and loss. Just the thought of family caused her thoughts to go sour, ever since she was a little girl she felt as if she was an outcast due to the lack of a mother and father- her eyes would catch glimpses of other children with their parents, sharing smiles and memories that she could never keep.

"My mother also met the Lord early. She died when I was thirteen and my brother...killed by a sniper soon after I finished training. I left my family when they needed me the most, this is where my regret lies."

In those words there was a conjoining of experiences and buried feelings, Ivana truly felt as if he held most of the burdens that what haunted her. It is one thing to be born with nothing, but to have those close to you slip from your hands it is another experience.

”I am so sorry… but you protected them in a way you knew best, and that was joining the military. Don’t regret that Nikolai, your mother and brother would be proud of you.”

The flicker of a smile played upon her lips as she continued to caress his rough hand. Just the contrast of the texture alone brought a sense of undying security- a feeling that could never be matched by any other living soul. Ivana felt a chill crawl up her spine as she felt Nikolai’s hand find her thigh; it was a touch that she would love to feel throughout her life, even if it was her last living breath.

"I love you too, my beautiful girl. You know...there will always be pages in my book, because it'll be your book as well."

A larger smile shone upon her features as the spy felt her heart pound like never before; his tone was laced in thoughtfulness and generosity, nothing mechanic or rehearsed. If it was humanly possible, her heart swelled even more for this man. She would have to make it her personal mission to visit the still quiet of God once more, to continuously pray for her lover’s well-being, to fall into his embrace during the stills of peace, to meet his eyes forever without worrying about departure.

”Nikolai, I-“

Those were the only words she could find, her brain seemed to have sagged upon hearing those tender words, there was nothing she could say to match what was laid before her. The only motion that she could follow were the interlocking of her gaze to his seas, to drown in the brilliant color.

"I think I do Ivana. Because I feel the same about you; I always will."

Her smile remained firm as her slightly swollen eyes spoke of a raging sea of brewing love and passion, Ivana slightly closed her eyes, breathing in the unforgettable scent of Nikolai’s sweet musk. Her smile faded into a smirk as she felt the warmth of his close proximity upon her. Without formal instinct, her hand trailed up to the buttons of his shirt, plucking a few from its position, her fingers indulged in his pale neck and upper chest before she paused her movements, leaning back.

”Wait… not here, I have some place we can go, a place where we can continue this without interruptions.”

Ivana breathed in his ear alluringly, promising a continuation of her intentions and unconditional love for the sniper. The spy moved from his grasp, standing up from the chair, facing the seated man squarely; without any further words, she placed a deep kiss on his lips, tasting all of his contents before breaking it to catch her breath. With a final flash of a seductive smile, she made her way over to the nightstand where her TT-30 laid. For a second she examined it, making sure the safety was on before raising her dress to place the weapon in its holster. She then made her way to the coat rack, slipping her black woolen coat on her body, pulling out her trapped brunette hair from the inner collar.

”I am ready when you are love.”

Ivana turned to meet Nikolai’s eyes, still holding onto unreleased eagerness and want.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai never went out searching for sympathy. Everyone had their own cross to bear. Each soldier he had met had lost a friend, a mother, a brother; someone they were close to. He had spoken to very few about his issues and regrets. He was supposed to be a beacon of courage and confidence in a time of war and despair. He always made his stronger side shine through on the battlefield. If he could stay strong and keep fighting, his men would do the same. For God and country as the saying goes.

"I am so sorry… but you protected them in a way you knew best, and that was joining the military. Don’t regret that Nikolai, your mother and brother would be proud of you.”

Nikolai's ears picked up the genuine care in her voice. The kind of care that his mother used to show him when he came back from school with a fresh cut lip or bloody elbow. Nikolai smiled and thought what a wonderful mother Ivana would make.

"My dear Ivana. I know, I know they would. You always know exactly what to say, don't you?" Nikolai said with a pure smile. His eyes greeted hers as she continued to kiss his rugged hand as he laid his free hand on her thigh. She didn't flinch when his hand found the spot, she welcomed it instead.

"I love you too, my beautiful girl. You know...there will always be pages in my book, because it'll be your book as well."

He let his eyes drink in the Russian woman's beauty. He studied all of her. Her features accentuated the inner beauty of her mind and soul. She was truly a one of a kind person that Nikolai would love his remaining family members to meet. He believed that, perhaps, he could build them both a house on a small hill overlooking a stream that Nikolai had always envisioned himself living. It was about a mile's walk away from his home. He and his brother used to spend hours upon days on fishing trips with their father. Old memories would mix with new so he hoped.

”Nikolai, I-“

She was cut off by her own doing. He thought he could see why. Words escaped her, so Nikolai did his best to place them as well as add himself into the mix. Her deep hazel eyes looked deeply into his steel blues. He loved looking into her eyes. Behind the damages and problems she had endured, Nikolai could see her for who she really was. She was an innocent, young woman who longed for someone to help her see who she was. Nikolai was hoping that he could be the one to help her.

"I think I do Ivana. Because I feel the same about you; I always will."

The corners of her lips trailed upwards as Nikolai spoke. After he finished, he painted his own face with a genuine smile and let her make the next move. She closed in on him and felt his chest blindly. She undid the top few buttons then abruptly stopped. Nikolai was slightly confused, he felt as if she was leading him on. But before he could inquire, Ivana put her fair face next to his and spoke softly and seductively.

"”Wait… not here, I have some place we can go, a place where we can continue this without interruptions.”

Nikolai let out a small laugh and kissed her quickly on the cheek as she pulled back away. She then retaliated by standing from the chair and one upping him by giving him a deep, long kiss. He embraced it after he recovered from being attacked so quickly. When she pulled back he laughed lightly.

"You're very fast and unpredictable, my lady. You would have made a fine sniper." He said jokingly with a playful wink trailing his comment.

The young spy then stood and armed herself with her small, but deadly weapon. She then walked over to the coat rack where she donned her raven black coat. Nikolai picked up his brown jacket from the chair and slid his arms into the sleeves and straightened the collar and did up the buttons that his lover had toyed with; he wasn't the kind to leave his dog tags hanging out of his shirt.

His steely eyes caught the young woman as she flipped her hair out of her collar and looked at him over her shoulder. Nikolai thought she looked very sensual from this view.

”I am ready when you are love.” Nikolai smirked at his title. He liked it; he only wanted to hear her call him that.

Nikolai touched his pockets, feeling the books and his wallet. He had everything he had come in with.

"Let's be off then. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting." His eyes held a playful gaze and his lips a boyish smirk. He enjoyed the way the two were able to banter and understand each other easily. It made him feel young again.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

The words that spilled from between her lips held the intention to help mend any open flesh wounds that Nikolai had endured, to aid in mending whatever gnawing regret he carried upon his soldiers, to let his weary soul understand that there is someone out there who loves him- who loves all of him; someone that would change the stars and the waters to spend more heavenly mornings in his strong arms, to feel his tender kisses and caresses steal her very soul, to spend her last, aged breath by his side after many years of pure matrimony. It was peculiar that her heart, mind, and soul were in unison with the life-changing decision, willing to surrender any self pride to place her whole trust in a single man, but to Ivana... that thought was far from foreign, it felt natural.

"My dear Ivana. I know, I know they would. You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"

Ivana matched his smile, caught by surprise by his honest words and con joining emotion in his beautiful blue eyes. For a moment, she but her bottom lip, pondering on his words but it should not have been a surprise due to her line of work, but how Nikolai complimented her always held its element of surprise. Her actions spoke of her pure desires, no bounded by the strings of selfishness or lust but love and passion. Once he found his hand on her thigh Ivana found no protest in her throat, just a welcoming gaze in her eye the triggered her fluid movements of blindly unbuttoning his top buttons on his shirt, her slender fingers tracing upon inches of his pale skin and the warm beads of his rosary and dogtags. But her mind flashed an idea, a thought to take his frame back to her mainstay to spend her last night enveloped in the lost moments. Her emotions were now the paradox of a controlled runaway train, the flame within her would not hesitate to release its sharp crackles and bellow to the heavens, it was no mistake that he got carried away in the moment, but Nikolai seemed to have welcomed it with the same intentions. 

"You're very fast and unpredictable, my lady. You would have made a fine sniper."

Ivana smiled and laughed her sweet honey laugh, it tickled her that he pinpointed her sudden burst of affection, more or less believing that she could be a good sniper. It was ironic that she held her few moments where long-range weaponry were acted upon.

"Well I probably would need some more help in that department."

The spy teased as her voice held the same make-up as Nikolai's joke. Once she gathered her belongings and dressed herself over with her black wool coat, her bright hazel's caught the look of her lover's blues. Her tongue danced upon the words that feel from her lips, silently beckoning him to her. 

"Let's be off then. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting."

She caught hold of the playful gaze in his beautiful eyes and the mischievous, boyish smirk that fit him so well; her heart felt young and girlish once more, it was a funny feeling but it was welcomed fully. With the smile still on her lips, she made her way to Nikolai, interlocking her fingers in his- relishing on the tender moment they held the night before. Without another moment's haste, her feet made her way to the door, opening herself and her lover to the dim hallway. Ivana made her way down the squeaky stairs to the lobby area. With a smile and a silent 'thank you' at the owner she made her way to the door, but she was stopped by the beckoning of an elderly woman sitting alone by the grand fireplace. 

"Wait right here love."

She softly uttered as her footsteps slowly traced her way to the beaming old lady. The woman looked to cling onto the age of 80, yet held a youthful glow about her, the woman was sitting snugly in the worn armchair, watching the approaching spy with a heartfelt emotion in her glossy eyes. Once Ivana got close enough, the old woman spoke.

"You two remind me of a love I had back in my youth. I can not help but to notice you two making you way out- I have something I want you to keep."

The elderly woman reached behind her neck with trembling limbs, with a skilled movement she unclasped a golden heart-shaped locket from around her neck, her aged eyes found Ivana's youthful ones holding out the locket to place it around her neck. At first the spy was willing to protest against it, but the old woman insisted.

"I have no use for this my dear, my love died long ago- he gave this to me, told me that it was for good luck and a beacon to find the other's heart once more."

Ivana smiled at her words as she bent down so the woman could place it around her slender neck. Once the locket was hooked, the spy stood up fully and smiled down at the woman.

"Thank you."

Ivana breathed as her slender fingers trace upon the golden relic adorning her neck. The elderly woman gave a nod and a warm smile as she saw the young woman go back to find herself by her lover once more. 

"I apologize for the wait, just to this locket from that kind old la-"

Ivana spoke to Nikolai with a small smile on her face, once her eyes looked behind her to point out the old lady she was not there. Slight confusion brushed over the spy's features as she looked around for any sign of the kind soul, but it seemed as if she vanished without a trace. For a moment she thought her eyes were playing tricks with her brain, but the weight of the locket proven otherwise. 

"Sorry, we should be off."

Ivana reconnected her fingers with her lover's as she pushed the front door, stepping out into the bright chilly afternoon.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

The odd change between jokes and deep conversations always kept Nikolai guessing. It was odd, but didn't feel wrong. It helped deal with the pain of everything that was supposed to be so real and so depressing. Ivana was able to bring Nikolai to his past in a way that made him feel extraordinary.

"Well I probably would need some more help in that department."

The spy's voice mimicked the same tone as Nikolai's. No doubt something she had picked up in her training days. Nikolai's eyes locked onto hers, then followed down to her lips. She dared, no, she beckoned Nikolai to follow her. It was like a challenge to Nikolai. How he loved challenges.

"Let's be off then. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting."

Ivana strolled over to Nikolai and interlocked her fingers with his. It was a recent memory of the night before that gave Nikolai pleasure to remember. He would remember these few nights until he drew his last breath. And so the two were then off, through the door and down the hallway. Nikolai saw Fyodor and nodded a thanks to him and he back. The two then stopped. Ivana had stopped them. Nikolai looked at her confused.

"Wait right here love."

Nikolai responded confusedly. "Sure thing."

He then turned to Fyodor and started speaking to the man once again. Fyodor was a very easy man to talk to. The two men spoke of the war, of Stalin, what life was like before the war, and a small bit about Fyodor and his wife. The big man smiled tenderly as he spoke about his wife. She was in the next town visiting her dying mother while Fyodor stayed home and ran the business. The man spoke softly when he talked about her. His marriage seemed happy and he missed her very much and hoped for her safety. Nikolai could respect a man who loved his significant other so much. Fyodor nodded towards Ivana when she made her way to Nikolai and Nikolai smiled and nodded a good day to the owner.

"I apologize for the wait, just to this locket from that kind old la-"

Nikolai looked over Ivana's shoulder when she turned to point. He was confused at what she was talking about. He didn't see anyone, anywhere. The room was empty when he had come down the stars and empty when he turned to talk to his beloved. Nikolai raised an eyebrow as she spoke again.

"Sorry, we should be off."

He decided not to ask about it quite yet. He felt the warmth of Ivana's hand grasp his and he smiled when he felt the soft touch.

"We should."

He smiled and opened the door where he was met by a chill, but windless day. The sun was out and a bird sang a song somewhere in the distance. Nikolai's eyes adjusted to the brightness of the sun and looked at his surroundings. Snow was on the ground and the area was barren. No one was out and about like he imagined they would have been had the Germans never attacked.

The two moved forward and Nikolai let the petite young woman lead him by the hand to wherever their destination lie.

"So, Ivana, where are we headed?" He said in a light, cheery tone. He felt as if he were on a totally new adventure with the one he had been waiting on to start the quest.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

"We should."

His voice spelled of a similar confusion that floated about in Ivana's head. The thought of her trapped in the limbo of dreaming and alertness crossed her mind, but it would not have been possible due to the fact that faces and surroundings would have been distorted beyond recognition. With a small sigh, the two hearts braced themselves for the brisk Russian afternoon. The town held it's silence, void of any passerby's that would have enjoyed their afternoon, if only most of the youth were not off to war. 

"So, Ivana, where are we headed?"

His cheerful yet inquisitive tone reaped another lasting smile of Ivana's lips. 

"You'll see."

Her voice chirped as her heart felt an excited buzz that words could not comprehend. Ivana continued to lead the path, leading Nikolai to a well-kept apartment building; if the frozen white did not blanket the earth a small botanical garden would have shown its blossoming buds. Still embracing her lover's rough hand, Ivana made her way through the front doors into the quiet, groomed lobby. Her feet did not pause to take notice of any of the finer details, they were lead by passion and eagerness for the hours she would have embraced in Nikolai's arms. The spy's feet trailed up the stairs to the second floor, she slowed her movements for a moment as she carefully read the metal door numbers for the correct room. 105, her lines connected to the memory of her assigned room. Ivana let go of Nikolai's hand, brushing her fingers over the doorpost feeling around for a key. After a few moments her fingers wrapped around an antique iron key, unlocking the door. Ivana made her step into the small apartment first. There was not too much to take notice of, there was a small living room with a couch, couple of upholstered chairs, and a coffee table; a small kitchen with appliances, and a small bedroom with a con joining bathroom. 

"Here we are, I know it is not much, but it is larger than the motel room."

She spoke with a warm smile and a brightness in her eyes.