It was one of those moments, you hear about them like an urban legend, but you never really believe they happen.
Josh was late for an appointment, he and Brian justled out of the studios of MIX 104.7, fans still trailing after them. He paused to sign one last autograph, and it happened.
She was an exotic beauty, long, straight hair, dark eyes, wearing a trench coat, and looking frightened as she looked back over her shoulder while pushing her hair out of her face. It was in that instant, when they made physical contact, and their eyes met, time froze. For that one breathless moment they knew each other in heart and soul. Without a word, from heart beat to heart beat, Josh looked into her face, and knew her pain.
Time resumed, Brian hustling Josh into the limo that waited for them, and a man caught up to the girl. Gazing out the window as the limo pulled away from the curb, Josh put one hand to the glass, something inside him knowing he had just left behind the love of his life.
"You're beautiful." He whispered to himself as she disappeared from view, arguing with the man who had stopped her.
"What did you say, Josh?" Brian asked him.
"Nothing," Josh answered, turning to sit back in the limo.
Brian looked at him more closely, there was definitely something going on with Josh. "Are you sure you're all right? You look kind of dazed/"
"Yeah, Brian, I'm fine." He answered, the vision of that girls face was all he could think of.

 

It had been 2 weeks since Josh had encountered the dark haired beauty, she had haunted his every waking moment ever since. Who was she? Why was she afraid? What was she fighting with that man about? None of the questions could be answered, and Josh had felt strangely guilty that he had not stopped and helped her. He was given his second chance at a small club in downtown LA. Spotting the trench coat and the long hair, one tiny glimpse of her perfect face, he followed, drawn to his destiny like a helpless puppet. He had to meet this woman!
Pushing his way through the dancing mob, he gained her side placing one hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
"NO!" She screamed, turning to run. Josh stepped back, hands held up opened palms to show he meant her no harm. She cowered in the hallway that led to the exit, seeing his face, knowing he was not one of the men who were after her.
"I...I'm sorry." He said, "I didn't mean to scare you." He thought hard trying to find a resonable explanation for this mild obsession he had with her, and couldn't find one that didn't make him sound disturbed.
"Do you remember me?" He asked, "You bumped into me outside the radio station about 2 weeks ago?"
"I remember." She answered. Her eyes darting back and forth, scanning the crowds like a trapped animal looking for the quickest exit.
"I know how this sounds...but you know I haven't been able to stop thinking about you ever since that happened." He babbled on, " you looked like you needed help, do you? Are you alright? Cause if you're not, maybe I could help. At least I wish I could help."
She leaned close to him, whispering in his ear, "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it." She spoke with an accent, he couldn't quite place what kind.
"Who are you?" He asked, completely taken.
"The worst thing that could ever happen to you." She said, her tone flat, emotionless, as one who has given up hope. "if you're smart, you'll turn around and walk away."
Her eyes widened in sudden fear, as she looked over Josh's left shoulder, flattening herself against the wall, she grabbed the front of his shirt pulling him into a kiss.
It was a diversionary tactic, his head knew this, he'd seen it in the movies, but his body felt different. At first her body unyielding, stiff with fear, softened slowly in his arms, giving herself over to the fire of the kiss for a moment. Pulling back from her, he saw a look in her eyes, a moment of trust, the possibility of redemption, maybe even the possibility of hope. One glance over his shoulder brought the fear back.
"Do you have a car?" She asked.
"Yes." He answered.
"Where is it?"
"Out back."
"Will you take me somewhere?"
"Yeah, I will, where do you want to go?"
"I'll tell you on the way. Let's go!"
She pulled him down the hallway, through the exit, and they ran for his car.

 

As they drove away from the club, the mystery woman watched closely behind them, to be sure they weren't followed. When she was sure, she turned around in the seat,watching Josh closely, her eyes hard and cold.
"Can you at least tell me your name?" HE asked.
She measured him with her gaze, trying to determine if he was trustworthy, deciding to take a chance, she spoke.
"Irina."
"Do you have a last name?" He prompted, hoping to get a little more information. Her hair framed her face like a halo, and her face was beautiful.
With a road weary sigh, she answered him. "Petrovich."
"Irina Petrovich," he repeated, liking the sound.
"And you are?" She asked.
"Josh...Josh Groban." He said offering his right hand, she shook it, then pulled away.
"Groban?" She said, inching toward the door, watching the road. "That's a Russian name."
"Yes, my dad is Russian descent..." he said as he pulled up to a stop sign in a deserted business area, the moment that car had rolled to a complete stop, Irina was out the door, running as fast as she could.

 

"What the...?" Josh exclaimed, whipping the car around the corner, parking it, he exploded out the door, pointing the locking remote over his head as he ran after her. After all he hadn't had the car for very long. She was a block ahead of him, when he saw her run into an alley.
"Irina, wait!" He yelled, as he ran after her. "What's wrong?"
As Irina ran into the alley, she realized her mistake, it was a dead end. Frantically, she tried the only door to one of the buildings in the alley. Of course, it was locked, in desperation she searched the alley for something anything she could use to defend herself. Finding a small steel bar, she brandished it as Josh came running down the alley after her. Stopping, looking at her in total confusion, Josh held up his hands again.
"What is it?" He yelled at her as she swung the bar at him.
"Stay away from me, you're one of them!" She cried out.
"Are you crazy?!" HE yelled as she continued to swing, desperately trying to work her way past him.
"Look I know you're in some kind of trouble..."
"TROUBLE!?" She screamed at him, "What would you know of trouble? You're not taking me back to New York!"
"New York?!" He yelled, "What are you talking about?"
"I should never have trusted you, you're one of them, I'll kill you before I let you take me back!" She screamed , swinging the bar at him once more, she dropped it and tried to run past him. Josh grabbed her around the waist, taking them both down to the ground. He had his hands full trying to hang on to her. Kicking, and struggling, finally she stopped, and lay still in his arms.
"Get it over with," she said quietly, tears filling her eyes. "You've won, you don't have to be cruel."
Holding her hands at her sides, he looked into her face.
"What are you talking about? I just want to help you. Maybe we could call the police?" He said.
She laughed ironically, "The police can't help me."
He stood up, offering his hand to help her up, her hand shaking, she took it.
"Im not going to hurt you, I know you're really scared, I just want to help." He said quietly, trying to reassure her.
She stood dejected, a figure in defeat. Looking up into his face, the soft soulful brown eyes, she wanted to believe he could help her, but it had been so long...
Josh looked at her, she was swaying and her color wasn't too good, he stepped forward as her eyes rolled slowly back in her head.
"I'm so tired..." She whispered as she collapsed into his arms. In the movies, men gallantly carry unconscious women over great distances with no effort, Josh found himself trying to carry Irina's dead weight across 2 blocks, and either he needed more time in the gym, or the movies lied! Finally gaining the car, he opened the door, and settled her in the passenger seat. Looking around to be sure they weren't followed, now he was doing it. He got in the car and drove home, his mind filled with troubled questions. He pulled into the garage, waiting to get out of the car until the door was down, and he knew no one could see Irina. Swinging her legs out, he got her over his shoulder and carried her through the house to his bedroom. He struggled her out of the trench coat and her shoes, then covered her up, an settled in the chair at the side of the bed to watch over her.

 

There was something severely wrong with Josh's neck, stretching the kinks out of it, he opened his eyes. He'd fallen asleep in the chair, it was morning. He looked at the bed in shocked surprise, it was empty, and made. Where was Irina? He heard a noise in the kitchen, concerned, he went to the closet pulling out the baseball bat he had in there, and went to investigate. Where was Irina? Walking slowly into the living room, he looked around, the noises were coming from the kitchen. He walked in looking around, no one was here. He stepped to the back door, pulling it open slowly, he looked outside, no one there either. When Irina tapped him on the shoulder, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Heart pounding, he leaned on the door frame clutching his chest.
"Good, God, you scared me." He exclaimed.
A stony expression on her face, she glanced at the bat, and asked,"Is this really the time to play games?"
"I heard noises," Josh said by way of explanation.
"You walk around with bats when you hear noises?"
"Only since I met you." He answered.
She gestured to the kitchen table, "I made breakfast."
She stepped close to him, something inside her wanting to touch him, wanting him to hold her, as he had held her last night. To be close to someone again, and feel safe. She pushed her hair behind her ear, and looked up into his face.
"We should eat before it gets cold." She said quietly.
Josh couldn't take his eyes off her face, features like a dark fairy waif, she was so beautiful. She stirred feelings inside him, primal things, the need to protect what was his. He knew he'd only just met her, he just couldn't shake it. He wanted to know her, to hold her, and claim her as his own. The room temperature went up 10 degrees in the air space between the 2 of them, like 2 halves of a magnet the pull was too strong to be ignored. The space between them grew smaller and smaller, til her hand rested on his chest. Her touch was like electric fingers on his skin, even through the cloth of his shirt he could feel her. Leaning forward, their eyes closing slowly, their lips connected. Trancendence came to mind, the state of reaching another plane of consciousness. Connecting and connected, they shared a moment of time again. Nothing existed outside of this moment, time frozen, where nothing and no one could reach them. The moment ended, Josh thought he should feel embarassed, but he didn't. He'd been wanting to kiss her since the very first time he'd seen her.
Her fingers to her lips in dazed wonderment, Irina stepped back, " We should eat, before it gets cold."
"Okay," Josh said, and they sat down. She poured him a cup of coffee, they settled down to eat, Josh was a little amazed at how quickly Irina scarfed down her breakfast.
"How long has it been since you've eaten?" He asked.
She looked at him self-consciously,"2 days ago."
"Can you tell me what you're running from?" He asked.
She considered this for a long time, then she spoke.

 

Irina stared at the plate in front of her as she spoke, it seemed so long ago, hard to believe it was only a little over a year.
"I was a student, studying medicine, I'm actually only 6 months from finishing my residency."
Looking at her, Josh found this hard to believe. She looked at his face, seeing the doubt.
"I graduated from school at 14, the Government in Russia takes pride in pushing people like me to achieve, sometimes to our detriment."
"People like you?" He asked.
"I have an eidetic memory."
Shaking his head, he said, "What's that?"
"I remember everything I've seen, done, experienced, heard, read, everything. From the moment I became aware. I could speak at 6 months, read at 2. The government was only too glad to exploit my accident of birth as evidence of the great educational opportunities available in my country."
"So, why did you come to the US?"
"To study neurology. Your programs are better. The mind is the last great frontier."
"Okay, so you're a doctor, studying the brain, right? Why are these men after you?"
She stood taking her plate over to the sink, with her back to Josh, she waited for a long time.
"Are you afraid to tell me?" He asked, stepping up behind her, he placed a hand over hers, "I'm not one of them, let me help."
She looked up at him, "I'm afraid if you know, they'll come after you, too. You're nice Josh Groban, I don't want them to hurt you."
"I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself." He told her.
She smiled, for the first time since he'd seen her, she smiled. It was beautiful.
"Yes, you are a big boy." She said, "Can we sit?"
They went into the living room, sitting on the sofa, she curled her feet up under her, making herself small.
"I had gone to renew my visa, at the consulate, I was reading, and I took a wrong turn. When I looked up, I started to backtrack, but I got lost. When I opened the door to an office to ask directions, I saw a man being hustled out an exit, a man who is supposed to be dead. An important man. I closed the door, jammed the lock with a hairpin, and ran. I've been running ever since."
"How long have you been running?"
"What time is it?"
Looking at his watch, Josh answered, "About 10:20."
"13 months, 1 week, 2 days, 14 hours, and 23 minutes." She answered.
He laughed, "How many seconds?"
"33, give or take a few." She smiled again.
"There has to be a waY to keep you safe."
"I would have to disappear. I don't know how to do that. Security is too tight to leave this country without someone knowing. All the checkpoints, you have to be indentified. I'm a doctor, not a magician."
At that moment there was a knock on the door, moving closer to Irina, Josh put his arm around her protectively, and Irina grabbed the front of his shirt in fear.

 

Knocking again, more insistent this time, Irina jumped to her feet, the fight or flight impulse urged on by an arenaline rush big enough to trigger an earthquake. Josh grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. Putting a finger to his lips, he motioned for her to be quiet, and went to the door. Peering out the peephole, he saw that it was only Brian Avnet, his manager. He mouthed, "It's okay. Go in the kitchen." He gave her a moment, when she was out of sight, he opened the door a bit to greet Brian.
"Hi, Brian." He said, not opening the door enough for him to enter.
"Hi, Josh." Brian was a little taken aback that he wasn't invited in, but then Josh had been acting a little distracted for the past 2 weeks, ever since that day in front of MIX 104.7.
"Is everything all right?" He asked.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I have company." Josh said, a little sheepishly.
Raising his eyebrows, a little relieved that that's all it was, Brian said,"Oh, I'm sorry, we can do this tomorrow." He said, gesturing to the folder he had in his hand.
"Is that the tour schedule?"
"Yes, but we can handle it tomorrow, why don't you come to the office in the morning?"
"Great." Josh said, starting to close the door.
"Have fun," Brian teased, as he walked back to his car, chuckling to himself.
Josh closed the door, as Irina walked back into the living room.
"You are a performer?" She asked.
"I sing a little," Josh said.
"Are you any good?"
"There are some who think so." He answered, smiling.
She wandered about the living room, seeing a gold record, and some platinum records framed on the wall. She glanced at him, gesturing to the records, then him.
"Yes, those are mine, from the album I released." She sat on the sofa again, curling her feet up under her as she had before.
"You are famous?" She asked, regarding him quietly, no expression on her face.
"I...don't know if I'd say famous. But I'm getting there. How did you get here from New York?" He asked, sitting beside her on the sofa.
"I've been hitch-hiking, stowing away, anything to get away from them, but somehow they keep finding me. I don't know how. Sometimes, I think of just letting them catch me, get the inevitable over with. But I want to go home. I was going to be the only doctor in my city. They need me. Now I can never go back, I would be killed, or sent to a Siberian prison camp the moment I set foot on my home soil.."
"Do you know who the man was? The man you saw?"
"Yuri Stevanovich. I could never mistake that face."
"I've heard of him, he was on the news."
She nodded solemnly,"He is the leader of a movement to bring true democracy to Russia. He was supposedly killed in a car accident a month ago.."
Josh leaned back on the cushions the implications of what Irina was telling him just beginning to sink in. He was now directly involved in something so big, it could get him and Irina killed.

 

"I have a friend who knows the Governor, let me give him a call, maybe they can help." Josh said to Irina.
"Can you trust him?" Irina asked, her face reflecting the worry in her heart.
"Absolutely." Josh answered, calling David Foster, Josh explained the situation to him.
"Okay, Josh, sit tight, I'll call the Governor and see if he can help." David said.
"Thanks, David," Josh said and hung up, thinking to himself, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
"We just have to sit tight for awhile." Josh told Irina.
"Would you mind if I borrowed your shower," she asked him.
"Go right ahead." She went in to his bedroom, and Josh stretched out on the sofa, trying to clear his head of negative thoughts. Hearing the water running, he thought of Irina, how soft her lips had been, how warm her body had felt against him. He shook his head, clearing those thoughts, she needed his help. There was a knock on the door again.
Josh opened it thinking Brian had returned, a very official looking man was at the door.
"Josh Groban?" He asked.
"Yes, can I help you?" Josh asked, a feeling of dread starting in the pit of his stomach.
"I'm from NSA, Mr. Groban, and we're looking for a young woman who was seen with you last night."
"NSA?" He repeated.
"Have you seen her?" He asked showing Josh a picture of Irina.
"Why are you looking for her?" He asked growing more suspicious.
"National security reasons, I can't really go into the details, have you seen her, sir?"
"I..she bumped into me about 2 weeks ago in front of a radio station, but I haven't seen her since." He lied, knowing there was something strange about this man.
"You didn't see her at a club last night?"
"No, sorry. Is that all? I have an appointment I need to keep." He said trying to shut the door, the man put his foot in the door, preventing it.
"It's very important we find her."
"I under..." Josh started, Irina walked out, dressed in one of his tshirts and a pair of sweats, the trench coat, and her sneakers in place.
As she walked into the living room, she glanced at the door, her eyes going wide in terror.
"Josh, he's one of them!" She screamed.
The man tried to push his way in, Josh grabbed an umbrella that was leaning inside the doorway, and hit him with it, anc closed the door.
HE ran to Irina, and they ran to the garage as gunshots splintered the lock on his front door. Two men charged in, firing at them as they ran out the door, Josh felt something hit, stinging in the back of his left leg, and stumbled dropping to his knees as they reached the garage. Irina closed the door, locking it, then pushed a large shelf over in front of it.
"Keys!" She yelled at Josh, who handed them to her, she helped him into the car, as the men in the house tried to batter the door down.
"Hold on!" She cried as she slammed the car in reverse, and burst out the garage door. Backing into the road at about 60 miles per hour, she cleared the drive, and slammed the car into gear, speeding away before the men could make it to their car.

 

As she sped through the streets of LA, hoping she'd lost the men who had come looking for her at Josh's house, Irina tried to keep a doctor's trained eye on Josh. His color was not good, his skin glistening in a cold sweat, she knew he was going into shock, she had to think fast.
"Where did they hit you?!" She yelled at him.
His eyes were glassy, he looked like he was about to pass out at any moment. She reached over and slapped him, hard.
"Hey!" He said, "Hurt person over here!" He complained, rubbing his cheek.
"Now that I have your attention, where did they shoot you?"
"Back of the leg, above the knee." He muttered, holding his leg.
Her mind ran through all the anatomy charts safely logged away in her memory, only one major artery to worry about, not enough blood seeping out so that was safe, nerve damage?
"Can you feel your foot? Can you wiggle your toes?"
She asked him urgently.
"Yes, to both questions." He said,testily. "I'm not feeling so good, right now, could we save the 20 questions for later?"
"No, we can't. Do you want to stay alive, keep the use of your leg?"
"Yes," He muttered, starting to drift away again, she reached over to slap him, seeing her hand, he jerked awake. "Don't do that again." He said.
"Then stay awake, if you go into a coma, I may not be able to save you!"
Josh shook his head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to be engulfing his thought processes. Stay awake. Gotcha.
"Is there anything in here that you can use to stop the bleeding, a cloth, a towel, anything? We have to prevent any further blood loss."
He reached behind him, the stretching making his leg throb worse. There was a bag there, as he turned back around, she swerved dangerously close to another car as she passed it.
"Hey!" He shouted,"I haven't had this car that long, I'd like it to stay in one piece for a little while longer!"
"Cars can be repaired, can you?" She asked as she wove in and out of traffic on the freeway, irritated drivers making interesting gestures at her as she passed them.
He pulled a towel out of the bag, "What do I do with this?" He asked as he placed the bag back in the back seat.
"Double it over as thickly as you can, put it under your leg, and tie it as snugly as you can, but don't cut off your circulation."
He did as he was told, wincing as he tightened the towel down. Seeing the blood that had pooled under him, he thought to himself, that's gonna leave a stain!
Irina continued to weave in and out of traffic, she looked over at Josh whose color was getting worse.
"We have to get out of the city." She said, heading for an exit that would take them down the Pacific Coast Highway.
They drove for a couple of hours, finally stopping several small towns down the coast. She drove around, finally finding a doctor's office, driving around the back, she stopped the car.
"I can help you, but I need supplies. I'm going to do something illegal, if we go to the police, the men will find us. If we go to a hospital, they have to report it, the men will find us. I can't think of any other way to help you. Are you okay with this?" She said quietly.
"Do what you gotta do." He said weakly. Grabbing her arm as she turned to get out of the car, "Just be careful, okay, don't get caught."
She smiled at him, god she's pretty his delirious mind thought, as she left him to break and enter.

 

Irina walked up to the front of the office, making sure there was not traffic, it was now after 5, and the office was closed. She walked around to the back, the door was locked. Walking around, she finally found a window that wasn't locked. She opened it, pulling herself into the office. She dropped into a hallway in between the exam rooms, there was an open closet, it held all the supplies she needed. Grabbing gauze bandages, hemostats, local anesthesia, some pain pills, a hypodermic, scissors, everything she needed was here. No IV fluids, she would just have to make sure he drank a lot of water. Stuffing all of the supplies into the pockets of the trench coat, she heard a noise behind her.
"Are you in trouble?" A male voice said.
Startled, she almost dropped the local anesthesia. An older man in a doctor's jacket stood in the doorway of an office, studying her.
"Are you in trouble?" he repeated.
"Not me, my friend." She said, planning a dash to the window.
"It's okay, I didn't call the police. Can I help you?"
"I don't think so, my friend tried, and now he's hurt."
The old doctor sighed,"I should call the sheriff and have you arrested."
She looked at him, a pained expression on her face.
He continued, "But I'm not going to."
She breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, I have no money, I'm a doctor, I just need some supplies to help him. I can't go to the police, and I can't explain, it would be bad for you."
"What happened?"
"He was shot. Left leg, above the knee, posterior entry, no exit wound."
"So the bullet is still in there?" He asked.
"That's what it looks like."
"You're a doctor?"
"Yes, sir. I had 6 months left on my residency."
"Can he walk in here?"
She beamed with gratitude."Yes, he can walk."
"Then you'd better get him in here before he bleeds to death out there." He walked her to the back door, opening it, and holding it open while she helped Josh into the office.
"Who is this?" Josh asked woozily.
"Dr. John Morgan." he said, offering his hand to Josh, who shook it weakly as they settled him on an exam table. Aren't we going to get in trouble?" He asked Irina.
"He's going to help us. Now take off your pants."
His eyebrows going up, "But we just met." He teased.
She chuckled, "You can still joke, that's good. Now take off your pants." As Josh wiggled out of his pants, wincing at the effort, Irina and the doctor prepared the instruments needed to remove the bullet.
Irina held up 2 pills and a glass of water. "Take these." She told him.
"What are these?"
"Pain pills, this is going to hurt, we have local anesthesia, but it's still going to pinch a bit. This will help."
He took the pills, they waited til they had taken effect. They got Josh face down, and began to work on his leg. It didn't take long, when they were done, Josh was sleeping.
"Listen, I have a little cabin about 100 miles from here. It's off the beaten path, you could stay there until he's ready to travel again." Dr. Morgan said to her.
Irina hesitated.
"It's okay, I won't tell anyone you're there. I drew a map, here are the keys, there's canned goods, and a full freezer. We'll load you up on medical supplies, just leave the keys under the door mat when you leave."
Irina hesitated still.
"Where else are you going to go?" He asked her gently.
"Why?" She asked, her eyes tired of hoping.
"Why what?"
"Why are you helping us?"
"Just call it one doctor to another. Come on, I'll help you get him in the car."

 

She drove carefully, following the map finally coming up on Dr. Morgan's cabin. It was secluded, she drove up to the front door. Walking around to the passenger door, she opened it, and shook Josh.
"Josh," she said, shaking him gently. He mumbled and stirred but didn't wake up. "Josh," she said, shaking him again, he was too far gone on the pain pills, making a fist, she rubbed her knuckles roughly on his sternum. That got an effect, Josh stirred, looking at Irina in a drugged stupor.
"What!" He asked irritated.
"We have to get out of the car."
"Why?" He asked, totally out of it.
"We just do, so come on, you have to stand up." She helped him to his feet, and struggled him up the few stairs to the porch. She got him into the house and settled into the bed, then hid the car behind the cabin, so it couldn't be seen from the road.
She raided the fridge, and found some bottled water, taking it in the bedroom with her to watch over Josh as he slept.

 

The next 12 hours were critical, Irina drank coffee, paced and took Josh's vitals trying to stay busy to keep herself awake, just in case he needed her. At midnight, the witching hour, she noticed he became restless, she placed her hand on his forehead, his temperature had risen. His skin was hot, she checked his pupils, they were still glassy. She was not surprised with the amount of fluids he had lost, she had hoped the antibiotics they had pumped him full of in Dr. Morgan's office would keep his temperature down. Rousing him, she helped him sit up, then sat behind him while she made him swallow some ibuprofen. She pulled his shirt off while she was behind him, then settled him back down under the blankets.
She found a small basin in the bathroom, and filled it with water, bringing it and a cloth to Josh's bedside. Sitting at his side on the bed, she bathed his face, chest, and arms to bring the fever down, while he muttered in mild delirium. She forced him to sit up every hour to make him drink water, to replace the fluids.
As she worked over him, she worried, this was not all her fault, but she felt responsible for dragging him into this. Guilt worming it's way around her heart, she thought of driving him back to the city and dropping him off at the first hospital she came to. Reason triumphed as she touched his face, to check his temperature again, she couldn't leave him helpless and alone. The men would come, and they would take him, she couldn't allow that to happen. So she sat, for hours bathing his face, to keep him alive, to keep him with her. Startled, she realized his presence was comforting to her, she had been alone for so long. To have someone to talk to, to trust. She hadn't realized how much she had longed for someone, to be with. Leaning forward she kissed his forehead, lightly, barely touching it with his lips, her fingers brushing back the one curl that always fell forward on his face. Closing her eyes, her lips inches from his ear, she whispered to him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, if I could take this all back I would. Stay with me, please. Stay with me." She lingered over his face, so sweet in sleep, even a troubled sleep, watching him, praying that he would still be with her in the morning. The temptation to touch his lips again with her own was almost overwhelming, remembering how sweet the kiss had been, she almost groaned with the effort to sit up, she had to remain alert! He needed her best efforts, so she contented herself, with brushing them with her fingertips, and continued to bathe his face.

 

The fever finally broke around 5AM. She watched over him for the next hour as he sweated it out. when his sleep became calm and peaceful, she laid beside him on the bed, and allowed herself to drift off.
Sunshine split into small beams shone through the blinds finally hitting her face enough to rouse her from sleep. Josh's eyes were open, not moving, staring at the ceiling. For one horrible moment her heart stopped, thinking the worst, then he turned his head and looked at her, smiling weakly.
Thousands of questions poured through her mind, doctor questions, are you all right, how do you feel, instead it was the woman who spoke.
"Josh! I'm so glad you're awake!" Resisting the urge to crush him in a hug of relief, after all, he was still hurt, she rolled off the bed and came around to sit beside him, as a doctor should.
"I had a dream." He said, quietly.
"What was it?"
"That a dark haired angel sat beside me all night taking care of me, when I woke up, she was alseep beside me." He looked into her eyes, she was still beautiful, and now she was blushing.
"How do you feel?" She asked him.
"Tired. My leg doesn't hurt as bad as last night, though."
"That's good, can you roll over, I need to check the dressing."
He rolled obediently, minimum drainage, good, no more bleeding. She palpated the wound to check for tissue hardness, which would have meant internal bleeding, which would have been worse, Josh ouching as she touched it.
"Sorry." She said, helping him roll over, covering him up again.
"Are you hungry?" She asked.
Josh considered this for a moment, "As a matter of fact, I am, but there's something I need to take care of first."
"What?"
"Where's the bathroom?"
"Oh," She smiled. She helped him up, and supported him as he limped into the facilities, she stood at his side afraid he would faint, his first time up. He looked at her a little embarassed.
"What?" She asked confused.
"I think I can handle this part of it." He said, indicating the door.
"Josh, I am a doctor."
"I know that, but I don't usually go around kissing my doctor." He motioned to the door again.
She left him, shaking her head in amusement.
"If you feel the least bit faint, call me. All right?"
"I will, scout's honor."
She went to the kitchen, rummaging about she found bacon and bread, which she started cooking, then came back to check on Josh, who had already made his way back to bed.
"You should have called me," she chided,"what if you had fallen? You could have torn out the stitches."
"It's a guy thing." He said, as if that explained it all.
"Stay in bed, I'm going to bring you something to eat."
"Any chance of you joining me?" He said, one eyebrow raised, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Now I know you are feeling better," But she smiled to know that he was interested.
She brought in bacon sandwiches, and frozen orange juice, he could use the potassium. He sat up, and she sat beside him on the bed. They were both ravenous, they practically inhaled the food. Looking up they both started giggling, as if it were the most hilarious thing they had ever seen. Josh leaned forward, brushing the crumbs off the side of her mouth, reaching forward, he put his hand on her neck, pulling her forward into a kiss. They couldn't deny the heat between them any longer, moving the tray out of the way, they continued to kiss.
"I'm still kind of weak." Josh whispered playfully in her ear.
"Don't worry," she whispered back, "I'm a doctor, I'll be very, very gentle."
He lay back, as she continued her examination.

 

Later, Josh slept, Irina had found a washer and dryer, and was washing their clothes. She had found a long t-shirt to wear as she puttered around. Stopping for a moment, she realized she almost had felt normal again. Like she had before the nightmare had started. Worry filled her heart, she didn't know how this would end, she just hoped she and Josh would'nt be on the run for the rest of their lives.
As she looked through the cabinets, Josh limped up behind her, dressed in borrowed jeans from the doctor's closet, leaning heavily on a cane he had found there as well.
"Josh!" She exclaimed, "What are you doing out of bed? You need to rest."
"I can rest better if I can see you, I worry if I don't know where you are."
She was rendered speechless for a moment, someone was worried about her! The emotion this generated was almost more than she could bear, tears welled up in her eyes, and Josh worried that he'd said the wrong thing.
"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.
"It's been so long..." She couldn't continue.
Understanding, Josh held his arms open to her, she came to him, her arms sliding around him, her head resting on his shoulder, the tears flowed, she couldn't have stopped them, she realized she didn't want to. Josh swallowing the lump in his throat, held her as tightly as he could with one arm, knowing he would do all in his power to keep her safe from harm. Irina sighed against his chest, she wasn't alone anymore!
They sat on the sofa, waiting for the clothes to finish in the dryer, she tucked her legs up under her, snuggling close to Josh.
"Why neurology?" he asked.
"What?" She laughed.
"Why did you decide on neurology for your residency?"
"Well, my city is near Chernobyl, there have been increases in neurological disorders ever since the accident. Even though my city is only large enough for one doctor, I wanted a background in neurology so I could be more effective in treating my patients."
"Very logical," he said. "Do you think you'll ever be able to go back there?"
She studied her hands, "I think that's an impossibility. I don't think I will ever be able to go home again." She said sadly.
He hugged her,"Maybe you could make California your home?" He suggested hopefully.
She smiled for him, "I think I could come to enjoy California. If there was someone there that I was always at home with."
"I think that could be arranged." He answered, kissing her on the forehead.

 

A day of peace, Irina couldn't believe how relaxed she felt. She had been so focused on her career, she had never taken time for a social life. Then being on the run, there had been no choice, there was only survival. The men she had encountered in her training as a physician, being as single minded as she had been. Josh was nothing like anyone she had ever met before. Easy-going, and polite, it was amazing to her how kind he was to her, how much she cared for him. Part of her was so afraid of losing this, and part of her was determined to hang on to this, no matter what. If God be on her side, she would somehow make this work out.
Her day of peace turned into 2, then 3, Josh was growing stronger with every day, he could hobble around without the cane, now. She knew they had to move on soon, they couldn't stay here forever. But the temptation...
She sat on the steps of the porch, sipping a cup of coffee, Josh hobbled out, easing himself down beside her, taking her hand, he kissed it gently, and they sat in silence for many long minutes, not needing to speak, content to sit next to each other for this short time of peace.
Irina sighed sadly, knowing their time was short, she just wanted to stay beside Josh.
"You know we can't stay here forever." Josh said softly.
"I was just thinking that." She replied.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know I'm making this up as I go." She said, laughing ironically, rubbing a hand across her face.
"Why don't I call David again, and see what he's found out?" He pulled out his cell phone, starting to open it. Realization caused Irina to grab his hand before he hit speed dial.
"That's how they found us!" Her eyes wide with fear.
"What do you mean?"
"My father worked on a project at home, with cell phones, they can monitor the air waves with computers, looking for key phrases, words, when the computer identifies them, they listen to the conversations. Pinpointing the location. That's how they found us. You can't use your cell phone, they will have the frequency, and zero in on us any time you use it."
"But David may have found a way to help us." She looked at him, he had said us, not you. She had never loved anyone like this before, and it just kept getting better.
He looked into her eyes, "We have to go back to the city, we have to go to David's house. Irina, you have to trust me. I won't let anything happen to you, not now."
She did trust him, she knew it, with her life, her heart. All that she was. If it meant she got to stay with him, she would have to take the chance.
She was about to agree, when they heard a car approaching. In panic, she helped Josh to his feet, and they hurried into the house, closing and locking the door. They watched the car pull up and stop, the sun shone too brightly on the windshield, until the car door opened they couldn't see who was inside the car. It was Dr. Morgan, relieved they came out to greet their host.
Irina ran out to give him a hug.
He hugged her back, "Haven't gotten such a nice reception from such a pretty little girl in a long time." He said smiling at her, he looked up at Josh, "Well, you look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Josh limped carefully down the steps, shaking the older doctors hand.
"How are you, sir, thank you for helping us."
"You're very welcome, I wish I was coming out here with some good news, but I thought you ought to see this."
He handed them a copy of the front page of the LA Times, the headlines read, "Singer missing" Josh and Irina's pictures were plastered all over the front page. They sat on the steps reading the story together. Josh had been reported missing by Brian when he had come back to the house, her Government had reported that she had taken him as a hostage to avoid capture, that she was an escaped mental patient, and known drug abuser, armed and dangerous.
She looked up in despair, what was she going to do now?

 

Taking her hand, Josh looked into Irina's eyes, "We can find a way out of this, David has connections, we just have to get back to the city and talk to him."
"Oh, Josh," she sighed, "They'll be watching everyone who knows you. If I show my face for even a second, they'll have me on the next plane to Siberia before you can blink." She put her face in her hands.
Patting her on the back, Josh said, "We can find a way, Irina, I know we can."
Looking back up at him, she tried to be brave, "Then we'll have to try."
They packed up their things, Irina changing back into the clothes she had been wearing when she met Josh. They said good-bye to Dr. Morgan, and were on their way, on the outskirts of LA, they put the Porsche in a parking garage, and rented something less conspicuous. Pulling up to a small motel, they rented a room, it was late now, Josh paid cash, and they spent one last night together. One last night of safety, one last night of hope. Laying in each others arms, they tried not to worry about the next day, and what it could hold.
"You stay here in the morning, I'll go to David alone, I won't let anyone know where you are. When it's safe, I'll call you. I'll let it ring twice, hang up, then call again. Don't answer the phone unless it rings like that."
"Okay," she said, her voice had the flat hopeless tone to it, again.
Josh pulled her face up, to look into her eyes. "We're going to make it, Irina."
"Maybe you should have walked away, that night."
"Don't do that! Don't give up! We're so close to making this work out!"
She clung to him, he had become all her hope, she wasn't sure if she could go on without his encouragement. If anything went wrong...
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"It's okay," he said, holding her to him, as if the tighter he held her to him, the safer she would be. "I'm scared, too."
Together, they clung to each other, making their love a shield against the dangers of the night.

 

Josh didn't know if he could tear himself away from Irina's side, he knew he had to go, he had to meet with David, try to figure out a way to insure her safety. He just couldn't stand the thought of leaving her here, alone.
"I'll be back, as quickly as I can, if they find you, go to the docks tomorrow. I'll meet you there. I left you some money, just in case..." He hesitated, "I know we haven't known each other for very long, I know about emotion and tense situations, I love you, Irina. Remember that, okay?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, "I love you, Josh." She whispered. She couldn't trust herself to say anything more. He turned, his heart breaking inside him, he had to leave, now. If he didn't he would be taking her, and running as far away from here as his money could take them. He knew that wouldn't end the problems, but the temptation was too great. Irina watched him walk out the door, taking her heart with him. She curled up on the bed, her legs tucked under her and waited.

Josh drove to David Foster's house, he looked very carefully around before he got out of the car, he knew he had nothing to fear from the police, they believed he was a hostage. But he couldn't risk being caught in the open by the men who were looking for Irina. Limping to the door, he knocked, it was David himself who answered the door, seeing Josh, he grabbed him crushing him a big bear hug of relief.
"Josh! God, we've been so worried! Are you all right? Where's the girl?" He bombarded Josh with questions as he ushered him in to the house. "Why are you limping?" Was the last question he hit Josh with before he closed the door. The men were watching David's house, noting the license plates on Josh's car, they watched and waited.
Josh called his parents from David's house to assure them he was alright, telling them he would come by tomorrow and explain everything. His mother nearly frantic with worry, he calmed her on the phone while she cried.
"It's okay, mom. I'll come see you tomorrow. Yes, I promise. I love you, too, okay, bye."
Limping back to the sofa, he looked at David.
"What have you got for me, David?"
They talked.

It was hours later, the phone rang in Irina's motel room, rang twice, then silence, then it rang again.
"Josh!?" She answered.
"Hi, Irina!" God, it felt so good to hear her voice.
"Are you alright?"She asked him.
"I am now, it's all set up, I'm coming to get you tomorrow, the governor has things set up with the FBI, they're going to put you in a Federal Witness Protection program, you'll be safe. Remember, if anything happens between then and now, go to the rendezvous point, okay?"
"Okay. What time will you be here?" She asked, her heart aching to be with him, to have him beside her.
"I'll be there at 10AM. I miss you." He said, desperate to be with her.
"I miss you." Neither of them wanting to, they hung up until the next day.

 

Brian had had Josh's front door, and garage door repaired after the police had taken pictures, prints everything they could. Josh tried to sleep, he knew he was safe, 2 police officers were out front in a car, and 4 more security guards were around the house, Brian wasn't about to take anymore chances. But Irina, he worried, was she safe? He had called her from a secure line, he knew that, but she could still be in danger, god only knew how many ways these people had of finding her. Tossing and turning, he knew there was no way he was going to sleep. But he couldn't call her from here, he was sure they would be able to track any call from here. So he lay there, unhappy, scared, and alone. Finally drifting off into a fitful sleep about 3AM. He still didn't sleep well, and at 8AM he gave up, swinging both legs over the side of the bed, he got up and got dressed. He went out to the garage, he had picked the Porsche up after leaving David's and pulled out.
Backing out, he stopped by the police car.
"Sorry, I couldn't sleep, I'm going to go early."
The officers acknowledged, and Josh drove off. He stopped at a pay phone, to call Irina, there was no answer! Dropping the phone, he got back in the car, speeding to the motel, his heart in his throat!
When he got there, he opened the door, she was gone! The window to the bathroom was open, everything left behind, she'd had to run for it! Josh was frantic, getting back in the car, he sped to David's house. Beating on the door, he called to his friend and mentor frantically!
David opened the door.
"Josh! What is it?"
"David! She's gone, they must have found her! We have to find her! I need your help!"
"You have a rendezvous set up don't you? At the dock, at noon, right?"
"Yes," said Josh unable to calm down.
"Then we have to wait until then." David said, pulling Josh inside to attempt to calm him down.

The wait was unbearable torment, all Josh could do was think of Irina's face. Think of her afraid, and alone, again. Him unable to help her, or be at her side. Finally it was time to leave. FBI agents were crawling all over the dock. Josh stood with David, noon came, no Irina. Josh was terrified, knowing something had gone terribly wrong, he paced, scanning the dock for Irina. Finally, he saw her, she was running! The men who were after her followed, guns drawn.
"Irina!" He cried out, starting to run to her, David grabbed his arm, preventing him.
"Wait, Josh, let the agents handle it!"
"She doesn't know them, if she doesn't see me..."
At that moment, the men started shooting at Irina, time froze again. She was only about 100 feet from him, on the dock, the water just below her. Josh saw her hit in the back, she spun in slow motion, til she was facing him, seeing his face, she put one hand out toward him, then fell over the side into the water. Time resumed.
"IRINA!! NOOO!!!" He screamed as he ran to the side and dove into the water after her. FBI agents surrounded the men who had shot her. Josh pulled her limp form to a ladder that descended from the pier, holding on til help could reach them. He turned her to face him, her hair in her face, gently he moved it aside. She wasn't breathing, oh, God, no! He put his hand to her neck, no pulse. Oh, God, no!
"Irina," He whispered, "please. Please don't leave me." He held her still body to him, and wept.

The next hours were a surreal nightmare. Being pulled out of the water by a police launch, holding Irina to him as they made their way to the shore. David meeting him, murmurred condolences. They took her away in the coroners wagon, Josh stubbornly insisting on claiming the body. Calling on the Governors help to keep her body here in the US, to be buried where he chose. Finally, they allowed him into the morgue, to say goodbye. Looking as if she were sleeping, he walked up to the table, her body still warm.
"I'm so sorry, Irina." he murmured. "Maybe if I had walked away you'd still be alive."
His heart in ashes, dead in his chest, maybe never to beat again in love, Josh kissed her still soft lips, and left her behind.

 

Josh sat on the airplane. on his way to Toronto to do yet another promotion. Brian sat beside him, for a moment Josh thought about the funeral, his parents had been with him, Brian, David, people who loved and cared about him. It had only been three months, it felt like a lifetime. At the time, he had thought he would never be able to function again, but time had passed. The wound wasn't healed, but he could go on. He had to, she wouldn't want him to stop living. So he had to make every minute of his life something wonderful and special for her. That was why they were on their way to Toronto, he was to appear at the dedication of a new childrens hospital. David thought it would be good for him. Josh knew how to put on a face for the public, but those who knew him well could see how different he was. He spent a lot of time alone, lately. He just couldn't stand all the sad faces, all the "I'm sorries", after a while it became unbearable. Being alone was more peaceful. The plane landed at the airport they got their bags, off in the limo, the dedication was that afternoon. Checking in to the hotel, Josh went through all the motions. He changed, and they went to the hospital. Josh greeted people on the way in, they did a show under a tent, then to tour the hospital.
Josh found himself left alone in a small room, while Brian went and talked to some people. He sat back in a chair, leaning his head back he closed his eyes. Someone came into the room, he didn't open his eyes, they came over, and he felt a cool hand touch his forehead.
"No fever." A voice said, softly.
Josh's eyes flew open, he looked into blue eyes, a waifish face and blond hair. Standing he grabbed her arms, not sure if it was just to hold her, or keep himself from fainting.
"Irina?!" He whispered in disbelief. "I..don't..what.." His brain unable of coherent thought.
Tears flowed from her eyes, "It's Katya, now." She threw herself into his arms, softly crying.
Crushing her to him, he kissed her lips, lips he had thought were lost to him forever. Trembling with shock, they both sat down.
Scrubbing his face with his hands, trying to gather his thoughts. "I don't understand, I saw you, you were dead." He whispered, totally bewildered.
"I studied neurology remember. There are drugs that can make you appear dead."
"But you were shot."
"Bullet proof vest."
"I thought you were dead."
"And I thought I could live with letting you believe that. David sent word to me."
"David knew?!"
"Yes, but he was the only one. Everyone else believes I'm dead."
Josh looked at her for a long time,"I thought that I would never be able to feel anything again. Irina, I can't just walk away and pretend that you don't exist. I love you."
She smiled , sighing in relief, "I was hoping you would say that. I am transferring to a hospital in Los Angeles, would that be all right with you?"
"More than alright." He said, gathering her into his arms.
"After all," he added, "Mom always wanted me to marry a doctor."
She smiled, still a beautiful smile, "I love you , Josh."
"I love you," he said, gathering her into a kiss, time froze.

The End