| "Innocence Gone" | ||
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The Proud Pearl Restaurant June 4, 2008, 2000 hours Lima Time Nikolai waited nervously at the table, unsure of what was to come. He had called Sergei after he had finished moving Daniel Odds, or what was left of him. Odds' state had meant that Nikolai had had to do all the legwork; Odds was having enough trouble performing simple task such as breathing and urinating to be of any assistance. Nikolai had managed to situate him so that he would be noticed by a passerby but would take time getting to him. This had given him enough time to get away unnoticed, and call Sergei. The conversation with Sergei had Nikolai concerned; having Yelena so close to him should have been a comfort, but he now realized he was scared of her reaction to what he had done. What would have happened had she turned up in the middle of everything and saw what he was doing to Odds? He had felt a cold chill cascade down his spine at the possibilities. Now he was sitting in this restaurant waiting for Innokentiy and Yelena to arrive. They were due to arrive any minute, and each second that passed the feeling of unease grew inside of him. He was suddenly becoming aware of a change that had taken place inside him. No longer was he the innocent kid who had somehow managed to become an agent of Russia. That was gone. He was a killer now. Sure, he had killed before, taking out numerous individuals who were deemed to be a threat by people he rarely saw, but who he placed faith in their judgments. This had been different though. He had killed people because of a personal agenda, and in the eyes of the law he was a murderer. How did that make him feel? He discovered that he wasn't affected by it at all; he had taken a course of action that had been necessary. He was more disturbed by how Yelena would see him. Would she understand? His hand reached across the table and retrieved a paper napkin which he used to wipe the sweat from his brow. Things had seemed so simple before, but now that the end was in sight he suddenly realized what a dangerous game he had been playing. Odds hadn't been the only one in danger on this mission, he had been as well. He had danced in the blurred area either side of right and wrong, using the haze to cover his movements from those who would judge him. The line was a fine one, and he was still within the boundaries� for now. Things were going to be very difficult if he didn't get a positive response from Yelena. With her by his side he knew he could keep his balance; if she left then he would surely fall, and the chasm that he straddled whilst standing on the thin line did not look all too forgiving. He could not afford to fall. Innokentiy walked in first, his eyes scanning the room. They spotted Nikolai in a corner booth and rested there. No danger was apparent. He led Yelena through the door and guided her over to the table, watching her speed up the last few steps as she raced to meet her now standing lover. "I've waited so long for you to hold me in your arms," she told him. The tears were already starting to slide down her cheeks but she couldn't help it, the feelings were just too much for her. "It's ok baby, I'm here now," she heard him say. He looked worried, but she didn't know why. The more she looked the more she saw it, but she couldn't pinpoint the reason. Something was lurking there though, something she both wanted to know about and didn't. "Why didn't you call?" she asked him as he wiped her tears away. "I couldn't compromise myself," he answered. "What I was doing�" He trailed off and looked at her. "I know what you were doing," she said, seeing the look of confusion on his face. "The baby started kicking and I really needed you there so I told Dad. He sent Innokentiy to get you back, and I sneaked onto the plane." "Lena�" "No, don't say it. I had to come. I know that I shouldn't have but I had no choice. I need you with me and it hurts when you're not there. Promise me you won't leave me." She looked up into his eyes and realized that she may have pushed too far. He opened his mouth then closed it again, apparently unsure of what to say. He looked into her eyes and saw that she wouldn't judge him. She looked with love, and that was all that mattered. He knew what he would say now. "I'm glad you came." She looked confused at that. "What I've been doing� well, I didn't know how you'd react if you found out. I mean, it wasn't the kind of thing you admit to. I've done things which some people would say are wrong, but I had to do them. I couldn't let him�" She pressed a finger against his lips, stopping him mid-sentence. He looked so vulnerable standing there, unable to do anything. She knew how much she meant to him, and his stance now told her just how scared he must have been, thinking she would leave him after all he'd been through. She felt him tremble at her touch. She took her finger away and moved in to kiss him. Innokentiy watched as the pair embraced, their lips locking as their feelings seeped into their actions. A smile crept upon his face. He recognised this for what it was: two lovers reunited after an absence that was too long. Seeing them made him think of his own personal life. He often envied Nikolai for having something to go home to, but he also understood the problems of someone in his line of work having attachments. It was a balancing act that few could manage. He knew he could, and thought about finding himself someone when he got back. "Its time to go," he heard Innokentiy say. Nikolai just nodded, taking Yelena's hand and leading her out behind Innokentiy. The older man took the lead, and within two hours they were in the air and on their way back home. Only he knew of the documents folded in his pockets though, and the secrets they held. The information would be used at some point, but for now he was happy to be heading home with the girl he loved. Return |
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