From Russia With Love

Dominika lay in the over-sized, lofty, fluffy white bed that dominated the large guest room of the Official’s Headquarters. She was unable to sleep, the events of the last few days running through her head in a non-stop barrage, trying to make sense of it all. She had been informed by the Sargent Major shortly after meeting him that evening that she would be flown to America on a special service military plane at first light. The thought of being whisked away to the States so quickly was dizzying, but after the experience of being held hostage she was willing to go anywhere they told her to.

Gerard had explained to her he normally slept in the barracks with the other soldiers but tonight he would be bunking in a guest room a few rooms down the hall from her so he could answer official questioning about Dominika’s escape the following morning. He had wandered away muttering something about official protocol.

The room had large, wide windows that covered almost the entire expanse of the wall opposite the bed, providing an impressive view of the bay and calm blue ocean beyond. The moon hovered low over the ocean, bathing the flat surface in silvery light.

Her body was desperate for sleep but she couldn’t relax in the colossal bed, feeling cold and lonely, much like she had in her makeshift cell back in the warehouse. She wondered if Gerard was in his room and if he was thinking about her too. Blushing, she thought back to their kiss in the hallway earlier in the day. It had been the very first time he’d kissed her, and although she’d felt awkward and giddy, it was impossible to deny she’d loved every second.

His lips crashed to hers, arms circling her waist and pulling her body against his. She stiffened for a moment in surprise but quickly melted into his embrace. His army jacket was stiff and smelt faintly of diesel oil and stale cigarette smoke, something else too she couldn’t quite pinpoint, gun powder? His lips moved against hers and she matched the motions, knotting her fingers in his hair. He pulled away gently and flicked his eyes down to hers briefly before kissing her softly one last time. Her porcelain face flushed delicate pink again and he stroked her cheek gently with his thumb and forefinger, chuckling softly.

Her feet hit the floor before her mind had time to think about it properly, and she slipped the shirt she had discarded for sleep next to her over her head. Padding across the carpeted floor to the door, she pulled it open to enter the dark hallway, illuminated only by a small lamp on a table at the furthest end. Her shadow danced on the wall behind her as she crept up the hallway to the room she knew Gerard was sleeping in.

She eased the door open quietly, closing it behind her properly as she entered without a sound. The room was dim but a small lamp in the corner provided enough light for her to see Gerard’s form curled on a basic double bed. The room was a lot less grand than hers but he seemed comfortable and at ease, and her heart squeezed in her chest when she heard him sigh quietly.

“Gerard” she said softly. Within seconds he snapped to attention and was on his feet, trying to focus on her with bleary eyes. Always on alert, even when he was asleep.

“Domi?” he asked, closing one eye in an attempt to focus on her properly. She moved closer to him in the shadows.

“It’s me”

“What’s wrong?” he yawned “Is everything okay?”

“This is embarrassing” she stated, grateful the light was of a poor enough quality he wouldn’t be able to see her cheeks flush. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked at her with a pained expression.

“Spit it out, kid. It’s the middle of the night and I’m exhausted”

“Can I sleep on the couch in here?” she asked meekly, “I don’t like my room, its creeping me out”

He chortled quietly, shaking his head, casting shadows on the wall above them. He tossed the covers all the way back on his bed and sat down on it, patting the space beside him.

“The couch? How about you sleep in my bed?”

Dominika’s heart pounded in her ears as she considered his words, trying to decipher whether or not it had a double meaning.

“Sleep with you?” she stammered. He realized what she was referring to and ran a hand down his face, rolling his eyes.

“Not like that Domi, jeez, I mean actually sleep”

She felt silly then, of course he hadn’t mean it like that. She should have known better. He grabbed her hand gently in the darkness and pulled her towards him. She followed and sat on the bed for a moment before she lay down against the white cotton sheets, hair spread out behind her like a cloak against the mattress. Gerard slid down next to her and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer against his body. Although she was growing more accustom to it now, her heart raced every time he touched her in his subtly intimate way. His heart drummed softly against her back and she was grateful they were there together, safe at last. Sadness quelled the happy thought quickly though as she remembered it was only a matter of hours before there would be miles and miles between them again and Gerard would have to return to his service to the country. No matter how he tried to reassure her she knew she would always worry about him as long as they were apart.

If she’d told herself two weeks ago that she’d be dreading being apart from Gerard, her old self would have had an aneurysm.

“Stop going over things in your head and go to sleep” he chided from behind her shoulder.

“How did you know?” she asked, shocked he’d been able to read her so well without even seeing her face.

“I can practically smell your hair burning, kid, and you’re all tense, come on, stop it and sleep. I’m here now”

“You won’t be tomorrow” she whispered.

“That’s what you’re worried about?” he replied quietly “Domi, I told you, I’ll be back after my deployment. Wherever you are, I’ll go there too. I’ve spoken to my parents on the phone tonight too, they’re going to be the primary ones responsible for your care and security in the States so you’ll be around people you know”

“Wait, your parents aren’t returning to Russia?” she asked, surprised. She assumed the Ways would have come back once things settled down a little to oversee operations at the Base. After all, that had been one of Gerard’s Father’s prime responsibilities.

“Of course not” he replied like it was obvious “Domi, they’d be a prime target if they came back here, can you imagine if the Chinese got their hands on them? They’re almost as big a target as you”

She hadn’t considered that at all before but now it made perfect sense. It was comforting to know at least she would see some familiar faces from her homeland. She had always held a liking for Mr and Mrs Way, and she knew the feeling the mutual considering they’d okayed her as a future daughter-in-law before everything fell apart.

“That makes me feel better” she said.

“They’ll keep you safe, don’t worry about anything Domi, America is a great place”

She sighed and closed her eyes, wanting to believe him with every part of her being but at the same time being terrified to leave the only place she had ever known. The last thing she registered before being lulled into a dreamless sleep were Gerard’s lips at her neck, kissing her skin soothingly.

Notes