NationStates Jolt Archive

Pete took out a USP from his underneath his jacket. He put in a new magazine while scanning the surrounding area. Miles was out there, somewhere. The only problem is that he might have cracked up here. If that happened then he would be killing anything that got in his way. That was exactly the last thing they needed. At least Pete came with a gun. It didn't seem like Malena or Christi brought one. If Miles tried to kill them, then Pete wouldn't think about shooting Miles. Hopefully Miles hadn't cracked yet..

Silently Pete walked up to Christi and rested one of his hands on her shoulder, so he could scare her.

Christi spun around. She was about to cold-cock whoever had grabbed her until she saw it was Pete.

"Don't scare people like that!" she said. "Malena said she was about four klicks up the mountain. We should probably go up, she's probably looking for a vantage point."

---

Malena climbed over a rocky ledge, almost catching her nine-mil Beretta on an outcropping. She had brought the weapon to protect herself against mountain lions and other wildlife, but was willing to risk her own life to protect Miles.

If not for her new military-issue holster, she likely would have caught the trigger and blown her leg off. This far from a medical facility, such a wound would likely have killed her.

"You need to calm down Christi. If you don't then we might never find Miles." Pete hesitated for a moment. "Being so tense will make you not think clearly. That might risk all of our lives up here. Do you want to do that?"

---

Around two Miles had reached the halfway point of the mountain. He knew that he wouldn't make it to the top tonight, but he could at least try. The only problem right now this that the sun was beating down on him. It was the hottest part of the day and miserable. Miles also thought what would happen tonight. It would be freezing up here plus there would probably be heavy winds. He needed to make sure that he didn't freeze to death.

Christi shook her head. "No... sorry. Let's go after him."

---

Malena was about two-fifths of the way up, or a little less than a kilometre above ground, though almost five from where she'd stopped due to the winding trails in large areas of the mountains.

She still had no sight of Miles from scanning down, probably because he had several hours' head start on her. On top of that, she may have had special forces training, but she was also much smaller than Miles. She was completely exhausted, but still pushing herself to climb higher, faster, in spite of knowing deep down that a single misstep - more likely with her weakening condition - meant almost certain death.

"There is no reason to be sorry. You just to need to keep your mind clear and open." Pete hugged her, then gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Christi, I care about you and don't want anything bad to happen to you. I would do anything to protect...anything."

Pete paused for a second. "How about we find Malena?"

Christi nodded. "This baby can handle steep climbs," she said, climbing back in and starting her engines after loading Malena's crap into her trunk.

"Didn't want it to get stolen," she said, opening the door for Pete. "We'll have to call in a wrecker to get her car hauled down, though. See what you can find in the computer."

"Computer?" asked a slightly confused Pete.

"The satellite navigation," said Christi. "Tells you where every rest stop, petrol station, hotel, fast food and roadside assistance within fifty kilometres is. Got numbers, too." She gestured to a small device plugged into the car's cigarette lighter.

For some reason, cars in Kahanistan still came with cigarette lighters long after 95% of the population had given up smoking and the other 5% found themselves restricted to smoking in their homes or outside their workplaces. The fact a lot of them were Allanean imports probably had something to do with it.

"So you want me to find a wrecker? Alright it will be a second." Within mere seconds Pete had found the closest wrecker and a phone number. He pulled out his cell phone, then explained their location and vehicle. It would take twenty minutes to get out here, but there was no point in waiting. "Where exactly is Malena?"

"She's up the mountain," said Christi. "She should be able to see us from up high. If not, she'll see us when we get closer... give us a call, that is, if nothing's happened to her up there. Hope she brought some kind of protection against the mountain lions. I have an AR-15 on the side of the seat, rechambered to fire 6.5 mil Grendel."

Pete noticed the AR-15 to his side. He picked up and gently moved his hands over it as if it were a newborn baby. Gun laws were lax around in Kahanistan. Pete remembered reading something that stated whatever the military had, then citizens could have them too. It was the exact opposite in Canadstein. Guns laws were very strict and most guns were banned, except for hunting rifles, shotguns, and low level handguns. If you were a male between the ages of 18-45, then you had a SG 550 or G3, but they were only used in the case of an invasion. Seeing an AR-15 was an usually sight for Pete.

Nimbly he loaded in a new magazine. Pete tossed over his USP. "Hope you don't mind if I take this gun. Let's head out."

Christi nodded. She would have preferred to have a weapon and Pete was apparently taking one, but she figured he was as capable as she was of taking a mountain lion - probably the most dangerous thing they'd run into...

She continued to drive up anywhere a Range Rover could squeeze. After about three kilometres, though, a huge rock blocked the path.

"Great." Christi stopped and climbed out.

---

Malena saw the SUV not one hundred metres below her position. She called down.

"Christi?"

Pete stopped as he thought he heard someone call out Christi's name. He looked upwards and saw a human shaped figure. "Christi I think someone is calling for you."

"Malena?" Christi called back.

"It's me," said Malena. "I'm about a hundred metres above your position. Still haven't seen Miles... he must be near the summit by now." She dropped some pebbles over the edge to give away her position.

Before even Christi called back to Malena, Pete was already making his way up. The longer they took to find Miles, the larger the possibility they might find him dead.

Christi went after Pete. From the way Malena sounded, she hadn't rested a second since she set out. She would probably be unable to help either of them over the edge when they got to the top. Christi didn't have as much climbing experience as Pete seemed to, so she took a longer way around.

Pete turned around and saw that Christi was taking the long way. He shrugged, then decided to accompany her. It was just the right thing to do.

When they arrived at the top, Malena was sitting with her back against a cliff face. She was dirty, sweaty, and looked like she'd been climbing for days rather than hours. Malena clearly needed to rest, but didn't seem to want to for fear of letting Miles get too far ahead of her and get himself killed.

Christi handed her a bottle of sports drink and she chugged it greedily. Malena had obviously lost a lot of fluid pushing herself to catch up to Miles, and he was still way ahead of her. On top of that, she'd gone up with minimal provisions, not wanting the excess weight. Malena could easily have died up here if not for Christi.

"Nice to... see you again," said Malena. "You too... Pete. I'm so... tired. Miles... must be... at the top."

"Malena you have to take a rest. You have pushed yourself too far and nearly killed yourself. This isn't friendly advice. This is a real order." Pete turned to face the mountain. "Christi, I want you to stay here with Malena. Make sure she doesn't die. I am going to find Miles. That is the end of that conversation. I am not going to hear any lip from the either of you."

Without giving either women a chance to speak, Pete returned to climbing the mountain. He just hoped that he found Miles alive.

"Who is he to order me?" asked Malena. "I'm not in his unit. If Miles cracks, I'm... the only one he'll listen to."

"Malena, he's not going to listen to you if you're dead of heat stroke. Rest some... Miles is a trained Agent. He's more than capable of fending for himself up here."

"No," said Malena. "He probably didn't bring any weapons. He's easy prey for the animals up here, or worse. I won't leave him." She struggled to her feet, but fell flat on her face. "I... need to get to him. Before Pete does. He won't understand." She struggled again, only managing to pull herself into a sitting position... and falling back into a supine position, exhausted.

Hours pasted and it seemed neither of the men were coming back.

By nightfall, Malena had had enough. She'd already lost four hours passed out on the rocks, and Miles and Pete were nowhere in sight. Ignoring Christi's insistence on staying put, she brushed her friend off and moved up the mountain with renewed vigour. Christi followed more to keep Malena from getting herself killed than anything else.

Within an hour, Malena was covered in so many cuts and bruises it looked like she'd been through a war zone. Christi was banged up, but not as badly because she wasn't as hopelessly exhausted. They were also less than four hundred metres from the top of the mountain...

A few hours after nightfall Pete finally found Miles, except he was passed out on the ground. At first Pete was afraid that he might be dead. Pete rushed over and checked his pulse. Then a sigh of relief came. Miles had a pulse, but it was very weak. He needed to get off this mountain. The only problem was that it was night. Only someone insane would go down once night came. Miles would just have to wait until dawn. Hopefully he would still be alive by then. Pete gently picked up Miles, then carefully searched for some nearby shelter.

A noise at the top of the mountain about half an hour after Pete found Miles suggested Pete might need to find shelter for three, probably four people. Malena came over the mountain, barely conscious, and staggered over to Miles. Christi came up next, in little better condition.

"I... don't know if he'll... make it through the night," said Malena. "We... need to get... a chopper." She collapsed on the ground next to Miles.

Pete was surprised to see both women. "A helicopter at night on top of a mountain? I don't think so. Malena, you need to rest. If you don't then you will die. Christi come help me over here."

Christi walked up to Pete. "Malena's right... he looks pretty bad. I don't think he'll last, unless we keep him warm. Do you have anything to put on him?"

Malena rolled over next to Miles. The ground was hard and cold, but she was exhausted enough to lay down, close her eyes, and sleep like a log.

Pete took off his jacket, then put it over Malena and Miles. He looked at the pair and smiled. It was obvious that Malena really cared about Miles, but Pete wondered if he would return that affection. Only time could answer that question. Right now he just hoped that they could get Miles off this mountain. He was in pretty bad condition. The condition would have been probably worse if Pete hadn't found him when he did.

Somewhat exhausted he looked over at Christ and smiled. Without his jacket it was starting to get colder. Pete put his arm around her shoulder, then slowly brought them to the ground. He took off his homburg and placed on top of Christi's head. Gently he kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad that you came."

Christi smiled warmly and took the hat off. "I still think we should call in assistance. At the very least, a medevac would have an easier time getting us off the mountain than we would. Do you know how to start a fire?" If they didn't get down soon - and not wait for daybreak - there was a good chance both Miles and Malena would die of exposure.

"I'll look around for something we can start it with... dead wood, plants, mountain lion crap... whatever'll burn, for a signal fire."

"Sounds like a good idea." Pete retrieved his hat. "You stay here and call for help. I am going to make that fire."

He returned five minutes later with a bundle of dead wood. A fire would be nice up here, but starting it would be a probably. Then he remembered something. Searching through is pockets he found a case of matches. Just exactly what he needed. Striking a match, a small flame was produced. Within another two minutes he had a fire going. Pete just hoped that a helicopter could see it. He didn't want to get it any larger because it might spread and start a forest fire, then they would be really screwed. Taking a seat on the ground, Pete looked into the fire.

Christi dialed for emergency medical services. "We've got two people passed out, on a mountaintop about twenty kilometres southeast of New Masada. There's a signal fire here, we need medevac."

After a few more minutes of discussion, Christi hung up. "Medevac should be here in about fifteen minutes. Till then, we can stay put up here."

"That's good." Pete let out a sigh of relief.

In the distance, the sound of helicopter rotors could be heard and what looked like a new star appeared. Christi saw the star grow larger and larger until she realised it was the rescue helicopter's search light.

Within a minute, the helicopter was on the top and two men came out with stretchers. They were able to get Malena and Miles easily onto the stretchers, but would need Christi and Pete to help them get the stretchers into the chopper; there were just the two medics and the pilot in the helicopter.

"Mind helping us get these two onto the heli?" asked one of them. "Sooner we get out of here, the sooner your friends get to the hospital. Plus, you might want to get out of here, too. Place is crawling with survivalist maniacs... you're lucky you didn't run into any of them."

"Okay what do you need help with?" eagerly asked Pete.

"Grab this guy's ankles and stabilise him while we wheel him onto the chopper," said one of the men. "Miss, do the same thing to that girl. The other medic will help."

The other guy took the head of Malena's stretcher and Christi held her in place so it could scoot onto the chopper without dropping her.

Pete did exactly as the man had requested.

"Great. Hop aboard," said the pilot. Christi climbed aboard and waited for Pete to get on. The helicopter started its engines again. In fifteen minutes they would be in a hospital.

Pete just stood there and smiled at Christi. "I can't go..."

Christi shook her head. The chopper would be off in seconds - she didn't have time to discuss the matter. Thinking quickly, she threw her car keys to Pete.

"Get my car off the mountain before any of the survivalists get to it. The nearest hospital is New Masada General. I'll be there."

Pete easily caught them in the air. He silently watched as the helicopter took off and disappeared into the night's sky. Now he was all alone. Slowly he made his way back to the shelter. Once there Pete sat down and went to sleep. Just another day.

The helicopter took Christi, Malena, and Miles to the hospital. All three were treated for exposure, dehydration and hypothermia. Christi was still conscious, so she was in good condition, merely advised to drink plenty of fluids and given an electrolyte supplement. Malena and Miles were given IV's and monitored until they woke up.

Miles woke up late in the evening. At first he started to panicked because he had no idea where he was. Then once he saw the IV stuck in his skin there was only one possible place. As he slowly regained his sense, Miles knew that he needed to get out of here. He was still a wanted man and there was no way in hell he was going back to prison. For now he needed to be still "unconscious". Miles closed his eyes and waited. The best opportunity came when the nurse left. It was now or never. He ripped out the IV, then weakly got up. Wherever he was going. He wasn't going to get there fast. Slowly he made his escape.

The doctor went into Malena's room. She was groggy, but at least conscious. "You really pushed yourself, Ms. Neil," he told her. "You almost killed yourself up there."

"Miles... how is he?" Malena asked.

"Your friend was cold and dehydrated, not in as bad a shape as you were. He should be awake." He nodded to the nurse next to him. "Check on the man who came in with her."

The nurse left. "How long was I out?" asked Malena.

"About seven hours," said the doctor. The nurse came back in looking frightened a short time later.

"The man who was brought in... he's gone. Just vanished, I wasn't gone more than thirty seconds and... poof. Gone."

Malena hung her head. "Shit... I climbed the mountain all this time to go after him, and he pulls this." She struggled to her feet.

"You need to rest," said the doctor as he eased her back down onto the bed. "You're in no condition to exert yourself. Our security will find him." He gave her a light sedative to put her under, then called security.

"Dr. Ganth to security," said the doctor into a radio. "We have an escaped patient, male, mid-30's, average size. Have the guards return him to his bed."

Miles had somehow managed to get down to the loading bay for the ambulances. A bunch of people rushed past him carting some person off to the emergency. His eyes started to light up. An empty ambulance just sat there. He hobbled his way over and checked the ignition. The keys were still in it. Luck was finally on his side. Miles got inside and drove off. There was no way he was going back to prison with that insane General.

The security locked down the hospital within minutes, having armed teams patrolling in pairs or groups of four, but it was a matter of locking the stable door after the horse had bolted.

Christi called a cab to take her and Malena home. It never dawned on the security that Miles may have left the grounds until he was already half an hour away in a stolen ambulance.

An hour and half after Miles escape there was a knock on Christi's apartment door.

Christi opened the door with her husband's M-67 in her hand. It was a big, clunky weapon but it was better than nothing if someone on the other side had ill intentions...

The door opened to reveal a four men and a girl who looked to be in high school. It appeared that none of them were armed, but the guys had serious look on their faces. The oldest one started to speak up.

"Where are Pete and Miles?"

Christi shook her head. These Canadsteiners tended to be all mysterious. For all she knew, this was a hit squad sent to kill Pete and/or Miles.

She was certain Pete would return her vehicle, but she wasn't going to tell them that. "No clue," she said, closing the door.

The oldest man stopped the door with his foot. "We are the Karamazovs. Isn't that right Leslie?"

Two of the brothers stepped stepped aside, so Christi could get a look at the young Kahanistani.

Nadia had mentioned a group calling themselves the Karamazovs. She said they wanted to take Miles to Canadstein, but didn't seem to be all too trusting of them. In fact, she'd wanted Christi and Malena to escort him if possible. Christi was one of the few good special forces remaining, and Malena would protect Miles with her life.

Not good. "I don't know who you are." She leaned on her door until the Karamazov's foot was either broken or he pulled it out of the way. No sense in turning this into a shooting match even if she had the bigger gun. True, 8x65mm rounds could turn most armour into Swiss cheese, but this was a large, clunky weapon used mainly by big, burly soldiers in combat against armoured Doomani infantry. In less experienced hands, the recoil would have it all over the place.

Dmitri removed his foot, but glared at Christi. Pete had called them the day before telling them that Miles had disappeared. Since then they had been in the dark. One piece of key information that Dmitri remembered was that Pete was staying with a woman named Christi McDaniels. After twenty-fours of waiting the Karamazovs decided to move out and find this woman. They brought Leslie along in case any problems came up. She was their insurance.

Dmitri turned around and faced Leslie. "It seems like they don't want to talk to us. Either Miles is in there or this whole trip was a trap and he is in prison. Maybe they are afraid we will kill them if they tell the truth. What do you think we should do?"

Leslie seemed deep in thought. "Stake the place out for a couple of days. If they don't show up, maybe we have the wrong Christi. Did Pete mention anyone else he might have had contact with?"

Malena was home by now, if Pete had mentioned her. She would likely have even less information than Christi, though... and was far more protective of Miles.

"This is the girl. Pete said Christi McDaniels. Either she doesn't want us to know something or she knows nothing. It is probably the first one. Who knows Miles could be rotting in some prison right now. We have to act quickly. If we stake this place out Miles could be dead be then." Dmitri closed his eyes and rubbed his temple.

Out of nowhere Pavel kicked open the door. "I just made a decision."

Dmitri just shook his head. At least it was a decision. Dmitri, Ivan, and Pavel pulled out their weapons and stormed Christi's apartment. This Christi pretty much had put them in a position where this was the only choice.

"Don't fight us. We just want to talk."

Meanwhile Alexei had grabbed Leslie by the hand and had lead her down the hallway. He didn't want her to get caught in the crossfire if guns started to go off. The last thing any of the brothers wanted was innocent blood on their hands.

---

At the same time the Karamazovs were busting open the door to Christi's apartment, there was a gently knock on Nadia's apartment door.

Christi hid behind her recliner chair and fired. Generally, when someone kicks in your door, they don't just want to talk.

With such a big gun, it was important to score head or chest shots, to kill in the first shot and reduce the number of recoils, the number of bumps, and the number of misses that could result in overpenetration and collateral damage.

---

Nadia opened the door cautiously. Like Christi, and like many people in Kahanistan for that matter, she was concerned with terrorism, criminals, assassins, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

As such, whoever had knocked was greeted quite rudely, with a GLOCK 29 pistol pointed at his or her face.

The three brothers hit the deck once Christi started to fire her gun. They had no idea what to do next. Sure they could fire back, but that could result in someone getting killed. None of them wanted to kill anyone. All they wanted was to simply talk, but it seemed this Christi person didn't too.

"All we want to do is talk. Stop firing the gun or someone might actually get hurt. Do you want that to happen?" called out Ivan.

---

When the door opened it revealed a very pale Miles. A couple miles back he had ditched the ambulance then walked the remainder of the way. When he saw the gun pointed at his fire Miles collapsed.

"Then get the hell out of my house," said Christi. "I'm not too willing to trust someone who just kicked in my door." For all she knew, they would rape her or torture her until she gave more information about Miles or Pete.

---

Nadia hadn't fired. Miles must have collapsed due to stress. Being an Agent, he'd been under loads of it, so it must have reached the breaking point. She picked Miles up, with great difficulty given her size relative to Miles', and set him on her bed. She sat on the bed and watched him until he came to, even checking his pulse - if it stopped suddenly, back to the hospital he'd go.

"We just to know where Pete and Miles are now." Dmitri slowly got up with his hands up in the air.

---

Miles had a weak pulse, but a pulse nevertheless. About two hours after he had arrived at her door he started to speak.

"Nadia?"

"So you can kill them?" Christi didn't seem particularly willing to talk, but stopped firing. "Why should I trust someone who kicked in my door after I told them to fuck off? How do I know you won't just kill me? If you don't, you'll have the cops on your asses."

---

Nadia smiled. "It's all right. So, you've decided to stay here. What changed your mind?"

"No, so we can know that they are safe." Dmitri let go of his gun. Soon after his two other brothers followed. Then out of nowhere they kicked their weapons over to Christi. "How are we going to kill you if we don't have weapons? Now are you going to let us talk to you?"

---

"I love you..." Miles then passed out again.

"All right." Christi didn't lower her own weapon, figuring the men could jump her if she did. "Miles went to the hospital for exposure. He was on top of a mountain. Pete, I don't know." She had had no contact with him since boarding the medevac.

---

Nadia sat next to Miles, monitoring his vitals. She hoped that he was all right.

"Is that everything?" asked Dmitri.

"Yup." Christi figured Pete was going to return her car, but didn't want the Brothers around when he did. She'd have to bring up their methods with him later... assuming they didn't take that girl's suggestion of staking out the place.

---

Nadia turned on the fan. Her apartment didn't have a working air conditioner, but she was comfortable enough with a fan on high speed. She wasn't going to have Miles overheat or worse. She sat next to Miles and held his hand.

"What hospital?" asked Ivan.

---

Miles started to sweat like there was no tomorrow. Along with that he was starting to mutter, but it was a bunch of gibberish.

Christi sighed. "New Masada General." He'd disappeared, so it wasn't like she was giving him up, and it was the last place she'd seen him.

---

Nadia looked at Miles. She moved the fan right up to him and got a glass of ice water. She didn't want to go further, undressing him for example, in case he came to and thought she was taking advantage of him.

"You need to drink," she said firmly, like a mother talking to a child who'd been out in the sun all day. She hoped he heard her.

If not... one of the early signs of a stroke was slurred, unintelligible speech. If that were the case, he would be beyond her military first aid training...

"How about you come with us?" Pavel said with no emotions. "We have no idea where that hospital is located. Plus you are an officer and that would quell any suspicious against us the moment we walk into the hospital."

---

"Don't leave me..." Miles winched in pain.

"I'm not going anywhere till my door's fixed," said Christi. "Not letting someone walk in and take my stuff. New Masada General's right off the main highway into the capital, just follow the blue 'H' signs for the hospital. Need any more help, they sell G.P.S.'es at the electronics shop at the corner of Main and Seventh. If they didn't suspect Miles, they won't suspect you."

---

Nadia came back and sat next to Miles. She was dressed lightly, in a loose-fitting sundress. She looked to be suffering from the heat, too, mostly because she'd moved her fan over to Miles.

"Drink up," she said. "What happened?"

"Who knows? You could tip them off." replied Pavel.

---

"Where am I?" asked a delirious Miles.

Christi was getting pretty scared. Kahanistanian police advised people never to get in a car with someone, even at gunpoint - they were likely to kill you anyway.

"That's... a chance you'll have to take. I'm not coming with you." She picked up a fresh magazine, even though she'd only expended about half of her current one. The last thing she wanted was to be caught reloading.

---

"My apartment," said Nadia. "You showed up here scared. I thought you might be one of the Karamazovs and opened the door with a gun and you passed out."

Dmitri slowly approached her. "Then you are going to have to kill me."

---

"Who are?" Miles wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I have no intention of killing anyone. You are leaving my apartment." Christi sighted Dmitri's forehead in the sight of her weapon. One shot would burst his head and kill him instantly.

---

"It's me. Nadia. We... met several months ago during an investigation," said Nadia. She picked up the glass of ice water and held it up to Miles' face. "Now, drink. It's not poison."

Dmitri continued forward. He wasn't going to stand down. If Christi wanted to kill him, then she would have an open shot to do so.

---

"Nadia?" Miles said slightly confused. Slowly he started to drink the water.

Christi had no intention of killing anyone. She smacked Dmitri in the side of the head with the butt of her rifle, then pointed it at the other brothers. She retrieved her cell from her pocket to call the police and let them deal with the brothers.

---

Nadia put an arm around Miles. "Yes, it's me. What happened to you?"

Dmitri quickly recovered and smacked the cell phone out of her hand. He turned, then glared at Christi. "Why did you do that?"

---

"I don't...remember." Miles eyes then he winched in pain again.

Christi didn't answer. She fired, downwards at Dmitri's legs and inched back toward her cell. Christi walked sideways like a crab to keep her eyes on the others, ready to plug anyone who looked to be trying to retrieve their weapons. For all she knew, they were going to take Miles to Canadstein by force. She couldn't allow this - Malena seemed to be growing on him and to be taken away from him could destroy what was left of her emotional stability. Plus, who knew what was in store for Miles?

---

Nadia shook her head. "It's all right... for now. Do you... remember anything about me?"

The bullets almost hit Dmitri, but did graze his leg. Pavel and Ivan inched away, not wanting to get shot. Dmitri cried out to her. "IF YOU ARE GOING TO KILL US, THEN GET IT OVER WITH."

---

"I remember...but it is haze." replied Miles.

This was the last thing Christi wanted to do - she didn't want anyone dead. She just wanted them out of her home. Figuring it probably wasn't safe to break concentration to make another move for her cell, and risk being disarmed, she decided her best bet was to make enough of a racket that one of the neighbours called the police. She took another shot at Dmitri to put him down, still hoping to disable him without killing him.

---

Nadia nodded. "It should come back to you," she said. "I'll go call a friend." She picked up the phone book and found Malena's number. Nadia decided to pass Miles off to her before he attached emotionally to her again...

"Ms. Neil, this is Miss Sklenova," she said. "Miles is at my apartment, disoriented. You should come over and check him out."

"Well, Malena's going to be here in about an hour. She'll take care of it from there."

This time the bullet hit its target. The bullet went clear through Dmitri's leg. He screamed out in pain. Falling back over, Dmitri grabbed for where the wound was located. Now blood was gushing out. Dmitri looked surprised, that Christi had actually shot him, and scared. His brothers rushed over too him. A lot of blood was coming out. Ivan tried to patch it up, but Pavel turned around to fac Christi.

"Is this what you wanted?"

---

"No...I want to stay with you, Nadia." Miles weakly pointed at her.

"No. Take your friend out and get him to a hospital... and pray to whatever god you worship that nobody called the cops. If you're quick, he may not even lose his leg." She covered the men to make sure they took him out, and didn't go for their weapons instead.

---

Nadia shook her head. She didn't want to hurt Miles' feelings, but she didn't want him to bond to her again, probably more strongly now that he'd lost his memory. She'd end up blowing him off and he'd go running into the mountains again. Malena seemed to care about him, and from what Nadia knew, she hadn't had many people close to her in a while.

"No... my apartment isn't really big enough for two people," she said. "It's best if we don't get too close. You would only end up getting hurt."

Dmitri had turned a deathly white. Ivan was trying to patch up his leg, but too much blood was gushing out. Pavel turned back around to find a panicked Ivan trying to patch up Dmitri. They needed to get him out of this apartment now, but would there still be enough time. Dmitri couldn't die. He had led them through so much. One bullet couldn't kill him.

"I can't stop the bleeding..." Ivan said. He seemed to be totally lost.

Pavel turned back around to Christi. "Are you happy with yourself. You killed our brother."

Alexei came rushing into the apartment with Leslie. The moment Alexei saw Dmitri bleeding all over the place, he got on his knees and started to cry.

---

Miles grabbed a hold of Nadia's hands. "I don't care, Nadia. You are the only one I love. Please."

Christi picked up her cell and dialed EMS. "We've got... a shooting victim in my apartment." The EMS had ways of tracing calls - no sense wasting time giving her address. "He's lost a lot of blood. 8x65mm round in the leg. He's pretty pale, must be bleeding out of his femoral artery."

Leslie looked at the wound. It looked pretty bad. Without thinking, she pulled off her T-shirt and tied it around Dmitri's leg, above the wound, and elevated the leg. It wasn't like she didn't have anything on underneath, and besides, a man's life was on the line.

"I think she'll let us take him out," said Leslie. "If she'd wanted to... she could have killed us all, and she didn't. Will you?" she asked, looking up at Christi.

Christi nodded calmly. "Yes... I'll let you take him. I don't want anyone to die."

---

Nadia pulled away. It was better to push away now, rather than let him attach to her all over again.

"I... don't feel the same way. We could still be friends. I think someone else is more... suited to you." If she could help Malena, and help Miles at the same time, killing two birds with one stone was always a good thing.

Dmitri was now going into shock. Ivan and Pavel sat next to Dmitri trying to comfort him. Meanwhile Alexei had gotten up and walked to Christi. He angrily glared at her. "Look what you did to my brother. He walked to you with no weapons, then what do you do? You shoot him. I hope you feel happy."

---

"No Nadia...please just give it a chance. You never know." Miles looked at her. His eyes just were filled of sadness.

Christi shook her head. Alexei was right, but she had still feared being disarmed and taken. Dmitri had shown no fear at going up to snatch her cell, and had even shrugged off a blow to the head... why would he not snatch her weapon and enable the others to jump her? She walked away, not turning her back on the others.

At the same time, two ambulance personnel came into the apartment through the broken door, a smallish woman with an oxygen tank and a defibrillator, and a large man with a stretcher, first aid kit, and a bag of transfusion blood.

"Is this your victim?" the woman asked, looking at Dmitri. She went over to him to check his vitals.

---

"I... don't think that we're made for each other," said Nadia. In ten minutes, Malena would be there. Unlike Nadia, she was actually interested, had even tried to get Miles to have sex with her shortly after meeting.

"We've known each other for a year. I don't think that another chance is going to help."

Alexei pulled out his handgun and pointed it at the two paramedics. "Don't touch my brother. Now both of you leave."

The other brothers had retrieved their guns and were also pointing their weapons at the paramedics.

---

"You haven't even given me a chance. Ever since the day I met you, Nadia, you have trying to push me away." Miles sighed.

Christi leveled her weapon at the brothers from behind. "Down on the floor, now. Put the guns down."

The male medic stood up in front of his companion. "Cops are coming in any minute. They always come to shootings. Now, if you want to get out of this alive, and your brother to come out of this alive, you will shut the fuck up, and get out of my way."

He was taking a risk with his life, and he knew it, but this was a situation they didn't cover in medic training, he didn't want to leave his patient to die, and he also wanted to impress his female partner.

---

Nadia shook her head. "I can't be in a relationship," she said. "My life is crazy enough as it is." Better to hurt his feelings in the short term than lead him on in the long term...

A knock came at the door.

"There is no point." Pavel pointed to Dmitri's lifeless body. "He is already dead. Your services are no longer required. Now leave."

Alexei and Ivan turned around to see their dead brother. They couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Sure there had been times when they had been shot, but nothing this serious. Now one of their brothers wad dead. Alexei walked over to his brother and got down on his knees, then started to cry. Their old brother, their protector, their guiding light, their moral conscience was dead. All he wanted to do was talk with Christi, but in return he got a bullet which took his life.

Ivan faced Christi. "You kill...Dmitri..."

---

"No...Nadia...no." Miles said quietly.

Normally, Christi would have broken down, crying. She was badly shaken and depressed - she hadn't wanted to kill Dmitri at all. She didn't want to be taken away for God only knew what purpose. She felt she was protecting herself, probably Miles too. Pete would probably be pissed at her, but she wasn't even thinking about that.

The medic at Dmitri's side shook her head, then looked back at her companion. "Mark. He's not breathing, no heartbeat." She reached into her pack and retrieved a dose of epinephrine to restart his heart so they could shock him. Contrary to popular belief, a defibrillator does not restart the heart, but merely gets an erratically beating one back into a proper rhythm.

"We carry blood, unlike most EMT units. We're instructed not to give up until a physician pronounces death." She seemed oblivious to the guns pointed at her. Maybe she didn't think they'd shoot a medic, maybe she was willing to risk her life for her patient.

The man called Mark set the bag of transfusion blood, type O-negative, universal donor, down on the floor. Normally, he would have administered the blood himself, but someone had to deal with these irate brothers until the police came.

"Jill, it looks like you're going to have to put the IV in. Just like when you're taking blood from donors... only the other way around," said Mark.

---

Nadia ignored Miles and answered the door. A young woman with medium brown hair, blue eyes and a slim figure stood at the doorway. She was dressed in a leather biker jacket and long trousers.

"Miles, this is Malena," said Nadia. "Malena, he seems to have suffered memory loss. Only recently started to remember who I was, and now it seems he's attaching to me again."

Malena nodded sadly. She looked over at Miles and smiled.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!!!" Alexei pointed his gun at the woman named Jill. "DO YOU WANT TO DIE? IF NO THEN STAND BACK AND LEAVE!"

The other two brothers were still point their weapons at their respective target. There was no way in hell they were going to stand down. Especially the paramedics, who were not taking them seriously. Now they had no reason to hold back. Dmitri was their own flesh and blood. He had been taken away for no reason. It was as though their father had been killed away all over.

"Come over here Christi." Pavel said with no emotion.

---

Miles eye widen as he saw Malena. He grabbed for a nearby weapon, which happened to be a lamp. "Don't get any closer."

The two police officers outside the apartment heard the shouting at the medics and drew their MP7's.

"This is going to get ugly," said one of the officers. "Sounds like a hostage situation, or a robbery."

"Door's broken, Bruce. Looks like we won't need the battering ram." The other cop crept up to the side of the doorway, still out of sight.

"Yeah. But we could still use some pepper spray, Cliff."

---

Christi shook her head. These people wanted revenge, most likely. They were going to kill her, even if she'd been wrong and they weren't going to do so before.

"They won't do anything, miss. I'll see to it." She continued to watch over the medic as she administered the epi and inserted the blood tube. The girl looked scared, but was probably encouraged by having someone with a big scary gun on her side. "Just get him onto the stretcher." She still didn't know about the police officers right outside the doorway, despite facing it.

---

"Miles, put it down," said Nadia. "This is a friend. Malena... he's just agitated right now."

Alexei dropped his gun, then once again got on his knees. He put his arms around Dmitri's lifeless body. "You weren't suppose to leave us...Dmitri."

The other two brothers dropped their weapons. Dmitri wouldn't be happy if had seen them pointing their guns at the paramedics. They were just doing their jobs. Plus they were just trying to help him. All they were doing was stopping them being an annoyance. Ivan grabbed a nearby chair then sat down. He need to think. So much had happened in a little amount of time. It was finally starting to sink in.

Pavel slowly walked over to Christi with his arms raised. "I just want to talk...please for Dmitri?"

----

The lamp dropped to floor. Miles violently shook his head. It was pretty obvious that he was shaken up by the arrival of Malena. A couple of time he tried to form words, but nothing was produced.

"We can talk here. I'm not coming with you," Christi said coldly. She actually felt rotten about Dmitri, but didn't want to show it - a holdover from her training that showing weakness was bad juju around hostiles.

Mark picked up Dmitri and put him on the stretcher. He and Jill wheeled him out to their ambulance. "We'll be at New Masada General," said Jill.

"I just hope we weren't too late," said Mark.

---

Malena sat next to Miles. "You almost died on that mountain," she said sadly. She put her arms around him warmly.

"Why?" asked Pavel.

Alexei firmly held onto Dmitri's body. "I am coming with you."

Ivan motioned for Leslie to come to him, though he was the only brother to notice the two cops coming through the broken door.

---

Miles seemed to be in pain as Malena put her arms around him. He did not want to be close to her. This was evidently by him trying to wriggle out of her grip. "No..."

"Because I don't trust you. Even less so now," said Christi. "I don't know what your intentions are. You're suspiciously insistent on me coming with you to find Miles. You forced your way into my apartment. Now... tell me what you came here to tell me."

The ambulance driver allowed Alexei to board the ambulance with Dmitri. While Jill was shocking him and giving him oxygen from the tanks, Mark introduced them. "Mark Connell," he said. "This is Jillian Wolfe. We just call her Jill. We'll be at the hospital in five minutes."

The ambulance roared through the streets of the capital with its sirens blaring to the hospital and its advanced medical technology.

---

Malena seemed hurt. She didn't say anything, but let Miles pull away from her. Nadia went across the room, to put some distance from him.

"I don't care about trust. We just want to know the truth." demanded Pavel.

"Alexei." He simply put. His arms were still wrapped around his brother.

At that same time Pete was walking through the broken door. He hadn't seen the ambulance pull off, but was instantly scared for Christi once he noticed the broken door. What had happened? Pete saw Ivan and Pavel, but where were the other two Karamazovs? He noticed a blood stain on the floor. What the hell had happened here.

Ivan still sat in the chair. "Leslie come here."

---

"Why are you here?" asked Miles to Malena.

"The truth about what?" Christi nodded to Pete to acknowledge his presence, but did not speak to him.

Leslie sat next to Ivan. She seemed shocked and confused.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital. Mark wheeled the stretcher at full speed into the intensive care ward while Jill kept shocking and giving oxygen. Here Dmitri could be put on life support... given plenty of oxygen and maybe more blood... but the medics and nurses here wouldn't give up on a patient as quickly as the brothers had.

---

"You're my friend," said Malena. "I found out you were here. I wanted to know you were O.K."

"What happened to Miles? I know that you were lying before. Are you going to tell me the truth?" Pavel stated.

Ivan put his arms around Leslie so that he could at least try to comfort her. "Everything is going to be alright."

Pete looked around at the room. It was in complete chaos. He knew that Christi probably had all the answers, but Pavel was busy talking to her. For now it would best to wait. Still he wondered where Dmitri and Alexei were located. It didn't seem like they were in Christi's apartment.

---

"I don't know you." Miles simply said.

"I said he went to the hospital," said Christi. "That is the truth." She didn't want to mention the escape, and even if she did, she didn't know where he'd gone.

In the ICU, Dmitri was hooked up to life support to give oxygen to his body and try to keep him alive while his blood volume was restored, the bullet extracted from his leg and his wounds sutured. Only time would tell...

---

Malena shook her head. "You've just lost your memory on the mountain. It'll come back to you some time." She seemed to feel rejected, but was willing to let his memory come back to him...

"That isn't the truth, Christi." Pavel stated.

---

"Don't come any closer." Miles somewhat yelled.

"Then there's no point in talking. I give you the truth and you won't accept it. Get out." Christi clutched the spare magazine to her weapon.

---

Nadia left the room quietly. She was going to let Miles and Malena get closer, and hopefully he would attach to someone who actually wanted his attention, wanted him to love her.

In one swift move Pavel knocked the rifle out of Christi's hands. "Tell me the truth. Where is Miles?"

---

"Nadia...don't leave me again." Miles called out to her.

Christi held on, the strap of the rifle still around her shoulders. "I told you. Now, get out before I kill all of you." She pointed the weapon directly into Leslie's face. She had no intention of shooting, but Pavel didn't know that.

"Go ahead. Shoot her. Wanted for first degree murder. I am sure you will end up in jail. You will be a disgrace to your family and be dishonorably discharged from the army." Pavel said coldly.

Ivan held on to Leslie. He wasn't going to let this madwoman kill another innocent person. Pete looked on with horror. Never before had he seen Christi in this light. It was almost if she a different woman.

"Christi put the rifle down. Please." Pete said painfully.

Christi looked at Pete. She wasn't going to shoot, but didn't want to put away her last bargaining chip at staying out of a Canadsteiner detention facility having her memory wiped. Images of disturbing ideas of what the Brothers wanted with her flashed through her head.

"Then take the Brothers away," she said coldly. "I'm not going with them, and I'm not going to sit here and repeat myself to them until I get tired of hearing the same questions." Her voice began to break despite her efforts to hide her feelings. "Take them away, and no one else has to die." Of course, she wanted to believe the medics would be successful with Dmitri, and that no one had died, but had to appear capable of killing even innocent people, to show how crazy she was, that she wasn't to be messed with...

---

Malena sat across from Miles and took off her jacket. She had a tight-fitting top on that allowed one to see her stomach muscles if one looked close enough under it. "I don't think she's interested in you that way," she said as Nadia walked out and closed the door.

Pete nodded, then grabbed Pavel and started to talk with. Pavel shook his head a couple of times and explained what had happened. The two men separated, then shook hands. Pavel gave a signal to Ivan for him to get up. Ivan got up with Leslie and walked out of Christi's apartment. After they were gone, Pete let out a sigh of relief. Slowly he walked over to Christi. Putting his arm around her waist, Pete took a deep breath.

"Tell me what happened."

---

"But I lover her..." Miles started to cry.

Christi dropped her weapon and broke down. "I didn't want this to happen. I told the Brothers that Miles had been taken to the hospital. They wouldn't listen, kicked in the door. I thought they were going to take me, they were very insistent on me going with them. I think they want to take him back by force..." She started crying. "One of them... came up to me. They don't take no for an answer. I hit him in the side of the head with the gun butt and he kept coming. I fired a shot at his leg, to scare him, he kept coming. I fired again... into his leg, and he went down, bled a lot. I called the medics, I don't know... if they were able to save him. One of the others went with him."

"I wasn't going to hurt the girl. I wanted them to think I would so they'd go away. I hope to God the other man pulls through..."

---

Malena smiled weakly. "I... know how you feel. She is a nice woman." And so much more beautiful than I am. "But... she doesn't feel the same way. I... I think I do. I want you to like me."

Pete put his arms around Christi and hugged her. He should have been here with her. None of this would have happened. All of this happened because of him not being here. It seemed like the Karamazovs were just trying to find out where Miles was. He hadn't called them since yesterday and they assumed the worse. Now Dmitri could be dead and the rest of them were pretty shaken up. Pete wiped away Christi's tears, then gently kissed her. "Christi, don't blame yourself. It seemed like everyone was overreacting here. I am the one you should blame. If I came with you, then none of this would have happened. I could have calmed the Karamavos down and stopped them from kicking down your door."

He paused for a minute. "Christi you have to understand the Karamazovs were just worrying about Miles and me. They might have thought that you double crossed us and told the government. The Karamazovs are good boys. I still think of them as boys. The kid that was talking to when I came in. He is only nineteen. Christi just trust me. The Karamazovs mean no harm. Hopefully their brother will be fine and I can clear up the misunderstanding."

Pete smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "So Miles is at the hospital?"

---

"I only want Nadia." Miles stubbornly said.

"Malena and I accompanied Miles to the hospital," said Christi. "You were with me on the mountain. Miles disappeared from there, but I don't know what became of him after we took him into the ER. They locked down the hospital, but couldn't find him. I didn't want to talk about that because they wouldn't believe it."

"The government isn't actively pursuing Miles, as long as he has the ear of the President. Once she leaves office, though... I think she plans to pardon him before the end of her term, once she's no longer worried about her political career. There are still those who want to kill him, though... they think he represents the ability of your government to act with impunity abroad and deny knowledge of it, and it scares them."

---

Malena nodded. "We all feel that way about someone, but she's... just not interested in you that way. She just walked out on you. Just... open up to me."

"The Karamazovs would have believe because I believe Christi. There has never been a point were I doubted you with every fiber of my skin. You know I love you." Pete looked her straight in the eyes. "Miles probably ran because first off he had no idea where he was. Second he probably thought he was going to shipped off to some prison. I would have probably done the same. The only problem is that we have no idea where Miles is now. He could be anywhere in this city or dead. Hopefully not the latter. Do you have any ideas where he could be?"

---

"No. I don't even know you. For all I know you could be an assassin sent by the government to kill me." Miles firmly stated.

"Not really," said Christi. "I think he's unstable. Could be anywhere. We should go to the hospital and see if the other man is OK. I'll... trust them if you do." She stood up.

---

Malena nodded. "Well, I suppose you could search me for weapons. You won't find any... but let's talk more and get to know each other... again."

"Alright lets go then." Pete said with a warm smile.

---

"I don't know you." Miles kept on repeating over and over again.

Christi nodded. "Let's take your car. I'll come with you. You might want to contact Malena. She's pretty concerned about him, we should let her know we're looking for him." Christi also wanted backup, in case Dmitri didn't pull through and the others decided to take out their grief on her.

---

Malena sat down and took his abuse. "You did... suffer memory loss, are you even willing to accept that it's possible that we met before?"

"Oh you mean your car. I brought it back for you." Pete tossed Christi's car keys back to her. "You have Malena's number?'

---

"No...I have never seen you before." Miles said.

"It's programmed into my cell," said Christi, handing over her mobile. She led Pete to her car, still shaken over recent events. There was room enough in it for the Brothers, too.

---

Malena nodded. "I see. Well... Miss Sklenova allowed me in here without raising a ruckus, so she clearly trusts me. Given your feelings toward her, you're probably willing to believe she has your interests at heart, and that she wouldn't admit someone with hostile intentions. Logically, you would want to believe me, and trust what I say is true." She hoped she didn't sound too much like a Vulcan, but it was... logical.

"Wait a second." Pete went back to the brothers and told them what they were doing. Shortly he arrived back to Christi. "They are just going to follow us."

Pete then dialed Malena's number.

---

"I only trust Nadia. No one else." Miles stated.

Malena nodded calmly. She got up and was about to sit next to Miles when her cell rang.

"Hello...?"

"Malena, it's Pete. We are trying to look for Miles. Have any idea where he is?" asked Pete.

Miles quickly moved over to the empty spot, so Malena couldn't sit down there.

Malena sighed. She didn't want to hand Miles over, and if she did give away his position, he'd likely jump her and run anyway, especially since he didn't remember anything about Canadstein. He'd been able to escape when wounded and surrounded by dozens of National Police - it was unlikely she or Nadia would be able to stop him.

"No... nothing." It wasn't so much that she didn't trust the Brothers - she hadn't had her door kicked in by four men who refused to leave - it was more that she didn't want Miles to run away again.

"If you have any information just call Christi's cell phone. I guess that is all. Also I hope that you make a quick recovery." Pete hung up the phone and handed it back to Christi. "Just doesn't know anything."

He just hoped that Miles was alright.

---

"Who was that Mabel?" Miles asked to Malena. His eyes narrowed. He still did not trust Malena.

"All right," said Malena. "Thanks."

"Not Mabel. Malena." She thought Miles had gotten her name wrong. "Just a friend, wanting to see how I was doing after the mountain climb."

Miles was only so big - there was only so much space he could take. Malena found the nearest unoccupied space and sat down. "While we're together, why not tell me everything you remember about the last few days?"

"Nothing Mabel. The last thing I remember was meeting the Karamazvos and Leslie. Everything after that is a blank." Miles closed his eyes and thought. He couldn't remember anything. Okay maybe some stuff, but it was very faint. Miles remembered Nadia getting drunk and coming onto him. Also seeing Pete and Christi together. Nothing else. It was too murky.

"Do you remember... anything about me?" Malena asked after a few minutes of watching Miles close his eyes and presumably think.

"I vaguely remember that you were suppose to watch over me when I went after Scott. Also that you were raped by him." Miles opened his eyes.

"I was... assaulted, managed to get away," said Malena. "I'm glad you remember me now." She smiled weakly. "Yes, I was one of the guards at the military base we were at. You helped us a lot when we were tracking this Mr. Lang."

"I really have no idea who you are. I just remember your face...from that one time." Miles then asked a question out of nowhere. "How did it feel to get raped?"

Malena's smile vanished. She was completely shocked that Miles would bring up those memories again.

"I was... scared," she said. "Really scared, I thought I was going to die. But... I had someone to protect, I had motivation beyond my own survival to get away."

She moved into a comfortable position, sat back and crossed her legs. "Do you remember seeing me later, in the guest bedroom in the Presidential Palace?"

"Sorry about bringing up a bad memory." Miles said blandly. "No...this is my second time meeting or at least my brain is telling me that."

Malena nodded casually and placed her arms gently around Miles. "We met there for the second time. I came on to you pretty strong then."

She looked enticingly at Miles. "I was drunk then and you didn't want to take advantage of me. I'm not drunk now..."

"Sorry, but I don't remember any of that." Miles seemed uncomfortable when Malena put her arms around him. "Okay you are not drunk. That is good."

Malena released her hold. She seemed to feel that he was rejecting her advances, again.

"Well...after you met the brothers, in the woods... do you remember going to the Presidential Palace?" she asked. "Being taken there in a tank?"

"Not really. I remember a tank and some woods. Then a building under construction. A person El-Hajj Mohammed al-Haram bin Uthman. A mustache. A man named Beckett." revealed Miles.

Malena nodded. "Do you remember more? That's where we met for the second time, me and another woman, Christi. Sr. Colonel Beckett is the commander of the Presidential Security Detachment. Mohammed... was your alias because some of the people there were hostile." She didn't want to mention that half of Kahanistan wanted Miles stuck on a pike - that could send him running.

She spoke softly, her eyes lighting up whenever she saw that Miles was remembering things.

"Sorry I don't." Miles shook his head.

Malena nodded. "Your memory is already coming back." She decided to break the ice and tell him a little about herself.

"Well... I suppose you should know a little about me. My name is Malena Neil, if I haven't told you already. I'm 28 and a Major in the Army Special Forces. I like painting, heavy metal, and fast cars. I live on the outskirts of the capital, in a small house near the mountains." She looked to see if any of this rang a bell.

Miles shook his head. "Should I tell you about myself?"

"Please do," said Malena. This would give her an idea of how much Miles still remembered. "I'd like to hear."

"My name is Miles Mason. I'm thirty-two years old. Born in Canadstein. For a while I was an Agent for the Canadstein Intelligence Agency. Served with them for about ten years until I came to the realization they were doing horrible things. Currently I am a wanted man in Kahanistan." Miles replied.

"So, you remember," said Malena. "Do you remember how you came to be here, in this room?"

"No." Miles was getting tired of being interrogated by this mysterious woman.

Malena could tell that Miles was losing his patience with her. "I... think we've done enough business talk, for now," she said. She took Miles by the hand and squeezed. "I'll... see you again sometime," she said. It was best not to overstay her welcome.

She hugged him briefly and stood up. "I think I told you sometime where to find me. If not, you can look me up, I'm in a few unclassified military databases." Malena made for the door, half hoping Miles would stop her.

"Where are you going, Malena?" Miles had finally got her name right.

"I was going to go home," said Malena. She smiled. "Do you want to come with me?"

She picked up her jacket and turned around to face Miles.

"Don't leave. Just stay here." Miles looked somewhat hurt.

Malena smiled widely and dropped her jacket. She placed her arms gently around Miles, pressing her body into him. "That means so much to me."

"Does it?" asked a slightly confused Miles. He just didn't want to be left alone.

"Yes... that you want me to stay with you. That you don't want me to leave." She kissed him passionately. "Will you... go with me?"

A little forward, but she didn't want to have sex on Nadia's bed. Even in Kahanistan, where people these days frequently had sex with people they'd just met, there were lines one didn't cross - children, students, people in the same chain of command... and having sex on the bed of someone one barely knew.

"I guess, but what about Nadia?" asked Miles.

"She doesn't... seem to have the same interest in you that I do," said Malena. She took Miles by the hand again, squeezed hard and led him toward the door.

"Let's... go." Malena's vehicle had been repaired and tuned up since burning out on the mountain and was capable of frightening speed.

"Shouldn't we say good-bye to Nadia first?" Miles was slightly confused why Malena wanted to leave so quickly.

"All right." Malena opened the door to the apartment and walked out. Nadia was at the edge, apparently waiting to try to grab Miles if he made a run for it. She smiled at the two, figuring that Malena had gotten Miles to attach to her instead.

"Where're you going?" asked Nadia.

"My place," replied Malena. "Going to spend some more time there... hopefully everything will work out for the better."

"Nadia I will always be here for you." Miles went up to her and kissed her cheek. He rejoined Malena by her side. There was sadness in Miles' eyes as they left Nadia's apartment. Miles still wished that it could have worked between them. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. He just hoped that there was someone out there for Nadia.

Nadia smiled. "I'll see you again."

She waved at her friend as Malena went to her sports car and started the engine, waiting for Miles to come. Soon... Malena hoped to solve a lot of her problems, and some of Miles' in one fell swoop.

"I hope that you I see you again." muttered Miles as they left. It was pretty clear that he was heartbroken. He loved Nadia so much, but it was obvious that she did not feel the same way. Much of the car ride to Malena's, Miles stayed quiet and looked out the window.

Malena noticed that Miles was depressed, but in half an hour at these speeds, they would be back at her place. She put the radio on to try to improve his mood and hauled ass back home, kicking up metric fucktons of dirt and gravel on the way into her driveway. Rubber melted with every sharp turn, smelling like something burning.

She exited the car after a long trip of loud music, obtuse-angle turns, and ear-bursting speeds. "Home... sweet home."

"I guess..." Miles said with a forlorn look. He looked over at Malena and weakly smiled. "Seems kind of familiar."

"Yeah, I live here." Malena smiled broadly. "You're remembering more. After tonight... you'll never forget me." She unlocked the door to her house and let Miles in.

Miles was a little skeptical but entered her house. Malena wanted to have sex with him, but Miles was still uneasy about it. He barely knew the girl and it would feel very awkward. In his mind he had just met her. Now just wanted to have sex. Was that a weird? Well the Kahanistani were much more liberal with sex. Still it would be strange to him.

Malena took Miles by the hand and sat down on her love seat. With one of her compatriots the situation would be easy enough, but Miles seemed... off, as if he weren't entirely interested in her. Well, she was probably the only woman for thousands of kilometres who was interested in him, and she was harbouring him from his own people...

Normally, at this point she would retire to change into something comfortable. However, she'd already given some pretty strong signals, and probably spooked Miles more than once. She simply offered refreshments.

"Do you want anything to drink?"

"Do you have some water?" Miles asked.

Malena nodded. "Sure." She stepped up, kicked off her shoes, and went into the kitchen. In less than a minute she was back with two tall glasses of ice water. She gave one to Miles and took a gulp of the other.

"How are you feeling?"

"Alright...kind of feel tired. Also somewhat hungry. Feels like I haven't eaten in a while." Miles admitted.

"You probably haven't. I have loads of protein bars and army food, I hope you like them." She went into the kitchen and found two boxes of protein bars.

"Chocolate or peanut butter?"

"Chocolate would be fine." called out Miles.

Malena came in with a chocolate protein bar. She looked out the window.

"It's getting kind of dark," she said. "Feeling tired?"

Miles started to nibble on the protein bar. It wasn't too bad, though it could have been worse. "A little."

Malena nodded. "Me, too," she said. "I'll... go change, for the night." She went into her room and took a bit longer than normal, about five minutes, to come out in a set of lavender pajamas.

Miles had already finished up the protein bar and thrown away the wrapper. Now he was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed.

Malena took Miles by the hand gently. "Care to stay the night with me?" she asked. "I'll keep the lights off, if you find my artwork too disturbing."

Much of Malena's artwork had to do with Doomani atrocities and the loss of her younger sister in the insurgency. She had been protective of her sister for most of her life, and the loss hit her hard.

"That sounds nice." Miles eyes were still closed.

Malena smiled. She was going to remember this night the rest of her life. She took Miles by the hand and led him to her room. The bed was large and the room was overall neat, but that was all that could be seen in the dark - minimal traces of the horrific art Miles had seen last time he was here could be seen.

"Just lie down... and relax."

Miles followed her command and sat down, then tried to relax. It was very hard to though. A lot was on his mind. First of he was wondering if he was being taken advantage of. Did this Malena person even know him at all or just wanted a quick fuck? Well Nadia did call her personally. So there must be some reason Nadia wanted Malena to care of Miles. Taking a deep breath, Miles cleared his mind.

Malena smiled. She opened the top of her pajamas somewhat. Here was the reason she'd taken so long to get changed - she had some kind of black lace outfit underneath.

"You seem... tense," she said. She lay next to him and began touching him, trying to get him aroused. Malena did have her agenda, but it had little to do with quick gratification and more to do with her emotional issues.

"A lot of stuff is on my mind." Miles felt a tad bit unconformable when Malena started to touch him. Maybe he wasn't ready to do it yet.

"It's all right," said Malena. She wrapped her arms around him gently. She wanted something, but she also wanted Miles to like her. Malena also wanted to have a child, but bringing up that subject would likely send Miles up a mountain so high she'd never be able to reach him and probably get herself killed in the attempt.

"Can you... hold me?"

He didn't response with words, but action. Miles slowly put his arms around her, then brought Malena closer to himself. Now there was nothing separating their bodies.

Malena smiled warmly. She opened her pajama top further. She was clearly excited...

"Why are you doing this?" asked Miles as he held Malena in his arms.

"I..." Because I want to have a baby. Because I want to bond emotionally. Because I want someone to love me. There were too many reasons, and they were all likely to send Miles packing for the nearest high mountain he could find at warp speed.

Malena sighed. "Do I need a reason...? I just want us to feel good." This sounded like the more liberal view of the typical Kahanistanian woman. It didn't go into too much detail about Malena's deep-seated psychological issues...

"Are you sure that you want to do this?" asked slightly a concerned Miles.

Malena nodded. "I am." She slipped out of her pajamas slowly and ran her fingers over her body. "Do you want to...?"

Miles was a little hesitant. He barely knew this girl and just wanted to have sex with him. Was that a little odd? Yes, but this was Kahanistan. This Malena girl was pretty attractive and had a nice body. Taking a big gulp, Miles ran his hands over her body. Suddenly he stopped at her breasts. He gave them a nice, big squeeze. Before she could say anything, Miles covered her mouth with a kiss. Slowly he let go. "Let me take off my clothes."

Malena smiled widely. She was going to like this. She lay on her back, still in her pajamas and lace getup, and opened her legs suggestively to let Miles have his way with her.

Miles undressed then made his way over Malena's side. "Aren't you going to get undressed too?"

"I thought you would do that for me," said Malena. She spoke softly, as if aroused, and breathed heavily. She opened her pajama top all the way and slid it back.

"I can tell I'm going to like this," she said, looking Miles over as well as she could in the dark.

"Oh I am?" Miles asked in an innocent voice. Slowly he stripped Malena until she was completely naked. "You better be ready."

Unexpectedly Miles took to Malena like a wild beast. There was nothing gentle about the whole thing. It was rough and fast. She would barely even had time to rest, before he took to her again. Finally he collapsed over to the side, completely exhausted. A smile grew on his face.

Malena obviously enjoyed it. Her reaction was very positive as he succumbed to her advances. When they were finished she smiled and lay down with her arms around Miles.

"I... want you to stay with me," she said. "I don't want to... wake up and find you gone."

"Malena, you know that I have to return to Canadstein eventually." Miles gently kissed her cheek. "I can't stay here forever, but for now this is my new home."

Malena smiled weakly. She didn't want Miles sent far away and likely imprisoned for the rest of his life. She'd grown attached to him over the last few days. But she was glad he was making himself at home with her.

"I... want you to take me with you," she said. "I want to be at your side." There was no way in hell she was going to let him walk alone right into a nest full of people who likely wanted to lock him up and throw away the key to appease the hardliners in the Kahanistanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Are you sure that you could just leave Kahanistan behind, maybe forever?" asked Miles. He put his arms around her.

"I... want to stay with you," Malena replied. The truth was, she didn't want to leave her home. She hoped she could get Miles to stay with her, and was willing to take risks to encourage him. On the other hand, she was also willing to risk it all to protect him.

"How's your memory?" This was the first time he'd mentioned Canadstein since losing his memory.

Miles stayed quiet for a while. He just wanted to think. Malena really cared about him. She would leave her whole life here just to be with him. Never before had Miles known someone that would do that for him. "Fine, except I still don't remember you."

"Your memory will return eventually... then you'll remember me." Malena smiled softly and drifted off to sleep.

"What if I don't." Miles said to himself. He gently kissed Malena, then went to sleep.

Malena slept like a baby. For the first time in two years she slept peacefully. It wasn't till nine in the morning she woke up, hoping that Miles was up for more action. She wanted to bond more and make sure that she got pregnant.

"Up alright? I thought that last night would have exhausted you." Miles stood by a nearby window, looking out to the forest. "Are you up to a round two alright?"

Malena smiled mischievously. "I'd hoped for it. You liked me last night, didn't you?" Plus... I want to have a baby.

"I liked you a lot." Miles walked back over to the bed.

Suddenly he jumped onto the bed and slid over to Malena. Wasting no time, Miles took to Malena the moment he got to her. Malena would quickly find out that he did not tire easily. He was still rough and fast. There were points where Miles seemed to stop, but kept on going. Finally he stopped. Taking a deep breath, he wiped the sweat from his face. Miles gave her breasts a nice gently squeeze, to keep her sexually aroused for a little longer, then rested his head in between them.

"How was that?"

"Great," replied Malena. "Now, if you don't mind... I've got to shower and get dressed. Care to join me?" She went over to her dresser and pulled out a light dress, then went over to her shower.

"That seems...well great." Miles walked over Malena and took the dress out of her hand. The dress fell to the ground. "I don't think you are going to be needing that."

---

During the night, while Malena and Miles were having sex, Pete and Christi had finally arrived at the hospital. Ivan, Pavel, and Leslie had rushed into the hospital, while Christi was still parking her car. When the car came to a stop; Pete ran into the hospital. It was pretty obvious that he cared a lot about the Four Brothers. He quickly learned where Dmitri was being held and ran to the room.

Once Christi found the room she would find Pete waiting outside. He sat against a wall. His face was down, so it was impossible to tell what had happened. Did Dmitri die or not?

Malena smiled and walked to the shower. She wouldn't need the dress until she was finished there...

---

Christi nodded to Pete. She didn't speak, waiting for Pete to reply.

Inside the ICU, the situation seemed desperate. "300 joules," said the doctor, whose voice could be heard outside. Zzzzzap. "350." Zzzzzzap. "400 joules..." Zzzzzzzap. Another doctor was grunting, moving machinery around, and occasionally swearing. A nurse was calling for one of the techs to administer all sorts of weird drugs Christi had never heard of before, saying something about needing to get his heart beating again...

Miles sneaked up behind Malena then picked her up. He walked over to the shower the slowly put her down, while kissing her. Not knowing how the shower worked Miles let her turn the shower on and to the appropriate temperature. Once that was done he spun her back around, then pressed his body against hers. It seemed like it was going to be non-stop sex at Malena's.

---

Noticing Christi Pete got up and pretty much ran to her. Unexpectedly he compassionately embraced Christi in front of everyone. A smile grew on his face as he let go. There was some good news to tell.

"Dmitri is going to live. He lost a lot of blood, but he is going to make it."

Before she could talk Pete kissed her again.

Malena turned the shower on and enjoyed the morning.

---

Christi smiled. "So he's going to be OK." She no longer had to worry that the others might kill her for revenge, of course, but more importantly, Dmitri would live. Now, she was free to worry about something else...

"What's going to happen?" She wanted to know what was in store for her. She trusted Pete, of course; he had saved her ass from the Agency plenty of times. He wasn't going to hand her over to the Brothers if they were a threat.

There was also the fact that they still had no clue where Miles was. Malena had no clue about the incident with the Brothers, or the shooting, but she was leery of letting Miles go to Canadstein. As far as Christi and company knew, Malena knew nothing of where Miles was, let alone that she'd been busy bonding with him and trying to get herself knocked up.

For about the billionth time, Miles finally let go mostly because he was wiped out. He got out of the shower and started to dry himself off. Walking back into Malena's bedroom, he saw that it was nearing one. Man times flies when you are having sex. Miles quickly changed back into his clothes and waited for Malena.


---

"Well the brothers are going to be out of commission. A lot has happened to them and they are not in the condition to find Miles. So it seems like it will be just you and me. Isn't that nice?" Pete said sarcastically. "Though a nice problem arises. You saw that Kahanistani girl with the Karamazovs, right? I think her name is Leslie. What do we do about her?"

Malena came out in a light white dress. "I'm kind of worn out," she said. "Probably won't be walking right for a week. Let's lay low here, for now."

---

"Didn't know who she was," said Christi. "I thought she was one of them. What do you mean, do about her?"

"You look beautiful." Miles said with a warm smile. "You have any real food?"

---

"No, she is apparently 100% Kahanistani or so Alexei tells me. Works at the apartment complex that Miles was hiding out in. Looks to still be in high school. She is going to the Military Academy somewhere around here." Pete coughed for a second. "We can't just leave her here. What do you suggest we do?"

Malena shook her head. "Thanks. Can't cook for shit. Pretty much grew up on army food." She ran a hand over her hard stomach. "Gave me this, anyway. I suppose we could go out for something, but we'd have to go back to your apartment and pick up your clothes."

---

"Just drop her back home," said Christi. "She shouldn't be involved in this. I'd have the other Brothers sent back to Canadstein in case the police start asking questions, and ship Dmitri out when his wounds are healed. You and I haven't done anything illegal, so we'd be safe."

"That sounds fine." Miles simply sounded.

---

"Okay that is probably the best plan." Pete disappeared into a nearby room, then returned ten minutes later with Leslie. He had talked to the brothers and told them that their brother would be shipped back, but first they had to leave the country. They had already aroused suspicious with the recent gunfight. The Brothers knew it was the best course of action. "Christi, the brothers are going to leave within two hours. They just to make sure Dmitri fully pulls through. Also this is Leslie."

Christi looked at Leslie and extended her hand. "I... I'm sorry about earlier. I wasn't going to hurt you. I wanted to scare the Brothers, didn't know what their intentions were..."

Leslie nodded. "You really scared me." She accepted Christi's hand. "What's going to happen to me?"

"We're taking you home," Christi replied. "You... shouldn't have been involved in this. I thought you were a Canadsteiner. An agent. As you probably know... I'm Lt. Colonel Christi McDaniels, Kahanistan Marines." She didn't introduce Pete because she wasn't sure it was safe to compromise his identity. "I am a Kahanistanian officer. We do not murder civilians."

Leslie smiled. "Leslie McKay. Next year, I'll be at the Academy. I'll be in the Army, though. Psy-ops." For some reason, she trusted this woman who'd stuck a gun in her face only hours earlier. She turned to Pete. "And you are...?"

"Know any good restaurants?" asked Miles as he followed Malena to her car.

---

"My name isn't important. How about we get you home?" asked Pete.

"I know a place in New Masada that makes German food. I don't know a lot about the cuisine myself, but figure you would like it," replied Malena. "Maybe you can recommend something for me."

---

"All right," said Leslie. "Is this Mason... dangerous, like the Brothers said? I'm a bit disinclined to trust people who grab me off the street."

"I don't know," replied Christi. "I don't trust people who kick in my door, either... but I do trust him."

"Is he?" Leslie asked Pete. "If he is... I'd like to help if I can. Is it true that he once escaped injured while surrounded by over a dozen National Police?"

"German? I actually ran a German bakery when I was hiding out in New Masada. Okay I didn't run it because I was afraid of being caught, but I owned it. It was fairly successful. Maybe you have heard of it. The bakeries was called Bäckerei."

---

"Leslie I don't want to put you in any more danger. You have so much still to see. Plus so much to look forward to. I don't want to see you get hurt. So the first thing we are doing is bring you home. That is the end of that." Pete looked at Leslie and tried to smile. "To answer your other questions. Miles isn't a bad guy. Just a little confused. Deep down he tries to do the right thing, but gets caught up in usually bad stuff. All you have to know is that he has saved this country once. Try to remember that. I trust him."

"Escaping from over a dozen National Police? Might be a rumor, but I think he did it." Pete looked over to Christi. "I think its time we go."

"Yeah," said Malena. "When I wanted something sweet I'd go there a few times a month. I think you mentioned it to me when we were in the Presidential Palace."

---

"How did he do that? Escape from the police, closing in on him like that...? And save the country?" Leslie was genuinely curious. Besides, the knowledge might be of help to her in the military.

"Did you like it?" asked a curious Miles.

---

"I have a very rough idea. Miles had apparently planted a bomb within their escape vehicle. The police found out, but some trigger happy sniper shot Miles. He staggered back a little, then shot the man who carried the Jaws of Life. After that everything went to hell. Miles just ran off." Pete responded in a whisper. He didn't want people around to hear him mention Miles. "Oh you didn't know that Miles saved Kahanistan. You know General Malakov? He had orchestrated the downfall of General Kasagawa, so he could become Defense Minister. Well Miles and Nadia found out that Malakov had a plan to bring Kahanistan. Miles brought down Malakov and made him confess. I guess your government wouldn't want you finding out about that."

Malena nodded. "Kept coming back."

---

"Heard of him," said Leslie. "I hear the Anti-Catholic Party wants him to run for President when he's released. Not that he'd win. He's too warlike, he's little different from many of the Havenic leaders."

"It was doing pretty well, though I wonder what is going to happen to it once I leave." Miles stated.

---

"Anymore questions before we leave?" asked Pete.

"It did well without your day-to-day involvement before," said Malena. "It will continue to do so as long as there is a market for German pastries."

---

"No," said Leslie. "I think that's all."

"I guess someone will take over." Miles noted.

---

"Okay since that is finished we are bringing you home." Pete looked at her. "So where do you live?"

Leslie nodded. "I've probably been reported missing." She gave her address.

"You know where that is?" Pete asked to Christi.

"Yeah. It's on West Fifth, five blocks from that German pastry place."

"Lets get going. Miss McKay, your parents are in for some good news today." Pete said as he lead the two women back to Christi's car.

Christi started the car. "Let's go."

Leslie climbed into the back seat.

Pete climbed into the passenger. "How did the Karamazovs treat you?"

"They... forced me to stay with them," said Leslie. "They treated me fine, though, when I wasn't tied up or having a gun stuck in my face... from one of them. Told me that this Mason guy was really dangerous. I thought they were going to kill him, so I tried to help him until the tank came and took him away. The lady driving and another woman were in it with a man in Presidential Security uniform."

Once arriving at Miles' apartment complex, he quickly went to his room then stuffed some clothes and various other things into a bag. Also he stuffed his Colt Single Action Army and a box of ammo just in case. He was starting to become attached to Malena, but she still might be an agent. Who knows? If she was then Miles had a nice little surprise for her. It was a .45 Colt in the head. Miles just hoped that it didn't come down to that. He got the bag then rushed out back to Malena's car.

"So what's the name of the restaurant?"

---

"Well they weren't going to kill him. The Karamazovs are pretty nice guys. The only problem is that a lot of stuff has happened to them. Made them kind of rough around the edges." Pete commented.

"It's at Seventh and Main," said Malena. "The only Bäckerei on Seventh."

"Oh we are eating at a Bäckerei?" Miles got in the car and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I got all my stuff, so I should be good for a couple of weeks. That is if you have a washing machine."

Malena shook her head. "It's attached to one. The restaurateur bought a franchise, but still runs the restaurant." She pulled into a parking lot in the city. A Bäckerei sign absolutely dwarfed a smaller sign reading "Kaiser Bill's Kaiser Rolls."

"Of course, they serve more than rolls there, but I don't think the Kaiser's doing so good," said Malena. "Most of the dishes I can't pronounce to save my life."

"I think I can help you with the German." Miles said with a smile.

"Thanks. The Bäckerei seems to be taking over... the Kaiser's owner bought a franchise and it's doing better than his original business. He's expanded into things other than pastries just to stay afloat."

Malena smiled warmly and walked into the shop.

Miles put an arm around her waist and lead her inside. "We need a table for two."

A tired woman of about 40 walked the two to a table. She set down menus in front of them and waited to take their orders.

Malena was almost completely unfamiliar with German cuisine except for the cakes she occasionally got at the Bäckerei. "What do you recommend?" she asked Miles.

"Well what do you like?" asked Miles while putting down his own menu.

"Something low in fat," said Malena. "High protein. I want to watch my figure."

Miles nodded. Malena did have a great figure from what he saw last night and early this morning. Hopefully he would get to see more of it tonight. Thinking for a second he came up with a dish. "How about Sauerbraten (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerbraten), which is a kind of roasted venison, with some fried potatoes and sauerkraut?"

"A bit carb heavy," replied Malena. "But the roasted venison sounds nice. What kind of vegetables are there here?"

"How about some steamed white spargel, asparagus in English, if you don't want something carb heavy?" asked Miles.

"Sounds good." She couldn't pronounce most of the German names, so she simply pointed to what she wanted and asked Miles to order for her. Normally, she hated when her date ordered her dinner, but sometimes she had to be flexible rather than embarrass herself and her date by butchering the pronunciation.

When the waitress came back, Miles gave her their order in perfect German. Then he gave back the menus and looked back at Malena with a warm smile. "I think you will like my suggestion. For myself I ordered the Königsberger Klopse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6nigsberger_Klopse), which is basically meatballs, onions, herring, egg, and some spices cooked in a white sauce that contains capers. Along with it a boiled potato. As you can see I really don't look out for my figure."

Miles gently patted his stomach.

Malena dug in and nodded her head, then smiled. "This is good stuff. I'm... not trying to convert anyone, but why not hit the gym now and then?"

"With my former job there was no real time for the gym. Sure I tried to do it in between missions, but it was nearly impossible. Maybe with my time off you can show me around?" Miles said with a devilish grin.

Malena smiled. "OK, I'll take you to the gym I go to," she said. "I like the co-ed environment, gives me motivation and I feel comfortable in my body."

"Though just because I haven't gone to the gym in a couple of months doesn't mean I am not fit. How do you think I escaped from the National Police?" Miles stated.

"I have... absolutely no idea," Malena replied. "You were wounded, according to the intelligence report. You were completely surrounded, they had helicopter support, vehicles and search dogs. I have no idea how you got past them... I'm pretty fit, too, and I would have been captured."

"I guess my drive to live also had to do with it. There was no way I was going to die on some back road in Kahanistan." Miles paused for a moment. "When you first heard about me what did you think?"

"At first... that you were little more than a mercenary, willing to do anything for whoever was paying you," Malena replied calmly. "To be honest, when I first met you in the base, I didn't think you could be trusted. I was totally shocked when I heard that Miss Sklenova was there to see you, especially dressed as she was. She's pretty modest in public."

"Yeah...we have been through a lot together." Miles stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. A part of him still wished that it could have worked between them two. The only problem was that Nadia didn't feel the same way he did. Maybe it was never meant to be. "What changed your mind?"

"I... guess after you risked your life to go after Mr. Lang," replied Malena. "And... then, when we met again, we opened up to each other. We seemed to be... very similar, kindred spirits."

"What did I tell you?" asked a curious Miles.

Oh, he's lost his memory. "You told me about losing... your girlfriend." Given his emotions when talking about her, this would likely convince him that she was telling the truth if he had any doubts. "About how it drove you to join the Agency. I told you about my sister, and how I was never the same after losing her. We both dealt with it in... unusual ways. You risked your life in the Agency... I became extremely protective of people under me."

Miles nodded then looked down at the table. Both of his hands covered his face. It had been months, no wait years since he had last thought about Elise, his first love. Back then he was hoping to marry her, but that had all been destroyed. After that he never thought that he could love someone again.

Malena took Miles by the hand and tried to make eye contact. She had no idea of what to say next.