VANGUARD(52)

Michael rolled off her and pulled Sophie into his chest. “We can figure this out together, magnificent one. Surely we can find a way to work together, instead of against one another, for once in our lives?”

She smiled weakly at his words, but the fear in her gut didn’t lessen any. This was her battle with the Commandant, not his or anyone else’s. His offer to shoulder part of the burden was generous, but unnecessary.

“Perhaps we can,” she said, pushing the topic off for another time. “I wonder if there’s something else we might do as well.” She felt his gaze in the darkness. “There’s nothing more I want right now than you. But since we’ve waited this long, perhaps we could wait two more days?

“I thought we could go to Kaliningrad the day after tomorrow to get your passport. If your health allows, of course. You need your documentation to reenter the US. We could stay overnight there. In a nice hotel, so our first time together could be special.” She felt herself blushing. “And perhaps a little more private than an infirmary with no door on it.”

Michael’s laughter rang out in the quiet room. It was the first time she had heard him laugh – really laugh – since they’d found him in Parnaas.

“Yes, mana mila. I would like that, too. More than you could ever know.” Even in the dark, she could see the embarrassed flush that spread over his face. “And although I could please you greatly tonight in some ways, I am not at all certain that I can…” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “That I can make love in the traditional sense yet. So it may be best to wait for me to recover a little more.” She suppressed a giggle at this unexpected admission and resisted the urge to check to see if he was telling the truth.

His expression suddenly grew tender. “I have waited a long time for you. Two more days will not kill either of us.”

They spent much of the night talking, kissing, and touching. What other couples took for granted – a night alone together in a warm bed in a safe place – was a luxury they’d never had.

They talked about so many things: Orlisia, politics, bribery, and the kind of world they wanted little Michael DeVries to grow up in. Small things they remembered about each other during their year in GYL.

“What would I do without you?” she whispered from the safety of his arms after a long while.

“I have asked myself that question quite a few times as well.”





-





February 18, 2014





Sophie got up before the sun to see the team off to Parnaas. She told the Rev that she and Michael would be travelling to Kaliningrad the next day, and to give her a list of anything that needed to be picked up while they were there.

“You sure it’s safe for you and your young man to be about? He’s been awfully sick. If the Commandant finds out, he’ll think you’ve flown the coop for sure.”

She added a note to her to-do list: Have another “chat” with Sergei and Sevastian.

“We’ll be fine, Dave, no worries. Michael needs to get his passport, and I’m not letting him go alone. We’ll be there and back before you know it.”

“I know. I just worry.” He grinned at her. “I’m an old man, not a fearless young thing like you.” She whacked him on the shoulder, and the convoy roared off.





-





Anjali pounced on Sophie that evening, gleeful.

“I heard you’re going to Kaliningrad tomorrow,” she sang. “I’m so happy for you guys, finally together after all these years!” She grabbed Sophie’s hand. “Do you have something pretty to wear to bed tomorrow night?”

“Anjali, we’re in a warzone. I don’t bring come-f*ck-me lingerie on field missions.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m here. I knew you wouldn’t plan ahead for this possibility, so I brought you something, just in case.” From behind her back, she produced a flat package wrapped in tissue.

“Anjali, I…” Sophie was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by this tangible demonstration of Anjali’s belief that they would find Michael. She took the tissue-wrapped item from her friend and opened it. Inside was a white silk negligee.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.” Her voice trembled. “And I love you, Anjali. Thank you.” She had to admit that her gift was badly needed. She didn’t want the most anticipated night of her life to involve her wearing an oversized coalition t-shirt.