"Moscow Madness"
	March 25th 2008 23.00hrs Sleep was the last thing on her mind, she was still too worked up after her encounter with Sean. The last she had heard of him, was that he had been sent to Russia, so how had he managed to secure his current position? Reminding herself that she had sworn to forget about him, she had left Thames House and booked in at the Hotel Imperial near Victoria. It was a dump, cheap and impersonal and could do with a visit from the hygiene inspectors. She had changed into jogging gear and pounded the streets, only returning hours later, cold, wet and exhausted. She showered, changed into dry clothes and then filed a report to Rebecca. She checked her email, but there was no answer yet from Paige, however, it had been only about 24hrs since she had posted her and with the time difference to take into account, it was too early to start being concerned and hitting the panic button. Her flight to Moscow was at 14.00hrs tomorrow, where she was to do another installation and provisionally she had flights back to New York on the evening flight of the 27th. She was looking forward to going home, it was strange thinking of home, it made her long for a ‘normal’ life, but she knew that it would never happen. Her dreams that night were very disjointed and morning found her reaching for the painkillers to take away the throbbing pains over her right temple; all she could remember about them, was that a scorpion was saying “it is in my nature” March 26th 2008 08.30hrs Showered and changed, she switched on her laptop and checked the comms links. As expected she had an acknowledgement of her report, from Gray who took the time to remind her about souvenirs, which made her smile. Also she found that she had received two messages from Sean, the first a straightforward message acknowledging a test of the system and the second one, which translated out into a jumble of characters. For one awful moment, she thought it was her system that had failed, she ran the self-checks she had written, but they all returned negative. She sat back, looking at the screen and thought about it, there had to be a logical reason involved. If the program was working correctly, and it was, then the message displayed was what Sean had typed in. So if he had typed in a jumble, that is what would be sent, she puzzled over it and then realisation dawned; he had encoded it before committing it to transmission. A challenge. It took her 35 mins to decode it, he had used multiple coding techniques, but in the end she had succeeded and the contents lay on the screen.. ‘Let me dream of your velvet skin Skin that I long to caress And for as long as You’re unable to give yourself I shall never give up trying It’s pointless to run away Because you are mine Perche ti voglio Perche mi Vuoi’ “Hah!” she exclaimed after reading it, “That is just where you are wrong, Sean. I don’t want you, and I don’t need to run away, I have my place and you have yours.” The words spat out into the still morning air and instead of ignoring his message to her, she was goaded into making a response. ‘Heaven has no rage, like love to hatred turned’ she typed in, not bothering to encode it, let SIN take care of it. “Read it and enjoy the bitterness”. Her task done, she blocked her account from his, she had no reason to contact him, nor allow him contact to her any communications would be via Rebecca or Gray, and packed her bags. Time to get going, she wanted to get presents for Paige and Jordan, not to mention Gray and she had a flight to catch. The next few days kept her busy, what had seemed like a very simple task was made much more difficult, by the local Liaison Officer, Ilya Georgiev requesting that he be able to use Cyrillic scripts rather than western characters. Saf had sighed deeply, and then starting customising the local scripts on his laptop to include this function. March 27th 2008 22.00hrs Finally she was done, a day later than she wanted. It was too late to fly tonight and as she hadn’t been quick enough to change her flights to tomorrow morning, she was flying out tomorrow afternoon, to arrive in New York at 19.00hrs. She filed her report to Rebecca, and now was free until tomorrow afternoon, there was a bar she was planning to visit and she planned to get blindingly drunk, she knew it was dangerous, but she could keep control. SVR made a car and driver available to her and she gave him the address. Café Pushkin, was a modern bar, frequented by just about anyone, working class, bourgeois and Voroskoi Mir amongst the clients, she would fit in just fine wearing her pale blue sweater and jeans. Her wardrobe was as yet basic, she hadn’t done any shopping and she was reluctant to wear black, it reminded her too much of Section. Once she had been dropped outside, she dismissed the driver, if she wanted to go back, she would take a cab to a hotel, unlike the past two nights, she had no intentions of sleeping on the floor tonight. The bartender took her money and served her drinks but otherwise ignored her. A singer, Natalya something or the other, was crooning at the microphone. “Don’t call us,” she giggled into her drink as yet again the singer sang flat. Still too sober for her own liking she gestured to her empty glass, which was swiftly refilled. The men at the bar had attempted to chat her up, but had found that pain was a good deterrent and she had been very controlled in her application of it. On a trip to the bathroom, she had stumbled and a man in a dark grey suit had held out a hand to her, which prevented her falling on her backside. She had thanked him, but he had brushed off her thanks and invited her to join him for a drink. He was unlike the men at the bar, and when he introduced himself as Alexei Konstantin to encourage her to join him, she agreed. She introduced herself as a Katrin Burnell, Technical Consultant for C-Moore Computer Associates, her cover on this trip, she said that her colleagues had recommended this place to her and as she was here on business, she paid a visit. Alexei was warm and friendly, yet not overwhelming, when he suggested going onto a club, she agreed, feeling at ease with him, but also aware of just how many drinks she had already had, but she was determined to enjoy herself new found freedom. She collected her coat, and Alexei led her out of the Café and to a dark coloured car. He was a good driver, and as he drove across the city, he told her tales of the days before Glasnost and how people were still able to enjoy themselves even under the government restrictions. He was the owner of the nightclub he was taking her to, the Club Rossya, which was centrally placed at Mokvoretsky Bridge and had been at the Café Pushkin to do business with it’s owner Akady Bukharin. She didn’t care about details, they weren’t important, only that she was with an attractive man, and the promise of more drinks. His club turned out to be huge, it was a mix of modern and classic with some evidence of it have been a Russian aristocracy building before the revolution. Saf felt a little uncomfortable in her attire of casual wear, but Alexei reassured her “If the owner wishes a guest to be a little unconventional, I think it will be ok. In any case, the lighting is low and you will not be noticeable.” He led her up to the second floor, mentioning the first floor was not his style, more for people who liked trance music. She didn’t care where she went, as long as there were drinks to be had, and even would have listened to silence if there was nothing else. The room he led her into was full of small alcoves, with a central dance floor playing a selection of soft jazz, with couples dancing close together. He walked over to an empty table on the edge of the room, it had a bench seat and was surround by heavy velvet drapes giving it privacy. As they crossed the room, he was greeted en-route by many guests, who ignored her. The staff brought drinks and they continued to come think and fast and she was beginning to loosen up and lose the edge. When Alexei suggested dancing, she had shook her head negatively, but he pulled her to her feet anyway and led her out onto the floor. He was very good and she felt comfortable in his arms, the soft melodies neither too loud nor too soft, so that couples could talk while dancing. When the music came to an end, Alexei bent his head and kissed her gently on the lips, for a brief moment, she hesitated for a brief second, and then she kissed him back, feeling his mouth on hers with the promise of more if she wished. Well she was free, and with an attractive man, so why shouldn’t she have a little fun? His kiss turned a little more passionate and he held her tighter against him, she breathed in his male scent, of cigars and soap and knew she wouldn’t need a hotel room tonight. Alexei led her from the floor, and out of the room, along a series of corridors and towards some stairs. He produced a key and unlocked the door, and holding her by the hands as though she might flee from him, he led her into his apartment. Inside he pulled her to him, kissing her while he pushed the door shut behind them. The lights were off, but the bright cold moonlight outside gave plenty of light and he led her through the maze of furniture and into a bedroom, she didn’t doubt this was where she wanted to be, and when he knelt to take off her shoes, she caressed the back of his head. He kissed the bare skin above the waist of the jeans as he undid the button and then slid them down her legs so she could step out of them. The jumper followed, as he pulled it over her head and then with a practiced hand he had unclasped her bra. He slowed then, pulled her against him and kissed her deeply, all the while caressing her with his hands, setting her body on fire. When he slid his hands under the elastic of her black thong, she felt an electric shock, wanting to feel him inside of her, this man who could make her feel so alive, when inside she felt so dead. He lifted her into his arms and lay her down on the bed, so she could watch him strip, she noticed how his body was well muscled, taut and toned and knew this was a man who liked to take care of himself. He joined her on the bed, and his hands were everywhere, her nerves were tingling in expectation as he explored her body, “you look remarkably fit for a computer techie” he murmured, as he ran his fingers down between her thighs, and kissing her breast. “Alexei?” she whispered, aching with a need, and he laughed softly, his kisses deepened and his caresses set the fires to inferno’s. “Alexei, please”, in response, his mouth moved down her body, following his hands and teasing her with little nuzzles, and bites, until she thought she could bear it no longer. Finally, when he finally touched the pulsating core of her sex, she whimpered in pleasure, and he laughed before returning to his task. She couldn’t think straight, he held her tightly as the first waves of orgasm rippled across her body and she let out a cry of abandonment. Alexei’s hands held her down on the bed and to his mouth, she struggled to get away from the tip of his tongue, which continued to sear her flesh. The erotic sensations were further enhanced by her enforced lack of movement, and a second more powerful orgasm erupted just seconds later, reducing her to a quivering mass. He moved up the bed and held her close to him, allowing her to recover before he entered her, filling her sensitive flesh with his powerful body. He made small movements, deep inside her, letting her feel him the breadth of him, and slowly moved in and out, using his body to bring her back to life. His powerful thrusts, built up an answering need inside her once more, he bent to kiss her, and she could taste herself on him mixed with his scent. He was so controlled, that he brought her to the brink and then slowed, until she could almost cry with frustration. He laughed softly against her breast, aware of how much she wanted satisfying before he brought her to the brink one last time, this time he went over with her, and she cried out loud as she felt the waves of orgasm burst deep within her core. Despite the chill of the room, they were both hot, and when Alexei moved he lay looking down at her face, while continuing to caress her breasts with his free hand. “Katrin, you are amazing,” he murmured, “Stay with me tonight?” She didn’t reply, instead she curled around him, her hands exploring his body, feeling the definition in the muscles, and finally whispered in his ear “Tonight, yes, but I leave tomorrow for New York”. She sensed his displeasure at her answer, but then he smiled, and bit her breast, sucking at the nipple, nibbling the sensitive skin, and replied “so for tonight Katrin, you are mine, yes?” any reply she made was lost as she kissed him. Their tongues entwining and their hands on each other’s bodies, until she rolled on top of him, feeling his body between her thighs and her breasts brushed his chest. She slid down his body, forcing a groan from him, and caressed his penis, feeling it come to life beneath her hands, before taking it into her mouth and tasting his juices and hers mixed. He didn’t allow her to caress him for long, before he lifted her up and once more bringing her down and filling her up, this time she took them to the heights, before stopping and holding him tightly with her inner muscles, enjoying the revenge for his temptation earlier. He lay beneath her, watching her, his dark brown eyes, showing admiration and lust, but without warning, holding her tightly to him, he flipped them over “Tease, well take some of your own medicine, my Katrin” as he plunged deeply into her, biting on her breast tissue, to increase the pleasure, she whimpered softly at the sensations she was feeling and her nails scored down his back as she climaxed, writhing underneath him in ecstasy and he came a few seconds later. March 28th 2008 07.05hrs Alexei was still sleeping, when she gathered up her clothes and dressed. It had taken her a moment to realise where she was, when she had woken, and when she had, she knew that she had to leave before he woke. They had made love insatiably, until nearly dawn, neither wanting to sleep and had found new and pleasurable ways in exploring each other. Inside she knew he was a good man, and she had used him to satisfy her own desires and needs. He didn’t deserve to be lied to and she knew she could have no further dealings with him for his own sake. If he called the company to try and make contact with her, they would inform him that she had left the company for private family reasons, she would never see him again and she would regret that her life meant that for her, relationships were transient and would have to be ended if they interfered with her job. As she dressed, she winced at the bruises and tenderness in her body, she had received in their lovemaking, she would think of it no other way, the wild abandonment of the previous night had left their marks, but marks she was proud to carry. 15.00hrs Saf felt the thrust of the planes engines pushing into the seat as it left the ground, she was relieved to be leaving, and looking forward to getting home. Paige had been in contact, via email, to say that everything was alright, she had just had a bad migraine, but that Josh had been with her, she also mentioned that she had invited the rest of Alpha unit to dinner tomorrow at Saf’s place. Saf had smiled at that, Paige couldn’t or wouldn’t cook, while Saf enjoyed experimenting with food. She was going to enjoy that dinner tomorrow night. Her mind slipped back to last night, and the pleasure that she and Alexei had shared, she closed her eyes, reliving the experience again in her mind. After her last mission with Section, Immersion, she hadn’t known whether she was still capable of making love to anyone ever again, but Alexei had given her something back, her only regret was that she wouldn’t be able to see him again to thank him. She curled up in her seat and slept, much to the annoyance of her nearest neighbour, who snorted his way through the inflight movie and who complained to anyone that would listen to him that he could never sleep on planes. Saf debated whether or not to slip him a narcotic, but refrained, any trouble she caused, she would have to explain and she was too damn tired to care about him. 19.00hrs New York The landing at La Guardia was uneventful and she soon cleared customs. It was snowing lightly and was bitterly cold, but it was home. She caught a taxi into town and picked up the jeep from the Baha garage, where she had left it. Gray had left a note on her seat, ‘Glad everything went well, will contact you in the morning’ The drive home was difficult, the weather catching a lot of drivers out, but some were just plain stupid, the others should be banned as being dangerous. When she finally pulled into her drive, she pressed the unit, and the garage door opened, and she drove straight in. A flick of the switch closed the doors behind her, she picked up her bag to go upstairs, but a crack in the wall caught her attention, and she stopped to investigate. To her right on the wall, was a panel, the same colour as the wall, but she managed to get it open and a piece of paper fell out. She picked it up, and looked at the inside of the panel, full of number keys. Keying in the number, 8559, into the panel and a doorway opened up in the wall, she stepped through it, and found herself in a small patio area, which was hidden by the balcony above. Tall coverings of willow screens were against each wall, making it secluded and private. She felt around until she found a switch and pressed it, light came up from below ground, diffusing through metal covers over the glass panels. Now she could see Gray’s other surprise, dominating the small area, a 6 seater hot-tub. She smiled and powered up the tub, it was just was she needed after her trip, to wash away the past. She ignored her inner voice, which was quietly saying she was running away, she had a new life, she didn’t need to run any more, she reminded herself, still denying the truth. She removed the folding cover and returned inside to shower and grab a towelling robe. On her way past the kitchen she grabbed a bottle of wine, hot tub and drink, what more did she need? The thought ‘a man’ came to mind, but she pushed it back to the recesses of her mind. From now on, it was no more pain, no more hurt. Just pleasure, on her terms, with whoever and whenever she pleased. Return