Moonlight Serenade

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

The Beginning of the Mission

Illya awoke before Ann, she was snuggled into his chest, his arm must have snaked around her waist while they slept. Ann's bedroom door creaked open, causing Illya to be on high alert, when it was revealed that it was only Nicholas.

"Illya?" Nicholas asked upon seeing the Russian in his mother's room.

"Yes Nicholas? What's wrong?" Illya asked sitting up even more.

"I had a bad dream," the small child murmured. Illya scooted away from Nicholas' mother and created a space big enough between the for the seven year old. Nic bounded towards the bed, crawling over Illya's long legs to get to the center. Ann stirred in her sleep, but didn't wake and just turned over.

"You work with my mom," Nicholas asked Kuryakin.

"Yes, I just started working with her little one. She seems very nice," Illya felt awkward with the child. He's loved children from a young age, but he's never been able to interact with them very much.

"She is, but I wish Mama was home more often. I also wish she was more careful," Nicholas looked down, even in the dark Illya could tell the boy was embarrassed for telling a complete stranger this.

"I will make you a promise Nicholas Millington, right here right now. I will protect your mother and bring her home to you safely anytime she leaves you," vowed Illya.

"Really?" Nicholas asked as Illya nodded, "thank you," the kid whispered hugging the Russian tight. Illya was taken aback, before hugging back.

"You're welcome, champ," Illya whispered back, "now get some sleep."

******

Ann woke up with a small head on her chest. She slowly opened opened her eyes and saw Nicholas curled into her body with a strong arm wrapped around the both of them protectively. Her eyes traced up the arm, to find Illya lying with them. It was then that Ann realized that she was in her bed and not her couch when she had fallen asleep. She tried to get up only to have Illya's grasp tighten.

"Illya," she whispered in pain. His grip loosened as he woke up. His blue eyes bored into Ann's soul when they opened. "Good morning Mr. Kuryakin," she whispered as to not wake Nicholas.

"Morning," Illya replied sitting up, his morning voice raspy making his accent thicker. Ann swung herself off the bed, her formal sticking to her body.

"How are you this morning Russian Giant," Ann asked as she gather her clothes for the day.

"Well rested busy bee," Illya simpered. She rolled her eyes, but beamed back.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, then make breakfast. If you could gently wake Nic up, he needs to get ready for school. Also you could get Solo and Gaby up and we'll head out after I drop Nicholas off at school," Ann batted her eyelashes slightly. Illya nodded his head and Ann scurried into the adjoining bathroom, closing the door and locking it. Ann quickly pealed the emerald dress off and hopped in the warm shower. She was glad she could wash away the stench of liquor and get all the hairspray out of her hair. She dried off and slipped on her pants and black top.

Illya heard the bathroom door open as he tried to coax Nicholas awake. When Ann stepped out, she couldn't help but laugh at how lightly Ilya was shaking Nic.

"What," asked Illya.

Ann kept giggling as she went over and shook Nic awake, "I meant voice wise, he's a bear when he first wakes up. Come on Nicky, it's time for school." Nicholas groaned, got out of Ann's bed and went back to his room to get dressed for the day.