Classified

Classified Part 13 Goodbye

      Thalia woke up very early, and she had a bit of a headache, but she was warmer than she'd been the morning before. She lay in her room, thinking about their day. It was going to be hard to leave Bahba and Dzed. She'd had a lot of fun getting to know them, and imagining what it would be like to have a family. It might actually be harder to leave that behind than it was to go back into the pain and danger of working in the field, she realized.

      She sat up and drank the water she found on her nightstand, thinking about how a real spy wouldn't drink mysterious water she found on her nightstand. The night before was slightly blurry, but she did remember drinking.

     She went across the hall and knocked on Alex's door. When he answered, she peeked in, seeing Alex still in bed.
      "Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked with a grin.
      "I have a headache." Thalia replied. "And I'm cold."

      Alex made room for her and she crawled into his bed. "Did you drink your water?" He asked, putting the blankets over her.
      She nodded. "Yes." She paused. "I liked the vodka. Not the after effects so much."
      "That sounds about right." Alex smiled. "You'll be fine after breakfast."

      "Breakfast solves every problem." Thalia said. "When are we leaving, by the way?"
      "Probably shortly after breakfast, but that's not for a while. It's still really early." Alex's eyes closed sleepily. "That way we can meet our contact before noon, and have the afternoon to collect information."

      "Oh." She said, remembering that she would probably never see Bahba and Dzed again. "That's kind of sad. Your grandparents are so nice."
      "Come on." Alex opened his eyes and looked at her. "Don't be sad. You'll see them on our next mission."

      Thalia laughed at his persistence. "Maybe."
      Alex sighed. "If it will make you feel better I will let you steal some of my heat." He offered, pushing the blanket up so she could come closer.

"That does make me feel better." Thalia smiled, putting her feet against his leg.
      "You're an ice-cube." Alex laughed, closing his eyes.

      Claire will never believe that I crawled into bed with a man I just met. She thought, smiling to herself. Even if we're just laying together. It was out of character for her, but at the same time, she knew that in another couple of days she'd likely never see him again, so why not enjoy it?
      Within minutes she fell back asleep, warm and comfortable and safe.

*

      Thalia woke for the second time with Alex rubbing her back lightly. "Well, I probably wouldn't do this if you were a male agent." He teased, smiling at her.
      Thalia pulled away, realizing she was laying right next to him, one arm wrapped around him.
      Thalia blushed. "Sorry. You're really warm."

      "I told you." Alex laughed. "I'm irresistible."
      Thalia laughed and sat up. "I guess on a cold day in Northern Russia any warm body will do." She teased.
      "Your arm looks a lot better." Alex observed, touching her mostly faded bruises.

      Thalia rubbed it absently. "Yeah. It feels better too."
      "Good." Alex smiled mischievously. "Maybe we can do some more woodcutting before we go."

Thalia rolled her eyes. "Never again." She remembered they were leaving that day, and her humour dried up. "I'm going to miss this place."
      Alex laughed. "Bahba's going to miss you." He predicted, getting up. "She's going to be so mad at me when I tell her we've 'broken up'."

      Thalia laughed. "Well, at least that's a plus, imagining Bahba getting mad at you." She watched Alex pick out clothes for the day. "Thanks for making me stay, Alex." She said sincerely.
      Alex smiled. "I didn't really give you much of a choice." He admitted. "But I'm glad you stayed."