Chapter 3: Learning to Remember while Being Wanted

       Minka sighed as she slipped inside Gleb's flat, shrugging the jacket off and grabbing a white shirt, changing quickly. If he saw she wore blue, he'd have her head. "Minka Viktoriya Vaganov!" Minka's eyes widened as she stepped out of Gleb's room, her hands behind her back. "Yes?" she questioned, tilting her head slightly to the right. "What's this about you helping con men hold Anastasia auditions?" Gleb demanded. "Can't say I know. I went exploring in Yusapov's Palace today, but that's it. I swear, Gleb."

Minka sighed, "You know me better than that. I would never be that foolish." Gleb looked into Minka's pale sapphire eyes that matched their mother's, "I am just teasing you again. You know I would never believe those three. If anything, you would report these troublemakers to me. I will take your word for it. You were just exploring, I cannot blame you. You always were curious. Speaking of curiosity, how do your feet feel?" Minka grumbled, "Like they're on fire."

Gleb sighed and picked her up. "Gleb," Minka whined. "Hush, Minka," Gleb muttered, placing her on the bed again. "Now take those blasted boots off, you foolish girl." She pulled her boots off and sighed. "I'll be right back, Minka. Do not move." Minka huffed and decided that if Gleb was going to baby her again, she might as well get comfortable, so she laid down.

     "Why do I feel like I know what he'll say? 'Your feet are a mess.' 'From now on you aren't to wear those boots. Only flats'," Minka said, hoping Gleb wasn't listening in on her poorly done.  imitation of him. Minka shook her head, seeing Gleb return, preparing to baby her even more.

He sat down and glanced up at her. Her brows furrowed. He smirked and said, "I don't sound like that." Minka rolled her eyes. "Konstanin, Can I ask you something?" Gleb laughed, "You just did, Viktoriya." Minka huffed. "Of course you can, what is it?" Minka pushed herself up to a sitting position. "Why do you insist on babying me?"

         Gleb tapped his sister's nose and spoke, "Because I love you." Minka glared at him. "Stop glaring. You know I mean it." Minka breathed a sigh, questions racing through her mind. Why did he listen to Marfa, Dunya, and Paulina? Did he know she was wearing blue? Had he met Anya? She didn't ask any of those, because if she said anything she was never to hear the end of it. "And I hope you realize caring for you is one thing, babying you is another. I know you would never let someone baby you unless they didn't give you any other options or if you were too weak." Gleb sighed and saw the look on his sister's face. "The Romanovs babied you, didn't they?" he whispered, only to have Minka nod in response. "If the Romanovs babied me I can understand why you don't want me to do the same. It must've been dreadful," Gleb chuckled. Minka groaned, "We don't talk about that. That was then, this is now." Gleb eyed her, getting an idea, "I want you to come with me when I head back. You are not to leave my sight for two hours." Minka opened her mouth to protest, but Gleb cut her off, "No 'if's, 'and's or 'but's. You know I'm higher up than you, and therefore you have to listen. And for the sake of your feet, you're wearing flats."

      "Gleb, I am thirty-one-years old. I am capable of taking care of my—" Gleb cut her off with a stern look. "You are wearing flats, Minka," Gleb said. Minka huffed and crossed her arms, sticking her bottom lip out. "But Gleb, I'm just saying I am capable of taking care of myself." Gleb chuckled, "I never said you weren't. Now hush."

    Minka smiled at him. "Why must you be so insistent on me coming with you?" she inquired. Gleb stared at her, "Once again, I am the one in charge of you while you are working. I would like for you to act as though you never liked that family when you go in there. They have only seen you once, twelve years ago." He shook his head, "I'm telling you this once, do not ask why we are doing what we are doing. You're a part of it, Minka."

       "Gleb, that is maddeningly unhelpful. How am I supposed to pester you if you won't let me?" Minka teased. "The point is that you're not supposed to pester me," Gleb laughed. Minka laughed as well as she got up and found her flats. She slipped them on and hurried to get her coat.

    "So I guess that means no speaking in German to tease you?" Minka questioned. Gleb glared, "No German unless you want to be intimidating, but you are my sweet sister, one who doesn't scare people, hmm. You have to promise me you'll try to be obedient and sweet while we're there." Minka huffed, "Fine." She slipped her jacket on, then slid her feet into the flats, which really showed her height. "I don't like appearing shorter than you. Then you look like the older one," she grumbled. "Deal with it," Gleb responded and ruffled his sister's hair, "it makes it easier for me to tease you. For once I can look like I'm the older one."

        Minka swatted at his hand. He chuckled and pulled his coat on, opening the door. "Let's go, Minka." Minka buttoned her coat as she walked out the door, quickly bringing her arm up and sneezing into her sleeve. "Bless you." Minka murmured, "Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Minka gulped as she followed Gleb. Her heart pounded as she removed her notepad from her pocket, pencil never leaving the paper as she walked. She was so nervous. Her hands trembled. She didn't say a word as she followed Gleb in the door. "General Gorlinsky," Gleb spoke, aware that his sister was still writing furiously. "Minka, eyes off your notepad for once!" Gleb scolded. Minka heard her brother, and looked up, "Sorry." Gleb gave her a look that one would normally be terrified of, "Then pay attention, won't you." He looked to General Gorlinsky and sighed, "You'll have to forgive her, she may be a Bolshevik, but she's half intelligent and half ditz bucket." Minka glared and spoke up, "Will you stop doing that? You constantly tease me. I can't just stand and take it anymore." Gorlinsky stared at the two, "Minka, was it, will you let your older brother do his job?" Minka heard the words 'older brother' and knew what was going on. Gleb had said he was older. Minka corrected him, "My younger brother is a pest to me, so why would I just sit and take it?"

       Gorlinsky raised a brow, but didn't say anything. Gleb whacked Minka's arm, muttering, "Shut up." Minka glared at him. "Get in, you two," Gorlinksky spoke up, ushering the twins inside so he could close the door.

The twins, even upon going inside, were still at their antics, bickering like cats and dogs. They clearly were still going through something that could only be described as a temporary argument. Minka crossed her arms and turned away from Gleb. She was not having a favorable conversation with Gleb as the two continued their bickering. "Minka, you need to grow up," Gleb spoke, clearly fed up. "Then stop lying, you know you're younger than me," Minka responded. "But you act like you're a child," Gleb remarked. Gorlinsky sighed, "Right now, both of you are acting like children."

It seemed as though their jaws unhinged. Minka recovered her composure before the argument within a few seconds, though. She could tell Gleb was still upset, and that was just by looking up at him. "I'll get you when we get home," he hissed.

Minka's heart began pounding. She couldn't think. All she could hear was her heart, rapidly beating within her chest. That tone was the one thing that caused something she dreaded to occur. She tried to speak, but couldn't, too shaken up. She didn't want Gleb to see what plagued her, but in this case, he was going to. He was going to see what happened when everything that was bottled inside her hit her like a ton of bricks.

Her breathing became ragged. Gleb took notice of this and his eyes filled with concern. "Minka, what's wrong?" Minka couldn't speak, no matter how hard she tried. "Minka, talk to me." She wanted to say, "I can't, you idiot!" yet she couldn't even form a single word.

She was shaking, unable to move her lips. She found herself curling up in a ball. Panic had set in, she wasn't going to be able to come out of it so easily. Gleb couldn't do anything but watch helplessly as his sister was at her weakest. She, through the midst of her panic, choked out through tears, "I can't breathe." Gleb never knew how much his sister held inside of her until he saw her break down. He started to approach her, hoping to calm her down. Minka buried her head into her knees, shaking even more. She couldn't hold in anything.

Gleb slowly lowered himself to his knees and wrapped his arms around her, not knowing what to do. He couldn't do anything but watch as she cried and shook. "Shh," he whispered softly. "It's alright, shh..." Minka grabbed onto his arms, taking deep breaths.

She looked up at him, eyes closing. What just happened had taken a lot out of her. "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to see me like this," Minka sighed. Gleb continued to hold her, rocking her when needed and smoothing her hair down to comfort her. "You're okay, it's okay," he assured. "Promise?" Minka sniffled. "I promise," Gleb told her gently. Those words brought back a memory. A memory that allowed trust to be built in the Peterhof Palace years ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1914, Peterhof~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       Minka walked down the hallway, her eyes filled with tears. She tried to suppress the feeling she had, the feeling of dread. She kept her emotions bottled up inside her, but that wasn't important. She entered Alexei's room and she seemed to stop breathing when she didn't see the little boy.

A feeling of dread came over her. Where was he? Was he hiding? What if the worst had happened to him? She couldn't let her guard down. She felt the feeling of dread loom over her. "Where could he be?" Minka asked herself, then felt what seemed to be a hammer hitting her chest. Nothing was the same, she crumpled down, tears falling down her face, her breath coming short.

"Minka!" Alexei came running into the room, laughing. "Minka, what's the matter?" He stopped when he saw her. She didn't say anything, as she couldn't, and sunk to the floor, curling up in a ball. Alexei, not knowing what was wrong, shook her shoulder. "Minka, everything's alright, I promise!"

Minka couldn't do anything. She looked up, her breath was shaky. She knew Alexei was wrong. Everything wasn't alright. Everything was the exact opposite. She didn't speak. There were no words, nothing that could escape her mouth. She became even smaller, crying still. She didn't want Alexei to know what was happening, but she knew that he was a smart kid and that he would figure it out. "Minka, look at me," Alexei whispered. Minka didn't. "Minka, please, talk to me." She didn't say a word. She couldn't. "Mama! Papa!" Alexei cried out.

The Tsar and the Tsarina hurried into the room, looking at Minka. The Tsarina ran over to her and knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around the shaking girl. "Shh, Minka, shh," the Tsarina whispered in the girl's ear. "It's alright, it's alright." Minka slightly shook her head. "I-it's not," she choked out.

Alexei looked to his father, who seemed to know what was plaguing the girl. "Papa, what's going on?" Alexei asked. Nicholas looked to his son, "We'll explain later. I just wanted to say it was responsible of you to call for us. We'll take care of it. I promise, don't worry. Your friend will be alright." Alexei nodded and looked to his mother who was holding Minka close.

Minka tried to calm herself, knowing she had scared Alexei. "I-I'm so sorry," she whispered. She took short breaths, shaking her head. "I... don't know what happened."

Alexei gave her a gentle hug, "I'm sorry for worrying you." Minka smiled. "Alexei, do you want to say your goodbyes?" Alexandra asked her son. "What do you mean?" Alexei wondered. Minka sighed, not knowing what to say. "What do you mean, your highness?" Minka asked. "With what is going on, we will no longer be needing you. Thank you for staying here for as long as you did," Nicholas told Minka. "We will be praying for you," Alexandra added. "Make the right decision," the two said in unison.

"Your Highness... I-I thank you for keeping me around for as long as you did." Minka smiled sadly. "I'll pray for you as well, and hope everything will be alright." Alexandra nodded, and Nicholas smiled at her. "Thank you, Minka." She nodded and hugged Alexei, kissing his cheek. "Be good, alright?" He nodded, throwing his arms around her neck. "I don't want you to go," he mumbled. "I know, darling, I know. I have to go. It's what's best," Minka whispered. "I'll always love you. I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Leningrad~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Minka had fallen asleep, curling up and had steadied her breath. Her mind was at ease. Nothing had changed, everything was the same. The closer she was held, the safer she felt. There was nothing that could shake how she felt in that very moment. 

       Gleb sighed in relief, then picked her up. "I'm sorry, Sir. I don't know what happened," he muttered, turning to face Gorlinsky. Gorlinsky waved it off. "Come back tomorrow, Vaganov." Gleb nodded and left, carrying Minka back to his flat.

    Minka looked at her brother, "Might I be permitted to take a day off, tomorrow?" Gleb looked down at her, "Seeing as though you just had an emotional break down, you should take the full week off. Relax yourself. I should've known that this would've taken such a heavy toll on you, yet I didn't know what the cost would be. Please, do as I say. You may walk around Leningrad, keep your jacket off, flats only. And for my sake, please wear red." Minka nodded, "Yes, Deputy Commissioner." Gleb chuckled, "At least you didn't call me 'Mother'." Minka chuckled in response to that. "What, did you want me to?" Minka laughed. "No," Gleb said bluntly.

       "Are you sure? I'll call you Mother if you want me to," Minka grinned. "No," Gleb repeated. She laughed and hugged Gleb. "Thank you, Konstanin." He nodded and kissed her forehead. "Don't get into trouble while you're out," he murmured. "I won't. I'm not dumb, Gleb." Gleb laughed, "I didn't say you were. Now, go enjoy your walk."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Minka headed into the Yusapov Palace once again to find Anya sitting in a chair at a table. "Anya, are you ready to learn who you are?" Minka asked. Anya gulped, "But I know who I am." Minka sighed, "No, you only know what those people in the hospital told you. It's time for you to learn who you really were." Anya looked at Minka, who was very eager to help her. Anya raised a brow and tilted her head, "So, who are you?" Minka chuckled and looked at Vlad and Dmitry, "She wants to know who I am." Anya stared, "I mean, your face seems familiar, but why are you who you say? What makes you who you are?" Minka looked at the two men, unsure of what to say and was practically begging them to explain her past to Anya. Minka looked back at Anya, "You're joking, right?" Anya shook her head. Minka sighed, "I'll need some help explaining this."

       Vlad stepped up and said, "Anya, darling, you are the Grand Duchess Anastasia. All we have to do is help you remember who you truly are." Anya glanced at Minka and Vlad, unsure. "I don't know, I mean, what if I'm not?" Anya questioned. "Anya, I worked in the palace. I knew Anastasia and you are Anastasia." Minka knelt in front of her and grabbed her hands. "I know you are."

    "And my question is, if you know who I am, if you say I'm her, where were you when they---" Anya was cut off. Minka was ashamed to answer. She couldn't bare to tell Anya what her true job was. Could she do that? Why would she? It was something she wasn't proud of. Her mind went back to that day when she was at her brother's side, meeting with multiple Bolsheviks who had questions for her. "It's a long story," Minka sighed, "but I'll tell you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1915, Leningrad: Minka's Memory~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       "Gleb, I don't know about this," Minka sighed, following her brother inside the building. "It will be fine, Minka. All you have to do is answer their questions," Gleb assured her. Well, she thought, he didn't say I had to answer them truthfully.

    The questions came flooding through. "Who are you?" one of the Bolsheviks questioned. Minka knew the answer, "Minka Viktoriya Vaganov." Another pried, "How old are you?" Minka, once again, answered honestly, "Nineteen." The harder questions occurred. "Did you have any previous employ?" Minka shook her head. "Did you have any form of education?" they all asked in unison. Minka responded, "Yes. I did. If you count writing down the speeches my father would give as education."

       "Very well. I trust you can be a reliable note taker for your brother, then?" Minka hurriedly nodded. "Alright, Gleb." Gleb beamed with pride and hugged his twin sister tightly. "My God, Minka, it actually worked," he whispered. Minka laughed and hugged him as well. "Can we go now?" Minka murmured. Gleb nodded and pulled his sister out of the building, deciding to take her to the Neva. "Minka, I... I've missed you. These past few years have been rough. Where were you working?" Minka mumbled, "I worked for some common folk. They dismissed me not too long ago. They said they thought it would be best."

    "I'm sorry," Gleb apologized. "Now you'll have a chance to live. You will be oh so needed. With you at my side just imagine how safe Leningrad would be. We can arrest so many criminals." Minka nodded and stared at the Neva, looking into the water, seeming lost in thought. She didn't say anything more. Her mind was muddled, but she still kept on. It was something she never thought that she could do. Minka Vaganov, the note taker for her brother. "Do you still like the color red?" Gleb pondered. Minka nodded. "Good, for that is the color of the new Russia."

        Minka forced a smile and nodded again. "Minka," Gleb spoke after a few minutes. "Hmm?" she hummed, turning her head toward him. He shook his head. "Never mind." Her brows furrowed. "Gleb, what is it?"

"It's nothing. I'll get you some new clothing tomorrow. Your skirt and sweater appears torn," Gleb spoke. "As your brother, I have to care for you and I can't have you getting frost nip again." Minka stared at him and questioned, "Frost nip?" Gleb sighed, "That's why I had to keep you warm. I couldn't let it get to frostbite." Minka smiled, "Aww, Gleb, you're so sweet." Gleb started to blush, but pushed it aside. "Be a good girl, alright. You'll need to come with me." Minka rolled her eyes, but reluctantly agreed.

"Oh!" Minka exclaimed when she tripped over a pebble in the middle of the street. She grabbed Gleb's arm to keep from falling and nervously laughed. "Sorry." He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. "I will do a lot of things, but I will not carry you back."

"Such contradictions. You carried me last night," Minka chuckled. Gleb responded, "Yes, but you were starving. Come on. Since you're a Bolshevik, you need to actually look like one. A torn skirt and sweater with holes is good for a street sweeper, but not for you. You have to always appear on duty, even when you aren't. Just seeing the jacket allows criminals to know that you are not joking." Minka sighed, seeing a con man on the streets with men that scared her. She gasped. "You mean like them?" Minka inquired. Gleb saw them and held Minka close, "Yes. Now let's go. I can't have you getting involved with a con. I don't care how desperate you are." Minka looked at him, "And what if I do?" Gleb responded, "Then you'll be treated like every other criminal."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Yusapov Palace~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Anya placed her hand on Minka's shoulder, her brows furrowed. "Are you alright?" Anya questioned. "Yes, yes," Minka shook her head. "I'm alright. Now, let's help you remember who you are." Anya smiled as Minka stood up and turned to Vlad and Dmitry. "I hope you two have a plan to teach her. I certainly do not."

    "Of course," Vlad smiled and approached Anya. He spoke, "You were born in a palace by the sea." Dmitry repeated, "A palace by the sea." Anya rose a brow and responded, "Could it be?" Vlad smiled, "Yes, that's so. You rode horseback when you were only three." Anya, still pondering, laughed, "Horseback riding? Me?" Dmitry started, "Horse's name..." he was fumbling. Minka jumped in, "Romeo. You threw tantrums and terrorized the cook. Ha! How the palace shook." "Charming child," Dmitry remarked. "Wrote the book, but you'd behave when your father gave that look." Minka, Vlad, and Dmitry gave the look that made Anastasia behave years ago. The three spoke in unison, "Imagine how it was, your long forgotten past. We've lots and lots to teach you and the time is going fast." Vlad helped Anya up, "Now let's see you walk. Head up, regal bearing. Now shoulders back and stand up straight and do not walk but try to float." Anya tried to walk, slightly clumsily, "I feel a little foolish, am I floating?" Minka and Dmitry giggled as they saw that Anya was struggling and spoke in unison, "Like a sinking boat."

        Vlad shot them a look before turning back to Anya. "You give a bow." She did as he said and asked, "What happens now?" He grabbed her hand. "Your hand receives a kiss!" Vlad kissed her hand, to which Anya pulled her hand back and backed away. Dmitry joined Vlad in saying, "Most of all remember this!" They paused for a second, before Vlad took the lead again. "If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it!" Vlad exclaimed, stepping closer to the girl. Minka rolled her eyes. "Boys, I don't mean to be rude, but let's try another route, hm? You're frightening her more than anything." Anya stifled a laugh at Minka's statement. "Come here, Anya. Now, to act like a Grand Duchess, you must first walk like a Grand Duchess. Now, shoulders back slightly. Not too much, no, just a little forward, yes that's it. Stand up tall, no, not too tall, yes, that's perfect. And tenderly put one foot in front of the other, like this."

    Minka showed the girl how to walk, demonstrating it. It was how the Romanov's taught her how to walk when she was considered their child years ago. "I remember teaching the girl how to dance elegantly and with ease. Why don't we teach her and help her fear to cease," Minka suggested. "I danced with her for a brief moment, then went to Alexei, someone else was next. A boy just one year younger than I. I called him a prince because I thought he was, little did I know someone else had taken him before I knew what love was... Little Dima, that child I would see. What would he think of me? Is he still out there? Where could he be? Or is he this man that I see?" Minka asked herself.

       "Now, Anya, we must teach you to dance. I believe I will do the honor of that. This big oaf can't do anything right!" Vlad joked, hitting Dmitry's arm. Dmitry appeared to be offended. "I am younger than you, you common man!" Dmitry exclaimed. "If you two don't shut up, the Bolshevik's are going to find us!" Minka scolded the men. Anya did laugh at that. "My brother doesn't trust me enough as it is. I don't want you two children to be the reason I get killed." Dmitry huffed a sigh. "Come on, Anya. Let's get this over with."

    Minka then saw the similarities between her 'Dima' and Dmitry. "My little Dima, where are you now? Would you let my smile turn to a frown?!?" Minka sang, a bit more audible and filled with heartbreak. Dmitry heard the name 'Dima' and looked over at Minka. Who was this girl that now looked so familiar to him. He shook it aside and waltzed with Anya, unaware of the jealousy that Minka was feeling. "You could see Finland on your father's shoulders, can you see how my heart is breaking inside... without you... or your love..."

        Vlad sighed exasperatedly at Dmitry's terrible attempt at waltzing and broke the two apart. "You are hopeless. Why don't you let Minka teach you how to dance, Dmitry?" Dmitry huffed and walked over to her. "I was sent over here to—" he began. Minka laughed and said, "I know. I heard. Vlad's not the quietest person on the planet. Waltzing is simple, Dmitry. Unfortunately, I'll have to lead this time, though. Now, hand on my waist and we entwine our hands and count one, two, three. One, two, three. That's it! Now, let's try it with you leading."

    Dmitry started to lead, looking at Minka. Something about her seemed familiar. He saw the tears. "Were you crying?" Dmitry asked her. Minka didn't respond, she was too busy counting off for the waltz. Minka soon responded, finally hearing him, "Yes. Not like it matters to you, Dima." Dmitry's eyes widened. Could this woman truly be the girl he danced with years ago. The scared seventeen year old and the once dirty Russian rat who had finally cleaned himself up for a night. Had they been reunited at last?

       "H-how do you know that name?" Dmitry stuttered, stopping the waltz. "One never forgets the best night of their life, Dima," Minka responded quietly. "I... told you my name was Dima. I didn't want to be honest with you. Everyone knew I was a Russian rat, and I didn't want to seem... horrible to you." He hung his head. "Dmitry," she whispered, "I wouldn't have thought any less of you. I was a Russian rat myself, and I still am."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1913, Peterhof~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    It was the first ball of the Winter Season of 1913. Dmitry had decided to clean himself up for once, he had wanted to go this time. He saw a girl in the streets many a times and he heard that she might be in attendance. The very thought of seeing her made a smile curl on his lips. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and simple pants that were a dark grey. He had walked all the way to Peterhof Palace in hopes of encountering the girl again. "If she's a Romanov, it wouldn't matter," he whispered as he headed inside.

The palace was filled with people. He slipped past those who stood in the halls talking and entered the ballroom. The room was brightly lit, leaving him searching for the girl he had seen. He spotted her in the far corner of the room, and decided to try to make his way over to her. As he walked, he nearly lost sight of her. When he stopped to locate her again, a little boy tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at him. "You're trying to find Minka, aren't you?" He smiled. "I suppose. Does she have red hair and blue eyes? Pale and kind of tall?" The boy nodded. "I'll take you to her! She's my friend, after all."

Minka was talking to a few people, who were asking her if she was the Grand Duchess Anastasia. Minka sighed and spoke, "No, no, I'm just a doppelganger." An eyebrow was raised as Count Leopold inquired, "Doppelganger, what in Russia does that mean." Minka stared at him, "The term doppelganger means to look like someone, even though they are not. The term goes as it says. The doppelganger may look similar in appearance, but may be taller or older than the person that they get confused for. You have to remember, I am four years older than Anastasia. She is only thirteen, I'm seventeen. She's four foot nine, I'm five foot five, I have three more inches to grow, Anastasia has a bit more left, Count Leopold." Count Leopold nodded, "Thank you, Minka. That was very informative." Minka chuckled, "It was no trouble."

"Minka! Minka, I want you to meet someone!" Alexei pulled Dmitry up to Minka. "Hello, and who are you?" Minka smiled at Dmitry. "I'm..." he paused, "Dima." That was stupid, Dmitry! He scolded himself. "Pleasure to meet you, Dima. I'm Minka." Dmitry chuckled, "So I've heard. Would you like to dance?" Minka nodded.

Minka took his hand and led him to where her employers were dancing. This was the one time that she, even as a servant, was considered a Romanov. "Minkalina, who is this?" Tatiana inquired. Minka groaned, "You ask this all the time. This is Dima. He may be a prince, I'm not sure." Maria overheard, "I'm telling mother and father. I'm sure they'd love to know who their servant is dancing with." Olga was in earshot as well and remarked, "Minkalina, dancing with one who may be a prince. How romantic?" Minka growled, "Will you three shut up?" The three girls did the exact opposite and told their parents, the Tsar and Tsarina. They spoke in unison, "Mama, Papa, Minka's dancing with someone who might be a prince."

Minka groaned and blushed, her cheeks crimson. "I apologize," she nervously laughed. "No need. And I'm not a prince, but that's okay," he laughed. "I can be anything I want to be for one night." The two waltzed around the dance floor, Olga and Tatiana made sure to stay close, watching them. "It seems you have a few fans," Dmitry pointed out. He whirled Minka around. "Don't mind them. They act as though they've never seen me dance before," she sighed. "Have they?" he questioned. "They're the ones that taught me," she mumbled in response. "Oh," Dmitry chuckled. "Well, they seem to love you." Minka laughed. "It's more likely that they love the fact I'm dancing with you, Dima. They're always trying to get me to fall in love with someone," she giggled. "They're terrible matchmakers, though."

"What do you mean by that? They don't seem too terrible," Dmitry remarked as he allowed Minka to spin under his arm, then pulled her back in. "They tried to match me with Count Leopold three years ago. I was fourteen, he was thirty-six," Minka said in disgust. "Alright, then I believe they're terrible matchmakers," Dmitry chuckled as he continued dancing with Minka. "You are a lovely dancer. I feel I can connect with you," Dmitry smiled. "I could say the same for your dancing," Minka smiled back, unaware that the Tsar and Tsarina were now watching. "How old are you?" Dmitry questioned. "I'm younger than you think. I'm seventeen." Dmitry looked at her. She was one year older than him. "And you?" Minka asked him. "Sixteen," Dmitry responded. "That's not too much of an age gap, maybe they're doing us a favor," Minka chuckled. Dmitry laughed, "Maybe they are." Minka blushed as she continued to dance with Dmitry. "So who was that boy that led me to you?" he asked. Minka responded, "That was Alexei. The little Tsarevich. The best friend of me and Anastasia."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Yusapov Palace~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        "My God," Dmitry whispered. "Minka..." She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, Dima?" He hugged her tightly, causing Vlad and Anya to stare at them. Minka winced. "I thought I'd never see you again," he let out a small laugh.

    "Dmitry, careful, my back," Minka spoke. Dmitry looked at her curiously, "What ever do you mean?" She sighed, ashamed to tell him of her back problems, the pain that plagued her for who knows how long. "I don't want to talk about it. I'm too young to tell you what's happening," Minka told him, only to have Vlad and Anya chuckle. "We won't laugh at you," Vlad told her. "Alright, fine, I have a muscle problem in my back," Minka admitted. "Just a bit stiff, is all." Vlad looked at her, "Why don't you go home and rest. We'll continue tomorrow. You just take care of yourself. I'm sure Dmitry would understand." Minka nodded, "Of course." She bid Dmitry farewell then walked home, the pain shooting up her spine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       "What happened to you?" Gleb looked up at Minka when she entered the flat, her hand on her lower back. "I fell," she sighed. It wasn't a complete lie. She had fallen on the way back and made it worse. "Don't you have a muscle problem?" Gleb's brows furrowed. She nodded. "Sit down, I'll get something to put on it, I guess. Take your choice, ice or a warm cloth." "I'll take the warm cloth, thanks," Minka mumbled, sitting down in one of the few chairs Gleb owned.

           Gleb left for a few moments, grabbing a cloth and soaking it in warm water. He rung it out and brought it to his sister. He sighed, "Can you remove your shirt? This will be more effective without a thick barrier blocking it." Minka blinked in surprise at the question as well as the reason he gave. Minka shook her head, causing Gleb to heave a sigh, "Don't you want to get better?" Minka spoke, "Yes, but—" Gleb hushed her and looked down upon her, shaking his head, "No buts, Minka." Minka sighed and unbuttoned her shirt, slipping it off to reveal a thin chemise that she wore underneath her clothing. "Thank you. This will help you more than you will know." Gleb softly spoke, "You're nothing but a child, a waif who needs protection. I feel this strange affection, I can't allow. You want what you can get, is that a fair depiction? What brought on this affliction? I need to know. Did the Romanovs harm you? If so, you know the game! They were nothing but vile, taking everything from us. We were just two kids from Ufa, two kids who knew nothing but decay. I saw your face through that closet, and then I felt closer to you than I do now. You're in need of guidance, and here are your orders to fulfil. Stay at my side, take each single word that I say with pride. If you think of being with cons, then find a fair balance, take notes when they don't see you." Minka blinked as Gleb continued on, "Don't live in the land of yesterday, forget the imperial heyday, you live in the land of today, Leningrad... You embody what today brings, and let it stay... in Leningrad, the land of today." Minka blinked in surprise as Gleb uttered those words, she whispered, "What are you talking about?" Gleb stared at her, "Exactly what you think. Don't hate me for this." He placed the cloth, damp with warm water on her back and helped her to sit up straight, holding her still, a hand rested on her shoulder. "I remember when I saw you in that closet, you seemed so scared." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1905, Ufa: Gleb's Memory~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        "No, Papa, please, don't harm him!" Minka cried out, jumping in front of Gleb. Gleb flinched as their father roughly grabbed Minka's arm and dragged her to an empty closet. "Ungrateful brat," he grumbled under his breath. He locked Minka inside the closet. "And you," he turned to look at Gleb, "if I catch you sneaking food to her again, you'll be locked outside in the cold. Understood?" Gleb quickly nodded.

    Minka couldn't do anything but cry out. The bread Gleb had given her was the first thing she had eaten that wasn't table scraps. Gleb turned his head to his sister's cries, "But she's starving." "Ignore her, Gleb," their father scolded. Minka had now resorted to scratching on the wood that made up the closet. Their father laughed at the poor attempts, "Be grateful you get fed at all, you little brat!" Minka whined, hunger had taken over due to her not even getting the chance to eat what her brother gave her. She had barely any meat on her bones, her face was sunken in and her eyes seemed dead and unfocused.

       Glen waited until their father left and ran up to the closet. "Minka! Minka, I'm so sorry!" Gleb said, trying to reach the doorknob of the closet. "It's alright, Gleb. It wasn't your fault. Don't do anything to make Papa angrier," Minka spoke quickly. "You better get away from here, Gleb. I don't want you locked out in the cold." Gleb shook his head before realizing his sister couldn't see him. "I will not!" Gleb exclaimed. "Gleb, listen to me," Minka pleaded with him. Even as a child, Gleb was hard headed and stubborn.

    "Minka, I don't want to see you in here ever again," Gleb sighed, sitting in front of the closet. "You're my dear sister. You are being tormented in here. You're in need of help and food. What if you die in here?" Gleb whispered frantically. Minka spoke through the closet, "Don't worry. I'll be okay." Her voice was weak. "You're starving, you need food." Minka sighed, eyes growing heavy. She closed them. "Minka?" Gleb asked, unable to hear his sister. "Minka, are you awake?" He started to get worried when he heard no response, "Minka!"

       He heard her shift inside the closet. "Minka, talk to me," Gleb put his head against the door. "Gleb, you're going to get in trouble if you don't—" "Gleb Konstanin Vaganov!" Konstanin roared. "Leave him be, Konstanin! You can't blame him, you locked his sister in a closet!" Viktoriya walked around the corner and sat down beside Gleb. She then pulled him onto her lap and scooted over, blocking the door. "They are children, Konstanin. Minka's starving."

    "Viktoriya, you know we can't afford to feed her," Konstanin muttered, forcing himself to use a softer tone. "We can only afford for one child, and Gleb is our main concern. He can do more for this family than she." Minka could hear the negative undertones. She sighed, "I can hear you." Konstanin took up the intimidating tone again, "Will you shut up?" Minka, though unheard or unseen, silently cried.

       "We need to do something," Viktoriya spoke. "She's our daughter!" "And he's our son!" Konstanin yelled. Both Gleb and Minka knew what had started as a simple disagreement would turn into. "Stop it! Don't fight again," Gleb raised his voice. Viktoriya chuckled and ran her fingers through his tangled hair. "We won't, darling. Its ending now, isn't it, Konstanin?" Konstanin nodded and walked off. "Why are you in here, Minka?" Viktoriya lowered her voice.

        "Because Gleb snuck me food," Minka replied. "I'm so scared," she cried. Viktoriya put her hand on the closet, "I know, darling. I know. Just let him calm down and then we'll get you out of here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Leningrad~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       Gleb shook his head as he pressed the cloth to Minka's back. "I wish I could forget it," he mumbled. "I wish I could too," Minka whispered. Minka seemed to lose her perfect posture, her shoulders slumped. "Does it hurt when I touch your back?" Gleb questioned, gently rubbing his finger down her back. "A little," Minka responded. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't be doing this." Gleb rolled his eyes. "Minka, I don't care to do it. I just want to know how you survived without me," he joked. Minka quietly laughed. "I dunno, Gleb."

         "Now I know that I need to keep you safe," Gleb sighed. "How does this happen to you?" he wondered. Minka chuckled, "I guess I have bad luck." He shook his head, "I guess you need a doctor."

       "No, I'm alright. I've lived with it this long," she nervously chuckled. Gleb shook his head and left the room. He returned a second later with one of his shirts. "Put this on." Minka sighed and pulled the shirt on, buttoning it. The shirt was too big on her, but she didn't mind. "Gleb, what are you up to?" "Nothing," he murmured. "I'll be right back."

        Minka heaved a sigh. What on earth was he thinking? Why did he put her in one of his shirts? Was this stage one of her being babied. Twelve years of back pain and now Gleb was taking action? Why? What was his plan?

       Minka wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to those questions, either. As promised, Gleb had returned a few moments later. "Minka, tomorrow you're going to see the doctor. If falling does that to you, what would happen if someone were to slap your back?"

    "I don't like doctors," Minka stated. She had every right to not like them. She remembered the first time she was taken to a doctor just days after Gleb brought her in. She was poked and prodded to make sure she was healthy and she hated every moment of it. She hated how the doctors spoke down to her like she was some eight year old child. "You have no choice," Gleb informed. "As your higher up this is one of your orders. You are seeing a doctor and I am staying at your side." Minka sighed, "I'm not sure if I like this order." Gleb glared, "I don't care, you need to get better. Don't fight with me. You're seeing one whether you like it or not."

       Minka sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "But Gleb, I—" "Minka, it is one of your orders. You will do it whether you like it or not," Gleb spoke sternly. "Fine. Just know, I won't like you tomorrow."

    "I don't care," Gleb chuckled. "You're the most of my concern. You're too sweet to be suffering." Minka wasn't going to let his kind words plague her true thoughts. It wasn't going to be one of the things that labelled her. 'Minka, the girl afraid of doctors'. She wanted to be 'Minka, the Bolshevik with a heart'. Gleb looked at his sister, "What are you thinking?" Minka responded, "I don't want to be known as that girl who needs extra care. I want to be the girl who can take care of herself." Gleb sighed, "And you know that won't happen until you go to a doctor." Minka breathed out. How she hated it when he was right. "Giving up your fight with me?" Gleb asked her. Minka nodded.

        Gleb smiled at her and kissed the top of her head. "Are you hungry, Minka?" Gleb murmured. Minka nodded. "Do you want some soup?" "That would be nice," she mumbled. Gleb nodded and hurried to make some soup. "Ouch," he grumbled.

    "Well, now I know one thing. All men are babies," Minka giggled. Gleb had heard her, she shot back, "I'm not a baby. You're the baby. Complaining about doctors and getting hurt almost all the time. Relax now. One thing I want to know is, how did you hurt your back? What brought on the muscle problem?" Minka looked at him, "It's a long story." Gleb sighed, "I have the time."

        "Uh... When I worked for the Romanovs, I took care of the youngest, Alexei," she began. She saw the look on Gleb's face. "It wasn't their fault, it was mine. I had the choice to wear either flats or heels, and I decided to try the heels. I fell down a flight of stairs. Ended up banging my back up," she nervously laughed. "They made sure I was taken care of for a while after that." "That's not the full story," Gleb spoke up.

    "Can I just think about what happened? Can't I just remember what I chose to. I had a rough life. Give me a moment. I am so tired of you pointing things out. It's part of who I am," Minka explained. Gleb sighed, bringing the soup to her and held it for her, "I don't want you to hurt your back by bending. It looks like I'll be holding things for you for a while." Minka breathed a sigh as her mind wandered, remembering that night when she first met Dmitry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1912, St, Petersburg's Streets~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        "Oh, they're going to kill me," Minka murmured, hurrying to get back to the Peterhof Palace. "Maybe a shortcut..." Minka bit her lip as she looked down the alley. It seemed to be empty, so she decided to go down the alley, in hopes she could get back to the palace quickly. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" A tall man – Maybe teenager – stepped in front of her. "Home," she answered quickly. "Now, would you please move?" "Boys!" he shouted.

    Minka gulped in fear as older men surrounded her. "What a pretty little thing," one of them spoke. "Seems she's got quite a bit of money," another remarked. Minka was getting scared, her eyes widening. Tears falling, she was shaking. Minka rose her voice, "I need to get home!" Dmitry shook his head, "In such a hurry? Why?" Minka glared, responding, "I have to work tomorrow." Dmitry took her shoulder in his hand, "Not without spending some time with us."

        Minka's chest heaved up and down in fear. "Oh, come now, don't be frightened! I won't hurt you," Dmitry grinned. Minka looked up at him uncertainly. "I need to get back." "I know, I know you do. First, you get to spend some time with us," Dmitry patted her shoulder. "I can't! I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago!"

"Well, I'm afraid that you won't be able to get there on time. It's starting to snow and I couldn't let a poor girl like you to suffer through that," Dmitry said to Minka, unaware of her age. Minka sighed, "I was from Ufa. I lived in a closet and only knew the scent of decay." Dmitry lifted her chin, "Well, I can't have you freeze out here. You're staying with us until the morning, like it or not." 

        "Why would I? I can handle a little snow." She moved to where Dmitry's hand slid off of her shoulder. "Come on, we're not bad people," Dmitry spoke. Minka rolled her eyes and pushed past him and one of the older boys. "Oh, a little firecracker, is she?" one remarked. "I like a challenge," another said. Minka ignored them and kept walking. "Get her," another mumbled quietly.

    Minka began walking slowly. An unnerving chill went up her spine. She had spent six days away from the Tsar and was due back in the morning. She didn't hear the crunching of footsteps against the ground, boots making the snow crackle. Minka shivered, then grew increasingly unsettled by the feeling she felt in her stomach, the feeling that made her fall to the ground, landing on her side, shoulder ramming into the cold snow. She shivered still, her back now a mess as the cold air bit through her clothing.

         Dmitry ran up to her and lifted her, sighing. "I think it's best that we get you out of the cold, okay?" Minka reluctantly nodded. Silent tears made their way down her pale cheeks. "Don't cry," Dmitry mumbled. "I promise I won't hurt you. You work at the palace, don't you?" Minka nodded, blinking the tears away. "I'll take you there. That fall couldn't have been good for your back."

    Dmitry carried her to Peterhof, holding her close to his chest. "Shh... you'll be alright. If I'm able to stay, I'll take care of you," Dmitry said calmly. Minka looked up at him. Her eyes widened. She croaked out, "Do you promise?" Dmitry smiled down at the girl, "I promise."

        Minka places her head against his shoulder. "Thank you..." Dmitry nodded, positioning her to where he could knock on the door. They stood for a few seconds before the door swung open, revealing an older man. "I'm sorry, sir, but the Tsar is—my God, Minka!" The older man turned and shouted for someone to find one of the female servants. "Get in here, boy." Dmitry nodded and entered the foyer of the palace.

    "What happened to her?" the older gentleman inquired. Dmitry thought it best to tell the full truth, "She crossed a few of my fellow... friends, she got scared. They tried to get her to stay with them, and I guess I did, too. She told us she needed to come here and started to walk here. We may have made remarks about her personality. We didn't even realize what had happened until I saw her fall to the ground on her side. Her shoulder jamming in place and may have injured her back. I thought I would carry her here. If the Tsar would allow it, I would like to stay here and help care for her. I can't help but to feel responsible for this."

       The gentleman nodded and hurried to find the Tsar. "I... thank you, I suppose," Minka mumbled against his jacket. "Of course," he muttered. "It is my fault, after all. I should have let you go." She shook her head. "It's alright. It was my fault, really. I shouldn't have went through the alley." "If you hadn't, you wouldn't have made it here when your shoulder jammed in place. You'd be lying in the middle of the street," Dmitry told her. Minka sighed, "You're right." "Young man." Dmitry looked up, seeing the older gentleman. "You are permitted to stay for tonight."

    "I want to stay with her. Am I able to care for her until she feels up to walking?" Dmitry wondered, still holding Minka. The gentleman sighed, "That is up to the Tsar. I'm certain he will come out of his quarters soon so you may speak with him. He is rather protective of Minka when he needs to be, so is the Grand Duchess and the Tsarevich."

        "The Grand Duchess? You mean Anastasia?" Dmitry's brows furrowed. "Yes," The man nodded. "Follow me, it would probably be best if we put her in her bed." "No, that won't be necessary. Put her in the guest room." All three heads turned at the sound of the Tsar's voice. "Minka, what have you done?" he sighed. "My shoulder... I don't know," she stammered. "Take them to the guest room." He turned to the servant. "I'll be there in a few moments."

    Minka remained in Dmitry's arms as they were led to the guest room. Dmitry, knowing the pain she was in, sighed, "I don't think she should lay down. Her back is most likely a mess. I know what it's like when a shoulder rams into the side of something. It causes the back to sting, the muscles tighten. Her back may not be in the best condition. If she does rest, I advise that she is on the side where her shoulder isn't jammed. She will need care."

        The man nodded, pushing the door open. "Alright, lay her down on that side, then." Dmitry nodded and did as he was told. Minka winced, but she didn't say anything. "I'm sorry you had to carry me," she mumbled. "Don't be. You're as light as a feather," he smiled at her. Minka chuckled. "Thank you," Minka muttered. "My pleasure," Dmitry took her hand and kissed it. "You're a gentleman after all," she joked. Dmitry laughed, "That is something that would be considered a miracle. I'm no gentleman."

    Minka chuckled, "You're a gentleman to me. I thought I would be afraid of you at first, but you redeemed yourself." Dmitry placed his hand on her forehead, making sure she was well, he sighed in relief when he saw that she was. "I know one thing, you aren't burning. You don't have a fever, so that's a relief." Dmitry moved himself to sit on the bed, right beside Minka's head, smoothing her hair back, "You don't worry your pretty little head. We'll get you--I'll get you--taken care of. " Minka blushed, unaware of the Tsar entering the room.

       "Minka, how are you feeling?" Her cheeks burned as her eyes flicked over to the Tsar. "I'm alright," she answered. "Good. Thank you, young man. I suppose we can discuss whatever it is you wish to discuss in the morning?" Dmitry nodded. "Very well. Will you be alright, Minka?" "I think so," she mumbled in response. He nodded and turned on his heel. "Let me know if you need anything, darling." Minka nodded and watched as he left the room. Minka played with a loose string on Dmitry's jacket, not having anything else to do.

    "What, were you a cat in another life?" Dmitry asked the girl. Minka sighed and responded in a joking manner, "Maybe, were you a vulture in another life?" Dmitry chuckled and continued to sit near the girl. "I am still sorry for letting what happened to you happen. I didn't mean for it to happen," Dmitry told her. Minka didn't say a word. She was half asleep.

        "Why don't you get some sleep, hm?" Dmitry murmured softly. Minka looked up at him. "You won't go anywhere, will you?" she asked. "No." "Alright," she whispered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Leningrad, the next morning~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Minka had found herself awake in Gleb's bed. He wasn't going to leave her alone. "Minka, it's time for you to get out of bed and dressed. We have to see what's going on with your back and if it can be taken care of today. Let's pray it can. I can't have an injured notetaker. How are you supposed to write while in pain?" Gleb sighed. Minka groaned, how she hated it when Gleb always gave valid points. "I guess I won't be," Minka responded. "Then you'd be out of work, unless you were a streetsweeper. And I only want to see one red-headed streetsweeper out there. Come on, loose blouse, skirt, flats, and a coat, as well as socks. You are not getting out of it so easily this time," Gleb spoke sternly.

       "But Gleb," she groaned, "it's so early." "On the contrary, my dear, it's nine a.m." Gleb chuckled, walking out of the room. Minka painfully sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I don't like you!" Minka shouted. "I don't care!" Gleb yelled. He then poked his head back in the room, a smirk on his face. "A lot of people don't like me."

    Minka sighed and got dressed, going in the order that made sense for her. She found a red blouse and a black skirt, and quickly put her chemise on to cover her, as well as thick socks. She did everything that she could, but when it came to getting the knots out of her hair she struggled. She painstakingly tried to brush through them with her hand, only to cause her to gasp in pain. What would Gleb say if he knew her struggles? She didn't care for anymore answers or any form of him trying to care for her. Her shoulder was still locked after fifteen years. Did she want to tell Gleb? Most likely not. She didn't even want to tell him of her fixation on romance.

       "Minka! Are you ready yet?" Gleb asked. "If I say no, do I have to go?" Minka responded. Gleb laughed and said, "Yes." Minka groaned and opened the door. "What's on your mind, Minka?" Gleb inquired as he took her hand and led her out to the street. "Nothing," Minka responded. "Stop lying to me. I tell you everything!" She shot him a look. "I tell you everything I can tell you, now what's going on?" "So I have an interest in a guy," she mumbled. "Oh? And what's his name?" Minka could see his smile growing. "Dmitry." "Dmitry? He's a con man!" Gleb exclaimed. "Shh! Not so loud, you idiot! He's not a bad man," Minka murmured, glancing up at Gleb. "Minka, I have an idea..." "Nothing good ever happens when you say that," Minka remarked. "You will join their side... find out information. Write it down if you must. Let them think you support them, but secretly deceive them. It must be done." Minka sighed, "Gleb, what has he done?" Gleb looked down at his older sister. "He's holding Anastasia auditions. Those three gossips that came in earlier this week told me."

    Minka processed the idea, then responded, "Fine, I'll do it. I'll take this order. I'll follow them wherever they go. They want what they will get, money for the girl's safe return. I'll pretend that I care, but I really do. My inner demons just won't allow a game to be played. The childish game of cat and mouse. "We're innocent" they'll cry, and when I see their eyes, I'll know if each word is an absolute lie." The two were now in unison, "But still... still... Still."

       Gleb nearly patted Minka's back, but remembered her injury at the last second. "Oh, look, there's the doctor's office. Let's go, Minka," he murmured. Minka sighed and followed him inside the office. The woman who was sitting at the desk smiled at them and told them to go on back. "You're coming with me, right?" Minka whispered. "If you want me to," he shrugged. "Come on. If I'm being forced to do this, I'm forcing you to sit back there with me."

    Gleb followed his sister to the back, still wondering what plagued his sister. What caused her pain. He was smiling internally. He had his sister right where he wanted her, in a double cross. Gleb had never felt more proud of Minka. She was now a true Bolshevik. "When we figure out what happened, and if it can be taken care of right here and be done quickly, you can go to them. Be good." Minka could hear his voice, "I will be. I promise you."

       Minka sighed as she entered the small room, sitting down in one of the wooden chairs in the corner. "You know you're not supposed to sit there," Gleb sighed. "I don't think I can climb up there," she mumbled. "My back hurts too much." "Want me to lift you?" he asked. She shook her head, "Sit down." Gleb did as he was told, taking her hand and rubbing it with his thumb. "It'll be alright, you big baby," he teased, glancing over at her. "Gleb!" Minka wanted to hit him, but wouldn't because it would only cause her more pain.

    "What, you know you are," Gleb teased, still rubbing her hand with his thumb. "You'll be fine. I promise. Remember, if you are about to cry, just cross your fingers and I'll tell the doctor that you can't handle it." Minka glared, "Gleb, will you stop?" Gleb shook his head, "I'm not going to. You are my sister, are you not. You're my responsibility." Minka sighed and looked at her feet, which she was just lightly swinging back and forth. "Please, act your age," Gleb scolded. "You're no fun," Minka complained. Gleb chuckled, "I'm not supposed to be."

       "Just because you're a Bolshevik doesn't mean you have to act like you're heartless," she grumbled. "I don't," he mumbled. Minka was about to say something when the door opened. The doctor stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him, then turned to face the two. "I'm assuming you're Minka?" He looked at the girl. She nodded. "Won't you sit up here? It would be much easier that way." Again, Minka nodded and walked over to the examination table, trying to ignore the pain. "Gleb," she sighed. "I've got you." He lifted her and placed her on the table. "Remember what I told you." Minka huffed a sigh, causing Gleb to chuckle. He sat down again, shifting to where he was comfortable.

    "Could you remove your blouse?" the doctor asked Minka. Minka did so with some struggle, causing her to nearly scream in agony. "What happened here?" the doctor questioned as his finger ran across Minka's shoulder, locked in place, and placing his hand at the center of the girl's back. This caused Minka discomfort. She crossed her fingers and clenched her teeth as the examination continued. Minka's pain became unbearable, the crossed fingers turning into a clenched fist. "I fell on my back," she winced. The doctor tsked, "It seems you did more than that. Your shoulder appears locked, and from its condition, it seems to have been that way for fifteen years. It seems a tight embrace may have caused a flare up and made the pain worse than it was originally."

       Gleb's brows furrowed as he heard this. Minka winced. "I ran into an old... friend yesterday. He didn't know about it and hugged me. Then I fell on the way back home and made it hurt more than what it already was," Minka explained. Gleb shook his head. The doctor continued to examine Minka's back. "Does it hurt here?" He rubbed the spot in between her shoulder blades. Minka gasped and nodded. "So it starts here..." he mumbled to himself, looking at her back. "Did you know about it?" He looked up at Gleb, who shook his head. "Only that her back hurt her sometimes."

    "You have to tend to that or it'll cause more pain. Would you mind holding her hand. I may have to do what could hurt her for a moment, but it'll help her," the doctor sighed and looked to Gleb. Gleb nodded and took her hand. The doctor breathed, beginning to shift Minka's shoulder, making sure that she had use of it. "Ow!" Minka cried out. "I know it hurts, but it'll help you," the doctor assured.

       Gleb stood and grabbed Minka's hands. "It'll be alright," he whispered in her ear. The doctor continued to shift Minka's shoulder. "Hey," Gleb whispered, wiping the stray tears that fell from her eyes away, "it's alright. You'll feel better when it's done." Minka took a deep, shaky breath, only to cry out again when he shifted her shoulder in the opposite direction. "Gleb, it hurts," Minka whimpered. "I know it does, Minka. Just... squeeze my hands when it hurts, alright?" She nodded.

    "Almost..." the doctor started, then heard a loosening click, "done." Minka was not happy that Gleb made her go through torture just so she could go through with the plan. "You may put your blouse back on miss," the doctor told her, unaware that Minka was already one step ahead of him. "Smart girl. I see the resemblance now. She looks so much like your father, with the stubbornness and pride of your mother. I see why you say she is a personification of Russia. There's a spark within." Gleb nodded and took his sister's hand, "Come, we're leaving."

        "Personification of Russia?" Minka sighed after they had left the office. "Well, you are," Gleb shrugged. "If Russia were a person, she'd be just like you. Beautiful, stubborn, and filled to the brim with pride." Minka laughed. "So you're saying I resemble Russia?" "In a way," Gleb mumbled. "Do you hate me?" He glanced at her. "A little. I'll get you back for it." Gleb chuckled, "I'd like to see you try."

    "You know I will, Gleb, you know I will," Minka smirked. Gleb chuckled, "Such a little spark of energy and cheekiness. I like that in you. It reminds me of years ago. I never imagined that I would have you helping me, but you did." Minka sighed and walked along side him, the streets seeming to go on forever. "We'll get you home, I'll make you some tea, and we'll remember that day."

A/N: So, here is some Dmitrinka for you. This is the second chapter I have ended. The chapter on google docs came close to 35 pages. As of now this is the longest chapter that has been written. Songs in this chapter are as follows. "Learn to Do It", which has remained the same, "In My Dreams (2)" which is now known as "The Dance of Dima and Minka" and "Still (4)" which is now called "The Deceit". What did all of you think? What did Gleb mean by "We'll Remember that day"? Enjoy.