Chapter 8: Welcome to Paris

Minka sighed as she sat in the hotel room. Dark circles were prominent under her eyes. Anya sat beside her, "Why didn't you tell us you were ill?" Minka sighed, looking at the girl who she now knew was the Grand Duchess. She spoke, "Because I don't like doctors. That's all there is to it. I've hated them since I was a little girl." Anya looked to Vlad, "I think she needs some comforting."

"Well, I don't know where Dmitry is," Vlad sighed. "I'm here," Dmitry said as he entered the hotel room. "What happened to you?" His brows furrowed in concern when saw Minka. "She's ill and she didn't tell us, that's what happened to her," Vlad muttered. Dmitry sighed and sat down beside Minka and wrapped his arms around her. "You know, doctors really aren't that bad," he mumbled. "I hate them," Minka grumbled. "Why?" Dmitry questioned. "I have my reasons."

"What happened with you and a doctor, Minka?" Anya pondered. Minka looked down, trembling. Tears came down her face. She was violently shaking. She told them the one thing she remembered when she snuck away to Germany once before. She was seven. She told them about her being found by a doctor, who had asked if she was a twin, to which she responded yes. She spoke of the tests that were run on her. She cried as she could see the torment she had gone through and how she had to run away before it got worse. "Minka?" Dmitry asked worriedly. Minka continued to shake violently. "Minka!" Dmitry pulled Minka close to him and started to rock her, smoothing her hair back. He spoke softly, "Shh... shh..."

Minka couldn't stop the tears that escaped from her eyes. Her hands were in her lap, her head against Dmitry's chest. "I-I am so sorry you had to go through that," Vlad whispered. Minka sniffed and wiped the tears away. "Gleb doesn't know about this, does he?" Dmitry queried. Minka shook her head. "Thought so," he mumbled. "Minka, don't cry," Dmitry sighed kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry," she uttered. "Don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong," Dmitry assured her.

Vlad approached the shaking girl and took her hand. "If it will make you feel better I'll stay with you. If you get scared you can hold my hand. I'll help you through this. I know what happened to you was frightening, but I promise you that nothing will happen to you here. I've heard that doctors in Paris know what they're doing and there is little to no error." Minka gulped at the words 'little error'. "What if they make a mistake?" Minka nervously questioned. "They won't. Do you know how many white Russians are doctors in Paris?" Vlad queried. Minka sighed, "No." Vlad responded, "A lot."

"If I agree... when do I have to go?" Minka murmured. Vlad looked at Dmitry, who shrugged. Minka played with a loose string on Dmitry's shirt, to which he chuckled. "Are you a cat?" Dmitry inquired. "I dunno, are you a vulture?" Minka responded, a small smile gracing her lips. "No." "If I agree, when do I have to go?" she repeated, looking at Vlad.

Vlad looked to Minka, "As soon as you say yes." Minka groaned. Her stomach churned as she put a hand to her mouth. Vlad took note of her actions and helped the girl to her feet. "Even if you didn't say a word, that still counted as a yes," Vlad spoke, taking the coat he had placed on a bed and wrapped it around the girl, hands on her shoulders. "I said it in Russia and I'll say it here, you're a better version of my father, well, the only better version that happens to be alive," Minka remarked.

Vlad chuckled and led the girl out to the streets. "Now, I trust you know the routine?" Vlad questioned as they walked down the street. Minka nodded. "Just because I hate them doesn't mean my brother didn't make me go to them," she grumbled. He let out a laugh. "They're not as bad as you think they are, and I know you went through something terrible to cause the hatred for doctors, but not all are like that."

Minka heaved a sigh before going into a coughing fit. Vlad spoke, "Judging by the sound of that cough you need immediate care. Don't worry, when we get there I will insist you are in a quiet examination room. I will say you are my child. I will do what I can to make sure you get the help that is needed. I know you, you cannot focus while you are ill." Minka sighed, knowing he was right.

"You know," she mumbled, "I hate it when you're right." Vlad chuckled. Minka sniffed. "There's a doctor's office. Let's go," Vlad murmured. "Are you sure it's safe?" Minka mumbled. "Yes, now let's go."

Minka followed him. She was grumbling, hating every moment of her being dragged into a situation. Vlad still didn't part from Minka. He was going to keep his word and tell them Minka was his child. It wasn't much of a stretch as Vlad always acted like a father.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Inside The Doctor's Office~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello, how can I help you?" The nurse behind the desk smiled at them. "My daughter is ill. Is it possible she can have a quiet examination room?" She nodded. "This way, please." She rounded the desk and led them to the back, where she put them in a room at the end of the hall. "I'll let him know you're here." Vlad nodded his thanks and helped Minka get up on the examination table.

Minka started to cough once again. Vlad patted her back, hoping to loosen the airway. Minka shook her head as she heard a set of footsteps. A feeling in her gut was telling her it was the doctor. Her mind was racing as it flashed images of her past, to which she pushed aside.

The doctor entered the room, closing the door behind him. He was an older man with greying brown hair, and he looked friendly. Minka hoped he was as friendly as he looked. "Hello," he nodded to them. "Hello," Minka mumbled. "Feel free to sit down," he spoke to Vlad, who sat in the chair closest to the table Minka was sitting on. "Alright... I need to know what's wrong with you. Well, what your symptoms are. I don't want to keep you here longer than I have to."

Minka coughed, "I've been coughing. I've been sneezing. I have a splitting headache. I'm always cold. I have a fever." The doctor shook his head and tsked. "I have struggles when it comes to breathing," Minka concluded.

He tsk-ed again. "Well, let's get started, shall we?" Minka nodded. She shot Vlad a look and he smiled at her, which seemed to calm her down a bit. "Can you please sit up straight?" Minka straightened her posture, then coughed after she did so.

The doctor sighed, "Sounds like a dreadful cough. The only person who had a cough like that was the servant girl from Peterhof. The poor thing was scared half to death. I have never seen eyes look so alive and so dead at the same time." Minka's eyes widened as she spoke, "Sir, that servant girl was me."

"Why, it is you," he mumbled after leaning closer to her. "Unbelievable." Vlad said nothing, but he did smile. "Well, I believe now would be a good time to figure out what's wrong with you." He picked up his stethoscope and came closer to her.

She felt the cold metal of the stethoscope hit her chest. She flinched. "You needn't be afraid. I promised I'd make you feel better then and I promise it now. Do you trust a Russian who misses the Tsar just as much as the rest of us do?" the doctor pondered. Minka weakly replied, "Yes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1907, Peterhof: Memory Continuation~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minka's heart thundered against her rib cage as the doctor pulled out another instrument. "Darling, I promise I won't hurt you," he spoke softly. "In fact, I'll make you feel better. Isn't that nice?" Minka nodded. She then sneezed. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. The doctor laughed. "Oh, it's alright," he assured her.

The Tsar turned to Anastasia, who was still in the room. Softly, he asked the Grand Duchess to return to bed. Anastasia nodded and went to her room, feet padding across the floor. "You'll have to forgive my youngest daughter. She's grown close to Minkalina over the past three months. I now see why. She's proven to be one of the most human out of the servants. I often think of her as my own," the Tsar explained to the doctor.

The doctor smiled, "Oh, she was fine where she was. The Grand Duchess is always a joy to be around, Your Highness." Nicholas chuckled, "Indeed she is." He saw Minkalina staring at the door. Nicholas sighed and walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down, taking Minka's hand. She turned her head and smiled at him. "Better?" he inquired. Minka nodded. Nicholas smiled at her. "Minkalina, I want you to relax," he whispered.

As much as Minka tried, she couldn't. The sounds of voices echoed through her mind. Since her frightening time in Germany, she grew tense every time she was told to relax. Her heart thundered even faster. Her mind raced. The girl was fully on edge. There was no stopping it.

Minka's eyes were filled with fear. "Minka, darling, it's alright," Nicholas whispered, rubbing the child's hand. "I-I—I'm scared, Your Highness," Minka murmured. "I know you are, love, but he's a nice man. He won't hurt you," Nicholas assured her, brushing her hair out of her face. "Your Highness, I'm still scared," Minka uttered. "It's alright, darling. I promise you he won't hurt you."

The doctor whispered to Nicholas, "I have seen this kind of fear once before. The poor dear must've been so frightened." Nicholas looked at the doctor and questioned, "What are you talking about?" The doctor shook his head as he replied, "The most barbaric of medical practices, a twin experiment. The child must've gone to Germany and gotten caught by German doctors. The twin experiment was a series of tests. If her brother were there he would've suffered the same as she. She was poked and prodded, treated like nothing more than a laboratory rat."

"Minkalina, have you ever been to Germany?" Nicholas questioned. The child nodded. "Did the doctors in Germany hurt you, Minkalina?" Again, she nodded. "I just want you to know that he's not like them, alright?" "Alright," Minka mumbled sleepily.

Nicholas held Minka's hand, rubbing it with his thumb. He saw the girl close her eyes. "I don't understand," Nicholas began, "how could anyone, a doctor no less, do that to innocent children?" The doctor sighed, "Be glad she's alive. Not many survived the experiments. If you were a foreigner there was a higher risk of dying from various things. If you take note of the scars on her knuckles and back of her hand, it's a sign that she narrowly escaped with her life."

"I never noticed them," Nicholas mumbled. "Most people don't notice something like that. Your servant girl is lucky to be alive," the doctor muttered. Nicholas looked up at the doctor. "She'll be alright, won't she?" He nodded. "I'll get the medicine she needs and bring it to you first thing tomorrow. I do recommend that she stays in bed, though. She needs to rest."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Paris, the examination room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doctor looked to Vlad, shaking his head as he finished examining Minka. "Stress fever. Let her relax for an hour or two and it will clear up. If she has family in the area it is best she stay with them. I have met her and she spoke of how she loved her twin brother and how she wished he could see Paris with her. I got word that a man named Gleb is in the area and that he is looking for a woman named Minka. I believe that you know the right thing to do," the doctor spoke. "However, if there is someone else you'd rather have keep her relaxed for two hours you may leave her with that person."

"Alright, thank you," Vlad spoke quickly. Minka slid off of the table and walked over to Vlad, who was waiting by the door. "This isn't good at all," he whispered. "I know," Minka mumbled. "I know it isn't. I didn't think they'd send him to Paris!" "You need to calm down and relax. Just as the doctor said. You seem released around Dmitry, so I'll leave you in his care while I try to find Lily and speak with her. Is that alright with you?" Minka nodded. "Good. Anya will be at the hotel as well, unless she's gone sightseeing. You know how Anya is," Vlad chuckled. Minka chuckled as well. "You know, I'm convinced she really is Anastasia," Minka mumbled. "So am I," Vlad sighed.

Minka's mind began to wander as she left the doctor's office with Vlad. She passed someone on the streets who looked a lot like her twin. She shook her head, knowing it was just a coincidence. There was no way it was Gleb. It couldn't be. It made her think of something, that day in 1912 when the Tsar allowed her to roam freely in Petersburg, allowing her to clear her mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1912, St. Petersburg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minka sniffed and hurried down the street, eager to roam the streets. She bumped into someone and was sent backwards, landing on the ground. "Oof! I am so sorry," she apologized as she clambered to her feet. "No, no, it was my fault. I should pay attention to where I'm going." Minka looked up. She knew that voice. Gleb.

Minka soon remembered the warnings of the Romanovs. Pretending not to know him, she spoke, "Sorry, it's my second day in Russia." Gleb heard the accent as this girl tried to speak Russian. He found it amusing. "And where exactly are you from, miss?" Gleb pondered. Minka lied smoothly, "Germany." Gleb sighed and nodded. He took note of the scars on her hands, knowing what they were from, "You are very lucky to be alive." He saw the girl shaking, "You must be cold. Allow me." He removed his coat and wrapped it around her.

"Thank you," she mumbled. Gleb nodded, his eyes scanning her. "You look familiar. Have you been here before?" Minka shook her head quickly. "Are you sure? Maybe somewhere else in the country?" "No," Minka spoke quietly. His eyes scanned her face again. "Minka? Is that you?"

"I have no idea who this 'Minka' is, but I'm sure she's a lovely person," she spoke, keeping the German accent. Gleb smiled, "She is. A bit stubborn and hard headed, but lovely all the same. I wonder where she is now. She said she was working, but it's been two years since I last saw her." Minka took note of the uniform, knowing something would stir. A fire would start and Gleb was a part of it. Her eyes widened. Gleb chuckled, "You look like a deer caught in some headlights. Are you alright, child?"

"Yes, I'm alright," Minka chuckled. "Are you sure?" She nodded. "Can I get you some tea or something?" Gleb offered. "Oh, no, I am fine," Minka assured him. She was desperate to get away before she slipped and revealed she really was Minka. He gave her an unsure look. "I must be going, here's your coa—" "Keep it." "Um, thank you," she mumbled.

"Consider it a token. A gift to starting the new Russia," Gleb smiled. Minka walked off, keeping the coat around her. Despite it being a coat meant for Bolsheviks she had to admit, it did keep her warm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Paris: The Hotel Room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How'd it go?" Dmitry questioned. "Well enough. She needs to relax for two hours. I'm leaving her in your care, Dmitry." Vlad spoke. Dmitry nodded. "Come over here, Minka," Dmitry scooted over on the bed, making room for her. She laid down and yawned. "Sleepy?" Dmitry chuckled. Minka nodded as she put her head on his chest. "Where are you going?" He turned his attention to Vlad. "I've got to find Lily. You know I have to talk to her before we even get within ten feet of the Dowager Empress," Vlad sighed. "Oh, right," Dmitry mumbled. "I forgot about that."

Minka started to close her eyes, only to hear frightening voices screaming at her. She shot them back open, looking up at Dmitry. Dmitry pulled her close and asked Vlad to come over to him for a bit. Quietly, Dmitry whispered, "What happened? She's even jumper than she was in Russia."

Vlad shrugged. "I know as much as you," he whispered. Dmitry sighed and kissed Minka's forehead. "Shh, shh, it's alright," he murmured softly. Vlad left, leaving the two alone. Dmitry had no idea as to where Anya had gone or when she would return. He thought she said something about taking a walk across the bridge, but he wasn't sure. "What's wrong, Minka?"

Minka's thoughts thundered as she cried, "I was seven. I went to Germany. I was poked. I was prodded. Doctors screamed at me in German. I had told them I was a twin. I was one of many. I was sure I would die. They continued to run tests on me. I was one of the few who lived. I was the only foreigner left alive by narrowly escaping with my life." She clung to Dmitry, seeking comfort.

Dmitry wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her arm in a comforting manner. "I-I don't know what to say," Dmitry whispered. "You were seven?" "Seven," she mumbled. Her breathing was ragged, and she had started to tremble. "Minka, you need to calm down. Please," Dmitry pleaded with her. Minka buried her face in his chest and cried, "I don't know how."

Dmitry hugged her tightly. He then remembered how calm she was when he was rubbing her neck. He tilted Minka's head, starting to do what he had done in Russia. He smiled, "If you say this doesn't calm you, I know you'd be lying." Minka, through shaky tears, started to relax. She had no idea how thin the walls were, or that her own twin was in the room right next to theirs.

"Shh, it's alright. You're safe," Dmitry whispered as he continued to rub her neck. Minka sniffed, "Promise?" "I promise." She wiped the tears off of her face, closed her eyes, and sighed. "Dmitry, I—thank you, I guess." "No problem," he assured her. "It's my job to make sure you relax, remember?" "Yeah," she mumbled. "Thanks, Dima."

She heard the click of a door opening. She heard it close. She heard the sound of Russian shoes against French carpeting. Minka turned to Dmitry, "Dima, you have to hide." Dmitry protested, "But why?" Minka glared at him. "Okay, okay," Dmitry spoke, hurrying to the closet and hiding in there. Minka heard the knob of the door turn. She gulped nervously.

The door opened to reveal Gleb, who raised a brow. "You do know you're the reason I'm here, right?" Gleb questioned, stepping inside and closing the door. "I did not know that, actually," Minka murmured, growing anxious again. "What is it, Glebby?" "Did you help them cross the border?" "You're blaming me?" Minka raised her brows. "Who else am I going to blame, you dimwit?" Minka flinched. Gleb sighed, "I apologize. You seem stressed, what's the matter?" He walked over to her and brushed her hair out of her face.

Minka told Gleb everything. She told him of the stress fever she had been diagnosed with. She told him about what happened to her when she was seven. She didn't spare any details as she burst into tears. Gleb shook his head and sat near her, gathering her in his arms and placing her on his lap, slowly rubbing her neck and shoulders.

"You were told to relax, were you not? Why aren't you doing that?" Gleb mumbled. "I don't know how to relax, Gleb," Minka muttered. "This seems to be calming you," he muttered. "It is," Minka whispered. "Where's Dmitry?" Gleb mumbled. "I dunno," she lied. "Anya?" "More than likely sightseeing." "Vlad?" "He's trying to find Lily, whoever she is." "You're in a mess, you know that? You couldn't have just done what I asked you to do," Gleb sighed. "I tried... I really did. Maybe it's best it worked out this way," she mumbled. "Yes, with you being stressed all of the time, it's definitely best."

Minka sighed. Gleb removed his sister from his lap and got a stern look on his face. "We're my orders not clear enough. I told you them many times. I reminded you of them each night, need I repeat them." Minka nodded. Gleb sighed heavily and spoke, "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..."

"But Gleb—" Minka's heart started to pound in her chest. "No buts, Minka. I'm counting on you." Gleb got up and left the room. Minka sighed after the door clicked shut. "What did he mean by that?" Dmitry asked the second he stepped out of the closet. "At what point in the conversation?" she mumbled. "All of it at the end." He sat down beside her.

How could Minka tell him? The very thought made her stressed. Dmitry sighed, "Sorry, I forgot. You are supposed to relax. Doctor's orders, not mine." Minka groaned. "Hush. It could've been worse. It could've been a doctor hired by Bolsheviks." Minka gulped at the memory of her being in Gleb's office, a doctor standing at his side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1916, Gleb's Office~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minka gulped when she saw the tall man beside her brother. He was taller than Gleb, which made Minka slightly uncomfortable. They say he's a doctor, but he looks like a murderer, Minka thought to herself. "Minka, this is the new doctor. He's taking over an intellectual's office right down the street here." Gleb spoke up.

Minka gulped. She was growing uncomfortable. She whispered, "As long as he doesn't examine me, we're fine." Gleb saw the look on his sister's face. "I hate to break it to you, but he will be looking you over. If you are to be a note taker for me, we have to make sure the uniform fits. I remember the last time we made it too small. You were so miserable. He just needs to make sure everything is in order," Gleb explained. Minka rolled her eyes. Gleb looked at his sister, "Minka, you have to know this is necessary."

Minka stared at the floor and nodded. Gleb walked over to his sister and kneeled in front of her. "What's wrong, Minka?" Gleb inquired. "I'm just tired," she lied. "I'm alright." He lifted her chin slightly and said, "You are not." He could see the fear that was present in her eyes. "It's okay, I promise. He won't hurt you, alright?" Minka reluctantly nodded.

Minka shook her head as she stood up. She sighed and she stood up straight as Gleb put a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. I promise. He won't hurt you. As long as I'm standing in this spot he will not try any funny business. He was hired by Gorlinsky and he knows you are important to me." Minka sighed, "Are you sure?" Gleb nodded, "As sure as I will ever be, Minka."

Minka flinched when the doctor stepped closer to her. "Calm down, Minka," Gleb mumbled. "It's alright." He grabbed one of her hands and rubbed it with his thumb. Minka turned her attention to Gleb, which allowed the doctor to walk over to the desk and open the bag that held his medical instruments. He pulled his stethoscope out first, and placed it to Minka's chest. Minka jumped when the cold instrument made contact with her skin.

"Relax. It will be alright," Gleb sighed. He turned to the doctor and shook his head. "I told you to check her height, not her heart. She is healthy. We just need to know how tall she is, and of course her weight. Are you deaf?" Gleb was growing irritated. "I give you one order and you can't even do that right." Minka gulped as she heard Gleb's tone towards the doctor. She knew her brother was harsh, but was he that serious? "One more slip up and you are no longer welcome in this office."

Minka trembled. "Apologies." Minka cast her eyes down, trying to focus on anything other than the doctor. She would be lying if she said the man didn't frighten her. He didn't seem... friendly at all.

Gleb had forced his sister to stand up straight. Minka gasped for a moment, then went back to trembling. The doctor was not the kind of person she wanted to be near. She would rather be in Gleb's flat or the Ipatiev House with the Romanovs. She knew that she had no other choice. She was a Bolshevik under Gleb's orders. "Remember, I know best," Gleb whispered in Minka's ear. Minka felt a shiver go up her spine, the tone that was used by her brother was comforting, yet it contrasted with the doctor who looked like one of the many ones who tormented her in Germany.

After a few moments of silence with the doctor standing to her right, fiddling with something, he finally spoke. "Five foot eight." Gleb raised a brow. "You're pretty tall," he murmured. Minka nervously chuckled. "Are we done, Gleb?" Minka mumbled. "He has to check your weight and then you're free to go home, if you want." Minka nodded.

Minka groaned. "I'm sure my weight isn't important. It's just one thing that I don't want to mention. Don't be concerned by it. I'm certain it's insignificant at this point, so you can stop it." Gleb shook his head, "It is my concern. I found you last year and you were ninety pounds, now let the nice man do his job and stop complaining." Minka sighed heavily.

Minka glanced down at the floor, closing her eyes. After doing what the man asked her to do, he said, "She's one-hundred and ten pounds. Still a bit underweight." Gleb sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Thank you." The man nodded. Minka hurried back over to Gleb and stood behind him. He turned around and chuckled. "You're not invisible," he whispered in her ear.

Minka grumbled, fed up with her twin. Gleb took her shoulders and stared at her for what seemed to be hours. He sighed, shaking his head, "As soon as we get home, you are eating, end of discussion." "But—" Minka protested. "I said end of discussion!" Minka gulped in fear, putting her head down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, The Hotel Room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dmitry tilted her head and started to rub her neck again. "Better?" he mumbled. Minka nodded. "Good. Now, we've still got at least two hours to make you relax, and we've got to keep you in that state so you can get better." Minka chuckled. "You're very sweet, Dima. Thank you." Dmitry didn't say anything. "Dima, I'm sleepy," Minka yawned.

"Rest. I'll wake you when Anya returns. You need to stay relaxed. I'll go out and get you something to eat. You deserve a nice meal for once. I'm sure what you were being fed as a Bolshevik was not so favorable," Dmitry spoke softly as he helped the girl lay down. Minka chuckled sleepily and closed her eyes, feeling a kiss being planted on her forehead, hearing Dmitry leave the room, the door clicking shut.

Minka drifted off to sleep, her head turned to the side. She was oblivious to everything around her. Minka seemed at peace for the first time in a while, which was relieving to Dmitry when he returned a few moments later. He sat down on the bed, not knowing what to do, and picked at his fingernails. He glanced down at Minka, who had turned onto her side and tucked her left arm beneath her pillow. Dmitry chuckled.

"Servant girls and their sleeping habits. At least she's calm. The fever should be dying down soon. I'll let her walk around when she wakes. If she can, I want her to be away from her twin for longer than four hours. If we get caught, we'll be dead and she'll be heartbroken, that is if she makes it out alive," Dmitry sighed. He saw the exit visa in her hand and decided to take a look. "Why wasn't she wanted?" he asked quietly, unaware that the girl had packed her uniform.

Dmitry opened the exit visa and sighed when he saw the red ink. He then remembered her saying something about 'he lied' to her. Dmitry assumed the 'he' was Gleb, because she used Anya as a witness to when she said he had said the blue ones would work. He clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I should have known." Dmitry gazed down at her, rubbing his thumb across her cheek. How was she supposed to know her brother was lying to her?

"Minka, whose side are you on? Do you not care anymore? What are you hiding? What are your secrets? What are your plans?" Dmitry pondered as he heard laughter from the halls, the door clicking open. He sighed in relief when he saw it was Anya and Vlad. Anya was the first to step into the room, she noticed that Minka was yet to unpack. Being polite, Anya did the deed for her. She took note of the uniform and said nothing of it, hoping the two men wouldn't notice. She sighed and whispered, "Where does your heart belong?"

Minka had yet to wake, and neither of them thought they should wake her. For once, she was at peace. Vlad sat down on the other bed in the room and watched Dmitry as he played with Minka's hair. "Something wrong, Dmitry?" Vlad questioned. Dmitry looked up at him. "No, what makes you think something's wrong?" "You seem... dazed," Vlad responded. "Oh," he chuckled.

Anya looked at Vlad, "I have an idea. Why don't we go walk around Paris. It might give Minka some time to rest." Vlad got a smile on his face. He spoke, "Dmitry, are you alright leaving her here and letting her rest?" Dmitry sighed, "I can't just leave her." Vlad and Anya spoke in unison, "I'm afraid you'll have to." Dmitry turned to Minka one last time before grumbling, "Alright. I'll leave her. She's finally relaxed, I don't see why it would be a problem. I guess walking around Paris would be a nice experience."

Dmitry got up and sighed. "Let's go, Dmitry," Vlad chuckled. He followed Vlad and Anya out of the room. They walked the Parisian streets, chatting to one another. "Voilà, mes amis! Here's Paris!" Vlad exclaimed. Anya and Dmitry laughed, the latter shaking his head.

Vlad continued, not caring the that the two were laughing, "And now that we're here, follow me. Begin with the new as we stroll down La Rue! And soon all of Paris will be singing to you. Paris holds the key to your heart, and soon all of Paris will play a part. Paris' turned a page to the new modern age. And we'll do it too if we're smart."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Hotel~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minka sighed as she awoke, sitting up. She scratched the back of her head and sighed. A knock sounded on the door. She got up and walked over to the door, pulling it open. "Gleb," she sighed. "Don't give me that." "Get in here," she mumbled. "I suppose you know why I'm here?" he questioned, trying to fix the jacket to his suit. Minka nodded. "In Paris we know there's a fake," she mumbled. "And back to Russia, it's she we will take," Gleb spoke.

Minka sighed, "Anya, no more pretend." The twins spoke in unison, "You'll be gone, a pretender that will no longer pretend, it's the end." Minka got a dark tone in her voice, "Say goodbye to your freedom." Gleb smiled, "Goodbye to your hope." Minka started to think for a moment, "Princess, your fate is a gun and a rope..." Gleb eyed her. His orders took over as he uttered, "Paris is your last step on this road." The two spoke together once again, "Paris is no place for you..." Gleb put a hand on Minka's shoulder, "Good girl."

Minka forced a smile. Gleb smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "I've got to go. I'll find out where they're going to meet the Dowager at and we'll try to stop them." Minka nodded. "Stay safe, Minka. I don't want you to get hurt." "I'm already hurt, Gleb," Minka sighed. "More than what you already are. I'll be back soon."

Minka felt a twinge of fear. She had to find someone. She needed to talk to the Dowager Empress, the one whom she had met so many years ago. She didn't know if she would be recognizable, but she still had to. She considered the Dowager as a grandmother, or as she affectionately called her 'nana'. She was the only other person to do that, yet the first servant who had. Minka ran out, not looking back, nor looking ahead. She only thought of one thing. Family, one that didn't torment or tease her. One that welcomed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dowager's Flat~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Your Majesty, there's a girl named Minka at the door. She said she knows you," Lily spoke. "Let her in," the Dowager smiled to herself. Lily nodded and left, allowing Minka inside. She then led Minka to the room. "Your Majesty," Minka bowed when she entered the room. "I told you many years ago not to call me that," the Dowager chuckled. "Nana, I need to speak with you. About Anastasia and my current situation." "Sit down, Minkalina. Sit down and then you can tell me all about it." Minka sat down across from the Dowager Empress and sighed. "Tell me about your situation first." "I... became a Bolshevik. My father somehow convinced me I was wrong about the Tsar, so I joined him and my brother. I've been a Bolshevik for twelve years now. My brother has me in a double cross and I don't know what to do," Minka cried. "The double cross includes Anastasia, and I know Anya is Anastasia. I'd know my best friend anywhere. He got me to work with these con men who have absolutely no idea what they're doing. They're just desperate to get out of Russia, and they succeeded. Anya remembers little things, like the lullaby. She doesn't remember much about her past. My brother is here in Paris and I don't know what to do. He expects me to betray them again."

Lily glanced at the two. "A double cross can be confusing," Lily sighed. "Indeed it can. Minkalina, I'm going to give the best advice I can. Follow your heart. Your heart may tell you one thing. Your mind may say another. What do they say?" the Dowager pondered. Minka sighed heavily, "That's the thing. My heart and mind are at war. My mind says listen to my brother, my heart says abandon my only job. My heart is telling me to ignore my orders." The Dowager got a smile on her face, "Then follow what your heart is saying. Your heart is quick to obey, but slow to learn. Is there anything else you have to say?" Minka grinned, "I fell in love with someone." Lily smiled, "How romantic. Who is he?" Minka groaned and rolled her eyes, "A kind man named Dmitry, or as I affectionately call him, Dima." "Is he one of the con men?" the Dowager inquired, only to have Minka nod a yes. "Who's the other?" the Dowager pondered. "A former count, Vlad Popov." Lily's eyes widened and put a hand to her heart in shock.

Minka looked over to Lily. "You're Lily, aren't you?" she smiled. Lily nodded. "You look familiar now... You came to Peterhof once." Again, she nodded. "You were the little servant who took care of the Tsarevich, aren't you?" Minka nodded. "Minkalina, tell me about this Dmitry character," the Dowager shifted to get comfortable. "Oh, Nana," Minka giggled. "Well, I have to know what he's like." "Alright. I'll describe him first. Dmitry's tall, around six foot, I'd say. He has short brown hair and brown eyes, and he's pale. He's very handsome, Nana. Dmitry's got a wonderful personality." "Tell me all about his personality, Minkalina. You know you're not getting out of it that easily with me."

"Oh, nana. Must I tell you?" Minka inquired. The Dowager nodded, "Yes. You have to tell me." Minka sighed heavily, speaking not too long after, "He's sweet. He's very protective of many people. He is very loving. I know he may not seem like much, but he's a gentleman on all platforms. He's one of the first people I met when I was wandering around Leningr---I mean Petersburg." The Dowager gave her a look, "What were you about to say?" Minka looked down in shame, "Leningrad."

"Leningrad?" the Dowager looked at her. "It's been called that for... oh, about thirteen years now. I've gotten so used to calling it that, it seems foreign to call it Petersburg," Minka sighed. The Dowager took Minka's hand. "Minkalina," she stroked Minka's hand, "it is alright. Don't worry so much, my darling." "Dmitry's helped me a lot," Minka chuckled, deciding to return to the previous conversation. "How?"

Minka sighed, "He's managed to keep me calm. I was recently diagnosed with getting stress related fevers. He's gotten them to go down dramatically. He listens when I'm hurting. He knows what to do when I'm in pain. He's been so sweet to me over the past few weeks that I couldn't bare to let anything happen to him. I don't want to leave him sitting here in Paris if my brother drags Anya and I back to Russia. I don't want to abandon him." The Dowager smiled, "At least my honorary grand daughter is being taken care of by someone she trusts."

Minka sadly smiled, but it faltered as quickly as it came. "But... if he goes back with me, he'll be like Anya... The Bolsheviks will make an example of both of them. I don't want to think about what they'd do to them," she muttered. "I really hope my brother listens to his heart." "Oh, he doesn't know what to do either?" the Dowager questioned. "He told me his heart and mind are at war," Minka sighed.

The Dowager ran a thumb across the scar filled hand of Minka. "At least you have made the choice you know is right. Do you think you'll ever be on the side of the Bolsheviks again?" the Dowager pressed. Minka shook her head, "No, I won't be. What they did to your... our family was barbaric. I don't want Anya to suffer the same fate. I don't want to see her executed on the spot. I hope my brother makes the choice he knows is right." Minka widened her eyes when she remembered something Gleb had said in his sleep. She was there, and it echoed through her mind. She heard Gleb's voice saying "If I can't end her... if my heart gets in the way... I'll end myself." A hand went to her mouth and she couldn't help but worry. Gleb really did have a heart. He was going to take his own life if he couldn't take Anya's.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "What? What's the matter, Minkalina?" the Dowager inquired. "Gleb... oh my God, Gleb..." Her hands started to shake. "What about him?" "I heard him talking in his sleep not too long ago. If he can't end Anya, he's going to end himself." Tears filled Minka's eyes. "What am I going to do?"

"You'll have to seek aid from somewhere to get help. Have you tried Germany?" the Dowager pondered. Minka's eyes widened. She shook her head. Her heart thundered. She didn't want to think of Germany. After what happened to her there, she couldn't Germany gave no happy memories. How could it? After all that Minka had been through, she'd rather seek aid from Russia herself. "Minka, what happened to you in Germany?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1903, Germany~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seven-year-old Minka walked down the street with wide eyes. She hated to admit that she was lost, but there was no other explanation. "Excuse me, my dear, are you lost?" A man that looked like a doctor approached her. "Yes," Minka mumbled. He looked down at her. "Are you a twin?" "Yes." "Come with me."

"You aren't from here, are you?" the doctor inquired. Minka's Russian accent was a dead giveaway. She went silent. "Excellent," the doctor grinned. A nervous look came to Minka's face. The doctor took the child's hand, leading her to somewhere that made the seven year old feel even more afraid. Minka saw slews of twins, both identical and fraternal. Some of them looked familiar to her. She had seen them in Ufa. She began to cry. She wanted her brother here with her more than anything.

Minka started to breathe heavily, her chest heaving up and down in fear. Minka screamed when she saw the group of doctors, and turned to run. "Not so fast, little Russian," the doctor grabbed Minka's collar and pulled her back. He put her up on a table, making sure she couldn't get off of it before joining the others. Minka looked around, gulping when she saw the scars on the others hands.

"Seems as though our little foreigner is afraid," one of the doctor's remarked. Minka was growing uncomfortable with the tone. She heard several men saying something in a language she didn't understand. The girl did the only thing she could do. She sneezed, to which a doctor spoke, "Gesundheit." Minka raised a brow. She was very confused by all of this, as well as having fear run through her gut.

"I-I'm sorry?" she managed to say. The doctor chuckled. "Never mind, child. How old are you?" he questioned. "Seven," Minka muttered as he inches closer to her. "W-what are you going to do to me?" Her voice became shrill. "Do not worry about it. Lay down, little Russian." "But I don't want to—" "I said to lay down!" he barked. Minka flinched and did as he said.

"Funny how you foreigners flinch at an order from a doctor. What sort of twin are you. I heard that there are more identical twins in Russia. If you are fraternal, then that is rare. Little Russian, you think that I wouldn't ask these questions. You are wrong." Minka gulped and spoke in her native tongue, "Otpusti menya! (Let me go!)" The doctor shook his head and laughed. "Ya skazal, otpusti menya! Ya khochu domoy! (I said let me go! I want to go home!)" The doctor chuckled, "Not with you speaking your native language, little Russian."

Minka whimpered, scooting away from the doctor. "Little Russian, stop this at once." Minka's eyes expressed all of the fear she was feeling. "Let me go!" she cried. "I want to go home!" "You will not leave until I say you can!" Minka flinched. "Now, you stay where you are, do you understand me, little Russian?" Minka nodded. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and Minka nearly screamed when another doctor leaned over her.

Minka's chest rose and fell. Fear constantly came through. Her heart thundered. She was certain that the doctors could hear it. They laughed. "Oh, little Russian, don't be afraid," one cooed in a false gentle tone. Minka's eyes went wide in fear. She was growing more and more fearful, drawing her head back.

"Don't touch me!" Minka cried, smacking one's hand after he put his hand on her arm. "A challenge, I like it," he mumbled. "Let me go, please!" Minka looked at the doctors that were surrounding her. "Be still, little Russian." One held her down by her shoulders and another held her legs. She saw a needle and began to flail her arms and try to kick the one that held her legs. "I said to be still!" Minka didn't listen and continued to flail her arms until another doctor (who seemed younger than the others) held her arms down as well. Minka let out an ear piercing scream, and shouted, "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Try in German. Maybe then we can understand you, Russian rat!" Minka sighed, "Ich sagte, lass mich gehen! Ich will nach Hause gehen!" The German doctors laughed, hearing the girl speak German with her Russian accent was amusing to say the least. They shook their heads as the doctor who was holding a needle punctured it into Minka's skin.

Minka tried to break free from their grasp and screamed. "Let me go!" Minka screamed as loudly as she could. Her throat and lungs burned, but it didn't stop her. "Let me go, please!" They continued to laugh at her. "Relax, little Russian, you're alright!" one of the doctors exclaimed. She whimpered as he leaned over her and stared into her eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1927, Dowager Empress's Flat~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Minkalina, I had no idea. I'm so sorry that happened to you. You were only seven and went through something no child should have," the Dowager spoke, pulling the girl she considered a grandchild close to her. "Shh... shh... it's all over. You're safe now. No one will come and harm you. There is no need to live in the past. You have to look forward. If you wish to remember the past, you may. I can't stop you. I know my son adored you, treated you as though you were his child. I remember when he first told me about you. I remember when I met you. I remember that Nicholas insisted on teaching you how to dance. He wanted you to be like a true Romanov."

"He was very kind to me," Minka sniffed. "I considered him a father to me." "As you should have. He considered you his daughter," she stroked Minka's hair. A single tear rolled down Minka's cheek. She quickly wiped it away. "Nana, what do I do about my brother? I don't want him to hurt himself or Anya," Minka trembled as she spoke. The Dowager could hear the fear in Minka's voice.

"What do you feel is right?" the Dowager questioned. Minka looked at her. She knew what she was about to say was going to be hard. "If he turns the gun on himself, I'll bring him to the ground, knocking the gun out of his hands. I'll be the one to baby him. I'll tell him I love him. I'll take the gun... I'll make it seem like I want to help him end himself, but instead I'll fire it at the ground, the bullet will bounce for a moment then stay on the ground. Knowing Gleb, he'll be confident and say that one bullet will finish the job. He would only put one bullet in. I want to see him alive and not dead. I love him... more than I love myself. I know I love Dmitry, but I love Gleb. He's my family, and family is more important."