"Angel.", Adler grabbed you by the shoulder as Bell climbed up a red ladder. "Let him take the lead. I'll be second. You go last."

You frowned.

It was easy to tell he was just trying to keep you away from the potential danger that Bell was, but that subtle care of his was a problem. You needed to be close to Bell to break the brainwash.

Adler was just getting into the way.

"I can handle him.", you said and checked your pistol. "I was a field medic at war, but now a soldier like you, remember?"

You wanted to climb after Bell.

But all of a sudden, Adler grabbed you by the torso and pulled.

Struck by the force, you lost your grip and slipped.

As casual and cool as possible, he caught you in his arms without flinching. The hint of a smirk appeared in the corner of his mouth as your gazes met.

"I could have broken my neck, shades.", you complained, but wrapped your arms around his neck anyways.

It was like a reflex to hold onto him. This wasn't the first time he held you like this and it probably also wouldn't be the last.

Heat chased through your cheeks as you realised that it did feel nice to be this close to him again. To avoid his eyes that shone through the tinted glasses, you looked away.

"I need someone to watch my back.", Adler said and tried to get you to look at him again. "Angel. You're the only one I want to have behind me."

With gentle care, he put your feet back on the ground again.

"I'll go after him.", he said and grabbed your chin to force you to look at him. "Do what you must to keep me safe. I trust you. Always."

Pulling a face, you nodded.

"Always.", you whispered.

Satisfied with that answer Adler turned around and started climbing up.

A heavy sound filled the silence. Single drops of dirty water dripped into the shaft.

Bell had managed to push the heavy seal of the canalisation system open and was now climbing back into fresh air.

The dim light of street lights managed to crawl down to you. The soothing sound of heavy rain filled your ears.

You looked up.

Adler's feet disappeared out of your sight.

A deep breath made your chest shiver. For a moment, you had to close your eyes and remember that Bell needed to be pushed back to the Soviets. He needed to get back on your side.

But which side was yours?

After many years of serving the CIA, the lines started to blur.

Somehow, you felt like you weren't Russian enough anymore. Yet again, you've never been American either.

"For the Union...", you breathed. "For Perseus."

Quickly, you climbed the ladder as well.

As you pushed your head back into fresh air, the change in temperature immediately hit you. Goosebumps grew all over your body and for a second it felt like your lungs took in the cleanest of air, far, far way from this place.

A hand reached down. Bell offered to help you out of the tunnel.

You grabbed it, but instead of pulling up, you pulled him down to you.

Struck by surprise he fell to his knees.

"Comrade.", you whispered in Russian. "Perseus awaits you. Serve the Union."

His eye flickered, fingers twitched and for a moment his entire body seemed to change. His shoulders loosened and his breathing quickened.

"Comrade?", he asked, all of a sudden fluent in Russian again. "Where is Perseus?"

Your eyes jumped to Adler who was waiting in the shadows across the street.

"He's waiting for us. Don't tell the Americans. It's us against them.", you climbed up and patted his shoulder three times to reverse the brainwash again. "Let's go, buddy. We've got a job to do."

His eyes flickered again and the cold exterior reappeared, empty and composed, like a puppet that had been robbed of its inside.

Together, you and Bell walked up to Adler.

But all of a sudden two strands of light appeared in the dark.

Immediately, Adler gestured for you to stop and stand behind him.

"What's going on here?", the voice of a man asked in a language that was unfamiliar to you.

Judging by the fact that this was Berlin, it was most likely German.

"Shit.", Adler mumbled and glanced at you. "Follow my lead."

With a serious gaze you nodded.

He raised his hands in a calming manner as two German guards appeared, dressed in green uniforms and holding lanterns.

Your eyes jumped to his back, where he had hidden a handgun.

"I work for the railroad.", Adler talked to them in German. "Let me show you my ID."

You took a step towards him, closer to his back and in range to grab the gun.

But the Germans were not impressed. It was easy for them to tell that none of you were one of them.

Even you were able to tell how thick of an accent Russell had.

"This area is off limits.", one of the guards explained, visibly displeased. "You're under arrest, get down on the ground!"

One of them was armed, you noticed. And the other probably had a handgun somewhere.

"Wait, wait, wait. Just calm down!", Adler tried to convince them while his eyes kept jumping to you. "I'm sure we can figure something out. Let's..."

"We will shoot you if you don't listen!"

The mens attention turned fully to Adler.

In that brief second you rushed forward and pulled out the pistol that he had stuck in his pants. You aimed at the right guy, the one who was armed.

Your finger twitched on the trigger.

"Now!", Adler shouted.

You fired one single shot.

The bullet pierced the mans head, causing a quick and clean death.

Bell threw himself at the other man, tackling him to the ground.

You shot him as well, even though Adler was already moving to break his neck.

"Angel.", Adler raised his hand to demand the gun back. "You still think quicker than me."

You didn't react.

You could have shot him, in thus dark backside alley, away from eyes and ears. You and Bell would be vine for ages once the others found Adler.

It was a perfect opportunity.

But you couldn't. Something inside of you refused to pull the trigger.

"Angel.", Russell's voice cut through your thoughts.

You gifted him a smile and handed the gun over.

"I still got it.", you joked.