“Oh, really?” Teren made a show of sniffing herself. “Yep. Okay, how about this. I’ll go get food while you clean up a little, and when I get back, you can step out for a moment while I clean up, okay?”
“You mean I can’t watch?”
Teren stopped. The idea of dressing with Alex watching her was definitely appealing. But as she stared at Alex, she realized that if they did that, she’d never get ready, and they’d never leave the train.
Alex laughed. “I’m kidding. It’s too small in here for two people trying to get ready.” She stood up, her body brushing Teren’s. “See what I mean?”
Teren gave a light chuckle, even as a red heat covered her face. “Yeah. I see. You know, it didn’t seem that cramped while we were laying down.”
It was Alex’s turn to blush, and she took a half-step back. “Yeah. And on that note, why don’t you go get dinner?”
The blue eyes smiled at her, and winked.
Teren pulled her bra on, and then her shirt.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Alex nodded. “Okay.” She watched Teren slip out of the compartment, and dropped to the bed. “Not too soon, I hope.” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “Damn, I need a cold shower.”
She was dressed and ready when Teren returned with sandwiches and drinks.
Pulling her jacket on, Alex took her sandwich and cup of hot chocolate to the next car, where Teren had told her there were a few empty first class seats. She ate while watching the houses roll past the windows of the train.
Alex was glad she had these few moments to herself. She needed the time to think about what had happened.
“I should have kept my hands to myself,” she whispered toward her reflection in the window. She gave a half-snort. “Yeah, like that’s an option.”
It didn’t bother her that they had once again slept together. Nor did it worry her that she, both times, had been the instigator. It wasn’t something she normally did, but it didn’t bother her.
What did concern her was that she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Teren. Teren’s body. Teren’s mouth, her hands, her …
Alex had to laugh at herself. Here she was, in a totally different train car, and once again she was thinking about the woman she’d left in their compartment. Not just thinking, but almost fantasizing.
She shook her head. Okay, gotta stop this.This is not good. If I don’t get this under control, we could have a problem. Alex frowned at herself in the window. You have to remember that there are people chasing you. They want you, and her, dead. A distraction at the wrong moment could get you both killed. So stop it. No more jealous crap, no more clinging to her, and no more sex.
At least until we’re home, and safe.
Alex nodded at her reflection. She was proud of herself for coming to such a tough decision.
Now if she could just stick to it.
Teren was dressed, and zipping her bag closed when Alex returned to the compartment. She smiled at her shorter companion.
“All packed. I think we’re just about ready.”
“Good.”
“Alex?”
“Yes?”
“Is our relationship still on hold?”
Alex bit her lip. “Umm. Yeah. At least I think so.”
“So, does that mean we can’t sleep together any more?”
“Ummmm.” Alex didn’t want to be the one to make that decision. Even if she had made a similar one earlier. “Uh, why don’t we play it by ear? I mean,” she gave Teren a half-smile, “so far it hasn’t gotten in the way.”
There was relief in the blue eyes. Teren nodded again. “I can do that.”
Alex nodded. “How long ‘til we get in?”
“About another twenty minutes. You ready for Munich?”
“No, but I wasn’t ready for Switzerland, either.” They grinned at each other.
Alex took a seat on the bed, and waited for Teren to do the same.
“Where are we staying?”
“The Hotel Bergerhof. The reservation’s in your name.”
“My name? Oh, Andrea Reed, right?”
Teren nodded. “Yep. We might have to get you a new alias, though. We used Reed in Zurich, and if they learned the name, they’ll be able to put a face to it. It might be better if Andrea Reed didn’t leave Munich.”
“Okay. Got another underground friend here?”
Teren leaned back. “Not exactly. Not underground, and I don’t even know if he’s still a friend.”
“I don’t understand.” Alex wanted to reach out and brush the hair back from Teren’s eyes, but forced herself not to.
“Well, he’s CIA. I don’t know what my status is, and I’m not sure I want to find out. If we can get out of Munich without having to drop the Reed alias, I’d be happy. If not, I’ll call Volker.”
“Right.” Alex paused for a moment. “Teren?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you tell me what happened in the hotel room? In Zurich?”
Even though they weren’t touching, she could feel Teren tense. “Why?”
“Because. All you said was that you surprised the two guys, and that you ducked once and should have ducked twice. None of which tells me anything.”
Teren wouldn’t look at her. “I surprised them. They attacked. I defended.” She shrugged. “What more do you want to know?”
Alex sighed and shook her head. “How about telling me what - exactly - happened?”
Teren glanced at Alex to see if she was as irritated as she sounded. She was.
“I opened the door, and there were these two guys there. The first guy had a blue coat and had his back to me. His pal was standing near the window. He saw me first and reached for his gun. I managed to push the guy in the blue coat towards him, and kicked the gun away when it hit the floor. Then blue coat got up and was throwing punches. I punched back. He hit the floor, but I didn’t duck his buddy’s kick in time, and he hit my ribs. I kicked his knee out, and then broke his neck.” She didn’t miss Alex’s short gasp. “Blue coat managed to slam a lamp down on my shoulder, and I put a foot in his groin. He kind of squealed, and I punched him. He fell and hit his head. I got the hell out of there.”
Teren was still when she finished her story. She didn’t want to look in Alex’s eyes.
Alex wasn’t sure what to say.
Finally, she nodded. “I’m glad you got out of there okay.”
Teren raised an eyebrow as she turned her head. She waited for another comment, but it didn’t come.
Alex was staring down at her shoes. Teren sat up, wanting to reach out and touch her friend.
“Alex?” The green eyes locked on hers for a brief moment, then glanced away. “Are you okay? I mean —” Teren shrugged, running out of words. “Well, are you —”
“Teren.” Alex’s voice was soft, and Teren found those eyes on hers again. “It’s okay.” She took a breath. “It’s just — you talk about this so casually, in such a detached manner. Emotionless.”
The blue eyes were sad. “I have to be detached. It’s part of what I do.”
“I know that. And if it keeps you in one piece, I’ll accept that.” She put a hand over one of Teren’s fists. “I just don’t know how to reconcile the gentle and caring woman I made love to, with the woman who can set her emotions aside like that.” She shook her head. “I’m going to have problems with this, okay? But I’ll get there.” Alex smiled at Teren. “We’ll get there. Alright?”
Teren noddd. It was more than she’d hoped for.
They sat quietly, waiting for the train to pull into the Munich station.
Having decided that they should once again separate, Teren left the train from the sleeper car, while Alex exited two cars ahead. Walking toward the exit, Alex resisted the urge to make sure her friend was following her.
She and Teren had agreed that they would take separate taxis to the hotel, in an attempt to further evade anyone pursuing them. Teren would wait until Alex was on her way, then follow her.
Keeping Teren in the corner of her eye, Alex asked a group of cab drivers if any of them spoke English. There were actually several that did, and all of them were very willing to help out an American woman. Finally choosing one, she settled herself in the backseat, and waited for the driver to climb in front.