6
"Wow...Switzerland. I'd like to go there someday," Myeong Ju said to Mo Yeon when they had lunch together the next day after she met the UN doctor.
The General's daughter suddenly asked her to have lunch together and Mo Yeon knew Myeong Ju must have found out about her being invited by the WHO. There were really no secrets in the army. So, here she was with the female soldier who was wearing her green uniform.
"You haven't been there?" Mo Yeon asked.
Myeong Ju shook her head. "No, not yet. The peaceful country rarely becomes our destination for dispatchment."
Mo Yeon made a face. "You guys have weird taste on destination."
"And bringing two Special Forces teams with you? You are indeed a princess," she said again.
Mo Yeon blew a breath. She almost forgot Myeong Ju's snarkiness. "What kind of princess involves in dangerous situation like this?"
"You have a knight in shining armor by your side. I told you, he will protect you at any costs."
"More like a knight with bulletproof vest and a gun."
Myeong Ju grinned. "I'm glad you're not losing your ability to bicker after you got married. Si Jin must be very happy."
Mo Yeon raised her eyebrows. "You are an engaged woman and you talked about my husband? Where is your manner?"
Myeong Ju only grinned. "Well...I'm not getting married on the next three months, thanks to your husband. My fiance wants to wait until your husband's dispatchment is over."
The doctor only nodded and sipped her milk. Since Mo Yeon found out she was pregnant, she was more cautious on what she ate and drank. And now, when Myeong Ju met with her in their favorite place, she won't take any chances by drinking coffee.
"You didn't order for coffee? That's strange," suddenly Myeong Ju said.
Mo Yeon went still and then, cleared her throat. "I'm..not feeling really well these days."
"I know. Dae-young told me. He said your husband wanted me to keep an eye on you." Myeong Ju looked at Mo Yeon in concern. "Are you feeling okay now?"
Mo Yeon nodded and smiled. She decided she won't tell anyone about her pregnancy before she told Si Jin...well, her friend and the gynecologist didn't count. For Mo Yeon, Si Jin was the first person who deserved to know directly from her.
"I'm okay. Did you say Sergeant Seo know I'm not feeling well? Why am I not surprised?" Mo Yeon huffed. "Both of them have more romance compares to our relationship with our men."
Myeong Ju laughed. "Now you know."
In the military base, Captain Lee and Captain Han from Team Alpha and Team Bravo had a briefing with the Commander and the General. The General informed them about what to expect from their mission in Switzerland.
"Major Yoo will meet you in Switzerland the day after tomorrow," the General said. "I already contacted Switzerland army and they give permission for us to land a chopper. Team Alpha and Team Bravo will leave to Switzerland tomorrow afternoon. This mission requires you on civilian clothes, and I think you already knew. Both teams are provided with the same accomodations just like they provide Dr. Kang, so enjoy your mission this time. Who will pick up Major Yoo in Switzerland?"
"It's already covered, sir."
The General raised his eyebrows. "Is it?"
Captain Lee nodded. "Someone already asked to do that."
"Who?"
The Captain of Team Alpha only smiled. "An old friend of Major Yoo."
In Haesung, Dr. Song along with Nurse Ha, Nurse Choi, Chi Hun, and Dr. Pyo sat together at the cafeteria. They were talking about the Switzerland plan.
"How can you both get so lucky? It's Switzerland!! They have delicious chocolates!!" Chi Hun said.
Dr. Pyo raised her eyebrows. "Is that the only thing that you care about? What kind of doctor are you?"
"You said you will go with the army? What happened?" Nurse Ha asked worriedly.
Dr. Song smiled. "Don't worry. It's just for safety."
"Is it Team Alpha?" This time it was Nurse Choi. Since she started to have relationship with Captain Lee, she was more alert about anything related to special missions like this.
Dr. Song only shrugged. "I don't know. I'm going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow with Dr. Kang to have the final meeting. Haven't Captain Lee told you?"
Nurse Choi shook her head forlornly.
"How long will you stay there?" Nurse Ha asked again.
The senior doctor only sighed. "Maybe four or five days." He looked over the doctors and nurses around him. "Please, don't worry about us. We will be fine."
"Yeah, well...the last time you went with Mo Yeon to Urk, there was an earthquake. Who knew what could happen this time?" Dr. Pyo muttered.
***
When Mo Yeon went home in the afternoon, Si Jin sent her a message and told her to get online on her laptop after dinner. Curiously, after having shower and dinner, she logged on with her laptop and then, an invitation from Skype appeared on her screen. Mo Yeon made a face and clicked the invitation and then, Si Jin's face appeared on the screen, wearing his brown uniform and his childish expression warmed Mo Yeon's heart.
"Honey," he grinned.
Mo Yeon glanced sideways. "How did you know my Skype account? I even forget the password."
"Umm...I'm observant?"
The doctor laughed. "Yeah, right. Are you using your Special Forces skill to stalk my social media accounts? Gosh...I can't keep any secrets from you."
Si Jin narrowed his eyes. "Is there any secrets that you keep from me?"
"I thought you said I can keep secrets."
"As long it's not about another guy."
"What about you? Don't you have any social media accounts?"
"No. They are easily to track."
"No? Not even a Facebook?"
"Do you have a Facebook account?"
"No."
"Are you telling me the truth? Do I need to stalk your Facebook account too? Any male friends do I need to be aware of?"
"Now, you're saying for yourself you're stalking me."
Si Jin realized his slip and blew a breath. "I lose."
Mo Yeon smiled sweetly. "Even after married for 9 months, you still feel jealous. You're so cute."
Si Jin pretended to pout. "Don't call me cute. I'm a man and a soldier."
"Of course, you are. You are a cute soldier."
Si Jin laughed and Mo Yeon smiled. "How are you? You're not sick, are you?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine. Why did you ask?"
Si Jin shrugged on the screen. "It's because...I don't know...you look different. Maybe...glowing?"
Mo Yeon blinked. She knew the effects of pregnancy to a woman, for some women it caused them to look glowing. Was it possible for Si Jin to see her that way? Well, he didn't know she was carrying his child yet, but with the glowing thing. He was really observant, but it didn't mean she couldn't tease him.
"Glowing? Are you sure I'm glowing? Did you remember you said I was glowing because I was talking about Yoon Gi?"
"Oh, right. I take that back."
The doctor laughed. "I'm...fine. Really." She took a deep breath. "So, what is the occasion for you talking with me using Skype? Is it morning there in Urk? Don't you have something to do?"
"This is what I do. Talking to you."
Mo Yeon rolled her eyes. "What if your Commander knows you're talking to me with a laptop using army's internet connection?"
"I have my ways," Si Jin said while grinning.
The doctor smiled and looked at Si Jin closely. "Seriously, what is it?"
The Major only sighed. "It's getting harder to fool you."
"Is a good thing, isn't it?"
Si Jin stared at Mo Yeon. "Must you go? You can say no, honey."
Mo Yeon smiled tenderly. "Is it about Switzerland?"
"Yes."
"If you were me, would you say no?"
"What?"
Mo Yeon smiled. "Do you remember before I dumped you the first time, I said our jobs are different? Yours taking lives while mine saving lives?"
"Should we remember that dark moment?" Si Jin frowned.
Mo Yeon ignored Si Jin's frowning face. "After the earthquake and epidemic, I realized our jobs were not different at all. You said for yourself, I'm your comrade. Soldiers and doctors, we're not different at all." She took a deep breath. "We both fight our own battle, take our oaths and have our honor. This time, it's my fight, it's my honor. Doctors are soldiers on their jobs. So, I'm asking you again, if you were me, would you say no?"
In Urk, Si Jin stared at his wife's face and realized this was the one thing he loved about her. Dr. Kang once said fighting against a virus was a doctor's battle, perhaps it was the same as his battle with snipers, landmines, and even bombs. He could see his enemies and seized the fight, but doctors' battles were different. Their enemies were deadlier than landmines and they couldn't see it. If this was the chance to win the battle and helped others to win, he would, too, definitely say yes.
"No," finally Si Jin said. "I would say yes."
The doctor smiled. "Now you understand."
"I know there's something about you that drawn me to you," Si Jin said cheekily.
Mo Yeon chuckled. "I still don't understand what it is about me that you like so much."
"Of course, you don't. It's because I like you more than you like me."
"What? Even after we become husband and wife?"
"And maybe after we have children."
Mo Yeon froze. Her heart turned erratic. She contemplated either or not she told Si Jin at this moment about their child.
"Honey, what is it?"
The doctor smiled. "It's nothing."
Si Jin looked at Mo Yeon closely. "I'm still curious about the things you want to talk to me in Switzerland. Can we talk about it now?"
Silence.
Mo Yeon bit her lip. "No, I still want to talk about it when we meet in Switzerland."
"Is it really important?"
"Very."
"You're scaring me now."
The doctor laughed lightly. "It's not a bad news. Don't worry."
"What makes me worry is not the news, but the importance of the news. It's must be very important, so you don't want to talk about it now."
Mo Yeon tilted her head. "Is that also the reason for this Skype chat?"
Si Jin blinked and lowered his head animatedly. "I lose two times."
The doctor laughed again. "Trust me when I say don't worry. I'll see you soon. I have a meeting tomorrow at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss everything."
"I'll be there too."
"Huh? How?"
Si Jin grinned. "You'll see."
***
The next morning, Nurse Choi had her morning shift and was about to do her rounds when her phone buzzed. She looked at her phone to find a message from Captain Lee. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the lobby and got out to the parking lot. She saw the Captain next to his car with his green uniform.
"Min-ji," Joon Ha greeted while smiling.
The young nurse only smiled slightly. "It's still early in the morning. Why are you here?"
"I'm here to fetch Dr. Song and Dr. Kang for a meeting at the Ministry."
"Oh." Her smile disappeared. "Are you going with them?"
Joon Ha only smiled. "Yes, I am. My team is assigned to give protection for Dr. Kang and Dr. Song."
"Dangerous mission again?" Nurse Choi asked in low voice.
Silence.
"I'm sorry."
The young nurse only frowned. "You said so many apologies already. Just come back safely." And then, she turned around before Joon Ha caught her arm and turned her again, hugging her.
"What...are...you...doing?" Nurse Choi asked in surprise, her body was rigid.
"Just a moment. I just want to hug you," Joon Ha said.
The young nurse sighed and slowly hugged the Captain back. "Be safe," she said. "We can talk after you come back."
"I will."
Joon Ha released his hug and without looking at him, Nurse Choi quickly walked back to the building. At the same time, Mo Yeon and Dr. Song walked out from the main lobby and saw Nurse Choi and then, they looked at Captain Lee.
"What did we miss?" Dr. Song asked in low voice while Mo Yeon only smiled slightly.
When they arrived at the Ministry, Joon Ha took both doctors to a conference room. The Minister, his staffs, James, and senior officers from the army were already there. Mo Yeon and Dr. Song bowed slightly and sat on the empty chairs. Minister Lee watched Mo Yeon closely. This was the first time for him to meet the doctor. To him, Mo Yeon was beautiful and he understood why Captain Yoo would risk everything for the beautiful doctor.
The conference room was not just a round table and chairs, but there was also a huge LCD TV on the center of the room and Mo Yeon wondered what the TV was for.
"Dr. Kang and Dr. Song, I'm so glad you can attend this final meeting. If you don't mind, we can proceed this meeeting in English," James said. When he saw all the audiences didn't mind, he continued, "I already contacted the UN and WHO and they are looking forward to meet with you, Doctors."
"I'm looking forward to meet them too," Mo Yeon replied.
James nodded. "The head of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, personally asks for your time in her office, Dr. Kang."
"If I may ask, how many days do we have for the meeting?" Dr. Song asked.
"Four until five days," James answered. "The meeting itself will be held in a convention center, not in WHO office, but you both still visit the office to meet with the boards. How about the security, General?"
"I already had briefing with the Captains of my Special Forces teams and they are ready to go this afternoon. Switzerland army also given green light for our army to land on their base. My teams will be lead by their Major," the General glanced briefly at Mo Yeon, "Dr. Kang's husband."
Dr. Song looked at Mo Yeon before looking back at the General.
"He will attend this meeting as we speak," General Yoon said again before turning on the TV and to Mo Yeon's surprise, Si Jin's face appeared on the screen, wearing brown uniform and his beret. He gave his salute to all the meeting attendance and Mo Yeon smiled. His determined eyes made Mo Yeon understood this was not her husband, but the Major of Special Forces.
"Salute. Major Yoo Si Jin, sir."
"Major, our teams will be leaving for Switzerland this afternoon. What is your plan?" the General asked.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow, sir. The UN and Switzerland army already contacted me and everything is confirmed for my arrival," Si Jin answered.
"Since you're also available for this meeting, Major, there's something that I want to share to all of you," James said before taking a deep breath. "CIA informed the UN, some hackers were hacking their website before they successfully blocked them and tracked where they were. It was from North Urk."
Mo Yeon blinked while the others gasped. Si Jin went still before saying, "What information did they hack, Doctor?"
"Mostly about this meeting and personally about..." James looked at Mo Yeon. "They are looking for you, Dr. Kang."
"Me? Why?"
"You are the first doctor who deals with the M3 virus in Urk. You can become their asset to get recognition from the world."
"Does CIA do something about this?" Si Jin asked again.
"They already were. They even waiting for the moment for North Urk to strike."
"What?" Si Jin said, his expression stern. "They want to use my wife as a bait?"
"Major!" The General warned his subordinate.
Si Jin took a deep breath. "I apologize, sir. My teams and I will do everything to protect Dr. Kang and Dr. Song."
Mo Yeon looked at her husband, memory of him shielding a bullet for her made her body went two degrees colder.
"Minister? Is there anything that you want to say?" James asked.
Minister Lee only shook his head. "No, nothing. Let's hope this meeting is a success."
James nodded. "Well, then...thank you for your cooperation. We're going to leave tomorrow morning."
"If I may, Minister, I would like to speak to my wife," Si Jin said making all the audiences glanced at Mo Yeon and to him.
The Minister only nodded. "Yes, you may."
All the attendees walked out from the room and Mo Yeon was having a deja vu of the moment when she was using the walkie talkie before all the medical team members retreated after hearing Si Jin talked to her.
She slowly rose from her chair and approached the big TV. Mo Yeon stood in the middle of it, facing her husband.
"Can you tell the Minister I'd like this TV to be in our place? Talking to you with Skype is going to be fun with this kind of screen," Mo Yeon said making Si Jin chuckled.
"I'll tell him later or maybe I can buy you one."
The doctor only laughed lightly and then, her eyes turned solemn. "If I may ask, why the CIA has information about me?"
"When I rescued you from Private Ryan, I did a favor for United States Special Forces. They must be included your name on their report."
"You know their Captain?"
Si Jin smiled. "Of course, I do. How did you think I could get a favor for your blood test in Urk?"
"Oh. A favor for a favor." Mo Yeon smiled back. "Why do I have to be in another possible danger situation to get you honest with me? First, the M3 virus, and then, the earthquake, and now, this."
Si Jin frowned. "I'll always be honest with you. I promised you, didn't I?"
"I know." And then, Mo Yeon sighed. "Does it means they know about me? Everything about me?"
The Major smiled knowingly. "Have you forgotten about what I said, you are now a family member and I'm in Special Forces? Do you think we will let you expose just like that? You protect me and I do the same for you."
"Gosh...I feel like I'm in an action movie."
Si Jin took a deep breath. He knew his wife was anxious, and he had to do something about it. "Kang Mo Yeon, listen to me."
Mo Yeon blinked. This was the first time Si Jin called her with her full name ever since they were married. Watching his serious expression, she knew he was not joking.
"I'll protect you no matter what. It's not just because of my principles, but it's my honor as a soldier and a husband. You have my word."
The doctor smiled. "I know I made the right decision to say yes to your marriage proposal."
"You said in Urk you were beginning to regret it."
"I was joking."
The Major laughed and looked at his wife tenderly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Doctor."
Mo Yeon nodded with equal tender expression. "Yes, Major."
***
In Switzerland, on a dark corner, a van parked in dark alley. Inside the van, three men were lay unmoving while four other men with black clothes were checking their communicators and one of them turned his laptop on. Colonel Amang's face was on the screen.
"Everything is secure, sir. You can attend the meeting as Greece representative."
The Colonel nodded in satisfaction. "Prepare yourself and your teams in the venue. I'll arrive in Switzerland tomorrow."
***
Sneak peek for Ch. 7:
Kang Mo Yeon: "It was the moment when I understood the honor of being a soldier despite on what he did."