Donald "Ducky" Mallard stood looking down at the body lying on the table. "Oh well, another day another body." He thought. "Let's see what we have here."

The door opened admitting the man in charge of the N.C.S. I. Unit he worked with. He was speaking over his shoulder to another man who followed him into the room.

"Hi, Ducky, sorry to interrupt but this case has taken a unusual turn and we have orders to work with this gentleman from the…"

"U.N.C.L.E" Ducky finished for him.

He looked at Ducky in surprised and than looked at the man behind him. The man who had been so charming earlier now looked staring at Ducky with an unreadable expression. Something was going on here that he was not aware of.

Ducky glanced at him and motioned for him to leave saying "I'll take care of it."

Nodding he shrugged and turning around he left with a glance over his shoulder in puzzlement.

After a moment Ducky looked back at the body on the table as the man moved over near the wall with his hands in his pockets and said with a raised eyebrow.

" Ducky?"

Ducky glanced down and with a half smile so familiar to the other man replied, "Actually it's Donald Mallard."

"Ah." Remarked the other man getting the connection from Donald and Mallard to Ducky. "Last time I saw you, you were in the dressmaking business."

"Yes, well I felt in need of a change."

" Going from dressed to dead bodies can be quite a change." Moving closer he said, "Illya, why?"

Ducky glanced up "Why did I leave U.N.C.L.E? Now about this body…" trying to change the subject.

"Nooo, and don't change the subject" slowly he let out a breathe, "Why did you leave…..me?"

Ducky looked down thinking about their last mission together and closing his eyes remembered almost losing the man that was closer to him than a brother. He opened tham and slowly turned to look into the sad eyes of Napoleon Solo. " How could I not." Was all he said.

THE END