Act 2. It's remarks like that that got us into this mess.

Both men walked in silence to Napoleon's office. Illya plopped down in the chair looking pale, while Napoleon sat behind his desk. After a few minutes of silence, "Napoleon, I don't think I can do this."

Napoleon staring at nothing in particular, had taken a pencil from the top of his desk and was fiddling with it. "Suck it up, Tovarish, if I have to do this you have to, too." Waving the pencil in the air. "Besides, we may not have to do anything. It could be all smoke and mirrors."

Illya sincerely hoped his partner was right and than he remembered something Waverly had said. "What was that all about, what has recently changed?"

Napoleon flinched and still not looking at his partner, "Nothing, it's just that since that matter with Kingsley, I haven't felt like going out…in fact I haven't felt….anything."

Illya was concerned for his friend, to confess to this was almost out of character, and hoping to lighten the mood he came to sit on the edge of Napoleon's desk "Perhaps if I grew some…" gesturing with his hands in front of his chest.

That got a smirk from Napoleon, "You're not my type, by the way, that's the type of remark that got us into this mess."

Getting off the desk, Illya headed for the door, "then perhaps it is time I make myself rare."

"Rare?" Napoleon straightened up as he watched his partner go out the door. "That's scarce, you ignorant Russian." He called to Illya's retreating form.

Two days later they were called back into Waverly's off for a new assignment. A fellow agent's dying last words had been. "Justin Sepheran" The agent in question had not even been on assignment. He had gone to New Mexico to attend the Grand Prix, being a race car fanatic. That he had called in those last words were important since he must have come across something that got him killed. Research could find nearly nothing that was known about the man, except he was rising fast in THRUSH and the message had originated in Mexico City. Their job was to go there and make as much trouble as they could and find out more information on Sepheran.

Arriving in Mexico City and checking in, their first course of business was to retrace the agents last steps. This took them to the race track, bringing back memories of the Navorone Affair. As they were going out the door Napoleon ventured. "You're going to stand out a mile in that maroon jacket, you know. Don't you have some decent clothes."

Illya looked down at his jacket. "What's wrong with this jacket. It was on sale and it fits."

Napoleon just shook his head and lead the way to their rented car to head for the track. Once at the track they separated and listened to the gossip that was going around. Illya was looking at a Lotus with a new Cosworth DFV V8 engine when he heard someone mention Sepheran's name. Contacting Napoleon on Channel L, he brought him up to date as he followed the men, hopeful that they would lead him to Sepheran. He ended up borrowing a jeep Unfortunately, Napoleon had been right about his jacket and he was captured. But luckily for him Napoleon showed up before too much damage was done and the only casualty was the maroon jacket. As it was late, they decided to get a room in the area. They were lucky to find a place with two beds and a very small bathroom. At least it had running water. They had contacted Waverly earlier and he hadn't been pleased that they had lost Sepheran. Illya took first turn in the shower as Napoleon plopped down on one of the beds. Napoleon opened the night table next to the bed and found some playing cards that a previous tenant had left. He also found a listening device. He debated on whether to dismantle it, but decided that this might be the perfect time to put Waverly's plan into effect. He heard Illya come out of the bathroom and as he tossed cards into a trash can he took a deep breath and as casually as he could asked, "Illya, do you like woman?" He didn't notice the look of panic on Illya's face as he responded with an equal casualness he did not feel.