Sweat trickled down his temples as his eyes strayed yet again to the  wall-mounted clock.

Time was running out.

For him.

For the mission.

Why was he here?

Why, in the name of sanity was he, Napoleon Antony Solo, here?

Now?

At this early hour.

No -this was definitely a mistake.

This could *not* be worth it.

Could it?

But orders were orders -he had to retrieve the item come hell or high  water.

Whatever that meant.

Solo drew a shuddering breath, nerves drawn taut. He wasn't alone. He  could see them...*hear* them -and their plans to waylay him before he  achieved his goal. *Others*...other interests... had heard about the  item and wanted it just as badly.

But he had put too much effort into this...the listening to rumors  and clues...the planning...and he was *not* going to leave without  the item.

It had better be worth it.

Just then, all Hell broke loose as someone inside the building made  the mistake of opening a door and a rush of humanity plunged ahead  from all directions in search of the item.

Directionless.

Except for Solo.

He *knew* where the precious item was being hidden -but even as he  claimed his prize, he felt angry hands trying to rest the item from  him.

But he wasn't Number One of Section Two for nothing. All the hours of  training, all the experience from battles of the past came to his aid  as he fought his way through the human throng, leaving groaning  victims in his wake as he dashed past his contact (the one who had  told him about the item and had hidden it for a sum that totalled  more than twice a week's wages), and made it to his waiting car.

Solo gunned the engine, ignoring the profanities shouted in his  direction.

Boy, he hoped this was all worth it.

The sun was just rising by the time Solo made it back to his and  Illya's penthouse apartment, the item now tucked under his arm and  appropriately concealed, just in time to see a still sleepy, and  slightly dishevelled, Illya Kuryakin leaving the
washroom. "Napoleon...what are you doing up so early?"

Solo felt the blush spread from his cheeks to his ears. "It was an  important mission...I couldn't tell you about it. Here." At which  point, Napoleon handed over the item. Illya took the item, allowing  the tissue paper to fall away from it. His ice-blue eyes  widened. "Napoleon... You... you got it for me -a Princess Diana  Teddy Bear...but they're so rare, How..?"

Napoleon pulled the lithe blonde agent close. "For you -I'm willing  to try to perform miracles. Merry Christmas, Love." The kiss pulled  them even closer.

Yes.

It had definitely all been worth it.
 
 
 
 

**The End**