That 'nagging feeling' torn Napoleon Solo from the arms of Morpheus into the grip of full consciousness. "Illya? Are you awake?", he inquired, softly.

Strong arms hugged him. "Yes, Polya? What is it??", Illya demanded, gently.

"I need to tell you something."

The urgency in his lover's voice was not lost on the Russian. "Tell me", he whispered.

Napoleon gazed down into the crystal blue eyes fixed on his own. All the love he'd ever felt swelled in his heart and soul. "I want you to know that I have loved you for so very long. I'm sorry it took something like this for me to finally say it...."

Illya reached up and put a finger against those sweet lips. A tongue snaked out and licked at the finger sending delicious shivers down the supple spine. "Napoleon....!", he hissed in mock warning.

Solo blushed. "Sorry."

" 'Sorry' is not part of your vocabulary, Polya", the blond teased. "As for courage" he continued, returning to the seriousness of the conversation, "your friendship meant too much to me to risk on, what until now, had been a frequent fantasy. Now it is a reality."

Napoleon shook his head in awe. "Reality is a good thing; therefore...." He paused, fingering the ring he had put on Illya's finger what seemed a lifetime ago. "I, Napoleon Anthony Solo, do hereby ask thee, Illya Nickovetch Kuryakin, to accept not only this ring, but my heart, soul and body as proof of my love and devotion. If it please you, I want this to last forever", he intoned.

Illya stared at his lover. Never did he imagine hearing those words of commitment from his worldly partner. For several moments he could not trust himself to speak; finally, "I, Illya Nickovetch Kuryakin, do accept thee, Napoleon Anthony Solo, and all that you have offered. I pledge the same, forever, for I have also loved you for a long time."

"So! Recognition has come!", a new voice interjected.

Illya's eyes widened in mild shock. "Babushka!", he shouted, joyfully. "Is that truly you? Where are you??"

The Russian elder chuckled - - the sound was rich and deep. "Yes, my Illyuska, it is I; and I am in Alexander's office", she replied.

"You might try making certain your communicator is switched off, gentlemen", Waverly suggested. "By the way, are you both all right?"

Both agents looked at the offending device which lay nearby. "Yes, sir", they replied, as one. "Are you?" This last from Kuryakin.

"I am well. The forces of darkness have been held at bay yet again."

"Yes..... The forces of darkness", the woman murmured. "From what we have heard, Napoleon, you have fulfilled your obligation?", she added, addressing the American.

"I do not consider what Illya and I did an obligation, Madame", Napoleon replied, his voice filled with happiness and pride.

"I am pleased. We Rom have always prided ourselves on our excellent taste", she replied, half-teasing, half-serious.

"Thanks, I think", Illya replied in kind.

"You are welcome, Illyushka. Now, to business. Be on the alert. You may yet do battle with your own."

"Yes, ma'am", they replied.

"And....." She paused on purpose.

Napoleon finally took the bait. "And?"

"You may now kiss the groom." This from Waverly.

By the answering silence, his best agents had, once again, anticipated his orders.

************************************

Meanwhile, a mere ten miles north of the cabin........

A scream alerted Nathaniel Holden to danger just as he turned off his communicator. He spun around to confront the threat but the words he would have uttered died on his lips as a spectral hand closed round his throat. All he could do is watch, helplessly, as, one by one, his team of five fell, petrified at the intruder's feet.

Jenkins' smile was feral as he took the device from his victim's unresisting fingers and crushed it; then he tossed the body of the UNCLE agent onto those of his fellows.

"Well!?", a fell voice demanded.

"We have secured new servants to use, Master", Jenkins reported, pride in his voice. "What is Thy will?"

The voice that replied caused even Jenkins to shiver. "Bring them to me and I will use them against their own people."

Jenkins literally cackled. "To hunt the Romany and his human!!??"

"No. To finish Waverly and his meddlers. We will have him believe he gave the order for termination. The guilt will drive him mad. When that time comes, I will claim him as well. " A deep intake of breathe, then, "Hear me! This is Waverly! You will carry out my order. Terminate Solo and Kuryakin. When that is done, terminate your own lives. Do you understand and accept this honor?"

"Yes!", the five UNCLE agents replied as of one voice.

"Excellent! You are my finest; my most loyal. Go and destroy those who defy me!!"

The five agents began to stir, awakening as if from a long sleep. "All right, men! You heard Waverly! Let's get 'em!", Holden commanded.