As Illya lay on the cold, hard floor where the white  panther had knocked him and the blast had hit him, Alexander and Valentine both stared at their top agents. One was unconscious, the other asleep.

Then they moved as one, both going to the other species to help. Waverly fetched a pillow and washcloth, to support Illya and to wash the blood off. The vampire had lost a lot of blood, but his vampiric healing was already starting to take care of it.

'Thank heavens Illya thought to feed before he went out' Waverly thought 'or he would never have had the strength to heal himself'. Following that train of
thought, he summoned April and Mark. The white cat started hissing and spitting, her fur standing on end, as soon as the Garou entered the room. Waverly hastily gave them the card with the number for the vampiric bloodbank, and told them to get several liters.Illya was going to be very hungry after this, and Valentine had not eaten in a while. Mark and April, wondering how the white panther had gotten into UNCLE headquarters but otherwise unfazed (after working here, nothing could really faze them) got going quickly, understanding what was at stake.

Valentine in the mean time, used his extra-ordinary strength to lift Napoleon up, like a father with his baby.  After putting him on one side of the crumpled bed,
he quickly tidied up, making Napoleon more comfortable. Valentine was worried, as Napoleon seemed to be developing a fever and chills. He knew those
symptoms, knew them well. He went to make sure the curtains where drawn, and went for some icewater. This was going to be a long night.

Waverly had hefted Illya onto the bed too. While Illya was not as heavy, Waverly was not as strong. The white cat followed, depositing itself at the end of the bed, over their toes.

While Valentine patted Napoleon's face with the icewater and a rag, Waverly cleaned Illya up.

"What is that, love?" Alexander asked his partner, nodding at the white cat, sure they where alone.

"That is not a what, but a who. You aware that before I met you I had a wife, who died saving me?" Valentine stated rhetorically.

"That is your wife?" Alexander asked, ever perceptive.

"No, that is my wife's spirit. Due to her...unusual nature, she bonded with my son before she died, and later when he was born with my grandson before my
son died. When my son died, some of her essence was lost, but some of it stayed with Illya. However, it was so weakened by my son's loss, that she could not stay
corporeal all the time. She only has the strength to manifest every ten or so years, and only for a few days. She can come into his and my dreams, but no
more than that in between. She can't speak, but is privy to things we are not " Valentine explained patiently.

The feline stared at him intently for a moment, then went over to Waverly and started rubbing herself against him, purring.

"I think she approves of  you"  Valentine commented dryly " actually, I am glad to have an opportunity to introduce you; were not there last time she visited. "

"How is Napoleon doing?" Waverly asked, as April and Mark skidded into the room, carrying several bags of blood and a stand. Valentine took the bags from them, under the disapproving but now non-hissing feline stare, and started setting up an IV for Illya. With a move born from long experience and practice, he
inserted the needle and started the transfer, then used the small pan in the room to warm up a bag for himself.

Alexander watched his partner drink, knowing his partner hated the taste of cold blood.

Their attention was drawn to a soft gasp from the bed, where Illya was waking up.  Alexander crossed to Napoleon, ascertaining for himself that Napoleon's fever was rising dangerously high and that his First Knight was shaking with chills. This was bad. He too knew the symptoms.

"Illya, are you awake enough to comprehend what I am saying?" Valentine asked his grandson

Illya turned his head, seeing his partner being tended to asked in a hoarse voice "What is wrong with Napoleon?"

"You and he have formed a mental link, haven you not?" Valentine asked.

"Y-Yes, we have. What is wrong with him" Illya asked again, not understanding.

"There are a few things that are not very well documented. One of them is human-vampire bonding. Listen carefully Illya, as your mate's life could
depend on it. " Valentine continued, undisturbed. Mark and April listened carefully from the doorwell, totally aware that everybody had expected them to be gone, but too curious to leave and wanting to stay in case they where needed.

" You and Napoleon have created a mental connection, yes, but there are other connections you must make and soon Illya. First of all, you must ritually bind
yourself to him and him to you, or suffer the effects of cutting of the mental connection. Napoleon could likely lapse into a coma if you do, and you would
suffer severe, very severe withdrawal symptoms. "  Valentine stated gravely.

"Bind to him? Bind him to me? I do not understand Grandfather, I thought we already had"

The older vampire and agent traded worried glances over Illya's head, and Waverly picked up the thread of the conversation

"That was only mental,  now you must bind each other physically. You are going to have to trust Napoleon with your body as well, you will have to let him
possess you as no other has. And in return, Napoleon must let you do the same to him. I know that Napoleon has a few 'issue's' there, which is why he
is usually a ladies man, but if you do not, he will carry on like this. His fever will flare up every 48 hours and last about 8, similar to malaria, except there
is no cure. It would carry on until he was dead, probably two weeks or so."  Waverly ended softly, understanding it was not a situation the newly
formed couple would have liked but hoping they where prepared to save each others life, again. Much the same as with him and Valentine, he reflected.

"More so, it returns every seven to ten years, for a short period. " Waverly added, as an afterthought.

Illya grinned wryly, "that sounds like something from one of those television shows Napoleon likes to watch about aliens"

"More unlikely than your mother coming back in panther form?" Valentine questioned.  "Anyway, it was an ...acquaintance...of mine who suggested that idea to the creator of that series."  Both Waverly and Illya looked surprised at him.

In the hallway April and Mark stared at each other in disbelief. Had they really just heard what they had heard?! Not only where Napoleon and Illya in a relationship, but would have to continue it or die?  Mark shook his head and motioned outside. Nobody would believe them if they told them.

Waverly handed the now recovering Illya the rag, as Valentine perked his sensitive ears. He had heard the couple in the hall leave, but still managed to
comment "I suggest you take care of your mate. He needs you more than he needs us. You know how to take care of yourself, I believe?"
Illya nodded.

As Valentine and Waverly closed the door and locked it behind them, Illya held his lifemate and started whispering softly to him, watched by the white
feline.