“He should have at least showed some remorse.”

“Again, you’re expecting him to behave in a manner you can relate to. I told you I don’t think it will ever come to that.”

“What? That I expect my brother to be honest?”

“Honesty, well old friend, let me tell you about honesty. Honesty is the armour of simple people. Those who do not need to manipulate, to hide the truth or enamour another with their pretty words. Uriel is too compromised to be that simple.”

“Jaded, Napoleon.” Illya rubbed at the base of his neck as he took in the view of Manhattan from Solo’s apartment window.

“But of course, aren’t you?” The voice was muffled but held no derision, only understanding as he washed dishes.

A ridiculous and faintly ludicrous situation to be in, Illya mused. Here they were, calmly discussing Illya’s murder of his sister in law while Napoleon did the dishes. But at long last it brought a smile to the cherubic face that did not go unnoticed.

“Yes, I am. With many things,” Illya agreed earnestly.

“Such as?”

“Does it matter?”

“I don’t know. Does it?”

“I don’t want to have this conversation, Napoleon,” Illya whispered.

“And which one is that?”

“Where you try to seduce my reason with your Americanism’s.”

“Oh, such treachery!” Napoleon feigned pain as he sat down theatrically. “All right then, I did some checking.”

“And?”

“And would you at least sit down? You make me nervous when you pace.”

“Really?” Illya smiled again and Solo shook his head. Such a contrary creature the Russian could be.

“There isn’t a lot that we don’t know about Uriel or Stella for that regard, and so far things check out a little too carefully. However, I do have a suspicion that the one they are trying to protect is indeed your brother.”

“But to what end?”

“Let’s look at the options they have first,” Napoleon undid his tie and the top button of his shirt. For a brief moment Illya was mesmerized by the sight of smooth golden skin.

“Yes?” The Russian said his mouth suddenly dry.

“We assume that from the beginning there was someone with access to the Polit Bureau who was attempting to sabotage our working partnership and your position within UNCLE.”

“Correct.”

“And now we have a widow whose condition deteriorates by the hour, two little girls and one concert pianist. A dead double agent and let us not forget, a recalcitrant Russian spy.”

“I am not recalcitrant.”

Solo simply raised a brow. “There are many ways that the agent in question can be compromised. He takes a sanction from his ex-KGB masters to kill his brother for the freedom of his sisters and cannot do it or does and is indicted for murder. The reaction to the situation was far too precise, too quick for them not to be playing you and whoever it is knows you intimately.”

“No one knows me that well, Napoleon.”

“I do, and so does your brother.”

“You’re grasping at straws,” Illya accused.

“You think so? They call for a double sanction, Illya, and you have no emotional reaction to it other than a job. That is your training, but they tell you to implicate your brother which you do in a half hearted attempt, by your own standards.”

“Showing I’m complicit in the event and revealing my weakness as far as they are concerned.”

“Now you’re with me. All right, so by putting you in this position, they can now call for your return to Russia which they haven’t done. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because, Illya, they have succeeded.”

“Meaning?” Kuryakin looked suspiciously around the room.

“Meaning they have achieved what they set out to do. And stop looking at the shadows Illya. You’re not in danger here.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I do understand. Uriel knows about you, doesn’t he?”

“In what regard?”

“Your sexuality, Illya. The KGB are working on the basis that they can extort you with it. You are now on a hook, and Uriel was the bait.”

“Does he know?”

“Uncertain. Their only problem is they didn’t count on Uncle Alex being aware of your proclivities.”

Illya blushed.

“And you said that Uriel knew your tastes.”

A heavy sigh escaped the young Russian as he leaned forward onto his knees, his head in his hands.

“So they would try to maneuver me into a less than salubrious position with you and blackmail me or us with it.”

“It’s my hypothesis.”

“But to what end?” Illya began his restless pacing.

“Well, apart from the fact that you’re a valuable commodity Illya, you also have access to UNCLE and in your position certain files or documents as they wish.”

“So Uriel works for THRUSH.” It all began to make sense, but the truth left a metallic tang on his tongue as his head began to pound.

“I would think so. They ran you, Illya. They knew you wouldn’t kill him if he attempted a reconciliation. They also knew that you would not place him under suspicion. So having failed orders on not one but two occasions and with the whip hand of your family, they were hoping to keep you in their stable. Now, however things have changed.”

“Because they don’t have Alana and Galina?”

“Yes, so they have to look for another way to undermine you. The order to kill Uriel was withdrawn in favour of having him placed under suspicion by local authorities for the death of his wife.”

“I gave them to keys to UNCLE.”

“Fortunately for you, your partner is far more devious then they are. Both Uncle Alex and I discussed this today and I can assure you, you did no such thing.”

“And of course by forcing me to implicate Uriel, I would have to have had serious doubts about his position, had it not been for his reaction today.”

“But you already knew.” Solo sipped his drink triumphantly.

“I suspected. It is not the same thing.”

“And they already believe that we are in a sexual relationship, which means this apartment is now set up with cameras. No sound feed, but I checked earlier and your apartment glowed red on the scope.”

“Well, in that case, we are safe.”

“Because you won’t have sex with me?” Napoleon looked hurt as he sipped the last of the crimson wine from the crystal.

“Because I won’t put you or your career in jeopardy.”

“And if I want you to.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I most certainly am,” said Napoleon smiling. He stood up and wrapped his arms around Illya’s waist. “You see, my dear,” he said pausing for effect, “darling Russian.” He whispered hotly into his ear, “You are now an American citizen, your family is safe, and you are free to choose your own path.” Napoleon bit gently on the small earlobe.

“You seem very certain, Napoleon.”

“Not of myself, Illya, but of you, yes, I am positive.”

Illya reached up and grabbed a handful of Solo’s dark hair and pulled his head back. “I warned you not to play this game, Napoleon.”

“I’m not playing.” Napoleon remained impassive in the cruel embrace, aware of the heart that thundered in Illya’s chest.

“Yes, you are.” Illya extricated himself. “You always do.I will not allow you to put me in that book to take out and use when you feel the need.”

“You consider me incapable of having a deep emotion?” Solo stalked towards Illya who seemed to shrink in on himself in the large room.

“If the KGB and THRUSH are no longer running me, must you take their place?” Kuryakin was very still, his blue eyes hooded as he folded his arms over his chest and looked out on a world that would sacrifice him readily for their own gain. Dark forces who would feel no remorse at his passing and yet still he obeyed his orders.

“I would never deal with you so cruelly, Illya, nor would I even consider running you. You are without doubt the most dangerous and lethal man I know. To underestimate you now would be foolhardy,” Napoleon said as he pulled him back into an embrace.

“Then how would you deal with me?” Illya sighed.

“The way I should, as an equal, as a man, as my partner, with honour, and respect and love.”

Illya snorted with ill humour and looked askance at his partner. “While I’m all for compassion, Napoleon, I think you are going too far.”

“There are times when you can be very irritating, Illya.” Napoleon gave up the unequal battle and backed off, finding solace in his drink.

“I would have thought I was irritating all the time.”

“Possibly. Nevertheless, even you should have been able to see the admission for what it was.”

“Napoleon,” the Russian’s voice was unaccountably soft as he saw the true distress on his friend’s face. “You know as I do, it could never be more than a few moments of pleasure.”

“I know no such thing.” Napoleon seethed. “You seem to have made up your mind and mine as well. Congratulations.”

“Consideration is not your strong suit, but there is a lot I have to take into account. You find out I enjoy the company of men and come on to me in the middle of an assignment where I am emotionally vulnerable and still portray yourself as the wounded party. I must congratulate you.”

“Consideration is my strong suit.” Napoleon stayed the Russian’s flight as he took the coat from his hands and rehung it in the closet. “And you are right. It’s a lot for you to accept. For all I know, Illya, I could have read you and our friendship wrongly. If that is the case, I ask forgiveness.”

“ You did read me correctly. I think perhaps your timing is lacking and your motivation is in question,” Illya conceded with a soft smile. “I enjoy sex Napoleon, as much as the next man, contrary to popular belief, and I never thought that you would be open to such a suggestion. But I cannot, not now, I need time.” He brushed his lips gently across Napoleon’s and with a wave of pride felt his partner shiver against him.

“I can give you all the time you need, Illya, as long as I know there is a possibility.”

“Good, now with that settled, I’m assuming you have a plan?”

Napoleon smiled low and nasty and nodded just once.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

“I’m certain you’re not supposed to be in here.” Carla’s pretty dark eyes glared at the intruder.

“No, you’re right.” Uriel stepped up to her as he continued speaking. “I must have gotten lost; I was on my way to the commissary.” She smiled. “Where, exactly am I?” Uriel said smiling disarmingly, and she relaxed.

“You’re in records. The commissary is down to the left on the next floor up.”

“Ah. Forgive me, all the hallways look alike. Could you draw me a map?”

“Of course.” She turned back to her desk, leaning over it to find pen and paper. The pencil thin skirt she wore accentuated her womanly curves as Uriel closed in on her and snapped her neck.

“No I think I’m in the right place.” He pocketed the stolen ID badge, locked the door and began his systematic search of the sealed files.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

“Napoleon, wake up.” Illya was already dressed and shook his partner awake.

“Fire?” He rolled out of bed and pulled for his gun and jeans in one motion.

“Almost. Seems Uriel has locked himself in the files section.”

“So the rat finally makes a move.” Napoleon wiped a hand over his face and continued to dress. “Has he made any demands?”

“Yes.”

“And they are?”

“Me. He wants me.”

“I thought so. Plan C.”

“So it would appear, only,Napoleon, there is something else, that until now I wasn’t certain of.”

“And that is.”

“The man is not my brother.”

“Come again?” Napoleon stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at his partner slowly.

“The man holding the files section is not Uriel.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes,” he stated.

“So THRUSH has managed to swap Uriel for an impostor.”

“My brother may still be alive.”

“If he is, we will find him. How did you know?”

“When I went to see him,” he began. Napoleon set the locks on the door and followed his partner down into the elevator. “He offered me vodka.”

“Give me something else to work with, partner. I offer you vodka.”

“Yes by the weight and ice cold.”

“And?”

“Papa was very particular about how we served his vodka. Uriel also has a tiny scar on the back of his left hand which was gone and the vodka was warm.”

“I’m not certain it’s a crime in this country to serve warm vodka.” Napoleon smiled as slipped into the driver’s seat and fired the engine.

“There is something else.”

“I’m listening.”

“He showed no remorse. Despite the circumstances, there was something entirely wrong when he called me Illuyshenka.

“He never did that?”

“No, he hated it, said it was condescending and always called me Illyusha, in memory of my mother.”

“Let’s put him on a lead and see where he goes. In the meantime we’ll discuss this with Mr. Waverley, agreed?”