"Not good enough Mr. Kuryakin." Alexander Waverly was in a foul mood as he scowled at his two top agents. "I will not, under any circumstances, allow either you or your partner to further jeopardize the life of an innocent."

"With all due respect, sir." Illya stood up and loomed over the desk. With dark humor Napoleon noticed even the old man leaned away under the intimidating blue gaze. "I am not in the habit of putting innocents in deliberate danger. Until the attack there were no indications that my mother's intentions were anything other than emotionally hostile."

"I have to agree with Illya sir, we canvassed out local Thrush contacts and nothing untoward had been mentioned."

"It would not be the first time that Thrush has been able to keep a secret from us gentlemen." Waverly puffed on his pipe and considered his agents. "And I would appreciate it if you stopped leaning on my desk Mr. Kuryakin, I don't take kindly to agents attempting to intimidate me."

"And I don't take kindly to suggestions that I would harm my sister." Illya reminded as he straightened up and stepped away.

"Personal feelings aside, this is no longer simply about trying to compromise Illya. Evidently there is a much larger game out there. One that I feel certain THRUSH is trying to keep us from becoming involved in." Napoleon rubbed his shoulder and winced.

"In that case, you had better find out what it is." Alexander continued to puff on his pipe but made no move to dismiss them.

"And Anaya?" Illya asked quietly.

"Yes what to do." And finally the old man smiled. "Miss Dancer and Mr. Slate will be taking Miss Kuryakin up state for a few days in seclusion. In the meantime Mr. Solo I see medical has given you forty eight hours to recover. In that time scour the files and find out what Sylvana wants."

"Yes sir."

"I've already had security go over your apartment Mr. Solo, you can pick up the schematics before you leave, Miss Kuryakin will be staying with you for the night."

"Yes sir."

"About your business gentlemen." And with an imperious swing of the high backed chair he turned his back on the two agents and continued to smoke his pipe, deep in thought.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

"Steel." Napoleon nodded as he shoved his hand into his pocket and caught up with his partner.

"Steel?" Illya stopped and raised an eyebrow.

"Balls." Napoleon grinned again and continued down the gunmetal grey corridor.

"I am not even going to attempt to decipher that." Illya glowered.

"Steel balls." Napoleon re-iterated.

"Do you make it a habit of taking stupid chances with your health?" Illya paused and then shook his head. "Forget I said that, of course you do."

"Steel balls Illya, no one to my knowledge has ever attempted to intimidate the old man."

"Ah I see a colloquialism. And I didn't attempt it Napoleon, I succeeded in case you didn't notice."

"Yes I noticed, and I'm surprised you didn't rate a serious reprimand."

"For what?" Again Illya stopped the scowl deepened.

"You have to ask?"

"No but obviously you do. He was wrong and he knew he was wrong, if I hadn't of reacted the way I did I would have gained no respect. If there was any doubt in his mind it is now gone. I protect what is mine Napoleon."

"Is that why you protect me?"

"Bozhre moi!" Illya swore softly under his breath.

"Well partner or not, the time has come to discuss in detail what you know of your mother's plans, what she is likely to be involved in and why she is attempting to make you run scared."

"I never run."

"A fact I am well aware of, and most of our feathered friends. So her judgement no doubt is flawed."

"No, she knows what she is doing. She has attacked and made me show my hand."

"That you wouldn't let her harm Anaya."

"You were right about one thing Napoleon."

"Finally."

"I do protect what is mine." And the long assessing look left little doubt in the American's mind as to whom and what the acerbic Russian considered property.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

"You will have to tell him the truth my darling." Anaya snuggled closer to her brother in the large chair. UNCLE had afforded her guest quarters until he could take her home.

"I know."

"Da, I know you know, but you also know you have no choice anymore. Tell him the truth Illya, he is your partner."

"Yes." Anaya always felt uneasy when her brother resorted to monosyllabic answers to her. Others yes, but they had always been able to talk, sometimes endlessly about nothing and everything.

Being with Illya was easy, he was brother, father and she realised early on he would be the only man in her life. Neither of them were willing to let go of each other into the care of another and it didn't bother her, for where he went so would she. But Illya was different; he deserved to be loved, to be able to go home. It was time for him to stop ceaseless wandering around the planet. The string of pretty girls that escorted him and failed to touch the heart of the man, Illya, her Illya deserved more.

"The landscape of our past my darling is not a pretty place and does not sing with laughter and light, but despair and longing. You've fought hard to give us a future, sacrificed too much, too often alone to keep us safe. The time has come for you to ask for help."

"I do not need help." Illya stood and paced.

"Perhaps but maybe I do. Illya, we have no others but each other and I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself anymore for me."

The broad shoulders stooped as he turned and looked forlorn from under long blond lashes. "You will not take you from me Ny."

"Never, but you take you away from me." She smiled and patted the chair next to her. Anaya ran her fingers through his heavy blond hair and smiled as he leaned into the caress.

"You love him don't you?" She asked her voice whisper soft.

"Yes."

"Oh my darling." She hugged him tight. "I do approve."

"Do you?"

"Of course."

"Ah but the question is will he." Illya drew a deep breath and relaxed into the warm embrace she offered.

---

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