Robin 2, Part 3.
By Ravenschild.
 


 
“I take it you two have met.” Illya’s tone was perfectly pitched so no inflection of the sarcasm could be missed.
“No.” Roland Quinlan looked between the angry Russian and the tall attractive American and stood his ground.
Napoleon stared into his partner’s eyes, unwilling to break the connection forcing Illya’s focus to remain solely on him. The Russian to his credit did not even break into a mild sweat.
“Then perhaps you should Napoleon Solo this is Roland Quinlan.”
Ever the diplomat Solo stepped back and coolly appraised the young man, red hair dyed from natural blond that was just slightly too long, large blue eyes that spoke of remembered happiness and pale features.
“Well Mr. Quinlan, nice as it is to make your acquaintance you can now leave.”
“Napoleon, you can be obdurate when you choose.” Illya scolded as he paced the small room.
“Perhaps you would be so kind as to enlighten me?”
“No.  I had hoped to be gone before you found out.”
“Found out what Illya!” Solo finally demanded.
Illya sagged into the chair and looked beseechingly at Roland who was still standing in his living room.
“Mr. Solo, Illya has a plane to catch please, explanations can wait.”
“Assuming of course Illya intends to return to the USA.”
“If it is at all possible he will return to both your partnership and the U.N.C.L.E.”
Illya stood and it was only in that moment that Solo saw for the first time the pain in his partner’s face, a weariness that was soul deep as he stepped away.
“Roland, I need to tell Napoleon now, please go change the arrangements, you will have time.”
“Illya.” Roland’s voice was rough and barely concealed his stress.
“Nyet! I will do as you request braht when I have done this, not before.”
“As you wish.  I’ll ring and let you know of the new arrangements.”
To Napoleon’s utter astonishment Illya walked forward and embraced the older man, kissing him lightly on each cheek before seeing him to the door.
“I did not realize you and your Mr. Quinlan were quiet so close.” Solo’s own anger had returned and with it his suspicions.
“Roland and I are extremely close.” Illya answered unthinkingly.
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” Solo voice was flat as he completely misread the comment.
Illya took a deep breath and stepped back. “No you don’t realize any such thing Napoleon. Roland is my brother.”
“Don’t lie to me Illya.” Solo eyes blazed with fury.
“Despite what you may think of me Napoleon I have never lied to you.”
“We both know you have no family.” Solo spat back as he encroached on his partner’s space.
“I haven’t, but my wife does.  Roland is her brother.”
“Wife?” All the bluster and wind went from Napoleon in one fell swoop.
“Da, wife.” Illya held up his hand and waggled the wedding ring under his partner’s nose.
“Shit, Illya I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You didn’t think. Why are you here anyway?”
“Mr. Waverly told me to take you off the duty roster because you had asked for some leave.  Since we have the UN conference in less than a week and you’re the liaising officer for the Russian delegation I thought it was odd.”
“And you came to check? Noble.” Illya responded disagreeably as he flopped into the couch.
“Where are you going?”
“Kiev.”
Solo blanched.  “What for?”
“My wife Napoleon is dying.  Her family says she asks for me.”
“Dying? Illya I’m sorry.”
“It’s a long story Napoleon.”
“I have time.”
“Yes, and so it seems do I.”
“Well?”
“Katya and I married young, when I was away in the navy there was an accident on the farm and she was taken ill.  The doctor said that she would be fine but things kept getting worse.  We only knew how sick she was when she lost the baby.”
Solo’s stomach fell again, not even considering that his partner could have had a perfectly normal life, despite his past. “What kind of illness?”
“She has a brain tumor and for the last few years has been under the care of a local hospital, her condition has worsened, but at least now she is not catatonic and keeps calling for me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Solo’s dark brown eyes exuded a pain and sympathy that the Russian could not bare to witness.
“What could I say? It has not been easy for me Napoleon, I pay her medical expenses and look after her the best way I can.  Besides there are complications.”
“Tovarishch, together we are a team, we help each other, in all areas of life.” Solo leaned forward and rested his hand on his partners shoulder.
“Not this.”
“Why not this?”
“Because Roland is active KGB.”
“We’ve worked with the KGB before why should this be different?”
“Because he is compromised and left the Soviet Union without proper clearance.”
“He’s a traitor?”
Illya made a face, “Only to the KGB masters.”
“Masters who will recall you for disciplinary action if they find out.”
“Da.”
“And what is it your not telling me?” Solo kept his hand restive on the slender shoulder and leaned forward.
“You won’t like it.”
“I seldom do when you get that look, nevertheless tovarishch I suggest you tell me.”
“If you insist.”
Next…..To part 4