"Illya, don't go."
"I need some sleep."
"You can sleep here."
"I wasn't invited to SLEEP." The calm Russian slipped away from the naked man and walked out the door.
Kuryakin entered his own apartment, set the alarms and fell into bed. Usually, he could will himself to fall asleep any time or anywhere, but tonight the blue eyes stayed alert for hours, only closing when he could no longer force himself to listen for a well-loved intruder.
At 8:00 AM, the blond agent awoke to the wonderful smell of coffee brewing. Since it did not seem likely that THRUSH would plan a "koffee klatch" before killing him, Number Two, Section Two had to assume that his partner was in the miniscule kitchen. Slipping on a blue robe that matched the color of his eyes, he spent a few minutes in the bathroom before sauntering into the other room.
"Good morning, Illya. Would you like a cup of coffee?"
The enforcement agent hesitated, then accepted. He needed to be alert to get through this confrontation. Sipping at the potent brew, Kuryakin sat down across the table from Solo. "Wy are you here, Napoleon? It's Sunday. I am planning to go out."
The brown eyes bored into the slender man. "This won't take long. I just wanted to apologize for last night. I made a fool of myself and I...hurt you."
"It didn't hurt that much and I gave you permission."
"Maybe you did, but that's not the way I wanted it to be."
"Sorry. If I'd known you had a preference, I would have asked."
"That's not what I meant!"
"You'll have to forgive me since I seem to be rather dense this morning. You said that you wanted sex and I would say that is what you got."
The handsome face grimaced as he took in the granite blue eyes. "I wanted more than just a quick fuck!"
"Well, you were setting the pace and from my point-of-view it seemed that it lasted quite awhile."
Solo stood up, misery on his face. "I can see that you have no intention of listening to what I have to say so as you said I'll see you in the office tomorrow before I leave. Mr. Waverly asked if I would mind doing some courier duty. Perhaps, it would be a good idea if I accepted. That way, you won't have to work with me for awhile."
Watching his partner open the door, the blond instinctively knew that if he let Napoleon go, their partnership would be irrevocably damaged. In his heart he realized that he could not let that happen--whatever the personal cost. "Napoleon, wait! Please sit down and tell me what you have to say. I will listen."
The dark-haired man hesitated. "Maybe it would be better if I go, I'm not sure you're going to like what I have to say."
"That is your decision, but I am willng to listen."
The CEA acquiesced. Sighing, he sat down on the slightly more comfortable couch, but could not look at the other man. "For quite awhile now, I've had...feelings for you. I thought it was just a part of our friendship or the partnership then I realized it was more.
"After we returned from Switzerland, I couldn't get it out of my head that I hadn't protected you from Mother Fear."
Illya's head snapped up at the mention of the sadistic woman.
"Every mission seemed to be worse. You would either be beaten or wounded and I was always visiting you in the infirmary. I tried so hard not to hover, not to let you know how much you meant to me. I know how much you value your independence and I was afraid that if you realized how much I...love you, I'd never see you again. I was sure you'd ask for a transfer."
"Napoleon...."
"Please, I've got to say this so you can understand why I've behaved so badly this past month."
Kuryakin nodded.
"When we thought April was...gone, I know I should have tried to help Mark. I wanted to, but I just kept thinking that he had lost his partner. What if his bad luck rubbed off onto me? Everytime someone menioned April's name, I'd think it could be you that they were talking about. I know it sounds crazy, but I thought if I stayed away from Mark then I was protecting you. I even lied to you about having a date that last night he was in town. I sat here in the dark until I fell asleep."
Illya said nothing as he watched the torment on his partner's face.
"Believe me, I know that my feelings for you could be dangerous for both of us, but last night I didn't care. I just needed you so much and I guess I thought you'd somehow know that I loved you when we went to bed. Stupid, huh? The great lover, Napoleon Solo, doesn't even give his bedmate anything but a sore butt!"
The brunet moved over closer to his friend. "I am sorry that I was so lost in my own feelings that I didn't even try to give you pleasure. I intended to, believe me, but I felt like my soul had been sucked out and I just lay there like a jerk. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Napoleon, you do not have to beat yourself up about this. I was hurt when I thought that you thought so little of our partnership...our friendship, but I do understand your fears. We all handle loss in different ways and the Ice Prince should be the last one to condemn anyone."
"So are you saying that you don't want to break up the partnership?"
"Absolutely, I may not be the Mother Hen you are, but I...worry about you too, and as much as I hate to admit it, I do prefer to have you around covering my back."
Leaning over to take the slight blond in his arms, Napoleon, in a husky voice, replied, "Is there any chance you might want to let me make it up to you?"
Kuryakin pulled away, his face flushed. "This is probably not the best time to discuss this. I have a date to meet someone.. He's expecting me in just over an hour and I need to shower."
Napoleon Solo flinched. "Oh, I see. Of course, I forgot you said that you had plans."
"Napoleon...." The trill of Kuryakin's communicator echoed from the bedroom. "Excuse me, Napoleon, I must go see what...."
The CEA waved his hand in agreement. Obviously, UNCLE's needs came first.
Illya spent several minutes conferring with Alexander Waverly before returning to the living room. To his surprise, he found the room empty. His partner had fled.
A kaleidoscope of thoughts ran through the scientist's mind but first and foremost was the memory of the look on Napoleon's face when he had admitted that he loved Illya. Nothing was more important than that--not even UNCLE.
Hoping that Solo had merely gone upstairs and not actually left the building, Illya quickly dressed, taking his communicator with him. After knocking on the door twice, the Russian was about to let himself in when the door opened. "May I come in?" inquired the agent politely.
"I thought you were going out?"
"My plans have changed. Mr. Waverly wants me to complete a lab experiment today."
"Oh, too bad. I'm sure your date will be disappointed."
"Not really since he'll still be paid."
"What?"
"Napoleon, Mr. Waverly said that if I complete the experiment today then I could have all next week off."
"Have fun."
"He also said you could have the week. He found someone else to do the courier assignment."
"Oh. I guess I could use some time to my self. Thanks for letting me know."
"You're welcome, but I was under the impression that you wanted me to take my vacation with you?"
"That was...before."
"Before what?"
"Dammit, Illya, why are you doiing this? I tell you I love you and you flaunt this gigolo in my face and then you get all coy about spending time together!"
"Gigolo? Is that another word for realtor?"
"Realtor? What the hell are you talking about?"
"After you suggested that you'd like to spend our vacation together, I contacted a realtor. I knew Mr. Waverly wouldn't give us enough time to go very far so Mr. Drake has selected two or three places in upstate New York--with plenty of privacy. I was supposed to meet with him to choose a place."
"You mean...you mean you're actually willing to spend a week with me--after last night?"
"No, I'm willing to spend a week with you because of this morning. I wish you had told me of your...feelings before you took me to bed, but I can accept that your indifference to my needs was not totally deliberate."
The coolness of the words pressed upon Napoleon's heart. "Are you saying that you don't feel anything in return, but that you're willing to indulge me?"
Hedging, the Russian turned slightly away. "Not exactly. I think now that we know where we stand, we can each find pleasure in our coupling."
"Coupling? You make it sound like some scientific experiment! I don't just want to fuck you. I want to make love to you in every way imaginable and I would hope that you would want to do the same to me!"
"Napoleon, forgive my crudeness, but this is not easy for me. I have always sworn that I would not let myself become romantically involved with you. It could be a liability in our business and frankly, it has been difficult enough watching you with your ladies. I am not sure the partnership could survive your return to their arms."
"So what are you proposing--a little friendly fucking between partners and then we pretend like it never happened?"
"More or less--I believe that I could handle that."
"Well, I sure as hell can't! If that's all you want, I'm out now. I'll still be your partner, but that's it!"
"I don't understand. I have offered you a way to be with me so that you will not worry or be frustrated. I have made no demands upon your love."
Solo grabbed the infuriating Russian. Pressing his lips to the blond's in a passionate kiss, the CEA began to probe the warm depths of Illya's mouth. His hands began to roam all over the slender body. Within thirty seconds, he could feel the arousal grow under his friend's black trousers. "Illya, I want you to make demands. I want you to be my only lover and I want to be yours. I need this, but I also need to know that you want it too."
"I...I..."
Solo released his willing captive. "I have never loved anyone like this, but I'm not going to force you into anything. Just tell me what you want."
The beautiful face smiled into his beloved partner's brown eyes. "You really want only me?"
"Without a doubt or hesitation."
"Then what I want is for me to go into UNCLE headquarters and finish the experiment in record time while you go complete the paperwork you have been hiding for the last week. After that we will meet the realtor and select a hideaway where we will spend a week making love."
"Hmm! Sounds great except for that part about the paperwork. You don't suppose that you could finish it after you've done your experiment?" The brown eyes twinkled at the blond agent.
"Now, Napoleon, my love, if you complete it quickly I will....," he whispered in the CEA's ear.
The brunet grabbed his friend by the hand. "Come on, Partner, time's awastin'.
I've got paperwork to do!" _________________
THE END