Duty of Care - Short Affair - May 25th

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Prompts – Load/Brown
Word Count (approx.) – 560

This is a follow up to 'Two Masters'. If you want to read that first, click the link

............................................

“Mr Kuryakin appears to have gone missing,” Mr Waverly stated, as Napoleon sat down at the large round table. “Given that you are not in the least bit concerned, I can only assume that you know his location. I take it that his disappearance is in connection with the whole Lyutov business. ”

The American did indeed know where his partner was, and he also knew the reason he’d gone into hiding. Illya had asked him not to tell the Old Man, if he could help it, but told him not to lie. If Waverly were to ask outright, Napoleon was under no obligation to keep it a secret.

“He is at my Aunt Amy’s apartment,” Solo confessed. “She is in Europe, so he is able to brood in peace.”

Waverly harrumphed as he lit his pipe. Had this been any other agent, they would have been facing a disciplinary charge for being absent without leave. However, he knew he would have to allow Kuryakin a little leeway. For all the young man was a trained killer, he wasn’t an assassin. Waverly was certain Moscow could have found many other people to kill Lyutov, and was equally certain that demanding it of the Russian agent was a test. They were making sure he was still theirs.

“He has only been out of contact for thirty-six hours. I will permit him a further thirty-six,” Mr Waverly decreed. “Please tell Mr Kuryakin that I understand the load he has to bear and the line he has to walk, but he simply canot take himself off when the pressure bites.”

Napoleon stayed silent as his boss got up and poured them both a drink. The CEA had spent the previous evening listening to Illya as he had ranted about being torn in two. He had become so angry that he’d unconsciously slipped into his mother-tongue. The Russian had been speaking so fast, that Solo couldn’t quite understand what he was saying, but he got the gist.

“I am going to attempt to re-negotiate Mr Kuryakin’s contract,” said Mr Waverly, breaking into Napoleon’s thoughts.

“Is that possible?” Napoleon asked, accepting the scotch being handed to him.

“I don’t know, but I will endeavour to be successful,” Waverly told him. “In the years we’ve had Mr Kuryakin with us, Moscow have had plenty of time to realise the advantages of having an investment in U.N.C.L.E. They have more than enough operatives and agents to carry out any assassinations they feel are needed. If we don’t remove this obligation for him, then that young man is going to snap. You know as well as I do how bad that will be.”

Napoleon nodded in agreement. He’d witnessed a glimpse of the rage his partner usually kept suppressed. If that was fully unleashed, there was no predicting what could happen.

“Do you want me to tell him?”

Waverly looked into the brown eyes staring back at him.

“No. There’s no point in giving him false hopes. Just tell him to return to work the day after tomorrow, and assure him that nothing will be said about his unauthorised leave.”

Once Napoleon had left the office, Waverly finished off his pipe as he looked over New York. Negotiations were going to be difficult, but he refused to allow one of his best agents to driven mad by split loyalties.
.

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

This is really good.

In my stories, Illya is actually called upon to assassinate people, as part of an elite UNCLE squad whose identities are kept secret. Even Napoleon doesn't know. So far IK has only been called upon to kill THUSH agents who have infiltrated foreign governments.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)

I like your idea. In my world, I've always imagined IK has seen too much death in his life, and doesn't like having to bring it about in others. He can accept it is in defence of others or himself. Of course, there are as many versions of the guys, as there are cousins. Somehow though, we all manage to keep them pretty much in character, despite all our additions.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

That is well put and do true.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you are continuing with this story line. Thank goodness Waverly is allowing some "wind down" time for our Russian. Smart cookie, that Waverly. Smart Dawn for giving us more of a good thing. ;D

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-D

Mr Waverly is a wise man. He probably knew where Illya was the whole time, but wanted to see what Napoleon would do.

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed Two Masters, and this follow-up is really good too. It makes sense that Illya would need a bit of time off to think after that heart-rending experience. I love that Napoleon helped him out with that. And I love that Mr. Waverly is determined to figure out how to solve the problem once and for all. You write for Mr. Waverly so well, showing his compassionate side as well as his logical, stern leader side.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the wonderful compliment. I'm never sure whether I quite get the right tone for Mr Waverly, but it seems I'm getting it right somehow :-)

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Great follow-up.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much :-)

[carabele.livejournal.com]

And, if anyone could negotiate a better deal with the Soviets, it would be Alexander Waverly. I have absolute faith in the man.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

As do I. Thank you for reading and commenting:-)