Caught in the Spider's Web - Part 4 - For Yesterday's Short Affair (Nov 2nd)

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Sorry this is late, I've been ill, but I thought I should post this anyway since it was already written.

Part 1 was here   Part 2 was here   Part 3 was here

Prompt word - Gather
Prompt colour - Red
Word count  - 841

Angelique is behind him, and he tries to twist around so he at least has the dignity of facing her, but his feet slip beneath him, leaving him dangling helplessly. For a long moment all he can hear is the sound of her breathing. Slow. Measured. Considering.

He wonders why she is here? Does she think she can succeed where Fuller is failing? Perhaps she can. The thought is unsettling.

She steps closer and he can feel her at his back now. He tenses in anticipation of the pain, his back is raw and he knows that at this point even the touch of a single finger will hurt. “What do you want?” he demands. He hates how his voice is hoarse and cracked.

There is no reply and that too is unsettling.

Without warning she stabs something into his leg. He yelps – sadly there is no other word for it – and slips sideways, and a moment later he can feel her reaching up behind him towards the chains.

“What - “

He crashes down painfully to the floor and lies there in a confused and bloody heap. It isn't until he hears the sound of her high heels clacking around in front of him that he raises his head.

She is looking down at him, her eyes cold and dispassionate. “The injection I gave you should start to take effect in the next few minutes,” she says. “It's a cocktail of painkillers and stimulants – it should be enough to keep you on your feet for the next couple of hours or so. After that, well, you'd better hope that you've found a hospital. The after effects aren't pretty.” She pauses, her lips pressed tight together. “Get out of here, Kuryakin. Go.”

He takes a moment, gathers strength as his mind races and he slowly manages to sit up. She stands there and watches, unmoved. “Why?”

“Why?” She laughs then, short and ugly and angry. “I know it might not be an emotion you can understand, but I loved Napoleon, in my way. I know he would want you to live, and so I'm honouring that. Think of it as a last request.” She reaches up and brushes her hair back dismissively. At some point over the last couple of hours she has redone her nail polish. Now it's blood red and perfect.

“No,” he says simply.

Even in these dark circumstances, there is some pleasure to be taken in seeing her taken so utterly by surprise. “No?” she repeats incredulously.

“No,” he says again. “While you may think of whatever you feel for Napoleon as love, we both know that there is nothing to be done for the dead except...” He pauses, studying her carefully. Ah. Of course. “You are going after Fuller,” he states matter-of-factly. “You will kill him and my escaping will mean I will be blamed and you will not be punished. You want revenge.” His mouth twists into a smile. “How very Russian of you, Angelique.”

She ignores that. “And what if that is my plan? What does it matter to you? You'll still get to escape.”

If Fuller is dead then there can be no report sent back to THRUSH admitting that the code machine is compromised. The last mission he and Napoleon will ever have will not end in complete failure. And, most importantly, the man who killed Napoleon will be dead.

“I wish revenge also,” he says clearly. “I will help you kill Fuller.”

“You?” Her lips curl contemptuously. “I wouldn't need your help at the best of times. And right now I doubt you could kill a paper bag.”

He tries to stand up and his leg gives way almost immediately. Determined, he drags himself over to the nearest wall and uses it to haul himself to his feet. Angelique follows, watching him curiously.

“Is that supposed to convince me?” she asks.

He turns to face her, standing unsupported and ignoring the pain and trembling in his hip that tells him this is a bad idea. “You know that if my report says that you killed Fuller, sooner or later THRUSH will get to hear of it. If I admit to it, only then will you be in the clear.”

“You know that my killing you while you are attempting to escape will suit my purpose just as well,” she returns smoothly.

For a long moment they just look at each other. They are both bluffing. And they both know it.

She sighs with ill-grace. “Fine. Just don't get in my way.”

He smiles crookedly. “Thank you. Now, if we are to put the blame on me for this, let us at least make it look like something I would do.”

“What do you have in mind?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Are there any explosives?” He will see this place razed to the ground and he will see Fuller dead. And it does not matter that Napoleon would never approve. Not anymore.

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Wow! Angelique and Illya joining forces. Now that is a very dangerous combination. Can't wait to see how it works out.

I hope you have recovered from whatever it was which ailed you.

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Thanks - yeah, that's not really an alliance that can hope to last that long, is it?

I'm feeling mostly better, thanks. Well, as long as I don't stand up or move around too much anyway.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I agree, Angelique and Illya teaming up? Now that's a scary proposition! Great chapter!

How are you doing?

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad you're still enjoying it.

Not too bad now, definitely recovering. I think I slept for about twenty hours yesterday, so that has to help, right?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Sleep is never a bad thing! Glad you're on the mend.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Another great chapter. One can cut the tension with a knife.

Feel better- (hugs)