"A helping hand"~for the Short Affair 12/14

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #1 - Hitch

-Prompt Colour – Powder Blue

Title: A helping hand

Author: mrua7

Word count: Approx. 690

It was too good to be true, Solo thought to himself.

He and Illya had gotten inside the satrap without any complications. There wasn’t a guard to be seen anywhere.

Now both of them were waiting for the ball to drop. Something had to go wrong.

Kuryakin knelt in front of the floor safe, listening with a stethoscope as he turned the tumbler. His hearing, and the sensitivity of his fingertips would ensure his success in no time at all. He kept turning and turning, but something was wrong. He couldn’t hear anything. With this sort of safe, that seemed impossible.

He glanced upwards at his partner, giving a shrug.

“I do not understand why this is not working. I should be hearing the tumbler clicking,” Illya whispered.

“Let the master try,” Napoleon snickered quietly.

“Oh really?” The Russian made one of his snarky faces.

Napoleon knelt down, using the stethoscope as well and like his partner; he didn’t hear a sound. On impulse he reached out to the handle and gave it a turn. The safe door opened without any resistance.

The two men looked at each other, not comfortable with this situation.

Napoleon slowly pulled the door open revealing...nothing. The safe was empty.

“Looks like we’ve been had,” he whispered.

“Or they knew we were coming.”

There was the sound of rifles cocking behind them, forcing both agents to freeze where they were.

“That is absolutely correct Mr. U.N.C.L.E. agent. Now if you’ll both get on your knees with your hands on your heads. Please don’t try to reach for your weapons as I’ll just have to shoot you.”

Someone stepped forward, a woman wearing what looked like a powder blue sweater. Her face remained hidden, only her neatly manicured hands with red nail polish were visible as she relieved them of their Specials. It was hands that Napoleon recognized instantly.

The UNCLE agents remained there, facing the empty safe; not seeing the faces of their captors.

“Umm, might I inquire as to who you are?” Solo asked, just to see if she’d be the one to answer.

There was no reply.

The two of them remained silent, waiting for the inevitable to happen, but it didn’t. Finally they dared turn their heads only to see ...no one. They were alone.

“What the hell?” Napoleon stood, giving Illya a hand up.“Did you recognize his voice?”

“There was something familiar about it, but I could not put my finger on it. I suggest we get out of here before they change their mind and come back for us.”

“Agreed.”

Napoleon, there was a twinkle in your eye when you saw the woman’s hand; you knew who she was did you not?”

“Angelique. I think she was returning a favor she owed me, and kept us from being killed."

“And what favor might that have been?” Illya gave his partner the stink eye.

“That my dear tovarisch is none of your business.”

“Oh in that case, I can only imagine...”

“Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Gutter? No my friend I was thinking most likely it was you and she in bed yet again.”

“I take the fifth amendment on that.”

They made a quick retreat from the building and into the woods where their car was still hidden.

As they drove off, Kuryakin made a point.

“You know we are not only going to be in trouble for failing with what should have been an easy assignment; we are also going back without our weapons.

“Yes I know,” Napoleon nodded.”Third time this month our guns will have to be replaced. Accounting is going to kill me.”

“Why you? I lost three weapons as well,” Illya asked.

“For me it’s not just three guns, its five suits and two pair of shoes.”

“I am glad I am not you,” Illya snorted.

Comments

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Can't win them all, I guess....and why did I immediately start wondering whether Angelique was responsible for one of the lost suits as well? Very nice little scene, thank you.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I'd say that's a yes on the suit."D Glad you enjoyed this; wasn't sure it it was going to work. I had trouble writing this one. I think I'm having problems with my muse. She wants to take a vacation and I don't blame her. Trouble is if she goes off on one, she leaves me behind. sigh.

[ssclassof56.livejournal.com]

I liked this. Brought to mind lots of great crime capers. Nice cameo from Angelique.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As I said to otherhawk, I wasn't sure it was going to work. Love your new icon!

[ssclassof56.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I made 3 so I can switch his outfits. Dress Up Illya. :D

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

LOL, yes you have him wearing the dreaded burgundy blazer here..."D

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Snarky face Illya is the best. Nice fic.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you and glad you liked it. Good to see you back. You were missed.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

How do they put 'rescued by Angelique' in their report. I suspect half the reports they file are probably mostly fiction. Wonderful piece :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

hmm, interesting point...:D Thank you!