Title: Just Once
Author: jkkitty
Prompt words: educate, tackle
Prompt Colour: orange
Word Count: 542

“I’m looking forward to dinner tonight Napoleon.” Illya finished their pile of paperwork and was hungry.

“I forgot. How about a rain check?” Napoleon glanced at his watch while shoving everything on his desk into the drawer.

“Another date? You are burning the candle at both ends you know trying to complete all the agents’ evaluations, your yearly recertifying and dating every night. My friend, you are worn out.”

“What can I say? I do have an image to uphold.”

“But every night for the last three weeks, even you need a break. If you do not slow down, you will fall asleep during the computer training next week.”

“You worry too much my friend. See you tomorrow.”

“Slow down. You invited me to dinner tonight, and I plan on showing up so call the girl, give her another day and I will see you in a few hours.”

“You’re right, I did invite you first. See you at seven then?” Napoleon offered with a yarn.

“At seven,” Illya said as his partner left the office and thought. ‘I hope if I am there that he will actually get some decent sleep tonight.’

……

Entering Napoleon’s apartment figuring he was busy cooking in the kitchen and

couldn’t hear him knocking, he found his partner sleeping on the couch with a book open on

his chest. Scattered on the end table were other books, notebooks, and an orange and greeen highlighter.

Lifting the book off Napoleon’s chest, Illya looked at the title- Basic Programming Language. On the table were Basic computer skills and Computer Training Basics. As he was looking over the books, a groan from the couch caught his attention.

Opening his eyes, Napoleon saw Illya examining the books. “Don’t lose my page,” He said as he sat up rubbing his eyes. “Sorry supper I fell asleep before beginning dinner. We can have take-away.”

“Why?” Illya asked indicating the books.

“I’m trying to educate myself on the new technology.”

“Again why?”

“I have to admit I’m jealous that you know all about technology, and I don’t. You’re seemed to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.” Napoleon shrugged. “I wanted to, at least, know what you’re talking about for once.”

Illya hadn’t realized his ability to throw out information when Waverly asked bothered Napoleon. In his country, you always needed to be at the top of your game to be worth anything.

“I am sorry if I have offended you. It was not my intention.”

“Don’t be. I didn’t mean to make you feel as if it was your fault.”

“You have a list of skills I do not. Your ability to feel comfort in any situation as yourself, your strategy skills, and your friendliness that gets us into many places were would not otherwise.”

“I guess we do need both our skills to be as success as we are. However, I actually do want to know more about computers. Who knows, maybe Playboy will set up a site.” Napoleon teased.

Shaking his head, Illya said. “Only you Napoleon would think that way. Now come on let us order some take away to eat then you get some sleep. Tomorrow we will tackle it together. Remember it is as a team that we are the best.”