"Mea Culpa" for the Short Affair

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #2 – Regret

-Prompt Colour – Yellow

Author: mrua7

Title: Mea Culpa

Word count: Approximately 600

Illya stared out the window of their decrepit hut; the view hadn’t changed since the last dozen or so times he’d lookeed out at the jungle and probably wouldn't. He was filled with regret at the moment, remorseful that he hadn’t agreed to leave when Napoleon suggested they do so.

Self condemnation would do him no good now; his main concern had to be his partner, who was lying on his cot fevered and yellow with jaundice. It was malaria and Illya knew the signs of it all too well as he'd been stricken with it himself in the past. It was during a mission in the Congo that had gone terribly wrong.*

Jaundice was not a disease, but rather a visible sign of the underlying disease process. Solo had a slight yellowing of the skin, and the whites of his eyes, but there was also the nausea and vomiting, headaches, fever, chills. He had no appetite and was losing weight. He would drift in and out between moments of clarity and confusion.

Illya had to bind his partner’s hands as he had been constantly scratching his arms to the point where they were becoming raw and bloodied.

What caused the malaria was anyone’s guess, mosquitoes, parasites...who knew. What did it matter? The only thing of importance was Napoleon’s recovery.

They’d finally gotten hold of the needed quinine from a doctor who came weekly to see to the local's needs, and with it Napoleon would be on the mend soon enough, weak as a kitten but better.

When the treatment had effect upon the American, he woke; seeing his partner sitting cross legged on the floor beside the cot. Illya was asleep with arms resting on the edge of it; his blond head nestled there as well.

As soon as Solo raised his head Kuryakin woke as well; his senses attuned to the slightest of movements. Was it his agent training or perhaps his concern for his partner? Most likely both...

“Napoleon, how do you feel?” He rose, reaching to Solo’s face and checked his temperature with his hand. “Your skin is cooler, good sign.”

“Still have a headache,” Solo answered.”How long was I out of it?”

“Days. You had me a bit worried.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No, I am the one who should be sorry. If I had listened to you and left when you wanted to then perhaps you might not have gotten sick. This is all my fault.”

Napoleon shook his head, “Don’t be ridiculous. It was bound to happen eventually. We’ve tramped together through enough mosquito infested jungles...you know that. You’ve had your bout with it too; maybe it was just my turn.”

“Thank you for trying to make me feel better my friend.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever, “ Napoleon snickered.”Now could you get me something to eat please. I may be as weak as a babty but I’m as hungry as a horse.”

“Will soup do?” Illya half smiled. Solo's appetite returning was a very good sign.

“Sounds great to me.”

Illya helped feed his partner day after day until Napoleon was strong enough to do it himself. He was eating more solid foods now and able to walk with some assistance.

The doctor would be arriving soon and this time they would leave with him, heading back to civilization. Until now Napoleon was in no condition to travel.

Solo would be given more time to recuperate back in New York, and though he’d forgiven his partner, really there had been nothing to forgive. Illya taking care of him was not only out of friendship but it was perhaps his mea-culpa...at least he’d let the Russian believe that. It was good for his spirit he supposed.

* ref to "The Congo Affair"

Comments

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, the agony of it all. And yet the brotherly love of a partner who won't leave his side. Napoleon would do the same... did the same. It does make me want to read a longer story about how it got to this point. We need a long story challenge :D

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hahahahaha! Another challenge? Let's save if for say....Halloween? (chuckle) I still have to finish the cross over challenge. Maybe a reminder to those who joined up might be apropos soon?

Glad you liked this story. I will add it to my list of many on which to expand. I have too many stories underway to finish, including another writer request. And then of course there's the Illya Elliott saga...whew.