Friendship Day Challenge: What is friendship?

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

What is Friendship?

While Illya's in medical, Napoleon tries to decide if being his friend is worth it.

Thanks to Sparky for the excellent Beta work, she always makes it so easy to work with.

Napoleon looked around the cafeteria at the other agents and personnel.  Many of these people he called friends but what really was a friend?  Were these people friends or just acquaintances? He had had friends before, in the school, the army and even in UNCLE.  But they had died.  

His wife to be died one month before school ended from a bully who caused their car to crash because he was made at Napoleon.  In the army, his friend Ryan died from a bullet knocking him down during an ambush.  Other agents who he had been partnered with in UNCLE were killed when fighting beside him.  They would be better if they had never met him.

He knew that he was suffering from depression as his partner was in medical. Roger Allen, a Thrush chieftain, wanted to get even with him, and Illya had paid the price.  When he was down in medical about fifteen minutes ago checking on the Russian, they weren’t sure how badly he was hurt yet.

A sad laugh left his lips.  Another partner might be leaving Section Two and he would be the reason why. He was a jinx to those who were assigned as his partner, and those who were his friends.

“Darling, you’re not blaming yourself for this situation are you?”  April asked as she took the seat next to him, picking up and holding his hands.

“Mate, you know we all make enemies, and there is nothing we can do to stop revenge.  Illya would be angry with you if he knew that you’re sulking.”  Mark placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Napoleon as he took the seat across from the CEA.

“I’m not sulking.   And it is my fault.   I’m the one who Allen wanted, but when he couldn’t get me, he took Illya.  Now look at my partner.  He’s injured and all because he knows me and is my friend.”  Napoleon wasn’t in the mood to listen to what they were saying.   “Maybe you two would be safer not sitting next to me.”

April hugged him.  “We’re your friends as you have proven to be ours many times.  Now stop this self-flagellation and drink that coffee before it gets cold. Illya will be okay, and you two will be out fighting Thrush again.  That is right after you two bring Allen to justice.”

A shadow fell over him, “Mr. Solo.”  Looking up, he saw the nurse from medical.

“We’re done with Mr. Kuryakin.   He’ll be all right after a week or so of rest.  Right now we would appreciate if you go down there and prove to him you’re okay.  He is demanding it.”

Mark and April laughed.  “Your partner and friend is waiting for you.   You better get down there before he terrorizes the staff.”  April said not trying to hide her smile.

………..

Before heading towards medical, he made a detour to the restaurant down the block to get food he knew Illya preferred

As he entered medical, he kept his eyes downward avoiding the patient who was sitting up in the bed before him. He wasn’t sure why he was endangering Illya further by being here.  You never knew when someone might be an enemy agent.

A voice pulled him out of his revelry, “Where have you been?   These people are smothering me with their care and concern.  I need you to protect me from their ‘caring’.”  Illya demanded.

Raising his head with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Napoleon took a seat beside the Russian.   “I hear you were giving them all kinds of hell.”

“They were trying to give me green jello.  Napoleon, green jello, can you believe it?”

Holding up the restaurant bag, he offered it to Illya. Illya’s face lite up with a smile when he opened it.  “You did not have to but thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do since after I’m the reason you’re here,”  Napoleon spoke in a voice that was almost a whisper.

Illya set the bag on the overbed table.  “Do not believe for one minute this is your fault.  Allen is responsible.  I will always do what is needed to protect you.   You are my friend and partner.”

“Friends don’t get other friends hurt.”  Napoleon almost shouted out his angst.

“You, my friend, are right.  But friends also do everything they can to protect a friend.”

“If you say so,” Napoleon answered as he stood to leave.

“Where are you going?   There enough food here to feed an army, and I would like to share it with my friend and partner.  Now sit back down and join me.  While we eat, we will figure out how to take down Allen.” Illya offered with a mischievous grin.

Napoleon returned to his seat, a smile that reached his eyes on his face.   This friendship thing was hard to understand, but he was glad he had friends who cared enough to help him see what friendship was truly about.

Comments

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading and commenting. I always felt that although Napoleon always looked upbeat, he was a man of deep feelings. Hope that came across

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed. And well written, too. I do agree with you.