"Illya's big chance" ~ for the Short Affair Challenge 9/29

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

Author:mrua7

Title: "Illya’s big chance"

Word Count: Approximately 1000

“Why you little agent provocatrix!” Kuryakin was on his hands and knees, scrambling to reach behind his sofa.

Napoleon had just walked into the Russian’s apartment, garment bag in hand, and was hit with the view of Illya’s rear sticking up in the air. Not exactly what he’d expected to see.

There was a sudden yowl as the Russian rose to his knees.

“What are you doing?” Solo asked.

“Catching this,” Illya held up a little black ball of fur, dangling it from his fingers.

“Prrrt,” the kitten finally let out a more cheerful sound.

“Not another cat!” Napoleon absent mindedly rubbed the back of his hand where a previous feline owned by Kuryakin had mauled him with her claws. *

“Rest easy,  I am merely watching it for someone.”

“Thank goodness for small favors,” Napoleon breathed a sigh of relief…”Wait, how long are you watching it.”

“Just over night.”

Napoleon’s apartment was being painted and he’d invited himself to sleep on his partner’s sofa. Though it wasn’t that comfortable; it was free. He was a bit broke at the moment.

Last time he was in the same situation of sleeping on Kuryakin’s lumpy green sofa, Illya’s former cat Nina...or at that time, kitten, used his hand for a scratching post in the middle of the night.*

“Tovarisch, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t need to relive ‘animal farm.’ I’m going to headquarters for the night.”

Illya wondered why Napoleon hadn’t done that in the first place.

“No matter,” he shrugged. His night was now free to hopefully spend it was another...and it wasn’t the kitten.

There was a knock at the door, not Solo’s code. After checking Kuryakin opened up.

“Hello Illya,” a gorgeous blonde smiled at him.”

Though the trend for women was to be thin and gaunt thanks to the likes of that model Twiggy who was stirring up things in swinging sixties London; this woman, though British, was anything but that.

Her curvaceous figure, and pouty lips had awakened Kuryakin’s libido.

She was wearing a surprisingly tight purple blouse with the top buttons precariously undone, along with a black very short, mini skirt.

“Was my kitten any trouble luv?”

“Katherine, please come in. She was no bother at all. I must admit I do miss having a cat, but my work schedule is not conducive to having a pet. May I offer you a cup of tea?”

“Oh that would be ducky, and please call me Kitty. You know if you got another cat, I could watch if for you when you’re away.”

Illya handed her the kitten, and smiled as he watched the little creature snuggle against Kitty’s ample bosom.

He had a feeling he was going to enjoy this new neighbor’s company, and his plan of getting rid of Napoleon had worked like a charm... for once.

As if on cue, there here was that familiar coded knock at the door. Solo unlocked it and stepped in.

“Hi there,” he greeted the woman. “Fancy meeting you here Kitty.”

“You know each other?” But of course they did. Illya mentally chastised himself for being caught off guard. How could Napoleon not know a beautiful woman had just moved into their apartment building?

“Yes we do,” she answered.” I’m looking forward to our date tomorrow night Napoleon...speaking of which, Illya would you be a luv and watch the kitten again? I’m afraid to leave her alone just yet.”

What could he say? If he declined it might look like he was being a spoiled sport. Then again Napoleon never gave him the chance to make the first move on a woman.

It was like he had built in radar and always seemed to get there first. How did he do that?

“I...I, yes Katherine...err, Kitty. It would be my pleasure,” Illya finally resigned himself.

“Ta! Illya, you’re such groovy guy,” she gave him a quick peck on the cheek and left with the kitten in her arms.

“So changed your mind about staying here?”Illya asked with just a bit of sarcasm in his voice.

“No actually I’m still going to headquarters and by the way, nice try in getting rid of me with the kitten.”

“Why whatever do you mean Napoleon,” Illya flashed an innocent blue-eyed look.

“Kitty did leave with it in her arms. She’s quite the looker isn’t she?”

“The girl or the kitten?”

“The girl of course.”

“Oh, I had not noticed.”The Russian shrugged, trying so hard to be nonchalant. “Why did you come back?”

“To borrow money for my date tomorrow night, just in case I didn’t see you tomorrow.

Illya wasn’t happy. His partner had just stolen a woman right from under him and now wanted to borrow money to woo her. This just wasn’t fair. He was suddenly reminded of John Lyly's novel ‘Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit.’ It contained the earliest origin of the phrase, ‘the rules of fair play do not apply in love and war.’

It was time to fight back.

“Napoleon, I have bad news for you. I have no money to spare.” That wasn’t a complete lie. He’d gone to Brentano’s earlier and had indulged himself in buying a few new books.

Illya pulled his wallet and opened it as proof, in it was but a few singles.

Still he always kept a small stash of money on hand that Solo knew nothing about, but that was for emergencies and this wasn’t one.

“Really, come on now tovarisch you always have money.”

“Not this time my friend. You are on your own.”

Napoleon could never tell when Illya was lying or not; the man was a master of the poker face. He took a guess, trusting his instincts that something was going on.

“You’re mad because you fancied Kitty, didn’t you?”

Illya cocked an eyebrow.“What do you think?”

Those four words laid an instant guilt trip on the American.

“Sorry. I didn’t know. I’ll cancel my date with her...when you go to pick up the kitten you can console her at being stood up and ask her out.”

“Napoleon I have no wish to be a consolation prize.”

“You’re not. She obviously likes you. Go ahead. You get first crack at her, fair enough?”

“I appreciate it. Sure you wish to stay in our office?”

“Well, if there’s a room in guest quarters, I’ll segue up there by way of the Map Room, if you get my drift,“ Solo winked.

Napoleon left and Illya gave a celebratory fist pump as he locked the door and set his alarm.

Still, he was amazed at how his partner moved on without  a second thought…

* references to my Snapshots: ’ Wild Kingdom’ and ‘Nina’

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I wonder whether the kitten would prefer to have Illya to herself occasionally, or to share with her owned more often..?

Generous of Napoleon. Anyway, if he can't borrow money, he can always borrow the books.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Wbat a great comment! Thank you!

[pfrye.livejournal.com]

All's fair in love and war....

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

T'is true! At least Illya's getting a chance for once. Thanks for reading!

[ssclassof56.livejournal.com]

Haha. Napoleon getting the girl and then asking Illya to fund their date. Insult to injury. :)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but Illya laid a guilt trip on him for once in so few words. lol! Thanks for reading and commenting!

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Good for Illya, he needn't provide the money for Napoleon's date. Sometimes there really are limits. Anyway, hopefully he gets the girl.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, he's putting his foot down on this one; laying a guilt trip on Napoleon for once. There may be a continuation to this one....thinking about it.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It's about time IK put his foot down, LOL. Fantastic story :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you thank you! Glad you liked it and appreciate the comment. Yes about time is right~ "D