A Devastating Loss - Short Affair - Sept 12th

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Prompts - Rubble/Crimson
Word Count (Approx.) - 413

After enjoying a two hour session in the gym, Napoleon spent a further forty-five minutes getting himself ready for his date. Ordinarily, he would prepare at home, but there wouldn’t be time. Besides, since he was having dinner at Maria’s apartment, he could drive her home when her shift in Communications ended. He had just finished applying his aftershave and was retrieving the things would need for the evening from his locker, when Illya entered the changing room.

“Bozhe Moy!” the Russian exclaimed, coughing a little over-dramatically. “Has THRUSH mounted a gas attack?”

Solo stared quizzically at his partner before realising what he meant.

“Very funny,” he replied tersely. “I’ll have you know that this aftershave is very expensive.”

“Then you were robbed, my friend.”

Before Napoleon could reply, the wall to the left of him exploded; burying the CEA under a mound of rubble.

The force of the blast, while substantial enough to bring down a wall, wasn’t strong enough to cause too much damage to the rest of the room. Illya had been knocked from his feet, and was picking himself up when Dale Abbotson ran in. U.N.C.L.E.’s resident plumbing engineer skidded to halt when he saw the demolished wall.

“I . . I . . I was coming to evacuate the area,” he said, with shock evident in his voice. “There was pressure building up in one of the heating ducts.”

“Never mind the cause for now,” Illya snapped, as he dropped to his knees in front of the rubble. “Mr Solo is under here.”

The two men worked quickly, only stopping once when a crimson liquid began running from the bottle of the pile. Illya’s heart almost stopped, until his nostrils picked up the unmistakable scent of red wine. He let go of the breath he was holding and continued clearing.

Within minutes, Napoleon was free. He was a little groggy, but conscious, and was soon back on his feet. Illya draped his friend’s arm over shoulders and began to lead him towards medical. They hadn’t gotten far when Napoleon forced them to stop. He looked down at the dark stain on the front of his grey suit.

“This suit is new,” he said, almost plaintively. “This was its first outing.”

“It could have been worse, Napoleon,” Illya told him. “It could have been your life.”

From the look Napoleon gave him, Illya could almost be convinced that losing a suit was just as devastating as losing his life.

.

Comments

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

...RIP New Suit

Let us say a few words in its memory.

Here lies a suit that was only worn once.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Its an absolute tragedy to lose a suit so early. Cut down in its prime. :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Oh this was well done! Thank you for a nice little read.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much :-)

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

This is a charming little fic. You mean poor UNCLE has two of them..? Is Dale Abbotson going to be a regular? Will UNCLE survive?

I loved Illya's quip about Napoleon's aftershave, and the suit grief. And that bit about the wine was a ,most well done twist.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much :-)
Dale might turn up again one day. The aftershave quip was inspired by the terrible aftershave my brother wears. It isn't cheap, but it smells like a chemical attack.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Poor Napoleon. he never gets a break.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Very true, but I imagine he'll get a sympathetic kiss from his ate ;-)

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Another suit, I guess this one he really can charge UNCLE for.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

He definitely has a legitimate claim this time :-)

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Waverly can't get angry over the loss of a suit; it was clearly UNCLEs fault this time. I found the part of Illya's complaining about Solo's overuse of cologne very funny and canon-esque.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
This time, UNCLE really does owe Napoleon another suit.

[pfrye.livejournal.com]

Suit AND wine! Gads!
Well done

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
Yes, it was a truly sad time for Napoleon.