Keeping Up With the Joneses - Short Affair

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Prompts: gusto, grey
Word count: 943

…………………………….

The air had a chill to it that went straight through his clothing and into his nervous system.  Napoleon Solo felt as though he might never get warm again.  Even Kuryakin was looking like the beginning of winter might be more than he had bargained for.

"Hey Illya, you're looking a little grey, sort of like this landscape.  Cold enough for you?"

The Russian frowned at his partner, the cold permeating his wool overcoat seemed to be ignoring the promised protection it should be providing.

"I am fine, just a little chill in the air."  Napoleon had to smile at the lie.

"Well, in any case, the little bird that we're after seems to have found a nest in that building over there.  The homing device I slipped beneath his lapel isn't moving anymore."  Illya shivered slightly, unwillingly…

"Let us go then, and see if we cannot persuade him to give up this useless chase."

The 'chase', as Illya had put it, was one that had taken them from New York to Connecticut, and which now was taking shelter in an old farmhouse surrounded by a blanket of snow.  The heater in the convertible being driven by the UNCLE agents was no longer effective against the cold and snow, it's rag top little use against the wintry conditions.

"I think the fact that he has a fire going inside is a better reason that apprehending him. Ready?"  The blond nodded and hustled out of the small car in tandem with his partner's exit.  The crunch of snow beneath their feet only served to hasten their steps.  The man they sought wasn't violent, merely duped by THRUSH into believing they would give him the laboratory he desired for experiments he vowed would help people.  When he discovered the lie, that the formula he had developed was going to be weaponized and used to destroy entire populations, Vernon Jones had fled the satrapy and landed at UNCLE Headquarters.  Something spooked the man, however, and he walked out of Del Floria's with no intention of joining any type of organization at all, just the desire to be rid of everyone who sought to control his work.  Napoleon had managed to place the homing device, his keen instincts alerting him to Jones' proclivity for flight.

Now, as they approached the little house where Jones was, and where the fireplace was obviously roaring with a warm and much desired fire, Solo and Kuryakin hoped for a peaceful encounter as well as a warm room.  No sleep, little to eat or drink in the past twenty-four hours had made them edgy and slightly irritable.  Each man was doing his best to not acquiesce to the natural tendencies  that might be expected under less than comfortable or amenable circumstances.

In addition to the evidence of a fire within, an aroma began to waft towards them.

"Do you smell… he's cooking something.  I am quite starved, do you think he'd be willing to feed us?"  Illya was hopeful, after all they'd done nothing to Jones save to offer him a safe haven.

Napoleon smiled at his partner's question while he silently hoped for the same.  They came to the front door and rang the bell, not at all confident that Vernon Jones would answer.

The door swung open and Jones seemed not at all surprised to see the agents.  He gestured for them to enter without saying a word until they were inside.  He took their coats and ushered them into the sitting room where the fire was indeed blazing with great gusto, a welcome warmth to the two men.

"Gentlemen, I apologize for leading you on this chase.  Mr. Solo, I realized you had tagged me with that device even as you did it.' He noted a look of embarrassment on Napoleon's face.

"No, no really… I was counting on being followed.  I didn't want to remain at your headquarters, however. I needed to come here, to be at ease in my own home.  THRUSH doesn't know about this place, in case you're wondering.  But you are my guests now, so please, come in and sit down.  I've prepared a hearty stew and some freshly baked bread… we shall dine together and discuss the future."

All of this took the UNCLE agents by surprise, but then it was at least a welcome surprise.  It turned out that Vernon Jones was agreeable to working with UNCLE, but he would require to right to work here, in the laboratory he kept in his basement.  An UNCLE contingent would be present to keep him and his work safe, and he agreed to come to Headquarters periodically for the purpose of meeting with Alexander Waverly and staff who might need to be included.

The stew was delicious and the warmth of the house a welcome respite for the weary agents.  Jones invited them to stay the night rather than drive back in the cold and dark.  He had rooms for them, with a fireplace in each one.  It was like a small vacation to be treated so hospitably, and to spend time away from the realities of their world.

Vernon Jones was a man whose goal in life was to benefit mankind, and his naive belief that THRUSH had been other than it was made him careful now to observe the men from UNCLE, to discern better than before the intentions of an organization courting him and his genius.

UNCLE passed that inspection, and he decided that the two men sent after him were honorable and honest.  He would work for UNCLE as long as he could trust them.  He hoped it would last a lifetime.

Comments

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

no torture, a change for them. Very nice

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, they deserved a night away from the bad stuff.