section7mfu | Short Affair - It's Going To Get Better

Prompts: Section, Brown

Word Count: approximately750

It's a little late, but at this point I'm grateful to get a story written.

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Illya Kuryakin had a scowl on his face that was causing those who passed by him in the corridor to hug the walls, acknowledging that it was an imperative to remain out of reach of the brooding Russian.

It was a significant observation to see his partner, and boss (a grudging acknowledgement at best from said brooding Russian), following at a safe distance.

Each man eventually reached the elevator that would take them to the most important floor in the New York Headquarters for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement: the floor where Alexander Waverly sat in anticipation of his two top agents walking through the iconic pneumatic doors.

Exactly on time for the morning briefing, Solo and Kuryakin entered the Old Man’s office, now side by side rather than separated by several paces and one bad attitude. Illya had good reason to be scowling this morning, and Napoleon had good reason to be concerned about it.

It was Waverly, however, who held the key to both the details and cure for each man’s particular demeanor.

There was a large brown folder in front of Waverly, causing a shift in the agents’ attention from the previous mood to one of complete attention to whatever must come next. Alexander Waverly knew his men, and he understood the Russian’s concerns. He only hoped, however, that the contents of this folder would quell the moods of both men.

“Gentlemen, I understand that you have both been subjected to a, ahemm… let us say a strain on your perception of status and graded performance within the Command.”

That caught both men slightly off guard, neither had considered themselves to be so … transparent. Illya Kuryakin was a master of disguise, presenting a truly ironic contrast to his frequent mood swings. He was new to this New York office, a loner by nature who was challenged by the sense of isolation unique to being a Soviet agent among so many very American types. His partner was his superior, not a situation to be envied.

Napoleon Solo attempted to observe Illya’s reaction to what Mister Waverly was saying, aware that his own reaction to Kuryakin had been, at times, not that of a partner so much as the man with superior rank. Perhaps his technique needed some alterations.

Waverly read the turmoil, knew that this was simply another step towards his goal of creating a nearly perfect team with these two. Two exceptional spies, two exceptionally different men with integrity and determination. He just needed them to know that their strengths would be in the collaboration he envisioned.

“You two are the elite among all of Section II. Mister ahhh Kuryakin, the memo from the Soviet Embassy that you so deftly removed from this folder…’ Illya feigned a look of surprise before relenting with a sheepish nod.

“… the memo is not policy young man. You are here and not subject to some whim of your countrymen. We have a binding agreement, short of war breaking out or some other international disaster. Do you understand?”

The look on Illya’s face conveyed that yes, he understood. It spoke louder than his response to the question.

“Yes sir, and… thank you.”

Waverly turned to his CEA, Napoleon Solo. As Chief Executive Agent, he was responsible not only for his partner, but for every Section II agent in the Northwest Region. He was relieved at this information concerning his partner, reminded once again that the blond had been living beneath a cloud of anxiety and possibly fear. There were no guarantees of how he would be treated if he were to be called back to the Soviet Union.

“Mister Solo, you will take this file and review each agent, update any pertinent information not yet recorded and, above all, maintain the protocols demanded of your position and responsibilities. Do you understand?” The hoary eyebrows raised up nearly to the Old Man’s hairline with that question.

“Yes sir, I’ll get on it immediately.”

“That is all. Oh, and do use your partner’s considerable skills in reviewing the contents of this folder. I expect you two to blend your talents whenever possible. That is all.”

The dismissal was final, as always. Solo and Kuryakin exited the office with a quick step and a new resolve. Partners meant something, and now that Illya was no longer under a threat of being recalled to his homeland, he intended to fully immerse himself in the operation and success of this partnership.

For Napoleon’s part, he was genuinely pleased to have Kuryakin as a partner. Top two agents… he had heard that phrase loud and clear.