The Twelve Days, Day 2 - for the 12 Days of Christmas

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Day 2

Napoleon took a quick look up and down the hallway before opening the door to his and Illya’s office. As far as he knew, the Russian was downstairs in the labs doing a consultation with a new chemist. That ought to keep him busy for a little while, at least.

The curiosity of a suicidal cat was rampaging through the American’s brain, and the idea that Illya had something secret stashed was more than the normally suave agent could handle. It was getting close to Christmas, after all. Even if Illya tried to dissuade people from buying him gifts, and even if he pretended to not enjoy the holidays, Napoleon knew better. His partner was like a little kid when it came to presents and surprises. Sometimes reticent about overt displays of affection, the Russian was, nonetheless, a sentimental man who appreciated the warmth of seasonal expressions of friendship.

“Now, where is that…?”

He didn’t hear the door open behind him.

“Where is what, Napoleon?”

Just like he had been shot, Napoleon flinched with a suddenness that he thought might have displaced his spine.

“Hey, Illya! Buddy… I thought you were… in the labs…”

Illya smiled, knowingly. Still the Cheshire, still full of mischief. Only this time he had caught Alice unawares, and that was even more fun than simply having a secret.

“Oh, yes that went quite well. So, what is it you’re looking for, Napoleon? Perhaps I can help.”

There it was again, the same as yesterday. He was smiling behind that concerned expression.

Just what was it that Illya was hiding?

“Oh, nooo…nothing really. I thought I might have misplaced a cufflink, but I see that… Yep! Here it is, right where it’s supposed to be.”

The effort failed. Illya saw through the ruse, naturally, and Napoleon felt himself blushing slightly at his meager attempt at lying through his teeth.

“I um… I was thinking we could grab dinner tonight at Luigi’s. We haven’t had a nice casual evening like that for … days.”

Illya smiled. It was the knowing smile. It was the smile that told Napoleon that his efforts were appreciated, but there would be no spilling of secrets for the time being.

“Dinner sounds very nice, Napoleon. Perhaps we can make it an early evening, however. There are some things that need my attention.’

The blond looked at his watch, and in a perfect imitation of his partner, snapped his fingers as though the idea he’d been waiting on all day had finally arrived.

“In fact, I should go back downstairs and check on something in the labs. I believe there is just enough time for that before we need to head over to Luigi’s.”

Napoleon looked into those blue eyes and wondered, ever so briefly, how those same eyes could convey a resolute threat of bodily harm and also the guileless charm of an innocent youth. There they were, right now, looking back at him. Whatever was in the labs, it must be what Illya had been working on the day before.

“That sounds just fine, Illya. You just do that, and… I’ll go and see what kind of important business needs tackling here in headquarters. You just go and play in the lab and I’ll see you for dinner. Yes, that will be just fine.”

Illya wanted to howl with laughter. Who knew that Napoleon Solo could be so flummoxed by a little mystery? Well, the game was on now, and the advantage, so far, belonged to the Russian.

~~~~~:

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

2 lines I love in this: 1. "Still the Cheshire, still full of mischief. Only this time he had caught Alice unawares, and that was even more fun than simply having a secret."

And 2: Illya wanted to howl with laughter. Who knew that Napoleon Solo could be so flummoxed by a little mystery?

Looking forward to day 3!