Workin' It - Song Story

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

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In a room full of beautiful people, it was an accomplishment to draw the attention of more than a handful of them.  As she came down the stairs into a party plentifully supplied with the aforementioned folk, the blonde woman was a knockout in more ways than one.  For the man she left upstairs the phrase would take on new meaning when he awoke from a nearly lethal dose of tranquilizing serum used to spike his martini.

This wasn’t a job for the faint of heart, something she repeatedly told herself and a few others who questioned her line of work.  One man in particular could have tempted her, had they met before she became accustomed to the money and all of its benefits.  Now it was impossible to think of abandoning her career, nor the fortunate ideals she had acquired in the course of becoming a top agent for THRUSH.

In the midst of this crowd were two men whose own careers put them at odds with the blonde agent.  Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin recognized her instantly, one with tempered affection and the other with merely a temper.

“Napoleon, if you deem to consort with that woman again I will leave you to whatever misfortune she constructs for you.”  The Russian disliked Angelique Le Chien vehemently, something that amused his partner and delighted Angelique. Her opinion of Kuryakin was still as a dour and unlikable man; so very different from the handsome Solo.  He was her equal in both charm and charisma, something they had learned to enjoy in the name of professional courtesy.

“Oh, Illya… will you never accept that there are some pleasures in life that fall outside the lines?  Angelique and I are …umm… simpatico.”  The smile was irritatingly smug that accompanied Napoleon’s remarks to his convention bound friend.  For all of his Soviet slyness, Illya was incredibly traditional.

Kuryakin’s blond hair fairly bristled at Angelique’s approach.  He knew that his hand would easily encircle her neck, allowing him…

“Hello Napoleon …’ She allowed him to kiss her on the cheek, all the while looking at her blond rival. “I see you’re still traveling with Dr. Glum. How dreadful for you, darling.”  That brought a huge smile, further irritating Illya.

“Oh, he’s not so bad.  He thinks I need protection from beautiful women who drop deadly spiders onto my tuxedo.  I told him you promised to not do that again.”  Now it was Angelique whose smile was successful in piquing Illya’s ire.  Russian’s were known for their ire, and these two would do well to remember that fact.

“You seemed to have lost someone.  I recall seeing you ascend the stairway with Professor David Norton.  Did he dislike your company or have you done away with him?”  Illya didn’t feel the need for polite inquiry, only straightforward questions.  Angelique’s crooked smile had a slight tremor as she considered her reply.

“He’s just fine Illya. I left him upstairs in rather a subdued but entirely breathing state.  He stole something from us, you know.  I was merely helping in its return to THRUSH.  Professor Norton is all yours, if you want him that is.”

The truth was UNCLE did not want David Norton.  He was playing games with both sides, courting UNCLE and THRUSH simultaneously with the promise of some great scientific breakthrough.  Apparently he had found it necessary to steal from the Hierarchy in order to deliver anything of substance to UNCLE, something that Alexander Waverly did not endorse.

“No, actually we were just curious about his …um.. well-being.’ Napoleon winked at Angelique in contradiction to Illya’s scowl. “I think that just about takes care of things, don’t you Illya.  Angelique, have you had dinner?  I know of a great little bistro not far from here…”  They walked away, his arm encircling her waist in a manner borne of familiarity.  Illya shook his head in disbelief.

“They make an attractive pair, don’t you think?”  Illya should have been startled by the sudden appearance, but he had seen her earlier as she surveyed the room.  He wondered why her partner hadn’t been assigned to accompany her.

“Good evening April.’ Illya found the young agent a pleasant diversion from his disapproving mood. “I suppose, although I fail to understand the appeal of a woman whose work ethic might some day include killing me.”  Better to not dwell on those two.  April was here, and in spite of his better judgment and past experiences with her…

“Would you care to dance?”  He might regret it, but then again they were both still technically on the job.  Illya thought that April’s smile had as much light as the chandeliers in this ballroom.

“I’d like that very much.  I’ll consider it one of the perks of the job.”  He led her onto the dance floor, wondering at two very different women whose line of work was the same.  He supposed they each worked hard to maintain their positions as two of very few female agents.

“Do you like being a Section II operative April?”  She had been in New York long enough now to be considered seasoned, and to open the door to other female operatives.

“I like it very much.’’  To herself she added and sometimes I like the people I work with very much.

Illya pulled her in a little tighter, sweeping her around the dance floor in a grand manner.  The clock was ticking towards midnight, and then they’d both be off duty.  How many times had he pushed this woman away out of respect for the job and for her tenuous presence as the only female agent?  He wouldn’t compromise her position for the sake of … what would it be?  Desire?  Oh yes, that would be it.  With admiration for April that rivaled in its intensity for his loathing of Angelique, Illya put away his desire once more while he cradled April in his arms for the remainder of their dance.

April Dancer had worked long and hard to gain the respect of men like Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo.  She’d worked almost as hard at keeping her distance from Kuryakin, trying to maintain a friendship that she had hoped might lead to something more.  Now, with his arms holding her and his eyes lit with what she hoped was mutual desire, April wondered if …

The music ended too soon.

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Ewwwww that was nice! Especially the last line. Well done!

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I figure these lady spies work hard for their money too.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Well, we know what I think of April's attraction to Illya; I love it. Loved this story, good use of the prompt.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, I thought of your last story with those two ;) My version may never get there, but it's fun letting them flirt with possibilities. Thanks a bunch, I'm glad you like it.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing that very nice glimpse of both pairings; especially the Illya/April - I'm sure it was mutual.

Actually, David Norton has my respect. And I can't believe Waverly wouldn't thoroughly approvwe of stealing from Thrush. He does it all the time himself, after all.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks, the two couples do have their connections. As for Norton, I tend to think that Waverly would dislike the duplicity of the man's actions. It's one thing to blatantly be a thief, quite another to pretend to work for each side.
But then it's a bunch of spies so, who knows?