Tripping the Light Fantastic
April and Napoleon danced at the formal party of Sir Drake Smithington. Intelligence determined that Lord Smithington had a huge gambling problem. THRUSH gladly helped repay in exchange for use of his remote familial estate. What intelligence did not know was the extent of the operations. When an UNCLE agent disappeared, April and Napoleon were sent to investigate. There was no sign of their agent, so here they were.
April's face was not well known. Unfortunately that was not true for Napoleon, as one of the female THRUSH operatives remembered him quite well. April saw the THRUSH goon count mounting. She clung to Napoleon's neck.
"Plan boss. I'm at fifteen and counting. Another twenty outside if I have to guess." She whispered in his ear sending shivers down his body.
She was his partner for this mission, but still incredibly attractive. Actually he had to admit, she'd been all business, and was an extremely skilled agent. She reminded him a bit of Angelique, but without the lethal aspects. She had made it extremely clear, she was not going there or anywhere beyond business. Though he was disappointed, he was beginning to respect her. She was damn good at her job. He was starting to see Mr Waverly's point. She got into places the men couldn't go.
"Any ideas? "she hissed.
Napoleon shook his head ever so slightly. He reached for his gun. She slapped his hand away from his gun. There was no way they were going to shoot their way out of this. Assuming they escaped the room, there was no where to run. UNCLE reinforcements were coming they needed to buy time. The only way to escape was to make such a scene the goons couldn't touch them.
"Trip me then fall on me. " She whispered in his ear as she saw the THRUSH goons come closer. Napoleon gave her a confused look.
There wasn't time . She placed her leg between his knowing it would bring them to the floor. She also knew she wasn't going to like the results. There was no other way. She twisted as best she could.. It was better to stretch her ankle than break bones. She rolled with Napoleon's weight, and her ankle twisted just as she expected.
She screamed. It really did hurt badly. Napoleon landed partly on her. Napoleon couldn't understand what just happened. They were in a heap on the floor. April kept yelling loudly. She grabbed him dramatically crying loudly. They watched the goons move away from them. Well, that part at least had been successful.
"Get off me." She demanded through gritted teeth.
Napoleon's brain was starting to see her strategy as she clung to him crying loudly. He knew this was intentional. He gave her credit her performance was excellent..
She clung to him so tightly he realized part of this was not acting.
She clicked a piece on her bracelet. "Open channel D. Agent down. We need an ambulance Smithington manor." She ground into bracelet.
Napoleon heard her, and understood her plan now.
"Clever, just wish there was a better way. How bad..."
The owner, THRUSH lackey, came to them disturbed. He knew THRUSH wanted the agent. He wondered what the price would be for this failure.
Napoleon picked her up getting a yelp for his trouble. He demanded a phone to call an ambulance. He knew that was how she intended to get them out of here. Her plan was brilliant. The entire room was focused on them and THRUSH couldn't touch them.
They brought a phone, and he called the UNCLE contact number demanding they hurry. The host offered to drive, but Napoleon demanded an ambulance. " I'm afraid she may have broken something. " He explained.
The ambulance came screeching into the drive. Napoleon carried her outside.
"Password " she whispered in his ear. He nodded. He could hear the pain in her voice. He mumbled to the attendant and received the correct answer .
They were both bundled into the ambulance and off the premises before THRUSH could mount a response.
April leaned back finally relaxing. They were going to UNCLE medical in London, since it wasn't urgent. Napoleon was about to argue, but April assured him she was fine. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "This is better than what they would have done to you otherwise. Sprained ankle or torture? Easy decision. ".
He was furious. She had done this to save both of them. Intelligence had screwed up badly, and heads were going to roll when he got to London. Illya had warned him his womanizing might come back on him someday. It came back on her. He blamed himself.
The rest of the evening was a blur as they wheeled her into the hospital and checked her ankle. She was right. It was a very bad sprain. She was fine, but would be on crutches for at least a month.
He walked into her room. He was very quiet in case she was asleep. He didn't want to wake her.
He sat in the chair next to her bed. It was an UNCLE tradition someone be there when an injured agent woke in hospital. The nurse was about to demand he leave the room. Napoleon shook his head smiling his million dollar smile. He pointed motioning for quiet. The nurse smiled and left him. A few minutes later the orderly brought a cot into the room and the nurse followed.
"Behave. " She instructed. He swore scouts honor, while charming her. He took off his coat, and removed his tie. He laid down on the cot musing to himself. This was the first time he charmed a woman, so he could remain with another. He took one more look at April and went to sleep.
He woke to the chatter of people in the room. He heard April, and she sounded much better. He thought he heard Mr Waverly, but that couldn't be. He was in NY.
He rolled over. "Ah Mr Solo ...Ms Dancer and I were just discussing the mission last night. Superb job both of you . Brilliant plan both of you. I'm only sorry you had to injure yourself Ms Dancer. Quick thinking on both your parts. I need to make preparation for the review before you and I return home Ms Dancer. "
"Sir, ...I will be running?."
"Oh yes, Mr Solo, you will run the intelligence review with Mr Slate, who will be arriving later today. I will see you later Ms Dancer. You both possess the knowledge we need. We shan't keep Ms Dancer here injured. She may coordinate from NY. My dear, we have the UNCLE jet available. I will be happy to have your company. So, much more pleasant than the gentleman don't you know. "
Mr Waverly left them.
She smiled at Napoleon without saying a word.
Napoleon looked at her confused. " Quick thinking on my part? "
She smiled that flirty smile she often showed the public. He could still see the pain in her eyes. She put on a good show including the smile.
"You did fall on me."
Napoleon just laughed. "How are you really? "
"Much better since they wrapped the ankle. The aspirin helps. "
"What exactly did you tell Mr Waverly?"
She smiled. "I told him we needed to make a dramatic exit. That really is your department."
He smiled, " Good idea, but it was your idea, and you know it. You get the credit, whether you want it or not. "
"If you say so boss. Thanks I think. " She offered with a small smile.
"Are you free to go to the commissary before you head out. "
"I think so. Let me get freshened up, and I'll join you. "
Napoleon nodded and left as a nurse came in to assist her. She changed into a long sweater dress. Very fashionable, and also very practical with crutches.
Napoleon was waiting outside her door with a wheelchair. "Your chariot awaits my lady. "
She stifled a laugh. "Thank you kind sir. I do not. ."
Napoleon shook his head. "I hate them too. It's just easier. " She sighed agreeing as she sat. He grabbed the crutches, and they were off.
"My treat my dear" Napoleon joked.
She laughed. "You are too generous, sir. "
The food in the commissary was free.
He smiled. He enjoyed bantering with her, and finally saw what Mark meant when he referred to her as the sister he never had. She was easy to like, even in a platonic manner. A novel concept for Napoleon.
Mark came storming into the commissary just as they were finishing breakfast. Napoleon looked up.
"Napoleon Solo, I loan you my perfectly lovely partner, and this is what you do to her. "
He smiled at April. They told him she was going to be fine,. She was going to be on crutches for several weeks.
His tone was light. " How are you luv?"
"I'm perfectly fine darling, other than our associate is rather clumsy."
"Well, he is rather uncoordinated. Sorry, luv I should have thought about that more carefully."
Napoleon protested teasing. " Mark, buddy. She's delightful, but not as graceful as I expected. It's nothing I can't remedy at home. I will take you about town when I return. "
Napoleon was being his natural flirty self, and April took it all in good humor. "Darling as much as I'd love to go, I've only got two ankles dear. I will be needing them. "
They sat talking about the Intel review. Napoleon promised her he would punish their failures by doing to them exactly what happened to her. Mark supported Napoleon laughing gleefully, like the villain in a bad spy movie.
She knew they were keeping her entertained. She appreciated their attention. Mr Waverly soon came to collect her for the flight to NY. At least she'd be flying in style she thought. The company jet was reserved for department heads. The jet was well appointed, and Mr Waverly was pleasant company. They reviewed the strategic decisions for the choice they made. She quickly realized Napoleon had done as promised and given her the credit for the rescue.
They talked about business and lighter things.
"However did such a thing occur to you that you would intentionally hurt yourself? "
She shrugged. " There was no other way. We couldn't escape .There were too many inside and outside. The scene protected us until UNCLE got there. There was too much attention from everyone including the guests. It bought the time we needed. Small cost considering the other choices. Torture or a bruised ankle. Easy choice in the end really"
Waverly laughed paternally." I knew you were a superb choice my dear. Brains rather than brawn. It always wins. "
She smiled pleased at the praise. Mr Waverly did not offer false raise to any of his agents including her.
"As you said sir. Someone needs to be the brains of the operation." She teased with smile.
Mr Waverly guffawed as the plane headed toward New York.