New story! :) Sequel to Unhappy customer and A simple mission,really.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters
Here is another drawing if you want to know what really happened to Asher at the end of the previous story :P :
"https":"/""/""ibb".co"/Z1M0Wd5 (just remove the "")
MI6 building, Gaby's p.o.v.,
"But tell us again, Marshall, how long did you stand there before you realized the shooter was gone?"
"It's not funny, Solo.", Gaby scolded as Napoleon chuckled softly.
She looked at Illya but, judging by the smile playing on his lips, she was not going to find any support there. She had to admit that it was slightly funny, and now that she had seen her partners laugh and was picturing the scene in her mind again, she was finding it hard to keep a straight face. Poor Asher had even missed his plane.
"Maybe someone was playing a joke on you.", she said, to divert attention from the smile that was creeping upon her lips. "One of your colleagues, maybe? The shooter had to know where you usually park your car and when you would get off work." Gaby knew that some of Asher's colleagues liked to tease him about the fact that he had been targeted by a contract killer.
"Or maybe Sanders.", Napoleon suggested with a cheeky smile. "I wouldn't put it past him."
"That's seriously messed up for a joke..." Asher paused for a second. "Then again...I know a few sharpshooters who have a rather...peculiar sense of humor. But that guy...he was impossibly fast, and he had insane accuracy skills..."
Gaby noticed that Asher was holding one hand over his heart as he spoke, as if he was reliving the unpleasant episode in his mind.
Poor Asher...
She felt even guiltier for finding the situation funny, but she also knew that part of the reason they were all smiling and teasing him was that they were relieved Asher was alive. She glanced at Illya again. He was no longer smiling and was staring intently at the CIA agent. She knew exactly what was on his mind, and on Asher's mind. Of course she had thought about it too, they all had. Blake.
But Blake certainly wouldn't have let Asher live...
"Anyway", Asher said, apparently eager to change the subject. "Sanders filled me in on what the code-breaking team discovered. It looks like this is going to be an interesting mission..."
"Indeed. Good thing someone had the presence of mind to steal this notebook..."
Gaby blew out a small sigh and smiled.
Here we go again...
"Solo, did you seriously expect Sanders to give you a medal?"
"A "thank you" would have been enough...", Napoleon grumbled with feigned indignation.
Asher chuckled.
"Yeah...even that was highly unlikely. So...when are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning.", Napoleon answered. "Destination: southwest France. At this time of year there might still be some snow in the mountains...our Russian Bigfoot will feel at home."
Illya muttered something in Russian under his breath. Probably not a compliment, if Napoleon's reaction was any indication. Gaby watched her bickering partners. She could tell that Illya was still troubled. At least, with the important mission ahead of them, he would not have much time to worry about Blake.
A few minutes later, Waverly joined them to go over the details of the mission one last time. After the hour-long meeting, as they were all standing up to leave, Waverly put his hand on Asher's shoulder.
"Perhaps it would be wise to have Kuryakin walk you back to your hotel...you know, in case someone tries to kill you again. Adrian will never forgive me if something happens to you before you complete your mission..."
A small, mischievous smile formed on Waverly's lips and, this time, Gaby couldn't suppress a chuckle at the sight of the CIA agent's mortified expression.
Welcome to the team, Asher!..
End of chapter 1. :)