A special thank you to MLaw who has encouraged me and helped me to get this story moving.
A Promise Kept Affair
By Jkkitty
Chapter 1
Angelique was brought from a sound sleep by the sudden ringing of the telephone.
"Yes?"
"Miss Angelique...the KGB has your brother, Father Louis. They plan to execute him along with nine other priests in a week's time."
"Who is this?"
"Let's just say a friend." the phone clicked.
Angelique quickly dialed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Father Louis please. It's Angelique."
"Oh Miss Angelique, I'm so glad you called; we had no idea how to get in touch with you. We notified the police already but I'm sorry, Father Louis has gone missing."
She abruptly hung up the receiver; not wanting any more information. Angelique sat thinking as she lit a cigarette and after a few minutes there seemed but one answer to her dilemma...it was a promise of help made to her by an old adversary.
…..
"May I sit down?" Jo asked.
She looked a little surprised. "I'm waiting for someone," she responded casually; if it hadn't been for the light red hair color of the woman; the black clothes and sparkling blue eyes would've made her think it was the 'Russian'.
"I need just a few minutes of your time," Jo smiled. "I assure you my weapon has its safety on." She then offered her hand. "My name is Josephina Nichovia Kuryakin."
"I know," Angelique said as she accepted it. She offered Jo a seat, then asked why she was there; bemused that this woman, of all people, sought her out.
"I would like to thank you for helping Napoleon, Illya too. I know that you and my brother are not on friendly terms and for that reason I so appreciate what you did for him."
"You're welcome, I suppose? Through you surprise me. Aren't your feelings towards me the same as Illya's?"
"Though I may not approve of your employer; I am indebted to you none the less and felt the need to express my gratitude." Jo hesitated. "I hope you were not caused any trouble with ah...your Avian employer?"
"No trouble."
"Well just to let you know; I do take care of my debts, but as with Napoleon; I have limitations. If I can ever offer you some help, within my limitations of course, you just have to ask."
….
Sitting on the corner of Jo's desk, Napoleon was trying to convince her to attend that evening's party.
Come on Jo, everyone is coming. Why not you?" He wiggled his eyebrows, "We could finish up the evening with some private time."
The two had clarified their relationship one long night but had little time together since because of conflicting assignments.
"Napoleon. I dislike Sherpart, and he dislikes me. Why would I want to wish him well? Although some private time with you would be nice, it has been awhile."
"Come on Jo. We could get all dressed up and party."
"Napoleon, I thought you were trying to convince me to come, not to skip this affair altogether."
As a black turtleneck, slacks and blazer were her usual dress, dressing up didn't tempt her to change her mind.
Trying to overcome that stubborn Russian attitude, "Ok, you don't have to dress up. You would be with us …"
Jo's phone rang putting a halt to the conversation, "Kuryakin here."
"Miss Kuryakin you've a visitor at the security entrance. She's waiting for you outside."
Napoleon exited the tailor shop with Jo. "I will just tag along if you don't mind to make sure there aren't any problems. Besides then we'll continue this discussion."
As they exited, they glanced around to ensure there were no surprises awaiting them. Napoleon was the first to notice Angelique sitting on her Corvette, dressed in her usual tight satin dress, heels, and fur.
"Angelique. To what do I owe this honor? "Jo said nearing the car with Napoleon following her.
"Jo, I'd like to talk to you. Preferably somewhere other than here, bad for my image."
"Don't mind if I tag along with you two girls, do you?"
"I guess it if it okay with you Angelique, I have no objections."
"Well ladies, there is a little restaurant around the corner. We can sit and talk there," offering an arm to each woman, Napoleon led the way.
"Jo, did you mean what you said about helping me?"
"As long as it does not compromise UNCLE or our people what do you need my help with?"
"Ten priests are due to be executed at the end of the week at a Gulag prison camp near the southeastern border of the USSR in the Ussuri district."
"And this has what to do with you?" Jo asked unsure where this was going.
"I believed UNCLE would be interested in this situation. After all isn't that what your organization is all about?"
"This does not sound like something a Thrush agent would be interested in or for that matter care about. Why do you?" Jo wondered what was actually behind Angelique's request.
"Angelique, I would like to know why this is important to you. Good deeds are not in your usually line of work. What is you need done?" Jo asked over her teacup.
"Jo, I intend on releasing the priests and need help from someone who know and can function in that area"
"I need a straight answer Angelique. I do not go into anything blindly. Why help the priests? So give me a reasonable answer or forget it," Jo was getting inpatient.
Angelique looked pleadingly at Napoleon, but he said nothing yielding the questioning to Jo.
"It's personal. One of those priests is my brother."
Jo choked on the sip of tea that she had just taken, "Really Angelique. I do not want to seem uncharitable, but you have a brother who is a priest?"
"Same father, different mothers."
"I see. If this is true, and I will be checking it out, what is it that you want from me?"
"I need someone I can trust to help me get him out."
"And you trust me? That seems strange after all we do not serve the same master."
"We may not darling, but I know you have a high sense of right and wrong. If you commit to this, you'll see it through."
Jo looked over at Napoleon, "Your call Jo," was all he would say.
"Before I can do anything, I must get Mr. Waverly permission to follow up on this. He will insist on the most appropriate agents being involved, those who know the working of a Gulag which will probably include Illya."
Napoleon finally broke into the discussion as UNCLE's CEA. "Angelique, we'll do some research, talk to Waverly, and get in touch with you later tonight. Where can I reach you?"
Angelique gave Napoleon the number, "Whatever others think, I love my brother and will do what I must to save him."
Walking back to the entrance of UNCLE, Angelique wrapped around Napoleon's arm.
Before going down the stairs to Del Floria's Jo warned, "Angelique, if this is a trap, you will not survive it, I promise you this, I will personally see to it."
…..
Research spent the next couple of hours checking out Angelique story. They found documentation of the capture priests, the planned execution, and the location. However, no information was found to prove or disprove Angelique's relationship with any of the priests.
After Napoleon had received the report from Research, he headed to Waverly's office asking Illya and Jo to meet him.
…..
Once Waverly had been briefed on Research's findings, Waverly addressed his agents.
"It seems gentlemen and Miss Kuryakin, this situation needs to be looked into. However, can we trust this Angelique person?"
"Sir, if UNCLE does not want to sanction this operation officially, than I would like to ask for time off to follow it on my own," Jo offered. "After all, I was the one who made the promise."
"No one said we wouldn't follow up on this, the question is what this Thrush agent's intentions are. Mr. Solo, you thoughts on the matter."
"Sir, Angelique has in the past attempted to kill some of our agents including me, and I feel we can trust her just so far. This time, however, I believe her request is sincere."
"Blind as usual, Napoleon," Illya said so only his partner could hear.
"You have something to add Mr. Kuryakin? I'd appreciate if you would share it with all of us."
"Sorry sir, I believe it is impossible to trust this woman. She's a Thrush agent known for her attempts that has led some of our operatives into ambushes." He said glancing in Napoleon's direction who shifted uncomfortably.
"This is our concern. We're here to see that justice is served. Just because she's not one of the 'good guys,' does not mean we should let the priests die. Besides, I made a promise, and in our work there are too many broken promise."
"ENOUGH! Do you two forget who's in charge here?" Waverly said raising his voice, an infrequent occurrence. "I will make decisions concerning this organization and its agents."
Waverly nodded his head toward the three agents, "You three will handle this case. Get those priests out, and return here as soon as possible. Thrush is quiet right now, but that won't last long. Gentlemen, Miss Kuryakin I'd appreciate as little political backlash as possible."
As they were leaving the room, "Mr. Solo, the sooner you leave the better."
After making plans to leave on a 0200 UNCLE flight, Napoleon went with Jo to meet Angelique.
"My dear," Napoleon took Angelique's hand and kissed it, "You are as lovely as ever."
"Darling, do you have an answer for me?"
"Jo, Illya, and I will help you get the priests out of their situation."
"The Russian will be helping, and he is okay with that?" She was surprised that Illya would be willing to work with her.
"We all have our orders." Jo suggested, "He does have a name Angelique. Perhaps using it will help to make things more comfortable for both of you."
"Perhaps."
After a few more minutes, Jo stood to leave while Napoleon and Angelique continue to speak at the table.
"See you at 0200," she said taking one last look at Napoleon wishing they could have their times tonight; instead, she headed for home alone.