Illya waited his turn in the short queue for the checkout.
A new supermarket had opened not far from his apartment and he decided he'd give it a try; usually he bought his groceries from the small independent stores around his neighbourhood.
As he moved nearer the till he recognised the cashier, it was Marianne Lawson, who he'd met recently after rescuing her from a mugger,** he smiled as she looked up, doing a double take when she recognised him.
Finally it was his turn.
"Illya, I thought it was you," Marianne smiled as she rang up butter, milk and bread.
"It is nice to see you again. How are you?"
"I'm fine and you?"
"I am well, thank you."
Loose tea, a jar of strawberry jam and a portion of cheese were added to the paper bag and Illya handed over the cash for his purchases.
Just then a shot rang out and a masked man bullied his way over to the open register, pointing his gun at Marianne.
"Give me what's in the till, NOW!" He demanded.
Immediately the Russian went into action, the robber had dismissed the small blond as insignificant…. That was his mistake.
Moving like lightening, Kuryakin grabbed the assailants gun hand and dealt a blow to his midriff with his free hand, winding the mugger, Illya then wrenched the weapon from the thug's grasp and pulled his arms up behind his back, immobilising him. The man struggled but soon stopped as his arms were forced up higher.
"If you do not want to dislocate your shoulders I suggest you keep still," the Russian growled.
Seeing the tussle, the store manager had alerted the police and after several minutes two officers arrived, they arrested and handcuffed the would be robber and took him with them.
"Are you alright?" Illya asked Marianne with concern, as he put the items that had fallen out the paper bag back in.
"Oh, yes… yes I think so; I seem to attract danger don't I?" She laughed nervously as the bread was put in, "you have come to my rescue again."
"It was nothing, I was just in the right place at the right time."
"Thank you anyway….. um," Marianne blushed, "are you doing anything tonight?"
"I do not have any plans."
"Umm…. Would you like to… What I mean is…"She took a deep breath and continued, "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight…. Err, as a thank you."
Illya smiled, "I would like that very much, Thank you. What time would you like me to call?"
"About seven?"
"I will be there."
With a final smile, Illya picked up his repacked bag and left the store, a spring in his step as he returned to his apartment thinking about his 'date' for that night…..
**Ref: A Good Deed Indeed