I should have said no... But I could not. No. But I didn't really want to.
His thought was wandering. Several times, in his whole life, he could have said : no. Others said that he should have. But happiness is elusive. Some of those things he had accepted had set him ablaze with enthusiasm. He had been blessed with so many successes... You easily get used to that. And you easily forget the few times you really should have said no. When you could. If you could.
So here he was, uncomfortably settled in a downy seat. This lounge was like a furnace. He was bored.
He should have said : no. But he could not. Period. Saying no hadn't been an option. It had been far beyond his power. It wasn't the first time. It wasn't such a problem.
He sneered inwardly. People usually considered him as a disciplined man. Someone who heartily obeyed orders. But it wasn't as simple. When he knew for sure that he had the control, that he could refuse, that he could say : no... It was easy to obey. It was... his choice. When you can say : no, you keep the control over yourself. Whatever happens... You say : yes. And that's okay.
Years ago, he hadn't said no to his bride. He couldn't. He hadn't said no to the war in Korea. He couldn't. And all hell broke loose. It had been deathly frightful. After... he had seen at it, that he would always keep the control. Trust... yourself. Trust your own judgment.
Then Uncle had recruited him. Survival School. Trust no one. Trust yourself.
And ... trust Waverly. Leave it to him...
He sighed and got again the sheet of paper out of his pocket. First, a very small photo. Then, a drawing. The same young man. Fair hair, clear eyes... Expressive eyes... he looked doubtfully at the guy.
-You'll go to meet this young man at the airport, Mr Solo.
YES.
-Yes, sir.
-His name is Illya Kuryakyn. He is Russian. He'll work with us, for the Uncle.
YES.
-Yes sir.
-You'll take him to the headquarter.
YES.
-Yes, sir.
-Oh, Mr Solo... From now, Mr Kuryakyn will be your partner.
YE... NO !
-Yes, sir.