Dance With Me

by J. Ferguson a.k.a. Timeless A-Peel

Gambit takes a partner. Purdey finds her rhythm.

Disclaimer: I don't own The New Avengers, nor the characters of Steed, Gambit, and Purdey. They belong to The Avengers (Film and TV) Enterprises. This story is written for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.

Timeline: Third in a series. Takes place in late February/early March, 1976, ending with the pre-credits events of the episode "Gnaws." Pre-series, with "The Eagle's Nest" taking place in April, 1976. It is recommended, but not essential, that you go back and read "Aftermath" (now updated) before reading this story.

Author's Note: The next story in the arc, this one was written to help explain why Purdey seems more familiar with Gambit than Steed in "The Eagle's Nest." While Gambit seems to have access to her flat and tips her playfully out of bed, Steed still hasn't seen Purdey fight, and knows nothing of her time in the Royal Ballet. The only explanation I could come up with was that, after Purdey's initial assignment, with Steed and Gambit, which will hopefully be recounted in another story, she had reason to spend a good deal of time with Gambit alone. So this is meant to fill in some of the gap between Steed's birthday in February and "The Eagle's Nest" in February, while at the same time exploring Purdey and Gambit's relationship as it develops. I hope everyone enjoys it.

For more information about the series, please see my profile.


"Right, I'll see you on Monday," Spence told the assembly of young agents. "Then I'll really put you lot through the wringer." He grinned diabolically, and a smattering of nervous laughter echoed in the gym before the group dispersed. Spence beckoned to one distinctive silhouette trailing behind the crowd, and she broke away from her peers to join him.

"Purdey," he began as the willowy blonde joined him, "I can't help but notice that you haven't signed up a partner for the course yet."

Purdey nodded. "That's right."

Spence raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you can't find anyone willing to work with you? I would have thought you'd be the first in line to sign up with one of the others."

Purdey grinned. "Ah, but it's not one of the others I'm planning on."

Spence's eyebrow climbed even higher. "A more experienced agent?"

"Why not? There's no law against it."

"No, but it's bloody difficult getting an agent to run the course the first time, let alone a second voluntarily," Spence pointed out skeptically. "There's a good chance he won't agree."

"He will," Purdey said with confidence. "I just haven't asked him yet."

"Well, do it soon. You'll need to bring him in on Monday for the orientation," Spence reminded, still looking unconvinced.

"He'll be there." Purdey smiled and waved as she left the gym. Spence shook his head and grinned to himself. Whoever Purdey roped in, he wouldn't refuse for long. She was the sort of girl who got exactly what she wanted, by hook or by crook.

Purdey wandered out into the Ministry corridor, put a finger to her lips in thought. She had to admit she didn't have the slightest idea where her would-be partner was, or where to start her search. But there was someone who might.


John Steed was at his desk. It came as a surprise to some to learn that he had one. For that matter, it came as a surprise to him that he had one. But some time during that bureaucratic shuffling in '73, someone had thought it essential that John Steed have an office, whether he wanted one or not. So it had been foisted on him, along with something he suspected was a promotion, and a handful of responsibilities. It didn't mean he spent too much time in the place, but on occasion it proved necessary. Today was one of those occasions. Ah, well. He'd had worse times, but it was a pleasant distraction when the knock came.

"Come in," he greeted cheerfully, doing his best to appear engrossed in his paperwork for the benefit of the bureaucrat he assumed was checking in on him. They had a habit of making the rounds, particularly when reports were due. When Purdey's blonde head poked in, Steed abandoned all pretext of working, glad for the pleasant diversion. Very pleasant, indeed.

"Purdey! Wonderful to see you! Please, have a seat." He gestured to one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Our paths haven't crossed in awhile. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Purdey grinned as she crossed to one of the chairs, crossing her legs decoratively as she sat. "I came to ask for your help, but from the looks of things I should be the one offering assistance."

Steed frowned. Purdey pointed her chin at his paperwork. "Never thought of you as the sort to be chained to a desk, Steed."

"I don't make a habit of it, if I can help it," Steed contradicted. "Unfortunately, this was one of those times when I couldn't."

"Should I come back later?"

"Nonsense. I'm never too busy to assist a lady. What do you need?"

Purdey leaned forward conspiratorially. "Information." She waited for Steed to lean in as well, before glancing from side to side. "I'm looking for someone," she hissed.

Steed raised an eyebrow. "You're on assignment?"

"Of sorts." Purdey leaned back in the chair again. "I need a partner for the obstacle course."

Steed frowned. "I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem in your case. Surely someone…"

"Lots," Purdey confirmed, "but I was hoping to snag someone outside of my training course."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Gambit." Purdey smiled. "If you think you can spare him."

Steed smiled back. "I'd worry more about Gambit sparing Gambit, if I were you, but you're welcome to him. I don't have anything for him at the moment. If you can find him…"

"Thank you, but that's the problem," Purdey explained in frustration. "I don't know where he is. I've tried calling his flat a couple times, but he's never in. I thought he'd be easier to track down here, but I haven't seen him in weeks. Do you know where he might be?"

Steed let out a long breath. "That's a very good question. Gambit's very good at disappearing if he has the urge."

Purdey frowned. "Why would he want to disappear?"

"Several reasons. At the moment, likely because he's overdue for his medical, and Kendrick's patience is running thin. Not to mention he's late with his last report, and McKay's similarly unamused. But you might try the file rooms. He spends a good deal of downtime there, when he's on call. Or the secretary pools."

Purdey rolled her eyes. "I should have come up with that one on my own," she said ruefully. "Anywhere else?"

"I'm afraid nothing comes to mind, Purdey. I'm terribly sorry."

"Don't worry," Purdey demurred, already rising to her feet. "I'll find him."

"Good. Let him know that his report is due, will you?"

"Will do."

"And Purdey?"

She paused at the door. "Yes?"

"My offer still stands. When you do pass the obstacle course, I'll be glad to work with you again."

She smiled broadly. "You won't be the only one," she said knowingly, thinking of Gambit's expression when Steed had initially made the offer a few months before. "Bye, Steed."

"Good-bye." Steed sighed and went back to his paperwork. Purdey's visit had only taken up five minutes. He wondered vaguely if 10:30 was too early for lunch.

Purdey, meanwhile, stood in the corridor outside Steed's office, wondering where to begin her search. The file rooms seemed a good bet, and there was one not far from her current location. She made her way down the hall.


"No, I'm afraid Mr. Gambit hasn't been here for a few weeks," Finder, the elderly gentleman in charge of the archives block by the Morse centre, informed her. "Although he's welcome. Cleans out some of the older files. They get rather dusty after ten or fifteen years."

Purdey sighed. "And you've no idea where he is?"

"I'm sorry, dear lady, but I can't help you."

"Thank you anyway," Purdey said, already turning to leave. She was so caught up in her thought about where to seek out Gambit next that she nearly colliding with a man entering the file room.

"Sorry," George Radcliffe exclaimed, pulling back just before he lost his balance completely and tumbled into the girl. "Just goes to show I should watch my step and not the operators, eh?" He gestured toward the row of Morse decoders, all women, visible through the file room windows.

Purdey smiled. "No harm done," she demurred, stepping out of George's way to let him pass. He was already well inside when a sudden thought struck her. Gambit had mentioned Radcliffe to her once in passing. Perhaps he knew something…

"Mr. Radcliffe," she called after the agent, hurrying over, "do you know where I can find Gambit? I've been looking, but he seems to have disappeared."

George sucked his teeth. "That's a tough one. Mike is very good at staying at large if he doesn't want to be found. And if he's due for a check-up, or anyone wants him to fill out paperwork, you might not see him for weeks."

"I'm sensing a trend," Purdey commented dryly. "Well, I'm looking for him, too, so I suppose he'll go to ground for good when news gets around." She crossed her arms in frustration. If she didn't find Gambit in time, she was going to be in serious trouble concerning her course. There were always substitutes, but, well, it wouldn't be the same.

Radcliffe smiled at her knowingly. "That's where you're wrong. If Mike knew you were looking for him, he'd be here before you could say 'Martinis at my place.' But I think I can help. You see, I'm privy to some rather privileged information."

"Oh?" Purdey raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, there's a new toy out—a handgun. They're running tests down in the shooting range. Now you didn't hear it from me, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mike was down there putting it through its paces."

"The shooting range." Purdey grinned. "Thank you."

"I live to serve." Radcliffe treated her with a mock bow and watched her go with a fond smile. The course was hell, but with Purdey it would be likely the nicest hell Mike Gambit had ever been through. Lucky bugger, he mused, and turned to talk to Finder.