They were in Istanbul again when she started feeling this way. Ilya was out snooping around an abandoned weapons factory which had been turned into an international drug ring.
Napoleon had arrived prior to the rest of the UNCLE team as a mole, weakening himself in to a low ranking position in the drug circle. His job was to simply peddle the drugs to low-life street he was occupied on the ground Gaby was to cozy up to 'Dragma' one of the leaders in this drug scheme.
According to Waverley he apparently had a weakness for petite brunettes; ordering escorts and prostitutes with that particular description. Gaby was to be Napoleon's cousin from Venice who was staying with him after her parents divorce. Reading over her file Gaby was forced to invest in some skimpy new provocative outfits to match her new young, insecure and self doubting cover. Once she was firmly in the circle of Dragma, she had introduced her petty thieving cousin, Napoleon.
Ilya was supposed to be working in the shadows; gathering intel from his partners and using it to gain access to their buildings for evidence. It was early morning in the small flat Gaby had been forced to share with Napoleon. He had been snoring through the thin walls causing her to roll over onto her side and block the sound with her pillow when she felt this pang of nausea.
Considering she may have had some bad mussels the night earlier in Dragma's penthouse she ignored the initial sign and tried to re-adjust herself to settle the feeling. Unable to find a comfortable position, Gaby continued to move causing the nausea to increase with her discomfit and wakefulness. Finally, she sighed, giving in to the idea that she would be up for the day.
Pushing her legs so she was sitting on the edge of the bed, she was suddenly hit with the most intense bout of nausea coupled with slight light headedness that resulted in her running, mouth covered, straight to their shared bathroom. Gaby tried her best to be as quiet as she could, knowing from passed hangovers at Illya's flat how loud she could be. After half an hour curled up next to her porcelain friend she sighed regretting all the mussels and oysters she had allowed herself to pick at the night before.
She couldn't be sick, especially not today of all days. She needed to be in top condition for what she had to do. Today was supposed to be the last day of their mission. If all goes as is intended, they would be on a flight out to London by early this evening. Gaby's job was to occupy Dragma's men for the afternoon while Illya and Napoleon ransacked their stash with the help of the Turkish police.
If Gaby was in the least bit nervous or standoffish, their window would be closed and Napoleon and Illya's covers would possibly be blown. After spending another half an hour curled up next to the toilet, Gaby finally resigned herself to getting up and taking a shower. The sound of the shower roused Napoleon from his pleasant slumber.
Slightly annoyed, he turned to glance at the side revealing that it was only 6:30. He concluded that Gaby must be nervous, this was the biggest part she had played in a mission as of thus far in their careers she had initially been assigned as 'Francesca Putti', the cousin of Nicola Putti, a low level Italian criminal, Illya had been slightly concerned. Not that he was unsure that Gaby wasn't ready for such a challenge, they had been together for three years in which time Gaby had repeatedly proven herself as an asset to the team. However, Illya and Gaby's relationship had always been close.
They had begun seeing each other, under the radar, shortly after their first mission in Rome. Napoleon had noticed how they looked at each other when he they thought he wasn't looking. It took months of 'not-so-undercover' dating before they had finally told Napoleon what had been going on. Illya was always been very protective of Gaby's safety and this mission in particular would keep them apart from each other, therefore making him incapable of swooping in if Gaby were to require him.
He knew Gaby was strong, she was her own independent woman, and no matter the situation, unless dyer, she always thought for herself before asking Illya to help. She was stubborn in this way, which Illya found cute when he was around to clean up the messes she could make. But, for this mission, Illya would not only be unavailable to her, he would be living across town without any contact. They could not risk being seen together for the sake of the mission.
For Illya, it had been a miserable six weeks without seeing his 'little chop shop girl'. He hoped everything would go well tonight and he would be on a flight back to London with his Gaby curled up beside him. But first they had to bust the drug ring.
Napoleon insured to double up on Gaby's trackers so that he would know were she was entertaining Dragma and his men. This was Gaby's least favourite type of mission.
She had 'entertained' men before, but it had never been the central role of the entire mission. If she messed up, or if Dragma had the slightest suspicion, it would all be over. Most of the time, Gaby just had to sit by a pool, or a hot tub, or a bar. She had to drink champagne and eat exotic food while she laughed at all of their terrible jokes while allowing them to make advances towards her.
She had to keep up the facade while Illya and Solo were to put their lives at risk to get some evidence so they could get the hell out of here.
At 1:13 PM; Gaby got dressed in something skimpy and revealing even though she felt terrible and only wished to stay in her blue flannel Pjs and cuddle up with a nice cup of tea. But she got up, got dressed and made her way down to the lobby of the apartment where a car was waiting for her. Napoleon started getting dressed at the same time, strapping in the necessities that he may require in the event that he does need to fight off a few armed security men. He tucked a knife in his socks and made his way down to the lobby to rendez-vous with the Russian after he saw the town car pull away with Gaby.
Illya met up with their boss in Turkey, a man named Victor who commanded his men and surrounded the drug compound. The operation only took about an hour and a half. The compound was not as heavily guarded as they had both thought. Napoleon was easily able to maneuver his way in to the vault room thanks to his relations with the secretary, Amelia.
Once they were done, Napoleon made his way across town to retrieve Gaby. He faked an emergency with her parents that required her attendance forcing her to pack her things and go back to Italy. Dragma had a weak spot for family matters and no other explanation would have sufficed to let her slip from his grip.
They only had a few minutes to pack their things and meet at the airport to make their inconspicuous way out of the country.
When Gaby saw Illya standing at the check in with a messenger bag slung across his shoulder; she smiled, running towards him, dropping her bag next to him and launching herself onto is tall frame. Illya beamed down at her kissing her on her head and then pulling her up to his face to place a long lingering kiss on her lips. "I missed you" Gaby clung onto him as Illya shifted slightly to adjust to her grip. "This was longest mission without seeing you" Illya stroked her back.
The three headed towards the tarmac, Illya and Gaby holding hands, isolated in their on bubble of reunion. Napoleon tagged a few metres behind them giving them the space to reunite.
The next morning Gaby woke up facing an exposed red brick wall. That is how she knew she hadn't gone home last night. When the team landed, Napoleon suggested they go for a drink to celebrate; a drink that turned into a whole bottle shared between herself and him. Illya was never a big drinker, preferring to observe their shenanigans than to actively participate. Besides, he had to deal with Gaby's drunkenness when they got back to his flat last night. A role he didn't mind only because it was Gaby.
Once again, Gaby rolled over to block the streaming light from hitting her eyes. The shift once again bothering her stomach and leading her to spring from the bed, mouth covered, towards his bathroom. Illya heard the sound of Gaby throwing up in the bathroom and assumed this would be part of her hangover day.
He groaned as his feet made contact with the cold wooden floor and he extended his arms above his head to stretch. He wandered his way to the small kitchen in his boxers getting a glass of water for Gaby and peaking into the bathroom to see her slightly distressed frame leaning against the toilet, hugging it like a dear companion. He smirked at the scene letting his reflection in the bathroom mirror be the first image in her view.
"You are getting to be lightweight darling" Illya extended the glass to her who sipped it slowly placing it next to her legs. "I am not!" Gaby protested hugging the bowl.
Illya giggled at her weak defence, kissing her lightly on the head before making his way back to the kitchen. He scanned the time reading 10:30AM before glancing back towards the bathroom.
"Gaby we will have to be getting going soon, we have meeting with Waverley in one hour" Illya poured himself coffee leaning against the counter as he sipped its hot contents. Gaby appeared from his bathroom five minutes later, toothbrush in her mouth clad in her crumpled up blue flannel pjs. She crossed Illya spitting into the kitchen sink rinsing away its contents before making eye contact with him.
"I wonder how Napoleon is feeling this morning" Gaby giggled. Napoleon had a weaker tolerance than she did, so if this was any indication, Napoleon would be clutching a garbage can at the meeting this afternoon.
"Cowboy will be okay" Illya poured her a cup of coffee handing it to her with a peck on the cheek.
The two quickly got dressed, Gaby keeping a drawer of spare clothing at his place in the event that these sort of things happened. The two made there way to UNCLE headquarters, a mysterious building in the outskirts of London.
They arrived just on time already seeing Napoleon seated across from Waverley's desk looking unscathed by last nights binge. Gaby assumed he was putting up a pretty good front for how he must be feeling. She on the other hand clung to Illya like a security blanket, having felt extremely light headed on their commute down to UNCLE. She wrote it off as part of the hangover and kept her focus on the meeting.
"Right now that we're all here I have a fresh little bit of business for you all" Waverley always started the meetings in the same way, barely acknowledging the previous mission and instead moving directly towards the next 'bit of business'.
This was routine, even when one of them was injured or nearly killed, he trusted that his team understood the risks of being a spy and chose never to acknowledge the unfortunate side of the united network command for law enforcement.
"where are we going?" Napoleon asked in earnest.
"Shanghai Solo" Waverley signalled for the slide projector to dim the lights and show the first slide.
"Right, a nasty little criminal organization financing the construction of nuclear weapons in Shanghai has just gotten the attention of the Chinese government. You three will pose as interested investors from Russia looking to have a cut in on the business. Your job is to locate the weapons and apprehend the leaders of the organization, a Mr. Xu Yang and his brother Mr. Ling Yang."
The group opened up their files on Waverley's desk revealing a detailed description of their cover stories.
"Solo and Kayakin will be the interested investors, of course Kuryakin will be taking the lead on this one, since he IS Russian and Gaby you will be working in Xu Yang's house as a nanny to his young children; Fei and Gwen. Xu Yang is incredibly strict with his children and wishes for them to speak only english at home so you will be posing as a British nanny from an international agency. We've already set up an interview with your thoroughly fake resumé. You will be responsible for extracting any information about the location of these weapons while of course relay the intel back to Solo and Kuryakin on your days off."
The team explored the descriptions of their profiles. Gaby glanced at her new name, 'Elizabeth Cavendish' a single young women from Surrey who graduated with a PHD in early childhood development. Her heart sunk at the fact that she would once again be separated from Illya for weeks with little unmonitored contact.
Illya was equally as concerned that Gaby would be doing her first solo operation with neither on them around to protect her. Part of him wanted to protest these covers and insist Gaby have one of them there in case things went south, but he knew that she wouldn't want him to meddle in her mission like that. Gaby was incredibly nervous but still hard headed and would have scolded Illya for thinking she couldn't handle it. Of course Illya knew she was more than capable, but he still worried for her safety.
"You leave for Shanghai in five days week. Once you land you will be reporting to the Chinese agent Feng who will give you the remaining details from there".
The three of them closed their folders containing all the necessary information. With one final nod of his head, Waverley dismissed his agents.
"Good luck"
Gaby steadied herself as a wave of light headedness once again drifted over her. She unconsciously clung on to Illya's arm and used it to slowly and inconspicuously rise from her seated position across from Waverley. The three walked out with five days to study and memorize all aspects of their new cover stories before heading to Shanghai.
Gaby decided it was best to return to her own flat knowing that she had all her comfortable clothes and a nice cup of tea waiting for her in the apartment she hadn't seen for months.
Illya aware of how sick and weak she was wanted to ensure she got there safely. Unlike Illya, Gaby had a roommate, a little orange and white cat named Maximus. Whenever she was away on 'business' her next door neighbour, an elderly woman named would let herself in to feed the cat and water her plants. Contrary to Illya, Gaby hated coming back to an empty, dusty flat and enjoyed the warm welcoming she got from Maximus upon her returns. However the cat was never a fan of Illya and was always temperamental whenever he tried to pet him. Perhaps it was the fact that every night he had spent with Gaby at her place he would always end up stepping on poor Maximus' tale, not thinking of how aloof the cat could be.
Illya was however always surprised at how neat her apartment was when she returned. Gaby was always a little messy, choosing to keep a little bit of a mess so the place looked 'lived in' rather than Illya's spotless flat that could be a museum. But would always come in and do a little cleaning whenever Gaby was away, folding laundry and washing windows.
Gaby filled up her kettle placing it on the stove burner before moving to take off the Dolce and Gabana dress she had draped herself in for the meeting.
She settled on a pair of relaxed slacks and a warm cashmere sweater, her go-to ensemble when she wasn't working. Illya of course had been the one to point it out to her. He had to admit their was an ulterior motive to him selecting that outfit, as it highlighted all of her assets.
Illya and her cuddled up next to each other opening up their respective files to begin learning their covers.
Gaby's legs draped over his large frame as he rubbed her calves moving up towards her knees while she traces circles in his dirty blonde hair.
Illya's message went higher hearing Gaby's surpassed moans as she tried to concentrate on her file.
He abandoned the hopeless task in favour of messaging Gaby until she couldn't hold back the moans of satisfaction.
he loved it when she moaned his name. It was a sure fire sign that she was enjoying herself just as much as he enjoyed torturing her.
Gaby coyly put down her file launching herself on to his lap kissing him passionately, she began massaging his chest working her way down to his waist feeling himself harden in response to this contact.
Without warning Illya scooped her up from his lap and carried her to the bed, while she giggled in response.
Gaby peeled off his shirt until all their clothes were draped haphazardly around the floor. She wasn't sure what had set her off but she felt especially aroused by Illya's presence.
Usually Illya was very cautious with her, always making sure that she was comfortable, but, today, Gaby just wanted it fast.
Illya kissed down every inch of her body watching her squirm beneath him and she moaned for him to 'get on with it'.
That was all the permission Illya needed to enter her, allowing her to adjust to his length before he withdrew almost completely and pushed back in.
Gaby hooked her legs around his waist as both moaned in unison at the new contact. Illya knew what Gaby needed 99% of the time, and today he knew she wanted it rough and dirty.
He could tell by the twinkled response when he called her something quite filthy in German.
The pair fell asleep thoroughly exhausted only to be awoken early in the morning by the cats incessant meowing to be fed.
Gaby shifted in bed feeling the creeping nausea that had consumed her two days in a row return for an encore.
Gaby slowly and cautiously slipped on her silk night shirt and made her way to the bathroom to throw up the very limited contents of her stomach.
She found it odd because she had neither eaten nor drank anything that would have led to such a reaction by her body.
Illya woke noticing the empty side of the bed.
He looked over to see Maximus meowing for food and got up to get him some food and a glass of water.
From the other side of the door, Illya heard the sound of Gaby getting sick in the bathroom. His face grew concerned. She didn't do anything that would have caused this kind of a reaction. He had been with her the entire time.
Illya entered the bathroom to find Gaby miserably slouched next to her toilet bowl.
Before he could say anything she assured him "I must be sick, probably a bug thats going around" Gaby wasn't sure how she managed to get sick, perhaps it one of those annoying friends of Dragma's who weren't the most hygienic.
Illya gave her a pitiful look handing her a glass of water.
"I think maybe you should take it easy today. We can't have most important member of team sick in Shanghai" Illya kneeling down next to her rubbing her back as she sipped at the water.
Gaby smirked at the comment allowing her weight to lean against him. Illya threw on some of the clothes he kept at her place after finally giving in to the cats cries for food.
That entire day Gaby and Illya spent learning their files and lounging around in her apartment. Illya kept a particular close eye on her, making her 'special Russian soup' that was cure for everything'.
Gaby scoffed but ate the contents of the bowl before falling asleep only to wake up early in the morning.
This time, she woke, running towards the bathroom slamming the door in the process, hurling violently.
Illya moaned turned to looked at his watched lying on the night table. It was only 5 AM. He exhaled before getting up to make sure she was okay.
"Gaby?" Illya adjusted to the lights streaming from the small bathroom.
"Go back to bed Illya we have to be at a meeting in a few hours" Gaby clenched her stomach as she hurled her head towards the bowl as another wave of nausea swept over her.
Illya furrowed his eyebrows at the sight before him.
ignoring her instructions he sat next to her on the cold white tiled floor rubbing her back.
"You're going to get sick Illya" Gaby moaned.
"Russians don't get sick, we have superior immune systems" Illya scoffed causing Gaby to chuckle.
"I think it's time you see doctor for medication, we leave for China in two days you cannot be sick for your Nanny interview" Illya brought her a piece of toast which she refused feeling another wave of nausea come over her.
"I'll be fine Illya" Gaby slowly rose to her feet feeling slightly light headed.
The next thing she knew she was on the floor being supported by Illya.
Illya looked down clearly concerned by her sudden collapse.
"I think today we pay visit to doctor мой дорогой" (my darling). Illya slowly helped her to her feet and practically force fed her another bowl of the 'Russian Penicillin' soup.
Illya insisted that he go with her to the doctors but Gaby felt like this was something she could handle on her own.
"Besides you have no more clean clothes here, and we have another meeting with Waverley later today" Gaby argued while she pulled on a green dress she had bought in France.
She was tired of being coddled and Illya sensed that she wanted some space and so he accompanied her to the tube station, going their separate ways as he made his way back to his own flat and Gaby, to the doctor.
The doctors office was quite crowded for a Thursday morning. The loud ringing phone combined with the fowl smelling man sitting behind her made her head pound.
Gaby assumed the doctor would examine her, conclude she had some type of virus, maybe give her some kind of antibiotic and recommend she rest.
Gaby was mostly seeing the doctor to ease Illya's mind.
It was something he never liked talking about, but his sister was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was only thirteen years old. He spent a great deal of time taking care of her during her treatments.
Since then, Illya was always super nervous around sick people, always jumping to the worst possible diagnoses.
"Ms. Gabriella Teller". A blonde haired nurse called her name and escorted her to an empty exam room.
The nurse smiled sympathetically at the sorry state that Gaby displayed in her pale and tired complexion.
She handed her a gown and drew the curtain so Gaby could undress in private.
"The doctor should see you soon" The nurse sounded cheerful.
Hearing the door click shut Gaby drew back the curtain and sat up on the exam table.
She hadn't seen a doctor in years. The last time she had been in such a state of complete submission was when she had fractured her arm in India when they got trapped in a cartel leaders car and she got ruffed up a bit.
Before UNCLE, doctors were hard to come by in East Germany and so regular physical examinations were non-existent.
not before long an older looking gentleman walked in while reading her name off the clipboard. He wore a tired expression on his wrinkled face.
"I'm doctor Andrews".
"Now what seems to bring you here today ?" The doctor sat down in a stool moving his small rounded spectacles to the bridge of his nose.
Gaby hesitated looking at the bald man.
"I've been feeling nauseous for a few days now" the doctor nodded his head ticking something off on the clipboard.
"Any other symptoms? fever? swelling?" the doctor crossed his legs making eye contact with his patient.
"no. mostly nausea and well I also fainted but I assume that is because I hadn't eaten anything" the doctor furrowed his brow returning his vision to the clipboard.
"So no fever. Has there been any light headedness or disorientation other than when you fainted?"
"I guess I have been feeling sort of light headed on and off" Gaby shifted on the exam table. She felt like she was being interrogated for doing something wrong.
She noticed the doctors gaze settle on the ring around her neck. The first fake engagement ring Illya had bought her hung around a gold chain for good luck. Of course after the mission Gaby insisted he take out the tracker so the centre of the ring was garnished with a pearl.
The doctor returned to his clipboard flipping through some pages before looking up at Gaby.
"Now after hearing your symptoms is it possible that you may be pregnant?" Gaby's mouth fell agape for a moment. She was shocked by the question, feeling bewildered by the very bluntness of its implications. She didn't move. Could she be? Was she? She was never very regular. The very nature of her job put her under constant stress which caused her to be irregular quite frequently. When? When? When was the last time? If she started feeling bad in Istanbul then it had to be before then.
"Ms. Teller?"
The doctor looked slightly concerned by her shifty disposition.
Gaby swallowed the golf ball sized lump in her throat and looked back at the kind doctor.
"It's possible" her throat felt terribly dry, but the mere thought of taking the slightest sip of water made her stomach lurch.
The doctor scribbled something down on the papers. "We will send a nurse in to draw some blood. It may be a few days before the results are available" The doctor stood up preparing to leave.
"I don't have a few days" Gaby spoke desperately.
The doctor turned back slightly confused by the statement.
Gaby clarified. "I'm leaving for a business trip to China in two days. I don't know when I'm coming back" Gaby spoke in earnest. If she was in fact (she couldn't even bring her mind to think the word) then she needed to know before she left for Shanghai.
The doctor scribbled something else on the board.
"In that case we can take a urine sample it will only be a few minutes before we can get the result to you"
The doctor exited the room leaving Gaby in an empty examination room, full of her own dreadful thoughts.
What was she going to do? How was she going to tell Illya? Oh GOD! Illya! If his handler finds out he knocked up some East german turned M16 agent he would be called back from UNCLE, and she would be left to raise his kid by herself. Who knows what Waverley would do to them, he was always very sceptical about their relationship, knowing that the Russians were never fully on board with UNCLE and knowing that without continued negotiations between each country, the Russians would call Illya back. Gaby was well aware of the possible termination of their relationship but always forced it to the back of her mind, choosing to ignore the inkling in favour for the present.
Now the present was terrifying. Gaby did the math before Istanbul and concluded that she could be at least eight weeks.
In her moments of solitude she thought about ending it. She wondered what she would feel if she pretended it never happened. If her and Illya could go on in bliss without the sudden jolt of reality.
The thought passed knowing that Illya would never forgive her for ending the chance at a family. If anyone was more suited for domestic life it was Illya. Despite his own familial misfortunes, Illya was surprisingly more nurturing than Gaby felt she was.
She wondered if he ever thought about having a family. The discussion had never occurred between the two, knowing the uncertainties of their relationship would not permit such an attachment.
Gaby's racing mind was slowed by the entrance of the same blonde nurse handing her a cup with her name on it.
She suspected the nurse knew the nature of the test when she beamed up at Gaby.
Gaby went into the bathroom returning to see the nurse waiting patiently next to he exam table.
"All set then?" The woman took Gaby's cup.
"The test should only take a few minutes" the clacking of the nurses shoes against the linoleum floor confirmed that Gaby was not going to be interrupted for at least a few more minutes.
So she did something she NEVER did. Especially in public. She cried. She covered her mouth to suppress the sobs from echoing in the room.
She could hear her foster fathers voice echo in her head. "You know Gaby some people are just better working alone". She let the words sink into her head. Maybe she should have just stayed in East Germany. She would have avoided Illya and this entire problem.
She was always very good at being alone. She could do things for herself, a quality most men found odd, especially since she could fix their cars better than they could. But that was how she was raised. She was taught how to be a boy, not to mingle with them.
Illya was the exception to this. He embraced her independence and it took her some time, but she allowed herself to depend on him. Now she felt at the mercy of some overpowering figure that would dictate what would occur from there.
Gaby and Illya had little say in what would happen as a repercussion to their love. Waverley would be forced to fire Gaby. Or Illya would be called back to Russia. Or both. Either way there was no possible way they would have the luxury of choice.
A few moments later the doctor came back in sitting in the exact same position that he had been in before.
Gaby looked down at the floor.
"Congratulations the test was positive" The doctors words stung a lot more than she intended them to. He wasn't aware of the predicament she was in.