ENEMIES LIST
Author's Note: Robert Vaughn was an active protestor of the Vietnam war. He was also a friend and supporter of Robert Kennedy. So I'm extrapolating a bit. This story is set in late December 1973 when Nixon's list was exposed. Napoleon Solo would be about 43 years old, and out of the field.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill
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Darlene did not have to interpret her husband's mood. Anyone walking past Napoleon Solo's study could easily view his irritation as he folded up the early edition of the Washington Post and tossed it across his desk.
"Coffee?" she asked inconsequentially, already handing him the warmed mug.
Solo adored this woman who could read his mind. She was not his first love, but he had determined legally that she would be his last. "Darlene, Darlene," he murmured, tempering his response to the news article.
She loved it when he said her name. From his lips, it always sounded like "Darling." She dropped a kiss on his crown. "What's bothering you so? That Nixon has an enemies list, or that you are not featured prominently on it?"
He sighed. "In the Network, my job depended on remaining apolitical. As a private citizen, I finally have the opportunity to express my views publicly..."
"Ah, yes," Darlene slid her arms around him. "I remember our first date. You took me to a war protest and we got hauled off to the pokey. I knew then there was something special about you."
"You were the one who clobbered the cop with your placard," he reminded her, clucking under her chin.
" I was justified: he cut off your microphone. And it was your bourgeois charm that got us overnight accommodations in Pottsville County jail."
Solo shrugged. "I've seen worse. And it did work to my advantage. It was one very intense get-acquainted session."
His artificial grin did not fool her. "Still bothering you?"
"Dammit, the man is the President of the United States of America! And what kind of enemies does he have? Professors, actors- advertising executives, for God's sake! Waverly always said you could tell a man by the quality of his enemies."
"I think that puts you in very good stead; you know, with the Bird Boys and the independent megalomaniacs and-"
"Look at this-" Napoleon picked up the paper again and quoted from the front page. "...how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies." From Dean, the president's special counsel, no less. That's the kind of advice he's getting!"
Darlene took the paper from him and scanned the article. "Hmmm... 576 names...and you're not on there at all?" She clicked her tongue in sympathy. "Well, maybe it's an ongoing list, y'know...? Maybe you are lucky number 577...?"
Napoleon slumped forward in his chair, and Darlene moved around him and smoothed her hands across his shirt. The impromptu massage had the desired effect as she could feel his muscles loosen.
"MMMmmmm..." It was sort of a contented growl.
Darlene ducked her mouth to his ear. "You have enemies to be proud of," she whispered. "And allies too. I think you need some real action-"
"Always." This time the grin was genuine, as Solo spun around and engulfed her in his arms.
"Yeah—that too-but-" it was difficult to explain her proposal while her lips were being smooshed against his.
Some time later, Darling Darlene put a suggestion to him. "How about a field trip? We could call the local Watergate committee..."she tempted, " it'll be like a second honeymoon. Or go look up Your- Partner-Before-Me. He's always got his nose in trouble somewhere. It'll do you good." She nipped at his shoulder playfully.
"Someday, you've got to tell me how you do that."
"Do what?"
"Read my mind."
finis
