Author's note: Thank you for your reviews! I love hearing from you. Seazull, I hope you got my message on your question. I feel like I was writing forever on this one. I just couldn't find a stopping point. I hope you like this chapter!

(the next morning)

Gabby stretches feeling all her aches and pains. She groans. She opens her eyes and notices she is dressed in her night clothes. She smiles. She knew it was Illya's doing. She couldn't wait to get to headquarters to tease him about it. Surely, this was a good sign.

She gets up heading towards her closet. She noticed her clothes had been gone through. She smiles further. Silly man, probably looked here first for something to dress her in. She picks out an outfit and moves to her drawers for her under things. It too had been rummaged, through. She sees her keepsake box. Did he look? Did he feel anything at seeing the pictures? She hoped he did.

She put on her garter holster. She looked for the syringe, the weapons guy had given her. She frowns not seeing it. It was the only weapon missing. Hopefully, it didn't come loose and fall out for some kid to find. She dresses and re-arms quickly. She was hoping to catch him before he left. Troubled by the thought of someone getting hurt.

She hurried out the door. "Illya did you see my..." She spies her syringe on the coffee table. "Oh thank goodness..." She felt relieved.

As she moved further into the room, she saw her other two syringes laying next to it. Relief quickly turned to anger. "You went through my stuff?" She said loudly.

Both men look at her. Illya was starting to shake. Solo was staring at her. "You went through my stuff!" She repeated.

Solo asks. "Gabby. Where did you get these?"

"In weapons, where I get all my gadgets." She waves off. She looks at them both. "Why did you go through my stuff?" She was beginning to tremble with anger at her violation of privacy. It was one thing to think Illya was going through her stuff to try to dress her, but this was different.

Solo ignored her question. "You asked for these?"

"No. They were suggested." She says dismissively. "Now answer my question."

"We were worried." Solo who looked a lot more relaxed after her answers. "You did not tell us you had these."

"Do you tell me all the weapons you carry? No. What does that matter?" She asks crossing her arms over her chest tapping her foot.

"Gabby. This is not something you should be carrying. You are a spy, not an assassin." Solo stated.

"Assassin? What are you talking about?" She looked confused. "The guy in weapons said it would be a good last resort weapon. If I had to get away. Take the cap off. Inject the person anywhere and they would be out for the count. More accurate than knockout powder. I am not fond of needles, but what he said made sense." She shrugs.

Illya had had enough. He picks up the syringe. "You mean to tell me you think this is some sort of tranquilizer?"

She nods. "That's what I was told."

Illya was shaking badly. "I want the name of the guy that gave these to you."

"Why?" She wanted to hold onto anger, but now she was just confused.

"Gabby. Name. Now." Was all he could get out. His thumb was on the plunger. In his anger, he didn't even realize he pressed it. The needle went through the cap. The liquid pouring from the needle.

Gabby gasped. "Illya! Careful!" She turned pale.

Illya looked down. He sees the needle studying it.

Solo picked up another syringe. He gently presses down on it. The needle goes through the cap expelling the liquid. "Gabby. Out!" Solo yells. Trying to get her out before Ilya lost it.

Realization dawns on her, and instead of running out she dashes towards Illya. He drops the needle on the table as she runs into him. "Look at me." She grabs his face. His eyes were unfocused. "Look at me!" He jaw was ticcing under her hands.

Illya's whole body was shaking. Someone inside UNCLE had tried to kill her. He was seeing red. Through it he could see her face, mouthing words to him. He took in a deep breath. Now was not the time. After, he got a name from her and found him. That would be the time.

He let the breath out slowly. He took in another and sound came back to him. Gabby was telling him to sit down. He did grabbing her, holding her tightly in his lap. He rocked her kissing her forehead. The thought of what could have happened to her. He closed his eyes focusing on her breathing, her heartbeat. She was scared. He needed to be there for her. The monster inside of him knew this, as he felt calm wash over him.

Gabby let him work through it. In truth, though she would never admit it, she needed the comfort. Someone inside UNCLE had just tried to kill her.

"I am so stupid. I should have mentioned them to the both of you. I should have known something was up. The places he suggested I place them." She pauses to keep her voice steady. "If I had followed his advice. I would be." She starts to shiver. She was going into shock. Her breathing speeding up. She felt Illya rubbing soothing circles into her back. He was whispering in her hair Russian words of comfort.

Solo cleared his throat. "Gabby." He grabbed her trembling hand. He waited for her to look him in the eyes. "We need a name, darling." He kept his voice low and careful.

He was raging on the inside. The thought of not having her around, annoying Peril. Constantly challenging the both of them. He closes his eyes. He was not a fan of killing. Still he knew this man would be questioned and die.

He looks up at Illya. For a moment, it was as if they were almost telepathic. They both nod to each other. He looked back at Gabby. They just needed a name.

"I don't remember. It was a week ago. The last name on his badge was J something." She closes her eyes, trying to remember. "Jordan. Johnson. Jameson. I...I can't remember." She opens her eyes panicked.

Illya continues trying to calm her.

"It's okay. It's a start. We will find him." Solo says reassuringly.

Solo finds himself rubbing circles on the back of her hand. Catching himself he lets go.

It was shocking, just how much she meant to him. It had been so very long since he had people he truly cared about. People he didn't want to lose. It made him feel off balance. He was normally the master of his own emotions. He normally chose not to feel. Being forced too... unsettled him. He stands grabbing all the syringes.

Illya looks up at him questioningly.

He secures them in a box. "We need to take these to Waverly." He looks at Gabby. "I ask you to stay behind, but I know you won't. Also, I think Peril would agree it would be better to keep you in our sights until we have this figured out."

Gabby takes a deep breath, before uncurling herself from Illya's lap and standing. He grabs her hand and she gives it a reassuring squeeze. "I will be fine." She looks to Solo. "Yes. Let's go talk to Waverly and get this guy." Her voice was steady. She felt a numbness wash over her. It just didn't feel real. Why would anyone want to kill her?

Both men looked her up and down making sure she was up for this.

"I'm fine. Let's go." She snaps.

(Headquarters)

Waverly looks shocked. He studies the syringes before sending them to the lab to see just what was in them. He also sent out orders to detain Dennis Jameson.

"I am sorry Gabby. You are supposed to be safe here and somehow even with all of our hiring protocols a snake got through." With a heavy sigh. "He will be found and questioned."

"By us." Both men said in unison.

Waverly was going to protest this, but knew if he was to keep this team he would have to give in to this demand. "Of course, just try not to kill him before you get the information." He looks pointedly at Illya reminding him of Mark Looms.

Illya stayed silently glaring at Waverly. It was no secret that the two were not on the best of terms since the last mission.

"Agreed." Solo said.

They only had to wait half an hour.

(Secure room at UNCLE HQ)

Illya did not want Gabby in the room, and said as much.

She ignored him. Stalking in before anyone could stop her.

He was right behind her. He watched as she walked right up Dennis and slapped him. She reared back to do it again. He grabbed her, pulling her back. She struggles to get back at Dennis.

Dennis laughs.

Solo grabs a seat across from him. "Why her?"

Dennis looks from the struggling Gabby and shrugs. "She is both of your weaknesses. Kill her and you both fall apart."

Gabby stops struggling as they listen to Dennis.

"Who are you working for?" Solo continues.

Dennis stops smiling. "You know who I work for."

"THRUSH?" Solo asks.

Dennis nods. "They are going to take over the world. There are so many of us now. There is no way UNCLE can stop us. You are weak and pathetic and will be exterminated with all the other undesirables." He looks over at Gabby. "It would have been quick and painless. Better than a whore like you deserves."

Solo found himself punching Dennis. Fury like he has rarely known boils in him. "We do not talk to ladies like that." The calm mask slipping back on.

"She's no lady. She's a tool. A tool that uses her body to get what she needs. A whore." Dennis repeats.

Gabby snorts. "You only say that, because I turned you down."

"Shut up!" Dennis yells.

Getting back on topic, Solo asks. "If THRUSH is already as big and powerful as you say. Why are you here? Why bother with our little organization?"

Dennis glares. "Your organization has a habit of getting in our way. I was placed here to sabotage what I could, for as long as I could."

"That makes no sense. Why do something so obvious? So easily traceable." Solo asks.

"You forced my hand. You are getting to close to something that THRUSH wants." He shrugs again.

"And what is that?" Solo presses.

Dennis shakes his head. "You will get nothing else from me. I have said all I am going to."

Illya holding onto Gabby for calm, speaks. "We can make you talk."

"No. You won't." There was a crunch sound in his mouth. "Goodbye fools."

Illya quickly turned Gabby to him covering her ears. She was struggling against him. He refused to let her look. He watched as the man convulsed and foamed at the mouth. It didn't take very long for him to still. He moved his hands to her shoulders. "Do not look Koshka." He walked her out of the room.

Gabby hearing the pet name he gave her, decided to let him have his way. She had no desire to see a dead body, anyway. They ran into Waverly a few feet outside the room. She looked up at him. "What did you find out?"

He had copies of this in his room. He hands them the documents. It was on the spyglass. "We now know for sure THRUSH is after this." He looks up noticing Solo had joined them. "We need to get this. sooner than later."

Solo nods. "You will have it tonight." He doesn't look in the other two's direction. He walks off. They knew their roles. He had to go scout out the interior of the museum. He needed to be doing something. Anything to not feel.

(Gun range at UNCLE)

"Hold steady. Inhale. When you are ready exhale pulling the trigger." Illya instructs.

Gabby follows his instructions. She hits the target in the chest.

"Good. Let all the noise around you disappear. Focus only on your target. Tune out all distractions. Again. Aim for head." He says.

Gabby looks at the target focusing on the head. She let everything else slip away. The only thing that existed was that black circle. She breathed in holding it, watching the circle get bigger and bigger, as she focused. She exhales pulling the trigger. She hits the bottom of the circle. Her aim had improved so much in the past two hours. She points the gun down letting her hands relax. Another thing Illya had taught her. You cannot aim a gun for too long. Your aim suffers as your arms tremble from holding the pose.

"Good. Again. Higher." He says.

She sighs. She lets her hands rest a moment more before taking aim again.

Neither one of them had talked about this morning. Gabby didn't want to bring it up. She knew he was barely holding on. They needed time to process.

She focuses on the circle ahead. Letting all thoughts drift away. It felt so good to not think right now. She took a deep breath in and let it out. All thoughts gone, she takes another breath. On the exhale she pulls the trigger. She barely nicks the top of the head.

"Again."

They practice until the magazine is empty.

He teaches her how to take apart and clean her gun. His hands moving over hers. He had touched her over and over again. Reminding himself she was still here. She was with him and safe.

(That evening HQ garage)

They were in the car, getting ready to meet up with Solo. He leans over his hand going to her cheek. When she looks up at him, he leans in. His lips lightly pressing against hers. He ran his tongue across her lower lip.

How he missed this. Her lips parted and the kiss deepened. He feels one of her hands move to his chest over his heart. Her other went to his face. He wrapped his other hand around her waist. Pulling her into his lap, savoring her taste and softness. He expected resistance. It had been so long since she had let him. It was his own fault.

They pull apart panting. "Koshka. I..."

She cuts him off. "No. You are not doing this now." She takes a breath. "What just happened. We both needed." She pauses trying to find the right words. "We had a scare. We are not thinking straight. I do not want you to say something you might regret later. " Her eyes were stinging as she scooted back into the driver's seat.

"I wouldn't.." He tries again, but is cut off again.

"No. We both need time to process this. I don't want another false start." She starts the car. She presses her fingers to her swollen lips, before putting them on the steering wheel. "Let me enjoy this one good thing today."

"We still need to talk." He states.

"Yes. We do. Not today though. Maybe not even this week. We focus on our mission and our relationship as partners." She drives. Changing the subject. "Besides, something is up with Solo. We need to keep an eye on him."

He nods. "Very well." He too noticed Cowboy's behavior. He knew a little of what he was going through.

Feeling fear over someone else's well being. It was something he was slowly getting used to, ever since he met Gabby. Cowboy is just starting to notice these feelings. Dennis had gotten in his head. Calling Gabby their weakness. Yes. they would need to keep an eye on him.

They pick him up, and he immediately begins to speak. "A patrol car goes past the museum every hour on the hour." He proceeds to tell them the route it takes. How he will be breaking in and how long it would take him to bypass the security around it. He made it pretty clear he was sticking to business. It would be a tight schedule to get in and out before the next patrol car. They go over the plan one more time and the two men exit the car to get into their positions.

(In the museum)

Solo had managed to avoid the patrolling guards. He was currently trying to disconnect the alarm to the case. A few minutes later he had the spyglass in hand. He turned and ran into something rather soft. He heard a decidedly female sound of alarm.

He steadies her with his other hand. "Careful there." He whispers.

"Careful yourself!" She hisses. "It was supposed to be my turn."

"Your turn for what?" He perks an eyebrow wishing he could get a better look at her.

"You know. The ad. It was my turn. Hand it over." She whispers again.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I have a private buyer for this. Now run along sweetheart." He moves around her inhaling her scent. Peaches. Mmmm.

She grabs at him. "If that is true, then you are missing out on a better offer. I could help with that. We could split it."

"Not interested." He shrugs her off. He did not have time for this. He moves towards his escape route.

"Wait!" She calls out.

He cringes as he hears the guards. He begins to run, with her hot on his heels, and the guards not much further behind her. He quickly jumps out of the window. Gabby was right on time.

He hears the girl behind him and remembers Peril on the roof. He pushes her back into the bushes. "Go the other way!"

"Why?" She hisses trying to reach for the spyglass. She pushes her full body against him.

Solo groans. "Because, you will be shot. And with a body like yours, Peaches. That would be a damn shame." He heard the guards. "Your choice." He replies and leaves her dashing into Gabby's car.

Gabby looks at him. "Got it?"

He nods. They drive off.

They drop the spyglass off at headquarters.

(At the apartment the next day)

He yawns stretching. He heard Gabby and Peril leave for training. He smiles. Waiting. He caught her scent, about an hour ago. He was not very patient. "Come on out Peaches. Come, to return my wallet, have you?"

"Napoleon Solo. I have come for the spyglass." She says.

"Well, that is disappointing. Here I thought you just wanted to see me again." He replies.

"Where is it?" She holds a gun in his direction.

His eyes narrow for a moment, then he grins. "You are too late, Peaches. I have already delivered it to the buyer."

She points her gun down pouting. "Really? How much did you get for it?"

"Ten thousand." He says.

She makes an indecipherable sound. "You could have gotten so much more! What were you thinking?!"

"Well..." He says standing, wearing only his silk sleep pants.

She looks away, and just like that he was there. Disarming her. She gasps, looking at the gun now pointing at her.

"It is rude to point a gun at a man in his own bed. Coming in here, demanding things. Now my wallet." He says sternly.

She reaches into the top of her dress pulling out the wallet from her cleavage.

He tries not to groan at her action. "If I had known it was there, I would have retrieved it myself."

She blushes looking away as she tosses his wallet.

He takes the gun apart dropping the pieces on the floor. Getting back to the matter at hand. "You asked what I was thinking. Ten sounded reasonable. Anyone offering something crazy is more than likely going to kill you after they get what they want."

She relaxes with the gun no longer pointed at her. "You are right. I was rude." She looks at him blushing. "Could you give me the name of your buyer?"

He looks at her shaking his head. "You didn't hear a word I said. No." He looks at the gorgeous red head with jade green eyes. He had to know. "Just what are they offering, that would be worth the risk? You mentioned an ad last night?" He sits on the bed to not seem so threatening.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out the paper. "How do you not know about this?" She moves over to him. Handing him the newspaper.

He looks at the paper. It was the classifieds in the newspaper. Loopy handwriting was all over it. He caught up on the code quickly. "Fascinating." This was way better than stealing something then trying to find buyers. He pauses when he gets to the spyglass ad. "They are really offering 100 thousand? For a spyglass?"

She sits next to him nodding eagerly. "Now you know why we need to get it back from your buyer."

Her scent aroused him. "Hmm perhaps." He tries to concentrate. "How do you know it is real? How do you not know they won't kill you and take it. That much money seems fishy."

She scrunches her delicately arching eyebrows. "I...hadn't thought of that." She looks at him. "But what if it is legit? Could you imagine? Isn't it worth the risk?"

He places a hand on her thigh. "Peaches. Nothing is worth a person's life. There is no way someone is just going to give you that money."

She just wouldn't give up. "W-we could come up with a plan. Ensure our safety."

He gives her thigh a light squeeze. "So we are partners now?"

She looks him in the eyes. "We could be." She bats her lashes at him. "I think I would like that very much."

He couldn't help himself, he had to taste her. He kisses her. "How about we see how well we work together?"

She smiles. "I think that it is good to be thorough when picking a partner."

"So do I." They move closer to one another.

(Later that evening)

Illya and Gabby come home to another noise complaint on the door...

AN: What are they going to see when they open the door? How are they going to react? Thank you for reading! Please review and let me know what you think!