`Disclaimer: I don't own The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I think it's a fantastic movie, and I bet the TV show was really cool! But yeah, I don't own either. ^_~
Part Two
Illya and Gaby had spent the afternoon setting up a few simple monster traps in Katie's room. There was now a pair of nails driven into the doorframe of her closet and a string with bells tied was hung between the nails. Around Katie's bed, Illya had sprinkled salt and flour, which he promised monsters hated so much. It was going to be a pain to clean up, but Gaby was willing to put up with it if it helped her daughter.
And, to top it all off, they had bought three new flashlights just for Katie, and Illya had created a special makeshift flashlight holder that sat on her nightstand. Someone was especially determined to get rid of the monsters.
It was getting late, close to Katie's bedtime. Gaby was busy chasing her down as she did a few giggling laps around the furniture in the living room while Illya finished drying the dishes.
"Come here!" Gaby said, reaching for her and intentionally missing, letting Katie dart under her arms.
She got a huge grin in return as Katie darted back behind the couch and ducked between the window and the back of the couch. "Can't catch meee," she said in a sing-song tone.
"Wanna bet?" Gaby asked, walking that way, her feet sinking into the plush shag carpet. This place needed a makeover, but they weren't staying here much longer since Illya's mission was over. It was time to move, but that was something they could think about tomorrow. Tonight they had some downtime.
Just as Katie was creeping out from behind the couch, Gaby raced forward, reaching for her. The little girl squealed and backpedaled, heading toward the other end of the couch. She might have made it, too, if Illya hadn't finished the dishes a few moments earlier and headed into the living room to find out what they were doing.
"Papa, no, no fair," Katie cried, but she was laughing as he caught and lifted her, tossing her into the air. Thank goodness for high ceilings. They were a necessity when living with Illya.
"More than fair." He tickled her until she dissolved into breathless laughter and then settled her across his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Turning to Gaby, he held out a hand. "Coming?"
"Wouldn't miss it," she said, tucking her hand into his. Honestly, she was a little curious about how this whole monster talk was going to go down. Yes, they had discussed it today, but she wanted to see it in action.
When they got to Katie's room, Illya set her down on the bed and then sat down as well, pulling Gaby with him.
"Can I have a story?" Katie asked, flopping across Gaby's lap. "Pleeeease?"
"Just one," Illya said, closing his hand around hers then opening it again. He flicked his eyes at Gaby. "You have more stories than I do."
Gaby smirked a little and settled against Illya as she started her story, weaving a tale of magic and fairies and good things with the heroes coming out on top, hoping that would help Katie sleep better. Maybe it was those fairytales with witches and werewolves that were keeping Katie afraid of the dark, though the kid always liked those the best. She was rather fearless, or had been until recently.
As the story came to a happily-ever-after, Katie yawned and glanced up at Gaby. "Can I sleep with you now?"
"You're going to sleep in your own bed tonight, remember?" Gaby said, smoothing her daughter's golden curls.
Katie sat up, her lower lip poking out into a pout. "I don't want to anymore."
Beside her, Illya rumbled. "Mmm, that is too bad." He reached over and picked up one of the flashlights they had bought. "Then you will not be able to try out this special banisher." Tossing it from one hand to the other, he glanced at her. "This is a tool for a brave girl."
Perking up a bit, Katie frowned. "I'm brave. But that's just a flashlight."
"Is it?" Illya turned the light on, and it shined bright blue light onto the ceiling with a yellow star in the middle. He had spent part of the day coloring the lens on the flashlights, and it had a nice effect. Turning it off, he looked at the lens and then at Katie again. "It does not seem to be just a flashlight."
"Can I see it?" Katie held out her hand, eyes on the flashlight.
Illya dropped it into her hand. "Try it."
She flipped on the flashlight and waved it around, sending the yellow star bouncing around the room. Giggling, she waved her hand over the light, making it blink in and out. "What's it do?"
"You know that monsters are not real," Illya said, "But if you are frightened and feel like they are real, shine this light at them. They will go away. It may take more than one night, but I think you will find it works."
"Monsters seem real," Katie said. She leaned against Gaby, who brushed her arm up and down.
"They do, sometimes," Gaby said. And there were monsters in the world, but Katie wouldn't yet understand that people could be monsters sometimes. She wished she could always keep that from her daughter. "But they're just in your imagination."
"Uncle Solo says I've got a good imagination," Katie said.
Illya nodded. "Which is why it has made up monsters. But you come from a strong family, and you do not need to be afraid."
"I think I'll be better with this." Katie wrapped both hands around the modified flashlight.
"You will," Gaby said. She grabbed the blankets and tucked Katie in while Illya picked up an old stuffed bear from the foot of the bed. "Sleep well, little one."
"Here is Grey," Illya said, handing his daughter the black bear that had been misnamed so long ago. "Now you shall sleep and have good dreams."
"Apparently that's an order," Gaby teased. She gave Katie a kiss and stood up to move toward the door.
"It is a good order." Illya tapped the end of Katie's nose then kissed her on the cheek before following Gaby out of her bedroom. He left the door open a crack. Taking Gaby's hand, he pulled her down the hallway, back toward the living room.
"Do you think this is going to work?" Gaby asked. She hoped that Katie could make it through the night in her own room. She didn't mind cuddling her baby girl, but she didn't want her to be so afraid of the dark.
"It will," Illya said and gave her a mock-serious look, "It is a Russian tradition."
"It is not…"
"Now it is."
