Napoleon Solo sat in his office that he shared with his friend and partner Illya Kuryakin; the pair had just finished up a grueling assignment and were desk bound again until the next one appeared.

Solo hated these breaks between missions, he was a man of action and wanted to be in the field, but these lapses were unavoidable and the two of them made good use of the down time, catching up on reports and updating their files. Solo being CEA was also required to review the memos listing the names of any agents promoted to section two. At the moment he was scanning that list and searching for the name of a female that he had heard was now a section two in New York, but could find no woman's name at all. Maybe he was mistaken in what he heard...thinking she would be the third woman, if she did in deed exist, added to the UNCLE rosters that included April Dancer and that agent in Paris...he couldn't remember if he ever heard her name?

"Did you hear anything about a female section two being assigned?" he asked his partner, who as usual had his nose buried in a scientific journal.

lllya always managed to finish his paperwork before Solo, but that was no big deal, Illya was an efficient little guy... Napoleon had to remind himself not to say that around him, as Illya was a bit sensitive about his height. But his partner's willingness to lend a hand with his paperwork was always appreciated. Napoleon took advantage of Illya's generosity...maybe sometimes too often, but then "hey that's what friends are for... a little help now and then?"

Illya answered him without looking up from his reading "Yes, I heard that as well...but Waverly apparently is keeping her under wraps for some reason."

"And you know this how...when I don't?" Napoleon asked.

"Oh just rumors" said Illya. surpressing a smile.

Napoleon wondered how the Russian always seemed to have these little tidbits of information...some of which he really shouldn't know, but always seemed to? But then again, that's what made him a good partner, keeping Solo well informed when he needed to be. That's one thing that he liked about Illya; his attention to detail. Sometimes Solo could be more of a "fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy" and the stubborn Russian helped keep him grounded...sometimes." But there were plenty of times Illya got things wrong, and Napoleon stepped in to pick him up when when he stumbled along the way as well.

The two would take jabs at each other, often teasing and wise-cracking...they even got into a fistfight once. To some that might be misconstrued as a problem with the partnership, but Solo knew it was their way of dealing with the stress and sometime the pressure of being out in the field where one's life was at risk.

Again, they had that ying and yang thing going...what one lacked the other made up for. He wouldn't trade Illya as a partner or friend for all the money in the world...Illya had called him "brat_brother" in Russian on a number of occasions, and Solo was flattered for his partner to think that of him. He supposed he felt that way about Illya as well.

"Well, how can we find out about this woman..." Napoleon said, it's not like we can just go ask Waverly outright about her, if he's keeping her a secret for some reason?"

"Napoleon," replied the Russian dryly " if you really want to find out about the woman that badly; I am sure you will find a way. Please do not include me in the collective "we"; as I am not really interested. I am sure you will eventually meet her...if she exists."

"Illya..I was just curious, that's all!" Napoleon retorted at his partner's dismissal " I tell you what...it's a little boring around here right now... let's have a little fun and see who can scout her out first...just a little friendly competition." he smiled.

"Why should I ?" said Illya " nine times out of ten, you win. And besides what is in it for me...you are the one who likes the ladies more, better you should just track her down by yourself."

"Well how about I make it more interesting for you...whomever gets to chat her up first gets dinner at the 21 Club.."

"And this would benefit me how? As I said, you always win nine times out of ten..."

"Yeah you're right...well then how about the winner buys the dinner as the consolation prize and the winner gets the..."

Illya laughed. "You really are bored my friend to make such an offer...fine I will take you up on that, as I have not been to the 21 Club in a long time!"

"Deal!" smiled Solo holding his hand out to his partner, and the two agents shook on it.

Illya stood up heading out of the office with a file in his hand" Oh, by the way, Napoleon" he smiled" her name is Elliott McGowan." Then he quickly disappeared out the door.

Napoleon looked down at the roster and saw the very first name on it was indeed Elliott McGowan " you tricky Russian," he laughed" for once Illya had the jump on him.

But that was soon to be remedied. Napoleon flipped the intercom switch on his desk and the secretary answered. " Hi Julie, can you tell me if there is an Elliott McGowan in the building, please?"

"Sure Napoleon, just a sec... She is down in the firing range taking care of her certification."

"Elliottt McGowan is definitely a "she?" he asked, just in case Illya was trying to throw him a curve.

"Yep Napoleon she's a "she" laughed Julie.

"Thank you," he smiled, then flicked the switch and headed off to meet the new agent. " Let the games begin..."

Illya continued walking down the corridor thumbing through the dossier of Elliott McGowan. When he looked at her photograph and realized much to his surprise, that she and the red head he had seen outside Central Park a week ago were one and the same and he thought the fates had smiled upon him.

But then he remembered the bet he had just made with Napoleon and knew he did not stand a chance as his partner almost always "got the girl." He did not have the charm and social skills that his partner did.

The bet had not started out in his mind as actually competing with Solo and he just took it on to humor him and let Napoleon have his fun. But now it could actually turn into a competition if he really tried to beat Napoleon at his own game?" Illya smiled thinking he just might give it a try...as the red head had really piqued his interest.

He skimmed through the rest of her file...a former member of Interpol recruited to UNCLE three years ago. Graduated University of Dublin with a masters in linguistics, received her Doctorate at Oxford in criminology, criminal psychology with a specialization in criminal profiling.

Fluent in multiple languages...he smiled as her list included Russian.

Black belts in martial arts, high scores in marksmanship and a certified sniper. Graduated second in her class at Survival School.

"Impressive" he smiled " intelligent, athletic...and good looking too." Illya had not even met her and he was already liking her a lot!

He looked at the last few of her assignments and saw that she had been undercover in Paris... when he suddenly realized with a shock that this was the woman in the French Maid's costume that night. He laughed, knowing that Napoleon was going to be in for a bit of a surprise, for she was the same one he said had a nasty attitude. "Perhaps" he thought " this bet was going to be a bit of fun after all?"

Napoleon took the elevator down to the sub-basement where the shooting range was located; there he found a diminutive red head standing in the middle carousel and he watched as she had just landed a shot to the neck of the paper target, at fifty yards.

Elliott caught Solo's approach from the corner of her eye and recognized him instantly from that night in Paris, but gave no reaction as he walked up beside her in the carousel. She removed her head phones, and a voice came over the P.A.

"O.K. Miss McGowan you're all set. You passed certification with no problem.

She turned back to the man in the booth above and waved her acknowledgement to him.

"That last one was a little low," Napoleon smiled warmly." the P-38 can pull a little low and to the right sometimes."

"Really?" she smiled then answered, disguising her voice " I wouldn't know that...this is a new piece, just trying to get a feel for it..ya know" she clicked her tongue " like getting used to a new...lover, if ya get my drift." Elliott was being rotten and she knew it...but felt Solo deserved to be taunted, given his reputation with the ladies.

He spoke softly to her."Well, if you compensate by turning...may I?' he flashed his smile at her again, thinking he just might be able to get a date with her after her flirtatious comment.

He reached his arm around her holding her hand with the weapon in his. Then positioned her back against his chest.

"Now if you just do this..." he said,turning her hand with the P-38 just slightly...putting gentle pressure on the trigger, letting off one round and hitting the target squarely in the head.

'I see..." she said slowly, wriggling free of him, at the same time she found herself suddenly tingling at his touch.

There was something oddly familiar about this woman? Napoleon thought to himself.

"So that means I can do this? Elliott aimed at the target, quickly letting go five shots in succession.

She hit the retrieval button for the target, and when it arrived, she took it down, handing it to Napoleon to look at.

He examined the target," Nice placement...but looks like you missed one?" He pointed to the four holes in the target made around his original shot, handing the target back to her. She had fired five times...

She handed it back to him using her normal voice "Look again boy-o?" she smiled.

"You!" he blurted out...from Paris?

"Yes...and do ye always stalk the new women around here?"

"Excuse me? I was just being a little friendly. You were the one who gave me the come on this time!" he protested.

"And why would I be interested in a man who thinks he's God's gift to women?"

Napoleon was getting a little annoyed now.."Look, you don' even know me..."

"Ah sure, but I know yer type..." she sniped." I'm not one of those weak-kneed females that I hear you like to dally with...I am very capable, and I am dangerous...VERY dangerous,"

"O.K. take it easy" he said raising his hands in surrender" Are you this hostile to everyone or do you just hate men?"

"No...just your kind..."

Napoleon sighed..." I won't deny it, I love women, there's nothing wrong with that and I think they enjoy my company too, at least that's what they tell me? But I also know when to be a gentleman and back off, when my attentions are not wanted. I have never forced myself on a woman and never would. I am not the lecherous "type" that you think I am."

" Now...you do realize that you just told off your new boss...I am CEA here you know?" he smiled back at her.

"Yes, and so what of it?" she said nervously, not wishing to show weakness, then back peddled, realizing the man was being genuine with her" I apologize, I've been rude to ye." she said, " It's just that I'm so tired of men hitting on me all the time and not being shown respect for what I am... an UNCLE agent, and not just a woman. It wears thin after a while..."

"Point taken Miss McGowan...and rest assured you will have my respect both as a woman and as one of my agents, but just remember...I am dangerous too..." he winked at her.

Elliott let out a little laugh.

"That's better" Napoleon smiled at her "I think we got off to a bad start...can we give this another try?" he said extending his hand to her. " My name is Napoleon Solo, welcome to UNCLE's New York headquarters Miss McGowan."

Elliott blushed, then accepted Napoleon's hand.

"Pax?" he smiled.

"Pax" she answered.

Napoleon left her and headed to the elevator, still holding the target in his and once inside he looked at it, examining it more closely, noticing now that the hole of his original shot to the center of the head was larger than the other four..."well I stand corrected." he said out loud. He smiled thinking that Illya was going to be in for a surprise with this one...and decided not to tell his partner of his encounter with Elliott McGowan. Illya could win this bet for once...let him suffer her wrath and get it over with. Then they could all get down to business doing their jobs. He decided though, to give his partner the consolation anyway. The two of them would hit the 21 Club...Solo's treat.

The next day llya Kuryakin had checked the sign in log for all agent's in the building, and found Elliott McGowan's name scheduled for a martial arts demonstration with the new section three agents in the gymnasium.

He had not seen Napoleon today and assumed that his partner had not "chatted" the woman up yet, other wise he would have heard about it. Illya headed down to the gym, changing into a black t-shirt and black sweatpants, then walked in on the class that was already in progress.

In the center of the large blue padded mat stood the petite red head, with her hair up in a pony tail, just as he had seen her outside the park. She was wearing a white tank top and navy sweat pants, with protective padding on her head, hands and feet.

A group of a dozen and a half or so section three agents sat cross-legged on the floor beside the mat, and Illya joined them; settling in on the gym floor at the back of the group.

"Think of it as a dance with your opponent" she said, showing just a hint of an Irish accent. Mirror his moves, study his body language...watch his eyes... maintain a safe distance until you are ready to strike. Use both momentum and leverage...work them to you your advantage as you will not always be evenly matched against an opponent."

She waved one of the larger male agents to the mat standing just over 6' to her 5' 3" and after donning his protective gear, she instructed him to "assume the position."

"Ma'am" replied the agent in a southern drawl", where I come from we don't hit a lady?"

"Forget I'm a woman...I am an enemy agent, hell bent on killing ye! Now come and get me! Or are ye nothing but a big coward?" she taunted him." Come on ye big wimp or are ye a little Nancy boy?"

Something she said must have struck home and motivated the agent to charge straight at her.

She side-stepped him effortlessly, moving away to maintain her distance then turned almost cat-like as she and the big agent circled each other, waiting, watching...studying. He charged at her again, this time she leapt up, delivering a karate chop to his shoulder, causing him to stagger. He stopped and turned as he straightened himself.

Elliott suddenly ran at him leaping up in the air quite high for such a small woman, getting the man in a scissor hold with her legs and using her momentum as she twisted in the air; she flipped him over and onto the ground, then instantly dropped down beside him and delivered a controlled blow to the agent's larynx; stopping before she made contact.

She then stood up offering her hand to the agent, assisting him to his feet. "Fair play to ye" she said.

"Now" she continued,"ye will not always find yerself dealing with just a single opponent. She then chose five agents of varying size and weight to join her on the matte, once their gear was on, she assumed a defensive position and told them to begin.

The five surrounded her, circling her as she danced in place, bouncing on the balls of her feet, in a state of constant motion, keeping her eyes on them as they prepared to attack. Suddenly one charged and she immediately sent out her leg in a straight kick to his midsection...the force of it and again his momentum increased the effectiveness of her move and he went down.

A second agent came at her, she side stepped him, grabbing his arm and judo-flipped him onto the matt, knocking the wind out of him.

Then two approached at her from opposite sides and as they came within her striking distance, Elliott leapt straight up into the air and with perfect timing did a split kick hitting each man in the head sending them backwards and down to the padded mat.

Finally the last man standing, she figured him to be the clever one, having stayed back watching and letting the others have a go at her. He moved toward her cautiously, but instead of waiting for his attack, Elliott became the aggressor, driving forward with a series of punches and kicks to the man's solar plexis as he tried to block her but then making contact; he doubled him over but did not go down. She dove forward onto her hands, kicking her legs up and around his neck and as she did so; she pulled him forward over her and onto the mat.

The entire demonstration took under eight minutes to complete.

"Thank ye gentlemen" she said as the the five agents hobbled back to their seats on the floor. "Now," catching her breath" perhaps one last volunteer...perhaps the best of you...this will be full contact and not for the faint of heart so to speak. No demo...full spar" she smiled."anyone?

Come on, surely there's one of ye who's better than the rest.?"

All eyes went suddenly to Kuryakin...and Illya feeling pressured stood up. Elliott cocked her head, recognizing him instantly as the runner she'd seen on the first day she had arrived in New York for the meeting with Alexander Waverly.

Illya quietly stepped onto to the mat, puttting on the gear then facing Elliott, he bowed to her as she did to him. And then they both assumed their fighting stances.

"This is going to be good" whispered one of the section threes " I heard her nickname was the Banshee...the harbinger of death. "So it's the Ice Prince vs. The Banshee!"

"I'll lay money on the Russian," whispered one,"you're on!" whispered another" I think she can take him."

Illya and Elliott circled, doing the dance as she had called it; sizing each other up. Kuryakin, having seen some of her moves felt he had an unfair advantage...but would still give her a good bout none the less.

Then he suddenly exploded, throwing a series of kicks and punches at her that she quickly blocked and dodged successfully.

"Jay-sus! This one's fast! " she thought as she backed away from him, adjusting her distance.

Illya moved in again feinting, then moved out, trying to throw off her rhythm and keep her off balance.

After a few minutes of this, Elliott realized the blond was toying with her, so she decided to change the steps of the dance. She moved in towards him, closing the distance, then exploded violently upwards into a flying roundhouse kick, making contact with his shoulder and sending him staggering backwards. Illya caught his balance, stepping forward he dropped down instantly with a sweeping kick, to her legs, knocking Elliott off her feet. As she was falling backwards, she arched her back and landing on her hands, she flipped over and up instantly landing on her feet, facing him in a defensive stance.

She nodded to him and they both stopped, bowing to each other; abruptly ending the match, much to the disappointment of the other agents.

"That's enough for today!" she announced, catching her breath."thank ye and dismissed."

Illya grabbed a towel and waited nearby, until all the other agents had gone, then walked over to Elliott.

"I enjoyed that immensely, you are very skilled. Would you care to go another round...this time without this nonsense." he said pulling off the protective gear.

"Yer on! "she grinned.

The went onto the mat together, now alone in the gym for another twenty minutes or so going back and forth throwing kicks and punches, knocking each other down several times until Illya flipped her and ended up sitting on top of her, leaning in on his hands very closed to her face. For an instant their eyes met, and then she suddenly rolled him over and now she was on top.

Illya raised his hands laughing "enough! I surrender!" he smiled at her.

Elliott stood up then offered her hand, helping him up from the floor. He held onto her hand for a second", then said" I do not believe we have been properly introduced " My name is Illya Nickovich Kuryakin." he smiled at her.

"Sweet Jay-sus!" she thought to herself "the other half of the pair! Well at least this one didn't make a pass at me?"

"Happy to make yer acquaintance" she smiled right back at him," I'm Elliott Tatayana McGowan."