based on prompts from StarPrincessTally and paranoid
Solo's POV when he discovers and retrieves Illya's watch
Solo watched as Peril took the left tunnel to do a sweep for the missing Gaby. At the sound of raised voices he took a step forward, giving him a clear view on the tunnel that had lead them to Dr Teller's bomb-making workshop.
Two guards rounded the corner at speed and Solo reacted immediately and fired at them, watching them fall to the floor dispassionately. He took a step over one of the guards Peril had dispatched earlier and paused as he saw a hand stretching out in a futile attempt to reach their fallen weapon. Solo stepped on the arm, stopping the motion.
He tilted his head as he looked at the man's watch. It was similar in design to the one worn by the satellite factory guard that Peril had knocked unconscious. He had risked so much just because he thought it was his father's watch. Although, the incident had led them to more evidence that proved the Vinciguerra's had nearly completed the production of a nuclear bomb.
Solo frowned as he considered the watch, the word 'Победа' on the watch's face stared back at him. He bent and flicked the hat off the guard's head and looked down at one of the muggers that had been sent to test out Peril's and Gaby's undercover story.
"That's not yours, is it?" he asked pleasantly, but the question was rhetorical. He raised the butt of his gun and slammed it down hard across the other man's jaw. He heard the jaw break as the man slumped into unconsciousness. Solo unstrapped the watch and turned it over in his hand. There was a faded inscription on the back in Russian. Solo assumed the names were Peril's parents, his mother giving the watch to his father on their first wedding anniversary.
Solo pocketed the watch, knowing Peril would be pleased at its return. The Russian had certainly been distressed by its loss. Solo recalled the look on Peril's face as he went to check the time when they were flying to the aircraft carrier, to witness such sadness, even for a moment, had tugged at something inside Solo. Whilst he wasn't overly fond of the KGB agent, he'd proven to be a reliable and efficient partner – one of the best Solo had worked with - not that he would ever tell Peril that. Peril's file had made grim reading and Solo was fairly certain that the watch was Peril's only personal possession. Its return might even get a smile out of the stoic man and would give Solo ample fodder for some gently teasing.
He had no idea that the watch would ultimately save both his and Peril's lives.
