I knew that my nails looked as if they'd been through a massacre by the time that Anne came back from the party. I tried to read but the words tended to burr before my eye, and the three shots of vodka definitely did not help. Why can't I settle down?

"I know that he was supposed to be acting but I am so mad," Anne exclaimed as she burst through the hotel door. I could see the tears that she tried desperately to hide.

"Anne," I gently called out to her. She locked her exasperated glare on me. In college that look would have scared me… good to know that she's still got it. She crossed the room towards her and Michael's room with a silent determination. I stood paralyzed, wondering if it was safe to follow.

She stopped just inside the doorjamb and turned to me with another of her withering looks, "Are you going to help me out of this dress or not?"

I did not have to be asked twice as I followed her into the room just in time for her to start her story. To be honest it was mostly about how Mrs. Kurasov practically commandeered her husband and plied him with martinis all night. I felt awful for Anne, but if Michael played his part as well as Anne described we were going to be able to pull this whole scheme off. We got her out of her dress and into something more comfortable just in time for Michael and Napoleon to stumble through suite door.

"Anne," Michael called with a slur. "Anne!"

We rushed to the sitting room just in time to see Napoleon clasp Michael Donfield onto the couch. Anne forgot all of her anger that she previously expressed and rushed to her husband's side.

"Anne," Michael gasped, "I'm so sorry I hurt you." He drunkenly grabbed at her. Napoleon tapped on my shoulder and motioned me to follow him into the bedroom.

"Is he okay, Napoleon," I questioned as soon as he shut the door.

"He is fine," Napoleon smiled. "He played his part very well, so the martinis are finally kicking in."

"You couldn't have stopped him from offending Anne?"

"He was trying to play along. Kurasov's wife was sent in a distraction," He explained. "I will say Anne did a fantastic job of playing the jilted wife."

"I can guarantee you she wasn't acting." I chuckled a little imaging Anne's reaction to the next steps in this dangerous game we've begun.

"Have you heard from Illya," Napoleon voiced in the silence.

"No," I shrugged, "I thought that he was supposed to check in with you." He was but he isn't answering my communications. My heart sank to my toes and my breath became short. Why am I worried? Illya is a capable agent and is more than qualified to watch his own back. But I think my concern cemented when I saw the nerves flash across Napoleon's face as well.

The phone rang at that moment and I shot Napoleon a look of fear. He motioned me to answer it, "There is no way that anyone would call to make a deal when they are under the impression that Michael is drunk."

"The correct impression," I whispered.

"Just answer it," I went to pick up the phone on the third ring when Napoleon adds, "in Russian."

"Привет" I greeted. The Russian greeting that came back was laced with a slight bit of pride.

"Good evening, Charlotte," he continued in Russian. "Please let the Primer know that the message has been delivered. I am settled in with the Ambassador tonight, I will report in the morning." He hung up as soon as the message was delivered. I relayed the message to a relieved Napoleon Solo.

"Good," he quipped. "I am going to go check on Anne and Michael."

Napoleon left me alone with my thoughts. For some reason, every muscle in my body seemed to relax for the first time that day. Why? I've been at this job a little over a week and yet I am so wholly invested in what happens next. This felt like more… this fear felt personal. No… it was just the excitement and adrenaline from the job. Occupational hazard, that's all. My fear sprouted from the idea that lives were on the line and that if anything misstepped we would be on the brink of a Nuclear World War III.

I fell back onto the Egyptian cotton sheets staring at the cherubs painted to watch over the occupants of the room. I sat in silence listening to rustling in the sitting room. Napoleon was working to keep Anne and failing miserably. I could let him struggle a little but if she gets any more frustrated she will eat him alive.

"Anne," I called quietly from the doorjamb. She looked up at me with a sharp look. In college, that look would have scared me, but in this case, I knew that I was doing the right thing.

"Charlotte," she growled, "he needs me."

I came to her side to get a better look at Michael. He was passed out on the couch, still in his tux, but his bow tie was loose and he looked comfortable. I covered him with the couch blanket and silently demanded Anne to head to the bedroom. I looked to Napoleon and got his assurance that he would stay out here with Michael. Anne was not satisfied with any of this but she finally relented, and Napoleon and I shared a sigh of relief. Anne was finally going to bed, Illya had delivered his message and all we could do is wait.

"Good night, Napoleon," I whispered.

"Charlotte," He called, "you know he is going to be okay, right?"

"Am I that transparent?" I chuckled.

"A little. I saw the look of pure relief when you answered the phone earlier," he pointed out. He came to my side and picked up my hand, "He is a good man, Charlotte, and an incredible spy, but that doesn't lessen the risk that he puts himself in every day."

"I know," I conceded. "I will get used to this… hopefully soon."

"I really hope you don't," he claimed. "Tonight was the first time he has ever checked in if it could possibly blow his cover. He needs you just as much as you seem to need him."

"Am I crazy, Napoleon?"

"Yes," he smiled. "But that is exactly what Illya needs."

Author's Note: I am so SORRY for the delay. Thank you so much for being patient with me.

I've have been thinking about the chapter for a long time and rewritten it about three times. I love the idea of Charlotte and Illya, and I figure that in the intense world of International Security they wouldn't waste any time.

I really hope you like it! Comment if you have any ideas or concerns.