In 26

Disclaimer: I don't own The New Avengers, nor the characters of Mike Gambit, Purdey, and John Steed. They're the property of The Avengers (Film and TV) Enterprises. This story is written for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.

The Midas Touch

"How did you know?" Purdey asked suddenly, as Gambit ferried her to the airport in the XJS. She could see Steed's dark-grey Range Rover ahead of them, determined by mutual agreement to be the better vehicle to carry their courier in if they were able to catch him just as he arrived at the terminal. Gambit's more agile Jaguar would be kept on standby, in case the so-called "Fat Man" proved faster—or more cunning—than his name suggested, and they needed to give chase. Purdey was going to be inside the airport with Steed, keeping watch for their man, but the senior agent had insisted that Purdey ride in with Gambit, so that she would know where he was parked and could retrace her steps in a hurry to point Gambit in the right direction. Purdey had the sneaking suspicion that there was another, unspoken, decidedly strategic reason behind Steed's suggested transportation arrangements. She had the feeling the senior agent was trying to encourage her and Gambit to spend as much time together as much as possible. Of course Steed had wanted them to get on when he had brought Purdey onboard for their first assignment as a trio, when he and Gambit had needed a woman for their investigations. But ever since Purdey's official appointment to the team, Purdey had the sense that there was a certain amount of professional matchmaking at work. Steed wanted his two young partners to work well together, and the only way they were going to do that, in his eyes, was if they spent as much time together as possible, even when there was no real work being done. One of their earliest cases, concerning the sinister monks on the Isle of St. Dorca, had kept Gambit and Purdey on relatively separate tracks, and Steed seemed determined not to let that happen again. Hence the car ride. Not that Purdey was complaining. She got on well with and liked both her partners, and they were already working well as a team. She was still a little in awe of the fact that she was working with the legend that was John Steed, having heard countless stories about the Ministry's most famous, skilled, and successful agent during her training. Mike Gambit, on the other hand, was another kind of legend entirely, if the rumours floating around the typing pool were anything to go by. The man's proficiency at fighting, shooting, counter-espionage, and pulling off foolhardy stunts was as notable as his reputation with the female of the species. But professional and romantic accolades aside, Purdey hadn't gleaned a lot about the man behind the rumours from the Ministry's grapevine. That had made her curious, and now that she was working with him, Purdey had made a point of trying to learn more about her partner. Hence her uncontextualised question.

"How did I know what?" Gambit risked looking away from the road for a moment to regard her in bemusement.

Purdey tsked as though Gambit's inability to read her thoughts was an unforgivable failing. "How did you know where the flights were arriving from today, and at that exact time?"

"It's not exactly top secret information," Gambit pointed out, grinning at her as he signalled and changed lanes.

"Yes, but you didn't telephone the airport," Purdey pressed. "You couldn't have looked it up ahead of time because you didn't hear the content of the message until Morgan brought it to us and I read it out. You had absolutely, categorically, no way of knowing that you'd need that information. But you knew it anyway."

"Oh, that," Gambit said blithely, as though she'd asked him about something as inconsequential as the weather. "I've got a good memory. Always have, even when I was kid. If I read something or see a photo, it just, uh, sticks. I can make it go in and stay there. Comes in handy in this line of work. Rules, old case reports, telephone numbers, file photos, that sort of thing."

"And airline schedules?" Purdey supplied knowingly.

"And airline schedules," Gambit confirmed, with a certain amount of pride.

"That explains it then," Purdey said, with a certain amount of satisfaction.

Gambit frowned, wrong-footed once more. "Explains what?"

"All the old movie trivia," Purdey said brightly. "And I thought you'd memorised it all just to impress me."

"Is it impressive?" Gambit wanted to know, regarding her with interest.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On how it compares to mine," Purdey said smugly. "I may have to test you later."

"I'm looking forward to it," Gambit almost purred. "Amongst other things."

Purdey pretended to ignore the way his eyes were dancing, and resisted the urge to smile. "It must be nice to have a good memory, and not have to reach for the phone book all the time."

"It does save a little time," Gambit admitted. "Although sometimes it can be more of a burden."

Purdey regarded him quizzically. "Oh?"

"Yes." Gambit had gone grim now, eyes looking at things that appeared to him alone. "Some things you wish you could forget."

Purdey could see the edges of unpleasant memories in his eyes, and wasn't quite sure how to respond. They drove in silence for a moment. Then Purdey asked, "What about me? Am I in your mental database?"

Gambit gave her a very long, lingering look. "Purdey, I couldn't forget anything about you if I tried."

"You're not exactly forgettable yourself," Purdey replied, tongue-in-cheek. "Or at least your bad jokes aren't."

"Thanks," Gambit said dryly, as he pulled up to the curb at the airport. "Try not to forget about me if our Fat Man makes a run for it."

"I'll be all right." Purdey flashed him a quick smile as she darted out of the car. "Don't go away."

Gambit shook his head in fond amusement. "Wouldn't dream of it."