Lost Boys

By J. Ferguson a.k.a. Timeless A-Peel

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

Timeline: Zero in a series. Takes place in June, 1975, a full ten months before the start of the TV series. Those interested in the rest of the series are invited to read the subsequent stories in the arc, Aftermath, Dance With Me, The Anniversary, Merry Christmas, Mr. Gambit, and Brazil.

For more information about the series, please see my profile.

Author's Note: The final chapter! Yes, we're here, finally. A short one, but I wanted to leave it on its own, as opposed to just lumping it in with the previous chapter. Particularly because of...well, the bit at the end. But you'll just have to read it and see...

Steed made his way down the corridor to McKay's office, just as he had the day before. But this time it was not McKay he was planning to see. It was Gambit. The younger man had been called to the Ministry head's office shortly after Gambit and Steed had returned from Abbott's, and Steed was getting restless. He'd only managed a brief report during his call to Tommy, but he hoped it had been enough to persuade McKay to not only keep Gambit on, but also to send him Steed's way if at all possible. Steed knew a good agent when he saw one, and Steed was certain if he spent more time with Gambit he could make him an even better one. He still didn't like thinking about that dark day off in the future when fieldwork became literally impossible, but when it did, he thought it would take the sting away if the man replacing him had at least absorbed part of his repertoire, even if he put his own spin on it. Gambit was entirely capable of filling that role, although he doubted Mike would be too sanguine about the prospect at the moment. But there was time enough for all of that. Until then, filling the position of good friend and colleague wouldn't go amiss.

He reached McKay's office door and debated whether or not to knock, wait, or make a circuit and pretend he was simply happening along when Gambit came out. As it happened he didn't have time to make a choice before the door swung inward and Gambit appeared, closing it softly behind him. When he saw Steed he froze, hand on the knob.

They faced each other now, the darkness stripped away, leaving them vulnerable to the light and everything it revealed. They hadn't really had a chance to discuss what they had divulged in the cell over…how many hours? One? Two? Steed had lost track of time what with the dark and the memories, both swallowing himself and the younger agent up as they recounted their relative ordeals, experiences they would never dare discuss so openly in the light of the day, had never really properly discussed with anyone, ever. Grey eyes locked with blue-green ones, and John Steed read the message behind them as clear as if it were printed on his face.

Trust me, and I'll trust you. Just give me a reason, and I'll watch your back while you watch mine. But I need a reason. And now you know why.

Steed nodded, partly to himself, partly to Mike, and he saw the flicker of recognition in the younger man's eyes. A pact. No words were needed. They'd already trusted one another with the darkest hours of their lives, stories which would never be repeated without the other's permission. Trusting each other with anything else seemed simple in comparison.

To his surprise, and he suspected Gambit's too, Mike raised his right hand, offered it to Steed to shake, just as the senior agent himself had done a scant 24 hours before. A million years ago. And Steed had been rejected.

"It's been an honour," Gambit said, quite sincerely, because it had, really. Steed was a bit old-fashioned, but he knew when to spare feelings and embarrassment, when to keep quiet. When to lock things away and not let them out again. When to stop playing games.

Steed reached out and shook it, sealing the deal with a smile. "The honour was all mine," he replied. "I look forward to working with you again, if you can see your way to joining my stable." He meant it, too. Gambit had shown quick thinking and impressive fighting skills against Sykes, and their little bit of banter had left Steed convinced there was more to discover when it came to Mike Gambit. For the first time in years, he actually looked forward to another foray into the field with a fellow agent. Because he felt that, somewhere along the line, Mike Gambit could fulfill the most important requirement when it came to Steed's partners.

Friend.

"Of agents or horses?" Gambit quipped, releasing Steed's hand. Moment over. Move on. Back to the jokes. Steed could work with that. He turned and set off down the corridor, and Gambit fell into step beside him.

The Ministry's main corridor was unusually crowded, a steady stream of all manner of personnel coming and going. Gambit, still looking at Steed, felt a light impact as someone moving in the opposite direction clipped shoulders with him. "Sorry," Gambit apologized automatically, not bothering to see who it was.

"My fault," a woman's voice replied, already drifting away as she carried on without stopping.

"What will you do now?" Steed queried, oblivious to the encounter. "If you have a moment, there is a file that needs attending to."

Gambit shook his head. "I don't think I've got the time. McKay wants me to take an overseas assignment. A solo one." He grinned at Steed, and Steed couldn't help but grin back. "He must be desperate because he didn't even mention a partner. Either that or you put a word in for me. Anyway, he's got me interested, so you'll have to wait until I get back. Apparently there's a mess in Germany and the West half of Berlin wants one of us over there to help." He froze suddenly, stopping short in the middle of the hall, forcing the flow of people to maneuver around him. Steed frowned.

"Gambit?"

Mike wasn't listening. It was that voice, the woman's. For whatever reason it had drifted into his consciousness and elected to stay there. It rang through his mind, clean and crisp, and with it came the sweet scent of perfume. Something about that voice, that girl, was special, significant. Gambit whirled round in hopes of spotting her, but she had already disappeared, probably around the corner and then to any number of destinations. It would be impossible to catch her again now. Gambit worked his jaw in frustration, wondering why he cared so much about a stranger he had never seen, only heard. But something about her had made him feel…better. Just for a moment. He sighed, and turned back to Steed. If she worked for the Ministry, there was a chance he'd find her again. He'd make a point of paying attention to everyone in the typing pool.

"What was all that about?" Steed asked in bemusement.

Gambit shook his head. "Nothing," he murmured, starting to move again. "I just…thought I heard someone I knew."

Steed didn't pursue the matter, simply fell into step beside the younger man. "Well, when you return from Germany I'd like you to at least consider joining my cache of agents. I think you've shown great promise."

Gambit smirked in spite of himself. "Surprised you want me."

"Yes, so am I," Steed said with a matching smirk. "But I've had my share of partners, and I think I know when I've met my match."

"I may not always agree with you," Gambit warned.

"Excellent. No sense in having the same view on things."

"You may regret that."

"I'm sure I will. But I'm willing to take that chance." Steed stopped and regarded him pointedly. "Can I count on your transfer?"

Gambit eyed him carefully, then nodded, once. "All right…" he allowed. "I'll give it a try."

"Marvelous! I think that calls for a drink," Steed enthused, continuing down the corridor.

Behind them, a young woman with a mane of long blonde hair poked her head around the corner at the end of the corridor and scanned the crowds with bright blue eyes. She bit her lip as whatever she was searching for proved elusive. Not surprising. All she had to go on was a single word and the feeling of a strong shoulder against hers. And yet, for an instant she'd felt something more.

"Come on, Purdey!" a fellow trainee agent urged somewhere off to her left. "If we're late Spence'll use us for the next demonstration."

"Coming," the blonde replied, turning away with a sigh. Her man was long gone. She left the corner and set off down the corridor. There was always a chance she'd run into him again. Literally.

"One of these days…" she promised herself, and hurried to catch up with her companion.

End

Author's Note: Okay, so I lied a tiny bit. It's not quite a Purdey-free zone, but if I'd told you that at the start I'd have spoiled the surprise. One of these days I'll actually finish "Anew" and you can see how Purdey fits into the team. But first Gambit has to go to Germany, and take three bullets scrambling over the Wall, as he mentions in The Eagle's Nest. Inconvenient, that.

Anyway, there is another story on the way! We're going to jump forward in the timeline again, and pick up from where Brazil left off. Thank you to everyone for all the lovely reviews, and I hope you enjoyed the wrap-up! Stay tuned for more...

Purdey is the property of The Avengers (Film and TV) Enterprises, used for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.