Brazil

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

Disclaimer: I don't own The New Avengers, nor the characters of Mike Gambit, Purdey, and John Steed. Sadly. They're the property of The Avengers (Film and TV) Enterprises. Emma Peel is the property of Canal+Image. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

Timeline: Sixth in a series. Takes place in late February/early March, 1977, near the start of the second season, probably shortly after the events of Hostage and the year-later bits of Gnaws and The Last of the Cybernauts...? It is strongly recommended, but not essential, that you go back and read the previous stories in the arc, Aftermath, Dance With Me, The Anniversary, and Merry Christmas, Mr. Gambit.

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

Author's Note: Not a terribly eventful chapter this time around. Just laying the necessary groundwork for the rest of the fic. Last update for February, too. See you in March!

Emma and Steed were in close conference when they stepped into the dying light. Emma saw them first, and her eyes flicked ever-so-slightly in their direction, alerting Steed to their presence without a speaking a single word. Purdey and Gambit made their way over while the other two waited expectantly. Emma crossed her arms. "Well?" she queried.

"Purdey's all patched up," Gambit informed, raising the first-aid kit as evidence. "It might not put Kendrick out of work, but it'll have to hold until we get back to London."

"Good," Steed replied, eyes on Purdey. "Do I take it that to mean you'll be coming home?"

"Eventually," Purdey allowed. "I'm still going after Pym, and Gambit's agreed to help me bring him in." She exchanged glances with her partner. "I'll understand if you want to leave without us. It's my fight. There's no reason for you to help."

It was Steed and Emma's turn to exchange wordless communiqués. "I don't think I've had quite enough of Brazil just yet. What do you think, Mrs. Peel?"

Emma gazed upward in contemplation. "I think this holiday could do with an extension," she agreed. "And the humidity does wonders for the skin." She lowered her gaze to meet Purdey's, eyes dancing. "If you have a plan, then I can guarantee two more recruits."

Purdey would have preferred only one more recruit, if she were honest. No matter what Gambit said, Emma was casting her own particular spell, and Purdey was the immune fourth wheel. But she also knew her injuries were going to hamper her in this mission, and the extra pair of hands would probably come in useful. All the same, she'd been hoping for a dose of the team's old rapport to put her back in the mood, to feel at home again. But banishing Emma would alienate everyone. So instead of scowling, she forced a smile. "Thank you."

"Pleasure," Steed told her, then glanced at the sky. "We ought to head back before the light's gone completely. "Purdey, it'd be better if you said good-bye to your friends now. Grey's men are on the alert, and if they come looking I'd rather they weren't associated with any of us."

Purdey nodded in agreement. She knew that the tribe was putting itself at risk by harbouring her, and as much as she'd grown to love them, she knew her presence put everyone in jeopardy. "I'll go now," she promised. "Just let me pack."

***

Purdey made the good-byes as painless as possible, thanking everyone individually for their help, promising them they would receive some sort of compensation for the weeks of care, although they seemed quite happy to have helped another stranded Brit in need regardless. Gambit watched her chat animatedly with them. It was a joy just to watch her move, animate, breathe, each tiny gesture banishing the fears of the past few weeks farther and farther away.

Then they were off, trudging through the wilderness, albeit at a slower pace because of Purdey's injuries. No one explicitly stated the reason, but Gambit could tell by Purdey's stubborn expression that she was going to go as fast as she could, regardless of her thigh. It made her pale with the pain eventually, and Gambit steadily slowed his gait so that it would seem less like he was trying to make her pace herself, and more like he wanted a friendly stroll, side-by-side. Both were true, but it added time to their journey. They passed it by outlining the events at the Ministry since her departure. Purdey almost growled when Steed mentioned her real name on the flight list.

"Grey can't keep up like this. He'll have people dead if no one blows the whistle."

"We plan on it. Don't worry," Gambit said grimly. "But we've got to go back home first. If Grey catches us here he'll claim interference, and no one will listen to a word we say."

Purdey nodded curtly, but her eyes were blazing. "That makes sense for you, but not me. I'm supposed to be here. I can register a complaint."

"You may have to, but one thing at a time," Steed cautioned. "We don't even have Pym. And you're not going to do any planning until you've had a change of clothes and something to eat." Gambit could read between the lines, and knew from the way Steed was eyeing Purdey's pinched features that he, too, saw the exhaustion and the pain from her leg were taking their toll. Purdey would never accept being told to rest, however, so food and clothes would have to serve as a delaying tactic. The fact that Purdey didn't argue told them more about how she was feeling than words ever would.

"We couldn't get your old clothes back," Gambit told her, when the silence set in and it became clear that Purdey was uncomfortable suffering in silence. "Your hotel room's under guard. They'd notice if we took anything."

"That's all right," Purdey demurred, switching her attention to Emma. Gambit noticed that her smile instantly turned brittle. "I hear you picked some things out for me, Ms. Knight."

Emma shrugged. "I did my best. Sartorial elegance isn't a priority in the jungle, but at least you'll be able to change."

"That will be nice," Purdey admitted. She desperately wanted some trousers to wear. Anything that would do a better job of protecting her leg. Skirts weren't very practical in the jungle anyway. "Thank you."

Emma waved her off distractedly. "Don't mention it." They were approaching the camp now, and she was making certain that no one had settled in during her absence. Thanks to the brush, they were still hidden, and she indicated one of the tents. "Your things are inside. The green pack." She was already making for the other end of the camp to check for watchers, and Steed and Gambit fanned out automatically to do the same. Purdey moved to join the action, but Gambit reached out and touched her arm.

"We'll handle it," he told her. "Don't worry. Get some rest and change. We'll be eating soon."

Purdey narrowed her eyes. She didn't want to be coddled, and she certainly didn't want to stand by while Steed and his new team did all the work. It hurt to see them move in unison, acting on unspoken agreements the way she had only a month ago. Despite Gambit's earlier assurances, jealousy burned inside her. But Gambit was standing his ground, waiting pointedly for her to go inside. She knew this was his first test to see if she was going to keep up her part of the bargain and let them take Pym down his way. That was hurtful in itself—distrust. But deep down she knew she deserved it. Still, that didn't stop her from glaring at Mike and stomping off to her tent like a sulky child. Gambit shook his head at her retreating back and sighed. This wasn't going to be fun at all.

It did feel good to change. Emma had packed some of her less precariously-heeled boots and plenty of t-shirts and pseudo-drill trousers. Purdey stripped down as best she could in the confined space and wriggled into an army green pair, taking care to avoid her injured thigh, and brown t-shirt, before adding a jacket that matched the pants. She traded her boots for a black pair that hadn't softened from use, and laced them up with determination. She was going to do this. She was going to catch Pym. No one could force her to leave without accomplishing her task. No one would try if she kept her head. But the man's face haunted her still, floating in front of her, taunting as he held the knife to her throat. She wasn't afraid when she thought of it—only angry. She'd come up with a way to cope. She imagined reversing the roles, holding him at gunpoint the way he had her father, her finger tightening on the trigger. Tighter and tighter...

She looked down to discover she'd nearly broken a lace doing up her boots. The laces bit into her fingers angrily, leaving a slash of red and white across her hand. She finished lacing carefully, rubbing at the reddened areas before venturing outside again, lest Gambit see and guess what she'd been thinking.

Gambit wasn't waiting outside, as it happened. Purdey couldn't see him, nor Steed, on the campsite. Only Emma was visible, settled on a fallen tree, watching the patch of sky fade to black over their little sanctuary. Purdey didn't particularly feel like talking to the woman, but they were alone, and it would be rude to pretend otherwise. Reluctantly, she made her way over to take a seat next to her predecessor.

"Just the two of us?" she said airily, and Emma glanced at her in mild surprise, as though she'd been expecting the silent treatment, not the blonde settling in to join her in taking in the night air.

"They're on reconnaissance," Emma replied. "I've done my share for the day, so Steed and Gambit insisted. They'll be back soon." She paused, then smiled her lopsided smile. "You won't be left with me long."

Purdey blushed in spite of herself. "I don't mind..."

"Yes, you do. You mind a great deal," Emma said matter-of-factly, but without malice. "I don't blame you. It must seem as though everyone's moved on without you, but I assure you the instant we get back to London, I'll disappear back into the history books." She met Purdey's eyes. "That is what's worrying you?"

"Well, it's just--you're the great Emma Peel," Purdey tried to explain. "You don't know what it's like to be trained and have all these stories about the infamous Steed and Peel fed to you from day one. Anyone would feel a little inadequate."

Emma snorted. "Yes, the great Emma Peel," she said sarcastically. "Scientist, spy, business mogul, academic. And she can't even make a marriage work. But I don't suppose they dwell on that part."

Purdey bit her lip. "No," she confirmed. "And I'm sorry about the divorce. Really. I know what it's like, breaking it off with someone."

Emma arched an interested eyebrow. "I didn't know you were married."

"I wasn't," Purdey corrected hurriedly, not certain why she was confiding in a woman whom she barely knew. "But I was engaged. Once. It ended. Badly."

"I see," Emma said quietly. "I'm sorry. Gambit and Steed didn't mention—"

"They don't know," Purdey cut in hurriedly. "And I'd prefer it to stay that way. They're already protective. I'd hate to see them if they thought I'd gone and gotten my heart broken once upon a time."

Emma reached out and patted her arm. "Your secret's safe with me," she assured. "I think everyone who decides to enter this line of work has some sort of emotional baggage hidden away. Even the legends."

Purdey surprised herself by chuckling. "Even Steed?"

"Especially Steed," Emma declared, tongue-in-cheek. "No one who drives those museum pieces he calls cars can be entirely in his right mind."

"And Gambit?" Purdey was interested now. If Gambit had spent some time with Emma Knight, there was the possibility that he'd let some small tidbit about himself slip that he would never dream of saying to Purdey.

Emma looked thoughtful. "Gambit is..."

It was at that moment that the object of their conversation reappeared, emerging from the foliage to their left, with Steed in tow. He frowned at the pair of women, both wearing identical poker faces, and his own visage was immediately tarnished with suspicion.

"What's going on?" he asked slowly, eyes searching both faces for some clue.

"Nothing," the women chorused.

Gambit frowned in obvious disbelief, looked back to Steed, but the senior agent seemed to see the humour in the situation. "I heard my name," he told them, feeling vague unease creep into his stomach.

"Your name?" Purdey looked to Emma in mock surprise. "We weren't say anything at all about Gambit, were we? Certainly not that he's—"

Emma smiled, and spoke a brief burst of Portuguese, and Purdey automatically responded. The two women looked at one another, as though sensing a heretofore unknown connection. Purdey had used English to say good-bye to the natives, but her repertoire of languages was vast, and tentatively, a conversation was struck up, and before Gambit knew it a rapid-fire exchange was ringing through the forest, ultimately culminating in laughter. Then the pair turned to look his way. And laughed again. Gambit felt his cheeks heat.

"I'll bet at least one of you's lying," he muttered darkly, looking to Steed for some sort of support against the female of the species. To his chagrin, Steed was also chuckling, and Gambit stalked off leaving the women laughing in his wake. He wondered vaguely how long it would take for three bodies to be found in the Amazon if he buried them deep enough.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and he turned in time to see Purdey catch up, despite her uneven gait. She was still grinning, but Gambit's concern shifted to her injuries. If she was in pain, she was ignoring it, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow so she could walk alongside him.

"Honestly, Mike, I'm gone a few weeks and you lose your sense of humour completely," she chastised.

"It couldn't have been that funny," Gambit grumbled. "I'm not that funny."

"Then you underestimate yourself," Purdey chortled, patting him on the shoulder.

"I liked it better when you were at odds with Emma," Gambit muttered. "It's not fair, two against one. Wasn't fair when it was just you."

"I'd forgotten about your fragile ego," Purdey mock-soothed. "All right, we'll talk about something other than your...ego." She snorted again and took a moment to control herself. "Sorry," she apologized when Gambit glared. "Take my mind off it. Quick."

"I found my jacket in your closet," Gambit tried, remembering the brown leather number that Emma had pointed out. "I've been looking for it for months. How did you get ahold of it?"

Purdey stopped laughing, thankfully, and regarded him with surprise. "Don't you remember? During our first assignment. Wollerton. The sprinkler system went off. You were gallant enough to give it to me to cover up when we went into the Ministry, and you told me I could hang onto it until I was finished."

Recognition dawned on Gambit's face. "Ah, yes." He remembered it well. A cold December day. Purdey's sodden clothes, her slim frame shivering as they whisked away vital evidence before it could be destroyed. It seemed so long ago now, and like it was just yesterday at the same time. "And I take it you're not finished with it?"

"I always meant to give it back. Just never got around to it." What she didn't say was how much the gesture had meant to her at a time when she was still vulnerable, when her partnership with Gambit was just beginning. She'd felt safe in that jacket because it was Gambit's, and she felt safe around him because he had been courteous enough not to ogle at her soaked blouse, which was a welcome change from most of her classmates. It was at that moment she'd known she had someone to trust in the business, an equal to watch her back just so long as she watched his. And whenever she felt vulnerable and exposed inside, she'd put that jacket on and felt better.

"I didn't take it back," Gambit murmured, breaking into her thoughts. "Thought I'd rather have you do it yourself. When you came back."

"You mean if I came back," Purdey said gently, sobering up suddenly. Gambit looked away hurriedly, before she could see the unshed tears in his eyes.

"Yeah, well, you're all right, so let's not dwell on it," he said gruffly, but Purdey hugged his arm affectionately. She really had missed him, had wondered some days if he thought she was dead, if he'd already buried her memory and moved on for his own sanity. She'd prayed he hadn't, didn't know what she'd do if she returned to find that he'd created a life without her. She should have known better. She was about to say as much, but Steed was suddenly in their midst.

"Purdey, we've a few moments while we're waiting for dinner. If you could explain this grand scheme you seem intent on executing?"

Purdey pulled her hand away from Gambit's arm, nodded curtly. "All right," she agreed, leading the way back toward the centre of the camp.

She waited until everyone was there before she began. "After I'd recovered from the worst of the tarantula poisoning, I started taking short walks to build up my strength. I'd go out a bit farther each time, and do a few exercises. Sometimes I'd go out in the evening, because it was peaceful, and I could think. One day I heard a car, and I went looking in case it was a search party." She paused meaningfully. "It wasn't. It was Pym and some of his men. I followed them as far as Pym's base. Grey had taken it over by that point, but they stopped a ways off, and climbed out. There's a rather large rock there, but they've installed some sort of mechanism to shift it, and underneath is a tunnel. They left one man, and the rest went in. Half an hour later, they started bringing back boxes, and the man that stayed behind would hand them matching ones. They must have left them in the base, and swapped them. That's the best explanation I have. I couldn't hear them too well, but I did catch when they were planning on coming back. And I went out that evening, and watched them go through the same procedure." She looked at each of them in turn. "I think Pym let them have the base because he plans on relocating anyway. But he didn't have time to shift all his documents…"

"The blank paper," Gambit said in dawning realisation, then elaborated when he caught Purdey's puzzled look. "When we were in the base, we knocked over a box, all ready to ship back to MI12, and it was filled with nothing but blank paper. No documents. No files. Pym knows they won't read anything until they get back to England. Once they've been packed up, he can make a straight swap, and no one will know until he's long gone."

"That must be it," Purdey agreed. "He's had so many dealings…those files are valuable to anyone, not only him. He's been making regular trips to get them back. And no one's found the passageway. I've been watching. And I know how to work it, too."

"What's the plan, then?" Emma wanted to know.

"Tomorrow night, he's making his last visit," Purdey explained. "I heard him say as much. I've been waiting this long because I wanted to get as much of my strength back as I could, but I thought I might be able to trap him while he was in the base. It's dark, and his men are too busy helping him carry boxes to be with him all the time. So if I could sneak in the tunnel before him, and then hide in the base once the day patrols were gone…"

"You could lie in wait," Gambit said knowingly. "And do what? Slit his throat?"

"Gambit!" Purdey's face was outraged, but her eyes were guilty.

"Maybe not the knife, but at the very least a gun, or whatever you could lay your hands on." Gambit leaned back, arms folded. "You were going to try and kill him, weren't you? In the shape you're in? With Pym's people inside, and Grey's men outside, who I can tell you from experience shoot first and ask questions later. What were you thinking of, Purdey-girl?" He shook his head. "Never mind. I know. Revenge. And you could have just as easily ended up dead for your efforts."

"It's a good thing you're here then, isn't it?" Purdey snapped back, but Steed intervened before things could get too heated.

"Gambit's right," he said when he had their attention. "It's a bit foolhardy for one, but with four…"

"We could call Grey, have him set a trap," Emma pointed out. "That wouldn't be nearly as risky."

Gambit shook his head sadly. "I would if it were anyone but Grey. But if he snags Pym, then MI12 isn't going to listen when we ask for an inquiry, and he'll keep blackmailing agents to do his dirty work. Besides, you realise we can't go in in an official capacity. Steed and I are officially on leave. Grey would have us dragged back to England before we knew what hit us. So unless things get messy, we've got to watch out for both sides. But I don't know what we'll do if we manage to catch Pym."

Emma looked thoughtful. "My friend in Manaus has a few connections," she said slowly. "If we do catch Pym, I could arrange for him to take custody of the prisoners. Send in forces at the right time, intervene before Grey's people know what's happening."

Purdey smiled knowingly. "And don't forget. I may be missing, but I am still here on assignment. Anything we do can fall under my brief. Grey himself brought me in. For all intents and purposes, I'm part of his team. I can sign the paperwork, take the credit, and it'll still technically be an MI12 matter. That leaves you three out of it. But it'll be my collar, and if I want to start an inquiry…"

Gambit actually smirked. "That sounds mad enough to actually work."

"Then we'd better make an early night of it," Steed pointed out. "There's lots to be done before tomorrow evening." He looked to Emma. "You'll have to be up early if you're going to meet your friend, my dear."

"Mmm." Emma checked her watch. "I'll turn in as soon as I've had dinner."

Steed elected to keep watch, with Gambit taking second shift. Everyone obviously thought Purdey wasn't up to the task, but Purdey was too happy to be having beans on toast for the first time in weeks to be annoyed at the gentle treatment. She didn't even mind Gambit walking her to her tent after dinner. It was nice to have him near, really. She'd missed him terribly all these weeks. Steed too. But Steed was still talking to Mrs. Peel, and even knowing Gambit's interests on that front, she was fairly certain that she was still hanging on to the top spot in his affections. It was just as well. Someone had to keep her fed when they got back to London.

"You can have my tent," Gambit told her, pushing back the flap. "I'll sleep in Steed's until I'm up for watch." He followed her in, pointed out the mattress and the pack beside it. "There's a torch and things in there if you need them." He paused and smiled. "That reminds me..."

Purdey settled onto the mattress and watched him rummage through the pack with interest. Gambit felt around, then grinned, and waggled his eyebrows at her. "What is it?" she wanted to know.

"Guess," Gambit teased, pulling up on whatever it was, but hiding it from view. It crinkled in a way that suggested plastic packaging.

Purdey bit her lip and rolled her eyes heavenward. "Well, it crinkles. And you keep it in the tent. I'd say...condoms."

Gambit made a face. "In the jungle? Give me a little credit. Is that all you think I think about? Sex?"

"Am I wrong?" Purdey said with an innocent smile.

"Yes," Gambit asserted. "But I'm not going to claim purity of mind, either. Anyway." He pulled the packet from behind his back, and Purdey squinted in the dim light. "Dessert."

Purdey's face lit up. "Marshmallows!" She snatched the bag away eagerly and tore into the plastic, popped one morsel of gelatine between her lips. "And the right kind, too. Oh, I've been going through withdrawal." She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, savouring the sweet taste, letting it melt in her mouth.

"Do you need a moment alone?" Gambit quipped, eyeing Purdey's rapturous expression.

She opened one eye and stuck her white-coated tongue at him. "You don't know how to appreciate the finer points. Enjoying marshmallows is an art."

"You do make it interesting to watch," Gambit agreed. "I, uh, thought you'd want something when we found you, and they don't spoil or squish in the pack." He reached out and brushed a bit of white powder from Purdey's cheek, but his fingers lingered a second longer than was strictly necessary. "I'm glad I brought them. Everything's as it should be now."

Purdey swallowed and smiled in gratitude. "They're just what I needed, Mike. Thank you." She leaned in and bestowed a sticky kiss on his cheek, close enough to the corner of his mouth that he could taste her, just the tiniest bit. He wanted to turn his head, to feel her lips against his. He'd never wanted her so badly in his life, to feel her body against his, if only to assure him that she was here, that she was real, that he wouldn't wake up the next day to find it was all a dream, that she was still lost, somewhere far away out of his reach. He knew he was trembling with all the emotions churning through him, knew she could feel it, so close was she, blue eyes almost glowing in the dark. It would be so easy in their emotionally charged state to do anything, to let go and go where the wind took them. But now wasn't the time, here, with Steed and Emma just outside, and Purdey hurt, and him half-dead with exhaustion. So he pulled away, backed away to the tent flap. "Get some sleep," he told her, as steadily as he could. "Call me if something happens with your injuries."

"I'll be fine," Purdey assured, but her voice was faint. She was still clutching the bag of marshmallows, but it seemed forgotten. Her chest was heaving dramatically, and Gambit wondered if he hadn't been the only one pondering an impetuous act. "Good-night, Mike."

"Good-night, Purdey," he replied, and stepped into the cool jungle air, taking a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart. Walk away. Walk away before the waters get any deeper.

He obeyed.

***

Not long after Gambit staggered to bed after his turn on watch, Emma Knight was making preparations to leave. Steed also rose early, leaving the snoring Gambit to rejuvenate after the events of the previous day. He found Emma shrugging on her pack, and she smiled at his approach.

"Nothing like a brisk morning walk," Steed commented as he neared her.

"Or hike," Emma corrected, mouth quirked up on one side. "Although it's not as bad as all that. It's not as thought I'm going all the way back to Manaus. My contact has a station up the Amazon. I can radio in from there. But I will be gone most of the day, so I'm leaving you on babysitting duty."

Steed chuckled. "Purdey and Gambit normally do quite well without supervision," he told her. "Sometimes I think I'm not needed."

Emma smiled sadly. "You're always needed, Steed." Her eyes suggested by whom.

"As are you, Mrs. Peel," Steed said quietly, and they stood in silence for a moment, saying a decade's worth without uttering a word. "Will you be back in time?" he said eventually, when it became too much to bear.

Emma blinked, as though breaking from a trance, nodded. "I should be. I wish we had a little more notice, but I think we ought to be all right if I leave now."

"You will be careful?" Steed said seriously, worrying after her for the first time in ages.

"I survived searching for Peter. I'll be fine," she assured, adjusting the straps on her back. "Just save me something for dinner. I'm going to be ravenous!"

Steed smiled again. "Your wish is my command, Mrs. Peel."

***

Purdey prodded Gambit's still form with one hand, then reverted to shaking. "Come on, Mike. That's long enough!"

Gambit started, shot upright in surprise. "What! What is it?"

Purdey made a face at his panicked expression. "Steed wants you up, that's all. I'm going to show you the tunnel today, and there's no reason you should get to lay about while we hike our lives away."

"Oh." Gambit flopped back on his mattress. "And I suppose you volunteered for wake-up duty?"

Purdey grinned wickedly. "Did you miss me?"

"I don't suppose we can convince that tribe to take you back?" Gambit groaned, and Purdey punched him lightly in the arm.

"Get up, Mike Gambit, or I'll eat your breakfast."

"All right, all right, I'm up."

***

Purdey guided them to the spot where she'd seen Pym stop half a dozen times. She already knew how to work the mechanism, but she hadn't been brave enough to scope out the tunnel on her own. She wasn't certain her leg would be able to take the journey, and she'd known she was pushing it already with her daily constitution. But with Steed and Gambit to back her up today, she felt strong enough to make the trip, and when she pried back the moss that concealed the button, and hit it to activate the trap door, she took a little pleasure in watching Steed and Gambit's surprised reactions as the boulder rolled back and the ground slid away. "I did tell you," she said, unable to keep the smugness from her voice. "I don't do badly on my own, you know."

"Only because you learned from the masters," Gambit quipped, digging in his pack for a torch. "We've only been too happy to mould you."

"I hope not," Purdey retorted with a mock shudder, already starting down the set of crude steps hewn into the wall. "Pass me a torch and try to keep up."

Gambit handed her his own reluctantly. "Maybe I ought to go first. If you trip on something you won't do your leg or your ribs much good."

"Then I'll walk carefully," Purdey said stubbornly, flicking on the light. "My tunnel, my discovery, my operation." She shone the beam up at Gambit's face. "Coming?"

Gambit exchanged glances with Steed, but the senior agent shook his head, and Gambit understood. Indulge her. Let her run the show as much as possible. That way she won't feel cheated when the moment comes to set upon Pym with handcuffs instead of a knife. With a sigh, Gambit clambered down after her, with Steed bringing up the rear, each brandishing a torch. Steed checked the mechanism before they went, ensured that there was a way out again should it close in their absence. Then it was down, down the tunnel, Purdey leading the way, with Gambit resting a steadying hand on her back, keeping a close watch lest she tumble. Oddly, Purdey didn't mind. It reminded her of fleeing the 19th Special Commando, letting Gambit take the lead to guide them through the fields while she stayed behind, resting her hands on his back whenever he stopped, taking solace from the fact that she wasn't alone. Now, with the three of them in here, treading the same dirt path on the gentle slope downward, she felt more like herself, like part of a team again. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed it.

The tunnel was sloping up again, and soon they were at the other end, with more stairs leading up, and a dim outline of a trap door barely visible in the ceiling. Another button was stationed on the wall, and Purdey resisted the urge to press it. It was just as well, because she could hear footsteps above, as Grey's people completed the last of their cataloguing in preparation for the shipment. She had heard Pym say time was short before the documents were no longer available. No wonder tonight was their last chance.

She turned back to look at Steed and Gambit, but they were staring at the door, too, mouths closed and breathing silent. Who knew how much would be audible to those above? Steed beckoned for them to retreat back down the tunnel, and Gambit followed obediently. Purdey lingered, torturing her bottom lip. She wanted to see where the tunnel came out before tonight, but with so many people, it would prove impossible. She could feel Steed and Gambit watching her, though, and she turned reluctantly and set after them, this time resting her hands on Gambit's back once more, although now it was more because she could feel herself tiring. Gambit seemed to sense this, and he reached back to grasp her arm just below the elbow. It felt so good to have him close again, Purdey could barely contain the thrumming of her pulse as his fingers held her firm and steady. She smiled in spite of herself. A few weeks in the jungle, and she longing for Mike Gambit in a way she hadn't thought possible, savouring his touch and sureness with which he moved. It must be something in the air. Or water. Or both.

She indulged her naughty thoughts anyway, and found she was very good at illuminating certain parts of Gambit's physique with her torch. Even if it was his back, there were still things to see that no jungle could match.

They were outside again all too soon, and Purdey closed up the door before turning to face her colleagues. "Well?" she asked expectantly. "What do you think?"

Steed looked thoughtful. "The base itself may boast an inside guard at night, now that we've caused a security breach. That might frighten Pym off..."

Purdey shook her head. "No, he'll come. Grey's crew isn't equipped with enough guards for more than one or two to patrol inside. Pym can take of them relatively easily. After all, he doesn't need to worry about increased security after tonight. Knocking a few people out won't pose a problem."

Gambit nodded. "Purdey's right. If this is his last trip he can afford to leave with them on the alert. He'll find some way to slip out of the country regardless."

Steed sighed. "Going up against both Grey and Pym's men is pushing our odds a bit far."

"Not if we wait for Pym to take care of Grey's men first," Purdey pointed out.

Steed frowned. " 'Take care' may mean 'kill,' Purdey. Don't forget that Grey's people are still British agents and staff." He watched Purdey avert her eyes, but went on regardless. "No, we had better be the ones to see that they don't interrupt. I suggest we break into two teams. Two of us will take the tunnel in and make sure Grey's men are out commission, then lie in wait. The other two will wait for Pym to arrive and follow him up the tunnel. That way we should be able to surround them from both sides, pin them down, and wait for Mrs. Peel's cavalry to ride in and make the arrest." He eyed Purdey's discontented expression. "That's the way it's going to be, I'm afraid. You'll have to let that satisfy your need for revenge."

Purdey didn't look happy about it, but seemed to understand there was nothing she could do. "All right," she relented. "But I can't promise I won't give him a kick."

"Just not too hard," Gambit said cheerfully, draping an arm across her shoulders. "Then we can go home and have that dinner."

Purdey smiled weakly. "I suppose..."

"Speaking of home, we ought to be returning to camp. We'll need some shelter while we wait out Pym, and I'd like to have everything in place when Mrs. Peel comes back. Shall we?" He indicated for them to go ahead, and Purdey limped off, leaning on Gambit for support. She only hoped her leg would be strong enough tonight.