Chapter 2

Entering the Section One conference room, they saw Waverly studying a file a frown on his face.

"Sit down gentlemen. I just received a notice from the Russian consulate. It seems a Pyotr Ivanovich Baskov entered the United States without his government's knowledge or permission. They believe he's going to attempt to get even with his wife who had worked against him by getting proof of his treason and you, Mr. Kuryakin because of your relationship with her."

"I met him this afternoon sir in Miss Kuryakin's apartment." Napoleon spoke up.

"Then he has made his first move. Gentlemen even though we normally won't involve ourselves in a government's concern, even if it includes one of our agents, Mr. Baskov has been identified as a high ranking officer in Thrush."

"Oh this just gets better and better," Napoleon mumbled.

"Would you care to share that with the rest of us, Mr. Solo?"

"I had wondered how he found out where Miss Kuryakin lived sir. Now I guess we know."

"Well, besides revenge we need to determine what Thrush wants with Miss Kuryakin and how this oversight was excluded in her GRU file."

"I am sure General Skobelev could enlighten us," Illya said bitterly. The general had been responsible for his and Jo's separation and her cruel upbringing.

"Mr. Kuryakin need I remind you that General Skobelev is a member of the Soviet government who has supported UNCLE in it endeavors."

"No sir," he knew his hatred for the man was founded but if not controlled could lose UNCLE the support of a powerful ally.

"Gentlemen, you are dismissed. Mr. Solo protect Miss Kuryakin until we get this settled."

….

Jo lay on her bed petting her kitten Lapis taking a little comfort in its closeness. The cat reminded her of the love others felt for her. Illya had given her the white kitten with bright blue eyes after the Mole in the Field Affair to remember the good in her past.

When she heard someone at the door, she placed her hand on the gun under her pillow ready to roll off the bed if needed. She heard the door open, security being reset, the smell of well-known aftershave and the soft sound of familiar footsteps coming toward the bedroom. The pressure of him sitting on the bed let her to know it was safe to release the gun.

The silence between them was unusual. After a while, Jo spoke without turning.

"I was seventeen when my superiors believed that he was selling secrets to some international group. The General ordered me to accept his advances and then marry him. He was a cruel, controlling man, and during the six months we were married, he often used violence to get what he wanted." She felt a soft hand begin gently to rub her back.

"I was able to get the information we needed to convict him and the General's men were on their way to arrest him when he found the pictures I had taken of his files. The men were able capture him, but not until he did enough damage to keep me in the hospital for three months."

"I was sent to the Air Force right after I had recovered, but before I left I was told he had been convicted and executed. I am so sorry Napoleon; I did not know he was still alive."

"So once more, the General has messed up your life," he hissed.

"Napoleon! Why do you and Illya insist on blaming him for everything? You do not understand how my life was. I was thrown in a labor camp at seven. I ran away immediately and roamed the streets of Kiev for a few years before being picked up and sent to the orphanage. There were too many kids, not enough food and no one really cared. One day the General stopped to watch the classes. He saw something in me and a few of the other children and had us transferred to specialized schools. Yes he did many things that were not in my interest, but he was the only one who showed he even knew I was a person," Jo said angrily.

"He made you do things against your will, I wouldn't call that caring."

She said nothing, a strained silence continued. Napoleon knew she needed him to say something, but he didn't know what to say and slowly turned her around moving the cat out of the way.

"You are a wonderful, caring person because of who you are not what he made of you."

Still she remained silent gently touching her ring.

"I release you from your promise, moya lyubov," she said softly.

"Thank you." He answered with no emotion.

Her heart fell as she started to pull off her ring, but his hand covered hers

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't release you Jo. We'll work this out just let me be there for you."

He intertwined her hand with his, brushing his lips over hers, his eyes hungry with love, kissing each bruise on her face.

"Why must you always stop their attacks with your face?" he asked touching the darkening bruise on her chin.

For the first time that day he saw her smile, "Lucky I guess."

"I want to make love to you Jo."

"But what about your rule about sleeping with married women?"

"Well rules are made to break, and I guess broke that one with you a number of times already."

Slowly they undressed each other, touching where they knew the other loved to be touched, making love gently but with urgency. When they finished, Jo fell asleep soundly and safely in his arms.

….

While preparing breakfast, Napoleon's communicator beeped. He answered it quickly, not to wake Jo. Her night had been restless and she had held tightly to him throughout it.

"Solo."

"Mr. Solo, are you still with Miss Kuryakin?" Waverly asked without a greeting.

"Yes sir."

"Bring her into headquarters immediately and protect her until she is safely inside these walls."

"Sir?"

"We'll discuss this once you arrive. Just watch for surprises." With that, the communicator died.

"What did he want?" Jo asked from the bedroom door. Deep shadows could be seen under her eyes.

"Waverly wants us now and seems to be worried about your safety."

She turned back into the bedroom and he followed her. He watched her raise her slacks over her ankle holder and gun before pulling on her boots that had a throwing knife hidden in each one. The capri had a lacy top that was actually was a special thread able to cut most items when unraveled. Next, over her black turtleneck, her shoulder holster and special was a black blazer that held another knife under the collar. To finish up, she placed a beaded burette in her waist long hair that contained both gas and explosive pellets. Napoleon was grinning at her when she finished.

"What is so funny?" She demanded of him.

"You're one dangerous woman, Miss Kuryakin."

"I carry nothing more than most agents."

"But you do it so fashionably. Come on Waverly's waiting and our food is going cold."

…..

As they entered the lobby of their apartment building, Napoleon called out to a few of the Section Seven men that was responsible for security. The men liked the CEA as he spent a few moments asking each something personal to show how much he valued them.

"I will meet you in the car," Jo called out as she walked out the door.

As she exited, she felt something hit her in the face, knocking her to the ground. Before she could even focus, she saw Napoleon hitting the man before her with a right cross causing him to land next to her on the sidewalk.

One of the Section Seven men helped her up while Napoleon and another security man held Baskov, the downed man, at gunpoint.

"Are you okay, Jo?"

Bushing herself off, she nodded her head yes.

The CEA looked at the man on the ground then spoke to the security officers.

"Gentlemen, keep this piece of garbage here for ten minutes then let the trash go. Baskov, if you come near her again, I won't be so generous."

He walked with her to the car. Once he was in the car, he turned toward her angrily. "You were supposed to wait for me and not go out by yourself! You know better than that!"

"You are right." She surprised him with her agreement.

Looking at her face, he started smiling.

"Now what is so funny?"

"Well at least he hit you on the other side of your face. You're going to have matching eyes." With a laugh, he started the car heading toward work.