Chapter 7
Arriving at the labs, the group could see that they had been destroyed and ransacked.
"Do you think Solo and Kuryakin did that?" One of the agents asked pointing at the damage.
"Looks like my brother's work. He does like to leave his mark when he is around. I would not be surprised to find some explosives so be careful."
The three were looking over the remains when Jo's communicator when off.
"We found them; lower lever."
"Downstairs now, we will not find anything here." With that, the three ran toward the basement.
As they entered the room, Jo moved toward the front of the room. She was able to see the situation, her brother chained to the wall, Napoleon being held with a knife to his throat.
"Let him go!" Anger laced in the words, as she changed her clip from darts to bullets in front of him.
"Oh are you going to kill me? Surely you do not think you are capable of that." Pyotr mocked her.
"I said to let him go. Do not think I will not kill you. I am not the child you married. The GRU has taught me many things including how to kill without emotion. Napoleon?"
"I'm okay, do what you must."
Jo nodded slightly to Jimmy, then said. "We will put an end to this. NOW!"
Napoleon let himself go limp allowing the team to take a shot at his captor. Jo's shot hit the knife while Jimmy's dart hit Baskov.
Jo hurried to Napoleon's side as he once more hit the ground. Jimmy went to unchain Kuryakin from the wall.
Rubbing his wrists, he joined his sister on the floor.
"He's been through a lot, I suggest we get him out immediately."
She looked up at him, "The machine and paperwork? Waverly made that the priority."
"Safe, you two," Illya pointed to two of the agents. "Get Bovkac out of the building and make sure he is secured. Mr. McLaughlin help Jo get Napoleon upstairs. The rest of you get everyone who remains outside. I will plant explosives to blow the building once we are clear."
As everyone left to complete his or her task, the injured man whispered to Jo.
"I'm happy to see you."
"I am so sorry that I am the cause of all this," she said indicating his wounds.
"You aren't responsible for any of this. This is what we do and what can happen when we do it," he said pain slurring his words.
She didn't answer him but directed Jimmy to help her get him on the blanket to carry him out. The movement produced enough pain to cause him to black out.
…
Napoleon woke up in medical. His leg, ribs and body hurt but less than in the cell, so he knew surgery was over.
He saw his partner sleeping in the chair next to him on one side and Jo asleep in the other, his hand in hers.
"It isn't your fault. He used me as a pawn to get back his information and hurt you," he whispered gently stroking her hair.
"We do not need to worry about him anymore. The GRU requested that he be returned to Russia where his sentence will be carried out."
"So you'll have the freedom to be mine?" he said as he slid back into sleep.
When he woke up next, only his partner remained at his side. Looking toward where Jo had been he heard Illya answering his unasked question.
"Waverly sent her on the African assignment. She said to tell you that she would speak to you when she returns."
"Is she still blaming herself?"
"You know how we are. We all try to figure out what we could do differently when someone we are working with is hurt. I think it more about the fact that she did not tell you about Baskov."
"She didn't know he was alive. Besides that part of her life was before she joined UNCLE. I am sure we all have things from our past that we do not want to share."
He gave Illya a look that said that he knew the Russian also had many secrets he didn't share. Through as he thought about it, maybe it was easier for all of them that way.
A small frown played on Illya's lips. "Perhaps to stay sane, we need to keep some things to ourselves."
"Perhaps, but I'll always be here if you need to talk. So how long before you can spring me from this place and I can get back to work?"
Dr. Towers walked in answering before Illya could.
"If you actually do as ordered, you can go home with help in three or four days. However, as for work, expect at least two weeks before even desk duties, and another month for fieldwork. However, if you disobey doctor orders, you'll stay here for at least a month."
Napoleon gave the doctor the most sincere smile he could and held up three fingers in the scout salute.
"Scout's Honor doc, I'll follow directions."
"We'll see. For a start, Mr. Kuryakin you need to leave. The patient needs to gets some more rest and no discussion of work when you visit. Is that understood?"
Both men gave a quiet yes before the doctor left.
"Sneak me in some files when you come back so I've something to do," the CEA suggested.
"Do you want to get struck in here for a month? Dr. Towers was not kidding. Surely you can wait a few days."
Knowing Illya was right, he withdrew his request and turned his attention to the cute nurse who came in to give him a sponge bath.
"On second thought, maybe I can find other things to keep me busy for the next few days."
Illya rolled his eyes. "Just remember you do have commitments." He warned as he left, "And a broken leg will be the least of your concerns if you break them."
….
The African assignment was completed in less than a week and Jo now stood outside Napoleon's door worried about the outcome of this meeting. She had found a note on her desk asking her to stop by at five that evening.
Thinking about ignoring it, she decided it was better to get this over. She didn't blame him for wanting to end the relationship. He had been seriously hurt because of her, and she had kept the marriage a secret.
Knocking on the door, she heard him bumping around the apartment with his cane. He opened the door a large smile on his face.
"Come in, I've been waiting for you. Supper will be on in a few minutes. I made all your favorites."
Taking her coat, he directed her toward the kitchen. Jo sat at the table watching him move slowly around the area. He was in a walking cast and she could see that he was in pain.
"Sit down, I'll get the food," she said.
"That's okay, it ready." With that, he transferred the food from the oven to the table. He placed a dish before each of them and grabbed the wine out of the refrigerator.
Talking constantly, Napoleon tried to pull Jo into the discussion. Instead, she moved her food around the dish not eating.
"Jo?" he said putting his fork down taking her hand. "You're not at fault. If it hadn't been me, it would've been someone else. Pyotr was crazy. He hated everyone and everything. I don't blame you. I'm sure there will be other secrets that can hurt us. We need to talk to each other when they arise so that we can help one another. We can't solve the problem unless we let each other in. I promise to try my best."
"But he did this to you because of me. I can't forgive myself when I can see how badly you are hurt."
"Heck, this isn't the first time or the last. Besides, I can use the vacation. Especially if you get some time off. You mean everything to me and I would do it over again if needed." Then he started singing.
"You're all I got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
Without you baby what good am I
What good am I
Baby, I can't make it without you
And I'm, I'm telling you honey
You're my reason for laughing, for crying,
For living and for dying-
- Righteous Brothers - (You're My) Soul And Heart's Inspiration (1966)
Jo leaned over and kissed him causing the singing to stop.
"If you promise to cease singing, I promise that I will stay right here."
Napoleon laughed, "Sounds like a deal to me."
With that, she attacked her food, making him smile to see her happily eating.
After supper, the two snuggled under the covers on the couch with music playing softly in the background, wine in hand.
"Are you supposed to be drinking that?"
"Now Jo, don't you start. It actually dulls the pain, so who needs pain pills. I only have one regret."
"And that is?"
"That I can't take you into the bedroom and show you how much I care."
"Well I can think of a few other things we can do." She said taking him into her arms, leaning him back against her, nibbling his ear and neck.
Holding one another, the two agents spent the night watching the fire burn while living for the moment.