"Umbrage?"

"Yes umbrage! Do you even understand the meaning of the word?" The Russian hissed.

"Well, ummm…."

"I thought not. It means to take offense. Here are some synonyms...to be aggrieved, be affronted, annoyed, angry, indignant, to be put out, insulted, be hurt, piqued, resentful, disgruntled, to to into a huff, be miffed, have one's nose out of joint, to chafe….

"Gee Mister Kuryakin, I don't know what a syn...synanum is."

"Bloody hell, Norman. You do not even understand your own language? It is not my native tongue, yet I understand it, its grammar, and the parts of speech and so forth."

The ginger-haired young man lowered his head.

"I flunked English when I was in school 'cause I just wasn't so good at it. I had to quit my senior year in high school to get a full time job so's I could help support the family after my no good drunk of a father walked out on us. I ain't stupid Mister Kuryakin. I can still read and write, and I do understand things. That's why I got the file clerk job here at U.N.C.L.E."

Illya felt a pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach for having shouted at Norman.

Kuryakin questioned himself. Perhaps he needed to walk in another's shoes to understand things better? That was something he'd never really done. He needed to be more empathetic towards others, not jump to conclusions; now even more so with this young man who was obviously not at fault for the most part, and who had a good heart.

"Norman, I apologize for my outburst. I would like to make an offer to you. Would you let me tutor you in English? Perhaps it could lead to you getting your high school diploma?"

"Gee Mister Kuryakin, you're awfully busy. I shouldn't oughta take you away from your important work."

"We could do it on my free time, perhaps once or twice a week. It would be a privilege to help you. Once you get your degree, it could help you get a promotion."

"Okay Mister Kuryakin, you got yerself a deal," Norman's freckled face beamed as he offered his hand to the Russian, and Illya shook it in return.

"We can start tonight after I am finished with my shift here at 5 p.m. you should be done with yours by then as well?"

"Yes sir I am," Norman smiled. "Gotta go, I can't be late with these." He straightened out the folders he held in his arms with an apparent sense of pride before dashing off to the elevator.

Napoleon stepped up behind his partner, adding his two cents worth after he'd quietly eavesdropped on the conversation.

"I heard that offer to tutor Norman and it's really nice of you tovarisch."

"I think it is the right thing to do to help the young man."

"Oh it is, but when you get to explaining colloquialisms and idioms, you better call me to help you out," Napoleon winked.

"Why must you insult me?"Illya huffed.

"Oh maybe because it's fun." Solo turned and walked away, grinning from ear to ear.

"I should take umbrage, but today is your lucky day Napoleon,"Illya called. "For insulting me, you get to buy me lunch at Katz's Delicatessen as recompense."

Solo made 'that face,' the one where he scrunches up his nose and mouth when he realizes he's been out maneuvered…

.

* note: in my early partnership stories Illya seemed to not understand American colloquialisms and idioms, leaving Napoleon to be constantly explaining them. Illya may have actually been pulling Solo's leg, but that's never really brought to light.