Solo kept up a cheerful banter as he drove the small car through the Surrey streets. Richmond was pretty, with quaint rows of houses and a large park set in the middle. Stopping briefly at the corner store to stock up on toiletries he watched his partner slowly come back to the car. It was late, they were both tired, and the overnight flight from New York and their subsequent meeting with Cowley this morning left them no room to relax. It was with regret Solo thought they would not even have the comfort and privacy of a hotel tonight.

“Hey, you want to take a walk in the park before we go on?” Solo asked suddenly inspired.

Illya bowed his head and looked up from under golden lashes, the blue eyes cutting and clear. “No.” The Russian leaned across and settled his hand on Solo’s arm, “But thank you, Napoleon. I have avoided this long enough I think.”

“You want to talk some more about it?”

Illya sat with his back against the car door, half turned in his seat and watched the American closely; “You’re being very good about all of this Napoleon.”

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

Illya shrugged.

“Why were you so afraid of telling me?”

Again the shrug, the elegant half gesture of a preoccupied man, “You know why, Napoleon.”

“Part of it.” Napoleon had no idea why he pushed but the sense that Illya had not trusted him enough with this rankled his nerve. There is nothing he would not tell the slight Russian. No piece of himself kept too private or hidden. No reserves. Nothing. Though he admitted to himself there were no others he would be so free with. No other man or woman.

“What other part is there?” Still Illya kept his gaze down not looking up, and though Napoleon knew that although he was crossing the boundaries between them, his partner showed no sign of agitation.

“Well now, we have seen each other in many compromising positions over the years,Illya and have thought no ill from it. I thought you trusted me.”

Illya winced, “I do trust Napoleon. You’re the only I do.” He looked up, “If you had of been less understanding Napoleon, I would have gone back to Russia willingly.” Solo noticed his hand shook lightly as he pushed back the blond hair from his face. His cool reserve was threatening to collapse any moment.

“They would kill you.” Solo was quiet.

“Still I would have gone.”

“Why?”

Illya shook his head, “There has never been anyone in my life I have counted on or trusted Napoleon, only you. It would be too cruel to live without touching humanity even for me.”

Solo was glad of the darkened interior of the car; he choked back his emotions with effort and looked up. “Thank you, Illya.”

Illya laughed gently and sweetly and Solo was drawn to the sound of such innocence. “I believe it was me thanking you. Besides, why are you being so good about it?”

“Firstly it is not an it, it is you we are discussing. Secondly I do not suffer from homophobia in the least. In fact the few times I tried it was rather exciting, so no I have no problem with it at all. Besides, you’re my partner.” Solo said finally as if it explained it all, and perhaps it did. Illya’s mouth hung open as he looked straight at his partner’s profile.

“You’ve slept with men?” he stammered.

Solo smiled, “Yes a few times, at college, in the army, for UNCLE. Why, does it bother you?”

Illya shook his head, “No, I just wish I had your freedom.”

“So how long were you with Bodie?” he asked finally starting the car.

“Four months.”

“Hmmm. Well sexual freedom isn’t all its cracked up to be. Besides I suspect you learned a great deal more in four months with one partner than I did despite the number of times I’ve tried it.”

Illya blushed.

“You're kidding, right? I mean you did have sex with him, yes?”

Illya dropped his head the blush deepening. “Yes, if you count cold floors and clumsy acts as sex then I suppose I did.”

“What?”

“He was living with his Aunt, and I was in a KGB flat, we had very little privacy and what there was, was not conducive to making love.”

“But you fooled around.”

“A little, it was more friendship than sex – I guess we were both lonely.”

Solo nodded, the emotions threatening to choke him again. The thought of Illya as lonely tore him and yet he was strangely pleased that he had just about confessed to having never made love. It was important to the American that Illya's first time was filled with love and trust and a gentle hand. Illya deserved nothing less. The kind of love and commitment he knew instinctively he could give the Russian. A sudden surge of arousal coursed through him as he sat in the car determinedly tamping down on his desire. Thoughts long-suppressed, long-denied seemed determined to flare into his mind and sear his consciousness. This both disconcerted and strangely pleased him. He shook his head and continued around the pretty suburb locating Doyle’s residence easily and turned into the driveway.

By American standards, the semi-detached house was quaint. It was double-storied with ivy growing on the lintel. The door opened and Doyle walked out a smile on his face and began to help Solo with the bags. Bodie lingered behind and watched as Illya retrieved the rest of their things from the car. Solo balked for a moment, his protective instinct going into overdrive as Bodie approached the small blond.

Illya looked uncomfortable as Bodie reached forward and took the pile of files threatening to topple out of his arms.

Doyle tugged Solo on the arm “Better now than later.” Doyle said quietly watching the two men separated by so much time, and so much pain.

Solo shrugged, “Perhaps better not at all,” Solo said absently.

“Then you know?”

Solo laughed as he came into the hallway. “Yes, Illya told me this afternoon.”

“Bit of a body blow, eh? Those two knowing each other.”

“A bit.”

Something about the way the American spoke, made the ex-copper in Doyle react. “You didn’t even know he was gay did you?” he asked quizzically as he led the way to the upstairs bedroom.

“Remind me not to try and keep a secret from you.”

Doyle laughed, “Sorry, does it bother you?”

Solo shook his head, “No.” and then he smiled the devilish debonair smile that made people melt. Doyle chuckled low and dirty.

“No, I guess it doesn’t bother you,” he lead the way into the spare room, Solo eyed the large double bed but made no comment. “Sorry,” Doyle answered the unspoken reaction, “Best we can do, if it’s all too much there’s a couch downstairs but it's not comfortable.”

Solo dumped the bags and looked around the room, clean and neat with the comfortable air of home. “It's not the first time we’ve had to sleep together. Nice room by the way.”

“We try.”

“Hmm? Oh, I did try to get the old man to let us stay in a motel. It’s ah, not the easiest of circumstances, is it?”

Doyle smiled. “Not for either of us,” Doyle answered with refreshing honesty. “But knowing Cowley as I do, it would have offended his Scottish pride to let you stay anywhere else. Besides maybe it’ll heal the rift.”

“With any luck we won’t have to inconvenience you too long.” Solo smiled again listening intently for his partner's voice and grew a little anxious.

“You eaten yet?”

“A little earlier.”

“I’ll put the kettle on then.” Doyle turned in the doorway, sensual lips curved into a soft smile. His green eyes flashed as the hall light halloed his lithe form and glowing auburn curls. Solo hand’s tightened slightly on the lid to the suitcase. “You are welcome here Napoleon, and so is Illya.”

“You mean that don’t you?”

“Yes and for the record I think there is something they are not telling us. Either that or Bodie has it wrong.”

“Wrong?” Solo’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes, I doubt a man like you could accept a partner for so long in such adversity if you thought he was capable of betraying you.”

“I wouldn’t.” Solo shook his head still a little stunned by the perceptive and very attractive man as he continued to unpack.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

“Hello Illya.” Bodie stood back for a moment as he watched the Russian retrieve the last of his possessions from the car. Illya turned the large stack of folders and case files tipping dangerously as Bodie stepped forward and helped him, popping them back into the box which had fallen over in the back seat.

Illya stood and looked into eyes almost as blue as his own and steeled himself for the rejection and bitter words he knew instinctively must pass between them. He was surprised when Bodie reached forward and gently touched his shoulder instead.

Illya shuddered and took a step back, his eyes veiled and hooded. “Please don’t, Bodie.”

“It’s all right, Illya,” The soft English accent purred as Bodie stepped closer and kept the soft touch.

“No Bodie, it’s not alright.” Again the barely suppressed shudder, the walls shutting down over the ice-blue eyes as Illya returned to something more like himself again. He shrugged his shoulder and backed away again. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, and a lot of things often get confused until you look at them carefully or through another’s eyes.”

“Such as?” Illya’s tone was cutting and dry, he had very little use of emotions or feelings and he would not let them get in the way now.

“Such as a gun in your hand the last time we met.”

“It was you who shot me,Bodie. Remember?”

“I remember.” Pain filled the CI5 man’s eyes and Illya winced.

“Would that there was world enough and time enough to explain Bodie, but there’s not we have a job to do and I am sure it will be accomplished quicker and easier if we defer this conversation.” Illya's voice was soft but resolute.

“I know what defer means to you, Illya. It means never have it, and it is already years overdue.”

“Then it can wait.”

“And if I don’t think it can?”

Illya tossed the jacket he was holding down onto the seat of the car, “Fine then. What precisely are you looking for Bodie?”

“The truth.”

“You already know the truth. Digging for anything else is going to harm the man you love. Let it go.”

Bodie shook his head and frowned his face pinched and hard, “Doyle…” the name a benediction on silent lips as he turned back to Illya again. “Astute Illya.”

The Russian smiled at the words, “Yes, and I am sorry to be the one here. Our agencies care little for our personal problems in getting the job done, just so long as it is done.”

Bodie nodded and moved a step back. “You look good.”

A smile rare as the sun in winter lit the Russian lips and he relaxed a little. “Bodie.” He warned with a confused edge to the steely voice.

“Well you do, so what’s with the American?”

“Napoleon?”

“Is that really his name?”

Illya nodded, “Yes it is, he’s my partner.”

“Really?” Bodies eyebrows waggled as he looked at the slight blond figure clad entirely in black lean against the car.

“Yes really,” Illya answered with exasperation, “as in working partner.”

“So you're still single?”

“I am afraid UNCLE is not conducive to being in a relationship, besides I suspect I shall always be single.”

“Still don’t trust do you?”

“Look Bodie, I won’t tell you about your business but in mine, trust is a fatal flaw best left for the idealists.”

“But you trust Solo.”

“Yes, he’s my partner and has been for a number of years.”

“How long has he known about what we had Illya?”

Illya bit his lip, “A while.” He lied smoothly.

Bodie laughed, “That means a few hours then, yet you trust him?”

“Bodie, I am tired, I am dirty and all I want to do is sleep. Please leave the inquisition for when we both have the nerve for it.” Illya’s tone was softly pleading and Bodie stepped back.

“I’m sorry Illya, you’re right of course.”

The Russian relaxed at those words and picked up the rest of the things from the car. “Thank you.”

“Illya.”

“It's all right, Bodie. I too do not wish to see Ray hurt. It's good that you love him, very good.” A shy smile as Bodie nodded his ascent and turned to come face to face with Solo.

“I thought you might need a hand.” Solo said gracefully as he took the folders from Bodie's arms and looked pointedly at Illya.

“No I can manage, Napoleon.”

“Good, shall we?” A gentle urbane gesture from the tilt of his head as Bodie entered the house. He watched Illya’s back, then the blond stopped on the small garden path and cocked his head to one side, waiting. Solo followed, understanding the silent command with a smile.