THE CELESTIAL AFFAIR

 

"I will get right on it," Illya Kuryakin said to Napoleon Solo as he closed the cover on his notepad.  "Oh, one more thing.  Would it be possible for me to take tomorrow off...?"

            Napoleon thought a moment.  "I think we can survive without you for one day," he said teasingly.  "What did you have planned?"

            Illya hesitated, wondering if he should make up a reason.  In the end, he went with the truth.

            "You will no doubt think it silly," he said, "but the Ill-Sol comet will pass overhead around midnight..."

            Napoleon looked at him blankly.

            "This only occurs once every 122 years," Illya explained.

            "...oh..." Solo leaned back in his office chair.  "Where does one go to view this...phenomenon?"

            "One does not have to go anywhere.  I am going to park on the street outside our apartment building and sit on the hood of my car."

            "Alone, or will your science friends be joining you?"

            "It is not for research that I do this," Illya said.  "It is a once-in-a-lifetime event..."

            Napoleon looked at him blankly.

            Illya sighed.  He had planned to ask his friend to join him but he could tell Napoleon wasn't the least bit interested.

            "...well..." Solo leaned forward in his office chair.  "As I said, I think we can manage without you.  Lord knows you have enough leave saved up!  Just be sure to turn in your report on the 'Gorilla Affair' so we can put that god-awful mess behind us!"

 

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As the hour approached midnight, Illya slipped on a lightweight jacket and was about to take up surveillance on the hood of his car when there came a knock on his front door.  With a hand on the butt of his gun, he took a cautious peek out the peephole.

            He let out a groan of disappointment.

            "Please tell me you are not here because we are needed someplace..." he said as he let Napoleon into his apartment.

            "Fear not," Solo said, closing the door behind him.  "I've asked THRUSH to put off taking over the world until after your comet passes.  They were very understanding."

            "I bet!" Illya rolled his eyes.  "Not to be rude, but I was about to leave.  Did you need something?"

            "Yes, actually.  I heard tonight there was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event so I persuaded the Janitor to slip me the key to the roof of our building.  I've set out lawn chairs, sleeping bags, and a cooler full of sodas and munchies---plus, the local pizzeria just delivered a large pie with everything on it.  The only thing I'm missing is someone special to share it with.  Are you available, by any chance...?"

            Illya could not have been more surprised if Napoleon had confessed he was a double-Agent, working for the KGB.

            "...are you serious...?" he stammered.  "...you would not be bored...?"

            "How could I be bored if I'm with you!?" Solo admonished him.  "By the way, I'm pretty tight with the CEA and he agreed to let us both have tomorrow off.  We'll have our own little slumber party!  What do you say?"

            Illya fought the urge to pinch himself.  To be sharing this magical evening with his best friend meant far more to him than viewing a hundred comets.

            "...I would love to join you, Napoleon..." he said with a shy smile.

            "Perfect!" Solo beamed.  "Now let's grab that pizza from my apartment and let's see how many constellations we can pick out!"

            Setting his security alarm, Illya followed the CEA to the elevators.  Good food, star gazing, and an evening with Napoleon all to himself.  What more could anyone ask!?

 

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