***

He put the paper down after reading the headlines. He stared at the photo a bit longer than he intended. So many memories were associated with this man. The legend.

He heard the kettle hiss and knew the water was ready. Rising to his feet, he pulled his robe a bit tighter around his waist and moved to the stove to make his first cup of tea.

The running of footsteps could be heard coming from the staircase, followed by a door opening. The familiar sweet voice called out to him in the kitchen.

“Uncle! I won’t be home for supper. I have an exam in A&P two this week. So, I’ll be at the library studying with Melanie. I’ll call if I’m late.”

“Be home by midnight,” he called firmly.

“But, Uncle? I'm nineteen, I’m not a baby anymore.”

“Midnight or I will come get you,” he replied with finality.

A loud sigh was heard and he could almost see her rolling her eyes to the ceiling. "Fine, midnight. Bye!”

And then he heard the door slam.

The house was empty. Someday, soon, it will be empty for good. She was ready to leave the nest. All that kept her here was him, and he was not going to allow her to waste her young life looking after him. Of course before she flew the roost, he would have to tell her a few things, a few important facts. Soon. Just not yet. He wasn’t ready.

With his coffee mug in his right hand, the blond man sat back down at the table and stared at the newspaper once more. The President’s daughter was dying. Napoleon Solo’s daughter was dying.

Perhaps, it was time for the running to end.

***

Elijah reached for his recently brewed coffee, and glanced out the window. He could see the first snow of winter. By morning the beach would be covered with half an inch of the white snow.

Pulling on his sweater, Elijah turned to look over at Billy just to see his friend hard at work studying the books Jericho had gotten a month or so before while down in Florida; while they were trying to locate Uncle Jason.

Fingering his medallion, another trinket Jericho obtained on his quest to find his own father, Elijah paced the room slowly. Everything was so confusing, and even after several weeks on the road trying to find the eldest family member of the Richards legacy, they were no closer to discovering the truth of their immortality, never mind finding a way to rescue Elijah’s parents.

The mystery was getting darker by the minute. The clues they discovered led to an even worse trail with more questions than answers. Elijah knew he needed answers and soon.

They had arrived at Virginia Beach late last night. Jericho had reserved a room at the Dolphin Inn. Exhausted from being on the road, they had all crashed as soon as they were through the doors.

Morning came all too quickly. Dom had gone to fetch a newspaper, and Jericho was taking a shower. After some breakfast, Jericho figured they would continue the search for his sister, Natalie.

Just a week ago at a fair, Elijah met an extraordinary man named Sir Ian, who had revealed some startling facts about the Richards family history.

Elijah still didn’t understand all that Ian had said. The only thing he did understand was that he had more missing family members who were possibly just like him. That meant they were also in danger. From whom? Nearly everyone as far as Elijah was concerned. Mostly from Fletcher, Saxon and the mysterious IIA.

Elijah needed to know the truth. Just as Jericho came out of the shower toweling himself dry, and Dom entered with the newspaper, Elijah turned to face Billy. Billy was seated at the table, sipping coffee, as he looked over the books.

“Billy, will you tell me “ us ” what the IIA is? I think this cloak and dagger, spy world is a bit overly dramatic, and I need to know. We need to know what we’re dealing with.”

Looking up, Billy removed his glasses and put down the book, giving Elijah his full attention.

“It’s bad enough we have to deal with Steel Fletcher and your dad. But, to have a military organization after us too -- I need to know how bad things are. You need to come clean and tell us everything you know.”

Billy took a deep breath, and after a moment of collecting his thoughts, he nodded and slowly began to sign. As he did, Dom put down the newspaper on the table and took a seat next to Billy. Jericho continued to get dressed after his shower, but it was obvious by his stares that he was reading Billy’s sign language.

“The IIA is short for The International Intelligence Agency. It is indeed an organization, but it is relatively new, and to explain the entire format of the agency will take some time.”

Jericho looked at his watch. It was still early, only 7 am. He didn’t want to go pounding on the mysterious Illya Kuryakin’s door at least not for a few more hours.

“We have time.”

Lowering his eyes, Billy sighed softly and then looking up, he started signing again. “The IIA, was an organization created from in the late 1960’s. Have you ever heard of U.N.C.L.E?”

Seeing their faces, Billy continued. “U.N.C.L.E was an organization made up of many different government factions, whose job was to try to stop corruption and the chaotic spread of THRUSH world wide.”

Still seeing the confusion, Billy smiled. “THRUSH was sort of like an international tyrannical mob, only more organized and quite diabolical. Their rules for war were they had no rules. They were, in short, evil as they sought ways to dominate the world. Course, that is completely irrelevant. In the mid 1960’s a few high officials started to change things in U.N.C.L.E. The politicians within the UN wanted, essentially, to create a secondary unit in U.N.C.L.E but that specialized in science and medical technology advancements. The head operative that headed this change was John Gottwin. He was the head scientific unit in U.N.C.L.E Germany. His interest was in both medical and science and how to make this world better, safer for all. In many ways, he was greatly respected, in others, well, he was not so well thought of since some of his medical practices were called into question.”

Seeing his enraptured audience taking in everything he said, Billy smiled and went on with the story.

“At that time, in New York there was a man in U.N.C.L.E - short for United Network Command of Law Enforcement - Alexander Waverly, who had known Gottwin for many years. With the UN leaders, he and Gottin began to assimilate a small branch outside of U.N.C.L.E to form this new group. Gottwin created a unified Elite that worked not only with U.N.C.L.E but with the United Nations. In the meantime, as the IIA was trying to get itself established, U.N.C.L.E had managed to take down three THRUSH Elite bases, captured several high council members within that organization as well as the finding and destruction of the Ultimate computer. The Ultimate computer was the main brain and the co-ordinator of the THRUSH agents planted around the world in strategic areas. This literally caused THRUSH to disband. To date, THRUSH stands as more like a underground international mob that really has no power left accept with the small dealings with drugs, usually with Cuba. When this happened, the UN began to wonder if U.N.C.L.E was no longer a necessity? Waverly, and most operatives around the world began to get smaller budgets and less funds to continue with a lot of their programs. Within a few years, U.N.C.L.E North America was shut down as the powers at be felt it had become nonessential. To date, only U.N.C.L.E Europe continues to operate.”

Jericho, who was just buttoning his shirt at this point, spoke for the first time. “So what ever happened to this Waverly and Gottwin?”

“Waverly died in late 1969. Heart attack. No foul play was suspected. It is sad in a way though. Waverly got to live to see his prized organization dwindle in power. Gottwin continued in finalizing the creation of the IIA. He later brought in a personal medical scientist, Karl Emerson, to help continue to run the organization. This of course was considered quite a slander to the few remaining U.N.C.L.E agents who had helped see the creation of the IIA."

“What do you mean?” asked Elijah, just finishing his cup of coffee.

Billy pointed to the newspaper Dom had put on the table. The front headlines showed the President of the United States. Napoleon Solo. In his arms was a young girl. The headlines read that the child was back in the hospital and was not expected to live much longer.

“Before he was voted in on his second term, before he stepped in as President of the United States after the assassination of President Gauvin, before he was Vice President under President Gauvin, before he was a father and husband, before his outspoken work at the UN, he was Napoleon Solo, spy and top agent of Section Two in U.N.C.L.E.”

Elijah looked at the newspaper and saw that the child had been placed in a hospital in Washington, D.C.

“At that time, he was Waverly’s right hand, and it was even rumored that he would someday take over Waverly’s job. Solo was a legend in the making. All agents envied and tried to emulate his career. But, there is only one Solo. He was the best of U.N.C.L.E. Right along side was his partner and friend for many years, a Russian, who came to America despite the Cold War to fight against evil. His name was Illya Kuryakin.”

Jericho’s head snapped up. Elijah also stared at Billy.

“Illya Kuryakin?” His great uncle? The man who now had custody of Natalie, Jericho’s sister?

“This gets a bit more complicated, I’m afraid. You see, with Waverly’s death and U.N.C.L.E starting to fade out of the system, with the destruction of THRUSH, agents were being transferred and planted into the various branches within the IIA. Napoleon was nearly out of a job. However, Gottwin, out of respect for Waverly, allowed Solo to step in as Waverly’s replacement and made him an ongoing member within the agency. It was really a figurehead position with very little power. At that time, Solo would not take the office. He actually resigned, but when they informed him that his partner, Illya Kuryakin could also join him as his assistant, he reconsidered and took his place within the IIA. Of course, that was when the trouble began. You see, the IIA was supposed to be just a medical and scientific organization, but with the association of ex-U.N.C.L.E agents grand fathered in to the organization, the UN agreed to allow a third department. A military group that would see to the IIA’s enforcement for the UN. They became sort of like a specialized Elite that helped maintain order and peace within the world wide community. Despite their friendship, Solo could not convince Kuryakin to stay as he wished to be transferred to the still functioning U.N.C.L.E in Europe. Complications rose when Gottwin, a friend or more likely an associate of Karl Emerson, brought in a scientist, named Doctor Paul Raven. Raven had done a lot of scientific research for many years and had been working on a highly classified project. The controversy was that Paul Raven had worked within THRUSH, sometime after working with my father. I would also like to point out that Doctor Raven had briefly worked with a Doctor Matthew Pierce in 1969.”

Elijah tried to figure out where he heard that name before; Billy filled in the blank.

“Doctor Matthew Piece in 1969 worked for Jordan Braddock in Los Angeles, California. He was the man responsible for giving Braddock a blood transfusion after a nearly fatal plane crash. Blood that had been given by Ben Richards.”

Elijah swallowed and lowered his eyes. The pieces were starting to come together, and Elijah could feel the sense of doom hang over his head.

“Somehow Pierce, probably unwittingly, told Raven about Ben, and well, that spurned Raven on to find out more about the Immortals. That was the top secret project he was working on when he joined the IIA. As you know, he worked for my dad, which is where he first began to have a fascination with finding a way to extend a persons longevity. To live forever. Eventually, this led him to finding Jason.”

Jericho glared at Billy at this information. “You knew that Illya Kuryakin was immortal? That he was related to us?”

Billy shook his head. “No. I did not, nor did I know at anytime before the fair that Kuryakin was related to you or Elijah. I knew that there were more immortals. But Emerson, who is now a general within the military department and top commanding officer within the IIA, only informs his agents what information is necessary to complete a mission. My background information about all of you was rather brief. You must believe me. I did not know that all of you were pieces of a puzzle that belonged together. As far as I was told, I was sent to keep an eye on you. To keep you safe from harm, because of your special blood.”

“You mean, until we led you to our fathers, so you could put us all into one net?” replied Jericho, in a rather disgusted voice.

Billy met Jericho’s angry eyes and nodded. “Yes. But, I was told that it was for your own good. That you were all in danger. That it was necessary. As time went on and, I got to know all of you, I found myself believing less and less of what I was told. Sometimes in war or even peace, Jericho, we’re just pawns. We don’t think about the consequences or even why we are doing what we do, only that we are simply following orders.” Billy then added. “I know, I was a fool. I no longer believe in the IIA. I give you my word, I am on your side. To what ever end.”

Jericho fought down his anger and outrage and feeling the control, he gave a short nod. “Go on. Tell me more?”

“As the years passed, other governments of the world joined forces with the IIA. At least eight world powers form the IIA, assigned by the UN. Each member that was voted in were from the following countries. United States, naturally, and Germany, Russia, Japan, China, Spain, and two countries in the Middle East, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Most of the U.N.C.L.E long term agents had either retired, moved on, transferred to the Europe branch or found a nice place behind a desk in the IIA. Gottwin died in 1983. Heart attack. Again, he was quite old by then and it was seen as old age. I joined the IIA about ten years ago. I was just out of college in Scotland. I had just broken up with this barmaid and I didn’t know what to do with my life. My mum died when I was quite young, and I was brought up by a nice lady, who was a friend of my mother’s. I was in my first year in the IIA when I heard that she was killed in a train accident. I no longer had any ties, and so I threw myself into the only life I knew. The IIA was my world. I had no interest to seek out my father and I had no real friends. No, I wanted no emotional ties. Anyway, all of us cadets and even later, when we became full fledged agents, we all heard about the legendary Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin team in the old U.N.C.L.E branch. It was a necessary history lesson of the formation of the IIA. God, Jericho, Elijah, if you only knew half the stuff those guys--” Seeing the blank stares, Billy decided to move on to another subject.

“I don’t know what exactly happened, but sometime early on, when Raven joined the IIA, he must have learned about Illya’s blood. I don’t know how he knew, but he tried to throw a net on Kuryakin, and the Russian agent was able to evade and run. As for Kuryakin, I guess he has been running since. Mr. Kuryakin must have traced his own history somehow and went on a search to find your father, Jericho. Whether it was to warn him or just find his past, I don’t know. But maybe when or if we meet him, you can ask him. As for how I met Solo, it was shortly after President Gauvin’s assassination, when Solo stepped in as Vice President and later was elected President. Emerson, who had now been appointed General of the Executive force of the IIA, made contact with him. I was for a brief time assigned as Solo’s personal guard since there had been an attempt made on his life during his state of address. He was a good man, and I respected him greatly. I was sad to be relocated, transferred to the Military agency within the Elite group. Which is how I was assigned to stay with you until you located your father’s.”

Jericho nodded, as he put his wallet into his back pocket.

“This whole thing is mind blowingly insane. The more information we get, the more questions we develop.”

Elijah faced Jericho and nodded, “You were right, Jericho. This is worse than we could ever imagine. That there are more of us, not suspecting that a net is about to be thrown over our heads. To be imprisoned, experimented on, and to be chased not by one government, but eight powers? Even if we manage to find Jason and rescue Dad and get to my mother, we’ll have to run for the rest of our lives. We’ll never be free, never!”

Seeing the fear starting to over take Elijah, Billy touched his shoulder and getting his attention signed to the young man. “We’ll figure something out.”

Elijah only threw off his hand and getting to his feet, he went to the window and stared out at the ocean.

Even in Virginia, December was bringing an unexpected colder than usual winter. Most of the tourists had long since returned home. Now, only a few residents remained. The beach was nearly empty of people. Only a few joggers and lovers walked the shoreline. The ocean was a bit choppy today, but the cool blue water seemed inviting. Often the simple sight of water brought Elijah peace. But not today. Today, he felt as choppy as the ocean.

He felt cold. So very cold.

Elijah felt hands move gently around his waist and pull him closer to a warm and well heated body. Elijah felt his eyes mist over and he faced Dom with all the fear and sadness that was within them. In response, Dom gently kissed Elijah’s cheek.

Elijah turned in Dom’s arms placing his forehead against Dom’s. Their eyes meeting each other’s. Both filled with sadness and fear. But also filled with a deep love. Eternal love. For a moment there was only the two of them.

Silence.

Jericho picked up his keys. “Let’s go get some breakfast. After that, we have a date with an ex-Russian spy.”

Grabbing Elijah’s coat, Dom helped him into it. He could see Elijah had grown pale and was slightly shaking. When he had touched Elijah’s skin, Dom could feel that he was bone cold.

Elijah was not only feeling lost, he was losing all hope that this situation was ever going to end, or if it did, there would be only one way. In this moment, Dom could not find the words to bring the light back into Elijah’s eyes. He vowed he would. Somehow.

It was a simple cottage along the white, sandy beach. Nothing overly done, but in its simplicity it was a beautiful home that spoke one word, haven.

Parking the car, Jericho took the lead and walked up the steps and knocked firmly on the door. A few moments later, Jericho could hear footsteps and something unlocking. The door opened.

The man looked to be in his mid to late thirties. He had blond hair and deep blue eyes. He wasn’t very tall, only a few inches taller than Elijah. He was dressed in black, with a brown tweed sweater over a black t- shirt. For a moment the blue eyes locked onto Jericho, and then the stranger took a step back. “Come in.”

Without a word, they entered the cottage.

***

Illya Kuryakin handed each of the boys a mug of hot chocolate and then joined them at the table with his fresh made cup of coffee.

“So you have almost no recollection at all of your past, Sean?”

Jericho nodded. ‘Just flashes of memory.” Jericho paused and seeing a photo, he picked it up and stared at it. A young woman with long blond hair and green eyes was staring back at him. She was wearing a white silk dress, holding a rose in her hand, smiling, looking no more than sixteen years old. “Is this?”

“Natasha or rather Natalie. I have always called her Natasha. She was fifteen then, just about to go to the freshman graduation dance party. You and your father had to leave unexpectedly that night before she returned home. Jason had a lead on Ben and wanted to follow it. He had been looking for his brother for a long time. You went with him. Neither of you returned.”

Jericho put the photo down and nodded. “I was in a coma for about a year and have been searching for my identity since.”

The Russian smiled lightly, and turned to look at Elijah. “And you are Ben’s son, Elijah. That would make us distant relations, second cousins?”

Elijah nodded but looked down at his hot chocolate, not really sure what to say.

Illya rose again. “Well, I suppose now I should try to fill in all the gaps.”

He paced the room slowly as he tried to put his thoughts in order. “Very well. Where shall I begin? My birth? No, you know that I was born in Russia and that I had an older brother named Ivan. Sir Ian must have told you that much at least?”

Jericho cut in gently. “He said that during the war your father died, and your mother and brother were put in a concentration camp. That you were the only one that survived.”

Illya nodded. “Da, I mean yes. That is correct. I was placed in an orphanage. I was told I had no other living family. When I was old enough, I entered the Russian Navy, briefly, before I was recruited into U.N.C.L.E. My years with U.N.C.L.E form a tale that can be told another day. You know of the background to U.N.C.L.E? Good. Eventually most of the agents were replaced, quit or transferred into different areas. There had been some opposition. Napoleon, of course, was transferred into the Military Elite. Perhaps out of loyalty and friendship, Napoleon refused. They or rather Gottwin agreed to allow me to tag along at Napoleon’s side. It was said out of respect and for our devoted services within U.N.C.L.E. I held out as long as I could. I did not have any wish to be a part of this new group. With Waverly’s death, and U.N.C.L.E being completely disbanded within North America, I wanted to be transferred to the European branch. I was refused transfer from all fronts. They settled me in the Medical Unit where I worked almost completely in the lab. I met Dr Paul Raven for the first time there. He was still then a young doctor who had worked for quite some time with many world class medical professionals. Including, working for THRUSH, although he stated his time was more in research then working for them in any illegal operations. I did not believe him and was extremely suspicious of his highly secret projects. It was then, as Napoleon was called away on important diplomatic meetings, that I met her.”

Illya made himself another cup of coffee and then taking a sip he continued his narration. “I was heading into my apartment when she appeared. She called herself Kassandra. I had never met her before. She was young looking and yet she looked older all at the same time. Beautiful. I turned a gun on her, not knowing how she got into my apartment with all the security implanted during my U.N.C.L.E days. She had me down and disarmed in two seconds. She could have killed me. But she didn’t. It was she that began to tell me about my blood, about my immortality. That she had been searching for me and my cousins for some time. She also warned me about Dr Raven. That he was after people like myself. She told me to leave, to flee and to find Jason and Ben and to then make contact with her so she could help keep us safe. All this information was just --well, overwhelming. To learn that I had family and this talk about immortality -- I thought she was insane. I discounted her and went at once to Gottwin and Napoleon. That was my first mistake. Napoleon had been away again. Sent off to the four corners of the earth. When I told Gottwin about the woman and what she said the next thing I know, Raven was taking a blood sample of my blood. I returned to my apartment and had my locks replaced. A few days later, odd things began to happen. I felt like I was being followed, and my lab work was suddenly being scrutinized and then there was Raven. When we first met, he showed much contempt towards me. I had a doctrate in several scientific degrees. For this reason, no matter what I said Doctor Raven always found my prognosis wrong or amateurish. Now, all of a sudden he was going out of his way to be polite to me. Friendly. I found that most questionable."

Illya took a seat beside Elijah and looked over at the boys closely. He swallowed and then continued.

“When Napoleon returned, I tried to speak to him about the odd behavior but he was to busy, and had more meetings to go to. Meetings that I was no longer informed about, or invited to sit in on.”

Illya still remembered how Napoleon looked at him in annoyance.

“I found that our relationship, our friendship was drifting further apart. I had not even realized how much so until I spoke to him of my suspicions that Raven was a THRUSH informant, that he was probably trying to bring back THRUSH. Napoleon scoffed at it. That was when I decided to do my own investigation. I broke into Raven’s office and I learned the awful truth. The whole truth. It seemed Raven had acquired my personal file and had several other interesting files as well. Ben and Jason Richards. Also learned that Raven was planning to have me transferred to a special IIA medical institution. That I was to become a guinea pig. His guinea pig. Again, I tried to speak to Napoleon. At first I thought that he believed me. But then, I saw him later that day talking to Raven. --When I went back to my apartment and saw several agents were waiting for me. That was when I ran. The rest you know.”

Illya closed his eyes. Mopping his brow with his fingertip, Illya turned to the group of boys, and after a moment, he started again.

“Napoleon came after me. Stupid, conceited, ever proud, he thought he could fix things. As usual he thought he had full control of everything. He was a puppet, just like Waverly had been, just like all of us were.”

Illya felt himself drawn back in time. He could see the cabin again. The fireplace was roaring, the snow was falling outside and Napoleon was holding a gun on him, and Illya in turn had a gun pointed at Napoleon. Each stared at the other on opposite sides of the cabin. Pain, fear, anger, betrayal read clearly in their eyes. Illya moved to the counter and leaned against the wooden board. His hands wrapped around his waist.

“What happened?” asked Elijah, feeling so sorry for his Uncle Illya.

“We couldn’t shoot each other is what happened. I couldn’t kill him, and he couldn’t kill me. We came to an impasse. We lowered our weapons and then like that Napoleon walked out. I stayed a few minutes and I left. It was over. Partnership, friendship all of it.”

“I’m sorry,” said Elijah, not sure what else to say.

Illya looked up at the young man and smiled. “Bad things happen in this world Elijah; that is reality. Unfortunately, in U.N.C.L.E, I had seen the worst of mankind-- sometimes I also saw the best. Napoleon was the only one I ever let in. He was more than just my partner; he was my best friend. He was my brother, and he had taken their side against me.”

Only Elijah’s eyes moved and they turned to Dom. Dom, in turn, faced Elijah and his face was filled with regret. Elijah took Dom’s hand into his own and squeezed it gently to reassure Dom that he had indeed forgiven him for his betrayal. Dom’s sadness lifted slightly.

“I tracked down Dr. Matthew Pierce, he had no leads to Ben’s whereabouts. So, I did what I had to do and infiltrated the enemy. At that time Braddock and then Maitland were chasing Ben for his blood. While they focused on tracking Ben, I tried to find Jason. I found him living in Canada. He was married to a beautiful wife and had a ten year old son and newborn girl. We became good friends. The next few years were happy ones. But one day, I was out fixing a fence when the fire started. By the time I got to the farm, it was too late. I wasn’t in time to stop that man from killing your mother, Sean.”

Jericho placed his hand gently on Illya’s shoulder. “I don’t blame you.”

“I do. I have blamed myself for a long time. Your mother was an amazing woman, who was a sister to me.”

Illya turned away and moved to a nearby window, looking out to see the snow was still falling. “At that time, it was Saxon who caused my family pain. Yes, that is what they became to me, my family. Together we ran. As a family, torn by the death of Katherine. We took cover in many places. It was later we went to Sir Ian McKellen. He was an old friend of Jason’s. We remained in his protective custody for about a year, and then Jason wanted to continue to search for Ben, so he could warn him. But Natasha was so young, and Jason wanted her, at least, to have a normal life.”

“That is when you decided to separate?”

Illya nodded and turned to Jericho. “It was Jason’s idea. He wanted Natasha to have some happiness. I didn’t want to leave him or you. That was the other problem. You would not leave your father, and Jason could not let you go. You were his son. So, that is when we made the plan.”

“What plan?”

“I would settle in one place for a time, but within three to five years I was to move to another location. Our first home was Conway, NH. Jason would make contact with me every two months. If he was to fail at anytime in contacting me, I was to pack our things and run with Natalie. When Jason could and was sure things were safe, he and you, Sean, would come to see us. After you left, I was instructed by Jason to go to another location. We’ve been to Arkansas, Oregon, and Canada. I came here about three years ago. That was the last time I heard from your father. I knew you had gone missing, and I knew that Jason had eventually found Ben. They were supposed to meet up with me here. Raven and the IIA, I suppose, must have been involved. I thought about moving, but things haven’t been easy for Natasha. She has never liked the idea of moving, and she has missed her father and brother dearly. She will be so happy to see you. To see you all.”

Illya lowered his arms and smiled at Jericho. “I did not know she had sent any postcards or had been sending letters to Sir Ian. If I had, I am afraid I would have left here in fear that Sir Ian might be found out and used by the IIA to reveal our location. But because of Natasha’s hope of family, she has brought all of us together. A blessing in disguise perhaps.”

Elijah needed nothing further; he got to his feet and walked into Illya’s arms. Chuckling, Illya ruffled the boys hair and then did the same to Jericho. “I’m so glad to see you again, Sean, and very glad to meet you, Elijah Chevalier. My new family.”

Dom and Billy watched, smiling.

***

Elijah and Dom had gone off alone for a walk. Jericho looked out the window to see them walking along the beach holding hands. Elijah still looked sad and frightened. Jericho was slowly getting worried about his mental and emotional status.

Illya offered Jericho a cup of coffee and he gratefully took it. “So, how long have they been in love?”

Jericho almost choked at Illya’s observation.

“I have been around the world and seen many things. I saw the way Dominic looked at Elijah and how he looked at Dominic. They are in love; that is obvious.”

Jericho shrugged. “It’s complicated.”

“Naturally. Love always is,” replied a smiling Illya.

“Steel Fletcher is Dom’s father, and Elijah--Is Ben’s son. It’s weird, it’s crazy, it’s impossible. They will never make it, Uncle Illya.”

Illya only joined Jericho and watched the two boys walking the beach. Hand in hand.

“You might be surprised. Sometimes, love finds a way. There was a time when I believed I would never see you again. I was sure you must have died and yet here you are. Do you have a problem with them being in love?”

Jericho sighed and shrugged. “I am not some prejudiced asshole, Uncle Illya. I always felt that as long as they, I mean people that are, well, gay, weren’t hurting anyone and that it was a true deep and devotional love, then it doesn’t matter to me whether it was between a man and a woman or a man and a man--or hell even a woman and a woman. No, I don’t have a problem with that fact that Elijah is in love with a man. My problem is --”

“You don’t want Elijah hurt. Sean, that is something you cannot stop. Life is about feeling, living, being loved and hurting. Hopefully, one survives the pain and one is able to go on.”

“But Dominic - I don’t trust him.”

“Then don’t. Trust Elijah. If he can forgive Dominic for his betrayal, which ran a thousand times deeper than whatever you have against Dominic, if he can forgive, why can’t you?”

“Because he’s a controlling bastard. I’m afraid that given another opportunity, he will join his father’s side again.”

Illya cut in gently. “And you are afraid you won’t be able to stop it if it does happen. Sean, there was a time that I too feared the future. Feared sleeping, only to awaken to being caught and found out. Because of it, for a long time, I stopped living. Stopped feeling and in many ways, I died inside. I became hollow, and then I started to live my life through Natasha. My every waking thought was that the only reason I go on is for her, because she needs me. Well, Elijah needs you, yes. As a friend and a brother. But he doesn’t need you to think for him. He is eighteen years old. He is an adult, able to make his own choices. For good or for bad and if you don’t agree with his choices, that is okay, but they must be respected.”

Jericho looked at Illya and found himself smiling at the Russian. “You’re pretty wise.”

“Nyet, only older and more experienced in the matters of the heart. You can only do what you can. Let the rest take care of itself. Da?”

Sean nodded. “Da.”

Billy who had been listening finally cut in, signing to Illya. “Where is Natasha now?”

“She is at the university. She is studying to become a pathologist. Though in her heart, she still wants to be a rock star.” Illya developed a twinkle in his eye as an idea came to him. “Why don’t you take a trip and see if you can find more than knowledge in the library.”

Jericho was already reaching for his keys.

***

“Elijah, I have something for you.”

Elijah turned away from the waves and faced Dom to see a small black box being held out to him.

Elijah looked at him questioningly as he took it from Dom’s hand.

“I meant to give it to you at the fair, but I couldn’t find the right moment and then we had to leave.”

Elijah opened the box and gasped. Inside was a gold band with several small sapphire stones crowned in the middle of the band. The initials EW and DF forever were engraved inside of the ring.

“Dom?” Elijah felt his breath catch, and all the words he meant to speak got stuck in his throat.

“I know I can’t marry you, at least not legally, but I wanted to give you something. A token for you to know that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. This is my vow to you.”

Elijah gazed into Dom’s eyes and once again felt his eyes mist. “No matter what comes?”

“Whatever happens. Where you run, I run. If you surrender, I surrender. Whatever cage we wind up in, I’ll be there with you. I promise.”

“Dom, I don’t know what to say except I love you.” Elijah felt so foolish saying the words and yet he meant them.

Dom smiled and nodded. “I love you, too.”

Slowly they drew in, the moment soft and sweet and right. Just as their lips were about to touch, a shadow fell over them.

“Okay, enough with the kissing stuff. Let’s go get my sister. You are coming with me. Elijah, you stay with Uncle Illya.”

Dom was suddenly yanked away by Jericho. “What the---”

Elijah watched as Jericho pulled Dom’s protesting body into the car, as Billy taking the set of keys, started the engine and soon they were headed off into parts unknown.

Elijah put the ring on his finger and chuckled. Returning to the cottage, Elijah saw Illya was putting on his coat. They both made eye contact and Elijah suddenly knew what was about to happen.

“Uncle Illya?”

Seeing the boy, Illya sighed. He had hoped Jericho would take Elijah with him. He hadn’t. Damn.

“Elijah, my dear boy, I need to take care of some business that just came up. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable until Sean gets back. I should be back in a day or so.”

Elijah got in front of him and pointed to the table. The newspaper was still there, with the front page showing a picture of Napoleon and his sick daughter.

“You’re going to go to him aren’t you?”

Illya didn’t reply.

“You’re going to risk everything, our freedom, your freedom to help someone that betrayed you?”

“My blood is like Ben’s, like yours, Elijah. I’m the only chance for Napoleon’s daughter. If I don’t go, she will die.”

“Have you thought that this might be some set up to get you?”

“Yes, however, I don’t think it is.”

“You can’ just leave like this. I only just met you and already you’re my family. I understand that you feel obligated--”

“It has nothing to do with obligation, Elijah. It has to do with love. Not sexual love, family love. Brotherly love. Napoleon is as dear to me as your Dom is to you. As Sean is to you. As Billy is to you. To me, Napoleon is or was my only family. Solo has already lost his wife from cancer. I remember the funeral. Yes, I went. I saw him, and I knew it was not a good idea, but I had to. I left without him noticing me. I had to go then as I have to go now. I’ll be back.”

Elijah thought about what he said and suddenly an idea struck him. Hope began to be renewed in his heart. Maybe all things weren’t so dark and bleak. “He is the President of the United States, right?”

Illya nodded wondering what the boy was getting at.

“He is the Commander in Chief. He has power, friends in high places, people who owe him. Maybe you are right; we should help him. If he will help us in return.”

Illya finally understood, and he smiled feeling almost twenty years younger. Why didn’t he think of this? “Perhaps.”

“We could try.”

“We could. I could rather. You should stay here. It will be safer.”

Elijah opened the door, but Illya moved back inside. “I want to meet him. I want to meet this legend. I want him to meet me and see me. Not as some Immortal thing, but a human being, of flesh and blood. With feelings. Please?”

“Elijah, It could be a trap.” said Illya.

“Uncle, it may not.”

“Very well. I’ll take you with me on one condition.”

“Anything.”

“You obey everything I say. Do you understand? Everything?”

Elijah nodded. “I promise.”

“Let’s leave Jericho a note then. We wouldn’t want to let them worry.”

Elijah watched Illya write a quick note. It was brief and simple.

“Taken Elijah with me, going to go see an old friend. Will be back tomorrow. Natasha, don’t forget ballet practice at three tomorrow.”

Together, they headed out the door.

***

The campus was alive with teenagers running to class, studying in the park or just simply enjoying an early lunch break, Jericho stepped out of the car and looked all around him. Dominic and Billy moved to his side and also looked around.

Billy couldn’t help smiling as several girls walked past them with several clear glances in their direction followed by giggling. Adjusting his shirt, Billy moved towards the girls, but Jericho grabbed his arm.

“The library is this way.” Jericho pointed towards the left, where a signpost indicated where everything was to be found. Billy nodded and with Dom close behind moved to follow Jericho. Dom followed with his hands in his pockets looking completely out of his element and truly not happy to being here.

Music filled the air, and for a moment, all three boys stopped to listen. Looking around, Jericho spotted a stadium at the far end of the campus. A crowd of students stood around a small grassy area where a small girl band was playing some pretty lively music. It wasn’t the type he was used to, as Jericho preferred country, but the sound was not that bad.

The lead singer was a young girl about nineteen years old with long blond hair and deep green eyes. She was dressed in a white blouse and a white mini skirt. She was very beautiful, and she was very familiar. The girl he saw in the photo at Illya’s house. Natasha?

Jericho took the lead and the others followed. Dom continued to look annoyed, but Billy’s eyes finally moved to the stage and when he spotted the female singer he thought he surely had been struck by lightening.

Reaching as close as they could to the band, Jericho and Billy listened intently to the song the girl was singing. It was an older song from the eighties but with a more picked up beat.

Dom was not happy. No, he was not. Instead of spending some quality time with Elijah alone, he was stuck here with crowned hero Jericho and Billy the Mime, looking for some twenty year old girl whose idea of spending time with books was going over People in Celebrity magazine.

Looking around, Dom saw Jericho and Billy eyeing the girl on the stage. Jericho’s eyes were obviously filled with emotion as if he had found a lost treasure at last. Billy looked as if he had been hit by Cupid’s arrow. Dom acknowledged the girl on the stage was a looker. She certainly had nice legs and a fair face. But, she was no Elijah Chevalier.

Looking behind him, Dom spotted a man standing by a tree not looking at the stage but at them.

He was tall, had short brown hair, and was dressed in a black sweater and matching winter coat. He was also wearing sunglasses. Dom suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck go up, as the man moved his coat just slightly and purposely revealed a gun in his pocket.

Hearing the music fade, Dom went to get Jericho’s attention, but Jericho was pushing his way past the crowd and towards the stage with Billy close behind him. Dom looked back at the tree, but the man was gone.

***

“Ah, Nat that was totally awesome. You really should give up that idea of being a pathologist. This is the life. Power, money, fame!”

The red head on the drums smashed on the drums to make her point. Picking up her purse and coat, the girl she was talking to faced her with a smile.

“Come on, Melanie. You know Uncle Illya would have a fit if I bailed out. Besides, this is my freshman year and I do like pathology.”

“Not as much as singing. You can’t convince me of that.”

Giggling, the blond haired girl shook her head and turned to gather up her books. “I better get to the library. I still have that test tomorrow.” Then she stopped. She stared into two green eyes and felt her heart jump. It may have been nearly four years, but she knew this stranger standing just off to the side of the stage. She dropped everything and flew into his arms.

“SEAN!”

Jericho raised his arms and caught the young girl easily and felt his heart almost burst in sadness and joy. How could he have forgotten this beautiful little girl?

“Nat!” For a moment the world seemed to stop and it was just the two of them again. Jericho felt a wave of memories surface. Pushing a little girl on a swing set, helping a child have a tea party. Walking the beach and helping his sister make a sandcastle. Of always letting his sister in his bed, when watching just one too many horror movies and needing protection from the monster under the bed.

Natalie, Natasha. His sister. Tears filled his eyes and Jericho for the first time in four years broke down and cried. Still clinging to the man in her arms, Natalie looked into the face of her brother and felt her own tears come to her eyes. Then they narrowed and became slightly annoyed. She at once let Sean go and hit him on the shoulder with her fist.

“Sean! Oh Sean, where have you been you big old moose!? I’ve missed you? Did you bring Daddy? Why haven’t you called me? Why no letters? Uncle Illya has been worried. I’ve been worried? Well??? Explain yourself?”

Jericho sighed as the crowd of students started to hurry off to their classes. Now, it was just the four of them standing in the middle of campus.

“It’s a long story. Can we go somewhere quiet to talk?”

Natalie smiled, and reaching up she pushed a lock of her brother’s hair aside and nodded.

“Yeah. As a matter of fact. I know the perfect place we can and talk and the food is good, too.”

***

A few minutes later they stood in front of a huge campus library. Four stories and nearly the size of a high school. Inside, Natalie led them to a cafeteria and ordered them all some drinks and the café’s specialty hotdogs.

As they waited for their food and drinks to arrive, Natalie waited for Jericho’s full explanation. Jericho told her as much as he could.

“Amnesia? You’re kidding? Really? How cool!”

Jericho laughed and shook his head. “Not so cool, Nat. My mind was completely empty. I could remember facts and history, but my memory was gone. I didn’t even remember you. For the past four years, I’ve been looking for something I could remember and just by a chance of fate, I walked into Elijah’s life. All at once, I started finding my family.”

Natalie grinned and touched her brother on the hand. “Gee, I have always called you Seanie. Do I have to call you Jericho?”

Jericho grimaced, while Dom snickered at the pet name Natalie had given her brother. Jericho promptly kicked Dom in the shins under the table. Dom yelped.

“If you must, Sean. Okay?”

“I’ll try.” She giggled and then looked Billy and Dom. She smiled at the two young men. “You’re Billy?”

Billy nodded and offered his hand to her. Natalie smiled and shook it.

Hmmm, cute. This one is very cute.

Turning to Dominic, she looked at the young man to see he didn’t look too happy. She offered her hand anyway. Dom gallantly remembered his manners and shook her hand. Catching Jericho’s warning glance, Dom released her hand.

Looking around, she didn’t see anyone else. “So where is this cousin of mine? Elijah? Is he too shy to come meet me?”

Jericho at once explained, “He’s with Uncle Illya. After we eat, we’ll head back to get him.”

As Billy and Jericho dug in, Dom grimaced and stared at his meal. This was certainly as low as it could go from the finer things of life.

Natalie misread his look as not liking this type of food. “Don’t worry. This is a special cafe; all the food is organic. Even the hotdogs. So no worries about chemicals, 100 percent pure for human consumption.”

With that she chuckled and then bit into her hotdog. Dom looked back at her wearily.

Oh yes, that bit of information was even more helpful. Praying he would not get sick, he took a small bite. To Dominic’s surprise, he found it wasn’t so bad. Leaving Natalie with Billy, Jericho went to check out what kind of desserts they had and found Dom had followed him. As the cashier took the cash, Dom finally took the moment to tell Jericho all about the mysterious man he saw earlier by the tree.

“Why didn’t you mention this before?” replied an annoyed Jericho.

Dom only looked back at him with an equally annoyed expression. “I didn’t want to frighten your sister and interfere with your joyful reunion. Besides, I’m telling you now.”

Jericho shook his head and started back at the table.

“We better get out of here and tell Uncle Illya.”

Both came to a stop when they saw that their table was empty. Only Natalie’s purse and a small note was there.

Jericho grabbed Natalie’s purse and note and made for the exit. Dom was right on his heels.

***

Elijah looked out of the taxi window to glance at the hospital. Uncle Illya paid for the cab fare, and he nudged Elijah so they could get out. As the taxi drove away, Elijah turned to his uncle.

“Now how do we get in?”

“The usual approach. We walk right in.” With a smile on his face Illya started forward. Elijah put both his hands into his pockets and followed.

The lobby was nearly empty. There was one man, dressed as a security guard walking around and a woman behind a desk. A set of elevators were down the hall and a few nurses and other personnel were walking goodbye to one another. Elijah waited as Illya moved to a public telephone to make a call.

Elijah felt completely at odds with this place. It didn’t look right somehow. Not like a regular hospital. Shouldn’t there have been patients coming and going. Why weren’t there more security guards, with the President’s daughter being here? There should just be more people. Shouldn’t there?

“Yes, I would very much like to have you patch me through to Napoleon Solo please. Yes, the President of the United States. Yes, I know he is in the building, and yes I know he is a busy man. But, if you would please inform him that Illya Kuryakin would very much like to speak to him, could he please come down to the lobby.”

Illya hung up the phone and turned to Elijah. At once he could see the boy’s disquiet.

“Uncle Illya, I don’t like this.”

“I know. Something isn’t right. Should be more security here. Do me a favor. I want you to go to the stairs and find the nearest exit. Remember that bookstore we saw on our way down the street.”

“Barnes and Noble?”

“Yes, go and wait for me. I shouldn’t be long.”

“But-”

“You promised!” Illya reminded Elijah of his promise to obey him.

Elijah nodded and started for a staircase only a few feet away. Illya moved to a small lounge area. Picking up a paper, he began to look through it, waiting patiently for his arrival. He didn’t have to wait long. The elevator doors opened and out came the President followed by his security men. More than Illya expected. Two flanked Napoleon’s side and three others, who apparently cleared the lobby of all other people. The security guards were now standing in front of the entrance to prevent anyone from entering or going.

Illya glanced out the windows to see several security cars pull up. More men stepped out. They were armed.

Illya smiled. A trap, how very cliché. Putting down the paper and rising to his feet, Illya faced the man, the legend, his old partner and friend. His betrayer of so many years ago. Napoleon hadn’t changed all that much. He had a few more wrinkles, graying hair and seemed to have gained some weight but not too much. He was, as always, impeccably dressed in a dark three-piece suit that probably was worth at least a grand.

Napoleon paused for a moment as he stepped out of the elevators. On the way down he had already ordered his men to not interfere in any way.

“No matter what happens. You are not to touch him; make sure all your men obey that order, Lt. Dean.”

Dean fixed his cufflinks and nodded at the President. He had arrived only an hour before. He had been alerted by several IIA men posted at the airport that they were coming. He had made sure to clear the area so the immortals could get in without a problem. He was going to make certain getting out was impossible.

“Yes, sir.”

“I mean it, lieutenant.” Napoleon glowered.

Dean bowed his head once and took his position back with his fellow agent and remained behind the two Secret Service men.

Napoleon had to force himself to breathe. He hadn’t changed. Well, Illya’s hair was a bit longer. His shoulders a bit broader and maybe Illya had gained a little more weight, but other than that, he was unchanged. Twenty years had passed. Twenty long years.

Napoleon remembered the last time he saw Illya. The cabin. No, it was just after the funeral, Donna’s funeral. Illya had thought himself so clever. Coming out of respect, but keeping out of sight. Not that far out of sight. Napoleon had seen his old comrade. Even then, he had longed to break the barrier that was between them. Even then, he felt his blood boil over with anger. At that time, he was too consumed with his grief to stop Illya from leaving. This time, he had no intention of letting Illya go.

How could Illya have just left like that? How could Illya, his own partner lose faith and trust in him. He had everything under control. He had taken certain steps to keep everything on the table. Illya had been in no real danger. But then, Illya panicked and fled. Ran. Leaving him behind. Leaving. Running. Betraying him.

The anger flowed through his veins, and Napoleon found himself moving forward. His manner changed from delight to displeasure to rage.

Good, he thought, because that is how I feel.

How could you, Napoleon? Illya thought. How could you have taken there side against me. You sold me out. I hate you.

Napoleon grimaced as his mind echoed Illya’s thoughts. How could you leave me, Illya? How could you run? Oh God, how I hate you.

With the anger barely suppressed, Napoleon reached Illya and clenching his fist he struck.

Illya felt the blow across his cheek and stumbled back slightly. Catching his balance and turning to face his old comrade, Illya raised his own hand and gave an equal blow to Napoleon’s cheek.

The two men were breathing hard, tempers flaring. Both of them raised there fists again to each other. Both of them prepared to let loose the anger and pain they had held in their hearts for the past twenty years.

Unable to be released and always on the surface.

Dean saw one of the Secret Service men raise his gun, but Dean held him back and shook his head firmly.

The Secret Service man put the gun back into his pocket, but he and his comrade continued to watch ready to intervene with just one word from the President.

***

They continued to stare at each other. A moment passed, then two, Three.

Napoleon swallowed and lowered his eyes. Illya clenched his jaw and continued to stare at his old partner only to follow and drop his eyes to the floor.

“We need to talk.”

Illya only shrugged his shoulders. “We have already talked, comrade. Time however is running out. Let us go to the nearest blood bank. That is why I am here. So let us get that part out of the way.”

Napoleon’s eyes came up. He could already see the red mark on Illya’s cheek where he had struck him.

“Where is the boy?”

Illya smiled. “Safe and out of the way. It is me you want, Napoleon. I am here. Leave the boy alone.”

Napoleon only glared at Illya. “They know he’s here. They saw you both come from the airport. Emerson is also on his way and should be here shortly.”

For a moment, a glint of worry passed Illya’s eyes, then it vanished. “A deal, Napoleon. Me, for the boy.”

Napoleon only shook his head. “I can’t do that. I don’t have that power.”

“Why not? You are the President, aren’t you?”

Napoleon rather heavily sank into a nearby chair and stared at the floor, unable to meet Illya’s eyes. Illya sat down in an opposite chair. Leaning forward, Illya rubbed his jaw and then leaned back to stare upwards at the ceiling. Neither one would look the other in the eye.

“We have come a long way since the days of U.N.C.L.E.”

“Yes, you certainly have led quite the political life.”

“What have you been up to?”

“Oh, this and that. Nothing much.”

“Illya?”

“I have been raising Jason Richard’s daughter for the past eighteen years.”

“Is she like her father? Or more like her brother?”

Illya did not reply to that, instead he changed the subject. “I saw your wedding announcement ten years ago. For a moment, I had this weird dej vu that you would have finally gotten around to marrying that blond spy Angelique. I thought if anyone could trap Napoleon into marriage, it would have been her. Whatever became of Angelique?”

Napoleon shrugged. “Retired, got married to some low British royal. Has six kids now and weighs nearly 250 pounds.”

Illya did not hide his smile. “April?”

“Working for the UN.”

“Mark?”

“Didn’t you know?”

Illya shrugged.

“Mark lives somewhere in the Cape. Got married for awhile, divorced, got married again, divorced. He now paints.”

Illya finally met Napoleon’s eyes. The anger was gone, but the pain was visible.

“We really don’t have time for this, Napoleon. Your daughter needs blood. My blood.”

Napoleon nodded.

“A trade. Leave the boys alone and I will stay. Willingly as the IIA’s guinea pig.”

Napoleon did not answer. Illya sat straighter in his chair.

“They are just boys. Children. Natalie, Sean, Elijah. They haven’t done anything to you or to the IIA. They are innocents, Napoleon.”

“We used innocents before Illya. Even in U.N.C.L.E.”

“That was different.”

“How? There was always a risk. Sometimes our innocents still got hurt, killed.”

“The more reason not to involve them. Damn it, Napoleon. They have the right to live their lives as they wish. That is what we fought for. Freedom. Or have you forgotten that? As you forgot our friendship?”

Napoleon’s eyes narrowed and he rose to his feet. Illya did the same, however, this time he refused to look away.

“It is out of my hands. I’m sorry.”

It was then a voice filled the air. Both Illya and Napoleon turned to see General Emerson walk past a security guard and Lt. Dean. He moved straight to Napoleon’s side and smiled at Illya. Illya realized the man didn’t look much different than last he saw him. His hair was now white, and he had a mustache but he still looked the same.

“Mr. Kuryakin! What an unexpected pleasure and what a delight to see you once again. It has been far too long. Da?”

Illya turned to Napoleon and shook his head. “Not long enough. I am here to help the President’s daughter. I will provide him with a pint of blood. My blood. Then I will surrender myself to you. General. In return, I want the Richards children left alone.”

Emerson only laughed and slapped Napoleon on the shoulder. Napoleon grimaced, but said nothing as Emerson spoke out. “Surrender? A deal? You have handed yourself to us, to the IIA. You are now in our protective custody. As for the Richards children, that, I’m afraid, is not possible.”

Emerson turned to Dean and nodded to him. Dean at once turned and hurried off. After he was gone, Emerson faced Kuryakin.

“The children, as you wish to call them, are in extreme danger. It is only our desire to see that they are placed in a much safer environment.”

“As Doctor Raven did to the others? Is that your idea of safe?” asked Illya. Seeing Emerson’s shocked surprise at this, Illya continued. “Oh yes, I know of the others. What you did to them. They may not have been related directly to us, but they were still immortal with that special blood. I saw that lab; I saw what Dr Raven was doing to those poor people. That cage you put them in. Drugging them, paralyzing their bodies. Always awake, but never able to move or speak. Alive, but more dead. Only their eyes filled with madness and pain. Not that you cared that they were still human! No, they were simply puppets for you to use!”

Illya’s eyes flashed in anger, and before Napoleon could stop them, the men came out of nowhere and grabbed Illya by the arms. They barely held the Russian back, as Illya spat his full venom and anger at Emerson.

“Do you think I am so blind, like Napoleon was? You slipped in from the back door and used your charming words to persuade all that this was the only way. All the while, getting what you wanted. All the files, all the agents, all the data that Waverly had collected through the years in U.N.C.L.E. You knew about the Immortals. Do you however know everything? Where they come from? How they come to be? Was this an evolution of man? Was this some foul experiment gone hay wire? You convinced Waverly and Gottwin that you would use this to help humanity, but it was to help yourselves. To create the perfect master race. It all got messed up, didn’t it? When the building in Section D caught fire? Because your men did not keep any fire extinguishers, because they ran like the cowards they were, they died, all of them. Including a three year old child! But, you never told Gottwin or Napoleon that, did you? Did you?”

Napoleon watched as the men holding Illya back tried to put handcuffs on his wrists.

Napoleon cut in. “Illya, it was an accident. The fire--it was no one’s fault. Those Immortals, it was only temporary until the IIA could find a safer place to put them. I was there. I saw the whole thing. So did you! It wasn’t anything like that. You’re totally confused. I understand that. I was too at first, but, it was only--”

“That’s right Napoleon. You keep believing that. You keep believing all those lies. You will never see the truth. They have you all wrapped up in their little fingers! Like a true figure head!” Illya shouted at Napoleon and then to Emerson. “You bastard! They all thought that you were just a simple agent. Working with Raven. I know you, you were behind it all. Your plans, your thoughts, your schemes. You made Waverly’s death look like a heart attack. But I know you killed him! You like Raven worked for THRUSH. That is what the IIA is, the NEW THRUSH!”

Illya’s anger now turned fully on Napoleon. “You agreed to all of it. You sold me out! You sold out everyone of those Immortals that was in that lab. All sixteen of them. You sold U.N.C.L.E out! You and Waverly and all for what?”

Emerson shook his head, as his men finally got the handcuffs on Illya, followed by shackles to his ankles.

“Take Mr. Kuryakin upstairs.” Still kicking and fighting with every ounce of strength he had left, Illya was dragged away by the Secret Service men.

Napoleon watched with his eyes now filled with pain at all that was happening to his partner.

“Mr. President. I will, of course, allow the blood transfusion to take place. Then I will have a special unit pick Mr. Kuryakin up and have him taken to a place where he will be well taken care of. As soon as the boy is found, be sure to inform me.”

Napoleon looked at Emerson as if for the first time truly seeing him. “That is not what we agreed. Illya stays with me.”

“Mr. President, I think you forget that you are only one of the eight powers within the IIA. You may think that you speak for all the others, but I am afraid that isn’t so. I am doing this only as a special courtesy. I assure you however, we will take into account that the blood transfusion only lasts a few months. We will be glad to assist you in the near future when your daughter needs more blood. In return for certain services. Do not take it so hard, Mr. President.” Emerson patted Napoleon on the back. “Your friendship with Mr. Kuryakin ended many years ago. I suggest after today you forget him completely. Good day. Mr. President.”

Napoleon watched as Emerson followed Kuryakin into the elevator. Standing still for a moment, Napoleon swallowed and then reached out his hand to one of the Secret Service men.

“Call the UN and contact April Dancer. Tell her it’s an emergency and that I need to speak to her right away.”

***

Elijah glanced at the time, fingering the ring Dom gave him earlier that morning in one hand and looking at a book in the other. He was getting nervous. Two hours had passed, and he had heard nothing from Uncle Illya. He tried calling the house in Virginia to see if Jericho and Dom were doing okay, but no one picked up.

Something wasn’t right.

That was when a hand came in and pulled the book down from his face.

Elijah looked up to see a tall man having light brown hair, wearing a dark suit look down at him. When he spoke he had a hint of a British accent.

“Hi, kid. I don’t think we met formally. Though I am sure that Billy mentioned me. The name is Lieutenant Dean. Let’s be good about this. Come with me and don’t make a scene.”

Elijah faced the man to see him pointing downwards. Elijah saw Dean was holding out his hand with a jacket just over it, and underneath was a gun, pointed directly at him. Elijah was no fool and knew the gun was probably loaded with sleep darts. He didn’t think Dean would want to risk real bullets. One click and Elijah knew he would be out cold within a matter of seconds.

“Where’s Uncle Illya?“ Elijah asked.

“He’s fine. I’ll take you to him. Come on.”

Dropping the book, Elijah helplessly allowed himself to be taken out of the bookstore and back to the hospital. The plan to make a deal had not come out the way Elijah planned. Will I never learn? he thought.

***

TBC