crack_van | The Not Themselves Affair by M.E. Wells (PG-13)

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Illya/Napoleon
Length: 15,330 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: none listed

Why this must be read:

Napoleon and Illya have just come back from an exhausting, body-killing, mind-numbing affair. So Waverly gives them a simple job - take a 12 year old genius for testing at the Institute. But, unfortunately, the two of them get mixed up in an experiment, land in other people's bodies and lose the boy. Just a normal day at the office.

What makes the story so fascinating are the two men's thoughts about each other. They may be in new bodies, but they haven't changed personalities and their observations of each other are insightful. And, of course, there's the plot - find the boy, find a way to switch back and find the bad guys.

Illya dutifully ordered two bottles of chilled vodka, pouring some into one of the generous-sized glasses while Dena freshened herself.He settled on a chair with a glass of the clear liquid in hand and considered his predicament. It wasn’t that Dena wasn’t attractive -- she was. But unlike his partner, Illya didn’t consider love-making an extracurricular activity.It was something he did with discretion when he wanted to -- he wasn’t a performing seal.
Dena reentered the room dressed in a revealing black negligee.
Damn. Better pour on the vodka. Illya rose and filled a tumbler to the brim, handing it to her and starting to return to his chair. But Dena took the drink with one hand and grabbed him with the other, propelling him onto the sofa next to her.

The Not Themselves Affair