crack_van | More Precious Than A Carriage by Linda Cornett (G)

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Implication of Illya/OFC
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website Observations
Why this must be read:
Some stories you just know will be good as soon as you see the author's name. Linda Cornett is one of those authors as she never fails to please.

This story involves an innocent trapped in a nameless country that has broken out into revolution. Napoleon asks Illya to take Robin to safety, a duty that Illya doesn't want to handle as he's afraid the woman will complain, and also that she will slow him down. However, he allows her to travel with him and eventually gets her to safety.

The story is told from the innocent's POV, letting us judge Illya and his actions from outside. We follow the pair along, watching as Robin goes from hating the way Illya is treating her, to grudging respect and finally something almost like friendship, or as much as friendship can be during wartime.

"What's that smell?" Robin's hand grasped Kuryakin's hard forearm in instinctive fear.

"Blood," he answered, pulling free.

More Precious Than A Carriage