crack_van | Small Steps by Rachael Jurassic (K)

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: None
Length: approx. 3,200 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2069561/Rachael_Jurassic
Why this must be read:: Napoleon Solo, currently Section II Number 2, is curious about the new Soviet agent in the New York HQ. He isn't sure what to make of him, but gets some insight into the man during a triumphant moment in Russian Cold War history. Ah, but being of such diverse ideologies makes it necessary to take forming any kind of real friendship bond a thing that requires very small steps.

As this is my last rec on the van for this month, I thought it appropriate to single out the work of a new writer to MFU fanfiction and oh my, does she show promise with this first story! We see a Napoleon who is very aware of Illya's awkward position in NY HQ, who is curious about the other man's true personality, and who is willing to take a step toward an understanding with the Soviet though he is unsure how any friendly overtures on his part will be perceived. And we see an Illya who, during one shared moment of wonder for both men, allows his closed-off personality to open up just a little bit to an American, someone from a country and a world view he instinctively doesn't trust.

Napoleon had noticed it a couple of days ago - a definite spring in the man's step. Later that morning, in a rather boring meeting, Solo had seen a small smile frequently appearing on the Russian's lips before it was ruthlessly suppressed. It had looked rather out of place in a briefing about the new security procedures and he had noted that the other Section 2 agents were not smiling. Of course, that was to be expected.

Solo had got to know Illya Kuryakin a little during the year the Russian had been in New York, even though the man had not been around that much. Waverly had been using his new agent extensively in Eastern Europe, helping to set up the new Prague HQ, and he frequently returned to Moscow. More recently he had been in Cuba. The newly established government there was unsurprisingly suspicious of many of U.N.C.L.E.'s agents and had, thus far, only allowed Soviet or certain South American personnel on the island. But, despite these absences, Solo had worked with the Russian on a few occasions. After a shaky start he had decided they worked well together. As number 2, section 2, Napoleon was allowed a certain amount of leeway when it came to his working arrangements. Although he wasn't looking for a permanent partner, if it became necessary to choose one, he supposed he could do a lot worse than teaming up with Kuryakin. Napoleon had eventually learned to appreciate the other man's quiet competence, intelligence and sly sense of humour. He even thought that he might be beginning to like the Soviet agent. Unfortunately it was hard to tell if those feelings were reciprocated as Kuryakin played his cards very close to his chest.

The fact was that Solo didn't know a great deal about the Russian, the man didn't appear interested in socialising with the other agents or volunteering any information outside of his official file. This attitude was a source of continual irritation to his colleagues who, Napoleon knew, believed the Soviet agent to be cold, arrogant and standoffish. Solo couldn't really blame them; Kuryakin did come across that way, even to Napoleon who had some evidence that there was much more to the man than appeared on the surface.

Small Steps