The Man From U.N.C.L.E: A Mission In Istanbul

Chapter 11: The Woman Outside The Car

Illya waited impatiently over his speaker device for Simona to call him. Gaby started tracing her finger on the window of the car, drawing imaginary hearts and smiley faces to pass the time.

"They should be here by now," Gaby turned back to face Illya. "Where are they?"

Illya shrugged, rubbing his hands together nervously. "In ten minutes, we go in. No sooner."

Gaby nodded and turned her head to look outside again. However, instead of seeing the familiar bell boys, cooks and maids of the hotel retreating outside for a smoke, she saw a woman. She was tall, and was covered in a heavy black cloak, hiding her eyes. Gaby could see her wrinkled flesh underneath the cloak, giving away her age. Gaby slowly nudged Illya. As he turned, he saw the woman and the two just sat in silence, waiting for the woman to make a move. She did. Whipping out a camera, the flash dazed the agents for a second. Illya started breathing heavily, angered by the woman. When he looked in her direction again, she was starting to run down the street.

"Wait here." Illya opened the door of the car.

Gaby grabbed his arm. "Illya, what happens if Simona and Solo get back."

"Just drive." Illya shook his arm free from her grasp. "I can look after myself."

Before Gaby could utter another protest, Illya sprinted down the street after the woman, who was already turning down another alleyway. But she was no match to Illya's speed, and he was soon only a few inches away from her. He grabbed her arm, making her stop abruptly. Realizing she still had the camera in her hand, Illya wrenched it out of her hand. He took the hood off her head to reveal her identity and...

"Mother?" Illya said.

It can't be, Illya thought. It can't be her. Mother's in Moscow. In Russia. At home.

The woman brushed her son's face and smiled knowingly. "Hello son."

Illya held her hand and looked into the woman's grey and mysterious eyes. It was her. She'd aged incredibly, but it was her. She was here.

"What are you doing here?" Illya's lip trembled.

"I wanted to look for you," she sighed. "Your sister's ill."

Illya looked down at his hand intertwined with hers. "I can't go back. Not now."

The woman nodded and looked down, a tear descending down her cheek. "I know, son. I just wanted to see you." She smiled at him. "You're very handsome."

Illya smiled nervously back at her. "I need to go. But I want to see you again."

"I will come and visit you." The woman nodded.

"Tonight." Illya shook his hand free of hers.

Illya took out a piece of paper from his pocket and outstretched his hand to give it to her. The woman looked at the address and smiled. "I will be there. I promise." She kissed his cheek and quickly left through the alleyway, her figure disappearing in the darkness.

Illya turned back and heard a car screeching to a halt behind him. Inside was Gaby, with Solo and Simona.

"Come on, Peril," Solo looked at him, his eyes narrowed as he tried to read what he was doing, "what's up?"

"Nothing." Illya got into the front of the car next to Gaby. "Let's go back before we run into any trouble." He smiled at Gaby, but she avoided his gaze, unsure of what had just happened.