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Illya had momentarily lost track of Napoleon as they’d fled from THRUSH; he silently thanked whoever invented trackers as he honed in on Napoleon’s position, ducking into an alleyway.
“Napoleon…?” he asked, softly, unable to see him, despite the tracker insisting Napoleon’s position was here.
Illya looked around again—and then did a double-take as he saw Napoleon’s hand briefly waving to him from behind a dumpster.
“Odd to find you back here,” Illya noted, darting over to him. His expression grew grim, however, as he saw Napoleon clutching his leg, in obvious pain. “What happened? Did they shoot you?”
“No—I was jumping from a fire escape and twisted my ankle,” Napoleon hissed.
Illya winced in sympathy.
“We only have about a ten-minute lead on those THRUSH agents.”
“Look, there’s no need for me to slow you down, Illya,” Napoleon insisted. “You go ahead; I’ll hide behind my little trash sanctuary.”
“I think you know that is not an option, Napoleon.”
“But—”
“A five-minute lead will have to be sufficient,” Illya interrupted him.
Napoleon knew there would be no use in arguing with him; he merely kept a nervous watch as Illya found a plank to use as a splint, and some strips of cloth for bandages for his leg.
He had to admit, he felt better—and it certainly was a better job than Napoleon would’ve been able to do, given that Illya had studied anatomy for his side assignments doing autopsies for U.N.C.L.E..
“Well, at least I’m somewhat mobile now—thanks, Illya,” Napoleon sighed. “Okay, we should probably branch off in different paths and reconvene later to…” He trailed off at the look on Illya’s face. “…No?”
“No.”
Napoleon sighed as Illya drew one of his arms across his shoulders to support him and reduce the weight on his injured ankle.
“You know, I’m supposed to outrank you,” Napoleon realized. “How are you winning arguments against me with just one word?”
“It is a talent that I have,” Illya returned. “Come—let’s get moving while we still have a lead. But do let me know if you need rest.”
“Right…” Napoleon sighed.
They walked along together, and as they made their way through more back alleyways, Napoleon had to reflect on how he was a very lucky man indeed.