The Vixen Affairs

By M. Willow

Part Three

Chapter 9

The Island of Serene, as Abrams called it, was beautiful with its lush flowers, abundant trees, and exotic birds.  The island was a virtual paradise.  The scent of exotic flowers wafted on the wings of gentile breezes. Vixen had told Abrams that she was bringing two male companions with her.  Abrams had not seemed surprised and extended the invitation to include her male companions as well. 

Solo was posing as a playboy named Nathan Stone.   While Illya was pretending to be a photographer named Francois Delacroix.   The photographer cover would allow the blond agent to freely roam the island taking pictures.  Vixen had told Abrams that Illya was a photographer with a prestigious French magazine that wanted photographs of his island paradise.  Abrams readily agreed, excited to have his island gracing the pages of an international magazine.

Abrams sent his yatch to pick up the three agents.  The agents now sat in the comfortable limousine as it traveled up the winding road to the house.  Illya sat across from his two friends and regarded them cautiously.   April was wearing a skin-tight red dress with an indecently plunging neckline.  She sat very close to Napoleon, her hands wandering up his thigh.  It was an odd picture.  Illya was use to seeing the affection between his two American friends.  Napoleon and April had always been physical with one another, but not in a sexual way.  Now April’s touches were sexual.  Illya watched as April stroked Napoleon’s thigh.  The female agent didn’t seem to mind Illya’s presence as she continued the intimate touches.  It was becoming embarrassing to sit in the car with them.   Napoleon was playing along with it.  He had no choice, the cameras were everywhere.  Only someone who knew him as well as the Russian would be able to tell just how uncomfortable he really was.  Illya cursed Waverly for putting his friends in this situation.   Surely any other agent could have acted as April’s lover in this affair.  Even he could have done the job.  Still, Illya was aware that Waverly seldom did things without carefully assessing the situation. 

Illya averted his gaze and watched the road.  Soon the house loomed in the distance.   It resembled a castle with its white and gold coloring against the clear blue sky.  It was fortunate Vixen had never visited the island.  It could have been a problem if April had been expected to know her way around the estate.

Within minutes the limousine stopped and the three agents got out.  Illya admired the lush flowers that surrounded the house as they followed the chauffer inside.  It was no surprise to discover  the foyer was decorated entirely in white.  A butler escorted the agents into the exquisitely appointed drawing room.  It was also decorated in white except for the gold inlaid fireplace.  The agents took seats on the French Provencal furniture and sat in companionable silence.  April was looking around the room admiring the paintings on the wall when Walter Abrams entered the room.  He was a large man with a shock of brown hair tinged with grey.  His face was round with drooping eyelashes that distracted from his penetrating blue eyes.  Abrams walked with the air of someone who was used to getting his way.  Now he approached April.  The female agent stood expectantly as Abrams eyes traveled down the length of her body. 

Illya eyed the scene nervously.  Did Abrams know the woman he was looking at was an imposter?  Soon this suspicion was allayed when Abrams grabbed April and kissed her passionately.  April returned the kiss.  Illya wondered if the intel Waverly had received concerning Abrams was incorrect. This did not seem like a man who lacked interest in the opposite sex.  Napoleon stood abruptly, heading for the couple.  Illya moved quickly to stop Napoleon from prematurely ending their mission.  Now was not the time to antagonize the host.    The kiss went on for some time and then Abrams broke the embrace, regarding the two agents that stood before him.  He turned his attention back to April, touching her face as he spoke, “You must be Vixen’s newest companion,’ Abrams said without looking at either man.

Solo walked forward, offering his hand.  His eyes were steely as he awaited the handshake.  Abrams spared a glance in Napoleon’s direction, offering his hand as Napoleon introduced himself.  “Yes.  I’m Nathan Stone and this is François Delacroix,” he said indicating Illya.

Abrams smiled.  “Well, my house is your house.”  He indicated a servant who walked quietly into the room.  “Please see to their luggage.”  He looked at Vixen.  “Will both men stay in your room?”  he asked with a sly smile. 

April laughed seductively.  “Now, Walter.  You know I do have some rules.”

Abrams laughed.  “Well, a man can have his fantasies.”

Napoleon and April were busy unpacking their bags.  They had already checked the room for listening devices with an electronic scanner.  They were surprised to discover  the room was not bugged.  Unfortunately, they discovered several hidden cameras.  They would have to be careful if they wanted to convince Abrams of their romantic relationship. 

There was an uncomfortable silence as the agents unpacked.  Napoleon was doing his best to avoid Vixen’s gaze.  He couldn’t remember when he had started to think of April as Vixen, but it had happened.  He watched her move about the room.  Again the room was decorated in white-on-white shades from curtains to rug.    He eyed the bed.  How could he ever sleep in the same bed with her?  It was true, they had done so on occasion in the past.  Most notably, when April first came to the Victorian house and had become so uncharacteristically unnerved.  But that had been different.  They had been two people offering comfort to each other.  Now they would have to pretend to be lovers.

Napoleon was so deep in thought that he almost startled when he heard her voice. 

“I’m still me, you know.”  April said.

Napoleon looked at her and saw the vulnerability in her face.  He reached for her taking her in his arms.  If Abrams had been looking, he would have seen a lovers embrace, but this was far from that. 

“I thought I had lost you.” Napoleon said his voice low.

“Never,” April said.  “But this is the last time I can be me.  I need to be Vixen completely… while I’m here.”

“I know.”

The agents returned to unpacking their luggage.

Dinner was served in the dining and consisted of broiled shrimp and rice pilaf.  Illya had excused himself, citing the need to take pictures of the house at sunset.  Abrams was having a maddening conversation about his latest investments.  He spoke endlessly about how he was going to become even richer.  April looked bored and it concerned Napoleon.  He didn’t want Abrams to become angry and jeopardize the entire mission.  Solo had tried to catch the female agent’s eyes, but April never looked in his direction. 

Abrams looked at April expectantly. “So how did you survive such a horrendous car accident, Vixen?”

“I’ve the luck of the devil.  You know how that goes.”

“You’re not angry that I didn’t come to see you in the hospital are you?”

“If you’d have shown up, I might have died from the shock.” April said smiling at Abrams.

Abrams laughed heartily and scooped a shrimp into his mouth.

April was in full Vixen mode now, the voice harsh, almost cruel.  She looked at Abrams seductively in spite of her obvious hatred of the man. 

“Well.  I intend to make it up to you.” Abrams said.  “You’re gonna love it.  All your friends will be here.  Just think.  Your ex-lovers all here, under one roof.  It’s going to be a reunion of sorts.  All civilized of course.” 

“Why would you think I’d want to see a bunch of leeches who wouldn’t even come and see me in the hospital?”

Abrams cleared his throat and then laughed, his whole body shaking with the effort.  He looked at Napoleon.  “Our Vixen.  Such a kidder.” 

The man continued to shove food into his mouth, oblivious to April’s  hatred of him.

“It will be nice to see all my friends.  Especially since they were too busy to visit me in the hospital.” April said sarcastically.

April was angry and not bothering to hide it.  Abrams continued to laugh as if the whole thing was part of an act.

“Don’t you just love her?  She’s so funny. “Abrams said, looking at Solo.

His laughter seemed cruel.  Napoleon was having problems controlling his temper. Here was a man laughing at the pain a  young woman suffered in the hospital.

“Vixen has been through a lot, and should rest” Napoleon said.  “Perhaps we should retire for the night…”

“Vixen, retire.  Before three o’clock.  Your friend is even funnier than you are.”  Abrams laughed, coughing on his food.

Napoleon stood suddenly.  He was finding it difficult to sit in the same room with the man. Abrams was acting as if the whole thing was just a play, put on for his benefit.

“Wait till your friends see you.  They’re gonna love this act of yours. So funny.  So funny.”

April stood abruptly and crossed the room to Abrams.  She grabbed him by the lapels, pulling him from his seat.  The large man’s eyes bulged in shock, the silly grin still plastered to his face.

“I’m glad you like it, darling.  There’s more where that came from.” April said, an evil glint in her eyes.  She kissed him soundly and exited the room, Napoleon following her, the sound of Abrams laughter echoing as they walked.

Napoleon was standing in the bedroom with April.  She seemed calm as though the evening with Abrams had never occurred.  Napoleon noted the bed had been turned down.  He imagined the fat man sitting in his room about to enjoy the show.  Solo was disgusted.   Napoleon didn’t like the idea of someone watching him even under normal circumstances and this was far from normal.  He was about to make love to his best friend.

Solo moved toward April and took her in his arms.  His lips sought hers as they kissed passionately.  Solo kept telling himself that it was Vixen he was kissing, not April.   He had been with many women, had never found a woman who did not arouse him, yet this felt incestuous.  This was his best friend.  His hands explored her body almost mechanically.  Soon they were sitting on the bed and she took off his shirt.  Vixen was in complete control as she threw Solo back on the bed and straddled him.  She started to slowly unbutton her blouse.   Napoleon quickly moved her beneath him, covering them with the bed spread in one fluid motion.  He may have to pretend to be her lover, but there was no way he was going to actually make love to her or let Abrams see her body.

The night went by slowly as the two agents pretended to make love.

The next two days went by quickly.  Abrams didn’t appear suspicious of April.  He seemed too enthralled by her act to notice any slips the female agent may have made.  April flirted openly with the servants a fact that worried Napoleon.  He was turning into the protective big brother, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.  He didn’t want April to have to live with something she had done under the guise of Vixen.  He stayed close to her pretending to be the jealous lover. 

Illya was busy exploring the estate.  The Russian continued to take pictures.  He smiled as he thought how ridiculous it was to have colored film for an all white house.  Illya had taken pictures of most of the house.  Now there was only one area left—the lower level.  Abrams had originally forbidden exploration of this level saying that it was uninteresting.  Illya had stressed the need to get the feel of the entire house even if it didn’t appear in the magazine.  Abrams had finally consented, telling the agent that some areas were off limits and should not be photographed.  He told him the guards would see to it that he did not wander into these areas.

The Russian took comfort in knowing the mission would soon be over.  All he had to do was find the restricted area and the code would surely be there.  It didn’t take long.  He was on the lower level of the white house when he saw two guards standing in front of a door.  Illya quickly took pictures and approached the guards.  The men instantly took a protective stance and told him that he was in a restricted area.  Illya didn’t find another guarded room.  Yes, it was going to be easy.

The next day was warm and sunny.   Illya was sitting patiently on a bench which overlooked the ocean.  The light scent of flowers blended with the smell of salt water. A warm breeze blew the leaves of the many trees that surrounded the island causing the colorful birds to skitter into the air.  The party was being held tonight in the grand ballroom of the house.  He and Napoleon thought it was the best time to steal the key since the house would be full of people.  Illya discovered that most of the guest would arrive by airplane on the small airfield adjacent to the property.   Illya had arranged for the UNCLE jet to pick them up after they had secured the key.

Illya observed the slow approach of Napoleon.  They had decided to meet there to make plans for the night.  Illya hadn’t spent much time with his two friends since their arrival.  Now he looked forward to the ending of the mission.  It was having a horrible effect on both of his friends.  Napoleon reached the bench and sat down heavily.  He looked drawn and depressed.  Both agents sat in companionable silence as they observed the quiet waters of Serene Island.

“How are you, my friend?”  Illya asked, breaking the silence.

“About as well as can be expected of a man who has spent the last two nights making love to his best friend.”

 “It had to be done.  It will be over tonight.”  Illya said looking at his friend who sat sullenly to his side.

“In answer to your question.  Nothing happened.” Napoleon said.

“I was not asking.”  Illya said sadly, patting his friend on the back.

“Sorry.  It hasn’t been the easiest assignment.” Napoleon said, rubbing his head.

“I know, but it will soon be over.  We will have the key tonight.”

“So how do you plan to get into the safe?”

“I’ll knock the guards out with a drug that I plan to put in some coffee.  There’s a party tonight.  It will be pretty easy to convince them that Mr. Abrams sent the coffee down to make sure they stay alert.”  Illya sighed, stretching his legs.

“You know the hall has video cameras.  Heck, I don’t think there’s a spot on this island that doesn’t have video cameras.  No doubt someone will be observing the hall.” Napoleon said.

“Yes.  I’ve thought of that.  Yesterday, I sat up a camera recording the activities of the hall.  The guards are just standing there.  They never move, sort of like the palace guards in England.  I now have a few hours of film, more than needed for me to retrieve the key and for us to get off this island.”

Napoleon smiled.  “Sly Russian.  So what will you need for April and I to do.”

“Put on another show for our host.  I don’t want him coming downstairs. We need to keep Abrams at the party until I have the code.  I understand Vixen was quite demonstrative with her lovers.  And she didn’t care how many people were looking.”

“Are you suggesting…. That…” Napoleon stuttered.

“Not that demonstrative, Napoleon.  No just do a little necking on the floor.  Keep Abrams tantalized.  It will also keep some of Vixen’s friends from asking questions she may not be able to answer.  Keep her on the dance floor till we’re ready to go.”

Napoleon took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He stood, looking at Illya.  “Anything to get out of here tonight.  I don’t think I can stomach another night here.”

“It will end tonight.  Tomorrow we’ll be sitting on the porch of the Victorian house drinking lemonade.  You’ll see.”

Napoleon turned and headed back to the house.  It was going to be an interesting party.

The party was held in the grand ballroom of the estate.  Unlike the rest of the house, the grand ballroom was decorated in black and white colors.  A large black, Baby Grand piano sat on the stage of the ballroom with a band playing the soft strains of Brazilian inspired music.  Couples sat at three large tables enjoying a sumptuous feast.  April had insisted on arriving late because Vixen was never known to arrive at a party on time.

All eyes were on April as they entered the ballroom.  April was an astounding beauty with her sexy, black evening gown.  The gown was daring with a revealing slit on the side.  It was low-cut to the point of being indecent.  Every man’s eyes followed the couple as they sat at the table.  Napoleon was debonair in a black tux.  The conversation at the table revolved around Vixen’s return to the living.  The people at the table seemed snobbish as they laughed at April’s witty remarks.  It was obvious to Napoleon that Vixen was the entertainment of the evening. 

The evening progressed slowly.  No one seemed to notice that April was an imposter, they were to busy laughing at her.  Soon the plates were collected and couples started to dance.    Napoleon glimpsed Abrams observing them from across the table.  The man was looking with lust at the female agent, living vicariously through her antics.  Men lined-up to dance with April.  She danced with each, a little to close for Napoleons comfort.  Napoleon kept a watchful eye on his friend. 

The music stopped for a moment and then soft strains of Misty Roses started as April walked seductively toward Napoleon.  Her eyes were ablaze, sexy, inviting. The men openly eyed her as she approached the table.  Solo was vaguely aware of the music.  It was a Bossa Nova and April’s hips swayed in time to the music.  Her hands were outstretched as she beckoned him to the dance floor.  “Dance with me, lover,” she said in the husky voice of Vixen. 

Napoleon stood and moved in time to the music, April’s hips swaying as he took her in his arms. They were dancing dangerously close, almost indecent.  Napoleon noticed Abrams sitting at the table.  He couldn’t keep his eyes off April.  April locked eyes with Napoleon and edged her lips toward his.  They kissed passionately, oblivious to the stares of the people in the ball room.

Illya had knocked the guards out and now stood in the tiny room they had been guarding.  He was safe, the video camera showing a constant film of the two guards who were safely out of the picture.  He searched the room with the small penlight he was carrying.  It was easy to find the safe. It was behind a portrait of Vixen on the wall.  Illya moved toward the safe and sat about opening it.  Within minutes he was in the safe.  Illya found the key in a notebook.  He left the room and headed for his room where he changed into a tux.  They had at least an hour before the film ran out and he needed to alert his friends that the mission had been accomplished.

Illya could hear the soft strains of music as he entered the ballroom.  He eyed Napoleon kissing April on the floor.  They were necking like a couple of teenagers in full view of everyone, yet acted as if they were the only two people in the room. Very convincing the Russian noted.  Illya found a rather plan girl who obviously wanted to dance and edged her toward the floor.   He neared the two agents and signaled his presence.  After the song ended, the agents left the floor and returned to their table.  Within minutes all three excused themselves and left the party.

Chapter 10

It was two hours later and all three agents sat on the plane headed back to UNCLE headquarters.  Illya sat on one side of the plane facing his two friends.  April was looking out the window.  She had been quiet since leaving the party.

Solo was concerned.  “April, it’s over.  We have the key.”

“How does that matter to me?”  She said in the haughty voice of Vixen. 

“You can stop being Vixen,” Napoleon commanded.

“What if I don’t want to?”  Now Napoleon was really worried.  He hadn’t considered this.  He locked eyes with Illya.

“I want my friend back.  I’m not going to let this Vixen persona prevent that,” Napoleon said determinedly.

“April, calm yourself.  Let her go.  You’re April.  You have people who love you.” Illya said.  “Pull yourself back.”

Napoleon took April’s hands, looking directly into her brown eyes. 

“I want my friend back I need my friend back.”

April stared at Napoleon, tears starting to form in her eyes.  

“I don’t know how,” She said with a shaking voice.

Napoleon held, her rocking her, listening to the soft sobs until she slept in his arms.

Two Weeks later:

The mission had been somewhat successful.  The agents had retrieved the key, but discovered that Abrams had not been entirely honest about his success.  He had only deciphered a small part of the code.  UNCLE had only been able to discover the location of a few satraps.  They had been destroyed leaving Waverly only slightly disappointed.

It had been a difficult time for April.  Waverly had consented to letting his agents spend time at the Victorian house.  The old man seemed to understand what the mission had cost the female agent. 

April’s recovery was long and painful.  She had nightmares that were so real that she refused to sleep.  The nightmares were always about the final days of Vixen’s life.  In each nightmare April tried to save the young woman but she always failed in the end.  Eventually Napoleon slept in a chair in her room.  Only then did she sleep.   Illya had stayed with the agents until he was called back for a mission.  With Solo’s help, April eventually reclaimed her life.

Now the two agents sat together on the swing on the porch of the Victorian house.  April sat leaning with her back to Napoleon, his arms encircling her.  They had decided to sit on the porch in the early morning hours of November to view the sun as it rose.  Now they observed its ascent against the sky.  The crisp morning air made April snuggle closer to Napoleon. 

“Are we okay?” April asked in the quiet voice that was uniquely hers.

Napoleon pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.  “Yes we are.  In fact, I think this makes us stronger.”

“You know, if things had been different, that could easily have been me lying in that grave.” 

 “You could never have been like Vixen.  You’re strong, determined.”

“It’s easy to make the wrong choices.  Maybe if I hadn’t become an UNCLE agent and met you.”

Napoleon pulled her closer.  “Somehow we would have met,”

The agents sat in silence as the sky continued to lighten. 

“I couldn’t have made it back without you,” April said.

“I will always be there for you,”

“She had no one in the end.  Everyone loved her when she was the fun loving girl, but when she needed them, I mean really needed them…” April said in an unsteady voice.

Napoleon kissed the top of April’s head.

“I want to visit her grave.  Someone should bring her flowers.” April said in a shaky voice. 

The two agents sat in silence as the sky brightened into a watercolor display of blue and white.  Napoleon tightened his arms around April against the cool, November breeze. For this moment in time, all that existed was the porch, the sun, and a never-ending friendship.

Fin

Author notes:  

·        The character of Carolyn was introduced in the story Insatiable.

·        The Victorian House was introduced in the story Victorian House.

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