Fandom: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Category: gen

Rating: G

Word Count: 354

Notes: Written for the LiveJournal group MFUWSS December 2009 Challenge #25 – “dinner”

 

Here I am — December 25th, at work instead of at home with the kids, with a Section Two on my table instead of a roast turkey with the works — the story of my life as a doctor working for the U.N.C.L.E.

It’s impossible to administer a painkiller — not until after he gets debriefed from his mission. I try to be gentle, but I know it must hurt like hell. He doesn’t show it, of course… doesn’t move a muscle during the entire operation. I can hear his teeth creaking, see the muscles jumping in his jaw. Only when I finally set aside the suture kit does he react — to swing his legs over the side of the table and reach for his shirt.

I know better than to try to stop him. I hate to see the lengths that these brave men push themselves to for their work. I turn my back to let him dress in privacy and start cleaning up.

“Doctor.”

I jump a foot in the air at the sound of his voice. “Mr. Kuryakin?”

“The bullet, please.”

I drop the lump of metal in his palm. “I hope you got something else for Christmas, too,” Lame joke, I know. “Come back later and I’ll give you something for the… discomfort.”

“I would rather you got back to your family. I’m sorry to have disrupted your holiday.”

“Dinner will wait. In fact, I’m sure that there will be an extra setting at the table. We’d be honored if you joined us.”

“You are very kind, doctor. I couldn’t possibly impose. Although I would very much like to,” he amends, his demeanor very genuine. “I’m afraid this debriefing will be lengthy. Please do not wait.”

I give him ‘The Look’. “I’ll be here when you get done. Come back down so I can re-bandage that. That’s an order.”

“Yes, sir.” He gives me this ironic little bow and leaves.

I pick up the phone. If I knew my wife, she’ll have a plate already packed for me and ready to be brought here. I’ll just make sure she sends enough for two…