THE SECRET AVENGERS

Part 1

Beta: None, if you see any errors just go and down a bottle of Bollie and gloss over them.

PG-13

Emma Peel bit her bottom lip and brushed the hair out of her face. She sat in the passenger seat of Steeds car as they sped down the narrow country lane heading back to her apartment. The latest group of miscreants were now safely in the hands of the Ministry and other than her partner taking a flesh wound in the abdomen from a stray bullet, things had gone smoothly. She risked a quick glance across at Steed, he caught her look out of the corner of his eye and flashed her warm smile, she instinctively returned the smile but noted his slight flinch of pain from his injury, she then went back to concentrating on the landscape as it slipped past in a hazy green blur.

Steed.

He occupied her thoughts more and more with each passing day until she realised she could no longer imagine her life without him in it. The only fun she ever had these days was always in Steeds company or caught up in his latest adventure, the only excitement she had was with him, the only hint of romance . . .

Her gaze idly wandered back to him again, this time his grey eyes remained firmly fixed on the road but she found herself smiling at him anyway. Sweet gentle Steed, she had known from the first day they met that she could grow very fond of this charming man, but she had greatly under estimated just how deep and strong her feelings for him would grow. She had thought at first that the love she felt for Steed was simply different from the love she had felt for her late husband, but now after much soul searching she had come to realize that it was just more intense, as if fate itself had made them specifically for each other. She had spent her time since meeting Steed feeling guilty about her attraction to him, it felt somehow like a stabbing betrayal to Peter’s memory.

As a result she had put up barriers to try and keep Steed from getting to close to her heart, she had drawn a line between them and done her utmost to keep him squarely on the other side of it. But as precious moments slipped past and she had found herself spending more and more time in his presence it had grown almost unbearable for her to not take him by the hand and draw him across that line and into her arms, which she was sure was the best place for him, the best place for them both. She wanted that so badly. Her body ached for it sometimes and in private moments she would fantasize about how she would seduce him, or vice a versa.

There was of course always the concern in her mind that if in a weak moment she were to let him know how she felt, that he might not return her affections. She had no doubt that he desired her also, but would he allow her to hold him and love him? Would he let anyone get that close?

She fidgeted in her seat and sighed heavily, she did not want to even entertain the idea that he would reject her advances when the time came.

“Are you feeling all right Mrs Peel?” His voice as always was warm but this time carried a hint of concern.

She shook herself from her reverie and realised that the passing greenery of the countryside had now been replaced by the grey of buildings and streetlamps. They were getting close to home now.

“I’m fine thank you Steed.” She managed, her voice sounding terser than she had intended. “I’m just keen to get home to that bottle of chilled champagne I promised us both.” She added quickly throwing him a whimsical smile.

He chuckled softly “Ah, a woman after my own heart. Have no fear the old girl will get us home soon enough.” As if in response to his words the Bentley gave a gentle roar as Steed accelerated out of a corner.

It wasn’t long before they were pulling up outside of Emma’s London penthouse. She watched Steed vault over the drivers side door despite his injury, he grimaced as he landed but quickly recovered his composure.

“Steed” she reprimanded sternly.

“I’m fine my dear” he said almost too jovially “It’s nothing more than a scratch.” He walked to her side of the car and ever the gentleman opened the door for her.

“Thank you.” She said simply as she took his hand and climbed out of the car, as always a tingle ran down her arm even at so brief a touch. Moments later she was unlocking her front door and looking back at Steed fondly as he followed her in and closed the door behind them.

She patted the back of the sofa as she passed by it.

“Sit down and relax, I’ll get us that well deserved drink.” She said over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen. When she returned a few minutes later with two glasses and the chilled champagne she noted the happy sight of Steeds bowler and brolly lying across the sideboard, a sight that she always found comforting.

Steed had taken her advice and was sat on the sofa with his head tilted back and his eyes closed.

He must be exhausted, Thought Emma. She knew he had not gotten any sleep from the previous evening and suddenly felt a pang of guilt at not insisting that she drive them home. She had offered of course, but Steed had refused on the grounds that she had received many bumps and bruises in a fight with one of the miscreants and what kind of gentleman would he be if he let her drive when he felt absolutely fine. She had known of course that he was lying even though it was with good intent, but had decided to let the stubborn man have his own way.

She smiled affectionately at him and placed the wine and glasses on the table. Feeling suddenly bold she placed one hand lightly on his thigh and the other gently on his shoulder.

“Steed?” she enquired.

He jumped noticeably, though she wasn’t sure if it was at her touch or at her voice. She could see he had been dozing off.

His eyes sparkled at the sight of the champagne and he sat forward to retrieve the bottle and pop the cork.

“I’ll do it if you like?” offered Emma.

“My dear Mrs Peel, there really is no need to mollycoddle me. I always have the time and energy for champagne corks, you should know that by now.” The cork in question shot enthusiastically from its home and champagne flowed merrily down the side of the bottle.

“Oops, that went with a wallop.” Laughed Emma as Steed chuckled and poured them a glass each.

They chinked their glasses together and sat back to enjoy another relaxing evening together. Emma loved these times, the banter flowed as easily as the fine wine, and as usual there was also the playful flirting between them, moments that Emma always cherished.

She had known that Steed would not make it back to his own apartment that evening but not for the reason she longed for.

Utterly exhausted and with a few glasses of wine inside of him he had finally surrendered to sleep. Emma was glad, she had not liked the idea of him driving home tonight but had also been anxious about insisting that he stay at her apartment for the night. She was not sure what his reaction might be to such a suggestion, as sensible as it was.

But he had saved her the trouble and fallen into what looked like a deep and much needed sleep on the sofa.

She had to fight the urge to undue his waistcoat and shirt and inspect that wound for herself, though she thought that come the morning she might put her foot down and not give him any choice in the matter.

As she made him more comfortable and removed his shoes and jacket she pondered her feelings toward him again. By the time she was gently laying a light blanket across his slumbering form she had reached her decision. It almost scared her to think about how it might affect her future relationship with Steed, but she could play games no more.

One way or the other, she was going to make a play for her man.

She smiled ruefully to herself as she headed off to the bedroom and started to hatch her plan.