Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E' film or television series. This is a non-profit piece of work made solely for the purpose of entertainment.

Sacrifices for the Greater Good

Prologue

The sun had just set when the car finally arrived at the estate. It was a beautiful place, Waverly had to admit, slightly smaller than his own ancestral home but still grand and elegant. The gardens in particular were magnificent, boasting elaborately styled flower arrangements and trees planted into carefully patterned motifs. The wrought iron gate that stood imposingly in front of his car was opened by an attendant, and he carefully drove through, following the directions given to park on a near empty driveway.

"You're expected, Mr Waverly." The attendant, dressed in a smart but inexpensive suit, led Waverly into the house. It was not that late in the evening but the rooms he passed through were all in the dark, the furniture all casting shadows in the dim light. He was taken up a set of stairs and eventually they stopped in front of a door, the space under it revealing that the room behind it was lit. The man opened the door for him, allowing Waverly to step through alone before shutting it quietly behind him.

A fire was blazing in the hearth, releasing a warming heat over the entire room. The flames and a lamp were the only illuminations, but he did not have any difficulty finding the man waiting for him in an armchair. A small hand gesture invited him to sit opposite, which Waverly did, sinking into the plush cushions of the chair with a small sigh. It was so much more comfortable than his chair at the office, he had been meaning to get a replacement but couldn't feel like he could yet justify the expense.

"I'm dying." The man said eventually, after a long pause of silence.

"Oh?" Waverly said, unsurprised but sympathetic.

"Cancer. They think I might have year to live." He digested this new information with a short nod. The report he had been given had detailed that the man had been making preparations for his death, but did not list the cause or timeline.

"My condolences."

"I don't need condolences, I need purpose." Waverly's eyebrows quirked up, perhaps the two men wanted the same thing. He had of course arrived with his own agenda, but he hadn't realised that the other man might have one as well.

"Is that something I might be able to help with?" He asked carefully.

"Isn't that why you're here?"

Waverly smiled and re-evaluated his opinion of the man, he was no fool that was for certain. He inclined his head in acknowledgement, causing the other man to huff a laugh that turned into a hacking coughing fit. Waverly went to pour the man a brandy as he patiently waited for him to finish, and as he returned from the decanters he spotted the tell-tale scarlet stain on a handkerchief which was hastily tucked away. The man took the offered drink and drank a decent amount, wiping his mouth afterwards.

"It has come to my attention that I am going to die without leaving a shred of good behind me. I have no family left, and no legacy to leave behind." The man said. "I have wasted my life." Waverly felt some satisfaction as he realised their interests lined up perfectly.

"I think there is something we can do to help each other."

IMPORTANT information dump.

1) To avoid giving spoilers I won't be answering questions about the actual content of the story unless it is a clarification. 2) Chapter lengths vary massively from 1500 to 3000 words. 3) I have not used archive warnings to avoid spoiling the plot. Some uncomfortable subjects are dealt with, but non-explicitly and complying with the T rating. 4) Update schedule is Tuesdays and Fridays. I am back at uni so editing is going to take longer and there may be delays. 5) I hope everyone enjoys it, it was very fun to write and I hope it is as fun to read.