The memories of what had taken place in the shadows on their last mission pulled Illya Kuryakin into an uncomfortable mood as he lay in the dark, curled up on his old sofa listening to the moody sounds of Miles Davis. When the song was done he rose slowly, cat-like, reaching for another of the vinyl albums stacked carefully beside the phonograph. He stroked the records edge, holding it carefully, caressing it like a lover as he placed it on the turntable.

The Russian refused to convert to those magnetic cassette recordings, as they seemed to lack the tactile sensation that only a record album gave him when he held it in that brief moment of anticipation.

Though a scientist and enamored of technology, vinyl was a near anachronism he held onto with a hidden passion.

The voice of Nina Simone filled the room now, her deep dulcet tones singing

"Ne me quitte pas, a track on her "I Put A Spell On You" album.

That was what this music did to him, allowing him to retreat to another world, spellbound safe and secure.

"Ne me quitte pas, Il faut oublier, tout peut s'oublier...Don't leave me, we have to forget, everything can be forgotten. That is flying away already Forget the time, the misunderstandings and the time that was lost, Trying to understand how these hours can be forgotten. Those that are killing sometimes with whys that hurt like punches, the heart of happiness..."

Those words cut deep, like the wounds he'd received this last time...

The spell was broken by the chirp of a communicator and familiar words he'd heard spoken so many times before.

"Illya I need you."