The Avengers - Steed & Peel - "Steed, we're needed".timelessapeelMay 11 2016, 14:36:11 UTC
John Steed was convinced he had earned a day off. A quick call to the Ministry the night before revealed that there were no diabolical masterminds in the offing, no corpses found in inappropriate locations, and no strange phenomena stalking the countryside.
So the next morning, Steed treated himself to a leisurely lie-in. He savoured the morning sunlight filtering through the windows, watching it play over the wall as he ambled down the stairs in his dressing gown. He smiled when the sound of birdsong reached his ears as he stepped out to retrieve his milk. He dawdled over the morning paper while he waited for his egg to boil, sipping freshly-brewed coffee that filled the whole of Stable Mews with its rich aroma. By the time he popped his toast into the toaster, he was ensconced in a cocoon of calm, peace, and serenity. The hours stretched luxuriously before him, and his mind danced over the possibilities as he pondered how to best use his precious day of leisure.
The toast popped, and Steed deftly plucked both slices from the contraption and deposited them on his plate before they could singe his fingers. He was just about to reach for the jar of marmalade when he noticed a rather strange pattern burned into the bread. On closer inspection, he discovered that the left slice read, “Steed.” Frowning in bemusement, Steed turned to the other slice, only to discover it bore the words, “We’re Needed.”
Steed straightened up in surprise, then turned to his kitchen table, where Emma Peel was seated, calmly sipping coffee and reading his newspaper. A screwdriver sat incongruously at her elbow.
“Mrs. Peel!” Steed exclaimed. “I wasn’t expecting you this morning.”
“So I gathered.” Emma rose from the table, cup and saucer in hand. “I telephoned your office this morning. They told me you weren’t coming in.”
“I have the day off,” Steed informed her.
“Which is very convenient,” Emma countered, moving to join him at the kitchen counter. “I have something that needs looking into. It shouldn’t take more than a day to resolve with your help.”
“My dear Mrs. Peel, as delighted as I am to see you, I had plans.”
“Did you?” Emma cocked her head inquisitively. “I’m very sorry. What were they, beyond breakfast and rereading Tintin?”
Steed hesitated. “Well, nothing had been set in stone as of yet.”
Emma smiled knowingly. “Then may I suggest a visit to a few slightly suspicious organisations, followed by a drive in the country and lunch with a close friend.”
Steed smiled back, well-aware that he was being manipulated, and equally aware that he was quite pleased about it. “Do you know, I’d just about narrowed it down to that very idea.”
“How fortuitous for both of us,” Emma replied, with a twinkle in her eye. “I’ll wait while you change.” She picked up the “Steed” piece of toast and took a bite. “And enjoy your excellent taste in marmalade.”
“Only the best, Mrs. Peel,” Steed pronounced, heading for the stairs to his room. “Life is too short for anything else.”
Re: The Avengers - Steed & Peel - "Steed, we're needed".paranoidangel42May 11 2016, 17:19:02 UTC
Oh, this is just perfect. I love that the "Steed, we're needed" is on his toast. "a visit to a few slightly suspicious organisations, followed by a drive in the country and lunch with a close friend" sounds like the perfect thing for the two of them to do on a day off.
Re: The Avengers - Steed & Peel - "Steed, we're needed".timelessapeelMay 11 2016, 17:50:01 UTC
Thank you! I think turnabout is fair play as far as Emma's concerned in the "We're needed" stakes. ;-) And Steed'll probably have an even better day than he would have if Emma hadn't dropped by, even if there's a little light avenging to do. :-)
So the next morning, Steed treated himself to a leisurely lie-in. He savoured the morning sunlight filtering through the windows, watching it play over the wall as he ambled down the stairs in his dressing gown. He smiled when the sound of birdsong reached his ears as he stepped out to retrieve his milk. He dawdled over the morning paper while he waited for his egg to boil, sipping freshly-brewed coffee that filled the whole of Stable Mews with its rich aroma. By the time he popped his toast into the toaster, he was ensconced in a cocoon of calm, peace, and serenity. The hours stretched luxuriously before him, and his mind danced over the possibilities as he pondered how to best use his precious day of leisure.
The toast popped, and Steed deftly plucked both slices from the contraption and deposited them on his plate before they could singe his fingers. He was just about to reach for the jar of marmalade when he noticed a rather strange pattern burned into the bread. On closer inspection, he discovered that the left slice read, “Steed.” Frowning in bemusement, Steed turned to the other slice, only to discover it bore the words, “We’re Needed.”
Steed straightened up in surprise, then turned to his kitchen table, where Emma Peel was seated, calmly sipping coffee and reading his newspaper. A screwdriver sat incongruously at her elbow.
“Mrs. Peel!” Steed exclaimed. “I wasn’t expecting you this morning.”
“So I gathered.” Emma rose from the table, cup and saucer in hand. “I telephoned your office this morning. They told me you weren’t coming in.”
“I have the day off,” Steed informed her.
“Which is very convenient,” Emma countered, moving to join him at the kitchen counter. “I have something that needs looking into. It shouldn’t take more than a day to resolve with your help.”
“My dear Mrs. Peel, as delighted as I am to see you, I had plans.”
“Did you?” Emma cocked her head inquisitively. “I’m very sorry. What were they, beyond breakfast and rereading Tintin?”
Steed hesitated. “Well, nothing had been set in stone as of yet.”
Emma smiled knowingly. “Then may I suggest a visit to a few slightly suspicious organisations, followed by a drive in the country and lunch with a close friend.”
Steed smiled back, well-aware that he was being manipulated, and equally aware that he was quite pleased about it. “Do you know, I’d just about narrowed it down to that very idea.”
“How fortuitous for both of us,” Emma replied, with a twinkle in her eye. “I’ll wait while you change.” She picked up the “Steed” piece of toast and took a bite. “And enjoy your excellent taste in marmalade.”
“Only the best, Mrs. Peel,” Steed pronounced, heading for the stairs to his room. “Life is too short for anything else.”
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