Written with One Lobo
NC-17

"I found your first job," Eric's voice announced over the speaker phone. He'd called Alexandra earlier, and she'd told him she'd call him back when she had the rest of the group rounded up. Now they all stood around a small desk, down deep below the resort.

"Who," Michael asked.

"The IRA," Eric began.

*****

They'd split three ways - flown in on three separate flights. Kristie, Stephen and Billy had arrived first, Michael and Nikita a mere hour later, and two hours after that, Alexandra and Darren had arrived. They checked into separate hotels. Alexandra called Eric the moment they were in the hotel room.

"We're here," She said, the moment he answered.

"Belfast?" Eric asked, "That was fast. I'm still in London."

"Probably better if it stayed that way," Alexandra told him, "Just arrange for a meet for us tomorrow. Call me back."

She got off the phone, and turned around to find Darren watching her. "What?" she asked.

"What, I can't just watch my girlfriend?" Darren teased her. But he wasn't just watching. He was wondering, hoping, wishing they could go back. But they couldn't.

Darren's cell phone rang, breaking the tension that had suddenly built up in the air.

"Speak," Darren said answering his phone.

"D," Stephan's voice said, "Kristie's eyeing this club down the street - Finnegan's Pub. Why don't you and Red join us?"

"Sure," Darren said, "We'll be there soon."

*****

"Is your head pounding as hard as mine?" Nikita asked Alexandra as they all met in a pub across town. It was a different pub than the one they'd all partied in the night before. This one was decidedly more quiet, definitely a little more off the beaten path. Also, judging from the looks they were getting from the few people inside - it was also very much a local bar. They didn't get many tourists here.

Some of them were obviously expecting someone.

"Darren and I took turns puking our guts up. Must be something different about the beer here," Alexandra commented.

She and Nikita took seats at a table near the door.

"Michael," Nikita said softly, so just the comm unit would pick her up, "We've got a guard by the door at one end of the bar, another at the other end. Our contact is sitting at a table in the far corner."

"Billy," Michael began, "Distract the guard at the other end of the bar away from Nikita and Alex in 10 minutes. Darren will take a seat alone in the middle of the bar 8 minutes later. Kristie, Stephen and I will make the meet."

A waitress walked up to the table Alexandra and Nikita were seated at.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"House ales," Nikita said, "And a menu."

The waitress walked back over to the bar, spoke to the bartender for a moment, while he poured two ale's. The waitress came back with the ales, and two menus.

"This is a little off the tourist track," the waitress commented, "How did you find us?"

"Actually," Alexandra began, "My grandmother lives here. She's having her afternoon nap, and we're exploring the town."

"From America are ya?" the waitress asked.

"I am," Alexandra replied, "my friend is from Australia. We went to College together."

"Well then, just in case your grandmother hasn't warned ya, watch the checkpoints in the roads," The waitress said, "Damned English shot a tourist three weeks ago, cause they ran a check point, not realizing what it was."

Nikita grimaced, "I think we should have taken our chances with the 'roos Alex," Nikita said, "I've been cold since I got here. Climates different at home."

Billy walked in, and took a seat at the end of the bar, one seat away from the other guard. He ordered a drink, opened a menu, and asked the guy what was good. A few moments later, they got into a conversation about a fictional wayward wife that Billy was supposedly looking for.

When Darren came in, he came in carrying a backpack, and wearing glasses. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail. He pulled out what looked like a text book, and pretended to start to study it, after ordering a beer.

The contact in the corner wasn't at all concerned as he watched the few people arrive. When Michael walked in with Kristie and Stephen, and made his way towards the contact, the contact was suddenly more tense.

"You Michael?" the contact asked.

"Yes," Michael replied.

"I'm Sean," the contact said, "Have a seat."

All three of them sat down.

"My associates," Michael began, "Kristie and Stephen."

"I thought there were more of you," Sean said.

"There are," Michael replied, "Tell me about the job in detail."

"I'm not all that fond of putting women out on a job," Sean said, "The middle man didn't say anything about women being on your team Michael."

"We're professionals," Michael replied calmly, "Gender is not an issue."

Sean looked at Kristie, "I'm sure you're good - but some of the boys you'll be up against won't care that you're a woman, they might even take advantage of it."

Nikita laughed softly, and took a big gulp of her ale, "I think now is a good time to put on a performance."

Alexandra downed the rest of her ale, and slid off the stool, "Guard by the door?"

"You distract, I'll disarm," Nikita told her.

Alexandra unbuttoned one more button, and walked over towards the guard at the end of the bar, by the door.

"Hey," Alexandra said, leaning on the bar, flashing him a charming smile, and leaning so he got a flash of cleavage, "I was wondering if you could tell me what's good here, I've got an appetite . . ."

"Darren, go flank Billy. When Billy's guard reaches for his weapon, drop him, keep the injuries down to a minimum."

She saw Darren get up and start looking around, and then start moving towards Billy and the other guard. That was all the attention that Nikita paid to them though. She knew Darren would handle whatever happened.

She moved towards Alexandra and the guard she'd been distracting, and then pretended to trip, knocking into him. In that moment of flailing hands, she yanked his jacket up, and grabbed his gun. He twisted and swung at her, swearing. Nikita swept his ankles, and Alexandra grabbed his arm, flipping his falling body on his stomach. The moment he hit the floor, she was on him, her knee in his back.

"Relax, we're the team you're hiring," Nikita said loudly.

Darren had just walked over to where Billy and the other guard were sitting. Billy had been keeping the other guard talking pretty much the whole time.

"Hey, either one of you know where the can is?" Darren asked.

It was just then that Nikita and Alexandra dropped the guard by the door.

The guard by Billy and Darren had barely flinched. Darren grabbed his collar and the waistband of his pants, and shoved him onto the bar. Billy yanked the gun out of his waistband.

"Nice work," The bartender announced, folding his arms across his chest. He leaned back against the back counter behind the bar, "You can stop objecting to the women Sean. They've got the job."

Kristie closed the blade on the knife that she had pressed against the bartender's throat. In the melee, while he was watching his security fall apart, he'd lost track of the petite blond right up until the moment that he felt the steel against his neck. He eyed her now, sitting on the back-bar beside him where she had perched behind him only seconds before. The tire iron that he kept below the bar for just such occasions remained a good three feet from him prompting him to make a mental note to stock up his hidden arsenal with more accessible personal defense items.

Nikita smiled, seeing Kristie sitting beside the man. They had put on a good how, no harm, no foul...no blood. Clearly impressed but still slightly offended was the doorman that Billy had been rattling on with.

"Ya could have made yea point without slamming me head into the bar! Damn

Yanks," he rubbed his forehead furiously, making a small red spot into a larger one with his attentions.

"Sorry man, have a pint on me," Darren waved the bartender over and cracked up when Kristie moved first. She hopped down from the back-bar, grabbed a mug from the clean stack and drew up a fresh brew from the tap. She slid it to the doorman at the other end of the bar who caught it deftly and downed it equally as fast.

"Been needing a bar-maid, you auditioning for me?" The bartender smiled at Kristie as she wiped the trail of beer that had streaked the aged wood with a damp bar towel. She turned to look at the group, seeing Michael already headed in their direction.

"Well, you've managed to get the boss man's attention with that question...let's see what his answer is," Kristie threw the towel into the small sink under the bar as she answered the bartender.

"We need someone on the inside, someone to work as a liaison between the local action and our team. I think Kristie would work out well," Michael turned slightly and saw his wife nod her agreement.

"Cool, when do I start and do I get to use your tire iron to crack skulls, or do I get my own," Kristie smiled at the old man who grinned back and rubbed his throat comically.

Stephen was the only one in the room not smiling or laughing by now. He knew that Kristie would be at risk the entire time she was in here alone and was wary of leaving here without her. Nikita scanned the room, catching him looking at Kristie with that severe look and walked to his side.

"Can I see you outside for a sec?"

"Sure," Stephen stepped aside for Nikita to pass as they exited the small pub. There was a short wooden bench to one side of the door and they sat in silence for a moment.

"I know you're worried about leaving her here," Nikita touched the back of one of his hands, the gesture had a comforting motherly feel to it.

"I just don't think any of us know what we're getting into here, the whole idea of her being here alone, without the rest of us..." he started.

"Without you, is what you really mean. Stephen, you don't have to explain to me about your feelings. Just like me, you can't hide how you feel. Since we're basically making it up as we go along, I don't see why we can't arrange to 'plant' you as a nice young couple just working their way across the country. We'll call it a working holiday for the locals. Two college kids taking a semester or two off just to get out and see the world," Nikita watched the hope fill his eyes.

"I'll buy that, but can you sell it to Michael?"

"Just watch me. His gun may be bigger than mine...but he likes my trigger better," Nikita laughed along with Stephen and they walked back into the pub.

He watched his wife walk back into the pub, followed by Stephen. Michael felt a compromise coming on. Sometimes he had to be firm with Nikita, assert himself, but at the same time, he had to know when to give a little more. He was sure that she didn't yet know that she had him completely wrapped around her little finger...well, he corrected himself, he was pretty sure. She came to stand beside him, still not speaking, but she touched his pinkie on his right hand. Michael couldn't help but smile to himself...if she only knew what I had just been thinking, he thought. She swayed her head just to the right a little as she touched him to let him know that they needed to talk. He nodded, checked the room, and then placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her to a small table. The compromise had started.

"Why Billy? He's new to us and..." Stephen was totally confused.

"You're too close to the situation, you could become...distracted," Michael commented.

"Distracted? Like you do when you and Kita are on missions? Michael, you

know me better than that...you know the job comes first with me. I don't know him, I don't trust him yet."

"I don't either, but I do trust Kristie and her skills in taking care of herself. She's going to be working as a bar-maid Stephen. There will be a lot of local men in here that she may be able to get information from...intel that we need. She would not be comfortable working them under your scrutiny, just as you would feel uncomfortable working the women that will be in here as well."

Stephen shook his head in disagreement and disappointment but knew in his

heart that Michael was right. It was hard enough on close mission cover to keep professional distance from one another, but to have to stand back and watch the one you love openly flirt with other men...it could get ugly.

*****

"So, you have to work with Billy huh...bet you're all torn up about it," Alexandra jabbed Kristie in the ribs with her elbow.

"Alex, don't start. You see me trying to get into this...uniform...isn't that enough to keep you amused for the moment?"

Alexandra grinned as Kristie tugged at the low cut blouse, trying to manage a bit more coverage as if she could make more material by pulling at it. The tops of her breasts rounded out of it, her cleavage a dark valley between. The skirt was a different story and yet, not. The length was to her ankles, but the hip high split on one side afforded quite a view with every spin and quick turn. Alex could see Kristie's temper rising.

"This shit is not gonna happen. Old Killigan out there doesn't know it, but his girls' dress-code is about to change. She turned and started rummaging in the old boxes in the back until she came up with what she wanted. The pub had been quite popular at one time and Killigan had splurged on some tee-shirts with his crest on them. Kristie shrugged out of the bar-maid shirt and slid the tee-shirt over her head. An ancient pair of shears helped them split the hem off of the neck then cut it into a V, then she picked a spot a bit half-way up her ribcage and cut again straight down the middle. She grabbed the two split pieced and tied them into a tight knot under her breasts. She grabbed her jeans from the floor, laid them over a chair and proceeded to cut both legs off nearly to the hip. She pushed the long skirt off, pulled her now jean shorts on and pulled her socks and combat boots out of her backpack. Yanking her hair into a sloppy ponytail, she winked at Alex and headed for the front again. Alexandra laughed as she followed her.

"WHO NEEDS A BEER," Kristie yelled as she came through the old swinging gate that separated the storage room from the bar. Killigan spun on his heels at the sound of her voice that was quickly followed by cheers from the patrons. Billy looked up from the tables where he was gathering used mugs into a large plastic tub and froze for a moment. Kristie grabbed a fresh mug in each hand, slid them under two taps and pulled the tap handles back. She looked over to Killigan's shocked expression, slid one of the mugs down the bar then handed the other one to the old man.

"You look like you need this Pops, welcome to 2001," Kristie watched as he took a long draw off of it, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and smiled.

"I'm thinkin' I needed that one and I'm thinkin' I may be needin' another," Killigan filled his own mug and proceeded to down it as well. The boys at the bar laughed at him and yelled for another of their own. Alexandra watched from her seat at the far end of the bar. She could report back to Michael that both Kristie and Billy were in and doing fine...but she'd keep the rest of it to herself. The 'rest of it' that she was thinking about was the way that Billy was continuing to watch Kristie while she worked the bar

****

"O'Banyan is his name," Killigan said, "He's in an English prison. Maximum security. Ever since his capture, our support has been leaking like some of my kegs."

"You know that when we get him out, the English are going to tear Belfast apart looking for him," Nikita pointed out.

"He's not coming back to Belfast," Killigan said, "The goal is to gain some ground - not get half the town killed. He's going to-"

Michael cut him off, "We don't need to know. What's the second job?"

"That one's still up for debate," Killigan said, "Some of the boys want to bomb something. Some of them want to take a couple of English hostages. We'll have to be getting back to you on that one."

"All right. We meet back here tomorrow at 0700," Michael said, his eyes quickly moving across them, "Get a good night's rest."

The sound of chairs scraping back filled the room.

"First time I've ever been ordered to rest at night," Billy joked.

Alexandra laughed a little at his comment, "Afraid you're gonna lose your touch Billy?"

Kristie groaned, "Oh god, here comes the ego."

Billy laughed, and slowly turned around, arms slightly up.

"You can't lose a natural talent Alex," Billy teased her, looking over her, and then turning his gaze on Kristie, "But I figure you know that already."

Alexandra nodded, crossing her arms over her chest, "Yeah, it's a real bitch looking good. Have a good night Billy."

Billy grinned, "It could be ladies, the night is young . . ."

"Another time Billy," Alexandra commented.

Darren was waiting by the door. She looked up at him, and only then picked up on the tension emanating from him.

"What?" She asked softly, as they passed through the door.

Nikita groaned, looking up at Michael, "Michael, you gotta talk to him."

Michael looked at his wife's face, "No. They need to work this out on their own. Sink or swim."

*****

They walked in silence to their hotel. The tension in the air was palpable. Silently they climbed the stairs, and Alexandra inserted her key into the door. She pushed it open, and strode in, peeling off her jacket and tossing it onto the chair.

"OK, lets just get this out in the open. What the fuck is eating you?"

She stood in the center of the room, arms crossed over her chest.

Darren walked over to the window, looking out into the street, "I can't believe I have to spell it out for you."

"You know, a little possessiveness and jealousy is flattering. But you overshoot the line by miles. You can't get your panties into a bunch every time I talk to another man, especially one on our team!"

"He is not really part of our team Alex!" Darren snapped, "He doesn't belong on jobs like this. He'll trip over his own dick if we let him! And you weren't just talking, you were flirting right back!"

"You think being a royal bitch would be better! He's harmless! He's done valentine work so long, he'd flirt with you if you held a conversation with him! And like it or not, he is part of our team!" Alexandra snapped back, "And since we're on this subject, you can get over flipping out every time I talk to Eric too."

"Eric! You want to bring up Eric! Don't think I haven't heard about that whole incident with the flowers! He's in love with you."

Alexandra groaned, "He's not in love with me. His own mortality slapped him in the face. We grew up on the same streets. I'm familiar ground."

Darren turned away from the window, "How familiar?"

Alexandra grabbed up her jacket, "Not near as familiar as you and that hooker!"

"I didn't fuck that hooker! I paid for her time to make you jealous!" Darren snapped back.

Alexandra had reached the door, but she paused for a moment.

"We both have done so much to each other - and you know it just hasn't been the same between us. Everything feels . . . distant. Maybe it really is just time to give up."

Darren crossed his arms over his chest, "Is that what you want?"

Alexandra swallowed hard, fighting back tears, "No. I want to go back. I want to repair all the damage we've both done. I just don't know how."

She yanked the door open.

"Alex," Darren called to her, stopping her again.

She looked at him, "I just need to blow off some steam." With that, she walked out.

"I won't let you leave, not for good," Darren said softly, to himself, to the air.

*****

The bar was well lit and sounding rowdy from the street as Alexandra looked up from her feet to see where they had led her. Her temper was still hot, but had at least cooled to a simmer instead of a boil. She reached for the door and jumped backward as it flew out toward her, followed by a man who landed in the dirt of the road out front. He staggered to his feet, tipped a hat that wasn't there toward the bar and staggered off in the opposite direction. Kristie stepped out onto the stoop wiping her hands on a bar towel while she yelled after the man, "And the next time you try to paw me you drunken louse, I'll be missing a boot after I put my foot up your ass!"

The men inside the pub whooped and hollered cheering her on. Just as she started to pull the door closed she caught site of Alex. She grinned widely, stepping back to let Alex walk in ahead of her. Kristie noticed the frown line sand the creased brow and knew something was up, probably something that involved a certain dark haired male. She tapped the huge bouncer on the shoulder and he turned to grab her around the waist, lifting her and depositing her standing onto the surface of the bar. She bent at the waist, kissed his baldhead and strolled down the bar top, dodging pints and ashtrays as she went. Reaching the end, she dropped to one knee in front of Alex, grabbed a fresh mug from the ledge and drew up a pint for the redhead. Alex lifted and drained it; slamming the mug down and indicating that another one would be needed. Kristie drew another, sat in down in front of her and waited. Alexandra finally looked up, their eyes meeting for only a second before the tears began to swim in the depths quickly filling then spilling over the lashes to streak her cheeks. Kristie nodded, stood upright on the bar and yelled to Killigan who was shooting a game of darts with a couple of the older men.

"Boss man, this girl's gotta have a break! Seeing that you're paying me slave wages, I think ya owe me that much anyhow! Billy can take over for me for a bit, "Kristie stood smiling as Killigan lifted one hand to scratch his chin as if debating this thought before he smiled and nodded. A round of curses started to fly as Billy headed to the bar. He jumped onto the bar beside Kristie and laughed at the men.

"Hey! I know my ass isn't as cute as hers, but you drunks can deal with it for a few minutes!" Billy jumped down behind the bar and started pulling pints for a group at the far end of the bar as Kristie drew a pint for herself and ushered Alexandra into the back room. Alex glanced around, admiring how much better the room looked than the last time she had seen it.

Kristie patted a spot on the old sofa that she had uncovered under years of boxes and newspapers and Alexandra sat down beside her.

"Okay, spill it," Kristie took a long draw off of her beer before looking at Alex again.

The tears, she saw, were still leaking and she grabbed a clean bar towel from the shelf behind her and gave it to Alex. She dabbed at her eyes, blew her nose and started at the beginning and stopped at the end. To Kristie, it seemed like the same old fight going around like a damn merry-go-round. Kristie hugged her, sympathized with her, pointed out what she'd done right, what she'd done wrong and basically just tried to be there for her.

The old man knew what his new draw was and was feeling the fever of increasing profits. Fifteen minutes without his newest attraction was long enough to start losing customers so he sent Billy to the back to fetch her, telling him his break could start as soon as he got Kristie back out to the front. She nodded at Billy, rose from the couch and asked him if he minded if Alexandra sat with him for a while. Kristie knew that Alexandra had just needed to vent, that over the next couple of days she and Darren would work things out…hopefully.

Billy didn't mind at all, even with mascara-streaked eyes, Alex was beautiful. Kristie hadn't let him in too close, always managing to pull back and passing it off as was done. She was in love, it was written on her face as clearly as the tattoos that inked her skin. She never spoke of she and Stephen's relationship during their days and nights at the pub, her good-natured flirting with Billy had continued, but yet there was the pulling away…always the pulling away. Now, here was Alexandra, clearly upset and probably over Darren. Vulnerable and beautiful was just the combination that Billy needed right now and he intended on taking full advantage of it. He heard Kristie shouting from her spot on the bar that a free pint would go to the man that could beat Tiny in a bout of arm-wrestling. Tiny was the bouncer, had never lost an arm-wrestling bout but never lacked for some drunken competition when free beer was offered. He had snapped some poor fool's forearm the week before and hadn't even been giving the match half of his attention…there had been a football match on the box and he had money riding on it.

Billy settled into Kristie's spot on the couch, pulled a clean bar cloth from the stack behind him and stripped his shirt off. Alex couldn't fight her natural impulse to let her eyes roam over his body as he wiped the back of his neck and then his chest free of sweat. Billy knew he had her attention and played it to the hilt. His biceps turned and flexed as he brought his arm behind his head; his pectorals bunched on his chest as the cloth glided over his ribs and abs. He smiled as he glanced innocently up at her, tossing the towel to the side.

"Workup some kind of sweat out there, I don't know how Kris is as energetic as she is all night," he watched her eyes jump from his stomach and groin area back up to meet his. A blush spread across her cheeks flushing her skin to match her hair.

"She gets lots of practice at staying energetic, we all do." Alexandra lifted one hand to the back of her own neck, massaging the sudden stitch that had bunched her muscle into a knot. She grimaced slightly as she did so and saw Billy reaching for her. She started to pull away but couldn't bring herself to do it. He motioned for her to turn away from him and brought both of his hands to her shoulders as she did so. He started a gentle massage using only the pads of his thumbs at first, focusing on the trouble spot that she had centered her own hand on. Alexandra felt the knot beginning to loosen as her body began to relax. His hands were so hot that she felt that her skin would be glowing were he touched her. Just as one tension began to lift, another began to build. It had been so long since she had a man's hands on her purely for pleasure. With Darren, there were always strings attached and a past that never died. Just a few moments of real pleasure, a release is all she needed.

Billy leaned forward, placing his lips near the shell of her ear. He breathed her scent in, pure woman. Softly, he whispered, "Does that feel good?"

"Mmm Hmmm," she answered almost incoherently. The heat was still building between her thighs as his hands glided over her shoulders and started down her spine. She leaned forward toward the arm of the old couch, folding her hands under her chin for leverage while she straightened and flattened her back. Billy let his gaze sweep over her back. The material of the tank top she wore stretched tight across her skin allowing him to see the outline of a few ribs and many muscular ridges but absent was the line of a pesky bra.

He slid his hands down the middle of her back, manipulating her spine as he worked his fingers lower.

"So Alex, I know you may not want to talk about it, but it looked like when you came in...maybe you and Darren were having some problems," Billy started.

At the mention of Darren's name, Alexandra's back straightened. Kristie's suspicions about Billy echoed in her head. 'Trying to tear us apart...'

"You're right, I don't want to talk about it," Alex stood quickly from the couch, keeping her back to him as she shoved her arms through her button-down shirt and left the back room without another word to him. Billy shook his head, damning himself for rushing the conversation. He's had a good chance of getting some from the redhead and he had blown it. He stretched out on the old sofa covering his eyes with his tee shirt to block out the overhead fluorescents so he could take advantage of the rest of his now ruined break.

Alex couldn't believe her stupidity, how easily she let herself slip. If she would throw half the effort into fixing what was wrong between she and Darren instead of letting her temper build and her frustration almost make her do something stupid...then maybe they had a chance. Kristie caught site of her about the time she made it to the door. In a second, she had scaled the bar and landed behind her never missing a stride as they walked outside into the cool night air. She paced back and forth for a minute, fuming at herself and trying to hold back the tears that were once again on her lashes. She turned to see the concern etched onto Kristie's face.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing, let's just say that you were right and leave it at that, okay?"

Alexandra watched her girlfriend nod in quick understanding. She gave Alex a brief hug and turned to go back in, glancing back once to make sure that Alex was headed back the way she had come, back to Darren. Kristie walked back into the pub, cleared a few empty mugs from the small tables as she flirted and worked her way back behind the bar. She glanced around, scanning the crowd for Billy and assessed that he was still in the back.

She told Finnagan that they were almost out of pickled pigs feet and that she was going to the back to fetch some.

The large plastic jars that held the disgusting things weighed a good twelve pounds and Finnagan insisted on keeping them on the highest shelf in the back. She saw Billy sacked out on the old sofa, his shirt draped over his eyes. She saw the jar she needed, a good seven feet in the air and thought of waking Billy to get it for her. The step stool in the corner made her change her mind, as did the comment that Alex had made outside about how Billy had done nothing. She hadn't wanted to put Alex through anything else, but she didn't believe her about that one bit. The pretty boy needed a wake up call, and looky here, he was asleep after all. She picked up the step-stool from the corner, sitting it down quietly just to the left of the jar that she needed. Climbing the three little stairs put her within stretching distance, but she still couldn't reach it well. She waiting a moment till she had the bottle to the edge, just barely on the shelf before she glanced down at the still sleeping Billy.

"UH OH...LOOK OUT!" Kristie yelled and tipped the bottle the last bit, sending it tumbling down just as Billy jerked awake and looked up. The plastic bottle bounced off the corner of his forehead and rolled across the floor.

"Ohhhh shit! That hurt dammit!" Billy felt his head, the goose-egg that was already coming up under the skin. Kristie jumped down from the stool, false sympathy flooding from her mouth as she held the smile that wanted to surface tightly inside.

"Oh Billy, I'm so sorry! I didn't want to wake you and I thought with the stool that I could reach it but the couch was a little too far over..."

Kristie flipped the cover on the ice-maker up, filling Billy's discarded tee-shirt with a few pieces of ice and twisted it into a knot before pressing it firmly...a bit too firmly to his head. He winced, pulling the tee-shirt from her hand before holding it back up to the knot himself. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, trying to see if she was honestly sorry. Alex had left here in such a hurry, he doubted if they'd had time to talk, and even if they had, what could she say? All he had done was give her a little backrub, of course, he knew that she had wanted more...they all wanted more once he started in on them. Kristie was still apologizing and she did look sincere.

Finnagan came in from the bar, saw Billy shirtless with a lump on his head and couldn't guess what in the hell could have happened until he saw the huge jar of pig's feet on the floor. Kristie saw him look at it then back to her and knew this was her chance.

"I know Pops, that was stupid. I just didn't want to wake Billy, and you were busy...I'm just exhausted. This place has been crazy today. I think I need to get the hell out of here before I kill someone...accidentally of course." she glanced at Billy as she added this last. Finnagan nodded his agreement, told her to be in early the next morning to rearrange the shelves in the back to suite her height and watched her hurry out of the pub. She had barely made it outside before the fit of giggles took her over. Alexandra was going to love this.

*****

"Michael will be on point, Stephen will be his second. The entry point is here, to the east. The exit point is near the west wall. They take him to the showers at 10 am precise, two armed guards accompany him, one stays outside the community shower, and one actually stands right inside the doorway and observes him. The guard desk is 23 foot from the showers with three more armed guards posted at all times. Two other guards walk a rotation during lockdown, which always co-insides with his shower time.

They are really fearful that this guy could incite a full scale riot if the general population wasn't in full lockdown mode." Darren pulled up several visuals of the target, "This is William O'Banyan, most of these photos are from three months ago when he was on site of a pub bombing. That bombing managed to take out several British soldiers that were on leave, it also took out 14 innocents and damaged the three surrounding buildings. This is not a good guy. I have two guard uniforms for you two, complete with hats. The only thing you have to add is a couple of passable British accents." Michael and Stephen looked over the schematics of the prison, the duty rosters and the rest of the escape plan while the others readied their equipment. The palm sized hole-punch would be used as a last resort, that is if the only way to get out would be through the fifteen foot hole that would be left by using it. The uniforms fit snug with little room to carry anything concealed, but luckily as guards, no one would question two more armed men coming to work. Studying the home addresses of the guards that were on shower duty and the routes they took daily to work, the planned the best time to make the switch. Their shifts started at seven am, they would therefore have to stay as isolated from the other guards as possible during the three hours between then and the appointed shower time.

*****

It was a strain for Michael to use an English accent. So much in fact - that he avoided talking. He'd always had trouble with an English accent, and it was so rare that he actually had to use one, that it was certainly not his strong point.

The most plausible way to get the target out of the prison - without drawing to much attention - was to transfer him out. The only place he'd be transferred to this early would be directly to MI-5 for extensive interrogation.

"I hope these papers are as good as Darren says they are," Stephen commented under his breath, "Getting caught when I know section will have us sprung is one thing, but if we get caught now - we're facing the MI-5 version of Madeline. I don't want to go there."

"They're good," Michael said quietly.

"I just don't like running dark - totally dark," Stephen added.

Michael didn't say anything. They were just coming up on one of the checkpoints.

Darren had tampered with the surveillance system before they walked into the building. Therefore there wouldn't be any visual record of their faces.

They flashed their ID's to a guard who hardly glanced at them.

*****

William O'Banyan eyed the two guards who came to release him from his cell, and take him into the shower.

"I don't suppose I'm going to be allowed any privacy to do my washing today either," he grumbled.

"You know the rules," Stephen said, his English accent flawless, with no hint or trace of his Texas roots.

"Your rules, not mine," O'Banyan said, "Not that that ever stopped you English dogs."

Unbidden, Nikita came into Michael's mind. She'd want to crack a grin hearing O'Banyan call them English dogs - since they were not English.

She'd have really busted up when O'Banyan stripped off his prison uniform and strutted through the shower as if showing off. When he was done and redressed in the prison uniform, Michael and Stephen took him to a different door.

"Solitary's the other way," The attendant commented, "Can't believe they sent new blokes to handle this one."

"He's not going to Solitary, he's going to meet with a few of MI-5's chaps," Stephen commented, "Mind springing the door? We're running a bit behind."

The buzzer sounded, and the door latch released. Within the next six minutes many other door latches released. They loaded him into a secured wagon, and drove out of the prison. Two blocks later, they drove under a bridge.

"What the blazes is this?" O'Banyan yelled from the back of the wagon, "Damned English cowards! Can't even give a man a fair trial!"

Michael pulled open the door to the back of the wagon, "You're not going to meet with MI-5. Sean hired us to get you out, and deliver you back to Belfast. We're on a tight schedule. Get out of the wagon - and into the van."

*****

"A catholic church in Belfast . . . damn near as risky as going into a red cell compound," Kristie commented as Alexandra turned their walk towards the church, instead of just passing it by. Kristie had a few hours off, and she and Alexandra had some time to burn while Nikita worked Billy. It was warm, even with the overcast sky. Perfect weather for a walk.

"Actually, it's our current employers - the IRA who are the Catholics," Alexandra commented, "I figure a catholic church is fairly safe around her. The Protestants aren't really into bombing churches."

"Whatever," Kristie commented, "All I know is that people who don't like other people tend to bomb the other sides favorite places. But I guess anyplace in Belfast is fair game at this point."

"The English are gonna be tearing Belfast apart in about few hours," Alexandra commented, "I just got this thing about catholic churches is all. We won't take long."

They both fell silent as they passed through the heavy ornately carved wooden doors.

Inside, colored light splashed across the alter area from light filtering through the stained glass high windows. Off to one side was an area where people could light candles for loved ones. Carved statues sat in alcoves along both sides of the church.

"Little smaller than St. Mathews at home," Kristie said softly.

Alexandra nodded, "Yeah . . . "

"I've often thought that if I ever went to confession, I'd be indicted for murder because the priest would die of a heart attack," Kristie commented, "You ever been to confession?"

Alexandra laughed softly, "Right before I was arrested for Juan Henry's murder. I knew they had me. The moment I saw my alibi walking out of the police station, and I saw the look on his face, I knew."

"Did you tell the priest what you did?" Kristie asked her.

Alexandra nodded, "I didn't use names, you don't in the confessional - but I did say that I took a life to prevent the taking of other lives . . . the priest must have recognized my voice or something. He said I was damned, and walked out of the confessional."

"You think he called the police?" she asked.

"Might have, the police were waiting for me outside," Alexandra commented.

Kristie nodded, "So coming to a church is kinda like revisiting your demise."

Alexandra shrugged, "Not really . . . I guess I'm still in awe of the mystery of faith . . .you believe?"

"Yeah," Kristie said, "I do . . . but not in the catholic version. I don't actually think there's a hell. Not the fire & brimstone version at least."

"You Islamic Kris?" Alexandra asked.

"I'm nothing . . . not in terms of religious preference. You?"

"I believe there's a higher power - but I'm not sure about much beyond that. I just like how ornate catholic churches are. I'd light incense at a Buddhist shrine if it meant something to a friend or a host."

A priest walked out from a doorway near the alter. He spotted Kristie and Alexandra and smiled to them, but didn't approach. He seemed to be checking things around the alter.

Alexandra checked her watch, "We should go, mass is going to start in two hours - and I got this thing about not attending services.

They both quietly walked out, back into the soft light filtered through an overcast sky.

"As long as we're covering touchy subjects like religion," Kristie commented, "I couldn't help but notice a satisfied grin on Billy's face last night. You do him?"

Alexandra snorted, "No way . . . I got a back massage - with my cloths on. I'm just that kinda bitch that would let him get all into it, and then walk out when I was feeling better. It was just nice to be touched - without it being a job, and without worrying about what was going on in his head. Of course, there's always that little thrill because it's kinda illicit. Darren would have broken his neck if he'd caught us."

"Yeah well . . . If Nikita's right - we all better be careful around Billy. One thing I do know about Valentine Ops - they take ruthless to a whole new level," Kristie added.

"Michael can take jealous to a whole new level. It won't matter that it's a setup - he's still going to be jealous as hell knowing that Billy even laid a finger on her. Won't matter that it will never get to the point of actual sex. Might be a good idea if someone is there to keep Michael from ripping Billy's throat out."

Alexandra sighed deeply, "I hate this job Kris."

"Tell me something new," Kristie said, laughing a little.

"Not just the job in general - this particular job. We're out on our own with shit for resources - working for the people we've busted ass to stop. And the more I'm here - I can kinda see their point of view - and then something comes up and I am completely reminded of the big picture - that we gotta stop these people."

"OK," Kristie said slowly, "We just went from Billy to the IRA, right?"

"Right," Alexandra sighed, "I just really hate this job, the overall job, and this little job - and I know it's not going to change."

"It bites," Kristie agreed, "But I'm an adrenaline junkie. So I can deal. You used to be that way."

Alexandra kicked at a stone, sending it skittering across the roadway, "Maybe I'm cracking up."

"Well, in my not so professional, but generally correct opinion, I think you should work on your love life first - and get back to where you two were a while ago. Maybe you need to go back and focus on what originally got you two together."

"That was a half rack of beer and a pizza," Alexandra said laughing.

"How did a half rack of beer and pizza get you together?" Kristie asked her.

Alexandra grinned, "I was drinking way to much because I wanted to escape. Darren and I had rented a few movies, we were drinking beer and eating pizza, and I had reached that point where I was really buzzed, but not on my face drunk. I was reaching for another beer - on my knee's, and I lost my balance, and suddenly Darren and I were on the floor, and I was laying on top of him - and I'd wanted him for a while - so I kissed him. And then one thing led to another, and we made love like crazed animals on the floor."

"So recreate that event," Kristie suggested, "If nothing else, it will get you laid."

Alexandra grinned, "Getting laid hasn't been a problem."

"Well it sure was last night," Kristie reminded her, "Cause instead of hitting it with that fine specimen of Latino male flesh, you were drowning your ass in a beer."

*****

The small prop plane landed with several hard bounces on the runway. Kristie grimaced, wondering for a brief moment exactly what qualifications the pilot they had used really had. But they'd been in no position to be picky. The operation had been put together quickly - and even though it had been an easy job, the fallout was going to be extensive. If they didn't have another job coming up, they'd be getting out of Belfast the moment they delivered the package.

"I'm still in awe that they pulled it off," Sean said, standing next to her, "How'd they get inside the prison without getting caught?"

Kristie smiled, "Trade secrets Sean."

Sean shook his head, and cast her a measuring look. He still hadn't seen any of the women on the team in action, beyond the initial meeting. Their performance had been impressive, but he still wasn't thrilled about it.

Kristie had a pretty good idea what Sean was thinking, but she wasn't going to start up another argument about it with him about it.

The plane came to a quick stop. The side door opened, folding out into a set of stairs. The first person out was Stephen, his gaze sweeping the terrain, looking for threats. The next out was Darren, the target, then Michael.

William O'Banyan strode across the almost vacant lot like a King coming home from a crusade. The absence of an excited crowd didn't seem to bother him.

"Sean," O'Banyan said, "Good to see you man!"

"There isn't time for a reunion," Michael announced, cutting him off, "Do you have the a car waiting?"

"Yes," Sean said, "Michael's right William. I'll update you on everything while they work on your face."

O'Banyan grimaced, "My face? Damn me! You're going to change my face?"

"Temporarily," Kristie told him, "Just long enough to get you over the border - and through customs."

They heard the plane starting up again, and start down the runway. The Pilot would take the plane to another airport, to throw off the trail.

An hour later, William O'Banyan looked like he could have been one of Darren's relatives, rather than a born and bread Irishman. They'd tied his hair and put in extensions. They'd used latex to create a max for him, and a spray on lotion to darken his skin. Contact lenses changed the color of his eyes.

"Try to speak as little as possible," Kristie replied, "And remember what Darren told you about pronunciation."

His picture was snapped, and placed into a passport. He would cross the border as Juan Henry Valdez.

Darren almost flinched when he saw the name on the passport. It had to be Alexandra's idea of a sick joke. A statement about what she thought of this man.

"We'll see him to the airport," Michael told Sean, "He can't afford to be seen with anyone associated with the IRA right now."

Alexandra looked up from the computer terminal she'd been monitoring.

"MI-5 and Scotland Yard just issued an alert that the target is missing, possibly escaped," Alexandra announced.

Stephen looked at Michael, "You better go take care of any evidence about our next job. Belfast is about to become ground zero for human rights violations, search and seizure."

"I'll go with Stephen," Darren offered.

"Michael," Alexandra gently grasped his arm.

They'd just made it outside of the building. He looked at her, his expression telling her he was waiting for her to say something, because he was in a hurry.

"Remember this was a set up - with Billy. It would be a major pain in the ass to hide a body right now - and Nikita is gonna be a little uncomfortable with her role."

"I know," Michael replied, and then immediately hurried off.

Kristie walked up behind Alex, and slung her arm around Alexandra's shoulders, "Girl, we need to find you some beer, a decent pizza, and then you need to change into something a little more . . . you."

*****

"It looks a little better," Nikita ruffled Billy's hair over the large knot on his forehead. Billy touched it with one finger and winced.

"I still want her reprimanded," Billy snorted.

"For an accident, Billy come on," Nikita rubbed at her temples. Sometimes she thought Kristie or Alexandra would cause her to lose it, other times, they were the only ones who could help her hold it together.

"Headache?"

"Of a sort, its no big deal...it'll pass," Nikita suddenly thought back to the hurried conversation that Kristie had pulled her aside for. Something about how Billy had acted with both she and Alex, how he may be playing for the other team, trying to tear them apart.

Nikita in turn had spoken to Michael about it as they readied for bed the night before, knowing that Billy would be seeking either she or Michael out this morning to complain. It was decided that depending on who he came to, a different plan would come into effect. He had, unsurprisingly sought out Nikita and so the wheels were now in motion.

Billy saw what he read as worry in her eyes, she was clearly upset about something no matter how she tried to cover it up. He had heard all about Nikita's sympathetic nature and figured if he pressed her, he may be able to get to the bottom of it. He was surprised when she spoke first, saving him the trouble.

"It's hard to fit a marriage into this type of life. We had a bit of a spat last night then he has to jump on a plane with me never knowing if I'll see him again. He left still angry and I let him," Nikita pulled from down deep and a glistening tear began to form on her lashes, it swelled and coasted down one smooth cheek.

"I didn't know Nikita, I'm sorry. What were you fighting about?"

"I don't want to bother you with this, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay and..."

"No, I can tell that you need someone right now. The team's still out, we have time...let's see if I can help you sort through this," Billy placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, stroking her skin with his fingers.

"I have some...different interest in certain areas and Michael can't or doesn't want to try to understand them," Nikita let another tear slide down her cheek before bringing one finger up to wipe it away.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," Billy was confused but at the same time his mental notepad was filling up with information.

"It's sexual, it's quite embarrassing actually, talking to a complete stranger about this," she watched him feign a hurt expression.

"I would like to think that you're comfortable enough with me to talk but if it makes it easier, sometimes a stranger is the best person to share things with," he pulled back from her, affording her more personal space and a larger comfort zone. Nikita watched his body posture change as he pulled away from her and could almost visualize Madeline at her keyboard, typing away about the subtle changes in the patient's heart rate, blood pressure and even amount of sweat during interrogation. He had been trained by someone of her caliber to be sure. She would have to stay on her toes with this one.

"It's silly in a way. You see how the structure of our team works, you know Michael is the leader and you can see that I am his second. He is in control all the time, at work and otherwise. I just wanted to experiment a little, to see if I could take some of that control away from him and see what it was like...you know, in the bedroom. He wouldn't have any of it.

Wouldn't even try." Nikita pulled a tissue from the small box on the table and dabbed at her eyes.

"What did you ask him to try?" Billy couldn't help it, now his interest was peaked.

"I wanted to tie him up," she laughed nervously, letting her eyes meet his for only a second before casting them down again.

"That's it? I mean...I'm sorry Nikita, but I can't believe that a man that is lucky enough to have you would be afraid of something so tame. Hell, I thought you were going to say something about hot wax or playing with electricity or something farther out than that," Billy couldn't help but laugh.

"Have you ever done it? I mean, have you ever let a woman do it to you?"

"Of course, there's nothing to it. It can be very erotic if done correctly."

"Correctly? I didn't know there were different ways of doing it, I mean, I was just going for the basic scarves and bedposts," Nikita blinked at him, leading him into it, feeding his ego with her false naiveté.

"Show me," Billy offered.

"What?"

"Show me how you were going to do it. I mean, the bed in here has posts. I'm figuring if I can see what you're doing, I may be able to give you some pointers, a few little suggestions...maybe we can figure out a way for you to ease him into it," Billy stood as he spoke and started moving from the small table towards the large bed. Nikita turned slightly in her chair, watching him move while she checked the time on the bedside clock in the same instant. She had to stretch it out, he'd only been here an hour, that was no where near enough time for the team to make the drop and get back.

Nikita walked over to him where he now sat on the bed, the duvet still covering the crisp white sheets. She took a seat beside him, then folded her legs in front of her Indian-style.

"Why are you helping me like this Billy? You don't even know me. I mean, I'm sure you've heard plenty of tales, read volumes of intel on me, but you don't know me as a person," Nikita brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

"I know about relationships and I know your job since I share it. I'm interested in getting to know you as a person but you have to give me a chance. I swear, anything that goes on in here today, anything we talk about won't go any farther than this room. You have my word on that," he looked at her, the false-honesty shining in his eyes. Nikita kept the slight smile plaster firmly in place as she thought of his last comment. His word...as if you can trust anyone's word in Section, meant nothing to her. His motives behind this 'assistance' were shaky at best, terminal at worst.

"How did you come to be brought into Section Billy?"

"What?"

"Well, I mean, if we're going to get to know one another...I can ask you that can't I? Like you said, it goes no farther than this room," Nikita slipped one of her shoes off and dropped it on the floor beside the bed.

Billy watched as she massaged her manicured toes, trying to figure how to play this.

"I was caught in bed with another man's wife. I knew from past encounters that he kept a gun under his pillow for home protection. One afternoon, we thought we had a couple of hours to spare so we were going at it pretty heavy. She was on top of me when the door flew open and all I could see over her shoulder was the forty-four that he was trying to level on me. I don't even know when I reached under the pillow, but before I knew it, he fired and his wife fell to one side. When I thought he was aiming at me, he was evidently centering on her head. From there it was all slow motion, he watched her fall over then he started bringing the gun up again at me. The automatic that I had in my hand sounded like a fucking cannon when it went off. All I could think was how small the hole seemed. He never got a chance to fire again. The bullet caught him right in the chest, spun him around against the wall before he hit the floor and then I didn't wonder about the small hole in the front anymore. I could have fit my fist into the exit wound in his back," Billy looked down at his hands, one rubbing the other in an unconscious washing motion. Nikita understood the movements, sometimes the blood never washes completely off.

"But, that's self-defense," she half-questioned.

"It happened so fast, the two shots I mean, that the jury had a hard time with it. I was the only witness left alive and of course, I was screwing this guy's wife in his own bed. The prosecution made a plausible enough argument to win over the jurors who weren't sure. It went from what I just told you, the real facts, to the husband coming home and hearing a commotion coming from the bedroom. He thinks his wife may be in trouble so he pulls the gun that he carries for self-protection...seeing that he made bank deposits twice a day. He opens the door and sees his wife getting raped and aims at me, tragically shooting and killing her by mistake. It went from an affair to me being an intruder who found her husband's gun and used it against her to force her to have sex with me. The whole bad guy, hero husband thing got me a death sentence. I got a private cell on death row until one day two visitors in hospital whites came to see me and I woke up somewhere else. From there, all our stories are pretty much the same, right?" Billy looked down at his hands, finally noticing how busy they were and stilled them. Nikita swallowed, her mind reeling. Another innocent in Section, how deep did this run? Sure, he wasn't as truly innocent as she had been, or Kim or Kristie...but still he was jailed for something that anyone would have done if in the same situation. Self-defense, protection of one's own life, the most basic of instincts as Michael had explained it to her years ago was all that case had been. Once again, power, money and prestige in the community had won out even after death. But yet, there was the undercurrent of the immediate situation...she had to remember that and stick with the plan.

"Sorry. I had read some on your file, but I didn't dig that deep. I more or less stuck with your strengths and weapons experience, just stayed with the things that we may need," Nikita placed one hand on his knee as she spoke.

Billy's eyes strayed to it then back to her face. She had bought it. It was of course what she would find if she decided to look it up later, they had made him rehearse it so much that he almost believed it to be the truth himself. Time to move this party along, if he could be the wedge in between she and Michael all the others would unravel in the fall-out. 'This is where I should have started,' he thought.

"It's okay, I really did love her. She was the one who got me interested in bondage in fact. I guess I wouldn't be here now if she had tied me up that night. I would have been a sitting duck for sure," Billy smiled a slight bit, trying to lighten the mood. Nikita checked the small clock again, she still needed to stretch it a bit.

*****

She hid the guns in the false bottom of the suitcase. Normally they'd want them closer - easier to reach. But they wouldn't be getting into any firefights tonight if and when the police came calling. They'd just be students enjoying a summer of sightseeing around Europe. Students weren't allowed to be carrying guns into the country.

She set the beer in the ice chest to keep it cool, and the pizza waited on the bedside table. She changed into a T-shirt, tossed her bra into the suitcase, and exchanged her canvas pants for a pair of jean cut off shorts. She popped open a beer, and flipped on the TV to wait.

She found a news channel, but there were no reports of anyone missing or escaping from prison. She started to channel surf, and found a movie channel.

She had finished her downed several beers, when Darren came in.

"We're clean," She told him.

Darren sighed deeply, "That guy's ego is going to get him killed, and everyone around him real soon."

Darren kicked off his shoes, opened the cooler and pulled out a beer. He opened it, chugged it back, and then settled his gaze back on Alex, taking in what she was wearing, and what she wasn't.

"Remind you of anything?" She asked him, grinning.

"Beer, pizza and a movie . . ." Darren gave her a lazy smile, stretching out across the end of the bed, "Are we trying to go back Alex?"

She downed the rest of her beer, "At this point, I'll do anything to go back."

She crawled over to him, and pushed him over onto his back, slid over the top of him.

"I think this is how it started," she said, her tone light, and teasing.

Darren's arms slid around her back, "And I debated whether or not to stop you, or just let it happen for about half a second."

She brushed her lips across his, "What made your decision for you?"

"I loved you," he said, "Even then."

He rolled her under him, and cupped her face, "So what made you make that first move?"

"Besides the fact that I was really drunk? I loved you - even then, and because you were technically off limits . . ."

"Forbidden fruit," Darren teased her, his lips brushing hers.

She slid her hands up under his shirt, and up his back. Darren reared up then, pulling off his shirt, and tossing it aside. He pulled her up to her knee's, and moved her around so her back was to him.

She felt his hands moving on her stomach, just under her t-shirt. He kissed her neck, just below her ear, tasting her, nipping at the tender flesh.

"Alex," He whispered, "You taste wonderful."

She slid her hand between them, rubbing the swelling bulge at his crotch. Darren nipped at her neck a little harder, and then kissed her hungrily on the mouth when she turned her head to meet his lips.

His hands slid up, cupping her breasts, his fingers stroking across her nipples. He heard her moan softly. He felt her start to unbutton and tug at his slacks, her hand sliding into his pants. Her fingers wrapped around his shaft, and Darren felt his body tighten up in anticipation.

He dropped one hand down, and started to unbutton and zip her jean shorts. His hands slid inside her shorts, under her panties, and started to stroke the tender folds of flesh between her thighs. She was already wet, and as he touched her, exploring her, he felt her body react, the flesh swelling, the wetness spreading.

She pulled her hand out of his pants, and pressed her butt back, rubbing against his now rock hard cock. Darren felt his tightly held control slip away with just that simple movement. It had been a long time since simple passion had ruled them - instead of the effort to pretend something wasn't wrong.

He pushed her down, bending her over. Then he yanked her jeans and panties down and yanked his own pants down. He thrust himself inside her, grasping her hips for leverage.

Both of them gasped, moaning. Neither one of them moved for a moment, then Darren pulled back, and stroked back in, making that liquid hot sensation boiling in both of them build even more.

Alexandra arched her back, tilting her hips so he thrust deeper inside her. He pumped into her faster and faster, fighting to hold his own release back as he heard her soft gasps and moans of pleasure. He could feel her body starting to tighten around him, and he knew she was close. He slid his hand from her hip up her side, to squeeze her breast, his fingers finding and pinching her nipple.

All at once, her body spasmed around him, and she moaned loudly, bucking underneath him. Darren gave up his tightly held control, and let his own orgasm take him. Holding her body tight against his as he road it out.

They collapsed down onto the bed then, tangled in each others arms and legs.

"That wasn't quite how it happened," Darren whispered in her ear, tightening his arms around her, "But . . ."

"Closer . . . than we have been" she whispered back, turning her face to his to kiss him, "I love you so much Darren, sometimes it scares me."

"Same here," He stroked her face, "I can't live this life without you."

"And yet this same life manages to tear us apart," she sighed, "Sometimes I wonder if this is the hell we were condemned to because of our past crimes."

Darren kissed her neck, tasting that sweet salty flavor she always had on her skin after sex, "I'd do it all again to get here."

"Same here," she replied, "'course, if I had the option of removing a few parts . . ."

Darren covered her mouth with his, to distract her. He didn't want either one of them thinking about any of the bad moments.

*****

In Germany . . .

"You're expensive," the man said, "What happens if you miss?"

"I don't miss," Tony replied, "This is the account number. I'll contact you when it's done. Then you transfer the funds."

"What happens if you get caught?" the man asked.

Tony almost smiled. His skin still felt tight. The plastic surgeon told him it would get better in time.

"I don't," He replied, "You're hiring a professional so you don't have to worry about these things. Consider your problem taken care of."

Tony got up from the bench, and walked out of the train station. He had on makeup and latex to change the appearance of his new face. He'd decided not to let clients see what he really looked like. If he was going to operate in this shadowing world, he'd have to be careful. There was always a chance that Section might find out he hadn't been killed. There was always his old life too - before section.

*****

The scarves were still on, the knots in them pulled tighter by his movements on the bed. Nikita brought the cat-o-nine-tails down onto his chest and stomach again, barely missing the erection that jutted toward his navel. He flinched then moaned, his body streaked with red lines from Nikita's ministrations. She had stripped her clothing off slowly once she had tied him securely, following his knot tying instructions to the letter. They were very secure, she had made him nearly come off the bed with a few of the blows from the whip. She stood now in a black corset with matching panties, the pale blond of her hair standing out even more. Her flesh was pink and covered in a sheen of sweat, the work of plying the whip taking its own brand of physical wear and tear on her as well. His clothes had dropped to the floor as quickly as fall leaves in a strong wind once she had suggested that she was ready to give it a try his way. Nikita could tell from his bodies response that the mere idea of getting beaten in a sexual manner was a huge turn on for him. He had practically jumped onto the bed and started instructing her on the tying of his hands and feet to the bedposts.

She paused for a moment, checking the time. Ten minutes, time to get him going. Billy opened his eyes, seeing her walking to the night stand beside him and opening a small drawer. She pulled a small flat paddle from it and started back to the foot of the bed, glancing down at his right foot before smacking him on the bottom of it. It was unexpected, an odd area to strike and strongly arousing all at the same time. He couldn't stop a gasp from escaping his lips and she heard it as well. She strolled to the other foot and delivered a blow to the bottom of it as well. He arched his back, twisting on the mattress.

"Kiss me Nikita, lick me, touch me..." his head rolled to the side, eyes closing in anticipation.

"No," Nikita brought the paddle down on the meaty interior of one thigh, watching him jump in surprise as his eyes flew open again.

"Please, that's part of it too, I've been good...you have to reward me sometime..." he begged, sweat standing out on his forehead. Nikita ran one fingernail along the pink imprint of the paddle on his thigh.

"Who says you've been good? You come here to complain about a fellow team member who you hit on, then rejected only to move on to her best friend? Now, you're here with me, possibly the most dangerous decision that you've made thus far...although you're lucky that Kristie only gave you a good knot on your head. She could have taken it off completely," Nikita sat on the edge of the bed beside him, seeing the lust clearing from his eyes now as she spoke. She decided to throw him a curve. She leaned in close to him, grazing her cheek along his, nuzzling his neck. He inhaled sharply as she did that. "You should have come to me first...I've been wondering why you didn't. Who are you scared of, me or Michael?"

"Scared? I'm not scared of either of you, I just," Billy's comment was cut short as the door imploded, slamming back on it's hinges, imbedding the doorknob in the wall behind it. Billy jerked against the scarves so hard, the headboard flexed toward the foot board. Michael stepped into the room, eyes blazing at the sight before him. Still in full mission gear, his gun in hand, he advanced toward the bed and the struggling man tied there.

Billy screamed like a woman seeing the automatic cocked and ready and worse, who held it. He closed his eyes, waiting for the shot to come, the hot lead to burn it's way through his body, his life's blood to leak out onto the mattress beneath him. When it still had not come after a few seconds, he hazarded a look. Michael still stood over him on one side, Nikita stood on the other, now wrapped in a robe. She held a syringe in her hand, uncapping it now as she tapped and bled it of air before she brought it down to his neck. He felt the needle pierce the skin there and waited for the liquid death to take him. He should have figured that a bloody corpse and bed linens would be too hard to take care of. A man in a supposed state of drunkenness would be nothing new to this town. Instead, he felt his head swim, his skin get hot, his blood seeming to boil in his veins and a strange taste in his mouth.

"How long does it take?" Nikita's voice floated down to him.

"Almost immediate from what my contact told me. The last of the serum they used on me. He'll tell us anything we want to know and it will be the truth," Michael answered her. Billy let his eyes drift closed again, although sleep was not what he wanted, escape was...and he could see, there was no escape from the truth this time.

*****

"Kris," Stephen said gently, shaking her shoulder, "Wake up baby, I think we're gonna have guests in a few minutes."

Kristie sat up blinking, "At three in the fucking morning? I love my girls and my boys, but not at three in the morning, after I was enjoying a nice warm bed with my man and-"

"Kris, it's not one of your girls or your boys. The police are searching every building on the street. When they stuff the door, I didn't figure you wanted to be naked."

"Oh...damn it," Kristie grumbled, and pulled on the tee-shirt and the shorts he'd set down on the bed. Stephen climbed back into the bed, and sighed, "I do not like this. This will be the one and only time in my career that I've got my piece hidden, and not under my pillow while I'm waiting for a cop to stuff my door."

Kristie rested her head on his chest, "This cell stuff sucks. That island is nice, and it's nice to know my dog is enjoying the sun - but right now - my tan is fading, and fading fast."

Stephen grinned, "When we get back, I want to take a blanket down to the beach, build a fire, watch the sun go down, make love under the stars."

Someone banged on the door loudly.

"What!," Stephen yelled, "People are trying to sleep in here."

"Police!" a voice yelled, "Open up."

Kristie sat up, and Stephen slid out of bed, and pulled the door open.

"It is 3 in the damned morning!" He yelled, "This is bullshit!"

Kristie almost smiled. He was putting on quite a show.

"There's a dangerous IRA terrorist in the area," one of the men said, while the other quickly looked around the bedroom, bathroom and closet.

"No shit?" Stephen said, "What's he look like?"

The Police officer showed Stephen and Kristie a picture, gave them a phone number to call if they saw him, and then they left.

"Didn't look anything like him," Kristie murmured, snuggling back into Stephen when he got back into bed.