"Teams abort, withdraw to egress point 3, switch to channel B, minimum communication" Michael's voice whispered over the comm set.

"Again" Nikita sighed quietly in response as she watched one of Michael's unit taken down on the perimeter of the building. She picked herself up wearily from her location and, nodding to the two figures rising beside her, she followed what was left of Red Team as they moved quickly to the west.

"Holding at 3, get out of there quick Michael, I have more hostiles moving onto your grid" Birkoff stated.

Nikita heard the gunfire below as Michael and the last of his unit tried to withdraw.

The twenty minute hike to point 3 seemed to take an eternity; bullets followed them at every turn. As they approached the parked van, Nikita organised the gathered operatives into a defensive perimeter to assist the last of the Team moving to the egress point. Suddenly Michael came tumbling over the ridge yelling "GO!'; no one needed to be told twice. They rushed to the van as Michael sprayed covering fire back over the ridge. As their enemies repositioned, Michael took advantage of the brief break in the fire to sprint the short distance to the van and dive into the open door. Yelling to the driver "Go" the van speed off under a renewed hail of bullets.

************************************************

Operations stood quietly waiting for Michael to emerge as the Team unloaded back at Section. His rage quietly simmered as he considered the situation- the run of bad missions was more than just bad luck. While skill alone had managed to keep their human losses to a minimum, he could count on one hand the number of missions taken to completion in the last couple of months. The implications of what might be behind this were staggering. He looked up as Michael came to halt in front of him. A quick look passed between them to indicate Michael was sharing the same thoughts as he and was just as uncomfortable with the potential conclusions.

He dug his hands into his pockets and then looked up into Michael's weary face.

"Get to Medical, get some rest and meet me in my office in four hours. We are on close quarters standby till this is resolved." With that he turned and headed towards Madeline's office.

Nikita's astonished gaze followed Operations. She had expected the usual routine they had been getting over the last couple of months; rage, accusing looks at Michael and then the rest Team, questions that had no answers, Michael being marched off to his office. The marathon debriefing sessions that followed each mission seemed to draw a fine line between debriefing and interrogation.

Nikita turned to Michael and saw the puzzled expression on his face. He reached up to touch a spot above his ear and his hand came away wet.

"You're bleeding from a gash above your ear and another on your left leg" she replied to what seemed to be his silent question. No one had spoken on the journey back to Section. Michael realised he had been so preoccupied with his own thoughts he had not assessed his Team for injuries.

"Are you all right" he asked quietly, looking Nikita over for similar signs of the battle they had just escaped from.

"Yeah, I'm OK, but this is all just getting a bit too routine for my liking. Call me crazy, but I don't like it when the bad guys seem to be winning."

"Yes" he said vaguely, looking down at the blood on his hand.

"Come on, let's get you get you stitched up and tucked in. Operations will want a fully functional Michael to chew up and spit out at the debrief."

Despite the turmoil of his thoughts, Michael managed a small grin as he reached out to take the hand offered as she pulled him down the corridor towards MedLab.

************************************************

Back in Michael's quarters at Section, Nikita dried off her hair as she made some coffee and picked at the odd assortment of food she found in his fridge. Michael emerged from his shower with a towel draped around his hips, sporting a bald patch and white dressing that covered stitches above his left ear and a similarly tended wound above his knee.

"Very stylish, it's a good look for you. I made a pot of coffee, you want some? From what's in your fridge I can only guess you are hiding farm animals somewhere in here." She chewed on a piece of celery as she pushed a mug of coffee towards him.

"Thank you" he smiled as he took the cup. He noticed the jar of instant coffee sitting by the coffee plunger and gave a soft laugh and poured the coffee down the sink.

"What was wrong with that, I made it how you like it- in the plunger" she pouted as she watched Michael rinse out the plunger. "Fine, make your own then" she said breezing past him to return her towel to the bathroom.

He moved over to make a fresh pot of coffee. He enjoyed this newfound ease in their relationship. Without really understanding the precise chain of events or the unspoken thoughts that underpinned what was happening, they both seemed to have settled into it. The sexual tension, which had nearly destroyed both of them, had transformed itself over the last few months into a friendship that, in the end, both of them seemed to be seeking more than a physical relationship. Having a trusted friend and confidant within the walls of Section was something he had not experienced in a long time. He hadn't realised how much he had craved it, like welcoming back a part of himself that had been missing.

"Mmmmm... smells good." Nikita poured out her coffee and, with a glare towards Michael that dared him to comment, she poured herself a fresh cup from the pot he had just made.

"It is good. And hardly any trouble at all, all you have to do is boil water" he said quietly.

For that he received a sharp flick on the buttocks from the towel that only seconds before had been around his waist. He took that as a cue to get dressed and found a pair of warm-up pants baggy enough to get over his injured knee without causing too much discomfort. He walked back to the table and booted his computer.

Nikita came and took a seat beside him, slowly sipping her second steaming cup of coffee. She sat watching his frowning face.

"This time, its seems they not only knew we were coming, but they also knew our positions and were monitoring our communications. Is that why you suggested we change channels?" She asked.

"Yes, from the moment we arrived they were shadowing our movements, did you notice the same thing from your location?"

"Not so much, they seemed to only be responding to where your unit was stationed closer to the building."

Michael seemed lost in thought and Nikita watched his frown deepen, concentrating intensely on the screen. He scrolled through the mission profile, as he and Madeline had done a hundred times before they left on this mission two days ago. It was a good profile; it should have been a straightforward mission. He let out a long sigh.

She gave him a light kiss on the cheek and gently stroked the hair above his stitches. "Get a couple of hours of sleep Michael, you look exhausted and I have a feeling we won't be getting any down-time in the next few days."

She reached across and closed the computer. Michael followed obediently as she led him into the bedroom and pulled him down on the bed next to her. Gently rubbing the knotted muscles in his back she soon heard his breathing slow and the frown on his face dissolve as he fell asleep.

Nikita continued to gently rub his back, feeling happy and peaceful despite all that was happening. She enjoyed this easy familiarity, it gave her contentment in her relationship with Michael she could only dream of before. Sometimes she regretted that it couldn't be more. But when it all boiled down, she rationalised, she had never had trouble finding sexual partners. Friendship, on the other hand, was something more rare and she was finding it thoroughly enjoyable.

As she continued to gently stroke Michael's back she reached down to pull the blanket up around him. Madeline and Operations had been working him at 150 percent for last few weeks. The dark circles under his eyes were becoming a permanent feature. She reached over and kissed his cheek as she eased herself off the bed.

Still restless and not ready for sleep, Nikita thought about her options for taking the edge off her hype. She closed the door quietly behind her and set out to prowl the halls of Section. If she planned it right she might run into Greg as he was heading back to his quarters after debriefing. She felt due for some luck.

************************************************

"Do we have anything more from Michael's debrief and mission report?"

"No, not really." Madeline replied as Operations paced in front of her desk. "Michael did a good job with the profile, execution and extraction, as usual. We were lucky not to lose more operatives."

This did not comfort Operations. "I'm not feeling very lucky. Is everyone in?" he asked.

"Yes, with the exception of Green Team who are currently being extracted from a surveillance operation in the Middle East. I've just finished a link with the Substations to bring them up to date."

Operations resumed his pacing. "At this stage Madeline, I wouldn't mind being brought up to date. What the hell is going on?"

"Everything points to a strategic campaign. Others Agencies are starting to report a similar pattern." She tapped some keys on her computer screen and read for a moment before continuing. "The pattern, as best we can ascertain, indicates we have been seriously compromised; yet none of our internal assessments indicate a breach. Michael and I have been reviewing staff profiles and recent intel but nothing appears to be outside normal operating procedures. With Birkoff and Walter, Michael has been undertaking a systems check. Nothing yet. The only thing of any promise is the report Alison sent into Oversight earlier this week outlining some of the extra curricula activities of the corporation she is currently assigned to."

At this Operations abruptly stopped pacing and turned to face Madeline. She watched as anger quickly played across his face before he settled his gaze on her.

"Why is George requesting reports from Alison without going through me, and why wasn't I provided with a copy, or at the very least informed of its existence?" he seethed.

"He cleared it through you on Monday, the report arrived on Tuesday directed to me. I didn't pass it on immediately because it appeared only to be psychological profiles on three of the scientists from Global Storage Technologies, one of the companies she has been dealing with."

"Appeared to be ...?" he asked, now resting his hands on her desk to view the report she had just pulled up on her computer screen.

"It contains some... peripheral information about the communications array they have been working on that leads me to suspect Alison is starting to piece together intelligence on the pattern we have been observing."

Operations skimmed through the report on the screen then turned to Madeline, seeking more information.

"How do you read that from the contents of this report?" he asked, clearly puzzled by where this was leading and how it could be interpreted as a breakthrough.

"I read it from understanding her style and approach. Her reports generally only present and provide an analysis of what is relevant..."

"Madeline..." Operations interrupted, frustrated with her answer.

"She has included facts irrelevant to George's original information request, facts about a new communications system. She would have known the report would be passed on to me and her level of analysis suggests she may have additional information that has helped shape the conclusions she proposes."

"Why then, haven't WE received a report outlining this information! We have had a mission success rate of 30% and lost a quarter of our active cold-ops in the last three months and now your telling me..."

It was Madeline's turn to interrupt him, her eyes boring into his as she stated calmly "you know why, you know the way she operates. She will not waste our time with half considered theories. When she has something we can use she will send it to us immediately."

Madeline sat back in her chair, pushing the fingers of her hands against the other as she continued. "You also know why she has a vested interest in seeing this resolved. Given the level of causalities we have been experiencing I am quite convinced she will have been turning her considerable talents to assisting us in any way she can, while still maintaining her cover and the needs of her current mission."

Operations lowered his gaze for a moment and walked around Madeline's desk. "Yes, of course. Have you been providing Alison with information to ... assist her ... in assisting us?"

"Yes" she smiled, looking up. "I have been sending her the mission profiles and debriefing reports for Red Team."

"Good." Operations smiled and gave Madeline a small salute in acknowledgment of this initiative. "Will George have picked this up?" he asked hastily.

"Unlikely, though we should not discount the notion he may have had other discussions with her on this issue that we have not been privy to."

His mouth curved into a smile at his next thought. "As long as we hold the trump card Section will take precedence."

Madeline returned his smile and nodded in agreement. Operations moved towards the door then turned abruptly.

"What is the status of her current mission? If she is going to be vulnerable to any of the broader agenda's at play here we should consider pulling her in" he stated, a look of concern on his face.

"No, she is more valuable to us in her current position, for the moment at least. I think it would be wise to get Walter and Birkoff to make improvements to the security at her house and I would also recommend an approval to resume surveillance."

"Agreed. Get on to the security ASAP, just send out Walter at this stage, existing loyalties will make him less talkative. Birkoff can work on it from this end. I'll call and advise her that surveillance will be resumed." He smiled at Madeline and then added "while I am at it, I think I might call her in for the meeting at the Agency this afternoon." With that he turned and headed back to his office with a lighter spring in his step than he had managed in while.

Madeline smiled as she watched him leave. His emotions were always so obviously on the surface where Alison was concerned. Her deep cover, high level status kept her just outside the periphery of the total control Operations liked to exert over his Operatives. Madeline was sympathetic with his reaction, she felt it herself at times. Their response to address this imbalance was identical; a consistent stream of the most difficult, and often unpleasant, missions directed to Alison. The common response to this treatment among other Operatives was to either shut down and internalise all emotions, or externalise to the point they were unable to function effectively. She couldn't help but think of Michael and Nikita as her classic studies in this area.

Alison, on the other hand, was never predictable. Unless you could describe gracious equanimity and something akin to amusement as a predictable response. She and Alison both understood the rules of the game and as much as she hated to admit it, Alison's expertise in this area nearly surpassed her own. There was only one area where Alison was vulnerable. Madeline used this trump card sparingly, yet ruthlessly, in the control game.

All things considered she was looking forward to seeing her again. Alison was the closest thing to normal in the abnormal world that was the Section.

************************************************

Smiling warmly Alison handed the signed papers back to the young man who stood by her desk. The pink glow of the sun coming over the horizon cast a pleasant hue over the mountain of paper that surrounded her.

"It's been a long night, I think I'll head off now. Most of the others have left and things seem to be under control." He said this both as a statement and a question, wanting to leave but knowing Alison would still be here for the next couple of hours tidying up the loose ends of the major deal they had just finalised.

It had been a long, stressful, sleepless week. He would stay and help if Alison needed him, just as any of them would. She looked tired and preoccupied and he hoped that maybe she would decide to leave now. He could invite her to join him for a celebratory breakfast. Alison smiled back at him, appreciating his loyalty, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

"Thanks David, send those now by courier and then go home and relax, you've earned it. I've got a few things to finish up here, see you tomorrow morning." She smiled and then added "can you close the door behind you?"

He returned her smile and then reluctantly left her office, closing the door behind him as requested.

Alison pretended to study some papers on her desk as David moved into the outer office to his desk.

Alison took a deep breath as the feeling of anxiety settled on her again. She wanted to rush home to check on the report that would be waiting from Madeline. What I want, the thought almost made her laugh. She knew what Madeline was trying to achieve by sending her the reports, as though they were so much sustenance to feed and maintain the weakness they had exposed. It was all part of the control game. She would play her part, as they had defined it. What was intriguing in this little game was that they still underestimated her so fundamentally.

She allowed herself a sigh as she forced herself to focus on the tasks immediately before her and finish what must be done. The ring of a phone broke her fragile train of thought, knowing it might be the call she had been dreading for the last couple of months.

************************************************

Nikita looked up as Michael walked into Systems, again. He lent over the back of Birkoff's chair to stare closely at the screen in front of them. She sat blowing bubbles, bored stupid with her assignment but unwilling to move as she stole another glance at Greg sitting near her processing location data. She let a smile cross her face as she thought about the pleasant evening spent talking and playing cards with Greg and some of his friends in the Rec Room. It wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but it was a start. If Michael had taught her nothing else about relationships, she at least had learned the benefits of patience

She turned her attention back to Michael as he sighed and hung his head down for a moment. He looked tired and frustrated. For the hundredth time he looked up at Operations empty loft and glanced at the clock. She followed his gaze up to the darkened office and then turned back to her work as Michael walked out again.

************************************************

Michael walked slowly back to his office and sat down at his desk. Operations and Madeline were still at the Agency. They were due back over four hours ago. He hoped this was a good sign, they needed some fresh ideas and a new direction. Michael was tired, his head ached and the stiches in his leg were stiff and itchy. He already knew the security review and second review of staff profiles was a futile waste of valuable time. They were looking for clues in the wrong places. This was the only thing he was certain of at the moment.

Birkoff stuck his head in the door, looking every bit as tired as Michael. With all operatives on standby he and Michael were coordinating a large team in Systems.

"Michael, can I see you for a minute, we have to sort out a priority list, the networks getting overloaded. Operations is on his way back and wants a report on where we're up to." Birkoff turned to go as he saw Michael rise and follow him. He continued talking on the way back to Systems.

"I've just received the updates from Section Two, Nikita is doing the checks on them now before uploading. At the moment we have about a dozen other files in the cue, we need to reassign work priorities or get some of the smaller jobs done on stand alones to improve our processing time."

Michael stood behind Birkoff and then sat in the chair next to him to take some of the pressure off his aching leg. Nikita came over to join them, passed Michael some papers and then leaned in to rest her elbows on the back of Michael's chair.

"So what's cookin', I've told everyone to take a break while we sort this out" she informed them.

"Good." He leaned down to review the status report she had handed him as people drifted out of Systems. "We've done a first pass on all the staff profiles so we can downgrade the second pass data. Run a defrag to tidy things up. We should focus on the security system. So far we have only been reacting to a perceived breach, we should also be looking at what safe-guards should be put in place."

As if it had just registered with him, Michael turned to Birkoff and asked "where is Walter?"

"Madeline sent him out to do some security checks on external premises, I'm just waiting for him start downloading the specs. Ops gave it top priority" Birkoff replied.

"What "premises"?" Nikita asked.

"Don't know where it is, I don't have clearance. All I know is that Madeline directed us to upgrade the security equipment in some house Section owns. Walter took off like a shot, happier than I've seen him in weeks and mumbling something about looking up the alley, whatever that means." Birkoff shrugged as he replied and started inputting some codes on his keyboard. Michael spun around in his chair to face Birkoff, struggling to maintain a neutral expression.

"OK, send me a copy of Walters specifications when they come in so I can include it in my report."

"No can do Michael, like I said, I don't have the clearance, neither do you. It's for Ops eyes only." Birkoff started to squirm under the intensity of Michael's gaze.

"Fine." He replied tersely. "Make the adjustments to the work schedule. Nikita you assist with coordination of the security review, Birkoff you start to draw-up any changes we need to make to improve the current system, including intruder alerts and flags. I'll be in my office working on the report, send me the adjusted plans as soon as you have them finalised." Without looking at either of them Michael rose and moved quickly towards his office.

"What the hell was that all about?" Nikita stared after Michael.

"Beats me" Birkoff replied. She flopped down into the seat Michael had just vacated and taking her cue from Birkoff started working on the adjustments to the work schedule.

************************************************

Michael closed the door behind him as he entered his office. He leaned back against the door and slid slowly down to the ground when he realised he could no longer trust his legs to support him. His mind was racing, yet he knew there was no logical reason for it given the seemingly trivial piece of information Birkoff had just supplied. It had all been so carefully locked away. It was disturbing how little it had taken to trigger him off.

He would need to be even more cautious; that much at least was clear. What to do about it now was the key question. He had to know and if Birkoff was about to upgrade the security system, as he had just instructed, he didn't have much time.

************************************************

Walter pulled into the driveway of the address he had been given. It was an average suburban house in an average suburb. Obviously only the occupant distinguished it. He removed his gear from the back of the van and rushed up to ring the doorbell. A minute or two later the door opened. He stood smiling for a moment, staring at the person in front of him.

"Hello Alie, it's been too long." She returned his smile and unlocked the security door to let him in.

He dropped his gear in the hall as she gathered him into a warm hug.

"Walter" was all she whispered in response, unsure if she could control the flood of emotions seeing him had evoked.

After a long moment he pulled her back.

"Ahhh. You haven't changed a bit" he said.

"Sure I have, I'm older ... and wiser" Alison replied with a laugh "just like you." She kissed him on the cheek and took his hand to lead him into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers.

"Stay awhile. There's so much to catch up on. I'll call Operations in a little while and tell him its taking longer than we thought."

"I'd like that" Walter replied as he accepted the beer and hung his jacket on the back of a seat.

"Why don't you make a start so Birkoff doesn't get figidty. Do you need my help?" she called through the door as she went to retrieve the toolbox he had left in the hall. She came back in and placed it on the kitchen table. She opened it and inspected the odd assortment of gadgets it contained. Lifting one item up she raised an eyebrow at Walter.

"Infra red sensors? Do they want to know when I have to get up and pee during the night?"

"You know how Operations is with you, nothing by halves." He replied with a tinge of sadness in his voice, then added. "I guess though he's more interested in who, other than you, may be peeing in your house."

"Yeah, well, if you find any puddles let me know. I have to send through a few bits and pieces after today's meeting. I'll come and help you when I'm done. Make yourself at home." She gave him another hug and then disappeared through a small door down the corridor.

It took Walter a couple of hours to install the perimeter devices and start downloading the specs to Birkoff so he could run a test of the system. As he worked he could hear the faint sounds of Alison singing along to the CD's she played while she worked. Her sweet tuneful voice relaxed him and he found himself singing along to the familiar songs.

He popped his head inside the small doorway where she was working and was impressed with the array of technology that confronted him in the closet sized space. It made him wonder whether she did really need to do any "catching up'. He observed a discrete state-of-the-art security panel in the wall by the door, looking like a light switch but was probably a sophisticated retina scanner.

"Birkoff's doing a test on the perimeter sensors, I'll need your help to place the internal sensors." He looked across as she stared intensely at the text on the screen before hitting a key with a satisfied grin. She smiled back at Walter.

"That's me done for the day. Let me make a quick call and then we can relax for a bit."

Walter nodded, then headed back to the kitchen and pulled another couple of beers out of the fridge. He smelt a delicious aroma coming from the oven and looked in to see a mountain of a pizza sizzling on the middle shelf.

"Don't get too excited" Alison announced as she walked in, "its nothing more than an excuse to get rid of all the things that things that haven't grown legs in the fridge."

"If memory serves I'm pretty sure I'd be prepared to eat old tyres if you cooked "em up."

Alison moved over to the table and sat down, smiling. He could see the dark rings under her eyes and wondered what her current mission was and how much she had been involved in all that was happening back at Section. He knew she would volunteer what she could, but he wouldn't press.

"Looks like you're spending the night." She laughed and pulled out a baggie and started rolling a joint "so lets get shit faced and talk about things we shouldn't."

Walter sat down next to her and looked closely into her face, knowing precisely what she wanted to talk about. They held her look for a moment and then he nodded and laughed as well.

"Happy to oblige," he replied.

************************************************

"You wanted to see me" Michael stated as he stepped into Madeline's office.

"Yes Michael, come in, sit, we will be joining the others in a minute. I wanted to speak to you first." Madeline walked around from behind her desk gesturing towards a seat.

Michael sat as requested, the usual tension building in him as he stared across at Madeline. She moved to lean against her desk directly in front of him and looked him over, a thin smile gracing her face.

"How are your injuries healing? Its been a busy time for all of us and I can see that you have not been getting as much rest as you need."

"I'm fine, Madeline."

"Of course" she smiled and moved back to sit at her desk. Punching in a couple of keys on her computer she turned the screen to allow Michael to view the image of him moving down a corridor and then stopping at a doorway. Madeline watched him closely as he turned away from the screen.

"I was just curious as to why you were accessing classified personnel and psychological evaluation files on Level 10?"

"In reviewing the staff profiles I found an anomaly that demanded further data. It turned out to be nothing. You will find the details in my report." He sat back in his chair clasping his hands in front of him as he kept his gaze leveled at Madeline.

"I look forward to reading it" Madeline replied with a smile. "Maybe you should send the files on to me for a thorough review, we can't be too careful at this stage, and no doubt you have a lot on your mind at the moment..." She left the statement hanging, not expecting a response from Michael. The tense silence was interrupted by Birkoff's voice informing them that Operations was ready for their meeting.

"We'll continue this later" she concluded, rising from her desk while observing Michael's posture relax slightly. She knew he was thinking the same thing as her ... saved by the bell.

************************************************

Operations paced slowly behind his desk.

"Following a meeting today with Oversight and the Agency Heads, there is agreement the events we have been witnessing over the last few months represents a coordinated effort by a number of terrorist organisations under the direction of a multinational corporation investing in nuclear waste storage facilities- Global Storage Technologies. The scenario being developed involves efforts to acquire and stockpile nuclear and chemical weapons. In return for the contraband, GST has been offering a range of sophisticated communication detection devices, security systems and intelligence. We have yet to determine the nature of intelligence GST has gathered. "

"Was there any discussion on the anomalies we have been observing in mission strikes?" Michael asked.

"We have confirmed that GST has been developing a prototype communications scanner that has the capacity to penetrate our systems. The scanner is not fully operational at this stage. A review of our recent missions would support that, at this stage, the scanner is only able to access our current frequencies within a 500m radius. Current estimates suggest there are no more than ten of the prototype units in existence at the moment." Operations looked around to gauge the impact of his words.

"That would explain the mission patterns we have observed" Birkoff added.

"It makes sense', Michael offered as he thought through the implications of Operations disclosure. Looking briefly across at those present and taking in the conspicuous absence of Walter from the briefing table, he added "how did we come by this intel and analysis?"

Operations smiled at Michael, having anticipated this question.

He looked across at Madeline, noticing her concentration directed at Michael as she replied to the question.

"One of Sections deep cover Operatives constructed the scenario."

Operations watched closely for Michael's response and smiled in appreciation when he received none. Operations continued.

"As a result Section One will take the lead in developing the endgame and response profile, as well as coordinating across the other agencies."

"How do you want to proceed?" Birkoff asked.

"We will continue to implement the security initiatives outlined in Michael's report and commence gathering corroborating intel. Michael I want you to concentrate on movements to and from existing government nuclear and chemical storage facilities. Birkoff, we need to identify where the GST storage facilities are located." He looked around expectantly for questions then continued. "Copies of the reports tabled at today's meeting will be made available later tonight. We will resume missions on the pad; however, Madeline will direct a new approval protocol. Any questions?"

"Who do you want to start working on the endgame and response profile?" Michael asked.

"That's not your concern at the moment, you have your assignments."

Operations glanced at Michael who returned his look with an abstract smile Operations found peculiarly irritating.

"This is Priority One people, we remain on standby until further instructed. Dismissed."

************************************************

Michael was seated beside Madeline as they reviewed the final refinements to the mission profile.

"Impressive" he remarked.

"Yes" Madeline replied in acknowledgment "Walter has your equipment list, the rest of the Team is waiting for you in egress, panel's have been updated."

Michael nodded curtly and then moved towards the door. Before he reached it, he turned back towards Madeline, a faint curve to the corner of his mouth. She looked across at him in anticipation, a curious expression on her face.

"Good" was all he said as he quickly turned and disappeared out the door.

Madeline smiled and nodded in response as she watched Michael glide out the door.

Of course Michael was aware of who was revising the profiles; Alison's approach was idiosyncratic. She was curious as to why he was showing his hand so obviously and so early. One more thing to occupy her time she thought and then turned her attention back to the paper work on her desk.

************************************************

"Walter, what's going on?" Nikita asked as she dumped her gear from their latest mission on the bench and jumped up on to the counter beside it. Walter started marking things off and she played absently with a tracker. "Michael's acting all mysterious and has hardly spoken ten words in the last two weeks, all of sudden mission's seem to be back on track. Its weird."

"Wheels within wheels sugar" he replied distractedly as he held up a kevlar vest, checking for markings.

"Awwgghh... not you too Walter, why can't I get a straight answer from anyone" she moaned in frustration.

"This is signed out to Michael" he noted as he put the vest back on the bench beside her.

"Yeah, he gave me his gear to check in, said he had to go right back out for intel ... again." Nikita sighed and tried to pin Walter with a seductive look. He looked back up at her with a ridiculous grin bursting across his face.

"OK! So what are you fishing for, got a hankering to come out back and see my etchings" he replied, giving her a wink.

"Sure, if it means you'll tell me what's going on without using a cliche. What did you get up to the other night Walter? You haven't been able to wipe that stupid grin off your face since you came back." She twirled a strand of hair around her finger seductively in an attempt to distract him.

"Just a little therapy, sugar" he laughed as he danced a little shimmy and started shifting the gear on the counter down into the cage.

Nikita tried to maintain her irritation but found herself smiling after Walter. She headed off to her quarters to spend to spend an indecent amount of time under the shower. Hopefully, by the time she emerged Michael would be back. She wanted some answers.

************************************************

Alison was driving home after yet another stressful day. The only thing keeping her awake was the headache pounding at her temples and she briefly contemplated if a run would help to clear it or make it worse. After nearly twelve hours in a tense meeting with the Directors of GST she was close to exhaustion, it made her nervous when she felt this close to the edge. She couldn't shake the feeling they were getting suspicious about the direction she was taking them. She was moving them faster than she preferred, but it couldn't be helped. She took comfort in the fact that it always felt this way as she moved towards closure on these sorts of missions.

She sighed as she thought about the mission profiles Madeline would have waiting for her to review when she logged into Section. She felt the churning in her stomach and wondered idly if she was getting an ulcer. Oversight had reviewed and approved the response profile she sent through yesterday. There was now no logical outcome other than her being re-called into Section to see it through. Madeline had said as much during the debrief last night. She wasn't sure she was ready.

Tomorrow was the long drive out to the beach house for a three-day meeting that, hopefully, would provide the final pieces of information she needed. Three days of ocean and angst, it almost balanced out. Irrespective of what happened she was setting in place a sequence that would end in the annihilation of the people, products and networks she had helped established. The stakes were high; she had too many people depending on her, the good guys and the bad guys.

As she parked her car and walked to the front door she felt, rather than saw, the dark figure sitting on the bike parked across the road. She sensed his gaze like a laser beam. He didn't try to disguise his presence, that wasn't the point after all. It had become a routine over the last couple of weeks, at any time of the day or night. How easy it would be to just turn around and go to him now. She keyed in the code to disarm the security system and put her key in the door. Steeling herself she unlocked the door and locked her emotions and without turning entered the house, slamming the door behind her. She proceeded immediately to her computer terminal to expedite the inevitable. She was sick and tired of having to play these games.

************************************************

Michael returned to Section, using the delivery entrance this time. It was a token gesture since he didn't care any more. It was worth it. Seeing her again, no matter how briefly was worth everything and anything Section could dish up. He couldn't risk getting in contact with her previously; it could have compromised her mission status. But now, as their worlds were starting to collide again, he couldn't seem to help himself.

He entered his office and sat down at the computer. Refocussing his attention he started on the mission report that should have been with Operations an hour ago.

Michael had just finished sending the report to Operations and Madeline when a deep channel message came in from a remote Section location he was not familiar with. The icon flashed in the corner of his screen for a full minute before he opened it. It contained only scrambled characters and he puzzled for a moment as to what to make of it. Assuming the sender would have provided the means to read the message he searched his personal mailbox for an accompanying decoding file. Of course there was none.

Michael sat watching his screen for a moment, intrigued by this little mystery. Who from Section would be sending him encrypted messages on deep channel? As this thought entered his mind, almost simultaneously he felt his pulse start to quicken. He strove to maintain some control over his wildly racing mind as he searched through his directories for the file he felt certain would be there.

He finally found it, tucked away in one of his personal directories, appropriately named "voyeur'. His mind reeled with the knowledge that the only way for the file to have found its way into this directory was by hacking into his workstation here at Section. He smiled in acknowledgment of her skill, although he hated being so predictable that she had taken this precaution. With a quick sequence he activated the program and two words now appeared on his screen:

arrêtez maintenant

His only outward response was a slow blink, but inside he felt a sudden turmoil that threatened to overwhelm him. After three long years this was all she had to say, but by the same token she had initiated this risky communication. He took a gamble and sent back his response:

hello

The reply was instantaneous and heralded by a loud beep.

bonjour, arrêtez maintenant

He smiled, pleased that she was willing to play his game. With more courage than he felt he responded:

no!

He sat and waited, luxuriating in the thrill of this abstract intimacy. In a sudden panic, he had the irrational feeling this illicit activity must surely be setting off sirens somewhere in the Section. He jumped up quickly to close the blinds and lock the door of his office, and then returned to his desk to turn off surveillance. Sitting back down he tried to calm his nerves and, even though he was expecting it, the alert beep on his computer made him jump. He opened the next message:

pourquoi?

He realised how much would be riding on his response and sat back to try and answer the question she had asked. Why? It was so simple and yet so complex. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling trying to encapsulate the myriad of thoughts that were practically leaping out of his head. He leaned in and typed:

hope

The answer was back in a matter of seconds.

aliéné!

Michael's smile turned into a laugh as he agreed with her analysis. He was about to frame his next response when the sound of Operations voice boomed into the quiet room from the intercom. Spinning around to follow the noise he nearly fell from his chair. He was in bad shape.

"Michael, my office now."

"Of course" he replied as he keyed in his next response. Despite his reply to Operations he had no intention of moving until he had his answer.

... and so?

He smiled at the unintentional irony contained in the reply that quickly followed.

soyez patient!

************************************************

Nikita's eyes followed Michael as he entered Operations office, glad for the respite from watching Operations pace for the last five minutes waiting for Michael to appear.

"Thank you for joining us" Operations directed at Michael.

Michael took the empty seat between Madeline and Nikita and focussed his cool gaze on Operations.

"We are close to finalising our endgame and the mission profile. As most of you will be aware by now, Alison has developed the profile by working her deep cover assignment to provide us with the necessary intel and profile parameters." Operations paused to pass his eyes over Michael and Madeline. Michael only nodded in response.

Nikita looked across at Michael and then Birkoff and realised she was the only one who had no idea who "Alison" was. Fighting the urge to ask the obvious she focussed back on Operations; feeling the tension mount in the room the last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself.

"Tomorrow there will be meeting between the Directors of GST that should provide us with the final parameters we require. Alison will be in attendance, Michael I want you close by to provide backup if required."

Nikita looked across to Michael and noticed the flash of amazement that crossed his faced before he regained his composure. Fascinated by the whole proceedings she looked across at Madeline and then Operations to see if they observed this momentary lapse. She felt like squirming in her seat when she caught the look in Madeline's eye; she watched Michael as though he was a laboratory rat negotiating a maze.

"Is Alison anticipating problems" Michael asked, his voice low and measured.

"Not specifically" Madeline replied, "she has observed some increase in tension during recent meetings. We are just being cautious. You will observe and record the proceedings covertly from an adjoining property that belongs to Alison's company. You will not make contact unless the need arises."

Michael processed this information and then with an ice cool gaze looked back at Madeline and asked "is Alison aware you are sending in backup?"

Madeline smiled, clearly impressed that he had so quickly assessed the situation. Operations, on the other hand, glared at Michael, annoyed by the question.

"That is not your concern. If needed, your cover will be as a couple on holiday, Nikita will accompany you. Birkoff will provide any tactical or systems support as required. Walter has your surveillance equipment loaded and ready to go. You fly out immediately, transport will meet you and take you to your accommodation. Madeline has loaded the profile and cover scenario on your panels, you can study the detail in transit. That will be all." With a pointed look at Michael, Operations turned back to his desk effectively closing the meeting.

Madeline paused at the door after the others had left the room.

Looking back towards Operations she quietly stated, "and so, it begins."

"Yes, my dear, so it begins. But I suspect much will happen before it ends." They shared a smile as she turned to make her way back to her office.

************

Nikita sat fidgeting in her seat on the plane, it was only a short flight and there was so much she wanted to know she hardly knew where to start. Michael had managed to evade her curious questions so far, first with phone calls then working on his laptop, and now he was even pretending to sleep in the seat next to her. She poked him in the ribs and pushed an eyelid up, hoping this none to subtle assault would get his attention.

"Come off it Michael. You're not asleep. Fess up or suffer the consequences."

He shifted in his seat hoping he could put her off a while longer, but when he felt her fingers digging into his ribs again he realised that resistance was futile.

"What is it 'Kita? Everything you need is in your panel."

She watched him sigh and feign disinterest, when everything about him screamed tension. She decided she may as well plunge straight in.

"Who is Alison?"

He looked out the window and barely skipped a beat before answering.

"As Operations has already told you, she is a deep cover operative who has been working on this scenario from outside the Section." He continued looking out the window as he sat up, rigid in his seat.

Nikita paused a moment, unsure about whether to continue but unable to stem her building curiosity. She changed seats to the one opposite him and leaned across to turn his face towards her, noting the vice-like grip of his hands on the armrests of his seat.

She dropped her hands and looking into his eyes said softly, "OK, I'll try again, who is Alison... to you?"

Nikita watched as Michael closed his eyes then slowly brought his sad gaze up to meet hers. The run of emotions across his face held her fixed to him as she awaited the answer she saw him struggling with.

They stayed this way for what seemed like an eternity, until he reached out and took her hand in his and brought her palm to his mouth as though to close it before he had the chance to whisper out on a single breath "she is... everything."

He continued to hold her palm against his mouth as he stared at her with tears welling in his eyes and a look of complete desolation on his face. She was uncertain how to react, being taken so completely by surprise by this unexpected admission and the raw emotion that accompanied it. This was a side of Michael she had rarely seen. As he watched her intensely for a response, she was aware of the tumultuous series of thoughts that passed over her, running the whole gamut from jealousy to suspicion. She realised then what was worrying him more than anything else.

"Michael, don't feel guilty, your honesty and trust mean more to me than anything else. You of all people should know that by now."

She reached across with her other hand and gently wiped away a tear that had escaped his emotion charged eyes. She watched him visibly relax with this one simple gesture. He kissed the hand he held against his mouth and she felt his warm breath as he let out a deep sigh. Still unable to trust himself to speak he simply looked at her gratefully, thankful for her friendship and understanding. She looked back at him with a smile, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. The pilot announced they were coming in to land and as she settled back into the seat next to him she reached over and pulled his hand into her lap. As the plane touched down on the tiny runway she leaned across to whisper in his ear.

"She must be a very special person. I'm look forward to hearing all about her when you are ready." Her curiosity could only be kept at bay for so long.

************************************************

A car picked them up at the airstrip and took them to a magnificent house that looked out over a long stretch of beach lit by the pale glow of a large moon. The house was luxuriously fitted out. Michael prowled around the cavernous living area and then opened the sliding doors to flood the room with the sound and scent of the ocean. He stood looking out as Nikita came up beside him and circled him with her arms.

"Its beautiful" he sighed, feeling more relaxed than he had in months. He could feel Alison here. The very air about him seemed to be thick with her presence. He reached down and gathered Nikita close to him, pleased to be sharing this moment with her.

Nikita looked out and was also mesmerised by the vista stretched out before her. After a while she wandered off to turn on some lights and see what the house had to offer besides the splendid views. She explored the kitchen and then made her way into the bedroom that offered wall to wall glass and a 180-degree panorama. She felt like she had died and gone to heaven after nearly four weeks trapped in the claustrophobic confines of Section.

"I need some food and a shower" she called out from the bedroom. "Do you want anything."

He hadn't moved from his place in the doorway.

"No, I'm fine, you go ahead" he called back.

Nikita made a couple of sandwiches and then spent what seemed like hours in the shower. It was one of those fabulous contraptions that had water spurting from every wall.

When she finally emerged in a flood of steam, she saw Michael already asleep on the huge bed. She gently removed his boots and sock's, then pulled off his jeans and unbuttoned his shirt. Amazed that he still had not woken up fully she rolled him out of the shirt and under the crisp white sheets. She wandered over to open Michael's suitcase and laughed to herself as she saw the colourful clothes Madeline had packed for him. She pulled on one of his tshirts and climbed into bed next to him, curling her back against his warm body and drifted off to sleep in a matter of seconds.

************************************************

Michael awoke to a flood of sensations, brilliant sunshine, the sound of waves crashing and Nikita entwined around him. He lay still for some time, enjoying the peace and the strange sense of anticipation that almost made his skin tingle with sensation. He gently untwined Nikita's legs and arms and slipped out of bed. Looking down at the beach he decided a run was in order and pulled out a pair shorts from the gaudy selection Madeline has packed. Not bothering with shoes he went into the kitchen and started coffee percolating. An inspection of the freezer unearthed every type of pastry and he extracted some croissants and placed them by the oven. After turning the oven on to warm he headed down to the beach.

There was a salt haze lingering on the deserted beach and he did some gentle exercises to warm up, cautiously steeling glances at the large house next door where Alison's meeting would take place. The sand felt strange and good against his bare feet. He jogged past the meeting venue and took in the layout of the house and approaches in his first pass. It took him about thirty minutes to reach the end of the beach as he admired the huge mansions tucked away in the back dunes, just like theirs.

When he reached the headland he turned back and again felt the prickling sensation on his skin and a new symptom as his stomach started doing nervous somersaults. Maybe he was coming down with something. If he didn't calm down he would be a total basket case by the time Alison arrived. Glancing at his watch he saw he had two hours to pull himself together. As he passed the meeting house on his return he noticed four men in casual attire sitting on the verandah. They watched him as he passed and one of them gave him a small polite wave, which he returned. He hoped they would extend this casual approach to all aspects of their meeting.

He slowed up as he reached the beach house and noticed a couple of towels lying on the sand. He looked down to the water and saw Nikita splashing on the shore. She looked up at him with an infectious grin and waved him in. He walked down to join her and she splashed him the minute he was in range as she danced about in obvious bliss.

"It's so long since I've been to the beach. Living like a troglodyte you can forget all this exists. It's wonderful" she laughed as she flopped back on one of the small waves breaking right on the beach. He walked into to the waist deep water on the edge and dived under one of the waves, enjoying the cooling sensation on his oversensitive skin.

Wading over towards Nikita he gathered her slippery body in his arms, kissing her cheek and whispering "we are being watched..."

Nikita leaned around to nibble on his neck as she looked up at the four figures on the verandah of the adjoining house. She laughed out loud and grabbed Michael's salty mouth in a kiss. Wriggling out of his arms she made a show of running out of the water towards their towels. He followed and wrapping his towel around his waist he put his hand around Nikita's shoulders as they walked back up to the house.

As soon as they were inside, they quickly set to work assembling the surveillance equipment. Michael left Nikita to take a series of shots with the digital camera while he took a shower. Nikita was sitting at the laptop sending the images through to Birkoff when Michael appeared from the bedroom, dressed in pair of baggy shorts and a Hawaiian shirt left unbuttoned and hanging off his shoulders. She gave him a wolf-whistle and huge grin.

"Howeee... we're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. Next thing you'll be humming the Beach Boys and carrying a surfboard. If I didn't know better I'd even suspect you were... relaxed."

"Thank you ... I think." He smiled and shook his head slowly as though coming to a conclusion "I feel relaxed. Would you like some breakfast Gidget? I think I even saw some vegemite in the cupboard." He stuck his finger in his mouth and held his stomach as though about to be sick as he walked to the kitchen. Nikita laughed.

"Cool, this place has it all Moon-doggie. I just have to finish sending these files through to the Big Kahuana."

She was further amazed when she heard Michael singing a song as he started preparing breakfast. She strained to place the song, it was so familiar. It took a moment before she realised he was singing "California Girls" in French. This place seemed to be weaving some sort of magic that she thoroughly approved of.

************************************************

Nikita finished off the last piece of pineapple and surveyed the battlefield in front of her. Michael had created a feast of fresh fruit and croissants. She leaned back in her chair feeling sleepy and content. It was hard to believe they were on a mission. The cool breeze gently played with the brim of her hat and kept the edge off the heat that poured down from the sun overhead. She looked across at Michael and noticed his gaze behind the mirrored sunglasses shift from her to a point in the distance.

"She is here" was all he said as he stood and started clearing dishes from the table before moving back inside.

Nikita stood and stretched, passing a fleeting glimpse over the people gathered on the verandah of the adjoining house. Looking back out to sea for a moment she gathered the last of the items on the table. Taking a deep breath of the rich air she turned to seek out Michael for some answers that were long overdue.

She found him leaning against the wall under the window where they had set up the surveillance equipment. She sat down on the floor to join him, resisting the urgent need to look through the viewfinder and observe "she'. Instead she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder, looking back out through the glass doors to seek again the comforting rhythm of crashing waves. Michael started without any prompting, sensing her need for an explanation as much as anything. His whisper soft voice seemed to match the cadence of the waves.

"Alison trained me when I first came to Section. She had a gentle energy that steered me through the darkness of my early days in Section. Although the lessons were unmerciful she helped to bring out my best and this, of course, attracted their attention. It was many years later that I realised how completely I compromised her. I fell hopelessly in love, she was like an oasis of calm and through that calm I could find a parallel existence to compensate for the anathema of our prison. They pushed her but she resolutely refused to push me in the same way. She didn't need to, I would have done anything for her. She had a strength that everyone recognised, and which of course, they wanted to build-on and control. It turned out that I was the instrument they used to gain that control. You know as well as any, Nikita, how they can play this game."

He shifted his position and she turned to look at him, reading the memories and pain in his eyes. With a firm hand she eased him further down onto the floor and rested his head in her lap. She sat gently stroking his hair, waiting for him to continue in his own time.

"I grew impatient with her, not understanding the rules of this new game. In reality I chose not to understand, which she accepted with her seemingly endless patience. I wanted what we had had, and was unwilling to make the necessary adjustments to fit into the changing parameters that were being contrived for us. After a year and half I was reassigned to Jurgon. I have him to thank for making me realise just how lucky I had been to have Alison as my mentor, and that at its most simple all she was ever asking of me was simply the basics of survival. Bend or break. We managed to forge an understanding that at least gave us something. But the pattern had been established. I was used as the counterpoint to their designs for her advancement."

"She continued to look out for me, even though we could no longer be together and it became difficult to even communicate safely. I only found out recently how much she has been involved. She organised my teaming up with Simone before she left to head-up the Substation in western Europe. I'm certain it was her influence that made them agree to our marriage. I also know she eventually forced Operations to agree to the mission that found Simone. After Alison left the Substation to start deep cover work, she insisted on training me when I was given the Vacek mission. While all I could think about was the time we had together as a result, she was in turmoil trying to prepare me for the potential outcomes. When Madeline and Operations insisted on a child, she re-wrote the profile a million times trying to talk them out of it. She even went above them to Oversight on this issue, as she did when they proposed including Elena as collateral when the mission reached its endgame. I know this cost her dearly. There were many other things ..."

It took Nikita a while to realise he had stopped talking. She was mesmerised by this outpouring, and tried to remember when she had ever heard Michael talk this much in the four years she had known him. She was seeing so many parallels in her own behaviour, and would never have guessed at this conformity in their responses. As the silence continued she looked down and saw the tears streaming down his face. She used her shirt to gently wipe them away.

"Please go on Michael, I want to hear this." She thought for a moment and then added, "I need to hear this."

"Even where it concerns you Nikita?" he whispered in a voice so soft she had to lean down to hear him.

"Especially where it concerns me." She responded with a cautious smile. Sensing it made him more comfortable she sat up again and stared ahead and continued to softly stroke his cheek. After some time she heard him exhale deeply and then he stated in the same whisper soft voice.

"Alison was responsible for your recruitment."

Nikita was clearly taken aback by this statement, but realising there would be more behind it, she resumed stroking his cheek and without looking down she said "how?"

"She was ordered to by Section. They thought it would provide the necessary distraction for me after Simone's death and help maintain my focus during the Vacek mission. Of course they also hoped it would consolidate the pretence that Alison was manipulating my emotions to meet Sections needs, as they tried to do with everything she did for me."

"But why me?"

"Why any of us 'Kita? Like "what if", it is the question we have all asked. Perhaps at least a small part of the why may be more obvious when you meet her." He shifted from her lap and sat up, leaning back against the wall and stretching his legs out.

He looked across at her and seeing the troubled expression on her face he reached for her hands and clasped them in his. He followed her gaze and joined her in staring out to the ocean. They passed a long time in this companionable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. It took Nikita a moment to register that Michael had started speaking again in the same mesmerising whisper.

"I have often wondered if my recruitment was somehow tied to Alison, and questioning this I wonder what sequence of events resulted in her recruitment. We are all pieces in a jigsaw that is being compiled through chance as well as design. Understanding and rationalising how we each bend to fit into this bigger picture can draw us together and make us a stronger whole. Or it can destroy us if we choose not to find how we might fit. This is the one unifying truth that Alison has taught me. While I sometimes do not comprehend why the Section has to continually test and change how the pieces mesh, I accept that this is an integral part of survival in the world in which we exist. Just like Alison, you are an integral part of how I choose to survive. I only hope that I can offer you the same."

Nikita looked across at Michael, deeply moved by the simple sense of his words. He was gazing down at their hands entwined in his lap. She reached her hand out to stroke his cheek, feeling the strength of his emotions as he looked up and into her eyes. He gave her a strange, questioning smile, searching for some answer. She smiled back at him, suddenly feeling light-headed from the intensity of what had passed between them over the last couple of hours. Her faced suddenly erupted into a huge feral grin.

"This place must be magical. Maybe we are in Oz." She laughed and Michael smiled warmly at her unintended pun, thinking she didn't realise how right she was.

The beeping of Michael's laptop quieted their laughter.

"I wonder who that could be?" Michael asked mischievously. "I better answer quickly or she will send her flying monkeys out to bring us back." At this Nikita erupted into laughter as Michael got up to answer the incoming message.

************************************************

Nikita was staring into the viewfinder of the camera as Michael came back to join her. He observed no activity in the house and presumed the meeting was still going on.

"Can you see any movement?" he asked.

"Only shapes moving every now and then, its pretty quiet" she replied, the frustration evident in her voice. She looked across at him as he peered out the window, a far away look on his face.

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"About three years ago, just after the Simone's death. It was only for a couple of days." Michael continued staring out the window.

"Does she know we are here?"

"Yes, she does now. As best I can gauge she was not happy about this scenario. We are to remain 'discrete'" he replied, lingering on the last word. "Madeline has asked for photo's of all the players and beyond that we follow the existing profile."

"OK, do you feel like some lunch?" she asked getting up and moving to the kitchen.

He followed her in and started making some coffee as she pulled the makings for a salad from the fridge. Michael leaned beside her against the bench, picking at the pieces of tomato as she chopped.

"Michael why do I get the feeling you are supervising?" she asked with a pout.

"I trust you to make a salad without killing us 'Kita" he replied.

She was impressed with his speed and agility as he jumped out of the way as she spun on him with the large carving knife she had been using.

"Then again..." he smiled back at her warning look.

He moved down the counter to make her a cup of tea and then poured himself a cup of coffee and wandered back to the window.

"They have moved back out to the verandah for lunch" she heard him say as he looked out through a pair of binoculars. He held the binoculars out to the side, anticipating that she would quickly join him to finally indulge her curiosity. He smiled to himself as he felt her take them out of his hands.

Although there were only two women in the group, he said as much to himself as to Nikita, "that is her, with the golden-brown hair."

Nikita paused momentarily at Michael's words, then looked across and spotted Alison immediately from this succinct description. She had dark blonde hair, with sun-bleached streaks glinting throughout, falling in gentle curls to just past her shoulders. She was leaning back in her chair, small circular sunglasses perched on her nose, effortlessly commanding the attention of all eyes at the table. She appeared to be relaying a story, an unassuming smile on her face as she looked around at her companions. The table then erupted into laughter and shrugging benignly she reached for her glass of wine and turned to the man sitting next to her.

She stood to pass some items from a bench behind them to the table and Nikita noticed she was wearing a Greenpeace whale tshirt over faded denim jeans, which contrasted starkly with the expensive casual attire of her companions. Despite this apparent difference it was obvious she fitted in easily and seemed to be a focal point of discussion around the table.

Nikita knelt down next to Michael as he was taking photos.

She turned to him and smiled "I like her dress sense."

Michael didn't turn from his task but she noticed a lopsided grin brighten his face.

Nikita continued to watch the scene, then asked absently "do we have a comm link with Alison?"

"Alison has an implant that allows for continuous incoming communications and can be activated for outgoing. Operations and Madeline can access the implant frequency or call her mobile if we need to make contact. This is standard issue and procedure for someone in her position."

"By that do you mean for her undercover work?"

"No, it is standard issue for all Level 7 Operatives."

"Level 7? I didn't know there was such a thing." She paused for a minute then added "what level is Madeline?"

"I think that she is also Level 7, however, as head of Psych-Ops for Section her status does not directly parallel the ranking for Cold-Ops."

Nikita thought this through and then asked "are there any other Level 7 ops in Section?"

"My clearance excludes me from knowledge of others."

"Do you think there are others?"

"No."

"So Alison's status is... unusual?"

"Everything about Alison is... unusual." He turned to face Nikita, curious to see how much she was assimilating.

"Are you starting to understand?"

"Yes, but I think I am still only scratching the surface, even with all the information you've provided."

He gave her a conspiratorial smile and leaned across to kiss her on the forehead, pleased that she was indeed starting to understand. He gazed out the window again, suddenly feeling very tired and drained from the emotional roller coaster of the day and the accumulation of weeks of overdrive.

"Why don't you go and lie down for awhile. They will probably be inside for the rest of the day. I'll send these through to Birkoff and wake you if anything comes up."

"Thank you 'Kita, I do feel very tired." He rose and brushed his hand across her head and then with a final glance out the window retreated to the bedroom.

************************************************

Nikita lay next to Michael, watching as he slowly started to wake. He had slept solidly for the last 18 hours and she noticed how peaceful and calm he looked. The dark circles that had been such a feature under his eyes for the last few weeks had disappeared. Despite the emotions he had been dealing with over the last few days, he seemed to have found some inner calm that had opened him to her in a totally new way. She wondered how much of this was coming from his proximity to Alison and the opportunities this presented, and how much came from his inter core of steel that had allowed to survive in Section for so long.

His eyes opened and for a moment he seemed disorientated as he focussed on his surroundings and Nikita. He seemed to be still caught in some dream, and she wondered what, or more likely who, it had been about.

"Good morning sleepyhead. You crashed yesterday afternoon, and now its today and a beautiful day it is too. How about a swim?" She swept her gaze past him to the window.

Michael stretched and sat up lazily with a sleepy yawn.

"I have been asleep since yesterday afternoon?" he asked quietly, still not totally awake.

"Yup" she answered as she pulled the sheets off and jumped out of bed. She changed into her swimmers and tossed him his as he slowly swung his feet off the bed. She went to the linen closet and grabbed a couple of towels. When she returned he was still sitting on the edge of the bed. She walked over and crouched down beside him.

"You OK?" she asked smoothing the hair back from his face.

"Yes, I think so" he said looking straight into her eyes.

"Good, get changed, I'll put the coffee on, maybe the smell will help revive you."

Michael slowly rose, starting to feel some control coming back to his dead limbs. He pulled off his boxers and changed into his swimming briefs then walked out to the verandah to wait for Nikita. The sun was still low on the horizon and the morning air felt fresh. An onshore breeze was barely causing a ripple on the large swells crashing onto the beach.

A movement on one of the waves caught his attention as he noticed a body gliding down on the break as it rolled into the shore. The body pulled out of the wave and disappeared and then reappeared behind the wall of foaming white water. With sure steady strokes the body then moved out to the back of the break again, disappearing below waves as they broke. He was watching so intently he didn't notice Nikita standing next to him.

"Someone's out body surfing" she observed then added, "come on, lets get wet."

She made her way down to the beach. He glanced once more at the figure in the distance and then followed Nikita down to the beach.

************************************************

Michael and Nikita were sitting on the sand drying off when they noticed the swimmer they had observed earlier wading in the shallow water, and then making a hoping motion, leaning down to one foot then the other. She emerged from the water carrying a pair of flippers. Shaking some of the water from her hair she retrieved a sarong from the sand. Tying it around her waist she noticed them. Nikita observed a moments hesitation before she picked up her flippers and headed down the beach towards them.

Nikita felt Michael go rigid beside her, then he slowly rose and waited. Nikita stayed siting, almost weighed down by the tension radiating from Michael. Alison stopped a couple of feet away from them, looking back out to sea for a moment before facing Michael.

"Salut Michel, c'est un long temps" she said with a soft smile. She held him lightly and on tiptoes reached up to kiss him on both cheeks. Nikita watched the way Michael leaned into the brief embrace.