Madelaine walked to her office after seeing that Michael was resting comfortably in Med Lab. He had been so agitated upon his arrival at Section One that Medelaine had resorted to sedating him. He would sleep for several hours strapped to a bed in Med Lab. As Madelaine entered her office she again wondered if she were doing the right thing. This could turn into a disaster if she did not take great care.

Operations entered her office. "What is the meaning of bringing someone in with you? Your intel never mentioned a possible recruit!" "The situation could not be helped," was her only reply. She turned toward her badly neglected bonsai trees as a rather abrupt dismissal of Operations. Operations, clearly upset, stormed out of Madelaine's office. Madelaine sighed and wiped tears from her eyes. "I am sorry, for both of you," she whispered. She continued to work with her baby trees, losing herself in her solitude.

Morning dawned with Madelaine never having left her office. She had busied herself for a couple of hours with her trees and then sat down to think. How was she going to acclimate Michael to Section One? Would he really have to sacrifice his soul? Would Operations remain suspicious of her motives? Would she be able to pull this assignment off? How could she keep her sanity during this assignment? What trick was The Agency really trying to pull by putting father and son together? How was she supposed to keep Michael here, against his wishes, and keep them from figuring out the truth? Dawn breaking over the city brought no answers to her many questions. She sighed and closed her eyes. Time to wake Michael.

Madelaine entered Med Lab. Michael was sleeping peacefully in a bed. He was dressed all in white. Madelaine walked over and carefully unstrapped his hands and feet. She smoothed his hair back out of his eyes. He looked so angelic while in sleep. She wished he could stay this innocent forever, but she knew this was not possible. She feared that his fate had been sealed at birth, or was it at conception. What a waste, she thought.

Michael awoke as Madelaine was brushing his hair back. He jumped and tried to move away from her hand. A look of fear and disgust crossed his face. Madelaine smiled grimly at Michael and said two words, "Get up!”

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

Michael actually looked at Madelaine as if he were going to defy her. Then he slowly sat up and put his feet over the edge. He then jumped up to his feet. Madelaine, visibly shaken, scrambled back towards the wall to get away from him. "Oh, sorry Madelaine, didn't mean to scare you," came his caustic reply. A grin spread across his face. Madelaine shivered. "Why am I so afraid of him? Maybe because I realize just how much he hates me," Madelaine thought to herself.

"I must get a hold of myself and get Michael through this. Cancellation is not an option," Madelaine thought. Aloud she said, "follow me." Madelaine said nothing as she led Michael through the bowels of Section. It was 5:00 a.m. and not many people were stirring yet. It was actually a quiet morning with no new missions embarking. Madelaine led Michael to the locker room, handed him a towel and a change of clothes and sat down to wait.

Michael let the water sluice over him. He had no intention of leaving the shower until the hot water ran out. If Madelaine had other ideas, she would just have to come in and drag him out. Although the hot water felt relaxing to his body, he could not seem to stop the tumultuous thoughts from rolling around in his head. How did I get to this point in my life? When did I start believing everything people told me? Am I that dumb? How did I fall for this farce of a friendship with Madelaine? Where the hell am I? What am I suppossed to do here? Why could I not have died in the blast or even in that "suicide" in prison? What is God's purpose for keeping me alive? Is there a God anymore? The water began running cold and Michael had no more answers for his questions than he had when he entered. Michael shut the water off and slowly began drying himself. His mind was still reeling with questions. Michael dressed and went out to meet Madelaine.

Madelaine led Michael to her office and asked him to have a seat. Someone came in just as Michael sat on the couch. Christopher began setting a table for breakfast. There was coffee, juice, toast, eggs, bacon, all of Michael's favorite breakfast foods. Micheal wondered again what the purpose for being here was. He looked steadily at Madelaine as she offered him a seat at the table. He reluctantly sat down but refused to eat until Madelaine sat also. Madelaine asked Michael to please wait as there would be someone else joining them for breakfast.

Operations walked into Madelaine's office. He placed a small kiss on Madelaine's cheek and asked her if she had gotten any rest. Madelaine smiled at him in answer and offered him a seat. Operations sat, placed a napkin in his lap, and smiled at Michael. Madelaine rolled her eyes toward heaven and gave a little prayer that she was doing the right thing. Madelaine introduced Michael to Operations. The two men shook hands warily and they all began to eat in uneasy silence.

***********

After breakfast had been cleared, Madelaine walked to her desk and paged Simon, "can you please send Walter to me, thank you!" Michael fidgeted at the table while Operations stared at Michael. It was a rather tense few minutes while waiting for Walter. "You wanted to see me?", Walter asked as he walked in the door. "Yes," Madelaine smiled at Walter. "I believe our new recruit is ready to begin his training. Take him and prepare weapons tests for him. Remember that he may not have any experience with guns and ammunition. This afternoon, after you have taught him the basics, please drop him off with Victoria to begin his martial arts training." Madelaine turned to Michael. "You will be expected to follow all orders given to you. If you fail to follow orders, you will be ounished! Please do as ordered and we will have no problems." "That will be all Walter, thank you."

As Walter walked out of Madlaine's office, followed by Michael, Madelaine turned toward Operations and smiled. "Thank you for joining us for breakfast," and then turned toward her bonsai trees. This technique usually succeeded in politely dismissing Operations, but today Operations was not going for it. "Not this time Madelaine, I want some answers and I am not leaving until I get what I want." Madelaine sat on the couch, sighed, and smiled. "What do you wish to know? I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Operations sighed, "we'd better both sit down, I am not sure how long this will take." He joined Madelaine on the couch. "Now, what is it that you wish to know?", Madelaine asked Operations. "I do not understand you Madelaine, first you bring an unknown into Section One, without informing anyone of the situation I might add, then the next morning you are serving him breakfast in your office." "I have already explained to you that the situation could not have been prevented. I had to bring him in and I will not go into my motives for bringing him in Paul! You have never before questioned my motives for bringing in a new recruit, nor will I allow you to begin now. As for inviting him in to breakfast this morning, forgive me for saying so but, I genuinely enjoy spending time with him!" " All right Madelaine, I will stop asking questions about your decisions in this matter, I do trust you have the best interests of Section One at heart. One other question, if I may?" "Of course, " came Madelaine's reply, along with her Mona Lisa smile, which she knew always irked Operations. "Why invite me to breakfast?"

Madelaine closed her eyes tightly and thought about that question for a moment. Why had she invited Paul into breakfast with his son? Had she wanted to tempt fate? Had she wanted to countermand the directive of George at The Agency? Was she secretly hoping that father and son would instantly bond and she would be able to give up the farce of trying to keep the secret? Madelaine honestly had no clue what had motivated her to tempt fate so. Madelaine opened her eyes and smiled at Operations. "Paul, let me tell you a few things about a young man named Michael Samuelle. Then we will see if you understand why I wanted you to meet him."

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

In the meantime, Walter was taking Michael on a tour of Section One. He started by taking the young man to the Communications Center. Simon was currently under no time constraints so he began Michael's training on the computers and explaining how Communications was the hub of Section One. Simon was genuinely surprised at how quickly Michael picked up on the little nuances of computer programs. Before two hours was up Michael was designing simulations on the computer and analyzing data provided by Simon. Walter almost burst out laughing when Michael corrected a glitch in a sim that had been designed by Simon. Walter thought to himself, "I will never let Simon live this one down"! And he turned away so that neither man could see the look on his face.

After a few hours in Comm Walter sensed Michael's restlessnes. He brought him over to his own area of expertise-- weapons. The area was Walter's pride and joy, just as Comm was Simon's. Walter hoped that Michael would pick up quickly but secretly prayed that he would not be made a fool of as Simon had been. Walter had nothing to worry about for a while because he quickly realized that Michael had never even held a gun before. Imagine that, Walter thought to himself.

Walter spent the rest of the afternoon showing all of the various weapons to Michael. He taught him how to take the guns apart, clean them, and then put them back together. He then went on to explain to Michael the different types of ammunition which Section One used. Michael spent the afternoon absorbing all the information the older man could provide him. Michael was a veritable font of questions. Walter was kept hopping all afternoon trying to answer the younger man's questions. As Walter led Michael to the cafeteria for some dinner, he reflected on what he had learned of Michael this day. The young man was bordering on genius if not a full-fledged one. He was like a sponge, soakking up all knowledge offered to him, no matter what the subject. Walter remembered back several years to another young recruit who had had the same tenacity as this young man. It was easy for Walter to see that father and son were very much alike. Both had resisted the idea of Section One at first, but both soaked up the knowledge that Section One could offer them and both, Walter knew, would come to use that knowledge for the betterment of Section One.

As Walter and Michael ate companionably in the cafeteria, Madelaine and Operations were dining in the Tower. They had spent the entire day together discussing the enigma of a certain new recruit. Operations still did not fully understand Madelaine's reasoning for bringing him in as she had, but he did understand that Madelaine saw something special in the young man. Madelaine's intuitions had never failed Section One in the past. Over dinner the two leaders of Section One discussed the training of their new recruit and the possible outcomes of that training. If he remained recalcitrant and defied the mandates of Section One, thye both realized that he would be cancelled, acceptable collateral to the cause of Section. But, if he learned quickly, as Madelaine suspected he would, and learned his lessons well, he just might become the future of Section One.

After Madelaine and Operations finished dinner, she excused herself for a few minutes so she could go check on Michael's progress. She first went to Walter's workroom to get a report on Michael's activities for the day. She got a glowing report on Michael's abilities and the effort he had put forth on this day. She even smiled as Walter relayed to her the news that if Simon did not watch out that Michael would soon replace him. Madelaine thanked Walter again for showing Michael around and helping him to get acclimated. She asked Walter where Michael was. Walter said that he had just recently dropped Michael at the training area into the capable hands of Victoria. "Those two really hit it off fast", Walter grinned lecherously at Madelaine. "I will keep that in mind, thank you Walter," Madelaine said as she walked off to the training area.

Madelaine was about to walk into the training area when what she saw stopped her in her tracks. She decided to go up to the observation deck and watch for a while instead. As she looked down, she realized how beautiful and sensual the scene below her appeared. The training area was empty and darkened except for the two people on the main floor. Man and woman were in the throes of battle. When one moved, the other reacted. They were like two big cats stalking each other. The man, dressed all in black stalked as if he were a panther. The woman, dressed all in white had always reminded Madelaine of a tigress. The two seemed to notice nothing about their surroundings. Only each other. One striking, the other reacting. It was an age-old ritual of good and evil, of kill or be killed. Two animals intent on victory, on survival. Madelaine watched, mesmerized as Victoria and Michael stalked each other for what seemed like hours. Watching the two of them move across the mat reminded Madelaine that if a relationship were to develop between these two, then nothing but good, for Section One, could come of it.

Madelaine shifted her position against the glass. As she did so, she caught Michael's attention and he glanced up. This was all the opening that Victoria needed, as she stepped in and swept Michael's feet out from under him. Michael lay flat on his back, defeated, then a big smile broke out over his face as Victoria reached down to lend him a hand up. The two bowed respectfully to each other and Michael handed Victoria a towel. Michael smiled, turned and walked out of the training area as Victoria headed up to the observation deck to report to Madelaine.

**********

The next morning as Walter walked into Michael's room to waken him, he found the young man up, dressed, and sitting in meditation. Walter began to turn around and walk out, thinking to give Michael a few more minutes alone with his thoughts, when Michael opened his eyes. "Good morning Walter! What is our plan for today?" Walter stared at the young man for a minute. "Breakfast, Simon, then me, then you get the afternoon under the tutelege of Victoria." A smile lit up the young man's face. "Then what are we waiting for," came his eager reply.

As Walter and Michael ate in the empty cafeteria of Section One they spoke of what was expected of Michael as well as other operatives of Section One. Walter was in a very somber mood this morning but Michael was soaking in this information just as easily as he had yesterday. He was interested in learning everything he could about Section One

Last night Madelaine had given Walter leave to explain just about anything Michael cared to question. So Walter explained to Michael what Section One was and what was expected of him. As they finished breakfast Michael smiled, "Thanks Walter, the info really helped, I just have one more question." "What is that," queried a rather worried Walter. Michael's questions had been getting increasingly difficult to answer. "Why are you training me and not Madelaine?" "Well boy, Madelaine knows that you must assimilate into Section One in order to survive. She also realizes that your first day of training went very well. She knows you are still pissed at her for deceiving you. She wants your transition to be as smooth as possible and hoped that if she did not train you herself then maybe you could eventually forgive her. She did what she thought was best for you and she really does treasure the friendship you two developed on the outside. I know she did what she had to, so maybe you could consider cutting her a little bit of slack kid." Michael was deep in thought as Walter finished his little speech. "Maybe it is best if we do not work together for a while. I will take your thoughts into consideration Walter."

Michael spent only a couple of hours with Simon that morning. Simon had thrown up his hands in disgust as Michael dismantled one of his sims and recreated it the way he thought it should be run. As Michael left to find Walter, he chuckled when he heard Simon muttering something about new recruits being too big for their britches. Michael knew that he at least had the computer guy eating out of the palm of his hand.

Walter was again cleaning weapons as Michael walked into the ammunitions depot. Michael sat quietly and began helping the older man with his task. Walter smiled as he realized that Michael was bored out of his mind and was just biding his time until his afternoon workout with Victoria. Walter decided it was time to pick up the training pace. He took Michael to the simulation room and set him up with a shooting sim. Michael was to decide which people who showed up were bad guys and which ones were innocent bystanders. The bad guys would shoot back if he failed to take them out, sending an electrical charge to his heart. Being that Michael had never handled a gun before, Walter set the sim on the lowest level. Walter realized quickly that Michael would excel at this training also. Within one hour Michael had progressed to level ten without any hits being made against him. This was the highest level any other operative had ever reached.

Michael was sweating profusely when Walter shut the sim down but he had mastered level eleven. He had only recieved one stimulus shock to the heart in the entire training session. Walter was truely amazed at the talent the young man was proving to be. He threw Michael a towel and said, "Let's go eat some lunch before you get your real workout." Both men chuckled as they walked toward the cafeteria.

Michael wolfed down his lunch. He was starving after his morning activities but he was also anxiously awaiting his afternoon workout. He arrived at the training area but Victoria was nowhere to be found. Michael began his stretching exercises and started thinking. Walter had explained that everyone in Section One was a criminal. They had all committed some heinous crime or another. Madelaine had shoved her sister down the stairs fighting over a doll. Operations had entered Section One after some horrible accident in Vietnam. Walter had been involved in Operations team in Vietnam and had been brought in with him. Simon had hacked into the computers at the Pentagon and had been recruited into Section One. Michael certainly knew why he had been brought to Section. The one person he wondered about was Victoria. How had she ended up in Section? What could she have done to be condemned this way? Michael knew in his heart that she did not belong here. Just as he finished his stretching, the object of his musings entered the training area.

Michael and Victoria bowed to each other after she had stretched out. They began circling the mat towards each other. One watching the other for the slightest hint of attack. Victoria sensed that Michael was much more of a martial artist than he was letting on. It was good for her that so far she had only been toying with him also. She knew that there was still a lot that Michael needed to learn about himself, both in body and mind. She also realized that she could learn a lot from him as well. A rather unique experience for her since entering Section One five years ago. She was used to being the instructor not the student. This could actually be fun, she thought.

Victoria and Michael decided to attack at the same time. They were both very vicious with their attacks. Victoria was amazed at how lethal Michael was proving to be on only his second day in Section One. Michael was also very surprised at the skill level of Victoria. They both realized that they had met their match. Both secretly enjoyed the challenge this match-up was proving to be.

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

Madelaine sat at her desk, staring off into space. She had many things to think about. Michael had been in Section One for over a year now. He was excelling in all of his activities. He had the highest ratings of all the operatives in Section One, no matter what challenge was given to him. He was adjusting well to his new life. Madelaine knew that this acceptance was due to the relationship which had been fostered between Michael and Victoria.

Madelaine remembered back to a time several months ago when she, herself, had entered the training area for a test of her skills. Although she seldom went out on missions anymore she had to keep up her skill levels. On that day, she and Victoria, had set up a private testing session. Both had insisted to Operations that the encounter be totally private. Victoria promised that her report would not be biased no matter what took place during the session. Operations begrudgingly gave the ok for surveillance to be superseded in the training room.

The two women eyed each other cautiously as they stretched and warmed up. Both women thought secretly that they might have a hell of a lot of fun with this scenario. They were genuinely curious about each other and her skills. A sudden thought occured to Madelaine. She had noticed of late the attraction that was building between Michael and Victoria. Madelaine had been trying to figure out who she could get to take Michael through his last part of training. Victoria would be perfect to teach Michael how to be a Valetine Op.

Madelaine smiled sweetly at Victoria as they bowed to each other. "I'll make a small wager with you Victoria." "What is that?" "If I win this match, you write a glowing report to Operations!" "And what happens if I win?" " I will convince Operations to allow you and Michael to have a relationship. Within certain parameters of course!" "It's a deal Madelaine."

Madelaine chuckled to herself as she snapped out of her reverie. She had much work to do. Today was the beginning of Michael's first mission. They would soon see if his relationship with Victoria had taught him anything. They would also see if the relationship could withstand the many tests Section One could put up against it.

Michael and Victoria had indeed fostered a very strong relationship. Not only were they equals on the training room mat, but they seemed to be equals in love as well. Victoria had taught Michael how to control his emotions. Michael had schooled Victoria in the art of dry humor. Together, Section One never knew what to expect from them.

Madelaine's thoghts drifted towards Michael and Victoria through most of the day. They had been sent to Hong Kong as a married couple to bring down one of the leaders of a new terrorist faction called Red Cell. This leader accepted no one into his group without having their wives with them. He would use the wives as bait to keep the men honest once they were involved in the organization.

Later that afternoon, Madelaine received an urgent call from Simon in Comm. They were not expecting any communications from Michael and Victoria for several days. Simon had received an up-link from Michael requesting communication with Madelaine. Luckily, Operations had been called to a meeting at The Agency with George. When Michael's face appeared on the comm-link, Madelaine had no idea what possibly could have gone so wrong. Michae was in tears and it took Madelaine several minutes to calm him down so she could get a report. Victoria had been critically wounded, she was unconcious and therefore could not help Michael figure out what to do. Madelaine knew she must remain focused if she were to help Michael focus.

Madelaine sent a medical team to Hong Kong to check on Victoria and Michael. If Victoria were as bad off as Michael claimed her to be, they needed to act quickly. When she informed Michael that help was on the way, he was greatly relieved. Before she disconnected with Michael, she had to know one thing. "Do we have closure on Red Cell?" " You know, you really are a bitch, Madelaine! Of course we have closure!" came Michael's reply.

When the Medical team arrived back at van access, Madlaine was waiting for them. Van access was eerily quiet as the gurney was rolled out into Section One. Madelaine blinked back tears as they slowly proceeded toward Med Lab with the sheet-laden body. Madelaine turned as she heard a slight noise behind her. Michael had just exited the van. But, oddly enough, it was not the Michael that she knew and loved. This was a much harder and colder Michael than Section knew before. Madelaine shuddered as she realized The Agency had accomplished its mission: The Perfect Killing Operative!

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

Madelaine locked the door to her office and lay down on the couch. She was suffering from a tremendous headache not to mention being just plain tired. She tried to rest but too many thoughts and questions were floating through her mind. She had to think of a solution to her new problem quickly. She was truly afraid for the first time in many years and had no clue how to solve the problem.

Michael had managed to move himself beyond the “perfect operative” stage. After Victoria had been removed from his life, Michael had gone off the deep end. He did not sleep, he did not eat, and he refused to talk to anyone, including herself. Operations had demanded that he remain on close-quarters standby, saying that if he were given any sort of freedom as an operative, he might run or attempt to kill himself. Madelaine knew that if she could not help Michael to cope with his loss and his life, then Operations would demand that Michael be cancelled. She knew she could not allow that to happen. Madelaine smiled, closed her eyes, and slept as a plan came to mind.

Madelaine met Walter at a local pub. He stood up and kissed her on the cheek as she slid into the booth. It had been quite a while since they had been able to spend time alone together. They spoke about several things and nothing as they enjoyed a drink together. After the second round had arrived, Walter smiled and asked, “What is wrong Madelaine, you don’t ever ask to see me outside of Section?”

“It’s about Michael.” Walter nodded his head in acknowledgement of the problem. “We need to find someone to retrain him, someone to bring him back from the edge of the precipice. We also need to find someone that he can love, to make him realize he still had a soul no matter what Section One puts him through.” “Madelaine, I do not understand why you value this kid so much. I realize he is Ops’ son and I realize that he has the ability to be the next Operations, but this is beyond any reaction I have ever seen from you!” “I know Walter, I can’t explain it, I just have this urge to protect him.”

A couple of days later, Madelaine again met Walter at the pub. Walter smiled at her in welcome. After they had ordered a drink and some snacks, Walter beamed at Madeliane. “I may be able to make some suggestions to solve our little problem with Michael.” “Little,” sneered Madelaine. “Do you know today was the fifth mission in a row he has brought back his quarry alive, but so destroyed that I could not even interrogate them?”

Walter nodded his head sadly. He knew that if something were not done soon then Operations would truly demand that Michael be cancelled. Walter outlined his plan for retraining Michael. He had noticed Michael working out on the training room floor with a quiet young man who was new in Section One. He had noticed the two men talking quietly while stretching and warming up. This young man was the first person Michael had spoken to in Section since he had lost Victoria. Madelaine knew the young man very well. He was a new recruit for her psych staff. He had been trained at Section Two and had just recently been transferred to work with her at Section One. He had an uncanny ability to read operatives and make them believe in themselves. Jurgen would be the perfect trainer for Michael.

“As to your other request for Michael’s well-being Madelaine, I may be able to solve that problem also.” Walter looked extremely uncomfortable for a moment. Madelaine squeezed his hand as he continued. “I suggest that we bring in a new recruit, a young lady, and allow Michael to train her. I know that is about three years ahead of schedule, but I do believe he can handle the situation, and he just might develop a binding relationship with her.” “Walter, you sound like you know a particular young lady for us to recruit.” “I do, her name is Simone, she is my daughter.”

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