Chapter 6

Nikita exited her quarters only a few seconds after Walter’s summons. She turned down the hall that would lead her to Comm and wasn’t surprised at Walter’s thoroughness as she noticed Jade coming from the other direction and heading toward the same destination. Acknowledging one another with a short nod, both women pushed their chaotic thoughts about their last encounter to the back of their minds and quickly focused on the job at hand. Arriving at Comm a few minutes later they stood side by side and watched in silence at the flurry of activity going on in front of them.

“Status.” Nikita commanded sharply after several minutes of watching Quinn and Jason slide from terminal to terminal all the while shouting commands, and not bothering to provide her with the details she sought.

“It’s Riley from the Zurich mission.” Quinn answered promptly, as she continued to type rapidly on the keyboard she had pulled toward her. “He’s infiltrated the Collective’s last intel drop, only to discover that the location was a decoy.”

“How did he spot the decoy?” Nikita asked.

“Williams was on point.” Jason interjected as he took over the explanation while Quinn communicated with the team leader. “He cased the location, spotted the disc, retrieved it, and started towards his egress mark just before the explosion happened. He didn’t make it, moving the intel, triggered the wire that took him out.”

“So, once again the Collective was on to us.” Jade said in a weary tone as she absorbed the fact that they had lost one more operative.

“Correct.” Jason replied quietly. “Although my guess is that they intended the explosion for the whole team and something went wrong.”

“We won’t know the full details until the team returns.” Quinn said into the silence as she entered the conversation once again.

“I presume you’re working on a snap profile?” Jaded asked Quinn in a tone that warned the other woman she expected a positive answer to that question.

Before Quinn could respond, Nikita chose to break the sudden silence she had fallen into after demanding a status on the current missions.

“There’s no point.” She stated quietly in answer to Jade’s question to Quinn.

“What do you suggest we do then?” Jade question her quietly, knowing that Nikita had used the time to come to a decision about what to do next.

“Jason, what is the status on the Taos mission?” Nikita asked the young man, ignoring Jade’s question for the moment.

“Johnson is due to report in within the next half hour or so.” Jason replied. “They had no progress at their first location, so they are proceeding to mark two before requesting further instructions.

“Call them back.” Nikita ordered. “Abort the missions. We can’t afford to lose anyone else. We’ll regroup once both teams return.”

“Both teams?” Quinn questioned in surprise.

“Yes, both teams.” Jade answered softly as she watched Nikita walk away. “Notify us immediately upon their arrival. Until then we are not to be disturbed.”

Quinn nodded in understanding and said no more as Jade turned to follow the rapidly departing figure of Operations. Turning slowly back to her console she began to punch in the appropriate coordinates in order to initiate contact with the teams, all the while wondering if she would ever understand the actions of the two leaders she was now forced to obey.

“What’s going on, Quinn?” Jason asked quietly as he still sat in stunned surprise at Operations words when he considered her orders and what was at stake for the Section.

“I don’t know.” Quinn replied. “I have never been in their confidence. I just do what I’m told.”

Jason couldn’t help but smile at the annoyed tone Kate had tried to hide and couldn’t resist digging the knife in just a little bit deeper, because he knew full well where her reaction stemmed from.

“Still angry about the fact that your sudden rise to power in this place was so rapidly halted by Paul Wolfe’s death?” He teased with his usual insensitivity.

“No more than you are about being made a fool of by Section’s best little tramp?” Quinn shot back without missing a beat. “Of course they didn’t have to try too hard, you were very easy to fool, I’m sure.”

If she had hoped to offend him she was gravely disappointed as Jason simply chose to be amused. He continued to laugh quietly as he helped Quinn carry out the orders they had been given.

Kate shook her head in disgust and turned her back on him to ignore him as she concentrated on the task before her. Neither of the two Comm experts noticed the gazes of their superiors upon them.

~~~

“What do you think?” Nikita asked her second-in-command after observing the exchange between the two Comm operatives below.

“I think it could be risky and a careless mistake on our part if we don’t think this through completely.” Jade replied dryly.

“That’s what I have you for.” Nikita responded. “You’ll make sure it’s done the right way.”

“So, which one have you decided upon?” Jade asked, dismissing the backhanded compliment Nikita had given her.

“Kate, of course.” Nikita answered instantly before she turned to Jade and smiled.

“Of course.” Jade responded easily. “And just how do you propose I convince her of the importance of what we’re requesting?”

“That part is easy. She’s on a quest for more power, this will be her first opportunity to prove she can handle it.”

“And if she can’t?”

“Then we will have to consider other alternatives.” Nikita answered with a note of chilled finality in her tone.

“I see your point.” Jade replied. “I’ll start the profile right away.”

“Good.” Nikita said in a self-satisfied tone. “Enough is enough. The next time the Collective strikes, I plan to be ready.”

Nodding in agreement both women turned back to stare down at the center of Command and Control and smiled slowly to find the eyes of the object of their discussion upon them.

~~~

Kate noted the direct stares and the smiles, and a chill scudded down her spine as she wished for the hundredth time since Nikita had become Operations that she had played her cards differently. Perhaps the fear of not knowing exactly what the two of them planned for her aided what was fast becoming her overactive imagination. Whatever the reason, she hoped she would survive whatever her two superiors had in mind. Seeing their looks, she knew that whatever it was their decision had nothing to do with her and everything to do with the Collective. That thought made her shiver, and for the first time she wondered if the Collective was prepared to see through to the end the fight they had begun. Kate didn’t think so, and unfortunately for her she realized the she was going to be one of the few to discover it first hand. It was the consequence she paid for attempting to wreak so much havoc for someone who had already been chosen to take over the task of running this place. She recognized now that she had been a complete and utter fool. The price for her foolishness was plain to see in Nikita’s and Jade’s faces. That’s why they had called the teams back in. For once the Collective would be getting a surprise and Kate Quinn knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that surprise had something to do with her. She could only hope that she was prepared for what it was they wanted her to do, somehow she suspected her very life depended on it.

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Chapter 7

Tires squealed, a loud vibration of a huge metal door opening shook the ground, and the thunderous sound of booted feet hitting the heavy steel floor were the sounds that heralded the arrival of several men returning from what should have been a successful mission. Of the six men slowly walking towards the open door only one of them hung back to wait as his teammates gathered their gear and preceded him into the building. Satisfied that the proper procedures for the completion of a mission had been observed the lone operative followed his men and turned his huge, hulking body toward the lonely, whistling sound of the cold blowing wind still raging on the outside near the van he and his team had just exited. He lifted his big hand and pushed the red button next to the door and offered a crooked smile in satisfaction as the noise was shut out by the loud clanging of the heavy door being shut. Motioning his men towards ordnance he hung back slightly and then turned slowly and began to walk in the opposite direction of where he really wanted to go. Reaching his destination some moments later, he stopped to gather his thoughts and closed his eyes as he envisioned what was about to take place.

Kane Roberts was more than a little annoyed at the bad news that he had come to report to the new leader of the Collective, and he paused outside the man’s door for a moment to regain his control as he prepared himself for what he knew would probably be a distasteful encounter. If the truth be told, the chore was a big nuisance because Derek Capland was a big bully with a short fuse who caused Kane to feel irritation rather than the fear all of his other colleagues obligingly demonstrated in Capland’s presence. He had always hated bullies and Capland had exhibited his penchant for throwing temper tantrums one time too many for Kane to feel any sort of respect for the one who now called himself the Collective’s new leader. Unfortunately, Capland had been the only one bold enough and respected enough by the majority of the remaining Collective members to gain the leadership position after Graff’s death and that knowledge alone made Kane very aware of the fact that he wasn’t stupid enough to totally discount the power that Capland had. As annoying as his new leader was, he was also very cold and chilling and killed on a whim rather than impulse and for that reason Kane was very careful to tread lightly, remain cautious, and keep his feelings about Capland to himself.

Letting out a deep sigh Kane shook his head slightly and slowly ran over the details of the mission he had just returned from. His team had arrived a few minutes ago and instead of waiting for one of Capland’s minions to inform him that Capland had ordered that he come to him the moment he arrived, Kane had decided to be proactive and present himself to his leader before the other man summoned him. As far as he was concerned it was best for him to head in the direction of his new leader’s domain and get the unpleasant task he had been given over with. Thinking of just how irritated Capland would be at what he had to report Kane figured he had stalled long enough and punched in the security code that would allow him entrance into Capland’s office.

Kane waited for the doors to slide closed behind him and then casually walked forward to stand in front of the man standing on the other side of the desk with his back to him. Capland remained silent and Kane resisted the urge to roll his eyes heavenward at the ineffective intimidation tactics Capland caused himself using as he remained with his back to Kane and continued to stare at the huge electronic screen on the wall in front of him. After about thirty seconds of silence Capland finally turned to face his most successful team leader and smiled as he saw the irritation Kane wasn’t quite successful in masking from him in time.

“What’s the matter, Roberts?” Derek asked in an amused tone. “Do you have a problem with my making you wait, perhaps? I do apologize. I will attempt to get right to the point so you won’t get any more agitated.”

Kane cursed silently at himself as he realized he hadn’t been quite successful in hiding his annoyance. Instead of lying and making excuses he wisely remained silent and decided to let Capland draw his own conclusions.

“Why don’t you take a seat, Roberts?” Derek said after Roberts chose not to respond to the question. “You might be here awhile.”

Kane obligingly took a seat and continued to let Capland do all the talking. The less he said the better he figured it would be for him.

“Good.” Derek responded at Robert’s obedience. “Now then, why don’t you tell me how the mission went.”

“Not as well as we had expected.” Kane replied carefully. “We, uh, ran into some complications.”

“What sort of complications?” Derek asked in a low growl, his amused tone and calm manner vanishing in an instant.

“It appears that instead of luring the Section team in we somehow tipped them off. They went for the bad intel we planted but we only got one of their men. It seems the explosives were tipped off early and instead of annihilating the team--”

“We only got one of them.” Derek finished for him. “And the other mission?”

“The Section never showed up.” Kane stated tonelessly as he waited for the explosion he knew was about to take place.

“So after all your elaborate planning, it appears the Section is gaining more knowledge about how we do things?”

“This was a lucky event...a misnomer...it won’t happen again.” Kane answered carefully as he was beginning to feel a slight bit of apprehension at Derek’s low tone.

“If it wasn’t for the fact that I have gained some intel that I think will be useful to us, Roberts I would take issue with you.” Derek stated angrily. “As it is, if the mistake does happen again, I know who to use as an example, don’t I?”

Once again Kane chose the smart route and kept his mouth shut. Suddenly his annoyance with his leader gave way to a healthy sense of self-preservation. Derek had become unpredictable and wasn’t acting in the way he had expected. It appeared he had become lax in his constant reassessment of his superior’s state of mind. He made a silent vow to himself that he wouldn’t make that mistake again.

“You’re a smart man, Roberts.” Derek commented his tone once again amused. “One of my best, and for that reason I’m going to share with you some very important intel. It’s all part of my plan to dismantle the Section permanently and piece by piece.”

Derek didn’t wait for Robert’s to comment as he turned in his chair and once again faced the electronic grid he had been staring at when Robert’s had entered the room. Casually picking up the remote control he pushed a button and two pictures appeared on the screen. Derek punched another button and stats for each picture appeared in the top corners of the individual pictures detailing all the information the Collective had gathered concerning the two on the screen.

Kane couldn’t prevent the sharp intake of breath that he inhaled when he looked up at the pictures on the screen. He wouldn’t have been exaggerating at all if he had said that the women pictured were two of the most beautiful he had ever laid eyes on. On the left was a striking blue-eyed blonde, her features unforgettable, her expression one of cold reserve, yet challenging and daring at the same time. On the right was an exotic, ebony-skinned, long dark-haired beauty, her eyes so dark brown as to be almost black. Her eyes held charm, wit, and yet a boldness that bespoke intense intelligence and cunning.

“Gorgeous aren’t they?” Derek said in a quiet, studious tone. “Breathtaking as a matter fact, and unfortunately they are also the source of all of our problems.”

“What do you mean?” Kane asked in a hoarse voice as he tried to regain his equilibrium. “Who are they?”

“They, are the new leaders of Section One.” Derek answered swiftly. “On the left is the new Operations, the deceased Mr. Jones daughter, also now known as the infamous Nikita.”

“So that icy beauty is none other than the Nikita that Michael Samuelle asked us not to harm when he supposedly joined the Collective?” Kane summed up quickly as he realized where Capland was going.

“She is one and the same.” Derek agreed. “Startling isn’t it? I admit I can see why Samuelle wanted her protected.”

“And the other one?” Kane asked, his attention completely captured by the intel he was being given.

“Yes, the exotic black beauty of the Section.” Derek said as his attention was turned from Nikita’s picture to Jade’s. “She is the new Operation’s second in command. Our intel has discovered that she was also the protégé of one of the most influential men of the Section’s Agencies. We don’t know who yet, but we will find out. Not much is known about her except that she is every bit as cunning as Madeline was.”

“How did we get this information?” Kane asked suddenly, well aware of the fact that the information Capland had was well-guarded.

“An informant of the Section’s decided to be useful when we captured him on one of our raids a while back.” Derek answered. “Needless to say Section’s secrets aren’t as well-guarded as they would like them to be and now we know who we are up against. It will make my plans so much easier to carry out now that I know who I’m dealing with. It’s hard to believe that Section could contain so much beauty, intelligence, and skill when one considers the incompetence of the first two leaders and how they lead the Section to it’s downfall. Still, all of the talents of the new leaders aren’t helping them when it comes to attempting to defeat us now are they?”

“Maybe not, sir.” Kane responded carefully. “However I wouldn’t underestimate them. As beautiful as they are they are also quite dangerous. The victories we’ve had against them haven’t been easy. The only reason we’ve succeeded is because of advanced intel.”

“Those are insignificant details that have nothing to do with the big picture, Roberts.” Derek replied in a bored tone. “As beautiful and as cunning as they are purported to be, they are after all only women. The fact that they’re women means that nine times out of ten they will always lead with their emotions and not their heads. I don’t expect that to change now that they’re in charge. As a matter of fact it makes our job easier when one considers the plan I have in mind.”

Kane kept his opinions to himself on that one, especially since his leader had just proven to him how stupid he really was if he really believed that the new heads of Section One got where they were based on emotional thinking.

“What do you have in mind?” Kane asked instead as he realized Capland was waiting for some sort of response.

“I’m glad you asked that, Roberts.” Derek responded. “I want you to help me with the next mission I have in mind, if only to prove my point about them. We’ll call this first test, the maternal test, shall we? I mean it’s only appropriate when you consider that children will be involved.”

Kane leaned back in his chair as he listened to Capland outline his plans. Suddenly he realized that Capland wasn’t as foolish as he had thought.

‘So much for his vow to quit underestimating his leader.’ He thought to himself.

Capland knew exactly what he was doing, and Kane realized it had everything to do with drawing the new Operations out from her protective lair. Capland was prodding the lioness and he was intending to use his best team leader to set the trap with the bait. Grudgingly acknowledging a new respect for his leader, Kane began to smile in anticipation and for once he took in every word Capland had to say. It appeared the Collective was stepping up its efforts and the problems the Section were enduring was only just beginning because Derek Capland was no longer willing to play nice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 8

Sitting in her office exactly twenty-four hours later, Jade leaned back in her chair and idly twirled a pen in her hand as she watched data strings of computer code scroll down her screen, rapidly processing the new parameters she had just entered into the profile she had been working on for the last hour. Satisfied that the new program she had designed would do the trick in giving her the correct scenarios she was looking for, she used the time she had to wait for the results to come back to go over once again the plan she and Operations had come up with to gain some sort of advantage over the Collective

Going over the conversation she had with Operations the day before Jade once again found herself smiling wryly at the fact that the plan Operations had outlined was a good, sound, and ultimately simple plan to execute. Jade’s only concern was that the plan revolved around the one person she couldn’t bring herself to trust. Ironically enough that was the exact reason Operations had chosen her and why Jade herself had agreed the plan could work. The beeping of the computer quickly brought her back to the present and as she ran her eyes down the results she had been given she smiled in satisfaction at just how easy it had been to meet the requirements Operations had given her. Pushing her apprehension to the side when she considered the wisdom of what they were going to attempt, Jade saved the data onto a tiny micro disc and turned toward the door just as the Kate Quinn walked into her office. Smiling in welcome, Jade greeted the other woman.

“Good morning, Quinn.”

“Good morning.” Kate replied easily enough.

“Won’t you have a seat.” Jade invited with subtle charm as she stood up and moved to sit in the chair opposite the one she had motioned for Quinn to sit in.

Kate took the proffered seat and tried her best to hide the nervous tension she had been feeling ever since she had been summoned by Operation’s new second-in-command.

Well aware of the other woman’s nervousness, Jade chose not to comment on it for the moment and instead chose to get straight to the point.

“I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here.” She stated in her low, husky voice.

“Yes, I am.” Kate replied carefully. “I’m just not sure I want to know the answer.”

“The answer is that we have a job we would like you to handle for us.” Jade replied dryly.

“What sort of job?” Kate questioned, her heavy British accent more pronounced and clipped than usual.

“The sort of job whose success or failure could mean the revival or destruction of the Section.” Jade responded gravely.

Kate started in shock at the statement, and her stomach sank. That could only mean it was a suicide mission or a deep cover mission. Neither option was anything that appealed to Kate Quinn.

“Why would you trust me to do this?” Kate asked sharply.

“We don’t.” Jade replied bluntly. “That’s why you’re perfect. Deception is your forte. We want you to use that skill to buy us some time.”

“I don’t understand.” Kate stated in frustration, ignoring the insult she had just been given. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that you are going to be the Collective’s sole distraction until we can get into a position where we are able to take them down.”

“After Michael’s infiltration using the same tactics just what makes you think they will fall for it this time without suspecting me?” Kate questioned angrily.

“That’s easier than you think, Quinn.” Jade stated in a bland tone as she stood up from her chair and casually strolled over to the other side of her desk. Picking up the single file folder she had taken out earlier, Jade handed the folder to Quinn.

Quinn hesitantly took the folder and slowly opened the flap and scanned the single sheet that was lying on the inside. Closing the folder once she was finished she handed it back to Jade and waited for the other woman’s next words. Jade didn’t disappoint her.

“You have quite a history, Quinn.” Jade began carefully. “So interesting in fact, one wonders how you ended up on the side of the Section and not exactly where we want you to go. Your induction into the Section is then so successful that you end up being transferred to the Center. Of course one wonders if you succeeded in that venture using the same tactics you used on Paul Wolfe. In the end it doesn’t really matter because your lack of exposure in the field is just what we need. The Collective will have no history with which to begin to suspect you of being remotely connected to the Section. They won’t even know to look because of where they are going to find you.”

“What are you saying?” Kate asked hoarsely as she began to understand where Jade was going with this.

“I’m saying that your files have been sunk, your history with the Section and the Center wiped clean, and that through an anonymous tip through one of our greenlist informants you will become part of the Collectives new fall recruits.” Jade stated succinctly.

“You can’t be serious.” Kate said angrily. “There’s no way you can really believe the Collective won’t question my lack of history. You don’t even trust me. What possible incentive would I have for continuing to aid the Section when you’re so intent on throwing me to the dogs?”

“All very good questions, Quinn.” Jade replied. “None of which I haven’t considered myself. The answers, however, are quite simple. First, the Collective is nothing more than a band of sadistic, angry men and women who call themselves terrorists. They’re intent on making everyone else pay for whatever has gone wrong in their lives. For that reason they are always on the lookout for others with their same twisted view of life. You fit into their world quite nicely with your exceptional talent for deception. Really all you have to do is act natural and they will never suspect. Second, not trusting you is perfect for this mission because you won’t give the Collective any reason to connect you with us. It also means that we won’t be unprepared or surprised by anything you choose to do. Besides should you really make the stupid decision to betray us, it won’t be something we haven’t already planned for. Lastly, your incentive to help us will come from the fact that it’s your chance to prove yourself. After all, even you have realized by now how apprehensive it is to be under the complete control of the one person you tried so hard to eliminate so that you could gain the power she now has. Should you succeed in this mission, maybe Operations will forget that fact and actually consider putting you on the path to acquire the power you were striving so hard to achieve.”

“Or maybe none of that is true and she’s finally decided to eliminate me for my role in that fiasco all those months ago.” Kate retorted sharply.

“There would be no point in that, Quinn.” Jade stated in a chilling tone. “I’m sure you realize by now just how well Operations and I work together and how much she values my opinion. In your case I would have told her that there would be no point in wasting the effort to lull you into a false sense of security. Canceling you would have been a small matter easily handled.”

“Should I say thank you?” Kate snapped at the cold honesty of Jade’s words, forgetting for the moment who she was talking to.

“No, you shouldn’t.” Jade replied in that same cold tone. “I wasn’t exactly in favor of this plan. I don’t take someone attempting to kill my friends lightly. Your still being around has everything to do with Operations compassion despite my best efforts to convince her that something else should be done with you. I guess it’s good for you that she has other plans for you.”

Kate noted Jade’s cold glittering eyes and wisely remained silent as she realized that she had been wary of the wrong leader. She knew that her continued well-being in the Section was due to the new Operations and not her second-in-command.

“That’s good, Kate.” Jade said quietly, very aware of the fact that she had startled the other woman by using her first name. “Goading me is really not the thing to do at this point in time. You see should you betray the Section, or decide not to accept the mission, Operations has promised me that I can have my way in taking care of what I’ve always considered to be a problem.”

Kate met Jade’s mocking stare and knew the other woman meant every word. It was obvious that while Operations had apparently forgiven her ambitious efforts to kill her and take over the Section with Paul Wolfe, Jade Deveraux hadn’t come close. Although the other woman had not been present when those events took place, it was evident that upon assuming her post as Operation’s second-in-command she had brought herself up to speed on everything that had taken place. Kate had known she had made a fatal mistake in violating her orders given to her by the Center and Mr. Jones when she had allied herself with Paul Wolfe in an effort to eliminate the one person Jones had tried to protect. She had been a fool and Jade was going to make certain that she remembered it for a very long time. Kate could see it in her eyes that she hoped she would refuse the mission, or do something stupid like betray the Section once the Collective had taken her under their wing. Kate planned to do neither of the two. Way too much was at stake and she realized she had much to atone for. There was also a part of her that wouldn’t be satisfied until she had proved Jade wrong. She didn’t like the other woman, but she was smart enough to respect her and fear the power that she held over her and every other operative in the Section. However, that fear and respect didn’t go as far as the dislike she held for Jade because of the smug self-assurance that woman had because she assumed she knew exactly how she herself was going to respond. More than a little afraid of what she had let herself in for, Kate decided that the sooner she agreed the sooner she would be able to get back to the job she was good at.

“Smart decision, Quinn.” Jade stated after the long, tense silence Kate had begun. She was well aware of what had gone through Kate’s mind and she had known that the other woman would make the decision she and Operations had expected her too.

“When do I leave?” Kate finally asked, not bothering to acknowledge the fact that Jade already knew what she had decided. No one knew better than she did that there had never really been any other choice.

“You’ll leave in two days.” Jade said as she walked forward to hand Quinn the micro disc she had completed just before the other woman had shown up. “Here’s the profile and the intel you need concerning the mission. Study it and report to me in twenty-four hours. I’ll give you the rest of the details then.”

Taking the disc and standing up, Quinn quickly walked across the room and exited the office before she found herself pleading to be let out of the mission she had agreed to.

Jade watched her leave and allowed a small smile to cross her features as she contemplated the conversation that had just taken place. Quinn had reacted just as she had suspected she would thanks to a little prodding on her part. Operations would be pleased, and Jade hoped that they weren’t making a grave mistake in sending Quinn instead of someone else. Deciding that the both of them had used their best judgement when one considered the circumstances they were in, she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and headed out of her office to tell Operations the good news. Maybe now things would start to look up and the Agency spies that were being sent to them would find no need to stay at the Section. Jade smiled in anticipation at the thought and made her way to the perch to see what she could do to facilitate that occurrence, completely unaware that their unwanted visitors had no intention of being thwarted quite so easily. Unfortunately for the Section, they were all about to find that out.

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Chapter 9

A tentative knock and the whisper soft sound of his office door sliding across plush carpet alerted the man by the window that his time for reflection was over. Nevertheless he stayed where he was out of sheer stubbornness as he furiously wracked his brain in the hopes that he could come up with a plan that would make the position he had been put in somehow more desirable for all the parties involved. It was no surprise to him that after hours of contemplation he was no closer to that plan now then he was when he began. Sighing deeply he knew he couldn’t stall any longer so he might as well be practical and get what he had to do over with. The sooner he began his assignment the sooner it would be over. With that thought uppermost in his mind Sy Valdano finally swung away from the window and turned to face the woman who had opened his door. Smiling wryly at her sympathetic expression Sy said nothing as his assistant walked forward with the information he had requested she bring him.

“Good morning, Mr. Valdano.” She said in that soft, sweet voice that always reminded Sy of a little girl talking.

“A little formal this morning, Joanna.” Sy replied dryly, wondering what she was up to.

“I thought it might be good practice for you to hear it.” Joanna replied candidly. “Of course, where you’re going it’s likely to have more of a nasty bite to it.”

“I’m sure you’re right, Joanna, but there’s nothing I can do about it is there?” Sy said quietly.

“No, there’s not.” Joanna agreed. “So why do you keep beating yourself up about it?”

Sy looked up at Joanna’s statement and wasn’t at all surprised to find her shimmering blue eyes glaring at him in displeasure. He shook his head in wonder as he realized she was about to take him to task for what she considered his moping attitude ever since he had found out about his assignment. He should have known better than to be so casual around Joanna when it came to his feelings. She had been his assistant for years and she knew him well, although not as well as she thought she did, but well enough for him to realize that there were some things he should have kept hidden from her for her own good. She was a 5 foot 4, feisty fifty year old who treated him more like her errant, mischievous son, than the ruthless, dangerous spy that he was. It was probably why he liked her so well and wondered as he always did how someone like her had ended up in a place like the Agency and managed to keep the attitude of a doting grandmother.

“Well? Are you going to answer me?” Joanna demanded.

Sy laughed amused at her belligerent tone before he finally complied with her demand.

“You’re right, Joanna I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I’ll stop it this minute.”

“Well, I hope so.” Joanna said smugly. “Especially since you won’t give me the fight I was looking forward to this morning.”

“I may be a blonde, Joanna but I’m not stupid.” Sy retorted wryly. “I wouldn’t dream of attempting to argue with you.”

“You’re a rogue and a liar and we both know it.” Joanna shot back dryly.

“Yes, and you love me for it.” Sy replied, trying his best to hold onto the frustration that Joanna’s teasing was eradicating.

“That may be true.” Joanna said. “But I have no idea why.”

“That’s easy” Sy answered. “I’ve never given you a reason yet to call me dear boy and that makes your day.”

Laughing at the quick wit she was so used to getting from Sy, Joanna was satisfied that his good humor had been restored for the moment. She couldn’t stand to see him so frustrated and angry and she had made up her mind to get him to relieve some tension, especially with the latest news she had to tell him. It was enough to send him over the edge and an angry Sy was not someone she wanted to deal with. For that reason she had teased him into what she hoped was a calmer state so that she could relay what she knew was not welcome news for Sy.

“Is this everything?” Sy asked as he took the disc she had brought him from her nerveless fingers.

“Yes.” Joanna said as she took a deep breath in preparation to give him the bad news he wasn’t expecting. “However, there is one minor detail you need to be aware of.”

“And what is that?” Sy questioned distractedly.

“The Center called to inform me that they felt you should have a partner accompany you.” Joanna whispered as she edged toward the door.

“What!” Sy shot back, his attention immediately recaptured and focused on her.

“I just got the news myself, Sy so don’t take it out on me.” Joanna said hastily.

“Who is it?” Sy asked in a low, menacing growl his light, glittering eyes narrowing in a ferocious glare.

“Garrick Mann.” Joanna answered promptly.

Sy muttered a foul expletive at the name he had been given. Of all the people to be teamed up with, Garrick Mann was not someone he would have picked if he had been promised his freedom for going on one mission with the man. Of course that was exactly why the committee had chosen the man. Apparently they didn’t think there was enough tension in the situation he was going into, so they decided to add Garrick to the mix. As if on cue, Sy’s office door opened once again and Joanna barely had time to move away from it before the man under discussion barged in where he was uninvited and graced Sy with a mocking smile.

Sy stared back with a cold, blank expression on his face and looked into the eyes of the man who was his opposite in every way possible. Where Sy had blonde hair, light eyes, and the ability to charm his enemies into giving him what he wanted, Garrick had jet black hair, dark eyes, and a brusque manner that bullied and threatened to get him what he wanted. Garrick was what some would call tall, dark, and handsome but his eyes and his mouth hinted at the malicious cruelty that was inherent in his nature. Garrick’s reputation preceded him and Sy had the unpleasant misfortune of having first hand experience of how he operated. He was not someone with whom Sy was looking forward to dealing with ever again. Unfortunately, it appeared he had not been given a choice in the matter, and Sy made a mental note to make sure his superior paid for his underhanded tactic in forcing someone Sy considered an enemy upon him.

“Sy.” Garrick greeted in his low rumbling baritone.

“Garrick.” Sy replied in coldly polite voice.

Joanna stared back and forth between the two men and hurriedly moved forward toward Sy in an effort to dispel the mounting tension escalating between the two men.

“The car is waiting Sy are you almost ready?”

Sy broke the staring contest with Garrick and his light eyes flashed in impatience at Joanna’s sudden fluttering, especially when she was in part cause of the sudden tension because she hadn’t told him about Garrick as soon as she had come in.

“I just need the other info, Joanna and then we can go.” He answered her derisively.

She had the grace to look guilty before she handed him the sheaf of papers she had been holding in her other hand. He walked forward and took them from her then turned swiftly and headed toward his desk and his briefcase doing his best to ignore Garrick’s unwelcome presence.

“I’m up to speed on the assignment, Sy.” Garrick said in a dry tone, not at all happy about being ignored. “It shouldn’t take us long to get this all wrapped up.”

Sy said nothing as he closed his briefcase and walked past Joanna and Garrick as he headed for his office door. As soon as he reached it, he turned to face Garrick who had followed him at a more casual stroll.

“Let’s get something straight, Garrick.” He said in that same cold, polite tone of his. “You don’t call the shots on this assignment. I do. You step over the line and I’ll have to explain to the committee why you’ve been taken out of play. Consider this my first and last warning.”

“I hear you, Sy, loud and clear.” Garrick responded in a mocking tone. “I’ll think about taking your suggestion.”

Sy didn’t bother to reply as Garrick brushed past him after telling him he would wait in the car. For a brief moment Sy contemplated cold-blooded murder but a soft touch on his arm brought him back from the brink.

“I really am sorry, Sy.” Joanna whispered. “I honestly didn’t know until it was too late.”

“It’s not your fault, Joanna.” Sy said quietly. “The Center didn’t feel I had enough of a challenge so they gave me another one. I’ll deal with it, I always do.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Joanna muttered as Sy walked out the door.

Sy was well aware of the worry he had left Joanna with and there wasn’t much he could do about it because Garrick’s appearance had made any prearranged plan he had previously had unpredictable. He had told the truth however, he would deal with it. He would complete his assignment as successfully as he always had in the past, and if Garrick got in his way then he would follow through on the threat he had made. Garrick had underestimated him if he thought he hadn’t learned his lesson the first time.

Sy sighed in sudden weariness as he realized that he was up against the hostility of the Section, the nuisance of the Collective, and the cold, calculated ruthlessness of a sadistic psycho in the form of Garrick Mann. He knew that he would destroy every single obstacle presented to him as he always did, but he hoped that in the process he didn’t lose more than he already had. His future was about to connect with his past and he planned to deal with it the best way he knew how. In the meantime the Section needed his help whether they wanted it or not.

As he approached the car he spotted Garrick and his resolve was set. Taking the Section was the first battle, destroying the Collective was the second, and if Garrick got in his way, taking him out would be the third. Sy figured the order would change before the week was out, but none of that mattered at the moment. Right now he was completely focused and he hoped that the Section, the Collective, and Garrick Mann were prepared for what he was about to do because he knew better than anyone that failure was not an option.

~~~~~~~~~~

Back inside the office, Joanna waited to be sure Sy was gone before she picked up the phone and dialed the required number.

“Code, please?” Came the disembodied voice that answered on the other line.

“Grandmother is unhappy.” Joanna stated in a dull tone, realizing that the code had never been closer to the truth.

“How did it go?” Asked the voice that came on the line after Joanna had given her code.

“As you expected it might.” She replied regretfully. “He was furious.”

“Good. That means he’ll be on the alert and that’s just what we want.”

“What makes you think Garrick will fall into the trap you’ve set?” Joanna asked

“Let’s just say he isn’t smart enough not to repeat the same mistake.” The voice on the other end replied in an amused tone. “Don’t worry, my dear, Sy can and will handle him.”

“I have no doubt that he will.” Joanna assured him. “And when that’s done he’ll remember that you set him up and he’ll also attempt to handle you.”

“Of course he will, which is why you’ll make sure he never confirms his suspicions. I would hate to have to eliminate Sy after all his years of faithful service.”

“You can’t do that without a unanimous decision from the Committee.” Joanna snapped. “Besides the Head of the Committee will not allow that to happen.”

“Careful, my dear.” The voice admonished her. “You’ve been as faithful as Sy, but just like him you’re not expendable. Just do as you’re told and keep him distracted until we’re ready. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand.” Joanna replied through clenched teeth.

“Good.”

Joanna heard the distinctive click signaling the end of the conversation and she sighed as she realized what she had gotten herself into. By her willingness to help she had put herself and Sy into an untenable situation, and now Garrick Mann was a part of that mix. So many lives were held in a very delicate balance of the Center’s manipulations and as she thought of Sy and what his reaction would be should he find out just how far they had gone to orchestrate events the way they wanted them to go. She only hoped they knew what they were doing because the Collective would be nothing to deal with compared to the havoc Sy and the Section could wreak should they discover just how the Collective had obtained their current information. Looking down at the file on her desk which obtained that intel, Joanna wondered just how long she could keep her secret before she was forced to make a choice. Knowing Sy’s state of mind and temperament her decision was easy and she didn’t even blink as she transferred the file to a disc and set about making arrangements to keep the disc in safekeeping until such time as Sy unwittingly requested it. He may not be aware of it now, but she knew he would be needing it soon. It was the only way the Collective would lose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 10

The sound of hi-speed whirring was all that could be heard in the deserted halls as the elevator came to a smooth halt at the very top of the apartments within the Section known by a select few as the Tower. Like many things in the Section, the Tower had taken on a completely different look than it used to have as the new Operations and her second-in-command had ordered the rooms remodeled to become their new living quarters. It was one of the first orders given after Nikita had finally gotten the question she had asked Madeline so many years ago answered. Madeline had never told her where she lived. What was there to tell? Spending all of your time in the Section was definitely not something exciting to talk about. Upon discovering that for her and Jade’s protection they were expected to live inside the walls of Section, both women knew that a decor overhaul was definitely in order. The idea being that if they had to spend their lives within the Section, the quarters they lived in would be something they could at least enjoy and relax in.

The decorators, who had been made up of several multi-talented operatives, had done a good job. There had been multiple spacious bedrooms and adjoining sitting rooms within the towers. Those rooms had been combined to become two complete apartments with separating doors that allowed both women to be close by, and also have their share of desired privacy. The rooms were highly secured and could only be accessed by a code Nikita or Jade gave it, which was randomly selected and changed often. Besides having large living areas, bedrooms, and bathrooms that rivaled those seen in a posh hotel, they each had a small dining room as well as an adjoining one that could be shared should they so choose. Both women had very distinct tastes and when walking through the apartments it was very obvious where one taste ended and another began. Amazingly enough as distinctly different as their tastes were they came together in a collision of chaotic beauty in the spacious hall that served as the entrance to these private rooms.

Walter punched in his private code and walked through the sliding doors where he stood quietly as he wondered if interrupting Nikita so early was a good idea. He paced back and forth between the two doors that would allow him to enter either Nikita’s rooms or Jade’s rooms and contemplated his actions before he shook himself as he looked down at the envelope he held in his hands. Knowing that his Sugar would love to see what he had for her he knew he wasn’t going to do anything to delay that happiness. Having finally made up his mind, he stepped over to her door, punched in his code, and waited for it to be accepted on the other side by Nikita herself. A soft buzz and a soft slide was heard as the door opened allowing him entrance and he walked into the beautiful rooms that housed Section’s Operations.

Decorated in cool ocean blues and soothing creams Nikita’s living quarters resembled those of a beach house on the ocean minus the windows. Reclining in a black pantsuit on a chair in the living room she sat quietly drinking a cup of coffee and staring at the impressionist art she had on her wall.

“Morning, Sugar.” Walter greeted her as he moved to take a seat beside her.

“Good Morning, Walter.” She returned softly. “Am I needed already?”

“No. That’s not why I’m here.” Walter denied quickly. “Where’s Jade by the way, doesn’t she usually eat with you?”

“She had an early morning meeting?” Nikita responded as she finally turned to look at the older man. “What are you doing here so early? Is there something wrong?”

“No, no, nothing like that, Sugar.” Walter said as he held up the thick letter he had been holding. “I just thought you might like a surprise. They’re not my usual delivery of roses but I think you’ll like this just as much. I went and picked it up late last night and was waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

Suddenly coming to life, Nikita all but snatched the envelope from Walter and smiled as she realized what was inside. As quickly as her happiness came, it ebbed just as swiftly when she looked up at the clock and realized she should be heading down to the perch to begin the day. Knowing what was in her mind Walter quickly put a stop to what she was thinking.

“Look, Sugar, take some time out. Remember you’re Operations, you can do what you want. You think someone is going to fire you for being a little late? That’s why I brought it to you. Take a little time, read it. Enjoy. That’s what you always tell me.”

Without waiting for a response he left her sitting at the table holding the letter in her hands. Nikita heard the door slide closed and she reached over to punch in the lock code on her security panel located on her end table. Deciding that Walter was right, and after a sleepless night trying to come up with solutions to the Section’s problems, she decided she deserved a break. Having made up her mind, and exonerated herself of guilt for the moment, she didn’t hesitate any longer as she tore open the envelope and extracted the neatly typed pages from Michael.

~~~~~~~~~ Nikita,

Hello, Beloved, how are you doing? I received one of your letters a few days ago and I savored every word, as I haven’t heard from you in so long. I hear from Walter more often, and he was the one that told me you just gave him another letter to mail. I admit I’m surprised that you didn’t wait for me to reply to the one I just received before writing again, and I can only guess it’s because you feel guilty and are making up for lost time. If I were honest I would say that I really don’t care about the reason. Any words from you are words I can’t wait to hear because they make me feel closer to you after having been separated from you for so long. I miss you and as much as I hate to admit it, I don’t foresee being with you anytime soon if everything you’re not telling me is really true.

That’s the extent of my admonishment for your trying to keep things from me in some misguided attempt to shield me from my past life in the Section. There is no past Section life as long as you’re a part of it. What happens to you, happens to me. You act as if I wouldn’t be concerned with anything that has to do with you, and you should know better than that by now. If the news reports are any indication then I can only imagine what you must be going through, and it makes me want to hear from you the unadulterated truth concerning what is really happening. Your silence concerning the Section doesn’t really matter as long as you continue to be honest with me about what’s going on with you. For that reason, I’ll make it easy for you and give you the advice you don’t want to ask me for.

If I were to guess, I would say that you’ve spent most of your time trying to figure out where to strike the Collective a major blow before they strike the Section yet again. Unfortunately, your entire struggle with the Collective has to do with their random attacks and their superior intelligence network. The first thing you have to consider and remember is that not only are they an assortment of all of the Section’s enemies, but they are more intelligent, more cunning than they ever were separately because the Section used different strategies on all of them. It makes them not only a collection of an enemies but a hybrid, something different, something stronger than they ever were on their own. As you accuse me of being so fond of saying, stay focused Nikita. The Collective expects you to give in, get tired, and become careless because of all they know about the Section and the little you know about them. They know you’re a woman, new to the job that’s been handed to you. Even in the underground world of terrorism there are those who have archaic views of a woman’s intelligence and skill. They foolishly believe that you are ruled by emotion, and are therefore easily subdued and this is their one glaring weakness. Their philosophy is obvious in the types of attacks they have orchestrated that include more innocents, mainly women and children, then it does some real or perceived threat against their organization. It’s the perfect strategy to use if their goal is to strike directly at you by getting you to think with your heart and not your mind therefore making the wrong decision. I’ve accused you of doing just that on many occasions. However, I realize that this trait is only a small part of what makes you the perfect choice to go up against an enemy such as them. The Collective is a primitive group with few women among them who actually believe that the path to your defeat is to strike at the heart. In some cases they would be correct, but in this case you have not only yourself to consider but the good of the operatives in the Section as well, and their tactics will do nothing but make you more determined to be rid of them. Be strong, Nikita, and continue to do just that. Be unpredictable, do what they don’t expect. It’s the only way you can win.

I know you read this and wonder how I can write you a letter and expound on what you must do for the Section, when your true desire is to be here with me and with Adam. The truth is my desire is the same as yours and that is the reason why I’ve said what I have. There will always be enemies, but none of them will be as formidable as the Collective. Defeat them and Section will be like it once was only better. Once that happens then some semblance of your freedom will return and with its return you can come back to me, even it is for a short time. It will be better than this endless waiting we have between us now. We’ve been apart for over five months and the time has passed so slowly. I often ask myself how is it possible to miss you more than I did when I thought you were dead, or to miss you more than I did when it seemed as if I would never be able to reach you, or to even miss you more than I did when I never knew you existed. Madeline would have been thrilled to know that this is the worst kind of torture. To know exactly where you are, how you feel, and that you think of me as often as I think of you, and not be able to see you, touch you, or talk to you. Never have I felt so helpless, and admittedly so afraid not only for you but for me and thinking about what my life would be like if I ever lost you for good. My fear is driven by the miles between us, and the fact that if you ever needed me to be there quickly I couldn’t do it because of where you asked me to take Adam. I often think that moving closer to you would dispel this foreign emotion which comes over me when I don’t hear from you, or Walter warns me of impending disaster, or even when I see the news and the conflicts in other countries where I know that there is more to the situation then is being reported. All my concern is for you, and now I battle the guilt I feel at the peacefulness of my surroundings and the danger of yours. I want to change that so much, but my word to you keeps me from acting. All I can do is hold fast to the bond we have between us and rely on you to keep your word to me and tell me when you need me. Until then all I have are these letters that I constantly write.

I promised myself when I started these letters between us that I would always be honest and tell you all the things I wanted to tell you, but never found a way to express. I even thought at one point that it was easier to tell you my innermost thoughts on paper and let you decide for yourself what they meant to you. Now I find as I bare my soul to you, drowning you with typed words on paper, I wish more than anything that you were here in front of me so that I could say them to you instead. Knowing that my wish won’t be granted for a long time to come, I pacify myself by telling you everything I couldn’t say to you before. As I think of our life together and everything we’ve overcome I often wonder how we ever made it to this point. Who is this man I see in the mirror every day? I can actually look at myself and not experience the gut wrenching guilt I used to feel overtake me whenever I woke up to another day in the Section prepared to do whatever I was told to do to keep those I cared about safe. It wasn’t until I first laid eyes on you that I knew all of that was about to change. Your continued persistence in loving me even when I did everything I could to make you hate me made me realize someone like you was what I had secretly yearned for and never knew I wanted or needed. It no longer hurts to say that neither Simone nor Elena ever made me feel that way. I loved Simone and cared for Elena, but I can finally admit that neither one of them ever understood all of me. Living with both of them was difficult because there was always something I had to hide, or couldn’t share. I couldn’t tell Simone what I felt about Elena or Adam because I knew it was something she didn’t want to know about. She wanted to pretend that neither one of them existed. I couldn’t tell Elena about Simone for obvious reasons and so for almost all of my thirteen years in Section I lived a lie and hurt those who loved me the most. I sometimes feel as if I failed the both of them so miserably, and when I began to love you I fought it because I thought I would repeat the same mistakes. How wrong I turned out to be. I spend minutes, hours, days thinking of us and I feel none of those things I used to feel when I thought of Simone or Elena. Sometimes I wonder just how horrible a man that makes me, and then I think of you and know that I’m not that man anymore. Part of me is elated at the discovery and part of me feels some strange sense of loss because for many years those negative emotions were all I knew. I often thought people were insane when they would say that they needed to find themselves. Now I understand a little better what they meant, I don’t understand completely because in my case I didn’t find myself, I found you.

I have to go, Beloved. It’s almost time for Adam and Mrs. Costanza to return from their shopping expedition and I promised him I would take him to the park the moment he comes in. I’m sure he’ll have a new toy of some sort that he’ll want to take with us when he arrives. Mrs. Costanza loves to spoil him and Adam loves to take everything she offers. Just like his father, she doesn’t have the heart to tell him no. He charms everyone and I can almost hear you say that it’s a trait he learned from me. He misses you so much, Nikita. I took him to the beach a few days ago and we walked along running from the waves that threatened to wash over our feet when he spotted a tall blonde who from a distance could have resembled you. He yelled at her and ran forward calling your name and was surprised to discover that the woman wasn’t you at all. I admit I was a bit surprised to discover that Adam is more like me than I thought. Albeit, I’ve never yelled at another woman calling your name, I have seen several women from a distance who I thought were you and upon closer inspection discovered that they weren’t. Do you see what you’ve done to us? It’s official, you’ve ruined Adam and me for all other women. That’s why Mrs. Costanza’s job will be so easy, since I have my own ideas about the real reasons that you insisted I hire her. I’ve made her job effortless and she won’t have any exciting reports to give you. Now if you showed up under the guise of someone else like you did before, well then that would be a different story. I think I’ll close on that note. After the park Adam and I plan to spend the rest of our time finding places for the new pictures of you Walter just sent to us. I should probably tell him I could never forget your face, but think sending your pictures makes him feel better. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words and the one I see of you now is the light of your smile shining through your eyes as you disappear from the Section and come to me. I only wish it was true, and in time I hope it will be. I miss you, Beloved. I think of you always. Simply put, I love you.

Michael

~~~~~~~~

Nikita read the beautiful words on the pages once again, and then she slowly, carefully folded them and placed them back in the envelope. Standing up from the couch she walked through large, cozy rooms until she reached the privacy of her bedroom. Kicking off her shoes she stepped on her bed near the headboard and removed the painting that was located on the wall above her head. Discarding the picture on the bed she reached up to punch in the code on the safe that the picture had been concealing. Opening the safe door she held Michael’s letter close to her heart for one fleeting second as she heard his words to her in her head before she carefully placed it on top of the growing stack of letters he had already written to her. She closed the safe door, placed the picture back, hopped off the bed, smoothed the covers and put her shoes back on as she headed toward the bathroom to wipe the slow stream of tears falling from her eyes.

In her bathroom, she stood in the mirror and looked at herself and saw nothing but a cold, lonely shell that longed for the man she loved, and the child she had come to think of as her own. Acknowledging that Michael had admonished, scolded, and then soothed her all in the space of a few pages, Nikita felt chastened, humbled, comforted, and most of all loved. She was glad that at least her conscience was clear and she had come to her senses and expressed her concerns to him. He would know when he got her letter that she had already decided to stop hiding things from him. Crying and smiling at the same time she tried to pull herself together so she could make her way to the perch. Her emotions were raging as they always were after reading one of his letters, and she knew she should have waited before reading it but the temptation had been too hard to resist. After a long restless night, and an equally disturbing morning, Nikita wondered if she looked as fragile as she felt. Studying her expression in the mirror, she didn’t think so, but she had become very good at deceiving herself. Deciding that it didn’t really matter how she looked she left the bathroom and slowly headed towards the door that would lead her out of her private rooms and into the hustle and bustle of Section waking to another day.

Focusing her attention on the first part of Michael’s letter as she walked through Section heading for the perch, Nikita realized that he was right about the Collective and what she had to do. The thought didn’t make her feel any better, however, when she contemplated just how long that battle could take. She felt alone, angry, and frustrated. Michael’s warnings and theories had helped her. They had confirmed what she had been thinking and if Jade’s meeting this morning had gone well, they would be well on the way to achieving their goal. But in order to win the responsibility, the choice, the decision still rested on her shoulders. This time she wondered if they were all asking too much. As she reached the perch, the answer to that question never came, and it was with low spirits and a heavy heart that she acknowledged her bodyguards and walked up the stairs to what she was soon beginning to view as a prison she would never leave. The thought brought back Michael’s reminder of her promise to him. She wanted so much to stop everything in its tracks and tell him that she needed him to come to her now. Her only hesitation was that she knew he would answer that call, and if he did there would be no turning back. Neither of them would be free again. She wondered just how long she would be able to hold out, and she knew the answer had everything to do with the passing of time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 11

A half an hour later after Operation’s arrival Sinjin Powers and Hayes Wallace were leaning against the steel posts next to the stairs that led up to the perch, when they heard the familiar footsteps of Operation’s second in command returning to see if Operations had shown up yet. They suddenly stood to attention as she rounded the corner and stared straight ahead as they waited for her to address them. Jade turned the corner a few seconds later and smiled slightly at the two big, hulking men that were Operation’s bodyguards doing their level best at pretending to be statues.

“At ease, Gentlemen.” Jade said in an amused tone. “It’s only me.”

“Morning ma’am.” Sinjin replied somberly.

“Good morning ma’am.” Hayes repeated formally.

“Ma’am?” Jade repeated in a disgusted tone. “How many times have I told you not to use that title?”

“Several in fact, but practice makes perfect and you wouldn’t want us to forget in the wrong company would you?” Hayes answered.

“You two know I could care less what anyone else thinks, and you’re not the least bit funny.” Jade retorted.

“True, but it’s just so easy to get a rise out of you.” Hayes retorted.

Jade tried without success to suppress the smile that spread across her face at Hayes and Sinjin’s teasing manner, and found herself glad of the fact that these two had taken her at her word and considered her a friend first and their superior when she needed to be. They had both been in the Section a little over ten years and had quickly moved up the ranks within the Section because of their tactical and strategic abilities. Sinjin Hayes had the build of a line backer and the brains of an Ivy League scholar. He was a 5’ 8” quiet but intimidating bald, black man who had his turn being the eyes and ears of Michael Samuelle, the bodyguard and muscle of Paul Wolfe, and thanks to the near depletion of the experienced operatives of the Section, he was also one of the few senior operatives that had been part of the old Section regime that had ushered in the new Operation’s he was now sworn to protect.

Hayes Wallace was a nondescript blonde who had a build every bit as intimidating as Sinjin’s only he lacked the other man’s height. What he lacked in height however he made up for in breadth. Hayes was every bit as intelligent as Sinjin but unlike his counterpart he had not had the exposure to the higher levels of Section. Hayes main job function had been as a formidable team member in the field. Section’s rapid demise of its more experienced operatives when they had gone up against the Collective had rapidly brought Hayes to the forefront. He had worked with the new Operation’s on more than one mission and had been one of the few operatives who had survived the Center’s reorganization of the Section.

Both Sinjin and Hayes stint in the Section made them invaluable resources to those who could call them friend. Upon her arrival in the Section, Jade quickly assessed who was for the New Regime as it were and who was not. While she suspected that Sinjin and Hayes had their own opinions concerning how Nikita came to be the new Operations, that in no way changed their relationship or the loyalty they felt to her and to Michael. For that reason they were one of the best people to fill the position Jade had given them. Michael had been their superior, their team leader, and their friend. They both felt loyalty and obligation toward Michael and those feelings made them do their jobs with the utmost of care, as they were well aware of the treasure they were protecting. Jade’s mind had been put at ease and she knew that her friend and superior was well guarded from those who were still bitter about the way things had turned out.

Satisfied once again that she had made the right choice, Jade laughed outright at Hayes goading comment and chose not to take the bait, but got down to business instead.

“So what’s the temperature like today?”

“Frosty.” Sinjin replied in an amused tone at Jade’s sudden change of subject as she ignored Hayes comment.

“Really?” Jade questioned. “And what happened to cause that mood swing?”

“It appears the recruits aren’t moving along as swiftly as she would like and we have a report to give to the Agency in exactly a week.” Sinjin replied. “It’s just one more thing Operation’s has to find a way to take care of. Something is going on, she just arrived a few minutes ago. The greeting was cordial, but the look wasn’t.”

“Well, maybe my news will thaw the atmosphere a little.” Jade said amused.

“Really?” Hayes said dryly. “Should we locate the nearest bomb shelter, or are you just throwing grenades this time?”

“I told you before you’re not funny, Hayes.” Jade snapped, before she ruined the rebuke by laughing.

“No ma’am. Of course not.” Hayes agreed.

“Alright, Mr. Comedian.” Jade said once she got her breath back. “Since you’re in rare form today you and Sinjin can join me in the perch when I charge my small grenade. Follow me, gentlemen. We have earth-shaking news to deliver.”

Not bothering to wait to see if her command was going to be followed Jade led the way up the perch smiling widely at another of Hayes joking comments. Turning the corner she looked up to see Operations leaning against the computer console that stretched the length of the room watching the door as if she had been waiting for them all along.

“Good morning.” She said in her deep, husky voice. “I take it you have good news for me.”

“Good morning, Operations.” Jade replied formally as she walked forward. “And yes, I do have good news for you. Hayes and Sinjin tagged along to ensure I—“

“Made the temperature drop.” Operations finished with a lift of her eyebrow and a pointed glance at Sinjin.

Sinjin had the grace to look sheepish as he stared straight ahead. Hayes coughed to cover his laughter and Jade rolled her eyes at both of their responses, completely indifferent to what was obviously Nikita’s bad mood.

“Something like that, yes.” Jade replied smoothly. “I came by earlier, but you weren’t here.”

“I was busy handling something else.” Nikita replied.

“Everything alright?” Jade questioned carefully. “You seem a little, uh, tense.”

“What do you have for me?” Nikita questioned Jade in an expressionless monotone as she pointedly ignored Jade’s comment.

Jade said nothing more but handed Nikita the tiny micro disc she had carried in with her. She watched her friend silently, her carefree mood slipping away as she noted Nikita’s continued coldness. Turning slightly toward Sinjin and Hayes she motioned them away with a slight wave of her hand. As soon as they were gone Jade moved forward toward Nikita who had walked over to her console to review the intel Jade had given her.

“What’s the matter?” Jade asked quietly as she gently laid a hand on Nikita’s arm.

“What makes you think something is wrong?” Nikita replied indifferently.

“Oh, not a thing.” Jade replied nonchalantly. “I forgot you always like to do the ice queen act first thing in the morning.”

Nikita turned sharply at Jade’s comment and promptly cut off what she was going to say when she noted her friend’s guileless expression. She knew her second in command was purposely trying to goad her into a more lively response than she was giving and she reluctantly gave a slight smile at Jade’s persistence. Letting out a deep breath she shook her head and ran a hand through her loose hair.

“I apologize.” She said after a moment. “I had a bad night and—“

“A not so great morning considering that’s it’s almost ten o’clock and after a sleepless night and an equally restless morning you still can’t figure out how the Collective was on to us this time.” Jade finished for her.

“Something like that.” Nikita reluctantly admitted. “I take it you had the same problem?”

“Yes, but I used the time to my advantage and alas, I have good news, my sweet.” Jade replied in a pleased tone.

“The profile on my computer screen being the good news, of course.” Nikita stated as she leaned against the wall.

“Yes, but there’s more.” Jade replied.

“Do tell.” Nikita said in a falsely excited tone.

Jade couldn’t resist laughing and after a moment Nikita joined her when she realized how they both must sound.

“I think you’ve been reading too much Shakespeare.” Jade said after catching her breath.

“And you haven’t?” Nikita asked still smiling, referring to their late night a few days ago deciphering what was one of Michael’s favorite plays as an alternative to putting up with a sleepless night.

“Yes well the ‘alas my sweet‘ sort of just rolled off my tongue.” Jade responded. “I can’t help it. The situation we’re in has mirrored some sort of twisted play since before I got here.”

“I know.” Nikita agreed suddenly sober once again.

“Well, maybe we can do something about that.” Jade said into the sudden silence. “Come look at what I’ve prepared.”

“Did you have any problems with Quinn?” Nikita asked as she followed Jade over to the console.

“Of course not.” Jade said. “I was most persuasive.”

“I’m sure you were.” Nikita replied dryly. “So tell me what it is I’m looking at.”

“I took the liberty of making a few changes to the profile based on our preliminary discussion. I think it’s the best way to safeguard against any unforeseen problems.”

Nikita refrained from comment as she carefully scanned the content of Jade’s disc. She was on the verge of asking for clarification of some of the detail when the intercom buzzed and she was interrupted by one of the Comm operatives.

“Operations?”

“I said I was not to be disturbed.” Nikita said without giving the operative who had interrupted an opportunity to speak.

“Yes, ma’am I realize that, but--”

“Have the teams returned?” Nikita asked.

“No ma’am.”

“Has there been a crises I should be aware of?”

“No ma’am, but--”

“Then why are you disobeying my orders?” Nikita demanded impatience evident in her tone.

“Looks as if we arrived just in time, Valdano. It appears the new Operations is having trouble finding good help.”

Both Nikita and Jade looked up in surprise at the sound of the deep voice coming from one of the two men that had just entered the perch with Sinjin and Hayes following closely on their heels. Nikita noted Jade’s sudden stillness but refrained from comment as she quickly realized who the intruders were and what it was Comm had been trying to tell her. Admitting that it was her fault for being caught unawares she quickly reached over and pushed a button to close the file she and Jade had been studying and prepared to greet her visitors. Giving both men a chilly smile she folded her hands behind her back and stood quietly beside Jade as she sized up the two men before them reluctantly digesting the fact that their unwelcome Agency spies had arrived.