Katy was alone at the computer terminal when Michael approached her. Birkoff had left a little while ago, after assigning her several tasks to be done before he returned.

Birkoff was an O.K. boss to have in Section One, she thought. Sure, he was cynical and demanding, but he treated her with a grudging respect. Especially since she had beaten him handily at Quake the last few times.

Sometimes Katy looked at him when she thought he wouldn't notice. He was really cute, even beautiful, really. He had beautiful eyes and she sometimes wondered what it would be like to kiss that perfectly shaped soft mouth.

It was all a harmless fantasy, she thought. That's all it ever would be. Katy realized she didn't have the slightest idea how to go about getting his attention.

Even if he wasn't so attractive, Katy still would be grateful to have him as her boss. She shuddered, thinking what the cold ops had to put up with. Operations and Madeleine scared her. Mercifully, she had only encountered them a few times.

Birkoff will be back in a hour, Sir," Katy said, looking up at Michael who had stopped next to her desk. "I can get him for you if you need him..." She reached for the phone.

"I didn't come to see Birkoff," said Michael, returning her gaze with his intense green eyes. "Madeleine wants to see us. Now. In her office."

Katy froze for a minute. She tried to recall screwing up anything seriously enough to require a lecture from Madeleine. She drew a blank. Maybe Michael knew what this was about.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked.

"No," Michael replied, in his usual calm voice. "We're being briefed on a mission. Let's go." He allowed a note of impatience to come into his voice. Katy got up quickly and followed him down the hall.

"Please come in." Madeleine smiled at them as they stood before her desk. She looked at the younger woman appraisingly before speaking.

Katy was young, about nineteen, and very pretty in her own way. She did not have the overtly sexy and drop-dead gorgeous looks of Nikita, but with her flawless white skin, gray eyes, and glossy black hair, she too was beautiful.

Her shyness would also be a plus on this mission, thought Madeleine. She was perfect for it.

"You'll be working with Michael on this assignment, Madeleine began. " Our target is an arms dealer named Conrad Barons. We need to get close to him..."

Katy relaxed. "You want me to hack into his computer, then?" she asked. That was something she could manage, at any rate. Her computer skills were why she was recruited.

"No, we need to bring him in," answered Madeleine. "But we need to entice him with a weakness of his..."

"A weakness?" Katy was totally confused now. She couldn't imagine what Madeleine needed her for. Did Barons have a weakness for playing Quake, she wondered?

"Yes," responded Madeleine. "He has a fondness for hookers. You'll pose as one. Michael will be your pimp.."

Katy gasped. She didn't have time to recoup from the shock of this statement before she received another just as great.

Looking from Michael to Katy, Madeleine ordered, "Let's see you two kiss..."

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

Michael, too, had been surprised by this assignment, but had stood impassively next to Katy so far. Now, at Madeleine's order, he moved toward Katy and put his hand across the back of the stunned girl's shoulder. She stood frozen in shock but jumped back away from him when he leaned his face close to hers for the kiss.

Katy took a few more steps backward and looked at Madeleine. "Look, I'm not the one you need to do this. Nikita...."

Madeleine cut her off. "Nikita is not Baron's type. She is frankly too mature and too obviously.....experienced.....for his taste."

Madeleine got up from her desk and walked toward Katy. She touched her lightly on the shoulder and smiled. "He prefers his partners to be pristine and untouched. He wants virgins."

Madeleine lifted Katy's chin up with her hand and looked into her face. "Like you," she said.

Katy's gasp of panic and her tears confirmed Madeleine's suspicions. "That's true, isn't it?"

Katy looked at the floor, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Answer the question," Madeleine said quietly when Katy did not respond.

"Please, Madeleine," Katy begged. "Do we have to discuss this in front of Michael?"

"Yes, we do. Answer the question."

Katy knew there was no getting out of it. "Uh...yes...." the girl barely whispered.

"Are you gay?" Madeleine went on relentlessly.

"No. No, I'm not." Katy looked up at Madeleine. Anywhere but at Michael. She took a breath and said defensively, before Madeleine could embarrass her further, "....and I'm not frigid, or hung up, or anything like that. I had chances to.... I had offers....."

Katy paused, then finished, "I just didn't take anyone up on them, that's all...."

She dared to dart a quick look at Michael, then looked away.

"What about since you were recruited in the Section?" Madeleine quizzed her. "Have you formed any attachments here?"

Katy thought of Birkoff. The attachment was all on her side, as usual. Like the last time,she thought.

"No," she answered sullenly.

"What about any casual physical relationships?" Madeleine persisted.

Anger boiled up in her,the fire of her defiance partly fueled by her fear and desperation.

"Madeleine," Katy raged, "Obviously, I don't know how to do CASUAL. I don't want to know how to do CASUAL. And I especially don't want to learn from this creep Barons..."

Michael watched her admiringly. Not many people stood up to Madeleine. Katy would still have to obey. Section would use her, like they used him and Nikita and everyone else. They were all "material."

He thought this was a partucularly cruel way for her to be used; to have her innocence violated by their sadistic target, Barons. Micahel had no taste for his part in the assignment.

He had heard that Barons was particularly brutal with his "playthings." It bothered him that someone like Katy would be cast in the role of "plaything" this time, and not an experienced cold op.

"Michael, status?" asked Madeleine.

"The sims are almost complete. We're scheduled to meet with Barons tomorrow night. I'm buying stingers from him. Bringing him a girl was part of the deal..."

In fact, Barons had refused to sell him so much as a handgun if he didn't provide him with the type of amusement he craved.

Michael had felt soiled just talking with him.

"Good," said Madeleine. "Finalize the details and assemble your team. You can brief Katy tomorrow."

Michael nodded.

Madeleine turned back to Katy. "You'll do exactly as Michael instructs you, is that clear?"

"Yes," said Katy in a subdued monotone. She was beginning to feel somewhat numb. This can't be real, she thought. It must be some kind of nightmare...

Michael took it that the briefing was over. But as he turned to leave, Madeleine called him back.

"There's one more thing I want you and Katy to do," she said.

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

Madeleine pulled a garment bag on a hangar from one of the racks in her office. She held it out to Katy, who reluctantly took it fom her. Katy held the clothing like she thought it might attack her.

Michael, have Katy try this on and see if you approve. Then you can go."

Madeleine surprised them both by going to the door. "I'll see you both later," she said, and left.

Katy trembled, holding the clothes limply over one arm. Her anger had gone and was now replaced with overwhelming fear and...shame.

The fact that her most intimate secrets had been revealed to the intimidating and aloof Michael was bad enough, but the mission.. She didn't want to be on this mission, and she could tell Michael didn't want her to be, either.

That was her problem, she thought. No one wanted her, in any sense...

Katy bit her lip, determined not to cry in front of him.

Michael approaced her quietly and took the garment bag from her. He walked to a small alcove in the far wall and hung the clothes up in there. "You can change in here," he said, gently.

She nodded and forced herself to move toward the alcove. Michael started to ask her a question as she approached.

"Katy, tell me about..." he began.

Her anger flared again, driven by this new humiliation. She cut him off. "Tell you about how I got to be such a loser? A reject? Are you going to put all the details in your report about how undesirable I am?"

Katy heard herself yelling and stopped. She took a deep breath, trying to get her emotions back under control.

Katy would always be grateful that Michael didn't laugh then, or even smile.

He looked at her solemnly and said in his quiet, softly accented voice, "That wasn't at all what I was going to say. In fact, that's what puzzles me...."

He put his hand lightly on her arm. "You are very desirable." He paused looking into her eyes. "I was going to ask about the boy..."

Katy looked up at him. "The boy?"

"Yes. The one who offered to... Tell me about him. What was his name?"

Katy answered automatically. "Peter. His name was Peter.." She smiled a little at him.

Micahel smiled back. "Go on. Tell me about Peter."

She sighed. "It was love at first sight. For me. I was seven years old. We went all through school together as best friends. Only trouble was, he thought of me not as his true love, but as.."

"A sister," said Michael.

"Yes. It was O.K. until he was about fifteen and discovered other girls. He dated all my friends. I got to hear about how romantic he was from them.." Katy said, her eyes filled with pain.

Michael could guess the rest. "But you waited for him to notice you. And one day, he did? He was the one to offer you the chance to..."

"Yes." Katy nodded. "I guess he was between girlfriends then. Maybe he bored that day, I don't know..." She looked down at the floor.

"He didn't ask me out or anything. He just said, didn't I want to? Like he was God's gift. He took it for granted that I would leap at the chance. He was so surprised when I turned him down.."

Michael pursed his full lips into a grim line. He respected her for her loyalty and devotion. He was also thinking that Peter sounded like a Class A jerk.

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

"Didn't you still want him, then?" asked Michael.

"Yes. I mean, no.." She looked at Michael and continued earnestly. "See, it's one thing if I had been first on the list. Or second. Or even fifth. But twentieth was hard to take. I wanted to be someone special to him, not just.."

"Just what?"

"I didn't want to be just more material, O.K.?"

Micahel startled at her words. Katy continued. "Oh, I know that's what they call us. The material. We're ..... stuff to be used, that's all."

"I'm sorry," said Michael.

"No, Michael, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not the material anyone wants. I know I'm not like Nikita.."

Everyone desired Nikita, she thought. Michael, Birkoff, everyone... "Nikita is deep sapphire blue velvet, and I'm corduroy or something. Maybe cheesecloth..." Katy laughed ruefully, shaking her head.

Michael smiled at her. "I think you're wrong about that." He paused. "Go get dressed," he said gently.

Katy stepped into the alcove and unzipped the bag and took out the dress. It surprised her. She was expecting "hooker" clothes. But this dress was simple and elegant.

It was a perfectly cut A-line dress, sleeveless. When she tried it on, the hem ended at mid-thigh, showing off her long legs. The scoop neckline did not reveal too much, but at the same time it accented her well-proportioned but slender figure. She slipped on the matching shoes, plain pumps with medium heels.

Katy looked in the mirror again. She took in a sharp breath. The girl looking back at her in the mirror was beautiful. She was Cinderella transformed before the ball. She wished fervently that there was a different Prince than Barons waiting for her.

She sighed, and went out to show Micahel her dress.

He looked at her appreciatively. "Madeleine has unerring taste, doesn't she?" he said.

"Katy managed to smile. "Yes, it's very pretty.."

"Yes, you are," Michael said. "Very pretty."

He walked up to her and touched her arm lightly, his fingers brushing the top of her shoulder. "You know, if you have to be material, pure white satin isn't such a bad thing to be..."

She startled, and looked into his eyes.

He dropped his hand, but still stood close to her. "It's what you are, Katy. Not anything as plain or ordinary as corduroy or cheesecloth.."

He tilted his head, regarding her. The satin is a perfect match for you. C'est tres elegante.."

Katy mustered up her very rusty eighth grade French. "Merci," she said softly.

Micahel stepped back from her. "We'll try to keep your exposure to Barons to a minimum. I'll fill you in tomorrow before we leave. Try not to worry.."

"Thank you, Michael." Katy stumbled over her words. "I'm.... grateful... for.." She didn't want to say for making her feel like a desirable woman. "For your protection," she finished.

"That's part of my job," he said. "Protecting the material."

He walked toward the door. "Good-bye," he said, and left.

Katy sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she went back to the alcove to change out of the Fairy God-Mother clothes to become plain Katy again.

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

Later that day Katy was finishing up some work at her desk. She sighed with relief that the work-shift was almost over.

Between the sims and the briefing, the computer bay had been a busy place.

Birkoff had been back and forth several times, alternately avoiding looking at her or staring.

People slowed as they walked through Section to sneak looks at her, whispering. Even Operations, who had never noticed her existence before, gave her a big grin and said "hello" to her. She had said "hello" back and he had left, chuckling to himself.

Katy knew the whispering and laughing wasn't about nothing. It was about her. Everyone knew about the mission and the virgin/hooker thing. Now they were speculating about her, if they didn't know the truth already.

She got up from her desk and headed for her quarters. She didn't plan on leaving them until tomorrow when she had to for the mission. She'd had quite enough of being gossiped about and laughed at.

It had been the day from hell, and tomorrow looked to be worse.

"You O.K., Katy?" Someone stopped her in the hallway. It was Nikita.

"Hi, Nikita. I'm fine."

Nikita looked at her kindly. Katy looked scared to death. "I'll be along on this mission, Katy. We'll be there to protect you. Remember, Michael is the best. If anyone can handle Barons, he can. We'll be looking out for you, O.K.?" Nikita soothed.

"Thanks, Nikita." Katy hugged her quickly and and stepped back before she started really crying. She nodded her good-bye to Nikita and hurried on to her room.

Nikita gazed after her. Poor Kid, she thought.

-------------------------------------------------

The next morning, just after Katy had gotten out of the shower, there was a knock on her door. She pulled her robe on hastily and went to answer it. It was Michael.

He stared at her intently, the soft expression of yesterday gone. Katy pulled the door open wider and he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Katy took a step back from him and pulled the top of her robe more tightly closed.

"I came by to discuss a few more points about the mission," he said.

"Yessir."

"You need to do exactly what I say, understand?"

"Yes," she answered.

"Come here," he ordered curtly, still staring at her.

Katy stepped toward him cautiously, still clutching the top of her robe. Michael reached out with one hand and gently pushed the strands of damp hair back behind her shoulder. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and then lowered it to her shoulder.

Katy stood in shock, unmoving.

He shocked her even more when he leaned his face in close to hers to kiss her, and at the same time slid the hand on her shoulder down into the top of her robe.

His touch was gentle, but his manner was insolent.

Katy reacted. She raised her hand up to slap him. Michael grabbed her wrist and held her arm still in a tight, but not painful, grip.

"Good," he said. "That's exactly how you should act on the mission. Defiant, angry, not aquiescent, and scared..."

He released her wrist and stepped back. He crossed his arms across his chest and stood looking at her, smiling.

Katy recovered after a moment and answered him. "No problem." She tried smiling back. "Especially on the scared part..."

"Look, Katy, you haven't been out on a mission before, but you know how things work. I can't tell you everything that will happen. I have to keep things from you in order for your response to be genuine."

Michael continued earnestly. "But you need to know you are valuable to us, to the Section. We'll do what we can to protect you. We want to keep your exposure to Barons to a minimum. Fight him as much as you can. Fight with me.."

Katy nodded. "What exactly... How far...." She stammered. "Will I have to spend the night with him?"

"No. We'll invite him into the limo we'll provide. When he's there ....distracted by you, we'll take him. Hopefully he won't get a chance to hurt you.."

Katy sighed with relief and a small sob escaped her. "Thank you, Michael. I think maybe I can keep my lunch down now.." She joked to hide her terror.

"Katy, if I say things, do things, handle you roughly, it's to keep you from being handled by Barons, understand?"

She nodded.

"Will you trust me now?"

"Now?" she asked.

"Yes. Will you do exactly what I say?"

"Of course, Michael."

"Come out into the hallway with me and kiss me good-bye."

Her eyes widened. What kind of Section trick was this?

He took her hand. Trembling a little, she followed him to the door. He opened it and turned back to her, saying in a voice loud enough to be heard down the hallway, "I'll try to come see you tonight, after the mission."

Katy nodded numbly. Michael placed his hands on her arms and exclaimed sincerely, "God, you were wonderful.."

He kissed her softly. "You were wonderful last night... all night..." His eyes gleamed. He tightened his embrace and kissed her more thouroughly this time, his mouth exploring hers.

Katy held on to him, as much because the world was spinning as well as the shock of pleasure brought on by the kiss.

He broke the kiss, but she pulled him back for another, twining her fingers in his hair. After all, she thought, he had given her an order to kiss him. He pleasured her lips once again.

Micahel lifted his mouth from hers and begged, "Then I can see you again, ma Cherie, please?"

"Mais oui," she whispered, caressing his face, letting her fingers slide over his sensuous lower lip and his delightfully stubbly chin.

"Come to me anytime, mon Coeur.." she whispered, playing her part. Both she and Michael were aware of Birkoff's door ajar slightly. His room was just a little ways down the hallway from hers.

"I'm all yours, mon Amour, mes haricot verts..." she breathed.

Michael made a choking sound and covered it by burying his face in her neck. "Why did you call me that?" he said in a low voice.

"Oh, God, what did I say, Michael?" she whispered. "Did I cuss you out? My French isn't that good.."

"What did you mean to say?" he whispered back, recovering. It dawned on Katy that he was not angry. He had been trying not to laugh.

"I thought I called you my little cabbage .... didn't I?"

"No," he said, lifting his head and smiling. He kissed her. "You called me "your green beans"..."

She giggled and blushed bright red. "Oh! and I thought it sounded so sexy.."

Michael laughed.

Behind his door, Birkoff saw Katy and Michael whispering, kissing and nuzzling in front of her room. He had spent the night with her, that was clear.

Birkoff guessed they had all been wrong about Katy. She had attracted Michael. And satisfied him, apparently. She had him out in the hallway begging for more, even.

Something not unlike jealousy stirred in Birkoff. Katy was pretty, he realised, seeing her as a woman for the first time. He would have to let the rumors of her virginity die in the light of this truth... He closed the door to his room softly.

Katy peered down the hallway and then looked back at Michael. "Thank you," she said, her eyes tender.

He kissed her good-bye again, first on the mouth, and then on her hand. "Au revoir, Cherie," he said, kissing her fingers.

Katy sighed and leaned against the doorway, watching him all the way down the hallway until he was out of sight.

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

Like everyone else, Nikita had heard the rumors about Katy. In an environment like Section One, where every conversation was taped, every nuance of every look scrutinized, sooner or later you heard everything, true or not.

The first wave of rumors about Katy's virginity Nikita ignored. The reaction to this news was to her an indication of just how sick an environment Section One was.

She wasn't sure why it shocked everyone, unless they perceived innocence as something outside that it was their job to protect and not something to be found inside its walls among its members.

Nikita knew there probably would have been less reaction and shock if Katy had been out of control on drugs, had killed her entire family, or been a prostitute since the age of twelve.

But now the rumors had gone too far. She had heard Birkoff and others gossiping about Michael and Katy together. The idea that Michael would take advantage of a naive recruit and use his power to seduce her inflamed Nikita's righteous indignation.

There was also a part of her( her heart, perhaps?) that shriveled up at the idea of Michael with anyone else but her.

Her emotions building with each step, Nikita strode purposefully down the hallway toward Michael's office. By the time she got there, she was good and angry.

Without knocking first, Nikita flung open the door to Michael's office.

"Come in, Nikita," said Michael calmly from his seat at his desk.

She slammed the door behind her, loudly. The open blinds at the window were the only thing keeping the couple from complete privacy now in the sound-proof room.

"Since when is it your mission in life to deflower virgins?" Nikita blurted out.

"Michael stood up and came toward her. "I didn't do anything with Katy, Nikita. We didn't make love..."

"That's not what I hear."

Michael sighed and took another step toward her. He was aware of people passing by in the hallway, some of them strolling by more slowly than normal. The rumor mill was always hungry for more grist.

"Nikita, you should know me better than that by now.." She looked down, starting to feel foolish, but she was still suspicious.

Michael went on. "Nothing happened. But it's to Katy's advantage that Section think something did. It's safer for her..."

"What do you mean?"

"I played a part with her, created an illusion, to protect her from Section. They might perceive her... purity as a weakness...."

"How noble of you, Michael." Nikita's hurt feelings showed in her voice. "You're playing games with her like you did with me.."

Michael leaned toward her, his voice low and intense. "No, Nikita. I don't feel for Katy what I feel for you, what I feel about us.."

"Us?"

He came closer and held Nikita's hand in his. "With Katy, the passion was a pretence. With you, it's real.."

Nikita, unsure, asked, "And is what you just said to me a pretence, too? Just another game?"

Michael looked into her eyes. "No," he said softly.

Nikita wanted to believe him. She also wanted to kiss him. His nearness always affected her like this. And now she could see the passion he talked about gleaming in his eyes.

She did nothing to stop him when he slowly leaned forward and kissed her, his tongue flicking softly across her upper lip.

Nikita's arms came up around him automaticaly as the kiss deepened. Michael pressed her against him with one hand at the small of her back, the other he tangled in her hair at the back of her neck.

Nikita let her tongue do some exploring of its own, kissing him hungrily. Her mind was caught up in a kaleidoscope of magic images of what she wanted to do with him, of where else she would like his kisses to be, his hands to explore....

She brushed her hand across his chest and down his stomach. Michael took in a sharp breath and pulled back, breaking the kiss.

"Nikita, remember where we are..."

"I remember." Nikita said, feeling that perhaps she had just been used again.

Michael reached for her hands, holding both of them gently in his. He caressed her fingers, trailing his fingertips across her palms and up to her wrists.

Nikita closed her eyes. "Did you do this with Katy?" she whispered.

"No. Nikita, please," he pleaded. "Please believe that what just happened between us was real..." He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed the center of each palm in turn.

He released her hands as she stepped back away from him.

"Nikita, please don't believe all the rumors you hear..."

She nodded, and looked into his eyes. She didn't break the gaze until just before she reached the door. She left without a word.

Michael sat back down at his desk and put his hand up to his chin. He had been totally honest with her, for once. He hoped she would beleive the truth...

Nikita had only taken a few steps down the hall when she felt the eyes on her. Two young ops, a man and a woman, stared at her from around the corner. She ignored them and walked on.

The young woman giggled and said to her companion, "They don't call Michael "The Master" for nothing...."

"Yeah," said the man, shaking his head. "Two women in one day, and it's only eleven o'clock in the morning..."

The girl sighed. "I wish they'd send you to a class on how to kiss like that. And do that thing with the hands... and maybe speak French...."

She sighed again. Michael certainly was the expert.

Her companion looked disgusted, like he usually did when anyone talked about Michael. "C'mon," he said. "Let's go talk to Birkoff and the others ..."

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

That night at the warehouse, Michael met with Barons to complete their deal.

The door to the opulent, if not tasteful, stretch limousine opened and Michael exited with Katy. His hand gripped her by the back of her neck.

"Behave, little girl," he said.

Katy tried to kick him. Michael pulled her arm roughly up behind her back and said menacingly in her ear, "I said, behave."

She struggled to get free of his grip, whimpering.

Barons was getting turned on just watching them from his car a few feet away. Standing there in her white dress, trembling and terrified, she was just what he wanted.

Barons got out of his car, his bodyguards flanking him. "Let's deal, shall we?" he said to Michael, but his eyes never left Katy. He licked his lips.

"Fifteen stingers are yours for the price agreed on. And I get the girl, O.K.?" His impatience to have her was already evident.

Michael smiled. "She's extra," he said. "She's the real thing..."

He put his free hand laciviously on Katy's hip. She flinched away from him and cried out. She could hardly move in Michael's iron grip. The look in Baron's eyes terrified her.

Barons walked toward her and reached out to grope her satin-covered thigh. Before he could touch her, Michael jerked her back away from him.

"How do you know?" said Barons.

"I know." Michael smirked. His hand on her hip roamed down her thigh to the hem of her dress and rested there on her bare skin.

"No!" she screamed, struggling.

Michael kissed her on the cheek.

"She's extra," he said again.

"How much?" said Barons, salivating. Katy's screams and whimpers had turned him on, her helplessness exciting him.

"Fifteen thousand," said Michael. "She's been saving herself for a man like you...."

Michael kissed her neck and laughed. Katy sobbed. "Fifteen thousand."

"It's a deal," said Barons, panting.

"You can have her right now, in the limo..." Michael offered.

Barons was almost drooling. He nodded to his body guards to see to the details.

Michael shoved Katy back into the open door of the limo. She landed on the bed inside. Barons followed close behind her, landing on top of her. One of his men closed the door behind them.

Katy panicked, feeling totally trapped. She tried to push him off of her, but he slapped her hard across the face. The blow stunned her for a moment, and Barons used the opportunity to grab her roughly by the arms and hold her down.

He had her pinned down, his breath short and hot on her neck.

"Get off me! Don't!" She was crying, yelling.

Barons hands roamed over her. Katy couldn't get free from them. "Stop! Get off me!" she sobbed.

She realized that Barons was pulling and tugging at his clothes and hers, in his haste to possess her.

Oh no, please, God. Not like this, Katy prayed.

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

The limo door opened and Michael entered, closing the door quickly behind him.

Barons rolled off of Katy and looked at Michael angrily. "What the..."

It was all he had time to say before the gunfire started outside. A few stray bullets hit the limo, but did little damage to its armored hull and bullet-proof glass.

Operatives hidden in the warehouse had started their ambush of Barons' men. It was over quickly.

Inside the limo, Michael grabbed Barons by the back of his collar, throwing him up against the far wall of the limo.

With his hand on Baron's throat cutting off his air, Michael looked into his face, grimacing in disgust. "Please co-operate," he said politely.

Katy had scrambled up to the far side of the bed away from the men, adjusting her clothing and trying to get her breath back.

There was a sudden quiet as the shooting stopped. All that could be heard in the limo were Katy's sobs and Barons ragged breathing. This time her sobs were from relief and Barons' gasps were from fear and not lust.

The door to the limo opened again. "It's all over, Michael. Everything O.K.?" It was Birkoff.

"Fine," answered Michael, not taking his hand off of Barons' throat. "Birkoff," he ordered, "Take Katy back to Section in the van. Make sure she's all right. Call Housekeeping. Have Team Two come and collect our....guest."

He glared menacingly at the sniveling Barons. "And have Nikita come out here to me," Michael finished.

"Gotcha," said Birkoff. He looked at Katy. She was crying, her composure lost.

Birkoff reached out his hand to her and said gently, "C'mon, it's O.K...."

She took his hand and then leaned against him as he helped her out of the limo and toward the van. She sobbed against his shoulder.

She was shaky and bruised and upset, but somewhere deep inside she felt safe. She knew everything would be all right.

Birkoff wrapped one arm around her shoulders and held her gently. He was relieved she was safe. He was furious with the slimy Barons for man-handling Katy. HIS precious Katy, he thought.

Michael was experiencing some similar emotions about Barons. He took the opportunity to relieve his feelings by delivering a few satisfying punches to the degenerate Barons before Team Two arrived.

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

Nikita hurried out to the limo after she had gotten Katy settled in the van. She left her there, being comforted by the solicitous Birkoff.

Why did Michael want her out here? Why not come back to the van? Was he hurt? She fretted. Had he been injured? Nikita surveyed the limo. It looked like it was in one piece. Just a few bullets had creased it and one heavily tinted window was cracked where it's bullet proof glass had been hit. Otherwise, the area was quiet and deserted.

Housekeeping and Team Two had come and gone.

She pulled her gun and approached the limo cautiously. The door opened for her. Michael reached out a hand to help her inside.

"Are you O.K., Michael?" she asked.

"Yes, fine," he said when she was inside and the door was closed behind them.

Nikita sighed in relief. "Michael, Katy says to tell you "thank you"."

Michael smiled. "She's welcome."

"Why are we here?" asked Nikita, looking around at the opulent, if bordello-like, decor.

"I need you to help me evaluate some material," he replied.

"You mean Katy?"

"No," he said.

"Then what material are you talking about?"

Michael pushed a button and soft music began playing. He pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses and put them on top of the bar. Then he stretched out on the bed, patting the spot next to him.

"This material," he said, running his hand back and forth across the bed. His eyes glittered.

"What do you think of this red velvet?" he invited in a husky voice.

Nikita laughed and returned his longing look. She knelt on the bed next to him. He looked delectable there, stretched out waiting for her.

"Let's see," she said, placing her hand on his leg just above his ankle. She slid her hand up the length of his well-muscled limb from calf to thigh to hip, slowly.

Then, she stretched herself out until she was between the muscular legs, lying on top of him. Michael pulled her down closer to him and kissed her.

After several more kisses, she lifted her head up and said saucily,"I don't know about this..." She bit the skin on his neck lightly.

"I could probably tell better about the red velvet if you got out of all this black wool first.." She explained, her hands exploring again like she had dreamed about.

Michael groaned and rolled her over until he was on top of her. She helped him out of his black wool, and he helped her out of her black material as well.

He settled back on top of her, twining his fingers in her hair and kissing her thouroughly. He looked into her deep blue eyes.

Katy was right. Nikita was like deep sapphire blue velvet. He was lost in the depths of her eyes, the soft velvet feel of her skin.

He began exploring her, kissing and touching his way down her body, starting with her creamy throat.

"Mmmmm, sapphire blue velvet.." Michael moaned the words in French against her stomach.

Nikita sighed. Not understanding, she whispered, "What did you say?"

"Rien, nothing... mes haricot verts..." Michael said, laughing. He resumed his explorations.

"Oooohh, that sounds so sexy," Nikita gasped, as he kissed further. "It drives me crazy when you talk dirty to me in French..."

She moaned. "What does it mean, Michael?" She asked breathlessly.

Michael paused. He didn't want to mention green beans at just this moment....

Nikita gasped again. God, she thought, it was too dirty to translate, even for Michael.

"It's O.K., Michael. Never mind...." She leaned her head back against the pillows, lost in delight.

"You could recite a list of vegetables in French and it would turn me on..."

Michael sighed in relief.

He moved up to hold her closely again, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Hush! Kiss me, my little Cabbage, ma petite chou..." He demanded, possessing her mouth once again.

Nikita kissed him back, and together they continued their painstaking..... careful..... research..... and analysis...... of the material.

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