Michael, resplendant in his tuxedo, took another small sip of his champagne. Murmuring into the glass, he said, "Nikita, do you see the target?"

The hotel ballroom was crowded. The dance floor, as well as almost every available square inch of carpeting, was covered with the elegantly shod feet of the formally attired attendees to the scientific conference.

They were trying to locate the micro-biologist who had developed a universal viral antidote- a magic bullet that would kill viruses of all types. If given a chance to be worked on further, the antidote would cure AIDS.

It would also eradicate any designer virus that their terrorist foes could come up with. Biological weapons would be rendered essentially useless.

That is, they would be, if the scientist lived long enough to complete her work.

Dr. Natalie Zerner's discovery had been hailed in the media as the breakthrough of the century. The shy, rather reclusive scientist had been besieged by reporters from around the world, as well as deluged with offers from rival drug companies and Universities, looking to steal her away from the small research lab where she was employed.

Like vultures, they had descended, along with the hangers-on from the scientific community, the groupies, and the wannabees who who wished to share her spotlight of world attention.

Unfortunately, not everyone shared the enthusiasm for Dr. Zerner's efforts. Red Cell, as well as three other terrorist groups, had already targeted her and her research for extinction.

Section One had sent in Michael's team to protect her, but it wouldn't be easy. Sorting out who was who was proving to be quite a challenge. Figuring out who in the crowd was a threat and who was harmless had taxed Birkoff's analysts for the past few weeks, as the media frenzy built to ever higher and higher levels.

Tonight, thought Michael, if all went well, Dr. Zerner would survive to complete her mission. He was hoping he would have equal success with his.

Across the vast room from Michael, Nikita lounged near the fringes of the dance floor, the picture of sophistocated coolness. She wore a floor-length, sequined white gown that bared one tantalizing shoulder. Her pale blonde hair was upswept in an elegant do, curls piled high on her head, the hairstyle adding inches to her already impressive height. High-heels added height as well, accentuating her long legs.

One accessory she wore went un-noticed by both the envious glances of the women and the hungry stares of the men. It was the small metal dot just behind her ear, her comm-unit.

"Got her in sight, Michael," she said nonchalantly into the device.

"Vector?" asked Michael's voice in her ear.

"Headed east," she said softly.

Michael put down his glass and started walking in that direction. "Good," he responded. "I'll intercept."

"No, Michael. Let me do it," Nikita answered with amusement in her voice. "She's headed for the ladie's room."

Michael smiled slightly, and he heard Birkoff snicker through his comm-unit.

"Very well. Everyone hold positions," he ordered, "Nikita's taking point."

***********

By the time Nikita had casually worked her way to the ladies' room, the target was inside washing her hands and scowling into the mirror.

Nikita took her place at the next sink and opened her tiny evening bag to get out a comb.

"Don't," said Dr. Natalie Zerner.

Nikita turned to look at her, puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"Don't comb your hair," said the scientist in a serious tone, analysing Nikita's appearance. "It's perfect the way it is."

Nikita looked surprised. "Really? Are you sure?"

She turned so the other woman could see the back of her head. "I thought it was coming down..."

Natalie stepped behind Nikita and inspected the complicated arrangement of blonde curls. In a maternal gesture, she reached up to the taller woman and tucked one of the stray pins back into place.

"There," she said with satisfaction. "That's all it needed."

Nikita turned and smiled at her. "Thanks," she said, taking a step toward the exit.

When the older woman did not follow her, Niktia stopped in the doorway. "Aren't you coming back out?"

The Doctor shook her head, looking a little sheepish. "Actually, I was thinking of hiding out here a while. It's getting kind of nasty out there..." she confided.

"Oh! What happened?" Nikita said sympathetically. "Did someone bother you?"

"The question is, who DIDN'T bother me," Natalie muttered under her breath.

She looked up at Nikita again, analyzing her once more. The operative's friendly demeanor must have satisfied her, and she asked a shy question.

"Can I ask you something? Something personal?"

Nikita smiled reassuringly. "Sure," she said.

"Good." Natalie took her by the arm and led her to the front part of the ladies' lounge that was arranged as a sitting room. They seated themselves in two matching arm-chairs in the far corner.

"You are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen," Natalie blurted out. "You're definitely the prettiest girl here at the conference..."

Nikita stiffened, not sure where this was leading.

Natalie paused, and then asked her question. "How many times have you been hit on tonight?"

Nikita hadn't been expecting this. She gasped, then laughed.

"No, seriously," the other woman insisted. "How many times? Three? Five? Ten? How many?"

"More than five, less than ten," the blonde answered, laughing.

Natalie nodded. "Want to know how many times I've been hit on tonight?"

"O.K. I'm game. How many?"

"Twenty-two."

"You're kidding!"

"No. And I hate it." The older woman shook her head. "Look at me-- Do I look like Stud-bait to you?"

Nikita surveyed her companion. She was plump and buxom with a modest amount of attractive decolletage showing above her conservatively cut beaded black gown. She had a cloud of pretty brown hair, streaked lightly with gray, that framed golden-hazel eyes. Her pink-toned skin was smooth and unlined, except for a few laugh lines around the intelligent eyes.

She was not stunning, but she was definitely pretty, in a wholesome, girl-next-door kind of way.

"You're a very attractive woman," said Nikita sincerely.

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Maybe. For an old gal. But even twenty years and twenty pounds ago I didn't attract this much attention."

She shook her head. "Do you know how many lame lines I've heard tonight? I've lost count of how many times I've been told what beautiful eyes I have..."

Nikita giggled. "Well, you did give an impressive speech at the conference tonight. Some men get turned on by brains...."

Natalie shook her head again. "Not BRAINS. FAME. I'm having my fifteen minutes worth now and it's hell. These reporters are driving me nuts."

She leaned back in her chair, sighing. "They all seem to think flirting is the way to get to me. I guess it shows. I feel like I'm wearing a sign that says, 'middle-aged sex-starved lonely female! Hasn't had a man look at her in years! Easy target!'"

Nikita nodded sympathetically.

"Listen to me!" Natalie upbraided herself. "You probably can't relate to this. A young girl like you, with your looks-- You probably don't know anything about lack of male attention...."

Nikita grinned. In as haughty and snobbish a voice as she could manage, she dead-panned, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful..."

Dr. Zerner dissolved into helpless giggles, Nikita joining her.

"Make the offer, Nikita," said Michael through the comm unit.

Natalie recovered finally from her giggles and asked another question. "Seriously, I know you've had way more experience turning down men than I have. Do you have any advice for me? On how to get rid of them, I mean?"

Nikita smiled. This was going exactly in the direction she hoped it would. "Besides hiding in the ladies' room, you mean?"

Natalie blushed, looking sheepish again. "Yeah..." She looked up pleadingly at Nikita. "What should I do?"

Nikita took a deep breath and followed orders. "Get an escort. Be seen with a handsome, but slightly intimidating guy. A jealous lover, in effect."

Natalie nodded. "You're right. Wish I had one of those. A handsome lover, jealous or not..." she sighed.

"Actually, you already have one..." said Nikita.

"What?"

Nikita leaned forward to deliver the offer. "I'm with Security. There's already been a man assigned to you, specifically designated as your personal body-guard...."

"Oh!" the shy doctor exclaimed.

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

"A bodyguard?" Natalie gasped.

"It's not a bad idea, is it?"

"Well, I guess not having to deal with being accosted every minute would be nice.."

"No one has to know he's your bodyguard," Nikita told her. "I think it will be more effective if you introduce him as an old flame...."

Natalie stared at her, her eyes narrowing. "You have this all planned out, don't you?"

"It's my job." Nikita reached in her purse and brought out a black leather case containing an I.D. She flipped it open so that Natalie could read it.

Natalie blinked at the words. Underneath her picture, it said, Niktia Lewis. U.S. Secret Service.

"Oh, my God..." said the older woman, stunned. "The PRESIDENT sent you?"

"Yes, he did," Nikita told her solemnly. "It is definitely in the national interest that your work continue..."

Dr. Zerner paled. "You mean, someone has threatened to stop me?"

Nikita nodded. "I won't lie to you. Yes, there have been threats. But we don't think any of them are really serious. But we have to make sure.."

Natalie just stared at her, saying nothing.

"We've been watching over you," continued Nikita. "But we may need to tighten the circle a bit.."

"Tighten... the circle?"

"Yes. Restrict who has access to you. Curtail your public appearances. Provide a safe house, if need be."

"Oh," said the doctor, still processing the unfamiliar concept of her own personal danger.

"But we'll start with the bodyguard for now," Nikita explained. "See how that works."

Natalie nodded. "How long will that take to arrange?"

Nikita smiled. "About one minute."

"What?"

"He's here. Would you like to meet him?"

Natalie stood up and gestured to Nikita for her to proceed her out of the room.

"Lead on, Sister," she said.

***********

Nervously, Natalie followed Nikita through the throng to meet her new bodyguard. After several minutes of pushing their way through the crowd, Nikita finally stopped at the far side of the room near the dance floor.

Michael was facing away from the women, so Natalie's first glimpse of him was of his broad shoulders clad in elegant black, and the shock of long hair above them.

Already he was not what she expected. She had assumed he would be one of those earnest, well scrubbed young men she associated with FBI-types, with a crew cut and an uptight attitude.

The hair held her attention. It was controlled, the curls smoothed into soft waves, but its potential wildness was there, plain for all to see. It would be so easy to reach up and muss those silky strands into passionate disarray...

Natalie swallowed hard, trying to control her runaway thoughts.

Nikita tapped Michael on one broad shoulder. "Michael? I found your old flame. Here she is...."

He turned quickly and, barely glancing at Nikita, focused his attention fully on Natalie. A charming smile spread over his face, and he reached for her hands, taking both of them in his.

His eyes trailed warmly over her, looking her up and down, his expression saying wordlessly that he liked everything he saw.

"Natalie! Ma Cherie! How long has it been? You look as beautiful as I remember you..." Michael said in a sensuous voice, a look of sincere longing in his eyes.

Natalie, getting the full effect of the seductive green gaze, could only stare at him for a moment, speechless. He was truly beautiful.

The hair was even more attractive from the front, framing the broad, noble forehead and curling down past the angular jaw with its cleft chin. But it was the exquisitely shaped, full mouth that caught her attention.

It had the same quality of sensual promise that the beautiful hair did. She wanted to touch it, to kiss it, muss it up, get lost in it....

With a start, she collected herself from her erotic daydream and stammered out a reply.

"Uh.. Michael! It's been ages! It seems like a lifetime ago since I've seen you...."

She was sure it HAD been a lifetime ago. If she had ever had anyone like this, it must have been in a past life. This time around she hadn't been that lucky.

Until now.

He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek then. It was a light kiss, but he let it linger, like a lover's slow caress. Natalie shivered.

"You look lovely." Michael said, his eyes twinkling. "Have I ever told you what beautiful eyes you have?" He asked innocently.

Natalie laughed in delight, relaxing a little. She was starting to enjoy their repartee.

"No, I'm sure you NEVER have," she said truthfully.

Michael put his arm smoothly under hers and guided her toward the dance floor. "Then let me tell you about how beautiful I find everything about you while we dance, hmmmm?"

Unresisting, Natalie allowed herself to be led out to the dance floor. She smiled nervously at Michael and stepped into his arms.

The full effect of his nearness hit her then. He was so foreignly MALE, the muscles in his back feeling incredibly hard under her hands, yet, at the same time, the way he held her was incredibly gentle.

He danced with a natural, sensual, almost lazy grace. He had all the languidness of a large panther, but there was no mistaking the power and strength beneath the relaxed pose, just waiting to be unleashed...

Natalie mused on. Meeting Michael was a bit like being invited to pet the nice kitty, and then realizing suddenly that the kitty in question was really a full-grown tiger. Or a dangerous lion with a magnificent mane....

Natalie shook her head. She had to stop thinking of Michael and wild animals in the same breath...

She stumbled against him in her nervousness, and looked apologetically up into the green eyes. "I hope you remember what a terrible dancer I am, ... uh.... Darling..."

Michael pulled her closer and gave her a searing, but tender look.

"No, I've completely forgotten that....." He lowered his voice to sensuous whisper, speaking the words in his most seductive French-accented voice.

"But I do remember every detail of how good you were as my..... partner..... in other things...."

Oh, Jesus, thought Natalie.

***********

Natalie closed her eyes and swayed a little in his arms. Her knees had gone completely weak and she staggered against him.

Michael supported her effortlessly, turning her in rhythm with the music, not missing a step in the dance.

His grip tightened on her and he held her a little closer, bending his head to nuzzle her neck lightly. Natalie sighed.

"If you don't remember all the details," he breathed into her ear," I can remind you, n'est ce pas?"

She met the smoldering green eyes again. What she saw in them left her breathless. "...Remind ...me?" she gasped out.

"Oui. Like this...."

He kissed her.

The full soft mouth came down on hers, at once both shocking her with the incredibly pleasure of it, and surprising her with its gentleness. She sighed again against that mouth.

Her pleasure escalated as he deepened the kiss. He used no force, just increased the pressure on her lips lightly, in response to her unspoken surrender.

Unhurriedly, as if he had all time at his command and no desire to be anywhere else, he went on kissing her. His tongue explored her sensitive mouth with great tenderness, yet firm determination.

Natalie was lost in a world of sensation. All thoughts stopped. She was no longer aware of the constant background noise of her ideas about her work that usually ran through her head, even when she was doing something else.

She doubted she could have named any of the microbes she worked on right then. Hell, she doubted she could remember her own name, either. It was not the intellectual part of her mind that controlled her now, but some deeper, more primitive part her brain that had taken over.

Her body willingly obeyed the primal urgings. After a moment of being stunned and frozen, Natalie clutched Michael's lapels and pulled him closer, kissing him back, exploring that exquisite mouth in return.

She lost herself in its sweet primal depths.

Just then, the reporter tapped her on the shoulder. "Dr. Zerner?"

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

A hand tapped her on the shoulder. "Dr. Zerner?" said a masculine voice, urgently.

Neither the hand nor the voice belonged to Michael. Startled, Natalie broke the kiss and opened her eyes. She felt horribly bereft as the magic world that she had been submerged in receded, and cold reality took its place.

A little dazed, she looked at the destroyer of her dreams, an earnest-looking young man with dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses, holding a pad of paper and a pen.

"Dr. Zerner, could I get a brief statement from you for Science Now Journal?" He smiled politely.

God, I can't believe it, she thought. Another damn journalist.

She resisted the urge to do grave bodily harm to the hapless reporter. Michael, however, had no such compunctions.

She looked up to see Michael scowling at the intruder. Swiftly, but discreetly, he gripped one of the young man's wrists and applied pressure.

"The lady does not care to give an interview," Michael said menacingly. The grip tightened and the reporter flinched, paling visibly.

"O.K., O.K. That's fine!" he squeaked out. "No interview!"

"Good," said Michael, glaring at him. "See that you do not disturb the lady again, understand?"

He gave the wrist one more warning squeeze and then released him. The reporter yelped and fled.

Michael turned back to Natalie. "Are you all right, ma petite?" he asked, solicitously.

"Uh.. yes.." she nodded. "Thank you."

He placed his hand possesively on her shoulder. "I won't tolerate anyone bothering you like that again," he stated in a slightly raised voice.

Some of the crowd nearby who had been observing the exchange looked at Natalie enviously. They were all thinking the same thing. This woman had it all - brains, success, fame, and a devastingly handsome and devoted lover. Some people had all the luck.

The remaining reporters in that part of the ballroom who had been thinking of approaching her slunk away, none of them anxious to have their arms twisted by Michael.

Still glaring dissaprovingly at the crowd, Michael put his hand under Natalie's elbow. "Come, ma Cherie, let me take you away from all this," he said.

Oh, yeah.... Natalie thought, feeling herself melting. He adores me...

She sobered suddenly, reality returning, unwelcome. What am I thinking? she berated herself silently. Get a grip, girl. It's all a fantasy....

She forced a smile. "All right,...Darling. Let's go."

They made swift passage through the ballroom to the exit, the crowd parting for them. In a few minutes, they were outside in the starlight on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

A sleek black limousine pulled up to the curb in front of them. Michael opened the door for Natalie and helped her inside.

Natalie gulped and entered the luxurious vehicle, feeling a little like Cinderella stepping into her coach. Romantic visions of being alone in the dark limo with the handsome Prince flitted through her mind...

The visions faded as she saw someone already seated in the corner of the limo, smiling at her.

Despite herself, Natalie smiled back.

It was Nikita.

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

"Hi!" said Natalie, genuinely glad to see the younger woman. The bodyguard idea was a brilliant one, and she was definitely grateful to Nikita for introducing them. She hadn't had this much fun in years.

"Hi," said Nikita. "Enjoying yourself?" She winked.

Natalie seated herself opposite the stunning blonde and Michael entered behind her, taking a seat next to the scientist at a respectful distance. He motioned to the driver to take off. The limo slid smoothly out into the traffic.

Natalie grinned at them both, answering Nikita's question. "Oh yeah! This has been a great day for Science..." She gestured widely.

"I can see the headlines now- 'Scientist Finds Cure for AIDS Due to the Inspiration of Her Long Lost Love'..." She looked at Michael and blushed.

Michael, immediately back into character again, took her hand and kissed it. In a low, sensuous voice he murmured, "It is you who are the inspiration, my Love..."

Natalie playfully slapped his hand away and turned to smile at Nikita. "He's goood!" she commented, laughing. "He uses the same horribly stale lines as the rest, but when he says them I believe him totally..."

Nikita smiled, but there was a look of sadness in her eyes. "Yes, he's very convincing, isn't he?"

Michael met Nikita's gaze for a moment, and their eyes locked. Some unspoken message passed between them. Natalie saw the look, but was unable to decipher its meaning. Michael was the first to look away.

Into the suddenly tense silence, Natalie threw out a question. "Where are we going?"

Michael turned and his gaze met Natalie's this time, his expression serious. "We're taking you home. Nikita and I will be guarding you tonight..."

Natalie tensed, looking from one operative to the other apprehensively. "Do you think that's really necessary?"

Michael nodded gravely. "Things have... escalated. You will need round the clock protection from now on..."

Natalie choked, cold shivers going up and down her back. "What.. what happened? Tell me.."

Nikita's voice was soft with sympathy as she delivered the hard news. "There has been another threat, just in the last hour. A serious one."

She paused, and then spoke, attempting to reassure the frightened scientist, but her words had the opposite effect to the one she had intended.

"We'll do everything we can to keep you safe, I promise. We won't allow your work to be stopped.."

Natalie gasped. "I see..."

"Would you like a drink?" Michael asked, seeing her pallor.

"God, yes..."

Michael deftly poured a generous amount of alcohol into a glass from the bar on his side of the limo and handed it to Natalie.

She took a large swallow and then coughed, shuddering. She wasn't used to drinking, but at this point, she was willing to imbibe the entire contents of the bar if it helped drown the fear that twisted in her belly.

"Why? Why would anyone want to stop me?" she asked quietly.

"Destroying your work right now, on the brink of the discovery of the cure for AIDS, would be a great blow to the world community," explained Nikita sadly.

Michael nodded. "It would be the ultimate act of global terrorism."

Natalie gulped her drink. "God, I'm scared..."

Nikita reached out for Natalie's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "we're right here. We'll protect you..."

Michael took Natalie's hand and held it between both of his. The warmth and strength of his grip eased her fears a little. "I'll be right next to you from now on. I won't let anyone hurt you.."

Natalie forced a tremulous smile. "So, you'll be my Siamese Twins from now on, right?"

"Oui, ma petite," said Michael gently, brushing his hand against Natalie's cheek.

This last act of tenderness proved to be too much for Natalie's tenuous control, and she sobbed brokenly, burying her face in Michael's hard shoulder.

He put his arm around her and let her cry, holding her firmly as the limo sped further into the dark night.

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

Natalie's sobs had quieted, but she remained, ostrich-like, huddled for comfort against Michael's shoulder. Somehow, she thought, if she didn't have to open her eyes and face cold reality, it would go away. And she felt so safe there, enveloped in the powerful muscular embrace of the Prince...

"Natalie?" said Michael into her hair.

She sat up slowly and wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath, gathering the shreds of her composure. "Yes?"

"We're here," he told her. She peered out of the window of the limo, realizing it had stopped in front of her condo.

"O.K.," she said, gathering herself to exit the vehicle. Michael stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Stay right beside me at all times. Do not walk ahead, do not lag behind," He instructed. "Understand?"

The scientist nodded. "Got it."

"One more thing." His green eyes bored into hers. "You do exactly as I tell you. You follow my orders immediately and without question, as if your life depended upon it..."

He gripped her arm for emphasis. "Because it does..."

Natalie gulped. "Yes, Michael," she said meekly.

He smiled. "Good. Let's go."

Michael helped her out of the limo and arm in arm they started up the short pathway to Natalie's door. After a few steps she realized Nikita was not behind them. She turned to look back at the limo. "Michael?"

He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her further along the sidewalk. "Nikita will keep watch from outside," he whispered. "I'll go in with you..."

"Oh!" she said, startled.

"Remember, we are still maintaining the cover of my being your old lover. They are probably watching...."

"Yeah, O.K." Natalie whispered back. Despite her fear, his words awakened the primal part of her brain again, her body responding despite the stern protests of her intellect.

Michael nuzzled her neck and pulled her closer. When they reached the doorway he stopped and took her face in his hands, caressing her with his thumbs on her temples.

He started kissing her lightly on the cheeks, and then her neck. With a voice hoarse with need, he groaned and said, "Please, my Love. I .... want you. Will you invite me to stay with you tonight?"

He looked into her eyes. Natalie clutched at him to support herself, utterly overwhelmed and speechless. She was breathless, and totally beyond words.

Michael, realizing her dilemna, came to her rescue once again.

"Kiss me," he ordered.

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

Natalie obeyed. This time the kiss was not slow and gentle like before, but hungry and frenzied. His mouth was hard and penetrating, his lips no longer soft but firm and insistent on hers.

This time she dared to do what she had neglected to do before. Her fingers tangled in the silky mane, destroying the facade of its control even as he had destroyed all semblance of hers. She moaned, abandoning herself to the kiss and willingly surrendering herself to whatever passionate delights that might follow in its wake.

He broke the kiss to pant out one anguished word. "Say yes," he begged breathlessly. It was a plea and at the same time another order.

This time her voice was able to express what her body already had. "Yes!" she cried. Then, more softly, "Yes, my Love, stay with me..."

He groaned and turned her in his arms. She found herself with her back pressed up against her front door and Michael's hands roaming over her. Part of her realized what he was after when his palm glided over her hip and rested on the small black evening bag that she held against her side.

She managed to open it and extract the key, in spite of the devastation Michael's kisses were wreaking on her concentration. She shoved the key in his hand and he turned it in the lock. Still clutching each other, they tumbled through the doorway.

In a moment, Natalie found herself inside her apartment, her back against the door again, this time on the other side of it.

She reached for him again, but he stepped back just out of range.

"That was good," he said, in a voice not unlike that of an approving school teacher.

He looked around the condo. "How many exits?" he demanded.

Natalie knew he was doing his job, but the effect of his words were as if he had slapped her.

It's not real, Stupid, she told herself. Remember, it's all pure fantasy. All of it.

She was proud of herself when she managed to answer without her voice breaking. "The back door in the kitchen, and the French doors in the living room," she said levelly.

He nodded. She started to move past him to flee to the sanctuary of her bedroom, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"I...I want to change...."

"No." His hand stayed on her arm, holding her still. He surveyed the apartment again, his eyes sweeping keenly over the large living room from one end of it to the other. He brought his gaze back to Natalie.

"He's probably still watching. The blinds are open on the window; he can see us..."

She nodded. "What are we going to do?"

Michael gazed softly into her eyes. "Make love," he said.

***********

Natalie gulped and staggered back against the door, grateful for its support. She was sure that without it, she would have fallen, her knees buckling under her as her mind registered the full meaning of his words.

Michael stood just a few feet from her, close enough for her to reach out and touch him. But her hands stayed at her sides, pressed back against the door. And he, in turn, made no move to reach across the distance to touch back.

There was no need. His eyes locked with hers were burning her like a hot caress, and she felt like she could no longer get her breath.

She watched in fascination as he released the collar of the white dress shirt, pulling it free from his long neck. Next he shrugged free of the tuxedo jacket and tossed it aside.

Her mouth gaped open and she panted a little as he began to undo the buttons.

Suddenly she found her ability to move and speak returning to her, and she stepped forward, reaching for him. Her hands fumbled with the tiny buttons.

"Let me help you with that," she said softly.

Michael was silent, but dropped his hands to his sides, letting her do what she wanted. Eagerly, she took over the task for him.

As each stubborn, tiny shirt-button came open under her trembling fingers, she stared, mesmerized by what was revealed underneath. He wore no under-shirt, and her fingers brushed against warm male skin, hard and smooth under her touch.

She sighed. She couldn't resist trailing her hands down his muscular warmth, exploring the hard chest and the beautifully ridged muscles of his abdomen. Her fingers still trembled on his skin.

Michael pulled her into his arms once again. Natalie found herself with her face pressed close to the hard chest. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh masculine scent of him, a combination of his cologne and fragrant bare skin.

He nuzzled her hair and then kissed her softly on the temple. "This way," he murmured in her ear, urging her further into the apartment.

Natalie groaned, thinking he meant to lead her down the hall to her bedroom. But when she looked up from the embrace, she saw that he was headed in the opposite direction, toward the living room.

"Michael?"

"Shhhh..." He kissed her softly again on her cheek. With his arm around her waist, he pulled her further into the living room.

"I want to check something..." he whispered.

"What?"

He kissed her again. "The view from the window. To see if he's still out there...."

Goosebumps rose on her skin, rippling all the way down her back. At the same time, her body continued its insistent demands, clamoring for more of Michael. Cold fear and hot passion warred within her. She felt confused, split in two.

They reached the window, and Michael turned her away from it so that she was facing into the room. Holding her close, he peered through the open blinds into the night outside.

She was enclosed in his embrace, her hands both pressed against his firm, taut stomach. Continuing to sureptitiously scan the area outside, Michael began exploring her bare shoulders, his hands caressing the creamy skin.

His fingers trailed across her collar bone and downward. He brushed his hands lightly across the top of her soft, full breasts where they were revealed by her low-cut gown.

She held her breath as he explored further. His searching fingers encountered the top edge of her dress and slipped underneath.

She gasped, his touch igniting her. Her hands came up of their own accord and once more tangled in the silky hair, pulling his head down for another kiss.

Michael pulled her closer and obliged her with another sweet devasting plundering of her mouth....

Suddenly, the night exploded behind them.

First came the sharp crack of a gunshot and then, a split second later, the window shattered deafeningly, spraying them with bits of glass.

Before Natalie had time to move or scream, Michael reacted.

He threw her to the floor and lay down on top of her, and covering her body with his. Her face pressed to the carpet, she felt his weight all along her back, shielding her.

She finally found the breath to scream. She shuddered and tried to lift her head up.

Michael pushed her face to the carpet again. "Stay down," he ordered harshly.

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

The room was quiet again, the only sound to be heard was Natalie's ragged breathing. But the silence lasted only a moment more.

Two more bullets whizzed past them, shattering pictures on the far wall. Natalie jumped, flinching underneath him.

Then the night was quiet yet again.

"The kitchen. Now." His voice came in her ear. His weight lifted off of her and he pulled her to her feet.

"Stay low," he warned her.

Natalie looked at him. "Michael, you're bleeding!"

Blood flowed from several small cuts on Michael's face and chest where the flying glass had nicked him.

He ignored both the blood and her concern, concentrating on the job at hand. "Come. We'll leave out the back door."

She nodded mutely and let him lead her out of the living room and back into the hallway.

The corridor split in two directions several feet deeper into the apartment; the kitchen was off to the right.

At the junction, Natalie pulled him in the opposite direction from the back door.

"What are you doing?" he hissed urgently. "This way..."

"No!" she panted. "I have to get something first.."

Michael shook his head. "There's no time. Besides, the safehouse will have everything you need..."

"No, please..." Natalie struggled futilely to free herself from his grip on her arm. He held her firmly; she knew there was no possibility of escape.

Little gasps of desperation were catching in her throat. "Michael, please," she sobbed. "My work..."

"What?"

She spoke rapidly, the words tumbling out. "The lab contains only partial notes on the antidote. I keep the complete records of all my research here, on a disk...."

Michael nodded, understanding. He released her hand and she raced down the hallway in front of him, entering a room off to the right.

Michael followed, reaching the doorway just seconds behind her. She was in a small bedroom that had been converted to an office. A computer dominated the top of the small desk in the center of the carpet.

Natalie rushed to a bookcase behind the desk, frantically pulling down a flip-file of CD's, labeled neatly in their jewel-cases.

Panting, she shuffled through them, finding the one she wanted near the back. She held it up to him. "Got it!" she cried.

Michael jerked his head toward the doorway. "Let's go."

Less than a minute later, they had reached the kitchen and their goal of the back door.

Michael motioned her to stay down, and they both crouched by the door. Michael opened it a crack and looked out.

He turned back to Natalie. "It's clear," he told her. "When our back-up team shows up, we go."

She nodded. Natalie looked at him. His once controlled hair was now wild, and his formerly pristine dress shirt hung open and was splattered with blood.

He was magnificent. Her strong Protector, her guardian Prince.

"Don't ever do that again," she said softly.

"What?" he asked.

"Risk your life for me." Her voice trembled. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you..."

She reached forward and caressed his cheek gently, tenderness in her eyes.

"Natalie," he chided her. "You are the important one. I'm just the bodyguard..."

"No!" she argued. "That's not true. I'm not important.."

"Natalie..."

She held up the disk. "THIS is. My work..."

She shoved it into his hand. "Here, take it. I know it will be safe with you. If anything happens to me, my work won't be lost..."

Michael said nothing, just looked at her with glittering eyes full of admiration. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

They heard the sound of tires on pavement and the low, deep rumble of an engine. The back-up team had arrived.

"Let's go," he said, pulling her through the doorway. Hand in hand, they rushed out into the night.

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

The ominous dark gray van was parked on the side street, just a few yards from Natalie's back door. The light from the interior spilled out onto the concrete, providing them a beacon. The flew out of the kitchen, racing for it.

The long skirt of Natalie's dress hampered her movements, and Michael had to help her up the high step and into the van. Seconds later, he followed her, slamming the door closed behind them.

She was safe.

"Sit down," Michael ordered.

She sat, blinking a little in the bright light inside.

Michael stayed standing just inside the van doorway. He rapped on the wall to signal the driver to take off. "Go," he ordered.

Natalie looked around, letting her eyes adjust to the glare. Besides Michael and herself, there were two other occupants in the vehicle. One was an attractive young man with short dark hair and glasses, sitting in front of a computer. The other was Nikita.

She still wore the same elegant gown as before, and looked just as beautiful. The only difference in her appearance was that she had a high-powered rifle slung over her shoulder.

The blonde glanced at Natalie briefly, then looked at Michael. She gasped when she saw the blood covering him. "Michael! Are you hit? Should I call for Medical?"

"No, it's fine," Michael told her, shaking his head. "Some glass hit me when you shot out the window...."

Natalie sat stunned, stricken with a sudden foreboding. What was going on? "Michael?"

Before he could answer her, a panel on the wall came to life and the querulous male voice reverberated through the van. "Michael, are you there?"

Michael pushed a button on the panel and answered. "Yes."

"Is the disk secured?" demanded Operations. "And the Doctor?"

"Yes," he responded again. "Everything went as planned."

Natalie paled and let out a gasp. She sat frozen, staring at him.

"Good," came Operations' voice again. "Give Birkoff the disk. Tell him to download it immediately."

"Of course."

Michael removed the jewel case with its precious contents from his pocket and handed it to Birkoff.

The younger man laughed as he read outloud the neatly typed label. "Family Photos. My trip to Idaho. Aunt Edna's funeral. Cousin Jenny's baby shower...."

He looked up at Natalie, grinning. "Clever!" He said, nodding his approval. "No wonder we couldn't find it when we looked the first time..."

The spell that had held Natalie speechless and frozen in her seat was broken then, and she found herself able to move again, to breathe.

She leapt up, lunging for the priceless treasure in Birkoff's hand. "No!" she screamed. "Don't touch it!"

Before she could reach Birkoff, Nikita grabbed her by the arms from behind and thrust her back in her seat.

Natalie struggled, vainly, no match for Nikita's firm grip.

"What are you doing? What do you want?" she cried out, anguished.

She had been duped and betrayed. Natalie was angry with Michael and Nikita for tricking her. But even more painful than the anger and hurt was the overwhelming shame she felt at her own stupidity. The thought of it burned a deep hole of humiliation inside her.

Nikita, still holding her down, tried to calm her. "Shhh, it'll be all right," she soothed. "Trust me. We're not going to hurt you..."

Defeated, the scientist stopped struggling and Nikita released her.

Natalie sobbed, turning her head away.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up. Michael stood before her, vast regret in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said.

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

Several hours later, Madeleine smiled as Natalie entered her office.

"Dr. Zerner! Please, come in."

Natalie descended the two steps down into the room, the guard who had escorted her there just behind her. Madeleine dismissed him with a nod. The door swooshed closed behind him, leaving Natalie alone with Madeleine.

Natalie halted at the bottom of the steps, looking around the office. Though spacious, the windowless room made her feel claustrophobic.

"Please sit down," invited Madeleine, indicating a chair in front of her desk.

Sullenly, Natalie sat. She was dressed now in jeans and a thick sweater, but the room felt cold to her. Maybe it was just her fear. She wrapped her arms around herself and sat back in the chair as far as she could.

"Would you care for some tea?" offered Madeleine, lifting the pot from the tray on her desk.

Natalie stared at her, scowling, and said nothing.

Unoffended, Madeleine poured herself a cup of tea and sat back in her chair.

"I hope your quarters are to your liking. We want you to be comfortable during your stay with us...."

Who are you? What do you want?" the prisoner burst out.

Madeleine set down her tea cup. "To answer your first question, it's best that you do not have that information. I can tell you, however, that Nikita didn't exactly lie to you about who she works for...."

"The government?" asked Natalie.

"Yes," smiled Madeleine. "Only we are a ...... section of it that functions with more autonomy and efficiency. Less red tape, if you will..."

Natalie blinked, confused. She didn't try to understand. "And my second question?"

"What do we want?" Madeleine smiled again. "We want the same thing you do, Dr. Zerner.."

The scientist frowned. "You want to find a cure for AIDS?"

"We want to save lives," Madeleine amended.

She paused and picked up her tea cup again. "Have you ever seen anyone die from the effects of biological weapons?" she asked. "It's as ugly as AIDS, but the diseases progress much more quickly. Whole populations can be wiped out in a matter of days..."

Natalie frowned. "I thought those kinds of weapons were banned?"

"On paper, yes. But terrorists don't care about treaties," the other woman explained. "We actually know where most of these weapons are stockpiled, in pockets all over the world."

Madeleine leaned forward toward Natalie. "We need your help to elinimate this threat for good. Your work will let us do that..."

Natalie's eyes widened.

"You'll be given anything you need," Madeleine went on. "We have much greater resources than the small research lab you are currently working in. Your work will be given top priority."

"I'm sure you'll make faster progress here with us than you could have on the outside," Madeleine assured her. "Here you will not be distracted by reporters or public duties...."

"But what is happening on the outside?" asked Natalie. "What do the people in my lab think happened to me?"

"They got a message from you saying that you received a death threat and that you have decided to go underground with your lover at a location you prefer to keep hidden. They were also told that you would report back periodically, letting them know how you're progressing on the antidote."

Natalie leaned forward eagerly. "Will you let me do that? And if I find the cure, you'll let it be given to the world?"

Madeleine smiled. "Yes, of course."

Natalie relaxed visibly in her chair. Her work would not be destroyed, after all. The cure might even come sooner, hastened along by the enthusiastic, but ruthless, manipulations of Madeleine's mysterious government agency.

Natalie sighed. "If you don't mind, I'd like that cup of tea now."

"Good." Madeleine poured her a cup and Natalie sipped it gratefully.

"You should know that when your task here is completed, you'll be released, unharmed. You're very valuable to us. There is a possiblity we might call on you again in the future..."

Natalie was silent, staring into her tea cup. She was disturbed by the idea that once captured by them, she would never be truly free again.

"Do you have any other questions?" asked Madeleine.

Natalie bit her lip. She had dozens of questions, but the one she wanted to ask was nebulous, ungraspable. She was unsure how to phrase it, how to articulate what she needed to know. She hadn't been able to sort out all of her thoughts and emotions just yet.

"Who.... is Michael?" she finally asked.

Was he the hero -Prince? Was he the deceiver-liar? Or maybe both? She had to know.

"That's a very good question." Madeleine laughed. "Do you want Michael?"

Natalie looked up, shocked. "Want... him?"

"It can be arranged," said Madeleine confidently. "He's yours if you care to have him.."

Stunned, Natalie could only stammer incoherently. "Uhh... I.. no...."

"Very well," said Madeleine matter-of-factly. "Just let me know if you do."

She smiled pleasantly. "Anything else you need, just ask."

Madeleine pressed a button on her desk and called for Natalie's guard. The door to the office opened and the operative stepped back in.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Show Dr. Zerner where she'll be working," she ordered.

Madeleine smiled at Natalie again.

"Welcome to your new home," she said.

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

Unexpectedly, Natalie had little trouble settling in to her new life in Section. At least at first. The days went by quickly, most of her time spent in the new lab that was being set up for her.

She had people under her, assigned to assist her in her work. In the lab, at least, she had some semblance of being in control. But she knew it was an illusion. She was a prisoner.

The Section guard trailed her everywhere she went. The young man was silent and unobtrusive, and after a while Natalie began to forget he was there. He was nothing like Michael, mused the scientist. Michael would be a definite distraction, one that she could never ignore...

She tried not to think of Michael. She hadn't seen him since she was brought in. But she knew he was here, nearby. Sometimes her lab assistants spoke of him. Often they paired his name with Nikita's, and Natalie knew instinctively that those two had a powerful connection.

Thinking back on it, Natalie chided herself for not seeing that connection from the first. She had been too blinded by the prospect of being with Michael, too dazzled by his charm, to see through the charade.

The two operatives had worked so well together, putting together a seamless facade of lies that she had fallen for.

Or maybe it was just Michael she had fallen for. Whatever the reason, her gullibility had landed her here in Section One. What a fool she had been, thinking a man like him could possibly be interested in her as a woman....

Who cares what he thinks? Natalie thought to herself. He's a lying S.O.B....

She shouldn't think of him, but she did. Actually, her agonized thoughts over Michael gave her some relief from thinking about her situation in Section.

The sense of being buried alive increased as the weeks went on. Only in the lab could she pretend that things were normal. Once outside it, her captivity could not be ignored.

She was not permitted to go anywhere but from her quarters to the lab. Of the two, her quarters made her feel more claustrophobic. It was probably because it lacked the distraction of work.

She was afraid. Madeleine had offered to give her anything she asked for, but she couldn't ask for what she really needed-her life back.

Sleep was becoming difficult, and what sleep she had was disturbed by dreams. Sometimes she gave up trying to rest and asked the guard to escort her back to the lab to work through the night.

The days began to blur together; they were all the same. She was miserable.

One morning Natalie had been in the lab less than an hour when the guard appeared to escort her to Madeleine's office.

Like before, the room gave Natalie the creeps. She felt cornered, trapped.

"Sit down," said Madeleine.

Natalie sat, noting Madeleine's stern expression. There was no smile this time.

"Did something happen?" Natalie wondered if some of the banned weapons had been used. Madeleine looked very displeased about something.

"No, not how you mean. The outside status parameters haven't changed. The problem we are having is an internal one."

"I don't understand."

Madeleine stared at her. "Our problem is you."

Natalie gasped. She was terrified. Were they going to kill her? She had done everything they had asked. They had her life's work and her life as well. What more did they want?

"Please, I'll work harder..."

Madeleine shook her head. "No, that's exactly the problem. You don't rest..."

"What?" the scientist squeaked out.

"We forsee having need of your services for a long time, and you are burning out on us. This cannot be allowed to continue. You are too valuable to us."

Madeleine paused. "I thought I made it clear that you could have anything you wanted in the way of relaxation or.... entertainment...."

Natalie stared at the floor, unsure what to say. "I'm not certain what you mean by entertainment..."

"Anything you want. Skiing in the Alps. A weekend in Paris. A cruise in the Carribean...."

"Oh!" said Natalie, startled.

Madeleine smiled. "We want you to refresh yourself. Choose something you would love to do. It can be as simple or as ... exotic as you wish...."

Natalie nodded, too stunned to speak.

"I want you to think about it. I'll expect your answer by the end of the day," ordered Madeleine.

She signalled the guard to come in.

Natalie stood, relieved to be leaving the office and getting back to the lab. "All right. I'll think about it. I'll go back to work now..."

Madeleine shook her head. "No. You're not going back to work today. The guard will take you to see someone who can help you make a decision on how you want to .... relax...."

Natalie froze. "Who?"

Madeleine smiled. "Michael," she said.

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

Natalie's stomach knotted in ever tighter loops with each level the elevator ascended. By the time she and her guard arrived on the correct floor, Natalie was almost sick with nervousness.

He led her through a labyrinth of gray corridors. She didn't recognize anything or anyone until they passed a bank of computers with all the monitors lit up and scrolling. In the midst of all this technology was the young man in glasses from the van, frenziedly moving from one keyboard to another.

He did not look up at her, and he was out of sight when she and her guard turned a corner and entered yet another gray hallway. A short distance down the corridor, the guard halted in front of a door. He knocked sharply and then opened the door for her.

"In here," he said.

Gulping nervously, Natalie took a timid step inside. The guard pulled the door shut behind her.

She found herself in an office, and behind the desk sat Michael. He stood up as soon as she entered and gestured to a chair.

"Please, sit down," he said politely.

She had the urge to try and open the door and run, but instead she obeyed him and took a seat in front of the desk.

She looked at him then. He was as beautiful as before. There was no tuxedo this time, but the black clothes he wore were just as striking. The long hair was again combed and controlled, and the soft mouth just as compelling.

He moved with the same lithe grace that she remembered as he took his seat again, this time on the edge of the desk. He was a panther, sleek and dangerous, and she had been thrown into his cage.

"How are you?" he asked softly.

Words popped into her head. Intimidated. Embarrassed. Afraid. Angry. And with him sitting so close, turned on. She used none of these answers.

She coughed, and said timidly, "I'm fine."

He nodded at her, then leaned over his desk and punched in a code on a keypad that protruded from a slot in the desk.

"All right," he told her. "It's safe to talk now."

"What did you just do?" Natalie asked, confused.

"Deactivated the surveillance."

"Surveillance? They watch you?"

"They watch everyone."

"Oh..." she gasped. Could it get any more humiliating? They probably knew she had cried herself to sleep several nights, calling his name...

Michael rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I can only disable it for short periods of time. I need to talk to you about the trip you've been offered. To warn you."

"Warn me?" said Natalie, suspicious. "Is this another trick? Why should I believe anything you say?"

Michael's lustrous green eyes met hers. "You're right. You have little reason to trust me. I was under orders to deceive you and bring you in.."

He sighed. "But now I hope you will believe that what I tell you is the truth. Natalie, I..... respect you. It was never my intention to hurt you..."

She broke the gaze and stared at the floor, saying nothing.

Michael went on. "Life here can get.... complicated. And dangerous. They set traps for you...."

She looked up. "And this trip is one of them?"

"Yes," he answered. "They're testing you."

"Testing me how?"

"They're testing you by offering you a chance for freedom."

He put his hand on her arm and looked intently into her eyes. "If you're thinking about running, DON'T. They'll find you."

Natalie shook her head. "That's crazy, Michael! How can I run when my work is here? Without the disk, it would take me months to put things together again, set up a new lab somewhere else....."

"You could run if you had another copy of the disk hidden away somewhere," he said quietly. He waited tensely for her response.

"Are you asking me if I do?" she said, somewhat astonished.

"Yes."

"Well, I don't," she said, seeing no reason to lie. "The one I gave to you was the only copy."

Michael nodded. "They don't know that for certain. They're tempting you with the chance to escape and retrieve it..."

He sat back further on the desk. "If the disk fell in the wrong hands it would be disastrous. They want to make sure they have total control over your research and that there are no.... loose ends."

"I see," said Natalie. The plan seemed somewhat paranoid to her, and twisted, but .... thourough. It was deviant enough to ring true. She decided to take his warning seriously.

"So, what do I do?" she asked, trusting him.

"Make them feel secure in the belief that you have no desire to leave." He paused. "Let them think you have... attachments here..."

Natalie exhaled a breath slowly. "You mean, make them think I have an attachment.... to you."

"Yes. Ask for me to go with you. It's the safest thing to do...."

Natalie stared at him, wondering. Was he back, her strong Prince? She thought it might be true. Michael was protecting her again, being her bodyguard once more...

"Natalie," he urged. "Please go along with this. Tell them you want to be with me...."

Her treacherous body awoke at his words, clamoring for those words to become reality. Time alone in some romantic setting was just what she had dreamed of. Her body was very sure about Michael. But her mind and her heart still had doubts.

"But what about you?" she asked in a whisper. "Is that what you.... want?"

He thought about telling her that it didn't matter what he wanted. Section never considered his desires or feelings to be important, and he had been in Section so long that he regarded them as unimportant as well.

Now he asked himself, did he want to be with Natalie? He answered his own question and hers truthfully, with total honesty.

"Yes. That's what I want," he said, realizing it was true.

He lifted one hand to caress her cheek. Almost to himself, he told her why. "I ...like you. I want to protect you. And I enjoyed holding you, kissing you....."

Natalie's breath caught in her throat. The way Michael was looking at her made her feel almost faint. The breathless pause before his lips came down on hers seemed to last forever, but then her agony was over. She was lost in the sweet, slow, tender devastation of his kiss.

At last he lifted his mouth from hers. "So, you agree to go with me?" he said, laughing a little against her cheek.

"Yes!" she laughed in return. "I hope you don't mind, but a ski trip is out. I'm not athletic and I despise cold weather..."

He smiled and kissed her hand. The green eyes that looked into hers held smoldering promises.

"Good," he said in a low sensuous voice. "Then we'll have to do something... hot... together....."

Natalie closed her eyes. Oh, Jesus, she thought again.

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

Three days later Natalie leaned over the balcony railing admiring the view at the luxurious and private beach house. Besides the waves crashing soothingly on the smooth white sand, the only sounds were the cry of gulls and the softer hum of the breeze. Natalie could hardly believe she was here.

She brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and looked with appreciation at the subtle blend of jewel-like colors below her, the ocean changing from sparkling green to misty gray to light blue. Almost like Michael's eyes, she thought.

The sliding glass door behind her opened and the owner of those magic eyes joined her on the deck. He came to stand next to her by the railing. The breeze was playing with his hair as well, tousling the thick waves about his face, the humidity making it curl riotously.

They had only arrived a short time before. Michael had changed from his black suit to shorts and a t-shirt. The latter was a beautiful shade of sea-green which matched the ocean behind him as well as his eyes. He was barefoot.

She turned to him, no longer looking at the view, but at him. "It's beautiful here, Michael," she said.

"And private," he replied, smiling. "I checked it out. There's no surveillance."

He put his arm around her shoulders and leaned against the railing, looking out at the sea. They stood in a companionable silence for several minutes, breathing in the fresh, sweet-smelling air.

Then Michael pulled her closer, intent on kissing her.

It took all her strength of will, but Natalie jumped away from him, taking several steps back. "No, Michael, don't..."

"What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed.

"Nothing, I....." She lowered her eyes, staring at the floor.

A very small smile played over his lips. "It's O.K. There's plenty of time," he reassured her. "I won't push. We'll take it slow..."

"What if..." she stammered, still not looking at him. "What if I don't want you to take it anywhere at all?"

Michael's smile faded. "Have I offended you in some way?" he asked.

Natalie shook her head. "No, that's not it..."

"Then what is it?"

She looked up at him then. "You don't have to do this, Michael..."

She took a deep breath for courage, and the words tumbled out in a rush.

"This beach house has three bedrooms. You can stay in one of the others if you want. Come and go as you please. I won't ask ....anything of you. You can enjoy this vacation anyway you want..."

"I don't understand," Michael said in a low voice. "Why are you telling me this? Why are you rejecting me?"

Natalie sighed. "I'm not rejecting you, Michael. I want you to be free to have choices, too."

Shyly, she put her hand on his arm. "I'm trying to show you ... that I respect you...." she said, her eyes pleading earnestly with him for understanding.

Michael was touched. Rarely did he encounter a situation where his wishes were considered important. To Section, his feelings were entirely irrelevant. He was there to obey orders, not have needs or desires or feelings. Seldom did he encounter anyone who put his feelings or needs above their own. Michael was not used to being put first by anyone.

The only exception to this was Nikita. Except for those many instances Nikita had broken the rules to save him, and those precious rare opportunities he had had to be with her intimately, Michael was not used to being.. loved? he wondered.

Was that what Nikita felt for him? Was that what Natalie felt for him as well?

"Natalie, my sweet.."Michael reached out and gently caressed the hair at the back of her neck, smoothing it away from the tender spot at the junction of her neck and shoulder, kissing her lightly there. She shivered.

"Do you want me?" he demanded, his breath on her tender skin.

Natalie closed her eyes and sighed. Breathlessly, she said, "Yes. I want you. Very much..."

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

Michael's arms came up to encircle her waist, pulling her against him so that they both stood facing out to sea.

She sighed again, and leaned back against him, enjoying the warm length of his body pressed against hers. He went on nuzzling his face into the tender spot at her neck.

Softly he whispered in her ear. "Then, Natalie, if it's all right with you, I want you to show me how much you respect me by ..." His voice dropped lower, and his tongue swirled around her earlobe, sending shivers down her back.

"By letting me make love to you..." he finished. Then he lowered his mouth to take hers in a searing kiss.

Natalie moaned and arched her back against his chest, tilting her head and standing on tiptoe, wanting to increase the contact of his lips on hers. Her arms came up almost by themselves to pull his head down, her fingers tangling in his wind-tousled hair.

He had opened himself to her even as she surrendered to him, tongues exploring at first shyly, and then more urgently. He tasted of all the dreams and fantasies she ever had. She wanted to devour him, savor him, enjoy all the delightful promises his kiss was now offering.

Moaning, Natalie squirmed and writhed against him, her buttocks pressed tight against his hips. She felt Michael's passion stir, his hard manhood growing until she could feel the entire firm length of it throbbing against her soft flesh.

Both were panting now, the kiss broken by mutual groans. Natalie's knees weakened under her, and she staggered back against him. Michael supported her, holding her closer. The hands at her waist he dared to move higher, bringing them up to cup her breasts in his palms.

"Ohhhh..." Natalie threw her head back, thrusting her breasts up to be caressed by his eager fingers. He found and rubbed the already hard peaks of her nipples, making small circles, pinching lightly, teasing her. And no matter how she twisted and squirmed agianst him, he never allowed his hands to leave the sensitive points he was pleasuring...

Natalie was lost in the magic world of the sensations he was creating. Her senses were overloading with the sound of his ragged breathing in her ear, his hardness against her and his insistent caresses, all sending fire to a deep place within her.

As if in answer to her raging need, Michael lowered one hand from her breast to trail slowly down her body, passing over her waist and down her belly, and lower...

Natalie whimpered, arching herself against his hand, needing him to end her torment. Michael could feel her quivering.

He moaned deep in his throat, and while one hand still teased and tortured her sensitive nipple, the other finally began stroking and caressing the other senitive bud between her legs. Natalie gasped.

At the same time that his hand reached her womanhood, Michael kissed her again on the same sensitive spot on her neck, nibbling and biting her. This last caress was too much. It was the final push that sent her hurtling over the edge of ecstasy.

She came, shuddering helplessly and violently against him, soft cries torn from her throat. Michael supported her as she sagged limply against him, still caressing her gently and sighing with her, dropping little kisses on her neck until she came down from the heights of pleasure.

As reality returned, Natalie flushed with embarrassment as well as passion. She turned and buried her face in Michael's shoulder. "I'm sorry..." she whispered.

Michael gave a little laugh and pulled her closer, letting her feel his unabated hardness jutting against her as his hips pressed tightly against hers. "Don't be sorry," he whispered sensuously. "That was very .... exciting..."

"It was?" she said, still not lifting her head up from his shoulder.

He began kissing her neck again. "Oui," he said, his breathing still ragged. "If you can be that passionate and.... responsive... to my touch standing up with all your clothes on, I can't wait to see how you respond to me when I get you in the bedroom..."

She relaxed in his arms and lifted her head. She bit her lip and then said shyly, "I guess I got carried away, huh?"

He grinned evily at her. "No, you haven't been carried away.... yet...."

With sudden ease, he lifted her off her feet and into his arms. Natalie squealed and then began to laugh in delight. "Michael!" she protested half-heartedly.

Michael's mouth came down firmly on hers, stopping any further argument as he carried her through the patio doors and toward the bedroom.

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

In the bedroom, Michael gently deposited Natalie on the bed and then stood up, quickly removing his t-shirt and shorts to stand naked before her.

Natalie watched in admiration as first the sculpted chest was revealed to her and then the firm, muscular legs, his manhood rising proudly between them.

He was too far away. She held out her arms to him, and he joined her on the bed. Kneeling next to her, he began rubbing her breasts again through the soft material of her blouse. He helped her pull it over her head to reveal the lacy bra beneath.

"Very pretty," he commented about her undergarment, his eyes roving hungrily over her. "Take it off."

Natalie's hands were shaking and she fumbled with the clasp in front. Michael kissed her and helped her remove it. It joined the pile of clothes on the floor, followed swiftly by her shorts and panties.

Michael stretched out on top of her, Natalie sighing as his warm weight settled on her. He kissed her again, then raised up a little to look at her, his eyes gleaming.

Natalie kissed his neck in the same spot he had kissed hers. Moaning a little, she ran her hand down his hard chest and across his abdomen, reaching for him.

"Michael," she whispered urgently. "Please. Come here..." she begged.

Michael laughed and, before she could touch further, grabbed both her wrists, pinning her to the bed.

"No, not yet," he panted in her ear. "I haven't had the chance to kiss you yet..."

Natalie groaned in protest. "But you HAVE kissed me, Michael..." she complained, struggling to sit up.

Green eyes smoldered into hers, and her breath caught in her throat at the way he was looking at her. She held perfectly still.

"I haven't kissed you.... everywhere..." he said.

She collapsed back on the bed, moaning loudly. "Ohhh, God.... Michael...."

He laughed and bent his head to her breasts, licking his way across the creamy top of one, then nipping the soft underside of the other.

She groaned again, arching her back, wanting more. He obliged her by flicking his tongue higher until his lips encountered one pink, erect nipple. He suckled it, pulling gently.

Natalie squirmed and twisted beneath him. Panting, she arched her back again. He kissed his way over to the other neglected peak and took it in his mouth, swirling his tongue around her sensitive achingly taut point.

Michael was panting as well, soft moans of enjoyment escaped him as he pleasured her. "Mmmmm, you taste good....."

Natalie squirmed and bucked her hips against him. "Please, Michael. Now...."

"No, not yet..."

He released her hands and slid lower down her body. His hands on her hips, he pressed his face to her belly. His mouth found her navel and licked, his tongue swirling around the outside rim and then probing inside.

She gasped, shivers of anticpation coursing through her. "Ohh, yess, Michael, yes..." she cried out. She closed her eyes and sighed in complete surrender, waiting for the delicious, talented mouth to go lower....

It did, but much further than she was expecting. She felt Michael licking her ankle.

Her eyes flew open and she lifted her head up, her gaze meeting his guileless green one.

"Michael, please..." she groaned. "You're cruel..."

He laughed and nibbled higher, his teeth nipping lightly at her calf.

"Be patient," he teased.

***********

He moved higher still, pulling her legs a little further apart and lifting them up to gain access to the back of her knees. He kissed first one tender leg then the other, taking his time, his tongue tracing little circles on her sensitive skin.

Natalie lay back and closed her eyes, the tension building even further in her with Michael's every touch. He could feel her tremble beneath his hands. The room was quiet except for Natalie's soft moans and Michael's ragged breathing.

He began to caress the inside of her thighs lightly, again making small circles and lazy trails over her skin, his finger-nails scratching delicately.

She whimpered, arching her head back and writhing. "Please, Michael..."

His mouth replaced his hands on her thighs, biting her gently on the soft insides, his tongue flicking closer to the center of her passionate need.

"Ohhh...." Natalie was panting rapidly now, her whole body tensed, her hands clutching the coverlet, the knuckles almost white.

Finally, taking pity on her for the torment he had created, Michael bent his head to taste her. His breath hit the sensitive mound already pulsing with need.

His tongue traced the length of her opening and then darted inside, gentle but insistent. His hands cupped her buttocks and pulled her closer. His tongue went deeper until it hit the small nub of pleasure inside....

She cried out, bucking her hips against him, her whole body jerking and trembling as she climaxed again. Michael kept kissing her until she quieted. When her tremors ceased, he moved up on the bed to embrace her, raining little kisses on her shoulders.

Still panting, she clutched him to her, pulling his face down to kiss him, tasting herself on his lips.

She felt his unfulfilled need pressed hard against her hip. "Michael," she whispered.

"Oui?"

"Come here....."

With a groan he kissed her once more, then shifted his position slightly betwen her legs to enter her. Slowly, carefully, he guided himself in.

She gasped. By the time he had eased himself with small pushes, rocking back and forth, all the way into her softness, she was moaning and writhing beneath him.

Michael groaned, enjoying the sensation of her body around his, of her breasts crushed against him, the sound of her soft sighs and the feel of her hands on his back. She felt wonderful.

He closed his eyes and obediently followed his orders to please her, pleasing himself as well.

Soon his thrusts were no longer slow and gentle, but strong, fast and unrelenting. He felt his own powerful explosion building.

"Yes..." he sighed into her ear. "You feel so good... Natalie, ma belle..."

He moaned loudly. "So.... beautiful... ohh... yess... ohhh... God...."

Words left him, lost in the feel of his immersion in the passionate woman beneath him.

Natalie was tensed and twisting under him, her eyes closed, her head thrown back, small incoherent cries coming from the back of her throat. Michael knew she was close yet again. He decided to push them both over the edge.

Thrusting deeply, he groaned against her neck and bit the tender spot there that had triggered her before.

"Come for me," he commanded.

Almost before the words were complete, she stiffened and shuddered violently in his arms, lost in the undertow of passion as waves of ecstacy crashed over her.

The waves crashed over him too, the ripples from the wake of her orgasm snaring him in the undertow, pulling him into the depths of passion with her....

A moment later, with a loud cry, Michael climaxed as well.

They held each other, merged bodies quivering together. Slowly, they drifted down from the heights into the langorous territory known to all lovers, into the afterglow where they basked in the warmth of total satisfaction, sated and replete with love-making, needing nothing more.

Michael stirred and lifted his head from her shoulder.

"No, don't go," she pleaded, not wanting this cherished moment to end.

Green eyes glittered into hers. He smiled. "I'm not going anywhere...."

He bent his head and kissed each pink-tipped breast in turn, then settled against her again, nestling his head between the soft mounds.

"Mmmmm..." he sighed. "My beautiful, wanton Natalie....."

Still encased in her softness, Michael slept.

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

As Michael slept on, his face nestled between her breasts, Natalie lay conentedly drowsing beneath him, enjoying the feel of his weight on her and the smell of his warm bare skin. Dreamily she lifted her hand to stroke his long thick hair, looking at him in wonderment.

Michael stirred at her touch but did not awaken. "Hmmmmm," he mumbled against her breasts, his voice full of lazy satisfaction. "Nikita...."

Natalie froze for a moment, then went on stroking his hair, thinking.

What was life like for Michael? Madeleine had offerred him to her like a commodity, a prize. Did Michael have less freedom than she did, unable to choose who he would be with? Natalie had gotten her choice of partner, but what about Michael?

He had definitely enjoyed being with her- that was certain. But if Michael had had a choice, Natalie was sure it would be Nikita who lay beneath him now.

And what of Nikita? Natalie mused. She was stunning and beautiful, like Michael. They probably used her in the same way.

What chance did they have to be together? Natalie frowned, thinking.

"Michael?" she said, caressing his shoulder.

He moved, slowly lifting his head up. He looked at her with sleepy green eyes. "Oui?"

"Can you do something for me?"

He smiled and bit her neck. "Are you in need of me again, ma petite?" he murmured.

Natalie sighed, almost abandoning her plan. But she forged on. "No. No, not yet. I want you to reserve your strength for... later."

"Later?"

"Yes. All I need right now is for you to call Madeleine for me. I need to talk to her."

He was fully awake now. Michael frowned. "Natalie, why would you need to talk to Madeleine?"

"That's my business." She stared at him. "Just call her."

His eyes darted over her face, warily.

She caressed his cheek. "Remember, you are under orders to please me. Do it."

His lips set in a tight line, Michael got out of bed and reached for the pile of clothes on the floor. He took the cell phone out of his pants pocket and pushed one button on it. He spoke softly into the instrument for a moment, then handed the phone to Natalie. He stood staring at her.

Natalie looked back. "In private, please."

A worried look crossed Michael's face and for a moment Natalie thought he wouldn't leave. Finally, he sighed and gathered up his clothes and left.

"Be careful," he mouthed to her from the door, and he was gone.

Natalie took a deep breath and spoke into the phone. "Madeleine? I was wondering if you could help me with something...."

Madeleine's voice came to her across the line. "Yes? What can I do for you, Dr. Zerner?"

Natalie told her.

After several minutes on the phone, Natalie hung up, satisfied.

She found Michael out on the deck, dressed again, and staring out at the ocean. His expression was blank, but Natalie knew he was upset.

"Have I displeased you in some way?" he said tensely.

She smiled and stroked her hand lazily across one of his broad shoulders. "Don't be stupid, Darling. Wasn't it obvious how much you were pleasing me today?" she teased.

Michael grabbed her wrist and glared at her. "Don't play games, Natalie. Not with Section. Are you trying to run away?"

"No, just the opposite," she told him calmly. "I just needed Madeleine to send me something to make my vacation more.... interesting..."

"Like what?" he demanded.

"You'll see. The plane arrives in a few hours. You'll know then."

Michael gripped her by the shoulders and looked pleadingly into her eyes. "Natalie, please. I don't want anything to happen to you..."

She was touched by his words. She reached up to gently stroke his cheek.

"Shhh, it'll be o.k., Michael," she said tenderly. "Really."

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

The next few hours passed tensely between them as they waited. Or, at least, Michael was tense. Natalie moved through the house, puttering and exploring, her air of serenity somehow adding to Michael's alarm.

He did not ask her again for an explanation, and Natalie offered him none.

He showered, and then changed back into his black slacks and black t-shirt, as if his work clothes could help him feel more prepared for what was to come.

He refused to eat the light meal of salad and fruit that she had prepared, accepting only coffee. As the hours slowly slipped by, Natalie knew his nerves were almost at the breaking point.

"Relax, please, Michael," Natalie told him. "You'll like your surprise, you'll see."

Her words of encouragement only seemed to make him more tense than before, so she said nothing more, only sat smiling slyly to herself.

At last they heard a car on the gravel driveway in front of the house. The waiting was over.

Michael opened the front door and stood watching the car's arrival. He pushed Natalie behind him, as if to shield her from any dangers to be found from the invasion of their privacy by the unknown intruder.

The car stopped and the driver emerged. Michael watched as first delicate sandal-clad feet appeared, followed by long, tanned legs and then a slender feminine form in a red sun-dress. Finally, the figure's head emerged, blonde hair loose and blowing in the ocean breeze. She was wearing a pair of outrageously bright red sun-glasses.

"Nikita!" Michael gasped. He stiffened, and turned to stare at Natalie, his eyes begging for answers. She ignored him, breezing past him to greet Nikita.

Natalie played hostess, ushering the beautiful blonde inside the house. "Darling! Please come in. How are you?"

Nikita entered the spacious hallway, looking uncertainly from Natalie to Michael, and then back again.

"Hello, Natalie. I'm fine," she replied warily.

Natalie smiled. Michael scowled.

"Hello, Michael," she said shyly.

"Nikita," he burst out, alarmed. "What are you doing here?"

"I don't know," replied Nikita softly. "Madeleine just told me to come here and do whatever Natalie requested."

Both operatives turned to look at the older woman. She merely smiled at them, saying nothing.

"What's this about, Natalie?" Michael demanded.

"Nikita's here to help us with something, Darling," she answered him. "An experiment, I guess you could call it."

"An experiment?" asked Nikita, puzzled.

Natalie beamed. "Yes. You can help us, Michael and me, explore new things. Expand our repetoire. Spice things up a bit..."

Michael and Nikita stood stunned, both staring at her in shock, as the meaning of her words registered.

"We're going to try something... French. I believe you might have heard of it?"

Natalie paused, and smiled again.

"I think it'll be fun. It's called ..... menage a trois..." she said.

Nikita gasped. Michael's eyes widened in shock.

Before either of them could say anything, Natalie stepped between them and linked her arms through theirs.

"C'mon, my Darlings," said Natalie, leading them further into the house. "The bedroom's this way......"

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

Nikita and Michael stood in the center of the bedroom, side by side, staring at their captor. They were close together, only inches apart, as if closing ranks against an unexpected enemy.

Natalie leaned against the closed bedroom door, her arms crossed across her chest, regarding them thoughtfully. They made a beautiful pair.

"Yes," Natalie began conversationally, "As I was saying to Madeleine earlier, this time away was just what I needed. I realize now how I had buried myself in work for far too long, neglecting my sensual side.."

She smiled at Michael and went on. "And now that that sensuality has been re-awakened, I discovered that I have feelings and .... desires that I want to explore..."

She let her gaze rest softly on Nikita. "And you are very beautiful..."

Nikita bit her lip and said nothing. Michael looked grim.

Natalie turned to look at Michael. "And Nikita is on the inside, you see? A part of Section. No security problems," she explained.

"So Madeleine agreed to my request, happily." Natalie smiled. "She even liked the idea so much, she said we could be together like this again, anytime I wanted to.."

Michael stepped closer to Nikita and put a protective arm around her shoulder.

"That's right, Michael," said Natalie. "Go ahead and touch her. I want to see you two.... arouse each other..."

The couple stiffened. Nikita stared at the floor, obviously distressed. Michael stood perfectly still, the only evidence of his inner turmoil was the hunted expression in his eyes.

He didn't expect the shy, sweet Natalie to have this hidden side to her. She was standing there with an expression of implacable determination on her face. As well as the smile. She was enjoying this.

She had seen her opportunity to use her power with Madeleine and had taken it. Now he and Nikita were under her complete control, totally at her mercy.

Michael surmised that this game Natalie was playing with them had more to do with pay-back than passion. Maybe underneath the gentle exterior Natalie's anger had been growing, her rage at their deceptions and lies smoldering, seething, expanding, and all the while she had been biding her time, waiting for the chance to strike.

Michael could hardly believe her tenderness toward him had all been an act. But it must have been. Her passion had all been a pretence, too. Natalie hated and resented them, and now, in this particularly cruel and twisted way, she would have her revenge.

"Well, c'mon, you two!" Natalie said impatiently. "Let's see some action. You're under orders to please me, remember?"

She looked at Michael.

"Take it off," she demanded.

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

"The shirt. Take it off." commanded Natalie.

Michael took a deep breath and obeyed, pulling the snug black t-shirt over his head. Both women admired the sight of his muscular chest.

Natalie licked her lips. "On the bed," she ordered. "Lie down."

A muscle in Michael's jaw twitched. He hesitated for a moment, then sat on the side of the bed and lay back, stretching out full length on the coverlet.

He watched the women intently, his eyes darting from Natalie to Nikita, who stood trembling in the center of the room, waiting for Natalie's next command.

It came.

"Nikita, you lie down on top of him," she said.

"What?" the younger woman said, stunned.

"You heard me," Natalie insisted. "Get on top of him."

Nikita lowered her eyes and bent to remove her sandals. Still trembling, she positioned herself over the man on the bed, kneeling between his knees, her hands on either side of his head.

"Closer," Natalie complained. "You're not touching enough."

Nikita's eyes locked with Michael's, gaining strength from the emotions she saw there. Slowly, she lowered herself on top of him, stretching out full length and settling against him, knees pressed to knees, hips to hips, soft breasts to hard chest.

Michael's arms came up to hold her by the shoulders. They still looked into each other's eyes.

"Now," ordered Natalie. "Let's see you two kiss."

The look held for a moment, then Nikita lowered her mouth to his, sensitive lips meeting softly.

In spite of his discomfort with the situation, Michael found himself getting turned on. The feel of Nikita's body on top of him, her breasts pressed against him, the touch of her mouth, her smell....

He groaned and slipped his tongue into the soft depths. Nikita allowed him entry, opening further to him while pulling him closer, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Both closed their eyes, shutting out everything but the feel of each other, bodies remembering and responding in joy, desire igniting in them both, clamoring for sweet reunion.

The kiss deepened, becoming a wordless exchange of promised intimacies and raging needs. They were drawn down into passionate depths, lost in a world of their own. Both had forgotten Natalie.

"O.K. I'm going now," Natalie's voice interrupted.

Nikita pulled away from Michael and turned to stare at Natalie over her shoulder. Michael gasped in shock to see Natalie opening the bedroom door.

"What are doing?" asked Michael tensely, holding Nikita closer.

Natalie grinned. "Looks to me like you two have got the hang of it. You don't need my help any more. You can take it from here."

She picked up a towel from the chair near the door. "I'm going for a walk on the beach. A LONG walk.." She winked.

The couple on the bed gaped at her in amazement. Natalie almost laughed at their dazed expressions.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she demanded. "Carry on, carry on..."

She grinned hugely and blew them each a kiss. Then she was gone, closing the door behind her.

Michael continued to stare after her. What a devious, twisted, conniving, ...wonderful, generous.... witch....

But soon he had no more time to think of adjectives to describe Natalie. Nikita was demanding his full attention.

She was kissing her way across his chest while her hands eagerly caressed the firm contours of his abdomen. Then he felt them go lower, fumbling at his belt buckle.

Michael groaned. "Nikita, what are you doing?"

She smiled and bit his shoulder. "Following orders..." she whispered, looking at him with passion-glazed eyes.

Crying out her name loudly, Michael pulled her roughly down on top of him, crushing her to his chest and reclaiming her mouth with his in a hungry, urgent kiss.

Then, together, with all diligence and thouroughness, the lovers proceeded to complete their mission.

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

Six weeks later, Natalie was back at the beach house, leaning on the deck railing and admiring the view of the ocean. The time since her last visit there had flown by.

Work had absorbed her, her research going smoothly. Madeleine was delighted with her progress and had even told her they would probably release her in less than a year if this pace kept up.

Madeleine had been pleased as well with Natalie's choice of Michael and Nikita as partners. She liked keeping her operatives off-balance and she was particularly gratified by Nikita's dazed expression and Michael's bemused one when they had returned from the last trip.

And Natalie had looked like the cat who got the cream. Madeleine enjoyed knowing everyone's weaknesses. It was her job, after all. All in all, Madeleine was very happy with how things had turned out.

But Natalie wasn't. As the weeks since the trip went by, Natalie had become less reconciled to the situation. She wasn't miserable, exactly, but she was having trouble resigning herself to the fact that Michael would never again be hers.

She would never get a chance to touch him again, to hold him, or to respond to his touch...

STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! she screamed silently to herself. Michael would be with Nikita this weekend. Natalie would fade into the background and avoid them, giving them as much privacy as she could. Like last time.

She sighed. Natalie knew she had done the right thing. She had offered Michael a chance at a real life. She would escape Section. Michael never would.

It had been in her power to show him a great kindness, and she had done it. Even now, she didn't regret it. It had been the right thing to do. Michael deserved to have a chance to be with the one he wanted.

She only wished her body would stop clamoring to be with him. She only wished her heart didn't love him so. But sometimes love demanded great sacrifices. And she would have done anything to make Michael happy.

She sighed again, remembering her meeting two days ago with Madeleine. Natalie had been called into her office and told that it was time to schedule another trip.

Natalie put on her best smile and readily agreed. She told Madeleine she was eager to be with her "lovers" again. Madeleine had said she had talked to Michael earlier and arrangements had already been made for another rendezvous at the beach house.

And now, here she was again. Natalie smiled. It amused her to think that Madeleine believed she was attracted to Nikita. She appreciated the younger woman's beauty and liked her as a person, but had absolutely no desire for her. All her desires and passions were focused on one man- Michael.

The only physical contact she had had with Nikita was when the blonde had given Natalie a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek just before they returned from the last trip.

Nikita and Michael had spent every minute of that weekend together, holding hands, talking, walking on the beach. It seemed they were always touching each other gently. If they weren't together on the beach or the sun deck, they were in the bedroom, making love....

STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! she yelled at herself again in her mind. You can't have him and that's that. Let him go, she told herself sternly.

"DAMN!" she said outloud.

"Is something wrong?"

It was Michael, coming up behind her. They had arrived together, just the two of them, on the plane a few hours ago. Natalie assumed Nikita would be joining them soon, probably coming in on the next flight.

Natalie turned to look at him. He had joined her at the deck railing, leaning on it and looking out to the sea.

Oh, God, she thought. He was barefoot and in his shorts again. But this time he had neglected to wear a shirt, every delicious contour of his muscled chest revealed to her eager gaze.

"Uh.... uh.. no, nothing's wrong," she stammered.

He smiled at her. "Why were you swearing, then?"

The breeze had caught his hair, blowing it into enticing dissarray around his handsome face. He looked so beautiful. She ached to kiss that full mouth, to crush that hard body to hers, to drown in the depths of those exquisite green eyes...

"I.. I.. I was just going to say, 'Damn, it's beautiful here'..." she told him, lying nervously.

HE was beautiful, she meant.

"Yes it is.... beautiful...." he said sensuously, his heated gaze roving over her. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her fingers.

Natalie closed her eyes. This weekend is going to kill me, she thought.

***********

"I never got a chance to thank you for what you did," said Michael, still holding her hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it again. This time his tongue traced the cleft between her first two fingers, gently licking all along the length of it.

She gasped, the feel of his mouth on her skin sending shock-waves of desire through her. He continued to flick his tongue n her fingers, darting it between them, probing sinuously.

She moaned when he began nibbling at the juncture at the top of her fingers, alternately sucking and lightly flicking his tongue on the sensitive point of skin...

It was perhaps one of the most erotic things she had ever experienced. She closed her eyes, swaying a little. Was he trying to torture her?

"You don't have to thank me," she managed to say, feeling almost incoherent.

"Oh, but I do...."

Michael put his arm around her and started playing with the hair at the back of her neck. He lifted the dark strands away from her neck to gain access to the creamy skin beneath. He stroked her shoulders, slowly, deliberately.

His fingers slipped inside the back of her blouse, exploring.

Natalie leaned hard against the railing for support, her knees weak.

"I do want to.... I NEED to ....thank you," he said, in his soft, incredibly sexy voice.

Natalie shivered. BE STRONG! she told herself.

He turned her to face him and he caressed her cheeks, thumbs stroking her face softly. Natalie stood frozen in a passion-drugged daze. Slowly, he let his hands fall to her shoulders and began tracing the neckline of her blouse in front, exploring...

His fingers found the top button. His eyes locked with hers in a searing gaze.

"Can you think of any way I can show you my ..... gratitude?" he whispered.

"No!" she squeaked, in torment. She was rooted to the spot. She knew she should pull away from him, but she couldn't. She didn't have the strength.

"Well, I can..." he said softly. He undid the top button, and then the next one, his hands brushing lightly against her breasts. She gasped and shuddered.

"I want to make you happy..." he went on. "I want to please you.... like this...."

He bent his head and nibbled at the underside of her jaw, then left a trail of kisses all along the length of her neck, his soft mouth insistently searching.... He found that particularly sensitive spot on her neck and bit it. His hands still played over her blouse.....

Oh, God, she thought. She had to stop this. She didn't know if she could. All she wanted to do was pull him closer, and kiss him hard...

Instead, she pushed him away and stood gasping, agonized.

"Michael, don't!" she groaned. "Nikita will be here any minute..."

"Don't worry about Nikita," he murmured, reaching for her again.

"But.. but..." She pushed her hands against the firm muscular wall of chest, encircled in his arms. He held her tightly, the length of her body pressed all along his, the sensation of his warm nearness thrilling her. It was torture.

"Michael," she argued breathlessly. "This time is for you and Nikita. I'll leave you alone. I'll stay in the other bedroom..."

"No," he said, kissing her chin lightly and then nipping along her jawline to her ear. "I want you to be with me....."

She felt his breath against her ear, then his lips. He suckled her earlobe and then swirled his tongue around the perimeter of its shell like contours, then explored the intricate folds inside, then plunged deeper....

Her knees buckled under her. She panted, almost sobbing out her breaths.

"It was very exciting when we were together..... in the same room..."

Shock took her as she put together the meaning of his words. She gasped. "Are you saying you want me to be in your bedroom... with you .... and Nikita?"

"Oui," said Michael, and kissed her.

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

His mouth was soft and magical on hers. Insistently, his tongue sought entry against her lips and then plunged inside, penetrating and plundering the soft depths..

Sobbing, agonized, Natalie pulled away. "Michael! I can't! Nikita....."

"Nikita won't mind," he said. His hands strayed down to tease her nipples through her blouse, pinching them lightly until they rew hard between his fingers.

"WHAT?" groaned Natalie, stunned and aroused at the same time.

"She likes you. She wants us to be together..." He said softly, still stroking her insistently.

"US?" she gasped. "NO!" Natalie jumped away from him, awakening from her passion-drugged trance. She stared at him.

"Michael! You KNOW that was all an act! I'm not interested in women. I don't want to experiment with threesomes. You know I only want...."

"Me?" he said, looking at her intensely. He pulled her closer.

She struggled, sobbing.

"Why are you fighting me?" he panted. "You can have what you want. I'm all yours, entirely at your command, for the whole weekend..." His breath stirred the hair on her neck, sending shivers all along her back.

"But Nikita...." she cried.

Michael held her still, out at arms length from him, and looked into her eyes. His expression was one of pure innocence, but there was a twinkle of devilment in his eye.

"I told you not to worry about Nikita," he said, his mouth twitching into a smile. "She can't come this weekend. She's in Paris on an assignment. It's just you and me..."

"Ohhh!"

She wanted to slap him, hard. She also wanted to kiss him hard at the same time. What an evil, viscious, gorgeous man he was....

"You're cruel!" she gasped. "Do you enjoy torturing me?" she demanded.

Michael laughed. His eyes glittered with amusement and a deep passion. Suddenly, he reached for her and lifted her up in his arms. Before she could react, he was kissing her.

Natalie was dizzy. She clung to him, her heart leaping in joy and anticipation. She thought she had never loved him as much as she did at this moment, her beautiful, passionate Michael, her bodyguard, her strong Prince.

"Yes," he murmured against her lips. "I enjoy ..... torturing you...." He sighed. "My beautiful, wanton Natalie...."

He groaned against her neck, holding her tighter. "Do you want me to show you how much?"

Natalie looked up. They had reached the bedroom door.

Ohhhhh, Jesus.... she thought, and closed her eyes.

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

Michael, resplendant in his tuxedo, sipped his champagne and eyed the crowd at the extravagant gala. The elegant ballroom was filled to capacity with the best and the brighest from the world of science and society, and all of them abuzz with excitement.

An atmosphere of gaiety and hope permeated the room. Spontaneous laughter and smiles erupted everywhere; some in the crowd had tears in their eyes, which, unembarrassed, they did nothing to hide. It was a very special night.

Michael turned and smiled at the woman responsible for their happiness, and for the celebration in this ballroom and in almost every home, both grander and humbler, all over the world.

Natalie's months of work in the Section lab had borne fruit. She had emerged from hiding to announce to the world the good news: There was now a cure for AIDS.

Madeleine had kept her bargain; With the known biological weapons stockpiles destroyed, and having the means to eradicate any future ones, Section had what they wanted. Natalie was now free to go back to the world of the living, taking her gift of life with her.

Natalie smiled back at Michael. She was enjoying herself immensely, although she had spent the evening blushing with embarrassment at the avalanche of compliments and congratulations from the crowd.

"Can you believe it?" she whispered to Michael. "I've met four Presidents and eight movie stars, and they all said it was an honor to know me.." She giggled.

Michael took her hand and kissed her fingertips. "They're right, you know," he told her. "It IS an honor to ...know you....."

Natalie blushed.

He had been impressed from the beginning with Natalie's child-like modesty. She had an innocence and forth-rightness not unlike that of Nikita's. These traits, along with her compassion and sweetness, had brought him to care for her from the first day they had met.

He would have admired and respected such a woman anyway, but the passionate connection between them only added to their bond. As the months went by, the affection had deepened into ...

Michael shook his head. He didn't know what love was anymore, he thought. But what he felt for her was close... The only bond more powerful in his life, besides the unbreakable shackles to Section, was the one he felt for Nikita.....

He looked up and saw the object of his thoughts, who was also the occupant of his heart, walking toward them.

"Nikita, Darling!" Natalie exclaimed, opening her arms. Nikita stepped into the older woman's embrace and the two friends exchanged a fervent hug.

Smiling, Nikita kissed her on the cheek. "Natalie, I'm so very proud of you," she said, her eyes shining.

Natalie blushed again. "Thank you, Love. That means a lot to me.."

She looked from Michael to Nikita and back again, sudden tears stinging her eyes.

"Natalie?" Michael put his hand on her arm. "Are you O.K.?"

Her face crumpling, Natalie managed to gasp out, "Yeah, fine. I'll be back in a minute....."

Blinded by tears, she fled to the ladies' room.

Nikita looked at Michael. "She's going to miss you."

He nodded. He would miss her. "Will you go check on her, please?" he asked quietly.

"Sure." Nikita put her hand on his arm briefly, and then turned and followed after Natalie.

She found her in the corner of the lounge area, huddled into one of the arm-chairs, her face in her hands. Nikita walked over to her, holding out a box of kleenex.

"Here," she said.

Natalie looked up, and attempted a feeble smile. "Thanks," she said, taking a handful of Kleenex. "Don't mind me. I'm just being stupid..."

Nikita settled in the chair opposite and put the kleenex box within easy reach on the table between them. "It's not stupid .... to care," she said softly.

Natalie wiped her eyes and took a shaky breath. "I love him, you know."

"I know." Nikita sighed and took a Kleenex for her own. "Me, too."

Natalie laughed, shaking her head. "It's very weird, isn't it?"

"It's not your usual situation, no.." Nikita smiled.

"I'm grateful to you, Nikita."

The blonde sighed. "For what? I'm the one who is grateful to you..." She looked into the older woman's eyes. "Without you, Michael and I would never be as close as we are now. Would never have had the chance to talk things out, to be together..."

Natalie nodded. "But I took up a lot of that time you could have had with him. And you never resented me for it..."

The trips to the beach house had taken on a regular pattern. Over the past year, every other trip was with Michael and Natalie alone, Nikita joining them the other times.

At first, Natalie had tried to hide her presence, avoiding the couple as much as possible. But staying in the same house, this had proved difficult.

Natalie began cooking dinner for them all, and the younger couple asked her to stay and join them. Soon they realized that, as awkward as the situation was, they did not really feel that uncomfortable being together. All three of them genuinely liked and respected each other.

The easy companionship that was developing between them deepened. The two women becoming good friends as well. Some mornings, while Michael slept, exhausted from love-making, Nikita would join Natalie on the beach or in the kitchen.

Once Michael had awakened to find them giggling together. "What's so funny?" he had asked tensely.

Nikita laughed and winked at him. "We think you're cute when you snore," she teased him.

"And the drooling is adorable, too," chimed in Natalie.

Michael's eyes widened. "What?"

The women collapsed against each other in helpless laughter. "Just kidding, Darling.." Natalie blew him a kiss went for a walk on the beach, discreetly leaving the younger couple alone.

In fact, the women had never discussed their respective intimate moments with Michael, keeping their private time with him private. But they found it surprisingly easy to talk about everything else.

Nikita found it was easy to be friends with Natalie. She didn't have to pretend with her or hide her feelings for Michael, and she knew Natalie respected her and her relationship to the man they both cared for.

Nikita smiled now at her friend. "Yes, I guess that's true," she answered. "I never resented you. And you were never jealous of me..."

Natalie nodded. "No. Never." She sighed. "Being with you was what Michael needed to be happy. And I want him to be happy. And you, too..."

Nikita frowned, wondering if perhaps Michael's happiness now required a relationship with Natalie as well. Was there some way she could help all of them? Some plan she could contrive to insure that Natalie and Michael could see each other again, and she could be with him as well?

Once they returned Natalie to her home tonight, their assignment would be over. Neither she nor Michael would share a 'tryst' with her again. And Nikita's chances of sharing private time with Michael would evaporate in the camera and spy-laden atmosphere of Section.

"Oh!" Nikita gasped, jumping from her chair.

"What is it?" asked Natalie.

The blonde pulled her to her feet, smiling. "I got an idea....."

"What?"

A power play," she said slyly. "Let's go..."

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

Much later that evening, the threesome sat in the limousine, traveling away from the party. On one side of the vehicle Michael sat close to Natalie. She gripped his hand tightly, knowing this was goodbye. Both were tense and unsmiling.

On the opposite seat Nikita sat back, relaxed and smiling.

Michael looked at her, puzzled. "What is it, Nikita?" he demanded.

She giggled. "Oh, nothing much...."

Her blue eyes glittered with mischief. "It was a wonderful party,wasn't it? So many important people there...."

Innocently, she went on. "I had a chance to talk with the President..."

"What?" said Michael and Natalie at the same time.

Nikita nodded. "I let him know that Natalie was still concerned about her security. You know, didn't want anything to interfere with her work continuing smoothly. I mentioned an incident now would make the country look bad and would stop the good feelings/honeymoon he was having right now with the press."

The couple stared at her, mesmerized. Nikita went on. "I told the President that Dr. Zerner only felt safe with her two bodyguards from Section one...."

She smiled at Michael. "You and me."

"Oh, Nikita!" Natalie gasped. "What did he say?"

"Oh, nothing much, really...." she said nonchalantly. Then she winked. "He just took out his cell phone and put in a call to Operations..."

Michael made a choking sound. "And?"

"AND," Nikita grinned, "We're headed for the beach house now...."

Michael and Natalie sat stunned. Then, joyously, Natalie whooped and reached for Nikita, pulling her toward them. The blonde fell, laughing, across their laps. Michael crushed her to him tightly, kissing her. Natalie smiled and hugged both of them at the same time.

She kissed Michael's cheek. The couple looked back at her, all of them smiling.

"Carry on, Darlings," she ordered, laughing. "Carry on..."

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