Mikey was thrilled. He was going to be trained as a secret agent. It was his greatest dream, and he could hardly wait to meet his trainer, Jurgen. It was really a shame that they wouldn’t let Nikita train him, but Operations and Madeline were probably right. Nikita wouldn’t be objective.

Nikita didn’t even want him to be a secret agent. She had been in a very bad mood ever since he had found where Section One was. Mikey personally thought that Operations and Madeline had been very nice to him. He had known them as Fred and Maddy, the owners of the condominium complex. Maddy had even baby-sat for little Nikki so that he and Nikita could occasionally have some quiet time together.

Nikita hadn’t wanted any quiet time last night. She had given him her back in response to his tender overtures, and that was really unusual for his Nikita. She hadn’t wanted to talk or make love, and normally, she loved their quiet times, as much as he did. Now It was 4AM and he had already showered and shaved, in order to be a Section One for training that began at the ridiculous hour of 5AM.

Mikey went into the bedroom, and saw that Nikita was still asleep. Her long blonde hair spilled over the pillow, and he stroked it. He loved Nikita’s hair. She could wear it in any style, and sometimes she even changed it when walking from one room to another. He wondered how she managed that. It was just part of the mystery that was his Nikita. He sighed deeply. He wanted to give her a good-bye kiss, but he decided not to disturb her rest. Maybe she would be in a better mood later. This secret agent job had better work out, because nothing would be worth losing Nikita’s love.

Nikita had told him to dress casually, so he wore a royal blue sweat suit for the workouts that she told him he would be expected to go through. He pulled the top of his wavy hair back and fastened it in a little pony tail, but one strand on the right wouldn’t stay back. Oh well, he thought, Jurgen probably won’t care what my hair looks like.

Nikita hadn’t said much about Jurgen, except she had told him to be really careful and to do whatever Jurgen told him to do, no matter what it was. Mikey thought Nikita was overly cautious. She really wanted him to do well, he supposed. He certainly didn’t want to make her look bad in front of all her friends at work.

Mikey left the apartment and walked to KMart. Now he knew another entrance to Section One, since the store itself wasn’t open for business at 0430. The air was cool and crisp, and the sun had not begun its trek over the horizon. Mikey was very energized by the time he reached Section One. He was finally going to become a secret agent. He could hardly wait to meet his trainer

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

Jurgen stood quietly, breathing deeply in Madeline’s cave-like office. “Madeline, I can’t believe you really expect me to take Nikita’s little house-husband and turn him into an operative. It can’t be done.”

“It must be done, therefore it can be done, Jurgen. Nikita is too valuable to Section One, and I don’t want her distracted. I think you are under-estimating your abilities as a trainer. I would have to be disappointed in this.” Madeline gave Jurgen her falsest smile, the one that chilled the hearts of everyone who saw it.

Jurgen persisted in his objection. “He’s not a criminal with the motivation to stay alive--”

Madeline interrupted, “His motivation is still to stay alive and to protect his wife, as laughable as that may seem, and his child. Put him through your usual paces, and give me progress report in one week. And Jurgen,” Madeline paused.

“Yes?” he responded.

“No more whining. That will be all.” Madeline turned to her computer screen, effectively dismissing Jurgen.

Jurgen, summoning his immense poise, nodded his head at Madeline and left her presence. As we walked down the hall, he gave a high-pitched jarring imitation of Madeline’s little speech. “His motivation is to stay alive....” Nikita’s prissy little husband was going to be his material. He tried to think what he had screwed up that had caused him to be punished this way. He had to spend two years trying to train a long-haired hippy type, who still thought he was in the 1970’s. Well, he would fix Mr. Mikey Samuelle.

Jurgen walked into the training area at 5AM. Damn, he thought the little twerp was already here-a real eager beaver. Well, he would fix that too. “Well, Mikey. I see you’re here for training,” he started.

“I prefer to be called Michael. Only Nikita can call me Mikey.” Mikey raised his chin in a show of determination.

Jurgen swept Mikey off his feet, and he landed with a resounding thud on the floor. “First lesson, don’t ever interrupt me. Second, I will call you whatever I want to call you. You are material, not a person. I will call you ‘Michael’ when ‘you’ can put ‘me’ on the floor and keep me there.” Jurgen reached down to assist a befuddled and angry Mikey, who accepted his hand with surprisingly good grace considering what Jurgen had just done and said.

Jurgen flipped Mikey over his hip, using Mikey’s own momentum. “Third lesson, don’t ever expect help from me. You don’t belong here. You are a waste of my time, until you prove to me that you’re not.”

Mikey’s green eyes blazed with fire as he scrambled to rise on his own. “So,” Mikey said, “What did you do?”

“We don’t ever discuss what we did before we came to Section. What matters is now,” Jurgen said in a huff.

Mikey smiled slyly, “No, I mean what did you do, to be punished with having to train me?”

Jurgen scowled, “I wish I knew.”

The rest of the training session was pretty standard for a first session. Mikey spent a lot of time on the mat, and Jurgen spent a lot of time putting him there. At the end of the session, Jurgen gave a little lecture about what Mikey could expect the rest of the day.

“Target practice at nine. Computers from 10-12. 12-1 is free, but you can use it to get that mop cut. Weights from 1-2, Armaments and explosives with Walter at 3. Madeline wants to see you at 5 in her office. You’re back with me for a final session at 6.”

“What, more hand-to-hand?” Mikey asked with dread. He knew his butt was covered with bruises, in spite of the mat.

And he hated the thought of cutting his hair. Nikita wouldn't be able to run her fingers through it, and she did love to do that.

Jurgen responded, noting Mikey’s pained expression. “No, I will be teaching you an ancient game of strategy and deception called, “Go Fish.”

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

Mikey did well with target practice, and Walter told him he had the “eye” of a born marksman. Computers were also easy for him, since he had already spent a lot of time surfing the ‘net during little Nikki’s nap times. It was a little more complicated than what he was used to doing, but he enjoyed it. Lunch time, finally. He was really starved. After all his day had begun at 5AM, and all he’d had time for at home was a cappuccino.

Mikey left Section without even looking for Nikita. He had instructions to have his hair cut, and he decided he’d better do exactly Jurgen said for him to do. Mikey walked into ‘Le Mane Frame’ without an appointment. The busy receptionist Kathy started to brush him off, but took one look into his jade green eyes and erased someone from the appointment book.

“Hey, Pippy, your noon appointment is here,” she called. Pippy looked up and her mouth opened in awe. He was so gorgeous. She could hardly wait to get her hands on him, on his hair, that is.

“I’m Michael,” he said in his charming accent. “I need a new look. Something short and more up to date. Think you can help me?”

Pippy could hardly believe her ears. This beautiful man wanted her help. “Oh, mais oui. I will make you parfait.” She led Mikey to her chair and arranged a plastic cover over his broad shoulders and chest. She started running her fingers through his curly locks. “Are you sure you want to cut it? It’s really beautiful hair,” she said with some trepidation.

“Oui. It’s for my new job. Long hair is not desirable in my line of work.”

“Oh, really. What do you do?” Pippy asked. She would do anything to keep this man in her chair as long as possible.

Michael was stumped for a minute. “I buy art,” he said, saying the first thing that came to his mind. “I need to look very professional and businesslike.” He gave her a smile that melted her heart.

Pippy started cutting away. Soon the floor beneath her chair was covered with wavy locks of Mikey’s hair. Each time the scissors snipped, Mikey gave a little jump. Each snip seemed so final, even though he knew logically that it would grow back.

Finally, Pippy was finished. Mikey looked at the result, and he was pleased, sort of. The sides and back were short, but the top was left long enough to curl and wave and soften the severity of the short cut.

Pippy noticed his uncertain response. “Don’t you like it, Michael?” She was going to be heart broken, if he hated his new do.

“No, Pippy, I like it really. You did a great job. I just hope my wife likes it.”

“Your wife? You’re married?” Pippy was disappointed, but all the good ones were married anyway, she thought.

“Oui. She’s never seen me with short hair, so I don’t know what she will think.”

“Oh, I’m sure she will like it.” Pippy said sincerely. She thought to herself, who wouldn’t like it on this one.

“Merci, Pippy.” Michael smiled happily at Pippy as he left and left her a really big tip.

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

Nikita saw Jurgen as he walked past her office, and she signaled to him through the window. Jurgen entered with his usual calm and poised nature. “Where’s Mikey?” she asked of her fellow operative.

Jurgen gave a crooked smile. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’s gone to get his hair cut.”

“Hair cut! I love his hair, Jurgen. Are you purposefully trying to piss me off?” Nikita’s bright blue eyes blazed with fury. No more fun and games with running her hands through her Mikey’s lustrous and wavy hair.

“I just thought he ought to look like a man for a change instead of a long-haired girl,” Jurgen said, “besides it gets in the way, and it can be a weakness in a fight. Want me to show you, Nikita?” Jurgen invaded Nikita’s personal space with a malicious grin on his face.

Nikita stood her ground. “Back off, Jurgen. There’s not a lot of room in here, but there’s enough for me to put you on the floor.”

Jurgen retreated from the angry Valkyrie, but laughed as he did. “Hey, Nikita, I know how tough you are. I trained you, remember?”

“How could I ever forget?” she muttered.

Mikey walked into Nikita’s office and saw the dueling body language between Nikita and Jurgen. “Hi, Ni-ki-ta. Anything wrong?” he asked with hesitation as he looked from one to the other.

“No, Jurgen was just leaving.”

Jurgen took the hint and said with a smile as he left. “Weight room in 5 minutes, Mikey.”

Nikita looked at Mikey’s new do. “Oh, Mikey, your beautiful hair.” She stepped into his outstretched arms and hugged him.

“You don’t like it, Ni-ki-ta? It will grow. I kind of like it myself.” Mikey began placing little nibbling kisses on Nikita’s neck and down her throat.

Nikita groaned, “Mikey, you don’t play fair. You have to stop this. Jurgen is waiting for you in the weight room. What ever you do, don’t keep him waiting. And I love your new hair cut. It’s very happening.” Nikita looked into Mikey’s green eyes and saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His eyes sparkled with emotion as he told her, “I love you, Ni-ki-ta.”

“I love you too, Mikey.”

“Ni-ki-ta, would you call me Michael here at Section. Mikey doesn’t sound very much like a secret agent. I want to be taken seriously, Ni-ki-ta. I know this is a serious place, and the rest of our lives depend on how I do.” Michael’s eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He had to make a success of this training, and he wanted Nikita to know that he intended to do just that.

Nikita was shocked at Michael’s sincerity and relieved as well. She knew she had her doubts about his survival, but if he could be allowed to train seriously, he might just succeed. “Of course, Michael.”

***********

Mikey entered the weight room in time to keep Jurgen from having to wait. “Well, Mikey, how does Ni-ki-ta like your hair cut?” Jurgen asked in a mocking tone as he imitated Mikey’s accent.

Mikey decided not to respond, and while his face did flush with anger, Mikey managed to give Jurgen a blank stare.

Jurgen snorted at Mikey’s flush. He was going to work the little fella’s butt off. He had never seen anyone less likely to make it through the 2 year training period. What Nikita saw in the little pris-pot, he didn’t know. Nikita was the most beautiful operative Section One,and she was also one of the toughest. During her training, he had a difficult time with her, because she had been very stubborn and rebellious. Why they had ever allowed her to marry a civilian, he had never understood. Nikita had a lot of privileges that no other operative had, and he had never been able to understand that either.

Well, never mind, he thought. Jurgen started taking Mikey through the various weights and equipment. In spite of himself, Jurgen was impressed with Mikey’s initial workout. Mikey was more muscular than his elegant walk indicated. He appeared to enjoy the workout, and his body was gleaming with sweat when he finished and Jurgen allowed him to hit the shower.

As Mikey left, Jurgen was annoyed to see several female operatives giggling and whispering in the corner of the weight room. “If you’re here to work out, have at it, but if you’re here for any other reason.....” Jurgen left the statement hanging in the air as he left for the men’s shower himself.

Mikey was whistling as he soaped his body. Jurgen entered the blue tiled shower and began the same process. Jurgen was then able to see for himself one of the reasons why Nikita was attracted to Mikey.

***********

Mikey met Walter again for the second time that day. “How’s it going, Michael?” he asked as Mikey came into the weapons storage area.

Mikey smiled because Walter had called him ‘Michael.’ At least Walter would take him seriously, maybe. “It’s going okay, Walter.” Mikey’s response was soft and without particular enthusiasm.

“Jurgen treating you all right? I see he made you cut your hair. He’s not known for his sensitivity, but he gets the job done. He’ll make you into an operative one way or another.” Walter desperately wanted to help Mikey in his adjustment to Section One. The kid was going to need all the help he could muster.

Mikey gave a shrug. “He’s pretty obnoxious, but I can understand why. And it’s cooler with short hair. No big deal really.”

Walter leaned and told Mikey in a conspiratorial hush, “Well, just keep this under your hat, Michael, but Jurgen had the hots for Nikita at one time, and she wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

“My Ni-ki-ta?” No wonder Jurgen hates me, Mikey thought.

“He trained her, too, and she was ready to cancel ‘him’ by the end of her training. If she hadn’t been so tough, she never would’ve made it. Michael, you’re going to have to be just as tough.”

Mikey looked down at his feet, “I’m not sure how tough I am, Walter. I’ve never had to be.”

Walter leaned close to Mikey. “Michael, if you want to live, you’ll have to learn to be ruthless and even heartless. You’re going to have to dig down deep within yourself to find the strength you’ve never known you had. You have to do it for Nikita and little Nikki.” Walter spoke with an intensity that pierced Mikey’s brain like sharp arrows of reality.

Mikey looked seriously into Walter’s faded blue eyes and said, “I’ve really put my foot in it, haven’t I, Walter? This is not playacting, it’s real.”

“You can say that again, Michael. Well, I’m going to do my part in keeping you alive, so listen up.” Walter began detailing Explosives 101. Walter had been impressed with Michael’s quiet manner and his native intelligence. The young man was quite bright, but his gentle nature belied that impression. Michael had also done well earlier in the day in target practice. Walter felt Michael would excel in all the tactical areas, except one. When it came down to it, would he have the killer instinct?

***********

Mikey felt like his ‘brain’ was going to explode from all the information Walter was trying to cram in it. Mikey was not unaccustomed to learning, and he even had acquired an MFA in art history. Of course, everyone knew a degree in art history was pretty useless in enabling one to earn a living.

He had earned his masters degree and met Nikita the same night. He had been downtown celebrating with some friends in a local hangout. He and his friends had parted to go their separate ways, when he was mugged. Nikita had come out of the same bar and ‘rescued’ him. He thought she was an angel as she swooped on the punks who had attacked him. Her fists and feet of fury were flying, and the punks ran down an alley into the darkness.

Mikey had never seen anything like Nikita in all his life. Tall, blonde and beautiful with azure eyes--an angel would not have been more beautiful as Nikita stood there asking him if he was all right. He fell in love with her on the spot, and tried to talk her into going home with him. She had not laughed at him. Instead she smiled and kissed him on the cheek, then told him she was a private detective working on a case and had to go. He had asked her for her phone number, and although she had hesitated for a moment, she miraculously had given him her business card.

Mikey couldn’t wait to call her, but there was nothing but an answering machine for almost a week. He gave it one last try, and this time she answered. “Ni-ki-ta, this is Michael. Remember, you rescued me last week. I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me.”

“Michael. Yes. Of course, I remember you. How are you? I’ve been out of town--on a case. Yes, I’d love to have dinner.”

With Nikita’s acceptance of dinner, their fates had been sealed. The relationship had a rocky start. Nikita was very mysterious and she would leave for long periods of time and would not tell Mikey where she was going. Mikey was jealous and insecure, but every time Nikita came back, she was so passionate and loving that his doubts would dissolve again.

He still wasn’t sure how they ended up married. It had happened so quickly, because Nikita had actually proposed to him, and they eloped that same night. He was smiling as he remembered their honeymoon at Niagara Falls. He was still smiling as he presented himself at Madeline’s office. The doors opened automatically and he entered.

***********

Madeline looked up as Mikey entered her office and saw that he was smiling. The end of his first day in training, and he is still smiling. Very interesting, she mused. "Sit down, Michael," she said. "Do you know why you are here?" she asked in her enigmatic way.

Michael was puzzled at her question. He sat down somewhat slowly. His muscles were beginning to stiffen, and he could definitely feel he'd had a work out that day. "Jurgen said to see you at 5PM. That's why I'm here," he offered the simplest explanation he knew. He was still off balance by the fact that Maddy was involved in the secret agent business.

Madeline gave Mikey a genuine smile because of his candor in answering. "My responsibilities here at Section One include getting inside our enemy’s head in order to obtain the information we need from them. I am also responsible for evaluating the psychological profiles on our operatives. That includes the strengths and weakness that each operative has. I am often responsible for deciding when an operative is no longer able to perform."

Mikey shook his head. "I had no idea. You seemed so normal when you were just my next door neighbor, Maddy. This will take a lot of getting used to."

"Well," Madeline smiled again, "around here I am called Madeline. I have given a lot of thought to your particular case Michael, and I am sure you and I will be seeing a lot of each other during your training period. You are different from all the other operatives who are here."

"I am? How am I different? I don't want to be different. I want to fit in, Maddy-Madeline."

Madeline's face became very serious. "Everyone here is a criminal who was recruited from death row or from life-in-prison terms."

Mikey's eyes widened in surprise. "Ni-ki-ta? My Nikita came from prison? You did? How can that be?"

"You will have to talk to Nikita about that. The circumstances of 'how' people are recruited and 'what' they did to be recruited are confidential. Only Nikita can tell you how she came to us. It may not be that you will be suitable to be a cold operative, Michael. During this training period, we will determine for what area you are best suited." Madeline scanned her computer screen for his first day evaluations.

"I see evaluations from Walter and Appleton in Systems are excellent. You are intelligent and a quick learner. I understand that you have a masters degree in Art History. I'm not really sure what we will do with that, but it may be useful in establishing your cover after your training ends."

"My degree hasn't been very useful to me either. That's why I decided to stay home with little Nikki after she was born. The museum I worked for was downsized, so it seemed like the thing to do."

Mikey hesitated and looked Madeline directly in the eye before he spoke again, "Will I be canceled at the end of my training if I'm not good enough, Madeline?"

Madeline's usually well-shielded heart thudded as he asked the question. "Do you want the truth, Michael?"

"Yes." Mikey held his breath and waited for her answer.

"Yes, Michael, you will. That is one way you will be the same as the other operatives here. We can't afford to treat you any differently than we do the others. We have already made a great exception in order to have you here, but that exception is made for Nikita's benefit, not yours."

Mikey's heart and stomach plummeted as if he were on the steep down hill of a roller coaster ride. He tried to swallow, but his throat was dry.

Madeline decided to offer him some hope. "Two years is a long time, Michael. If you continue to do well, then you should be fine." Madeline smiled.

Mikey asked, "How does Jurgen's evaluation say I am doing?"

Madeline smiled again, "Well, Jurgen is very tough on new recruits. He never has anything good to say about them, and it will take a long time before you receive a good evaluation from Jurgen. I always take that into account, and provided you continue to score well in all other areas, I will give you the benefit of the doubt until the time for your final evaluation is at hand."

Madeline continued, "I will be watching you closely to see what other potential you might possess. I have some ideas, but they are only in the hatching stages now. We'll discuss them at a more appropriate time."

Mikey again was puzzled, but decided not to question Madeline's methods.

Madeline gave one more Mona Lisa smile to Mikey and said, "That will be all. You may go now."

"Thank you, Madeline, for this chance." Mikey rose and gave a small bow in Madeline's direction.

Madeline took the opportunity to observe Mikey as he walked toward the door. He certainly was well-built and incredibly appealing. She wondered what Nikita would think of her plan to make him a valentine op. She also wondered what Michael would think of it and the training it involved.

***********

Mikey walked to Nikita's office and found her furiously going through her files. She was muttering to herself as she started looking through the same stack all over again. Frustration was written across her face.

"Ni-ki-ta, is there anything I can help you do? I have some time before I have to go see Jurgen again." He had no idea her job as a secret government agent entailed so much paper work. No wonder she was cranky at times when she came home.

"No, Mikey, uh, Michael," she smiled at Mikey as she corrected her use of his nickname. "Whatever you do, don't be late for Jurgen. What do you have now, anyway?" she asked with a distracted manner. She looked at Mikey over the rims of her gold framed glasses.

"He's going to teach me a game--Go Fish." Mikey smiled as he looked lovingly at Nikita. "You know someone told me today that Jurgen had the hots for you at one time. Is that still true, Ni-ki-ta?" he asked softly.

Nikita looked up in genuine surprise. She turned and activated her scrambling device, so that they could talk privately without listeners or watchers. "I don't know what Jurgen thinks of me now and could frankly care less. He tried to seduce me when I was his trainee, but I managed to stay out of his reaches. Is there anything else you'd like to know, Michael?"

"Well, since you mention it, yes, there is. How were you recruited? Madeline says everyone here is a former criminal, and that everybody was recruited from prison? What did you do to end up here, my Ni-ki-ta." Mikey walked to Nikita's side and stroked her face. His face said he could forgive her anything because she was a different person now, and she was the woman he loved.

"Can we talk about this at home, Michael?" Nikita hesitated because she didn't trust herself to talk about her imprisonment. She had long ago stopped thinking about her other life, and telling Mikey about it now would only bring back the hurt she had felt so long ago.

"Yes, Ni-ki-ta, we can talk later, but we must talk. I don't want there to be any more secrets between us." Mikey leaned over Nikita and kissed her.

As always, Nikita responded to Mikey's kiss with a burning passion. He never failed to excite her with his hands and his lips and his total devotion to pleasing her. "Michael, you have to stop. We can't do this here. You have to see Jurgen in just a few minutes." Nikita was losing herself in the moment, for Mikey was a wonder with his hands. He had managed to unbutton her 3 piece suit and at the same time close the mini-blinds on her office window. Her breasts were exposed and the recipient of his nibbling lips and teeth. Nikita shuddered as ripples of sensation emanated from each kiss and nibble of Mikey's talented lips.

"Ni-ki-ta, I adore you. I worship you," Mikey whispered hoarsely.

Abruptly, the door opened and it was Walter, who had not seen Mikey enter Nikita's office. He made a hasty exit, but with his interruption, the mood had been spoiled. Nikita regained her self control and started re-buttoning her vest.

Mikey sighed and smiled as he kept his arms around her, "I guess I'd better go meet Jurgen, but I'd much rather stay here and ravish you. I think we are due for some major ravishing tonight, Ni-ki-ta. What do you say?" he asked as he gave her one last kiss on her lips.

Nikita smiled, "Yes, I think some major ravishing would be just what we need tonight, Michael. Now, however, I have to see Madeline, but keep the thought, okay?" Nikita walked past Mikey and gave the family jewels a friendly caress.

"No problem," Mikey responded.

**********

Nikita walked hurriedly down the stainless steel corridors and quickly reached Madeline’s office. "You wanted to see me?" Nikita asked, already knowing the answer.

Madeline smiled as Nikita walked into her office. "Yes, I'm curious how you think Michael's first day in Section One is going, and I also wanted to discuss with you some observations I've made concerning Michael."

Uh, oh, Nikita thought as she smiled in response. She was almost as good at game playing as the auburn-tressed Madeline.. "Of course, I think for a first day, it has gone pretty well. Jurgen made him cut his hair, but I understand that he's simply establishing dominance. Michael will have to understand that, and I think he will adjust quite well. I'm very interested in your 'observations.'"

Madeline paused. It was going to be difficult to tell Nikita her plans, but it had to be done, because Nikita's attitude would be important to the success of those plans.

"I've noticed that many of the female operatives find Michael very attractive, and while he seems unaware of his appeal, I think Michael has a future here as a valentine operative." Madeline paused to let this information penetrate Nikita's brain.

Nikita was appalled and nearly threw herself at Madeline's throat, but managed to control herself in time. "No way! You're not going to use my husband to seduce other women." Nikita crossed her arms and raised her chin defiantly making her body language symbolic of one at cross purposes. She wanted to protect herself, and at the same time, she wanted to rebel against the authoritarian dictates of Madeline.

Madeline expected Nikita to balk mightily at her plan, but she had a trump card to play. "Nikita, you know what we do here, and you know we made a great exception when we accepted Michael for training. He is no longer merely ‘your’ husband. He is a recruit, and Section One owns him. You have been allowed several privileges that others have not. For example, Michael will be living at home with you and your child instead of here at Section One. Although you have earned some of those privileges with your single-minded devotion to duty, the concessions that have been made for Michael are far above anything ever imagined and you must pay the price. He will be held to the same standard as all other operatives with the same terms of service." Madeline paused to give Nikita time to absorb the unpleasant truth.

Nikita swallowed the bitter and angry words she wanted to spew, for she knew a warning when she heard one. "I understand doing the job, Madeline, but I don't know if Mikey will." In azure blue eyes tears shimmered, but remained unshed. Nikita's countenance was downcast as she thought not only of sharing her husband, but how her gentle and loving Mikey would react when he realized what Section One had in store for him.

"That's where you will have to help him, Nikita. Your acceptance and even approval of what he may be asked to do in the future will be vital in his acceptance of his role." Madeline placed the burden of complicity fairly on Nikita's shoulders. "I know this will be difficult for you, Nikita, but it must be done."

"He doesn't have to be a cold op., does he? I mean his potential might lie elsewhere. It could be in computers or in data analysis." Nikita was grabbing at proverbial straws.

Madeline shook her head sadly. "I've seen his preliminary reports, Nikita. He already shows great aptitude in weapons and explosives. He's very quick with computers. Even Jurgen comments on his quick reflexes and ability to withstand pain. There's only one area in which we are uncertain of his ability to perform."

"You don't know if he can kill in cold blood. That's a pretty big uncertainty, Madeline."

"And one we'll be certain to test," Madeline said with a solemn tone. "That'll be all for now, Nikita."

Nikita rose quickly and left without saying another word, but several old Anglo-Saxon epithets came freely to her mind as she retreated down the gray halls of Section One.

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

A very tired and weary Mikey left Section One at 7PM. He had handled the manipulation and condescension that Jurgen threw at him with all the good grace he possessed, but it was a tad stressful. When Jurgen finally dismissed him from the Go-Fish session, Mikey looked for Nikita. Nikita’s office was dark, but he found Walter in his armory. “Hi, Walter, have you seen Ni-ki-ta?” he asked with a forlorn expression on his handsome face.

“Yeah, I have a message for you, too. She’s gone to pick up little Nikki, and she’ll meet you at home. Oh, yeah, she’s cooking dinner for you.” Walter gave a little laugh. He didn’t think that Nikita numbered cooking among her many talents, and he was correct.

Mikey’s face took on a scared expression. “There’s nothing any worse than when Ni-ki-ta tries to cook. Usually it turns out burned, or on the floor or the ceiling.” Mikey then gave a giggle. “We always end up ordering in when Ni-ki-ta cooks,” Mikey confided to Walter. “Sometimes she thinks she should be a more traditional wife, and that’s when it gets really crazy at home.”

Walter threw his head back and guffawed as he envisioned Nikita bustling around like Laura Petrie, or even more likely, Lucy Ricardo. Mikey joined him in laughter, and it made good end to his first day of secret agent training.

* * *

Mikey walked down the hall to his and Nikita’s condo. He couldn’t smell anything burning, so that was a good sign. Maybe Nikita had ordered in already. He unlocked the door, and called out, “Ni-ki-ta, I’m home.” He was immediately attacked by a little blonde whirlwind, who grabbed him around his knees.

“Daddy, Daddy, where have you been all day? I missed you. I had to go to Nina’s after kindergarten. It was fun, but I missed you soooo much.” Mikey stooped down to his daughter’s level, and she gave him a big smacking kiss along with a mighty hug around his neck. “Daddy, what happened to your hair? You look handsome, Daddy. Doesn’t he, Mama?” Nikki was prancing around her handsome daddy, running her fingers through the short curls on the top of his head.

Nikita strolled in from the kitchen at the sound of her daughter’s jubilant welcome. “Yes, Daddy always looks handsome.” Mikey stood as Nikita entered the room. Nikita put her arms around Mikey and gave him her own welcome home kiss, no less enthusiastic than little Nikki’s. It was sensual with a hint of the promised ravishing that would come later, after Nikki was safely in bed and asleep.

Mikey’s stomach rumbled, and he asked with a little trepidation, “What’s for dinner?” After all he had forgone lunch for a haircut.

Nikita looked at him with merriment in her eyes and a half smile. “Come and see.”

Mikey walked over to the dining room. It was a beautiful table, flowers, candles and food, real food, and it looked wonderful. Mikey had only been a secret agent for one day, but he was immediately suspicious. His beautiful wife was up to something, but he would go along.

“Look at all the pretty stuff Christopher brought us, Daddy.” Nikki exclaimed excitedly.

Nikita shot Nikki ‘motherly’ kind of look. “That was supposed to be our secret Nikki.” Nikita’s face flushed at being caught in her trick.

Mikey grabbed both his femmes and hugged them both. He was thrilled and touched as well that Maddy had sent her houseman to prepare dinner for them. He would dine well that night. “Ni-ki-ta, I didn’t marry you to cook for me.” He kissed her and then little Nikki.

“Why did you marry Mama, Daddy?” piped up little Nikki.

“I married your Mama because she was the most beautiful woman I had ever known, and I loved her with all my heart, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her,” Mikey declared without reservation as he looked into Nikita’s luminous blue eyes.

A shadow crossed Nikita’s face, but Mikey could not see it because he was kissing her, and his eyes were closed. The shadow remained in her heart, hidden from her husband, but sooner or later he would have to know. She didn’t know if she could stand the pain that the future held for them.

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

Once little Nikki had her bath and her bedtime story, she settled quickly into the deep sleep of an innocent child. Mikey and Nikita held hands and looked at their child with the love of devoted parents. Mikey turned his gaze from Nikki to Nikita--his Nikita. Mikey’s green eyes began to blaze with the passion that was part of the glue of their relationship.

Nikita returned his gaze and passion, never understanding how his eyes could change color from gray-green to dark green, as if the intensity of passion he felt for her was so strong it could change the intensity of color in his eyes. They were already holding hands, and Nikita could feel vibrations coming from Mikey-vibrations that made her shiver in response.

“Come, Ni-ki-ta,” he said softly as he drew her closer to him. Nikita lay her head on his chest and they walked together to their bedroom. The room that was a statement of their relationship. Mikey had chosen an eclectic mixture of antiques and comfortable furniture. The rich-hued and well-polished woods begged to be caressed, and the satin down-filled comforter begged to be touched as well. Everything in the room bespoke elegant taste which appealed to the eye, as well as the textures that Mikey had chosen for their sensual qualities. The colors were a palate of restful monochromatic hues.

Mikey softly kicked the door shut behind them. His arms enveloped Nikita as he whispered into her ear. “Je t’adore, cherie.” His skillful hands began to roam up and down Nikita’s body. “Let me see you, cherie.” Mikey stood back to watch Nikita start to remove her black halter and slacks. Nikita gave a glance to the CD player in the armoire. Mikey smiled and hit the remote control. Their favorite music for love-making was already cued.

Nikita knew to take it slowly. She knew from long experience how much Mikey liked to watch her undress. As Nikita reached back to unhook her halter top, Mikey leaned against the bedroom door, as if he were not sure he could stand without its support as he watched her. Nikita slowly let the top fall silently to the bedroom floor revealing her two perfect breasts.

Mikey’s quick gasp at the sight of them, never failed to amaze Nikita. He always responded as he did when he had seen her body for the first time. There was no coquetry, no baudy hint of strip tease as Nikita slowly unzipped the side zipper of her slacks and allowed them to slide down her hips and thighs to puddle on the floor. This was a slow undressing, the unveiling of a work of art, if you will, performed only for one man, who appreciated lovely things, but none more than his beautiful wife.

Mikey took Nikita’s hand and led her to the cheval glass. “See your beauty, Ni-ki-ta. See why I can never touch you and make love to you enough. Never in one life time will I have enough of you. Your outer beauty is matched by your inner beauty, and it is the inner beauty I love the most.” Mikey’s hands caressed her breasts, and he could see their twin peaks harden in the mirror, as well as feel them react to his touch.

Nikita began to tremble with his caresses. If she could only put from her mind the things that were disturbing her. Quickly she whirled around to face Mikey. Wrapping her arms around him, she maneuvered him to the bed and threw him down. She began ripping at his clothes. She wanted to forget Madeline’s plans, and she was going to do it the only way she knew.

“Whoa, cherie.” Nikita’s sudden moves had taken him off guard, but he was willing to be manhandled a bit by his wife, quite a bit if the truth were known. If Nikita wanted to play a little rough, he would accommodate her.

Nikita reached into the drawer of the bedside table, and pulled out two silk scarves. Mikey’s eyes widened when he realized her intention. Mikey gave only token resistance to her tying his wrists to the bed. “Don’t hurt me, cherie,” he begged softly. “Please don’t hurt me. I will be good--pour tu.” It was all part of the game, one they hadn’t played in a while.

Nikita’s eyes were unfocused and her breathing was ragged as she began to ravage his body. His shirt was history, but he still had on his trousers. Nikita reached into the drawer again and pulled out a sharp hunting knife. Nikita smiled as Mikey’s eyes widened in mock fear. She really wanted to use the knife on someone, but Mikey was the last person she would ever harm. Slowly she began slitting the outside seam of his trousers.

As he withdrew reflexively, “Don’t move,” she commanded as she continued the inexorable rending of his pants. She fumbled at the belt, finally unbuckling it. She pulled his pants free as he lifted his hips to help her in the task.

“What are you going to do to me now,” he asked.

“You’ll see.”

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

` Mikey squirmed. He was becoming very aroused, and Nikita could see this quite plainly. “Ni-ki-ta, please, be gentle with me.”

Nikita scowled, “You’ve been very bad. You followed me to work, and now you’re in really big trouble, more than you can guess.” Nikita plucked a long feather from an arrangement of feathers by the bed and used it as a whip. She struck Mikey with the feathery tip across the chest. Mikey winced slightly, then began to shiver as she tickled him by running the feather down his abdomen avoiding his engorged manhood. She teased the feather down his thighs and back up again to his abdomen.

“I think you’ve been beaten enough, but your punishment isn’t over.”

“No?” Mikey was beginning to want more than the soft touch of Nikita’s feather. He wanted Nikita to touch him and kiss him. She was so good at punishment, he thought, as she continued to tantalize him with her beautiful body, which because of his bonds, he was unable to touch.

“No.” Nikita’s voice was firm but soft. Her eyes narrowed as she allowed the feather to float softly to the floor. Nikita then positioned herself so that her breasts were almost within reach of Mikey’s mouth. He struggled to kiss them, but Nikita punished him further by drawing away. She began to rake her nails lightly across his chest till his nipples were teased and as firm as hers.

“Ni-ki-ta.....” Mikey’s voice held a plea, not for mercy, but for more.

Nikita offered her breasts to Mikey again, and this time she was more generous. Mikey was able to kiss her left breast, using his tongue to circle the rosy areola. He could feel Nikita’s body start to shiver as her arousal increased.

Nikita began to moan, the game of punishment was forgotten once Mikey touched her with his tongue. The silken bonds miraculously came untied, and Mikey looped one of them around Nikita’s neck and drew her to him. His mouth ravaged hers hungrily. He was starved for her sweet lips, her soft touch and the warmth of her body next to his.

Mikey lips began a slow tormenting journey down Nikita’s body. As his hands raised her legs over his shoulders, he buried his face in her musky feminine core. Nikita’s legs shook as his tongue brought her to orgasm. Nikita’s head twisted from side to side in her sweet agony, and her pelvis arched against his lips as she cried aloud.

Mikey, who had been patient till now could wait no longer. He sank his swollen shaft into Nikita’s still gyrating pelvis. Her movements intensified with his repeated thrusts. It took all his will power and control to avoid coming immediately. He deliberately slowed the pace of this thrusts and began speaking softly to Nikita. “Easy, mon cherie. Let this last a lifetime. Je t’dore. Je t’aime, mon amour.” The rest of his soft words were in French beyond her knowledge, but they had the desired soothing effect.

Nikita’s movements became languorous and tender in tune with Mikey’s long, slow thrusting. Time seemingly stood still as the lovers paced themselves through the ancient rhythmic dance. Gradually, their pace began to intensify again. This time there would be no delay. Nikita’s legs were wrapped around Mikey’s waist, as he plumbed the depths of her womanhood. Mikey imprisoned her hands above her head so that he could control the rhythm. Nikita was beyond any control as her pelvis arched against his. Her mind was focused on one area of her body and on making sure that area received the attention it desired.

Mikey began groaning as his body began to signal that climax was imminent. Ten powerful and rapid thrusts brought them both to a shivering, shaking, shouting orgasm. Mikey buried his face in Nikita’s neck and drew a ragged breath--his heart bursting from his chest, and he could feel Nikita’s heart threatening to do the same.

“Je t’aime, Ni-ki-ta. Je t’aime.” his whispered hoarsely in her ear.

“I love you, Michael. You’re mine,” she breathed in his ear. “You’re mine alone.”

“Forever, Ni-ki-ta. Forever.” Mikey kissed her lips and brushed the blonde hair away from her lovely face. He kissed her eyelids, then her cheeks and chin, and then her lips again. He sighed in utter contentment and happiness as he lay with his Nikita.

Mikey cradled Nikita in his arms, and fell asleep quickly and deeply. Nikita, though comforted in her husband’s embrace, did not fall asleep easily. The tears she could not let Mikey see fell silently down her cheeks wetting her pillow into the early morning hours.

* * * *

Madeline let out a deep sigh at the culmination of their lovemaking. She was glad she had seen fit to have their condo equipped with cameras. They had not been needed till now, but what she had just seen added to her impressions that Mikey would make a superb valentine op. She had never seen anyone so gifted in the art of lovemaking. He was tender, sensual and powerful--an incredible combination in her book. Perhaps a menage a trois with him and Nikita would be the way to introduce him to his new role. Madeline sighed again. There was plenty of time before any movement needed to be taken in that direction. There was time for Nikita to get used to the idea, as well.

***********

Six months later.

In the training area, Mikey and Jurgen circled each other warily. Jurgen still had no been able to get Mikey to break through “the wall.” Jurgen was certain that Mikey wanted nothing more than to put him on his butt for good. Jurgen had baited, insulted and harassed by Mikey for 6 months, and he was beginning to believe it was useless. Mikey was going to be a washout in hand-to-hand combat, unless Jurgen found and pushed the right button.

Jurgen saw Nikita walk past the training area and saw that Mikey’s attention wandered for one second. Jurgen rewarded his inattention with a hard right cross and Mikey ended up on the floor again, rubbing his chin. “How many times have I told you to focus?” he yelled. “Stop ogling your precious wife and pay attention to your opponent. Me!” he again yelled.

Nikita decided to make a diplomatic retreat, but as she did, Jurgen saw Mikey’s face flush hotly. He had found the button, Nikita. This was going to be fun, he thought.

“You know why your wife is so valuable to Section One, Mikey? Her looks. She makes a great distraction on deep cover missions. Have you ever asked what she does when she goes away for protracted missions, Mikey? Do you know that she sometimes poses as another operative’s wife, Mikey? Do you think she even misses you when she’s on a mission, Mikey?”

With each question and each ‘Mikey,” Mikey became more furious, but he was also smarter than he had been six months earlier. He knew Jurgen was pushing him into an all-out confrontation, and Mikey was ready to kill Jurgen, figuratively, if not literally. Mikey pulled himself off the floor and began to circle Jurgen again waiting for him to make the first move.

“What’s the matter, Mikey? Don’t you have the cojones to defend your hot little wife?” Jurgen made his move and his first mistake with Mikey. He underestimated him.

Mikey blocked Jurgen’s punch and with a blinding succession of kicks and punches knocked the trainer to the mat. Michael pounced and pinned him there with his fist drawn back in a ‘held’ punch. Jurgen admitted defeat grudgingly. “All right, Mikey, you’ve made your point. Now get off me.”

“My name is Michael. Say it!” Michael demanded fiercely.

“Michael, get off me.” Jurgen’s gritted his teeth with each word he uttered.

Michael smiled at the sound of his trainer calling him by his proper name. He jumped up and offered his hand to Jurgen, who took it with poor grace.

Michael bowed to his trainer and left the training area with his head held high.

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

Eighteen Months Later

Operations, Madeline and Jurgen are seated in Madeline’s office. Madeline looked steadily at the two men across from her and speaks first, “I’ve called this meeting to review Michael’s 18 month evaluation and to discuss where we need to go from here with his training. Jurgen, give me your best case scenario with Michael.”

Jurgen removed his wire-rim glasses and spoke in his best Rambo accent, “My only question with Michael is whether he has the capacity to kill in cold blood. He is still untested, and I think he takes this still as a game. He scores extremely high in all areas--martial arts, weapons, explosives and computers. He is very intelligent, but I have my reservations about whether he will be an effective cold op.” Jurgen solemnly replaced his glasses and nodded at Madeline.

Operations spoke next. “As a rule, I don’t involve myself in the actual training of raw material, but due to Michael’s somewhat unorthodox appearance here nearly two years ago, I have kept a very close eye on him. He still lacks discipline, and while I would normally recommend cancellation, I would prefer to avoid it in this case. Nikita is very valuable to Section One, and I for one want to keep her happy. I have also noted that Michael is brilliant in tactical simms. We have to find a way to bring him along to the desired status. He could be the future of Section One, if we can only instill in him the killer instinct. Madeline, you called this meeting. You must have something up your psych-ops sleeve.” Operations turned to the auburn-haired beauty with a smile.

Madeline returned his smile with an enigmatic one of her own. “Yes, I do. My plan is two-fold. Firstly, we must place him in a situation where he will have to kill or be killed. That is the only way he can be tested.”

Both men nodded in agreement. “Do you want to use abeyance ops?” asked Jurgen.

“Yes, Michael will hesitate, especially if it is someone he knows, therefore, this will make it a better test. I will work out the details later, but I feel this should be tested first and soon. Otherwise, the second plan would be a waste of my valuable time.”

Operations looked at Madeline quizzically. “Your time?”

“Yes. Michael’s charms may be lost on the two of you, but he figures in ninety per cent of our the female operatives'fantasies here in Section One. Michael’s sensuality and looks are perfect for valentine operations.” Madeline gave the two men a genuine smile.

“Whoa. Nikita is not going to be very fond of that idea,” Operations offered.

“Nikita will have to get used to it. I mentioned this to her quite some time ago, and I fear it has caused a slight rift in our relationship. She probably assumes I have given up that plan, but I have not,” Madeline pronounced firmly.

Jurgen spoke again, “What makes you think Michael will be any good in the sack. Valentine operations are often stressful.”

“I have proof of his skills.” Madeline deadpanned her answer and gave blank stares to both men.

“Jurgen, I will depend on you to set up the kill or be killed scenario. One proviso, it is not to involve defending Nikita or their child or their home.”

Jurgen nodded and left in his dignified manner to do Madeline’s bidding.

Operations blue-gray eyes sparkled as he looked at Madeline. “You have proof? What kind of proof, Madeline? Have you been a bad girl and put cameras in Michael and Nikita’s bedroom?”

“Of course, I have.” Madeline’s brown eyes began to twinkle as well. “I’ve been holding out on you and saving them for an opportune time.”

“Hmm. Shall we have home movies tonight, my dear?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes, we shall.”

* * *

Operations and Madeline lay in bed watching the tape that Madeline had made of Michael and Nikita months ago. Operations mouth was dry, and he found it difficult to swallow. At the end of the tape, he turned and looked at Madeline. “Why don’t we have some feathers around this place?” he asked hoarsely.

Madeline smiled as she leaned into his kiss. “Oh, but we do.”

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

Jurgen sighed as he sat down in his office. He keyed in his access code and pulled up the list of abeyance operatives. He needed to choose just the right one to test Michael. He also needed to set up the perfect scenario, so that Michael would be trusting in his fellow operative. Michael had gained Jurgen’s respect over the eighteen months of training. He had worked and trained hard, but Jurgen still felt he would ultimately fail as an operative because of his intrinsic nature. He wasn’t a killer, and that ultimately was all Section One wanted from any of them.

Jurgen scanned the list quickly. There were two ways to go--male or female. Jurgen considered and decided female. That would make for a very interesting test, he thought. Now which female? There were only four women currently in abeyance. He wanted to pick someone with whom Michael would be comfortable--someone with whom he would not be suspicious being paired:

1) Sylvia, tall and rawboned, the strength of a man, former army officer convicted of crimes against humanity in the Gulf War, unable to control her rages.

2) Tanya, tiny and petite, very attractive, former druggie, convicted of murdering her pimp, would probably use again, therefore a security problem.

3) Sharon, average height and weight, intelligent, arrogant, killed her lover in a jealous rage, along with his other mistress, a discipline problem, a very loose cannon.

4) Dot, older than the rest, convicted of killing her ex-husband and his new wife in their beds. Main limitation, unable to get past her anger at men, affecting her judgment on missions.

Jurgen eliminated Sylvia and Dot immediately. Michael would have an easier time relating to Tanya or Sharon. Jurgen considered further. Michael would have an easier time with Tanya due to her smaller size, so he chose Sharon for the signal honor of testing Michael’s killer instinct. She was larger and the more intelligent of the two, and she was physically excellent. She would be the better test for Michael.

Jurgen planned to send them together on a couple of simple reconnaissance missions to let them get used to each other and develop a rapport, then the third mission would be the test.

Jurgen called Madeline and outlined his scenario, and she seemed pleased at his choices. “You have a real gift for this, Jurgen. You may be wasted in training new recruits, If this plan succeeds the way I think it will, we’ll have to think of a way to reward you,” she promised.

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

Michael’s mouth went dry at the thought of being on a real mission. He knew it was only a lower level reconnaissance, and that he and two other operatives would be on site doing surveillance. It would be his first time out of Section One on a mission, and it seemed incredibly daunting. He had long given up his idealistic dream of what a secret agent did and was. He had seen operatives he talked to in the gym go out on a mission and never return. No one wasted any time or tears on them. They were gone--end of discussion.

Now when Nikita left on a mission, he prayed for her safe return. He wasn’t sure it did any good, but his childhood habit had reasserted itself the first time Nikita came back with an injury. She had maintained she was ‘fine,’ but Michael knew the weeks of intensive rehabilitation that followed and the air of desperation that pervaded Nikita’s mood until she was judged ready for operations again.

Michael waited anxiously for Jurgen to brief them on the upcoming mission. There were two other operatives waiting with him. They were both full operatives, and Michael reviewed what he knew of the two of them. Davis was known to be a temperamental and arrogant operative, but he and Michael had sparred together several times in the past few months. Michael thought he was probably a pretty good operative, and he liked him a lot--certainly better than his trainer Jurgen.

The female operative, Sharon, was known to be a hot head and a trouble maker, but she was also reported to be very intelligent and good to have at your side when operations turned sour, as they sometimes did. Michael gave her a smile which she returned freely. Michael knew that women liked him, and it never failed to amaze him. He had been devoted to Nikita for so long, that he had never thought about his effect on the opposite sex until he was around so many in Section One--none of whom were shy about letting him know exactly how they felt. It was very uncomfortable to have women ‘lusting’ after him. He guessed that was the right term. It seemed a little indecent, but then he was kind of old-fashioned in that regard. He knew he was a one-woman man, and that woman was his Nikita.

Michael sensed, rather than heard, Jurgen come into the briefing area. Jurgen’s quiet and peaceful persona gave off a multitude of vibrations, most of which twanged at Michael’s nerve endings. While Michael couldn’t offer any logical explanation for the way that Jurgen made him feel, he simply knew anytime Jurgen was near.

Jurgen activated the Vid Com. The face of an oriental man appeared. “This is John Chin, and you three will be stationed outside his small import business to watch for a shipment of biological weapons. Since our intel is unsure of when the shipment is due, the mission may take several nights of surveillance. Once he receives a shipment of any kind, you will notify tactical, and we will institute an assault. Any questions?”

Michael thought for a moment. “How will we know we have the right shipment?”

Jurgen looked at Michael in exasperation, “Just follow the mission profile. You see a shipment, you notify me. We’ll take care of the rest. Do you understand that?”

Michael flushed, but answered, “Of course.”

The trip in the Section van was uneventful. Sharon had given him a speculative look or two, but he had basically ignored her. He wanted to focus on the mission at hand.

“Hey, Davis, we have a newbie with us tonight. This is your first mission, isn’t it? I can tell. You look like you’re swallowing sand.” Sharon laughed with good humor.

Michael smiled tentatively and said, “That’s exactly what it feels like--from the Sahara no less.”

Davis rolled his eyes and said, “It’s gonna be a long night. I suggest we all get some rest till we arrive on site. It’s pretty cut and dried. We watch for a shipment. We call tactical, and they take the heat. Not much action--kind of a nice break for me. I guess you’re anxious to see the elephant and all that, eh Michael?”

Michael thought for a moment. “A test is a test, I suppose. I’m in no rush, but I guess this is as good a way as any to start going on missions.” He looked around the van nervously as a chill traced its icy tentacles down his spine.

***********

First Night:

It was the night of the new moon, and the darkness enveloped the surveillance team. Michael was restless as he sat in the cool night, and he, along with the rest of the team, had been on watch for at least six hours. Sharon and Davis were posted at other vantage points so that no opportunity would be missed for observing the arrival or departure of any vehicles. Michael could barely make out Sharon's dark form from his station fifty feet away, and he could not see Davis at all, however visuals of his team members were not necessary given the sophisticated communication devices that they all wore.

Sharon's soft voice kept up an easy chatter as they passed the time. "So, Michael, what do you think of your first mission, so far? Pretty boring stuff as these things usually go."

Michael shifted in position to keep from getting stiff. "It's okay. The excitement will probably come soon enough anyway." Michael was grateful to hear her voice. It 'was' boring, but Michael knew what the alternative was likely to be.

"Okay, children," Davis interrupted, "Stop the chatter. Just because we're bored, we don't need to be running our mouths so much. Someone may have counter-surveillance measures in place."

Michael could hear Sharon's sigh of resignation which sounded more like a huff and a puff. He wished Nikita were there, but she was on a mission in Paris. He had been naïve to think that they would see more of each other if he became a secret agent, but now it seemed like they saw each other even less. They had even had to hire a full time nanny to care for little Nikki because of their inconsistent and erratic schedules. He missed little Nikki as well. She was almost ready to go into second grade. He could not believe how the time had flown since she was the tiny pink dynamo that was placed in his arms. He had always believed in love at first sight, because it had happened that way with Nikita, but little Nikki had an incredible pull on his heart the first time he saw her.

“Michael,” Davis’s soft voice warned, “a truck’s coming from the southeast. Give me a visual.”

Michael did as ordered, but the truck was only a tease. It passed them by without slowing down at Chin’s import business. Michael looked at his digital watch. The blue numbers read 2:07 AM. He hoped the expected shipment would come that night, because it seemed as if the night would never end.

* * *

Second Night.

The second trip to the site was more high-spirited. Sharon was flirting shamelessly with both Michael and Davis. They had passed one night as a team, and it was Sharon’s laughing suggestion that they should be a team in more ways than one. Davis gave Sharon a speculative look, as if to ascertain her level of seriousness, then raised his eyebrows at Michael to see if he were interested.

Inwardly, Michael was a little shocked at Sharon’s meaning. It was a titillating idea, but not one he would ever be interested in indulging. On the other hand, he didn’t want to insult a fellow team member. “You are a very brave woman indeed, Sharon. Nikita would not take kindly to such an arrangement, and she can still whip my butt when it comes right down to it.” Michael gave a giggle, and Sharon, who was only half-way kidding, laughed delightedly as she pictured Nikita ‘spanking’ Michael.

“Well, maybe you are right about that after all, Michael. I wouldn’t want to get caught tampering with Nikita’s property.” Sharon reached over and patted Michael’s thigh as if to emphasize her meaning.

Michael looked into Sharon’s brown eyes and laughed as well. “I may be Jurgen’s material, but I am definitely Nikita’s property.”

Davis joined in the laughter, for he knew only too well what the beautiful Nikita would be likely to do to anyone caught trespassing with her husband, and tt would not be pretty

The second night passed without incident. There were no shipments and not even a stray truck to tease them into action. Chin’s Import sat there closed and dark.

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

Third Night

Michael walked into Walter's armory. "Walter, here's the inventory of what we need for tonight. They think this is going to be the night the shipment comes in." He gave the older man a half smile. Walter was a favorite of his and Nikita’s, and he was one of the few people that Michael trusted in Section One.

Walter gave Michael a speculative glance. "Think so, Michael? Usually the intel is more accurate than what we’ve been given so far on this mission. Watch yourself tonight, Michael.” Walter leaned his head closer to Michael’s and said softly, “Don’t trust anybody, kid.”

Michael raised his thick eyebrows and asked, “Why not?” He felt Walter was trying to warn him about something specific, rather than something general.

Walter paused, started to speak, then paused again and shook his gray head. “It’s just a feeling I have. I get them sometimes. Watch your back, and don’t ....” Walter stopped, as if to say more, but couldn’t. He waved him on and sighed as Michael left. He hoped he would see him again and alive. Walter had always been able to tell when a recruit was going for the ‘test.’ There was a current in the air that was almost an odor, and it emanated everywhere in the stainless steel underground cage that was Section One. The sensation made his heart beat faster, and it wouldn’t stop until he saw the mission return in the morning and who returned with it.

Michael puzzled over Walter’s words as he walked toward van access. As usual Jurgen stood at the door as the mission loaded. Again, Jurgen did not enter the van, but would remain to run the tactical oversight from Section One. Michael nodded to Jurgen as he walked past him. Jurgen returned the nod. “Michael.”

His fellow operatives Sharon and Davis were already on the van. He was the last to enter. Sharon was busily adjusting her body armor, and Davis was focused on cleaning his 9mm weapon. “Think this will really be the night?” he asked of neither in particular.

Sharon glanced up, shrugged and went back to checking her tabs and camera. Davis didn’t bother to respond. Michael’s instincts went into overdrive. Something was not right. The other two operatives would not look him in the eye. The night before Sharon had been ready for a menage a trois, and now he might as well not exist--for either operative. Michael began to check his gun and clips as well. He leaned back and rested his head against the side of the van, but his eyes remained alert as he silently watched the other members of his team.

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

Nikita’s boot heels clicked sharply on the stone floor as she walked into Walter’s armory. She plopped down her 9mm and her remaining shell cartridges on the work table as she always did. “Walter!” she called loudly. She knew that Walter had a cot in the back of the area, and that he used it when he expected to be interrupted during the night by returning operatives.

Walter had not been asleep. Sleep would not come to him that night, and he was startled to hear the sound of Nikita’s voice. She had been leading a team on a mission in Morocco. “Sugar, what are you doin’ back so soon. The team wasn’t expected till tomorrow.”

Nikita bussed him on the cheek. “We got lucky. The weapons buy went down early, so we’re back. “Is Michael around? There might still be time for us to have a late dinner after I debrief.” Nikita looked around eagerly as she spoke. The smile on her face froze as she saw the indecision in Walter’s body language.

“No!” Nikita cried as her worst fear came to mind. “Walter, where is he? What’s going on? You’re trying to keep something from me.” Nikita was in the process of shoving Walter into the wall, when Walter slipped from her grip and held her up against the wall instead.

“Nikita, listen to me. Michael’s on a mission, maybe a ‘test.’ You can’t help him. He has to do this on his own.”

“NOOOO!” Nikita’s wail of anguish echoed through the emptiness of Section One. She began to struggle with Walter who kept her pinned. She beat at his shoulders and chest as she dissolved in tears. Her legs buckled, and her body slid down the wall until she sat on the floor and sobbed. Walter kept his arms around her as she continued alternately to wail and sob. Walter’s own faded blue eyes were rimmed with tears, as they sat in the floor together.

* * *

Operations from his aerie was in contact with Madeline. “Are you watching this?”

“Yes.” Madeline had been uneasy, since she had learned that the Moroccan mission had an early success. She feared Nikita’s interference in Michael’s test.

“How can Walter know?” Operations continued to watch Walter as he comforted and prevented Nikita from rushing out to Michael’s defense.

“I don’t know, but he always seems to sense it. He tests very high on the ESP scale, and for that matter, so does Michael.”

“Really? That’s very interesting. You never told me.” Operations was beginning to have a new respect for the depths of Michael’s abilities, and he would certainly take good advantage of them--if he survived the night.

“I suppose it slipped my mind,” Madeline said with her terminal Mona Lisa smile.

* * *

“Walter, I have to go to him. He’s not ready for this. It’s too soon. His two years aren’t up. Why now?” Nikita continued to sob and sniffle like a child. “I don’t know what I’ll do without him, Walter. I thought two years was a long time. He’s not ready.” Tears continued to course down Nikita’s face as she thought about raising Nikki alone. She thought of all the nevers. Never to look into his green eyes again. Never to lie in bed with him enjoying his body and his attentions to hers. Never to hear him speak to her again with French words of love as he kissed her body and moved over her. Never to hear him cry her name in passion.

Nikita swallowed and looked at Walter. “I don’t want to live without him, Walter. I don’t think I can!” Nikita surrendered again to despair and sobbed.

“Shut it up, Nikita. You can’t give up, when you don’t even know anything has happened to him. Give him some credit, Nikita. How do you think he’s going to feel when he comes back and hears how you’ve acted. You shame him, Nikita. He’s a man and deserves the respect of a man.” Walter spoke harshly. He had empathized with Nikita long enough. She had to straighten up and pull herself together, before there were serious repercussions.

Nikita realized the truth of Walter’s accusations, and she made a brave attempt at wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. “You’re right. I know you are, but....”

“No buts, Michael has as good a chance as anyone ever did on the ‘test.’ He’s fast, smart and well-trained. He’ll be fine.” Walter spoke with an assurance, that he was not sure he felt, but wanted to believe as much as Nikita.

Overhead a disembodied voice spoke: “Mission 43AK returning. Medical and Housekeeping to van egress.

Nikita gasped as she sprang to her feet and ran to van egress, her heels clicking loudly as she began her journey of desperation. Time slowed, her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and her breathing grew ragged and burned with each inspiration and expiration. Finally, she reached the van door as it slowly opened. Nikita held her breath.

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

Jurgen walked to the access door as it slowly opened. Nikita shot him a look of utter hatred and mouthed the words, “You son of a bitch!”

Jurgen nodded as he took off his wire-rimed glasses, “Nikita,it was time.”

Nikita’s response was to rush through the open access door toward the van. The van door opened, and a shaken Michael stood there. Nikita could see that he was covered in blood, and that he was holding his shoulder as if wounded.

A medic rushed past Nikita and began examining Michael on the spot. Michael shoved the medic against the corridor wall as he stumbled toward Nikita.

This sinister Housekeeper, Aaron, strode into the area. “How many, where?” he asked Michael brusquely.

Michael’s eyes focused for the first time as he heard Aaron’s voice. “Two, in there,” Michael said quietly as he motioned with a slight head movement.

Nikita’s eyes widened as she heard the words “two.” “Michael, let’s get you to medical.” Over Michael’s shoulder she could see Jurgen’s wry look of satisfaction, as he nodded at her again. Nikita’s relief that Michael was alive negated any response she might have made to Jurgen for the time being. She placed one arm around Michael’s waist and began walking with him toward the MedLab.

Michael looked at Nikita as if he didn’t know her. He’s in shock, she thought, as he continued to allow her to guide him. The medic that Michael had shoved aside followed them, but kept his distance at Nikita’s warning shake of her head.

Once the trio made it to MedLab, Nikita was shoved out of the way, which she allowed because she knew Michael’s physical wounds needed medical attention first. His psychic wounds would be considered later.

* * *

Operations entered Madeline’s comfortable office. “Well, I see Michael made it through his ‘test.’ Operations smiled at Madeline as she offered him a cup of tea. He waved it away. Tea made him sleep poorly if he drank it that late at night, and she knew it, too. He wondered why she bothered.

Madeline nodded, “Michael survived. Both the abeyance ops. are canceled. All in all I’d say it was quite a successful mission.” She looked at him with satisfaction.

“He seems to be a little the 'worse' for the experience. His responses are monosyllabic. He hasn’t spoken to Nikita, even though she was there at access. I’m a little concerned about his mental status.” said Operations with a small frown as he voiced his concern.