Madeline walks into Operations office, coming directly from the church, which Michael and Nikita cling to each other. She has posted Rick and Rita there to give them the most privacy they can get. She didn't have enough coldness in her heart to tell the two to get a grip and leave the church. Hopefully, Madeline believes in the next hour both will be able to leave.

"I've never seen you so emotional." Operations comments as he walks away from the glass window.

"I think we pushed the envelope to far this time." Madeline says touching her head with a touch of dizziness.

Operations pushes her into a chair.

"Well, then I guess this next mission goes to Rick and Rita." Operations says handing over the folder.

"Another one so quickly?" Madeline responds in polite shock.

"Terrorism doesn't stop, even for the emotionally hurt ones." Operations says coldly. Madeline glances through the file.

"Rick is not physically fit enough to handle this." Madeline says shutting the folder.

Operations takes it out of her hands.

"Then call Michael and Nikita in." Operations says turning his back on Madeline.

"NO." Madeline responds.

Operations turns back with anger written across his face.

"NO?" Operations questions with a stern frown.

"They'll be lucky to be able to walk out of that church in the next hour...They will be lucky that they can talk about this in the next week, let alone the next month.... We can not continue to torture our operatives like this and expect them to go out the next day like nothing happened!" Madeline defends herself as she raises from the chair.

"That is what we need in Section." Operations responds quickly.

Madeline walks close to Operations.

"The society that these operatives have been raised in is more psychological base, and with that, we must change the ways we do things here!" Madeline screams and walks away. She stares down at the floor below the office.

"Then who do we send?" Operations asks as if a challenge. Madeline turns around.

"Why don't we do this mission?" Madeline says.

Operations stands quiet.

"We haven't worked together in a mission in quite a while, and this couple seems to be older. From that, I might deduct that they would respond to an older couple before a young couple." Madeline responds regaining her usually calm statue.

"It is a easy, get in, get out mission." Operations says with a slight smile. He turns away, and then turns back.

"Yeah, we'll do the mission." Operations says tapping the folder.

"It should be fun." Madeline says with a twinkle in her eye. Operations steps closer to Madeline.

"It should be lots of fun." Operations says before he leans in and kisses Madeline.

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

Nikita and Michael walk into Section behind Rick and Rita. All four walk down the hallway in silence. Rita turns her head back and glance at Nikita and Michael.

"Maybe it would be better if we don't train tomorrow." Rita comments.

"Tomorrow 8 a.m." both Nikita and Michael say firmly together. Rita turns her head towards Rick and sighs.

"They are right." Madeline says as she turns the corner and faces the foursome. She is dressed in a purple evening gown.

"You look pretty, Madeline," Nikita squeezes out.

Madeline walks over towards Michael and Nikita, who visually show the several hours they held to each other crying.

"I'm going out for a while...I hope you'll be fine." Madeline says with very soft eyes. Both nod slowly.

Operations turns the corner and stops. He looks at Madeline who is still staring at Michael and Nikita.

"We have to go." Operations says as he steps and takes Madeline's arm. They leave the four behind and continue down the hall.

"Your tie is lopsided." Madeline says, stopping Operations and fixing the tie.

"You'd rather stay here and try to help." Operations says softly as he looks into her eyes.

"That is my nature." Madeline says softly as she pulls her hands away. "That is better."

"Ok, you two do know how to work everything now, right?" Birkoff asks with a sarcastic grin on his face.

"Birkoff, just do your job." Operations says firmly. Birkoff snorts like a pig and continues onto the van. Madeline looks back.

"I'm sure they can help each other...I'm sure that those two would try to push you away right now." Operations says as he links arms with Madeline again.

"You're probably right." Madeline says with a slight smile. They take several steps, and Madeline looks backs once more before stepping into the van.

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

Madeline slams the bathroom door and locks it. She turns and looks at the mirror.

"Birkoff...have any ideas?" Madeline says as she starts to look at her puffy eyes.

"I didn't want you guys to go to this poker game to start with!" Birkoff says as he speaks through a yawn.

"I just want Operations to lose so maybe the Cabots will invite us to stay the night with them since we have a 8 1/2 hour drive ahead of us!" Madeline says angerily.

"Madeline, to be honest, I've never heard you this emotional." Birkoff says, again through a yawn.

"Do your job." Madeline responds in a cranky voice. "We have all sat through this 7 hour poker game."

"Why don't you just say, Hey James, we do have an 8 1/2 drive ahead of us?" Birkoff asks. Madeline shuts her powder case.

"OH? Like that will work." Madeline says as she opens up the lipstick.

"It has worked for Michael and Nikita, and they have gotten into the target's house much more quickly." Birkoff points out as he tries to hold back a yawn.

"Will you stop yawning!" Madeline says angerily as she tries to steady her hand to cover her lips with more color.

"Madeline, you have to try something, or you and Operations are going to be dead on your feet. Either call the mission off or get into their house!" Birkoff says angerily. There was nothing more boring than listening to 7 hours of poker games.

Madeline shuts the lipstick without placing any on her lips. She unlocks the door and walks back to the table. She walks behind Operations and links her hands around her chest.

"Hon, don't you think we should leave...I did have fun plans for tonight..." Madeline says as she leans into his ear. Operations places money in for the bet. The other men look at Madeline.

"Oh, James...you know my appetite...and I wouldn't care if we were in the car...but you drove..." Madeline says as she starts to run her hands further down his shirt, heading towards the pants. Operation's breath quickens.

"Why don't you two stay with us tonight? We are only five minutes away." LeAnn Cabot offers. Operations looks at Madeline and smiles.

"We really appreciate that." Operations says as he rubs his hand by Madeline's side. The men laugh as they watch.

"Why don't you make this your last hand...I think there is at least two hungry women at this table..." LeAnn says as she reaches her hand to her husbands thigh.

"See...that line works miracles!" Birkoff gloats through another yawn.

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

Nikita walks into the training room and looks at Rick and Rita. She yawns while trying to cover it up with her hand.

"Nikita, why don't you go back to bed?" Rita says with a smile.

"Good try." Nikita says with a smile as she knows that Rita is trying to get out of today's sequences.

Michael walks in while yawning. Nikita doesn't even look at him. Nikita goes over to the control room and knocks on the window.

"Let's try the sequence with both of them." Michael says as Nikita steps out of the way. Rick and Rita stand apart with thier laser guns poised and ready. The sequence starts.

"Have you seen Madeline today?" Nikita questions Michael. He looks at the tired face of Nikita's.

"Why did you sleep in the office?" Michael asks softly. Nikita looks away.

"Do you think they went on a mission?" Nikita asks without responding to Michael's question.

"Nikita, you could have at least slept on the couch." Michael says as he touches her hand. She abruptly looks out to Rick and Rita, who seem to be working against each other.

"Pull it together!" Nikita yells out. "I just fell asleep and didn't feel like driving to our apartment half asleep." Nikita whispers. Michael clicks his tongue against the top of his mouth.

"I really wanted to talk." Michael says softly back as Nikita's attention is on Rick and Rita.

"I think we should talk about why Madeline and Birkoff aren't here. They are always here unless they are on a mission." Nikita says smartly back. Rita and Rick bump into each other.

"STOP...STOP...STOP..." Nikita calls out. THe operative in the booth ceases the sesquence.

"Ok, We have both of you working at high levels apart...why not together?" Nikita says as she walks out to the heavily breathing two.

"We are tired." Rick sighs. Rita stares back at Michael.

"We are all tired." Nikita comments with anger.

"Why take your anger out on us? We all were out late last night." Rita shouts. Michael starts to walk towards Nikita. Nikita backs up.

"FINE! GO!" Nikita huffs and she turns and leaves. They stand staring at Michael.

"You heard what she said." Michael says softly. Rick moves to leave.

"I don't get you two." Rita comments as she turns and starts to leave.

"Rita, what did you mean by that?" Michael says with a tinge of anger.

"Yesterday we sat in that damn church for hours watching you two sob your guts out for god knows why. Now you two are so far apart that I can't believe that Nikita is commenting about how Rick and I aren't working together!" Rita yells as she slams the door.

Michael takes a deep breath and walks out of the training room. He walks directly to Walter.

"Have you seen Madeline...I think Nikita wants to talk to her." Michael asks directly.

Walter pulls up his goggles off of his face.

"Madeline went on a mission with Operations and Birkoff last night." Walter says.

"And why wasn't I told of this?" Michael asks ignorantly.

"Look at what you were like last night. Look at yourself now." Walter says pulling the goggles back down.

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

"They are still at it." Operations says with a glint of anger as he stares out at the dark storm clouds approaching the house. Madeline sits on the bed, looking very tired.

"Probably because they haven't heard a peep out of our room." Madeline responds sarcastically.

"Remember, Michael and Nikita did a good job faking it when she was sick." Birkoff pipes into the conversation. Madeline looks at Operations.

"Is it because Birkoff is listening?" Madeline challenges Operations. He turns from the window.

"That is not why!" He quietly roars.

"Me listening has never stopped Nikita and Michael...those two are like a pair of rabbits...jumping right into.." Birkoff starts again.

"Will you stop talking about Michael and Nikita!" Operations quietly roars again. Madeline smiles, she was thinking the same thing.

"Well, Rick and Rita have never had problems in this area either..." Birkoff smartly remarks.

Operations moves over to the wall and listens again. A continually creaky sound is heard.

"Maybe we should just go down to their office well they are otherwise occupied." Madeline says standing up. Operations looks at her as she starts to pull the heels off of her shoes.

"Why are you doing that?" Operations demands as he puts his jacket on.

"We do have a mile and a half run through the woods to get to Birkoff." Madeline says with a smile.

"No problem." Operations says as he quietly opens the door.

"Aren't you going to at least scratch the bottoms of your shoes...it's going to be wet out there." Madeline says pulling her jacket on and pointing at the storm clouds.

"Hey, I can come in closer." Birkoff says in a happy voice.

"You stay put." Madeline says as she follows Operations down the hallway.

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

Operations walks into the office, and Madeline creaks into the office soon after. Madeline has a flashlight, searching the walls.

"They wouldn't have a safe on the wall with their age." Operations says as he searches the desk. He opens each drawer, and slowly shuts them. Madeline has walked over to a bookcase, and pulls back five books.

"How about on a bookcase?" Madeline says with a slight smile.

"Michael and Nikita never talk this much." Birkoff lightly warns as he hears the numerous amounts of noise they are making.

"Damn, I can't open it...this looks new." Operations says as he lightly slaps the safe.

"Does it have a keypad of symbols instead of numbers?" Birkoff asks slightly annoyed. He could be back at Section sleeping.

"Yes." Madeline whispers.

"It isn't new...it proves how long it has been since you've been out in the field." Birkoff responds.

Operations clears his voice.

"They will hear you." Madeline says in a deep smokey voice.

"Ok, the tools I gave you..." Birkoff starts describing the tool as Operations starts to fumble around with the little pack.

"Here, let me do that butterfingers..." Madeline says as she picks up the tiny pin-like tool.

"Insert it along the grove around the symbol pad." Birkoff says. Madeline does so, and then a door slamming is heard.

"Hurry!" Operations says in a frantic voice.

"Pull out, you won't have time!" Birkoff responds. Madeline continues.

"I have it up." Madeline says as she looks at it. "I push this little green thing?"

"Yes!" Birkoff says in awe that Madeline guessed right. Madeline pushes the green thing, and the safe pops open.

"Get the stuff and run." Birkoff orders. Operations starts to shove the items in a large black bag.

"How do we know this is the items we are looking for?" Operations asks while he looks at an item.

"We don't have the time." Madeline says as she ties the bag up.

"Movement coming down the stairs...Get out of there!" Birkoff says loudly. Madeline looks at Operations an a loud clap of thunder is heard.

"Exit plan?" Operations asks now in his regular voice.

"Jump through the window and run! Hope they don't have a good gun!" Birkoff screams.

Madeline again looks at Operations. She runs, throwing her arms infront of her face breaks through the glass. Operations is right behind her.

All of the lights is the house light, as screams of 'Get them!' echo through the house. Soon, shots are being fired. Madeline and Operations have almost reached the woods when Operations gets a shot in the upper buttock. He momentarily stops to realize that he must continue or die.

"Damn!" Birkoff swears, and he pushes the explosives off from the room which they had stayed in.

"That should buy you some time." Birkoff says angerily.

"Come on!" Madeline says as Operations stops for a quick breathe. "Are you ok?"

"Fine." Operations says coldly. They slow down to a light jog.

"You aren't on my screen anymore...where did you go?" Birkoff asks in an annoyed tone.

"We went to the east." Madeline responds.

"I'm on the WEST!" Birkoff screams. He instantly connects with Section.

"Give me Walter."

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

Nikita walks into the office and sees Michael. She looks like she is about to leave the office without saying a word when Michael looks up.

"Where have you been all day? Some sleep I hope." Michael asks softly as he pushes away from his desk.

"No. I actually worked out most of the day." Nikita says glancing away from Michael. She walks over to her desk and sits down.

"I thought you'd be talking to Madeline sometime today...that has become quite a regular routine." Michael comments carefully. Nikita turns towards him and blinks her wide blue eyes.

"She still isn't here." Nikita comments, and then turns away.

"I can't believe that. Are you avoiding her?" Michael asks, continuing his line of questioning.

"No. She is not here...but I guess you're trying to replace her!" Nikita says angerily as she stands up from her desk.

"Sorry. This is your office too." Michael comments and looks away. Nikita stands near the door.

Michael stands up as Nikita walks out the door.

"Where are you going?" Michael calls out from behind Nikita as he exits the office without closing the door.

"To find someone who knows where Madeline is." Nikita says firmly as she walks quickly down the halls of Section.

"She wouldn't have stayed gone this long." Nikita says in sharp words. Michael is trying to grab Nikita's arm as they turn the corner and bump head on into a charging Walter.

"I was just coming to see you sugar...You and Michael." Walter says as the three regain their balance.

"Funny, I was doing the same. Where is Madeline?" Nikita asks.

"Well, that's funny too...Birkoff is coming in... Madeline and Operations haven't asked for this... but you two may have to go retrieve them." Walter says as he looks around to make sure there are no other operatives around. No reason to let others know that the leaders aren't in control of the situation.

"Retrieve them...from where?" Nikita says with a laugh.

"I knew it was a mistake." Walter says as he takes Nikita's hand and starts leading her.

Michael walks behind the two, trying not to appear worried, so the operatives will think all is right. He throws several cold stares at some of the computer controllers who are playing games. They quickly change back to monitoring locations throughout the world.

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

"Keep it moving..." Madeline says as she looks back at Operations who is slowing as he leans against a long stick for support, well for his injured...butt.

"I need to rest." Operations says, leaning against a rock and sitting on the cheek that is not hurt.

Madeline comes back towards him. The rain has made all of Madeline's eyeliner to run down her face, almost giving her a mask of black. Operations smiles as he notices her face.

"I don't believe this is funny!" Madeline says with her hands on her hips. She looks away as she takes a deep breath to regain her balance.

"What is wrong?" Operations asks as he sees this gesture.

"I must be getting a bug." Madeline says as she leans down towards Operations leg. He pulls away.

"NO WAY!" Operations says putting a hand up to protect his wound. "If we have to wait till tomorrow, then we will wait till tomorrow."

"We are lost! And you sent back Birkoff! That boy will listen to us and won't tell anyone what has happened!" Madeline says loudly. The thunder and lightening are more fierce. The wind is whipping tree limbs around like paper.

"We need shelter from this storm." Operations says as a large limb hits Madeline's arm. Operations stands up and they continue walking. Soon, they come across a large tree, which has grown apart in four ways. It leaves a place for the two to sit, and the limbs block most of the timber that is flying through the air.

"You think Birkoff won't say anything?" Operations questions with a scream so he can be heard.

"Who would he go to? Michael and Nikita? We both know what has been happening with Birkoff since he monitors almost every mission." Madeline lectures with screams.

"I allowed you to talk me into this." Operations accuses loudly.

"You wanted to send in Michael and Nikita." Madeline screams back.

"But I wish they knew." Madeline says in a soft voice.

"Nikita would have needed you today. She will find out." Operations says in an equally soft voice.

Madeline makes a funny face.

"What is it?" Operations asks by talking directly into her ear.

"Either that bug or that nasty food at the poker game." Madeline responds and they lean against each other.

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

"I can't believe they went on this mission!" Birkoff says to Michael and Nikita has he hands over the intelligence.

"It's a simple wine and dine and get out." Michael says skimming the file.

"First, I sat through a seven hour poker game...then they fought in the room, didn't even pretend...well...you know." Birkoff says.

"Yes. We know." Nikita says sharply. All three men look at her with harsh glares.

"Then they didn't know how to open the safe with a symbol pad...they were found, they ran the wrong direction...and Operations got shot." Birkoff sums up quickly.

"Where did he get shot?" Michael questions immediately.

"In the butt!" Walter says with a laugh. Nikita covers her mouth to hide her slight giggle.

"I don't find this situation funny, Nikita." Michael says with his stone cold face.

"Come on Michael...he got shot in the butt... he's been are pain in the a$$ for a long time." Nikita says with a smile. Michael glares at her. He turns back to Birkoff.

"Where are they now?" Michael asks. Birkoff pulls out a large map.

"Pick a place." Birkoff says. Michael and Nikita look at the map.

"The storms have totally ruined their com units because it was suppose to be an in and out mission."

"So if we go looking for them, it could be anywhere?" Nikita questions.

"We can narrow it down. This is the pick up spot. This is where they told me to meet them tomorrow night. SO, they are going to have to circle around to miss being detected by the Cabots." Birkoff says, pointing with his finger.

"Well, lets raid Madeline's office and make you two into bonifide hikers." Walter says standing up. Birkoff stand in the room.

"Aren't you coming?" Nikita questions Birkoff.

"Isn't it wrong to break into her office?" Birkoff says. Nikita walks back to Birkoff and grasps his hand.

"If you are a good boy and come with us...I'll let you watch me change." Nikita says with a smile on her lipls. Birkoff blinks. He walks up to Walter.

"When did she get that good?" Birkoff asks. Walter looks at Birkoff and looks away.

"I think she has always had your number." Walter says, speeding up his walk.

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

Operations is leaning on Madeline heavily as they trudge out the next day, in sometimes ankle deep mud. Both have lost their shoes, but know that an infection is setting into Operations 'wound'.

Madeline steps on a rock and slides on the mud, Operations loses his footing and tumbles on down the hill, doing a half twist and ending up ahead of Madeline.

Madeline starts to slide down the hill and gets lodged against a tree. She tries to stand up, but ends up sliding again, doing a head over heals flip and sliding down the hill head first.

Madeline slides down and hits right against Operations is a huge mud puddle. They look up and then at the giggling.

"I guess we didn't have to go far." Michael says as he tries to maintain a straight face. Madeline again looks at Operations and smiles at his mud covered face.

"You have my coat on!" Operations roars at Nikita. She turns around in a blue parka.

"We had to look like hikers!" Nikita says, still laughing, not moving to help the two mud cover leaders. Birkoff walks out of the van, with a couple towels.

"I'm glad I thought they would only get maybe a mile." Birkoff says turning around to grab the supply of water.

Madeline stands up and helps Operations up.

"You could help!" Madeline says angerily, which cause both Michael and Nikita to crack up.

"I knew mud was good for the skin, but I didn't think it would take this much!" Nikita laughs out, as she jumps back as Madeline tries to hit Nikita with a splatter of mud.

Suddenly Madeline grabs her stomache.

"Madeline!" Operations says as he grabs her. She looks at Nikita and Nikita looks away.

"Let's get back to Section now....We can clean up there." Operations says. Michael, who is wearing another coat of Operations, but he hasn't realized it yet, helps pick up Madeline and carries her into the van.

_________________________________________________

The pain has subsided some for Madeline as she leans against the side of the van. She glances over at Nikita. Nikita looks at Madeline, and then looks away. Michael looks at the exchange between the two, thinking that they knew something.

"Nikita, we still have a long ride...can I speak to you back here?" Michael says motioning with his head towards the back of the van.

"No. I need to get some sleep." Nikita says as she walks over to Walter and leans against him.

Within seconds she is asleep. Walter shakes his head no to Michael, indicating to Michael to just leave Nikita alone.

"Sir, do you need something?" Birkoff says as he looks at the staring Operations.

Birkoff has to pinch his leg to stop from laughing at Operations wound.

"No. But thank you for telling Walter. He did the right thing." Operations admits, lowering his eyes. "No one else knows, right?" Operations asks.

"Right." Michael responds.

"But, this will be hard to explain." Operations looks at Madeline, who is again whincing in pain.

"We were in a car accident, got shot by and angry farmer, and got caught in a bad storm." Operations says firmly, but his eyes stay planted on Madeline.

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

"I don't have to tell you, do I?" Nikita says as she walks into Madeline's Medlab room. Madeline stares at Nikita's eyes and looks down.

"I thought I was for a while." Madeline says looking at her stomache.

"Has Section changed that much?" Nikita questions with a wicked eye. Madeline motions for Nikita to come sit down.

"I once killed a baby because I knew it wasn't going to have a life." Madeline admits with a bit of tears in her eyes. "But, even if this kid only knows of life in Section, it may still have a life. Not what we want as a dream life, but still a life."

Nikita looks away, and Madeline touches her hand softly.

"I believe that, because once me and Operations have 'moved on', Section will be yours and Michael's, I truly believe that. We can only progress. And maybe someday the world will progress to were Section is no longer needed." Madeline passionately says.

Again Nikita looks away.

"Everything that has been stable in your life here at Section has been shaken in just a matter of days.... You need to talk." Madeline says softly.

"I need to think." Nikita says as she stands up.

"You need to feel." Madeline corrects.Nikita stands at the window, watching Michael who is in Operations' room.

"It's going to be hard for you to watch me through this.... it is natural." Madeline says as she watches Nikita's back.

"That is the past!" Nikita fires back turning around.

"The past haunts you, it is killing you slowly......" Madeline says reaching for Nikita. Nikita keeps her distance.

"You never had a caring mother.... that's why you're pulling away." Madeline assess. Nikita stares at her intensely.

"I hope everything works out for you Madeline..." Nikita says as she opens the door.

"Your dying Nikita...and nothing will be left!" Madeline cries out.

Michael looks out from Operations' room when Madeline screams. Operations says something to Michael and he nods.

He walks into Madeline's room and looks at the monitors.

"You need to calm down, it's not good for the baby." Michael says as he sits down next to Madeline.

"Don't waste your time with me... Nikita needs you more." Madeline says firmly. Michael looks down at his hands.

"Nikita doesn't want me... and I must allow her that." Michael says slowly, mechanically. Operations appears at the door. Michael stands up, helps Operations into a well padded chair and leaves.

"You won't...." Operations asks softly looking down at Madeline's stomache.

"I won't.... we've changed things here in Section." Madeline says with a large smile.

"Yes, we have." Operations says, but looks away.

"We have to keep it here." Madeline says, which draws Operations eyes again.

"We can't have Nikita correcting all of your kids' mistakes!" Madeline says and both clasp hands and smile.

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