The plan was working properly. All the operatives were doing as they were supposed too, and the scores kept on showing encouraging marks.
Except for Nikita.
But she didn't tell anyone.
Nikita pushed herself harder and harder, trying everything she could to figure out the problem that she had created. The situation that Nikita knew she could get herself into once inside of Section One.
A showdown between Madeline and Operations and herself. She needed to kill both and win, before they killed her. The way it set up, the computer computed that it was impossible for the skills that Nikita was facing, for Nikita walk away, alive and on top.
The program continued to show the two of Madeline and Operations. She would run the simulations hundreds of times a day, taking the lasers usually to her chest or head. They always won.
Except once. The modified gun that Katherine had made had worked. Nikita had won in those trials. However, the plans of Nikita's move into Section One would not allow her to bring in a modified gun, let alone any kind of gun. She couldn't be sure what type of weapon she could secure before the showdown.
Yet, Nikita was almost willing to give her life up if it meant that Madeline and Operations died.
Almost.
Michael and his love for Nikita, kept from Nikita accepting that fate. She knew that somewhere that there was a solution and that she was running out of time. The need to keep this secret was running out, and Nikita needed to decide to do something.
Asking for help was hard for Nikita. She was in charge and Nikita shouldn't have to ask for help. But Nikita knew it as she pulled herself out of the workout room and felt her body shudder with the reactions from the lasers.
"Nikita? Are you all right?" Katherine questioned as she walked down the hallway. It wasn't planned by Katherine, but a few operatives had a gun jam in the shooting range and Katherine was going down to fix the problem. Nikita had stumbled out and the maternal instincts of Katherine came to the surface, even though Nikita had continually turned her down.
"I need help," Nikita softly stated and Katherine moved closer to Nikita. Katherine had taken stock of the way that Nikita looked and believed Nikita to be talking about her health. Nikita jerked away from Katherine's strong hold and Katherine shook her head.
"You said you needed help, Nikita.. I'm trying," Katherine protested Nikita's actions. Nikita leaned her head against the wall. She was taking a risk. A big risk. But the clock was ticking and Nikita could hear it in her head, pounding against her eyes and forehead. She had to take that chance.
"No... it's about the simulation I am working on now... I can't get the shots off..." Nikita stated and Katherine nodded her head. She paused as she looked up and down the hallway. Instantly, Katherine knew that this wasn't an ordinary kind of simulation that Nikita was speaking about.
"I need to see it, Nikita.. I can't help you on this without seeing what I am dealing with..." Katherine commented and Nikita took a deep breath. It wasn't a deep breath because Nikita was still scared, it was a deep breath to give Nikita the strength to go through the simulation again for Katherine's benefit.
"In," Nikita said as she heaved the door open and looked to the inside of the room.
The room had been transformed. It lacked the glass, but everything else, made the room look exactly like the glass office that Operations would look down at Section One from. Katherine looked around it and knew about it. Walter had often spoken about an office like this one. Nikita looked to the pretend stairs that she had build herself and walked over in that direction. It was the only safe place for Katherine to stand after Nikita turned on the computer.
Nikita had programmed the simulation. She had found Madeline's and Operations' recent scores and stats in George's computer. Nikita inputted them and added the voices to the images. It was complicated, but it was exactly as Nikita knew it would come out. The words were even computed based off of Madeline's and Operations' scores and knowledge.
To put it short, they sounded and acted just like the real Madeline and Operations.
"This runs for a while until I have to shoot.... It's best just to watch it..." Nikita stated as she looked to the computer panel. Nikita pulled up a gun and sighed once more. Her body wanted to drop right there, to take a rest.
Nikita pushed the buttons and waited.
"It's time that we talked..." Nikita stated as she entered the room. Her gun was drawn out and ready to shoot when the time came. The computer turned the images of Madeline and Operations around.
"Look who has come back, Madeline... Does this surprise you?" Operations questioned as he smoothly grabbed for his own weapon. Nikita stared at him, not breaking her glare to look at Madeline as she pulled her own gun.
"I knew the power inside of Section Eight wasn't enough for you... Or is this personal?" Madeline questioned. Nikita moved closer as she carefully moved her eyes from one target to the other.
"Still wanting Michael... Well.. this time it is surely going to be the death of you, Nikita..." Operations stated as he tilted his head to the side. Nikita jerked, fighting the urge to kill him at that moment.
Nikita's mind was gone at the moment. These weren't computer holograms. These were Madeline and Operations.
Nikita tossed her hair from side to side. "I can't let you get away with what you did..."
"What we did?" Madeline questioned as she looked amused by Nikita's statement. Madeline drew her face to stare into Nikita's eyes. "You couldn't follow orders, Nikita."
"So you took my mind... my emotions... Made me the Section robot that you wanted..." Nikita hissed out as she shrugged her shoulders lightly, ready to shoot.
"We have no need for emotions in Section One... You are ours to do with what we wish, Nikita... We own your emotions... Therefore we can take them away..." Operations stated and Nikita lifted her chin and swallowed once more.
"That's not a good enough answer... And you don't own me... I work for Section Eight..." Nikita stated out with a strong voice, but one that strangely lacked emotion or passion.
"It doesn't matter, Nikita... You are going to pull the trigger... and try to kill us... We've won... You aren't in control..." Madeline stated as she inched closer.
"I have more control..." Nikita stated as she started to pull the trigger.
It was too late as the computer unleashed the lasers. Both hitting Nikita in the chest before she could even pull one shot off. She feel to the grown and the computer took the holograms off.
"NIKITA!" Katherine hollered as she moved away from the stairs and moved towards Nikita. She bent down and shoveled the gun away from Nikita's body. Nikita turned her head to the side as she moaned in the pain that continued.
It had been too much for one day. Nikita knew it and Katherine knew it. Katherine had ideas about how to try it next, but now, as Nikita still moaned on the ground, Katherine had to wonder if it was worth trying it. She wanted to talk Nikita out of doing this. PERIOD.
"Nikita... come on.. sit up..." Katherine helped to direct as she pulled at Nikita's arm. Nikita gasped at the air as she sat up. Katherine shook her head, almost ready to run for the phone to call medical. But Nikita finally stopped panting, as if she was used to being hit with the lasers.
Katherine wondered how long Nikita was doing this for.
"Ok... Nikita.. I will help you in this... but you got to promise me some things..." Katherine stated and Nikita nodded her head. This last time proved to Nikita that she needed that other perspective. In a way, Nikita wished it would have been Michael, but that was not possible. Nikita looked to Katherine and blinked her eyes.
How she missed Michael. Badly.
"You are crying... I don't think I have ever seen you cry..." Katherine whispered as she reached for Nikita's face. Nikita pulled away and Katherine dropped her hands. She wasn't going to push her issues now. Katherine finally had Nikita listening to her, and Katherine wasn't going to lose that opportunity.
"Ok... here is my offer... I help you... If you get at least six hours of sleep a night... and three solid meals a day... And tomorrow... You are getting out of here..." Katherine stated and Nikita turned her head. She tried to protest, but Nikita's breath was heaving again. The pain was surging once again.
"No buts, Nikita... You need this..." Katherine stated as she touched Nikita's forehead. Nikita leaned back and sighed.
Nikita wanted to protest. She wanted to say no. Nikita wanted to stand up and walk away from this deal.
But a day off sounded so nice.
*
The noise of the traffic that circled the park was blocked out as the feeling of the sun was so much more important. Even noticing the other people walking around in the green grass or walking their dogs went unnoticed. This was more about being in the nature.
Breathing fresh air.
It felt good for Nikita to have sweat pants on, and a t-shirt. The comfortable clothing felt nothing but like a soft pillow that had taken hold around Nikita's body, making the aches and pains less. Her hair streamed out behind her, floating in the air. The first time it had been free in ages.
Free.
That was what Nikita felt at the moment. There were no chains around her wrists and the compulsive thoughts that Nikita had about the plan while inside of Section Eight, had vanished as she stepped out into the real world.
How she missed the simple thing. How she missed the little pleasures that Nikita had always taken the time to look for.
Now she could stop and smell the roses.
She was still alone, and that was the only thing that made a shadow cross this day. Nikita hugged her arms around her stomach, hoping that the feeling would pass. It didn't work well, but Nikita fought against it. It was about being alone that worried Nikita.
It was her ultimate fear.
The wind picked up and pulled Nikita's hair off of her back, pulling it back, twirling like a colorful windsock. Nikita giggled as she turned around in a circle and then stopped. She felt light. She felt rested.
"Kita... we don't have much time..." Michael's voice emerged as he reached out from the trees and took Nikita's hands. She jumped even though she heard Michael's voice. She saw Michael's eyes and melted into his body.
"Michael! I didn't think that I would see you... well you know..." Nikita stated as she knew that she could overreact with this situation. Both Michael and Nikita had ways to know when they were being watched and not.
Right now they were safe.
But they couldn't be too careful.
"I had sometime... I'm meeting a contact..." Michael stated as a smile spread across his face. He looked at Nikita's face and held her to his body as they started to walk in the spring-like day.
They were two lovers, rushing off to a love nest to be with one another.
"How did you know? I missed you so much... I didn't..." Nikita started to speak and Michael smiled and placed a kiss to Nikita's lips. The kiss silenced her for sometime.
"Let me just say... I was strongly urged by a mean old man with gray hair to take a walk in this park today..." Michael stated as he wrapped his arm around Nikita's shoulder, squeezing her tight to the body.
"Walter.... and Katherine..." Nikita softly replied as she dropped her head. Nikita pushed her hair to the side and looked at Michael as she placed her head on his shoulder.
"I needed this..." Nikita finally admitted as she stopped at the street. There was a small hotel across the street. Michael's car was parked there.
He already had a key.
"I know..." Michael replied as he reached out and applied a kiss on Nikita's forehead. She giggled underneath Michael's touch as they started to cross the road.
"You know... what you did to Mick... was very wrong..." Michael stated and Nikita hopped onto the sidewalk and looked at Michael.
"I did what I had to, Michael... Doesn't mean I wanted too..." Nikita sadly stated as she dropped her head. Michael reached out and touched her chin, lifting her eyes to look at his.
"Can't you tell me when? Can't you let me help you?" Michael questioned and he knew the answer as Nikita blinked her eyes. Nikita's bottom lip trembled as she wished that she could respond yes to both questions. It hurt her probably more than any of the lasers that had hit her of late.
"I'm sorry Michael... I am so sorry..." Nikita whispered out as the tears rolled out of her blue eyes. Michael took his thumbs to her cheeks to wipe them away, and quickly. He leaned down and kissed both wet cheeks.
"I love you, Kita..." Michael stated as he pulled his mouth away from her left cheek. He stared into Nikita's eyes and smiled lightly. Her heart fluttered.
"No more talk of Section..." Nikita tried to proclaim and Michael nodded his head. Nikita started to walk a few inches away from Michael as he pulled the key out of his pocket. He nodded towards the room and Nikita smiled as he opened the door.
"That is one big bed..." Nikita commented as she stepped into the room.
"Well.. do you want to sleep... You look tired..." Michael stated. He immediately jumped back as Nikita punched his arm. Nikita laughed as she dropped down onto the bed and bounced. Nikita laughed and looked up at Michael. He pulled off his leather jacket and sat down next to Nikita.
"I missed you terribly, Nikita.... My need for you grows more unbearable each day..." Michael whispered as he nuzzled at Nikita's neck. Nikita leaned her head to the side, giving Michael more space to touch with his lips and his soft and supple tongue. Nikita closed her eyes and felt the tears there.
Michael pulled away as he felt the wetness roll off from Nikita's cheek. He reached his little finger up to trace the path of that tear, wanting to know what was going on in Nikita's mind. He wanted to know why she was so distanced right now, when Michael wanted to be so close to her.
"I'm sorry... I'm ruining the moment..." Nikita finally struggled to say as she pushed her palms into her cheeks, trying to push the tears back into her eyes. She shook her head and looked to Michael as he touched her cheek softly, cupping it and holding it.
"You can't ruin it, Nikita... Just tell me what is causing these tears... I am afraid that it is me..." Michael whispered and Nikita shook her head back and forth. She tossed her hair nervously with one hand before reaching to kiss both of Michael's hands.
"Even though Section Eight is mine... and although I run it... Sometimes I feel like I don't belong there... Like I am just an outsider that will never fit in..." Nikita revealed and Michael nodded his head. It had to be terrible to feel that way. He would have never guessed it with the way he saw Nikita inside of Section Eight when he was there. She looked to be one with Section Eight.
"Do you feel that you fit in somewhere?" Michael questioned and Nikita leaned her head down on Michael's shoulder. He didn't know if she was just stalling or trying to hide from her answer. Her hands twisted with one another until she raised her head and looked at Michael.
"If you think I feel that I want to go back to Section One... because I belong there... You are wrong..." Nikita warned out and Michael shook his head back and forth.
"I never said that, Nikita... I want to know where you feel that you fit in..." Michael stated, hoping for the answer and not another place of where she didn't belong. Nikita looked at Michael and lightly smiled.
"I belong wherever you are," Nikita responded and Michael nodded his head. It was the most beautiful thing that Nikita could have said to her at this moment.
"No more Section talk, Nikita..." Michael reminded Nikita as he traced her lips with his finger. Nikita parted her lips and allowed Michael to continue with his tracing path.
It was slow, and Nikita slowly pressed her lips down and around Michael's finger. Taking his taste off of his finger and foreshadowing actions that would soon occur between the two. Michael parted his own lips to allow his soft moan of pleasure to escape from his throat.
The simple things mattered so much.
"I missed..." Nikita whispered out as Michael kissed at her neck. Nikita moaned and leaned her head back. She was still clothed, in fact, Michael was still clothed, but Nikita was on fire.
"You so..." Nikita moaned out again as Michael dropped his hands from her shoulders and to her waist. She was falling back against the bed as Michael kissed at the line of her t-shirt. He dropped his head, seeing the marked darkness of her freed breast, as she did not wear a bra on this relaxful day. He licked at the material and slowly teased the peaks of each breast upward, hardening and causing Nikita's moans to increase.
"Much..." Nikita breathlessly whispered as she arched her back, wishing that the clothes could just disappear. She didn't want to move to take them off. She didn't want Michael to stop what he was doing, but she needed more.
"Kita..." Michael moaned as he moved his mouth to the next peak of Nikita's breast. His hands started to push the material of the shirt up, aching to touch his skin to Nikita's hot and searing fleshing. The need was growing in intensity, Michael feeling like he was about to combust if he didn't get this much needed contact.
Michael growled as his hands didn't work correctly. He dropped his head and shoved it up Nikita's shirt, finally licking his tongue against the skin that had hardened from his tongue through the shirt. Michael moved his hands to remove other clothing that was much more important to remove.
The material was so soft to Michael's hands. Again, his hands teased before he started to remove. He felt Nikita squirm. He heard Nikita moan. He saw Nikita arch up to get more of his touch.
She needed more.
He needed more.
"Michael..." Nikita gasped out as she rolled her head to the side. She couldn't get her hands into his hair. She couldn't pull Michael's mouth up to her lips. She pulled at her shirt, slowly ripping it at the seem until Michael's head was revealed.
He didn't even move his mouth from her breast. He was suckling gently and then with a nip, to cause more pleasure to crescendo through Nikita's body, just to wait for more.
"Mmm... off..." Michael moaned as he started to pull his own shirt off. His movements were rushed. He was getting pleasure from this, but this was for Nikita and about Nikita. Neglecting himself to pull off a shirt was fine, but it would not be fine to neglect Nikita at all.
"Michael... I need you..." Nikita moaned out as she flipped her hips up. It was a sign that definitely told Michael what she wanted and needed. Michael moved his hands underneath the elastic and started to lower the pants.
They both knew that they would be lucky if Michael pulled the pants halfway off. They were in such need that the details didn't matter, as long as they mated and were one with another.
"We don't have much time..." Nikita reminded Michael, echoing his words back, not wanting to go slow.
"We have enough time for this and some more..." Michael commented as he unzipped his pants.
Michael would be right.
*
Nikita slumped to the ground as the lasers had just pounded her body again. Michael had seen the marks that the repeated hits had left on her body. He was worried. He didn't realize how worried Nikita was about it too.
"Nikita... please be careful," Michael softly whispered as he placed his lips over those areas. Nikita closed her eyes as his lips made the pain ease, to allow her freedom from that pain that she was so used too.
"I am, Michael," Nikita stated as she opened her eyes and found Michael staring down at her. His eyes flickered with all the emotions that had been flickering in them from the moment Nikita laid her eyes on him in the park. Nikita smiled and reached out for his head, aching to get his lips to hers again.
"I don't know what I would do if something would happen to you, Nikita..." Michael stated softly, with a soft whispered that Nikita barely heard. She choked back tears and nodded her head.
"Then you understand why I have the laser marks.... because I don't want to go through this... and hurt you more, Michael... We've both hurt enough already in our lives..." Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head. Finally his lips touched hers.
Nikita knew that Michael was worried for her. It made getting up so much harder. She knew that she couldn't fail herself, but what was more important, that she didn't fail Michael.
Katherine stepped away from the stairs and looked at Nikita. Something was missing. Katherine couldn't see what was going to make Nikita have the time to kill both of them. However, Katherine felt that the computer was portraying both Madeline and Operations flat, like they were not real people. Katherine knew that it was possible, that neither had a personality or even emotions, but Katherine highly doubt that.
"I might live from this wound..." Nikita said as she struggled to stand up. Her hands pushed her up to the wall and she leaned her head back. She was tired all over again, forgetting the healthy day that she had spent with Michael.
"We both know that you would be dead instantly," Katherine replied coldly. She knew that Nikita was trying to figure out something that would almost be impossible to do. However, Katherine had heard of the impossible things that Nikita had done. Most often, she did those things with Michael... but other times, Nikita was a miracle.
"I know..." Nikita softly responded. She dropped her head and sighed. Getting shot wasn't the problem right now. Nikita was willing to get shot. As long as it wouldn't kill her.
"Isn't there something that you could say to stall them both? Something that would throw off their reflexes?" Katherine questioned and Nikita looked to the walls and sadly shook her head.
"I've tried everything... and I keep getting the same responses back.... You've seen it... How many times have we run this simulation today?" Nikita questioned and Katherine flinched. Nikita definitely had a point right now. But this was a computer.
"Nikita... this computer... Couldn't it be wrong... Of course it had deadly accuracy..." Katherine stated and Nikita shook her head as she pulled the panel out for the computer. Nikita pulled up the screens and sowed Katherine. The scores that were running both Madeline and Operations were from actually scores. Nikita had even updated them when Madeline had knew scores register with George.
"Maybe I have to change the situation... but I know the plan... They are going to be together... In this office..." Nikita stated and Katherine nodded her head. She didn't know the specifics of the details, but she knew that Nikita had run everything hundreds of times. This was the only part that Nikita was unsure. Everything else was a go.
The time was running out.
"Isn't there some sort of weakness in them... Some sort of emotional thing from before they were inside of Section One that could just make them hesitate for a second?" Katherine questioned and Nikita sadly shook her head back and forth. She just couldn't think of anything.
"I tried asking and commenting about Stephen to Operations... I know that he hurt after his son was killed... but in those trial runs... He killed me instantly..." Nikita informed Katherine. Katherine dropped her head.
"There has to be something..... Stephen's mother?" Katherine questioned and Nikita picked her head up.
"Corrine..." Nikita softly whispered as she thought back. It was difficult. The details of what their relationship truly was were sketchy to say the least. Madeline had the most contact with Corrine and most of the information about her was sealed up tightly. But she was Operations' wife at some point in her life.
He had cared for her.
Cared for Corrine deeply.
"Was she Stephen's mother?" Katherine questioned. Nikita shook her head and then thought to shrug that she didn't know. With the details being so few and far between, Nikita never was able to figure that one out. Nikita looked to the wall and plugged in that detail into the personality of the hologram that was Operations.
But it wasn't enough. Nikita knew that. He wasn't that emotional when the events with Corrine were going on. Nikita needed something more to hold out and show Operations. And then she had to do the same with Madeline.
"Aren't you going to try it? If you get Operations to hesitated... you can get Madeline first..." Katherine stated and Nikita shook her head back and forth. Nikita's body ached and she didn't see the sense of going into this hurting more when she knew that she just didn't have enough.
"I need more... Corrine will make Operations step back... but I have to remember what he hated most of all... something that would make his mouth drop open..." Nikita stated and Katherine looked to the wall and then turned around to lean her back against it. Nikita was confusing her at the moment, but Katherine also knew how brilliant Nikita was.
If Nikita believed she needed more, then she needed more.
"Why don't you just tell him about what you and Michael did yesterday? I don't think he likes the idea of you two being together... That must be the only thing that has kept him from trying to attack us sooner," Katherine stated with a shrug of her shoulders.
Nikita smiled.
Katherine smiled back.
Nikita didn't need to type that in, it was already there, but Nikita had forgotten it. Now it was time to use it.
"I still have Madeline..." Nikita stated and Katherine nodded her head. Madeline was more of a puzzle than Operations. Walter had spoken a good deal about Madeline, and made Katherine wonder if there ever was something between Walter and Madeline. It really didn't matter, but it felt like there was something there, at least for a while. Walter couldn't tell which side that Madeline was playing in this love between Michael and Nikita and he knew that for a while, it appeared as if Madeline was on their side. It was when the brainwashing occurred that Walter one hundred percent knew who's side that Madeline was on. Madeline never was one for extreme measures when she didn't believe in the cause.
"I only saw her almost break the one time.... we had some sort of serial killer around... I don't even remember his name..." Nikita stated as she shook her head back and forth. She knew that she should know who it was, but Nikita just couldn't recall the name. But she remembered the looks of the man.
And the teeth.
"But I don't know what it was that bothered Madeline about him... I know that they talked a lot..." Nikita stated and Katherine continued to nod her head. Nikita rolled her head off to the side and then smiled lightly.
"When she used to pretend to like me... she spoke of a sister once... Sarah..." Nikita whispered as she started to type. It wasn't specific enough, but knowing Madeline, Nikita was sure that it would throw her off balance.
Nikita pushed the panel up and looked around the room. Nikita wasn't sure if this was going to work and she looked to Katherine. Katherine was walking back towards the stairs that were the safe zone. Nikita stared at Katherine and shook her head back and forth.
"I want to try this once myself..." Nikita stated as she looked to the exit to the room. Katherine parted her lips to argue with Nikita, but knew that it was useless at this point. Nikita waited for Katherine to cross the room and to exit.
"I'll be waiting right here..." Katherine loudly stated and Nikita nodded her head. She turned and closed the door.
And firmly locked it.
Now it was time to try again.
~~
Katherine passed back and forth in the hallway. The time was going by so quickly, but Nikita had not emerged. Katherine worried.
What if Nikita was shot in the head with the laser again? The last time, Nikita was down for two minutes and it took her a good ten minutes before she could gather her feet.
What if Nikita was trying over and over again, afraid to ask for help again?
Katherine wanted to open the door, but she had heard the lock jam into place after Nikita closed it. Katherine knew that from the outside, where she was now, there was no way of getting to Nikita. There were no cameras to know how she was doing.
Katherine stopped moving as she heard the bolt move away from the door. She was ready to grab Nikita as the door opened up.
But Nikita was strong, holding the gun in her hand.
With a smile.
"That took long? What about other operatives? Won't they notice?" Katherine stated and Nikita continued to smile as she started to walk down the hallway.
"I ran it four times, Katherine... All is fine... I didn't get hit once... The lasers all went astray..." Nikita stated and Katherine nodded her head. Katherine felt the pressure in her heart ease. Nikita looked to the walls and stopped Katherine.
"But now I got to try it with every gun we own... I don't know what kind of weapon I will be able to grab once inside..." Nikita stated and Katherine frowned. She didn't like that. There would be some weapons that just wouldn't work in this situation.
Nikita knew that. Katherine knew that.
"Can't we get in touch with Walter?" Katherine stated and Nikita sadly shook her head back and forth. She wished that it was that easy. It would be very easy.
But if Michael couldn't know anything more about what was going to happen, that definitely meant that Walter couldn't help.
"I'm sorry, Katherine... that isn't going to work," Nikita stated as she leaned against the wall. The victory that Nikita had with the simulation gave way to the realization that it was probably an impossible situation. She moved her head to stare at the door. Nikita was willing to try the simulation with every single gun that Section Eight had. There were some that Nikita knew right off the bat that would make Nikita die, while others, Nikita stood a chance with.
"You know.. it wouldn't be bad if I needed more training or something.. Whenever there is new training... Walter has to do it all... That's out we met, you know that right?" Katherine stated and Nikita nodded her head. She remembered Walter mentioning that he had to train his counterparts in other Sections. It was one of the ways that Section One continued their reign of terror and control.
Nikita turned and looked at Katherine as the light bulb went off in her head. Nikita patted Katherine's shoulder and walked down the hallway.
Time to contact George about Katherine's overdue training sessions.
*
The day had come. The day that fate had given to Nikita to plan and get ready for. Her operatives stood around the hallway as she made the final touches and instructions. No one looked like who they were. They all looked like someone else, except Nikita.
Nikita was Nikita.
But Nikita knew the operatives. There was something placed on all of them, a small red pin right near their neck, that would help any of the operatives to identify themselves once inside of Section One. Things were going to be confused but Nikita was sure that her operatives were trained well, and in reality, they were only there in case, Nikita herself was killed and did not achieve the end with Madeline and Operations.
"Remember.. keep a low profile, but don't look like you are out of place... To the watchers inside of Section One... most of you have spent months or years inside of Section One..." Nikita reminded her operatives, almost all of them men. Katherine was included in the group, but she had left several hours ago.
She had a secret meeting outside of Section One with Walter and Nikita was sure that they wouldn't be talking much.
"What about Michael?" the operative that looked like Davenport, thanks to great makeup, questioned. Nikita stopped and rubbed her hands together. This was the toughest part.
"Leave Michael alone," Nikita stated and Steward turned his head to stare at Nikita. He couldn't believe his ears.
"Don't you want to get him back, Nikita? He tried to ruin your first plan!" Steward said loudly and Nikita moved forward and looked at the man. He hadn't said a word for support of Nikita in weeks. Now that the time had come, Nikita did not want to take him inside of Section One. But Nikita needed him to keep the communications with Section Eight operatives moving smoothly. Nikita though, had found a small place inside of Section One that he could stay during the entire thing.
Nikita would be escorting him there herself.
"Maybe that was the plan to make him appear like he was giving a plan to Section One, Steward," Nikita rudely commented. Her nerves were shot and she did not have the time to deal with Steward. There was something underlying his words everyday now, and Nikita simply didn't have the time to deal with him. In the future, Steward had some time in the black room heading his way.
"What? How much of your actions here have been part of this big plan of yours you never told us about!" Steward shouted and Nikita turned her back on him. She was trying to count to ten when Steward reached out to touch Nikita's shoulder.
It was a big mistake.
Nikita turned and pushed the puny little body against the wall. All the kind thoughts that Nikita had used in the past to justify herself for not hurting Steward were gone. She didn't think about his wife and his family. Nikita heard Steward's words and understood what he could accomplish if he appeared to have any sort of point here.
"You have no reason to be questioning me, Steward... I do not answer to you," Nikita declared as she leaned her head down to stare at his eyes. There was hatred there that Nikita didn't understand.
"Yes, you do Nikita. You do answer to me! This is my life you are playing with tonight! I want to know if there is even a real reason to be going... or if this is just a game between two lovers who can't decide when is a good time to get together to screw each other!" Steward hissed and Nikita backed up.
The urge was to punch him. To punish Steward for his words and his disobedience. First, that was too much like something that Madeline and Operations would do. Second, the mission had to leave now, or the timing would be off.
Steward watched Nikita. He knew when he could push her buttons that he had been allowed to find. Steward understood that right now, that the mission came first. He understood how important that timing was on the mission and how to Nikita, nothing could be wrong.
She was looking for the perfect mission. Steward hoped that she did get the perfect mission, because he had the perfect ending planned.
"Get in the van, Steward... Stay quiet... And you won't die tonight..." Nikita ordered as the door swung open, announcing that the vans had arrived. Nikita watched as Steward pushed himself off of the wall and brushed himself lightly. He held the briefcase in his hand and moved as Nikita had directed him too.
Nikita looked at all the other operatives. They knew how to follow orders. They also had learned to respect Nikita during her time at Section Eight. Nikita knew that her operatives would not follow Steward's words and his feelings. That was why Nikita carefully chosen the operatives.
They were going to prove that they were good tonight, and most of that would be done without more than two bullets being fired.
One for Operations.
One for Madeline.
~~
Walter smiled as he looked at the gun that he was cleaning. His moods were light and his body tingled all over. That was the effect that Katherine gave him everytime. She looked old, but inside and when the clothes were off... Katherine was an animal, wanting to eat Walter alive.
Walter growled as he thought about Katherine once more. She was more aggressive than she had been in the past. It almost scared Walter at first, but the pleasure came quickly, and in bedroom games, it was the pleasure that mattered.
"Oh Katherine... I can't wait to hold you again... My momma lion..." Walter mumbled out as he caressed the gun. He couldn't have believed his luck when he saw the memo from George. In fact, Walter jumped for joy and clicked his heels together. Walter was more than overjoyed when he found out that Nikita had allowed Katherine to leave early for some R&R.
Walter knew that his sugar would come through for him sooner or later.
"Maybe you can hold me now..." Katherine responded as she stepped into the cove area with a smile on her face. She looked to her shirt and slowly unbuttoned the first button. Walter turned and placed the gun down on the table.
Katherine wanted to wince. It was definitely not a gun that Nikita would have success with. Katherine had been tempted to ask Walter to put the gun out for Nikita while they were making love, but the heat of the moment got to Katherine. Katherine was sure that it was Nikita's way of paying her back for the good deeds of getting Michael to Nikita for that one afternoon.
"What is it?" Walter questioned as he looked up from her breasts to Katherine's face. He looked to her eyes and saw as they flickered back and forth between the gun and his face. He knew that something was up and it didn't take a genius to know what was going on.
"Does someone need a better gun?" Walter questioned as he stepped back. Katherine looked to her watch and then to the gun. The time was running out to get the gun in place and then to get Walter out of harms way. Nikita didn't want Walter around when this all started to blow up and Katherine knew it to be a tender gesture.
But Katherine wasn't sure how much longer that she could put up the game with Walter. She knew that she wouldn't make it all the way through the mission without telling Walter. She knew Walter. He had helped Nikita in the past, and even though she was from another Section at the moment, Walter wouldn't fail Nikita now.
"I just noticed it wasn't Nikita's favorite kind of gun..." Katherine stated and Walter looked to her and then down to the gun that he had placed down. Walter picked the gun up and looked at it from side to side.
"This is definitely not Nikita's favorite kind of gun... The one that had Nikita's heart... I modified for her slightly... Little lighter in weight, a lot more punch.." Walter started to carry on the conversation as he moved into the bowels of his cove. He looked around and place the gun down as he opened up the drawer and pulled out one.
"See.. this is the unmodified one..." Walter said as he handed it over to Katherine. Katherine looked at it and sighed. She pulled the clip out and then handed it back to Walter.
"It's a bit heavy for me... I have to modify every gun I give to a woman..." Katherine stated and Walter sighed.
"Oh.. you are going to have to learn... This here is Nikita's modified special... Come to the table and I'll show you..." Walter said as he closed the drawer and moved back towards the table. Katherine nodded her head and followed Walter.
It was going just as planned.
"I see the length... a bit longer..." Katherine stated and Walter smiled.
"This one had quite a bite to it.. Good killing gun... Nikita used to never leave home without it..." Walter proudly stated and Katherine nodded her head. She leaned forward and pressed her hands into Walter's chest.
"I was hoping to feel more at home myself..." Katherine stated out softly as she smiled and licked her lips. Walter felt his body surge, even though he was sure that he shouldn't be worrying about making it with Katherine right now. He wanted to fight what Katherine was doing. He wasn't sure about leaving the gun out in plain sight.
"I should put this gun back..." Walter protested and Katherine shrugged her shoulders and looked down.
"Can't you put it under the desk... No one ever looks there..." Katherine stated and Walter smiled. That was something that he was willing to do. It sure wasn't a normal place for someone to pick a gun up from. He bent down and then grabbed Katherine's waist. He placed his lips to Katherine's ear and sighed.
"Is it where you told Nikita it would be?" Walter whispered and Katherine pulled at Walter's hips.
"You are perfect, Walter... Perfect..." Katherine exclaimed as she started to pull Walter. Walter smiled and started to lead Katherine to a quiet place, but his heart wouldn't stop pounding.
And it wasn't because Katherine was turning him on.
*
"What are you doing Davenport?" Birkoff questioned as he stared up at the operative that was just standing there. The man didn't even speak, which Davenport didn't do much of. He was kind of like Michael. A man of actions, not words.
"Don't you have a briefing? Aren't you on the team that is going to Hong Kong?" Birkoff questioned and Davenport nodded his head. Birkoff shook his head, finding it impossible that so many operatives had just stopped functioning properly well everything was going to hell and back again.
"Go to your meeting, Davenport!" Birkoff hollered as he looked at the operative strolling down the hallway. Davenport merely nodded his head and turned to go down the hallway. Birkoff knew that everyone was doing everything at this moment, but he couldn't be bothered with operatives who couldn't go to their own meetings and briefings.
This was a big time for Section One. It wasn't something that Birkoff wanted to participate in, but he didn't have a choice. He stared at Davenport and shook his head. At least watching out for the other operatives was giving Birkoff something to excuse his behavior and not following up intel.
Birkoff felt that Section One should just leave Nikita and Section Eight alone. Birkoff was proud of what Nikita had been doing with Section Eight. He had tried to urge Madeline and Operations to just drop it. Birkoff felt that Nikita's offensive actions towards Section One was just due to Operations and Madeline trying to pound Nikita into a pulp.
Although Birkoff knew more than what Operations and Madeline thought he did. He knew what they did to Nikita, and he was shocked that they were still alive. Birkoff had always thought that either Michael or Nikita would kill them sooner or later.
That didn't seem like it was going to happen.
Now, almost every operatives that Section One had access too was being called into the headquarters to be assigned to missions. There was going to be a massive effort in four hours to get all of the contacts that Section Eight had killed. Section One was ready to cut off Section Eight.
Then they would go in to kill Nikita.
Nikita didn't deserve that. Birkoff had tried to contact George, but the computers at Oversight were not functioning as they once did. Birkoff wondered if Nikita had something to do with that, since Michael claimed that her skills were much more than what Section One had realized.
That scared Birkoff. He thought he knew Nikita and he had to wonder if he was even right in trying to help Nikita. He didn't know if Nikita even valued him as a friend. Yes, he hated what Michael had called her. Birkoff had even cried, because he was sure that he knew what Nikita's childhood had been like and how her life inside of Section One had been like. But Birkoff worried in the days that came later that he was wrong.
He was sure that he would never know. Not with Madeline's and Operations' plans to kill Nikita.
Birkoff tried to e-mail Nikita, but as like the gifts he sent Nikita, Nikita returned the e-mail. There was no way for Birkoff to know if Nikita read it or not.
He hoped that he did.
"Things are looking good, Mr. Birkoff... Is the Jorten team meeting, yet?" Operations questioned and Birkoff lifted his head from the computer and sighed. The smile on Operations' face as just too big. Personally, Birkoff knew that Operations needed to be knocked down a peg or two. He had too much power and no one seemed to be able to stop him at this point.
"Actually... no... Michael is following up on some intel and the computers aren't processing as quickly as usual," Birkoff spoke as he looked down at the data. It wasn't the truth. Birkoff hadn't even told Michael that the team was waiting for his arrival at the briefing, but Operations didn't know that.
"Why are the computers slow?" Operations questioned as he looked down at the computer, but never looking directly at the information that was on the screen.
In fact, Birkoff was playing solitary.
"We are trying to put twenty missions into the launching bay... We should expect some technical delays as none of the missions have matching profiles," Birkoff replied and Operations frowned. He didn't want delays now. He rubbed his hands together and sighed.
"And Section Eight?" Operations questioned and Birkoff leaned back in his chair. He looked to the keys and moved the mouse.
Birkoff just got an Ace and the computer finished the solitary game as he won.
"There has been no movement... Maybe they decided to go on vacation?" Birkoff questioned with a small smile. He tilted his head to the side as he saw the anger in Operations' eyes, but knew that it wouldn't hit his face.
"We sure do have a lot of operatives milling around here, Birkoff... I want an official count..." Operations ordered and Birkoff nodded his head.
Right after Birkoff finally tells Michael that his briefing was ready.
Birkoff stood up and moved away from the computers. He was about to cross the hallway as Davenport was walking in the opposite direction.
"Didn't I tell you that they were waiting for you?" Birkoff hissed as he moved to the huge man. Davenport tilted his head to the side and looked at Birkoff.
"Are your sure you are all right, boy? Have you had enough sugar? I haven't seen you all day, Birkoff!" Davenport replied. Birkoff shook his head as he looked down the hallway and then back at Davenport.
"No... I specifically told you of your meeting just before Operations walked down here to harass me about Section Eight!" Birkoff replied and Davenport lowered his eyes and took Birkoff's glasses off of his face.
"Are you sure that these work?" Davenport questioned. Birkoff grabbed them out of the operative's hands and placed them back on his face.
"Yes!" Birkoff replied and Davenport shrugged his shoulders.
"Then you must be seeing things, Birkoff... But I'll go right now... And if I see myself... I'll tell him too!" Davenport said as he turned around, shaking his head. Birkoff threw his hands up in the air and moved to Michael's office.
Michael was typing at the computer as Birkoff entered. Michael didn't even lift his head to look who it was as he reached over and typed in his code to drop the surveillance in his office. He lifted his head as Birkoff moved closer to the desk.
"What is it?" Michael questioned and Birkoff fidgeted with his hands, back and forth. Birkoff looked behind him and then sighed lightly.
"I could be canceled for telling you this, Michael... and not telling Madeline and Operations..." Birkoff whispered and Michael folded his hands on the desk. Birkoff looked at the calm Michael and wondered how he did it.
"I don't think that is an issue with you now, Birkoff... But I thought you had me pegged as someone who was against Nikita..." Michael stated and Birkoff pressed his lips together. Birkoff looked around and sighed again. He didn't have the time for mind games and he didn't have the will to continue with him. Birkoff was half tempted to walk away and leave Michael without giving him the information.
But would that help Nikita?
"I just thought you would like to know several hours ago... I found some Section Eight van's communicating... but they since then disappeared..." Birkoff stated and Michael nodded his head. They were on the move, which meant that it was time for Michael to prepare.
"Heading to where?" Michael questioned and Birkoff swallowed. Hard.
"Here... They should have been here though about thirty minutes ago... Nothing is happening..." Birkoff commented and Michael lifted his head. He looked out of the blinds and nodded his head.
"Or at least we don't believe anything is happening..." Michael corrected as he stood up and moved to the window. He wondered if Nikita was in the group that she had sent. He had to wonder what was going to happen next. Michael had to wonder if Nikita was even safe.
"Go back to work, Birkoff... And stop playing games," Michael ordered and Birkoff turned and moved quickly. He wasn't about to disobey Michael now.
~~
"You are going to be seen," Steward hissed as Nikita stood at the door. She looked at the busy hallways and then at Steward. All of her blonde hair was safely tucked underneath a black hat, for now. It wouldn't be long until she tore the hat off and wore her hair like a banner proclaiming freedom.
"I've made it so far... And it is too busy here.... for anyone to notice," Nikita stated as she turned the corner and tugged Steward's arm. Nikita pushed the button for the elevator and licked her lips. Steward was grating on Nikita's nerves, making the already difficult situation on Nikita more difficult.
Timing was everything. Things had to be in place and Nikita had to get the gun in time for Operations and Madeline to get the news. Nikita couldn't wait to see their faces when they find out that the count of people inside of Section One exceeds the population by twenty-four.
"You think you know, everything! You should watch yourself!" Steward protested as the door opened. Nikita took the same arm and pulled Steward into the elevator. She pulled out her equipment from her black mission clothing and started to punch the codes.
"Where are we going? And if there are so many operatives, how can you be sure that it will be free?" Steward questioned and Nikita turned her head as the elevator started to descend to the level that Nikita had selected.
"It is unused area... only me and Michael have used it in the past few years, if you must know," Nikita replied as she smoothed her hand across her leather clothes. Steward stared at her body for a second, trying to remember that he once liked Nikita.
When she was with Patrick.
"Like they won't notice the pretty woman in leather! Couldn't you have worn something less tight?" Steward questioned and Nikita shook her head as she looked up at the numbers. Proceeding with him was the last thing that Nikita wanted to do, but he was part of her backup plan. She didn't have a choice in the matter.
"What they would have noticed is the baggy clothing. If you don't remember.... baggy clothing hampers movement," Nikita remarked sharply as she felt the elevator stop. Nikita checked the level number and looked forward as the door opened.
"Out," Nikita hissed as she looked to Steward. He picked up his briefcase and started to walk out into the darkness.
Steward couldn't see how Michael and Nikita would chose to meet in this area. It was beyond him why they had to go to the deepest and darkest parts of Section One to be able just to talk to one another. Steward's mind was sure that this was a place that Nikita sought for something he didn't want to imagine.
"Stay in this corner.... there are no cameras..." Nikita stated and Steward curtly nodded his head. Nikita turned around in a circle and then looked at Steward as he hadn't start to set up his equipment. Nikita placed her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.
"I was just looking at your love nest, Nikita... Is this why you want to get Madeline and Operations back so badly? This is where you had Michael?" Steward questioned and Nikita backed up. It was her only defense to stop herself from slamming Steward against the wall.
"This is where Michael and I had talked a couple times about saving our own lives... Of course, you wouldn't know that... You've been protected inside of Section Eight all this time!" Nikita stated and Steward dropped the briefcase and stepped towards Nikita.
"I know what you are thinking.... You are thinking that Patrick protected me all this time because I was his friend..." Steward spat out at Nikita. She merely looked to her hands before looking into Steward's eyes again. She saw the blazing hatred in his eyes.
"No... I was thinking that he protected you because you had a family... and Patrick wished he had one too," Nikita softly admitted. They were her real feelings, straight from her heart. It hurt when Steward laughed.
"And you thought that you were going to give him that family... Well... let me tell you, Nikita... It would have been over my dead body that you had his child!" Steward hissed and Nikita swallowed. She knew right in that instant, that she didn't know Steward as she claimed she did.
He was someone else. She didn't know if she should trust him at this moment, but if she wanted to get Madeline and Operations, she had too.
"Just stay here," Nikita stated as she turned away from Steward and walked down the hallway. She was off to get the gun from Walter's station. Then, she would pull her hat off and allow the tresses to float in the air, signaling her return.
And then get Madeline and Operations.
Steward bent down to pick up the briefcase. He opened it up and looked down the hallway, sure that Nikita was gone. He pulled out the communications device and flicked it off. He then pulled out a gun.
He dropped the briefcase and started down the hallway.
After Nikita.
*
The operatives were milling about downstairs. Operations could not remember a time that he had last seen so many operatives, except possibly when they had to move out of the building that Section One was in. Still, now, the operatives were moving on an offensive move.
To rid Nikita from Operations' life and worries.
Of course, Operations knew that there were some operatives to worry about. Birkoff and Walter still have been on what he identified as Nikita's side. Operations heard that Michael was on their side, but he couldn't be sure any longer. And Davenport, although he never mentioned being on Nikita's side, Operations was sure that he once upon a time sympathized on Nikita's side. That meant that he had to watch enough Davenport.
Ridding Nikita was going to be a hard task.
Operations picked up the papers and stared at them. The reports of the operatives inside of Section Eight were impressive. George had them delivered to Section One, with a message to let Nikita be. Operations would never allow George that sort of decision making power over Section One.
The decision now was if Section One should devour all of Section Eight and leave no one. Or should they get rid of Nikita and take the operatives that she trained.
Operations was fighting that they should get rid of it all. Madeline was arguing that they needed the operatives.
Operations didn't see the value of anyone who was trained by Nikita. He felt that immediately, that they would be too much like Nikita. He even believed the test scores were skewed by Nikita, and that she was really not running Section Eight.
"Have you narrowed the mission plans?" Madeline questioned as she entered the office. She had run into some operatives below and got delayed. She smoothed her dress as she walked to the window and stood next to Operations.
"We have plenty operatives... I mean, look down there!" Operations said as he waved his hand across the glass window. "We are going to have to get a traffic cop soon if we add more operatives."
"This truly isn't an average day.... It is not representative of what it would be... We need the operatives," Madeline stated and Operations frowned as he stared down at the ground again. He hated Madeline's words.
More and more they were not getting along. It had started a long time ago. In fact, the fight had taken a more personal tone while Nikita was still inside of Section One. Operations felt that it was because Madeline allowed her personal feelings seep into her feelings about Michael and Nikita. After Nikita regained her memory, Madeline was positively overjoyed with the outcome.
That was the beginning of the end. Operations had even tried to get Madeline transferred to Oversight, just to get her out of his hair. He felt that she started to get in touch with her feminine side, actually allowing an operative to keep their own child. It was weak of Madeline and he had it.
But Madeline was still ruthless. Therefore she was still useful.
They agreed that Nikita need not have control of Section Eight.
"Madeline, I do not have the final plans for the mission," Operations finally stated to end his dueling mind. Things were going so quickly right now that he had to find a way to save time and to conserve time.
"What are we waiting on?" Madeline questioned as she turned her head to stare at Operations. He turned his head and moved to his desk. He was about to pull out a cigarette, but turned away.
He didn't need Madeline's lecture on cancer now.
"We need to see if we have any causalities and how many operatives are currently working. Birkoff is working on the in-house number right now," Operations stated as he moved back to the window.
Operations couldn't help but think that Birkoff was stalling.
~~
Walter had attempted to leave Katherine's arms after their first round of lovemaking. He hadn't been able to leave. The second time left Katherine asleep in his arms. Walter had rolled out of bed and pulled on his jeans.
He had things to do and people to protect.
Namely, Nikita.
Walter moved down the hallway, seeing Michael's office door was open. He prayed that Michael was inside and without company. Walter just didn't have the time. He was about to pause when he saw the blonde hair coming out of his cove, the glove in hand.
No one even blinked. She was not even noticed.
"Michael... we got to talk..." Walter stated as he turned and walked into Michael's office. Michael didn't even have to move his hands off of the keyboard. He just turned his head to stare at Walter, as if he was waiting for Walter to enter.
"Nikita?" Michael questioned and Walter nodded his head up and down. Michael glanced towards the blinds and swallowed. He worried that something would go wrong. He worried that Nikita would be wrong, or she wouldn't be strong enough.
"I just saw her, Michael... Gun in hand and running down the hallway," Walter announced and he watched as Michael's body jumped, but then settled. He knew exactly what Nikita was doing and Walter started to shake his head.
"Now, Michael... You wouldn't have help set up Section One for this, would you?" Walter questioned and Michael stood up. He slowly buttoned his jacket and bent down to his drawer. He pulled out the small communications device and looked to Walter.
"Section One is not in danger, Walter... This has never been about Section One," Michael said in a smooth tone as he lifted the communications devise to his ear. He should be able to patch right into Section's Eight's communications. Michael listened to the static and looked at Walter some more, not letting his worry cross his face.
"Who is this about then, Michael? I saw Nikita and she is going to get herself killed if Operations and Madeline see her!" Walter yelled and Michael tilted his head to the side and Walter's eyes opened.
"No..." Walter stated and Michael nodded his head solemnly as he tried the device again. Worry was getting the best of Michael and he closed his eyes, trying to recall all of the details that he had committed to memory.
"We have to go... down to the meeting place..." Michael stated as he rounded the corner and started to walk quickly. Walter tried to grab his arm to indicate that he was going in the wrong direction. Michael looked up and saw that Madeline and Operations were still standing at the window.
"Michael!" Walter hissed and Michael shook free from his touch. Michael pressed the elevator and looked at Walter.
"Section Eight communications are down... I need to know what happened to Steward..." Michael stated and Walter swallowed. He never liked Steward himself.
"Why?" Walter questioned and Michael swallowed once again. Michael hated Steward.
"Because I don't believe Steward is to be trusted," Michael announced as the door opened and he entered.
Walter followed.
~~
"Birkoff... I need those numbers! What is taking so long?" Operations barked out as he stared down at the young man. He didn't notice Michael moving from the office, or the fact that Walter was with him. Birkoff turned around in his chair and swallowed as he looked up.
"The computers are running slow, Sir. We have too many people trying to do too many things," Birkoff replied back and Operations leaned back. He knew that he couldn't get upset about such a minor thing about missing numbers.
"This only proves we don't need more operatives," Operations declared with a smile on his face as he looked at Madeline. He had to make the bad fit his argument better. It did.
"It proves that Birkoff doesn't have the numbers. Do you think that Birkoff would work against Nikita willingly?" Madeline questioned. Operations turned toward the window and scowled as he looked down below. He didn't know how Nikita had suddenly gotten all this power inside of Section One. What was scary, Nikita didn't even realize it. She was only using the power she had inside of Section Eight.
"We still haven't gotten a picture of Jorten yet... Wasn't that suppose to come?" Madeline questioned as she leaned against the railing and looked towards Operations. He tilted his head off to the side and lightly nodded his head.
"Yes... That is held up also..." Operations snapped as he looked down at Birkoff. The young man was turning around and looking at Operations for a second.
The boy looked scared.
"Ah.. sir... There are 1,230 operatives inside of Section One," Birkoff said and Operations nodded his head, but he took Birkoff's tone as odd.
"Is there something wrong, Birkoff?" Operations questioned and Birkoff licked his lips.
"The computer never over counts more than one or two... We only have 1,205 operatives..." Birkoff stated and Operations stepped back from the glass and looked at Madeline. She looked around the office and looked down to the floor below.
"Can we have a recount, Birkoff?" Madeline questioned and Birkoff nodded his head and then he snapped his fingers.
"Oh... intel fresh from Team A..." Birkoff stated as he turned back to his computer. Operations opened his computer and turned to the file. He opened it and waited for the file to appear.
It would have the picture of Jorten.
It was a picture of Nikita.
"What kind of game is this?" Operations hollered and then there was a solid metal click.
"My game," Nikita announced as she entered the room. The gun drawn and ready.
*
"Nikita..." Madeline stated as she turned and smoothly drew her gun up also. Nikita merely blinked her eyes and Madeline tried not to look shock. Madeline realized that Nikita had played them well.
Too well.
"You never do learn, do you?" Operations questioned as he moved and took a similar position as Madeline, gun drawn and pointed at Nikita.
"I did learn. I learned a lot more than you think," Nikita stated in a calm voice as she pressed the button against the wall, locking the door and leaving her inside the room with Madeline and Operations.
"We taught you well," Madeline stated out tersely. Madeline didn't need Nikita to recap what was going on. She didn't need to know what was motivating Nikita at this point. Madeline had worried about something like this occurring when things turned around, but Nikita hadn't shown signs of revenge back then.
This was unexpected. But not totally unexpected in Madeline's mind.
But for Operations, he never saw this coming and didn't see the real motivations behind of Nikita's emotions.
"All of this for power? For Michael?" Operations questioned as he looked at Nikita. He wanted answers first, so he wouldn't make mistakes with other operatives that would come after Nikita. Nikita licked her lips and tightened her grip on the gun.
It felt different from the simulations. Nikita knew that it wouldn't be lasers coming from their guns and she would be shooting to kill. Finally. Still, the nerves in Nikita's stomach wouldn't stop, even with the over 500 times Nikita played this out with the computer.
"It was never about the power... it was even remotely about Michael," Nikita stated as she looked at Madeline. Nikita nodded her head and she watched as the two leaders looked at each other.
"You are always blinded to the obvious, Paul," Madeline stated out in a rush. She couldn't believe that here they were, at gun point, and Operations didn't a clue why.
"Nikita has always been about two things... Michael... and freedom... Why else would she come back?" Operations questioned Madeline. It would have been an interesting conversation between the two. If Nikita had the time. She stared at Madeline and then at Operations.
"You took my mind... played me like a toy... Now it was my time to play you like a little toy... You gave me the first opportunity with the opportunity to move to Section Eight," Nikita stated so Madeline didn't waste her time spewing out psychological terms. Madeline nodded her head as Operations stared at her for confirmation.
"I never thought she would use that opportunity as such," Madeline admitted as she allowed the sad sigh out. Madeline had nightmares of the day that Nikita out maneuvered her. Too bad this wasn't a dream.
"You underestimated me... And now, your punishment is going to be served..." Nikita said with a small smile crossing her face. She moved an inch forward and shifted her weight from one foot to the next foot.
"Still don't know elementary math, Nikita? Two guns against one? Doesn't look like the odds are with you," Operations hissed out with a brilliant smile. A smile of a man who still believed that he had the upperhand. A man that believed that he was going to walk out of the office with a dead Nikita on the shoulders to show all of Section One who had the power.
"Mmm... spew all the things you want to about me... I know one.. I'm a Section whore... Ah... my mother was a street whore... I'm dumber than a sewer rat.... But look around... If I am those.. what does that make you?" Nikita questioned back as she moved towards the window. She glanced down and saw her operatives about. They were on the main floor.
Her contingency plan.
"You have grown a great deal Nikita to be able to say such things... Only if I believed them," Madeline calmly remarked. Madeline had her own thoughts about this situation. She felt that if programming worked once, then it could work again. Nikita had been a good subject and could continue to be a good subject, if Nikita willingly took to it.
That would be virtually impossible now.
"Don't believe them... believe this... You won't get away from this office alive... If my heart stops beating... my operatives will up here to kill you... And they look just like your operatives... One is Davenport... and I have another... looks just like Birkoff," Nikita calmly informed Madeline and Operations. She watched as their faces paled.
Not enough. She still didn't have the upperhand.
"See... you didn't know how much I learned about you two... Operations... Operations... I saved your son once.. but didn't get the chance to do it twice..." Nikita slowly stated out as she circled towards the middle of the room, her arm bending slightly, ready to fire.
"If you think that is going to upset me then..."
"Then I'm not done..." Nikita sharply interrupted as she looked at Operations and smiled. Nikita nodded her head up and down as she licked her lips. "Then I learned of Corrine... The wife you left behind when you went to war... Poor poor woman..."
"And your point is?" Operations questioned, trying to appear as if Nikita's words weren't going to hurt him.
"I know where Stephen's mother is... Never talked about her... But my operatives know where she is... And if I die... you won't find her in time..." Nikita stated and Operations' face lost all color. His eyes flickered.
Stephen's mother was a woman he truly loved and cared for. Not that he didn't love Corrine. But Stephen's mother... was a very special woman.
"But that doesn't upset you enough... Does it? Do you know what I did a few afternoons ago?" Nikita questioned as she smiled at Operations, loving the pain that he was in at the moment. Knowing that nothing would equal the pain and anguish that the two of them combined had given her since they tampered with her memory.
"No... but I am sure that you are going to tell me," Operations dryly remarked and Nikita smiled once again.
"Of course... I spent the afternoon in Michael's arms... Holding him.... kissing him.. Doing everything... And no one knew... Not even you..." Nikita slowly revealed. Nikita didn't have to waste her time with Operations any longer. She turned to look at Madeline.
Madeline was smiling. She loved seeing Paul's face as such. This was the outcome of their dirty tasks and Madeline couldn't think of what Nikita knew about her to use against her.
"You think you know everything, Madeline... See... I'm not like you and Operations... I didn't have a sister to push down the stairs and kill... I didn't have a family that hated me after you did that vicious thing... over what? A doll?" Nikita questioned and she watched as Madeline's lip quivered.
Now she had the upperhand.
"Say goodnight, Madeline and Operations," Nikita said as she started to pull the trigger twice and then drop to the floor.
Nikita opened her eyes to see the two bodies on the floor. Nikita stood up and kicked at Operations' foot. The bullet had gone through his head. There would be no movement. Nikita turned her head to look at Madeline. Her chest went up once more, and then ceased as she felt the oxygen escape her.
"That's for the hell you put me through.... and for giving me my life back with taking yours..." Nikita murmured as she looked at them. She had finally done it. With real bullets and real bodies. No lasers hit her and no bullets hit her.
Nikita was still alive.
She had won.
"Not so fast..." Steward hissed as he shot the gun out of Nikita's hand. Nikita felt the pain radiate up her arm from the shot and she turned to find the gun pointed at her.
"Steward..." Nikita whispered.
This was something she hadn't expected.
~~
Michael looked down the hallway. It was too quiet for the area that the communications expert for Section Eight was supposed to be running the communications from. Michael looked into the corner and swallowed as Walter followed behind him.
"What's going on? Why down here?" Walter questioned and Michael looked to the floor and saw the briefcase. He pulled up the communications and then kicked the briefcase.
