Hi! I guess you guys know me as Nikita. Well, guess what. I'm at Section Two, actually Section Elite. Are you wondering why? Yeah, so was I two years ago.

One day Michael and I got in this fight, big surprise huh? It was over him protecting me I think, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I decided that I would go on this temporary mission to Section Two to get back at him. That was a real bright idea.

You see Gerald had requested for me to come to Section Two just for one mission. It was suppose to be four freakin' days. It was voluntary, so I didn't have to go. For once, Madeline and Operations weren't even going to make me go. I told Michael and he ordered me not to.

Oh, now I remember the fight. Michael ordered me. He really should have known better. I mean I didn't want to go on the stupid mission. My motto was always avoid all Section activity, but to order me not to? You know I was going then.

So, I went to Madeline and agreed to go on the mission. I was feeling all high and mighty until I walked through Section Two van access. Then I predictably wanted to go home. I knew I had to do the mission so I sucked it up and headed for Gerald's office.

Things went fine for three days. I went on the mission and it was a complete success. It was really routine and they didn't really need me, which was suspicious, but hey I was going home tomorrow. Who cared?

Well, that was what I thought. I was disillusioned of that belief later that day. I was called into Gerald's office and informed that Section Two had suceeded from the Sections. I thought what is this the Civil War?

Gerald explained to me that he was disgusted with Operations increasingly unacceptable behavior and tactics. Section Two had pulled away from the other Sections, with Oversight's approval, and was now operating on their own. They were now Section Elite.

It turns out that this meant Section Elite was breaking all contact and cooperation with all the other Sections. Any operatives that were not Section Elite operatives were considered hostile. Contact of any kind with the other Sections would be considered treason. If any other Sections' operatives were on site on a mission, then Section Elite was to not pay them attention. As long as they never tried to speak to Section Elite ops then no aggressive actions would be taken. Basically Section Elite was suppose to ignore them.

I, being all blond, said, "So, I guess I'm going back to One today, huh?" Yeah, right!

Gerald had planned to have me there when he made his move. He knew that I would fit in well at his Section and he wanted me to help him revamp Section Elite. Section Elite had to be as good as or better than Section One to stay afloat. Oversight would not tolerate anything less. So Gerald requested I be sent over. I was stuck.

Well, you all know how much I like being manipulated, so how do you think I reacted? I raised hell! I didn't want to be over here and I was now permanently separated from Michael. I was, big surprise now, suicidal.

To keep me from killing myself Gerald gave me ops to train. He knew if their lives depended on me I would go on. First he gave me Dare and Amanda, then Hunter and Chris. I had to spend all my time dealing with their extreme personalities, and keeping them out of trouble.

That didn't mean I had to be happy about it. I became the eternal bad mood. I also changed my name to Elise. Nikita's reputation had every male hitting on me and I just didn't feel like that person anymore. I started to dress in severe clothes and tried to be unattractive. I aimed to be bland. It worked.

So, that's basically where this story will pick up. I had finally come to terms with not being Nikita anymore, and was getting on with my life. All my ops had come to term and I had successfully revamped Section Elite. Section Elite's proficiency levels were actually higher than Section One's, but they maintained a moral integrity that Section One lacked. Innocent lives were valued and operatives were taught to be a team and depend on each other. Everything was calm in the world.

Too calm, so of course something had to happen to mix things up. And that something's name was Jennifer.

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

"Elise, there are ops on site, and they aren't ours." Hunter blared through the comm unit.

Elise snapped out of her revelry and looked down at Jacob. "Are there?"

Jacob typed busily away on his console and Elise looked around. They were on a routine mission. No different than a thousand others she had been on. Oversight wanted Juan Perez and they were sent to get him. Elise was running the mission from the van with Jacob, and the rest of her team was waiting for the target to show.

As she returned her attention to the computer op he nodded. "There are other ops out there. I don't know from where, but they're not Elite."

Elise muttered a choice four-letter word under her breath. This was all she needed. If she didn't come back with Perez, George would have her hide. Whoever they were they had no business being here.

"Where are these ops from? Are they hostile?" Hunter spoke through the link.

Jacob looked up with the same question in his eyes. Elise sighed in disgust. She didn't have time to explain this crap to them. "No they are from another Section I'm sure." She responded.

"Another Section? What the hell are you talking about? There are other Sections?" Hunter barked.

"Yes, there are other Sections. We do not communicate or cooperate with them. Just ignore them. Pretend they are not there. They won't fire on you if you don't fire on them." Elise explained.

"How can you be so sure?" Hunter questioned suspiciously.

Elise rolled her eyes. "Because I was in Section when they split. I know exactly how and why it happened. We have Oversight authorization to pick up Perez, so they are in our territory. Just complete your mission parameters, and ignore them."

"But if there are other Sections why don't we help each..."

"Hunter! Do your job! Stop asking questions. Someone can explain the specifics of the split to you later. Right now you have a mission to complete." Elise commanded.

Jacob looked up at Elise. "What should I do? Is there some procedure for this type of situation?"

Elise considered it. "Right now we only pick up two ops. They have to have at least three teams. That means that the rest are set as backup and snipe teams. Find them."

Jacob scanned his console and looked up in surprise. "You're right. They have the area surrounding."

Elise gave a catty smile as she changed channels on her comm link. "Teams two and three pull in behind the foreign ops. I want one of you on each of them. I want them completely covered."

"Do you want us to engage?" Dare barked through the line.

Elise shook her head. "Nope. I don't even want them to know they are covered. Stay in blackout and lay low. I just want them covered to ensure that they don't interfere."

"Okay, we're there." Dare confirmed.

Elise smiled. "Good."

--------

"Michael, something seems suspicious out here." Jennifer spoke over comm.

Michael sighed. "What Jennifer?"

"I don't know. It's just gut instinct."

"Birkoff scan the area." Michael ordered.

Birkoff sat up from his daydreaming position and scanned his console. "Nothing showing up here."

"I'm telling you something is up." Jennifer huffed.

"And how would you know this?" Michael questioned.

"Because that couple across the street haven't spoken for ten minutes, and the guy is still looking at the same page of that magazine. No one reads that slow." Jennifer sassed.

Birkoff looked up at Michael. "She might be right."

Michael leaned over. "Let me see the feed."

Birkoff moved out of his way. "Still nothing showing up, but something seems off."

Michael moved closer. "They're ops." He confirmed.

"Then why aren't I reading anything? Why are they even here?" Birkoff questioned.

Michael sat down and started typing on the console. "They have to be Elite. They are here for the same reason we are."

"Elite?" Birkoff wondered. "I've heard about their new blackout, but god. I'm not picking up anything. I wish I could get my hands on that."

Michael just shook his head. "Not likely, Seymour."

"What are they doing here? Are they after Perez, too? Why would Oversight send us both?" Birkoff asked.

"I'm sure Oversight didn't."

Birkoff rose a mocking brow. "It's not like Elite to move uninvited."

Michael mocked right back. "No, it's not."

"Then?"

"They probably had authorization. Paul has been worried lately. He might have thought bringing in Perez first would buy him some time." Michael explained.

"But by stepping all over Elite's toes? That's real bright." Birkoff scoffed.

Michael shrugged. "He's getting desperate."

"So, what are we going to do?" Birkoff questioned.

"Nothing." Michael answered. "This is their turf. We are going to back off and let them take it."

"That's one sure way to piss Operations off." Birkoff reminded.

Michael just looked at him. "Who would you rather piss off Operations or George?"

Birkoff laughed. "For that matter Operations or Elise? Chances are she profiled this mission, and if we mess it up there will be hell to pay. That chick scares me."

"You know her?" Michael questioned.

Birkoff shook his head. "Only as well as you do. Her reputation precedes her. Nobody even seems to know what she looks like, but they all know her temper and her power with George. She is not a chick you want to mess with."

Michael nodded. "She's the best. She has a perfect record and a nasty mean streak."

Michael and Birkoff sat in silence for a minute. Finally Birkoff met his eyes. "Speaking of Elite, have you heard anything about Nikita yet?"

Michael looked away as a flash of pain crossed his eyes. "No."

Birkoff's heart sank. He considered not saying anything more, but couldn't let it be. "You know that is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean it could just mean she is staying low profile, out of trouble."

Birkoff saw Michael tense. He knew he probably crossed the line, but dang it, Nikita was important to him too. He started to get angry. "Walter and I miss her too, Michael. We worry about her just as much. You need to remember that."

Michael sighed. "I know." He looked down at his hands. "It's hard for me to talk about her. It hurts too much. To even consider that she might be..." Michael broke off as he shook his head and tears filled his eyes.

Birkoff touched his arm cautiously. "She isn't. We would have heard something. She is fine." Birkoff removed his hand and looked away. "She has to be."

***********

"Target spotted." Chris spoke through the line.

"You and Hunter both have him in site?" Elise questioned.

"Yeah, he's coming right for us." Hunter answered.

Elise sat down beside Jacob and scanned the screen. She spotted him. "Okay, guys you are just going to help him into that alley to your right. When you get him there trank him."

"Let's get this done." Chris sighed.

--------

"Michael target spotted." Jennifer announced.

Michael watched on screen as Perez neared the other ops. "Hold your position."

"But, Michael I'm across the street. If I don't move now, we'll lose him."

"I said hold position." Michael ordered. "Those ops are going to take him."

Jennifer huffed. "And what are we going to do?"

"Watch."

"We can't just let some terrorists beat us to him. Operations will have a cow." Jennifer hissed.

"They aren't terrorists. They are ops from another Section. They are here for the same reason we are. Hold your position." Michael ordered.

"How do you know they aren't terrorists? Ops from what Section?" Jennifer questioned.

Michael sighed. "They are from Section Elite. They have authorization."

Jennifer watched as the ops led the target into a dark alley. She started across the street after them. "They are even leading him into our hole." She muttered. " I am not just going to stand by and watch them take our target."

"JENNIFER! Return to position. NOW!" Michael ordered.

Jennifer just shook her head. "You are out of your freakin' mind. I am not letting them get away."

"JENNIFER!"

---------

Hunter and Chris moved the target into the alley and tranked him. "Okay, Elise we got him."

Elise sat back. "Another van's on the way. It will be there in 20 seconds."

A minute later the target was loaded in a Section van and taken off. After it was gone Hunter and Chris looked around. "Elise, the alley looks clean. Can we pull out?"

"The alley is not clean. There are foreign ops on the rooftops, but we have them covered. Don't even look at them." Elise ordered. "Okay, you can pull out now."

Elise watched as the female op crossed the street and headed for the alley. "Wait, a minute Hunter. You two have incoming. A female is headed your way. Hold position."

Hunter looked towards the entrance. "Is she an op?"

"Yeah, she is one of the ones you spotted earlier." Elise informed.

Hunter watched as Jennifer entered the alley gun drawn. "I see her. What should we do? Do we take her out?"

Elise sighed. "No. Hold position."

"She has a gun aimed at us." Hunter growled. "Do we engage?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Jennifer snarled.

"HOLD POSITION HUNTER!" Elise ordered. "I don't want this to turn into a blood bath."

"You took our target." Jennifer growled. "Where is he?"

Hunter looked at her like she was an idiot. "Not here."

"Fine then. I guess I'll just kill you." Jennifer sassed.

Hunter rolled his eyes. "Elise?"

"HOLD POSITION!" Elise commanded.

Jennifer smiled. "We have you completely surrounded. You can't do anything to stop me."

Elise sighed in disgust. "Teams two and three take the targets. Don't shoot them, just hold them."

"Done." Dare confirmed.

"Hunter they got nothing. All you got to deal with is this one idiot." Elise relayed.

---------

"JENNIFER STEP DOWN!" Michael ordered.

Birkoff looked up at Michael. "That idiot is going to shoot them. She is going to start a Section war. You heard that guy. He's reporting to freaking Elise! She is going to kill us!"

"Jennifer if you do not step down I will cancel you myself. You are going to start a war." Michael growled.

--------

"Elise?" Jacob questioned. "What should we do?"

Elise growled. "This is so stupid! Wait a minute." She paused. "Teams two and three flash blackout. Let these idiots know they're covered. If their team leader isn't a total spastic, they'll make her pull out."

"Flash Blackout?" Dare questioned. "But that will give us away."

"I am trying to prevent a blood bath Dare. Do as I say." Elise ordered. "Hunter continue to hold and don't talk to her. Yet anyway."

---------

Birkoff groaned. "Michael, they just flashed blackout. We are completely surrounded. They have teams two and three, and they are ready to take out Jennifer. We are way outnumbered."

"Jennifer they have you surrounded. You are going to get our entire team killed! Stand down." Michael ordered.

"I told you we shouldn't mess with Elise." Birkoff huffed.

Michael shot him a burning glare. Birkoff threw his hands in the air. "I know it is not your fault."

"I'm not going anywhere." Jennifer announced. "I have them right where I want them."

Birkoff balked. "Are you sure you trained her?" He looked at Michael.

"Sometimes I wonder." Michael growled. He stood up and headed for the door.

Birkoff jerked up. "Where are you going?"

Michael sighed in disgust. "To save our butts." A second later he disappeared out the door.

***********

Elise considered her options. "Hunter, try to talk some sense into her."

Hunter looked at Jennifer. "Do you really want to turn this into a Section War? If you don't back down, all hell is going to break loose. We have all your men covered. Do you really want to die?"

Jennifer laughed. "You can't kill me. We have this place surrounded."

"No, we have you surrounded. I could kill you right now." Hunter informed.

"I don't believe you." Jennifer stated. "I don't understand what all is going on, and I don't even know where you're from. Why are you all here on our mission?"

"It is not your mission." Hunter forced. "We have authorization to pick up Perez."

Michael slowly walked up behind Hunter and Chris. As Dare saw him he called out. "Hunter, behind you!" He aimed his gun at Michael. "Hold it right there!" He ordered.

Elise heard the commotion over the link. "What is going on, Jacob?"

"An op came up behind them." Jacob explained.

"Hold your positions!" Elise ordered. "They are probably there to take her out."

Hunter turned to glare at Michael. "Put down your weapon and get behind your girl."

Michael slowly reached into his jacket and removed his gun. He threw it on the ground. He then stepped over to Jennifer. "I'm here to remove her."

Hunter gave an ironic laugh. "Believe me, if I didn't know that you would already be dead." Hunter tossed a glance at Chris. She shrugged. "Elise, what now?"

"Wait until he disarms her to do anything." Elise ordered. "Don't take any chances."

Hunter motioned to Jennifer. "Put down your gun."

Jennifer scoffed. "No way! I..."

Michael kicked the gun out of her hands. He reached over and picked it up. He showed it to Hunter and then threw it aside. "I don't want any trouble."

Jennifer turned to glare at Michael. "I can't believe you did that. You are going to let them get away."

Michael shot her a cold glare. "Shutup Jennifer."

Chris laughed. "I don't think he's very happy with her either."

Hunter smirked. "Elise, it's done. Can we pull out?"

"Hold Hunter." Elise ordered. "Teams two and three use emergency tranks. Knock them out and head to egress."

A couple minutes later Dare's voice filled the link. "We're pulling out now, Elise. See you back at Elite."

"Okay, Hunter start to pull out, but be careful and take it slow." Elise warned.

Hunter turned to nod at Chris. Chris stepped up. "Now, we are going to walk out of this alley real nice and slow, and you guys are going to stay still and just watch us go. Think you can handle that?"

Michael nodded. "Go."

Hunter and Chris walked past Jennifer and Michael, and towards the entrance to the alley. As they walked away they turned their backs to the others. Jennifer made her move before Michael could stop her. She reached behind her back and pulled out her second gun. She had it aimed at the back of Hunter's head, when the shot rang out.

Jennifer dropped the gun and screamed. She grabbed her hand. Hunter and Chris turned back around long enough to see blood covering her wound, before they looked towards the shot. Elise stepped forward out of the shadows and headed towards the others.

"Elise." Hunter sighed in relief.

Elise turned to glare at him. "How many times have I told you never to turn your back on a hostile? Did you think I warned you to be careful for the fun of it?"

"How was I suppose to know she had a second gun?" Hunter questioned. "And anyway she's an op. I didn't think she was really stupid enough to do it."

"Hunter, you never take anything for granted on a mission, and don't ever assume a Section One op isn't stupid enough to do anything." Elise sighed. "They don't recruit cold ops for their brainpower. They're animals with guns."

Elise stepped forward to retrieve Jennifer's gun. She moved back and met Michael's gaze. "I assume I don't have to shoot you, too?"

Michael smiled. "Not likely, Elise."

Elise smiled back. "I will if you really want me to. I mean you can go for one of your other ones, and hey who knows? I could even shoot you in the leg. I'm good at that."

"Maybe some other time." Michael laughed. He looked down. "I like these pants."

Elise gave them a lusty evaluation. "Yeah, so do I." She purred.

"Ah...Elise?" Hunter questioned.

Elise snapped out of her daze and gave a small helpless shrug. "Who can blame me?" She turned her gaze back on Jennifer. "Well, I guess we'll be going now. Go!" She ordered Hunter and Chris over her shoulder.

As she slowly backed towards the exit, Jennifer looked up in surprise. "Hey, what about my gun?"

Elise smirked at her. "Yeah, thanks for the present." She kissed the gun handle. "I just wish I could be there when you have to explain to Walter why you lost it."

"UHHHH!" Jennifer growled when they were gone. "I can't believe this. Walter will lecture me for a month."

Michael turned an amused gaze on her. "You're lucky you're alive. Come on. Let's get back to the van."

When they finally reached the van, Birkoff looked up at them curiously. He took in Michael's grin, and sat forward. "What's going on?"

Michael gave him an all-out smile. "She's alive." He purred.

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

When van access opened and Elise walked in, Gerald was waiting for her. She kept on walking and headed for main Section. Gerald followed her.

"What took you so long? The rest of the teams were back twenty minutes ago." Gerald questioned.

Elise stopped and turned to face him. The rest of the team stood back watching. "We ran into some trouble. Section One was on site."

"Section One?" Gerald growled. "What were they doing there?"

Elise shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. I assume they were doing the same thing we were."

"We had clearance on Perez." Gerald glared at Elise. "Did you talk to them?"

Elise glared right back. "Only as much as was necessary."

"None should have been necessary."

"One of their ops got involved. She held up Hunter and Chris. Perez was already off site, so we just had to talk some sense into her." Elise explained.

"You should have just shot her." Gerald stated.

Elise gave her best mona-lisa smile. "I did." Gerald rose a disbelieving brow. "In the hand." Elise clarified.

"You should have taken her out." Gerald commanded. "No communication is condoned between Sections."

"Maybe you have forgotten, but unnecessary deaths were one of the major reasons that you suceeded." Elise hissed. "If you start killing other ops then you're no better than Paul." Elise turned and started to walk away.

"Communication with other Sections is considered treason, Elise." Gerald reminded. Elise came to a halt. "It has been two years. You are one of us now. You have to live by the rules just like everyone else."

Elise spun around to face Gerald. White-hot rage burned in her eyes. "Your point?"

"Don't forget that. Don't try anything stupid. He is not worth it."

Elise had him by the throat in an instant. "I didn't ask for this. YOU LIED AND YOU SCHEMED TO GET ME HERE! I may have changed my name, but don't YOU ever forget who I really am. DON'T EVER ASSUME YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HE IS WORTH TO ME! There is nothing I wouldn't do for him. NOTHING!"

Elise pushed him away and turned to go. "Elise!" Gerald called.

She stopped but didn't turn around. "All my ops are trained now. They can all make it on their own." She paused and shook her head. "I played your game for two years. No more. I'm Through!" She walked away.

Gerald sighed when she was gone. "I'm sorry."

Hunter, Chris and Jacob looked at each other. "What was that all about?" Chris wondered. "What did she mean?"

Hunter shrugged. "I don't know, but I have a feeling things are fixing to get really interesting."

Jacob met Hunter's eyes. "So, do you think she'll kill him?"

--------

Michael led his team into a ratty old motel. He got them all checked into rooms, and headed for his. Jennifer found him on the way.

"What are we doing here?" She asked.

Michael glared at her. "We are staying here for the night. The plane has some mechanical problems."

"So, why not stay at a substation?"

"Because there aren't any around here. All of these belong to Elite." Michael answered impatiently.

Jennifer sighed. "You put me in your room. Why?"

Michael glared at her. "Because I don't trust you in your own. This is not a love nest. Birkoff is with us, too."

Jennifer groaned. "Are you going to stay angry with me all night?"

"Probably longer than that." Michael answered. "Because of you we were almost killed. If Elise didn’t lead the mission we would have been. I should cancel you."

Jennifer smiled. "But you won't."

Michael rolled his eyes as he passed her and stepped into the room. "Yeah, well that's because of Elise, too."

"What?"

Michael shook his head. "Nevermind."

Inside the room, Birkoff was laying on the bed typing away at his laptop. He looked up as they entered. "So, what now?" Birkoff gave a devilish laugh. "Since you luckily checked over the plane and found all those mechanical problems, I mean."

Michael met his mocking gaze with a straight face. "You are going to stay here and keep an eye on Jennifer." Birkoff groaned. "I have an informant to meet."

"Why do I have to stay with the idiot? I want to see her, too." Birkoff whined.

"She's my informant." Michael mocked.

"What...informant?" Jennifer questioned.

"NEVERMIND!" Michael and Birkoff answered in unison.

Thirty minutes later Michael was dressed and ready to go. "Okay, I will see you guys tomorrow." Michael informed.

"TOMORROW?" Jennifer gawked. "What is going to take that long?"

Birkoff groaned aloud. "It's not fair."

Michael smiled. "You never know, Seymour. You might see her soon."

Birkoff waved him off and returned to his laptop. "Yeah, yeah just tell her I said hello."

"Sure thing." Michael assured as he went out the door.

After he was gone, Jennifer sat down next to Birkoff. "So, where do you think he's going tonight?"

Birkoff flopped back on the bed and covered his eyes. "To heaven." He answered.

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

Jennifer looked around the room. Birkoff was still typing away on that stupid computer, and she was completely bored. She had to find something to do. She wondered where Michael was. If only she could get out of this room. If only…

"Birkoff, what are you doing?"

"I’m writing my debrief." Birkoff answered.

Jennifer smiled sweetly. "I’m sure you’re thirsty. Would you like me to go get you some coffee?"

Birkoff looked up in annoyance. "Who do I look like Michael? I don’t drink coffee."

Jennifer felt a tiny pang of guilt at what she was about to do. She shrugged. "My bad. Well, I could get you a Yoo Hoo?"

"Okay, fine. Just hurry up. If you’re not back in five minutes I’m calling Michael."

There went the guilt. On her way back from the 7-11 she smiled. "I’ll show you five minutes." She slipped the sedatives into the chocolate without remorse.

-------

Michael made his way into the smoky club. He scanned the area for his target. Anticipation surged through his veins. Then he spotted her. Wearing her golden hair flowing down around her shoulders, a skintight, backless, red dress, and black high heels, she turned more than a few heads. An appreciative smile lit his face.

As if she sensed his presence she turned. When their eyes met chemistry sizzled between them. Everyone else in the room disappeared. Nikita licked her lips and blew him a kiss. She saw the fire flash through his eyes as he headed her way.

Nikita coyly turned back to face the bar. Michael took the seat beside her. "Can I buy you a drink?" He purred.

Nikita glanced his way. "Oh, I don’t know. I’m suppose to be meeting someone."

"Really?" Michael acted surprised. "He must be a jerk to keep a gorgeous woman like you waiting."

"Hmmm." Nikita mumbled. "Well, aren’t you the charmer."

Michael ran his hand along her arm. "Why don’t you forget this guy?"

Nikita took his hand from her arm and linked his fingers with hers. "Well you see, we have a history. I really care about him, and I haven’t seen him in a long time. We had this stupid fight and my impulsive actions kept us separated for years. I just hope he can forgive me."

"He would be a fool if he didn’t." Michael whispered.

"So I deserve to be kept waiting. I would wait for him forever." Nikita met his gaze sincerely.

Michael brought their joined hands to his lips. "As I’m sure would he."

Nikita turned to wrap her arms around his neck. "You really think so?"

"Oh, I’m positive." He took her mouth in a desperate kiss. Each of their pain, anger, and finally relief poured out in that kiss. When they finally pulled back, they noticed they had caught the attention of several spectators. They just looked at each other and laughed.

Nikita shook her head. "Never any privacy."

Michael gave her another short kiss. "So, what should we do?" He reconsidered his words when he saw the devilish light enter Nikita’s eyes.

Nikita saw his reaction and giggled. She pulled back and took his hand. "Don’t you trust me by now?" She teased.

Michael sighed. He looked like he thought she was going to suggest knitting. "Yes."

"Good boy!" Nikita smiled. She decided to put him out of his misery. "Let’s dance." She led him to the floor.

-------

Back at the hotel room, Birkoff woke up with a jerk. He realized in disbelief that he was tied to the bed, and gagged, completely nude. He blushed from head to toe. Then he panicked. He looked wildly around the room. He could not believe this. This really was not happening. What if someone on the team found him like this? He would never live it down.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HMMMMM…GRRRRRRR….JEEEENNNNIIIFFEEEERR!!!"

-------

Jennifer spotted the couple as soon as she entered the club. It was lucky that she recognized Michael’s rental car out front. What was before her eyes put her in shock. Michael was dancing with some blond. Actually it was more like making love vertically. They were all over each other. She had never seen so much heat between two people. They had no decency. Most everyone in the club just stood back and watched in awe. The couple didn’t even seem to notice. It was like they were the only two people in the room. It was unreal.

"He left me cooped up in a ratty hotel room with Birkoff, and he’s out here dancing with some whore!" Jennifer hissed. "THIS IS FREAKIN’ UNBELIEVABLE! Who does he think he is? We get stuck in this crappy city, because Section has messed up airplanes, and he decides to spend a night on the town with some SLUT?" Jennifer ranted. "I AM GOING TO KILL HIM!"

Jennifer watched as the music ended and Michael pulled the blond towards the door. They headed out into the night. It took Jennifer all of three seconds to decide what to do. "I’m going to follow them." She huffed, and darted out the door.

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

Nikita giggled as she pulled Michael into the apartment. Michael pushed her up against the wall. "So, where are we?" He questioned absently as he began to kiss her neck.

Nikita pulled at his shirt, working it up his muscular frame. "My apartment. Elite had to stash me somewhere."

Michael pulled back to look around. The apartment was wild. "Yeah, you definitely decorated this place." He laughed.

Nikita slipped her dress off her shoulders, and it dropped to the floor leaving her naked. "Michael?" She pulled his eyes back to hers. "Who cares?" She purred.

Desire flared in Michael's eyes as he took her in. "It's been so long." He muttered as he pulled her to him. "God, I need you. Right here. Right now."

Nikita wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips a breath from his. "You won't hear any complaints from me."

Michael took her mouth in a passionate kiss, as he poured out his soul. He reached mindlessly for the catch on his pants, but Nikita beat him there. They were dropped, and in an instant he was inside her. Pressing her back into the wall he pounded into her. Nikita moaned and urged him on.

Michael met her eyes frantically. He gripped her buttocks and pushed in deeper. "Come for me, baby." He urged. "Let's go to paradise."

"Michael..." Nikita gasped as she felt herself explode. She kissed him hard and clamped him inside her body. "Mine!" She screamed.

Michael screamed as he threw back his head. He felt his world spin apart and held onto her for dear life.

In the background, Michael heard a distant sound. He was too deep to even care. As he came around he kissed Nikita once more. This time gently. The ones before conveyed their pain, their need, and their passion. This one was all their love. Everything in the world was right. They belonged together, connected as one...

"WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" Jennifer screeched.

Michael and Nikita snapped around immediately in mission mode. In an instant, Jennifer found two guns pointed at her face. Jennifer jumped back in shock and dropped her gun.

The dazed couple took in their surroundings. They were both undressed in the middle of Nikita's foyer. Jennifer stood in the open doorway, the splintered door thrown against the wall. Various clothing items lay scattered at their feet.

Nikita huffed in disgust, as she stood up, completely unashamed of her nudity. "Michael you are replacing my door." She swatted her love-tangled hair out of her face. "I assume you trained this idiot?"

Michael sighed. "Yes." He turned back to Jennifer. "What are you doing here? I told you to stay in the hotel room!" Michael's eyes turned suspicious. "And where did you get that gun?"

Jennifer blushed. "I..ah..found it in your bag?"

Michael glared at her. "You took my gun?" Michael reached down and picked it up. "What did you do to Birkoff?" Michael demanded.

Jennifer winced. "He's alive."

"Uhh..HELLO? What is she doing here?" Nikita reminded.

"I followed you." Jennifer forced out defiantly. "You are not acting like yourself. There was no telling what you would get yourself into." She glared meaningfully at Nikita. "OBVIOUSLY!"

"JENNIFER! YOU..." Michael started only to here Jennifer gasp.

"OH MY GOD! You are that ROBO OP CHICK!" Jennifer screeched. "You had SEX with a Section Elite operative!" She accused Michael.

Nikita just rolled her eyes. Michael, on the other hand, saw red. "No I did not." He stated in a deadly calm. "I just made love to a Section Elite operative. The main word there? LOVE! I LOVE HER! And you? I am going to cancel you." He gave an evil smile.

Jennifer began to look worried. "You won't get away with that." Jennifer demanded. "You broke like...ALL Section's rules."

Michael rose a mocking brow. "And just who is going to verify your story? Birkoff?" He purred.

Now Jennifer REALLY looked worried.

Suddenly Hunter, Chris, and Jacob appeared behind Jennifer and forced their way into the room. They gawked at the scene before them. Nikita groaned and grabbed for her dress, starting to pull it on. "What is this? A really bad porn flick?" She demanded of no one in particular.

Jacob turned an amused look on Hunter. "Well, you were right about the interesting part, but I don't think even you had this in mind."

Hunter's eyes danced as he smiled and shrugged. "At least she didn't kill Gerald."

Chris gave them a meaningful look. "Yet."

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

Nikita sighed in disgust as she looked around the room. EVERYBODY was camped out in her living room. Once Jennifer, Hunter, Chris, and Jacob got there, they wouldn't leave until they got the whole story. It took considerable effort to keep Michael from killing Jennifer, but Nikita had done it. Now, they all knew everything. Well, basically everything.

"So, do you all know enough to go now?" Nikita questioned.

"YOU are really Nikita?" Chris muttered.

Nikita ran her hand over her face. "I have answered that question four times. The answer is not going to change."

"WOW!" Hunter mumbled.

Jennifer sighed. "I think it's romantic."

"You were trying to kill them an hour ago." Jacob reminded.

Hunter laughed. "That was before Elise saved her retarded butt."

"I can just appreciate the beauty of the situation." Jennifer huffed.

Michael and Nikita looked at each other. "Huh?"

"Yeah." Chris sassed. "I bet you can see the beauty in a lot of things. Like your pulse for instance. I bet it is just unbelievably beautiful that it's still beating."

Jennifer turned to glare at Chris. "Bitter much?"

"You also tried to shoot us earlier." Hunter reminded.

"I was just doing my job!" Jennifer snapped.

"Funny," Chris mocked, "I could have sworn you were breaking orders. Or does your team leader always kick you?"

"I WILL..." Jennifer began.

"Alright, that's enough you two." Nikita interrupted. "The idea is to keep you BOTH alive. If you kill you each other, that will defeat the purpose."

Chris smiled. "But be oh-so-enjoyable."

Jennifer looked at Nikita. "Is she serious?"

Hunter laughed. "Try her. PLEASE!"

Nikita jumped when the phone rang beside her.

"Nervous?" Hunter teased.

Nikita glared at him and answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Josephine?" Nikita heard George's voice sigh her name.

"Yes."

George cleared his throat. "Where is he?"

"Who?" Nikita answered in her most innocent voice.

"Yeah, right." George mocked. "Where is he? You can't fool me. I know you."

Nikita slumped back in her seat. "Beside me."

George growled. "Okay, this is how it goes. You knew that Gerald had reported Section One's appearance on site to me. You knew that this was the last straw, and Oversight was having Paul and Madeline removed. You also knew that a union of the Sections was in the works. You warned Michael not to go back, so that his team would not be in the way when Paul was removed. Didn't you?"

Nikita grinned. "Actually, no."

George humphed. "I don't think you understood me correctly. You knew all that and did not commit treason. You will not have to be cancelled. Will you?"

"Well, I don't know." Nikita hedged.

"NIKITA!!!" George snapped.

"Yes, George." Nikita answered obediently. A sparkle of mischief entered her eyes. "I just magically knew all that. I'm psychic didn't you know? I have these really weird dreams."

"Let's not take it too far, Nikita." George laughed.

"No really, I'm telepathic like Deanna Troy." She laughed.

She could practically see George rolling his eyes. "Okay, Nikita, I'll get back in touch with you later."

"Hey George?" Nikita questioned. "Is this for real?"

"Yes, and you better thank God it is." George answered. "It would have been hell getting you out of this."

"Paul and Madeline?"

"Dead." George informed. "They didn't want to come peacefully. I'll keep you updated. I have some business to take care of, but I'll call you later."

When Nikita hung up the phone she smiled at the others.

"So?" Hunter questioned.

"Ding, dong the witch is dead. The wicked witch is dead, dead, dead." Nikita sang. She turned to Michael and with her best witchy voice said. "And her little dog, too."

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

Nikita slowly made her way through Section and towards the briefing table with Chris by her side.

"So, what do you think is going to happen?" Chris questioned.

Nikita shrugged. "I really have no idea. I should be cancelled right now."

"Did they reunite the Sections?" Chris asked.

"That's what I'm told." Nikita answered. "Paul was basically the only reason they split up to begin with. Once he was removed, Gerald didn't have that much more to negotiate."

Chris looked up across the room. "Oh, God! Here comes Jennifer. Can we hide?"

Nikita laughed. "Be nice." The two watched Jennifer cross to meet them. "Jennifer?"

"Hey, they are having a briefing in like four minutes to explain everything." Jennifer informed.

"Duh! Why do you think we're here?" Chris sassed.

"I think you have a serious attitude problem, Chris. Maybe they want to alter you." Jennifer shot back.

Nikita rolled her eyes. She tried.

"NIKITA!" Nikita's head snapped up to see Birkoff running towards her. When he reached her she took him in a big hug.

"Hey, Birk." She purred as she pulled away. "What are you up to?"

Birkoff just shook his head. "You never change. I spent the last two and a half years fearing Elise for nothing."

Nikita swatted his head. "Don't say that. You'll ruin my reputation. So, where's Michael?"

"He's..." Birkoff began only to be interrupted.

"He is meeting with Gerald and some old guy with a face like a pug." Jennifer jumped in.

Nikita laughed. "I'm guessing that she's talking about George?"

"Yes." Birkoff answered. "And I would have told you that, had she kept her mouth shut."

Jennifer glared at him. "I don't have to listen to you."

Birkoff glared right back. "If I were you, I would stay away from me."

"Or what?" Jennifer sassed.

"Or when you just happen to get exposed on your next mission, don't be surprised." Birkoff hissed.

Chris laughed. "Man, he likes her even less than I do."

Nikita smiled as she looked up to see George and Gerald call the briefing to order. She stepped up and took the open seat next to Michael and Hunter.

"Okay," Gerald began, "I know most of you are anxious to know what exactly is going on, so let's get this thing started. First I will explain the basics, and then you can ask any questions you may have."

"The Sections are being reunited. I know some of you may not even know there are other Sections, but someone else can explain that to you. As of tomorrow, we are once again Section Two. Other than that, things will not change that drastically for Section Elite ops. Intersectional communication will be allowed, but that's about it." Gerald explained.

George stepped up. "The same can not be said for all of you One ops. Paul and Madeline have been removed. The new Operations, that comes to power, will implement a new Section policy, basically mirroring Elite's. We are putting the humanity and teamwork back in the Sections."

"All ops Level 2 and under are dismissed." Gerald informed. After they filed out, he turned to face the group. "Okay, now on to the real business. Michael, I know you may have seen this coming but, you are being offered the position of second-in-command at Section One."

"Second-in-command?" Michael and Nikita questioned together.

"Yes, second-in-command." Gerald smiled.

Michael looked at George with a question in his eyes. He then looked at Nikita. She saw the light of determination there. He turned back to face Gerald. "I cannot accept this offer."

Gerald looked taken aback. "You what? Why not?"

Michael faced him completely serious. "I will not serve anywhere without Nikita. I have been separated from her for two and a half years and it was hell. If I cannot serve with her, then cancel me."

Gerald laughed out loud. "That shouldn't be a problem." He threw an amused glance at George.

Michael looked confused. "What do you mean?"

George looked at Michael like he was a wayward child. "Who do you think is going to be Operations?"

Now Nikita burst out laughing. "I'm gonna have more power than Michael." She sang. Michael just smiled with love and relief. He didn't care who was in charge so long as she was with him.

"Nikita don't push it." George sighed in amusement.

Nikita sat up regally in her chair. "Does this mean that I am Operations now?" She questioned.

"Yes." George smiled.

"Then, my first official decree as Operations is that relationships will be allowed within the Section as long as they do not effect performance and are kept discreet." She announced in her best queen voice.

George rolled his eyes. Birkoff on the other hand couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. "Like you and Michael were ever discreet!"

Nikita looked mock offended. "WE WERE TOO!"

"Does anyone want a copy of the Armel tape?" Birkoff mocked right back. Even George laughed at that.

When the laughter died down, Nikita asked her only serious concern. "What about my ops? What about Hunter, Chris, Dare, Jacob, and Amanda? Will they come with me?"

"Yeah!" They chorused.

George looked at her exasperated. "Of course, they are coming with you. Like anyone else would want to put up with them. I never planned it any other way."

"Dang right!" Hunter cheered.

"We're going to Section One. We're going to Section One. We're going to Section One." Chris chanted. "Wait a minute. Where exactly is Section One?" Chris questioned.

Nikita looked at her. "Let's just say you won't be needing those bikini bathingsuits for a very long time, Chris."

"AHHH..MAN!" Chris moaned.

Gerald shook his head. "Oh yeah, I'm gonna cry when she's gone." He paused. "Okay, you're all dismissed."

All the operatives stood and left except for Nikita's team. Nikita looked up at George.

He spoke first. "Did you really think I was going to send you off and leave this bunch? You are attached at the hip."

Nikita's smile held many emotions. It held relief, affection, and something George hadn't seen there in two and a half years. It held peace. "I love you, George."

His laugh this time was teasing. "Yeah," he pointed to Michael, "but you love him more."

The End! Hope you liked it!

Raine

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