Michael strides down the hallway, his face fixed in the business friendly' mode in order to blend in with the majority of people milling around the hall. He is even wearing a gray pinstriped suit instead of his normal black.

He is mentally double-checking every possibe reason he could think of as to why George' had called him. Several reasons were very disturbing and he hoped they were not the cause for this meeting.

Michael had met George three times before. The first time was when he was still a recruit. At that time George had been handing the reins over to current the Operations and had been making one last inspection/tour before the change over was complete. He remembers George discussing his performance and talents with Operations in front of him like he was piece of meat. Of course he was, but Michael had not learned to accept it at that time and had resented the entire conversation. He can still feel the resentment which burned in him.

The second time was during another visit with Operations during a hostage mission. George had addressed Michael directly this time, asking how the situation was being handled. Michael had answered him shortly and to the point without looking at him, something that George had found amusing. He had turned to Operations and had congratulated him on his latest machine'.

The third time had been last night. Michael had just pulled out away from the park where he had spent two uninterrupted hours with Nikita, when his phone had rang. It was George ordering him to come downtown today for a 'conversation'. He was not to tell Section where he was or who he was meeting.

Michael arrives at the discreet office bearing the name of "Professional Exterminators." Michael is slightly taken back by this title until he sees the company's logo engraved in the name plaque. It's a dead bug, on it's back, it's legs curled in and little X's for eyes. Shaking his head Michael enters the suite.

A very beautiful, busty, blonde woman is seated behind a large mahogny desk. She smiles at him with a little more interest than the normal professional curtesy. "May I help you?"

Michael smiles, "Yes. I have an appointment with Mr. Kubreck. It's for 10:00 a.m."

If possible her smile grows warmer and her eyes light up. "Yes, sir. I can see that you do. Would you wait while I tell him you are here?" She turns to leave but then turns back and bends over just enough to give him a glimpse of an impressive cleavage. "Can I get you ... anything ... while you wait?"

"No, thank you." Michael watches as the light in her eyes turns speculative and realizes that he has inadvertantly challenged her seductive skills. Just what he needs!

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

After ten minutes she escorts him into George's office, using the excuse to touch him and brush up against him. Michael doesn't react to either stimuli.

"Sit down." George directs without looking up. He finishes something on his computer and then turns to look at Michael.

Michael sits in a deliberately uncomfortable chair, patiently waiting.

"I was just reviewing your dossier. Very impressive. You were an excellent candidate for recruitment. Since the episodes with the Directory and Red Cell, I have become increasingly unhappy with Operations' ability to run Section One. I want you to run a coup on him."

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

Michael sits in his office contemplating. George has given him two weeks to take over Section and he can't deny the thought is ... seductive. There are a lot of reasons why he will enjoy this he freely admits to himself, things over the years that still need to be addressed from moments in his training, Simone, his son, Nikita and all of the little indignities that have come up. Yes. It is seductive, but that is what is worrying him. Why does George need this done? Is he really going to replace Operations? If so, with whom? Will this be a changing of the guard? What if ... and this is what is really frightening ... George wants to replace Operations with himself?

Nikita will back him up he is certain. With Nikita on his side, he is guaranteed Birkoff and Walter's cooperation. Michael's strategy calls for a small strike force hitting the main areas. Frankly, once he has Operations and Madeline, he doubts that the rest of Section will rebel.

With a decisive movement Michael calls Nikita on his cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Josephine? Meet me at the park."

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

It takes about five minutes for Michael to outline his plan to Nikita. She agrees to participate and, if the truth be told, is looking forward to it with a great deal of anticipation.

"So when do we do this great deed?" Nikita asks as she smooths a stray lock of hair out of his eyes.

"As soon as I get Birkoff and Walter's cooperation, which shouldn't be too hard once they realize that you are participating."

"Me? What do I have to do with it?"

Michael looks at her silently trying to decide if he should burden her with everything that happened while she was gone. He starts to pass by the subject when he remembers the vow he made to himself about not lying to her anymore.

"They still have not forgiven me for canceling you."

Nikita looks at him open-mouthed, "But I'm back." she says bewildered.

"Yes, but only because you were captured and tortured for six months, not because of anything I did. I didn't save you."

She cradles his head between her breasts, "Oh Michael, I am so sorry. I hadn't realized ..."

He wraps his arms around her and wonders when the last time anyone but Nikita tried to comfort him. "I can handle it."

She strokes his hair, "I know you can. It's just a shame that you have to." she pauses for a moment and then asks, "Should we tell them the truth?"

"No! The less who know the less that is known. Remember that debacle with Jurgen."

Nikita is silent.

"I'm sorry Nikita, I shouldn't have said that."

She shakes her nod, "No, you are right. The less who know the less that is known."

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

Michael stands in Operations' perch, Nikita by his side, his right hand raised in victory. He turns the intercom on, "Section One has been LIBERATED!"

Operatives stand and stare in amazement, looking first at Michael and Nikita, then Operations and Madeline tied to chairs, back to back, then back to Michael and Nikita. The silence is deafening.

For the first time since he received this assignment, Michael begins to wonder if he will succeed. It only counts if they accept him as the new Operations.

"How do we know this isn't a trick by Operations to see where we stand?" a timid, unidentified voice wavers up from the crowd.

"It's no trick." Michael assures them. As the words leave his mouth he realizes that his assurance will not be enough. He looks down at Nikita and smiles. "If this were the old Section, would I be able to do this?" and with that he sweeps Nikita into his arms and kisses her until they are both breathless and clinging to each other.

"Michael, Michael, Michael." the crowd chants.

As Michael's victory solidifies, George steps out of the shadows of the perch. He walks over to Michael and congratulates him on a job well done.

He looks down at the crowd, "This was a training exercise. There will be no repercussions for the participants. I congratulate everyone on their response."

He walks over to Operations and Madeline and cuts them loose from their bonds as the crowd quickly disperses. "I told you that your security was lax. I expect you to fix this problem. I also meant what I said, no repercussions!"

Operations stands up and rubs his wrists. "Yes Sir."

George smiles at Madeline and leaves the perch.

Michael and Nikita glance at Operations and Madeline and leave without a word, their actions sufficient for the time being.

Madeline stands up and glances at Operations, "One day you will push him too far and he will take over, you know."

Operations grins, "That's my goal." He pauses, "Did you see how quickly they turned to him? I had no idea I was so disliked."

Madeline arches an eyebrow, "You didn't?"

"Hey, they tied you up too." Operations exclaims defensively.

"Yes, but I still have my clothes on." Madeline points out with a smirk and leaves Operations standing there in a T-shirt and boxers.

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