Wednesday morning came and things started falling into place in the Center, Oversight and Section.

Nikita was ensconced in Madeline's office, preferring not to change anything *too* drastically. She left the austere office as is except for the ever-present flowers. Not a fan of (or talented in) horticulture, Nikita replaced the various live flowers with her own wire sculptures ones. Her collection was small, but it would grow. In the end, Nikita decided that leaving the office as is and 'cultivating' her flower collection would serve as a constant reminder of her predecessor. A reminder to make sure she did not follow in the older woman's footsteps.

Nikita knew working with Operations would be difficult, but she'd made her proverbial bed and she now had to lie in it. All the should have, could have, would haves in the world would not change anything. She had agreed to work for Center to 'fix' Section One and now she had to honor that agreement. Knowing Michael would be in charge of Oversight somewhat alleviated the pain of that separation.

Although there were many things Nikita would have changed over the last years three years, her relationship with her former trainer was not one of them. As painful as it was now, she would not trade the moments of peace and happiness they had shared, as brief and precious few as they had been. She knew they were both ultimately doomed to a lonely life, as were everyone else subjugated to the world of anti-terrorism, but at least she knew, however brief it was, some measure of completeness and it was worth it. She hoped one day Michael would feel the same.

Nikita did regret was the way they had to part, but the decision hadn't been hers. While the relationship was based on a lie, it flourished and became real nonetheless. But as soon as Michael started breaking protocol the die was cast. 'Whatever it takes to sever all ties,' the unspoken threat clear. The spirit or the flesh, one had to die. She selfishly chose the spirit, hoping the flesh would find a way to move on. Only time would tell if she had made the right decision.

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

Operations stood in his darkened aerie, surveying the scene below him. Over twenty five years, half his life, had been devoted to 'the cause.' His family had been the first of many sacrifices he'd had to make.

Operations' emotions had gotten the better of him and Section One several times over recent years. Ironically, many of those instances involved, and gave an eagle eye view of his shortcomings to, Center's informant and his new second in command. Operations was sure that lack of compassion *was* a factor, but only one of several. He was good enough for his position, but not good enough to advance.

He had given his all, done what he thought was best and it hadn't been enough. He had been so close, but his misjudgement of his own personnel had been his undoing. He'd underestimated both Michael and Nikita, Nikita especially. The what ifs didn't matter. What if Nikita's adjustment had been permanent? What if he had stood by his decision to cancel Nikita after her two years of training? What if he'd kept a looser leash on Michael? What if he'd picked a different second in command? What if he hadn't jumped the gun and waited until Adrian was ready to move on rather than force her out? So many choices he'd made over the years.

In the end, they'd all brought him here. Status quo for so long, then the power struggle with, and victory over, George. But now? Now there were too many changes in too short a time, his mind rebelled at accepting them all. But in the end, did he have a choice?

The easiest to accept, of course, was Madeline's promotion. That was an eventuality he'd been prepared for. He'd always known Madeline had more potential to advance in the hierarchy than he did. While they were both committed to the cause and the organization, Madeline had let it take over *completely.* The woman lived and breathed the cause. Nothing of her personality remained, Section her only purpose. Operations had understood why, despite Madeline's lack of the same compassion Nikita had told him he needed to advance, she'd been the one to advance. While she *did* lack that quality, it didn't matter because she also lacked any other qualities or emotions that would interfere in her doing the job. Her only motivation, whatever the means, had always been what was good for the Section. Operations couldn't say the same. He hadn't been *that* upset when he thought her lost along with Red Cell's Director because her single minded devotion and his goals were already clashing.

Shifting his gaze, Operations watched as Walter packed up the last of his belongings and gave final instructions to his replacement. Walter's transfer was a long time in coming. A kinship for a fellow war horse and loyalties even older than his time in Section had kept Operations from letting any harm come to Walter despite his flagrant violations. He'd thought Belinda's cancellation would make Walter understand, once and for all, the world that they lived in. When the intended message wasn't received, Operations still couldn't bring himself to retire or demote the other man. The one time he did send him into retirement was to make sure Walter didn't interfere with brainwashing Nikita. After Nikita's deprogramming Walter continued to break the rules and Operations continued to look the other way. How ironic that it was the person that Walter had bent or broken most of the rules for that was the one to 'turn him in'.

Turning away from the window momentarily, Operations' thoughts moved to Michael, his subordinate for the last decade, now his superior. Their relationship had gone through many highs and lows over those ten years, most of the lows in the last five. Again, the catalyst had been Nikita. As soon as she had entered the picture, nothing had been the same.

Simone's death, while devastating Michael, had not ruined the triumvirate of Operations, Madeline and Michael. The dynamics had stayed the same until the level five operative's attraction to his material turned into something more. Michael's loyalty to his superiors and to Section disappeared in proportion to his involvement with the blonde operative. So much so, that Operations felt justified in ordering the young man's cancellation on more than one occasion, his skills and potential be damned.

They had recently begun to repair the relationship, Operations immediately elevating Michael as his second for the brief time Madeline was thought dead. He'd even assured him The Perch when Operations thought he would be replacing George himself. Operations had always known Michael would advance, he just didn't know it would be ahead of him. How ironic that just a few weeks ago, Operations smugly offered Michael Section One while he moved up and now it was Michael who was moving up while Operations had to 'fight' to keep his job. The biggest irony, of course, was that it was Nikita herself who did to Michael in one fell swoop what Operations and Madeline couldn't do in ten long years - wipe out his emotions and make him 'perfect' for the job.

Deciding this line of thought was counterproductive at this time, as there was much to be done this morning, he turned back to the window only to see Nikita crossing comm, on the way back from Madeline's old office. Out of all the changes and surprises, this was the hardest to stomach. The perennial thorn in his side, the operative that should have never reached level one, let alone anything higher, was his new second in command. The fact that the young woman had been no more than an informant for their superiors was bad enough. That she fooled them all for three years was galling. So, she answered to the Center, at least now Operations knew where more of his enemies lay and would be all the more careful for it. Operations didn't survive and sacrifice this long just to end up here, he *would* go higher, it would just take a little longer.

Knowing Nikita was headed for the aerie Operations prepared himself for his first official meeting with the 'new blood.'

"You wanted to see me?" Nikita inquired upon entering the aerie, then inwardly grimacing at her reflexive imitation of her former mentor.

"Yes." Operations almost smiled, the significance of Nikita's language not escaping his notice. "I'd like to clear the air before we officially begin working together."

"Of course." Nikita replied then quickly mentally berated herself for yet another ingrained 'Michaelism.'

"Contrary to what you might believe, I hold no animosity towards you."

"Really?" Nikita returned, this time measuring her words more carefully. "I find that hard to believe."

"Actually, for the first time in the six years you've been here, I can see why you were recruited." Operations returned, knowing that Nikita wasn't going to like the direction of this conversation.

"Meaning what?"

"I told you several years ago you were becoming one of us, but I never realized until the last few days how true that was." Operations continued, knowing he was digging the knife deeper and enjoying himself even though he was sure he would pay the price down the road. "In fact, I want to congratulate you on a job well done."

"Which job are you talking about?" Nikita asked, even though she was dreading the answer.

"Cleaning up Section, of course. Your promotion is well deserved, you've accomplished and done things I never could have." Operations couldn't resist the dig. "Breaking Michael, one upping Madeline, demoting Walter for breaking the rules for you. If Birkoff was alive, I could only imagine what you would have done with him."

"I just did my job." Nikita returned mildly, knowing Operations was trying to keep her off balance and not giving him the satisfaction of seeing how close to home he was hitting.

"Tell me something. Why destroy Michael?" Operations asked more seriously, genuinely troubled. Despite everything, he inexplicably found himself defending and caring about the younger man. "Did you not feel *anything* for the man who had kept you alive for six years?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"You might be surprised." Operations prodded.

"Michael wouldn't have survived the way he was. I was under orders to 'fix' that." Nikita hedged, not wanting to get into this, but needing to convince *herself* more than Operations that she did the right thing.

"So you destroyed what he was to give him a future." Operations concluded, almost smiling at the irony.

"Yes." Nikita confirmed.

"Congratulations. You finally accepted that the ends justify the means."

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

While Nikita and Operations were talking in the darkened aerie, Walter was busy packing the last of his things, having already given final instructions to his replacement. Jason was helping, Walter allowing it, even though he really didn't need it.

Walter was the only friend Jason had left in Section One. Jason hadn't been here all that long, but he'd realized very quickly friends were very rare in Section. Naomi was certainly not his friend, let alone anything more. Jason knew better, he wasn't fooled by her 'offer.' The only reason Naomi wanted any kind of relationship with him was because she knew he had been 'promoted' to head of comm. Jason realized Naomi had just done her job when it came to him and nothing else.

Nikita was another one who he thought was his friend. That one also went out the window as soon as the evaluations started. Jason may have not been one of the operatives evaluated, but that didn't mean he didn't know what was going on. He knew that Nikita was doing her job for Center, and that was fine. What bothered Jason was the fact that she was able to sentence Walter and Michael to their fates. Both men had gone to great lengths to keep her alive even when Center apparently couldn't care less.

Walter treated Nikita like his own daughter, stuck his neck out for her countless times. Walter had, in their short acquaintance, regaled Jason with stories of how Nikita and Michael, sometimes with Walter and Seymour's help, sometimes on their own, outwitted their superiors and stayed alive to tell about it. Walter had honestly believed they'd made it 'out.' Now, after everything, Nikita had turned on him, nice way to treat your 'father' regardless of the *job.*

Of course betraying Walter was nothing compared to betraying Michael. Jason hadn't known the former level five operative very well but he'd heard plenty through the grapevine and even more from Walter. After Nikita and Michael supposedly escaped the Section, Walter had revealed to Jason the lengths that Michael had gone to for Nikita's welfare. Hell, Jason didn't need to hear it from someone else, he'd seen with his own eyes the desperation with which Michael had tracked down and rescued Nikita after she had been kidnapped by a madman and left for dead (again) by Section. Betraying that kind of devotion, whatever the reason, was enough incentive to make sure to give the perpetrator a very wide berth.

Jason knew the realities of Section One, he'd work with Nikita, no problem, but trust her? About as much as he trusted Operations. At least Michael had gotten the hell out of dodge, even if not under the best of circumstances. But then again, he *did* have to work with Madeline, another scary bitch, possibly even scarier than Nikita.

Jason had already, in his short time in Section, learned something his brother never did in his long 'career' there - don't trust, help or get too close to *anyone.*

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

Having said goodbye to the only person left in Section he'd still cared to talk to, Walter took one final look around, slung his bag over his shoulder and strode down the hallways to van access where transport was waiting to take him to the Farm. On his last walk through the halls that had been his home for the last thirty years (locations may have changed and schematics updated but the foundation was still the same) Walter reflected on his years in Section and the events leading up to his 'demotion.'

Contrary to popular belief, Walter was once a cold op, not the best but not abeyance fodder either. His munitions post was accidental. On a mission gone wrong in which he was team leader their weapons op went down and as luck would have it, the new explosives malfunctioned as well. Not one to accept failure graciously or easily, not to mention his team's lives hanging in the balance, Walter improvised and repaired the timer on the explosives.

When his team got back to Section One, Adrian, their then leader, debriefed him. It was a rare occurrence, she usually had her second in command, Paul Wolfe handle briefings and debriefs, preferring to watch the video feed in her office. The reason for her appearance became clear at the end of the extended debrief when she 'requested' Walter's assistance in munitions until a suitable replacement could be found. Walter had been head of munitions ever since.

A lot had changed since that day almost twenty years ago, much more than Walter would have liked. Walter had stuck by Paul Wolfe when he went up against Adrian, even used his own resources to help ensure the other man's post. He'd believed Adrian's time was up, the Cold War finally doing her in. Adrian felt that the Cold War would soon end and wanted to change things in preparation, Paul believed it would just continue to escalate and *his* ideas and goals were far different from Adrian's. From what he'd seen, Walter agreed with Paul and joined his side. Ironically, Adrian had turned out to be correct and a few short years later the Berlin Wall fell and the world changed yet again. But, of course, by then it was too late, Adrian had disappeared and Paul was firmly entrenched as Operations.

Section One under Paul Wolfe was never easy, but it used to be just. Looking back, Walter realized that the other man had never been the same after the Cold War. Operations often said that he missed the Cold War, when the enemy was plain to see, things were black and white. It seemed that when the enemy wasn't so black and white Operations had lost his way, started looking for the enemy in places they didn't exist.

As much as Operations touted Section as being shades of gray, it was those same shades that had done him in and left him no higher than he had been for most of his 'career' here. The same could have been said for Walter but the difference was that Walter had never wanted the brass ring, he didn't have the desire to advance by stepping over the dead bodies of friends and enemies alike.

Walter would have been content to 'live out' his years in Section. Now, thanks to another victim of the anti-terrorist world's shades of gray, that wasn't going to happen. The initial anger gone, Walter was able to think more clearly about his transfer. Nikita probably thought that she was doing him a favor but Walter was a front line man, had been from his days in the army. He wasn't angry, but he wasn't in a forgiving mood either. When Nikita passed him on the way to the aerie, Walter didn't even have it in him for a final goodbye to his 'Sugar.'

Teaching was not for him. Nikita probably figured as much and sent him to the Farm knowing retiring would be easier from there. But retirement wasn't for him either. Besides, Nikita had no right to make that decision for him. She had railed at Michael for years, ever since her recruitment, how much she hated that he had made decisions on her behalf without any regard for the way she felt and now look at *her* actions, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. No, he wouldn't be talking, let alone forgiving, Nikita for quite a while.

As for the others, Madeline got to move up and try her hand at manipulation and control on an even larger playing field and Operations still had his post and would continue to scheme for more - that would never change. At least he'd be away from their power plays, that was the one good thing about his transfer.

Jason would be fine, already fitting in better than Birkoff ever had. Perhaps growing up and living on the outside somehow prepared him for Section. Maybe Section didn't look so bad from the outside - fighting terrorists, cool gadgets - the stuff James Bond was made of. If Jason was lucky, really lucky, reality wouldn't set in for a while. Who knows, with Michael at the helm, things could only get better and by the time that reality set in Section *would* be worth living and dying for again.

Michael had a long way to go, just having Madeline as his second and Jones as his boss, were enormous obstacles. But if anyone could turn the Sections and Oversight around to the way things used to be, it was him. Too bad that the personal cost had to be so high.

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

Although she wouldn't be picked up for another hour, Madeline was 'ready.' Whether he had done it out of compassion, glee or orders - probably a combination of all three - Davenport had, before his departure the other day, informed Madeline of who exactly would be her new 'boss.' Knowing he would report back to Adrian any reaction to the news, Madeline kept her features schooled, her blank look and Mona Lisa smile perfected long before Michael's 'patented' blank stare.

Not one to dwell on the past, Madeline primed herself for her new responsibilities while she waited for Michael to pick her up. However, as much as she didn't want it the past kept intruding so she finally gave up and let the thoughts and memories come.

Her first unwelcome memory was a conversation she'd had with Nikita almost three years ago, after Petrosian's unsuccessful bid to take over Section One. Madeline had warned Nikita that now that the younger woman had tasted power she would be back, but Madeline would be ready for her. Madeline should have seen back then that something wasn't right, Nikita had taken to the role too well. She had never liked Petrosian, but she aligned herself with him fairly quickly. Looking back on it now, Nikita probably used the situation as a 'test drive,' to see if she indeed would someday welcome that power.

As much as she hated admitting being wrong let alone failing, Madeline had to concede that she again wasn't ready when Nikita made her power play. While Madeline may have been moved to Oversight, she wasn't foolish or naïve enough to believe that it was just a promotion. Adrian had more than just implied that she was giving Madeline a second chance. Obviously, the real new Mr. Jones did not feel Madeline was up to the task and would watch her *very* carefully, waiting for the slightest slip. Nikita was getting a clean slate at Section One, while Madeline's baggage was following her through the organization.

Now that her mind had started on this path, it was reluctant to let go. Being the pragmatist that she was, Madeline methodically analyzed her past performance, especially her most recent endeavors. While underestimating Nikita had certainly been a mistake, Madeline realized there were others, equally as dangerous and catastrophic to her career.

Adrian was right, convincing Paul to experiment, rather than cancel, 'Adrian' had been the first error in a chain that had brought her to where she was. Madeline's need to triumph over her former teacher had impaired her judgment. She had known better than to leave the enemy alive once they'd outlived their usefulness but when it came to Adrian she couldn't do it. She'd wanted the older woman alive as a constant reminder of her superiority. Contrary to what she'd told herself at the time, compassion for her former mentor had nothing to do with it, it was plainly and simply vanity.

They had nothing further to gain from Adrian when they'd subjected her double to Gelman's mind control process. The real Adrian's mind and will was too strong for her usual techniques. Adrian had, after all, been the one to teach Madeline most of those techniques. Had that really been Adrian they'd captured, Adrian's secrets would have never been revealed anyway. If the process had succeeded, Adrian would have simply been reprogrammed, her secrets buried with the rest of her 'personality.' If the process failed, she'd have remained a vegetable. Either way, nothing to gain. There were many other expendable candidates they could have used to test Gelman's process.

Of course, Adrian was correct about reprogramming Nikita as well. Once again Madeline had convinced herself that her motives had been for the good of the Section. Michael and Nikita together were too dangerous. Reprogramming Nikita, who she'd thought the more expendable of the two, would temporarily sever the bond, buying Madeline time or so she told herself. Hindsight being 20/20, Madeline finally admitted that it was the fear of 'what goes around, comes around' that really drove her.

Madeline had always believed, even before Center's meddling, that Nikita would one day replace her. She had thought that with Michael's growing reputation and seeming favor in Oversight, his, and by extension, Nikita's, time would come sooner than expected. Michael's improbable success with the Bergomi mission reinforced the fear. Reprogramming Nikita took away the qualities Michael needed in her for his second in command, thereby postponing their ascension.

Contrary to what she'd told Paul, the process would never have been *truly* irreversible. Madeline's plan had been to bring parts of the 'old' Nikita back slowly so that enough of the programming remained to eventually (when Madeline was good and ready to move on) mold her into Madeline's idea of the perfect second in command.

Looking at her watch, Madeline realized that the time had gotten away from her and she had less than half an hour left before Michael picked her up. But, once again, she couldn't resist the past, this time her thoughts turning to the person she had 'left behind' in Section One - her partner in crime for almost half her life.

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

Madeline had never really fit in anywhere before. Not with her family and certainly not in the institution she been sent to after her sister's death. Having no one to rely on but herself, Madeline retreated even further into herself. She had never been an extrovert, but now she had become a recluse. She spent all her free time either in her room or the library. Books became her best friends.

When Madeline turned 18 she was finally released from the long term institution. With GED in hand and her juvenile records sealed, Madeline proceeded to an ivy league college where she excelled. Her 'god given' brains combined with the fierce driving force to be the best at everything that was responsible for her sister's accidental death brought her to the head of the class and to the attention of the FBI.

Madeline had just earned her Ph.D. in psychology, at an accelerated pace of course, when she was recruited into the FBI. She completed the requirements in the middle of the year so the graduation ceremony was still months away, but she had her papers and title. The FBI knew all about her past but were satisfied that Madeline was still a good candidate. She had always been intrigued with the psyche so she was a natural for profiling. While a career in law enforcement was not in her plans, her recruiter knew exactly how to 'hook' her.

After Madeline had turned down their offer, the head of the local office approached her himself and changed tactics. He asked for her help in tracking down a kidnapping victim. The FBI knew who the kidnapper was, but needed someone to get inside the kidnapper's head. Their usual profiler was stymied so they came to Madeline hoping she could do better.

Madeline found the 'kidnapper' even quicker than anticipated and then went back to her life, once again turning down the FBI's offer. She tried putting it behind her, but as the days went by Madeline found herself more and more intrigued by profiling - it was perfect for her. Getting inside people's heads and figuring out how they ticked was the reason she had gone into psychology in the first place.

One week later she called the recruiter and asked if they still wanted her. It wasn't until years later, while in Section One, that Madeline learned the truth of her recruitment. The whole kidnapping incident had been a staged exercise. They were testing the efficiency of their people at the same time they were enticing Madeline to join the organization.

Two years, several high profile convictions and three very early promotions later, Madeline came to the attention of Section One. In those days Section recruited exclusively from other agencies around the world. Recruiting from prisons was Madeline's idea to replenish the ranks after their coup years later. Adrian had connections in all the major government agencies around the globe. One of her contacts had given her the 'heads up' on Madeline and Adrian began following the younger woman's career.

By the time Madeline hit her two year anniversary with the FBI Adrian was already looking to recruit her for Section One's psyche ops. Adrian's second in command by then was Paul Wolfe and he strenuously objected to Madeline's recruitment. Citing the trouble in her youth, difficulty with authority and all around reclusive personality, Paul argued she wouldn't fit in into Section's militaristic style.

Adrian, while quite able to override Paul without giving him a reason, knowing he would follow orders, nevertheless explained to him that Madeline was an experiment. Adrian wanted to broaden Section's recruitment, arguing that some of the best personnel around were working in the 'civilian population' and not just in various covert ops and militaries. The Sections were always covert, but at that time they were more lenient and patient with their personnel. Scenarios were commonly set up to bring personnel in without alerting family, neighbors and friends.

As terrorism escalated so did the need for secrecy, just six months after Madeline's recruitment the order was handed down from Oversight. While admitting that recruiting from the 'civilian population' had its merits, times were too dangerous and the proposition too risky. Adrian's experiment came to an end, but she did manage to recruit four others besides Madeline before being 'shut down.'

Adrian had gone to see Madeline personally, she had high hopes for the younger woman's potential in the organization. Adrian, in fact, planned to train her personally. Convincing Madeline to join them was not difficult at all. In her relatively short time with the FBI, Madeline had seen or heard about too many kidnappers, rapists and murderers who had gone free for various reasons. The opportunity to get the terrorists and bad guys without the red tape was too intriguing too pass up. Not understanding that once in, you were in for life, Madeline accepted Adrian's offer, with the intention of 'moving on' after a few years. Madeline had always been restless, she'd always needed new challenges, that's how she looked upon Section at first as well - another challenge to conquer.

Arriving at Section, Madeline was introduced to most of the key personnel, including Paul. Always excellent at reading people, Madeline noticed the carefully hidden disdain underneath Adrian's second in command's polite attitude. Reading the look correctly, Madeline vowed to show him she belonged.

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

And show them all, she did, Madeline smiled to herself. While she'd never had Paul wrapped around her proverbial finger, she did gain his confidence quickly. Despite his initial misgivings, it was Madeline he picked for his second in command when he decided to 'overthrow' Adrian. Paul knew Madeline complimented his weaknesses well. Even in the beginning Madeline was given more responsibilities than most more seasoned operatives. Under Adrian's tutelage, Madeline had mastered the art of psychological warfare (subtle and otherwise) and quickly became indispensable and the obvious choice for second in command.

Of course, now Madeline realized the truth that she would never be able to share. It was Adrian who had done all the manipulating, not the other way around. Adrian had trained Madeline for her role as second from the beginning, knowing even then how things would most likely play out. The older woman knew that eventually, one way or another, she would move on so she made sure Madeline was ready to assume the role she did when that time came.

Madeline knew she would never be allowed to tell anyone else of the true power behind Center. Adrian had implied that were Madeline to divulge anything she had learned the consequences would be dire, not just to Madeline but to others as well. Adrian had known she need say no more, even the implied threat unnecessary. Madeline's loyalty to the organization was enough to ensure her silence. She understood the need for absolute secrecy in regards to the true power behind the throne. Besides, as much as she didn't want to admit it most of the time, she still cared about Paul (and a few others) and knew that retaliation wouldn't be limited to her.

Of course, being privy to the knowledge that there was someone else even higher up the food chain, gave one a bit of an edge over others. Knowledge, of any kind, was power. While her and Paul's power plays had effectively come to and end with this personnel shift, Madeline felt justified in most of her actions. Adrian would not have taken a chance on her now if there wasn't anything redeemable to be found. Madeline's goals weren't in question so much as her means. After all, even breaking up Michael and Nikita was right, it was just the methods that were wrong. Madeline always knew the two were meant for advancement, she just didn't agree that the personnel shift should have happened *quite* as it had.

Even if the circumstances were not ideal, Madeline was satisfied with the move. Of course, ideally she and Paul would move into Oversight while Michael and Nikita ran Section, but that wasn't to be, for the time being, at least. Perhaps that was a good thing, after all. She and Paul had been together professionally for two decades, maybe it *was* time to move on. As Jones had said not so long ago, they didn't complement each other anymore, were too much alike. Working with Michael presented a challenge and one thing Madeline thrived on were challenges.

Hearing the approaching vehicle, Madeline took a deep, calming breath and prepared herself to face a new chapter in her life.

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

As the armored car made its way past the countryside, its lone back seat passenger sat in contemplation, his hand and knuckles unconsciously rubbing his chin, oblivious to the magnificent scenery. The car, a veritable tank disguised as a limousine, was one of several concessions Michael had to make for his new position as head of Oversight. He now had two bodyguards with him at all (well, most) times. Even sitting alone in the back was frowned upon, but for this trip, his first after officially assuming command, Michael insisted on the solitude and kept both bodyguards up front. Once they reached Madeline one of his shadows would join them. Not that there was any real danger from the woman, but appearances had to be kept up. Even Operations had very seldom left Section without his own bodyguards.

Being a private, independent and self reliant person by nature, Michael was not able to fully 'appreciate' the necessity of round the clock protection. If Jones thought that Michael would completely give up his privacy or his occasional motorcycle rides 'to nowhere' or other like activities that helped ground him and keep him sane, the head of Center was sorely mistaken.

As much as Michael wanted to concentrate on the future and not continue to dwell on the recent past, the thoughts would not stop intruding. Giving in he let it all wash over him again, promising himself it would be the last time he let the past intrude into the present or future.

The most painful truth of his past as far as Michael was concerned was that the four years he had spent plotting and scheming for a future for himself and Nikita would have been better spent digging his own emotional grave.

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

Michael used to be a different person. He'd grown up in a 'good' family and never lacked for anything, emotional or material. When his parents died, his fortune and outlook on life changed dramatically. Gone was the sunny, open senior who'd captained the chemistry club for two years and just had just recently become the president of the debate club.

Michael, or Michel as he had been known back then had lost not only his parents but a promising future. His grades had been good enough for scholarships to the most prestigious French schools. Unfortunately, after their parents' estate had been settled and the funerals paid for, Michel and his sister had been left with next to nothing.

There were no relatives to help, so Michel, older than his sister by a good five years did the only thing he could. He turned down the much more exclusive and expensive schools in favor of the local university. The university had offered him, through a government grant, a stipend for living that, along with the earnings from a full time job, he'd use to support himself and his sister until he graduated with a degree and found a job that would support them better and afford a private university for her when the time came. At least that was the plan. Of course, nothing ever turned out as planned.

While still grieving, Michel had nevertheless, entered the university with high hopes for the future. He'd found a decent enough apartment for him and his sister, Rosette and the rent was affordable given his full time job. His hopes and plans however, quickly fell apart.

Within a few months Michel realized that keeping a full time job and taking care of his sister with his schedule was impossible. Before he even had a chance to reduce his work schedue the government program that helped support Michel and Rosette was canceled and without it, Michel had to keep his job full time.

By the time the first semester was over the pressure had gotten to Michel and he became ripe for Rene Dian's picking. They'd been friends through high school and had partnered in chemistry in the university. The strain of supporting his sister, working full time and going to school full time started to show quickly and Rene used it to his advantage.

Rene knew that Michel's genius in chemistry would be *very* helpful to his cause. He'd quietly gathered supporters for L'heure Sanguine over the last couple of years and Michel would be the final piece to his puzzle. With all the problems he'd been having since his parent's death he was a far easier conversion than he should have been.

Rene started out subtly, listening to his friend vent. Gradually, though he'd stopped being a sounding board and started bouncing his own theories off of Michel. Rene reminded Michel that it had been the government that had taken most of the money Michel's parents had left. It was the government's fault that Michel had to keep insane hours to support himself and his sister. It was the government that had promised him a grant and then taken it away.

Rene's arguments coupled with a weariness borne of exhaustion and anger towards his situation convinced Michel that Rene was right and change was needed. The government catered to the rich, made them richer, while people like himself had to struggle every day. It wasn't fair and something needed to be done.

Rene eventually convinced Michel that that *something* was a bomb. A bomb would wake people up, would draw attention to their cause. At first Michel was adamant against participating in such an undertaking. Rene eventually wore him down, though, the breaking point being a promise that nobody would be hurt - they'd set the bomb to go off in the chemistry lab in the middle of the night when no one would be in the building. Michel finally agreed and became the main 'builder' of the bomb.

To this day, despite Rene's assurances that the bomb going off in middle of the day rather than night was a tragic mistake, Michael was still not convinced that the bomb did not go off *exactly* as planned. Either way, it didn't matter. Michel built the bomb and Michel took responsibility for the dozen lives lost in that bombing. In the end, that bombing claimed a total of thirteen lives, because on that day 'Michel' died too.

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

Rather than dwelling on the 'irrelevant' Michael skipped ahead a few years to the beginning of the end - Nikita's recruitment. By the end of her two year training period everyone in Section knew that Michael had feelings for his material. Everyone it seemed, except for the woman in question herself.

For a full year after Nikita's 'graduation,' Michael tried and more or less succeeded in keeping Nikita at arm's length. Once he realized she had no future in Section One he did the only thing he could - he let her go. That was the real beginning of the end for him.

From what Jones had told him and what Michael himself had pieced together, Center recruited Nikita not long after he brought her back into Section, most likely during her 'vacation' following Jurgen's death.

Even still, knowing he was in love with his former material, Michael still kept her at bay with various 'explanations,' most notably claiming that he couldn't let her become his weakness, when in reality she already was. The real reason for keeping Nikita away was his blood cover mission. Even though Michael was not in love with Elena, honor and respect for the mother of his child prevented him from pursuing a relationship with Nikita. Twice he gave in to his feelings, but did not allow himself any more.

After his mission was over, when Vacek was finally 'caught' and he came back to himself (thanks to Operations' scheming and Nikita's unwitting help) Michael finally allowed his feelings to surface. Ironically, had they been left alone and Operations' and Madeline paranoia not kicked in, things would have been very different.

What everyone in the organization, from top to bottom, had disappointingly failed to realize was that Michael had voluntarily forfeited his future to Section and anti-terrorism after the bombing. It was only after being pushed into a corner because of his personal life that he 'fought back.'

Nikita had let him down more than anyone else. Michael had no doubt that his feelings for his former student were mutual, she *did* love him. The blood tear he had shed was on both their behalves. Michael knew Nikita thought she was saving him from Section, giving him a chance at life by 'convincing' him of her lack of feelings for him. Of Nikita's motives he had no doubt, her reasoning and methods were what bothered Michael.

Life outside of Section? Forget for a moment what he said to Red Cell's Satin, that he still believed in Section's goals. Nikita couldn't 'leave' after one year as an operative. "This isn't freedom" she had told him. What made Nikita think he'd be able to leave Section after more than a decade?

What Michael was disappointed most in, however, was Nikita's lack of faith in him and them. He'd told her, long before Gelmanization, that she was the only one he trusted. While he *was* trying to get Nikita to do something she wasn't entirely comfortable with at the time, the sentiment had nevertheless been true.

Michael did trust Nikita, more than he had anyone in his entire life, Simone included. Just as importantly, Michael believed in her and them as partners, partners in *everything.* Obviously, Nikita did not feel the same. She did not trust in Michael enough to let him make his own decisions about his future. She did not believe enough in *them* to help Michael carve out a future for them in the organization he'd still believed in.

For years Nikita had been angry at Michael for making decisions on her behalf. What made her think Michael would be any less angry at decisions she'd made on *his* behalf, especially one that changed his entire life?

Lastly, her continued naiveté after everything she'd seen and been through over the last six years disappointed him as well. Did Nikita really believe that the organization would let him go?

In the end when Jones had told Operations that Michael could not survive he had been right. The Michael that had evolved in the last six years indeed could not survive, let alone advance. The Michael that had come out of the forest after the abeyance mission could.

"Sir." The bodyguard sitting in the passenger seat up front buzzed on the intercom, knowing his new boss would appreciate a few moments to prepare himself for the formal introduction to his second in command signifying the official beginning of his reign. "We'll be arriving shortly."

"Thank you." Michael replied, shutting the door to the past and preparing to face his future.

END

EPILOGUE

As each of the organization's cast settled into their new roles, the orchestrators discussed the success of their production.

"Well done." Adrian said to her successor across the table.

"I could not have done it without you."

"Are you satisfied with the outcome?" Adrian inquired.

"For now. Changes may be required in the future." The man replied. "I want to thank you for your recommendations regarding Madeline. You were right, she'd better serve the organization in Oversight, with Michael, than in another Section."

"I was pleasantly surprised when you reconsidered."

"I'm sorry it was so down to the wire I had to call you away from your original meeting with Madeline."

"That's quite alright. It was quite explainable as a business opportunity." Adrian paused. "I'm curious, what changed your mind?"

"Although Michael's state of mind is where it should be, Madeline's dedication will ensure that he does not falter at an inopportune moment."

"Dedication. A good euphemism for ruthlessness." The outgoing leader smiled.

"Yes." The younger man confirmed. "Your 'talk' guaranteed Madeline's silence regarding the true power behind Center."

"Self preservation, loyalty to the organization and, despite her protestation to the contrary, Madeline's feelings towards Paul will keep her silent. She knows what will happen to Paul and certain others were this to come to light."

"Of course, believing she is one up on her new superior helps as well."

"Knowing there's someone even higher up than Jones that nobody other than Jones knows about will make her happy." Adrian concurred.

"Exactly."

"The rest of your personnel configuration is quite good as well." Adrian complimented, once again confirming she made the right choice for her successor.

"Nikita's compassion will temper Paul's tendency towards ruthlessness. She'll also keep Paul on his toes. It will be good for both of them to learn to work with someone new." The man returned. "The episode with Red Cell, besides confirming Michael's beliefs in the cause, quite convincingly confirmed Paul and Madeline's decline as a team."

"I must congratulate you on seeing Nikita's potential, I wouldn't have." Adrian admitted.

"I had a better perspective on the situation." The younger man answered, smiling in amusement.

"I didn't realize I had said anything humorous." Adrian commented in confusion.

"Just remembering an old but prophetic conversation between Michael and Nikita I had overheard through surveillance."

"Prophetic?" Adrian prodded, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yes. Michael had advised Nikita she was signing their death warrants. Of course it had turned out to be figurative rather than literal, but still quite prophetic in relationship to their futures."

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

Adrian had recruited him early on, she had even supplied Jurgen with the blackmail material to test Paul and Madeline. Eventually, after careful consideration and Paul and Madeline's failure with the Gemstone scenario, Adrian decided Jurgen would be her replacement. She told him getting out of Section was up to him. Before he had completed his profile, Nikita was dropped into his lap. Being privy to much of the goings on in Section, including the rumors surrounding Michael and his former material, and knowing that Adrian had plans for Michael's future, he altered his 'escape' profile.

Jurgen and Adrian both knew Nikita had already become Michael's weakness, had even had discussions on that topic. Now, Jurgen realized, Nikita could, with proper handling, in time become Michael's ultimate test. After he 'died,' Jurgen proceeded to convince Adrian to recruit Nikita for Center for future use. It had also been Jurgen's idea to insert 'Mick' more actively into the mix.

Jurgen had been correct in his assessment. Nikita's undercover work for the Center together with the events of the last three years in Section did more for arranging this new power structure than anything else.

It had already been agreed upon that Michael would one day take over as Jurgen was doing now. Mick had never been an issue. The Englishman knew he'd always be in the same position, a firewall shielding the true leader. Michael's skills as well as his desire to atone for his past and secure a better overall future where organizations such as theirs would ultimately become obsolete would ensure his 'interest' in the position.

Michael still had much to learn but his 'break' with Nikita was a good start. He'd finally, after all these years, accepted that he was truly alone in the world and that's the way it had to be for people in their positions. A few years running Oversight and Michael would need far less training than Jurgen, who had had no such experience, had required before taking over. The next few years would accomplish other important tasks as well, but Jurgen wasn't worried about his 'people.'

He knew he had made the right choices. Nikita had, despite Adrian's early misgivings, turned out to be a great find. Adrian had conceded the young operative's potential after Nikita's participation in Adrian's supposed bid to reclaim Section One. Nikita had learned her lessons well. She had an excellent future in the organization now that she understood the required sacrifices. Her experiences in Section showed her that anyone and anything she 'touched' ended up destroyed, one way or another - From Gray Wellman to Michael and everyone in between. Hell, even Jurgen's 'death' was on her conscious.

Operations, for his part, was sufficiently 'scolded' and would be more careful in the future. Seven more years in Section was a good estimate. His most difficult tasks would be working with Nikita and underneath Michael. Being forced to work with Nikita would remind Paul to be more careful in his future personnel decisions. Knowing his past would keep Nikita on Paul's back to make sure his and the organizations' goals were one and the same. Furthermore, there was no danger to Nikita by keeping her in One. Paul knew that Michael would exact retribution if he tried anything. As far as working under Michael, Jurgen was confident that Michael, knowing his former superior well, would keep a much tighter (but fairer) leash on Paul and Section One than his predecessor. The compassion towards the former level five operative Paul had not hidden towards the end would help remind Oversight's new leader to not tighten the leash to the point of choking.

A few years apart should also be sufficient to straighten out both Paul and Madeline and enable them to once again become the combination they used to be in the beginning, this time to benefit Oversight. Nikita too, should be sufficiently hardened by then to make her a good leader for Section One. Of course if things did not go as well as anticipated, other personnel would be found and used.

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

"Ma'am. The car is ready." Davenport poked his head into the living room.

"Well, then." Adrian turned to Jurgen. "Congratulations, again. I know you'll do a fine job."

"Thank you." Jurgen replied. "I'm sure I'll hear from you if I don't."

"Yes. You will." She confirmed, just as Adrian's predecessor had done upon her ascension, before leaving what had been her home and base of operations.

Jurgen took one last look around at what had been his training grounds for the last three years before he too left for his new residence.

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