With This Ring

Nikita tapped lightly on Michael's office door. Upon hearing Michael's response, she entered his domain, noting that he did not even look up at her as he continued to type. Nikita took the seat before him and toyed with her hair as she waited for him to address her.

"Have you studied the profile?" Michael asked finally glancing up in anticipation of her response.

"Yes. Seems simple enough."

Michael reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. From it he pulled out a small black box. He set the box on the desk and with two fingers, pushed it towards Nikita. With a wry smile and a raised eyebrow, she picked the box up and the opened it, finding a two-carat diamond and sapphire engagement ring. She placed it on her ring finger and examined it for a moment. At least Michael had good taste. Or had Madeline chosen it?

"Does a proposal come with the ring?" Nikita asked playfully.

Michael replied with a look that indicated he wasn't in mood to be teased.

"I guess not."

Michael returned his attention to his monitor.

"The mission will commence at 19:00 hours."

~~~~

Wearing a sage green dress with red flowers, Nikita took note of her appearance in the mirror. Her makeup and clothing complimented her beauty, but did not particularly make her stand out. Just what was required for the mission.

She and Michael were to play a young couple recently engaged. Their cover story was that Michael had picked out an engagement ring, but his fiancée Nikita wanted something different. Crowley, their target, was expected to be at the jewelers with his wife, to pick out an anniversary gift.

Nikita held her hand before her, admiring the beautiful ring. The deep blue sapphires contrasted nicely against her milky skin. Thoughts of Michael proposing to her during a romantic getaway invaded her mind. She could almost see him saying, "I love you."

Almost.

Nikita shook her head to rid herself of the impossible fantasy. Her reality was Section. She would never marry, never have children, never have a life that was her own. There was no sense in dreaming of what could never be.

Focus on the mission.

Nikita turned to find Michael's eyes gazing at her. As her eyes sought his, he uncomfortably reverted back to his typical blank stare. Without a word, he walked toward the clothing racks within Wardrobe.

She wondered how long he had been standing there watching her. It couldn't have been long. At least that is what she hoped. The thought of him peering into her thoughts made Nikita eerily uncomfortable.

Nikita watched curiously as he picked out a pair of slacks and a dress shirt. With the selected clothing draped over his arm, he simply looked over at Nikita. A warmth spread over her as she realized he was waiting to change.

"I'll be at Comm...when you're ready," Nikita fumbled, as she was certain her cheeks were showing the warmth she felt inside.

~~~~

A wide-eyed Nikita tiptoed into the jeweler's shop as Michael held the door open for her. She scanned the glass cases before her, searching for the one that held the precious engagement rings. Michael followed casually behind her. He adjusted his glasses to be certain Birkoff could identify which customers were actually part of Crowley's security team.

Taking a seat, she peered down at the rings. Her eyes passed over several, pausing briefly on a few choice ones. Michael eventually took a seat beside her, and motioned for one of the jewelers to assist them.

"Hi folks, I'm Charles. How can I help you tonight? If you see anything that you like, I'd be happy to take it out for you to take a closer look at."

Nikita looked lovingly at Michael, and then returned her attention to the jeweler.

"I picked out a ring for my fiancée," Michael started with a smile directed towards Nikita, "but it seems it wasn't quite what she wanted."

With that Nikita haughtily added, "I'm the one that has to wear it. I just want to make sure I've got just the right one. Diamonds are a girl's best friend."

"Oh, this sort of thing happens all the time. As long as you have the receipt, you can return the one you currently have and purchase one that suits your fiancée, sir."

Nikita pointed to three rings that she wanted to try out. The jeweler fumbled through his keys, finding the right one. He unlocked the case and tried to determine which ones Nikita was pointing to. Michael used this opportunity to scan the store again.

Crowley and his wife were seated before another case further down the store. Evangeline Crowley was modeling a stunning tanzanite and diamond necklace that could have easily been worth a fortune. The tanzanite matched her enchanting violet eyes. She was an exotic beauty who married Crowley to enjoy the finer things that his money could buy.

"What do you think Arnie? Isn't it gorgeous?"

"Yes, my love. Nothing is too good for my pet?"

"Michael?"

"Huh?" Michael turned his attention back to Nikita.

"I asked what do you think of this one." Nikita said as she held her hand before him.

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't hear you. Yes, that one is quite attractive." Michael said as he took her seemingly delicate hand in his.

Nikita then asked the jeweler to see one more ring.

Michael again turned toward Evangeline and Crowley. Currently the necklace was being handed back so that it could be boxed up. The pair would be leaving soon.

Evangeline turned and saw Michael watching her. Her eyes met his, with a questioning look. Michael smiled flirtatiously holding the eye contact for a moment. Evangeline smiled back, enjoying the attention of a very attractive man. Slowly he turned his attention back to Nikita.

"Have you decided on anything, love?"

"I can't decide between these two. I like the setting better on this one, but the other one has a better grade diamond."

"Miss, I think the second one is the better choice. It is a better quality diamond and has a smaller setting. With your slender fingers, I believe the first one is too large," the jeweler interjected.

"What do you think honey?"

"I think I like the second one better, too. It compliments your beautiful hands much more."

"Hmmm...I guess your right. This is such a hard decision."

Nikita thought about it a moment more while staring at the ring on her finger. Finally, she asked the jeweler to box the second ring up. They needed to be ready to leave when the Crowley's were.

"Michael, you seem to be paying that woman a lot of attention." Nikita whispered.

"I needed to maintain my cover. She saw me observing her." Michael replied.

"I see. It doesn't have anything to do with her being quite beautiful?"

"Ni-kit-a," Michael replied indicating her jealousy was not a welcome part of the mission.

He paid the jeweler, for this ring cost a bit more. Meanwhile, Nikita hid her feelings of loss. She really loved the first ring, the one Michael had given her. But she had to remind herself, the ring was only part of the mission. It wasn't what she really desired.

An admission of his love for her.

With the business of the rings completed, Nikita and Michael departed. The Crowley's exited just prior.

The Crowley's turned the corner, making their way towards the parking lot where their Mercedes awaited. Two bodyguards followed close behind. Another guard sat in the car, slumped over the steering wheel. Before Crowley could alert the two guards behind them, several bullets whizzed past finding their targets.

Michael and Nikita appeared around the corner with their guns drawn. The gray mission van appeared beside them.

"Get in the van," Michael requested while motioning with his gun.

"What do you want from us?" Evangeline pleaded with Michael while her husband remained quiet.

"Just get in the van." Michael demanded, while two operatives 'helped' the couple into the van.

~~~~~~

After changing in Wardrobe, Nikita still examined the ring on her finger. It reminded her of all the things she could never have. Coolly, she slid easily slid the ring off and placed it on the table before her hoping to leave with it the sadness it evoked in her.

Their love was forbidden by Section, yet it was a commodity. To be used for completing missions. Push them together. Tear them apart. Whatever was necessary for the mission profile.

Stepping back, she closed her eyes and returned to survival mode. That's all she could do...survive another day because that's all she had. Living to defy Section, hoping that maybe one day she would find a way to 'live.'

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