Taking the robe in one hand - still brandishing the dagger with the other, Nikita tried to work out a way of getting it on without losing sight of Majid. She gestured for him to go to the far side of the tent and turn away from her as she shrugged her shoulders out of the jacket and lifted the robe over her head. Putting the robe on was going to be difficult - she eventually resorted to holding the Khanjar between her knees as she slipped the cool white cotton over her head. It was then he made his move, striking swiftly he grabbed her by the shoulders and had her pressed into the cushions before she could react. Nikita found herself sandwiched between soft, perfumed pillows beneath her body and the well -muscled, exotically scented man on top. She felt his right hand trace a firm but determined path down her body, around her naked waist, between her thighs and down to her knees prising them apart to release his weapon. The closeness of his body and his touch should have infuriated her and she did indeed make a futile attempt to struggle - particularly futile as her head and arms were trapped in folds of the robe. However, her body chose this moment to betray her instincts, she could feel the stirrings of arousal deep within her - strong feelings

that demanded not to be ignored.

It must be a side effect of the scorpion sting, her mind feebly suggested, casting at straws to explain her condition - yes that was it - strange sensations due to the toxin.

She found, to her surprise, that the garment was being lifted back over her head and meeting dark brown eyes she gulped hard -and clamped her legs tightly together.

"You've got it on back to front ". He stated simply and to the point, swivelling it around her neck so the buttoned opening was at the front.

"Hmmm - thank you." She thanked the subdued lighting as she could feel herself blushing.

"Now listen carefully while I try to provide you with an explanation that may calm you down. I apologise for knocking you over - but I do not respond well to threats. I am sorry but I have a problem with dominant women - they are like unbroken stallions - full of spirit and an irresistible challenge - you must forgive me ...if I try to tame you ."

Nikita met his eyes and unconsciously confirmed that she was as wild and untamed as he imagined her to be - the rebellion in her nature was tangible and - to Majid - intoxicating.

"First of all let me reassure you - my men will bring back your friend and the vehicle. I can see that this is important to you, believe me when I tell you that it is not in our nature to leave any soul alone in the desert if they are in need of assistance. He will be well tended to - as soon as he arrives at our camp I will be informed.

"Now - let me get you some refreshments and then we will talk".

He left - casually picking up his knife and placing it back in the scabbard on his belt. He returned a few minutes later - his belt conspicuously absent, Nikita observed with a wry smile. He carried in a small tray on which stood a pot of coffee, cups, fruit juice in a glass carafe and a plate of dates and other sweetmeats.

"Do not eat too much or too fast - but you must try to restore your blood sugar level. I do not want you going into shock".

"Don't you have some special 'herb' that will cure the sting?"

Her host collapsed into soft, almost musical laughter.

"No - we use painkillers and ice - after sucking out the poison if absolutely necessary - hospital visits may be required for the young or infirm - but a healthy specimen such as yourself should recover within twenty four hours with minimal side effects."

"But what did your people used to do - before hospitals?"

"They died. Or they lived, depending on their constitution - from what I have observed yours is most excellent." He licked his lips while saying this - savouring her "constitution ".

Nikita sipped some of the coffee - it was stronger and more heavily flavoured than the beverage she'd shared with Michael and Bensouda back in Beirut. She wasn't sure she could recognise the flavouring - but it made her feel good inside - so she gulped it down and helped herself to another cup.

Majid took advantage of her more relaxed attitude to explain what he was doing in the desert.

My family has been blessed with wealth and good fortune - we have a large house in one of the cities of Saudi Arabia - but we are a people of the desert - the soft comfortable life in the towns weakens our souls - we become complacent. So we have always kept one foot in the sands so to speak.

I was educated in Dubai - my mother is an Emirati and wished for me to spend time with my grandparents. Afterwards I - like so many of our young men - desired to go the west - to Europe to live rather than visit in the summer when the weather here is too inhospitable. I studied Biochemistry at Oxford, unfortunately my education in other learning institutes got me into trouble with my family and I never was allowed to complete my degree. Now I live in Riyadh or Dubai depending on the whims of my family, and also help out in the desert whenever I can. I care for the horses - I train them for the desert endurance ride - which is why I am here this time. It is the right of the Bedouin people to travel freely in the desert. Now we prefer some comforts - there is a portable generator outside that supplies the energy for the A/C unit - also I have my favourite gadgets - like the solar powered refrigerator - how else do you think I conjured up an ice pack in the middle of the desert? I have no magic lamp to rub. " He broke off here to give Nikita a very suggestive grin - the twinkle in his eyes belying his true thoughts.

"Hang on - does this mean you can travel across borders unhindered?"

"That is what I said."

Nikita started to absently rub her thigh - since removing the ice pack the discomfort had grown from a nagging ache to a throbbing pain and was now hard to ignore --

"Will you allow me?"

"Um - no - it's OK ..I'll be fine .." she tried half-heartedly to deter him from assisting her.

"Nonsense - come here lie on your front and let me see the damage-"

She rolled onto her front and felt the draught on her legs as he lifted the fabric up over her legs - she shivered involuntarily.

"Cold?"

"Not exactly..." she bit her lower lip to quell the real cause of the tingling sensation.

"Maybe not all the poison is gone - perhaps there is a little left that needs to be removed-"

Before she knew it he had his lips pressed against the back of her thigh. While Michael's actions had been urgent and hurried- Majid's were carefully co-ordinated. She could feel the warmth of his breath and the soft hair of his beard tickling the sensitive skin on the inside of her thigh - she giggled and squirmed - then took a gasp as he sucked firmly at the epicentre of the pain, whilst holding her legs still with his large hands- the long fingers of which curled under her.

"Better?"

"Oh much..." she sighed more ecstatically than she intended.

"Do you mind me remarking on how beautiful your legs are - strong and lean like those of a young filly - waiting to be ridden the first time by an experienced horseman rather than a novice."

Nikita tried to clear her throat ......

"Oh yeah - and what would be the difference?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"You could persuade me."

Meanwhile Majid's men had found the car still abandoned in the middle of a deserted road - but it was empty when they got there. A quick search revealed nothing but a cool box in the trunk and a bag of medical supplies on the back seat. The passenger door had been left open and there were signs that the occupant had been dragged from the car - there were bloodstains on the road surface. Careful tracking led back to where the plane had been waiting. The soft sand showed numerous sets of footprints - and two furrows - probably where a third person had been dragged. In the early morning light they worked out from the prints in the sand the most likely scenario - two other men had dragged the man from the car to the waiting plane. Here a third person had joined him - by the size and depth of the prints this was most probably a female, there was a greater depth to the left footprints indicating a wound to the right leg.

There was an old truck left at the site - its rear doors apparently blown off their hinges and left thrown haphazardly on the sand. There was nothing left in the truck that gave any indication as to where its occupants had gone. Near to the truck was a shallow hollow in the ground with bloodstains at the upper end marking where their prisoner had been unceremoniously dumped at one point. From the lack of disturbance in the ground it appeared that the man had still been unconscious at the time. It did not look good - apparently one injured female and at least three men had made sure the friend of the blonde woman was on his way to whichever destination they had in mind.

Majid would not be happy - bad news could keep they decided and made their way back to the camp, working out how best to explain their empty handed return. They went back for the car and attached a tow rope to at least prove they had tried.

Nikita awoke to see light spilling through the canvass above her head - she felt warm and cosy - she stretched out languorously. The cushions under her had shifted in the night to mould perfectly into the contours of her body - her head felt fuzzy - as if from an overindulgence in fine champagne. She lay there a while a smile spreading across her face - there had been something special about the night but she couldn't recall it - like a butterfly it was ephemeral and evanescent - the closer she felt she got to grasping it the further it was from her. As awareness insinuated itself into her mind she noticed that she was naked beneath the soft wool blanket - she hadn't remembered getting undressed for bed - BED!!!? She couldn't remember - what? Where? She sat bolt upright as memories flooded in up to the point where - oh my God - I didn't did I ? - NO!! - It must have been a dream - painkillers - they must have slipped some into the coffee. But Nikita had a sneaking suspicion that no dream could have been quite so satisfying.

She lifted the bedclothes to peak under - there were no obvious signs that she'd shared her bed with anyone -but then again - she couldn't have - what about Michael? - no this couldn't have happened - if she had done anything it would have been as a result of medication- not lust - would it - could it ?

She closed her eyes shut tight and willed herself to replay as much as she could of the conversation of the previous night. She had lain on her front on the pillows as Majid - was that his name? - yes - yes it was - had sucked - oh what exquisite lips - um yes - had sucked out the last remnants of the poison from her thigh. His hands had been around the tops of her legs - the fingers gently caressing and stroking - patiently waiting for tacit signals from her - indications that they could probe further with no resistance - OH NO - she had!! - it came flooding back to her - his hands , the perfumed massage oils. The candles he had lit around the floor - daring to peak out from under the bedclothes - yes the candles were all burnt out now, then she saw her underwear neatly folded on the seat next to the bed - she never folded her own underwear - not even when packing it. She retreated back beneath the covers trying to take stock of the situation without her body nudging her to remember the details for relishing rather than analysing.

Her thoughts were torn between reverie and guilt - if she could trust her memories - she had indulged her passions while Michael lay in need of medical attention in the front of a deserted car. She would make it up to him she thought to herself - anxious now to be by his side to check on his condition and administer comfort and ......... she wondered at the degree to which this guilt trip was affecting her - but damn it all - he was her partner if nothing else and she owed it to him to be there when he needed her and ,,,,,,,

The flaps of the tent swung open and Majid strolled in - with no preamble he swept to her side grasped her hand in his and kissed her finger tips -

"I am so sorry Nikita - he was not there when they arrived - we think he was taken aboard the plane."

" What - Bensouda has him? Was that what last night was about - distracting me so she could take him?" Nikita screamed and pummelled him in the chest with her fists - her eyes burning with guilty tears. She was angry with herself as much as with anyone else she'd just assumed Michael would be OK - be picked up by total strangers and be fine by morning - Bensouda was going to be pretty pissed at him as it was - he'd shot her for God's sake.

He had grabbed her wrists - his hold strong yet not brutal - "Please calm down - last night was nothing that you did not also desire as I remember. I used no force on you - if anything you -"

"Not now - later we'll discuss last night - but if you mean it about not being in league with Bensouda you can help me find them."

" Of course - anything I can do to help - you need only ask and what is mine will be yours".

"Bensouda said something about taking a container truck to Dubai -is that possible? We could meet them there.."

"Nikita - thousands of container trucks enter Dubai very week - we cannot search them all."

"What about the plane? It couldn't have travelled far - it was only a small single prop engine."

"Which way? No one saw them take off - " he was still holding her hands and she found the contact comforting, but his lack of enthusiasm for her suggestions was beginning to wear her down.

"Damn it ! " she shouted "If only I could get on the phone I have contacts who could track the plane and maybe ID the truck..."

"We have phones - but just who are your friends that can track unscheduled flights in the middle of nowhere?" he was starting to get baffled by the outpourings from this woman and seriously considered that she was still under the influence of the toxins and painkillers.

"You really do not want to know my 'friends'" . She smiled back at him noting the worry on his face.

"I also need some grid references - a location for where the plane took off".

"My Land Rover has GPS" - (global positioning system) " we can go back to where the plane took off and pinpoint the position - if that would be of any assistance?"

Nikita leaned towards him and planted a big sloppy kiss on his lips.

"You really are a knight in shining armour aren't you?" One more flashing smile and he was in her spell - whatever she required he would give her.

Michael came to consciousness more abruptly and painfully than Nikita had - a sharp kick to the ribs brought him to as a sickening wave of agony rippled through his body....and as soon as he opened his eyes - he saw Bensouda leering at him - she spat at him as she asked coldly.

"So are you awake now?"

He could hardly move - the ropes cut deep into his wrists and ankles - they obviously didn't want him escaping this time. From the sound of engines and the change in air pressure he presumed that somehow he had been taken and put onboard the plane in the desert after all - he scanned around as much as he limited movement allowed - unable to see Nikita he grew anxious.

"Where is she? What have you done with Nikita? I swear that if you have harmed her in anyway. ..." His threats went unfinished as Bensouda interrupted-

"In exchange for shooting me in the leg I would have willingly shot her - but I haven't ----yet. She will be fine as long as I have your co-operation Michael"

"Can I see her? Where is she - is she alright?"

"She isn't coming with us Michael - but if you want to ensure her continued safety you will do as I say. Is that clear?"

"Why Mounia - why did you betray us?" He tried a more gentle approach - attempting to coax the woman who used to be a friend into telling him what was happening.

"After what happened in the past? - You have to ask!!" came the angry retort- Bensouda looked furious - as if she was about to burst with pent up resentment and pure hatred.

Michael could not have prepared himself for the outburst that followed -

"Damn you to hell Michael! - You are either very forgetful or more ruthless than I could ever have imagined. Section left me and mine for dead - you could have returned to find out - but no - you followed Section's orders as ever the faithful soldier. You couldn't care a less about us - we were acceptable collateral at the end of the day - not a word - not a single enquiry to see if we had lived or died. You may not recall that day - but I do, not least because I had to lie there and watch my colleagues and my husband die slowly - crushed under the rubble. I lay there hearing their last cries, their moans of anguish and their prayers ...When the civil defence rescue teams got to us I was the only survivor, barely alive myself...I had multiple fractures and internal injuries. As a result of the internal damage I had to have a , what do you call it - a hysterectomy." At this point she paused - angry tears flowing down her cheeks, she gulped hard before continuing. "I had been expecting our first child - only two months gone - but it would have been something of my husband's to treasure...but no, even that was ripped from my body...... When Section found out that I had lived through the explosion - do you think they were pleased? Do you think they tried to make up in some way for their utter brutality - NO!!!!!!! - They had me sent for re- conditioning, to make sure I could still perform - those bastards destroyed me and whether you accept the blame or not Michael you were their instrument of destruction, their agent of chaos. I swore to have my vengeance - and by God I shall - revenge is a dish best served cold Michael and my heart has grown exceedingly cold in the years since that day. "

"Mounia - it wasn't like that" Michael protested - before being slapped around the face, his head swinging into the bulkhead with the impact.

Bensouda didn't wait to hear his response - she got up from her seat as quickly as she could and moved to the front of the plane - where she exchanged a few short sentences with the pilot.

Michael called out to her apparently in vain - she probably would not believe what he had to say anyway....

However, she returned to sit beside him.

"We are stopping to refuel - there has been a change of plan - we will be flying on to a rendezvous point. Make the most of my company Michael - indulge me - try to convince me that I should be more concerned over your fate than I am......"

"Mounia - I was never told the full story -If that is what happened I was not aware of it. After the bomb went off all personnel from Section 1 were ordered to return to base - I was only a Level 2 op at the time, I took orders then, I was not the one to issue them. The time I spent with your family -those were the memories I took with me. It was several months later that I heard that there had been survivors, I was told that you had undergone retraining and had been reassigned -"

"Really? You expect me to believe that Michael? The only way that Section 1 people could have avoided being caught in the blast would have if they knew in advance that it was intended to detonate - that capture of the terrorists was not the objective - but their obliteration. I was a fool to believe that. But I should have known better - these were Islamic fundamentalists - if my men knew that they were to kill fellow Muslims you would never have had their co-operation."

"We were following orders...," Michael said - but he could no longer look Bensouda in the eye.

"Oh please ......... do not use that line on me!!!!!!!! We were tricked - you spoke so sweetly Michael - you were the charmer, quoting Arabic poetry with such an enchanting accent. My sister was infatuated with you - I thought it good when she turned her affections towards one of our own men, I think it was out of frustration not being able to find a chink in your oh-so-white and gleaming armour. It devastated her when she found out that he had died in the bomb blast. She asked where you had gone - you had almost become part of our family in the weeks before the final confrontation, I had to say your company had withdrawn its employees from the region suddenly as a result of the increased danger. You never even said good bye."

"She accepted that you and your family were innocent victims of the explosion?"

"Oh course. Section made sure there was no possibility of security being breached - this is not the first time they have threatened the life of my sister. She was not aware of it then and I pray she does not know it now."

" They have Lamia?" Michael looked up, confused by Bensouda's last statement.

" Don't tell me Nikita hasn't filled you in! Madeline has her apparently. I am not going to bargain if that's what you were hoping - Madeline is as trustworthy as any spider in her web, I doubt if I will ever see Lamia again, and for that you shall pay the price."

Majid was true to his word and had driven Nikita out to where the plane had taken off, the wind had blown away most of the tracks by now except for those of the plane .......... Nikita wandered around furious with herself, frustrated by her apparent impotence and determined to wring help out of Section whatever it would take.

They had the co-ordinates necessary for Nikita to get Birkoff to check using satellite reconnaissance data he should be able to locate the plane that had taken Michael away.

Majid handed her his mobile phone and backed off a discrete distance at her request. It was better that section did not know about the assistance of outsiders - their help was never really appreciated and they so often died as reward for their efforts and she had a soft spot for this man.

She rang the same number as before - Birkoff answered as if for a travel bureau - the cover that she and Michael had assumed -

"Well Nikita - nice of you to call - we were getting a bit worried here......how's it going?"

" Well Michael has gone off on a mystery tour by plane with Mounia - I was wondering if you could check his flight plans so I could surprise them when they arrived at the final destination... if I tell you where they set off from....."

" Um - that wasn't on you inventory then?"

" Not exactly - it seems Mounia always has a surprise in store for us - can't wait to catch up with her I can tell you". Nikita gritted her teeth and conjured up therapeutic images of what she would do with that woman when they met up again.

" I bet......." Birkoff winced as he could imagine what Nikita might have in store for their elusive 'friend'. "Give me the co-ordinates and I'll see what I can do .........um Madeline wants a quick word......."

" Nikita - before you go rushing off perhaps you could tell me if you managed to pick up my souvenirs........."

Nikita considered lying about the vial of Factor Shrook, weighing it up in her mind - would Section be more likely to launch a rescue for Michael if they thought the biocidal weapon was still in the hands of Bensouda - or would they just have the plane shot out of the sky? Surely they wouldn't risk an incident like that in the Middle East she hoped... gambling with Michael's life...

"As a matter of fact - yes - I have the very thing you were looking for, but I can't guarantee it getting back in one piece unless......."

" Let me guess - you want some insurance on our package?"

"That would be my strong recommendation."

"I'm not sure what I can offer from here ... You are rather off the beaten track so-to-speak, wait one moment Mr Birkoff has a suggestion....." Nikita waited anxiously for Madeline's response, hoping she had not pushed too far, for all she knew Section would just send out another team to recover her and the material and leave Michael to his fate.

"Apparently Michael's destination is in the United Arab Emirates, you should be able to get a flight there from Damascus and meet up with our operatives in Dubai, they may be able to assist you".

"OK - you'll arrange for someone to meet me at the airport then?"

" Yes - we'll make the necessary arrangements - but I must warn you their office is in some disarray at the moment, they appear to be preoccupied with some sort of internal power struggle, you know how these things are......."

"I think I can guess - can they be relied on?" Nikita guessed that Madeline was referring to the incident with Adrian and wondered what she was getting into.

"I wouldn't depend on them too much and please try not to get involved in office politics." The warning was there, despite the feigned light-hearted nature of the remark.

"Who's in charge?"

"Hellway."

Nikita closed the connection - still puzzling over the vehemence with which Madeline had spat out the name "Hellway" - an old rival maybe? This was not what she needed right now - Section's machinations never ceased to bewilder her and it was imperative to have someone she could trust...

" So can your friends help?" asked Majid tentatively realising that the phone call was over.

"Yes - and so can you!" she favoured him with a genuine smile - well she could do with a travelling companion and she would rather been in his hands than Bensouda's any day.

"I am at your disposal my dear - whatever you wish you only have to request." His open-handed gesture confirmed his willingness to help in any way he could.

"First of all there's something I have to tell you - but you must keep it secret. If you tell anyone - I'll have to kill you..."

The smile slipped from his face - he would have to keep this female happy he decided, there was something quite threatening in her stance - even unarmed she probably could take his life is she so desired.

"My friend - Michael - and I are sort of government agents - don't ask which government..."

"Let me guess - if you tell me I'm a dead man" he smiled softly.

"Well - yes, that's about the size of it ...any way our mission was to track down some bad people who were trading in biological weapons - the cool box from the car may contain an organic agent capable of infecting humans with BSE type diseases. It was up to us to recover it and deal with those involved. It's in the cool box that was in the car."

"But they left that behind and just took your friend-"

"I know..."

It had also occurred to Nikita that Michael had seemed to be worth more than the Factor Shrook - who were the buyers? She had to get to him in time and chances were that he wasn't in much of a condition to look after himself.

"Majid - you said you'd studied biochemistry - can you check that cool box for me - tell me what's in it?"

"I never completed the course - I can look, but -"

" Just do it " Nikita had a suspicion itching the back of her skull and needed to know what was in that container.

They returned quickly to the tents - more like marquees thought Nikita distractedly - especially with the large a/c unit in the corner.

The padlock was easily removed with some bolt cutters and Majid carefully removed the lid - as he did so there escaped a misty gas - he drew back rapidly, an arm around Nikita's waist pulling her away with him... The gas evaporated in the air rapidly, revealing an empty interior lined with polystyrene foam, Majid asked one of the men for a box of matches - he lit one and lowered it carefully into the box - it was immediately extinguished.

" Dry ice - ultra cold carbon dioxide - used for storing various unstable chemicals, radioactive isotopes, those sort of substances - but this container never had anything in it - if it had the dry ice would have evaporated when it was removed. I think you have been deceived Nikita."

He looked up at her - taken aback by the anger in her eyes. Through clenched teeth she hissed out -

"Damn them to hell - this has been a set up all along - whoever is behind this wanted Michael captured, he was the target and Section knew."

Majid offered to accompany Nikita to Dubai and insisted that she stay at his family's guesthouse on the beach. This was an offer she had difficulty turning down, she enjoyed his company, especially his gracious politeness and courtesy, unheard of in the stark, austere world of Section. Whereas Michael was always polite in a cool, clinical way Majid exuded warmth and hospitality as if he reflected the sun rather than the pale moonlight that was the essence of Michael. She wondered what was happening - where was he, was he still all right?

She would explain to Madeline that staying with a local family would be a good cover - surely they would accept that...

Their flight was now beginning its approach to Dubai airport, out of the window she could see the solitary flares of burning gas that marked the positions of the oilrigs, their reflections orange in the dark still waters of the Arabian Gulf. Then as they crossed the coastline, Dubai appeared as a glittering jewel box of a city, lights twinkling on every street and every building, mainly yellow and white - but also of many other colours, ruby, emerald and sapphire hues, truly like a dragon's hoard of gold and precious gems. Nikita turned to look at Majid - he was smiling with undisguised joy that she too could appreciate the beauty of his home, a young city, nothing more than a collection of villas less than 40 years ago and now a thriving centre of trade and cosmopolitan city - the Hong Kong of the Middle East.

Meanwhile in an airport in the northern Emirates a stretcher bearing an unconscious figure, his upper arm freshly bandaged was being transferred from a private jet to an ambulance... A diminutive female limped alongside the medics, a crutch under her right arm. Their flight had been delayed as the ground staff had spent two hours hopelessly trying to chase stray goats and camels from the runway. The facilities at Ras Al Kaimah were more primitive than those at Dubai, the air traffic controllers had no choice but to put off the requests for landing from the cargo plane from Azerbaijan, instructing it to land at Sharjah Airport - further along the coast towards Dubai. As for the private plane that had landed earlier that day, its passengers were of little consequence to them, apparently a couple of tourists that had been involved a car accident. Strange that the man appeared to be restrained on the stretcher, but they had other issues to deal with - namely a herd of goats and a group of stray camels.

Nikita managed to persuade Majid to let her meet her contacts in Dubai first, promising to call for a limousine to collect her up later ...he refused to let go of her hands until she agreed to be picked up rather than take a taxi. They exchanged a quick hug - public displays of affection not being particularly encouraged in this part of the world. Then she headed for the "Meet and greet" lady standing patiently holding up a sign that said " Arabian Adventures Vacation Bureau" - the woman took her hand luggage and accompanied her to the desk that issued visas, as their business was finished she handed Nikita an envelope. Nikita slipped the envelope into her pocket, thankful that Majid had purchased her some replacement clothing in Damascus, but eager to replace the frumpy two piece suit with some designer fashions from the malls as soon as possible. Maybe something to impress her host she indulged in a wicked thought briefly ...

The outside of the airport was jostling with hundreds of people - tourists, immigrant workers and ex-pat businessmen and women. The armed police were keeping the throngs out of the arrivals lounge, but seemed content to let chaos reign outside - particularly amongst the taxi drivers arguing over passengers, vying for those that appeared not to know the city and therefore could be taken on the most "scenic" routes to their hotels. Looking around she caught the eye of a taxi driver on the outskirts of the fracas and slinked into the leather upholstered Mercedes before anyone noticed. She glanced inside the envelope for instructions, inside was a flyer for "Saint Cinnamon's" coffee shop in the Bur Juman shopping mall. A scribbled note on the back said "Fancy something hot, spicy and Canadian? - See you there, Corallie x " - discipline was apparently a problem out here, she smiled to herself - well at least someone had a sense of humour.

The taxi trip across town was invigorating to say the least - Nikita had never encountered such diabolical driving in her life - there was no lane discipline at all and the speeds with which cars and trucks flung themselves around corners and over roundabouts was truly terrifying......she almost forgot to look out for the landmarks that Majid had described to her ..... Crossing the Creek was quite breathtaking - the waters sparkled with the reflected lights from the high rise buildings that were more akin to sculptures than to office blocks and hotels.....The Creek Golf Club building with its high peaked sails lit up in red, blue and green, and then the dhows slowly gliding up the creek as they had done for centuries , a curious blend of ancient and modern, with nothing apparently in between...

The Bur Juman Mall was an enormous pink edifice, with huge coloured banners outside, full of designer fashion shops and haute couture establishments. For the fist time she caught a glimpse of the people of the Emirates..... although it was 10.30 p.m. the centre was still buzzing with shoppers and their families, women swathed in black accompanied by their husbands in crisp white dishdashas, she was surprised to see the men often carrying babies, whilst their wives gathered in flocks to descend on one shop after another. This she more or less expected, but not the younger women whose black arbayas were of a flimsier fabric, richly embroidered, these black cloaks floated around them in an altogether more exquisite fashion, revealing glimpses of Dior trouser suits and elegant high-heeled shoes. Their veils or shaylas covered their hair, as modesty required, but their dark almond shaped eyes were beautifully made up - some wore impressive blue or green contact lenses to enhance their allure and their lips were painted in such a way to attract men as moths would be drawn to a flame ...... Nikita found herself entranced by the images of Bedouin beauty wrapped in the basic accoutrements of Muslim sensibilities. She was her herself the object of the attention of others - her tall, athletic build and luxurious blonde hair gaining many an appreciative glance as she strode up the escalator. In so many ways she was a contrast to the local Emirati women - she considered this as a reason for Majid's fascination with her.

Nikita took a seat near the window in the coffee shop- the warm cinnamon scents encompassing her with unspoken promises. She ordered a French Vanilla coffee and a cinnamon and apple roll - just in case she didn't get the chance to eat later.

The coffee and warm roll were barely on the table when a young blonde woman stepped forward -

"Hi - I'm Corallie - we work for the same company I believe?"

"So you're in the tourist business as well?"

"I deal with scuba diving trips for Arabian Adventures here in the UAE - you're more of a trouble-shooter from what I've heard."

"That probably depends on who you've been talking to - I'm Nikita. How did you spot me?"

" I was told to look for a blonde Amazon and we don't get many of those here". Corallie smiled and sat down opposite Nikita - she called the waiter over and ordered a Mocha coffee with whipped cream, before settling down to business. She was of medium height, English, with a confident manner and an honest smile that put Nikita at ease, she felt that she could trust this woman.

" Tell me about Hellway - whoever your boss is, I get the idea Madeline at Section1 doesn't like him."

"Hellway? I don't think I want to say anything about HER in a public place - I'm quite fond of my existence. Let's just say, there have been some unpopular decisions made regarding staff cuts recently." Corallie said this quietly taking surreptitious glances around her at other customers as if convinced there were ears everywhere.

"That bad?" whispered Nikita taking a sip of her aromatic brew.

" Only the other day, two of my colleagues were nearly blown up by a crude bomb - three sticks of dynamite in a tin of dried milk, with a pager attached to the detonator. They were just having coffee as well - it was fobbed off as a threat made by extortionists, but Hellway must have known that Parker and Al Madani had arranged to meet..."

" Jeez - she lacks the subtlety of Maddie, I'm not sure which I'd prefer to be working for."

"Well never mind our problems - we've tracked the flight that Birkoff sent details on - it landed at Ras Al Kaimah, about two hours drive to the north of Dubai in a fast car. However, the passengers were collected by private ambulance, our Intel describes one man, unconscious on a stretcher -" Nikita's heart sank involuntarily at this news " - and a woman limping on crutches. The ambulance was headed south. The only other flight due had to be diverted to Sharjah - goats on the runway you know ."

"Goats?"

"Yes - the locals let them feed in the gardens outside airports - they create absolute chaos when they wander onto the runways, and as for the camels-"

" I don't think I want to know - now are there any indications that there was a connection between Bensouda's flight and the cargo plane?"

"Well the pilot was quite insistent on being able to land at RAK and it wasn't until they were on their way to Sharjah that the ambulance turned up. I'd say it was a good bet that they're arranging to meet in Sharjah. Will you be needing transport?"

"Um no - I have a friend that can give me a ride, anything else I need to know?"

"No - but take the carrier bag when I leave - it contains a few items that you'll find useful, things you probably couldn't get through customs."

"Thank you." Nikita stood up and picked up the bag as Corallie went to pay the bill - a quick peek confirmed that she was re-armed and ready for action.

" I hope you find what you're looking for." Corallie shook Nikita's hand and the taller woman leaned forward kissing her on either cheek, whispering-

"If you need help with Hellway let me know when this is over."

"Thanks - maybe we'll get together again sometime. Try to bring Michael next time - we've heard so much about him, we'd love to see him in the flesh". Corallie grinned wickedly and with a quick wave disappeared into shopping mall.

The carrier bag contained some dark clothing, a gun and a mobile phone. Nikita took out the phone and rooted around in her pockets until she found the business card given to her by Majid - out of the string of numbers she picked the mobile number 060 6545726.

It was answered straight away - almost as if the man was clutching it waiting for her call.

" Majid?"

"Nikita - at last - I was beginning to think you'd abandoned me. I'll have my driver pick you up - where are you?"

"I can't come back to stay tonight Majid - I have to get somewhere urgently - Sharjah?"

" Sharjah is only half an hours drive away - would you like me to take you there?"

" If you could."

"Of course - you have news of your colleague?"

" Yeah - he may be hurt, I need to get to him fast-"

"Isn't there someone else that could do this part for you?"

"Even if there was - which there isn't really - I need to do it."

" This Michael- is he perhaps more than just a colleague?"

" Look - he's a good friend - that's all." Nikita snapped growing impatient at what seemed like a case of typical male jealousy.

" Maybe a little more than that - have a look at your nails-"

Puzzled - Nikita looked at the fingernails on her left hand - all neatly nibbled to the quick - she didn't even remember doing that.

"When did I-?"

" On the plane - you were tearing them off one by one - you are more than slightly worried about him aren't you?" His tone was coaxing now - not accusatory - she could tell he genuinely wanted to help in whatever way he could.

" Do you have a fast car?"

" I think I could find one -" he chuckled in spite of himself. "Where are you?"

"A shopping mall - the Bur Juman-"

"I'll be at the front in ten minutes - be ready."

With that he hung up with a sigh of resignation- he could guess the depth of her feelings for her "colleague" even if she tried to hide them from herself. He was looking forward to meeting a man that could have such an affect on a strong beautiful woman like Nikita.

Nikita found a restroom and quickly changed into the more utilitarian clothing left to her by Corallie. She'd used some of the cash given to her by Majid earlier to buy some more suitable footwear, stashed the gun in the back of her belt and made her way down to the ground floor.

She kept in the shadows scanning the procession of Mercedes, BMW's and 4 WD's for Majid - eventually grinning as she caught sight of him behind the wheel of a bright red Ferrari Testarossa. Naturally an Arab playboy with an over sized allowance would have to drive a car like that she guessed - no wonder he had laughed when she asked if he had a fast car...

She slipped out of the shadows and slid into the passenger seat - Majid turned to her and gave her a kiss on each cheek. Then he casually pressed the accelerator down before roaring out into the night-time traffic.

"Nice car."

"You've changed clothes", he remarked.

"You too", she noticed straight away that he'd changed into jeans and T- shirt, over which he wore a black leather jacket.

She threw her carrier bag into the narrow gap behind her seat - noticing a rifle on the floor behind her.

"You expecting to use that?" she asked gesturing at the back.

" It's a traditional thing - in case we need to go hunting - I am an Olympic class marksman-"

" I might have guessed - is there anything you don't try to excel at?"

He placed his hand on her knee, slowing tracing a line with his fingertips up the inside of her thigh, with the expertise of a masseur, she felt herself liquefying inside.

"You tell me, " was all he said smiling enigmatically.

Nikita found herself moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue before catching her lower lip in her teeth - an attempt to avoid replying too fast - unfortunately Majid saw this out of the corner of his eye and chuckled softly.

"It's OK - I'll let you tell me later - if you like......".

Nikita got excited as they drove out of Dubai and Majid pointed to a group of buildings on the skyline -

"That's Sharjah."

"And the airport?"

"Actually - that's outside - the other side of Sharjah but don't worry -we'll be there shortly."

As they drove through the back streets of Sharjah - past endless blocks of shops selling hubcaps and tyres and rundown apartment blocks, it occurred to Nikita that Sharjah was perhaps not as wealthy an emirate as Dubai. Majid joined a highway headed out towards the airport and put his foot down - at 130mph they would indeed be at the airport soon thought Nikita - if not actually taking off. However, she was impressed at his handling of the high power vehicle and regretted not having the opportunity to make more of his company.

Her feelings for Michael were never reciprocated it seemed, she could flirt with him all day long and get no more reaction than a raised eyebrow and a disapproving glare. On other occasions he would go out of his way to come to her apartment and initiate what was often an unrequited seduction procedure that was inevitably part of a greater picture, and more often than not a manipulation on his part to control her actions. Her heart loved him, her body lusted for his touch and her mind despised his treatment of her - what a basis for a relationship! That was even if there was any indication that he really wanted one with her. Meanwhile here she was sat next to a warm, handsome, sensual, responsive man only too eager to fulfil her every desire - and all she could really think about was Michael and his welfare, maybe when they'd rescued him..... she sighed heavily.

"Are you still thinking up a reply?" asked Majid mischievously, brushing a wisp of hair from her face with his right hand, she gently took his hand and kissed the fingertips softly, saying -

"Perhaps I'll need to experience another performance before I can make an honest assessment."

"Your wish is my command."

On the outskirts of Sharjah Airport an ambulance pulled up on the side of the road.

The jolt as it ploughed into a bank of sand nudged Michael from the grips of drug-induced unconsciousness into a state of almost-awareness. His arm ached numbly and his chest felt sore, those he could suppress, but the throbbing in his head was more difficult to ignore. He couldn't remember when he'd last eaten or drunk any liquids and no doubt that was contributing to the feelings of queasiness and disorientation.

He heard the doors of the van open and opted to remain seemingly unconscious for the time being, especially as the restraints prevented him from doing anything drastic. A shuffling sound followed by a few expletives and a soft thwump, were all the clues he needed to work out that Mounia had left the vehicle, by the sounds of it they were parked up on sand. She exchanged a few words with the driver - the gist of which he made out to mean that someone was late, good, that gave him some time.

"Michael - I know you are awake - stop pretending otherwise I'll just have to give you another shot to make sure." Mounia had climbed back into the ambulance and was sat on the bench opposite the one on which Michael lay.

"Mounia - please, can't we talk this through before you do something you'll regret." His voice was husky and it hurt to speak - but he had to try to reason with her before it was too late.

"I won't regret it - I'm sorry Michael - but by handing you over I get my revenge not only against you but also with Section - your purchasers will extract from you enough information to destroy Section 1-"

" I will die before talking - you know that -"

"They have their methods - so I have heard - you will merely wish you were dead."

"Could you loosen these straps maybe -"

"Forget it."

"You had my arm re-dressed, why bother?"

"I am not in the habit of dealing in damaged goods, if I had left it untended you may have died en route."

"It wasn't that bad - you still care, don't you?"

"Shut up! I swear I shall have you sedated again if you keep talking."

"Why should it bother you?"

"It doesn't - I've told you how I feel."

"How much?"

"What?" She was puzzled - did he mean how much did she feel?

"How much am I worth?"

"To who?"

"In cash - how much are they paying you?"

"What's it to you?"

"However much it is, it won't buy back Lamia...."

"Don't you dare mention her name!!" screamed Mounia, slapping him around the face before scrambling to get out of the ambulance.

Michael stole a half smile - he was getting to her.

"Well what are we doing when we get to the airport?"

I assume their plan is to transfer Michael to the cargo plane and fly him out of the country - the ambulance has to meet with the plane or someone off the plane has to meet with the ambulance. Which would be easier do you think?"

"Security is quite tight - I do not think they would be able to sneak a vehicle onto the airport grounds without alerting the police guards - things are more relaxed at Ras Al Kaimah. They even have to chase camels off the runway. That's probably why it was their first choice - it is mainly a cargo port, not used much by civilian airlines. It would make more sense for the transaction to occur outside the airport and from what you say of these people I doubt they had the car park in mind as a rendezvous point."

"Hey - you're good at this - so we looking for somewhere near the airport on the perimeter."

"You want me to drive around?"

"Yes - but slowly - so I can see!" Nikita tied her hair back from her face as she often did when she need to concentrate.

Their search was not in vain- after half an hour thay located an ambulance pulled up on the side of the road .

"Keep driving - go past it and then return but with your lights out - we need to be close enough to see without being seen."

"No problem."

Majid drove around as instructed - there was no sign of Bensouda or Michael, but the driver was leaning against the outside of the van smoking a cigarette - obviously waiting for another vehicle as he looked up expectantly as they drove past.

On the return trip, Majid switched out the lights as Nikita suggested and in a low gear pulled off the road.

They settled down to wait for an opportune time to move - Nikita was worried that a pre-emptive move could cause Bensouda to act rashly. Majid surprised her with a pair of night vision goggles, these helped tremendously - in fact without them she wouldn't have seen the other passenger from the van sneaking up to investigate them.

"Damn - we've been spotted!"

"Hush." Said Majid taking the goggles from her hand and pushing her back into the seat, which he somehow managed to recline, before she knew it he was kissing her passionately, his moustache tickling her face as his lips claimed her mouth - his right arm moved around her waist pulling her into his embrace. Then she felt his left hand sliding into the front of her trousers...gently insinuating its way past the elastic of her panties....

Majid's ploy had been to embarrass the guy into leaving them alone - but no such luck - he was assuming that the couple in the car were far too busy to notice him taking in the view.

Nikita had wriggled out of the kiss to nibble on Majid's earlobe in an attempt to look out of the window,

"He's getting closer" she whispered.

"Well -- how much further are you prepared to take his?" he whispered back before commencing to gently nibble his way down her neck towards her breasts.

Nikita reached down to take his hand that seemed set on a course of its own devising.

"And I thought you were such a gentleman! Get your hand out of my underwear - that's if you don't want me to break your fingers."

"I love it when you talk ......violent." He smiled and allowed her to take his hand in hers.

The onlooker wondered what sweet nothings these two lovers were whispering at one another - he felt sure they wouldn't notice him so he crept closer to the passenger door.

"He's coming to the door - look really distracted, got it?"

"That shouldn't be hard."

The voyeur was so intent on getting a good look at the action he threw caution to the wind - so when the car door flew open knocking him to the ground, he wasn't expecting it - nor for that matter did he anticipate the kick to the head which knocked him out cold.

"I really hate guys that do that." Nikita muttered angrily, standing over her victim.

"Um" gulped Majid.

"Him - not you - but next time you're thinking of pulling a stunt like that give me some warning." However - it had given them a break. "Good thinking though."

Nikita turned her back on Majid, tied her hair back again and tried hard not to let him notice the way she was breathing - why here, why now? She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, pulled the gun from the back of her pants and called over to Majid-

"Get your gun - we're going hunting!"

Majid dragged the driver into the Ferrari - slumped forward over the steering wheel. Then he loaded his rifle and crouched down beside the car next to Nikita. She had her gun out and he could detect a glint in her eye that he hadn't really noticed before - a look of steel and menace.

" Ok - let's assume there's at least one other person and Bensouda to deal with and SHE IS MINE! - The plan is that I distract the driver, you take him out - a leg injury will do fine - then we rush the back of the van."

"You think that'll work?"

"I'm depending on it!" said Nikita, her chin up in a defiant pose that brooked no argument. She was channelling her passions into aggression now and the target of that emotion was in the back of the ambulance - if Michael was badly injured, Bensouda could count the remaining minutes of her life on the fingers of one hand.

" Right I'm off...wait until I've got him away from the van.."

Nikita stood up and started to walk towards the ambulance - waving her arms about frantically trying to grab the attention of the driver. He opened the door and walked towards Nikita until he could see both her and the Ferrari, he could see a figure hunched up in the front of the car.

" Please help - it's my boyfriend - he's not well - I think he's had a heart attack!"

"Go away -- I cannot help!"

" But you have to - you see I can't dive his car and his family will kill me when they find out ....."

The driver walked closer encouraged by Nikita's look of helplessness and despair - like the man before him he too never suspected a thing until the sting of a bullet tore through his knee cap.......

He yelled out in pain - but it was too late - Nikita and Majid were running at full speed towards the back of the van. Nikita got there first and pulled open the doors - in time to see Bensouda remove a syringe from a vein in Michael's forearm.

"Michael!!!!!!!" screamed Nikita.

His eyelids fluttering wildly Michael clung to consciousness long enough to see her standing there -

"'Kita......" he coughed and spluttered, his lips becoming tinged with blue as he passed out.

"The antidote is hidden - kill me and you'll never find it."

As Nikita prepared herself to throttle Bensouda she was startled by Majid's reaction - he forcefully shoved her aside and grabbed the syringe from the floor and sniffed it carefully - the distinctive aroma of bitter almonds.

"Hydrogen cyanide" - he muttered.

He then rummaged in the pockets of his jacket and pulled out a small bottle of viscous pale yellow liquid - he unscrewed the top and beckoned for Nikita to lift up Michael's head - she did so and was alarmed by how limp and unresponsive he seemed.... Majid wafted the bottle under Michael's nose, then tipped some onto a tissue and held it tight over his nostrils. He looked up at Nikita - tears were streaming down her face.

" Come on Michael - don't die, not now .. please.. not now..."

Suddenly Michael began to retch - choking on the cloying fumes of the chemical that Majid had administered. He struggled in vain - unable to push the tissue from his face, as his arms were still strapped down.

"Nikita - untie him, he needs to be able to breathe!"

Nikita quickly undid the buckles on the straps, the red welts on his wrists showing how tight they had been - immediately Michael flailed his arms about desperate to get that smell away from his face. She held him up - her arm supporting him as he struggled to get air back into his body that had been starved of oxygen by the cyanide.

"It's OK now - you're going to be OK now - come on now", she wiped away the tears from her face and sniffed to contain the rest.

"What was that - what did you use?" Nikita demanded of Majid. Her relief at Michael's recovery tainted by suspicions as to why Majid carried the antidote.

Majid sheepishly held out the bottle of 'poppers', so called aphrodisiac drugs that purported to prolong a man's state of arousal.

"Um - I told you I studied biochemistry right? Well the active constituent of this is isoamyl nitrite, a blood vessel dilator, very similar chemically to amyl nitrite - the antidote to cyanide poisoning".

He looked highly embarrassed, but for now Nikita could forgive him.

Fortunately the ambulance was bona fide and Majid found a small cylinder of oxygen that he connected to a gas mask to place over Michael's face - he had yet to recover consciousness fully, but was a healthier shade of pink rather than mauve.

Nikita let Majid get on with this so she could catch up with Bensouda who had fled as soon as Majid had pushed Nikita aside in his hurry to get to Michael. The limp didn't help her agility and Nikita soon caught up with the hobbling woman as she made a bid for freedom, tackling her to the ground - she thrust her forearm against Bensouda's throat -

" Déjà vu? Huh? Here we are again - but this time I think I'll forget to stop pressing after you pass out."

Nikita's face was rigid with contempt - her features fixed in a rictus of anger - this evil creature had come within seconds of killing Michael - and for that she would pay the price.

"Don't you want to know why? Why I did it? Who sent me?" spluttered Bensouda.

"No." But despite her denial, Nikita had subconsciously eased off the pressure. The first two questions she could live without the answers to, but the last one sent shivers down her spine - she'd already come to the conclusion that this had been a set-up all along and that Section 1 were aware of exactly what Bensouda's agenda had been from the start.

" A test?"

Bensouda just laughed in her face

" Oh don't flatter yourself dear - this had nothing to do with you! "

"But what about Michael?"

"Yes - the trade was not financial - but a barter if you grasp my meaning. Section 1 were disappointed with Michael's performance, but were aware of the value he would represent as an item of trade - but not openly - that would arouse too much suspicion, not to mention the wrath of Oversight should they ever have suspected. No - there is a top-level strategist working for Red Cell - he was to come to assess Michael for suitability for 'purchase' - only one of their highest men would be capable of cracking Michael. The biocidal weapon and Intel were a ploy to bring Michael out here on his own, you weren't meant to leave Rome you see. Section knew they could rely on me to deliver Michael with absolutely no compunction as to what happens to him. Section's target is the strategist. The Red Cell people will be arriving shortly my dear - Michael was expendable - an apparently valuable item for trade, but acceptable collateral if things got messy."

"I don't believe you - how were you going to take their man? He'd be armed and have others with him."

"Section failed to realise my depth of hatred for their entire organisation - I had no intention of delivering anyone to them at all. I was going to let them have Michael and join forces with them, therefore I had no need for back up."

"Stasiowska?"

"She's Section."

"Lamia?"

"I hadn't counted on them being able to find her - I should have known they would find away to keep me on task..."

"If we capture this guy from Red Cell and return him to Section, then maybe Madeline will release Lamia."

"Your naivete is touching Nikita - maybe - but it's not going to happen - they'll outnumber us - I don't think Michael's in much condition for fighting and your marksman friend is a good shot, but not exactly combat trained now is he?"

Nikita sat back on her heels - trying to figure out what the hell was going on - a double double cross by the looks of things. Those bastards, they had given up on Michael.

If she didn't come up with a plan fast they were all about to become either prisoners or dead.

Nikita dragged Bensouda back to the ambulance and dumped her unceremoniously on the ground, she looked into the back of the van and called to Majid-

"Please come here and watch this - if it tries to move, shoot it."

As Majid exited the back of the vehicle she climbed in to have a good look at Michael - his eyes had dark rings under them, the lids were red and swollen, his hair was dishevelled and the curls tumbled over his forehead. She stroked them back absently. No matter how much he deceived her and tried to distance himself from her, it still tore her heart out to see him injured or in pain. He was so strong that many thought him impermeable to wounds, and that was what made it so gut-wrenching to see him lying vulnerable and abused. He was trying to speak so she had to take off the oxygen mask to hear his voice soft and hoarse.

"Please...some water?"

She took the mask off completely and raised a bottle of water to his mouth.

He sipped slowly, then licked his lips...

"Mounia?" he glanced around trying to remember where she was last.

"Don't worry - she's outside" - Nikita smiled grimly wondering what she was going to do now she'd decided to let the woman live, it seemed a much easier option just to shoot her and be done with it.

"Your friend?" He tilted his head to one side trying to look into her eyes.

"Just this guy I met - he gave me a lift..." she felt herself going red and realised to her shame that she was avoiding eye contact.... Michael would pick up on that she thought with regret... later, she'd explain later..

"We've got to get away from here fast Michael - a Red Cell unit is on its way". Best change the subject quickly and get back down to the current crisis.

"I know - 'Kita - it's me they want - go now, your .......'friend' can take care of you I'm sure". Michael had seen the way she had evaded his eyes earlier and surmised that the handsome Arabian gentleman was more than just a friend. Her lips were ever so slightly reddened as he recalled they looked after deep passionate kissing, they had taken on that shade of dusky rose in the boat at Lyons, not on missions, only then in the heat of all-consuming passion. He also couldn't help noticing that her trouser button was undone. He had transport; he'd make it somehow.

"I'll be fine." He croaked as he pulled himself up into a sitting position and swung his legs over the edge of the bench, taking him a bit further from Nikita's worried gaze. She lifted his head and saw the look of betrayal in his eyes that she'd seen so often in the mirror.

"No - we're in this together whether you like it or not, I can't leave you here, would you leave me?"

"Never - but that is not -"

"Shut up, it's exactly the point, now rather than argue about this, I need a profile - what do we do? I'm armed, so is Majid now and I can get you a gun - Bensouda's two beers short of a six pack, but other than that -"

Michael shut his eyes tight and concentrated, formulating a scheme in his head, running through the sims mentally...

"Ok - this is what we do-"

They waited .....

Bensouda stared at a space a few inches in front of her face focussing all her attention on ...nothing...she was preparing herself for death and if she could take the others with her - all the better...

Nikita sat in the front her hair covered, watching and waiting and worrying ... why didn't he care anymore, did he really think her affections were with someone else...Was he right...why did she care for him? She didn't trust him, she doubted he would ever make a commitment... she only knew that no matter what happened or didn't happen between them, she would never recover if she was to lose him... she needed him to live, she needed him to want to live... why?

Michael lay in the back, the sheets pulled up over his arms, his head to one side with a clear view of the door; he was tired, dead tired. Before Nikita had arrived Mounia had told him what was going on, to rub salt into his wounds, whether she chose to believe him or not, she had set her course long ago and there was no deterring her from it now.... She would have gone with Red Cell, but would rather have seen him dead than risk his rescue by Nikita.... No matter what happened, he had always taken the blame for Section's actions, caught in the middle, lied to and used by his superiors, mistrusted and despised by those he used in turn. Nikita had probably been in the arms of Majid while Mounia was injecting him with the cyanide, it was fate alone that decreed he live to see her with another... He hadn't deserved to die in ignorance...but oh no, death had to slip from his grasp in order for him to witness her betrayal...what betrayal? So she had allowed herself to be kissed by another man, he had absolutely no rights to her at all - none. All he could do was hope that she'd still be there and still be waiting when all this was over. Anyway, he was now superfluous to requirements it seemed, no doubt Operations and Madeline had devised a profile to take into account his inability to complete the long term mission, after all they could just bring in a long lost relative of his to share the grief of his passing and facilitate the end of that mission. He should never have tested his apparent indispensability to Section, he'd been warned and this was it...but if he should die, who would take care of Nikita? Hell - she'd take care of herself, she was no longer a raw recruit with her guards constantly down, she was more capable of taking care of herself than he'd been for months now...

Majid glanced across at Nikita - she was silently crying - he'd noticed out of the corner of his eye how her tongue had darted out to catch the trail of tears before they dripped from her face. He slowly leaned over and gently kissed the tears from her cheeks, she smiled sadly and clasped his hand in gratitude.

"You love him."

"I don't know." She slowly shook her head.

"What binds souls together is not intended to be understood by mere mortals my dear. That you would move heaven and earth to save him is without doubt. For some reason he does not believe he deserves either you or life itself for that matter - I saw it in his eyes."

"I know - there's something he won't tell me, it's eating away at his soul, if only he'd tell me -" she wanted to talk to Majid, ask what he thought, seek guidance... but it was too late-

"Looks like we have company!"

"OK - are you sure you're ready for this?" She wiped her eyes, needing clear vision.

"I hardly think now is the time to back out!" Majid quipped with a nervous smile.

"Right - wait until they pull over before talking to their driver. I've got you covered."

Majid walked across to the light goods truck that had parked up beside the Ferrari - it now contained the bodies of the two men that Bensouda had brought with her - both sedated. The driver of the truck got out cautiously looking around - Majid greeted him in Arabic and then explained how the two men in the sports car had got too curious and how they'd had to be 'neutralised'. The other man shrugged his shoulders, not particularly happy - but content not to get involved himself. He went to the back of the truck and knocked on the roller door, this wound up slowly to reveal a number of crates and four men.

Nikita hoped that not all four would go with Majid, unfortunately they did - the important one was probably the one in the centre flanked by two heavies, with third behind guarding the rear. They approached the ambulance - one stopped to take position alongside Nikita's door, blocking her way out - damn!

The other three went to the back - Majid opened the door for them and as he did, Bensouda threw herself forward shouting -

"It's a trap - shoot them - shoot them all!"

By leaping forward she blocked Michael's line of fire, as he pulled the gun out from under the sheets...

Nikita struggled to open her door- in vain - all she could hear was gunfire in the back of the ambulance - what was happening...?

Then there was a shot to the side of the ambulance and the man who had put his weight against the door crumpled to the ground, still jamming it - Majid came running round from the back - pulling the dead-weight away from the door. Nikita leapt out, her gun ready - but by the time she got to the back of the ambulance it was too late...

Michael hadn't stood a chance she thought - he had been on his back for god's sake and was shooting left handed... the back of ambulance was silent by the time Nikita got there. The body of one man was collapsed in the sand - shot from behind - that must have been Majid... Then the next - shot in the head - Michael's she guessed, pulling his body away from the door - in between the benches lay Bensouda- covered in blood - a mixture of hers and that of the Red Cell agent who'd apparently grabbed her as a shield by the looks of things.... she was dead...but Nikita barely spared her a glance - she was looking at Michael - he was crouched on the floor, swaying backwards and forwards, his eyes were glazed over - his gun hanging limply in his left hand, blood pouring from a wound in his side...

She went to him slowly, removed the gun from his hand and took him into her arms, regardless of the blood that flowed warm and wet between them, he was going into shock and she knew that first aid was imperative. With Majid's assistance she got him sat on the side of the bench. She grabbed the first aid kit, tipping the contents onto the stretcher, scrambling for reels off gauze and bandages. Majid was beside her lowering Michael back onto the bench, and pressing his hand against the wound in Michael's side stemming the flow of blood as best he could, although it streamed between his fingers and onto the white sheets. He took the bandages from Nikita to make a pressure dressing - he beckoned for her to keep Michael awake - to try to stop him losing consciousness.... She hugged him rocking him gently - resting his head against her shoulder -

"It's all right Michael - please, hold on - I need you...I love you... ". She whispered into his ear, hoping he could still make out what was going on around him. His head became heavier as he let himself fall into her - for a brief moment in time giving himself over to her, weak and vulnerable. Not only was his body indeed of emergency aid - so was his soul.

"Michael? ........ Michael?"

"After nine days I let the horse run free
'Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with it's life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love

You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain..."

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

Epilogue

Somehow they managed to stabilise Michael, between them they set up an emergency saline feed to alleviate the loss of body fluids and restore electrolytic balance. The bullet had managed to miss internal organs and had just been unlucky enough to rupture a fairly large blood vessel. Michael was still in danger until professional medical aid could be sought.

Nikita used the mobile given to her by Corallie to contact the substation in Dubai. Hellway reluctantly agreed to take care of the truck and the various bodies left behind at the scene, but wanted nothing more to do with what she perceived to be a fiasco on the part of Section 1. However, she seemed to relish the thought of personally contacting Madeline and requesting that Michael and Nikita be recalled as soon as possible.

Nikita drove the ambulance back to Dubai following Majid's Ferrari. She was only just aware of her surroundings as she drove along broad roads of high rise tower blocks, clad in glass, through narrow back streets of corrugated iron shacks with chickens and goats outside eating scraps from plates and on towards the beach, passing more opulent villas until they reached an impressive building behind high walls. Majid spoke to the guards on the gate gesturing at the ambulance behind. On reaching Majid's guest house two servants were waiting at the door - Majid directed them to take Michael into the villa.

"My personal physician is waiting inside - I phoned him as we left Sharjah - they have set up a room to treat your friend. Do not worry, I can afford his silence. I said there'd been a shooting accident - more common than you'd believe."

Nikita wanted to follow but Majid gently blocked her -taking her into his warm protective arms he turned her about and walked her into a room at the back of the villa overlooking the sea. He sat her down on a large, ornately embroidered sofa, knelt in front of her and took her hands in his -

"You need to rest - clean up, whatever...there is nothing you can possibly do for him until the doctor has finished. Please Nikita."

She smiled at him and was yet again grateful for his quiet strength and words of comfort.

Nikita woke the next morning having dozed off on the sofa - a light woollen blanket had been draped over her, her boots taken off and a change of clothes left neatly folded on the chair. She quickly got up and changed - her first priority had to be Michael.

As she shrugged her shoulders into a T- shirt she heard a phone ring - her phone - she grabbed it and heard the unmistakable voice of Madeline.

"Josephine? Well done - you accomplished your mission. It's time to come home."

Nikita shuddered at the sinister implications that may have been behind Madeline's words.

"And Michael?"

"Of course."

A knock at the door distracted Nikita momentarily - but Madeline had cut the connection.

"Nikita?"

"How is he?"

"Conscious, sore, otherwise he says he is fine."

"He would", muttered Nikita, causing Majid to frown with confusion.

Majid led Nikita to the room where they'd taken Michael the night before - it was empty. On the bed lay a note :

"Nikita. I shall return to sort things out. We don't both have to walk in shadows, enjoy the sun while you can. M."

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