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ATTENTION: Stories marked with an * may contain material which would be better appreciated by those over 18. Parental Discretion is advised. This is your responsibility, not ours.
Madeline allowed Petrosian to pour more wine into her glass. They were in her office and enjoying a pleasant few hours reminiscing about the past seventeen years. They had alot of catching up to do, and Madeline was enjoying herself. But it was to be shortlived, for a moment later the lights went out. Even as Madeline moved to stand up, she sensed someone behind her and felt a stinging in her neck. Tranquilizer dart. But that was her last thought as she drifted into darkness.
Nikita could feel the tension as she entered the conference room. Michael was there, sitting at the end of the table. Birkhoff was there as well, and Operations was pacing. There was no sign of Madeline. The moment that Nikita was seated, Operations began talking.
He looked at Birkhoff. "Are we on line?" When the computer whiz nodded, Operations used the remote to bring up the holographic vid-screen. A face appeared, that of a man who was obviously very angry. "Listen up," Operations told everyone.
The man on the screen spoke and Nikita realized that he was in real time. She looked at Michael who locked eyes with her briefly, then looked away.
"I want to show you something," said the man, as he stepped aside to reveal Madeline and Petrosian behind him, tied to chairs. Then the man stepped back into view. "Surprise!" he crowed.
Operations was furious. "What is the meaning of this, Garek?" he hissed.
Nikita started at the name as she suddenly realized she knew the man. He was an operative. Nikita leaned over to Michael and whispered, "What the hell is going on here?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. Listen." And with that, Michael stood up and moved to the back of the room. He paced quietly, but his eyes never left the vid-screen.
Garek was smiling now. "My friends and I are here to right a wrong," he said, his eyes flasing.
"To right what wrong?" Operations countered. But as he asked he saw Birkhoff signal him. So he hit the button to pause the vid-screen. "What is it, Birkhoff?"
The computer whiz grimaced. "I've located them..sort of."
Operations glared at him. "Meaning?"
"They're in section one, but I can't locate where. According to the schematics...where they're located doesn't exist."
"Show me," Operations demanded, moving around to the other side of the table so he could see Birkhoff's computer screen. One look and he shook his head. "Impossible," he whispered.
Nikita's curiosity got the better of her. "What is?" she asked.
Operation's locked eyes with her. "They're in level thirteen," he said.
Birkhoff rubbed his head. "But...there is no level thirteen," he countered.
"It's called the Labyrinth," Operation's told him. "It's on a need to know basis with a security clearance, level alpha." Which meant that only he, Madeline and Petrosian should have known about it. But Operations didn't have time to worry about that now. He released the pause button to bring Garek back into animation.
The other man was furious, knowing that he had been put on *hold* as it were. "Don't try any tricks, Operations," he warned. "You will be sorry."
Operations had no doubt about that. "No games, Garek. What do you want?" he demanded.
"I want justice," Garek replied. "And I, and my friends, will have it. the moment that we expose Petrosian for what he really is."
"And what is that?" Operations queried.
Garek snarled a reply. "A traitor!"
At this, Petrosian took offense. "You don't know what you're talking about!" he shouted at Garek, only to break off abruptly when Garek's fist slammed into his face.
"QUIET!" Garek shouted, his chest heaving as he fought to quell his fury.
Madeline had been quiet up to this point, but now she tried to reason with Garek. "You're making a mistake," she said softly.
Garek shook his head. "You've made the mistake," he shot back, his eyes flashing. "You would defend him." Garek struck out, his hand cracking across Madeline's face.
Operation's flinched as he watched, then his expression hardened. "Enough, Garek. What do you want from me?"
"From you?" Garek countered, laughing. "Penance. But overall, I want justice."
"Let Madeline and Petrosian go, and we'll talk," Operations replied.
Garek snorted. "No. We'll talk now. Rather, you'll listen. Two years ago, on this day, over two thousand innocent people died in Cairo. Twenty of them were Section operatives."
Nikita was stunned and she looked at Ops to see him nodding.
"I remember," Operations acknowledge. "It was a tragedy."
"It was a betrayal!" Garek shouted. "They died because of Petrosian!"
Operations was silent for a moment, then he asked, "What do you mean?" Garek moved to stand behind Petrosian, his gun pressed to the other man's chest. "He sold them out...for money!" Garek spat the words. "And I can prove it! And I will do so, before he dies. And he will die." Garek moved away again so that his face filled the video screen. "In sixteen hours it will be the exact time that our people died in Cairo. That is when Petrosian and Madeline will die."
"Why Madeline?" Operations interjected. "She's not a part of this."
"Oh...but she is." A smile twisted Garek's lips. "She defends Petrosian, just as you do. And she is a symbol.....the death of innocence." Garek broke off, laughing wildly. But the laughter faded and coldness filled his eyes. "Don't try anything stupid, Operations. We've set mini-mines all throughout Section." He held up a trigger. "I can set them off at will. So...now that I have your attention, here's the deal. Petrosian and Madeline die...Period. But it's your choice as to how many die, Operations. You see...in sixteen hours, you tell me whether the few...or the many...die." Operations found it hard to keep his cool, but not a flicker of emotion shaded his eyes. "Meaning what?" he snapped.
Garek scowled. "Meaning, you sentence Petrosian and Madeline to death...in your words...or I destroy Section one and everyone in it. Your choice."
"Why?" Operations countered, sincerely curious.
"Because it's the ultimate Choice for you to make," Garek replied. "You play god all the time, and it's way to easy for you. But now someone you care about is to pay the price. I want you to live with that." And so saying, Garek cut the transmission.
Operations clenched his fists as he turned to face the others in the room. His eyes searched then narrowed. "Where's Michael?" he demanded.
Nikita answered him. "I don't know. He slipped out a few minutes ago." She had seen him leave out of the corner of her eye.
"Find him!" Ops ordered, his eyes locking with Nikita's. When she nodded he turned to Birkhoff. "Get me the locations of those bombs."
Birkhoff's fingers were flying over his keyboard. "Already on it."
Operations waved a hand. "Dismissed!" he barked, turning back to the blank screen. He wanted to be alone.
Nikita searched Section for Michael and finally ended up at Walter's station. She asked what had become a standard question. "Have you seen Michael?"
Walter glanced up from a mini-laptop and grimaced. "Sugar, Michael's off doing what he does best."
"And what's that?" Nikita questioned, with more than a little curiosity.
"He's off playing hero," Walter replied, then he ignored Nikita, his attention returning to the PC.
Michael made his way through the conduits with silence and speed. He knew that time was limited, and what he was planning to do was risky. But he didn't see that he, or Section, had a choice. Of course, if he survived, he also had no doubt that Operations would find a suitable punishment, but that was a risk that Michael was willing to take.
Reaching a ventilation grate, Michael peered through it and smiled. Directly below him was one of the rogue operatives who was working with Garek. Michael pulled the grate off without making a sound, then he dropped down on the unsuspecting guard. He took the man out quickly, and efficiently, then pulled the body into a hidden recess. Michael then tapped his comlink and whispered, "I'm in."
************
"What happens now?" Madeline asked, her eyes tracking Garek as he paced back and forth in front of her and Petrosian.
"We wait!" Garek snapped. He held a walkie talkie in his hand and tapped it against his leg in a nervous rythmn. He had guards stationed as lookouts all throughout the labyrinth, and they were supposed to check in with him in fifteen minute intervals. Two of them were late.
Petrosian laughed at him. "Wait for what?" he questioned. "For the stupidity of your actions to finally make itself known to you? You are a fool, Garek. Do you not know that you are already dead?"
Garek snarled, then pulled his gun and pressed it to Petrosian's forhead. "I should kill you now!" he roared.
Madeline sensed that he was ready to pull the trigger, in spite of his plans to the contrary. "That would be a mistake," she said softly.
"Why is that?" Garek hissed, his eyes glancing over at Madeline. "Because you would lose your...lover?"
"Because you would lose what you claim you want. Justice." Madeline held Garek's stare, calmly.
Garek was about to respond when his radio beeped. "What is it?" he snapped.
A hollow voice reported, "Mills and Barklin are off line."
"Find them!" Garek ordered. "Report back."
Petrosian offered a cold smile. "It would appear that you have been breeched," he drawled, his pale eyes glittering.
Garek glared at him. "IMPOSSIBLE!" he shouted, even as he began pacing again. Something was wrong, he could feel it. Ten minutes later his fears were confirmed. Two operatives dragged in a body, one of theirs. Garek stared down at the dead man in disbelief. "Put me online!" he ordered the woman who was sitting at a computer teminal. When she confirmed he was good to go, Garek smiled and moved over to Madeline. He put his gun to her head and said, "To whoever is out there...and you know who you are...turn yourself in...NOW! Or Madeline dies. You have ten seconds to make your prescence known." Garek began counting backwards. "Ten...nine..eight....seven....six....five....four...three...two..."
Just then there was a pounding on the door. Garek smirked. "Open it." Two of his men did so, then another man entered the room. Garek's guards disarmed him, then led him forward. "I should have known it was you, Michael," Garek said, a genuine smile curving his lips. "You're very clever. How did you get in?"
Michael looked at him, his face expressionless, then he said, "Back door was open."
"Very good," Garek acknowledged, even as he signaled to his men. "Bind him. I don't trust him for one minute." Garek had always admired Michael as an operative. Admired his skills. Now he was scared of him, for he knew that Michael was capable of anything. And no one could ever get inside his head. No one. "So...Operations sent you to infiltrate?" Garek drawled, as he walked a slow circle around Michael. The other man's wrists were bound behind his back.
"No one sent me," Michael said. "This was my own idea."
Garek believed him. "Why? You had to know that you couldn't succeed."
Michael almost smiled at that. "I wanted to make sure that Madeline was all right." He smiled at the dark-haired woman as he spoke and she smiled back at him. Michael noticed the question in her brown eyes but didn't respond to it.
"How...touching," Garek drawled. He had often wondered about the relationship between Michael and Madeline, but now was not the time to go into it.
Petrosian was staring at Michael and he decided to voice his opinion. "How...comforting...to know that I can rely on your incompetence through good times and bad, Michael," he said, his voice oozing sarcasm.
Michael eyes flashed as he glared at the other man. He felt as if her were suddenly caught up in a twilight zone moment. Once before he had been called incompetent by this man, and it had infuriated him then. Now he was further enraged. "Why incompetent?" he demanded, unable to resist asking.
"You let yourself be caught," Petrosian replied. He smirked. "I would have found some other way. But you are weak." It was the last remark he was able to make, for Michael's foot suddenly connected with his head, and Petrosian felt a sudden burst of pain, then darkness.
Garek stared at Michael, stunned by the other man's actions. He had never seen Michael lose control before, and he was intrigued by it. The younger man's green eyes almost seemed to glow with fury. He waved off his men who had grabbed Michael after he had kicked Petrosian. After checking to make certain that his captive was only unconcscious and not dead, or severely injured, Garek confronted Michael. "So...you don't like Petrosian either?" he questioned.
Michael allowed a small smile to curve his lips. "You could say that," he countered, his eyes still locked on unconscious man. Michael could feel Madeline's gaze burning into him, but he ignored her.
"If you hate him, then why did you infiltrate us? Why rescue him?" Garek questioned.
"I told you. I came for Madeline." Michael shook his head. "I don't care what you do to Petrosian. But Madeline is innocent."
From the conference room, Operations, Nikita and Birkhoff watched the exchange between Michael and Garek. They had seen what Michael had done, and Ops was still stunned by the young operative's actions, as well as by his words. He had never seen Michael so angry before. Had never guessed at the depth of his feelings towards Petrosian...or Madeline.
Nikita was stunned as well. She had known that Michael disliked Petrosian, but she had no idea that he was still connected enough to his emotions to feel hatred. But she could almost feel it emanate from him now through the vid screen. "He wants Petrosian dead," she whispered.
"So it would seem," Operations drawled. And he was not happy about it. Although a part of him was grateful that Michael was in there, and that he was concerned with Madeline's safety.
"What do we do now?" Nikita asked, wondering what their options were. Or if they even had any.
Operations glared at her. "We wait," he whispered, then his attention returned to the screen.
Garek was watching Michael closely, wondering what to think...or believe. Michael was angry, that much Garek was certain of. He could feel the heat of the other man's fury, even though it wasn't directed at him. Still, it confused him, and he wasn't sure of his next move. There was just over thirteen hours left before his deadline. "I need to think," he said, shoving Michael over to where Madeline was. "Sit down," Garek ordered, pushing Michael down onto the floor. He then moved off and began pacing again. In his agitation, he forgot that he was still online to Ops.
Madeline looked over at Petrosian, who was beginning to stir, then down at Michael. Her eyes shimmered with anger. "Why are you doing this, Michael?" she challenged.
He locked eyes with her, his own cold and empty. "I'm doing my job," Michael replied. "Just like you trained me to." He put an emphasis on her part of it, and saw Madeline flinch as his meaning struck home.
"I see," Madeline drawled. She knew that Michael was reminding her that he was what she had made him. And she couldn't deny it. But it made her angry, none-the-less. "A word to the wise, Michael," she said, wanting to warn him to be careful of his actions. "If you betray Petrosian, you will pay for it...with Nikita's life."
The threat hung between them, like a heavy weight, and Michael's eyes glittered silver-green as he smiled. "Rule number one," he whispered. "Never let your personal life interfere with the job."
Madeline knew that he was questioning her feelings for Petrosian, but she didn't respond to his dig. "Don't cross the line, Michael," she countered, wanting to offer him a way out. But she was willing to do what had to be done if he disobeyed her. "You won't like the outcome." Madeline's voice was cold and calm. She was simply stating a fact.
"You might be surprised, Madeline," Michael replied. He watched a flicker of uncertainty cross her face at his words, then he looked away, laid his head back against the wall, and closed his eyes.
************
Michael was watching Garek, tracking his every move. He could read the other man's body language and could almost *feel* his uncertainty. Garek remained online, so Michael knew that Operations was watching them. Knew also that they were running out of time. He listened to Garek's followers reporting in, and he in line of vision for the PC monitor. Michael could see the schematics of the Labyrinth and the location of the guards. And although Michael didn't believe in luck, today was his lucky day. Greta was the operative who was sitting at the PC, and she just happened to bring up the schematics revealing the location of the mini-bombs that Garek had wired throughout Section. Smiling to himself, Michael rose to his feet. "Tell me something, Garek," he began, drawing the other man's attention to himself. "Why punish all of us for what Petrosian has done?"
Garek glared at him. "I don't want to do that!" he hissed. But that choice is up to Operations."
"I see." Michael nodded. "So....this proof that you have on Petrosian. His betrayal of Section. What is it? What do you have?"
Madeline's head shot up at this, and she glanced over at Petrosian. He was conscious now, and smiling. She found his smile oddly disturbing.
Petrosian laughed. "Michael," he drawled. "You do so want to believe the worst of me, don't you?"
Michael looked over at him, his eyes cold as ice. "I want to know the truth," he countered.
Garek found that funny. "Truth?" he repeated, moving to confront Michael. "Section wouldn’t know the truth if they tripped over it. They make their own truths," Garek spat, turning now to glare at Petrosian. "Our people didn't have to die. Why did you do it?"
"I do what has to be done," Petrosian acknowledged. "But you're wrong about this, Garek. I am not responsible for the tragedy in Cairo."
"LIAR!" Garek screamed, stepping forward to backhand Petrosian. His chest heaved as he stared at the other man. "My sister wrote the truth in her journal. She sent it to me the day before she died in Cairo." Garek almost smiled at the look of surprise that flickered across Petrosian's face. "She knew the truth, because you told her. And you told her after making love to her. Then you sent her to Egypt to die. And, like a good little operative, she went."
Michael was stunned, but didn't let it show. He glanced over at Madeline and saw that she was shocked as well. But as much as a part of him wanted to believe what Garek was saying. No matter how much Michael disliked Petrosian, Michael had learned long ago that nothing was as it seemed in regards to Section.
Nikita sat in her chair, her eyes glued to Operations as she let what Garek had said sink in. She noticed that Ops didn't even blink as the information was revealed, leading Nikita to believe that he had known about it all along.
Operations felt Nikita's eyes on him and he turned to look at her. Offering a cold smile he said, "Don't believe everything you hear."
"You mean, don't believe the truth!" she shot back.
"Truth is...irrelevant, Nikita," Operations drawled. "We all see what we want to see. And it's seldom the real truth. You, of all people, should know that."
Nikita considered his words for a moment, knowing that he was trying to tell her something, but she couldn't imagine what. She decided to be blunt. "Is Petrosian guilty?"
Operations laughed softly as his eyes returned to the vid-screen. "Aren't we all?" he whispered.
Michael decided to diffuse the tension, to refocus Garek's attention....to distract him. "What about when the deadline comes?" he questioned. "If Operation's chooses to let Madeline and Petrosian die...what then? They'll be waiting for you when the doors open. You won't make it out of here alive. Any of you." As he spoke, Michael paced in a half circle, moving behind the computer and glancing at the keyboard.
Garek had thought of that. "It doesn't matter," he replied, his eyes watching Michael but seeing no threat. "All we care about is justice. Once Petrosian is dead, we'll have that."
"Is that what your sister would have wanted?" Michael countered, his own eyes losing some of their coldness.
Madeline was surprised by the question. But she saw sincerity on Michael's face and a part of her believed that Nikita was rubbing off on him. Of course, that's what they had hoped for when they had given Nikita to Michael to train. That she would be able to reach the part of him that had died with Simone, the first time. The part of his soul that Michael was so afraid of tapping in to.
"I'm doing this for my sister!" Garek snapped.
"You're doing this for yourself," Michael countered softly. He felt Madeline's eyes on him and almost smiled. Michael understood what Garek was feeling. He had felt the same way after learning that Simone was still alive. But he hadn't been allowed the chance to get revenge. Nor was he certain who to blame. That didn't matter now, however. His only concern was in ending this situation. "Your sister would want you to live, Garek. Think about that."
Garek was silent for a long moment. He began to pace again. And seconds turned into minutes while no one said a word.
Birkhoff had a headset on and he suddenly snapped to attention in his chair. "I don't believe it..." he murmmured.
Nikita turned to stare at him. "What is it?" she questioned.
"Morse code." Birkhoff began typing at his keyboard.
Operations turned to him. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.
Birkhoff grinned, but didn't stop typing. "Michael is sending us a message via morse code." He shook his head. "I'd almost forgotten. I had Walter put a transmitter in Michael's watch. We were planning on testing it some time this week. I wasn't sure it would work..but..it's working perfect. Michael is tapping out the message with his fingernail against the watch."
"What's it say?" Operations asked.
Nikita read it out loud. "Have troops waiting. Mark 1800 hours. Will shut down. Code red-17." Nikita looked at Operations. "What does that mean?"
He smiled. "It means that we're back in control." Operations patted Birkhoff on the shoulder. "Nice work. Keep me informed. I have arrangements to make." With that he left the room.
Garek stopped pacing and turned to face Michael. "What do you suggest I do?" he questioned. He felt that he could trust Michael. A part of him was beginning to think that he had no choice. There was a tiny voice in his head screaming that he wanted to live.
Michael smiled. "Let me kill Petrosian," he said softly. Michael heard Madeline's gasp of surprise, even as he turned to lock eyes with Petrosian. From the other man he saw a glimmer of fear, then rage. Michael looked back at Garek. "If I kill him, then we all win. You get justice, and revenge. And I get....satisfaction."
Madeline felt that it was time to be heard. "If you do this, Michael, you will be cancelled," she warned him, and her eyes flashed with cold-fury. How could she have been so wrong about him.
"Is that a promise, Madeline?" Michael countered, moving to stand before her. "I don't care if I live or die."
"What about Nikita?" Madeline countered, her eyes locked on Michael's and trying to see into his soul. He wouldn't let her in. Never had. "Do you care whether she lives or dies?"
Michael didn't blink. "What are you saying, Madeline?" he queried. "That if I kill Petrosian, Nikita will die?"
Madeline smiled, and it was cold as ice. "Yes. I will see to it personally."
Nikita listened to this exchange and found herself holding her breath as she waited for Michael to respond. She found it hard to believe that Madeline could speak of killing her so easily, but then she remembered how brutally honest Madeline had been when they had gone to rescue Michael. His life had been forfeit, it was Petrosian Madeline had been interested in saving. Nikita knew she couldn't compete...especially since Michael wasn't even in the running. She glanced at her watch. The clock was ticking. 1756 hours and counting.
Michael smiled at Madeline, then he looked at Garek and said, "Give me a gun, I'll kill him right now."
Madeline glared at him. "Why? Why do you hate him so?"
"Do I need a reason to kill, Madeline?" Michael countered. But his eyes never left Garek's face. "Give me a gun," he repeated.
Garek found himself wanting to obey. He signaled for one of his men to untie Michael, then he held out his own weapon. "Do it," he whispered.
Michael took the gun then moved to stand before Petrosian. "Do you want to know why I'm going to kill you?" he asked.
Petrosian didn't answer for a moment. He watched Michael closely, saw the young man's eyes flicker to his watch, then back to him. "You don't need a reason," Petrosian replied. Then he smiled. "Just do it."
Madeline shook her head. "No Michael..." she whispered. But he wasn't listening. Madeline could see that he was in *machine mode*. He would do what he felt he had to do. Michael would do the job. Just as they had trained him to.
"Goodbye," Michael whispered. Then he pulled the trigger. Only the bullet slammed into Garek's heart, not Petrosian's head. Before the other operatives, Garek's followers, could react, Michael shot out the PC. Level thirteen was plunged into darkness.
By the time the lights were restored, the rogue operatives were surrounded and disarmed, and Madeline found herself being untied by Michael. He then moved to free Petrosian, even as Operations and Nikita entered the room.
Madeline looked at the man in charge. "What's going on?" she asked. She didn't like being out of the loop.
"It's a long story," Operations replied, a smile curving his lips. He was relieved to see that she was unharmed and safe. Then his eyes moved to Petrosian. "You all right?" Ops asked.
Petrosian nodded. "I would like to here that story," he said, his eyes flickering over to Michael, then back to Operations. "Perhaps you will share it with us over dinner? I'm starved."
Operations nodded. "An excellent idea," he conceeded, reaching for Madeline's arm. She looked a bit shaken.
"I don't suppose you would care to join us?" Petrosian put the question to Michael. When the young man shook his head, he wasn't surprised. He wasn't ready to give up yet, either. "Then, perhaps, you would join me later...for a drink?"
"Perhaps," Michael allowed, a smile...almost...curving his lips. He watched Operations, Madeline and Petrosian move off, then turned to Nikita, who had been standing beside him. The heat of her gaze was intense. Michael knew that she had a million questions for him, but he didn't have any answers. "Not now, Nikita," he requested.
She nodded. But she also sensed that he didn't want to be alone. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" she asked. When Michael nodded, Nikita took his hand and led him off.
Operations was pacing before Madeline's desk. Twenty-four hours had passed since the incident in level 13. "So you told Michael about the Labyrinth?" he was asking.
Madeline nodded. "Yes."
"Why?" Operations glared at her. "It's classified and you know it."
"I know," Madeline allowed. Then she smiled. "I made a judgment call," she offered in her own defense.
Operations allowed his lips to curve into a smile. "Good call." He was grateful for what Michael had done. Not that he had told him that. And he knew that Michael hadn't expected him to. Speaking of which, the doors to Madeline's office suddenly *whooshed* open, and Michael entered the room.
"You wanted to see me?" he offered in greeting.
Madeline nodded. "Yes." She then looked at Operations who took his cue and left them alone. Madeline gestured to the chair across from her. "Sit down, Michael," she invited.
He did so, and remained silent. Waiting for her to initiate the conversation. Michael could guess why he was there.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did," Madeline said, as she moved to the front of her desk and leaned against it. She locked eyes with Michael, and saw that his were carefully masked. He wasn't giving anything away. He seldom did. Madeline smiled. "I think, perhaps, I taught you too well," she admitted, freely.
"In what way?" Michael countered, his curiosity slightly piqued.
Madeline sighed. "You had me completely fooled, Michael," she conceded. "I really thought that you would kill Petrosian. I believed that you wanted to kill him."
Michael was thoughtful for a moment. He glanced away from Madeline, and when he looked back, his eyes were gray-green. "What makes you think I don't?" he countered. The look on Madeline's face almost made him smile. Michael stood up and whispered, "That's a question not even you can answer." It was a play on words that she had said to him a year ago, when questioning his feelings for Nikita. Now he was probing her feelings towards him...and her feelings for Petrosian. But he was leaving them both in the dark.
"You've learned very well, Michael," Madeline said, as she watched him leave the room. And a part of her felt sadness...and regret. For both of them.
Nikita sat in the chair across from Michael. They were in his office and he was working on a report. Nikita snapped her gum a few times, then asked the question that had been nagging at her for the past few days. "Do you think Petrosian is guilty?"
Michael looked up from his monitor. He locked eyes with Nikita for a moment, then looked away. "Does it matter?" he countered, his voice barely a whisper.
"No.." Nikita replied, as she rose to her feet. "I guess it doesn't." She turned to go, but Michael called her back. "Yes?" she asked, turning to face him.
"Are you busy?" Michael questioned.
Nikita shrugged. "No. Why?" Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she watched Michael turn off the computer and stand up.
He moved around the desk and reached for Nikita's hand. "I thought we could go shopping." Michael watched for Nikita's reaction and wasn't disappointed.
"Shopping?" she repeated. "You want to go...shopping?" At Michael's nod she had to ask, "For what?"
"Glasses," Michael replied, as he guided Nikita out into the hallway.
She was certain now that he had lost his mind. "You don't wear glasses," she reminded him. Not unless it was while in disguise for a mission. And Madeline took care of wardrobe and accessories.
Michael swallowed a smile as he responded to her, deadpan. "I find myself in need of a pair of rose-colored glasses."
"Ohhh..." Nikita drawled, as his meaning sunk in. A smile lit up her face and she looped her arm through Michael's. "I know just the place," she told him.
"I knew you would," Michael replied. And this time he allowed himself to smile.
Neither one of them was aware of the man who watched them from above.
THE END
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