Michael was not happy and that made some people nervous. He was still in Med-Lab, and still on complete bed rest! If he had to stay put much longer, it had already been three weeks, someone might die! Not only was he not allowed out of bed for any reason, he was denied computer access, too. At least the fever was lower today. He could feel the difference. His mind was also clearer. The restraints had been removed and he was able to move about the bed some.

He looked across the bay and saw one of the lab aids he had injured. Well, her nose looked a little better today. The other aide was nowhere in sight. He had broken the jaw of that one for the pain of a botched IV insertion. Michael sighed; they had two nurses working with him now, taking twelve hour shifts. These two were very careful working around him. They always let Michael know when they were going to touch him and what they were going to do before they did anything. Marie was on now and, seeing that he was awake, brought him some juice.

"Hi, Michael. How do you feel today?"

"I feel fine. When will Doc release me?"

Marie chuckled softly and took the empty glass from his trembling hand. He did look better, but then death warmed over looked better than he did! The viral pneumonia had taken hold as soon as he had returned from this last mission. His fever had been dangerously high, and the virus hadn't responded to any treatment until yesterday.

George from Oversight had hand-delivered a package from someone she didn't know to Operations while in Med-Lab. Inside were several vials of serum, a small box, and a letter with Michael's name on it. Madeline probably had the other items. But the serum given yesterday had broken the fever within the hour and his lungs were clearing up nicely. Now if they could keep him quiet a few more days; Michael and quiet did not go together!

"I'm going to take your temperature, Michael." Even though he was awake and aware of her, it was always a safer idea to move carefully around him. She gently put the scanner in his ear and took the reading.

"Well Michael, your body still has a temperature, so I do not think you will be leaving us today. But I can talk to Doc and see if he will take you off T.B.R. later. Now what can I get you to eat?"

Michael sighed again. With the fever down he really did feel better, but he was trying to hide how tired he was getting already. He felt time was getting away from him. Fear of not knowing what was happening in Section, or with Nikita. Where was she now and what was she doing? There were too many questions, and Marie was not going to answer any of these.

Feeling more than a little irritable, Michael snapped, "I don't care what you get me, but ask Walter to see me as soon as he can."

At least Walter had been in to see him, and tried to keep him up on the doings of Section. That was during his good moments. The last three weeks had been a blur of fever induced hallucinations and bad dreams mixed with a few minuets of rational thought.

"Okay, Michael. You'll eat something first and then, if you're still awake, I'll tell Walter you're asking for him. Do you want some coffee too?"

Marie smiled knowing the answer to that one. She also noted how quickly Michael was tarrying. She smiled, if he made it through his light meal without falling asleep it would be due to his stubbornness and that iron will not to give in to his body's needs until it suited him!

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

Doc walked into Med-Lab as Michael was trying to half heartedly eat a croissant.

"Hello, Michael, you look much better this morning, and I won't tell Christopher what your doing to his creation."

He couldn't resist teasing him a little. He knew he was one of the few people Michael trusted in Section and this would help him evaluate just how far Michael was coming along in his recovery. Any type of response would go a long way in convincing Doc to letting him up and off Total Bed Rest (T.B.R.). He also had something to give him that had come in the package with the serum. Doc shook his head slightly when Michael just stared at him. Continued bed rest!

"This came for you with the medicine and . . . George insisted that it go to you without being tampered with. The letter is to be read first." Doc moved to the bed and handed him a small wooden box with the letter laying on top of it.

"This was delivered by George?" Michael's eyes were very suspicious as Doc handed him the box. As soon as his hands closed on it, Michael felt a sense of peace and quietness enter his mind and heart. He thought he could smell the sweet fragrance of flowers and trees and he knew who had sent this treasure to him. Moon Dancer! He looked at the box and saw it was delicately carved. A large tree was on the top with a full moon behind it. Pictures of wolves and eagles decorated the sides. But he couldn't see a hinge or any way to open it.

"Read the letter, Michael."

"O-si-yo, Michel. I humbly beg your forgiveness in causing your resent illness. The bullet that struck you was contaminated with my blood. I have been exposed to many deadly viruses and have the necessary antibodies to keep from falling ill. You had no such protection and, in Section's haste to have you back, you fell ill to some of those viruses. The serum is also from my blood and, since you are reading this letter, you are healing. You left before I regained consciousness and I had no opportunity to remedy my mistake of not healing you completely. Forgive my lapse! It was also very difficult to get this to you. Did you know Section One is not listed in the phone book?"

Michael smiled at her attempt of humor and wondered again who this woman was. How did she know where to find him? And, what did Oversight know about her? He continued reading. "To open this gift you need to hold the box in both hands and look into the 'eye of the eagle'. Close your eyes, and see the tree in the glade and see the box open in your mind. As it opens, deeply inhale the fragrance of the 'sacred grove . Let it fill your lungs and feel it's healing power. Inside are a few small gifts to help you. Keep them with you. Be well, my friend, and look for me in the shadow of the moon."

Without trying to analyze her instructions, Michael let his mind follow her words. As Doc and Marie looked on Michael brought the box up to his face, closed his eyes and the box opened! An incredible fragrance filled the room. All who were in the area felt something clean and good enter them as they breathed in.

Michael felt as if he were transported to the sacred grove, and felt the peace of that place fill his tired and battered body. Tears fell from his eyes as the pain of the last few weeks were washed away as after a spring shower. The feeling and tears lasted only a moment in time, and with his next breath he was back in Med-Lab.

He looked inside the box. There was a small stone with a paw print carved into it, and a black feather nestled around the stone. Both were laying on a beaded pouch. There was no explanation of the items but Michael felt sure he would meet Moon Dancer again, soon, and find answers to his many questions. He put the box down in the side table, picked up the croissant and, after finishing it, lay down where he soon fell into a deep, untroubled sleep. Doc and Marie looked at each other, the box, and then, at Michael. Both shook their heads and left the room to the peacefully sleeping Class Five Op.

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

Operations had a lot to think about. He had spent the morning with George and it was time to get back to the running of Section. He punched in the code to Madeline's office door. George had been very evasive when he was asked about Moon Dancer. Who was she? Whom did she work for? Did she know George personally and was this something he could exploit? What did she know about the Section?

Operations didn't like all these unknown variables. This female was outside his control and it outside all of the mission parameters! Maybe it was time to bring her in for a friendly chat with Madeline. George had warned him off from further inquiries into her identity, but had not said anything about a visit.

Whatever she was, at least Michael was alive and quickly recovering. That brought another line of thought. What about Michael? He was needed at Section and they had almost lost him, again! As soon as he was released from Med-Lab he would be needed, especially in the Middle East mission. But, that would be sending him in to work with Nikita, and he wasn't sure he wanted to keep them together. How much time did Michael need to recover? Doc had been really concerned and wanted Michael to rest. Then maybe he should keep Michael here and spare him the travel. He needed an update on his condition and possible status before making any decision.

As the door opened, Operations chuckled. Nikita was working the Gemstone scenario and he found the irony of the situation amusing. Madeline was looking at her bonsai. That was a sure sign she was thinking a problem through.

"I have an update from Med-Lab on Michael's progress. Doc says he is recovering rapidly, will be allowed off bed rest later today, and possibly released tomorrow." Madeline turned to see if she had anticipated Operations yet again. She saw the question, and the answer, and knew she had given exactly what he wanted. Now the next topic would be Nikita.

"Very good. We need him up and functional as soon as possible. I would like him brought up to speed on the Middle East mission."

"I agree, but would caution against sending him out of Section for a few weeks. He needs time to get his stamina back and traveling around the areas are not conducive for recovery. I do have an update from Nikita and her team. They have found the biochemical plant and want further instructions."

Now, Madeline waited for Operations to either explode or make a sarcastic response to Nikita's request. She also waited for the Intel she hadn't mentioned yet about her talk with George, and, specifically, Moon Dancer.

"Nikita has her orders and she had better follow them to the letter! The plant stays operational until we get samples and get them analyzed and know what we are dealing with! No strikes will be made against it until we have all the Intel, and then Mossad will help clean up the mess!" Operations was plainly agitated over having to depend on Nikita in this delicate area. He sighed and turned to Madeline. He could always get lost in those velvet brown eyes.

"How did your meeting with George go? Did you get any information from him on this Moon Dancer women?"

Madeline smiled. She could read Operations like a book and she was getting so much better at predicting where he would go with his inquiries.

"We have some good news and some bad news from the reservation. It seems that she was recovered enough from her wounds to calibrate another ceremony last night. She appeared perfectly healthy. Unfortunately, she was able to elude our surveillance after the dance and her present location is unknown. George was very insistent that we stop trying to locate her and to drop all inquiries into her identity."

Operations stopped his pacing and looked at her.

"Did he order or request that we stop inquiries? I find this very interesting, Madeline. Please continue your inquiries, but keep them very discrete. Let me know when Michael is released for full duty. I want him to get on this plant mission as soon as possible."

As he looked at her, he felt again that attraction and wanted to get her to feel for him - something, anything, that was personal. Maybe dinner later? No, he decided, that would not be a good idea. She had made it plain that their relationship would not be more than it was. He had to get past those feelings, if he ever could.

Madeline went to sit at her computer as Operations left. She had a lot of work to do and not enough time. Well, this is who we are, and this it what we do. At least Operations hadn't asked her to dinner. Maybe he was making progress in redirecting his emotional attachment.

"Birkoff, patch me into Nikita's location, please."

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

Moon Dancer had left the reservation twice since being put under Section One surveillance. The first was two weeks after her injury by the Red Cell assassin. She had needed to get the serum to George, and that had been extremely difficult to do in 48 hours. If Michael hadn't been treated within that time frame, the viruses would have killed him. Moon Dancer couldn't bear the thought of being the cause of his entering the 'shadow lands'. She still wanted to see his heart and soul filled with more light than darkness, or at least get a better balance between the two! He also needed some other way to deal with his emotions besides burying them until they came out as nightmares! Well, then again, all of us have bad dreams.

George had reluctantly agreed to meeting with her and had taken the precious vials of serum to the Section. He had also, much to her amazement, to give the box and letter to Michael without letting anyone tamper with them. Moon Dancer had felt the change in Michael as soon as the first serum had entered his body. She had been in a dream walking trance and had seen his life force grow brighter as the healing began. That night she had really celebrated the Harvest moon festival with a joyful heart!

That was two nights ago and now she was in the air on her way to England for a stop over, before continuing on to Israel. The middle east was really heating up again. Moon Dancer had her own agenda for the area. She violently disagreed with Section One's take on the area, and especially with the help they were giving to Iraq. But she also disagreed with Adrian and did not want to see 'The Butcher'removed from power. Better to know the enemy that you can see than the one you don't know. So she had given George the Intel on a factory making bio and chemical weapons in exchange for his taking the package into Section. She also got his promise, for whatever that was worth, to keep the small box for Michael, undamaged and unopened. Moon Dancer sighed. "Poor Madeline," she thought, "she must have been furious at not knowing what was in the box before anyone else." The day was coming when she would be in direct conflict with Madeline. No one would prevail when that happened. It would be a no win situation.

That brought her back to the present dilemma. In a few short hours she would be in England. There, she would have to report to her Red Cell contact, the loss of all that money from the casino was disastrous, and try to get them to stop from killing her for this mistake. She wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to walk the razor edge of this sword, playing both sides against the other. Soon, not only would she get cut by the edge, but other innocents would also be. Not much longer and she would have the access codes to the main computer hard drive and back up files. These would go to Section One as her bargaining chip, to buy her freedom. Unless Red Cell or the Iraqis caught her first. Then she would be dead. She sighed again. If anything happened to her on this trip, she had left instructions with JT and Standing Bear to get the financial account codes to Section.

Now, why did her possible death make her see a pair of grey-green eyes? Why did she feel sadness at the possibility of not seeing him again? What happened to her conviction that 'it was a good day to die'? She quickly slammed down on all feelings and got her mind back into the cold, warrior mode. She had a war to fight and sentimentality had no place here. There was no place for feelings in her near future, only that which she needed to survive to complete the end game.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please return your seats to their upright position and put all tray tables away, as we will be landing at Heathrow Airport." And so, the game begins again.

************ The woman that was Moon Dancer did not exit the plane. Instead, an attractively dressed woman in a pale cream suit with a dark maroon silk blouse and diplomatic pouch left first class.

She was carrying a pouch from the United Kingdom's embassy to her majesties secret service office in downtown. She didn't need to go through customs and headed directly for the cabs waiting at curbs'side. Her bags would be sent onto the connecting flight for the middle east and she had four hours to get this confrontation over with.

She was greeted at the front desk by an old friend.

"Welcome back, Lady Miranda! How was your flight?" The game was in full play.

"I'm sure it was fine, since I slept most of the trip. Here is the pouch and tell the OIC that the dispatches are urgent."

"Well dear, I will, and how ling will you be staying with us? I know of a certain young lieutenant who would like to see you again."

"I am so sorry this is just a short stop over. I have a pouch for the embassy in Israel and will be on the next flight out." Moon Dancer, now Lady Miranda Smyth knew they had her itinerary so the truth would not hurt. That is if she survived her meeting.

"So sorry to hear that dear. I will not hold you then. Have a safe trip, and maybe see you on the return trip?"

Now why was she fishing for Intel on her next move? I must be getting too paranoid! No, that's not true, they are out to get me and I know it. That keeps me alive.

"I'll call you and let you set me up with your son some other time, Okay?" With that she left the office and headed for her meeting with Red Cell.

She entered the pub and headed for the back room. Why did these meetings always have to be in a back room? There was an operative waiting for her; he knocked and opened the door for her. Miranda scanned the room as she moved away from the door, putting a wall behind her.

Her contact and another operative were ahead of her, with her escort off to her left side. That made three she could plainly see. Were there more? Always assume the worst - you will probably be right!

"Well Miranda, let's get down to business shall we? Where is the money? We don't have it and the casino doesn't have it. So where the hell is it, and what the hell happened to our agents out there? There has been no communication from anyone out there for weeks! What happened to the target, Miranda? Is she dead?" He smiled and gave a signal to the two agents. "Or were you the intended target all along? Have you been skimming the money for yourself? Are you double dealing? What do you know about Section One, Miranda?"

Miranda took a deep breath and went cold inside. Her cover was totally blown so it was time for a little damage control. She could hear the one op off to her left draw his gun while the other started walking toward her. She didn't take her eyes off her contact and just smiled sadly.

Then she spun to her right, removing her gun from behind her during the motion. She fired at the op and continued her roll to come up firing at the two in front of her. They both fell as she continued to move. A shot rang out. 'Damn, there was another one,'she thought as she felt the pain of a bullet hit her. But she was moving, had the other operative in sight, and dropped him cold to.

How bad was it this time? The bullet had hit her in the side and it felt like a rib had taken the full force of the hit. Great, a broken rib and where was the bullet? I can't heal a break any faster than usual takes to heal. Ok, where is that bullet? It's in the rib area, her thoughts were sluggish and the pain was starting to make life very uncomfortable. Great, a broken rib was going to slow her down and she had to be at that meet tomorrow with Mossed. That should be fun! And if she had to help with that factory . . . wonder who is in charge of that one?

She could hear sirens now. Get the bleeding stopped and worry about the bullet and rib later. Oh well, this game was over with Red Cell. Six operatives down, and one set of financial codes. Why did she feel nothing for the men she had just killed? Were the fires of revenge burnt out? When was she going to feel anything again?

'Okay M., get up and out of here. I do not think I can explain why a diplomatic courier is in the same room with four dead terrorists,'she told herself. On her way out the back door she thought of her 'little brother'and prayed that he would get the access codes downloaded soon.

'I'm out of options here and the game is not done.'

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

Nikita was not happy after her communication with Madeline. The factory was ready to take down, now. All they needed to know was what kind of explosive to use, and they wouldn't know that until the Mossad showed up with their specialist. What had they called her? A virologist? The meet had been postponed again, 24 more hours that plant would be up and making poisons. More innocents could get killed because they have to wait on some civilian from Britain! At least she was going to be able to do something positive in this mess! Adrian would have been proud of this mission. That brought her thoughts back to Section, and to Michael. How was he doing and why had Madeline not given her an update on his condition? Was he that much worse or was she trying to prove a point? Stay focused on the mission! She could do that better if she knew how he was.

Michael had been released from med-lab, but he was still slowly recovering. He still had a very high white cell count and low grade fever. He also had one very bad attitude toward the order to rest and limit his computer time. With only two more serum infusions to go, he felt he should be feeling better than he was, and he was not going to admit to anyone how tired he was!

He had downloaded the report from the botched surveillance of the reservation and was trying to find some trace of Moon Dancer. No luck! The Intel from George was even sketchier! This was going nowhere! A beeper went off and he had to report to med-lab for a treatment.

"Michael, you're right on time. Let me set up the IV, and you get comfortable." Stephanie was the other nurse working with Marie. He really should do something nice for these two. They were doing a good job, and Michael knew he was a terrible patient!

"Okay, Michael. You are going to be here for one hour. Do you want anything or is it possible for you to just lie still and rest?" She was pushing her luck, but he did look very tired. Besides, what could he do but stay still and wait till the treatment was over?

"Thank you, Steph. I'll be fine just resting." Michael almost smiled when he saw the look of disbelief at his statement. He really was trying to get better. Stephanie smiled and turned down the light in the med. bay and left Michael to rest.

Michael closed his eyes and fell into a troubled sleep. He dreamed again of the grove and this time there was no Moon Dancer! The 'Wolf'was there, but something was very wrong. He could tell the animal was wounded and crying! What was going on here and where was Moon Dancer? He was startled awake when Steph quietly called his name.

"Michael, you're all done now. I'm going to take out the IV, and then you need to go see Madeline." Steph was worried enough about Michael that she had called Doc to report the treatment was over, but Michael still was not up to his usually pain in the butt self.

"You wanted to see me?" He said with a slight tremor to his voice.

"Yes Michael. Would you like to sit down?" Madeline was concerned by what she observed. He was still very pale, but had bright spots of color on his cheeks. What was his temperature up to? The usually bright green eyes appeared dull and there were dark circles under them. He also held himself too stiffly. He shook his head, so she continued.

"I know you haven't had time to get up to speed on the Middle East situation. Here is a disk, I want you to study then get back to me later on your take of the factory mission profile. You will also stop trying to find Moon Dancer and concentrate on this project. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Madeline, perfectly. Is that all?" Michael was starting to feel dizzy and wanted to get back to his quarters before he could no longer hide the weakness.

"That will be all. I expect your report tonight. You will set up rest periods equal to your work time."

She was going to keep a close eye on him until he was back on full status. This should keep him busy and quietly occupied for the rest of the day.

************ Miranda was picked up at the Tel. Aviv airport and taken by private car to a small villa. She was greeted by a long time friend of the family, Arrie, who also maintained the villa.

"Welcome dear one, and how bad was your meeting? How badly are you hurt this time?" Arrie was not one to waste words.

Mood Dancer, now Lady Miranda, smiled and shook her head at the bluntness of her old friend.

"Well, since you asked. The meet was a disaster. I took one hit, have a broken rib and the bullet is still in there. And I still have a meet with Mossad in a few hours." She was gently peeling the blood-soaked blouse away from her side. The hole in her side was not a pretty site. Arrie brought her bags in and walked with her into the kitchen. He grimaced when he saw the wound and marveled again at her tolerance for pain. Like mother, like daughter. Only the daughter was trying to get herself killed since the death of her heart, her husband, four years ago. She was trying so hard to fill the void he left that only through death would she no longer feel the guilt of being the one to live while he died! The next hit might be her last.

"Since you 'feel'so good then I have some good news for you. The meet had been postponed for 24 hours. So you can take some time to get yourself healed up. Why don't you go out to the olive grove and I'll bring you something to eat, drink and clean clothes to wear?"

Her eyes went cold as she stared at Arrie. Anyone else would have backed away from that look. Arrie was not about to be intimidated.

"You are pushing your self too hard! Chief Standing Bear, remember your grandfather? He called and told me about your resent doings at the reservation and asked me to try to get you to rest a bit. I am guessing he does not know about this latest incident? They can't destroy the plant without your help. So take the time I bought for you, to heal and rest!"

If looks could kill, Arrie would be dead by now. Then, Miranda smiled and let the tension drain from her body. She really did need time to get her self as healed as possible and to try to get the rib to set. Running around the factory would require a functional, agile operative. Right now, she would not be able to fight her way out of a wet paper bag, let alone the stress of planting bombs and fighting for the lives of her friends and Section operatives.

"OK, Aerie. You win. I do need time to heal some before this mission. By the way, do you know which Section op is running the mission?"

Arrie shook his head. She was in cold op mode. Where had the woman gone who used to sing and dance for the sheer joy of living?

"I'll bring your things to the grove. After you're done there, we will talk about tomorrow's meeting." Maybe the olive grove would bring her healing. He also prayed it would help her find some thing to get her to love life again. She needed someone, or some reason, to live past this mission. He had a bad feeling about this whole mission!

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

Instead of going immediately back to his quarters, Michael stopped by his office first. He wanted to get a file on the specialist the Mossad was bringing to the meet. It would be faster here, and then he really needed to get some rest. Maybe he could get Birkoff to pull up something on him too.

"Birkoff, I need an ID on the virologist that team blue is waiting for."

Birkoff looked up from his computer screen to focus on Michael. 'Shoot,'he thought, 'He really looks bad. Guess I'd better get what he wants quickly so he can go lay down.'"Just a moment. Let me see what they have on our specialist. Her name is Lady Miranda Smyth. She works part time out of London and has lectured on the effects of viral diseases in modern warfare. Mossad uses her often to search out and identify some of the nastier bugs that are out there. Anything else, Michael?"

"Do we have a picture on Lady Smyth? And any more background on her? Her schooling, marital status, how she works for full time?"

"Okay, give me a minuet to pull up her file. Hum, not much here, that's strange. Here is a picture from one of her lectures."

Michael felt the room start to spin and it became hard to breathe. On the computer screen was some middle-aged women with grey hair, brown eyes, and a remarkable resemblance to the missing Moon Dancer! His vision was going dark. She was out there and going to meet with Nikita in a few hours! What was she up to? This was Michael's last conscious thought as he gracefully slid to the floor.

"Michael! Can you hear me?! Med-lad we have an emergency. Get here on the double!" Birkoff carefully checked to see if Michael was breathing.

'Oh gods, don't let anything happen to him. Nikita will never forgive him if he died without her saying good-bye!'

"Birkoff! What's going on down there?!" Operations yelled through his intercom. At the same time, Madeline rushed out her door to check on the unconscious Michael.

Medical arrived and quickly took him to Med-Lab. Doc was waiting, and shook his head as they did a full work up on his worst patient.

"Grief Michael, I let you out of here for one day and you've already overworked your self into a relapse? Okay, lets get him set up with an IV and possible respiratory complications. Lets move people."

'Oh Michael, what are we going to do with you?'Doc added silently.

"Miranda, you haven't eaten enough to feed a bird! And the meet isn't for a few hours, shouldn't you be resting?"

'What are we going to do with her! She's pushing too hard! She isn't superwomen, well maybe I'm not the one to remind her of that!'Arrie thought.

"Arrie, I can't eat another bite and I need to get set up for this meet! You know as soon as I get there we will go into the factory. I have to be ready for any and all contingencies! I don't want anyone to get hurt because I was sloppy. Besides, I have a funny feeling Nikita is not going to be happy to see me, so I need to have all my options ready to go."

Arrie was not happy but he knew better than to argue. Save your battles for the one's you might be able to win. Okay, what else could he do to make sure his charge came back, alive? He was racking his brain for something when the car from Mossad drove up. They were early!

"If anything happens to me, Arrie, you have all the Intel I've gathered to give to Section One."

She looked up, and saw the pain and fear in his eyes. He knows! I don't think I'm coming back from this one.

"Arrie you know I have to be prepared for this every time I go out! And if we all do survive, Section is not going to let me get away from them again. So give my blessing to the tribe and don't worry. It's a good day to die."

Without a backward glance, she walked out the door to the waiting car.

"Madeline, this is Doc, I have an update on Michael's condition. He is in no danger of a relapse. Just pushed himself into exhaustion. I recommend that he stay in Med-Lab for another hour for observation, and be released later to his standby quarters. I also recommend he rest, not work, for a few days."

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

Madeline was at her computer terminal, and it was her turn to be unhappy! With Michael out of action she needed to familiarize herself with what he had been working on.

"Birkoff, would you transfer all the files Michael was working on before he collapsed? Thank you Birkoff. I've got it."

'Hum, he was looking into the meet between Nikita and the Mossad. And who is this? Lady Miranda Smyth, a noted virologist from London. Now why does she look familiar? Back ground info.? Very interesting. There is only enough there for a superficial identity. Very sloppy work and who would put together this kind of ID packet? Who is protecting your identity Lady Smyth?'Madeline's eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion. 'Let's pull up the video from the reservation mission with our missing Moon Dancer. Now compare the two women. Computer match - 98% probability! Well, well! Lady Miranda Smyth, a.k.a. Moon Dancer, what game are you playing?'

"Birkoff, do we have live feed on team blue's meeting with Mossad?"

"I can hook up a satellite link easily with a three second delay . . . and the meet starts when . . ." Birkoff's fingers were flying over his keyboard. "Okay, Madeline, here's the link."

"Nikita. When are you meeting with the Mossad?" Madeline wanted Nikita to know she was listening in on the meet. At the same time she put in a call to Med-Lab.

Nikita was very surprised to hear from Section. She was to report after the meet was over, not before.

"Madeline, they should be here any time now. Is there a problem?"

"No problem, Nikita. I just wanted you to know the meeting was being monitored. Proceed with the profile." She muted her side of the voice link.

"Doc, is Michael conscious yet, and does he have an IV still in place?"

As she was asking the question, Michael was trying to claw his way back to consciousness. He had to tell Madeline about . . . what? He couldn't get his mind to work. It was important. Very important. A groan escaped him as he tried to make sense of where he was.

"Madeline, he is coming around as we speak. I was just about to remove the IV for his safety"

Madeline interrupted Doc. "Listen to me very carefully Doctor. Keep the IV in and prepare a very strong sedative to be administered on my order. I also want him in full restraints before he fully comes to. He is not to leave Med-Lab until I give you clearance. Is that understood?"

Doc had no clue why Madeline wanted Michael restrained and sedated. That made no sense to him from a medical standpoint .Michael's condition wasn't that serious. All he needed were a few hours of sleep and a few days of rest before he could safely go back to work. What did she know that she was not telling him? A lot, he decided. He gave the orders to Steph and Marie, and then answered Madeline.

"I don't understand your reason Madeline, but your orders are being carried out. What do you want me to tell Michael when he wakes up and demands to know why he is restrained?"

Doc wasn't sure how much Madeline was willing to explain, if anything. This was Section One after all, and no explanations were given for a lot of what went on here. But, he really wanted to have an answer for Michael. It would make it much easier to keep him calm if there was some reason.

"You have your order's Doctor, see that he remains there. I will be down as soon as Nikita is finished with her meeting. You may tell Michael that, and tell him I know about Lady Smyth."

That should reassure Michael enough to be patient and wait for her, maybe. She didn't want him to try to inform Nikita about her unexpected mystery guest.

'Ah, there they are now!'Madeline turned the voice link back on and proceeded to watch the game unfold.

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

Miranda let her Mossad companions walk ahead of her into the building, effectively shielding her slighter body from view. She hadn't bothered with the grey hair or contacts. She wanted Nikita to recognize her. Besides, if Section hadn't ID'd her yet, she would be very surprised and disappointed.

'If I give them another few seconds, they will have a clear view of me anyway,'she thought.

There was her name, time now to step forward and see how this played out. Did Section tell Nikita she was here or did they not know?

Nikita looked in Miranda's direction and her jaw dropped in shock! She quietly said, "Moon Dancer." Then she quickly regained her composure and did her best to regain control of the meet. She watched as Moon Dancer - no, Doctor Smyth, came forward. There was something different in how she moved, as well as the looks. What was it? She was very stiff and the graceful walk was replaced by a very carful, almost guarded, movement.

Miranda smiled at Nikita's reaction. So, Section didn't know about her until now, or they hadn't informed Nikita of her identity. Now how could she use this to her advantage? She really wanted to keep Nikita safely out of the factory while she and the teams did the leg work of placing the charges. Maybe she could convince Nikita to stay out and oversee the mission from the van. Miranda sighed. Another cover blown, with Section this time, and later would come the unanswerable questions. Well, back to work now and let tomorrow take care of itself!

"Hello, Nikita. It's nice to see you again. Would you like to compare notes on how to proceed with our joint venture? I have the Intel on what is inside the plant already, and how best to destroy the biochemical weapons."

Nikita smiled, now she was over the shock and ready to get this mission underway. With Section listening, she wouldn't have to wait long for orders.

"Please, by all means, show me what you have." Nikita gestured for Miranda to go ahead with her plans. She also noted again how stiffly she walked and how dark were the circles under her eyes. Maybe she hasn't healed yet from her injuries at the reservation. Or, was it something new that was slowing her down? Maybe she should sit this one out and let the Section team set the charges? Let's just see what she has, and then what Section orders.

Madeline listened a few minutes into the briefing and decided she had all the Intel needed to decide which simulation fit the profile already worked up. It was time she got to Michael before he did anything really stupid. Like, get out of bed!

Michael had finally gotten his body to cooperate. He opened his eyes and tried to move. He was surprised at the restraints! 'What happened? Did I hurt someone?'

Doc came into his field of vision.

"Doc! Why am I restrained? Is everyone OK? Where's Madeline? I need to talk with her! NOW!" He was starting to panic. Nikita might be walking into a trap! He had to get to Madeline or to Com to tell someone before the meet! Then it hit him! What if I'm too late? How long was I out?

He groaned aloud and closed his eyes. 'Nikita, are you safe or are you . . .'He couldn't finish the thought.

Doc saw how badly Michael was reacting as he regained his sense.

"It's okay Michael. You're to stay in Med-lab 'till Madeline releases you. She also told me . . . Michael's eyes snapped open to look and fixed on docs'next words . . . "To tell you she knows about Lady Smyth."

Michael felt the panic and tension drain from his body leaving him feeling like a limp dish rag. 'No need for restraints,'he thought, 'I don't have the energy to move let alone get out of bed.'

He softly asked, "Did Madeline say how soon she would be here?"

Doc smiled at how quickly Michael adapted to the situation. "No, she did not give me any time frame. So why don't you rest 'till she gets here?"

Michael nodded his head and then shocked everyone with a simple request. "Could I have a cup of coffee and something to eat?"

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

Michael's meal and Madeline arrived together. She smiled as she entered Med-Lab and thought this was a good sign that Michael was eating.

She walked over to the bed and softly asked him, "How are you feeling?" And of course, his reply would be his standard phrase of 'I'm fine.'

Michael decided to be honest with Madeline and see if he could put her off balance. "I'm very tired, Madeline. I don't have any energy left in my body. You can remove the restraints, I"m not going anywhere for awhile."

Madeline was genuinely surprised by his admission. But then, was he trying to manipulate her into releasing him? She thought, 'Nice try, Michael, but you're not going anywhere.'

"I think they are necessary for your safety and for the safety of our medical staff. They will stay on till you are released."

Michael was too tired to argue. He just nodded and closed his eyes. Then he asked her, "How am I going to eat, Madeline?"

He opened his green eyes and stared into her velvet brown ones while he waited for an answer.

Now Madeline was very concerned! Michael gave in way to easily. Instead of asking about the profile, or Lady Smyth, or even Nikita, he was asking for food?

She sat on the edge of his bed and gently touched his forehead. Not to warm. She couldn't resist running her fingers through his hair. A pity they had cut it so short. But the fever had been so high that Doc had insisted it would be cooler for him. Now it was very curly and made him look more vulnerable, and younger too. Something else to file away for later use. "I'll feed you, Michael."

[Authors Note- Gentle readers use your imagination after that one-liner and enjoy fantasy! Because I am not going there!]

Nikita was impressed with the detailed plans before her. There was only one little sticking point. Who would lead the point and who would run the mission from the van? Both women thought they should run point and the other should stay behind. Nikita was not going to let a so called civilian run the mission. She didn't know what Moon Dancer, no, think of her as Miranda, was capable of doing. Now was not the time to find out! So in her usual blunt fashion she decided to get this settled her way.

"Miranda, you can't lead the teams. You don't have the expertise or the experience that we do. You would do better off out of the action and directing back up from the van."

The Mossad operatives all turned to stare at Lady Smyth. They had been with her on more than one dangerous mission. They knew she was very experienced and probable, more so than Nikita. No one moved while they waited for her reaction. The Doctor was not known to be gentle when crossed!

Miranda's eyes went cold. So cold she could have frozen the sun! No one had the right to question her expertise and skills in this area! Not after all the blood and death she had caused in so many missions, to so many people! The cold went to frozen rage. 'How dare this young, still wet behind the ears, forcibly recruited against her will, Section operative, challenge her for leadership of this mission! Anyone with a brain felt the rage from Miranda and all the operatives, including Nikita, held their breath waiting for her to tear them apart. But Miranda surprised everyone. She closed her eyes and let go of the rage.

'Stupid waste of energy', she thought. Instead she reached out with her empathy and felt the fear around her. Especially Nikita's fear for her. 'Why is she afraid for me? What does she see that needs protecting? My life isn't worthy of that kind of concern from anyone.'

"I'm sorry Nikita, you don't know much about me, really. It's only natural that you want the best for this op. It has to succeed or many will die from what's inside." She reopened her eyes and looked at Nikita and sadly smiled. "I am very experienced in dealing out death. I probably know more about the explosives we're using. Add to that my knowledge and expertise on germ warfare and you have a very well rounded killer. I am sure Section would love to have me in it's ranks. Up until now I have eluded their notice. But something Section would not like is my ability to heal and feel the pain of others. They would do everything in their power to destroy that part of me. Or at least what is left of that gift. Is there some other reason you are so sure I should stay behind?"

Nikita realized that she had handled that one badly, so might as well just say it and get it out in the open.

"I have another reason or rather a question on your fitness. Are you going to be able to do all the physical activity we need on this profile? You seem to be really stiff and in pain? Are your wounds from a few weeks ago healed enough yet?"

Miranda sighed. So that's what was really bothering Nikita. She was afraid for me 'cause I'm still hurt. Good observation!

"Nikita, I can assure you, I can do anything needed to accomplish this mission. Yes, I am stiff but not from my old injuries. I have a cracked rib that happened yesterday and it is bothering me. I am fully functional so is there any thing else?"

Nikita shook her head "no", so Miranda continued.

"We can't protect each other from who we are. Let's make the most of each others skills and get this operation cleared by Section so we can blow that plant to the next kingdom!"

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

Doc was carefully monitoring the sleeping Michael. Keeping him sedated for as long as Madeline had ordered was not proving to be easy. He was conditioned to resist many types of drugs. But, in his presently weakened condition, an over dose would be very unhealthy. Doc was already having problems with Michael's sleep cycle. Apparently his dreams were of a very disturbing nature because he kept trying to wake himself up from them. This was going to be a very long 12 hours!

'Poor Michael,'Doc thought, "He is going to feel like crap when he's allowed to wake up, and I don't want to be the one to tell him how long he's been kept unconscious!'

Nikita and Miranda had come to an understanding. The two of them would work as a team to set the incendiary devices in the lab area, while the rest of the teams set the other charges.

Ben from Section and two Mossad agents would stay behind and act as backup, and guard their retreat point. If all went according to the profile, they should be in and out in 20 minutes. If things didn't go as planned, then all the extra time in the world wouldn't help them. Nikita was thinking that there was no second shot at this, because an air strike was out due to all the civilian population in the area. 'Funny that Section was concerned for incidental causalities," she thought, "wonder what the real reason is?"

Miranda went over the profile again. Something was making her nervous. She kept feeling like something very bad was about to happen. She shook her head. 'I can't find anything wrong with the profile! So, what is setting the alarm bells in my mind? Ok M, get a grip and prepare for the worst to happen so when it does you won't be surprised! Just make damn sure Nikita gets out alive!'

Nikita asked her, "All set?" Miranda shook her head yes, and they headed out.

They got to the plant with no problems. All the area alarms were deactivated, and they penetrated the facility smoothly, meeting minimal resistance. Miranda and Nikita set the special charges and Nikita signaled for the teams to evacuate. Miranda scanned the area one last time, found nothing wrong, and followed Nikita out. Instead of her internal alarms quieting, they were getting worse the farther out they went. She didn't know how much more she could take. Where was the danger? She tried to raise the van.

"Ben, do you copy? Any sign of perimeter movement? John, Matt respond please! Nikita! Can you raise the van?"

"I can't get anyone either. Go to Evac. point two and heads up people." Nikita was changing direction as she gave the orders and checked for Miranda's position. "Prepare for possible ambush!" She thought, 'what else could go wrong?'

"Nikita, I've lost the signal from the charges in the lab! I'm going back in to reset the frequencies." Without waiting for an answer, Miranda ran back into the building.

"No! Wait for backup! Moon Dancer, wait!"

Then, all hell broke loose.

Heavy fire opened up on them from two directions. She had no choice but to keep moving, or be pinned down. She made it to the Evac. point with only one of her team and two from the Mossad team.

'Now where is that women?', She thought, 'The charges are set to go off in two minutes!'She was wrong. The special charges went off quickly followed by the others. 'Please Moon Dancer, be out of there.'

As Nikita was thought this, she saw Miranda exit from a side door just as the building behind her went up! Miranda was caught in the shock wave and thrown forward, right toward a group of soldiers.

Nikita helplessly watched as they roughly grabbed her and dragged her out of sight. There was nothing she could do and she had to get the surviving members of the teams to safety. She wondered if this is what Michael felt when he had to leave her behind?

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

Moon Dancer's first sensation was throbbing pain.

'Well that means I'm still alive,'she concluded, 'now where am I and who has me captive?' It was hard to breath and her head was ringing from the explosion. 'Now to try and . . .'

That was as far as she got when the electric jolt hit her. She suffered through this new pain and her mind automatically went into a deep trance.

'I can't do anything while the electricity courses though my body.' Soon, she heard someone speak.

"I see I have your attention. Good. Lady Miranda Smyth you have a few people here who want some answers. If you cooperate, we might decide to treat you gently. If not, well . . . And if you are thinking of leaving us anytime soon,'he signaled for the shock to stop, "I have a little motivation for your staying with us."

Moon Dancer forced her eyes to open and focused on the man that belonged to the voice. She didn't know him. Then her eyes widened in disbelief. Running Deer! They had Running Deer.

"I see you've noticed our special guest. He will be treated kindly as long as you cooperate and, if you answer our questions, he will be released unharmed. As a sign of my good will I give you a few moments together. Release the boy."

Running Deer ran to moon Dancer and threw his arms around her waist As she hung there by her wrists, she knew the bitter taste of defeat. These fools didn't know they had all the answers in the form of this one young Indian boy. He had all the computer codes in his head and if, no when, she died, they would kill him. Running Deer looked up in to her eyes and tried something he had never thought to do before. In his mind he called to her spirit.

'Nv-wo-ti', Medicine Women, hear me! I will stay silent only if you promise me you will stay alive! Not just now through this torture, but after we are rescued too!'

She looked at him and held his gaze, answering back, 'I can try to endure for your sake until someone comes for us but after that, little brother, I have nothing to live for.'

He held her tighter and, boy, did that hurt her broken rib. 'If you do not promise me on your word of honor as nv-wo-ti, I will tell them everything, now so our deaths will be quick!'

She sent back to him, 'You little monster, you know I will be bound by my word! Alright, you win . . . I will wait until we are rescued, and then we will see if I can keep that promise after all.'

He released her then and spoke so all could hear, "I will be fine as long as you live. So live long!"

Running Dear turned away from Moon Dancer and walked back to his captors.

"Lock the boy up. And now, my dear, let's start with letting my men have a little fun while you are still pleasing to look at!"

They pulled her down and were brutal with her as they took their turns. She slipped into trance again. It was the only way she knew she could survive this first step in trying to break her. After what felt like forever, she was hung back up and 'The Voice' walked over to her.

"Do you have anything you would like to share with me yet? Something about money missing from Red Cell or maybe something about Section One? No? Oh, too bad."

He gestured, "Igor, you may play with her, but do not kill her! Do I make myself clear? Yes? Ok, have fun."

A hulking brute came over to her and his little pig eyes squinted at her as he drew his fist back and started to systematically pound her body.

They left her alone after she passed out from the beating. How long she remained unconscious, she didn't know. This time the pain was too intense for her to anything more than just breath.

Her mind started to wander, 'I hope they have a fix on Running Deer's tracker. I don't know how much more damage I can handle and still stay alive.'

Her thoughts turned to a question someone had asked, 'Why resist torture?'Her answer had been, 'Because I can.'

Now she wondered why, but her answer was 'Because I promised.'

'Oh, no!,'she silently cried out, "here they come again."

'The Voice' was in front of her again, and walked around the battered and bruised body hanging before him.

"Well you have endured more than many others we have entertained here. Let's see what else we can do to make you more comfortable? Break all her fingers and then lets try something else."

He continued speaking while his last order was carried out. "I have a special treat for you. See what I have in my hand? No, too busy to see what I have? Okay, I will describe it to you. It was used in the olden days to flay the victims skin from his body while beating him. It's called a scourge or you may think of it as a whip with small jagged pieces of metal attached to the ends. Very painful and very efficient." He handed the whip off and stood back, watching as she was whipped to a bloody pulp.

This time she didn't try to stop the screams and quickly went as deep into trance as she could, while still being aware of what was happening around her. There was no thinking, no time existed and no tomorrow. Only the here and now, and survival to take the next breath, the next heart beat. Her life force was fading and if they didn't stop soon, she would have to break her promise. Another one to add to her list of failures. 'I'm sorry little brother I will try.'

That was her last conscious thought as she slipped into the darkness.

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

Doc was standing by Michael's bedside, trying to bring him his transition back as easily as possible. With all the drugs withdrawing from his system, Doc knew this was not going to be pleasant. The headache alone would be migraine strength, and there would be nausea and vomiting.

'Sorry, Michael,' Doc silently apologized, 'I had no choice.' And then, 'here he comes.' "Marie, give me the basin and keep the Demerol ready. Steph how are his vital signs?" Both nurses were ready for what ever was to come.

Nikita had not been able to sleep on the flight back to Section and she was in no mood for her debriefing. All she wanted was to see Michael and shower, and figure out a way to find Miranda. Instead she was telling this 'person'all that had happened. She was reliving her failure to bring everyone back alive. Especially Moon Dancer. Madeline interrupted her debrief.

"Nikita, come with me, please." Madeline led her to Operations'office tower. He was reviewing the mission tape as they entered.

"Well done, Nikita. You have successfully completed your mission. And you have added valuable Intel about the use of what kind of biochemical weapons are being produced. We can now create anti-viral vaccines to combat these weapons."

Nikita was so angry she thought she would split apart. But she was perfecting her blank stare, and no emotion showed on her face. Madeline was also watching her carefully and thoroughly to herself, 'Very good Nikita, you are hiding your feelings well!'

"I know this was a difficult mission for you, but you have done well. Unfortunately, you are to remain in Section on standby. That will be all."

Nikita looked at both of them, nodded her head, and left. She didn't even stop to say 'hi' to Walter, but headed straight for Med-Lab. She wanted to be the one to tell Michael about what had happened, especially about Moon Dancer.

Michael was resting after a very unsettling return to consciousness. Doc had told him how long he was out and that Nikita was back. That was all he could get out of him. 'I must be losing my powers of persuasion. Or Doc just knows me too well.'

That lead to his next dilemma. How to tell Madeline that he knew what happened to Moon Dancer or Lady Miranda. He had tried so hard to wake from the nightmares, but the drugs had held him captive and he had seen everything. He wasn't sure what he was going to do about this. He did not believe in intuition or gut feelings. Only in hard solid facts and reasoning that went with the tangible. Nikita would laugh if she knew what he was trying to believe. He wondered how long it would be until she came to check on him. 'And when is Madeline going to release me from Med-Lab!'

Nikita entered and headed for Michael. 'He doesn't look to bad, but . . . what happened to his hair!?' Well, this could wait until after she talked to him.

Michael knew the moment Nikita entered Med-Lab. He could feel her presence and turned to watch her cross the bay to his alcove. She looked exhausted and very determined. He thought he would help direct the conversation.

"Hello, Nikita. How bad was it?"

She sat on the side of his bed, too tired to care that she was invading his personal space, and started in.

"Michael, it was very bad and," she had to take a deep breath before continuing, "I had an unexpected encounter with the woman we know as Moon Dancer. She was the operative with the Mossad, and she didn't make it."

Michael took Nikita's hand in his and, as gently as he could, told her that he knew all about Moon Dancer.

Nikita wondered why she had thought Michael wouldn't know something. Of course he knew, and he then he said something that she missed.

"What did you just say?"

"I said that she is alive and being held not far from the primary target." He also did not add that she was being tortured! And he did not add the fact that he had seen this while dreaming.

"How do you know she wasn't killed as soon as they took her?" Of course! It hit her that if they took her they wanted her alive, not dead, they would have killed her at the site.

"I need to speak with Madeline as soon as possible. Pull up all you have on the area and work on a rescue mission profile. Let me know what you have as soon as possible, Nikita. Moon Dancer doesn't have much time."

"Alright, Michael. I'll see what I can do. I hope you can persuade Madeline and Operations to get her back."

Michael still had Nikita's hand in his own. He raised it to his lips and gently placed a kiss on the back of it. He was proud of her and he knew how hard it still was on her when people died on her teams.

"You did a good job, Nikita. It isn't your fault that things turned out thins way. Please go beyond the guilt and try to use your pain to plan on how not to let it happen again."

"Is that what you do? Put your emotions away and plan your next move? I can't be like that, Michael. I feel, and it is my fault, and I don't know what I could have done to prevent all those deaths. But we did blow up the factory so at least I got the mission done." She left then, and went to plan a rescue scenario.

Michael sighed, that was too close to the mark and his heart tried not to 'feel' what he did, for Nikita.

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

Doc moved slowly over to Michael's bedside. He looked deep in thought and Doc wasn't happy with Madeline's request.

"Michael, I just heard from Madeline. She wants you released from Med-Lab and at a briefing in one hour. Let me help get you to your stand-by quarters, and then to the briefing."

"What is the briefing about? Did Madeline give you any more information?" Michael was trying to sit up and wasn't too sure about the room spinning around him. 'I guess I'm glad Doc is going to my quarters, I don't think I could get there without help,'he thought.

Doc took him under the arms and carefully held on while Michael stood up. "Easy, Michael. Wait till the dizziness passes. You've had a lot to weaken your system lately, so go slowly. And she gave me to understand that this had something to do with Nikita's recent mission. She has a trauma team going with you."

"You're going with us?" Michael knew who they were doing after and he knew they had little time left before Moon Dancer, or what ever they were calling her, died.

"Doc let me tell you about a very bad dream I had while you kept me unconscious." He proceeded to tell Doc all that had happened to her in the dream.

"If what you've seen is true, we need to get to her as quickly as possible. I'll get the trauma team set, and the plane set up for surgery. I hope you can work up a mission profile and sell it to Operations. Ok, you get a shower and some food in you, and I'll see you at the briefing."

Nikita had been very busy since she left Michael. Not only was she angry at Operations lack of concern for Moon Dancer, she was angry at herself for not being able to deal with Michael's advice. Her emotions were her strength and weakness. So she was going to use that anger to get this profile done so nothing could go wrong with this one! No more unexpected complications and a profile for every possible contingency. She sighed, well maybe she was taking Michael's advice and using this past failure to prevent a future one. Why is he always right?

"Nikita, you have a briefing in one hour." Birkoff was trying to get too many things done at once, and now another mission on tap! 'When am I gonna catch a break?'

Michael made his way to Systems so that he could find Nikita before the briefing and see what she had ready. 'I hope she has something, and that it has the potential for success. We have very little time and room for no mistakes.'To much was at stake beside the life of Moon Dancer. The take down of Red Cell and the continued destruction of the biochemical weapons were a higher priority for Section than the life of one simple women.

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

Everyone was seated at the table when Operations walked in and started. "We received an mpg. this morning from Chief Standing Bear . . ."

"I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I must inform you that Section is in danger of a security breech. This morning, Running Deer was kidnaped and taken by Red Cell. He is being held by them to keep my granddaughter from escaping. The danger comes from the knowledge that Running Deer has on you computer systems and on Red Cells systems. Section One, I have information to trade for his safe return to us. Moon Dancer is also to be returned, if dead. If she is alive, I leave that in your hands, and hers. Please, I ask the return of Running Deer after he has given you the information on Red Cell. In order to assure his return, I have included a small portion of what he took from your computers. The rest will be exchanged at the reservation."

"Birkoff, have you been able to discover how a twelve-year old got into our system? And have you found what else he may have taken?"

"No Sir, I have verified the information he took, but not how he got it and how he left no trace." Birkoff wanted to talk with this kid too and find out how he did it! It was brilliant! He didn't leave any trace, and there was no way to see what else he had stolen.

"Michael, you're now back on active status and I want a mission profile ready tonight. You need to leave at the latest in the morning. Doc, if Lady Miranda had been in enemy hands since yesterday, well I don't need to paint you a picture. Any questions?"

Michael decided to give more incite on what was happening. "Sir, I feel we should leave tonight. Nikita has worked up a profile already and," he hesitated, "Moon Dancer doesn't have much time left to live"

Madeline was the first to respond to Michael, she turned to the blond operative next to her, "Will your profile work, Nikita?"

Nikita was surprised and a little flustered at the attention. "Yes, I think it will work." She wasn't going to add that she had gone through every sim. Birkoff could think of to make it fail. It was KISS simple. Keep It Simple Stupid, so it should work!

"All right people, get going and bring those two back here!" Operations left the room and headed for a call with George.

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

Miranda had taken everything and still managed to keep a part of herself conscious of those around her. But this last act of violence had pushed her beyond this world into the sacred grove and one step closer to the shadow lands. Not content with her body being broken and battered beyond all humane endurance, 'The Voice'had tired of her stubbornness, and had both her knees shot at close range, effectively destroying her ability to stand. It would take a short period of time before she could no longer breathe. Her life was going and she no longer felt the lives of those around her. 'Poor little brother will be next to go. I am sorry. And look 'Wolf' is waiting for me. Soon I will join you spirit brother!'

Shots rang out, and the Section operatives entered and took out the guards. Flash bangs went off in the room and all were stunned.

"Team two is in, Nikita get the boy and don't let him come in here!" Michael relayed his instructions to the others. He and Doc entered behind the other operatives, and both stopped and stared at the site before them. It was all Michael could do not to kill the two in custody with his bare hands. Doc went over to the body, and checked for life signs.

"Michael, she is still alive, help me with this. Wrap her up in this space blanket and then we'll take her down. Carefully, Michael there are multiple fractures and I'm not sure what else,"Doc told him, "Ok get her arms . . oh god both shoulders are dislocated too. Here, let me reduce them and now wrap the body, and lets get her out of here."

"Nikita? Are you at the van yet? All teams get ready to evacuate."

"Yes Michael, we're at the van and ready to leave. See you back at the plane."

"All teams, report in. Team one, we have the charges set and are ready. Waiting on your orders, Michael."

"Everyone out now, all teams evacuate (and blow this place to dust)."

Michael and Nikita stayed with Running Deer on the flight back to Section while Doc and his team worked frantically to repair the severe damage to Moon Dancer. Why she was still alive Doc had no clue. But as long her heart was beating he would do what he could to help keep her that way . . .

Nikita tried to reassure her young charge that everything would be fine when Running Deer interrupted her.

"I know you mean well but you don't have to lie to me, Nikita. Moon Dancer is alive only because I made her promise me she would try to even after rescued. You two have to give her a reason to live, or she will let go as soon as Section One has me safely in their power. Then the real test starts, Nikita. How much will I have to tell your people and for how long?"

He turned to Michael, "She can hear you in the grove if you want to help her Michael. She could still live or die, and can you give her something? Anything to help her want to live?"

Now Running Deer was crying as he looked at Michael. This was one of the only things that could cut Michael to the heart, a child's innocence and pain.

"I will do what I can for her, but you do know about Section, and it is not an easy place to be."

And with that, he took the crying boy in his arms and held him the rest of the trip.

Madeline was at her computer when Operations came in. She was watching Running Deer and Birkoff as they interacted over the computer key board. She then switched to another view.

Nikita was asleep in her Stand-by quarters. Not surprising after being up for so long and on two missions back to back. She performed well and her profile had worked. Now for the next one.

Michael appeared to be asleep as well but he had lit a candle. He hadn't done that since... Simone. She wondered, why tonight?

"Has Doc reported in yet on our guest's condition?" Operations was in a pacing mode, and smoking heavily tonight.

"Yes I have a preliminary report from him, and he states, 'Moon Dancer should be dead from any of the torture she has suffered through. Why she isn't is beyond medical science and my knowledge. So, I have nothing to report other than she is alive, breathing, her is heart beating, and her brain is functioning. Will she recover? I have no idea. End of report.'

"And our other guest? How is the boy doing?"

"He and Mr. Birkoff are hitting it off very well. I think we will have no trouble with him. He will be staying with Birkoff while he is here. What did George have to say about him remaining at Section?"

Operations wasn't sure how Madeline knew all that she did, but his conversation with George was not something he was going to repeat.

"He wants the boy back at the reservation by the end of this week at the latest. That was not a request on his part. Furthermore, there is to be no memory modification or tampering of any kind."

Madeline was not sure about that. The risk was very high having someone of his computer ability out there with knowledge of Section. Let alone a temptation for other groups to grab the boy as Red Cell had done.

"Is that wise, to leave him a security risk?"

"Those are our orders. Let me know when our guest is conscious and able to answer questions." With that Operations left her to contemplate George's motives.

Michael was not asleep, but had used the candle to help him go into a light trance so he could enter the grove and seek out Moon Dancer. He also had on the beaded pouch she had sent when he was ill. He hoped it would help him find her and maybe give some kind of answer to that question of, 'Why stay alive and live the way we do? Why keep on at all? I hope I have an answer for you!'Then her saw her, sitting in the moon light.

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

Michael slowly walked into the moon light. He could see Moon Dancer sitting on the ground with 'Wolf' beside her.

"May I sit down?" he quietly asked her.

"Hello Michael, and please, sit by me and tell me what brings you here." She didn't look at him as he sat down.

"I wanted to talk to you and Running Deer wanted you to know he was safe at Section, for now." Michael hoped this would get her to look at him, or at least give him an idea of where to go with this conversation. 'How do I convince some one else to stay alive and in Section when I'm not sure anymore?'he wondered, 'what can I say to reach her?'

He didn't know that she could feel these thoughts and self doubts as he made them. She sighed and turned to face the outer man and his inner pain.

"Michael, do you know why I have tried all my life to serve the light? Why I was trained to use all that I am to keep the innocents safe?" She had his attention and continued. "There was a very wise woman at the reservation who taught us that we can live and repeat the mistakes of those before us, or change ourselves and serve a greater good. This wise woman, Sanlin, said that in our struggle, we could use our humanity against darkness. It's the struggle for the human heart, mind, and soul to survive - even thrive - in the harshest possible environment. It's love defeating hatred, compassion erasing cruelty, and tenaciously holding on against the vast, arrayed forces of darkness. That we might lose some battles, but hope that we shall win the war. Michael, I sit here and hear her words and must decide if Section One will allow me to continue to wage that fight. Or should I just rest, give up now and let others take up the battle? Now Michael, think why you are still loyal to Section and see if you can find some kind of understanding that we both can live with."

Michael was taken back by her words. He didn't know what to say to her about what Section would do. He did know that compassion and humanity had no place there. He had been ordered more than once to drive it from new material. And love. How his heart ached with that one. Everyone he had loved or cared about was either dead or close to it. How could this one survive in Section with these emotions as her strengths? How was he surviving without them? Why did he fight for Section? Because it was all he was good for? He deserved nothing better and would continue to try to do what he could to bring down those the other agencies couldn't or wouldn't get their hands dirty with.

"I can only say what I have seen and what I have done. We do what others can't and we try to keep the evil from spreading." Not a very good answer but it was as honest as he could share.

Moon Dancer was not satisfied with this alone. She still wanted to get him past his blindness of his own worth and not just his worth as a trained killer. How to go past that self-made barrier and reflect light into the darkness he lived in? 'Well M, if you're dead, you can't try to help him anymore! So that answers part of your own question. I don't like leaving some thing half way done.'

"All right Michael, what about my working for Section? Will Operations and Madeline let me be the person I am? Or will they try and break me too? Or is it possible that they can see my worth as an outside asset?"

Michael knew that Madeline would not tolerate Moon Dancer's 'weakness' and would break her, or cancel her. As to what her chances with Operations, well he was not one to waste an opportunity to hold power over someone. Especially if he could later use that person to further his control. And he had a way of controlling her with the simple threat of hurting her people. But there was one other variable he didn't know how to factor into this equation. What was her relationship to George in Oversight? And just who did she work for?

"Madeline will try to break you, and I think Operations would use you. But what about George? What is your relationship to him?" It couldn't hurt to ask and Michael thought it might help him to convince his superiors to release her.

Moon Dancer smiled, gently touched Michael's face, and said, "Thank you for your honesty but I will not endanger your life with that knowledge. I will wait until Running Deer is returned to the reservation before I put my self in Section's hands. To threaten his life would put Operations in danger of cancellation by Oversight. And I do not think you are ready to take over the leadership of Section One yet? Or are you?"

Michael felt this new piece of information go through him like a shock. 'How much does she know about the Section? And at what cost? Can I trust this woman, or should I tell them to cancel her? Maybe she should work at Section, at least he could keep an eye on her there.'

This time Moon Dancer smiled inwardly, 'got you Michael Your curiosity will keep you looking and I hope you have as many lives as your spirit animal the panther!'

"Make whatever report you need to, Michael. I will wait until my little brother is safely home before regaining consciousness and then playing the game Section has for me. Besides, as wounded as my body is, I will not be up out of bed for many weeks. And then I am not sure if I will be able to walk again. There is time for everyone to evaluate my worth and then to decide how best to use my abilities. Go back to your self, Michael and sleep, I will guard your dreams this night. And let the day bring what it will."

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

Michael wasn't sure how long he had slept. He did know it was the most peaceful rest he had enjoyed in a very long time. As he turned over to look at his clock, he felt the medicine bag slide across his chest. His thoughts turned to his encounter with Moon Dancer; he still was no closer to knowing what to make of her. She knew more than she should as a simple doctor or researcher. And then his eyes focused on his clock. It was way later than he thought! 'I never sleep past 5am and here it is almost 9am!' He thought, 'I have to get going to Med-Lab and then see what I can do about Moon Dancer.' Madeline was standing next to Moon Dancer's bed and also trying to decide what to do about this anomaly. She couldn't put her into any neat little category and this made for annoyance. She wasn't with the Agency, but she knew George from Oversight. She was part time with Mossad, and part time with a special lab in London. And she can preform special Native American Ceremonies and possible supernatural healing. 'All right, now what do we do with this person?' Madeline wondered, 'Keep her in Section and use her talents here? Or would she be more trouble than she was worth? To many questions and I have no answers 'till she wakes up and tells me all about herself.'

That was the one thing that Madeline had no doubts about. No one was able to withstand her interrogations for long, and this one would give her great pleasure until she broke. A smile crossed Madeline's face and Marie saw this, and shuddered.

'Poor thing, to have the undivided attention of Madeline,' she thought.

Michael walked into Med-Lab and, on his way to Marie for his blood work, he saw Madeline standing over Moon Dancer, and saw that smile. His blood turned cold to see that look directed at the helpless woman.

'I guess I will do all I can to protect her from whatever Madeline has planned. And maybe Operations is the one to help.'

"Michael, you're very late this morning. Did you just get up?" Marie had the equipment ready to do the blood work up and was waiting for Michael to sit so she could start.

"I slept very well, thank you. And yes, I did just get up. How long has Madeline been here?" His curiosity was aroused as well as his feelings of protectiveness.

"She hasn't been here long and she has been watching our Lady-Guest sleep. Now you'll feel a little prick and all done. Are you going to wait for the results, or come back later?" She finished by putting on a pressure band-aid on and rolled down his sleeve as she asked.

"I will call later for the results, unless Doc wants to see me?" Michael was thinking of all he had to catch up on and this late a start in his day would put more pressure on him to get going. He also wanted to leave without talking to Madeline if he could avoid it. She was much too interested in Moon Dancer, and he didn't want that interest to fall on him as well. Marie shook her head 'no' , so Michael got up to leave.

Doc walked in from the office and said, "Michael, would you wait a moment please? Madeline, Operations would like to see you in his office now. He said it was very important."

"Thank-you Doctor, let me know as soon as she regains consciousness. Michael, will you come to my office when I'm done with Operations? 

Michael nodded his head and then turned to see what Doc wanted of him.

"I was informed by Birkoff that certain other parties are interested in our guest. They would like to have Lady Miranda Smyth returned to them as soon as she is able to be moved. Michael, who is she and have I got anything to worry about? I don't want her moved for at least six weeks if not longer. And why is Madeline so interested in her?"

Michael didn't know where to start. "She is more than any of us really know. I don't think you need fear for her as long as she stays in Med-Lab and that will be awhile. 'Now what to tell of last nights 'dream?' he thought to himself.

'She will also not be waking up until Running Deer is safe. That's all I know for now.  With this little bit of information for Doc to go on, Michael left for his office.

Operations was impatiently waiting for Madeline, and when he heard her distinctive walk up the stairs he turned to look at her enter. This was going to be a very unpleasant visit.

"Madeline, we have a security breach. I have had three private calls from different agencies requesting the return of Doctor Miranda Smyth! How did they know we had her? Who leaked this and when?" Operations was very angry and he had no suspects for the leak.

Madeline was surprised and not sure how this could have happened. 'All the operatives who retrieved Lady Smyth last night are still in Section. Nikita was asleep soon after her debriefing as was Michael. Running Deer has been under constant surveillance and had no outside access. There is no one else in Section who knows about our guest or anyone who would care to tell she was here."

Birkoff's voice interrupted, "Sir, you have a call from George on line one."

Both Madeline and Operations looked at each other and thought the same thing, but neither of them had any idea why the head of Oversight was breaking security to protect Miranda.

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

It had been a tense few days in Section, and everyone was feeling the pressure. George was on his way in today to pick up Running Deer and return him to the reservation. He was also going to speak with Michael and Nikita, and that made Operations insecure.

Running Deer was with Birkoff now and the two of them were still talking computers.

Madeline was with Operations waiting for George. Michael was in his office still trying to find out more about Lady Smyth and his frustration levels where at a dangerously high level. Nikita was sitting with Moon Dancer in Med-Lab.

"I wish you would wake up and talk to everyone, Moon Dancer. The tension around here is thick enough to cut with a knife. I'm not sure someone won't get hurt soon if they can't find out the mystery you have created. Oh, did I thank you for saving my life back at the plant? And did I tell you how angry I was at you going back inside without my help? I guess you were doing what you felt was right but next time, if there is one, wait for back up! Okay?"

"Now you know how I felt when you did something like that, Nikita." Michael had walked into the area without being noticed. "How is she doing? Any change?"

Nikita had known as soon as Michael walked into Med-Lab and wasn't startled when he spoke to her. She sighed, looked up into those green eyes of his and answered, "Sorry, no changes and I'm sorry if I made you feel like I did with her."

Michael walked over to the bed and gently stroked Moon Dancers face. "I wish you would wake up soon, too. There are many questions that need answering and you have them locked up inside you."

He then looked into Nikita's eyes and softly asked her, "How are you holding up? I haven't been available to you as much as I would have liked, but we have a few minutes now."

Nikita was not sure if this was the Michael she knew or if there had been a switch made some time. He was trying to be open with her now and this was not reassuring Nikita. She knew George was coming and talking to both of them. That could mean anything at Section.

"I'm okay Michael, and thank you for asking. I wish we had more time but I am coming to understand that is not how things are at Section. Especially not for us."

Doc walked over to them and said, "George is here and wants to see you two."

As Nikita moved off the bed, Moon Dancer took the opportunity to disrupt the plans of Section once again.

"If you don't mind, could you ask George to see me first?" She got her eyes to open and focus on Doc then the other two operatives. "Can I have some water, Doc? And something for the pain?"

The first to arrive in Med-Lab was Running Deer, closely followed by the senior members of Section One. The young one had his arms around Moon Dancer and was talking quietly in her ear. She carefully put her splinted hands around him in a hug and let him go.

"I need to speak with these others little brother, so go with Nikita and Michael, and stay out of trouble. George, I am so sorry for all the trouble I have caused you and your people. I do not know what I can do to make up for it? Any suggestions?" Here she smiled through the pain and waited for the next move in this game.

"Well, young lady, I am going to let you figure out just how you are going to do that. You get to stay in Section until you recover, and you will explain yourself to the satisfaction of these two. I am sure Madeline has many questions she needs answered and Operations will have the full use of all your skills while you are here. Is that agreeable to you?"

Moon Dancer tried not to overreact to Georges mandate. He was handing her over to Section to do with her as they wanted until she was well. 'Okay, let us see how far they have authority over me.'

"Does that mean full disclosure of all my activities? And what if they want me to do something I feel is not in my best interest? And who do I report to?"

George smiled and accepted the request for some boundaries for her safety. "Okay Lady M, how about you decide on what is appropriate for them to know and for what is in your best interest. Let me remind you that we all work to prevent the spread of evil, so they will use all of your psychic abilities as well as your experience as a profiler. You won t be up out of bed for a while, so you will not be asked to do something physically until you are able to. At that time you and I will reevaluate your position here and what the other agencies need who have a claim on your time as well. Is this enough for you or do you what it in writing too?"

"In writing would be fine, and put on file with my grandfather on the reservation. I have one other request then. Since I am not totally up on all of Sections policies, I would request that Nikita work with me in that area. Also, to help me hands until my fingers are healed, and be my legs until I gain some kind of mobility?"

'Now let's see if I can keep Nikita alive and out of the field for a while. Besides, I trust her around me more than anyone else in this place. It will also keep Michael from worrying about her so he can concentrate on Section business,' Miranda thought.

"I am sure Madeline and Operations will release Nikita from active duty to play nurse-maid for you. And I will let your grandfather know you are all right. Is that all? Operations? Any objection to what we have agreed on? No? Good, then let me get Running Deer and we will be on our way."

Madeline and Operations exchanged a look that said, 'Agree now and deal with her later.'

"If that's all then we will leave Moon Dancer to rest until Madeline has time to speak with her later. George, after you."

Everyone left Med-Lab and Lady M took a breath and slowly let it out. 'The game continues and the stakes just went up a notch.'

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