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codename: Tabitha
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Date Posted: 20:02:23 07/24/01 Tue
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Codename: Tabitha
's message, "Vows Made" on 18:55:18 07/22/01 Sun
Steven had told me of Jason’s and his conversation. “ You’re not telling me anything I didn’t already know. I trained her remember?”
“ Are you telling me you knew then?”
“ Michael and I were told we were training Section Eight. Jasmine was the leader you do the math.” I snapped. My nerves were on edge. I was NOT looking forward to this meeting.
“ Calm down, Nikita. Otherwise you give him an advantage.”
“ Right. I have assigned Michael to you and my shadows.”
“ It’ll be cramped, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“ Operations?” Jason said.
“ Yes.”
“ He’s here.” Michael entered the perch on those words. Steve and I nodded our heads in acknowledgement.
“ Send him up.” I darkened the perch and the three of us took our places. This all amounted to one elaborate play after all. It wouldn’t do to have the players off mark.
“ Nikita.”
“ Chaucher.” I returned.
“ I’ve come because of some alarming results of our latest sweeps.”
“ Whatever seems to be the problem?”
“ They seem to have come up clean.”
“ I will forward Jason your commendation for his efforts.” I said
“ Yes well… that is besides the point.” Chaucher said.
I arched my brow taking immense pleasure in watching him backtrack. The fool had just admitted to me that he had been performing sweeps of my Section. I despised working with this fool, he had given me and other operatives like me a hundred headaches. “ What exactly is the point? I’ve other engagements to handle.”
“ Perhaps a meeting with this fine specimen here.” Chaucher said walking over to Michael.
“ Was there a reason for your coming here or did you simply wish to sample my operatives.”
“ I must admit a amusing advantage.”
“ Kindly keep your hands to yourself.”
“ Its no wonder he was considered Sections best Valentine, such alarming mastery.”
“ Restrain yourself Chaucher or I shall do it for you.” My shadows took the cue and moved closer to my guest. I neglected to wave them away.
“ Perhaps he’s under orders to attend you personally?”
I refused to rise to the bait. Instead waiting for him to get to the point.
“ There is the matter of a joint mission, call off the dogs.”
“ Oh do forgive me. Gentlemen you may leave.” My shadows exited the room, but Jasmine entered posting herself at the door. “ Protocol you understand.” I said with a pleasant smile. “ Please sit.” I motioned to a chair. I sat behind my desk with Michael behind me and Steve at the darkened perch window.
Chaucher’s second stood against the wall with four guards flanking her. To protect her or keep her from running I wondered.
“ Sir, there’s a situation.” The subdued raven-haired girl said.
“ It appears I have to cut this short.”
“ Leave your request for a meeting with Com. I’ll get to it when I’ve the time.” I told him in clear dismissal.
Watching the man exited the perch I nodded to Jasmine, “ Get them out of my Section.”
Steve smiled as he watched my own shadows flank Chaucher. The man could hardly protest what amounted to an honor escort. It didn’t matter that these men would as soon as kill him as protect him.
Steve turned from Jasmine as his door flew open. “ Is there a problem?”
“ What the hell do you think you were doing?! She wasn’t ready for that, my god haven’t you read her file!”
“ We’ll finish this later, Jasmine.”
“ Sir.” She nodded and gave the irate man a wide berth as she exited.
“ What are you talking about?”
“ God Steve if you wanted her canceled you should have done it…why torture her?”
“ Torture? What are you talking about?”
“ Which one did you send into Rachel’s room?”
“ Rachel? What we didn’t do anything to Rachel.”
“ Don’t lie to me Steve.”
“ Sit down and tell me what happen.”
~~~>>>~~~
“ Rachel? What’s wrong?” Michael asked concerned. The young woman looked absolutely awful. Uneasy and seemingly afraid of men, Mona had called in Michael. He was old enough to be her father and it was that quality she had needed.
“ I’m not sure what she needs maybe someone to nature her Michael, but if you come across as a father figure she’ll run. You’re the only one that can handle the this the rest are to calculating, or worse.”
Keeping her words to him in his mind he approached the frightened girl. She really was not more then a girl. Seventeen what had possessed Nikita to bring her in? “ Rachel, what happened?”
“ So they sent you to me know huh? What one couldn’t do by force your going to try and get out of me with kindness? Or is it more a seduction tactic you’re taking? Shoot me know.” Michael stopped where he was. He had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. He assessed the girl and when she pulled her legs to her chest in a guarded position the mangled ankles confirmed his thoughts. Michael seethed.
“ I’ll get someone to tend those.” He said and turning on his heel stormed out of the room.
“ Jasmine!”
“ Yes, Michael?”
“ There’s a young girl in the white room. Her name’s Rachel, get her to Medical. She’s to be treated kindly.”
“ Michael?”
“ Do it!” He said continuing down the hall. Jasmine watched him go for a minute and then headed for the white room at a run.
~~~>>>~~~
“ Operations!” Steve called from across the room.
“ Operations, do you have a moment?” Michael called coming from the other direction at the same time.
Unable to decide which to address first I stood in Systems and let them come to me. “ Everybody out!” Once everyone cleared out I looked at them “ I’ve haven’t got all day, gentlemen.”
“ Rachel...”
“ Rachel?” Steve demanded.
“ I found her in the white room.”
“ Oh god! Did you get her to Medical”
“ Not before she made some very disturbing comments.”
“ Boys! Want to fill me in?”
Minutes later I was seething as much as the two men in front of me. They followed her out of Systems and she crossed to Jason. “ Inform Chaucher I will speak to him at once.”
Picking up my cell I said “ Mona forget about those Valentines, Section 1 will not cater to this man.” I snapped it shut, turning as Jason spoke again.
“ He says he’s busy.”
“ Bring him in.”
“ Yes. Ma’am.” Jason said and then hitting a intercom said,“ Jasmine, call your team.”
“ Jason!” I said in mock censure. “ You’re getting too good at this.”
~~~>>>~~~
Chaucher found himself a in the very pristine accommodations of Section’s white room. The metal door swung open and I stood in the entrance.
“ Nikita what is the meaning of this?”
My response was to lay the man flat on the floor. “ You forget Chaucher I laid you out once before. Come near my operatives again and I will make sure what you did to Simone, Rachel, and all the others look like heaven. I’ve decided to let you live…for now.”
The door opened and the team came in. “ Practice for awhile and then get this thing out of my Section!” I slammed the door behind me. Smiling Section doors made such a racket, it made the small display all the more gratifying.
~~~>>>~~~
“ Can I get you something, Nikita?”
“ Wine.” Livia returned with a tray of drinks Michael and I had been invited to a get together she and Adam where throwing. Officially I had accompanied Michael on a business trip. Unofficially Jasmine had delivered the invite and we had hopped a Section jet out her. My bodyguards had been given down time and were under the impression I’d taken replacements.
Livia gave me a small smile and said “ Dinner should be in about an hour in the mean time relax and have fun.” She said emphasizing the last part slightly.
“Livia! Can I have some cookies?”
“ Of course, just don’t tell your mother.”
“ She’s adorable.” I said smiling at the curly blonde girl.
“ She is isn’t she? She sort of attached herself to me whine moved into my apartment. Sue and her mother were having some problems. I feel very fortunate that we’ve stayed in touch.”
“ That was nice of you.”
“ What good is all my… life, if I can’t help a little girl and her mother when they’re in trouble. Average people need help to.” Livia sounded defensive, and I winced.
“ Livia, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come across like that. Your right and we should help them.”
“ I’m sorry, Nikita, you’re just so different.”
“ Thanks.” I said. I knew the type of man that she worked for and it seems that his operatives couldn’t breath without his okay. The man was just what he had always been a terrorist. I had to do something before he did more harm then good. Now however I was going to have fun. “ Let me help you with that.” I took a loaded tray out back, relishing the chance to do something as mundane as set a picnic table.
“ Nikita!” Livia screeched in warning. I wasn’t fast enough and felt Michael pick me up.
“ Put me down this minute, Michael Samuelle!” I laughed.
“ Of course.” He said with an absolutely wicked grin.
“ Michael!” My protest was in vain as he set me down, right in the middle of the swimming pool. Livia was only seconds behind me.
“ Adam!” She hissed coming up with a smile on her face. We exchanged a glance. “ Never start something you can’t finish.” Livia said. Sue put her plans to a stop.
“ Livia there was someone on the phone looking for Haley. I told him she wasn’t here and there was no response, he must have hung up.”
I watched Livia’s face drain of color. “ That’s okay thanks, Sue.” Michael called. Livia shook herself out of her ravine.
“ Adam, get me a towel please.” She said brightly. I followed the girl out of the pool. Wrapping herself in a towel she dropped down at the table and took a deep breath.
“ It’ll be okay, these things happen.”
“ No you don’t understand… I’m dead.” She whispered. Picking up her cell she called in. Then with a smile turned to Adam. “ I’ve got to go in to work for a while. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Livia ran into the house to change.
Adam started to follow her concerned. “ Adam.” Michael called. One look at his father stopped him. “ Let her handle this.”
I closed my eyes for a minute concerned that Chaucher might not cancel her for this. For her to live would be much worse where he was concerned. The woman returned and giving Adam a kiss said. “ I love you.” She turned to Michael and gave him a hug. “Protect him.” She startled me by wrapping me in a hug and whispering in my ear.“ Please don’t let him get Sue.”
“ I won’t. I promise.”
“ She really thinks he’ll cancel her.” Michael said to me.
“ No Michael, she’s afraid he’ll let her live.”
~~~>>>~~~
Two weeks later there was still no sign of Livia. Chaucher’s activities had been noticeably lowered in that time as well. It was almost like he didn’t want me to turn my eye toward his Section. Well it was much to late for that as far as I was concerned. He never should have come near my Section if he didn’t want me nosing around to deep. I stood in the perch watching Michael brief his team on their latest profile. I had placed Section at full activity every operative in the place could now be expected to find themselves in the field. To that end Michael and the others from my days in Section found themselves once again in action. This time though they were leading the teams.
This of course meant that the newer staff got a taste of the old regime, but then Paul and Madeleine for all their faults had run Section efficiently. Their numbers had never fallen. This is not to say that I do not expect the best of my operatives and get it. The numbers were up more then they had ever been. It was just time to kick it up a notch, and to do that I needed fear. Section One had to once again strike a chord in the other Sections. As it stood we were still the best. Something to be respected, feared and to aspire to, but it was obvious some wanted to test those bounds and me. Section had to once again literally frighten the others; it was time to forcibly remind my counterparts that those past stories were still very much a reality.
I descended the perch. “ Jason, have you found her?”
“ No. There is no sign of her.”
“ Is she listed as dead?”
“ No she’s Active but there is no listing of where she is and I can’t find her tracker.”
“ Either find out where she is or find her body. But I want her found. Failure is unacceptable.”
“ Yes, Ma’am.”
“ Steven! My office one hour.” I said and exited.
I turned as the door finally opened. “ You wanted to see me?”
“ Yes I’ve just got some disturbing news form Com. I am done playing games Steven. This man is coming down. Is she ready?”
“ She has to be.”
“ There is a perfect test coming. I can’t afford the Montreal mission going south.”
“ What are you going to do?” “ Michael and I are going in.”
“ Michael should run this one.”
“ Yes.”
“ Jasmine takes your place and I’m Section’s safety net.”
“ No. I want you gone I want to know if she can handle it.”
“ I don’t like it.”
“ You have your orders.”
“ Yes Ma’am.”
I contemplated the sometimes-monotonous aspect of waiting for a mission to truly begin. Sipping wine I’d ordered my eyes scanned the bar. Where was he? My anxiety never once showed on my face.
“ What’s a lady like yourself doing in a bar alone?”
Oh that was original! The distraction would have been fun any other time. Now however I hadn’t the time. “ Having a drink…Alone.” My manner clearly told the interloper to get lost. Thankfully he took the very blunt hint and removed himself.
“ Any sing of him?” I asked getting worried. He had to show up, this was not a window we could lose.
“ No. Stay where you are.” He’d better show up soon, I didn’t fancy having to order to many more glasses of the second rate wine this place offered. You’d think someone with this much cash could afford a decent wine list.
Finally Michael’s voice alerted me that he had approached the building. I quickly motioned the bartender to refill my glass and settled into position. “ Nicole?”
“ Come.” I got up and wrapped my arm about his waist, leading him out of the bar. The moment I stepped outside I dropped my arm and my shadows fall in behind us. I opened
the door of the limo and motioned him to precede me.
“ Such a lovely escort, my dear. Though I doubt your bosses senses letting you escape him like this.”
“ My employer simply wishes you to have the best security, Sir.”
“ Ah yes of course after all we can’t have me turning up missing, the merchandise might be harmed.”
“ Now is not the time for such morbid conversation, Sit.” I said my voice taking on a breathy quality.
“ You are delightful my dear.”
“ Can I interest you in a drink?” I said. Reaching for a glass of ice tea.
“ Scotch.”
“ Of course.” I pored the man his drink and sat back to play the alluringly guarded hostess. Smiling I noticed I had started using the phrase Michael was so fond of. My companion took my smile for something else, perfect.
It wasn’t long before we reached our destination. I lead the contact into the office, where Michael was waiting. Going up to him I dropped a kiss on his lips and stationed myself beside him. The phone rang and I picked it up. “ Yes.” I hung up the phone and glanced at Michael. He nodded.
“ I’m so pleased you could make it, but circumstances beyond our control have altered the timeline.” Michael said and I pulled my gun on the man.
“ Now we know your no contact. To that end give us the merchandise, we let you live.”
“ Yes, well its always fun doing business with the two of you.” The contact picked up his briefcase and inside was an assortment of chemical agents. “ You’ll find the rest at the location inside. Have the money transferred or pay the price.”
“ You deliver the goods, and we won’t destroy you.”
“ Always fun doing business with Section.” The Cardinal said and taking the briefcase full of names left. In exchange for the names of his deserters the newly resurrected Red Cell had agreed to destroy several collective agents, Red Cell couldn’t afford rouge operatives anymore then Section.
I smiled I had gotten a wonderful report on Jasmine’s progress when I returned. Section had the materials it needed and I was at home preparing dinner for two. I was anxious for Michael to show up. I was glad I had allowed myself this relationship once I had stopped fearing reprisal things had improved. Oh inside Section he was the same old Michael that infuriated me at every turn and I him, we made a wonderful team. It really was a team effort now. Sure there were the little manipulations that came with Section but we no longer forced each other into roles we had out grown. I had no doubt that Michael could still play me when he had to, because I did the same, the difference was it was no longer the norm.
Now each of us knew when the other was lying. We knew when to allow the lie that was a necessity of Section and when to demand honesty. I was no longer afraid of Michael’s love and the constant fear of rejection was gone. I knew the same was true on his part.
I felt him come into the kitchen. To this day I could not hear his approach unless he let me. “ I love you.” I said when I felt his arms wrap around me.
“ I love you too.” Yes his raising Adam had done wonders for Michael. He could now express his feelings, when he wanted too. But then he always had I realized. It was there in his eyes, voice, the immense patience he had shown to one bratty recruit, and in his touch. I had just been too needy to realize it. Now those subtle signs were more important to me then the words. That silent communication was what got me through the days when we wouldn’t be able to say hi let alone have time to ourselves.
“ What?” Michael asked I must have been silent for too long.
I turned and faced him. “ I was just thinking about how incredibly naive I was. God when I think what I put you through.”
“ I thanked God everyday that you were that dense. It meant that you didn’t know what I did. I was glad you didn’t understand. I never wanted you to, but you did understand me and I am glad you had patience with me. Kita you never put me through any more then I did you… even if you were louder about it.”
“ Well its better then being silent and superior.”
“ Brat!”
“ Male!”
Our teasing was cut short by my explanation. “ Its Livia! ”I said running to my blinking PDA.
“ We’ve got to go now, Michael.” I said throwing a gun into my purse.
“ Wow. Nikita I want to help her as much as you do. We can’t do anything till we know what we’re walking into.”
“ Damn Adam pick up!” His cell was shut off, and the home phone was experiencing difficulties. With a sinking heart I called his work but my gut was already telling me Adam was in trouble. I knew Livia and I knew she would not risk activating that tracker unless he was in trouble. “ Doctor Adam Samuelle, please. Its an emergency.” The response made the blood drain from my face. Slamming the phone down I threw Michael his coat and ran for the door.
“ Jason get me everything you have on this location. Send a team to Adam’s house and you better have a live feed of the inside of that house before I get there. Oh and find Jasmine.”
I’m not sure where she is. She went dark.”
“ Then call Steve, she’s either there or he’ll know where she is.”
“ Yes, Ma’am.”
I surprised Michael by not heading directly to Section; instead I pulled up in front of a house. “ Stay here Michael. If you move from this car you will be canceled on sight and there is nothing I can do.” I left a bewildered man in the car. I couldn’t worry about that I had to see someone about losing the shadows, and bodyguards and everything else that kept me form moving in freedom of the shadows.
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