| Subject: Re: Jericho II-04 |
Author:
Anon
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Date Posted: 01:03:21 02/06/02 Wed
In reply to:
Anon
's message, "Jericho II" on 23:17:33 01/28/02 Mon
**
It had been nearly six weeks since Michael had last seen Nikita. During that time he had checked on her progress regularly. He was aware that Madeline had kept her on an in-house rotation, allowing her to go out in the field only once, and even then, only as part of a back-up team. Her scores in the simulator were, as Madeline had informed him, above average. The true test though, Madeline had also pointed out, would be whether she would be able to transfer that level of performance out into the field where it would matter.
Michael sat back, a slight frown marring his brow. There was much he had yet to teach Nikita if she were to survive in Section. And there was no doubt that he wanted her to survive. There was just something about her… that made him feel protective of her. And that feeling had only increased with his knowledge that she was innocent of the crime which had landed her in Section.
There was a knock at his door and he looked up to see it open. Nikita stood in the doorway, head tilted to one side, body slouched in the other direction. She had one hand still on the doorknob and the other in her back pocket. Her hair hung loose, eyes hidden behind a pair of pink-rimmed sunglasses. The t-shirt and baggy pants she wore looked as if she’d slept in them. Michael refrained from sighing as he motioned her in. “Have a seat.”
Nikita sauntered in, closing the door behind her. She remained standing, her expression bored. “You called?” she asked, folding her arms.
Michael turned off his laptop and then pushed his chair. He rested his elbows on the arm rests and loosely laced his fingers together as he inspected her from head to toe. “Take off the sunglasses.”
Her brows arched and he could feel the challenge in her stare.
“Now, Nikita.”
Sighing loudly, she reached up and pushed the shades up to the top of her head. Blue eyes met his. “Anything else?” she drawled.
Michael stood up. He came around to the front where she stood and then sat down on the edge of his desk. Michael folded his arms and stared back at her. “How have you been?”
Nikita looked at him suspiciously. Then she shrugged and looked off to the side, seemingly interested in the view outside Michael’s office window. Michael waited until she finally turned her attention back to him. “I’ve been fine. Happy as can be,” she mocked.
Michael suppressed the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Her sass, at times, reminded him a lot of Simone. “That’s good,” he said. “I’m glad to hear it.”
She seemed to relax a little then. She fidgeted on her feet, then walked over to the chair and dropped down into it. She stared at him, and then her head tilted again to one side. “I have a question.”
“All right. Ask.”
“Why Josephine?”
Michael stared at her blankly.
“Why even use a codename?” Nikita asked, her forehead wrinkling as she frowned. “Why not just call and say, ‘Nikita’, or ‘come in’, or something else instead of, “Jo-se-phine! Whose name is that anyway, your old girlfriend’s?”
This time Michael was unable to completely suppress his amusement. Yes, it was good to be back. Good to be somewhere where he could relax his guard a little. “Your code name,” he explained quietly, “is Section issued.”
Nikita arched one brow. “Really? You mean Operations and Madeline chose that name?” Michael didn’t reply and Nikita continued. “I wonder how long it took them to figure that one out. Is there a list they use or do they assign the names alphabetically whenever a recruit passes their probationary status?”
“You haven’t passed your probationary status yet.”
Nikita snorted. “Oh that’s right. How could I forget? So what? Are you going to ask me out again? Is there another test Section wants to run me through?”
Several seconds passed and then Michael said, “Would you like to go out to dinner again?”
“With you?” Nikita gave a short sharp laugh. “Not likely. I learned my lesson the last time, thank you very much.”
“Then consider it an order,” Michael said. “Go to wardrobe and change into something appropriate for dinner.”
“What’s wrong with what I have on?”
“It’s not exactly appropriate attire for the place I have in mind,” Michael replied, and he saw Nikita’s shoulders tense.
“This is a test, isn’t it?” she accused. Her eyes grew hard and her voice angry. “Look. Stop f**king with me. Just give me the details of what I’m supposed to do and let’s get it over with. None of this sugar coating s**t, Michael.”
“Watch your language,” Michael warned. “A lady doesn’t speak that way.”
“ Lady?” Nikita stared wide-eyed at him, and then she started laughing. A low chuckle whose mirth didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I’ve been called many things but never a lady, Michael.”
He stood then, took two steps to where she sat and then crouched down in front of her and looked into her eyes. His voice was very quiet, almost gentle. “Well that’s what you are, Nikita. No matter what anyone else may have said to you in the past, I want you to start thinking of yourself that way.” He raised one hand slowly and tried to touch it to her cheek. Nikita pulled back, turning her face away. Michael lowered his hand but he didn’t look away from her eyes. After a moment he raised his hand again, this time he tapped his index finger against his temple. “It all begins in here, Nikita. What you think of yourself inside will determine whether or not you’ll survive here.”
She stared back at him, not speaking. Michael stood and walked to the door. “Come,” he said to her, and stood holding the door open.
She stood slowly and turned. “Where are we going?” she asked, still not trusting him.
Michael followed her out and then closed his office door. He began walking toward the exit, not looking back. After several seconds, she reluctantly followed.
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