| Subject: Oh Anon I am truly loving this story - please keep going |
Author:
LJhooked
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Date Posted: 18:06:40 02/09/02 Sat
In reply to:
Anon
's message, "Re: Jericho II:04 (Read this one, pls)" on 06:06:55 02/06/02 Wed
>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 still much he had to teach Nikita.
>Unfortunately she wasn't always the most receptive of
>students.
>
>There was a knock at his door and he glanced up to see
>it open. Nikita stood in the doorway, her head tilted
>to one side as she looked in. She had one hand on the
>doorknob and stuck 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 back. He placed his elbows on the arm rests and
>laced his fingers loosely together as he inspected her
>from head to toe. “Take off the sunglasses.”
>
>Her brows arched. He could feel the challenge in her
>stare.
>
>“Now, Nikita.”
>
>Sighing loudly, she reached up and pushed the shades
>on to the top of her head. Blue eyes met his. "Happy?"
>
>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 uninterested.
>Michael waited until she finally turned her attention
>back to him. When she saw that he was still waiting
>for an answer, she said, “I'm fine. Anything else?"
>
>Michael stared at her. Her sass, at times, reminded
>him a lot of Simone. “That’s good,” he said. “I’m glad
>to hear it.”
>
>She relaxed a little, her shoulders loosening. She
>shuffled on her feet, then walked over to the chair
>and dropped down into it. She stared at him, eyes
>inquisitive, and then her head tilted again to one
>side. “I have a question.”
>
>“All right. Ask.”
>
>“Why Josephine?”
>
>Michael stared at her blankly. She looked back at him
>with genuine curiosity.
>
>“Why use a codename?” Nikita asked. “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, because I really don't like it.”
>
>Michael felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth.
>It wasn't even ten minutes in her presence and Nikita
>was already making him feel --- at ease. For him, that
>was rare. “Your code name,” he explained quietly, “is
>Section issued. I didn't have a say in choosing it.”
>
>A look of disappointment shot across her face. “Oh.
>Too bad. I guess that means you can't change it then
>either. I guess I'm stuck with it then." She puffed
>out a breath of air, and then said, "How about you? Do
>you have a code name?"
>
>Michael looked at her without responding.
>
>"Oh. I get it.That must be one of those 'need to know
>ony' questions, right?" She rolled her eyes and
>muttered something beneath her breath.
>
>"Madeline tells me that you've done very well in your
>training over the past weeks."
>
>"Really? She could have fooled me. Does this mean I've
>passed my probationary status."
>
>“No.”
>
>Nikita snorted. “I'm so disappointed. So what now? Is
>there another test Section wants to run me through?”
>
>Several seconds passed and then Michael said,
>“Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go out to
>dinner?”
>
>“With you?” Nikita gave a short sharp laugh. “Not
>likely. Been there, done that, thank you very much.”
>
>“Then consider it an order,” Michael said. “Go to
>wardrobe and change into something appropriate.”
>
>"Why the hell did you ask me if you were going to
>order me to do it anyway? she said, sounding
>irritated. "And 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. “It's not
>appropriate that you speak that way.”
>
>Nikita gave him a wide-eyed stare, and then she
>started laughing. "Why? Because you're my mentor, or
>because I'm supposed to be a lady? I hope it's not the
>latter because I can tell you right now, Michael, I
>can't be what you and Madeline want me to be. This is
>how I am. Either take me as I am or get rid of me.
>It's that simple."
>
>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. "You don't want to
>live?"
>
>Nikita stared back at him, her eyes unflinching.
>"Live?" she asked, and then looked around the room.
>"How, Michael? What kind of life is this?"
>
>"It's better than what you had before, Nikita."
>
>Her eyes snapped at him. "You don't know that. I may
>not have had a roof over my head or food to eat every
>day, but at least I had my freedom."
>
>Michael raised one hand slowly and moved it to cover
>hers. Nikita pulled back, eyes sullen as she turned
>away. Michael lowered his hand. After a moment he
>raised his hand again, this time he tapped his index
>finger against his temple. “Freedom is only a state of
>mind, Nikita. Once you learn that, no one will be able
>to take it from you.
>
>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?”
>
>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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