| Subject: Chapter 23 |
Author:
Rita
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Date Posted: Sunday, July 12, 11:14:30am
In reply to:
Rita
's message, "TMTC" on Tuesday, July 24, 12:04:39pm
Chapter Twenty Three
********
“Who ordered my cancelation? Jones?” Michael paused, purposely using Nikita’s late father’s surname in an effort to keep the more personal aspects out of it, at least for the time being. “Or you?”
“What…”
“I understand the abeyance mission as a cover for escape,” Michael clarified, wanting no misunderstanding. “I’m merely questioning its necessity.”
“Of course I didn’t order your cancelation. How can you even think that?” Nikita asked unbelievingly, pushing her own food away, her appetite gone. “I took advantage of the situation to free you.”
“Took advantage?” Michael echoed mildly. “Of the situation, or of me?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nikita snapped, floored by the implication. Where is he going with this? Surely he can’t still believe…
“I believed you didn’t want me dead,” Michael replied bluntly. “I also believed you didn’t want me in Section.”
“I thought you’d want to be free.”
“Without you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Michael asked, adding gently, “Because that’s what you would have wanted?”
“I couldn’t leave,” Nikita shook her head, avoiding the question.
“Learning the reason behind your recruitment took priority,” Michael stated rather than asked.
“No.” Nikita denied, implying that he should have better understood her motives. “Yes, I wanted to know. But that wasn’t the primary reason.”
“Wasn’t it?” Michael’s tone remained surprisingly mild despite his doubt.
“I stayed behind to ensure your continued survival.” Her implication that he needed protection from both his enemies and the Agency was clear.
“I would have been fine,” Michael countered.
“There had already been two attempts…” Nikita’s voice remained neutral while her blue eyes flashed in anger at having to defend her actions again.
“We survived without help,” Michael paused, struggling to keep his tone conversational even though his next words pained him. “And without Adam, I was considerably more mobile.”
“You were the one who always said we couldn’t escape Section, I had hoped that by staying behind at least one of us could have been free.” Nikita stated sadly, looking away. In the end they were both trapped, something she still found difficult to accept even though she was beginning to realize that Michael had known all along. “You’re still skeptical.”
“Yes,” Michael admitted.
“Why?”
“You never wanted me in the Perch,” Michael’s answer stunned her yet again. “Personally or professionally.”
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