Wicked Games
Chapter 1
Nikita opened her eyes to the dancing dust motes moving on the breeze flowing through the open window of her bedroom. Sighing in contentment as she snuggled back into her lover's arms, she reflected on the night of love she'd experienced with Michael. He had shown up at her apartment unannounced as usual, asking softly in his special way, "May I come in?" Then, looking her in the eyes, he pleaded without words. The black shadows under his eyes and the lines of stress in his face, with the almost defeated posture he exhibited broke down her defenses as fast as she put them up. "Are you okay?" She asked waiting for his usual 'I'm fine' response, only to be shocked by the word "No".
Michael entered her apartment without looking around. Just a few steps in he stopped and stood, his shoulders slumped, his face showing deep weariness. After standing for a moment he shrugged his long black leather duster off and dropped it over the kitchen counter before he slipped out of his black suit coat. Nikita reached up to lightly touch her lips to his cheek before she took his arm and pulled Michael to the couch. She pushed him down before going to the kitchen to get out two glasses and the bottle of red wine she had on the counter. Filling both glasses; she took them to the living room and sat down on the couch next to Michael. She pressed a glass filled with the wine into his hand and ordered him to drink.
Michael looked up at her face, gave her a small smile and did as she ordered. He sipped his wine and stared into space. Nikita watched and waited. She knew that Michael would let her know what was wrong in his own time. She would just enjoy this quiet time together with her lover. They had so few times away from Section and missions that each second was a time meant to be cherished.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Michael spoke up. His words were chilling. "Madeline and Operations informed me tonight that if we continued to see each other on the outside that you would be canceled."
"Michael no, why now? Don't they realize that our numbers are higher than ever? We do everything they want us to do. What else do they want?" Nikita cried out softly.
Michael took one of her hands in his, messing his fingers with hers and with his other hand, he softly caressing her cheek said, "Our love is forbidden...Kita. They know that this will break us. Madeline knows that I will give you up before I let you die. I can't loose you; I love you too much. For now, the only option we have is too stay away from each other on the outside. Kita, the things that they have done to you trying to separate us have been horrible, but to watch Madeline put a bullet in your brain while I stand there is more than I can bear. I told her if you die, then I die".
Nikita looked at Michael, tears running down her cheeks and asked, "what did she say?"
"That I would never get a chance. Once I watched you die, they would take me and do a memory modification to strip away my memories of loving you, as though it had never happened. Kita, I'd rather be apart from you, loving you, than for you to be dead and me never remembering our love." With that Michael stood, pulling her up to him and said "let me make love you one more time." Without waiting for her answer led her up the stairs to the bed.
Memories Nikita thought, the memories are what I have to hold on to for now. Turning, she looked at Michael and saw that he was also awake. She smiled softly and brushed his lips with hers and said, "I love you now and forever...till the end of time." Michael looking deep into her eyes replied, "and I love you now and forever till the end of time...you are my soul mate. Our hearts beat as one." Their lips melded together in a kiss that deepened until neither could breathe. Hands woven in each other’s hair, bodies pressed t ogether, they held on to each other knowing that when they separated they wouldn't be together like this for a long time.
As if to make things crueler the shrill ring of Michael's cell phone tore them apart. Reaching over to the bedside table he grabbed it. With one hand he flipped it open and spoke brusquely into the offending instrument. "Yes?"
A disembodied voice replied, "Jacques."
There was a slight pause. "Briefing in 20 minutes. Assemble your team."
Michael closed the phone. Then in resignation shut his eyes. He slowly opened them to Nikita's questioning gaze. "They must have located Suba. We have a briefing in 20 minutes."
His eyes looking wistfully into hers once more before they became shuttered, devoid of all expression. Before he looked away, Nikita saw a single tear trickle down his cheek. That tear was her message of hope.
Fifteen minutes later Michael and Nikita entered Section One separately. Immediately, they went to the briefing room. The pair sat at opposite ends of the table not looking at each other, but stared straight ahead, faces blank, eyes empty. Walter and Birkoff entered next and looked at each other, puzzled by their friend’s demeanor. Both realized that something was up. Walter, sitting next to Nikita, touched her arm in concern and asked, "Sugar, are you okay?" She glanced his way and stated, "I'm fine," then turned her head to stare at the wall in front of her. Michael, never moving heard her reply and couldn't help smiling to himself thinking, "we can do this, at least for now."
As the rest of the team trickled in and took their seats, Madeline and Operations entered the room. Madeline took the seat next to Nikita, silently accessing the beautiful operative. Operations walked to the front of the table and picked up the remote laying on the edge. He flicked a button with his finger. Instantly, the holograph image of a handsome man of Spanish-Asian descent floated above the table.
"This is Suba, some of you will remember him from a mission a few years ago, when we were to contain him and get him out of the country..." Operations' voice broke off as he stared at Nikita pointedly. When he saw no reaction to the intense perusal he went on with the briefing.
"At that time Suba was green-listed. Even though some of his activities were questionable, he was allowed to continue his green-list status after returning to the States last year. Two weeks ago, it was discovered that Suba has developed ties to the Al-Quaida and possibly to Osama Bin Laden. It is believed that one of his contacts; Amir Abul Tolouie-Far is the grandson of Bin Laden. Intel gathered recently shows that Suba and Tolouie-Far have planned further terrorist attacks against the United States for starters." Followed by Great Britain, France and most of Western Europe."
Operations changed the holographic display with a slight movement of his fingers. "We have located Suba and Tolouie-Far at this mansion on Long Island. The profile is set to locate Suba and Tolouie-Far, bring them in for interrogation, download the computer files and destroy the compound. You leave in one hour. Walter will have your PDA's."
As the team started to leave the briefing area, Operations ordered Michael and Nikita to stay. With a slight smile on his lips, he looked at Nikita and asked her if she understood the ultimatum that he and Madeline had given Michael the night before. Without any change in her expression, she lifted her eyes towards Operations and hissed out, "yes, may I leave now?"
Operations looked at the angry woman that stood in front of him. He smiled before he spoke. "Yes." With pale blue eyes hardening as Nikita turned to go, Operations spoke with deadly intent.
"Nikita, if either of you disobey orders this time, there will be no second chance."
The silver headed chief of Section One glanced at Michael as he made his point to Nikita. He was taken back at the look of pure hatred on the level 5 operative's face. He thought to himself, "I'll have to watch him closely after this..."
With a calm he did not feel he said to Michael. "Failure is not an option on this mission Michael; we have missed Suba on two other occasions. Oversight is greatly displeased. This is your last chance to find him before they take over, and if they take over, I may just cancel Nikita anyway!" After Operations finished he turned on his heel and left the briefing room with Madeline at his side.
Nikita witnessed the final interchange between the two men. She had no fear for herself. It was Michael that concerned her. The tall blond took a step towards him with her hand reaching for his arm. Michael looked up and noted her intent. His voice cold, his words harsh he ordered,
"Pick up your PDA and prep for the mission, you will be taking first position."
Nikita stared at Michael; her blue eyes shimmered with tears. Unable to do anything else, she whirled around and fled the briefing room.