A WALK BETWEEN TWO HEARTS

Paul… it’s me. I think I have the perfect solution to our Michael and Nikita problem.

She paused taking a sip of her hot tea. Setting the cup back down she licked her lips and announced, Her name is Simone.

Nikita and Birkoff arrived at the briefing each discussing their panels and sat down, side-by-side awaiting the rest of the participants.

Birkoff leaned back in his chair, his hand adjusting the thick gold necklace around his neck, his clear grey eyes reading the fine print on the small screen.

Nikita crossed her shapely legs, tightly encased in black leather pants and heels. Her coat was knee length with a large floppy leather hat covering her pale shoulder length blonde hair. Snapping her gum, she pulled her bright green-rimmed glasses off her nose and slipped them into her pocket.

So Birkoff,, how was your downtime? She asked balancing her panel on her knee, giving the younger man beside her a bright smile.

Birkoff glanced at her, making a face. It was boring.

Awww,,,, you didn’t meet anyone? She teased him playfully snapping her gum yet again, the popping sound seemingly louder then it really was due to the huge hall they were in.

Gimme a break Nikita,, you know you’re the only girl I will ever love,,, but it looks like you had a good time on yours. He gave her one of his playful winks and nudged her with his arm knocking her to the side, making her laugh.

Thoughts of Michael drifted into her mind and scenes of their trip up the coast on his bike for the weekend. Neither was sure why Ops had allowed them so much downtime at the same time but they took advantage of it to the fullest. They camped out under the stars, roasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate and laughing until the wee hours of dawn wrapped in a blanket, sharing intimate kisses and words of love. She smiled, her laugh dying down as she pulled off her leather gloves setting them on the table in front of her.

Just then, the rest of the team showed up along with the black clad form of Michael.

Nikita watched his reflection in the glass above them from the perch; amazed by the transformation from the man she had spent the weekend with to the man here. Gone were the smiles, flashing green eyes, and gentle stance. He was now, once again, the perfect Section Operative. Guarded, silent, emotionless. She shuddered inwardly, amazed at how easily he was able to slip into the role. There were many times she longed for the same ability but just as many where she thanked God she couldn’t.

As everyone settled down, Operations arrived with Madeline, which caused a few raised eyebrows amongst the group. Madeline was virtually never at a briefing as it wasn’t her field of work. Taking a seat at the far end of the table,

Madeline cast a false smile over the curious group, and then folded her hands on her lap gracefully, turning her attention to Ops.

Picking up the small device from the table, he enabled the electronic semi transparent screen. The face of a middle-aged man and woman appeared, their heads turning slowly, revealing their profiles from all angles for the team to study.

This is Mark Zang and his wife, Marta. As you all know, the slave trade in Afghanistan has been in full swing for sometime, it has now been revealed that along with the slaving, they have expanded to biological warfare. Zang has been using the slaves to transport and deliver small amounts of bio chemicals to various affiliates of Red Cell. How ever, recently, they have graduated.

He paused and changed the picture before speaking. The image of a grand house appeared. This was the home of the Prime minister of Zaire.

A few moments later, it blew up, huge fireballs were blown into the sky.

Nikita shifted in her seat, amazed that a single blast could totally wipe out any semblence of the grand home.

Two hours after the initial blast, animals began to die as did birds and other forms of wildlife. Five hours later, a 5 mile radius showed all living things were infected with a mysterious virus. In all,,,, 25 thousand people have died.

Operations clicked the image off, setting down the device on the table; his serious face scanned the group.

The blast happened yesterday morning,,, right after a small group of slaves from Zang were delivered to the house. We need to get in and find out their source and the type of viruses being used.

At this point Madeline stood up, her deep brown eyes regarded them all impassively.

Our intel has revealed Zang and his wife prefer a certain type to use in their business.

Operations handed her the device he had deposited earlier and sat down, giving her the floor.

Madeline activated the imaging device once again and the faces of several young oriental people flashed by. Various ages and walks of life were evident in the pictures.

Mr. Zang, being the upstanding citizen that he is, has a weakness.

Her voice had a unmistakeable tone of sarcasm to it that no one missed as she continued, her eyes kept going back to Michael.

He ignored her as he always did, but was very aware something was up. Keeping perfectly still, Michael kept his eyes on the images, taking in the intel in every detail.

That weakness is a certain type of woman.

Nikita felt uncomfortable suddenly, hoping she wouldn’t cast those witchlike eyes at her. The image of an exotic looking Asian woman flickered into view. Nikita felt her mouth drop. This was no ordinary picture. It was a Section profile. A profile of a face she had thought dead. Immediately, she looked down the table at Michael. His face had visibly paled, yet he maintained his composure, waiting for Madeline to continue.

Nikita felt sick as she clasped her gloves in her hands tightly.

Some of you know Simone. She was presumed dead after the destruction of Glass Curtain 2 years ago. However, she was alive and was brought back in.

Madeline paused staring at Michael, gauging his lack of reaction with wry amusement.

Simone has been working undercover for us in Afghanistan for the past 6 months as Zangs mistress. She has an appetite for Caucasian males of which Zang allows in exchange for her intimate knowledge of Red Cell and us.. Section. Her lover, a Section Operative was killed last month.

She continued switching off the imaging system and paced along the length of the long table, her eyes bore into Michaels profile as he fought for control of himself, eyes riveted straight ahead.

Simone? Madeline called over her shoulder.

The sound of heels on the linoleum floors came closer and closer until a small woman appeared from around a corner. Coming out of the shadows, the face of Simone became visible.

Everyone except Michael turned to look at her.

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