A WALK BETWEEN TWO HEARTS

Michael, praying he wouldn’t faint or throw up on the spot, tried to keep calm.

Simone.. alive,, it wasn’t possible. She died along with Sparks.

His hands clasped in his lap were clenched so hard; he was actually hurting himself yet he didn’t seem to notice. He could see her from the corner of his eye as she sat down calmly beside Madeline, crossing her shapely legs, arm hanging over the back of her chair looking much too relaxed for her own good.

She surveyed the group, slightly amused by the shocked looks of the few faces that knew her from years back. Her deep rich brown eyes fell on the profile of her husband, Michael, taking in his face after so long.

Not too shabby for a dead woman. Walter leaned over, whispering lowly to Birkoff.

Shrugging he turned his attention from the relaxed Simone onto Michael.

He was rigid in his seat, still looking straight ahead, and his colour somewhat paler. Otherwise, you’d never know he was affected at all. Birkoff admired him for his composure, knowing Michael must be ready to explode.

Simone is a level 7 Operative and will be leading this mission. All her orders are to be followed without question.

Madeline paused, indicating Simone now had the floor, and left with Operations.

Clearing her throat, she picked the panel on the table in front of her scanning it quickly, then punched in a few things before speaking. Still looking completely at ease, she swivelled her chair slightly as she spoke.

There will be a briefing in 2 hours, level 3.

Her voice was soft yet rich and firm. The sound reached out, wrapping itself around Michael like a heavy blanket, threatening to smother him with the memories of their life together so long ago.

That is all for now. Don’t be late. She added getting to her feet.

The team quickly dispersed, not wanting to be around when she and Michael finally spoke.

Nikita got to her feet and left hurriedly, not knowing what to say or do when he cast her a look that could kill. She knew it wasn’t directed to her yet she felt a cold chill pass over her like someone had thrown cold water on her.

Michael pushed his chair back and stood, doing up the single button on his jacket, turning to leave when Simone stopped him.

My office, now.

She said calmly, picking up her panel, not bothering to look at him.

Michael inclined his head slightly then turned to follow her, his face a mask as they entered the elevator. They stood side by side, both acutely aware of the other. The air fairly crackled between them as they waited for the doors to reopen.

Michael held his one hand by the wrist, trying to appear relaxed as her perfume wafted over him. It was the same smell he had spent a full year dreaming of, sobbing into her pillow, slowly dying of guilt over her death.

Simone yawned loud enough for him to hear, smiling inwardly at the reaction that must be going on in his head. The doors opened and she strode out ahead of him, stepping around a pair of young Ops obviously late for something.

Michael followed her, his hair lifting slightly as they got going on a fast pace down a long hallway. Finally, she turned and opened a door, stepping into a sparse office much like his own.

Close the door. She said tossing her panel onto her desk and switching on her computer. Seating herself down, she looked up at him, standing mutely in the middle of the room. Leaning on her elbows, she smiled at him.

You’ve changed Michael. She said softly now resting her chin in one opened palm.

Michael looked at her, carefully keeping his true feelings hidden. All things change.

Simone sighed and then stood up, running her finger along the surface of her desk as she moved to sit on it, facing him. The question is just how much has changed Michael?

He finally brought his eyes down from the spot he had been staring at in the far wall and regarded her with confused eyes. She had changed. Gone was the short cropped hair, the scars, and the broken woman he had tried to rescue from Glass Curtains bunker. In her place stood the fresh confident Simone he had fallen in love with all those years ago. The one woman he had considered his equal in all things,, the mother of their son….

Apparently a lot. Was his simple reply.

Simone cocked her head to the side, leaning back on the heels of her palms on the desk behind her, her ankles crossed casually as she looked him up and down slowly. Avoiding his direct gaze, she nodded slowly. Yes,, apparently.

If he was mistaken, she almost sounded hurt and it touched something deep inside, a place where he had kept Simone inside of him, a personal private dark area of his soul.

Simone looked up at him, her brown eyes flashed at him as they had done so many times before, so long ago.

I have been reviewing your records.

She changed the subject abruptly, the Section Operative taking over as she reached around behind her for the panel. You’re very good at what you do, and that’s a very good thing. I need someone I can rely on, a professional for this mission. Recruits are not needed for this assignment. She continued her eyes scanning the intel.

Simone. The tone of his voice stopped her, making her look over to him.

Michael glanced off to the side before speaking. I didn’t know you were alive.

She held up her hand, cutting him off from saying more.

Yes, I have heard this before Michael.

She uncrossed her ankles and stood up, her one hand smoothed down the bottom half of her snug vest turning her back to him.

We leave in 2 days, I suggest you look at that panel of yours so we can discuss this.

He knew she was just as hurt and confused as he felt. She always turned her back to him, changing the subject abruptly as she had done so many times when they were together.

Simone. He repeated her name knowing she wanted to talk about this as much as he did.

Simone sighed, her head fell back for a moment as she slammed her panel down on the desk hard, the sound almost a physical pain in her chest. Turning to face him, hands on the desktop, she stared back, unknowingly giving him a full view of her cleavage.

What now? She asked in an exasperated tone, wishing she were anywhere but here with him again.

I had no idea… they didn’t tell me. He sounded angry, yet it went unnoticed by her.

Instead,, she heard resentment, resentment she mistook for guilt.

Can we get back to business?

Michael closed the distance between them, forcibly gathering her into his arms, holding her to him as she struggled fiercely.

I didn’t know Simone,, I didn’t know. He repeated over and over in her ear until she gradually calmed down, face buried in his neck, breathing in his scent.

Let me go Michael. She said quietly, her breath coming in gasps.

Please, I can’t do this here, not now. Her voice lost its bitter edge and he slowly loosened his hold on her.

Simone pulled free of him, moving back around the desk, smoothing out her hair with a shaking hand.

Sit down, please. She motioned to the chair opposite her as she pulled out her own from the desk.

Michael pushed back his hair, seating himself as she requested, recomposing himself as she touched a fingertip to the corners of her eyes.

Rubbing her hands together, she crossed her legs under the table and then picked up the panel she had slammed down only moments ago.

Collins was my lover on this mission as you will find in the panel. He was killed and now, a replacement has to be found. Madeline and Operations have chosen you.

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