CAPTIVE FREEDOM PART 7

Bright flashes of light pierced into her brain like cold needles making her wince, her senses slowly coming back into play. Trying to turn to her side, Nikita discovered her wrists were encased in cold metal restraints. Alarmed, she forced her unfocused eyes open, try to discern her surroundings. After taking a few deep breaths, she blinked her eyes rapidly and then let a moan of despair out as she recognized the room.

Section. She whispered hoarsely, her head fell back onto the thin mattress of the gurney she was lying on, feeling a lot like she had when she first woke up in a room much like this one she found herself in now.

A wave of bitter disappointment washed over her when she recalled the events just before she lost consciousness. Michael had deceived her. The thought left her bereft of feelings, a deep hurt sat in the pit of her stomach that she refused to acknowledge.

Swallowing, she tried to wet the inside of her dry mouth recognising the side effects of Sections classic knock out drug. Looking down at her wrists, she saw that they were on for good unless someone arrived with a key and decided not to attempt to escape them.

Closing her eyes, she fought the headache trying to form and waited for what seemed like hours before the door creaked open. Turning her head to see who it was, she saw the smiling face of Madeline approach accompanied by 2 large ops.

Hello Nikita. How are you feeling? She asked her voice seemingly overly friendly.

Nikita let her head fall back down, staring up at the high white ceiling and kept her mouth shut, waiting to see what this was all about.

Madeline gave a key to one of the ops and watched silently while he unlocked the restraints. Nikita remained lying down, but rubbed her wrists lightly where the metal had bitten into her skin.

Would you care for some water? You must be thirsty from the drugs. She held out a full bottle of water, waiting for Nikita to respond.

Grudgingly, she swung her legs over the side of the gurney and gripped the side waiting for the wave of nausea to pass from her sudden movement.

Madeline stepped forward, unscrewing the cap for her, giving her the bottle which Nikita accepted gratefully. Taking a deep swallow, she nearly groaned with pleasure at its cold wetness sliding down her parched throat.

Madeline stepped back again, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she regarded Nikita carefully. You did well on the outside Nikita. Congratulations.

Nikita wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, eyes following Madeline as she casually walked about the room. But now its time to come back in. She added clasping her hands in front of her, gauging Nikita’s reactions.

Pulling her eyes away from the older woman, she was careful to keep her face blank and instead, stared down at the floor. She wasn’t about to play into Madeline’s hands nor ask why she had to come back. Experience had taught her that much.

Madeline resumed her walking, heels clicking on the floor. You will of course retain your level 2 status Nikita, but you will have some casual training with Michael for us to be sure your still up to standard. He is still your mentor and you will obey him as always. Is that clear? She asked heading for the door.

Nikita nodded. Sure. Anything you say. Her tone was clearly sarcastic yet Madeline let it slide by and instead, left Nikita with the 2 ops.

Bitch. She thought to herself, trying desperately to remain calm on the outside.

One of the ops approached, his hand reached out to touch her arm making Nikita pull away.

Hands off,, I know the drill, thank you very much. She growled none too happily, sliding off the side of the gurney to her feet. With one in front of her, one behind, they walked down the all too familiar hallways of Section.

How could you do this to me Michael? She thought to herself, hands tucked in her pants pockets. Heading for the stairwell to level 3, she caught sight of Michael talking to several junior ops outside the gymnasium doors. Her face flushed eyes unable to move from him.

Michael looked up, his eyes glued to hers, face blank as always.

Scowling, Nikita looked away, refusing to acknowledge him.

Michael’s heart lurched painfully in his chest. He hated himself more then ever, yet he never wanted her as much as he did at that moment. Forcing his attention to return to the ops in front of him, he continued the conversation not really hearing himself speak.

LATER THAT DAY

Nikita sat cross-legged on the gym floor, her back propped up on the wall engrossed in the panel she held. Walter had come up with some fantastic detection devices since she had left as well as some new weapons. She rolled her eyes when he had handed it to her with a friendly warning.

Learn it, live it breathe it. He had said winking at her then leaving her to gape after him in the long hallway.

It was the topper to her afternoon. Her morning session with Madeline was enough to set her off and then seeing Michael hadn’t helped in the least. Lunch was awful, her eyes taking in the new recruits at the canteen, her mind drifting back to the days when she looked and felt just like them. She hated it.

A message was waiting for her in her room stating she was to report to Michael in the gym for training in an hour. Rather then pace in her room like a caged animal, dreading the meeting with him, she took Walters panel and made her way to the gym deciding it was better to be in the company of others then the silence of her room. Settling onto the floor in the corner, she set to reading the new Intel, hoping she would retain the information the first time round.

Swallowing some water from her bottle, she was about to start in on the second half of the panel when a pair of black clad legs, with matching workout shoes came into her view just a few feet directly in front of her. Keeping her head down, she knew right away it was him.

Michael looked down at her, admiring the lean lines of her legs, the shine of her long hair as it hung down from the ponytail atop her head. The red hue rising in her cheeks didn’t go unnoticed either. She was lovely as ever and as angry as she had ever been with him he was sure.

Nikita set the panel down, still not looking at him and pulled her sweatshirt off, revealing a skin tight spandex top.

Michael gulped, his base reaction growing in his belly at the sight of her. He couldn’t help it, he loved her, desired her more then anyone. Her refusal to look at him bothered him. It was going to take a long time before he could regain her trust in him.

Nikita stretched out her neck, cracking her arms as he turned and set his bag down on a bench, stealing a glance at him when he wasn’t looking. As hurt as she was, she felt an overpowering urge to run into his arms despite what he had done. She supposed it would always be that way with them.

Run 4 laps with me. He said pulling his loose jacket off and tossing it on the bench. Before he had a chance to turn, she had pivoted on her heels and had taken off, running at an easy pace, hair bouncing down her back as she moved.

Michael smiled inwardly at her defiance. He should have expected her to do just this very thing. Without a second thought, he took off after her, being careful to keep a few paces behind her, his eyes taking in the sight of her shapely derriere, the curvy hips as she moved. The 4 laps were run before he knew it and she stopped her chest moving rapidly as she caught her breath. With her hands on her hips, she paced back and forth on the mats, waiting for him to arrive.

Basic defence, level 8. Ready? He asked pushing back his long unruly hair from his eyes.

Nikita glared at him, lifting her chin, refusing to speak. Circling, they gauged the other’s moves both of them ready for the other. Lowering his hand just a shade, Michael realized his mistake all too quickly when he felt the stinging blow if her hand on his neck. He flinched slightly at the force; not really expecting her to try to hurt him yet was surprised nevertheless. Something no one was able to do to him,,, except her.

Nikita lunged forward but found herself sprawled out on the mats before she knew what had hit her, Michael on top of her in headlock, his face inches from hers.

I had to do it Kita. He whispered easing his hold on her as to not hurt her.

Nikita glowered at him and lifted her legs up quickly, grabbing his upper torso between them and squeezed with brutish force causing him to fall backwards.

Michael twisted out from them as he gave her a pinching grip on the neck causing her to gasp at the numbing effect it had on her left arm.

Michael got to his feet, offering her his hand as she got to her feet.

Slapping it away, she delivered a kick to his right knee on the side dropping him to the mats on all fours for a split second before he got to his feet once again.

Nikita stepped back pushing the hair back over her shoulder. No you didn’t have to….. But you did. She hissed lifting her one leg up for a brutal kick aimed for his head.

Michael lifted his arm the blow glancing off his fore arm harmlessly. She was becoming increasingly aggressive in her moves yet he wasn’t concerned. He knew how to defend himself from her moves, but not from her words. Michael side stepped yet another potentially harmful blow, letting her get her anger out.

You have the nerve to make love to me and then bring me in. How could you? She all but snarled at him, her hand knocking his hand to the side in a series of lightening fast moves that ended with her on the mats once again, face down, her arm twisted up her back.

It had to be that way, for your own safety. He whispered in her ear after glancing around for any prying eyes and finding none.

Nikita growled, struggling under his body weight, cutely aware of his hard muscles pressing into her soft curves. Instinctively, she whipped her head back, catching him full in the face causing him to fall back, the pain taking his breath away momentarily. Nikita rolled away and scrambled to her feet, crouching as he too rolled and took on a defensive stance, shaking his head to clear his blurred vision.

Enough was enough. He thought to himself slowly coming to an upright position. Taking the first opportunity, he tackled her sending her flying across the mats to land in a heap.

Nikita sat up, rubbing her arm where he had gripped her and glared at his now bleeding nose. Just as she was about to try and tackle him, they were both stopped by a loud voice.

That’s enough.

Both turned to look at Operations as he made a very rare appearance in the gym, wondering along with a few other operatives in the immediate area why he was there. Coming closer to them, he beckoned them both in.

Reluctantly, Nikita came forward, eyes focused on a spot somewhere off in the distance. Michael approached and came to a stiff stance beside her.

Michael, get a grip on your material. She’s out of control and you know it. Any other recruit you would have broken their leg by now. He hissed barely containing the anger he felt at Michael’s inexcusable behaviour.

Turning his attention on Nikita, he stepped one step closer, his nose almost touching hers. As for you, watch your step. Just give me a reason…. Just give me a reason….. He let the sentence go unended, all three of them knowing full well what he meant. Take this fight to a private room. I wont have you two behaving like incompetent fools in front of the recruits.

Without another word, he turned and left them, both still breathing heavily.

Get your things……. Now. Michael wiped his bloodied nose and turned to retrieve his jacket and bag. Thyey were going to settle this and settle this today.

TO BE CONTINUED

CONTINUE TO PART 8 OF CAPTIVE FREEDOM
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