"This is your next mission Michael," Operations began. Madeline just stood by the desk, studying Michael’s reaction to what he was reading. "It will be a simple acquisition. We do not expect there to be much of a problem with the subject. By all indications, she is alone most nights, her parents are often away. She spends much of her time on her computer and is quite skilled."

Michael looked at the picture of the subject, mentally reminding himself not to show how he felt about this mission. The girl in the picture did not appear to be much older than 17. She had long, red hair and sparkling green eyes. He read the information about her and was surprised at some of the systems that this girl had managed to hack her way into. (My god, she almost hacked in Section. No wonder they want to recruit her.) Michael looked back up at Operations.

"When do we go?"

"Tonight," this came from Madeline. "It will be just you, Nikita and Birkoff. We do not want to frighten her too much at first. You leave in two hours. Go prep them."

With this, Michael stood and left the room wondering how Nikita and Birkoff would take this mission. (Damn, Nikita has a soft spot and seeing this little girl being taken will not sit well with her.) Michael went in search of the other two to brief them and get ready to leave. Madeline watched him from Operations office.

"Well, how do you think he is feeling about this mission?" Operations asked. He knew he could count on Madeline to figure out what an operative is thinking.

"He’s not happy with it but he will perform within acceptable limits. I believe his main problem is with the girl’s age," Madeline said, with a cool detachment.

"What about Nikita? Why did you insist on her being involved with this? We are still not sure where her loyalties are."

"That is exactly why I wanted her on this mission," Madeline said, turning to face the man. "Nikita will be invaluable in helping the girl adjust to Section and her role in it. I believe that Nikita will try and do everything possible to make sure she survives training and in the long run, will stay with Section to protect the girl."

Operations looked at Madeline and once again marveled at the way her mind worked. Of course, Madeline never let on that she believed in the long run, their newest recruit would probably also be a help to Birkoff and Michael, giving them both a stability that they didn’t even know they needed. A reason to want to go on fighting. (Michael is so involved with protecting Nikita. This little one, will give him another reason to want to help Section. And this girl is also perfect for Birkoff.) While Section did not usually allow relationships between agents, Madeline knew that there would be no problem if Birkoff’s performances stayed the same. (And with the talent this girl has, his evaluations will probably go up just from the challenges that she presents.) Yes, Willow Rosenberg, will definitely be an asset for Section.

Sunnydale, Ca
Rosenberg Residence
Later that night

Willow is on the phone with her best friend Buffy Summers. Her red hair is up in a ponytail and Willow is wearing her Winnie the Pooh nightshirt. As she’s talking she’s wandering around the room, picking things up from the floor. Finally, when satisfied that the room is once again spotless, Willow plops herself down on the bed.

"So, there was no sign of Angelus when you were out?"

"No," the girl on the other end of the phone answered. "Guess I should be happy about that shouldn’t I?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, no Angelus, no staking right?"

"I know. Just makes me think that he’s planning something and I don’t like that feeling."

"I know. So are you going out to patrol again?" Willow asked, concerned for her friend’s safety. Willow knew how much it hurt Buffy having to constantly fight the man she loved and Willow was afraid that Buffy would not be able to take much more of it.

"Nah, Giles gave me the night off. Thinking of actually studying," Buffy heard the snort come from her friend on the other end of the line. "Okay, maybe I’ll just veg with mom and give her some of that good quality time that she’s been harping about."

Willow nodded, "Yeah that sounds like a plan. So, are we still bronzing it tomorrow?"

"Definitely. Talk about it tomorrow morning in the library?"

"Okay. Giles wants me to stop in before class. Something about a prophecy," Willow stated. She knew what her friend’s reaction to that would be and she wasn’t disappointed.

"Another one," Buffy groaned. "Can’t we go one week without the end of the world coming?"

"Nah, than it wouldn’t be Sunnydale," Willow joked as both girls started to laugh.

"So true. Okay, gonna go and be with mom. See ya tomorrow Wills."

"Okay. Catch ya in the library," Willow said as she hung up the phone and went over to her closet. She pulled out a trunk and opened it, only to reveal her magickal supplies. Willow loved her nights off from researching the wonder that was the Hellmouth, because it meant that she could study her witchcraft. She knew that Giles didn’t want her experimenting with magick, but she knew that she was meant to. She had done a few spells that have worked well and tonight it was just going to be a little protection spell for herself and her friends. (Hey, we need all the protection we can get with Angelus, Spike, and Dru hanging out around here so much) Willow never realized that soon, she wouldn’t have to worry about the three master vampires.

Outside the Rosenberg home, sat a nondescript black van. There were no windows save the front one and that was heavily tinted. Inside were the three operatives from Section. None of them were that happy to be there either. Michael was correct in assuming that Nikita would not like this mission. She hated the idea of taking this girl away from her family and friends and giving her to Section. Nikita vowed to help this girl get through her training and she would make damn sure that nothing happened to her. Birkoff felt sorry for the girl, knowing what it was like to have Section interested in you at a young age. While she might not have had a strong family setting, unlike himself, she did have good friends if the two phone conversations that the Section agents had listened into had been any consideration.

"Okay, what is she doing now?" Michael asked, wishing to end this mission. He still didn’t like taking this girl, but he would do it. He knew his life depended on it.

"She is just sitting in her room. She is off the phone."

The phone calls were another thing that bothered the agents. They had listened in on them both and could not quite figure out what they meant. When her friend Xander had called, he kept talking about someone named Deadboy and how he would like to turn him in to dust. And then there was the whole prophecy thing that Willow had talked to her friend Buffy about. (What did they mean, end of the world? We can find out later.) Finally Michael was ready to go.

"Nikita, go in through the front door. I will go through her bedroom window. Let’s go."

Nikita was the first out, heading across the street toward the home. She could see Michael already out and climbing up to Willow’s room. Nikita carefully picked the lock and waited for the signal to go ahead. Once it came she entered the home. Michael in the meantime knocked on the bedroom window. He was surprised when Willow came to it with a cross out, not looking out to see who was at the window. (I thought she was Jewish.)

"Angelus, you know I did the uninvite spell. Don’t know why you think I would let you back in…," the rest of her speech was interrupted when she saw who was at the door. "Who are you?" Michael could see the fear on the girl’s face but as he stepped into the room, her fear turned into anger.

"Why don’t you come in?" she asked angrily. Michael looked over the teenager in front of him. Her face was full of righteous indignation at having someone enter her sanctuary without her permission. "I asked you who are you?" Michael could tell that maybe Section had underestimated their newest recruit. (She does have a fiery temper, this one. May be a handful.) He decided that the best course of action would be to tell her as much of the truth as possible.

"My name is Michael. And I assume that you are Willow Rosenberg, correct?" Willow just nodded her head as she stared at the man in front of her. (Well, can’t say that he’s all that bad looking, although the whole black thing is a bit much.) Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in Nikita. It’s safe," Michael called to his partner. Willow turned to face the newcomer and was surprised to see a beautiful blonde woman standing in her doorway. (And more of the black. Can we say going for the vamp look or what?) Willow turned back to face Michael. "Willow, this is Nikita. Nikita this is Willow Rosenberg."

Nikita looked over at the girl and could see the anger in her eyes mixed with a bit or fear. Her heart went out to the teenager immediately. "Hello Willow. It’s nice to meet you."

"Likewise I’m sure," Willow replied sarcastically. "Now that the pleasantries are done, can you please tell me what the hell you are doing in my room?" Willow noticed Nikita look over at Michael. (So he’s the leader. Okay.)

"We would like you to come with us," he stated simply. He didn’t want to frighten the girl anymore than necessary, but Willow could see something in his eyes.

"And I take it, I don’t have much of a choice do I?" Michael just shook his head. "Okay, expected that one. And will I be coming back from this little adventure?" Before Michael could say anything, Nikita walked over to the girl and put her arms around her.

"No, you won’t be. But I promise that you won’t be harmed," Nikita lied. She knew the consequences if this girl did not perform up to Section requirements, but there was something in Willow that told Nikita there would be no problem with getting through the training. Willow looked at the blonde holding her. (What was her name again? Oh yeah, Nikita.) Willow knew that she had no choice but to go and she preferred to go willing than to getting roughed up.

"Okay. But I have a couple of conditions. Is that okay?" she asked not really believing that they would even accept what she had to say.

"Depends on what those conditions are," Michael answered warily. (It can’t really be this easy.)

"Well first, I would like to be able to change," as she noticed Michael about to protest, she raised her hand. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Can’t leave me alone. That’s okay. Nikita can stay." Michael nodded his acceptance. "And, secondly, I get to take some of my things with me."

"Like what?" he asked.

"My trunk over there for one," Willow said pointing to her magickal chest. Michael looked it over at gave his nod of acceptance. "Some of my books and my laptop."

"You won’t need your laptop. You will have access to a computer where we are going." Willow took that information and stored it for a later date. (Well, at least I’ll have some stuff with me and I can still do some of my spells.)

"Okay. Then I have no prob going with you. (Like I really have a choice.) If you want to take down my trunk and all, I’ll be a good little girl and get changed." Michael grabbed the trunk and was surprised at the weight. (What is in this thing?) He left the women in the room to get the rest of Willow’s things.

Willow walked over to her closet and grabbed a pair of her denim overalls and her red Mickey Mouse tee-shirt. Nikita watched her get ready to leave her home. (She’s taking this awfully well. I wonder what has happened in her life to make her this accepting of strange things.) When Willow was changed, she began getting together the rest of the things she wanted to take, making mental notes to herself so that she doesn’t forget anything. (Okay, there’s my magickal books. Wonder if I should leave the books on demons and such. Yeah I better. They may need them in the future. )

"Nikita, should I pack some clothes?"

"Some. We’ll provide you with some once things settle down."

Willow grabbed her suitcase and started throwing in some things. At the last minute she grabbed the stuffed frog that Xander had given her as a gag gift. (Need something to comfort me.) The last things Willow packed were her computer disks. (Still need to work on that restoration spell for Angel.) By the time that she was done, Michael had come back to join them.

"Everything is ready. Birkoff has called back and told Section everything. Are you ready?"

Willow wanted to ask what Section was, but thought better of it. (Sure I’ll find out soon enough.) Michael grabbed the box with all of Willow’s books and Nikita took the girl’s suitcase and lead them all out of the room. Before she left, Willow turned and took one last look at her room. With a sad smile, she allowed Nikita to pull her away. Nikita and Michael led her to the van that was parked outside of her home. As she went to go sit down Willow realized that the others would have no idea of what happened to her. (Goddess, they’re going to worry so much. Can’t think about that now. Maybe they’ll find me.)

"Willow, " Michael said breaking her out of her reverie, "this is Birkoff." Willow looked at the person that had been sitting in the back of the van. (Gods, he isn’t that much older than me.)

"Hey there," she said, feeling suddenly shy.

"Hello," he replied, giving her one of his rare smiles.

"Let’s go," Michael stated as he started the van. Slowly, so as not to attract any attention, the Section operatives left Sunnydale and Willow Rosenberg left the rest of her childhood behind her. None of them even noticed the shadow that had hidden itself behind a tree watching them.

"Well, well, well. Little Red is leaving the nest. This could put a whole new spin on things around town. Now how should I use this," the blonde vampire thought before heading back to his lair.