Chapter 3

Section Headquarters

Willow followed Birkhoff as he showed her around more of Section. She was impressed by the technology that she saw. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on some of it. (If only it wasn’t used to help kill people.)

"Hey Birkhoff, have you seen Michael or Nikita?" Willow turned to see what she would term, an old biker dude calling out to her guide.

"Nope, haven’t seen them today," Birkhoff replied. He turned to Willow. "Willow, this is Walter."

"Hello cookie," Walter said, taking Willow’s hand and kissing it. "I see Nikita has finally found some competition."

Willow was confused. "Competition?"

Walter grinned at the red-head. "Yes. As the most beautiful women at Section." Willow blushed at the compliment.

"I heard that Walter and I can’t believe you’re already replacing me." Willow looked over at Nikita, as she joined the trio.

"No one could ever replace you, sugar. But you know I always appreciate beautiful women." Nikita gave Walter a smile that made her whole face light up. "What’s up Nikita."

"Nothing. I just wanted to see how Willow was doing," Nikita put her arm around Willow. "I hope everything is going okay." Birkhoff answered Nikita’s question for Willow.

"She did great," Nikita noted the proud tone in Birkhoff’s voice. (Looks like someone may have a crush. Good for him, he needs someone in his life.) "Her time on the London sim was excellent and her survival rating was above what we had calculated."

Nikita looked at Willow, a new respect forming in her eyes. "Way to go." Willow was surprised when Nikita gave her a hug.

"Where’s Michael?" Willow asked. She knew she shouldn’t trust the man or woman that took her away from her friends, but she found herself wanting to know more about this group.

"He’s training with some of the others," Nikita answered. "If you want, I can take you to watch." Willow nodded and said good-bye to Walter. She followed Nikita and Birkhoff, who lead her to what appeared to be an exercise room.

Michael was at one end, sparring with someone. There were about 5 others watching them. Nikita, Birkhoff and Willow went over to join the crowd. Willow was watching Michael’s moves. She noticed him looking over his opponent, watching for any sign of weakness. (Just like Buffy when she’s fighting a vamp.)

Willow had taken to training with Buffy when Angelus had come after her. She was surprised at how quickly she picked up the moves that Buffy had taught her, but Willow was careful not to let Buffy know how much better she was at fighting. Buffy and Giles weren’t happy with Willow training so after a few weeks, Willow stopped training with Buffy and had taken to learning how to fight on her own. Willow had gotten good at it too, often going on patrols by herself. She never told the others what was going on and knew that they didn’t suspect a thing. (That’s because they only see me as the little net girl) she thought angrily.

Willow noticed Michael deliver a blow to his opponent, forcing him back. Willow noticed his feet and realized that with the next blow, he would be down for the count. (Nice moves Michael. Set him up perfectly.) Michael delivered a side kick knocking his opponent down. Michael offered him his hand and helped him up. He almost jumped when he heard clapping coming from behind him. He turned to see Willow applauding him.

"Very nice Michael, although he would have gotten you if he had better foot position," Willow said. Michael was surprised by Willow’s assessment.

"Do you think you could do better," he asked the red-head, positive that Willow wouldn’t accept the challenge.

"I can always try," she replied quickly. She entered the sparring area and got into a defensive position.

"I’ll try not to hurt you too much your first time out," Michael said, actually grinning at the girl in front of him. He watched as Nikita and Birkhoff came closer to watch the match.

"Oh thank you for your consideration, kind sir," Willow replied. She waited for Michael to attack, which he did immediately. Michael led off with a kick to Willow’s left side, which she easily dodged. "Oh please, is that the best you can do," she teased, getting into Buffy mode. Michael just smiled.

"I’ll see if I can do any better." He threw a fist at Willow’s face, which she caught in her hands, at the same time that she kneed him in the side. Michael used his free hand to grab Willow’s leg, knocking her onto the ground. She rolled to one side and jumped right back up.

"Always did like a man who could sweep me off my feet." Willow lunged at Michael, surprising him as she landed a series of punches and kicks to his body. Every time that Michael tried to attack her, she moved out of his way quickly. He had landed quite a few punches, but she seemed to just let them slide off her.

Off to the side, Nikita and Birkhoff watched in amazement as Willow and Michael fought. They couldn’t believe that the little girl who was brought in for her computer knowledge would also be an excellent fighter. And the fact that she kept making little comments made them snicker. Nikita had noticed Operations and Madeline watching the fight with interest and was worried that maybe they would make Willow go out on field ops instead of staying at Section. (If they do, I will be there to protect her. Although she may not need much protection.) Nikita’s attention was brought back to the fight as she saw Michael grab Willow’s arm and bring it around her back. He shoved her to the wall with the intention of slamming her into it, but her foot shot out and stopped the motion. He tried again with the same result.

"Gee Michael, shall we go again? They always say third time’s the charm," Willow teased.

Michael tried to move her again, this time anticipating her foot coming out, but instead of stopping the motion, Willow seemed to be using it to her advantage. Her left foot hit the wall and she then threw her right foot to join it, in effect, climbing the wall. She did a flip back, making Michael release her arm as she landed behind him. She grabbed his arm and slammed him into the wall. She then made a staking movement.

"Oh, so sorry. I meant third time’s a charm for me," she said sweetly as she let go of Michael and headed over to Nikita, who was smiling proudly at the teenager. "So what’s next?" Nikita laughed as Birkhoff just shook his head.

"I think it’s time for lunch," she said. She looked over at Michael who was staring at the girl that had just beaten him. "Michael, care to join us or is your pride to wounded."

"Yeah, I’ll come. If for no other reason than to find out how Willow pulled that off," he replied. Michael joined the other three and they left the training area.

"Well, well, well, looks like we may have underestimated young Rosenberg," Operations observed.

"Yes. Her numbers from the sim this morning were quite impressive as was that fight with Michael," Madeline answered. "Miss Rosenberg may become a much better asset to Section than originally intended." Operations just nodded his head as the two headed back to his office.