Shades of red and blue reflected off of Michael's face as he leaned in towards Birkoff's computer screen to scrutinize the sim results coming up before him.

"Birkoff, what does this mean?" Michael asked, pointing at an unfamiliar cluster.

"I'm checking into it. I'll have a readout for you in five minutes."

Michael leaned back from the screen and took a deep breath. It was too early in the morning for Section to be in such pandemonium. He needed to step away from it all and just take time out to think. "I'll be in my office." He informed Birkoff, then quickly exited the terminal. He was halfway to his office when, for no particular reason, he glance up at the bridge... to see Operations looking directly down at him. Michael said nothing, just averted his eyes uneasily, paused for a moment, then continued on to his office. Just a few moments later there came a knock at his door, just as he suspected it would.

"Come in," Michael called out.

Operations opened the door and entered the office. "Now this is unusual," Michael mused to himself, "Operations coming to ME? On MY turf?" But he said nothing.

"Hello, Michael," Operations greeted, his mouth screwed into a taut, oily smile as it always was when he was concealing something from an operative. Michael had learned to read that smile well.

"Hello." He replied curtly, but not coldly. Unsure of how to treat this unexpected visit to his office, he graciously motioned to a chair and said "Have a seat,"

Operations shook his head. He wasn't willing to give up THAT much power in this situation! "I don't know how to say this..." he began, "But I have a proposition for you..."Michael nodded his head, saying nothing.

"Do you remember when we spoke months ago about you taking my place in Section? Well, the time has come much sooner than I thought it would." Operations looked directly at Michael for a response. There was none on Michael's face. His features were flat and emotionless. So Operations continued, "I'm being transferred by a higher-up to a less conspicuous, but more administrative position. The transition will occur in two weeks' time. I need to have a new leader in place before that transpires."

Operations drew in a deep breath, and paced the length of Michael's office before coming to stop right in front of his desk. "Michael, I have three possibilities in mind for this. You're my number one. I'm coming to you first, because I believe you're the best suited for the job. The best suited and the most qualified. But it's up to you." Michael knew Operations was building up to the catch.

"What does this transition require from me?" He asked slowly and cautiously.

Operations paused, placing his words very carefully. "When a new Operations is brought into power, every operative in the Section is cleaned out. The higher-ranking, more valuable operatives are transferred to different Sections. The lower-ranking operatives may be sent to re-train in different Sections as well, but most of the less valuable operatives... those that are expendable... are cancelled. We want you to have a "clean slate" to work with when you start. All new operatives; some brought in from different Sections, others brought in fresh for training. No one will know your past, no one will have the advantage of being able to predict your actions. This eliminates the possibility of mutiny or disobedience. The group is brought in fresh and unfamiliar with each other, to be molded by your capable hands into whatever you choose."

Michael nodded, as he was beginning to see the "bigger picture".

"Michael," Operations stopped short, looking at him directly. "This includes EVERYONE. Should you become Operations, even Nikita will be transferred. You will never see her again," he paused a moment to let the words sink in before continuing, "Of course, it's your choice. We could transfer you both to another Section when the new Operations comes into power. There are some Sections that are more casual about relationships between operatives. If it is your wish, I could send both you and Nikita there when I leave Section. But it's up to you."

Operations paused for a moment, and realizing that Michael was not going to give him an answer immediately, he finished, "You have three days to come to terms with what I've told you. I expect an answer by the end of the third day."

Operations waited for a moment before leaving the room to try and get some kind of recognition from Michael. Michael, however, did everything he could to avoid looking at him directly. Operations got the message and left quietly.

Michael felt as if he were in a trance the rest of the day. The world seemed to move in slow motion around him, and he was isolated in his own little bubble. He stayed in his office until very late that night, dreading the emptiness and desperation he knew he'd feel once he got home.

"Michael?" Nikita's soft voice spoke from the doorway.

Michael's head snapped up abruptly. He had figured just about every free operative had gone home for the evening... the only people that would be left at Section would be those monitoring the current mission, and those working graveyard in Comms.

"Nikita. I thought you'd be home by now." Michael avoided her probing gaze... only stared intently at his empty computer screen, as if it were the most fascintating thing in the world.

"I was detained. Something went wrong with the mission, and Operations asked me to monitor until things got cleared up. Why are you still here?"

Michael shrugged. "I had things to do."

"Oh." Nikita half-nodded, as if she understood. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." Michael answered, his voice controlled and void of emotion. "I'm fine." He allowed himself to look at her for a brief moment, then turned his attention back to his blank computer.

"I heard the news today. Operations is moving up. That's good news for you... isn't it?"

Michael only slightly winced as her words hit him. She obviously had no idea what that meant... most lower-level operatives didn't. Nikita was trying to get information from him he wasn't at liberty to give.

"Would you like to join me for dinner?" Michael asked, surprising even himself with the abruptness of the question.

Nikita blinked, unphased. "Sure. Let me go get my coat..." She stood and looked at Michael curiously. She wanted to ask him what was bothering him, but knew where to stop when it came to digging with Michael.

Michael avoided her probing gaze and shifted his attention back to his empy computer screen. "I'll wait for you above ground."

**********

Ten minutes later, Nikita appeared on the sidewalk above. Her breath was crisp in the January air, her hair frosty against the black of her overcoat. She looked beautiful, Michael thought, and his heart ached for her.

"You look beautiful..." he said finally, brushing his lips against her cheek in a warm greeting after a few moments of struggling with his emotions.

Nikita smiled quizzically, obviously confused. "Thank you..."

"Where would you like to go to eat?" Michael asked quickly, keeping the conversation light.

"I don't care... anything sounds good to me about now!"

Michael glanced across the street and noticed a transit bus loading passengers. For the first time in a long while he felt spontaneous. He took Nikita's hand and led her toward the bus.

Nikita giggled as she realized his intentions. "Michael, this bus is headed for a city almost seventy miles away!"

Michael said nothing, just paid the bus fare and led Nikita to a window seat near the back. He sat down, and pulled her in close to him, her hand held tightly in his lap. His head leaned in close to hers, his eyes clouded with longing and sorrow...

Nikita felt his sadness. With concern in her voice, she began, "Michael, what's..."

"Sssh." He interrupted her. "Let's just enjoy tonight."

**************

Nikita awoke the next morning as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window and fell across her face. She turned and gazed at Michael's form laying beside her. His face so serenely peaceful as he slept... at that moment she thought there was nothing so beautiful and angelic on earth. She leaned over him, brushing his cheek with a tender kiss.

Michael's eyelids fluttered at the touch of her lips, and slowly opened. Nikita looked at him intently, unembarrassed by her obvious admiration.

For the first few moments after waking, Michael was sure he was still in a dream... he had forgotten Section, Operations... he only thought only of that moment, of being with Nikita... of her passionate eyes and soft lips... He smiled contentedly, languidly resting somewhere between consciousness and slumber.

"Michael," Nikita spoke softly, her voice breaking through his reverie, "I love being here with you..." she smiled sweetly, "But shouldn't we be heading back? We have a long trip ahead, and Operations is probably wondering where we are..."

At this, Michael was instantly jarred into his recollection of yesterday's events. His smile tensed for a moment, then he stretched his arm around Nikita's waist and pulled her closer. "Maybe we should just stay here forever... never go back to Section."

Nikita laughed. "Wouldn't that be nice!" she smiled, playing along with what she presumed was a joke.

Michael's smile faded and he looked deeply into her eyes. "Kita, I'm serious."

Nikita stopped laughing and looked at him, shock lurking somewhere in her features. "You really are serious.... ?" For a moment she was tempted to agree, to just stay locked away in that hotel room forever. But reason got the better of her, and she immediately began her protests. "Michael, it's impossible. You're impossible. I don't understand you."

Michael sat up, and leaning over her, cupped her face in his hands. "Nikita, I mean it. I want to be with you."

"Michael, you ARE with me. We see each other every day. We can spend time like this together during our off days... but you know as well as I that escape from Section is impossible. We'd never be able to enjoy our time together... always looking over our backs... always wondering when we're going to get caught..."

Michael sighed, looked at Nikita for a long moment and kissed her. Nikita's fingers traced the line of Michael's jaw as they parted. She studied his face for a long moment.

"Michael," she finally said, "There's something wrong. You're not yourself. You're never like this. I'm worried."

"It's nothing." Michael insisted, drawing away from her. He stood from the bed and began dressing. Nikita just stared at him, bewildered by his strange behavior. He glanced at her briefly, his face once againan emotionless mask, "You'd better get going. We're already late."

*************************

Back at Section, Madeline and Operations looked over the central HUB of Section One from Operations' office window.

"Do you think he'll be efficient in the role of Operations?" Madeline asked, as her eyes fell on a hurried Michael entering the Section.

"I have no doubt of his capabilities," Operations assured her.

"But he has issues..." Madeline responded, "Certain issues that cannot be resolved. You and I both know that well. That could be an interference."

"We all have issues, Madeline. We learn to deal with them. Michael has learned to deal with his, as you and I learned to deal with ours."

"Yes, I suppose that's true," Madeline agreed with a tight-lipped smile, "But at the time you became Operations, George did not force the issue to have you and I separated. We've seen Michael's reaction when he was separated from Nikita before. He was unstable and virtually useless. He cannot perform in such a demanding position of leadership if he is not functioning at full capacity."

"I believe Michael has grown past that, Madeline. I think you'd be surprised at his capabilities," Operations spoke confidently, as he inwardly thought of a way to make sure Michael got over Nikita once and for all...

*********

"Hey Birkoff," Nikita greeted, sitting down on a swivel stool behind Birkoff's cubicle in Comms. She waited for a moment while Birkoff finished up running his sims, twisting her blonde hair around her finger, lost in thought. Michael and Nikita had been back in Section for nearly twelve hours at this point, and she had hardly seen him. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was dreadfully wrong.

"Hi Nikita, what's going on?" Birkoff greeted, finally turning away from his computer and peering at her through his smokey lenses.

Nikita shrugged. "Not much." She tried to play off her worry with complete coolness, but knew Birkoff sensed her distress. "Actually, it's Michael. Has he said anything to you lately?"

"About what?" Birkoff asked, reviewing conversations he may have held with Michael in the past few days in his head. "Actually, I haven't seen much of him lately," he confessed, suddenly realizing that Michael had not been to see him in well over a week. *How Odd...* he thought to himself.

"I just get the feeling... He's not himself lately. I can't explain it..." her eyes had been darting wildly as she tried to piece her thoughts together, and now she looked directly at Birkoff, self-consciously. "I'm not making much sense, am I?" She sighed. "Look, I know I shouldn't ask you to do this, and I could be cancelled for even mentioning it... Do you have access to Section's mainframe?"

"Of course." Birkoff answered, bewildered.

"Yeah, I guess you would, wouldn't you?" Nikita mused to herself. "Would Operations keep private files on the mainframe? And could you access the files undetected if you needed to?"

"If he's logging it on his computer, I could access it. All units feed into one mainframe. It might take some work, but I could probably zero in on the files coming from his terminal without being suspected. Why? What are you looking for?"

Nikita shrugged. "I don't know. But I think the information I'm looking for would have been entered yesterday. That's about the time Michael started acting... different. I just need to know what's going on..."

Birkoff shook his head. "Look, what Operations and Michael do behind closed doors is their business. I can't help you."

Nikita suddenly felt desperate. "Something's going on and I have a feeling it affects more than just Michael and Operations. Now, do you want it to take us all by surprise, or do you want to know what's going on before it hits you?"

Birkoff hesitated for a moment. "I don't know..."

"I'll be in training if you need me," Nikita said, knowing she had won. Birkoff's curiosity was a stronger form of persuasion than she could ever invoke by pleading. She stood from her stool and slipped from the central room.

*****************************

"Hello, Phoenix. Thank you for coming..." Operations greeted, shaking the hand of a dark-haired young man.

"George told me you had an important assignment for me." the young man replied curtly, wasting no time and cutting right to business.

Operations smiled approvingly. "Yes. Although it's probably not what you expected..." Operations began, escorting the new operative to his seat in front of Operations' desk. Operations sat facing the young man and looked at him for a moment before he began.

He liked what he saw in Adam Phoenix... finely-chisled features, piercing blue eyes... handsome and strong... the very kind of man any sane woman would fall for. This was exactly what Operations had hoped for. He swiveled his computer screen to face Phoenix and typed in a few words. A picture of Nikita immediately appeared on the screen.

"This is one of our operatives here at Section," Operations began. "Her name is Nikita."

Phoenix looked only slightly confused as he waited for Operations to continue.

"Certain events are about to take place here, as George may have told you in confidence. No one is to know about them," Operations stated, looking directly at Adam Phoenix. "Is that clear?"

"Yes sir," Phoenix replied. "But what does this woman have to do with the change in Section's 'management'?"

"There is some debate over how much influence she may have over Michael, who is intended to take my position. I wish to remove her as an obstacle to the chain of command. I want the transfer of power to go as smoothly as possible."

"Sir?" Pheonix was still not quite sure how this was all fitting together.

"Cancellation in this case is not an option. The situation is far too delicate to take a chance with emotional reactions. We need to 'dispose' of this woman in a much more discreet fashion. That's where you come in."

Operations stood and paced the room, stopping directly in front of Adam Phoenix. He sat on his desktop in front of the young man and folded his arms neatly across his chest."I want you to seduce Nikita."

The young operative did not flinch. He had worked his way up in Section by taking advantage of his prowess, and knew the influence he had on women. It had been beneficial in many past missions, and he was confident he would not fail in this request.

Operations continued: "Keep her away from Michael for the next two weeks before the change occurs. Turn her from him so that it is very clear that there is nothing more between them. Help him break free of her forever. Can you do this?"

Phoenix nodded.

Operations smiled, his thin lips curving in a line somewhere between cunning and a grimace. "Good. I'll have her profile on your desk within the hour. Get to work."