Michael was sitting in his office working on reports from the last mission he was on. It hadn't been that big of a deal ... the reports wouldn't take long at all and then he would be off to spend some time with Nikita.

He had finally decided it was time to do something about their on again, off again, relationship ... well, you couldn't really call it that yet ... but whatever it was, he wanted it fixed. He was tired of never knowing from one second to the next how she was feeling. He was tired of her wanting him one minute and hating him the next. And he was tired of her having to guess about how he felt.

He was tired of all the lies and manipulations. Not that he could do much about it. As long as they were in Section, they would always be a part of his job. However, he could come clean with Nikita and let her know how he really felt ... then they could work through the hard times ... the lies, the manipulations ... the betrayals, together.

He was just about finished with his report when Birkoff's voice came over the speaker. "Michael, Operations wants to see you immediately." "Just great" Michael thought to himself, "what's up now. I guess there goes our plans for this evening." Michael left his office and headed for Operations' observation deck. As he passed by Birkoff's station, he was curious. Birkoff didn't seem to be working on anything urgent. No mission ready to go ... no serious intel to be found ... what could be up? Why was he summoned?

"Oh please," he thought "don't let it be about Nikita. Please don't let them want to cancel her again. And don't let them push me into betraying her again." Michael didn't actually realize it until he was finished that he was sending up this silent prayer. He didn't even know if he believed in God anymore, except when he looked at Nikita. Then he truly did believe that God existed. He had to. Otherwise, a magnificent creature like Nikita would exist.

Michael turned to Birkoff and inquired "Birkoff, are we prepping for a mission?" Birkoff looked up at Michael. "No. There won't be any mission ready for at least another 24 hours." Michael continued to stare at Birkoff and then finally asked "Then why was I summoned to Operations' office?" "I don't know, Michael. He didn't tell me. He just told me to call you."

Michael knew he wouldn't get anything more out of Birkoff, even if he did know anything. So he headed for Operations' office. He entered and saw Operations and Madeline sitting at the desk. There was someone else there as well. It was Marcus from the Agency, the man that had taken over for George when George had retired. Now he was getting worried.

"Hello Michael" Madeline said. "Please sit down." Michael sat in the only chair left in the room, directly across from Madeline. "Wonderful" he thought to himself. "Now she will analyze every little twitch of my face and try to make something out of it. I will just have to maintain control at all times."

Marcus began to speak. "Michael, we called you here for a specific reason. As you know, you are the top candidate for taking over as Operations when Paul steps down. As of today, Paul has decided to retire in two weeks. I am here to offer you a choice. One, you can assume the position of Operations, if you want it. Madeline will continue to be your second-in-command until she retires, at which time you may choose your own replacement. You will answer directly to me and no one else."

Marcus paused and waited. Everyone's eyes were watching Michael. He was getting very uncomfortable. There was definitely something wrong here. He had assumed all along that he would be promoted to Operations when Paul retired. SO what was going on? And what was this choice business? No one is usually given any kind of choice in Section. Finally, Michael broke the silence. "And the other choice?"

Madeline cleared her throat. Operations smirked. Marcus cleared his throat and began speaking once again. "Michael, everyone in Section One and at the Agency is aware of your "special relationship" with Nikita. And we do not strictly share Paul's feelings on the subject of relationships between operatives. Not that we would outwardly endorse any such policy. However, we would make exceptions in special cases, such as yours and Nikita's. You make a great team, you have each served the Section well. And you seem to push each other to be better. And you both seem to stop functioning when the other is missing."

"What we are proposing, is that if you want, you may remain a level five operative and have your relationship with Nikita. If you want to get married, fine. We just have two requests. If you do choose to stay with Nikita, you do not make it obvious inside Section that you and Nikita are together. And the other thing ... if you do choose Nikita, you give up your chance at becoming Operations. Now and for the foreseeable future."

Michael couldn't believe what he was hearing. His mind was in such a jumble he could hardly sort it out. They were offering him a chance at a life with his one true love. But there were strings attached. But then again, this was Section, what did he really expect. Schooling his face so as to not show any kind of emotion, Michael looked at each person in the room. Finally he asked "How long before you need a decision?"

Marcus replied, "We need to know by the end of the week. Someone will have to be brought up to speed on the running of Section before Paul leaves. If not you, then the next candidate in line. Let us know as soon as you decide."

With that, Marcus left. The three remaining people in the room were silent. Finally, Michael got up to leave. Operations stopped him. "Michael, choose very carefully. Make sure you can live with whatever decision you make for the rest of your life. You are extremely qualified to run Section. Probably more so than I. Don't give up a chance to 'save the world' if you don't really mean it." With that, Michael turned on his heels and left.

Operations turned to Madeline. "Well, what do you think?" Madeline smiled. "I have no idea. He has becoming quite skilled at hiding any emotion. My guess is we will know only when he is ready for us to know."

Michael had returned to his office. He just sat there in the darkness and stared into space. What was he going to do now? The only two things he has ever really wanted, and now he had to choose one or the other. Of course, it should be a very simple decision. He loved Nikita. He wanted to be with her. So, why not take the opportunity they were being given to be together?

But it wasn't that simple. If he was Operations, he would have total control over Section. He could choose which missions to send Nikita on. He could even make her a mission profiler, or put her in training for Madeline's job. Anything to keep her safe inside Section. He couldn't lose her. Becoming Operations was his best chance at protecting her. Sure, he could do his best to protect her if he was on missions with her, but what about when she went on missions without him? Anything could happen.

And then there was the fact that if she found out about this and realized that he chose the position of Operations over her, she would hate him for the rest of his life. Not that he could blame her. They had struggled so long and hard to try and keep their relationship together through all the lies and manipulations and betrayals, to just give it up seemed implausible. She would never understand. But, he could make himself live with it if he knew she would be safe and close by.

Michael's thoughts went round and round. He only had till the end of the week to decide what to do. He rubbed his hand over his eyes and decided to go home. Just then his cell phone rang. "Hello" he answered. "Hey Michael, I thought you were coming by" he heard on the other end of the line.

Nikita. Great, just what he needed right now. He would have to put her off yet again. "I was. I'm sorry. I was called into a briefing at the last minute and didn't have a chance to call you. We'll have to do it some other time." Nikita paused and then answered in that tone that let you know she was annoyed "Yeah, sure, whatever, Michael. Just let me know when you think you can stand being in my company again and we'll see." With that she hung up.

Michael sighed. Well, what did he expect. He was always putting her off for some reason or the other. One of these days he just expected her to completely blow him off for good.

Deciding he didn't really want to go home, Michael went and stretched out on the couch in his office. Why go home? It wouldn't serve any purpose and it wouldn't help him think any better. Besides, it might help convince Nikita that he was really here because of a briefing for a mission.

*******

The next morning, Michael woke with a start. He did not feel relaxed at all. What was going on? How did he get all tangled up in his bedsheets? Then he finally realized what had happened. It had all been a dream! He had been dreaming, if you could call it that. More like a nightmare! Feeling better now that he realized it was just another normal day at Section, Michael got up and prepared to head in to Section.

THE END