Operations was restless. There were a few ongoing missions, but he would have to wait for a while to find out how they were progressing. He needed something to occupy his mind, so he decided to check surveillance in Section.

"Birkoff ... forward all surveillance feed to my office now."

"Yes sir" Birkoff replied, silently wondering who could be in trouble now. It was an unusual request, but it wasn't something that never happened.

Operations sat down at his computer and started going through Section, area by area. He watched and listened for a few minutes, then he switched to the next area. When he came to Walter's station, he noticed Nikita was there talking with Walter. They seemed intent. He turned up the volume so he could hear clearly.

"... it's Michael's."

Operations noticed Walter dropping the gadget he was working on and looking at Nikita. His expression was strange. Not exactly worried, but not calm and collected Walter. He even seemed a little surprised. Then Walter spoke.

"Does he know?"

Nikita shook her head. "No. I'm not sure how he will react .... Will you help me?"

Walter took her hand. "Of course I'll help you Sugar. I just hope you know what you're doing."

Nikita smiled, leaned over and kissed Walter on the cheek and said "Thanks." Then she left for parts unknown.

Operations was furious. He turned off surveillance. The he hit the intercom. "Birkoff! Turn off my surveillance feed. Is Michael here?"

Birkoff knew Operations was mad. He wished the man would stop taking his anger out on him, though. Somebody was apparently in trouble. He couldn't imagine it was Michael. Since Operations wanted to see Michael, however, he hoped it wasn't Nikita. That girl had a knack for getting in Operations' dog house.

"Yes sir. And yes, Michael is in his office. Should I get him for you?" Birkoff asked.

Operations glanced around Section and said "No. I'll do it myself." With that, he turned off the intercom and headed out of his office. Birkoff watched Operations head off in the direction of Michael's office. Wow, this must be serious, Birkoff thought. Operations doesn't often leave his office to track somebody down. Maybe Michael is in trouble."

Operations was in rare form. He was upset, angry, disgusted, disappointed and worried all rolled into one. He couldn't believe that Michael could let something like this happen. He knew something like was inevitable. That's why he had tried to keep Michael and Nikita apart. He had obviously failed. And his two best operatives. Separately they were great -- together they were unbeatable. What was he going to do? He didn't want to lose either of them, but he couldn't let this go. He wouldn't. If he let them get away with it, then everyone would want equal treatment. He always knew Nikita would be a thorn in his side, but he didn't expect this. He should have canceled her when she first showed up. But no, he had listened to Michael.

Michael was finishing up the report on his latest mission when someone barged into his office. Assuming it was Nikita, he didn't bother looking up right away.

The fact that Michael wasn't paying any attention to him wasn't helping Operations' attitude either. He hadn't been standing there that long, but long enough. "Michael" he barked.

Michael was shocked to hear Operations' voice. He had thought it was Nikita. He looked up and, in patent Michael-style, replied "Yes." Michael's response irked Operations even more. It was one of the qualities Operations admired most about Michael, his ability to never reveal his emotions ... fear, anger, worry, confusion -- whatever Michael was feeling, no one ever knew it. It made him the best operative in Section. But right now he wasn't appreciating that quality in the least.

"A situation has come to my attention, Michael. Involving you. You need to handle it immediately. You have defied me one too many times where she is concerned Michael. I will not tolerate it any more." Michael didn't have the foggiest notion of what Operations was referring to. What had Nikita done now? That could be the only "she" he was talking about. She was the only person, other than Madeline, that could rile Operations up so much. And since Michael had never defied Operations over Madeline, that left Nikita.

Michael, keeping the blank expression firmly in place, inquired "What situation?"

Operations had had this conversation with others before, but he never thought he would have to have it with Michael. He hated the situation it put him in, but he was in charge and he had to deal with it. If it always made him out to be the ogre ... so be it.

Operations took a seat in front of Michael desk and began. "First, Michael, I think you should switch off the surveillance."

Michael was surprised. He couldn't imagine Operations not wanting every little detail preserved for posterity. Something to use against him in the future. But he complied. With a few quick keystrokes, Michael had surveillance jammed. When he was finished he nodded for Operations to continue.

"I was monitoring Section surveillance this morning. I happened to catch a conversation between Walter and Nikita. It seems that ... you and Nikita have a serious situation to deal with. Apparently she is pregnant with your child."

Michael was floored. What was Operations talking about? He and Nikita had not been intimate since the Armel mission. That was about six months ago. There was no way Nikita was pregnant with his child. He would have known. She would have told him. Or at least he had to believe she would. Then his heart stopped. What if ... what if she was pregnant? What if it was someone else's ... no. Don't even think it, he reprimanded himself. If she was pregnant, she would have told you. This had to be a test. But a test of whom? For what purpose?

Michael finally spoke. "You must be mistaken." Michael's mind was whirling. He had learned long ago to keep the answers short and simple. Don't give away any information.

Operations sighed. He reached for the intercom. "Birkoff, find the surveillance feed from Walter's station that was fed into my office about 15 minutes ago. Send it to Michael's computer."

Birkoff was curious. He would love to take the time to watch the tape, but he knew he couldn't. After he sent it to Michael he just might have to take a look and see what had Operations so upset. "Yes sir. I'll send it right away." A few moments passed. "Sir, the file has downloaded. You can view it now."

Operations got up from his chair. "Thank you Birkoff." Then he moved around to stand beside Michael. He pushed a few buttons on the computer and stated "Here is your proof Michael." Operations watched Michael as he silently viewed the portion of surveillance Operations was referring to.

He had to give Michael credit. The man just didn't give anything away. Michael watched the tape. Of course, it was only a portion of the conversation and it could be referring to anything, but it certainly sounded like Operations was right. He couldn't believe it. Why hadn't she told him? She had told Walter that she was worried about his reaction. He knew she still had a hard time trusting him completely, but he thought they were working past that.

For a tiny instant, Michael was thrilled. He and Nikita having a child ... it was his dream come true. But then the real world came crashing down. The circumstances were totally wrong. They were in Section One after all. Not much in the way of happy family life here. What would they do? Would they make her give up the child? He knew she would never have an abortion.

Would they send her out on missions just to try and make her lose the child? He needed to find her fast and make some decisions. But then Michael's mind started swirling again. What if it was a lie? A test. Something made to appear to be one thing when it was really something else. Nikita and Walter could have been discussing anything. He needed to find Nikita now and get to the bottom of this. He looked at Operations and said "I'll handle it."

Operations stared at Michael. "I will give you 24 hours. If you haven't taken care of it by then, I will." Then he spun on his heel and left.

Michael sighed, lowered his head and rubbed his temples. Then he straightened up and called Birkoff. "Birkoff, where is Nikita now?"

Birkoff checked his computer and replied "She's in Testing Area 3 Michael."

Michael clicked off the intercom. What was she doing in Testing Area 3? Something was definitely fishy here. He stood up and left his office, buttoning his jacket as he walked out the door. He glanced towards Walter's office and noticed Walter was not there either. He stood there and thought for a few seconds, and then he went back into his office and called Nikita's cell phone.

"Yeah" Nikita answered when her phone rang.

Michael's voice was on the other end. "Kita, we need to talk. Now."

Nikita was confused. Michael sounded ... upset. And he didn't usually call her 'Kita' over the phone. She was expecting "Josephine." Maybe she shouldn't go ahead with her plans. But she had to now. It was too late. She just hoped it didn't backfire. "Sure Michael. But, uh, could you come here? I can't leave right now. I'm in Testing Area 3."

Michael didn't want this conversation to be held anywhere in Section, but if she couldn't leave, she couldn't leave. He only had 24 hours. "Fine. I'll be right there."

Nikita was nervous. She so wanted this to work. But Michael had sounded strange. Upset, worried, maybe even a bit angry. Now she didn't know what to do. She had planned this a couple of weeks ago. And today she had recruited Walter to help her. Now she didn't know what to do.

Madeline and Walter were there. Birkoff said he be there shortly. Many of her friends who weren't on missions came. And some of the people she knew Michael was friendly with were there as well.

Nikita turned to look towards Walter. Walter and Madeline both noticed the look on her face.

"What's wrong, Sugar?" Walter asked. "Surely he didn't say he wouldn't come."

"No, it's not that," she replied. "He said we need to talk. Something is wrong. I just don't know what it is."

Madeline was listening. "I'm sure it's nothing, Nikita. I know of nothing that involves Michael that would be a problem. Maybe he wants to go over your next mission."

Nikita listened, but she couldn't agree. "No Madeline. You didn't hear him. There is definitely something wrong. Maybe I should just cancel."

Just then Birkoff came through the door. "He's heading this way. I don't know what you told him to get him here, Nikita, but he doesn't look happy at all."

Walter looked at Nikita and shrugged. Madeline spoke. "Everyone, he's coming. Let's get quiet."

Nikita headed towards the door of the room. It was only a minute or so before Michael showed up. He pulled the door open and noticed Nikita standing there. He entered the room and started to talk.

"Nikita ..."

Just then everyone in the room yelled "SURPRISE!" Michael was stunned. He hadn't even noticed anyone else in the room. What was going on? The he noticed the sign that was hanging across the wall. It said "Happy Birthday, Michael." He stood there not knowing what to do. Nikita didn't know what to do either. Michael was clearly upset when he headed into the room. And he didn't seem to be getting any happier.

Finally Madeline stepped up to him. "Happy Birthday, Michael. I hope you enjoy the party. Nikita has worked very hard on it. And she had a little help from Walter."

Michael looked around at everyone there. He would have to make a show of at least trying to enjoy himself. "Thank you Madeline."

He then leaned over and kissed Nikita on the cheek. "Thank you. You shouldn't have." Then he leaned in closer and whispered, "We really need to talk."

But by then it was too late. Everyone in the room was coming forward to offer Michael birthday wishes. Then the party just seemed to take over. There were presents to open and cake and ice cream to serve. It was well over two hours before the party started breaking up. Michael was becoming a nervous wreck.

Madeline had left the party after an hour. Heading back to her office, she noticed Operations in his office. Why hadn't he joined the party? She changed directions and entered his office. "You are missing the party. I think you should at least make an appearance."

Operations looked up at her. "Party, what party. What are you talking about Madeline?"

Madeline sighed. How could he have forgotten. "Michael's birthday party. It's in full swing. You really should go down there and at least wish him a happy birthday. How could you have forgotten?"

"I don't have time for parties, Madeline. We have a serious situation." He then proceeded to tell Madeline about the surveillance and his subsequent discussion with Michael.

Madeline didn't believe it for a second. She would certainly know if Nikita was keeping something that big a secret. There had to be some other explanation. She asked to see the surveillance file. Operations hit a few keys and played it for her.

Madeline started laughing. Operations couldn't believe his ears. Why was she laughing? This was serious. "Madeline, I don't think this is a laughing matter."

Madeline calmed herself down. She then proceeded to explain that Nikita was asking Walter to help her with setting up the party. It was for Michael and it was a surprise. She was worried about Michael's reaction to the party.

Operations was truly embarrassed. Next time he would have to check a bit more before he jumped to conclusions. He knew he had to go and talk to Michael before he talked to Nikita. Grabbing his jacket he rushed to Testing Area 3. He noticed that the party was beginning to break up. He entered the room and headed straight for Michael. When he walked up, Michael was saying "Nikita we really need to talk. Now. Make an excuse and let's go to my office."

Nikita nodded her head and was about to make an announcement. Operations stopped her. "That won't be necessary Michael. I was mistaken. It was a misunderstanding. Just forget we ever had that discussion. And by the way, Happy Birthday."

The End