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codename: Tabitha
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Date Posted: 22:27:42 07/29/01 Sun
In reply to:
codename: Tabitha
's message, "Housekeeping" on 22:25:50 07/29/01 Sun
Riva snapped her previously unattended sketchbook closed. The sound was alarming but she couldn’t believe she had left the thing open. It wasn’t like she was new at this or anything. To cover her alarm and allay her quest she asked, “ Like what you see?”
“ Yeah, they’re gorgeous. They’re perfect for that ball.”
“ Want one?” The dresses were already being made, would likely be destroyed within hours of final fittings. Section One could survive with one less ball gown. Riva was convinced the word ‘makeover’ would thaw her friend’s deceptively icy exterior. Better approach her carefully. She’s been so prickly since her last spat with Paul. Riva thought, but then again there was no law stating Madeline even had to know of the dress.
Julia’s next words brought her plans to a screeching halt. “ I’m not going.”
“ What! But why, you were so looking forward to this. It’s the chance you’ve been waiting for.”
“ Then why?” Riva asked again. She didn’t want to see the girl throw away this chance.
“ I can’t afford it.”
“ What can’t you afford?”
“ To make a fool of myself. These things require glitz, I don’t have it and I can’t afford to attain it. I don’t have the cash for a new hairdo let alone a Gucci dress. My manners lack refinement and my gait is choppy at best. I can’t make the cut.”
“ With an attitude like that no. Your manners need polishing yes, but your candor is refreshing and just what this city needs. As for the look and dress, it’s my line of work trust me. By the time I’m done with you you’ll be a knock out, but I’m thinking with a girl next door approachability.”
“ I can’t ask you to do that.”
“ My pleasure, besides it’ll be fun. You just worry about that sales pitch. Leave the rest to me.
Riva entered the Section that afternoon with an extra bounce in her step. Her mind was already on her office and the yards of material she had to choose from. Julia’s dress had to be perfect.
“ Hey doll you’re early.” Walter hailed her, as she would have otherwise sailed past munitions with out their customary chat.
“ I wanted to get some work done before my shift.”
“ You were never that much of a work horse. What’s going on?”
“ Just a pet project of my own.”
“ They keep us sane, in this rat race. Dose this have anything to do with that glow of yours?
“ Ah Walter I reserve that for you.”
“ Anytime, doll.” Riva laughed and with a wave continued on her way. It seemed fate was bent on keeping her from the relative sanctuary of her office, because Birkoff chose this day to prevail on her as well.
“ Riva! I’m glad you’re here.”
Unable to snub the young man she altered her course. “ What is it, Birkoff?” She said taking in the harried hacker’s appearance.
“ Three flash missions set in an hour, Madeline has her hands full with a Valentine team leaving in ten, and the mission house in Belgrade is nonexistent.”
Riva sighed, preparing to calm the man. At that moment however the real reason for his alarm sounded off in the echoing corridors of Section. “ Birkoff!” Operations thundered his face was fearsome in the extreme.
“ Paul’s in rare form.” She muttered.
“ Riva!”
“ Don’t worry the old dragon’s blowing steam not fire. Tell you what. You save me a trip to those hotheads in the profile department and I’ll run interference.” Riva whispered in Birkoff’s ear.
“ These just came from tactile.” Birkoff hurriedly handed off the mission briefs and shooed her aside.
Riva put herself on a direct collision course with the ‘fearsome’ leader of Section One. She had to bite back a smile at the title. Paul was usually as harmless as a fly. He must have gotten into quite a tiff with Madeline today. Catching his wrist in a grip still as strong as her days from cold ops, she addressed him. “ Can we talk, Sir?” She made sure he knew it was not a request with a baleful look and a slight tightening of her fingers.
Operations nodded and followed her into an unoccupied office. With a quick look around Riva identified it as Michael’s. Good he was busy prepping for a mission and would not be back for hours. The privacy net he had installed recently was an added bonus. They would not be disturbed. Riva had no trouble activating it having acceded to his request herself.
“ What’s gotten you into an uproar?” She demanded, having accomplished her task.
“ How dare you-“
“ I dare you, because I’ve known you since you were a recruit. You, Madeline and I raised those high and mighty trolls ire a few times. I am your friend Paul. I hate to see you like this. But taking it out on your operatives isn’t fair!”
“ Life isn’t fair.”
“ Paul!”
“ You’re right! Its just-“
“ Don’t let her win, not like this.” Riva exited the room on that remark. Now she had to get those flash missions off the ground, if she ever wanted peace and quite again. Julia’s dress would just have to wait.
Riva had finished the missions and seen to it that her team was assigned to the Belgrade house. Finally she was able to shut herself in her office with a cup of coffee, fabric swatches and a sketchpad. It was her idea of heaven. She was on her fifth sketch when the door opened to admit Section’s resident Ice Queen.
“ Riva, commendations are in order for you handling of today’s rush.”
“ Thank you, but where was the operative on board?”
“ We’re looking into it.”
“ Belgrade is an absolute mess.”
“ Which you cleaned away.”
“ Yes.” Riva had not looked up form her drawing. She did not however care for any conversational silences. These made her feel as though her friend was analyzing her. This she knew was true, but where was it written she had to feel like it? Riva had the seniority and she decided she didn’t. “ Michael and his new material causing you problems?”
“ Nikita is decidedly innocent.”
“ Refreshing isn’t it?”
“ Irritating.”
“ Her innocent outlook on life or dare I say it, you’re protective tendencies toward her?”
“ More coffee?”
“ Ah so your family remark was more then a well written script this time. I wondered who would crack you.”
“ Hardly.”
“ Maybe it’s the fact that Michael shows a marked preference for her.”
“ Riva, you are not putting credence in the rumor mill are you?”
“ Not in that no. You and Paul were made for each other. Maddy cut him some slack.”
“ Your designs for Michael were insightful.”
“ He needs a couple of colors besides black on occasion.” Riva said allowing her to change to subject.
“ But he does black so well.”
“ Oh yes.” Riva agreed and they both laughed at the foolishness of it. “ Some ladies like color, though I have to ask. What were you thinking with that rust orange jacket?"
“ It fit the mission.”
“ But really Maddy!”
“ Sometimes there is no accounting for taste.”
Riva was adding shading to the dress when Madeline leaned over her shoulder. “ Its gorgeous. Whose is it?”
“ It’s a gift for a friend.”
“ You really shouldn’t get involved with potential targets or collateral.”
“ Spare me.”
“ Julia will love it.”
“ Get the cameras out of my apartment now!”
“ Procedure!”
“ Madeline I run half of housekeeping we both know I get nothing from defying Section.”
“ All of it.”
“ Thank you but now I must insist no cameras. Get them out now or I’ll do it.”
“ Alright.”
“ You’ll find the one for my bedroom in the freezer. I detest Voyeurs.”
Madeline laughed and called “ I suggest the purple.” As she left she closed the door behind her. Riva got up and opened it she didn’t like the feeling of being closed off from the regular operatives anymore.
“ Nikita really I won’t cut your hair. I’m talking wig darling wig.”
“ Something young.”
“ Pixie cut?”
“ Black.”
“ See if you trust me we’ll make a wonderful team.”
“ Like I trust Madeline?”
“ God I hope not.”
“ Now let’s see, chain belt. What else did she want?” Nikita asked popping her gum. Yep the little minx had the part down. Well if Madeline was busy enough to send her down here. We are going to have some fun. Riva turned back to Nikita holding an outrageous hat. “ You like?” Nikita laughed and she knew she would have no more trouble with this willful operative.
The day of the party was fast approaching and Julia was beside herself. “ I just can’t get it right!” She waxed melodramatic and fell into a nearby chair.
“ Julia really its only a matter of following your natural instincts.”
“ My dear every woman is a femme fatale. There is nothing as powerful as your sexuality."
“ Who are you?” She snapped at knockout standing in Riva’s doorway.
“ My name’s Madeline. Riva did you forget about our dinner date?”
“ Completely.”
“ Hello!” Julia snapped, “ I’m in the room.”
“ There you see. Right there.” Madeline motioned to the stance. “ Its simply a matter of training your natural grace. The rest is simply a safety net. Straighten your shoulders, roll your hip out and tilt your head up. A little down, there perfect.”
“ In a mid thigh dress it is seductive, in a formal gown negligently elegant. The perfect entrance.” Riva agreed. “ We’ll have you ready yet.” There was no resentment for Madeleine’s intrusion. She and Madeleine made a perfect set. Years of being on the same team had honed a natural talent into mutual respect and a deep friendship. They made teamwork an art form. “ That is enough for now, we’ll see you tomorrow.”
Riva picked up her purse and said, “Well?”
“ I don’t want to intrude.”
“ It’ll be fun.”
“ What do you want to eat?”
“ Burgers and fries?” Riva asked.
“ Don’t forget dessert.” Madeline said stuffing the overcoat into the pack seat and easily going from five star hotel to dinner with the family.
“ Forget the essentials? Never.” Riva said.
Nikita was at Munitions helping Walter clean up, when she noticed the two walking toward the exit the next day. “ What’s with them?”
“ When they get like that. I make it a habit not to ask, Sugar.”
“ Those two together and laughing? It can only mean one thing.” Another female operative said joining them. She and Nikita shared a look. “ Make over.”
“ Sit back and enjoy the ride, ladies.”
“ Ah, Walter we were hoping you would join us?” Nikita said.
“ We need an escort to dinner.” Her friend agreed.
“ Lead the way ladies.”
Julia entered Riva’s apartment later that day to find it a virtual Salon. Madeline had engrained in her physique that which she feared. Now it was Riva’s turn. She had laid out a whole line of gowns of different lengths, colors, and styles. With each new dress came a new look and instruction on just how to achieve that particular makeup effect and hairdo. There was nothing that they did for her that the woman left Julia unskilled in.
On the day of the ball Julia arrived to find Riva’s apartment locked and a note on the door.
Julia,
Pick a style and be ready by five. A limo will pick you up.
Good luck.
It was with a hesitant air that she got herself ready, but she was surprised to see the result she had aimed for when she was finished. Upon arriving at the ball she made the perfect entrance and was surprised to see both Julia and Madeline in attendance. She didn’t bait an eyelash though and pretended no recognition. Because of them though her sales pitch had changed and was the talk of the business world in days.
When she arrived home that evening she found another note on her door.
Julia,
You were a smashing success. We’ve taken the liberty of having your drawing made for you. You’ll also find a new wardrobe and everything you need to achieve those looks. Don’t worry it’s a gift. Madeline and I had to move unexpectantly, we’ll be in touch, but please don’t try to find us. The only thing we ask is that you follow your dreams. Take it form us life is too short not to live every moment. Be your own femme fatale and own the world you deserve it.
Love,
Julia and Madeline
Weeks later Julia stopped in systems as a news program caught her eye. The news reporter was just finishing up.
“ Julia O’ Connor a native New Yorker has taken Paris by storm. The designs of her new line have something for every woman. Her new organization takes woman off the street and turns them into successful members of society. They receive grooming, instruction, education, job placement and a wardrobe that makes them look like the inside of a fashion magazine.” His final quote came form Julia herself.
“ I credit my success to two ladies who showed me that every woman is a femme fatale. They taught me that it’s a matter of being comfortable with oneself. Femme Fatale’s slogan of Action not words. Comes form them Thanks ladies.”
“ What’s with you?” Birkoff said later on seeing Julia’s smile.
“ Oh nothing its nice to be noticed is all.” She glanced at the perch before leaving and saw Madeline and Paul together in the perch. Her smiled widened, her first week as leader of Housekeeping had been an unquestionable success.
Fin.
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