| Subject: Jericho, 9 |
Author:
Anon
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 09:19:00 03/02/02 Sat
**
Nikita skimmed over the profile Michael had given her once more, having already read it thoroughly twice, and then she lowered it and looked skeptically across the desk at Michael. “Who is this guy?”
The weight of her gaze bore down on Michael and he turned his head to the side and looked out his office window into Section. He realized with a twist of irony that he – a Level five operative trained to withstand all manner of torture and intense interrogation, was finding it difficult to tell a simple lie in the face of Nikita’s simple question. Carefully schooling his features, he turned back and met Nikita’s gaze. “The Agency wants us to keep tabs on him.”
“Why?”
Her blue gaze remained locked on his and Michael stared back at her without answering. She was always so full of questions and not in the least shy about asking them. Nikita continued to stare at him and Michael realized with an inward sigh that she wasn’t going to let this one go. “I don’t know why,” he lied. “Just do the job.”
She sat back and rolled her eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t tell me. You never do. Everything has to be a big secret around here. Don’t you think it might be more beneficial if I knew what to expect while I’m out there?”
“You know all that you need to know.”
“That’s what you say.” She sighed loudly and then stood up and began to pace the small confine of his office. “I don’t like it,” she said, stopping to look out his window into Section. “Something’s not right about it.”
“Such as?”
She turned to look at him, her eyes frowning. “I don’t know. Just something.”
Michael stood then and walked over to where she was standing. He stopped less than a foot from her and looked into her eyes. “You’ll be fine,” he said quietly. I’ll make sure you’re okay.
Nikita continued to stare at him for several long seconds, and then her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly and she nodded once. There was still doubt in her eyes, but along with it was something else that Michael had worked hard and long to cultivate in her. Trust. She took another deep breath and searched his eyes once more. “Okay,” she said, flatly. “I’ll do what you ask, but so help me, Michael, if you’re lying to me I swear I’ll …”
He raised one brow. A ghost of a smile lifting one corner of his mouth. No one else in Section dared to threaten him. Only Nikita. He raised one hand and touched her cheek lightly, very briefly. “The briefing’s about to start.”
Nikita made an exasperated sound and looked away. He wished there was a way to make her see that some things were better left unsaid. Knowing what kind of man Alex Chandler truly was would not make her performance in this mission any easier. If anything, it would have the exact opposite effect. “Once you gain his trust you’ll be given more detail, Nikita.”
“Yeah. Sure.” She turned, sighing, picked up the PDA and clicked it off. And then she turned and left the office without saying anything else.
At the briefing Nikita sat like a stone, arms crossed defensively over her chest and eyes staring straight ahead. Michael wasn’t even certain if she was paying attention to what Operations was saying. Apparently, neither did Operations. He placed his hands on the edge of the table and leaned down, looking pointedly at Nikita.
“Are there any questions?”
Nikita stared back at Operations and Michael felt the tension in the air heighten. He slanted a look sideways and willed her to remain silent. Operations, still looking directly at her, straightened up. “Zero mistakes,” he said, and then, turning on his heel, dismissed them.
Nikita pushed her chair back and stood up. She turned to leave but stopped when Michael called her name. Standing, he looked into her eyes. “You have only one shot at this,” he said, his voice quiet. “I know you can do it.”
She stood looking at him for a long time without saying anything and then she turned and made her way over to Walter’s.
**
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 
