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Date Posted: 02:19:45 04/22/11 Fri
Author: asiacheetah
Author Host/IP: ppp-71-128-204-48.dsl.sndg02.pacbell.net / 71.128.204.48
Subject: Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 13 (NC-17)
In reply to: asiacheetah 's message, "Trust is Never Easy - episodic" on 01:00:19 04/22/11 Fri

This is a NC-17 chapter. You've been warned.

This chapter touches on: Third Party Ripoff

Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 13 (NC-17)

When I had decided to pursue a relationship with Nikita, I made the decision knowing that I was choosing Nikita over Section regardless of consequences. I knew Section would not tolerate being second choice for any operative. I had made the leap before when I chose Simone over Section, and we were both put through the wringers as the consequence. It was why Operations and Madeline constantly tested me this many years later. Section demands absolute obedience. Having proven, in their minds my disloyalty, they monitored me constantly.

Even knowing this, I had decided being in a relationship with Nikita was worth whatever the price I would have to pay. In the weeks I kept my distance from Nikita, I started wondering if she fully understood what she was getting into when we begin seeing each other. The vow she had made, which used to ease my doubts, now taunted me.

“You’re worth whatever the price Michael.”

I found that I couldn’t be patient any longer, waiting for Nikita to make up her mind.

Nikita: “I thought there was a briefing.”

Michael: “Twenty minutes. I called you in early so we could talk.”

Nikita: “Oh. Okay.”

Michael: “We should stay together.”

Nikita: “I don’t think I want that anymore.”

Michael: “You didn’t like the way I acted when I had to take charge.”

Nikita: “You became a different person.”

Michael: “No, the same person, just playing a different role. Something we all have to do in here to survive.”

Nikita: “It doesn’t matter how you intellectualize it. I feel the way I feel.”

I couldn’t believe that it would end this way; that her feelings for me were so changeable. After fighting for so long to be together, she wanted to end it before we could find out where it could take us. I leaned forward to kiss her, wanting to know if she would deny what was obviously between us. At the last moment she turned her head so I ended up kissing her cheek. She shook her head, her eyes full of tear and misery and left without saying a word.

*****

Madeline: “Check.”

I moved the Rook into place to save the Queen from danger. I had been summoned to Madeline’s office expecting to be briefed on a mission. Instead, I find the chess board out and Madeline with her best psychoanalyzing smile on her face. I expect she already know about Nikita pulling back and wanted to know how I’m handling things.

Madeline: “Michael you should know better than to get emotionally involved with Nikita. You’ve always loved too deeply and let it impact your judgment.”

Michael: “Is my loyalty to Section being questioned?”
Sometimes it’s exhausting navigating through the mine field in Section.

Madeline: “Just be careful Michael. Operations and I have bigger plans for you.”

Michael: “Perhaps I’m not interested in what you have planned.” I move the knight into place. “Check mate.”

Madeline: “I meant what I said Michael.”

Michael: “I’ll take it under advisement. Would that be all?”

Madeline: “Yes. Thank you Michael.”

*****

The Veldan mission was a disaster. I still don’t know why I broke position to cover Nikita. I knew she was fully capable of taking care of the incoming hostiles, but the possibility of her potentially getting hurt briefly short circuited my reasoning and heightened my protective instincts. Operations and Madeline have been waiting for a chance to take me down since the Bergomi mission. I knew they would use this opportunity against me. It was only a matter of what mode they chose to exact their revenge.

I noticed Nikita was called in to see Madeline after the mission debrief. Apparently Madeline had decided to use what she considered my weakness, in the form of Nikita, against me. What she never understood was that my feelings for Nikita wasn’t a weakness, but my strength since she gives me hope and a reason to continue fighting in this Section trap. Despite her current ambivalence toward me I had to find out what was said.

Michael: “Did they talk to you?”

Nikita: “Well, what do you mean?”

Michael: “Did Madeline suggest you stay away from me?”

Nikita: “She called it a Type One Directive.”

Michael: “And how did you respond?”

Nikita: “I didn’t.”

Michael: “They don’t want us to be together.”

Nikita: “No they don’t.”

Michael: “What about you?”

Nikita: “I’m not sure anymore Michael. I’m not sure of anything.”

Michael: “I told you I thought we should stay together. I haven’t changed my mind. Have your feelings changed?”

Nikita looked at me for a long moment, her eyes reflecting warring emotions of indecision, need, fear, and caring. Finally she sighed and drew closer to me to caress the line of my jaw. Her eyes were softening as she whispered “No. I want you. That’s never changed. I don’t think it ever will.”

Michael: “Good.”

Having held back for weeks waiting for Nikita to come to a decision, I was almost rough when I pulled her into my arms and kissed her hard, needed to lay a claim on her with my body. We had been standing near the door, now I walked her backwards until she leaned against the wall. I held her precious face in my hands as I kissed her mouths over and over again, ravenous with hunger.

Nikita: “Michael. I missed you.” She buried her hands in my hair and drew me toward her, kissing me with equal hunger and need, both of us giving and taking pleasure from each other. Nikita slipped my coat off to drop on the floor and roughly pulled up my shirt to run her eager hands to the skin underneath. The feel of her hands on my bare skin was ecstasy and I reluctantly broke away from the kiss to rip my shirt off.

I leaned into Nikita, pushing her back toward the wall. Placing my hands on her hips, I pulled her strongly toward me, letting her know my desire for her. She let out a low moan at the contact and she wrapped her arms tight around my waist and kissed me with abandon. I reached down and drew one of her leg up to drape around my hip. I step closer and rubbed myself against the hollow between her legs, needing to increase her desire.

Nikita: “Michael.” The sexy growl in her voice stoked the feverish need for her. I let her leg drop back down the ground and stepped back to look at her passion-glazed eyes. Seeing the need and desire there, I took her hand and led her up to the bedroom.

When she reached for me I cuffed her wrists. “Michael?” I gave her another long deep kiss before pulling back and turning her around. I took my time undressing her slowly, taking the opportunity to kiss each inch of skin revealed, until Nikita stood in front of me gloriously naked.

Michael: “Lay down.” Nikita turned her head to look at me quizzically. I commanded her again: “Lay down.” She hesitated for a brief moment before climbing onto the bed and lying on her stomach. After undressing quickly I climbed over, straddling her.

I have always loved the long smooth line of Nikita’s back. Now I gave into my desire and ran gentle hands down her back, massaging the tight muscles there until all the tension melted away. I drew her gleaming hair gently to one side, exposing the lines of her neck and leaned down to kiss her there. I kissed a line down from the lobe of her ear to the crook of her neck before nibbling and suckling her there. Her breathing was roughening while she moaned with my every kiss.

My hands stroking her back became more firm and I followed the paths and kissed her, first gently, then with more urgency. I tasted the sweet curve of her back as she moaned, “Yes.” My hands ran down beneath her and found her hardened nipples. I teased those hardened buds as I continue kissing her back. Nikita arched her body like a bow toward my lips and shuddered. She pleaded: “Michael. Touch me.”

I ran a hand down between her legs to stroke her waiting core. She was already wet with her need and I stroked the delicate bud for several seconds, while she rubbed herself against my hand, moaning. I kissed my way up her back to take possession of her sweet neck again, taking her delicate ear lobe in my mouth. Her hips moved restlessly against me, brushing against my aching shaft with each stroke of my fingers.

Nikita: “Please Michael.” I gave that delicate bud in her core another stroke before moving down and sliding a finger into her wet channel. I ran my finger along her tight wall as she shuddered, “Michael!” I inserted another finger and increased the strokes, feeling her wet walls tighten around my fingers with each caress.

Nikita: “Michael. I can’t…I can’t wait anymore.” My breathing was labored and I couldn’t hold back any more. Placing my hands on either side of her hips, I pulled her up away from the bed onto her hands and knees. I thrust my hips forward one time, sinking myself to the base into her. The feel of her tight wet walls surrounding me was pure bliss and I paused, savoring the feel of her.

The impatient goddess in my arms had other plans in mind. She growled “More!” Her words spurred my needs even further as I withdrew slightly before thrusting even deeper inside her. I held onto her hips, while giving her long, hard, possessive strokes. The cries of her need heightened my passion and made me even harder as I slid almost completely out of her slick core before claiming her again.

I kissed the line of her arched back to bite gently on her neck while I rode her harder, deep inside her. Nikita was chanting my name repeatedly as I grabbed hold of her hips and used them to help thrust faster up into her, stroking deep within her sensitive walls. Nikita arched her body into a bow to take me deeper into her urging me to thrust faster and rougher, wanting to possess her completely.

I took a delicate ear lobe into my mouth and sucked on it firmly, while moving one hand down to fondle her over-sensitized core. “Michael!” She screamed her release as I stroke her through the peak with short, deep, grinding
thrusts.

I didn’t let her come down completely from her release before stoking her passion back up to a feverish pitch. I was stroking quickly, almost desperately into her wet core. I rubbed her sensitive bud in rhythm to each frantic thrust as Nikita moaned with each hard stroke. She twisted her body toward me in order to kiss me. I captured her lips as I thrust frantically, almost brutally into her, desperate for release. Nikita buried her hand into my hair and drew me down for an urgent kiss and with several last deep, frantic strokes, we both went over the edge.

We held the kiss as we finished riding out the climax together. Feeling completed sated, we collapsed against the bed trying to catch our breaths. Knowing I was probably crushing her, I rolled us both onto our sides, still entwined and held her close. The restlessness I felt over the last few weeks melted away as I held her in my arms. I listened as her breathing slowed as she fell asleep before succumbing to a deep, peaceful sleep.

I woke up with my arms around Nikita when the phone rang. I was feeling completely at peace for the first time in weeks and I really didn’t want to leave the beautiful woman in my arms. However, the call and the reality of Section had already intruded on the peaceful night.

****

Of all the manipulations and maneuvers Section could have taken, I really didn’t expect they would choose the route they did.

Perhaps because I was still dazed after spending the night at Nikita’s and operating on less than 2 hours of sleep, it took me longer than usual to notice the strange configuration of the team assembled. That another team leader was on the same team wasn’t unusual if there are multiple mission objectives. However, the profile revealed a simple mission that shouldn’t involve so many personnel. When Davenport begins debriefing the team, I asked to confirm my suspicion and to clarify the new role I was to take.

Michael: “Why are you running the scenario?”

Davenport: “The scenario? Didn’t anyone tell you?”

Michael: “What?”

Davenport: “This is my team.”

Michael: “Then why was I called in?”

Davenport: “Because you’re on it. I thought you knew Michael. Sorry.”

It had to be one of Madeline’s schemes. I thought again of the image of Madeline as a black widow waiting in the middle of a web. She was obviously running another psychological/behavioral profile in order to bend me to Section’s will. She was treating Nikita and I like Chess pieces, moving us around the board, sacrificing an operative here, changing scenarios there. I’m tired of being a Chess piece she maneuvers. This wasn’t a game to me. I have to beat her at her game if I hoped to ever have a relationship with Nikita.

Nikita: “What’s happening?”

Michael: “They’ve put Davenport in charge. It’s started.”

Nikita: “I know. Why?”

Michael: “They want to take me down.”

The mission was straight forward and simple. I wasn’t surprised to find Operations waiting for us when we arrived. Obviously the behavioral profile Madeline was running included having Operations verbally dress me down in front of Nikita. She has severely overestimated the importance such censure would have on me. Getting raked over the coals by Operations was a daily fact of life and I’ve always taken them with a grain of salt. You only have to worry if you’ve been placed on abeyance in Section.
I wasn’t fazed by the dressing down, but Nikita was obviously concerned.

Nikita: “You okay?”

Michael: “Yes. If that’s the game they want to play, I’ll
play it.”

Nikita: “What are they trying to accomplish?”

Michael: “Take away my authority. They think it means something to me.”

Nikita: “And it doesn’t?”

Michael: “Not really.”

Nikita: “So what does?”

Michael: “Whatever I do, I need to do it well. The best I can. That means something to me. Don’t worry. Whatever they want to do to me, I can handle.”

By the time I reached my office, several operatives were moving things out of it. Madeline, like the waiting black widow, emerged with her a triumphant smile on her face.

Michael: “What are you doing?”

Madeline: “Since you’re not going to be performing tactical oversight, you won’t be needing the space anymore.”

Michael: “Where will I be?”

Madeline: “On six, with everyone else.”

If Madeline thought I would be humiliated by being publically demoted and moved down to Level Six, she had severely misjudged me. After serving as Section’s favorite weapon and tool for years, I was impervious to perceived insults and censors from other operatives. It was hard for people around me to trust or respect me when I could be under orders at any time by Section to use them for the sake of a mission.

*****

I wondered if Madeline had factored into her behavior profile the fact that by reducing my responsibilities, she effectively gave me more downtime that I could now spend with Nikita. Nikita had talked me into taking a bubble bath together. I will end up smelling like the flowers she used in the scented soap, but it was worth it to hold her in my arms. I tried to relax, but her questions brought the mission back into my mind.

Nikita: “Anyone get hurt?”

Michael: “Three down, one lost.”

Nikita: “How bad were the three?”

Michael: “I don’t know. I wasn’t close enough.”

Nikita: “Are you thinking that the outcome would have been better had you been team lead?”

Michael: “No. Davenport’s capable.”

I had worked with Davenport in the past and he has always been a good operative. While in the past he typically worked on lower priority missions as I monitored him in tactical oversight, his experience should make him more than capable for his current position.

Nikita: “Capable is okay for some missions. Others it’s not.”

Michael: “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Unwillingly, I went through the mission profile again in my mind. Perhaps I would have configured the mission slightly different, maybe chosen a few different team members. There was no guarantee that the way I would approach the mission would have resulted any differently than the one that did take place. Section got along fine without me in it; it will be fine if I take a lesser role in it. Nikita’s words interrupted my thoughts.

Nikita: “You’re not the same. You said this wasn’t going to affect you, but it has.”

Michael: “I’ll get over it.”

Nikita: “Maybe you shouldn’t try to. Maybe the job means more to you.”

The job doesn’t mean more to me than Nikita. What I was concerned about was that in my current position I was powerless to prevent or circumvent Section from using Nikita in a way that could impact her emotional or physical health. I’m actually surprised that Madeline chose the method she had. She should have realized I don’t care about what’s being done to me, but I would care a great deal if Nikita was in harm’s way. Either Madeline hasn’t figured out this fundamental truth about me or she actually still has boundaries that she won’t cross. I filed this knowledge away to think about in the future. Right now I’m more focused on the way Nikita’s hair feel lying on my chest.

Madeline’s maneuvering isn’t impacting me, but it was impacting Nikita. Already I could feel her pulling away. She was more worried about what was happening to me than I am myself. I needed to make sure she knew where my priority was.

Michael: “Nikita. Do you remember what you told me when I thought it was worth it to give our relationship a try?”

Nikita looked thoughtfully for a second before looking at me with dawning realization. “I said you’re worth whatever the price Michael.”

I caressed the line of her beautiful eye brow. “That’s how I feel about you.”

Nikita looked at me then with sadness in her eyes. “What if the price is too high?”

Michael: “The price will never be too high if we’re together.”

She gave me another searching look before leaning back into my arms with a sigh.

*****

All too soon we were called back into Section. The entire time we were driving in, Nikita avoided my glances and I could feel her starting to pull away. By then time we finished briefing on the mission and Nikita disappeared to see Madeline, I was feeling anxious. Perhaps she was speaking the truth when she asked if the price was too high. Was she ready to give up on us for the second time in as many weeks? I was already on edge when McDaniel chose to rub salt into the wound when he snatched the comm unit from my hands.

McDaniel: “What are you doing? That’s my comm unit.”
It has been a long time since anyone challenged me. Even though Operations and Madeline have taken away my authority, I wasn’t going to turn into a door mat all of the sudden. I managed to be as polite as possible while seething inside when I responded.

Michael: “No it’s not.”

McDaniel: “You’re third team now. You shouldn’t even be in prep ‘til we’re done.”

Nikita: “Forget it, Michael. You can use mine.”

McDaniel: “I would listen to her, Michael. Listen to her, listen to me, pretty much everybody – we’re all above you now.”

Walter: “What are you doing, McDaniel?”

McDaniel: “You know I’m just giving a little back. For five years I’ve been doing his grunt work and not once do I get a ‘Thank you! Nice job, McDaniel!’”

Nikita: “That’s not true.”

I couldn’t allow Nikita to fight my battles this time. This could be the start of a slippery slope of how operatives treat me. If I’m to survive I need to claim my dominance despite my current status.

Michael: “You’re wrong on this one. It’s mine.” When McDaniel moved against me I grabbed him, punched him in the liver and smashed him into the table. I stopped myself from killing McDaniel before Davenport even stepped in. I recognized instantly that McDaniel was just another pawn in Madeline’s scheme, a pawn she was willing to sacrifice.

Davenport: “Hey! Let it go, Michael.” When McDaniel went toward me a second time Davenport held a knife to his neck. “Michael could have killed you but he didn’t. I’m not as patient as he is.”

I appreciated Davenport for diffusing the situation since in my current mood I wasn’t sure I could let McDaniel live for the second time.

*****

The mission could have ended in disaster when the target changed their meeting point. I couldn’t just let the mission fail despite not being in charge. Taking back command came easily with Nikita and Birkoff in sync with my every move. The uncertainty and doubt circling my mind all week fell away and I felt in control and certain of myself.

That feeling of control started slipping away in the mission van on the way back. Nikita held herself stiffly seated next to me. Every time she looked at me, sadness shone in her eyes.

Davenport stopped me as we stepped out of van access.

Davenport: “Michael. I couldn’t do what you did out there
today. I learned a lot.”

Michael: “Thank you.”

Nikita: “So what are you going to do now?”

Michael: “Let’s go home.”

Nikita: “You can’t deny to yourself what happened today,
Michael. You’re a level 5 operative. That’s the only way you can live.”

Michael: “I don’t want to think about it right now.”

Nikita: “You’re going to have to because when you lead missions, we survive.”

What she was saying was completely ludicrous. I’ve lead on plenty of missions that resulted in casualties. This was Section, there were no guarantees any of us would survive the day. Section didn’t need me to boost the survival rate of its operatives.

Michael: “We were on to something. Maybe there’s another way.”

Nikita: “They’re not going to let this play on for much longer. There’s no other way. If we end it now, then we can at least preserve our friendship.”

Had she given up hope or the desire for us to be together? Was it really more important for her that I was in place to lead missions then for us to commit to one another?
She was trying to smile with tears in her eyes. I stroked her hair and eye brow, but she pulled away and left. I looked toward the direction she left in and thought for a long time.

I realized then that Madeline’s behavioral profile hadn’t been meant to affect me, but rather Nikita. She knew Nikita would be impacted by my perceived hurt and would seek to correct that pain even if it meant breaking ties with me. I conceded to Madeline’s win for this game, but she won’t win in the end. I will find a way for Nikita and I to be together without Section’s interference.

First, I must make them think they pair have won. With each step toward the perch, I drew my Section masked more firmly in place until no emotions showed to betray me.

Operations: “Yes, Michael?”

Michael: “I want my status reinstated.”

Operations: “What about you and Nikita?”

Michael: “It’s over.”

Operations: “You know that it will be pointless for you to deceive me on this. Level 5 status reinstated; effective immediately.”

I left, not able to stomach the triumphant expressions on their faces.

I went to Nikita’s, toward the only person who could make me happy. She might think I need to have the power and control associated with my status. I knew that wasn’t what
I needed, not even close.

Nikita: “Come in.”

Michael: “No. I just came by to tell you something. It’s not over. We will be together.”

It was a promise, to her and to myself. I allowed myself to kiss her hand, knowing this was the last time I would be able to touch her for awhile. I walked away feeling determined.

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Replies:

  • Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 14 -- asiacheetah, 02:25:36 04/22/11 Fri
  • Re: Chapter 1 Betrayal – Part 14 -- Delphine, 12:08:31 04/25/11 Mon
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