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Date Posted: 21:43:25 04/12/12 Thu
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-104-186.kybq1.win.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.104.186
Subject: Chapter 229
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Next few chapters of The Rising Dragons" on 02:31:24 04/05/12 Thu

Chapter 229


The sound of the Med Lab doors opening once more captured Michael and Nikita’s attention as Madeline, Operations and Dr Johnson entered the room. With an effort Michael pulled his gaze away from Nikita knowing that their time would eventually come, but for now he was the perfect cold operative. He turned towards Section’s leaders as they came closer to Nikita’s bed and watched as Madeline’s cool gaze took in his bearing before resting them on the patient.

Casting her astute eye over him standing at Nikita’s side Madeline folded her arms across her chest before meeting his eyes again. "Ah, Michael … I see you are up and about.”

She took in his bandaged chest wound, white scrub-type pants and white tank top. Madeline noticed his pale face, deep under the eye circles, but it was Michael’s demeanor that caught her attention the most. She knew that determined posture. Section’s cold operative was standing in front of them giving them little to go on. His eyes were guarded; his stance was that of a mentor’s aloof concern for his material's well being and nothing more. Not only that but it seemed that Michael had turned the corner and that his recovery was imminent. Madeline cast an enigmatic glance towards Operations.

“You must be feeling better,” he added.

Acknowledging their presence Michael nodded in his succinct way being careful to sound reserved in his reply. “Yes … I am.” He watched Operations’ face at his response, then moved away from Nikita’s bed to stand at the back of the room.

“Good.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The two leaders then turned their attention towards Nikita observing her as she sat up in bed. Without turning to Dr Johnson who was standing behind them Madeline asked, “How is she doing?"

Nikita felt on edge at the look her superior gave her. Despite Madeline’s apparent detached interest it was as if she was sizing her up while her nervous anticipation had everything to do with what Section’s leaders would decide. Nikita smoothed the sheet across her body and surreptitiously glanced at those around her bed. She knew that whatever Dr Johnson had to say about her condition may affect any decision that Madeline and Operations might make about her recuperation away from Med Lab.

“Nikita’s much better.”

Operations cleared his throat and spoke to Dr Johnson. "What do you think? Is she able to be discharged?”

Both Michael and Nikita pricked up their ears at what the doctor might say.

The physician considered his question for a moment then turned towards the two leaders. “My professional opinion is yes. I think that Nikita is ready to leave Med Lab. I can do no more for her medically. Recuperation is what she and Michael both need now.”

Karl Johnson saw the two leaders exchange a surprised yet compliant look at his opinion as if they too had already come to the same conclusion.

“So what you’re saying is that both Michael and Nikita should be discharged.”

“Yes. I see no reason to keep them here under observation any longer. Both operatives have continued to improve much faster than anticipated and could be released as early as tomorrow morning. They certainly would benefit from time away from this environment to enhance their healing.”

Operations seemed to have been put on the spot by the doctor’s candid reply. He cast a look Michael’s way, then shot Madeline another frosty glance as if to say he’d been checkmated and didn’t like it, before turning to address Dr Johnson once more. “And how much time would be needed for their recovery?”

The doctor was taken aback by Operation’s question. He was sure that Section’s leaders would have already discussed this before coming to Med Lab. He was at a loss how to proceed in case he said something he shouldn’t. “Excuse my impertinence sir, but Madeline and I have discussed this at length.”

And so too had Section One’s leaders. Madeline noticed that Operations’ manner was noticeably restrained even though he was well versed in her reasons for granting Michael and Nikita downtime and had agreed that it was the way to go. However, despite the pros and cons of her arguments, he was obviously still not 100% in favour of the proposal. She cast Operations a reserved glance.
He ignored her look. It gnawed at him that Madeline knew him so well. It was as if she could read his mind and knew his thought patterns before he did so himself.

Glaring at Dr Johnson with obvious irritation he was resigned to the fact that the doctor’s answer would be the same as what Madeline had suggested. Nevertheless he was hoping that he would say a couple of days. “Just answer the question.”

“A couple of weeks should be sufficient sir.”

“I see.”

To appease Paul’s reservations and concerns about the Rising Dragons’ mission Madeline asked, “Will they have recuperated enough by then to return to the mission?”

“I see no reason why not.”

Satisfied that the assignment would not be prolonged or compromised any further Operations replied succinctly, “Two weeks and not a day more.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michael stood like a sentinel overseeing the current proceedings, reserved in his manner but vigilant in his deportment. Both he and Nikita took in the conversation that had occurred between Dr Johnson, Operations and Madeline, knowing that a decision for them was imminent. He waited for the green light from Section’s leaders but it was still not a fait-accompli that they would be given downtime for recuperation. However, it was obvious by Operations’ reaction, that no matter how reluctant he was about granting them time, his sole focus was on the Rising Dragons’ mission and how their absence would affect the end game that he so wanted.

He also observed Nikita.

Her shoulders became tense as though she was bracing herself for whatever Section’s head strategist would say. Normally when operatives had been in Med Lab, like she had, they were transferred to Level 3 for reprogramming under a new instructor especially when an operative had been out for some time. However, Michael doubted that they would do this in their case, because both he and Nikita were vital to the success of the Rising Dragons’ mission. Madeline also liked to conduct a psyche analysis on any operative who had been incarcerated and tortured to test their suitability for reinstatement to an important mission to see if they could still meet Section's standards. Michael knew they both would be subjected to some form of psyche analysis at some time. No doubt Madeline had planned for such a situation but the question was … when would she conduct it … before or after downtime?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Turning to address Michael and then Nikita, Madeline stated succinctly, “You'll both stay in Observation for the rest of the day as Dr Johnson has outlined.”

Michael nodded in approval as he walked towards his superiors.

“Then you'll be discharged in the morning.”

Michael’s face was blank and Nikita’s eyes were wary of Madeline’s next statement, as if anticipating the worse. Although a wry smile bowed her mouth it failed to reach her eyes. “Operations and I have also decided to grant the two of you some downtime away from Section One for recuperation.”

To Michael and Nikita’s ears her words lacked sincerity but it was nothing more or less than what they expected from Section’s head strategist. Madeline always played her cards close to her chest. Not only that, but ulterior motives were always laced with any favour granted. There would be payback for the two of them.

Madeline scrutinized the both of them to gauge their reaction to what she’d told them. None was forthcoming except a concise “thank you” from Michael.

Operations stared intently at his best cold operative for a few seconds. His facial features registered his inner thoughts about this whole process, they tightened, his eyes were intense and his words were terse and concise. “We have also deferred your debrief of the mission until you have returned from your downtime.” His superior gave Michael another telling look. “However, I will expect a comprehensive and thorough report from you on my desk when you return to Section.”

Their eyes locked briefly in a taciturn exchange before Michael tilted his head in compliance. “I understand.”

Diffusing the impasse situation between the two men, Madeline brought matters to a close. “Enjoy your downtime. Use it wisely to rest and recover for once you return to Section we expect the both of you to immerse yourselves in the Rising Dragons’ mission without reservation.”

“Of course,” Michael replied in his monotone manner refusing to give Madeline the satisfaction of seeing that her words had not been lost in translation when reading between the lines.

Operations and Madeline didn’t respond further, but they looked at Nikita once more, before exiting Medical, leaving Michael alone with her again. They heard Dr Johnson address them as he walked them out of Med Lab. “I’ll arrange for their discharge first thing in the morning then?”

“Yes … see to it.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two weeks.

Remembering where she was Nikita looked around the room cautiously as she sat in her bed. Her eyes lowered as she contemplated what had just happened. A gamut of emotions was rioting through her system as it finally dawned on her that both she and Michael had indeed been given downtime. As hard as she tried not to smile she couldn’t and a broad beam of happiness crossed her face. She dared to glance up at Michael who had once again placed himself in a position that hid the surveillance cameras from capturing her mood.

They looked at each other for a moment in silence their eyes locking together. Michael saw the emotions cross her face and his eyes widened slightly in understanding.

“Are we really going to be able to have downtime together on the outside?”

Michael said nothing but his eyes gave her the answer she wanted to hear. Nikita sighed in contentment, biting her lip in an achingly familiar way. Her blue eyes suddenly gleamed with such emotion that the breath caught in his throat. Anticipation, longing, desire and happiness were all gleaming on her features and to Nikita’s bewilderment were reciprocated in Michael’s intense gaze.

Two weeks.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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Replies:

• Two Weeks -- lilitz91, 12:18:49 04/14/12 Sat
  • Thanks lilitz91 -- taurus2124, 18:50:55 04/14/12 Sat
    • Thank you -- lilitz91, 22:13:18 04/14/12 Sat
      • You're most welcome! (NT) -- taurus2124, 20:48:06 04/15/12 Sun