<b>Chapter 202</b> -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Once Madeline had finished reading Walter's and Jasmine's debrief of the mission she pulled out Nikita's personnel file and studied it for a long while. She read all of her previous entries over the last couple of months prior to the Rising Dragons mission to Hong Kong. Nikita had been very fortunate that no significant physical injuries had been recorded, however, with her torture at the hands of the triad; her personal profile would need to be updated with the most current data from this mission. Injuries this time would be considerable; hence it was imperative that Nikita's evaluation be noted in detail. For that Madeline needed Dr Johnson's findings from Med Lab. The report would be the key to ascertain the extent of Nikita's injuries both physically and mentally so as to determine how long and what kind of rehabilitation would be necessary for a speedy recovery. In Madeline's mind the sooner Nikita recovered the quicker she could return to the mission.

Section's leaders also needed to know if the injuries that Michael had incurred would hinder his recovery. The fact that he'd had life threatening surgery was a worry. If Michael was unable to complete the Rising Dragons' mission with Nikita then this could prove problematic. Although he was a strong specimen of a man and his physical health had been excellent, the trauma of the surgery could impede his recovery. However, despite what he'd been through, she didn't see a problem with his healing, but once again she would need to speak with the doctors.

Michael and Nikita had experienced the trauma at the monastery simultaneously. It seemed sensible that their recovery could be undertaken together too. It would be more expeditious and by helping each other they would need less time and hence would be back in the field quicker � but Madeline still had some concerns with this idea. It was the best case scenario that she could see however in so doing, it created other problems. By allowing Michael and Nikita to recuperate together may just open up a Pandora's box of trouble. This scenario was further exacerbated when her attention turned to another tangent � their relationship.

Looking away from her monitor for a moment, Madeline thought about the rather interesting development that both she and Operations had witnessed between Michael and Nikita last night on their return to Section. The image of his protective manner and the undisguised tenderness he'd shown towards her still remained vivid in her mind. It niggled at her subconscious. Had their time away from Section brought them closer together? Or was it just the circumstances of what they had experienced been the catalyst for Michael's behaviour towards Nikita?

Her initial instinct was that they had grown closer together. But she was also faced with a conundrum. There were too many things that pointed to why a close relationship may have formed on this mission given what they had experienced. Analytically each reason was able to be dissected logically. Nevertheless, there was still a small seed of doubt that would grow if she didn't evaluate their physical and mental capacities for rehabilitation thoroughly.

Even though several hours had passed since Michael's surgery and Nikita's admittance to Medical, she hadn't been briefed on their status as yet. She rationalised that if his condition had deteriorated after the operation, she would have been the first to know. No news was good news; hence it was probable that no complications had arisen with the two patients over the night. She also needed to see if either Nikita or Michael was awake and lucid as Operations would want some Intel on the two operatives when she met up with him at lunch. Before any decisions could be made about the mission, they needed to know how both of them were doing in Medical and what was their prognosis for recovery.

There was much for her to consider before her luncheon engagement with Operations.

Dr Johnson straightened the stethoscope round his neck before sitting down to begin his report for Madeline and Operations on the two operatives admitted to Medical last night. He had just finished making his observation rounds of his patients who had been under constant surveillance throughout the night in case of any unforseen complications. So far so good � both of them had responded well to their pain medications and all their vital signs looked good. He was relieved that Michael's blood problem may not cause problems as he seemed to be showing some improvement, but he wasn't out of the woods yet � complications could still occur. Nikita was still sedated and when she awoke they would reassess her injuries and treatment.

Suddenly the intercom on his desk lit up. Knowing who the caller would be, he picked up the receiver to hear the voice he'd expected.

"Not at the moment. The patient is asleep. She's been given several doses of analgesia over the night and is still heavily sedated."

"I have to inform you Madeline that it is far too early. I suggest sometime later this afternoon at best. They should be okay for visitors by then but only for a few minutes."

Adding more clarification for Madeline's benefit, Dr Johnson elaborated. "Nikita is suffering from post-traumatic stress. This is quite common, particularly in operatives extracted from hostage situations where torture has been involved." He paused, weighing up his next words carefully. "I'm sure you know that better than anyone else Madeline."

Before she could question him further the doctor explained Michael's situation as well. "As far as Michael is concerned, I can assure you that he is being monitored around the clock by the medical staff."

"Precisely. We will know more about his prognosis when we see how the blood transfusions have taken effect."

"Very well � I'll check on Nikita's and Michael's progress later this afternoon."

With much on his mind Walter eventually made it back to his post. He stood facing the entrance to Munitions knowing that a mountain of work waited for him in there. All the requisitioned equipment from the retrieval mission was ready to be catalogued and put back on its proper shelf. Walter had a PDA listing of the inventory that had been drawn up for the Mission at the ready for him to cross reference all the pieces of equipment. All he needed to do was to get started but he hesitated. Instead he turned and stood behind the requisitions' table and glanced over towards Systems once more. Birkoff still wasn't at his post. Walter glanced up towards the perch, Operations was still there but it looked as if he was getting ready to go somewhere as the perch suddenly went dark. Oh well Birkoff wasn't there, Operations was going somewhere and he had work to do before heading to Medical to check on Nikita.

What was that? Walter thought he heard something. He turned around sharply. When he saw nobody he thought his mind was playing tricks on him and thought nothing more of it until the sound repeated itself.

Walter's mouth dropped open when he realised that he recognised the voice. He headed back towards his store room. However, before he did so, he quickly looked around to see if anyone was about, then hurriedly pulled up the door to his cage. He cast a final look around prior to closing the door and wandering into his back area. Walter nearly bumped into Belinda who was standing in the shadows waiting for him.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing here? You frightened six months growth out of me."

Belinda gave him a coy look. "Sorry Walter but I had to come � It seems like it took you forever," she answered coming up closer to him.

"Mmmmm ..." He growled suggestively scumming to her advances, "You look just as beautiful as ever." Then reluctantly breaking away from the caress, Walter spoke against her lips. "But we can't."

"Why not?" Belinda replied pouting her lips and wrapping her arms around his neck. "What's wrong?"

This time it was Walter who was the reticent one. Last night Belinda had been toey to the fact that someone would see them together. Now on Walter's turf it was he who was having second thoughts. "Oh it's � somebody could come by any moment."

Belinda was provocative in her reply. "But I don't see anyone else here," she teased running her hands suggestively down his chest. Her eyes locked with his as sexual tension rose rapidly. "It's been almost six hours."

"Yeah ..." Thoughts of their liaison last evening came to his mind but realising this was not the most private of places Walter tried to cool things down. "� but it's just too risky, that's all � It's bad enough we're back here."

However, Belinda was having nothing to do with Walter's excuses and seductively unzipped his jacket. "I just thought we could do something romantic. Just you and me."

Walter growled suggestively. He was frustrated in the time and place of her seduction. Belinda was casting her spell over him all over again. "You know woman that you're a witch � We can't do this here."

Capitulating to Belinda's charms, Walter started to kiss her again. However, when things began to escalate a little faster and further than he was willing to go, he came to his senses rather than letting his libido rule his head. Reluctantly breaking away again Walter loosened Belinda's arms from around his neck. He rested his bandana head against hers forehead and looked into her eyes. "Maybe we could go and have dinner, huh? Huh? Tonight."

"I'm sorry Walter ... I'm busy tonight. I'm rostered on for a double shift." She kissed him again. Belinda battered her eyelashes and coyly rubbed his bottom lip. "But I'll see you tomorrow though ... won't I?"

He was a goner. "Sure � sure." Walter's eyes crinkled and they exchanged a knowing look. "It could be sooner than that." Knowing that Belinda was about to begin her shift, he had an idea. "Say � Do you think you could do a favour for me then?"

Belinda ran her fingertip across his lip. "Anything for you babe ... just name it."

Severing her connection with Dr Johnson, Madeline mused over the Intel that he had given her about their condition. Usually she went to Medical without alerting them to her visit but she was satisfied with what the doctor had told her. She would see for herself soon enough and it wasn't as if the patients were being discharged any time soon. Michael and Nikita would be in Medical for a while before their rehabilitation could start. She had much to consider before seeing the two operatives later this afternoon.

Turning around in her chair Madeline studied her orchids in the glassed hot house for a short while. Her plants provided her with some tranquillity in her day. They helped clear her head from the many faceted things she was responsible for in Section One � none more important than the crisis that the injuries to Michael and Nikita now posed for them.

For a short while she was lost to moment but this was only temporary. Raising her head she glanced at the time. Madeline realised that it was nearing the hour for her lunch meeting with Operations. They had some important decisions to make. He'd wanted some input as to how they should proceed with the mission � but at the back of his mind was the fate of Michael and Nikita in the success of bring the triad to heel. Like him, Madeline knew the two operatives were crucial in seeing it to its End Game. This was a complicated situation � but then when was anything concerning Michael and Nikita not complicated?

When the intercom speaker on her desk beeped quietly, she swirled her chair back towards her desk and reached for the handset. "Yes?"