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Date Posted: 05:24:05 03/11/06 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: WNPP-p-203-54-24-201.prem.tmns.net.au / 203.54.24.201
Subject: Chapter 49
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons - continued ..." on 05:12:38 03/04/06 Sat

Chapter 49


Everyone started clapping as the Ambassador and Madame Dubois made their grand entrance into the ballroom. Although the music had stopped playing, the beating of Nikita’s heart continued pounding in a synchronised rhythm against Michael’s chest. Dancing with him had been wonderful. The way Michael had looked at her when they’d been in each other’s arms had been sizzling, so much so that Nikita had been oblivious to anyone else around them. But the music had stopped and Nikita was brought back to reality with a thud.

Reluctantly Michael released his hold on her ... but not his gaze. Lowering his arms, he seductively slid his hands down Nikita’s body caressing her skin. Slowing turning, together they stood side by side on the dance floor. Then watching the target they waited for him to address the assembled guests.

Smiling at the sea of faces in front of him, Alain Dubois’ eyes surveyed those gathered. Ever watchful, he glanced over the assembled guests before resting them on one particular guest who’d caught his attention. Catching his breath, Dubois’ heart rate accelerated while he suddenly felt cold and clammy.

“Are you all right Alain?” his wife asked as she felt the tension in his body. “You’ve turned a little pale.”

“Yes … I’m fine my dear. You know how crowds affect me sometimes.”

“You’re sure you're okay?”

“I’ll be fine. Let’s just enjoy the evening shall we?”

Dubois could not stop looking in the direction of the guest. It was as if a ghost had walked over his grave and a shiver of disbelief then regret, tinged with a modicum of sadness coursed through his body. His heart palpated and he had to compose himself before stopping to acknowledge the applause.

“Thank you! Thank you everyone for coming this evening. On behalf of my wife and I … and the Canadian government ... we hope you have a wonderful evening and enjoy our hospitality. At some stage through the night we hope to meet as many of you as possible.”

The applause was deafening once again and Dubois waved and smiled accordingly like the dignitary that he was. However, before moving on he signalled discreetly to one of his minders. Looking in the direction of the couple standing close together on the dance floor, he whispered in his ear, “Who is that woman?”

“I don’t know sir, but I’ll find out,” he replied following the direction of the ambassador’s glance.

“Good … I’d like to meet her.”

Taking his wife’s arm Dubois began to mingle. Merging into the crowd they greeted the dignitaries, diplomats and guests who stopped to talk to them along the way. Other guests continued conversing and dancing, all over again, since the musicians had commenced playing once more. Out of the corner of his eye Alain Dubois kept tabs on his minder who he saw was approaching the elegant couple he had noticed when he’d entered.


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


As Michael and Nikita stood to one side of the dancers, Dubois’ minder, a thick set man, approached them asking, “Do you mind if I check your invitation?”

“No that’s fine,” Michael replied taking the card from his breast pocket.

Reading the name on the invitation, he looked up at Michael. “Dr. Fontaine?”

“Yes? ... Is something the matter?”

“No. Everything is in order,” he replied giving the card back to him. “Thank you, monsieur.”

“I'm Nikita Fontaine,” Nikita said stretching her hand out to the man.

“Bonsoir Madame, I'm John Winters, Ambassador Dubois’ private secretary.”

“Thanks so much for inviting us. We’ve never been to a consulate before. There are such a lot of people here.”

“Yes there are, Madame. The ambassador has indicated that he would love to meet you both.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

“My wife and I would very much like to meet with the ambassador too,” Michael interjected.

“Good … Follow me please,” he announced and led the way over towards where the ambassador was talking with some guests.


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


As they walked around the outside of the dance floor, Nikita made eye contact with Jasmine, who acknowledged her look with a corresponding nod as she walked past her. Weaving their way through the people, Nikita touched her glasses to give Birkoff a better view of the group of people talking to Dubois. Speaking to him through her comm. unit, she stated, “Are you receiving?”

“I got ya, but switch to channel four. I'm getting a lot of static.”

Adjusting her glasses Nikita replied, “How's that?”

“Better … thanks.”

They soon reached the small group where Alain Dubois was standing. He was just concluding his conversation with the group when his minder approached.

“Excuse me ambassador, but may I introduce, Dr Fontaine and his wife Nikita.”

He turned to face the couple, nervous as to what he may see when he saw this woman up close. Alain Dubois’ eyes widened as he took in Nikita’s features.

Blonde, blue eyed, tall and very beautiful … just like his daughter Nathalie. How could this be? Except for the glasses, the two women could have been twins! It was as if his dead daughter had come back to haunt him. This woman was the reincarnation of the woman he’d had killed.

Hiding his astonishment and holding out his hand, Alain Dubois shook Michael’s with a firm grip. “Dr Fontaine … I have heard only good things about your research.”

“Thank you.”

“You are doing fine work … on strokes and heart attacks isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Mrs. Savars, the undersecretary in Paris was just talking about your research facility.”

“I see.”

“We hear wonderful things. Your research will benefit many people all over the world. I may even benefit from your revolutionary treatment one day,” he added casually ending the handshake.

“Perhaps you may.”

Then turning toward Nikita, Dubois took her hand and raised her knuckle to his mouth. As he kissed it he never took his eyes from her beauty. “Madame Fontaine.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you ambassador.”

“The pleasure is all mine … I assure you. Welcome to our embassy.”


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


While they were talking, Jacobs walked by to offer and replenish their drinks. Jasmine Kwong moved to mark, providing a diversion by accidentally bumping into him as he was carrying his tray of refreshments. Losing his balance, Jacobs stumbled into Alain Dubois, pushing him forward into Nikita and in the process spilling liquid on his suit. When Dubois turned to see who had caused the commotion, Nikita injected him with a slow acting tranquilliser.

Apologizing profusely Jacobs stated. “Excuse me, I’m so sorry ambassador. It was an accident.”

Almost immediately his minders converged on him, but Dubois waved them off. Although he was seething inside he replied, “It wasn’t your fault. Accidents happen, but could you be a little more careful next time.”

“Yes sir … Thank you sir. I’m sorry but I was knocked in the crowd.”

Turning to one of his staff members Alain Dubois ordered, “Please see to it that this mess is cleared away … and have that waiter dismissed immediately,” he added for his ears only.

“Yes sir.”

Dubois then turned to Nikita once again smiling sheepishly and asked, “Are you all right Mrs Fontaine?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Inspecting the damage to his clothing too, Nikita reached out to help the ambassador as he brushed away the water spilled on him. “And you? Can I help you?” She said taking a napkin and dabbing at his suit.

“It's quite all right. No problem.”

“It seems that the waiter was a little clumsy.”

“Yes it would seem so. These things happen.”

The music began playing again and Dubois turned to Michael … “Dr Fontaine would you mind if I danced with your wife? I would like to make it up for our little mishap.”

“No … not at all.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on text from ... Innocent.

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