(*Authors Note...The QUEST was put before us as follows...Madeline has a secret passion that she has kept hidden for so long At least she had until now. Someone has found out what it is!!! Who found out and what is her passion?????? I would like to thank Northstar for this hilarious inspiration!! Thanks North!!)

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Operations meandered across the lobby of Sections nerve center, hands shoved deep in his pockets, and his gaze on the floor tiles in front of him. He had hoped to find Madeline, and spend a leisurely dinner with her, but to no avail. He had been so sure that they had been getting closer lately, that they were working past their problems and issues, but then, about a month ago, she had become distant once again. Just like that, she had continually made excuses to not be alone with him, or to spend their down time together.

But, after a lot of though, Operations had decided to change that. What good was the power of being Operations, if not to be weilded when and where he wanted. Smiling devilishly to himself, he raised his gaze, and zeroed it in on Birkoff.

'Birkoff!!' he barked out, and took a certain amount of joy in the way in which the young mans head jerked up in combination fear and surprise.

Excusing himself from the person to whom he had been speaking, Birkoff walked towards Operations, apprehensively.

'Uh...yes sir?' he stammered, making Operations chuckle to himself.

'Birkoff, where is Madeline?' he barked, then waited.

'I believe she said something about some down time, and going home. Do you need me to call her in sir?' Birkoff asked, trying his best to get on Operations good side.

Operations had to admit, the boy did try. But, not in the mood to babysit tonight, he only shook his head. 'No, that is all Birkoff,' he said, then turned and walked away.

As he walked back across the lobby, in the direction in which he had just come, Operations couldn't help but smile when he heard Birkoff let out a long, slow sigh of relief.

'Kids,' he said to himself, shaking his head, and heading for Madelines.

*** >< *** >< *** >< *** >< *** > <***

As the elevator stopped, and the door slid silently open, Operations ran over the planned scenerio in his head one more time. He would knock on her door, she would open it, see him there, and ask what was wrong. He would say nothing was wrong, then invite her to dinner. She would of course refuse, then he would insist, in only that way that he can.

Satisfied with his plan, he stopped in front of her door, and raised his hand. Just as he started to rap his knuckles on the wooden frame, he heard the music.

DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH

Wondering what in the world was going on, he tried the door handle, and found it unlocked. Taking out his gun, and turning the handle slowly, he smoothly and diligently pushed the door open. But, what he saw, and heard next froze him in his tracks.

DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH, DUH

As the last DUH ended, Madeline, dressed in only an overly large t shirt, boxer shorts, and a pair of shorts, came sliding into few. She came to a stop, in the doorway between her dining and living room, with her back to Operations.

Then, in the next moment, she kicked her leg up, and spinning around, brought a hair brush handle up to her mouth. Then, mouthing the words to the next stanz a in the song, began to dance.

JUST TAKE THEM OLD RECORDS OFF THE SHELF...I SAID I'LL LISTEN TO THEM BY MYSELF. TODAYS MUSIC....

Before she could finish the next line, she looked up, and saw Operations, standing in the front door threshold, his hand over his mouth to keep himself from bursting out in laughter.

'Oh, hi' she stammered. Then, moving to turn the stereo off, she fiddled with the hairbrush in her hands, and could not make eye contact. After a few moments, she looked up to Operations.

'I can explain this. Its not what it seems,' she offered.

Operations, now over his initial shock, just looked at Madeline, with the most serious gaze. Then, moving towards her, and stopping within a few inches of her, spoke.

'I find, when I like to dance around like Tom Cruise in my underwear, that I feel more *secure* in briefs...but I see you chose boxers.'

In the next moment, Section One's most feared, and most talked about couple broke down in the loudest, belly breaking, uproarest laughter.

THE END?

This story copyright© Trace, 1999