Distracting Operations

Part One - Rita

Rita walked towards her office. It seemed she never left it. This entire new mom stuff to get on top of. Thankfully Operations was being kind and keeping her off missions for a bit until she grew accustomed to the new position.

Then she spied Emily coming out of Sherry's office. The girl still looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Well, it was true coming to CLHQ after Section was always a chock to the system.

"Hey Emily."

"Hello." She replied quietly the clear blue eyes swirled with emotion.

"I see you met Sherry. So do you need any help decor..."

Rita never got to finish that sentence for from down the hall a man bellowing her name was heard quite clearly, "RITA!"

Rita grumbled under her breath, "His Royal Highness beckons."

At that statement Emily's eyes grew wide no one would dare say those things about Operations within his hearing. Rita looked at Emily and smiled.

As Operation came walking down the hallway like a freight train that had no brakes. He stood in front of her. "Where's North?"

At that Rita smiled charmingly. "Sir you know I am not in charge of North's planner. That is not one of my duties." Rita was stalling she knew that North had left for a romantic rendezvous and Rita simply would not be the one to tell Operations that one.

"As a mom you should be aware of where your counterparts are at all times." He said angrily.

"Now you know that is impossible. Sir if you can't do it how do you expect a mere mortal like me to do so?" Rita said as sweetly as possible. She looked at Emily who was watching the exchange with great attention.

Emily was thinking this girl was heading straight for cancellation. No one could talk to him like that. Emily had never had personal dealings with Operations and this is not the way she wanted an introduction.

"Rita when did you last see her?" Operations was exasperated at this point.

"See whom?" Interrupted Michael.

"North." Came the simultaneous answer from Operations and Rita.

"Hello Michael. Perhaps you can get Rita to give me a straight answer." Operation said.

Michael just looked at Rita. Rita looked back and said, "The last time I saw her was at a meeting this morning with Sherry and that is all I know. Sherry is in her office go ask her. For it is time for late lunch date with Michael."

"Fine." Operations said as he stormed towards Sherry's office.

Michael looked at her suspiciously, "What aren't you telling me?"

Laughing out loud she said, "I'll fill you in at lunch. From what I hear Christopher has prepared something wonderful. Emily would you care to join us?" For Rita knew a plan would need to be hatched to distract Operations.

Emily head was swirling with information and that Rita was still alive unscathed. As well as inviting her to lunch but what better way to find out if everything about this place was true. She nodded her assent.

"Good." Rita said. "Emily this is Michael."

"Hello Emily and Welcome." The tall green-eyed operative said quietly.

"Thanks." Emily said as she stared at the handsome man.

The three walked down the hallway. While Rita began to calculate how long it would be before Sherry tracked her down.

Part 2 - Sherry

Sherry was on the phone with Kit, checking over some Intel on her last mission when Operations came charging through the door.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

Joann was sitting in Sherry's office as well, having come down to ask for some help with a problem she was having. At the sound of his voice, poor Joann almost jumped off her chair.

Sherry rolled her eyes and ignored the man until she was finished with Kit.

"Okay, Kit. Thanks. I'll factor that into the next mission when I profile it. Talk to you later."

Operations was glaring at her. "What can I do for you?" Sherry asked.

"You can begin by telling me where Northstar is. I've been looking for her for a couple of hours and I can't find her. Rita tells me that you had a meeting with her this morning."

Sherry sighed. Leave it up to Rita to pin the blame on her. "Yes, sir. We had a short meeting this morning."

Operations was getting frustrated. "We've already established that fact, Sherry. Where is she NOW?"

Sherry stared at him. She was getting better at staring him down and she knew he didn't like it. "I'm not exactly sure."

"This is ridiculous. You're not sure. Rita's not her keeper! I am getting tired of this insubordination. I want answers and I want them now!"

Joann wanted to slink out of the room unnoticed, but as Operations was standing directly over her, she couldn't move. She just hoped this confrontation was over soon.

Sherry straightened up in her chair and closed the file in front of her. "I believe she said she was going to get in some weapons training. Then I think she was going to take a walk down to the stables. She needed to check on something with the stable hands. Next I believe she was going to have a meeting with Christopher. Maybe you should check with Christopher or his staff to see if she's been there yet."

Operations huffed. "Well, it's about time. Thank you. Please see that Rita is kept up to date on your and North's whereabouts at all times. I know she's new at the job, but she needs to take this more seriously."

"Fine," Sherry said. "Was there anything else?"

Knowing she was dismissing him and not liking it, Operations turned to walk out. "No. But mark my words, one of these days you are going to lose that attitude."

Sherry took a page out of Michael's book and answered "Of course," without any expression whatsoever. Operations huffed out of the room and slammed the door.

Joann took a deep breath. "Sherry, don't you think you ought to be a bit more careful with him? I mean, one of these times even Michael won't be able to get you out of it."

Sherry laughed. "Probably. But it's so much fun. And I don't expect Michael to get me out of anything. Now, as for Rita ... Joann, please wait here. This won't take long." She jumped up out of her chair and headed for the private dining room where she knew Michael and Rita were having lunch.

Part 3 - Emily

This was a strange place, Emily knew it from the start. She still couldn't understand a lot, but it was getting better. Now she was eating lunch with Rita and this strange guy, whom she heard a lot about, Michael. She didn't say much, just observing. You cam learn a lot when you watch people, she thought. The two of them were having a nice chat.

"So where is North?" asked Michael. He was talking very quietly, you could hardly hear the words.

"I don't know." Rita tried to keep the secret.

"I know you. You are not telling me something." he almost whispered.

`God, with this kinda look he pulls out everything he wants to know from everybody, and especially girls`, Emily smiled.

"Well ok. I'll tell you." Rite gave up.

"I knew you would," he laughed, "So?"

Rita opened her mouth and just then Sherry appeared. "You incited Operations against me!" she said to Rita from the door. "Hi Michael."

"Hi. "

"Well?!" she looked at Rita.

Rita laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. He was so mad!"

Sherry smiled too. "OK, you are forgiven. So could you now tell me where is North?" Emily thought that this all must be a dream. First Rita didn't get cancelled for talking to Operations like that, and then they are all laughing they argued with him!

`Crazy, that's it. They are all friggin` crazy!` she told herself, and then she smiled `I'm beginning to like them`.

"She is on date." Rita said with a smile.

`Great, now they are gossiping!` Emily thought.

"And what did you tell him?" asked Michael.

"I told him nothing." answered Sherry. "Well, I..." Suddenly they heard a voiceover.

"All operatives report on the briefing. We have emergency. Michael, I need you in my office. And get me North!!!" shouted Operations. They all looked at each other. "Now.. great." said Emily calmly.