by TraceCAT98

He looked down, from the observation deck, and watched her as she glided across the lobby. He watched, thinking that she was the only one in his life that had ever really mattered, in any way, and that he had wasted so much time in NEVER telling her.

She had a certain something about her, that when you looked deep into her eyes, the very windows to the soul, you would believe that no matter what, there was hope for you yet. That, there was no need for REVENGE, paybacks, or retaliations. That, if you just tried hard enough, and held on long enough, that in time all would be as it should be. She had the ability to make the impossible seem true.

Yet, even now, as he watched her, he knew that she had no need to be with him, near him, as he had for her. And, that thought alone made his heart ache. Ache with a need unlike any other he had ever endured. His MIND told him to forget her, but his heart would not let go. Even, after being in Section for as long as he had, trained to be a finely honed and tuned INSTRUMENT of their use, and destruction, when it came to her, all teachings of self control flew out the window.

Now, as he looked down, and she stopped at the communications bay, studying a panel that Birkoff had, he wished that he could ERASE the wasted time, the missed opportunities. That he could take her in his arms, tell her his love for her, and shower her with kisses. And that, somehow, someway they could be together as they were meant to be.

Turning from the window, Operations lit himself a cigarette, taking a long slow drag. After a heartbeat, he punched the button on the intercom, and spoke. 'Birkoff, tell Madeline when she has a moment, I would like to speak to her.'

THE END