DOES HE OR DOESN'T HE?
by Northstar
As the operatives walked through the hub of Section they would surreptitiously look up at Operations as he stood at his WINDOW sipping on a can of DEW.
Operations knew something was up. Everyone had been acting strangely the last few days and he was going to get to the bottom of it. He constantly had to watch his back lately in order to stop others from trying to wrestle control away from him. Just then Madeline walked in.
"There you are Madeline," he exclaimed, "what the hell is going on with our Operatives?"
"Why? I see no difference in them." she answered in a lie. She too had seen a small difference in attitude with them but nothing that really concerned her. Their levels were still consistent on the missions and that is what counted.
"Well if you ask me there is a CONSPIRACY afoot." he said in an almost paranoid way.
"Oh don't be ridiculous Paul. I know we stopped whatever was in motion in that regards a while back. Believe me, if I even thought there was a hint of that I would be on top of it immediately."
"I don't care. Something is up and I want it looked into by your best people and I want an answer yesterday. Is that understood?" his voice got quieter as he said this. Madeline knew he meant business and she tried her best to placate him.
"Of course. I'll get right on it." With that Madeline took her leave.
*****
Birkoff looked up to the WINDOW and smirked. He wondered if what he had heard was true. He had heard it from someone who had heard it from someone else, who had heard it from someone that was actually there!! He'd wait until Nikita came in and see if she knew anything. Ever since he had turned her and Michael and Walter in, no one wanted to have much to do with him. It wasn't like he really had a choice in the matter. Sheesh, they never left him with much choice.
Nikita walked in to Section after recieving a call to come in. They were to be briefed for the upcoming mission. Walter stopped her just as she was about to enter Comm.
"Hey Sugar." he smiled. Only this time his smile seemed a bit different. More... smirky.
"Hey Walter. What's up?"
"Wait till you get a load of what I heard this morning." he answered.
"What did you hear Walter?"
Walter told her and she started to laugh. She bid him good bye and continued in for the briefing. The others were already seated around the table when she walked in. All of them had grins on their faces as they watched Operations walk towards them.
Operations came up to the table and started in on the briefing but stopped suddenly as he realized no one was really paying attention.
"Okay, I've had enough of this today. Would someone please tell me what is so damn funny?" he demanded. He looked to each one of them but no one said word. He finally turned to Walter and he just shrugged. Michael had nothing to say either. In exasperation he turned to Nikita who just smiled all the more broadly.
"Nikita. I'm sure you know what is going on and I want... No demand you to tell me what it is."
Nikita started chuckling softly before she answered him. "Well sir, is it true that you wear BOXER shorts with pink and green BUNNIES on them?" With that everyone burst out in laughter.
Operations turned a not so becoming shade of red as he stuttered, "How.. wh.. Of course not. Where did you hear that. I demand to know who said this about me."
No one said a word but they were still smiling.
"I want an answer now damn it." he yelled as he became more flustered. "Now Nikita. I want an answer."
Nikita rolled her eyes. Why her? "Well, I heard from someone that you had been seen in the Ready Room pacing around and you were only wearing a pair of BUNNY covered BOXERS. I guess others have heard the same thing." She tried to keep a straight face as she said this but was finding it almost impossible. She waited for an answer but none was forthcoming. "Well sir?" still no answer.
Walter finally broke out laughing and soon the others joined in. He finally composed himself enough to make a comment. "Well Operations, I guess the only way you are going to put these rumors to rest will be to actually show us that it's not true." at which he started to laugh again.
"I certainly will not." he said angrily. "Let's get on with this briefing. We've had enough nonsense." and with that the briefing resumed.
Once everyone had gone on their way, he allowed himself a brief smile. He would definitely have to find out who had seen him and given away his secret vice. Shaking his head slightly as if to clear his head he made his way back to his office.
The End