George, Madeline, Jonathan and Birkoff were in the van on their way to Section. George, however, was getting worried. He trusted Michael. It was Walter that was now the loose cannon. He had Birkoff tell Michael to shut Walter up, whatever it took.

Madeline, however, had other ideas. “Wait, Birkoff. I think we are underestimating Walter. He knows what is going on. Let him talk. He might just surprise us all.” Birkoff told Michael to let Walter have his say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Operations prompted Walter. “Why did they take you to see Janet? That was not part of the profile.”

Walter nodded. He took a deep breath and hoped he was even a fraction as good at lying as Michael was. “They wanted to distract Janet. Keep her mind somewhat distracted from her daughter and the upcoming wedding. They thought I could be the key. And it seemed to be working when we came back here.”

Operations considered Walter’s explanation. It was possible, but he wasn’t sure. “So how much does she know?”

Walter sighed. “She knows I work for the government. That’s all. And Jennifer knows absolutely nothing. I was just an old friend of her mother’s that stopped by for a visit. I only spent about 30 minutes with Jennifer, and Janet and I simply reminisced about old times.” Walter stopped talking and seemed to have drifted off into his own private thoughts. After a few seconds, Operations brought him back to reality.

“Okay, fine. So when did Michael and Jennifer meet? Was it successful?”

Walter turned to Michael. Michael sighed. “We met a bit later. Actually, she met Nikita and I together. We told her we were Walter’s children. Janet wasn’t convinced. We explained that Nikita was adopted and that my mother was a Frenchwoman that Walter had met long before he knew Janet, that they had never married because of Walter’s job. Walter didn’t know I existed until years later when he and my mother met again.”

Operations was getting angry now. “So, you completely disregarded the profile I gave you.”

Walter was hoping someone would soon show up and get them out of this mess. Michael was very good at improvising, but he could only lie for so long before Operations’ figured it out. The man was not stupid. He was, after all, head of Section. For how long, however, remained to be seen.

Just then Michael heard two thuds and glanced around to see Mentz and Taylor removing the weapons from the downed guards. Next George and Madeline walked in. Operations’ face was a sight to behold. He was decidedly less happy than he had been earlier. George and Madeline headed straight for Nikita. Mentz and Taylor pulled Operations out of his seat and held him at gunpoint. Operations would not give up without a fight, though.

“You two will regret the fact that you ever laid a hand on me. You will be canceled as soon as George and I finish our little talk.”

Madeline walked over to the intercom on the wall and pushed the button. “Get medical to Committee now.”

Michael walked over to check on Nikita as well. He laid a hand on her arm and she reached for his hand, even though she was almost paralyzed at this point. She was completely exhausted by the effort. Michael noticed that she was having even more trouble breathing. Walter had walked around the other side of the cot and was standing with Madeline.

He turned to face her and she smiled. “Don’t worry, Walter. Things are being taken care of. They will not be harmed.” Walter nodded and then turned his attention back to the power play that was going on before him.

Michael, holding the reins on his control as tightly as he could, pulled his gun and then turned to Taylor and Mentz. “I’ve got him. You two guard the entrance.” The operatives had been on Michael’s team long enough to recognize that voice. It was one you didn’t argue with. They nodded and then turned to stand outside Committee and guard the entrance in case anyone decided to make an unscheduled visit.

George spoke. “I believe you were asking Michael a question when we so rudely interrupted. Please, allow me to answer it for you. The profile was changed because you have become too power hungry, Paul. You’re need to be all-powerful has definitely clouded your judgment over the last few months. And the way you use your people is despicable. I was not going to allow you to use Michael in another blood cover. It almost killed him once, it will not happen again. And I won’t have you destroying Jennifer Clarkson’s life.”

Operations straightened to his full height. “I’m sorry, George. But I run Section. And as long as I do, I will use my people as I see fit.”

George smiled. “Then we’ll just have to see how long that will be, won’t we? Now, please tell us what it was that you gave Nikita.”

Operations considered his options. He could tell them right away and spare Nikita’s life. That would probably bode well for him. He could also hold out and not tell them at all. He would, of course, be canceled for it. Then again, perhaps he could use the information as a bargaining chip. One-on-one, George and himself. They could certainly work something out. He knew there was some reason George was so interested in Nikita. He wasn’t sure what that reason was, but he was certain George would be reasonable when it came to her life.

Operations looked to Nikita and then back to George. “I will give you the antidote George, but only after you and I have a little ‘discussion.’ Just the two of us. Certainly we can come to some understanding.”

George looked around the room. Medical had arrived and were moving Nikita to medlab. Madeline was intently watching the exchange between the two men. Walter was going with Nikita. Michael, looking like he was ready to snap, was still holding a gun on Operations. Once Nikita was removed from the room, he spoke. “Fine, Paul. Madeline, go to your office. Michael, make sure he has no weapons.”

Michael frisked Operations and took the gun that he had in his waistband. He also removed a pocketknife from him. Then he also took Operations’ jacket, which was placed on the back of the chair he had been using. When he had finished, he nodded to George.

“All right. Operations and I will remain here. Michael, post two guards at the rear of Committee. Then get to Medlab and stay with Nikita. Keep her alive until I get the antidote.” Michael nodded and carried out George’s instructions.

It had now been seven hours since Nikita had been injected. He hoped the little “talk” that George and Operations were having didn’t last too long. No one knew what Nikita had been given, or how long the antidote took to work. Or even if the antidote could completely reverse the side effects of the virus. Right now, Nikita’s arms and legs did not work at all. Her lungs were working overtime to get air into them and her heart was beginning to feel the stress. Kidney and liver functions were being compromised as well. She was hooked up to so many machines that they almost seemed to be a part of her. The doctors and nurses were doing everything they could to stabilize her and help her breath, but it wasn’t helping. Section’s top chemical engineers were working on analyzing Nikita’s blood and trying to figure out what Operations’ had given her.

Madeline pulled Walter aside when she saw Michael enter. They moved to the back of the room so they could monitor Nikita, but not intrude on Michael’s time with her. Madeline knew that Michael would be the one person who could pull her through until they could get the antidote into her system.

Michael sat down next to Nikita and picked up her hand. She seemed to be fading in and out of consciousness. He wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or not. If she was unconscious, she wasn’t feeling the pain. But if she remained unconscious, would she be able to hear him? Would she know she had to hold on for him, until they got the help they needed? He reached up and smoothed her hair back off of her face and then caressed her check.

“Kita, listen to me. You have to fight. I know it’s painful, but you can’t give up. George is getting the antidote from Operations now. Please, please hold on. We need you ... I need you.”

Nikita opened her eyes and slowly turned her head toward his voice. “Michael.” Her voice was very weak and scratchy. Michael moved closer so she could see him.

“I’m here, Kita. I’m here. Just hold on.”

Nikita stared at his face. She knew there was something she wanted to tell him. But her mind was so confused. And she was so tired ... it was such an effort to think. “Michael ... did we save the little girl? Carla? Walter’s little girl? No, not right.”

~~~~~~~~

Back in Committee, George and Operations were seated. George’s cellphone rang. He answered. “Yes. Yes. Good. And the women? Fine. Get back to Section One right away. Good work.” He snapped the cellphone shut and looked to Operations. “Well, it seems our mission is a complete success.

Now, what exactly was it you wanted in exchange for the antidote to the virus you gave Nikita?”

Operations studied George’s face. The old man really did get on his nerves. But he would play along for the time being. Once he was out of this mess, he would see about getting rid of George. “Well, let’s see. I will, of course, remain leader of Section One. That is nonnegotiable. And you will stop interfering with my missions. I will run them as I see fit.”

George studied Operations’ face closely. The man truly was deluded. But he could play the game as well as anyone. “Okay. I will allow you to remain head of Section. And I will not interfere with your mission profiles. However, you must stop using your operatives against each other, unless they are traitors. Then you have my permission to use any means necessary to uncover and dispose of them. But this constant testing and betrayal you put your operatives through must stop. And most of all, you will stop using Michael and Nikita against each other. They are the best team Section has and I want it to stay that way.”

Operations pretended to consider for a few minutes. Then he spoke. “Fine. I will do my best. However, if I feel it necessary to use certain operatives against others in order to achieve our goals, I will do so. But I will try to avoid using Michael and Nikita against each other.”

George contemplated his answer and then nodded. “Fine. I believe we have a deal. Now ... the antidote.”

Operations smiled. “I believe I will deliver it in person, if you don’t mind. Let my people know that I am still in charge around here.”