North was exhausted...this PJ day was fun, but man was it a lot of work!! She was looking forward to having a few minutes to herself while relaxing in her office.

As she opened the door she found herself faced with a toilet paper encased office. "How original," she thought, amused at the old fashioned joke. She made her way through the web of TP and sat down at her desk, sighing at the few moments of peace. As she reached to turn on her computer she was suddenly aware of someone standing in the middle of the room.

"No! It couldn't be.... SPARKS??"

"Yes, it's me my darling. I wanted to allow you a few moments to relax so as not to frighten you, beloved."

"How did you get here? What's going on?" North said, feeling very disoriented. Suddenly she noticed his left hand, for lack of a better word, flickering. As things clicked into place she grabbed a discarded Toilet paper roll and through it at Sparks. She was less than surprised to see it pass through him. "A hologram. How lovely," she thought sarcastically.

She resolved to ignore the hologram until she could get it permanently disabled, but her resolve was tested as it kept asking her questions, like "Do you love me as much as I love you, my darling Northstar?" "Won't you run away with me?" "Is Operations good in bed?"

Steeling herself against the overly amorous hologram, North closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When she opened them again she was amazed to discover that her computer still had not booted up...what was going on? It looked like her computer, but her computer was no where neat this agonizingly slow. Sighing, North decided that she should head back out to see what was going on at CLHQ.

As she stood up she felt a strange tug, and was struck with the realization that she had been glued to her chair. She had no spare pants in the room, and it occurred to her that she had 2 options. 1) Venture out into CLHQ sans pants, or stay in her office indefinitely with the lovesick terrorist hologram, which was even now comparing its attributes to those of her beloved operations.

It was going to be a difficult choice.

*****

Brenna tried to hold on to her anger and frustration. She really did. But the next thing she knew she was laughing too. What exactly was so funny she wasn't sure but she knew she needed to get control of herself. Determining that sleep was out of the questions for the moment. Brenna got up and headed for the shower to rid herself of her extensive beauty treatments. She just hoped whoever had sent Xavier knowing this was her facial night had not also taken too many pictures. Finishing her shower quickly, Brenna changed into clothes that would survive the usual CLHQ water/food fights and went to find her friends. Hopefully not too many of them had heard about her little PJ mix-up. She made Xavier go with her, figuring that if he was there he might as well be involved. The couple didn't find anyone awake in CLHQ except for a few operatives watching movies in the living room and laughing hysterically. Brenna didn't remember "Africa: a continent in crisis" being a particularly funny movie but didn't have time right now to investigate the source of their mirth. A quick check of the surveillance system reported that all of her buddies were in comm in Section. Heading that way Brenna was almost knocked over by Sherry storming out of the building. Reaching out her hand to stop her friend, Brenna asked "What's wrong? And why are you wearing that gas mask?"

"Curlly flooded the buildings with laughing gas," Sherry told her. "And nothing's wrong. I'm just on my way to CLHQ to pack up my stuff," Sherry continued, bursting into tears.

Sending Xavier to get back up, Brenna put her arm around her friend and after giving her a moment to compose herself said, "I don't know what happened but I know you don't want to do that. No one wants you out of CLHQ. Lets go far a walk to give everyone some time to calm down."

Abruptly Sherry broke out of Brenna's embrace. "I know you are only trying to help Brenna but you can't really understand."

"I know you can't make a decision like this in haste. There are people here who care about you a lot. If it seems otherwise you have to consider all the circumstances of PJ day. If this were a mission and you were the team leader what advice would you give to an operative in your situation?"

"I'd remind them that things are not always what they seem and encourage them to wait until the mission was over to assess the truth of a situation," Sherry responded thoughtfully.

"There is your answer, Sherry. Wait until PJ Day is over and all is revealed before you decide anything as important as leaving CLHQ," Brenna suggested quietly.

Whipping out her cell phone Brenna quickly called Xavier, "Change of plans. Sherry and I need a few hours with everyone else out of CLHQ. Do whatever it takes to direct the search for Sherry anywhere but here. Enlist Michael to help you by telling him in confidence the real plan and that this will make Sherry feel better. I have faith in you. Thanks. We'll discuss your reward later."

Looking at Sherry with a mischievous glint in her eyes Brenna asked, "Now what should we do to them?"

Sherry, getting back into the spirit of things, answered, "You think we could kidnap Simon's snake to go visit Rita's bed for a while?"

"Now you're thinking," Brenna replied grinning. "Come on, I'm not sure how long that talented group of friends we have will stay misdirected."

*******

Rita had made a move to follow Sherry when she felt a hand on her arm tugging her back. It was Michael. He looked at her and laughed as he said, "No. She needs some time."

Rita was not happy with that pronouncement from Michael. "But Michael..."

"No I think we need to have a little chat." Michael said as he pulled her away from the laughing Operatives. "But first to medical to get a cure for this laughing gas."

Once that was done the two walked outside into the night air. Rita was back to herself cured of the case of the giggles that had infected her. She was confused by this turn of events. She thought they were friends but Sherry had gone and taken it too far. Reading her diary in Comm no less that was too much.

Michael could see the flashing thoughts that reflected on her face. "Rita..."

Rita turned and glared. "Don't even think it or say it! I didn't start this. She sent me a letter getting me to a picnic under false pretenses. She knew I thought it would be you."

"It is PJ Day." He said simply.

"Oh so I have to comprehend that detail and she doesn't? Hmmm...Watch out Michael because that thin line you have been balancing on is going to tilt." Rita said quickly. This was getting painful.

Michael did not wish to hurt her but he could not take either of their sides if he was to preserve what they had. He knew his was the only voice of reason they would consider listening to and he had no wish to set the Spanish Hurricane in motion. He knew once that happened there would be no happy ending to this battle.

"Rita you have to be patient."

"What! Patient that is all I have ever been! That is it I am sorry Michael but Sherry and I have to have it out. It would be best if you stayed out of it." Rita ran off heading towards her parked car. She drove off with her tires squealing in protest. Michael knew he had no choice but to follow.

Finally arriving at CLHQ she ran up the stairs passing faces that were merely a blur. Finally making her way to Sherry's room, she opened the door did not even bother to knock. She saw Sherry and Brenna sitting there chatting.

Brenna stood up immediately. "Rita.."

"Save it Brenna just step outside. This is between me and her." Brenna did not like the look on her face but she decided the best course would be to get reinforcements.

"First off reading my diary is low and then to read it in Comm is despicable. Those are only thoughts if you read ahead you'll find that I was just moody that day it happens especially trying to live with our situation."

Rita at this point was gathering steam and was just trudging into her argument not hearing or noticing anything else. Next I know that Michael could never be all mine. I just don't think you realize that. you appointed yourself keeper of Michael's planner and last I hear there might be an opening in 2002 but make sure to check with you first I think not. Does Michael know you are planning his life so well?"

"Rita I was here first and that is one of the rewards or perks." Sherry replied.

"That does not answer the question." Rita replied. "Plus I think that only the innocent can cast stones at others. Sherry I think it is time for you to take a trip down memory lane remember the Corelli mission where you had to sleep with Sonny Corelli under orders and you never told Michael hmmm... Now if I were truly evil I would just download the surveillance to everyone's panels. But that is not my style...."

Sherry gasped in surprise. "How did you find out?"

"A little bird told me." Rita said succinctly.

"Which little bird, Rita? And Sherry I cannot believe you did not tell me. It seems you two have some explaining to do." Michael inquired from the doorway it seems he was listening to the conversation from the hallway. Sherry looked like she was going to explode. Rita tapped her foot in exasperation.

********

Damien and Dragonlady Peeled in laughter as the Jell-O balloons burst, coating them in gooky slime.

Through this gut splitting candor, the operatives attempted to help each other into a standing position. After three failed attempts, they collapsed into each other content to wrap arms around themselves.

"Damn and i wanted to see her face when..."

*******

Memo Regarding Personal Hygiene

Re: Personal Hygiene

It has come to the attention of me through housekeeping that Headquarters is experiencing and high rate of clogging drains.

After a quite lengthy investigation, we have concluded that is the result of too many operatives with long hair.

Therefore:

It has been decreed that we will be implementing a strict hair length rule. No one shall have hair exceeding the length of 7 inches from the base of the scalp.

Thank you for your time.

Oh! And I forgot to mention that this is effective immediately!

The Temp Joe

********

Deiket cautiously made her way out of Van Access. Her mission had run over a little and she was just returning to Headquarters. But she knew what day it was. Sensing no immediate pranks, she rushed over to Walter's station and checked in her equipment, looking over her shoulder the entire time. Walter gave her

a funny look, but said nothing

After that was taken care of, she rushed back to her room to get her supplies. As she unpacked her bag and armed herself with various water guns (one very large one over her shoulder, two at her hips and one little one at her ankle ... just in case) a small note slipped out.

Darling,

You might want to check on Coin...

~<3

Deiket's eyes narrowed. If anyone touched her horse.... She decided to run to the stables after she'd finished her work. Slinging her back over her other shoulder, she crept out of her room, still in black mission gear....