Downtime on Demand

By Sherry

 

Operations entered the briefing area in his usual manner -- back straight, eyes forward and quickly getting to his point.

"It seems that The Centre has decided Section has been a little to visible lately and wants us to lay low for a while. So, they have given us a month of downtime. We will be effectively closing up Section for four weeks. Each of you will be allowed to spend that time wherever you choose, so long as you have your PDA's and cellphone with you in case of an emergency.

The operatives at the table exchanged glances with one another. This was totally unheard of in Section. NO ONE got a vacation unless they had been through a devastating trauma. And Section was never shut down unless their location had been compromised and they needed a new locale. Something was up .... or at least that was the opinion of those sitting around the table. Michael finally voiced the question.

"Is this a test?"

Operations looked to Michael and nodded. "That was my first thought as well. However, I have reassurances from Centre that that is not the case."

Nikita huffed. "For all the good their assurances are."

Madeline smiled. "You have good reason to be suspicious. But this time they are on the level. Red Cell has been monitoring us closely through our recent missions and is getting too close in Centre's opinion. They want us to cease and desist for a short time. Hopefully in the meantime they will either dissuade Red Cell from coming after us, or Red Cell will become interested in something else when we are not around to monitor."

Walter laughed. "A vacation, huh? I haven't had one of those in years. Don't know if I even remember what to do."

Everyone at the table smiled, except Operations. "Yes, well, I'm sure it will come back to you. You all have three days to make your plans and get cleared out. At the end of 72 hours this place will be locked up tighter than a drum. Are there any questions?"

Hearing none, Operations dismissed the meeting. Michael, Nikita, Walter, Birkoff and Davenport headed out to their respective offices to begin making travel plans. Madeline watched the others leave and then turned to Operations.

"So, do you have a destination in mind for you downtime?"

He looked at her and smiled. "Of course. I've always wanted to spend time in the Australian Outback. I made my arrangements before the briefing. And you?"

Madeline inclined her head to the side. "I would love to visit Holland. They have the most amazing gardens there."

Operations nodded. He should have known she would go somewhere with flowers. It seemed to be her only real obsession these days, outside of Section.

"If you would like," he answered, "I can have the arrangements made for you."

Madeline smiled. "No thank you. I can do it. It will be wonderful to have downtime to myself. And the gardens should be spectacular this time of year."

Walter and Birkoff headed for their respective stations. "So Birkoff," Walter began, "where you gonna go?" Birkoff, who was nervous about the whole idea of spending downtime away from Section, shook his head. "I don't know. I've never really had a vacation before."

Walter shook his head. "Well, then it's about time, boy. I can't wait. I'm heading for Hawaii and all those lovely ladies on the beaches. Maybe I can even talk one of the females around here into accompanying me. This is gonna be a blast. Well, have a great time, Birkoff. See you in a month."

Birkoff sat at his computer, not having a clue what to do. He had never been on a vacation in his life. He didn't know what to do. He didn't want to be by himself for a whole month. What would he do? Where would he go? If there weren't a computer around, he would be lost. Maybe he would just check into some local hotel and stick close to home. At least he would be on familiar territory. Having made that decision, he felt a little better. Not much, but a little.

Nikita followed Michael to his office. Once they were inside, Michael jammed the surveillance.

"So, Michael. Do you believe them? Is this really what it seems to be or is it another test?"

Michael studied Nikita for a few moments. "I'm not certain, but I think it's on the level. I'll check into it and let you know if I come up with anything."

Nikita waited for him to say something more, but he didn't. Finally she stood up. "Okay then. Let me know what you find out."

Michael nodded. Nikita was almost out the door when he spoke again. "Do you know where you will be going?"

Nikita, with her back to him, closed her eyes and sighed. It was not the question she wanted to hear.

"Not yet. I have a few ideas, but nothing definite. And you?"

Michael turned his focus back into his office. Without looking at her he answered, "No plans."

Nikita waited for more but knew it wasn't coming. "Okay. Well, let me know if you find out anything. If not, I guess I'll see you in a month." Then she pulled his door closed behind her, a little louder than she wanted to.

Michael sighed. He knew what she wanted, but until he was certain this wasn't a trap, he was going to play it cool. If it all worked out as he hoped, then he would ask.

The next day was filled with preparation for closing down Section. Everyone was so busy backing up files, storing equipment and weapons, closing down areas and computers, that no one had much of a chance to discuss their plans. It was all they could do to keep up. The Centre hadn't given them much time to close up shop.

Walter did manage to find a few spare moments and headed for Birkoff's station.

"What do you need, Walter?" Birkoff asked, as he was trying to make multiple backups of all major files. He left the less important files to his staff.

"I was just thinking, Birkoff. I was wondering, if you don't have any other plans yet, if you would want to come along with me to Hawaii. I know you've never been there. Just imagine it. Sandy beaches, warm water, beautiful sunshine, lots of lovely ladies, and you and me. Can't beat that, can you?"

Birkoff laughed. "What about a computer?"

Walter shook his head. "What do need a computer for on the beach? It's not like you're gonna need it for anything."

Birkoff shrugged. "I just need to stay connected, you know. I have some friends I stay in touch with over the internet. And I manage a few sites of my own when I have a chance. Who knows, maybe I'll even get you to become an Internet junkie."

Walter shook his head. "Not a chance ... as long as there are live women around... forget it."

Birkoff laughed. "Fine. But yeah, I'd love to go with you. I hadn't gotten around to making any plans yet."

"Great!" Walter beamed. "I'll just go ahead and make the reservations for both of us. You'll see Birkoff, this will be the best time of your life."

"Yeah, yeah," Birkoff said. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to get back to work."

Walter nodded. "Yeah, me too. I'll give you the details later."

Michael had seen Nikita a few times during the day. They had been given duties that kept them in contact, but not closely. Michael was grateful for that because he knew Nikita was ticked at him. He knew why and he was doing everything in his power to work it out. He just needed to find out if this was real or not first. He wasn't about to let anyone but Nikita know of his personal hideaway.

Nikita did her best to ignore Michael, although it hurt her as she knew it did him. She was angry that he hadn't asked her to go somewhere with him. But then again, she thought, why should he? I haven't exactly made myself available to him much lately. She knew it was partly her fault, which made her feel worse. That in turn, made her more frustrated and she took it out on Michael. She knew she would have to apologize soon.

It was noon the next day when Michael finally got his answer. This was no test. The Centre was being up front. They wanted Section to lay low and cool things down for a while. Good, he thought. Now, to find Nikita and hope she would listen.

Nikita was helping Walter pack up some of his equipment. Michael walked into Weapons, but Nikita ignored him. Walter knew something was up with her, and as soon as Michael entered, he knew. Apparently Michael and Nikita weren't spending their downtime together and she was angry. He wished these two would soon get themselves figured out. It was obvious to everyone that they loved each other. He just wished they would soon work out all the kinks in their relationship. If it wasn't Section using Michael against her, it was Nikita pulling back because of something he had done because of Section. It was a shame.

"Nikita, I need to speak with you," Michael spoke quietly.

Nikita didn't even turn to look at him. "I'm very busy, Michael." Walter gave Michael a sympathetic look. He didn't know how Michael put up with Nikita and her moods. Then again, he figured if they could withstand everything Section had thrown at them, mood swings would be a piece of cake.

Michael sighed. "It's important, Nikita. It's about what we discussed the other day."

Nikita turned to him and realized he was serious. She looked to Walter who nodded. "Go ahead, Sugar. I can get the rest of this stuff."

Nikita smiled at him. "Thanks Walter."

Once they were in Michael's office, he again jammed surveillance. Nikita flopped down on a chair opposite from him.

"So, did you find out if this is for real?"

Michael nodded. "Yes. My contact got in touch a little while ago. The Centre is on the level. We have one month downtime starting day after tomorrow."

Nikita nodded. "Great. Thanks for checking it out."

She got up to go when Michael stopped her.

"Kita, wait."

She stopped and turned back to him, but didn't speak.

"I'm sorry, I haven't said anything, but I wanted to make sure it was real first. Do you have plans finalized for your downtime?"

Nikita paused before she answered. She couldn't decide whether to make him pay for holding out on her, or to just say 'no' and get on with it. Then she remembered how she had been treating him lately and relented.

"Nothing definite, yet. Why?"

Michael looked around the room and then back to her. "I was wondering if you would come with me," was all he said.

She sighed. Why was getting an answer out of him always like pulling teeth?

"Come with you where?" she asked, slightly impatiently.

"To my own personal hideaway. I bought it a few years ago. I don't get there very often, but no one knows about it but me, and now you, if you come with me," he answered.

Nikita thought she noticed a bit of nervousness in Michael's answer, and it endeared him to her all the more. "Where is this hideaway, Michael?"

He studied her a few moments and then said, "I would rather surprise you."

Nikita reined in her temper. She knew Michael was only being cautious, but she hated being in the dark.

"Fine, Michael. But at least tell me what I need to pack. Is it summer there, winter, or what? Do I need boots, sandals, what?"

Michael answered her questions quickly and efficiently. She realized that he had been planning to ask her all along. He was ready with all the answers she needed.

"I'll pick you up at your apartment early tomorrow evening. Our plane leaves at 9:00 p.m.

Nikita nodded and headed back to help Walter finish packing up his equipment with a huge smile on her face.

Walter saw her coming and knew things had finally been patched up between them ... for the time being anyway. "What's with you, Sugar? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"Something like that," was her only reply.

Section was packed up and everything that needed to be had been transported to another location for safekeeping until they returned. Operations had sent everyone home except those few essential people that were needed to lock everything down.

Michael picked up Nikita and they headed for the airport. When they got there, Michael led her to a private plane. They boarded and the steward greeted them respectfully.

"Michael?" Nikita looked to him, confused.

"This is my plane, Kita. The captain, the co-pilot and the steward all work for me. They also double as bodyguards."

Nikita couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Michael, how ... when ..."

Michael smiled. "I'll fill you in on all the details. Anything you want to know, just ask. But for now, let's get seated and be on our way. We have a whole month to spend getting to know each other better."

The plane took off and they winged their way through the night sky. The time passed quickly as Nikita finally began to get answers from the man she loved. She realized she was more in love with him with each little piece he revealed about himself. It seemed like such a short amount of time when the captain spoke. "Sir, we are about to make our descent into Canada. I suggest you put your seatbelts on."

"Canada?" Nikita inquired. She was again surprised. Canada was about the last place she would have expected Michael to take her. She didn't know why she was surprised though, she was still learning there was much about him she didn't know.

Once they landed, Michael, Nikita and the crew moved to a four-wheel drive vehicle and Michael took the wheel. Nikita turned to look at him, expecting an answer, but he remained mute. All she got in return was a blank stare. Well, if wanted to surprise her, so be it.

They drove for hours and headed into mountainous territory. They were far removed from much of civilization, which she could appreciate. She also knew Michael would want that in a hideaway. Finally, they pulled up to an old farmhouse that had been restored. It was beautiful.

"Michael, it's beautiful," she whispered.

Michael smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Welcome home, Kita."

The End

This story ©copyright, Sherry, 2000

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