Highland Games

By Sherry

Part 1

"I don't care what you tell them, just be on the next plane."

"Fine." Sherry said as she heard the click of a phone hanging up in her ear. Sighing, she turned and began packing her things. Once her bags were packed, she made her way to North's office. She knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

"Hey Sher, what's up?" Aly asked as she exited North's office.

Sherry laughed. "Oh you know ... same old, same old ..." They shared a laugh and then Sherry entered North's office and shut the door behind her.

"What can I do for you, Sherry? Please don't tell me you're here to set up another day of ‘fun' for everyone."

Sherry chuckled. "No, not this time. Actually, I'm here to say goodbye."

North stopped skimming the file she had in her hand, laid it down on the desk and turned her complete attention to Sherry.

"What did you say?"

"I came to say goodbye."

North shook her head. "I don't understand. What's up? Is Operations sending you to another Section? Are you going to Oversight or Center?"

Sherry glanced around the office and then refocused on North. "No, nothing like that. It's personal. I have to leave for a while. You remember my friend, Jarod?"

North nodded. "Yeah, the guy who pretended to be your doctor when you were in the hospital, the one who figured out that you had been poisoned. Who could forget him?"

Sherry laughed. "Yeah, well, he's in trouble and he's asked for my help." Sherry sent up a silent plea to Jarod to forgive her for the little white lie. "I'm leaving in an hour to go and help him. I don't know how long I'll be gone."

North was shaking her head. "But ... what about Section? Operations isn't going to just let you go."

Sherry smiled wanly. "Actually, I've already discussed it with him. Frankly, he owes me and he knows it. So, he's agreed to give me as extended leave ... as much time as I need."

North couldn't believe what she was hearing. She did, however, know that Operations considered himself an honorable man and if he owed someone, he paid his debt. "And you have no idea how long you'll be gone?"

Sherry shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving and to say goodbye. And I wanted to ask you to keep an eye on Michael. He's away on a mission and I won't have a chance to say goodbye. I've written him a letter explaining what I'm doing. But could you just keep an eye on him for me?"

North nodded her head and smiled. "Of course I will, but I'm sure Rita would be more than willing to do it."

Sherry laughed. "Don't I know it. That's why I'm asking you." The friends shared a laugh and then Sherry got up to go. "Tell everyone goodbye for me. And I'll see you ... sometime."

North came around her desk and hugged Sherry and then Sherry quickly turned and left. She hurried back to her room so as to avoid running into anyone else and having to make any more explanations. Grabbing her bags, she headed out of CLHQ and was soon on a plane winging her way to Scotland.

Part 2

The flight was a long one and with only her thoughts to keep her company, it seemed endless. She regretted lying to her friends, and especially Michael. She would miss them all. She didn't know if she would ever see any of them again. Her heart was breaking thinking of leaving Michael, but she had no choice. She just hoped ... well, it didn't matter what she hoped. She was doing what she had to do.

The long flight was finally over and she got to her hotel. She had a long soak in a warm bath and got some sleep. She was meeting someone in the morning and wanted to be fresh and on top of her game.

About 10:00 a.m. the next morning there was a knock at the door. Sherry walked over, looked through the peephole and opened the door.

"May I help you?" she inquired of the handsome stranger standing at her door.

He smiled at her and then replied, "I believe I'm here to assist you. My name is Duncan MacLeod. And you, I take it, are Sherry."

Nodding, she stood back and motioned him into her suite. He was quite a handsome man, dressed all in black, reminiscent of Michael. He wore black slacks, a black turtleneck and a long black trenchcoat. He was tall and muscular, very well built. He had shoulder length dark hair and his eyes were beautiful. Yes, all in all, he was a very handsome man indeed.

Moving to the couch, Sherry invited him to have a seat. "So Duncan MacLeod. I understand you can get me where I need to go, introduce me, watch my back. Am I right?"

Duncan considered the woman in front of him. Why would she want to get mixed up in this? Okay, so he knew the reason, but he didn't have to like it. "Yes, I can do all that. My question is, are you sure you want to do this?"

Sherry laughed at the question. "Having second thoughts, Duncan?"

He smiled at her. "No, just wanted to make sure you were committed. It's important."

Sherry sighed. "So I've been told. Now, where and when do we start?"

Duncan outlined his plan for introducing her to the leader of "The Clan." Sherry made a few suggestions, which they discussed, altered the plan slightly and then they were on their way.

A few days later Duncan took Sherry to meet the mysterious man she had flown to Scotland to meet. As they approached, the man held out his hand. "Duncan, so nice to see you again. And please tell me that this lovely creature with you is not really ‘with' you."

Duncan shook hands with him and then introduced Sherry. "Sean MacRae, this is Sherry. Sherry, Sean MacRae. He's the man you want to see. He's the leader of ‘The Clan.'" Then directing his comments to Sean, Duncan continued, "And sorry, Sean, but yes, the lady is with me."

Sean took Sherry's hand and kissed it. "More's the pity. If you ever get bored with him..."

Sherry smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of his statement. "I believe you and I are of a similar mind when it comes to things political. I think we could be of use to each other."

Sean considered her for a moment. "Well, we will see about that. Duncan has told me about you. It is an interesting idea. We should explore it."

Sherry smiled. "I see, you're a cautious man. A very good quality in a leader. Rashness tends to lead to disaster."

"Ah, a lady after me own heart," Sean stated. "What say you lose this guy and you and I have our own private little discussion."

At that point Duncan moved in and possessively placed an arm around her. "Back off, Sean," he started.

Sherry put a hand on Duncan's arm to silence him and then turned to Sean. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I have to decline. I'm quite happy with Duncan."

"Well, you can't blame a guy for trying. So, how about we discuss our association over dinner this evening." Sherry agreed and the trio made plans to meet at 7:00 p.m. that evening.

The evening went well. Sean decided he could use someone with Sherry's skills in his organization and welcomed her. He eventually introduced her to everyone in his group and they set about "Clan" business.

Part 3

Life continued on normally at CLHQ. Of course, Sherry's friends missed her, but since no one knew where she was or when she would be back, they simply treated her absence as if she were on an extended mission. Occasionally someone would wonder where she was and they would speculate about it, but they only knew what she had told North ... that she had gone off to help a friend.

Michael was fine for a while, but after a few months he started becoming distant and remote. He was having a hard time buying the story she had explained to him in the letter. Why didn't she contact him? He had no problem with her helping a friend, but he was worried. What if something had happened to her? He had talked to North about it a few times and she had tried to reassure him, but he knew she couldn't help him. He had tried to track Sherry using her clock crystal, but apparently it had been removed. He had tried to locate Jarod as well, but the man moved around so much he never knew where to look. If he didn't soon hear something, he would go mandatory refusal and find her. He didn't care if it ended up costing him every ounce of seniority he had. He had to find her.

Operations began to notice the change in Michael as well. He was becoming concerned and discussed it with Madeline. She simply said what she always did. "Give him some time and he will get over her." Operations was tired of that same old song so he went to see North.

"North, do you have a moment?" he inquired as he entered her office.

"Of course," she answered, as if anyone would ever say no to the head of Section. "What do you need?"

"I'm here about Michael," he began. "I know you've seen the subtle change in him. You've talked with him. He's becoming more remote the longer Sherry is gone. I want you and your girls to try and distract him, keep him occupied. Get his mind off that woman."

North rolled her eyes behind his back. "But..."

Operations turned back to her. "I know he's in love with her, but he's going to have to get past this. He hasn't messed up yet, but it's only a matter of time. I can't afford to have my best operative not focused on his job."

"I'll do what I can ... we all will, but I doubt if it will work. The only thing that will truly help is for her to come back or get in touch with him. Did she give you any indication of when that would be?"

Operations sighed. "No. I had no idea she would be gone this long. I told her she could take as long as she needed. Whatever the problem is, it is apparently serious. She had just better get back here soon."

North called a meeting of all of CLHQ that afternoon and explained what Operations had asked. Rita was more than happy to volunteer to distract Michael, as were several of the others. North only hoped that it would work. They couldn't afford to lose Michael.

The next day found Curlly, Brenna, North, Kit, Sylvia, Trace, Michael, Walter, Birkoff, Avillion, DragonLady, Kathy and Davenport called to a briefing. They were all seated at the table when Operations walked in, clearly agitated. He looked over the group for a few moments before beginning.

Without any preamble he began. "People we have a situation. It seems one of our own has gone rogue." There was an audible gasp in the room and those gathered there looked at each other. They couldn't imagine who it could possibly be.

"I know you will all be as shocked as I am. But I want one thing made clear. I want this person brought in." Then he pushed the remote in his hand and a hologram appeared before the group. The man in the picture was not familiar to any of them.

"This man is Sean MacRae. He is the leader of a recently organized group called "The Clan." They've only been in business about eight months, but they are extremely talented. They haven't done too much damage yet, but they have big plans. We have word that they are planning to poison all the major water supplies in North America very soon. Not only would this destroy the North American continent and all life on it, but it would throw the entire world into chaos."

Michael asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Who has he turned?"

Operations paused and looked pointedly at Michael. North was watching Operations' face and could have sworn she saw a flicker of compassion on his face as he looked at Michael. She was getting a bad feeling. Whatever was up, whomever they were going after, it wouldn't bode well for the group around this table.

Operations sighed and pushed the remote again. A picture of Sherry flashed in front of them. "It seems that Sherry has joined MacRae and ‘The Clan.' The story she fed us about helping her friend was just that ... a story. I had Birkoff check with this Jarod person and he says he hasn't heard from her in months. So, she lied to all of us. Now we know why."

"No." The word was uttered very quietly, but its meaning was clear to all in the room.

Operations stopped and turned to the source of the sound. "Michael, I know this is difficult for you. Under the circumstances, if you want to stand down from this mission, I will allow it. But I will not tolerate any interference from you or anyone. You are to bring her in immediately."

Michael looked straight at Operations. "It's a lie. She hasn't turned. She wouldn't. What proof do you have?"

Operations smiled. "I'm glad you asked." He then proceeded to show picture after picture of Sherry and another man, simply known to Section as Duncan. They were in Scotland and they were together everywhere. It was obvious from the photographs that they had much more than a business relationship. And there were quite a few photos of Sherry and Duncan meeting with Sean MacRae. There were pictures of them attending ‘Clan' gatherings — a euphemism for strategy sessions — and there were shots of them in the immediate vicinity of several terrorist activities. There were even photos of Sherry selling arms and biochemical weapons to other less connected groups.

To say everyone at the table was shocked was a huge understatement. They couldn't believe what they were seeing and hearing. There was absolute silence in the room for a few minutes while the information sank in. Finally, Operations spoke again.

"We have intel that they will be attending the Scottish Highland Games at the end of the week. It is here that they will make the purchase of the biochemical agent they will use to poison all North American water sources."

Birkoff picked up the narrative at this point. "We believe they will have their entire faction at the Games. Some of them will actually be participants in the Games. It seems MacRae is quite a fan of the Highland Games and is very interested in his heritage. Some of his people will be providing security and MacRae, Sherry and Duncan will be making the buy. You need to take them down as soon as the exchange is made."

Operations turned to face his best operative. "Michael you are to lead the team unless you wish to stand down."

Everyone waited for his answer. It was a terrible position for anyone to be in. Finally he spoke. "I'll do it."

Operations watched him closely for a few seconds and then said "Good. And Michael, I want no nonsense from you. You go and get her and bring her back here. Nothing else." Then he turned to the remaining operatives. "Michael will work up a profile and then brief the rest of you. You are all on close quarters standby until you leave. Are there any questions?"

North spoke. "Just one question. What are your specific instructions regarding Sherry?"

Michael looked to North, relieved that she had asked the question, but not wanting to hear the answer. The group remained still as they awaited Operations' answer.

"Do whatever it takes to bring her in, however, do not, and I repeat, do not, cancel her." With that he dropped the remote on the table and walked out of the room. A collective sigh of relief was heard as everyone let out the breath they had been holding.

Michael stood up to leave and Curlly tried to speak with him. "Michael, I know..."

But Michael simply walked out without acknowledging any of them.

"Let him go for a while," Walter said. "He's had a terrible blow. It's not every day you find out your fiancée has become a terrorist and that you have to bring her in. I'm not sure he'll recover from this. I'm not sure any of us will." The others nodded their agreement with Walter's statement and then headed back to their close quarter rooms to prepare for the upcoming mission.