Mixed-up Valentines

By Sherry


(A special thanks to Nahla who helped with this story!)

Part 1

The group waited in the briefing room. Five minutes later, Operations and Northstar entered. Operations began the briefing before he was even behind the table. "We have a very small window of opportunity here, people, so listen up. We have a unique chance to take out one of Red's Cell's major suppliers." Hitting the remote for the holoscreen, he brought up a picture of a man and woman. "Seamus Riley and his wife, Jennifer. Apparently, this is "the" couple to see if you are interested in acquiring the latest in bio-weaponry. According to our Intel, they've been dealing with Red Cell for two years. They are looking to expand to other organizations. We are going to take advantage of that."

Using the remote, Operations changed the picture. "This is where we make contact. It's a resort for the very wealthy and the extremely reclusive. It is run by Mason Steel, a cousin to Seamus. Each year for Valentines Day she holds a Romance Weekend that really lasts four days. Seamus and Jennifer pay Mason a visit every year for this romantic getaway. This year they have agreed to meet with representatives from Shining Path while there. They were supposed to be meeting with this couple," he said as he again changed the picture, "but we intercepted them and have extracted all pertinent Intel. We can't tell you exactly how long you will be there. That will be up to First Team. Check your panels for information on what kind of things are on the resort schedule so you can plan accordingly. First Team is already laying the groundwork. They will make the contact. The rest of you will provide cover, support and assistance as needed. You are going in blind as to the identity of First Team intentionally. When they arrive, you will know."

Operations looked to North and she continued with the briefing. "Obviously, you will be going in as couples." The group nodded. North smiled. "However, not the couples you think. We feel sending you in as real couples may tend to hinder your performance. You may get ... sidetracked ... and your attention could wander. Therefore, we have assigned you partners. The couples will be Antonio and Rita, Xavier and Curlly, Jace and Brenna, Jack and DeLeah and Sinjin and Avi."

When North finished, Operations resumed. "As you will all be on site before First Team, gather as much Intel as you can regarding the other guests, schedules, etc., so you can relay that information to them. They will contact you, not the other way around. End game is to get the biochemical agent, the formula, and take out the Rileys. You should be prepared to move at a moment's notice. First Team will let you know when they are ready to move. It could be very short notice. Get your things together and your gear from Walter. You leave this afternoon. Any questions?"

There were plenty of questions, but none that anyone was going to ask Operations. Nodding, he threw down the remote and started to leave the briefing room. As he got to the door he paused. "Remember, your covers have to be convincing. If they aren't, the consequences will be severe." Then he turned and walked out. Everyone else followed behind, already dreading the upcoming assignment.

Rita pulled North aside as they left the room together. "North, is this some kind of test? They want to see if we can handle watching our significant others mess around with our friends? How sick is that!"

North sighed. "No, it's not a test. And I know how you feel. I argued against it at first, but I finally relented because I understand their concern. Suppose there's a critical piece of Intel missed because DeLeah and Antonio, or any of you for that matter, were so wrapped up in each other that you didn't notice? It could spell disaster for the whole team. I picked you all specifically because I thought you could handle it. I knew you could put your jealousy aside realizing it was only a mission. Granted, it will be very uncomfortable, having to pretend to be lovers with your assigned partner while watching your true partner doing to the same. But I'm counting on you all not to let me down."

Rita sighed. "Fine. Just wanted to make sure. By the way, have you seen Sherry today? I wanted to speak with her before I left." North shook her head. "No, I haven't seen her." Rita nodded and they parted company, Rita to her quarters and North to her office. Sighing, North was glad Rita's interrogation was over. She didn't want to lie to her and so far she hadn't, but it was getting a little close for comfort.

Part 2

Second Team was finally in place at the resort. Seeing as it was a weekend for couples, each pair of operatives arrived separately and at different times throughout the day. They felt a bit awkward as they arrived and were shown to their assigned rooms. Oh, they pulled the act off quite convincingly for their hostess, but once they were alone, it was another story. For instance, DeLeah and Jack fought over which side of the bed they were going to sleep on. "I always sleep on the left," DeLeah announced.

"Well, so do I, so move your scrawny butt over honey," Jack replied.

"Excuse me? There is nothing "scrawny" about my butt. Besides, whatever happened to chivalry?" DeLeah asked.

"Haven't you heard?" Jack dead panned, "it's dead." Being a true gentleman, however, Jack eventually gave in, but not without one more wisecrack. "Anyway, since we're so sweet on each other and all, we'll be sharin' the same side of the bed in no time at all." DeLeah's answer to that was to throw a pillow in his face.

"Not even in your wildest dreams, cowboy," DeLeah warned. Jack shrugged. "Just tryin' to keep up appearances. If we get canceled, it'll be your fault. And I know you don't want Avi heartbroken over my untimely demise just because you couldn't share." Then he headed into the bathroom and closed the door with a smirk, locking it soundly behind him.

In a room down the hall, Rita and Antonio were fighting over closet space. "Antonio, I need all of that room for my clothes and shoes," Rita announced while removing his stuff from the closet.

"Listen lady," Antonio growled as he grabbed his stuff and began replacing it. "My stuff is going in the closet. Nobody told you to pack enough for a harem. What is all that stuff anyway? We're only going to be here four days at the most."

Rita sighed. "El cielo me ayuda! Men! You'll never get it. I have to be prepared for any eventuality. And my clothes can't be wrinkled. I need to hang them up."

Antonio, however, could be quite stubborn, especially when his Latin temper flared. "Hang up what you can fit in there, but my clothes are staying. Madre de Dios! Women! Who can understand them? Crazy, that's what you are. You're all loco!" Rita then began laying her other things out over the chairs and the other furniture in their suite.

"What are you doing?" Antonio yelled.

"I have to put them somewhere if you won't let me hang them up," she countered as Antonio followed her around the room picking everything up.

"No. I am not living like a swine. I am not living in a lingerie department. I am not living in a women's boutique. If you don't put that stuff away, I'll dispose of it myself!" he threatened.

"You touch my stuff, buster, and you'll rue the day you were born!" Rita warned.

"With you as my wife, I already do!" he yelled and then stormed out of the room. Sighing, Rita flopped down on the bed. "Well, this is going so well," she muttered. After a few moments there was a knock at the door and Rita got up to answer it. "Hi Bren, Jace."

Bren smiled. "Hi. We were just walking by and heard the commotion. You guys might want to tone it down a bit. This is supposed to be a romantic weekend, not an anger aggression therapy weekend." Rita sighed. "I know, but that man is just so, so ... "

"Stubborn?" Jace supplied, with a sly grin on his face. "Exactly!" Rita smiled.

"I'd say it's a match made in heaven," Brenna quipped before she and Jace made a hasty retreat back to their room.

There was a special dinner scheduled for that evening. It would be hosted by Mason Steel to welcome her guests. Everyone was expected to attend. Xavier was looking at his watch and pacing back and forth.

"Curlly, what are you doing in there? I need to take a shower. We're supposed to be there in 30 minutes."

Curlly's voice came through the bathroom door. "I'm making myself presentable. Perfection doesn't happen by itself you know. It takes time."


"Perfection? Who asked for perfection? Just throw on a dress and comb your hair. We can't be late." Xavier complained.

"Just throw on a dress? What cave did you crawl out of Xavier? You can't tell me that Bren gets ready in five minutes!"

Xavier sighed. "Well, not five minutes, but she doesn't take all day like some people, either!" A few minutes later Curlly heard the door to their suite slam. She put the finishing touches on her hair and walked out of the bathroom.

"Okay, Xavier. It's all yours." She looked around but the room was empty. "Xavier?" Then she spotted a note on the coffee table in the sitting room. Opening it, she laughed. "Darling, I couldn't wait any longer. I'm going to one of the other rooms to see if I can borrow their shower. Don't go anywhere without me. Your adoring husband, Xavier."

Fifteen minutes later Xavier was back, freshly showered and dressed to kill. He walked in the room and stopped dead in his tracks. "Wow!" His reaction was all the vindication Curlly needed. "You like?" she teased. "You look great," he responded. "Why thank you, sir. Now see, wasn't all that time worth it?" Xavier simply shook his head, knowing when to keep his mouth shut. "Shall we?" he motioned out the door. Curlly grabbed her bag and they headed for the dining room to meet the rest of the guests.

Avi and Sinjin were the last to arrive in the dining room. Sinjin was holding her close to his side and whispering in her ear. Avi looked at him adoringly, placing a kiss on his cheek. Sinjin's hand slipped very, very low down Avi's back. She turned adoringly to him and whispered, "You better move that hand now, sweetheart, or you're going to find a knee where you really don't want one."

Sinjin smiled at her, touched her nose with his finger and then pulled her even closer. "That's what I love about you, lass. You can seduce a man and threaten him all in the same breath. Besides, I'm only doing my part for the team."

"Yeah, well your hand is not all over 'the team.'" Avi retorted as Sinjin laughed.

Once everyone was seated, there was one empty table. Obviously, First Team had not yet arrived. Mason Steel went to the podium at the front of the room. "Good evening my dear friends. I am so happy you have decided to join us for our Valentine's Getaway. We have everything to make this the most romantic and memorable four days you and your loved one have ever spent together." There was a commotion at the entrance to the room. All heads turned in that direction. First Team had arrived.

"Ah, Mr. & Mrs. Roarke, I presume," Mason said as she moved down to greet her newest guests.

"Ms. Steel. A pleasure. And it's just Roarke. And this lovely creature is my life as well as my wife, Sherry," Roarke made the introductions quickly. "I do apologize for our late arrival. A last minute business crisis, you know," Roarke explained. Nodding, Mason continued. "I am so glad you could join us. And who did you bring with you?"

Sherry turned to them and smiled. "This is my sister, Nahla, and her companion, Michael."

"I see. It's very nice to meet you. I'm glad you could come," Mason offered then guided her newest guests to their table. She again returned to the podium and finished her welcoming speech. Then dinner was served.

Rita and Antonio were sharing a table with Avi and Sinjin. "That figures. Why is it that she's with Michael? Someone explain that to me? And not only that, she gets Roarke too! I'm gonna talk to someone about this," Rita huffed.

Sinjin tried to calm her down. "Well, Michael and Sherry are the senior operatives. They would be on First Team. And they've worked together for years."

Avi chimed in. "Look at it this way. She has to pretend to be married to Roarke. And she has to watch Michael and Nahla. At least she doesn't have Michael to herself." Rita smiled at that. "You do have a point, Avi."

Antonio, also trying to be helpful, added, "Yes, and just look at them. Roarke is fawning all over Sherry. I'm sure Michael is steaming inside." Avi and Sinjin laughed. Rita sighed, "Shut up, Antonio. You are not helping."

After dinner, there was time for the couples to get acquainted. Roarke and Sherry "met" the Second Team couples, then headed off to introduce themselves to the Rileys. Michael kept Nahla glued to his side as they met with the others, gleaning what bits of Intel they had managed to gather so far. There wasn't much since they hadn't arrived very early and had been taken straight to their rooms to settle in.

After the get acquainted session, everyone went back to their suites. First Team had adjoining rooms and they all entered Sherry and Roarke's suite. Roarke quickly scanned the room for cameras and listening devices. They didn't expect any since Mason was not involved in her cousin's business, but they needed to be sure. Once they were certain it was clean, they discussed what information had been gathered so far. Michael, as team leader, was profiling the mission on site. As more Intel was received, he would make changes accordingly.

With business finally out of the way, the foursome sat back to relax. They had been on the move for the past two days. Sitting there unwinding while they enjoyed their various drinks, Sherry burst out laughing. "Did you see those guys down there? It was hilarious."

Nahla smiled. "It was funny. But I'm pretty sure Rita wants to kill you." Sherry nodded and Roarke chimed in. "Never fear my beloved, I will not allow anyone to hurt one precious hair on your head," and then he planted a kiss on her hair.

"She's not the only one that wants to do bodily harm," Michael mumbled giving Roarke the glare that had made many a man tremble with fear. Roarke, however, simply laughed it off. "Well, my boy, she is my wife. What do you expect? I can't help it if you don't appreciate the way I take care of my woman." Winking at Sherry, he continued, "She deserves to be pampered and adored." Moving behind her, he began to massage her neck and shoulders. "Darling, I do believe you're a bit tense. I'll have to see about helping you relax later when we're alone."

It was all Nahla could do to keep from laughing, until she saw Michael's face. "Oh man, I'm glad I'm not you," she whispered to Sherry. Sherry laughed conspiratorially. "Oh, but you would be having so much fun." Patting Roarke's hand to make him stop, Sherry got up and walked over to Michael. Caressing his face, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered, "Michael, you know there is only one man for me. Now be a good boy and behave yourself." Growling, Michael pulled her onto his lap and kissed her soundly.

Roarke's voice broke in. "Well, Nahla, I'd suggest we leave these two alone, but it might look a little strange if I left my beloved alone with your companion during this romantic little interlude." Nahla was holding her stomach, trying not to laugh. Watching these two men would certainly provide hours and hours of entertainment.


"Good point," she finally said, and let the laughter go. "Michael, honey, now that you've said a proper goodnight to my sister, I think it's time we go," Nahla advised. Michael nodded and started walking toward the door to their suite.

"Thanks, Nahla. My wife and I really do need to get to bed," Roarke said as he walked up behind Sherry and wrapped his arms around her waist. Michael paused and turned, "Don't push it," he warned before taking Nahla's hand and leading her through the door. Sherry swatted Roarke when they were alone. "Would you please try and behave. If you're not careful, Michael will profile your cancellation and I may just let him."

Roarke looked devastated. "But darling, what would you ever do without me?" Sherry sighed. "Oh, shut up. Let's just go to bed."

"Now you're talkin," Roarke said leeringly, only to find himself the recipient of a pillow upside the head. "Hey!" he cried. "Is that any way to treat your husband?" Sherry smiled at him naughtily and then replied, "If you don't like it, sweetie, you can always get a divorce."

"Sassy woman -- just the way I like 'em," Roarke growled before he took the pillow and threw it back at her and the pillow fight was on. Their laughter carried through to the adjoining room where Michael was pacing like a caged animal. Nahla wanted to help Michael, but she wasn't sure how. She had never spent much time around him, but his reputation was legendary. The fact that he was so visibly agitated worried her.

"Michael, please sit down for a minute," she said. Pausing, Michael turned toward her, noticed the concern on her face, and sat down. "What's wrong?" he asked. He knew she wasn't a cold op and thought something about the mission was bothering her.

"It's not me, Michael. It's you. You've got to stop tearing yourself up like this. You know it's only a mission. You've been in much worse situations than what she's in. She knows it's a mission, so does Roarke. He's only bating you. You trust her, don't you?"

Michael was surprised at her insight. "Of course I trust her. I just want the mission over and us out of here before she has to do anything that she will regret." Nahla nodded in understanding. She didn't know what she would do if things ever got that far with her and Michael. There's no way she could go through with it. Michael noticed her sudden tension and realized what she was thinking. "Don't worry, Nahla. Nothing is going to happen between us. We aren't the ones playing the married couple, so we've got more latitude. I'm just worried they'll end up somewhere with the Rileys and things will have to progress farther than anyone would like."

Nahla nodded and studied him for a moment. "You really do love her, don't you," she smiled at the statement. Michael got up from the chair and moved to look out the window of their suite. "Yes. Do you doubt it?"

Nahla shrugged. "No, not really. Although there have been times." Michael looked away and sighed. "It's not an easy situation," he began to explain.

Standing, she walked over to him and laid a hand on his arm. "It's okay, Michael. I don't need an explanation. I just don't want either of you to get hurt." Michael hugged her close and kissed her forehead. "Thank you. Neither do I." After another moment, he said, "Now, I think we need to get some sleep."


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