OUTSIDE...LOOKING IN

by TraceCAT98

 

As Michael advanced on the building, gunfire rang out everywhere. He tried his best to stay with the team, but unfortunately, they go separated. As he made his way to the target point, he took out his explosive, placed it on the fuel tank, and armed it. Michael's eyes scanned the area for anomalies, while he mentally ticked down the seconds left before detonation. Then, turning to leave, he caught sight of a form moving off to his left. Knowing that none of his team should be in that area, he proceeded to investigate.

As he moved towards the figure, his comm link crackled, and he heard Nikita's familiar voice. 'Team two. Charges are in place. Preparing to egress.'

Michael scanned the perimeter, as he proceeded to advance on the area in which he had spotted the form. Making his way forward, weaving in and out of the rows of fuel tanks, Jones voice floated over the comm link. 'Team three. Charges planted and armed. Heading for egress.'

Michael quickly tapped the comm link, and spoke low and deliberately. 'Team two and three, meet team four, and proceed back to the mission van. I have an on site anomaly to check out.'

Nikita's voice, laden with obvious worry and concern, came over the comm link.

'Michael? Do you need back up?' she asked.

Michael continued to scan the area around him. 'No. I will just be a moment. All teams prepare to egress.'

After making sure that the others were headed for safety, Michael proceeded.

Nearing where he had seen the figure, he only found a large, concrete wall, and nothing else. Thinking that maybe it had been one of the team members after all, since the mission intel had told them the place was deserted, he decided to head for the mission van.

As he turned to leave, the explosives ignited early. Michael felt the impact of the blast, seconds before he heard it, as it threw him back against the concrete blocks, like a child's rag doll thrown against a wall.

Before passing out, the last thing that Michael remembered, was hearing Nikita's voice drifting over his comm link. 'Michael? Are you there?,' she yelled hurriedly, 'Michael, answer me!'

************

As the van access door opened, and the mission team disembarked, Nikita and Birkoff trailed behind. They exited the van, in silence, neither wanting to make eye contact with the other. They were not in the best of moods, and the mood rapidly got worse when they looked up and found Operations waiting in the hallway for them.

'Would someone please tell me what in the hell happened?' Operations demanded, looking down at both operatives. ' And where is Michael?'

Nikita and Birkoff looked at each other, and then at the floor. Neither of them were wanting to make eye contact with Operations. Neither wanted to tell him about Michael. As the tension in the air grew, and after a long pause, Birkoff raised his eyes, and looked at Operations.

'The mission went as planned. The tanks were destroyed.' he stated, 'But...' Birkoff trailed off. Operations looked at Birkoff, raising his eyebrows and waiting for him to continue.

'But what Birkoff?' Operations belted out.

'But, the tanks ignited ahead of schedule and, well, we lost a team member.' Birkoff answered. Operations, not realizing just what it was Birkoff was trying to say, just continued to glare, a highly annoyed appearance on his face.

Finally having taken all the stalling he would endure, Operations placed his hands on his hips, and spoke up. 'Well, have Michael meet me in my office. We need to figure out what caused the early detonation, and go over the debrief.' Operations then turned on his heel, and began to walk away.

Nikita, clearing her throat, called after Operations. 'Uh, Michael won't be meeting you there.'

Turning back around, Operations couldn't help but notice a slight tone of anger and defiance in Nikita's voice. Looking her in the eye, he smiled to himself, impressed by the fact that under his direct gaze, Nikita did not flinch.

Still smiling smugly, and with an air of superiority, he continued to look at Nikita. 'Oh,' he began, 'and why is that?' Operations then waited for Nikita's answer. But, the answer that he got was not exactly the one he had expected.

Nikita, who until then, had been staring straight at him, dropped her gaze suddenly, and shifted her weight uncomfortably. When she looked back up, Operations had been sure he had seen tears forming in her eyes.

Nikita raised her chin, and looked directly at Operations. 'Because, Michael was the operative we lost.'

Operations smug smile suddenly faded, and he just looked at Nikita. After what seemed like an eternity, he diverted his gaze. Taking his glasses off, and rubbing the bridge of his nose, he thought for a moment. Then, after placing his glasses back on, he looked back at Nikita, and Birkoff.

With a softer tone in his voice, he spoke again, slowly. 'Okay, you two get down to debrief. I want to know everything that happened, and I want to know why.'

Nikita and Birkoff nodded in unison, and turned and walked down the hallway, side by side, and in complete silence. After they turned the corner, and were out of site, Operations just stood, and looked at the van access door. Then, after a few moments, he turned and headed down the hallway as well, towards Sections main lobby.

*************

Regaining consciousness, the first thing Michael felt was pain. Pain everywhere in his body. He had never, in his life, felt pain such as what he was feeling now. He had to bite his lower lip, to keep from crying out.

Attempting to open his eyes, he had to squint them to focus. The moment the light hit his eyes, he felt a sudden wave of nausea hit him, and an intense pain shot into the back of his head, embedding itself there. He moved, in the attempt to cover his eyes with his arm, but realized that his arms were securely fastened behind him. Upon further inspection, he noticed that his feet were bound, as well.

While struggling and pulling at his bonds, he heard the door open into the room where he was being held. Looking up, he saw two men enter, and close the door behind them. He recognized the one man, and a sudden anger welled up inside of him. As the man walked up, and leaned over, he looked down at Michael, and smiled smugly.

"So, Michael,' the man began, 'we meet again.'

Michael, trying to stay calm, just looked back at the man with no expression. He was not about to give this man the benefit of knowing how much his presence affected him.

As the man continued to stare at Michael, waiting for a reaction, Michael spoke. 'Gideon, we thought you were dead.'

Gideon just smiled, and stood straight up. 'Sorry to disappoint you,' he offered.

Michael never broke eye contact with Gideon.

'We had intercepted intel,' Michael began, 'that made mention of the survival of certain members of the Glass Curtain. But we would never have thought that you would be one of them.'

Gideon, knowing full well that Michael was just deliberately trying to provoke him, smiled and began to circle Michael, plotting his method of interrogation. After a few moments, he stopped just behind Michael, and continued.

'Yes, we had figured as much. We, the Crystal Shard, have been keeping a very "low" profile. Waiting until our best opportunity to execute our plan. But, when we learned of Sections interest in the fuel tanks, we, or should I say *I*, could not let a prime opportunity pass me by.'

As Michael listened to Gideon, he was beginning to get a very uneasy feeling. 'Prime opportunity?' Michael asked.

Still standing behind Michael, Gideon smiled evilly. 'Why, yes. A prime opportunity to exact my revenge.'

Michael only looked forward, his blank stare securely in place. 'Revenge? On Section?' he ventured.

Gideon, suddenly amused, laughed boisterously. He circled around Michael, and standing in front of him, looked him directly in the eye.

'No, not on Section. On you Michael. Call it payback for Glass Curtain, or just call it payback for me. Either way, the debt will be paid.'

Heading for the door, Gideon stopped and turned to the other man, who had entered the room with him originally. As he did, Michael noticed for the first time that the other man had a briefcase in his hand.

'Do it as we originally planned,' Gideon instructed, 'and then dispose of him as you wish.'

The other man looked from Gideon, to Michael, then back to Gideon, a look of hesitation on his face.

'What? What?' Gideon yelled, his voice bouncing off the walls of the room. 'Is there a problem?'

The other man paused a moment, then pushing his eyeglasses up on his nose, squeaked out an answer. 'You do realize the effects of what you have planned? I mean, after this, he could have no memory, or worse, he may be a vegetable.'

'I don't see this as a problem, do you?' Gideon replied, towering over the smaller man. 'Either way, the job will get done. Now, get on with it!!!'

Gideon then opened the door, and moving over the threshold, stormed from the room. The man walked over to Michael, stopped and stooped, placing the briefcase on the floor. He then triggered the latches on the briefcase, opening it, and looked at Michael again. Reaching into the briefcase, he withdrew a syringe, stood, and approached Michael, a grim smile on his lips.

'Don't worry,' the man assured, 'this won't hurt a bit.' He then poked the end of the syringe into Michael's arm, and pushed down on the plunger.

The last thought that Michael had before the darkness claimed him, was of Nikita. And that he would never see her again.

************

Nikita

Nikita sat bolt upright in her bed, covered in sweat and her hair clinging to her face. As she slowly gained control of her breathing, and her heartbeat began to slow to normal, she looked around her darkened room.

She realized that she acted as if she were expecting to find someone in the room with her. No, not just someone... Michael.

She had awakened from her sleep, thinking that she had heard him call to her, call out her name. But, now, as she looked around her room, she realized that it must have been part of a dream.

She pushed the heavy, down comforter back off of her, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Placing her elbows on her knees, she cradled her head in her hands.

She had not had a good nights sleep, since, well, in over a week. And it seemed to finally be catching up to her. Add into that the fact that she kept having the most realistic dreams of Michael, calling to her, like tonight.

She raised her head from her hands, and stared at the far wall. Thinking that maybe she was actually going crazy, she stood and walked across the room. She walked down the steps, and into her kitchen, unable to keep from feeling that it had been more than a dream. Opening the door, and reaching into the refrigerator, she took out a bottle of water. She then walked past the counter and over to the sofa, removing the top from the bottle.

Plopping down on the sofa, she took a long drink. Placing the bottle against her head, in an effort to cool herself down, a saddened look crossed her face. As she started to cry, she placed the bottle on the coffee table.

She then drew herself up, into a little ball, and lied down on the sofa. As she rocked back and forth, crying, she mumbled just five little words, over an over.

'I am so sorry Michael.'

*************

Coming to, the first thing Michael noticed was the blaring of a siren as it grew closer and closer to him. Struggling to sit up, he placed his hand to his head, in an effort to quell the hammering that suddenly started in the vicinity of the backs of his eyes. Thinking that maybe he was going to die from the pain, he moaned out.

After a few seconds, the pain let up enough for him to open his eyes, and take in his surroundings. The first thing he saw was a raggedly clothed individual looking back at him. His vision still slightly blurred, he was not sure if he was really seeing what he thought he was. As he tried to speak, his tongue felt as if it were made of cardboard. After taking a few moments, and failing miserably at making any kind of coherent sound, he simply gave up.

Thinking that maybe he would do better to find out where he was, and see how he had gotten there, he tried to stand. As he did, he was suddenly hit again with the intense pain in his head. Unable to stop himself, he cried out. When he did, the raggedly dressed figure that had been peering at him took off. Leaning back up against the wall, a sudden wave of nausea came over him, and he felt as if he was going to pass out. He took in a couple deep breaths, and the nausea eased up a little. Slowly straightening back up, he braced himself against the brick building, and looked around.

He noticed that his first impression had been correct. He was in an alley, between two buildings, and as he looked skyward, it began to rain. Already feeling chilled to the bone, he pulled his jacket together and began to slowly walk forward. Reaching the street, he had become more and more sure of his footing. Placing his hand on the brick wall, he stepped out onto the sidewalk.

When he did, a police car raced past, its headlight beams striking him in the eyes. The pain shot through his head again, threatening to knock him off his feet. But he stood still for a moment, and the pained passed, gradually receding.

Raising his head again, he noticed a small coffee shop across the street from him. Thinking that he could do with a strong cup of hot coffee, he cautiously made his way across the street, and into the restaurant.

***********

Kimber took the plate from the order window, and placed it on her tray. Walking by the coffee maker, she picked up a pot of coffee, then walked off across the floor. When she got to the table, she placed the plate down in front of the customer, and poured them a new cup of coffee. The customer smiled up at Kimber, as she turned and walked back over to the counter.

When the bell on the door jingled, Annie looked up and whistled a catcall under her breath. Kimber, not paying her any attention, continued to fill up the sugar dispensers on the counter. Noticing that Kimber was not paying her any attention, Annie walked over, and tapped her on the arm.

'Someone pinch me,' Annie said breathlessly, 'cause I must be dreaming.'

Kimber just smiled and shook her head in amusement, continuing with her task at hand. Thinking that maybe Annie was, yet again, exaggerating for her benefit, Kimber chose not to turn and look. Annie always had a way of getting to her, and Annie knew it, and would play upon that ability. Never in any harmful way. Just in a nice ribbing sort of way, irking Kimber to no end.

Finishing her sugar dispensers, and beginning to wipe down the counter, Annie tapped Kimber on the arm again.

Kimber looked at Annie, as she smiled mischievously. 'Must be your lucky day. Your up honey,' Annie said, giving Kimber a little nudge.

Knowing how Annie was, Kimber only continued to stare, waiting for her to explain her comment.

Annie's only reply was to smile like the cat that ate the canary. 'An angel has just fallen from heaven, and planted itself at your booth. You better go see what he wants.' As Annie winked mischievously, Kimber turned to see what Annie was referring to.

Turning, and looking towards the booth, all Kimber could see was the back of a man, with what appeared to be a black leather jacket on. Glancing at Annie, who was still smiling at her mischievously, Kimber picked up a coffee cup and a coffee pot and headed over to the booth.

Arriving at the edge of the table, and sitting the coffee cup down, she began pouring the coffee, never once glancing at the customer. Then, as she finished pouring the coffee, and turned to leave, the man reached out and lightly touched Kimber on the hand. As he did, she looked at him and he spoke.

'Thank you,' he said, in a low and weary tone.

Kimber, unable to answer right off, just stared. She couldn't seem to take her gaze off of the man. She thought to herself that she couldn’t remember having seen eyes the color of green that his were. Standing there, holding the coffee pot in her hand, gazing at this man, she suddenly realized that she was staring. Feeling very uncomfortable, and sure that she was turning every shade of red, she turned to leave, before she embarrassed herself any more.

Turning, and beginning to walk away, she is stopped by the customers voice.

'Uh… excuse me...' he said, in that same low and weary tone.

She turned back around, to find him looking intently at her.

'Uh...Kimber is it?' he asked.

Kimber just nodded.

'Can I bother you for another cup of coffee,' he queried, holding up his coffee cup.

Kimber looked down, and noticed that the man had drunk all of his coffee. Walking back over to the booth, she refilled the coffee cup. Smiling, Kimber sat the coffeepot down on the table, opposite the man, and took out her order book, and pencil.

'Is there anything else I can get you?' she questioned, smiling at him.

Waiting for him to place an order, Kimber used the time to look at him, and check him out further. From what she could discern, he was in his early to mid 30's. He had auburn hair, the color of leaves, as they change with the newly coming fall, and he appeared to not be wearing a wedding ring.

Kimber made note of that last tidbit, and stored it in the back of her memory for future reference. As she continued to look at him, she noticed him shivering, and shaking from the cold. Thinking to herself *You big dummy. Why don't you offer him some soup?* she cleared her throat.

'Maybe you would like some soup. Might help to warm you up,' she said, making it more a statement, than a question.

The man nodded, and pulled his coat more snugly around him. Kimber smiled, and picking up the coffeepot, walked over behind the counter and stopped at the order window.

Standing on her tiptoes, she yelled into the back of the kitchen. 'Hey Sid? How about fixing me a bowl of chicken noodle soup?'

A faceless voice yelled back from the kitchen in affirmative. Kimber, hearing muffled giggling, turned to Annie.

'Okay, what's so funny?' Kimber asked, with her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Annie, with her hand over her mouth, in a failed attempt to keep from laughing, just moved her head from side to side in response. Kimber began to press her further, but was interrupted by the bell at the order window ringing, signaling that the soup order was up.

Feeling that it was a mute point to press Annie anyway, Kimber just walked over to the window and retrieved the soup. Then, after stopping and getting a spoon, and some crackers, she headed back to the mans booth.

Arriving, and setting the soup down, the man placed his hands to his face, and sneezed. Taking a Kleenex from her apron pocket, Kimber offered it to him. He smiled up at her, taking it, and proceeding to wipe his nose, he thanked her. He began to pick up his spoon, and eat his soup, as a customer from one of Kimber's other booths signaled for her. Before leaving, Kimber turned to the man.

'If there is anything else that I can get you, just yell. Okay?' she instructed.

The man looked up from his soup, with a grateful expression on his face. Waiting till he nodded yes, Kimber turned and approached the booth, two down from the mans.

***********

Placing the dirty plates into a pan, and wiping down the counter, Kimber glanced at her watch. She had only five minutes left on her shift, and was more than grateful to be going home. She had had to pull a double shift, because her friend, and co-worker Tina had called in sick.

Walking through the double swinging doors, that led to the back of the restaurant, Kimber walked up to the sink, and placed the pan of dishes down. Turning on the water, she began to rinse each on off, before placing them into the industrial sized dishwasher. Over the clanking of the dishes, she heard Annie calling to her.

'Hey, Kimber. One of your customers needs to settle up, and I am kinda busy out here.'

'Okay Annie, I will be right out,' she answered. Rinsing the last of the dishes off, and wiping her hands dry, she walked back through the swinging doors, and towards the cash register.

Waiting for her was him. He looked even worse than when he came in, and he appeared to be confused. Moving his hands over himself, and patting his jeans and jacket pockets, he looked up when she approached.

Taking out her order book, and tearing out his order, she rang it up on the register. 'That will be $3.20,' she stated, and looked up at him. He continued to pat himself down, growing more and more uneasy. A few moments, and a few endearing smiles later, he blushed slightly, and cleared his throat.

'It would seem… I mean… well…' Before he could continue, Kimber smiled, and nodded her head. 'Hey, why don't we say this one is on me?' she offered, sparing him any further embarrassment.

He nodded his head slowly, actually looking surprised by her offer. 'Thank you...

Kimber,' he said. When he said her name, she felt the word brush over her skin, and travel up her spine. It was the most erotic sensation she had ever experienced.

Ringing up the rest of the sale, she took the money out of her pocket, and placed into the register. 'Thank you, and please come back again,' she said, smiling at him. He returned her smile. 'I will. And maybe next time the meal will be on me?' he offered.

Kimber dropped her eyes, and placed her hand behind her neck. Then, after a few moments, she looked back up. 'That would be nice...' she paused, waiting for him to tell her his name. A momentary look of confusion and loss crossed his face, rapidly replaced with a small smile. After a few more moments, he cleared his throat.

'Michael, my name is Michael.'

Then, turning from the register, he crossed to the door. Opening it, the bell jingled, and Kimber only watched him go. Before he stepped through, he looked back over his shoulder one last time, and smiled at her. Then, moving over the threshold, the door swung shut behind him.

 

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