Watch Your Step

By Sherry

Part 1

Rita, Sherry and North were having their weekly meeting in North’s office. They discussed a few minor problems that needed that special "mom" touch, and had gone over the files of the new recruits. They were discussing an upcoming mission profile when Rita turned to Sherry.

"Hey Sher! Where’d you go? We’re waiting for your answer."

Sherry sighed. "What? Sorry. Guess I’m a little preoccupied."

Rita laughed. "A little? I’d hate to see you when you were totally preoccupied, woman. Someone could walk off with this place with all of us in it and you’d never even notice! What’s up with you anyway?"

Sherry sat up straighter in her chair. "Nothing. Just get on with it."

Rita and North looked at her in surprise. She was certainly touchy this morning. They had just started discussing the mission profile again when North’s door burst open.

"Here you are! I’ve been looking all over for you guys," Curlly exclaimed. The excitement radiating off of her seemed to fill the whole room. They three women turned to see what the emergency was.

"What is it, Curlly?" North asked.

"Take a look," Curlly smiled as she stepped further into the room and held out her left hand. There was a beautiful diamond ring on her ring finger.

Rita jumped up and hugged Curlly. "Congrats, girl! When did this happen?" North and Sherry also got up to admire the ring.

"Last night. We went out to dinner and then took a stroll through the park. We were sitting on a bench in the moonlight and he popped the question. Can you believe it?"

North hugged Curlly and laughed. "I’m assuming the ‘he’ is Sinjin."

"Well, of course. Who else?" Curlly answered with feigned exasperation.

Rita chimed in. "Well, let’s see. Sean, Antonio, Kyle, David, Kamir, Alexi...."

Curlly laughed. "Yeah, well. A girl’s gotta keep her options open."

Sherry walked over and hugged Curlly too. "I’m happy for you."

Curlly pulled back and looked at her. "Uh, Sher, why do I get the feeling you were not surprised?"

Sherry smiled. "Oh, maybe because I wasn’t."

The others turned to her. "What? You knew and you didn’t tell us?" Rita demanded.

Sherry shook her head. "When I make a promise, I keep it. And I can keep a secret when it’s for a good cause."

Curlly was shaking her head. "So Sinjin told you?"

"Actually, he talked to Michael first," Sherry answered. "Then he came over one night and talked to both of us. We discussed the advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of engagement and marriage in Section. He wanted both of our takes on it. He was worried about putting you in an untenable situation."

The girls talked for a while and then Rita had an idea. "Hey, what do you say we throw an engagement party for them?"

North quickly agreed. "That’s a wonderful idea, Rita. What do you think, Sher?"

"Yeah, sure. Sounds good," she replied.

"Well, don’t blow us away with your enthusiasm," Rita smirked.

Sherry apologized. "Sorry. I’m just in a mood today. I think it’s a great idea."

They chose the following Friday for the party. It would be a semi-formal affair with dancing. Most of CLHQ would be invited, and a few people from Section as well. They decided to hold it at a local hotel ballroom. Once the plans were finalized, the girls headed for their offices.

"Sherry, hold on a sec," North called to her. Sherry stopped and turned back to her. "Shut the door and sit down." North commanded.

Studying her second in command for a moment, she finally asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

North shook her head. "Uh huh. I’m not buying. You’ve been kind of touchy today. Heck, you’ve been out of sorts most of the week."

Sherry nodded. "It’s personal. I’ll work it out."

North wasn’t giving up. "Sorry. Spill. You know you can trust me."

"I know that, North. But I don’t want to bother you. You’ve got enough on your mind as it is," Sherry replied.

Not one to give up when one of her friends needed her, North decided to voice her suspicions. "Well, let me guess. It’s Michael, isn’t it? Whatever is bothering you has to do with him." Sitting back in the chair, Sherry nodded.

"What happened? Did he do something?" North prompted gently.

Shaking her head, Sherry got up and paced around the room. "No. That’s the problem. I guess I’m just feeling a bit taken for granted. It’s nothing you have to worry about."

"Maybe he’s distracted with an upcoming mission," North offered.

Sherry flopped down in the chair. "I don’t think so. I can always tell when he’s distracted by work." Pausing for a moment, she shook her head. "I really shouldn’t be bothering you. I’m probably just being overly sensitive. But it ticks me off. He can spend as much time as he wants with Rita, DeLeah, Genie, Aly, any number of his adoring fans. I don’t say have a problem with that. He’s entitled to spend time with his friends. But the minute he wants my attention, or needs something from me, I’d better be there. I mean, he’s broken so many plans we’ve had lately that I’m beginning to wonder. And the other week I made plans to have lunch with Kit and Davenport. Michael decided he could finally fit me into his schedule and that we should have lunch together. I told him I had plans and couldn’t make it. Let’s just say the atmosphere wasn’t pleasant." After a few seconds, she jumped up again. North had never seen her so agitated. She was always so calm under pressure, but this was really bothering her.

Shaking her head, she continued. "Who am I kidding? It was bound to happen sooner or later. He’s bored with me and is looking elsewhere. He just wants to keep me handy until he’s found someone else. I mean, let’s look at this realistically. He’s extremely intelligent, the best at what he does, gorgeous, sensuous, passionate ... and then there’s me. I’m just ... plain old me. And with all the beautiful women around here he could have his pick."

North got up and walked over to Sherry. "Now you listen to me. There is nothing ‘just plain’ about you. Okay, so you’re not the most beautiful woman on the planet, who is? But that should tell you something. It means he loves you for who you are, not simply for your outward appearance. Yes, he could pretty much have anyone he chooses. But whom did he ask to marry him? You. Michael loves you and everybody here knows it."

Sherry sighed. "Thanks for the pep talk. Don’t worry about it. Guess we’ll either work it out or we won’t."

North had the beginning of a plan in mind. She was going to have a little chat with Michael. She wanted a few answers for herself.

Sherry got up to leave. "Thanks again North. It helps to talk about it and not keep it all inside."

North smiled. "I know. That’s why I made you talk. Now take a deep breath, relax and get back to work!"

Sherry laughed. "Yes ma’am."

Part 2

Later that day, once she was certain Sherry had gone home, North went in search of Michael. She found him in his office.

"Hello, Michael," she greeted as she walked in.

"Northstar," he acknowledged as he closed the file he was working on and sat back. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, Michael, as you already know, Sinjin and Curlly got engaged last night." Michael nodded. "The moms are throwing an engagement party for them Friday night. I just wanted to make sure there were no missions on tap that you were aware of, and to make sure you would be there."

Michael thought for a moment. "No, there aren’t any missions scheduled yet. Of course, you know that could change. And, unless I’m needed on a mission, I will be there."

North smiled. "Good." She took a deep breath and then took the plunge. "Is everything okay, Michael?"

Looking at her curiously, he wondered what she was getting at. "Yes. Why?"

North shrugged. "Oh, no reason, really. Just wondered. Everything okay with you and Sherry?"

Michael studied her. "Did she say something?"

North shook her head. "No. Just like to keep up with my friends, make sure they are all healthy and happy."

Michael nodded. He didn’t believe her, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. "We’re fine. Thanks for asking."

Once she got back to her office, she called Curlly. "Curlly, I need to see you."

Curlly arrived about 15 minutes later. "What’s up, North?"

North handed her a list. "I need the phone numbers for these five people. Do you think you can find them?"

Curlly looked over the list. "But these are..."

"Yes they are. Can you get their phone numbers for me?" Once Curlly told her that it shouldn’t be a problem, North proceeded to explain why she wanted the numbers, and ask her if she would mind if they used her engagement party to implement the plan.

"Oh, I don’t mind at all. This should be fun. I can’t wait to watch," Curlly rubbed her hands together. "Does Sherry know?"

North shook her head. "No. And I think we should keep it that way." Curlly agreed and the two co-conspirators set to work.