Part 4 by Northstar

"You know, you really don't have to look so smug." Madeline commented. "No one will be cancelled until we find out why they are incommunicado."

"I wasn't being smug. But one of these days, your wonderkids are going to do something that will get them cancelled and then you will have no choice or say in it for that matter. And besides, you were the one that stated it so unemotionally."

"That would be the only option. It's not that I like the idea. Nikita has come so far in the past few years it would be a shame to lose her. The Adrian fiasco not withstanding."

"Yes. She should have been cancelled then. But as usual, it was taken out of our hands." Operations commented.

****

Michael woke up with a start as he heard the change in the choppers engines as it hovered above the rooftop of the hospital. He knew he had been dreaming of something important, but couldn't remember any details. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up straight and looked towards Nikita to see how she was holding up. Nothing had changed. The IV still slowly dripped into her arm, but the paramedics had cleaned up some of the blood. She looked awfully pale.

This was his entire fault. He didn't know what got into him. He had not been acting himself. The stress must have been getting to him. The constant missions, one right after another. Maybe he just needed to cut loose for a bit, but doing what he did was so out of character for even him on his wildest days.

One of the first things he needed to do when they got Nikita into surgery was to get in touch with Section. His cell phone had been rendered useless in the wreckage and he needed to find a payphone as soon as possible. He knew that it was not within the parameters of the mission profile, but with Nikita injured he had no choice. He had to inform them of this.

Once Nikita was lifted onto the gurney, she was quickly whisked away by the attending personnel and into the hospital. One of the nurses came over to Michael and escorted him inside and onto a wheelchair.

"I'm sorry sir, but we need to examine you as well." she stated firmly when Michael started to protest. "It looks as though you may have hit your head."

"NO. I need to make sure that my 'wife' is looked after.," he said as he flung her hand off his forehead.

"She is being taken to surgery sir, and we will also need you to fill out a few forms. We'll do that first then, shall we?" She was no match for Michael but she wasn't going to let him have his way. She kept her ground as she wheeled him to the nurses' station.

"Fine. Then I need a telephone and after that I will let you examine me. But, she comes first."

With that the nurse handed him a clipboard and a form to be filled out. While he was doing this he scanned the perimeter for any anomaly's but found nothing suspicious at this time although he kept a watch. They had only been in New Orleans once before on a mission but he still didn't want to take any chances that they could be recognized.

~~<>~~<>~<>~~<>~~<>~~<>~~

"Sir. We have communication from Michael."

"Good. Patch him through and get Madeline up here. Where is he?"

"I'll let him explain it to you sir. Putting him through now."

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

Part 5 by Sherry

Madeline hurried to the Observation Deck. She needed to hear from Michael what had happened to them. It wasn't like Michael to not report in on schedule, so she knew something important must have delayed them. And Operations would use every little hint of insubordination as ammunition against Michael and Nikita. He was afraid of Michael ... jealous actually.

The younger man was moving up in Section ranks quickly and would one day become head of Section. Probably soon. Operations knew it and was doing everything he could to either damage Michael's chances or just plain do away with him. As for Nikita ... well, she had been a thorn in Operations' side since the day she arrived. Always questioning, probing, looking for a better way to do things ... not simply toeing the line as most operatives did. Teaming her up with Michael was the best thing Madeline had ever done ... they made an unbeatable team, and Operations couldn't stand it.

Madeline entered the Observation Deck and noticed the look of exasperation on Operations' face. He was annoyed that Michael had made contact. He couldn't use insubordination against him any longer ... at least for the time being. And he was also tired of waiting for Madeline. As soon as she entered his office, he spoke.

"Michael. Where are you? What is going on?"

Silence.

"Michael. Where are you? Why haven't you reported in?"

Silence.

Madeline exchanged glances with Operations. "Apparently something has gone wrong," she stated.

Operations glared at her. "You are the master of stating the obvious, aren't you Madeline."

"Birkoff, what is happening? Why isn't Michael responding?"

Birkoff jumped when he heard his name over the intercom. "I'm not sure, sir. One minute he was there and the next the connection was cut. He seemed to be calling from a regular telephone. Someone apparently just hung up. If you give me a few minutes I can try to backtrace the call and see where it came from."

"Do it. And let me know immediately."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael woke up in a hospital room ... in a hospital bed. The last thing he remembered was ... calling Section. What had he been thinking? He wasn't to get in touch with them until after the mission! And he certainly should never have tried to contact them from this hospital. That bump on the head must have done more damage than I thought, Michael decided. Wait.

No, that's not quite right. We were supposed to report in about three hours ago. So okay, he wasn't as mixed up as he thought. And then he remembered Nikita. I have to find out how she is doing. If I have killed her ... Please, Kita ... be okay.

Michael was getting out of bed when the door to his room opened. It was the nurse that had taken his information and allowed him to use the phone when they arrived. "Mr. Samuelle, what do you think you are doing? You've had quite a nasty knock to the head. You even passed out a little while ago. You shouldn't be up walking around. Now I insist you get back in bed this instant."

Michael looked at the nurse. He knew he could take her in no time at all. He wasn't in the mood for it, but he decided he had better just try to talk his way around her for now. They had already made a mess of things ... or he had ... crashing in the middle of nowhere like that. "My wife. I have to get to my wife and see how she is."

The nurse nodded her head. "I was just coming to see if you were awake yet. I checked on her for you. She is still in surgery, but things seem to be going well. It should be another hour, though, before we know for certain."

Michael nodded. "I need..."

The nurse pushed him back down on the bed. "You need to get back into this bed and rest. Your wife will need you healthy when she comes out of surgery. Now stay put and do as you are told. I'll come and get you as soon as I know anything."

Just then the hospital door opened again. Michael's mind went into overdrive. No, not now. He couldn't deal with this. He had completely forgotten. When he had seen how badly Nikita was injured, everything else had gone out of his mind. How could he have been so careless? This mission couldn't get any worse. If he weren't canceled after this mess, it would truly be a miracle.

The Louisiana State Trooper walked into the room. "Mr. Samuelle. I'm Trooper Daley. I need to ask you a few questions. We've just received word from the Mississippi State Police that you had some very interesting things in your van when you crashed. Let's see, there were automatic weapons, ammunition, some very sophisticated communication equipment, handguns, biohazard suits, and oh, quite a few other things. Would you care to explain?"

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

Part 6 by Laurenne

Michael listened as the trooper read a small list of the equipment that had been in the van. They as always had a cover, besides the one for the mission, for situations concerning the van and equipment they were carrying. Michael reached out his hand offering it to the trooper.

"Hello Mr....Daley was it? I am agent Michael Samuelle, with the NSA." He said. The trooper nodded a bit surprised. "And your companion?" The trooper asked. "She is an agent as well. I would ask you for your complete cooperation in keeping this quiet. Our cover is of the utmost importance and I'm sure you understand." Michael said.

The trooper nodded again. "Of course Agent Samuelle. I do however need some identification. And some permits for certain equipment in your vehicle." The trooper stated. "Of course, however the permits were within the van. And my identification is....." Michael said looking around for it finding it on the nightstand, he opened it and handed it to the trooper. The identification read. Agent Michael Samuelle, Division Two Specialist.~

"I'm sorry Agent Samuelle. We weren't aware.." The trooper began.

"It's fine. I am sure there are no other problems?" Michael asked.

"No. The vehicle is destroyed though, most of the equipment is intact, but some things were damaged." The trooper stated. "That's not a concern though. Thank you Mr. Daley. Your cooperation was and is appreciated." Michael said good-naturedly. The trooper nodded and smiled. "I'll leave you to rest then. I hope your companion pulls through." He finished as he walked out.

"Thank you." Michael said. Michael rolled his eyes to the ceiling and fell back against the pillow. A doctor entered and Michael looked at him. "My wife?" He asked.

"Mr. Samuelle I have good news, your wife's injuries were substantially less than first thought. She lost a lot of blood, and has a hairline fracture on her leg which has been set with a type of splint, a cast was not necessary, but other than that it was mostly a lot of bruises. Her stay here won't be for long. Though vigorous activities are not recommended." The doctor said jokingly and smiling. "Now I have rounds. You can visit your wife anytime after the nurse has finished attending to you.

"Thank you very much." Michael said. The doctor smiled again and walked out. Michael was getting dizzy. He closed his eyes and tried to sort things out in his head. ' What was it that I had to do? Oh yes, I have to call... ' He thought as he sat up and reached for the bedside phone. He picked it up and dialed. He waited as he went through security protocol. "Hello." The familiar voice answered. "Birkoff, I need to speak to Operations and Madeline." He said.

"Of course, they've been waiting. Hold on I'm putting you through." Birkoff answered. "Sir?" Birkoff buzzed through to the observation deck. "Yes." Operations answered, Michael remade contact, I'm putting him through immediately." Birkoff said. "Have you put a trace yet? I don't want a repeat of before." Operations said harshly. "Yes sir." Birkoff answered. "Good, put him through." Operations barked as Madeline stood calmly. "Go." Birkoff stated.

"Michael, state your and Nikita's position and current condition." Madeline said taking over.

"There was an accident. Nikita was injured but I have just learned that her injuries are not great. My injuries are insignificant. We are at a hospital in New Orleans right now." Michael finished. Operations broke through before Madeline could continue. "Will you be able to continue the mission? The objective must be completed soon." Operations barked.

"We should be able to. Nikita should not have to stay long and I can gather any information now that does not require the two of us. By the time she is needed, she should be recovered." Michael finished.

"Good Michael. Then proceed." Madeline said. "The van was destroyed but most of our equipment is in tact. I also had a situation with the troopers but I used the NSA cover." Michael finished. "Good, we'll take care of that." Madeline said.

"Proceed Michael." Operations snapped, upset mostly from what Madeline gathered, because Nikita and Michael remained a thorn in his side...