Part 5

Rita sighed. "That's a lot to accomplish in less than 48 hours. I guess we'd better get started."

Operations nodded. "Keep me informed." Michael started to leave with Rita but Sherry grabbed his hand. She looked scared to death. "Michael, don't leave me."

All eyes in the room turned to her. She looked close to panic. "Sweetheart, I've got to get a team together and locate these people so I can get the antidote for you."

Sherry shook her head. "No. Davenport can do it. I need you to stay here with me." The doctor had told them to go along with whatever Sherry, North and Kathy thought was real so as not to encourage any unwanted hysterics or relapses. But this wasn't going to work. Michael had to lead the search. He knew it, as did everyone in the room. Everyone except Sherry. He looked to Operations.

Operations turned to Sherry. "Listen, Sherry. Michael has his job to do. We need him on this. You know he's the best operative we have. The sooner he gets on it, the sooner we can have the antidote for you and the others."

The longer he talked, the more panicked Sherry became. She was shaking her head back and forth and tears were running down her face. Curlly watched the monitor which was still attached to her and noticed her blood pressure rising rapidly. She pointed it out to the others. Michael sat down beside Sherry and held her. She was trembling almost violently.

"Shhh. It's okay. I'll stay," Michael consoled her. "I'll run tactical through a mobile computer and comm unit until you can come with me." He turned to Rita. "Have Birkoff set up something mobile that will keep me connected to him, the team and Operations." Rita nodded and headed for Comm.

Operations was furious. "Michael! You have a job to do. You will have to put your personal feelings aside for now and do it."

Sherry turned to Operations. "How could you, dad? I need him now. Why are you doing this?" She was crying again. The doctor hurried into the room. Curlly had gone to inform him of Sherry's condition.

"What's going on here?" he demanded. Michael quickly explained the problem. The doctor turned to Operations. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Michael will have to stay with her. We have no idea what will happen to her if he leaves. She could go into cardiac arrest if she gets too upset. She is still weak from the attack."

Operations didn't have much choice and he hated it. He was the one that was to give the orders around here, not Michael or the doctors. "Fine. But if anything goes wrong..." He let the threat hang in the air. Realizing that since Sherry was supposed to be his daughter, he couldn't very well threaten to cancel her and her fiancé when she was sitting right in front of him.

"Thanks, dad," Sherry smiled at him and then reached over and hugged him. Clearly uncomfortable, Operations put his arms around her and patted her back quickly. Deciding he'd had enough family togetherness for the time being, he extricated himself and announced he had to get back to his office.

"I need to get back and oversee things since Michael will be otherwise occupied." He was on his way out the door. Sherry stopped him. "Dad, will you come to dinner at our place tomorrow night? I should be out of here by then and well enough to make something simple. I want to invite North too, if she's up to it." Rolling his eyes heavenward and pleading for strength, the head of Section turned back to his daughter and smiled. "Of course. I would love to."

Sherry smiled. "Good. We can talk about the wedding then." Again he sighed and rolled his eyes. That was the last thing he wanted to discuss.

Curlly walked back into Sherry's room after Operations left. "Hey Curlly," Sherry smiled. "I'm glad you came back. I wanted to tell you that I have those country music CDs you wanted to borrow. I remember how much you enjoyed them. As soon as I'm released, I'll see that you get them."

Curlly groaned inwardly. Country music? Like she ever wanted to hear that again! She hated country music. "Thanks Sherry, but don't worry about it. No hurry. Whenever you get around to it is fine." There, that should spare her. Hopefully the antidote will be here and administered before they have to actually sit down and listen to that awful music!

Curlly asked Michael if she could speak to him a minute. Michael got up to move and Sherry started to panic again. "It's all right, sweetheart. I'll just move over by the door. I won't leave. I promise." Sherry nodded.

Once he and Curlly were out of earshot, Curlly told him what they knew about North and Kathy so far. "North thinks you are her brother and wants to see you as soon as you can manage it. She says she doesn't want to have anything to do with Operations and would prefer to avoid him if at all possible. Kathy thinks Sherry and Davenport are running around behind your backs and she's gonna ditch Davenport after she reads him the riot act."

Michael thought about what Curlly had just told him. "It sounds like Kathy is remembering Sherry and Davenport's mission for Center, only she thinks it was real. I don't know why North thinks we are brother and sister. And Sherry's fear I don't understand either. I'm going to try and talk to her about it and see if I can figure something out. Perhaps this drug intensifies one traumatic experience they've suffered and or bad experience. It makes them think it is real. They seem to remember everyone and everything about how Section and CLHQ operates. They've just got the facts a bit skewed."

Curlly nodded. "Any suggestions?"

"Spend some more time with Northstar and see if you can figure out why she thinks I'm her brother. Something must have triggered that for her. Rita has Birkoff getting some equipment for me so I can stay with Sherry and still run tactical. Report all findings to me."

Curlly nodded and then turned back to Sherry. "I've got to go, but I'll see you later, Sherry."

Sherry had turned decided cold toward Curlly. "Yeah, whatever." Curlly looked to Michael and shrugged as she walked out the door.

Michael went back to Sherry. "Why were you rude to her?"

Sherry turned back to him with anger on her face. "What were you two so cozy about? Why couldn't you talk in front of me? Were you planning your next little rendezvous? I know she's attracted to you Michael."

Michael sighed. So, not only was she scared to death but she was paranoid as well. This wasn't good. "No, we were not planning an assignation. She was updating me on Northstar's and Kathy's conditions. And she wanted to know what she should do next."

Sherry nodded. "I'm sorry, Michael. I don't know what's wrong with me. But why couldn't she ask Rita or Operations? Why did she have to come to you?"

Michael was determined to be patient. He knew this wasn't her fault. "Because I'm lead on this mission. Everyone is to report to me."

Sherry stared at him for a moment and then a tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm being like this. I know you would never leave me." Michael wiped the tear from her face and pulled her close.

"I will never leave you, Cherie," he whispered. Then he kissed her lightly and held her until she was calm.

"Michael, would you check with the doctor and see if I can get out of here? I think if we go home, I might feel better." Michael nodded. "Are you sure you'll be okay, until I get back."

Sherry looked a bit fearful but nodded. "I think so. But hurry."

Michael smiled and kissed her hand. "I'll be back before you even miss me."