Part 4
Once everyone was back at their tables, Sherry, who was getting even more nervous because her song was coming up soon, took a deep breath and headed back out on stage. "Welcome back, everyone. I hope you're all ready for the second half of our program." The audience broke into applause and cheers at that statement. "Okay, guys. Without further ado, let's get on with the program."
Mick ambled back out on stage. "Well, guys and dolls, time for our next number. And we have a great one to start the second half of our program. I give you Madeline and The Orchids." Madeline came on stage dressed in a very, very short skirt, high boots, denim jacket and white tank top. Following her came Genie, Dawn, Brenna, Nabiki and Nikita Fire dressed like Madeline. The music started and "The Orchids" began to line dance. Madeline began singing Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine," while slinking her way through a few groups of young male operatives, clearly trying to irk Operations.
At this point Madeline had everyone get up to give the line dancing a try. It was hilarious watching the likes of Operations, Walter, Michael, and many of the others trying to coordinate the steps.
Once the song was finished, the audience gave Madeline and The Orchids a standing ovation. Sherry was glad that everyone seemed to be having a good time. Sylvia walked up next to her. She was definitely nervous. "Hey Sly, you'll be fine. I've seen you practicing. You'll knock ‘em dead." Sylvia laughed. "Well, as long as I don't kill ‘em from boredom or my lousy singing." Sherry hugged her friend, "Stop that right now. You'll be fine."
Mick was on stage cracking a few jokes and just finishing up his introduction of Sylvia. "And now we have a wonderful bird to sing Shania Twain's ‘That Don't Impress Me Much.' Give it up for Sylvia." Sly came out on stage with quite a swagger in her step. The music started and in no time Sylvia was into the song and actually enjoying herself. She walked up to Michael to sing the first verse:
Operations was thoroughly enjoying Sly's performance. He was smirking as she sang to Michael. Next, Sly turned her attention to Roy:
Then Sly turned her attention to Operations:
You're one of those guys who like to shine his machine
You make me take off my shoes before you let me get in
I can't believe you kiss your car good night
C'mon baby, tell me - you must be jokin', right!
Okay, so you've got a car /That don't impress me much
So you got the moves but have you got the touch
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much/You think you're cool but have you got the touch
But that won't keep me warm on the long, cold, lonely night
That don't impress me much <
Okay, so what do you think, you're Elvis or something/Whatever
That don't impress me
Once Sly finished, the audience hooted and hollered and yelled their approval. Mick came back on stage making a comment about Section women being awfully hard to please, which drew lots of hootin', hollerin' and agreement from the male operatives. Then he continued on with the program. "Now we have a special treat. The ..." he almost said bird, but seeing Michael standing in the wings, changed his mind, ... "lady who worked so hard to put this shindig together will now perform for us. Put your hands together for Sherry and her partner, Michael. They will be performing Sara Evans' "No Place That Far."
Sherry was standing in the wings with Michael by her side. She didn't move. Michael nudged her forward. She was so nervous and her hands were shaking. She hated performing in front of people like this. Michael whispered in her ear, "Sing to me, forget about everyone else." Sherry smiled at him, took his hand and they walked out on stage. She looked out over the audience, nodded to acknowledge the applause and then turned her complete attention to Michael. He took her hand as the music began. It only took a few seconds for Sherry to get into the song and completely forget everyone except the man she was singing to.
I can't imagine, any greater fear/Then waking up, without you here,
And though the sun, will still shine on,/My whole world, would all be gone,
But not for long,
Michael joined her on the chorus and they sang directly to each other, meaning every word they sang.
If I had to run, if I had to crawl,
if I had to swim a hundred rivers, Just to climb a thousand walls,
Always know that I will find a way, to get to where you are,
There's no place that far
Operations smirked and turned to Northstar. "Such drivel. What is with those two anyway? You'd think ..." North interrupted him. "Be quiet. I think it's wonderful. And what is up with them is that they're in love. Now be quiet and listen." Sherry continued singing:
Michael reached up and wiped a tear off of Sherry's face and the audience thundered their applause yet again. Michael hugged Sherry to him and they walked off stage together. Once back in the wings, Michael quipped, "See, that wasn't so bad." Sherry laughed. "No, I guess it wasn't. I forgot about everyone but you." There was a discrete cough behind them and Sherry turned to see Mick standing there waiting. "Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds, but I need to know who's next on the schedule." Sherry smiled. "Sorry Mick. DragonLady is up next."
Mick went on stage and introduced DragonLady and the song she was singing, Lorrie Morgan's "What Part of No Don't You Understand." As he began to leave, she grabbed his arm and made him stay on stage with her. They were seated at a table as if they were in a club and DragonLady sang to Mick.
Sir if you don't mind, I rather be alone
From the moment I walked in tonight, you've been comin' on
If I told you once, I told you twice, I'm just here to unwind
I'm not interested in romance or what you have in mind
What part of NO don't you understand
To put it plain and simple, I'm not into one night stands
I'll be glad to explain it, if its too hard to comprehend
What part of NO don't you understand.
I appreciate the drink and the rose was nice of you
I don't mean to be so mean, I don't think I'm gettin' thru
I don't need no company and I don't want to dance
What part of NO don't you understand.
By the end of the song DragonLady had Mick cowering in the corner wanting no part of her. Everyone totally enjoyed her number. Next came Trace and Gray. Gray was leaving the next day on that long-term valentine mission he had been assigned. Sherry new the song they were doing had been picked to say goodbye to each other, and that it would touch everyone there. She just hoped they could get through it. Mick seemed to understand that something special was coming up next and he didn't make any jokes as he introduced them. He simply introduced Trace and Gray and the song, Clint Black and Martina McBride's "Still Holding On."
Trace: There's something out there left for you/But it's not me
We've reached a point of no return it's only right/I set you free
I know I'll have to turn away/But there's nowhere for my love to go
And there won't come a day/When I won't honor what we've vowed
Both: But I'll go on with my life/We can even say goodbye for now if
If that's what we have to do/But here in my heart
When my arms are empty darlin'
I'm still holdin' on to you
Gray: We can't deny that this one's/Out of our control
Stronger than the both of us/And bound to take its toll
I can stand the test of time/And as far as I can see
There are no walls that we can't climb/Standin' between you and me
Both: ... And there's a place you'll always be/No matter where you are
You're here with me
When the world is turning upside down/Together we can stand our ground
We can even say goodbye for now if/If that's what we have to do
But here in my heart/Even when my arms are empty darlin'
I'm still holdin' on to you
I'm still holdin' on to you...
When they finished singing, there weren't too many dry eyes in the place. Many females were seen wiping the tears from their eyes. Gray turned to Trace, hugged her and whispered, "Goodbye sweetheart." Trace hugged him fiercely and they left the stage together, knowing they would most likely not see each other for a long time ... if ever. Operations turned to see North wiping the tears from her face as well. "I'm sorry, honey, but you know how things work around here. We are given a mission and we have to complete it." North nodded. "I know, but it's so hard when it affects your friends."
Mick came back on stage. "Next up is Rita, with her rendition of Terri Clark's ‘You're Easy on the Eyes." Rita walked out on stage and positioned herself directly in front of Michael so that she could sing to him.
Shoulda known it was you /Knocking on my door
At half past a heartache, at quarter to four /Were you starting to worry
I was finally getting over you / I almost forgot /You looked so fine
If you told me some lies, it'd be like old times / Just getting to see you
Is almost worth the things you do
You're easy on the eyes / Hard on the heart /You look so good
But the way things look / Ain't the way they are /Better say goodbye
Before this goes too far /Cause now I realize you're easy on the eyes
Hard on the heart
I got to admit /You got a smile /That really reeled me in for awhile
But it ain't funny, honey /What you put me through/So why don't you send me
Your photograph /It'd hurt a lot less than taking you back
Then I could still have / My favorite part of you
... Now I realize you're easy on the eyes / Hard on the heart
When she was finished with the song, Rita blew Michael a kiss. Mick turned to Sherry in the wings and said, "Looks like Rita may finally be through with Michael." Sherry laughed. "Well, I hope so. I think it's time, considering ..." Mick chuckled and headed back out on stage.
"We're almost through folks. Just a few more acts. And now we have a real treat for you. Here to perform SHeDAISY's ‘Little Goodbyes,' are the lovely birds, Kit, Aly, Avillion and Curlly. The girls came out dressed to the hilt, with quite a saunter and swagger in their walk and it carried right on through into their performance.
Kit: I'm gonna tell you something you don't wanna hear
You never listen when I talk
Maybe you'll listen when I walk / So I made my mind up and made a sandwich
And I didn't shed a tear / gave you one last minute of my time
In this mess I left behind /When you come home tonight
And turn on the light / Don't you be surprised to find
Avi: My little good-byes /Empty hangers by the closet floor
Lipstick tube on the bathroom floor / My little good-byes
Unpaid bills by the kitchen phone /I took the Beatles, left Billy Joel
Little goodbyes, little goodbyes
Aly: I'm sure, you're sure I'll be back in just an hour or two
You'll tape a Hallmark to my door / They always said it better than you
And if you're wondering /When you're gonna hear from me
Well, take a real good look around boy / And it won't be hard to see
When you come home tonight and turn on the light
Don't you be surprised to find
Curlly: My little goodbyes / Took your favorite Dodgers hat
Left the litter, but I took the cat /My little goodbyes
Loaded up the TV in the back of my car /Have fun watching the VCR
Little goodbyes, oh baby, little goodbyes
So cry to your mama /And your sympathetic friends and tell 'em
And tell 'em how the story ends
All: My little goodbyes / Took the hourglass left the sand
Now you got time on your hands /My little goodbyes
Took the statue from Japan /Funny little Buddah man
My little goodbyes / Change my voice on the machine
Or there'll be little good-byes with every ring
Left the pictures and took the frames
I've got the umbrella, here comes the rain /Yeah yeah yeah
Rain, yeah yeah yeah /Little good-byes /Hey, hey - yeah yeah yeah
Hey, hey - yeah yeah yeah /Little goodbyes
Mick came out on stage shaking his head. "Listen blokes, I wanna tell ya, you don't wanna mess with the ladies around here." The female operatives all cheered and yelled their agreement with his statement. Mick let them go for a moment and then held up his hand. "Okay, ladies. Now we've got a treat for you. We've got both ends of the age spectrum in this next act. Let's hear it for Walter and Birkoff as they perform Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places."
W: Blame it all on my roots/I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
The last one to know/The lat one to show
I was the last one You thought you'd see there
And I saw the surprise/And the fear in his eyes
When I took his glass of champagne
and I toasted you said, "Honey, we may be through
But you'll never hear me complain"
'Cause I've got friends in low places/
Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away
And I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places
B: Well, I guess I was wrong/I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's all right
I'll just say goodnight and I'll show myself to the door
Hey, I didn't mean/To cause a big scene/Just give me an hour and then
Well, I'll be as high as that ivory tower/That you're livin' in
When it came time to sing the chorus again, they invited everyone to join them, which they all did. Everyone had a blast singing along. They actually sang the chorus three more times since everyone was having so much fun.
Mick came out on stage one last time to introduce the final act. "Well, folks, this is it. The last act. We have a newcomer to Section in this one. He wasn't quite comfortable performing himself, so he's getting a little help from his friends. Without further ado I give you Connor, Michael and Operations singing Alabama's and N'Sync's hit, "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on You." The three men walked out on stage where there were three stools waiting, each with a rose sitting on it. Each man picked up a rose and moved off in different directions. Michael went offstage and took Sherry's hand. He gave her the rose and led her to one of the stools. Conner went to Trace, handed her the rose and led her on stage to the second stool. And Operations walked down to North, handed her his rose and brought her up on stage to the final stool. Then the music began and each man sang to the woman who had his heart.
Connor: Can this be true?/Tell me can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel
My life was complete /I thought I was whole
Why do I feel like I'm losing control
I never thought that love could feel like this
And you changed my world with just one kiss
How can it be that right here with me/There's an angel?/It's a miracle
All: Your love is like a river/Peaceful and deep/
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true/God must have spent /A little more time on you
Michael: In all of creation/All things great and small
You are the one that surpasses them all
More precious than any diamond or pearl
They broke the mold when you came in this world
And I'm trying hard to figure out/How I ever did without
The warmth of your smile/The heart of a child
That's deep inside/It keeps me purified
All: Your love is like a river/Peaceful and deep/
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true/God must have spent /A little more time on you
The three women all had tears in their eyes once again. Each man placed a kiss on his lady's cheek and then the audience broke into loud, boisterous applause yet again. Michael helped Sherry off her stool and she moved to center stage. "I want to thank you all for coming and participating tonight. I think we all had an evening to enjoy. Thank you once again and I look forward to next year's program." As she finished, everyone cheered again and then started to leave. Tomorrow was, after all, another day filled with missions and other duties.
Michael walked over to Sherry and put an arm around her. "You did a wonderful job you know." Sherry smiled at him. "Thank you. But like I said, the credit goes to everyone. I couldn't have done it without any of you."
Operations and North walked up to them, hand in hand. "Thank you, Sherry," Operations began. "This was quite an enjoyable evening." Sherry nodded. "Thank you, sir. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
North added her compliments. "Sherry, I knew you could do it, but this surpassed even my expectations. I didn't think you could make it work, but the country theme seemed to be a big hit. Maybe I'll let you plan this every year."
Sherry shook her head. "Oh no you don't. I believe Trace can have her turn next year. I can't wait to see what her theme will be. Probably something about ‘cats.'" They all chuckled as they looked over toward Trace, but she and Connor had already made their departure. "Again, Sherry, thank you," Operations said as he steered North toward the doorway.
Sherry sighed and sat down on one of the stools again. Michael walked up behind her to massage her shoulders. "Tired?" he asked. Sherry nodded. "Yeah, this took more out of me than I thought it would. And then having to perform on top of it. I'm just so grateful you agreed to be there with me."
"Always," Michael answered her and took her hand and pulled her off the stool. "Now, I think it's time you got some rest. What do you say to my making sure you get tucked in safe and sound."
Sherry smiled, with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Sounds wonderful. But, what about when I'm sleeping? How will I know I'm safe?"
Michael chuckled. "Well, I suppose I could stay and make sure you're safe."
Sherry turned innocent eyes toward him. "You'd do that for me?"
Michael ushered her through the door to her room. "Of course. Remember, I'm shameless." Then they entered and he locked the door behind them.
The End
(I do not own any of the songs used in this story, or the characters from La Femme Nikita for that matter. I am making no money off of any of them or this story. I would also like to thank the website owners that provide the lyrics for us.)
Songs used in this story:
Honey, I'm Home, Shania Twain, Written By Shania Twain/Robert John "Mutt" Lange, © 1997
Lonely and Gone, Montgomery Gentry, Writer(s): Greg Crowe, Dave Gibson, Bill McCorvey
Five Minutes, Lorrie Morgan, Written by Beth Nielson Chapman
If I Never Stop Loving You, David Kersch (Donny Kees/Skip Ewing)
Shameless, Garth Brooks (Billy Joel)
Some Gave All, Billy Ray Cyrus, Written By Billy Ray Cyrus/Cindy Cyrus, © 1992
Any Man of Mine, Shania Twain, (Shania Twain/Robert John "Mutt" Lange)
That Don't Impress Me Much, Written By, Shania Twain/Robert John "Mutt" Lange, © 1997
No Place That Far, Sara Evans with Vince Gill (Sara Evans/Tom Shapiro/Tony Martin)
What Part Of No Don't You Understand, Lorrie Morgan
Still Holding On (Clint Black/Matraca Berg/Marty Stuart)
You're Easy On The Eyes, Terri Clark, Written By Tom Shapiro/Chris Waters/Terri Clark, © 1997
Little Goodbyes, SHeDAISY, Written by Kristyn Osborn, Jason Deere, andKenny Greenberg
Friends In Low Places, Garth Brooks, (Dewayne Blackwell/Earl Bud Lee)
God Must Have Spent a Little More Time On You, Alabama (featuring N'Sync),
Written by Carl Sturken and and Evan Rogers