Liz walked through the main area of Section One, late on a Sunday afternoon, a small smile playing around the corners of her mouth. Life was good, better than she could ever remember. Her status had been upgraded to level one Operative. She had more freedom, and she actually enjoyed what she did. She walked toward the briefing table puzzled that no one else was around.
"I see you got the dress," Michael said from behind her.
She turned around, the smile gone from her face. She thought she'd be free of Michael once her probation was over, but he was still considered her mentor and she still reported to him.
"Yes," she said. "Where is everyone?"
He walked around her looking at her from all angles. The dress was short, black, very low cut in the front. She was wearing sheer black nylons and black high-heeled sandals. Her reddish brown hair was still short, but now it curled softly around her face. She lowered the black sunglasses down on her nose and looked at him over the top.
"Are you going to answer me? You said there was a briefing, where is everyone?" she asked again.
"Come with me to Madeline's office. This mission is just you and me," he said walking off down the hall.
With a sigh of exasperation, she followed him down the hall. She noticed that he was dressed differently for him, which made her even more curious about the mission. He was wearing black as usual, but his pants were skin tight. He had on a pair of black boots, and his shirt looked almost silky. It was open at the neck several buttons. His hair, which was usually brushed back so severely at the temple, now curled softly across his forehead.
Liz followed Michael into Madeline's office. She was surprised to see only Madeline and Operations present. Madeline smiled at her as she sat next to Michael in front of the desk.
"This is a different kind of briefing," she said.
"It's a different kind of mission," Operations offered.
"Let's get started," said Michael.
Operations turned Madeline's computer terminal so all could see it, then punched a button on the keyboard, a man's face appeared on the screen.
"This is Arthur Lyle. He has ties to Red Cell, but he remains a free agent. He's privy to classified information, and is not above sharing it with those who can pay his price. Currently, he has intel about a Red Cell plot which would risk the lives of thousands of innocent people."
"How?" asked Michael.
"Red Cell is planning to test a biological agent somewhere in Europe. We need to find the location, and more importantly, we need to find out what the agent is, and how to counteract it," said Operations.
"What's his price?" Liz asked, studying Lyle's face on the screen.
Operations looked to Madeline.
"He likes to watch," she said.
"Watch what?" Liz asked.
There was a brief silence as Operations and Madeline exchanged looks.
"You and Michael will be posing as a married couple. You will go to Lyle's ranch on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand. Lyle's perversion is that he likes to watch his guests in bed together. Of course, his guests are usually unaware that he's watching." Madeline kept her gaze fixed on Liz as she said this.
Liz' mouth dropped open, she glanced at Michael, but he was sitting silently in his chair, staring at the screen.
"I'm sorry, why was I chosen for this mission?" Liz said at last.
"The choice has been made, it's not up to you to question it," said Operations, the familiar scowl returned to his face.
"Yes, but," Liz started, she stopped when Michael put his hand over hers where it rested on the arm of the chair.
"Elizabeth," said Madeline, "We know you are very," she paused, "Passionate. You are the right choice for this mission."
Liz opened her mouth to say more, but stopped as Michael squeezed her hand.
"How long before we leave?" Michael asked.
"You have an hour," said Operations.
"I'm packing bags for you both, we don't expect you to be there more than a few days," said Madeline.
"Fine," said Michael, standing up and pulling Liz up with him. He walked toward the door, Liz in tow behind him.
Outside the office, he waited for the door to close before he released her hand.
"We only have an hour, you better get ready," he said, avoiding eye contact with her.
"I'm going to see Ben," she said, walking off.
"Keep your cell phone on, I'll call you when it's time," he said.
She didn't respond, just walked to the elevator.
Whenever she could, she returned to see Ben. He had been her Karate instructor when she first came to Section, and she still maintained contact with him. She wished they could live together, but he wasn't free to leave Section, and she didn't want to live cooped up here if she didn't have to.
She found Ben in his quarters, reading a book. He was happy to see her, and admired her new dress.
"You look incredible in that dress," he said, following her to the couch. "Is there a special occasion?"
"I'm going on a mission tonight," she said.
"That's good," he said, sitting next to her and watching her. He knew her well enough by now to see that she was upset. He waited, knowing she would tell him what was wrong.
She sat staring at him, deciding how best to tell him. He looked good today. Sunday was his day off, so it was one of the rare occasions he wasn't wearing his Karate gi. He wore blue jeans and a tan colored thermal knit shirt that buttoned down the front. She wanted to reach over and unbutton the shirt, but she had to tell him about the mission first.
"I'm going to New Zealand," she said.
"That's nice," he said, waiting.
"Ben," she moved over next to him, then laid her head against his chest, caressing him through the shirt. He stroked her hair.
"I have to pose as Michael's wife. We're going to some ranch on the outskirts of Auckland to have some weirdo watch us in bed together."
His hand stilled briefly, but then he started stroking her hair again.
"You knew there'd be missions like that," he said.
"But not with Michael," she said. "I don't think I'm ready for that."
"Section isn't going to wait for you to be ready. This is your life now," he said. "Michael's no different from anyone else."
"Yes, but I hate him," she said.
"What did I tell you about that?"
"You said not to say that I hate him," she said, unbuttoning the shirt now, caressing the hard muscles of his abdomen.
"Liz, you know I'm not happy about the idea of you sleeping with him either, but you don't have a choice. It will all be over soon, then when you come back, we'll spend some time together."
"You're so good to me Ben," she said turning her head to kiss his chest.
He raised her up to him and kissed her. He whispered in her ear, she smiled. Just then, her cell phone rang.
"Damn," she said, sitting up, flipping the phone open.
"Lucienne," Michael's voice said.
"It hasn't been an hour yet," she said.
"We're ready now, come back," he said.
She flipped the phone closed, and turned back to look at Ben. He was still reclined on the couch the shirt open at the front, studying her through half closed eyes. She took a shaky breath.
"I have to go," she said.
"I know," he said, and sighed.
"I'll hold you to your promise when I get back," she said.
"I'll be waiting," he said.
Liz sat staring out the window of the plane. It was a long flight to New Zealand, and Madeline had suggested they try to get some sleep. Michael sat next to Liz, his head back, eyes closed. She knew he wasn't asleep.
"Michael," she said at last, turning toward him.
"Yes," he said, not opening his eyes.
"Why did they choose me for this mission?"
"Madeline told you," he said.
"But, what does she mean?"
"They know you used to be a prostitute."
"That was three years ago," she said. "What did she mean when she said they know I'm passionate?"
Michael rolled his head toward her and opened his eyes. He studied her face, then turned his head straight again.
"They know from Ben," he said.
"Ben? They talk to him about something like that?"
"No, they don't talk to him," he said.
"Then how do they know?"
"They watch him," he said, turning toward her again.
Bright red color washed over her cheeks, she turned away from him to look out the window of the plane again. Michael reached over and took her hand.
"Elizabeth," he said. "I only tell you this so you'll know the truth. That's how ruthless Section is." He held her hand in both of his.
"The intel we need from Lyle is crucial," he said, absently caressing her hand. She kept her head turned away from him.
"When we get to Lyle's ranch the surveillance will be constant. They will be watching us and listening to us all the time. We have to be convincing for him, or he will not supply us with the information we need."
"I don't know if I can do it Michael," she said.
"You have to. Operations made it very clear to me, if we don't complete this mission successfully, there will be consequences."
She turned now to look at him, all the pain from the previous three years clear on her face. Michael's head shifted back slightly and his eyes widened. She turned back toward the window.
"Elizabeth, we need to talk about this now, we may not have another opportunity," he said.
Slowly, she extricated her hand from his.
"Leave me alone," she said.
Michael watched her, his face softening a little. She had her back to him, and didn't see this. He opened his mouth to speak to her again, but she resolutely closed her eyes. He sighed, and turned away.
As soon as they arrived at the airport, Michael began his role as her devoted husband. Liz resisted him, but it was not obvious to Lyle's associates. They were driven to the ranch, and Lyle met them in the front hallway of his massive home.
"I'm sure you're tired from your trip," Lyle said. "But I'd like you to meet some of your counterparts, Michael."
"Of course," said Michael.
"Go up to your room, John will escort you back down to my office." Lyle reached out and touched Liz' cheek. "So lovely," he said then turned and walked away.
John led Michael and Liz up to their room. He set their bags on the bed, then waited in the hallway for Michael.
"Unpack the bags, I'll be back when I can," Michael said, standing close to Liz. He caressed her face, trying to get a response from her. She stood woodenly in his arms.
"Cherie, rappelez-vous avant ce que je vous a dit, essayez s'il vous plaît," he said, kissing her cheek. He turned and walked out of the room.
"I told you I can't try," she said under her breath.
She opened the bag that Madeline had packed for her. There was another dress similar to the one she wore, only it was electric blue. All the clothing was tight fitting and low cut. In the bottom of the bag was a black silk nightgown. She held it up, and saw that the whole top was lace. Blushing, she hung it in the closet along with the matching robe.
Next, she tackled Michael's bag. There were more silky shirts like the one he was wearing. She held up a white one, wondering what he would look like wearing it. She grimaced at the black silk pajamas. In the bottom of the bag were some condoms. She sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at them. The enormity of what lay ahead of her hit her anew.
She didn't care that she was probably being watched at that very moment. She sat with the condoms in her hand, feeling sick. Finally, she opened the drawer on the night table, and put them in. She got up and walked to the balcony, opening the door and stepping out.
The view from the balcony was spectacular, green rolling hills as far as she could see. She hoped she had escaped from the surveillance. She thought about what Michael had told her, the importance of the mission. Thousands of innocent lives, Operations had said. We need to be convincing, Michael had said. You knew there would be missions like this, Ben had said.
She turned back, resting her back along the railing of the balcony. She thought the testing by Section was over, but apparently it wasn't. Sighing, she stood up and went back into the room. She still wasn't sure she had the strength.
Michael was late returning. She sat in a chair by the bed, wrapped tightly in her robe. Her nerves were stretched so thin, that she jumped when he opened the door.
He stood gazing at her, seeing how tense she looked.
"Did you eat?" Michael asked, walking to the closet and slipping off his shoes.
"They sent up a tray," she said.
Michael continued to remove his clothes, glancing back at her now and then. He put on the pajamas and came to stand next to her. He looked down at her, and could almost see her body vibrating with tension.
"Elizabeth," he said,
She looked up at him the fear in her eyes was only for him. He dropped down on his knees beside her, reaching out to caress her face.
"Elizabeth, please," he said in a whisper.
"I don't know if I can," she whispered back.
"Come to bed, Cherie," he said a little louder, raising his eyebrow and standing up.
She stood up then, and followed him to the bed. He turned back the covers on her side. She removed the robe, then lay in the bed. He went around to the other side of the bed, and lay close to her. He held her in his arms.
"I love you," he said, turning his face toward the ceiling, scanning the ceiling as if looking for the camera.
She shivered then, and didn't say anything.
He sighed and held her close as they fell asleep.
The next morning, they met Lyle at breakfast. He watched them from across the table.
"I trust that you slept well," Lyle said, buttering a slice of toast.
"Yes, of course," said Michael. He sat so he was turned in toward Liz slightly, his hand resting on her arm.
"Is anything wrong?" Lyle asked.
"Wrong?" Michael said, turning toward Lyle.
"Is the bed comfortable, anything lacking in the room?"
"The room is fine," said Michael, gently squeezing Liz' arm. When she looked up at him, he raised an eyebrow.
"You seem," Lyle paused, taking a bite of toast, "Tense."
Michael turned to look at him. There was a moment of silence, each man studying the other.
"My wife and I had a, how shall we say, a small disagreement while we were on our way here. You know how it is," he smiled. "It seems I never say the right thing."
Lyle smiled back.
"Why don't you take a walk around my grounds this morning," he said, signaling for more coffee to be poured. "Our meetings are not until the afternoon, maybe a walk in the gardens will do you both some good."
"That sounds lovely," said Liz. She forced herself to lean her head against Michael's upper arm.
Michael looked down at her, smiling.
"It's settled then," Lyle said. "Ask in the kitchen for a basket. I'm sure they'll pack you a lunch, you can meet us back here in the afternoon."
"Fine," said Michael.
Michael and Liz walked away from the house, up a slight rise. Michael swung the picnic basket from his hand, turning his head casually to see if they were followed. He seemed satisfied that they weren't.
They had both changed their clothes. Michael wore tight black jeans, and the white silky shirt, opened down the front. Liz wore leopard skin leggings and a tight white T-shirt. She slipped off the sandals she wore, and walked barefoot.
"Do you think they'll follow us?" Liz asked.
"No, he wants us to kiss and make up," Michael said.
She was silent. They walked further away from the house, coming upon a stream, and then a small fishpond.
Michael walked ahead of her, found some flat ground by the side of the pond, spread out a blanket and sat down. He reached up a hand toward her, and pulled her down next to him. He leaned against a tree, settling her so she sat against him.
"I thought they weren't following us," she said.
"They aren't, but I need you to be used to me," he said.
"I'm sorry, Michael," she said.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Everything," she said. "First of all, you telling me that they watch me and Ben. I can't get over that."
"They watch everyone," he said.
"Everyone?" she said.
He nodded.
"That's scary," she said. "Is it like the surveillance here?"
"No, just videos, like a security camera" he said. "But, that's not all that's bothering you."
She sighed, and settled back against him.
"I can't forget everything that happened between us when you were training me."
"What do you mean?"
"I already told you back then that I hated you," she said.
"You still hate me?" he said.
"I don't know. You were so hard on me and you didn't let me see Ben. You were critical of me and never praised me," she said.
"But all of that made you strong," he said.
"I can't forget it though," she said.
He was silent for a while. Absently, he stroked her arm.
"Elizabeth," he said at last, "I saw potential in you. I wasn't there to be your friend."
"I know, but I needed a friend," she said.
"There are very few friends in Section," he said.
"Ben is my friend," she said.
They sat in silence for a time, Michael idly caressing her arm. She felt some of the tension in her melting.
"Lyle may give us the intel we want tomorrow," he said at last. "It will depend on how things go tonight."
"You mean, if we have sex," she said.
"If we make love," he amended.
She turned to face him. The cold look was gone from his face and he almost looked sad. She had always been so busy hating him, that she had forgotten that he was a person too. As she looked at him now, she realized he was a very handsome man.
"Let's see what they packed for lunch," she said, turning away from him, feeling short of breath.
She opened the basket and pulled out a bottle of wine and two wineglasses. She poured wine for both of them.
"I'll try, Michael," she said.
He smiled, taking the wineglass from her, raising it in an impromptu toast.
Michael was in a meeting with Lyle that afternoon. Liz spent some time fixing up their room, in an effort to make it more home-like. She asked for fresh flowers and candles. Lyle's housekeeper was happy to help thinking Liz and Michael were actually a married couple recovering from some type of a row.
After the housekeeper left, Liz spent time trying on clothes and fixing her makeup. Thinking they would be on display to Lyle at the dinner table that night, she finally settled on the blue dress. Madeline had packed a bag of cosmetics. Liz tried on a pale foundation, and contrasted it with dark eyeliner; bright red lipstick finished the picture. She curled her hair, letting it fall around her face. The finishing touch was the bottle of exotic perfume. She touched the stopper of the bottle to her cleavage, and the back of her neck.
Michael returned just past 7pm.
"You look radiant," he said, drawing her into his arms. "Lyle is sending dinner up to the room."
"You mean I went to all this trouble for nothing?" she said, a pout on her face.
Michael laughed softly, beginning to dance with her.
"Not for nothing," he said.
They danced, although there wasn't any music.
"Let's put on our pajamas," he whispered in her ear, "We'll eat dinner in bed."
She suppressed a smile when she saw the dinner that was sent up. Everything on the tray was finger food. Raw oysters, cold boiled shrimp, spears of Belgian Endive filled with crabmeat, strawberries, whipped cream and a bowl of melted chocolate. A bottle of Champagne and two crystal flutes completed the tray.
They sat in the bed, feeding each other oysters, and drinking champagne. She took a strawberry and dipped it in whipped cream, holding it out to him. He took her hand, eating the strawberry, then licking the whipped cream from her fingers.
She got up, moved the tray from the bed and refilled his champagne glass. He sat leaning against the head of the bed watching her. She came and sat on the edge of the bed next to him.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said.
She smiled, leaning toward him. She kissed him, then trailed kisses down his face, to his neck and on to his chest. She swirled her tongue around his nipple, nipping it with her teeth. He sighed, caressing the back of her head. She trailed the kisses lower, untying the drawstring at his waistband. His eyes slipped closed.
"Elizabeth," he said, out of breath, pulling her face up level with his. He kissed her, turning her so she lay on her back. He leaned over her, a lock of his hair caressing her cheek. He kissed her ear, her shoulder, trailing across to her breast. She felt his tongue teasing her nipple through the lace. The silk of the nightgown slid up her legs, his head dipped lower. Her eyes flew open just as the tension was mounting in her body. Just then, she saw the camera. It was mounted above the bed, a tiny red light glowing next to the lens. She drew in her breath sharply, her body stiff with a different kind of tension. Bright color flooded across her cheeks.
Michael raised his head, knowing she had seen the camera by her reaction.
"Elizabeth," he said, more forcefully than he had intended, "Look at me."
She shifted her gaze to him, seeing the intensity in his emerald green eyes. He leaned forward, sliding the drawer open on the nightstand, never breaking his gaze with her. The intensity of feelings outweighed her embarrassment, and her eyes slipped close just as she heard the paper tearing next to her ear. Soon, all conscious thought left her as the pleasure exploded through her body, and she heard his ragged breathing in her ear.
They lay quietly then, holding tightly to each other. He draped his leg over her body, as if protecting her from the camera. He kissed her cheek.
"Merci, cherie," he said.
She smiled at him.
They fell asleep then.
Lyle sat smiling at them across the breakfast table the next morning. They held hands under the table, and Michael kissed her ear as she put a croissant on his plate.
"You slept well, I trust?" Lyle said.
"No," said Michael.
"No?" Lyle asked.
"Who could sleep with someone as beautiful as this in my bed," Michael said, still kissing Liz' ear.
"Stop it," said Liz, smiling.
Lyle laughed, completely pleased with himself.
"Michael," he said, spooning jam onto his croissant. "Please stop by my office before you leave. I have something that will interest you."
Michael turned from Liz then, and smiled at Lyle.
"Ok," he said. He took his croissant, eating it with relish.
Madeline was waiting for them when they returned.
"It was a success?" she said.
"Yes," said Michael, holding up the disc.
"Operations is waiting for you," she said.
Michael handed Madeline his bag, then walked away, without a backward glance. Liz stood watching him.
"Elizabeth," Madeline said. "Come with me, you need to debrief."
Liz followed Madeline, turning to watch Michael with Operations up in Operations' perch. Michael did not turn to look down at her. They walked into Madeline's office.
Madeline stood watching Liz as she sat across the desk from her.
"How did it go?" Madeline asked.
"Well, it was a success. Lyle gave Michael what you wanted."
"But that is not what I'm asking. How did you feel about it?"
Liz looked at Madeline, not sure how to answer.
"It was hard at first," she said at last.
"How so?"
"I don't really like Michael," Liz said at last.
"What does that have to do with this mission?" Madeline asked.
"It was hard for me to be receptive to him, no matter what you think you know about me." Liz said.
"What are you saying?" Madeline asked.
"Why did you say that I was chosen because I'm passionate? What do you mean by that?" Liz asked, looking up at Madeline.
"Elizabeth, it's not your place to question our decisions," Madeline said.
"Michael told me that you watch me with Ben."
A look of annoyance crossed Madeline's face.
"Michael shouldn't have told you that."
"At least he was honest enough with me to tell me," Liz said.
Madeline stood up, walked around her desk to the greenhouse where she kept her trees. She picked up the shears and trimmed a branch here and there. Finally, she turned back.
"Was there anything else?" she asked.
"I couldn't forget all the anger I felt toward Michael when he was my trainer." Liz said, twisting around in her seat to look at Madeline.
"Anger?"
"Michael was hard on me, and critical, and downright mean to me."
"Michael was your trainer, he was supposed to be hard on you," Madeline said.
"Michael and I have had a chance to discuss all this now, but it would have been better if we had had the opportunity before we went on the mission." Liz said. "I found it hard to fulfill my role. Fortunately, Lyle gave us the opportunity to talk."
"This mission was important to us," Madeline said. "If you did not perform, the mission would have failed. We can't afford failure."
Liz sat quietly, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, watching Madeline.
"Can I go now?" she said at last.
Madeline held Liz' gaze a moment longer.
"Yes, of course," she said at last. "Where will you go?"
Liz stood up and walked toward the door.
"To see Ben," she said.
"Good," Madeline said a small smile on her lips, a smile that did not reach her eyes.
Liz walked out of Madeline's office and reached the main part of Section just as Michael was coming from Operations' perch. They met next to the briefing table.
"You should go home and get some sleep," Michael said, the cold exterior firmly in place again.
Liz studied his face, looking for some of the feelings she had seen there the night before.
"I'm going to see Ben," she said.
Michael's face seemed to tense slightly, and he drew in his breath, letting it out in a long sigh. He avoided making eye contact with her.
"Keep your cell phone on," he said at last. "I'll be in touch."
Liz smiled, then turned away. Things had changed between the two of them. On the surface it might not seem like it, but she knew things would be different now.
It was late. Almost no one was around as Liz made her way through Section. She waved to Birkoff as he sat by his computer terminal. He waved back, sheepishly setting down the Oreo he was about to eat. Liz smiled, and continued on to the elevator that led up and out of Section.
Liz found Ben in his quarters. He was dressed in a robe.
"I was just going to take a bath to soak my knee," he said as he let her in the room.
"Go ahead, I'll be in there in just a minute," she said.
"What are you up to?" he said, seeing the fire in her eyes.
"Just a little remodeling to your room," she said.
"What?"
She walked into his bedroom, looking up at the ceiling. Soon, she spotted the telltale sign of a camera mounted in the ceiling, behind the TV. Just the end of a fiber optic tube was visible; she pointed up to it. Ben watched in amazement as she dragged a chair over to the wall. She pulled a stapler and an index card out of the pocket of her coat. He watched as she stapled the card over the end of the tube.
"What the hell is that?" he said as she stepped off the chair.
"A camera," she said.
"A camera?"
"You didn't know it was there?" she said, putting the chair back at his desk.
"No. Why is it there?"
"Section has been watching us."
He looked from the card stapled on the wall back to the bed, flushing slightly.
"How did you know about it?" he asked.
"Michael told me," she replied.
He shook his head.
"Ben, go take your bath, I'll be in soon."
Ben lay back in the tub, breathing in the scent of the candles, feeling the warmth ease through his body. Liz came in and sat on the floor next to him, wearing another one of his robes.
"How was the mission?" he asked.
"Ok," she said.
He turned to look at her profile, illuminated by the candles. He reached up and touched her cheek.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he said.
"I think we worked out our differences. He's not so bad when you get to know him," she said, still avoiding his gaze.
"Liz," he said, turning her face towards his. "I don't want to lose you."
She looked at him for a moment, then smiled.
"You won't," she said, leaning forward to kiss him. The kisses deepened, and he put both his arms around her, lifting her up and into the tub with him. Water spilled on the floor, and some of the candles went out.
"I love you," Ben said, his voice raw with emotion.
"And I love you," Liz said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Above them, another fiber optic tube snaked away in the ceiling. Farther away, in another part of Section, Michael sat watching the feed from that camera, his jaw tensing.
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