Disclaimer: I don't own em…

A/N: thanks for reading! I love that you like it…once again the story will not follow the series storyline wise, but will make some references here and there…it's fanfiction! Lol….

"This is unacceptable. I want him cancelled." Operations relayed to Madeline at one of their meetings in the perch. "This was an easy task; I will not tolerate mistakes of this nature."

"I disagree," Madeline calmly replied. She had a way of maintaining her calm in almost every situation. "Under the circumstances he has done very well. Keep in mind that James has been on an accelerated training course. I agree his slip of tongue is unfortunate but we can use this. Considering all variables I think we should proceed. The contingency plan is in place."

Operations regarded Madeline's opinion very highly; in fact she was the only person he trusted. So it was only natural for him to accept her advice, "very well, but keep in mind if he fails again it will be on you Madeline."

"Of course," she again replied calmly and left to her office.

The scene below was one of preparation. Michael and his team were loading for a new mission. The target of their previous mission, Samantha Peters, gave up vital intel on Red Cell, as was expected. Madeline's method of convincing was quite effective.

The addition to the team consisted of James. Nikita couldn't make out whether this bothered Michael or not. He seemed more pensive than usual but she could be mistaken. Frankly she was thoroughly confused. He had put great effort into bringing her back, yet he remained distant. Sometimes she thought she could have been more approachable after Jurgen died, but she was just not able to do so.

Section One made her suspicious of everything and everyone. Could she trust Michael? She wanted to. As she studied her panel she noticed she was back up and James was set in her place. She was never back up.

"Michael? Why am I back up?" she asked him with a tone of surprise in her voice.

As usual he faced her, remained silent for about 3 seconds and then answered her. "We decided James would be a better fit after we reviewed the panel." It was not what she wanted to hear.

"I don't understand why am I even on this mission? What are you not telling me?"

"We leave in 10, get ready." He finally said. He could tell she was not pleased but didn't push the matter further.

Walter who was witnessing all this tried to calm Nikita down. "Hey Sugar, here's your inventory."

"Doesn't look like I need it Walter." She replied annoyed. "There is no purpose in me going on this mission. Does this ever happen, do you know?"

"Sugar, don't take it personal. That's just the way this place is. At least you'll be out of harms way."

"Yeah, like Section cares whether I live or die."

"Well I do."

"Thanks Walter," she said as she left for van access.

Nikita was right, her presence at the mission was pointless were it not for something that happened when the first and second team were retreating. Unexpected hostiles suddenly appeared from all sides. Nikita asked Michael to go in but she was refused.

"Michael, I'm going in."

"Nikita stay where you are." He told her.

She didn't understand what he was doing, "Michael, the team is getting slaughtered. I can't just sit here and do nothing."

"We've got it covered, stay put." He replied before breaking contact.

She had a clear view of what was going on from her point and for some reason she listened to him, she stayed put. She saw two men go down but they were quickly carried away by two other men from the team. Finally she spotted James. He was under fire but he was rescued and let away from the scene by none other than Michael…Michael? She thought.

It wasn't unusual to be rescued by a teammate but this scene was all too familiar to her. While en route back to Section she couldn't help but think that there was some kind of deliberation involved in all that happened.

As they arrived back at van access the usual procedure took place. Operations was ready to get his initial debrief by Michael. This time however both James and Michael were debriefing him. As she stood behind them she did not know what to think or how to act. James, in the short amount of time that he had been at Section, seemed to become somewhat of a favorite of Operations. He could do no wrong apparently.

She walked away feeling confused and alarmed at the same time. After returning her inventory back to Walter she skipped their usual chat and went to Michael's office.

She walked in without knocking as she often did and sat down. He wasn't preoccupied on his computer so he looked her head on. She waiting a few seconds and he understood that he'd have to secure the room for her to begin talking.

Not a second after he had typed in his code she began. "Michael, I don't understand. What is going on?" She was well aware that there was no point in this conversation as he wouldn't give her a straight answer or any answer that she could use for that matter.

"What do you mean?" he replied as she had anticipated.

"Don't do this Michael. I know there is something going on that I should not know about, as usual, she added in her head. "There was no need for me to be on this mission, you know that as well as I do."

"I disagree."

His answer hurt her more than usual. She knew he was hiding something and she also knew that it had to involve her. "Michael, why did you bring me back?"

"That has nothing to do with this."

"Really?" she replied and stood up. "Michael…sometimes I wish I would've never replied to you. It was a mistake coming back here…for nothing worthwhile." She left to debrief so she could return to her apartment as soon as possible.

She didn't notice Michael getting up from his chair and follow her with his eyes till she was out of sight. "Be patient Nikita," he said aloud to her retreating figure.