"So, I'm thinking Division should start teaching its recruits how to dance. What do you think?"

"Shut up."

Michael hid a smile as he tightened his hands on Alex's waist and drew her closer to him. "Loosen up a bit," he murmured into her ear, "We're being watched."

Alex shifted tensely, and reached up to wrap her arms loosely around his shoulders. "Better?" she asked under her breath, scanning the room as Michael slowly moved them in a circle.

"I know you might not like me very much, but could you at least pretend you're enjoying this?"

"It's not—look, this has nothing to do with you," Alex whispered back, "I'm just nervous."

"Don't be," Michael drew her even closer, and she jumped when she felt his lips brush her neck. "Reach into my pocket, and pull out the syringe," he said quietly, "And place it into one of the hidden folds of your dress. It's filled with potassium chloride. When you get close enough to the ambassador, aim for the larynx. One move is all it takes."

Alex bit her lip as she shifted forward so their bodies were nearly molded together. Keeping her eyes trained above his shoulder, she slowly felt the front of his jacket for the syringe. Locating the pocket, she subtly drew the syringe out and placed it into her dress, taking care to keep their bodies as close together as possible so no one else could see what was happening.

"Got it?"

"Yeah," she breathed out, trying to relax, "How much time left?"

"15 minutes," Michael twirled her around suddenly, and Alex gasped out in surprise as he brought her back to him. "Have a little fun in the meantime," he smirked at her, and she rolled her eyes in response.

"I thought you Division people didn't know how to have fun," she teased, grinning when he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh really?" In a swift movement, he twirled her around again and this time dipped her dramatically. Caught off guard, Alex laughed lightly and used his shoulders to pull herself back up. "Care to change your opinion?" he asked innocently, keeping a straight expression.

"Hmm, I'll have to think about it," Alex answered mischievously, "What else you got?"

"Well—"

"That's a lovely dress," a heavily accented voice interrupted from behind them, and Alex turned around to see a gorgeous Russian woman. She had long, pale blonde hair and was wearing a stunning red dress. "Forgive me," the woman said with a friendly smile, "My name is Nathalia, the ambassador's wife. He told me that you're the security detail he hired?"

"Yes," Michael confirmed, shaking her hand briefly. "Congratulations on your daughter's wedding," he gestured around them, "Your home is beautiful."

"Thank you," she said appreciatively, and then turned to look at Alex. "And might I say, your date is simply breathtaking. Where did you get that dress?"

"It's, ah..." Alex floundered helplessly, not prepared for this line of questioning.

"I got it specially imported from France," Michael stepped in smoothly, wrapping his arm around Alex's waist. "I knew she would love it."

Nathalia clapped her hands together in delight. "That's so romantic," she cooed, and winked at Alex, "You're a lucky girl."

"Oh believe me, I know," Alex smiled back at her, and leaned her head against Michael's shoulder. "He's always been good to me."

"Well, you two be sure to stick around," Nathalia advised, "We're having our photographer take pictures of all the couples, and you wouldn't want to miss out!" She gave them a friendly wave before walking back over to her husband.

"Ugh, that's so sick," Alex hissed as they began dancing again. "He has a wife? And he hired a prostitute? There is something seriously wrong with him!"

Michael didn't smile. "He's an overseas drug lord, Alex. I think he stopped caring for his family a long time ago." Alex didn't say anything to that, though she supposed it was meant to help her feel better about being ordered to kill him. "7 minutes till the exchange," Michael added, glancing at his watch once more.

Alex felt a wave of uneasiness run through her body, and she swayed on her feet unsteadily. With a small gasp, she clutched onto Michael's shoulders, noting that he looked concerned. "I'm okay," she said quickly, "I can do this."

Michael watched with narrowed eyes as the ambassador said something to his wife before he started making his way through the room, presumably to get upstairs to the bedroom. "I know you can," Michael said in an undertone. "The target is on the move to the predetermined location," he whispered to Alex, leaning forward slightly so that he could look her in the eyes. "Are you ready for this?"

"Yes," Alex said firmly, taking a deep breath. She subtly brushed the pocket of her dress, "I have everything I need."

Michael nodded at her, and then glanced at something over her shoulder. Then, without warning, he suddenly tipped her head backwards and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Alex blinked in surprise, but it was over before she could even process what had just happened. "Be careful," he murmured, and then pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be waiting down here if anything goes wrong."

Alex could only blink again as she she slowly made her way out of the room. Before she left, she looked backwards to make sure no one had noticed her leaving. Amanda caught her eye for a split of a second before promptly turning away to keep taking pictures. Thom, on the other hand, was staring at her intensely. He had a strange expression on her face, and didn't acknowledge the fact that Alex was gazing at him. She shrugged her shoulders to show that she didn't know what his issue was, before she slipped quietly out of the room and headed for the staircase.

.

Michael downed his drink, and held out his hand for another one. Thom cleared his throat, "Er, haven't you had a lot to drink already?"

"Careful, Michael," Amanda said, appearing at his side. "This may be a wedding party, but no one is drunk enough to not notice the scowling man in the corner."

He ignored the jibe, and touched his earpiece discreetly. "There's been no word from Alex," he said shortly, "What if something went wrong?"

"It's only been ten minutes," Amanda reminded him, taking a small sip of her drink. She gave him a twisted smile, "It takes a bit longer than that to seduce a man, as I'm sure you know."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," she answered delicately. "Say, do you think Alex is fulfilling her duties as an escort? That might explain why she's taking so long..."

A muscle twitched in his jaw, "Listen—"

He was interrupted, however, by a shrill scream.

Followed by lots of shouting.

Nathalia raised her eyes to the ceiling in alarm, "Oh my god, what's happening!"

"Stay right here, ma'am," Michael rushed by her, unholstering his hidden gun along the way. There were more screams from the guests as Thom jumped over the drinks table, pulling out his own gun.

"Get back!" Amanda shouted, "Everyone out!" She began ushering everyone out the door, her own hand raised to her earpiece. "Michael, what's going on up there?"

.

"The door is jammed!" Michael shouted, exchanging a glance with Thom. "On three...two..one!" They both leapt forward, and the door flew open against their combined weight. Michael's gaze searched wildly across the room, and he nearly dropped his gun in shock.

The ambassador was on his knees, with both hands in the air. Alex stood in the corner, her dress ripped in several pieces. The syringe lay on the floor in front of her, broken. And standing in the middle of the room, pointing a gun at the ambassador, was none other than...

"Hello, Michael. Fancy meeting you here."

"Nikita."