Everyone watched anxiously as Madeline and Operations argued. What they were arguing about was a mystery, but it was getting loud and hectic. Madeline slapped Operations across the face. Recovering quickly, Operations gave her his iciest glare. Suddenly he pulled out his gun, aiming it directly at Madeline. Michael glanced at Nikita, and they raced each other to the elevators, trying to prevent whatever they were arguing about from escalating any further. As they stood waiting impatiently for the elevator to arrive, they could see Operations fire at Madeline. They gasped as one! But the shot went awry.

Three more shots were fired, but the lights went out. No one was able to see exactly what happened. Michael left the elevator bank and grabbed hold of the handrail, careening up the staircase, two and three stairs at a time. Nikita got into the elevator which arrived a moment after Michael left. They arrived at the same time in Operations´ office. Weapons drawn, they advanced carefully into the office, Michael on point.

When the light came back on, they saw Madeline lying on top of Operations, apparently struggling for the gun. "Madeline! Are you all right?" Nikita asked. "Just fine, why do you ask?" she grunted out, trying to wrest the gun away from Operations.

Nikita peered curiously at Operations and Madeline. "Operations, that gun isn´t loaded anymore, is it?" He groaned as he tried to keep Madeline from taking his weapon into her hands. "How can you tell?"

"Because you already emptied your clip." Nikita smiled at Michael. "Now the only question is, did you empty your clip into her or somewhere else?" Michael suppressed a half-smile at that and lowered his gun.

Madeline moaned. "That´s what we were arguing about."

Nikita laughed. "You mean, you couldn´t tell?" She smirked at Operations. "Weren´t you both here?"

Madeline raised an eyebrow. "That´s another debatable point."

"Well, if you two aren´t wounded, would you prefer to be alone?" Nikita said, trying vainly not to giggle. Operations glared at Nikita. "We were, until you interrupted."

"Well, frankly, sir, we thought you were trying to shoot each other." Michael started laughing, and Nikita could no longer keep a straight face. "What were you using the gun for, if you were, um, doing something else?"

Madeline grinned. "That´s for me to know and you to find out." Operations took the opportunity to grab the gun away from her, and holstered it. "There, it feels better back in my pants."

Nikita nodded as she wiped away tears of laughter. "I´m sure it does." Michael was leaning on Nikita, he could hardly breathe for laughing. "You really should have that checked out. Maybe Walter could whip up something in his workshop."

Madeline looked serious for a moment. "How did you know he makes all of my equipment, custom-fit?"

Nikita met Michael´s eyes and they dissolved into fits of giggles. "I´m sorry, but I just can´t see explaining what really happened up here."

"You people need to pay more attention to your work and less attention to us," Operations snapped. Nikita coughed politely. "Well, perhaps you could choose a less obvious place to…swap weapons."

Madeline reached into Operations´ pants pocket and caressed his gun. "That would take all the fun out of it, Nikita."

Operations sighed. "Madeline, leave my gun alone. It´s empty now."

"Well, how long will it take you to find another clip?"

"I´m not sure. If we…do you mind?" He stared at Nikita. "Go away, Nikita, you´ve reassured yourself that we´re alive and well, so just go away."

Nikita shrugged and turned away, giggling. "I know you´re alive, but well, that´s a different story…"

"What was that?"

Michael pushed Nikita through the door with one hand on her back. "She was just admiring your technique, Operations, she wants to try out something new."

Madeline smiled mischievously at Michael. "Michael, it would be better not to use live ammunition the first time."

He looked distinctly startled and nodded in all seriousness. "Oh, absolutely."

Once they were outside Operations´ office, Michael pushed Nikita into the elevator, hitting the button for level 24. "What are you doing?"

"We´re going on a very long trip, Nikita." He pressed against her repeatedly until she was flat up against the wall of the elevator. "Where?"

"Who cares?"

"I want to know what she does with a loaded gun."

Michael leaned into Nikita´s body and thrust his hands under her black leather vest. "I don´t care what they were doing with their gun." He ran his hands lightly over her chest, and she relaxed against him. "My gun isn´t empty," he whispered into her ear, licking the lobe with his tongue.

"Ooh," Nikita said, closing her eyes as Michael kissed her. "Then I don´t need to ask you if that´s a gun in your pocket or you´re just glad to see me?"

"I´m damned glad to see you, Kita."

"No argument here."

End