Disclaimer is in chapter One!

A/N I'm so sorry for the long wait and this chapter might not be what you've expected in terms of continuing Dana's story, but I hope it'll be set up nicely this way…It's just a little something I came up with – the Dana story is still not finished, but…argh, you know what, I just hope you like this little peek inside Daniel's former world…

CHAPTER 16

"I do not understand and refuse to participate."

The voice of the young male was showing off clear signs of his changing voice, but the tone in the words were secure and without a fraction of hesitation.

The other, slightly older kids in his group froze in fear and their eyes darted from him to their no nonsense trainer. A bulging, German, operative called Herr Hans.

Herr Hans's grey eyes landed on the speaker and the silence grew heavy with tension. "Repeat that?"

The young male simply stood unmoving with his hands behind his back as he calmly met his trainer's cold eyes head on with eyes that were if possible even colder, despite the age difference.

After two minutes and thirty two seconds the silence was too much for Herr Hans, who roared for the other kids to stand down and take a five minute break.

The children watched the German hothead glance discreetly up at the perch, where the windows were completely black, before he returned his stare on the youngest student and stated, "I will not stand for insubordination, boy."

The boy didn't move a muscle at the not so subtle threat and Herr Hans's upper lip twitched in fury. The child slowly blinked and the movement caused the trainer to lose the last restraints on his temper and he charged with a battle cry.

Only in the next moment to find himself face down on the matt with blood running out of his nose. "Calmness is the only emotion that's allowed in battle or else you will not be the best you can be." The child stated emotionlessly and Herr Hans swallowed down his fear.

"Release me," he ordered instead and to his surprise felt the tight grip on his back falter immediately at the order.

With as much dignity as possible Herr Hans got to his feet and turned around, ignoring all the blood dripping to the floor. "I am your trainer and you shall do as I say." He stated to the immobile kid in front of him.

The child blinked once and looked up at him with his eerie green eyes. "I do not understand and refuse to participate." He eventually repeated in a quiet voice, that Herr Hans found caused shivers to run down his spine.

Herr Hans had been a fast learner upon his arrival at Section One and had due to his advanced knowledge in strategy been hand trained by Michael Samuelle. So it took a lot to shake the German…but a twelve year old boy with Michael Samuelle's aura and characteristics did scare the hell out of him.

That being said, Herr Hans had to make the kid understand and he finally sighed and gestured for the older students to go train amongst themselves.

"Daniel," Herr Hans said when he felt that they wouldn't be overheard. "Emotions can bring such joy and unknown power when you least expect it." The youth didn't comment and Herr Hans continued with a sight, "You have to do as I say, no matter how little you agree with my teachings. If your mother found out about your lack of cooperation it could mean some time in the White Room."

For the first time the kid, Daniel – son of Nikita and Michael – looked a bit moved. He bit his lip once and then seemed to vanish back into his emotionless state of mind and said, "Understood."

Herr Hans nodded and called the others to a gathering to continue his demonstration.

--

Later that day Herr Hans was summoned to Operations office and he entered with his usual cap in his hands – desperately trying not to show his feelings of pity for the young woman, who'd given up so much.

"You wanted to see me," he asked politely.

Nikita turned away from the darkened windows and met his grey eyes with her own blue ones and said, "I observed your training today. And I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your handling of my son. He must learn to use emotions in his missions or else he'll never be as good as…" Nikita hesitated and Herr Hans nodded when he realized that she just couldn't say his name yet.

"The kid is extremely talented and full of potential. His only weakness is his lack of empathy for others than you, Madam."

Nikita nodded and followed her son's movements at System's down below as Jason Crawford was busy teaching him the finer points of hacking. "I am aware of that," she finally said and looked back at the German trainer, "but I fear that this place has swallowed his ability for emotions."

Herr Hans nodded in agreement and stood mutely until his leader excused him to return to his newest batch of recruits.

--

18 years later:

Herr Hans was trying to stop the blood pouring from a bullet wound in his shoulder and simultaneously doing his damndest not to moan in pain so he didn't miss out on a single word of what was happening in front of him.

Daniel Samuelle – the emotionless child, he'd trained in vain to use his feelings in combat – was cradling the most emotional person of Section One in his strong arms. And he was fiercely trying to save all of them – his emotions shining through his green eyes. "… got to try – I'm not leaving this place intact – they'd both kill me if I did. At least do it for them and all the other innocents in this hellhole."

That night they all finally escaped the living hell that was Section One and Herr Hans didn't know what to do with himself. He wandered around former students, colleges and in Michael's case a former teacher, feeling old and drained and empty.

Suddenly a warm hand grabbed his shoulder and Herr Hans looked behind him and locked eyes with Daniel. "Thank you," Daniel said in his half whispered tone of voice.

The German frowned and asked, "For what?"

Then Daniel did something Herr Hans had never before witnessed – he smiled. "For teaching me that emotions aren't useless. I understand now and intend to participate in the future. If you need anything, let me know."

Herr Hans nodded – feeling dumbfounded and grateful. He watched the young man walk over to the room where his lover, the feisty Dane, Dana was being operated on.

I guess Section One didn't swallow every ounce of emotion; the German concluded with a tired grin and turned around to search out a doctor to help him with his forgotten injury. Glad to know even his mother can be wrong sometimes…

"Hey!"

Herr Hans looked back and met Daniel's eyes again. "Can I count on you for assistance if I need it in the future?"

The German grinned again and nodded before he walked away.

--

Two years later Herr Hans had turned into Hans Turner and was just finishing his lunch break at his new job as an elementary teacher, when his cell phone suddenly rang.

Hans frowned. No one but his fiancée had this number and she never called at that time. "Hello?"

A distinct whispered voice answered him, "Herr Hans? I'm in need of assistance…"

A/N As stated earlier, it's a set up and I've got a few things planned, but updating will be sporadic as I'm struggling with a story called The Accident, that's in great need of completion. That said, please let me know what you think about this seeing as I've been out of the LFN world for some time…Thanks!

Ditte Mai