Nikita sat alone in a small cafe, near the entrance to Section. She would stare at her coffee and then look up at the entrance. She gave a small sigh as she stood up.

N: "Well I either walk in there now, or they'll find me later." Nikita thought about it and sat back down.

N: "What will I say? 'After the explosion I couldn't remember a thing' Yeah right. And what about Michael? He risked everything to set me free. Free. I now realize that word is impossible to obtain. And her free will was slowly being stripped away. Stripped away but not gone. Never gone. Madeline will be happy to see me along with Walter and Birkoff. But Operations will probably have me canceled. I don't care. I missed everyone."

Nikita stood up, once again, and walked out the door. She walked across the street and straight into the entrance of Section. Behind the sealed doors two operatives stood guard. Nikita had no problem dispatching them. She crept along the corridors of the complex until see came to Madeline's doors. Nikita quietly pulled the doors open and slowly walked in. Madeline was sitting in her chair concentrating hard on a display on here computer. Nikita sat down in the chair and stared at her for a long moment. Madeline kept her eyes on the screen.

Ma: "What is it?"

Nikita smiled.

N: "I just wanted to tell you that your security needs a little work."

Madeline raised her head up but didn't look at the person that sat before her. She couldn't. She knew who she was talking with.

Ma: "Nikita?"

N: "In the flesh....or should I say soul."

Ma: "It's lovely to see you again."

Madeline reached over and started to press a sequence of keys. Nikita knew what she was doing and stopped her before she could press enter. Nikita pulled her gun out and trained it on Madeline.

N: "You knew it was a suicide mission, didn't you?"

Ma: "Yes."

N: "So, did Operations want me gone or did you?"

Ma: "Neither of us wanted you gone."

N: "Madeline, all I want is the truth. I'm not angry with anyone except myself."

Ma: "Why are you angry with yourself?"

N: "I allowed myself to feel. My feelings are what kept me from doing my job. I now realize that feelings have no place in my life."

Ma: "What about Michael?"

N: "What about Michael?"

Ma: "You have feelings for Michael?"

N: "In what sense?"

Nikita wasn't going to play these mind games right now. Madeline realized that she was not going to win this fight. Nikita had improved, she was like Michael, but was it for the better. On the outside Nikita was the same, sweet, playful, like her old self, but the inside had turned cold.

Ma: "What happened to you?"

N: "I grew up."

Nikita stood and strolled over the computer and glanced at the screen. The message stated: NIKITA IS HERE. SEND A TEAM. Nikita hit the delete key and erased the last line. Then she hit the enter key.

N: "Awww. You don't need an entire team to take me. I'm not going anywhere. I found out that I'm nothing but a ghost out there. Will you give me another chance or shall I just cancel myself right now?"

Nikita took the gun off Madeline and pointed it at her own head. Madeline stood up and took the gun out of her hand. Just then Michael walked into the room. He stared at Nikita for a moment and then walked towards them. Nikita knew Michael was in the room but her eyes never left Madeline's face.

Ma: "Your retraining begins tomorrow. Go to your room. I hope you remember where it is."

Nikita nodded and walked at the room. She ignored the fact the Michael was even in the room. Michael walked over to Madeline with a confused face.

Mi: "What is she doing here?"

Ma: "Obviously our Nikita had nowhere better to go."

Mi: "I told you what I did, you know why I did it."

Ma: "Yes, I do. And I have a pretty good guess of why she came back."

Mi: "And what guess did you come up with?"

Ma: "She missed you. She missed all of us."

Mi: "Then why did she ignore me?"

Madeline sat back down in her chair and stared at the young operative.

Ma: "Our Nikita has changed. She has become what Operations always wanted. She's become some what like you. She's burying her emotions deep inside and only showing the emotions she deems fit."

Mi: "So what do we do now?"

Ma: "You will train her. You will teach her everything you know. Everything."

Mi: "Starting with what?"

Ma: "Basic training."

Michael turned and walked out of the room. He stopped for a moment then turned.

Mi: "What about Operations?"

Ma: "I'll deal with Operations."

Michael left the office and walked aimlessly down the corridors. His wondering brought him to Nikita's room. He hesitated before knocking on the door. There was no reply so Michael quietly opened the door. He peered into the room and it was completely dark except for a few lit candles. Michael walked into the room and closed the door. He saw Nikita's sleeping face in the glow of the candles. Michael sat down on the edge of the bed and pushed a loose strand of hair from Nikita's face. Nikita turned and Michael saw some discoloration on her back. Nikita's eyes opened as she felt Michael's hands touch her back. Then Nikita felt Michael place a small kiss on her shoulders. She trembled under his touch.

Mi: "What happened?"

N: "It's from the explosion."

Nikita turned over and stared at Michael.

Mi: "You were free. Why did you come back?"

N: "I missed you too much to stay away."

Mi: "Don't say that."

N: "Why?"

Mi: "Because.......that's my line."

Michael leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Nikita sat up and pushed Michael away.

N: "You better go. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that Nikita lied back down and turned her back towards Michael. Shocked, Michael walked to the door and opened it slowly.

Mi: "Good night, Nikita."

When Nikita said nothing, Michael closed the door and started walking down the hall.

*************

Mi: "She ignored all the attempts I made for affection."

Ma: "Just train her. I'll worry about the mental state."

Michael walked out Madeline's office and headed towards Nikita's room. He knocked on the door and Nikita answered.

Mi: "Are you ready."

N: "Yes."

Michael lead Nikita to the training area. On the way they ran into Walter. The moment Walter saw Nikita his heart jumped.

W: "Sugar?"

N: "Hey, Walter. Miss me?"

Walter ran up and gave Nikita a huge bear hug. She kissed him on the cheek.

W: "Like I missed the sun itself."

Walter released Nikita and then stared at Michael. He had blamed Michael for Nikita's death and now he regretted it. Nikita gave Walter another kiss as they walked away. In the training area Michael was testing Nikita on what he knew she could do.

Mi: "Attack me."

N: "All right. But can we make a wager?"

Mi: "A wager for what?"

N: "If I can get you on the mat you have to get me some real food."

Mi: "Is that all you want?"

N: "And a necklace of simple taste."

Mi: "And what do I get?"

N: "Me."

Michael smiled and shook her hand.

Mi: "Deal."

With that Michael grabbed her hand tightly and attempted to flip her over. But Nikita was ready and pulled Michael into her. She kissed him passionately and his grip loosened. Nikita took this advantage and knocked Michael's legs from beneath him, breaking the kiss. Nikita smiled as she pinned Michael to the mat.

N: "I win."

Nikita stood up and let Michael get up by his own power.

Mi: "So you have."

N: "Your emotions make you weak, I just took advantage of that weakness."

Nikita turned and walked out of the training area. She picked up a towel and turned to face Michael.

N: "Make sure you bring enough food for three people."

Mi: "Three?"

N: "Yeah. I'm going to have a party."

Mi: "Am I invited."

N: "Only if you can beat me."

They both smiled at each other and they stepped back onto the mat. They fought, both equal to each other. Finally Michael captured Nikita's head between his legs, just like she had done to Karen. Nikita didn't feel the pain in her arm as she stared into Michael's eyes. Instead of nothing she saw a hint of passion.

Nikita lifted her head up and kissed the material that covered Michael's legs. Then she gave a small smile.

N :"Okay. Make it enough to feed four. Now.....Let me up."

Michael released Nikita from his hold and she sat up. Michael stood up and picked up his towel.

Mi: "When should I bring the food?"

N: "Tonight."

Michael offered her a hand up but she refused. She stood up and walked back out of the training area. She headed to her room to take a shower and change into more comfortable clothes. Above, Operations and Madeline watched this exchange.

O: "She's starting off on the right foot."

Ma: "How so?"

O: "She's not letting her emotions run her judgment. In fact, she's using other's emotions against them. I'm impressed."

Ma: "It worries me. I want to know exactly what happened during those months away from Section."

Madeline turned and walked away from the window. In her room, Nikita was rummaging through some clothes and found a simple outfit. A black short skirt, and a white button shirt. She unwrapped the towel and slipped the skirt on. She put on a black bra and slid the button up over her shoulders. She looked around her room and sighed.

N: "Clean."

Nikita folded clothes up and put them away. Then she put all the trash in a bag and made her bed. She smiled as she left the room and walked towards Birkoff's station. Normally, recruits weren't allowed out of their quarters but she wasn't a recruit. She walked up to Birkoff and patted the top of his head.

N: "Hey."

Birkoff looked up at her and smiled.

B: "I thought you were dead."

N: "Well, I'm not."

B: "Good. For a moment I thought I was hallucinating."

Nikita leaned over and whispered in his ear.

N: "Want to come to a party?"

B: "Who's invited?"

N: "You and Walter........and....Michael."

B: "Michael? How did he get invited?"

N: "He won a bet."

B: "Who's bringing the food?"

N: "Michael."

B: "How did you get him to do that?"

N: "I won a bet before he did."

B: "What do I need to bring?"

N: "Your-gracious-self and a TV."

B: "What time?"

N: "About eight and if you see Michael tell him that."

B: "K."

Nikita kissed Birkoff on top of his head and walked away. She skipped over to Walter's workshop and sat down on a stool.

W: "What's up, Sugar?"

N: "Wanna see a movie?"

W: "You know you can't go out."

N: "I know, I was think more along the lines of a movie in."

W: "Where?"

N: "In my room."

W: "Mmmmm. Sugar. Me and you alone in a dark room..."

N: "No, Walter. You, me, Birkoff, and Michael."

W: "What's the occasion?"

N: "I'm throwing myself a welcome back party."

W: "I'm there."

N: "See you at eight. Oh, and bring a movie and some beer. I want some action for tonight."

W: "And action is what you'll get."

Nikita smiled and stood up. She walked back to her room and she laid down on the bed. She stared at the ceiling.

N: "They have no idea what their getting into."

*************

Nikita opened the door and let Birkoff and Walter in. Birkoff carried the TV and a VCR.

B: "What's the use of having a TV without a VCR."

N: "Yeah....thanks."

Walter handed her the beers and showed her the tape.

N: "The Professional.....good choice."

Birkoff set up the TV and VCR and Walter was lying on the bed. Michael walked in with two bags in his hands. Nikita took the two bags and sat down on the ground.

She leaned against the bed and Birkoff sat down beside her. Nikita opened the bag and let the aroma hit her senses.

N: "Mmmmmm........Thai. My favorite."

Mi: "I know."

Nikita ignored the comment. She wasn't going to be weak this time. Michael took off his jacket and sat down in a nearby chair.

Mi: "You know we're not allowed to do this."

Nikita pulled out the contents of the bag and gave everybody a plate.

N: "I don't care."

W: "Yeah. We're just having some fun."

Everybody got a plate of food and Walter opened the beers.

W: "To Nikita. For making all of are lives a little bit happier."

They toasted and took a sip of beer. Then Nikita raised her bottle.

N: "To my friends. That make living in Section a little more tolerable.....and.....to Michael....who risked his life to set me free."

Walter and Birkoff looked oddly at each other but Michael's and Nikita's eyes never left each other.

W: "What are you talking about, Sugar?"

N: "Nothing. Let's eat and you guts can tell me what you've been doing with out me."

So they ate and they talked and finally Nikita spoke.

N: "Time for a game."

W: "What kind of game?"

N: "Truth or dare."

B: "I'm out of here."

N: "No you're not and just to show my good will you get to ask the first question."

B: "O.K."

W: "I didn't like the sound of that."

B: "Nikita. Truth or dare?"

N: "Truth."

B: "Were you happy when you were free?"

N: "No.....I wasn't."

B: "Why?"

N: "I had no place to go, no friends that I can trust, no money, and identity. I was just like I was before the Section. But it was scarier because I had forgotten what it was to live on the street."

A long silence ran through the room.

N: "Anyway, Walter. Truth or dare?"

W: "Truth."

N: "What was the happiest moment of your life?"

W: "The moment I knew you were alive."

Nikita smiled and gave Walter a small peck on the cheek. Walter laughed as he looked at Michael.

W: "Michael, truth or dare?"

Michael hesitated for a moment.

N: "You're in a no win situation."

Mi: "Dare."

An evil grin escaped Walter's face.

W: "I dare you to tell us the truth of how you feel right now."

Mi: "Happy. Happy to be around friends. Happy that Nikta is back." Michael gave a genuine smile.

N: "Okay, you're last Birkoff. And Michael's got you pegged."

Mi: "Birkoff, truth or dare?"

B: "Dare. Bring it on Michael."

Mi: "I dare you to stop eating that damn junk food for a whole week."

B: "I refuse that dare."

N: "Can't."

B: "Shit."

The game was over and now it was time for a movie. Birkoff sat on the floor and the others laid on the bed. Walter was laying at the foot of the bed and Michael and Nikita were leaning against the headboard. The movie stared and all through the movie the group was complaining that the situation was all wrong or that the materials used didn't do they jobs right. During the movie Nikita had fallen asleep and her head was now on Michael's chest. Michael stopped watching the movie and started watching Nikita. He brushed some hair of her face and continued to stroke her hair. Walter turned and saw this then turned his attention back to the movie. The party ended at about midnight and everybody was so tired that they fell asleep where they were. Michael slid down where he could be comfortable and he took Nikta down with him, so not to wake her. Walter slid up on the other side of Nikta and fell asleep. Birkoff got off the floor and slept at the foot of the bed.

Madeline and Operations watched the monitor and smiled at each other.

O: "Peaceful. But I shouldn't be allowing this."

Ma: "You will allow it for the time being. Nobody is getting hurt."

O: "Yet...what is the next stage in her training?"

Ma: "Seduction."

************

N: "You wanted to see me Madeline?"

Ma: "Yes. How was your party?"

N: "Just me and the guys hanging out."

Madeline stood up and Nikita followed her up the stairs to where the wardrobe was. Nikita stood there as Madeline was trying to find the perfect dress.

N: "What's this all about?"

Ma: "You have done very well in the combat training. Now I will teach you to be the most seductive creature in Section."

N: "And who, exactly, am I suppose to seduce?"

Ma: "Michael."

Nikita looked around nervously.

N: "Why Michael?"

Ma: "Michael is the best trained operative here, if you can seduce him we will move on."

N: "I don't know how to act."

Ma: "I'll teach you."

Madeline pulled out a short black dress and placed it against Nikita. Nikita looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

N: "How will you know if Michael isn't seducing me."

Ma: "I won't."

N: "Where is Michael? I haven't seen him sense I feel asleep last night."

Ma: "Michael is on a mission and will be back in three days. So I suggest we get started."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the three days Michael was gone Madeline tought Nikita everything she knew about seduction. Michael returned and knew nothing of the lessons. Two days passed since Michael's return and still knew nothing of the lessons.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nikita searched for Michael and found him in his office.

N: "Michael, can I talk to you?"

Mi: "What is it?"

Michael glaced up from his computer and saw Nikita. She was wearing the black dress that Madeline had given her. Nikita closed the door and walked over to Michael.

N: "Did I ever thank you for trying?"

Nikita smiled and sat the desk. Michael just stared at her.

Mi: "To do what?"

N: "To give me a normal life."

Nikita bent closer and ran her fingers through his hair. Michael closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. She smiled at the reaction and took her other and grabbed his. She pulled him to his feet and pulled him into a dark corner.

N: "Dance with me."

Mi: "Why?"

N: "I havn't danced with you in such a long time and what I can remember from our last dance it was very pleasurable."

Michael wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. He started moving a lttle bit and he could feel her hands run over his back.

N: "You once told me that freewill is something you can not have in the Section. You were wrong. My freewill brought me here and my freewill is what keeps me here."

Mi: "You are the only one us that has that freewill."

N: "Really?"

Nikita pulled Michael into a deep kiss, playing with him as she did. She slowly broke the kiss but he reclaimed her lips. He kissed with passion that he thought that he had lost.

N: "No, your freewill leads to me."

They kissed again and Nikita felt Michael's hand slipped in her dress. She held her ground as Michael unzipped the back and gentle caress her back. She slid her hands in Michael's jacket and felt is hard muscles. Michael placed little butterfly kisses all over Nikita's neck. Nikita's mind was racing a hundred miles an hour. 'How far does Madeline plan on taking this. I'm the one who's supposed to be doing the seducing. I have to slow this down.' Nikita tried to stop but it all felt so good. She was about to loose control when the phone rang. Michael looked at Nikita, his eyes were full of passion. Nikita kissed him once more on the lips and walked towards the door. Michael stopped her and helped zip up the back of her dress.

N: "We'll finish this later."

Nikita left Michael's office and hurried to Madeline's office. As she entered Madeline's office she saw the woman placing the receiver back in its crandle. Nikita smiled and sat down in front of Madeline.

Ma: "Congradulations, Nikita. You did it."

N: "It's not that hard when the person you're seducing is in love with you."

Ma: "What did you say?"

N: "I said, 'it's not hard when you seduce someone that loves you."

Ma: "How do you know Michael loves you?"

N: "Beside the obvisous? The way he kisses me, the way he touches me, even on a mission, always trying to comfort me, and the big give off is the way he's always watching me."

Ma: "I realized that there is a bond between you and Michael but I didn't know how deep it was."

N: "And now you know."

Ma: "What happened to you while you were free?"

N: "I lived on the streets, afraid of what would happen if I was found, afraid I would endanger anybody that got close to me."

Ma: "Then what happened?"

N: "Gabriel found me."

Ma: "Who was Gabriel?"

N: "A child. A boy, only a baby. I took care of him for a while."

Ma: "Then what happened?"

N: "Gabriel died."

Ma: "How did he die?"

N: "He froze."

Madeline was amazed that even now Nikita was able to control her emotions.

Nikita was finding it hard to keep her emotions hidden. Madeline saw the struggle inside her.

Ma: "You can go."

Nikita stood up and walked slowly out of the room. She walked towards her room and she slumped against the wall as soon as the door shut. She pulled a picture out of her bag and let out a cry as she stared at the picture. A picture of her holding an infant in her arms. Back in Madeline's office, Michael was told about the lessons and that he was the final test. Michael stiffened a little but nothing else. Then Michael was told about Gabriel.

Ma: "I want you to find out everything you can on Gabriel."

Mi: " Is there anything else?"

Ma: "One thing. Nikita is smarter than you think and she will try to hide the truth from you if she thinks it will hurt you."

Mi: "I understand."

Michael left the office and headed for Birkoff.

Mi: "I need you to run a search on a Gabriel, he's an infant and I'm guessing he was born here."

B: "Can I do it tomorrow?"

Mi: "No."

B: "But it's two in the morning and I need some sleep."

Mi: "Okay. But I want it on my desk by noon tommarow."

B: "Fine."

Birkoff left and headed towards his room. Michael rubbed the bridge of his nose and sat down at an empty chair. 'She seduced me. It was her asignment and she didn't even flinch. My God she was good. I lost control so easily but I could feel that she was loosing it too. Maybe she does care. And why would she keep things from me.' Michael stood up and walked to his office. He needed sleep.

**********

Nikita walked to Operations' little perch and stood gazing out the window.

O: "What do you want?"

Nikita turned around and stared at Operations with emotionless eyes.

N: "Michael."

Operations started to laugh.

N: "You said you would give me anything in the Section if I saved your son, remember?"

O: "I remember."

N: "I want Michael."

Operations stared at her but her glaze held.

O: "All right, Nikita. Michael is yours."

N: "And I want no surveillance in my room."

O: "Fine."

N: "Thank you."

Nikita gave a small smile and walked down the stairs. Nikita went to the training area but Michael wasn't there. Nikita looked around and found him in his office. She poked her head in and saw him reading a file.

N: "Hey."

Nikita walked in and closed the door behind her. She sat down the chair and watched Michael carefully. He placed the close folder in front of her and stood up.

Mi: "Three weeks ago, a woman gave birth to a baby boy. Two hours after birth, the woman and the child disappeared. The woman's name was Josephine Love and the child's name was Gabriel."

Nikita stared at Michael and a single tears rolled over her cheek.

Mi: "What......."

N: "I was badly injured and unable to fight. A few days after the explosion, I was raped."

Mi: "And Gabriel?"

N: "Gabriel was my son."

Mi: "Why did you leave the hospital?"

N: "All the information I gave them was a lie and I could not afford to go to prison. Gabriel died a week after I ran. I buried him in a shallow gave in the cemetery right next to his mother."

It was become difficult for Nikita to control the tears. She stood up and tried to leave but Michael stopped her. She pushed him aside and walked out of the office. The rushed over to the training area and started to let her emotions out on the punching bag. Michael watched as each punch became stronger and stronger.

Madeline came up behind Michael.

Ma: "So?"

Mi: "Gabriel was Nikita's son."

Ma: "No doubt having her son dead in her arms had an effect on her. And this bit of information will prove to be very interesting to you. You belong to Nikita. Operation told me that any relationship you have with her is fine."

Mi: "How?"

Ma: "Nikita made a deal with Operations along time ago and now he has to honor his side of the deal."

Madeline walked away and Michael continued to watch Nikita. With one final swing Nikita fell to the ground. She stared at the floor and tried to catch her breath.

N: "Don't lose it."

Michael walked over to Nikita and offered his hand. This time Nikita accepted his hand.

Mi: " We need to talk."

N: "I need a bath."

Nikita walked down the hallway with Michael's hand still in hers. She opened her door and led Michael inside. He sat down on the bed and looked around. He spotted the picture and looked at it closely.

Mi: "He looks just like you,"

Nikita stifled a smile and turned went into the bathroom.

N: "What did you want to talk about?"

Mi: "I heard a rumor that you made a deal with Operations."

Nikita turns on the shower and shed her clothes.

Mi: "Rumor says that I belong to you."

Nikita got in the shower to ignore the conversation. Her emotions were becoming almost impossible to control. She remembered her son dying in her arms. Nikita crouched down in the shower and let the hot water hit her crumpled form. She let out small cries hoping that Michael wouldn't hear them.

Mi: "Nikita, are you alright?"

Michael heard no reply so he walked into the bathroom. He saw Nikita in the shower and he went to her. She looked up at him then looked away as if see were in pain.

N: "No. No weakness."

Nikita started to cry more and Michael knew what Nikita was trying to do.

Mi: "You can't bury your feelings."

N: "Feelings are a weakness. I can't be weak anymore. Being stupid got me killed the first time and having feelings got me killed the second time. I can't afford to die again."

Michael turned the water off and lifted Nikita into his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. He took a towel and dried her hair off then he dried her body. Nikita calmed down and watched Michael's gentleness. Nikita touched his hand and brought it up to her cheek.

N: "You do belong to me and no one will ever watch."

Mi: "And how did you do that?"

N: "My little secret."

Nikita leaned up and kissed Michael gently on the lips. Michael removed his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head. Nikita kissed Michael's chest and her hands moved all over Michael's body. Michael lowered himself on Nikita, all the while kissing her softly. Nikita pulled away slightly.

N: "Do you love me?"

Mi: "Yes."

N: "I love you."

END