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PAGE ONE



The hospital-like room was deathly quiet except for the sound of the instruments being handled by the nurse and doctor.

"He will be here in a minute , is there a chance of reprieve?" asked the nurse.

"Not with Petrosian in charge" answered the Doctor. "Canceling one of our best strategist has to be one of the most bizarre commands that Petrosian has given since he has taken over command as Operations." With that statement the doctor swung around toward the door and hit a button on the console.

A few minutes later, a gurney was rolled in, strapped to the table in leather binds was an unconcious man. The nurse stared down at the man

"I can't believe we are going to do this!" But continued to make preparations with a syringe . The nurse handed the syringe to the Doctor and glanced at the clock on the wall.

" 30 seconds until the hour " she noted. The Doctor took the syringe and watched the clock at exactly 12:00 midnight the syringe was quickly injected into the neck of the sleeping man. The man on the gurney jerked violently for several minutes and then lay still. The Doctor picked up his wrist and then felt for a pulse on his neck.

"He is officially dead at 12:04 am. our job is done." With that statement the nurse grabbed the chart and wrote the information down. She walked towards the exit door and told the Doctor,

"I will call Petrosian . He asked to be notified as soon as Michael was canceled."

After the nurse left, the doctor ran to the door locked it at the same time tearing at the surgical outfit In a matter of seconds the surgical cap and mask were stuffed into a black bag. The doctor strode over to a mirror and carefully peeled the rubberized mask off. Nikita peered into the mirror and saw the icy expression of complete determination. Nothing can go wrong, I've got 90 seconds....so get with the program . she muttered to herself.

Moving with the precision she was noted far, she threw the mask into the bag and laid it on top of Michael. Grabbing hold of the gurney, she quickly wheeled it through the double doors on the opposite side of the room, that led to the "disposal area". Nikita pulled the gurney into a dark room, where some supplies were laid out on a table. After unbuckling the leather straps, she grabbed a syringe and injected the solution in his neck. She glanced at the wrist watch on her hand. Everything should be okay, I injected with 15 seconds to spare." She leaned over the man, quietly watching his face.

She whispered "Michael, can you hear me?" and was rewarded with the gaze of hazel eyes looking into hers.

"Where am I?" he asked quietly.

"You are safe for now, but I need you awake.. Can you get up?" Michael didn't answer, but attempted to sit up. He swung his legs to the floor and leaned against the bed.

"Do you have a plan or are you making it up as you go?" he asked.

Nikita was impressed as always by Michaels ability to focus on the situation at hand, no matter what it was and contain any emotions he may be feeling. Who would have thought looking at him, that he had just been "executed". Especially since Nikita had been unable to contact him beforehand letting him know of her rescue plan. She briefly filled him in on what had happened up till then.

Michael, being Michael didn't look surprised, shocked, or any normal emotion you might expect from someone pulled from the brink of death. Nikita tried to emulate his attitude and said matter-of-factly,

"I have a plan. I have a car waiting for us outside of the Section parameter. We will go to a safe house, where you will stay."

Michael waited and realized Nikita was not offering anything more said "That will get me out of here and safe, but what about after that.. ?"

He straightened up and moved to her side, and for a second swayed against her. He quickly recovered and put his hands on either side of her face.

"Nikita.. " he looked away and then looked back directly into her eyes. He started again.. "Nikita you walk away now.. I can take it from here. If you help me, it is suicide for you." .

Nikita raised her hands and grasped his as they clasped her face. She pulled them down, and said "You wouldn't get 50 feet from this room without me. Petrosian has canceled you Michael, do you understand? and for what? Because he is jealous of you, it wasn't your fault that the last mission went sour and he knows it. I will get you out of here and then I can work from the inside on getting this situation resolved. I was wearing a mask and the doctor that helped you will never be tied back to me. I have a alibi that will last until 6 am this morning. Let's do it.. Lets do it now Michael!"

Michael took a step back continuing to stare at the beautiful woman he had grown to respect and admire for her abilities and intelligence as well as for the fact that she was able to keep true to her innate sense of justice, at least as much as possible in the strange world they had to live in.

He nodded slowly and climbed back onto the gurney. Nikita stepped away and when she came back she had the surgical cap and mask back on. She covered him with the sheet and wheeled down the hall into the exit chamber. Nikita didn't relax until they were out of the Section complex and in the car. Everything had gone perfectly, they had encountered no one in their escape and she was unable to detect a tail. Michael was slumped down in the back of the car still feeling the after-effects of the drugs he had been given. He was still in shock from all that had happened in the last 24 hours.

It had started badly when the simple pickup mission he was in charge of had resulted in a shootout which cost him the lives of 5 team members. It had been sheer luck or some would say skill that had kept him from being killed too. He knew that they had been setup and ambushed but how could he prove it.

Upon returning to Section, he was not even given the opportunity to debrief. He was met at the door, handcuffed and escorted to a holding room. Petrosian made a brief visit, and when Michael demanded to know what was happening. He accused Michael of being a double agent and setting up the ambush. Michael remembered the satisfied look in Petrosian's eyes and realized that he never had a chance with this man. From the first moment they met, Petrosian had it in for him and Michael had no idea why. He still hadn't been worried because he knew Madeline would never believe him capable of this. He had never been so totally wrong in his whole life..

Madeline never gave him a chance, she was totally under Petrosians hold. Michael had never realized how Madeline completely trusted and believed Petrosian until now. He remembered the first thing she said when she strode into the interrogation room.

"Michael you will never leave this building alive.. What you have done goes beyond any breech of loyalty that has ever happened to me before. I trained you and I thought I knew you . You have been one of our most trusted people and what do you do? Why Michael ? for profit? Because you hate Petrosian, that you wanted to make him look bad as Operations? Why? "

Michael though shaken to his core, maintained his outward composure. He had stared straight into her eyes and quietly said "Madeline, You know me.. You know that none of this is something I would do. Think.. First Operations and now me? Don't you see what is happening? You are blinded by what? Love?"

Madeline, who never broke eye contact with people, did that very thing . She had looked at the floor and for maybe the third time in his long acquaintance with Madeline, she appeared flustered and upset.

"Michael are you in this alone, or is there other traitors?"

Michael had flinched visibly. He had thought for a moment he had made a breakthrough, but now realized Madeline was not going to save him. For the first time, Michael had raised his voice and yelled " I am not a traitor and I will not answer any more of your questions, Madeline".

That was the last time he had seen Madeline.

"Michael how are you feeling?" Nikita's voice broke into his thoughts.

"I'm fine." he said and sat up. "Are we almost there?".

Nikita sped up a little on entering the major highway and said "4 minutes and we'll be there". There was a comfortable silence that only comes when two people have worked together and known each other for a long time. Michael still marveled at her persistence in always doing what she thought was right, usually without considering her own situation.

"Nikita we need to talk."

Nikita looked into the rearview mirror and met Michaels gaze straight on. Michael leaned forward against the seat, positioning himself so that he could view Nikitas profile as he talked.

"I don't know how widespread the problem is in the Section. I think you should go back and lay low, don't try anything covert. I know people outside the agency that can help me."

Nikita glanced at him in surprise. " Michael are you going to try and disappear? Is that what you're saying?

Michael turned his head as if studying the countryside outside the passenger window, he looked back and said "Nikita that would be the best.. " .he paused then added "for both of us". Nikita broke away from his hypnotic gaze and concentrated on the road ahead. "Michael, I never thought of you as a quitter " she said scornfully. Internally she was quaking with the unexpected idea that Michael might go away and she would never see him again. She was shocked to realize how unacceptable this idea was to her.

"If you don't try and resolve the current situation in Section, where does that leave me? I may be next on Petrosian's hit list. It is hard enough to work there, when you know the job is basically for the good of our country, but if we are working for someone who may be the enemy," she paused unable to say anything more, afraid she would choke up.

Michael didn't say anything , he laid back down in the seat.

Nikita found the turnoff and guided the car slowly down a long driveway through dense woods. A tiny house hardly larger than a storage building came into view. Nikita parked the car.

"Michael don't get out until I signal you." With that opened the door of the car and walked up to the dark house. A few minutes later she signaled and Michael made his way slowly up the driveway and into the house.

It had all the necessary supplies for a person to live comfortably for a week. Nikita showed him through the house, especially pointing out the computer, fax machine and cellular phone.

"There is a car parked out back about 500 yards into the woods on the left side of the house, just in case."

Michael stood in the middle of the living room and appeared to be staring blankly at the wall, finally he turned to Nikita and said slowly, "You are right, I have to deal with the situation at Section, if not for me, for you."

Nikita suppressed her sigh of relief and said "I'll call you tomorrow". Michael didn't say anything, but walked over to a cot and sat down, he patted the mattress next to him. Nikita sat down slowly and looked at him inquiringly. Michael stared at her for a long minute as if trying to read her mind before asking the questions he wanted to ask.

"Nikita I don't want to sit up here doing nothing. I need to know what you have planned, and I can help. After all, I have been planning missions for 7 years and operative work 6 years before that."

Nikita thought Why is it alway so hard to break away from his gaze?

She sighed and said "My plan is to isolate Birkhoff and have him research the data banks for any messages and data that Petrosian has received that would incriminate him." "I need to proved that it was Petrosian who set up that ambush and not you. There has to be a record of him contacting "Black Brigade" to do this".

Michael sighed and shook his head "Birkhoff is not going to help you with this, Nikita."

Nikita was quick to retort "How can you say that Michael? Birkhoff has told me in the past, that you are the best. He has a sense of loyalty to you, I know this." Nikita couldn't stand to sit so close for one second longer and in one fluid motion was on her feet. Michael was a half second behind her, and grabbed her arm just above the elbow before she could stride out of the house. He swung her around and grabbed her other arm and roughly pulled her close to him..

"Nikita listen.. You cannot be sure of anyone in the Section, If you go in asking them to help us, there is no guarantee that they won't turn you in. You will be canceled and there isn't another "Nikita" to help you!"

Nikita jerked back from him and never breaking eye contact asked "What do you want me to do then?"

Michael answered in a deadly quiet voice "We will have to kill Petrosian." and with that he reached for the cell phone.

***********

Nikita hoped she was acting normally as she strode into the briefing room at Section. She had spent a sleepless night after leaving Michael at the safe house. She had driven into the city and met up with Carla at the concert. After the concert, Nikita talked with various friends of Carlas and they partied until the early morning hours.

She was physically and emotionally exhausted by the time she fell into her bed at the apartment. Even then she couldn't go immediately to sleep, her mind wasn't shutting down. She had been running on adrenaline ever since she had learned of Michael's planned fate. Sleep had not been an option until she could save Michael. She had sweated out the details of the rescue plan without the help of anyone in the Section. Whenever she hit a snag she would say to herself What would Michael do? Amazingly this worked.

She had access to everything she needed as she had just completed a mission where she had been in a complete facial disguise. No one had questioned the doctor. In Section new faces were a "constant" , especially in the medical compound. Finally her mind gave way to a deep, almost comatose sleep. It was still too early the next day when she received a "Josephine" call and the voice on the phone sounded suspiciously like Madeline's.

At the table, there were already 3 people seated, Madeline, Birkhoff and Petrosian.

"Sorry I'm late" Nikita said as she sat down. She winced as she heard herself say that, and realized that normally she would never apologize. I had better focus, as Michael would say, or I'm going to screw this up. Nikita thought. Sure enough Madeline was looking at her with a thoughtful expression. Everyone was unusually quiet, but Petrosian soon changed that. He walked in front of Nikita and leaned forward on the table until his face was inches from hers.

"Michael is gone."

Nikita coldly returned his stare and said "Everyone in Section knows that. You had him canceled remember?" she then picked up a strand of her hair and started twirling it as she swiveled her chair back and forth.

Petrosian didn't back down but said "That is not what I meant and I think you know it."

"What are you talking about?" Nikita asked in a innocent voice.

Madeline interrupted "Nikita we will need to know where you were last night."

Nikita turned to her and said "You mean Michael is gone as in escaped? I thought that was impossible." and couldn't resist a small grin.

Madeline continued to stare at Nikita in that infuriatingly calm way and said "Report your activities to Birkhoff, and you will also take a lie detector test, as we all are."

Nikita said "even you Madeline? "

Madeline said "even me."

Petrosian cut back in "That is ridiculous! Of course you didn't have anything to do with it."

Madeline turned her gaze to him and said calmly "I think everyone should take it."

Nikita sat up straighter and asked "What happened? If you don't mind my asking, how did Michael escape?".

Madeline calmly stated the facts. "Someone was disguised as the doctor and somehow smuggled Michael out of Section. The nurse swears that Michael was dead, but upon examining the drug in the syringe we found that it was not what we normally use. There is an antidote that if taken in time would bring the person out of the coma. We think that this is what happened with Michael. Therefore we know that there is another traitor in the section, and we have to expose them. Nikita you are suspect until we can prove otherwise. You will remain here until we release you."

Birkhoff who had been very quiet during the whole conversation spoke up "I still can't believe that Michael would have committed an act of treason, and I don't care if that makes me a suspect too.!"

He jumped out of the chair and stormed back to his computer console. Petrosian raised his eyebrows in surprise and Madeline for once looked unsettled.

Nikita thought This place is already falling apart and Michael's been gone one day.

Petrosian said "That is all. Report your activities to Birkhoff immediately and then go the infirmary in an hour for the tests." He then motioned to Madeline and strode out of the room.

Madeline stood up gracefully and before leaving said "Nikita, I know how you must feel , Michael was your mentor and we have all been betrayed by him. You may feel torn, and if in feeling that way, you have done something irrational.. " she paused slightly then went on, " I know Section will understand. You need to tell me now..this minute."

Nikita just gave her a blank stare and tried to not get upset. "Madeline, I have done nothing wrong." Madeline nodded, turned and walked out.

Nikita felt like she had been through Hell and back. She had known they would give tests and the drug she had taken helped her pass them with no problem. Birkhoff had taken her information and given it to Petrosian. She, who thought of being paranoid as a way of life, was achieving new levels of paranoia. She had been thinking about Birkhoff all day after his outburst in the meeting. She just knew he would help Michael, but decided to wait a little longer before approaching him. She walked into Madeline's office and found her there eating fruit at her desk.

"Madeline, can we talk?" Nikita asked.

Madeline motioned her to sit down, and said quietly "You passed the tests and your alibi has checked out. So far there are two operatives whom are unable to verify their time last night. We are of course concentrating on them." .

"Does that mean I can go home?" Nikita asked.

"Yes, but we are in alert status 2, so don't go too far from Section. Now that Michael is gone, you will be taking on more responsibility, and your first assignment just may be to bring Michael in." .

It took all of Nikitas willpower to not show her emotions to Madeline. "I don't think I want that assignment Madeline."

"Of course you don't, but you will do it, won't you." Madeline's voice had taken on a hard edge that Nikita knew all too well.

"Of course." Nikita said woodenly. Nikita rose gracefully from the chair pulling her sunglasses down over her eyes. "Later, Madeline." and walked out.

I've got to get in touch with Michael. she was thinking as she made her way through Section corridors. Michael had known they would confine her for a while, but she was surprised that she was cleared so soon. Maybe too soon. she thought. A movement from a dark side corridor caught her attention, she stopped and peered through the dim light.

Birkhoff was standing in the doorway of one of the dark rooms. He motioned again for her to approach. She went slowly forward, Birkhoff gripped her forearm with one hand, and the other went over her mouth. He pulled her into the room and closed the door. She nodded her head that she understood not to talk and he released her. He picked up a monitoring device and ran it over her body. A light started blinking when it passed over one of the buttons on her leather jacket. She slipped the jacket off and held up her hand in a "stay here" motion and slipped out of the room. She was back in a matter of seconds, minus the jacket. Birkhoff was slumped in a chair, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Nikita closed the door and knelt down in front of him.

She didn't say anything for a long stretch, then said "What's going on Birkhoff?"

He raised his head slowly and said "It was you..Nikita.." . It was a statement not a question. Nikita's mind was racing as her blue-eyed gaze peered into Birkhoffs eyes, as if trying to read his soul. She had to make a decision to trust him or not, realizing that if she chose wrong Michael and her were dead.

"Yes, it was me, Birkhoff." The words were uttered as if she had no control over her voice.

Birkhoff nodded slowly "I knew it .. Nikita you can trust me, I know it is hard to trust anyone around here, but I'm with you on this. "

Nikita's expression changed slowly to one of relief and puzzlement. "But why? Birkhoff, You are risking everything, Don't get me wrong, I've been thinking about approaching you all day. "

Birkhoff stood up quickly and paced the floor, "It's not just Michael, though that is a major part of it.. It's Petrosian! Nikita, the assignments I've been given by him have been odd and unusual. They are suspicious. Missions have been going bad that shouldn't. None of us are safe from him. He will bring in his own people. Getting rid of Ops....." Birkhoff s voice choked at that point. Nikita wondered again at Birkhoff. When Ops was canceled, Birkhoff was the only one that had really grieved. Nikita now realized that the devil you knew was better than the one you didn't. Birkhoff continued "Getting rid of Ops was the first step in his plan to eventually infiltrate and destroy Section. I need to be a part of stopping it."

Nikita nodded and realized she believed him completely. Birkhoff was not an actor, unlike her and Michael and all the operatives who had been trained to perform various roles.

"What have you got on Petrosian?" Nikita asked.

"I'm not sure.. " He answered, running his hand through his short brown hair. "I have lots of little things that add up to show suspicious behavior. But who do we go to with this? Madeline is out of the question."

"Lay low and don't do anything yet." Nikita responded. She grabbed Birkhoffs' arm to stop his frantic pacing. "Michael will know what to do, I'm going to meet with him and we'll think of the best way to handle this."

Birkhoff swallowed hard, nodded and said "I'll keep my eyes open, but I have to tell you this Nikita, You are next in line. If you head a mission, you will probably get killed in action. Michael wasn't supposed to make it out of that last mission alive. It was real messy for them to have to cancel him."

Nikita nodded slowly looking at him through her lashes.

"Here, these are secure phones, use them." and he thrust a small bag at Nikita.

Nikita took it, and said slowly "I'm glad you're on our side.. Birkhoff, we need you." and then quickly hugged a surprised Birkhoff.

She released him and slipped out the door into the dim corridor.

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

"Hey Girl!" The voice behind Nikita made her drop the key she had been inserting into the lock on her apartment door. Nikita sighed as she stooped to pick up the keys and gracefully swung around.

"Hey yourself!" she responded cheerfully as she swung her long silky blonde hair over her shoulder.

Carla looked as chipper and happy as ever. She was a tall pretty girl with the outdoor complexion that came from her line of work, of all things...a carpenter. Nikita had planned to run in and grab another coat before making the long trip out to Michael.

"Nikita I need to see you for a second." Carla said as she leaned against the outside of her own apartment door, which was directly across from Nikitas'.

Nikita said hurriedly , "I'm sorry Carla, but I'm late for a photo shoot and I've got to run." and turned back to her door.

"You don't understand Niki, I picked up a package that was meant for you. Please come and get it, okay?" Nikita was immediately concerned about the possibilities of what the package could be. She immediately turned and strode to Carla.

"Sorry, I didn't realize.. I wasn't expecting a package. I'll get it out of your way."

Carla pushed backwards on her door, at the same time gesturing to Nikita to precede her into the apartment.

Nikita walked into the brightly decorated room and came to an abrupt stop.

"Michael!" she said before she thought. Michael who had been leaning against the bar watching the door, moved towards Nikita and grabbed her in a crushing hug.

"Nikita are you surprised?" He asked in a loud voice. He was practically picking her up as he swung her around. "Play along..I'm your cousin Michael." he breathed softly in her ear.

"Of course I'm surprised.. What are you doing here?" she said pulling her head back so she could look into his face, there was a chill in her blue eyes. "I had to come." Michael said and for a moment his face changed for her alone, then the carefree facade was back. Michael released her from the bear hug, but kept one arm draped across her shoulders. The double entendre of Michaels' answer meant nothing to Carla, but sent a chill down Nikitas' spine.

Carla, who was almost bouncing as she laughed. "Aren't you glad I decided to kidnap him?" Carla asked happily. "I found him at the coffee shop around the corner, and remembered seeing him around your place. Actually, he found me at the coffee shop, but that's even better! I didn't know he was your cousin. I thought he was a boyfriend, and I've been staying away for no reason."

She laughed merrily. Michael merely grinned, but to Nikita the smile wasn't reaching his eyes. They were the same unemotional eyes she had dealt with for three years. Yes, his eyes were coldly trying to tell her something.

Nikita was alarmed that Carla had to be involved in Section business .

"Michael, why don't you go with me on my photo shoot?" she looked at him meaningfully. "That sounds nice" Michael said quietly. He turned to Carla and in a low meaningful voice "It has been nice to meet you finally. I hope to see you again in the near future."

Carla had a slightly dazed expression, along with her mouth hanging open. Abruptly realizing this, she closed her mouth quickly. That of course didn't last long as she said "Any time." with emphasis.

Nikita had to grin, poor Carla was putty to Michael's charm. But I know that feeling all too well myself. she thought wryly.

"Bye, Carla" Nikita said as Michael opened the door and waited for her to walk out.

Later, Nikita had driven to a roadside park and pulled over. She let her anger vent.

"What was the big idea? Michael! Are you trying to get caught?" Michael sat impassively, watching with a stillness that was unique to him. The only feature moving was his eyes as they ranged over Nikitas face as she raged.

Finally he said quietly, "I had no choice, I had to use the car to get away. Section evidently was checking all the safe houses in the area." This shut Nikita up, making her realize the impossibility of their situation.

"Michael, should we just save them the trouble and shoot ourselves?" Nikita asked dryly. She was astonished when Michael, for the first time in the three years she had known him, actually started laughing.

"You think this is funny?!" she stammered and this seemed to make him laugh harder. Nikita found it was infectious and realizing how crazy it was for him to be sitting there laughing, couldn't help it and joined in. A few minutes later, they both recovered and Nikita wiping the tears from her eyes, said "I think we have gone over the edge."

Michael leaned across and wiped the last tear from the side of her face, said gently "I think it was exactly what I needed."

Nikita filled Michael in on what had happened at Section that day. He was upset at first when she told him Birkhoff was with them.

Nikita said "It's out of our hands Michael, I know we can trust Birkhoff and as hard as it is for you; you will need to accept him."

Michael drilled her with his eyes, "I just did."

Nikita told him that Birkhoff thought she was going to be setup for a fall. Michael listened impassively. He opened the passenger door, quickly got out, and walked around to Nikitas side.

"Move over.. " he said as he leaned in. Nikita slid across the seat without a word "I need to pick something up from my apartment, but you will have to go in after it. If Section is watching, you can tell them you were checking for signs that I had been there."

He drove into an older part of town, in a warehouse area. She wasn't prepared when he pulled the car into a abandoned lot. After turning the car off, he turned in the seat and gave Nikita a key. "I'm afraid you'll have to go the rest of the way on foot, and gave her directions to a supposedly abandoned warehouse four blocks away. "Take the stairs to the top floor. Be careful Nikita."

"What am I looking for?" Nikita took the key from him and slipped it into her coat pocket.

"Once you get inside, there is a floorboard in my bedroom in the far right corner that pulls up. Take only the disks, don't take anything else. " Michael paused, looked out the car window studying the surrounding area. "I wish I could go, but I know you're capable of this."

"Of course I am" Nikita said, checked her gun and with that got out of the car.

Nikita made her way down the block in the twilight and found the address. The warehouse building was nothing to look at on the outside. She took the stairs to the third level and at the top of the stairs there was a steel door. She used the key that Michael had given her, and slowly swung the door open. She stood in the doorway and listened... The loft had a deserted feel. There was absolute silence.

The loft was massive, a living area was immediately in front of her, with black leather furniture and huge bookcases full of books divided it into a more intimate area. Beyond that was a large kitchen with all black appliances, it looked fully outfitted for a gourmet cook. There was a bank of windows that went completely across the loft. It let in natural light. What really drew her attention were the paintings that were everywhere. On the walls, of course, with lighting strategically placed to show them off at their best, and propped up against walls and furniture up and down the room.

Nikita mentally shook herself and whispered wow! She walked through the loft, and found the bedroom area beyond the kitchen area. It was a walled room, meticulously neat, as the whole loft was; furnished in Chinese lacquered furniture. Nikita moved admiringly through the room, and found the floorboard after intense searching. It was designed to never be noticed unless you knew exactly what you were looking for.

After finding the disks in the hidden panel and putting them in her pocket, she noticed a small photo box. Upon opening it, her breath caught. She viewed a sight that she had never seen in person. Michael was in each shot, but it was a different Michael; a Michael with a carefree grin, another snap of Michael staring with quiet adoration at a pretty oriental woman, and yet another of a contented Michael hugging the same woman...Simone.

Suddenly Nikita felt cheated, wondering if she would ever experience what Michael had experienced at one time, a genuine love. Loving someone completely and knowing that the person you loved, returned it totally. She tried to laugh at herself, but it came out like a choke. She carefully placed the photo book back in the panel and closed it.

A soft purr and a feeling of silky fur brushing against her arm, took five years off her life as she jumped from the sound. "Where did you come from?" she asked the large black cat. It moved away and jumped up on the dresser. The cat surveyed her with aloof green eyes as it licked its paws. Nikita had the feeling she was being assessed and found wanting. Evidently it had come in the front door, that Nikita had left open. A memory came back of Michael telling her " get rid of the cat" . She couldn't wait to see Michael!

Nikita picked up the cat and walked back through the loft. She paused, noticing an easel set up close to the windows. Knowing she should ignore the urge and leave, she still moved over to the easel and looked at the canvas. It was the beginning of a dark winter landscape, beautiful in a stark, bleak way. Noticing a canvas next to the easel leaning against the wall, she turned it around.

The cat squealed and squirmed until it leaped out of her arms, leaving blood on her wrist. She had not realized she had gripped it instinctively when she saw her own face looking back at her. Letting the painting fall back, not letting herself think, Nikita left the loft locking the door behind her. The cat was already outside in the hallway making his way in a dignified manner down the hall.

"Come here, kitty, kitty " Nikita called softly , but the cat gave her a disdainful look and quietly disappeared through the gloom.

When she made her way back to the lot, the car was empty. Nikita glanced around the cold dark area, but couldn't spot Michael. She opened the driver side door and got in out of the cold.

"Just great..where are...!" She said out loud to the empty car. As if on cue, the passenger side door opened suddenly. Nikita swiftly swung her gun around. A hand gripped it and pushed it toward the ceiling, as a familiar figure dropped into the seat.

"God, where did you come from?, " she asked sullenly as Michael released the weapon.

"I followed you ." he said briefly, rubbing his hands together for warmth.

"I didn't see you." Nikita said disbelievingly .

Michael quit rubbing his hands together and stared at her said with a trace of quiet smugness, "Good, I didn't want you to see me. I was going across the rooftops, making sure that no one else was around." Michael laid his head against the headrest and closed his eyes, "Did you get the disks?"

"No problem" Nikita replied, staring at him, wondering when he had last gotten some rest. He was starting to look tattered. "Well, where do we go from here?" she asked.

Michael raised his head, rubbing his eyes wearily , "I need a computer, I know someone that we can trust . I called from the safehouse and it's arranged. You'll drop me, and go back to your apartment ."

And with that gave her directions.