Michael had given the order for cancellation of the hostage that sat in the chair before her now. Nikita took aim and readied herself to fire. She tried to pull the trigger, but nothing happened. Her hand shook with tension. She lowered her weapon and stuck it into the waistband at the small of her back. “Michael can go to hell,” she thought as she began to loosen the restraints that held the unconscious sixteen year old boy captive.

The boy had hacked into a DOD satellite and found a few files containing information on Section in the CIA mainframe. He had then sold that information to Red Cell operatives who decided to take him hostage instead of paying the money. Michael and his team had been sent in to cancel the boy and retrieve any information they could find on site. Nikita found herself being put into the position of executing a boy who wasn’t completely innocent, but he was still only a child in her eyes. She had gotten him free and made her way back to the van. She found Michael at the van door waiting for her. Michael was not happy with the sight before him.

Nikita had the boy slung over her shoulder and had started explaining as soon as she saw Michael at the door. He noticed her stride never faltered, even when it became evident that he wasn’t moving from in front of the door. “Michael, I couldn’t do it. He’s just a boy.” Nikita repeated. “If he could get into our computers I’m sure he has more information on other organizations that he would be happy to reveal to Section.” Nikita never got the chance to elaborate on her arguments. The van was under fire from snipers placed on the roof of the building. Only Michael, Nikita and her captive, and another operative made it back to Section.

Operations met them at the door. He looked at the boy Nikita had handed over to containment and saw her defiant stance. Michael looked him in the eye without speaking. “Michael, my office now.” Nikita winced at the ominous tone. Operations had already headed in that direction with Michael close behind. Nikita laid her hand on Michael’s arm and started to speak. Michael shook her hand off and continued on without looking back.

Michael left Operations’ tower heading for the sanctuary of his office. He opened the door to find Nikita sitting in the chair in front of his desk. She made no acknowledgment of his entrance. He took a deep breath before walking to his own chair. Michael stood behind it and let his hands rest against the soft leather. “Now is not a good time Nikita.” He said trying to keep all emotion out of his voice.

“Michael, I know you’re angry.” She stood pacing and pulling on the hem of her tailored white blouse. “I couldn’t kill him in cold blood! He is only a child!” Michael watched her impassively as she paced back and forth across his office. “We are supposed to protect children. How could you have expected me to cancel him? How could you ask it of me?” Nikita stopped her pacing only a few feet from him, her eyes flashed with anger. She refused to break eye contact with him. She wanted an answer.

“I asked you to do your job. I don’t have to justify my orders to you, you only have to follow them.” He replied calmly.

“Michael? Have you ever had any feelings? Did you ever really care about anybody or anything?” She spoke quietly and succinctly hoping every word made an impact. She waited for a few moments, not really expecting an answer. “I see.” She said, “Never mind Michael, you never answer do you?” She started to turn but felt his fingers close tightly around her wrist preventing her from leaving. Or escaping.

She refused to turn to face him, but waited with her back to him. “This child hacked into a satellite to retrieve sensitive data with the intent to sell it to the highest bidder. His actions cost the lives of 15 operatives and risked the lives of hundreds of innocents. You don’t want to hear that though do you? What should we have done?” Michael asked in a quieter tone that hinted of anger below the surface. He tried to reign in that anger before he spoke again. “Look at me.” She refused. “Look at me,” he repeated with more force. He loosened his grip, however, careful not to hold her too tightly. “You feel you have the right to judge me? Why?” He asked her quietly when her eyes met his. She looked at the floor and back to his eyes. The anger that was present earlier was gone and now she simply looked stunned. “Why?” He repeated. “I have given Section everything, including my wife.” Michael dropped her wrist and stepped forward. He brushed the hair away from her face and whispered, “You have no idea what I feel.” He walked past her out the door and eventually out of Section.

Nikita watched him leave in silence. She wanted to yell that she hadn’t meant it. She wished she could take it all back, “Oh Michael. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She whispered in the silence of his office.

Michael was glad he had ridden his motorcycle to work. He used the back hallways of Section to reach his quarters where he changed into a black shirt and traded his suit jacket for his leather one he grabbed his helmet heading for the garage. He spotted Nikita’s car and pulled out his cell phone. “Unless you have an emergency I’m taking some down time.” Michael spoke into the phone.

“What about Nikita?” Madeline asked.

“What about her?” Michael replied.

“Have you spoken to her?” Madeline clarified.

“Yes.” Michael refused to volunteer any information, regardless of his anger.

Madeline recognized the curt tone in Michael’s voice and knew it was useless to pursue the topic any further. “Fine,” Madeline said and hung up. She sat for a few moments allowing the possibilities of Michael and Nikita’s conversation to play in her head. She smiled a smirk of satisfaction. Obviously, Nikita had evoked an emotional response Michael hadn’t been prepared for. Otherwise, he would have continued to throw himself into his work here. The fact that he was leaving, running, from Section meant he had lost control somehow, at least in Michael’s way of thinking. Madeline smiled a genuine smile, “Good for you Nikita,” she thought. “It has been a long time since someone has forced Michael to express himself and reveal real emotion.” Madeline’s smile grew wider, Nikita probably hadn’t enjoyed the experience. She shook her head and returned to her monitor.

Michael walked past Nikita’s car to his own motorcycle. He got on and started it enjoying the sound of the engine and it’s promise of speed. He headed as far from Section as he could get. He headed out on the highway and turned off finding a paved road that headed away from the city. The sun had set and there was no moon. He enjoyed the cover darkness provided as well as the quiet and solitude of the deserted rode. Finally, he forced himself to think about the conversation with Nikita.

He hadn’t meant to lose control but her words had wounded him deeply. He knew he kept himself at a distance but he had hoped she would understand that it was necessary. He told her once that he lived his life split in two. She had never understood this nor did she understand that the only way he could show how much he cared about her was by giving her his protection. She continued to defy his help and advice, along with most of Section’s other rules. He knew that she had acted out of concern for others but she acted without thought of her actions. She never considered the consequences or repercussions of her actions. She often put her life at risk for innocents and brazenly risked cancellation almost daily! How could she not see how this hurt him? Did she not understand the pain her death would cause to those close to her? Why didn’t she understand that it would destroy him? It had nearly killed him when he thought she had died. He had been haunted by that explosion so similar to Simone’s.

He looked down at the speedometer and realized he was going well over a 100 mph. He slowed to a more reasonable speed amused at the idea of how Operations would react to his dying because of a motorcycle crash. “How would Nikita feel?” He wondered.

Nikita pushed herself off the workout mat and decided she’d had enough. She had been working out since she had gotten home from Section 3 hours earlier. Nikita continued to stretch her arms while walking to the shower. She had waited for Michael to return to Section but had finally given up and returned home. She had told Birkoff to call if he returned. She watched the steam roll out of the shower and stepped into the stream of hot water. She moved so it sprayed across her aching shoulders knowing she would be sore tomorrow. Some of the tension had just started to leave her when she heard pounding at the door. Nikita froze wondering who it could be so late at night. She stepped out of the shower and pulled on her robe. She grabbed her gun that rested at the foot of the bed and removed the safety while heading towards the door.

She looked on the security panel next to the door and saw a figure in black leather wearing a motorcycle helmet. “Michael?” She asked pulling the door inwards with her left hand still holding the gun in her right. He strode past her pulling his helmet off his hair falling into his eyes. He whirled around helmet in hand the other pushing his hair out of his eyes. Michael was clearly angry. Very angry. Nikita’s stomach muscles clenched knowing she deserved his wrath for her behavior this morning. She brace herself for the tirade she knew was coming. “Why did you let me in?” He took a few steps towards her, “I could have been an enemy.” Michael said angrily.

Nikita couldn’t help it. She laughed. His face darkened further. She only laughed harder tears streaming down her face in relief. “Michael,” she gasped between fits of laughter, “terrorists don’t usually knock. At least the last one’s didn’t.” Apparently this remark did little to relieve him and she doubled over in her mirth. “You don’t know that I would recognize you even with your helmet on?” Nikita had fallen onto the floor in her laughter. She pulled one knee to her chest hugging it to her. Her robe had fallen off of one bare shoulder and wet hair fell down her back..

Michael walked towards her with his helmet in his hand. He stopped to sit it on the kitchen counter before stepping around Nikita to close the door and bolt it. Nikita was astonished when Michael gracefully slid to the floor with his back resting against the door. “Would you mourn for me if I died?” He asked her solemnly.

Nikita was dismayed by the question but answered immediately. “Yes, I would.”

“Thank you,” he said quietly. His head had been hanging forward with his hair covering his face. He raised his eyes to meet hers. “I have wondered about that for years. Would it matter to anyone if I were gone? Would anyone care?” He took several breaths before he spoke next, “I should not have spoken to you as I did this morning. I apologize,” he said rather formally.

Nikita felt as if her heart were breaking. She had never questioned that she would be missed. Walter, Birkoff, and especially Michael had all shown her how much they cared about her when she had returned from what everyone had assumed was her death. How had she repaid him? By getting involved with another man and flaunting it in front of him. Michael was a paradox of emotion and stoicism, but today she had been given a glimpse at how deeply Michael cared about her. She stood and walked to him. He looked up at her. She returned to her position on the floor this time she rested her hands on his upraised knees staring into his troubled green eyes.

“I would miss you everyday of my life.” She said simply. When he made no move Nikita decided she’d had enough. She put her arms around him and held him to her. “I’m sorry I hurt you this morning.” She heard Michael draw a breath to speak, “No Michael, I’m not done. I was angry at Section but took it out on you. I was frustrated that you are held accountable for my actions. I’m sorry.” She held him tighter and just as she was prepared to let go she felt his arms go around her and clasping her to him even tighter. Nikita closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the feel of his jacket under her cheek and the scent of his hair that brushed across her face. “Thank you again.” Michael breathed into her ear as he released her. He rose and held out his hands to lift her to her feet.

He let go of her hand and headed for the counter to retrieve his helmet. She knew immediately he planning on leaving. “Michael?” She hesitated to ask but she couldn’t resist. “Would you take me for a ride on your motorcycle sometime?” Michael looked at her thoughtfully.

“I would love to.” He said. He still had several days before Section would call him. Nikita was satisfied that he considered it. She wasn’t prepared for the rest of his answer. “Are you busy tomorrow?” Michael asked her. Nikita couldn’t believe it! He didn’t say someday or sometime!

“Tomorrow?” Nikita replied dumbfounded. “Yes. Tomorrow. Maybe we could get some dinner?” Michael said trying to hide his amusement.

“Okay.” Nikita answered. Michael headed for the door, “I’ll pick you up at six and I’ll bring an extra helmet.” Michael shut the door behind him. Nikita stood at the counter staring at the closed door in amazement when it opened. Michael crossed the room in only a few steps. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him kissing her thoroughly before releasing her. He was almost to the door when he spoke, “If you’re not wearing more than that tomorrow we won’t be going anywhere. Don’t forget to lock the door.” He walked out of her apartment closing the door firmly behind him. He waited until he heard her secure the door before he left the building. He finally smiled at the stunned look she had given him. He smiled wider when he saw her astonishment turn to a grin. He couldn’t wait to see what she would be wearing.

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