She was worried. He had been sent on a mission that would require his acquiescence to the bidding of a man whose sexual persuasions made that of Perry Bauer seem innocent. She remembered his face when the parameters of the mission were divulged. She was sure no one else saw the sudden pallor to his complexion or the subtle drop in his eyelids to quickly mask his thoughts. There weren't many times Operation's had to repeat a question directed at Michael but this was one of them. The silence hung heavily in the air while all involved waited for Michael's response. It never came. In fact when Operations had to put himself directly in front of Michael and literally vie for his attention Madeline intervened. She was her usual smooth self, easily diverting the attention of the team. She swiftly wrapped up the mission and dismissed the team to their PDA's for details. Michael remained seated, as aware as everyone leaving the area that the dismissal did not include him.

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

Nikita headed home after hours of milling around Section waiting for word of the mission's completion. She hoped......no prayed.....that Michael would come to her when he was back. He would need comfort. Anyone would. But would he seek it? For too long she had chipped away at his unfeeling façade, up until now pleased that she had succeeded. Now her fervent wish was that he could resurrect it once again for this mission.

She almost felt guilty in her method of escaping the stress. Sometimes it amazed her that a simple soak in a tub of water could be the cure-all for life's emotional burdens. A good soaking of the soul.

The water mixed with the lavender liquid forming thick frothy bubbles. Scented candles lined various angles of tile and tub adding to the soothing aroma of the small bathroom. Dimming the lights she dropped her terry robe, slowly stepping into the hot water that was so inviting.

The shrill of the phone nearly caused her to lose her footing. Donning her robe while dashing for the phone she paused to catch her breath before answering.

She answered with a tingling sense of foreboding...... "Yes"

"Sugar?"

"Walter?" Not the voice she expected.

She listened as if from a far away place. Her face felt hot and her breathing quickened with each word. She heard him in fragments........ her mind trying hard to deny while at the same time grasping the information with the insatiable need to know.

Not good

Bruta

Refused Med Lab

"Sugar.....you there?"

"Yeah Walter...... I'm here"

"Thought you should know........ Maybe you could check on him"

"Thanks Walter"

"No problem"

"I meant for caring about him"

"Yeah"

She quickly clicked off the phone, throwing it onto the bed while searching frantically for something to wear. She heard the knock and instantly knew, or maybe hoped with all her might, who waited beyond her door. She wasn't disappointed. She saw his image in the security panel by the door......shoulders slumped, head bowed. Taking a deep breath she opened the door slowly and stood there for what seemed like an eternity, waiting quietly while he directed the course of their actions. His head rose, green eyes capturing her gaze with an intensity that literally shook her. Pain.........his eyes spoke of it.........his soul cried with it. He looked lost.

He looked like he wanted and needed so badly yet at the same time had no idea what it was that remained elusive.

She said nothing.

She reached to tenderly take his hand, bringing him to the place where she released her own emotional burdens.

He followed.

They entered the candle lit room of lavender and shadows to stand before the tub now filled within inches of overflowing. She leaned down to shut the faucet, enveloping the tiny room in peaceful silence.

Long slender fingers caused the creak of leather as she attempted to remove his jacket. His sudden resistance to her intended ministrations drove her sympathies even deeper.......she understood.

Softly she spoke "It's ok"

He stood in abject resignation; his thoughts obviously in another time........another place. The eyes that could sparkle with flecks of green light stared beyond her in murky anguish. She removed his clothing slowly; his body hard with stiffened muscles. She brought up all of the strength she could muster not to break down at the telltale signs of the abuse he had suffered. Be strong Nikita.........she bit her trembling lip... He needs you to be strong. Taking his hand she led him into the tub. He sat in the hot liquid unfeeling as he brought his knees to his chest. Broad shoulders brought sculptured arms to wrap around his knees and his head dropped to rest within their circle.

She scooped the water in her hands to let it flow over his back, then lathering the soap in her hands she brought them to his shoulders, ignoring the slight flinch at her initial touch. Tight muscles slowly relaxed as her gentle yet firm touch worked the soft lather through their definition. Refreshing the lather with more soap and water she traveled slick fingers up his neck circling gently the nape where the hair had already curled in steam glistened tendrils. Slowly she traveled down over the sculpted arms, gently persuading first one and then the other to untangle from their resting place on his knees. His stare remained fixed on nothing.......or maybe everything....... as he leaned back into the ceramic circle of the tub's head.

Bringing freshly lathered hands up onto his chest brought a sharp intake of breath, the mottling of newly acquired bruises rearing their ugly heads. She lightened her touch and continued her ministrations. She left the bruised area to work her way up to his broad shoulders, deepening the friction of her touch where tightened muscles refused to let down their guard. Each arm was tenderly lathered and massaged, each hand's elegant yet strong fingers tended to with care.

She looked to his face, searching his eyes for a sign............

Of what?

She didn't know.

He continued to stare straight ahead, allowing her to manipulate his body in parts as if he were distanced from each appendage.

Until her hands slipped lower to elevate one finely formed leg. One word struggled out in a choked whisper...

"No"

She looked up to his face to see that his eyes were now tightly closed, the ravages of pain clearly chiseled in his perfect features. His lips were held firm and his head shook once slightly as if to confirm the single word just uttered through the silence. She knew the pain wasn't physical.......God. She fought back the sob she was about to let loose for fear it would be noticed. She wouldn't cry. She would be his strength.

She continued undaunted, feeling his muscles slacken a bit as she lovingly caressed each powerful calf, massaged each tapered ankle. No part of his body would go without her careful loving touch. She wanted him to know that she loved every inch of him for better or for worse.........that nothing about him now or ever would turn her away. She watched his face as each toe was separately tended to, as if each and every one was a special member of the total being. His features relaxed slightly as a shaky sigh was released.

His eyes came to rest on the woman who cared for him more than he felt he deserved.

And he watched as each tender touch brought him closer to that which he had unknowingly sought.

Their eyes met as she lowered his foot back into the warm water.

He saw in hers the comfort and strength he craved for his soul's redemption.

She saw in his the healing she hoped she would be capable of giving.

She watched as the single tear fell down his cheek and knew that what he needed and what she offered were the same.

Donning her robe she joined him in the tub of warmth and lavender and wrapped her arms around his weary body. She felt his breath against her breast as he quietly let out the despair he tried so hard to imprison.

Through the hushed sobs and the trickle of water she released a sad sigh of contentment and placed a whisper of a kiss on the top of his head. Though her heart still broke for the depth of his suffering she smiled softly with the knowledge that he was mending as he lay there in her arms, releasing yet another one of life's burdens into the aromatic water's of his soul's soak.

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