"I won't let them do this!" The thought echoed through his mind. It was the cadence to which he was continuing to march on a daily basis. He had departed from Nikita's apartment that evening feeling dejected yet determined. Nikita had been so distant and unfeeling toward him that he didn't truly know if he could salvage their love. Yet, he was determined to win this battle of wills with both Madeline and Operations. He knew it would take him a while to accomplish this personal mission but he knew in the end his love for Nikita was worth the challenge.

Michael knew that in order for his plans to work he would need help. Walter had proven to be very helpful in the recent past. The old man had put himself out on a limb time and again for Michael and Nikita. He had put up with being tortured and with being placed in "retirement" so that Michael and Nikita could be together. Michael hated to ask but he knew if he did, Walter would go out on that limb again. Michael also had a few operatives he had trained who he could count on to help including Chris Davenport. Michael knew there was the possibility that strong operatives could be needed. The remaining help he needed was the most arbitrary of them all. Would he be able to convince Birkoff to help him deceive Operations and Madeline?

Michael decided it would be best to approach Birkoff outside of Section One. That evening he waited until Birkoff decided to go out for some dinner and followed him. Michael stayed pretty far back because Birkoff was a really savvy kid and he did not want to get caught. Michael followed Birkoff halfway across Paris before he stopped his motorcycle and entered a cyber cafe. Michael stood across the street, enveloped in the shadows. He watched as Birkoff walked to the counter, ordered a sandwich and a drink and then walked over to a corner where he sat at a computer terminal and quickly logged on. Michael watched as Birkoff checked his e-mail and voraciously wolfed down his sandwich. Michael remained outside for another half hour and then entered the cyber cafe.

Birkoff froze as Michael walked in. He knew that Michael was looking for him because Michael would never deign to enter a cyber cafe otherwise. Birkoff gulped down the rest of his Dr. Pepper as Michael nodded to him and walked toward the counter. Michael ordered a turkey on rye and a glass of milk and moved to a terminal next to Birkoff. Birkoff nodded as Michael sat and logged on.

"How are you doing this evening Birky?"

Birkoff looked at Michael and blinked his owly eyes behind his glasses. How did Michael know Walter's nickname for him? "Doing pretty good tonight, Michael. You?" Michael just nodded his head slightly.

The two men sat in silence while reading their e-mail. Finally, Birkoff could stand the suspense no longer. He looked at Michael and said, "what brings you here tonight, Michael?"

Michael sighed and began to explain what he thought had happened to Nikita. Birkoff was at first shocked and then horrified at the extent to which Operations and Madeline were insisting on keeping Michael and Nikita apart. He apologized profusely for the role he had played in aiding the two leaders of Section One. Michael could tell that Birkoff was extremely upset at having harmed the couple in any way. Michael smiled and gently squeezed Birkoff's shoulder. "It's ok Birky, but now I need your help. Are you willing?"

At Birkoff's nod Michael again smiled and began, ""Here is what I need you to do."

***********

Birkoff had been working long hours in Section, while trying to maintain a low profile. During the times that Operations thought he was playing Quake, he had actually been gathering intel for Michael. Operations usually left Birkoff alone when he was playing Quake because Ops had no clue as to how the game was played and he did not want to look like an imbecile. He usually allowed Birkoff short breaks during the day to play so that he could keep his mind in top working condition. He figured that at some point you had to let the dogs out to run.

That night, Birkoff was again at his favorite cyber cafe when Michael walked in. Michael again ordered a turkey on rye with a glass of milk and sat next to Birkoff. Birkoff nodded at Michael as he opened his e-mail. Michael glanced over at Birkoff's screen and noticed Birkoff was sending an e-mail to someone named Lynnadaine. In the e-mail, Birkoff was talking about meeting her next weekend. Michael grinned and tapped Birkoff on the shoulder. "Section know you are meeting a girl, Birky?"

Michael grinned as Birkoff's face began to pink up as he quickly sent the e-mail and entered an ongoing game of Quake.

Michael chuckled and turned to read his own e-mail. He began to sift through the information that Birkoff had sent him, glancing periodically at the computer genius. Every time Birkoff felt Michael glance over his way he would just smile and say "keep reading." Birkoff knew that Michael was enjoying the intel he had gathered. When Michael reached the end of the intel, he turned to Birkoff and said, "How accurate is this intel?"

Birkoff logged off of his computer and turned to Michael. "That intel is 99.5% accurate. I already weeded out the things we could not prove. We should have more than enough intel to complete your plan. I will filter through the remaining files the rest of this week and e-mail you with any new data that could be useful."

Birkoff patted Michael on the shoulder and walked out of the cyber cafe.

After Michael had re-read the e-mail he decided to go and talk to Walter. He knew the old man would be awake because he rarely slept. Michael wanted to talk to him about Birkoff. He was concerned about the young man. Birkoff spent too much time in Section and needed some time away. Besides, if Michael could find ways to keep him happy, he knew Birkoff would continue to work toward helping him. Walter agreed it would be a good idea for Birkoff to get away for a couple of days so Michael agreed to arrange for Birkoff to get the entire weekend off next weekend. Walter agreed to contact Lynnadaine and make sure she was free to spend some time with Birkoff.

When Michael left Walter's apartment he went to take his usual post across the street from Nikita's apartment. He had spent every night for the past two weeks camping out and blending into the shadows as he paced. Luckily for him, Nikita had taken to spending much of her free time outside on her balcony. She had even taken up Madeline's tendency to gardening for pete's sake. Michael cringed at the thought that Nikita was becoming a Maddy clone. Always the protector, Michael was vigilant in his nightly watch over Nikita.

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

It had been a long and cold night. Michael had stood guard outside of Nikita's apartment all night. Neither operative had slept as Michael watched Nikita prowl the boundaries of her balcony all night. Michael was unsure as to what was bothering Nikita enough to make her pace so restlessly. He hoped that she was restless because of concern for him but he knew that due to the drugs and the brainwashing in her system, the odds were not in his favor. He knew that deep in her heart, Nikita still truly loved him. She just had to fight what her head was telling her and let her heart control her feelings. Michael had to find a way to help her fight the control that Madeline and Operations had set up as barriers in her mind. Michael knew he could not keep this up for much longer.

Madeline watched over a bank of monitors as Michael straggled into Section One, a half hour late for a briefing., which had gone on without him. This type of behavior, rare in the past, was becoming more and more frequent over the past two weeks. Operations had been highly disturbed at this behavior. It was too reminiscent of his behavior after losing Elena and Adam over a year ago. Madeline was beginning to question her decision to push Paul into sanctioning her break-up of Michael and Nikita. Why was she trying to destroy their son? Was she that jealous over the bond that Nikita had with Michael? The type of bond she could not have? But, since she had already planted her foot firmly in Paul's backside in this issue, she did not want to contradict her decision. It would totally undermine the authority which she had so carefully cultivated over the years. She must find some way to make her decisions stand fast.

Michael walked quietly to his office. Once inside, he locked his door, drew the blinds closed and secured surveillance within the office. It was still early in the morning and he was not scheduled for a briefing until nine. He took off his jacket, and dropped it over the back of his chair and then stretched out on the couch. He needed to catch up on some sleep if he expected to perform up to standards when on missions. He could not do less than was expected of him. Michael was having some difficulty going to sleep, so he tried a few deep breathing exercises, attempting to get his mind under control. It would not work so he decided to get up and go to the workout room.

Once there, he began to slowly limber up. He knew that his hours of standing guard in the cold night air was having an adverse effect on his body. He could feel the tiredness deep in his bones. He knew he could not go on for much longer. He felt as if he were losing control of himself. He had already lost his control over Nikita, he was afraid of losing himself also. How much more did Madeline think he could take? He had already lost too many people in his life: his parents, his sister, Victoria, Simone, Rene, Elena, and his son Adam. did Madeline think he could go on living if he lost the light of his life too? He could not lose Nikita; they would have to kill him first.

Michael began to practice his part of the two-man pattern he had learned so many years ago from Victoria. It had been a while since he had thought of her and the time that they had spent together. This was a fact which he deeply regretted. Victoria had been the first person that he had placed his complete trust in. The only other person to receive that honor had been Nikita. Michael fervently wished that Victoria were here so that he could talk these problems out with her, especially about Nikita. He knew that if this were possible Victoria would not steer him wrong.

The soothing motions of a well-known form were allowing Michael's body to work out it's kinks. Michael's mind however was still reeling. He remembered the day Victoria had taught him this form. His mind had been reeling then also and Victoria had used the form as a balm for him. He wished it were working as a balm for his mind now.

Michael also remembered the day he had taught Nikita this very same form. Her mind had been troubling her and nothing he said or did was enough to help her. So he had begun teaching her the form much as Victoria had for him. On that day Nikita had brought O'Brien into Section One, her first recruit. Learning the two-person form had helped to calm her mind and her nerves. Nikita, like himself, had been appreciative of the soothing nature of the form. Over the years they had practiced the form together many times, each knowing when the other had needed to soothing mysteries of the long-known exercise.

As Michael completed the lead part of the exercise, his mind came back to the present. He realized he was being watched. He looked around and could not find anyone watching. He had felt eyes on him so he figured that Madeline was watching him through surveillance as usual. He shook his head trying to mentally shake the feeling and began the other side of the form. This was the older part of the form for him, the part that Victoria had taught him first in order to counteract her own motions. This had been the piece that he had taught to Nikita when she had brought O'Brien in. He had never gotten around to teaching her the lead part of the form. Probably another lost opportunity.

Michael closed his eyes as he allowed his body to take control, moving through the well-known motions. At the half-way mark of the form, Michael again felt a presence. This time it was in the room. It was right in front of him mirroring him, taking the lead section of the form. Was this his mind playing tricks on him? He was tired after all. Had he so fervently wished for Victoria that his mind had conjured her up? He had so hoped to be with Nikita. Had his mind brought her into the form? That would have to be the case as Nikita did not know that part of the form. Michael took a deep breath and then opened his eyes slowly, not really wanting to see the emptiness in front of him. Instead he found Nikita doing the lead portion of the form perfectly. Michael's eyes widened in surprise. Nikita just smiled and said, "you know Michael, I have watched you do this hundreds of times. Did you really think I had not figured out your portion of the form yet?" Michael just smiled as they continued the motions. It was to him at least a step in the right direction.

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

It was time to talk. Michael could sense it. Nikita had never been able to stay away from him when something had been bothering her. Not even when he had been the cause of her pain. By coming to share the form with him, Nikita had sent out an inherent signal to Michael that she sensed something was wrong. He hoped that she would ask for his help. He knew he was probably wishing for the stars at this point, but he knew it was a possibility.

Michael had hoped to take Nikita somewhere where they could talk right then. Unfortunately he remembered that he had a meeting to attend in less than an hour. He made Nikita promise to meet him that afternoon for a coffee. This could be beneficial because Michael knew that Ops and Maddie would be watching. If they met somewhere outside of Section, they might not be bothered. Also it would definitely be noticed if they were leaving Section together.

Michael attended his meeting but his mind was definitely not on his work. He wondered how his discussion with Nikita would go. Would she really ask for his help? Could he help her? What would happen if he promised to help her and he was not able to do anything? Would that harm their relationship further? Most importantly, could he control himself being near her ? How would he react being so near to her , when she would remain aloof from him?

The appointed time was close at hand and Michael had wrapped up his business for the day. He did not want to have to return to Section after talking with Nikita. Michael left Section trying to stay away from Madeline. He did not want her to figure out that things were any different. He knew he could not hide anything, especially in his demeanor from Madeline.

Michael was walking on air. He had spent some time with Nikita today and the frostiness seemed to be less. He was hopeful that she would be willing to talk with him. Surely she would; she had agreed to meet him for coffee. That had to be a step in the right direction. Right? If she was not ready to talk she would not have agreed to meet him.

As Michael pulled into the coffee shop, he instinctively looked around. He hoped no one who knew the two of them noticed that they were there. He did not want that information getting back to Madeline and Ops. That would only cause more problems.

As he walked in, his eyes scanned the room. He almost did not notice her. She was sitting huddled up in a booth , her arms wrapped around her legs. She was shaking as she cried silently. Michael's heart went out to her. His palms began to sweat. He almost turned and left. He had no idea what she would be crying about. He had no idea if he was ready to handle this talk. He had no idea that his love for her would have been so demanding. He had no idea how to help. Resolutely, Michael squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked across the coffeeshop to meet his fate.

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

Michael walked over to the table where Nikita sat. She was startled to see him when she glanced up. Without saying a word, Michael threw a few bills on the table, reached out and took Nikita's hand, and drew her to a standing position from the booth. He turned and led her out of the coffeeshop, nodding to the waitress as they left. Michael led Nikita to his car, opened the door for her and handed her inside. He paused to give her hand a squeeze before he closed the door and moved toward his own side of the car.

The two operatives drove in silence until Michael turned onto a road leading away from Paris. Nikita looked out and asked "where are you taking me, Michael?" Michael placed the index finger of his right hand over her lips. "Sshh... Not the time for questions. Close your eyes. Rest. You are safe with me," was his only reply. Strangely enough, his words seemed to have a calming effect on her and she leaned back in the seat and rested her eyes as the countryside flew past them.

Michael's mind was reeling again as he watched Nikita sleep. He knew she was exhausted as she had had not much more sleep than he had had for the last two weeks. How was he going to approach this conversation with her? What would her reactions be? Did she have any reactions towards him anymore? How would he react for that matter? Did she have any feelings left for him? Were they buried far too deep for him to ever reach? Could he handle the possibility that there might be nothing there for him to find? And where was he taking her anyway? Michael had only thought of taking her away from the world in which they lived. The world which demanded so much from the both of them. Michael remained lost in thought for a long time as he drove and Nikita slept peacefully. At least she knew she was safe in his care. Otherwise she never would have slept. Michael had trained her too well for that.

Michael shifted in his seat. It had gotten darker as he had been pondering their fate. He glanced around and smiled to himself. Instinct had taken over for his impractical functioning brain. He had not thought out where he would take her but he found himself about 50 km into Belgium. He had instinctively taken her to where their relationship had truly begun to form. He had admitted that he wanted her there. That it was past time for her to learn more about him. They had shared one wonderful night there, talking, sharing, exploring each other. It had been the first time that he had been completely and totally honest with her. He hoped that bringing her here would help them both to talk again. That the atmosphere would be something that she remembered fondly. He had been honest about his feelings ever since they had been here last and he wanted it to remain that way.

Michael leaned over and shook Nikita gently. She had snuggled deeply into the passenger seat and was sleeping soundly. Michael smiled as he remembered she had always been difficult to wake up. Especially when she felt safe. He was glad that she felt safe with him. Another step in the right direction. Michael opened the cottage and then returned to the car to fetch Nikita and bring her in to rest. The weight of her body felt so good to him as he climbed the stairs, undressed her and laid her in the bed they had shared that one night. Placing a kiss on her cheek and caressing her eyebrow with the pad of his thumb, Michael turned and headed back downstairs to find some food and contemplate what lay ahead for the both of them.

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

Michael had gone outside and dug up some vegetables to cook. He also found some meat he had saved in the freezer. He was glad that he had managed to get back to the cottage and run electricity. At least he and Nikita could stay warm. It was springtime but the nights could still be cold. After putting the vegetables and meat on to simmer, Michael decided to check in with Birkoff. He called into Section on a secured line that only accessed Birkoff's station. He made sure that things were going well and that he was not needed for a while. He had no idea how long he would be gone. Birkoff was worried that Ops would start questioning him. Birkoff did not want to be the one to tell Ops where Michael was, much less that Nikita was with him. Michael told him not to worry and that was one of the reasons he was not giving Birkoff a location.

Michael and Birkoff spoke quickly about the work that Michael had left for Birkoff. Everything was going according to plan. Michael reassured Birkoff that he was doing the right thing and that he could withstand the pressure placed on him by Madeline and Operations. Michael again thanked Birkoff for his help and told him that the trusted him. Birkoff disconnected with Michael just before Operations walked over to his station.

Next, Michael contacted Walter. He had Walter send him files of Nikita's medical records. He wanted to check and see if there was a record of any unfamiliar drugs that had been administered to Nikita in the recent past. There were none of course but Michael wanted to take some blood and compare it to the records to see if anything strange showed up. He would have to get the blood later as he did not want to wake Nikita. Walter was of course concerned about his "sugar", but Michael assured him that all would be well. Walter assured Michael that all would be in readiness when he returned and that their plan would be almost complete. Michael would be the final cog in the wheel. If he decided that the risk would be too much, the plan would not go forward. Walter had already recruited 30 operatives who would help out if needed including 4 class 5 operatives. Michael thanked him and hung up. Michael began to relax and decided to lay down and get some sleep. He might not get any for a while and he had been burning the candle at both ends. Michael fell asleep on the couch hoping that he would smell dinner before it burned.

Michael began to dream as he was often wont to do. Since he and Nikita had been separated, his dreams had returned to the haunting kind. He had been dreaming of Nikita and it was nice and pleasant. Then in the middle of the dream things always began to unravel. It always turned out to be his fault. These dreams usually ended up with Nikita in the White Room at Section and it was usually Michael pulling the trigger, laughing maniacally. Michael always woke up in a sweat after this dream. Tonight was no different, He tossed and turned on the couch in the cottage. He knew that Nikita was safe upstairs but he could not stop the horrible dreams. Michael woke with a start and it took him a while to figure out where he was. Something had awakened him, as his dream had mercifully not reached its ultimate conclusion. He grabbed his Glock and slid off of the couch, trying to shake off the numbness of sleep. He needed to have a clear mind, especially if they were in danger.

Michael slunk around the bottom floor of the cottage, peering through the darkness, trying to find the source of his awakening. Just as he neared the stairs, the sound came again in the form of a scream from upstairs. The hair on the back of Michael's neck stood on end as he raced up the stairs. Who was harming Nikita? How had they gotten into the cottage and past him? Michael began damning himself for not getting enough sleep lately. He burst into the loft area, scanning with his eyes and his Glock. There was no one there. Only Nikita screaming and moaning in her sleep. Michael dropped his Glock on the floor and rushed to the bed to take her in his arms. He began rocking her trying to get her to calm down.

As soon as Nikita began to awaken, she began to fight Michael. She was still wrapped up in her dreams. She began fighting like a wildcat. She began scratching and clawing. Michael was not prepared for this attack. Before he could get a hold of her,Nikita had opened a large cut over Michael's eye and had pulled half of his hair out. There were also large weals open across his chest. Nikita had continued screaming as she fought him. It took Michael several minutes to get Nikita under control. He had to slap her to get her to wake up. Even when she did wake, she fought him. Maybe it was in principle. Maybe she felt he deserved it. Maybe he did deserve it. He allowed her to beat on him for a few seconds before he finally got control of himself.

When Nikita finally got a hold of herself, she scanned her surroundings. She at first had no clue where she was. She stiffened as she realized their location. She turned to Michael with a look of hatred. She attacked him verbally now, her voice laced with venom. "Why did you bring me here? You know I have no feelings for you anymore! If this is a trick to try to get me to love you again, it will not work. Madeline told me you would try something like this. Why didn't I believe her? I want you to return me to Section One right now! Did you think I would fall in love with you again just by bringing me to this ratty old cottage? You know you really are a self-centered son-of-a-bitch!!" Nikita punctuated her words by slapping Michael hard enough to turn his face completely around.

Michael sat there and allowed her to vent her frustration. He knew she was right in part. He had hoped that by bringing her here she would fall in love with him again. He knew it would not be that easy. I t was just something he had hoped for. Maybe he was being an self-centered son-of-a-bitch. She was right. He probably should bring her back to Section and forget all about this relationship. He had survived more heartache than she could imagine. Maybe he could survive this one too. Maybe Madeline was right. Maybe they didn't belong together.

As Michael began his introspection, Nikita had shied away from him on the bed. She watched as he took a deep breath, gulped and closed his eyes. This was the moment she had been waiting for. As soon as she saw Michael begin to berate himself for his shortcomings, she vaulted off of the bed. She hurriedly grabbed Michael's Glock and checked to make sure it was loaded. Michael's mind was brought back to reality as he heard the bullet slip into the chamber.

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

"Goddddd...noooooooooo!!!!"

Michael screamed as he fell to his knees next to the bed. He had almost retched when he realized that the gun was not pointed at him but at Nikita's temple. The light of his life was a hair's breadth away from being extinguished. Michael knelt, praying fervently to a God he thought he no longer believed in. the fun in Nikita's hand quavered as Michael watched her finger on the trigger. He knew how easy it would be for Nikita to pull the trigger. It was his own gun and the trigger was calibrated for the tiniest of touches.

Michael was reliving his dream in real time now. The dream had been of himself and Nikita in the White Room of Section. In the dream he had been the one to pull the trigger. But reality would be his fault too if Nikita's shattered self-image caused her to go through with the suicide; for he would be the one to have driven her to it. If ,by bringing her here to the cottage, Michael pushed her over the edge, he would in fact live out his nightmares. He knew that if she were to go through with this then he would soon follow her.

Michael's voice was raspy as he began to plead with Nikita. He prayed for the guidance he needed in order to get through to her. "Kita? Please, put down the gun. Baby, I know you are scared. I am too. We have both been through so much. Please Kita, give me the gun. I can't live without you Kita! Please Kita! Life is not worth living if we are not together. If you leave me, I will not have the strength to go on. Please Kita, for me, give me the gun!"

Nikita's eyes were wary as she watched Michael fairly writhing on the floor. She recognized the torment he was under. She knew that his words were true. She wanted so badly to give in to his pleading. To just give him the gun and let him solve everything for her. Nikita felt herself standing on the edge of a precipice. Teetering on a highwire. Maybe if she let herself be pushed over, all of this misery would end. For both of them.

Michael knew his pleading might help. At least he hoped it would. "Please Kita, just give me the gun. We will make everything all right. I do not want you to die, baby! If I have to let you go, so that you may live, then so be it. I will let you be in peace. I will let them win, if only you still have a will to live. I know I could not survive if you were to die. I would have to die too. I know you want to live Kita! I know you do. Please baby, just give me the gun. I will bring you back to Section and let you live your life as you wish. I cannot get you out of Section , but I promise to let you live your days out there without having to worry about me bothering you. Nikita, please!!"

Nikita watched as the tears slid silently down Michael's cheeks. She wondered at them. Were they real? Was he really shedding tears for her? Did her life mean that much to him? Michael, the cold-blooded Level 5 op of Section One? Could he really care for anyone or anything that much? But could she continue on in the life she was leading? Could she remain as ruthless and cold-blooded as she had become in the last few weeks? Was that kind of life worth living? Maybe she should just end it and put them all out of their misery. Another quick look at Michael and Nikita saw him curled up in a ball on the floor sobbing in misery. She watched as he rocked himself back and forth, his body wracked with the spasms of his tears and moans. She remembered a similar reaction slightly over a year ago, when Michael had lost Adam. She remembered that at that point, Michael had not cared about anything else in the world until she had been put in harm's way. That seemed to be the turning point for him.

Nikita watched Michael for a moment. She finally realized that she was extremely important in Michael's life. She now had no doubt that if she pulled the trigger that Michael would quickly follow her into the afterlife. She knew she could not bear the thought of that. As she watched Michael slowly slide across the floor toward her, Nikita lowered the gun from her temple. She unlocked the clip and watched it fall to the floor. Before she could even have time to think, Michael had slid the clip across the room and had taken Nikita into his arms. He sat silently rocking her back and forth, both bodies still wracked with sobs, their tears mingling on their faces. Nikita felt something within her heart begin to melt as this man, this machine, blended into her very being. She knew there would be a long road ahead of her, but instinctively she knew that the end would be well worth the means of getting thorough. Taking a quavering breath, Nikita whispered the sweetest two words he ever longed to hear."Help me!!"

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

Michael did not know how long he sat rocking Nikita in his arms. His heart was still pounding. The tears continued to stream down his cheeks. Nikita was mumbling something to him. Michael started as he realized that she was speaking to him. "Michael! Michael, let me go. Michael, I need to get up. Michael!" Michael reluctantly released her from what he ruefully realized must have been a fairly painful hold. He did not want to let her go. He feared letting her go. They had momentarily survived a major threat to their very existence. Did he trust her to be alone?

Nikita stiffly rose from the floor and walked towards the bathroom. Michael smiled ruefully as he realized her need. While she was gone, Michael began to pull himself together. He had survived for the moment and so had Nikita. He had no idea how much longer he could do this nor how many more times he would be forced to try to talk her out of suicide. Michael took his Glock, reloaded the clip and slowly made his way out to lock it in the glove box of the car. He didn't know when or if Section would send a team out after them but he would have to deal with that single-handedly. He refused to have the gun close at hand in case Nikita's thoughts turned to suicide again.

Nikita came quietly down the stairs. Michael was dishing out their dinner. She silently began pouring out the wine as the two worked in companionable silence. The two operatives ate in the continued silence. As Michael began washing the dishes, Nikita wandered over to the CD player. "I see you have improved your sound system since I was here last." Michael turned and smiled at her as she chose a CD and put it on to play. Michael smiled again as he realized she had chosen the CD he favored most while he was here in the cottage. It was the soundtrack to the movie City of Angels. Michael felt the words of the songs wash over his body as he continued his chore. Nikita grabbed the blanket off of the back of the couch and opening the door, sat down on the step.

Nikita was deep in thought when Michael, having finished the dishes, sat quietly beside her in the doorway. Together they watched as the stars twinkled in the sky. Michael so deeply wished to hold her in his arms. He did not dare to, for he had no idea what she was mulling over in her mind.

"Michael. I have a question for you. And I would like the truth please." Nikita almost whispered as she spoke.

Michael shifted where he sat. "All right."

"Why did you bring me here today?"

It was a simple question. However, the answer was not simple at all. Michael pondered how he could answer, ever mindful that he had promised the truth. In all honesty, he did not really know. Why had he brought her here? He had not even realized their destination when he had taken her away from the coffeeshop that afternoon. Michael took a deep breath before he spoke.

" Honestly Nikita, I have no idea why I brought you here. Maybe I hoped this place and the memories of being here would push you in the right direction. I guess that was not a wise decision. Honestly I was not thinking."

Michael gulped as the tears began to slide down his face again.

"I never wanted to push you to that point Nikita. You have no idea how scared I was earlier. Can you ever forgive me for pushing you that hard and that far?"

More tears streamed down Michael's face as his green eyes locked with the blue ones of Nikita; hers were just as shiny with tears.

***********

Michael stood up and reached his hand down to help Nikita up from the stoop. Nikita looked hesitantly up at Michael. She was comfortable sitting here on the stoop and was not sure of what awaited her if she followed Michael.

"Come Nikita, it is getting cool out here. I do not want you to get sick. Besides we will be more comfortable inside. It is time we had a talk. In fact, I believe it has been long past overdue." As Michael sensed the hesitation in Nikita, he continued. "Come Nikita, trust me. I will never force you to do anything you do not want to do. You know that. I just want us to be able to talk and see what we can come up with." He smiled softly as Nikita slowly placed her hand in his.

Michael sat Nikita on the couch and then busied himself by setting and lighting a fire. He hoped that this small amount of time would allow Nikita to collect her thoughts. It would also allow him time to collect his own. Michael took his time lighting the fire and contemplated how he would confront Nikita and the problem they both faced. How could he help her? He knew absolutely nothing about how Madeline had accomplished her manipulation. How could he fight it?

Michael sat on the opposite end of the couch from Nikita. He did not want to move suddenly and frighten her. He could not help but touch her. His hand slowly reached out and stroked the back of her hand. Nikita instinctively turned over her hand and intertwined her fingers with his. Michael sat quietly and watched her as she sat lost within herself contemplating.

"Nikita, a few hours ago we both experienced something important in our lives. I hope to never go through something like that again. You are at a major turning point in your life. Now, whether you like it or not, your decisions also affect my life. I know that Madeline and Ops have done something to you to make you believe that you don't love me anymore. "

Nikita began to say something but Michael silenced her by placing a finger against her lips.

"No, let me finish." At Nikita's nod, Michael continued. " I know you don't remember what happened on the top floor of the GenFX building. That was part of Madeline's plan. You feel that you just don't love me anymore. I don't buy that. People do not fall in and out of love that easily. You had help to fall out of love with me. Whether you want to admit it or not, you do still have some feelings for me. Otherwise, you would not be sitting here with me now. Earlier, you were distraught, I understand that, but you asked me for help. Do you still want that help? And if you do, tell me what I can do to help you. Help me to help you Nikita. Let's fight this together. We have always made a formidable pair. That is the reason Ops and Maddy wants us separated"

Michael watched Nikita as her eyes flickered back and forth from his face to the floor. He could tell she was wrestling with her own mind. Michael patted her hand, stood up and wandered over to the bathroom where he began drawing water for a bath. He knew from experience that Nikita sometimes thought best when she was given time to be alone. He also knew her love for a nice long soak. Lighting candles in the bathroom, he decided that he would let her soak and collect her thoughts. He too needed to collect his thoughts. They both needed some time alone so that their spinning brains could have a rest and decide on some options. Michael had poured his heart out to her. The decision was up to her. If she truly wanted him to help her, then he would outline his plan to her. Together they could accomplish it. Without her support, he really did not know if his plans could go through. He was not even sure if he wanted it to go through if they were not in accordance. Michael went back to the living room to sort out his thoughts as Nikita closed the bathroom door to enjoy her soak.

**********

"Michael!"

Michael started as he heard Nikita's voice. He had been lost in thought. He turned to look at her. She was wrapped in the robe he had put out for her and her hair was wrapped in a towel

"Michael, I am tired. I am going to lay down. I hadn't realized how long I was in the tub. I am sure you would like a bath too. If you feel like talking after you have finished, join me." Nikita smiled and headed upstairs to the bedroom.

Michael stretched as he rose from the couch. He had not realized how exhausted he was. Nikita was right a nice hot bath would do him some good. It would help him to relax. his nerves were on edge and if he didn't relax he would not get any restful sleep. Michael walked into the bathroom and smiled as he closed the door. Nikita knew him far too well. She had rinsed the tub and refilled it for him. A nice luxuriating hot bath awaited him, the steam curling slowly and lazily up from its surface. Michael hurriedly stripped off his clothes and gratefully sank into the soothing warmth.

Nikita waited for Michael to finish his bath. She curled up comfortably under the warm blankets he had put out. She remembered that the nights could get very cold in this cottage. Luckily they now had electric heating. Nikita did not want to drift off to sleep. Michael had been right. It was time they had a good heart-to- heart talk. Michael had laid down the groundwork before he had drawn her bath. She was thankful that he had said his peace and then had given her time to contemplate what his words meant to her. Too often she had a habit of blurting out her thoughts before she had time to word them correctly. Many tines this bad habit had gotten her into trouble. Luckily, Michael knew her better than anyone else and he had known to give her time to sort out her thoughts.

Michael finished his ablutions and then cleaned out the tub and folded the towels and clothing and set them in a stack to be washed. He then went out to the living area and banked the fire for the night making sure to add more logs so that he and Nikita would not get too cold during the night. They were both exhausted. I t was almost 2:00 a.m. He turned off the lights and began wearily climbing the stairs.

When Michael walked into the loft he thought Nikita was asleep. She looked so peaceful laying there curled under the blankets. He smiled as he noticed that she had turned back the covers on his side of the bed for him. Obviously she knew he wanted to talk and she must have intended to do the same. Any other woman would have assumed that he would sleep on the couch and leave her in peace. Nikita however had no qualms about him sharing the bed. Another step in the right direction Michael felt. Even if she had been brainwashed not to love him anymore, she still had some feelings for him even if it were only to tend to his creature comforts.

As Michael slid into the bed, he lay down facing away from Nikita and pulled the covers over him. He figured that she had been too exhausted to stay awake and they could probably talk better after they got some rest. Michael was surprised when he felt Nikita slide across the bed and curl up against his back spoon-fashion. Michael stiffened for a moment. Nikita smiled against his back.

"Relax Michael. I am awake. And I know what I am doing. I thought you wanted to talk? Can't two friends lay close together and just talk?" Nikita smiles as Michael tentatively turned over to lay on his back. Nikita lay her head on Michael's shoulder and draped an arm across him. She chuckled to herself. "Michael the only times you wear more clothes to sleep in is if we are out in the jungle on a mission. Who are you more afraid of you or me?"

Michael reddened and stuttered, "uhhh..uhhh"

Nikita silenced him by placing a finger over his lips. "Relax Michael. I was just picking. Besides I want to talk to you." Now I listened to you earlier and I understand what you said, but now it is my turn to talk. I want you to listen and let me have my say. Sometimes I will have questions for you. When I ask those questions I would like the truth. Can you agree to those terms?"

Michael nodded his agreement. Nikita was right, she needed an opportunity to talk and to ask questions and she did deserve the truth. Michael knew this might be his last opportunity to share the truth with her. He would open his heart and his soul to her. If after that she still did not or could not love him then he would let he be and try to go on with his life. If she wanted him to help her he would do anything within his power to help her and to protect her.

"Michael, I honestly have no idea what Madeline did to me at the GENFX building. Birkoff came over my Comm link and said that Ops had a branch mission for me. There was supposedly another portion of the list on the top floor of the building. I decided to go and get that before I met you for our rendezvous. When I entered the top floor of the building, the door closed on me. it was locked. Madeline was standing against a wall. I thought she was going to cancel me. Madeline claimed that I was still useful to Section as an operative. She wanted no more distractions to get in the way of me being another perfect operative. She decided it was time that I was "adjusted" so that I had no more feelings for my "distraction". That would be you. She had the Med Techs put me in this cylinder type thing and the next thing I knew I was walking around the corner and you were bursting through the door to the top floor. I wish I knew more of what happened but my brain must be blocking it out."

Michael wanted to say so much but he abided by Nikita's wishes that he remain silent until she began her questions. Instead he just held her a little closer, reveling in the warmth that they shared.

"Michael, sometimes I am so afraid. Sometimes I feel as if Maddy and Ops have won. That they have made me Section. Other times I still want to fight back so much. Ever since Madeline's "adjustment" I have not felt "in love" with you. I have not hated you like I have in the past, but I have not felt the love for you that I have in the past."

Michael began to say something but Nikita silenced him with a shake of her head.

" No Michael. Let me finish. This afternoon when I held that gun, I truly wanted to kill myself. You were the only thing that could bring me back from that precipice. That has always been your role in my life Michael. You have always been the one to reel me back in and to share your strength with me. This afternoon I felt that strength more than ever. There was strength in your tears Michael . I realized just how important to you I am. I also realized that no matter what Maddy thinks she did to me, it cannot counteract what is between us. Maybe I let myself believe her crap. Maybe I let myself believe that whatever she did worked. Maybe I was scared that our relationship was moving too fast. Maybe I wanted to believe that she was telling the truth. That a relationship between operatives was not a good thing. Michael, do you think there is still a chance? Is it possible for us to make this work? Can we fool Madeline and Ops? We have tried before and it has not worked. Can it be any different now? Can you still love me after the way I have treated you? Is there any hope for us? and most importantly, can we pay them back for trying to destroy us?"

***********

Nikita raised her head to look deeply into Michael's eyes. She saw a wide range of emotions flicker through those green orbs. She could tell that his mind was racing and reeling. He was trying to categorize all of her questions. Trying to figure out how best to answer all of them.

Michael lifted his eyes to meet Nikita's. There he saw the emotions washing also. She was valiantly trying to fight whatever vestiges there were in her mind of Madeline's manipulations. So far it seemed she was beating them. Michael was falling deeper and deeper in love with her, the more time he was able to spend with her. He wanted and needed her so badly. But he no longer wanted to frighten her. He wanted her to feel comfortable with him. If they could only remain friends, then Michael would just have to live with that, for the alternative was unfathomable.

"So Nikita, how about we take those questions one at a time?" Michael smiled as he watched Nikita's face. She had not realized that she had poured out all of those questions at the same time.

"Ok Michael, sorry to barrage you like this. It is just that this afternoon, realizing your concern for me, has somehow melted something in my heart. You might not believe this but I could actually feel it Michael." Saying this she took Michael's hand and placed it over her heart. "I know you can't feel it, Michael. But it is there. It is melting. It may be slow in coming but if you are willing to help me, I think we can both shatter the ice that is there."

Michael's heart contracted as he watched a tear slip down Nikita's cheek. He wanted so badly to be valiant for her and to hold himself aloof from her. He knew she was just now requiring some of her emotions and she was just feeling them out. Maybe she didn't really know what she was asking of him. As Michael looked into her eyes he read in them the raw desire that was there. His mind was telling him that he needed to stop this before it went too far. That he needed to take control. That Nikita did not really know or understand what she was doing. What she was doing to him.

"Michael!" It was more of a demand than a question.

`Damn,' Michael thought. No matter how chivalric his mind wanted to be, his body had a mind of its own. He smiled deeply and lost himself in the deep pools of her eyes as his tongue snaked out and captured the tears streaming down her cheek. Nikita really burst into tears at his sensual gesture. Michael wrapped her in his arms and rocked her as they both cried tears of joy.

Not long after, both could shed no more tears. Michael traced circles across Nikita's back. He gently nudged her. "Kita?"

"Hmmm?" Nikita looked up at him and smiled.

"Are you sure this is all right? Is this what you really want?"

Nikita's only answer was to lean up and capture Michael's lower lip between her teeth. She sucked it into her mouth and laved it with her tongue. The sensations that ran through Michael's body were unbelievable to him.. He leaned over and captured Nikita's mouth with his own. He luxuriated in the feel of her silky lips against his, her satiny tongue intertwined with his.

Michael lifted his head from Nikita's intoxicating kiss. "Are you sure? I want to take this slowly Nikita. I want our love to last. I do not want this to be rushed or hurried. We have done that too many times. I want this to be good between us. Do you really understand how much I love you?"

"Yes Michael I do. And for the first time I actually believe it." The two operatives lost themselves in another slow but passionate kiss. It was as if they were relearning everything there was to know about each other.

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

Michael wanted so badly to devour Nikita, so bad was his lust for her. He did not, however, want to scare her. He decided that if this relationship were to get back to normal, he would have to let her decide the pace. Thinking this way, Michael began to slacken the pressure on Nikita's lips. Nikita adjusted her body so that she could more fully kiss Michael. She deepened the kiss on her own accord.

Nikita began exploring Michael. To her it had been an eternity since they had made love ,not just a little over two weeks. She remembered the time that they had spent together . But tonight it was as if she were learning Michael all over again. She so desperately needed to explore him and her love for him again.

Nikita slowly began exploring Michael's jaw line with her lips. She loved the masculine flavor of him, a combination of spices and his own unique maleness. Her tongue snaked slowly out and ran a ridge on the underside of his kiss-swollen lower lip. Nikita berated herself for ever thinking that she could give this up. Give him up. As Nikita's lips lingered along Michael's cheekbone on her way to his ear, she began unbuttoning the pajama top Michael had worn to bed.

Michael caught his breath as he felt Nikita's hands unbuttoning him. He prayed to himself that she would not stop. That he would not frighten her away. He wanted this so badly, he wasn't sure if he could survive it. Michael needed his light to be whole again. He felt as if he could not be whole again if he did not have her with him. He lost himself in the moments of her exploration.

Nikita swirled her tongue around the whorl of Michael's ear. She had never realized how small and perfectly shaped his ears were especially for a man. Men usually had much bigger ears than women did. Michael's however, were perfect. Nikita nibbled on the lobe before trailing back to lick the sensitive are behind his ear.

Michael shivered at the sensations Nikita was causing to course through his body. He had always loved the feel of Nikita's tongue moving across his skin. He wanted desperately to grab her, flip her over and ravage her with his mouth and his body. His mind however understood Nikita's need for exploration so he valiantly held his body in check.

Nikita succeeded in removing Michael's shirt. She laved her way down his neck, stopping momentarily to suckle at his Adam's apple. She looked up at him and smiled as she felt his pulse racing there. She continued down his chest and quickly fastened her lips around one of his small male nipples. It hardened instantly in her mouth. She remained there suckling him as he had often done to her, while her hand twirled around the other nipple.

Michael was enjoying himself immensely. And not just because of the physical stimulation he was receiving. He was truly enjoying watching Nikita enjoy herself. Michael moaned audibly as Nikita bit gently down on his nipple. He felt other parts of his body respond violently at the sensation.

Nikita smiled to herself as she felt Michael's maleness spring to life. She knew he was enjoying this greatly. She also sensed that he was holding back and she knew in her heart why he was doing so. She was so very thankful for the opportunity he was giving her, allowing her free rein over his body and not taking control himself. That was very much a role-reversal in their relationship.

Nikita kissed her way along Michael's abdomen, pausing to plunge her tongue into his navel. Michael arched up off the bed while she laved lower and lower. Nikita smiled up at him and was rewarded with that beatific smile of his that was so seldom seen. She hurriedly pulled down the sweat pants he had been wearing and smiled again as his swollen and upright member jutted up at her.

Nikita bent her head and slowly licked her way around the tip of his shaft. Michael shuddered as he felt the warmth. One hand wrapped itself around his shaft, feeling it pulsing against her palm. Her hand began to slowly stroke up and down his length reveling in the warmth. Her mouth slowly licked down the length of his turgid shaft.

Michael was writhing on the bed. The sheets were bunched in his fists. He could not help himself. He moaned in his delight. He could not remember anything so utterly fascinating. As Nikita took his sac into her mouth, laving it, Michael began thrusting his hips causing his shaft to move within her hand. His guttural moans began to get deeper and deeper. Totally out of control, Michael shot his load ,calling out to Nikita as he did so.

Nikita crawled her way back up the bed and kissed Michael gently. It took Michael several minutes to regain control over his shaking body. He began to kiss Nikita more fiercely and began to turn her over. Nikita stopped him by placing a hand on his chest.

"Michael, no. That was something that I needed to do. Something that felt right for me. You do not have to return the favor right now. There is plenty of time ahead of us. We are both exhausted. Let us sleep now. Tomorrow will be time enough for us to share our love. and tomorrow we will need all the rest we can get for the next few hours. Remember we must plan our revenge upon Madeline and Ops tomorrow. They must pay for pushing us to this point Michael. I cannot live with myself if I do not revenge our love. I know that you feel the same way. Tomorrow my love!" Saying that, Nikita curled up in Michael's arms, laid her head on his chest and drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and secure in the arms of the man she loved.

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

Nikita was awakened by the smell of something delicious. She lazily stretched as she sniffed the air trying to figure out what the aroma was. She sat up suddenly as she realized it was the smell of frying eggs and ham and homemade biscuits. She looked around and found the top of Michael's pajamas to put on. It was chilly in the loft but she also detected the smell of a blazing fire.

Nikita descended the stairs and smiled to herself as she watched Michael busily preparing breakfast. She was touched by the effort for she knew he could not have gotten much sleep. Hesitantly, she walked quietly over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist and deposited a kiss on the back of his shoulder.

Michael turned toward her and looked hesitantly into her eyes. His held a questioning gaze. Nikita smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a tight hug. "Relax Michael. I well remember what happened last night. I have no regrets. Do you?"

Michael's only answer was a shake of his head as he held her tightly to him.

"Now, what was that lovely aroma that awakened me just now?" Nikita smiled again and helped Michael to dish out the breakfast. She was ravenous. Sex with Michael always brought out a great hunger in her. She was insatiable. Michael smiled as he watched her eat. He always enjoyed watching her satisfy her appetite. He felt especially good about it this morning because since she had been "modified" her appetite had been slacking off. She looked damn near anorexic.

After breakfast Nikita cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. Michael added wood to the fire and pulled an old wooden table nearby. On it he opened his laptop and a few disks. Nikita joined him and watched in silence as he began uplinking to the Internet, routing through satellites. It had always amazed Nikita that Michael was so computer literate. It seemed that no matter how much she learned to do on her own and with Birkoff's help. she could never catch up to Michael.

Within a few minutes Michael had accessed a vector which would tunnel him directly into Birkoff's computer. Hopefully the computer genius was still acting true to form and was not allowing anyone at his station. Nikita watched as Michael created a video link to Birkoff. As usual the techno nerd was assuaging his appetite for junk food. Nikita saw an open bag of oreos, another of Doritoes and a Dr. Pepper at his station. She smiled to herself.

Michael had made sure that Nikita was out of the range of the uploading camera on his computer, for fear that Ops or Maddy were nearby. Birkoff quickly dispelled that thought as he giggled and said they had locked themselves in the tower since last night. His surveillance of the tower was legendary and he started telling them of the sights and sounds emanating from there. Michael stopped him quickly by stating, "way more than we need to know, Birky". Birkoff flushed at Michael's use of his nickname and quickly switched his thoughts to the matter at hand.

Michael asked Birkoff if he had any new news to report. Birkoff said that he was almost done with the intel but that there was no new hard evidence. Michael thanked Birkoff and got up for a few minutes so that Nikita could talk to Birkoff alone.

"So Nik, how are things?" Birkoff looked somewhat worried.

"Relax Birkoff. The old me is back. At least in part. I will be just fine. Don't you worry. Michael and I will figure this all out. I am glad you were willing to help. You I know I love you don't you? Give Walter a hug for me. Catch you later Birky." Then Nikita severed the link and walked to the doorstep where Michael sat.

Nikita nudged Michael gently with her knee and he scooted over. He reached up and hand to take hers so that she could sit next to him. Nikita smiled at him and laid her head against his shoulder. She loved the feel of his hard body. It had such a uniquely masculine scent to it. She took a deep breath and sighed.

Michael smiled slightly and asked her if she had been able to reassure Birkoff. She nodded. Michael knew that Birkoff had been very worried about her and he was glad that Nikita had succeeded in easing his mind a little.

"Kita. I need to know what it is you want. I know personally what I want but this time, it is up to you. Before I go any further with my plans for revenge I need to know how far you want to take this. Do you really want a relationship with me? How far do you want to push the revenge against Maddy and Ops?"

Nikita sighed and then took Michael's chin in her hand, forcing him to look into her eyes. "Michael. I do love you. I do want a relationship with you. I cannot guarantee how this will end for we do not know the extent of the procedures that Madeline used on me. But I do know that the love we shared last night has helped. I cannot explain it any better Michael. I do want this to work, with my whole heart and soul. As far as revenge... I want as much as we can take Michael. They have pushed us way too far. Beyond anything they have ever done to any other operatives. I will go as far as you want to my love. To whatever ends we can accomplish."

Michael looked into her eyes and saw that she was deadly serious. Standing, he took her hand and led her into the cottage to plan out their next steps.

***********

Michael was exhausted. He knew that they needed to return to Section One. Nikita had already curled up on the sofa and was taking a nap. He loved watching her sleep. It was as if she were still the innocent she had been almost six years before. He so often wished she could be that innocent. Strangely enough he missed that quality in her. He also was ashamed that he had played such a major part in the destruction of that innocence.

Michael decided to check in with Walter before waking Nikita. He hooked into a special comm link that he and Walter had set up. He told Walter to begin preparations and to get with Birkoff. He and Nikita would be returning to Section in a few hours. He warned Walter that he had not gotten Nikita's approval for the whole plan yet. Michael would contact Walter once the two of them had settled the issues of revenge.

Nikita was pleasantly awakened with sweet kissed across her brow and on her eyelids. At first she thought she had been dreaming. But when she opened her eyes, the man of her dreams was sitting next to her, ready to drop a luscious kiss on her lips. Nikita sighed deeply and allowed Michael to deepen the kiss momentarily.

Michael wanted to stay there forever and continue this lovely torture. However, Michael knew that time was of the essence. He nibbled lightly on Nikita's lips and groaned as he pulled away from her. "Nikita, you know I wish we could take this further...but we need to make some final decisions and then head back to Section, Walter is getting the team ready for whatever we decide."

Nikita sat up on the sofa. Her eyes were staring at Michael. "Already, Michael? Are you sure we are ready for this?"

"Nikita, I am ready for anything, as long as it means that I can develop a relationship with you. Now, you do realize that if we don't make this work, they will destroy us? You know that Madeline and Ops will not allow us to be together. We must take them down or they will put us down like dogs, Nikita. I need to make sure that you are willing to go to any lengths we might have to in order to accomplish this mission my love. This is after all what I have trained you all these years for. I bet you had no idea that you have always been intended to be my second-in-command. Ever since the day you were brought in and I confronted you in the White Room I have known this fact. Now is the time for us to take control of Section One, Nikita. Not for a couple of days because Ops is gone to a meeting ... but for good.. for always. Nikita are you willing? I want you to realize that it might even come down to death. Mine....yours...Madeline...Operations...many of our operatives. Can you handle that?"

"Yes", came Nikita's whispered reply. "I am ready for it Michael. The time has come. Ops and Maddy have taken things too far. Section One must have new leaders if it is to survive. They have it in a stranglehold. That hold must be broken. The only problem I have with this is you Michael."

"Me?" Michael was surprised by her response. Why are you considering me a problem?

"Michael, you have been so gung ho about this mission. Have you stopped to think what this mission could do to you? You would become Operations. While the title is impressive Michael, what about your heart, your soul? You have just recently rediscovered you had one of each. In order to be Operations, you must become ruthless. I love you with my whole heart and soul, Michael. To see you become that ruthless again, Michael, scares me. I know you will do your best to keep it out of our relationship. I can guarantee you I will be watching. I will make sure that you do things for good not for evil. we have had way too much of that lately. What Adrian envisioned when she created the Sections was a beautiful entity. I will work as hard as I can, Michael, to see to it that the Sections get back to their original purpose."

Michael began to get up from the couch, thinking that Nikita was finished. She grabbed his arm and pulled him back so that she could look deeply into his eyes. "One last concern Michael." At his questioning look, Nikita continued. "how are you going to deal, internally, with possibly destroying your parents?

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

Michael was lost in thought again. He was asking himself the same question that Nikita had posed to him. How would he deal internally with destroying his parents? Could the soul that Nikita had reminded him he had stand the idea of possibly killing Madeline and Ops? How would Nikita react if it came to that? Could he be that ruthless? Could Nikita, as fragile as she currently was, remain with him if he actually destroyed his parents?

Michael and Nikita silently picked up the few things that they needed to bring back with them. Nikita was watching Michael. She chose not to speak because she knew Michael was dealing with his own demons. She knew that if Michael were interrupted in his musings then he would not be able to do battle with those demons and exorcise them. If that were to happen then they could never get on with their lives.

Nikita too was battling her demons. She had told Michael that she could stand as his second in command. She so badly wanted to punish Madeline and Ops for the harm they had done to her and Michael over the years. She had really grown tired of their manipulations. The problem she was having was whether or not she would be able to be as ruthless as the job of second in command demanded. She was willing to kill Madeline and Operations if need be but beyond that she was not very sure of herself.

Before they left the cottage, Michael and Nikita walked around looking at everything. Both knew, but neither wanted to voice it. This could be the last time that they would be in this cottage. If they chose to go through with this coup, they might not even survive the day. If they survived and failed, they would then be tortured and then destroyed unmercifully. Only if they were successful and subsequently fortified their positions, would they ever get a chance to return. Both were worried and fearful of the next few hours. Both were still wondering what the other was thinking and feeling. They had raised many questions between them. Neither had any solid answers to those questions. Both knew that they loved the other unconditionally. The question was would the relationship survive.

As Michael turned to lock the door of the cottage, he turned back for one last look. Some of the happiest times in his life had been spent in this cottage. He fondly remembered the first time he had brought Nikita there and the time they had been able to spend together. They had truly enjoyed each other that night. It had been the first time they had been able to share their love for each other in privacy. Not part of a mission. Not for cameras. Not for sick perverts. Just for them. He sighed deeply as he felt Nikita's hand gently squeezing his arm. She had walked out of the cottage before him but had returned as she saw the look of remembrance cross his face. "I know Michael", she whispered. "But it is time to put it behind us. Let us make a promise to each other that we will do our best to get back here. There is no sense in giving in to the feelings of doom that is hanging over us. I promise you Michael, that whatever you decide to do, I will back you 100%." Saying that, she gave him a fierce hug and tugged his hand leading him away from the cottage and towards the car.

Halfway back to Paris Michael had made up his mind. He contacted Walter and Birkoff and asked them how much of the plan was in place. 100% of the hand-picked team was ready, willing, and able, and awaiting his orders. Michael looked once more to Nikita to see what her decision was. Nikita looked deeply into his eyes and almost imperceptibly nodded. Michael squeezed her hand and held it as he returned to his Comm unit and said three words to Walter. "It's a go!"

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

Michael returned Nikita to her car at the coffeeshop. While there, Walter met them in order to give them the special comm unit that they needed. Walter was extremely nervous but he knew that Nikita and Michael were in the right. All other operatives who were on their side had already received their comm units and were awaiting orders from the two top operatives.

While they were rehashing the plan Birkoff buzzed in to tell Michael that the situation had changed. Madeline and Operations were no longer in the tower. They were each in their respective offices. Birkoff was panicking because things were not going according to plan. Michael told Birkoff to calm down and to keep him informed. They would deal with contingencies as they arose.

Walter was concerned because Michael and Nikita had planned to sneak up on Ops and Maddy in the tower. Michael too was concerned because with them separated, he would have to separate his forces. Michael and Walter began discussing changes they could make in the mission profile.

Nikita was lost in thought for a moment. She could barely hear what Walter and Michael were discussing, she just knew that they were changing the profile and then throwing every suggestion out. Nikita suddenly grabbed Michael's arm and pulled him away from Walter.

Nikita began whispering to Michael. "How important was it that they be together?" Michael responded by saying, "it was the whole basis for my strategy. I don't have that large a team. Taking them together would have made it easier."

Nikita took a deep breath and said, "Michael, give me one backup. You take the rest of the team and converge on Ops airie. I will take my backup and converge on Madeline's office. I can take Madeline with only one backup."

Michael was concerned. "Kita, are you sure? I know you are angry with Madeline right now. But you two have been fairly close in the past. You know how well she manipulates people. You have just come through a very rough experience. I would prefer to have you with me, where I can make sure you are safe."

"Michael, did we not decide today that we were doing this together? You are about to be Operations. You cannot spend your time worried about me, nor trying to keep me safe. I, for my part, have to take on a totally different personality if I am to become second-in-command. I am warning you right now, that will not be a title in name only. I fully intend to do my job. I might as well start now Michael. I want this to work for the both of us. I truly believe that you belong as Operations. I know that can never happen as long as Paul and Madeline remain in their positions. To leave Maddy while you take control from Ops would be totally suicidal. I can do the job Michael. Let me!"

Michael leaned his forehead against Nikita's and closed his eyes. He was fearful that if they split up that he would lose Nikita. Madeline was a ruthless bitch, but luckily Michael realized that Nikita knew this fact. He did not want to be separated from her but everything she had said was true. She would have to be ruthless to do her job. She would totally have to reconstruct her personality. He also knew that the mission might not succeed if they could not attack both leaders of Section at the same time. Michael opened his eyes and found his gaze locked with Nikita's. He leaned in and gently kissed her lips. Quietly he whispered, "choose your backup carefully, my love."

***********

Michael returned to debating the pros and cons of the mission profile while Nikita pondered her choices. She knew she needed a strong backup just in case she could not go through with her end of the mission. She knew she needed to if she wanted to survive. She knew she needed to if she had any hope of remaining beside Michael. The hardest thing for her to come to terms with was how Michael's fragile soul would react to the brutal overthrow of his parents.

Michael had thought long and hard about this prospect. He knew just how ruthless both Operations and Madeline were. He could not resign himself to the fact that they were his parents. What kind of parents would recruit their own son into an organization that essentially turned him into a ghost? What kind of parents prostituted their son out for the sole purpose of the "greater good"? What kind of parents forced their son into a marriage just to produce a "blood cover", and then took his child away from him after he had learned to love him? In Michael's mind they deserved whatever came their way. And if he was to be the avenging angel, then so much the better.

Nikita returned to Michael's side and smiled. Michael knew that she had come to terms with this mission and with herself. He hoped that she had also come to terms with him. Nikita began speaking with Birkoff about her requirements of him while Michael and Walter finished up the scenario for the mission. It was going to be touch and go. All four of them knew that. The time had come to brief the rest of the operatives and lay the entire plan out before them. They would all be given the choice of continuing on or of being detained until the coup d'etat had either succeeded or failed. No operative given a choice would be allowed to remain free for fear that Madeline and Ops could be tipped off.

Michael had Birkoff contact all operatives who had been channeled in via comm unit. When he was assured that he had their attention, Michael began his briefing. "The time has come for both Operations and Madeline to be removed from their positions. In the recent past both have pushed the envelope of ruthlessness beyond the pale of basic human respect and dignity. Their reign began under the idea of ruthless means for just ends. Lately, those just ends have become blurred by irrational delusions of grandeur. We, as a unit, must not stand for this form of tyranny anymore. We must regain control of Section One and turn it back towards it original goals of saving the world to the best of our ability before Operations and Madeline totally destroy it."

Nikita gently grasped Michael's hand as he continued his briefing. " Now, what I need from all of you is your support. Now before this is over, you will hear many things. Operations and Madeline will attempt all forms of propaganda to try to convince you to cross over to their side. The one advantage that we all have is that we have all been well trained. Nothing they can do can keep us away from our goal if we want it bad enough. The final thing I will warn you of is that both Operations and Madeline may try to spread rumors about myself and Nikita. Walter has already briefed you on the procedures that were run on Nikita over the past two weeks. The biggest shock that may come to you is that the intel may come out that Operations is my father and Madeline is my mother. That intel is true. I have just recently found out this intel for myself. They however have known this since I was brought into Section One. If you cannot back me up because you feel I am being too ruthless by ousting my parents, then feel free to back out. The only thing I ask is that you do not stand in our way. We move out in a half hour. I need each of your decisions before that happens. Teams prepare yourselves. This may be the toughest mission you have ever been on."

Michael and Nikita both gave a sigh of relief as their ears began ringing with the sounds of operatives confirming their support. They smiled at each other. shared a kiss and began their own final preparations for the biggest event of their lives.

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

Nikita strolled leisurely into Section One. She stopped by Comm and placed a kiss on Birkoff's cheek and ruffled his hair as her eyes scanned Operations aerie. She noted that he looked rather disheveled and was leaning backwards against the glass. She knew Michael would be able to handle him. Nikita spoke quietly with Birkoff. " How are things Birky?"

"The usual," was Birkoff's response.

Nikita nodded acknowledging the fact that Madeline was still in her office as she had been for about an hour. Nikita knew Birkoff would alert her if the situation changed in any way.

Nikita then strolled over to Munitions to speak with Walter. He had left the coffeeshop before she had in order to make it appear as if things were normal. Nikita kissed him on the cheek to let him know everything was still on schedule. As Walter hugged her tight, he slipped a loaded Glock into her jacket pocket. Loaded weapons were not allowed within Section ever since Operations had been attacked. Both operatives knew if Nikita was caught with this gun they would both be canceled.

Michael had arrived at Section well before Nikita so as not to attract the suspicions of either Madeline or Operations. If the two had walked into Section together the leaders would have known they had been together and were plotting something.

Nikita longed to go and meet Michael in his office. She was nervous and he always managed to calm her down. She knew, however that they must not draw attention to themselves. She walked to her own, seldom-used office and sat down to run the mission one more time through her head. She had chosen her backup. A young operative that she had trained and who was loyal to her. She knew that she would need some backup that she could trust. If she could not have Michael backing her up she would bring someone she trusted. Walter had also planned to back her up.

Birkoff intruded into Nikita's reverie by announcing that all was still as planned and Michael had given the order to go. Nikita acknowledged Birkoff's information and gave him the order to scramble surveillance to Madeline's office. She was on her way. The special Comm unit behind her ear was crackling with the sounds of various operatives reporting their positions.

Nikita called to Perez, her backup, and had him meet her outside of Madeline's office door. Walter had joined Nikita as she strolled past Munitions. Nikita contacted Birkoff and found that he had already scrambled the surveillance. Madeline was watching a continuous loop of operatives walking aimlessly around Comm. Nikita, Perez, and Walter held their breath as they awaited Michael's orders.

Michael and Davenport walked leisurely up the back stairs to the aerie. Michael had decided that because the office was small, he would only bring one backup. He did not want to risk the possibility of hostages. Within seconds of his arrival at Operations door, Nikita's Comm,, unit crackled with Michael's voice ringing..."Go!"

***********

On Michael's order all hell broke loose within Section One. Nikita, Walter and Perez burst through the door to Madeline's office, their guns immediately trained on her. Madeline was startled momentarily, but sat demurely behind her desk. She lay her hands flat on her desk to show them she had nothing in her hands.

Michael and Davenport simultaneously burst into Operation s aerie. Operations had a gun drawn but quickly lay it down when he realized he was outgunned. Davenport had his gun trained on Operations head while Michael lowered his to stare at the older man. Without realizing it, Michael had lowered his guard. Before he knew it, an operative rolled through the door and shot at him. Michael heard another gunshot. This time it was Davenport blowing the guy away. Michael grabbed his arm. He had been shot. Blood was gushing out of his biceps area. Damn, he thought, why did I have to get shot now?

Nikita was circling around Madeline. She was listening in as operatives were checking in as different areas became secure. The most heavily fought areas seemed to be Comm and Level six where many of the living quarters were located. She was worried for Birkoff but he assured her that he was all right and that he and his team were holding their own. Nikita heard the reports of gunfire come over her comm unit. She quickly checked with Birkoff to find out who was shooting that close to him. She was very surprised to find out that it was Birkoff himself.

Nikita was concerned. She had not heard from Michael. She tried repeatedly to contact Davenport but he either had his comm unit turned off or he was ignoring her. She wanted to know what was going on in the aerie. Suddenly she got an idea. "Birkoff, can you get to your station?"

Birkoff fired off another shot and replied. "Yes, what do you need?"

"Reaccess surveillance to the aerie and patch it in here to me." came Nikita's order.

" Just a sec.... patching through." Birkoff ended his chatter by firing off a few more rounds.

Nikita gasped as she saw what was going on in the aerie. A whole team of operatives had poured through the door and Michael and Davenport were in the middle of a fierce gunfight. Michael was on point. Davenport was helping as best he could while keeping a hold of Operations. Michael was yelling orders to Davenport to keep Operations out of the line of fire. He was shooting at operatives as they came though the door and telling Birkoff to get some of the team up there to help them. The last thing Nikita saw was the blood streaming out of Michael's arm. Then all surveillance from the aerie was severed.

Nikita began running for the door. She had to get to Michael and make sure that he was all right. Perez kept his gun trained on Madeline. Walter grabbed Nikita and told her to stay put. he would go and check on the aerie. Nikita squeezed his hand and reminded him to be careful. She then turned murderous eyes on the extremely calm Madeline.

***********

Walter ran towards Operations office. He had to jump several bodies on his way there.. Walter's mind briefly registered how many people he had considered friends were now laying dead at his feet.

As Walter neared the door, he hit the floor. He knew both Michael and Davenport would have their guns trained toward the door. As he crawled nearer the door, Walter called out, "Michael, Davenport, it's me Walter, don't shoot." Walter poked his head around the corner of the door just as Davenport pistol-whipped Operations, causing hi to slump to the floor. Michael was leaning against the wall, his eyes closed,. His right hand held his left biceps, streaming with blood.

Walter went to Michael immediately and tore open his shirtsleeve. The wound was a clean one. The bullet had gone completely through Michael's upper arm. Walter contacted Birkoff through his comm unit and told him to get a Med Team up to Operations office.

Nikita was pacing in front of Madeline's desk. She wanted to go to check on Michael but she knew she could not break position. In her anger, she decided to lash out at Madeline. Madeline calmly sat and watched Nikita spend her energy. Nikita was venting her anger. She practically spat at Madeline as she railed against the injustices towards both herself and Michael that Madeline had perpetrated. Madeline just smiled benignly at Nikita.

Birkoff interrupted Nikita's tirade. He contacted her and said that he was on his way up to the office. He wanted to make sure that Nikita or Perez did not shoot him. Nikita smiled slightly and told him to get his ass over there and report in to her. When he arrived he was disheveled and was covered in blood. Nikita was instantly concerned. Birkoff brushed her away explaining that it was not his blood.

"Nikita, I have secured Comm. Walter has things under control in the aerie. Michael was shot as you know. The wound is clean and a Mad Team is bandaging him up. He was lucky Nikita. We all were. I have heard from all the team members who are still alive. They all claim that their positions are now secured. They are awaiting your orders."

"Patch me in Birkoff", was Nikita's only reply.

"May I have your attention please? All team members, please report in."

Nikita's ear was filled with a cacophony of answers for a few moments. She smiled as she heard the voices of most of the people that she held dear to her heart. She was grateful that they had all survived for the most part. Some might be hurt but they were well enough to report in.

"Everyone, finish securing your areas and report to the main floor area. Bring any surviving hostiles with you. If you are not able to bring them yourself, contact Comm and others will be dispatched to help you and your hostages back. Debriefing will be in ten minutes time. If you do not think you can get there by that time, call for help. Ladies and gentlemen, our end game is in sight. I will be waiting for your reports." With that, Nikita disconnected.

Nikita ordered Perez to take Madeline and lock her in the tower. Turning toward Madeline, she said, "I will deal with you later!" Turning on her heel, she motioned to Birkoff to follow her. As she walked out of Madeline's office, Nikita surveyed the carnage strewn about the floor of Comm and Systems. She blanched momentarily and them, closing her eyes, strengthened her resolve. She knew the pain and the killing were not over. She also knew that her toughest job was still ahead of her.

Nikita and Birkoff headed upstairs to Operations office. When they walked in they found that the Med Techs were just finishing bandaging Michael's arm. Another was reviving Operations who was still on the floor. When he had been awakened, Davenport grabbed him and jerked him roughly to his feet. "Where do you want him?" Davenport's eyes drifted towards Michael. It was Nikita however who answered him.

"I have had Madeline locked in one of the rooms in the tower. Lock him in another. Make sure that any possible contact with anyone outside of that room is disabled before you leave him. Perez is there guarding Madeline. Leave him to stand guard and you report back to the main floor." As Davenport began to leave, Nikita squeezed his arm and gave him a quick sad smile.

Walter and Birkoff left quietly allowing Michael and Nikita to have a moment alone. Nikita went to Michael and held him close to her. He had lost quite a bit of blood and was pale. He refused, however, to sit down. He knew he must remain strong to face his operatives. Michael's mind was reeling. They had actually reached a part of their goal. Here he was standing in Operations aerie with Nikita by his side. Operations and Madeline were under guard and he and Nikita had loyal operatives waiting below for their orders. He hugged Nikita close to him and kissed her forehead gently. In his mind he was thanking whatever unseen force that had led them with a guiding hand towards this end. He knew they were far from finished. He had no idea exactly what would happen next. He knew he had a lot of work to do. The operatives who stood behind him wee expecting him to do a good job. Otherwise, he and Nikita could expect an overthrow too. Their takeover must be approved my Oversight. If they were denied they would immediately be canceled. He also had to decide what to do with Operations and Madeline. They were after all his parents. He still did not know if he had the nerve to kill them. Then too, they had to deal with the surviving operatives who had chosen to fight against them.

Nikita watched as the thoughts rolled through Michael's head. She knew exactly what he was thinking. She had similar thoughts running through her own head. She smiled briefly at him before turning to survey the area below the windows where she stood. She saw all of the operatives gathering there. Some being dragged in by other operatives because they were wounded. The Med teams were busy attempting to stop the flow of blood from many wounds. Walter and Birkoff were helping as best they could. There were about a dozen operatives surrounded by others holding guns. Nikita knew that these were the operatives who had fought against the takeover team. Nikita knew all of them and had actually been close with a couple of them. She squeezed Michael's hand as she turned toward the door of the office, gently coaxing her to follow him.

As the two top operatives entered the Comm and Systems area, silence descended over the area. Operatives who had been receiving help struggled to stand. The others shuffled their feet and stared at Michael and Nikita. Michael calmly thanked them all for their help and their cooperation. He told them all to make sure they received any medical attention they needed.

As Michael began to turn away, Davenport cleared his throat. "Operations." Michael turned slowly, unaccustomed to the title. "Yes Davenport?"

Davenport cleared his throat again. "What would you like us to do with our prisoners?"

Michael opened his mouth to answer him. Nikita's hand on his arm stopped the words. Looking briefly at him, Nikita turned to Davenport. "Is your gun still loaded, or have you begun field stripping it already?'

Davenport gulped and said, "I had just started stripping it as you came down."

"That's quite all right Davenport." Nikita then turned to Walter. "Walter, give me your handgun?"

Walter stared at Nikita momentarily then reached into the back of his pants for his Glock. His hand shook slightly as he handed the gun to her. Nikita smiled at him saying thank you with her eyes. She very calmly walked over to the group of men and women huddled together. The guards surrounding them looked at her and stepped quietly away. Nikita closed her eyes momentarily, and then she calmly shot each operative that had opposed them. Michael's eyes squeezed shut as each report echoed in the otherwise quiet surroundings.

When she finished her task, Nikita calmly handed the now empty gun back to Walter and turned to survey the group that remained. " I would like to add my thanks to all of you who have helped us today. I look forward to your continued support. If however you choose to not accept to work with this new regime, positions in other Sections will be found for you. You have seen what will happen to you if you choose to fight us. I will not hesitate to do this again if it becomes necessary. Michael and I have a meeting within the hour with Oversight. Any problems while we are gone will be fielded my Walter and Birkoff. If we are needed they will contact us. Any questions"?'

As all the operatives shook their heads negatively, Nikita placed her hand on Michael's arm and they turned as one to leave, leaving all the operatives to watch them walk away in shocked silence.

**********

Michael and Nikita headed out to Oversight. They knew that George had already heard of the takeover. They hoped that there would be no need to fight once they got there but they were prepared to do whatever they had to in order to secure their succession. Both were silent for a few minutes after they were out of the line of sight of the other operatives.

Suddenly, Michael grabbed Nikita's arm and spun her to face him. He looked deeply into her eyes and ran the pad of his thumb over her eyebrow. He knew exactly how much this mission had cost her. She had become the cold-blooded killer that her new position demanded of her. She had done it mainly for him. True, she had done some of it for revenge against Madeline and Operations for the pain and torture they had put her through. But Michael knew that eventually that hatred would wear off and that she would continue to do her job out of her love for him.

It was decided between the two of them that once they reached Oversight Michael would handle the talking. Nikita would remain quiet and supportive as well as watching their backs. Nikita knew her time to speak would come eventually. She was still attempting to process the concepts of what her new job entailed. The whole idea of cold-blooded killing was still a new concept for her and she was still a little in shock after her execution of her fellow operatives.

When they arrived at Oversight, they were greeted with an armed escort. Both Nikita and Michael relinquished their guns and ammunition as a sign of faith and good will. They were held in a room for several minutes before George walked in. He had the team leave save for one operative.

"Well Michael, Nikita, to what do we owe this pleasure?"

Michael handed George a disk. George popped it into his unit and began watching. It showed the takeover of Section One and they subsequent detaining of both Madeline and Operations. George's eyebrows raised as he watched Nikita execute those operatives who fought against them. Slowly, George turned to Michael and simply stated, "I would like to know your reasoning behind this takeover. Although I cannot say that your possible promotion is not well deserved, I do question your motivation."

Michael slowly reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out another disk. He handed it to George stating, "This may answer all of your questions sir." Both Nikita and Michael watched silently as a wide range of emotions crossed George's face. He watched silently as the whole drama between Operations, Madeline, Nikita and Adrian played out. He cringed as he watched Paul kiss Adrian on both cheeks and watched her being led away by armed operatives. The tape switched to the interior of the White Room where Adrian was strapped to a chair. Madeline walked in. George's eyes closed involuntarily as the report of the gunshot echoed in the silent room.

Michael touched George's arm gently. "George, now you see why we had to stop them. We knew of this incident but we had no way of proving it to you. This tape was Madeline's personal copy which we just recently managed to get a hold of. We knew that you would want this intel. We are willing to turn both Madeline and Paul over to you, to do with as you please. In return we would like your support for our promotions to Operations of Section One and second-in-command of Section One."

George smiled briefly. He had waited a long time to get the proof he needed to get at both Paul and Madeline. He would enjoy their next encounter immensely. "Of course Michael, Nikita, I will back your promotion. It is of course up to the entire Oversight committee to approve but I will do everything I can to help you out. Please have Madeline and Paul sent directly to me."

Michael and Nikita turned to leave. Michael turned back to George. "I have one more small request. I do not wish to know what you do with Paul and Madeline. Whatever you do, of course, is up to you. I however have no desire to learn of the torture and death of my parents. I hope you do not find this a weakness in me, but rather a small sign of compassion."

George nodded his head briefly. "Consider it done Michael. Now go, I am sure you two have lots of work ahead of you. Please send a team with Paul and Madeline as soon as possible. That will be all."

Michael and Nikita once more turned away and walked out of Oversight to begin their new regime as the heads of Section One.

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