Nikita could feel his eyes. Had felt them all morning. She'd been at the computer console in com reviewing profiles. At one point, she'd glanced up and unexpectedly met his eyes, then quickly averted her attention back to the computer screen. She realized he'd been watching her, without her knowledge. And now she felt it. It was burning the skin on her neck, singeing the hair on her arms until finally she abruptly pushed back in her chair and rolled over to grab a Twizzler off of Birkoff's desk

As she gnawed on the end of the Twizzler she looked up into Operations' office and observed him. She watched how he leaned in towards Operations when he spoke. She watched how he used his hands when he talked and how he paced back and forth when he was agitated. The tall, dark stranger was alluring and appealing. She knew he was part of the upcoming mission but as usual, was not sure if he was one of the good guys or one of the bad guys.

Lost in thought, she almost didn't notice when Michael breezed past her and said, "Briefing in ten minutes."

Nikita slowly looked up at him. "It's about time," she said. "I've been here for hours waiting for this to get going."

"Sorry to interrupt your busy schedule," Birkoff quipped.

"Funny Birkoff," Nikita said. "I know you're playing Quake over there on the computer, acting like you're so busy."

"Quake?" Birkoff said. "Man, where have you been Nikita. Don't you know that Unreal rules?!"

The bantering helped to relieve the tension. Nikita knew from a brief conversation she'd had with Madeline earlier that morning that this was a high priority mission. She'd need to be on top of her game. Would need to know the background of the people she'd be dealing with inside out. And be able to play her part with ease.

"This is a mission unlike any other," Madeline had said. "The people we're dealing with here are an extremely tight group. You'll need to establish yourself quickly and be able to blend in as effortlessly as possible. You'll need to appear as if you were born to it, not just an outsider pretending to fit in. You'll have to assume that you already do."

So Nikita had studied the profiles of the key players. She'd taken it all in and was ready to hear what part the tall, handsome stranger would play.

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

"We're dealing with a group of highly sophisticated techno-terrorists," Operations said. "They've built a computer virus so volatile that it could literally cripple the world's entire telecommunications network in a matter of minutes."

"This is Preston Gant," Ops said, indicating the dark-haired man Nikita had observed earlier.

"Mr. Gant is CEO of World Links, a multinational Fortune 100 corporation that controls more than half of the world's telecommunications satellites."

"World Links is part of a consortium of companies that recently received a priority one e-mail message from a group calling themselves SpiderNet," Operations continued. "They are demanding $1 billion US by the end of this month. If the money is not wired to their account by midnight on the 30th, a computer virus will be unleashed that will corrupt the consortium's computer systems."

"These systems control and monitor geostationary satellite transmissions," Birkoff said. "The virus they've created will result in a total shut down of military, business, environmental, broadcast, internet and telecommunications systems worldwide."

"Have we determined if SpiderNet is working inside one of the corporations?" Michael asked.

"Yes, our government intel tells us that SpiderNet is being run internally," Operations said.

"Operatives have infiltrated all 13 consortium companies and have narrowed the source to World Links, which is headquartered in Los Angeles."

"One of our operatives downloaded an encrypted message sent through the World Links mainframe located in Los Angeles," Birkoff said. "We were able to unscramble the message to identify several key players that are located within the World Links hierarchy as the possible source."

"Mr. Gant has agreed to provide his full cooperation," Madeline said. "Our operatives will have complete access to infiltrate the highest echelons of his company to identify the person or persons responsible for producing the virus."

"How do we know that once the money is paid that they won't ask for more or that they'll unleash the virus anyway?" Nikita asked.

"Upon receipt of the 1 billion dollars to a numbered Swiss account, SpiderNet will simultaneously upload a key code that will essentially innoculate the system mainframes against this particular virus," Birkoff said. "It's a rare virus and without the precise key code, we have no way of detecting it or preventing it.

"Our primary target within World Links is this man," Operations said, bringing up the view screen. "Rick Darrow is Vice President of systems."

"Rick was the team leader of the international task force that established the standards and protocols our ground control crews use to send operating instructions to the satellites' computers," Gant said. "The flight computer is the brains of the satellite and controls the input and output processor. The processor, which is where SpiderNet could potentially plant the virus, directs all the control data that moves to and from the flight computer."

"If these processor power grids are shut down, then fundamental communications services will be wiped out," Birkoff said. "We've run a scan on the consortium's main frame and the virus is undetectable."

"We do know that this virus is a top file infecting virus," Birkoff said. "It attaches itself to other programs and when the infected file is activated, the virus is activated. The problem is that it's a polymorphic virus, meaning that it can evade detection even after it's unleashed by changing its internal structure or its encryption techniques."

"What we'll be looking for is a directory that shows changes in the length, content or file dates of executable files," Birkoff said. "If we find this directory in the World Links main frame, this will tell us that the virus is in active memory. We've already done a scan of the main frame and it looks clean, but there are other anomalies that indicate that there may be a dummy directory masking the root directory."

"That's what we hope your operatives will be able to determine," Gant said. "Rick Darrow and a few other key members of my staff are the only ones who have access to the mainframe passwords and key codes."

"The system can't be accessed through our network," Birkoff said. "Someone has to go in, find the dummy directory, uncover the root directory and download it so we can scan the root for any executable file anomalies.

"The problem is locating the root directory without detection," Birkoff continued. "SpiderNet has an alarm tracking system that sends a signal to the source computer to report a breach. If there is someone on the World Links staff who controls the source computer, they will most likely have some sort of remote, like something as simple as a pager, that will alert them of any system intrusion."

"Nikita and Michael will take Team One," Operations said. "You'll be located at World Links headquarters in southern California where you'll go undercover as part of Mr. Gant's millennium management group. Michael, you'll be brought in as a systems specialist to work with the Y2K Task Force. Nikita, you've already started profiling the targets. You'll be monitoring the key players, primarily Rick Darrow, and will serve as back up cover for Michael. Let's move."

As the team stood and began to disburse Madeline turned to Michael. "Before you leave tonight I want to see you and Nikita in my office," Madeline said.

"Of course," Michael replied.

"Nikita, I'd like you to review the profiles with Preston now so that he can fill in some detail," Madeline said.

Nikita felt her pulse quicken as she turned to look into those deep blue eyes that had been watching her all morning. As she and Gant turned in unison to walk towards com she didn't notice Michael's quick glance at her and Gant. Nikita didn't notice, but Madeline did.

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

"I wanted to talk to the two of you alone before you and Mr. Gant leave for L.A.," Madeline said. "As we've already said, this is a very sensitive mission and you'll be dealing with a group of people that will detect any anomaly in your actions or in your conversations, so it is imperative that you become Mr. and Mrs. Worth the minute you step off the plane."

Nikita shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She'd played this game once before with Michael, the happily married suburban couple who were desperately in love with each other. After the mission was over she realized the closeness had put a strain on the relationship between her and Michael.

The intimacy of being husband and wife affected Michael more than she realized because it forced him to bring his feelings to the surface a place where Michael and his feelings would sooner part.

"The group of people that you will be socializing with are young and wealthy, full of eccentricities and erotic tastes," Madeline said. "The corporate executives you'll be associating with are into partner swapping. They live extravagantly and have no qualms about extramarital affairs and in some cases, willingly flaunt their diversions among the group." Madeline paused. "It's apparent that Preston Gant already finds you attractive, Nikita."

Nikita felt her face grow hot and again, her pulse quicken. She didn't dare look over at Michael. Michael, as usual, didn't flinch as Madeline went on.

"Do not discourage the attraction, Nikita," Madeline said. "Because you'll be new to the circle, you shouldn't openly pursue him, but in no way should you refuse his advances, or the advances of any other members of the group. That goes for you as well, Michael."

"As the newest member of the management team you'll want to follow the lead of the other executives, Michael," Madeline continued. "There will be long lunches over cocktails, afternoon tennis games and early morning gym workouts. There will be various after hours gatherings that you'll both be expected to attend and while you should act the part of a married couple you should make it clear that you are open to the overtures of others."

Again, Nikita did not detect the slightest movement from Michael. At least Madeline wasn't giving them the "newly married couples in love are intimate at least twice a week" speech. She wasn't sure if she could sit through it with Michael in the same room.

Looking directly at Michael, Madeline finished by saying, "And there should be no overt displays of jealousy should a liaison be consummated. That's all."

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

Nikita relaxed into the plush first class seat as the airplane reached its cruising altitude of 38,000 feet. She turned her head to gaze out the window as she listened to Michael and Gant speak indistinctly in the background.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to the last time she and Michael were together, to the house in the suburbs. She had been tentative at first about approaching Michael for "intimate relations." She knew he was obediently, at her signal, maintaining an unseen but palpable distance. He was, as always, the perfect gentleman, carrying out his duties according to the mission profile and not straying over the line into that place he kept separate from the face he wore in Section.

But she had seen the wall crumble around him the night they had made love. It was as if they had never been apart since their first time. His touch felt so natural on her skin. His lips felt so at home on hers. His body met hers with such perfect harmony.

And then the cold light of day dawned and she again saw fear and doubt in Michael's eyes the next morning. She remembered him saying once that they should take what they could get. But she knew that she could not shut her feelings off and on at will as he seemed able to do.

This time would be different, she thought. She knew that Gant was attracted to her, and in some small way, she was attracted to the attention. She vowed that she would not weaken and give in to her feelings for Michael by initiating any contact between them. She would not be the one to open the door this time. If Michael wanted her, he would have to kick that door down with all his strength, as he had done so many times before at the door of her apartment.

***********

Michael's first day as the millennium task force leader was uneventful. Gant transitioned Michael into the team effortlessly. As Michael met the key management group he assessed each one while recalling the detailed profiles he had memorized on each.

Paul Hudson was vice president of administrative operations. His tan good looks and sun washed blond hair fit with his profile as the rich kid son of a movie producer, raised on the beaches of southern California.

Steven Creighton, as VP of marketing, handled the advertising for World Links as deftly as he handled the curves in his 1998 Lamborghini with style and passion. His golfing partner, Rick Darrow, was systems vice president. Rick was one of the pioneers in the development of the internet and had used his skills and resources to help build World Links into one of the most technically sophisticated communications companies in the world.

Dale Mason was in charge of financial operations. He made his fortune in futures trading at the age of 26 and now two years later handled more than 50 percent of the world's resources in telecommunications technology.

Each had been hand picked with care by Gant, not only for their technical expertise but for their drive and ambition a drive that could move the company to the pinnacle of success that Gant sought.

Michael talked the talk and walked the walk with ease. He easily impressed his colleagues with his knowledge of the telecommunications industry while out-bench pressing each one in turn during their gym workout at lunch.

Nikita was settling into the 7,000 square foot beach-front house she would share with Michael on this mission. It was more wealth and grandeur than she had ever experienced. However, Madeline had prepared her well. She knew she could play the part of a spoiled rich wife to perfection. She felt secure in the knowledge that she could match their looks and wealth with her own brand of sass and charm.

Her day was spent trying on the many evening dresses that filled her four closets. Tonight, Gant was throwing a party to welcome "the Worths" to sunny L.A. She was not surprised when she received the bouquet of two dozen red roses from Gant that morning. He had made it very clear to her that he was prepared to play his part by fully welcoming them into the group.

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

After deciding on an electric blue silk chemise, Nikita soaked in the tub, applied her make up, brushed out her long golden hair and slipped on the dress. As she padded down the steps from the bedroom to the bar on the first floor she heard the front door open.

Michael, dressed in a double breasted charcoal grey Versace suit looked every bit the part of the corporate executive. With his newly shorn hair, his face was as handsome as ever and he carried himself with the assurance of success.

She stopped halfway down the stairs and waited for him to turn and greet her. But when he saw her, he stopped and his pale green eyes deepened to the color of jade. She saw the reaction instantly, but held herself in tact.

"Hi, how was your first day on the new job?" she asked nonchalantly as she continued down the steps. She could feel the cool silk brush against her bare skin. As she walked past Michael she felt the intensity of his look and she knew that he was aware of the cool silk brushing against her bare skin as well.

He followed her into the spacious living room as she made her way to the bar. She could feel the heat of his eyes on her back.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked.

"No, I should get a shower and change for the party," he said.

From the look on this face and the tension in his body, she knew that it would be a cold shower. Let the games begin, she thought as she poured herself a glass of soda water.

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

The party was as lush and ostentatious as Nikita imagined it would be. Preston Gant's home clung to the side of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach. Gant's wife, Gloria, was a vision in red leather, with ultra straight shoulder length black hair and a body that had been visited upon by many a Southern California plastic surgeon.

When Gloria saw Michael it was as if she was witness to the reincarnation of Casanova and Don Juan de Marco all rolled into one. Nikita did not see much of Michael the rest of the evening, however, she was not lacking for attention. Gant was the perfect host, seeing to her every need.

He introduced her to his executives and their assorted wives. At first it was hard to tell Sherry and Marsha and Michelle and Suzette apart. They were each expensively dressed, flawlessly tanned and anatomically taut.

Rick Darrow eyed her appreciatively. "Now I know why Michael worked out so hard at the gym today," he said with a leer. "He has to maintain his stamina to keep up with you."

Rick was never far from her side throughout the evening. He kept her martini glass filled and Nikita tried to engage him in conversation about his work. It wasn't hard to get him to talk about himself.

Towards the end of the evening, Nikita and Gant strolled onto the wide expanse of powdery beach that lined the coast. He told her how he had started the company ten years ago and how he had turned it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.

"I've never been one to do things in a small way," Gant said. "I was always the kid in high school who brought in the most elaborate science project or wore the most outrageous costume at the Halloween party.

"My tastes have always gone to the extreme, Nikita," Gant said. "When I saw you I knew that you would be the ultimate to possess."

"I don't know that I'm really one to allow myself to be a possession, Preston," Nikita said. "I've always been pretty independent. I've had to be to survive."

"That's what I sensed about you from the start," Gant said. "You're a survivor. And once you're a survivor you fight that much harder to stay on top. That's why I refuse to allow my company to be held hostage. I've worked too hard to build this company over the last ten years. I'm not going to let anyone take it away from me. I made it to the top and I intend to stay there, no matter what it takes."

Nikita could feel the tension in his voice as he spoke. His words took on a maniacal tone, almost as if he were face to face with the enemy he so desperately fought against. She truly believed that his very survival depended not only on keeping his company in tact, but in conquering some inner demon that threatened his hold on reality.

As they walked, Gant lightly touched Nikita's bare shoulders with his fingertips. The pads of his fingers moved down her spine to stop just below her waist. Although she was attracted to him, she felt a moment of fear. She couldn't quite define where it came from, but the feeling went as quickly as it came.

"I know you need to get close to Rick, but I wouldn't get too close," Gant said. "Rick is into some pretty kinky stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Nikita asked.

"Domination mostly," Gant said, gauging her reaction. "He's hungry for power and punishment and if he doesn't get his way he can be pretty cruel. It's not just a game to him."

Gant increased the pressure of his hand at the base of her spine. "I wouldn't want you to get mixed up in anything dangerous," he said as he pulled her body towards his in a swift motion.

Before she realized it, he had his lips pressed against hers in a feverish kiss. As she brought her arms around his neck she moaned. Her thoughts whirled in her mind and as his tongue moved into her mouth she sensed, rather than felt, a pair of jade green eyes. Michael. At that moment she knew that she didn't want anyone other than Michael to be kissing her.

As the realization swept over her she began to pull herself back to reality. As she ended the kiss, Gant placed his hands against her buttocks and pressed her against his hardening flesh.

"Michael," she gasped. "I have to get back to Michael. He must wonder where I've been."

"From what I saw earlier, I think Michael can take care of himself, love," Gant said. "I think you already know we like to share here, and I'm more than willing to share what I've got as long as he's willing to share what he's got."

Nikita felt a cold chill move through her body and she shivered. The thought of Michael pressing his body against Preston Gant's wife sickened her.

"Preston, I really want to go back in," Nikita said. "I'm cold and I've had too much to drink and am feeling a little light-headed."

"Are you sure it's the alcohol that's making you feel light headed," Gant said with a lascivious laugh. "I think you want this as much as I do. You did from the start. Let's just take what we can get right now."

She couldn't bear to hear those words take what we can get. She had to get away from this man. She desperately wanted to be away from this place and her desperation was turning to fear. She had to take control of the situation.

"Why don't we continue this when I'm not quite so tipsy," Nikita said. "I think you'll like the results much better when I have all my wits about me."

"I'm going to hold you to it, Nikita," Gant said. "You're giving me lots of ideas of some of the most wicked things we can do to each other.

Nikita wasn't sure if it was Rick Darrow or Preston Gant that she should watch out for.

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

As Nikita kicked off her shoes she could feel Michael's arm support her before she went sprawling onto the bed.

"Oops. Guess I'm a little tipsy," she slurred.

"I noticed," Michael said.

"Tell me Michael," Nikita said slowly, "How is it that even when you drink you don't ever loosen up just a little bit? Not a teensy bit."

"How do you know I'm not?" Michael asked.

"Not what?" Nikita said with a hiccup.

"Loosened up," Michael said.

"You know, Michael," Nikita said, trying to sound serious while giggling at the same time,

"You're right. I don't know. I don't know when you're happy. I don't know when you're sad. I don't know...whoa."

Nikita felt Michael's fingers pull down the zipper at the back of her dress.

"Michael?" Nikita said softly.

"Yes," Michael said.

"I certainly hope," Nikita said dreamily, "That you're not going to take advantage of my inebriated state, my darling husband."

"You know me better than that," Michael said. "I'd never do that, my darling wife."

Nikita felt her dress slip to the floor as her head hit the pillow. "Love you, Michael," she murmured before passing out.

"Love you, too," Michael whispered as he brushed his knuckles across Nikita's jawline before pulling the comforter over her naked body.

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

"Downloading, Birkoff," Michael said.

"I'm getting it," Birkoff said.

"The intel you downloaded earlier today from the World Links mainframe is not consistent with what Gant gave us," Birkoff said. "Are you sure you accessed the right directory before downloading the financial records?"

"That could be the dummy directory set up to cover movement of funds. That was the only directory that came up," Michael said.

"If you can get me into the mainframe directory I can check for any hidden file extensions," Birkoff said.

"I'll be able to get into the financial records tomorrow. Rick is going to be out of town, so I can access his files unnoticed," Michael said.

"Yeah, we need to do that because Gant may not know about any hidden passwords or blind directories that have been set up," Birkoff said.

As the files continued to download, Michael heard a splash outside. He stood up from the desk in the study and looked out onto the swimming pool, illuminated by moonlight and small spotlights circling the back patio.

He saw a wet blond head bobbing up and down in the pool. Immediately he thought that Nikita had come downstairs in her alcohol-induced state and stumbled into the pool.

He darted out the glass doors to the pool and stopped when he saw Nikita's arms draped over the side of the pool.

"Hi," Nikita said.

"Hi," Michael said. "What are you doing?"

"Just going for a little swim," Nikita said.

"Well, be careful you don't drown," Michael said. "You're not in the most sober state right now."

"Oh, is that Michael being protective of me?" Nikita said sarcastically.

"I just don't want to have to explain to Section why we had to compromise the mission because the Team One op cracked her head on the side of a pool," Michael said.

"Always thinking of section, aren't we?" Nikita said and dipped her head under the water.

"Nikita!" Michael shouted.

"Come on, quit playing around Nikita," Michael said, frantically searching for Nikita's head to surface.

"Nikita," Michael shouted again, and when he didn't see her he dove head first into the pool. When he surfaced he shook the water out of his eyes and saw Nikita lounging on the underwater concrete steps that lead into the pool's shallow end.

"Oh, Michael," Nikita said laughing, "You got your clothes all wet."

"Then I guess I'll have to take them off so I don't catch a cold," Michael said as he pulled his t- shirt over his head and tossed it to the patio. Then he reached down and pulled his sweat pants off and threw them out of the pool where they landed next to his shirt with a splat.

***********

When Nikita awoke the next morning her head felt like it was hermetically sealed in a plastic bag and that someone was pulling it tighter and tighter around her eyes. Her temples throbbed. Her eyes saw pin wheels. Her mouth was dry. Her body was naked.

Oh God! She sat straight up in bed. She remembered bits and pieces of the night before. She couldn't quite connect the dots, though. She recalled a walk on the beach and the feel of Gant's tongue in her mouth. Then she opened her eyes and the face attached to that tongue was Michael's. Then she remembered something about being in the pool with Michael and seeing him toss his clothes out onto the patio.

She laid her head down gently on the pillow. Then, for some strange reason, she was remembering strong arms pulling her up from the pool steps and then she was floating in Michael's arms and their skin was touching and his hands were holding her bottom as she wrapped her legs around his body and...

"Well, good morning," Michael said cheerily. "Or maybe not so good, huh? Guess you have a headache."

Nikita looked up at him as he walked into the room, dressed for the office, carrying a huge glass of orange juice.

"Yes, there is a slight pain around the area of my head," Nikita said. "But that really only masks the pain behind my eyes and the aching in my back."

As she sat up and took the juice from Michael's hand their fingertips brushed. She took a big swallow and looked up at Michael over the rim of the glass. If she didn't know Michael, she could have sworn that he was looking at her as if she didn't have on any clothes. She'd never seen his eyes so intense and so...

Nikita quickly pulled the sheet up over her naked chest.

"Well, thanks for the juice," Nikita said, suddenly aware of her state of undress. "I'm sure a soak in the tub will make me feel better."

"Are you sure plunging your body into water will help?" Michael asked smiling. "It didn't seem to cure you last night."

Nikita looked at Michael with wide-eyed innocence. "You know, I really don't remember too much about last night. You'll have to fill me in," she said, taking another drink of juice.

"Why don't you come to the office today and meet me for lunch?" Michael said, smiling again. "I could use your help in diverting Gant's attention while I check into some financial records on Rick's computer."

Nikita squeezed her eyes shut and tried to remember harder than she'd ever tried what had really happened last night and what was a dream. Before she could question him, Michael had turned and walked out of the room. She could hear him lightly jogging down the steps. Lightly jogging? He seemed to be in an awfully good mood this morning. She hoped she wasn't forgetting the most wonderful night of love making she'd ever had in her life.

***********

When Nikita arrived at World Links at noon she was directed to the twenty-fifth floor. As she stepped off the elevator she was met with a wall of floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the Pacific Ocean.

"Well, good morning Nikita," Gant said, coming to take her hand in his. "Do you like our view? There's no feeling more powerful than being able to look out over the ocean is there?"

"I'm here to meet Michael," Nikita said, trying to smile at Gant while extracting her hand from his.

Just as she said his name she saw Michael walking down the carpeted hall towards her. His eyes met hers and she flushed. Was she dreaming or did she think she saw something in his eyes that wasn't there before last night? He came up to her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Why don't you go wait in my office?" Michael said. "There are a few things I need to do before we go."

"Not necessary Michael," Gant quickly said. "I'll give Nikita the grand tour while she waits for you."

"Great. Thanks," Michael said, as he reached to give Nikita another kiss, on her eyebrow.

Nikita followed as Gant lead the way down the window-lined hallway. She looked out over the ocean and could feel the power of which Gant spoke.

"I'm concerned about this trip that Rick has taken today," Gant said. "He has been more secretive and elusive lately. I hope he's not getting suspicious about what we're doing."

"We've got operatives on him," Nikita said, "so we'll be able to monitor his activities."

"He's just been real edgy lately," Gant said. "I'm sure it's because the deadline is approaching and he must be fearful that his demands won't be met."

"We're still not sure that he's in this alone," Nikita said. "There could be other contacts in Europe who are equally involved."

"I sensed that this trip was a crucial element in his plan," Gant said. "It's highly unusual for him to leave at the end of the fiscal year when our accountants are auditing financial records. I just hope that he'll make a mistake along the way."

"If he does," Nikita said, "that will allow us to penetrate the operation so we can reveal any other associates and their involvement."

They had entered Gant's spacious suite of offices. Gant offered Nikita a seat on the sofa and joined her after closing the door.

"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about," Gant said. "We're having a party this weekend that I'd like to invite you, and of course Michael, to attend. It's what we call a Swap Auction. The gentlemen bid on the lady of their choice and the rest is up to the pleasure of two consenting adults This is a gothic-themed party and since Rick is the host, I'll ask him to send over some appropriate costumes for you and Michael."

"It sounds like an unique experience," Nikita said, not really sure how to react.

"We always like to add a little mystery to our games," Gant said. "Often the anticipation of the chase is as rewarding as the final capture."

***********

"Birkoff, are you getting this?" Michael asked.

"Yeah," Birkoff replied. "The directory is intact but the files have been modified from the ones Gant originally gave us. I'll need to go in and recover the deleted files and see if they match up. I'll be able to tell who accessed those files by tracing it back to the log-on password."

"That password should get us into the mainframe root directory," Michael mused.

"It could," Birkoff said. "Or it might be just another layer we'll have to hack through, but it's a start."

"OK, I've got what I need," Birkoff said. "Hang on a minute, Michael. Operations wants to talk to you."

"Michael," Operations said. "We need to check Gant's reaction to this discrepancy in the financial files Birkoff just downloaded. Tread carefully here. We don't want to send out any alarms."

"I'll make sure Gant gets the information," Michael said.

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

As Nikita and Michael finished their lunch in the corporate dining room, Nikita couldn't help but be drawn to the sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.

"Were you able to get into the financial accounts?" Nikita asked.

"Yes," Michael replied. "But Birkoff says they don't match up with the original files Gant provided."

"That's odd," Nikita said. "Could someone have doctored the accounts since Gant gave us the originals?"

"Or the account information Gant gave us was doctored," Michael said.

"I thought Gant had priority one access to all of World Links files," Nikita said.

"He does," Michael said. "Which is why it's odd that the files we tapped into today don't match Gant's."

Nikita looked down on seagulls as they swooped up and down in a circular motion along the expanse of beach down below.

"You and Gant seem to be getting along," Michael said.

"He's really a brilliant man," Nikita said. "I'm sure there's an explanation for the discrepancies in the files. Preston lives and breathes this company. It's like it's a part of him. He's having a hard time believing that the people he brought in to help him build the company could betray him like this. He sacrificed a lot to make it what it is and I think it's really affecting him that his creation could all fall apart."

"Affecting him how?" Michael asked.

"I don't know," Nikita said. "Some things he told me last night lead me to believe that a man as passionate as Preston is about World Links would go to any lengths to save it. I admire that about him. I admire his determination and his strong will for survival."

"We all do what we have to do to survive," Michael said.

"But it's more than just survival to him," Nikita said. "He has a real thirst for life and he has dreams of making the world a better place. He has a vision and he knows how to use his passion for life to make those dreams come true."

"I'd be careful about getting too caught up with him, Nikita," Michael said. "Even though he appears to be cooperating with us, his part in this operation is still unclear."

"Do I detect a note of jealousy, Michael?" Nikita asked, smiling to herself.

"We need to stay on profile with this," Michael said without expression. "Gant didn't get where he is by not manipulating situations to meet his own needs. We have to be aware of all possibilities."

"Michael, you amaze me," Nikita said with exasperation. "Isn't there one ounce of humanity in you that allows you to see the good in people?"

"Sometimes I wonder," Michael said. "I wonder if you can ever see the good in people when you've seen the darkest depths of what people do to attain their own ends."

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

Nikita awoke with a troubled start and looked over at the clock on the bedside table. It was 2:00 a.m. She felt a slight unease. It was the feeling a mother has in the night when she senses that her child is in trouble.

She looked over at Michael lying next to her in the bed. His fists were clinched on either side of his pillow. He laid on his stomach and his head thrashed back and forth. She could hear him speaking but couldn't understand the words he said.

Nikita knew that Michael had suffered from nightmares, but she was unprepared to witness such violence while he was in the throes of his own internal terror.

She got up and walked into the bathroom to get a drink of water. She felt a moment of sadness as she realized the hell Michael must suppress in his waking hours. She thought of Preston Gant and how he had been able to take control of his life by realizing his dreams. For someone in Michael's situation it would be a luxury to even be able to have dreams of a better life.

While he appeared to be in control of his emotions, today at lunch she was sure she saw a tinge of envy for the life Preston Gant was able to lead, and jealousy for the feelings of admiration Nikita had for him.

Even though she knew that Michael's soul was heavy with the grief and guilt of his past, she was sure that there was a part of him that was untainted. A part that burned with as much passion and intensity as Preston Gant did for a better life.

He once told her that the only part of him that was good was her. His overwhelming fears kept him from showing any recognition of that part of him. She knew that it was there. She just didn't know how to help him heal his wounds from the past so he could be at peace within himself. She knew that unless he was able to recover that part within him that anything between the two of them would be nothing more than an unfulfilled dream.

Nikita returned to the bedroom. Michael was lying on his back, awake.

"Everything okay?" Michael asked.

"You were having a bad dream," Nikita said.

"Sorry if I woke you," Michael said. "I don't remember what it was about.

But Nikita could tell that he did remember what it was about. She climbed back into bed.

"It looked like it was pretty intense," Nikita said.

"They are sometimes," Michael said.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked. "Tell me what I can do."

Michael was silent for a moment. Then, he moved his body over next to hers, pulling her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her spoon-fashioned. Nikita snuggled against him with a contented sigh as she drifted off to sleep.

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

Nikita laid her costume and Michael's across the bed. She was not looking forward to the evening. She'd had to endure many unusual situations on past missions, but she had always managed to escape from having to take things too far. Tonight she was not sure she could avoid it.

Based on her initial meeting with Rick Darrow, she was sure that he was going to do everything in his power to bid for her and win her. She thought of the things that Preston had told her and she felt queasy. Hopefully, Michael would be able to hack into Rick's computer and access the information they needed before the auction got too far under way. If that happened, she knew she would have an out. Otherwise, without Michael to either bid for her or get them out of there, she would be put on the auction block.

Her nerves were on edge. As she filled the bath tub with bubbly hot water she went downstairs to pour herself a glass of wine. Better yet, she decided to forego the glass and bring the whole bottle. She was sure if she could just relax that she would be able to get through the evening.

Placing the bottle on the ledge of the deep ceramic tub, she dipped her toe in to test the water. She pressed the play button on the CD player on the shelf beside the tub and turned up the volume to her favorite Beverly Klass CD. This particular CD held special memories for Nikita.

The aroma of jasmine wafted through the room as she lowered her body into the sudsy bath. Tipping the bottle back she took a swig of wine. She was just beginning to drift off amid a perfectly decadent fantasy featuring her favorite green-eyed man when she felt a drop of wetness on her face. She opened her eyes to see Michael standing over her, his fingers soaked in wine, aiming the droplets for her slightly open mouth.

This fantasy is turning out better than I dreamed, she thought. Then she saw Michael take a long drink of the wine before pulling off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. She watched him through the steamy haze of the bath as he unzipped his pants and slid them down his legs until he was standing naked before her.

That's the great thing about fantasies, Nikita thought, you can make the object of your desire do anything you want. Michael bent down next to Nikita's head and ran his fingers over her wine- soaked lips. He took another drink from the bottle and leaned over and opened his mouth against hers, dribbling wine down her chin and into her mouth.

She reached up to touch his stubbly cheek and he pressed his lips against hers with more heat and emotion than he'd ever revealed to her. His hand dove beneath the bubbly water and found its way to her breast, as he continued to gently circle her tongue with his.

Nikita let out a little sigh. She couldn't remember when she'd had such a realistic fantasy. Not only could she see and feel him, but she could taste him. It was not an unpleasant sensation.

As her eyelids drifted downward she felt Michael break his lips away from hers and heard a gentle splash as he stepped into the tub to sit in front of her. She sat up and wrapped her long legs around his torso as he pulled her body into his arms. She could feel his broad chest pressed against her breasts as she ran her hands across his muscular shoulders.

He was kissing her again, this time with a deliberate passion that wreaked havoc on Nikita's senses. Her body began to react to his touch and as she moved her hands from his shoulders across his chest, down his abdomen to his...

Nikita opened her eyes wide. Wait a minute, she thought. This is no fantasy. This was really Michael kissing her and caressing her intimately and seductively in the middle of her bottle of wine in her bubble bath in her fantasy.

Michael pulled his lips from hers and looked into her eyes questioningly.

"Why'd you stop?" he asked huskily.

"Stop?" she said, amazed that she managed to form the word coherently.

He took her hand from his belly and moved it down further until she was grasping the throbbing heat between his legs. His eyes never wavered from hers and she was overwhelmed with the desire she saw there.

She began stroking him lightly until she felt him harden in her hand. He deftly lifted her up and pushed her down onto himself until he was completely ensconced within her. His eyes never left her face as he moved his body rhythmically against her.

She could feel his hands cupping her bottom as he raised and lowered her, slowly at first, and then more feverishly until he felt her tighten around him and sensed the oncoming spasms of her body. He buried his face in her neck and bit down gently, waiting to feel her release before he let himself get lost in the essence of Nikita.

She vaguely heard him say her name, Ni-ki-ta. She felt him pull her to him tightly, pushing himself even deeper inside of her. They clung to each other until both bodies stilled. Michael tilted his head down to reach for her lips and pressed his half open mouth against hers in a soft, gentle motion. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes and as she closed her lids the moisture made its way down her face.

Michael pulled his lips from hers and began to lick the tears from her cheeks. As Nikita opened her eyes she felt Michael move their joined bodies apart. He leaned back against the tub and pulled her against his chest. His arms circled her body and she leaned her head onto his shoulder.They sat in stillness for what seemed like hours. Michael ran his hands across Nikita's silken body and nibbled on her ear.

"If you don't stop that we'll never make it to the party," Nikita said.

"Stop?" asked Michael, as he stood, dripping with water.

Michael reached for a towel and wrapped Nikita in its fluffy warmness. Then, to her surprise, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, dropping her lightly on the bed.

She propped herself up on her elbows, aware that they were both still very naked, and also very aware that Michael was still very aroused.

He reached out, tentative at first, and then rubbed his hand up her leg to her inner thigh where he leaned over to kiss her wetness. He moved to position himself between her legs and she began to feel the most exquisite sensation as his tongue explored her inside and out.

Still propped up by her elbows, her arms became jelly and she melted into the soft mattress. All she could feel was Michael's hot mouth teasing, first lightly and then with intense pressure. Just as she was on the verge of release, he lifted his head and ran his tongue up her belly and licked the inside of her belly button.

As Michael made his way up her body, his mouth found first one breast and then the other. His hands were moving lightly over her belly until he increased the pressure by pulling her legs apart and sliding his hardness inside of her. He stretched his arms over her head and intertwined his fingers with hers, pinning her hands to the bed.

Only when he began thrusting inside of her did he look into her eyes. And what he saw there took his breath away. Nikita's crystal blue eyes had turned to a deep blue pool of ocean and the waves of her love washed over him.

His lips brushed hers and she felt his breath in her ear when he whispered, "I want you so much, Ni-ki-ta.. This is just us now. No surveillance cameras. No mission profile. Just you and me."

For once, Nikita was speechless. Was this really Michael taking the initiative and opening the door that he kept closed so tightly between them? This Michael was giving her what she wanted and taking what he needed. This Michael was baring his soul, giving in to what he had once called his weakness. With this Michael she saw a light that hadn't been there before. She saw the light of truth and honesty. And yes, she also saw the light of fear. When they were both spent from their passion, they again clung to each other in silence.

"Why can't it always be like this?" she thought, not realizing that she had spoken out loud.

"It is always like this between us," Michael whispered into her ear breathily.

"Yes, it's always there, isn't it?" Nikita said a little sadly. "But it's as if the closer we get to it, the further away it becomes."

"It's not the way I would choose it to be for us," Michael said slowly. "But sometimes the choices are already made for us and we're powerless to change it. I may not express it to you the way you would want, but you're the only bright ray of light in the darkness of my life."

Nikita sat up and looked down at Michael. Just when I really need those surveillance cameras so I can replay those words when you retreat back into your shell, thought Nikita.

"I don't know if that's enough for me, Michael," Nikita said. You're like a king living inside a castle that's surrounded by a moat. I never know if the drawbridge will be up or down."

"I've told you before that I lead separate lives, and there are reasons for that," Michael said. "But I struggle with my feelings for you everyday and it scares the hell out of me."

"Michael, fear can keep you from loving," Nikita said. "And the only thing that can stop the fear is love. I don't know what it is that's holding you back. I do know that as much as I want to be with you like this, that I die a little more each time you shut down on me. I'm not the same person I was three years ago. I want to be with you, but I don't need you to survive anymore. I don't need you to live."

Michael was silent, as if he were etching her every word into his memory. He reached up and traced his finger along the side of her face.

"I'm sorry," Michael said wistfully.

"I'm sorry too," Nikita said. "I've had to put my life in your hands more times than I want to remember. That takes a certain amount of trust. If there's not trust between us then there can't be anything else."

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

You come out at night; that's when the energy comes and the dark side's light, and the vampires roam; you strut your rasta wear and your suicide poem; and a cross from a faith that died before Jesus came; you're building a mystery.

The lyrics to Sarah McLachlan's song played in Nikita's head as she walked through the gothic- clad crowd at Rick Darrow's Hollywood mansion.

She felt as if she and Michael had walked into an Ann Rice novel. She expected to run into Lestat at the bar. She had to admit, Michael fit the part well. He looked as if he were born to another era, dressed in his white ruffled shirt, black velvet frock coat, slim black pants and black suede boots.

Her costume made her feel as if she were transported back in time. Her royal blue satin brocade corset dress fit her snugly through the waist with its black lace-up front. She felt sheltered in her floor length velvet cloak and when she saw Rick coming towards her she wanted to hide her head among the folds of her pleated hood.

"I see you got the costumes I sent over," Rick said crushing against her amid the crowd. "I knew that dress was made for you when I saw it."

Nikita desperately tried to avoid making eye contact with him, but his nearness forced her to acknowledge him.

Michael left to search out Rick's computer by excusing himself to go after drinks. Thankfully, Nikita saw Preston approach.

"Nikita, " Gant said. "You are as beautiful as ever. I may not be able to keep myself from bidding for you tonight. Rick, you don't mind if I borrow Nikita, do you?"

"You're the boss," Rick said. "But I will catch up with you later Nikita.

As they moved away, Preston's hand rested lightly on her arm.

"Was Michael able to get into Rick's files?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, but there was some information that didn't match up to the files you gave Section," Nikita said.

Gant looked surprised. "Were those the client files?" Gant asked.

"No, they were corporate financial records," Nikita said. "Birkoff was going to see if he could find any deleted files that matched up. He thought the files on the computer might be dummy accounts."

Gant was visibly shaken. "Dummy accounts," Gant said. "Could those accounts have something to do with the virus?"

"Birkoff said it might mean that we have the source of the foreign accounts which can then be traced backed to SpiderNet," Nikita said. "If he can trace the log-on password he should be able to determine the source. Tonight Michael is going to tap into Rick's home database to see if the log-on password can get him in."

"Do you know what Michael's plans are once that information is retrieved?" Gant asked.

"I assume that once the source is traced then we'll have a bargaining chip to play against SpiderNet." Nikita said. "That will give us some time and some leverage for Birkoff to arrest the virus at the source."

"That's brilliant," Gant said absently. "Arrest it at the source. That's good news then. Let's hope Michael is successful."

***********

Michael made his way through Rick's house until he reached the study. Before entering, he scanned the room to detect a laser alarm system. It was clean.

Once inside, he booted the computer and waited for the log-on screen to appear. He typed in a series of numbers and letters and hit enter. The screen flashed ACCESS DENIED.

He tried a second set of codes. The system accepted the password and brought up the World Links mainframe directory.

"Birkoff," Michael said, "I'm back into the mainframe."

"That's odd," Birkoff said. "Which password did you use?"

"I used the PG679WL24 code," Michael said.

"Hang on a minute," Birkoff said. "Let me log into the mainframe and locate the source of that password."

As Michael waited he could hear the sounds of the party revelers outside. His thoughts strayed to Nikita and the lovemaking they had shared earlier in the evening. His emotions felt raw and he was having a hard time focusing on the matters at hand.

"You're not going to believe this," Birkoff said excitedly. "The directory you brought up with the second password is sourced to a user coded as PSG."

"Preston Gant," Michael said as the realization dawned on him.

"Right," Birkoff said. "You've uncovered the root directory. The code must have been set up to access that directory only through an external network. Gant must have set it up to run off of Rick's computer and it's probably linked to the source computer."

"The source computer being one which only Gant can access," Michael said. "Do you want me to download the root?"

"Yeah," Birkoff said. "We may be on to something. I'll do a scan of the root and then we'll know the location of the source computer. If there are any executable file anomalies then we'll have our source."

"How long will it take?" Michael asked.

"A matter of minutes," Birkoff said. "Stand by."

Again Michael's thoughts strayed to Nikita. If only she knew the affect she had on him. If only she knew the many sleepless nights he spent wanting her, needing her.

"We've got our man," Birkoff said. "We've got the whole program. I've got file extension alterations. I've got matching financial accounts. We've got the source. Now we need to locate the hardware. The only way to eradicate the virus is to access it through the main source hardware. We can get to that with either an ISP or a modem line number."

"How long before the source computer alarm tracking system is set off?" Michael asked. He had to find a way to reach it while Gant was occupied at the party.

"I'm running a search now," Birkoff said. "Wait a minute. I've got the location. I'm sending you the coordinates. We'll send a team to rendezvous with you at the site."

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

"Why don't we get out of here and go for a drive up the coast?" Gant said. "I think you'd love the drive. It's particularly beautiful at dusk before the sun sets."

"I really should wait for Michael," Nikita said.

"Come on, Nikita," Gant said. "We can be gone and back by the time Michael even notices."

"Well, okay," Nikita said. At least it would get her away from the party before the bidding began. She hoped that by the time they returned that Michael would have the information they needed and that they could make their excuses to leave the party.

Gant was silent as he steered the car down the drive to the main road. Once they reached the highway, Gant drove at break neck speed. He seemed to revel in the speed and take delight in Nikita's apparent unease.

"I told you that I had something very special planned for you, Nikita," Gant purred. "Tonight you're going to find out just how special you are to me."

Nikita was really nervous now. She had to think fast. She had to contact Michael. Michael wouldn't know where she was because she was not on a tracker.

As Gant continued to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, darkness began to fall. Nikita stole a glance at Gant as he drove determinedly, just skirting the highway guard rail.

After driving for another twenty minutes, the car began to slow as Gant pulled off the highway onto a darkened, sandy road. The car followed the headlights along a dusty path until Gant stopped the car at a bluff overlooking the ocean.

"Let's get out here," Gant said. " This is one of my favorite vantage points. It's very romantic." Nikita left her purse in the car and stepped onto the sandy loam. She removed her shoes before following Gant down the path to the edge of the bluff.

It really was a beautiful site. The air was crisp and nothing could be heard but the blowing spray of the ocean as it hit the surf. As Nikita neared, Gant put his arm around her waist and led her to a staircase that snaked to the surface of the beach.

Suddenly, her instincts were on alert. She realized that she was alone with this man, miles from anyone who might hear or see them, and that he was leading her down to a desolate and barren stretch of beach. As she began to resist, Gant pulled her body towards his and she felt a sharp prick on the back of her neck before she stumbled and fell onto Gant's heavy frame.

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

When Nikita opened her eyes, at first she saw nothing. She could hear the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. As a matter of fact the sound was deafening. She tried to raise her head but felt a rush of nausea and dizziness. As the room came into focus she could see several torches attached to a series of wooden beams.

She propped herself up on her elbow and could see the room clearly. It looked as if it were carved out of stone and held up by a heavily beamed ceiling. As her eyes focused she saw a shadowy figure moving down what appeared to be a long corridor carved through the rock.

As the figure neared, Nikita could see that the shape was covered in a black, shiny material. The closer it came the more defined the figure was until standing before her was what appeared to be a man dressed in a black leather jump suit and a black leather hood that was molded to his face. Nikita could see the man's eyes and mouth.

"Nikita, you don't know how beautiful you look lying there," the voice said. "I've waited for this with you for too long. Finally you'll see what pleasure there can be in pain."

She felt a moment of confusion. Pleasure in pain. Isn't that what Gant had said Rick was into? Had Gant brought her here for Darrow to take his pleasure with her?

Nikita rose from the bed and rushed her attacker, but she still felt so groggy that her actions were slow enough to allow him to gain the advantage. She felt a needle stick and lost consciousness.

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

Before leaving Darrow's, Michael went to locate Nikita. She was no where to be found. As he went to retrieve the car, he asked the valet if he had seen a woman with blonde hair dressed in a royal blue dress and cloak.

"Yes," the valet said. "As a matter of fact, she and Mr. Gant left a few minutes ago."

Michael began to panic. Gant must have received an alarm warning him that the source computer had been breached. And he had taken Nikita.

As Michael drove the coast highway following Birkoff's directions his heart was pounding. He had to get Nikita away from Gant. He had to enter the key code into the source computer to stop the virus that he knew Gant was at this very moment activating.

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

When Nikita regained consciousness she found that she was hanging limply against a rough stone wall. Her arms and legs were shackled above and below. She looked down and saw that her dress had been removed and that she was wearing a black leather bra and black thong. She felt groggy and her head felt cloudy.

She looked up as she heard him approach.

"Sorry for the drugs, my love," he said. "I'd rather see you submissive and since you're such a strong, independent woman, the drugs became necessary."

As Nikita listened to the voice, the cold realization of who her captor was dawned on her. It was Gant.

"Preston, why are you doing this?" she asked.

"I admit I've had to alter my plan," Gant said. "But in just a little while I'll have succeeded in my mission and you and I will have enough money to spend the rest of our lives in the sweet company of pain."

"How could you destroy your own creation?" Nikita asked.

"I've accomplished everything I set out to do with World Links," Gant said. "As its creator it's my right to destroy it. Creating a vision is powerful, but there is no greater power than money, Nikita. No greater power that it gives you other than the power over another person. And with my tender ministrations, you'll begin to enjoy the power of submission."

Gant was beyond grasping any sense of reality. He moved towards her and pressed his body against hers as he unlocked the manacles at her hands.

"Kneel before me, Nikita," Gant said, as if in a trance.

Nikita stood where she was and didn't move.

"Ah, I see you already know how to play the game," Gant said as he turned to a table to the left and picked up a long, slender prod that glowed on the end with a smouldering heat.

"This may hurt a little bit at first," Gant said, "but once we've played some of our other games you'll be begging me for the singeing relief of the prod."

He pushed her to her hands and knees and forced her to lay flat on the ground by taking his foot to the middle of her back. At first she didn't feel anything. Then the heat of the prod against her buttocks increased until she began to smell the sickening odor of burning flesh. Before she passed out she felt him grab her by her hair and roll her over onto her back as he stood straddling her body looking down on her.

***********

Michael drove along the dusty path until he reached the end of the road along the bluff. As he walked toward the stair case he saw tire tracks and lying beside the tracks were a pair of blue silk stilettos.

"Team one, take point," he said. "Team two, hold your position."

He knew he couldn't make his way down the cliff undetected using the staircase so he moved north of the stairs to an indentation in the rock where he could rappel down the side of the bluff.As he moved with swiftness down the rocky wall he heard the waves crashing. When he reached the beach's surface he made contact with the field ops and directed them to an entrance of the cliffside bunker beyond the main doorway.

"According to the schematic," Birkoff said, "once you enter the main corridor you need to veer to the left to reach the computer console area."

Michael moved stealthily in the darkness and found the entry door security panel and punched in the access code. The door slid open noiselessly and he slipped through.

The corridor he had entered was supported by rotting wooden beams and the air was damp. The hallway was lit with torches spaced at ten foot intervals.

"Team one is in position," Birkoff said. "Team two, cover the front and move to your first mark inside the bunker."

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

Nikita awoke to feel herself chained again to the wall, except this time she was facing the stony surface. She felt an excruciatingly tingling rawness on her back and buttocks. Her head was pounding and she felt a wave of nausea.

She had no concept of the time. By now, Gant had most likely made contact with Section. She knew that his threats to Section wire the money to his account or he would kill her and release the virus would be in vain. She would be sacrificed. Gant would never see that $1 billion. She knew from the fact that Gant had received the computer intrusion alarm that Section had accessed the source computer and was probably at this very minute eradicating the virus.

She also knew that Gant had no intention of killing her. At least not in the normal fashion. Her death would be painfully slow and would give him the greatest degree of pleasure as he set about the task.

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

Michael moved along the corridor in conflicting panic. He had to find Nikita. It went through his mind like a mantra. He also knew that he had no choice but to locate the computer first and enter the key code.

He finally came upon the computer console room and entered the access code to open the door. As he entered the room a silent alarm went off on Gant's pager.

"You've been breached," Birkoff said. "Michael, do it now and get out of there."

Michael inserted the computer disk and activated the virus scan. Within seconds, the scan located the active memory files.

"Birkoff, have you got a location on Nikita?" Michael asked.

"I've got team one on an infiltration path," Birkoff said.

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

Nikita felt Gant unlock her hands and feet and pull her with him as he made his way out of the chamber. She saw the glint of steel and realized that he had a gun. Her legs were joined by a length of chain and she stumbled against Gant. As they rounded the next corner they were met with a section operative. Gant fired and the op went down.

Gant pushed her through a low doorway and as they entered the darkness she heard dripping water. The darkness led to a set of metal stairs climbing up the side of the cliff. They began their ascent with Gant walking behind Nikita, pushing her up the steps. Halfway up the stairs, Nikita heard a shot and Gant staggered and fell down the stairs, dragging her with him.

When they landed at the bottom, Nikita looked up and saw Michael standing over her before she passed out.

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

Floating in and out of consciousness, Nikita felt unaware of time and of the space around her.

She knew that she was being taken care of. At times she heard what she thought were familiar voices. Often she didn't know whether she was dreaming or still living the nightmare that was Preston Gant.

Voices echoing in and out of hearing range. Birkoff. Madeline. Operations. Walter. All names she recognized. Couldn't always put the voice with the images she was seeing, but she knew they were people who cared about her.

But the one constant throughout her battle back from the darkness was Michael. Day and night, or what she thought was day or night, he was at her side. Touching her hand. Rubbing ice chips across her parched lips. Saying her name and urging her to wake up.

Until finally, one morning, she opened her eyes and could see clearly. She saw the white, sterile walls. She saw the IV bag connected to the line in her vein. She saw the hands of one of the section nurses taking her vital signs. And she saw his face, at last, clearly within her view and not in the shadows flitting in and out of her comatose mind.

He was talking. She saw his lips move. Saw his eyes move up and down her face. Sounds were not making the connection yet. But she felt his touch. Felt his fingernail tracing a pattern across her forearm. Felt him press his cheek against her forehead and he was telling her to...

"Come back to me, Nikita," Michael whispered. "I can't survive here anymore without you."

She knew she must be dreaming. It was someone with Michael's face, with Michael's scent. Her eyelids fluttered as she tried to reach up to touch the face yes, Michael's face.

"Nikita," Michael said in a hushed tone. "Wake up. Can you hear me? Nikita."

"Yes, I can hear you," Nikita said in a hoarsely. "How long have I been here?"

"I don't know. Too many days and nights," Michael said, closing his eyes.

She felt his fingertips move across her cheek to caress her mouth. She saw a droplet make its way from the corner of his eye to fall onto her hand. She raised her hand up and he caught it in his own.

"Was it bad?" Nikita asked.

"Yes," Michael said. "For a while I wasn't sure if... Thought I'd lost you, again."

"And Gant?" Nikita could hardly bear to say the name out loud.

"He's been taken care of," Michael said.

Nikita felt herself begin to drop off. She felt safe. She felt comforted. She felt ready to recover. And whether Michael knew it or not, he was ready to recover with her.

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

"It will take time for her to heal," Madeline said.

"Did he hurt her?" Michael asked.

"She's scarred, but more in an emotional sense," Madeline said. "She'll recover with time, but she's in a very fragile state. It will be hard for her to trust because of the emotional attachment and subsequent betrayal by Gant. With compassion and patience she'll learn to feel again."

Madeline paused. "Why don't you take some time off, Michael."

As the doctor removed the IV line from her arm, Nikita could see Madeline and Michael's reflections behind the window. She felt ready to go home, but she felt afraid. But she knew she was a survivor and that she would be back on top again.

Michael came through the glass doors to help her off the medlab bed. She felt unsteady at first and a little dizzy, but his arm was strong and sturdy around her waist.

"If you're ready to go, I'll take you home now," Michael said.

"What, no debrief?" she said grinning.

"We'll debrief later," Michael said with a smile.

***********

Coming back to her apartment was comforting. All her things in their place. Her life back to normalcy, or what had become normal for her.

She walked to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. There was an awkward silence and Michael walked across the room as if unsure of what to do next.

"Thanks for being with me at medlab and bringing me home," Nikita said. "The doctors said I should be rested enough by next week, so I guess I'll see you then."

"No, you won't," Michael said.

"What do you mean?" Nikita asked with alarm.

"I'm not going anywhere," Michael said.

Michael moved towards her and pulled her by the hand to the couch where they both sat. At first he didn't speak. He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

"I just want you to know that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you whole again," Michael said. "Before you came to Section, I was less than whole. And, you know it's been difficult for me to express to you what you've done for me."

Nikita looked into his eyes and for the first time, saw who Michael really was. She saw the fear. And she saw the longing. But she remained silent.

"I seem to always lose the things that I love the most," Michael said. "I guess I started to feel that those were things that I didn't deserve. That they were things I was never meant to have."

"Michael, the things that come to us are the very things we are meant to have," Nikita said.

"When you put up walls and try to push them away, it just makes it more difficult to see what's already right in front of you."

He pulled her hand close to his face and pressed his lips against the inside of her wrist. She felt his intake of breath as he rubbed her hand against his cheek.

"I know that now," Michael said. "No, that's not true. I think I've known it all along. It's easier to pretend it isn't there because then you don't feel the pain as deeply when you lose it. It's the only way I know how to survive."

"But I can't function like that anymore, Michael," Nikita said. "I don't want to just survive, I want to live. There's a price you have to pay, whether it's fear or pain or anger or whatever it is that you keep bottled up inside you. When you let go of what's holding you back, that's when you get stronger, that's when you do more than survive you live."

Michael studied the hand he held in his own. He began to trace the lines on the palm of Nikita's hand. She could sense the inner struggle within him, but she also began to feel a lightness come over his face as he turned his head to look at her.

"I know getting back on your feet is going to be difficult for you," Michael said. "But I want to be here to help you get through it. Not just to survive, but to live, and to love. I'll do whatever it takes if you'll show me how."

The End

Send suggestions and comments to ranma.
OR
If you would like to send a comment to DeniseD, click HERE!