AU
NC-17

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Dedication: This was my first LFN story, and I'd like to dedicate it to the readers. I met many wonderful people who commented and sent emails to me, and through your encouragement, this story came to fruition. Feedback is food for the brain. Feed the brain and the brain will feed you. ;) Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

There are a few special people I'd like to mention as the driving force that kept me going, when my insecure brain told me to stop. Crystal, Mary, Maria, Esther, Myrna and Rita. You ladies were most definitely the wind in my sails. Your love and support made this newbie feel like I could actually do this, and do this well. Thank you for believing in me. {{{{HUGS}}}} Love, Jenn

***********

Prologue:

A million thoughts raced through his mind. Why was this happening now? How did this all happen without his knowledge? He was not informed of any extractions at this point and he wondered what had changed. Looking through the glass into a large well-lit white room, he saw Olivia circling the room as she was stalking her prey. He wondered who the other person following her cat like motions in the same circle was. He had been compromised and was tracing back to where it may have happened. After the last three years of building her confidence and infiltrating her organization where had the breach occurred?

He watched the two figures and saw the person clad in all black mission gear with a facemask swing and make contact. He watched intently as the two figures engaged in a deadly dance. Blow for blow they met each other quickly and precisely. He noticed the outline of the opponent and came to the conclusion it must be a woman. They tangled and threw each other kicking and blocking and he saw Olivia smile and begin to speak. If only he could hear what they were saying to one another.

He focused on Olivia's mouth to try and read what he could not hear. She took a step back and shed her coat smiling fiercely. The opponent stopped and did the same. He noticed the alabaster skin and he got a chill up his spine. He shook his head and refocused on the figure. He saw Olivia rest her hands on her hips and spout off some words to her adversary and then the mask came off. Michael could not see the face, but he knew who it was. A long mane of gold fell from the cap and his heart sank to his feet. They engaged again, this time they were ferocious with one another.

He watched the battle rage and desperately wanted to see the other woman's face. He had to. After a few minutes she spun around and he saw her eyes, the eyes he would know anywhere. His heart began to race and he put his hands up to the glass and whispered "Kita".

She was wearing Section gear, which just compounded the plethora of questions swimming in his head. She was dead. They had told me she was dead, he thought. But his beloved was alive and kicking the shit out of Olivia to no avail.

His mind flashed to four years earlier. They were woken up by the ringing of his cell phone at 6 AM and were called in. He didn't want to let go of his beloved. They had made love almost all night long and the thought of his skin separating from hers was not a pleasant one. He stroked her eyebrow ever so softly and then kissed her cheek and told her that they had to go in for a briefing in half an hour. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently and she smiled and got out of bed. They dressed and left for Section.

Upon arriving they went right to the briefing and took their usual seats. Operations entered shortly after they took their seats and proceeded to inform them that Olivia Graham had resurfaced again. Operations looked directly at Michael and said she is more dangerous now than ever before. Nikita had a puzzled look on her face. Ops continued on about her ties to Red Cell and that she had acquired VX gas and an arsenal of weapons.

Birkoff chimed in and said "Intel suggests she is making a move for control in Belgium".

Ops finished the briefing and left the room. Nikita turned to Michael and asked him,

"What just happened and who is Olivia Graham?"

Michael paused and looked away and said, "She was a target about seven years ago. She's delusional, full of herself, and deadly."

Nikita asked, "Who is she to you Michael?"

He looked back to her face and solemnly replied, "She killed Simone".

Nikita said "But I thought.."

He cut her off. "She set us up Nikita, she's the reason Simone never came back", and then he walked away from her.

She could feel his pain and it made her heart break. She knew she had to give him some space and went to prep for the mission.

After changing, she made her way to munitions to see Walter. He gave her a sweet smile and asked if she was ready. She smiled and asked where Michael was and Walter pointed to the perch. She swung her head around and saw Michael with Ops and Maddie deep in discussion.

Walter said, "Looks like a last minute change in the profile and it doesn't look good Sugar."

She stared at them and Michael looked down and caught her gaze. So much pain in his eyes she thought.

She made her way to van access and waited for Michael. He rounded the corner with hate and determination in his eyes. She reached for his arm as he passed her.

"Michael?"

He looked at her hand and looked into her eyes and then said "Not now" and walked past her into the van.

She felt a sudden shiver and coldness tear through her spine and quivered slightly, then followed him to the van.

The mission did not go as planned. Operatives were down and Michael seemed possessed. Nikita followed in the wake of Michael's wrath, and for the first time since they had been paired as a team, Nikita feared Michael.

He made his way to the main chamber and Olivia stood there with four guards all flanking him as he drew further into the room.

She smiled and said "Hello love".

Nikita's heart sank in her stomach.

Olivia continued, "It's been a long time Michael" as she ran a finger over his cheek.

He replied, "Yes it has".

She said "What's this I hear about you and a blonde Michael; it pains me to think of another touching you in the way only I can".

He smiled and said "A distraction, a means for release" and touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

She smiled and purred, "For your sake I hope so".

Trying to placate her he replied, "Now why would you doubt me after all these years? Our plan worked wonderfully, now we can be together with nothing standing in our way", as he placed a hand on her hip and drew her into his body.

She smiled and drew him into a passionate kiss. When she pulled back, she looked at a guard and ordered, "Bring her."

Michael's heart jumped and he heard the guards pull Nikita into the room. They had disarmed her and dragged her in front of Michael and Olivia.

Olivia softly purred into his ear. "What should we do with her Michael?"

Michael swallowed hard and said, "Let her go, she means nothing to me, nothing to us. Besides we need her to tell the others what she has seen here so there will be no question where my loyalties lie."

Nikita looking as if she was kicked in the gut tried to compose herself and looked angrily into his eyes. He smiled and walked over to her and ran his thumb over her eyebrow and said coldly, "Thanks for the release, you served your purpose long enough."

He dropped his mask for only a second, and she saw the pain in his eyes and her heart could hear him say, "I love you, and I'm sorry I have to do this".

He slapped her across the face and said in a callous tone, "Get her out of my sight".

The guards pulled her away and threw her towards the door. She stood there for a minute and Olivia smiled, draped her arm around Michael's shoulder and said, "Thanks for keeping my place warm for me", and they both laughed.

Nikita felt a tear drop from her lashes and then turned and ran. Michaels' heart was broken. He had lost everything this time and knew that for whatever time he had left on this earth, he would mourn the loss of his soul and hers. He tried to burn the image of his beloved into what little of a heart he felt he had left, and tried to take solace in the fact that she would be safe. Safe from Olivia, and safe from him.

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

Chapter 1

Nikita cried and ran back to the van. She almost made it and collapsed in the field and felt the bile rising in her stomach. She grabbed her chest as she thought her heart was about to burst out of her chest and screamed his name in pain. Mowen was headed back to the van and found her on her knees shrieking in pain. He grabbed her by the waist and dragged her the rest of the way to the van. He threw her on the bench and behind them the building exploded into flames.

She screamed "MICHAEL!!!!!!!!" as Mowen closed the doors and the van drove away.

She was inconsolable in the van. Moaning and openly crying the whole ride back to Section. Mowen and others tried to calm her down, but she was spiraling out of control fast.

When they arrived at van access, Operations was pacing back and forth.

Madeline said, "She's not going to take this very well, you do understand that?"

An evil smirk crawled across his face and he replied, "It doesn't matter anymore", as the door opened and the operatives began to pass by him.

Mowen, Chuck and Nikita exited the van last. They were on either side of her holding her up. Ops stepped forward and looked at Mowen and commanded, "Report".

Mowen still supporting Nikita began to recap the events. Ops smiled and then inquired, "And Michael?"

Chuck swallowed hard and answered in almost a whisper, "Killed in the explosion as ordered."

Nikita's head snapped up as Chuck's reply began to register in her brain.

"WHAT??"

Operations replied, "Yes a last minute change in the profile. An unfortunate, but necessary change."

Nikita moved away from her supporters and stood upright. She got right in the face of Operations. "This was planned? Why wasn't I informed?"

His smile grew larger and he responded, "Would it have made a difference in your performance during the mission?"

He began to circle around her as he continued speaking. "Michael knew he had to do what needed to be done and we achieved closure. What seems to be the problem Nikita?"

Madeline shot him a look as to say, "You are treading on very thin ice with her. Be careful".

Stunned by the revelations, Nikita asked, "Michael knew you were sending him to.... die?"

Going in for the kill, the smile slid off Operations face as he replied menacingly, "He was aware of it, and accepted it. He had become acceptable collateral. Are you proud of yourself Nikita? Because you made him that way."

Nikita's head shot around to face her superior. Her eyes were ferocious filled with fire as she spat, "What does that mean?"

Operations now stood before her, anger radiating off of him in waves. All the plans he had made, personally and professionally for Section One as well as for Michael Samuelle had been for naught. The woman now standing before him was solely responsible for the loss of the best operative in Section One, and it was about time she got what was coming to her.

"All the years you have been here have taken a toll on Michael, Nikita. He became weak. Sympathetic and his performance began to show these troubling aspects you created in him. He knew it would come to this someday and that was the price he paid because of you!"

Nikita filled with rage, hurt, anger and bewilderment looked down at the floor solemnly. Nikita then lifted her gaze to meet Operations, drew her arm back and thrust her fist forward connecting with Operations face. The force from her blow propelled him backwards against the wall, and then he slid down and plopped on his ass. Nikita was advancing towards him apparently for another strike when Mowen and Chuck grabbed her arms to restrain her. Madeline, for once in her Section career had a stunned look on her face and was unable to react.

Nikita started screaming and grasping towards Operations, and Mowen and Chuck really had to fight to hold her back. Operations slowly stood up and for the first time since he was struck, felt the blood trickling out of his nose. Stunned, he looked at his hand that had wiped at his nose and found it covered in blood. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief and began to wipe the blood away from his face and hands. Still in disbelief, he looked towards Nikita. When he looked at her, she reminded him of a wild animal. Clawing, scratching, desperately trying to reach her prey...him. He looked to Mowen and ordered, "Take her to Containment" and then straightened his jacket, and slowly walked away.

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

Chapter 2

At Walter's station, he heard the cries of a woman and looked up and saw Chuck and Mowen dragging Nikita kicking and screaming towards Containment. He dropped his tools and rushed over to them. Chuck held his other arm out to warn Walter away.

Walter said, "What the hell is going on here?" as he followed them down the hallway.

Chuck said, "Michael is dead, suicide mission. Nikita just slugged Ops and we have to take her to Containment. Don't get involved Walter, leave it alone." The last part was spoken over Chuck's shoulder as they continued down the hallway.

Walter froze and sighed "Dear God!"

He shook himself out of his disbelief and hurried back to his station. He began feverishly typing on his panel and suddenly Mick Schtoppel appeared on the screen and smiled. "Yes Walter, what is it?

******

In Containment, Nikita was still wailing and the tears were pouring out of her eyes, as she was strapped into the chair in the middle of the room. She wanted to die; she welcomed it. Anything to make the pain go away. After she was secure, Mowen and Chuck left the room and she was alone. Her heart was shattered, her soul crushed, her mind in a state of disbelief as she heard Michael's hurtful words in her mind over and over.

Two hours later the door opened. She raised her head to see who it was and she saw Mick Schtoppel and six guards around him walk in and smile. She strained her puffy eyes and tilted her head to the left and said in a meek voice, "Mick?"

He smiled and replied, "Hello doll face; it's Mr. Jones actually."

She squinted her eyes and hoarsley said "WHAT?"

He smiled and began to walk around her in a circle.

"I..I don't understand?" she mumbled.

He smiled and touched her shoulder and said, "When Michael told me this would destroy you, I told him to have more faith in you. Seems he was right Popsicle."

She turned her head to meet his gaze and said, "You.... Michael told you about this?"

Mick held his smile as he replied, "Michael and I have been working together for a few years now. As you can now imagine, his cover was unprecedented. He has been my eyes and ears here in Section and when I got his call earlier.... I promised him I would look after you, so here I am love."

He stopped circling and crouched down in front of her and said, "When Walter contacted me and told me how things have escalated, I decided it was time I paid you a real visit."

She shook her head, stunned by yet another revelation. "W-W-Walter? He knew too?"

Not answering her question, Mick continued. "Paul has been dealt with and Madeline has been relocated. I could not allow this to go on any longer. Things will be different here from now on but that is of no consequence to you my dear."

Nikita softly asked, "Why?"

Mick took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh before he answered her. "The price Michael asked for his cooperation was your freedom. I am a man of my word and you have your freedom doll, best as it can be freedom where Section is concerned."

Mick slowly stood and then moved behind Nikita and clicked the restraints off of Nikita's arms. He reached for her hands and pulled her up so she was standing in front of him, then cupped his hands on her cheeks and said, "Michael loved you very much. Everything he did, every move, every decision was in your best interest love. He sacrificed his life so you could live and be free".

She began to sob again and he held her gaze and said sternly, "Don't let his death be in vain; live Nikita, be free. Let this terrible ordeal turn into something Michael could be proud of." The last being said as he wiped her tears with his thumbs.

She looked like a frightened lamb, and he drew her in for a hug and squeezed her tight.

"People are counting on you to live Nikita, to eventually be happy and healthy and leave this terrible existence behind."

Mick pulled back slightly, then looked over his shoulder and signaled for Walter to come in. Walter walked in the small sterile room with tears in his eyes. Nikita looked at his distraught face and tried to smile, but failed miserably. Seeing her like this was too much for the older man. Walter quickly strode over to her and wrapped his arms around her and then they both cried unabashedly.

Mick touched Walter's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Take her home, get her packed; you know what to do."

Walter nodded his compliance, then Mick and the guards exited the room.

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

Chapter 3

Walter took Nikita home and after some soothing, (via a sedative) got her to sleep. She slept for twelve hours and when she woke, she shot up like a bolt. Walter had stayed with her all night and was making arrangements for her new life. When Walter heard her stirring, he closed his laptop and went up to her bedroom.

When Walter entered the room, he found Nikita sitting up in her bed holding onto a pillow, Michael's pillow. It still had his scent on it and she was crying into it. Walter sat down and held her and let her cry. She kept asking why, and Walter tried to soothe her by telling her it would be alright. He ran his hand over her golden mane and told her in time she would understand and rocked her back and forth.

They stayed in her apartment for the next two days. Walter cared for her the best he could, which at times meant slipping her sedatives so she could get some rest. Her dreams were a mismatch of sweet dreams and horrific nightmares, and she fought sleep at every turn. She would see the places her and Michael had gone to, the stolen moments the fought so hard for. The love they shared, the hate, the admiration, the sadness, all these things seemed to all melt into one.

She had awoken on the second day after having a beautiful dream. A small smiled curved her lips as she felt almost relaxed; as if she had slept in Michael's strong loving arms all night long. She rose and had a shower, then got dressed. When Nikita came downstairs, Walter had a cup of tea waiting for her with a smile. She curled her lips to form a half smile and said, "Thank you Walter".

Walter, who usually always has something to say, just nodded and remained silent. He had been her silent strength these past few days, and she loved him for it. He was just there. Not to tell her how to feel, or what to do, he was just the quiet reassurance she needed. They didn't say much that morning until her cell phone rang. Walter jumped at the sound and looked around to see where it was coming from. It wasn't Nikita's Section phone; it was her personal one. She walked over to the counter and opened up the phone and said "Hello".

A flash of pain crossed her face and she turned white as a ghost as she replied, "Yes, it is".

She inquired desperately trying to hold back tears, "Is it bad? Will she be alright?"

She couldn't hold the tears any longer and her voice began to crack as she said, "I'll be there as soon as I can", and hung up the phone.

Walter held her arm and asked, "Sugar, who was that?"

She took what she hoped to be a deep calming breath and replied, "That was Mercy Hospital. Elena has been in an accident. She gave them my number and wants to see me right away".

Walter dumbfounded asked, "Why would she want to see you?"

Nikita shakily replied, "She thinks I'm Michael's cousin and the doctors said she's in critical condition."

Nikita looked around the room and began to shiver and ramble, "Walter, I..I don't know if I can face h-her, not after what happened t-t-to Michael."

Walter walked over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders firmly and reassuringly said, "I'll be right with you Sugar. Every step of the way. Now go and get your coat, let's go."

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

Chapter 4

They arrived at the hospital two hours later and were brought right into Elena's room. The first thing Nikita saw when she entered the room was two men in business suits standing at Elena's bedside. One of them extended a hand and introduced himself as Pierre Lacroix. He said, "I represent Elena and Adam."

Nikita asked, "You're a lawyer?"

He smiled and replied "Yes" and then proceeded to introduce his colleague.

Nikita asked, "What happened? Where's Adam? Was he with Elena when this happened?"

Pierre smiled reassuringly and said, "No, Elena was driving alone. She needs to make sure Adam is taken care of and before she dozed off, she told us to find you. She said that you were the only family she had left."

Nikita swallowed hard and tried to catch her breath. Walter steadied her arm and asked some questions about Elena's condition to change the subject. Nikita stood there in a fog. She had just lost the man she loved, the man Elena thought she lost two years ago, and now she was being asked to care for his child.

She heard her grandmother's voice in the back of her mind "When one door closes child, another one always opens"

She stood next to Elena's bed and held her hand. Did she have the strength to do this? Adam was the most precious thing to Michael; how could she turn down this responsibility when Michael gave his life for her to live? Nikita snapped out of her daze when she felt Elena's hand tighten around her own. She looked down to Elena's puppy dog eyes and smiled and reciprocated the hand squeeze. Elena pulled off the oxygen mask and said, "I knew you would come".

Nikita told her "Shhhhhh, save your strength".

Elena coughed and said, "I can rest now that you're here. I know you will love Adam and keep him happy and safe."

Nikita's eyes began to tear and she said, "Elena you will be fine, you'll see".

Elena smiled and said, "I am now. Pierre will help you with the legalities, and Adam already knows you. He'll adjust to my absence; it may take time but I know that he will grow up and be the man Michael and I wanted him to be with your guidance."

Nikita could not hold back any longer and let out a sigh. This was killing her inside, and Walter moved over to touch her back softly to let her know he was still there. Nikita drew in a deep breath and tried to smile. Elena did smile and said, "I trust you Nikita. You will do a fine job of raising our boy", and a tear came down her cheek.

Nikita wiped it away and the monitors went nuts. Alarms beeped and flashed and the nurses flew in the room and ushered everyone out. Nikita turned to Walter and buried her face in his chest and sobbed. Twenty minutes later the doctor came out and looked down. It was over; she was gone. Nikita felt her legs give way and she grabbed Walter's shirt and he braced her so she wouldn't fall. They listened to the doctors for a few minutes and Pierre asked Nikita to follow him to a small private room. She obliged with Walter by her side.

They entered the room and sat at a small table. Pierre clasped his hands on the table and said "Adam is with a sitter right now. You will go to this address, as he slid a piece of paper across the table, and bring him home to pack".

Nikita's mind clicked in and gave the man across from her a slanted look. He said, "I work for Center. Mr. Jones has made all the necessary arrangements for the transition."

Walter's eye's lit up with surprise. Then his eyes turned cold and fierce as he asked, "Is this your doing?"

Pierre smiled and calmly said, "No, we've been in place with Elena since Michael's planned death."

Nikita asked, "Why me? Why choose me?"

Pierre smiled wider and said, "Mr. Jones will explain in due time" and slid some paperwork over to her and asked her to sign it.

She asked, "What is this?"

Pierre said, "Custody papers; it's all legal to protect Adam."

Nikita took the pen and read over the forms as best she could and signed them.

Pierre took the papers back and said, "Michael left them a large sum of money that needs to be managed. Luc and I will be available to assist you with this transition. Have you decided where you are going to live yet?"

Nikita looked away and wiped a tear from her cheek and said, "America".

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

Chapter 5

When they had made all the arrangements for Elena's body to be taken care of, they left to get Adam. Nikita took a few deep breaths and walked in the door and Adam ran up to her and hugged her shouting her name. She couldn't take the wave of emotions that ran through her body at that moment. It was like Michael was hugging her from the grave and she collapsed with Adam in her arms to the floor. She held him so close and rocked back and forth with him in her arms.

He said sadly, "Mommy was in an accident; did you see her?"

Nikita wiped the hair away from his eyes and smiled and said, "Yes sweetie, I did".

He said, "I miss her "and looked down.

Nikita touched his chin and brought his eyes up to look into hers then spoke.

"Adam, your Mommy went to heaven to be with your Daddy," as she gasped for breath to keep her composure, "but she asked me to take care of you from now on".

He gave her a look like he sort of understood and wrapped his arms around her neck. He cried on her shoulder and she tried to comfort him as best she could, but she was grieving too and this wasn't going to be easy. They stayed on the floor for a few minutes and he let go of her neck and leaned back and saw she had been silently crying too.

He touched her tears and she touched his and he smiled a little and said, "Don't cry, like you said, my Mommy and Daddy can watch over us now that they're in heaven."

With that she let out a huge sigh and pulled him closer into her embrace and cried outwardly.

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

Eventually they collected themselves and said their goodbyes and went to Elena's house so Adam could pack. Walter helped him as Nikita wandered into Elena's room and looked around. Signs of Michael were everywhere, pictures, cologne, everything was still in place. She picked up and held onto a picture of Michael and Adam and then sat on the bed and cried. She heard Adam laughing downstairs, and the sound of his sweet voice brought a small but sad smile to her face.

The doorbell rang and she rose and wiped her face, and then went down to answer it. When she opened the door there stood Mr. Jones and four guards behind him. He kissed her cheek and walked past her moving inside. She was stunned as she followed them into the living room.

"I don't understand?" she said as she followed behind him.

He sat on the couch and motioned for her to join him, and she did. He turned to her and said, "Doll face, Adam will be better off with you than with some strange family or in a foster home, don't you agree?"

She nodded and opened her mouth to speak and he motioned for her to wait.

"We need to talk about the way this all goes down. You see, no one ever leaves Section" and she began to rise so he reached for and held her hands, then quickly said, "It's not what you think love, I promise" and gently pulled her by the hand back down on the couch.

He asked, "You are going to America I understand?"

She nodded with a curious look like "Where the hell is he going with this?"

"You will still be part of the organization, but not Section One. You will be joined by eight other operatives of my choosing to form a new Section, Section Nine. You will all have normal lives, jobs, families, and will only be used for specific missions. You may go six months without ever receiving a call and will be away no longer than two days at any given time. No long term missions and no valentine missions. This is not what Section Nine is about."

Nikita shook her head and said "Mr. Jones, I don't understand".

He smiled and said, " I'm giving you freedom my dear, a house, a family, all that Michael wanted for you. This is important Nikita. You have a chance to pave the way for others."

Not trusting him, she asked, "What's the catch?"

He smirked and replied, "I always knew you were a clever girl. The catch is that none of the other Sections will know about Nine; no one, only key people in high-ranking positions will have access to what you do. No surveillance, no checking up, your time is your own, but when you are called, you must come, that's the only catch."

Nikita asked, "What about Adam?"

Mr. Jones winked and replied, "Your new identity will have all the answers you seek", and motioned for one of the guards carrying a brief case to come forward..

Mr. Jones opened the case and explained, "You will find everything in order. Passports for you and Adam, credit cards, driver's license, bank accounts; everything has been taken care of."

She was in shock. He smiled and once again took her hands in his and said, "The rest of Adams' belongings will be shipped to your new house; they should arrive in a day or so. Your apartment has already been packed and, besides a suitcase of your clothes, everything else will be shipped with Adam's."

A guard walked over and placed a suitcase by her feet. Mr. Jones leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and said, "I know this is a lot to deal with; take your time, get settled, get used to Adam and allow him to get used to you. I'll be in touch".

He smiled and then said matter of factly, "Not to check up on you, just to check in with you and make sure everything is alright."

They both rose from the couch and he turned to her and handed her a piece of paper.

"If you need anything here's my personal number"

"What about Walter?" she asked.

Mr. Jones smiled and replied, "He'll get you settled in but then he is needed elsewhere love."

She looked down sadly and Mr. Jones sighed and said, "You've been entrusted with a lot popsicle, don't hesitate a moment in wondering if you can handle this. I have faith in you."

He turned to leave and then stopped and turned back to face her and said, "And so did Michael".

She stood there in silence as she watched them all leave, and Adam came down the stairs and ran up to her and smiled. She wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks and smiled back at him and thought to herself "Just like your father, you know just when I need comfort".

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

Chapter 6

Adam clung to Nikita during the ride to the airport, and once they arrived, Walter directed them to a waiting plane. Adam being almost eleven was curious about the plane and Walter took him into the cockpit as Nikita sat down at a table and began to look through the contents of the briefcase she received earlier. Her new name was Gina Samms. There was also a folder containing a list of potential homes that she was to pick from. The first three looked acceptable and then she came across a picture of a cabin-like home on a lake. She sighed and thought, 'Oh Michael, I wish you were here with me, how can I make these decisions without you?'

She took a deep breath and glanced at the other homes again, but the giant cabin drew her back. It was settled; they were to live in New Hampshire in a rural town away from the hustle and bustle of the world. She handed Walter the picture and he went to tell the pilots what location she had chosen. She read through her profile until Adam came over talking a mile a minute. She pushed the papers aside, and cleared the seat next to her for Adam to sit. He settled down and together, they prepared for take off and whatever else life may throw their way.

When they arrived at their new house Adam was amazed. The house was huge!!!! He ran all around the house dragging Nikita to each room and staring in awe. It was furnished and beautiful. Adam went into what was to be his room and gasped at the sight. Anything a young boy could wish for was in this room. He let go of Nikita's hand and started to roam around. She watched him for a few minutes and then began to do some searching of her own. She opened the door across the hall and found her room. It was elegant and warm. She looked around and touched the fabrics and then sat on the bed. Her bed; a bed that her soul's companion would never sleep in. She felt a wave of sorrow building and thought about Adam. She had to be strong for him, she owed Michael that much. She swallowed back her tears and stood up. She went back to Adam's room and found he was already deeply involved in a video game and she smiled.

She went back downstairs and found Walter in the kitchen raiding the fridge.

He stood back and smiled when he heard her clear her throat, and said "What?"

She smiled and said, "Why didn't you eat on the plane?"

He said in a disgusted voice, "Food on a plane! No way Sugar. Stomach's not what it used to be."

She half smiled and he smiled in return. He thought 'She almost smiled, it's a start'

The next few days, Adam and Nikita spent time getting to know their new home, and each other. The rest of their belongings finally arrived, and she helped him get situated and comfortable. He cried a little at night, as did she, but slowly they became each other's strengths. Walter had stayed for two weeks, and made it his job to not only oversee the installation of the security system that was to be installed, but to bring Nikita and Adam out of their respective shells.. They enjoyed exploring the town they now lived in and it's surroundings, but Walter saved the best for last. Looking like the cat that swallowed the canary Walter brought Nikita to what looked like a large barn out back. Once they got inside, part of it looked like a big photo lab, which made sense since her cover was that of a photographer. But, at the back of the room there was a false wall and behind it was a gym and training equipment. She looked around the large room and was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. When she needed to relieve stress her favorite pastime had been working out, and she had the feeling Walter had a hand in creating this room for her. She nodded and smiled at Walter and said "Not too shabby Walter".

He proudly smiled. "I thought you'd like it!"

Later that night, they had a nice quiet dinner. After dinner, Nikita walked Walter out to the porch to say good-bye. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"I'm going to miss you Sugar."

She smiled and said, "I'll miss you more. I couldn't have gotten through all this without you."

"It's going to be tough, no contact and all, but you know how to reach me for emergencies" he said as he winked mischeviously.

Adam came out to the porch and stood next to Nikita, and she draped her arm around his shoulder.

Walter looked at Adam and said, "You take care of my Sugar kid, got it?"

Adam replied, "I will and she'll take care of me too", and he looked up at Nikita and they both smiled and then looked back to Walter.

Walter walked dow to the waiting car, and turned and waved to Nikita and Adam one last time. As he slipped inside the car, he smiled and let out a huge breath and said out loud to no one "Michael, you'd be really proud of our Sugar, really proud."

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

Chapter 7

About five months had gone by with no phone calls from Mr. Jones and Nikita believed it to be too good to be true. Later that same day, Nikita was knocked back into reality in the form of a knock at her door. Nikita opened the front door and found a strapping man smiling at her. She was a bit leery of this stranger, until he introduced himself as Brian and extended his hand. She shook his hand, but her look was still cautious until he said, "Mr. Jones sent me. I've been assigned to serve as your bodyguard."

She curtly replied, "I don't need a bodyguard."

He smiled and released her hand, and asked if he could come in. She looked at him even more curiously, but opened the door and allowed him to enter.

He looked around and said, "Nice place you've got here."

Nikita was losing patience and said, "Can you tell me the reason for this?"

He turned to her and said, "Absolutely, why don't we have a seat and I'll fill you in."

They walked into the living room and sat down. Brian started off by telling her that Mr. Jones was aware of her "delicate condition", being almost six months pregnant with twins, and that he was sent to cover security and help out until her due date when a nanny would be brought in.

Nikita was outraged.

She shouted, "How does he know all of this? I thought no surveillance was part of the deal. I should have known better than to believe one word from his lying mouth!"

He smiled and said, "Ah Mr. Jones told me to let you know he was checking in on you" and pointed to a small fixture where a camera had been hidden, "not checking up. He said you would know what that meant".

She shook her head and half smiled at the thought of ripping that camera out of the wall before the end of the night. She then chuckled as she knew she had to check the rest of the house more thoroughly for more monitoring devices, because she was now sure there were more hidden, and hidden well.

"I'm here for the long haul; to drive you to appointments, take Adam to school and I have instructions to do laundry if necessary", Brian said as he laughed slightly.

They talked and got to know a little about each other over the next few hours until Adam came home from school.

He came bolting in the door and yelled, "I'm home!"

She answered him and yelled, "In here!"

Adam came in and was shocked to see a stranger in their home. Nikita stood and introduced Brian to Adam. Adam looked a little leery of this man, and Nikita told him they would talk later and touched his shoulder in reassurance. He nodded, knowing that her calming touch meant, "It's ok, he's ok", and then he headed up to his room.

In the five months they had been alone, Nikita had told Adam about Section One and his father and mother and herself. Nikita decided that if they were going to truly be a family, they had to have trust. Adam was a little confused, but very mature for his age. Everyday she saw more of Michael in him and wondered if this is what Michael had been like at that age.

Brian settled in and they all got into a routine. Adam felt a little territorial at first; after all he was the man in the family. Nikita had been entrusted to his care by Walter, and he felt it was his job to do certain things that Brian now did.

Eventually Adam and Brian became friends, and Brian even taught him some defensive techniques. And not surprisingly, Adam was a natural. He moved with the same grace as his father, and was a very quick study. Brian thought it was time for Adam to know how to defend himself in case that situation ever came about. With Nikita pregnant, she would be less able to defend herself and Adam in the instance that Brian had been taken out of the picture. He assured Adam that there was a 2% chance of this scenario ever occurring, but better be safe than sorry and Nikita altough reluctant at first, finally agreed. She was responsible for this boy and the two unborn children she was carrying, and wanted to make sure all precautions had been explored. She had found her bearings in these past few months and had really become a protective lioness defending all her cubs.

Her strength came from her love for these children and the love for a man that would hold the key to her heart for all of eternity. She wanted to be the best mother she could be to his children, and approached each day as a cherished gift from her beloved. Night time was a different time for her though. At night when all had gone to sleep, she allowed herself to feel the pain that she suppressed during the light of day. The longing for his touch, the scent of his skin, the love in his eyes. She would allow herself, if only for a short while, to grieve a little bit each day for her beloved. Often crying herself to sleep, she would murmur his name and the pain in her heart could be heard in her words as she spoke. She would awake each day brushing off the dried tears from the previous night and start anew.

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

Chapter 8

It was the second week in February when she got a call. Brian knew it was on the special phone, so he followed the sounds of the ringing to find out what was up. Nikita answered the phone and waited. A simulated voice said "Josephine" and chills ran up her spine at the using of the name Michael had used when calling her in to Section.

She said, "What do I do?"

The voice said, "A car will pick you up in an hour, bring nothing and be ready" and the line went dead.

She was shaken and Brian touched her arm and said, "How long?"

She looked at him and said, "One hour".

He smiled and stroked her shoulder and said, "It's like riding a bicycle, you never forget. Besides, we've been training and you're in better shape now then you were when I first met you."

She touched his hand on her shoulder and said "Thank you", and then went to find Adam.

She found Adam in the game room with some of his friends. She stuck her head in the doorway and said, "Hey guys".

They all turned around and smiled and said "Hey Mrs. Samms".

She said, "Adam honey, can I speak to you for a minute please?"

He smiled and said, "Sure, be right back guys", and got up and left the room with her.

They went into her "office" and she closed the door. He smiled and said, "What's up?"

She told him about the phone call and that she would be back in two days. The level of honesty between the two of them was frightening and comforting at the same time. She always wanted him to be honest with her, and tell her how he really felt, not hiding anything, and she in turn did the same thing.

He asked her, "Are you scared?"

She smiled and said, "A little. It has been a while since I was active, but I'm not sure what the job is so I really don't know what to expect".

He nodded his head and said, "What should I do?"

She smiled widely and said, "Take care of your brother and sister until I get back", and he looked down and then she said, "And no staying up all night just because I'm not here. Got it?"

He smiled. She knew she didn't have to say that, she just said it to get him to smile and break the tension in the room. She stood up and gave him a big hug and kissed the top of his head and said, "If anyone asks, I got a location assignment for a shoot somewhere in Canada, ok?"

He said, "Got it".

She squeezed him tight and then dropped her hands and said while wiping a lone tear from her lash, "Ok you, go, get back to your friends" and patted him on his shoulder. Again he felt it. Her touch meant, "It's ok, I'll be fine".

He trotted out of the room and she took a deep breath and leaned back against her desk and sighed. After a minute, she went and held the twins and then went to change her clothes.

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

Chapter 9

The car came and the driver came to the door. He introduced himself as Keith; he was part of the team. He told her that they needed to get going and escorted her to the car. They made small talk and got to know one another a little and Nikita was pleased and curious to discover that Keith was unaware of what was about to happen either. This was the first time the team would actually meet, and Keith was under the assumption that it was more of a meet and greet than an actual mission which seemed to make Nikita relax a bit more.

They went to a small airstrip and boarded a waiting jet. Once on board, they met two more members of their team, Craig and Shultz. Craig was a very well built man. He stood about six feet and had black hair and brown eyes. Nikita thought he had the appearance of a football player and smiled to herself. Her first impression of Schultz was that this guy is so full of himself. He was a striking man, very sexy, very beautiful, but she had the feeling it was skin deep. His perfectly placed hair and tanned skin gave the aura of a jet setter, a playboy of sorts. She thought to herself 'There's a valentine op if I've ever seen one' and smiled shyly. They all took their seats and got acquainted. They landed in Chicago a few hours later and piled into a waiting van to be taken to the next location. They had bonded in the short time since they had met and things seemed to be moving along.

They arrived at an abandoned warehouse and were escorted inside. They met the rest of their team, Lori, Rex, Bill, John and Mike. They exchanged pleasantries and gathered around a conference table in the center of the room. Mr. Jones and six guards entered and asked everyone to take their seats. For the next few hours, they were briefed on what was expected of them; some upcoming missions and team assignments were discussed. Nikita and Keith would be team leaders. They shyly smiled at each other and then at the group. Gina would lead Team 1 with Schultz, Brian and Rex.

They all acknowledged their assignments and seemed quite pleased. Mr. Jones told them their first mission would be in two weeks, after which someone would visit them from Center to evaluate their individual performances, as well as their current medical situations. This would occur after every mission and would not be an option.

They stopped for a break for an hour to eat and then went right back to the briefing. They each received state of the art equipment to connect with each other undetected from outside surveillance. They were briefed on potential situations that may need their attentions in the immediate future, as well as missions that the other Sections were running currently as to not shadow each other. Gina raised a curious eyebrow as to why would he mention shadowing other missions. Knowing his inquisitive friend, Mr. Jones decided to wrap things up by stating that none of the other Sections would know of their existence nor would they be working together. They were to be ignored and not engage with any contact on the slight chance they should cross paths during missions. Under no circumstances would this be tolerated. They were not to be harmed, just ignored. Smiling and giving Gina a wink, he raised his arms up to gesture that they should rise. He said tomorrow some additional training exercises w ould take place and the plane departs tomorrow night at 9.

"Feel free to get more acquainted with one another and enjoy the evening", he said, and then turned and left

Keith leaned over to Gina and said, "Welcome to the land of the nonexistent again."

She half smiled and said, "As much as things change, they still stay the same" and he patted her hand on the table and smiled, then he rose to speak with the other operatives.

Gina sat there and let out a huge breath and felt a bit more relaxed now that their objectives had finally been explained to them. She thought, 'Maybe it won't be as bad as I feared.' Like a smack into reality, a chill shot up her spine and she new her fears were just.

She shook her head to clear the dreadful thoughts that were slowly creeping their way forward in her mind and Lori sat down next to her and said, "So, looks like it's us two against the guys."

Gina smiled and said, "Looks that way doesn't it?"

Lori smiled back and said, "I think we can take them" and raised an eyebrow.

Gina laughed out loud and felt a wave of relief wash over her. Lori would become her friend; she could feel it in her heart, and she was glad that her new friend seemed to like to buck the system, as did she. As Lori continued to talk about how to disarm each of their team members effectively and discuss each of their "male features", Gina thought 'Oh yes, they would be friends, a force to be reckoned with' and she began to open her heart to this person who had unknowingly soothed her ever growing fears.

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

Chapter 10

The group dispersed and went out for dinner. They ate and drank for hours getting to know each other better and then headed back to the building to rest. Lori and Gina had a private room with a private bath and found that only after a little less than a day together they felt like old friends. They lay in their beds and talked most of the night. Nikita never really had any girlfriends inside Section and this was a much welcome change for her.

Someone she didn't have to lie to or deceive or hide her feelings from like Madeline, and it was, to say the least, refreshing. Before they both fell asleep, Lori asked Gina if she had noticed the way Keith looked at her.

Gina chuckled and said, "What do you mean?"

Lori chuckled softly and said, "You'll see tomorrow, I guarantee it" and turned her light off to go to sleep.

Nikita laid there in the dark pondering her new friend's statement. 'What does she mean 'the way he looks at me'?' she thought.

Her lips curled up to a tiny smirk and decided it was very late and they had to get up very early and the answers would have to wait until morning.

The next morning they were put through some vigorous exercises and then worked on trusting each other; knowing the limits and solitude they would have to endure, trust was a necessity. Keith and Gina had been paired for an exercise and Nikita looked over at Lori and Lori winked at her. This brought a huge smile to Nikita's face as she engaged Keith. They sparred and Keith treated Nikita with kid gloves. She could see the desire in his eyes like she was some kind of maiden that needed a knight in shining armor. She finished the session and he put his arm around her waist as they walked off the mat and said, "You did a good job out there", and continued to offer tips on improving her techniques.

She stopped and smiled at him and grabbed his hand, spun him around, kicked his leg out and dropped him to the floor. She said, "Thanks for the advice, but I believe I've got it covered" and released his hand and patted him on the shoulder and walked away.

Lori was in stitches and was clapping her hands with approval. Nikita walked over to her and Lori handed her a towel and they headed for the showers giggling like teenagers.

At the end of the day, they said their goodbyes and headed for their planes to go home. Keith had apologized to Nikita and she patted his shoulder and apologized smiling as well. He sat down next to her and they quickly passed the time with discussions about their new teams. As the plane landed, Nikita felt a sense of urgency to get home. Nikita was anxious to be getting back to her children, as this was the first time they had been separated for longer than a day.

She arrived in the middle of the night and Brian met her at the door. He had heard the car approaching and quickly responded. She smiled at him and they made small talk, but she needed to see the children. She jogged up the stairs and checked on the twins. Sleeping, resting comfortably, her angels. She stroked their backs and she softly cried. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and went into Adam's room.

She walked over and sat on the side of his bed and moved a bunch of hair away from his eyes. He stirred and saw her and bolted up and hugged her. She felt a wave of relief as he clung to her tightly. He started with the questions and she smiled and told him there would be plenty of time to talk about it tomorrow, right now she was tired, and he needed to get back to sleep. She kissed his cheek and told him to get some sleep and rose and left his room. Brian was waiting in the hall and smiled.

He said, "Both nights Adam stood in front of the picture window in the great room like he was standing watch waiting for you, like some kind of sentinel".

Nikita smiled and chuckled slightly. She replied, "Like father like son", and patted his shoulder and went into her room to sleep.

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

Chapter 11

Over the next three years, Nikita had been out on hundreds of missions, each successful and without incident. The occasional bumps and bruises but nothing major. She had made a lot of contacts that when she was in Section wouldn't have been allowed. At the time of her departure, her assumed cancellation, she was still only Level 3. It was only operatives Level 5 and up, like Michael, that were allowed these benefits. She felt it liberating and empowering to have these options available to her, giving her a better sense of security for herself, as well as her family if need be.

She had taught Adam ways to defend himself, and he proved to be quite the student.

' So much like his father' she would remind herself every day.

It became a ritual that Adam would now work out with Brian and Nikita every chance he got. The twins were growing like weeds, Michael, affectionately known as MJ, was the spitting image of his father, and Michelle, also known as Shelly, was Nikita incarnate. They were a family in every way they could be. Nikita made sure she made all of Adam's football and soccer games and the twins were flourishing in pre-school. She had her own friends and would venture out on occasion but she missed Michael terribly.

Adam could hear her crying at night and didn't need to ask why, he knew. He would comfort her with his hugs and make her smile with his jokes, but he knew it was only a temporary fix to what he knew she needed and would never have. He had made attempts at fixing her up, which she wasn't too happy about to say the least. She approached him one night and told him she loved him dearly and was well aware at his attempts to find her a man, but would he please refrain from trying. He tried to object and she covered his mouth and told him that there were already three men in her heart and she didn't have room for anyone else. He didn't have to ask who the men were, himself, MJ and Michael. She hugged him and left his room trying to maintain a smile and failing miserably. Adam admitted defeat but vowed someday to find someone to make his mother happy again, someday....

Adam had tons of friends, was excelling in his studies and becoming quite the looker. Nikita teased him about all the girls that called and he took her chiding with dignity. He loved his new mother and his brother and sister, the new life she had given him, and knew that in some ways he had given her what she needed as well, love. After the twins were born he began to call her Momma around the twins and then "Mom" just became her name. It made her heart grow to know that he thought of her as his mother now and she regarded him as her son in every way.

Section Nine was progressing along very well. Over the past three years, they became a well-oiled machine. Nikita and Keith were pictures of perfection as the leaders and the team definitely followed their lead. They made it a rule to gather once a month, mission or not and just enjoy each other's company. Lori had become a permanent fixture in Nikita's life. She was her closest friend. They had become inseparable and incorrigible when together. They definitely had the advantage over the guys. Keith and Nikita talked on the phone frequently keeping each other up to speed and discussing new ideas for upcoming missions. None of the team actually knew who she was before Section Nine; they just knew her as Gina.

Jones said he wanted it that way for her protection because everyone else at Section One thought she had been cancelled. Keith new she had lost a loved one, the father of her children, but didn't know the whole truth. Still he felt for her loss and the pain that would show on her face sometimes after some missions. He could see that whoever this person was, he was her other half, her equal. She moved with the prowess of a lioness and was equally as cunning. He wondered what sort of man could capture her heart and soul so completely that she would be half a shell without him. Even at her best, he knew it wasn't her best. Only when those two halves united could she have been at her best and part of him was jealous at the thought of it. He had feelings for his counterpart but resigned himself to the fact that she would never truly be his with the ghost of her soul mate always forefront in her mind and heart.

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

Chapter 12

It had been a few months since she had any missions, and she had settled back into domestic life with errands, games, practices, play dates and such and then she got the call.

Keith came the next morning to fetch her and she had this gut feeling that this would be a bad mission. She said goodbye to the children and left with Keith. Ms. Smith, the nanny, would care for the twins until Nikita couldn't stand her anymore, Ms. Smith being the fourth nanny in three years, and Brian as always would tend to Adam. She knew the disturbance she felt was not about her family but about what she was soon to face.

Keith noticed how unusually silent she was and questioned her on it. She dismissed his questions and told him to ask her after they did whatever it was they were being sent to do. He smiled and shook his head back and forth. He knew Gina very well and knew that when she had a gut feeling, look out. When they arrived in Chicago her fears where realized. They were making a move on Olivia Graham. She was thought dead in an explosion but was very much alive and had set up shop in a suburb of Toronto. The profile was set to go in, download her sources, take the cobalt she had acquired and bring her in to be interrogated.

Keith was on point and Nikita shouted "NO!!! This one is mine."

Keith surrendered control and they geared up to depart.

A million emotions ran through Nikita's heart as she tried to prepare herself for what was about to come. She found no comfort in her now curious teammates. Keith mentioned to Lori that Gina had been acting a bit strange on the way there and told her to see if she could find out what was going on with Gina.

Lori approached Gina and touched her shoulder and said, "Hey, you ok?"

Gina spun and stared coldly into Lori's eyes and said "I'm fine".

Lori could see the pain in Gina's eyes and tried to touch her again for comfort, but Gina broke contact and walked away. Now Lori was concerned too. She looked at Keith and shrugged her shoulders and he nodded in response. Gina made her way to a small room and leaned up against a wall and let out a huge breath and whispered his name. Her eyes closed and she quickly remembered that morning again. The morning that haunted her dreams. Waking up in his arms after having made love late into the morning. His skin on her skin, his lips on her lips, the sensual touches, the love that flowed between them.

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and her memory turned to the field as she collapsed screaming his name as the building burst into flames. She wanted to cry, needed to cry. Her soul needed to cry out in pain and longing for the only man to ever touch her heart in such a way she never thought was possible. She heard the others heading towards the vans and wiped her face of the tears she had shed. She took a few deep breaths and pushed off of the wall and tried to put on her best blank mask and moved towards her team.

Gaining access went smoothly. Shultz and Rex had taken out five hostiles and started the removal of the cobalt from the vault. Lori and Mike had begun the download of all of Olivia's contacts and Nikita and John were making their way to Olivia's quarters. Olivia had moved from her quarters to a conference type room with a large desk at the end of the room. Nikita entered the room in her full mission gear with her face and hair covered. John was right behind her making sure she was covered. She noticed that the room was circular, similar to the one where she last saw Michael and the anger rose in her gut even more. The tops of the walls were all mirrored. She thought 'Two-way mirrors' and looked back at the desk. The chair spun around and Olivia smiled and said, "You'll never get out of here alive you know."

Nikita commanded "STAND UP NOW!"

Olivia stood and exposed the gun she had at her side. She smiled and said, "I'm not afraid to die for what I believe in, are you my dear?"

Nikita felt like she was having an out of body experience. This vile piece of trash had taken HER MICHAEL away, and she felt like someone else had stepped into her body at that moment. The thought of tearing this filth limb from limb with her own hands, the hands that held her children and caressed and loved them was becoming appealing to her at this moment. As Olivia walked closer towards Nikita, she tilted her head slightly and said, "I've seen those eyes somewhere before".

John stated, "Put the weapon down an come with us".

Olivia smiled and said, "I don't think so, not until I know who is behind those eyes", and continued her approach toward Nikita.

Nikita's blood was boiling with hate and revenge as Olivia drew each step closer. Olivia chuckled slightly and smiled as she said, "I remember, the blond groveling over my Michael!"

She lowered her gun and said, "Seems the prey has become the hunter".

John said, "Gina, we have to move now".

Olivia smiled and said "I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my times with Michael, he took me to places I had only dreamed of, such a shame he wasted a moment on your sorry ass little girl. He needed a real woman to show him his full potential, too bad he's been gone so long, I've missed our little trysts more than I can say", and she snickered and stood nose to nose with Nikita.

Nikita had had enough. Olivia smiled again and said, "Why don't you put the gun down and we'll find out who the better woman really is?"

John said, "Gina NO" and moved forward towards her.

She held her hand out behind her and tossed John her weapon and drew back her arm and slugged Olivia. Olivia fell back and touched her bloody mouth and smiled. She released her weapon and rose to her feet. They circled each other and then Nikita made the first move. The kicks and blocks began. They were interlocked and Olivia was taunting her opponent with talk of Michael before she killed him. She pushed off and pulled her jacket off and placed her hands on her hips, still taunting with details of how he died without ever saying a word.

Nikita stood up straight, removed her mission jacket and took a deep breath. Olivia continued in her verbal assault with slurs of Michael whispering into her ear as he filled her completely. John kept insisting to Gina that they had to go. Noticing her lack of acknowledgement to his pleas, he signaled for Keith and told him they had a problem with Gina. Keith acknowledged the communiqu‚ and headed in their direction.

In a fit of rage Nikita ripped off her mask and Olivia smiled. Nikita attacked her and was relentless. They pushed and shoved and connected their hands against one another's bodies. Nikita was at her breaking point and showed no signs of compassion. She fiercely continued her assault on her opponent and knocked her down and straddled herself onto Olivia and began hitting her face as it swung side to side with each blow.

Keith sprinted over past John and pulled Nikita off of Olivia and saw the pain in her face and the tears flowing down her cheeks as she screamed incoherently at the beaten woman on the floor. She was bloodied and bruised, but Keith new something else was causing the pain she was in at that moment. He pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her as Rex and Bill came in to secure the prisoner. Olivia had been beaten unconscious and they secured her hands and dragged her out of the room.

John left to search for other hostiles and Keith stayed and held Nikita in his arms trying to reassure her it would be alright, not even knowing what was wrong. He ran his fingers through her hair and tried desperately to calm her. She wasn't listening, and was in a place where she couldn't hear his reassurances. All she could do was hold onto his jacket and cry. Knowing they had to move and her lack of response, Keith scooped her up in his arms and carried her to egress.

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

Chapter 13

Michael had watched the whole terrible incident from the room he was being held in. He was powerless to help her or touch her or let her know he was all right. Mike burst into the room and Michael turned to him and allowed himself to look back at his angel before the blackness overcame him. Mike dragged him to the door and John helped him bind Michael's hands and cover his head and drag him down to the egress point. Once inside the van, Lori took his prints and came up with a match.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"What is it?", Mike asked.

Lori swallowed and said, "According to this information, this is Michael Samuelle."

Surprised, Craig asked, "THE MICHAEL SAMUELLE? Are you sure? Didn't that guy die four years ago?"

Lori nodded her head, "The prints match, I ran it through twice. Do we contact Section One and let them know he's alive? "

Craig shook his head from side to side. "You know the rules, no contact with other Sections. Jones was very clear on that point".

Frustrated, Lori spoke through gritted teeth, "You don't understand, I think this is Gina's Michael!!!!!"

She took a deep breath and sighed as she said, "Oh god, it gets worse", and continued reading.

"Michael was supposedly killed in the same explosion that was to have killed Olivia, and Gina was there and saw the whole thing, except her name isn't Gina, it's Nikita!!"

Shultz said, "THE NIKITA?"

Lori turned her monitor and said, "See for yourself"

They all stared at the profile and realized that their leader wasn't who she claimed to be.

Just then a communiqu‚ came over the screen. It was Jones.

"I hear we have closure, did you acquire Michael?"

Stunned Lori said, "Y-yes sir, but....." and Jones cut her off.

"No doubt you've discovered Gina's' true identity. This wasn't done to deceive you I assure you, but to protect her from other forces that would easily move to destroy her. Michael is to be brought to substation Alpha, ten miles to the north and unharmed. He is to know nothing from any of you, do not discuss anything that we have spoken of on this matter with anyone else in Nine, and I expect a full debrief upon your arrival."

With that the screen went blank and they all exhaled loudly.

Lori looked at her team mates with pleading eyes, "How can we not tell her he's alive? She's been living in hell thinking he was dead all these years; we have to do something."

"We do nothing." Craig replied, "She got her revenge tonight and that will have to be enough. Keith will put her back together until she can get home to Brian, and he'll make sure she is alright, he always does".

"It's just so sad, I've heard stories of those two, the torments, the love they had for one another, and she's my friend, how can I lie to her?" Lori asked wiping a stray tear from her eyes.

"You're not lying, you're just not offering anything either. Just like she didn't offer to tell us who SHE really was." Craig said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Shultz asked, "What about him?" and pointed to Michael.

Craig checked him and said, "He's still out; we better knock off this conversation before he comes to", and they remained quiet the rest of the ride to the substation.

What none of the team knew, was that Michael was awake, and had heard every word. His heart swelled knowing his beloved was alive and safe, but who were these people, and what was Nine? He decided it was best to continue to play possum some more to see if he could find out any more information. He heard another communiqu‚ come in and this time, it was Nikita's voice.

"Team 2 report; why are you not at the extraction point?" She asked in a hoarse but soft voice.

Craig answered, "Ah, hostiles were in pursuit, we lost them and will rendezvous with you in thirty minutes."

"Understood." Nikita replied.

Lori couldn't help herself and asked, "Gina are you alright?"

Nikita replied "Just settling a...., I'll be ....fine" and they heard her voice crack and then the channel closed.

Michael's heart now ached for his love; the pain in her voice was enough to crush his heart. He had to find out what happened in his absence and why was Nikita involved. The deal he made with Jones was for her freedom, and by her being there tonight he knew something had gone wrong. His mind now raged in anger. All the sacrifices he made, the deal with Jones, the deception for her safety, was apparently for nothing. She was in pain, had been in pain for more than the three years he had been undercover and he had been powerless to help her. Someone was going to pay for this betrayal, and pay dearly.

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Chapter 14

The van suddenly stopped and he felt himself being pulled out and tossed on the ground. His hands were untied and the mask was lifted as Schultz jumped back into the van and they tore off. Michael looked up at the speeding van as it rode out of sight and slowly rose to his feet. He was overcome with so many emotions, love, hate, gratitude, fear and a fire lit in his eyes. He was going to find out what had happened to Nikita, and he wasn't going to stop until she was once again safe, and in his arms.

The second van arrived at the extraction site on time, and boarded the carrier plane that was waiting to take off. Nikita was up front with Keith and she seemed to be in a daze. The second team saw that no one else was looking at her and felt relieved that they didn't have to feel guilty for not making eye contact with her either.

There was little discussion on the flight back to Chicago and none when they arrived at their primary location. Keith immediately boarded another jet with Nikita that would take her home. She was in a bad way, like she lost Michael all over again. Keith surely wasn't Walter, but he knew her well enough to make due until he got her home safely. They pulled up to her house around 2 AM and he escorted her inside.

Nikita was trying to use every ounce of control she had on the ride back. She needed to pull herself together because she would have to face Adam and MJ and Shelly and be the mom they expected her to be. The twins may not be able to pick up on her state of mind but no doubt Adam would in an instant. She took a series of deep breaths to try and calm herself for she knew she had to reign in all of her emotions before she walked into her home.

Adam had heard a vehicle approaching and quickly got out of bed and ran to his window. Seeing the car stop, and Keith get out and make his way over to the other door to help his mother get out of the car, Adam's fears took over. He jumped over the bed and ran down the stairs to meet his mother at the door.

Once they walked through the door, Adam rushed up to Nikita and all the walls she had built to protect herself crumbled at the sight of Michael's eldest son, and she fell to her knees and began to cry all over again. Seeing Adam with worry in his eyes was just too much for her to bear at this point. The sense of urgency and fear in his eyes was her undoing. She held him tightly and rocked back and forth and sobbed loudly. Adam looked at Keith and Keith shook his head as if to say, "It was that bad kid".

Adam slowly stood up and pulled her with him. Keith moved to stand on her other side and together they walked her up to her room. Once they had nikita settled on the end of the bed, Keith stepped out of the room, and Adam went on to take off her jacket and slide off her boots, and then helped her lay back on the bed. He went to her bathroom and got a wet facecloth and came back to her side and began to wipe the blood off her face and hands.

Quietly as he checked her for injuries he asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Suddenly, she bolted up and grabbed him into a bear hug and said, "I can't" and began to sob again.

Adam had seen her upset before but this, the person in front of him, wasn't the person he knew. The tears she shed at night were pale in comparison to the ones she shed now. He desperately wanted to help her but resigned himself to the fact he knew she would tell him when she was ready, she always had.

He stayed with her until she fell asleep and then slipped out of the room. He went back downstairs rubbing the back of his neck and found Brian and Keith in the kitchen having a few beers.

Adam spoke with a flippant tone in his voice. "Ok. What the hell happened to her and don't give me the 'wait until she tells me' bullshit. I want to know now!"

Pulling out a stool, Keith said, "Have a seat kid."

Keith proceeded to tell Adam as much as he could about the mission, knowing Nikita was as honest with him as she could be about the goings on of the missions they went out on. He explained that the person we apprehended tonight was the person responsible for his father's death and it took every ounce of strength she had not to kill her with her bare hands. Adam let out a huge breath that he didn't realize he was holding and ran his fingers through his hair.

Keith put a hand on Adam's shoulder and said, "If it makes you feel better, your Mom beat her to within inches of her life and she will never be able to hurt anyone ever again, we've seen to that."

Adam nodded his head and didn't know how to react. He knew deep down that he wouldn't have stopped until she was dead. She didn't deserve to live. The fact that the woman he considered his mother had to face the person that had killed his father, the one man that she truly loved in her entire life, her soul mate, her life's partner sent chills up his spine. Brian asked if Adam was ok and Adam nodded his head and stood up and went back upstairs. 'His fathers' killer', it sounded strange to say it he thought. He never imagined that he would have to think about the person responsible for murdering his father. He was told that they had all died in the explosion. He stopped dead in his tracks and a thought rushed into his mind, 'If she survived, maybe he did too'.

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Chapter 15

At the substation, Michael got cleaned up and debriefed with Mr. Jones via teleconference. He asked about the extraction team and Mr. Jones deflected his questions saying it was "of no concern". Michael knew damn well it was, but didn't let on that he knew more. Jones informed him he would send a team to bring him to Center right away and all other inquiries would have to wait until then, and then abruptly ended the call.

He waited for his transport to Center to arrive while formulating a profile in his mind. He would now be working at Center with Jones and would have access to the information he needed. He just needed to know where to look. He logged onto the system and pulled up Nikita's file. He was shocked to find it that it stated she had been cancelled. His heart flinched at the sight of the words that overlayed her picture, 'CANCELLED'. He probed further into the file and saw that upon her return after the explosion, she was distressed and a confrontation with Operations had ensued. There was a struggle and Operations was assaulted. Michael didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Part of him felt that Operations finally got a taste of what she had always willed to give him. The other part of him wanted to cry at the despair and loss she must have been suffering with to bring her to that point. She was immediately cancelled and the file ended.

He browsed through to see if Walter had been involved knowing the older man's staunch loyalty to Nikita, and opened his file. It showed he was on duty at the time of the incident and was inadvertently given three weeks down time after the event. Michael wondered if it was due to his own grief for losing his "Sugar". Walter and Nikita had formed an almost father- daughter bond. He would defend her almost as fiercely as Michael would and Michael always meant to thank him for looking out for her.

As he read on, he found that Walter was also working in Center now. It struck him as odd but maybe it would work in his favor. Who better to share the news of her being alive than the only other man who shared his love for this beautiful creature.

He then tried to access Operations file and found it was closed as he had been CANCELLED as well. He sat back and stroked his chin while looking thoughtfully at the screen.

'Why was Operations cancelled?' he thought. 'What the hell happened that day?' He decided to try Madeline's file and received the same results. Something was amiss. He leaned back and drew a deep breath as a young op approached him to let him know that the transport was ready and waiting. Michael logged off and followed the operative. Michael felt a certainty that with each step he took, that it would bring him one more step closer to the answers his heart demanded.

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