On her way to the briefing, Nikita walked by Walter's station and decided to stop by and say hello. She could see him standing there in his bandana and leather jacket, and she smiled just a little. Walter always managed to cheer her up with his outrageous attempts at flirtation. "Hi, Walter," she said in her best come-on voice.

"What's shakin, Sugar?" he replied, winking and leering at the same time.

From inside the equipment bay, a woman emerged. She was in her mid-thirties with a lovely figure and honey-gold hair that fell to her waist in waves. Her blue eyes twinkled in mischief.

She took a possessive stance next to Walter, putting her arm around his waist. She pretended to be affronted by Nikita's approach to the older man.

"Hey, Blondie! Back off!" the woman said. "I saw him first!"

Nikita grinned. She didn't know who this woman was, but she obviously knew how to tease as well as Walter did.

"Oh, really?" said Nikita, taking Walter's other arm.

"Hey! Find your own stud! This one's MINE!" The newcomer caressed Walter's cheek and tried to glare at Nikita, which she found difficult to do while giggling.

Nikita kissed Walter's cheek. "What if I don't want to find anybody else?" she challenged.

Walter beamed. "Ladies, Ladies! There's enough of me to go around!" He blew each one a kiss. "Just say where, when, and in what position, and I'm all yours..."

The girls looked at each other. Nikita winked. "When, Walter? How about right NOW?"

The other took her turn. "Where, did you say? How about right HERE.." she said indicating Walter's narrow workbench. Both women each took an arm and pulled him backward, so that he took a few staggering steps toward the bench.

"Hey, take it easy, not so rough...." the old man complained. The women looked at him intently, both suddenly looking serious. They both eyed him with obvious lascivious intent.

But Walter was a brave man. He kept up the game. "O.K., what position, Babes?" he squeaked out, wondering if he had gone too far this time.

Nikita smiled and gave him another kiss on the cheek. "Walter, I want you to..." she said huskily.

"You want me to what, Sugar?" Walter replied eagerly, his breath coming a little faster.

The women grinned at each other. "Why don't you SIT DOWN before you have a stroke or something, Lover-Boy?" said the new operative.

Giggling, they pushed him down on the bench, where he sat, laughing with them, red-faced.

"My God, he's BLUSHING!" Nikita crowed.

They all laughed harder.

"It's good to hear you laugh again, Marlena," said a soft French-accented voice.

The women looked up. Michael stood there, smiling.

"Michael!" the girl exclaimed, and went to him. "It's so good to see you!"

She hesitated just a moment, then hugged him.

They embraced warmly. After a moment, Michael held her away from him to look at her.

"How are you?" he said, in a serious tone.

"I'm fine, Michael," she said smiling. "Really."

He looked at her tenderly and then stroked his hand gently across her cheek. "I'm glad," he said, looking into her eyes.

He tore his gaze away from her and looked at Nikita and Walter. "Briefing in five minutes. Let's go."

"Of course, Michael," Nikita responded. She watched them walk away, arm in arm. Nikita paused, looking thoughtful.

The way Michael looked at the other woman, Nikita realized that Walter might not be the only man they would be fighting over.

She sighed, and followed the couple to the briefing table.

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

Operations stared at each operative seated around the table in turn and then began the briefing.

"Clear Light is a religious organization we've been keeping track of for some time now," he said.

"It's a church?" asked Nikita.

Operations nodded at Marlena, and she leaned forward, answering Nikita's question. "Not exactly. More like a well-funded, well-organized political action group. Clear Light promotes traditional family values, whatever that means..."

"Marlena has been undercover in the group for the last few months as the leader's assistant. She has discovered several very disturbing activities of theirs that need to be curtailed..." explained Operations.

Marlena continued. "Clear Light is a lot like the Heaven's Gate cult without the suicidal/escapist focus. Members are, for the most part, intelligent, computer literate, dedicated, and sincere. They are expected to be celibate and chaste, living lives of purity and devotion to doing good."

"Sounds like Birkoff," Walter muttered under his breath.

Operations glared at him, while everyone else tried to stifle their smiles.

Marlena grinned. "You may be right, Walter," she explained. "Clear Light provides sophistocated computer services of all kinds. These services, as well as private donations, are the main source of income for the group."

Operations clicked on the holographic screen. "This is Colin Grimes, leader of Clear Light," he said, indicating the image of a tall, silver-haired man in his fifties.

"Clear Light," said Marlena, her voice dripping sarcasm. "Promoting decency and morality in a broken, sinful world; a small beacon of goodness in the vast darkness of our times..."

"So, what's the problem?" asked Niktia.

"Pardon my being biblical, but does the term "whited sepulchre" mean anything to you?" said Marlena, smiling wryly.

"No, what's that?" Nikita said, not getting her reference.

"It's a term Jesus used to describe the Pharisees, another religious group of his time," answered Michael. "It means tombs, painted and pretty on the outside, but inside they contain.."

"Putrefying corpses?" finished Walter.

"Exactly," nodded Marlena.

"Oh," said Nikita. "And just what kind of rotting skeletons did you find in this sepulchre?"

Operations grinned. "Grimes and a few people with him at the top decided to expand the agenda of saving the world in their own way. They started out targeting local drug lords for extinction, as well as some small time crime syndicates and porn rings..."

"Their extra-curricular activities were not a problem with us. Until now....." Operations continued, clicking on the screen again.

The image changed from Grimes' face to that of buildings burning and exploding. "Their targets have changed," he said grimly.

"Two women's health centers in Georgia." Operations clicked the screen again. They saw more smoldering buildings. "Three black churches in North Carolina.."

"Oh, my God," said Nikita.

Marlena nodded. "Grimes is sexist, racist, homophobic, xenophobic.. in fact, he hates everyone who isn't just like him....."

She shook her head and went on. "The potential target list that I procured from his files includes plans for bombing everything from gay pride marches to anti-gun lobbyists and visiting Japanese business men.."

Operations turned off the screen. "His most disturbing file contains plans to derail the Peace Talks in the Middle East.."

Walter frowned. "So we're going to stop him from going global, I take it. Are we going to take him out?"

"No," said Operations. "We'll go on using Clear Light to clean up the targets we want them to clean up. We don't want them stopped, just brought under our control," he finished, smiling.

"How do we do that?" asked Nikita. "By threatening to tell the truth about them to the press, or the police?"

Operations shook his head. "No one would believe Clear Light is responsible for these terrorist acts. So, we'll use their real weakness against them.."

"What weakness is that?" asked Michael.

Operations grinned. "No organization of this kind has ever survived a sexual scandal. We'll blackmail them into behaving as we say..."

Marlena frowned. "I'm not saying this is a moral guy, but Colin Grimes is chaste, I'll say that. You won't find anybody more uptight than he is.."

Operations had on his usual determined look. "Nevertheless, you WILL catch him on tape in a compromising position with some of his followers...." he said, looking at the three operatives in front of him- Michael, Nikita, and Marlena.

Marlena went white. "Please don't make us do this.." she whispered.

Operations glared at her. "The three of you, report to Madeleine, NOW."

Michael stood up, his mouth set in a grim line. Nikita frowned and bit her lower lip. Marlena lowered her head and sighed.

Operations glared at all of them once more. "Whatever it takes," he said.

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

Agitated and trying not to cry, Marlena rushed out of Madeleine's office ahead of the others. She walked quickly but directionlessly forward, almost blinded by the unshed tears in her eyes.

"Marlena!" Michael caught up with her and put his arm around her to stop her aimless flight down the hallway. Marlena stood still, breathing heavily from anger and distress. She turned her face away from him, unable to look at him.

"Come," he said soothingly. "Come with me..."

He started leading her down the hallway toward his office.

Nikita stood awkwardly just behind them, unsure whether Michael wanted her to join them.

Michael looked up and met her eyes and jerked his head in the direction of his office. Nikita nodded and followed them.

Marlena had held it together throughout the briefing with Madeleine, but when it was over the reality of their situation had hit her. Nikita didn't blame Marlena for being upset. This assignment was one of the more distasteful ones, that was certain.

Basically, their orders were to offer Grimes any and all sexual pleasures, from the mundane to the exotic, until he succumbed and betrayed his stance of moral purity.

Between the three operatives, they were to provide Grimes with any combination and configuration of partners that he might desire.

Once engaged in whatever activity their target happened to find appealing, they needed to get three to five minutes of video. Whatever they did to achieve this goal was not of importance to Section, just as long as they got it. The mission was set for tomorrow night.

"Im sorry," said Marlena when they had reached Michael's office and the door was closed behind them. She looked from Michael to Nikita.

"I didn't plan on it turning out like this." She took a deep breath. I didn't know this assignment would end up with me having to pimp out my friends and colleagues..."

"It's not your fault," said Michael softly.

"God, I hate this..." Marlena said, leaning against the door.

Nikita was reminded of their encounter with Bauer on one of her first missions with Michael. They were at the mercy of Bauer's perverted whims then, like they were with Grimes now.

"I hate it, too," said Nikita. "I'd almost rather be shot at anyday..."

Michael stepped closer and took Marlena's hand. "I won't let him..." he began.

She pulled away. "No, Michael!" Marlena sobbed out. "You heard our orders. We will LET him. You'll have to let him do anything he wants to you, to me, to Nikita..."

Tears overflowed her cheeks and her voice quivered. "There's nothing any of us can do to help each other..."

Marlena sobbed again and pulled the door open, rushing out.

Nikita stood in the doorway, looking after Marlena. She looked back at Michael. "Should we go after her?"

"No," he said, sitting on the edge of his desk and rubbing his chin distractedly. "There's nothing we can do."

Nikita closed the door and sat down in the chair in front of the desk. "I guess she's never been on an assignment like this," she said.

Michael shook his head. "But she has." He looked outwardly calm but his eyes showed his distress. "That's why she's so upset...."

"Was it a mission with you, Michael?" Nikita blurted out.

Michael looked away, staring out the window. "Yes," he said after a pause. "Once. With me and Simone..."

The mentioning of Simone's name always touched a deep pocket of insecurity in Nikita. She said defensively, "Too bad Marlena and I can't turn our feelings on and off as easily as you do, Michael..."

She got up to leave, feeling like she wanted to go home and cry for a while herself.

"Nikita, please..." Michael came over to her and put his hand on hers.

"This will be difficult for me, too. I won't enjoy watching you be hurt or humiliated. I don't want to...." He stopped.

He was thinking of all the unbearable things he had been forced to do because of Section. And of the things he had been forced to do without. He was forced to hurt Nikita. He was forced to live without her. This assignment would no doubt prove to be a painful one for him as well.

He took a deep breath to compose himself, attempting to stay in machine-mode. "We just have to do the job," he finished.

Nikita's anger and disgust at their situation spilled out and was directed toward Michael. "Don't worry, I get it, Michael," she said, pulling her hand from his.

"It's not a dream sequence, it's a mission..." she said, turning away from him. "We'll just do what we have to do..."

She hadn't meant to say that, but the words just tumbled out. The thought of being intimate with Michael again and not having it mean anything to him hurt more than the idea of his never touching her again.

Michael put his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. He looked intently into her eyes and caressed a strand of her hair.

"You will always be in my dreams, Nikita," he said in a low voice. "I wish we could have more than that. I'm sorry.."

"I'm sorry, too, Michael," she said, putting her hand on his shoulder. She felt torn in two emotionally. She was tired of him being so careful, tired of him pulling back from her. She wondered if his past with Marlena had anything to do why he didn't seem to want a life with her.

But some part of Nikita's heart was healed by his words. Deep down in the buried half of him that had feelings, he cared for her. But the other half of him, the part that had control,the part that allowed him to function as a machine for Section, would not let him act upon those feelings.

She brushed her hand across his chest caressingly, like she had after their night of love-making. He took in a breath sharply and she saw the longing in his eyes. He remembered the last time she had touched him like that.

He wanted to pull her to him and kiss her, wanted to feel her body against his again. But that was not an option; not here, not now.

They both stepped away from each other at the same time. A look of understanding passed between them.

"I think I'll go check on Marlena now," Nikita said.

Michael nodded. Their eyes met one last time before she left, closing the door softly behind her.

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

"Marlena?" Nikita knocked on the door to her new teammate's quarters.

The door opened and Marlena stood there, her eyes red-rimmed but her face calm and composed.

"Hi, Nikita," she said. "Come in."

"Thanks," said Nikita, stepping into the room. Marlena closed the door behind them, looking somewhat embarrassed about her outburst before.

"I'm sorry I ran out like that..." she apologized.

"It's O.K.," said Nikita, smiling. She genuinely liked this woman, even if she had been intimate with Michael. She knew Marlena could take a joke, so she tried one now.

"I'm glad to find you here. Here in your room, and not somewhere else, I mean..." Nikita began.

Marlena looked slightly puzzled. "Why?" she said.

Nikita grinned. "Because I would have been very upset if I'd found you with Walter again. I would have had to beat you up for messing with MY man.."

Marlena laughed. Then her face grew serious. "Sit down, Nikita, please..." she said, indicating the two chairs in the corner.

Nikita sat down in one of the chairs and looked at Marlena, listening expectantly.

Marlena sat opposite to her and paused for a moment before beginning.

"You don't have to worry about me messing with your men, Nikita. Any of them." She sighed. "Michael and I..."

"Are over?" said Nikita gently.

"No. Not over." Marlena smiled. "We never were." She paused to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"You see, Michael and Simone and I came into Section about the same time. We all trained together. The three of us got to be good friends. We sort of all looked out for each other," Marlena went on.

"Michael never had eyes for anyone else but Simone. Michael's always been like a brother to me, even though he IS extremely attractive.."

Marlena smiled again. "As you have noticed, no doubt..."

"Attractive? Really?" Nikita shook her head. "No, I never noticed anything like that..."

They both giggled.

Nikita felt she understood why Michael and Simone had bonded with Marlena. She was open and friendly, easy to be with. Nikita was curious to know more.

"But you haven't seen Michael in a long time," she said, guessing. "You were transferred to another substation?"

Marlena nodded. "Yes. Before Simone died. I guess they didn't like the idea of the three of us being so tight."

She paused again. "And I messed up on a mission the three of us were on together.."

Marlena met Nikita's look. "Oh, I'm not ashamed of it. I did what I thought was right. Section didn't agree with me, however..."

Having done her share of bending the rules, Nikita understood. She nodded. "I see..." she said.

"That's why I flipped out a little today. It was a similar kind of situation... The mission involved hurting people I care about."

Marlena leaned toward Nikita and said earnestly, "I think they're testing me with this assignment. This probably has nothing to do with you and Michael..."

"Why would it be about me and Michael?" Nikita said quickly.

Marlena ignored her question. "You know they like to play games with us. Don't let this mission ruin what you and Michael have.."

Nikita frowned. "Michael and I don't have anything. There's nothing to ruin..." she said sadly.

"Oh?" said Marlena gently. "You forget, I know Michael very well. And I got the impression he's sweet on you."

She smiled. "He looks at you like...."

"Like what?" asked Nikita.

"Like he used to only look at Simone." Marlena put her hand on Nikita's arm. "He's in love with you, Nikita. Very deeply in love.."

Nikita blushed but said nothing.

Marlena leaned back in her chair, a determined look on her face. "You were right about me, Nikita. All kidding aside, I don't let anyone mess with my men. Or with the the people they care about."

Marlena's voice was lower, but more intense. "Grimes is a nasty piece of work. Very nasty. Once we unleash his fantasies, it's going to get really ugly."

"Protect yourself, Nikita," Marlena whispered. "Kill him if you have to..."

Nikita looked up at her, surprised. "Our orders are to leave him alive." Marlena was not as easy-going as she appeared.

"I know that," said Marlena stubbornly. "But to me, your lives, yours and Michael's, are more valuable than his. I'll find a way to stop him from hurting either of you, orders or no orders..."

Nikita nodded, mutely. She realized this mission was going to be even harder than she thought.

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

"Colin, my dear, you're so tense," Marlena mumured from behind him as she massaged his shoulders.

It was late the next evening in Grimes' luxurious office. Marlena glanced quickly at the hidden cameras she had placed around the room and then turned her attention back to the man seated in front of the desk.

"You've been working so hard all day," she said sympathetically, continuing to knead his back.

Colin Grimes groaned and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her hands working the stiffness out of his neck.

"There's so much to be done. So many details to make sure of..." he said. Right now he was contemplating bombing a t.v. station that had carried a program he hadn't approved of.

He smiled. The power of it intoxicated him. Marlena's touch did, too. He enjoyed her subserviance and submission. It had been a long time since a woman had appreciated him this way. Maybe he should change that, he thought.

And why not? Why shouldn't he control her like he controlled everyone? He found that the idea of dominating her was as appealing as his domination of his political opponents. It was the power over others that turned him on.

And he wanted all the power for himself. The more he had, with each bombing, each power-play, each victory, the more he wanted. He was like an addict, never getting enough from his latest fix. He was always left wanting more....

What more was there? he thought.

As if to answer his unspoken question, Marlena whispered in his ear. "Relax, Colin. Relax for tonight..."

She continued massaging his shoulders. "You need to unwind, to release all your tensions. You deserve to have the freedom to do whatever you want, have whatever you want.."

Her touches became lighter, more caressing. "...have WHOMEVER you want," she breathed.

She ran her hands down the front of his shirt and pulled him against her so that he could feel her breasts pressing against his back.

Colin closed his eyes and leaned against her, unresisting.

Marlena kissed his neck and continued whispering in his ear. "You can have anything you want tonight," she breathed. "You can have me..."

He turned to look at her. "Marlena, you?" He knew she was devoted to him. Her submission to him was even sweeter now, knowing it was in all ways, even sexual. A thrill of lust went through him. He had conquered her without even having to plan anything.

"Yes, Colin," Marlena said, trying to keep the revulsion out of her voice. "I can't deny you anything, anything at all..."

She kissed his neck again. "I even brought you some gifts..."

"Gifts?" asked Colin.

Marlena nodded. She went to the door and opened it. She stood back, allowing Michael and Nikita to enter the room.

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

Michael and Nikita entered the room. Nikita wore a short black skirt and boots. Her blonde hair flowed down over her breasts, which were revealed temptingly by the low-cut black leather vest she wore with nothing underneath.

Michael's charms were  as equally revealed by his attire. Tight black jeans encased his muscular legs, clinging to every curve. A sleeveless black mesh t-shirt accentuated his chest and biceps. His hair fell loose and curling around his handsome face.

They took a few more steps into the middle of the room so Grimes could see them better.

Grimes jumped up from his chair and looked at Michael and Nikita. "What's this?" he asked Marlena warily.

"They're yours for tonight, Colin," Marlena soothed. "They'll do anything you want.. Just command them," she said, loathing herself.

Colin was getting even more turned on. He smiled and crossed to Nikita first, his eyes devouring her cool blonde beauty. Yes, he definitely wanted her.

Nikita felt violated by his gaze, even though he hadn't touched her yet.She tensed as Grimes turned his attention to Michael.

Although Grimes had had no real desire for men until then, Michael also appealed to his lust for power and control. He found the idea of dominating another powerful male thrilling in its own way.

He turned to Nikita first, grabbing her forcefully and pulling her face up to his for a invasive, ungentle kiss. Despite her revulsion, Nikita parted her lips and allowed Grimes entry, kissing him back enthusiastically.

She wound her arms around his waist and held him close. Her skin crawled, but she had seen the way Grimes had looked at Michael, and was determined to distract him.

Colin broke the kiss and laughed delightedly. "So you want me, then?"

"Yes, very much," Nikita lied in a husky voice.

Michael ran his hand lightly and caressingly down Colin's arm. He wanted to break it, but controlled his urge and played his role.

Grimes looked at Michael, noticing the longing in his face. In fact, Michael was longing to touch Grimes--- with his fists.

Grimes laughed again. "You want me, too?" he said to Michael.

"Yes," Michael forced out.

Grimes caressed Michael's cheek while still keeping an arm around Nikita. "All in good time, my friend. You'll get your turn..."

He was really starting to enjoy himself.

He didn't notice that Marlena had taken the sharp, metal letter-opener from the desk and was standing behind him with it, her hand raised to plunge it into his back.

Michael moved swiftly to embrace Colin, reaching behind him to grip Marlena's wrist, stopping her assault. She grunted from the pain and fell against Grimes' back.

Nikita  had also had seen the weapon and put her hand on Grimes' neck, so that he wouldn't turn his head to look behind him.

Tangled in the center of the four-way embrace, Grimes laughed.

"Go ahead, take her," he told Michael, seeing how intensely he was looking at Marlena. Grimes was enjoying directing the action. "I'll start with this one..."

He started kissing Nikita again.

Michael pushed Marlena down to the floor, swiftly pinning her there with the weight of his body on hers. He kissed her, stopping her cries of protest.

She fought him, but he removed the make-shift knife from her grasp and shoved it under the piece of furniture nearest them, a heavy couch. He pressed her hand to the carpet again and said against her lips,"Don't fight me..."

She struggled and groaned in frustration, trying to get him off of her by bucking and twisting beneath him. Michael kissed her again, feeling the tears on her cheek.

Michael was agitated, too. He didn't want to look behind him to see what Grimes was doing with Nikita.

What Grimes was doing was watching him with Marlena. After a moment he had stopped fondling Nikita to watch in fascination the couple struggling on the floor.

It wasn't so much the sex that turned him on, but Michael's control and power over Marlena.

Grimes shoved Nikita away from him and grabbed Michael by the shoulder. So far, his violence had all been long distance. Now he wanted to express it first-hand. His lust, as well as his lust for domination, were raging out of control.

He pulled Michael up and off of Marlena. "Let me help you," Colin said to Michael.

Marlena tried to sit up, but was knocked swiftly against the floor again as Colin leapt on top of her, pinning her down as Michael had before. She struggled, but Colin held her down, one hand on her shoulder.

"Be STILL!" he bellowed. Marlena gasped and tried to twist away from him. Colin ripped her blouse open with his free hand.

Nikita was standing next to Michael, and started to move to come to Marlena's defense. Simultaneously, Michael held Nikita firmly by the arm and pulled her back against him while Marlena looked at her over Grimes' shoulder and shook her head "no".

All three of them realized at the same time that they were now getting the video they needed.

Marlena continued to struggle and whimper. Grimes was pulling up her skirt. "Submit!" he yelled at her. He was so incredibly aroused, he forgot the presence of the others behind him. He never realized how intoxicating this kind of domination could be.

He was quite carried away by the lust for power when he screamed at Marlena one more time. "Obey me!" he cried out, and struck her across the face, hard, with his closed fist.

Michael released Nikita instantly and they both rushed to Marlena's aid. Michael and Nikita each took hold of one of Grimes' arms and hauled him up off of Marlena's unconscious form.

Grimes found himself with his face shoved forcefully against the wall and both arms twisted painfully behind his back.

"Hey!" he protested."What's going on?"

"Playtime's over," said Nikita, applying more pressure until Grimes yelped in pain.

Michael called in B Team and alerted Section that MedTeam should stand by. He looked at Marlena again and back to Grimes.

"From now on, you Bastard, you'll be the one who obeys, got it?" Michael said to the other man.

Michael twisted the arm in his grip sharply when Grimes did not answer.

Grimes sobbed and whimpered. "Got it," came his satisfying reply.

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

Michael sat next to Marlena's bed in MedLab, holding her hand. She was still unconscious, but stirred a little now and then, tossing her head and whimpering. She had been doing that off and on all night.

Michael soothed her by stroking her face where it wasn't bruised and talking to her reassuringly until she was quiet again.

"Shhh," he said. "Everything's fine. It's all right..."

This time she opened her eyes. They didn't quite focus on him; her vision was blurred and her head throbbing. But she smiled anyway.

"Michael.." she said, and tried to sit up.

He pushed her gently back down on the bed, relieved she was awake. They had told him her concussion was a bad one.

"Lie still," he said. "Everything's fine.."

"Nikita?" she managed to say, closing her eyes again. The room was spinning a little.

"I sent her home a little while ago," Michael answered. "She's fine. Just a little worried about you, that's all."

Michael wanted to tell her that everything WAS fine. That fortunately none of the video cameras had captured the image of her with the letter-opener in her hand. Operations was very pleased with her work.

He decided the only thing Marlena needed now was rest.

"Sleep now," he ordered softly. He kissed her hand and started to leave.

"Michael?" she called to him, trying again to sit up.

"I told you, lie still," he said, coming back to her side.

She fell back against the pillows and laughed weakly. "God, you are so BOSSY!"

She tried focusing on him again, this time with more success. "Michael, will you promise to do something for me?"

"Yes, of course. What is it?" he said quickly. He didn't want her to become agitated.

"Go see Nikita now. Make sure she's all right. Please?" She sighed. "Promise me?"

"I will. I promise," Michael vowed, feeling he had been manipulated somehow, but not minding.

"Good," she said, smiling. She looked at him. "Go on, get out of here.."

He kissed her cheek again and smiled a little to himself before he left.

Marlena watched him go, then sighed. Stubbornest man I ever met, she thought.

She closed her eyes and slept peacefully.

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

Nikita stepped out of the shower in her apartment and started to towel off. She had already had two showers previously to this one but still didn't feel clean. She could still feel Grimes' touch on her skin, his hands, his mouth...

She shuddered. Sighing, she dropped the towel to the floor and turned to the bathtub again. She turned on the faucets and began filling the tub, throwing in some bubble bath. Maybe this will work, she thought.

It's three a.m., she realized. She needed to sleep sometime. But she felt still wound up, tense, restless and unable to relax after tonight's mission.

She trailed her hand in the water and leaned her head near the faucets, thinking about how distressing it had been to be at the mercy of Colin Grimes' sick desires. Poor Marlena, poor Michael...

The rushing water prevented her from hearing the soft knock at the door.

"Nikita?" Michael called when there was no answer to his knock. Nikita was probably sleeping, he thought. He put his ear to the door and heard water running.

"Nikita?" he said, louder, knocking again.

Still no answer.

The time he had visited her before the Shays mission came to his mind. She had been in despair then, suicidal. Nikita had been performing well since her return, but maybe this last assignment had distressed her enough that she was again thinking twice about continuing to live in the captivity of Section.

He knocked again. Still no answer. A frisson of fear shot through him.

Quickly he opened the door with his key and cautiously stepped inside the apartment.

There was no one there. He scanned the area quickly. The sound of running water was coming from the loft bathroom. He ran up the stairs to the bedroom; it was obviously unoccupied.

"Nikita!" he called, then slowly pushed open the door to the bathroom.

It was empty, too. The tub was filled to the top with bubbles, the water almost overflowing. Michael turned off the taps and knelt by the tub, thinking. Where was she?

Fear clutched his insides. He wasn't panicked, but as close as a man of his experience and training could get to it. He ran back into the bedroom.

Suddenly, from behind him, the balcony door opened and a figure leapt on him. He was able to turn as the force of the assault propelled him backwards. He landed on his back on the bed with his assailant on top of him, straddling him and pinning him by his shoulders to the bed.

He gasped and then lay still, not fighting back.

It was Nikita.

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

Neither spoke. Michael was overcome by her loveliness. Her skin was still damp from her shower and water droplets glistened on her breasts, while others ran in rivulets slowly down her belly, tantalizing him.

Her hair hung down on either side of her face, so close that the strands brushed his shoulders and dampened his own hair lying there.

Her eyes locked with his.

Nikita wasn't prepared for her intruder being Michael. Not Michael like this. The way he was looking at her made her feel weak. This Michael had no mask, his regard for her and his desire, were there plainly in his eyes, unhidden.

He lay still, except for his heaving chest, his breath coming in uneven gasps from his parted lips.

The moment went on, each afraid to break the spell. Michael wanted to touch her badly, but he lay still, submissive, waiting for her to make the first move.

Their desire grew. Nikita shifted slightly above him, her hips moving over his. He took in a breath sharply and she felt the extent of his arousal against her thigh.

He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Nikita was undone by the sight of Michael here in her bed, his hair spilling across her pillows, falling away from his face in soft waves.

She quivered at the feel of Michael's muscular body under hers, offered to her now in such an open, vunerable way. She knew the power and control were hers. Michael had surrendered.

He opened his eyes and she saw his soul there, and his heart. She knew both of these, along with his body, were entirely hers.

She moaned in the back of her throat and leaned forward to kiss him. Only then did Michael touch her. His hands were near her knees and he began touching her thighs, caressing them from their outer firmness to their inner softness, gently circling his thumbs on her skin.

At the same time his tongue gently swirled in circles around the inside of her mouth.

Nikita collapsed against him, the sensations he was creating in her weakening her further. She moaned against his mouth.

She needed to touch him. She ran her hands from his shoulders down his chest to his belt buckle, pulling the shirt free from the waistband of his slacks. She started to undo the buttons.

Michael lay still again, allowing her to do what she wanted. He wanted her badly, but after this evening, he was determined not to be aggressive or forceful in any way.

He held his breath, awed by her beauty and the precious gift of this rare moment of spontaneous sharing of need between them.

Nikita pushed aside his shirt to gain access to the smooth skin revealed there. Michael groaned as she began caressing the hard muscles of his chest and then his abdomen. His breathing quickened as her hands moved lower.

Michael groaned again. She knew he was waiting for her invitation to go further, and the sweetness of his submission and gentleness thrilled her.

"Touch me, Michael," she said, pulling his hand up with hers and pressing it against one breast. He caressed her eagerly, exploring both perfect mounds with his fingertips, finding the hardened tip of each one.

He pulled her gently down on top of him so that he could suckle at each breast in turn, his tongue again thrilling her with its swirling, circular caresses.

Her hips were pressed firmly against his, but not nearly close enough. She could endure this sweet torment no longer. She held his face in her hands and lowered her soft mouth down to his, tasting his lips once again.

He was still gentle, almost hesitant in his response. She knew he was still surrendered totally to her will.

She broke the kiss and then lowered her mouth to his jaw, biting the skin lightly there.

"Make love to me, Michael," she demanded, breathless.

His arms came up around her and he clutched her to him, pulling her face to his mouth again for another deep kiss. Moaning softly, he pressed his body to hers and turned her to lie underneath him.

He proceeded to very thouroughly follow her orders, submitting himself devotedly to her command.

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

Much later that morning, as the sun slanted through her windows, Nikita lay nestled against Michael's chest. His arm was around her as he softly stroked the bare skin on her back. They had pulled the coverlet up over them, but neither had yet slept.

"Michael?" she murmured.

"Oui," he answered. "What is it, Nikita?"

"Why did you come to my apartment at three a.m. in the morning?"

He smiled a little. "I was with Marlena. She made me promise to check on you.."

Nikita made a mental note to thank Marlena for her caring and concern. "How is she?" she said.

"She's out of danger. She'll be fine now." Michael was making a mental note to thank Marlena as well.

"Michael, what happened.." Nikita hesitated. "What happened on the mission she was on with you and Simone?"

"Did she tell you about it?"

"A little. Not everything," Nikita answered. "What happened to her?"

"You have to understand, Marlena was always very protective of us," Michael explained. "Like a big sister, even though we are about the same age...."

Nikita snuggled closer, touched that he was so willing to talk to her like this.

"Go on," she encouraged.

"On the mission, Simone was posing as a hooker, sent in to seduce our target, a poltical leader. Marlena and I were backup..."

"What happened?" Nikita could feel the muscles in Michael's shoulders tense up as he remembered.

"He... Simone..." Michael stopped, then began again. "The target turned violent, like Grimes. He started hitting Simone. Marlena broke cover and attacked him, tried to kill him. He shot her..."

He took a deep breath and continued. Nikita could feel him trembling. "Marlena almost died. The mission was aborted..."

"And what did you do, Michael?" Nikita asked, puzzled.

He sighed. "I couldn't do anything. When it started going bad, I tried to get to Simone..." He paused, and he tightened his embrace, pulling Nikita closer.

"The team leader put a gun to my neck and I was dragged back to the van by two other operatives. They held me down while we ..... listened...."

"Michael, no.." Nikita caressed his cheek. "I'm sorry..."

"I was so worried you would be hurt last night. That Grimes would harm you and Marlena. It took all my control not to kill him when he touched you...."

Nikita held him tighter. "It's all right, Michael..." she soothed.

He looked at her and the admiration shone in his eyes and in his voice. "You're very brave; you're very strong. I knew you could endure it..."

Nikita realized that Michael was proud of her.

She kissed him. "That answers all my questions, Michael," she said softly.

"Can I ask you a question?" Michael asked.

"Sure, that sounds fair," she said.

"Why were you taking a bubble bath at three a.m. in the morning?"

She laughed. "I was trying to wash the feel of Grimes' slimy touch from my skin.."

He nodded. "Je comprends," he said, stroking her hair tenderly.

"The bathwater must be cold and I'm sure all your bubbles are gone by now. Do you want me to run you another tub?" he offered.

For an answer Nikita put her hand on his chest and began caressing his skin, moving ever lower until her hand was under the blanket. His eyes widened.

"No, Michael, no bath. It's not what I need...." She kissed him hungrily while her hand caressed him. His breathing became more rapid.

"After having your touch on my skin.." She gave him another kiss. He gasped against her mouth.

"After having your kisses all over me.." Another kiss. Michael moaned, writhing underneath her touch.

"After having the feel of you inside me, I know that's all I need to make me feel right again..."

Michael groaned loudly and pulled her close, obliging her with his healing kisses and his purifying touch, letting the feel of him again wash away the memories of all the touches but his that had gone before.

The world fell away as they again lost themselves in each other, both of them healed and cleansed and purified by the raging fire of their love.

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