Darkness hung in Michael's small office as the light didn't make it past the blind on the window. The only source of light radiated from the computer that Michael continued to stare at intently.

Time was dragging and Michael felt he would never finish. He wished to go back to the time when time had no part in his life. He would work as a computer would and would not register if it was night or day. Michael tried to focus on that time and see what was different.

Nikita.

The answer was simple. It popped into his mind easily, and solved every question Michael has had about his reactions, his emotions, and his behaviors. It was all Nikita.

Michael found what morning meant again and what night meant. Michael relearned the special feeling of twilight and the burst of energy that was cuddled in with sunrise.

Of course, Nikita knew nothing of this. She pulled further and further away from Michael as he went along. It gave him the chance to fall back into the patterns of when time meant nothing. Yet, Michael did not want to give that up. He had lost it for so many years, he wasn't ready to give it up willingly.

Michael was lightly tapping at the keys, but nothing productive was appearing on the screen. His mind was too busy with other activities that he barely noticed Madeline's arrival.

"Michael." Madeline said as she closed the door. Michael hadn't even registered the change in the light. Michael slightly lifted his chin.

"Nikita is taking a leave of absence." Madeline says with a slight frown across her face. Michael's fingers stopped their tapping and he looked stunned.

"Do we know where?" Michael asks and Madeline places a disk on Michael's disk.

"No. But it appears that Operations has achieved his goal." Madeline says. Michael takes the disk.

"He will never achieve it." Michael says firmly as he holds the disk in his hand, in a protective manner, like he does Nikita.

"I was hoping to hear that." Madeline says and she walks out.

***********

The small bus continued down the bumpy road in the hot and humid climate. The window was open and allowing a small stream of air to tangle through Nikita's hair, dirty with dust and dirt.

Nikita tempted to close her eyes again, but did not have the energy to deal with the images and dreams behind the sheet of darkness. She was so glad that the bus was moving with the sun, and night was further off.

Nikita walked into the bus station and just pointed to the southern most point on the map. It was an activity she participated with a lot when she was on the streets. Her current boyfriend would beat down on her, and Nikita, would pack the few items she had and went as far as the money would take her. Often it wasn't far.

This time it was far. Nikita wasn't sure how far, or where she would go. She left the items that she had slowly gotten use to at her Section apartment. No hairdryer and no make-up sat in the little bag. In fact, it's main item was the silver gun tucked safely behind the tiny polka dot bikini.

The bus stops tottering to side to side as the road improves. Nikita looks out the window, to the run down farmhouses they pass. They are approaching a community, with a possibility of a town and a stop. Nikita becomes interested in the landscape.

Suddenly, a girl, around the age of twelve appears on the sidewalk as the bus pulls to a stop. The girl skips down the sidewalk with a brillant and happy smile spread across her face. The girl is tanned with the warmth of the sun and waves at the others on the bus.

Nikita drops her head away from the girl. She couldn't run anywhere. The girl reminded her so much of the ones that had died. They appeared and waved out to Nikita, as they did the night Nikita walked into the halfway house.

Nikita takes a deep breath and looks up at the ceiling, wanting the ceiling to close in her body and squeeze it to her death. It would be mercy, but Nikita knew that it would never occur.

The bus starts to pull away from the stop light, but Nikita can't pull away from the thoughts and the images. They stood in front of Nikita, and all she wanted to do is run further away.

***********

Michael moved into the labyrinth of computers to reach the cornea scanner. He places his firm chin into the plastic holder and a red laser scans the emerald green eye. A little beep clears Michael and he signs onto the computer.

Michael wanted to follow backwards what Nikita has been doing. Since she had been promoted, her work has been often moved away from Michael. That is not Michael's choice, but rather Nikita's.

Yet, Michael knew some basic knowledge on Nikita, and knew if Nikita took the leave of absence, it must have been triggered by some event. Michael didn't worry about Nikita's personal life. She stopped trying months ago. So, it left only one option. Section.

Michael didn't have to dig far. Madeline might as well handed the file to him. The information that Madeline handed to Michael was a partial psychological profile of Nikita. It spoke about how Nikita would travel if she was trying to run. Madeline didn't need to give it to Michael, but she was following protocol. Michael knew that Nikita would fall back on her street habits.

"Kerns Halfway House for Serious Children Offenders" the file started as Michael read. The mission profile was sound and carefully planned for the minute and even to the second.

The reports painted a sad story of distruction. It was nothing that Nikita could have done. The oldest child, a sixteen year old boy, set fire to the kitchen, not knowing of the explosives that had been placed there.

All Nikita and her team were too do is to destroy a small computer that one of the children were using to hack into the Pentagon. These children were basically good and were ready to be allowed back with their families.

Michael reads on. Nikita's report is filled with numerous typing mistakes and usage of smaller words that are not usually accepted by Madeline.

There were thirty children in the house, only four survived.

Michael flips to the copy of Nikita's request. It was simple and stated that she was owed sometime. Michael didn't want to know how Nikita had created so much extra time, it must have been a deal or something. She didn't need to add a destination, but usually the operatives did that so they could just accept the watchers.

Michael pushed the chair back and rubbed his forehead. The facts were staring Michael in his face and he couldn't think he would be able to live with himself he this occured on one of his missions.

Twenty-seven children, full with life and years ahead of them, dead on Nikita's mission. Michael knew Nikita was running from their faces, from their screams, and from their deaths.

Birkoff walked over to Michael and looked at the computer. Birkoff instantly strikes out and clears the computer screen.

"You are not to have access to that." Birkoff says firmly and Michael stands up and looks at the weak and skinny Birkoff.

"I didn't go through the backdoor... It allowed me in." Michael says staring down at Birkoff.

"If that is a lie.. I will have to tell Operations." Birkoff says heavily and Michael draws his hands close to Birkoff's neck.

"Go ahead." Michael says in a low voice and then moves through the twisting maze of computers and out towards his office.

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

The grains of sand eased in and out of Nikita's toes as the sun hung in the sky as if attached by a string. She walks along the edge of the water, where the waves sometimes run up and over her feet, and other times they don't.

Nikita stares out to the sea and notes how easy it would be for her to slip out of this life, and no one in Section to know. She could be famous in Section as the one who got away, when in reality she didn't. It would be so easy.

Ahead, about a half a mile along the beach is a large rocky cove. The sand runs right into the rocks and the rocks, right into the sea. That was where Nikita was heading. Since the time she left, Nikita knew where she was heading. The black rocks, straight ahead.

Nikita never had the opportunity to run this far south before. The only thing Nikita had bought during the entire eighteen hour trip was sunscreen. Nikita was sure she would burn if she had no sunscreen. The sunscreen now sat next to the gun in the bag.

Nikita pauses and sits down on the edge of the water. No one else is on the beach. Not another soul. She couldn't help but wonder why. It was a beautiful fall like day and the sun was out.

It might have been easier for Nikita had others been out on the beach, but the location and lack of people just confirmed Nikita's position in life.

Alone.

Nikita dug her heals into the sand as she dropped her head to her knees. The lack of food made her weak, but the acid churning in her stomache made it impossible to eat. And tears no longer come.

And the tears no longer come.

That was fact Nikita couldn't shake. She helped to destroy twenty-seven lifes and she couldn't even shred a tear. In fact, she was jealous of the way the children went. They went together. Nikita was sure she would die, and die alone.

Alone.

The months that had passed had seemed like years to Nikita. It only reaffirmed that she was alone. Michael no longer worried about her, and why should he. Nikita had proven herself capable and had achieved more than she ever thought she would.

Yet, Nikita couldn't deny that one little section in that one little place, in that one little spot that cried out for Michael. Nikita just pushed it into a tighter box, afraid to let it out. Knowing if it let out, she would only show something else that makes her weak.

Nikita stands up, a bit wet from the soft waves that floated over the wet sand. Nikita steps off, towards the black rocks. She counts her steps. At twenty-seven, she goes back to one.

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

Michael moved into the small bus station with a duffel bag in his large hands. He looks at the tellers and looks for the one who looks the part of a full time worker. He decides on the one on the left, with graying and thinning hair. Michael stood in the line and then moved to the window.

Michael looks down at the map as he steps forward. He forces his mind to think like Nikita. She would escape large cities, and she was running. Michael ran his finger down the map, to the point furthest south.

"One way ticket to there." Michael says as he looks up at the teller. The man raises his eyebrow and starts to process the ticket.

"Two in one day... not that it's a popular place." the teller comments as he looks at the computer which is acting slowly. "That pretty blonde earlier today got one bad deal." The teller says and Michael hides his smile.

"Tall? Ocean blue eyes?" Michael ask and the teller nods his head. He pulls the ticket out and Michael hands over a blue Visa card.

"The bus she was on had a problem with air conditioning.... That dust and dirt probably made that pretty hair a mess." The teller says as he runs the card through the computer. Michael shoves into his pocket and withdraws a picture of Nikita.

"Is this her?" Michael asks softly, showing the picture that Nikita is unaware of. In fact, everyone in Section is unaware of.

"Yep... Do you know her?" The teller asks and Michael nods his head.

"She is my cousin." Michael responds and the teller raises his eyebrow as he hands the card back.

"How long has she been on the run? Not long, right? Still too much money." The teller says and Michael shrugs his shoulders.

"She left my place last night." Michael says and he nods his head in thanks to the teller.

*

The bus driver moves to the personnel checking out the bus before it started to load for the passengers.

"Everything checks out?" The bus driver asks and The personnel raises his head and signals ok. He slams the hood down and walks back towards the bus station.

The blue hat is pulled off and Michael's long and wavey hair falls out in slightly damp ringlets as he quickly changes back into his black clothing.

*

"It is so hot on this bus!" An older woman, who is holding a large flower bag on her lap, sitting across from Michael complains. Michael just continues to stare out the window, wondering if this was what Nikita did.

"WHERE IS THE AIR!" An older man yells from the very back of the bus. Michael doesn't even budge his head, knowing that Nikita would not have paid any attention to such an outburst.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems that our air conditioning is out..." The bus driver says and then starts to give directions on how to open the windows. Michael stands, pulls the window open and sits back down.

The wind catches a grip of Michael's air and hits it against the headrest. But Michael's head won't be resting anytime soon.

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

It was night time by the time Michael placed his feet into the cool grains of sand. He moved quietly, but knew in his body that Nikita was somewhere on this beach.

There had been enough clues from others on his trip to this town. There was the lady in the giftshop that talked about a curiously pretty girl buying sunscreen saying she had never been this far south. Another person had commented on how she moved with power but yet grace.

Not seeing much on the night with no moon, Michael pulled out a pair of sunglasses that were night time vision goggles. It was just another one of the numerous items Walter continually improved.

Michael was surprized to see rocks off in the distance. He scanned the beach, but came back to the rocks. He stopped his walk and watched.

Something moved.

Nikita.

Michael bends down onto his knees and begins to watch the person near the rocks. Although his heart and soul told him that it was Nikita, his mind had yet to confirm it.

The person stood up, and the long hair flowed in the slight ocean breeze. Nikita turned and looked down towards Michael's position, but soon started towards the rocks.

Michael was wondering what Nikita was doing on the rocks at night when his cell phone vibrated, another one of Walter's inventions. Michael picked up the phone as he continued to watch Nikita.

"Have you established contact?" Madeline asks in a even tone.

"No." Michael says as Nikita slips on one of the larger rocks. Michael notices that she is walking to the end of the rocks. He didn't like that kind of movement.

"What are your plans?" Madeline asks firmly.

"I will start searching the city." Michael says slowly as he takes steps towards the rocks.

"Are we sure she is in that city?" Madeline asks, grilling Michael. She could almost feel Michael's lies, but unless he verbally slipped up, she couldn't prove it.

"Someone in the town's bus station confirmed it. Said she headed to the beach." Michael says as he watching Nikita climb up on the last large rock. His heart was pounding.

"And the beach?" Madeline asks.

"I'm trying to comb it now." Michael responds. "How am I listed?" Michael asks, worrying about what Operations would be thinking.

"You are on leave." Madeline says and hangs up. She needs not to tell Michael to find Nikita. She is almost positive he had already found her.

Michael takes a deep breath as he sees Nikita bend in her knees. The movement prior to making a jump. The seconds slowed to minutes. All Michael could do is wait. He would never make it to Nikita in time to do anything.

It was truly her decision. Michael had to respect that. He may not like it, but he had to respect it.

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

The waves were crashing around her as she looked out into the blackness of the sea. Never had she stood so close to the brink.

She longed to be free.

Free.

She only knew of one way. Yet, something held a tiny string onto her feet. How she longed to take a large swan dive into the ocean and the rocks below. To end it all.

"I'll get you through this, Nikita." Michael's voice echoed in the back of her head, and her muscles only relaxed a bit.

Part of the reason why she was standing on this rock was of Michael and his "Be patient." Yet, this day, the faces of 27 children haunted her, and brought her to the edge again.

She stared down into the swirling and crashing black waves below. Michael's face appears and Nikita turns around as she hears, "I'll get you through this, Nikita." again.

Nikita steps back a small step, trying to organize her thoughts. She didn't want to admit it, but she needed Michael. But, until this moment, she felt that Michael didn't need her. But he did.

Nikita bends and slides to a sitting position on the rock. The children's faces ran towards her over and over again, and Nikita just accepted it.

She hated herself even more.

She chickened out.

Again, fear had ruled her body. She was afraid to admit to Michael what she felt and she was afraid to die.

She had a fear of being free.

It all made no sense to Nikita. Her mind that longed for sleep and food, held back nothing. Her body didn't cry and left Nikita into a rocking state.

Nikita glanced up at the sky and didn't feel as alone as she did before. A feeling of safety started to cover her like a warm flannel blanket. It was the same feeling that Nikita had when Michael was around. A feeling that Nikita had when Michael wasn't visible, but she knew he was there.

If Michael was there, Nikita didn't care. She started to recreate the chests and locks in her mind and heart. It was time to reorganize. How she longed to be more like Michael.

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

Michael stretched out as the sun was now in the sky. Nikita spent most of the night on the rock and climbed down as the sky began to turn blue.

A few ladies have set up behind Michael, watching is body, as the day has already started to heat up. Michael has stripped off his shirt, but he continues to watch Nikita.

From his knowledge, Nikita hasn't eaten or drinked in this extended time. A vender walks by and Michael buys some bottled water and some dried apple chips.

Nikita stands up and heads towards the ocean. Michael stands up and starts to pull his arms above his head. The ladies behind Michael are almost in a drool, but Michael is concerned.

After Nikita's trip up the rocks during the night, he couldn't be certain Nikita would willingly bring her body out of the water. Michael bends over and places the water into his duffel bag and slowly starts is walk.

It was time to see Nikita. Michael continued his trip, and barely noticed the ladies giggling and following behind. Michael's eyes were on the water and the blonde hair of Nikita's. He pulled up about a hundred yards shy of Nikita's spot and sat down.

Nikita was heading into the shore and Michael could breath easily. He heard the giggling behind him and mentally shrugged it off. Nikita was struggling up the beach, most likely from the lack of sleep and food.

Nikita fell onto the sand and Michael stood up. He grabbed the water bottle out of his bag and started to jog towards Nikita.

"You should eat." Michael says as he hands the water down to Nikita. She sits up and looks up at him.

"You came to find me." Nikita says, handing back the bottle stubbornly.

"I was concerned." Michael says as he hands the bottle back.

"I don't want your damn water!" Nikita says angerily as she looks at Michael. She rubs her forehead lightly and wishes he would leave.

"Let's get something to eat, and get you a hotel." Michael says, worrying that Nikita is starting to suffer some sort of sunstroke because of her headache.

"I don't want anything. I sure don't want you." Nikita informs Michael and looks towards the ocean.

"I'll leave if you answer one question." Michael deals.

"What is it?" Nikita asks angerily and annoyed. For once she just wanted away from them all.

"Last night, why didn't you jump?" Michael asks and Nikita looks at Michael in horror.

Nikita cannot believe that Michael had been there to see that. She was in the dark. That is when she notices Michael's bag, and knows that Walter must have packed it.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Nikita says defensively, but starting to feel her lip tremble.

"Nikita, I saw it all. You were on the rock, ready to jump. Why did you stop?" Michael asks.

"Did you want me to jump?" Nikita asks angerily. Michael tries not to sigh as he looks at her. He just wanted to know the truth.

"I never want you to jump. Why didn't you?" Michael asks. Nikita looks away.

"Why didn't you?" Michael says again.

Nikita looks at Michael and tears start to form in her eyes. She doesn't notice how easy tears form with Michael around, her heart is spinning too much.

"Why didn't you?" Michael demands loudly.

"BECAUSE OF YOU!" Nikita screams out and Michael stops and looks at Nikita's tears running like a flooded river.

***********

"You saw me? I didn't think you did." Michael finally says and Nikita stares into Michael's eyes.

"No, I didn't. I didn't jump because of you." Nikita says firmly. She looks away and rolls her head down. She is starting to turn red.

"Nikita... there must have been another reason why you didn't jump. Like.. it's wrong, right?" Michael says, not able to listen to what Nikita said.

"I didn't jump because of you!" Nikita yells and fights off the heat and exhaustion.

Michael pauses for a few moments, but then looks down to Nikita. She needed to get out of the sun. He touched Nikita's shoulder to get her attention.

"Let me get you inside." Michael says and Nikita stands up slowly.

"I don't want to be with you. I want to be alone." Nikita says. Michael slightly nods his head and grabs his bag. The ladies that had been following him, sigh in regret that he was with Nikita.

"I will take you to a hotel on the ocean front... and I'll go to the other side of town." Michael offers. He respects Nikita's need for space. He didn't want to admit it, but after what Nikita said, he needed it himself.

*

Nikita was sitting on the small bed as Michael moved out of the bathroom. He carries a small wet washcloth with him. He looks at Nikita and wishes she would fall asleep.

"I can take care of myself." Nikita says as she turns to Michael and grabs the wash cloth.

"I wish you would change your mind and go have something to eat with me." Michael says slowly. He wants to leave, but then he wants to stay.

"I'm not hungry." Nikita says lightly as she wipes her face off.

"I'll be in town if you want to talk." Michael says as he walks towards the door.

"Go." Nikita says, waving her hand at Michael. Michael regrets his movement, but leaves, as Nikita requests.

Michael is walking down the street, looking for a hotel far enough but not to far when the phone rings again.

"How is Nikita?" Madeline asks. She knows Nikita had been found because her credit card had been used.

"She was almost suicidal." Michael responds as he crosses the empty high way, away from the beach area that Nikita is staying in.

"Almost... there is no Almost... she is either not suicidal or she is suicidal. What is it, Michael?" Madeline says angerily.

"She was suicidal, but she is no longer." Michael says as he walks slower as he talks.

"Michael, what almost happened?" Madeline asks. She knew it must have happened last night. She knows that when she first called, Michael must have had Nikita in sight.

"She almost swan dived off some rocks into more rocks." Michael says as he looks around to see if anyone else was around.

"Why didn't she?" Madeline asks as a small smile spreads across her face. Madeline already knew the answer.

"I don't know, Madeline. We didn't discuss it." Michael says in a uniformed manner.

"She told you. Why didn't she jump?" Madeline questions again. She ached to hear Michael to say it himself.

"I really don't know, Madeline." Michael says with a real shrug of his shoulders.

"I think I know." Madeline says and Michael stops and looks at the highway. He knew he didn't have to ask what Madeline thought, she was going to tell him. "She didn't jump because of you." Madeline says.

Michael folds up the phone and walks into the hotel without responding to Madeline. The folding of the phone was enought of a response for Madeline.

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

Nikita walked into the little building and was met with a smell of food on the grill. Her hair is pulled up and curled. She places a hand on her neck and lightly rubs it as the host walks over to her.

"One?" The host asks as he picks up a small menu and looks behind Nikita.

"Yes. One. Do you have a table in your garden?" Nikita asks softly. She remember the lady in the hotel talking about the garden in this place. It struck Nikita as a good place to go and try to forget everything.

"Of course. Most think it is too hot out there." The host says as he begins to lead Nikita to the table. She is wearing a simple pink sundress that she found in the gift shop next to the hotel.

The sun was shaded by some large palm trees and Nikita sat down at stained glass bistro table. It was quite beautiful and the host is about to hand her the menu.

"That is not necessary quite yet." Nikita says putting a hand up against the menu. The host nods hid head and pulls out a little tablet.

"Is there anything I can get you in the mean time?" The host asks. Nikita smiles. She thinks for moment.

"Can I have some water.. and some rolls?" Nikita asks softly.

"We just pulled out some fresh baked French bread." The host says as he smiles and turns away.

*

Michael had almost went to the little dirty Denny's across from his hotel when he heard a lady talking about the restraunt with the garden. It caught Michael's attention, and so that was were Michael headed in his normal black clothing.

The host was just walking in from the garden when Michael walked in.

"One?" The host asks, almost in a surprized tone, but Michael didn't noticed. He was going to try to get through dinner without thinking about Nikita.

"Yes. Can I sit in the garden?" Michael asks and The host nods his head. He begins to lead and Michael follows behind.

Once Michael exits into the sunny light, he notices the almost white blonde hair of Nikita. Nikita, noticing movement, looks over at the doorway.

"I didn't plan this." Michael says smoothly, as he could see the thoughts crossing Nikita's mind. She only nodded and stopped the host.

"He will be joining me." Nikita says and the host almost sighs in the sight of the two lovely people together.

Michael willingly takes the menus and Nikita sips a the crystal glass of water. Michael continues to look through the menu, and generally notes that Nikita is not looking at hers.

"Would you like to order?" The host asks, in his rule as host and waiter.

"I'm not hungry." Nikita says with a shrug of her shoulders and a sip of her water.

"She will take the shrimp pasta with the garlic sauce." Michael responds as he folds the menu. "I will take the blacken shark." Michael announces and the waiter smiles as he takes the menus.

"Do you want a salad with that?" The waiter asks as the menus get placed underneath his arms.

"Yes. With French Dressing for the both of them." Michael responds. He looks at Nikita as the waiter walks away.

"You knew what I liked." Nikita comments lightly.

"I know more than you think I do." Michael says softly as he sips his own water.

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

Dinner past in quiet. Michael watched Nikita delicately picked at the pasta. Yet, Michael was pleasantly surprized with the amount that Nikita had eaten.

Nikita passed on the desert and Michael made the analysis that Nikita had not gotten any sleep. He watched her move her eyes continually away from him. Michael wiped his mouth with the napkin, statisfied with the blackened shark and stood up.

"Would you care for a dance?" Michael asks as he extends a hand out to Nikita. She looks at the hand and then pulls her body closer to the chair.

"I'm not in the mood for a dance, Michael." Nikita says softly and Michael continues to hold his hand out. Nikita looks up at Michael's eyes and then back at his hand.

"Only one dance, Nikita." Michael says softly. He watches Nikita made the decision to humor him. He smiled lightly as Nikita's long and smooth hand touched his.

Michael lead Nikita onto the small dancefloor in the garden area and wrapped his hand around Nikita's waist, not holding her too close. She was continuing to avoid eye contact.

"I believe I have been unfair to you, Nikita." Michael says softly, but that comment doesn't budge Nikita's head towards him. Michael takes the hand that was placed on her waist and turns her face to him.

"I know so much about you, and you know nothing much about me." Michael says slowly, and Nikita maintains her head position. He rubs her cheek softly and looks into her eyes.

"I know that when you are wearing your sunglasses, your trying to hide your emotions..." Michael says softly as he outlines the edges of her eyes. Nikita pulls slightly away.

"Nikita... Before I was assigned you... I didn't know what time was." Michael starts out, hoping to explain to Nikita what she has done for him.

"I just moved from assignment to assignment, not caring if it was day or night, or fall, summer, spring, or winter. It meant nothing." Michael says softly. Nikita turns to say something, but he places two strong fingers over her still dry lips.

"I have rediscovered it. I long to see a sunrise when possible, and want to walk in the twilight." Michael says and Nikita looks away. The words are eating at her soul, what's left of her soul.

"And now, you have to rediscover it." Michael says softly as he allows Nikita's face to fall against his shoulder. He moves slightly, only a slight sway is occuring between the two. He pauses several times to look down at Nikita's blue eyes, still seeing no tears.

"I have to go." Nikita announces at the end of the song, and she takes three steps away from Michael.

"I'll be in town till Tuesday." Michael says simply, and watches Nikita leave quickly.

***********

Michael was in the little bedroom, packing his clothing back into the black duffel bag. He had just come from a dinner in the same garden, but Nikita didn't show up. Inside, he was torn apart. The next day was tuesday, and he was leaving. Yet, with not seeing Nikita, worry washed over his body.

Michael zipped up the bag tightly, knowing he was keeping his promise. Madeline was not please with the method Michael had used, but he truly believed Nikita would be by. Madeline had tried to bog him down with some technical jargon, but it all left his mind as quickly as Madeline said it.

The knock was so soft, Michael almost missed it. He walked out of the small bedroom and walked through towards the door to the hotel room. He heard another knock as his hand touched the handle.

"Nikita." Michael says as he opens the door and finds Nikita in sweats. He instantly saw that she had gathered no sleep. It was that appearant on her face.

Nikita moved slowly into the hotel room, which was actually an old apartment before it was a hotel. Nikita sat down on the couch that leaned agaist a tan painted wall and barely looked at Michael.

Michael moved towards her, and was surprized by her lack of words, or even a word. Her manner was disturbing, and Michael was fighting the feeling of holding Nikita until it was all better.

"Nikita... I'm leaving in the morning." Michael says as he looks at the couch and at Nikita. The sight of her was almost too much. Even after her wounds from the rat bites, she looked better than she did now.

"Please, don't." Nikita says softly as she connects her blue eyes with Michael's green ones. The time stops as the connection conveys that Nikita is only now starting to touch and feel the pain that made her run so far.

"Why? You haven't needed me, Nikita." Michael says, knowing she had to verbalize what she was feeling. He didn't know what she had done in the last few days.

"I feel safe in knowing your in town... it's the same way when we are in Section." Nikita says slowly as her bottom lips starts to tremble. It is like the first leak in a breaking dam.

"I never knew that, Nikita." Michael says in a slightly stunned voice. She had always seemed so self assured since taking her new position.

Instantly, the dam breaks. Nikita grabs her face with her hands and lets out high moans of pain out of her throat as her tears run in a hurricane like manner. Michael stands nearby, unsure of what to do.

The phone beeps and Michael closes his eyes and thanks the fates that be. He opens the phone as Nikita's moans in pain start to squeak and stagger in length.

"Michael... you'll be back tomorrow?" Madeline asks before she even registers the noise. Michael pauses and Madeline speaks again. "What is that noise?"

"That is Nikita." Michael says tensely, hoping that Madeline will give him some direction on how to procede.

"The cries of suffering..." Madeline mutters softly and Michael holds the phone like a life jacket. "Michael... do what you feel you should do." Madeline says and hangs up.

Michael folds the phone up and looks at Nikita. The moans and crying as slowed down. It is when he takes a closer look at Nikita, that he notices that she is asleep, and still crying.

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

Michael, after an hour of allowing Nikita to sleep curled in the fetal position on the couch, walks to it. He bends down and touches her shoulder softly. He keeps a firm hand on her shoulder as she jumps at the touch.

It takes Nikita a few moments to regain knowledge of her surroundings. She moves out of her sleeping position and tries to stand up.

"You are stiff from the way you were sleeping." Michael says as he watches Nikita slide back onto the couch in pain of her movement. Her exhausted body still aches to sleep, but her mind is wide awake again.

"Can you please take me to my hotel?" Nikita asks firmly as she rubs her eyes with a hard and rapid motion.

"Nikita, it is almost one. You will stay here." Michael says firmly as he looks at her. He takes his arms and carries her into the bedroom. With one movement, he sets Nikita down on the bed, and pushes the duffel bag out of the way.

Nikita is sinking into the bed and Michael walks to the other side of the bed.

"I'm going to take a shower." Michael says as he grabs a towel and heads to the bathroom. Nikita continues to lay on the bed, and pulls a pillow underneath her head.

Nikita tries to force her eyes to close, but the memories are back. The faces come back,and get bigger and bigger. The screams are louder and louder, and soon Nikita is in a full out emotional fit.

Michael hears the sobs and quickly dries and walks out into the bedroom. Nikita is rolling on her side, back and forth, over and over again.

"Why wake up... I KILLED THEM!" Nikita moans out as Michael turns off all the lights. He pauses in the doorway and listens to Nikita's random comments.

"They were young...."

"Too innocent..."

"I KILLED...."

Michael pulls the sheets back on the opposite side of the bed and slides his body in. He moves closer to Nikita. He wraps his hands around her waist, and allows her back to touch closely to his chest.

"It's ok, Nikita... It's going to be alright..." Michael says softly as he waits for her sleep to come.

***********

Nikita's eyes flutter against an heaviness that holds them down. Her long arms feel like mashed potatoes as she starts to rub her eyes softly.

The sun shines brightly into Nikita's eyes and she slowly rolls to the side, and finds the sheets tangled around her feet.

"Good afternoon, Nikita." Michael says from the doorway with a half smile. He glanced at the clock and calculated that the almost 14 hours of sleep that Nikita had was just the beginning.

"Michael?" Nikita half asks, confused from the heavy sleep that took her body over. She shakes her head a little as she remembers Michael holding her, but she couldn't be sure that it occured last night.

"Nikita... why don't you take a shower and I'll take you out to dinner?" Michael asks as he leans on the bed.

"I can't take a shower... all my things are in my hotel room..." Nikita protests as she sits up. Michael looks at Nikita as she feels her hair, which is knotted over and over again.

"I checked you out this morning. You will stay here." Michael says as he stands up and displays the small bag of Nikita's. Nikita looks away and then back at Michael.

"I'm sure you took an inventory of my bag..." Nikita says as she pulls her long legs out from the twisted sheets.

"Yes, and I bought you this. I hope you like it." Michael says as he holds up a coral skort set. Nikita smiles lightly as she stands up.

"That will be fine." Nikita says and she makes her way to the bathroom.

*

"Michael, I want to know what is going on!" Madeline demands as the shower continues to run in the bathroom.

"I'm taking care of Nikita. Like I should." Michael says firmly as he sits on the bedroom bed.

"Michael... I have no location for where your leave is... What do I put?" Madeline asks and Michael softly smiles. He knows if he develges that information, that Madeline herself will come to this small hotel.

"Put 'With Nikita'." Michael says firmly and he can hear Madeline's frustration mounting. "Madeline, we will be back soon." Michael says as he listens to the bathroom and hears the shower turn off.

"I am not happy about this situation." Madeline states and Michael shakes his head in the no motion several times as he thinks.

"Nikita has to eat. I'll notify about when our arrival will be." Michael says and he folds the phone.

*

Michael yawns as he glances down at the sleeping Nikita, yet again. Her body was trying to rebound sleep, and Michael had created an environment which that could occur.

They ate dinner at Denny's, but Nikita made a quick trip of it when a local boy's baseball team came in for banana splits. She had eatened enough for Michael to be happy.

It was when they came back to the hotel that Michael told Nikita that he believed it was best they returned to Section. Michael was becoming worried that the more time away from Section, the more Nikita would protest going back.

Michael slips into the bed, and curls his hands protectively around Nikita. It seemed that this motion was all he could do for Nikita at this time. The pain of killing 27 children was clearly on her face, and Michael couldn't even begin to touch Nikita that deep.

He rested his chin against Nikita's shoulder and lightly sighed. It was moments like this, when Michael could almost imagine he wasn't in Section. He could only hope that Madeline didn't separate the two when they returned.

If Nikita needed him here, Nikita was going to need Michael more when they returned.

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

Michael holds Nikita's right shoulder with his long and strong hand as he opens the door into Section. He can feel the muscles all around his hand tighten in response to entering Headquarters.

He carries both bags in his other hand as he directs Nikita down the hallway slowly with just the hand on her shoulder. Nikita's walk slows and shuffles a bit, but Michael continues with her.

They turn the corner and Nikita's entire back because as taunt as a sheet on a hospital bed. Michael looks at her, and can see Nikita struggling to maintain a face that isn't crying.

Michael remembers that the last time Nikita walked down this hall was right after that mission. She had to be identifying with those feelings again.

"Nikita. My office." Madeline orders from behind Birkoff. Nikita's walk stops as Michael drops the bags to the floor.

"I will be right there." Nikita says with an amazingly clear voice. Madeline nods her head and sets off to her office. Birkoff sits at the computer and watches the arrival of Nikita and Michael. Although it is not allowed, some of the Section operatives had a betting pool for when Michael and Nikita would get it on. Birkoff knew they hadn't. Nikita was too emotional.

"Nikita... if they try to push us apart..." Michael starts as he turns towards Nikita. She extends a hand and places two fingers on his lips.

"When they." Nikita says on the verge of tears. Michael looks down a bit and then back at Nikita.

"I will be here for you, Nikita. I will do whatever is humanly possible." Michael says firmly.

"I know." Nikita says as she starts to twist her hands together. She knows she has to go see Madeline, and it was most likely, Nikita was going to be moved far away from Michael.

"Nikita, you are one of the strongest people I know. She can't do anything more to you than you can do to yourself." Michael says softly as he leans in and kisses Nikita's hairline.

"I will be close." Michael reaffirms as he rubs her cheek softly with his thumb.

*

"Sit down, Nikita." Madeline says as Nikita walks slowly into the office. Nikita moves to the chair and sits down without looking at Madeline.

"I heard you were almost suicidal." Madeline says and this comment brings Nikita's eyes towards Madeline's.

"That is true." Nikita admits, knowing it was almost as plain as if it was tattooed on her forehead.

"It takes a strong person to admit that, Nikita. But, you were suicidal, and therefore, you are being demoted." Madeline says firmly, and she watches the horror in Nikita's eyes. Madeline knows within a split second that Nikita has taken her announcement the wrong way.

"So, I don't take my life... but you will?" Nikita questions as she wonders why they even brought her in to talk with Madeline.

"Nikita... you will no longer be a team leader." Madeline says with a slight upturn of her lips. Nikita takes a deep breath and nods her head.

"Who's material will I be?" Nikita asks as she is almost afraid to ask. This would be it, Nikita thinks to herself. She is sure that she would be assigned to someone else.

"Michael, of course." Madeline says as she stands up. She studies the girl and looks down at her desk.

"I want you to go home and rest for two days. I'll make sure any mission pending for Michael will be light or easy in nature." Madeline says.

Nikita stands up and looks at Madeline. Nikita can't say thank you to Madeline, and Madeline knows this. The pause and the look is enough to tell Madeline that Nikita is thankful.

***********

Nikita sat with her long legs extended on the balcony, sitting in the pitch darkness. Nikita could not have planned it better, there was no moon tonight. She could easily remember times were the full moon shed light onto everything, and Nikita felt that it would not help her in this situation.

She had entered her apartment earlier in the day, with all of the intentions of going to sleep. Yet, she couldn't close her eyes for three seconds. It was becoming too stressful to even think of sleep.

So she sat, staring out into the darkness, starting to lose herself in the emotions once again.

Nikita didn't notice the knock on the door, nor did she feel the need to hear the knock. Michael slipped into the apartment quietly and paused as he saw the opened balcony doors.

"How was your meeting?" Michael asks as he walks to the opened door and looked down at the extended Nikita, who looked up at Michael.

"She demoted me." Nikita says sharply and pulls her head back down.

"Who?" Michael asks quickly and firmly.

"Who, what, Michael?" Nikita asks without looking back at Michael. Michael shifts his weight and leans against the door frame. It had been a long day for him as he struggled to finish the paperwork that had gathered while he was gone, but mostly because he worried about Nikita's meeting.

"Who are you under now?" Michael asks tensely after he slightly licks his lips.

"You still have the key to my apartment, right?" Nikita asks as she looks up at Michael and then back down. Michael takes the point and then squats slowly down to Nikita's level.

"And then Madeline gave you the rest of the day off?" Michael asks, believing Nikita willingly left without telling him.

"The next two days... probably sleepless days." Nikita mutters as she looks up at the shining stars. How she longed to be on one right this moment.

"I was wondering why at three o'clock your light was still on." Michael says softly as he stands back up. The black coat shifts back down into a perfect hanging position as he bends down and helps Nikita up.

"It's that late? I lost track of time." Nikita says as she walks into the kitchen. She allows some ice to clink against a glass and fills it with cool water. She takes a sip and places it down on the counter.

"Nikita... I want to take you somewhere." Michael says as he bends over and hands Nikita her canvas shoes. Nikita looks at them, pulls a leg up, and puts one on.

Michael moves to the chair and selects a light sweater and carries it and gracefully places it on Nikita's shoulders.

"But, Michael... I'd rather be absolutely miserable here." Nikita says as Michael takes hold of her hand.

"We must break that habit." Michael says as he opens the door and leads Nikita out of the apartment.

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

Michael pulled his little black sports car into a lobby of a huge glass building that sparkled with the illumination of the street lights outside. Michael gets out of the car, and walks around to open Nikita's door. The valet takes the car as Michael leads Nikita gently with an arm wrapped around her waist.

They mount the stairs slowly and the doorman steps forward and shakes Michael's hand.

"Good evening, sir." The doorman says and Michael nods his head. The doorman smiles at Nikita.

"Nikita, this is Harold." Michael introduces the doorman to Nikita. Harold takes Nikita's extended hand and kisses it softly.

"I have heard a lot about you, Miss." Harold says as he goes to the door and opens it quickly. Michael ushers Nikita inside, where the lobby looks like she just stepped into a nugget of gold.

"Where are you going tonight?" Harold asks as Michael leads Nikita towards an elevator off to the left.

"The top." Michael says simply. Harold nods and opens a panel next to the elevator. He waits and looks at Nikita.

"A special woman.... You should hear the way Michael speaks of you, miss." Harold comments. Michael realizes that Nikita is not registering the importance of the starements Harold is saying. The hints that Michael felt more for Nikita were not even creating an emotional response, and Michael felt he might as well be chipping away from concrete.

The elevator arrived, and Michael entered it quickly and Nikita leaned against his strong body as the elevator pulled them up. Michael looked at Nikita didn't care if he had to chisel away concrete, because even concrete gave way at some time.

The elevator opened, and lead directly into a gently lit room. Michael took Nikita's sweater and laid it on a chair. He took Nikita's hand and directed her to the couch the faced towards what seemed as a wall.

Nikita sat down, and looked at Michael.

"Where are we?" Nikita asks softly.

"Don't worry, we aren't monitored here." Michael says softly as he rubs Nikita's face.

"Harold knew you... is this your apartment?" Nikita asks and Michael smiles almost broadly.

"I own this building." Michael says and watches Nikita's face drops open quickly.

"So, Simone has been here..." Nikita says shakily, giving Michael and sense that Nikita still felt there was more than a mentor/student relationship between them.

"No. I bought this after Simone." Michael says as he draws Nikita's tired and weathered body to lay against his chest. Nikita could easily hear his heart beating and was becoming soothed by it's beat.

"In fact, you are the first person from Section to be inside." Michael admits and Nikita rolls her head to face Michael's face for a brief second.

"Go to sleep, Nikita." Michael says softly. Nikita follows his orders easily.

***********

Michael stayed awake that night. He watched the sky start to turn from the black of his clothes to a lighter shade of navy blue. He watched the long process of the sun trying to poke out again into the world's life. It was like a rebirth, and Michael had lost that feeling for years, because he avoided it.

It was when Nikita was gone, that one late night of lots of wine and not enough food that Michael made his way to this same couch. He was just starting to drift to sleep when the sun started the miracle, and it started to lift his soul bit by bit. After that sunrise, although he missed Nikita, he felt that she had made it.

Michael wanted to lift Nikita's soul, and so he started to gently shake Nikita's body. Her head rolled back, but her eyes did not move.

"Nikita, I have something for you to see..." Michael says softly as he shakes Nikita again. Her head is facing the wall, which was actually a large glass window when her eyes open.

She sits up slowly, never moving her eyes off of the window infront of her.

"It is so pretty... I feel like I'm in the clouds myself..." Nikita murmurs as she sits up and looks at the sky and the sun starting the day.

"I thought you would like to see it." Michael says as he watches Nikita stand up.

Nikita walks to the window and presses her hands against it. Nikita was regretting that those children wouldn't see another sunrise again. She couldn't stop herself, it was a natuaral reaction.

Michael was not very shocked when Nikita turned around with a few tears gently staining her face. Michael stood up and walked to Nikita. Yet, Nikita maintained her distance, not allowing herself to fall back into Michael's strong and willing arms.

"Will the pain ever go away?" Nikita asks softly as she sits back down and continues to look at the sky.

"Nikita.. what you are going through is like last night... all dark.. but in time.. the day has to come through... it's nature." Michael says in an idealist way, hoping to spare Nikita more of the truth than she wants to hear.

"Don't buttercoat it Michael. DOES THE PAIN EVER GO AWAY!" Nikita says almost angerily, but she is too tired to yell.

"In time, other incidents will be on your mind. You will regret other Section 'mistakes' and will be proud of what you have done... " Michael says and he drifts off as he starts to feel of an event that continues to hit him hard when thinking about it.

"Nikita... years ago.. when in a chase.. I caused a school bus to flip over... Eleven children died." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head in a harsh manner.

"Michael! I KILLED 27! That is 16 more than you!" Nikita protests, and Michael patiently waits for Nikita's initial emotional reaction to stop.

"I eventually forgot to think about it everyday... but when I look back.. it hurts as much as the day it occured. I'm not going to lie to you... It might never feel better." Michael says as his cell phone rings lightly.

Nikita stares out the window as Michael takes the phone call. He stands and walks towards Nikita.

"I must go in." Michael informs gently. Nikita nods her head, and starts to gather her few items.

"I will be going out on a mission. Nikita.. if you ever need to see a sunrise... You are welcomed here whenever." Michael says softly as he rubs her cheek.

"How, Michael?" Nikita questions lightly.

"Harold will let you up." Michael says and quickly he is gone.

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

Nikita slipped into the room about a week later during the late night. The moon was gone from this side of the building and she quickly feel asleep on the couch, that had extra pillows left.

Michael had been out on a mission, his sixth of the week, and Nikita was left to monitor from Section. She had only gone out twice. Everyone knew in Section what was going on, but not a word was said.

Michael walks into the room and leans against the wall, not wanting to disturb Nikita. He had been notified immediately by Harold when he allowed Nikita to enter the building. Michael finished up his debrief and rushed to the building as quickly as possible.

Michael knew from the beginning that bringing Nikita back was an uphill battle, and this was only one small step in the process, but it was occuring.

Michael also knew that adventually, Nikita would realize what he had done for her, and would question the relationship. Michael was scared for her to enter that period in this, because it would mean Michael would have to admit things that he only admitted in his dreams, and then, only briefly.

Michael stood at the wall, right next to the door as he watched the sun start to ascend the sky. Nikita soon stirred and walked to the glass window. She extended her hands with a wide open palm and tried to caress the sunrise. She was trying to become part of it.

Michael made a knock on the door, and stepped forward. Nikita turned around quickly and missed in her try to wipe the tears away from her face.

Michael knew Nikita was feeling weaker than she ever did probably in her entire life. She felt like a small leaf being pulled down a huge stream into a bigger waterfall. Michael knew Nikita would have bad days and would have good days. Michael couldn't judge which days would be good and which days would be bad.

Michael stepped forward, and Nikita slipped her hands underneath his strong arms and placed her head into his black clothed shoulder. Her nose was pressed against the collar bone as she cried and cried.

And the cries, for Michael, was one of the most beautiful songs he would hear. And he planned at that moment to hear most of Nikita's songs.

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