The sheets cover the intertwined bodies of Michael and Nikita. The early morning light shines into the room and Nikita rolls her body closer to Michael.

“Sshh...’kita.. I have to be going...” Michael says as he kisses her forehead softly. Nikita opens her eyes and shakes her head no, although she knows he told the truth.

“Where did you hide the clothes I left?” Michael whispers softly. Nikita points to the bottom drawer of the dresser. Michael slides out of bed and wraps a long towel around his waist. He moves to the drawer and pulls out the false bottom. Michael stands up with the clothing and walks to the bathroom’s door.

“I will see you when you get in today.” Michael says softly as he watches Nikita’s eyes drift back to sleep. Michael smiles and enters the shower.

*

The screen turns off the image of Michael and Nikita. Madeline smiles and turns her chair around. She smiles again and nods her head.

“That was good work, Birkoff... and I will follow through with my half of the deal.” Madeline says smoothly. Birkoff looks at her and waits.

“I know how difficult that was to spy on to operatives that you generally consider friends.” Madeline says. She waits for Birkoff’s response.

“It was not so difficult now. I wasn’t that uncomfortable.” Birkoff says and Madeline almost laughs at the real meaning of what Birkoff was saying.

“Oh, you mean the graphic parts... mmm... Maybe I should have specially trained you earlier.” Madeline says and Birkoff holds a grin. Madeline is instantly transported to the times she saw that smile hovering above her face. She forced those memories away, as they contained wants and needs that she desperately wanted filled but couldn’t.

“You will get your reward.” Madeline says and Birkoff nods his head. Madeline had not specified what his reward would be when she discussed the need for reestablished video at Nikita’s. Madeline though, had know from the beginning what the reward would be.

“What? The new XR-4500 computer?” Birkoff asks with the boyish charm that still warmed Madeline’s heart and insides. Madeline smiles and looks at Birkoff as she places her hands folded on her desk.

“You were already getting the computer.. I will make one of your fantasies come true.” Madelines says which brings instant laughter from Birkoff.

“Do I get to choose?” Birkoff asks as he almost bounces in his chair. How Madeline wanted to capture his young body and be with it for just one more time. Madeline knew it would happen in time, it was the ultimate goal for the plan that had been set into motion.

“I think you want to trust me on this one.” Madeline says with a wink and Birkoff tilts his head in surprise. Birkoff shrugs his shoulders and stands up.

“Well.. how long until I get it?” Birkoff asks and Madeline smiles.

“Your fantasy will come true in just a few short days, Birkoff.” Madeline says and Birkoff nods his head. He exits whistling.

Madeline selects the file and starts to read. She places it down and rubs her hands together. The plan was going to be to simple to pull off. Soon she will be putting the file down to run her hands through Birkoff’s hair again.

“Oh you are a hot one...” Vahn says as he places his hand again on the top of Nikita’s thigh. Nikita pushes it off and stands up as the van stops.

“Keep your hands off of me.” Nikita hisses and she pushes as her hair. She is at her last patient nerve. She had spent two hours to the mission site and two hours back with Vahn hitting on her, and the other male operatives egging him on.

“Nikita... do not make a scene.” Michael says over her comm unit and Nikita rolls her eyes. The door opens up and Nikita walks out of the van.

“Hey.. sexy.. those mission pants accent your butt real nice!” Vahn says with a hoot and holler. The other men follow suit. Nikita closes her eyes and tightens her jaw. She tries to walk up from van access quickly and into the main hallway.

“HEY! You look at me when I am talking to you!” Vahn hollers as he places his hands on Nikita’s shoulders and pushes her against the wall. Nikita flips and kicks in between his legs. She grabs a hold of Vahn’s arm and snaps it backwards.

Vahn hits the ground and Nikita shakes her head in anger. It was well know that crap the lady operatives had to put up on the mission vans, and it was well known that Nikita wasn’t one to take it.

“You look even hotter when you are mad...” Vahn says with a wink as Nikita pushes the button against the wall.

“Medic to van access... got some scum to pick up.” Nikita hisses and walks back to Vahn.

“Mmmm... I wish you were wearing a skirt.... mmm.. has Michael seen you this way?” Vahn asks and Nikita kicks him squarely in the jaw. Nikita holds her boot at his throat as she waits.

“Nikita, that is plenty.” Michael says as he turns the corner. Nikita shoves off of him and starts to walk towards Michael.

“And I guess that any male operative can fondle me any way they feel like.” Nikita says as she walks past Michael. Michael turns and follows behind Nikita. She stalks down the hallway, and Michael can only hope for minimal exposure to other operatives.

“Madeline wants to speak with us.” Michael says as they turn the corner and Nikita angrily pushes against the wall. Michael can feel with her frustration, and Nikita had effectively done what Michael would have done in the debrief.

“Michael.. I could have pulled his insides out and never felt a thing.. never felt a thing...” Nikita says with a tight jaw and Michael stops in the hallway, just outside his office. In that split second, Michael realized that taking Nikita into Madeline’s office was a no go until she calmed down.

Michael opens the door and walks into the office. Nikita follows and slams the door. She stares at Michael as he deactivates the cameras.

“I thought we were to meet with Madeline?” Nikita questions sarcastically. Michael nods his head and unbuttons his jacket.

“Nikita, sit down and count to ten.” Michael says softly and Nikita slumps into the chair and rolls her eyes.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Can we get this torture over with?” Nikita asks and Michael shakes his head. He walks behind Nikita and places his hands on Nikita’s shoulders.

“One..... you need to just let this go... just let it float off into the air that circulates around the room and tickles your nose...” Michael says softly as he slowly moves his hands in a massage. He pushes against the tense muscles in Nikita’s back.

“Two... being mad and angry doesn’t make you look pretty... your smile drives Madeline to her edge...” Michael says as he pushes harder against her back. He feels the tension start to push away.

“Three...” Michael says as he leans his head in closer to Nikita’s ear.

“Four...” Michael says as his one hand runs underneath the mission vest and rubs against the warm muscles.

“Five...” Michael murmurs but it is basically not heard at Nikita moans in pleasure of the released tension.

“Six.... Seven... Eight... Nine...” Michael says and he leans his head down by her ear.

“Ten..” Michael says and he kisses her ear.

“Now, are we better?” Michael asks as he walks in front of Nikita. Nikita nods her head and pushes at her hair.

“Now we can see Madeline.” Michael says.

The door opens and Madeline turns in her chair. She looks at Nikita carefully and smiles internally. She had seen the video of what occurred in the van access hallway. Nikita had effectively calm down quicker that Madeline had ever seen in her before. Madeline felt that was one of the best things for Nikita to be improving on at this particular time.

“Please, sit down... Coffee? Tea?” Madeline asks and both Michael and Nikita feel dread fingertip itself up their shoulders.

“No thank you.” Nikita says smoothly and Michael only sits down. Madeline nods her head and looks firmly at the two.

“I wanted to involve Michael in this meeting since it will be the first internal mission you will handle.” Madeline says and Nikita looks at Michael. He stares straight ahead, but not at Madeline’s face but at a spot a few inches above her head. It was not a good sign.

“As you know Michael and Nikita, Birkoff received some specialized training a while back. I need to see if he can perform with other women with different needs.” Madeline says as if what she was saying as like asking Nikita to buy a book.

Nikita’s body got so heavy she could not even move. She stared at Madeline blankly as her mind raced laps around the office and the earth for all that it mattered. Nikita could barely believe what she was hearing.

And once Nikita started to process that Madeline was ordering her to sleep with Birkoff, it was a matter of Madeline’s motivation and who was really being tested. It could have been that Birkoff was truly being tested, or she was being tested, or Michael was. The possibilities only clouded Nikita’s stormy mind.

“It is important that we see if Birkoff can give you what you need in a sexual partner. He is expected to make you at least achieve... well... at least twice.” Madeline says and Nikita stares at Madeline.

“Can’t a Valentine Operative be used?” Michael asks and Madeline smiles softly.

“I am interested to see what he can do with people he currently has relationships.. We usually use someone that you already know.” Madeline says and Nikita stares back at Madeline.

“When?” Nikita finally verbalizes and Madeline smiles.

“I think tomorrow night would be good. He will be told that it is a test for you.. to see if you are able to take different people. But believe me, Nikita, it is Birkoff’s test.” Madeline says and Nikita stares at him.

Nikita looks at the desk and then at her hands.

“Are there any problems I should know about?” Madeline asks, knowing that Nikita will not speak up. She might have some, but Nikita knows the consequences.

“No.” Nikita finally responds and Madeline smiles softly. Madeline stands up and looks firmly at Michael.

“Are there any concerns that you would like to address, Michael?” Madeline asks and Michael turns his head and stares at Madeline. There is not a word said for a long time. Madeline nods her head and walks to her bonsai trees.

“Then I suggest you get ready.” Madeline says and Nikita stands up and exits the office without another word. Michael exits behind Nikita and makes sure that the door closes. Nikita is almost half way down the hallway, and at least fifteen feet away from Michael.

“Nikita... my office?” Michael questions. Nikita looks over her head and continues down the hallway.

It was an automatic response in Nikita’s body. It walked down the hallways as if she was passing no one and she moved in the direct path. Then she stopped. She watched Michael pass her and walk to his office. He had called out to her twice. Nikita had looked over her shoulder, but was compelled to the place that she now stood outside of.

Nikita slips into the area and looks at the table. Walter is working quietly and Nikita starts to flutter her hand over the surface of the table. Walter looks up at Nikita from the corner of his eye and then back down to his work.

Walter had to admit that the relationship between him and Nikita was one of the special ones in Section One. Sometimes Nikita would walk in the area just to see what he was working on and just to be. Sometimes they didn’t even have the need to talk. Nikita would walk in and smile at Walter, and then when she was leaving she would smile.

Walter lifted his head up to wipe at the beads of sweat on his forehead as he saw Michael pacing out in the hallway. Walter looked at Nikita as her fingers wrapped around the gun lightly and then backed off.

“You can pick it up, Sugar.” Walter comments and the statement jumps Nikita physically and mentally.

“OH, Walter! I don’t have too...” Nikita says softly as she pulls her hand away from the gun.

“Is there something you need, sugar?” Walter asks as he continues to wipe his forehead. Nikita walks to the side of the table and closer to Walter.

“Walter, was is the difference between internal assignments and internal missions?” Nikita asks and Walter is almost floored by the question.

“Why? Are you on an internal?” Walter asks and Nikita nods her head. He didn’t like he sound of it, and then combined with the swarming Michael, it made it look bad.

“They are usually missions that Madeline and Operations set with a goal in mind.” Walter says and Nikita looks at Walter.

“A goal?” Nikita asks, slightly confused. Walter wipes at his chin and shakes his head.

“Does Michael know about this?” Walter asks and Nikita nod with her head as she starts to pick at the wooden table.

“A goal is what they absolutely want the outcome to be.” Walter says and Nikita frowns lightly. She picks up the gun, aims it and then sets it back down.

“What if there seems to be no goal?” Nikita asks and Walter closes his eyes.

“Sugar, what are you doing for this internal mission?” Walter asks and Nikita bites her tongue. She wants to scream that the question should be who are you doing. Nikita pushes at her hair and smiles.

“Nothing major.. I’m sure I can handle it.” Nikita says as she turns and walks towards the doorway.

“Nikita.... find out what they want to happen.” Walter says and Nikita turns and looks at Walter.

“Why?” Nikita asks and Walter closes his eyes.

“If it is not met, one of the operatives involved gets a plot.” Walter finishes.

Birkoff stands up from his chair and stretches his hands above his head. He rolls his head around as his mind starts to think again about what Madeline had promised him. Birkoff couldn’t wait to see what fantasy Madeline was going to make come true.

“The trip to Florida” Birkoff thought and he smiled. He could almost smell the salt water being sprayed across the rocks on the beach.

“The Las Vegas trip” Birkoff skipped to quickly and Birkoff sat down at his computer and watched Michael pace back and forth.

“Tyra Banks” Birkoff thought as he licked his lips and raises his eyebrows with the thought. Birkoff turns his head and watches Michael follow Nikita as she turned and went quickly down the hall.

“Operation’s new spy car” Birkoff thought and laughed loudly. He rolled his head to the left and saw Madeline standing, looking at him. She nodded her head towards the briefing room and Birkoff stood up.

Birkoff was sure that Madeline knew he was fantasizing about what fantasy she was going to make true. Birkoff walked in and closed the door. He stared at Madeline and smile. He looks at the briefing table and the clear windows. That was a fantasy also.

“Are you ready to make your fantasy true?” Madeline asked smoothly. Birkoff sat down and smiled broadly. Madeline smiled back and sat down herself.

“Tomorrow night, you will sleep with Nikita.” Madeline says and Birkoff is floored.

A sudden rush of heaviness sweeps his body along with a rush of heat and fire. Birkoff’s mouth runs dry as his mind starts to spin out of control. He knew Madeline had used that fantasy to fuel his training, but he never thought Madeline would offer it this way.

“Nikita has been told that it is an internal mission for her. She was told to see if you can gratify a woman other than myself.” Madeline says and she watches Birkoff’s ego inflate with the comment.

“That won’t be a problem.” Birkoff says firmly, as he is assured that he would perform well enough. His only worry was Michael, but that worry was dismissed as Madeline had made it an internal mission. Michael would worry that Nikita could not perform right and face cancellation.

“It is a fantasy of yours... I hope you can do to Nikita what you have done for me.” Madeline says with a smile. Birkoff was eating up her explanation as did Michael and Nikita.

“Shouldn’t I try to approach it differently? Nikita is a different woman.” Birkoff responds firmly and Madeline folds her hands in front of her.

“You saw the tape, what do you think Nikita likes? I do not believe that her tastes are much different than mine.” Madeline says and Birkoff nods his head.

“But it will be difficult for Nikita.. we know about her relationship...” Birkoff says and Madeline smiles.

“It is also a test for Nikita... to see if she can deal with having sexual relations with someone else while being involved. She can handle Michael’s but can she handle hers. I need you to find out for me.” Madeline says and Birkoff stands up.

“She must show this.. you will be taped. I hope for Nikita’s sake and your sake that she... uh, ‘peaks’ very visually.” Madeline says as Birkoff heads towards the door, and now he stops.

“Does that mean if she can’t, she would be canceled?” Birkoff asks firmly and Madeline stands up.

“No one is safe from cancellation... Nikita would be first, you are too valuable to us.” Madeline says and Birkoff leaves.

Michael stands up and stacks the papers neatly on the left hand side of his desk. He gracefully pulls his hands up into the air and stretches his arms. Michael’s eyelids drop over his eyes as he drops the arms and turns his head.

“Nikita.” Michael says surprised as he finds Nikita leaning against the door frame. Nikita smiles softly and it drops quickly.

“On your way out?” Nikita asks softly. Michael’s heart is being torn for her. How he wished he could protect her on this one.

“Yes, I thought you were out of here several hours ago.” Michael say and Nikita looks to her feet.

“No, I wasn’t.” Nikita says as she steps in a tiny bit and stares at Michael.

Michael picks up his jacket and places it on his arms. He looks back at Nikita and sits down.

“Is there something that you want?” Michael asks softly and Nikita walks forward three steps. She seems to be thinking and so Michael waits for her response.

“Michael?” Nikita asks softly. Michael blinks and looks at Nikita. It was like she had heard not a word he had said.

“Yes, Nikita.” Michael responds, hoping that Nikita would continue talking.

“Can you drop me off at my apartment?” Nikita asks as she starts to twiddle her thumbs absentmindedly. Michael runs his thumb along the desk and looks at Nikita.

“Of course, is there something wrong with your car?” Michael asks, as he had seen Nikita’s red little sports car earlier.

“No.” Nikita simply responds and Michael nods his head. This kind of Nikita was the hardest and the most difficult to communicate with and to break through to. She was retreating into a shell, but she also left Michael an opening to use to help her. Nikita may not see it that way, but she did and that was all that mattered.

“Is that all you want, a ride home?” Michael asks softly as he leans across the desk and cups Nikita’s chin. He stares into her eyes and finds nothing much there. It was a good defensive move if you were preparing to be doing what Nikita was going to have to do when the person was unknown. But Nikita knew Birkoff, and it was not as simple as closing herself off.

“Yes.” Nikita responds and Michael leans back again. He stands up and walks around the desk. Nikita slowly stands up and walks towards the door.

“I was going to get a something out to eat, would you join me?” Michael asks and Nikita continues walking.

“No. I have food at home.” Nikita responds as she stands just outside the office door.

“Would you like some company?” Michael asks.

“No.” Nikita responds as she starts to walk down the hallway. Michael knew he was going up to her apartment that night. Nikita just didn’t realize it yet.

The door opens and the hand flips the lights on. Nikita walks through and drops the keys onto the counter. Michael enters behind Nikita and closes the door.

The ride had been painfully quiet. Usually Michael would listen to Nikita talk and talk. For the longest time Michael had believed that Nikita had chatted in the car so much because she was nervous. But those feeling and thoughts soon drifted away, knowing that everything was all right when Nikita was talking. The silence on this night only said one thing, everything was in bad shape.

“I didn’t need an escort.” Nikita comments as she pulls her hair up and lets it float back down onto her back. Michael walks further in and takes his black jacket off.

“We need to discuss tomorrow.” Michael says as he waits for Nikita to turn around. Nikita just continues to wall towards her room. She stops at the low stair and rolls her head around.

“I don’t want to discuss tomorrow.” Nikita says sharply and Michael folds his hands in front of him.

“I meant, when do you want me to pick you up?” Michael asks softly. Nikita blinks and turns her head to the wall.

“I’ll walk in.” Nikita says and Michael stares at Nikita.

“I’ll be here at 6:30 to take you in.” Michael says and Nikita rolls her head back.

“You don’t have too. I will walk.” Nikita says firmly and Michael walks closer to Nikita.

“We have a briefing in the morning.... and a mission... a lot of things can happen on a mission.” Michael says in a slow and measured way. Nikita turns her head to face Michael directly.

“What do you mean by that?” Nikita hisses out, and Michael knows she has the implied meaning in her head all ready.

“You can’t perform tomorrow night if something happens... a bullet in a leg.. a small concussion.” Michael says slowly and Nikita shakes her head.

“What? Are you willing to send me to my cancellation before you *ALLOW* me to sleep with Birkoff?” Nikita screams as she storms pass Michael and into the kitchen.

Michael wipes his hand against his top lip and turns back to Nikita. She throws a pot onto the stove and Michael steps back towards her. He was walking on a thin line, and he knew that he had to remain on friendly terms with Nikita.

“They would not cancel you for that... but it would give us some time.” Michael says and Nikita’s head snaps up.

“What? Time to think about what I have to do? More time to think about who’s test this really is? Time to think about what might happen to my relationship with Birkoff? I want this over with!” Nikita screams and Michael nods his head.

“Michael, promise me... you won’t do anything to me tomorrow.. get me through that mission unharmed.” Nikita says and Michael walks up to her side.

“I promise.” Michael says and moves away.

“Six-thirty.” Michael says as he exits.

Walter rubs at the day old beard and then lightly scratches at it as he moves the guns back to lock down. He moves back to his table and looks at the pile of papers on his desk. The paper work just continued to grow, and most of the time, Walter would just pass it down the line. Walter was still trying to figure out why they needed to have paperwork done when everything was done with computers.

Walter shoves the papers to the side and pauses as he looks at the gun Nikita had touched earlier. It gave Walter and eerie feeling that something wasn’t quite right. He picked it up and turned around.

“Walter... I need some equipment.” Madeline’s voice drifts in from the hallway. Walter turns around and places the gun down on the table. He stares at Madeline as she walks further in towards him.

“What kind?” Walter asks and Madeline hands over the list. Walter looks at it and nods his head.

“Kind of basic things here... going for the going to be seen camera?” Walter asks and Madeline nods her head. Walter starts to gather the things up for Madeline.

“So, what kind of mission is this for?” Walter asks as he can not take the silence. Walter sets down the recorder and goes to work looking for something else.

“A Valentine mission.” Madeline responds and Walter lightly laughs.

“I was worried you were going to tell me it was for Nikita. Boy, that kid was acting strange today.” Walter says as he turns around and places the last object on the table.

“There you go.” Walter says as he places the list down on top of the equipment. Madeline looks at Walter.

“What do you mean Nikita was acting strange?” Madeline asks and Walter internally steps back. He knows that Madeline is fishing for information here. He remembers the recent past and he can’t stop the cold sweat from breaking out over his forehead.

“She came in here and didn’t talk much. You know Nikita... always talking.” Walter says with a munching mouth motion. Madeline nods her head and looks at Walter.

‘Was that all?” Madeline asks and Walter shakes his head no.

“No, Michael was pacing around outside like it was his job to wear down the concrete.” Walter says and Madeline smiles with the image. It was true, if Operations told Michael to pace around to wear down the concrete, he would.

“That’s odd, the mission tomorrow is relatively easy and dare I say, safe.” Madeline says and Walter nods his head.

“I thought the same when I got the equipment list. Then I got an additional list.” Walter says as he turns the list over. Madeline is almost shocked to see that Michael requested additional body armor for all of his team. Madeline wonders what Nikita told Michael.

“I have to agree that the equipment addition was extreme, but Michael does know best.” Madeline says as she picks up the equipment and walks out of the area.

Walter picks up the sheet and studies it again. He wasn’t sure what Madeline was implying, but something was up, and Walter started to tremble again. Maybe he would make sure to slip Nikita an extra gun.

The high pitch pig’s screech of the tea pot howled down the hallway as Michael exited the stairway. He moves down the hallway quickly and knocks at the door. Michael looks at the hallway and then leans his head against the door. Michael raises his hand and knocks again.

The screech continues with no end and Michael looks over his shoulder. His back tenses up as he unlocks the door and enters quietly. He sees Nikita sitting on the couch with her chin on her hand. Her eyes are staring off into space. Michael steps to the left three long strides and pulls the scolding hot tea pot off the burner with his bare hand and places it into the sink.

Even as the screech stops, Nikita’s head does not move. Michael looks down to see a bowl of cereal sitting on the counter top. The cereal has gone soggy in the massive amount of milk and Michael walks back over to Nikita.

“Nikita?” Michael says softly as he squats down. As soon as his body crosses in front of Nikita’s field of view, her body jumps.

“Michael? Is it already 6:30?” Nikita asks as she stands up and leaves Michael squatting. Michael turns around and sits down on the couch.

“It is a quarter to seven. Your tea pot was screeching for several minutes, Nikita... What is wrong?” Michael asks, although he knows what is wrong.

“Oh, sorry.. I am still tired.” Nikita says as she looks down at her clothes. She pats at her hair and looks back down to Michael.

“Let’s go.” Nikita says with a brilliant smile. Michael stands up and walks to Nikita. His breath is felt right below her chin and Nikita stares back at Michael.

“We aren’t going until we talk.” Michael says and Nikita smiles softly.

“But we will be late for the briefing.” Nikita says with a sweet and innocent voice. She was still doing a terrible job at hiding what was bothering her.

“Nikita, I believe this is more important.” Michael says and Nikita shoves her hands into her pockets and walk away.

“Well, next time I will remember I’m not allowed to think for a few moments.” Nikita snaps out and Michael nods his head.

“You are allowed to think, what worries me is what you were thinking about.” Michael says and Nikita turns back to Michael. No words need to be said, as her eyes reveal the truth in that split second, and Nikita knows it.

“I want you to use this form and talk to Gail.” Michael says as he withdraws a packet of papers and hands it to Nikita.

“What for?” Nikita asks as she skims the papers. Nikita looks at the papers and understandment starts to dawn across her face.

Nikita looks to the papers and then to Michael. She turns around and wipes at the two small tears as the corners of her eyes and then smiles. She turns back to Michael and smiles again.

“I understand. I will do it before the mission. Now, we will be late.” Nikita says as she goes to her closet and pulls out her coat. Michael goes to the door and leads Nikita out.

The room was quiet when Nikita entered and closed the door. The sound of the door closing was the only thing that alerted Gail to Nikita’s presence. Nikita turned around and sat down next to the desk.

Gail had been moved to record keeping. It was deemed that her constant exposure to Birkoff was eroding her nerves, and the moved was facilitated. Gail folds her hands and swallows as she smiles at Nikita.

“I didn’t expect to see you down here.” Gail says softly and Nikita nods her head. Nikita shows the clipboard to Gail and pulls out a pen.

“We have started a new record for operatives, and I have to discuss Birkoff with you.” Nikita says and Gail swallows again.

“What about Birkoff?” Gail asks and Nikita takes a deep breath.

“Your sexual relationship. It is for anyone who has received special training. Michael was to do this review, but Michael believed that it would be easier if I did this with you.” Nikita says and Gail nods her head.

“Yes, it will be. Thank Michael for me.” Gail says and Nikita nods her head.

“What kind of partner was Birkoff for you?” Nikita asks softly. Gail looks to the desk and then back up to Nikita’s blue eyes.

“Before or after Madeline?” Gail asks and it brings a chill from the tip of Nikita’s nose to the little toe of her foot.

“Both.” Nikita responds and Gail nods her head.

“Sometimes I think back now, and think he was like Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde. Before Madeline, he was gentle. He cared about the little details. It didn’t matter how long as long as I was comfortable and he was. It was romantic and subtle. It was sweet.” Gail says with emotion. Nikita can sense her pain. Gail may have done some bad things, but Nikita got a real sense that she still loved Birkoff.

“After he started to get training from Madeline, it was terrible. It was just about sex. He didn’t care to kiss me, he didn’t care to snuggle. It was, ah, it was, it was wham-bam, make you sweat, make me happy, I’m done.” Gail says and Nikita finds her writing start to shake. Nikita pulls the pen up and looks at Gail.

"That must have been difficult.” Nikita says and Gail nods her head.

“He started to think every woman was Madeline. I talk to the one girl Madeline forced on him, and he inflicted some major damage.” Gail says and Nikita swallows and looks down at the file.

“How?” Nikita asks and Gail laughs softly.

“Well... the details or abstract?” Gail says nervously. Nikita waits. She wasn’t going to tell Gail to say something to painful.

“Well.. so you know what I am using as a comparison.. I have seen parts of Michael’s physical chart for Medlab.... he isn’t as quite as large as Michael.” Gail says and Nikita blushes some and looks down at the chart.

“Has Michael ever just start... without... forcefully?” Gail asks and Nikita shakes her head. There had never been that from Michael.

“Well.. when Birkoff would start... it.. it... it was... It hurt.” Gail says and Nikita knows what she is trying to say. Nikita sits up straight and looks at Gail.

“We don’t have to finish this... I have a feeling.” Nikita says and Gail stands up with anger on her face.

“Madeline screwed with the best lover I knew. She made him into an animal, and made him believe that all a woman wants is sex as violently and animalistic as possible. I feel sorry for anyone who has to be the first person to sleep with him after this long spell.” Gail says and Nikita feels every single muscle on her back tighten up.

“What do you mean by that?” Nikita asks as she looks to see what Gail thinks will happen.

“Well.. towards the end with me.. he started to hit and bite during the act... saying it was what I needed. If he hasn’t had sex in a while... I would believe he would do anything to get what he wants. Madeline created a monster.” Gail says as she pushes at her hair.

“Thanks, I know it was hard.” Nikita says and Gail smiles.

“It was easier that it was you... maybe we can have coffee some time?” Gail asks and Nikita nods her head and leaves. Nikita walks into the hallway and leans her head against the wall as terror and anxiety washes her body.

The briefing room was quiet as Madeline entered. She looked around the briefing table and looked at the spot that Operations should have been.

“Operations has been summoned to Munich, and I will handle this briefing.” Madeline says softly as she turns on the screen.

“I have changed the on field team,” Michael says before Madeline can start and she stops.

“Michael, do you realize how irregular that kind of move is?” Madeline asks and she stares at Nikita. She wonders if this had to do anything with her behavior since their meeting.

“We have problems in transport. I am sure you know about it.” Michael says and Madeline shakes her head.

“Michael that is not a reason to change personnel!” Madeline says firmly and Michael presses his lips together.

“Vahn is still in Medlab, and we need our operatives. I will run the mission from the field.” Michael says and Madeline stands up.

“Michael, the hallway.” Madeline says firmly and Michael stands up and exits. Nikita follows them with her eyes, but does not turn her head.

“Michael, is this because of Nikita?” Madeline asks and Michael shakes his head.

“Michael, Walter was concerned about her last night. Now if Walter was willing to give me that information, I can’t believe she is functioning well.” Madeline hisses.

“Madeline, she is functioning fine. I just don’t want to hear anymore fondlings of Nikita over the comm units during the two hours of transport time.” Michael says and Madeline narrows her eyes.

“Nikita has handled those situations just fine.” Madeline says and Michael shakes his head.

“You know the personal on the mission. Two of them have had confrontations with Nikita before. I cannot feel safe leaving four operatives in a van, one who loves Nikita and the other two who want to prove something.” Michael says and Madeline throws down the pointing devise and stares at Michael.

“You can protect Nikita here, Michael, but tonight...” Madeline says as she turns and moves away.

“You finish the briefing.” Madeline says as she walks away.

Michael doesn’t like this. He has never seen Madeline this upset about something this minor. It made Michael worry so much more about the night that had yet to be.

The door opens and Michael enters still in his field blacks. He places his gun down on the table and stares at Madeline.

“What happened earlier?” Michael demands and Madeline lifts her chin. She pushes her hair back and looks at Michael.

“Your mission went smoothly.” Madeline responds. Michael waits, frozen like a statue waiting for Madeline’s response.

“And the transport was difficult. I heard.” Madeline says and Michael only blinks his eyes. Before Michael stepped up on the van, the two operatives had Nikita against a wall. It was before a mission, so Nikita was trying to just to sit down. Once Michael stepped on, Nikita was freed.

On the way back, it was a different story. It was like a war, but lucky for Michael, he had Nikita on his side. The other two operatives were already on their way to MedLab and Michael made sure that he maintained his promise to Nikita.

“Michael, earlier, I am sorry.” Madeline says and Michael sits down. He looks into Madeline’s eyes and turns his head to the side.

“What is it, Madeline?” Michael asks as he leans forward to study Madeline. He looks into her eyes and sees emotions there that he had never seen there before.

“You are filled with anxiety.” Michael says as he leans back and his body starts to panic. If Madeline was having second thoughts about this, then it shook his world.

“Michael, I am not sure Nikita is prepared for this. I forgot that she hasn’t had training.” Madeline says and Michael lifts his head. Michael knows that once Madeline sent the internal mission papers ahead, there was no changing them.

“How much can I help Nikita?” Michael asks and Madeline places her hands on her eye sockets.

“You can’t.” Madeline says with closed eyes. Michael looks to the wall and then back at Madeline. She sits back and hangs her head back.

“How much advise can I give her?” Michael asks and Madeline sits up, finding the way to do what she needed to do.

“You can give her *ALL* the *ADVISE* you have.” Madeline says and looks to the side.

“Just because you give it doesn’t mean she will follow it.” Madeline comments. Michael stares at Madeline and rubs his chin.

“I hope for Nikita’s sake she listens to all of the advise you give her.” Madeline says as she stands up. She can’t stand it. She knows what could happen and shakes her head. Madeline pushes herself into believing that Birkoff will be just fine.

“I’ll go give, *advise* now.” Michael says and Madeline turns around. She pulls out a little bottle and hands it to Michael.

“She will be tense.. that will help relax her.. You have to go over and set up the equipment. I left it on your desk.” Madeline says. Michael takes the bottle and walks out.

It was a sight for Section One to remember for a long time. Nikita was standing at Walter’s station when Michael walked by. They stared at each other, and suddenly, Michael grasped Nikita’s wrist and started to drag her to his office.

Nikita did not scream, but put her feet on the ground and made Michael work hard at dragging her to the office. To everyone watching, and Madeline, there was some tension between the two to say the least.

Once inside the office, Nikita slumped into the chair and stared at the blinds on the window. Michael unbuttoned his jacket and sat down.

“Nikita, I can not help you...” Michael says slowly and Nikita’s head turns sharply over.

“I never asked for you help!” Nikita snaps and Michael lifts his chin.

“I know that, Nikita, but I wish I could.” Michael says as Nikita turns her head back towards the window and starts to tap her right foot.

“Nikita, I have some advise for you.” Michael says and Nikita raises a finger and twirls it in the air. Her sour mood was starting to rub off on Michael.

“YOU WILL LISTEN TO THE ADVISE!” Michael says in loud and tense words. Nikita turns her head and looks at Michael. He can see the tears start to crystallize in her eyes. That was how close Nikita was to breaking apart.

“Nikita, you need to not think of Birkoff as Birkoff tonight. Think of him as someone else.” Michael says and Nikita wipes at the two tiny tears and then looks at her hands.

“But he is BIRKOFF!” Nikita says firmly and Michael rubs his chin.

“Well, for tonight, he is Seymour..... I ADVISE YOU...” Michael says as he stares straight into her eyes. Nikita slightly nods her head and takes Michael’s point. She swallows and looks back down at her hands.

“But that will not be the hard part.” Michael says and Nikita stares at the blinds again. Michael hates having this conversation. Michael runs a hand through his hair and runs his tongue along the surface of his teeth.

“Nikita, during the act, I find that it is best to visualize a dream, a fantasy, or an experience that has brought you bliss before.” Michael says and Nikita stares at Michael.

There is silence for many minutes and Michael allows it. It is giving Nikita time to process what he is saying to her and why he is saying it. He could not imagine the emotions Nikita was going through, as she had gone through so much the past half of year.

“What do you use?” Nikita finally questions and Michael blinks and looks back at her.

“A dream, a fantasy, or an experience that has brought me bliss.” Michael says, trying not to respond to her question. The answer may make her mission more difficult and he was not here to do that.

“Michael, I have a hard time grasping this... there have only been a few ‘good’ times for me... tell me what you use.” Nikita says and Michael looks to the wall and back to Nikita.

“I use an experience.” Michael responds solidly and he can see the fear flicker in her eyes. Before she even licks her mouth to think about the question, Michael knows Nikita’s next question..

“Was it Simone?” Nikita asks like a haunted vision. Michael shakes his head. He knows how much Nikita worries about Simone, plus he was speaking the truth in the office this day. Lies would only make it more difficult.

“Nikita, don’t torture yourself with this... just pick something.. maybe a fantasy?” Michael says and he stops. He knows what he really wants to know. He wants to know if Nikita would choose an experience she had with him.

“No, it will be an experience.” Nikita says and Michael’s eyes open wide. They both want to ask the same question, what experience? Both want to know if the memory is one that they are involved in. Both sit there in torture and Nikita turns her head.

“The night in Lyons.” Michael finally says firmly and Nikita turns her head. Her eyes sparkle as tears run down her face. Nikita hiccups and then smiles again.

“That was mine, too.” Nikita says softly and she stands up and leaves.

Nikita walks to her bedroom and closes her eyes. The clock still read 6 o’clock and she can’t believe how slow time is going. She turns out of her room and closes her eyes again.

Nikita had placed the new sheets on the bed, as she was going to throw them away after Birkoff left. She didn’t want anything to remind her of this horrible mission and this night. Nikita didn’t care if she had to scrub every inch of her apartment, she would.

Nikita swallows as she enters the kitchen. She had toyed with the idea of inviting Birkoff over for dinner, but it was too weird. Even now, Nikita was almost faint when she thought than in three hours Birkoff would be kissing her body.

The knock at her door echoes and Nikita’s body jumps in fright. She stumbles over and opens the door, without looking at her security screen. She almost faints again when Michael stands there.

Michael places his hands on Nikita’s shoulder and helps her back into her apartment. He turns and closes the door. He places the bag down and looks at Nikita.

“Did I forget something?” Nikita asks and Michael shakes his head. He had a plan on placing the camera. He did not want to upset her anymore than she needed to do. Nikita knew that afterwards to retrieve the tape from her VCR and take it to Madeline, but she was not to know where the camera was.

“No. I wanted to help you relax.” Michael says softly as he pulls out a bottle of wine. Nikita starts to shake her head and Michael nods his head.

“Are you going to take my advise?” Michael says softly. Nikita steps back and tears run down her face.

“I can’t do this, Michael.. I can’t.” Nikita says as she finally starts to panic. Michael takes her in his arms as he starts to pour the drinks. He slides the pill into the glass and hands it to Nikita.

“Nikita, why don’t you take a shower and relax.” Michael says as he looks down at his watch. The medicine would keep Nikita occupied for just the right amount of time. Nikita nods her head and walks to the bathroom.

Michael picks up the bag and goes to the bedroom.

*

“Michael?” Nikita asks as she walks out in a robe as the knocking at the door is loud. Nikita opens the door and the towel drops from her hair

“I was called and come earlier...” Birkoff says as he looks at Nikita’s glistening body and feels his body lurch.

“Birkoff?............ come in.”

(lyrics from Frozen by Madonna)

In a matter of minutes, Nikita and Birkoff had walked into the bedroom. Nikita turned with her robe on and walked over to Birkoff. She grazed her hands along his chin and leans to kiss him. Birkoff grabs Nikita’s hands and keeps her away.

Nikita looks up into his eyes and everything that Gail has said hits her in the stomach. Nikita blinks her eyes and walks to the dresser. She pulls out the condom and hands it Birkoff.

“Why don’t you get ready and put that on.. I’ll stay out here.” Nikita says and Birkoff smiles at the comment. He walks into the bathroom.

Nikita pulls off the robe and sits on the bed. Terror racks her mind. She had to do this, and had no choices. Birkoff was going to have total control of her body, and he didn’t even care about what Nikita wanted.

YOU ONLY SEE WHAT YOUR EYES WANT TO SEE....

Nikita is jumped upon by Birkoff’s naked body as he walks out of the room. He smiles and plunges his tongue into Nikita’s mouth. She suddenly panics and tells herself that it is Birkoff. She continues to remind herself that as he almost attacks her.

HOW CAN LIFE BE WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE....

Birkoff holds Nikita’s arms above her head and nips his way down to her breasts. He licks them and then bites even harder.

“THAT HURTS!” Nikita yells as she squirms underneath him. She could have hurt him and gotten away, but that would only gain both a short trip to cancellation. Birkoff smiles and bites the other breast.

“You like it this way, don’t you?” Birkoff asks and does not listen for the answer.

YOU’RE FROZEN....

Nikita screams as Birkoff shoves his hard organ into her in the most male selfish way she had ever seen. She feels herself rub roughly against the latex condom and she screams. Birkoff stares at her and punches her in the eye.

Nikita feels the anger bubble inside her, but she knows that if she reacts both of their lives were in danger. She had to protect the young Birkoff. He had many good years still in front of him.

WHEN YOUR HEART’S NOT OPEN....

“STOP it.. that hurts!” Nikita says firmly and Birkoff scratches his nails hard against Nikita’s sides and she feels the scratches burn.

“I saw you and Michael.. he did you hard.... rode you deeper and deeper... satisfied you hard....” Birkoff responds and Nikita stares at him in disbelief. Gone was the innocent boy she was protecting and he was replaced by something like the devil.

YOU’RE SO CONSUMED WITH HOW MUCH YOU GET...

“Nikita.. ahhh.. you feel so good!” Birkoff exclaims as he starts to pull Nikita’s legs further apart with his hands. Never had Nikita had so much pain related with sex. It wasn’t that Birkoff was larger, but because he didn’t listen to Nikita’s body. He didn’t wait for Nikita to become comfortable. He was taking and not giving. Nikita allows the tears to run down her face.

“STOP!” Nikita screams and Birkoff keeps the punishment up. His hips flex hard and quick into Nikita’s inner core.

YOU WASTE YOUR TIME WITH HATE AND REGRET....

“See... I’m good.. this is what Madeline is missing... she would let me do anything... anything... I could demand anything....” Birkoff murmurs as he pulls Nikita up by her hair. He runs his nails down her back roughly, again, leaving bleeding scratches.

YOU’RE BROKEN....

“Please.. stop, Birkoff... I am not MADELINE!” Nikita cries out as she feels her body on fire from his assault. She can’t take it. Her legs feel numb and her back stings where his fingers have been and she feels the little rivers over seeping blood rolling down her back.

Nikita forces herself to concentrate. Nikita knows that Birkoff will not let her go until she organism. She needed to visualize.

WHEN YOUR HEART’S NOT OPEN...

“Nikita.... you have to... you have to..” Birkoff says as he starts to get angry at Nikita’s lack of response. It just brought on the meaner animal in Birkoff that Madeline had created. Madeline seeks an animal while Nikita seeks tenderness and human contact. Birkoff could not give Nikita what she wanted.

MMMM.. IF I COULD MELT YOUR HEART....

Nikita closes her eyes and Birkoff punches her back and then pinches at her legs. He bites down on her breasts. There are no thoughts in Birkoff’s mind but to bring Nikita off like she has never before. He wants to prove for the camera he is sure that is in the room, that he is everything that Madeline desires and more.

Nikita tries to imagine the times that she had been rough with Michael. But it only serves to bring more memories of Michael’s tenderness, how his fingernails never scratched her when she didn’t want to be scratched.

MMMM.. WE’D NEVER BE APART....

“Oh yes.. Nikita... squeeze.. yes... Nikita... oh..” Birkoff moans out and Nikita fights to keep the image of Michael in her head. She concentrates with her eyes held as tightly shut as possible, even with Birkoff connecting firm blows into the lower part of her back.

MMMM. GIVE YOURSELF TO ME...

Nikita grasps Birkoff’s shoulders and squeezes out an organism that Michael would only smile at. Birkoff throws his head back and starts to top off himself.

MMMM... YOU HOLD THE KEY...

“Get out!” Nikita says firmly as Birkoff pulls from Nikita several minutes later. Birkoff, covered with sweat stares down at her.

(lyrics from Frozen by Madonna cont’d)

“GET OUT!” Nikita says firmly, but with no panic in her voice. She consciously wraps the sheet around her body as she also gets scared at Birkoff’s reaction.

“Oh, oh my god... I hurt you... I.. I didn’t want to... oh god...” Birkoff starts to mumble and Nikita takes a deep breathe. She just wanted Birkoff to leave. She just wanted to protect him. She knew that she could not even acknowledge what had happened as painful, it could take Birkoff to cancellation. Madeline wanted Birkoff to satisfy Nikita’s needs, and he only thought about his own. Nikita saw the monster that Madeline had created.

NOW THERE’S NO POINT IN PLACING BLAME...

“Nikita.. your back... your bleeding... Let me...” Birkoff says as he pulls his pants on backwards and almost falls on his face.

“Just leave, Birkoff.” Nikita says firmly, finding it hard not to cry, but knew she could not.

AND YOU SHOULD KNOW I SUFFER THE SAME...

“And your eye..... ice? Ice?” Birkoff asks and Nikita holds the sheet closer to her burning body.

“No.. just GO!” Nikita screams and Birkoff looks at the curled up body and shakes his head.

“You need to go to Medlab... medlab... I’ll take you...” Birkoff says as he pulls Nikita’s shirt on and does not even notice.

“Birkoff, they would surely cancel us both!” Nikita exclaims and Birkoff stops and stares at Nikita.

IF I LOSE YOU...

“Their going to cancel me.... they’ll see that I hurt you.. and cancel me...” Birkoff says and Nikita closes her eyes. They couldn’t cancel Birkoff, she can’t remember how many times his valuable information had saved her life.

“Birkoff, I will take care of it. NOW LEAVE!” Nikita screams loudly and Birkoff walks to the door and turns back around.

MY HEART WILL BE BROKEN....

“How about I call Michael? He could help us... ah you...us... you...” Birkoff says and Nikita lets a small rush of tears run down her face. She curses herself for being so weak. Birkoff was having some definite problems, and Nikita knew that until he left, she needed to be as strong as she could be. It didn’t matter she could not move, it mattered that her voice remained calm.

“Michael will not protect you... he would hunt you down and throw you against a wall... and after that.. you would see that animal that Michael is able to keep trapped in himself... and the animal that you can’t control.” Nikita says firmly and Birkoff backs up against a wall.

LOVE IS A BIRD SHE NEEDS TO FLY...

“Oh, my god, Nikita... what is going to happen to me? Nikita.... I wanted it to be perfect.... not this.. this isn’t what I wanted...” Birkoff says as his tears break over his face.

“Birkoff... go home.. go anywhere.... Give me time... I need time... I will handle this...” Nikita says as she fights to maintain herself. She couldn’t help Birkoff until she could think without pain of hearing his voice and seeing his face.

“But, Nikita... let me get you band aids... let me wipe your back off.. the blood.. it’s on the sheets.. they’ll find out...” Birkoff says as he advances forward with the towel that had been around Nikita’s head and Nikita grabs his wrist before he touches her.

LET ALL THE HATE INSIDE OF YOU DIE...

“GET THE HELL OUT BIRKOFF! YOU HURT ME! YOU HURT ME! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!.. but Madeline did this... and she will pay... LEAVE! LEAVE! If you ever cared for me.. LEAVE!” Nikita screams out and lets go of Birkoff’s wrist. He dashes for the door.

Nikita tries to pull her pulled, stretched, and battered body off of the bed, but grief overwhelmed her. She allow the massive amounts of tears blend in with the blood, and cried until she came to the problem at hand.

Can she save Birkoff? Can she save herself? Who gets canceled and who doesn’t? What does she do now?

It was always empty at Headquarters around three o’clock in the early morning. It had taken those five hours to prepare herself to do what Nikita needed to do and to understand fully her plan. Her mind worked on auto pilot, as she moved from one task to another, never stopping to think.

Nikita walks down the hallway with the long black turtle neck on and the baggy jogging pants. She still wore the black sunglasses in the ever darken hallways. Nikita walks to the desk with a videotape in her hand. Nikita swallows and places the tape down on the desk.

“Nikita.. we weren’t expecting you in till morning.” Holden responds and Nikita pushes the tape across the desk.

“Madeline wanted that ASAP.” Nikita responds firmly and Holden nods his head and places in the machine that whisks it off to Madeline’s office.

“Is there something wrong, Nikita? Madeline said I was to call her if you wanted her.” Holden says as he turns his head to look at Nikita from a different angle. Nikita shakes her head no.

“I just wanted to get that tape in.” Nikita says and Holden clicks his mouth.

“Is it that important?” Holden challenges Nikita. He had dealt with operatives before, becoming like a screening devise for Madeline. There was something there Nikita was hiding but he wasn’t sure if it was what Madeline would classify as a ‘good’ secret or a ‘bad’ secret.

“Oh, it’s some surveillance Madeline needed for the morning.” Nikita responds softly. Holden looks to the tape and then up to Nikita.

“She isn’t coming in the morning. She has taken the morning off.... Why did she give this to a cold operative? We have operatives that do just this.” Holden says and Nikita nods her head.

“I was to take the target out if he saw me. He didn’t. If you don’t mind.... I am going to stay at my in house quarters.” Nikita says as she carefully turns from Holden and tries to move away.

“You aren’t on close quarter standby... you aren’t to stay here.” Holden responds and Nikita carefully turns, although she feels every bruise on her body.

“I just can’t go back to my apartment tonight. I am just too tired.” Nikita says with a sweet smile. Nikita can feel her jaw twitching with the long series of lies, and the need to lay down.

“Nikita, you know the rules. Michael has to be notified.” Holden says and Nikita stops him from picking up the phone to call Michael by carefully, yet painfully, holding his arm away from the phone.

“Holden... there is a window broken.. and it is causing all the cold air to come in.. I can’t do anything.” Nikita says and he looks at Nikita carefully.

“Which window?” Holden asks and Nikita smiles softly, knowing he was buying the story.

“The bedroom window.” Nikita responds. She is shocked to see video cameras looking at the bedroom and stops. Her apartment was unmonitored and now it was. It was too odd for her to understand any more.

“You are telling the truth... go to sleep, Nikita.” Holden responds and Nikita nods her head.

“Thank you.” Nikita says and walks away with her pain as her companion. She turns the corner and the tears of pain run down her face as she struggles to make it down the hall.

Nikita realizes that her body was not going to heal by the time of the next mission. She knew that in only a few short hours, Michael would be looking for her, and hopefully he would find her after she had pulled her emotional self back together again.

The fist knocks against the door for the fourth time, and for the fourth time, there was no response. Michael again looks both ways and then leans his head down to listen for her. He did not want to walk in on anything. Michael’s mind had wandered over the possibilities of the night Nikita had. It was possible Birkoff was a more suitable lover for Nikita, and that worry still was encased within Michael’s mind.

“Nikita...” Michael calls out softly, but there is no response. He takes the key and opens Nikita’s apartment and walks in.

There was no disorganization and there was no one. Michael knew that all within seconds of entering. He moves briskly over to the VCR and places his hand in. The tape was gone and probably meant that Nikita went to turn the tape in early.

Michael almost turns out to head to headquarters but stops. He moves to the bathroom and looks into the wastebasket. There was the used item that proved of the mission did happen. Michael turns from the bathroom when the tub and shower stare at him. He moves closer and stares at the white surfaces.

Michael looks at the floor of the tub, and it is as clean as can be. Something else had caught his eye. He looks up the surface of the shower and sees a stray mark of red. Michael looks at the smear and then touches it. It did not take much more to tell Michael that it was blood.

Michael moves out of the bathroom and moves to the bed. He peals back the comforter and looks down at the clean peach sheets. They were too clean to have been used from the night. Michael walks to the kitchen to look in the garbage bag, there was only two packages for new sheets. Michael knows to search through the garbage outside would bring attention to himself.

Michael walks back to the bed and pulls the clean sheets off of the bed and stares down at the mattress. There were a few faint smears of red, that were obviously scrubbed at. Michael looks at it. He could not prove that they were connected to the previous night, but he had a nagging feeling that something was quite not right.

Michael walks out of the bedroom and looks around. He pulls out his cell phone and pushes the numbers. He stands and looks around. He looks for the pictures that Nikita had just put up on her almost minimal walls, and found them gone. Something had happened, and Michael had to find out what.

“Yeah?” Walter answers and Michael looks around the room again. He didn’t want to worry Walter. Michael was sure that Nikita had not told him the nature of anything that was to occur.

“Find Nikita in Section. I need to see her before we prep for the mission.” Michael says and folds the phone up.

Michael walks over and opens the desk in the corner. There are some papers that had been on the desk earlier. He picks them up and notes the tear stains on them. He drops them to the desk surface and walks out of the apartment quickly.

There was no time for games.

“Sugar? You in here?” Walter called out as he opened her standby quarters and walked in. He stops as he sees Nikita’s dripping hair and a large towel wrapped around her back. She had a pair of her black mission pants on.

“Oh, hi, Walter.” Nikita says without turning around. Walter stops where he is and looks at Nikita. She did not even move to look at him.

“Something wrong, Nikita?” Walter asks as he looks at her. The mission pants looked extremely baggy. Walter hears a clicks of her make up box and waits for it to be placed on the table.

“Sugar?” Walter asks as the silence starts to grate at his every nerve.

“Can you do me a favor, Walter?” Nikita asks softly, almost sounding like a child.

“What is it, sugar?” Walter asks as he slowly steps forward. He watches Nikita slowly pull the towel away and he sees the dark bruises on her pale back.

“Can you hook my bra?” Nikita asks as Walter notices that her turtleneck is around her neck. He looks at her back and steps forward even more.

“What happened?” Walter asks as he watches her already tense muscles ripple as he clasps the bra on the back for her. Nikita pulls the towel away and pulls the shirt down. She turns and Walter sees more bruises on just the one inch of stomach he saw.

“Nikita, What happened?” Walter asks firmly. Nikita looks at Walter and sighs loudly.

“I feel down the stairs.” Nikita says with a half smile and Walter pulls his head back and then turns it to the side.

“Is that all?” Walter asks and Nikita’s mouth drops slightly.

“Walter? Why would I lie to you?” Nikita asks almost in a playful voice. Walter looks to her feet and then back up.

“There were scratches, Nikita.” Walter says slowly and Nikita shakes her head.

“I feel down the metal stairs, Walter... the ones with the groves?” Nikita says and Walter only slightly nods his head.

“They run under your bra, Nikita.” Walter says as he doesn’t like the way Nikita is acting. She hasn’t even made an attempt to move from him, as she always did.

“It was last night... I was running down for something to eat... in my pajamas.” Nikita says and Walter blinks his eyes.

“Are you going to tell Michael? This could hurt you in the mission.” Walter says and Nikita shakes her head.

“I am fine, Walter. Don’t worry.” Nikita says as she finally walks pass Walter and out to the hallway. Walter follows for a while and then turns towards Michael’s office. He was not comfortable with not telling this one.

Walter knocks twice and then enters. Michael looks up and Walter presses his lips together.

“Did Nikita have a mission last night?” Walter asks and Michael shakes his head no slightly.

“Well, she has some nasty bruises. I don’t think she should go out on this mission, Michael.” Walter says and Michael stands up.

“If I pull her off, all of her recent actions go under review by oversight. What do you think I should do?” Michael asks and Walter turns and looks at the window.

“Find a way around it.” Walter says and Michael looks to the window were he sees Nikita walk around the area and then away.

“I will speak with her.” Michael says and he stands, waiting for Walter to leave.

Nikita stares at the screen and at the mission data that she needed. She could not concentrate on it. She was important in this mission, and she hated it. Nikita knew in her heart that she should check herself into Medlab, but that was not an option in her mind. She needed to get through this mission and pray for some downtime.

A hand falls on to her shoulder and her body jumps from the seat as her eyes close tightly. Her eyes involuntarily close and a partial scream is caught in her throat as her heart begins to pound in her gasping chest. Her hands push against the desk, trying to get herself away from the hand.

“Nikita... it is me.” Michael says softly and Nikita forces her body back down into the chair. She swallows and tries to slow her racing pulse. Her legs bounce nervously against each other.

“Michael... don’t do that.” Nikita says as she closes her eyes as her body starts to tighten with his hand on her shoulder. Nikita tries to calm down, but becomes obsessed with the hand on her shoulder. It was her shoulder, and the hand did not belong there.

“Kindly remove your hand.” Nikita says as she turns her head and looks up at Michael. Michael pulls his hand off her shoulder and moves to lean his legs against the desk she is sitting at.

“Walter informed me that you had some bruises...” Michael says in a whisper.

“I am fine.” Nikita says firmly as she tries to continue to type and not to think of the previous night. She wants Michael to move away. He is just too close to her.

“What happened, Nikita?” Michael asks and Nikita looks up through her partial sunglasses with her blue eyes. She stares into Michael’s green eyes and then back to the screen.

“Nothing.” Nikita responds as she waits for the information to load onto the screen.

“Did Birkoff do something, Nikita?” Michael whispers and Nikita turns her head to face him.

“Michael, that has nothing to do with this. Now, leave so I can get ready.” Nikita says sharply and Michael leans in closer to her.

Nikita wants to scream and run away, but that would tell Michael everything. Michael was already too close to beating up Birkoff, Nikita was not going to jeopardize Birkoff any further. Nikita had made the promise that she would take care of everything. Nikita blinks back her tears and waits for the body she once wanted so badly, makes her body almost physically sick.

“The bruises, Nikita.” Michael says as he leans his head down to her ear. She bites the inside of her cheek and then swallows.

“I fell down the stairs.” Nikita lies firmly and she tries to convince herself that it was all that happened. It was all that could have happened.

“I don’t believe you.” Michael says and Nikita turns to look at Michael’s eyes.

“Now you know how I feel most of the time.” Nikita says as she pushes her legs up and walks away.

Michael leans back and watches Nikita. Her walk was different, it was slower. Just with the walk, Michael was worried enough, but as he pointed out, Nikita had to go on the mission.

It was a wide open dark warehouse that Michael entered quietly. He looked behind his shoulder to look Nikita straight into the eyes. She needed to make it to the top level for the mission to succeed. She was given the job of retrieving the computer intelligence, and her finger held a fake fingerprint that would give her access.

“To the left, Michael.” Gail said softly as she acted from the van. Michael was not disappointed that Birkoff had reassigned someone else for the mission, but Michael wanted to work with the best. Incoming intelligence from a warehouse such as the one that Michael worked his team through needed years of experience.

The team quickly and quietly moves up a set of stairs and ducks into the shadows. Michael turns back and before he can locate Nikita, two guards start walking towards them.

“The guards positions?” Michael questions as his team lowers the guns to a firing position. Michael waits for every minutes.

“Gail?” Michael asks in a hurry.

“Ah... one o’clock... no.. eleven o’clock.” Gail stumbles out of her mouth and Michael looks to the two men directly behind him. He motions them to move forward and take care of the guards.

The shots fire off and the two guards fall quickly to the wet ground. Michael moves forward and looks back for his team.

“Nikita can move to the staircase to the right.” Gail says and Michael turns his head.

“Where is...” Michael starts to say as two shots are heard from below the stairs. Michael turns and leaves his team.

Michael hold his gun firmly in front of him as he runs towards the stairs. From the first stair, he sees the two bodies. The dead guard, with a bullet through the head, and Nikita’s blond hair.

Michael slides down the rail and looks in both directions as he reaches down for Nikita. Nikita rolls her head for Michael and looks at him.

“How bad is it?” Nikita asks. Michael presses at the gun shot in the upper chest and then rubs her cheek softly.

“It is not life threatening.” Michael remarks as he looks around the warehouse. They could not continue the mission with Nikita down.

“Abort mission.” Michael mutters to Gail, who should have realized Nikita never made it up the stairs. Michael looks down to Nikita’s eyes.

“Damn.” Nikita mutters.

“It is just a mission, Nikita. Someone else will finish it.” Michael says to Nikita comment as Nikita pushes his hand away from her field shirt. She would not let him touch the wound.

“No, I wish it would have killed me.” Nikita comments as she drops her head down to look at the cement floor. Michael watches the operatives walk back out quickly and they stop at Nikita.

Everyone on the team knew it. Nikita barely separated from Michael during a mission like this one. She should have been up on his right shoulder. It was that way all the time. They all knew something was wrong, and now, Nikita refused Michael’s attention to her bullet wound.

“Mission is aborted. Report back to vans.” Gail says and Michael looks down at Nikita.

“Gail, Nikita is injured.” Michael says, slightly annoyed at her slowness.

“Madeline just arrived. Waiting for her instructions. Move Nikita back to van one.” Gail says and Michael pulls Nikita up into his arms. Usually Nikita would have walked, but she did not fight anything. Michael’s dread about her was written across her face.

Madeline walks down the hallway in the smart black outfit. In her arms, she has three books worth of reports to review and file. She makes the right hand turn and continues down the hallway. She does not go through and under the glass office on this day, as she would find herself swamped.

Madeline reaches her office and Holden walks out of her office. Madeline sets the books down on his tiny desk and looks at him.

“Nikita has been shot. The mission has been aborted. Gail is waiting for further instructions.” Holden says and Madeline stands up straight. She blinks her eyes and stares at Holden.

“I believed that Birkoff was to cover communications on this mission.” Madeline says and Holden nods his head.

“Last minute change. Gail is in Van one.” Holden says and Madeline looks at Holden and then at the wall.

“Have her brought in and have her prepped for surgery in the van.” Madeline says, as she does not want to waste anytime with Nikita. They were going to need her services soon, and a few hours of transport with nothing being done was wasteful.

“And, Nikita left a tape last night.” Holden says and Madeline waits for Holden to type the order for Gail. He picks up the tape and hands it to her.

“Seems like a lot of events with Nikita. She had a broken window in apartment last night. Turn in that tape and spent the night in her standby quarters.” Holden comments as Madeline starts to pick up the files. Madeline immediately sets the files back down.

“She turned this in during the night?” Madeline asks and Holden nods his head. Madeline walks around to his computer and pulls up the surveillance tapes. She watches the black clothed figure of Nikita’s walk down the hall. Madeline’s stomach flips as she looks at her.

“Did you not notice her behavior during this meeting?” Madeline asks as she looks at Holden. Holden shrugs his shoulders.

“She said she had the surveillance you wanted done and I assumed that she was tired.” Holden defensively says and Madeline pulls him against the wall.

“Did I not tell you to call me if something looked wrong with her? Doesn’t this look wrong?” Madeline says firmly and Holden looks at Madeline.

“You might be jumping to conclusions.” Holden says and Madeline drops her hands from his chest.

“Are you questioning me?” Madeline asks with clenched teeth.

“No, Madeline.” Holden responds and Madeline walks in her office to view the tape.

Michael places Nikita down on the bench on the back of the van as the two operatives close to the door. He pulls his comm unit off and sets it down. In swift moves his grabs the medical kit and pulls off his field jacket.

Nikita has rolled against the wall, with her injured arm and her head down in the pillow. Michael had received the orders and he slowly had removed the comm unit off of Nikita while still walking back to the van.

“Nikita... do you need help with your jacket?” Michael asks as he moves back to the bench and looks at Nikita. She does not move. Michael looks at her eyes, that are held tightly shut.

“No.” Nikita responds and Michael opens the bag. He looks at the gauze and sterile pads that he will need to use to apply pressure to the wound.

“Nikita... I need to see if there was a partial exit wound.” Michael says smoothly and Nikita does not move.

“No. Wait until we get back.” Nikita says firmly and Michael shakes his head. He hears a few sobs, but believes it is from the pain. Michael pulls out the large pair of scissors and leans over Nikita’s body.

It is apparent when he cuts the bruises that Walter was talking about. Michael sees the scratches and knows that it was from the previous night. He looks at the back and controls his own trembles from seeing the bruises.

“Evacuate to van two.” Michael says as he turns back to the operatives and Gail. Gail stares at Michael and shakes her head.

“We don’t have orders too.” Gail says firmly. Michael looks at Gail and looks to the door.

“Evacuate to van two. I need the space.” Michael says and the operatives open the door and leave. Michael turns back to Nikita and unhooks the bra from her back. He feels Nikita’s body tense.

“Please... stop.” Nikita murmurs out from her tears that start to fall more numerously now. Michael rubs her cheek and notes the running make up. He takes a washcloth and wets it with water from a water bottle. The cloth wipes away the heavy makeup from Nikita’s face. Michael sees the black eye and the bruising jaw. He wipes down Nikita’s neck and sees the dark bite marks.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Michael asks softly. Nikita does not make eye contact and continues to cry.

“Please, stop.” Nikita asks again and Michael’s hands tremble. He sees the damage on Nikita’s back and something within him is breaking.

“I have to get you ready for surgery, Nikita.” Michael says and Nikita nods her head in acknowledgment. She knew that Michael was just doing the job Madeline had ordered.

“I need to flip you over... and the shirt off.” Michael says and Nikita’s bottom lip and jaw start to tremble as she rolls over onto her back. The clothing comes off, with only the unhooked bra hanging lightly over her breasts.

Michael tries not to react to what he sees, Nikita was already a wreck. There were some bite marks that had broken the skin surface and had already started to get infected. Michael cleans the bullet wound first and places Nikita’s hand on the sterile pad to keep the pressure on it.

“I am so sorry, Nikita..” Michael says as he cuts the straps to Nikita’s bra from around her shoulders and exposes her bruised black and blue breasts. Michael swallows his instant reaction of horror and anger and moves his hands to the elastic of Nikita’s field pants.

“No.” Nikita says and Michael looks at her.

“I have too, Nikita. You will be going immediately into surgery.” Michael says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth furiously.

“No.... You can’t.” Nikita says and Michael looks into Nikita’s red blue eyes.

“Why?” Michael barely asks and Nikita looks at him with her face covered with tears.

“Because I’m bruised worst there.” Nikita sobs out and that is all that Michael has the strength for. He can not stop himself as he pulls a sheet over Nikita’s bruised body and hugs her to his body. He looks up to the ceiling as his emotions scream from within.

“Are the bruises all?” Michael painfully asks.

“I’m bleeding.” Nikita chokes out and Michael looks down to her.

“And it isn’t...” Michael asks and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

“No. That is still two weeks off.....” Nikita cries out and she screams. Michael rubs her head softly, not wanting to cause her any more pain.

“THAT HURTS!” Nikita yells as she squirms underneath him. Birkoff smiles and bites the other breast.

“You like it this way, don’t you?” Birkoff asks and does not listen for the answer.

Madeline clenches her teeth as she watches the tape. She is appalled by the behavior of Birkoff’s. She had known that Birkoff’s fantasy was to make love to Nikita, and this did not classify as that.

Nikita screams as Birkoff shoves his hard organ into her in the most male selfish way she had ever seen. Nikita screams and Birkoff stares at her and punches her in the eye.

“Damn it, Birkoff.” Madeline says as she shakes her head in disappointment. She sits up straight and concern runs into her body. It was amazing that Nikita was able to pull her body up to walk after the night that happened. She belonged in Medlab.

“STOP it.. that hurts!” Nikita says firmly and Birkoff scratches his nails hard against Nikita’s sides.

“I saw you and Michael.. he did you hard.... rode you deeper and deeper... satisfied you hard....” Birkoff responds and Nikita stares at him in disbelief.

Madeline is glued to the screen, unable to move. She finally sees the monster that she had created and she finally sees how he, in just a few minutes, was able to destroy with no control.

“See... I’m good.. this is what Madeline is missing... she would let me do anything... anything... I could demand anything....” Birkoff murmurs as he pulls Nikita up by her hair. He runs his nails down her back roughly, again, leaving bleeding scratches.

Madeline shakes her head. Birkoff was not Birkoff in this tape. This is not what she had trained him to do. This wasn’t Birkoff.

“Nikita.... you have to... you have to..” Birkoff says as he starts to get angry at Nikita’s lack of response. It just brought on the meaner animal in Birkoff that Madeline had created.

Madeline turns off the screen and pulls out the tape. She drops it to the floor and then picks it up. In her haste to hate herself, she would need to tape in time to heal Nikita. It was one of the worst parts of the job.

Madeline pulls up the phone an gets to van one’s phone line. She hears the sobs before Michael’s voice says hello.

“Stop prepping for surgery.” Madeline says in a voice that she, herself, had not heard in ages.

“I did.” Michael remarks firmly and she can hear the anger on the edges of the voice. She could not blame Michael.

“Do you know any of the injuries?” Madeline asks as she sits down. She would be taking the tape down to Medlab to consult with the doctors.

“She has several bite marks already infected. Bruises, everywhere.” Michael remarks softly, and Madeline knew that Nikita could hear him.

“And elsewhere?” Madeline ask and she hears the sharp intake of air. She waits and licks her lips softly.

“Nikita said she was bleeding.” Michael says and Madeline presses to fingers to her nose in a motion to control the anger that is starting to consume her. She never believed that Birkoff would do this.

“It’s not her cycle, Michael.” Madeline says. She waits for Michael to say something more but he doesn’t.

“I saw the tape... it is particularly brutal. I want you to bring her into Medlab from the back entrance we use for DOA operatives. I don’t want more people knowing about this.” Madeline says.

“Of course.” Michael says coldly and hangs up.

Madeline walks down to communications and stands in front of Birkoff’s desk. He looks up from the computer and then back down to the computer. He types his hands quickly and tries to not notice Madeline peering from above.

“Madeline, if you don’t mind, I have to finish this intelligence.” Birkoff says sharply and Madeline nods her head.

“Would this be the new intel about for the new mission we have to plan since Nikita got shot?” Madeline asks as she turns her head down and looks at Birkoff. He looks through his glasses and rubs his nose.

“Nikita got shot? How bad?” Birkoff asks and Madeline looks down even more to see that Birkoff has totally taken his hands off of the keyboard.

“It’s not life threatening, but caused an abort. Weren’t you suppose to be in the van on that mission?” Madeline asks and Birkoff pushes his chair over to another computer to pull up a sheet.

“Yes, but I placed Gail into the van. I needed to work on this intel.” Birkoff says as he shows the three sheets of paper. Madeline nods her head and then folds her hand in front of her.

“Gail has never done the incoming intel on a pending mission in a van when the mission team is in a warehouse. They would have known Nikita was not with them if she had the experience.” Madeline says and Birkoff looks up.

“Nikita, fell behind?” Birkoff asks and Madeline nods her head. He is doing a good job on this. Madeline knows that Nikita must have told him she would take care of everything. It was the only way Birkoff would be doing such a good job right now. She wondered if Birkoff even remembered doing what he did to Nikita. It was possible he only remember seeing her body.

“Yes. Did something happen last night?” Madeline asks as she runs her hand on the desk in front of Birkoff. He rolls his chair back to the other computer and begins to type again.

“No. We did as told. Nikita did a good job.” Birkoff says and Madeline nods her head. She looks at the hallways and then back to Birkoff.

“Do you know why Nikita might have fallen behind the team?” Madeline asks and Birkoff shakes his head and looks up at Madeline.

“Nikita almost always flanks Michael’s right shoulder on mission like that one.” Birkoff responds smoothly and Madeline nods her head.

“So you don’t know how Nikita got those bruises on her back that Walter saw?” Madeline asks and Birkoff shake his head and moves his head away.

“Wow, they must be pretty fresh, and Nikita hasn’t had a physical mission... unless it occurred last night.” Madeline says and Birkoff shrugs his shoulders.

“Maybe she feel down the stairs.” Birkoff says, since Walter had told him that was what Nikita had done.

“That’s funny... that is the same thing Nikita told Walter. That wouldn’t explain the bites, Michael found.” Madeline says as she turns around and starts to walk away.

“Don’t worry, Birkoff.... I saw the tape.” Madeline says right before she turns the corner and heads towards Medlab to wait for the incoming van.

In controlled even steps, Michael moves down the hallway. His head does not move from it’s firm straight ahead stare and operatives move out of his way.

Michael makes the sharp right and his jaw tightens as the first computer comes in sight. Michael approaches and pulls with one hand the material around Birkoff’s black shirt and pulls him up his feet.

“Michael, let him go!” Gail calls out and Michael moves to the wall and pushes Birkoff tightly against the wall.

“Did Nikita beg for you to stop?” Michael questions and Birkoff looks away from Michael’s eyes. Birkoff feels Michael’s strong body lean into his weak body.

“Did you push yourself on to her? Did she cry?” Michael questions and Birkoff looks up. The green eyes are filled with a fury that Birkoff had never seen, not even when Simone had died, or when Nikita was sick by Madeline. Nothing compared to the anger in Michael’s eyes now.

“Michael, you know it was a mission.” Birkoff says with a trembling jaw. Michael pulls Birkoff from the wall and pushes him back against the wall firmly.

“MICHAEL!” Walter calls out from down the hallway as he sees the large man push Birkoff against the wall.

“Did you enjoy it? Did you enjoy hurting her?” Michael hisses loudly. Birkoff looks away and tries to ignore the hot breath that hits his neck continually and that felt like knifes cutting away at his skin.

“Did you enjoy biting her? Did you enjoy the blood?” Michael says firmly as he shrugs off an operative who tries to pull Michael off of Birkoff. Walter stops moving as he heard what Michael had said. Walter looks at Birkoff in disbelief.

“Did you enjoy having Nikita at your own will? Did you enjoy hurting her? Did you enjoy pulling her body apart? Did you enjoy it, Birkoff?” Michael says firmly as he moves his face closer to Birkoff, and Birkoff looks up. He had no choice.

“Michael...” Birkoff tries to say and Michael leans his head back.

“You didn’t even want to protect her today... You knew she couldn’t be well! You knew she was hurt.. and you let her go on the field without telling anyone!” Michael hisses again and Walter steps forward. He sees Michael’s breaking point approaching rapidly.

“Michael.... let go of Birkoff.” Walter says softly and Michael doesn’t even blink.

“SHE GOT SHOT TO PROTECT YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU are NOTHING!” Michael screams as he lets go of Birkoff.

For a few seconds it appears as if Michael was going to walk away, and suddenly his right fist flies and connects with Birkoff’s nose. Birkoff falls against the wall, with a stream of blood.

Michael straightens his jacket and turns to walk down the hallway. There stands Operations.

“What is the meaning of this, Michael?” Operations asks coldly as he looks at the smoldering anger in Michael’s eyes.

"Why don’t you ask Birkoff and the person who created him?” Michael says as he moves down the hallway, as if nothing had occurred.

Operations looks to Walter who is not helping Birkoff and then to Birkoff. Birkoff holds his nose and then looks to Operations.

“I will take you to Medlab.” Operations says and Walter steps in front of Operations.

“Sorry, sir. Madeline is not allowing anyone in.” Walter says and he walks away. Operations turns and looks at Birkoff.

“Birkoff.... what have you done?” Operations demands and Birkoff turns and walks away to tend his bloody nose on his own.

Walter picks up a gun and then sets it down. He can not find the attention span to concentrate on his work. There was just too much going on in Section One Headquarters for him to be concerned about. Walter turns from the gate and finds Operations standing in the doorway.

“A few words about what is going on?” Operations says as he enters and Walter stares at him. Walter looks to his table and then back at Operations.

“I only know some pieces.” Walter says and Operations nods his head.

“It would be still more than I have gotten so far.” Operations says and Walter nods his head.

“Two days ago, Nikita was just standing in here.” Walter starts out as he looks down and notices that the same gun Nikita had touched was sitting back out on the table.

“She is in here quite often.” Operations points out and Walter nods his head.

“She told me she had to complete an internal mission.” Walter says and Operations’ eyes open up widely.

“Internal?” Operations asks and Walter nods his head. He remembers that Michael was pacing around, but he would not tell Operations that.

“Then this morning... I found her in her standby quarters....” Walter says and stops. He looks at Operations and then looks back down at the table. Both men knew Nikita was not to be in her standby quarters this morning.

“She had to ask me to hook her bra for her. She had bruises on her back.” Walter says and Operations closes his eyes and then looks back to Walter.

“In a short version.... what do you think happened?” Operations asks and Walter looks to the table. He didn’t like talking about Nikita like this. It was unfair to Nikita and the truth.

“From what I have heard...I think that the mission was that Nikita had to sleep with Birkoff.... and that Birkoff beat her up.” Walter says and Operations looks down to his hands.

“Birkoff is not like that.” Operations says and Walter looks up to his eyes.

“Before Madeline... but what about afterwards?” Walter asks and Operations turns his head away.

“I heard that Nikita is bruised from head to toe.. with only her sculpt and balls of her feet free from bruises.” Walter says and Operations nods his head. He walks to the doorway and looks at the hallway again.

“Is that all that you have heard?” Operations asks and Walter waits for him to turn back around.

“Are you meaning how does Michael figure into this?” Walter asks and Operations looks over his shoulders and then back to Walter. Walter takes a long breathe and looks back at him.

“Michael has always been protective of Nikita... and most of the time, it works out for the best.” Walter says and Operations moves closer to Walter. Walter stares back without worry.

“I know of their connection, Walter. I want to know how you feel he can handle this.” Operations says and Walter looks to his hands and then to Operations.

“He gave Nikita a sedative to protect her from further emotional damage that an examination would do. If there is anyone in Section who can put their feelings behind them and to look out for Nikita’s, I wouldn’t pick anyone else.” Walter says and Operations looks at the doorway and then shakes his head.

“But will he be able to share them when the time comes?” Operations asks and Walter rubs his knuckles.

“Who punched Birkoff in the middle of headquarters?” Walter responds and he leaves.

The feeling of her legs being held apart jolts Nikita’s eyes open. She takes in the white surroundings and rolls her head to the side. In those few seconds, Nikita starts to formulate her escape plan. She barely even notices the figure in the corner asleep.

Nikita pulls her tired and bruised body off of the bed and looks at her legs. She can’t move them. Somehow they are strapped onto this triangle foam thing and restrained down. Nikita looks around and starts to thrash a little bit.

Logic was not playing a role in her mind as Nikita looked back down. There was no sheet over her legs and Nikita became acutely aware that nothing was covering her up down there. Tears instantly feel down from her face as she looked down to her left arm.

With one yank, Nikita pulls out the IV and the alarms start to sound in the room. Nikita continues to pull equipment off of her body, like monitors on her chest and her head.

Michael’s body jumps up to find Nikita moving about frantically. He sees her tears and moves to her to stop her. He had been waiting for Nikita to wake up or for Madeline to report to him and Operations.

“Nikita... stop it.” Michael says as he tries to push her body back down onto the bed.

"No.... get this off my legs... I need... I need a sheet....” Nikita moves around, trying to pull the sheet from underneath her over top of her body.

“Nikita, you need to calm down...” Michael says as he stops Nikita’s hands from moving about. Nikita’s arm is dripping blood from the IV she pulled out and Michael stares down at her.

“I just want to go home!” Nikita cries out and Michael shakes his head.

“You just came out of surgery, Nikita.” Michael says and Nikita shakes her head.

“I’ve been out... They came... and looked at me..... where is Dorothy? I want to go home.” Nikita says and Michael looks at the incoming personnel and holds them off. Michael pulls off his coat and covers Nikita as she wishes.

“I WANT TO LEAVE! I AM FINE!” Nikita screams and Michael pulls Nikita up into a hug.

“You will be fine, Nikita... don’t fight us....” Michael says softly as he continues to wait for the sedatives to be brought into the room. Nikita scratches at his neck and she notices the line of five scramblers. Nikita lightly scrapes one onto her fingernail.

Nikita drifts back to the pillow with tears dotting her face. Michael gently runs his hand down her cheek to her chin. The needle is passed into the room and Michael holds it in front of Nikita. She holds her hands together, to hide the scrambler she had lifted and nods her head.

Michael injects the medicine and leans down to Nikita.

“I just want you to go to sleep... dream of a beach... dream something nice. Let the doctors take care of you.” Michael says softly.

“Dorothy?” Nikita asks and Michael nods his head.

“I will try to find her, Nikita.” Michael says as he holds his hand to her cheek.

“Got to sleep, ‘Kita...” Michael says softly as he looks up and sees Madeline in the hallway.

Michael waits for Nikita’s eyes to close firmly and Michael’s hand pulls away softly with his fingertips brushing her skin.

“I won’t be far, Nikita.” Michael says as he exits the room to the silent hallway outside.

The room was silent as Madeline entered with a small notebook in her hand. She sat down and looked at the two men. One was there with the best interests of Nikita in mind and the other one, was looking at how she messed up, again.

Madeline sat down and opens the notebook and then looks at Operations.

“I am aware that you have read the reports on the mission.” Madeline says and Operations barely nods his head. His mouth is held tightly together as he waits.

“And?” Madeline questions, wanting to know exactly where Operations’ anger fell and how extreme it was this time. She did not want the sort of punishment she received last time.

“I was hoping to get the file to the internal mission that Nikita was on.” Operations says and Madeline blinks her eyes and then places her hands underneath the table.

“There was no mission.” Madeline says and she looks away from Operations and to Michael. Michael sits relatively calm and only blinks back at Madeline.

“So what was occurring between the two?” Operations asks and Madeline softly smiles.

“Birkoff was able to do me a favor and reestablish a video link inside Nikita’s apartment. I was attempting to reward his services.” Madeline says and Operations stands up and walks to Madeline’s side.

“With the opportunity of have forced sex with Nikita.” Operations says and Madeline holds her head straight until Operations moves back to his seat. He wasn’t going to have a scene with Madeline while Michael was in the room.

“He was given the opportunity to fill his fantasy that he had with Nikita. Unfortunately, I gauged him incorrectly.” Madeline says and Michael shuts his eyes and then looks down to the notebook.

“And Nikita’s current condition?” Operations asks and Madeline looks down at the notebook.

“Her surgery was successful and no further complications are expected with the bullet wound.” Madeline says and Michael stares at Madeline. Both men knew that the bullet wound was the least of their worries.

“The trauma to other areas of Nikita are more severe and will take a lot of healing. She is still experiencing some mild bleeding, but that should end with time. The doctors are continuing to monitor it.” Madeline says and Michael’s hands are raised to near his face.

Although his face is blank and his body appears as it always does, his hands shake. Madeline looks at the hands and then to Michael’s eyes.

“She expressed the want for Dorothy. I think it is unreasonably cruel to have male doctors check her.” Michael says and Madeline looks at her notebook.

“How does she know male doctors are examining her? She has been sedated.” Operations asks and Michael turns to him. Operations now notice the shaking hands. He glances at Madeline before looking back to Michael.

“The sedation wore off.” Michael responds coldly and Operations nods his head.

“We will locate Dorothy immediately.” Operations says and Michael nods his head. The two men look back to Madeline.

“I want her to stay in MedLab. Her bruises are severe and pain is in the upper limits of tolerable. We can control some emotional aspects also from MedLab.” Madeline says and Michael leans back in his chair.

“Are you speaking of using memory restructioning with Nikita?” Michael asks strongly. He didn’t like the idea of that. The few experiences that Michael had seen with memory restructioning, it had not helped a person who had been traumatized as Nikita was.

“No. I will be using memory restructioning with Birkoff along with some other techniques. Nikita has shown to be a different kind of case. We know from the phasing shell that there is too many layers to her psyche and changing this might just open another layer.” Madeline says and Michael nods his head.

“So what will we do?” Operations says and Madeline looks at him. Here it is. The time to say exactly what Madeline didn’t want to say.

“Effectively, Nikita was forcefully and brutally raped.” Madeline says and Operations stares at the table.

“Then we transfer her.” Operations says and Michael shakes his head.

“You can’t do that. That is the policy that we use with operatives that have been raped during the acquisition of a target. Birkoff was not a target.” Michael responds and Madeline nods her head.

“There is a very fine line here, Michael.” Operations says firmly and Madeline stands up.

“Plus, Nikita hid the injuries, Michael. She caused an entire mission to be canceled and may still jeopardize the acquisition of that information.” Operations says and Michael lifts his head.

“She was protecting Birkoff.” Michael responds. He hates the words that he had said, but it was apparent what Nikita had done. Somehow, she valued Birkoff as more important in the Section One hierarchy and valued her life as something less.

“Yes, she did protect Birkoff. I want to know why. It could easily be a weakness for her. But to do anything along that lines we have to think more immediately.” Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

“I believe that a transfer should only be used in a last resort. First, we will see how some certain things help.” Madeline says and Operations looks at Madeline.

“What certain things, Madeline?” Operations asks and Madeline turns and looks at Michael.

“I don’t think I have to discuss them.” Madeline says and Operations stands up.

“Michael, why don’t you check on Nikita. I need to discuss some aspects of this with Madeline. Namely her exact rule in this fiasco.” Operations says and Michael exits without a sound.

“What were you thinking?” Operations demands firmly and Madeline holds her head straight and tall. She knew this was going to lead to this path again.

(Lyrics from Enigma’s song Why!)

The drugs wore off quickly this time and Nikita fluttered her eyes to find two men at her feet. She closed her blue eyes again and prayed that the men left.

I was childish and unfair
To you, my only friend

“Can you believe Birkoff did that to Nikita?” the man at her right foot asks the other one as he rolls her right leg further away.

“You would think Michael could do this kind of damage.. but not Birkoff,” the man at the left foot said as he rolled the other leg further apart. Nikita screamed inside, feeling the men’s eyes staring at her body.

I regret, but now it's too late
I can't show you any more

“Man.... maybe this means the rumors about Michael and Nikita are wrong,” the man at the right foot says and Nikita can’t stand it much longer. Nikita rolls her head to the side and the men start to place the foam against her knees again, keeping her open for view. It was cruelty placed upon the cruelty Nikita had already suffered.

The men left quickly, fearing that Nikita would wake up. Her eyes popped open quickly and she looked to her fingernail. The scrambler was still there, and it was time to leave.

The things I've learned from you
Cause life just took you away

Methodically, Nikita moved her battered body in ways that caused great pain to free herself from the bed. She pulled on the black sweat pants that where nearby and started to head for the door. All that matter was getting away from Medlab.

I'm asking why
I'm asking why

Nobody gives an answer

*

Walter walks down the hall and looks at Birkoff as he sits at the computer. His eye was starting to turn black, but that was nothing. Walter had a chance to peak in at Nikita, and they were treating her like a piece of meat in Medlab. He asked that Nikita got covered and the doctor said they were monitoring the progression of her bruising. Walter was thankful that Nikita was sedated.

Walter looks down to van access and shakes his head. He sees the blonde hair duck out of the door. He runs to the door and opens it.

“NIKITA?” Walter calls out and gathers no response.

I'm just asking why
But someday we'll meet again
And I'll ask you
I'll ask you why
Why it has to be like this

*

Nikita pushed into her bedroom and closed her eyes as she saw the bed. Her body screamed to lay down, but her mind screamed back at her. This was were it had happened. This was where Birkoff tries to break her body.

I'm asking you why
Please give me an answer
Many years and stupid fights
Till we accept to see
How it was and it'll always be

Nikita moves to the bed and pulls at the mattress. She pulls and pulls until it is up on the side. She pulls and pulls, trying to fight the memories of Birkoff taking her on the bed. She tries to forget the searing pain of his bites. She tries to forget trying to scrub the blood off of the mattress.

Nikita opens her apartment door and pushes the mattress into the hallway to the back stairs. She pushes it down the stairs, and she cries. She felt that she was tumbling down the stairs, and was never going to have the strength to climb back up.

Why it has to be like this
Why we don't realize
Why we're too blind to see the one
Who's always on our side

Nikita walks back to her apartment and looks at her couch. Birkoff had once sat there. She couldn’t sit there now. Her stomach lurched but Nikita swallowed it back down. Every muscle screamed at her in agony, but her mind and adrenaline pushed her to ride the place of the evil she saw.

I'm asking why
I'm asking why
Nobody gives an answer

Nikita started out. She pushed and pushed the couch further and further out of her apartment.

It sat in the hallway when she closed her door. She couldn’t touch the pillows from her bed. They seemed to contain the scent of her tears and the scent of Birkoff. Nikita threw them into a huge garbage bag and went to her closet.

I'm just asking why
Just tell me why
Why it has to be like this

Clothes flew in the air. Clothes that Birkoff had seen her in were thrown into the bag. Clothes that Birkoff hadn’t seen but would like were thrown into the bag. Nikita sobbed as she moved maniacally throughout her apartment. Obsessively throwing anything and everything away.

Then her body finally collapsed in lack of strength. Nikita felt a flame of fire raise from between her legs and up past her stomach. She rolled on the carpet needing to escape.

That the good ones disappear
I'm asking you why
I'm asking why
I'm asking why

Her arms would push up and collapse. She could not get the leverage to stands up, to sit up, or to lean up. She was anchored to the floor, remembering the things that she wish would just go away.

She heard Birkoff’s voice egging her on... “YOU have to... Nikita.. you have to...”

Nobody gives an answer
I'm just asking why
I'm asking why

She saw Birkoff’s hungry eyes, angrily looking at her for being less of a woman. She remembered her panic of trying to satisfy Birkoff.

Why it has to be like this
That the good ones disappear
I'm asking you why
I'm asking why
I'm asking why

Overwhelming couldn’t even describe what Nikita felt.

Nobody gives an answer
I'm just asking why
I'm asking why

Nobody gives an answer
I'm just asking why
I'm asking why

“I do not have to explain my actions.” Madeline says firmly as she moves to look out the window. She had said the same exact sentence for the past half hour. Operations walked to the window, and stood next to her.

“You have to answer to a higher power.” Operations says and Madeline turns to him.

“And that higher power isn’t you!” Madeline finally replies with a burst of controlled anger. Operation’s jaw tenses and he stares back at her.

“I want to understand. I need to understand. You are playing with the lives of my operatives for no apparent reason. Should I call Matthew in to find out what is going on?” Operations demands and Madeline turns to Operations in anger.

“No. That is not necessary.” Madeline replies as she sits down. It was confession time.

*

Michael walks down the hallway, intent on seeing Nikita. Her sedation would be wearing off soon, and he wanted to be there for her. Michael drops off the file for Walter and turns back around.

“Michael! I saw Nikita.” Walter says and Michael turns back around. He nods his head.

“The white sheets make the bruising look worse.” Michael comments and Walter shakes his head.

“You don’t understand. I saw her leaving... I think.” Walter says and Michael stares at him. There was no way they released her.

“She is too hurt to leave.” Michael replies and suddenly a chill runs down his back. In that instant, Michael knows that Nikita had left. Michael pulls his hand up to run the line of scramblers on his neckline. Three, an open spot, and then the last one.

“Damn.” Michael mutters as he drops his hand and turns out of Walter’s area. Walter follows behind.

“Aren’t you going to Medlab to check if she is there?” Walter asks and Michael continues to his office. Michael enters, pushes a few buttons and grabs his coat.

“Michael!” Walter says and Michael stares at him.

“She has gone home.” Michael says and Walter blocks the doorway. Michael could easily get past Walter, but it would create a scene. Michael wanted to exit without much notice being taken.

“How do you know that?” Walter says and Michael looks to the wall.

“She pealed a tracker off of my neck.” Michael says and Walter lifts his eyebrows.

‘Still a tricky, one, uh?” Walter comments as he allows Michael to brush past him. Walter watches Michael move out of Section One quickly.

Michael had walked pasted the mattress with a heavy heart. It stared at him, and he could only imagine that it had stared at Nikita. It was not a shock to his system that the mattress was on the street. He could only imagine how it got there. He could not believe that Nikita had had the strength.

It became apparent to Michael the severity of what he was walking into when he saw the couch in the hallway with bag after bag sitting on top of it. Michael went to the door and softly knocked.

He could hear the cries from inside, but he was sure his knock was not heard. Michael knocked again, when the door pushed open.

Michael’s heart was torn out in that one moment. Nikita was laying on the floor, with her body quivering with her tears. She had to be hurting, and only a jacket to support her head on.

“Nikita...” Michael says as he moves towards her and suddenly, all hell breaks loose.

“GET OUT!! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!” Nikita screams as Michael’s hands graze her arm. She sits up and starts to pull her tired body away. Michael tries to grasp her so she can see who it is.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!!!!” Nikita screams as her eyes fly shut and she starts to hit and punch out in the air. Michael ducks and holds her even tighter.

“Nikita.. IT’S MICHAEL!” Michael screams out, but it does not penetrate her defensives. Nikita starts to move further and further into the corner.

“HELP! HELP!” Nikita screams and Michael turns and grabs her chin. It may be drastic, but her continually fighting was not helping.

“Nikita... look at me! Nikita.. It’s Michael.” Michael says as he waits for her eyes to open. He watches Nikita pull her eyes even tighter together.

“No... no... no...” Nikita says and then slowly her eyes open up. She sees Michael and bursts into more tears.

“I’m sorry, Michael.. so so so sorry.” Nikita says softly and Michael hugs her to his chest. He didn’t have to tell her anything. She didn’t need to hear she didn’t need to be sorry. Her mind was in hyper mode.

“You should be on something soft... and you shouldn’t be here.” Michael says as he looks at Nikita.

“Where was I going to go?” Nikita begs out in tears. Michael rubs her cheeks and looks to the wall.

“You will be coming with me. I have an empty apartment in the building... and you will be safe there.” Michael says and Nikita cries into his shoulder.

“Where are your things that I can pack for you?” Michael asks and Nikita starts to shake her head.

“I threw them away.” Nikita says and Michael helps Nikita stand up.

“All of them?” Michael asks and Nikita starts to turn in circles. She moves and moves until she looks back at Michael.

“Do you have a t-shirt I can borrow?” Nikita asks and Michael nods his head

“I’ll get you some things later... let’s get you out of here.” Michael says as he helps Nikita to the door. Nikita opens the door and stops.

“Hello, Nikita.” Birkoff says as he stares at her.

“GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!” Nikita screams as her body collapses back into Michael’s. He feels her whole body tremble from the sight of Birkoff. Michael stares at the young man and rubs Nikita’s hair softly.

“I wanted to see how you are.” Birkoff says and Nikita’s body tenses.

“HOW I AM DOING!!!! HOW I AM DOING!!! YOU RIPPED MY BODY INTO PIECES YOU ASSHOLE!!!!!! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.. NEVER SEE ME AGAIN!” Nikita screams as she stares at Birkoff in horror. She closes her eyes as the images fly back into her mind’s eye. She slowly starts to shrink as she remembers Birkoff’s body over top of hers.

“Nikita, I am sorry!” Birkoff says and Michael watches the situation carefully. Nikita pulls her body up to look at Birkoff and then collapses back against Michael.

“Michael... I can’t.. get rid of him.. now.. now.. now..” Nikita sobs out and Michael wraps his hands around Nikita. She turns to the right and starts to cry against his chest.

“Michael... I am just concerned.” Birkoff says softly as he looks at Michael.

“Don’t you ever listen?” Michael replies and Birkoff stands back. Everyone seemed worried about Nikita, which he was, but in a sense he was lost himself.

“Michael.. this is different... I don’t remember.... I don’t remember...” Birkoff says, trying to explain.

“Can’t remember... you can’t remember how you bit me! You don’t remember forcing... Damn you! Damn.... “ Nikita cries out from Michael’s chest and she starts to heave.

“I’m going to get sick...” Nikita mumbles and Michael rubs her head softly.

“GET OUT!” Michael yells and Birkoff stands still.

“But...”

“GET OUT!” Michael roars.

“But..”

“You are upsetting her more! She doesn’t want to see you! Leave or I will make you leave!” Michael screams out and Birkoff turns and walks down the hallway.

Michael shuts the door and holds onto Nikita. He was surprised by her strength through that. It was almost too difficult for Michael to control his urge to punch Birkoff again.

“It’s never going to be ok again... never.. .. never..” Nikita hopelessly cries out and Michael can only hold her tighter. He sweeps his arm down to pull up her legs.

“Why? Why? Why?” Nikita starts to mutters as she drifts in-between states of consciousness. Michael opens the door and heads to his car, like he had attempted to do before.

“Ssshhh.. Nikita... I am here... I’ll be here... shhhh..” Michael whispers into her ear and her tears do not stop and do not slow. Michael doesn’t even know if he is helping or hurting.

Somewhere, deep inside Michael, there was part of him that wished Nikita would have killed Birkoff those few minutes ago. Somewhere, deep in Michael, there was a part of him that wanted to run off with Nikita to protect her forever.

Somehow, he had to find the middle ground, and find it quickly.

Birkoff walks into Section One and looks around. The operatives look at him and then look quickly away. Birkoff hangs his head down and walks towards the computer. Gail sits at the main computer.

“Get up, Gail.” Birkoff says as he stands by her side. She looks up and shakes her head.

“No.” Gail says firmly and Birkoff closes his eyes. He just wanted to understand what was happening to him, and how Nikita was. He regretting going to see her now, but he didn’t understand the scope of what had been done.

“Gail. GET UP!” Birkoff says as he turns off the computer and Gail stands up.

“I am not under orders to please you Birkoff! I won’t roll over and allow you to beat me up like you did to Nikita.” Gail says as she snaps her head around and walks to the next computer. Birkoff looks away and then sits down at his computer.

There is a hush around Birkoff, that he distinctively feels. It hugs him, almost starting to suffocate him. He looks to the side in a paranoid move, as if someone was talking about him. He was right to feel that way, they did talk about him far away from him. The operatives easily found out about what had occurred.

“You are wanted in the white room.” Walter says as he walks straight at the computers and looks at Birkoff. It was the closest that Walter had been to Birkoff since this whole ordeal began.

“Walter... I don’t know what happened... I don’t remember!” Birkoff exclaims and Walter frowns.

“I wish that Nikita could only have that luck.” Walter comments as he stares at the young man. “Madeline is waiting.”

*

The door swung open and Birkoff’s eyes opened further than the door. The white pierced into his head and brought on an instant headache, that had been there for days. Birkoff walks in and looks at Madeline’s brown dress before looking at her face.

“Sit down, Birkoff.” Madeline says and Birkoff looks at the metal chair. He stares at it until Madeline finally pushes him into it.

“You will be going through a series of memory restructuring series.” Madeline explains as she locks Birkoff’s hands to the rail. Birkoff looks at her and tries to pull his arms away.

“So, I will forget what Nikita looked like?” Birkoff asks and Madeline frowns.

“No. So you can remember what your body did to Nikita and so that you can finally hear Nikita’s pleads for you to stop.” Madeline says calmly as she places the electrodes on Birkoff’s head. Birkoff shakes his head.

“NO! I don’t want too!” Birkoff screams and Madeline narrows her eyes and stares at Birkoff.

“Why would I care what you want? You didn’t care about what Nikita wanted.” Madeline says and Birkoff shakes his head.

“Madeline.. I told you.. I DON’T REMEMBER!” Birkoff screams and Madeline nods her head slightly.

“You will remember, Birkoff.. and I hope for your sake, you will remember. It will be the only thing that may save you now.” Madeline says as she turns the machine on and Birkoff’s head hits the metal chair behind him.

Michael stops the car and opens his door. The man walks out of the building and to the car. Michael opens the door on the passenger side and pulls Nikita into his arms.

She wraps her arms around his back as Michael steps up onto the sidewalk. He watches the car being pulled around the corner before he starts up the stairs. Michael takes his time as he walks up the stairs.

He looks down at Nikita’s bruised face and sighs softly. He wishes he had stopped at the drug store and gotten some make up. It would make things easier to explain. Michael momentarily thinks for a moment about Birkoff.

Madeline was going to be brutal with him, Michael knew that. There was no other way. Birkoff continued to say he didn’t remember anything. Michael could almost see Birkoff in the white room, with sweat running down his body. That was still to good for the person who hurt Michael’s Nikita.

The door opened and Michael’s personal aide walks down to the stairs. He looks at Nikita and then to Michael.

“What has happened to your Nikita, sir?” He asks softly as he opens the door wide for Michael to enter with Nikita. Michael enters and moves to the elevator.

“Shh... I can’t discuss.” Michael says softly, not wanting to disturb Nikita’s sleep. He couldn’t be sure what she would wake to being like.

“But, sir, Shouldn’t she be in a hospital?” the man asks again. He pushes a strain of hair off of Nikita’s face and Michael looks down again.

“It would only be worse for her in a hospital.” Michael says as he looks up to see if the elevator has come down yet.

“What happened?..... Oh my, she was raped, wasn’t she?” The man asks and Michael turns his head to the side. The word was hanging in the air with Michael’s own tortured feelings.

“Worse, by a person she thought was a friend.” Michael whispers out, not for the man’s benefit, but for his own benefit. Michael knew in time, that he would have to go back to working with Birkoff. There was no option there.

“Where are you going? To the top?” The man asks and Michael shakes his head no as the elevator bell rings softly.

“To the two rooms attached to my apartment. I will need to be close by.” Michael says softly as the elevator doors open. Michael looks at the screen.

“Was I followed?” Michael asks and the man shakes his head. Michael waits for the door to close to kiss Nikita’s forehead softly.

*

Nikita rolls her head on the soft pillow and opens her eyes. She looks around and then bolts to an upright position. Sweat immediately pours from her forehead as her heart begins to race but her body would not allow any more movement.

Nikita moans out as her leg finally touches the carpet from the bed. There is only a small hallway light on. Nikita pulls and pulls at her body until she finally stumbles and ends up on the floor.

“Nikita....” Michael says as he enters and pulls Nikita up from the floor. He sets her down into the bed again and Nikita stares at him.

“Where did you come from?” Nikita asks and Michael pushes her hair back.

“I was just down the hall, gathering you a T-shirt for you to sleep in from my apartment.” Michael says and Nikita looks around.

“This isn’t your apartment?” Nikita asks and Michael shakes his head. He pulls out the small pad and places it on the night stand.

“There is no bathroom in this area.... push this button and I’ll make sure to see what you need.” Michael says as he stands up and drops the T-shirt to the bed.

Of course, Michael needed to move out of the apartment. He wanted to help Nikita with every step, but she did need to heal on her own. He had given her a way to contact him if she needed him. Michael was sure that she would call on him, but he was also sure that Nikita’s stubborn nature would soon be taking over.

“NO! I didn’t!” Birkoff screams as he holds his head and he looks up at Madeline. Madeline stood against the wall, waiting and waiting.

“Yes, you did.” Madeline says and Birkoff shakes his head.

“You told me to be Michael for NIKITA! You trained me with yourself how NIKITA WOULD LIKE IT! AND IT WAS WRONG!!!” Birkoff screams and Madeline holds her straight face. Madeline looks outside the room and finds Operations, Matthew, and Walter standing looking in.

“I did no such thing.” Madeline says and she looks at Birkoff. She had destroyed him. Maybe the memories of what his body had done were too much for him.

“Yes, you did Madeline.” Matthew’s voice echoed in from the speakers. Madeline swallows hard and looks at Birkoff.