Madeline lifted her head as she looked into the mirror. She took one last look of her face, and the eyes looking back. It was hard to remember when she started this tradition, as Operations would call it, but sometimes, she wished that it would end. It had to be at least five years ago that it started.

Madeline turns and walks into the room of screaming children and then ran around her body. Madeline mentally counted to ten as she walked to the rocking chair and sat down. The children still ran about and Madeline looked to the tree and smiled softly.

"Children!" Madeline calls out, and suddenly, all of the children stop in their tracks. Madeline smiles at them as she can tell that their parent, or parents, has trained them well about Madeline. Quickly they turn and start to walk to Madeline's feet. They silently sat down on the floor and two walked and leaned against the rocking chair.

"Madeline, what story are you going to tell us this year?" One girl, with wire glasses on calls out and Madeline smiles at her.

"Belinda, I will be telling you a true story." Madeline says and Belinda's mouth opens wide. The kids start to whisper between themselves and Madeline pauses for a moment. She could almost laugh. There was a time she would have killed all the children, instead of telling them a Christmas story. Now, each Christmas, she would tell the children a Christmas story as the parents finished up shopping, wrapping, and going to the Section Christmas party. Madeline would not admit it, but she found that telling the story was much more enjoyable than being with those she worked with day in and day out.

"About who?" Sandra asked, who had the same red hair as her mother. Madeline was thankful that Birkoff did not mix his genes with Gail, the combination could have been odd to face everyday.

"You don't know them. They are two of my finest operatives, Michael and Nikita." Madeline says and the children all turn and look at Belinda.

"Yes, Belinda, you know them." Madeline says with a soft smile. Belinda smiles broadly and lifts her head to the children. Belinda could keep secrets, unlike her father.

Madeline leans back in her chair and smiles. She could not remember the last time she saw either Michael or Nikita. She wondered where they were this year.

"It started out as a mission…" Madeline says slowly and the children sigh and roll their eyes around.

"Is this going to be like Santa Ops? Who was that? Operations?" One of the older children calls out. Madeline blinks her eyes as the comments continue for several minutes.

"Children? Do you want me to stop?" Madeline asks and they all suddenly become quiet.

"Now…. Where was I?" Madeline asks with a slight evil smile that crossed her face. The children giggled and Madeline smiled at them. How she wished Operations was as easy to get along with. She wouldn't have to play mind games with him anymore!

"It was a mission, and Michael and Nikita were sent to the mountains of Pennsylvania." Madeline says and the children wrinkle their noses up.

"Pennsylvania? As in Pittsburgh?" Sandra asks and Madeline stares at the girl.

"No.. She means Pennsylvania, as in Philadelphia!" another girl screams back.

"NO! ERIE!!!"

"NO! HARRISBURG!!!"

"Children!" Madeline calls out and she watches all eyes turn back towards her. She smiles at their sparkling eyes and meets them with her own. She knew they told their parents how nice she was, and they probably were told never to trust her.

"All of those cities are correct, but Michael and Nikita were sent to the mountains. They were not near a city, and there was only one road, for many many miles." Madeline says and a small boy, around three raises his hand.

"OH WALTER!" Belinda says as she rolls her eyes as her little brother stands up.

"What was the mission for, Madeline?" Walter asks and Madeline smiles and nods her head.

"I will tell you, if you may allow me to continue." Madeline says and the children giggle.

*

The snow was deeper the further the two operatives ran with the heavy equipment on. Again, the communications devices were used, but only a crackled was picked up on all pieces. The night was calm as the two operatives trudged on. There was no one behind them, and there will be no one behind them. Out, somewhere in the Pennsylvania woods, the only knowledge that someone was out there, was the trail of blood and footprints. Those were quickly becoming covered with the heavy snow that fell.

"I can't." The words are yelled out with pain laced in each word. There is a stumble forward and the deep snow stops the falling operative from landing hard.

"Nikita, get up." Michael says as he turns around and looks at Nikita as she is stopped in the snow. He looks at his watch and looks around. They were heading into the woods, as the entire mission had folded down around them. They were the only survivors, and Nikita was wounded. It was a long hike out of the area before the pick up point. Now was not the time for all equipment to go down, but that was what happened.

Michael pulls at Nikita's good arm and she looks up with a pale face, almost as white as the snow. The only color came from the two rosy red cheeks from the extremely cold temperatures. The weather had violently turned during Michael's and Nikita's egress. It also compounded what they needed to finish on this full moon night.

Yet, there were no stars or moon this night as the snow continued to heavily fall. Michael looked in front of them as Nikita gathered her balance. They had to continue on. Movement was vital to their survival. Nikita leans her head back and screams as the communications unit crackles back at her. She pulls it off her ear, and is about to chuck it into the snow when Michael grabs it out of her hand.

"If we find shelter, I might be able to patch a line up." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head. She didn't believe a word of what Michael said. She pulled her feet up and started the trudge. The weight of the knee-deep snow almost took Nikita's worries off of the extreme pain in her right arm and the stickiness of blood running down the inside of her jacket.

"Can we have a break?" Nikita calls out and Michael snaps around. She was getting weaker. Michael walked to her and pulled the strap off of his gun. He moved quickly, making a half sling, and helped place Nikita's arm into it.

"We move." Michael says as he starts back out through the snow. They stepped on rocks and holes, as there is no way of telling what is below their feet. There is a line of trees and then a long empty stretch. Michael stops and looks. Although the snow is heavy, it is easy to see that the passage is actually a stream of some sort. Michael starts out to the right, looking for a way across the stream, without furthering their wet state. Hypothermia was a deep concern of Michael's.

Michael rubbed his gloved hands together as he waited for Nikita to step over a fallen tree. The injury made Nikita's balance even more incapable in this snow. Michael stepped forward and slipped a little. Michael caught himself and looked back at Nikita.

"Icy patch." Michael comments and Nikita nods her head. To avoid the patch, she steps back a few steps, and safely makes it to Michael's side.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" Michael questions after he pulls his hand out of the glove and holds up two fingers. Nikita blinks and looks at Michael.

"Two." Nikita comments and Michael gloves his hand back up and looks at what Michael is assuming is downstream. Down not too far, is a large tree that can act as a bridge to the other side.

"We will cross there." Michael says and Nikita looks at him and shakes her head.

"I can't Michael." Nikita says and she almost gives into the winning darkness that is pushing in from the sides. Michael takes his hands and holds her around the waist.

"We must, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita stares at him.

"We are lost. We have no communications.. We have no location devices working. We are walking around with no compass in the woods during a blizzard." Nikita cries out and Michael looks at Nikita. The frustration was starting to set in for him too, but it was important that he maintained control. Losing it would not serve any of them any good.

"It was suppose to be an easy in and out mission, be back and enjoy Christmas mission!" Nikita cries out and Michael stares at her as tears start to fall. Michael shakes his head.

"Save your energy, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita looks at him as he starts out towards the tree. She moved behind him, as he knew she would. Nikita knew they had to either find shelter or continue moving. It was the only way for them to live.

"Nikita." Michael says as he turns around and sees her falling behind. He did not want her too far behind, as he could not tell how badly she was injured. It had happened during their emergency egress. They were rounding the corner, running quickly, knowing that the impending explosion was soon to rock the building. Nikita had just entered a clear area, and before Michael could take out the guard, the bullet hit Nikita. She did not stop, as she continued on, knowing that the explosion would surely kill her.

"Take your arm out of the sling. Take a few moments to gather your strength." Michael says as he moves to the tree and sits down on it. He hoped that it would hold their weight.

*

Michael sat down on the tree and pushed the snow away. He turned and looked at Nikita as she leaned against a tree. Her eyelids had slipped down and over her eyes. He had to do something soon, or he was going to lose Nikita.

"NIKITA!" Michael hollers and Nikita opens her eyes and starts to walk towards him. He helps steady Nikita as she straddles the tree in the same fashion as Michael has. The plan was simple. Michael was going to scoot across the tree, and push the snow away as he went. All Nikita had to do was to follow behind.

"Do not get to close to me. We cannot risk too much weight on this tree at once." Michael says and Nikita nods her head. Michael starts out, as it is a slow process. He is fueled by the image of Nikita's closed eyes when he looks back. He needed to make movement, and soon, he was more than half way across the stream.

"Nikita.. It's time to move." Michael calls out, and Nikita nods her head and starts across. Michael watches her for a few moments, catching his own breath. He feels a dip in the tree, and realizes that he must get to the other side.

"Nikita… keep moving.. But go slowly…" Michael calls out loudly, as he cannot turn his head to look at Nikita. His hands push the snow away quickly and soon his feet touches the firm snowing ground. Michael crawls into the snow and turns to watch Nikita. She had not made much ground.

"Nikita…. Please.." Michael begs out and Nikita blinks and nods her head. Nikita tries to grab hold of the tree with her arms and pull, but those only proceeds to rip pain into her harder. Nikita works as quickly as she can as she hits the center.

"Michael.. It's like ice!" Nikita calls out. Michael stands up and watches Nikita. She can't grip her hands onto the tree anymore. Michael's body heat must have melted the snow and then made it into ice once he moved on.

"Nikita.. Move on.. NOW!" Michael calls out, but the scream is too late, as he watches Nikita's body starts to tip. Nikita flips and tries to grab onto the tree, but can only do so with her injured right arm.

"MICHAEL!" Nikita screams out. Michael looks down and then at Nikita.

"Pull yourself back up, Nikita. You have too." Michael says and Nikita tries to pull her other arm up, but it slips on the ice.

"Nikita…. Try again!" Michael calls out as he inches towards the edge of the bank. Michael watches as all the strength of the arm runs out and she falls into the snow and ice filled stream. Nikita screams all the way down. There is a momentarily silence, and then screams again.

"MY LEG!!!" Nikita hollers out and Michael dashes down the snow filled back and crashes into the stream. The cold water is not notices, as Michael feels the jagged rocks as he moves towards Nikita. He kicks the big bolder near Nikita, and knows that the leg was going to be in bad shape.

"Nikita… grab my neck. We need to get out of this water." Michael says. Nikita grunts in pain as she wraps her arms around Michael's neck. Michael pulls up, and sees the leg twisted about as he gingerly picks it up so he is not dragging it. Nikita's howls of pain momentarily deafen Michael as he turns back towards shore.

The climb up the bank was a bit, difficult, but Michael made it quickly, as he felt Nikita's body tremble in pain and in coldness. Michael sets her down in the snow. He had to at least put a brace of some sort on the leg. He did not know how much further it would be to shelter, and he could not carry Nikita the entire way.

It may have been setting Nikita down that caused her the most pain. It also gave Michael the chance to looks at Nikita's leg. He didn't need to be a medical doctor to see that the bottom leg was almost shattered, and that there was at least one break in the upper thigh area.

"Go, Michael.. Save yourself." Nikita moans out. Michael pulls at tree and breaks off limbs to start a big supportive brace. Nikita was going to be in considerable pain, but he wasn't going to leave her.

"And this is when Santa Claus comes down and takes Nikita and Michael to the North Pole?" little Walter calls out and Belinda drops her head in embarrassment.

"NO!!!" Sandra calls out and moves to slap the young boy.

"Sandra.. It is not too late to get coal in your stocking." Madeline says carefully and Sandra sits back down.

"I am sorry, Madeline." Sandra says and Madeline nods her head. Sometimes the kids were worse than their parents.

*

"Children please. I am only at the beginning of the story." Madeline says softly and the children squirm around. Madeline looks up and nods to the operative that is holding some bowls of popcorn. That should help settle the children down.

"Madeline… was Nikita hurt bad?" Belinda asks and Madeline smiles. She was given the ok to continue.

"Nikita…. Not much further." Michael says as he is starting to become worn of the work. Nikita was leaning almost all of her weight on him. He could tell that she was on the brink of death, and shelter was desperately needed. Nikita fumbled with the communications unit. It gave her something to focus on, and therefore, kept her awake.

"AWH!" Nikita screams as she is forced to put weight on the broken leg. Michael bends over some, and lets Nikita put more weight on him. He looks around. It was impossible to see anything in the blinding snow that was flying down the hill. It was almost a whiteout condition.

"Michael.. I need rest." Nikita says as she shakes her head and Michael looks at her face that is so close to his. Panic filled him as he saw her eyes drop again. She could not continue on.

"PLEASE!" Michael begged upward, and as if someone was listening to him, the snow slowed down. Michael looked to the left, and felt as if he found the Garden of Eden. He pointed to the little cabin to Nikita and then stopped. Michael stubbornly used the last of his strength to pick Nikita up and take her to the cabin.

Michael was pleasantly happy as the door opened and he entered. It was not run down and was relatively well stocked. Michael moved to the cot and gently placed Nikita down. Although he wanted to attend to Nikita's injuries, a fire was more important. Both of them were quite wet and needed the warmth to survive the night.

Once the fire was roaring, Michael moved to the cot. Slowly, he pulled away the brace and dropped the pieces to the floor. He stopped and looked around the cabin. He quickly found a small medical kit, but more importantly, some Jack Daniel's. Michael goes to the sink area and grabs a cup. There was plenty of the liquid, and he poured some for Nikita.

"Drink." Michael says. He knew he was going to cause pain, but at least now, it will not be as much as before. Nikita slowly drinks and winces as the liquor hits her stomach. Michael then goes and starts to take the layers of clothing off of Nikita. It was a job that made Michael wish he had earplugs. Once he had cleared the arm wound, he saw the amount of blood.

Michael could see the bullet, and knew that it was best that it come out now. Michael cleansed the wound with the some of the liquor that caused Nikita to scream. He sterilized a knife, and quickly pulled the bullet out. It caused no more bleeding, and he tentatively stitched Nikita up.

This was where Michael stopped. The arm was a typical wound, one that Nikita had suffered before, and he was sure would suffer again if they get out of the blizzard Michael pulled the blanket up to Nikita's chest and saw that even then she continued to shiver.

Michael cleaned off his bloody knife, and started to cut away the mission pants from Nikita's leg. She howled in pain as he pulled the material away. She moved her head side to side and Michael closed his eye. There were no bones sticking out, but the leg was crooked and twisted. All he could possible do is put it into a splint and watch it.

Michael saw two walking sticks in the corner and pulled them to Nikita's legs. From the hip to past her foot the sticks went, and Michael strapped those tightly to each other. Then he slowly attached more sticks and tied more.

"Can I sleep now?" Nikita asks in a meek voice. Michael bends down and covers her body. They were both tired, and Michael looked at Nikita. Her lips were still blue. Michael felt the chill from his own wet clothes. Lucky for Michael, there were men's clothing left, and once Nikita felt better, she could use one of the many shirts. Michael pealed off his clothing and set the alarm on his watch and slide into bed with Nikita.

The body heat was comforting, but feeling Michael holding her gave Nikita the sense of safety that she longed for.

*

There was first warmth as Nikita rolled her head to the side and then there was pain. Nikita lifted her head slightly and then she opened her eyes. Nikita struggles to keep her eyes open as she sees something moving towards her.

"Here." Michael says as he places a cup in Nikita's hand and Nikita shakes her head. She drops the cup back to Michael's hand as her head falls back down. Her eyes shut, as it feels as if the pain was cutting off all other senses in her body. Nikita moaned lightly as Michael sat down on the bed and pushed back some hair.

"Nikita, time to wake up. I'll give you something for the pain." Michael says and Nikita opens her eyes and tries to sit up some. Michael walks over and grabs some large blankets and builds them up from Nikita's head, so now she is leaning.

"First, you have to eat. I don't want anymore liquor on your stomach without food." Michael says as he hands Nikita the instant hot chocolate and walks back to the little stove he has up and running. Nikita swallows the hot liquid and relishes the comfort it gives her.

"We don't have much choice here. Soup or Spam?" Michael asks and Nikita looks at him and smiles.

"I'll have soup." Nikita comments and Michael nods his head. He pours the pot into another cup and hands it to Nikita. Nikita sips at the Chicken Noodle soup slowly and looks at Michael with a clenched jaw.

"Do we have communications up?" Nikita asks and Michael moves to the foot of the bed. Michael pulls the blanket back and sees the foot that was starting to turn blue. It could mean that the breaks had cut off circulation, or that the brace was on too tightly.

"We have to redo this brace." Michael says and Nikita turns her head and tries to stop her chin from quivering.

"We don't have contact, do we?" Nikita asks and Michael walks back to Nikita and pulls the blanket off of her chest, to view the bullet wound. It was the least of her worries, and Michael was satisfied that unless it started to pain Nikita more than usual, that it will be fine.

"Nikita, eat. I have to redo that brace. You'll want something for the pain." Michael says and Nikita looks at Michael and moans. Michael sits down on the bed and strokes her face softly.

"I will try again after we fix this brace." Michael says softly and Nikita looks out the window. It was still snowing, and heavily at that.

"How much more snow?" Nikita asks and Michael drops his head and takes Nikita's hand into his.

"Let's not worry about that." Michael says and Nikita stares at Michael.

"Michael, no lies on Christmas Eve, please." Nikita says and Michael blinks his eyes and nods his head.

"About four more." Michael says and Nikita closes her eyes and looks up at the ceiling.

"God, Michael. How are they going to find us?" Nikita questions and Michael looks to the window.

"I am sure they are working on that, Nikita." Michael says and he looks at Nikita and refills her cup with more soup. She was going to need a lot of liquor this time.

"Hey… is this where my Daddy comes into this story?" Belinda calls out and Madeline looks at her and nods her head.

"But Belinda, no one else knows this story. You are going to have to stay quiet if you want to stay." Madeline says and Belinda nods her head and Sandra stands up and looks at little Walter. He was squirming about and she was getting annoyed.

"STOP IT!" Sandra yells and little Walter looks up at her and shakes his head.

"WHY YOU!" Sandra yells and Madeline stands up and takes little Walter into her lap.

"Now, Walter…. Your daddy is in this story. Do you want to hear about this?" Madeline asks softly and the young boy nods his head.

"Well… can you say, Incoming Intel for me?" Madeline asks and little Walter smiles broadly. It was his first full sentence he had said.

"Insoming Intol!" little Walter screams out and Belinda laughs and covers her face.

"That was good. Just like your daddy." Madeline says as she looks to the corner and sees Operations. He nods his head and winks at Madeline. Madeline pauses in thought. He had never visited her during this yearly activity.

"Madeline!!!!" some kids called out and Madeline turned her attention back to the children.

*

"I have incoming intel!" Birkoff cries out as he looks over at his main computer screen. He finishes hanging up the Christmas ornament that was in his hand and walked over to the computer. He glanced up at the screen above his head. All operatives were accounted for on this Christmas Eve except for Michael and Nikita. As the night finished hours ago, Birkoff and Walter started to assume the worst.

Birkoff types quickly and shakes his head as the signal disappears. Madeline appears as his shoulder and looks down to the screen.

"What is it Birkoff?" Madeline asks in her calm voice. She was not going to admit that when she heard that there was incoming intel, that she prayed that it was Michael or Nikita trying to establish contact. Now, the screen was blank, but Birkoff continued to work.

"It's a crystal signal." Birkoff says and then drops his head. He shakes his head as he pulls up the weather report for the general area of the signal. He shakes his head and looks at Madeline.

"We probably won't get another reading until tonight. The snow is just too heavy." Birkoff says and Madeline nods her head.

"Michael is accounted for. Now the question is if Nikita is with him or not." Madeline says and she walks away. Birkoff looks at Madeline and then over at Walter. Michael wouldn't leave Nikita, would he?

"Jingle Bells.. jingle bells… kingle all the way… oh what fun it is to see you look at me.. HEY!" Nikita slurs out as she drops the last few drops of the liquor down her throat. Michael takes the cup and looks at Nikita.

"I want more!" Nikita cries out and Michael shakes his head.

"Nikita, it is time to redo this brace." Michael says and Nikita starts to giggle.

"Do you know how sexy you look when you are serious?" Nikita asks as she giggles and starts to fight with her hair. Michael stands back as Nikita uses both hands to toss her hair back and forth.

"DO SOMETHING!!! I hate it. CUT IT OFF!" Nikita screams out and Michael presses his lips together and walks to the bag. He looks at the old rain poncho and smiles as he grabs the rubber band off of the poncho. He walks over to Nikita and stops her hands.

"Your eyes look like Christmas lights, Michael… all twinkle." Nikita says as she smiles again and starts to sway her head back and forth. Michael helps Nikita hold her head still and he pulls Nikita's hair up into a crude ponytail, but it was going to keep it out of her face for the time being.

Michael walks around the end of the bed, and Nikita's silliness stops. It was like she absolutely understood what was going to occur. Nikita looked at Michael with her blue eyes widening and waits.

"This is going to hurt, right?" Nikita says and Michael reaches up the bed to touch Nikita's cheek.

"It shouldn't hurt too bad." Michael says but Nikita grabs his hand.

"Remember.. No lies on Christmas Eve." Nikita says and Michael drops his head. He uses one hand to untie the bottom of the brace. He can see how much the leg had swelled.

"Yes. It is going to hurt. I'm going to get some snow to put on it." Michael says and Nikita starts to shake her head.

"It will freeze me. I'm cold already." Nikita says with her slurred speech. Michael could not wait until he could give Nikita some coffee to so he could really talk to her.

"Nikita, I will cover you up with a blanket. We need to stop the swelling." Michael says as he grabs two huge buckets and heads towards the door. All Michael does it pull the door back enough to fill the buckets with snow and then close the door again.

Michael places the buckets near his feet as he pulls back the blanket from Nikita's legs. Nikita drops her head back as Michael starts to take the brace carefully off. Michael was not going to move the main pieces of wood. It is the smaller piece of wood that causes Nikita to howl. It was also the reestablish flow of blood to her foot that caused pain. Michael was relieved to see the blue color go away from her foot.

Michael pulls down a sheet and starts to drop the buckets of snow over the leg. It was going to melt quickly, but he needed to try to stop the swelling. Michael walked back to the door for more snow as Nikita stopped her crying as she started to shiver.

Michael drops two more buckets of snow around the leg and stops. Michael looks at Nikita as her entire body is shivering. Michael pulls up the huge quilt and wraps it around Nikita's chest and head and leans into her.

"Only a few minutes, Nikita. Only a few minutes." Michael says softly. He kisses Nikita's ear, but she continues to shiver. Michael starts to doubt what he was doing. Maybe it was more important to keep her warm than to stop the swelling.

"I'll be home…. Zor Chrizmas… you can zount on me…" Nikita sings out, as she tries to ignore the pain and the coldness that wraps her body up tightly.

"Pleaze have znow… and mizletoe… and prezentz on the tree…" Nikita says and Michael tightens his grip on Nikita. He kisses her ear, and hopes that his body heat can warm Nikita up. He glanced at his watch and licked his lips. Only four more minutes of Nikita's snow treatment left. Michael never realized how long a minute was before.

*

"Madeline! Where is the Christmas tree!" a child up front whines and Madeline smiles and looks at little Walter, who looks like he is about to fall asleep.

"It won't be long now." Madeline says as she picks little Walter up and shifts him to the other leg as she continues with the story.

"I had everything planned. Tonight… I was going to get a Christmas tree… my first." Nikita says as Michael places another blanket over her body. He had retied the brace, and now was starting to warm Nikita back up.

"And I had your gift." Nikita says and Michael stops as he plans on making some coffee. Nikita's drunken state was making taking care of her more difficult. Michael knew it helped with the pain, but he never knew what would happen if he needed her for something.

"Nikita… I am making you some coffee. Why don't you try to sleep?" Michael says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"I searched for months on you.. Michael…. It was zo difficult. I.. I.. Traveled to three.. no four countriez. I had to find the perfect Chrizmas gift for you, Michael." Nikita says and Michael turns on the stove and starts to heat the water for the coffee.

"Three countries, Nikita? I think you are exaggerating." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head.

"You liked that clock… we zaw in the one mansion…. Well… I found it'z zizter… I tracked it down.. firzt the ztatez and then to France, god they are rude!, and then off to Germany.. and then I traveled down under… for one Chrizmas gift… that I won't even give to you… I am in my living grave." Nikita says as she rolls her head back and stares at the ceiling.

"Nikita, we are going to be fine." Michael says as he pours the water into the instant coffee. Michael stirs and gives the cup to Nikita.

"I don't want thiz." Nikita hisses out and Michael rolls his eyes slightly.

"Nikita… you need to drink this." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"Let me go.. it'z Chrizmas Eve… and it'z destroyed. No tree…. No prezents.. no egg nog , no food… and PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN!" Nikita screams out and Michael sits down on the bed and helps Nikita to swallow some coffee.

"I probably bought a gift for no reason… I'm glad you aren't getting it. You probably hate it either way!" Nikita exclaims and Michael bites his lip. He did buy Nikita a gift, but now was not the time nor place to tell her so.

"All I wanted for Chrizmas was a tree….. all I ever wanted…" Nikita sighs out and Michael helps Nikita with some more coffee. Michael leans her head back and kisses her forehead.

"Why don't you try to get some sleep.. and I will try to get communications up." Michael says and Nikita nods her head.

"Oh therez no place like home for the HOLLY dayz… no matter how far away you roam… ROAM ROAM ROAM.. if you vant to be happy in a millizons wayz…. For the HOLLY dayz you can't be home zweet home!" Nikita sings out and Michael watches her as he rubs his head. He needed to get Nikita into Section One. There should be no doubt about that.

*

"I have another signal!" Birkoff calls out as he looks up to Operations and Madeline as they stand in the glass office. Operations nods his head and walks over to the intercom.

"Is it a clock?" Operations asks. Birkoff types quickly and smiles broadly.

"Actually, I have two signals, not far apart from each other. A communications unit and a clock. The clock is currently moving." Birkoff says and Operations looks at Madeline and nods his head.

"Send a small team out." Operations says and Birkoff looks up.

"The location is remote. It won't be well into the morning that they make it through the snow." Birkoff replies and Operations nods his head and turns away from Birkoff. Birkoff sighs and turns back. Maybe he could establish an open line into the communications unit.

The moon was full, and it lit the way as Michael trudged in the knee-deep snow. He looked around, and could still see the cabin from where he stood. He rubbed his hands together, not believing that he was out in the cold, doing something so irrational.

Michael looked around and heaved the ax back up onto his shoulder to rest. Michael glances back and then moves forward. He had to find a tree soon, as he knew that Nikita's condition was not very stable. He didn't know what she would do if she woke up and he wasn't there.

Michael had spent the afternoon trying to get Nikita to drink coffee. What occurred, was that the pain was coming back to Nikita then, stronger than before. Although Michael did not want to do what he did, he started to give Nikita the alcohol. With her weaken system, as he felt that Nikita was starting to develop pneumonia, that it was likely the alcohol would help her go back to sleep.

Michael listened to Nikita tell him about her dream Christmas, and Michael felt the emotional pain that had been inflicted onto Nikita, not only from Section One, but from childhood. Michael started to understand Nikita on a level that he never thought was possible. He started to truly feel her pain as she experienced, and he felt his own pain for what he had done to her in the past.

It was that overwhelming guilt that sent Michael out into the winter wonderland. He started out, saying he was looking for firewood, but Michael could not lie to himself. He didn't want to let Nikita down for another Christmas. It was most important to her that she had a Christmas tree this year and that was what Michael was going to get.

Michael walked past a few more trees and stopped in an area the moon glowed brightly. Michael looks and finds two trees. One is the perfect Christmas tree. It has the perfect triangle shape, and is not too big and is not too small. It's green is a solid shade and each needle was to perfection. The other tree was not perfect. It had a dead limb on the bottom, and the one side was concave and there was no branch at the top to place a star.

Michael looked back at the cabin, and watched the small swirl of smoke carry up from the chimney and looked back at the trees. He had to make his decision in the moonlit patch of woods. Michael rubbed his jaw lightly and then turned to the battered Christmas tree.

Michael worked quickly. He knew that Nikita would want to leave the perfect Christmas tree out for other to enjoy. She was the sort who always took the second best, because someone more needing than herself might need the best. Michael knew as he chopped at the base of the tree, that Nikita would not care that he had passed up the perfect Christmas tree. What mattered is that she had a Christmas tree. The battered Christmas tree was going to be her first Christmas tree.

Michael picked up the tree and started to drag in on the heavy snow. Michael smiled as he crested the hill and started back down to the cabin. He thought about how Nikita's face would look in the morning. Hopefully, it would lessen the great pain that she was in, and allow Michael to hold her tightly for a few moments. Hopefully it would prove to Nikita, how much he was listening to her, and how much she meant to him.

"HE PASSED UP THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE???" Sandra asked loudly and little Walter picks his head up from Madeline's shoulder.

"Yes, he did." Madeline says and Sandra stands up and looks around.

"WHY? IT WAS THERE! IN THE MOONLIGHT! It was his Christmas tree." Sandra says and Belinda stands up and looks at Sandra.

"It wasn't Nikita's. It wasn't what she would have liked." Belinda says and Sandra turns around and glares at Belinda.

"I didn't ask you!" Sandra hollers and Belinda looks at Madeline.

"Madeline… I am right, right? That Nikita wouldn't care what tree it was. It mattered that Michael did it for her." Belinda says and Madeline nods her head.

"It is like now. Christmas would not be Christmas for me if I didn't tell you all the stories." Madeline says and the kids giggle and Belinda and Sandra fall back down.

"Well… where was I?" Madeline asks and little Walter tugs on Madeline's ear. Madeline leans her head down and listens to the whispering little Walter.

"Of course, I will wait. Hurry up!" Madeline says with a smile, as little Walter jumps off of Madeline's lap and runs to the boy's room.

*

"Hurry up, Walter!" Belinda calls out as she hears the toilet flush. All the children turn their heads, and watch little Walter walk back into the room. He pauses by Madeline's rocking chair, and Madeline bends down and picks him up.

Madeline pauses and tickles little Walter lightly. Little Walter giggles loudly and Madeline pulls her hands away from him and kisses him lightly on the cheek.

"Where was I?" Madeline asks the children, and all of them start to respond. Madeline smiles at the children.

"Ok! I remember." Madeline says loudly with her hands raised. The children all stop and settle back down. Madeline smiled and thought, "How nice it is to have control without threats!"

It was starting to get warm again for Nikita's body. She fought the urge to open her eyes. She turned her head and tried to force her body back to sleep. There was a pounding in her head as she felt the bed sink lightly with the body weight of Michael sitting on the edge.

Nikita almost sighs contently as Michael pushes back a few strands of hair off of her face and back behind her ear. Nikita feels the Goosebumps run up her arm, as Michael gently checks the bullet wound. He places the cover back over the arm.

Then Nikita can feel his breath, so warm, near her face, near her ear. Nikita tries not to react, but her skin seems to be jumping by the motions of Michael.

"Merry Christmas, Nikita." Michael whispers softly into her ear, and then he lightly brushes his lips against her cheek. Nikita feels Michael stands up and Nikita takes a long pause.

"Merry Christmas, Michael." Nikita responds loudly. Nikita does not turn to look at Michael. She knows that he has stopped and turned back to look at her. Nikita then slowly turns around and blinks her eyes.

The green tree stood in the corner, by the stove. Nikita blinks her eyes, as tear form from the sight. She does not notice the dead limbs or the brown needles. She doesn't notice that the one side was missing almost all of the needles. Nikita's lip starts to tremble as she looks up and sees a tin star on the top of the tree.

"Michael…" Nikita says and he slowly walks back to her, not blocking her view of the Christmas tree. Michael slides his body down onto the wood floor and strokes Nikita's cheek softly.

"I wanted your help with decorating." Michael says and Nikita now starts to bawl at the comment. No one has ever done such a sweet thing in her life. Nikita couldn't contain her emotions any longer and rolled her head towards Michael's. Michael's skin tinkled with each tear that falls onto his skin. He slowly reaches his hand up and rubbed Nikita's forehead with the pads of his fingertips.

"I have a few ornaments I made last night. I just don't know where to put them." Michael says as he stands up and brings over a pile of tin ornaments that he had crudely made. Michael picks one up and shows Nikita. Nikita reaches for it, and Michael shakes his head.

"The edges are sharp. I don't want you to get hurt anymore." Michael says and Nikita nods her head. Nikita's eyes widen, and she begins to cough. Michael sets the box down and leans Nikita up, and rubs her back as the coughs continue. Michael knew that this was soon to happen. Nikita wasn't moving around because of her leg, and the need to use snow to take down the swelling was making Nikita sick.

"It's alright." Michael whispers into her ear, and soon the coughing ceased. Michael placed Nikita back down on her bed and he picked up the ornament. He shows Nikita and walks to the tree.

"Where should I put it, Nikita?" Michael asks and Nikita giggles softly and starts to point her hand. Michael moves and places it near the tree and Nikita shakes her head lightly.

"No… down some." Nikita says and Michael moves it down a few branches and Nikita smiles. Michael walks back to the box and sees the tears on Nikita's eyes softly. Michael is about to move to her, when there is a crackle. At first, both operatives look at the roaring fire.

"Michael! Nikita! Respond!" Birkoff's voice screams over the communications unit and Nikita gasps in relief.

"My daddy saved Michael and Nikita?" Belinda asks in shock and Madeline smiles at the girl. She was so proud of her father, and was very intelligent in her own life.

"No. Your father talked to Michael and Nikita. But that is jumping ahead in the story!" Madeline says and little Walter tugs at Madeline's ear again. Madeline sighs and bends her head down to listen to little Walter's words.

"You think so?" Madeline asks little Walter, and he nods his head up and down enthusiastically. Madeline smiles and looks at the children.

"Walter thinks that it is time for some hot chocolate and Christmas cookies." Madeline says and the children all jump to their feet and start towards the attached room for their annual Christmas Eve snack.

Madeline helps little Walter down and walks with him to the room. Madeline smiles a she looks at the children. Off in the corner is Operations again and Madeline raises an eyebrow, but continues with the children. It was the children's night.

*

Madeline watched as the children ran back to the room, and huddled around her rocking chair. Madeline took the last cookie, and bit into it. She loved the smooth chocolate cookie melting in her mouth. She closed her eyes briefly, and that was when Operations reached out and touched her arm.

"Do you mind getting your Christmas gift early?" Operations asks and Madeline tilts her head and stares at Operations. He had never bought her anything. Madeline turns back towards the children and then looks back at Operations.

"I don't mean right now. It's not here yet." Operations says and Madeline narrows her eyes. If it weren't for little Walter tugging on Madeline's shirt, she would have continued the stare down. Madeline picked little Walter up in her arms and headed back to the room without a word.

Operations leaned against the wall and smiled as he watched the cold Madeline he knew turn into the warm and loving, aunt that she was to all of these children.

Michael ran to the table and grabbed up the communications unit. He had rebuilt it last night, using the two units to create the full unit that he now held in his hands.

"Birkoff." Michael replies as Nikita starts to cough again. Michael carefully slides the communications unit onto his ear and goes back to Nikita's bed. Nikita is struggling to pull her body up, as the coughing intensifies.

"Michael, we are sending a team. We need a status. Is that Nikita with you?" Birkoff asks as he hears the coughing continue. Michael starts to rub Nikita's back, but soon is striking it to help subside the coughs. Nikita's face is streaked with tears as Michael helps her tired body back to the bed.

"I will get something to sit you up some more. You need to get more air into your lungs." Michael says as he stands up and goes to the dresser. He starts to pull out clothes, forgetting about Birkoff on the communications line.

"Michael!" Birkoff finally yells again to gather attention. The silence was evil to Birkoff, and the more he heard, the better things were.

"Birkoff… I am attending to Nikita in a log cabin that we are almost snowed in into. Be patient. I have important things here to do." Michael says and walks back to Nikita. He pulls Nikita up by her good arm and starts to place things underneath Nikita's back and head. Slowly, the incline increases, and Nikita is able to breathe easier.

"Shh… Birkoff is on the line… we will be alright soon." Michael says as he strokes Nikita's face. He can feel her fever now and he waits for Nikita's eyes to shut. Michael stands up and moves towards the fire.

"How far is the team?" Michael asks as he throws more wood into the fire. The team would be cold when they arrived.

"They are on a road that is up the hill from the cabin you are in. It should be another two hours, though. There is too much snow." Birkoff reports and Michael nods his head. He looks to Nikita and then to the tree. It gave her happiness, no matter how short. Michael walks back and picks up the ornaments and starts to hang them.

"How sick is Nikita?" Birkoff ask sand Michael almost chokes from the comment.

"You should have asked for her condition, Birkoff. She wasn't sick until late last night, early this morning." Michael say sand Birkoff types furiously at the computer and Michael leans down and places another star on the bottom of the tree.

"Birkoff.. She was injured coming out of the building. A bullet wound to her arm. I have taken the bullet out and stitched her up. There is no infection yet." Michael says and then he looks at her. The leg injury could mean her death if it did not heal. Michael looked up to the ceiling and then continued on with his description of Nikita's injuries.

"Nikita on the way to the cabin, fell. Her leg is twisted and shows signs of multiple breaks. I believe that the lower legs has at least two breaks, and possible a break in the ankle. The thigh is in similar shape. I am hoping that there is only one break. It is swollen pretty badly. I can't get it to stop. But I do have circulation throughout the leg." Michael says and he hangs up the last ornament.

"So Nikita is immobile?" Operations asked over the line and Michael went back to the bed. He rubbed his hand against Nikita's burning cheek.

"I would have said she could have moved if necessary up till last night. I believe she has developed pneumonia since I had to use snow to try to stop the swelling in the leg." Michael says and then he takes Nikita's hand and kisses it softly.

Michael waits in silence. He knows that Operations must be in deep thought. Michael trembled; knowing that Operations could tell him to cancel Nikita immediately and to go met the van. Michael closed his eyes and waited.

"Michael, the team is closer than we thought. ETA in 55 minutes." Birkoff reports and Michael looks at the window and smiles. He rubs Nikita's face softly again and leans down.

"Not long. Not long." Michael says and picks his head up; to do some chores before the team arrived.

*

"Michael." Nikita calls out and Michael turns from the window and looks at Nikita. He was waiting to see the van arriving, or at least people. So far, in the hour and fifteen minutes that had passed, there had been no more information. Nikita had been sleeping, not peacefully, but almost comfortably.

"What is it, Nikita?" Michael asks as he moves back over to her side. He pushes her hair back, as the fever was starting to rage on more. Nikita grabbed Michael's hand and kissed his palm.

"Thanks for saving me." Nikita says and Michael expels a large puff of air. He could not believe that Nikita still did not know.

"Nikita, I had to save you." Michael says as he bends down, and then slides his butt back down onto the hard wooden floor.

"No, you didn't." Nikita says as she looks at the Christmas tree. She smiles and drops her head again.

"You finished decorating it." Nikita says and Michael nods his head and strokes the underside of Nikita's chin.

"Yes. I thought you would like to see it." Michael says and Nikita nods her head.

"It is so beautiful." Nikita says and Michael lets out a little grunt of laughter. He had seen trees that were a hundred times as pretty.

"It is. Because you did it for me.. And you didn't have too." Nikita explains and coughs dryly. Michael looks at Nikita's blue eyes and smiles.

"Nikita, I know that this is not the Christmas that you planned, but I will make it up to you." Michael says and Nikita laughs softly.

"What more would I want from Christmas that to be with you and to have you waiting on me hand and foot?" Nikita asks with some laughter of her own. Michael leans in and places his face against hers. She was just a gentle person that wanted to be loved. Michael could only hope that he could give her that.

"Nikita, it is going to hurt when they move you…." Michael says softly and Nikita holds Michael's hand tightly.

"Worry about that when they get here." Nikita says softly. Michael nods his head and cups his hand against Nikita's face. He can't get enough of her strength, and her love. He searched her blue eyes intensely, and smiled broadly at her.

"I don't think I have ever seen you smile like that." Nikita comments and Michael strokes her head softly.

"It is for all the smiles you gave me. I want you to know that I will watch over you." Michael says, as there is noise from outside.

"Damn it's cold out there!" A male operatives yells as he enters the cabin, and Michael stands up.

"Nikita and Michael are saved!" some of the kids yells, but Belinda continues to sit. She looks at Madeline and folds her hands. Madeline raises her eyebrow at Belinda.

"The End." Madeline says, but it gets no response out of Belinda. She calmly tilts her head and stares at Madeline.

"Santa Claus doesn't come for a while, Madeline. Why don't you tell us the ending?" Belinda asks and Madeline raises an eyebrow again at the girl. Madeline did not understand how Belinda knew that there was more.

"Yes, Madeline. The ending." Operations calls out from his corner. Madeline looks at him and then at Belinda.

"My daddy told me more. I want to hear you tell it." Belinda says and Madeline brushes little Walter's face softly.

"Belinda, most of the children here are tired. You are right… Santa Claus is still not here for a while.. But he is coming." Madeline says and Belinda raises her head softly.

"I WANT MORE!" Belinda whines out. Madeline closes her eyes and stares at Operations. She watches someone walk in and tap him on the shoulder. Operations nods to Madeline and steps out. Madeline gives a silent prayer that they don't have to send a mission out on Christmas Eve.

"OK! I will tell you more!" Madeline says, giving into Belinda. The children sit down happily and wait for Madeline to continue.

*

"Michael…. Look at that Christmas tree. The lights have smiley faces!" Nikita says as Michael holds Nikita's hand as the operatives push the gurney towards Medlab. Birkoff stands up and walks over to the gurney, as they stop for Operations to see Nikita, before continuing.

"Nikita!" Birkoff cries out and Nikita tilts her head and smiles.

"Birkoff… your hair is red." Nikita says. Michael blinks and sees the Santa Hat on Birkoff's head. Michael touches Nikita head softly and looks at Birkoff.

"She is on a lot of pain medication. The trip was bad." Michael says and Birkoff nods his head, as he sees the massive wrapping on Nikita's leg. Birkoff swallows and smiles back at Nikita again.

"Operations just wants to see you before you go into Medlab. They are waiting for you… with bells on their feet." Birkoff says as he touches Nikita's hand and then turns away.

Nikita turns her head and looks up at the glass office. She shuts her eyes and grabs for Michael's hand. Michael bends down and wipes away her tears.

"Nikita, what is wrong?" Michael asks as a technician checks the IV bag.

"I don't want anymore medication. Now I'm seeing Christmas decorations in Operation's office." Nikita says and Michael smiles broadly.

"That is because there is." Michael says and Nikita turns her head sharply. She shakes her head as Madeline walks down the hallway.

"Why isn't she in Medlab?" Madeline asks Michael and he shrugs his shoulders. Madeline walks over and Nikita looks up to her eyes.

"Why are you dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus?" Nikita asks and Madeline smiles and looks to the waiting operatives.

"Take her now." Madeline orders. She grabs Michael to the side and they rush Nikita down to the waiting surgery room to put her leg back together again.

"You will be vital to her recovery." Madeline says and Michael nods his head. Michael waits as he hears loud jingle bells.

"HO! HO! HO!" Operations calls out, and Madeline, Michael, and Birkoff stare at the man. He looks at the three operatives and then at the empty hallway.

"Where is Nikita?" Operations asks and Michael and Madeline only blink their eyes.

"Madeline sent her down for surgery." Birkoff says and Operations pulls the beard off and frowns.

"I told you to keep her here!" Operations yells at Michael. Michael blinks his eyes and looks at the red suit on Operations.

"Where did you get that?" Madeline asks firmly.

"I borrowed it from Walter. I heard that the drugs where making Nikita a little loony.. And I thought I would give her a Christmas she would never forget!" Operations says. He shrugs his shoulders and then goes to the computers.

"Time to hand out some coal with cancellation notices." Operations says and he walks away. Michael stares at Madeline and sits down. The stress of the past few days weigh on his shoulders. Michael rolls his head back, knowing that Nikita was going to need constant care as the leg healed. He knew that he was already slated for that job.

"It is already a Christmas she won't forget. She was going to buy her own Christmas tree… and she bought me a special gift." Michael says and Birkoff touches Michael's hand.

"Christmas doesn't have to be December 25th, Michael. It can be when you want it to be, as long as you have the Christmas spirit." Birkoff says and Michael looks at Birkoff and then stands up to go wait in Medlab for Nikita's surgery to end.

*

Nikita's eyes fluttered open, and she looked into the soft light. She rolled her head to the side, feeling weighted down. She struggles to keep her eyes open and to wet her lips to speak.

"Michael." Nikita whispers out, and Michael pulls his head up from the chair and smiles at Nikita as he leans in towards her. He rubs her forehead softly as chains hold up her leg, as it is in a cast from hip to toe.

"How do you feel?" Michael asks and Nikita blinks her eyes and shrugs her shoulders. She looks around and then to Michael.

"What time is it?" Nikita asks and Michael glances at his watch and then back up to Nikita.

"About five minutes before midnight." Michael says and Nikita looks at him and Michael watches the thought being formed in his head.

"Is it still Christmas?" Nikita asks and Michael nods his head sadly. It might have been better had Nikita was still sleep. It was hard enough for her now.

"Yes, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita nods her head and kisses Michael's hand softly.

"One more song, please?" Nikita asks and Michael rubs her forehead softly.

"Nikita, you need your sleep." Michael protests and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"Please, Michael…. I missed most of Christmas. One more song. For me?" Nikita says and Michael leans back and kisses Nikita's own hand.

"Silent night…. Holy night.. all is calm.. all is bright…" Michael sings out as he watches Nikita cry softly. Michael's own voice trembles as he continues on, well into the next day.

"That is so sweet." One of the girls says softly and Madeline looks up at the door. She missed Michael and Nikita more and more by telling this story. She wish she knew where they were. Madeline watches the door open and Operations step back in.

"Michael was singing to Nikita?" Belinda asks loudly and Madeline raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, he did." Madeline says and Belinda starts to laugh loudly. Operations walks over and whispers something into Belinda's ear. She laughs and turns back to Madeline.

"So.. what happened next?" Belinda asks and Madeline smiles softly.

"Well… I had the pleasure of trying to get Nikita to use a wheelchair." Madeline says and Operations starts to bellow loudly.

"It was a game of Bowling Madeline over!!!" Operations laughs. He remembers the sight so much. Nikita had insisted on using crutches, but Madeline informed Nikita that around Section she would have to use the wheelchair until cast got cut down some. Madeline had put Nikita into the hallway with the wheelchair and showed Nikita how to push herself forward. What Madeline had neglected was to tell Nikita how to stop. Needless to say, after Madeline pulled her bruised body up off of the floor, Nikita was handed the crutches.

"Enough, Paul!" Madeline says tensely and he nods his head and walks back to his corner.

"When did Nikita have her Christmas?" Sandra politely asks and Madeline smiles. So the girl had learned. Maybe it was just for one day, but it was a beginning.

"About four weeks later…. But it is getting late…" Madeline says and Operations looks at his watch and then to Madeline.

"Not too late. Plus Birkoff has got a tracking device on Santa Claus this year, and he isn't around us yet." Operations says and Madeline nods her head. She was ordered to continue. The children moved closer and little Walter on her lap started to yawn.

*

Madeline had just turned back to the children, when Operations turned to the opening door. He nodded his head and let a figure slip into the room.

Nikita carefully stepped off of the elevator and started down the hallway. She was wearing a mini skirt, because with the large cast to her hip, not a lot could be worn. Nikita couldn't wait to sit down on her couch and strip the skirt off. Her arms ached from the entire day of moving around Section One.

Michael stepped out in front of her and walked to Nikita's door. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder and pulled out the key to Nikita's apartment. Nikita looked at the wreath still on the door and shook her head. She turned her head to look down the hallway.

"I asked you to take that down." Nikita comments and Michael looks at Nikita and nods his head.

"I haven't had a chance to get over here. I will do it sometime during this week." Michael says and Nikita stares at Michael and rolls her eyes. This was going to be a different kind of experience. Michael and Nikita, in Nikita's apartment, for a week. Nikita closed her eyes as she hands ached from the pressure of her body weight.

"Will you hurry up?" Nikita says, as the aches are starting to wear at her last nerve. Michael pushes the door open and steps back into the hallway. Nikita turns and looks into her apartment.

There was a large and fully Christmas tree with brightly colored Christmas gifts underneath the dark evergreen needles. It twinkled and Nikita started to cry. Michael stepped in behind her, not sure if she would continue to hold her strength.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Walter and Birkoff cry out as they walk out from the bathroom, and then Nikita leans back on Michael. Michael kisses her ear softly, and carefully picks her up. He places her down on the couch and closes the apartment door.

"It's so pretty…. When did you have the time?" Nikita asks and Michael rubs her face softly.

"I've had a lot of time." Michael says and Nikita tries to rub her tears away. Birkoff sits down on the floor and hands Nikita a box up from underneath the tree. Michael winks at Birkoff and Nikita opens the gift.

It is a large red pillow, laced with gold trimming and jewels. Nikita runs her fingers against the trim and nods her head.

"I love it, Birkoff." Nikita says and Birkoff laughs.

"Michael said you would need it." Birkoff says and Nikita looks at Michael. She has that half puzzled and half amazed look on her face.

"Nikita… you need to put your foot up. You have a small pillow for foot, but not one for underneath your bent knee." Michael says as he takes the pillow out of Nikita's hands and demonstrates. Nikita giggles and nods her head.

"Yes… I needed that." Nikita comments and Walter leans over Birkoff and hands Nikita another gift. Nikita carefully opens it and starts to laugh.

"Markers? Where are the coloring books?" Nikita laughs and Walter looks at Nikita's white cast. Nikita starts to shakes her head.

"Madeline told me to keep it white!" Nikita says and Walter laughs loudly, which soon spreads across the room, and soon Nikita is laughing.

"I know.. When was the last time I listened to Madeline!" Nikita laughs as she opens the box and starts to give Walter and Birkoff some markers. Nikita looks at Michael and raises an eyebrow. Michael takes the dark green marker and smiles.

Nikita laughs as Birkoff draws a computer face and then signs it. Walter was coloring in a smiley face and then putting stripes on "SUGAR" . Nikita looks at Michael, who has not moved and looks at him puzzled again. Walter puts the cap on his marker and hands it back to Nikita. Michael smiles at Nikita and places is hand on Nikita's waist.

"Can you roll over some?" Michael asks and Nikita does so. Nikita turns her head around over her shoulder to watch Michael start to write on the topmost part of her cast "Property of Michael's. Hands off." Michael smiles and then signs it.

"We can draw and create some more later….. Where are my gifts!" Walter calls out and Nikita laughs as she rolls back and blushes as she looks at Michael.

*

"Good night, Nikita." Walter says softly as he bends down and kisses Nikita's cheek. Nikita nods her head and holds onto Walter's hand for several seconds. Walter squeezes it and then moves on out of the apartment.

Michael closes the apartment door and walks back to Nikita. He looks underneath the tree and motions towards two gifts. He pulls them out and looks at Nikita.

"Open yours." Nikita says and Michael opens it quickly. Although on that real Christmas Eve, Nikita had told him what she had bought him, he as stunned by the sight of the gift. He had tried to find the clock for months, and Nikita somehow continued to search for it. Michael took a deep breath to maintain his composure and he turns to Nikita and motions to her last gift.

"Michael…. You have done so much all ready." Nikita says and Michael looks around and shrugs his shoulders.

"We all need Christmas." Michael says as he touches the gift and looks at Nikita with his green eyes glowing back at her.

Nikita pulled at the wrapping paper and opened the box. Within the box, was another box, wrapped up tightly. Nikita went through three boxes before out emerged a small black velvet box.

Michael heard Nikita suck in the air and he took the box and opened it for her. Nikita's eyes sparkled like the diamond earrings that twinkled at her from the box, as tears ran down her face. Nikita touched them quickly with her finger and then pulled her finger away.

"Michael…." Nikita says and he places two fingers on her lips.

"Merry Christmas, Nikita." Michael says and he then moves his fingers and kisses him softly.

"The END." Madeline pronounces and Belinda stands up and twirls around.

"I want to be like Nikita. Grow up tall and blonde, and with a bubbly smile!" Belinda says and Madeline laughs.

"But you have never met Nikita, darling." Madeline says and Belinda sits down quickly, as if she was guilty of doing something wrong. Madeline shakes her head lightly as Sandra raises her hand. Madeline is shocked by the politeness of the move.

"Where are Michael and Nikita now?" Sandra asks and Madeline nods her head.

"I believe they are together." Madeline says and the figure that was standing close to Operations starts to move away slightly.

"They were in Paris for a long time… Paul, are they still in Paris?" Madeline asks as she looks up at Operations. He shakes his head.

"I can't tell you." Operations says and Madeline nods her head.

"But are they together? Like my mom and dad are?" Sandra asks and Madeline stops herself from rolling her eyes. Gail was a good mother, don't get Madeline wrong, but she did not tone down her wild side yet.

"Yes. As much as they can be." Madeline says as she drops her head and then rubs her lip.

"I use to have tea with Nikita every other week, if she was around. I can not describe her well enough to you. You just have to meet her." Madeline says and Belinda smiles.

"She is like a fireball!" Belinda says.

"Belinda." Operations says and Belinda smiles and drops her head. Madeline shakes her head, not understanding what was going on there.

"I think of them every Christmas because of this story." Madeline says. Madeline looks down at little Walter. He is pointing behind Madeline's shoulder. Madeline looks at him and laughs slightly.

"What? Do you see an elf?" Madeline asks and little Walter shakes his head no.

"Sugar." Little Walter says and Madeline turns her head. There in the corner, stood a smiling Nikita waving at little Walter. Little Walter jumped off of Madeline's lap and ran to Nikita. Nikita picked him up and moved closer to Madeline.

"So what wild stories have you been telling them about me?" Nikita asks as she sets little Walter back down and Madeline stands up. She can not contain her emotions. She wraps her arms around Nikita and hugs her tightly.

"I have missed you." Madeline states and Nikita smiles and nods her head.

"I have missed you too." Nikita says and she steps back.

"And, I've brought a Christmas gift… or two." Nikita says with a smile and Madeline looks at her and then smiles.

"So, Michael is with you." Madeline says and Nikita drops a patent Michael blank stare down and looks at Madeline.

"Who said that?" Nikita asks and Madeline watches as Nikita walks back to the door. Madeline looks at Operations, and he smiles broadly at her.

"Merry Christmas" Operations mouths out and winks at her.

*

Madeline watches as Nikita walks out of the room and then opens the door. Madeline smiles as she sees Michael. Both of them bend over, and two darling children are held up.

Madeline looks at Operations and blinks. Nikita smiles tentatively and then walks closer to Madeline.

Madeline's mouth as not moved, as her eyes watch the little family walk closer to Madeline.

"I know that cold operatives aren't suppose to have families…" Nikita says, as she takes Madeline's shocked face as a face of anger. Madeline shakes her head and smiles at Nikita.

"This is Sarah… and Michael has Rudy." Nikita says and Madeline blinks back tears. She knows those names, and Nikita had known them too. Sarah was Madeline's sister. Rudy was the name of a mentally challenged adult that Section had to use.

"How old are they?" Madeline asks as she sees the perfect blending of Michael's and Nikita's genes. Nikita smiles.

"They are Christmas babies." Nikita says and Michael looks at Madeline and parts his mouth.

"Our Christmas babies. They were born last January 25th." Michael says and Madeline blinks her eyes as tears of joy run from her eyes. Nikita smiles and hands Sarah over to Madeline.

"Twins. And you two maintained a cover? How?" Madeline asks as Sarah grabs at Madeline's hair but it does not matter. Belinda stands up as Michael lets Rudy down to the floor.

"HELLO, RUDY. Remember me?" Belinda asks and Nikita turns her head away as Madeline suddenly pieces it all together.

"Birkoff knew!" Madeline says and Nikita nods her head and she looks over to Operations. Madeline shakes her head as Operations shrugs his shoulders.

"I thought you would be happy for us." Nikita says as she leans against Michael. Madeline touches Sarah's noise and nods her head.

"Yes, Yes I am." Madeline says and the little kids start to cheer.

The door slams open. Walter bounds over to the group.

"Walter?" Madeline asks. Walter had not been in Headquarters for over a year. Madeline was upset when Operations sent him out on retirement.

"Hey, ya, Madeline. Sugar… you left this out…. Looks like another expansion." Walter says as he hands over the stick and Nikita blushes and turns her head away from Michael.

"Walter… it was to be a Christmas gift." Nikita says and Michael wraps his hands around Nikita's waist and leans into her.

"Close enough." Michael says as he kisses Nikita's ear softly. Madeline holds onto Sarah. Walter hadn't retired, Operations sent him off to help Michael and Nikita.

"When are you leaving?" Madeline asks as she hands Michael Sarah back. Nikita smiles and looks at Operations.

"It seems as if Operations wants to be a grandfather of some sorts. We are here to stay." Nikita says and Madeline smiles.

"Merry Christmas to all.. And to all a good night." Operations says loudly and leaves. Madeline looks to the door and the magically family to her side. Belinda was playing with Rudy, and he was giggling loudly. Little Walter had pulled himself up onto the rocking chair and had fallen asleep. Michael and Nikita leaned against each other as Walter pulled Sarah up in the air to make her into an airplane.

"He is right. I do not want to miss anything else from here on out." Madeline says and Nikita smiles.

"Michael…. Looks like we have a babysitter volunteer!" Nikita cries out and Madeline smiled. She couldn't wait to start.

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