TAKEN

(Sounds of winds play over this whole section)

"Michael and Nikita have been excellent these past two months." Operations says looking down from his glass perch.

"Because they have something to live for." Madeline says from behind Operations.

"They always had something to live for...life." Operations says quietly.

"And what life did they have before now?" Madeline asks looking directly at Operations.

"I am surprized how well they have covered it here..." Operations changes the question.

"There is a chance they could get cancelled." Madeline says raising her eyebrows.

"NOW? I never had two operatives work so well together." Operations says.

"The last one was you and Maddie," an old voice says from the darkened corner.

Maddie and Operations turn around and see a very sickly bald man in a wheelchair.

"Sir, glad to see you." Operations says. Madeline hugs the man."I thought you had retired to the islands," Operations says.

"I'm still watching over you. You're still hurting Maddie like always." the man says, and starts to cough.

"Oh, sir..need some water?" Madeline asks."No...I only have a day or two left. I needed to speak to you two." the man says painfully.

Operations and Madeline stand on either side of the wheelchair.

"Look what I have done with you two...hiding your feelings (cough) ...Operations... you're having problems with this Michael and Nikita because they have what I saw in you and Maddie... when you two (cough) took over I thought (cough) that you would change some of the harshness (Cough) ...You still need to cancel...but (cough) (cough) do not deny love (cough) (cough) (cough) I have a family now... Operations.. yours before section can not be put back together..but you and Maddie... (cough) (cough) ...Ahhh...love..and let those love" the old man said pointing out the window. With that, the old man left..coughing.

"They have never worked better." Madeline says walking back to the window.

"Letting it go on freely...soon they would be reporting late..and wanting to leave early." Operations says as he walks to the window.

"It isn't happening now. We have the bugs...we know that it is more than friendship..." Madeline says raising an eye.

Down below, Nikita is sitting in a common area with Michael, working on a computer.

"Have I hurt you like we've made Michael hurt Nikita?" Operations asks as he pulls Madeline to face him.

"Yes." Madeline says.

"And you still..." Operations says.

"You can't say the word! After all of these years you still can't say the word!" Madeline says loudly, pulling away.

"I love you Madeline." Operations says firmly.

"Just like Nikita...I take all that you give, and dream for more." Madeline says walking away.

Operations looks down at Michael and Nikita. He looks back at Madeline."I won't displine them...make them stronger...we know they will be weak when the one is used over the other.." Operations says.

"It has already been proven." Madeline says softly.

"Now we make it their strength. More training... more classes... so that they learn to know what the other is thinking." Operations says.

_________________________________________________

"Well, I've put my time in today, since no missions came up," Nikita said standing up from the computer.

"Go home." Michael says loudly ... for the benefit for everyone.

"Will you be by?" Nikita says into his ear as she hugs him goodbye.

"I have a meeting with Madeline. I'm even staying here tonight." Michael says.

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

The next morning.

"Have you seen Nikita this morning?" Michael asks Birkoff, who is sitting at the computer.

"If you haven't seen her she's not here." Birkoff says without looking up from the screen.

"Can you tell me if she is at home?" Michael asks, tapping the computer screen.

"You're just going to have to call her." Birkoff says in a smug tone.

"Why don't you just check the bugs?" Michael asks with an annoyed tone.

"They were turned off." Birkoff mutters.

"Turned off?" Michael asks.

"Yes...probably got sick of hearing you and Nikita..." Birkoff starts to say smartly and stops when Michael puts his hand on his shoulder. "Sorry Michael...why don't you call her?" Birkoff says.

"Please tell me you didn't listen to all the bugs?" Michael says angry.

"Only the days Operations told me too...you are one lucky man...I mean if I ...had..." Birkoff starts and then stops when the same hand reaches his shoulder. "Call her."

Michael walks two steps away and flips out his cell phone. He dials her number quickly and gets nothing but a busy signal. "Birkoff, do me a favor and monitor Nikita's phone line and tell me when it's no longer busy." Michael says walking towards Madeline's office.

Madeline turns into the hall and meets Michael while she was heading towards her office."I was hoping to speak to you and Nikita." Madeline says as she opens her office.

"Nikita is not here yet." Michael says with a stiff yawn.

"Oh?" Madeline asks.

"I was here all night." Michael says firmly.

"Does this have anything to do with the bugs being deactivated in Nikita's apartment?" Michael asks.

"Yes." Madeline says. She picks up her phone, and she tries to dial Nikita.

"Busy?""Still? She doesn't have anyone to talk to..." Michael says surprised.

"Something is wrong...""Birkoff...is someone from Section talking to Nikita?" Madeline asks.

"No. Sounds like Nikita just put her phone off the hook...I tried her cell...no answer." Birkoff says.

Michael stands up quickly."Something is wrong. I'll go and see." Michael says turning to leave.

"Michael, she wouldn't try..." Madeline says asking Michael an important question.

"She wouldn't now." Michael says leaving.

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

A hard knock at Nikita's door as Michael stands outside her apartment. Silence. Another hard knock. Michael only hears silence. There is no music..she's not taking a shower. He pulls out his key and opens the door. (an emphasized heartbeat is heard while Michael searchs the room). With the first crack, Michael knows something happened. In stepping inside the apartment, he steps in coffee grinds. The couch is overturned. Chairs are broken in halves. Michael pulls his gun out. He steps over the fallen garbage can. In the kitchen, are the first signs that someone was hurt, little droplets of blood line the counter. In the wall, several knifes are embedded, as if someone threw them. Michael rushes through the apartment...searching each room...she's not in the bathroom, not the bedroom...Only noise is Michael's footsteps and his beating heart.

"Nikita" Michael says softly when he stands in the middle of the apartment, turning in circles. (heart beat stops) Michaels' cell phone rings loudly.

"Michael...Nikita has been taken." Birkoff says.

"Do we know if she is alive?" Michael asks.

"Found blood?" Birkoff asks quickly.

"Yes." Michael answers as he looks around, hoping Nikita left a sign.

"I'm sending a team over. We have visual...and audio...better get back in." Birkoff says.

_________________________________________________

Michael is in Madeline's office with Madeline, Operations and Birkoff.

"Michael...this is graphic." Madeline warns as she turns the screen around for him to view.

"I figured so." Michael says.

Birkoff touches a few buttons. And a close up of Nikita on a bed. She is sitting still. A man enters the picture and rubs against Nikita's cheek. The picture pulls back and shows Nikita in a tiny nightgown. The screen cuts and shows.

"Michael...she's not all yours!"

"What the hell!" Michael screams.

The tape continues with Nikita and the man. She is laughing and giggling as the man kisses her neck.

"It's amazing how a little drug can change a woman." The words pop up on the screen.

"Loving2000." Michael mutters as the screen changes to saying the same exact thing. The picture goes close up on Nikita's eye...they appear glassed over. She mutters 'stop' while her body performs the act the master has given her.

"But with not enough Loving2000, you achieve the same effect while the person is aware of it...therefore screwing with their minds..." The screen puts up.

"Michael oh Michael..." Nikita moans while the guy makes more moves.

"I'll return her and you can cancel her because she'll be mentally ruined. HA HA HA!"

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

"Do we know where?" Michael asks as he pushes the screen away.

"No." Operations says.

"Any idea who in here has her?" Michael asks.

"I've tried to run some odds of who it could be...but it could be anyone." Birkoff says somberly.

"And how did they get Loving2000?" Michael asks.

"Computer glitch after we got the drug in our possession...all computers were sent info and the makeup of the drug." Birkoff confesses.

"And it can make her loony...crazy...if this person or persons is using like they say they are?" Michael asks softly.

"It would be like knowing everything that is going on...and not being able to do anything...the most powerful way to rape a person." Madeline says, pausing to bite her lip.

"The crew is done at Nikita's. They didn't find anything... but maybe if you look over the photos, you can find something." Operations says nicely.

"What's our plan?" Michael asks.

"Wait and see." Operations says leaving.

Michael looks horrified.

Madeline gives Michael a piece of paper... Inside job...can't talk of plan here. Meet at the park east of town. 6 pm...

Michael stands up. "I'm going to get those pictures. Can I have the tape?"

"I don't think you need to watch it..." Madeline starts to protest.

"Maybe I can find something more." Michael says.

Madeline nods and hands over the tape.

_________________________________________________

Lyrics from "Voices of the Night" by David Arkenstone

Michael sits at his desk looking at the hundred plus pictures of Nikita's apartment.

Listen close and you will hear
voices of the night
secrets they will tell whisper in your ear
listen to the voices of the night

Michael stares at picture of Nikita's closet...clothes ripped from hangers. There was a large amount of blood found there. Michael flips to the enlargement of a blood spatter. It was the superman symbol...which between them had become a symbol of the Section.

"She knows it was a Section person." Michael says into a tape recorder.

A song comes through the trees
it's a magic breeze

A picture of the couch. All overturned and stuffing taken out. Something was odd...Michael pulled out another enlargement of the couch..where some blood was found. No symbol in the blood..but off to the right of the blood...pen...'I luv' it wrote in purple pen.

"Oh Nikita!" Michael sighed.

sailing along just like a dream
under the starry skies...
finally the voice is clear to me
calling to us to fly into the night...

He looks at a picture of the bed. The lab said that nothing occured there. Michael guessed that the drug wasn't in Nikita's system yet, and she struggled. the bed, rumpled sheets...where he should have been last night...A pillow perpendicular to the headboard...Nikita hugs a pillow when he isn't there. He knows Nikita...they didn't fight on the bed.

watch the ripples in your hand
stars become the light
trees upon the shore
whisper in the wind
listen to the voices of the night

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

The park was dark as Michael walked by the swings. At a table, sat the entire team from before, including Walter.

"Nikita would laugh," Michael said sighing.

"Yes, she sure would..exiled from our own headquarters." Walter said in agreement.

Michael sat down next to Birkoff, who of course had a computer.

"Did you see anything in the pictures?" Operations asked.

"You seem concerned over Nikita...I don't get it." Michael said as he pulled out the few pictures he noticed things on.

"Nikita is an asset to the Section." Operations says, now looking at the pictures.

"This is a symbol we developed for the Section," Michael said pointing out the superman S.

"So she knew...the person had to know we turned off the bugs." Madeline said.

"The couch...she was..." Michael starts and chokes up.

"We know..next one." Madeline says softly.

"I know nothing occured on the bed. When she sleeps alone, she hugs a pillow." Michael said with the next picture.

"Good. We found the man she was with...but he is dead before we could get any info." Madeline tells Michael.

"My sources on the street told me some interesting things...some big shot is auctioning off a gorgous babe...big money. The description matches Nikita's." Walter tells the rest.

"Being sold...who is this person?" Birkoff asks in anger.

"We've narrowed it down to 20 operatives...20 too many." Operations says with rare emotion.

"And how long will it take to cause Nikita to go crazy?" Michael asks Madeline.

"Oh, there is probably already massive mental trauma...Michael technically she is being raped." Madeline sets down firmly.

"Hey, Mic...Nikita is a fighter," Walter says.

"I have incoming..." Birkoff calls out.

A picture of Nikita bound to the bed, another guy kissing her. "I'm not on your list!!!!!!" the screen shows.

Nikita is laughing, as the drug makes her."Maybe I'll lessen the dose...tick tock..tick tock.." the screen pops up again. The picture sweeps around in a circle. Showing the guy lick Nikita's stomache. "Let's give them a private room." says the screen and a black screen in put up...but the audio is left on...screams of passion are heard...End transmission.

"They're after me." Michael says plainly.

"That 20 are 20 who have something against you." Operations says plainly also.

"Walter...how often is this auction?" Michael asks.

"Two three times a day...but they don't come out." Walter says firmly.

"But we know how to get someone in." Michael says. "Can I have a tape?"

"Michael...why don't you just look at it again here?" Madeline said in a worried tone.

"No, I need to slow it down...might miss a clue." Michael says firmly.

"It wasn't traceable." Birkoff says as he pulls down the screen.

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

Lyrics from "Far Far Away" by David ARkenstone.

Nikita is slumped in the bed. Her head spinning. She knows she is Nikita...but can't say it. She can't yell help...but is screaming in her head. That camera in the room is to Michael...she knows this. She struggles to keep her eyes open.

I'm lost in a dream far way...
lost in a dream

Michael sits in his office. Watching the tape..frame by frame. A close up of Nikita's eyes, slowly expanding to show her nose and mouth. Not hurt yet. He rubs his hair back.

"Nik... I should have come over.." he says outside.

Madeline stands outside his door with Operations. They both look at the time and walk away, knowing that Michael would be in the same place come morning.

the snows have fallen...
the sky is full of winter...
the wind is calling me from far far away

Nikita flips around in the bed...the door to the right opens again. A man who took her out of her apartment enters again. He slowly injects her again...Nikita wanted to move...but the drug...what was the name of the drug? She can no longer recall it...

"Didn't I know you?" Nikita slurs out...she did know him when he entered her apartment...she worked with him...but couldn't remember where.

the days grow colder...
there is no sound to hear...
the light turns into shadow far far away

"What is that?" Michael perks up as a window is seen in the room. Pulling the video to a stop...he looks closer. He knows that it is a window. He places a square around the window and enlarges it...Out the window...a building... not many trees.. He enlarges again..

"I know where this is!" Michael says pulling out a map.

I touch the night
the darkness will surround me...
I watch the clouds as they disappear above me...
I dream of the moon
I reach for the Sun
awaken to the light

Nikita moans...A name is called out...who? Josphine? I'm not her..am I? Nikita...who is Nikita? Please not another man...I don't want to ...stop stop stop stop stop stop....Please just the one...that has my key...who has the blondish/brown wavey hair...just him...not this prick...please...no no no no no no no no no.

The only image Nikita is thinking of is sitting next to the man, and working on a computer...must be her job...

I'm lost in a dream far away...
lost in a dream

A tiny knock at Michael's office, and Madeline enters...with a large yawn. "Find something?" She questions with tired eyes.

"I know which building she's being held in." Michael says. He pulls out a large poster size enlargement. "Corner of Harvard and Vine." Michael says, pointing at the building know as the Vine upon Harvard.

"This morning you have an auction to attend." Madeline says with a half smile.

the dawn is here...
the sky is full of wonder...
a song of spring grows near...
from far far away...

Nikita looks out the window as another guy kisses her stomache.

from far far away....

"Michael has located her...he is going to auction as soon as possible...set it up." Madeline tells Walter.

from far far away....

"Team has to be us..it might tip our internal scum off." Birkoff says to Madeline.

"You, me and Walter...Michael inside." Madeline responds.

from far far away...

Michael pulling on a jacket to leave for the auction.

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

"They auction big..."Walter's words ring as Michael enters the park in which he was told about. A big man stops him

"What ya here for?" The man says flexing his muscles in front of Michael's face.

"Heard I can get a beauty to do what I want." Michael says. He is wearing a latex mask to disquise his face...but by the body, we can tell it's Michael.

"This isn't for the small scale man." the man said continuing to flex his muscles.

"I have 50,000 with me here...not hard to get more." Michael says flashing the money in a briefcase.

The man looks at the money and lets Michael pass. "I'm sure you'll get a crack at that babe." the man laughs as Michael walks towards a little crowd.

There are many with large briefcases like Michaels...but none had instructions like Michael to win the auction at any price.

"She'll do anything you want her too." A guy in the middle of the crowd says.

"3,000 dollars!" an older man calls out."That can't even buy her leg!" the auctionneer laughs out.

"10,000 dollars!" a younger man screams out.

Some of the guys pat his back.

"Do the lady justice!" the auctionneer calls out.

"15,000 dollars!" Michael calls out.

The men turn around and look at him.

Finally Michael can see the man in the middle is Theo from the Medlab of Section.

"I'm Theo..and you are?" Theo says as he walks over to his new bidder.

"Hal Ralends." Michael answers and shakes Theo's hand.

"20,000 dollars!" a young guy yells out.

"I'll pay 40,000 dollars," Michael says firmly. All noise stops.

"Sold."

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

Michael sat inside the limo that was taking him to Nikita. He knew the team had been monitoring the building. They would take it down once Michael was with Nikita. He frowned out the window as he thought about his last conversation with Madeline.

"Michael, this mission is different." Madeline said.

"How? I take all possible means to reclaim and bring back Nikita." Michael says firmly.

"No. When you're with Nikita...your not to at any time...there is no question..." Madeline stampers around what she is trying to say.

"Madeline?" Michael asks, kind of sensing what Madeline is saying.

"You will not have sex with her. It would destroy her now. We'd never get her back." Madeline says very firmly.

"What if...?" Michael asks blankly. In all missions before sex if needed was always used.

"All others have had fetishes...handcuffs...well you better develop one." Madeline said while coming close to Michael.

"She will remember everything clearly when the drug wears off. She can't remember everything now...but she will know that while in this position that you were there...You are her only hope." Madeline whispers.

"I understand." Michael says with a few blinks of his eyes. He backed up.

"I think you better read these for the rest of the mission. After Nikita has been retrived...well it's only the beginning." Madeline says handing over a pile of books...Rape and Rage...Will I ever be Intimate again? Life after Rape...THe next step:Trusting.

Michael swallows hard."To get Loving2000 cleansed out of her body will take a few days...I can't speculate how she will be." Madeline says leaving her own office.

Michael sits in the limo and swallows hard again. It hit him hard when he read the first chapter of just one book. This mission seemed impossible. He was the only one who could save her? Save her? He wondered if at this point if god was the only one who could save her. Of course that was an unacceptable though in Section...and for him. Nikita had become his ife.

_________________________________________________

"Sir, I had to speak to you again," Operations says to the old man, who is now in a bed, breathing laborly.

"Nikita...has Michael retrived her yet?" the man asked softly.

"In progress." Operations says firmly as he sits down by the bed.

"Let them.....heart is stronger than will...missions will suit them...you see that already...They make better husband and wife when they aren't fighting." The man says.

"What do I do if we can't reclaim Nikita's mental state?" Operations asks. He looks worried.

"Michael...if he loves her..won't allow that..." the man says slowly.

"You be good to Madeline." The man says and closes his eyes.

Operations looks up at the man...not just his superior...his father is dying..and all he is worried about is Nikita and Michael...Michael and Nikita. He had been trained by the best...and still now has more to learn.

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

* the next one is named taken back... I think you know why. :)

"Oh beauty..." Michael muttered as he leaned down on the bed Nikita laid upon. He rubbed her hair. So blonde...so soft. He placed his face in the hair..it still smelt the same.

"Do I know you?" Nikita asked softly. Her mixed up mind knew him. She looked at this face..familar..but couldn't connect a name.

"You'll know me..." Michael said as he continued to rub her hair...touching her face smoothly. Soon the place will be rushed...of course Nikita didn't know it was really him..the mask and all.

"You're face is different..." She said as she placed a hand against. He shuttered a worry. Please Nikita...know I am here to help you.

She leaned up against his ear. "Save me" she strained to say.

Michael sat up and took his shirt off. Nikita ran a hand down it...stopping near the ribs..a tiny scar..

"M..i.." Nikita started and Michael kissed her hard.

"Nikita let me save you...don't fight the drugs...just a bit longer..." Michael yelled within his head. Noise is heard outside the hallway...Michael dives over Nikita as the operatives storm the room

"Michael..." Nikita struggles to say. Michael pulls out a syringe and quickly gives Nikita a sediative.

"I have to" Michael says as he looks in Nikita's eyes as she soon is drugged into a sleep.

Everyone has been captured. Madeline walks into the room. She bends down and rubs Nikita's face. Michael is sitting on the edge of the bed.

"The medic team is almost here." Madeline says looking at Michael.

"So now is the hard part." Michael says, realizing the mission is hardly over. It might never be over.

"I know it's not a Section belief that we say...but the only thing that will save her is love." Madeline says standing upright, and walks out.

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

TAKEN BACK

Lyrics from "Taken by the Wind" by David Arkenstone

Michael stands within Nikita's room in the Medlab. The process of exspelling Loving2000 from her body is long and tedious. She had been sediated, but they have stopped that. She now sleeps, and can wake up when she wants. Michael walks in and out of the room. Wanting to be there for her when she wakes up. Outside the room Michael takes a deep breathe, rubs his hair out of his face, and rubs the two day growth on his face. A small moan comes from her room.

It's a mystery...
when love comes in your door...
and you know you won't be lonely any more...

Still not fully awake, Nikita tosses side to side. Michael comes to her side and pushes her sweat soaked hair out of her face.

"Shh...I'm here Nikita."

all those feelings
I have locked within my heart...
now your gentle wind is blowing them apart.....

"No! No! No!" Nikita screams and sits up violently. Sensing the white room, she lays back down and looks to her side..."Michael..I think..leave!" she cries out in horror.

Michael stays away..not touching her "Nikita. I stay." Michael says firmly.

"Please...no no go ...go!" Nikita says as she curls up in a ball.

"I stay....here with you." Michael says looking at Nikita's eyes and tears. He longs to wipe them, but knows not yet.

taken by the wind--never be alone again--
in your arms tonight---holding on until the morning light
hold me tonight.

Soon Nikita's body relaxes and she drifts back to sleep.

Michael sits on the edge of her bed and rubs her hair as she cries in her sleep.

once again there's a jewel in my hand...
and I won't let you go because now I understand...
when I am with you I know nothing can go wrong...
still the gentle wind of love is blowing strong...
hold me tonight

Madeline walks by and sees Michael. "I hope this works." Madeline thinks to herself.

Operations sits in his office. His father is gone. He will never see his son. Nothing left...except Section, and Maddie. "Can I allow myself too?" he thinks.

Michael is talking to Nikita in whispers. "When you are better, we'll go to a cabin and just live off the woods for vacation. Or we will go back to Florida..." Michael looks around..."God Nikita...I can't live without you...you have to get better."

it's a mystery...
when love comes in your door...
now I know I won't be...
lonely any more

Madeline walks into Operations' office. He looks depressed.

"What is it?" Madeline asks.

"He is gone." Operations says looking at the corner.

"Your father just gave you the best gift you will ever recieve." Madeline says as she walks over to him.

"And what's that?" Operations asks turning towards Madeline.

"Freedom to love...and to be loved."

Michael has left the room.

Nikita awakes, and is crushed."I have to move on, or be canceled." Nikita says out loud.

Michael enters the room and with a rush of emotion rubs Nikita's face. She looks stern...

"NO Ni-kita...don't..." Michael says in horror."I'm fine Michael. When do I go home?"

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

"When do I get to go home?" Nikita asked from her bed in the Medlab. That had been the only topic of conversation between her and anyone.

"Nikita...about what happened..." Michael started two days later.

He and Madeline agreed that it might be easier for Nikita to open up at home, since her body no longer had Loving2000 in her system. Yet, Madeline knew taking Nikita home might be the hardest thing Michael ever did, and they had no idea what would happen.

"When do I get to go home?" Nikita said coldly. That had been the nature of the past two days. She was cold to everyone. She didn't hit away from men, just was cold. The only time she wasn't cold had been while she slept.

"You can go home..." Michael started, and Nikita jumped up and ran towards the bathroom. "But, I have to be with you." Michael finished. Nikita stopped in her tracks.

"But...you can't." Nikita slowly said.

Michael saw in the mirror a face of pain. Pain that Nikita was trying to hide. 'God, she is trying to be me.' Michael thought.

"You haven't eaten anything while in the Medlab, and I'm worried about you." Michael said touching her shoulder. Nikita pulled away violently. Finally an expression of her pain.

"I'd rather be alone." Nikita said as she brushed her hair, staring into the mirror.

"Well, then be alone in the Medlab." Michael said walking away. Guilt flooded his system, he couldn't lie to her now...while she is down. If Michael was going to retrieve Nikita from the dark, he was going to have to tell the truth.

"FINE! FINE!" Nikita screamed and threw the brush. "ALL YOU WANT IS A GIRL WHO SAYS YES MICHAEL...CAN I DO MORE MICHAEL...HOW CAN I PLEASE YOU MORE MICHAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nikita yelled and she buckled. Slowly she slid down the wall into a crumpled heap of a crying body.

Michael sat down on the floor next to Nikita."Nikita...can I touch you...I don't want too ..." Michael asked tenderly, afraid what she was thinking.

Nikita nodded yes tentitively.

Michael touched her arm, and helped turn her back towards him so he could craddle the crying girl. Michael hugged her tightly as Nikita cried and cried. Soon she drifted to sleep. Michael stayed on the floor, even as his legs hurt from the angle.

"Take her home." Madeline said softly as she entered the room. Madeline looked tired and was dressed in all black. The operatives were probably joking that Madeline pulled a 'Michael'.

Michael looked up worried."I know. You're scared. You haven't felt that way in a long time." Madeline said walking away.

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

The hairdryer ran loudly from the bathroom. Nikita had taken a shower and Michael worried from inside the next room.

"Nikita...is everything fine?" Michael called out. He was worried that Nikita had passed out because she had eaten maybe a cracker or two.

Madeline was right. Once home, Nikita showed more symptoms of her pain...yet the usually talkative Nikita had remained quiet. The hairdryer drowned on. Michael stood up and walked towards the bathroom door and knocked.

"Nikita...isn't your hair dried yet?" Michael said. When there was no response, he opened the door a crack. There sat Nikita staring at the mirror, crying and holding the hairdryer in one spot.

"Nikita..." Michael said as he entered the room and pulled the hairdryer away. Already, the area was red and tender. He pulled Nikita away from her stare. Her eyes looked millions of miles away.

"Talk to me Nikita." Michael pleaded. Soon, Nikita focused on his eyes and moved away.

"When do we get our next mission?" Nikita asked.

"Nikita...Section has changed...please talk." Michael continued to beg.

"Do you like this picture?" Nikita asked pointing to a painting, like she heard not a word Michael said.

"Nikita...let me love you...let me take on your pain...let us be one...Nikita..." Michael continued.

Nikita stopped in her tracks. She turned around."I can't look at anything without seeing one of their faces...their laughs...their..groans. I see it in the mirror, I see it in the rug, I hear it in music, I see it in the dishes..over and over and over and over and over and over and over..." Nikita says firmly with tears running down her face.

"And do you see it when you see me?" Michael asked.

Nikita bites her lip."Yes..."

"No..."

"I see light and darkness...I see you." Nikita says.

"Nikita, we're going to get through this." Michael says firmly.

"With you...I'm not so scared." Nikita says, flying towards him for a hug. Hugs have ruled. As she awake from sleep caused by nightmares.

"I'm scared too...scared that I won't get you back." Michael admits.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael has run into Section to grab some paper work that has to be finished.

Nikita had made the night without a nightmare, and she ate the entire breakfast that Michael had prepared. On a rating of 1 to 10, Michael felt like an 9.

"So Nikita is doing good?" Walter asked Michael as he walked by.

Michael stopped."Yeah, you can tell by what she eats. If she isn't eating, it's bad...but if she eats it is getting better." Michael said in a boasting voice.

"Michael, where is Nikita?" Madeline says as she walks toward the two talking men.

"At home...I came in for..."

"AT HOME...BY HERSELF? GOD, MICHAEL, ARE YOU INSANE?" Madeline roars. She picks up the phone.

"Birkoff, turn on Nikita's bugs now...do as I say."

"Madeline, she looked really good today. We talked alot last night, and she slept the whole night without a nightmare...and she ate..." Michael said, now scared again.

The phone buzzed, and Madeline picked it up."Madeline..." Birkoff said with an urgent tone.

"What is it Birkoff?" Madeline hurried.

"Why did Michael leave a gun?" Birkoff said.

Madeline slammed the phone down. She slams Michael into the wall. "Listen to me now. You break every law and get back to that apartment...let Walter drive...And you don't leave her side until she can prove to you she can move on. Do you hear me?" Madeline says loudly.

Michael swallows hard.

Walter pulls Madeline off..."Come on, three minutes and we'll be there." Walter chuckles...not knowing what is happening.

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

Michael flew throught the door and Walter was not far behind. Michael rushed into the bedroom and found Nikita on the bed...gun pointing toward her face. 'How many times she had threatened to do the same exact some thing' Michael thought to himself.

"Stay away!" she screamed and turned the gun toward Michael.

He stopped in his tracks. Hand up in the air, he moved away from the bed.

"Ni-kita...it's going to be alright." Michael said in a soothing voice.

"You get raped by 10 or 12 women and have no control over your body and be conscious of every damn moment...and then tell yourself it is going to be alright!" Nikita hollered.

Walter is heard at the door. "Carla...it's not a good time." and the front door shuts.

"If it would make you feel better...I'll do it. I'll go get raped like you did. Hey Walter..." Michael said.

Nikita cried. "It wouldn't make you feel any better. You'll never feel better about this...you need to cry, you need to scream, you need to think, and you need to go on...and you need to put the gun down." Michael said softly as he moved towards the bed.

Nikita dropped the gun onto the pillow in front of her.

Walter is now at the doorway.

Michael quickly throws the gun to Walter and smothers Nikita with hugs as her body contorts through sobs of pain.

Walter shuts the door.

"Remember when in Medlab I told you of how when you felt better I'd take you somewhere...like a nice little cottage in the mountains...or a condo on the beach...I think we should make plans..." Michael said as Nikita sobbed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"She's asleep." Michael said as he exited the door and rubbed his face.

Walter was sitting on the couch."Looks like you need some yourself." Walter said with his rough voice.

"Nah, I need to call Madeline..." Michael said as he picked up the phone.

"Not tonight Michael. She had some business to attend to." Walter said. "She called."

"Oh." Michael said running his hands through his hair.

"Go take a shower...can't think Nikita likes smelling the like of you." Walter said waving his hand.

Michael cracks a gentle smile."And if she wakes up?" Michael worries.

"I'll watch her." Walter says.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael stands in the shower, letting the hot steamy water pelt his face. He turns around and lets the water beat against his stress tightened neck muscles. He rubs the soap across his body, but he heaves in pain. He leans against the shower wall... "Nikita, come back to me...please...she is me..." Michael cries out. The stress has beaten him down. He tries to stand up, but can image what Nikita feels. "Please forgive me Nikita...I would have come here...had I only thought...god it was my fault...all my fault!" Michael screams.

"No it wasn't." Nikita says from inside the bathroom.

Shooting back up straight, Michael pokes his head out of the shower curtain and sees Nikita standing there.

"I never blamed you for that." Nikita said.

Michael stared at her...a slight glimmer of hope shined in her eyes.

"We're going to make it Nikita. We are going to."

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

"I hear that Nikita is doing much better," Operations says as Michael stands in his office.

"The time has helped her truly heal...heal more than just this." Michael says still worried about what to say.

"Don't worry Michael. I accept that you and Nikita are much better together than when apart. I know things have changed a lot with the past 14 days you've spent at Nikita's." Operations says with a smile.

Michael is taken back.

"Where is Nikita now?" Operations asks.

"With Madeline. There are just some things Nikita needs a woman for." Michael says.

"So you want some time away from Nikita's apartment?" Operations asks.

"Yes..be it a hotel..something." Michael says.

"I know this lovely place right outside of Venice," Operations says.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Nikita, you're looking well." Madeline says at the amazingly glowing Nikita.

"I couldn't have done it without Michael." Nikita smiles, but the expression changes."I'm scared Maddie..." Nikita says.

"Why?" Madeline says sitting down."I want to be closer with Michael...but what if...you know I .." Nikita stutters through.

"He'd understand." Madeline says. "There is something else?"

Nikita pauses and wrings her hands together.

"Nikita?" Madeline asks.

"Will I always feel so empty when I think about this....it wasn't all bad...me and Michael..we know each other." Nikita says.

"Emptiness...it will always hurt...but in different ways." Madeline says. Madeline swallows hard, as she doesn't add information.

Michael knocks at the door. Nikita walks over and lets him in.

"Operations is letting us go to a little bed and breakfast outside of Venice." Michael announces.

Madeline smiles. She knows the location well.

"I'd like to speak to Michael...this has been rough on him." Madeline says.

Nikita exits.

"You two will connect there." Madeline says sitting down.

"You know it too?" Michael asks, connecting two and two.

"Continue your train of thought Michael, it's correct." Madeline smiles.

"You're worried about Nikita?" Michael asks.

"We withheld some information." Madeline says slowly.

"So much for a new Section." Michael huffs.

"Michael, when Nikita came in, she was three days pregnant, by one of those men. The drugs killed it. We didn't plan of ever mentioning it again." Madeline said with a little remorse.

"Why are you telling me?" Michael asks.

"Nikita is feeling empty. It's probably her maternal instincts, so you know." Madeline says.

"I guess I have to feel that hole too."

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

Nikita and Michael are snuggled together on the couch. Watching a fire, images of the past week roll by. They had fun riding in the cannels of Venice...did some shopping for Michael...the laughed at some roaming street clowns...they ate a very expensive hotel.

"Michael..." Nikita said looking towards him.

"MMM?" Michael responded.

"Make love to me." Nikita said.

"What?" Michael responded more shocked.

"Make love to me." Nikita said again as she entertwined her hand with his.

"Are you ready?" Michael asked worriedly. He searched her face for any fear...he didn't want to move to quickly.

"I want to." Nikita said as she kissed his cheek.

Michael kissed her deeply.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

They are covered by covers in bed. Michael holds on to Nikita's body.

"You're crying," Michael says as he rubs the tears away from her eyes.

"Not because I'm sad,,,because I am happy." Nikita explains.

"Then I'm crying too."

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