Nikita sat up in bed, drenched in sweat. She shoved off the blankets quickly, exposing her underware clad body. She stands up and stumbles as she wants to drink some water, and sit in ice.

(Camera from Nikita's eyes)

Nothing is standing still, as she places her hands in front. Trying to grab on the chair, she doesn't know which of the five images to hold onto. Instead of steadying herself, she trips over the chair. The streetlight shines in her room, and causes Nikita much pain as she glances out the window. She stumbles to the kitchen and falls to the floor.

"Did they cancel me?" Nikita screams through her ragged voice. "Or did I get posioned from the Red Cell group?" "Is this Loving2000 side effect!" Nikita screamed through more sobs.

She is now hallucinating, she sees one of the men who used and abused her coming around the corner. She tries to stand back up, but dizziness brings her back down. Her damp hair clings to her neck and back. She reaches above her, and hits the refrigerator's water dispensor, and a small stream of water falls down upon her hot, sweaty body.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Madeline...we have a serious bug here." A lab tech from the Medlab says as he walks into Madeline's office. Madeline looks worn out and a little flushed.

"I figured that." Madeline said with a raspy voice. "How bad?"

"I'd say over 80% of Section. I think we should bring everyone in...find the source." the lab tech said.

"Did you start collecting?" Madeline asked after a coughing spell.

The tech nods yes.

"Who has the highest level?"

"Michael." the lab tech responded.

"Have you tested Nikita yet?" Madeline asked.

"Michael didn't want her disturbed...she is spending her first night at her apartment by herself since...." the lab tech responded.

"Bring everyone in. Stock up on medical supplies. We'll close up shop. We can't work at 20% capacity."

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

The phone jolted Nikita out of a restless, terror filled sleep. She crawled over to the phone, barely picking it up.

"Josephine..." Michael said sickly into the phone.

"Michael...they've poisoned me...it's back...its worse...help me me me...they are all around..." Nikita cried out.

Michael flipped on her bugs, no one in her apartment, but she looks terrible.

"Nikita, you are sick...we're coming to get you." Michael said and hung up.

Nikita said on the phone. "Michael...are they trying to kill me...I'm burning...it hurts.."

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

"You don't look good, Michael." Birkoff said as Michael walked over to him.

Birkoff, seemed one of the better ones.

"Where is Madeline?" Michael asked wearily.

"She is splitting Section into pairs, so that we can care for one another...yeah right!" Birkoff said sarcastically.

"I have to get Nikita." Michael said and started to cough.

"Why can't she just come in?" Birkoff asked. Michael punched a few keys on the computer and and image of Nikita on the kitchen floor, still clenching the phone.

"She looks like hell!" Birkoff said. He looked at the sickly Michael. "I think we know who the source is...Let me drive."

"I have to tell Madeline. They'll want to put Nikita in Medlab with the way she is...but Nikita.."Michael said as he slowly walked towards Madeline's office.

"She doesn't like Medlab, like you." Birkoff finished.

Michael entered Madeline's office as she exited her private bathroom.

Michael and Madeline sat down, winded.

"Nikita...Birkoff and I have to get her." Michael said as he put his head on the table.

"You two must be the source...is Nikita that bad?" Madeline asked.

"We'll be back soon." Michael said standing up.

"You'll take her to Birkoff's quarters. They have been randomly matched by the computer." Madeline lied. She was still up to her games. She knew that Michael would still get an eye on Nikita from his room, adjacent to Birkoff's.

"Madeline...Nikita is hallucinating...she is seeing the 'men' in her apartment...I don't think it's safe for Birkoff." Michael tried to argue.

"She goes to Birkoff's."

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

Nikita crawled against a corner in her kitchen. All she saw was man after man, coming closer and closer. Suddenly a slam of the door, and there stood her angel.

"Take me to heaven," Nikita muttered as Michael put his coat over the almost naked and wet Nikita and quickly carried her out to the waiting van.

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+__+_+_+_+_+

"Madeline...she needs fluids..she needs to be in Medlab.." the tech complained as he paced in Birkoff's room. He drew some blood and gave some fever reducer to Nikita.

"She will end up fighting in Medlab...and not calm down." Madeline said.

The tech, looking upset, went off with the blood.

"Madeline..what says she won't do that here with Birkoff?" Michael asked. His face turned green and he ran towards Birkoff's bathroom

"OHHH God!" Birkoff complained as he could hear Michael's guts spilling out.

"Your levels are the highest tested...Birkoff isn't as sick." Madeline said as Michael walked out of the bathroom, with water dripping from his cleaned chin. Madeline took her hand and lead Michael to his room..."You need to rest."

Soon Madeline returned to Birkoff's room. Nikita slept fitfully under some blankets. Her face was all white, except extremely red spots on her cheeks. Sweat beaded at her hairline, and gathered at her eyebrows. Madeline wetted a washcloth and gently rubbed Nikita's forehead. She fretted.

Birkoff answered his ringing phone.

"Madeline...Nikita's bug levels are 2% lower than Michael's." Birkoff announced confused.

"She is worse because her weaken immune system, the stress, the Loving2000, her lack of sleep...that is way this has attacked her so hard." Madeline explained. She motioned Birkoff over with her head.

"Every 25 minutes you take her temp...if it goes up .5 more, we have to make her a bed of ice. Wash her forehead frequently." Madeline said as she stood up.

Birkoff sat down and took the wash cloth.

"Madeline..." Birkoff said. Madeline turned around.

"Yes, Birkoff."

"Should I worry about her hallucinations?" Birkoff asked.

"Should you?" Madeline asked back.

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

Niktia stirred and found a three men, poking her with something. Angerily she pushed the man back. Birkoff hit the floor hard.

"NOOO!!! You won't do this to me..." Nikita screamed as she dove on top of Birkoff.

In surprise, Birkoff screamed out..."HELP!!!"

"You were trying to drug me....hell, you wanted me to be your playmate..." Nikita huffed as she dragged Birkoff up a wall. Her hands held his shirt tightly. Her eyes blazed with flames of hate.

To Nikita, she was holding three men captive and two more still circled her.

"NOOOO!" Nikita said, spinning in a circle, taking the scared stiff Birkoff with her. They both crashed up and over a small desk. Bouncing up off the floor, Nikita regained some of her balance and dragged Birkoff back off the ground. She threw him against the wall.

"You want this..." Nikita said as she raised her arms and twirled around in a circle. Her body swaying in her sweat wet clothes... (She wore a nightgown and shorts now). "You want me don't you?" Nikita said as she came real close to one of the Birkoff's she saw. She pushed in on his throat.

"NO...I don't..Nikita...I don't" Birkoff stampered. He swore silently, wishing that Michael could hear the hallucinating Nikita.

"You want to touch my breasts..." Nikita said, and she threw him against the wall that separated Birkoff's room and Michael's. She cornered Birkoff in a corner, when Michael ran in.

"NIKITA!!!" Michael yelled. She spun around..and saw Michael...

"He was going to ra..." Nikita tried to say, when she turned around and now realized she saw Birkoff. Her fever worn body, went limp, and Birkoff caught Nikita on her way down.

"Are you ok?" Michael asked as he helped to pick Nikita up in his arms.

"Yes..." Birkoff said as Michael started to walk out of his room. "Where are you going?"

"It's too hard on her...Nikita is staying with me." Michael said as he exited. Quickly, Harris walked into Birkoff's room.

"Hello roomie!" Harris said. Birkoff quickly walked into Michael's room. He had already placed Nikita into bed, and propped her head up high to make her ragged breathing ease. He tenderly wiped her head with a rag.

"Michael..." Birkoff said, in a halfhearted protest.

"Birkoff...she could have killed you." Michael said. Walter turned the corner, carrying a bucket of ice.

"How's my sugar?" Walter said as he carried the ice into Michael's room.

"The quicker her temp. comes down the better for her mental state." Michael said as he pealed back the blankets, leaving a sheet. He started to pile the ice chunks around Nikita's extremely warm body.

"Better keep the ice coming."

"Why don't you help me Birkoff?" Walter said, retrieving the bucket.

"I need to talk to Michael." Birkoff said. Walter shrugged his healthy shoulders and walked off.

"What if this is a test?" Birkoff said angerily.

"A test...more than 80% of Section is sick!" Michael said.

"Then explain to me, why do you have a higher level of the bug than Nikita...you look much healthier than most of the operatives with half the levels of the bug you have." Birkoff screamed. He could feel his own stomache lurch.

"Better run." Michael said as he watched Birkoff turn green.

Birkoff was in Michael's bathroom when Walter returned humming.

Nikita's body shivered as Michael contined to mold her body with ice. He took her temp. again. He nodded his head, and Walter headed for more ice.

Birkoff walks slowly out of the bathroom.

"The theory is that the Loving2000 drained her body of her natural defenses... It is known that if a person is stressed, that they are more likely to get sick...That's why we get so many vaccinations...we're constantly stressed. Nikita has been more than stressed." Michael explained to a calmer Birkoff.

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

About six hours later.

Michael coughs loudly as he tries to stop Nikita from shivering. She is now, sort of conscious. She is no longer screaming about all the 'men'. Michael hugs her tighly through the blankets.

Although her temp. has gone down some, it seems extremely cool to Nikita now. Her temp. is still well above average, and a constant sweat keeps her hair damp.

"Michael..." Nikita says. Michael turns to her. Her shivers have stopped and she has lost all color in her face. Quickly she pushes the covers off...standing up, she clinches her stomache.

"I can't make ..." Nikita says as she plunges for a wastecan. She throws up violently, and continues to hold her stomache. Nikita still appears green. Michael pulls her hair away from her face, which now needs to be cleaned.

"Let's clean your face up." Michael says calmly as he tries to get Nikita to the bathroom. Half way there, Nikita again, throws up, all over herself...it is rolling down her clothes, and has splattered Michael. Calm and cool Michael, just continues to urge Nikita towards the bathroom. At the doorway, her stomache surges upwards again.

Michael swallows hard, since his stomache is still upset.

Finally, Nikita lunges towards the toilet and heaves yet again. For several minutes she sits exhausted on the floor. She has yet to wipe her chin, and her clothes, along with Michael's are drenched with the vile stuff. Michael sits down next to her, rubbing her back.

"Done?" Michael asks.

Nikita tries to stand up, but is thrown into one last emptying of her stomache.

"No more." Nikita mutters.

Michael keeps one hand on her back, as he leans into his shower and turns it on. He has to get her cleaned off.

He doesn't worry about his open bathroom door, or that anyone could see from the hallway all the way into the shower. He is hoping someone will come to help. He gently half drags the weak Nikita into the shower's gentle, warm stream. He peals off the foul smelling nightgown and shorts off, leaving Nikita in her undergarments. Michael peals off his own shirt. He lets the water gently hit the both of them, as Nikita leans against him.

"Michael...what happened?" Madeline demanded from outside the bathroom.

"Hand me that chair." Michael called out. Soon, Madeline walks into the bathroom with the chair. Not surprized in seeing Nikita clinging to Michael, the chair is sat in the shower, and Nikita sits down.

Michael lathers Nikita's body up and washes the skin, and the cloth bra.

"I can leave..." Madeline said, thinking Michael should probably clean all of them.

"I need some clothes." Michael says. "And some towels."

"Nikita's clothing is being sanitized. She is the carrier...seems the girl in the avalanche gave the bug to Nikita." Madeline explained.

"One of my sweatshirts and workout shorts will do." Michael said as he started to wash Nikita's hair.

Only soft moans escape Nikita's mouth.

Madeline exits and soons returns with two sweatshirts and two shorts, and two huge towels.

Michael rinses both of them off well and turns off the water. Taking one of the t0wel, he starts to dry Nikita while she continues to sit..with her eyes not able to focus on anything.

Michael stops suddenly. He grabs his towel and steps out.

"Could you finish?" Michael asked as he starts to change into his clean clothes.

"Nikita...it's Madeline." Madeline said as she stepped into the damp shower. Madeline immediately knows why Michael asked her to finish.

"Nikita...I need to get you into clean clothes...Nikita?" Madeline asks and explains as she wipes wetness off of Nikita's neck and back.

"Nikita...I'm going to take your bra off now...to get you into warm clothes..." Madeline says gently.

Michael steps back into the shower.

"Doesn't matter now...she's asleep." Michael said, taking Madeline out of an uncomfortabe position.

Quickly, Michael changes Nikita and carries her to the warm bed.

Madeline had cleane the floor of Nikita's mess.

"It touched me." Madeline said as Michael rubs Nikita's forehead.

"I'm glad you entered my room and not Birkoff...she really did a number on him." Michael said in a calm voice.

"I thought she would. I needed to see how far you would go to take care of Nikita...you seeked help...that was what I wanted." Madeline said sitting down. She was looking tired out, but not as much as Michael.

"Why don't you give Nikita some body heat, and get some sleep...don't want to end up in Medlab." Madeline said as she looked down at the dark circled Michael.

"I need to watch her temp...it is still high." Michael protested.

Madeline walked over to his chair. "I'll stay here...go ahead, get in bed and sleep."

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

"Michael..." Madeline said gently rubbing his shoulder. He opened his clear eyes, and consciously became aware he didn't feel as bad as before.

"What is it Madeline?" Michael said as he slowly placed Nikita's warm head on the pillow as he sat up.

"Medlab wants to take Nikita down there..." Madeline said. Michael quickly jumped up. The tech stood outside the door.

"You can't." Michael said in a harsh whisper.

"She needs IV fluids." The tech countered with a louder whisper.

"Then bring the stuff up here and let Madeline do it." Michael said. He turned towards Madeline. "Mad..it was a med tech who took her and put her under Loving2000...and then we made her stay in the very Medlab that guy worked in....I won't let her go." Michael said.

Madeline nodded her head and the med tech walked away.

"You look much better." Madeline said as Michael walked back to the chair he had sat when not in the bed with Nikita. Her eyes fluttered open as his hand grazed her face.

"I feel a bit better." Michael said. He looked onto Nikita's body pensively.

"Michael...I've been thinking alot about Nikita." Madeline said as she sat down nearby.

"She's not healed from...the incident." Michael said clearly.

"You have noticed too?" Madeline said. Michael turned towards her.

"The nightmares...I don't believe they truly left. Yes, she would get through the night without one...but I think it was because of pure physical exhaustion." Michael said, rubbing his hands nervously through his hair.

"She doesn't eat well anymore." Madeline said. Michael nodded.

"She doesn't like being alone....she finds reasons to stay here... she runs her body down so she can sleep... she lies to you..." Madeline said.

Michael looked up at Madeline sharply when she mentions lies. Michael looks down at his chest.

"She lied about the 'cap'." Michael stated almost like a fact.

"Yes." Madeline said. "I have to think about our next approach. Operations will continue to be gone for the rest of the month." Madeline said standing up.

The med tech enters with the IV and the fluid. "I'll do this." he challenges. Michael comes close to the tech, who starts to shake.

Quickly, he hands over the supplies to Michael. In return, he hands them to Madeline. She quickly hooks the fluid link into Nikita.

"I'll be back." Madeline said.

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

Madeline is gone for an hour or two. Nikita has awaken long enough to smile at Michael's soft touch.

When she enters, she floats over to the sound system and places a CD in. A soft melody plays.

Michael looks over.

"We need to change her state of mind...which also means changing yours." Madeline said sitting down. "When was the last time you said you loved her?"

Michael sat silently.

Madeline raised an eyebrow. "You haven't?" Madeline asked shocked. "Even after being intimately together?"

"No." Michael admitted.

"But you do love her." Madeline said as a fact.

"Yes." Michael says effortlessly.

"She needs to hear that now. She knows your past...she knows you have lied to her..all this could be playing a role in her acting subconscious." Madeline said. "She understands you can't love her like Simone...but you can love her like Nikita."

"I do." Michael said with a hint of protest.

"When she is 'with us again' you need to tell her." Madeline orders.

Michael shakes in understanding. Michael stands up and walks to the sound system.

"And what is this for?" Michael asks.

"Oh...well, we know that although we are sleeping, we can unconsciously pick up on things around us. Smoothing music may just sooth her soul enough." Madeline said standing up and leaving.

(Lyrics by Gloria Estefan from I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP...on the record...DESTINY)

The song plays..one Michael had started to identify with Nikita. He looks longily into her pale face. A bit of color had returned with the IV's now providing nourishment the body needed.

TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST...
IT SCARES ME TO IMAGINE...
WHAT LIFE WOULD BE WITHOUT YOU...

Michael slides into the side of bed with Nikita. He stays sitting up and places Nikita's head near his chest...so she could hear his heart beat.

AND FOR THIS VERY REASON...
I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME...
FOR WHAT I'M PUTTING US THROUGH...

(Montage of Pictures of Michael and Nikita through all of the show's run)

Michael leans his head back against the head board as he looks up to the ceiling.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS...AGAINST US,
I'VE DECIDED..THAT I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP, NO...

Nikita rolls her head up towards Michael's. He gently kisses her nose. He continues to run his hands through her hair.

THINKING BACK, I SEE WHAT WE HAVE...
IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT...
I THINK WE'VE KNOWN ALL ALONG...
SO HOW FAIR WOULD IT BE...
TO DIVIDE THIS LOVE'S EXISTENCE...
BETWEEN WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG...

"Michael..." Nikita says barely audible. Michael kisses her lips and then puts his fingers over her lips.

AND YOU, ALWAYS WONDERING IF WE'LL MAKE IT...
TIME WILL TELL YOU...THAT
I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP,NO, NO...
WE'LL FIND A WAY TO BE TOGETHER...
HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES, WHEREVER...
IF IT MEANS HAVING YOU ONLY FOR A MOMENT...
A MOMENT JUST MIGHT BE ENOUGH...
I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP, NO, NO...
I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP...

Michael traces Nikita's lips with his fingers. His fingers tell him, that Nikita's fever has dropped dramatically. She watches his every movement intently.

SCREAMING IN THE SILENCE THE PROMISES WE'VE SPOKEN...
COME BACK TO HAUNT ME, FALSE AND BROKEN...
QUIET DESPARATION TO SEE WE'RE LOST FOREVER...
SEARCHING FOR WATER IN THIS DESERT...

Michael listening to the song, lightly sings rests of the song in his strong French accent as he holds Nikita gently.

NO, I REFUSE TO HAVE TO DO...
WITHOUT YOUR KISSES...
I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU UP, NO, NO...
WE'LL FIND A WAY TO BE TOGETHER...
HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES, WHEREVER...
IF IT MEANS HAVING YOU ONLY A MOMENT... A MOMENT JUST MAY BE LONG ENOUGH...
I'M NOT GIVING YOU UP...

As the song ends...Michael looks at Nikita's attentive eyes. "Nikita..I love you."

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

"Nikita... you shouldn't be working so hard..." Michael says as he enters a workout room. Only a day after he declared his love...Nikita was working out. Less than 24 hours of having a normal temp....and she is there breaking into a sweat.

"Got to keep my strength up." Nikita said with a huge smile and bounded over to Michael. She gives him a small peck on the cheek.

"I brought you something..." Michael said, holding out a bag.

"Anthony's!!!!" Nikita brightly responded. She grabbed the bag, and walked out of the workout room...heading towards a common area.

"I think you have been eating all day..."Walter said as she entered the common area with Michael.

"I lost 20 lbs while I was sick...or since...but Michael is going to put most of it back on if he keeps feeding me like this!" Nikita said, and she pulled out a breadstick and started to shove huge chunks into her face.

"HEY! Leave some for me!" Michael said jokingly.

Nikita leaned over and kissed Michael deeply...the first time Walter had physically seen what he expected and knew of.

Michael then dove into the bag of take out Italian food.

"I love you, Nikita." Michael said.

"What has gotten into you?" Nikita said with a huge smile. She shook her head. Almost every hour, she was beeped with the message..."I love you, Michael." and he constantly said it. And smiling...she believed him...truly believed him

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