Michael and Nikita stand outside the room, in which Rick and Rita are running a sequence. Nikita smiles on as she watches Rick and Rick rotate smoothly, working as one person and not two. The sequence stops and Madeline rounds the corner.

"They are improved a lot in a month." Madeline comments with a slight grin.

Nikita turns towards her. Nikita's eyes are darken and withdrawn. "They are looking like first class machines." Nikita comments, and turns back to the window, and watch Rick toweling off Rita's back from sweat.

"Rick and Rita's scores almost match yours." Madeline comments.

Michael now turns and looks at Madeline.

"I wonder if you two could still score the same if we tested you today."

Michael's stare turns cold, because he knows that Madeline fully well knows that their scores would not even come close today, or any other day in the past month.

"Nikita, why don't we talk in my office." Madeline says as she laces her hand through Nikita's arm and starts walking.

The door opens and Nikita immediately sits down. Madeline takes her time around her desk and then sits down.

"Rick and Rita have been in a test run of a drug we are thinking of using." Madeline reveals.

Nikita looks at her. "It has allowed them to stop focusing on the past and move on to the future."

"Am I next?" Nikita asks with no emotion. Madeline leans over her desk.

"I hope so. I believe you know in your heart that something has to give. I worry about you every day." Madeline says precisely.

Nikita sits back in the chair. "And what does Michael think?" Nikita asks.

"Only you will know...but Michael has been affected by your mood of late... it would only improve his mood." Madeline says as she looks at the weary Nikita.

"What is this drug?" Nikita questions, still without emotion.

"We have modified Loving2000..." Madeline starts, but Nikita immediately stands up with the first letter of Loving2000.

"NO!" Nikita says loudly. Madeline stares at the pacing Nikita.

"We have gotten rid of the extreme effects of it. For Rick and Rita, they act like they did before they were... trapped." Madeline says.

She opens a drawer and pulls out a needle and a bottle labeled "LOVES". Nikita stares at it.

"Is that why they are doing so well?" Nikita questions as she sits down looking at the bottle.

"Yes." Madeline responds as she watches Nikita's body relax.

Nikita reaches out for the bottle and holds it in her hands. "How much do I take?" Nikita asks as she rolls the bottle around in her palms.

"Each person is different. Here is what we believe will work for you... but you may need more." Madeline says handing over a sheet. "I don't want Michael to know."

"Ok, Madeline, I won't tell him." Nikita says as she pockets the items and leaves the office.

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

"Fill the needle to the correct amount..." Nikita reads as she filled the needle up. She glances out of the room to make sure Michael isn't around. "Push the liquid out, to rid of air bubbles..." she reads. She laughs as she remembers how many numerous times she had done this on the streets. Now, she was reading the paper, instruction for instruction. "Place needle in a large muscle and inject." Nikita reads. She looks away from her leg, and lets the needle slide into the thigh. Pushing down the plunger, Nikita looks back. Once the medicine is in her, she pulls the needle out, and disposes of it, like Madeline had instructed. Nikita walks out of the bathroom, not feeling any different, yet. -------------------------------------------------

"Michael, why don't we go back to our quarters?" Nikita says softly in their office about three hours.

Michael looks over at Nikita. "Nikita, we haven't stayed together in almost a month." Michael says as he looks at her.

Nikita stands up and walks over to Michael's desk and sits on top of it.

"I don't want to think of that. I want to think of us..." Nikita says as she starts to toy with his shirt button.

"Nikita... what has gotten into you?" Michael asks with a devilish grin.

Nikita has now unbuttoned the first button and is running a fingernail over the neck and upper chest. "Do we have to analysis everything.... I want to go to OUR quarters... don't you want to go?" Nikita asks.

Michael kisses her lips quickly as he reaches over and turns off the computer.

She giggles and stands up.

"I don't know if I can wait to get to our quarters!" Michael says as he places his hands on Nikita's waist.

Another giggle from Nikita, as she opens the office door. "Catch me if you can!" Nikita calls out as she darts down the hall.

Michael shakes his head and jogs after her.

-------------------------------------------------

"Mmmm...my, oh, my..." Michael sighs as he traces his fingers over Nikita's bare side. She lays with a smile on her face, and the bed, has very much been 'used'. "Nikita... it is so good having you back like this since that awful..." Michael starts, but Nikita rolls over and places two fingers over his lips.

"mmm, Michael... today and only today.." Nikita mumbles as she rolls back around. Michael raises an eyebrow, but then kisses Nikita's bare shoulder.

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

Nikita falls to the floor and Michael leans over her and they both fire their laser guns at the holograms. Hurriedly, they flip to the left and shoot another couple. Sweating, Nikita stands against Michael's arm as they lean to opposite sides and kill the next bunch of holograms.

"End of sequence." the computer calls out. Nikita walks over and drinks some water out of her small bottle.

Michael walks over to her and kisses her lightly on the shoulder. He takes off his shirt to lightly towel the sweat off.

An image of Michael in the sex manic's bed, Jonathan, runs through Nikita's head. She fights off the thoughts of "how could I have ever?"

"I have to go to the bathroom." Nikita whispers in Michael's ear. He smiles at Nikita, and she jogs off.

Inside her bag is "LOVES". Moving in quick movements, she is quickly injecting the medicine into her right arm. She glances over her shoulder to make sure Michael wasn't playing any games, she hides the two items back in her bag.

Jogging back into the room, Madeline motions them out of the room. Michael opens the door and Nikita walks out. Her eyes look bright and freshly wakened.

"You two scored the best score here." Madeline announces to the two.

The couple doesn't budge at the news.

"I better get on to my studies..." Nikita says. Madeline smiles at Nikita and she runs off down the hall.

"She has been different." Michael says as he starts to walk with Madeline.

"How, Michael?" Madeline asks, knowing that was what Michael wanted.

"Well, we are staying in the same room." Michael says softly.

"Doing more than just 'staying' in the same room, I hope." Madeline comments with a bright smile.

A brief run of red runs past Michael's cheeks, as a small grin crosses his face. "Before, she would always wake up before me... and be watching into a wall. Just standing and thinking... Now, when I wake up... she is still in my arms." Michael says, sounding very concerned.

"Maybe she has no more to think about." Madeline says as she slows her pace, interested in what Michael has observed.

"Sometimes it is like some fake sunshine girl has taken over Nikita." Michael says in a sarcastic tone. "Truly, Madeline, I think there is more in play here."

"I wouldn't worry about it. You got your old Nikita back." Madeline says as she enters her office. The door closes as Michael turns back down the hall.

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

Michael shuts the door to the living quarters, and in a brief moment, he realizes that in two weeks, the both of them will be allowed back into their apartment.

Nikita lounges on the couch and stands up when she notices Michael.

"Two weeks and we'd be at 'our' place." Michael comments as he looks around the Section's living quarters.

"It doesn't matter were we are for me... as long as you're with me." Nikita says with a smokey voice as she slowly smiles.

Michael looks away and then sits down at the table. "Nikita, what has happened to you?" Michael questions as he watches Nikita.

"I'm happy." Nikita says effortlessly.

Michael continues staring, hoping to find her body to twitch a little, showing that she is still hurting, but nothing occurs.

"It doesn't happen over night." Michael says as he stands up and runs his hands across the table.

Nikita looks back with an innocent smile. "Michael, we have the future." Nikita says without breaking her good mood.

Michael freezes. "Our future is based on our past!" Michael comments strongly.

Nikita continues to smile, and she walks over to him and runs a hand down his chest. "Well, our near future isn't based on the past..." Nikita says as she tries to unbutton his shirt.

Michael pushes her a few steps back.

"So you're not ready to settle down for the night..." Nikita says as she walks into the bedroom.

Michael silently walks back out of the room.

-------------------------------------------------

"Walter." Michael says as he appears in Walter's workspace.

Walter has turned around quickly, in surprize of Michael's appearance.

"Michael... I thought you'd be with Nikita tonight,......again." Walter says with a slight chuckle.

Michael walks over to one of the tall stools and leans against it. "I don't know where you got your information." Michael says calm and cooly.

"Michael... I have my sources." Walter says with a wink. Michael looks at the wink and his eyes do not budge.

"Tell Birkoff that I'm sorry we have disturbed his sleeping... we will be back in our apartment in two weeks." Michael says with no emotion.

Walter puts down the small hammer and sits on top of one of the stools. "Michael, is there some reason why you are here?" Walter asks.

Michael shifts his weight uncomfortably. "I was wondering if Nikita has talked to you lately?" Michael questions as he turns his head around the room.

"Nope. She hasn't been around." Walter comments. "But from what Birkoff has told me, that experiment she is in is working wonders!" Walter says with a happy grin.

"What experiment?" Michael questions with a concerned look.

"I just heard that Madeline had put her in a test group of some sort." Walter says, shrugging his shoulders.

"Madeline?" Michael questions again.

"Yeah, Madeline. Probably some new psycho-garbo...crap... You know Madeline." Walter says. "You know, Michael, I am quite busy... and I'm sure Nikita has about fifty ideas how to keep you busy tonight." Walter says with another wink.

Michael walks out silently. He stands outside of Walter's workspace, and slowly smiles.

"Might as well enjoy Nikita's happy mood!" Michael says outloud as he heads back to Nikita

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

Nikita shifts around the bed, with Michael rolled on his side, away from Nikita. Nikita's hair is starting to become wet.

From Nikita's dream)

Michael's face...coming in and out... and Nikita is struggling to free her hands..."Help!" Nikita is trying to scream..., she is kicking, but not hitting the face of Michael's.. She looks up, and she is handcuffed to the bed, and not Michael... "HELP!!! STOP!!! STOP!!!" Nikita tries to scream. Then Jonathan... and some other men... She tries to pull her legs up against her body, but they pull and pull and pull...

(Back in the bed)

Nikita sits up without a breathe. Then she starts panting, and wipes the wet bangs out of her face.

Michael moans and turns towards Nikita. Noticing that she is sitting up, he leans up on an elbow. "Nikita, is everything alright?" Michael asks in a slightly drowsy voice.

"I have to get my medicine.... need to take it..." Nikita thinks to herself as she doesn't even turn her head towards Michael.

He reaches out and touches her arm.

"Nikita... are you alright?" Michael asks again, leaning closer.

Nikita looks down at Michael's face. "I think I'm going to take a shower..." Nikita says as she pushes her legs out of the bed. She hurries into the bathroom, turns on the shower and then pulls out "LOVES". In swift movements, she is ready to inject the medicine.

Michael steps quietly out of bed. Carefully, he looks through the slight crack of the bathroom door and watches Nikita put the medicine in her needle. He stands still until after she has injected the medicine, finally he opens the door a crack and steps in.

Nikita turns around to dispose of the needle, to see Michael standing in the doorway. She drops the needle into the trash can that is behind her.

"I thought I'd join you..." Michael says pointing to the running shower.

Nikita walks over and gives Michael a big kiss.

He runs his hands over her body, as he stares at the trash can. Nikita takes Michael's hand and leads him into the shower, still with their sleepware on.

"Nikita... you are soo naughty..." Michael comments as he closes the door.

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

"Madeline...what did Nikita inject herself with last night?" Michael says as he holds up the needle that he had retrieved from the trash can, and he balls a fist up in the other hand.

"None of your concern." Madeline says without looking worried.

"This is why Nikita has been acting so strangely." Michael continued waving the needle around.

Madeline folds her hands and leans on her elbows. "She is acting like she did before everything..." Madeline says slowly.

Michael is pacing back and forth, beginning to lose his cool. "Before when?" Michael grills Madeline loudly.

Madeline closes her eyes and then reopens them. She stands up and reaches for the needle. With force, Madeline takes the needle.

"Nikita has been emotionally unstable for a long while now..." Madeline says as she throws the needle away.

"We are all emotionally unstable... that is Section!" Michael lets loose. He squeezes his eyes shut and then slides down into the chair. "Please, tell me what experiment you have her in... I want her off of whatever this is." Michael says after taking several deep breaths.

"I will not take her off of it." Madeline says as she takes a bottle of "LOVES" out and places it on the desk.

Michael picks up the bottle and rolls it around his hands. "LOVES?" Michael asks as his face begins to look hurt and confused.

Madeline nods 'yes'.

"It's related to Loving2000, isn't it?"

"Yes, we modified Loving2000 to create this." Madeline says as she pulls the vial out of Michael's hands.

"I... don't... You know what this drug has done to me and Nikita!" Michael starts to get upset.

Madeline looks dead on into Michael's eyes. "She agreed. Nikita had the choice... and NIKITA agreed." Madeline says firmly.

Michael stands up and walks out.

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

Nikita is franically looking in drawers. "It has to be here!" Nikita mutters to herself as she pulls her wet hair out of her face. Diving into the next drawer, she starts throwing out underwear... one of hers... one of Michael's... Diving head long into the deep drawer, she comes out and slams it hard back.

"DAMN!!! I had the stuff last night!" Nikita says loudly as she goes over to the couch. She pulls the cushions up and look in every pocket of material in which the vial could have rolled into.

Throwing the cushions across the room, she pounds her fists onto the floor. "I NEED IT.... I NEED MORE.... I NEED IT... MORE..." Nikita starts to chant as she starts to crawl on her hands and knees, mixed with tears of frustration.

"Keep the memories back... go away memories..." Nikita says to herself as she looks underneath the table.

"What if Michael knows?" Nikita questions outloud. She looks around, the room. "Think like Michael.... where would Michael hide it?" Nikita says as she struggles to her feet. She runs back into the bedroom, and stands up on her bed. Reaching out with her tips of her fingers, she raises the board from the ceiling, and out rolls the little vial.

"YES!!!!" Nikita says as it lands in her hands. She starts jumping up and down on the bed. Quickly, she is running around the quarters, looking for the needle.

"If I can't find a new one... I'll use an old one..." Nikita says outloud as she runs into the bathroom, to find the trash can empty.

With a rage of anger, she slams the can into the shower, and it hits the ceramic tiles with a loud clink.

"I know where I have one!!!" Nikita says with an excited voice. She runs back to near the cushions and pulls out her workout bag. Unzippering it quickly, she pulls out a fresh needle. She huddles around the table as Michael enters.

Stepping forward into the trashed quarters, he goes slowly.

Nikita is shaking in her chair, and with the realization she is about to take more of "LOVES", Michael rushes to the table.

"Michael!!!" Nikita cries out as he snatches the needle and vial out of her posession and smash both with his bare hands.

"WHAT THE H**L ARE YOU DOING?" Nikita screams as she pounds on his chest.

Michael keeps a strong face as he sees a bit of blood start running down his hands. "NO, Nikita... No more." Michael says firmly as he turns away from her.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND...I NEED IT!!!!!!!" Nikita cries out as she grabs hold of his shirt.

Michael pushes her off of him. "Look at yourself!" Michael demands.

Nikita continues to beg on the floor. "Need more...need to forget... need to make you happy... need the stuff... I needed that shot!" Nikita cries out.

Michael walks over to he computer and turns it one. He quickly accesses Nikita's entry videos.

"You are back were you began!" Michael cries out.

Nikita is at his feet, begging to have her medicine back.

Michael leans down and drags her up by her hair, shoving her face near the screen.

The video shows Nikita in about the same condition... the streets had made her an addict... and now her past had done the same.

"LOOK!" Michael yells as he continues to hold her face to the screen.

"I just...need the stuff... and I'll be ok... back to happy Nikita..." Nikita says quickly as she refuses to keep her eyes on the screen.

"LOOK!!!" Michael yells as he lets go of her head and rushes out of the room.

Nikita, looks at the screen and then over at a close by mirror... and she couldn't tell which image was the current image.

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

Michael slams open and close Madeline's office door. She continues to sit at her desk, but this time with a slightly concerned look on her face. Michael pushes the paper file out of Madeline's hand and turns on her computer.

"Michael..." Madeline says in a strong voice, but yet wavering from Michael's action.

He quickly brings up the screen with the current cameras in their living quarters. He moves around the desk and sits back down in the chair.

"This is what Nikita has become." Michael states softly, with hatred running through his entire body, starting to boil.

"Michael..." Madeline starts as she stares at the screen.

Nikita is curled up in the fetal position on the floor. Her sobs shake her entire body, as she chants about needing more.

"I had no idea, that...this would happen."

"She's lost again... because Section wanted to hurry the process of healing." Michael says coldly.

Madeline looks at the screen as Nikita crawls around the floor and holds a piece of a broken needle.

"All that "LOVES" was suppose to do was to make it possible for Nikita to live in the everyday without the constant reminders of the past." Madeline comments, and she looks back at Michael.

"Those memories never leave. You may give a drug to cover them, but they are still there and eat you apart... THEY NEVER LEAVE!" Michael says in short tense words.

"This did not occur with Rick and Rita." Madeline comments as she looks back at the computer.

Nikita is now holding tightly to a chair, pleading with it to forgive her.

"Rick and Rita? Don't you realize, sooner or later that they will have to deal with these memories..." Michael questions. He closes his eyes as Nikita calls out for him. "Nikita isn't Rick and Rita. She has been exposed to Loving2000 before... you had no idea how it would affect her." Michael comments.

"We don't fully understand Loving2000 yet. In essence we needed to use Nikita to see what prior usage would produce." Madeline comments looking away from the both Michael and the image of Nikita.

"I need to bring her back... again." Michael comments.

Madeline looks at him, and rubs her forehead. "Back, to where she was a before this use of "LOVES"?" Madeline asks.

Michael nods his head.

"But you two were having serious problems." Madeline says with no emotion.

"I could be truthful with her... and Nikita with me... this..." Michael says, now motions at the computer. "THis... was a result of fakeness... of yet another mask..."

"Michael, it won't be easy." Madeline comments as she pulls the bottle out of her desk.

"Nothing is ever easy here." Michael says in dark awareness.

"You must give her an option... she may not chose the one you feel correct." Madeline says as she places a needle next to the vial of the drug.

"The drug or me?" Michael questions. Madeline blinks her eyes, and Michael instantly becomes five times heavier.

"You will retrieve some of your things, leave the drug behind, telling Nikita specifically it's the drug or you." Madeline says as she stares at the screen.

"What if she takes the drug?" Michael questions as he leans for the vial.

"Let's hope there are no what if's here." Madeline comments. "Bring your things here, we can't let rest of Section know about this."

"Birkoff probably knows something is up... I'm sure if he has been awaken by Me and Nikita... he certainly heard what happened in there." Michael says as he stands up.

"Then when Nikita is better, I will explain." Madeline says swallowing hard.

"I'll be back." Michael says, and he quickly leaves.

Operations enters with Michael's exit. "Madeline... you look terrible... the baby?" Operations questions as he rushes towards her desk.

"It's fine... I've made a lot of mistakes of late." Madeline says as she tries to turn off the computer, but Operations has already viewed it.

"What is with Nikita?" Operations demands as he continues to stare at the screen.

"My mistake... I misjudged putting her in the one test group." Madeline says with certain pain.

Operations stares at her.

"The modified Loving2000? Why would you ever chance it?" Operations asks, looking at the clear pain on Madeline's face.

"It worked for Rick and Rita... Nikita will probably not trust me..." Madeline starts, and a rare tear rolls down her face. "Those damn hormones!"

Operations rubs her shoulders, and Madeline places her face into his stomache, with short sobs.

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

lyrics from "Show me the way back to your Heart" sung by Gloria Estefan

"It's Me or the drugs... Make your choice Nikita." Michael's eerie voice echoes in Nikita's head. She is sitting in a chair at the table, where Michael had placed a lone needle and a bottle of "LOVES". He had packed a bag and left, slamming and locking the door.

Nikita stares at the reflection of her face in the glass bottle. Her fingers slowly creep up the table and finally touch the needle barely.

I REMEMBER DAYS NIGHTS WERE NEVER COLD...

Nikita pulls her head away from the sight of the needle. Her eyes, puffy and bloodshot, her cheeks drawn in, and her skin, white as a bedsheet just bleached. The slamming of the door, and the mirror rattling on the wall continues to play over and over again in her pounding head.

"Michael...please don't leave me..." Nikita had called out, but once Michael turned his back on her, he never looked back.

"I NEED YOU MICHAEL!!!" Nikita hollers out.

I HAD YOU IN MY LIFE....

Michael sits at Madeline's desk, watching the monitor. Every time Nikita moves, he takes a deep breathe, and sometimes forgets to let it out. Madeline sits in a chair just behind him, watching just as intently.

Operations stands behind Madeline, hoping to bring Madeline out of this tense situation, the quicker the better.

Nikita's hand pulls up the needle. Madeline quickly puts her hand out on top of Michael's shoulder.

I HAD YOU HERE TO HOLD...

Nikita runs the tip of the needle over the skin of her forearm. Empty, the needle glides over quickly. The amber liquid in the bottle sings out to her.

"I need this to forget... forget all..." Nikita says to herself, but her heart screams out for her to stop. She stabs the needle into the vial of "LOVES" and draws a dosage. Holding it up to the light, she stares at the liquid.

"It's me or the drugs..." Michael's voice echoes in her head again. Quickly, she sits it down on the table, and moves away.

AND I REMEMBER LOVE WARM AS A SUMMER DAY...

"I hurt.... My body hurts.. my heart hurts... I don't wanna think anymore... Just let it stop!" Nikita cries out as she pounds on the wall.

Madeline's hand is now squeezing Michael's shoulder as his body tenses, wanting to leave the office and fly to hold Nikita in his arms.

BUT I LOST YOU...

Nikita closes her eyes and all she can see is Michael. Michael's first smile to her... Michael dancing slowly at the tango competition... Michael washing her hair when she feel in the mud... "Michael.." Nikita whispers out as she falls down to the floor, crying and holding herself.

AND I LOST MY WAY...

"It's over... let me go." Michael says turning towards Madeline.

Her face is tight, as she chews on her lip. "The drugs are still there... she hasn't thrown away them... It's not over." Madeline says softly.

Operations now squeezes Madeline's shoulder.

NOW I'M IN THE RAIN...

Nikita pulls her head up towards the table. The table light hits off of the needle and the bottle of "LOVES" with a bright silvery sparkle. Nikita gets up and grabs the needle. Tracing the length of her leg with the filled needle.

Michael closes his eyes.

BEGGING YOU PLEASE, PLEASE...

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

Nikita's body shudders, and she places the needle back on the table. Shaking in the chair, she throws her arms and head down on to the table. Soon her entire body shakes with massive cries of pain and suffering.

BABY WON'T YOU SHOW ME THE WAY BACK TO YOUR HEART...

Nikita pulls her head slowly up. Turning to the left, she sees the laptop computer Michael left, with the videotape of what she looked like when she entered Section. Nikita stared at the image of her restrainted in the bed, as she kicked and screamed for her hit.

Nikita is about to look away, when the video shows Michael entering and reaching his hand out for Nikita.

"I want to start over..." Nikita mutters as she sees herself reach for Michael's hand.

LET ME SEE A SIGN TO KNOW IF I'M CLOSE OR FAR...

Nikita stands up and walks to the other end of the table. She closes her eyes. She can almost feel Michael's arms around her waist as they danced closely in their first true tango. Swaying ever inch together.

LEAD ME BACK TO THE ROAD THAT LEADS BACK TO YOUR ARMS...

Nikita's eyes open quickly, bringing her back to the hell that she is trapped in. "HE LEFT ME.... WILL HE STILL LOVE ME... HOW COULD HE... I'M JUST LIKE MY MOTHER!!!!" Nikita screams as she trips around a chair and grabs the needle once again. Sitting down she holds the needle in the air, just pausing before she stabs it into herself.

TO YOUR ARMS....

Michael covers his mouth in horror in reaction to what Nikita has just screamed. "This is too much, Madeline. There is more in play than just that drug." Michael says as he starts to stand up.

Operations places a strong hand on Michael's shoulder. "We need to wait." Operations says

EVERY NIGHT ANOTHER LONELY STREET I WALK DOWN ALONE...

With the deep breath Nikita takes before she plans on injecting "LOVES" she gets a clear picture of Michael. She remembers how he had stayed by her side as she struggle from the beatings of a Section madman, and when she was stole and used to please men. He had stayed by her side when she found out about the child she had lost.

The picture of Michael's face was all the sadness that he had helped her endure, but yet all of the happiness and laughter they had spent together.

SEARCHING FOR A LIGHT...

Nikita drops the needle onto the table. Staring down at it, she creates two fists and smashes the needle into pieces. Her body shakes, but she continues to pound away at the broken needle, until nothing was left but particles of glass.

"I'll go to her." Michael says as he tries to stand up to leave.

"She still has the bottle." Madeline points out.

LEAVE A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW AND LET IT SHINE FOR ME...

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

Nikita hurries into the living room and falls to her knees. She stares at the corner in which the camera is.

"Please... Michael... I want you... I need you..." Nikita begs as she trembles with tears and sweat.

"I want to dance with you... I want to laugh with you... I want I want... hold you again... and kiss you...." Nikita continues as her head drops to her chest.

TAKE MY HAND AND TAKE THESE TEARS AWAY...

"What more can can..can I do... " Nikita says. She turns back to the table and again the bottle shines in her eye. She runs to it and palms it in her hands. Carefully, she shows it to the camera and heaves it against the wall.

"If I'm losing you Michael... I'm going to feel all of my pain... feel the torture of the beatings... and the terror of giving my body up... I'd live it all over again a hundred times over if that was the only way to get you back..." Nikita says.

I CAN'T TAKE THE PAIN... I'M ON MY KNEES, PLEASE...

Nikita falls to her knees. No longer looking at the camera. "Please... someone... mom.. dad... god... Hear me.. I need him... I need Michael..."

Michael's entire body tenses watching Nikita's suffering.

"But I said me or the drugs... she has chosen... let me get to her!" Michael says as he struggles to maintain his composure.

"Not yet." Madeline says.

BABY WON'T YOU SHOW ME THE WAY BACK TO YOUR HEART...

"I WANT TO LIVE!!!! I WANT TO LIVE!!!!" Nikita screams at the top of her lungs. She stands back up and walks around the room. "I NEED TO LIVE!!! I NEED TOO!!!" Nikita screams again.

LET ME SEE A SIGN TO KNOW IF I'M CLOSE OR FAR...

Nikita sees the screen blinking with images of her past still. She closes it, and pulls the plug out of the wall.

"NO MORE!!!" Nikita screams and she throws the computer against the wall. She then gets on top of the table. Sitting on it, but then laying down in the fetal position.

"Michael... I need to live again... help me let go... relax release.. help... please... please... love me... love me.." Nikita chants as she rocks barely side to side.

LEAD ME BACK TO THE ROAD THAT LEADS BACK TO YOUR ARMS... TO YOUR ARMS...

Madeline lets go of Michael's shoulder, and he jumps up. In one movement, Michael is out in the hallway. In a full sprint, Michael pushes other operatives to the side. Dodging down one hallway after another.

He turns the corner and sees Birkoff out in the hallway. Before Birkoff can say a word, Michael pushes him back into his room and opens the door to see Nikita.

TAKE MY HAND AND TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS...

Nikita's head barely raises as the door closes lightly. Her blue eyes shimmer with happiness.

"Michael?" Nikita questions, wondering if she was now hallucinating.

"Nikita!" Michael says softly as he runs to her side. He pulls her from the table into his arms. Her arms wrap around his neck, making her feel secure. He moves back and forth, as if rocking a baby. Nikita's head cries into his chest.

I'M OUT IN THE DARK..DOWN ON MY KNEES, PLEASE...

Michael walks slowly into the bedroom and sits down. Nikita won't let go of him. He reaches with one hand to pull the covers down.

She digs into his clothes.

"Nikita... I'm here... I'm not leaving." Michael says as he leans back against the bed. She continues to cry, but more peacefully.

SHOW ME THE WAY BACK TO YOUR HEART...

"We will dance together again... and I want to spend nights telling you all about me.. and other nights hearing nothing but about yourself..." Michael says softly as he smooths Nikita's hair.

LET ME SEE A SIGN TO KNOW IF I'M CLOSE OR FAR...

Nikita looks up to Michael. "I feel bad... but yet good." Nikita says in a hoarse voice. Michael rubs a finger down her nose, and she smiles only for a half of a second.

"We have to help each other... that's all we know how to do." Michael says as he squeezes her tightly.

LEAD ME BACK TO THE ROAD THAT LEADS BACK TO YOUR ARMS...

"I love you, Michael." Nikita says softly.

TO YOUR ARMS...

"I love you." Michael says back.

TO YOUR ARMS

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

Nikita walked down the hallways with her arm linked with Michael's. It had been the first steps outside her living quarters in three days.

She started to shake as they past a few operatives who gave Nikita a funny look.

"Remember, no fear." Michael said as he leaned his head into her ear.

Nikita took a deep breath as they turned the corner and were standing next to Birkoff's station.

"NIKITA!" Birkoff said excitedly as he left his computer and headed towards her.

She took the hug happily, and Michael took a few steps back.

He watched Nikita smile, and internally he smiled also. He glanced at the glass window where Madeline stood.

Worry was etched across her face still.

"We will talk later Birkoff. I really have too, but just not here." Nikita said softly.

Birkoff nodded, knowing that Nikita meant all the other operatives standing around.

"We both have had a bad couple months here. Here is to better times!" Birkoff says as he hands Nikita an piece of chocolate. They bump the pieces together and throw them into their mouths.

"Let's go Michael." Nikita says. Michael continues to watch Madeline as they walk towards Walter's station.

"Oh, sugar...you had me worried... yet again!" Walter says as he takes a hug from Nikita.

"I wanted to talk to you about it... but..." Nikita starts to explain.

"You don't have to get into that..." Walter says, but Nikita shakes her head no.

"I have too. Not talking about things created the problems to start with. Right Michael?" Nikita says. Michael turns red.

"Guess you both learned a lesson?" Walter asks as he grins at Michael's embarassment.

"We learned an entire book!" Nikita says with a giggle.

"Have you seen Madeline?" Walter asks.

Nikita's entire body tightens and she looks away.

Walter looks at Michael, and Michael shakes his head in a small 'no' motion.

"So are you working on anything new for me?" Nikita asks as she looks over Walter's new projects.

"Nope... actually things here have been going pretty slow. I was so bored that I told Birkoff that I should start working on a baby cradle." Walter says happily.

Nikita looks at Michael, and starts heading towards the door.

"I want to go check the office." Nikita says softly.

"Why don't I go with you?" Michael asks as he stares at her.

"I was thinking of talking to Birkoff about... well you know." Nikita says, leaving.

"I don't understand what I said wrong." Walter says as he looks at Michael.

"Madeline had Nikita on a test group for a modification of Loving2000." Michael says after he shuts the door.

"How could she?" Walter says a bit bitter.

Michael rolls his eyes. "You can understand why Nikita stopped that conversation." Michael comments.

"What did the drug do?" Walter asks, as he wonders how bad was Nikita.

"At first it was great... but very quickly, Nikita got addicted... Had to make her chose between me and the drug." Michael says softly.

"Oh." Walter says softly.

Michael places his hand on the table. "But it opened things up between us. I have to go." Michael says.

Walter looks up.

"She doesn't look bad at all." Walter says with a wink.

"I noticed." Michael says back with a similar wink.

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

Nikita walks down the hallway with a bag in her hand. She turns the corner where Madeline stands, but keeps on walking.

"Are you happy to be leaving for your apartment?" Madeline asks loudly.

"Yes. To be out of here 24/7." Nikita comments loudly as she stops to look at Madeline.

"Nikita, we must talk." Madeline says as she walks over towards Nikita.

Nikita looks both ways to check if other are around.

"I don't believe there is anything to talk about." Nikita says rudely as she tries to turn away, but Madeline has hold of Nikita's bag.

"Nikita. I had to try." Madeline says in a harsh whisper.

"I can't trust you." Nikita says coldly. Madeline lets go of the bag.

"I fought for you and Michael... I let have some solitude... but you can't trust me?" Madeline says loudly.

"Sometimes I needed you for a friend... and you were just the Section person... using my feelings and my emotions to test out something for Section!" Nikita shots back with a firelaced tongue. Madeline takes a mental step back.

"A friend? Nikita, you made it very clear who were your friends and who weren't. I wasn't on your friend list." Madeline says in weak defense.

"How do you know that? Your were the only other woman here until I met Rita, but I still valued you more... but you just threw that out the Section Window!" Nikita says loudly. Michael stops shy of turning the corner.

"Nikita, I was terribly worried once I found out..." Madeline starts.

Nikita shakes her head no violently. "I'm not listening to this. I knew what I needed before, and you challenged me... You knew I knew I needed time! Section never has time... so you offered me the next best thing! But it pushed me back..." Nikita says loudly again. She looks down the hall.

"Michael wasn't far behind. I'm done with this conversation." Nikita says again rudely, starting to continue down the hall.

"Remember that we have to meet about your studies." Madeline says as she grits her teeth.

"How could I forget? I get to spend an hour with my favorite Section person!" Nikita comments sarcastically as she turns another corner.

Michael emerges from his hiding spot. "She is deeply hurt this time." Michael comments, and Madeline turns towards him.

"I thought she would listen." Madeline comments.

Michael rolls his eyes to the right side.

"Sounds like she wants you to listen first." Michael says calmly. He starts to walk towards Madeline, but does not stop. As he is about to turn the same corner Nikita had only momentarily turned, he stopped.

"Give her time... that was what she asked for in the first place." Michael says and he leaves.

Madeline walks slowly away... her feet start matching the second ticking away on her watch.

Tick............
Tick............
Tick............

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