"Michael, Nikita, meet Diamond, he will be your communications expert in this up coming mission." Operations says as Michael and Nikita enter the briefing room. Both of them look at the older, heavy set man, and go and sit down.

"So Birkoff refuses?" Nikita asks again. Operations looks at Diamond, who is looking Nikita up and down.

"Yes. He is very clear with us that he needs to be relocated to another team." Operations says. Nikita looks at Michael with a troubled raise of her eyebrow.

"Since you will be working with a new expert, this mission, will be more tedious than others." Operations says. He pulls up the 3-D screen and a picture of a lighthouse comes up.

"This is the lighthouse which you two will guard as Park Rangers. From here you can see on a clear day over three miles in any direction." Operations says. "This lighthouse is being repaired, so this won't be a vacation trip. Along with night shifts, there will be manual labor along with the mission profile."

"And what would that be?" Michael asks. Operations pulls down the screen and sits down.

"A young woman named Melissa York leaves at the closest estate to the lighthouse, only several hundred feet away.

She is the widow of Dante Fortunota." Operations says.

"So, is the Fortunota wife continuing the family business?" Nikita asks.

"No." Diamond answers in a deep voice. "Our intel is that she hasn't been in contact with any of that organization... but she has been attacked by those who dislike the Fortunota Family." Diamond continues in a deep voice, that freezes Nikita's skin.

Operations stands back up and pulls up the screen. "This is Melissa York." The screen shows a 20ish female. She has a striking appearance like Nikita's. Long, blonde hair, and eyes almost the same hue as Nikita's. Her face is more round, and her nose is a cute little button.

Michael looks at Nikita, and then at the screen. Nikita looks at the girl and then at Diamond.

"Is there something wrong Michael?" Operations asks, seeing Michael continually shifting between the screen and Nikita.

"Ah.. no." Michael says.

"All of the other information is in the PDA's. Diamond will run the inventory of supplies you will need. You'll be leaving in two hours." Operations says. The three of them stand up.

"Nikita... she looks..." Michael starts to say.

"Nikita... I'd like to speak with you." Operations interrupts. Nikita shrugs her shoulders, and Michael leaves.

"I can't express how important this mission is. We need to keep Melissa York alive." Operations says as he looks at the floor below.

"Why?" Nikita questions as she stands next to Operations. Michael is on the floor speaking to Diamond.

"I don't have to explain to you why." Operations says turning from the window.

"It's your daughter!" Nikita accuses loudly. Operations shuts his eyes.

"Yes." Operations admits. Nikita shakes her head.

"Why didn't you just tell Michael that also?" Nikita questions as she turns to stand infront of him.

"Nikita, just protect Melissa." Operations says. Nikita starts for the door, but then stops.

"How many more children do you have?" Nikita questions.

"You have less than two hours." Operations counters and shuts the door, behind Nikita.

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

"I don't know how Birkoff ran these kind of missions with you two, but I will not stand for idle chit-chat. Since you two are not playing the sex-crazied couple, I will not listen to you two do that. During this mission, I want none of that. The com units stay on at all times!" Diamond drones on as Michael drives the jeep towards the Lighthouse.

"We've heard this about seven times now!" Nikita complains. Michael gives her a hard glance, and then his eyes go back to the pot holed road.

"I'll notify you if I need you to speak. No unnecessary talking. Nikita, that qualifies as unnecessary talking." Diamond says in a loud, demanding voice.

The young woman stands infront of the lighthouse, waving at the incoming jeep. Michael pulls the jeep into the parking spot and hops out. Nikita reaches into the back for one of the bags filled with their special equipment. SHe opens the door, but has not emerged yet.

"Hi, I am Melissa!" Melissa says offering a soft hand to Michael. Michael shakes it.

"I'm Michael, and this is my wife, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita turns out of the jeep. She smiles, but stares, like she was looking into a mirror.

"Hi." Nikita mutters as she shakes Melissa's hand.

"They always say you have a double somewhere!" Melissa says with a glowing smile.

"Well, we have alot to do to get settled." Michael says, pointing to the filled jeep.

"If you need anything, I'm right over there." Melissa says pointing towards her house.

"Sure..." Nikita mutters. Melissa walks away and Michael stands next to Nikita.

"This is too odd." Michael says as he starts to pick up a bag filled with the extra equipment that Diamond sent with them.

"Just get the equipment set up!" Diamond roars. Nikita, trudges up the lighthouse.

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

Nikita stares out the window, and at the piles of unnecessary equipment that Diamond sent with them. She licks her lips as she sighs in boredom of the total silence that Diamond expects.

"Kita.. what is wrong?" Michael asks as he walks over to the window.

"Is someone coming, already?" Diamond asks immediately. Neither of them can tell if Diamond is listening or not.

"We can't sit up here for day after day without talking to each other!" Michael finally snaps. Nikita shakes her head no.

She has tried that already with Diamond, and he demands the silence. She walks over to a pad of paper.

"Just thinking." Nikita writes down. Michael grabs the paper from her.

"About how you look like Melissa?" Michael scribbles down.

"No... About how much I miss Birkoff!" Nikita writes and underlines.

"I need a report!" Diamond demands. Nikita walks over to the window.

"No activity." Nikita says sharply. Michael looks around the little living space, and the mattress on the floor, with no frame or bedsprings.

"Diamond, is there a way I can speak with Operations?" Nikita asks.

"No activity, no reason. He will be by for his daily report." Diamond says.

Nikita knocks her head to the table, and Michael lays down on the squashed mattress.

"Welcome to the mission from the hell!" Nikita scribbles on the pad of paper and throws it to Michael.

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

Nikita stands at the wall of the living quarters that has to be painted, but her and Michael have been using it to paint messages to each other. Then, when Michael went to take a 3 hour nap, and they kissed, Diamond almost jumped down her throat.

"Nikita...report." Diamond asks loudly and in a grumpy voice.

"Nothing is happening. Not one person has come or left." Nikita says slightly loud. She stares out the window, and sees Melissa's hair glowing in the sunlight as she tends to the garden. Nikita tries to remember, that someone that girl is Operations' daughter. In anger, she throws the paint brush against the wall.

"What was that?" Diamond demands. Nikita walks over to the paint brush.

"I dropped the paint brush." Nikita says. She looks up and sees Michael stagger in. He holds up a piece of paper that asks, "Asleep?" Nikita nods her head no. She grabs the paper out of Michael's hand.

"I need to talk to Operations... cover for me, alright?" Nikita writes and shows the paper to Michael. He nods and Nikita gently takes the com unit off.

"Operations." Operations answers the phone. Nikita walks down several stair, so not to be picked up on the com unit.

"We will never forgive you for this one." Nikita says tensely.

"Nikita, how is the mission?" Operations asks.

"She is terrified, because I look exactly like her!" Nikita says sharply.

"I'm sure her's is all dye. I remember her being a brunette." Operations lies smoothly.

"Will you get Diamond off of our backs... me and Michael are communicating via paper!" Nikita says again, sharply.

"Diamond is the best next to Birkoff." Operations responds.

"Well how many of your operatives who worked with him committed suicide because of boredom!" Nikita says.

"You better get back to your post." Operations says, hanging up.

Michael doesn't even question about what was going on. Nikita just silently sits and writes on the paper.

"Melissa is Ops. daughter... lucky me.. protecting all of his kids... Any idea about how many? He isn't going to help us with Diamond." Nikita writes, and then places her head down in frustration.

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

"How is their mission going?" Madeline asks as she sits down in Operations office.

"I never realized how much Nikita does look like Melissa." Operations says, staring out of the window.

"They look very similar." Madeline answers with a raised eyebrow. Operations looks at her and then back away.

"Nikita has told me that they are having difficulties with Diamond." Operations says.

"Diamond? How could you assign him to those two?" Madeline says in disguise.

"He is the second to Birkoff." Operations says.

"But he demands total quiet... that will drive those two insane!" Madeline responds.

"They are being creative... using paper, and paint to communicate." Operations says.

"You aren't going to talk about Melissa, are you?" Madeline asks looking at Operations.

"What is there to talk about?" Operations challenges.

"I find it odd... I mean she does look a lot like Nikita..." Madeline says walking towards Operations.

"I am not Nikita's father!" Operations roars. Madeline places a hand on his forearm.

"Let's talk about your child." Madeline says patting her expanding stomache.

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

"Nikita... wake up!" Michael says loudly as he shakes Nikita's body on the mattress. She turns slightly and moans.

"WAKE UP!!!!!" Diamond roars through the com unit and Nikita sits straight up.

"What is going on?" Nikita asks as she struggles to balance her body as she stands up.

"Fog has moved in... and there seems to be two cars... but I can't tell any longer." Michael says as he points out the window. The fog is surrounding them.

"Nikita... will change the equipment." Diamond says. Nikita shakes her head no at Michael. Taking the trusty pad of paper, she starts to write.

"Orders to protect Melissa. I must go over." Nikita writes. Michael, looking angry, writes, "But Diamond will know."

Nikita shakes her head as she points to the com unit and then makes the motions with her hands that represent breaking it.

"We'll start moving equipment." Michael says, and he loudly starts to unzip bags. Nikita softly slides her gun into place, and grabs a giant flashlight.

Nikita blows Michael a kiss as she starts down the stairs.

"What is that I hear?" Diamond asks as he hears Nikita shut the door to the lighthouse, stepping out into the fog. She takes the com unit out, and jumps onto it.

Now stranded in the fog, Nikita starts off for Melissa's house.

Michael intensely looks out the window. He can't even see Melissa's house any longer, and only a brief glow of Nikita's flashlight. Then suddenly nothing.

"Michael... were is Nikita?" Diamond asks loudly.

"She is moving equipment.. there are so many pieces.." Michael says.

"Nikita, report in!" Diamond yells.

"She has some wires in her mouth right now." Michael says. He holds his breath as he waits to hear Diamond's response.

"You should be working like she is!" Diamond roars back.

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

Nikita bumps into a car in front of Melissa's house. Inside, the driver stirs. Taking her gun out, she easily kills the driver.

The fog, so thick that Nikita can barely see her hand, as covered everything. Knowing that Michael can't talk to her, she worries. She stands against the wall of the house, wondering what to do next. She has no way of telling how many are in the house, and how many outside the house.

She leans her head back against the wall, and rubs her sore jaw.

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

"Walter..." Nikita's voice rang out in Walter's work space. He looked immediately at the door way and then shook his head. He blinks his eyes as he remembers that Michael and Nikita are out on a mission.

"Walter..." Nikita's voice, more urgently sounded out in the room. Walter glanced at the hallway, and then back to his station.

"Her tooth!" Walter called out as he suddenly remembered the bug. He hurried around the room, pushing away several other items and pulls out the reciever.

"Walter... you need to help me..." Nikita says in a breathless matter. He knocks at the window, and motions for Birkoff to enter.

"Kita is in trouble." Walter says. Birkoff just stares at him.

"Diamond is speaking to them right now." Birkoff says, and turns away.

"Get Birkoff... need to know you hear me... tell Michael to flash lighthouse light twice..." Nikita says. Birkoff stops and turns to the reciever. Quickly, he pulls a pulls a computer over and starts typing.

"Shut the door and lock it. Get Operations on the ball down here." Birkoff says. Walter quickly shuts the door. Birkoff pulls some screens up and finally hears some noise.

"Michael?" Birkoff asks. Suddenly, a roar from Diamond is heard outside Walter's workspace.

"Birkoff... Nikita is gone into the fog..." Michael says.

"We know. Flash the lighthouse light twice." Birkoff says. Michael hurries to the light and does as told.

"Oh, thank you!" Nikita lets out a big sigh.

"We can hear Nikita, but the only way to communicate with her is by that light." Birkoff tells Michael. Walter looks at the door, as something is thrown against it. Operations rattles the steel gate opposite from the door.

"What is the meaning of this?" Operations says. Walter lets him in.

"Walter... I've killed the driver... more in the house.. don't know how many... Do I go in? Three for yes... one for no..." Nikita says.

Operations looks at Birkoff and Walter in a silent rage.

"Birkoff... what now?" Michael asks. Birkoff looks at Operations.

"Fog moved in. Nikita is at the house with a one way bug in her mouth." Walter says, filling in Operations.

"Flash no." Operations says. Birkoff relays the message.

"What am I suppose to do... wait!" Nikita says loudly.

"Have Michael flash 'yes'" Operations orders.

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

Nikita squats down against the house, and waits, exactly like she was told to do. If they send Michael, it will be hard to tell if it is Michael or someone else.

"When two people are so close together, their bodies react... listening to your body in a non-vision situation is important... I believe you and Michael have that." Madeline's voice echoes through Nikita's head. She takes a deep breath, trying to feel any difference in her body, and hoping if not, she can scene the bad guys before they find her.

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

Nikita sits incredible still against the house. A slight crackle from along the house, occurs, and Nikita can feel the ground tremor with the footsteps of a person. Quickly, she trips the person, feels the head, and when doesn't feel Michael's hair, she snaps the person's neck. Taking a few steps away from the body, she slides back down.

"I've killed another." Nikita mutters.

"Michael?" Birkoff says. Michael is trudging through the thick fog, and now bumps into the car.

"Yeah, Birk?" Michael whispers. He looks into the car, wondering if it is the same one Nikita ran into. Seeing the dead driver, he stands up.

"Nikita killed another." Birkoff says. Walter looks at the pacing Operations.

Michael steps towards the house and touches the walls. His feet rub against the dead body, and he inches to the left.

Suddenly he stops as a gun in placed on his neck.

"Had to make sure it was you." Nikita whispers into his ear, and she takes the gun away. Michael pulls out a com unit and hands it to Nikita.

"Is it still Diamond?" Nikita asks as she keeps a hand on Michael, because as she leans back, she can no longer see Michael.

"No, Nikita.. Your super Birkoff is at the helm now!" Birkoff responds. Operations moves over.

"Get to the picture window. You will make your enterance there." Operations says in a firm voice. Slowly, the two continue to the left, one hand holding a gun, and the other, placed on the side of the house.

They secure the steps, and walk onto the porch. The light is dim, and they duck under the window.

"Michael... they can't see us.. were in the fog." Nikita whispers, and she stands up.

"Kill them all, spare Melissa only if you can." Operations says coldly. Nikita looks into the room, understanding that Operations didn't even react to the possibility that his daughter may die.

Nikita motions to Michael, and in a count of three, they jump and roll through the window. Nikita, from a laying position,

immediately places a bullet into Melissa's upper thigh. As Operations' daughter starts to fall, Nikita aims above her and kills the man that was holding her. Michael is now moving towards the back of the house. With three more shots, three more men are dead.

Nikita squats as she hears footsteps running down the stairs. Michael runs back into the living room, and as the men appear, several bullets pierce their bodies.

"How many were there?" Nikita asks as she rushes over to Melissa. Shocked, but not in danger, Melissa looks at Nikita.

"Six inside, two outside." Melissa says as tears run down her face. Looking around quickly, Michael turns and walks to the other room.

"All dead. Send in housecleaning and medical units." Michael says.

"How is Melissa?" Operations reacts. Walter and Birkoff stare at Operations, who is now rubbing his hands nervously.

"I shot her in the thigh to get her to fall... not a bad womb." Nikita says. Nikita rubs Melissa's hair and she sits down on the floor holding the sobbing Melissa.

"Did they do anything to you?" Nikita asks softly, and Melissa shakes her head 'no'.

"DID THEY?" Operations screams. Walter puts a hand on Operations' shoulder and takes him a step away from Birkoff.

"Hey, it's your daughter... no need to lie with us." Walter says softly.

"They only scared her." Nikita reports.

"The teams are going to have problems getting in with this fog." Michael says as he paces infront of the broken window.

"Just hang in there." Birkoff says. Nikita looks at Michael and smiles.

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

"Nikita." Operations says to the blonde with her back towards him as he enters the house. Melissa turns around, and Operations knows immediately that he was wrong. "Sorry..."

"No problem, what is it, Chief?" Melissa says with a golden smile. Nikita walks out of the kitchen and sees Operations staring at Melissa, with a softer look than he even gives Madeline. Nikita looks at the doorway and sees Birkoff and Walter enter.

"BIRKOFF!" Nikita says happily and she bounds over to him. "You will never never never let us with that dimwit again!"

Nikita says with a quick hug.

"No one will have that dimwit again." Birkoff announces in a serious tone. Nikita's face drops, never expecting Diamond's punishment to be that severe.

"Nikita, he has been reassigned to be retrained as a Torture Boy." Walter says, seeing Nikita's face drop.

"You were the creative one this time." Walter comments as he touches her mouth. She opens her mouth wide to show she has already taken it out.

"I was praying you still had that transmitter on." Nikita admitted with a smile. Walter leans into Nikita closely.

"When I first heard your sweet voice, sugar, I thought I was going to end up on Madeline's bed for sure." Walter says with a smile. Nikita only nods and walks to Operations.

"So, sir?" Nikita asks as Operations has been carrying on a conversation with Melissa.

"Good work." Operations says with a smile. Melissa looks around the place, and looks at Nikita.

"If you are leaving tonight, could you take me into town... I'm going to leave the area." Melissa says softly.

"We can do that." Michael says from behind the two. Melissa looks at Michael and then Nikita.

"So you two are only partners?" Melissa asks. Nikita smiles at Michael.

"No. They are more than partners." Operations responds. He starts out of the house, with a look of content on his face.

"Let's get out of here." Nikita says as she looks at the five of them standing around the house. Melissa looks at Birkoff and smiles. Birkoff smiles back.

"This might not be good Nikita..." Michael says as they walk behind the three of them. The fog as started to lift a little, and the sound of Birkoff and Melissa giggling makes it to Michael and Nikita.

"Melissa's life will always be affected by Section, but she won't know it... it would be easier if she was with Birkoff..." Nikita whispers back.

"But, is he just.. because she looks like you..." Michael says softly. Nikita turns to Michael.

"I don't think she looks that much like me. Does she?" Nikita challenges Michael. He gives Nikita's forehead a kiss.

"No. Only one Nikita in this world."

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

"I heard that Melissa and Birkoff are hitting it off." Madeline says as Operations enters their shared bedroom. Madeline's stomache is covered by the blanket, much bigger.

"Yes." Operations replies as he sits on the edge of the bed.

"And what do you think of that?" Madeline asks. Operations looks at her stomache.

"I haven't had time to think about it. It doesn't matter, it's her life." Operation responds and he hurries into the bathroom.

A few moments later, he reappears with PJ's on.

"But Birkoff could be seeing her because she is so similar to Nikita." Madeline says as Operations pulls back the sheets.

"What is it with you pointing this out? We found how many other Nikita look alikes when we had the problem with the game?" Operations responds.

"But she looks like your daughter... what do your other daughters look like?" Madeline says harshly.

"I'm not talking about this... and I thought you still haven't talked to Nikita!" Operations says with a huff.

"You are right, but I believe it is because of this." Madeline says as she pats her stomache.

"That's all I want to think about." Operations say as he puts a hand on the stomache. He smiles and leans back.

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