Nikita and Michael walk into Madeline's office. Madeline is wearing a pair of green sweatpants and a white t-shirt. She glances up from her computer and sees a smiling Nikita and a red-shirt clad Michael.

"I knew that was going to happen..." Nikita giggles as she touches Michael's shirt. Madeline now sits and watch the couple continue to giggle.

"May I ask what is so funny?" Madeline asked. Michael's face turns as red as his shirt.

"Anna spit all over Michael's black shirt...I don't think she likes black." Nikita laughs out as she sits down. Michael rolls his eyes and sits down.

"Anna is quite the popular one around here, now that you have rejoined us with your new found consciousness."

Madeline says quite smartly. Nikita's giggles immediately stop. "I wanted to get you back into the swing of things... I didn't mean with Anna."

"We just stopped to see our godchild." Nikita says with a light smile.

"Good to see that your third day of being a godparent you've done such a fine job." Madeline says and with that she places four folders infront of Nikita and Michael. Nikita picks up two on the left and Michael two on the right.

"These are four couples that we are considering for training under you two. Since Rick and Rita are now in Hong Kong, you need some new material." Madeline says.

"How many are we keeping?" Michael asks as he thumbs open on of the reports.

"All the operatives are staying... we will only keep two as couples...for now." Madeline says. Nikita glances over at Michael's folders.

"How are we elimating them?" Nikita questions as she crosses her legs.

"Through the psychological and physical tests. You will run through the standard tests with them." Madeline says. Michael looks over at Nikita.

"We'll do the physical first." Michael comments coldly. Nikita shots him a icy glare.

"Then you will have a chance to observe them..." Madeline says as Birkoff burst through the door.

"Here is the list you wanted for your costume party Madeline..." Birkoff says laying the papers down on her desk. "And we are starting to clean out our old social hall... boy is it dirty."

Nikita and Michael stare at Madeline as Birkoff leaves.

"Ah... you will observe all four couples at this party..." Madeline stampers out.

"Old social hall?" Nikita asks. Madeline pushes the files to the side.

"Yeah. I think it's time that the operatives had some fun... but the social hall is dissociated from here so that the operatives that do have an outside life could bring a friend." Madeline explains. She stands up, and two wet spots have formed on her shirt.

"Umm.. I have.. to ...go..." Michael stampers out as he runs out. Nikita bows her head down in laughter.

"What is wrong?" Madeline asks. Nikita looks up.

"You may want to look in a mirror." Nikita chokes out. Madeline steps to the side three steps and gasps in horror. "So your breast feeding?" Nikita giggles and she exits quickly.

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

Nikita slumps down on the bed as she holds her head tightly.

"Can you believe those couples... what does Madeline think we are... miracle workers?" Nikita complains. Michael walks in with a hot towel. He lightly pushes Nikita back and places the towel on her head.

"For your headache." Michael says softly. Nikita pauses for a moment.

"Michael... I was surprized that those couples didn't kill each other with the pretend weapons..." Nikita says throwing her hands out to the side.

"I better let you talk...or you'll never get rid of your headache..." Michael says, sitting down on the bed.

"Well take Hiro and Kiki...who would name their kid Kiki..." Nikita starts and Michael shakes his head no lightly.

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

"It's ok my little Kiki-kiki poo-poo..." Hiro, a tall Japanese man says as he holds a small blonde in his arms.

"Oh Hiro... I'm just the klutz.. and I'm holding you back.." Kiki says with a few tears running down her face.

Michael looks at Nikita, who is sitting on the stool waiting for the two to resume the exercise.

"We do have several other exercises... we can come back to this one." Nikita says loudly. Hiro let's go of KiKi and walk back to the center of the room.

"Go again." Hiro calls out. Michael looks at the controller room and nods his head. The lights go out and Hiro and KiKi assume the position of defense. A few hologram figures fly by and they shoot them quickly. Then the operatives rush Hiro and Kiki in the dark. A few kicks and a scream later, Michael calls for the lights.

"YOU KICKED ME!!!" Kiki hollers as she slaps Hiro.

"Kiki.. I didn't know it was you..." Hiro says following Kiki out of the room.

"They haven't had any training yet." Michael says as he looks at Nikita's frowning face.

"Did they even have basic Section training...what is their status again?" Nikita ask angerily. Michael shrugs his shoulder and throws their file to Nikita.

"Oh, this is good...A communications operative and a housecleaning...they had to be mixed in here by mistake..." Nikita says as she throws the folder down on the floor.

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

"I should have know the day was going to get worse..." Nikita complains. Michael stands up and walks to the bathroom.

Running water is heard and Michael reemerges with a towel. He sits back in the bed and places the towel on his head.

"I guess you on to Trennie and Jacob..." Michael comments.

"Now that you said... Trennie and Jacob...ahhhh!"

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

"Come on Jacob..." Trennie, a tall red head with a muscle builder's body, says as she drags up Jacob, a man built like Birkoff, with a lot more hair.

"Trennie, if you'd stop trying to do everything..." Jacob whined. Trennie takes his hands hard and grasps them in the dancing position.

"You know you can't lead!" Trennie berates Jacob, and his head hangs low.

"Nikita, we were never like this..." Michael says softly, "Were we?".

"Mmm, I think we might have been... think back..." Nikita answers scrunching her eyes up.

"I know we didn't trip over each other five times." Michael says firmly as he walks back to the sound system. "A simple waltz." Michael calls out for the two.

"And we only had problems with the tango... until we figured that out.." Nikita says with a mischievious smile.

Trennie starts taking the lead. Then Jacob, struggling for power, pushes his way into the dance. Both trying to force each other in two different ways, the couple ends up falling over again.

"That's enough. I'll see you two tomorrow!" Nikita calls out. Trennie picks her body up off of the floor. As she starts to walk out, she hits Jacob with the towel, for taking the lead.

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

"But don't forget Ingrid and Roger..." Nikita says. Michael leans up in bed.

"Nikita, I have to agree on them." Michael says as he whips the towel off of Nikita's forehead.

"They couldn't figure out how to get out of the restraints together." Nikita says shaking her head lightly.

"I found that extremely funny." Michael says with a small smile. "Then Kelly and Kelly weren't that smart either."

"I say we take no couple that has the same name." Nikita says quickly. "Kelly...no Kelly the girl... yes you Kelly." Nikita demostrates.

"And you still have the psychological part." Michael says with a slight smile.

"Don't make me..." Nikita pretends to cry out. "I just really want to choke them now, I have no idea how I'm going to be civilize tomorrow."

"You could take your aggression out on me..." Michael says with a slight smile. "If you don't have that headache anymore."

"Mmm.. what headache?"

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

Nikita sits in the office and Michael walks out the door as Hiro and KiKi enter. They bump into each other as they both go for the same chair. Nikita looks down at the paper in front of her, that she meant for notes. She drops the pen, thinking that notes won't be needed.

"This is just to see how much you know about each other, about you." Nikita explains. Hiro holds KiKi's hand as if they were a couple waiting to hear they were pregnant.

"So KiKi, what was your childhood like?" Nikita asks, and folds her hands on top of her desk.

"Oh, god.. always that question!" Kiki yells and tears are immediately rolling down her face.

"Kiki-kiki poo-poo..." Hiro calls out, and both rush out of the office.

Nikita sits at her chair, without blinking. Michael enters and stares at her.

"What did you ask them?" Michael asks with a hard frown.

"KiKi, what was your childhood like?" Nikita says as she stands up.

"No way!" Michael says as he puts his hands on his hips. Nikita closes the office door.

"Michael, do you think this is a set up by Madeline?" Nikita asks softly. Michael leans against his desk.

"So you were thinking the same thing." Michael says even softer. Nikita frowns even harder.

"Is this to keep us out of her hair?" Nikita asks softly. She stands up and walks out of the room.

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

"Birkoff, I need to find the perfect outfit for Michael and Nikita." Madeline says in a whispered voice as she rocks the almost crying Anna in her arms.

"Why not the Vampires... it's like what you've put them in before." Birkoff says as he starts to shake a rattle in front of Anna.

"I'm trying to create romance for those two...not lust... plus the outfit would detract from Michael." Madeline says as she shift Anna in her arms.

"Then why did I buy that set?" Birkoff asks in a slight put off tone.

"That will be for couple number three... is that Hiro and KiKi?" Madeline says as she whispers as Anna settles a little.

"Then that is four outfits for Hiro and Kiki... because you can't remember the names of the operatives you pushed together to create this game for Michael and Nikita." Birkoff says through a tense whisper.

"I don't need them hovering around me constantly." Madeline reminds Birkoff. Birkoff sets the rattle down.

"Then what do Michael and Nikita go as?" Birkoff asks. Madeline sits down in the rocking chair. Mildred walks in.

"Thanks Mildred." Madeline says as she places some clean diapers in the room. Birkoff waits until Mildred walks out.

"And where did you find Mildred?" Birkoff says as he storms out, but quitely storms out.

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

Nikita sits at her desk, shuffling papers around. Michael looks over and smiles.

"What?" Nikita asks, trying to act innocent. Michael continues to smile until a knock is heard at the door.

"Oh, Michael....stop it...wait..mmmm...stop it..." Nikita immediately says as she slams her hands on the desk, making several thumping sounds. Michael is silently laughing.

"Nikita!" Madeline calls out, and Nikita ceases her movements. Madeline walks in and shuts the door. "Michael, could you..."

"Sure." Michael finishes and walks out silently. Madeline watches the door close and then sits down.

"Birkoff told me that you canceled the psychological reviews after you started with Hiro's and Kiki's. Why?" Madeline says sternly.

"You should have done a better job making up pretend couples." Nikita says without blinking.

"They are couples." Madeline says firmly.

"In your weird game they are couples." Nikita fires back. Madeline's shoulders slump.

"I don't have time for this. Yes, I made them up. But it's for your own good." Madeline says.

"Hey, it's your Section." Nikita says as she pulls out a present and hands it Madeline.

"Nikita..." Madeline says as she tries to push it away, but soon is opening it. Madeline holds up the small pink dress with Cinderella on it.

"I always wanted to be Cinderella as a kid. Might as well get Anna started early." Nikita says with a small smile.

"Thanks." Madeline says as she stands up. "Please go along with it for the others." Nikita shakes her head yes and Madeline walks out.

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

"Birkoff, Walter." Madeline says as the two enter the her office. The two look at Madeline with a smile.

"Is this offical party work?" Birkoff asks looking both ways.

"Cinderella." Madeline says. Walter looks at Birkoff and then back at Madeline.

"Do we get to be the ugly step sisters?" Walter asks very seriously.

"You two can be whatever you please. Find the best costume." Madeline says handing over the Section funds and a picture of what she means.

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

"I can't even remember their names... but Hiro and Kiki stand out... and is there a Jacob?" Nikita says as she laughs in the office.

"I didn't think that there was a Jacob..." Michael says softly as he leans in close to Nikita.

"Well, I really don't care now... couple number one...couple number two... whatever." Nikita comments as Michael brushes her hair away from her neck. "Should I be clearing my paperwork off my desk?"

"No. I just want to feel you close to me... I can't get enough." Michael says as he leans his forehead down against the white neck skin. He slowly raises his head and walks back to his desk.

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

Nikita sits in the early dawn light at the window sill. A lightly worn book is in her hands, and her mouth moves lightly with the words she reads. Michael stirs in the bed, reaches out for her, and when he finds her warm body missing, he sits up.

"Nikita?" Michael asks as he shields his eyes from the incoming light.

"Mmm?" Nikita mutters out, still reading the book intensely.

"What are you doing?" Michael asks as he slids his legs out from underneath the covers.

"He was now a fine-looking young man, of medium height, with heavy jet black hair, a high intelligent brow, large and passionate nostrils, a frank and calm expression, and an indescribable something beaming from every feature, which was at once lofty, thoughtful, and innocent. His manners were reserved, cold, polished, far from free. But as his mouth was very pleasant, his lips the reddest and his teeth the whitest in the world, his smile corrected the severity of his physiognomy. At certain moments there was a strange contrast between this chaste brow and this voluptuous smile."

Nikita quotes from memory, the book she has now closed.

Michael sits down lightly on the bed.

"Les Miserables." Michael mutters out softly. Nikita turns and smiles.

"I never knew a book to hit me..." Nikita starts to explain but stops as Michael looks at her. His lips almost curving in a smile, but his eyes looking cold from memories. "I'm sorry Michael!" Nikita says dropping the book to the floor.

Michael stands and walks to the window.

"He fell upon the seat, she by his side. There were no more words. The stars were beginning to shine. How was it that their lips met? How is it that the birds sing, that the snow melts, that the rose opens, that May blooms, that the dawn

whitens behind the black trees on the shivering summit of the hill?" Michael echoes out in his soft French accent. He looks down at Nikita, and sees her tears shimmering in the morninglight, and Nikita sees Michael's splashing his face like tiny diamonds.

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

Madeline sits at her desk, looking at the two black garmet bags hanging in her office. She folds her hands in pleasure.

The vampires walk out of dressing area.

"We're ready... now were do we go?" the man, Madeline had stopped trying to identify who was who.

"Here is your map." Madeline says handing the paper over. "Remember... you think you are being tested tonight."

The two leave and Madeline sighs. She closes her eyes gently.

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

"Madeline..." Nikita sings softly as she touches Madeline shoulder. Madeline sits up quickly and rubs her eyes.

"Oh, you two already?" Madeline asks. She glances at the clock and stands up. "Nikita, go take a shower, in there!"

Nikita looks at Madeline and runs off to the shower. Madeline hands over the bag to Michael.

"Madeline," Michael says softly as he holds the bag gently.

"What is it Michael?" Madeline asks. Michael bows his head.

"Did you tell Nikita to read Les Miserables?" Michael asks looking directly into her eyes.

"No. Why? Is she?" Madeline asks and then her head drops. "Oh."

"She quoted the same part you did when you were training me." Michael says as he picks his posture back up. "But it was different."

"Because she said it out of love." Madeline says as she follows him to the door. "What did you say back?"

"That's for me to know." Michael says with a smile.

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

"Madeline, please let me see myself!" Nikita squirms as Madeline works on pulling Nikita's hair up into the Cinderella's style. A blindfold is over Nikita's eyes, and her make-up has been put on. Madeline pats her hair and then steps back.

"Ok, stand up!" Madeline says as she unzips the garmet bag. She pulls out a shimmering blue and white dress, like the one in the cartoon. Nikita holds onto the chair with one hand. Madeline places the dress infront of her. "Step in."

Madeline orders.

In a few fluid movements, Nikita has stepped into the dress, and Madeline has pulled it up and zipped it. Madeline steps in front a sighs. She leans down and pulls out the slippers. Nikita easily changes them, still not able to see.

"I'm going to take the blind fold off now." Madeline says. The blindfold drops and Nikita's mouth drops also.

"No tears... you'll mess up your make-up." Madeline says as she sees the young woman's face.

"This is almost as happy as Michael made me this morning." Nikita says with a brillant smile. "Off to get my Prince Charming!"

"I'm taking you... he will meet you there." Madeline says.

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

Nikita gently walks down the hallway that is filled with silver balloons. At the end, there is a set of stairs. At the first step, most of the party goers stop and turn. With one scan of the crowd, Nikita sees Michael towards the back.

Michael, dressed in a white suit, with metals of gold and silver, immediately steps forward. The hall hushs as Nikita slowly descends the stair, and Michael walks toward her.

They slip into each others arms and start to glide to the music eveyone else has neglected. A soft haze seems to follow them around the dance floor.

"MMM.... Madeline the mad schemer." Nikita sofly mumbles into Michael's neck.

"You are an angel tonight." Michael says softly back.

"No, I'm Cinderella." Nikita says with a smile. Quickly, Michael moves to connect with that smile.

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

Michael and Nikita now stand off to the side, taking a breather to talk and thank Madeline. A soft rumble of laughter is heard and soon increases.

Walter and Birkoff appear at the top of the stairs, dressed in full length ball gowns. Walter's is a fushia and Birkoff's is close to a yellow. Their wigs fit on fine, but both neglected to shave off their now eight o'clock shadows. Soon Michael and Nikita are caught up in the laughing.

"Hey, look! It's my ugly step sisters!" Nikita snorts aloud, and the laughter increases. Walter smiles and takes Birkoff's hands and start dancing with him.

"It's too much!" Michael says and turns away from the scene.

Madeline picks up her coat, and starts to turn to leave.

"You're not leaving!" Nikita says. Madeline takes Nikita to the side.

"Look at the punk rockers in matching hair... they might be a couple to watch." Madeline says. Nikita glances and Michael walks over.

"Madeline, this was your idea." Michael protests.

"No. It was everyones." Madeline says turning to leave. "Remember that."

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