Nikita walks down the hall of Section in a pair of gray sweatpants and a white tank top. She still appears to be a shadow of her former self, but much approved over the Nikita that was in Medlab. Nikita walks with her arms swinging back and forth in a loose manner as she steps into Madeline's office. She had an workout early in the morning, then a nap. After the nap she jogged to Medlab for the blood work they do every other day now, and then Nikita headed right to Madeline's office. Madeline had quickly found out that four o'clock was too late, because Nikita found herself being extremely tired before dinner.

Now, at 2 o'clock, Nikita enters Madeline's office and Madeline smiles.

"Blood work is looking great." Madeline says as Nikita sits down.

Nikita nods her head and crosses her legs.

"And you seem to be improving in the workouts." Madeline continues as she shuffles papers.

"Not fast enough." Nikita says with a small frown. Madeline shakes her head and frowns back.

"Nikita, do you realize how close to death you were?" Madeline asks, and she realizes that she has probably asked this question four times a week for the past three weeks of Nikita's recovery.

"Yes, Madeline, but I should be back quicker than this. I was only that close to death for a short period of time." Nikita comments back, starting to fight with Madeline.

Internally, Madeline smiles as she sees Nikita recovering her tough outer shell. "Nikita... there isn't much we haven't talked about, but we have avoided the Operations issue." Madeline says slowly.

Nikita smiles back at Madeline. "Neither of us want to talk about him. And the operatives are all pretty supportive of me... in hating him." Nikita responds with the smile staying on her face.

"Have you even seen him?" Madeline asks quickly.

"No. Don't care to either." Nikita says shaking her hair back carelessly.

Madeline stands up and starts to slowly pace.

"Do you think you and Michael could do me a favor?" Madeline starts, and Nikita raises an eyebrow.

"Is this a test?" Nikita remarks with a voice that sounds like Madeline's.

"I need a babysitter for tonight." Madeline says softly, and looking at Nikita. She instantly sees Nikita's face light up.

"One condition." Nikita says and Madeline stops, and wonders what Nikita is going to bargin for.

"And what is that?" Madeline asks as she sits back down at her desk.

"Me and Michael can go back to our apartment." Nikita says with a bright smile.

Madeline smiles back to Nikita. Madeline had worried about this, because Nikita had in the past been so stubborn about the apartment.

"Watch Anna tonight, and you'll achieve your apartment back." Madeline says as she lightly places her hands on the desk.

Nikita snaps up from the chair and is heading out of the office. "Michael wanted to workout again this afternoon. I really need it." Nikita says as she closes the door.

Madeline sighs and buzzes Walter's office. "I found a babysitter.. rather babysitters... we're on."

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

Michael turns off the sequence and Nikita puts her hands on her hips in anger. Michael turns from her and picks up a towel.

"I wasn't done!" Nikita says angerily as she drops the lazer gun and Michael turns and heaves the towel at her.

"You've done enough for today." Michael says as he picks up the water bottle. Nikita steps off the treadmill, and her legs give a little. Michael helps to steady Nikita, and smiles. "See."

Nikita grabs the water bottle out of Michael's hand and starts to gulp large amount of the water.

Michael pulls it away and shakes his head. "Aren't you ever going to learn?" Michael says as he starts to walk out of the room, with Nikita not far behind.

There are a group of opertives outside, that were talking before, but now become silent.

Nikita looks at them, knowing either they were talking about Operations and her, or how lucky she was to have the cutest butt in Section.

"That's because my teacher hasn't taught me the right way!" Nikita finally shoots back as they turn the corner near their living quarters.

Michael turns around, and walks backwards and stares at Nikita. "Your walk is slowing... is it because you're...tired?" Michael teases, but instantly realizes that it is true. He wonders if he pushed it too far today. He opens the door, and Nikita leans against the wall.

"To bed." Michael says, pointing to the bedroom.

"Are you coming with me?" Nikita asks with a raised eyebrow.

Michael smiles with the comment, but knows the strict, strict orders from the doctors and Madeline, and knows that Nikita knows also.

"Take a nap, I'll call you for dinner." Michael says. Nikita drops the towel on the floor, and slowly walks into the bedroom.

Michael bends over and picks up the towel. He can't wait for her to be 'recovered' because he was becoming sick of Nikita's humor on the 'bed' question.

Michael moves to the kitchen and looks at the items in the refrigerator. Michael pauses, and then looks in the freezer.

"Hey, Nikita.. you don't mind if we have Italian again tonight?" Michael calls out as he moves towards the bedroom. He stops short of the doorway, as he sees Nikita sprawled out on the bed, already fast asleep. Michael steps forward and places a sheet over her body. He touches her forehead, and in his head knows that he did push it too far today.

He starts to cook the dinner slowly, but realizes quickly that he has made way too much. He moves to the bedroom to check on Nikita again, she has barely moved, and again he screams in his head, "HOW STUPID!". Michael moves and picks up the phone.

"Hey, Birkoff.. want to have dinner with us tonight?" Michael asks in an almost cheerful voice.

"Do you have oreos?" Birkoff asks without a change in his voice.

"Nikita keeps them stashed, but yes, we do." Michael answers, bringing his voice back to normal.

"And why are you calling and not Nikita?" Birkoff asks.

"She is sleeping." Michael admits with no problem. Everyone knows of Nikita's recovery in Section, and finally the flowers have stopped coming in.

"Sure... but Madeline said you were babysitting tonight." Birkoff says as Michael hears him chewing on something. Michael immediately thinks of Twizzlers.

"Yes, but you like Anna." Michael responds quickly.

"I do... I just hope you didn't totally wipe out Nikita." Birkoff says with a small laugh. "And what do you mean by that?" Michael asks in an annoyed tone.

"I'm just saying that you and me.. and Anna... could be interesting if 'Kita is still sleeping." Birkoff says and he hangs up.

Michael peeks back into the room, sees Nikita move her head, and then goes back to cooking.

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

Madeline holds Anna in her arms as Michael opens the door. The aroma of the Italian food floods Madeline's body and her mouth instantly waters.

Michael takes the bag and the toys off of Madeline as Birkoff takes Anna.

Birkoff runs with Anna into the couch area, where he starts to spin with Anna. The little girl laughs and laughs.

"Going with Walter?" Michael asks as he closes the door.

"Yes. Where is Nikita?" Madeline asks as Birkoff swings Anna down and then back up.

"She is sleeping." Michael responds and he walks back into the kitchen.

Madeline watches Birkoff try to stop Anna from pulling his hair.

"HEY!!! I don't have alot to start with!" Birkoff half yells at the girl as she holds on to the little extra on the back that Birkoff had let grown in.

"I'm going to check in on her." Madeline says, and Michael nods.

Madeline waves to Anna as she walks by and enters the bedroom.

Nikita is curled up in the blankets.

Madeline smiles at the scene. Madeline can barely imagine how much Nikita had improved until this moment.

Madeline exits quickly to go back to Anna.

"Mama is going bye-bye!" Madeline says as she takes Anna out of Birkoff's hands. With the mention of the words, Anna starts to wave.

"So were are you going tonight?" Birkoff asks, as he notices the more casual clothes that Madeline is wearing.

"Well.. I'm not sure. Walter's choice tonight." Madeline says with a half smile.

Michael starts to laugh loudly in the kitchen.

"What is so funny?"

"Oh... expect pizza!" Michael blurts out inbetween his laughs. This cause Birkoff to start laughing, which in turns causes Anna to laugh.

"Pizza?" Madeline says softly.

"With everything!" Birkoff says as he grabs Anna back. The little girl screams in delight.

"Everything!" Madeline reacts loudly.

Michael exits the kitchen with a finger over his lips. " 'Kita is sleeping." Michael says with a slight shhh.

Madeline shakes her head and starts for the door. She then stops to look at the two men. Worry instantly hits her. She'd much rather Nikita be awake when she leaves, but knows that if Nikita fell asleep, then she needed it.

"Make sure Nikita eats, and don't let her sleep through the night." Madeline says softly.

Michael walks over and kisses Madeline's cheek. "I was going to let her sleep for forty-five minutes more. Dinner will be ready then." Michael says as he opens the door. "Have fun!"

Madeline smiles and exits.

"I hope she likes pizza. And she didn't take us seriously!!!!" Birkoff says laughing loudly. Michael chuckles and walks towards the two.

Birkoff holds Anna like an airplane, and pushes her body towards Michael.

"There is uncle Mikey!!!" Birkoff says, and then pulls her back. "NAHHH.. you want him?"

"Come here... Anna.. banna.. anna...banna.." Michael says as he stretches his hands out, to tease Anna in the flying game a bit more.

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

Michael hands Birkoff Anna back, after he spun her around high above his shoulders. Birkoff takes Anna by the waist and start to lift her up towards the rather low ceiling.

"TOUCH THE CEILING!!!" Birkoff says, and Anna stretches her hand towards the ceiling, and Birkoff lifts her. Then he drops her down. Anna points back up.

"Touch the ceiling, Anna!" Birkoff calls out again. Michael moves away and back to the kitchen. He checks the clock, and notices that he has to wake Nikita up in ten minutes.

Michael starts to toss a salad.

"AAAAHHHHAAAAHHHH!" Birkoff screams, and Michael jumps.

"AAAHHHHAAAAHHHHHAAA!" Anna screams a bit louder, and Michael drops the knife on the counter, but decides to continue on with the salad.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAAAA!" Birkoff screams back at Anna.

Michael shakes his head as he tosses the tomato into the lettuce.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!" Anna matches Birkoff's scream.

Michael closes his eyes and laughs lightly.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHA!" Birkoff screams fairly loud. Michael turns to exit the kitchen, when he remembers that Nikita is still sleeping.

"AAAHAHAHAHAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAA!" Anna screams back in various high pitches. Michael steps out of the kitchen.

"Hey.. Nikita is.." Michael starts.

"Oh, Anna!" Nikita says as she pushes back her blonde hair.

"Was sleeping." Michael finishes. Michael stands still as Nikita rubs her eyes and walks over to the couch. Anna immediately climbs up on Nikita.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAA!" Anna screams at Nikita, right into her face.

Michael looks at Birkoff.

"See what you started?" Michael says, but jumps back as Nikita screams back, "AHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAA!"

Birkoff smiles at Michael, "Nikita taught Anna the game!"

Michael shakes his head, and heads back to the kitchen. "Once you all stop screaming.. dinner is ready."

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAA" Anna screams after Michael stops talking. Nikita lets Birkoff take Anna, and walks to the table. She sits down quickly and watches Birkoff struggle with the tray to the chair. Nikita walks over and quickly places it on. Anna immediately slams her hands on the wood top and gives a pouting look at Birkoff.

"Better hurry up!" Birkoff calls out. Michael walks out with the adults food, and Nikita walks into the kitchen to grab the salad and garlic bread. Michael walks up next to her.

"You still tired?" Michael asks and Nikita nods yes.

"Then let me and Birkoff feed Anna." Michael says.

"Let me." Nikita protests, but Michael stops her.

"You need to eat, and eat it while it is warm. I believe me and Birkoff can handle this." Michael says. Nikita walks out of the kitchen with the salad and garlic bread and sits down.

'Boy, I'm going to enjoy this one', Nikita thinks to herself as she bites into a slice of warm garlic bread.

Birkoff puts the bib on Anna, and Michael puts the plate on the table.

"I wouldn't do that!" Nikita starts to say, as Anna pushes the plate off, and onto Michael's pants. Michael nods, and tries to pick up the spaghetti. "I'll go get more." Michael says as he takes a paper towel and wipes off his pants. He runs into the kitchen and then is quickly back, with the dish from the bag Madeline had left.

Birkoff now gets a piece of spaghetti on a fork, and heads it towards Anna's mouth.

Nikita drops her fork, and swallows her food. "Did you remember to water down her sauce?" Nikita calls out, but Birkoff already has the food in her mouth. Michael and Birkoff look at Nikita, and Anna spews the food out, and onto Birkoff's face and hair.

"No." Michael says with clenched teeth. Michael picks up the plate and heads back to the kitchen. Birkoff wipes off his face and hair, and looks at the garlic bread.

"Can I give her garlic bread?" Birkoff asks as he picks a piece up.

Nikita shrugs her shoulders, listening to what Michael told her.

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

Madeline holds hands with Walter as they walk in a busy little court area in the city. Madeline smiles and Walter smiles.

"So, how did you like the pizza?" Walter asks, knowing he never seen a woman down a pizza with everything so quickly. Even Nikita picked off the little fishy things.

"It was the best I have had in a long time!" Madeline says with a laugh.

"I didn't figure you for an pizza with everything kinda gal!" Walter jokes as they turn the corner and come across a tatoo parlor.

"You don't know much about me!" Madeline retorts loudly and hits Walter playfully. "I use to never back down from a challenge."

"Oh?" Walter says raising his eyebrow. An evil smile crosses his face.

"I dare you to get a tatoo of a "W" on you."

"Only if you get an "M"!" Madeline says with a laugh. Walter grabs her hand and drags Madeline into the tatoo parlor. Walter strides up to the clerk.

"I want a huge M tatoo on my forearm!" Walter says. The clerk smiles and looks at Madeline.

"Are you going to watch?" The clerk laughs. Madeline gets angry at the reaction.

"I want a W near my bellybutton!" Madeline says firmly, and the clerk smiles.

"So the prissy woman has a spine.. I like that!" The clerk says as he turns around and pulls a book of letter styles out, and puts it on the counter.

"I like that too!" Walter says in a groan as he stares intensely at Madeline.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Madeline and Walter walk out of the parlor a while later, both laughing.

"We should get back." Madeline says, as she thinks of Anna.

"But I don't want to... I was thinking..." Walter says with a raised eyebrow.

"Thinking of what?" Madeline asks with mild shock.

"Thinking of challenging you again." Walter says in an almost growl.

Madeline smiles and kisses Walter's cheek.

"I know the perfect place." Madeline smiles and starts to drag Walter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh, Walter!!!!" Madeline laughs as Walter licks around the tender skin of the "W" that graces the left side of Madeline's stomache. The tongue skirts around the edges and Madeline continues to laugh.

"Why don't you pay more attention to me?" Madeline says as she puts her hands in Walter's hair. Madeline smiles lightly as she brings Walter's mouth up to hers.

Madeline thinks quickly how much better Walter is. How much more he cares on pleasuring a woman. How much more skilled and creative he is.

"Mmmm" Walter moans.

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

Michael walked out of the bedroom and half closed the door. Birkoff sat on the floor, rolling a ball at Anna. Anna would grab it in her hands and throw it back with a loud, "ALL!"

"She's asleep." Michael says as he slides down to the floor. Anna grabs the ball and heaves it to Michael.

"What did you do to her?" Birkoff asked almost ignorantly.

"I worked her too hard." Michael says with a heavy sigh, and he rolls the ball back.

"Too hard? Nothing is too hard for 'Kita." Birkoff says as Anna drops the ball and stares at Birkoff. She then picks up the ball and screams, "ALL!"

Before Michael could respond, a terrible smell spreads across the room.

"OH GOD! WHAT IS THAT SMELL???" Birkoff says as he turns his head.

Michael crinkles his face, and before he can tell Birkoff it was Anna, Anna starts laughing at them.

"NO!!! This is when Madeline steps in..." Birkoff whines as he picks Anna up and holds her out from his body.

"I'll get the diaper." Michael says standing up, and grabbing the bag.

Birkoff clears off the coffeetable and sits her down on it.

"OH.. it's oozing everywhere!" Birkoff yells as he opens the diaper.

"You didn't put a towel down!" Michael yells as he gives Birkoff the diaper.

"Was I suppose to?" Birkoff asks as he struggles to take the diaper off of Anna. Michael gets upset of this display, and grabs at the diaper, which, ends up flipping over and landing on his pants.

"AHHHH!!! SHHH MMMMMMM" Michael half yells as he struggles not to swear. Birkoff chuckles.

"Change the diaper... I'm going to change.. and throw these away." Michael says pointing to his pants.

Nikita had heard the entire event happen, and closes her eyes tightly as Michael enters the room, and finally quietly swears as he grabs a pair of sweatpants.

"Might as well throw these away." Michael mutters as he holds his black pants away from his body.

Michael exits and Nikita covers her mouth so they can't hear her laughter.

"Birkoff... that is going to fall right off!" Michael says as he shoves the pants into the kitchen garabage, which Michael was about to take to the Section trash area. Birkoff looks at the diaper.

"Then get me some better tape.. those little tabs pulled right off." Birkoff says.

Michael opens up a kitchen drawer and throws some red electrical tape to Birkoff. "Red?"

"Don't ask." Michael says as he watches Birkoff. He tapes the sides down, but Michael mutters his laughs, as Birkoff lifts her up, and the diaper immediately falls off.

"I'll get you another diaper." Michael says, but then stops. "How much powder did you use?" Anna's butt is quite white.

"Well, I figured you can never have too much powder." Birkoff said shrugging his shoulders as he lifted Anna up on his shoulder.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Birkoff screams as Michael bends over to retrieve another diaper.

"What?" Michael asks.

"SHE WENT ALL OVER MEEEEEE!" Birkoff says in a loud whine, and Michael looked at his wet shirt, but before Michael could laugh, Nikita's laughter from the bedroom echoed loudly.

"Let me... do.. that...." Nikita laughs as she exits the bedroom. She takes Anna, and Anna laughs with Nikita. "Go get one of Michael's t-shirts. He never wears them."

"Madeline better get back soon!" Birkoff mutters as he walks into the bedroom, and Nikita is already half done with putting the diaper on.

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

Nikita walks over to the couch after handing Anna to Birkoff and yawns. Michael sits on the couch.

"Why don't you go back to bed?" Michael says softly, but Nikita sits down next to Michael.

"It's better if I just stay right here." Nikita says, as she starts to lean down. Soon, her head is on Michael's lap, and her legs are hanging over the arm of the couch.

Michael softly rubs Nikita's face and runs his fingers in her hair.

Michael barely realizes that Nikita has already fallen asleep, when Anna starts to cry.

Birkoff jumps up and starts to rock back and forth. Michael shakes his head and motions to Birkoff to do what he was doing to Nikita's face.

Birkoff starts to rub his fingers over Anna's face, but Anna just bites one of his fingers.

Michael slides out and sits Nikita's head down and takes Anna in his arms. He doesn't rock as much as Birkoff, and at first, Anna quiets down.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!" Anna screams out soon, and Michael looks at the clock.

Almost 12.. and they can't keep Anna asleep for more than 10 minutes at a time.

"Hey, try singing..." Birkoff comments and Michael smiles.

"What was that song in that three men show?" Michael asks. Birkoff shrugs his shoulders, and Michael thinks for a while.

"You lost that loving...feeling...OH..OH..OH that loving.. feeling.." Michael starts and Anna cries more.

"No!.. It was... Goodnight sweetheart, well it's time to goooo.. goodnight sweetheart... " Birkoff sings in an high pitch squeal.

"That isn't going to work." Michael says over Anna's loud screams.

Michael walks towards the kitchen, and doesn't notice Nikita wake up.

Soon, Nikita walks into the kitchen and grabs Anna.

"She is still a baby... hold her close to your heart..." Nikita says as she cradles Anna close to her body. She barely rocks, but rather walks.

Anna instantly starts to quiet. Nikita slows her movements, and adventually sits down on the couch.

"Let me take her, 'Kita." Michael says coming over, afraid that Nikita would fall asleep along with Anna.

Nikita shakes her head no, and braces herself against the arm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Madeline lightly knocks at their door, and Michael opens it. Only the light from the television lights the room, as Madeline walks in. She walks to the couch and sees the sleeping Nikita holding the sleeping Anna. Madeline gently picks up Anna without waking either girl.

"Thank you." Madeline says with a slight smile. She quickly leaves.

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

Madeline is standing in her office, rubbing on the medicated cream on her burning and itching tatoo. As she rubs, she thinks of how Walter licked it the previous night. Madeline is so caught up in her thoughts, that she does not notice Nikita walk in.

Nikita looks at Madeline rubbing her stomache, and then stares closer.

Madeline jumps when she sees Nikita, and hurriedly pulls down the shirt.

"YOU DIDN'T" Nikita said pulling up the shirt, and staring at the "W" tatoo. "Oh my! W for Walter?"

Madeline looks down at the tatoo, and smiles.

"Why that is an M for Madeline." Madeline smoothly replies as she pulls down her shirt and walks behind her desk.

"Whatever Madeline, Whatever." Nikita mumbles as she sits down.

Madeline smiles as she looks at Nikita before she sits down. "So, how was last night?" Madeline asks, and Nikita immediately rings out in laughter. "Was it that funny?"

"Birkoff had me rolling... 'What is that smell?' and 'those tabs are so weak.. got tape?'" Nikita says as she laughs.

Madeline smiles at Nikita, and knows now not to let Birkoff alone with Anna for any extended period.

"And how are you feeling?" Madeline asks raising an eyebrow. Madeline notices things now in Nikita's appearance that she didn't notice when she first walked into her office. Nikita's eyes are almost sparkling, and her voice is stronger than it has been. Nikita is sitting up straighter, and she doesn't appear as tired.

"I was exhausted last night.. but I feel better today than I have the entire 'recovery' time." Nikita says with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Mmm, I guess that means my babysitters get to fly the Section Headquarters." Madeline says with a smile.

Nikita immediately stands and flies over the desk with a large hug to Madeline. Madeline pats her back and Nikita straightens up.

"Ah, you will still report to Medlab as scheduled... and with the same strict guidelines they have given you." Madeline says, and Nikita immediately frowns. "Please wait a week before you break the rules..please." Madeline says with a wink, which brings Nikita's smile back.

"Thank you." Nikita says in a serious tone.

"You don't need to thank me. Just take it easy... you still have a long way to go." Madeline says, and Nikita heads for the door. "Oh, Nikita!"

"Yes, Madeline." Nikita says turning around fairly quickly.

"I think you and Michael can take back Mylo and Julie... you should be able to work in your recovery with their training." Madeline says.

Nikita nods and leaves.

Madeline sits down and the tatoo stings a bit. She knows that the 'M' comment was worth nothing to Nikita. She lightly traces the warmth on her stomache through the shirt and smiles......

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