Madeline walks towards Birkoff's desk, which is in the usual disorder of the early morning hours. Birkoff swivels back in forth in his chair, correcting mistakes and sending out reports to the appropriate persons.

"Birkoff.. Michael and Nikita won't be in till noon." Madeline says standing next the desk, but Birkoff still has not looked up at her.

"And this is important for me to know, why?" Birkoff asks as he pushes buttons on the computer behind him, and turns to the computer to the right of Madeline.

"I just thought you wanted to know." Madeline says as she shifts her weight.

"So now I know that Michael and Nikita are at home, most likely playing touchie-feelie.. while, I who haven't had a day off in weeks is in here dealing with the dimwits you put under me?" Birkoff says as he finally looks up at Madeline. Madeline surpresses her smile, and knows, more than likely Birkoff's belief of Michael and Nikita's lateness is correct.

"I wanted to talk to you about Stephen also. He is staying on here at headquarters." Madeline says as she puts a hand on one of the blinking computers.

"He is a cold op.. how does this affect me?" Birkoff questions as he grabs an oreo and licks the icing from the middle before eating the cookie.

"His apartment won't be ready for a couple weeks... he will be staying with you." Madeline says, and turns quickly, trying to leave the angry Birkoff before he swallows his oreo.

"NO!" Birkoff yells as he stands up. All of the computer operatives turn and stare at Birkoff.

"I earned MY apartment!" Birkoff says sharply and Madeline turns back.

"And we still haven't put in cameras... I think the least you can do is allow Stephen to stay with you for a week or two." Madeline says with a raised eyebrow. Birkoff sighs and sits down in his desk. He turns to a beeping computer, and snaps a few buttons.

"Fine." Birkoff says as he returns to full operation of the computers.

Madeline walks away and leaves Birkoff alone. She moves to the first office, it being Walter's and picks up the phone.

The phone rings and rings on the other end, and Madeline waits patiently, knowing that it's constant ringing was probably causing some swearing at the other end.

"Hello?" a breathless Nikita answers the phone on the eighteenth ring.

"Sorry to disturb your.. ah.. rest... but I need to speak to you when you arrive today." Madeline says, as she covers her mouth as she hears the pants of both Michael and Nikita.

"Just me?" Nikita asks as a pot is heard hitting the floor, loudly. Nikita giggles for a half of a second before stopping herself.

"Yes. Just you." Madeline says, wondering what was really going on.

Sometimes Madeline had to use every bone from running to the computer and turning on the cameras and finding out what really was going on. Madeline wonders if they are truly as creative as she imagines them being.

"Then.. I'll see you around noon." Nikita says hurried, and Madeline suspects Michael is probably nibbling at her neck.

"Tell Michael to stop nibbling your neck.. and to be here promptly at noon." Madeline says, and she can almost hear the two blush. She says not another room, and doesn't wait for Nikita's response, and hangs up the phone.

"Are you torturing my Nikita?" Walter says with a huge smile as he enters the room.

"Now, why would I do that?" Madeline says with a huge smile. Walter turns the blinds down in his office, and shuts the door.

"Mmm.. what if I torture you some?" Walter asks as he takes Madeline in his arms.

"Turn the tables.. I can be the one late today..." Madeline jokes as she leans up to kiss Walter, and doesn't lean back.

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

Stephen walks into Birkoff's apartment and drops his bag in the middle of the room. He immediately moves to the radio and turns on some loud dance music.

"Please.. I have had a long day." Birkoff says as he loudly shuts the door. Stephen turns and smiles. He dances with the music as he heads to the refrigerator.

"Where is the food?" Stephen asks as he shuts the door, and starts to open the cubboards. The only thing that Stephen proceeds to find is several packages of Oreos. "What is with the Oreo's?" Stephen says as he moves away from the kitchen.

"Hey, you're visiting here... until your apartment is ready." Birkoff says as he moves to turn down the music.

"Hey, man.. you have to loosen up!" Stephen says as he sits down on the couch. He pounces up and down on it, and looks at Birkoff.

"So this is my fold out bed?" Stephen asks with a raised eyebrow. Birkoff nods his head as he pushes Stephen's bag out of the way. "Mmm.. bouncy.. that's good for the women!"

"Hey.. again.. this is my apartment..." Birkoff says firmly, but Stephen smiles at Birkoff. "You got one of the rare apartments that Section doesn't have wired from one end to another and you're not taking advantage of that!" Stephen says standing up.

"I'm just out of a relationship..." Birkoff says slowly, as images of Melissa run through his head, and for a moment, wonders how she is.

"Then let's hit the clubs!" Stephen says as he again turns up the radio.

"I don't do the clubs." Birkoff says as he sits down on the couch.

"Don't do the clubs.. how do you meet anyone?" Stephen says in shock.

"I don't. Section is my only life." Birkoff says without a thought.

"Owwh, man.. that is sad!" Stephen says as he pulls at Birkoff's arm. "And the ladies would flock around a man like you."

"I will not kid myself.. I'm not like you." Birkoff says as he pulls himself away from Stephen.

"Hey.. my dad won't yell at you.. we're safe.. and they'd never know!" Stephen says with a wink of his eye.

"If I do this tonight.. I get two nights of quiet here?" Birkoff questions as he can feel Stephen's energy bubbling in the room, and knew he wouldn't get any sleep while he was like this.

"Sure, man!" Stephen says as he runs into Birkoff's room. Birkoff walks to the room and slams his hand against the wall.

"What are you doing in my closet?" Birkoff asks loudly.

"Finding you some decent clothes to wear!" Stephen says as he pulls out a black jacket. "Now, this is club worthy!"

"Michael gave it to me..." Birkoff says as Stephen holds the jacket out to Birkoff.

"Now, that is a man with a good taste.. he must have been a party animal!" Stephen says as he pulls out a white shirt for underneath the jacket.

"He is the artistic type... never much of the party type." Birkoff says slowly as he holds the shirt.

"This is great! Ten minutes and we are out of here!" Stephen says as he runs into the other room. Birkoff slides his work shirt off and places the white shirt on. He pulls the jacket on and walks into the livingroom, were Stephen is wearing something similar, and Birkoff is taking back at how much he really looks like Operations.

"Were are we going?" Birkoff asks as he grabs his keys from the kitchen table.

"The Rocks." Stephen says as he pulls out a pair of Tom Cruise Top Gun sunglasses.

"We will never get in there!" Birkoff says with a laugh.

"If we do... you have to do the drinking game with me!" Stephen says with a twinkle in his eye.

"Sure.." Birkoff agrees, believing there was no way they were going to get into the hottest night spot in the town... in the country.. in the hemisphere.

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

Birkoff walks through the door of THE ROCKS, and is hit with loud music, swirling, dancing lights, and masses of pretty ladies. Birkoff looks off to the left and sees a small redhead smile at him.

Birkoff shakes it off as the lady was smiling at Stephen who had already taken two ladies on his arm. Stephen lead Birkoff to the bar and smiled, as the bartender placed the bottle infront of Stephen.

"My rules.. you take a drink.. you do something.. you take another.. you do something else... and believe me.. you'll enjoy this night!" Stephen says as he pours the shot. Birkoff looks at it, and almost whinces.

"Chug it down, and get on with the fun!" Stephen says slapping Birkoff's back. "There are plenty of beautiful woman waiting to be just with you."

Birkoff puts the shot glass to his lips, and with one movement, chugs it down as ordered.

Birkoff almost grabs his stomache as the powerful drink hits his stomache.

"Take it like a man!" Stephen laughs at Birkoff's reaction. "Now.. see that girl over there.. go dance with her."

Stephen points to a brunette sitting two tables away. She is twirling her hair on her finger and licking her lips at Birkoff.

"I don't..." Birkoff starts to say, but Stephen pushes him away from the bar as he pulls one of the girls closer to him.

"Just do it, man!" Stephen says with a laugh, as he rubs his hand up and down the other girl. Birkoff approaches the table and nervously looks down.

"I couldn't help noticing you..." Birkoff says, and the girl jumps up before Birkoff could finish.

"I'd love to dance with you... and more.. if you let me!" The girl says with a wink. She takes Birkoff's hand and leads him to the dancefloor.

Birkoff looks nervously around the dancefloor, but soon moves slowly with the dance music. The girl starts to move her hips closer and closer to Birkoff. Birkoff smiles and actually inches closer to her himself.

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

"YEAH Birkoff.. come and cool down and get another drink!" Stephen yells out as Birkoff moves like a second skin with a busty blonde on the dance floor.

"Later, sugar, hon." Birkoff says, and he leaves the girl on the dancefloor. Birkoff can barely feel his feet as he dances over to the bar. Stephen smile and whispers something into his lady's ear. She playfully slaps him and rubs his chest.

Birkoff makes his way to the bar, but stops to rub against some of the women he already danced with, and others who just wanted to rub against him.

"Oh man! Those girls are hot!" Birkoff says as he downs the drink quickly. His body not leaving the tempo of the dance go.

"Hey, want to think of heading out of here, soon?" Stephen says, seeing that Birkoff is way pass drunk.

"I have a few more sugars yet to please." Birkoff says as he moves away from the bar.

Stephen thinks to himself that he should have at least brought a tape recorder so Walter could know how well he trained this boy.

"Don't worry hon.. I'm sure he'll be taking someone home tonight..." Stephen says as he nuzzles the girl's neck lightly.

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

Birkoff grabs his pounding head as a kiss meets his cheek.

"I'm late for work, you sex monster!" the redhead from early last night says as she leans over the bed and rubs a hand against Birkoff's naked body.

"Mmm..." Birkoff moans, as he closes his eyes again, the light causing too much pain.

Birkoff opens his eyes again, and thinks that it was all a bad dream until he tries to sit up. The pounding returns, and he drops back on his pillow. He tries to remember what happened... but all he can remember is a tall man in THE ROCKS pushing him and the redhead.. what was her name?... out the door, and Stephen laughing.

STEPHEN!

Birkoff sits up and struggles to the shower. He puts the shower on at the lightest dribble, anything more is too loud. He is barely wet, when he steps out of the shower and pulls on some clothes. He steps on something that is silk and looks down. Her underwear are now on his foot. Birkoff tries to think more.. but it is lost in the fog of pain.

"Here.. try some coffee." Stephen says handing a mug to Birkoff. Birkoff, not even sure what day it is, takes a sip and downs the entire thing.

"Hey.. this isn't the drinking game still!" Stephen laughs as he watches Birkoff. His clothes don't match, and in fact, neither do his shoes! Stephen laughs as he takes the mug from Birkoff's hand, thinking maybe he should have given him something else. Birkoff holds his head and stumbles around the apartment. He is about to sit down on the couch, when Stephen hands him the coat.

"We are going to be late!" Stephen says.

"NOT SO LOUD!" Birkoff complains as he closes his eyes in pain.

Stephen laughs more, not able to control himself. "But you had fun last night." Stephen says as he grabs the keys and heads out the door.

"I did?" Birkoff questions as he closes the door, and whinces at the soft shutting noise.

"Believe me.. you did.. oh man, you did." Stephen smiles as he walks down the hallway. He can't believe Birkoff couldn't remember, because he had been up almost the entire night with that redhead.. and they were loud.

Birkoff tries to hide his head in his coat as they walk out into the morning sunlight. Stephen hands Birkoff his Tom Cruise Top Gun sunglasses, and Birkoff hurriedly pushes them on his face.

"Man.. you act like you've never been drunk before..." Stephen mutters lightly under his breath, as Birkoff slides into the passenger's seat.

"I told you, not so loud!" Birkoff says in a firm voice as Stephen closes the door to the car. Stephen smiles to himself, "Awwwh man.. he never had been drunk before.. never had a hang over.. ohhh this is going to be fun day!'

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

A rested and happy Nikita floats through Section on her first full day back since the 'fight'. Several operatives stop and say something to Nikita, but Nikita shrugs it off. In her hand she holds some brownies, that she had struggled to finish last night. Nikita was sick of seeing just Oreos going into Birkoff's mouth, so she thought maybe some homemade sweets could expand Birkoff's horizons.

Nikita was in such a happy mood, she didn't notice the disorder Birkoff was in as he slowly stood up from one computer to another. He looked at an operative and snapped.

"Hey, Birkoff.. look what I have for you!" Nikita says with a bright and loud voice. Birkoff puts his chin to his chest.

"Nikita, do you need to be so loud so early in the morning?" Birkoff says in a whining voice. Nikita pauses, and drops the plate of brownies down.

"What is wrong with you.. I brought you HOMEMADE sweets.. with lots and lots of chocolate!" Nikita says even louder. Birkoff grabs her hand and looks at her with his blood shot eyes.

"Maybe some of us have headaches from dealing with the likes of you all day, and can't take the squeak of your voice anymore!" Birkoff says angerily, and then turns and pushes an operative away from the computer. "If you can't type quietly.. GO AWAY!"

Nikita stands in her spot, and during this is when she notices Birkoff's appearance. His sweater is black with red in some swirly thing, that Birkoff had promised Nikita he would burn, and he was wearing blue unpressed dress pants. But, it isn't until Birkoff moves over to the printer that she notices his mismatched shoes, and he wasn't even close in color.

Nikita turns around and tries to contain her laughter, but it comes out loudly in snorts.

"Nikita.. thank you for the brownies.. but GET AWAY!" Birkoff says as he sits back down.

"What happened to you, Birkoff?" Nikita questions in a much softer voice. Birkoff immediately looks up at the glass office and around him. He has chased all of the computer operatives away that normally surround him.

"Nikita... I can't remember how I fell asleep last night." Birkoff says softly as he looks over his shoulder.

"What did you do last night?" Nikita asks softly, beginning to form what happened in her own mind.

"I was out with Stephen... and dancing.. and then a girl kissed me this morning.. but it had to be a dream.. it was a dream!" Birkoff says, and Nikita's eyes open wide.

"Ah.. mmm... ah..." Nikita says as she tries to decide how to approach this. She smiles at Birkoff and pats his shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about it."

Nikita smiles and walks slowly to her office and shuts the door and begins to laugh to the point that tears are flowing out her eyes and she grabs her stomache in pain. Michael watches her from his desk, but after several minutes, stands and shakes Nikita.

"What is so funny?" Michael questions.

"Birkoff.. ha.. haaa... ha.." Nikita struggles to say as just thinking about it throws her into more fits of laughter.

"Nikita.. what about Birkoff?" Michael asks, as he tries not to start laughing from just Nikita's laughter.

"He has a hangover!!!!!!!" Nikita screams in delight and doubles over in laughter. Michael chuckles, but doesn't see how it is so funny.

"But, Nikita, that isn't that funny." Michael says, and Nikita looks straight into his eyes.

"He has no idea.. and his shoes.. one blue and one black!!!!" Nikita says calmly, but looses her control and doubles over in laughter, but this time, taking Michael.

There is a knock at the door, and Walter enters.

"What is so funny?" Walter asks, looking at the two, who have tears of laughter running down their faces.

"Birkoff has a hangover." Nikita laughs. Walter stands still.

"I knew that would happen once Stephen moved in." Walter says angerily.

"But Walter... isn't it good that Birkoff got out?" Michael questions.

"You two are laughing at Birkoff's hangover.. have either of you thought about making him a hangover drink yet?" Walter says strongly, but the mention of the drink throws them into laughter again. Walter shakes his head and walks out.

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

Birkoff walks into THE ROCKS later that night, with Stephen not far behind. A crowd of ladies surround Birkoff as he makes his way to the bar.

"What I had last night!" Birkoff says throwing his hand up to the bartender. The bartender raises an eyebrow, and is bluntly surprized to see Birkoff in after last night.

Birkoff chugs down the drink, and shakes his head out, which causes the women to groan, and move closer. Birkoff turns for one more shot before hitting the floor with the ladies. Birkoff downs the drink, not thinking about the drink that Walter almost forced down his throat.

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

Walter walked over to Birkoff's station with a large mug, and set the mug down infront of Birkoff's face. The noise alone makes Birkoff cringe in pain.

"And what is this suppose to be?" Birkoff says as he gets of whiff of the purplish/green liquid. Walter looks over his shoulder.

"The Section cure for a hangover." Walter whispers. Birkoff shakes his head as he gets another whiff of the liquid.

"I'm not insane enough to drink that!" Birkoff says pushing it away from below him. Walter immediately pushed it back.

"Do you want Madeline and Operations to find out about your fun last night... do you think they will continue to not monitor your apartment? Cameras everywhere.. one watching every oreo you eat, and one watching everytime you go to the bathroom... and if a lady is over.. everytime you.." Walter says in a dark whisper, and before he could finish the comment, Birkoff downs the drink as quickly as possible.

"If you would have waited, I would have given you this." Walter say dropping a clothes pin on his desk, and walking off with the mug.

About an hour later, Birkoff hunted for the brownies that Nikita had made him.

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

Birkoff dances on the floor with two ladies. He is very relaxed and is establishing contact with any lady who wants it.

"Don't worry ladies.. there is enough of me for all of you!" Birkoff laughs as another lady joins the small crowd that surrounds him. The ladies laugh, and some run their hands over his body.

"I'm double jointed..." one of the blondes says as she rubs Birkoff's chest lightly.

"I have a identical twin who loves to share everything with me..." an ash blonde says as she licks her lips while looking directly at Birkoff.

"I never stop..." a raven hair lady says as she rubs against Birkoff's leg.

Stephen sits at the bar with the same woman he took back last night.

He laughs at the scene, wondering which of Birkoff's fantasies was going to be filled tonight. Stephen whispers into his date's ear..."Maybe tonight, he'll actually remember it..."

The lady turns to Stephen laughs and points to the one of the several ladies handing drinks to Birkoff. "I don't think so!"

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

Walter walks into Michael's and Nikita's office after they entered from a workout. Nikita leans on the couch, and barely looks up as Walter closes the door.

"Yes, Walter?" Michael says as he turns towards the man.

"We have to do something about the kid." Walter says, and the statement makes Nikita sit straight up.

"Maybe the problem is that we still see him as a kid!" Nikita spouts off, as she stands up. Walter looks at Nikita, and swallows.

"To me, he is. Each day he is worse.. and I can assume, each night he consumes more and more." Walter says, now sitting down at the one empty chair. Michael walks over to the small window and closes the blinds. "That could be bad." Michael says as he turns from the window.

"Michael, it could be deadly!" Walter almost screams. Michael doesn't blink and goes back to his desk, where Nikita is leaning against.

"The problem is Stephen." Nikita says as she nervously twirls a finger in her hair.

"I have to agree... he is using Birkoff's 'freedom' to his advantage, and not looking out for Birkoff's own good." Walter says as he leans forward in the chair.

"We can't instate a team to watch him." Michael says as his eyes move back and forth between Walter and Nikita.

"I can't let him leave tonight alone.. I just have a bad feeling..." Walter stampers.

"And you haven't told Madeline any of this?" Nikita questions as she stands up. Walter lifts his head up at an angle and stares at Nikita.

"Why would I do that?" Walter asks, and Nikita just looks down at his arm. Walter looks at the arm and then back at Nikita. "I haven't.. I thought we could stop the situation before it gets worse." "Then I need your help." Nikita says moving closer to Walter.

"What are you planning, Nikita?" Michael asks wary of Nikita's attitude. Something with the way she walked to Walter screamed to Michael he wasn't going to like this.

"I guess you're real close to Madeline...." Nikita starts as she touchs the edge of the tattoo.

"Nikita.. you are acting too much like her!" Michael says as he steps forward.

"I need the short black wig that is in the purple and pink striped box." Nikita says to Walter. Michael pulls her arm and turns her body.

"You haven't been activated to mission status!" Michael says angerily as Nikita smiles at him.

"But this isn't a mission... I'm just helping a friend, unoffically... Remember.. I beat Operations." Nikita says with a wider-tooth grin and turns back to Walter.

"I can get it for you." Walter says standing up, and winking at Michael, basically telling him not to worry.

"Oh, and if you can.. get one of the trackers on him... If I appear before he is a little smashed.. he'll know." Nikita says as she walks to the window and opens the blinds.

"That isn't a problem." Walter says, turns to leave but turns to look at the two again. "Actually, I did that for last night...."

"And what did you hear?" Michael asks without hesitation.

"I finally realized why Birkoff hates listening to you and Nikita during those certain times in the mission." Walter says with a nervous grin.

Nikita nods. "It sounded like twins." Walter says and turns. He pauses at the door, and then leaves.

Nikita slides down onto the couch. Michael sits down next to her.

"Are you ready for this?" Michael asks as he places a hand on her knee.

"Haven't my test results say that you've been sitting and waiting on telling Madeline because you don't want to go on a mission." Nikita says with a smile as she laces her hand into Michael's.

"But.. you may be in the ROCKS for several hours... We both know that..." Michael says slowly and Nikita shakes her head.

"I'll take a nap now and be perfectly energized for it all!" Nikita says with a bright smile.

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

Nikita walked into the ROCKS patting her black wig. Michael had smiled as he left her off from the car they had thrown together to support her for her first unoffical mission since her illness. Of course, Michael wasn't smiling at Nikita going in on a mission, but rather the red tank top dress that Nikita had painted herself in.

"Nikita, I can't keep track of how many drinks he has had..." Michael says in their 'borrowed' com. units. Nikita looks onto the dance floor and easily spots Birkoff in the crowd of ladies. Birkoff looks over her way. For a moment, Nikita is worried that he knows who she is... but Birkoff winks and Nikita smiles brightly. She winks back and curls a finger, indicating Birkoff to come to her.

"He is spotted... getting him closer to me and further from Stephen."

Nikita says quickly, and then gets absorbed in watching Birkoff's drunken walk to her. "Michael, he is way past smashed..." Nikita mutters, but without frowning, she smiles at Birkoff.

"I've heard a lot about you..." Nikita says in a deep and rich voice.

Birkoff pulls Nikita in close to her, and she struggles not to pull away from the odor of the alcohol.

"Say you always wanted a party animal if you think he is way past the point..." Michael says slowly, wishing they had had time to get a camera link up in the car.

"I think you are such a party animal...." Nikita says as she leans down and nuzzles his neck.

"You remind me of someone..." Birkoff slurs as he leans in to kiss her, but ends up on her chest.

"Oh.. naughty.. naughty..." Nikita laughs as she pulls Birkoff's head away from her chest. In a deep breath, she is glad that they didn't have enough time to establish a video link.

Birkoff starts to pull Nikita towards the dancefloor, but Nikita pulls back. Nikita knows that Stephen is more than likely only had a couple drinks and would easily know who she was. Nikita hugs Birkoff's body tightly.

"I think I'd rather have our own private dance..." Nikita says, and she licks his ear.

"Mmm.. honey... sugar... I'd like nothing more than that!" Birkoff slurs out again. Nikita bits her lip and forces herself to smile.

"Then, let me help you to my car..." Nikita says. Birkoff only nods and leans on Nikita, as Nikita leads him out. From the time they left the main bar to where Michael pulled up, Nikita went from supporting Birkoff to carrying Birkoff.

Nikita pushes Birkoff into the backseat, and now he had passed out.

"Birkoff.. wake up... wake up..." Nikita says as she lightly slaps his cheeks. Michael pulls away from the curb and hands Nikita the cell phone.

"Walter... we couldn't keep count of the amount." Nikita says as she watches Birkoff.

"Passed out?" Walter asks.

"Very much... We have to bring him in..." Nikita says, and Birkoff's unconscious body starts to heave. Michael pulls off to the side and helps Niktia control the bodily function of Birkoff. After he has stopped, Michael floors the car.

Nikita has closed the phone, and believes that Walter has gone to talk to Madeline.

"Nikita.. get him to wake up." Michael says tensely as the tire wheels squeal as he takes the right hand turn very fast.

"What do you think I've been doing?" Nikita snaps back at Michael. "You may get us all killed before we even get back!"

"Nikita... do your job!" Michael orders and the color leaves Nikita's face. "You didn't just say..." Nikita mutters. She shrugs her shoulders and turns her attention back to Birkoff.

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

Nikita sits in Birkoff's Medlab room, waiting for the young man to wake up. Nikita rubbed her blonde hair out of her face, and closed her eyes remembering the events as they entered Section.

Michael grabbed Birkoff out of the car and ran into Section. Walter and some members of the Medlab staff met Michael at the door. Michael handed Birkoff off, and turned for Nikita.

They started down towards Medlab hand in hand when they both heard the familiar shoe clicks behind them.

"Nikita... Michael... my office... now." Madeline says angerily, and turns without looking at the two. Nikita looks at Michael and pulls the black wig off.

Madeline slams the door behind the two and grabs the wig out of Nikita's hands.

"I am utterly shocked by your behavior tonight!" Madeline says as she walks back and forth in front of them. "Using Section equipment without authorization... taking my clothes!... and not even being on the active list!" Madeline says angerily as she throws the wig down on the desk.

"We had to do something!" Nikita yells back, sick of the attitude Madeline was taking in this.

"You all should have reported it to me.. and let me decide how to proceed with it." Madeline says as her phone rings. She grabs it and shakes her head and slams it down.

"Yes, we should have." Michael agrees and Nikita almost slaps him.

"It wouldn't have done no good.. we didn't realize the problem was this bad till today... no decision on how to proceed with this would have been made for a day or two... Birkoff would be dying on the dancefloor without Stephen even realizing it!" Nikita screams as she stands up.

"Nikita... go down to Medlab...I'll be down to see you." Madeline says.

Nikita sighs in the Medlab as she looks onto Birkoff. The doctor said that he was lucky she had grabbed him, and said something about alcohol poisoning. Nikita knew now that she had been given the assignment of 'talking' to Birkoff as punishment... Madeline said that she had trained Nikita for this.. but Nikita knew better. This was punishment for her and Michael's half-baked mission.. that in one way was successful, that Birkoff was inside Section, and not some public hospital or morgue.

"Hello, Birkoff." Nikita says as she sees Birkoff focus his eyes on her.

"Uhhh?" Birkoff groans as he barely keeps his eyes open.

"Birkoff.. you almost died..." Nikita says as she looks at Birkoff.

"Melissa?" Birkoff questions and Nikita steps back. The air has been sucked out of her lungs, and she struggles to maintain herself. "It's Nikita, Birkoff..." Nikita says with a smile.

"Yes, Melissa.. you know Nikita... nice girl... with Michael..." Birkoff mutters and Nikita drops her hands to her side.

Nikita looks around the room and looks at the doctor. He walks in and gives Birkoff something more to make him sleep. Nikita nods and walks out.

She needed time to think. She knew she reminded Birkoff of Melissa... her own half-sister... and that doing that to Birkoff.. would probably hurt him even more. Nikita knew what Madeline had said.. but Nikita couldn't get past that this might hurt Birkoff more than help him.

Nikita beleived that a good old-fashion Section scare would shake Birkoff from this Party animal phase he was in... but she couldn't do that if he kept on calling her Melissa. Then Nikita wondered.. who can do it?

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

Michael walks into Birkoff's Medlab room with the doctor not far behind. Birkoff sits up in the bed and smiles at Michael. Michael frowns at Birkoff, and Birkoff shrinks in the bed.

"Draw the blood now." Michael says to the doctor and the doctor pulls out the needle. Birkoff moves to the other side of the bed.

"Why do you need the blood?" Birkoff almost screams as the needle comes closer to his arm.

"Stephen told us about your company in the past week..." Michael says as the doctor pulls at his arm. Michael taps the doctor. "The gloves." The doctor puts the needle on the stand and places thick latex gloves on.

"What company?.. What tests? Birkoff says nervously.

"HIV test.. all the STD tests..." Michael says without blinking.

"WHAT!" Birkoff screams and is almost standing on the bed.

"You can't remember what happened, right?" Michael asks calmly, but surprised with Birkoff's horror.

"No... I remember dancing.. and.. THAT IS ALL!" Birkoff screams in panic. He is sweating and shaking.

"Well... you had the pleasure of several different ladies.. one night it was two... and if you can't remember what happened, we can't be sure if you gloved or didn't" Michael says with a poker face. Birkoff drops to the bed with the statement. He drops his arm to the doctor.

Michael stands off to the side as the doctor places the bandage on the site, and exits with the blood.

"I can't remember any of them...." Birkoff says softly. Michael nods his head.

" 'Kita went in as one of the ladies.. you didn't even recognize her." Michael says softly, as he looks out of the room and sees Nikita.

"Oh." Birkoff says sadly.

"You even called Nikita Melissa earlier... she is suppose to talk to you about this... as punishment..." Michael starts to explain slowly, but blocking Nikita's view.

"Punishment?" Birkoff questions as he looks at the window and back at Michael.

"Well.. we used some Section equipment and Nikita still hasn't been placed on the active list.. and we didn't tell Madeline until on the way here..." Michael says, but Birkoff starts to laugh.

"All stuff I could have taken care of." Birkoff says softly and stops talking. "God.. I messed up."

"Let us help. You are so close to 'Kita.. but she is worried... that she looks to much like Melissa..." Michael says slowly.

"She is." Birkoff says dropping his head. "But.. she is like my sister..."

Michael nods and walks out to the hall and pulls Nikita away from the window.

"How did it go?" Nikita asks as she folds her hands into Michael's.

"The tests scared him.. he doesn't know he has no reason to worry.. but then.. we will keep him in line with it." Michael says as he turns his head to the doctor who had drawn the blood. "And you?"

"I had fun." Nikita says with a smile. Nikita had traded punishments with Michael.. and of course, they probably will get punished for this once Madeline finds out.. but Nikita got to punish Stephen, and it turned to be extremely pleasing.

"He does think you look to much like Melissa.." Michael says and grabs Nikita's turning head with hand and turns it back to his, "But... he still sees you as a sister."

"Then time to see my brother!"

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

Birkoff sat back at the healm a few days later. Nikita walked into Section with a plate behind her. This time.. Michael gave her just enough time to complete the baked good.

Nikita sets the plate down in front of Birkoff's desk. "Good to see you sitting there!" Nikita says with a huge smile.

"They left me a mess! They are like little kids.. can't turn your back for a second!" Birkoff says as he slaps one of the operative's hands away from his brownies. "Mmmm.. you are so good to me!"

"It's all that sugar Walter keeps on saying I'm made out of." Nikita says with a slight smile, but still wanting to be serious. "I want you to know that I'm just down the hall."

"Unless they activate you and send you on a mission." Birkoff says as he pushes some buttons.

"That won't happen until Madeline delivers the punishment that me and Michael have for switching punishments..." Nikita says with a slight smile.

"Birkoff.. it's alright to think about Melissa." Nikita whispers.

"Nikita.. It's just easier not to.." Birkoff says turning his head away.

"Birkoff.. sometimes I think about Rita.. and how much I miss her..." Nikita starts to relate her feeling for her late friend.

"What does this have to do with Melissa?" Birkoff asks softly, recognizing that these are really Nikita's dark feelings.

"You can still call her." Nikita says and she walks away.

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

"This is impossible!" Michael says as he fall back with a pile of papers in his hands. 14 boxes of paper work had to be filed.. and Madeline had decided that the grunt work that was usually given to recruits would be given to Michael and Nikita.. since Nikita was not active. Nikita stands up and sits in front of Michael and holds the box.

"We'll play a game." Nikita says as she holds the box and Michael places a paper into it.

"And what is it?" Michael questions with a raised eyebrow.

"File something.. and see something.. better.." Nikita says as she gives the box to Michael and take off her top.

"I like this!" Michael says.

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

"Hello!" Melissa's voice rings out on the phone as Birkoff sits in the kitchen.

"Melissa?" Birkoff says as his body shakes.

"Birkoff, is that you?" Melissa says happily.

"Yes, yes it is. It is so good to hear your voice!" Birkoff says happily.

"I miss you, Birkoff." Melissa says and Birkoff shuts his eyes. "I do too.... so, how is your new job????????

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