Walter pauses outside of Michael's and Nikita's office. Without looking inside to see who is working, he knows that it is Nikita. She had been the source of the many tears of Madeline that had been cried on his shoulder for the week.

"Sugar.. it's Saturday!" Walter calls out from the hallway before he enters.

"Terriorists don't stop for the weekend." Nikita calls out and Walter enters to find her going back and forth on her and Michael's computer.

"Plus, there is a briefing in two hours." Nikita adds as she pushes her wheeled chair back to her computer.

"What happened to the retro chair?" Walter asks as he looks at the new chair Nikita is sitting in.

"I gave it to Birkoff yesterday.. this one is more practical." Nikita says, not stopping her work.

"So what are you doing, sugar?" Walter asks, wishing he could stop her movement.

"I'm pulling the final intel on the couple me and Michael selected to be the next ones." Nikita answers as she pushes herself over to Michael's computer. "I want to hand it to Operations before the briefing today."

"But it's the weekend.. shouldn't you be spending sometime with Michael?" Walter asks, getting more nervous with Nikita by the moment.

"Michael is shopping with Birkoff." Nikita answers as she wheels herself back over to the other computer.

"You could have gone with them." Walter says with a little laugh, but then stops. He takes stock with the fact that Nikita lacks her usual style. It looks as if Nikita raided Madeline's personal closet. "Out of clothes.. I'm sure we can get housekeeping to watch some of your brighter outfits."

"Actually, I just bought this." Nikita says as she touches the black jacket and Walter makes a silent sigh.

"You look busy.. I'll let you be." Walter says with a frown.

"Thanks, Walter." Nikita says without looking up. Walter walks out of the office shaking his head. He looks up and sees Operations staring down. Walter thinks to himself that those two need a vacation.

Nikita walks into Operation's office ten minutes before the briefing, and even before Michael and Birkoff had arrived from their shopping trip.

Nikita hands the report over to Operations with the video tape she spent most of the night editing together.

"That is the couple me and Michael selected." Nikita says as she sits down at the table.

"Billie and John.. I have noticed them." Operations says as he opens the file. "This is well organized."

"I found that this way is much more organized than the other way. We have all the individual information each person in a section and then the information on the two of them together. The other way was troublesome." Nikita says as she folds her hands on her lap and leans back.

"I think that I will make this a standard.. I like how easy it is to access the information I need." Operations says as he flips out through the papers. "It seems that they will be your couple.. but I need to review it more." Operations says with a slight smile.

"HAVE YOU SEEN NIKITA???" An out of breath Birkoff asks as he runs into the room. He stops and catches his breathe. "Oh, Nikita."

"Good to see you so ready for this briefing." Nikita comments as she looks at the bags that are still in his hands. Michael enters the room in a light brown sweater and kisses Nikita's cheek.

"You are late." Nikita says as Michael sits down. Operations looks at the stares Nikita recieves from Michael and Birkoff.

"Only by a minute or two." Operations says as he stands up. "In fact, I have to retreive some new intel." Operations says, and leaves the room for a breath of fresh air. Madeline is walking towards the briefing room as she spots Operations.

"Ice queen inside?" Madeline asks as Operations loosens his tie.

"She revamped the report for the new couple report.. and finished all the intel..." Operations says as he looks towards the room.

"I suspected so. She stayed all night, again." Madeline says as she walks past Operations and into the room.

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

Maryanne Galloway strode into Mr. Jeff Briney's office carrying a tape in her hands. The secretary is calling out after her, but Maryanne continues and drops the tape on Mr. Briney's desk.

"It doesn't prove everything I intend to expose.. but proves that you are a liar in every aspect." Maryanne says as Mr. Briney picks up the tape in his hands.

"I don't appreciate visits without appointments." Mr. Jeff Briney says as he puts the tape back down.

"And I don't appreciate interviewing someone and finding out everything they said, and I reported was wrong. I'm sure your wife will enjoy finding out were you were at lunch time yesterday." Maryanne says with a smile.

"That only proves that I lie to my wife and nothing more." Mr. Briney says with a smile also.

"But, I talked to the girl.. found out who she works with. I'd be more careful Mr. Jeff Briney.. pretty soon I'll be able to link you with the leader of the drug culture in this city." Maryanne says with another smile and she turns to leave.

"Don't ever come back to this office! You.. You b***h... You can't prove anything! You better watch your back!" Mr. Jeff Briney screams after her, and with a swift movement, Maryanne holds up the pocket tape recorder. "You should also remember you're dealing with a reporter and not some dumb blonde as your wife is. Do you think she'd mind talking to me?" Maryanne says as she continues to walk away.

Mr. Jeff Briney slams the desk with his hands violently.

Operations walks back into the room to find Madeline pointing to the screen with Mr. Jeff Briney's picture on it.

"Mr. Jeff Briney is very well connected now with a drug dealer we only know as Kaps. We will not be taking down Mr. Jeff Briney, only exposing his partnership with Kaps." Operations says as he walks over to the screen.

"And we are going to achieve that how?" Nikita asks quickly.

"This is Maryanne Galloway, she is a reporter with the local newspaper. Recently she gave a sparkling review of Mr. Jeff Briney, but soon heard rumors of the partnership. We believe that we can help Maryanne Galloway retain the evidence she needs to expose Mr. Jeff Briney." Operations says as he pops up the screen with Maryanne's picture.

"What does she already have?" Nikita asks before Michael could ask the same exact question.

"We found intel that she has a tape of Mr. Briney cheating on his wife with a woman who is one of Kaps other part of his business." Madeline responds as Operations stares at Madeline for taking his next line.

"What happens to Maryanne after we do this?" Michael asks, and Madeline looks at Nikita, noticing the switch in roles in the two.

"She will continue to be a reporter." Operations says closing down the screen.

"Luckily for us, Maryanne has a private office and a secretary.. who recently had a major accident. Nikita, you will become her new secretary." Operations says handing over the PDAs over to them.

"So and easy in and out." Nikita says holding onto the PDA.

"Possible. It counts on how good Maryanne Galloway is at her job." Operations says as Nikita stands up.

"Can't we just gather the intel and place it in a mailbox to her?" Michael asks annoyed at the tone of this mission.

"She would never accept it as being true." Madeline says as she continues to sit. Nikita walks out the door without another word to Michael. Michael looks at Madeline and then Operations. Madeline can sense that Michael wants to talk, but stops because of Operations.

"I want to speak with you in my office, Michael." Madeline says as Michael reaches the door. Michael nods his head and leaves.

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

Nikita walks with Maryanne through the main floor of the busy newspaper and towards the right hand corner.

"This is my office.. this is your desk." Maryanne says as she points to the quite large desk infront of Nikita.

"That is my desk?" Nikita asks in shock. Maryanne smiles at Nikita's reaction and nods her head.

"I need more out of my assistants than just a secretary... they become researchers.. digging for information... they become my eyes and ears." Maryanne says as she opens her office's door. The two ladies enter the room.

"As a principle to show my authority.. no one ever visits me in my office, but you. I go to all of their offices.. showing that I get to decide if it is worth my time or not. Most men hate that." Maryanne says and Nikita looks around the office, and stores that bit of information away as a bit odd.

"So what will I be doing now?" Nikita asks, and Maryanne walks over to her desk and pulls out a file.

"I hired you because your excellent ability with the computer... This is Jeff Briney... a real bastard." Maryanne says as she hands the file over to Nikita. Nikita opens the cover and sees the picture that is on her PDA.

"What has he done?" Nikita asks as she closes the file.

"What hasn't he done is a better question... but right now I have no proof." Maryanne says as she sits down at her desk.

"And I am going to get on the computer and find it out?" Nikita asks.

"Do whatever it takes." Maryanne says immediately.

"Even Hack?" Nikita asks Maryanne with a raised eyebrow.

"That's why I decided on you." Maryanne says with a bright smile.

"I might know someone who knows this fellow.. let me see..." Nikita says as she turns and leaves the office.

Nikita sits down at her computer and places the device that Birkoff gave her, which creates at screen that all others see, but Nikita, with her glasses sees the real screen. Nikita easily access Section and starts to communicate with Birkoff.

Nikita smiles, because with her being Maryanne's eyes and ears.. they can easily gather the intel and hand it over. Nikita smiles and knows that her source, Michael, will be able to hand over his evidence and soon they will be back working with the new couple.

Nikita says goodbye to Birkoff and goes on to hacking into the computers that Maryanne suggests. Nikita pulls up an electric bank account on Mr. David Kapsanis and finds many electric checks from Mr. Jeff Briney there... in the thousands. Nikita prints the information and runs into Maryanne's office.

Nikita is so excited in finding information before Birkoff that she doesn't register that fact that Maryanne almost jumped out of her seat when Nikita entered.

"I think I found out who Kaps is." Nikita says handing the printout over to Maryanne. Maryanne reads it over and nods.

"Keep going.. some checks don't prove enough." Maryanne says. Nikita exits and Maryanne finally takes a deep breath of relief. She wipes the beads of sweat from her forehead and goes back to the article for tomorrow's paper.

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

Michael strides through the deserted floor of the newspaper with a half smile on his face. He holds in his hand a file of pictures that proves that Mr. Jeff Briney and then Mr. David Kapsania dealt in some real bad activites, and with this information, meant that the mission would soon be over. Michael thinks about how he hopes to bring Nikita back to the apartment tonight and show how much he really loves her.

Michael sees Nikita's desk is empty and opens the door and enters Maryanne's office. He closes it as Maryanne turns saying, "Nikita...." Her eyes fly wide open as she sees Michael.

"GOD GET OUT!" Maryanne screams as she pushes her chair against the wall.

"I'm Nikita's contact.." Michael says slowly as Maryanne starts to turn her red face, flushed with tears.

"GET OUT... NO NO.. I'll give you all the money you want... get out.. please please.. no no no no!" Maryanne screams and Michael screams in his mind that Nikita messed up big time this time. Nikita opens the door and flies in.

"Maryanne, this is Michael.. my contact." Nikita explains as she runs to the upset woman. Michael deducts in his mind that the lady must have been a victim of something in this room. Michael is running through the possibilities while swearing in his head that Nikita is suppose to know this stuff.

"I... I..." Maryanne says slowly as she gathers her breath. She pulls Nikita's ear down to her mouth.

"I was raped... by a man who came in my old office..." Maryanne slowly admits with tears running down her face. Nikita pulls back and runs a hand through her hair.

"Don't worry about Michael.. he works with me.. and only me!" Nikita says with a smile, and Michael grabs her arm, and Nikita turns towards Michael. They stare at each other, Michael's eyes screaming at Nikita, and Nikita's showing nothing.

"Let me help you." Nikita says turning to Maryanne. "We can help you."

"Nothing can help..." Maryanne says slowly as she wipes her face off.

"I was raped before.. and Michael saved me... he works at a shelter.. he taught me karate..." Nikita says without much emotion. Michael steps forward.

"I taught her a few death kicks and she was fine." Michael says with a smile, which helps Maryanne smile. Michael places the file down on her desk. "But this should really make you smile." Michael says. Maryanne opens the folder and smiles broadly as she looks at the pictures. They have Mr. Briney and Mr. Kapsania together looking at several different types of drugs.

"I have the audio portion also." Michael says reaching into his pocket slowly. He retrieves the tape and hands it to Maryanne.

"I am amazed at how quickly this come together..." Maryanne says enchanted in the evidence. "I can finally nail that bastard!"

Michael looks at Nikita, and hopes that Nikita realizes that it was Jeff Briney who raped Maryanne, but Nikita just looks with Maryanne with the evidence.

"We have plans, Nikita." Michael says slowly with a smile. Maryanne smiles at Nikita.

"Get out of here... as long as you two promise to give me some lessons..." Maryanne says slowly. Nikita nods and smiles.

"Are you going to be alright.. can I call anyone for you?" Michael asks as Nikita starts to move out of the office.

"I'm perfectly fine now." Maryanne says as she holds up the file. Michael nods and leaves... furious at Nikita.

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

Nikita walks into Section that night with Michael behind her. No more than the door behind them shut, Michael pulls Nikita's arm.

"YOU ALMOST BLEW IT TODAY!!!" Michael screams at Nikita.

"I didn't arrive early." Nikita says calmly, and tries to move away from Michael.

"SHE WAS RAPED AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW!!!" Michael screams which causes the few operatives standing around turn to the two.

"It wasn't part of the mission profile to find out about Maryanne's personal life." Nikita says as she twists her body away from Michael. She walks to towards Birkoff's station where Michael grabs her again.

"IT WAS SO CLEAR TO SEE.... DIDN'T YOU NOTICE THE FLINCHES EACH TIME YOU ENTERED? Didn't you notice anything!" Michael says and Birkoff looks up at the glass office to see Operations staring down.

"The mission was successful, why are you so upset?" Nikita responds with a flat voice.

"Who are you? Don't you feel.... you didn't even ask her if she needed something!" Michael continues to rave and pace around as Nikita stands still.

"She seemed to get along fine without us prior and will continue to get along." Nikita says as she flips her hair, and Michael almost attacks Nikita.

"I can't believe it... I can't believe how you don't care... It was Jeff Briney who raped her.. do you even know that! " Michael yells as one of his hands pulls Nikita's hair and the other hair shakes her shoulders. Nikita stares into Michael's boiling eyes with her own cold ones.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Operations bellows from above. Michael drops his hands and moves away. "Michael, Madeline's office now... Nikita.. I want to speak with you."

Nikita moves slowly up the office and all the operatives who were watching now move away, pretending they really had business there to start with.

"Nikita... did you miss this?" Operations asks as Nikita closes the door softly.

"There was no inkling of this until Michael entered her office while I was copying some papers for Maryanne." Nikita says as she sits down.

Operations looks at the girl and his heart now aches.

"This mission is not over then." Operations says standing up.

"I don't understand." Nikita says without turning her head to watch Operations.

"You and Michael restore Maryanne to a full life." Operations says.

"I don't see why. Give her a lesson on kicking in the right area and give her a few numbers for some good therapists." Nikita says without a blink.

"You will do it... I order it." Operations says.

"Madeline.. what the hell has happened to Nikita!!!" Michael screams as he enters Madeline office. She sits at her desk and barely looks at Michael. "God.. she is acting like you!"

"Michael... I tried to avoid this.. but she has reached the frozen time." Madeline says slowly, and with that Michael slowly slides down into the chair.

"Frozen time... what are you talking about?" Michael says angerily.

"You just came out of your frozen time... were emotion doesn't matter." Madeline says carefully.

"But, Nikita can't live like that!" Michael reacts and stands up.

"You two have switched places... she is detached right now... worried about living from mission to mission and not worried about loving from mission to mission." Madeline explains and Michael drops his head.

"You're wrong." Michael says as he heads for the door.

"Michael! This is going to be difficult.. but don't give up on her... hopefully, this will only last very shortly in comparison to yours." Madeline hurries to say before Michael leaves.

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

Nikita walks out of Maryanne's office with a smile at her face, that soon leaves as Michael joins her at her side. Michael stares at Nikita and shakes his head.

"How can you do that?" Michael mutters as he walks down the hall with Nikita.

"Show Maryanne where to kick? I do that all the time.. and I should be doing that with our new couple." Nikita says sharply as they enter the empty elevator.

"No... seem so pleased and then so upset." Michael says as the door closes.

"I wasn't pleased and I wasn't upset." Nikita says as she stares at the lighted numbers going down.

"What.... is going on?" Michael asks as he touches Nikita's hand.

"I have no idea of what you are talking about." Nikita says without turning her eyes from the lighted numbers.

"Everything... you are different." Michael slightly complains, and waits for Nikita's response, which doesn't come. "Aren't you going to say anything?" Michael asks before the door opens on the bottom floor.

"It doesn't need a response... you've made up your mind that I have changed." Nikita says stepping out, and pulling away from Michael.

Nikita walks into the office and turns on the light. She looks down and sees a note that there is another briefing in the morning.. a short four hours away. Nikita sees that there is intel ready for it, and sits down at the computer before Michael enters.

" 'Kita.. we need sleep." Michael says as he sees her staring at the screen.

"Then go sleep.. I'm going to make sure we live through the next mission." Nikita remarks as she scans down the intel.

"I can't live like this." Michael says slowly as he stands in the doorway.

"I didn't ask you too." Nikita says back as she keeps her eyes on the screen. Michael opens his mouth as he thinks of saying the three words, "I love you", but shakes his head and leaves.

Nikita waits until Michael is gone before turning her head towards the doorway. She closes her eyes and sighs. She turns her head in a large circle and places her emotional energy on the screen infront of her.

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

Walter slumps at his worktable as Birkoff yells at an operative who is leaving his shift. Madeline walks down the hall and yells at the running operative, who is just late for a monthly weapons check.

Operations looks down from his glass office, noticing the terrible condition of Section. He sighs and takes a sip of coffee, and almost spits it out. Operations thinks to himself that the person that made this coffee is cancelled... now.

Madeline enters and sits down without a word.

"Not even a hello?" Operations says with a slight smile.

"Anna didn't sleep last night." Madeline says and with those words Operations notices the circles under Madeline's eyes.

"What is causing this?" Operations says motioning to the window.

"Nikita." Madeline says simply and Operations double blinks his eyes.

"I didn't quite hear you." Operations says as he shakes his head.

"You heard me.. Nikita.. Nikita.. is causing this." Madeline says standing up.

"How.. she isn't that important!" Operations roars.

"She was our release.. emotions.. laughter.. smiles... now... her lack of a mood is rubbing off on us." Madeline says as she looks over at Birkoff.

Birkoff is wrestling someone off of his bag of oreo's. Walter is throwing a fit at an operative who placed a gun in the wrong place, and Michael and Nikita pass in the hall without looking at each other.

"Pretty soon, we're going to have to post guards at the computers to guard Birkoff's oreos." Madeline says seriously as Operations stands next to her at the window.

"A domino effect?" Operations asks softly.

"Yes.. and the ripple is being felt." Madeline says softly as she steps back from the window.

"And what can we do?" Operations says.

"Like I said before.. pray it ends soon." Madeline says walking out.

Operations continues to look down at the floor with the falling apart Section One. Operations moves to the computer and tries to find a mission to drive Michael and Nikita closer together.

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