SUNLIGHT WHISPERS ACROSS THE SKY,
LIGHTLY CHUCKLING WITH A SMILE OF HOPE.

"Kit!... Kit!... Kit!" Anna calls out and excitedly points at Nikita as she walks into Walter's workspace. Anna starts to jump up and down as Nikita enters closer.

"Anna-banna!" Nikita says with a brillant smile that Walter notices in the biggest way. Nikita bends down and Anna leaps into Nikita's arms.

"Kit! Luv Kit!" Anna says loudly as she leans to Nikita's face and gives Nikita a wet sloppy kiss. Nikita laughs and starts to turn around in a circle with Anna.

"Can I kiss Anna-banna?" Nikita asks as she stops turning and her hair flies over Anna's face. Anna pushes the hair away and laughs. "Can I kiss Anna-banna?" Nikita asks again and Anna shakes her head no, and Nikita reacts shocked. "Well... I am going to!" Nikita announces and leans in a kisses her cheek.

"My Kit!" Anna says and looks to the floor. Nikita lets Anna down and she walks over to some of her toys. Nikita bends down and at this moment she notices Walter, and forces her face away from the smile.

"I haven't seen you that happy in ages.. I haven't seen that spirited smile in over a month." Walter says as he bends down and throws the ball Anna is after to Nikita.

"A month?" Nikita questions, knowing that it has been over a month.

"The night of Merlot." Walter says raising an eyebrow, knowing he spoke of the night with Nikita twice before. Nikita holds the ball to Anna, and she quickly totters over for the ball.

"Kit! Balla... Balla.. Kit!" Anna says as she reaches for the ball. Nikita smiles as Anna grabs it and throws it at Walter.

"Who can't smile with such a beautiful child around?" Nikita says, excusing her smile off to the presence of Anna. Walter tosses the ball back to Nikita and picks up Anna.

"Anna... want to show 'Kita what you bought her?" Walter says slowly as he walk to his desk. Nikita stands up and smooths her dress of the wrinkles from bending over. Anna shakes her head quickly up and down. Walter pulls out the box and hands it to Anna. Anna gets down on the floor and runs to Nikita.

"For Kit! For Kit! For Kit!" Anna says as she runs and finally hands it to Nikita. Nikita smiles at Anna and holds the box in her hands for a moment.

"She picked them... I swear!" Walter says as he raises both hands up in the air. Nikita opens the box and finds a pair of rhinestone cat-eyed sunglasses. Nikita smiles and immediately places them on her face.

"You like, Anna?" Nikita asks as she bends over. Walter stands back and finds it difficult that Nikita had been in such a fowl mood for so long now.

"Me.. picked... grab... for Kit! for Kit!" Anna explains as she tries to pantomine what she did. Nikita laughs and pulls the sunglasses off.

"Do you want to wear?" Nikita asks, and Anna shakes her head up and down quickly. Nikita slides the big glasses on Anna.

"Me Kit! Me Kit! Me Kit!" Anna says excitedly as she turns around and shows Walter.

"I'm surprized she remembered that..." Walter says softly as he looks up at Nikita, and Nikita drops her smile. Anna tugs at Nikita's dress and Nikita picks her up.

"You Kit!" Anna says and pulls the glasses off and tries to put them on Nikita's face and almost pokes her eye.

"Thank you Anna-banna!" Nikita says as she lets Anna down and moves to the door. "Bye-bye Anna!" Nikita says with a wave.

"BYE---BYE---BYE----KIT... KIT I LUV KIT!!!" Anna calls out as she blows kisses to Nikita. Nikita smiles and blows kisses back. Walter smiles as Anna begins to play as he can easily see that Nikita had kept the sunglasses on and walked down the hall with a smile. Walter went back to his work with a smile on his face, as he could feel the weights being lifted off of his workspace.

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

THE DAY AHEAD ACHES TO FLOAT FOWARD WITH HOPE,
AND TO SWIM IN THE WARMTH OF ALL.

Operations steps away from the glass wall and walks to Michael, who is sitting in the chair with a slight smile across his face. Michael looks up with a quick movement and finds Operations also smiling, almost beaming.

"She has sunglasses on." Operations says, sounding very simple and sits down at his desk. Michael nods his head, and a lock of his hair slips out of place.

"It was a shock to my system to see that." Michael says as he pulls back the piece of hair.

"It eased mine." Operations says as he glances out the window again, but knows Nikita has gone on for other things. Operations remembers that only a few minutes ago, when he was on the floor, several of the operatives muttering to each other and then stopping when Operations came closer. It scared him, because the last time that kind of event occured in Section was when Nikita and Michael 'broke it off'. But it was when Birkoff ran over to Operations with a smile on his face that all worry left Operations.

"Nikita is wearing sunglasses." Birkoff says happily and Operations raised his eyebrow, wondering if they were black or colored.

"Rhinestone cat-eyed sunglasses!" Birkoff says reading Operations face. Operations nodded his head and headed for his office.

Michael had a similar experience, but came face to face with the sunglasses themself. Michael was told by Birkoff also, when Birkoff relayed the message to Michael about the meeting with Operations. Michael was walking down the hall when he turned the corner and Nikita was walking directly at him. Michael continued down the hall, and Nikita didn't even turn his head towards him, but he had taken a detailed look at the sunglasses.

"SHE SMILED... AND LAUGHED... AND JOKED!!!!" Madeline sings as she shuts the door to the office. Michael smiles slightly at Madeline, and shifts his weight in the chair.

"Aren't we overreacting over this one gesture?" Michael asks slowly.

"I mean... Nikita always smiled with Anna."

"It's a beautiful day, Michael... Really, it is." Madeline says and Michael rolls his eyes to Operations who is shrugging his shoulders.

"Because of this current event, me and Madeline decided that you and Nikita will go out on this next mission together." Operations says, bringing the discussion back to the mission at hand.

"I still don't think Nikita will go for that." Michael pipes in and Madeline finally sits down, but still tapes her feet lightly.

"But Julie and Mylo are 'undercover'.. under 'deep cover'... and are unavailable to do this." Madeline says with a joking voice. Michael raises his eyebrow and looks at Madeline very much confused.

"To Nikita, Julie and Mylo are on a mission.. while actually they have the day off." Operations corrects the information so that Michael can understand. Michael nods his head and continues to listen. "It's simple. A few drug dealers are using a fake name for a banking account in London. You will assume that name.. and to recieve the money, your wife must be there also." Operations informs Michael.

"Sounds easy enough." Michael verbally agrees with a nod of his head.

"You will spend a day or two in a hotel before going to the bank. You will meet with our London contacts when you arrive... to create your identity." Madeline says standing up, and then she leans down to Michael. "Some extra time if Nikita comes around." Madeline says into Michael's ear and Operations can see what Madeline had said by the instant blush on Michael's cheek.

"But..." Operations says and Michael loses his smile.

"But what?" Michael immediately counters as Madeline sits back down.

"There is another profile to this mission......." Operations starts slowly.

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

BUT STORM CLOUDS HOVER AROUND THE EDGES,
THREATENING TO TAKE OVER THE BRILLIANT LIGHT.

Nikita sits on the couch looking at Michael and Walter carrying the bags in, since the bell boy had a bad attitude, at least according to Nikita.

"Thanks, 'Kita... not only did Anna keep me up all night, I had to carry the bags because you harassed the high school bell boy!" Walter says as he falls down on the couch next to her.

"He looked me up and down, and there was no way he was getting a tip for that." Nikita answers with anger in her eyes. Michael silently stares at Nikita as he shuts the door.

When Nikita was briefed on the mission, she silently nodded her head and went to pack. Michael knew it wasn't a good sign when Nikita packed, and not Madeline.

"I have to go meet with my contact." Michael says as he walks in front of the two on the couch who have now turned on the television.

"Sure, Michael." Walter says as he looks at Nikita who is staring at the television, trying her hardest not to pay any attention to Michael.

Michael sighs and exits as quickly and silently as possible.

Nikita stands up and walks to the bedroom with her bag. Walter leans back and proceeds to drief to sleep.

"Walter.. what's in this bag?" Nikita asks as she holds a black plastic suitcase in her hands. Walter shakes his head and places his palms in his eyes.

"Damn... that's supplies for Gannon." Walter says jumping up, but then sitting down. "Damn Anna.. I love the child to death.. but staying up all night.. we should have shipped her off to Operations." Walter says as Nikita looks down at Walter.

"Is he in one of our safehouses around here?" Nikita asks as she really starts to realize Walter's tiredness.

"Yes... and he really needs that," Walter says as he starts to stand up again, but Nikita places a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll take it. I have nothing else to do but to play a faithful sidekick. Plus... you never know when you need to be alert." Nikita says as she pulls on her black leather coat.

"You don't have to do this." Walter says as he yawns and Nikita stares at him.

"Tell me where and you can have all the quiet you want." Nikita says as she pulls on some gloves for the unusual coldness in London.

"I'll remember this, 'Kita." Walter says as he pulls out the address from his pocket, and sinks back down in the couch.

"Just don't tell Michael." Nikita says as she glances at the paper and shoves it into her pocket.

"Why? With that statement, it almost sounds like you care about him." Walter says with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't want to get toasted when we get back by Madeline." Nikita says with cold eyes and heads out of the room.

Walter sighs and sinks into a deep sleep. Nikita walks confidentally out of the hotel, and no more does Nikita grab a cab, Michael walks back in.

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

AND THE THUNDER RUMBLES INCREASE EACH SECOND,
ROARING LOUDLY, AND FORCING THE LIGHT AWAY.

Nikita bounds up the door to the safehouse, and rings the bell. It is one of the first things, other than visiting Anna, that Nikita is glad to be doing. She had missed Gannon, and had hoped to see him soon.

"Hey, Walter, it's open... come on up to the bedroom!" Gannon calls out, and Nikita raises an eyebrow. She opens the door quietly, surprized that an operative would take such a light stance with security, especially if they were in a safehouse. Nikita walks quietly up the stairs and into the first bedroom.

"Nikita?" a weak woman's voice says, and Nikita drops the case of supplies and starts to move out of the room.

Michael enters the room and sees a sleeping Walter. He immediately scans the room for Nikita, and is only slightly surprized to see that she has gone for a walk.

"Walter.. did Nikita say how long she would be gone?" Michael asks as he shakes the man's shoulder.

"Went to take supplies to Gannon.. I think they.." Walter says, but does not finish as Michael violently grabs Walter and Walter's eyes open wide.

"SHE TOOK THE SUPPLIES TO GANNON!!!" Michael yells and Walter slightly nods 'yes'. Michael drops his hold on Walter and immediately goes to the computer.

"I need to speak with Madeline." Michael says in a forcefully deep voice. Walter is now sitting up and deeply confused.

"Madeline isn't here." Birkoff says.

"I NEED TO SPEAK WITH MADELINE!" Michael screams. Birkoff looks over his shoulder and Operations enters the screen.

"What is going on Michael?" Operations asks, and Michael looks away for a second.

"Nikita took the supplies to Gannon." Michael says in a calmer voice.

"DAMN IT!" Operations says and he quickly leaves. Birkoff shrugs his shoulders, also in a confused state, thinking that Nikita did the right thing with taking the supplies to Gannon. Michael keeps the line and moves towards his coat again.

"Michael, what is going on?" Walter demands as he stands up.

"You were to take the supplies to Gannon!" Michael says angerily as he shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Why does it matter who takes the supplies to Gannon?" Walter simply asks and Birkoff listens intently. Michael looks back at the computer and Birkoff.

"Birkoff, you find Madeline now." Michael orders and Birkoff gets busy. "The supplies were the last shipment of medicine for Nikita's mother." Michael says in a hushed voice, and he walks out of the room quickly.

"Nikita... that's you..." Yvonne says in a deathly voice. Nikita has now backed to the doorway and Gannon grabs her shoulders.

"Walter was suppose to deliver this." Gannon says as he helps Nikita into the room.

"Mom?" Nikita struggles to say as she gazes to the woman cover in the piles of blankets and an IV running fully opened.

"I knew you were alive.. since Tre.. I mean Operations told me so.... I knew I would see you... My Nikita..." Yvonne says as she reaches out for Nikita's hand.

"Mom?" Nikita says again, but more strongly.

"Gannon has told me so much about you.. and your husband Michael..." Yvonne says as she struggles to grab Nikita's hand that is still just far enough away to be unreachable.

"We broke up." Nikita says as she heads back for the door.

"DON'T LEAVE ME NIKITA!" Yvonne screams out.

"I'm just going to another room." Nikita mutters as she goes into the hallway. She leans against the wall and quickly walks down to the kitchen.

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

BOILING BLACK CLOUDS MARCH CLOSER AND CLOSER,
SWIRLING AROUND IN TIGHT CIRCLES, AROUND THE PREY,

Michael doesn't knock at the door as he enters the safehouse to find Nikita standing in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water like nothing has happened. Michael thinks for a moment that maybe Gannon had headed her off before she found out.

"I think it would be best that you stayed on the porch." Gannon says touching Michael's shoulder. Michael looks at Gannon with ice in his eyes.

"And why is it for the best?" Michael asks softly, so not to draw attention to him.

"She has enough to think about here, she doesn't need to throw you even more into the equation. Go wait for Operations." Gannon says as he reopens the door and Michael goes and sits on the porch on the cold day.

Gannon moves to the kitchen and touches Nikita's shoulder.

"She is asking for you." Gannon says softly, and Nikita's head turns towards him. He can see the pain in her eyes, and wonders if he will ever know the entire story.

"She didn't want me before, I don't know why she wants me now." Nikita answers as she pushes away from Gannon and walks slowly up the stairs.

Birkoff sees Madeline enter Section with a dash. Birkoff stands up, not sorry that he pulled the last measure emergency on Madeline. He saw the tone Michael used, and it meant that it was an emergency, and all of that was only confirmed when Operations left in an all out dash.

"Birkoff.. what is going on?" Madeline says angerily as she reaches his desk.

"Michael called for you.. but you weren't here.. Ops. took it. All I heard was that Nikita took the supplies to Gannon.. and I have no idea what kind of code that is... but Ops ran out of here, leaving no instructions at all." Birkoff runs his mouth as quickly as possible and hoping to push the Madeline's anger onto Operations.

"Get me a plane." Madeline says as she strides away from the desk. Birkoff sits down and in two minutes informs Madeline that the plane is ready. And in three.. Madeline is out the door.

"You use to run around with her fingers like a gun.. pretending to like James Bond..." Yvonne laughs as Nikita sits at the bed like the obedient daughter. Operations walks into the room, and Yvonne smiles. Nikita turns her head and Operations knows that if looks could kill, he would be dead.

"So we are having a great big family reunion!" Nikita spits out, and Operations glares at her.

"Nikita..." Yvonne says slowly and Operations comes closer to the bed.

"Please not now."

Nikita looks at Operations and then turns back to her mother. Operations can see the effect of the events on Nikita.

"Why mom? You never loved me... why?" Nikita questions angerily.

"I loved you the only way I knew how... and that was to have you!" Yvonne cries, and Nikita looks away. "I did what I had to to feed you, to dress you.. and I still lost you!" Yvonne continues and Operations looks at Gannon. Gannon points to the empty case and Operations knows that the time is ticking.

"You should have thought of me." Nikita says as she shakes her head away from Yvonne.

"Nikita... please." Operations says as he touches her shoulder.

"Stop.. you.. you!" Nikita screams at Operations. "Found out about me.. and then ordered me to talk to you.. after making a fake father for me... never showed any love yourself... YOU!"

"What would you have wanted me to do, Nikita?" Operations softly asks.

"How about, 'Hey, want to go out for lunch?' instead of locking me up in a room with you!" Nikita screams. Gannon steps to Nikita and walks her out of the room. Operations looks at Gannon and points to his watch.

"I tried my best..." Yvonne says as Operations sits down next to the dying woman. He adjusts the drip of the IV.

"I know of your wish... but I have Nikita to think of." Operations says looking into Yvonne's eyes.

"What happened to her and Michael?" Yvonne asks as she licks her lips, and her eyes fall almost to the closed position.

"Us." Operations says and he sighs as he starts to explain how the love that Nikita never saw now effects her.

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

FLOWERS SEEK SHELTER UNDER GREEN LEAVES,
A BUTTERFLY FLOAT AWAY FROM THE HEAVY DROPS OF RAIN.

Madeline steps out of the cab and then tells the cab to stay as she sees Michael on the front porch. Michael looks up and sees Madeline with a frown on his face.

"Go back to headquarters. Take Walter and go." Madeline says as she starts up the stairs to the porch.

"I think I should be here for Nikita." Michael says as he looks at Madeline.

"Really? Do you think that is a good idea?" Madeline says notching her head to the side. Michael looks away and then back at Madeline. He silently stands and walks to the cab and tells him he brought his own car. Madeline watches Michael pull away and drive down the street. Madeline opens the door and walks into Nikita as she walks down the street, and Nikita stares at her with a face blank of all emotion.

"Nikita." Madeline says, and Nikita continues to the kitchen for another glass of water. Madeline stands in the hallway, and can hear the hushed voices of Operations and Gannon upstairs. Madeline quietly steps towards Nikita.

"This is too much... the ultimate..." Nikita says as she shakes her head while taking another sip of water.

"I didn't approve of this... but he did what he felt right..." Madeline says and Nikita places the glass on the counter.

"I wasn't talking of that." Nikita says and she pushes pass Madeline and back upstairs.

"Nikita..." Yvonne says as Nikita enters the room again. Nikita pushes her pale blonde hair back and goes to the chair next to the bed.

"I'm going to die today." Yvonne says and this causes instant tears to form in Nikita's eyes, and she fights not to have them, she doesn't want to feel for this woman who didn't care for her.

"I have to tell you something... please Nikita..." Yvonne struggles to beg through her pain and her own tears.

"Yes, mother." Nikita says blinking back her tears and looking at Yvonne.

"I loved you, Nikita... I LOVE YOU.... and forgot to say so... don't make the same mistake... you never know when fate will step in..." Yvonne begs and then closes her eyes and turns her head. Nikita sees her breathes and turns her own head to the side. Gannon pulls out a needle and looks at Operations. Operations nods his head and Gannon inserts it into the IV line.

"Nikita... she has terminal brain cancer... and we needed her blood for you..." Operations says as he walks infront of Nikita's line of vision.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Nikita asks as she looks up with a few tears streaking her face.

"I thought you wouldn't want to see her." Operations responses with a shaky voice.

"That should have been left up to me." Nikita says strongly.

"Nikita, she is gone." Gannon's voice rings and Nikita turns and looks at her mother.

"But... I didn't get to tell her I loved her too." Nikita cries out and flings her body out on her mother's body.

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

WIND SMACKING WITH RAZOR BLADE TIPS, RAIN POUNDING,
RUMBLE AFTER RUMBLE AFTER EAR-THROBBING RUMBLE.

Madeline hears Nikita's light scream and starts up the stairs. Gannon has stepped out into the hallway, and is surprized by Madeline's appearance.

"Madeline, when did you get here?" Gannon asks softly.

"When Nikita was downstair last." Madeline says as she peers into the room, seeing Nikita rocking with Yvonne's body.

"It's over." Gannon says in a whisper.

"Hopefully it is just the beginning for Nikita." Madeline says as she looks at Gannon.

"What happened between her and Michael... I never knew..." Gannon says and Madeline nods Gannon into another room.

"I have to hope that this will help me with her and Michael. She... turned cold... cold." Madeline says with much emphasis on cold.

"She doesn't look cold now." Gannon says. Madeline pulls into her pocket and pulls out a mini-computer.

"Talk to Birkoff... send in housekeeping, you'll be coming back with us all. See if Michael has returned to Headquarters, and if so, inform Michael of what occured.. word for word if you can." Madeline says handing it over to Gannon before she exits the room.

"Nikita... let's get some fresh air." Madeline says as she softly touches Nikita's shoulder as her sobs start to slow. Nikita raises her head and wipes her eyes quickly.

"Yes, Madeline." Nikita says standing up and finally looking away from Yvonne's body. Nikita exits the room with a flourish and Madeline follows. Operations stares at Yvonne's body and closes his eyes. He had talked to her a lot during her stay in the safehouse. He could see glimpses of the woman she once was, and had seen a lot of why Nikita was Nikita. He goes over to the bed and softly runs his hand across her forehead.

"We are going back soon." Nikita says as she hits the back porch. Madeline looks at Nikita, and knows in her heart that she really wants to be Nikita's mother... knew she could have done so much more for Nikita, but Madeline pushes that away, and concentrates on Nikita.

"Yes. As soon as housekeeping arrives." Madeline says from the door.

"Good. I need to get back to the mission." Nikita says and turns towards Madeline about to push through her.

"Mission was aborted... Michael was here.. I sent him back to headquarters." Madeline informs Nikita, and Nikita stops.

"Is your hurry so you can see Michael?" Madeline asks as she sees Nikita's look of pain again.

"No. I just want to get back on track." Nikita says forcing her face back to her cold stare. "I want to be alone."

Madeline nods her head and leaves.

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

THE DRIPS START TO DECREASE WITH LIGHTER DROPS,
AND THE WIND DROPS IT'S WEAPONS AND STARTS TO TEASE THE LEAVES.

(lyric from The Lion King Broadway Cast Album... ENDLESS NIGHT)

Nikita sits down on the chair on the back porch and tries to sort her emotions and thoughts. So many thoughts, her mother, her father, but then the dominating thought, Michael.

WHERE HAS THE STARLIGHT GONE?
DARK IS THE DAY
HOW CAN I FIND MY WAY HOME?

Nikita stares off to the house in front of the safehouse. Easily, she can picture Michael, and she shakes her head, remembering that she has created the rift between the two. Nikita drops her head as she suddenly becomes aware that when she returns to headquarters, that Michael won't be waiting for her so she can drop her head on his shoulders and cry.

HOME IS AN EMPTY DREAM
LOST TO THE NIGHT
FATHER, I FEEL SO ALONE

Nikita shakes her head and forces herself to think about her mother. Nikita smiles at the thought of her mother said she loved her. She loved her. Nikita pushes her hair back and tries to picture her mother when while Nikita was a kid. Nikita knows that she must have been there, she had told Nikita so many of the things Nikita remembered, and then things Nikita didn't remember. Nikita wonders why she can't remember her mother being there.

I'M TRYING TO HOLD ON
JUST WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
ONE WORD, JUST A WORD WILL DO
TO END THIS NIGHTMARE.

Nikita's smile breaks as Michael jumps back into her thoughts. Nikita sighs and tears easily form in her eyes.

WHEN WILL THE DAWNING BREAK
OH ENDLESS NIGHT
SLEEPLESS I DREAM OF THE DAY

Nikita wishes she could just ran to Michael's arms but in her mind thinks that Michael would turn away from her. She knows how much she has hurt Michael, and her only thoughts are going back and being in his arms.

WHEN YOU WERE BY MY SIDE
GUIDING MY PATH
FATHER, I CAN'T FIND MY WAY

Operations and Madeline stand at the kitchen window, watching Nikita as Housekeeping enters. Madeline knows that Nikita's thoughts might be on her mother, but are more on Michael. Madeline can visually see that. Operations turns towards Madeline.

"She wants to run to Michael's arms." Operations says softly.

"Michael will be there." Madeline says.

"But she is scared." Operations says and walks away.

YOU PROMISED YOU'D BE THERE
WHENEVER I NEEDED YOU
WHENEVER I CALLED YOU NAME
YOU'RE NOT ANYWHERE

Nikita remembers her mother's words about how you have to tell the ones you love what you feel... before fate steps in and stops it. Nikita feels her heart ache with the need to tell Michael that she loves him, and she starts to think of why she has acted this way for the weeks that have past. She touches her finger, were the ring should be, and tears run down her face.

I'M TRYING TO TOLD ON
JUST WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
ONE WORD, JUST A WORD WILL DO
TO END THIS NIGHTMARE

Nikita stands up and walks to the rail of the porch and is reminded of the night she got drunk. Was Michael there? Wasn't Michael there? Did it matter? She had yelled her love for him, and she knew he knew this. He had to know.

"Michael, I love you." Nikita whispers to the air.

I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE

"Michael... I LOVE YOU!" Nikita says stronger and Madeline steps out onto the porch.

"He knows this." Madeline says and Nikita turns around quickly.

I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE

"Are you sure?" Nikita says through a breaking voice. Madeline nods her head and pulls Nikita into a hug.

"He was just waiting for you to come back to us." Madeline says softly as she strokes Nikita's hair softly.

I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE

"Let's go home." Madeline says as she lets Nikita push her head back up.

"My home is with Michael." Nikita says softly, and Madeline gently smiles to Nikita.

"Then lets get you to Michael." Madeline says softly.

I KNOW
YES I KNOW
THE SUN WILL RISE
YES, I KNOW
I KNOW
THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR

I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
I KNOW THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
AND I'LL HEAR YOUR VOICE DEEP INSIDE

I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
AND THAT THE CLOUDS WILL CLEAR
THE SUN
THE SUN WILL RISE
THE SUN
THE SUN WILL RISE

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

THE THE CLOUDS SPLIT AND ONE SHARP SHAFT OF LIGHT,
SPLITS THE ENDLESS GRAY CLOUD AND SHEDS LIGHT DOWN ON US BELOW.

Madeline watches Nikita as she walks into Section and looks around, hoping that Michael might make this easy on her. Nikita turns and is about to head back out the door.

"No. You'll stay here. Your tired, and I can't be sure you could make it to the apartment." Madeline says catching Nikita in her arms.

Nikita nods her head and stands in the hallway as Operations goes down one hallway, Gannon another, and Madeline, yet another. Nikita opens the office door and walks to Michael's desk. She sits down in his chair and can feel it's warmth. She spreads her hands over the key board, and can almost feel the warmth of Michael there. Nikita drops her head and takes a deep breath. She glances at the couch, and remember Michael always sits on the far corner when he needs to think. Nikita moves quickly to the corner and can easily feel that Michael had spent a lot of time there. Nikita drops her head down on the corner and in no time is asleep.

"Nikita?" Michael asks as he walks into the office and sees Nikita curled up in ball on the corner of the couch. Nikita stretches a little bit and finally turns to see Michael.

"We have to talk." Nikita says and Michael notches his head to the side.

"Why didn't you come down to the quarters..." Michael says as he moves a bit closer.

"My mother showed me an important lesson..." Nikita starts out and Michael pulls up a chair and leans is back against it. "She told me that I have my father's smile... and that I use to pretend to be James Bond... I use to eat Oreos by eating the edges first.... that my favorite ice cream was strawberry..." Nikita starts to list things that her mother told her that Nikita was surprized she knew and somethings that Nikita didn't know herself.

"Sounds like she knew you." Michael says softly as he sees the tears on the edge of Nikita's eyes, and his heart pounds, hoping that they fall.

"She told me she had to tell me that she loved me... and she was gone before I could tell her I loved her too..." Nikita's voice cracks as tears start running down her face. Michael almost moves but is stopped by Nikita's voice.

"I love you, Michael..." Nikita's voice whispers. "I love you, Michael... I love you Michael... I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!" Nikita says going from a strong whisper to a full out scream. She drops her head down on her knees and Michael slides into her side and touches her head softly.

"I love you, Nikita." Michael says softly and Nikita raises her head.

"I was so scared... scared of the love because I couldn't recognize it... I thought that no one could love me.. and my mother loved me all along.. and you did too." Nikita cries with buckets of tears running down her face.

"Nikita, it scared me too... scares me every day that I might lose it... but you can't be afraid of being scared." Michael says softly as he tries to wipe away the endless tears from Nikita's face.

"I'm not anymore..." Nikita says and Michael lightly kisses her. "I learned sooo much... so much that my head is spinning... I said things to Operations that I was scared to say before... I realized how much I pushed my mother out of my life... how much Madeline has given back to me... and how much I hurt you... I hurt you..." Nikita admits through her sobbing voice and tears running into her mouth.

"We have plenty of time..." Michael tries to soothe Nikita. Nikita finally leans against his body, and his body relaxes.

"I wanted to come back.. and run into your arms.. I want to come home."

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

AND LIGHT GATHERING STRENGTH PIERCING THE CLOUDS,
SHAFT AFTER SHAFT ILLUMINATING THE SURFACE BELOW.

"Walter, I need that item." Michael says as he runs into Walter's workspace.

Walter looks up and pulls open the drawer. He looks at Michael with a smile.

"So, you and 'Kita.." Walter starts to say, but Michael is gone with the ring in hand.

"What is going on?" Madeline asks Birkoff as he stares at the door, their blinds are wide open, so Birkoff has had a bird's eye view through the entire day's event.

"They talked, and Nikita cried. Michael just..." Birkoff starts to tell Madeline how Michael ran off, but Michael is seen running back into the office.

"Nikita..." Michael says and Nikita looks up with a brilliant smile. Michael drops down to his knees and touches her face lightly. "I missed that smile more than you'll ever know..." Michael says in a dreamy but serious voice.

Nikita looks at Michael, and starts to get lost in his green eyes as Michael gets lost in Nikita's blue eyes. Michael easily slips the ring back on, with not a word between the two. They continue to stare, and finally fall into an embrace.

"What is going on?" Madeline asks as she gets on her tippy toes, trying to figure out what has happened. Walter taps Madeline's shoulder and Madeline pushes him away. Walter stands back with a smirk on his face, as he knows what is going on.

"They aren't talking.. that's for sure!" Birkoff pipes in and an operative playfully slaps Birkoff across the head.

"They speak with their eyes..." Madeline says softly, and then she sees a rainbow come up onto the ceiling and she instantly smiles. Michael and Nikita are seen standing in the room, hugging and kissing.

Michael's back is away from them, but they turn and the glare of the light onto Nikita's ring almost blinds the watching crowd.

"YES! YES! YES! Back to a happy Section!" An operative screams, which in turns causes a chain reaction of happy laughs, sighs, high-fives, hugs, and clapping. Madeline stands back and leans on Walter.

"You knew." Madeline says softly as Walter wraps his hands around her waist.

"I only gave Michael back what was his..." Walter says playfully, and he kisses Madeline softly on the ear.

Michael and Nikita know not of what is going on just outside their office door. For the most part, Madeline doubts that they know that the office blinds are open. Madeline glances up and sees Operations standing at the window, and she can swear he has a smile on his face, maybe.

"I love you, Michael." Nikita mummers between kisses as they turn in their own internal music.

"I love you, Nikita..." Michael says as he pulls her up to him even closer.

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

LIGHT

Madeline moves to the office, about to knock on the door and tell Michael and Nikita that they can see everything. But Madeline pauses and looks at Walter.

"Bring me those dressing trifolds." Madeline says and Walter hurries to his workspace and pulls the tall trifolds and place them infront of the windows. She looks at the crowd of operatives, which has grown as word of Michael and Nikita getting back together has quickly spread. With one look the operatives spread apart quickly.

Michael leans down and touches Nikita's shirt's button and Nikita leans her head back. Michael kisses her neck hungerily as he undoes the button and places his hand over the lace bra. He continues to unbutton the other four buttons with his other hand as Nikita grabs his buttocks.

The shirt falls to either side and Nikita sighs as Michael undoes the bra in the front and moves his face down to the tender breast. Nikita threads her hands behind Michael's head and into his hair and moans as he lighly licks the flesh.

Nikita soon moves her own hands to his own shirt, but with no buttons, she slides them up from below and touches the muscles lightly. Michael steps back and throws the shirt off, and before Michael can come back to his position, Nikita leans in and runs her mouth down his chest.

"Mmm...'Kita..." Michael rumbles as Nikita finds the little nub and lightly nibbles.

Michael starts to unbutton Nikita's jeans and Nikita does the same with Michael's black slacks. They hurry and Michael lifts Nikita up onto his desk and leans over her body. He pauses for a second, and looks at Nikita's glistening body and takes a deep breath, realizing how much he has missed being with her.. being one with her.

Nikita's eyes tear up as Michael gently slides in, but soon the need to be as before drives her and she opens and lifts her body closer to Michael. Moving slowly, but soon to the frantic, Michael drops his head to Nikita as they are both near the edge.

"I love you..." the two mutter before they are thrown off into the air of mutual bliss... squirming and shouting in delight, not realizing where they are... just that they are together... and not coming back for a good long while.

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

Nikita drops her pen down on the desk and picks up the phone.

"Nikita... would you care to have lunch with me tomorrow?" Operations carefully asks. Nikita closes her eyes and thinks for a moment.

"I can't. I'm busy. Thanks for asking." Nikita says and without a goodbye, Operations hangs up. Nikita looks at her reflection in the computer screen and softly smiles.

"I couldn't let him think that things will be alright between us... I mean.. it will never be alright between me and Operations..my father." Nikita says outloud to her reflection. Nikita looks away and thinks in her head, "Or, I'm just plain evil."

Nikita stands in the office and swirls around, and pauses when she notices the wood infront of the windows. Nikita walks to the door and looks at the trifolds that had been placed there. Puzzled, Nikita walks back in and closes the blinds.

"I have some time before Michael comes back with that pizza..." Nikita mutters to herself as she sits back down at the computer and picks up the paper she was writting on, and begins to transfer it to the computer.

PASSING OF A NIMBUS

SUNLIGHT WHISPERS ACROSS THE SKY
LIGHTLY CHUCKLING WITH A SMILE OF HOPE.
THE DAY AHEAD ACHES TO FLOAT FORWARD WITH HOPE,
AND TO SWIM IN THE WARMTH OF ALL.
BUT STORM CLOUDS HOVER AROUND THE EDGES,
THREATENING TO TAKE OVER THE BRILLANT LIGHT.
AND THUNDER RUMBLES INCREASE EACH SECOND
ROARING LOUDLY, AND FORCING THE LIGHT AWAY.
BOILING BLACK CLOUDS MARCH CLOSER AND CLOSER
SWIRLING ARUND IN TIGHT CIRCLES, AROUND THE PREY.
FLOWERS SEEK SHELTER UNDER GREEN LEAVES,
A BUTTERFLY FLOATS AWAY FROM THE HEAVY DROPS OF RAIN.
WIND SMACKING WITH RAZOR BLADE TIPS, RAIN POUNDING,
RUMBLE AFTER RUMBLE AFTER EAR-THROBBING RUMBLE.
THE DRIPS START TO DECREASE WITH LIGHTER DROPS,
AND THE WIND DROPS ITS WEAPONS AND STARTS TO TEASE THE LEAVES,
THE CLOUDS SPLIT AND ONE SHARP SHAFT OF LIGHT,
SPLITS THE ENDLESS GRAY CLOUD AND SHEDS LIGHT DOWN ON US BELOW.
AND LIGHT GATHERING STRENGTH, PIERCING THE CLOUDS,
SHAFT AFTER SHAFT ILLUMINATING THE SURFACE BELOW.

LIGHT.

Nikita saves it and Michael walks in as Nikita thinks. "End of chapter.. on with the next."

The aroma of pizza fills the room, and Birkoff bounds in.

"Michael said you bought pizza for us.. why?" Birkoff asks as he opens a box and grabs a piece.

"Engagement party." Nikita says with a smile as Michael starts over to her with a piece of pizza. Nikita grabs for it, but Michael shakes his head no. Walter enters to see Michael feeding Nikita a piece of pizza, and the giggling Nikita getting sauce all around her face.

"Things are good." Walter thinks to himself and then he goes to dig into the pizza.

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