Operatives ran through the hall with a mop and a pail in their hands. A few operatives are running with ice in their hands. The mass chaos that Nikita had gotten rid of when Operations had first left, has been reinstated. Madeline stands next to the computers, barking out orders and turning in circles.

Madeline knows the only reason she is standing out there is so that when the van with Michael and Nikita arrive she can order them to Medlab, not that Medlab is in any shape for more injuried operatives. Of course, the average amount of injuries for a month would all occur on the same day.

"Madeline... the water is not stopping... the whole wing is flooding!" An operative yells as he walks around the halls with wet pants.

"Then turn off the water and find were the leak is!" Madeline hollers out. She spins around as someone touches her shoulder, it is Mildred, Anna's nanny.

"Anna is sick." Mildred says in her thick British accent.

"That is why we got you. I can't be bothered with this right now." Madeline says, and watches Mildred shake her head as she exits.

"Madeline... Medlab wants no more." Birkoff yells from his desk.

"Tell them they are getting at least two more!" Madeline yells back.

Operations walks into the hallways, and finds this mess. An operative runs right into Operations, and doesn't stop to apolygize, just continues on in his hurried way. Operations sees the circling Madeline and raises his eyebrow.

"Madeline! We have a meeting!" Operations yells over the mess, and for four seconds everyone stops. Madeline walks towards Operations.

"That is not possible. Not today... I have a mess in Medlab, a mission gone haywire, the LECDER people to debrief..." Madeline starts.

"I thought that Nikita was handling the debriefings." Operations says angerily. He could have stayed in Moscow.

"I didn't get to that yet.... Michael and Nikita are in transport... from what Walter has told me..." Madeline starts but there is a clattering of chairs at the computers. Birkoff is standing on his chair.

"Madeline. Michael and Nikita are here!" Birkoff screams over the crowd.

Madeline, without looking at Operations heads to the van access.

*

Operations walks behind Madeline, and both see Michael and Nikita, bloody, swollen, bruised, and dirty, leaning against each other and stubbornly walking down the van access hallway.

"Medlab now." Madeline orders and several operatives run in with two gurneys. Michael and Nikita push off of each others bodies and groan in pain.

"I am not going to Medlab." They mutter together, and are shocked at the timing.

Operations nows steps closer to them. Nikita's blonde hair is pink with blood, and her face, has not one section of normal color. Michael's is in about the same. Madeline turns to Michael, knowing he is more difficult.

"I just want to go home, take a shower, and go to bed." Nikita moans through her shallow breathes as Operations stares at her.

"Madeline... it's just some bruises..." Michael says, shrugging the shoulder that is not hurt.

"MEDLAB NOW!" Madeline hollers and Operations is stunned. Operations turns to Nikita.

"I'm actually... ouch... quite fine... just...ouch...awwwhhh... need rest." Nikita mutters as she holds her arm around the front of her ribs. Operations pushes her arms away, and rolls up the shirt.

The sight of the damage makes Operations turn his head. Looking at the bruised, swollen, and lump rib area, Operations drops her shirt. He quickly scoops Nikita up and places her on the gurney.

"You are going to Medlab." Operations says with a firm hand on her shoulder as she tries to get back up with much pain.

Madeline, seeing Operations tactics, does the similar with Michael, but Michael does not struggle on the gurney.

"I just want to go home!" Nikita mutters as the gurneys start to roll down the halls.

Operations stands by Nikita's. "If no surgery is needed... I will personally release you two to go home, given someone goes with you." Operations says as they head into Medlab. Madeline angerily grabs his arm, and keeps him from going inside Medlab.

"I don't have the man power. Half of Section Headquarters is in that Medlab... I have a team of eight stranded on an island... I can't send someone home with them when they should stay in Medlab!" Madeline screams.

"Then I will go with them, since we don't have a meeting." Operations says plainly. Madeline's mouth hits the floor.

"You think they are impossible in Medlab... wait until they get home. They will fight you tooth and nail." Madeline says, establishing the fact that she hates this idea.

"But I know this, and can be ready." Operations says as he enters Medlab and leaves Madeline in the hallway.

***********

Nikita's arms are thrashing around on the gurney that sits in the hallway of Medlab. An IV line has been established, and both Michael and Nikita have had x-rays and some bandaging done, but have been basically ignore as other operatives are suffering also.

"Just let me go home!" Nikita yells from the bed, and she tries to sit up again to be met with pain.

A medlab doctor runs past her which angers her even more.

"DO SOMETHING OR LET ME GO!" Nikita screams as she gets more upset.

Michael is down the hall some, and can hear Nikita's screams. He moves with his hands wrapped in gauze because of the burns to the IV line. Leaning down with his head, he uses his head and teeth and pulls the line out of his arm.

"You can't do that." A Medlab person yells at Michael.

"Says who... are you going to stop me?" Michael challenges the short, skinny man. The man backs up shaking his head.

"No attention... no body." Michael says as he sits up on his bed, and swings his feet around. Winded, Michael stops.

"ELANA! STOP!" Nikita yells as she recognizes the person walking by her. Elana stops and turns to Nikita.

"We are really busy." Elana says as she steps towards Nikita's body. She can't imagine why the head of Medlab has decided to take the operatives based on the time of arrival, beause Nikita looks terrible. Elana opens the chart and sees that the only things broken are five ribs... two on the left and two on the right. "You'll be staying here... you have five broken ribs." Elana says softly putting the chart down.

"Why would I stay... so you guys can forget me?" Nikita fires back and Elana almost chuckles, but the sight of Nikita's face is already haunting her.

"We can make you comfortable." Elana says, knowing that for Nikita, no matter how uncomfortable her home is, that it is more comfortable than Medlab.

"Is there any reason to keep me... the ribs just need time to heal..." Nikita says.

"Have you thrown up any blood?" Elana asks Nikita.

"Nope... guess I'm out of here." Nikita says as she reaches for the IV line. Elana stops her.

"If you are so stubborn, let me do this properly." Elana says as she takes the line out. No more that the line is out, Nikita slides down, carefully not to touch her ribs, that have been tightly taped.

"Michael, Nikita... I will take you home... just give me some time with the doctors to discuss your treatment." Operations says as he sees the two walking.

***********

Operations grabs Michael's and Nikita's chart and then the head of Medlab. He pulls him into the office and drops the charts in front of him.

"They are going home." Operations informs as the doctor opens the chart and Operations stands near the closed door.

"No they are not... they need complete rest.. they can't do that with each other." The doctor says as he sits down, shaking his head.

"I am going with them. I will be taking care of them." Operations informs and sits down infront of the doctor.

"Well, then you have a massive job infront of you." The doctor says as he takes a pad out and starts writing. "First, pain medication. I have to give you the pills, strong stuff."

"They won't take the pills. They will hide them in their mouths. I will need medicine to inject them." Operations says, and the doctor starts to shake his head.

"That is not a good idea." The doctor mutters, but Operations stares at the man. "I will mark them, since Michael's concussion is worse than Nikita's, you are going to have to wake him up every three hours for ten minutes." The doctor says writing it down. "I will also give you the oral medication for in about two days."

"I take that their injuries are basically bruises." Operations says and the doctor shakes his head.

"Nikita has five broken ribs... she is going to be the tough one." The doctor informs. "Those bandages can't get loose... it would cause her even more pain... they have to be checked I would say every six hours." The doctor says, as he writes the information down.

"How is her knee?" Operations asks. The doctor holds up an x-ray and then puts it down.

"No break, the swelling though is quite a massive amount. It needs to be iced every two hours." The doctor says.

"That is no problem." Operations says. The doctor flips through each of the charts.

"Nikita's exposure to LOVING2000 concerns me... we haven't ran tests on how the pain medication interacts with the LOVING2000." The doctor says and Operations' face starts to become red.

"We haven't even found out what caused the raise levels from the last time." Operations points out with a firm voice.

"Be careful. Watch her. If things seem strange at all, call Medlab... we'll send someone to check her levels." the doctor says. "We'll clean them up before they leave."

"They have already left." Operations says. The doctor shakes his head and softly laughs.

"I will give you the soap.... Nikita's hair will be difficult." The doctor says looking at the lists that he has made.

Operations stands and is about to leave.

"You are going to have to force them to eat, going to help them to the bathroom, may even have to carry them. This pain medication has done some strange things to cold operatives. Don't think this is easy." The doctor warns.

"Nothing with those two is easy." Operations says grabbing his list.

"I'll gather these items for you." The doctor says. "Call if you get tired."

Operations walks out, and sees the tenderly walking Michael and Nikita just reaching the doors to the hallway outside.

***********

The door to Michael's and Nikita's apartment opens, and an operative turns on the lights and drops some bags onto the counter. Operations enters and watches Michael and Nikita enter slowly separating at the door, but then leaning against each other again.

"For who takes medicine... paper, scissor, rock..." Nikita says placing her hand out. Michael does the same.

"One...two...three..." Michael says, but Operations stops both of their hands.

"You both will. I will be here." Operations says, and waves the operative out of the apartment.

Operations looks at Nikita's hair, and helps her to lean against the kitchen counter.

"Nikita... we have to wash that hair first, then you and Michael will go to bed and take your medicine." Operations says, as he runs into their room and brings out an oversized t-shirt. He pulls Nikita's shirt up.

"And your bra." Operations says without a hesitation. Nikita turns her back to him.

"Can...you undo it... I...can't..." Nikita says, and Operations tenderly lets the clasps go, and with one motion, pulls the shirt down over the bandages around her ribs.

Operations helps Nikita again to lean against the kitchen counter, as he moves a chair over to were the faucet is. He pulls out the shampoo and gathers a towel.

"Over here.... If you lean back, I'll help you sit." Operations directs Nikita by the arm. Yet, Nikita pulls away, and tries to sit like normal.

"HOOOOOWWWWLLL" Nikita says as she sits, and she quickly slides to a position, in which her head is barely in the kitchen sink, but the pain has eased.

Operations watches Nikita's face as he runs the water through her hair. He washes the blood away quickly, and rinses her hair out. He wraps the towel around Nikita head.

"All done." Operations announces proudly. He hears Michael tsk him, and turns towards Michael.

"What is it Michael?" Operations asks, as Nikita starts to be stubborn and stand up without help again.

"Her hair has to be dried..... so she won't get a chill..." Michael says as he covers his eyes from the light in the kitchen.

Nikita is just getting to her feet, when Operations finds the hairdryer. He plugs it in and walks to the chair.

"Sorry, Nikita..." Operations says as he turns on the hairdryer. She uses Operations to sit down with considerably less pain, but drying her hair, caused Nikita to cry and holler.

Nikita didn't hold back her screams of pain, they were so bad and primal. Her screams could be heard over the roar of the hairdryer.

Operations has just turned off the hairdryer, when the neighbor starts to knock on the door. "Nikita? Michael? Are you all right?" The neighbor calls out. Operations sets the hairdryer off and walks to the door.

"Can I help you?" Operations asks softly. The man looks into the apartment.

"Is Michael or Nikita in there?" The man asks, not seeing either.

"They have been in a car accident, I am their private nurse during their recovery." Operations says softly again, and the man's mouth hits the floor.

"Are they alright?" The man asks.

"They need lots of rest, and are in extreme pain when the pain medication wears off." Operations says, and with ironic good timing, Nikita whimpers. "I must go." Operations says and shuts the door. He turns to find Nikita trying to brush her hair.

***********

Operations easily decides the several hours of sleep for both Michael and Nikita were called for. He moved both to the bedroom quickly.

"Really... I think I'd prefer the couch... " Nikita mutters as she continues to gasp for air. Operations continues to debate in his mind if he should send for the oxygen to help Nikita's breathing or not to send for it.

"Into bed, Nikita." Operations says firmly but softly, not to make Michael's headache worse.

"I thought... you...would... ha...aaaahh...nnnmmmm..." Nikita begins to say, but pain rakes her body in hurdling waves. Michael needless to say, has followed orders and is already in bed.

Operations, annoyed at Nikita's stalling, again, picks her up and places her in the bed. He places a light sheet over her body. Again, Nikita labors for air. Operations at that moments decides that once they have fallen asleep that he will call for the oxygen.

"I have your meds." Operations says pulling out the bottle.

"I think we can sleep just fine." Michael says without moving his head to face Operations, since it would mean looking at the light behind his head.

"Orders." Operations says, and he places the two pills into each of their mouths and then gives them a sip of water. Operations turns his back, but watchs the both from a mirror Walter rigged, take the pills out of their mouth and put them underneath the sheet. Operations pulls from his pocket the two syringes of medicine. He checks to see which one is for Michael and visa versa. All he had to do is inject it into their upperarm.

Operations turns and from behind them, injects both before they can react.

"What....was..ahh..that." Nikita tries to say angerily. Michael stares at Operations and closes his eyes in understandment.

"You didn't take your medicine... and I knew you wouldn't. Now, you will sleep, Nikita. And there are no options." Operations says as he moves out of the room.

In less than five minutes, both operatives are sound asleep.

*

About an hour later, Operations walks into the room with the oxygen tank and some ice. He lightly places the mask over Nikita's face, and plans to only use it while the ice is on.

He lifts up the sheet, and tenderly unwraps the knee, and places the ice on it.

Not once does he think that Nikita is his daughter.

***********

"Michael...wake up...Michael..." Operations calls out for Michael while shaking him lightly. He had been watching from a chair in the bedroom.

"Michael... you need to wake up..." Operations continues.

Suddenly, Michael wakes up, grabbing Operations hand. Once about ten seconds pass, Michael realizes that it is Operations and lets the hand go.

"How is 'Kita?" Michael asks softly. Operations aids Michael in a few sips of water, before he answers.

"She is still asleep... I hope to keep her that way for quite a while." Operations says softly. Michael softly nods.

"She is stubborn." Michael says with a slight curl of his lips. He turns his head lightly and sees the mask on Nikita.

"Her breathing is labored because of the broken ribs... but don't tell her... she'll fight it then." Operations says as he sees Michael's gaze.

Michael again nods. Operations moves to the bags and picks up the items needed to change the bandages on Michael's slightly burned hands. Michael diligently holds out his hands, and Operations unwraps them.

"So who is the next person to come?" Michael asks as he whinces as the air hits his hands.

"I am the only one. Other than the oxygen, I haven't spoken to anyone in Section." Operations says. Michael stares at the ceiling as Operations starts to rub ointment over the burns. Michael knows that it must be quite busy for Walter not to have called.

"Will you want something to eat?" Operations asks as he places Michael's newly bandaged hands on the sheet.

The word, eat, brings the rumbling in Michael's stomache back. Michael slightly nods yes and Operations goes to the kitchen and comes back with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

"This shouldn't be that hard to eat..." Operations says as he helps Michael sit up a bit. Since Michael's hands are bandaged like little clubs, Operations tears off light pieces and feeds it to Michael.

"Or is it because you don't know how to cook?" Michael asks during a break. Operations cracks a smile at Michael.

"Well, I don't really enjoy having to feed you Michael, could you imagine if I made soup how you would feel?" Operations says as he watches Michael chew another piece. Michael puts his hand up and shakes his head no to the fourth of the sandwich left.

"What about 'Kita?" Michael asks, as her head rolls lightly towards Michael.

"She was given more medication. It is not likely that I could wake her out of that slumber." Operations says as he sets the leftover sandwich on the dresser. He retrieves the next syringe of medicine.

"Could you give me not as much." Michael asks politely.

"Why Michael? Take the medicine and don't worry." Operations says.

"No..... there are many things that you don't know about 'Kita, and you won't know how to handle them." Michael explains as he looks at Nikita. Operations pauses, and against his better judgement, he squeezes out a third of the medicine.

Michael willingly takes the medicine, and Operations takes the left over sandwich to the kitchen. He sighs, and shakes his tired neck out, and it has only been 3 hours.

***********

Twelve hours have passed. Nikita and Michael are still sleeping in the bedroom, and Operations is lightly sleeping on the couch. He has found that aiding Michael and Nikita is draining, because of all that he must do, not because they are fighting him. Nikita even willingly took the shot without one complaint. She didn't eat, which still worries Operations as he sleeps.

RING!!!

Operations entire bodys snaps up and he reaches for the phone before it could ring again.

"Hello?" Operations asks as he regains his awareness of where he is.

"Viktor... how is your daughter?" Ayn asks softly, but Operations is still in his light faze.

"Uh..what?" Operations says as he shakes his head.

"How is your daughter, Nikita?" Ayn asks in the same tone.

"Oh... Nikita... she is not fighting me, but, pretty bad." Operations offers as he stands up with the cordless phone and walks to the bedroom to check if the ringing phone woke either of his damaged operatives.

"Viktor, I hope you understand, Madeline called to tell me why you weren't coming back... I was just worried." Ayn explains in a hurried voice.

"That's nice, Ayn." Operations says as he looks at the two peaceful faces and walks back into the livingroom.

"So, what is the damage... and why are you in their apartment?" Ayn asks with her accented voice. Operations smiles at the comment about their apartment.

"Michael and Nikita were leaving, they would not stay in Medlab willingly. It was decided it would be much better if someone stayed with them. That someone was me." Operations says as he sits down. He turns his head as he thinks he hears something but shakes his head no.

"Well, Stephen is fine." Ayn says, slightly annoyed that Operations hasn't even asked about him.

"I knew he would be." Operations says, and the comment makes Ayn even angrier.

"Couldn't someone else stay with them..." Ayn says and the comment begins to make Operations upset.

"No. You don't know Michael and Nikita." Operations says, and turns his head towards the bedroom again, sure that he heard something.

"You show such favoritism between those two that it is not shocking to see how..." Ayn starts to say.

"Ayn, I have to go." Operations says and he hangs up on her. Instantly, Operations realizes that Nikita is crying.

Tears streak down her face with her eyes closed tightly. Operations is about to awake Nikita, but Michael opens his eyes.

"Don't do that." Michael whispers.

"I am going to have her levels checked..." Operations says as he turns on the phone, but again Michael shakes his head no.

"This is common." Michael says and Operations drops his hand with the phone in it.

"What do I do then?" Operations asks Michael. Michael licks his lips.

"First, you push her hair out of her face..." Michael says. Operations softly pushes the hair out of her face. Naturally, he runs his palm over her forehead and then down to cradle her cheek.

"And you rub her face lightly and dry her tears..." Michael says as he sees Operations naturally movement. He stares at the cold face and sees it to be a little bit warmer. "And you continue till she stops...." Michael whispers as he closes his eyes and turns his head.

***********

"Nikita, I must rewrap your ribs." Operations says as he holds the bandages in his hand as Nikita stands in front of him, with her naked back to him.

"No... no...no... I feel better like this." Nikita singly says as her head sways back and forth. Operations lips slightly curve, but go back to the task at hand.

"Nikita, you will hurt more if I don't replace them." Operations says. He catches Michael's smiling face from the bed in which Michael catches this entertainment.

"Michael... do I look lumpy to you?" Nikita says as she turns to the right and points to the ribs. Operations quickly moves with her, not wanting to see any more of Nikita than he must.

"Yes, you do... that's why you must put the bandages back on." Michael says as he looks at Nikita's shining blue eyes, wishing she could remember this, but knowing she won't. She is flustering Operations big time.

"And the lumps will smooth away... like smooth mash potatoes?" Nikita asks as she turns again, and raises her arms. Operations quickly begins to rewrap her ribs.

"THAT HURTS!" Nikita cries like a little girl as Operations finishes. He leads her to the bed, and helps her back down.

"I'm going to get you something to eat." Operations says.

"Michael bagel." Nikita says quickly.

"What?" Operations asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Michaelbagel..." Nikita says even faster with a bright smile. She was enjoying the pain medication very much.

"Michael... do you have a translation?" Operations asks Michael, who has become invaluable in his help with Nikita.

"A Michael bagel is a bagel with butter and peanut butter, but the butter and peanut butter are mixed together first, then put on the bagel." Michael explains, and Operations opens and closes his eyes.

"If I make you a Michael bagel, will you eat something else?" Operations asks.

"You can't make Michaelbagel... you make Operationsbagel..." Nikita says with wide open eyes. Operations nods and leaves the room.

Michael looks over at Nikita and takes her hand in his bandaged hands. "You are evil." Michael mutters softly.

"Mean mean doctor greene... mean mean doctor greene..." Nikita sings.

"You watch too much Rosie O'Donnel and ER." Michael says as he leans over and kisses Nikita's purple and yellow bruised forehead.

"You have something purple on your cheek..." Nikita says as she touches on of Michael's bruises.

"Nikita... I'm purple everywhere." Michael says.

"A purple giant people eater!!!!!" Nikita screams with delight and starts to sing the song. Luckily for Michael, Operations soon arrives with the food.

"Here is your Michael bagel." Operations says as he places the plate infront of Nikita. She quickly takes a finger and dips it into the peanut butter mix and licks it off of her finger.

"Normal." Michael says as Operations hands him a ham sandwich. Michael moves his one hand around the sandwich and quickly starts to eat with the better hand.

"Would you like something else Nikita?" Operations asks softly as Nikita finishes the bagel.

"Purple juice..." Nikita says as her head swings back and forth.

"You mean grape juice?" Operations asks and knows immediately from Michael's raised head that he was wrong.

"NO!!! The purple juice!" Nikita says like an upset child.

"The Kool-Aid in the cubboard..... oh, Nikita, that was three months ago!" Michael sighs as he explains to Operations what Nikita is talking about and looking at Nikita's drugged body.

Operations diligently runs to the kitchen and hurries to make the Kool-Aid. Nikita drinks it quickly and gives herself a purple mustache.

"Anything else, Nikita?" Operations asks. Nikita tilts her head for a second and it pops back up.

"Those hotdogs.. with the cheese and bread stuff around it... and with ketchup..." Nikita says with hand motions.

"The things on the commericals." Operations says before Michael has to explain. Operations runs to the kitchen and swears that after these hotdogs, good night to both Nikita and Michael.

***********

Operations sighs as he sits back down. He looks at the clock and sees that it has only been a whole day and a half since he brought these two to the apartment. Nikita was starting to feel better, and her breathing has improved. Operations debates if he should go to the oral medication now, or stay with the injections with Nikita. Michael has already moved to the oral pain medication.

"Operations!" Michael calls out, and with a huge sigh, he stands up and walks to the room.

Nikita is trying to get out of bed, and having a miserable time at it. The blanket is getting wrapped around her feet, and pulled off of Michael.

Operations pushes as her shoulders and unwraps the blanket, and recovers the boxer only Michael.

"Where are you going, Nikita?" Operations asks, seeing the glazed over look of Nikita.

"Bathroom... when nature calls, nature calls." Nikita says without focusing on Operations.

Operations looks up to the ceiling. If anything, taking Nikita to the bathroom has been the most difficult to handle.

Operations puts an arm under her shoulder and helps Nikita to stand on her sore knee. She must really have to go, because she doesn't take a second to regain her balance, she just starts to walk. Operations helps her to the toilet. He places a chair in front of it, which, when he leaves, Nikita uses to balance herself.

"Just call when you are done." Operations says, and leaves Nikita to do her business.

Operations closes the door and looks at Michael. Michael softly smiles, but also whinces in pain. Operations looks at him.

"What is hurting, Michael?" Operations asks. Michael looks at him and then looks away.

"Nothing, don't worry." Michael mutters, and pauses. "When you first told us that you'd be staying with us, I was really scared..." Michael admits.

"I was scared also." Operations says, seeing that most of this was the pain medications that made Michael like this. Before Michael could speak again, sobs are heard in the bathroom.

"NO! NO! NO! NO!" Nikita moans lightly, and Operations moves to the door.

"Nikita, may I come in?" Operations asks softly.

"I'm sick of being beaten up... over and over and over and over and over... black and blue... yellow and purple...bruise after bruise..." Nikita mutters. Operations opens the door a crack, and sees Nikita, dressed, sitting on the toilet and leaning onto the chair. He opens the door wider and goes in.

"Why does he continue to do this to us, Michael?" Nikita asks as she raises her head and stares at Operations. "My father willingly sends me to get beaten up... and then just wants us to heal up again, so we can be beaten up again...." Nikita cries out.

"Nikita..." Operations says in a metered tone, knowing that Nikita thinks that he is Michael.

"Why don't they just kill us... stop my pain... pain... pain.... If it wasn't for you Michael, I would kill myself... right this second.... and he would never hurt... he wouldn't miss me... Michael, only you love me." Nikita cries out. Operations bends down and picks her up and carries her back to the bed. She slides in, and Michael moves over towards her. She instantly puts her head on Michael's chest, and Michael, unwraps one of his hands (they are almost better) and starts to rub her hair.

Operations moves out of the room and calls into Section.

"Walter here... who are you and what weapons do you want?" Walter asks in his rough and deep voice.

"Walter. Could you come to Michael's and Nikita's for a while?" Operations asks in his firm voice, trying not to show how much Nikita has shaken him.

"I can do that. How is my sugar?" Walter says with a little bounce in his voice.

"Nikita needs her blood tested... I think the pain meds are throwing her off. If you can, please bring someone from Medlab." Operations says firmly.

"I can do." Walter says. "We've really slowed down here... I'll be right over."

Operations sits down the phone, and rubs a hand over his tired face. He doesn't know what is more difficult, dealing with Stephen's mental illness or Nikita on pain medication.

***********

A soft pleasant sound drifted into Nikita's ears as she started to wake up. Then she could almost feel warm sunlight.

"I'm walkin' on sunshine..whooo ooohhh... I'm walkin' on sunshine.... whoo ohhhh...And doesn't it feel good!!!" Walter sings as Nikita opens her eyes and sees the blinds in the bedroom wide open. She blinks.

"Walter." Nikita says with a half smile.

"Sugar!" Walter calls out as he moves over to her side of the bed. He kneels on his knees and rubs her face softly. "Are you feeling better?"

"I feel drugged." Nikita answers, as she tries to push her body up to a more upright position. She instantly realizes that Michael has left the bed.

"He is taking a shower." Walter says as he places pillows behind her back.

"Oh. And Operations?" Nikita asks softly.

"He went for a walk." Walter says smiling at Nikita. When he saw Operations, he looked more rattled than when he found out about the tattoos.

"Walter, I'm kind of hunger." Nikita says, and in that moment, the Medlab tech walks in.

"Look what we developed... a finger stick test!" The tech says happily as he takes Nikita hand.

"No more vials? I'm sooo upset." Nikita says dryly, but beginning to became her normal self. The tech quickly sticks Nikita's finger and places it on the paper.

"Now, if I can borrow your refrigerator, I'll tell you if you need the juice or not." the tech says with a smile.

"Well, Walter was going to the kitchen to fix me so food, I'm sure he can show you the way." Nikita says with a bigger smile.

"I told Operations all you need was some sunshine!" Walter says as he starts to walk out of the bedroom.

Nikita leans her head back, and concentrates on the sunlight warming her skin and thinking of Michael as he showered. A smile crossed her face, and she didn't notice Walter come back into the room.

"Oh, Sugar, I think you're thinking bad bad thoughts!" Walter says with a giant grin at the smile on Nikita's face. Nikita jumps out of her thoughts and smiles at Walter. On the tray he has a odd assortment of food.

"Mmmm... the pop tart first." Nikita says, and Walter hands it over to her. Quickly she has eaten a half of it. At that moment, that Nikita has her mouth full of food, Michael steps out of the bathroom, with just his boxers on.

"I forgot clothing." Michael says as he looks at Walter.

"No you didn't. Operations said for you one more day in bed." Walter says as Nikita grabs for the orange, but throws it back to Walter.

"Can you peel it? My nails are gone." Nikita asks as she looks down at her fingernails.

As Walter starts to peel the orange, the lab tech runs into the room.

"I think three people in this bedroom is really enough." Michael says as he sits in the bed.

"Levels are fine. I'm leaving." the lab tech reports and runs out.

"Is there a reason to think why my levels wouldn't be fine?" Nikita asks as she looks over at Michael. Michael shrugs his shoulders and reaches over for the bowl of oatmeal on the tray.

Nikita quickly slaps his hand.

"Walter brought that for me!" Nikita says as she takes the orange out of Walter's hand.

"Hey, I can go get some more!" Walter says, but then Nikita smiles playfully.

"Want some orange, Michael?" Nikita asks, and then she takes a piece, and lets some juice dripple down her chin. Michael smiles and then laughs.

"Nikita... do you know how bad you look... the bruises?" Michael says, trying to push away the other image and thoughts he had.

"I'm just hoping if I get enough juice all over me, that I can talk Walter into letting me take a shower." Nikita says with a smile. Walter places the tray down on the bed.

"You two fight amoungst yourselves for the food... call me when you need cleaned up!" Walter says, walking out of the room. Nikita watches him and grabs Michael's hand before he takes hold of the oatmeal.

"Michael, truly, what did I do?" Nikita asks with a concerned look on her face.

"Nikita, you did everything you've always done... it is just that Operations saw it for the first time, and it really threw his center of balance off." Michael says as he takes his hand out of Nikita's and finally grabs the oatmeal. Nikita grabs it before Michael can place it near his body, and proceeds to fight over it until it flies into the air.

"WALTER!!!!" Nikita and Michael call out at the same time.

***********

"Ayn, it is Operations." Operations says as he sits in Michael's and Nikita's apartment, as Walter coordinated the shower time for Michael and Nikita along with changing the sheets.

"Why are you calling me, Viktor?" Ayn asks softly.

"It is Operations." Operations says firmly. Ayn shakes her head slightly but smiles. "I will be in late tonight."

"Why? I very much doubt that Nikita and Michael have healed." Ayn says immediately.

"They have friends who can care for them, and they are both off the injections." Operations explains slowly.

"Friends are much different than fathers." Ayn states without a thought.

"I need to go back for Stephen." Operations says as he starts to pace.

"Mmm... you feel something new for Nikita... you made a connection." Ayn says as she looks up at the ceiling in her office.

"When you called, you were upset that I was staying because Stephen needs me... now that I am coming back you are upset that I am leaving Nikita too soon?" Operations says tensely, and is thankful that the shower water drowns his voice out.

"You are running." Ayn says quickly.

"I am not running. If I was running, I would not have come back to say goodbye to Nikita and Michael." Operations says defensively.

"What happened, Viktor? What did Nikita say in her drugged state that scared you? What did Nikita say that made you feel something for her?" Ayn questions.

"Ayn, I will be back late tonight. I plan on seeing Stephen." Operations says, and hangs up the phone.

*

"I will never leave you two alone with food again." Walter says as he tucks the sheet around the sitting figures of Michael and Nikita.

Nikita smiles at Walter. "And smiling at me won't make me change my mind!"

Operations walks in and Nikita loses her smile. Michael notices her behavior and in his mind knows that Nikita, if anyone, will drive Operations insane.

"I have to go back to Moscow." Operations says as he walks towards the bed.

"Stephen must miss you." Nikita says.

"You listen to Walter.... Michael.. tomorrow you can get out of bed.... for a while... Nikita, remember, you broke five ribs." Operations says.

"I didn't break them... they broke them for me!" Nikita says with a bright smile.

"I have to go." Operations says and he walks out of the room with Walter.

"Did they tell you about what Medlab did for Nikita's broken ribs?" Operations asks softly.

"I don't think I am going to like this." Walter says in a warning tone.

"It has been used on many operatives before Nikita... they developed a medicine to heal breaks quicker... I would say in two days the bones would be healed.... I'd like her to stay in bed until then." Operations says without looking at Walter.

"Then you stay and control Nikita." Walter says.

"I must go." Operations says and turns and leaves.

"Ok, children... who is up for a game of TROUBLE???" Walter asks as he picks up the box and walks towards the bedroom.

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