Birkoff walks into his apartment complex and swings the keys back into his hand. He walks slowly. He smiles at the memories of the wedding, that just seemed to have finished. Birkoff is trying to forget the three hours that Madeline and Operations made him try to retrieve the blackout program that Michael and Nikita had used. Birkoff staggers a little, but is now very sober, due to the advances of Section's Medlab. As soon as they understood what the problem was, Medlab handed out dosages to everyone, including Madeline and Operations. (Excluding Anna). He starts up the stairs and is smiling broadly. He didn't tell Madeline or Operations, in fact, he didn't tell anyone, he admired what Michael and Nikita did. Now, Birkoff was sure that Nikita wrote that program, but Michael made sure no trace would ever be found. After searching every file on their own personal computers, Madeline and Operations had no choice but call it as outside accident. But as Birkoff gets to his floor, Melissa is on his mind. How was he going to explain the wedding of Michael and Nikita? Birkoff smirks a little and is glad he grabbed a scrambler as he walked out of Section. He was sure glad he learned when and how to use those.

The hallways were unusually quiet, and Birkoff glances down at his watch and finds it almost two o'clock. If Melissa is there, she usually waits up for him. Birkoff had planned to be back early, and would have been had he not had to search for the non-existent program. Birkoff's walk is slow as he is feeling the effects of the dances. He will never tell Melissa about those.

Birkoff opens the apartment door and is surprised as all of the lights are on in the apartment. Birkoff sets his keys down on the stand and notices Melissa's are there. Birkoff slides his coat off and is surprised that Melissa's looks unusually dirty.

"Melissa?" Birkoff calls out as he moves to the kitchen for a glass of water. He sips lightly and when Melissa didn't come for him, he sets the glass down and walks towards the bedroom. "Melissa?" Birkoff whispers as he moves on his tip toes. "Melissa?" Birkoff asks as he turns the corner. Now the bedroom is dark except from the streetlight outside the window. Melissa is sitting with her knees to her chest, her head down on the knees. "Melissa? Is something wrong?" Birkoff asks. Melissa slowly raises her head and Birkoff steps back as he sees the beginning of bruises for each of her eyes and jaw.

Birkoff slide down by her but notices Melissa flinching. He takes assessment of what he sees. Her arm is in a sling and her face is bruised and cut.

"A man?" Birkoff asks and Melissa nods her head. "Did he?" Birkoff chokes out and is kind of relieved that Melissa nods no. Anger is swelling in him, know that the Section followers didn't do anything to stop this man. He made him furious, but he had to worry about Melissa.

"I was walking home... and boom... and that was it... I didn't know where to go after the hospital.... I felt I'd be safer here.... where have you been?" Melissa says. Birkoff places the scrambler on and drops his head.

"Michael and Nikita got married today.... that's where I was." Birkoff says softly.

"If I was invited.. this wouldn't have happened." Melissa says starting to cry.

"Melissa... believe me... if you were invited... you'd be much worst off." Birkoff says softly as he aches to touch her. Birkoff can easily remember the numerous times that he had watched Nikita come in beaten up, and it wasn't time to touch Melissa.

"Was I safer coming here?" Melissa cries out.

"Yes... safer and in more danger... it's a real gray area." Birkoff says, admitting the danger also found in his room.

"So Nikita is on her honeymoon?" Melissa asks and Birkoff nods his head.

"But I want her!" Melissa cries out and drops her body into Birkoff's. Birkoff lets a sigh of relief out.

"She will be gone for a while... I'm sure we can find someone for you to talk to." Birkoff says. Melissa starts to shake her head no immediately.

"NO!" Melissa says. "I know something is up... I want Nikita to teach me self defense... I'm sure she can do that, right?" Melissa says with a brave face.

"I'm sure she'll do that... but I think you need to talk to someone..." Birkoff says emotionally torn.

"Can you get my medication?" Melissa asks and soon Melissa is asleep.

"I was expecting your call Birkoff." Madeline says with a slight yawn.

"Why didn't they stop it?" Birkoff asks firmly.

"We are not to interfere with her life... but they made sure the paramedics were called." Madeline says firmly.

"Did they at least get the man?" Birkoff asks.

"OF course. Taken care of." Madeline says. "How is she?"

"Bad... what else would you expect?" Birkoff asks.

"Birkoff, I don't do this for just anyone... but if you need me to... I can come over... to be there for her.. at least until Nikita comes back." Madeline says.

"I'd like that... because I think I need you myself." Birkoff says sliding down into a chair. Madeline just hangs up.

Send suggestions and comments to ranma.
OR
If you would like to send a comment to Nikita507, click HERE!!