Nikita hums lightly as she stares to unpack a box in the small kitchen of the apartment that is being used to confirm her and Michael's cover for their current mission. They were placed in a little town, up in the mountains. Nikita loved the sight of the quaint little town. She pulled out a loaf of bread.

"Michael... that little shop is soo cute. Packing everything in boxes because every place has so many stairs!" Nikita calls out as she pulls out a bottle of milk and turns to the refrigerator.

Nikita continues unpacking the groceries and shuts moves to the window. The sky is beginning to get gray and the birds are flying away.

"Birkoff... are we expecting rain?" Nikita asks as she brushes her comm unit on.

"Nikita... there is some rough weather north of you... but right now... It looks like only rain." Birkoff says and Nikita smiles. She continues to hum as she takes out the supplies for soup and grilled cheese.

"Nikita.. have you seen a flashlight?" Michael asks as he walks into the kitchen and opens one of the cubboards.

"We didn't bring one." Nikita says as she turns on the skillet. "How many do you want?" Nikita asks softly.

"I'm not hungry." Michael says as he walks out of the kitchen. Nikita turns off the skillet and walks after Michael.

"In the store you were complaining how you haven't eaten in hours!" Nikita says as Michael starts to open drawers obsessively.

"Not now, Nikita... We did bring candles?" Michael asks as he moves past Nikita in a rough brush.

"We put them in the bedroom, remember?" Nikita says with a soft laugh as she turns. She sees the television blinking, and on the bottom, a little line of a warning. Nikita pauses and notes that there is a tornado warning for two counties to the north.

"Yeah, Nikita... you guys are going to be getting some strong thunderstorms." Birkoff comments as Nikita follows after Michael.

"I saw... tornados two counties away... I'm glad we are in the mountains." Nikita laughs and Birkoff does too.

"Hey, Michael... are you doing this for a reason?" Nikita asks as she enters the bedroom. Michael is pulling at a drawer and packing a box with the candles.

"Nikita... there are tornados heading this way... We must be ready." Michael says firmly without looking at Nikita. Nikita grabs the box and forces Michael to look at her.

"Michael.. they are way north... and they can't climb a mountain!" Nikita says softly. Michael kisses Nikita's forehead and nods his head.

"Go cook dinner... I'll watch the news." Michael says and moves to the livingroom. Nikita sets the box down on the bed and then goes back to the kitchen.

***********

Nikita hums throughout her duties in the kitchen, and hums as she walks into the living room with the soup cups and the grilled cheese. Michael is standing in the middle of the room, pacing about.

"Nikita... they are heading towards us..." Michael says firmly as he looks at her. Nikita raises and eyebrow and places the food on the little end table and turns towards the television.

"Michael.. Birkoff told me that they will rumble across us as thunderstorms.. They will lose strength." Nikita says as she places an arm around Michael's shoulders. Michael quickly shrugs it off.

"It is a tornado.. actually.. it's two... They are on the ground, 'Kita! This isn't a joke." Michael says firmly as he moves back towards the bedroom.

"Nikita... I'm telling you.. they will lose strenth.. I never saw a tornado on a mountain!" Birkoff says firmly and Nikita again follows Michael's constant movement.

"Michael... let's not jump to the bad side... We don't have a warning yet." Nikita says as she watches Michael bunch up the bedding into balls.

"With a storm like this.. it can just swoop down.. Nikita... Did you see the radar picture. It has the classic tail design... One minute, no funnel cloud, the next one.. it is killing people as it touches down. I mean no warning, Nikita!" Michael says as he continues his movement.

"Michael... lets take a deep breath." Nikita says slowly, but Michael rushes back towards the television.

"We don't have a radio..." Michael says quickly.

"We have the comm units." Nikita says firmly. Michael just starts to shake his head.

"We will have to destroy them... if we get trapped and they dig us out.. we can have enough problems." Michael says as he moves back to the bedroom.

"Michael!" Nikita calls out, getting worried at Michael's behavior. Nikita turns and watches the radar for a moment.

"We have to go to the basement, Nikita.. NOW!" Michael says firmly. Nikita shakes her head no and sits down on the couch.

"Michael.. we are in the southern most part of this county... We have a lot of time!" Nikita protests as she pulls Michael down with her. Every single muscle of Michael's is tense.

"Water.. remember to take water bottles with us." Michael snaps quickly and Nikita only nods her head. A sharp rumble of thunder is heard and Nikita can feel Michael's body jump.

The warning comes up, posting the county that Michael and Nikita are in as under a tornado warning.

"ABORT THE MISSION!" Michael yells into the comm unit and throws it to the floor and smashes his heel into it. Nikita sits, in wonderment.

***********

"Birkoff.. why do I have an abort message on Michael's and Nikita's mission?" Madeline asks as she moves towards the computers.

"Michael just yelled to abort it and smashed his comm unit." Birkoff informs as he flips the radar of the storms on the computer screen for Madeline to watch.

"These are thunderstorms heading right for Michael and Nikita. They have produced tornados... and there are warning ups... Michael has gone a bit insane on this." Birkoff says as he points to the screen. Madeline looks at it and walks around for a couple moments.

"But they are up on a mountain!" Madeline says firmly as she walks back towards the computer.

"I have been telling Nikita that... She still has her comm unit... But Madeline... this storms are gaining energy." Birkoff informs lightly.

"This is still not a reason to abort the mission. They still have plenty of time to get ready if these storms continue." Madeline says as she looks at the radar again.

"Madeline... Michael has been acting like this since the storms where first noticed... I believe Nikita has her hands full." Birkoff informs Madeline and Madeline starts to walk away. She stops and turns back around.

"Their mission is not aborted.... IT WILL RESUME!" Madeline says firmly and looks around the hallways. "Keep me informed." Madeline says and then moves away.

Nikita steps out of the way as Michael starts to pile things together and makes a trip down to the basement. Just Michael's movements are getting Nikita nervous.

"Nikita... you may have to take cover.. they don't seem to be losing power." Birkoff informs Nikita and she nods her head.

Michael walks in and looks at the radar. The thunder continues loudly, and Michael looks outside and the sky almost looks green.

"We have to go now!" Michael says firmly. Nikita tries to pull against Michael. Nikita points to the guns they have stored and Michael quickly swings them on his shoulders.

"Michael... this town as warning sirens... they haven't gone off... I think we still have time." Nikita says as she tries to pull against Michael.

Michael pulls quickly and starts down the stairs to the basement. Michael just tries to hurry to the basement, and doesn't notices that with his movement, he effectively drags Nikita down the stairs.

"DAMNIT!!!!" Nikita screams as she hits the last stair and sees the blood.

***********

Nikita looks at the mess on her right shin as Michael moves to the center of the basement and starts to open up blankets.

Almost the entire stretch of skin is gone from Nikita's shin and it is bleeding quite profusely. Nikita tries to stop it with her hand, but her hand cannot cover the entire area.

"Michael.. I need to get our first aid kit." Nikita says as she gingerly stands up and tries to walk back up the stairs.

In a flash, Michael is pulling Nikita up in his arms. He takes her to the blanket and turns on a radio he has hooked up an old car battery he found. Michael starts to cover Nikita up in the blanket.

"Michael.. this needs clean up.. it's not going to stop bleeding." Nikita protests as she throws off the blanket. Michael can't even form words. Nikita can see the fear written across his face as he moves like a robot.

Nikita sees a roll of duct tape sitting nearby. It would be hell to pull off, but it would effectively help stop the bleeding. Nikita pulls a long strip, the length of her lower leg and pushes it down on the cut. It takes two long pieces to cover the width of the wound.

Michael pushes a pillow into Nikita's stomache and throws a blanket over her. He quickly pulls one over himself. In one swift movement, he pulls Nikita into a tuck position, and places his body over Nikita.

"Michael... it is hard to breathe..." Nikita complains as she struggles against Michael's strong hold. He does not move, just holds down harder.

"A tornado has touched down in the section called Mary's Port... it is heading directly South..." The radio crackles out as the noise get louder and louder.

"Nikita... maintain calm... we have a backup team ready to retrieve you if this storms tumbles over you." Birkoff says softly.

Nikita looks down at her watch and feels Michael's heart pounding away quicker than normal.

"Birkoff.. what is the situation?" Madeline demands as she walks back towards Birkoff.

"A tornado is down about three miles away from the house.... Michael roughly pulled Nikita down the stairs. I think she is injuried." Birkoff says quickly as he stares at the radar.

"The storm, will it hit them?" Madeline demands.

"We can't tell... It keeps jumping.. It goes down and then back up... crosses a few hills and goes back down. They are in a direct path." Birkoff says and Madeline pulls a chair up next to Birkoff. She looks at the screen and points to the top of it.

"And what is this?" Madeline asks pointing to the red color on the top of the screen.

"Round Two." Birkoff says, looking away.

***********

Fear was not the feeling Michael was feeling. It was something different, but the feelings rocked his very being.

Nikita continued to complain about not being able to breath. So, Michael did take the blankets off of their heads, but kept her down in the tucked position.

Michael's body was trembling and his skin was white as Medlab's sheets. His very fingertips felt like they were on fire as he rubbed Nikita's clothing.

Images were flashing inside Michael's mind. Some where of the pictures that mass media has shown of tornados. The twister spinning and spinning closer to Michael in his mind's eye until he shut his eyes.

Yet, there were other images that Michael saw. He wouldn't be able to identify them later, but they were there. He saw the horrid green shade the sky was before he dragged Nikita down to the basement.

Of course, Michael tried to insert his happy thoughts into this stream of tornados. Michael would just be able to visualize Nikita standing on the beach on their wedding day, but then a tornado would roar in from the ocean.

Michael tried to close off his senses. The roaring in his ears hurt and he could smell gas. He promised that if he lived through this that he would never go into a house with gas appliances again.

OUR FATHER....

Michael tries to focus on the pray as tears spread across his face. He had imagined his death and separation from Nikita would be so different. Never did Michael believe Mother Nature would take his life.

THY KINGDOM COME...

He cried for the children he lost. He cried for the children he would never have. Michael was lost in his regrets. He squeezes his arms tighter and tighter around Nikita.

THY WILL BE DONE....

"Michael.... it's over..." Nikita says softly as she tries to move against his arms. Michael just starts to move in a rocking motion, as if rocking a child.

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN....

"Michael.... The warning is over.... The storm is gone!" Nikita protests as Michael slowly looks down to her face. Nikita wiggles an arm free.

Michael's heart explodes, knowing that he was losing Nikita. He wanted to give her so much more.

AND FORGIVE US OUR....

Nikita's hand touches to Michael's moving lips and Michael stops the movement. He didn't even noticed the lips moving the pray quickly as he struggled to mentally finish it.

Michael grabs at Nikita's wrist and allows his body to instantly relax as he notices the time.

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

"Madeline... the backup team had to move north. They saw a tornado on the ground." Birkoff reports slowly and Madeline twists her hands together.

At this moment, Operations walks to the station that Madeline almost laid her head down on.

"Have they been hit?" Operations asks firmly. Birkoff shakes his head no and continues to type.

"All roads are blocked... but according to Nikita... they didn't have much of anything." Birkoff reports quickly.

"And Michael?" Operations asks and Birkoff shrugs his shoulders. Madeline looks at Operations and shrugs her shoulders also. "Bring them back, now." Operations orders.

"Not possible. Round Two is heading towards them at this moment." Birkoff says softly.

"How much time?" Operations asks.

"About two hours until they get hit." Birkoff replies and Operations moves away.

***********

Michael didn't sit in the cold basement long. Nikita was still in shock of Michael's movements as he bounded up the stairs.

The house was the same. Nothing had moved. In fact, there was no evidence of rain or even wind. Michael stepped out onto the porch and smiled brightly as the sun peaked out of the heavy clouds. Michael moved quickly to the windows and decided to look in.

From his advantage, he saw into the television, which was showing the progress of the next line of severe weather. Michael pressed his hands against the window and moved back quickly.

Nikita was only getting to the television when Michael started placing woodsheets against the windows. Nikita shakes her head and walks out to the porch.

"Michael.... those aren't going to do anything." Nikita says softly as she smiles at the peacefullness around her.

"Nikita... you don't know anything." Michael mutters out firmly and Nikita angerily steps towards Michael and pulls his arm. He angerily snaps his arm back.

"Michael.. I know that a tornado will tear this house apart if it wants too." Nikita says angerily. Michael moves and pulls Nikita's face with his hands.

"Have you stood outside before one? Have you ever seen the sky turn green and watch the cloud swirl down to the ground? Have you ever exited a basement to find toothpicks around you? Have you ever heard the rumble continue for minutes after minutes after minutes and it only gets louder? Have you ever seen your bed down the street four blocks? Have you ever seen bricks flying around in circles, spinning out of control? Have you ever? Have you ever? Have you ever?" Michael tensely says as he starts to shake Nikita with his words.

Nikita pulls away, totally shakened. She stares at Michael, but realizes she doesn't know this man. This Michael was different from the Michael she knew. This Michael was starting to scare her.

"Nikita... take a deep breath." Birkoff says softly in her ear and she moves to the house. She stares at the door.

"Birkoff.... how bad are the next storms?" Nikita asks as she opens the door. She enters and stares at the radar on the television. It looks worse, but she is looking with her untrained eye.

"They are much stronger." Birkoff admits and Nikita walks to the back window, where the clouds are giving away to the sun.

"Can you get us out?" Nikita asks hurriedly as she looks out and watches Michael pace on the porch.

"Not possible. Backup had to leave the area." Birkoff says, hearing the frustration in Nikita's voice.

"Birkoff... Michael is lost... I don't know this, Michael." Nikita complains softly.

"Nikita... We can't do anything." Birkoff says softly as he looks at Madeline. Madeline looks away, and Birkoff knows that he has told Nikita the truth. "We heard you were bleeding... how bad?" Birkoff asks.

"Birkoff, it's just a scratch." Nikita says as she looks down. The edges of the duct tape is appearing red. Nikita realizes that it is an infection at the least.

The new warning flashes on the screen and Michael slams the front door close and starts to the basement. Nikita, willingly goes, already have learned her lesson.

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

Nikita steps out of the van and walks down the hall. The three days of no sleep clearly written on her face. Nikita stops and leans against a wall.

She had climbed over fallen trees and telephone poles for three miles in the middle of the night to meet the back up team. She walked in silence, not speaking with Michael. Her leg throbbed, but not once did Michael show concern to it.

" 'Kita... Duct tape?" Birkoff asks as he touches her shoulder. Her entire body was one giant knot and Birkoff helped Nikita lean against the wall.

Michael had slept through the second storm. Although no tornado touched down near them, there was enough wind damage to make them hike out. Michael had gotten the rest for the hike, Nikita, worried about Michael, got none.

Michael steps out of the van and moves quickly down the hall. He looks relatively clean compared to Nikita. He even walks pass Birkoff and Nikita at first, and then turns back for Nikita.

"You are going to lose a lot of skin from that leg." Michael says pointing to the leg. Nikita shrugs her shoulders and leans against Birkoff and starts the process down the hall.

"I lost a lot more than that." Nikita sputters out sharply. They turn the corner quickly and run into Madeline. She instantly sees the duct tape and shakes her head.

"I hope that plastic surgeon can work miracles." Madeline mutters as she walks ahead of Nikita and Birkoff.

"Michael... I'm sure you have some paperwork to do.... The storms are gone..no reason to worry." Nikita says sharply. Michael stops in the middle of the hall and watches Nikita continue.

Madeline looks at Birkoff, and knows that Birkoff will watch over Nikita. Madeline and turns to Michael, who with those comments, suddenly appears worn.

"Michael... you didn't tell Nikita. Why?" Madeline asks firmly as she starts towards the office with Nikita.

"I hate it." Michael says.

"You scared her.... you weren't the Michael she knew... You should have told her." Madeline says.

"How do I tell her? Madeline... I'm not even sure what happened. Some say I was thrown around in the storm.. some even said I ran into the storm... What am I to tell Nikita?" Michael yells as he pushes his hair back.

"Nikita showed that she only cared about you. She has a very serious infection, Michael. The least you could do is to tell her." Madeline says firmly.

"Why should I listen to you? You screwed Nikita's mind up less than a month ago." Michael says rudely and he turns around and leaves the area.

***********

Nikita sat on the Medlab bed, looking down at the bandage that was no wrapped around the new skin of her shin. Birkoff left once the doctors started to pull off the duct tape.

Most of the doctors swore at Nikita for her use of duct tape. Of course, Nikita didn't even cry out in pain. She had become hardened, and the lack of sleep kept her from noticing the pain.

"Someone called for a massage therapist?" Michael asks as he walks towards Nikita's bed.

Nikita looked towards the wall as Michael touched her back.

"Michael... I don't think I can relax around you right now." Nikita states softly as Michael starts to rub his thumbs at the base of Nikita's neck. When they told him she was a little tense, they should have used the adjective, steel.

"If you let me do this... I'll explain." Michael says softly as he increases his movements. Nikita rolls her head forward and allows Michael to continue.

"I can't remember exactly when... or exactly where... but I was a child." Michael says softly as he moves down Nikita's back. She whinces in a bit of pain and pushes away from his hands.

"I was caught in the storm.... a tornado." Michael says slowly. He uses Nikita's back to hold his fears and emotions.

"Some said it pulled me away...." Michael says softly as he moves to Nikita's lower back. He pushes her forward and has Nikita lay on her stomache.

"Some said I ran right into it...." Michael says even softer. Nikita closes her eyes and can just imagine how Michael felt.

"I hate it.... I thought I was going to lose you, Nikita.... and I didn't want that." Michael admits slowly. Nikita pushes up from the bed and looks at Michael.

"Michael... I married you. A husband shouldn't hide from his wife." Nikita says softly as she rubs her hand against his cheek.

"There is so much, Nikita." Michael says with a dropped head. Nikita takes her hand and pulls Michael's face up.

"Look, the man in that basement wasn't you. It was a different Michael. And I didn't like that Michael." Nikita says and turns away.

Michael continues on Nikita's back, but makes very little progress. Michael leaves and Birkoff takes over, and in a few minutes, Nikita is relaxed and falls asleep.

She dreams of a tornado.

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