Nikita sat at her desk with her pale face in the cups of her hands that lean against the desk's surface. Michael is sitting at his computer, writing some basic reports about Tom and Quinn, before he goes to train with them.

Nikita won't be going with him, and this causes Michael to check on her several times. To Michael, this is only one more thing done to push him further away, for Nikita, it is one of the hardest assignments Madeline has given her.

Nikita pushes her head up and attempts to focus on the computer screen. For three days she has sat here, and each day, her headache was growing, just compounding the growing problem between her and Michael. Michael wanted to talk about it, and Nikita couldn't.

Nikita, deciding that the work must be nearing an end soon pressed the sleek button and turned her head from Michael. He would hear every word if he was paying attention.

"Medlab." Elana answers cheerfully. Nikita can't even bring herself to respond to her happy voice.

"It's Nikita. Can I get something for my headache?" Nikita asks and Michael's eyebrows rise up slightly.

"Have you tried the easy stuff... motrin.. asprin?" Elana asks and Nikita starts to rub her head again trying to push back the throbbing.

"Yes... it only made it worse." Nikita comments, wishing she would just give her something, but trying to remember that Elana was doing her job.

"Nikita... What kind of headache?" Elana asks, trying to narrow down to the extent of what she sent up. She walked to the cabinets and looked at the assorted drugs, most of them unproduced for the world.

"ALL I WANT IS SOMETHING FOR MY HEADACHE THAT FEELS LIKE TWO CARS ARE PUSHING IN FROM MY EARS! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF HEADACHE IT IS, THAT'S NOT MY JOB!" Nikita screams into the phone and Michael fully turns his head to Nikita and stares at her.

"I take it is a stress headache... I'll send up the Madeline Delight." Elana says quickly, knowing for Nikita to snap like that, along with the description that she had a combination headache, mostly about the stress.

"Thank you." Nikita says tensely and she snaps down the phone and puts both hands into her hands again. The few sentences that she yelled still echo in her ears.

"They know that you are on birth control, correct?" Michael asks from his chair and Nikita snaps around in her chair to face Michael.

"They are doctors, Michael." Nikita says rudely as she glares at him.

"Well.. why would we tell them... you weren't going to tell me." Michael says back at Nikita.

"Look, Michael.. I don't have time for this. As you know I have a headache." Nikita starts out, but she stops when she sees Michael's green eyes roll around.

"We know you have a headache." Michael comments in the pause. Nikita clenches her teeth, but decides to continue on.

"I have a psychological profile that would take six weeks to do in three days... I will not discuss our personal matters here." Nikita says and she turns back towards her computer. The headache is building, and starting down her back.

"Good... you've planned everything out again without consulting me. I like that." Michael comments and Nikita with a fit of anger flies back around to face Michael.

"GET THE HELL OUT!" Nikita screams, not caring about the ajar door.

"Nikita... I will have this talk with you sooner or later with you." Michael says not moving.

"GET OUT! GET OUT! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO IN THIS OFFICE GET OUT! I HAVE A HEADACHE THAT YOU ARE MAKING WORSE... I FEEL LIKE MY HEAD IS THE TITANIC AND IT IS SPLITTING IN TWO... AGAIN, GET THE HELL OUT!" Nikita screams. Michael pauses and quickly exits.

Nikita drops her head against her wrist pad and sighs loudly. Her world is almost spinning, and the headache is working it's way down her back.

Birkoff softly enters. He looks at Nikita, and nervously touchs her shoulder.

"Your Madeline Delight." Birkoff says softly.

Nikita takes the several pills and places them in her mouth. She takes the lid off of her blue bottle of water and drinks the pills down.

"I know you heard everything... please don't say anything." Nikita says as she continues to rub her head.

"Elana says those will take at least an hour to work... Maybe you should lay down?" Birkoff suggests. He sees Nikita's glare and leaves quickly.

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

Madeline is walking down the hall, searching out the working Nikita. Birkoff is walking out of the office door, when he motions Madeline to the side.

"I don't think that it is a good time." Birkoff says as he tries to move Madeline further and further away from the doorway.

"And why would that be, Birkoff?" Madeline questions with a slightly turned off center head.

"She just took your headache medicine... plus, her and Michael had another blow out." Birkoff says softly.

"She has the headache because of the Michael situation." Madeline says softly. "But, she has usually dealt with the stress in another manner." Madeline comments and Birkoff frowns.

"Because Walter was around." Birkoff says and walks away.

Madeline enters the office and Nikita barely moves her head up. Madeline shuts the door and with that noise, Nikita's head looks up at Madeline.

"Oh... I'm not quite done yet..." Nikita stutters as she looks at the computer and then back at Madeline. Madeline points to Michael's chair and she pulls off the back. Nikita stares at the movement, confused about what is happening.

"I heard you have a headache." Madeline says as she points to the chair again.

Nikita stands and sits back down. Madeline positions Nikita just right, and wets a hot towel and wraps it around her head. Madeline then proceeds to start to rub the area between her shoulder blades.

"Nikita... your stress levels are extremely high. It would be for your best interest if you told Michael the truth." Madeline says as she struggles against the muscles.

"I will not do that." Nikita comments back. Madeline shakes her head and starts to move her hands to the area where there is a knot of muscles, where the neck combines to the back. Madeline works there with only her two index fingers, continuing to hit trigger points.

"Nikita... remember... all of that didn't mean you can't or won't have a baby." Madeline says as she moves her neck to the one side to work on the muscles.

"I have accepted it." Nikita comments lightly and Madeline again, shakes her head no slowly from one side to the other.

"You wouldn't have this headache if you accepted it." Madeline says as she taps Nikita's back in a soft manner. Nikita sits up and holds her head a bit.

"That medicine will make you sleepy. Take a half hour off for a nap. I won't need that profile till tomorrow morning either way." Madeline says as she moves around to face Nikita.

Nikita stares at her and doesn't comment. Madeline shrugs her shoulders in disappointment. Nikita did nothing to assure her that Nikita would tell Michael about her medical condition before the end of the decade.

"Tell Michael before it eats you alive." Madeline says as she opens the door and leaves.

Niktia flops down on the floor, almost on the verge of tears. She felt alone in Section. Everyone had taken sides and no one decided on Nikita's.

***********

The night has fallen, and Madeline moves through the hallways quietly. She only briefly glances at Michael's and Nikita's office, knowing that both are still working.

She turns to the right, and heads towards the glass office. She holds her hands tightly to the side and only briefly looks over her shoulder to the floor below.

"Good evening, Madeline." Operations says from his desk as Madeline enters. Madeline forces herself not to smile at his words, and walks to the chair.

"I saw the preliminary work from Nikita. I believe she is heading wrong with Oscar Timon." Madeline says as she slowly folds her legs and places her hands on her knee.

Operations ignores the movement and tries to concentrate on the things that aren't dealing with the Michael/Nikita situation at this current time. At any given time, there was at least one Michael/Nikita situation, sometimes there were several at a time.

"I believe Nikita is doing beautiful work on the profile, and we should listen to the way she deems fits." Operations says as he leans in a bit from his chair.

"I think if we don't use it, we can force Michael and Nikita to talk. If.. and I mean if, Michael can catch just one of Nikita's lies... then the truth will arrive." Madeline says fluttering her eyes several times.

"Madeline, darling.... haven't we lied enough in this mess?" Operations condecends with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He was enjoying it.

"I can also prove that Nikita is not effectively handling her stress, and therefore, the report should be given less creditability." Madeline says, trying to force the issue.

"I have a solution." Operations says softly.

"And what is that?" Madeline asks with a sly smile, almost bordering on the line of flirting.

"I order you to leave Nikita's profile alone." Operations says with a huge smile.

Madeline leaps from the chair and leans in towards Operation's face. She stares at his white hair before looking into his eyes.

"I don't know who you are anymore... but you shouldn't be Operations, *VIKTOR*!" Madeline says with very pronounced words, that leave little speckles of spit on the surface of Operations' glasses.

Madeline turns and leaves the office quickly. She only glances at Birkoff, who is dusting. Normally, she would question exactly why Birkoff was dusting, but this day, she didn't care.

Madeline past Michael's and Nikita's office, only barely hearing the keyboards chirping away with the constant work.

Madeline moved to her office, trying to devise a plan to keep Michael and Nikita off of the mission profile for Oscar Timon. She knew she would force the issue, if she could only produce the correct circumstances.

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

Nikita is in the gym with a heavy sweat pouring down her body, and drenching the small white shirt. She wears gray shorts as she moves to the punching bag.

She holds her pounding headache a little bit, but the words of Madeline's return, she had to deal with the stress in another manner. Nikita knew herself, if Walter was around, she would have probably spent hours crying on his shoulder. Since she couldn't have this relationship, Nikita moved all of those emotions into anger.

Also leading to the bad situation is Oscar Timon. Nikita had read so much about his life, she believed she could live his life much better than she is living hers.

"Can't use the sexy gal!" Nikita mutters as she hits the punching bag hard.

"Or guy!" Nikita mutters again as she punishes the bag.

"The sexy couple has been done..... and can't use the couple deseparate to get pregnant..." Nikita mutters as she goes through of her mental list of who should the Section use to target Oscar Timon before he gets any closer to the nuclear triggers he has been trying to get his hands on.

"What about the couple in which the wife doesn't want a child?" Michael asks firmly from the doorway. Nikita's concentration is pulled in two directions and the headache forces her back.

"Don't headache out on me, Nikita. I want to know!" Michael demands as he looks at Nikita bent over and holding her head.

"No... don't... talk..." Nikita mutters as she struggles to maintain her balance. The room is spinning for her and each movement hurts her head more.

"I'm leaving." Michael mutters, hoping Nikita would stop her acting. Once outside the door, he looks back, and sees Nikita still in the same position. He feels a tinge of guilt for doing that to Nikita, and he walks quickly to Madeline's office.

"Nikita is going to need another Madeline's Delight." Michael mutters softly. Madeline stands up and opens her drawer. She is using her own personal stash, and she pushes pass Michael.

Nikita is now on the floor, almost rolling around in pain. Madeline places her hands on both of her shoulders and stops Nikita's movements.

"I guess you know that a workout will not reduce your stress." Madeline says knowingly as she holds out the pills. Nikita swallows them dry and continues to hold her head.

"I want you to take a full eight hours off. Do something." Madeline says firmly.

"You want me to tell Michael the truth." Nikita mutters as she attempts to drop one hand from her forehead.

"That would be nice for a change." Madeline says sarcastically as she moves back from Nikita.

"I am more likely to tell the truth. *YOU* didn't tell *ME* the *TRUTH*!" Nikita says firmly and puts her other hand against her head as the headache tries to surge again.

"Go home, go for a walk... do something, Nikita." Madeline says as she walks from the room. Madeline smiles as she closes the door, knowing that she could now twist the situation. Madeline hurries to her office, with a newly sprung plan in her head, while Nikita barely rolls herself off of the floor.

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

Operations was more than upset, he was on the verge of a nuclear meltdown because of what Madeline did. Yet, it also proved to him even more that Madeline still had feelings for him, in her own wierd and odd way.

Operations was walking down the hallway firmly as he watched Nikita stumble out of the gym and head towards the locker room doors. Michael stepped in front of her and wrapped his arms around her.

Operations continued to watch, although, more than likely it was a private conversation. He couldn't hear the words, but Madeline had thought Operations to watch the two and usually more was said that way.

Nikita first tried to pull away from Michael's arms, but the hands continuing to hold her forehead hampered her escape try. Michael held firmly.

Michael brushed the underside of her chin and kissed her nose slightly. He was apoligizing for something, Operations deduced quickly. Michael continued to touch Nikita in a caring manner, and to Nikita's pain, he was very careful.

Michael took a step back and Nikita followed, in a symbolic gesture of her acceptance of Michael's movements. Operations stepped back, and watched Michael move Nikita towards the office, and Operations then moved away from the wall.

He was starting to feel trapped. Ayn had spent most of the early morning with him, and he knew very well why. She wanted him back, and anyone could see that, and Madeline easily saw it.

Then Operations could allow Madeline free rein on the profile. It would give Madeline reason to thank him, and maybe see him in a different light. He could deny it, that Madeline was still trying to force a relationship between him and Nikita.

Normally, Madeline would not have stated anything about a mental state when it come to the validity of a profile that an operative had developed. She knew that in doing so, she would get him worrying about Nikita.

And he was worried about Nikita. He regretted every morning that he woke up, knowing that Nikita was continuing to torture herself with the truth and wouldn't tell Michael. Plus, Operations knows that the stance that Nikita was taking, was one breed out of Operations many actions.

Operations wondered about what was currently going on with Nikita. Something was different. Maybe she had told Michael the truth. Nikita holding her head could mean a lot of things. Since the results of the tests were given to Operations, he had Elana pull out all the information about fertility drugs. He had researched it as much as he could. A few drugs could cause a headache like the one Nikita appeared to be suffering from.

Yet, Operations would never freely assume that, it was too positive. Instead, he moved towards Madeline's office, with several agendas in mind.

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

Nikita stepped out of the small warm shower into a fluffy white towel that Michael held out for her. Nikita dropped her head and Michael moved out of the closet size bathroom.

Nikita quickly dressed into bright blue leggings and an oversized magenta sweatshirt. She skipped the bra, there was no reason.

Michael only glanced over at Nikita as she exited the bathroom and moved to her desk. She wrapped her towel around her head and hair. She slowly sat down and looked at the turned off computer.

"You are hoping we will take this time to discuss things." Nikita says softly as she allows the towel to drop from her head.

"That crosses my mind all of the time. I would discuss this thing anytime. Hopefully much sooner." Michael says and Nikita rolls her head backwards.

"I have to follow orders, Michael." Nikita mutters and Michael jumps up and almost knocks his computer over the desk.

"YOU MEAN THEY ORDER YOU NOT TO DISCUSS THIS???" Michael hollers as his face starts to turn bright red. Nikita holds her eyes shut and waits for the wave of pain to pass.

"No, I have orders to take eight hours off, and get out of Section." Nikita says as she stands up and turns on the computer.

Michael sits down slowly, almost feeling sorry for what he just did. He couldn't explain himself anymore. He watched Nikita sit down at the computer.

"I thought you were to take eight hours off." Michael says almost in a whisper.

"I don't have anything to do, Michael." Nikita says as she starts to scroll the basic informations on the Section One computer.

"Go shop." Michael says a bit harshly, but Nikita leans in towards her computer and smiles lightly. Michael stares at her, not knowing why she is smiling. It has been a rare sight of late.

"I'll see you." Nikita says standing up and pulling her wet hair into a ponytail and moveing towards the door.

"Where are you going, Nikita?" Michael asks firmly as he watches the door swing back towards him, brown as can be.

Michael notices that the computer is still on, and moves to it. The screen says it all.

"VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO TRANSPORT SUPPLIES TO RETREAT."

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

Madeline was sitting at her desk, working on the profile that Operations ordered her not to work on. She knew what to do, and her plan was already working. Madeline knew, more than likely, Nikita was off to see Walter as she worked.

Operations walked into the room and allowed the door to shut extremely loudly, which draws Madeline's immediate attention to the man. Operations stands in the middle of the office, staring at Madeline.

"We must speak, Madeline." Operations says firmly and Madeline softly smiles. Her head is already turning the gears of thought.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Madeline says, believing the comment would throw him off guard and rid her office of his presence sooner.

"I already knew that." Operations responds as he moves the chair closer to Madeline's desk, in a way, cutting off her needed personal space. He sits down and leans in on his elbows.

"I want you to continue working on the profile that you are doing." Operations says with a soft twinkle in his eye. Madeline leans back in her chair a bit as the gears stop moving.

"I planned on it." Madeline replies after sometime. Operations can almost gloat in the inside, because he has flustered Madeline.

"If we are worried about the safety of this mission, we can and will use both profiles." Operations announces and then he leans back in his chair.

"So, how have you been?" Operations asks very casually. Again, it catches Madeline off guard.

"Mmm... other than Nikita's headaches, I'm fine." Madeline says with a half smile and a nod of her head.

"Madeline... I think we should reorganize the way we are running Section One. There has been a break down in communications that needs to be restored." Operations says with a partial smile.

"Not in your life time... Not in my life time!" Madeline laughs as she nods towards the door. Operations, realizing the situation, leaves quickly. He didn't want to disrupt Madeline any further.

Madeline was deep in her thoughts. She couldn't remember how many times in the past months, maybe even a year, that she had complained that they could never do anything.

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

The van ride up to the retreat was not a comfortable and peaceful ride, as Nikita had wished for. At first, she started to work on the profile, placing finishing touches on it, but soon gave it up. Then Nikita tried to stare out the window, but it intensified her headache.

Nikita also found sleep fitful, at best.

*Dream*

Nikita walks into the office, standing very tall and tense. She looks at Michael and shuts the door. To make things even more tense, she locks the doors, and checks the blinds.

"You wanted to know why... I'll tell you why." Nikita says slowly as she sits down in front of Michael. Michael blank stares her and folds his own hands.

"I can't have a baby. My ovary was shot to pieces and I will never have a child in the normal way. You could have a child, but it would never be mine." Nikita says forcefully.

Michael stares at her, without a hint of emotion and Nikita starts to get upset with the gesture.

"Oh." Michael finally says as he stands up and walks to the door. He unlocks it, and walks out, without another word.

Nikita sits in the office, hoping for more than one word from Michael. He blank stared her and walked away. Nikita sits in the office, feeling even more empty than what she felt before she told.

*Back to the Van*

"Nikita... Nikita... wake up!" Gannon says softly as he shakes Nikita's shoulder as he stands abover her. Nikita's body jumps up in a rush and settles down quickly.

"What were you dreaming about?" Gannon asks softly as he sits down in the seat next to Nikita.

"It was nothing, Gannon." Nikita says softly as she turns her head away from Gannon. Gannon sits close until Nikita falls back to sleep.

*Dream*

Nikita walks into the condo and locks the door as she takes off her coat. Michael walks in from the kitchen and kisses her nose in a playful manner. Nikita intertwines her fingers around Michael's and leads him to the livingroom.

They sit together, and Michael starts to move his hands around Nikita's body, but she tenses and Michael's stops.

"This has been going on too long, Nikita." Michael says as he lifts his hand and outlines the shape of Nikita's eye. Nikita pulls her head away and pulls her body slightly away from Michael's.

"I'm not on birth control, Michael." Nikita says softly. Michael's body almost leaps in shock of the statement.

"Don't get excited, Michael. I'm... I'm unable to have a child." Nikita chokes out with buckets of tears and feeling like she let Michael down.

Michael lets a few tears of his own loose, but grabs Nikita's hand and draws her head slowly around with the barely noticed touched of his long index finger to her trembling chin.

"It hurts to know that... but I will love you no matter what." Michael says as more tears run down his face. Nikita collapse her body into Michael's in huge sobs.

"It will be just you and me... and I will enjoy that for all of time." Michael says as he kisses Nikita's head and tries to soothe his wife and himself in the same movement of love and compassion.

*Back in the Van*

Nikita's body falls heavily back down on to the chair and Nikita's eyes snap open, with the sudden stoppage of her sleep.

"It was just a pothole, Nikita." Gannon says as he sees Nikita's alert state of her body. Nikita looks out the van and is happy to see the evergreens.

"How long until we reach the retreat?" Nikita asks softly.

"About another hour." Gannon says, hoping that Nikita won't go back to sleep. He was about to shake Nikita for the second time when the van hit the large pot hole.

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

The hallways were hazy as Nikita walked through them, as if a steam had been forced through them. Nikita struggles to maintain her balance as she moves towards her office. A bright glowing light is seen inside it, and Nikita tries to back up.

Suddenly, the door is opened and Nikita is sucked into the room with a force unknown to her. She instantly sees Michael as she becomes strapped to a chair, like the one Section uses for debriefings.

"I know." Michael says with a smoldering anger with each word. Nikita's eyes light up in fear of the anger that is quite visible.

"Know what?" Nikita says, staying to true to herself. If Michael was doing the one-eighty, Nikita wasn't going to do one too. She would live each day as she deemed she could. She would never pretend to be different.

"You've lied to me.... there is no birth control." Michael says as he walks with Operation's walk around the desk. He is dressed in a matt leather outfit, and carries a whip. Nikita knows it is not for pleasure.

"That is true." Nikita says with a firm hold on her emotions. She is struggling, but is winning, even as Michael slaps her across her face with a gloved hand. Nikita only turns her head back around.

"And, It is true that I can't have a child." Nikita says, being the first to admit the truth. Michael slaps her again, and starts to unwind the large whip as Nikita tastes a drop of blood roll down her cheek and into her mouth.

"How long where you planning on not telling me?" Michael demands as he strikes the whip agaist his desk. The crack echoes in the room, and Nikita's eyes close in a reflexed motion.

"In time." Nikita says, and closes her eyes as she can feel the air move as Michael moves his arm up. She does not feel the sting of the whip, because all of her pain is emotional.

"And this is fair to me?" Michael demands again, taking Nikita's chin in his hands and squeeze. Nikita stares into his eyes and sees the fire inside them.

"Fair to you? What about me?" Nikita spits out and Michael steps angerily back and administers a strong and harder smack with the whip.

"You do not matter. I will be the next Operations. I need to start my dynasty." Michael says angerily and Nikita pushes her head back on the chair, wishing she knew how to stop her heart like Madeline. Only Nikita would not start it back up.

Michael leans back and administers another smack with the whip, this one, finally slices through the light white shirt Nikita is wearing.

"I'm nothing more than a baby factory???" Nikita asks with the nerve of fifty men. She sees the answer in Michael's eyes before he can respond.

"We were to make the super operative. Now you screwed it up." Michael says as he starts to slam the whip continually onto Nikita's body.

*Back in the Van*

"NO! MICHAEL! STOP! STOP! I'll find a way!" Nikita screams in her sleep as she covers her head protectively. Gannon touches her arms, and she continues to keep her eyes shut tightly.

"There are drugs... We could... find a way... Stop!" Nikita mutters as Gannon struggles against Nikita's body. Gannon finally makes a move around Nikita's waist and pushes tightly, making Nikita gasp. Gannon always respected Nikita's strength.

Nikita starts to turn red as Gannon loosens his grip. He stares at her and Nikita pulls her hair up into a ponytail.

"Three nightmare in one trip to retreat... is there something you'd like to talk about?" Gannon asks softly and Nikita stands up.

"I'd like to stop at the store... I have to see that Walter isn't there." Nikita says and the name Walter brings a recognition to Gannon. He knows that this little flight of Nikita's was to see Walter. Everyone in Section missed the old man being around and no one more than Nikita.

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

Nikita steps out of the van and takes a huge cleansing breath of the fresh mountain air. It gives Nikita energy and strength, and Nikita barely notices the pounding in her head anymore.

Gannon closes the door to the van as Nikita bounds up the stair quickly. He tried to push his mind far away from Nikita and what was happening. He learned a long time ago, just to let her be. Of course, that answer was not what Madeline had wanted when she called to check up on Nikita. Of course, Nikita was off... and Gannon would not have given an answer just because of that pretense.

Nikita opens the door to the light jingle of the three bells hanging above her head. She lets the door close as she cranes her head around looking for someone.

"Hello?" Nikita tentatively calls out as she steps deeper into the country store. It was almost like the way she remembered it. Clean and organized. Nikita strolled over to a shelf of books as Katherine rounds the corner from her living area.

"Can I help you?" Katherine asks as she studies the long blonde hair, thinking she knows the person, but not wanting to react too soon. Nikita turns around with a smile, holding a french book.

"Got any French books?" Nikita jokes lightly and Katherine's smile brightens quickly. Katherine, having learned so much more about Nikita and her struggle from Walter, immediately hugs the girl.

"Walter will be so pleased to see you!" Katherine says as she steps back and places the book on the shelve. "I heard you have your own private teacher." Katherine says with a wink.

Nikita extends her hand and shows the delicate and shiny ring to Katherine. She turns her head to side to side, before releasing Nikita's hand.

"Well, I just wanted to check if Walter happened to be here." Nikita says as Katherine moves to a small refrigerator and pulls out two colas.

"No. He is working on some new thing... That I'm not suppose to know about." Katherine says with a bright wink. Nikita smiles back and is glad that Walter has Katherine up here.

"I hope I don't disturb him..." Nikita says in a sudden worry that Walter would be too busy for her. The thought stuck in her face. What if Walter turned away? What if Walter took Michael's side? What if Walter laughed in her face?

"Nikita... Nikita..." Katherine says, calling Nikita out of her thoughts. Nikita pulls herself together quickly and pushes the thoughts away, knowing that Walter would never do that.

"Walter will be so pleased to see you. I think he mentions you every time I see him." Katherine says and Nikita immediately blushes. Nikita starts to look around the small store and is smiling when she passes a picture of Michael's and Nikita's wedding. Nikita knows that Katherine wanted to see exactly who Michael was.

"The last time I spoke to Walter, he said you wanted me and Michael to come up for dinner." Nikita says as she moves her blue eyes back to Katherine. Katherine nods her head.

"I'm interested in your Frenchman... plus I think it would do Walter some good. Did Michael come with you?" Katherine asks and Nikita turns her head away briefly.

"No." Nikita answers and Katherine raises her eyebrow. Katherine looks out the window and sees the signiture black van. "It's a supply run." Nikita say softly, and looks out the window too.

"I didn't think you normally did supply runs?" Katherine asks as she shows that Walter has told her more than she should know.

"I'm off." Nikita says with a heavy sigh, and that tone in her voice sounds alarms for Katherine. Nikita came up to see Walter for a short period. Something was bothering Nikita, and Katherine smiled at the knowledge of Walter's fatherily intentions for Nikita.

"Well, you better go." Katherine says, hugging Nikita again. Nikita steps out onto the porch and Katherine holds the door.

"Next time, bring Michael." Katherine calls out as Nikita is next to the van. Katherine closes the door, and heads towards the phone.

"HELL----O?" Walter answers the phone after five rings.

"Nikita is here." Katherine says, trying to sound positive, although her woman's instincts where screaming it was nothing positive.

"SUGAR is here! WOW!" Walter immediately reacts and Katherine can here Walter closing jars. All noise stops and it is during that time Walter adds one with one.

"How does she look?" Walter asks, and Katherine proceeds to tell Walter about the entire conversation.

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

Michael slammed his fist on the desk as he looked down from Birkoff's computer. In an instance, all of Nikita's work was probably down the drain, and where was Nikita. OFF TO SEE WALTER!

Michael pushed his hair out of his eyes and looked at Birkoff as he pulled out the recordable CD and placed it into the case.

"Do you want me to tell Madeline and Operations?" Birkoff asks Michael as he holds the new intel in his hands. Michael snatches the CD and walks away.

"I guess you will do it." Birkoff comments sourly as he sits back down and continues to monitor the Oscar Timon action on the computer.

Michael walks down the hall, with barely a sound. His large muscular body throws a huge shadow infront of him, and the few operatives that he passes on the way, move extremely close to the walls. Michael never notices this as he walks down the center of the hallway, it has always been that way. If Michael ever noticed it with anyone, it would be Nikita, for obvious reasons.

Michael enters the code to Madeline's office and is surprized to find Operations enjoying some tea in the office. Michael waits for the door to close before he hands the disk over to Madeline.

"What is it, Michael?" Operations asks as Madeline starts to type at her computer to access the information.

"Oscar Timon has finished the transaction for the nuclear trigger." Michael announces. Madeline looks at Operations and Operations looks at Madeline.

"Do you know where Nikita went?" Madeline asks as she starts to look over the new intel.

"No." Michael lies easily as he leans forward a bit. "I can try to track her down." Michael offers, knowing that Nikita would be more than upset if Madeline took this over know.

"It won't be necessary, Michael. I've decided to use Madeline's profile." Operations announces as he sets down the small tea cup. Michael just stares at Operations as he turns the screen around for Michael to view.

"Madeline will pose as an older woman looking for the younger, dangerous man. We believe that this is best approach." Operations says firmly and then turns the screen around.

"That has happened once in Oscar Timon's past. If there is one thing I know about Timon, it is that he doesn't make friends with the same type twice. Nikita researched this!" Michael argues with clenched teeth.

"My decision stands. Madeline will be leaving immediately for the ball that Nikita had mentioned." Operations says as he stands up, and Michael's stare moves towards Madeline.

"You know what you are doing is wrong!" Michael says in a deep voice as he stares into Madeline's eyes.

"Nikita wouldn't be able to perform with her headache either way." Madeline counters and moves towards her clothing closet.

Michael leaves quickly, not wanting to be the one to tell Nikita of what is occuring.

***********

Nikita stepped out of the van and looked at the Retreat. It was standing infront of her like a memory left in haze. She turned to Gannon and smiled as she handed over the computer.

"Can you take care of the log?" Nikita asks and before Gannon can answer, Nikita has placed the computer and paperwork into Gannon's hands. He walks back into the van as two operatives from the retreat unpack the supplies.

Nikita moves through the halls like a cat prowling a mouse. She looked in every corner and almost every door. Some other operatives looked at her, but one of the best things about being one of the cream of the crop of Section, they all knew Nikita by sight. Nikita was almost sure that some had even experienced Walter's stories about her.

She stepped into a den like area of the retreat to hear Walter's voice laughing while a small crowd of operatives listen intently.

"You don't want to ever play Monopoly with those two... they cheat... Nikita will... well, get very creative with a banana.. and then.." Walter is saying as Nikita walks behind him and some of the operatives hold back smiles as they notice Nikita.

None of the operatives could contain their laughter as Nikita waves to them. Walter turns around, and grabs Nikita by the waist.

"SUGAR!" Walter calls out as he continues to hug Nikita. Nikita lets out a rare laugh out as the operatives start to run to leave them alone.

"Why didn't you call?" Walter asks, pretending he doesn't know anything.

"I got some unexpected time." Nikita says as Walter wraps his hand around Nikita's and leads her gently down a hallway.

Halfway down the hall, Walter opens the door to his quarters. Nikita smiles softly as Walter checks his new messages.

"You don't get unexpected time." Walter finally says as he reaches Nikita's shoulders and forces her to sit down.

"You do once you had two Madeline Delights." Nikita comments and Walter studies the girl's behavior. She was shaking and obsessively looking around.

"Nikita, what is wrong?" Walter asks and a little glimmer of tears glazing over her eyes appear.

"Madeline says it's stress." Nikita says firmly as she tries to force the tears back. Walter guess that these tears had been held back already a long time.

"Nikita, you wouldn't come all the way up here to tell me about stress." Walter says as he strokes the right arm.

"Walter, it is very difficult." Nikita says, stalling for time. She even pauses and looks at her watch. Walter stays sitting, but then moves to the phone.

"Unpack slowly." Walter orders and he then moves back to Nikita.

***********

Nikita searched Walter's tender and soft eyes as she wasn't sure how to go from where she had started. She wrung her hands together and calmed herself down, as much as she could.

"Remember when you got shot in the back?" Nikita asks softly, knowing that Walter didn't like to discuss that period of his life.

"Yes. Birkoff took Operation's job over, why?" Walter responds with a little flash of instant depression spreading across his eyes before being snapped back inside his mind.

"I know it was difficult for you..." Nikita stalls as she looks around the room. Walter doesn't like the actions.

"Nikita, what aren't you telling me?" Walter demands as he can't take much more of Nikita's actions.

"Walter... I don't want to discuss it if it will continue to bother you." Nikita says with a smile. Walter instantly recognizes that Nikita is avoiding her problem.

"I will discuss anything if it would explain why you took your eight hours off to come up here to see me." Walter says determined to play Madeline if he had too.

"I love that in you, Walter." Nikita says with a smile and she looks briefly out the window.

"Saying nice things about me, sugar, isn't going to stop me. I'm worried about you." Walter affirms as he sits down near Nikita.

"Well, Remember.. I was shot too." Nikita says, struggling to tell the story without her emotions breaking.

"Yes. You almost lost your leg." Walter says quickly, not sure if this is just another stalling technique that Nikita was employing.

"Something happened then... that..." Nikita starts but chokes up. Walter raises both of his eyebrows as he studies Nikita's tears.

"That, what?" Walter insists. He hates pulling Nikita through this pain, but it must be done.

"That affects me now... and I just found out." Nikita says quickly and then stopping.

"Sugar, what is it?" Walter says as the tears now steadily run down Nikita's face.

"I can't..." Nikita says and pulls her head down to her chest. Walter shifts his weight in the bed and Nikita pulls her head up.

Nikita takes a deep breathe and places her hands on the bed to give her support.

"I can't have a baby!" Nikita says and she dashes into the bathroom, in screams and cries of emotional pain.

Walter, for several moments, sits perfectly still, too shocked by Nikita's announcement.

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

Walter even sheds a few tears. He had always dreamed of watching Nikita go through the stages of pregnancy, and to see Nikita with a child of her own.

In those few moments that Walter sat perfectly still, only moving his lungs to breath, he thought. Since Nikita screaming and crying in the bathroom, Walter knew she had yet to tell Michael. Walter also figured out that his favorite person, Operations had something to do with this mess. Plus he was positive that Madeline's hands were the muddiest.

Walter stands and moves to the bathroom door, where the sobs of Nikita's do not stop. Walter remembers the times that Nikita had spent with Anna, saying she was just getting ready to have one of her own. Nikita placed a worth on the ability to have a child that no one could have guessed. Some people could continue on with their lives after news like Nikita's, but Nikita couldn't.

" 'Kita... let me in." Walter says softly as he knocks at the door. Her sobs are so loud and full of pain that Walter is sure she didn't hear a word he said.

"NIKITA! LET ME IN!" Walter screams loudly, and the door slowly cracks open.

Nikita is sitting on the lid to the toilet seat, with her head curled down into her knees. All of her flesh has turned red with the physical abuse of the crying was putting on it. The sobs just continued to get louder and louder.

Walter reaches forward and tries to sooth her, but her sobs will not stop.

"Not fair..." Nikita mutters into her arm. "Why me?... It's not fair.... NO! I want a baby..." Nikita continues to mutter into her arm.

Suddenly, the headache is back, and stronger than ever. Nikita is almost pushed off of the toilet seat as the headache strikes. She pushes her hands tightly against her head and Walter places his hands around Nikita.

"Into the other room, Nikita.." Walter instructs as most of the cries of pain now radiate from the headache.

Walter lays her down on the bed and smoothes out her hair. He starts to gently rub her temples and Nikita starts to relax. Walter mutters soft words, trying to tell Nikita all would be fine.

Yet, Walter couldn't be sure. He didn't know how much Nikita counted on becoming pregnany.

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

Madeline sits in her office, placing the finishing touches on her make up and her outfit. The brillant gold dress sparkles as Madeline's dark brown hair contrasts with it with an almost haze.

Her make up is simple, for her look was the one that she had practiced for years. Dark, smokey eyes, and just a hint of lipstick.

Madeline glasps a necklace with one single diamond pendant around her neck, and it rests in the middle of her bare chest. She stands and looks into a full mirror. The dress is long, but sleek, and powerfully hightlights Madeline's every curve.

Madeline smiles at her image, finding it hard that she hasn't done this sooner. She flipped her loose brown hair over one shoulder and watches in the mirror Operations enter.

"Madeline..." Operations says and Madeline turns with a huge smile. "You are a very pretty lady." Operations says, admiring the woman he had loved, and still loved.

Madeline just turned back around, trying to focus on the mission at hand. If she was a betting person, she wouldn't bet on herself. Yet, she would never allow Operations to know that.

"I am only allowing this because your arguement that this will help Nikita." Operations says as he places his hands around the slim waist of Madeline's. Madeline nods her head and then turns in a slight circle to face Operations.

"Nikita went to see Walter. She will now tell Michael." Madeline says, quite certain of the way Nikita acts. Madeline is quite surprized that Michael hasn't caught onto this trend in Nikita's ways.

"In putting Nikita's needs.. and Michael's needs in front of this mission... it changes things." Operations says. Madeline nods in agreement.

"But she is your daughter." Madeline says with smoldering eyes, and the meaning is easily communicated between the two.

"The odds with this profile?" Operations asks as he wraps a hand protectively around Madeline's waist. Madeline doesn't move, and allows the hand to stay. To add, Madeline places a hand just above Operations waist.

"Not as good as Nikita's. But will be done." Madeline says with a smile. Operations drapes another hand around Madeline's waist.

Madeline knows what is occuring here, but allows the contact to continue. Nikita had helped her realize the feelings again, and now, all that Madeline tried to shut off was on again.

"You always do a good job." Operations says in a whisper and he leans his head closer into Madeline's. Madeline's free hand runs down Operations arm and the side until reaching his waist.

"God, Madeline... you are beautiful." Operations says as he allows his lips to softly brush against Madeline's lips that were almost trembling.

Operations starts to pull his head back, but Madeline moves after Operations, until their lips connect in a deeper and longer meeting.

"Team is ready." Michael says from the doorway and walks away. Madeline steps back and touches the lips. She brushes away the memories of their lifes before and pretends to be smoothing wrinkles out of the dress.

"That shouldn't have happened." Madeline says as she starts out of the room.

"You are correct." Operations says while he is really thinking, 'You are wrong.'

Operations' statement hits Madeline wrong. He had agreed with her. She didn't like that. She knew that most Section realized that Operations wanted Madeline back, but now he said Madeline was correct in saying that it shouldn't have happened.

Madeline continued to walk down the wall, and one little part of her body got a chill, feeling that all was going to go wrong.

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

Walter handed Nikita a glass of water as she sat on the bed, feeling much better. Walter watched her as the water quickly rewet the parched mouth and throat.

"Thank you, Walter." Nikita says and those words speak volumes without much more being said. Nikita shifts her weight and hands the glass back.

"Are you going to tell Michael?" Walter asks as he stands by the light. Nikita looks towards the wall and then, finally back at Walter.

"I guess I have too." Nikita says and Walter sits down and touches the young lady's hand in a comforting movement.

"Michael loves you, and he will be there for you." Walter says softly and Nikita smiles, trying to force the tears back again.

"I have had such bad nightmares about telling Michael... One he even whipped me." Nikita admits with a small chuckle.

"I'm sure if Michael whips you, it will be for pleasure." Walter says with a broad wink, which makes Nikita cry out in laughter.

"I wish you were at Headquarters." Nikita says as her laughter subsides. Nikita looks into Walter's eyes as he fidgets a bit.

"I miss you, and Michael, and Birkoff...." Walter starts but then Nikita places a hand over his mouth.

"But you have Katherine here." Nikita finishes and Walter nods his head. He then turns his head away.

"But Madeline is there." Walter finally says with honest eyes.

"Walter, I know what you have felt for Madeline, but... she isn't one I'd waste time talking about." Nikita says firmly and Walter nods his head, gaining a bigger picture of what happened to Nikita.

"Is this why we all had to have physicals?" Walter asks and Nikita nods her head silently. Walter knew that a movement so cold and so calculated was not an Operations move. It had to be Madeline, it was a signiture Madeline move.

"Then they told you, together." Walter says and Nikita nods again. He wanted to scream. Madeline couldn't leave anything alone. She and Operations withheld information from Nikita for an extended time, and then continued to play with her head.

A knock at the door occurs, and Gannon is standing in the hallway. He looks at Nikita with his eyes and Nikita stands up.

"Walter, I have to go. I'm suppose to be working on a profile either way." Nikita says as she moves and hugs the man she wished was her father. Walter was her father in every sense of the word.

"I want you and Michael to come up for dinner next week, OK?" Walter says firmly as he holds onto on of Nikita's arms.

Gannon, seeing that Walter wanted to say something else. Just starts to walk down the hallway.

"Don't let this eat you up, Sugar.... They will win if you allow it." Walter says and he pulls Nikita in for another bear hug.

"And no more Madeline Delights!" Walter says and Nikita laughs as she starts down the hallway.

Walter watches her and can see her body is more relaxed than it was when she first arrived. It wasn't extremely relaxed like the old Nikita, but then, Walter couldn't expect miracles.

Walter walked back into his room and moved to the corner.

"Madeline... I know you will see this... Stop @#$*ing around with Nikita." Walter says firmly and then walks out of his room, off to find something to pass his time away.

***********

Michael stands in the hallway, just a few feet from Birkoff. Birkoff was monitoring the ball from the team set outside the ball. Madeline insisted on no comm units because when Nikita came back she was going to be mad.

It was just starting and Michael shook his head in disappointment. Madeline was wasting time with such an early arrival. Michael didn't like it at all.

Michael had started to pace, and didn't notice Nikita walk in until she placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in and kissed Michael quickly on the lips.

Nikita laced her fingers into Michael and tried to pull lightly towards the office. Michael blinked and held his position.

"We need to talk, Michael." Nikita says and Michael could almost feel the bomb explode in himself. The tone indicated that Nikita was finally going to discuss her situation, but now was not a good time.

"Nikita... Madeline went out on her profile." Michael said softly and Nikita's hand drops away from Michael's. She moves to Birkoff's computer in three steps.

"I want to speak with Madeline, now!" Nikita orders as she looks over Birkoff's screen. Birkoff shakes his head and trembles with each rush of air that Nikita exhales.

"Madeline went in with no comm unit." Birkoff says and Nikita turns and stares at Michael.

"Go get us our outfits. We will be leaving." Nikita orders Michael and he stands perfectly still. Michael looks at her and Nikita finally walks over and gets within three inches of his face.

"I know he has a transaction finished.... it therefore places Madeline in great danger." Nikita says with intensity.

"What kind of danger?" Operations asks as he enters the scene, finding Nikita nose to nose with Michael.

"Oscar Timon, once a plan is set will trust no one, and Madeline's appearance will throw Oscar Timon an alarm." Nikita says as she steps towards Operations.

"What type of alarm?" Michael asks the question everyone wants to know.

"Had Madeline done a full profile, Oscar Timon is suspious of everyone.... especially with a transaction afloat. More than likely, he will take Madeline and dispose of her." Nikita announces and Operations stares at Nikita.

"Go get those outfits, Michael." Operations says and Nikita nods her head at Operations.

"Thankfully, Walter just finished on a new tracking device." Nikita says as she holds up a little bottle and Birkoff squints into it.

"I don't see anything, Nikita." Birkoff says and Nikita softly smiles.

"It's the liquid. I can pour this on Madeline, we all know she would notice if I tried to put anything more onto her, and track her." Nikita says with a smile.

"How do I do that?" Birkoff asks getting upset. Walter use to work with Birkoff directly, but now that he was up at the Retreat, had forgotten about Birkoff.

"Oh... Let me get those papers." Nikita says walking away.

Operations looks at Birkoff and then at the computer.

"Have the teams tighten the ballroom. I want a constant visual on Madeline." Operations orders and walks away.

Birkoff works at the order, and smiles softly. He wasn't sure how he should feel. When Michael told Birkoff what had occured between Operations and Madeline, he was happy for them, but then sad for Walter, because Walter truly loved Madeline also.

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

"Not that wig... the other one." Nikita says as she enters Madeline's office and Michael is holding a bright shiny black wig.

Michael looks at the other wig and sets the orginal one down. Michael places it half onto Nikita's head and shakes his head.

"It makes you look older." Michael says and Nikita stops his hand from pulling it away. Nikita nods her head.

"That's what we need." Nikita says and she turns away from Michael. He was getting a sense of something more was going on.

"Birkoff is changing some minor things in our identities... in case we need to... well... You know..." Nikita says as she shakes her head at the dress.

Nikita moves into the closet as Michael pulls on the tuxedo's jacket. Nikita walks out a few minutes later with a deep navy blue dress on. It almost appears to be painted on, and Michael strokes the material to find it to be silk.

Nikita nods at Michael as she secures the wig. They walk to Birkoff's computer and he hands them the comm units.

"Nikita, you are Nikita Lacenti, a dance teacher in the States... Michael, you are Michael Lacenti, and you are a professor of art. Michael, you work at the Penn State. You two are on a vacation." Birkoff starts to say and Michael grabs hold of Nikita's arm.

"That's the same profile." Michael mutters into Nikita's ear and Birkoff waits for Michael to stop talking.

"You both have shaky backgrounds. You have rumored ties to Ivory Cinders. Ivory Cinders is a one hundred percentage bogus group that Madeline developed. Everyone in the business believes that it exists, but it's all smoke." Birkoff explains. Michael looks at Nikita and smiles softly.

"So, if Madeline is captured, Ivory Cinders can make a deal." Michael whispers and Nikita nods her head.

"You will need to give a thumbprint, Michael. Nikita has your finger webbing for that." Birkoff says and Michael nods.

"Well, if that is all..." Nikita says as she starts to walk down the hallway.

"That's not all..." Birkoff says and Nikita stops and stares at Birkoff.

"There was a problem getting you two on the list so late.... So you two were placed under the list of the professional dancers that they hired to keep people on the floor." Birkoff says and Michael glares at Birkoff. Nikita moves her head to the side and shakes no slightly.

"So what does that add to our duties?" Nikita asks, with a hint of anger that almost sounds like Operations'.

"A dance." Birkoff says quickly and moves away to monitor the computer screens.

Nikita looks at Michael and then at the floor. Michael wasn't happy about this. They never did dance good when there were problems betweent them.

"I'll go grab something." Nikita says and jogs off.

**********

Nikita stands in line with Michael, already starting to sway her hips to the music that is heard inside. Michael stands perfectly still, fighting his mind to say at the mission at hand, and not why Nikita wanted to talk before he had to tell her.

Nikita steps forward and smiles at the man at the desk.

"Nikita and Michael Facenti." Nikita says with a bright smile. The desk man looks Nikita up and down and raises an eyebrow at the sight of more than just the gown.

The desk man pushes a scanner up and Nikita slowly licks her thumb before placing it down on the scanner. The desk man had to contain his excitement, and that was done with one hard glare from Michael as he placed his thumb to be scanned.

"You two are dancers... give your tape to the DJ over there." The desk man says pointing to the large table with lots of equipment. The desk man smiles as he thinks that he gets to watch this hot woman move her body around the dance floor.

The desk man looks at the computer and his mouth almost drops to the floor. He signals one of the security men over and points to the screen.

"Seems to be a busy night for Ivory Cinders." The desk man says with a huge smile. The security looks at the computer and then at Michael and Nikita as they start to lighty dance their way over to the table.

"They are the only ones." The security guard says to the desk man as the line starts to get restless.

"That other woman, in the gold. She is Ivory Cinders." The desk man says and the guard shakes his head.

"Our intel is better.. that woman just happens to be one of the biggest in Section One." The guard says and the desk man raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, Oscar is going to have fun with this one." The desk mans says with a laugh. The guard moves away and the desk man continues to take the people in, but not missing much of the dancing Mrs. Nikita Lacenti.

The guard moves quietly around the room and spread the news to the others in the ballroom of Michael's and Nikita's backround. It was becoming quite an interesting night.

***********

Nikita sipped at some water as Michael took the tape to the DJ. Nikita saw Madeline heading towards her and Nikita spilled some of the tracking device on the floor.

Madeline bends down and wipes it up.

"Why are you here?" Madeline demands as she wipes her hand together. Birkoff mutters yes into Nikita's ear and Nikita smiles down.

"Your profile is too dangerous. Pull out and allow me and Michael." Nikita says as she stares at Madeline.

Madeline stands up and smiles at Nikita. She stares into the young woman's eyes and is pleasantly surprized to see them more calm than she expected.

"You are to pull out." Madeline says and walks away.

*

lyrics from HEAVEN'S WHAT I FEEL by Gloria Estefan

The music starts up slowly and Michael rolls his eyes. He had listened to this CD over and over again. He hated it! Michael new probably why he hated it so much was because of Nikita's decision, but he didn't like the choice.

LOVE SOMETIMES... CAN BE LIKE DESTINY...

Nikita walks onto the cleared dance floor, and half of the mens' jaws hit the floor. Michael steps out and womans' jaws hit the floor. The moves are together and crisp.

THERE'S NO WAY TO SAY FOREVER... IT MAY NOT REALIZE YOUR DREAMS...

Michael wraps a hand around Nikita's waist and then move in the dancing beat. Each move with each other. Nikita smiles at Michael and he gets a confused look on his face. Nikita leans up as Michael circles them together and Nikita licks at his lips.

AND LOVE SOMETIMES... IS LIKE THE BLOWING WIND...

The dark Oscar Timon walks up to Madeline and wraps a hand around her waist. He has been informed of the backround of the couple on the floor. He wanted to deal with them, but he had a situation to take care of with Madeline.

Nikita rolls and hand down Michael's jacket and then inside. Nikita pulls herself closer to Michael and achieve in pushing her chest up and tight against Michael's.

IT CAN TAKE US TO WHEREVER... SENDING US ON SILENT WINGS...

"Do you know them, darling?" Oscar asks Madeline, who is showing a brillant smile of pride and love, which she quickly rids herself as she turns to Oscar.

"Why would I know those dancers?" Madeline responds.

BUT I HAVE BROKEN... ALL THE RULES OF LOVE... I NEVER DREAMED THAT I COULD.... COME THIS FAR....

Michael allows his hands to touch Nikita's low back and gently caress there. He pulls Nikita's head up towards her and kisses her lips with a glancing kiss. Nikita doesn't move, and deepens the kiss.

AND NOW I'M LOST IN MY EMOTIONS... YOU'RE BECOMING MY DEVOTION... THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO... TO STOP THIS LOVE FOR YOU...

Michael, suddenly forgets everything. He is dancing with the woman he loves. He tightens his grip on the silk dress that provides very little between his fingers and Nikita's hot skin.

Michael rubs his chest hard against Nikita's and she opens her mouth in groan. The urgence of passion is gripping Michael and he tries to remind himself they are on a mission.

I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU... I HAVE SOMEONE ELSE... AND SOMEONE ELSE IS LOVING YOU... AND I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO LET THIS LOVE GET THROUGH... SO LET ME SAY FOR REAL... HEAVEN'S WHEN I'M WITH YOU...

Madeline stands looking at Oscar. He gently nods his head and the room goes dark.

"Funny, they are in Ivory Cinders." Oscar whispers into Madeline's ear as he knocks her in the head and administers drugs.

Michael holds Nikita as they try to adjust their eyes to the darkness, but doom looms above them.

**********

The lights flash on with a sudden flash and Nikita holds onto Michael's forearm. Both operatives quickly scan the room, and both realize the absence of Madeline.

"Birkoff... Madeline is taken." Nikita mutters as she holds onto Michael and looks away from the majority of the crowd. Nikita listens to Birkoff mutter lightly and work quickly.

"Timon is heading this way, Nikita." Michael says as he turns her around. He glances down at her leg as Birkoff barks orders for them to pull back into Headquarters immediately. Michael carefully kicks at the three inch heel, making it very loose, and should break soon, and give the couple a reason to leave.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Lacenti." Oscar Timon says as he arrives at the two. Nikita extends her hand and Timon kisses it softly and smiles as he lets it go.

"Is there something wrong with our dancing, Mr. Timon?" Michael asks as he shakes Oscar's hand.

"Call me Oscar." Timon says as he winks at Nikita with a long stare. "You have a beautiful wife."

"Thank you." Michael says in short words as Birkoff continues to bark off the command to fall out and report back in.

"I heard something about you...." Timon says and Nikita steps infront of Michael and smiles at Oscar.

"We are exclusive to each other." Nikita says with a broad smile, which brings a laugh from Timon.

"With two perfect creatures like yourselves, you must be producing a perfect little army." Timon says as he looks up Nikita again.

"I will never have kids. I will do anything to stop that happening." Nikita answers with a deep voice and Michael has to control himself. It was the profile, but it was hitting to close to home.

"And why is that?" Timon asks as a waiter brings over some wine. He toasts Michael and Nikita and Nikita smiles at Oscar.

"Why would I bring a child into this screwed up and hell ridden world. Why torture it into learning the only way to live is in the dark and not in the light?" Nikita responds and Oscar Timon smiles. He knows with that statement that Michael and Nikita Lacenti are part of Ivory Cinders.

"Why don't you have something to eat with me?" Timon asks. Michael nods and takes Nikita's hand. They start to walk, and suddenly, Nikita's heel breaks.

Michael helps to pull Nikita up, and she pulls her leg up and touchs the ankle.

"It's pretty bad, Michael." Nikita says and Michael nods with agreement.

"I can send for a doctor." Timon offers. Nikita smiles at the offer, and hopes Birkoff is still listening very well.

"My brother is a doctor... I'll just go see him." Nikita says. Oscar Timon slips out a piece of paper and hands it to Michael.

"I'm very interested in doing some business with your people. Give me a call." Oscar Timon says and Michael quickly carries Nikita off, in complete silence.

***********

The bright light snaps on infront of Madeline as she struggles to focus her eyes. The music is still being heard and she can feel the chains and the restraints being used on her.

"Hello, Madeline." Oscar Timon says as he leans down and softly caress her chin. Madeline stares into his eyes and clenches her teeth.

"I must have the biggest advantage in the world now. All of Section will be looking for you." Timon says with a heartily laugh.

"They won't do such a thing." Madeline says coldly.

"Mmmm... Operations probably still feels something for you. Plus, you are brillant." Timon says with a stuck up voice.

"Not brillant enought to put one over me." Timon gloats and Madeline internally smiles, hoping that Michael and Nikita where able to maintain their profile.

"Although we like you so much... you have to stay like this... See... that blow on the head... well, move the wrong way, you'll never walk again, move the other wrong way, you'll never breathe again." Timon says and he walks out.

*

Michael and Nikita walk quickly into Headquarters and Birkoff is downing Oreos quickly. He moves from computer to computer and sighs loudly.

"She is somewhere in that building, but that tracker sucks." Birkoff mutters to Michael and Nikita, who have yet to say a word to each other.

"They haven't moved her yet?" Nikita asks, surprized with such a move. Timon must have known Madeline wasn't going to have a tracking devise or a comm unit. It was only luck that they knew where Madeline was now. That liquid of Walter's had made it.

"From what I can tell, they haven't moved her yet." Birkoff says softly as he moves to another computer.

"Is there a working profile or mission plan?" Michael asks and Birkoff points to the ten operatives working quickly at computers.

"They all are.... Operations said for you two to work in your office." Birkoff says and Nikita looks over Birkoff's shoulder.

"What if you do the infrared scan along with the tracking, would that improve the image?" Nikita asks and Birkoff looks at her. Birkoff is tired and getting cranky. He punches a few keys and the screen improves.

"She is by the back door, in a small room. Lots of monitiors." Birkoff says and then informs all of the operatives.

Nikita is getting upset about Madeline's capture. Oscar Timon didn't keep those he captured around long. Nikita looked at Michael and could see the pain on his face from what she had said earlier.

Nikita walks over and grabs Michael's hands. In one moment of strength, she starts pulling Michael towards the office.

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

Nikita opens the door and leads Michael into the office. He kicks the door shut and allows the anger to bubble onto his face.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU BELIEVE? WAS THAT WHY YOU MADE YOUR DECISION!" Michael screams and Nikita continues to pull Michael towards the couch. She sits him down and sits down herself.

"Michael, those were not my feelings." Nikita says calmly, and it takes a few shades of red away from Michael's face.

"What are your feelings?" Michael asks and Nikita struggles to fake a smile.

"Michael.. I learned something about myself..." Nikita says and Michael stops her with a shaking head.

"You are constantly learning things about yourself.... Nikita, DO you or DO you NOT want a child?" Michael asks firmly and one solid tear runs down the length of her face.

"More than you know." Nikita admits and Michael angerily pushes his hair back with both of his hands.

"Then why? Why not now, Nikita?" Michael asks firmly.

"It is so much more difficult than what you make it to be." Nikita says, trying to slow down the answer. She wanted to remind Michael of the past, how it all happened, how it wasn't her fault.

"Nikita, I love you and you love me. It is that simple." Michael says and Nikita rolls her head back.

"IT IS NEVER SIMPLE, MICHAEL! NEVER! NOT IN SECTION! NOT IN REAL LIFE!" Nikita screams and stands up from the couch. She is starting to lose control and lose her nerve.

Nikita looks back at Michael and from the emotion on his face, Nikita knows that Michael would give up his own life for Nikita to have a child. That scared Nikita.

"BUZZZZZZZZZZ!" The telephone/intercom rings out.

"Michael! Nikita! Get down here now!" Birkoff orders in a shaking voice.

Nikita looks at Michael and both think of Madeline. Something must have happened. All the ideas were bad, nothing good.

Both, forgot their own conversation and dashed towards Birkoff's computer.

**********

Birkoff is sitting almost too still in the chair as Michael and Nikita entered. Operations is leaning against the wall.

"There has been an explosion." Birkoff says softly and Nikita and Michael look at each other in shock.

"The whole building is gone." Operations says as he doesn't look at the two. Ayn is standing behind Operations and is worried for Nikita and Michael.

"And the tracking?" Michael asks as if in automatic pilot.

"Gone." Birkoff says solemnly.

Silence reigns.

Time ticks slowly.

Nikita looks at Michael and Michael looks at Nikita.

Numbness sets in.

"Madeline has to be alive." Nikita finally says and Michael moves to the computer. He views the video of the explosion. He turns away as he notices the magnification of the explosion. It was bigger than any Michael had been involved with.

"Not from that, Nikita." Michael informs Nikita and Nikita pushes her lips together.

"What are you saying then?" Nikita asks, and all the men look at each other. Nikita knows what they are thinking.

"You can't do anything for twelve hours." Nikita says and Ayn moves forward. She types a few things into the computer, making sure the operatives on the site of the explosion are doing their job.

"I will wait the eleven hours and forty minutes, Nikita. But, it doesn't look good." Operations says and he walks away.

"I better call Walter. He would want to know." Nikita says solemnly as she turns to leave. Ayn follows behind Nikita.

"Madeline had spoken to me early this morning." Ayn informs Nikita quickly.

"That's nice for you." Nikita remarks as she opens the office door, turns on the computer to monitor the situation and pick up the phone.

"She was talking about the importance of the truth... and how she had to maintain her confidentiality even though she believe all would be well if the truth came out." Ayn says and Nikita looks at the desk.

"I have to call Walter." Nikita says and she doesn't wait for Ayn to leave.

***********

It is almost twelve hours later, and Michael, Nikita, Birkoff, and Operations are sitting in the glass office.

Operations moves with his phone and starts talking.

"I want all of her personal files and items taken out of the office and placed into storage until I can go through them." Operations says and he switches to another line.

"I don't want anything taken out of their office yet." Operations says.

Nikita looks at Michael. He was about to get promoted. Not what Nikita had expected, it was so soon. She wondered what would happen to her now. Would she be placed back as a regular cold operative or would they try to force her with someone else.

"No response, no trace." Birkoff says as he checks his watch and watches the time go by quicker than he thought possible. For several hours he ran with the same feeling as Nikita, that Madeline was alive.

"What if she thought we were breached... she could have gone into mandatory refusal." Nikita says and all the men look at her in pity.

"Not possible." Operations says as he moves to the computer.

"Call up the chain of command, Birkoff." Operations says and Birkoff does so. Operations punches in his code and looks away.

"Sign Madeline off, with honor." Operations says with an almost choked up voice.

"How can you give up on her now! The DNA isn't going to prove that she died in that explosion, it just means some hair or some piece of skin got left behind!" Nikita cries out, but this time, none of the men look at Nikita.

Michael is sitting straight as Nikita has her legs thrown over the arm of the chair. Nikita can almost see a change in Michael already. He knew what he was going to do now, and Nikita, she was lost.

"Override the list." Operations says and Birkoff looks over his shoulder and does as order. Birkoff orders the override, and Michael's name goes back to the third position.

"Madeline's office is clean out, so you may move your things there immediately. Your first job will be to wrap up this mess, go through the new recruits and move three into the psychological program and to go through the Section One related files." Operations says, but not indicating to whom, but all assume it is to Michael.

"Nikita, do you understand this? You are taking over Madeline's position." Operations says and Nikita almost falls out of her chair.

"ME?" Nikita asks as she looks at Michael, who looks furious.

"You have been training under Madeline and I found out today, that you know what you are doing." Operations says and he moves towards the door.

"I hope to see that you can do this job. I will meet you for breakfast in three hours. I will go over the routine then." Operations says as he walks out.

Nikita walks over and sees her name on the list, right below Operations. Birkoff starts to shake his head.

"Walter isn't going to believe this one." Birkoff mutters.

All three leave the room and move downstairs. The news had already started to spread, and some of the operatives who would have normally said hello to Nikita, move quickly away.

"Nikita... should I continue with the closing?" Birkoff asks.

"Nikita, one of the vans are down." Gannon calls out.

"Nikita, we need to talk." Michael says.

"Nikita, What is going to happen to the couples?" Billie and Quinn call out.

"What about Anna?" Ayn calls out and Nikita has had it already.

"Birkoff... continue on. Everyone else, deal with it. Michael... later." Nikita says and she turns, almost heading to the office she had shared with Michael.

"I will be in Madeline's.... I mean, my office." Nikita stutters out as her emotions start to take over.

Nikita enters the almost bare office and trembles as she closes the door. She leans her head against the door and tears run down her face.

"I can't do this... Madeline! I know you are alive! I'm not ready!" Nikita mutters outload as she stares at the window.

Everything is swirling and won't stop. Her feet are on the ground, but Nikita feels like she is floating above the situation.

It's Madeline's office, Nikita's head screams out, her heart screams out, but remembers, it's hers now.

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