The pile of work only expanded while Nikita was off in the wildfires of Florida. The fires were getting worse, but unless it would cause terriorist groups some sudden activity, Section One would not care. It was clear to Nikita that the whole state of Florida could burn down and Operations would only ask if any operatives were lost.

She was emotionally drained, and wanted to go home. Her body was still in the process of ridding itself the toxins in the smoke, and so, every so often, she would cough. Yet, it was nothing like Michael's.

She was worried about him, but from the looks of her desk, and what was planned for tomorrow, she had no time to take care of Michael. It would have to wait for another time.

Yet, Nikita couldn't get started with the work. She still wanted fully explore the desk that she had inherited, and still was filled with Madeline's files and notes. Nikita was sure more would be found than just that.

Nikita pulls open the top drawer, which she had yet to get all the way through. She pulled out the odd shaped pens and was about to pull out a little book when Michael's cough is heard outside the door.

"I'm going home." Michael announces as he enters. Nikita blinks her eyes and looks at Michael and then waits for the coughing fit to pass.

"Did you take your medication?" Nikita asks as Michael, and knows the answer. Michael nods his head yes and Nikita slightly tilts her head. Michael pulls his hand out, and exposes the pill. Nikita waits as Michael swallows it.

"Nikita... you haven't come home one night yet." Michael says as if revealing a dark and hidden secret.

"Maybe that is why Madeline never left here... because she couldn't." Nikita says softly as she pushes the drawer close. She didn't want Michael to see that she still maintain Madeline's possessions.

"It won't help us." Michael says slowly. Nikita sighs and pulls out the file that is on the top.

"Operations won't help us. This is your new partner." Nikita say, maintaining a straight and calm voice.

Calm was no longer in Michael's life. Everything was wrong, and continued to go that way. He no longer knew who Nikita was. She wasn't even upset at the fact that Operations ordered him with another woman. Michael felt like he was losing his mind.

He already felt like he had lost Nikita. She had lied to him and wasn't talking. It was a total role reversal. Nikita no longer wanted to talk, and Michael did. The Nikita he married was no where to be found.

"And you are ok with this?" Michael asks as he flips through the file.

"It is only temporary. Until a crisis in the Middle East is handled. But you didn't hear it from me." Nikita says without blinking her eyes.

Michael stares at her, and then shakes his head lightly. He parts his lip with a slight sigh and then closes the mouth and his eyes in one movement. He soon brushes past the door.

Nikita closes her eyes and press her lips together tightly. She thought when she told Michael that she didn't want this job... that it would ease the tension between them. She knew what he seeked, but that conversation, at this rate could never come.

Nikita was alienated. She was all alone, in a battle with herself. Her heart, being pulled into thousands of directions, and none of them really wanted.

She no longer knew where to start.. there was no beginning. She no longer knew where to finish.. there was no end.

Michael.

Anna.

Birkoff.

Walter.

Ayn.

Madeline.

And even... Operations, plagued her mind in the jungle gym of thoughts and emotions.

The files that sat on her desk meant nothing.

Fritz Overwortz.

Kate Refort.

Baleena and Russel Schwartz.

Timothy and Jack Edwards.

Those names meant nothing. Nothing at all.

The files to Nikita where labeled easily.

Michael alone.

Michael with the other woman.

Not Michael.

Nikita sighed and guess she better make the files ready for missions.

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

Two hours had quickly ticked away, and the files, barely touched.

Two hours of Nikita shifting and moving papers. Not doing much of anything.

Two hours of calling and listening to the answering machine just to hear Michael's voice.

Two hours of waiting for Michael to call back. A call that never occured.

Two hours of strumming her fingers along the desk as they ached to dial for Walter. Walter, who for some reason was still stranded up at Retreat, and may never return.

Two hours of wondering how Anna was, and what was she told. Wondering if Madeline was 'only on a trip', to Anna.

Two hours of wondering what is next. Wondering what else will go wrong. Who will die next? Who will be transferred next? Who will get sick next? What poision will Nikita ingestion next?

Two hours wasted.

Two long hours wasted.

Two hours that seemed so long, yet so short.

Nikita finally leans back and pushes the files off of the desk. She stretches her arms and looks down at the drawer yet again.

It was chanting to her almost. Nikita had felt the need to search the drawer from top to bottom. Something in there meant something for Nikita.

Maybe it was just Madeline's diary expressing how sorry she was for all the things she had done.

Maybe it was a small note explaining how to deal with Operations.

Maybe it was something that would explain all, and bring her back to her Michael.

Nikita couldn't stand the possibilities. She knew that if she was ever going to tackle the paperwork and profiles at hand, she was going to have to finish what she started first. She was going to invade the inner territories of Madeline's desk, because she needed to.

Nikita pulls back the drawer and begins the process of pulling the items she had already examed out. She then pulls at a packet of envelopes.

The handwritting is easily recognized as Operations. Nikita sets them down quickly and knows that she has no need or want to read them. More than likely, they weren't work related.

There were a few foreign coins, that looked to be quite old. Then there was a small frame of Operations, Madeline, and Ayn. Nikita knew that they worked together before, but it looked to be a picture from the outside. Nikita sets it down, and notes to give it to Ayn.

Nikita pushes her hand further into the drawer when something sharp grazes the top of her hand. Nikita flips her hand around, and starts to feel the outline of what feels to be a secret compartment.

Nikita quickly drops out of the chair and pulls out the desk drawer. What is exposed is a dull silver panel, not very large. There is no latch for it. No area for a key. Nikita looks up from the floor and notices the odd shaped indentation in the back.

Nikita sits back down on the chair, with her hand still touching the panel. She wanted to know what was in it, and what was in it now.

Nikita did not hesitate in her next move.

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

Nikita, not wanting Operations to catch wind that she had found something, pulls out her cell phone, which Birkoff insisted Section no longer monitored. And if Section did monitor it, only Operations would, and he would not listen to a conversation any time soon.

Nikita flips the cell phone open with one hand, still maintaining a hand on the panel, as if the hand holds it there. Nikita places the phone on the desk, dials the Retreat number and pulls the phone up to her ear and mouth.

"Retreat." The operative answers, and Nikita can hear the notes of anger in the voice.

"Walter." Nikita says simply.

"Sorry, he is sleeping. Not to be disturbed." The operative says quickly, not even asking who it was or what was it about. Nikita immediately pushed the phone between her ear and shoulder and pulled up the duty list on the computer.

"Schultz, you just managed to make the wrong person upset at you." Nikita says slowly and she can almost visualize his reaction.

Yet, he did not react the way Nikita would think he would. There was a pause in the conversation and Nikita pulled up his file.

"Why? Are you THE NIKITA?" Schultz asks with a laughing voice. Nikita smiles broadly.

"You are quite right, Schultz." Nikita says as she looks at the profile. Upset at the man, for second guessing her, she types at the list quickly. Old Schultz the next day will find three operatives ready to take him in for extensive retraining, among other things.

"I'll ring old Walter." Schultz finally says.

Nikita taps her free hand lightly on the desk as the other one traces the grove on the panel. She bends her head and looks at the panel again before Walter picks up the phone.

"Ah... Nikita... why the late call?" Walter asks in a shaking voice. Nikita immediately realizes why the shake is there. He fought against the urge to call her Sugar and called her Nikita.

"Walter, you may still call me Sugar." Nikita says with a broad smile and Nikita hears Walter laugh.

"So how is the new position?" Walter asks and Nikita can here how much he misses Madeline in his voice. He would never admit it straight out, but it was clearly in his voice.

"I hate it." Nikita says bluntly as she again bends over and looks into the drawer.

"Ah, Walter... I happened to maintain Madeline's desk for the time being...." Nikita starts out and instantly, Walter begins to laugh.

"The panel, right?" Walter finally asks and Nikita pulls out the hand from the drawer and sets it on the desk.

"Yes. How do I open it?" Nikita asks and again Walter begins to laugh.

"You mean open it without waking all of Section?" Walter jokes and Nikita quietly shakes her head back and forth at his joke.

"Got all of her pens?" Walter asks and Nikita arches and eyebrow up as she answers yes. She immediately grabs at them.

"The one with the gold top... looks like a star that has been put through the wringer... Insert it parallel to the panel. Should open that baby right up." Walter directs Nikita.

Nikita quickly grabs the pen, and does as told. Several pieces of paper flutter out, along with a disk.

Nikita inserts the disk, and automatically prints everything on it. She closes the drawer and sets the four sheets of paper on the desk.

"Thank you, Walter." Nikita says with a soft sigh.

"You haven't told Michael yet." Walter states.

"Too much has been happening, Walter. I don't know if we will survive this." Nikita admits and hangs up without saying goodbye.

Walter hangs up the phone and immediately picks it up.

"What?" Birkoff answers with a yawn.

"I need you to fool with the computers." Walter says as Birkoff rubs his eyes.

"Walter... it is three in the morning." Birkoff says.

"Nikita just called me..." Walter says and Birkoff sits up and moves away from the bed where Melissa slept soundly.

"Walter... what do you need this time?" Birkoff asks.

"A ticket home." Walter says.

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

The handwriting brought immediate thoughts back. Nikita had only seen the handwritting a few times. One of the times it was on a personal get well card when Michael and Nikita had taken the beating to set up LECDER. The note was a simple, "Get well, Madeline."

Another time she saw the writing was in a letter Madeline personally wrote Nikita soon after their honeymoon. She had sent a card, but wrote Nikita more. Nikita could easily remember the line and the image that striked a cord with her.

"Your love for Michael is like your soul, you will always have it."

Nikita pushed the memories away and started to shift through the pages of print that had spitted from the printer. It looked like transcripts from a chat room. Nikita quickly ran a word count through the entire disk and realized that this must have been how Madeline set up and maintained the bogus group Ivory Cinders.

Nikita opened up the first page of paper and found a screenname and a web page. Nikita immediately moved into that page. If it was something that was done on a frequent basis, they would be missing 'MOTHERHEN' by now.

There was no title for the web page, just a number. Nikita didn't say hello to the board, just started by looking at the names that were on at the time, and if they were on the transcripts.

Jonahs was one of those names that appeared quite often, and seemed to respect MOTHERHEN and Ivory Cinders. He was the first one to give MOTHERHEN a personal hello before addressing the board.

"MOTHERHEN... We thought that Ivory Cinders folded when Grouch told us that you had been breached." Jonahs says to the board, and immediately the board lights up with hellos to MOTHERHEN and with comments of agreement with Jonahs.

Nikita pauses and thinks for a moment. She regrets that she hadn't scanned the transcripts better, but can almost see the connection of who Grouch was. Oscar Timon... Oscar the Grouch.

Nikita smiled at the deduction and slid in a new disk to save the information and continue on.

"We have laid low until we fixed the breach. Yet, you never know with Section One." Nikita types in and the board again lights up. Nikita realizes that Madeline had really been a force on this chat room.

"That damn Section One. They are the ruthless-most people in the world..." Murdock complains, as do much of the others add.

Nikita sits back. She would be sure that comments about the dead Madeline would be made. She was a known figure, and Nikita was sure that Grouch would be bragging about the kill.

"What is Ivory Cinders going after next?" Jonahs asks and Nikita is interested on what group Jonahs is with. She flips to the beginning of the files and finds that he is part of LECDER. Nikita shakes her head at the meeting place of the terrorist.

"Revenge." Nikita types and the board starts to laugh hysterically. Nikita doesn't like the response, and feeling a bit out of her league reaches for her cell phone.

Nikita continues to monitor the board, and a few of the screennames comment on how quiet MOTHERHEN was being, but Nikita didn't worry. They could only expect that if Ivory Cinders had a breach, that they would be more careful.

"Birkoff... I need you to come in." Nikita says as Birkoff lifts up the phone.

"Damn you people.. can't a guy get some sleep!" Birkoff complains as he hits the keyboard, finishing the hacking in order to send Walter back to Headquarters.

"Birkoff... Now." Nikita orders, and then stops. She didn't like the way she handled that. "I'm sorry, Birkoff...." Nikita says slowly.

"Nikita, I'm use to being ordered... just not by you.... God, even Walter is starting to..." Birkoff comments as he folds up his computer and pull off his old shirt in exchange for a possibly clean shirt.

"I have found a chat room that seems a bit shadey... and you know me and computers..." Nikita says joking.

Birkoff laughs back as he pulls the blue shirt down and he sniffs himself quickly.

"Nikita... you haven't changed at all. Give me ten." Birkoff says and hangs up the phone.

"Only if Michael thought that way..." Nikita mutters into the dial tone. She fold the phone up and pulls her attention back to the chat room.

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

Nikita sighs as she tries to maintain a conversation with the chat room of various groups. There are groups there that Nikita has never heard of. It was just impossible.

She never even thinked twice when she picked up the phone for the second time. Birkoff was already on the case and had attached his computer to the computer Nikita typed at. Nikita pulled out the cell phone and called Michael.

"Michael. Come in." Nikita said firmly after the eighth ring. She hears Michael moan loudly and flip over in bed.

"Why this time, Nikita? Do you want to talk? Are you going to change your mind when we start?" Michael asks as he pushes the black sheets off of his legs. He knew he was being ordered in, but his mood towards Nikita would not and could not stop.

"Michael, I have no time to explain over the phone." Nikita says as she tries to type quickly to Jonahs who is exploring the definition of ruthlessness and how Section One is the ultimate example.

"I want an explaination. I don't get anything anymore... I am being treated like Birkoff!" Michael complains as he looks at the clothing he feel asleep in. He glances at the clock and cannot believe it is only 4:35.

"Birkoff is already here." Nikita says and hangs up.

"Really, MOTHERHEN.. Ivory Cinders must have done a hit or two... you guys are good at the quick ones..." Jonahs says quickly. Nikita freezes, not knowing what to say. She couldn't give them a hit that Section One did. They all knew about those.

Birkoff walks in and Nikita snaps her fingers over to him. He nods his head and moves to the other computer. In a few seconds, he pulls out a report.

"Sure... sure... Not to brag..." Nikita types slowly.

"Brag MOTHERHEN... that's what you are good at!" Elvis, who is Red Cell, says.

"We took down a small outpost of Section One operatives. They were about to be killed by Section.. but we got them first... just the beginning of revenge." Nikita types and Birkoff gives the thumbs up.

Nikita's eyes open a bit when she notices that Grouch has sign on. Nikita tilts her head back towards the screen and Birkoff looks over her shoulder. He quickly starts the process of trying to use the service to track down Grouch.

"I have an important announcement in an hour... contact the entire room." Grouch says and Nikita raises an eyebrow to Birkoff.

"May I ask the subject?" Nikita types in, as she had read it many times in the transcripts in which Madeline was MOTHERHEN.

"For you, MOTHERHEN... it deals with your revenge." Grouch writes and immediately signs off. Birkoff shakes his head no and Nikita picks up her phone.

She needed coffee.

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

Michael walked in about ten minutes before the hour deadline was approaching. Nikita had most of the beginning on the file read.

"Nice for you to finally join us." Nikita retorts angerily as she looks at Michael. Michael glances back at Nikita and picks up some of the sheets that she had read.

"What is all of this?" Michael questions as he sets it back down, careful to keep them in order.

"I found it in a secret compartment in Madeline's desk. This is how she formed Ivory Cinders." Nikita says as she glances at the board as Birkoff starts to type quickly at his computer.

Grouch had signed back on.

The size of the room had grown. When Nikita first signed on as MOTHERHEN, there were six others in the room. The room now was pushed to twenty-four.

"He has cut access." Birkoff announces and Michael looks at the papers.

"Is Grouch Oscar Timon?" Michael asks, knowing that he was THE most wanted person in Section One's eyes.

"Yes." Nikita replies and Michael almost smiles. Nikita is almost pleased by the response.

"Have you told Operations yet?" Michael asks and Nikita's glare could free Michael where he is standing.

"No. And I don't need too." Nikita replies, and Michael looks away. He had moved back to his old ways, forgetting that Nikita had moved above him.

"Let's start this party now." Grouch announces and Nikita looks at Birkoff.

"I'm getting a basic area.. that's all I'll get." Birkoff says as Nikita looks over at Birkoff. Michael sits down and grabs the sheets of paper, ready to help if needed.

"I'm make it quick. I have a member of Section One." Grouch types out and Nikita, Michael, and Birkoff look at each other quickly. Birkoff springs to action and pulls up the directory.

"No one is missing. All accounted for." Birkoff replies. Nikita's heart skips a beat, as does the others in the room.

"A member? I'm not impressed." Nikita types in. The line was also one that Madeline had used many times in previous chats.

Several other members agree with her and Grouch screams for quiet.

"Section doesn't know I have her.... and I'm putting her up for auction." Grouch announces and Nikita looks again at the two men.

"I have a lock on the basic location." Birkoff says as his hands start to shake.

"Mind me asking... but if this lady only as limited knowledge... why auction her?" Jonahs asks quickly.

"She knows all." Grouch replies.

"It couldn't be..." Nikita mutters under her breathe as Birkoff looks up at the ceiling.

"The only one who knows all, you killed. Madeline was killed in that huge explosion!" Elvis screams on-line.

"To Section she is dead... but she lives...." Grouch says and Nikita's office dies in silence.

"The rules are... in an e-mail in two hours will be a bank account. 25 million into the bank account at exactly 5:04. Bidding will start at 5:30." Grouch says and immediately cuts his line.

"Sh...sh...she's... she's... alive..." Nikita says, stumbling over the words. She pushes her hair back and looks at Michael and Birkoff, who both perspectively have their mouths wide open.

***********

Nikita signs off and looks at the quiet room. A little rush of relief runs down her body, before the need to plan the next move starts.

"Where is the location?" Nikita asks softly.

"About fourteen miles out of Cleveland." Birkoff says and Nikita blinks her eyes a few times.

"I would gather that Madeline is not with him at this time." Nikita says as she easily remembers the distance.

"Who tells Operations?" Michael asks and Nikita looks at Michael with a frown.

"First, I'm surprize he is not in here, hauling me down for the briefing... but he could be looking for you two." Nikita says with a soft smile, trying to break the seriousness of the situation.

Nikita moves to the phone on the Section's lines and picks it up. Slowly she dials the three numbers.

"Nikita... where are your reports? Where is the team? Where is Michael? What are you doing?" Operations demands as he picks up the phone.

"I have been busy with something else, Operations." Nikita starts out. Nikita was sure telling Operations straight out that Madeline was alive would be terrible. She needed a chance to explain how she found out.

"Can I tell you how much of a disappointment you have been since you took this position? Have you met one deadline yet? Has one mission gone as planned? Have you ever met with me? Have you done anything at all, Nikita? Have you?" Operations continues in his anger.

"I can explain.." Nikita says quickly but Operation moans in anger.

"And now Michael and Birkoff are following your example. Doing things when they want and feel like it!" Operations hollers.

"They are with me." Nikita responds and she looks at Birkoff. Birkoff looks away, knowing that Nikita was recieving Operations anger at everything.

"WHY? WHY? NIKITA!" Operations demands.

Nikita pauses.

Tell him....

Not to tell him...

"Sorry to disappoint you... but Madeline is alive." Nikita says and hangs up the phone.

Nikita pulls the cord immediately out and moves to Birkoff.

"Start pulling the 25 million together, along with other funds. We must be the high bidder." Nikita says as she walks behind Birkoff's shoulders.

"Michael... go through those files... look for anything that would give me the motive for wanting Madeline." Nikita demands as she points to the pile.

She moves over and press the button near the door. A five second pause... enough time to brace herself for Operations storm, which would be too soon.

Nikita hears glass breaking and looks at Birkoff.

"I'm glad I'm in here." Birkoff states, knowing that Operation had broken another window in his office, which had become a standard with Operations.

***********

Walter, once recieving the notice from the computer, was half way out the door. He had already explained to Katherine. She even agreed with him.

Walter sat in the van thinking about Nikita and her situation. The young lady, who had no life to start with, finally started to love herself again, was being eaten alive by the Section giant. Walter just wanted to protect Nikita, knowing that most of the time, Nikita was her own worse enemy.

Walter even questioned why Operations would override the chain of command. Michael had developed the skills to handle the high stress of the job Madeline had. Everyone knew that in time Nikita would develop them, even better than Michael, but that was before Madeline and Operations decided to tell the truth.

The trip went quickly, because, with the brillancy of Birkoff, Walter was ordered back to Headquarters via airtransit.

Walter knew as he walked into the Headquarters something was wrong.

Glass was covering the floor.

Walter looked up and found all of the windows of the office had been broken. Walter only momentarily worried until Operations appeared on the floor. He seemed to be caught up in thought, and Walter thought he had escaped his sight, until Operations turned back around.

"YOU are to be at the RETREAT!" Operations roars and Walter picks up the notice and hands it back to Operation. He quickly scans it and slams it back into Walter's hand.

"I will speak to Nikita about this... using her position for personal matters has too stop." Operations says and he storms back up to his office.

*

Nikita stood next to the desk, waiting for Operations to arrive. But he didn't.

Instead, Walter walked in and looked at the office in a note of sadness before smiling at Nikita.

"Sugar!" Walter says and Nikita smiles and nods her head. Walter looks around, wondering why Nikita didn't fall in for her traditional bear hug. Michael and Birkoff would expect it, yet Walter found them both extremely busy.

"I like the office." Walter says as he looks at the blue paint.

"It won't be mine long." Nikita states with a smile and Walter's mouth falls open in horror.

"He is upset at you, Nikita... but he wouldn't demote you... or change his mind now... You should have seen the mistakes he made when he took over. It was quite a mess then!" Walter says quickly. Michael, Birkoff, and Nikita stop their movements and focus their attention on Walter.

"What?" Walter asks as he starts to feel parnoid. Nikita steps forward and pauses.

"Madeline is alive." Nikita says.

Before Walter could absorb this information, Operations slams into the room.

"The hell she is!" Operations roars as he moves to Nikita's computer.

Nikita steps away and moves with Walter to the corner of the office. Operations soon pulls a chair and sits down.

"My...my Madeline is alive..." Operations says in surprize and shock. He never thought anything good would happen to him again. This was better than good, it was a miracle.

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

There seemed to be plenty of time between the initial announcement of the auction and the actual auction, yet time went by quickly.

Operations was no help, and what he did do, was to keep other operatives out of the way of the high level operatives working on the plan to retrieve Madeline.

Nikita knew that the auction would be the easy part. It would be everything from that moment on that was critical for them to retrieve Madeline. Nikita poured back over the profile she wrote on Oscar Timon and then ordered Michael to do the same.

It was easily decided in the group that MOTHERHEN would be Nikita Lacenti. Oscar Timon had already met her as a memeber of Ivory Cinders, and it was Nikita behind a lot of make up. Nikita sent out for the photos from the mission of both her and Michael. Nikita easily decided that Oscar would be easier to manipulate into details and situations that were better for Section if Michael was there.

Walter walked in and out of the room, searching through the inventory, that had been put into shambles after he left. At one point, he held a gun on an operative has he found a gun sitting onto of the fabric explosives.

Birkoff continued to monitor the entire chat room. He charted which memeber was located where and then crossed-referenced that information with the known properties of Oscar Timon. Every once in a while, Birkoff would call for Nikita to type a short but to the point comment.

Michael poured over the past transcripts, hoping that Madeline had created a reason why Ivory Cinders hated Section One. In the files he read, he could not find any at all.

This question was answered by Jonahs, who commented about an hour before the auction, "Boy, if they wouldn't have breached you.. you wouldn't be in here still."

Yet, Nikita felt unsure of that reasoning. She believed it was shallow and not very deep in reasoning. There would have to be more reasons for a small group like Ivory Cinders to shell out the initial asking price.

Nikita thought about the motives as she pulled the make up out to recreate the older face of Nikita Lacenti. Michael rinsed his hair in the black and gray coloring solution and then tossed it about. Nikita took time and care.

She recreated the scar running down just to the right of her chin to exact detail. She made her circles under her eyes more pronounce, although not much was really needed.

Nikita pulled her hair up and then placed the same brown wig down on her head. She quickly styled it as she motioned Birkoff over.

"I need you to push some background into Nikita Lacenti's file." Nikita says as she pulls the brush down and near her face, quickly seeming to add on years.

"What do you need?" Birkoff asks as he pulls a piece of paper out.

"Ok... she had a younger sister, who, along with Nikita Lacenti, had a fascination with men in the mob... she was captured, and placed into Section One... Find a Mission, and find one in which the sister was killed by Madeline." Nikita says quickly as she drops the brush down on the desk.

Nikita quickly looks at her hands and moves her wedding ring to the other hand and places the larger and fake ring on the wedding finger.

"Michael... how should I bid?" Nikita asks, not sure how this portion will do. Nikita knew Operation's orders... there was no limit.

"Wait and enter later." Michael says and moves back to his pile of papers.

Nikita stands up and starts to pull the drapes around the office, to hide it's true appearance. Nikita knew when they won the bid, that a video conference would not be far behind.

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

Nikita sat down at the computer and stretched her fingers infront of her. She slowly rolled her head back and then around. Stretching and soothing muscles that ached to do more movement.

Nikita quickly scanned the computer screen as Birkoff moved his computer out of the room so that there was no chance it would be seen in the video conference. Nikita looked at Michael, who was pulling on a gray suit jacket over his black shirt.

Grouch had already signed on, and Birkoff gave a thumbs up from the window. Nikita knows now that they know where Grouch is communicating from, and knows he could not be far from Madeline.

"I see that the deposits have been made. I appreciate everyone's promptness." Grouch types out and Nikita holds back a smirk. If he even knew that Section just twisted things around, where the Ivory Cinders deposit was actually Oscar Timon's own money, he would never laugh again.

"The ground rules are..." Grouch starts and Nikita can not take it anymore.

"99 million dollars." Nikita types and Michael's eyes open in shock of her move.

The board doesn't react at all. The bid sits on the screen, not moving. No one even comments. Nikita waits and waits and looks out the door to Birkoff. He shrugs his shoulders, telling Nikita that the computer is still on line.

"MOTHERHEN's bid stands.... going once... going twice... TAKEN!" Grouch types. Quickly the others sign off, without saying much else. Nikita looks at Michael and softly smiles.

"I thought we were going to wait..." Michael comments as he leans down over Nikita's shoulder.

"I couldn't. I felt that our low amount for most of these groups were above their high." Nikita says as she carefully licks her lips.

"Then why ask my opinion?" Michael challenges as Nikita follows Grouch's directions to a secure link. Or, at least to a link that Grouch believes is secure.

"I wanted a second opinion... but I went with my gut." Nikita explains and Michael turns in a circle. Nikita knows he is taking the move personally, but she just acting on a strong urge.

The screen soon opens to the videoscreen and Nikita picks up the long cigarette near the keyboard. She lights it and inhales slowly.

"Nikita Lacenti... I never figured you for MOTHERHEN." Oscar Timon laughs as his image sharpens and Nikita lets the smoke slowly drip from her mouth.

"Not much of the motherly type here." Nikita comments with a deep laugh. Michael stares at the computer.

"May I inquire about why you needed Madeline so badly?" Oscar Timon asks as he folds his hands.

"Only if I see evidence that she is in fact alive." Nikita challenges. Oscar Timon moves to the side, and there lays Madeline.

Nikita tries to gather what the devise is. Madeline is strapped against the table and her head seemed to be placed into a halo type of devise that is used with broken necks.

"She killed my sister..." Nikita answers quickly and looks at Michael. The emotions she is showing are real. She is upset at the sight of Madeline, but to Oscar Timon, Nikita Lacenti is upset because Madeline killed her sister.

"I know of that... what a twisted web of a life you live." Oscar Timon says with a laugh and a pause. "Maybe now I know why you were at my party when I captured Madeline."

"So you gather a picture of why I want her." Nikita says smiling.

"Tomorrow night at eleven. O'Clocks Rocking Place." Oscar Timon says and cuts the transmission.

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

Nikita jumps up from the desk as she pulls off the wig. She looks down at her watch and looks at Birkoff.

"The time is now 6:00. Birkoff set the clock at 29 hours until the meeting to gather Madeline." Nikita says as she looks straight at Birkoff. He quickly does so as Nikita starts to pace the room. Michael pushes the smoked cigarette into the waste bucket and sprays air freshener.

"Birkoff... find the operatives that look the most like me and Michael..." Nikita starts to orders as she bounces around the room. Birkoff looks at her as does Michael.

"Why?" Michael asks.

"We can't be tied up with the meet. We have to get in and set Madeline free. We also have to play the decoy." Nikita says as she looks around the room. Her mind is moving quickly.

"Gannon, get me coffee." Nikita orders through the telephone. Nikita clasps her hands together and moves to Birkoff and then back at her computer screen.

"WAIT! Better yet, the operatives that look most like the images that Oscar Timon has of Nikita and Michael Lacenti." Nikita corrects as she pulls the picture she was using to do her make up.

"Michael... I need that file on Oscar read again. Find a way to be a decoy that would even capture his attention." Nikita instructs as Michael looks at her. He moves to the door and helps Birkoff to pull in several more computers.

"Walter... what about weapons?" Nikita asks as she looks to the corner, where Walter is rubbing his eyes.

"You need a mission profile first, sugar." Walter says blinking his eyes a few times before moving away from the walls of the corner. He looks at Nikita, and sees she is only running on caffeine.

"Well.. then I need information on what they have Madeline trapped in. She wasn't even trying to move to look at the screen.... I didn't like that. She may have known our voices... her eyes were open, but she didn't even move her heads towards Oscar." Nikita says quickly as her movements get more jumpy.

"Nikita... when did you last eat?" Walter asks, seeing this movement as part of Nikita's shell falling apart.

"What? Walter, I don't have time for this..." Nikita reacts as she moves to her computer and turns it back on. She looks at the data and then jumps back up.

"Michael.. Birkoff.. I want a list of all the women that Oscar Timon has slept with in the past three years. Look at who they are and why he slept with them.. Maybe if we get some operatives that can also decoy that way..." Nikita says as she pulls off the one picture from the blank blue wall opposite of Birkoff's and Michael's comptures.

Nikita grabs at paper and tags up at far right side, "RETRIEVE MADELINE". She looks at the left side and starts tearing at sheets of paper.

"Michael and Nikita dance in decoy... profile forthcoming..."

"Women scattered around the club offering everything... profile forthcoming..."

"Fake Michael and Nikita Lacenti... operatives not found yet."

Nikita steps back and looks at it. Walter steps towards Nikita and grabs her shoulders.

"Let me make you something to eat, Sugar." Walter says as he starts to walk with Nikita in tow. Nikita breaks free and walks back to Michael and Birkoff.

"One more thing... cross reference all of the operatives that have come in contact with Oscar Timon and his people. NONE OF THEM GO!" Nikita says, and finally Walter pulls Nikita out of the office.

Michael takes a deep breathe and works at the problem at hand. His only hope was that if they could retrieve Madeline, that he could work on the problems with Nikita. Michael was thankful for Walter to get her out of the office for a while, even if it was just few minutes.

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

Nikita walked quickly down the hall as she rubbed her hands together in thought. She would think of something, and turn around. With the sight of Walter still walking behind her, Nikita would continue down the hall.

Walter just followed the young lady that looked like she was going to fall apart to him. To any other operative, they moved away in fright of Nikita. Walter knew she needed food, she needed rest, and she needed to admit the truth.

Nikita walked into the office she had shared with Michael. The side that once had unoffically been hers was bare, as the housekeeping staff moved everything to Madeline's office. Nikita moved into that space and looked at it in horror. She felt surgically removed from the office and she was invading. Yet, Nikita knew she would find what she wanted in there.

Nikita moved quickly to Michael's desk and pulled open the bottom drawer. Nikita pulled out the brown wrapper and licked her lips.

"Let me make you something, Nikita." Walter said as he watched Nikita quickly eat the Milky Way bar. She sat down in Michael's chair.

The action of sitting in Michael's chair bothered Nikita. Reality of her situation with Michael smacked her in the butt. Tears weren't far behind.

"I wonder how long it would have been until they moved another female operative into this office?" Nikita says as she wrings at her hands more. She moves her hand across the surface of Michael's desk.

"I never liked Michael's desk.... it's so beautiful..." Nikita says as she looks down at it. Her legs now trembling as she knows not to look at Walter.

"Nikita... when did you last sleep?" Walter asks softly from the bare and empty spot of the office. Walter wanted to comment on that Michael had left it empty, which was symbolic for Michael.

"I can't remember Walter.... sure not since Madeline... since her... You know..." Nikita stumbles over the words.

"Nikita, you need that sleep. If you don't, you won't be effective tomorrow..." Walter says as he moves to Nikita and rubs her slender shoulder.

"I don't want to sleep... I think too much." Nikita says standing up. She searches the drawer, hoping to find another Milky Way. That little piece of chocolate only stirred her stomache up for some more.

"To much about you and Michael?" Walter asks as he stops Nikita's motions. He was getting a headache from the movement.

"Not here, Walter...." Nikita says as she stops her intial reaction.

"I got some soup and pop tarts in my quarters." Walter says, knowing what Nikita was going to say. He smiles gently and leads Nikita to his quarters. Nikita doesn't think once to move towards Madeline's office.

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

Walter walks back into Madeline's office over an hour later, still rubbing his eyes. He was starting to feel like Nikita did, not remembering the last time he slept.

Michael and Birkoff look up from their perspective computers as Walter moves over to the wall, that had started to become filled with details.

"Where is Ni-kita?" Michael asks as he stands up and without much motion, stretches.

"Asleep." Walter says in a simple response. He is happy to find that the fake Michael and Nikita Lacenti were found and were half way in. Walter turns around to find Michael continuing to watch him.

"Michael, we have to talk." Walter says sternly as he turns back around at the plan. Walter smiles lightly and has to admit that with the complexity of this mission, and how the profile was being pieced together from various people, Nikita had a great idea.

"Why? Can't you see that we are busy?" Michael asks firmly as he questions Walter's strong and broad back.

"Because I don't want to think about you when I sleep." Walter comments, and thinks about what he said. Taken in another light.. well.. Walter shrugs his shoulders lightly.

"You know what I mean." Walter finally huffs out and Birkoff chuckles as he dives his hand in for another Oreo.

"To your quarters?" Michael asks and Walter shakes his head.

"Nikita is there." Walter says. Michael just starts to move out of Madeline's office without questioning why Nikita went to Walter's quarters to sleep instead of their private quarters.

Walter walks down the hall in silence on the outside. Inside, all of the images of Nikita's lastest conversation with him were playing over and over again.

Nikita had sat down on his couch, and looked at the ceiling.

"I'm so glad Madeline is alive." Nikita says as the tears begin again. Walter was surprized that Nikita had maintain control over them as she walked from the office to the quarters.

"I thought you were upset at her for withholding this information about your health?" Walter questions as he turns on the pot of soup.

"I hate her for that Walter... but I don't want her job... and I can't look at Anna anymore..." Nikita admits as she throughs her head back into the pillow.

"Nikita... you're letting this get out of hand. You need to face this." Walter says as he moves to the couch.

"I WANT A CHILD! NOT MADELINE'S! I WANT MY OWN CHILD.. MINE AND MICHAEL'S CHILD!" Nikita screams and Walter can only hold Nikita as her shoulders move with the tears the continue to fall.

Michael moves into the quarters and shuts the doors.

"What is this all about, Walter?" Michael demands and Walter pauses.

"NOW!" Michael yells.

***********

"NOW!" Michael yells again, as Walter's nerves start to shake. Before Michael started to demand Walter's words, Walter believe he was doing all of this for the better of Nikita. Now, being under the gun, more specifically, Michael's gun, Walter felt like he was betraying Nikita.

"It's ah.. about Nikita." Walter finally stumbles out, as he stalls for time, trying to figure out a way to get Michael to get Nikita to admit the truth.

"I figured that when you said, Michael, we need to talk. WHAT IS IT?" Michael says with short words that Walter hears as he takes a deep breath.

"She has been underneath a ton of stress... among other things.. and maybe...she just needs to see your love for her." Walter says and then whinces with the statement. Walter turns his head, and is surprized when Michael doesn't physically attack him.

Instead, Michael slides into a chair and looks at Walter. He folds his hands on his lap and looks around. Then slowly, he moves one of his hands to push the hair out of his face.

"I don't know how to show her anymore how much I love her. I've done everything..." Michael says and Walter shrugs his shoulders.

"Michael, I can't find the words to say what she needs..." Walter says shaking his head.

"Then tell me what is the problem." Michael firmly says as he first raises his hands towards Walter in a pleading manner, and then pushes them through his hair in aggravation.

"I can't. I promised her.. and it's not endangering her health." Walter says as he turns in his own aggravation.

"I admire that." Michael says blinking his eyes. He leans back in the chair and allows a large sigh to fall out of his body.

"Nikita needs you to be close... by she doesn't want that... she is pushing you away on purpose.. because she doesn't want to face this..." Walter starts to explain as he pulls a chair so he can face Michael.

"You're starting to sound like Madeline." Michael retorts with a soft smile. Walter smiles back with a small chuckle.

"Sometimes that is good..." Walter comments with a shrug of his shoulders.

"So, to make Nikita face this... I have to stay on top of it...don't allow Nikita to push me away." Michael says and Walter nods his head.

"Then, tell her directly how much you love her. Look directly at her and tell her what you feel about the situation she directly placed you into. Tell Nikita exactly what you feel and ask her directly why." Walter says firmly and Michael starts to chuckle.

"I will directly do that." Michael comments and Walter is glad to see that Nikita's humor had rubbed off onto Michael.

Walter stands up and places the chair back. He yawns and stretches his arms. Michael stands up and looks around the room.

"How long are you going to allow Nikita to sleep?" Michael asks Walter.

"I'll let you wake her up." Walter says and he stride out of the room quickly. He decides to take his own nap and then go check out what type of weapons would be needed.

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

" 'Kita... Ni-kita..." Michael says softly as he leans down and strokes Nikita's blonde hair softly. Nikita had almost slept eight hours, and with twenty hours before the meeting for Madeline was going to happen, Michael needed to gather Nikita.

"Mmh.. mmhnnnnhhmmm..." Nikita moans as she rolls off of her stomache slightly. She opens one eye and then closes it quickly back.

"Ghoo..ahwahy..." Nikita moans and Michael continues to soft petting of Nikita's hair, gently bringing her out of slumber.

" Ni-ki-ta... we must get back to work... we have to get Madeline..." Michael says softly into her ear. Nikita rolls fully onto her back and both eyes snap open at Michael.

"It wasn't all a nightmare?" Nikita says with a slight smile. Michael chuckles at the joke and leans down and kisses her lips softly.

"Nope.. you are still the second in command." Michael comments and Nikita pulls her body up to the sitting position. She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs.

"Less than twenty hours." Nikita comments as she glances at the watch and then back at Michael.

"I wish we had more time to talk right now..." Michael stays, but notes quickly that Nikita is pulling her body off of the couch.

"You are right... we don't." Nikita says and Michael swears under his breath. Nikita was moving herself away, and winning at it. It was needed so that the plans for Madeline's retrieval could be finalized.

"Did you find more information about how they are holding Madeline?" Nikita asks as she starts out of the door. She didn't even pause to think where she was. Immediately, Nikita sets a face pace towards Madeline's office.

"There is no offical name to it, but we have seen items like this one used before." Michael starts as Nikita glances at the wall as it fills in with information quickly.

"What is the neck brace about?" Nikita questions and Michael pulls out an enlargement of the brace around Madeline's head.

"What has been done in the past, is that you put the prisoner in it, and the pin lays against the spine and spinal cord. If the prisoner turns one way, they die, the other way they become paralyzed." Michael says and Nikita closes her eyes.

"Yet, I showed this to the Medlab doc.. Elana in fact, and it looks like they didn't line it up well enough. They can paralyzed Madeline... but not kill her." Michael says as Nikita holds up the enlargement.

"So we will need at least six operatives to get Madeline out." Nikita says and Michael smiles lightly.

"Make it eight.. we don't know if any will get shot." Nikita quickly changes her plans. She moves over to the computer and looks at the pictures of the operatives who had just arrived to become Michael and Nikita Lacenti. Nikita nods her head and moves to another computer.

On this one was the tentative profile that Michael and Nikita were going to portray.

"Michael... this profile, is it done?" Nikita questions softly. Michael walks over and looks at it.

"I guess it isn't." Michael comments as he slides down into the chair.

"First, Oscar has dealt with weak women... so I have to be very strong... and flashy..." Nikita comments as Michael starts to type away at the profile.

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

Lyrics from SLEEP TO DREAM by Fiona Apple

Nikita brushes her long blonde hair out, which had even been extended to longer lengths with some weave. Nikita is careful not to damage the fake hair as she slowly moves her head with the beat of the song.

"So.. we will use the dance decoy again..." Michael said almost twelve hours before as he pushed away from the computer.

Nikita nodded her head, and unlocked her collection of music and headed towards the workout areas.

I TELL YOU HOW I FEEL, BUT YOU DON'T CARE... I SAY TELL ME THE TRUTH, BUT YOU DON'T DARE...

Nikita and Michael worked for hours and hours, perfecting every move. They stopped to eat the sandwiches that Walter brought in. During that time, not a word was muttered between the two, but they stayed in the same room.

Michael now stands across the room, pulling his hair back tightly. His body goes through the movements of the hard and raunchy song that Nikita had selected. It was selected to Nikita's satisfaction to give her profile more to play with. Nikita was taking control, just like the profile called for.

YOU SAY LOVE IS HELL YOU CANNOT BEAR... AND I SAY GIMME MINE BACK AND THEN GO THERE- FOR ALL I CARE...

Nikita whips her hair wickedly backwards and gives a quick kiss towards the mirror as she throws her hands up with one of the moves from the dance.

"Michael... the girl operatives will be nicely setting me up for Oscar Timon. Have you got the car set up?" Nikita asked as they walked out of the workout room.

"Blue. Just like you ordered." Michael says with hesitation.

"Good." Nikita responded, glad to see Michael getting into character before they started to prep for the mission.

I GOT MY FEET ON THE GROUND AND I DON'T GO TO SLEEP TO DREAM... YOU GOT YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS AND YOU'RE NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU SEEM...

Michael swings his hips sharply now that he has placed on his briefs and starts to slide the tight black leather pants up his legs. The leather glides up, clinging to his skin.

Nikita pulls up a tiny black skirt that doesn't hide anything at all. The zipper was no more than two inches long. Anything longer, would be longer than the skirt.

Nikita's hands fly out with the music in a slapping motion, as Michael flings his head from side to side, as if reacting to the slaps.

THIS MIND, THIS BODY, AND THIS VOICE CANNOT BE STIFLED BY YOUR DEVIANT WAYS... SO DON'T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU, DON'T COME AROUND, I GOT MY OWN HELL TO RAISE...

Nikita pulls down the small tube top and Michael watches the red contrast with her creamy skin, that Michael ached to lick again.. to be with again.

Michael pulled down his own blue silk shirt and Nikita's eyes only briefly move to the sight of the shirt sliding down his muscular chest.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED IN ALL MY LIFE... I COULD SWALLOW THE SEAS TO WASH DOWN ALL THIS PRIDE...

Michael moves his swinging body to Nikita's and goes into the dance. Nikita turns around and stares at him in anger.

Nikita takes over, just as the profile calls for. Then Nikita walks away.

FIRST YOU RUN LIKE A FOOL JUST TO BE AT MY SIDE... AND NOW YOU RUN LIKE A FOOL, BUT YOU JUST RUN TO HIDE, AND I CAN'T ABIDE...

Michael follows behind, knowing that he needs to be with Nikita for her to finally admit the truth. They both burst out on the main hallway, and most of the operatives stop and look at the sights. Most cannot even keep their own mouths closed and stop the drool.

Nikita moves to Walter's area and picks up a gun and points it to Michael.

I GOT MY FEET ON THE GROUND AND I DON'T GO TO SLEEP TO DREAM... YOU GOT YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS AND YOU'RE NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU SEEM...

Nikita then flips it around and hands it to Michael. She grabs his shoulders and pulls his face down towards her.

"That will be the only thing I feel through those leather pants... Tonight is mission, and mission only." Nikita says in a deep and dark voice that makes Michael's insides tremble.

THIS MIND, THIS BODY, AND THIS VOICE CANNOT BE STIFLED BY YOUR DEVIANT WAYS... SO DON'T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU, DON'T COME AROUND, I GOT MY OWN HELL TO RAISE...

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

Billie and Quinn take their position in the club, and order drinks. They talk softly together, and turn away many of the men who offer drinks. Billie flirts a little with an older man, but then declines his offer.

Oscar Timon was instantly drawn to the two women. They were confident as they swayed their body at the bar. They were also seemed to be of a higher class. Oscar Timon knew after his business at hand this night, he would need a woman or two to celebrate with.

"Hello ladies..." Oscar Timon says as he softly takes Quinn's hand and kisses it. Quinn smiles back and Billie offers her own hand. Oscar Timon kisses this one also.

"I own this establishment... You may call me Oscar." Oscar says slowly as he looks at the two ladies' eyes.

"We know you... our 'boss' is interested in meeting you." Billie says with a broad wink. Oscar feels a little put down when he realizes who these women are. He has no problems with the ladies, but this now just depressed him.

"And when will I meet him?" Oscar asks, being drawn by the ladies' presence and appearance.

Billie looks at Quinn and they start to laugh, and Oscar doesn't understand the personal joke. He stands still, trying not to look flustered.

"Nikki will love that one!" Billie finally says as she winks to Oscar. Oscar nods his head and smiles back at them.

"And when will I meet her?" Oscar asks, feeling like he is pawn in a huge game. Quinn opens a compact slowly and powders her nose.

"Oh... you'll know when Nikki arrives.. she will command this place." Quinn says, and again the two operatives laugh strongly.

"Nikki will squeal in... walk down and get the DJ to play any song she wants him too... Men have no power over her." Billie says as she licks her lips. Oscar moves closer, inbetween the two ladies.

"Oh, is that so? I think I could make and impression." Oscar says in a deeper voice, and then again, Billie and Quinn laugh.

"Not with Fritz.. Nikki built that man from scratch..." Quinn says as Billie purrs like a kitten in response to the name Fritz.

"And she commands him!" Billie says loudly and laughing. Oscar looks at the two ladies, surprized with their openness. If this Nikki existed, it would be one of his biggest fantasies come true.

"How will I know when she arrives?" Oscar finally asks as he rubs his hands up the girls thighs.

"She wears almost nothing... she drives the tiny blue sportscar..." Quinn starts to elaborate and Billie stops her.

"Did I tell you that she can speed anytime.. and never get a ticket. She just puckers her lips together to the cop, and I guess they have to many things 'up' at a time to write the ticket.. if you catch my drift." Billie interrupts and Oscar makes a low whistle. He had to meet this Nikki. He was no longer thinking of Madeline or the Nikita and Michael Lacenti meeting.

"Anything more?" Oscar asks as he nods to the bartender to refill the drinks as he starts to rub against the girls' warm bodies.

"Don't worry... all heads will turn..." Quinn says with a long wink as her hand travels south. Oscar, still interested in Nikki, finds it hard to think about much more than Quinn and Billie.

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

Nikita dangles the keys from her long hands as she slowly walks to it from the Parking Lot, not far from Section. Nikita smiles as she opens the door and slides in.

"Hold on!" Nikita grins as she turns the car on, turns the radio up, and pulls out quickly. Michael sits in the passenger seat, unfamiliar with the feel of it. He can't remember the last time he was in a car he wasn't driving. Michael didn't like it one bit, along with the music.

Since the club was still a distance away, the roads soon stretched out of the city. Michael moved his hand to turn down the music and Nikita continued to fly around the winding road.

"Nikita... we have some time before we get there.." Michael says slowly as he turns off the music.

"Muh?" Nikita questions as she moves her body with the move of each turn. Michael at one time would be drawn to this movement, but there was more at stake.

"Nikita... can I tell you something?" Michael asks slowly as he unconsciously grabs the door handle as Nikita takes a dangerous turn quickly. Nikita after that point slows some.

"Only for a little bit... we have the mission of our lifes at hand." Nikita says as she briefly glances down at Michael's hand. Michael notices the hand and pulls it off the handle.

"Nikita... when you are like this.. I sometimes get a feeling that you don't believe you deserve me." Michael says quickly as he studies Nikita's side of her face.

Luckily, they had just started a stretch of straight road as Nikita's head quickly jerks to the side.

"What are you talking about, Michael? I love you... and I know I deserve you!" Nikita reacts with a sharp voice caused by the sudden comment.

"Then why do you pull away?" Michael asks softly as he looks at the speedometer and notices Nikita increasing the speed.

"Michael... You hate clinging... and I can't cling all the time!" Nikita says with a laugh. As soon as Michael turns his head out towards the scenery outside, Nikita takes the speed down to a more travelable speed.

Michael can hear Walter's voice urging him on. Michael had to admit that so far Walter has been right. Michael made it so that Nikita could be in the same place as he was... He did as told, just to be with Nikita.

"Nikita... to admit it.. I think you feel you don't deserve to have a child." Michael states as he looks back at Nikita.

Nikita slams on the breaks, and the squeal is heard as Nikita's hair flies forward in a freefalling mess.

"WHAT?" Nikita asks in total shock. Yet, she can't deny the wetness gathering at her eyes.

"I think you don't want to have a child... because you feel you don't deserve to have a personal unconditionally love you." Michael says firmly as he studies Nikita's eyes.

She reaches around the sunglasses and pushes back the tears. Nikita tried to maintain composure, yet Michael was wrong.

"That's not it, Michael." Nikita finally says after she feels that she has conscious control over the heavy tears.

"Then what is it?" Michael asks as Nikita starts the car moving again. Nikita looks straight ahead, but then reverts her eyes to Michael.

"Michael.. I swear to you that I will tell you everything once this mission is over and we have Madeline..." Nikita says as she looks at Michael again, and then back at the road.

"Why does Madeline play a big role in this, Nikita?" Michael asks and Nikita looks straight ahead.

"Because she is." Nikita responds softly.

"We have a mission." Nikita finally says firmly, moving out of her emotional state into the mission mode. Nikita stared at the street ahead, wondering if Michael would ever be in the same car as her once she told him the truth.

Michael pulls at the tape in his pocket and sighs softly. He had pulled the wrong tape. All the work of perfection, because Nikita wanted to continue, and Michael just wanted time with her, was gone.

"Ah... you might not be telling me..." Michael comments slowly and Nikita pulls off to the side instead of slamming on the breaks.

"Now, what?" Nikita says firmly, getting upset, and needless to say, itchy from the material.

"Wrong tape." Michael says holding up the tape, and Nikita quickly pulls back onto the road.

"We'll wing it." Nikita comments, knowing that they could have done that at one time... but now, a lot could go wrong.

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

Oscar's head picks up immediately as he hears tires squeal in the parking lot. He kisses Billie and then Quinn before making his quick exit to the stairs that lead up to the enterance. He quickly access the outside video cameras.

Nikita slides out of the drivers seat as Michael opens his door. Nikita only touches her hair as she slams the door. Her arms hang lanky as she strides around the blue sports car, coming in full view to the cameras.

"Oh my...." Oscar mutters as he looks at the vision outside. He never saw a woman so bold to wear an outfit such as that one outside their own house. Oscar also never saw a body that deserved in such an outfit, till now.

The bouncer walks up to Nikita as Michael meets her at the corner and wraps his arm into hers. Nikita tosses her hair around in Michael's face, and Michael doesn't move.

"Sorry, but we have a dress code." The bouncer says as he gives himself a detailed look of the lady infront of him.

"But it is designer clothing... I can show you the tag... Fritz.. help me darling.. I think it's on the back..." Nikita says as she turns and offers a sight of her behind as Michael runs his fingers down her bare back.

"Let them in." Oscar calls up from below. The bouncer offers a hand towards the stair. Nikita starts to move that way along with Michael.

"But your car..." The bouncers starts to say. Nikita turns and throws the keys at him.

"You are such a dear to park it for me." Nikita says with a wink as they start down the stairs.

Oscar is immediately aware of what Billie and Quinn meant by Nikki turned all of the heads. The stairs only accented her long legs as she slowly stepped down them. Yet, the man, Fritz, gathered the woman's attention. Oscar knew this pair was more than plain hot.

"Welcome..." Oscar says, as he watches Nikki walk the last few stairs.

"Thanks... " Nikita says with a wink and kiss and continues pass him. Oscar can't even mutter a word. The woman had such a presence that he was lost.

Nikita led Michael over to the DJ. Michael produced the tape after Nikita snapped for it. Nikita slides on a stool not too far from the DJ table.

"I was hoping you would play that." Nikita says with a broad smile.

"And why would I do that?" The DJ challenges with a devilish grin. Michael doesn't react and Nikita blows a kiss to him.

"Because you want to watch me dance." Nikita responds firmly and with truthfulness. Nikita licks her lips gently.

"And you want to watch Fritz rub his hands up and down my bare back... you want to see me be the entertainer... You know you do..." Nikita says with smoking eyes. The DJ grabs the tape and waves the couple away.

"Give me three songs..." THe DJ calls out.

Oscar, noting that again, Billie and Quinn where correct about Nikki's movements, moves towards the couple again.

"I am Oscar Timon.. I own that establishment." Oscar says in an elaborate voice.

"That's nice... I'm Nikki.. this is Fritz." Nikita responds with a dull voice. Oscar is taken back by the response and hopes that Nikki doesn't take his club as boring.

"If there is anything I can do for you two... holler..." Oscar stumbles over the words as he can't get past Nikki's words. He never had a woman brush past him like Nikki had.

Oscar looks towards the bar and Billie and Quinn wave and wink at him. He heads back there, interested in some fun.

***********

Lyrics from HEAVEN'S WHAT I FEEL by Gloria Estefan (yes, I have used this song before)

Just as the third song, Michael leads Nikita towards the dance floor, which immediately clears off. The room mostly starts to separate according to sexes, and Nikita stares into Michael's eyes.

The music starts and Nikita smiles at Michael and he nods. Nikita had no chance to listen or view the tape, and forgot that she had been carrying this tape.

"Have I heard this before?" Nikita asks as Michael wraps his arms around her warm body.

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

Michael only nods his head, and glad that he had switched the tapes. It was a good move on his part. It touched Nikita's emotions and Michael knew this.

"Doesn't matter... as long as we give Oscar a good show..." Nikita says as she runs her hands down the leather waist band.

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

Michael moves Nikita quickly, as the music picks up. He allows his finger tips tickling the skin as they run the width.

Nikita leans her head back, and lifts her chest up closer to Michael. Then, she pulls Michael in closer.

"Do you know why I made you wear leather?" Nikita asks in a deep voice, and the air tickles the skin of Michael's earlobe that was calling out for her attention. Nikita leans in and kisses the lobe, and gently sucks the spot into her hot mouth.

AND LOVE SOMETIMES... IS LIKE THE BLOWING WIND... IT CAN TAKE US TO WHEREVER... SENDING US ON SILENT WINGS...

"Why?" Michael asks as he tries to count to ten in his head. He remembers the lecture that Nikita had given him... but with Nikita tactics now, it was becoming difficult.

"Because I love the way leather pants stick and cling to the insides of my thighs..." Nikita says breathlessly as she straddles on of Michael's legs a bit more.

Nikita laughs as Michael's face, and quickly pulls her body away.

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

Michael pulls Nikita back into his arms and smiles.

"This song, Nikita..." Michael starts to say as he slides his hand up on Nikita. Nikita starts to lean back and the speaking distance is too far. Michael licks his lips and waits.

AND NOW I'M LOST IN MY EMOTIONS... YOU'RE BECOMING MY DEVOTION...

Finally, Nikita, once Michael has run his hands on the front of the tiny tube top, allows for her body to be pressed tightly against Michael's. Michael runs a hand up and caresses her hair off of her forehead.

"Is this the way you feel sometimes?" Michael whispers into Nikita's ear, and pays some attention to Nikita's earlobe. Michael knew her eyes had open in surprize of the question.

THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO... TO STOP THIS LOVE FOR YOU...

Michael separates from Nikita's ear and runs his hands back to her waist as he waits. Nikita stares ahead at Michael, the question still floating in her mind.

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...

Michael continues the dance, taking Nikita's lead. He waits for the answer, but Nikita seems to be adverting her eyes from his.

Nikita smiles back at Michael as she makes contact with his eyes. Nikita knows he wants the truth, but she stumbled herself on that subject. She looks to the side, where Oscar Timon stands rubbing his hands together.

SO LET ME SAY FOR REAL... HEAVEN'S WHAT I FEEL WHEN I'M WITH YOU... THIS FEELING IS FOREVER... YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE HEAVEN...

"Yes... sometimes I feel that I stealed you... that we weren't suppose to love... we weren't supposed to be loved by anyone..." Nikita says as she pulls her body close to Michael.

Michael rubs his lips across Nikita's cheeks and feels the minute trembles of the muscles straining to keep tears back.

"But this is right... and I know you love me... and I never doubt that." Nikita finishes softly.

MY LOVE IS TRUE WHEN I'M WITH YOU... HOW COULD I... HAVE KNOWN THAT IN YOUR EYES... I WOULD FIND THE DEEPEST ANSWERS....

Michael takes Nikita's lower lip in his as the hands fall further down on Nikita, along the bottom edge of the pitiful piece of material that Nikita had called a skirt.

Nikita rubs her legs harder and harder against Michael's leather pants, happy to feel Michael's strong arms holding her tightly. Happy that Michael didn't take her comments wrong. It gave her more strength.

TO THE QUESTION OF MY HEART... AND HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN... THAT BY YOUR SIDE... WAS THE LIGHT TO FILL THE DARKNESS.. IN THE SHADOWS OF MY LIFE...

"We have the mission, Michael..." Nikita says as she grasps Michael's hand, that was still holding the hem and turns it around.

Nikita nods Michael to start off the dance floor. Nikita walks over to Oscar Timon.

"Do you have a room?" Nikita asks with a wink and Oscar almost melts into the floor.

"For you, Ms. Nikki... I do." Oscar says, snapping for the bartender to show them the way.

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

Madeline's eyes were closed as the music started to pound out again. It became easier for her to know it was night and when it was day. Yet, it didn't matter to Madeline, because for Madeline to go to sleep, could mean paralyzation or death.

Her eyes may have been closed... but she was never asleep.

Yet, the songs changed. Once a heavy techno song, then the music changed. Madeline's eyes opened as her mind started to click. It was a song that Oscar Timon would not play, and Madeline struggled to identify who it was.

"Gloria Estefan..." Madeline finally said with a smile spreading across her mouth. Madeline tested her hands again, and noted that no one was in the room.

Madeline knew that Oscar Timon had told her that she was bought, and now Madeline knew who bought her. Time was at the essence, and Madeline started to contract her hand together and pull it out of the bounds.

*

The bartender opened the door and lead Michael and Nikita into the room. He smiled at Nikita and shut the door.

Michael immediately took a stool, and placed the devise of Birkoff's on the camera that Oscar Timon was so sure was hidden too well for anyone to see.

Michael pulled out the gun that Nikita had handed to him and handed it to Nikita.

"Michael.. that's yours.." Nikita says pushing it away. Michael pulled is leg up and pulled out another gun, and smiles at Nikita.

"I would do anything for you... see." Michael says as he hands the gun back to Nikita.

Michael moved to the door, as Nikita pulled the heels off of her shoes and moved to the other side.

Slowly, they worked their way down the dark halls of the club. A beep suddenly is heard from Michael's pants and he looks down.

"It's just a button for that liquid tracker on Madeline... it still is working.." Nikita says to Michael in a small whisper as she points to a staircase.

"Nikita... at the bottom of the stair... should be a door... Use the EDK to get through.." Birkoff says and Nikita hustles down the stairs.

"Birkoff.. if Madeline is there... then explode the parking lot... as soon as we say we have her.. understand?" Michael commands as Nikita slides against the door, and slides the devise into the keypad.

"Understand and standing by." Birkoff responses and Nikita pushes the three digit number into the keypad.

The steel door opens and Nikita moves in quickly, looking for any of Oscar's people.

"Finally!" Madeline's voice booms as she waves her two free hands at them.

"We have her." Nikita commands.

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

The explosion rocked the parking lot, and Oscar Timon sprinted towards the enterance. Billie and Quinn start towards the hallway that the bartender had directed Michael and Nikita, along with four other, male operatives.

Billie pulls a gun out of her shirt and knocks the bartender over the head with the butt of the gun. Quinn opens the door and heads down the hallway, frantically following Birkoff's directions.

Nikita is cutting the neck brace away from the table as Quinn and Billie establish positions at the doorway. The other operatives rush in and get to the work.

"Just take this off.. and I'll run out." Madeline orders and Michael laughs.

"It could kill you, Madeline..." Nikita responds as another additional brace is placed on to secure that the pins do not move while the operatives fight their way through.

"I want out of this now!" Madeline screams, although still weak in her condition.

"Madeline.. maybe you don't understand things.. As of now.. you have no power over me." Nikita says as she nods to Billie and Quinn.

The operatives surround the table and pick it up. Michael nods to three, and the operatives kick away the legs of the table, making a makeshift backboard.

Gun shots are heard upstairs, and Nikita knows that Oscar Timon's men are trying to get down to them.

"What do you mean?" Madeline asks as Nikita takes a spot by Madeline's feet.

"It means to Section you are dead and Nikita has your job." Michael hisses at Madeline, who has taken the position near Madeline's head.

Nikita starts out the door first, going in a different and more direct way to the way out.

"Nikita... there is a intersection... go to the right.. the door should be right there." Birkoff orders. Nikita hurries the group around.

"YOU!" Oscar growls from the left hand side, and Nikita pulls away from Madeline's backboard, trying to pull the gun at the same time.

Oscar fires, and hits Nikita in the upper right leg. As Nikita falls away from the board, she unloads three shots, dead into the chest.

Nikita drops the gun and holds the wound tightly. Suddenly, Nikita realizes that she was shot there before.. .but is it the same side.. or is it the other side? Panic starts to raise in Nikita.

"Nikita is down." Michael reports as he allows Billie to take his spot on the board. Michael moves to Timon, and knows that he is dead.

"Timon is dead." Michael reports. He looks at Nikita and is about to pick her up.

"Get Madeline out!" Operations orders and Nikita nods her head.

"I can't leave you." Michael says and Nikita stares at him.

"I order you to leave with Madeline... they'll send someone in for me." Nikita says with a pause.

"Plus... I don't think I will be far behind.." Nikita says with a smile. Michael nods and takes the position at Madeline's feet leading the way.

Nikita watches the crowd of operatives disappear before the pain washes over her.

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

Michael opens the door to the outside and finds the three Section vans waiting to go. Michael throws open the van and moves away.

Madeline grabs Michael's hand and won't allow herself to be pushed entirely into the van. Michael looks down at her.

"Where was Nikita shot?" Madeline asks as she struggles to keep her eyes open.

"In her leg.. she was following behind..." Michael says, looking away from Madeline's gaze.

"Where in her leg?" Madeline demands loudly.

"In the upper part." Michael says shrugging his shoulders.

"Michael... fine don't tell me... but I know you had human anatomy." Madeline says firmly as she drops Michael's hand.

Michael watches the door close, and don't see Nikita make her way out. Michael leans against the van and remembers where Nikita was holding.

Michael couldn't say it was her leg. It was a bit higher, but still her leg.. maybe hip. Michael turns his head a bit, thinking that didn't Nikita get shot there before.

Michael's mind starts to put things together and his eyes bug open. Michael grabs at Billie's extra gun and starts back into the building.

*

"Birkoff... talk to me..." Nikita moans as she raises her hand and sees the bright blood. It was quicker than before. She pushes it tightly back down.

"Nikita... we are on Channel B.. not D." Birkoff says angerily and Nikita half smiles as she struggles to maintain her vision.

"Birkoff... I'm bleeding awfully fast..." Nikita says softly as she again, tries to pull her body up.

Birkoff, looks around his work station, and notices that Operations is too busy with the medlab operatives in Madeline's van to pay attention to him.

"Nikita... just talk to me... you'll be fine..." Birkoff says softly. He opens like B again and types quickly.

"I need operatives to get to quadrant Z now." Birkoff orders.

"Michael went that way." Billie responds and Birkoff nods his head, and waits as three other operatives respond that they are heading in the same direction.

"Birkoff... I can't keep my eyes open..." Nikita moans as she tries to roll on her side.

"Birkoff... Bi.." Nikita says and then stops. Birkoff stands up and looks at Operations.

"NIKITA! RESPOND! NIKITA RESPOND!" Birkoff starts to say loudly as Operations finally sees Birkoff.

"NIKITA! RESPOND! NIKITA, I AM NOT READING YOU!" Birkoff says in almost scream. Operations hurries to walk to Birkoff.

"What is going on?" Operations asks firmly as he notes the line that Birkoff is using.

"Remember, Nikita was shot. She reported in that it was bleeding faster than before... and was talking to me till now. I have no communication." Birkoff reports in quick and rushed words as Walter walks into the area.

"NIKITA! NIKITA RESPOND! NOW!" Operations says into all of the lines. Walter pushes his body against the wall and waits.

*

Michael runs down the hall, and finds it hard to remember that it was this long. A person jumps out, but Michael shots the man before the man's feel even touches the floor.

Michael turns a little, and finds Nikita on the floor. Her hand has dropped off the wound, caused by gravity. Michael shovels the hand back on the wound, and picks Nikita up.

"I know the truth, Nikita... no worries... no worries..." Michael mutters as he pulls at her comm unit.

"I have her." Michael announces and turns around. Michael hurries as he had not before. He almost trembles as he holds Nikita's lifeless body in his arms. Her eyes don't even flutter.

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

Madeline's van had already left when Michael started up into another van with Nikita in his arms.

Michael is marveled at the sight, as the operative quickly pull the bench around and create the bed as he sets Nikita down.

"Get all the fluids you can in her..." Michael says as he continues to hold onto the wound. Elana pops out of the front and Michael looks at her in surprize.

"Second in command does not leave on missions without medlab and blood far behind." Elana says as she moves Michael out of the way and pushes another operatives to hold the wound.

Elana moves into a cabinet and pulls out the blood. Soon, the lines are flowing and Michael waits in the corner.

"She is coming in and out... she won't remember anything..." Elana says once she has Nikita as stable as she could for being in the van. Michael stands up and walks over to Nikita.

"Which leg?" Nikita asks as she views is green eyes.

"The right one... some place again.." Michael says and Nikita mutters a thank god before turning her head.

"I know Nikita." Michael says as he touches her cheek.

"What?" Nikita asks as she struggles to keep her eyes open.

"You aren't on birth control." Michael says as he looks down at the pads of blood soaked bandages.

"I'm sorry, Michael..." Nikita mutters as she turns her head.

"You can't.. have children... the first shot... took care of that..." Michael struggles to say, but realizes that he needed to say it, as Nikita has slipped back into her slumber. Michael moves away, lost in his own pain.

The trip was a long one for Michael. Blood was running through Nikita quickly and Elana screamed for transport to be done quicker. Michael at the end started to pace because of Elana's frantic calls back and forth.

Michael didn't even try to keep up with them on the way to Medlab. All Michael could do is wait and wait. He walked out of the van, and notes that the blood was on the silk shirt and leather pants. He doesn't notices Walter, until he lifts his head.

"You knew..." Michael states almost in anger.

"Nikita told me after her physical... she didn't know until then." Walter says and Michael shakes his head and walks away. He didn't care if they pushed him out of Medlab.. he was going in.

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

The hours were slow.

Michael watched the clock.

Needless to say, the men operatives stopped his progress into Medlab.

Michael wasn't allow into Medlab until they started the surgery to remove the bullet and repair the damage. Michael was then moved into a waiting room of sorts. It was the same one he had waited in many times before, and if Nikita did ok, one that he would wait in again.

Walter, though, was allowed in. He watched Elana take control of Nikita. She pushed people out of the way and did things on her own. Walter watched her move quickly, to get Nikita into surgery as quickly as possible.

Operations was there from the moment that Nikita was brought in. He stayed in Madeline's room, but watched over the process of Nikita. He was the one who allowed Michael to enter and wait.

"I want to speak with Michael." Madeline said as Operations held her hand. Operations didn't like that.

"Why? You are to stay still." Operations says concerned. He didn't have to tell Madeline that there had been some damage. In fact, Madeline told them right off the bad she had no feeling in her legs.

"I need to explain to him." Madeline says and Operations stands up shaking his hands.

"Why? Nikita was the one who lied to him!" Operations argues and Madeline raises her eyebrows. Operations knows that it does him no good to argue with Madeline.

Michael entered not long after. He sat down next to Madeline and she immediately reached from his hand.

"I want to explain." Madeline says slowly.

"No need. I know the truth now." Michael says without moving. Madeline tightens her grip on his hand, trying to feel the tiny and minor differences in the muscles and pulse.

"It was my fault Michael." Madeline says as she closes her eyes. She knows that Nikita had maintained her desk, and probably read her confessions in the manner.

"I tried to force her to tell you... she didn't want to hurt you..." Madeline starts out.

"Madeline... I know this now.... once you said you had human anatomy.. I figured it out. I didn't think Nikita did that on purpose." Michael says in a firm voice.

"We made the mistake... be mad and upset at us, Michael... This will continue to be difficult for Nikita especially as she refuses to use treatments and procedures that could change this." Madeline says as she opens her eyes. She drops Michael's hand, not being able to use it to help her.

"I am not upset at Nikita... I want to grieve with her......" Michael starts and then stops.

"Treatments? Procedures? You mean this isn't permanent?" Michael asks and Madeline rolls her eyes.

"You better stay with me for a while..." Madeline says as she forces herself to remember everything.

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

Nikita opens her eyes and rolls her head on the white pillow towards the empty chair next to her bed. Nikita blinks her eyes as she tries to sort dream from reality.

"He doesn't know..." Nikita mutters as she sorts the images of Michael saying he knew as dream. That was the only way that could happen, Nikita rationalized as she started to take stock of her location.

Nikita gazed out the door, to notice that she is in the room closest to the exit to Medlab. Nikita then looks at her body.

There were bruises from the IV's, and one little tube was still taped in her, but with no liquids going inside her. Nikita pulls her body up and notes the severe pain from her right hip area.

"Damn it.. you'd think I'd be use to it by now.." Nikita mutters as she pulls the sheet off of her legs. The Medlab clothing was comfortable, and thankfully covered her. Nikita moved her bare feet down onto the floor.

Nikita didn't seek help. Nikita seeked a warm shower, away from Medlab. Nikita could already feel the walls of Medlab closing in around her and try to squeeze her. Nikita whinced as she took the first step forward. Nikita pulled herself against the wall and started around the room towards the door.

Nikita glanced around the Medlab and took note of the lack of staff. Nikita didn't believe that there had been that many injuried operatives, so that could be way there weren't Medlab operatives floating up and down the hallways. The door across the hall were securely closed and Nikita was sure Madeline was in that one.

Nikita glances at her watch, and notes the late hour. She knew from the hour that exit from Medlab would be easily achieved, but also exit from any operatives view could easily be achieved. Nikita was sure that Birkoff would be off duty by now, or at least he should be. Nikita did wonder where Michael was, but only cared about a shower.

Nikita stepped into the wall way, and dragged her right leg slowly behind her as she walks through the doors. Once out of Medlab, Nikita looks at the long hallway. Her heart pulled her towards the office that she use to share with Michael.. and soon would share with Michael again. Yet, her mind knew that it was too far for Nikita to make, but also, walks right pass the communication computers.

Nikita makes the left and heads to the office that she had painted. Nikita closes her eyes as she can just hear Madeline's response to the office. Madeline would probably make Nikita repaint it white using a toothbrush.

Nikita moves as quickly as she could. She leans against the wall and punches the code quickly. Nikita moves in the dark to the cubboard. She pushes the clothes to the side, and opens the enterance to the elegant and huge bathroom.

The white and ivory bathroom sparkled with the light as Nikita entered. She shut the door and leaned against it as pain washed through her body. Now, every muscle was calling out for the hot water.

In front of Nikita was a huge hot tub that she had no doubt that six people could fit in. Off to the left was a suana, that Nikita had yet to explore. In the upper right hand side was the toilet, while in the back right hand side, was a huge shower.

The shower had three nozzles, a bench, a radio, and a frost glass door, with two enterances. Nikita pulled out two huge ivory towels from the sink, and moved to pull off her clothes.

Tears stained the Medlab clothing as she pulled the pants off. Nikita consciously knew that the bullet went to the same side the other one had, yet it rocked her world more than the first. Nikita was never so conscious of her body as she was now.

Nikita started the shower and looked at herself in the mirror.

"How could Michael love me now?" Nikita asks as she grabs the handle to the right hand door and steps painfully into the shower.

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

Michael walked out of Madeline's room, still shaking from what she had told him. She outlined everything that they could do for Nikita. Madeline told Michael that probably since Nikita was healthy in all other ways.. that it could work. Then Madeline told Michael the side effects.

Michael didn't have to be reminded of the LOVING2000, and Madeline didn't mention it. Michael knew there had been some questions on if it could affect any child Nikita would have, and now, it was being questioned if that was the reason why the ovary that was producing eggs was producing immature eggs.

Michael's heart skipped a beat as he saw the room that Operations told Michael was Nikita's was empty. He walked to the room, and saw the sheets thrown about, and started to panic.

Michael walked firmly into the doctor's lounge and pulled Elana's arm. She turned around with anger in her eyes. That anger could not be matched by Michael's.

"Where is Nikita?" Michael says in a deep and roaring voice. Elana blinks and pulls her arm away from Michael's tight, and probably bruising hold.

"I left her in her room to rest... that medication should not wear off for another two hours." Elana says quickly as she starts to head towards the room. Michael didn't have to tell her that the Nikita was gone.

"Hasn't anyone learned anything about Nikita? Isn't it written on her Medlab file 'WILL RUN!' GOD!" Michael roars as Elana walks into the room and pounds the bed.

"We must find her." Elana says and Michael pounds the wall in one act of frustration. Michael starts to walk out of the room, when Elana grabs Michael back.

"Michael... I can't be sure that the surgery worked... It's way to soon for her to be out of bed..." Elana starts to explain and Michael walks back into the room and allows the door to swing close, making the slamming noise echo throughout Medlab.

"What do you mean by that?" Michael asks firmly. He didn't know if he could put up with anymore lies and secrets from Section. They played around with Nikita's health and didn't care. Michael could almost choke Operations for forgetting to post and operative to watch Nikita. Then, Operations was too worried about Madeline to give a damn about Nikita.

"Michael.. she could easily open that wound up... start bleeding again.. and probably is weak." Elana explains.

"That's all?" Michael asks and Elana steps back from the comment.

"Yes.. isn't that enough?" Elana asks and Michael opens the door.

"That is nothing." Michael says and he storms to the closest phone and rings Operations quarters. Six rings later, it is answered.

"What?" Operations rumbles.

"Did you forget to do something?" Michael asks in an anger voice that causes Operations to sit straight up in his bed.

"Why?" Operations rumbles as he starts to rub his eyes.

"Nikita has flown the coop." Michael says and slams the phone down. He takes a deep voice and rings their place. Michael was sure Nikita didn't make it all the way out of Section, but he wanted to cover all the bases.

Michael places the phone down and walks out of the Medlab, on his way to his office. He didn't know where else Nikita would go.

***********

Madeline rolled her eyes as Operations and Michael entered her room in Medlab. She thought that both men said she needed rest, and now, they disturbed the very thing that both ordered.

"Nikita escaped." Michael mutters as he pulls his hair up in his hands, but still not looking at Operations.

"That is impossible." Madeline chuckles at the thought. Elana updated Madeline on Nikita's condition and knew they were trying to maintain Nikita in a slumber for this very reason.

"She is not in her room.. she isn't in my office.. " Michael says hurriedly as he drops his hands and starts to point to fingers.

"She isn't in your office..." Operations says.

"Correction.. in her office." Madeline says firmly at Operations. Michael looks at the hard stare Madeline gives Operations. He doesn't like the stare. Michael didn't have to second guess that Birkoff admitted how quickly Operations wrote Madeline off as dead.

"It is your office again." Operations corrects firmly.

"It will be Nikita's as long as I'm stuck in this bed and stuck in rehab." Madeline firmly corrects Operations again.

"This isn't helping find Nikita." Michael says and steps away from the two.

"Michael... I almost positive that Nikita doesn't remember that you know the truth..." Madeline starts to say and Michael sighs loudly.

"What does that have to do with finding Nikita?" Michael demands angerily. Michael stops, takes a deep breathe and then nods a look of sorrow to Madeline.

"So she wouldn't head to anywhere you could be... Did you check the bathroom in my office?" Madeline asks and Operations turns around with the statement of 'my office'.

"What bathroom?" Michael asks, starting to become confused.

"I don't believe you, Michael. This bathroom is the queen of all bathrooms. Anything a woman would want!" Operations says, angerily implying that Michael knows about it.

"I have no knowledge of such a bathroom." Michael replies.

"Michael.. I am sure Nikita showed you and probably started..." Operations starts and then slows down his statement. He grinded his teeth together.

"We haven't done anything." Michael mutters a bit too loud.

"Michael.. you pull lightly down on the metal bar in the cubboard. The door opens.. and you'll see it." Madeline informs Michael. Michael nods his head, and moves quickly out of the room.

"I can't believe you already changed the chain of command." Madeline says angerily. Operations could not believe that even in Madeline's condition how much power that she had.

"I couldn't leave Nikita there. She was a pain in the butt. She didn't listen, she didn't do anything." Operations says back to Madeline.

"She found me." Madeline says firmly and Operations turns around and glares at Madeline.

"If she would have allowed housekeeping to take your desk, we could have found you sooner." Operations fires back coldly, not caring about Madeline's condition at this time.

"No.. because Walter had specific instruction not to help anyone in opening the panel unless it was Michael or Nikita." Madeline says and closes her eyes, as if she is done with the conversation.

Operations turns and starts to baby step his way out of the room. In his heart, he did not want to leave it this way. Yet, his mind was in control.

"And punishing Nikita by not putting an operative to watch her was the lowest thing you could have done." Madeline fires out just as Operations crosses over the threshold of the door. He just continues on, as Madeline knew he would.

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

Nikita hung her chin against her chest as the water gently hit off her back, before running down her body in smooth streams. Tears ran down her face in the same manner.

The pain was almost overwhelming, but Nikita couldn't separate between physical or emotional pain. There was too much of both.

Physically, her body trembled and twitched as it struggled to continue to stand. It swayed back and forth behind the frosted glass as Michael entered the bathroom silently.

He knew that Nikita had not heard or saw him as he closed the door and started to pull of his shirt. It fell down onto the floor softly, and Michael began to pull and struggle with the leather pants that started to become a second skin.

Nikita's shoulders rolled up as her sobs became cries. Since the shower, was shaped in a long L, Nikita leaned her arm against the corner and lifted her leg up to ease some of the pain as she cried.

Michael stood naked looking at Nikita in the shower as she cried in the pain that engulfed her. Michael understood his own pain with the situation, and knew it could not even match to Nikita's.

Michael moved to the shower door and slid it open and silently stepped in. The water was warm and soon had Michael's body wet as he stood in one place. He slide the door closed as was surprized that Nikita had yet to move.

"Ni--ki--ta..." Michael said softly as he stepped forward and wrapped his hands onto Nikita's shoulders, were some of her wet blonde hair clinged to. Michael pushed the hair off of the shoulders and tighten his grip.

"Michael.. I can't have babies... And I know that it makes me a disappointment.. and I can't blame you if you want someone who can give you them..." Nikita starts to sputter out quickly. The water runs over the small crease above her lips, before falling over her pink lips and dripping into her mouth.

"I know Nikita... and I love you... I only want you!" Michael says gently as he leans his head onto Nikita's shoulder, but she slowly takes a step forward and tries to turn to him. Nikita's right leg slips out in pain, but she steadies herself against the shower.

"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME! I CAN'T HAVE YOUR CHILD! I WON'T HAVE A CHILD!" Nikita screams at Michael as her fists pound at his chest before her head leans against his chest.

"I don't care. I care for you. I have you. That's all I need." Michael says and Nikita looks up at Michael. He can see the weight being lifted off of her in her eyes. Michael nods and touches her nose softly.

"But I want one..." Nikita finally cries and Michael rolls her body tightly into his. He can see her waning strength and heads to the bench. He pushes the button nearby the bench, and the showerheads move so that all three continue to touch their bodies.

"We'll just have to wait and see, 'Kita... But I'm here..." Michael says softly as he tries to ease Nikita down without causing much more pain. Nikita's body crumbles into his, and Michael looks worriedly down at Nikita's closed eyes.

The same button that Michael pushed prior to sitting down, turned off the water. He leans Nikita on the bench and gathers the two towels to dry her off. He pulls the drawers open and finds two terry cloth bathrobes.

He pulls it tightly around Nikita and slings her up into his arms, being careful to make sure her injury is to the outside so he doesn't bump it.

"Elana.. Michael.. I have her." Michael says into the phone in the bathroom as he checks his own bathrobe. He would walk down to Medlab naked if he had too, but he wouldn't want all the female opearatives to have a heartattack. Only a few would even pass out with the bathrobe, and none would think they would have a chance with Nikita draped in his arms.

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

Michael did not leave Nikita's side this time. Through the next day that Elana monitored Nikita's slumber, Michael stayed in the chair next to Nikita's bed.

He felt guilty for not being there when she woke up the first time. A few of the internal stitches had pulled apart, but Elana had fixed them quickly once Michael brought her back. Elana had decided since Nikita was always trouble in Medlab, to make sure to give her body enough time to heal by keeping her in the slumber.

Elana walks into the room to check Nikita. She didn't need to physically walk into the room, but the devotion of Michael made her walk into the room. Against her better judgement, she stopped the medication and pulled out the IV.

"I am hoping she will be open to listening to you." Elana said gently to Michael as he nods his head in thanks.

In the day that had lapsed, Michael thought of all the ways to approach the subject again. He didn't want to force the treatments and procedures down Nikita's throat, because then it would make him appear like all he wanted was a child. Then, he didn't want to take a total passive position, because then Nikita would see him as not caring about what she wanted.

It was relief and it was terror when Nikita's eyes struggled against the sleep crust that had formed on them. Michael stood up and pushed the little grains that appeared like salt off of Nikita's eyes. Soon the blue eyes shined into his.

Michael, noting Nikita's dry lips, poured a glass of water for Nikita and helped her take a few sips.

"How is Madeline?" Nikita asks and Michael rubs Nikita's hair a little bit.

"Fine. But let's worry about you." Michael says as he leans his body onto Nikita's bed. Nikita drops her head and turns it away.

"Will she walk?" Nikita asks, and Michael notes the advoidance.

"Yes.... in time. You will be walking sooner." Michael comments as he tries to pull the conversation onto herself. He cannot remember how many times Nikita has worried about everyone else before herself.

"Well.. at least Anna has her mother back." Nikita comments as she turns her head around, looking for a good spot to look at.

"And she has a great godmother." Michael comments and Nikita willingly looks at Michael.

"Yeah." Nikita comments and closes her eyes again. Michael touches the back of his hand across her check and Nikita pulls her head away a little bit.

"You need your rest." Michael says as he kisses her forehead. He pulls off of the bed and looks at Nikita as her eyes open again.

"Don't go." Nikita says as her eyes beg at him. Michael sees everything she is feeling, and he knows that if he walks out of the room, that things would never be ok. Michael slides his shoes off and helps Nikita to slide over in the bed.

Michael allows Nikita's head to slide onto his chest.

***********

"Good morning, Madeline." Elana says as she enters the room and walks to Madeline's bedside. Madeline looks at the woman and then looks away.

"You aren't my doctor." Madeline replies and Elana slowly steps forward and rolls the bed up, so that Madeline can easily see her.

"You called for me to treat Nikita." Elana says slowly and Madeline looks into the lady's eyes and tries to turn away. Madeline's interest is sparked. She had heard that Nikita was returned to Medlab, yet that was two days ago. Madeline looked again at Elana and knew that Elana wouldn't be able to stand watching Michael in the room with Nikita for over a day. Madeline truly believed that Nikita was sent home.

"How is Nikita?" Madeline asks with raised eyebrows. Her neck was itchy and her hands scratched around the neck brace.

"I am glad to report that she is resting comfortably in her room... and Michael is monitoring a mission." Elana says with a smile. Elana was pleasantly surprized with Nikita's decision to stay. It made Elana very happy and reassured.

"Her room at home, right?" Madeline asks and Elana shakes her head and points out the door. Madeline leans forward a bit and sees the room across the hall a resting Nikita.

Elana takes this time to slide off the blanket from Madeline's feet. She takes a tiny pin and pricks the baby toe.

"AWh!" Madeline exclaims as she looks down at Elana. Elana smiles broadly, and she continues up the toes, still producing pain.

"Sometimes a person gets use to not feeling their legs.. even when they can. We found that people who use hypnosis a lot run into this problem." Elana explains as she pulls the blanket over Madeline's now wiggling toes.

"Who told you that I use hypnosis?" Madeline demands and Elana walks back towards Madeline's braced head.

"Nikita... having her stay in Medlab is driving me up the wall." Elana says as she smiles. Elana didn't know what else to talk to Nikita about. Yet, Nikita would openly chat about most anything, especially when it was about someone else.

"Have you approached the subject of possible treatments?" Madeline asks quickly and Elana frowns.

"Nikita will be in a no touch state for a while... if you catch my drift." Elana says with a smile as Madeline, uncharacteristically starts to chuckle.

"Actually, I'm going to ask Walter to take her home today. She hasn't fought me at all, and it has given her body a chance to heal." Elana says with a smile of pride. She was the first person to get Nikita to stay in Medlab without strapping her down. Elana could understand Nikita's hatred for the place.

"That's good." Madeline says softly and Elana starts towards the door.

"We'll get you into therapy today... having feeling doesn't mean they will work right." Elana says and she quickly leaves.

Madeline, fights the urge to fall back to sleep, as she continues to wiggle her toes. She didn't want to lose that feeling again. Madeline watched Walter enter Medlab, and about a half hour later, Walter push Nikita out in the wheelchair. Madeline smiled, she wouldn't be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

***********

"And Michael knew that you were bringing me home?" Nikita asks for the tenth time as Walter pulls up in the driveway by Nikita's and Michael's condo.

"Yes, Nikita. And he promised me that he was bringing his paper work home and it wouldn't be too long." Walter says as he looks at Nikita.

Walter opens the door and steps around his Jeep, to Nikita's door. He wasn't thinking about the Jeep, it was really high, and Walter had to pick Nikita up into it. Now, Nikita slide down into his arms with a slight grimmace.

"I'm sorry about that, sugar." Walter said with a little chuckle.

"No, you aren't. You wanted to feel me up!" Nikita jokes happily as Walter continues to hold Nikita protectively.

"Walter... I can walk." Nikita says with twinkling eyes and Walter lets go of Nikita's waist.

They start up the walkway slowly, and Nikita pauses, and with effort, takes the one and only step with only a touch of pain.

Walter, who had gathered the keys from Michael, walks to the door and opens it. Nikita steps in and smiles.

"Anything that I can do?" Walter asks as Nikita glances at a pile of junk mail on the table top. Nikita shakes her head as she looks at the couch. It would be the best place for her to set up, but Nikita longed for her bed.

Nikita looked at the stairs and dropped her head. She couldn't ask for Walter's help on those. Nikita already felt guilty enough that Walter took his time to drive her home. She had protested that she would wait until Michael could take her home.

"I thought that Elana made it clear that you were to go to bed!" Michael's voice booms from the top of the stairs and Nikita looks up with a huge smile.

"I wasn't going to go to bed with Walter, now, would I?" Nikita jokes back as Michael starts down the stairs with a soft smile on his face.

"I would kill him." Michael responds seriously as he wraps his hands around Nikita carefully and nods a thanks to Walter.

"Be careful.. precious cargo." Walter comments as he drops the keys on the table and walks out of the condo.

"Let's get you up there." Michael says as he leans down and scoops Nikita up in his arms. Nikita laughs.

"If we had red carpeted stairs it would look like Gone With the Wind!" Nikita laughs and Michael smiles at Nikita.

"She wasn't listed as HANDS OFF!" Michael comments as he kisses Nikita's lips softly as he reaches the top of the stairs.

"But that doesn't make me untouchable everywhere!" Nikita says and Michael nods his head.

"I'm due for a good rest myself.." Michael says with a slight smile as he places Nikita down on the bed. She is still in her Medlab clothes, but that was done on purpose. Michael knew the laws of Nikita's early release.

Michael didn't want to break any of Section's laws... the consequences where made by Madeline.

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