Michael walks out of the office that he was sure Nikita had gone into. He looks down the hallway and then looks the other way. He closes his eyes as he tries to place where Nikita had gone. She had taken off after the mission briefing early in the morning and still had not seen Michael since.

Michael turns down the hallway and takes himself to an elevator and punches in his code. It is only a few floors before the doors open and Michael steps out to find Nikita in the hallway, pacing back and forth.

"No one is suppose to be down here when they are about to go out on a mission." Michael says softly and Nikita turns to face Michael and her eyes hit him. She was upset, again.

"Is this still about the hospital and the..." Michael says and stops when Nikita raises a finger. Michael nods his head and stops his speech.

"No. But I think there is a link here that we don't know about." Nikita says as she begins to pace again. Michael notes her clothing. She is wearing a straight black pant suit. It hugs her trim build and makes Nikita seem immense.

"What are you talking about?" Michael asks and Nikita stops and looks at Michael.

"I did some checking into the intel myself." Nikita says and Michael shakes his head.

"Why can't you just take the profile? It is very simple. We go to the business diner, take the one twin and get out." Michael says and Nikita starts to shake her head.

"Something was omitted from the profile." Nikita says and Michael looks into Nikita's blue eyes. She was more than upset. He knew that sometimes Madeline had neglected to add details because Nikita would have an emotional reaction even before the mission started. But Nikita had never been able to assess the entire profile. Michael shook his head. Nikita was getting better with the computers, something that Michael wasn't about to Madeline or anyone else.

"What?" Michael asks and Nikita clicks her heal heavily on the cement floor.

"Mr and Mrs Rogoski had their twins in conjuncture with the fertility clinic at The Hospital of Genesis." Nikita says and Michael snaps his eyes wide open. What Nikita said was critical.

"Seems that Mrs. Rogoski wanted twins.. identical.. They are the first twins from the program... and will be the only." Nikita says and Michael stares at Nikita.

"What do you mean?" Michael says and Nikita steps closer to him and takes a huge breath.

"One twin is the original, one is the clone. The other couples in the program haven't given birth yet. Did you hear about the train crash in France?" Nikita asks and Michael nods his head.

"That killed the Lowensteins... they were due in a week and a half.... Did you hear about the couple who got carjacked in a suburb of Boston?" Nikita asks softly, almost losing her control.

"Yes, I did, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita nods her head.

"The Krafts... due in three weeks." Nikita says and she looks at Michael. "Should I continue?" Nikita asks and Michael shakes his head no.

"That doesn't change the mission, Nikita." Michael finally says after some silence. Nikita nods her head.

"That is true. It doesn't change the mission at all. But... we are taking the clone, not a twin.. A clone." Nikita says very carefully like a schoolteacher pronouncing a word for the class.

Michael looks at Nikita and she begins to pace again. Her hands twist just above her waist.

"What do you have a problem with in this mission?" Michael asks. Nikita stops and looks at Michael.

"Well, we are only stealing one clone... the others.. and their parents.. the ones that are less than two months from delivery.. they died. They all died. I'm sure the other will lose their babies because of disease or accident... Why this one?" Nikita says and Michael stares at Nikita. He can't answer her.

"I know one thing...." Nikita says and she stops. Michael stares and stares until he parts his lips.

"Madeline must do this a lot with my mission profiles. I will cover my butt from now on. A simple answer from Madeline means nothing." Nikita says as she walks by Michael and onto the elevator.

Michael watches the elevator lights go back to the main floor. Nikita was going to get ready. The information she did find did change a lot. Before, Michael believed they were taking the child for leverage on the father. Now, it was just because Section One wanted to rid the clones.

Michael knew instantly what was bothering Nikita. What was going to happen to the clone they took? And Nikita was thinking, "It's an innocent clone.. it never did anything to be born itself!"

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

Nikita walks in front of Michael towards the large white mansion with a swinging white dress. Michael reaches around Nikita's body and ring the bell. He lightly kisses Nikita's ear and Nikita giggles.

"Hello. May I asks who you are and who you want to see?" The servant says and Nikita smiles brightly.

"I am Nikita Holmes." Nikita says and Michael steps forward and taps Nikita's shoulder.

"You would know her by her pen name, Hannah Marker." Michael says and the servant opens her mouth widely in shock.

"THE HANNAH MARKER! You wrote the best story last one.... DARKNESS TICKS! OH MY!" the servant exclaims as she opens the door widely and shows Michael and Nikita into the mansion.

"And the mister? He is your agent?" The servant asks and Nikita giggles innocently as she turns back for Michael. Michael wraps his arm around Nikita and smiles.

"This is my agent, my manger, and my husband, Michael Holmes." Nikita says and the lady servant blushes. There are footsteps in the hallway and Michael and Nikita are lead further into the house.

"Hannah Marker?" Mrs. Crewal asks and Nikita giggles and nods her head. Mrs. Crewal steps forward and smiles brightly.

"Call me Nikita." Nikita says and Mrs. Crewal stares at Nikita.

"My dear, I didn't know you were pregnant!" Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita turns to Michael with a look of funny anger.

"I told you Michael that the dress made me look pregnant!" Nikita says as she spins around in a circle and then pulls the flowing dress tightly to her body to show her flawless figure. Mrs. Crewal smiles at Nikita and takes her hand.

"When Michael called... I didn't realize how you haven't been exposed.. You are so delightful to the eye!" Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita blushes and looks at Michael.

"But he is suppose to say things like that. He is my husband!" Nikita says and Mrs. Crewal smiles at Michael brightly.

"Well... I'm going to make sure my husband perfectly takes to you.... The other writers that will be here later... no personality!" Mrs. Crewal says as she walks way from the stairs and they follow.

"First.. I love your writing! Why the pen name?" Mrs. Crewal asks as she opens the large den's door and they enter.

"I don't just write those suspense/mystery books!" Nikita says while laughing and Mrs. Crewal looks at Michael. She was pleased with Nikita. She was amazed with the natural beauty. Mrs. Crewal was sure that Nikita wasn't wearing any make up and her hair just positively shined.

"I write a comic... and..." Nikita says and she leans in closer to Mrs. Crewal... "I write romance novels..." Nikita says and Mrs. Crewal snaps back in laughter.

"Darling! You will be the one! I know it!" Mrs. Crewal says and Michael steps forward and wraps an arm around Nikita's waist.

"She has the talent, but your husband expects the whole package. Nikita is not that." Michael says and the cries of babies are heard and Nikita rolls away from Michael.

"Babies? Who has a baby?" Nikita asks and Mrs. Crewal smile brightly.

"Those would be my daughter's twins... They are a week old... she is having some medical problems, So I am watching them!" Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita smiles brightly and looks at Michael.

"Can I see them?" Nikita asks like a little kid. Mrs. Crewal nods her head and smiles.

"I try to find all the excuses to spend my entire time up there..." Mrs. Crewal admits and she looks at Michael and then Nikita.

"I'm surprised that a young couple like yourselves are expecting or had a few already!" Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita playfully slaps Michael.

"I want them... but Michael wants my career to be more established and stable!" Nikita says in a deep voice with a slight French accent in an imitation of Michael. Michael turns Nikita around and kisses her cheek.

"I told her I'm willing any time." Michael says with a wink and a kiss to Nikita's nose.

"Well.. let me show you the twins... Marissa and Clarissa, and then we will get back to the business at hand." Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita easily follows the woman.

Michael stays back and is surprised at how well Nikita is doing in this performance. It was a difficult mission. Nikita had to pretend to be this happy and bubbly person that she once was. Michael watched the two ladies walk up the stairs. At least Nikita was able to go see the babies before they had to abduct one.

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

Mrs. Crewal picked up one of the twins and placed the week old child into Nikita's arms. Nikita cradled it instinctively and looked down into the small features. She had forgotten how small a baby was. Nikita smiled and looked to Mrs. Crewal.

"So, which one is this one?" Nikita asks with a raised eyebrow. Mrs. Crewal pushed back the cotton shirt to show the pink colored necklace around the neck of the child.

"That one is Marissa. Clarissa has a green one." Mrs. Crewal says and Nikita takes a hand and gently pushes at the small fingers of the hand.

"They look perfectly the same!" Nikita says and Mrs. Crewal nods her head.

"We have been told they will start to look different with the more years they grow." Mrs. Crewal says as the baby starts to fuzz. Nikita, nervous, hands the baby back to Mrs. Crewal. She does some cooing and places the child back into the crib.

Nikita looks into the bassinets and smiles softly. They are perfect. They are what Nikita can only wish for. Her heart is being twisted and then pulled.

"You were a natural. You are going to make a great mother!" Mrs. Crewal says as the nanny enters and they start back downstairs.

"I can only hope so." Nikita says, using all of her strength to continue to be the upbeat Nikita that Mrs. Crewal had instantly loved.

Michael looks up the stairs and can see the stress of the mission on Nikita's face. Usually Nikita doesn't break character, even if she is walking behind the target and can't be seen. This time, the frown crossed her face and Michael lifted his head with a smile.

"NIKITA!" Michael says and Nikita looks up and smiles. She slightly jogs over to him and wraps her hands around his body.

"Mr. Crewal wants to see us in the study before the other guests arrive." Michael says and Nikita opens her mouth in delight.

"For what I think?" Nikita asks excitedly and Michael nods his head.

Nikita jumps into Michael's arms and slides around him happily.

"Does it mean that I can settle down? We finally get the house in the country? We can have a family?" Nikita asks with full of energy. Michael slows her movements.

"You are jumping to conclusions." Michael warns softly and Mrs. Crewal taps Michael's shoulder.

"She is correct." Mrs. Crewal says, wanting to see the display of happiness for awhile longer. Nikita again jumps into Michael's arms and then passionately kisses him.

"OH.. to be young..." Mrs. Crewal thinks softly out loud.

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

Nikita opened the door to the nursery softly. Michael was not far behind and closed the door behind Nikita. Their departure from the big affair downstairs had been executed perfectly between the two.

Nikita had been announced as the newest writer under the Mr. Crewal's publishing group. Nikita did a little speech and went back into Michael's arms. After several dances, Nikita pulled Mrs. Crewal to the side in a private discussion.

Nikita explained to Mrs. Crewal the predicament that they were in. Nikita said in nice terms that Michael was ready to start a family. Mrs. Crewal laughed loudly and handed a set of keys to Nikita. Nikita hugged the woman and thanked her for understanding. Quickly, Michael and Nikita ran upstairs like a couple on their honeymoon.

Nikita moves to the babies and pushes back the cotton shirts. Nikita gently lifts Marissa and slides the necklace off of her. Michael does the same with Clarissa. Nikita switches the necklaces and nods to Michael. Nikita pulls up her dress and exposes the pouch that Walter had designed for this maneuver. It would support the child's head as Nikita and Michael escaped into the night.

Clarissa softly cried in her sleep and Nikita looked at Michael. Nikita slides Marissa into the pouch and pulls her dress down. It looks no different than it did when she had arrived.

"We could use some darkness now." Michael says tensely, wishing that Birkoff was back from vacation already. As soon as Michael directs the order happens. Nikita opens the door and slides into the dark. She had the night vision contacts in and quickly made her way down the stairs and out the door. Michael was only a stair away from her on the way down.

Into the night and the yard the two go as Nikita picks up her dress and pulls Marissa out of the pouch. Nikita holds her protectively as they pass the guards' station, that is now empty. The black van pulls up and Michael opens the van door and Nikita steps in.

No more does the van door close does Marissa start to cry. Nikita starts to tremble as she tries to rock the baby back to sleep. Nikita moves slowly back and forth and Michael watches her. He was lost in his own thoughts to think about what Nikita felt about this mission.

Nikita finally sits down when she is hit by the smell. Michael merely looks at her and Nikita stands up. Michael didn't even offer to help. Nikita was angry as she pulled at the diaper and yelled for the van to stop. Michael pulled up the computer and started to contact Section of the success of the mission and to delete the file information on Nikita and himself that had given them their cover.

"You could help me!" Nikita says in annoyance. Michael barely looks up from the computer. He didn't like this. Nikita didn't want to hold this child and Michael didn't either. It was a clone. An innocent clone.. but still a clone.

Nikita picks up Marissa and sits back down. She wonders what is next for Marissa. She didn't want to turn her over to Madeline if it meant that Marissa would be canceled, but then Nikita didn't want to hold her any longer than needed.

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

Madeline sits down at her computer and pulls up the screen. She folds her hands and leans back in her chair. The image she sees is very clean and very sharp.

Nikita is in her office, holding baby clone Marissa in her left arm while attempting to do work with her right arm. Madeline was surprised that Nikita didn't just put on the voice activation program. Madeline reached out to her keyboard and punched a few keys.

"Hush little baby..." Nikita says softly as she points and clicks on the next screen of information. She could not believe that Madeline had left Section One at this time. Madeline knew that Nikita and Michael would be in any minute with the clone baby that she had ordered them to take.

"Don't you cry..." Nikita says almost on the verge of singing. Nikita shifts Marissa to her right arm and looks down to the baby. She can't help but wonder what will happen to it. It would be wrong to kill an innocent. The clone never asked to be born or created. It was carried just like her sister.. her original was .

"Nikita's gonna buy you a sweater..." Nikita says as she pushes the little fuzz ball off of Marissa's cheek. Nikita uses her weaker and less skilled left hand to try to track Madeline down.

"And if that sweater doesn't match..." Nikita says softly as Marissa starts to cry out in little bursts. Nikita looks down to her face and wonders what hers and Michael's will look like if they ever get a chance.

"Nikita's gonna buy you a fur coat..." Nikita says with a bright smile.

Madeline turns off her computer and stands up. She checks her clothing and walks towards the door. She walks smoothly through the halls of Section One.

"Madeline! I am so glad to see you are back. Nikita has the clone baby in our office." Michael says as he walks from Systems. Madeline nods her head and looks towards Systems.

"I have some data that needs checked first. I will be right down." Madeline says as Michael turns and leaves towards his office. Madeline walks to the closest computer and pulls up the screen again.

"Nikita... I just saw Madeline." Michael says as he steps into the office with almost a whisper. Nikita rolls her eyes and looks to Michael.

"She should take care of this because she told us to take it." Nikita says as she turns her head to look at Michael. Michael nods his head and sits down at his desk.

"You know.. you haven't helped either!" Nikita says and Michael turns to Nikita and sighs.

"Nikita, it is difficult seeing you with her." Michael says as he turns his head back away from Nikita.

"It's difficult on ME TOO!" Nikita says in a harsh whisper. She looks down at Marissa to see if she had waken because of her statement.

"Nikita... I just see what we will have some day." Michael says and Nikita rolls her head back and sighs.

"Michael..." Nikita says in a warning tone and then looks to Marissa.

Madeline turns off the image and stands back up. She picks up the telephone.

"Nikita, bring the clone baby to the van access." Madeline says and hangs up.

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

"It's a very beautiful baby." Madeline says as Nikita turns the corner with Marissa in her arms. Nikita stops and leans against the wall, trying to assess Madeline.

"You mean a very beautiful clone." Nikita says and Madeline does not comment nor move. Nikita touches the sleeping baby's chin and then looks at Madeline.

"What is going to happen to her?" Nikita asks and Madeline sighs loudly.

"There are several possibilities.. It all depends on you." Madeline says and Nikita looks at Madeline tensely> Nikita pushes off of the wall and looks at Madeline.

"What do you mean by that?" Nikita asks and Madeline smiles her famous Mona Lisa smile.

"You are very natural at this, Nikita." Madeline says and Nikita starts to tremble.

"There is nothing natural here. She isn't even a real baby.. she's just a clone!" Nikita says and Madeline nods her head in agreement with what Nikita had said.

"But an innocent clone...." Madeline says and Nikita rolls her eyes.

"Stop the games, Madeline... Come get Marissa here when you know what you are going to do." Nikita says as she turns to leave.

"Nikita!" Madeline loudly says to get Nikita to turn back around. "I am sorry about the birth control.. but you will see in briefing next week that it was necessary." Madeline says and Nikita steps closer to Madeline and stares at her.

"Nikita, you realize that Marissa here hasn't bonded with her mother yet... and you are probably what she thinks to be her mother." Madeline says and Nikita starts to tremble.

"Take the baby Madeline." Nikita says and Madeline shakes her head no.

"You can take her home today with Michael and be her mother. No questions. She would never know the difference..." Madeline says and Nikita's eyes flood with tears.

"I don't want her.. I want my own." Nikita says as she tries again to give Madeline the baby.

"I don't think that will ever happen, Nikita. This might be your one and only chance at having something like a daughter." Madeline says and Nikita pushes Marissa into her arms.

"NOT ACCEPTABLE!" Nikita screams as she pulls further down the hall. She stares at Madeline and trembles.

"ME and Michael will have a child... I won't raise a clone! I WANT MY OWN!" Nikita says firmly.

"Then this child becomes you.. will be placed with a mother that doesn't really love it.. with no father... will die because you won't take her!" Madeline says firmly and coldly. Nikita's eyes open and shut quickly.

"THAT WOULD BE ME! I can't love her! I would never know when you are going to take the clone away from me. When you are going to experiment with her!" Nikita screams out loudly.

"I wouldn't do that!" Madeline says plainly and Nikita shakes her head. She can't trust Madeline.

"IF I do this... how long until I raise a clone Nikita and a clone Michael.. so that clone Nikita and clone Michael can do what the real Michael and Nikita can't and have a real child!" Nikita screams and Madeline becomes afraid of Nikita's reaction.

"I will take the child to Level 8. She will die... soon." Madeline says and Nikita stares at her.

"Is this a threat? If you don't take the clone, I'll make sure you can't ever have your own and I'll make sure you feel guilty for what happened to the clone?" Nikita demands and Madeline raises her chin.

"Nikita... do you really think that I have another chose here? She doesn't know her mother... it would only be a few days of awkwardness until she felt like she was your own.. You showed that already in the office. You sang to her!" Madeline says firmly and Nikita opens her mouth in shock.

"I also sang to Anna.. can I take her home?" Nikita demands and Madeline moves down the hall.

"This will be your only chance. Section One will never bring in another baby at this age... now or never?" Madeline asks and Nikita trembles.

"WHEN I HAVE A KID, IT WILL BE MINE AND MICHAEL'S. I WILL NOT BE A BABY-SITTER TO A CLONE THAT YOU WANT WATCHED AND LOVED LIKE A DAUGHTER! I WANT MY OWN! I NEED MY OWN!" Nikita scream as her arms clench around her stomach.

"And what if you never get that?" Madeline asks and Nikita tensely looks at her.

"Then so be it." Nikita says and Madeline vanishes with Marissa.

Nikita screams in agony. She clenches her stomach and lets the primal screams echo out of her body and into the halls. She forgets that she is in a main hall as she leans against a wall and the screams shake the underground walls.

Ayn steps out from the shadows where she had observed the entire conversation and helps Nikita slide down the wall, her screams only growing more intense.

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

Birkoff walks into the first hallway of Section One and the screams are echoing around him. Birkoff hurries up deeper into Section. He had never heard screams quite like this. The voice was so strained and filled with pain, he couldn't even try to identify if it was a woman or a man. He rounds the corner and finds Nikita screaming and on the floor. Nikita's body is so tense but yet so wildly thrown about. Ayn is bent down trying to calm Nikita down. Birkoff's eyes open wide.

"OH MY GOD! Michael! He is all right, right?" Birkoff says in a rush to get information. Ayn looks up and is trying to pull together what she needs to be done. Nikita's screams are piercing her every thought.

"No.. Birkoff.... Michael is fine... god.. go get him!" Ayn finally says as she pulls Nikita's hair back out of her face. Ayn barely watches Birkoff sprint down the hallway.

"Nikita... calm down.. darling..." Ayn says softly as she hates Madeline. Madeline used everything that she knew about Nikita against her. But Nikita's screams just continue.

"Nikita... everything will be fine... you will get the child you want.... Marissa will be fine...." Ayn says trying to soothe Nikita, but worried that Madeline will do whatever she feels. Ayn looks down the hallway, wishing Michael was right there.

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

Michael stands up from his desk and walks out to the hallway. The screams are so loud that Michael wondered what was going on. There had been no operatives running in the hallway, so Michael started to worry even more. The screams just got louder as he stood in the hallway. They had occurred now for five minutes, and only got louder.

"What is going on?" Michael asks the man at the desk. He shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Michael. Michael turns to go back into his office when he heard the running steps.

"Michael!" Birkoff's voice shouted out and Michael snaps around like a snapped rubber band.

"What is going..." Michael starts to say and Birkoff stops his run.

"It's Nikita." Birkoff gasps out and Michael doesn't even wait, and takes off down the hall.

Michael had never heard Nikita scream this way and was afraid of what he would find. Was Nikita hurt? Was Nikita told something? Michael did not know.

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

Ayn was trying to hold Nikita back but nothing helped. Her breathing was beginning to break apart and become ragged. She was screaming sooo much that she wasn't breathing in. Ayn knows that if Nikita continues.. she will pass out sooner than later. Right now, passing out was probably going to be the only thing to calm Nikita down.

"Nikita.. Nikita... oh.. child.. It will be all right.." Ayn says softly but the screams start to become half screams and half air passing through her lungs. Ayn closes her eyes and tries to forget the little gathering of operatives at either end of the hallway.

"Get out of my way." Michael rumbles loudly and Ayn looks behind her to see Michael push the operatives to the side. One operative doesn't move quickly enough, and Michael pushes the operative into the wall with a neckbreaking force. Michael now stands near Nikita and looks at the operatives.

"GET OUT OF HERE! THIS ISN'T FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE!" Michael screams as he glares at the operatives. He bends down and touches Nikita.

"Nikita.. I'm here... You need to calm down.." Michael says and Nikita rolls her body on Michael but can't stop her attempts at her screams. Michael looks at Ayn as she stands up. She moves to the intercom and dials MedLab for some backup help. Nikita was depleting her body of oxygen.

"No... I couldn't... Michael... NOOOOOO!" Nikita screams and she starts to hold her chest as she become painfully aware of what she has down to her body. Nikita's eyes widen with fright of what the pain is.

"Take slow breathes, Nikita..." Michael says but Nikita only proceeds to continue her panicked look and starts to pant like a dog.

Michael looks at Ayn for and explanation and Ayn holds her face still as Nikita's head finally rolls to the side. Michael holds onto Nikita and stares at Ayn.

"She will come around... it's oxygen depletion.. I sent for oxygen and an inhaler." Ayn says and Michael nods his head as he rubs Nikita's hair back and feels the heat from her head from the screaming.

"What happened?" Michael asks and Ayn swallows. She wish she didn't hear it all. What Madeline did was down right damaging. But Ayn was glad that she was there for Nikita.

"Madeline offered Nikita Marissa to raise as her own." Ayn says and Michael sucks his cheeks in. Before Michael can stand up to do something irrational, Elana walks down the hall and stops.

"What happened this time?" Elana asks and Michael turns away. Everyone in Section One heard the screaming.

"She was the one screaming." Ayn says softly as she takes the portable tank from Elana and places the mask over Nikita's mouth and nose. Elana hands the inhaler to Michael.

"Why this?" Michael asks and Elana smiles.

"It will take the swelling down in the vocal cords from the screaming." Elana says and she turns away. Elana knows that Michael will take Nikita either to their office or home.

Michael takes the oxygen in his arms and scoops Nikita into his arms. He needed to talk to Ayn more and needed to get Nikita out of the middle of Section.

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

Nikita rolls her head up and instantly clutches it in her hands. The throbbing headache is unlike any that she had at any other time. Michael moves across the office and sits down next to her.

"Nikita..." Michael says softly and Nikita leans her head into his chest, trying to get rid of the pain. Michael touches her head softly and looks at Ayn who is sitting in the chair. She had whispered some of what she had seen, but quickly just pulled up the video.

Michael had been shaken about what Madeline had done. He wanted a kid also, but had to agree with Madeline. Madeline knew that Michael would have slammed her into the wall. Madeline knew what she was doing when she asked Nikita.

There is a slight knock on the door before it opens. Nikita lifts her pounding head up to see Operations standing in the hallway. Nikita turns to Michael and holds her hands to his chest.

"Tell me that he is a hallucination." Nikita says as she blinks her eyes. Ayn giggles a little and moves to Operations side.

"I asked him to come, Nikita." Ayn says and Nikita shakes her head. Operations steps forward and hands Michael some pills.

"What is this?" Michael asks and Operations swallows and smiles with an evil grin.

"Nikita's headache medicine.. I took the liberty to take it from Madeline's private stash." Operations says softly and Michael nods his head.

"Nikita... I saw the video..." Operations says as he squats down to look at Nikita. He had stayed away for a while, but was drawn to see her. What Madeline had done was inexcusable.

"Just leave me alone." Nikita forces through her raw voice and Operations stands up. He shrugs his shoulders to Ayn and turns to leave.

"Nikita... Marissa will be fine." Operations says as he leaves. Nikita starts to sob again and Michael leans his head back. Sometimes loving Nikita was the hardest thing that Michael ever had to do. It was a full time job that some of the time just meant holding onto her crying body.

"Let me take you home, Nikita." Michael says as he stands up. Ayn brings a glass of water over and nods her head to Michael.

"Take these, Nikita." Michael says but Nikita stubbornly stands up and is brought down by a wave of lightheadedness. Michael holds her up with support underneath her armpit and again attempts the pills. Nikita slaps the hand away and looks away. There are tears in her eyes and Michael frowns.

"They would help you Nikita." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head as she pulls her arm away from Michael's grasp. Although she is still unsteady on her feet, she is able to walk to grab her coat. She starts out of the office and heads down the hall.

"Do you want me to drive?" Nikita calls out and Michael rolls his eyes. Only Nikita would pull a joke out like that one.

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

Operations looked at the door, knowing what he had to do. There was not going to be a battle. Operations knew what he had to do and why he had to do it. There were only so many things that Operations would let Madeline do, this was not one.

Operations had watched Nikita stubbornly stumble down the hallway and Michael follow behind her. She could not stop the tears and Operations was sure they continued well until she had fallen asleep. Operations could not hide his anger, but also knew to do what he had to, he needed to keep control.

"Madeline, I want Marissa now." Operations says as he enters the office and finds Madeline standing beside the baby carrier.

"I can't allow that." Madeline says and Operations lifts his chin.

"You lost control of this mission and this child when you offered it to Nikita. Hand her over, Madeline." Operations says firmly. Madeline stares back for several minutes.

"No." Madeline says simply and rolls her head to the right. Operations raises his head a bit more and licks his lips.

"Madeline, I am not asking.. I am ordering." Operations says and Madeline looks to the ground and back up.

"Tell me why." Madeline says as she looks at Marissa and then back at Operations.

"You know why. Your threats to Nikita... the display of raw emotion you evoked in Nikita in the middle of the hallway. The way you used an innocent to emotional damage Nikita." Operations says and Madeline gently shakes her head back and forth in the no manner.

"I was offering the child to Nikita for her own good. This next mission might drive them apart.. but if there was something binding them together.. it could work out." Madeline says and Operations snaps his hands together and stares at Madeline.

"I thought we agreed on the mission, but no other funny mind games.. Like this move." Operations says and Madeline defensively places her hands on her hips.

"What if Nikita can't have a kid? We can't steal another child to give to her!" Madeline says angrily.

"Then we deal with it. But there was no reason to threaten the death of Marissa's life if Nikita decided not to take her. That was out of line, Madeline!" Operations says firmly, but still in more control of his emotions than Madeline.

"What is out of line is your meddling in this manner! I have the mission ready to go. If this assures a better outcome to the mission, that it is my duty to do so!" Madeline says and Operations shakes his head.

"Give me Marissa." Operations says and Madeline shakes her head.

"Madeline, I am asking one more time before I call in my back up. Give me Marissa." Operations says and Madeline frowns. She steps away and allows Operations to take the child.

"What are you going to do with her?" Madeline asks as Operations holds the clone baby in his hands.

"She is going to get a family.. a family that has been able to deal with their inability to have children.. to be with a family that naturally couldn't have children... She will be away from Section." Operations says as he spins on his heals and leaves quickly.

Madeline slams her hand down on the desk. Operations didn't even acknowledge the difficulty of the next mission. She knew that if something went haywire, she was going to take the blame.

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

Nikita opens the door in the afternoon the next day to find Operation with Marissa in hand. Nikita steps back and allows them in. Nikita turns towards Michael and looks away.

"How are you doing, Nikita?" Operations asks as Marissa starts to fuss. Nikita walks over and takes Marissa into her arms.

"I will be fine." Nikita says with her still scratchy voice. Operations watches Nikita with Marissa and smiles softly. She is a natural.

"I wanted you to see her before I took her to her new family." Operations says with a smile. Nikita turns and raises an eyebrow to Operations.

"Family? Where?" Nikita asks and Operations pulls out the print out. Nikita hands Marissa over to Operations and looks at the print out.

"The states.. Washington?" Nikita asks and Operations nods his head. Michael tilts his head in a thankful gesture for what he has done.

"Yes... they couldn't have children. They have three other children." Operations says and Nikita folds the paper up and keeps a hold of it.

"What about Madeline?" Nikita asks and Operations sighs loudly.

"I will protect Marissa, Nikita. Don't worry." Operations says as Nikita starts to turn away. Nikita nods and walks back upstairs.

"Michael, how is she truly?" Operations asks and Michael stands closer to Operations and touches Marissa's chin and she giggles.

"Quiet." Michael says and Operations turns to look at Michael.

"Is that telling me that you won't tell more or is that telling me that you don't know?" Operations asks. Michael looks down at Marissa and starts to babble.

"You don't know." Operations says and Michael looks up. He needs not to nod. Operations sighs and looks towards the door.

"Then I hope you are ready for the next mission." Operations says as he turns towards the door.

"I don't know what the next mission is." Michael says and Operations sucks in his cheeks.

"Hold onto Nikita, Michael. Just hold onto her." Operations says as he opens the door and takes Marissa away from Section One and into the light again.

Michael turns and stares up the stairs. Nikita was probably crying in the corner again, but he couldn't bring himself to climb the stairs. So Michael went to the living room and sat directly below Nikita and waited.

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