The morning was going to be a good one. The room had warmed up from the chilliness that the past week it had held. The clock didn't go off early, and for once, the dreams were good. Plus, Nikita's own clothing had arrived.

Nikita moves from the bathroom and shakes her long blonde hair out. It would be the first time that most of the operatives at the New York Sub-station would see Nikita. She was out to impress. She couldn't wait to walk down the hallway and be out of her imposed cell.

Nikita brushed her hair quickly and parted it down the middle. It wasn't the way Nikita would normally wear her hair during something like she was doing. It had been up for over a week now, and she just wanted it to hang some.

Nikita dashed some powder on her face and moved from the mirror. She had already put on her short shiny black leather skirt and had pulled on the purple turtleneck on. Nikita moved towards a box that is marked with the word shoes on it and starts to dig.

"AH-HA!" Nikita exclaims as she pulls out the boots she was hoping were packed. She grabs the knee-high patent leather boots with two inch chunky heels and pulls them up her slender leg. Nikita stands and makes a finally glance into the mirror. She smiles and waits for Zachary.

"Hello.... well.. that is going to make a statement!" Zachary says a few minutes later as Nikita steps out of the quarters and smiles at Zachary.

"Do you know there are studies out there that say a simple thing like dressing up can drastically change your mood?" Nikita asks as she now towers over Zachary. He nods and waves a hand to the left.

"I hope you haven't eaten... although I think we might have to put MedBay on alert with you walking around." Zachary says and Nikita giggles softly.

It was nice to hear the friendly sound from Nikita. She must have talked to Michael, Zachary decides as he takes Nikita to the left again. There is where they pass the computers and the operatives stare at Nikita very carefully.

Nikita noticed everything. It was the reaction she was going for. If she would have told Zachary, he would have said no to the plan. Nikita needed the entire Sub-station to know her name and to know who she was. It would be vital in the weeks to come in the investigation.

Nikita had decided during the night to proceed after the real killer first. Now this is not what Madeline would want and not what Zachary wanted. But Nikita knew if she found the copy cat first, Section One would dust their hands from the original killer and leave him on the streets. Nikita did not like that one bit.

"Who is that?" A man that sort of reminded Nikita of Birkoff asks from behind a computer. Nikita smiled as she approached the desk and pulled open the top drawer.

"Do you know of Birkoff?" Nikita asks the man. He nods his head and Nikita pulls the disk out.

"He made this game.... That is who I am." Nikita says as she drops an old copy of NIKITA---The Game on the desk.

"Nikita? The Nikita?" The man stammers and Nikita smiles broadly. He did remind her a lot of Birkoff.

"Yes, and you are?" Nikita asks.

"They call me Hayter." Hayter says as he smiles at Nikita. Zachary walks back to Nikita to claim her back.

"Well.. I'll remember you Hayter." Nikita says with a wink as she steps away and goes back with Zachary.

"He would replace Birkoff at Headquarters if something would happen." Zachary says as they turn the corner.

"Mmmm.. does he know that Birkoff got engaged?" Nikita asks.

***

Hayter moved over to the enlarged map and started to push some more pins into the map. It was a tedious job, that Zachary had made him do three times prior. This time, each pin was going to the exact spot of each scene.

"Do you know that your map now is outdated?" Nikita asks as she stands next to his computer. Hayter turns around and stares at Nikita. She is so tall in those boots and he tries not to drool. Everyone in Section One had heard about Michael and Nikita. Hayter had even viewed some videotape of the two working together. They were a matched pair.

Hayter also knew the rumor mill. It had suddenly stopped about Michael and Nikita a few months ago. Hayter knew it was because Walter and Birkoff, supplied most of the information. Still, some from Section One Headquarters continued it on. There were rumors of affairs and fights. Hayter didn't believe those ones. The ones he did believe in were the ones that said that the two were having difficulty becoming pregnant.

"How is it outdated?" Hayter asks as he drops the pins onto his desk. Nikita hands over the sheet and Hayter glances at it.

"You found which ones are the copy cats?" Hayter exclaims loudly and Nikita nods her head.

"Yes. We are positive that side A is the real serial killer and that side B is the copy cat of the serial killer." Nikita says with a smile. She looks at the map and shakes her head.

"So now we need two maps...." Nikita says and Hayter closes his eyes. He sits down at his desk and shakes his head.

"Do you know how long this will take me?" Hayter asks and Nikita smiles brightly.

"Not long, I hope!" Nikita says as she turns and walks away. Hayter watches Nikita turn the corner. She must be exploring the New York Sub-station.

Nikita moves down the hall and then to the right. There stands an older man with short balding hair. Nikita stops at the door way and studies the man.

"You must be Albert." Nikita says as she walks into the room. The man raises his head to nod until he notices Nikita's figure and smile.

"NIKITA!" Albert says loudly as he pushes away from the work station. Nikita smiles at the attention. People she didn't even know personally, knew all about her. It was odd but in ways kind of nice.

"You must be Walter's New York counterpart!" Nikita says with a blooming smile. The man nods his head as he looks at Nikita.

"He is suppose to be briefing me about the equipment he is sending to you... and all he does is talk about you!" Albert says and Nikita smiles. That was Walter for you.

"Did the equipment come in?" Nikita asks and Albert pushes a box towards Nikita. She pushes through some things and smiles at the little box with the tooth. Walter always kept his Nikita protected.

"Pretty fancy stuff there...." Albert says and Nikita smiles brightly.

"In the box or me?" Nikita asks and Albert laughs.

"Both!" Albert says with a sly smile. Nikita smiles back as she looks into the box again. She lifts her head and looks around the room.

"Albert... do you maintain all of the surgical supplies down at MedBay?" Nikita asks and Albert starts to shake his head.

"Not until recently. Some of the supplies were overstocked and we kept them in the back here. Zachary had a major fit when he found out. He ordered all the supplies down to MedBay." Albert says and Nikita nods her head.

"But they don't monitor them down there real well." Nikita says and Albert nods his head.

"That was my major complaint. You would think the arm guy was one of ours the way Zachary was acting." Albert says and Nikita nods her head.

"Well.. I have to go. Thanks for these!" Nikita says as she picks up the box. She turns the corner and leans against the wall.

"Mmmm.. Walter she sure is SUGAR!" Albert says as he shakes his head and goes back to work. Nikita smiles and walks down the hallway.

***

The link on the computer was firmly established for Nikita. She smiled at Walter and Walter smiled back. They had just said their hellos and started to smile. Nikita wasn't about to admit how much she missed everyone back at Headquarters, but then, Walter already knew that.

"I thought you were working some big profile mixed murdered thing. Why are you calling me?" Walter asks and Nikita smiles brightly.

"I am waiting for others to finish their work. I can't do anything without that yet." Nikita says and Walter nods his head. Nikita pushes the photos across the desk. She couldn't even remember how many it was now. All she knew was that the three most recent ones, found in the afternoon, were not the copy cat.

"Don't you hate that... I never..." Walter says and Nikita starts to laugh. Walter stops and laughs at Nikita. Walter knows if Nikita waiting for someone, it is usually himself. He never seemed to get things done quick enough.

"So, is Michael around?" Nikita asks and Walter frowns firmly.

"Nope, still out on that mission, sugar." Walter says and Nikita nods her head. She looks at her mailbox and shakes her head. All of a sudden it is swamped. Most of them have been from men asking Nikita if they could show her the town. Nikita in turn sent the report of the time that she spent with Michael in New York.

"Walter... it's weird here." Nikita says slowly and Walter raises an eyebrow.

"What'cha mean sugar?" Walter asks and Nikita shrugs her shoulders. She smiles and then frowns.

"It's like I'm a star or something. I mean... everyone knows me!" Nikita says and Walter rolls his eyes.

"You should be known if you are walking around in that black mini-skirt." Walter says and Nikita laughs loudly.

"Albert must have talked to you." Nikita comments and Walter nods his head.

"Sugar... you have to admit, you and Michael are the elite ones. You yourself caused change." Walter says and Nikita frowns.

"Or do they know me because I am Operations' daughter?" Nikita questions and Walter shakes his head.

"Sugar... you have a name for yourself. I think you probably have more of a following now than Madeline has, so that's why she sent you." Walter says and Nikita smiles again.

"Well... it makes me miss my real friends... but it makes manipulations of some suspects very easy..." Nikita says with a giggle and Walter laughs firmly.

"Hey, be nice to Hayter.. he is a good kid." Walter says and Nikita giggles back as the door opens. Nikita notices Zachary and turns back to Walter.

"Ok.. say hello to Anna for me?" Nikita questions and Walter nods his head.

"Hey, 'Kita... take care of yourself... ok?" Walter says and Nikita smiles and nods her head.

"What are you doing????" Zachary hollers as Nikita closes the computer. Nikita turns and faces him.

***

Nikita looks at Zachary and waits. She folds her legs and he stares harder.

"This isn't a circus.. this isn't a game. If you are trying to feed your ego.. go back to Section One Headquarters!" Zachary hollers and Nikita looks at him firmly. She couldn't believe he didn't see what she was doing.

Nikita slowly stands up and smoothes out her skirt. She pushes the chair back in and looks at Zachary.

"Did you see what occurred?" Nikita asks. Zachary looks at her and blinks his eyes. Nikita turns and grabs the pictures.

"Did you see that the three that were killed sometime today were of the original killer?" Nikita asks and Zachary clenches his jaw.

"AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM!" Zachary says and Nikita shakes her head.

"No.. our copy cat knows that I'm onto something. More than likely, will change his modus operandi.. but his signature will stay the same..." Nikita says and Zachary blinks his eyes and looks at Nikita.

"And how do you think we are going to know where he is? I kept this all in this room for this reason. I want to catch our copy cat!" Zachary says and Nikita places her hands on her hips.

"So it is more important to catch the Section Copy Cat Killer before we catch the real killer... Whom are we protecting there?" Nikita questions and Zachary shakes his head.

"If Madeline knew what you were trying to do...." Zachary says and Nikita forces a smile.

"She probably already does..... We force the copy cat into copying someone else's MO... he starts to make mistakes.. Mistakes gives us leads.. and leads gives us the copy cat...." Nikita says and Zachary shakes his head.

"I don't like this Nikita." Zachary says and Nikita shakes her head and goes to the computer.

"See how much Madeline doesn't like it.. but see how she agrees with it." Nikita says as she turns the screen towards Zachary. He glances at the screen and then to Nikita.

"Fine. We do it your way." Zachary says as Hayter opens the door and pushes the maps into the room.

"Thank you." Nikita says as she watches the two men walk out.

***

The plan was easy enough. More than likely, the copy cat killer would follow Nikita if she went out. That was why Walter had sent all the equipment. It was equipment that Nikita had great knowledge of, but most of the New York operatives have never seen before. It was one of the distinct advantages of working at Section One Headquarters.

Nikita walked down the street, dressed in her favorite red mini-skirt and a black top. She wore the black boots again, and red sunglasses. She looked around the streets carefully, making sure to check all around her. She would pause and flirt with a passing guy, because in doing so, she got to see who stopped and waited for her and who continued on.

"How many have we identified?" Nikita whispers as she steps into the dressing room. The lady had stared at Nikita's harsh look until she stepped out in the soft white dress. It was like two different people.

"We have ten that have stopped and followed you. There have been at least 3 more that have showed up several times but did not seem to be stalking you." Hayter reports and Nikita smiles broadly.

"Well.. I have some shopping to finish.. and then I'll be coming back." Nikita says as she pulls on a light pink business suit. It was made with the finest fabric and she smiled. Madeline had said Nikita could have anything that she needed.

She needed this outfit.

*

Zachary walks into Nikita's quarter as she walks out of the office and into her living room.

"I wanted you to know that I have placed secure devises on all of those on the list. We will be watching them." Zachary says and Nikita smiles softly.

"So my plan wasn't so bad after all, right?" Nikita asks and Zachary smiles as the phone rings. Nikita walks over and then looks to Zachary. He knows it must be Michael and quickly leaves.

"How are you Nikita?" Michael asks and Nikita sits down on her chair.

"Fine, and you?" Nikita asks and Michael cringes. He hated this distance.

"Fine." Michael replies and they both sit waiting.

"Well.. I have to leave on a mission." Michael says and Nikita nods.

"I need some sleep." Nikita says as she folds the phone and places it down on the table. Nikita looks at the pictures and then the map. It had only been ten days in New York and she feels like it had been a year.

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