ATTENTION: Stories marked with an * may contain material which would be better appreciated by those over 18. Parental Discretion is advised. This is your responsibility, not ours.

"Personal Signature"



Nikita rolled her head back as she felt the hours on the computer laying tightly around her neck and on her back. Nikita frowns lightly as she turns the corner and walks down the last hallway. She lightly brushes her hand against the hallway wall as she approaches her door. She slows and places her eye down for the retinal scan. She waits for the laser to pass by and the door opens up.

Nikita's hand pushes against the wall as she finds all of the lights off. Nikita thought she had left the one on, but doesn't think anything about it. Her hand hits the overhead light as Nikita turns to close the door. Nikita turns around and begins to scream.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Nikita screams as she pushes her body against the door. She can't find the handle to the door to get herself out. Her hands frantically pull and push at the door, but can't do anything.

There sitting on top the of the table, was an arm, surgically removed and placed on a box. Nikita quivers as she tries to get out of the room and finds it impossible. She wants to run and run far away. Someone has been in her room. Someone has gotten pass the security and into her room.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Nikita screams as she drops her purse to the floor and starts banging on the door for her life. It is an instant reaction. She can't stop herself. It feels as if the room is shrinking. Nikita looks behind her and the arm appears to be closer than it was.

"LET ME OUT!! GET ME OUT!!" Nikita screams on the top of her lungs. She pounds harshly at the door, not registering the stinging in her hands from the pounding. She looks over her shoulder again and it feels as if the arm is right behind her. Nikita screams louder as she can almost feel it brush her back.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT!!!!" Nikita screams.

Zachary runs down the hallway and finds Hayter and Albert standing outside the door. They stare at him as Nikita's pounding becomes more frantic and more filled with need. Zachary leans down his eye into the scanner and the door slides open, and Nikita runs directly into Zachary's arms.

Nikita's head is thrown into his shoulder as she tries to push him further and further away from her room. Zachary looks at Nikita asks her screams do not stop. He tries to calm her, but her body is in a full blown fight or flight response.

"Nikita.. Nikita..." Zachary says as Albert pears into the room and then looks sharply away. Zachary looks at Albert and then at Nikita. Hayter and Albert walk down to Nikita and Zachary, who are now about half way down the hallway.

"You better see it" Albert says as he peals Nikita off of Zachary's shoulder and onto his own. Nikita's trembles now shakes the smaller body of Albert and Hayter rubs Nikita's back softly. Zachary looks back at Nikita and slowly walks back up the hall.

Zachary sees the arm and then looks back at Nikita. It explained everything. Somehow, someone got pass the security and left Nikita a surgically removed arm. Nikita had reacted as anyone else would have. She wasn't expecting it, especially since she knew how much security had been placed into the room for reasons of confidentiality.

Zachary walks into the room and picks up the phone. He calls for the team of operatives that have been doing the investigative clean ups on these arms. Zachary looks around the place and shakes his head. He didn't have a clue how the copy cat murder had gained access.

"He is after me... he is after me.." Nikita mumbles as Zachary walks out of the room. He walks down the hallway and holds Nikita off of Albert's shoulders. Nikita's blue eyes stare back to Zachary and they reflect what she has seen.

"Nikita... I need you for this... Ok?" Zachary says firmly and Nikita feebly shakes her head yes. Zachary pulls her in for a strong hug as the team rushes in. Zachary does not need to instruct them to take the pictures of the arm and to leave with it as quickly as possible.

"Nikita, how long were you on the computers?" Zachary asks and Nikita shakes her head as Nikita finds herself unable to process information. Zachary looks at Hayter and he nods. He jogs down the hallway, in his pin striped PJ's to find out the answer.

"Was anything different that you can remember?" Zachary asks softly and Nikita nods her head as she attempts to push a trembling hand through her hair. Zachary waits, knowing that Nikita is slowly pulling herself together.

"I left the light on next to the couch... It wasn't on when I arrived. I thought that the light bulb burned out." Nikita says and Zachary nods his head. That was why Nikita was entirely in the room. She didn't see the arm until the door had already closed.

"Sir, do you want us to close the room off?" a man asks and Zachary shakes his head no. He walks down the hallway with Nikita as the team transports the arm out of the room.

***

Zachary slowly walks Nikita back to the room she had been staying in. Her tears had stopped, but he could still feel the tension in her arms. Zachary looked at Hayter as he walked back towards him. He had a print out sheet. He handed it to Zachary and then took it back.

"So you talked to Michael tonight?" Zachary asks and Nikita nods her head. Hayter stays nearby. Zachary pulls his head behind Nikita's to speak to Hayter.

"Place an extra bed into my quarters." Zachary says. Hayter slowly nods his head and trudges back up the hallway. Zachary turns back to Nikita and rubs her shoulder supportively.

"We have to gather the important information and move it... You will be staying in my quarters." Zachary says and Nikita nods her head. He turns towards the door and he waits for Nikita to step forward.

It amazed Nikita how it didn't even seem like anything was left for her. It all ended in minutes and the presence of the arm had vanished quickly. Nikita walked to the office side with Zachary. Everything was in tact and in order. Nikita pushes her hair back and shakes her head. She can't believe that the copy cat had left an arm for her. She was sure that he would try to hide his murders a little bit more once it was known that Nikita had broken which pictures belonged to which serial murder.

Nikita pulls at the box and walks back into the main hallway. Zachary pulls the board out and it has a shelf. Nikita places the box on the shelf and shakes her head in disbelief. How she wish she had Michael there. She could not shake the shaking and trembling feeling.

"Do you want to get something to change into so you can sleep?" Zachary asks as he looks at Nikita. She is still in the white and black gown that she wore to the Lion King. It was the first time he ever saw a lady willingly stay in a long gown.

Nikita looks down at herself and lightly smiles. She walks over and picks up her purse and sets it on the counter. Nikita hangs her head down before crossing the room towards the bedroom.

"Give me a few minutes." Nikita says before she pushes the door open.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Nikita screams louder than any other scream that Zachary had heard. The tone and pitch told him that things were not all right in Nikita's room. He turns to find Nikita sinking to the ground.

As Zachary turns and tries to see the room, Nikita tries to stand up to run, but can't. Zachary looks in and shuts his eyes in the horror. Nikita's screams echo in his head loudly and Zachary reaches down and pats her head.

"AAAAAHHHH! AAAAHHHH!!! Get me out... let me go.. Michael... Michael..." Nikita says as she struggles to lift her body up and away from the room. She can't even get her feet underneath herself.

Zachary moves forward to examine the body further. It was Tina Marie. She was a fine operative, and more importantly, she was seven months pregnant. Zachary looks at the body and notices a fine slip of paper. Zachary opens it and sets it back down. What it said was horrible and would destroy Nikita.

"AAAAHHH! AAAAAHHH!" Nikita screams as Hayter enters the room. Zachary turns around and stars at Hayter.

"Tina Marie?" Hayter asks and Zachary nods his head.

"Why her? She was about to have the baby!" Hayter say and Nikita grips onto his pants.

"It's a statement to me.... to me... AAAAAHHHH!" Nikita momentarily says in a brief period of calmness. The shock of her words invade her system and brings the uncontrollable screams back.

"Call the team back.. and send someone from MedBay with a sedative." Zachary says as he walks out of the room. He closes the door and pulls Nikita up in his arms. Her eyes are lost and vacant as he sets her down on the couch. Her tears and screams continue at the same frequency and Zachary shakes his head.

The copy cat was circling around Nikita. That wasn't a good sign. He had personalized his attacks and Nikita understood this very clearly. Zachary was relieved to find that the MedBay operative walked into the room first.

"They said you needed this." The operative says softly and Zachary rolls his eyes. Nikita's screams continue, but she tries to fight the operative. Zachary shakes his head as he strongly holds Nikita's arm still for the medicine to be placed into her arm.

"Nikita... don't worry..." Zachary says softly as Nikita stares at him in horror. The MedBay person turns away and walks out of the room. Nikita screams slowly diminish and stop as she starts to fall deeply to sleep.

"Hayter, Help me down to my quarters with Nikita, and then establish me a line with Ayn at Headquarters." Zachary says and Hayter nods his head. Slowly, they take the drugged Nikita down the hall to Zachary's quarters. Hoping that they don't run into the same events.

***

Ayn walks down the hallway with a bag half slung over her shoulder. Her hair is messed as she rounds the corner and runs directly into Madeline. Madeline looks down to the body and helps Ayn back up.

"Where are you going, Ayn?" Madeline asks and Ayn stares at her firmly.

"Ayn?" Madeline asks as she touches her messed up hair and hasty appearance. It was still very early, but Madeline was informed that Ayn had called for an emergency flight to New York.

"Just let me go." Ayn says through clenched teeth and her face begins to turn red. Madeline looks down the hallway and then back at Ayn.

"The only person in New York you would be interested in would be Nikita." Madeline says slowly and she watches Ayn's nostril flare.

"I don't have time for this." Ayn says as she tries to step around Madeline, but Madeline just moves to stop her.

"Time.. why is that important?" Madeline asks and Ayn drops her bag to the floor.

"Look.. I am trying to leave here as quietly as possible. I could go to Michael, but I haven't. I could go to Operations, but I haven't." Ayn says and Madeline steps back and blinks a few times.

"Ayn, what has happened?" Madeline asks and Ayn shakes her head.

"Ayn, I know what I sent her to New York to do, now what happened?" Madeline says firmly and Ayn sucks in her lips tightly.

"The copy cat left a message for Nikita." Ayn says and Madeline raises an eyebrow.

"An arm?" Madeline asks and Ayn looks to the ceiling.

"I wish it was only that." Ayn says tensely and Madeline tilts her head to the side.

"A body?" Madeline asks and Ayn rubs her hands together.

"A pregnant body... a seven month pregnant body." Ayn says and Madeline looks down the hallway.

"Tina Marie." Madeline breathlessly says. The situation has turned bad. The copy cat personally knew Nikita already. He had information on Nikita that Madeline had no idea how he got.

"How is Nikita?" Madeline asks Ayn as she bends down and picks Ayn's bag up for her.

"Not well." Ayn replies and Madeline nods her head.

"Madeline, you should have sent me on this. This is far too difficult for Nikita at a time like this." Ayn says and Madeline looks down the hall.

"No.. we would have never picked up the degree of the box... we still wouldn't have proof of a copy cat or no copy cat." Madeline says and Ayn shake her head in disagreement.

"But I wouldn't have to run to New York to be there for Nikita. When I said she hasn't taken this well.. I mean she hasn't taken this well." Ayn says and Madeline presses her lips together in thought.

"Fainted?" Madeline asks and Ayn shakes her head.

"Sedated." Ayn says and Madeline looks down the hall. It was definitely what Madeline did not want. Madeline would not have sent Nikita on this mission if she knew the copy cat would side step the security of Nikita's room and leave a body.

"Go." Madeline says as she steps against the wall. Ayn is actually shocked that Madeline did not insist on going. Ayn looks at Madeline and looks back down the hall.

"What about Michael?" Ayn asks and Madeline looks down the hall also.

"I will take care of that." Madeline says and Ayn walks down the hallway.

***

Zachary paces in the room and waits for Ayn to arrive. He had received the call informing him that they had picked Ayn up a half hour ago. Zachary wish that she could just be here. Zachary looks over to the side to Nikita. He had decided to keep Nikita sedated until he got someone who knew her by her side. It was only right that he could do that since Nikita had gone through so much in her room.

"Is she still sedated?" Ayn asks as she opens the door and drops her bags. She moves quickly to Nikita's side and sees that she is still sedated.

"Call your Medlab and get the antidote. I want her to wake up." Ayn says and Zachary looks at Ayn softly.

"It's MedBay." Zachary says as he leans out his door to a walking operative. He calls for the operative to retrieve the head of MedBay and to bring him there immediately. Zachary turns and finds Ayn at her bag digging for something.

"What is that?" Zachary asks and Ayn looks at him as she pricks Nikita's fingertip. She places the blood on the swatch before she gives her full attention to Zachary.

"I'm sure that Nikita was testing her Loving2000 levels herself here, but whenever Nikita receives medication, it has to be monitored. Your doctors in MedBAY aren't trained or knowledgeable with Loving2000." Ayn says and Zachary looks at Ayn inserts the swatch into the machine. It beeps and Ayn nods her head.

"Luckily, we are fine with it." Ayn says as the MedLab director walks into the room. Ayn lifts her head and stares at him.

"Wake her up." Ayn says and he looks at Zachary.

"Sir, you understand that normally after the emotional reaction that Nikita had it is traditional for us to keep them asleep for three days." The doctor says and Ayn starts to fume.

"Why do you think that Zachary has the stay in this matter?" Ayn challenges the doctor and he stares at Ayn.

"He is in charge." The doctor says and Ayn stares harder.

"And if you look back in Nikita's files you would have known to immediately contact Section One Headquarters as soon as she received any medication at all. Now wake her up." Ayn says firmly. The doctor looks at Zachary and shakes his head no.

"Who do you think you are?" The doctor asks and Ayn looks to Nikita and then to Zachary.

"I am Ayn.. who the hell are you so I can make sure that your next psychological survey deems that you should be canceled?" Ayn responds and the doctor opens the bag. He pulls out the medicine and gives it to Nikita.

"She should be up in five minutes." The doctor says and Ayn smiles harshly. Ayn waits for him to leave before she walks back to the bed. Ayn pulls a chair to the side and takes Nikita's hand softly.

"Ayn.. she was really hurting." Zachary says and Ayn nods her head. She fully understands.

"Nikita... you have to wake up now..." Ayn says softly and Zachary looks away. Ayn watches Nikita blink her eyes and then the tears rolling down her face. Soon the screams come back. Ayn rolls onto the bed and hugs Nikita tightly.

"Nikita... it's over... It's been done... now you have to gather the strength back up and face it. You and only you can catch the murderer." Ayn says softly as Zachary turns and walks out of the room.

"No... No... I can't.. I can't..." Nikita cries softly and Ayn holds Nikita tighter.

"Nikita, you have too... before he kills another mother." Ayn says and Nikita's tears stop.

***

Madeline was pleased to find Michael in Headquarters early in the morning. It would make her task a lot easier to achieve and easier to explain off. He was sitting at his desk, as he had papers spread across onto Nikita's desk.

"Do you like the extra desk space?" Madeline asks softly as she shuts the door and Michael looks up. He looks over to the desk and then back to Madeline.

"No." Michael shortly remarks and looks back to his computer. Madeline stands near the door and waits for Michael's attention.

"I haven't finished the Florida report yet, Madeline." Michael says without looking up to her eyes. He pushes a few more papers and then stops. He turns his head up to Madeline.

"What is it, Madeline?" Michael replies and Madeline smiles.

"Don't worry about the Florida report. It can wait." Madeline says and Michael pulls his chair closer to the desk and presses his arms against the black surface.

"I have a mission on Hong Kong that I need you to complete." Madeline says and Michael turns his head and stares at Nikita.

"Isn't there someone else that can do it. I was gone for nine days, and have a lot of paperwork." Michael replies and Madeline shakes her head.

"No, I need you to complete this mission. It isn't even suppose to happen." Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

"What is it?" Michael replies and Madeline smiles harshly.

"Mia Chung.... she is a business woman who is falling into the wrong crowd. We need her files destroyed so that she can think it was them." Madeline replies and Michael stands up. He pulls at his jacket and looks at Madeline.

"And who is Mia Chung to us?" Michael replies and Madeline smiles broadly.

"The reason why this can't leave this room." Madeline says and Michael shakes his head.

"She is a daughter of someone in Section." Madeline says and Michael turns his head.

"And it's not Walter... Operations." Michael says and Madeline nods her head. Michael sighs and turns away.

"Michael, she does not look like Nikita. She is very different." Madeline says and Michael turns and looks to the phone.

"Well, if you don't mind.. I would like to talk to Nikita before I take off.. I assume I won't be allowed contact." Michael says and Madeline nods her head but steps in front of the phone.

"Zachary says that Nikita hasn't been sleeping and finally went to sleep three hours ago. This isn't a good time to call Nikita." Madeline says and Michael shakes his head.

"So I don't know when I will talk to Nikita again." Michael says and Madeline nods her head.

"That is true." Madeline says and Michael closes his eyes.

"When do I leave?" Michael asks and Madeline nods her head.

"Immediately. I have your things packed." Madeline says walking out of the room.

***

Ayn walks into the new room that holds all of the evidence pictures. She looks around and shakes her head. She looks to Zachary and moves closer to him.

"She will be coming soon." Ayn says and Zachary nods his head.

"Our next copy cat victim was found. Thankfully outside of our station." Zachary says and Ayn nods her head.

"Anything I should know about?" Ayn asks and Zachary drops the picture to the table. Ayn looks at it and then looks away. He was continuing to send messages to Nikita.

"Another one... let's not tell Nikita." Ayn says and Zachary nods his head. That moment the door opens and Nikita walks in.

"Let's get this copy cat..." Nikita says as she walks to the board. She looks and shakes her head. He was so inconsistent, and no one operative was off duty for all the murders. Nikita didn't like it. It had to be an operative on special assignment or something else that caused exact time files not to be watched.

"Wow.." Nikita says as she walks back to the map and shakes her head. The original killer's map was longer lines while the copy cat had just dumped wherever. Nikita looks down at the picture of the arm that she found and shakes her head.

"I can't do this." Nikita says in a simple voice and walks to the door.

Ayn is turning as the door opens and the screams start again. In the hall sits the arm on the box. Zachary runs to the phone to find out about the security and Ayn pulls Nikita away. Her screams quickly stop and she holds her chin high.

"I need to talk to Michael." Nikita says and Ayn closes her eyes. She knows that Michael has been sent to Hong Kong. There is to be no contact. Michael knows the mission is case sensitive and use of Section phones may reveal what he is doing.

"That is not possible." Ayn says and Nikita turns to her and cries.

"Then more unborn babies are going to die...." Nikita says softly and Ayn shakes her head.

"How do you know that from her arm?" Ayn asks and Nikita walks to the doorway and picks up the cold dead fingers. She points to a ring with a missing opening.

"It's a family ring.... This spot hasn't been set with a stone yet.. which means baby was on it's way." Nikita says coldly. Ayn stares at it and then looks at the wall. Nikita stands up and moves to the drawer and starts to take the pictures for the team.

Ayn shakes her head. She wants to send Nikita back to Headquarters. Yet, Nikita was very perceptive about what was going on. Her innate ability to pick some small detail up like that could only be described as natural. Ayn realized that if this case was to be solved, it had to be by Nikita. Ayn also understood the possibilities that the copy cat would just follow Nikita back.

"I need to talk to Michael." Nikita says firmly and Ayn looks to the phone.

"Nikita, I will see what I can do... but I cannot promise anything...." Ayn says as she moves to the far corner to call Madeline.

***

Michael stands inside Mia's office with a notepad in his hands. In the day he has spent there, he had gotten no time to even think about the mission. Michael's hand writes what Mia is saying but his mind is elsewhere. Madeline had called him right before he left for Mia's office. Michael sat through what Madeline told him and thought about Nikita. It must have been terrible for Nikita.

He asked Madeline to pull him off the mission. He told Madeline that Nikita needed to see him and not just hear him. Madeline replied with that Nikita only asked to speak with him. Michael shut his eyes as he checked the standby beeper. It was a beeper of last resort, and the number that Madeline passed onto Nikita.

Michael jumps as the beeper goes off in his pocket. Mia looks down at Michael's side and stares at him. Michael takes it out and swallows hard. It was a New York sub-station number.

"I didn't know you had a beeper. Is there other business that is more important than this?" Mia asks and Michael forces a smile.

"My wife. She is in the states. She wouldn't beep me unless it was important." Michael says softly. Mia nods her head, forcing a smile.

"Use your phone at your desk. Don't take long." Mia says and Michael nods his head. He hopes he doesn't have to cut Nikita off. She probably really needed to talk to him.

Michael goes outside the office and to the phone. He wished he had time to secure it, but he just didn't. He picked up the phone and quickly dialed the number. He waits as it rings four times.

"Michael?" Nikita responds and Michael smiles at the sound of her voice.

"Nikita... Madeline told me... are you ok?" Michael asks. He waits and hears some static. He was always worried about traditional overseas phone calls.

"I am fine, Michael.... but Michael... do you know where Stephen was assigned under for his special missions?" Nikita asks and Michael looks to the wall. He understands that Nikita had been told that Michael's time would be short.

"I believe to New York. Why don't you ask Operations?" Michael asks and he almost laughs at himself. Nikita doesn't even respond to it.

"Whomever the copy cat is, knows me, Michael... What if it is Stephen?" Nikita asks and Michael rubs his chin tightly.

"Nikita, why are you concentrating on the copy cat?" Michael asks firmly.

"Because.. he is killing pregnant women.. he knows.. Michael.. he knows...." Nikita says with the stress finally being heard on her voice. Michael shakes his head.

"Nikita, this is unlike you. You know that if you get the original killer first, that the copy cat will lose his identity and become sloppy." Michael says firmly, reminding Nikita something she had repeated to him over and over again for months.

"Michael... the other killer is just killing women... the copy cat is after me... killing women and unborn babies. He wants me." Nikita says shakily.

"Listen to yourself, Nikita." Michael says firmly as he leans his head back.

"Michael, Madeline and Zachary wants the copy cat caught." Nikita says firmly.

"Since when did you listen to them?" Michael asks and Nikita chuckles lightly. Michael smiles.

"Should I try to locate Stephen.. Michael.. I found cards on the table..." Nikita says and Michael closes his eyes. Nikita must be close. It was going to be a mess once he was caught.

"Nikita, the original killer won't stop... the copy cat will probably slow down at least if you give no emotional reaction... I know what he is doing is extremely personal, but that shouldn't matter.... Protect the innocents." Michael says and he hears Nikita sigh.

"I just wanted to let you know... just in case... if something happens to me... check Stephen first." Nikita says and Michael feels a chill go down his spine.

"Be careful, Nikita." Michael says.

"I plan on it." Nikita says firmly.

"I love you." Michael says.

"I love you too." Nikita says and hangs up.

"Who is your wife?" Mia asks as she looks at Michael from the doorway.

***

Michael turns in the chair as the telephone is placed back in the receiver. Michael looks at Mia and smiles.

"Her name is Nikita." Michael says and Mia walks closer to his desk and pulls a waiting chair closer to his desk. Michael looks at her and smiles.

"That conversation was very intense." Mia says and Michael folds his hands.

"I didn't know you made it a practice to listen." Michael says firmly and Mia turns her head and shrugs her shoulders.

"What does she do? You kept on talking about a murderer." Mia says as she studies Michael. Michael nods his head.

"She is a profiler for a small governmental agency. Basically, she is hired per case." Michael explains. He is telling Mia nothing that is dangerous.

"You seem to know a lot about her work. Where is she now?" Mia asks and Michael pushes a paper to the other side of the desk.

"She is in New York." Michael replies and Mia nods her head in thought. She rubs her chin and crosses her legs.

"How long has she been there?" Mia asks with a wink. Michael internally rolls his eyes.

"Three weeks." Michael says and Mia again nods her head.

"Profiler must be an emotionally draining job." Mia replies and Michael smiles brightly.

"Yes, but usually Nikita handles it very well." Michael says. Mia pushes at her skirt, pretending to smooth it out.

"Sounds like there is a problem this time." Mia says and Michael leans back in his chair.

"Sometimes there are copy cats... they copy the crime. Sometimes they personalize the crime. This time.. the copy cat is taunting Nikita." Michael says and Mia looks back harshly. It was scary to think that anyone would put their life on the line like her.

"Interesting... I have always been intrigued by profilers.... my book company has been looking for a good autobiography." Mia says and Michael smiles broadly.

"Well, there are several sites on the internet that maintain information on profilers. Nikita doesn't because she doesn't advertise that is her job. She wants to keep it quiet." Michael says and Mia stands up and walks to the door.

"Come and show me... I can never find interesting web sites." Mia says. Michael stands up and thinks to himself 'hook, line, and sinker.' Michael cross the room and sits in front of Mia's computer.

"How do you turn this on?" Michael asks and Mia points to the back panel. Michael picks his body up and looks behind the panel. He pushes his hand down and pushes Birkoff's computer devise onto the keyboard and flicks the computer on.

***

For two days, things at New York did not calm down, but Nikita had calmed down. She had covered up the copy cat killer's side of the panel and worked on the original killer. Nikita just walked into the room and covered the panel up.

Zachary at first argued with Nikita. Madeline wanted the copy cat killer found. Nikita firmly stood her ground. In the end, Nikita's argument that the copy cat killer would become sloppy once the original killer was found, was much stronger, and therefore Zachary agreed.

And for two days, the copy cat killer stayed quiet. Nikita did seem to gather leads from the original killer. Zachary was actually able to look over some basic paperwork that he had stopped doing because of the murders.

Now, Zachary sat in the room, reading some of the deductions that Nikita had preliminary made. They were basic, but necessary.

"Zachary.. you better get down to van access now." Hayter's voice pierces the room. Zachary looks to the corner, where Ayn stands. Ayn had decided to stay on, at least for a little while. Zachary stands up and pushes the button.

"What is it Hayter?" Zachary asks firmly.

"Our copy cat has struck again." Hayter announces. Zachary looks down at his watch. Nikita was due in from a crime scene from the original killer at any moment. Zachary rushes out of the room quickly, as Ayn makes sure that Nikita is diverted around the scene.

*

The scene was a mess as Zachary turned the corner. Albert looked up and then at Ayn. He moves to Zachary and looks around.

"We might have a problem." Zachary says and Ayn looks to her watch.

"Nikita arrived three minutes ago, and we took them through MedBay access." Ayn informs Albert but Albert shakes his head no. That wasn't the problem.

"What is the problem? We haven't found the arm?" Zachary asks and Albert blinks. It was true that they haven't found the arm yet. But that still wasn't the problem.

Hayter steps to the side and the bloody body is seen. Even Zachary initially turns his head in horror. He swallows and looks at Hayter.

"Gillian?" Zachary asks and Hayter nods his head. Zachary turns and holds onto Ayn.

"We have a problem." Zachary says and Ayn stares at Zachary. She looks down at the body and then back to Zachary.

"What is the problem?" Ayn asks and Zachary starts to lead Ayn away from the scene. It was normal procedure to move away from a crowd, but there wasn't much of a crowd.

"Gillian was eight months pregnant." Zachary says and Ayn's eyes open wide.

"Where is the baby?" Ayn asks as she pushes past Zachary and back to the body. She looks down and realizes to full knowledge why there was so much blood. The baby had been cut out of the womb. Ayn shakes her head and steadies herself by reaching a hand out to the wall.

"We have to find it before Nikita does." Ayn says trembling. Albert, Hayter and Zachary nods there heads.

"Call for the team. They can take care of the body. Split apart and search the Sub-station." Zachary says firmly as he turns and walks down the hallway.

***

Michael walks out of the office and turns the light off with a loud click. He has been on a whirl-a-wind trip. He couldn't wait to tell Nikita that she had another half-sister out there. It was unreal how Operations had gotten around.

"Michael... I am glad I found you." Madeline says and Michael leans against the door.

"Madeline... I hope this isn't about another child of Operations." Michael says without blinking. Madeline smiles and looks at Michael.

"You finished that mission quite quickly. I haven't read the report yet. How did you gain access to the computer so quickly?" Madeline asks and Michael smiles.

"Mia overheard the conversation between me and Nikita. Seems that she had an interest in serial killers, but could never find the information on the internet." Michael says and Madeline nods her head.

"Now, I have spent the majority of the past several days on the airplane. I can't wait to sleep on a bed." Michael says and Madeline folds her hands in front of her.

"You may not be doing that tonight." Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

"ANOTHER MISSION!" Michael hollers and Birkoff looks over from the computers. Madeline shakes her head and motions to the office. Michael pushes the door open and steps back into the dark office. Madeline enters and keeps the lights off.

"We have a situation in New York." Madeline says and she can hear Michael intake air rapidly.

"How is Nikita?" Michael immediately asks after the few seconds of paused silence.

"As of now, fine. It all matters what occurs. I just want you to be aware." Madeline says and Michael waits to hear what Madeline is about to say.

"They found another copy cat's body. Nikita doesn't know." Madeline says and Michael shifts his weight in the dark.

"If she doesn't know, what can hurt her?" Michael slowly asks, knowing that Madeline wasn't telling everything.

"They haven't found the arm, but I think that Nikita can handle that." Madeline says slowly.

"What is missing, Madeline?" Michael asks tensely.

"The girl was eight months pregnant. The baby was cut out of her." Madeline says coldly and she hears the intake of air more severe than the first time.

"Madeline... she can't find that baby." Michael says and Madeline this time takes in the sharp and cool air.

"We have several people looking for it, Michael. It just a matter of timing. Someone is going to find it. I just wanted you to know that there is a possibility that Nikita will." Madeline says and she hears the drawer open up.

"What did you get, Michael?" Madeline asks as the drawer shuts.

"The beeper. Nikita doesn't know that I am back from Hong Kong yet." Michael says as he brushes pass Madeline and hurries home.

Madeline looks into the dark room and closes her eyes. There is nothing but darkness. She could only pray Nikita does not find the baby first.

***

Nikita walks down the hallway quickly. She had a plan of attack. She needed to get some more clothes for the next few days from the room. Then she had to go retrieve some files that were inadvertily left in the office part of the quarters.

Nikita smiled at a few operatives that she did not know as she walked quickly. There was the intense need for her to go immediately to Zachary's quarters, but Nikita pushed that need away. What she need to do was to solve this case. To do that, it meant going back to what had been her quarters.

Nikita leans down and has her retina scanned. The door opens up and Nikita enters. But the quickness and firmness has escaped her body.

Nikita looks back quickly as if someone was behind her, to find the door shutting quickly. Nikita smiles the momentarily panic off and looks around the quarters.

For some unexplained reason, Nikita starts to sweat as she stares at the bedroom door. Nikita looks it and steps closer. Something was calling her closer, something was screaming at her to run. Nikita moved closer and closer.

Panic consumed Nikita asks she manically searched the room for anyone or anything. Her head darted from one side to another as her hand lingered fractions of centimeters from her cold silver gun. Nikita could hear her heart thumping inside of her body.

Nikita knew whatever was behind that door was not good. She didn't even hesitate opening the door. It was as if she knew she had to open it. It was meant to be.

Nikita's hand moves quickly away from the gun as she sees the dead baby in the sheets. Her mouth closes and Nikita swallows hard.

Some kind of auto pilot kicks in, and Nikita's movements are not because she does them out of her sane mind. She moves forward and wraps the naked body tightly and picks it up.

"NIKITA!" Ayn calls out as she enters the quarters. Nikita turns with the bundle and walks to the doorway. Ayn looks at her and sees Nikita's tears on her face, that Nikita herself was not aware of.

"Can you make sure it gets back to it's mother." Nikita says calmly as she extends her arms. Ayn looks at the bundle and allows a few tears of her own flow. As Ayn takes the bundle, Zachary walks into the room. Ayn only turns to the side and hands the bundle off.

Nikita leans forward into Ayn, and Ayn leans forward into Nikita. Ayn feels Nikita's body tremble slightly and then calm itself down.

"I'm going to get those files and go back to work." Nikita says as she pulls away. Ayn stands up and looks at Nikita.

"Why don't you take some time, Nikita?" Ayn says softly. Nikita turns and looks at Ayn. Nikita looks down at her hands and then back at Ayn.

"The sooner I get back to work... well... we both know what will happen." Nikita says softly as she turns and walks into the office side of the quarters.

A few moments later Nikita emerges from the office side with the four files in her hands. She looks back at the room and then to Ayn.

"The arm is in there." Nikita says and walks into the hall.

***

Michael fiddles at his fingers continually in Madeline's office. He looks at the clock and then at Madeline. She had ordered him there. Michael hated every minute of it. If Nikita called, her call would be monitored in every sense. It wasn't what Michael wanted.

Madeline paced back and forth. It was a small form of torture. She wanted to know who found the baby. She hoped and prayed that it wasn't Nikita. It was a rare moment like the present, that Madeline realized the consequences of her actions. She couldn't deny it this time. The copy cat killer knew Nikita and knew what Madeline had essentially done to her. Maybe Nikita didn't realize it, but Madeline saw it.

The phone on Madeline's desk rings and Michael leans back. At least the waiting would be over now. That was what was driving Michael more insane by the moment. Madeline picks it up. She listens for a moment.

"So Nikita found it." Madeline says softly and Michael leans his head down onto the desk. Nothing was ever easy, and this was just plain bad.

"She said that?" Madeline asks in a shocked voice. Michael picks up his head and looks at Madeline. The surprise in her voice was odd.

"And she went back to work? That is because she knows to catch the killer she has to work. Watch her. Someone goes and talks to her. I want her to call Michael." Madeline says firmly as she stares at Michael.

"I do not want any questions. Just do it." Madeline says as she hangs up the phone. Michael sits up straight and looks at Madeline.

"She found the baby." Michael says and Madeline nods her head.

"She didn't have a severe reaction. She wrapped the baby up and asked that it would be returned to the mother. Even I did not expect that." Madeline says and Michael looks at her with a penetrating stare.

"So you expected her to be sedated again." Michael says as he stands up and looks at the beeper.

"Yes. We both know how Nikita feels about children, Michael. I was expecting the worst... but then.. she might just be in shock.. hence why she needs to call you." Madeline says and Michael looks at her.

"She won't call, Madeline. I'm going home." Michael says and leaves. Madeline stares at Michael and shakes her head. Nikita was going to call and Madeline knew it. If Nikita didn't call..there would never be any more of the relationship between the two.

***

Nikita had moved out of Zachary's quarters three hours ago, when he wanted to sleep. Nikita took her body, her ice tea, and her files to the computers. At first there were a few people left there, but soon, Nikita was left by herself.

Nikita typed and worked away. She was looking for something that she had missed. She looked at everything, over and over again. Whenever she would close her eyes for a few seconds, she would see the baby that never got to live.

Albert looks on from the corner. Ayn had discussed to Albert about Nikita. Ayn had seen a basic relationship between Albert and Nikita that looked like the beginnings of the relationship that Nikita had with Walter. Ayn planned on using that.

Nikita shook her head in frustration and pulls her hair back. She slams her hand against the desk and leans her head back.

"Nikita... why don't you call it a night?" Albert asks softly as he steps out of the corner.

"Oh, Walter.. I just have to figure this out..." Nikita instinctively says as she turns her head. Her mouth opens as she sees Albert.

"Sorry... it was just something Walter would tell me." Nikita says and Albert nods his head.

"You miss him, don't you?" Albert says softly as he pulls up a chair and looks at Nikita.

"You know.. you stay funny things when you are tired... that's all." Nikita says with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Nikita, you miss Walter." Albert says and Nikita smiles softly.

"Yeah. He always knew what to say at the right time." Nikita says softly as she runs her fingers against the keyboard.

"What would he tell you to do now?" Albert asks and Nikita looks to Albert and then the keyboard.

"To turn off the computer and to go home to my wonderful husband and curl up in his arms." Nikita says softly as she looks further away from Albert.

"Nikita, this has been a stressful day. Have you even spoken to Michael?" Albert asks and she shakes her head no.

"Why not, Nikita?" Albert asks and Nikita drops her head a little bit.

"Honestly, I don't know." Nikita says softly as she folds her computer down.

"Then why are you still here?" Albert asks and Nikita again smiles.

"Maybe because I'm afraid about what happens after I speak with Michael." Nikita says and Albert tilts his head and looks at Nikita.

"And what do you mean by that?" Albert asks, slightly confused.

"Well... me and Michael have been going through some troubling times now... and I know that he loves me... but after we talk... I have to go to sleep... and that... that is something I really don't want to do." Nikita says and Albert nods his head in understandment. He wouldn't want to go to sleep if he had found the baby too.

"Who says you have to hang up the phone?" Albert asks and Nikita looks at him and then shakes her head.

"I believe that Michael is still on a mission... he can't talk to me all night." Nikita says and Albert looks at his watch.

"It wouldn't be all night." Albert says. Nikita looks at him and forces a smile. And they sit there for a moment, sitting in the silence.

***

Michael rolls out of bed as the beeping burns through his sleep. Michael pushes at the blankets quickly and grabs the beeper from the nightstand. As he looks at the number, he rubs his eyes, and then grabs the cell phone. Michael dials the number and leans against the headboard.

"Nikita..." Michael says as the phone is picked up.

"Michael.. I know you are on a mission... but..." Nikita starts to say and Michael looks up to the ceiling.

"Nikita, I'm back at Headquarters." Michael says firmly and Nikita sighs in relief.

"Michael.... I don't think that I can continue with this..." Nikita says softly.

"I know what you found, Nikita... It must have been awful." Michael says and he hears the sobs of Nikita.

"All I thought about was that the baby should be with it's mother... and how unfair it was that these mothers and babies are dying because the killer knows me." Nikita says softly.

"Nikita, it is not your fault." Michael says firmly.

"But Michael it is my fault. The copy cat is sending me messages...." Nikita says firmly and the tears start to flow more.

"Madeline sent you, Nikita. Blame Madeline." Michael says and Nikita almost laughs.

Then there is silence and Michael rolls his head forward, in thought.

"Look, I wish you could come back to Headquarters... and I wish I could be there to hold you in my arms... I wish we could just be and not worry about all this other stuff... but Nikita... remember there was a time we weren't allowed... a time where this call would be monitored... a time where pregnant mothers in Section One did get killed." Michael says and he hears Nikita's sharp intake of air.

"I know that, Michael. I do.... but Michael.. I found a dead baby in MY BED!" Nikita screams as she moans a little in emotional pain.

This time Michael can't stop his own tears. He wanted to be there. He wanted to walk into that room and wrap his arms around Nikita tightly, and never ever let go. Michael wanted to dry these tears and the tears that still had to come.

"I don't know what to tell you, Nikita.... I don't know what I would do... but what you did, was very motherly." Michael says and Nikita continues to cry.

"Thank you, Michael." Nikita says softly.

"No reason to thank me, Nikita. You know I would do anything for you." Michael says as he stretches a little bit in the bed.

"Then don't hang up." Nikita firmly says and Michael chuckles lightly.

"Nikita, you need to sleep." Michael says firmly back to her.

"I'm afraid... tell me a story." Nikita says and Michael smiles at the ceiling.

"Nikita, really... a story?" Michael asks and Nikita nods her head on the other end.

"Tell me about Florida." Nikita says and Michael shakes his head.

"I thought you were upset about that still." Michael says. He waits for Nikita's answer as she snuggles down in the bed more.

"No. It was a mission. Did Anna enjoy it?" Nikita says and asks. Michael sits up straighter in bed.

"Yes... We went on the Pirates of the Caribbean... Now at the front there is this bird, singing that song... 'Yo ho Yo ho.. a pirates' life for me'... Well Anna loved that song. We were inside the ride when the song starts again. So Anna sang the song over and over again, not even knowing the other words." Michael says slowly.

Nikita starts to cry in her sleep. Michael was surprised that Nikita had fallen asleep so quickly. But the cries bothered him.

"Shhh... Nikita... I'm here..." Michael says softly.

"Hush my Nikita...don't you cry... Michael's gonna buy you a mocking bird.... and if that mocking bird don't sing.... Michael's gonna buy you a diamond ring... And if that diamond ring don't shine... Michael's gonna buy you a happy dog... and if that dog doesn't run... Michael's gonna..." Michael starts to sing in a whispering voice, ready to stay up the rest of the night, if needed.



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