Operations walks into Medlab and walks to the charts and then starts towards the cabinets of medicine.

"Father!" Trevor calls out from his room. The doctors had decided to place a steel plate into the ankle until it got well enough. There had been just too much damage to the ankle. Trevor was on his last day of being confined to Medlab.

"Hello Trevor." Operations says as he pulls away from the table with medicine in his hands. Trevor tilts his head as Operations just pauses at the doorway.

"I get to start on crutches today!" Trevor says with a smile and Operations nods his head. He looks to the door and drops his head.

"I am sorry, I do not have time today." Operations says and Trevor starts to frown.

"Why?" Trevor asks and Operations rubs his face with his free hand and looks at Trevor.

"My son is coming in today." Operations says and Trevor nods his head.

"My half brother. Do I get to met him?" Trevor asks and Operations shakes his head back and forth quickly.

"He is here on business and that is all. I must go, Trevor. I will speak with you later." Operations says as he turns and start to walk out of Medlab. His mind was not on his youngest son today.

He moves through the halls quickly and stops as he steps inside van access. He looks at the door and when it finally opens, he sees the chained hands. Operations lifts his head and looks at his son.

"Hello, Stephen." Operations says as he walks towards him with the medicine.

"How is Nikita?" Stephen asks and Operations motions the other operatives away. He looks at Stephen and slaps him.

"She is fine now that she has what you wanted her to have." Operation says as he steps back and plunges the medicine into Stephen's arm. Operations walks to the hallway and calls the operatives back.

"Does it matter? She has what she wants and I have what I want…. To be on a mission with her." Stephen spats at Operations and he slaps him again.

"You do not have anything. You are expendable." Operations says and Stephen laughs again.

"But yet you bring me all the way back here to help with one little terrorist… that really sounds like I am expendable." Stephen says as he struggles to keep his eyes open.

"Do not fight the medicine. You will not get any chance while in Headquarters to do anything remotely hostile. Especially towards Nikita." Operations says and Stephen winks and then grins.

"Of course… wouldn't want to hurt that precious little…" Stephen starts to say, but Operations punches him before the statement was finished and before the operative heard about Nikita's secret.

"Get him out of here. Make sure he is properly drugged and restraint." Operations says as Stephen falls into the deep drug-induced sleep. Operation almost smiles as the operatives drag Stephen away. For a few hours he felt sorry for Stephen, but once he took stock of what Stephen did, and more specifically did to Nikita, he realized that he was lost forever.

"Does he know about Nikita?" Madeline asks as she walks into the van access.

"What about Nikita?" Operations asks and Madeline frowns at the game he was starting to play.

"Her child." Madeline says and Operations swallows. He forgot, Stephen was not to know. It could possibly destroy the mission.

"No. He doesn't know." Operations says as he turns and walks out of the van access. He had other things to attend to. Suddenly, he wanted to help Trevor with his crutches.

*

The phone was ringing for the fifth time when Melissa finally grabbed the phone up. She pulled her body up and looked to the bedroom that Nikita was still asleep in. Nikita made it clear that Melissa shouldn't answer that particular phone, but Nikita did not even stir.

"Hello?" Melissa asks softly.

"Nikita, come in." Michael says and Melissa wrinkles her nose and forehead up.

"But… Mich…" Melissa starts to say.

"Nikita, come in." Michael interrupts and starts to sound annoyed.

"Michael… I am not…." Melissa starts out trying to explain. She looks to the bedroom. From where she is standing, she can see that Nikita still has not even opened her eyes or even moved.

"Why are you stalling, Nikita?" Michael asks and Melissa smiles. She will finally have the chance to explain.

"I am not Nikita! I'm Melissa." Melissa says. She waits and gathers no response from Michael for several moments.

"Where is Nikita?" Michael asks and Melissa rolls her eyes. This conversation was turning out to be more difficult.

"She is sleeping in the bedroom." Melissa says as she turns her back on the bedroom. She feared what was going to come out of Michael's mouth next.

"Wake her up now. I will wait." Michael says and Melissa starts to shake her head.

"Michael.. She needs her sleep. You know how upset her stomach was yesterday and she…."

"Wake Nikita up, Now." Michael says and Melissa drops the phone to the stand and walks to the bedroom. She didn't like Michael in this way.

Melissa sat down on the bed and gently shook at Nikita's arm. Nikita rolled her head back and slowly popped her eyes open.

"How are you feeling?" Melissa asks concernedly.

"Much better." Nikita comments with a smile. Hopefully now the morning sickness would be under control.

"Michael is on the phone." Melissa says and Nikita's head snaps up from the bed. Quickly, the covers are thrown off the bed and Nikita is standing up.

"Why did you answer that phone?" Nikita demands of Melissa. Melissa smiles, trying not to get caught up in Nikita's mood.

"It rang for about six times, Nikita. You didn't even move in bed." Melissa says and Nikita nods her head slightly and moves to the hallway quickly.

"Michael." Nikita says and Melissa stares at Nikita. How did Nikita know it was Michael without even knowing? There was something special between those two, and Melissa was beginning to think it was something more than just plain special.

"How are you feeling?" Michael asks and Nikita brushes her hair back with a free hand and smiles slightly.

"Much better." Nikita comments and she looks at Melissa. Melissa gets the hint and walks back to the room that she is staying in.

"Is she gone?" Michael asks and Nikita's smile turns upside down.

"Yes, she is. What is it, Michael?" Nikita asks as tension starts to spread throughout her body.

"Operations wants you to come in. Seems as if there is a mission." Michael says and Nikita almost sinks to the floor.

"They wanted me to take the week off! It has only been four days!" Nikita exclaims as she takes a hand and balls it into a fist.

"Nikita, we both know that they can change what they want from hour to hour." Michael says and Nikita slams her hand to the top of the stand.

"Nikita, do not get upset. Just take a shower and come in." Michael says and he hears the tears start to flow from Nikita's eyes.

"I can't believe this…. I am so sick and tired of this. Am I going to end up in labor on a mission? Uh, Michael?" Nikita asks with red-hot tears scorching her face. Michael swallows hard.

"No. Do not worry about that now, Nikita. But you must come in. I have bought you an hour or two, but not much more." Michael says and Nikita hangs up.

Michael folds the cell phone up and turns to Madeline who had entered only a few moments ago. She shuts the door and looks at Michael.

"Does she have morning sickness today?" Madeline asks and Michael swallows and wishes Nikita did have morning sickness.

"Not yet. She is still pretty emotional." Michael says and Madeline's face falls to almost an ash color.

"You haven't seen emotional until you see her later." Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

"Stephen has been returned to Headquarters. You will be working with him." Madeline says and walks out of the office before Michael has the chance to throw anything at her.

*

Nikita walked into Section One Headquarters and looked around. Slowly she walked down the hallway. She paused as she saw Madeline walking towards her. She found the event odd. Even strange. Madeline never approached Nikita this early, unless she needed Nikita to know something right away, or unless she needed to stop Nikita from finding something out.

"Michael is waiting for us in my office." Madeline says and with that, Nikita starts to walk slowly with Madeline. Madeline turns towards Nikita, and Nikita hurries her speed up. It is not long before they enter Madeline's office.

Michael stands up and kisses Nikita on the forehead. Nikita looks at Michael as she sits down and Michael takes her hand in his. This was not like Michael.

"You will be briefing in a few minutes, but I thought it was important to go over a major issue about this mission first." Madeline says and Nikita looks at Michael.

"Issue? How about I am still three days short of having rest for a week?" Nikita challenges Madeline and Madeline only frowns.

"I am taking orders from someone else, Nikita. I did not have control on this one." Madeline says and Nikita turns her head. She knew exactly whom Madeline was talking about.

"The mission is to take down a known terrorist Scottie Scaranning. Unfortunately, we have to use the one person in Section One who has a connection to him." Madeline says and Nikita shifts in her seat.

"Who?" Michael asks and Madeline blinks her eyes and looks up at the ceiling.

"You and Nikita will be required to work with him." Madeline says and Nikita looks at Michael and then at Madeline. Her stomach was fine before, but Madeline was making it flip now.

"Who?" Nikita asks with a trembling voice.

Madeline stands up and uses her toe to push her waste can out so that Nikita can easily access it. Madeline had tried for hours the previous night to get Operations to change his mind. She had. She felt guilty that it did not work.

"Nikita, realize, that this is being done for the good of the world." Madeline says and Nikita starts to tremble.

"Who?" Both Michael and Nikita demand at the same time. Madeline nods her head and walks back to her desk.

"Stephen." Madeline says and Nikita drops her head down and omits a large scream. Michael touches her head softly as he stares at Madeline in anger.

"How can you do this to her now?" Michael asks. Nikita rolls her head up and takes a long cleansing breath and looks at Madeline. Madeline is almost shocked that Nikita had not thrown up.

"It is necessary for the success of the mission, Michael. Stephen is the only operative that Scaranning will trust." Madeline says as Nikita wipes her tears away.

"Madeline… what about my condition?" Nikita asks carefully and Michael turns to Nikita and stops. Nikita needed to be concerned. Stephen was just a little bit too far off in the sanity department.

"He cannot know about it, Nikita. He can't." Madeline says and Nikita nods her head and turns to Michael.

"It's alright, Nikita." Michael says as he touches her quivering chin.

"I should have killed him." Nikita says as she turns her head away from Madeline. The statement was so raw and filled with Nikita's exact emotions.

"Nikita, I want you and Michael to understand. If this mission is not moving as planned and it is necessary, Stephen is a elimitation possibility." Madeline says and Nikita looks at Madeline. God, Nikita hoped the opportunity gave her the chance to do so.

"Nikita… be careful at the briefing. Just don't say a word, and get through it. I will speak with you and Michael again before you leave." Madeline says and Nikita stands up and takes Michael's hand.

*

Nikita walked into the briefing room and was not ready to see the man who struck terror in her heart and soul. She swallowed hard and leaned against Michael and tried to listen to Madeline's advice as she threw a sharp and stern look at Operations.

"Nikita… Nikita… hush little Nikita.. Don't you cry.. Your never going to hold a baby…" Stephen sings out and Operations pushes a button and Stephen stops. Nikita looks at Stephen and then at Operations. She turned and looked at Michael and laced her hand into Michael's.

"I was thinking of names we can call your baby when you have one…. Lucifer!" Stephen calls out and Nikita turns her head and tries to remain calm. She closes her eyes and waits for the briefing to stop. Michael leans over and kisses her ear softly.

"Oh, how sweet! I bet you he is rough with you in bed!" Stephen calls out and Operations stands up and slaps Stephen across the face.

"That is enough. I am going to start the briefing." Operations says and Stephen nods his head. Nikita looks at the apparatus that Stephen has been placed in. She did not know why they were going to chance letting him out. They must really need this terrorist, Scaranning taken care of. They knew the risk they were taking allowing Stephen onto a mission.

"This is Scaranning. He is a terrorist who has been trying to attempt to reunite with his old friends in Red Cell. We must stop him from doing so." Operations says as he starts the screen. Nikita looks out of the corner of her eye and looks at Stephen. He was smiling, but now pretending to rock a baby with his hands.

"Can't we just take him out?" Michael asks, looking for alternative ways to achieve the same thing without risking Nikita.

"If we thought that, we would not have brought Stephen here." Operations says and Nikita turns to look at her half-brother, the serial killer, again. He smiled and winked at her. Nikita stared at him and got a chill down her spine.

"Nikita…" Operations says for the third time and Nikita turns her head back and looks at Operations.

"You and Stephen will met with Scaranning. We need to take him out, but we also need the information on his computers. That information may give us the knowledge to finally rid ourselves of Red Cell." Operations says and Nikita stares at him. She wants to say something and starts to pound her hand on Michael's thigh.

"Where will I be?" Michael asks and Nikita almost sighs in relief.

"Since Scaranning, somehow knows about Nikita very well." Operations says and pauses.

"He likes you, Nikita. I told him all about you, sis. About how your long legs wrap around Michael so delicate with a light…" Stephen says and Operations pushes the button again. Nikita watches as Stephen shuts up. It must be sending electricity throughout his body.

"Enough, I didn't ask for you to speak." Operations says as he stares at Stephen and then to Nikita.

"Michael, you will be monitoring from the van." Operations says as he starts to hand out the panels of information about Scaranning.

"He doesn't like pregnant people.. Is that a problem for my sister?" Stephen asks with a wicked smile on his face. Nikita stands up and takes the panel.

"No, it isn't." Nikita comments and walks out the room. Michael follows her closely behind. How he ached to push on that button that Operations had until Stephen was nothing more than charcoal. Michael stops as Nikita opens the bathroom and walks in.

Michael waits and Operations passes.

"This is sick." Michael comments and Operations stops and looks at Michael.

"I would expect such a comment from Nikita." Operations says and Michael presses his lips together and waits as two operatives escort Stephen down the hall.

Operations looks at the bathroom and then at Michael.

"I hope she gets that under control." Operations says as he turns and leaves.

Nikita steps out of the bathroom and looks at Michael. She takes Michael's hand and pulls him close to her body.

"Stephen knows." Nikita says and Michael nods his head.

"I have the same feeling, Nikita." Michael says as he walks with Nikita to their office, protectively with an arm around her shoulder.

*

The office door opens as Nikita sits on the couch. Madeline enters and looks at Nikita. Nikita's face showed worry and concern as Madeline shut the door.

"Madeline.. We don't like this." Michael remarks and Madeline nods her head. She knew they were not going to like this.

"Can't Michael be in there with me?" Nikita asks almost meekly from the couch. Madeline moves to the couch and sits down next to Nikita.

"Nikita, I hate this profile, but we do need to bring down Scaranning." Madeline says. She looks at Nikita as she stares at Michael. There was that silent communication between the two. They felt something and weren't going to share with Madeline.

"The most difficult part will be controlling your emotions. I saw you in the briefing room, Nikita. Stephen will not be hooked up to any machines once on the mission." Madeline says and Nikita nods her head.

"This is dangerous, Madeline. He is a cold-blooded killer. We all know this." Nikita says and Madeline stands up and looks at Michael and then Nikita.

"That is why I am here. We need to go over what to do in situations." Madeline says and Nikita cracks a small smile.

"Kill Stephen for anything off of profile." Nikita says and Madeline tightens her lips.

"He is your half brother." Madeline says and Nikita shakes her head.

"He is Satan himself!" Nikita exclaims. Madeline laughs a little inside. She had thought the same thing for some time now. She could not see how Operations could risk Nikita like this.

"Rule number one is to protect your child. If he even starts to tell Scaranning that you might be with child, kill him and get out." Madeline says and Nikita looks at her and then folds her hands on her lap.

"Madeline, what does Scaranning have against babies?" Nikita asks and Madeline shakes her head.

"I will not tell you that." Madeline says and Michael turns and looks at the computer.

"I saw it Madeline. Should I tell Nikita?" Michael asks and Madeline looks at him.

"Nikita, he takes the mother's prisoners… and wait for the child to be born… and then he tortures the child in front of the mother until he kills both." Michael says and Nikita swallows hard.

"You will have three lines of bugs and wires on you that Operations will not know of. Birkoff will be monitoring all lines. We want to use the tooth too." Madeline says and Nikita nods her head.

"I don't want to do this, Madeline." Nikita says and Madeline nods her head.

"It should run smoothly." Madeline says and Nikita starts to shake her head.

"Nothing with Stephen runs smoothly." Nikita comments and walks into the bathroom.

"Michael, more than likely, this is not going to turn out the way we plan." Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

"Why do you say that?" Michael asks and Madeline only stares at him.

"You can not react on your emotions here, Michael. Wait for orders from me. Do you understand?" Madeline asks and Michael nods his head.

"Are you going to follow them?" Madeline asks and Michael turns and walks to the bathroom to check on Nikita. She did not expect Michael to listen.

* Nikita walked down the hallway and stared at the man in front of her. He was walking free, like nothing had happened. Her hands started to ball up and her teeth started to grind together in leather. Michael stood at the van access door when he noticed Nikita walking about ten feet behind Stephen.

Stephen turned the corner and looked back at Nikita. He grinned and winked at her. He looked up and down Nikita and shook his head.

She was wearing a pair of tight leather pants and tight leather jacket tied tightly around her waist. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she wore dark brown make up. It was not a traditional look for Nikita, and Michael had a feeling she wasn't making a statement to Scaranning, but to Stephen.

Michael stepped in front of Nikita and pulled her to the side. He touched her chin softly and moved his mouth close to her. Michael touched her chin again and looks into her beautiful blue eyes.

"Nikita, I will not be far. I will protect my family." Michael says as his hand brushes down by Nikita's hip. Nikita nods her head, but the tension does not leave her body. He brushes his lips against Nikita's lips. They were sort of dry, and Michael slightly licks them and starts to kiss her again.

Nikita pulls away and closes her eyes. She was close to tears again. Michael steps back and gives Nikita the space needed to regain her composure. Nikita turns her head and sees Madeline at the end of the hallway. Nikita starts to step towards the van access.

"Nikita… not yet." Michael says as he notices Madeline. He holds Nikita's arm softly and pulls her back towards him. Nikita looks at Madeline and tries again to leave on the mission.

"Nikita, this is important for us." Michael says and he looks at Madeline.

"Ok?" Michael asks and Nikita nods her head. Nikita drops her head slightly as Michael presses his hand against her hip again. Michael looks into her eyes and blinks his eyes a few times.

Madeline stares at the conversation. It was so beautiful how they could express so much between each other with not a word being said. Sometimes there was a need for words, but for times like this, Michael and Nikita did not need words.

Nikita softly takes a hand up and places it on Michael's chin and nods her head slightly. Michael bends and kisses the fingertip and runs his hand up to her neck. Her blue eyes strained to take all of him. In those moments, she felt safe and secure. Michael felt as if he was giving her his strength. He feared that she would need it on this mission.

"IS SOMEONE IN BED WITH HER HUSBAND!!! DON'T MAKE A BABY!" Stephen screams out from the van and the voice echoes up to Michael and Nikita. Nikita jumps and holds onto Michael. She closes her eyes and then nods her head towards Michael.

He did not want to watch Nikita turn and walk to the van, and then follow her. Michael took her hand and started to walk with Nikita. Together they turned the corner. Maybe it would convey to Stephen that they were together, a force.

Michael looked at Nikita and smiled. When she had faced Stephen before, she was without Michael. Now she had him. She could do it, Michael told himself. It scared him to let her step onto the same van with Stephen, but he easily stepped in with Nikita and sat down next to her.

"Oh.. The pretty couple even sits together.. What is Nikita going to do when you have to stay in the van?" Stephen asks and Nikita swallows hard and lifts her head.

"Hold my finger on my trigger." Nikita says and Stephen laughs.

"I don't think dad would like that!" Stephen says and starts to laugh. Michael squeezes Nikita's kneecap softly and Nikita turns her head away from Stephen.

*

Nikita walks into the room and looks at Scaranning has cards dealt on a table. Nikita looks at Stephen and raises an eyebrow. She listened as the door closed and a chair was pulled out for her to sit in. Nikita licked her lips and sat down and watched Stephen cross the room and pour himself a drink.

He was too comfortable in this situation. Nikita looked at Stephen as Scaranning dealt out some cards.

"Do you play?" Scaranning asks as his men pace around behind Nikita. Nikita smiles and looks at Stephen.

"Only with Stephen." Nikita comments and Scaranning smiles and nods his head. He picks up his cards and looks at them.

Nikita looks at Stephen has he finally walks over and sits next to Nikita. She narrows her eyes. She is starting to get a bad feeling about this.

"I think you should look at your cards now." Scaranning says. Nikita looks at Stephen and then slowly raises her cards to her hands.

"Nikita, I don't like this." Michael whispers over her comm unit. Nikita looks at Stephen.

"What is this, Stephen? I only play with you." Nikita says slowly as he looks at the man's eyes. Stephen smiles and looks at Scaranning.

"Just play, Nikita." Stephen says and Nikita looks at him.

"Nikita…." Michael says, as the mission is not proceeding as plotted.

Nikita stares at her hand. She had nothing. Zilch, Nadda. Nikita looks at Stephen and picks up three cards that she asked for. Nikita feels a cold sweat run down her back as she looks at the cards.

"Do you remember the game you played with Stephen?" Scaranning asks and Nikita slowly nods her head. Suddenly, her hand is being forced down and Stephen grabs Nikita's gun and places it on the table. Her hands are pulled back and tied to the chair by the men.

"Nikita!" Michael calls out. Nikita tries to kick as they start to tie her legs down.

"Is this what you call revenge, Stephen!" Nikita screams out as she tries to fight against the bindings. She stops as Stephen stands up over her. She looks at Stephen spits down at her. Suddenly, Stephen is being pulled back and tied.

"DAMN IT, STEPHEN! HE double crossed you!" Nikita screams. The guards walk over to Nikita and start to cut away her shirt, looking for bugs and wires. Soon, Nikita felt her connections to Michael being pulled away. Nikita looks at Stephen and shakes her head.

"Yes… yes… made Stephen think he was getting back at you…" Scaranning says as he walks to Nikita, who was wearing now a bra and her leather pants. He leans down and runs a hand onto Nikita's leather clad thighs. Nikita holds back her reaction to spit in his eyes. Nikita squirms and is given an uppercut to the chin in return. Nikita swallows and tastes some blood in her mouth.

"Take them downstairs. I don't want to dirty my carpets up here." Scaranning says and Nikita is kicked in the shin and then picked up in the chair and carried.

Michael is in the van, accessing the tooth. All other communications from Nikita have been taken. Michael hears a moan as he hears footsteps. Michael walks to the computer and pulls out the schematic.

"Michael, what is going on?" Madeline hisses over the line and Michael stands up and pulls out a gun.

"I am going in after them!" Michael says.

"NO! It has turned into a hostage situation, Michael. Let's wait." Madeline says and Michael slams the gun down on the desk.

"Nikita is in there. Stephen was using this possibility as revenge! Madeline!" Michael yells and falls to the seat. He knows that Madeline is right now. The situations have turned. He would never make it to the basement alone.

"Madeline.. You have only two hours. And if that man gets anywhere near my child… I will go in." Michael hisses.

"Michael, I am sending two teams via helicopter out now." Madeline says and cuts the communications.

*

Nikita looks around the room and looks at Stephen out the corner of her eye. Scaranning walks back to Nikita and proceeds to punch her in the chest. Nikita gasps for air and Scaranning walks to Stephen.

"She is a beauty, isn't she?" Scaranning asks and Stephen smiles.

"Yes. I am sure her and her husband are a pair to see in bed." Stephen says and Nikita swallows. Stephen looks at Nikita and winks.

"HE KNOWS!" Nikita screams and stops. She needed Michael to know that Stephen knew. That statement and that remark just put Nikita and the baby in Stephen's hands. He could tell Scaranning, and Nikita would be subjected to torture.

"He knows what?" Scaranning asks he walks back to Nikita. Nikita swallows hard. He looks Nikita over and licks his lips. He smiles and then proceeds to punch her in the jaw.

Nikita tries to maintain consciousness, but it quickly becomes a losing battle. Nikita drops her head back. Scaranning looks at Stephen.

"She is very beautiful." Scaranning says slowly and Stephen nods his head.

"Too bad she isn't pregnant." Scaranning says and Stephen nods his head. He looks to Nikita and then to Scaranning.

"Yes, too bad." Stephen says and Scaranning kicks Stephen in the chest.

"I might be able to change that." Scaranning says as Stephen gasps for air and Scaranning walks out of the room.

Nikita looks around the room and then at Stephen. She could not stop the tears from falling.

Michael paces in the van, getting all intelligence on what is going on with Nikita via the tooth. He could easily tell that the form of torture was from pain. Michael walked to the computer as he heard the two pulses.

"Michael, we want you to hold your position." Madeline says and Michael slams his hand into the desktop.

"Stephen knows Madeline. He knows that Nikita is pregnant. Do you know what kind of power that gives him?" Michael demands angrily as two leaders of the teams knock on the van door.

"I want to set a perimeter, and then let Birkoff do a scan of the building. The reading we have from Nikita's tooth does not match with the floor plans we have." Madeline says and Michael opens up what they are speaking about.

"Did Stephen give you the floor plan?" Michael asks. He stops and waits. When there is no answer, he knows the answer.

"Do we have cancellation orders on Stephen yet? He gave false intelligence." Michael says and there is again no answer.

"Madeline?" Michael asks.

"There is no cancellation order. Operations is refusing to speak with me." Madeline says and Michael slams his hands on the desk.

"HOW DID STEPHEN FIND OUT!" Michael roars. Michael turns and looks at the team leaders and walks to them.

"Set a tight perimeter. Report any weaknesses that you may find." Michael says and he opens the van. Soon, the van empties out.

"Madeline…. Stephen knows that Nikita is pregnant. How did he find out?" Michael demands.

"I am personally working on that Michael. I am still trying to protect secrecy on that issue. It will take some time." Madeline says as she glances up at the blackened dark office.

"We might not have time, Madeline. If Stephen knows, he will use that information to work against Nikita." Michael says and Madeline swallows hard.

"He may use it to protect Nikita. We do not know where his loyalties lay with the family." Madeline says and Michael shuts the computer. He could not take Madeline's thoughts anymore. He needed to get Nikita out.

*

"Tell me where is Section One." Scaranning says and Nikita shakes her head no quickly. She is not surprised with the punch to her face. She tries to turn her head with the blow of the punch to reduce the pain and injury. She turns back and looks at Scaranning.

"Stephen! She is a cold operative, isn't she!" Scaranning screams out and Stephen nods his head. Scaranning goes over and pierces Stephen's forearm with a knife. Scaranning moves away, leaving the knife in the arm.

"But she is your sister. Does she care for you?" Scaranning asks and Nikita smiles.

"I care for him less than I care for you." Nikita says and Scaranning again punches Nikita. She sobs as she feels the tooth knock out of the holder. Nikita almost swallows it. She rolls it around in her mouth and then spits it out. Scaranning walks over and picks it up.

"Oh my, we have lost a tooth. Poor Nikita." Scaranning says and Nikita looks at him.

"Let me go. I will take you in." Nikita says and Scaranning starts to laugh.

"Do you think that Red Cell would allow me to live that long?" Scaranning says and he kicks at Nikita's other shin.

"Stephen… I think I want to work on her…." Scaranning says and Nikita's eyes drop in horror. What did he mean work on her. Scaranning walks over to the roaring fire and places a long knife inside the flames.

"Oh, dear. This will hurt when I start." Scaranning says as he placed the knife in a flame and then picks something up from the table. He walks towards Nikita and pushes her head firmly backwards. He then starts to rub Nikita's elbow roughly with course sandpaper.

"Ah, she is going to give up a fight. I love that." Scaranning says and Stephen coughs.

"She would make beautiful babies." Stephen says and Nikita glares at him. Scaranning walks over to Stephen and slaps his leg tightly. Nikita takes the time to look at the table that is not far away from her. There was a gun on the table. She looks back at Stephen.

"I would have to find the perfect guard. Would not want bad genes messing with hers." Scaranning comments and he walks over and punches Nikita in the chest. She feels some of her ribs bend at his force. She starts to gasp for air until she can get the pain to subside.

"I believe she is fertile too." Stephen says and Scaranning slaps his hands together and drops the paper on the table and then pulls the knife out of the fire. He smiles at Nikita.

"Well… I will look at my local men. Then I will come back and see about improving her appearance." Scaranning says and Nikita waits as Scaranning slams the door shut.

"What are you doing? You are going to get me raped!" Nikita screams and Stephen looks at Nikita and smiles softly.

"Although that is what my sister deserves for being a slut for Section One…. I have bought us some time." Stephen says and Nikita shakes her head as her stomach flips and her vision starts to cloud.

"Hold it back, sis… we wouldn't want him to know that you are pregnant." Stephen says in a sing song voice. Nikita looks at him. He was right, and she had to give him the knowledge that he was correct, and it boosted his ego.

"See, I am not all bad." Stephen says as he blows Nikita a kiss.

Michael paces in the van. The team leaders had not reported back in and Michael had listened through everything.

"Madeline.. The tooth is no longer in Nikita's mouth." Michael reports as he opens up the computer.

"I heard. It is a bad situation. Have we found a weakness?" Madeline asks and Michael shakes his head.

"No. Have you found out how Stephen found out that Nikita is with child?" Michael asks and this time Madeline shakes her head.

"How much longer do we wait, Madeline?" Michael asks. His only response is the line being cut off. He still had to wait.

*

"It's cold here. That's what I notice." Trevor says softly as he sits on the bed. Operations moves the black checker and smile as he takes Trevor's red piece.

"The islands must have been a great place to grow up." Operations says and Trevor smiles as he jumps three of Operations'pieces. Operations looks at Trevor and smiles with him.

"It's alright, except for hurricanes." Trevor says and then he drops his head. "And not seeing mom is bad." Trevor adds on and Operations nods his head, as there is a knock on the door.

"We need to talk." Madeline says and Operations turns and looks at her.

"Not now, Madeline. I am with my son." Operations says and Madeline smiles to Trevor and enters the room.

"Nikita has been taken hostage." Madeline says and Operations nods his head and Trevor looks at Madeline in horror. He liked Nikita.

"We expect that Stephen was setting us up." Operations says and waves Madeline away.

"Viktor, your daughter is being tortured as we speak!" Madeline screams and Trevor looks at Madeline and then to Operations.

"Nikita is my sister?" Trevor asks and Operations glares at Madeline.

"Your half sister. She has a different mother." Operations says and Trevor looks at Madeline with tears in his eyes.

"Is she going to be all right? You are going to save her, like she did to me." Trevor says and Operations nods his head and stands up.

"Why don't we play later." Operations says as he moves towards the door. Madeline walks down the hallway to an empty room and slams the door shut.

"What kind of move was that, Madeline?" Operations demands and Madeline holds her firm look. She looked at the clock and then at Operations. She had less than forty-five minutes before Michael started his own personal plan to extract Nikita.

"What kind of move was yours? You knew that Scaranning has behaviors towards pregnant women, and you also knew that Stephen had knowledge of Nikita's pregnancy." Madeline says firmly and Operations lifts his head.

"Has Scaranning done anything to endanger the baby yet?" Operations asks calmly and Madeline shakes her head.

"You were positive that Scaranning was going to take them! YOU KNEW!" Madeline yells and Operations nods his head and looks to the doorway.

"And how did Stephen find out?" Madeline asks and Operations shrugs his shoulders.

"You are the only one that has had contact with Stephen that knows." Madeline says and Operations lifts his head.

"It is possible he observed Nikita's behavior and figured it out himself. He is a very smart person." Operations says and Madeline tightens her look on Operations.

"It is not possible. You told him." Madeline says and Operations blinks his eyes.

"Was this before or after he arrived?" Madeline asks and Operations turns his head and looks to the computer.

"What kind of torture are they using?" Operations ask and Madeline spins Operations back around.

"YOU TOLD HIM AND THEN LIED TO ME!" Madeline screams and Operations looks to her and drops his head.

"Has it hurt the baby yet?" Operations asks and Madeline frowns.

"Not as far as we can tell. We aren't getting a lot of useful intel from the compound. The floor plan was wrong." Madeline says and she feels the anger boiling in her.

"So, did you ever even think about Nikita in this ordeal?" Madeline asks and Operations turns back to the computer.

"Have we located a weakness and how long as Michael given us?" Operations says and Madeline stares at him.

"HOW DARE YOU STAND THERE LIKE THAT!" Madeline screams and Operations only lifts his head.

"It was my call, Madeline. We know that Nikita will not break." Operations says and Madeline drops her head and looks at him.

"That was before she was with child." Madeline says and she turns away.

"Madeline, have we found a weakness and how much longer until Michael goes in as a one man squad?" Operations asks and Madeline blinks.

"You will just have to find that intel out yourself." Madeline says as she walks out of the room. She walks past Trevor's room and nods her head towards him. She wish that Ayn and Nikita would have come to her. She might have been able to protect Trevor from the wrath of his father.

*

Nikita opened her eyes and rolled her head around. She could almost not think. Slowly, the blurry world started to clear out as a figure entered the room and headed to the fireplace. Nikita blinked a few times before she noticed that it was Scaranning.

"Ah… you opened your blue beauties!" Scaranning says as he picks up the sterile knife that had now cooled off some. It was still warm as he moved closer to Nikita.

"Are you going to tell me what I want?" Scaranning asks and Nikita blinks a few times. He moves to her shoulder and smiles.

"Well… this shouldn't hurt to much." Scaranning says as he carefully start to peal back the skin from her shoulder, taking the thinnest layer of skin off. Nikita trembles with the sensations and then lifts her chin up.

"It is one of the least sensitive places on the body. The air will hit it and cause more pain that the cut itself." Scaranning says and he bends down and gently blows some air over the exposed area. Nikita bites on her bottom lip and the pain subsides.

"You are a strong one." Scaranning says as faces her and punches her in the chest again.

"Leave her alone." Stephen hisses and Nikita shakes her head. Stephen was not going to help. Scaranning was starting to walk towards Stephen, when he kicks Nikita firmly in her chest again. Nikita gasps for air and Scaranning laughs.

"Like you said, Stephen, she will make beautiful babies." Scaranning says and Nikita stares at him. She licks her lips and lift her chin up.

"No.. I can't have much more of that. YOU ARE A WOMAN! YOU ARE LOWER THAN ME!" Scaranning screams and Nikita looks at Stephen. It was not mentioned on Scaranning's profile that he was openly hostile to woman like this.

"BOW YOUR HEAD!" Scaranning yells as he picks up some sandpaper. As he does so, Nikita glances at the gun again. If she could just get both hands free, she could get out of this.

Nikita opens her mouth as Scaranning start to rub the sandpaper on the knob around her neck and back. Nikita howls as he punches her in the back of the head. Nikita grasps at the consciousness and maintains it. It may not have been a good thing as Scaranning uses the knife to carve off a patch of skin from the area he had sanded down.

"TELL ME!" Scaranning screams at Nikita as she now cries.

"NO!" Nikita screams and Scaranning pulls Nikita's hair in a ponytail, and with the ponytail, pulls her head way back and ties it down. The pain is making the edges of Nikita's vision go more than hazy.

Scaranning starts to kick towards Nikita's stomach. She closes her eyes in horror. She couldn't believe it may end that quickly.

"STOP!" Stephen screams. "SHE IS PREGNANT!" Stephen screams and Scaranning stops and looks at her. He walks to Nikita and lets her hair go. Nikita drops her head down, as the pain radiates down her spine. She sobs softly.

"Is it true?" Scaranning asks and Nikita remembers the profile. He would keep her. Torture her. And kill them both. Nikita bit her lip. But it would give her time. She could put up with any other torture.

"Yes." Nikita says bitterly and Scaranning takes the knife and hastily makes a patch on Nikita's other arm. He walks to Stephen and punches him in the chest.

"You fool! I could have killed the baby!" Scaranning yells and Stephen smiles.

"I have done that a lot myself, and find pleasure in it." Stephen says and Nikita's inside is screaming as she spins her hands around and touches the leather pants that are thankfully still on. Nikita looks to Stephen with some pain from the movement. She touches the pants. She may have found a way out.

"So now you are going to torture me for the next seven months and then kill me and my baby!" Nikita screams and Scaranning laughs.

"I must get your room prepared!" Scaranning says as he starts to dance out of the room. Stephen looks at Nikita in horror. He didn't know what Nikita was doing. Stephen had no idea that Nikita already knew that bullet number four had Stephen's name on it.

*

Nikita waited a few moments before trying to move her shift and sore body. She slide her behind closer to her hands. Carefully, Nikita pulled at the string on her one pocket. Nikita carefully placed it into the handcuff and rubbed the wire to start the fuse.

Nikita closed her eyes as the wire and the fire burnt her skin but quickly the handcuff was off that hand. The skin that Scaranning had removed screamed as Nikita moved her hand around to pull the second string out and to free her other hand.

"GET ME OUT!" Stephen screams and Nikita winces in pain as she turns her head to view Stephen. She feels the pain in her ribs and can only hope she can have the luck in pulling her plan off. She may only have once chance.

Michael stepped out of the van and moved into the woods. He walked to the east wall, since that was the easiest and quickest was into Nikita. Michael squats in the woods and looks at the team leader walks over to him.

"We have no orders, yet." The leader says and Michael nods his head.

"I will be going by myself." Michael remarks and the leader start to shake his head. Michael turns and stares at him.

"Michael… team leaders… take the compound down. Find Nikita. Cancellations orders on Stephen." Madeline says over all lines. Michael looks at the team leader and nods his head.

"Looks like I won't be alone. My only objective is Nikita." Michael says as he jumps up and heads towards the building.

Scaranning walks into the room and smiles at Nikita he sets down some medical equipment and smiles at her again. He walks over and slaps her in her face. Two guards walk in, as gunfire is heard not far away.

"Maybe that would be your husband." Scaranning says and Nikita lifts her head as Scaranning moves towards Stephen. Nikita lunges for the gun and grabs it with her hand. She kills the two guards before they can even notice her hand on the trigger. Nikita moves and pulls a bullet into Scaranning, not killing him, but seriously injuring him. Nikita then turns and points the gun to Stephen.

"You can't do it, Nikita." Stephen says as he smiles at her.

"You aren't a cold blooded killer." Stephen says as Nikita lifts her head painfully back.

"I am not doing this for me… I'm doing this for my child." Nikita says as she squeezes the trigger, and the bullet enters between his eyes. Nikita screams in pain as her ribs start to burn inside her and as she can barely keep her head up to look at the door.

Nikita points the gun at the door as it moves a fraction. She drops the gun down as Michael enters and looks at her. He doesn't even notice Stephen. He walks to Nikita and she begins to cry.

"Are you ok, Nikita?" Michael asks as he sees the damage on her arms, neck, and face. Nikita moans in pain as Michael undoes the bindings on Nikita's legs.

"The baby is fine." Nikita says and Michael finally looks at Stephen. He nods his head and touches his comm unit.

"Nikita recovered, need medical. Cancellation order completed. Scaranning taken and needs medical." Michael reports and he turns back to Nikita.

"What is all hurt?" Michael asks as he tries to access Nikita. She winces as she tries to take in some air again. Michael looks at her chest and can see the bruises forming.

"My ribs. I think he broke a few. He kicked my shins pretty bad… Can you get a cloth over that expose skin on my neck." Nikita says with slightly labored breathing. Michael pulls off his coat and gently covers the exposed skin as three more operatives run into the room.

"The computer has been recovered." The first operative reports. Michael nods his head.

"Someone drag Scaranning to the van. Someone help me with Nikita." Michael says. He gently start to lift underneath Nikita's arms and she howls in pain.

"THE RIBS!" Nikita screams and Michael nods his head and stops. Michael rubs his chin, thinking of a way to move Nikita without more pain.

"Michael… who killed Stephen?" Operations barks into the comm unit. He looks at Nikita. She finds the strength to pick herself up to her feet and grab the comm unit from Michael's ear.

"I DID." Nikita confirms and then falls towards Michael in pain.

*

Medlab was not a place to be when Michael brought in Nikita. Nikita sat on the gurney and Madeline moved towards Trevor's room.

"I am going to close these blinds and the door." Madeline says to Trevor and he sits up.

"Is Nikita going to be alright? She looked bad." Trevor asks and Madeline pauses. She walks to Trevor's bed.

"She will be fine. Knowing Nikita, she will leave tonight. Michael cares for her and will watch her." Madeline says and Trevor nods his head.

"YOU KILLED MY SON!!!" Operations is heard screaming. Trevor looks at Madeline with a confused look.

"Not now. You mom can explain tomorrow." Madeline says as she turns out of the room quickly, as she can heard the shrieks of Medlab personnel.

Madeline walks out of Trevor's room to find Operations at Nikita's bedside with his hands around her neck. Michael has been punched and is pulling his body up.

"VIKTOR STOP!" Madeline screams.

"You killed Stephen in cold blood! YOU KILLED HIM!" Operations screams and Madeline walks to the bedside and starts to push Operations away from Nikita. His hand start to slip away and Nikita gasps for air.

"I ordered his cancellation." Madeline says slowly, but it does not matter to Operations as he starts to crumble emotionally.

"What have I done? My Stephen is dead." Operations cries out and Madeline moves down the hallway with the crying Operations.

Michael watches and turns back to Nikita's bedside. Elana walks over and starts an quickly ultrasound and nods her head. Elana winks and walks away. A doctor touches Nikita's ribs and nods his head.

"They aren't broken. Bruised." He said as he turned and walked away. Nikita rolled her eyes as she looked at Michael.

"Sit up. We need to cleanse those cuts." A nurse says as she walks over to Nikita. Nikita sits up and looks at Michael. She drops her head to Michael's shoulders.

"BUT STEPHEN IS DEAD!!! IT NO LONGER MATTERS!!!" Operations screams out and Nikita starts to cry. Michael lifts her chin slightly and then nurse gets a bit upset.

"Nikita, it was not your fault. It would have been done by me if he was alive when I walked into that room" Michael says and Nikita drops her head as the nurse pushes it down. Nikita cries softly.

"I'm not crying about that." Nikita says and Michael stops and waits of the nurse to move on the arm.

"What are you crying about?" Michael asks and Nikita looks at Michael and then to the hallway Operations walked down.

"He was willing to kill me, Michael. I only matter because I have his grandchild. But other than that, I am nothing." Nikita says as she swings her legs off of the bed. She grabs some bandages from the nurse and finishes herself.

"Where are you going, Nikita?" Michael asks as she slowly steps off, and grabs a nearby white shirt.

Nikita carefully pulls the shirt over her head and looks at Michael.

"I have things to work out." Nikita says and Michael rolls his eyes as he watches Nikita walk away.

"Where did she go?" Elana asks and Michael turns to Elana and looks to the floor.

"I think she is going to be having a conversation with her father." Michael says and Elana looks at Michael and then to the hallway.

"And why aren't you with her?" Elana asks and Michael nods his head and runs out of Medlab, trying to catch up with Nikita.

*

"YOU!" Nikita screams as she walks into the balcony room and Michael stops the door from slamming too hard. Operations turns around in Madeline's hands and stares at Nikita.

"I am glad I killed him." Nikita hisses and Madeline starts to shake her head.

"Nikita, this isn't the time." Madeline says. Michael moves to the panel and darkens the glass windows. Michael looks at Madeline.

"It is never the time, Madeline." Michael says and Nikita stares at Operations.

"You cry for him. You tried to choke me for him. HE KILLED OPERATIVES LIKE PIECES OF MEAT!" Nikita screams and Operations stares at her.

"He was killing unborn children to get to me! HE HAS HAD A BILLION CHANCES WITH YOU!" Nikita screams and Operations stares at Nikita. She winces as she throws her arms in the air.

"He knew before the mission that I was pregnant. I don't need to guess who told him." Nikita says and Operations glares at Madeline.

"So you told Nikita, Madeline. That is so professional!" Operations hisses.

"She didn't tell me anything! You can't ever give me credit for anything!" Nikita hisses and Operations shakes his head.

"Nikita, calm down, it can't be good for the baby!" Operations says and Nikita now starts to pace.

"Good for the baby. What is this child to you? Is it Nikita's child or Operations'grandchild?" Nikita asks and Operations narrows his eyes.

"When you followed me to New York… it wasn't because I was pregnant. It was for the grandchild!" Nikita screams and Michael looks at Madeline. Nikita wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

"Nikita… I did that for the both of you…" Operations says and Nikita shakes her head.

"NO YOU DIDN'T! IT WAS NEVER ABOUT ME!" Nikita screams and throws her hands in the air. "IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN STEPHEN FIRST! ALWAYS! When Michael and me went through orchestrated torture for you.. Once Stephen started to act up, you RAN AWAY!" Nikita screams and Operations walks to his desk and pulls out a picture.

"I have a picture, Nikita. I did everything in New York for you." Operations says and Nikita starts to cry.

"No.. Because I didn't want that ultrasound. And it took Melissa caring for me so that I didn't see it!" Nikita cries out and Madeline looks at Operations. She was quickly turning sides here.

"Then you go and tell Melissa that you are her father…. And don't mention it me! HER BEST FRIEND!" Nikita screams and Michael nods his head as Madeline looks at Michael for confirmation of Nikita's screams.

"Nikita, I am trying my best. I can only do so much for you!" Operations says and Nikita starts to shake her head.

"I am trying, Nikita. I want to do so much for you." Operations says and Nikita places her hands on her hips.

"You knew I would be taken in this mission. You knew that Scaranning does evil things to babies and their mothers! BUT IT DIDN'T STOP YOU!" Nikita screams and now she begins to pace.

"I am the lowest of all your children. Everyone comes before me. I wish I would have never found out about you! I was better off without your help!" Nikita says as she wipes at some tears.

"Nikita, you can't mean that!" Operations argues back.

"I was almost ready to fall into the fantasy world that you had created and tried to show me. You tried to show this loving side, so that you can have access to my child. MY CHILD! NOT YOUR GRANDCHILD! NOW YOU CAN ROAST IN HELL!" Nikita screams and pushes her hair back.

"You will have nothing to do in its life. I will not have my child to think that you are good, only to be hurt over and over and over again! I am never good enough for you!" Nikita screams and turns and walks out of the office.

Operations sits down in his chair and looks up at Michael.

"Do you want to add onto that?" Operations challenges. Michael licks his lips and blinks.

"I don't further injury a man that is already down." Michael says and Madeline clears her throat.

"I know, Madeline. I am going to her." Michael says and walks out of the office.

"You are on her side, Madeline." Operations says and Madeline looks at Operations.

"You both are working off of emotions. Nikita just killed her half brother, and that must be hurting her in ways that you can't know of." Madeline says and Operations looks up.

"She really does hate me." Operations says and Madeline sighs. There was no way she could try to reason with him tonight.

"Try to get some sleep." Madeline comments as she walks out of the room.

*

Walter rubs his eyes as he looks at the gate that separates his area and the weapons. He stretches his arms. He had talked to Katherine yesterday before they brought Nikita in. He had gotten another two-week assignment up in the Retreat, and he was happy to go. That was till last night. He spent all night with Michael and Madeline searching for Nikita.

Walter looks at his bags and snaps his fingers. He had brought a gift for Katherine and left it on the cot in the back of the weapons lock up. Walter pulls up the gate and starts to whistle as he walks back. He turns the corner and sees the white teddy bear that he was going to give to Katherine wrapped tightly against Nikita's body. Her face was only now beginning to bruise.

Walter walks back a few steps to buzz Madeline that he had found Nikita. He slowly walks back to the cot and sits down on the floor next to it. He pushes the bear slightly away from her face and strokes her cheek. Nikita winces as she starts to open her eyes.

"They are worried about you, sugar." Walter says softly as Nikita's eyes start to open. Nikita nods her head and the tears start to flow again.

"Hey…. You're with Walter. No reason to cry!" Walter says and Nikita tries to move her battered body towards Walter. He moves his arm and helps Nikita. She closes her eyes and allows her lips to part to allow a moan of pain out.

"I didn't want to kill him…. He was evil. He would have killed me." Nikita says and Walter tries to rub her tears away.

"Nikita, you did what you had too." Walter says and Nikita sobs slightly. Walter looks in all directions and then kisses Nikita's forehead.

"It will be alright, Nikita." Walter says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"He hates me. He never wanted me. He never cared for me." Nikita cries out and Walter nods his head. He had heard bits and pieces of what had occurred from Madeline. Walter was sure that all involved were hiding something, but it did not matter right now.

"Sugar… just move on." Walter says, trying to sound cheerful.

"Walter.. Why couldn't have you been my father. You care about me." Nikita cries out as she pushes her body up by her elbows.

"Nikita. Oh, Nikita." Walter says as she words that bring tears to his eyes.

"Please… be my father." Nikita says and Walter smiles and rubs Nikita's back softly. Her tears were not as numerous and her cries not as loud.

"Nikita…" Walter says and Nikita looks up with her blood shot blue eyes and stares at him. "Walter, I need a father. You are the only one who cares about me like a father should. You are more of a father than that excuse of a man is." Nikita says bluntly and Walter cries lightly with Nikita.

"Sugar… I'm always here for you. And will be whomever you need me to be." Walter says as he kisses Nikita's forehead. Walter turns to look at a clock to see what time it was, only to find Michael standing nearby, holding onto his own emotions. Walter steps back and Nikita looks up and sees Michael.

"We will explain in time, Walter." Michael says softly as he bends down and kneels on his knees. Walter slowly stands up onto his feet.

"Sugar, I'm going up to the retreat. You know how to get in touch with me. FOR ANYTHING!" Walter says. Nikita nods her head and Walter bends down and kisses Nikita on the forehead and start to walk away. He leaves the teddy bear, as Nikita needed it more right now.

"How are you feeling?" Michael softly asks. Nikita rolls her head down and tries to sit up some more.

"Sore." Nikita comments and Michael nods his head. He starts to pick her up.

"I am glad Melissa is a guest at our house." Michael comments as he starts to walk with Nikita. Nikita cries softly and Michael kisses her forehead. She had gotten a lot off her chest. It all needed to be said; too bad it had to be on such terms. }}

Send suggestions and comments to ranma.
OR
If you would like to send a comment to Nikita507, click HERE!!