There was a mound of supplies next to the Land Rover on the sunny day. Nikita stepped out of the house and looked around. Slowly she stretched her arms upward and then she hugged them down and around her body. The warmth of the sun, helped bring the smile on her face even easier than normal.

"Good morning, Michael." Nikita gushes as she skips to the side of the Land Rover. She pulls Michael away from the trunk and wraps her arms around his body. It forces Michael to stop packing for a few minutes.

"Nikita, this is a mission." Michael says firmly as he brakes his arms free from Nikita's grasp. He moves back towards the mound of supplies and Nikita stares at him. Nikita watches him throw another bag into the trunk. She senses his mood and moves towards the door of the Land Rover, as she is instantly plunged into her own bad mood.

"It's more than a mission, Michael! It's an opportunity!" Nikita snaps as she pulls the door open and pulls out her purse.

"Nikita." Michael says almost in a condescending voice. Nikita turns and walks back towards the house. She hated when Michael was in this sort of mood.

"Nikita! PLEASE!" Michael calls out, but Nikita now turns and walks around the side of the house. She looks over her shoulder briefly to see Michael throw his arms up in the air in frustration.

Nikita looks at the windows as she slowly moves around the outside of their house. She is making sure it was secure, although Michael and two computer checks showed that it was already secure. It was when Nikita had her head up looking at the bedroom window, when a fluffy ivory dog attached itself to Nikita's leg.

"Hey, little doggie! You got the wrong house! I'm not your owner!" Nikita giggles as she picks up the friendly dog. The dog in return, starts to lick Nikita's nose and Nikita starts to laugh loudly.

"THERE YOU ARE!" A tall woman with brown hair says as she walks out from the patch of trees and reaches for the dog in Nikita's arms. Nikita hands the dog over and smiles at the woman.

"So we finally meet. I am Lori!" The woman says as the dog's stump tail wags a hundred miles a second. Nikita tries to shake the woman's hand but then gives up on the attempt.

"I'm Nikita." Nikita says and she slowly pushes her hair back off of her neck. Nikita is finally glad to meet one of her neighbors.

"I hope you don't mind but I admire your husband from my window when he is cutting grass." Lori openingly admits and Nikita instantly likes this woman. Nikita laughs and blushes.

"He always creates such a stir. He should learn how to keep his shirt on." Nikita jokes and Lori shakes her head back and forth in a no motion.

"No! He needs to keep it off!" Lori jokes and Nikita looks back to the Land Rover as she hears the door slamming.

"Are you going somewhere?" Lori asks and Nikita smiles broadly.

"A little trip to Camp Linhoo." Nikita says and Lori's mouth widens quickly.

"Congratulations! I just saw an article about how that camp is making parents ready to have their children. I didn't even know that you were pregnant!" Lori says and Nikita smiles.

"I am still a few days shy of my second trimester." Nikita says and Lori nods her head.

"Boy, you are lucky that you got into that Camp Linhoo. From that article it was very elite." Lori says and Nikita nods her head. She had seen all the literature on the camp herself, along with Section One's additional Intel.

"Our boss pulled a few strings." Nikita says and Lori laughs.

"NIKITA!! WE HAVE TO GO!!!" Michael calls out loudly and Nikita looks at Lori and frowns lightly.

"He doesn't like to drive that long of a distance." Nikita says as Lori nods the anger on Michael's voice.

"Well maybe we can get together after you come back?" Lori asks and Nikita smiles and nods her head.

"Sure.. I would.."

"NIKITA!!!!" Michael hollers and Nikita turns and rolls her eyes. They wave to each other as Nikita jogs to Michael's angered voice.

"Camp Linhoo" the red sign said in a cursive script as it hung underneath a huge giant tree. Nikita held the brochure that Madeline first gave Nikita a couple days ago in her hands. She looked down at it again and smiles broadly.

"Our targets should be in the room next to us." Michael formerly says and Nikita rolls her eyes and looks at Michael. It had been the tenth time that Michael had gone over the mission profile since the Section One plane deposited Michael and Nikita into California.

"Michael, I know all of this." Nikita says as she is approaching the braking point with Michael's mood.

"And if you remember, our profile is of a young couple who are in their first successful pregnancy." Nikita remarks sharply. Michael turns his head and looks at Nikita. She closes her eyes and looks back to the forest again. Nikita sucks in air sharply and Michael turns his head concernedly.

"Nikita?" Michael asks. Nikita does not immediately respond until Michael reaches his hand out as he slows the Land Rover down and then touches her arm. Nikita turns her head back and looks at Michael.

"I thought you were going to get sick again. I know the drive has been bothering you." Michael says and Nikita nods her head slightly and pushes at her hair.

"I think it was something that I ate, really." Nikita says and Michael brings the Land Rover back to the speed it had been at.

"What's wrong, Nikita?" Michael asks after a pause of silence.

"Michael, it will be the first time that we can "be pregnant" . We can talk about it openingly, it is part of our background, other people will know and give advice, and I won't have to lie. Isn't that important to you?" Nikita asks and Michael smiles and nods his head slightly.

"It is, Nikita. But we can't forget that this is a mission." Michael says and Nikita slams her head against the headrest. It was like talking to a brick wall right now.

Nikita turns her attention to the small lake that is forming in front of them and she holds the brochure in her hand. Maybe once they got settled in, Michael could feel like Nikita did. This was something more than just a mission. Nikita was sure that it was a way for Madeline to give them time together.

On the left-hand side, there is a small guard station and Michael pulls the Land Rover to a stop. The guard walks over in a traditional black uniform and smiles at Michael and Nikita.

"Baby's name?" The guard asks and Michael just stares back at the guard like he was speaking an alien language. Nikita looks at Michael and shakes her head. He was really stuck into mission-mode.

"Baby Maxwell." Nikita says with a huge smile, which is returned by the guard. He pulls out a little stuff animal of a stork and hands it to Nikita.

"Hello Mother Nikita and Father Michael." The guard says as he pulls at some more supplies. He hands over two pins, labeled "Mother Nikita" and "Father Michael". Then there were two folders and a map.

"You need to follow this road to the fork. Take the right hand side, and go all the way to the last bunk house. You will be in the very last unit." The guard says and Nikita smiles.

"Thank you." Michael says as he pulls the Land Rover quickly away. Nikita smiles as she holds the pins. They were decorated in beautiful pastel colors.

It wasn't until Michael stopped at the fork of the road that Nikita looked up at the camp. Nikita looked around and then to Michael.

"This doesn't look like the brochure." Nikita says and Michael looks at Nikita and raises an eyebrow.

"It doesn't look like the Intel, either." Michael says almost hauntingly. Nikita shrugs her shoulders and looks at Michael.

"Oh well.. we are here now!" Nikita says and Michael scowls at her.

*

"Everyone, I would like to introduce to you, Mother Nikita and Father Michael." The counselor of the camp announced as they strolled into the large dinning room. Nikita looked at Michael and forced out a smile. She didn't think the concentration on them would be on such a full scale. The other campers nodded their heads towards Michael and Nikita and looked back to their food.

Slowly, Michael and Nikita started to look for the empty seats in the room. They were at the table against a large glass wall that showed the lake off in the distance. Michael pulled out Nikita's chair and sat her down next to Eleenia and Patrick Houghton, which happened to be the targets.

"Hello, Mother Nikita. I am Mother Eleenia." Eleenia said with a bright and cheerful voice that sounded almost one hundred percent forced. She turns and motions with her hands towards her husband. "And this is Father Patrick."

Nikita nods her head and watches Michael sit down next to her. Under the tablecloth, Nikita grabs Michael's hand and squeezes it. Both of them felt the "Mother" and "Father" thing was getting old really fast.

"Nice to meet you, Mother Eleenia and Father Patrick." Nikita says in a voice almost as fake as Eleenia's.

"You are so young! You must be excited." Eleenia says and Nikita nods her head and turns to Michael. He has yet to smile.

"You have to excuse my husband, he gets this way after a long drive." Nikita says and Eleenia nods her head. The waitress places a dish in front of Nikita. She looks down at the smell of the baked salmon drifts up to her nose. Nikita swallows hard and turns her head away. She tries to ignore the smell, but her face starts to turn green. She moves around in her seat and drops Michael's hand.

"Nikita?" Michael asks.

"Father Michael, that is Mother Nikita to you." Patrick corrects, but Michael barely hears as his attention is focused on Nikita.

Nikita turns her head further and then looks back to her plate. In two seconds, Nikita places both of her hands in front of her mouth. Nikita looks around the room and then to Eleenia in a panic.

"Where is the bathroom?" Nikita asks with rushed words as she stands up from her chair. Eleenia starts to laugh and points to a hallway not far from where they sat. Nikita takes it as the directions, and starts to walk, but quickly breaks into a run.

"At least they place it close. Some places put the bathrooms so far away it is impossible to make it in time!" Eleenia says and Michael turns and looks at the hallway. He looks to his dish and frowns.

"It is nature, Father Michael. I wouldn't fret about it. It is just morning sickness." Eleenie says and Michael stands up. First he felt anger at the use of Father, but the concern for Nikita overrides all other emotions.

"Excuse me, Father Patrick, Mother Eleenia, but this pregnancy has been difficult." Michael says and he turns from the table and heads to the bathroom to check on Nikita.

Eleenia turns in her chair and watches as Nikita emerges from the bathroom with tears on her face. Michael leans close to her and softly strokes her cheek. Nikita nods her head and Michael pulls her in for a huge. They stand in that stop for several minutes, and soon, Michael enters the bathroom with Nikita, again in a rush.

"I wonder what he meant by difficulty?" Eleenia asks and Patrick looks at Eleenia and smiles softly.

"We'll all find out soon enough, Hon. Have you eaten enough?" Patrick asks as he pats Eleenia's seven-month pregnant stomach.

*

The door to the next room that Michael and Nikita were led to by the counselor was a large convention hall. Nikita looked back at the counselor, but he was now gone. He had only told them who he was and what he did. He didn't ask any information about them and just led them on a tour.

Nikita feels the little bit that was in her stomach, flip over. She had not been able to eat the baked salmon, and had to eat in a private dinning room with Michael. The cooking staff happily brought plain noodles to Michael and Nikita. Nikita had told Michael to go back and eat his fish, but he would not leave Nikita's side. She was surprised, since they were to be getting close to the Houghton's.

"Mother Nikita, Father Michael, up here." The counselor's voice booms out and the stage is lit. Nikita swallows and Eleenia comes out and takes Nikita's hand.

"Nothing to be scared about my dear, it will help you." Eleenia says and Nikita continues to walk up towards the stage.

Hundreds of eyes were focused on Michael and Nikita as they sat down. Nikita immediately grabbed for Michael's hand the even more light was focused on them.

"How did you get pregnant?" the counselor's voice booms out, but Nikita and Michael can not see him. Nikita looks at Michael as he sits firmly in his seat.

"You know. The natural way." Michael says quickly, not thinking about what was really meant by the question. There was loud laughter from the audiences and Nikita looks at Michael like a deer stepping out in front of a speeding eighteen wheeler. Michael holds her hand tighter.

"No. How did it occur?" The counselor asks again and Nikita nods her head. She understands what he is trying to ask.

"Out of love." Nikita says softly as she had not really thought about the actual moment. It was unlike any other time in their lives where they would not have been able to pinpoint the actual moment.

"So what music was playing?" the counselor asks.

"Behind Stone Walls by David Arkenstone." Both answer softly and Nikita smiles at Michael and her nerves were suddenly gone again. She could almost feel Michael's breath on her neck, as it was that night as he spoke the words of love.

"But you have had difficulty with pregnancies?" the counselor asks and Nikita's good mood slides away and her stomach flips again. Nikita drops her head and Michael concernedly looks at her.

"We've had problems getting pregnant and staying pregnant." Michael says for the both of them.

"What kind of problems?" The counselor asks, but Michael does not hear him as he turns his attention to Nikita. His hand reaches for her chin and he feels the wet tears on the tip of the chin. He gets down on his knees and looks up at Nikita's face.

The audience is completely silent and in awe of the conversation on the audience that was occurring, without any other words. It was something that the campers at Camp Linhoo had never seen and the counselors at Camp Linhoo rarely saw. Although the parents that came to Camp Linhoo were mostly deeply in love, most lacked the communications skills that were needed. The connection between the two was beyond what was being attempted with the other couples.

There was silence as Michael lifted Nikita's head and they moved together and it was hard to tell where Nikita started and Michael stared. There was a sigh of relief as Michael sat back up on his chair and Nikita smiled softly. It was not until the lights come on in the audience that Michael and Nikita turned back to look at the audience. It was as if they had not even existed.

"I think Group Four will be the best for Mother Nikita and Father Michael." The counselor says to the other counselors and they nod their head. Nikita follows behind the counselor as he leads him to the group, with whom else, but Eleenia and Patrick Houghton.

*

Nikita stepped into the unit and dropped the folder on the infant CPR and crawled up onto the couch. She had skipped the last class. She just could not take it. She didn't know where Michael was, but she had had it.

Nikita had fallen asleep on the couch, when Michael entered early. He had skipped out of the class in hopes of learning something more about Eleenia and Patrick, but nothing occurred. Michael turned and found Nikita sleeping on the couch.

"Nikita.. are you ok?" Michael asks as he walks over to the couch and touches her. Nikita turns her head and looks at Michael.

"I'm just really tired." Nikita says as there is a knock on the door. Michael walks to the door and looks back at Nikita as the counselor walks in with another man.

"We were worried." The counselor says and Nikita sits up.

"Just a bit tired." Nikita says and the counselor looks at the other man and nods his head.

"This is Doctor Frick." The counselor says and Nikita stares at Michael and then turns her head.

"I'm fine. Just tired." Nikita says and the counselor sits by Nikita.

"It is just standard operations here Mother Nikita that if a mother is skipping her classes to have her examined. It is the best for your child." The counselor says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth quickly.

"That is not necessary." Nikita says as she stands up and moves to Michael. Michael feels her body trembling.

"We have our own doctor." Michael says and the counselor stands up.

"We reserve the right. It was the form that you signed in on. We can get a court order." The counselor says and Nikita turns and starts to cry.

"The only problem is this harassment for something that she doesn't want done and the fact that my name is MICHAEL! Not FATHER MICHAEL! And this is NIKITA!" Michael says and the counselor looks to the Doctor and nods him out of the room.

"What is going on here?" The counselor asks as Nikita holds onto Michael. Michael looks at her. He knows her fear. It had been difficult enough the few times that she had to have male doctors. Elana had been so good to Nikita, that Michael wasn't about to let someone else touch her.

"Nothing. We are both fine." Nikita spits out and the counselor stands up.

"I think you have a fear for male doctors. I do not want to phantom why you do" the counselor says and immediately baits Nikita in.

"FINE! I WAS RAPED! ARE YOU HAPPY TO HEAR THAT! ARE YOU HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THE ONLY MAN WHO I WANT TO TOUCH MY BODY IS MY HUSBAND?" Nikita cries out and then pulls her head down into sobs.

"I think you have done enough." Michael says and the counselor looks at Michael and Nikita.

"I will let it go this once. I will expect to see you both at dinner." The counselor says and he stops as he opens the door.

"Try rubbing her middle back to stop the morning sickness. It is probably what is draining her system." The counselor says as he exits and Nikita looks at Michael.

"I need to get those herbs, Michael." Nikita says and he nods his head. Nikita walks into the other room and drops onto the bed after a few moments.

"My levels are up." Nikita says as she starts to pull out the pill to steady the Loving2000 levels.

*

Nikita walked into the dinning room with Michael's arm firmly around Nikita's waist. Nikita glared at the doctor and the counselor as they moved to the same chairs that they had sat in since they got there. Nikita smiles at Eleenia, who seems to scowl.

"What is for dinner Father Patrick?" Nikita asks and he turns his head away from the two. Nikita looks at Michael and swallows.

"Mother Eleenia.. did I miss to much in the infant cooking course?" Nikita asks and she turns her head and looks at Nikita.

"You aren't to miss classes Mother Nikita. I hope you have a better reason that Father Patrick over there." Eleenia says and Nikita looks at Michael.

"Well.. that is the first good words out of your mouth since this all started. The first time you haven't sworn!" Patrick hollers back and Michael turns to look at Nikita.

"Well, I was not feeling good. Do you know what we are having for dinner?" Nikita says as she feels the tension between the two. How were they supposed to get close to them with all this occurring.

"I think it is steak." Eleenia says and she glares at Patrick.

"Are you going to lie to them too, darling!" Patrick hollers as he sees the chicken platters being handed out.

"I said I thought!" Eleenia says and Patrick slams his fork down.

"You always think you are right! Who do you think you are!" Patrick says and Eleenia stands up and tips her plate upside down.

"I am MOTHER ELEENIA! I think it is time to go find Father NEIL! You aren't the real father!" Eleenia hollers and the counselors start to run towards the table. Nikita leans back towards Michael as Eleenia starts to swing a knife around.

"VERY FUNNY ELEENIA! That old man couldn't get it up!" Patrick hollers and she throws the knife down.

"Well. I am sure that this isn't your first child. What third? Sixth? Tenth? Twentieth?" Eleenia hollers as she starts to move away from the table.

"Eleenia!" Patrick says and Nikita and Michael both bite their tongues as they have the urge to correct Patrick that it was Mother Eleenia.

"Let's go talk this out" one counselor says as he tries to move Eleenia away from the table and the room.

"What about Dawn? IS she MOTHER DAWN AND ARE YOU FATHER PATRICK?" Eleenia hollers and the counselor drops her arm.

"ENOUGH!!!!" the head counselor hollers as he enters the dinning room. Eleenia looks at Patrick and turns her head away.

"You two have been having problems. I think it is time that you spend the night in the tents." The counselor says and Eleenia storms out of the dinning room. Patrick sits back down.

"That is what you don't want to do, Father Michael." Patrick says and Michael looks at him.

"What is that, Father Patrick?" Michael asks and Patrick turns to Michael.

"Spend time in the tent. It gets emotional." Patrick says and then leaves the dinning room himself.

*

Nikita looked at Michael as they sat in the small group. Eleenia and Patrick weren't there this night and Nikita looked at Michael. Both knew what would have to happen for them to get close to Eleenia and Patrick.

"We talked about last night about communication." The counselor says and Nikita looks at Michael.

"We also discussed the role of the unborn infant. What they can see and hear from the womb." The counselor says and Nikita smiles softly.

"Tonight, is usually a fun discussion. Names." The counselor says and Nikita has to hold back her laughter. She had been so worried about if the baby was going to make it to the second trimester that she hadn't thought about names at all. She just knew she was going to have a baby. That was enough.

"Father Michael, what about you? Have you thought of any names that your wife hasn't heard about?" the counselor asks and Michael smiles.

"Yes, Rene and Mark." Michael says and the counselor nods his head.

"Rene is such a beautiful name for a girl." The counselor says and Michael's smile drops.

"It is a boy's name." Michael says and Nikita looks at Michael.

"You are that sure that I am having a boy?" Nikita questions and the counselor stands up. He had never seen Michael and Nikita disagree yet.

"Nikita, don't you want a boy?" The counselor asks and Nikita looks at Michael.

"I want a healthy baby. It seems as if Michael wants the boy!" Nikita says and Michael turns to Nikita.

"I just thought about boy's names." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head.

"You want a boy.. And You don't want to name it Rene or Mark!" Nikita says and Michael looks at Nikita puzzled.

"YOU WOULD NAME IT MICHAEL JUNIOR! YOU WANT IT TO BE CLONE OF YOU!" Nikita screams and Michael rolls his eyes.

"I don't want that Nikita!" Michael says and Nikita stands up.

"What if I said I wanted a girl? What then Michael!" Nikita says and Michael looks at Nikita and licks his lips.

"Well I know we aren't having a girl, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita puts her hands on her hips.

"What if it is a girl? Are you going to get rid of us? Are girls too many problems? What are you saying Michael?" Nikita screams and Michael stands up.

"Let's talk about" the counselor says and then steps back.

"NO!" Both Michael and Nikita scream at the counselor.

"But, Nikita.. Girls are more work!" Michael says and Nikita starts to cry.

"Am I too much work?" Nikita cries out and she sits down.

"All I want is a healthy baby. We have been scared this past month that I could still lose it and now you are telling me you want a boy? Don't you just want a healthy baby? Be it a daughter or a son?" Nikita cries out and Michael looks at Nikita and shakes his head.

"Nikita, I knew we were going to have this child. I have been scared, but I knew deep in my heart that we were going to have this child." Michael says and Nikita looks at him in horror.

"So, now I am just crazy for worrying!" Nikita screams and moves away the chairs and looks at Michael.

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU!" Nikita screams loudly and the counselor looks back and forth and shakes his head. There goes his prized pupils.

"Nikita"

"DON'T NI-KI-TA ME!" Nikita screams and then she looks at Michael and flings her folder towards him.

"AND DON'T YOU BLANK STARE ME! YOU DON'T DO THAT TO ME!" Nikita screams and Michael stands at Nikita as he folder hits his shoulder and drops to the floor.

"That was uncalled for, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita screams in anger.

"ENOUGH!" The counselor screams and Michael and Nikita stares at him.

"You will be going to the tents." The counselor says and Nikita storms out of the room.

*

Nikita trudges up the hill, helping Eleenia up the last slope. On the top of the hill were two platform tents. Nikita looks at Michael had already staked out the tent that they would have for the night. It was the tent off to the right. More importantly, it would give them better reception to gather contact with Birkoff.

Nikita stood at the fire ring and looked as Eleenia walked to the tent on the left-hand side. Nikita shook her head. Patrick didn't even see if Eleenia was ok. Nikita dropped her head and moved to her tent.

Nikita steps up and looks at Michael as he moves the cots around. There were four, on the boards of the flaps. Michael moved them all together into the center to make one large bed. Nikita nodded her head and sat down on the edge of one.

"Nikita, you know we had to get into a fight." Michael says and Nikita looks out to the fire ring and nods her head slightly.

"Nikita." Michael says and Nikita turns her head sharply.

"Sure, Michael. I know." Nikita remarks sourly and Michael turns his head to the side and licks his lips. Nikita was not going to take this one lightly.

"Nikita, have you figured out to have Eleenia to talk privately to you?" Michael asks and Nikita stands up and stares at Michael.

"I don't think I need a plan." Nikita says and steps out of the tent.

*

It was to be a night of conversation between the two couples, but instead it was silent. Nikita stared at the flames and turned her head whenever Michael would look at her too much. Finally, Michael walked over and touched Nikita's knees as he knelt down.

"Nikita, I didn't mean anything." Michael says and Nikita turns her head.

"It's not about that, Michael." Nikita says and Michael shakes his head.

"What else is there?" Michael asks and Nikita shakes her head in disbelief. Now she has Eleenia's and Patrick's attention.

"It's more than just a name or just a sex, Michael!" Nikita cries out and Michael sits down and looks at Nikita. The fire hits his face and Nikita shakes her head, trying to keep the tears from falling.

"Nikita, I want you to be a wonderful mother to our child." Michael says honestly and Nikita pulls away and stares at Michael.

"How can you say that?" Nikita screams and she moans lightly.

"Nikita calm down." Michael says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"I am so sick of you telling me what to do? Don't you think I know that I should calm down? DO YOU THINK I AM STUPID!" Nikita screams and Michael stares at Nikita as she shakes her body around and fine coat of sweat breaks out over her body.

"I didn't say that Nikita." Michael says and Nikita kicks at some rocks.

"You never saw what you mean! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! You want me to calm down so you can talk! You want me to calm down to keep YOUR child healthy! You want me to calm down so you can feel like the big hero because YOU KNEW WHAT TO DO!" Nikita screams and starts to storm towards the tent. Michael stands up.

"Nikita!" Michael calls out as the flap falls down.

"AAAAHHHHH! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Nikita screams and Eleenia stands up and touches Michael's shoulder.

"Let me talk to her." Eleenia says and starts to move towards the tent.

"You don't understand our relationship." Michael warns Eleenia and she smiles.

"Let me at least try." Eleenia says as she struggles into the tent with the crying Nikita.

*

Nikita was almost on the verge of pain as Eleenia touched her shoulder. Nikita looked up and Eleenia cradled Nikita's head.

"What was going on out there? I don't think it was about names." Eleenia says after a few moments and Nikita's sobs and moans had settled down.

"He says it all the time" Nikita says shaking her head and Eleenia looks at Nikita and turns on a small battery lantern for some light.

"Says what?" Eleenia asks softly and Nikita drops her head and starts to sob.

"That I am going to make a great mother!" Nikita says and Eleenia shakes her head softly.

"You are going to be. So why shouldn't he say it?" Eleenia asks and Nikita pulls away from her.

"How can you know that? I don't know what a mother should be! I only know what a mother shouldn't be!" Nikita screams and Eleenia looks at Nikita softly and nods her head.

"You were an orphan." Eleenia says and Nikita spits out a laugh.

"I could only wish. I would have been in heaven if I was an orphan." Nikita cries out and Eleenia's heart drops.

"My MOTHER was evil. She didn't want me. How can I be a great mother when my own mother hated me? How will I know what to do?" Nikita cries out and Eleenia holds Nikita again.

"It just happens. You will be fine you have a great husband." Eleenia says and Nikita shakes her head back and forth.

"But he doesn't realize how scared I am. I have wanted to have a baby for so long. But I am so scared about what happens when I finally have it in my arms. I am so scared that I am going to hurt it or damage it or lose it.." Nikita cries out and then moans softly. Eleenia rubs Nikita's back and the pain that was in Nikita's stomach soon drifts away and she looks at Eleenia.

"Michael thought this place was a stupid place to come. A chore. He didn't think we needed it." Nikita says and Eleenia smiles.

"But doesn't that show that he has a great trust in your and your natural talents?" Eleenia asks and Nikita drops her head.

"HE ISN'T EVEN SCARED! He is scared that I might lose the child.. but other than that.. he isn't scared at all." Nikita cries and Eleenia nods her head and rubs Nikita's back slightly.

Slowly, Eleenia feels Nikita responding to the hugs. Nikita rubs Eleenia's own lower back and she smiles. Maybe Nikita just needed a woman to talk too. Eleenia was happy to help out.

Nikita carefully inserted the high powered transmitter into the belt on the key ring that Eleenia had in her pocket. Even up in this camp, she did not go anywhere without the keys. Nikita nodded her head and tried to pull her head up. She was so tired that she could have fallen asleep in Eleenia's lap.

"You look tired. Why don't you get some sleep?" Eleenia says as she slowly gets up. Nikita nods her head and starts to move for the opening in the blankets.

"Do you want to speak with.." Eleenia starts to ask, but Nikita shakes her head back and forth quickly. Eleenia nods her head and steps out of the tent.

*

Michael looked up as Eleenia walked out of the tent. He stood up and headed towards the tent. Eleenia shakes her head and Michael stops.

"Not now. Let her be. We need to talk." Eleenia says and Michael walks back to the ring and sits down.

"Michael, she is not angry with you." Eleenia says and Michael blinks and looks at Eleenia half confused, half relieved.

"What is it, then?" Michael asks softly and Eleenia smiles.

"Her childhood.. it wasn't good, was it?" Eleenia asks and Michael shakes his head.

"It was awful." Michael says and Eleenia nods her head.

"She is scared scared that she is going to be like her own mother." Eleenia says and Michael shakes his head.

"That won't happen. She is not like her mother at all." Michael says and Eleenia smiles.

"But she is still scared that it could happen. You can't deny it.. and each time you tell her that she is going to be a great mother.. it hurts her." Eleenia says and Michael stares at the tent.

"I never thought about it that way." Michael says softly.

"I have to talk to her." Michael says and Eleenia shakes her head.

"Not tonight, Michael. It is too soon." Eleenia says and Michael shakes his head.

"I have too. We don't want to lose this opportunity." Michael says and Eleenia smiles.

"Wait." Eleenia says and Michael nods his head.

"We all have to stop and think sometimes." Eleenia says and Patrick rubs his head.

"Sometimes we have to remember that we don't know our partners like ourselves." Patrick says and Eleenia nods her head.

"We all forget sometimes. Right, Patrick?" Eleenia asks and Patrick nods his head.

"I am sorry, Eleenia." Patrick says and she smiles.

"She has a loving husband but you both have to think about the life that you are bringing into this world and realize how precious it is and how scared it is going to make you both." Eleenia says and Michael nods his head.

"Was that all?" Michael asks and Eleenia nods her head.

"I think she was a bit tired. You look tired too, Michael." Eleenia says and Michael nods his head. He stands up and walks to the tent. He looks in and then walks in. Eleenia is sure that he immediately pulled Nikita into his body and fell asleep.

*

Michael slides into bed and places Nikita's face on his chest.

"I am so sorry, Nikita." Michael says and Nikita opens her eyes and looks at Michael.

"Mission completed." Nikita says and Michael kisses her nose.

"No.. not yet." Michael says and Nikita nods her head. Maybe there was some extra time for them yet.

*

Nikita closed the computer and looked at Michael. Nikita turns her head and taps her fingers softly against the table.

"I just lied to Madeline. Now, tell me why?" Nikita asks and Michael smiles. He puts his fingers against Nikita's mouth and smiles.

"Be right back." Michael says and he dashes off into another room. Nikita looks around and sighs. At least Michael wasn't still stuck in mission mode. They had slept late at the tents, until counselors came looking for them, fearing that something was wrong with Nikita, or that they killed each other. The counselors found the couple wrapped tightly together.

That was not said of Patrick and Eleenia. Patrick had walked back to the buildings during the night. Eleenia had spent rest of the night crying.

"Guess what today is?" Michael asks and Nikita looks at Michael and shrugs her shoulders.

"I don't know." Nikita says and Michael pulls out the large bouquet of flowers.

"Welcome to your Second Trimester!" Michael says and Nikita jumps up and smiles as she takes the flowers.

"Oh my gosh. That's right!" Nikita says and Michael smiles back at her.

"Now. Let's get that bath that I offered you." Michael says as he takes Nikita's hand and leads her to the bathroom. Nikita smiles and forgets about the lies that she had told Madeline.

Michael had contacted Section early, when Nikita was still sleeping in the tent. He spoke briefly with Madeline, telling her that no contact with Eleenia had been made. He then asked to speak with Elana. It was the last conversation that gave Michael the plan to make Nikita enjoy her pregnancy and not to worry about it constantly.

"Sit." Michael says as he places Nikita on the padded chair. Nikita smiles as Michael turns on the hot water in the tub and turns to her.

"My, you are so beautiful." Michael says softly as he pushes at her shirt, and then walks around to her back. He slowly starts to mead Nikita's back muscles. They were tight, but slowly relaxing underneath his touch.

The steam slowly filled the room and Nikita rolled her head relaxed forward. Michael leaned down and kissed the back of her neck as his hands rubbed lower. Nikita allowed a pleasurable moan out of her mouth and Michael smiled.

"But don't we have a class" Nikita complains and Michael rubs harder as he tests the water in the large tub.

"I talked to our counselor. I explained the importance of the beginning of the second trimester means to us." Michael says and Nikita smiles with a soft tear in her eye.

"We are going to have a baby, Michael." Nikita says with a mixed voice. Michael leans down and kisses her nose as he wraps his hands around her waist.

"I am so happy, but Nikita it scares the hell out of me." Michael admits and Nikita turns and looks at Michael. He looks at the tub and pulls off his own clothes. Nikita stares with tears in his eyes.

"Michael I don't understand." Nikita says and Michael motions for Nikita to stand up near the tub. Nikita stands up and takes Michael's lead. He softly places Nikita into the tub, in front of his body. He continues to massage her back.

"Michael.. you are scared?" Nikita asks and Michael kisses Nikita's now wet neck.

"I thought you needed me to be strong. To be absolutely sure that we will do fine, that we will be perfect. But what you really needed to hear was that I was I am as scared as you are." Michael says and Nikita turns around in the tub and kisses Michael.

"Oh.. thank god I thought I was crazy, Michael. I didn't know why I was so scared and you weren't." Nikita admits and she runs her hands across Michael's chest and turns her head.

"I need you." Nikita says in a soft growl and Michael nods his head. Nikita pulls away. She knew where everything was heading, and knew it couldn't continue.

"Nikita you can have me." Michael says as he pulls Nikita closer to his body. Nikita shakes her head.

"I can't Michael" Nikita says and Michael reaches out and places Nikita's hand down on his upper leg.

"Yes you can." Michael says and Nikita sobs into his neck. Soon, the tears turn into kisses.

*

"I can not believe that you have not been able to tag Eleenia Houghton yet!" Madeline yells at Michael as he sits in the living room. Michael stares at Madeline and looks off to the bedroom. The tender hours they had spent in each other's arms were exactly what both needed. Nikita relaxed and Michael reconnected. They were one again.

"Madeline, we have been having problems." Michael says and Madeline stares at Michael.

"You look to rested to be having problems." Madeline says and Michael looks back at the screen firmly.

"Madeline, Nikita has been sleeping very little. She only sleeps well when I hold her." Michael says and Madeline stares at Michael.

"Now, may I speak with Elana?" Michael asks and Madeline narrows her eyes and stares at Michael.

"I want Eleenia tagged. NOW!" Madeline says and Michael stares at her.

"The profile is difficult. Nikita has not been able to find a common bond with the woman. If anything, they have been fighting." Michael says and Madeline flips her screen down and Michael is transferred to Elana.

Michael waits the few minutes as he looks back to the bedroom. Elana looks at Michael's tender face and smiles. Nikita was very lucky.

"Michael?" Elana asks finally, as she needed to gather Michael's attention.

"Elana. You did saw it was all right, right?" Michael asks and Elana nods her head.

"Yes. It is ok to have sexual relations during a pregnancy. We just wanted to hold off till Nikita's pregnancy was a bit more stable." Elana says and Michael looks back to the bedroom.

"But she never sleeps this long afterwards.. and we use to talk." Michael says and Elana continues to smile.

"Her body is changing, Michael. You aren't going to be able to guess what will happen next with Nikita. We don't know." Elana says and Michael shakes his head and looks closer to the screen.

"Sometimes I get so worried that I can lose her because of this baby, Elana. I hope she realizes that she is more important to me than any child of ours. I need her." Michael says.

Nikita pulls the blanket up around her as she hears the hushed voice. She walks over to the doorway and looks at Michael as he speaks.

"Michael we are monitoring everything that we can." Elana says and Michael shakes his head.

"But it doesn't lessen my fears." Michael cries out and Elana nods her head.

"But this needs to be as normal as a pregnancy as it can be for Nikita. She doesn't want to be locked up in Medlab for the next six months Michael. She will be fine." Elana says and Nikita walks towards the couch and sits down next to Michael.

"I will be fine. I have you." Nikita says and Michael turns and looks at her and hugs her tightly.

Nikita closes her eyes as she finally realizes how scared Michael really is. Here he wasn't worrying Nikita about his fears, he was bothering Elana about it. Nikita holds Michael and Elana closes the screen.

*

Madeline looks at the screen and closes it. She pulls the computer program and activates it. Madeline slams her hand down as the device starts to track and transmit.

"Nikita and Michael are lying to us." Madeline reports quickly.

"Give them some time." Operations says and Madeline shakes her head and moves away from the computer. How long were they going to pull this out? *

Nikita smiles as Michael zips her bag closed. They had finished the week out, and now were ready to go back home. Nikita at the end had enjoyed the stay, and she believed that Michael did too.

"Father Michael Mother Nikita?" A counselor calls out from the other side of the door. Nikita stands up and opens the door. The counselor walks in with two baskets, filled with baby supplies.

"Most of our couples are further along. But I got you two something else." The counselor says and Nikita looks at Michael and waits.

The counselor pulls out two shirts that read "T- 6 months" . Nikita starts to laugh at the shirt. She loves it. She pulls at it and twirls around.

"Thank you." Michael says and the counselor shakes Michael's hand and then hands the shirt over. Michael nods his head in approval. Nikita was so very pleased with the shirt.

"I have learned so much from you two, that I am sure all the couples after you will benefit from." The counselor says and then walks out.

Nikita turns back to add the shirt into the bag when the cell phone rings. Nikita picks it up and leans her head to the side.

"Hello?" Nikita asks in a sing song voice and she smiles at Michael.

"How are you Nikita?" Madeline asks and Nikita rolls her eyes.

"I am in my second trimester, Madeline.. and I have the perfect shirt to announce it to everyone!" Nikita says and she hears Madeline sigh loudly.

"You have your secondary supplies, correct?" Madeline asks and Nikita sits down sharply.

"Yes." Nikita replies tensely and Michael stops packing his bag and looks at Nikita.

"I need explosives planted in the Houghton van." Madeline says and Nikita shakes her head.

"No. They are pregnant Madeline!" Nikita cries out and Michael looks at Nikita and then takes the phone.

"What are we to do?" Michael asks and Nikita turns her head away from Michael in anger.

"Explosives to terminate the Houghton's." Madeline says and Michael looks at Nikita as the tears roll down off of her face.

"I will plant explosives, but it will not terminate them. There must be a better way, Madeline." Michael says and hangs up. Nikita looks back at Michael and then turns away.

"Nikita, I will try to protect Eleenia the best I can." Michael says as he pulls out the special bag and starts to make the explosives. Nikita looks at Michael and shakes her head in disappointment

*

Nikita stepped out of the Land Rover to be met by the ivory fluffy dog. Nikita picked it up and Michael slammed his door shut. Nikita smiles and walks towards the house.

"You really did run away from your owner this time didn't you?" Nikita asks the dog and gets lapped in her face by the wet tongue. Nikita laughs and watches as Michael unloads the Land Rover. He was not about to ask Nikita to help him. He knew better than to do that, after what occurred.

Somehow, when Nikita proceeded to get car sick, one last time, the Houghton's had pulled their car in front of Michael and Nikita. Nikita was leaning back in the seat, trying to forget that Michael had planted the explosives and focus on getting back home and to telling her friends of her pregnancy.

Then Nikita lifted her head and saw the car five vehicles ahead, blow up. Michael was correct. The explosion itself would not have hurt Eleenia and the baby. What happened afterwards, Patrick losing control of the car, caused the injuries.

Michael pulled over to the left-hand lane and pulled past the other cars, as they stopped and ran to help the couple in the car. Nikita watched and leaned her head back with tears running down her face. They stopped before the airport and heard the news reports. Eleenia had passed away, but the baby had been delivered and was critical. Nikita wasn't sure if it was for the best, or if it was for the worst.

"Nikita! You have my Spice!" Lori calls out as she ducks underneath a tree branch. Nikita hands the dog over and smiles.

"She seems to like me." Nikita jokes and Lori laughs.

"Yeah that's my Spice. She is attracted to the mothers!" Lori says and Nikita smiles broadly. She turns to the side and looks as a car pulls up. Nikita smiles and looks to Lori.

"Excuse me for a second" Nikita says and she turns and dashes towards the car.

"MELISSA!!!" Nikita says and Melissa jumps out of the car, barely having enough time to turn it off, and runs to hug Nikita.

"I have missed you. Your trip was good?" Melissa asks and Nikita smiles.

"Yes. I have so many things to tell you oh.. And I think I got rid of my morning sickness for good!" Nikita says and Melissa laughs and Nikita wraps her arm around her half sister and starts to walk back towards Lori.

"Lori.. I would like to introduce you to my half sister. Melissa" Nikita says and Melissa shakes her hand and smiles back at Nikita.

"No more morning sickness?" Melissa asks and Nikita nods her head.

"Finally!" Nikita laughs out and Lori joins in with the laughter.

"Melissa you are back so soon?" Michael asks as he walks out of the house ready to gather some more bags.

"Needed to see how you were treating my important sister!" Melissa calls out and Nikita looks at Melissa.

"Things with Birkoff still bad?" Nikita asks and Melissa nods her head. Nikita looks at the house and as the urge for some tea.

"Is Spice housetrained?" Nikita asks and Lori nods her head.

"Would you care to join us for some tea?" Nikita asks and Lori smiles and follows the women into the house, as Michael continues to unpack the Land Rover.

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