Nikita rolled her head back, fighting the need for more sleep. She had been separated from Michael, as Operations sent him out on a mission, and left Nikita asleep. The time seemed to go by so slowly when Michael was gone, but also slow because of Operations order not to bother Nikita.

Then there was Operations trying to keep Nikita inside Section One for the day. Nikita laughed at the suggestion and moved to the computer. She ate her breakfast there as she checked the mission that Michael had been sent on. She would have rather been sent on the mission with Michael rather than wait for him here. It looked to be a very simple mission, but that never meant anything. It could easily turn back if an operative was bad or if the intelligence was incorrect.

"Nikita… I have this under control. Michael is just supervising." Birkoff said as he looked over from his computer. Nikita looked at Birkoff and sighed. He was more than likely right.

"Really, Birkoff. I'd like to monitor." Nikita said and Birkoff stood up and walked over to Nikita. Birkoff looked at the screen and pointed to the little black dot.

"That is were Michael is going to be and that is where he is going to stay." Birkoff said and Nikita looked up at Birkoff and smiled softly.

"Operations is bothering you?" Nikita asked softly and Birkoff nodded his head. Nikita slowly stood her body up, feeling the weight of her pregnancy, and looked at Birkoff.

"If anything changes I want contacted." Nikita said and Birkoff turned back to his computer without a nod of agreement.

"Birkoff, I mean it." Nikita said in a firm tone and Birkoff saluted Nikita as she started to hobble out of the area. Some operatives stopped Nikita and chatted to her along the way, as she headed to the little lounge that had just opened up. There was Millie and Logan.

"Nikita, I thought we didn't have any tests today?" Millie asked and Nikita smiled.

"You don't. They are trying to keep me inside Section today. But they don't know I have plans on buying some new clothes." Nikita said and Logan laughed.

"Yeah. It's not like you to wear the same shirt twice in a week." Logan commented and Nikita rolled her eyes. That was only the hundredth time she had heard that this day alone.

"That finishes it. I am going to buy some clothes today." Nikita said and Logan wrapped his hand around Millie. Nikita smiled as the two walked off down the hallway.

"Today on Jerry Ringer….. Sexy Pregnant Mothers……. And Fathers who hate the Stomachs…." The television blared as three operatives laughed at it. Nikita stared at them and slowly they realized her presence.

"Oh, no… hormonal pregnant woman, twelve o'clock!" The one man said and Nikita lifted her head and walked towards him.

"Let's get this correct…. Maintenance Boy…… One LETHAL, Hormonal KILLING MACHINE pregnant woman." Nikita said slowly and deeply. The man leaned back in the couch with each word. Nikita's body approached him and she backed off.

"Don't forget it." Nikita said as she turned to the television and turned on cartoons and sat down in a large chair. The men stared at her, and after a safe ten minutes, quickly made their exit. Nikita shook her head and found that sleep had found her.

*

"NIKITA!!!! AUNT NIKITA!!!" an excited voiced screamed from outside Nikita's dream. She tried to open her tied eyes as the voice became louder and louder. Nikita knew the person was moving towards her, but her body and her mind felt if she was moving like a glazier, nice and slow.

"AUNT NIKITA! YOU GOT BIG!" the voice exclaims and now Nikita can identify the voice. Nikita pulls her arms up and pushes her body up as she struggles with her eyes.

"ANNA!" Nikita finally says as her blue eyes focuses on the young girl that seemed so different from the girl that Nikita remembered. Anna's fine dark hair was getting thicker, and slowly turning blonde. Nikita smiles as Anna leaps in to Nikita's chest for a large hug.

"I missed you." Nikita says as she shakes the cobwebs out of her head. Nikita yawns lightly as Anna unwraps her hands from Nikita's neck and looks at her.

"Your stomach!" Anna says and Nikita smiles. Nikita nods her head and looks at Anna. Was she five or six now? Nikita couldn't quite remember. Nikita smiles as Anna leans down to study the growing stomach closer. Nikita laughs as Anna tries to poke at it.

"You can touch. You know that there is a baby inside?" Nikita questions as she rubs her own hands across the stretched surface. Anna carefully places her palm down on the stomach and then pulls away.

"Yes. Yours and Michael's." Anna says happily and Nikita smiles and looks to the doorway glad to see that Anna had made her way to the room by herself.

"And then you will have someone to play with." Nikita says and Anna smiles broadly as she turns her head back to the stomach. Anna's smile starts to turn to a frown as she now is petting Nikita's stomach. Nikita looks to the side to study Anna's perplexed look.

"I have to think of a name for the baby… maybe you can help?" Nikita offers and Anna steps back and looks at the stomach intensely.

"Is the baby alright?" Anna asks and Nikita blinks at the question. Nikita rubs her hands across the stomach as she smiles at Anna's innocent question.

"Of course it is alright." Nikita says and Anna shakes her head.

"It's not kicking." Anna states and Nikita laughs softly. She had thought the same thing about two weeks ago. In fact Nikita was almost near hysterics.

"No.. The baby won't kick for a couple more weeks. It is too small still." Nikita explains and Anna walks over to the couch and sits down next to Nikita. Nikita strokes her hands through Anna's soft hair and smiles as Anna wiggles at the movement. Nikita knew that Madeline had called for Anna to come back to Section One, but Nikita wasn't aware that she had already returned. It was good to see Anna around.

"Is it a girl?" Anna asks and Nikita shrugs her shoulders. She easily remembers the every night argument that she has with Michael. Michael wants to know, and Nikita violently does not want to know the sex of their child. Nikita ultimately wins because she breaks down crying, but when Nikita thinks about the fight during the day, it is quite ridiculous.

"I don't know. That's why I have to think of a girl's name and a boy's name." Nikita explains slowly and Anna bounces on the couch happily.

"I like the name Pedro." Anna confirms and Nikita tries to contain her laughter.

"Pedro. What an interesting name!" Nikita cries out with a fake smile. She couldn't wait to see Michael's reaction to that name.

"Anna…. Why are you bothering, Nikita? I explained she needed her rest." Operations'voice booms from the hallway. Anna's smile drops and Nikita looks up at Operations.

"She is not bothering me, are you Anna-banna?" Nikita asks and Anna begins to giggle.

"Anna, we better go. I am taking you out to Gillian's Boat." Operations'says, indicating a popular children's restaurant that had just opened. Anna jumps up from Nikita's side and runs to her father. Nikita stares at Operations and turns her head.

"I should go look in on that mission." Nikita says as she pulls her body up. Operations looks at Nikita and shakes his head.

"Michael is out there, I'll go check on it if I want to." Nikita says, as she looks around, angered by Operations'gesture. He nods his head and follows off behind Anna. Nikita rubs her hand across her face, feeling the prison of Section One pushing in on her body.

*

Nikita stares at the computer screen as Birkoff throws another oreo up into the air and catches it in his mouth. He catches Nikita tapping her fingers on the desktop and shakes his head as he begins to chew his oreo. For two hours, Nikita has sat there, doing absolutely nothing else but stare at the computer screen.

"Hey, Nikita…. Aren't you suppose to have to go to the bathroom a lot?" Birkoff calls out as he brushes the crumbs away from his lips and stares at Nikita. Nikita slowly lifts her head to give Birkoff a stare that tells him to go to hell. Birkoff turns back to the computer screen and shakes his head.

Birkoff was glad that he had been able to contact Michael via the computer without Nikita knowing. Michael told Birkoff to deal with it, and that the mission would be over when the mission was over with. That was about ten minutes ago and then Birkoff decided to take matters into his own hands.

"Hey, Birkoff… You said you would give me the historical background on the Whiskey Rebellion." Trevor says as he walks into the communications area. Nikita lifts her head and then turns back to the computer screen. She had not spoken to Trevor a lot since she had rescued him from Murdock months ago. Nikita knew that Trevor had asked to speak to her, but Operations had always found a way to stop it.

"Nikita!" Trevor says as he moves to the side and finds Nikita lounging back on the chair. Nikita smiles at Trevor as he moves closer to her.

"Hello, Trevor. How have you been?" Nikita asks as he pulls a chair next to Nikita. Trevor sits down and looks at Nikita's stomach.

"I should be asking you. My mother said that you were pregnant when you rescued me. Was it risky?" Trevor asks and Nikita shrugs her shoulders. Trevor smiles and laughs lightly as Nikita drops her hands from the countertop to her stomach.

"Not really Trevor. I would have done it no matter what." Nikita says and he smiles lightly at the comment.

"I don't think I would have. Michael must have been really mad with you." Trevor says with a deep laugh that almost sounds like Operations. Nikita stares for a few seconds before she responds with her own laugh.

"For a while, but he understands. See, Trevor, I didn't have a mother that really loved me, and I treasure the family that I can get." Nikita says slowly and Trevor nods his head noting that he understood what Nikita was saying.

"From what Walter told me you were a trouble maker." Trevor says slowly as he looks at Nikita stroke her stomach softly. Nikita almost spits out with laugh.

"Were… I am a trouble maker!" Nikita says solidly and Trevor giggles. Nikita shakes her head and looks at the boy that was her half brother, realizing that she didn't know much about him.

"So, what have you been learning here? What's your favorite subject?" Nikita asks and Trevor looks to the computer and looks to Nikita.

"Well, Dad is filling me in with all of this historical crap about all these strategies and stuff, but I really like working with Birkoff. I learn so much more off of the web." Trevor says and Nikita sees the eyes of a boy who was soon going to be trouble for Operations.

"I would stick with Birkoff, Trevor." Nikita comments and Birkoff starts to laugh at the comment. Nikita looks up and notices that she has stopped looking at the mission.

"Birkoff! The mission!" Nikita hisses and Birkoff blinks his eyes and holds a hand up, indicating that all is fine. Nikita takes a deep breath and turns back to Trevor.

"Trevor! Aren't you suppose to be studying?" Operations asks deeply from the hallway. Nikita sighs and looks up at him. He was going to be a thorn in her side for a long time this day.

"Sorry, Father." Trevor says as he stands up. He looks down at Nikita and the kisses Nikita's cheek softly. Nikita smiles at the boy as he turns and stands by his father's side.

"Birkoff…. As I indicated… Nikita can watch the mission but nothing more. She is to be resting." Operations says loudly as he leads Trevor down the hallway, leaving Nikita to turn back to the computer screen.

There are a few moments of silence, Birkoff stands up and looks at Nikita. He turns his head to the side and finds that Operations is gone. Birkoff grabs a piece of paper and scribbles a number on the paper.

"Take the number and get out of here. Go for lunch." Birkoff says and Nikita smiles and stands up.

"A get out of jail free card, Birkoff?" Nikita questions with a half laugh and Birkoff nods his head. Nikita smiles at the nice gesture and hurriedly exits the area before Operations returns.

*

"Table for one?" The hostess asks as Nikita enters the small café with a few bags in tow. Nikita nods her head and follows behind the women. It is a light before dinner crowd, as Nikita's stomach had started to cry out to her about an hour before. Nikita tried to hold off until she could return to Section One, but she couldn't wait.

"Today's special is the soup and salad. The soups being served are the tomato vegetable, the herbed potato, and the chili." The hostess delivers as she places the menu down on the table with the private booth. Nikita nods her head and looks at the booth. Nikita didn't like tables like this and looked at the hostess. It was difficult to maneuver her body, as it was just plain awkward for Nikita to move her body in such a way.

"Nikita?" Melissa asks from a few tables over as Nikita drops her coat down on the booth, getting ready to slide in. Nikita pulls her head around and easily finds her half sister sitting at a small table in the corner. Nikita smiles and nods her head.

"No, Nikita. Come join me. You shouldn't be all by yourself." Melissa says and Nikita smiles and happily walks to Melissa's table. If it was just because Nikita didn't have to slide into the booth, she wasn't sure, but the hug that Melissa gave Nikita warmed her heart.

"Thanks… are you meeting someone?" Nikita asks as she looks at the settings. Melissa half frowns and looks at Nikita.

"Yeah, but he doesn't matter as much as you. What are you doing without Michael? He told me you were on restricted rest." Melissa says and Nikita laughs at the notion. Michael could never fully disclose some of the happenings of Section One, although Melissa was very well exposed to it now.

"I was kind of held inside for a while, but now that I broke out, I feel a lot better." Nikita says and Melissa laughs as looks at the waiter. He nods his head and goes to fetch some water.

"That's good. I have really missed you, Nikita. You never seem to be home." Melissa says and Nikita looks around and leans into Melissa.

"Well, it's my home, and I thought that maybe you and Birkoff would work things out." Nikita says softly and Melissa half frowns.

"Nikita, it is going to take some time. He just isn't himself." Melissa says and Nikita laughs.

"Yeah, he is wearing these really ugly Mr. Potato Head ties." Nikita comments and Melissa laughs broadly.

"I could choke him with it." Melissa says and Nikita nods her head and looks at the waiter as he places the water in front of Nikita. Nikita looks to the clear water and then sighs.

"Can I have two lemon slices?" Nikita asks and the waiter nods his head and turns to retrieve the items that Nikita had indicated. Melissa takes Nikita's hand and looks seriously into her half sister's eyes.

"Nikita, I have been worried about you. I thought you would slow down with this pregnancy, but I would say things haven't done so." Melissa says and Nikita smiles softly.

"I can't. Melissa there are some things that are beyond your reach and mine. I don't have control of what I do all the time." Nikita says and Melissa says as she looks at the assorted bags of Nikita's.

"You didn't have to shop. I could have gotten you some things. I know that Michael is worried about you." Melissa says and Nikita takes her hand and places it in her other hand. Together, Nikita rubs her hands and looks at Melissa.

"I know he worries about me, and I want him too. But I don't think I am pushing it too hard. I would know." Nikita says and Melissa sighs softly.

"I hope so, Nikita. You have never been pregnant before." Melissa says and Nikita blinks her eyes and looks away.

"I have… just never this long." Nikita comments and Melissa nods her head and then drops it. Nikita lifts up the menu and starts to look over the choices. Almost all of them were making her stomach hungry.

"Nikita, I didn't mean to upset you. I just think you need to slow down." Melissa says and Nikita lifts her head from the menu and smiles softly.

"That is what I have been trying to get her to do for weeks now." Operations says as he walks up to Nikita's back. Nikita's entire jaw tights as he walks to her side and takes the other chair.

"Hello, Viktor." Melissa says to her father as Nikita stares at him. Nikita drops the menu and looks around.

"If I would have know you were meeting Melissa… I would have stayed at my table…. I think I should go." Nikita says as she starts to stand up. Operations reaches out and places a hand on Nikita's.

"Stay, Nikita." Operations says as their eyes meet together.

*

"Is this an order?" Nikita questions as she stares down at Operations old hand that firmly held hers to the table. Operations pulls his hand away from Nikita's hand and stands back up. He places a hand on Nikita's shoulder and she closes her eyes. This was too much contact for Nikita with him.

"I am concerned and think that if you were here, that you needed to eat." Operations explains for the benefit for Melissa and Nikita nods her head. She forces a smile back onto her face as she pulls the chair back and sits back down.

"I thought you were going to take it easy today." Operations says and Nikita sighs softly as she sips at the water. She swallows and smiles at Operations.

"I was trying, but the children that were making me happy were taken away from me." Nikita says softly and Melissa smiles softly.

"Maternal instincts." Melissa comments and Nikita raises an eyebrow to Operations. He lightly shakes his head, indicating to Nikita to drop the subject. The tension at the table was thick and Nikita looks around.

"Actually, I needed to get some new clothes." Nikita says and Operations laughs as he picks up his menu and starts to look at the choices for the light dinner. Nikita fidgets with the menu and looks at Melissa. Nikita felt like she was placed under a microscope.

"So, what are you going to have, Nikita?" Operations asks and Nikita swallows and folds her hands in front of her.

"The potato soup and the house salad." Nikita strains out and Operations drops his menu and stares at Nikita. Nikita forces the smile, trying to get the focus off of her.

"So, Melissa, have you seen what Birkoff has done to the nursery?" Nikita asks and Operations folds his hands and stares at Nikita carefully. Nikita swallows at the look, now feeling tired.

"It looks great, and he isn't even half way done. He promised Walter that he would stop for a bit." Melissa answers and Nikita smiles and nods her head. Her stomach was churning and she sips at the water again.

"Nikita, are you ok?" Melissa asks as Nikita's hand begins to shake as she tries to set the water down. Nikita stares at the glass and watches it tip over. Operations and Melissa start to throw napkins on the water puddle as Nikita rubs at her neck.

"Maybe you should get something more than just soup and salad." Operations says in a deep voice as the waiter walks over and helps with the minor mess. Nikita looks around and licks her lips.

"I will fine with that." Nikita says firmly and Melissa frowns lightly as she sisterly takes Nikita's hand.

"Nikita, you are eating for two. You should get something more." Melissa says and Nikita abruptly pulls her hand away from Melissa.

"I'm fine. The problem is him, Melissa. You don't understand." Nikita says accusingly as she stands up and starts to pull at her jacket.

"Nikita, don't leave." Melissa says as she watches Nikita pull at her bags.

"I'll get something on the way back in. I have to check on Michael either way." Nikita says nodding her head.

"Nikita, don't go." Operations says, trying to be soft in his tone. Nikita turns her head and shakes it as she slowly backs up.

"I'm going. I can't take this situation." Nikita says as she turns and quickly leaves. Operations drops his head and looks down and sees several bags that Nikita had forgotten in her rush to leave. He would take them to her.

"I shouldn't push her like that." Operations says and Melissa folds her hands underneath her chin and studies her father. There was something there that Melissa was missing and she was sure that to Nikita, that it stuck out like sore thumb.

"Why is it so difficult between you and Nikita?" Melissa asks and Operations sighs and looks around.

"I can't discuss that." Operations says and Melissa nods her head as the waiter comes over for their orders. The business of the orders is done quickly and Melissa looks to Operations.

"I don't think you two spend a lot of time together." Melissa says and Operations nods his head slowly.

"Because she isn't my only child I have to worry about." Operations says and Melissa sips at her water and sets it carefully done.

"Maybe you don't have to worry about her?" Melissa questions softly, trying to think out what was in her mind. Operations processes the questions and feels his stomach drop. If he wasn't suppose to worry about Nikita, what was he suppose to do?

*

Birkoff frowns as he watches Nikita trudge down the hallway. She has a small bag in her hand and Birkoff stands up.

"Did you bring something for me?" Birkoff asks loudly, as he sees the frown of depression written across Nikita's face. Birkoff watches as Nikita turns and walks towards him. She holds out the bag and places in next to the computer.

"How about a cheeseburger?" Nikita asks as she opens the bag and reveals the greasy burger. Birkoff licks his lips and inhales the scent before he looks up at Nikita. He frowns and leans back in his chair.

"Shouldn't you be eating it?" Birkoff asks and Nikita laughs firmly, but Birkoff is sure that it is not a real laugh. Nikita pushes the bag closer to Birkoff and pulls her arm away.

"I had one already." Nikita says with a smile that Birkoff definitely knows is forced and not true. Birkoff, still unsure of what to do, takes the bag and looks in at the burger. Nikita nods her head and Birkoff pulls the burger out.

"Are you sure? You are eating for two." Birkoff says and Nikita's entire body tenses up. Birkoff starts to shake his head, not sure of what he had done for the reaction, as Nikita stalks out of the area. Birkoff sighs and sits down.

"Birkoff?" Anna's voice drifts in from the computer next to him. Birkoff turns his head and looks at the little girl. She frowns as Birkoff unwraps the cheeseburger and Birkoff sits up straight.

"Do you want some?" Birkoff asks as he bends over and displays the cheeseburger. Anna shakes her head and looks down the hallway, in the same direction that Nikita had headed. Birkoff looks and winks at Anna. She slowly slides off of the chair and dashes off down the hallway.

*

"Damn him!" Nikita curses as she walks into the lounge room and slams her hand against the wall. The entire room was vacant and quiet as Nikita looked around. She pressed both hands into her forehead and allowed the pent up tears roll down her face. She couldn't handle Operations any further. He was putting more stress in her life than he even realized. Nikita looks up and stares at the wall. She hadn't even checked on the mission status. Nikita knew that she could not let Michael see her in a mood like this.

Her stomach rumbled but Nikita shook it off. She had tried to eat the cheeseburger she had handed over to Birkoff, but it made her stomach flip. Nikita walks to the couch and easily falls into the softness. The rage was quickly turning into self-pity and confusion as she balls her hands up and pounds the cushions with stabs.

"Nikita……" Anna says as she slowly steps into the room. Nikita doesn't even lift her head as her mind is drifting back to Operations. Nikita should have realized that Melissa was meeting him, and should have left before he had arrived. Nikita couldn't believe that she even thought that they could have a friendly discussion about occurrences. It was unrealistic and she should have seen it.

"Aunt \lquote Kita!" Anna calls out and Nikita snaps her head up and looks at the little girl. The rage that quickly turned back to that, rage, boiled over, as Nikita's body automatically snapped.

"Can't anyone just leave me alone! I want to be by myself!" Nikita screams and Anna starts to shake and tremble at Nikita's words as she stands up. Nikita walks to the wall and pounds her fists against the soft plaster.

"I am being separated and pushed away from everyone I care about…. And then pushed back towards him. I HAD HIM! I HATE OPERATIONS! I wish everyone would just leave me alone!" Nikita screams as Anna slowly backs up, heading out of the room.

"JUST LEAVE! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Nikita screams as she flings her body around and points to the door. Anna starts to cry and hurries to do as Nikita's screams intensify. Anna starts to dash down the hallway and bursts right into Madeline's office.

"Darling…. I didn't know you knew I was back!" Madeline exclaims and then notices her daughter's crying face.

"Anna, what is it?" Madeline asks concernedly.

*

"Anna, what is it?" Madeline asks as she stands up and quickly moves to Anna's side. Anna throws her arms around her mother's neck and cries loudly. Madeline blinks and rubs Anna's neck and head softly. She still had no idea what was going on, but comforting Anna was the first way to go.

"Nikita….. Hates me…" Anna sobs out and Madeline walks back to her desk and places Anna on her lap. Madeline pushes back the wet bangs from her forehead and looks at her.

"Anna, what happened?" Madeline asks softly and Anna drops her head to her chest. The tears drop heavily from Anna's eyes and Madeline can't dry them away quickly enough.

"She told me to leave…. And she was hitting the wall…" Anna explains out in broken words. Madeline sighs softly and rubs Anna's back as she progresses into hiccups with the tears. Madeline looks to the wall, starting to wonder what was going on with Nikita now.

"Anna, I know she didn't mean it." Madeline says slowly and Anna quickly shakes her head back and forth in the no motion. Madeline presses her lips together slightly and then lightly kisses her child's forehead.

"Anna, Nikita doesn't hate you. I bet you she is just having a bad day." Madeline tries to explain quickly and Anna continues to cry. Madeline licks her lips lightly as Anna starts to rock back and forth on her mother's knee.

"She hate daddy." Anna says and Madeline almost has to stop herself from laughing. That was nothing new for Nikita, but Madeline realizes how the words could hurt her little daughter.

"Anna…. Nikita is going through a lot…. I'm not sure what is happening. I need you to help me." Madeline says, taking a new approach at the situation. She didn't know what occurred, and what she was gathering was all of Anna's emotions.

"Did you see Nikita before this?" Madeline asks and Anna nods her head. She pulls at her left-hand fingers and looks up to her mother with red eyes from the numerous tears.

"She gave Birkoff a burger." Anna says and Madeline nods her head. Madeline wonders if that burger should have been for Nikita, or if she had bribed Birkoff for something. Madeline was not blind to Birkoff using food as a bribe.

"Then what, Anna?" Madeline asks and Anna looks around.

"She went to the lounge… she looked so sad…," Anna says and Madeline is starting to picture how Nikita was when Anna walked in on her. Madeline takes Anna's small hands into hers and holds them lightly in a comforting manner.

"Remember when I was explaining to you about Nikita having the baby?" Madeline explains as she drops Anna from her knee and watches as her daughter nods on her shaky legs.

"Well, this is one of those things. She was crying, wasn't she?" Madeline asks and Anna starts to cry. Madeline carefully uses her fingertips to wipe away the tears. She looks down at Anna and smiles.

"It's all right. I will see what is going on." Madeline says and Anna reaches up for her mother's neck. Madeline laughs as she picks her daughter up as she stands up.

"My, you are getting big!" Madeline exclaims as she moves towards the office door. Anna giggles and kisses Madeline's cheek softly. Anna looks at the door and tightens her grip around Madeline's neck.

"I don't want to see her!" Anna proclaims and Madeline pulls her head back from Anna's grasp. She studies the stern eyes in her daughter that was definitely her father's eyes.

"Now, that is not very nice." Madeline says and Anna presses her lips together and growls.

"She yelled at me!" Anna proclaims and Madeline frowns at her daughter. It was not a reaction she was going to allow Anna to maintain.

"Then it tells us that something is wrong, right?" Madeline asks and she waits for Anna to nod her head up and down. "And we have to help people when there is something wrong, right?" Madeline asks and Anna begins to chew on her lip. Madeline looks at the gesture and knows that it isn't genetic, that Anna had picked up on Nikita's bad habit years ago.

"Yes, mommie." Anna finally says and Madeline smiles and messes with Anna's hair.

*

"Nikita?" Madeline calls out softly as she sets Anna down on the floor right outside of the lounge. Madeline turns the corner and sees Nikita crying down on the couch. Anna holds tightly to her mother's hand as they walk in.

"Nikita." Madeline says and Nikita lifts her head slightly, to see Madeline and then drops it back down. Madeline feels Anna's hand tightly squeeze hers and Madeline looks down. Madeline slips her hand away from Anna's and moves further into the room. Anna slowly steps in.

"Nikita, get up. It is an order." Madeline says in a deep sinister voice the jolts Nikita's body from it's quivering mass. Nikita pushes her body up and Madeline walks around to face Nikita.

"Anna… I'm sorry." Nikita says as the tears start to flow. She looks right at Anna, but Anna can only reply with her own frightened look. Nikita turns her head and starts to cry hardier, until Madeline's hands cups Nikita's chin. Madeline is taken back by the tremble that runs through Nikita's body as she touches her.

"Nikita… what happened today?" Madeline asks as she suddenly realizes that all of this might be more than a little bit of hormones. Nikita pulls her head back and looks at Anna and blinks her eyes.

"Anna… I am so sorry for yelling at you. You understand, right? I love you." Nikita says quickly and Anna nods her head. She slowly looks at her mother before looking back at Nikita.

"I love you, \lquote Kita." Anna says in the tense room as she looks back and forth from Nikita to her mother. Nikita nods her head and looks at Madeline.

"Anna…. Can you go get Birkoff and ask him to get me a tuna fish sandwich?" Nikita asks and Anna smiles, believing that she is really going to help Nikita up. Nikita swallows as Anna turns and leaves. Nikita slowly becomes aware of the womanly hand on her shoulder.

"You are a natural." Madeline comments softly, hoping that maybe the comment would bring some comfort to the young woman. Madeline blinks as Nikita turns around with a fresh batch of endless tears. Nikita shakily places a hand on the couch and moves towards it. Madeline looked at Nikita and sighed. Here she was suppose to gather rest inside of Section One and it appeared that she had gathered only more stress.

"Nikita…" Madeline says softly and Nikita blinks and starts to reach for Madeline's hands. Madeline takes the gesture nicely and sits down next to Nikita. They had not had times like this often, and Madeline always rejoiced in the memories of such times.

"I saw Anna this morning.. She had grown so much." Nikita starts off in a whispering voice. Madeline nods her head and waits for Nikita to continue. Madeline could see the words slowly forming inside of Nikita's mind and traveling down to her throat before being spoken.

"And then Operations ordered her away…. And then I saw Trevor… and he did the same. They are my half siblings, and I don't even know them." Nikita says in a voice that is quickly falling apart. Madeline squeezes Nikita's hand and Nikita nods her head to clear her thoughts.

"Then Birkoff got me out… and it was wonderful. I was at a café with Melissa. But she was meeting Operations, and he demanded that I stay." Nikita says and Madeline's face turns white. She can see the instant problem and the reason for the conflicted soul that played out in the room.

"Am I being punished for not having a relationship with him, by having Mia and Trevor and Melissa withheld from me?" Nikita questions softly. She turns her head as she looks into Madeline's eyes. Nikita couldn't believe that she had allowed the words to tumble out of her mouth.

"No, Nikita. I won't allow that to happen. You will know them." Madeline says firmly and Nikita drops her head slightly. Nikita rubs her stomach and moans lightly. Madeline reaches around and rubs Nikita's lower back.

"I am so scared that I am going to mess up on my family… and those who are related to me, I don't even know!" Nikita cries out and Madeline pushes back her own tears.

"You will know them. I promise you, Nikita." Madeline says in a harsh whisper. Madeline also promises several other things, but there was no need for Nikita to know what Madeline had planned for Operations.

"Really?" Nikita asks as she pushes her blonde hair back and lifts her head. Madeline smiles and nods her head.

"Really." Madeline says clearly as she starts to dry away Nikita's tears. Nikita nods her head and then leans forward towards Madeline. Madeline takes a long breath as Nikita settles her head down on her shoulder.

*

Madeline glances into the room with a genuine smile on her face. Trevor holds onto the photo album as Nikita turns the next page. Anna looks at Nikita and then down to the pictures.

"Anna… this was the wedding." Nikita explains and Anna smiles and points to the dress. Madeline could tell that Nikita was connecting with her half siblings easily this way. Trevor smiles at Anna and nods out to Madeline. Madeline could not take credit for the idea, as it was Ayn who within seconds knew how to give Nikita some quality time with Trevor and Anna.

Madeline hears the door from the hallway slide open and then gently close. She turns and looks at the fuming Operations, who drops the bags that Nikita had left at the café onto the floor. Madeline makes a half dozen steps towards Operations and raises her hand.

"Madeline, what is going on in there? She is to be resting." Operations demands and Madeline blinks her eyes and drops her head before the face off that she knew would happen.

"I'm not going to allow this to continue." Madeline says carefully and Operations raises an eyebrow, as Madeline had predicted. The words that were going to firmly come out of her mouth were most likely going to insight a riot from Operations, but they needed to be said.

"I am going to take my children out of that room and discuss things with Nikita. She made quite a scene today." Operations says as he trembles. Madeline was just plainly staring at him, which meant she had determiningly made up her own mind.

"As I said," Madeline says firmly, "I am not going to allow this to continue." Madeline restates, this time firmer. She watches Operations swallow and stare over her shoulder.

"The point of sending Michael on the mission by himself was to give Nikita rest. Not to stress her life out, as it was today." Madeline continues and Operations lifts his head and parts his lips. Madeline can see the protest being lined up in his head and was ready for the words.

"That was what I was insuring. I didn't want Anna and Trevor to bother her like they are now!" Operations argues and Madeline only blinks in response. Madeline turns, looks at the room, where Anna has just flipped a page of the photo album and is laughing.

"I don't see Nikita upset at their presence. In fact, you were her problem today. In fact, I would say most of the bad days are because of something you did." Madeline says and Operations finally steps forward to match Madeline's physical presence.

"I am going to talk to my daughter and get this silliness stopped." Operations says as he tries to push past Madeline. Madeline elegantly raises an arm and stops his forward movement. She turns to the side and stares at Operations.

"That is the problem. She doesn't want you." Madeline says and Operations shakes his head in denial.

"We shared something in New York." Operations hisses out and Madeline nods her head and blinks. She has always agreed that something special between the two occurred in New York, but Operations had fumbled the event of future contact, and he could not see that error.

"Yes, you shared something there. She was violent ill and close to losing her child. She would have clung to anyone who was willing to save her child at that point." Madeline comments firmly and Operations starts to twitch. The words hit his soul, as he knew them to be true, but could never admit them.

"I am telling you this, and then I will enforce it. If Nikita wants contact with you, let her make it." Madeline says and Operations shakes his head in protest. He extends his arms and points to the room.

"That is my daughter. Not yours." Operations says. Madeline swallows and looks at him.

"What she really needs now, is a mother. She is one hundred percent terrified that she is going to be an awful mother because of her childhood. I might not be her biological mother.. But I am going to protect Nikita now, From you." Madeline says and Operations steps back and stares at Madeline.

"We have seen the statistics of operatives who give birth here. They're complications are sky high because of the stress. Most do not have a normal delivery. And these are operatives that have not had to perform a mission in the entire length of their pregnancy!" Madeline says and Operations swallows at Madeline's rehearsed performance of the speech.

"You continue on in your search to heal your soul of the damage you have done to Nikita, without thinking about her. You still haven't gotten over Stephen's death!" Madeline cries out with more emotions than Operations had seen in a long time.

"Don't you say his name." Operations says and Madeline stares at him.

"You still hurt from that and it still hurts you that Nikita killed him to protect her life. How can you expect her to willingly have a relationship with you?" Madeline questions and Operations steps back and picks the bags up.

"I just want to give her the bags that she left." Operations says and Madeline steps forward and rips the bags from his hands.

"I will give them to her." Madeline states and Operations is almost near tears. No one had ever kept him away from his children like this. Operations wanted to make things right between himself and Nikita.

"I want a relationship with her." Operations demands and Madeline nods her head.

"Fine. Start by respecting her wishes." Madeline says and Operations closes his eyes and steps out of the hallway. Madeline watches the door slide close. She was willing to watch Nikita's back for every day until she was ready to face him, and if that day never came, Madeline would stay there, providing guard of the girl that had already been hurt enough.

*

Madeline walks towards the room as Nikita stretches her arms out and yawns. Madeline can see the tiredness written on Nikita's face, but she could also see the pleasure of the experience. Nikita slowly flips the page and starts to point out the pictures again.

In the background the door in the hallway slides open. Madeline's body jumps, wondering if it was Operations trying again to bully his way into the room to gather his children. Instead, Madeline found Ayn walking down the hallway on her tiptoes. Ayn stops at Madeline's side and sighs at the sight. Madeline smiles and shares the sediment.

"Michael's team just pulled in." Ayn says and Madeline nods her head as Anna closes her eyes and leans against Nikita. Nikita smiles and kisses the young girl's head. Trevor is fighting off his own yawns.

"Should we take them?" Ayn asks and Madeline shakes her head. Nikita's hand drifts down to the photo album as her eyes close and then snap back open.

"Not yet." Madeline whispers as Trevor falls to the opposite side of the couch, asleep. His legs curl up and barely touch Nikita's own sleepy form. Madeline did not feel that she could bother Nikita now.

"Operations is quite upset." Ayn says and Madeline turns her head and nods it. She knew that Operations would go to Ayn, and try to gather a second opinion about the entire matter. Madeline blinked at Ayn, and realizes that Ayn had taken her side.

"I cannot allow Nikita to lose herself any further. It has gone on far too long." Madeline says and Ayn nods her head in agreement. Ayn had missed seeing the young woman and it was the price to pay for being involved with the father she so desperately hated.

"I think she is afraid that she might actually care for him." Ayn states and Madeline smiles.

"I try to tell Viktor that, but he never gets it." Madeline says softly as the door slides open behind them. In unison, the two older women turn to find Michael walking down the hallway still dressed in the field blacks.

"How was the mission, Michael?" Madeline asks and Michael stares past the two women and to the room. He blinks at the pure peace that had found it's way to Nikita's face. Birkoff had been concerned about Nikita all day, but Michael found nothing wrong with her now.

"I was not needed on site." Michael states as he tries to continue into the room. Madeline nods her head and touches Michael's shoulder before he brushes past her.

"Michael, today was not good." Madeline states. Michael looks into Madeline's eyes and then Ayn's. At first he had only briefly wondered why both women were standing outside the room that Birkoff gave him the hallway code for. Now, Michael figured the puzzle out.

"Operations. No wonder he was glaring." Michael states as he nods his head. He slowly enters the room with Madeline and Ayn not far behind. Michael carefully starts to peal the arms of Anna off of Nikita's body. Nikita's head stirs and Michael strokes her cheek. Michael bends down and tenderly lifts Anna away from Nikita and hands her to her mother. Ayn walks down to the other side of the couch and taps at Trevor's arm.

"Sweetheart, time for bed." Ayn says and Trevor sleepily opens his eyes. He stretches his eyes and sees the rather large group in the room. He pulls his legs off of the couch and starts out of the room quickly, as he was having a good dream he wanted to continue.

"Are you going home?" Madeline asks and Michael blinks as he continues staring at Nikita and the peace on her face. Michael sits down on the side of the couch Trevor had been and slowly pulls Nikita's sleeping body to his. Michael strokes her hair lightly and looks at Madeline. Madeline nods her head and closes the door on the way out.

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