Birkoff stepped into Medlab with the panel in his hand. Madeline turned from the glass window and looked at Birkoff.

"Ayn cancelled the briefing. She said just to give this to Michael and Nikita." Birkoff said from some distance and Madeline reached her hand out for the panel. Birkoff stepped forward and saw the image in the room. Michael had just stepped out of the bathroom and was looking at the sleeping Nikita.

"I hope you can keep minor changes like what Ayn did quiet, Birkoff." Madeline said and Birkoff nodded his head. He was still wondering what Nikita wanted to speak to him about. It seemed like years ago when Nikita growled those words to him.

"I will. But I think if Operations reads those profiles, he will know something is up." Birkoff said and Madeline turned and looked to Birkoff.

"Yes. Like I know there is something up with you, that we will discuss." Madeline said and Birkoff swallowed. He didn't like the tone of Madeline's voice and she turned as Nikita sat up abruptly in bed. Michael looked at Nikita as she slid down off of the bed and headed towards the doorway.

"We have to talk." Nikita growled out at Birkoff and he swallowed. Madeline now saw that there was a major issue going on between Nikita and Birkoff. Madeline sighed and looked at Birkoff, wondering whom else Nikita had problems with. At least she was still on good terms with Michael and Walter. Madeline hoped to hold off on using Walter until it was necessary.

"Nikita…. Later." Birkoff said and Nikita turned her head and headed back into the room without another word. Madeline turned to Birkoff and grabbed his arm.

"Do you know how much we want her to talk?" Madeline demanded to the frail man. Birkoff swallowed and looked down the hallway.

"But, they have that mission." Birkoff said as he pointed to the panel and Madeline tensed up even more.

"Birkoff, I know you are a sneak. The mission doesn't occur for another six hours. They will not need six hours to get ready for a business dinner." Madeline hissed out and Birkoff nodded his head. Tensely, he looked at Madeline and swallowed.

"I will talk to Nikita after she gets cleaned up." Birkoff said and hurried out of the area. Madeline looked down the hallway and walked back into Michael's and Nikita's Medlab room they had taken over. Madeline saw Michael standing up and assumed that Nikita had gone to the bathroom.

"Elana is going to get Nikita some clothes." Michael said and Madeline nodded her head. She pushed the panel forward to Michael and she watched the sigh of relief cross his face with the outline of the mission.

"And this is priority from George?" Michael asked and Madeline placed her Mona Lisa smile on and looked at Michael.

"Don't question it, Michael. Take it." Madeline replied and Michael nodded his head as the shower came on in the bathroom.

"Michael, do you think there is a connection between Nikita punching your neighbor and her growling at Birkoff that they needed to talk?" Madeline questioned and Michael shook his head.

"No way. I still don't know what Lori did, but if I have to guess, it would be about that dog of hers." Michael said and Madeline smiled.

"Then do you know why Nikita would need to speak to Birkoff?" Madeline questioned and Michael shook his head and then moved closer to Madeline.

"Maybe she got to talk to Melissa. Nikita hasn't liked sitting back for Birkoff to play around with Melissa's feelings." Michael said and Madeline stopped and tilted her head.

"What if it is something more with Melissa?" Madeline questioned and Michael raised his eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" Michael asked.

"What if Melissa and Birkoff… in one of their good times…. Neglected a thing or two." Madeline said and Michael dropped his head.

"It might be possible. I wouldn't know. I haven't seen her. But I think Nikita would have pressed Birkoff against a wall and threatened to do damage down below if that was the case." Michael said and Madeline stepped back as the shower turned off. Madeline looked to the panel and left quickly.

**************

Birkoff pushed at the computer several hours later and smiled. He was finally done with his shift and he was relieved. He just wanted to go to his apartment and crash.

Birkoff stood up and found Nikita standing in the hallway. Birkoff swallowed as he realized that Nikita and Michael just got back from their mission. Birkoff looked at the clock and swore that eight hours didn't move that quickly.

"Birkoff." Nikita said tensely and Birkoff nodded his head and moved towards Nikita. Nikita opened a door to a training room and entered. Birkoff walked in and swallowed as he looked at Nikita.

"What is it, Nikita?" Birkoff questioned and Nikita's chin began to tremble as she slammed the door shut.

"I know about Lori." Nikita said and Birkoff dropped his head as the tears ran to his face. Now all of his fears were coming true.

"You didn't tell Melissa, did you?" Birkoff questioned and Nikita looked to the wall and closed her eyes.

"Melissa adores you, Birkoff. How could you do this to her?" Nikita asked firmly and Birkoff dropped his head. He didn't want to admit anything more to Nikita.

"She's blackmailing me, Nikita." Birkoff said and she shook her head.

"You shouldn't have done it to start with! You are ENGAGED!" Nikita screamed and Birkoff nodded his head. He understood Nikita's anger and then he stopped.

"You talked to Lori." Birkoff said and Nikita nodded her head. Birkoff started to shake with fear.

"What did you do to her, Nikita?" Birkoff questioned and Nikita turned her head. Birkoff could see almost a glimmer of guilt on Nikita's face and Birkoff began to worry more about if Lori was alive.

"She may have a few facial fractures." Nikita commented and Birkoff shut his eyes.

"Nikita, this is difficult enough to start with. Why couldn't you just stay out of it!" Birkoff cried out in anger and Nikita rubbed her stomach.

"I should be worrying about a boy's name, and the nursery getting completed. I shouldn't be worry who the fiancée of my half sister is sleeping with!" Nikita screamed out and turned around. Nikita pushed her hair back and swallowed. She was not feeling good to start with and this conversation with Birkoff was not what she had expected it to be.

"Nikita, don't worry about this. I am going to work it out. I only love Melissa." Birkoff said and Nikita turned her head and looked at him.

"So all the times that you have broken dates with Melissa, hasn't been about work here." Nikita stated and Birkoff sighed.

"Nikita, if Operations finds out what I have been doing…."

"WHO you have been doing, Birkoff. WHO!" Nikita screamed in anger.

"Ok. Who I have been doing, he will kill me." Birkoff said and he moved towards the door.

"Don't get involved. Now I have to go see if Lori is all right, because you didn't talk to me first." Birkoff said and moved out of the room. Nikita blinked her eyes and swallowed. She couldn't believe Birkoff was actually blaming her for his need to see Lori again. Nikita reached out for the wall and walked towards the hallway.

She was beginning to panic again. She had made a bad decision on how to handle the Lori/Birkoff relationship. As soon as Nikita saw that, she started to think about other bad decisions she could make.

"Michael!" Nikita cried out as she closed the door and stood in the hallway. Their office wasn't far but Nikita dropped her head in shame. What if she did the same thing to their child? What if she chose the wrong name? The wrong crib? The wrong color? The wrong car? The wrong food?

"Nikita…." Michael said as he stepped out of the office and to Nikita's side. He looked around, seeking and explanation out for this state she found herself in. Michael turned and saw Madeline walking down the hallway.

"I guess it will be another night spent in Medlab." Madeline whispered as she wrapped her arm on Nikita's other side and started to walk her down to Medlab. Michael rubbed her lower back as he hoped to find answers.

*************

Birkoff waited at the door and tapped his foot. He was worried about being found out by Melissa, as she might see him as Nikita had. Birkoff waited and then sighed in relief as Lori opened the door.

"Thank god……" Birkoff rushed out as he pushed into the house and then finally looked at Lori.

"It is about time that she told you." Lori hissed out as she dropped the bag of ice from her face. Birkoff leaned forward and saw the damage on the face. He shook his head and reached for Lori's hand.

"She was just upset. Melissa is her half-sister." Birkoff said and Lori slowly spun around to go to the living room, which the blinds were tightly down in. Birkoff looked around and Lori sat down.

"They can't see through black out blinds, Birkoff." Lori hissed with her swollen face.

"Did you have a doctor look at you?" Birkoff questioned and Lori nodded her head.

"I have five facial fractures. What is Nikita? Is she a professional boxer?" Lori rudely asked and she watched Birkoff twitch for an answer.

"She took some self defense a while back. I think the pregnancy is doing crazy stuff to her." Birkoff said and Lori nodded her head and turned away from Birkoff. She was surprised that Birkoff was showing this much concern for her.

"I don't care. You should have told me!" Lori hissed and Birkoff sat down next to Lori.

"Why should I have told you? You are blackmailing me!" Birkoff argued back and Lori blinked her eyes.

"You wanted this, Birkoff. You wanted me." Lori said softly as she placed the ice back up to her face. Birkoff dropped his head and licked his lips.

"Let's get this straight, Lori. The only reason I am here is because I will do anything to keep you from telling Melissa. I want Melissa." Birkoff supplied and Lori turned her head.

She had been warned over and over again that Birkoff loved Melissa and that the problems between the two were initially because of Melissa's father. Now Lori understood that Melissa's father was Nikita's father. She was told not to fall in love with Birkoff, but somehow, she had. She had fallen in love with the man that she blackmailed, and the man that she would continue to blackmail if Nikita didn't ruin it all.

"So, Melissa knows." Lori commented and Birkoff shook his head as he stepped back.

"She will never know." Birkoff commented and Lori pulled the ice away from her face, surprised again by Birkoff's statement.

"Nikita would…." Lori said and Birkoff continued to shake his head.

"You don't understand the relationship. Nikita's and Melissa's father would kill me, and Nikita wants to protect us both. She has no feelings left for you." Birkoff said and Lori looked off to the side and swallowed. She had enjoyed viewing Nikita's life. It had seemed normal, but the more that she learned, the more abnormal Nikita's life began to look like. Lori started to wonder what Nikita's job was in that entire system that Birkoff worked in. Lori started to wonder if Nikita was even truly married to Michael. She had seen a lot of rumors about Section One. Maybe Nikita was carrying a clone, or maybe it was the head of Section's child, and not Michael's.

"Luckily, Michael wasn't too concerned about Nikita's hand." Birkoff stated and Lori shook her head. She took the thought of Michael and Nikita not being in love and shook it out of her head. That was just insane. She had seen the two, and that couple was together. It was what Lori wished she could have with Birkoff.

"I have to go. I had to see how you were." Birkoff said and Lori pulled her hand out and smiled carefully at Birkoff.

"My face may be hurt, Birkoff, but I still have needs." Lori whispered and she watched the shiver go down Birkoff's entire body.

"Maybe when you are off the pain medication." Birkoff said and Lori smiled and nodded her head. Birkoff turned and quickly left the house.

**************

Birkoff took Melissa's hand as he led her into the restaurant. He waited for the table and then sat down with Melissa.

"Birkoff, what is all this about?" Melissa demanded and Birkoff smiled and picked up a menu. He handed it to Melissa and waited for a few moments.

"I've missed you." Birkoff said and Melissa nodded her head with a smile. She took Birkoff's hand slowly kissed it.

"You should come and finish the nursery. I would see you more." Melissa said with a smile and Birkoff nodded his head.

"Actually, I was planning that." Birkoff replied with a smile back. He took Melissa's hand and kissed it softly. Melissa smiled and nodded her head.

"Birkoff, where did we go wrong?" Melissa softly asked and Birkoff shrugged his shoulders.

"Melissa, I know that learning that Operations was your father must have been difficult. It had to be difficult to find out that Nikita, who was your friend, was actually your half sister." Birkoff said slowly. He watched Melissa's head bob up and down sadly.

"I also know that Nikita's relationship with Operations is nothing like that of a father's and daughter's should be. I hope yours is much better than that." Birkoff said and Melissa used her hands to push back some tears.

Birkoff pulled at the napkin and stopped as he looked to the corner. There were Michael and Nikita. Birkoff's mind started to race, wondering if they were on a mission, or if Nikita was trying to watch him. Slowly Birkoff watched as Nikita stood up from the chair with Michael's assistance.

"Please, Melissa. I just wanted to enjoy tonight." Birkoff said and Melissa lifted her head and nodded as Nikita stepped closer to them. Birkoff tried to look at them, but he did.

"Birkoff! Melissa! What are you two doing here?" Nikita asked softly and Birkoff relaxed. Michael and Nikita were at least not on a mission.

"Birkoff dragged me out!" Melissa laughed and Nikita looked at Birkoff. Birkoff was worried until Nikita smiled.

"Well, I am glad he did. Why don't you join us?" Nikita questioned and Melissa stood up and hugged Nikita happily. Birkoff stood up and walked behind the two sisters. He didn't know what Nikita was doing, but he was sure that it wasn't so good.

"Hello, Michael." Birkoff said as he sat down. Michael locked eyes with Birkoff and then Birkoff knew that Nikita had yet to tell Michael. Maybe it was good that Michael hadn't been told yet, because Birkoff was sure that Lori would have been killed.

"Birkoff, I am glad to see you away from that computer." Michael replied and Birkoff smiled and Melissa laughed.

"I am just glad to see that Nikita is still walking with that baby. You have to be getting excited." Melissa said and Nikita nodded her head and looked to Michael. Michael looked at Nikita and kissed her forehead.

"Actually, she is quite scared of the labor. I think it is best that we don't discuss it now." Michael said softly as he motioned the waiter over. The two couples made their orders and Melissa reached out for Nikita's hand.

"I almost forgot. I have to plan your shower. Should I invite Lori?" Melissa asked and all three of them turned to Melissa.

"NO!" All three said in unison and Nikita dropped her head in a fit of the giggles as Melissa blinked her eyes. She looked to Birkoff and sighed.

"I won't even ask why." Melissa said as she leaned in and kissed Birkoff. Nikita lifted her head and watched. She was scared for the couple, and she knew that if all of this ever came out, Melissa might never talk to her again.

*************

Lori was worried as she looked at the computer screen. There had been a set back, but she wasn't sure if she should report it. Lori was sure that Birkoff would continue his affair with her, but that the setting wasn't going to be her house any longer. Lori moaned as the pain medication as starting to wear off.

"You don't look well." Allison said as the computer link came up. Lori nodded her head and looked off to the side.

"There are five facial fractures." Lori reported calmly as she watch Allison, with her own bandages on her face, nodded her head.

"That must be painful. You shouldn't have been mugged." Allison said and Lori dropped her head.

"If I could have avoided it, I would have." Lori murmured out as the words even hurt her face. She wished this conversation would go away.

"Has Birkoff seen you? I would think he would spend more time with you." Allison said and Lori smiled. She was a fraction of a second away from telling Allison everything when she got an image of Nikita's pregnant stomach. The intelligence said that Section One was ruthless, yet they allowed Nikita to be pregnant.

"He saw me, but I think he is uncomfortable with the house." Lori commented, and Allison began to shake her head.

"We just gave you all that equipment. The house cannot be uncomfortable, Lori. We need this to happen." Allison said and Lori nodded her head as she was deep in thought. Lori lifted her eyes and looked at the computer screen.

"What if I can get other controlled situations?" Lori questioned and Allison leaned in towards the computer screen. Lori waited for the words that she knew would happen.

"I don't care how you get it done, as long as it gets done. We need at least 36 hours of video tape of you with Birkoff." Allison said and Lori nodded her head and rubbed her hands together.

"So, I can suggest an apartment that we share. I think it is the big house that is scaring Birkoff off." Lori commented and Allison smiled.

"Better yet, make him pay for it." Allison said and Lori smiled. She would not do such a thing. And Allison tilted her head to the side.

"You feel for him." Allison commented and Lori blinked her eyes. Lori shrugged her shoulders.

"It is natural, but do not become accustomed to it. You will have to leave sooner or later." Allison said and Lori rubbed carefully at her hairline.

"I know, Allison. It is my job." Lori commented and Allison swallowed carefully and taped her hands together.

"I suggest you look for an apartment. The sooner, the better." Allison said and the computer screen went down. Lori leaned back in her chair. She would find an apartment as far away as she could from this house.

Lori walked to the window and saw the cars pull up to the house next door. Lori held the ice to her face as Michael helped Nikita out of the car. Nikita was laughing, and Lori was happy for that. She was always worried for that woman. Then Lori looked to the other car and sighed as Birkoff got out. Right next to him, was Melissa. Melissa was carrying some decorating supplies with her and Lori dropped her head.

Lori would miss her interaction with Michael and Nikita. Nikita had been so sweet and Lori found it difficult that Nikita was a part of Section One. Lori began to wonder what lives would she destroy if she continued with the plan. Lori moved away from the window with a sigh. She needed to find an apartment.

**************

Nikita turned her head and yawned as she looked at Birkoff and Melissa. Her mind was racing with what to do, when Melissa smiled at Birkoff and kissed him. Nikita turned her head and dropped it lightly as her stomach began to churn.

"Nikita, what is it?" Michael questioned as Nikita started to stand up. Nikita shook her head and continued to move out of the room. She noted that Birkoff and Melissa watched her for a few moments.

"Nikita…" Michael said firmly as he walked behind Nikita as she walked up the stairs. Michael had enjoyed dinner, and Nikita had actually spoken for a while, but she had suddenly become very quiet again. Nikita turned around and looked at Michael.

"Don't worry." Nikita said and Michael took Nikita's hand and kissed it softly.

"It's my job. Plus, we have to go back." Michael said and he watched Nikita blink her eyes. Michael couldn't believe that Nikita had forgotten about the pending mission. Michael reached out and touched Nikita's hair softly.

"OH!" Nikita finally exclaimed as the information combined with the statement Michael had said. Nikita started to walk back down the stairs when she looked off to the side.

"I've missed you, Birkoff." Melissa moaned out a she laid down on the couch, pulling for Birkoff. Nikita quickly moved to the door, not wanting to see anymore of this. She knew that when all of this came out, that she was going to lose her sister and her best friend, but she was stuck. Telling anyone might get Birkoff literally killed.

"Forget the coats." Nikita whispered out as she pulled the door open and rushed into the cool air. She felt like throwing up, as the mental images of Birkoff with Lori filled her head, and then to know that Birkoff was in there with Melissa. It just wasn't right.

Nikita turned around to find the door wide open, as Michael walked back into the living room to retrieve the coats. Nikita dropped her head as Michael wrapped the coat around Nikita's shoulders.

"It is good seeing them together again. I think it has been too long." Michael commented as he wrapped his firm arm around Nikita's neck and shoulders and walked down the path with her.

Nikita stayed quiet as she had once would have held the same belief. Now she found it almost sick that Birkoff could do this to Melissa. Nikita found the urge to punch Lori all over again, as she blamed her, for a reason Nikita had yet to discover. Nikita thought she had known Birkoff, and Lori proved to Nikita, that she didn't know Birkoff.

"It's nice, right, Nikita?" Michael questioned as he turned and looked at Nikita's conflicted face. Nikita forced a smile out and nodded her head as Michael opened the door to the car. Nikita carefully sat down and rubbed her forehead.

Now was when she finally thought about what she was doing with Michael. She was also lying to Michael, and that she regretted. Yet, Nikita was sure that Michael would storm over to Lori's house and place a bullet between her eyes before he even blinked. Nikita was in between that proverbial rock and a hard place. She trembled as the doors slammed around her and Michael reached for her.

"Are you sure you are fine? I need to know, Nikita." Michael said and Nikita nodded her head before she turned it towards him.

"I am fine." Nikita commented and Michael turned the car on as he swallowed.

Nikita knew Michael could tell that she wasn't fine. There were times that Michael knowing her so well, that it benefited her. Nikita was lost in her thoughts as the car pulled away from the house. Nikita turned her head to view it, and wondered where Birkoff and Melissa were now, and she shut her eyes. She couldn't believe that Birkoff could do this, to anyone.

Nikita looked to the street and sighed. And he continued to do it even when Nikita knew. Maybe that thought shook Nikita's foundation a little bit too.

**************

Melissa smiled as she held Birkoff's hand tightly as they walked on the street with some antique stores. Melissa couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy. Then Melissa stopped. She could, it was the day that Birkoff asked her to marry him.

Melissa turned towards Birkoff and kissed his happily on his lips. Melissa grinned as Birkoff tilted his head to the side, shocked with the sweet and delightful kiss that had been placed on his lips.

"What was that for?" Birkoff questioned and Melissa smiled and dropped her head down almost pretending to be shy.

"Because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Melissa said slowly and Birkoff smiled and pulled her up into his arms. He happily took Melissa's lips into his.

The events that occurred in Nikita's house were primal, without any conscious thinking. The two of them just needed each other's body and in the end, both felt odd. Now, things felt suddenly very right.

"I would marry you today… and I would wait my entire life to marry you. Whatever you want, Melissa." Birkoff whispered softly as he pulled his lips away from Melissa and stroke her face with his hands.

"You are too good for me. Any other man would have left." Melissa said with a smile on her face and Birkoff felt his heart being twisted.

"Never say I am too good. I am never good enough." Birkoff said and Melissa took the words as being kind and sweet and she never thought twice about those words. Melissa took Birkoff's hand and kissed it.

"Maybe after Nikita has the baby, we can talk again about our wedding." Melissa said carefully and Birkoff turned around and beamed at her. He couldn't have been happier.

"Melissa! Birkoff!" Lori exclaimed from the background and Birkoff dropped Melissa's hand and turned.

"I didn't know you two knew each other!" Lori said as she hugged Melissa and then slowly hugged Birkoff.

"God, Lori, what happened?" Melissa questioned as she looked at Lori's battered face. Birkoff swallowed and protectively place his arm around Melissa's waist.

"We are engaged. I am surprised to see you, Lori. It has been a good six years." Birkoff said and Lori smiled and told Birkoff that she was going to play along.

"Talk about fate. I live next door to Melissa's sister." Lori bubbled and Melissa nodded her head. She could not help but remember the trio telling Melissa not to invite Lori and she turned and looked into a store, that had a lovely white wedding dress in it.

"Birkoff… I have to go see it…" Melissa said with a smile and she looked at Lori. She wondered what happened six years ago between Birkoff and her, but Melissa didn't care. Melissa knew that Birkoff loved her.

"I'll be right in. I just want to get her number. How is your dog, Yorkie?" Birkoff questioned and Lori dropped her head.

"He past away. Great Danes just have bad hearts." Lori replied and Melissa laughed. Birkoff turned to look at Melissa carefully.

"Well, before you knew me… I had to make my money somehow. I use to walk Lori's dog. What did you think I use to do?" Birkoff questioned and Melissa turned red and entered the store with a laugh. She could just image a Great Dane pulling Birkoff down the road. Birkoff didn't take that dog for a walk, the dog walked Birkoff!

Lori smiled and pressed a card out towards Birkoff.

"I knew I would find you here. Here is an address to an apartment I started to rent." Lori said and Birkoff lifted an eyebrow.

"I know that it must be uncomfortable for you at my house… I saw it in your performance." Lori said as she stepped back. Birkoff shoved the card into his pocket and swallowed.

"Call on me tonight. I will be expecting you." Lori said and left quickly. Birkoff trembled and turned to walk into the store.

"Come on, Birkoff….. It's an old costume store!" Melissa said as she waved Birkoff down one of the endless rows of clothing. Birkoff kissed Melissa and smiled. He could have fainted away with relief that Melissa was none the wiser of the real relationship that was occurring.

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