Her mother never cared, and told Nikita that there were even more important things to learn about than jumping rope. Whenever Nikita would watch the other girls her age, jumping rope, rudely chanting about her... over and over again, she would think about her own lessons. The lessons her mother said she had to learn early to use for when she was older.

"Ni.. kit.. ta... gonna... live.. on.. the... street.... Stupid.. Ni... kit... ta.... Stupid... Ni...kit... ta.... Gonna... do.. drugs... gonna.. do.. men... gonna.. go... to.. jail... Stupid.. Ni... kit.. ta... Stupid.. Ni.. kit... ta..." the girls chanted louder and louder.

"Hey, sugar? Where'd ya go?" Walter asked as he shook her shoulder. Nikita jumped away from Walter and rubbed her forehead. He didn't like that far off spaced look that had processed Nikita's eyes for several minutes. He was afraid to learn about what she was thinking about and he was afraid if he didn't find out what she was thinking about.

"Mia wants to show you how Madeline taught her to jump rope." Walter said as he handed Nikita one end of the long rope. Nikita looked at it, and Walter smiled. It was one of his creative ways to get Nikita to do her therapy while Mia was there. Nikita swallowed and smiled at Mia, hoping that she had not noticed the pain of looking at the rope.

"How many times have you jumped, Mia?" Nikita questioned and Mia smiled and giggled as she stood next to the rope.

"Grandma gave me a song... I can sing the song too!" Mia proudly said and Walter motioned for Nikita to start swinging the rope. Mia jumped easily over the rope and Nikita forced out a smile. Walter watched Nikita's eyes focusing on Mia, and the pain that was in them.

"Sing the song, Mia..." Walter said and Mia nodded her head as she smiled broadly to Nikita. Nikita felt her arm loosening up and the swinging motion of her injured arm was not as painful had it had been in the past with Walter's other techniques.

"My.. daddy.. loves.. my mommy.. my.. daddy.. loves.. my.. mommy...together.. they.. love... me... today... tomorrow... one.. day... two.. day... three.... four..." Mia sang out and Nikita continued to turn the rope and slightly turned her head off to the side.

"Gonna.. do.. drugs.... Gonna.. do.. men... gonna.. get... killed.. in.. jail.... One... stab... two.. stab... three... four... five... six... seven.. eight... nine..."

Nikita pulled her arm to a stop as Mia tripped up and the rope tangled around her. Mia giggled as Nikita pushed her hair back with her hand. She wanted to run until Mia moved over to her.

"Grandma said you were good at this.... Can you show me?" Mia said and Nikita smiled and looked down at the girl. At first she felt like she was trapped, that she was going to have to tell Mia everything, that she couldn't jump rope and that Madeline wasn't her mother.

"I can even be your mother, Nikita."

Nikita shook Madeline's voice out of her head as she shrugged her shoulders.

"You are too small to turn the rope for me." Nikita said and she turned to get Walter's input on the problem. Instead of finding a nodding Walter, she found him carrying a chair towards Mia. Nikita turned her head to the side and sighed. She would have to at least try; she couldn't disappoint her daughter, right now.

"Here you go, Mia. Stand up here." Walter said as he heaved Mia into the air and placed her on the chair. He handed her the rope and Nikita looked to Walter, with eyes that warned him this might be going too far. Walter smiled and turned to Mia.

"Now, remember sugar baby, your mother has been hurt. She may not be able to do many? We will just count for her." Walter said as Nikita took a position on the side of the rope, like Mia had. She felt so odd, standing next to the rope, never have done this in her life.

"One.... Two... Three... Mommy, you are so good!.. Five.. Six..." Mia counted out for Nikita as she tried to look at the rope. She was losing touch with everything.

"Gonna.. do.. the.. teacher... gonna.. do.. the.. priest... stupid... Ni...kit.. ta... stupid.. Ni... kit..ta..."

"Seven... WOW MOM! Nine... Ten... Eleven..." Mia shouted out with pride and Nikita looked to her feet, but the words would not leave her head, she was being washed away into the memories that held her heart hostage. Nikita stopped and the rope hit her calf hard. Nikita was gasping for air, not only because the exertions of jumping rope, but also because she didn't want to crumble now.

"Mom... Grandma said you were good... And you are even hurt.... She looked so funny when she had Pappa turning the rope with me.... She said she taught you." Mia said and Nikita looked to Mia and rolled forward. Walter reached out and grabbed Nikita, as she crumbled like a house made out of straw. He looked at Mia ran backwards as Nikita sobbed out.

"Walter!" Mia screamed out and Walter tensed up, torn about what to do. He held her softly in his arms, seeing Nikita melting what had been a good day. He didn't know what brought it on, but Mia was as scared as Walter was.

"WALTER!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY MOM!" Mia cried out and Walter pulled Nikita's now limp body into his arms and tried to move towards the porch, where Mia was standing. Mia backed up to the door and Walter looked up and tensed up. Honus Breslove was standing at the side of the house and moved towards Mia.

"Hey, I have a pool. Wanna swim?" Honus questioned and Walter nodded his head to the man that it was all right. For now, Walter's only concern was helping Nikita as she sobbed on his shoulder. Mia looked to Honus and then to Walter and her mother.

"I want to stay here with my mom!" Mia stomped out with her foot emphasizing each word. Walter looked to Nikita's grief stricken face. He leaned down and pretended as if he was listening to Nikita saying something to her. He knew she was beyond the concept of what was occurring around her, but he knew Nikita would do what was best for her daughter.

"Mia.. Your mom says that she needs to be with me for a while.. She is in a lot of pain.. And that you should go swimming." Walter said and Honus stepped towards Mia, offering a hand. Mia looked at him and then looked to Walter.

"I don't have my suit." Mia hissed out in a tone that was classic upset Nikita. Had it been any other time, Walter would have howled out at the voice, but now he barely noticed it. He looked to the bag and then settled his eyes on Mia.

"It's in your toy bag, Mia. Take the entire bag." Walter said and she huffed off, grabbing the bag, and neglecting into take Honus' hand as he led her to his house. Walter sat Nikita into a lounger and then shook his head. He opened the door and then carried Nikita inside.

*

There was a silence in the office as Leanor pulled her arms away from Michael. She looked down at his face, as he struggled to pull the mask back up. Leanor reached out with her fingertips and touched his chin. Michael looked up and she saw the tears on his face.

"This is what Nikita needs to see." Leanor whispered and Michael turned his head away as he tried to pull the mask back up over his face. She sighed and walked back to her chair. She stretched her arms carefully and tilted her head as she looked at Michael. He was as stubborn as Nikita, she was sure of that.

"She needs my support." Michael commented firmly and Leanor shook her head. The small movement threw Michael off track. It was what he was supposed to be the strong one. He should be able to handle anything, he needed to protect Nikita, and now someone, who didn't know him more than a few months was going to tell him otherwise. Nothing seemed right to Michael as he now defensively stared at Leanor.

"Michael, she needs you." Leanor said and Michael's mask snapped back and Leanor saw the glaze on his eyes, that she had escaped many years ago.

"Dr. Westfall, you don't understand our relationship. If she needed me, she would have had me seven years ago." Michael stated forcefully and Leanor blinked. She wasn't sure if she was ready to break this bombshell for Michael, but something deep within Leanor was blaring off warning bells. It was something that Madeline probably should have said years ago, but then, Leanor seemed to have this feeling that Madeline was reserving herself for Nikita's much larger problems. She could not explain how she knew these things; they were just gut feelings that started to churn deeply in her mind.

"Michael, Section One does weird things to the mentor-student relationship. You may feel that you need to protect Nikita, but what she really needs it you." Leanor said as she stood up. She slowly raised a hand as Michael began to protest.

"From what I know of Nikita, Michael, I would say she as a lot of issues that we haven't even scrapped against. She is an innocent that has been under your protection for years. She is a mother who did anything to protect her daughter. In protecting her daughter... she protected you, showing that she deserves to have all of you and not just your protection." Leanor rattled off quickly and then took a long deep breath as she watched Michael process the information.

"I'm right, Michael, and you have to admit it. To deserve you, Nikita needed to prove that she could protect you back. To be your equal, because anything less than equal cannot survive a relationship." Leanor said as she worried that Michael had not taken her words into his mind, that he had not equated it with the real experiences that he had had with Nikita.

"Leaving... it was equal to the betrayal of me going to Hong Kong. The lies on the tapes.. The same as me in all those missions that I didn't release all the information... How could I have missed this? How did I let it pass? God, she is my equal." Michael whispered out and Leanor smiled and nodded her head.

"Because you want to continue to protect her, and I am sure that you are going to have to do that more than you want too, but you can't let it dominate your relationship." Leanor said as the ringing started from Michael's jacket pocket. Leanor waited as Michael pulled the cell phone out.

"Walter?" Michael questioned and Leanor looked into Michael's eyes as the defensive mask shattered like the thinnest kind of glass in the world. Michael's entire body leaped up from the chair as he held the phone with a trembling hand.

"How? What is she like now?" Michael demanded and Leanor could deduce that the conversation involved Nikita some how. Leanor lifted her head and waited to hear more.

"I am coming now." Michael said and folded up the phone. He placed it into the pocket and turned to Leanor. He swallowed and gathered the strength.

"I think it is time that you met Nikita." Michael said and Leanor reached out and grabbed Michael's arms, stopping him in his tracks to leave the office.

"Michael, tell me why." Leanor stated and Michael dropped his head.

"What if I can't answer that question because no one knows?" Michael hauntingly questioned and Leanor grabbed her purse, leaving in the rush, knowing that no more patients would be seen on this day.

*

Walter wished for silence as the tears and shouts of pain from Nikita's soul, body, and mind was wrenching his heart. He trembled in fear of what had occurred this time, what had triggered this time, and if he would ever get the Nikita back that he had seen years ago. The innocent Nikita that he swore would never break at Operations' wants. He would sooner die before handing over Nikita's soul to Operations. Now, Walter was afraid it was too late.

"Ropes..." Nikita moaned out into the firmness of her knees as she rocked back in forth, keeping her head from Walter. Walter swallowed as he thought of all the things that could be down with ropes. He almost started to panic as he realized the role that he played in Nikita's current state. He didn't want her to hate him like she did to Operations now. He didn't mean for this pain to come over Nikita. Walter moved to Nikita and touched her back.

"Sugar... why don't you talk to me? Tell me, sugar..." Walter urged Nikita on, but the tears continued in the same rate as before Walter's words and did not change. He looked to the door and sighed, wishing that Michael would get back her, as Walter was sure that soon he would have to sedate Nikita again. This time she was at least moaning out, but nothing was making sense.

"Tightly... ropes..." Nikita moaned out this time and Walter tried to grasp some context to the words. There was nothing more than what Nikita was giving him. He hated himself for not breaking into the files about Nikita earlier. Operations had even challenged him to do so, but Walter stopped himself, knowing that it was probably a test from Operations. Now, Walter would do anything to change his decision then.

The door snapped open with a crunch and Walter stepped back as Michael sprinted to Nikita's side and rubbed her head softly. She almost looked up to him, but decided not too. Walter looked as another woman walked into the room.

"Teach me a lesson.... Tied me up..." Nikita whispered out in the tears that flowed from her eyes. Michael mimicked Nikita's rocking in order to comfort her. He leaned down and kissed the back of her blonde hair. The session with Leanor had taken it's emotional toll out on Michael and now seeing Nikita like this almost exposed him to show the same raw emotion that Nikita was. How he wished he could rock with Nikita, crying out his own tears for what had happened to the both of them, to what had happened to his little family, and how they had been hurt over and over again at no recourse.

"Nikita... Lancing is dead.. He is not going to hurt you." Michael whispered as he raised his head. He glanced over to Leanor who was twisting her hands together with pressed lips. He paused and stared at her.

"Not Lancing, Michael. Her mother." Leanor whispered out and Michael shot up like someone had whipped his back. Nikita crawled a bit away from Michael's warmth.

"Stupid.. Ni-kit-ta... gonna do men.. gonna do the teacher...." Nikita sang out, reciting the jump rope song that she had heard her own classmates sing day in and day out.

"She would tie me up..... to be a good girl.... To be ready for when I got to be like her..." Nikita cried out and Michael opened his mouth in grief. He knew that Nikita's mother had been awful, and had thrown her out of the house, but there were never details. Michael turned his head and stared at the wall as Leanor looked out the window. Madeline was pulling up to the house. Michael did not want Madeline to know exactly whom he was seeing, and therefore Leanor walked up the stairs quickly before Madeline stepped out of the car.

"Stupid.. Nikita... gonna go to jail.. gonna get killed... stabbed one... stab two.. three... four..." Nikita cried out in a broken song that ate holes through Walter's entire heart. He wondered out Nikita could have had the strength to even watch Mia jump with the rope, let alone jump herself.

"She dragged me.... By the rope.... On my arms and legs..." Nikita cried out and Michael reached out and held Nikita tightly, but that did not seem to matter, as Nikita was gone from the room. Her mind was stuck in a movie reel, moving from one scene of violence to another.

"NO MOM! I don't want too!" Nikita screamed out as Madeline walked into the room. She saw Nikita striking out against Michael, even as Michael's eyes glistened with tears. She knew that all the truth that she ever wondered about Nikita's childhood was coming out and Madeline was frightened to the core. She was always afraid of what Nikita had carefully hidden from herself and the rest of the world. Madeline knew that none of it could be pleasant as she leaned against the wall and watched Michael grab Nikita back into his arm.

"Nikita.. IT IS MICHAEL! I am not going to hurt you!" Michael exclaimed loudly out, not aware of Madeline's presence, as it did not matter to Michael. There was only one thing that mattered, and that was Nikita as she was stuck in the world that she had tried to escape from years ago in her life.

"Not the coffee table.. NO! NO!!!" Nikita cried out and Michael stepped back in horror. He was not helping Nikita. He reached for her and pulled her head up. She looked into Michael's eyes and he was sure that in that instance, that it was the first time that Nikita was aware that he was even there.

"Nikita... we want to help you." Madeline whispered out from the wall. Nikita dropped her head as Michael rubbed her shoulders. There was nothing on his face and in his eyes other than tears. Michael swallowed, trying to find the strength to help Nikita that he thought he would never lose.

"What do you want, Nikita?" Michael questioned; not wanting to push Nikita too far with something that she knew would not help her. He could not guess what Nikita needed now, as this was something he had never experienced. He knew that some people had bad childhoods, as Madeline prepared Michael for Nikita with such reports, but hearing it from Nikita's voice did something to Michael that he could not understand, and he was sure that he would never understand it.

Nikita picked her head up and looked at Michael. She closed her eyes tightly as if squinting away from bright light. She reached out to Michael and squeezed his hand as she turned her head softly to look towards Madeline.

"I want a mother... MADELINE!!! MADELINE!!!" Nikita cried out and Michael looked at Nikita in utter shock of the words, and Madeline moved swiftly down to the floor with Nikita. Michael leaned back as Madeline swept Nikita into her arms, rocking the girl as if she was a little girl again.

"I have you, Nikita... You are going to be fine..." Madeline whispered the comforting thoughts and words into Nikita's troubled and tormented mind. She cradled Nikita like she was always her own daughter, and only as a mother could. There was no way that Michael could have given Nikita this support.

Michael is staring as Walter walked over and offered a hand down to the young man. Michael stands up to find Walter hugging him tightly. At any other time, Michael would have pushed the older man away, or slugged him a punch or two, but there was no more fight within Michael, as he was ready to accept any help that he could get for his relationship with Nikita.

"Nikita.. It wasn't your fault. You are a good girl." Madeline whispered out and Nikita murmured words that Michael could not understand and Madeline leaned her head back, to reveal tears rolling down her own face.

"Nikita, it wasn't your fault. You are a good girl. And I am here now." Madeline said as she looked towards Michael. She tilted her head off to the side, indicating that he should leave Nikita to her. Michael dropped his head and walked up stairs to where he knew that Leanor would be waiting for him.

"I am not going to leave you, Nikita... You are a good girl. You did nothing to deserve this." Madeline firmly said, as she needed Nikita's entire body to understand she had no reason to have been abused as a child. The guilt could only be on one person, Nikita's biological mother.

"But I was bad... I didn't do what she told me to do.... I should have listened to my mother..." Nikita cried out in broken words, to Madeline's breast. She held Nikita and swallowed, finding that this was taking all of her own strength to be what Nikita needed in her life.

"She wasn't your mother, Nikita. She was an incubator, who used you for her own benefit. That isn't a mother." Madeline said and Nikita screeched in pain and Madeline nodded her head, knowing that Nikita knew this all a long, but to admit it would be difficult. Madeline was not expecting leaps and bounds, but Nikita had already made the biggest jump in her need to recover, seeking out Madeline.

"I am here, Nikita... You are a good person.... You deserve everything you have... You deserve Mia.. You deserve Walter... You deserve me.... And most importantly, Nikita... You deserve Michael." Madeline said and she clung onto Nikita, as now only tears would come, as the truth would wash away the pain and the hurt. Not to say that all traces of the abuse that Nikita had been dealt would wash away, but the most of it, would start to recede, and allow Nikita to start true relationships.

*

Michael sat in the bedroom, rubbing his thumb across his dry lips. In ways he wanted to run downstairs and find out what was going on, and in ways, he was scared of what he would find. The actual thought of Madeline being a mother to Nikita was on the lines of ludicrous for anyone inside Section One to thing. Yet, Michael, in those few horrendous moments as Nikita's childhood soul was beating out on the floor for all to see, that was what Nikita needed and Michael hated to admit, needed for the future.

Leanor had been of great council as Michael waited those four hours out in the bedroom. Leanor knew that more than likely, Nikita feel asleep in the comfort of Madeline's arms, something that Leanor was sure that Nikita had only done with Michael before. Leanor tried to keep her mind off of Nikita's childhood, because her concern was the relationship between Michael and Nikita. She could not allow that to fall apart now, knowing that change was starting to fill Nikita's life again.

Michael dropped his head and stared at the door. He blinked his eyes as two barefoot feet appeared on the carpet. Michael raised his head and saw a freshly washed face on Nikita as she leaned her body against the frame of the door.

"Thank you, Michael. I needed that time." Nikita said and Michael looked around the room for Leanor. Michael quickly deducted that she had gone to the bathroom when the room was empty. Michael reached out for Nikita, and she crossed the room into his arms.

"If that is what you need, Nikita, I will support it." Michael whispered and Nikita smiled and dropped her head down to Michael's shoulder.

"With it, I can be whole... and with it... I'll never break." Nikita whispered out and Michael rubbed her arms with his hands, finding happiness in the statement that was said so sadly, but yet was so beautiful, that no one could have said it better with other words.

Leanor stepped out from the bathroom as the couple embraced each other, each exposed in a way that anyone viewing them would know of their love. An expression was not needed to be seen from their faces, as their bodies seemed to melt into each other, with no distinct line of where Michael's body wrapped around Nikita's. This was a different kind of love that Michael and Nikita both needed. Nikita would flourish under Madeline's caring hand, but it would serve no purpose if Michael did not love her, or if he could not express it.

Nikita lifted her head up and tilted her head to the side. She slowly ran a hand up Michael's arm and then placed it to his cheek. Michael looked at her as she took in every in of his face over and over again, until he touched her chin.

"You look different." Nikita whispered out and Leanor gasped, as Nikita had instantly seen the change that Michael had metamorphosed into. Michael smiled and kissed Nikita's head and turned to Leanor. Leanor smiled at Nikita as she tilted her head away, as if in thought.

"I'm Leanor." Leanor said and Nikita raised an eyebrow and Michael chuckled softly. Nikita turned and smiled at Michael.

"Dr. Westfall." Michael whispered out and Nikita now chuckled. Yet, the chuckle seemed to become lost on Nikita's face when she turned to view Leanor again.

"Hello." Nikita stated as she reached out and weaved her fingers into Michael's fingers. Michael took Nikita's hand up to his lips and kissed it gently, as if to show support.

"Michael... we have to talk..." Nikita whispered out as she moved her head towards the bathroom. Michael sighed and used his free hand to push back some stray pieces of Nikita's hair behind her ears.

"Nikita, Dr. Westfall has an interesting idea to make us both feel a lot better." Michael said and Nikita nervously looked to Leanor. Leanor knew instantly that something was bothering Nikita, and there was no way to pinpoint just what it was.

"I think that you and Michael should go out tonight to Deluco's. You haven't been out of the house all this time." Leanor said and Nikita nodded her head and took Michael's hand and squeezed it harshly. Michael's head snapped around to view Nikita's face that had seemed to lose all of the easiness it had minutes ago. Michael did not realize that it was in direct relationship to Leanor's presence.

"Michael... I really have to talk to you...." Nikita said in a deep voice and Michael looked at Nikita in shock. He didn't know what was going on, and concern crossed his face again. Leanor stepped back out of the room.

"I'm going to go out the back door..... Please... I have the registrations made... I think it is best if you two get out some..." Leanor said as she dropped her head. She did not know what was occurring, but she felt it was about business and nothing more. Nikita immediately stood up and slammed the door closed.

"Nikita, please explain this to me... Dr. Westfall just wants to help us!" Michael protested and Nikita looked at Michael and swallowed.

"Dr. Westfall is the mother to Honus Breslove's daughter. I saw her picture in his wallet!" Nikita exclaimed and Michael watched as Nikita sat down on the bed. Both knew what that meant. If they used the information that Leanor had on Honus Breslove, the daughter of the two adults would be lost, with no parents at all.

*

The doorbell lightly chirped inside the house as Nikita walked to the stairs. She looked down and carefully used her right hand to hold onto the banister during her walk down. Nikita's free hand pushed and rubbed against the light silk skirt that she had just pushed on, and it was the first time since she was shot that Nikita had put on pantyhose and high heels.

Nikita pulled open the door and felt the hot air from outside hitting against the long sleeves of the black sweater that she wore. Her hair was brushed straight down and back and she smiled lightly as the sight she saw.

"Madeline, are you moving in with us?" Nikita joked lightly and Madeline smiled as she stepped into the house, with the small rack of garment bags that she pulled in behind her.

"Actually, Walter told me that I had to pick up Mia because you and Michael are going to Deluco's for dinner. I know you don't have any dresses here." Madeline said and Nikita tenderly smiled, as only a few hours ago, Madeline had held Nikita's very soul tightly against her body.

"I'm dressed." Nikita said as she stepped back and Madeline blinked her eyes and moved to the bags.

"If you were going to Pizza Hut, but not for Deluco's." Madeline said as she pulled the black zipper all the way down and pulled out the gown for Nikita to look at. Nikita turned and looked into the living room. Michael was sitting, watching the conversation, as he would be getting dressed soon. He did not know that Walter had called Madeline, but now, he was glad that Walter did. It was best for Nikita to feel really good about this night, and not to hide underneath a sweater. If they couldn't do it now, it would only become a bigger issue for Nikita in the future.

"Michael, why don't you go gather Walter and Mia out of Mr. Breslove's pool and dry them off while I talk to Madeline." Nikita said and Michael nodded his head as he stood up. He started out of the room and saw the dress that Madeline had pulled out.

"That color matches your eyes." Michael softly said as he grazed his hand against Nikita's. Nikita turned her head off to the side and Michael moved quickly away from Nikita. He would leave this battle to Madeline. Madeline watched Michael walk out of the house as Nikita rubbed her hands into her forehead.

"All I am asking Nikita is for you to try on this one dress. If you don't like it, I will take all the others back." Madeline said persistently and Nikita looked at Madeline with pressed lips.

There was silence as Nikita stepped to the bag and held the dress up so she could view it. It was a beautiful gown that did match her eyes, as Michael had stated. The material was soft and cool to Nikita's hands and there was a little bit of sequins around the plunging neckline. Nikita turned the dress around and saw the three straps on each side, nothing in the back to cover the scar that Nikita hated.

"Why are you doing this to me again?" Nikita said as she hung the dress back up and moved away from Madeline. Madeline tilted her head back and sighed loudly, hoping that Nikita would look back at her. When that did not occur, Madeline stepped after Nikita, and took her arms in order to turn the young girl to face her.

"Operations did that, Nikita, because you allowed him. You are very beautiful, Nikita. I promise that the scar seems a lot bigger to you than it is to anyone else." Madeline said and Nikita's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Madeline knew that now Nikita would try on the dress, not because of the promise that the scar was not that big, but because Madeline had said she was beautiful. It was something that Madeline was sure that she never told Nikita directly, just for the good of Nikita. It would have had to been a plot to manipulate Nikita into doing something. Yes, it appeared as if Madeline had manipulated Nikita into getting the dress on, but there were no other motives for that action to occur than to show Nikita how beautiful she was.

Nikita picked up the dress and walked back up the stairs. Madeline smiled, as there was noise from the backyard. Madeline pushed the rack of dresses off to the side and motioned to Michael that she was going upstairs with Nikita. Madeline happily walked up the stairs, to find that Nikita had quickly slid into the dress.

To saw that Nikita was just beautiful was an injustice. Madeline smiled and shook her head as she looked at Nikita. For moments, Nikita too, saw nothing but her body in the dress in the mirror. She didn't turn to the side to see how the scar looked or other activities to lessen her self-esteem. Madeline stepped forward and pulled Nikita's hair up and Nikita touched Madeline's arm.

"I'm keeping it down." Nikita softly stated and Madeline nodded her head. She was not going to push her wants onto Nikita more now. She had made wonderful strides, and she knew that this night would provide enough for Nikita to become the woman she once was.

"I haven't thanked you for today.... For understanding." Nikita softly stated as she looked into the mirror, trying not to allow the tears to flow out of her eyes. Madeline tilted her head to the side and smiled.

"There is no reason to thank me. I should be thanking you. I have always wanted to be a mother." Madeline stated and Nikita looked at Madeline with raised eyebrows. It was as if Nikita was going to rescind her need for a mother, but in a few moments of looking into Madeline's own eyes, that comment was gone and Nikita smiled.

"Nikita, we will be late!" Michael called out from downstairs and Nikita carefully looked at Madeline. Madeline stepped forward and kissed each of Nikita's cheeks.

"Have a good time, darling." Madeline said as she caught Nikita's hands and squeezed them. Nikita carefully turned out and walked down the stairs.

"MOM!" Mia cried out and then stopped as she looked at the pretty floating image Nikita seemed to be as she glided down the stairs. Michael turned away from the living room, where he stood with the khaki and sweater wearing Operations. Michael moved quickly to the bottom step and took Nikita's hand.

"Did anyone tell you how beautiful you are tonight?" Michael whispered and Nikita smiled as she looked up at the stairs as the staring Madeline.

"Yes, yes someone has. But thank you, it means a lot to hear it from you." Nikita replied and Madeline watched as the two walked out of the house, positively glowing. Madeline could only hope for the night to continue along this path, as both needed it.

"Ok... who wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese's?" Operations hollered out with a smile. Mia jumped towards his old arms and Madeline walked down the stairs.

"Watch it, Paul, you are getting soft." Madeline commented and Operations turned and looked at Madeline.

"Aren't we all.. mom?" Operations asked as he opened the door and watched Mia run towards his car.

*

There was light being romantically cast on Michael's and Nikita's faces as they sat across from each other on the tiny table. Their hands lightly touching, as both of them stared into each other's eyes, with no need to speak, but just the need to be with each other. It was from the distance, that the soft song began to play, and only inches away from them, the dance floor filled with couples holding each other deeply in each other's arms. Nikita used her fingertips to brush her straight blonde hair behind her ear as she looked up at Michael and smiled.

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it OK
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day

"I think of you when I hear this song." Michael whispered as he reached out with his fingers and lightly traced Nikita's lips. He felt the slight quivering in them but felt that pulse that ran throughout her body, that Michael could only hope the pulse that would one day need him. He searched Nikita's eyes and saw no regret in them for the first time in probably three years.

I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless and
Maybe I'll find some peace tonight

"Michael... this song? Me?" Nikita innocently questioned and Michael took both of Nikita's hands and stood up. He wrapped his body around hers, but left room for Nikita to decide what to do with. He was not going to push it with Nikita because he had some urge that he could not control. Michael kissed Nikita's forehead softly as they swayed with the song.

In the arms of the Angel far away from here

"You're my angel, Nikita." Michael whispered out into her ear and he felt her heart skip a beat. It felt so right to be holding her like this, not supporting her, but being with her. Nothing was wrong in this restaurant. It was just Michael being with Nikita. There was no Section One; there was no Madeline or Operations. It was just Michael being with Nikita and Nikita being with Michael.

From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel

"Michael... I don't know what to say." Nikita stammered out and Michael smiled softly as he grazed his hands on her back. Nikita's eyes twinkled in the romantically lit Deluco's. The light seemed to hit the dress and make her eyes seem so much bluer, so much more innocent.

You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie

"I don't expect words back. I just needed you to know." Michael whispered softly as Nikita's hips lightly grazed against Michael's. There was a moment of happiness when Nikita did not pull away and the contact was made over and over again.

You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

Nikita leaned her head onto Michael's shoulder. Her eyes were lightly closed as their bodies swayed together. Michael turned his head to find the beauty that he knew Nikita was expressed in those shuteyes. Her eyes were always the windows to her soul, but now, Michael was sure that her entire body was the window to her soul.

So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That make up for all that you lack

The words could have meant many things to Michael and Nikita, but there was no time for that. They were lost in the aesthetic feeling of the musing, and being one with each other. The other couples noticed it as they danced, as the feeling around Michael and Nikita seemed to radiate the obvious love they had for one another.

It don't make no difference, escape one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

"Nikita... I want to stay here forever, just holding you." Michael whispered into Nikita's ear. She lifted her head and raised a hand to Michael's cheek. She softly grazed the cheek and then kissed Michael's smooth cheek.

In the arms of the Angel far away from here

"You would believe it if I told you that you were my angel too?" Nikita softly questioned and Michael now felt his heart skipping a beat. Nikita never was one to hold back her emotions, but this one seemed to have only one direct route, right to Michael's heart.

From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

"Because you are." Nikita finally stated as she lifted her mouth to Michael's and initiated the contact that made Michael's body jump in emotions that he could not even identify. There were so many things in that one kiss that sang to Michael that Nikita was forever his. They had made it this far, through so many mishaps and missteps, but still were in each other's arms. For someone to deny the seven plus years the two of them had been playing games trying to deny these emotions, would be like trying to deny that love exists. It was there, in-between Michael and Nikita and everyone in that restaurant knew it and Michael and Nikita were sure that everyone in Section One knew it.

In the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here

"I need you, Michael." Nikita whispered as she kissed Michael again as the music ended. Michael held her tightly as the other couples clapped. There were so many ways for those words to be understood, but Michael did not want to make that decision. He needed Nikita to explain herself, and that was easily done as the romantic and soft music continued.

Inside my skin there is this space
It twists and turns
It bleeds and aches

"Nikita..." Michael softly protested as Nikita's hands moved to his hips. There was no hesitation in Nikita's movements and Michael looked up to focus on her eyes to find them closed. He reached out with his hands, nudging her to open her eyes. She opened the deep blue eyes and looked at Michael. They continued to sway together with the music, never missing a beat as they were connected together.

Inside my heart there's an empty room
It's waiting for lightening
It's waiting for you

"Michael... I know it. I need you. Tonight." Nikita stated firmly and Michael smiled and rubbed her arms lightly, trying to make his body not react to Nikita's words. Michael held her softly and kissed her nose softly.

"I'm here for you, Nikita. I am not leaving." Michael calmly stated and Nikita smiled broadly and brushed her lips across Michael's again before placing her head back down on Michael's shoulder.

And I am wanting
And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear

Nikita seemed content on Michael's shoulder as she swayed her body even closer to Michael's. All of this had happened much quicker than Michael had expected, as Nikita's body seemed to have been melted onto his. The feeling was nice for him and he knew from the closed eyes on his shoulder, that Nikita was enjoying it too.

Muscle and sinew
Velvet and stone

"I think I can love you forever... because it's part of me, because you are a part of me." Nikita whispered out from Michael's shoulder. Michael rubbed Nikita's lower back softly, and sighed as Nikita whispered the same feeling that had been inside of him probably years earlier than when he first realized it. It was from that first moment, that he knew Nikita was going to mean something, Michael just took many years in understanding that Nikita was special because he was too love her all the rest of time.

"I know I can love you forever." Michael replied back. Nikita lifted her head and looked at Michael. The smile was one that Michael would remember for all time.

This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans
My bones call to you
In their separate skin

"I want you tonight, Michael." Nikita huskily said as she leaned her head forward and rested her forehead against Michael's. He reached out and placed his hands softly on her shoulders.

"Nikita..." Michael whispered, barely wanting to understand the words that she had said.

I make myself translucent
To let you in, for

"Yes, Michael. Tonight." Nikita whispered as he watched her lips slowly part and push together with each word. Michael gasped the air that she was breathing out and their swaying stopped in those moments

0I am wanting

Nikita leaned her lips out and pressed tightly against Michael, in not a soft romantic kiss that had been shared. Michael tried to protest the kiss, but her kiss continued expressing what Michael had wished it would. Slowly, Michael opened his lips to Nikita's probing kiss.

And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear

Together, the kiss caused time to stand still. Their hands gently running the lines of each other's bodies as there was no concept of where they were and what they were doing. There was just Nikita and Michael, standing in front of each other. Nothing else mattered.

There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me

"Take me home, Michael." Nikita whispered out, and those words brought Michael out of the passion filled haze that he had been standing in. He felt Nikita's hands tugging at the small loops on his dress pants in a motion that indicated her want and desire. He searched her eyes for anything that might be wrong, but the only thing that Michael saw was Nikita's love for him. It almost nailed him to the floor to see it this pure, as there had never been a time he saw it like this. He could only hope that he could give Nikita the same with his eyes.

And it knows that you're no stranger
You're my gravity

"Nikita..." Michael softly questioned in between the kisses that were growing more feverish in nature. Nikita's hands softly pulled at his dress shirt and rubbed the expanse of his lower back.

"Are you sure, Nikita?" Michael finally questioned as he took the firm stand to know that this was what she wanted. He wanted nothing to bother her emotionally recovery, and it would destroy him if he found out that his need for passion caused her more pain.

My hands will adore you through all darkness aim
They will lay you out in the moonlight
And reinvent your name

"With all of my heart.... Let me be yours... and let you be mine..." Nikita whispered out with a passion that ached with nothing more than the purest form of love that one man could have for a woman. Words of wisdom that allowed Michael to free up his worries and concentrate on the woman he held in his arms.

For I am wanting you
And I am needing you here
I need you near
Inside the absence of fear

(songs used where Angel by Sarah Mclachlan and Absence of Fear by Jewel)

*

Nikita slowly stretched under the silk sheet and snuggled deeply into Michael's chest. Her heart was beating with his and her breaths were perfectly matched with Michael's. Nikita smiled and slowly kissed his bare chest with her wet lips.

"Michael..." Nikita whispered as she stared at Michael's chest. Although he was extremely quiet, Nikita had known for several moments that he was awake, staring at her head with his gray-green eyes. Michael softly sighed and kissed Nikita's head softly.

"Yes, Nikita..." Michael whispered back in a tender voice that caused Nikita to immediately smile against Michael's chest. He started to run his fingers through the tangled mess of Nikita's hair. He had not realized how long it had gotten until last night as it ran down her bare back and rubbed along the lowest region of her back. It was slightly erotic, and Michael smiled as he touched that hair now, still feeling its softness, even in its slight upheaval.

"Thank you...." Nikita whispered and Michael shifted from underneath Nikita. He moved quickly to bring Nikita's face to where he could look into it. He did not like the words, as he did not need to be thanked for what occurred last night, and Michael had to make sure that Nikita understood that. He did not want to start this new avenue of their relationship with miscommunications.

"No reason to thank me, Nikita... It was what we both wanted." Michael whispered back and he paused. He looked to Nikita's head as it slightly dropped. He increased his pressure on her cheeks and smiled.

"Right?" Michael questioned with instant fear that he had allowed his own need for Nikita in every raw and physical way overrun her emotional healing. Nikita turned her head up and smiled.

"Yes. I just needed to hear that." Nikita whispered and Michael sighed as Nikita's tears hit his chest. Nikita looked down and kissed her own tears off of his chest. It was a gesture that meant so much to both of them. Nikita settled her head down and sighed contently.

"Michael?" Nikita whispered out again and Michael softly smiled as his hands ran down her shoulders. He shifted in the bed and squeezed Nikita's arm softly.

"Yes, 'Kita?" Michael questioned he felt Nikita's smile spread cross her face as she led it close to his chest. Michael swallowed and tilted his head down to see Nikita's blonde hair.

"I've waited for this." Nikita whispered and Michael sighed as words flooded his mind in a force that he could not deny it.

"I have too, Nikita... I never stopped thinking about you... from the day I felt you to go to Hong Kong... till now.. All I wanted was you." Michael admitted out with a few tears running down his face. It would be one of the first times that he did not curse himself for crying, to show a weakness. Things were always different between him and Nikita, and the rules did not apply to them, they couldn't apply to them.

Nikita turned her head and softly kissed away the tears. She dropped her head off to the side, and her hair slightly tickled Michael's neck. Nikita's soft puffs of air rolled over Michael's chin with a soft massaging way. Michael smiled as he closed his eyes, still awake, but not wanting to leave this bed on this day. Not with Nikita willing wrapping her hands around his body.

"Michael?" Nikita whispered out after a few moments of blissful quiet. Michael opened his eyes as his fingers rolled along Nikita's naked back.

"Yes, 'Kita?" Michael questioned back, pleased with the gentle nature of Nikita's words in this morning afterglow.

"What is going to happen to Leanor?" Nikita questioned sadly and Michael shifted quickly, again so he could see Nikita's eyes. He pressed his lips together and shrugged his shoulders.

"I am sure once this mission is over, that Madeline will bring her back in." Michael admitted sadly and Nikita blinked her eyes. She turned away from Michael in thought and pushed at her own hair.

"What about her daughter? We are to eliminate Honus." Nikita whispered and Michael nodded his head and kissed Nikita's forehead. He saw from her eyes that there was something in her head that she was aching to say.

"What is it, Nikita?" Michael questioned and Nikita smiled and grazed her lips against Michael's. She was amazed how Michael had subtly picked up on her thoughts.

"Can't we buy her a few more years with her daughter? Until her daughter isn't so dependent on her?" Nikita questioned as she rubbed her hands up Michael's arms. If Michael didn't know Nikita better, he would have taken the gesture as an offer for a change in the profile for Leanor in exchange for sex.

"What do you have planned, Nikita?" Michael whispered as he stroked Nikita's hair back from her face. Nikita blushed and quickly raised her head with a brilliant smile on her face.

"You haven't told Madeline that Leanor knows were are Section... we can plan a way to force her to leave the city... and give her other hard targets that Section One would love to have attached to a therapist of her skill. Leanor could make sure that the targets' current therapist has an accident." Nikita whispered and Michael kissed her forehead. He had thought similar things and nodded his head.

"That means I will be lying to Leanor in therapy about last night." Michael whispered deeply and Nikita smiled as she brushed her lips against Michael's. She hesitated as they drew in Michael's essence and she sighed in happiness as the kiss slowly deepened.

"Plus all the nights yet to come." Nikita whispered after she broke the kiss and her lips were barely fractions away from Michael's. He could feel the hot moist air from Nikita's little nip at his face and lips.

"Are you going to tell anyone?" Michael whispered and Nikita quickly ducked her head down underneath Michael. He slowly pried it away and Nikita smiled.

"My mother." Nikita said and Michael smiled.

"I want you to tell her." Michael said as he reached up and rubbed at Nikita's neck as their lips crushed together again. Nikita moved her body up on top of Michael as they continued to kiss.

"Just not graphic details.." Michael whispered out between pauses of his delicious kisses that Nikita found herself weakened too.

"Yeah. She can get those off the tapes." Nikita joked as Michael pushed the sheet off of Nikita's long and firm body. He wanted to lick and kiss every inch of Nikita's perfect skin.

"MOM!!! DAD!!!" Mia screamed as she dashed into the room. Nikita hurried pulled the blanket over her naked form as Mia bounced onto the bed.

"Mia!" Michael exclaimed in shock.

"Why are you still in bed? It's lunch time!" Mia said happily as she tried to pull the sheet away from Nikita's firm grip.

"Mia... why don't know go...." Nikita whispered and Mia started to bounce on the bed. Nikita rubbed her forehead against Michael's chest in frustration.

"Mia..." Operations said as he rounded the corner. He had expected the emotional Nikita that Madeline had been gushing about the entire time they had Mia at Chuck E. Cheese's. Now he saw the blushing operatives in a hard spot that just got worse.

"What's up with my sugar!" Walter called out as he rounded the corner and joined the party in the bedroom. It was Walter that reacted first. He stepped forward and covered Mia's eyes as he pulled her off the bed.

"WALTER!" Mia screamed and Walter laughed.

"You are too young to understand.. your mom is going to have to tell you about the birds and the bees." Walter laughed as he stepped out of the room. Nikita closed her eyes as she heard Mia stomp in the hallway.

"I know about the birds and the bees. The birds go CHIRP CHIRP and the bees go BUZZZZ and sting you!" Mia exclaimed and Nikita looked up at the opened mouth Operations, who looked to be competing the largest open mouth bass contest.

"If you can give us a few minutes..." Nikita whispered out and Operations nodded his head and backed out of the room quickly. Nikita busted into giggles as the door shut.

"That wasn't how I planned on telling anyone!" Nikita laughed and Michael flipped Nikita around and hovered above her body.

"How about a repeat?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked to the door.

"That would drive him mad!" Nikita exclaimed and Michael giggled as he lowered his body towards her. The decision was made as Nikita pulled Michael down to her body.

*

"Michael, it has been a month, and now I am severely concerned. I don't think you are telling me everything." Leanor said as she pulled at the string on the end of her shirt. For her, it had been three days a week for the past month, and she had seen no improvement and Michael had proven to be more than nimble in avoiding the topic she wanted to work on.

"Well, her injury has been hampering us. The muscle got inflamed." Michael lied as he stared out the window as he tried not to smile. Two weeks ago, Madeline did one of the best things for Nikita, and allowed medical to perform the plastic surgery to hide the scar forever. Now it was gone, and the only memories of the events were in their minds.

"Michael, that is just side stepping the issue!" Leanor yelled back in anger. She did not like this, as it appeared as if Michael was not even trying anymore. She needed to shake him out of this mood, or the relationship was doomed and so was Nikita. Leanor knew from that one exposure to Nikita, that she needed Michael more than Michael ever wanted to admit.

"Maybe you are the one with the problem, Michael!" Leanor said as she stood up and rounded the desk. Michael's eyes narrowed as Leanor moved in towards him like a lioness on a hunt for a prey.

"I think you are mad at Nikita for having Mia and not telling you." Leanor said and Michael leapt up from the seat to look into Leanor's eyes.

"Listen here, Dr. Westfall.... Nikita protected me by doing so. She protected her child and me, the man she loves!" Michael hollered as his muscles tensed up at the insinuation of what Leanor said. She shook her head and rubbed her lips softly with her own fingertips.

"You were left out of the natural process of Mia growing inside of Nikita... To know that you missed that must eat away at your very being." Leanors said slowly as she dropped her head and looked up to Michael with her eyes.

"It is not eating me up. What is eating me up is losing time now. This is what I have control over!" Michael said deeply and Leanor continued to shake her head.

"You can't admit it. You are jealous that you didn't have that time with Mia." Leanor said and Michael turned to the side and pushed Leanor against the desk.

"For once and for all.... I am just so glad that Nikita decided to keep Mia... that I don't care how much time I did miss. I might have never had her... if Nikita used her Section mind to make her decision. She decided with her heart... and therefore everything I get now is worth so much more!" Michael rang out as he squeezed Leanor's arms tightly. Leanor nodded her head as Michael stepped back. He turned and moved to the window.

Leanor dropped her head. Sometimes she even forgot that Michael and Nikita were in Section One. Sometimes the conversations with Michael seemed so normal to her that the fact that they were Section One operatives didn't matter. Even if they were operatives, they both deserved to be treated like human beings, and that was what Leanor was trying to do. It was when she slipped and forgot the extreme facets of life that Michael and Nikita had dealt with during the entire time during their relationship. It was a relationship that was built in Section One.

"It was my mistake, Michael. You are right about Nikita... she is very special." Leanor whispered as she pushed her graying hair back. She did not notice how much it had grayed during her sessions with Michael and she didn't even notice how tired she had become. She would never admit that she dreamt of Michael and Nikita every night, as if her mind was working out a way for them to be happy. Never, never in the dreams were they inside Section One.

Michael was about to turn around to accept Leanor's apology when his cell phone began to ring. He reached for his jacket and pulled the phone out quickly. In one movement, it was up to his ear.

"Yes?" Michael responded and he looked to the window and Leanor stopped. He was rarely ever bothered during therapy. Leanor stopped breathing as she watched Michael's color drop from his face.

"At Breslove's?" Michael questioned deeply, and the slight French accent was coming out with the nervousness that became apparent. He was ready to leap out the door before he even closed the phone. Leanor again, proved to be a human shield.

"Michael, what is going on?" Leanor said firmly as she placed her hands on his broad chest. Michael looked at her hands and then to her face. Leanor tilted her head to the side, keeping her eyes implanted on Michael's.

"She is having an episode... she almost drowned in Breslove's pool." Michael said and Leanor pulled her hands back from his chest. She looked around and then to Michael.

"Does she have a childhood history of pools or water?" Leanor asked and Michael swallowed and dropped his head. He didn't know that answer. There had been a lot of things that Nikita had recently told him about her childhood, that Michael was feeling that she was just starting to reclaim herself. Michael shook his head and then finally shrugged.

"Then I will come with you." Leanor firmly said as she turned and opened the door for Michael. Michael looked at Leanor and nodded his head as he stepped out of the office. Leanor looked to the door and blinked. Oddly, she felt that as she closed this door that something was coming to an end. Maybe it was just an end of the way of thinking and seeing Michael's and Nikita's relationship. It was a difficult relationship, but Leanor knew that both of them had unconditional love for the other, even all that Section had tried to stop it. Leanor stepped away from the door, rubbing her head as a cold chill took over her body, which she quickly pushed past and after Michael as he jogged down the hallway.

*

Michael pushed open the door that Honus Breslove stood at. He moved quickly down the hallway, a hallway that he had been through many times in the past month. Honus Breslove proved to be a kind and generous next door neighbor. He flinched as Leanor walked towards the door. He rarely saw his therapist of late and the mother of his daughter.

"Leanor?" Honus questioned and she looked down the hallway where the backdoor was swinging from Michael exiting to the crying Nikita, that echoed in the house.

"I am helping them." Leanor whispered and Honus nodded his head and moved towards the back with Leanor. He reached out and pushed the door open for Leanor and she dropped her head. She could not remember the last time she was inside this house. She had fallen in love with Honus in this house, when he insisted on having sessions at his house. She tried for the sake of her daughter to work it out, but deep inside she knew who her daughter's father was and that the time of pain would come sooner or later.

"Nikita... are you ok?" Michael whispered out as he reached out to the huddled Nikita on the floor. She was slightly coughing between her moans and cries. Walter stood off to the side looking like a drowned rat. Michael lifted his head and looked at Walter.

"I told you that she was feeling weak today!" Michael hollered as he pushed a hand into Walter's arm. Leanor swallowed, as she had not seen Walter in years, but he seemed the same and she could see the grief in Walter's eyes for what happened to Nikita. It was very apparent that Walter hovered over Nikita like a father.

"Hey... she wanted to swim!" Walter cried out and Honus looked to Leanor and looked down to Nikita.

"She is very emotional, is that why they have problems?" Honus questioned and Leanor lifted her head as Michael bent down to tend to Nikita again. Honus moved forward and Leanor moved slowly. She tilted her head to the side as she looked at Nikita's back.

It took a few fractions of a second to realize what she immediately noticed. There was no scar. Leanor started to lean back as she watched the two guns raise and aim at their targets. Michael's was pointing at Honus and Nikita's was pointing to Leanor's.

"Don't do anything." Nikita warned and Leanor swallowed. She didn't want this to end like this. She couldn't leave her daughter, and she hadn't even healed Nikita and Michael. If they took her back to Section, she was sure that she would never be allowed to see Michael and Nikita, then what would happen to them.

"Move back into the house." Michael said and Nikita slowly stood up. She did not move her eyes off of Leanor for the five minutes before the gunshot was muffled inside the house. Nikita pulled her gun down as Michael walked back out of the house.

"You have to take me in, now." Leanor said as she looked at Nikita. She pushed her wet hair off of her face and behind her back. Nikita looked to Michael and smiled.

"We won't be calling housekeeping for two hours. Get your daughter and leave town." Nikita said and Leanor shook her head violently. She knew the means that Section One would go through to reclaim her, they would take her daughter if that gave her back to the fold.

"I can't." Leanor said and Nikita looked to Michael. Michael slowly pulled out a disk and handed it to Leanor.

"You will go to a town named Allentown. There is a man there that Section One has been trying to get someone in to his inner fold. His therapist died and he needs a specialist. You have on that disk your new Ph.D. and resume. All of it is true." Michael said and Leanor looked to Nikita and then to Michael.

"I can't leave you two. I haven't healed you!" Leanor cried out and Nikita softly smiled as she crossed the pool and looked to Michael. Slowly, Nikita leaned her wet body into Michael's, feeling and feeding off of his heat. Tenderly, their lips grazed against each other, as if they were trying to catch only the bare surface, while Michael's hands wrapped around Nikita's waist.

For a few moments, Leanor stood in awe of the purest expression of the one thing that Section One had never destroyed from the two, love. Leanor watched as Michael kept his eyes, searching Nikita's face and then when Nikita's eyes opened, still locked in a kiss, how the connection just sizzled. Leanor was sure if she were to touch them that her hand would explode into flames.

"When? How? How long?" Leanor questioned as Nikita stepped down and then snuggled in close to Michael's side. Michael looked down to Nikita, examining the wonderful effects of her extra therapy with Walter and smiled.

"That night you sent us to Deluco's." Michael announced and Leanor's mouth opened and Nikita stepped forward. She touched Leanor's hand and smiled.

"I know you want the details, but time is of the essence. Don't worry, I have a mother now... and the only man I want." Nikita said as she looked over her shoulder. Leanor nodded her head, as she could not express how much she was grateful for what Michael and Nikita have done. She was about to step away when Michael pushed another disk to her.

"It's a bank account. Don't ask. Just take it." Michael said and Leanor nodded her head and pulled the disk into her hand. She rushed out of the house, ready to place herself in a position that Madeline would find pleasing and hopefully would not pull her out of.

*

Nikita sat in a chair next to Michael as they looked at the computer screen. Nikita turned her head and smiled at Michael. Michael reached out and touched her cheek softly. He knew why she had the smile, as the last night was spent at their house. 'THEIR HOUSE', the two words sounded so right and so true.

Michael slowly moved his hand down to Nikita's hand and softly raised it to his hand. It did not matter that they were inside Section One. This one gesture was all that Michael could give her now and Nikita relished that one movement. Nikita lifted her head and kissed Michael softly on the lips. She could give him more than he ever thought.

"Can you believe it has been over a month since we went to Deluco's? I think we need to go back." Michael softly said and Nikita leaned away from Michael as his words echoed in her mind.

"A month? It can't be that long." Nikita stated and Michael smiled as he nudged Nikita's nose lightly.

"It has been almost been six weeks, 'Kita." Michael said and Nikita stood up and started at him.

"NO!" Nikita exclaimed and Michael stood up and looked at Nikita as she almost appeared to twitch.

"That would mean... something is... ah... late." Nikita said as she sprinted out of the office. She ran right into Madeline, Operations, and Mia. Michael rounded the corner and saw the trio and smiled.

"Can we speak to you in about ten minutes?" Michael questioned and the three of them nodded, although Mia looked as if she was going to explode.

~~

"Oh my." Nikita commented.

"Oh baby." Michael smiled.

~~

Operations walked into the opened office as Mia tugged him in. Madeline smiled at Nikita as she seemed to be attached to Michael's hip. Nikita smiled at Mia and then looked up to Operations.

"You have really improved in the past two months." Operations commented and Nikita's smile spread as it threatened to explode into laughter. Nikita looked to Michael as they both smiled at each other.

"JUST SHOW THEM!" Mia cried out as she tried to pull at Operations' hand as it was dug deep into his pocket.

"Nikita... Michael... Your daughter has suggested something that would make her very happy." Operations said and Nikita turned her head and laughed deeply into Michael's shoulder.

"I know a thing or two that will make her happy." Nikita commented as she rubbed her leg against Michael's. Nikita watched as Michael tried to stop from laughing himself.

"Nikita, Michael, is there laughing gas in this office?" Madeline questioned and Nikita shook her head no. Nikita winked at Michael and his head fell as deep laughter filled the room. Nikita turned her back and leaned against Michael.

"You were saying?" Nikita questioned seriously as Michael tried to pull the reigns in on his laughter. He rubbed Nikita's shoulders as Mia bounced up and down.

"TELL THEM Pappa!" Mia cried out and Nikita pulled up straight. Madeline looked to Nikita and sighed. The happiness that Nikita was rejoicing in stopped in that moment.

"Mia... you know how me and your dad, are your real parents?" Nikita questioned and Mia nodded her head up and down.

"Well, Madeline and Operations are not my real parents. Madeline didn't give birth to me. I am not their child." Nikita stated and Mia looked up with sad eyes.

"Did you know your mother?" Mia questioned and Nikita looked to Madeline and then to Mia.

"Madeline is the only mother I have had." Nikita stated and Mia jumped up and smiled.

"Then she is your real mother!" Mia laughed as she turned and pulled at Operations' hand. Nikita was surprised at how much Mia had control over Operations. Operations pulled his hand out and opened the box.

"I talked to George this morning.... The only thing is to make it official." Operations said as he showed the ring to the happy couple, that were celebrating other news. Nikita laughed and turned to Michael.

"I think we better do it soon." Nikita laughed and Birkoff scooted into the room and smiled. Walter walked in and smiled broadly.

"Sugar.. You are absolutely GLOWING! Damn... ANOTHER SUGAR BABY ON THE WAY!" Walter hooted out, as he had found out the rings that Operations were going to give Michael and Nikita from the big-mouthed Mia.

"Pregnant?" Madeline, Mia, Operations and Birkoff all questioned at the same time. Nikita nodded her head as Michael took the rings out of Operations hands.

Michael slipped the ring over Nikita's finger and slowly kissed it. Nikita slowly slipped Michael's ring on and looked into his eyes. The others were still reeling in the shock of the announcement from Nikita, as it was only merely a nod and looked at the couple.

"You are to have a ceremony." Operations growled out and Madeline patted Operations' shoulder.

"They just said their vows to each other.. in front of everyone that mattered." Madeline whispered and Operations nodded his head and looked to Mia.

"So, what do you want, a brother or a sister?" Operations asked as he took Mia's hand and led her out of the room. Walter kissed Nikita's forehead and then moved as Birkoff just nodded his head up and down. Madeline stopped and took Nikita's hands.

"You make me so proud." Madeline whispered as she kissed Nikita's cheek softly. Nikita smiled and nodded her head. She then wrapped her arms around Madeline. Michael looked as he saw the two and saw the woman that had saved Nikita from her own emotional death. Michael stepped forward and surrounded the two in a huge hug.

~~

George nodded his head as he looked at the screen. He smiled and turned it off. Mia was going to grow up good now. She was going to have a family. She would have a family like the family that George could not give to Madeline when she was Mia's age.

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