The sunken face on Nikita looked straight ahead as she finally stepped out into the world, after hiding from shadow to shadow for five long weeks. The old saying, time heals, did nothing of the sort for Nikita, and if anything, time hurt. Nikita could feel her own bones rubbing against each other, but it did not seem to matter any longer. For five weeks she played in the cyber game of chase the splinter group. They had gotten to a target, but Nikita did not react, there was no way that she could have stopped the situation.

It was last night, as she pulled her thin body up on the bed that she looked at the list of names, and realized how small it was getting. She had to make a move to secure a position with one of the possible targets, and there was only one that she thought she could have the least amount of problems with, but in doing so, she was going to have to step back into a world that she had not seen since her teens. Last night, Nikita went out into the dark world and started her cover. She moved from the semi-plush hotel that she was staying at, hidden in the room, to a dump of a hotel and paid for a week with change from her pocket.

Nikita pulled out the crumbled piece of paper from her baggy pants and moved down the street in the heavy downpour. She was cold to the bone, although it was easily seventy degrees out. She rubbed her body constantly, as she looked at the houses that she passed. She had the taxi drop her off five blocks down, where the neighborhood was a bit tougher than what she walked in now. It had instantly switched from hardcore city into suburbia. The houses were set back and had large front yards and large backyards. There were not fences here; there was no need. Everyone knew each other and Nikita looked at the house on the corner and her heart stopped.

It was going to be the hardest move to make since she started her career of playing different people and different roles. She knew that once this started, that she may lose control of her own mind, and that anything might happen. What occurred in those first few days of her plan, would make or break it. She had to play her part, but to play the part; she had to be the part. She had the looks right now, but something else would have to occur that night that she did not want to think about when she met up with the sidewalk to take herself up to the large porch in front of her.

It always seemed odd seeing a house. She was always uncomfortable when Section One would make her and Michael a married couple and stick them inside a house. A house seemed so foreign to Nikita, and sometimes they loomed down at her and she got sick to her stomach. She got sick to her stomach as she looked up at this one, but not because she was thinking of what she didn't have, because she was thinking about what had to be done.

Nikita had instantly made up her mind, as there was no other way for her to decide. She had equated her life as nothing, so she would do anything to make everything right for everyone else. The aftermath of learning of her sister and the revealing of the memories that she had locked away so long ago, was still eating her apart. Maybe it was that pain, in an unconscious level, helped Nikita to make this decision, to use this plan, and not seek an alternative.

Nikita stared at the piece of paper again and swallowed as she saw the shining numbers above the mailbox off to her right. She stared at it for a long time and then stepped back. She could run, and try another approach, but she stopped. She could not explain this any other way; there was no other way she could. There was only one way to handle this, and in someway it comforted her.

Her arm was trembling as she raised it to ring the bell. Nikita turned around, as it seemed to echo through the house. She did not know what was going on in that house; she only had a vague thought. She wasn't like Madeline and could guess exactly what the reaction would be. She looked out towards the road as her heart began to pound deeper and deeper. It got harder and harder, and faster and faster. Nikita dropped her head and allowed a few tears out. She used her hand and crumbled the piece of paper up and shoved it into her pocket.

First there was the noise of the door opening up and Nikita felt every muscle that had now been pulled taunt over her bones. Nikita looked out to the deep rain that had soaked her own body. She couldn't have planned it any better if she really had tried. She twitched her head lightly and then dropped her head down, pushing her right foot against her left. She was aware of everything, but trying to remain looking aloof.

"Yes?" the voice from her past softly, said and Nikita closed her eyes. She could see the face and Nikita began to tremble. All this time, Nikita had focused on her own pain and her own misery. Nikita realized in that second that she had been selfish and greedy. Nikita's hatred for her own body, mind, and soul grew as she stood there, trying to find the strength to turn around.

To turn around would mean that she had to follow through. In reality, no matter how long Nikita paused, she was going to stay. There was a reason why she was still alive after everything. To protect at all costs. Nikita slowly turned around, and revealed her face, with heavy sacs underneath her eyes and the strain of months of not exactly knowing what she was doing. She had never properly healed from the wounds that George had inflicted on her when he killed her, and she was just now feeling as if her arm was healing from the bullet wound she took in Karin's penthouse. Nikita lifted her head and looked at another older face, one that had stress written across it, but in one instance, when Nikita's eyes hit the other set of eyes, there was no more self-pain, but empathy for the pathetic creature Nikita stood as.

"NIKITA!" Elena leaped out as she raced forward from the doorway. She was not angry for seeing the cousin of her husband. She was not angry that Nikita had left without a trace or word. She had been worried about Nikita and now, she knew she was right for worrying.

"You have to come in.... You are going to catch your death!" Elena said firmly as she wrapped her arms around Nikita's shoulders, even though she was shorter, and pulled Nikita to the doorway. Nikita shook her head from side to side and then was transported inside the house. Nikita turned and watched the door close, and she heard the loud click and knew there was no going back.

*

"Nikita..."

Nikita stared at the door, as she seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Elena looked at Nikita and moved to the couch and grabbed a blanket. She looked ill and soaked to the bone. For months she had been fretting over Nikita, trying to find her. This was not what she had expected when she saw Michael's cousin again, and her heart was breaking for the pain that Nikita had obviously placed onto herself.

"Nikita..."

Nikita moved slowly around to focus on Elena who in turned placed the blanket around Nikita's shoulders and took her hand. She waited, as Nikita did not focus on her eyes. Elena shook her head. She was afraid that she had lost Nikita also, but looking at Nikita, she knew that Nikita was not well at all, and that she may have already lost her.

"Nikita... please..." Elena said as she touched Nikita's head. Nikita pulled back and shuttered lightly as she closed her eyes. The tears began to roll out of Nikita and Elena nodded her head. Her own bottom lip trembled, as she knew that this was all connected to Michael. She helped Nikita to the kitchen and turned on some water as Nikita stood there, just staring.

"You like tea, right?" Elena whispered and Nikita looked around the kitchen as she slowly nodded her head up and down. Nikita pushed her hand up and into her tangled hair and the blanket dropped off of her shoulders. Elena pounced down to grab the blanket and to place it around Nikita's shoulders.

"Adam?" Nikita whispered out and Elena smiled and touched Nikita's head softly. She was glad as there was no fever yet and she rubbed her own arm slightly.

"He is at school.... Nikita, I have been looking for you for months!" Elena cried out and Nikita dropped her head and started to cry again. Elena leaned back and moved to the young woman, helping her to sit down in the chair. Once Elena had Nikita sitting, she wrapped her arms around Nikita from the back and hugged her tightly, slightly rocking to comfort her like she had spent weeks doing to Adam. She hated to admit it, but it seemed as if her and Adam had taken Michael's death a lot easier that Nikita had.

"Where have you been?" Elena asked as she stepped around to look at Nikita's blue eyes, and found them swollen and blood shot. She could tell that Nikita had done a lot of crying, probably too much crying. She knew that Michael would not like to have his cousin hurting so much, Michael would not allow such a thing to happen.

"Around." Nikita whispered out and Elena nodded her head as the pot on the stove loudly whistled. Elena noticed that Nikita did not even budge her head in the sound and Elena blinked her eyes, not knowing what had happened to the confident Nikita that had taken care of Adam so well. Most of who Nikita was, was still unknown to Elena as she looked over her head and looked at Nikita, but it didn't matter. Nikita was family and she needed to help Nikita.

"I have green tea." Elena whispered as she slipped the tea leaves into the cup and carried it over to the table and placed it in front of Nikita, but her blue eyes never moved from that far off stare. Elena paused and moved over to the small table. She didn't know how Nikita found them, because she had been trying to contact Nikita since she abruptly moved Adam out of the house and to a new city. She moved to the table and sat in a chair next to Nikita.

"Your agent has been calling almost every week looking for you.... I have been looking for you, Nikita.... Adam needs you... I need you...." Elena said and Nikita looked at Elena as she placed the multiple messages and contracts on the table. Nikita looked up at Elena and blinked her eyes.

"Agent?" Nikita whispered and Elena pressed her lips together. Looking at Nikita now, no one would have known that she was a model only a little while ago, but she was, and extremely beautiful. Elena looked at the tea and pushed it closer to Nikita.

"Please... Nikita.. try some." Elena whispered and Nikita looked down at the cup and uncertainly wrapped her hands around it. Nikita maintained eye contact with Elena as she lifted the cup to her lips and sipped lightly. Nikita moved it away from her lips and looked at Elena. When she smiled, Nikita raised the cup to her lips again and sipped some more. Again, Nikita barely moved it away from her lips, and repeated the process, until Elena noticed the behavior and helped Nikita place the cup down on the table.

"Nikita, are you staying in town?" Elena asked and Nikita nodded her head up and down and slightly closed her eyes. She was so tired from everything and there was something in this house that held her warmly. Nikita used her hands to pull the blanket closer to her and Elena smiled.

"What?" Nikita hoarsely whispered and Elena tried not to allow Nikita to see the tears that sprang to her eyes. She reached out and took one of Nikita's hands.

"Do you need somewhere to stay?" Elena asked firmly and Nikita shook her head violently from side to side. Elena nodded her head and swallowed. She watched Nikita's eyes shut again, and knew that something was very very wrong. Nikita was too thin and too pale. It was the middle of the day, and she was drenched, and Nikita was disorientated.

"Come with me.... You need some rest." Elena said as she stood up, tugging at Nikita's hand as if she was a little child. Nikita stood up as she shook her head back and forth.

"No.. I'm fine.... I got my own bed.. and my own door.... Just wanted you to know that I was fine..." Nikita commented and Elena turned around and took her hands around Nikita's face softly. She looked at Nikita's blue eyes as they started to fill up with tears. Nikita dropped her head and sobbed into Elena's shoulder and Elena closed her own eyes.

"It's ok, Nikita.... I miss him too.. I miss him so much.. Shhhh...." Elena said, trying to comfort Nikita as she rubbed her back, feeling every bump of every of bone. Elena hugged Nikita as she had dreamt about doing for months. She had told herself that she had allowed her imagination to run away with the image of Nikita, but even her imagination didn't show her what stood in front of her, trembling like a little girl who never had a mother.

"Come on..." Elena whispered as she took Nikita's hand again and began to led again, knowing that even Nikita had to give into sleep, and she was sure that she had demons in her sleep, but as she had done for Adam, she would stay awake and keep them away.

*

"No..."

Elena looked up from the chair that she was sitting in and to the tossing body. She had never seen a body so tortured by unconscious dreams and demons. It was like her body was at war against itself. Elena had been next to Michael when he worked his way through his own nightmares, which he claimed never happened, but Elena knew they did. There was an eerie connection between Michael and Nikita, but she was sure that she would never get the answer. There had been times were Michael was screaming for Nikita out in his sleep for minutes at time, and Elena never forgot his voice. Nikita's voice almost sounded the same as she screamed for him earlier, but now, it seemed as if she had moved past that.

"No..."

Elena shook her head again and sighed as the voice was weakening, and she could not allow Nikita to defeat herself. She looked at Nikita's body, which she had carefully looked at and found things that she did not like to see. She didn't know why Nikita's stomach and chest were crossed with hideous scars, like someone had sewn her up with fat plastic knitting needles instead of medical needles. Then there was the wound on her shoulder that just appeared to be healing, as if it was the freshest. All of this only compounded Elena's worry, as Nikita was skin and bone.

Elena stood up and shook lightly at Nikita's shoulder and then leaned back as Nikita's body snapped up violent, as Michael's usually did. Elena looked at Nikita as she blinked her eyes, trying to take stock of what was going on. Elena looked into Nikita's blue eyes as she made contact with her and Elena was sure that for some time that Nikita did not know who she was.

"Elena?" Nikita questioned and Elena nodded her head as her silky hair slipped against her neck. She looked at Nikita and sighed heavily. Elena slowly sat down on the bed and lifted up a shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

"I am drying your clothes." Elena said and Nikita's head snapped downwards. Elena watched as Nikita pulled the blankets to her body and turned her head away in shame. Elena reached out and Nikita withdrew from her further. It was a delicate situation, but there was no other information for Elena to use, only what she had seen and heard, and there wasn't enough for Elena to know anything.

"Where did they come from?" Elena whispered and Nikita shook her head back and forth as she slipped the shirt over her body and then stopped as the scent seemed to wrap around her. She lifted the soft material of the black shirt and looked up at Elena.

"Michael's?" Nikita whispered sadly and Elena nodded her head as she stopped Nikita's hands from pulling the shirt back off. Elena laid her own eyes firmly on Nikita's until Nikita's hand slacked their grip on the material, giving into that she was going to wear it.

"I thought it might comfort you.... It has me.... I have plenty... He always wore those black t-shirts." Elena said with a half smile as she recalled the good memory. Nikita dropped her head to the material, allowing her nose to softly graze the material. Elena wished she could have read Nikita's mind, as there was not a word from her. Nikita turned her head away as she slid her long legs out of the bed and pulled the sweatpants up. Nikita stood up and smiled tightly.

"These aren't Michael's." Nikita said and Elena smiled as she remembered the sight of Michael. Michael's pants would be long enough, but she would literally swim in them, and that was before. The thin Nikita that stood in front of her now would have drowned in them.

"You are correct." Elena said as she stood up and tried to reach out for Nikita, but she pulled away. Elena sighed and dropped her head in frustration.

"Adam will be happy to see you... he has asked about you..." Elena whispered and Nikita's head snapped back around to look at her. Nikita looked absolutely confused.

"Where is he?" Nikita asked in a rushed tone and Elena narrowed her eyes as she noted Nikita's lack of short-term memory. She tried to search Nikita's eyes, but found nothing but fear in them.

"School, Nikita. He should be home in less than an hour." Elena supplied the information and was pleased with the nodding head that Nikita gave her. Suddenly Nikita moved rushed to the door. Elena was standing in the room by herself as she heard Nikita running down the stairs.

"Nikita! Where are you going? Don't you want to see Adam?" Elena called out and Nikita turned around with tears running down her face. She shook her head from side to side, the knots in her hair just getting larger and larger.

"He can't see me... I will make him think of... think of...." Nikita said and stopped each time she tried to say Michael's name, unable to speak any further. She pulled on her soggy shoes and Elena stared at her.

"But your clothes! They aren't dry!" Elena called out and Nikita looked around the house as if it was the first time she had seen any of it.

"I'll see you another time... when Adam isn't here.... No... No... I have to go.." Nikita said as her body started to tremble. Elena paused and in that pause of thought, Nikita disappeared out of the door and down the street like a jackrabbit.

Elena leaned against the wall and ran a hand through her hair. She shook her head, disappointed that she had gained absolutely no more information about what was going on with Nikita. She only knew why Nikita was not modeling now, the scars stopped it, but she wanted to know how they happened and where she had been all this time. She wondered if Nikita had been sick, but she looked out the door and her heart pounded, knowing that it was more than just a passing sickness.

*

For the most part, Nikita knew as she walked down the run down street, what she was doing and why she was doing it. She was aware though, in a few short hours, that she would begin the process to losing that control and those reasonable thoughts. Yet, it did not scare Nikita. How could it scare her? She felt her life had no meaning again, a point in which she had not been at for many years, a point that was hit way before Section One even entered the picture. Even in Section, for a while, Nikita had worth, but now, she felt as if she was nothing. What she did now only mattered if it saved someone else.

Although she appeared to be distracted in Elena's house, it was partly an act, although Nikita admitted to herself that when Elena handed her Michael's shirt to put on, that she almost froze, and seeing Elena being so caring was scary. Yet, Nikita had to put the foundation down and as she looked down the street she noticed the small office on the corner.

Nikita saw the little business card next to the phone when she was in the kitchen, staring off to space. She hadn't gotten the exact street address, but for Nikita, all she needed was a name and a street name. She bumped into some more people as she walked down the street, still in Michael's shirt. She smiled at a passing man who made some rude comments about her body. She rubbed her chest lewdly and spat at the man as he walked away from her. It was odd to Nikita to be on streets like this one again, yet she relied upon instinct as she looked at the corner, just in front of the little office and moved to it.

"Hey.." Nikita said as she rubbed her body up against the man standing there in the dark trench coat. He looked at Nikita and rolled his hand up to take her by the neck. He glared at her and then roughly placed his mouth on hers. Nikita waited for him to move back and shook her head from side to side.

"You sell?" Nikita whispered out and the man nodded his greasy head up and down as he appreciated Nikita's body. She was kind of thin, but he always liked leggy blondes.

"Yeah.. Counts on what you want.. But I can get it..." the man said and Nikita leaned her head back and smiled as she pushed her hands into her pockets of the jeans that she had switched into from the sweatpants. The man pawed at her chest more and Nikita giggled slightly.

"Got some smack...." Nikita whispered out and the man smile and rubbed his chin lightly as he looked at Nikita carefully. He wish someone had bet him, he knew that this woman's taste ran to the extreme. Nikita rubbed him again and he smiled.

"Of course, darling...." The man said and Nikita stepped away and looked to the little office building.

"He is staring at me." Nikita said and the man smiled at Nikita's paranoia. Nikita stared into the office building and the man laughed loudly.

"Yeah.. Well.. He doesn't like my business..." the man commented and Nikita rolled her eyes and grunted as the man pulled Nikita closer to his body. Nikita giggled and looked up at him, but then back over her shoulder.

"I'm going to tell him to leave us alone... I think he likes my body..." Nikita said the man laughed at Nikita. He rubbed his hand down her back and pinched her @ss harshly and then slapped it.

"If you do that.... I'll take you for a party..." the man offered and Nikita smiled and leaned into the man's body, running her hand down his pants and smiled as she licked her lips.

"Well.. I can party for a little bit.. But my lover is waiting for my return with some smack.." Nikita said and the man laughed loudly. He smacked her @ss again and winked.

"I'm sure your sugar gal can wait for you to play with the boys first...."The man said and Nikita moved quickly to the office. She slammed the door open and looked at the private detective behind his desk. He raised his young head and rolled his eyes as he looked at Nikita.

"I don't think you should be looking at me." Nikita said firmly as she leaned forward on his thin desk. He looked up at Nikita, not sure of the game. She seemed as if she was high on something, but her eyes didn't seem to show it.

"Honey... take your addicted butt and get it out of my office.... And don't pull games around here... I have connections," the detective said and Nikita snorted and looked around.

"Connections? That's why you like it down on skid road?" Nikita remarked and the man stood up and looked out to the road, and sighed. She was out for something and he wished he could save her. Yet there were some cases that were beyond hope.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing down here?" the detective asked and he saw a flinch in her eyes that he normally didn't see in addicts. He waited as Nikita paces around a bit more and then shook her head as she stared at him.

"I belong here." Nikita stated and the detective laughed loudly.

"No you don't, sweetheart. Someone out there loves you.. And you are too busy messing it up.. Just get the hell out!" The detective said and Nikita moved out of the office swinging her hips side to side as she moved back to her supplier. He shook his head in disbelief, swearing that he was going to move his office this weekend, but as she walked away he knew why he didn't. It was because of people like that one. He didn't move because somehow, he usually found the ones down here that somehow wanted to be found. She definitely wanted to be found and he was sure that she wanted to be rescued.

The phone was ringing behind him and he moved to the desk and pulled it up as the supplied led the girl to a car and opened the door for her. She gave up a little protest, and ended up getting shoved in. He waited as he stared out the window and then picked up the phone. For some reason he was sure that she could handle herself.

"Yeah.. Frank Miles here.. Detecting to find smiles..." Frank sadly said as he rubbed his head and sat back down, feeling the stress of the confrontation of the young women in his mind. He looked down at the pad of paper and sighed. She wasn't younger, she was his age, and he had to remind himself that. In fact, she was a bit old for this scene.

"Frank... I need you to come here... I need some help." Elena's voice said on the other end of the line. Frank nodded his head as he saw this day was getting more twisted with every moment.

*

Elena rubbed her hands through her hair as she paced back and forth in front of the door. Every few seconds she would look up the stairs to make sure that Adam was still asleep. She had learned never to take that for granite, as he had a few times stumbled across Elena crying so hard that it scared her young son. She now, had other problems and did not want Adam hearing her conversation. For one reason alone, he missed Nikita immensely and for him to find out she was there would hurt him deeply, and Elena would do anything to spare him any more pain in his young life.

Elena looked out the window of the door and snapped the door open as the headlights of a semi-familiar car flicked off in the dark. She opened the screen door and waited in the chilly night air for Frank to walk down the path and up onto her porch. He reached out and followed Elena into the house.

"What is all this about, Elena? Is the security system not working?" Frank asked and she shook her head back and forth as she moved further into the house, as far away from Adam's room as possible. She sat down on a small chair and waited for Frank to do the same.

"I need you to find someone for me." Elena said and Frank pressed his lips together. He had heard that same statement some five months ago, and at that time he had talked her out of it.

"Is it this Nikita? Elena, if you have no idea where she is I can't help you." Frank said and Elena stood up and started to press her hands against her legs as she trembled lightly. She could still see the confusion on Nikita's face earlier in the day and how detached from the real world she was.

"No. She is in town. She was here earlier and got up and left. I need you to find her, but also to follow her." Elena said and Frank blinked his eyes and swallowed. He had never gotten the full story on who this Nikita was and now it sounded like he was going to finally get it. All he knew is that Adam loved the girl to death.

"Ok, Elena.. That does narrow it down, but why do you want her followed?" Frank asked and Elena sat back down. She was about to say something, and then she crossed her legs, pausing for a few more seconds.

"Something is wrong, and she wouldn't tell me what it was. She had these huge scars on her stomach and chest... they weren't done really nicely either." Elena said and Frank nodded his head out of concern. Elena jumped up from her seat and rummaged through some books and magazines. She smiled and walked over to Frank with a picture in her hand.

"She has lost a lot of weight... barely looks like that picture. She use to be a model." Elena said as she handed the picture over to Frank and he almost dropped it. His mind was swirling and then it stopped.

"A model with a heroin addiction, Elena. You don't want to mess around this one." Frank said and Elena snapped up at his comment. She stared and then turned away. She had a deep down feeling that it was drugs, but she didn't want to think that. Yet, Elena knew it could make some sense, as Michael had told Elena that Nikita had a bad few years.

"Heroin? How can you be sure? How do you know her!" Elena exclaimed out, wanting the answers from the man who sat calmly in front of her. He placed the picture down on the table and lightly sighed.

"She was in my office today... her supplier sent her in there to hassle me... And I know that supplier... Heroin.. Smack... junk... Nasty stuff, Elena, and I would be happy that she left. All she is, is a problem." Frank said as he stood up and reached for Elena. She turned to him and shook his head.

"You don't understand. I don't care about that. I need you to find her and watch her for me." Elena said as she stared into Frank's eyes. He was trying to figure out why this meant so much to Elena.

"She is an addict Elena..." Frank said in a warning tone as he rubbed her arms softly. She pulled them away from Frank's touch.

"Because she is scared and hurt..." Elena said and Frank dropped his head and paced around in a circle before he focused back on Elena. She pressed her lips together.

"And you know this because?" Frank asked, wanting to know how much she did know about this girl. Like Frank noted earlier, it was the typical addict he seen, although she sure did look the part. To find out that a rich women, such as Elena was looking for her, and that the girl herself was a model at one point, made everything a bit more interesting.

"Because she is my late husband's cousin. She was extremely close to him." Elena said and Frank stopped and blinked his eyes. He had been the one who placed the security in her house when she moved to the town. It wasn't the first town she came too, but he hoped that it would be her last. She willingly told him everything about her husband.

"Michael." Frank stated and Elena nodded her head and rubbed her hands together as she was threatening going into a fit of tears. She could understand Nikita's pain and it all made too much sense to her.

"She is all of Michael's family that is left... all that Adam has left of his father... and I need to help her." Elena firmly said and Frank nodded his head and reached back out for Elena. Instead of just touching her, he held her into a firm hug, knowing that a few tears escaped her eyes before pulling back.

"I can get some men... get her into a treatment program." Frank said and Elena shook her head softly.

"Not yet. Watch her... and I will figure out what to do next." Elena said and Frank stared at Elena and swallowed. He could almost hear where her head was going, and he didn't like it one bit. It was always different with some other addictions, like alcohol, but heroin was very different.

"Elena, you aren't thinking of bringing her here to stop?" Frank asked and Elena dropped her head and Frank knew his thoughts were correct. He shook his head and stepped to the door.

"She wants to stop, Frank. I know it. She just needs some love." Elena said and Frank shook his head and then looked up at Elena.

"Look... I'll start following her in the morning... probably she is staying in a hotel... And I'll send some numbers over for detoxification centers..." Frank said and Elena shook her head from side to side.

"That won't be necessary, I have my own contacts." Elena said as she reached out and handed Frank a check. He looked at it and sighed as he folded it into his pocket and walked out of the house.

Elena walked over to the picture and held it in her fingers lightly. She looked at how healthy Nikita was and how she seemed almost happy in the picture. She knew that the pain of Michael's death had hurt Nikita, and when she never showed up again, Elena worried that she would do something like this. Nikita was escaping her pain, but Elena was wondering why it was so much pain. She looked at the picture and couldn't help but think she was missing a huge chunk on the connection between Michael and Nikita.

*

Nikita rubbed her face lightly as she slowly walked to her hotel room. She smiled softly as she carefully inserted the key into the door and leaned on it as it swung open. Slowly she pushed into the dirty hotel room and closed the door. She slowly turned around.

"MICHAEL!" Nikita screamed out in her slurred speech, almost some eight hours after she went off with her supplier who told her to call him Horns. She tried to push past Michael, but he brought his body close to hers and pulled her arms up and stared at her.

"What is going on?" Michael hissed as he looked into Nikita's eyes. He saw the signs he did not want to see. Her pupils were constricted and her eyelids were droopy. His anger trembled through his body and into Nikita's thin body. He didn't notice that it was his own trembling that shook Nikita's body from side to side, but when he did, the anger could not cease. He wanted this to end and to protect Nikita at all costs. He wasn't up for losing more people dear to his life.

"Michael... just drop it and leave. You can ruin everything!" Nikita said as she pulled her arms away and rubbed her face again. He shook his head as he stared at Nikita as she slung off her shirt and he now violently pulled Nikita round and stared at her arm. He saw it, however small it was.

"What the hell are you doing, Nikita?" Michael questioned although both of the people knew what was going on. She pulled her arm away and stared at Michael as she rubbed her arm. She was coming down from the high and there was a slight awareness of pain, and that was the one thing she enjoyed the most in the past and she had forgotten how nice it was to have no pain. She tried to form thoughts in her mind, knowing that Michael's presence was going to hamper things if he didn't leave soon.

"Michael... I have to do this.... And I know what I am doing..." Nikita said as she pushed her hands into her jeans. Michael waited as Nikita pulled out several needles.

"I took my own.. No chances..." Nikita whispered as she dropped the needles down on a desk and Michael stormed to his way to press her against the wall, trying to send the violent message to Nikita that this is unacceptable.

"Michael... You can't stay here. I need to do this..." Nikita said and Michael stared into her eyes, trying to hear her reasoning, but so far there was nothing more than telling him that she needed him to leave.

"Why? Tell me why, Nikita." Michael demanded and Nikita started to cry and dropped her head.

"Because... Elena might see you.. You have to let this go... I have to protect her!" Nikita cried out and Michael stepped back from Nikita like she was on fire and he didn't want to save her. He stared at her eyes as she moved to the bed and flopped her body down on it.

"This is not going to help Elena, Nikita. You are destroying your body! And you are going to destroy Elena!" Michael hissed and Nikita closed her eyes as Michael's screams were making her head pound. She wanted the pain to end and she bit her lip as she realized she wanted the heroin again.

"Michael... I have been out of her life for months, almost a year! I have to give her an explanation for my absence... my scars on my stomach and chest... This is the only answer.. And the only way she would trust me!" Nikita cried out and Michael looked at Nikita and sighed. He couldn't believe that Nikita believed this. He turned to Nikita and decided to change her mind another way.

"You will lose control, Nikita..... Do you want that?" Michael asked and Nikita looked up with her bloodshot eyes and stared deeply into Michael. He watched intensely, almost afraid that she was going to fall asleep staring at him.

"I already am, Michael.... I was an addict.. And I will always be an addict.... That one time... and I need it again.... And I am going to surrender to that madness Michael." Nikita said slowly and Michael shook his head feeling his own heart pound against the confines of his own chest. Her words made Michael's resolve stronger, he did not want this to happen. He did not see how it was good for Nikita to use her own body, to destroy it with drugs that she once was hooked on, to help Elena. There was going to be nothing but pain and regret in this plan, and Michael did not want it to continue.

"No. Nikita. I order you to stop." Michael hissed as he bent down and stared at Nikita's face. She shook her head back and forth and her eyes didn't even register the order. Michael leaned back, down onto his heels, desperate to reach her, to make her stop.

"I want it, Michael... I need it.... And hopefully everything will work.. And I'll stop.... I have to believe that.... But I need it, Michael... and You aren't going to stop me now..." Nikita said as she stared deep into his eyes, making Michael shiver with a coldness that he had not felt since when he held Nikita in his arms dying. He rubbed his hands through his hair and held back his tears.

"Do you want me to suffer, Nikita? For months you were dead to me... and now you are willingly killing your body!" Michael cried out and Nikita took her hands and pressed them against Michael's taunt cheeks and bit her lip. He didn't want to admit that Nikita did look the part that she looked like she had been using heroin for months now, and he did not want to admit that Nikita could be right. He lost Adam and Elena. He thought he lost Nikita too, and he didn't want the chance to lose her again. If Nikita was on drugs, how was she going to defend herself from the splinter group and Section One?

"Michael.... Section would approve of this plan.. It's the only way to gain Elena's trust instantly.... But if you don't go.. And if you come back... Elena won't be able to live... and that is before Section gets their hands on her." Nikita said and Michael blinked his eyes and he noticed the jam that Nikita had gotten them into. He was not going to be able to watch Nikita and protect her from the drugs. He wondered what would happen if Nikita took too much and his body trembled. When Nikita was telling him he should be worried about Elena's and Adam's safety, he couldn't think of it. Nikita was in trouble and that was what bothered him most.

"I'm not going to let this continue..." Michael said as he stood up. Nikita looked at him sadly and licked her lips.

"You don't have that choice, Michael... Let it be and I can protect Elena... And in the process give her a reason to live." Nikita commented as she looked to her hands. She dug her hand into her pockets and revealed a spoon and a little rubber balloon.

"I would ask you to stay.... But I am going to lose control, Michael... One more time.. And I have to give in to the cravings for it... I won't and will not have a choice any further..." Nikita said as she moved over and grabbed a needle. Michael stared and felt as if his heart stopped. He had never watched people use drugs, and Nikita seemed so sad, but yet so willing.

"How will you be able to control your words.. And what about the violent withdrawal, Nikita? You can't control what you will say..." Michael stuttered out and Nikita pressed her lips together. She had a few theories on that and hoped that Elena had remembered the one thing that Nikita did give her before she left her life for what should have been forever.

"I have to hope that Elena will listen to my lies..." Nikita whispered out and Michael moved towards the door, staring at Nikita, as she was willing to shoot up in front of Michael. It scared him to the core, even more than when he held her dying body in his arms. He knew at this moment that Nikita did not place any worth on her life, and he was going to do his best to stop this. He would not allow this to continue.

"Michael..." Nikita whispered out as she looked at her supplies and then to him. He looked to the things that Nikita had spread out and he blinked his eyes.

"Poppies." Nikita said and Michael blinked his eyes. He looked down to the floor and then back up to Nikita, not sure of what she was talking about.

"Poppies?" Michael questioned and Nikita nodded her head and then she looked at Michael and sighed. She allowed a few strained tears out.

"It will work out, Michael... I promise..." Nikita whispered and she dropped her head. She waited for the door to close and she looked at the needle in her hand. How she wished she had the will to drop it and run away, but she didn't. She was doing this for everyone and if it did not work, if she did overdose, it wasn't a problem. It would probably make the world a better place.

*

Nikita dropped the needle as the pain began to wash away, as the heroin quickly made the 20-second trip up to her mind, taking the pain to a place that was far away from her mind. It was bliss for Nikita, who had only pain in her life. It was heaven on earth for a while.

That was always the way the beginning was for anyone with drugs. Nikita knew that, but her body needed it once she took one dose with Horns. She could not deny that the body still wanted the drugs and still wanted to lose the pain. It had been a miracle that she had not slipped back onto drugs while in Section, because the pain was every day. It was Michael tearing her life apart by seduction and conquered. She was tempted, but always held off, most often, for Michael.

Nikita stumbled back onto the bed with a peaceful smile on her face. She knew that later in the day that she would have to do the same thing, somewhere that the detective could see her, but now, this was for her own need and her own pain. This was not for Elena or Adam or Michael. She knew that she was falling deep within the cycle again, and it occurred so easily.

Nikita easily remembered the first time she mainlined... and it was a rush that she had never experienced before with other drugs. She had tried them all, but she still had pain. Heroin stopped her pain, and it was pain that had just recently started to reemerge in her life. She had locked the memories of her mother's brutal abortion of her child at eight years old far deep in her mind, but now, that memory was with Nikita, day in and day out.

Nikita knew she had to try to control what little she could. There was no way she could allow Elena to hear her about her mother, because Michael's family wasn't like that. Nikita although knew where the trouble would be. When she called out for Michael. How was she going to explain that off?

Nikita sighed as the beauty and the lure of heroin made that thought disappear deep within her body. She was swimming in a world of pleasure, of no pain and no hurt. It was something that she wished she could swim in forever. She could make it happen. She had enough money in Section One accounts that they would never be able to trace. She could run now, and no one would find her.

She didn't want to run. She knew when she first started the drugs, that she would find the help back to the world without drugs from Elena. Nikita knew that with her heart. She knew that Elena would not let her drop off the face of the earth, like it seemed Michael had allowed her too.

Nikita stood her body up and walked to the bathroom, running the water into the bathtub, with Michael on her mind. She shook her head back and forth as she thanked the drugs for washing away that pain, now she just had to wash his presence off of her body. Did he notice that she was wearing his shirt? Nikita was sure she would never know, but she knew it felt like he had branded her with his hands.

"Elena will be something..." Nikita whispered as she slipped out of her clothes, grateful that nothing ever happened between her and Horns, another desired effect of heroin.. It lowers sexual cravings. She looked at the water, and did not notice the heavy steam from the hot water. She slid her body down into the wetness and moaned in pleasure.

Nikita closed her eyes and saw Michael in her head. She knew she had to stop it, she had to maintain some sort of control. She lifted her head and stared off to the wall. She pulled the button and the water began to pelt down from the showerhead. Nikita leaned back as the spray hit her body violently, and it felt good.

"Have to keep control..." Nikita moaned out as she now she struggled against the drugs. She didn't want this; she wanted to feel the pain again. She struggled as her hands rubbed against her head, knowing deep down that the battle was won for the time being. She knew that control was gone, but couldn't admit it.

"I have too.... Can't hurt Elena.... Can't let her know.." Nikita moaned out as even this little sliver of control was slipping away from her hands. It was so far gone that Nikita didn't even know as she sat there in the scolding hot water, having the shower batter her body with steaming water, leaving her body red.

That fight, that short fight, was gone, and she surrendered that last thread of control over. She rolled her head back and sighed softly, finding peace in doing so. Whatever happened, happened. Nikita, deep in her mind hoped that she could gain the control again.

She did not think about how for most of her life she didn't have control. Her youth was controlled by her mother's abuse and her adulthood controlled by Section. The only thing that she seemed to have controlled in her life, was what she was doing now. She had control in losing control to the drugs.

Her head slumped forward, finding the pleasure there and nothing less. She sat in that tub, in that water, as it went from scolding, to freezing, never noticing the change. Allowing the water to be around her body. Allowing her body yet again to lose that control.

*

Negative Energy.

Madeline lifted her head and watched as Michael moved his toned body down the steps full with the snarl on his face. Madeline lifted her head and waited for Michael to look at her. She saw the taunt appearance of his entire body and it was an understatement to say that Michael was upset.

Negative Energy.

Michael rubbed his hands tightly together as if trying to start a fire with them. When he finally leveled his eyes with Madeline's his eyes appeared to be like lasers. There was no doubt that something was bothering him.

"This has to stop." Michael hissed out, drawling out each word as his eyes locked with Madeline's. His head raised as Madeline lifted out of her seat to look at Michael. She was a bit perplexed with exactly what he was speaking about.

"What has to stop, Michael? I cannot read minds, contrary to belief." Madeline stated firmly and he moved closer to her desk and Madeline almost leaned back as Michael's posture showed that he was ready for physical violence if he had to resort to it. It had been years since she had seen Michael in such a state.

"Nikita is taking drugs... Heroin... For what she says will save Elena!" Michael roared out and Madeline blinked her eyes. She had been thinking about this situation for some time, thinking of a way for Nikita to make an approach on Elena without rousing her suspicions. Madeline knew it was going to have to be extreme, and this was what Nikita had decided on. Madeline turned away from Michael and started to move over to her plants.

"She is back on heroin for god damn reason unknown to me.. And she claims that it is for Elena. I WANT THIS TO STOP!" Michael hollered and Madeline blinked and lightly fingered the plant in front of her. She dropped her head and smiled as she brought her head up.

"Actually, it is probably a good decision on Nikita's part. I have to agree with her position." Madeline said and Michael stopped his movement and stared at Madeline. She knew that he was processing the information quickly, but the dawning of what Madeline had said was taking longer.

"You can't mean that. She was an addict to heroin before!" Michael cried out and Madeline nodded her head and walked back to her desk. She still had that feeling that Michael was ready to strike out against something and Madeline did not want her plants hurt in the process. She rubbed her hands together and looked up at Michael.

"You don't stop being an addict, Michael. She will always be an addict to heroin, even if she isn't using." Madeline stated bluntly and Michael's entire body flinched and Madeline maintained her composure. Madeline was disappointed that Michael had forgotten that little fact and frowned lightly. Michael's entire body lurched towards hers, and Madeline was sure that she was going to be striked or at least punched when he slammed his hand down on the desk.

"UNACCEPTABLE!" Michael roared and Madeline blinked her eyes as she looked at how close Michael was to losing control of his rage. She needed to stop this situation with Michael before it got out of hand. Madeline pressed her lips together and sat down behind her desk, looking at Michael's hand as it stayed on her desk.

"What if the splinter group goes after her? What if Operations finds her? If she is high up on drugs she isn't going to be able to protect herself, let alone Adam and Elena!" Michael said and Madeline nodded her head, as she understood Michael's argument. Yet, she did have the answer to that one.

"Michael, right now there is not that threat. Nikita has sacrificed three targets in order to protect Elena. Operations is so busy trying to figure out who the next target is, that he isn't paying attention to Elena as a target. We have probably two months before the splinter group starts after Elena, and they will do that knowing that you would be the biggest obstacle." Madeline said in a controlled voice although her entire body was pumping in a rate that she was slightly aware of.

"So she is going to be on the drugs for more than two months!" Michael cried out and Madeline closed her eyes and sighed, seeing that Michael was not exactly thinking with his Section mind right now.

"Michael, who are you more concerned for, Elena and your son, or Nikita?" Madeline questioned and Michael lurched across the desk and wrapped his hand into Madeline's dress suit. Madeline blinked her eyes.

"How dare you ask me that question!" Michael spat out and Madeline lifted her head to focus on Michael's eyes.

"This is all about Nikita... and you can't see that she feels like she is worth nothing.. .That she is willing to give her life up.. In order to give Elena worth back to hers..." Madeline said and Michael turned around, shaking his head, not wanting to hear what Madeline was saying. She stood up and walked in front of the door to look at Michael.

"It is the truth, Michael... Nikita sees it... Elena is still reeling in the aftermath of your death... living for Adam and Adam alone... With Nikita doing this... she may give Elena a purpose in life again... You have to respect that, Michael.... Nikita will be achieving a lot with this.. She is correct." Madeline said as she slowly tried to contact Michael's Section brain. He turned around with eyes of a psychopath and Madeline knew that it was beyond doing that now. She swallowed and hoped that the words were heard and not just listened too.

"Her life is worth something.. And I am going to make her see that!" Michael said as he pushed Madeline, but Madeline grabbed hold of Michael, pulling him back to the center of the room.

"I cannot allow you to do that. You jeopardize Nikita's position. She knows what she is doing, Michael. NIKITA IS CORRECT." Madeline emphasized as she tried again, in vain to reach Michael's mind, his rational mind. She knew that it was blinded with his love for Nikita that he may never admit, but also by his need to protect everyone. It was hurting him that Nikita was protecting Elena, while he thought it was his job.

"She isn't. She can't do this alone... I will disguise myself.... Go in... If Nikita is on drugs she could hurt Adam and Elena.. We don't know what will happen!" Michael argued and Madeline shook her head, dropping her hands from his body.

"I cannot allow that, Michael." Madeline said again, as a threat. Michael narrowed his green eyes and stared at Madeline.

"And I want to see you stop me!" Michael issued the challenge back. Madeline turned and reached for the button on the wall.

"Guards to my office. I need Michael taken to the White Room. IMMEDIATELY." Madeline said and Michael lifted his eyebrow as Madeline's hand dropped from the button.

"You won't do it... You know that I am right!" Michael issued out and Madeline shook her head sadly from side to side.

"I see that you are losing control and your focus. For the sake of Nikita, Elena, and Adam, I am stepping in here, Michael. You'll see it in time." Madeline announced and he shook his head in disbelief of what Madeline was saying.

"Are you going to lock me up in a White Room for two months?" Michael demanded and Madeline blinked her eyes.

"If that is what it takes, yes, Michael." Madeline said and she saw the instant pain on Michael's face. She knew that it wasn't going to take two months, she would be shocked if it took two weeks. Nikita was going to draw the splinter group in to a trap, Madeline was sure of it.

"That is as crazy as Nikita ranting about poppies!" Michael cried out and Madeline's eyes arched with the word as the door opened up.

"Be careful what you say, Michael." Madeline said as the four guards entered the room. Michael raised his arms, and started to struggle. Madeline sighed and moved to her desk.

"Please, Michael... don't make this difficult." Madeline said as she withdrew the device and looked at Michael. He quickly threw the first two guards into Madeline's plants. She closed her eyes and sighed as she had hoped to avoid violence towards the plants.

Madeline stepped around her desk and pressed the device into Michael's outstretched arm as he tried to choke the third guard. Michael looked to Madeline and started to slip off into a dream world. Madeline pressed her lips together as the guards stood up and took Michael's body off. His feet dragging on the floor.

*

Elena sipped at a cup of tea gently, finding that the lack of sleep had done her no good. She couldn't get the image of Nikita out her mind; it just kept appearing and haunting her. How she wanted to step out and save Nikita, knowing that her pain for the lost of Michael had thrown her into a downward spiral that no one wanted to see Nikita in. Not Elena and she knew definitely not Michael.

Elena dropped the cup and pulled out some books that she had bought at the bookstore after she had dropped Adam off at school. Her young son that it was a gift for her to be dropping him off, and she sadly smiled at him and kissed him on his head. Elena watched him trot off to school. She immediately ran to the bookstore, needing to know what she could do for Nikita.

Elena had read a lot and she came to one conclusion. This was a problem that Nikita had before, and somehow, Elena was sure that Michael knew. She even was jumping to the conclusion that Michael might have helped her out of the drugs before. That was the only reason Elena could come up with Nikita's sudden appearance. She knew that Nikita wanted out of it, or at least she hoped that Nikita wanted out of the drugs.

The cup was in her hand as the doorbell rang. Elena sat the cup down gently and sighed as she folded up the books and hid them. Books titled 'How to help a Loved One with a drug problem' was not something she wanted anyone seeing. She had made some friends in the new town and she wanted to keep them, but Elena did not joke herself, she needed to save Nikita.

That was when Elena saw the blonde hair that had kept her up all night standing out on the porch. She dashed to the door, afraid that Nikita would run away before she answered the door. Nikita blinked her eyes and smiled at Elena. Elena started running down the checklist. Nikita's eyes weren't constricted and her eyelids weren't droopy. She looked like she hadn't eaten in months and she didn't appear to be scratching or touching her face. Elena smiled and watched as Nikita opened the screen door and entered.

"I just came for my clothes." Nikita stated and Elena nodded her head and led Nikita down the hallway. She seemed so much pulled together now, than she did yesterday. Elena had no reason why it would be so, but she was encouraged.

"They are in the back room... So, Nikita, what have you been doing?" Elena whispered as she slowly walked back to the laundry room. Nikita looked at the walls and stopped as she saw a picture of Michael and Adam on the wall. She stared at it and then remembered Michael yelling at her. She closed her eyes as she could feel Elena's eyes piercing holes into her body.

"Traveling.... Haven't found anything I liked." Nikita said and Elena nodded her head and rubbed her hands together. She remembered the warnings that Frank had given her and she was sure that Frank was outside waiting to follow Nikita again. She looked around and then to Elena.

"My clothes." Nikita stated and Elena began to nod her head as she moved to the back again. She turned and paused.

"Why don't you come back for dinner? Adam would love to see you and it must have been a while since you had decent home-cooked meal." Elena offered, trying to sound as casual as possible. Nikita shook her head back and forth and then started to rub her face. Elena stared at the motion and then shook it away. She was making Nikita nervous, but she remembered the books, saying that it was a major clue that the person had a long-term problem with heroin.

Elena reached into the room and pulled out the clothes and handed them to Nikita. Nikita smiled and dug into the pockets, looking and looking.

"What is it Nikita?" Elena asked and Nikita dropped the clothes to the floor and started to panic as her hands traced every inch of the fabric. Nikita looked up at Elena and shook her head.

"Ah.. Nothing... I just misplaced something that I needed..." Nikita stated and Elena nodded her head and looked to Nikita. She started to move towards the stairs.

"Maybe it fell out in the bed you slept in yesterday..." Elena said and Nikita jumped up and grabbed Elena's arm tightly. Nikita looked to Elena's face and then pulled her arm away, seeing the fright in her eyes.

"It was in my pocket.... It was a fifty... with a telephone number on it... a job..." Nikita said as she rubbed her hands together. Elena looked at Nikita and swallowed. She would have noticed something like that and told herself that she could not give Nikita any money, because she would just use it on drugs.

"I need to pay my bill... and get that job..." Nikita said as she tapped her hand up and down on her thigh and then she quickly turned around and held her head. Elena stepped forward and sighed.

"Nikita.. What is it?" Elena asked, as Nikita seemed to be trembling and holding her head. Nikita shook it back and forth as Elena placed a hand on her head.

"I just get these headaches.... And the bill... is for the migraine medicine... DAMN!" Nikita hissed and Elena sighed and looked at the pain in Nikita's eyes. Elena moved back to the laundry room and dug into her spare purse. She grabbed the one fifty and looked at it. She closed her eyes and scribbled a number onto it, for a local fast food place, knowing that they always had openings. She was happy, Nikita was having medical problems, not drug problems.

"Hey! It must have come out while it was drying." Elena said as she handed the bill to Nikita. She pulled her hands down to take the money. Nikita smiled and nodded her head.

"Thanks... I really needed this." Nikita said and Elena touched Nikita's shoulders softly.

"If you need anything, Nikita... I can help you.. Please let me." Elena said and Nikita nodded her head. Elena pulled at her arm as Nikita tired to pick up her clothes and leave.

"And if you are having bad headaches... I'm sure my doctor will see you..." Elena offered and Nikita smiled and quickly left. Elena sighed and sat back down, feeling relief that Nikita wasn't a drug addict.

*

"Poppies?"

Madeline dropped her head and sighed. She looked across the room to her plants, which she had tended to right after Michael was pulled out of her office. Her anger was still boiling and her time to visit Michael in the White Room was being held off as she tried to sort her way through the piece of flowers but also the riddle that Michael had just dropped into her lap. Even the diary message was easier than this one word riddle, and Madeline was sure that it meant something.

"Poppies?"

She slowly raised her telephone and dialed the number quickly. Madeline strummed her fingers lightly on her desk, not making a sound as she waited. Her eyebrows raised with the sound on the other end.

"Come to my office." Madeline responded and dropped the phone down, as it was an order and not a question. She had no time for games that she didn't orchestrate. Time might be of the essence again, as she started to shift through the various books that she had pulled out of the Section One library. Most operatives didn't know about it, but that was best for Section One that they didn't. Only a few needed to be extremely educated in more than one area, but it always came in handy for Madeline. She looked at the books and frowned again.

"Poppies?"

Madeline shook her head; about to give up on the frivolous task of figuring out the message as she suddenly got it. She entered her computer and moved through her e-mail quickly and found no messages titled 'poppies'. Madeline sighed and shook her head. She was about to turn off the computer when there was a new message in the e-mail with no return sender. It's title, "What not to put on top of a grave." Madeline blinked her eyes and then slapped her hand against the desk and opened the program.

If Madeline was correct, things were going to be a lot easier in her little plan, as Nikita just left Madeline a huge opening to do some planning and scheming of her own. It was almost as if Nikita knew she was going to lose all control, but also worried that she might be saying things that she won't be able to explain off. Madeline hurried and reestablished the telephone number that Elena had used twice to call a 'Dr. Hanover', with a number that Nikita had made sure to give to Elena that last time she saw her.

"You wanted to see me?" Walter nervously asked as he chugged down the stairs and into the office. He saw the little mess on the floor and pulled his eyes away from it. The news of Michael being locked in the White Room was quickly running through Section One and Walter was more than a bit concerned when Madeline's phone call came through.

"How much do you know about drug addiction, Walter?" Madeline questioned and Walter laughed nervously, knowing that Section operatives were strongly encouraged to stay off of drugs, and when Walter said strongly, he meant strongly.

"Ah.. I don't know much, Madeline... you know my skills... my leisure activities aren't that way..." Walter nervously mumbled his way through the statement as he avoided making eye contact with Madeline.

"So you know a decent amount about drugs.. And withdrawal?" Madeline questioned as she almost laughed at Walter's nervousness. Walter nodded his head up and down before turning it away again, as he had this need for this meeting to be over with.

"How about heroin?" Madeline questioned in a clipped voice and Walter turned his head around with wide opened eyes. Madeline was sure that Walter did not expect that question.

"Hell, Madeline.. That crap is dangerous.. And it's not for leisure.. Someone has to be in a lot of pain to be shooting that crap into their body... a lot of pain!" Walter said indignantly, expressing his true feelings loud and clear. Madeline nodded her head and pulled up the two books that Section One had on heroin and placed them on the desk.

"I suggest that you get familiar with it... You are going on a mission..." Madeline said and Walter lifted his head to protest.

"For me." Madeline clarified, and with those two words, Walter knew that this was not a Section sanctioned mission. He carefully looked at the books and then back at Madeline, with many questioned in his mind and then he dropped his head, as it became clear. It was almost the same look that had come across Madeline's face when she figured out the poppy riddle.

"Is this for Nikita?" Walter whispered and Madeline stood up and walked to her tender plants. She lightly moved them, trying to be gentle as they were just starting to mend after Michael decided to body slam some guards into them. She turned her head to the side and then sighed loudly.

"Yes, but she did go back on the heroin as part of a plan of greater good." Madeline said and Walter shifted his eyes and stared at Madeline. She turned around and pressed her hands together.

"You are going to be helping her.... From spilling too much about Section One while she is on the drugs and coming through withdrawal." Madeline firmly stated and Walter nodded his head, wondering what kind of game this was. He knew the orders about Nikita shoot and kill at first sight. Walter started to twitch with nerves.

"No... Operations does not know about this..." Madeline stated clearly as she noted Walter's restlessness. Walter nodded his head, and Madeline knew that she could count on him, because Nikita probably meant the world to him at this point.

"Is this why Michael is in the White Room?" Walter carefully asked as he stood up, holding the books in his hands. He looked at Madeline as she leaned her head back, and seemed to be in thought. She knew that she was going to have to tell Walter sooner and later, and since she had no clue when Elena was going to call her, she better start to explain the situation now.

"The reason why Michael is in the White Room is because he fails to see that Nikita's taking the drugs is protecting the person who is going to take her in and call for your help." Madeline said and Walter raised an eyebrow.

"Who is it?" Walter questioned with a rough whispered that expressed that he was getting tired of Madeline's games all ready.

"Elena."

*

"Mom... do you think I will see Nikita again?" Adam softly asked as he carried his plate off of the kitchen table and over to the sink. Elena smiled and bent down to kiss his head. He had been so good in the aftermath of losing his father. She had been so concerned about Adam, while she should have worried about others a bit more. Children tended to be resilient and she had to remind herself that almost everyday. He did look so much like Michael, especially when he smiled.

"It's a possibility, but it won't happen if you don't learn to write your alphabet!" Elena said and Adam smiled and dashed up the stairs to do his homework. She looked up the stairs, making plans to go help him as soon as she finished the light dishes from dinner. She had made plenty, somehow wishing that Nikita would unexpectantly show up.

Elena started to wipe Adam's plate down with the warm soapy water when her doorbell rang. Elena jumped as her mind began to race, hoping that it was Nikita. She glanced at the clock and wiped her hands on her pants as she dashed down the hallway. She pulled at the door and started to frown as she noticed that it was not Nikita.

"Good evening, Frank." Elena said as he pulled the screen door open and walked in with a manila envelop in his hands. He turned and closed the door for Elena as he entered. Elena smiled and headed back to the kitchen.

"I saw Nikita today.... I think she is having medical problems..." Elena said and Frank pulled a chair loudly back and sighed as he rubbed his hands together.

"She doesn't have medical problems. You gave her money, right?" Frank accused and Elena turned around and stared at him.

"She lost money here... she needed it for her migraine medication..." Elena said and Frank pressed his lips together. He thought he had reached Elena the previous night, but he pulled the photos out of his manila envelope and extended his arm towards Elena.

"I know it is hard to realize that a family member uses... but she is in pretty heavy...." Frank said as Elena started to cry as she saw the pictures. She pushed them onto the table and shook his head.

"No.. She is sick... You mean she used the money I gave her.... I shouldn't have given it to her." Elena cried out, so upset that she had helped Nikita to destroy her body. Frank pressed his lips together and sat down as Elena paced.

"If she didn't get the money from you.. She would have found another way... sell her body... pawn some clothes off... more than likely sell her body to the highest bidder." Frank said rudely as Elena moved back to the sink and allowed the tears to run down her face. Frank looked and sighed. It was never easy coming in with the proof. Never would he get use to it.

"FRANK!!!" Adam screamed as he tore down the stairs and jumped onto Frank's lap. The man laughed as they did their little secret handshake and Adam smiled. He turned around and looked to the table.

"Is that Nikita?" Adam asked as he reached for the pictures. Elena snapped around and grabbed the photographs as Frank lifted the envelope and handed it to her. They were her copies; he had copies down in the office for himself. Sometimes it was seeing pictures of people doing drugs that stopped the light users from doing more. Nikita definitely was a picture that he planned on using.

"Adam... it's not Nikita." Elena said and Adam frowned and slid off of Frank's lap. The young man looked at Frank sternly, his anger starting to build. Elena shook her head as she noticed that it was so much like Michael.

"Adam... go finish your homework... Now." Elena said tensely and Adam turned and stomped up the stairs. She reached out and placed her fingers on her nose, trying to pinch away the pain. Frank stood up and hugged his friend tightly.

"I want you to pick her up... bring her here... Tomorrow..." Elena said and Frank shook his head. He was sure that it was a bad idea. He needed to stop Elena from doing something that was going to get her hurt.

"Elena... it's not safe... Leave this to the professionals..." Frank said and Elena pulled away from his grasp and leaned into his face, with a resolve that he knew was not going to leave.

"I'm going to call in my connection, Frank. You just get her here." Elena ordered lightly and Frank rubbed his hands down his legs. He had a few men that he had used before, but he was almost sure that Nikita would be an easily case, the girl was nothing but bones.

"Then I have to ask you to remove Adam from the house..." Frank said and Elena stubbornly shook her head. Frank knew that somehow, Elena thought that Adam's presence was going to help this Nikita, but he was scared.

"Then at least let me..." Frank said and Elena looked at him and narrowed her eyes. She snapped the envelope back at Frank and looked to the door.

"Take these and do as a I ask, Frank." Elena said and he frowned and he moved out of the house. He wasn't comfortable with what Elena was asking and he definitely didn't want to do it, yet, he was getting paid good money, hell it was great money. He opened the door and walked out of the house, off to find Nikita again.

Elena pulled out a chair in the kitchen and stood on top of it. She reached up into the top cupboard and pulled out the small box that had some old numbers from the old house. She flipped her hands through them and pulled out the card. It was in Nikita's handwriting and Elena looked at the phone. She now had new questions for this Dr. Hanover, wondering if she was helping Nikita at all for drug addiction.

"Dr. Hanover.. This is Elena Samuelle... You helped me before..." Elena started as she sat down and felt the tears of the memories flooding her system. She was willing to live with the pain again, because she needed to help Nikita.

*

Michael sat calmly in the metal chair, staring at the white wall in front of him. There were so many thoughts in his mind. He had no concept of how long he had been there, only that he was trapped from stopping Nikita from self-destruction. He had not been able to sleep as the harsh lights reflected off of the white walls and into his eyes. It hurt, but it was not to unfamiliar to him before. He had spent almost week in the White Room before, and this little stint so far had not stopped his resolve to stop Nikita's explosive path.

Michael did not move when the door opened up, as he would not give Madeline that satisfaction. He knew that some of the pause had been caused by his hasteful act in throwing two guards into her plants, but she should know him better by now. He had learned from the time that Nikita was dead that he couldn't let things just happen. He had get out there and change things. He had to do that now, and that meant getting out of the White Room and to Nikita's side. If he had to drag her out of Elena's house, so be it.

"Care to explain to me why my second in command has had my best operative, who is suppose to be looking for my thorn in my side, locked in the White Room for the past two days?" Operations asked as he walked in front of Michael, blowing the smoke into his face. Michael closed his eyes as the smoke stung his eyes sharply and he swallowed.

"No." Michael responded and Operations nodded his white head up and down, playing that response over and over again in his mind. He would stop and look at Michael for a few moments and then move a few steps in a circle, and stop again to stare at Michael.

"So, are you sitting here, restrained for the fun of it, Michael?" Operations questioned as he leaned on Michael's arm, again, blowing smoke into Michael's face. Michael blinked is eyes and stared straight ahead and without flinching waited.