"Let me spell it out for you... Nikita... was an offspring of a Section project... Her father.. Worked for Section.. Her mother.. The worst street urchin you could find out there... Nikita from a young age was raped and abused and her mother got paid for the use of Nikita's young flesh.... She had a brutal abortion when she was eight.. That so far... only Michael knows the details.. And now.. She has live it all over again... I have the right to make this into a production.. That is all that Nikita's life has been up until now." Madeline said forcefully and with a voice that expressed all that Madeline felt for Nikita.

"I know." Maleficent said as she dropped her head. She looked to the wall and stepped back.

"Now... watch over her.. And Michael... I have to go." Maleficent said and left, without another word. Madeline looked at the red hair flow in the air as she left. Madeline dropped her head and saw George.

"Take his body to the incinerator." Madeline ordered some passing operatives.

*

There was only so much damage a soul could take in its life and there was only so much a soul could watch in a lifetime. As Michael entered the small room, just outside of medical, his soul had its allotment for the next ten lifetimes filled. He rubbed his hair as he barely lifted his head to look at Madeline, as she had perched her body in the left-hand corner.

"How is she?" Madeline whispered and Michael shook his head, so confused to the point that to discuss how Nikita was any longer would be futile. There were other problems that needed a more immediate addressing to than how Nikita was.

"No.. Madeline... I'm not going to discuss this." Michael said defiantly as he lifted his head and looked at Madeline. She blinked her eyes and looked to Michael. In those first minutes, after Madeline had dropped her gun, the cries from Nikita were immense. In those first minutes, Madeline regretted not allowing Nikita to shoot him herself. She regretted allowing Nikita's miserable pain and suffering continue, as there was no outlet for her rage and suffering.

"She only muttered 'who is my father?' over and over again until she couldn't fight the medication any longer." Michael slowly said as he lifted his own head, thinking back to those same moments as he cradled Nikita in his arms, but it was like he had no emotional effect on her. She continued as if she was all alone, and Michael had to begin to wonder if that was what Nikita felt like.

"So she fixated on it." Madeline stated in a cold manner, as if she knew that if she didn't think about it in a therapeutic manner, that she would not be able to handle it herself. Michael lifted his head and swallowed. It was an absurd statement to make, as it was known fact between the two, but Madeline had no other words to know.

"She will need to know... We need to give her father..." Michael slowly said and Madeline began to shake her head. Michael reached out and touched Madeline's hand. "If we can make sure the women got pregnant.. Section can find out who the father is.. Easily."

Madeline closed her eyes and swallowed. She opened them to find tears rolling down off of Michael's stern face. The firm exterior was no where to be found now, as there was no threat. The only threat was that Nikita would not come back to him.

"But what happens to her.. If her father is found to be Operations... what happens to her soul?" Michael questioned as his eyes stayed such, as if he was trying to hide from the truth that may be out there. Madeline rubbed his hand softly and waited for him to open his own green eyes, to find them trimmed with the thin redness that seemed so odd on Michael.

"Her father isn't Operations. I know that for a fact, Michael." Madeline stated that and Michael shook his head as he looked at her.

"How can you be sure?" Michael commented back and Madeline sighed. She couldn't be sure. Yet, she knew that she could run the tests. In this case, it was better not to know, but she knew Nikita and knew that Nikita would not let it rest.

"We could tell her that it is Geoff from medical. He is a nice man, Michael." Madeline said and Michael nodded his head up and down and looked at Madeline.

"Isn't he the one that does the internal exams for all the female operatives? I think I remember Nikita punching him in the groin last year because he got too friendly." Michael said and Madeline gasped. She had not made a good choice there and she knew it. Nikita would destroy herself, knowing that her father had such a contact with her.

"We have to find the truth." Madeline whispered as she turned and looked to the wall. She looked to the wall and trembled. It was one of the first times that Madeline didn't want the truth either.

"No, what we want.. And need is a person.. A man who is going to accept her as his own... and Nikita to accept without feeling remorse or regret." Michael said as he closed his eyes. He heard the nervous laugh from Madeline.

"Does such a man exist inside Section, Michael?" Madeline seriously asked and Michael leveled his eyes and stared at Madeline. He slowly rolled his tongue over his teeth as his heart began to pound harder and harder.

"There is Walter." Michael softly whispered out, almost stunned that he said the words himself. He didn't want to lie to Nikita, but he didn't want to face the possible truth. Any other man could destroy Nikita forever, and even giving her Walter was risky. Yet, the possibilities, to learn the truth, were something that they did not want. Michael knew that in time, the relationship could possible work.

"We would be lying to her." Madeline stated softly and she blinked. She never thought she would be the one to point out that they would be lying to Nikita. It was something so common inside Section One, that not to lie was the phenomena. Madeline swallowed and looked up to the wall.

"Yes. We would." Michael commented, feeling his heart being torn. To lie, not to lie, to give Nikita a person who could love her, or find the truth that she was a child of someone who could not love her, or worse, hated her, or was already dead.

"He would be a good choice... a good father... he already has a good rapport with Nikita... I think he already loves her..." Madeline softly whispered as she moved to a chair and sat down. Michael swallowed and looked at Madeline.

"He is a good man. That is what matters." Michael commented as he moved to the chair to view Madeline. She leaned her head back and shook her head.

"I have to know the real truth, Michael. I have to run the tests.. I have to find out which other operatives are part of this Project Jade. God, Michael, you could be!" Madeline sighed out and Michael swallowed and pulled out a disk.

'Check for yourself, Madeline. I'm not." Michael said and he turned his head. "The funny thing is.... Nikita was even innocent of her crimes... she did little stuff... and destiny had her sent here, just waiting for that one crime."

There was a shallow silence as Madeline dropped her head, steadying her own emotions and her biological urges. She stared at the multi-colored disk and then lifted her head. She looked at Michael, really looked at him. Until that point, Madeline was not going to give in to Michael's suggestion. She was going to demand and find out the truth. She was going to link every single mother to a child and ever child to a father. She was going to do the tests herself if she had too, and Nikita's would be done first. She would stay in the lab for days and weeks until she had the results.

Until she saw Michael, she was willing to look past Nikita's needs. Yet, to look at Michael's eyes, to see the horror that was reflected in Michael's eyes from viewing and being part of Nikita's painful recovery and regression, was enough to change her mind, in that instance. Nikita needed to be able to move on, and do so quickly. She needed a good man to be her father, as Michael had easily and effectively pointed out. Nikita needed to pick up the slivers of her life and reshape them for the second time in less than a month.

"Even when she was asleep... she kept on questioning Madeline.. She will never stop questioning... we need to give her a father... and we can make it the truth." Michael slowly stated out as Madeline continued to gaze into his eyes.

How did a cold operative like Michael change so quickly? Madeline tilted her head to the side and suddenly wondered who knew the most. She was the one who knew the human mind, who twisted it day in and day out to garner conditioned responses that she wanted. Madeline knew that she was the one that was to know what was best and what was wrong. Suddenly, at least in the case of Nikita, she was not the one that served that function. While Nikita had no defenses to protect herself, to stand up for what she needed and wanted Michael was completing those actions for her.

"Walter isn't handling things well himself, Michael. It might not be a wise choice." Madeline softly said, although she had already given into Michael's suggestion, knowing that quickly and effectively, she could make everyone believe and aware that Walter was Nikita's father. She knew it was the best, and for the first time in a long time, she was going to do what was best for Nikita and only for that reason.

"This might help him too." Michael softly added. In his mind, Michael added that it would help him. Nikita was going to need all the support she could get, and Michael was not going to kid himself on that point. There was still a chance that Nikita would not mentally and emotionally come back from these events. He saw Nikita as she cried in the Cauldron room. He held her as her body was wracked with spasms, what Michael later explained to the medical doctors looked like a miniature seizure. He had watched as Nikita savaged broke at her cast, making her resolve to end it all. Michael could not lie and say that this was for Nikita's and Walter's benefits alone, because it would help him.

"I will do what is necessary, Michael." Madeline said as she stood up. Michael nodded his head and rubbed his hands together, deep in thought still.

"I should go inform Walter." Michael softly said. Madeline pulled her lips tight and swallowed.

"He said he had some unfinished business with George left." Madeline stated and Michael nodded his head and moved out of the room. Madeline lifted her head up one last moment, knowing that she would not change her mind. There was the little bird in her head that was saying that she could run the tests, and prove that Walter was her father. It seemed to be the only logical person, but Madeline knew that if she found out that he wasn't, she would never be able to stay quiet and never would be satisfied until she knew who the father was. Madeline knew it was best this way. Best for Nikita. Best for Walter. Best for Michael. Best for Section One.

*

"You bastard.... You had to destroy my life..." Walter hissed as he looked at George's dead body as it sat just outside of the incinerator, waiting to be thrown in, to be turned into the ashes that George's life wasn't even worth. Walter looked at him and punched his fists against the man's cold chest, the rage getting the better of him.

Walter had this grand illusion as he walked down to this room, thinking that he could put an end to the pain that George created in his life. Walter thought that to see him, before they threw the body into the fire would be enough. Yet, Walter couldn't help by realize that the hell might only be starting for his life. In those first moments, Walter felt as if in George's death, he won over Walter again. George didn't have to deal with the mess that he had created for the older operatives in Section One and the children that were now about the earth, and for a few, inside Section One themselves, like Nikita.

The rage started to build from there, from the feelings that in his death, George beat him, and Walter could not let them go. He had been around the past year, and he knew what Nikita did to save Section One, and to find out, there her childhood was constructed and planned by George was enough for any operative to retch upon. The thought was sickening, gross. The thought was beyond what should have been, but it was the harsh reality.

"YOU DESTROYED NIKITA!" Walter hissed out as he slammed his fist against the face, feeling the bones give way even in death. Walter knew he wasn't a strong man, George always hid. First George hid behind Walter's own mother.. And then his sister. It was the pain of having George being the love of the family, over the real blood of the family. To know that a boy who seduced and used both Walter's mother and sister, was the same man that was dead in front of him. In all the years Walter wanted to be the one to make it happen, and even that was taken out of his control.

Yet, to pound George's body wasn't enough for the growing rage that boiled within his body. He turned and saw the hatchet. Walter picked it up and watched the metal glitter in the light of the flames behind the glass. Walter smiled as he looked over George.

"Walter.... We have to talk..." Michael said as he entered the room and stopped as he stopped. He saw the hatchet raised about shoulder high, over George's body.

"Can you put the hatchet down, Walter?" Michael softly asked and Walter's face got sterner as he looked down at the man. He spat on George's face, almost wishing that he was still alive and couldn't communicate that he was. He wanted more pain and torture for the man.

"He hurt too many.. Michael... there are men in here.. That have children.. I HAVE CHILDREN!" Walter growled out as he looked at Michael. His hand was trembling.

"You don't want to do this, Walter." Michael commented and Walter shook his head.

"I want to do it, Michael." Walter firmly said, showing the true extent of the rage. It was like an out-of-body experience to see Walter like this. Yet, even in his rage, Michael never questioned that his and Madeline's decision was wrong. "FOR ME! MY CHILDREN! FOR SUGAR! FOR ALL THE DAMN BABIES HE MADE US CREATE AND TOLD US WOULD NEVER EXIST!"

"Walter.. Put down the hatchet." Michael said in a metered voice. He watched as Walter's eyes trembled, knowing that Walter realized he wasn't that kind of man to chop a dead man to pieces. "Please."

Walter nodded his head and dropped the hatchet back from the table that he got. Walter turned and pushed the button. The glass slid away and the heat of the fire hit Walter's and Michael's body. Walter slapped George on the face and grinned.

"Going out in fire.. Just like the hell you'll live the rest of your damn eternity." Walter hissed out as he looked at the gurney and started to push the dead man's body into the fire. Walter stared and watched, not feeling disgusted, and in that movement, participating in the burning, as order, of George's body, closed a chapter of Walter's book of life.

Michael waited until Walter pushed the glass back in place and slowly wiped at the sweat that had escaped from his bandana. Michael turned and watched as Walter paced.

"Damn... I have children out there, Michael..." Walter slowly said in astonishment. It was a possibility that Walter had always wanted to think about, but one he knew would never happen. He sometimes would dream of dressing up a baby boy in a biker outfit for Halloween and strapping it up onto his back for a hike into the wilderness.

"Yeah.. I know, Walter." Michael softly commented as he folded his hands and waited. Walter shook his head back and forth, and Michael knew the feelings that Walter was feeling. It had to be a shock to find out that someone in Section One could belong to him. Michael was grateful, that even if he couldn't be an active part of Adam's life ever again, he still knew that Adam belonged to him.

"And damn.. What that man did to Sugar... unacceptable... He hurt her.. And she is someone's daughter... He hurt her like she was nothing... not human.. And she was.. He hurt someone's daughter..." Walter said as he looked at Michael with tears glistening in his eyes. Michael blinked his eyes and forced out a smile.

"Yeah.. I know that, Walter... That's why I am here." Michael said as he tilted his body. Walter blinked his eyes and swallowed.

"They found Sugar's dad, right?" Walter asked and Michael slowly nodded his head as he moved closer to Walter. Walter smiled, and he seemed relieved.

"He is alive, right?" Walter asked quickly and again Michael nodded his head. He licked his lips and swallowed.

"Congratulations, Walter... You are a father of a beautiful baby girl." Michael slowly delivered. He watched as Walter's eyes opened up wide and hung on his words. Michael couldn't drag it out, as he saw the already obvious love for Nikita expand ten-fold. "A beautiful baby girl, named Nikita."

Michael watched as the tears ran down his face and then down his throat. The man was crying as he smiled broadly and his entire body shook. He tried to swallow and Michael reached out and patted Walter's shoulder, knowing the shock it must be to him. It had to be a dream that he had for a long time.

"Sugar.. She is mine? Nikita.. Sugar.. She is my daughter?" Walter asked out, continuing in a shocked stuttered as Michael continued to nod his head up and down. Yet, suddenly Walter stopped.

"Does she know yet?" Walter asked and Michael swallowed and looked to the wall.

"She is still sedated, Walter." Michael softly commented and Walter closed his eyes. Michael knew that Walter knew of the pain that Nikita had on her, and knew that the efforts that were going to be done to reclaim her. Walter nodded his head and rubbed the tears off of his face.

"I need to see her.... I need to see my daughter." Walter said and Michael nodded his head up and down and pushed the door open.

"That I can do." Michael softly stated as Walter moved out into the hallway, looking around, and seeing the world in a different way, as in the eyes of a father.

*

Madeline adjusted the IV fluid line as she pressed in the medicine. She stroked Nikita's hair softly back and looked to the two men that stood off to the back of the room. She nodded her head slowly as she turned back to Nikita. The medicine would take a few minutes to waken Nikita's slumbering body, but Madeline did not know what kind of state Nikita would wake up in.

"Nikita... time to wake up.." Madeline softly said and Nikita shook her head defiantly from side to side. Madeline softly stroked the hair back again, waiting patiently, knowing that to rush the process could throw Nikita into the emotional breakdown that she was in when she was given the medication. Madeline did not any more pain for Nikita.

"Nikita... you can't sleep the rest of your life." Madeline softly joked as she rested her hand on Nikita's neck and waited. Nikita fluttered her eyes and looked to Madeline. She turned her head away and sighed.

"My father?" Nikita softly questioned and Madeline's head snapped back to look at Walter. She reached down and touched Nikita again, waiting for her eyes to open once more.

Nikita didn't like the silence. She slowly turned her head back around to view Madeline's chocolate eyes looking down at her.

"You know who it is." Nikita stated and Madeline smiled and blinked her eyes. She felt Nikita gasped at the air around her body and waited. Nikita's eyes seemed to move with the purpose of figuring out who her father was before Madeline told her.

"Yes.. But I think we have to talk about what Section.. No, what George did, Nikita. It was wrong." Madeline said and Nikita pushed her body up and found herself covered in sweat as she trembled.

"Oh... my god.." Nikita cried out as her eyes filled up. She looked to Michael and then dropped her head with a scream.

"Michael.... Please love me...." Nikita cried out and Michael stepped forward, leaving Walter as he watched on, feeling Nikita's pain and realizing his own. To see Nikita's tears before was a difficult task, but now, each tear to Walter felt like it was being wrung out of his heart.

"Nikita.. I love you." Michael said as he placed his hand on Nikita's uninjured knee. She looked at Michael and then to Madeline.

"So.. Operations is my father." Nikita said and Madeline gasped and reached for Nikita's head. NO!" Madeline yelled, not wanting Nikita, for one minute to actually think and believe that it was a possibility. She shook her head as she looked at Nikita's eyes register the movement. Michael watched as Nikita grabbed his hand and fell back down to the bed.

"Thank god..." Nikita softly whispered out. "This hurts too much..."

"I know, Nikita... I know." Madeline said as she pushed back Nikita's hair once more. Michael looked at Madeline and then back to Walter. Madeline turned to view Walter and found the old man's face covered with tears. She knew that she could not hold off on the announcement any further.

"Nikita... We do know who your father is..." Madeline said and Nikita looked around the room. She reached her other hand out to Walter, begging him to come to the bed. Madeline's eyes looked at Walter, slowly signaling that it would be fine to hold Nikita before she gave her the news.

"We're here, sugar." Walter softly said and Nikita squeezed his hand tightly as she looked over to Michael. Michael, continuing Madeline's example, pushed Nikita's hair softly back, as it was a gesture of comfort that had always worked for Nikita. She looked at Madeline and closer her eyes.

"Ok... Tell me." Nikita softly whispered and Madeline looked at the scene and forced out a smile, hoping that this would work out.

"Walter is, Nikita." Madeline said and she paused, as there was no reaction from Nikita. "You father is Walter."

Nikita's eyes opened and instantly connected with Walter's. He dropped his head as he nodded it. Walter tendering pulled Nikita's hand up, holding it with both of his hands and kissed it softly.

"You really are my sugar, Sugar." Walter said as the tears broke through the dam. Nikita gasped and started to cry. Walter bent down and wrapped his hands around Nikita, feeling her tears on his shoulder for the first time as being her father. It made the world so different for Walter, and he was sure that it made it different for Nikita.

"I should go..." Michael softly whispered as he tried to pull his hand away from Nikita's. Nikita turned and looked at Michael.

"No... I need both of you..." Nikita softly responded and Michael nodded his head and looked to Walter. The three did not notice that Madeline had slipped out of the room. There were things that needed to be settled between everyone in the room, but for now, Nikita needed love more than anything else. She was going to receive it, as both men realized that they would give their own life for Nikita.

"What do I call you now?" Nikita gently questioned and Walter smiled as the tears continued to fall down his face. He reached out and tried to dry off Nikita's own tears with the pads of his fingers.

"Walter." Walter commented and Nikita smiled.

"Can I say it once?" Nikita questioned and Walter looked at Nikita, puzzled with the statement, feeling it was one of the riddles that Nikita had a knack of using, thinking that everyone would understand.

"Say what, sugar?" Walter questioned and Nikita swallowed. She looked at Michael and placed his hand around the back of her neck.

"That I love you... daddy." Nikita said as the tears exploded again, from all in the room.

*

Madeline looked at the amounts of paperwork on her desk, knowing that the sum of it, dealt with Project Jade. She sighed and dropped her head. It had been days now that the process of locating and verifying operatives with their fathers had been occurring. It was a trying time for everyone within Section One. The separation between the younger operatives from the older operatives was wide spread and tensions were not easing.

There had also been some difficulties with Nikita. It was putting it mildly. While Nikita was awake, things seemed fine, but it was the dreams and the sleep that combined to make for a powerful force that Nikita did not want to see or hear from. Those dreams kept her from fully going to sleep and when she did, the nightmares that occurred were something that Nikita refused to talk about to anyone, at all. Madeline had been trying all sorts of interventions, knowing that to continue the medication of Nikita would only lead to further problems. The one night she sat as a guard, but it did nothing, and if anything, the nightmares were more intense, and sedation was ordered.

The door slid open and Madeline took a long deep breath. She had to talk to Michael and Walter about what was occurring with Nikita. Both men were now attached to her, no matter what. Madeline lifted her head and jumped a bit in her seat.

"Dr. Garret... I was expecting Michael and Walter." Madeline said and he smiled and sat down in the chair. He reached out and handed a folder to Madeline.

"In there you will see all the children matched with the fathers." Dr. Garret said and Madeline blinked her eyes and continued to look at him.

"How is this possible? I only have fourteen confirmed." Madeline said and Dr. Garret softly smiled as he rubbed his hands together.

"Trust medical technology. All of the men have current offsprings in Section One.. All but one have more than one..." Dr. Garret said and Madeline turned her head and swallowed. She hoped to god that it was only one more child of Operations' running around.

"But, with the way Nikita has been, I feel that it is good that he only has one...." Dr. Garret continued and Madeline stopped and looked to the file.

"You ran this from the mainframe?" Madeline questioned and Dr. Garret hissed and swallowed.

"Actually... Nikita gave me the code to the Cauldron room after a spell." Dr. Garret revealed and Madeline nodded her head. There was a ringing occurring as Madeline looked to the papers, seeing that hers' and Michael's decision to make Walter Nikita's father was factually correct. It made theoretical sense, as the two were a lot a like, and now the genetics proved it. Madeline looked at the file as Dr. Garret stood up and looked to Madeline.

"I have to get to medical.. There is a problem with Nikita..." Dr. Garret said and Madeline lifted her head and swallowed, not liking the sound of the tone that just hit her ears. She waited and sighed.

"What is it?" Madeline questioned and Dr. Garret dropped his head as he pushed his cell phone back into his pocket. He lifted his hand and looked at it before looking back at Madeline.

"They are pumping her stomach right now... Seems as if when she was alone... she found some pills." Dr. Garret said as he turned to the stairs. The door opened as Madeline looked at him, and saw the entering men, drawn in their own faces. Madeline shuddered as they walked down the stairs.

"What is it, Madeline?" Walter asked as he settled into a chair. Michael stood and evaluated Madeline as she stood up from her chair. She slowly pushed the chair into the desk.

"We know that Nikita isn't taking all of this easy." Madeline stated. She looked to the two men, waiting for understated comments, but none were muttered. She knew that Nikita's life could not be defined by the word complicated, as it was more than complicated. Nothing could describe Nikita's life and how she lived until this point was a guarded miracle that no one would know but God himself.

"Maybe if we just get her out of medical... get her back into the apartment." Walter sounded out and Madeline nodded her head. She knew that Nikita was just too dangerous to have inside of medical. Madeline also knew that if she sent Nikita home to that apartment, she would get the 24-hour supervision that she needed, even if a tired Michael gave it.

"That is advisable.. Since she tried to take some pills just a while ago." Madeline stated and she watched Walter sink deeper into his chair as Michael turned his head away. Madeline waited for the heads to slowly drift back to her. "She is going to be fine."

"Maybe I can take her to see Karin again." Michael commented and Madeline nodded her head. She looked to Walter and sighed. Walter looked to Michael and shook his head miniscule at Madeline. She swallowed and reached out and took both of their hands.

"Right now, all she can know.. And all that she depends are you two. I don't care what it takes... I want her back." Madeline said as her voice started to crack with emotion. She turned away quickly after dropping the men's hands. Slowly she returned to her seat. There was a silence that echoed in the room over and over again until Madeline lifted her head and looked at Walter and then to Michael. Yes, some of this was going to fall onto Walter, but Madeline knew that Michael felt the pressure and weight of her statement.

"Doesn't she have to be cleared now by someone?" Walter softly questioned and Madeline nodded her head and looked back towards the door. There were some people she would have considered to use, but two of them were currently mixed into the current paternity fiasco that was plaguing Section One.

"I will do it." Madeline said and Michael looked at her. "What is it Michael?"

"What about Oversight? Will they still want her?" Michael asked and the silence seemed to boom again. It was the question that no one had dared to ask to Madeline. No one wanted to hear that there were further problems, as all believed there would be. Madeline tilted her head to the side and smiled to Michael.

"Oversight is being handled by Maleficent. Nikita is no longer wanted and save within Section One." Madeline said and Michael nodded his head as he stood up.

"Did they say how long until Nikita's medical attention would be completed?" Michael questioned and Madeline shook her head. She watched as Michael stepped out of the office, looking like a man half broken and the other half was beaten.

"He'll be fine." Walter said as he stood up. Madeline sighed and looked at Walter's own stressed face.

"It must be difficult to know all of this." Madeline commented and Walter dropped his head. Slowly it raised with a smile on it.

"All I can think about is the future, because that is all I have with her... This father plans on doing a good job, Madeline. Worry about the other fathers." Walter stated as he waited a few minutes to see Madeline's reaction. She nodded her head up and down and Walter nodded his in return. Slowly he moved and walked out of the office, looking much like Michael had.

*

Michael looked at the tangled wet blonde hair as Nikita sat dutifully on the toilet. He carefully picked up the wide-tooth comb and started to attack the mess of the hair. Slowly he stroked through the knots and then looked back up again.

"Is this hurting you?" Michael softly asked as he looked into Nikita's eyes that looked like they were on the verge of tears again. He paused as she shook her head back and forth lightly.

"It's fine." Nikita finally commented as she turned her eyes away from where Michael was working. His other hand rested on her shoulder as he continued to work on the hair.

"I didn't want to push you today, but Karin explained that today was the only time in the next two weeks she could leave town, I knew you would want to see her." Michael softly said as he continued to stroke at the hair. The bathing situation had definitely improved since Nikita was placed into what one medical personnel called the iron cast. It was made out of rustproof steel and allowed Nikita to get wet. Michael watched over Nikita as she had just finished her first bath, and up until this point, Michael was sure that Nikita had enjoyed it.

"I understand..." Nikita softly said as her thoughts drifted off from that statement. Michael pulled gently to the bottom of her hair and then pulled his head to view her.

"It is just hard..... because...she has had all the things.... She had the love from my mother.... Because she knew that she couldn't take care of her..." Nikita carefully said as she raised her hand to her face, forcing herself to stop the tears.

"It's only natural to think that way, 'Kita." Michael softly commented as he walked in front of Nikita. He dropped his hand and tilted Nikita's face back so that he could view it. Nikita blinked her eyes.

"She is also a mother... she has Tanner... She is going to have a family..." Nikita softly said and Michael swallowed. He picked up the comb and went back to pulling the knots out of her hair.

"Nikita... don't think about it... be grateful that you have the chance to know her." Michael softly said and Nikita dropped her head quickly as Michael had the comb stuck into a knot. She screamed as a chunk of hair pulled out. Michael reached down and rubbed the spot as she cried.

"I didn't mean to upset you... I won't take you to see her again." Michael said as he bent down and pushed the patch of hair into the garbage.

"The hell you won't! I'm going to see my niece!" Nikita screamed out as she turned her head and looked up at Michael with her red eyes. Michael sighed softly and started to comb at the hair again. He moved for several minutes, not sure what to say or do now. Nikita was on an emotional teeter-totter that he didn't know about. Her emotions, her wants, her desires, and her dreams flipped from minute to minute. He tried to understand what Nikita was going through, but he started to dread that this was going to more long term than he thought. Even when Nikita wasn't doing anything for herself, when she was soiling in her bed, it was easier than this Nikita.

"Ok, Nikita. Just tell me what you want and I will try to see that it is done." Michael softly stated and Nikita turned her head to look up at Michael.

"You would do that for me?" Nikita asked softly and Michael looked into her eyes and swallowed. This distrust, wherever it recently popped up from again was disconcerting. He nodded his head up and down and kissed Nikita's forehead.

"So you don't mind sharing me with Walter?" Nikita softly asked and Michael smiled as he started to stroke Nikita's hair, seeing that the knots were growing few and far between.

"We aren't sharing you. We both have you. You are to precious to split into pieces. We both claim ownership on all of you... just with different purposes." Michael said and Nikita nervously laughed and wiped at her tears again.

"I guess that is what happens when you get a family." Nikita said as she continued to wipe at the tears but found that it was an impossible task as they started to roll in a quicker frequency. Nikita turned her head, as Michael dropped the comb and reached for her face. His hands touched her wet hands and also tried to wipe the tears away.

"Yes... that's what happens when you have a family that loves you." Michael stated as he looked at Nikita. She rocked back and forth on the toilet and then sighed.

"You know Michael.. I did something really bad..." Nikita said and Michael pulled his hands away from Nikita's face, not knowing what she was talking about. He placed the hands down on her shoulders as she lifted her head to look into his green eyes, only to allow her head to fall back down.

"What?" Michael softly whispered, knowing that for Nikita to state something like that, she wanted to tell him. He rubbed Nikita's shoulders softly as she raised her head up and nodded it.

"I took the pills.... Because I knew they would send me home." Nikita admitted and Michael stared at Nikita for several minutes. He blinked his eyes and couldn't help the formation of a smile on his face. He reached his hands up to her face and moved it so that she would view his face.

"Because you knew they would send you home... to me?" Michael questioned and Nikita smiled and nodded her head up and down.

"I knew I didn't take enough... I knew they would pump my stomach when I threw the pill bottle at the nurse... but I didn't want to stay there..." Nikita slowly explained and even with her serious voice, Michael could not stop the raising giggles from his stomach.

"Walter is going to enjoy this one..." Michael commented as he laughed louder and Nikita smiled.

"I know." Nikita said and Michael pulled Nikita up off of the toilet and hugged her tightly, pushing his laughter off to the side.

"Ok.. Although it is never wise to leave you in medical without constant attention.. What you did could have been dangerous and you did have us, me and Walter, and Madeline, extremely worried." Michael lectured and Nikita nodded her head as the tears started to flow.

"I'm sorry.. But that's why I told you... I'm really sorry..." Nikita said as she dropped her head and Michael instantly moved his hands to touch Nikita again.

"It's fine, Nikita.... Just don't do it again." Michael said as he kissed Nikita's head. Nikita reached up and lightly brushed her lips against Michael's. Michael eased his lips open and found the warmth of Nikita's mouth and rejoiced within the connection with Nikita, that he longed to have for months, finally happening.

Nikita pulled her head away and smiled, and Michael smiled and opened the door.

"WALTER!" both of them exclaimed. Walter looked and dropped his head.

"Something interesting going on in the bathroom?" Walter asked and Nikita smiled and moved towards him.

"You could have knocked before you used the key. The key is for an emergency." Nikita stated and Michael shook his head. He didn't know that Nikita had given him a key.

"Well.. I'm hungry and had to call for food. That's an emergency in my book!" Walter laughed out and Nikita smiled. "I hope you like Thai."

*

Nikita carefully sat down at the table and rubbed her hands against the surface. She had thought about this happening, but until this point, it was unreal to her. She blinked her eyes, again, still finding it hard that Walter was her father and that he was in her apartment.

Michael opened up the refrigerator as Walter moved over to him. Michael turned his head away from Nikita and reached in for some strawberry-kiwi juice that Nikita had become particularly partial too. He stopped and saw Walter standing there.

"Hey, what's wrong with her?" Walter questioned and Michael sighed as he pulled for a glass.

"You should be asking her." Michael said as he poured the liquid out into the glass. Michael replaced the pitcher and saw that Walter had yet to move. He grabbed the glass and moved towards Nikita.

"Here you go, 'Kita." Michael said and Nikita looked up and smiled at Michael. She slowly sipped at the juice. She reached out and grabbed Michael's hand.

"I've been thinking..." Nikita slowly said as she watched Michael take the chair next to hers and sat down. Michael smiled.

"I have notice that." Michael commented with opened eyes. Nikita smiled and dropped her head.

"Well.. You will be staying here a bit more long term, correct?" Nikita questioned and Michael blinked his eyes and kissed Nikita's hand softly.

"If that is what you want." Michael replied and Nikita smiled and then giggled. She sipped at the juice, driving Michael a bit insane with curiosity of what Nikita was driving at.

"Well... maybe we should get a bigger bed." Nikita asked with raised eyebrows. Michael laughed and dropped his head.

"Why a bigger bed? You have that much activity planned for it!" Walter laughed out as he rounded away from the kitchen and moved to the table. Nikita turned red and dropped her head.

"You're my father.. You aren't suppose to make comments like that!" Nikita exclaimed in playful shock. Michael smiled; it was so nice to see Nikita smiling like this. It made his heart so much lighter, to know that she was rebounding.

"Let's just say your father is very open with his opinions." Walter laughed out. He looked to Michael and winked. "In fact... I would expect that you would need a bigger bed with such a strapping young man to play Twister with."

"WALTER!!!" Nikita exclaimed with a wide opened mouth still shocked that he had said that.

"In fact... you two better get some heavy duty springs.. And a lot of oil so that they don't squeak and keep the neighbors up!" Walter continued and Nikita dropped her head.

"I was thinking that we needed a bigger bed because of my leg, Walter." Nikita said as she lifted her head with not a smile to be seen. Walter stopped and dropped to his knees.

"I didn't mean to upset you, sugar... Ok.. I guess I have a lot to learn about this father thing." Walter said as he reached out and touched Nikita's good leg.

"I guess you do." Nikita said as the tears rolled down her face. Walter looked up at Michael; feeling like a pair of hands had just pushed through into his heart and started to squeeze his heart.

"I won't ever learn to like those, sugar.. Please.. Stop crying." Walter said as he reached out and dried the tears. Nikita smiled and helped Walter push the tears away.

"DELIVERY!" a voice echoed out as the knock at the door was heard. Walter stood up and moved to gather the food he ordered.

"Madeline, what are you doing here and why are you holding my food hostage?" Walter asked and Madeline pushed through and smiled as Michael leaned down and kissed Nikita's lips softly. Madeline blinked her eyes and turned away.

"I was getting my own Thai food when they were arguing over who had to deliver to this apartment... I just paid for it and took it." Madeline said as she pulled the bags out and placed them on the table. She slowly looked to Walter, then to Nikita, and then finally to Michael.

"What's going on here?" Madeline slowly questioned as Walter reached into the bag and started to pull at the contents of the bag. Walter motioned to Michael to get some dished.

"First you have to have the Tom Yam Kung... This place has the best.. It will make you strong." Walter said as he pulled out the soup container as Michael dropped some bowls to the table and then some dishes.

"We need silverware." Nikita commented and Madeline stopped and looked around. She blinked her eyes at the domesticity that was going on around her. It was odd to see Walter and Michael doing everything for Nikita, but she knew in time that Nikita would be an equal partner in this arrangement, as soon as her leg healed.

"What did you get, Madeline?" Walter questioned as he tried to look into her bag. Madeline blinked her eyes as Walter quickly handed Nikita the Thai soup. Nikita smiled, as she liked the taste.

"Som Tam.. The papaya salad." Madeline commented as she blinked her eyes again. "What is going on here?"

"Do you think sugar can have some? We need to get some meat on those bones." Walter stated and Madeline handed her bag over to Walter.

"What else do we have?" Nikita softly questioned as she had quickly finished off the soup. Walter whistled at the cleaned dish and prompted placed some salad for Nikita.

"Someone answer me." Madeline stated firmly, feeling suddenly way out of the loop. Michael dropped his spoon back into the Tom Yam Kung and looked to Madeline.

"We were just discussing how many input Walter should have about me and 'Kita getting a bigger bed." Michael stated and then moved back to his food.

"Now this is my favorite, sugar... Kaeng Khieo Wan Kai.. Its green chicken curry..." Walter said and Nikita inhaled the sent.

"A bigger bed?" Madeline questioned.

"What else do you have for me to eat, Walter?" Nikita questioned and Madeline looked to Nikita, surprised with Nikita's attention being solely on the food.

"Nikita? A bigger bed? Care to explain?" Madeline questioned again and Walter placed another food item on the dish.

"This is crispy fried noodles.. Or Mi Krop..." Walter identified as Nikita picked up a fork and dived into the food. Walter turned and looked to Madeline.

"We have plenty... sit down and join us." Walter smiled to Madeline and she shook her head, flustered with the happenings around her. She blinked her eyes as she looked at Walter and then turned her head. That was when she saw Michael playfully feeding Nikita a piece of the chicken.

"The bed. Tell me about the bed." Madeline said and Nikita giggled.

"Walter wanted me to get this huge bed with heavy duty springs because he thought his daughter was going to be doing some sexual gymnastics with this strapping young man that is feeding me.. While he forgot that with the iron cast that it would be uncomfortable for Michael to be rubbing against it all night." Nikita stated and then turned her head to eat some more. Walter smiled and Madeline and grabbed the phone.

"I think we are going to need more..." Walter said as he dialed the number, winking at Michael as he moved away, seeing Madeline pulling a chair up and joining them for reasons she didn't even know and understand. She wasn't going to try to attempt to understand. Nikita seemed to be getting better, and that was what Madeline wanted. She pushed the thoughts of the bigger bed and Michael permanently staying in the apartment away as she picked up the dish and scooped some of the Mi Krop onto her plate.

*

Nikita held Michael's hand softly as Walter moved out of the bedroom and sighed.

"Are you sure you want to stay in this apartment? You'll be lucky to get a queen size in there, sugar." Walter commented as Madeline turned the catalogue and turned it to Madeline. Nikita smiled and nodded her head.

"This apartment means a lot." Nikita softly said as she rubbed Michael's hand softly. Michael bent down and nuzzled her neck lightly. Nikita turned her head and yawned lightly.

"You are tired, 'Kita." Michael softly stated as he looked at Nikita. She nodded her head, as she knew to lie with this bunch of people would be a waist of time. Madeline stood up and looked at the catalog.

"Well.. I know the owner of this store... I should go see if I can get a quick delivery on this piece...." Madeline said as she stood up and grabbed for her purse. Nikita tilted her head to the side and sighed.

"I didn't mean you should leave. I can't just kick you out. Stay.. Have some tea. I'm fine." Nikita stated politely as she looked to Madeline. Walter looked to Madeline and leaned down to Nikita.

"Look... I'm going to go with her too. Sugar, you look tired, we just didn't want to say anything about it." Walter said and Nikita nodded her head with regret that she allowed them to see it. Michael kissed her again.

"I'm going to get her to bed, Walter. Don't worry." Michael commented and Walter leaned down and then looked around. Michael turned towards Madeline and reached for her arm.

"Why don't I walk you to the car so you can get ready to go?" Michael said as he opened the door, creating the needed space for Walter and Nikita. Walter smiled and turned towards Michael.

"Have a good night, sugar." Walter said and Nikita nodded her head and touched Walter's arm softly. He was making all of this so easy for Nikita to understand and to deal with.

"Thank you, dad." Nikita softly stated and Walter smiled and kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad you liked the Thai food. Next time I will have to try something else." Walter said and Nikita nodded her head.

"Yeah, a father has to know what his daughter likes.... You don't mind Michael, do you?" Nikita softly asked and Walter pulled up for a moment. He did remember a time where he did not want Michael anywhere near Nikita. It was during the mission with Elena, as he was sure that when Nikita would find out that it would hurt Nikita to no end.

"Sugar... he loves you.. And I cannot hate any man that does that. Because in the end, you mean the most." Walter said as nudged Nikita's cheek and turned to leave. Nikita smiled and dropped her head.

It was only a few moments later that Michael shut the door and took Nikita to the bed, lightly placed her in the nightgown.

"Michael, you do know that I often don't wear a nightgown." Nikita softly stated and Michael nodded his head as he pulled off his pants and slide into the bed with Nikita in only his boxers.

"Yes... You should know, Nikita, I usually don't wear boxers either." Michael stated and Nikita smiled and cuddled her head down into Michael's shoulder.

"You don't wear anything more often than not." Nikita stated as she rubbed her hands across Michael's chest as his arms moved to pull her closer to him. Nikita softly sighed, content and secure in his arms, feeling right and whole for the first time in a long time. She thought that she would never feel a peace that equaled the peace that she found out on that grassy mountain lookout, but this didn't even touch it. It was a peace that transcended her, and included Michael.

Nikita softly sighed and the tears of happiness drifted out of her eyes, hitting Michael's bare chest. Michael lifted his head off of Nikita's lone pillow and looked at her. He rubbed her shoulder tenderly, but felt the tears continuing to hit his chest in a good frequency.

"Nikita.. What is it? Why are you crying?" Michael softly whispered as he tried to move his head to look at Nikita. He had a feeling of peace until the tears hit his chest. His chest continued to sting with each single out tear.

"Oh Michael... sometimes you just have to cry..." Nikita gasped out and pushed her head up. She looked at Michael's concerned eyes.

"I'm crying because I am happy." Nikita stated and Michael kissed each of her cheeks, and then each of her eyes. Nikita's tears did not stop, only increased.

"I never understood tears of happiness..." Michael whispered and Nikita sighed and placed her head down on his chest, still letting the tears flow.

"It was like when Walter showed me the card..." Nikita softly said and Michael rubbed her back as he looked up at the ceiling.

"What card?" Michael tenderly questioned. He waited and rubbed Nikita's arm again. "Nikita, what card?"

"Adam made me a get well card. He gave it to Walter today.... He told me that I had to get better to show him to use the compass some day in the woods." Nikita tenderly said and Michael smiled. It didn't make his tears go away, but they helped his pain. Through the tender soul and being of Nikita, who Michael loved more than life, he could touch the other being he loved more than life. It was not as planned, but as it would be.

It would have been sad if Michael thought about it that way. Yet, things not planned sometimes were the best events. Nikita now had a father, who loved and cherished her. She could never regain her childhood, but now, she could have a father.

"Go to sleep, Nikita." Michael softly muttered as he kissed her head and rubbed her arm slowly again. He sighed and closed his own eyes, giving his thoughts to the goddesses that would bring dreams, and Michael knew that the content would be of the women in his arms.

*

Walter pushed the door open and looked at the dark apartment, have pleased to find that the couple was sleeping. He looked at the tiny brown puppy that lifted its head up to look at Walter and he shut the door. He moved to the couch and placed the puppy down onto the cushion. Walter watched as it curled up and went to sleep on the soft surface.

Walter moved towards the bedroom. He smiled broadly. He didn't know what Nikita wanted a bigger bed, she might as well be laying directly on top of Michael as their bodies tangled within each others in a sleeping knot. Nikita had her head directly over Michael's heart and he held her protectively there, not wanting her to move.

"Coffee." Walter said as he moved to the kitchen and started to make coffee. He turned and saw that even the smell of coffee didn't rouse Michael from his sleeping state and Walter laughed.

"Maybe I can try my hand on those New Orleans Beignets that Sugar loves." Walter sighed as he pulled out the batter that he had special ordered for Nikita a couple years ago and started to hum as he worked.

Nikita's nose twitched as softly soft and wet licked her arm that was hanging off the side of the bed.

"Hey.. That tickles.." Nikita softly giggled, still so asleep to realize what it was. She moaned and flipped her arm back up onto Michael; softly drifting back to the heavy sleep she was basking in. Michael did not even move as he continued to hold her.

The wetness soon returned to her cheek and Nikita's eyes opened up quickly. She was face to face with a small precious puppy.

"OH, it's a puppy!" Nikita exclaimed as she sat up. The puppy jumped onto Michael's chest, bringing him to awareness of what is going on. He blinked his eyes as Nikita picked the puppy up in her arms and played with it as a little baby.

"Where did that come from?" Michael questioned and Nikita smiled and giggled as she rubbed the puppy to her face.

"I don't know.. It was licking my face... Look how cute..." Nikita said and paused. She lifted the puppy up and looked between her legs. "She is.."

"I see you found your gift." Walter said as he stood at the top of the stairs, lightly covered with a dusting of powdered sugar.

"My gift?" Nikita questioned as she cradled the puppy down into her arms. She rubbed its light brown coat and smiled.

"Yes.. Madeline suggested.... I found it." Walter said as he turned away, leaving Nikita with the puppy and Michael.

"Michael... we are the proud parents of a puppy!" Nikita exclaimed as she settled back down into Michael's body. The puppy walked up Nikita's chest and tried to lick her breasts. Michael grabbed the puppy up.

"I don't care if you are a girl puppy.. Those are mine." Michael said gruffly and then playfully tickled the puppy's stomach. He set her back down on Nikita's stomach and rubbed her head softly before kissing Nikita tenderly.

"Well... what are we going to name her?" Michael questioned and Nikita sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"I always liked the name Beatrice." Nikita softly commented as she rubbed the puppy's fur. Michael started to laugh.

"If you think that is a good name for a dog, I don't want to know what you pick for the names of our children." Michael laughed out and then stopped too late, hearing the words echoing in the room. He slowly turned his head down as he looked at Nikita. Walter had walked back up the stairs as he heard the comment.

"You want to have children... with me?" Nikita gasped out as the tears rolled down her face again. Michael nodded his head and kissed her cheek. He knew that it might never happen, that it would never be allowed, but that realization might have been the greatest gift to Nikita.

"You would be a wonderful mother, Nikita... and you are the only women I ever want to see any more of my children... It was torture for me to watch Elena... but I love you, Nikita... and nothing can be wrong with that." Michael said and Nikita gasped and swallowed. She nodded her head as she accepted his kisses, pleasure and happiness rolling down her eyes once more. Nothing but happiness in those tears.

Walter turned from the stairs, feeling like he was intruding again. He had the conversation with Madeline. He would never tell the loving pair now, but Madeline had actually brought the questioned up. "Do you think Michael and Nikita would want to have a child?" Madeline casually asked last night as they waited to finish to make the paper work for the bed.

"Ok.. We can name her.. Libby." Nikita stated with a laugh and Michael kissed her again.

"I like that name, Nikita." Michael softly said a rubbed the puppy as it fell asleep on Nikita's stomach. Nikita smiled and rubbed the puppy with her own hand on top of Michael's.

"Welcome to the family Libby." Nikita happily stated. Michael kissed her head, content on staying in the bed, but knowing that the smell from the kitchen was going to pull both himself and Nikita up to the land of the living and not the land of the dreaming. He rubbed Nikita's arm. It was the first time in a long time that he wasn't worried about the past and he wasn't worried about the future. He had this time, with Nikita, in his arms. He was sure that Nikita felt similar and he kissed her again. Knowing that from that point on, Nikita would be in his arms.

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