Henry Papappas stood outside the house, pacing back and forth as he looked at his watch for the twentieth time for the past half-hour. His heart was racing with so many emotions he didn't know which one to be sure of and which one to trust. Yet, as he looked down the street for a car that he didn't know what it would look like, he had to worry about the one that should be worried about, Nikita.

Henry was sure that Michael was worried enough for Nikita, but Michael didn't know what the damage of electricity did to a body. He didn't know what was going to happen in the next few days... maybe even next few weeks. Actually, Henry didn't know that either. He knew he was there to assist Michael, and Madeline when she did arrive, and to keep his wife, Mrs. Papappas away from Nikita until she was at least able to handle herself again.

It was going to be a big task.

A difficult task.

Almost down right impossible task.

Yet, Henry knew it had to be done. He knew the sweet Nikita and he knew when Madeline knows she did something wrong. For Madeline to explain how she knew him and how Henry got released from Section One was a huge flare that screamed that Madeline had something to do with this mess. Henry was sure that he would find out how big of a mess it would be.

The house next to him was the one that Nikita had stayed in. He wished that they hadn't rented it out, but they needed the money to help pay for the new stove that his wife insisted on buying. So, where Michael and Nikita were staying in this time was the house that Michael had rented, and now Henry was sure that Michael never unpacked into.

Henry Papappas' own reaction when hearing Madeline explain whom Michael and Nikita were one of amazement. Section One had always been about separating the human from the body, but both of these people appeared not able to do just a task. It didn't seem like it was in them to do that. Henry was disappointed in Madeline for having done this, but he knew there was nothing he could do against a big machine like Section One, who rarely showed mercy towards anyone like they did towards Henry.

Something was brewing in Section One and Madeline for all of this planning and deception. He wanted to know what Nikita wasn't sent to the medical of Section One, knowing that they could care for Nikita better than he could. Henry wondered what Madeline was trying to hide or what kind of stunt she was trying to pull this time. She had always been the master of deception, making any do what she wanted them to do with motives that most didn't realize until years down the line. Henry had to wonder about his role in this entire mess that he saw Madeline in. Did she send them to this town because of the target the first time, or did she send them to this town because he was there?

Henry shook his head as he paced up and down the sidewalk, hoping for Michael to arrive with Nikita. He didn't want to think about Section One at this moment, as he wanted to be thinking about Michael and more importantly Nikita. Yet, his memories and his mind were not under his control and he blamed that on Madeline.

Henry snorted as he thought back and forth. When Walter was the doctor, Henry pushed the thought back, trying to assure himself that the doctor only resembled Walter. Now, he knew the truth and he couldn't believe he was so close to his dearest friend and wasn't able to do or say anything about it. He had found out that Walter was sent there for a medical purpose and Henry was sure that he would find out why later. Madeline had just politely said that it wasn't any of his business and not to question about it again.

That was all Henry Papappas was able to do in this entire hellish wait, question everything that was going on and questioning why it was occurring. He had numerous questions about how Madeline decided on this town and questions about what was Madeline specifically doing on this long and multi-stepped mission. Henry had questions about how Nikita was hurt with electricity and he questioned why Madeline wouldn't give him further information about it.

Henry looked down the way as a car pulled down, slowing quickly to pull to the curb. Now was the time for everything to happen. He was sure in a few seconds of seeing Nikita that he would know if she would make it and be almost the same or if she wasn't going to make it. It was a lot for a young girl, now that he also realized that most likely, Nikita was never in a car accident, and that Section One had done something else to her.

Henry waited as Michael stepped out of the car and around it. His face was drawn and finally it all hit him at once. What he had seen and what his wife had seen between Michael and Nikita was real. Section One didn't want it to occur, and Henry was sure that Paul hated it, but someone it still lived. The connection was there and Henry swallowed as he began to wonder if Madeline was fostering that feeling, allowing it to grow. If she was, she was showing a sick way of doing so.

*

Henry started to the car as he finally saw a swatch of Nikita's blonde hair and then her pasty face. His heart stopped a second, as she seemed to be swimming in the vast backseat that Madeline and arranged to look and be like a bed. Michael started to call for Nikita, but was not getting a response. Henry moved to the door and touched Michael's arm.

"Let's just get her inside." Henry said as he tried to pull the pillow off of Nikita's chest. Michael snatched Henry Papappas and pushed him hard against the car and Henry shook his head. He didn't know what he had done to cause this.

"She is burned there too." Michael hissed as he started to move to gather Nikita. Henry swallowed and looked his head over the car, trying to push the last seconds of his instant anger and then fear away. He hadn't been handled his in such a way, other than his wife, for what seemed like half of his life. Henry pushed his own old hair back and waited as Michael handed him the IV bag and grabbed Nikita into his arms.

Henry moved quickly to the front door, knowing that no one else was watching them. He had a delicate enough time trying to explain to his wife Esther why Nikita and Michael were back and why they didn't want to be disturbed. Madeline had painted him a wonderful story to tell that worked with everyone else in the town but of course his wife didn't believe it. Maybe it wasn't so much that she didn't believe that Nikita fell during rock climbing with Michael, what she didn't believe was that she couldn't be helped. Henry half the time never understood his wife's nature to overstate herself and usually became an annoyance.

In fact, everything that happened with Michael and Nikita were in the town the last time made Henry think they were a real couple and that Nikita just had a few problems. Now, that he knew the history, or what Madeline had at least told him, Henry was sure that whatever caused Nikita's deep emotional breakdown the one night was due to something that Section One did to her, or at least exposed her too.

Yet there were words that echoed to Henry that were more important about Nikita and when Madeline said them he sat down and almost cried. She was an innocent. Those were Madeline's words, "She is innocent". Henry almost broke down and cried until Madeline's voice echoed back. "And in his own way, Michael is too." Henry was destroyed to know that Section did this to two innocents and made them into something they weren't. Henry realized how distraught that Paul had to be in for him to find that the two that were most alike in Section One had found each other. It bothered Henry and it must bother Paul.

"We need to get more IV fluids..." Henry stated as Michael sat Nikita down on the couch and was glad to find a pole for the IV already sitting there. Michael bent down on his knees as Nikita's eyes fluttered open. She rolled her head to Michael's touch and Henry ceased his movement.

Henry Papappas hadn't been the one to view the relationship between Michael and Nikita as much as Esther had. He had heard all about how his wife believed they were the perfect couple and how they seemed to be connected. Henry heard about how his wife walked on them while they were in the whirlpool and had been there when his wife cried over their note of their elopement.

Now Henry watched Michael carefully soothing Nikita as Henry checked that the rings were on the both of them, knowing that the small details always counted. And the rings where there as Nikita's hand fluttered towards Michael before she closed her eyes and rolled her head away. Henry licked his lips and reached down and brushed Nikita's head.

That was when he finally saw the burns around her neck. He swallowed as he saw the site of the electrical damage. He shook his head and moved away as Michael stood up and went to the car to retrieve some of the bags that Madeline had specially packed for just the medical care of Nikita. Henry looked at Nikita and swallowed as he started to remember what happened to him, and what continued to happen to him. Henry moved to Nikita's side and lifted up the pillow to look at the burn that was underneath of it.

"Ugly, isn't it?" Michael whispered as he dropped the two heavy bags down. Henry barely nodded his head as he went to the bags and started to look through the supplies, happy to find numerous fluids. He knew that the quicker he got Nikita to drink herself that she would be better off. Michael stopped Henry and handed him a tube.

"You probably didn't have this in Section One when you were around." Michael said and Henry glanced at the plastic tube. He read the words and paused as his jaw involuntarily dropped from the words that claimed what the liquid it contained inside of it did. "It does work. You should have seen those burns four hours ago."

"Then it is good to know that she won't have to live with them long... but the damage is still done." Henry preached as he walked over to Nikita's side and started to spread the ointment on Nikita's neck and then carefully on the one on her chest. Nikita trembled with his touch and Henry swallowed. "She still has pain sensation."

"It must be difficult..." Michael softly commented as he looked at the IV bag and started to change it before Henry could think to do it himself. Henry paused as he looked at Nikita and swallowed. There was something about her very presence that told him that she was so much more. That very presence made Henry fell like no matter what he did for her, that it would work in time. He didn't worry any more, not like he did during the time before they arrived. He was worried about his skills, his lack of new medical knowledge, but now, everything calmed down.

"No.... I learned to live with it." Henry said and Michael sadly sighed as he expertly changed the bag and swiped Nikita's hair off of her face, only to watch the fan blow it back down onto her face. Michael blinked his eyes and few times and looked to Henry with the greenest eyes he had ever seen.

"Nikita never learns to live with things." Michael said and those words spoke volumes of whom Nikita was. Henry didn't know her past and only had a compressed outline of what happened to her since Nikita was brought to Section One. Yet, Michael's words seemed to be more on the target than any dragged out speech from Madeline about the importance Nikita has inside of Section One in order to maintain an homeostasis that they had been recently able to enjoy and bask in.

"And what do you mean by that?" Henry asked as he looked at Michael. Michael turned again to look at the older man. Henry swallowed as Michael's eyes had dropped to a gray within mere seconds. Michael moved closer to Henry before he looked over his shoulder to look at Nikita. It was like Henry had asked Michael to betray Nikita's trust and he hadn't done so.

"You'll learn it all sooner or later... but she doesn't accept the way things are and won't accept it ever." Michael said and Henry nodded his head and lifted his head to look directly at Michael, not acting like a lower being anymore. "Just the same way you do... only she is more vocal?"

Michael swallowed and rubbed his lips together to stop his advancing anger. He studied Henry in a way that he didn't do before when he was in the town. Now Michael knew that he was trained to kill too, just like he was. Now Michael knew that somehow, the eyes of Section One felt sorrow, or more importantly, compassion for this man, and allowed him to start a life anew. Now Henry had a wife and a store and the reality crashed around him. Section One knew where he was and now was using him. So much for a new life! Michael bit the anger back one more second and allowed it to leave.

"You may say that. But her behavior started back before Section One." Michael stated in a calm voice and as he hoped the blank stare was still across his face. Henry nodded his head up and down and looked at Nikita.

"And does it include your relationship?" Henry harshly questioned. Again, Michael bit back his anger, knowing that anger wasn't going to help Nikita now. He didn't know how the focus got off of the deeply injured Nikita that was lying on the couch and onto this topic. Michael swallowed and almost growled as he looked at Henry Papappas.

"It is her nature." Michael replied and Henry nodded with a smile. He didn't quite know if Nikita was unhappy about the relationship. Henry was sure that she accepted, but what she didn't accept was the other things that went around it. Henry turned back towards Nikita and pulled at a rag.

"Why don't you get a dish and some cold water... she needs bathed." Henry said and Michael snatched the rag out of Henry's hand and turned towards the kitchen. He leaned over Nikita and touched her forehead. Her eyes opened and looked into his. There was no fear in them as he looked at Nikita and he tilted his own head to the side, trying to see Nikita even better.

"You're in good hands now, Nikita.... Michael and I will take care of you." Henry softly said and Nikita blinked her eyes a few times before her eyes closed. Henry wasn't sure if she understood, and if she did, she only understood one word, Michael.

*

The knocking at the door didn't start till four hours passed, but both Henry and Michael knew it would occur. Nikita was soundly sleeping, and in Henry's opinion looked a bit better than when she had arrived. The two men had actually gotten Nikita to drink some kind of potion that Madeline said was better than water. Henry doubted the use, but was sure she was right, but any liquid would have made the two men proud of Nikita.

Yet, rest was what Nikita needed, and that wasn't going to be what she got when Mrs. Papappas started to pound on the door.

"Henry! You let me in! I'm the nurse not you!" Mrs. Papappas pounded on the door. Michael looked up from the floor, where he sat in front of Nikita, continuing the battle against the fan that pushed her wet tendrils of her blonde hair over her face. Henry swallowed and nodded his head and moved to the door and opened it up, keeping the chain on it.

"Esther, you need to be quiet." Henry softly implored his wife, but he could see from the look in her eyes and from the supplies she brought with her that she was correct and her husband was the one that was wrong.

"She needs a woman!" Mrs. Papappas protested and Henry looked at his wife and shook his head. Most of the times he would just let his wife do what she wanted to do, but he knew that this case was different for the time being. There were too many things that would show his wife that Nikita had not fallen from a cliff.

"She doesn't need anything now as she is out." Henry firmly said as he pressed his hand against the wall and shook his head. Mrs. Papappas stood back and stomped her foot on the porch as her eyes narrowed and focused on Henry. Her rage in the man was getting to be more and more.

"How dare you! I don't care if you are my husband... I'm going to take care of that poor girl, just like God wants me too!" Mrs. Papappas yelled out and Henry swallowed back, and knew that this was going to be battle that was only going to escalate beyond his control.

"I'm her husband, and I know what is best. We can take care of her." Michael said as he approached the door and looked out of the five inches of the opening of the door there was. Mrs. Papappas shook her head, wagging a finger at Michael accusing him of some crime she couldn't even say. She was just upset that someone else thought they could take better care of the charge that she picked on protecting forever.

"Esther... Please... go home." Henry said as Michael looked at the couch and then grabbed at Henry's shoulder before dashing back. Henry looked at the motions of Nikita's body and slammed the door in his wife's face. Yes, Henry knew that probably for the next six months he would be sleeping on the couch, but that wasn't a concern. He wouldn't live if Nikita didn't make it.

"She is having a seizure... Madeline gave me...."

"Michael, No."

"Look at her, Henry! She is having a seizure!"

"She isn't..."

"She is convulsing, Henry! We need to stop it!" Michael said as he rummaged through the bag. Henry reached forward and grabbed the bag away from the upset Michael. He never showed his emotions as clearly as now, Michael was totally devoted to this woman, not from something that Section One told him to do, but because his heart told me to do. Henry was sure that when Nikita was better that she was devoted to Michael in the same way and manner.

"It's the electricity, Michael. It isn't a seizure." Henry explained and Michael blinked his eyes and swallowed as he touched Nikita's hands. They continued to tremble and Michael looked concerned that Henry was wrong. Henry sighed and sat down by Nikita's feet, taking a position on the floor as Michael stayed on his knees.

"It happened to me a lot... At least she is a sleep.... It's more frightening when you are awake... and you see your body trembling, but you can't stop it." Henry softly said as he looked down at the carpet. He didn't notice the compassionate eyes of Michael's turning towards him in moment that Michael was finding more and more common, feeling something more for everyone else.

Michael didn't want to admit it, but of late, being near Nikita was rubbing off on him in ways he didn't now. When Madeline was beating herself up about what she caused to happen to Nikita, Michael first hated her, but the slowly started to feel something for her. No, he didn't excuse Madeline's actions, but he knew that she did the actions believing she was doing something for Nikita that was needed.

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way.... When sorrows like sea billows roll;...Whatever my lot,...Thou hast taught me to say,...It is well, it is well with my soul...." Mrs. Papappas loudly started to sing from the porch. Henry slowly raised his eyebrows as he watched Michael stand up and pear out of the window, with a festering anger that was building.

"It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul....." Mrs. Papappas loudly sang out as her voice stretched out of its range and cracked. Michael looked down at Henry and focused his anger.

"My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought--...My sin--not in part, but the whole--...Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,... Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!.... It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul...." Mrs. Papappas sang out, now with the sound of tears cascading down her face. Henry slowly stood up; feeling Michael's eyes staring at him with an anger that would soon get him killed if his wife continued on with her actions.

"Esther... please... She is recovering." Henry softly said as he opened the door to find his wife kneeling in front of the door, holding a cross in her hands. She looked up with her old and wrinkled face caked with tears and the running make up from the tears. She shook her head and looked up to the sky.

"She needs to heal with God...." Mrs. Papappas cried out, pleading to her husband with her crying eyes. Henry swallowed and shook his head back and forth, telling her that she wasn't going to get inside of the house.

"She needs quiet, Esther." Henry said with stern eyes as he told himself he couldn't melt in front of his wife. Henry reached out and touched his wife's wet cheeks through the opening of the door. "I'm sorry... but that is what is best for Nikita."

"Fine." Mrs. Papappas softly said as she slowly stood up. Henry turned and closed the door and walked back to the living room. Michael raised his eyes and looked at Henry carefully. There was something dangerous in those eyes that Henry was so use to not seeing in people. He dropped his head and sat back down and rubbed at Nikita's legs as the twitching and what Michael called convulsing ceased slowly.

"Will that continue on for long?" Michael softly questioned and Henry laughed.

"My wife won't stop until she sees Nikita." Henry snorted out and Michael blinked his head and dropped his head down slightly.

"I wasn't talking about Mrs. Papappas, I was talking about Nikita's trembles." Michael softly stated and Henry lifted his head with the face of an embarrassed man shining back at Michael. Henry reached behind him and slightly rubbed Nikita's leg and swallowed.

"It will probably continue for some time... so, when she is awake and sees it the first time, it is going to bother her, to say the least." Henry admitted softly as he rubbed his own chin.

"Let us become a tree branch on the vine that is you, a branch that bears much fruit. Let us accept in our lives in the way it pleases you to come into them: as Truth, to be spoken, as Life, to be lived, as Light, to be lighted, as Love, to be followed, as Joy, to be given; as Peace, to be spread about; as Sacrifice, to be offered; among our friends, among our neighbors and all people...." Mrs. Papappas loudly stated the prayer out from the doorway again. Michael looked at Henry as he stood up.

"I'll take care of it." Henry said and Michael looked up at him and blinked his eyes with a stern look on his face. Henry trembled as he looked at the stare, knowing that whatever was going to be said next was going to be serious.

"You better, or I will. You know I can." Michael stated out the threat as if he was just saying hello. There was no regret in his voice for threatening the life of Henry's own wife and Henry felt the chill grab his body as he found it almost impossible to make his way to the door.

Again, he found his wife on her knees, crying. Henry tilted his head down and shook it back and forth, finding it difficult for Esther to be like this. In all her years with him, she never was like this until Nikita came into their lives. Yes she was overprotective and at times over religious. Plus she was a busy body that felt like the town's business was her business, but not like she was with Nikita. This obsession with Nikita was something more than Henry had expected.

"Wouldn't it be more appropriate for you to pray at church?" Henry questioned as he noticed Michael standing up in the living room. Henry felt Michael's every move as now, even though he was helping Michael with Nikita, he was sure that Michael would carry through with his threat on his wife's life if it any way hampered Nikita's well being.

"But then if you have problems I won't be nearby." Mrs. Papappas protested out and Henry shook his head. His wife again tried to enter the house but Henry shook his head.

"I can't explain this, Esther. Just do your praying somewhere else, please." Henry softly said. He saw the sadness in his wife's eyes as she pulled her bags up and started to leave the porch. Henry continued to stare out the door, watching until she pulled the car away and down the street. Anything less than that and his wife may have come back to continue her prayer vigil in front of the house.

"I didn't mean to threaten you. I am stressed." Michael stated bluntly as he moved to the hallway and extended a hand to Henry. Henry returned the gesture with a giant hug and he rubbed Michael's back roughly, trying to tell him that everything was going to be ok. Henry could only wish getting Nikita better were as easy as sending his wife away.

*

Michael sleepily blinked his eyes as he stood in the kitchen, watching the steady stream of the coffee hit the coffeepot. He rolled his head off to the side and then back, hoping to push off the yawn that was overwhelming his system, until it finally took control. Michael covered his mouth and then dropped his head when the yawn was done. He continued to stare at the stream of coffee, trying to wean what strength he had left for the day to come.

Although Henry had fallen asleep and had watched Nikita at given times, Michael refused to sleep unless it happened accidentally and then when he did wake up, the torture would begin. Michael would pound at his legs angrily, swearing that he was letting Nikita down and then stand up. He would check Nikita from head to toe and then stand up. His next move was usually to down an entire pot of extra strong black coffee and go back to Nikita's side. That was the way Michael's life was for three straight days.

Henry's had a bit more excitement and was a bit more manageable as he knew that he could sleep that Nikita was stable enough to allow her to just sleep. His days were complicated more with the arrival of his wife and then her natural screaming match, followed by a church hymn or two and then a dozen and a half prayers, all outside of the door that kept her away from seeing Nikita. Henry just couldn't get through to her and he knew that soon enough, his wife would make it to the porch for the next round of the boxing match they were going through.

Michael contently smiled when the coffee was done and he was able to fill his mug and return to the living room. Henry turned his head as he looked up from Nikita. He was sitting on the edge of the couch as Michael approach. He got the clear view of Michael's face as Nikita turned her head and stared at Michael with her vivid and lovely blue eyes staring at him. Henry was sure that he was going to drop the hot mug of coffee, but instead Michael shoved it to the mantel and fell to his knees in front of Nikita.

"Nikita.... Nikita... oh, Nikita.." Michael softly said as he looked at her face and tenderly stroked her face. She carefully smiled back at him. Michael pressed a kiss to each of her cheeks and then stared at her like he was afraid that she was going to fade away in front of her. He held her hands and then bent down to kiss her again, making sure that she was real and her eyes being open was true and happening.

"Nikita... do you know you I am?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita softly chuckled at the comment.

"Michael..." Nikita replied in a voice that Michael didn't realize he missed so badly. He wanted to stay in that moment holding her because she was seeing him and looking at her knowing that she knew who he was. Michael just wanted to protect this woman that he had always protected, but because of something so much more fundamental that Michael couldn't even form words to explain how he felt and he wasn't sure anyone else could comprehend what he was feeling.

"Do you know where you are, Nikita?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita rolled her head to the side and looked around.

"No." Nikita commented and Michael took a deep breath in, worried about how much damage the electricity did to the memory, something that both Henry and Madeline mentioned as being difficult and most complicated to bring back. Henry softly touched Michael's shoulder and smiled at him.

"She never came into this house, Michael. She knows the town." Henry softly said and Nikita nodded her head up and down. Michael touched her chin and was finding himself drowning in the stare that Nikita gave him, finding it so peaceful in those moments that he didn't worry about anything else.

"Michael... I do have to ask her some things... see how her mind if functioning..." Henry softly said and Michael nodded his head up and down as he allowed his hands to slip from Nikita's fingertips. Nikita smiled and then slowly the happiness faded off of her face.

"We are going to test your memory... Ok?" Henry started off and Nikita nodded her head up and down. Henry looked around and swallowed. "I'm going to give you three objects. After I say them, I want you to repeat them and then remember them."

Michael looked around the room, almost feeling like an outsider until Nikita's eyes grazed against his again. Nikita beamed and nodded her head one last time to Henry.

"Car... quartz... thumbtack." Henry softly said.

"Car, quartz, thumbtack." Nikita quickly said and Henry smiled and patted Nikita's arm. He looked around and swallowed. There were footfalls on the steps and Henry rolled his eyes as all of Michael's muscles tightened with the immediate reaction in knowing that Mrs. Papappas had returned for her daily trip.

"Heal us, Emmanuel, hear our prayer...We wait to feel Thy touch;...Deep wounded souls to Thee repair, And Savior, we are such....Our faith is feeble, we confess....We faintly trust Thy Word;....But wilt Thou pity us the less?....Be that far from Thee, Lord!..." Mrs. Papappas started to sing out loudly as she turned on a tape recorder playing a piano. Henry rolled his eyes and moved his way to the door.

"Esther!"

"Remember him who once applied...With trembling for relief..."Lord, I believe," with tears he cried;... 'O help my unbelief'...She, too, who touched Thee in the press...And healing virtue stole,...Was answered, "Daughter, go in peace;...Thy faith has made thee whole." Mrs. Papappas sang loudly out into her husband's face. He swallowed and looked back to the living room as Nikita tried to push her body up to listen to the commotion.

"Sometimes I wonder why I married you!" Henry yelled and slammed the door. He regretted the words after he said them and he looked up to the ceiling, wishing he could take them back. He loved Esther so much, but now, Section One was back into his life and was threatening to make it difficult again. If he had to yell at her and possibly make her leave him, that was better than Section One threatening her life.

Henry turned back and moved to the living room. Michael looked at the door as the small cries were starting from the door. Henry sat down and turned his head away from the doorway, looking at Nikita and only Nikita, knowing where he had to work.

"Can you tell me the three objects?" Henry asked and Nikita smiled and nodded her head up and down, as Michael stayed close by.

"Car, quartz, thumbtack." Nikita repeated and Henry nodded his head and touched Nikita's arm. He needed to continue, but his wife was getting louder and louder at the door.

"Ok... here are five objects... Pen... shoe... computer... cow... fork..." Henry said and Nikita nodded her head and he stopped her before she said them out loud. He smiled and shook his head no. Nikita nodded her head and understood that he didn't want her to repeat them out.

Michael abruptly stood up and moved to the doorway. Henry looked at Michael worried that one of these times he would follow through with the threat he did give Henry several days ago. Henry watched as Michael opened the door and looked down at his wife.

"Mrs. Papappas... Henry didn't mean that. It's been a long few days..." Michael softly explained, being everything of a nice man and not a Section one operative. Michael waited as she shook her head back and forth. Michael knew and Henry knew that she was about to protest and argue Michael's point he had just made.

"My mother is coming into town... Her name is Madeline and I told her that someone at the bakery would help her to the house we are staying in." Michael explained and Mrs. Papappas started to dry her own wet tears. She waited and Michael sighed in relief.

"She should be coming any hour now." Michael said and Mrs. Papappas nodded her head as she stood up and pulled at Michael's hand. She started to turn and Michael blinked his eyes.

"Don't you want to know how she looks?" Michael questioned and Mrs. Papappas threw her hands up in the air with a broad smile.

"I'm sure you're a mommy's boy and that you look just like your mother!" Mrs. Papappas cried out as she dashed down the sidewalk and Michael shook his head as he closed the door. He looked at Henry's shaking head and smiled evilly.

"Madeline isn't coming for three days, Henry." Michael softly stated and Henry shook his head as Michael approached Nikita. Nikita was shaking her own head and not able to drag her eyes off of Michael.

"Why did you do that?" Nikita questioned and Michael smiled and rubbed Nikita's forehead softly and then kissed it.

"Did you forget that I love you?" Michael questioned and Nikita's chin dropped from the statement. She stared at him and Henry turned to Nikita and swallowed.

"Can you remember the objects Nikita?" Henry asked and Nikita continued to stare at Michael. Henry looked over his shoulder at Michael and sighed heavily.

"Nikita?"

"Nikita?"

"You... You..."

"Nikita, can you remember the objects?"

"Nikita..."

"You... you..."

"Nikita, are you all right?"

"Nikita, is something wrong?"

"You... love me?" Nikita finally questioned Michael with tears rolling out of her eyes. Michael didn't know how this all happened and he moved to Nikita quickly and wiped those tears away and he pressed his mouth to her cheeks.

"Of course I do.... I told you a lot..." Michael softly said and Nikita dropped her head and swallowed.

"But now... after what happened..." Nikita said as she turned her head away and Michael grabbed her chin and forced Nikita to look at him.

"I don't care what happened, Nikita. I love you, it's that simple." Michael softly said and Henry sighed and shook his head.

"It's simple that I can't test Nikita's memory while you are around!" Henry exclaimed and both of the operatives laughed as his joke, but he was sure that Nikita's memory in time would be just the same. It would be a matter if she wanted to face what she remembered and what she didn't want to face.

*

To see Michael sleeping was a sight from someone that didn't have Nikita's perspective on whom Nikita was. When Henry had finally succeeded with Nikita's little arguments in agreement with Henry; Michael dragged himself up into the bed. He wasn't comfortable and that was easily said, but he was at least asleep for the time being.

For Henry, it was like he was approaching a sleeping lion of sorts. Henry was afraid to make any noise too loud, knowing that Michael could snap up at any given time and batter him to pieces for no other reason that being there. That was the grace that he slept with, knowing that if someone did approach him, that they could tell from his body language that it better be good.

It was a relief to see Michael finally asleep and so Henry very carefully closed the door and retreated downstairs to find Nikita struggling with the glass of water that Michael ordered her to drink when he had trudged reluctantly upstairs. Michael just couldn't see the benefit of him getting sleep while Nikita was still only starting to respond to his and Henry's requests. Henry had enough issues to deal with Nikita right now and having Michael standing around and protecting her might not help her.

"Nikita... here." Henry said as he finally raised the glass to Nikita's parched lips. It was not uncommon for a person who had electrical shocks or injuries to be extremely thirsty and Nikita was no different. Even though she was very much awake now, and drinking water on her own, they continued to run the IV line, finding that more liquids were the best for Nikita.

Nikita softly swallowed the liquid and smiled as Henry pulled the glass away. He helped Nikita sit up, as she was still having control of her motor control of her body and as Henry found out, she did have some severe bruises around her body that weren't properly taken care of because of the electrical shocks. Nikita heavily breathed as her body got use to the new position as Henry grabbed Nikita's hands.

"We need to talk." Henry said and Nikita looked at Henry, both of them dreading the next words that were going to come out of his mouth. Both knew that Nikita didn't want to go into that territory that was soon going to be asked for. "About what happened..."

"About what.. what.." Nikita said as she tried to shake her head, but the trembles started to take her body over. Henry watched as Nikita's eyes expanded hugely and stared at her hands. Henry allowed them to go as he brushed Nikita's hand back.

"What's going on?" Nikita slurred out, finding her body taking her controls over. Henry waited and sighed as he tried to comfort Nikita. He saw the pain and fear in her eyes and swallowed.

"It's the electricity.. It's going to pass.. It is nothing to worry about." Henry softly explaining, trying hard not to sound anxious with his voice. He wanted to appear as calm and cool as possible, knowing that by the way Nikita saw his reaction that it would influence how she continued to react.

"I had an experience with electricity too... It's scary... But it passes." Henry softly stated as the trembling slowly started to ease. Henry grabbed Nikita's hands as she steadied her blue eyes onto him.

"You want to know what Dr. Bowles did to me?" Nikita softly questioned and Nikita shook her head back and forth indicting that she couldn't believe this was happening to her. "I want to forget."

"You can't forget Nikita..."

"Please... Don't..."

"You need to remember now.. It will make it better than remembering later..."

"Face it now, Nikita, for your own good."

"No... No..."

"I promise Nikita, it will only get better..."

"No! NOT WITH YOU!"

"Nikita, you have to start somewhere... You need to talk this out..."

"You need to sort out in your mind what is true and what isn't... only you have that ability... The electricity did a lot of crazy things to it...."

"WHAT ARE YOU! A MADELINE SLACKY!" Nikita screamed and Henry leaned back as Nikita's eyes swelled up with tears. Henry leaned his head back and swallowed, knowing that he had pushed too hard and too quickly.

"I just want to get physically better... that's all." Nikita cried out and Henry grabbed for Nikita's body and hugged it, feeling the grief of pushing Nikita too far in her current state. He knew that he needed to do that when he had his accident with the electricity, that he needed to know what happened to get him to that point and to know all that he had been through.

Of course Henry knew that Nikita's case was different from the little bit that Madeline had told him and the more that he had gathered from Michael and then the injuries of Nikita's body. It was apparent that Nikita's body was through more than just the electrical torture that was the main concern.

"I see what else he did... why don't you just tell me..." Henry softly pushed and Nikita turned her head from side to side, still crying and moaning, but no more words came. Henry leaned down and looked at Nikita, not wanting her emotional side to destroy the physical improvements he had been able to make with Nikita.

"I don't want to tell you..."

"Will you tell Michael?"

"Maybe..."

"Will you tell Michael?"

"Maybe.. Didn't you hear me!"

"Will you tell Michael, yes or no?"

"Yes!"

"When?"

"Sometime!"

"When?"

"Not now!" Nikita cried out and Henry nodded his head and kissed the top of Nikita's head, feeling something even more for Nikita than he did ten minutes again. She was such a sweet creature that had all these awful things going on in her life. She didn't appear or present like someone who had one terrible thing after terrible thing happened to her.

"What about what happened before he took you?" Henry softly questioned and Nikita closed her eyes softly. Nikita pulled a hand to her face and finally wiped her own tears away from her face. Nikita looked at her hand and smiled at the action, finding some of the fine motor skills coming back to her.

"We were talking about what happened to me while on the streets." Nikita softly stated as she tried to lean away from Henry. She did break free as that statement shocked Henry. He blinked his eyes and looked at Nikita as if she just landed from outer space.

"You were on the streets?" Henry softly questioned and Nikita positively nodded her head up and down as she looked at Henry. Henry blinked his eyes and swallowed. Madeline had neglected to mention this to him also.

"Most of my teen years... I ran away because I was abused at home... and I ran from one abusive situation to another..." Nikita commented as the tears began to roll out of her eyes again. Henry wiped them away, not knowing what he was getting into now, and knowing that he wasn't meant for this type of talk.

"You don't feel comfortable talking about it?" Henry questioned and Nikita nodded her head again, and Henry looked around as he placed his hands on Nikita's shoulders.

"You don't have too..."

"But I do..."

"Nikita, you don't have to tell me..."

"I have to tell someone... I have to.. Admit it..."

"To someone who isn't me, Nikita, right?"

"I have to tell Michael...."

"In order to spare your relationship?"

"No... we are fine... but he has to know what happened to me... it explains a lot..." Nikita said and Henry nodded his head and held Nikita softly in his arms. He wasn't going to let her go now. He waited and waited as Nikita softly drifted to sleep and knew that in time, everything that needed to come out, that Madeline had badly tried to do would come out. Too bad Madeline had to make it all so painful. Nikita wanted to tell Michael all along and she had to throw a monkey wrench named Dr. Bowles into the equation.

*

Michael walked out onto the back porch as he stared at the black cell phone. He looked up at the stares above him and felt the utter peace that seemed to engulf his entire body with such care, like he deserved the peace. He had tried to bring Nikita out with him as the night was just starting to fall, but she was going through a bad spell as everything was causing her pain. Michael couldn't even touch her and wipe the tears away as it only caused Nikita to scream. It confused Michael until he now stepped out onto the porch. He could only blame the same things that lit the stars in the heavens above, electricity.

Madeline had called earlier, during that huge fit Nikita threw. The phone only caused Nikita more pain until Henry moved outside with it. Michael tried to comfort Nikita again, only to have what pillows that were near her thrown at him, with surprising accuracy.

Michael opened the phone and he leaned his head back and sighed. He needed to call Madeline as he had been nicely ordered to do. Henry didn't look well after he entered the house and Michael could tell that the conversation with Madeline must have been particularly brutal on Henry. He had been out of Section One such a long time he forgot the way that they operated, but with each story Henry told him, Michael was starting to think that Section didn't always work the way it appeared to work now.

"Michael, how is Nikita?" Madeline questioned as she opened the line. Michael looked to his hands and then looked up at the stars again, feeling that with them looking down on him, he might just be able to get through this conversation with Madeline.

"You are going to have to be more specific, in ways she is very well and in other ways, she is getting worse." Michael replied with a voice that revealed nothing of the way he felt Nikita was like. Michael though, was lying, he was telling the very truthful truth, something that Section most often seemed like they didn't have the time for.

"Health." Madeline stated and Michael swallowed and dropped his eyes from the sky.

"Again, you should be more specific, but I will give you the jest of what Nikita is like." Michael stated, showing Madeline that she needed to be more exact, like she had seemed to be in the past, or was that Michael's imagination. Michael was a body of conflicting emotions, each one bouncing off of the others only to cause more conflicting emotions. All that he knew, Madeline caused this.

"She is drinking water... but she isn't eating." Michael replied as he stood up and moved from the chair that he had selected. He moved to the back steps and looked at the green grass as he slid his feet out of the sandals that he was wearing and touched the cool grass with his feet. Michael smiled softly and sighed.

"Henry really wants her to eat...."

"It's because of the extra electricity... it's burning up the food..."

"Madeline.. I know..."

"So she needs more food that she would normally eat...."

"Madeline... I..."

"And she doesn't eat enough as it is... we have always had a problem with Nikita's rabbit like appetite..."

"Madeline I know all of this... But it may be more." Michael finally said loudly as he raked his free hand through his tangled hair, only succeeding in making his hair more tangled.

"What do you mean by more than not eating?" Madeline questioned and Michael sighed loudly and he turned his head, not wanting Henry and Nikita hearing his entire conversation.

"It might be part emotional..."

"Just make her eat..."

"Madeline, I can't force Nikita to eat if she doesn't want to eat..."

"Just make her eat, Michael."

"I'm trying to explain... I think I'm the problem."

"No, Michael, you are making yourself the problem."

"Madeline, she doesn't want to eat for me.... But...."

"I don't want to hear buts Michael."

"But..."

"Michael."

"She always eats for Walter.. And she opens up to him too." Michael hurriedly said and Madeline stopped on the other end. Michael sighed and looked up to the sky, trying to calm his frayed nerves. He leaned down and smiled as the blades of grass lightly tickled the skin of his hands.

"That is a good idea. I will send him tomorrow. Now about Nikita's mental state..." Madeline said and Michael shook his head at the quick shift in Madeline's thought process. The two were combined; Nikita's physical was directly linked to her mental status. Michael believed that Madeline had to know that.

"She isn't talking about the abuse by Dr. Bowles." Michael stated and Madeline tapped her fingers on the other end of the line. Michael rolled his head back and swallowed, hating the antics being done by Madeline. She had caused all of the problems and she had effectively put herself back in power in covering up her mistake. Michael wanted Madeline in here and fixing the problems herself.

"She won't. Not until she faces the abuse that she found on the streets and at home." Madeline stated and Michael narrowed his eyes as he shifted his eyes up to the sky, looking for one star and to focus on it in order to maintain his mounting anger that threatened to consume his entire being.

"Then maybe you should be here." Michael snapped out, feeling the anger about to burst out of him, almost ready to strike out against anything in this world right now.

"I'm coming in two days, Michael. But she doesn't need to discuss this with me." Madeline stated and Michael growled deeply inside of his chest, and the sound traveled over the phone line and caused Madeline to slightly tremble with fear.

"You caused this."

"Michael... it doesn't mean...."

"You started this, Madeline... How dare you say that she can't talk to you?"

"Michael..."

"You caused her this pain..."

"You caused her to open up her past... her painful past...."

"I wanted to help her, Michael."

"You wanted to destroy her..."

"Make her weak..."

"To learn everything that you haven't been able to find out by using the computers and finding people who knew Nikita."

"You want to know everything to control her life."

"Michael, that is not true."

"What is the truth, Madeline?"

"Can you give that too me?"

"Or is it to scary?"

"Or does it destroy me too?"

"What's the answer, Madeline?"

"I want Nikita to tell you! So you can know her as all of her, Michael!"

Michael shut his eyes as tears threatened again to take over his system. He didn't even know if he wanted to know all of Nikita's past. He was sure that he couldn't handle it and that it would change his opinion of who Nikita was. He wanted the Nikita that was in that room and no other Nikita. He wanted the Nikita that he danced with in the Gazebo in moments that were beyond words and even beyond love. He didn't want any other Nikita than the one he already knew.

"Michael... are you there?"

How would it change their relationship if Madeline forced this issue? How could he even look into Nikita's face again, knowing that Madeline forced this further torture onto her, using him as an aid in doing it? How could Nikita even look at him again? Wouldn't he be just as bad as the abuser? Maybe Nikita already saw him as the abuser?

"Michael.... Talk to me.."

Michael dropped his head as the tears started to flow out of his face and he couldn't find a way to stop them. Michael leaned his head back and moaned lightly, not wanting to hurt Nikita more. He wondered if it was best if he just went away now, before Madeline forced him to get the information of her past out of Nikita.

"Michael... I'm sorry... I didn't want to upset you.. I just want you to be prepared incase Nikita feels the need to talk to you." Madeline softly said and Michael lifted his head and looked up at the sky.

"You mean you didn't want me to push her?"

"God, no, Michael!" Madeline exclaimed and Michael rubbed his hand through his hair again, shaking his head. He just wanted to relax and he wanted Nikita to relax also. Michael rolled his head around, finding it impossible to rid his mind of the thoughts he had just been thinking.

"Michael... she is going to want to talk soon or later... You have to know that it is natural." Madeline said.

"Of course."

"Michael... be strong..."

"I have to go, Madeline..."

"Walter will be there tomorrow..."

"Of course, Madeline." Michael said as he pulled his hand away and closed the cell phone down. He leaned his head back and swallowed. He rubbed his toes in between the blades of grass as he tried to pull himself together before going back into the room with Nikita.

She was starting to cry inside and Michael swallowed. He wondered what it was this time. Was it pain? Was it emotional? Was it memories? Was it current? Michael stood up and looked into the house and sighed as he looked up at the sky. Michael nodded his head and entered the house.

*

"Michael... I don't think this is a good idea." Henry softly said as he watched Michael carrying Nikita out into the darkness of the warm night. Michael turned and stood on the porch, holding Nikita in his arms. Nikita smiled at Michael and stroked his face. She was going through a period of selective hearing right now. She didn't hear Henry at all, only words she heard were Michael. There was no knowledge of the television being on or the radio either. Nikita only heard her Michael.

"We can't wait and do nothing. We have to try something." Michael argued out and Nikita stroked Michael's cheek. She didn't care what Michael wanted to do, she would do it. She just wanted to be with him, because when his arms finally settled around her, the pain seemed to ease some and she didn't hurt as much as before.

"Michael... you are in a middle of the town!" Henry protested and Michael shook his head and he looked up at the sky above. He reached down and kissed Nikita's forehead softly.

"I just want Nikita to relax." Michael said and Henry looked around, as did Michael. Michael smiled and shrugged his shoulder.

"We have fences... and it is almost midnight... and there is no moon...." Michael said softly, looking around the yard and inhaling the cool air that was around them. Henry looked at Michael and shook his head.

"Communing with nature isn't going to help her, Michael!" Henry said and Michael moved down off of the porch and started to move deep into the plush grass of the yard. Michael looked around and sighed.

"It may just make her feel better... Isn't that all we are trying to do?" Michael questioned and Henry threw his hands up in the air, feeling frustrated from the moment that Michael announced his plan. Henry didn't like the idea and the concept.

"Can I at least get a blanket to put over you two?" Henry questioned as Michael started to settle down in the grass. Michael looked at Henry and shook his head. Michael moved quickly, starting to disrobe the garments from Nikita's body and she lightly laughed as she extended her legs out into the grass. Michael looked at her smile and sighed happily.

"Unless you want to join, I would prefer you didn't stare at us." Michael said and Henry shook his head and turned away from the display in the middle of the yard. He turned off the kitchen life, leaving Michael and Nikita out in the dark night.

"What are we doing Michael?" Nikita softly questioned and Michael looked at Nikita and stroked her hair back and sighed. He looked into her eyes and saw that right at this moment, Nikita trusted him with her entire life and he felt the overpowering surge of need to be right with his idea.

"Do your feet feel good?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita nodded her head as Michael started to pull Nikita's shirt off of her body. Nikita smiled and lifted off of the grown for Michael.

"Much better than before." Nikita stated and Michael brushed her hair back softly as he leaned down and kissed her nose.

"I know... your feet hurt a lot didn't they?" Michael said as the shirt was released and Nikita sighed with the relief of the cool blades of grass rolling against her skin.

"More." Nikita moaned out and Michael lifted an eyebrow and swallowed.

"Are you sure?" Michael questioned and Nikita opened her eyes and blinked them. In a few moments, Michael settled down next to Nikita, propped up on one elbow, in their natural state. Nikita happily smiled as Michael stroked at her hair and she looked up at the stars.

"Is this truly helping?" Michael questioned and Nikita nodded her head and then turned her head to his hand. Nikita lightly grazed her lips to his palm and then turned her head away with relief.

"Its like ice... cooling my body off... finally..." Nikita softly commented as she rolled her head back. Michael knew that she was watching the stares. Michael in turn was watching the thousands of stars millions and billions of miles away reflecting back to him in Nikita's blue eyes.

"I'm glad it is making you feel better." Michael softly whispered as he moved and stretched out on his back next to Nikita. Only their arms were lightly rubbing against each other. Michael couldn't tell if Nikita had fallen asleep or was just finding the peace that he had found out there earlier in the night.

"It's funny how the stars never change...." Nikita softly whispered out and Michael turned his head to see Nikita staring straight up the sky, with tears glistening in the starlight.

"What is it Nikita?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita shrugged her shoulders and continued to stare, not moving to wipe the tears away. There was still even a smile of sorts on her face, as if painted carefully on her.

"I always found peace looking at stars... always hoping for that shooting star... I did see so many in my life..." Nikita softly whispered out and Michael nodded his head and turned back up onto his elbow, watching over Nikita like a protector of sorts. How he wanted to touch her in those moments but he also knew the importance of holding back.

"Did you wish on them?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita nodded her head and turned her head to look into Michael's own eyes. She was stuck at that place, just staring at Michael. How she wished he knew that she gave him the greatest comfort that she could ask for. Nikita struggled to pull her way out of the magnetism that seemed to pull her eyes to Michael's.

"Of course... Sometimes I wished to get away from my mother.... And that wish came true..." Nikita slowly stated and Michael watched each word seemed to be formed perfectly with Nikita's lips. He rubbed them softly and waited for Nikita to look at him. He wanted Nikita to know that it was ok with him and Nikita smiled and looked back at the stars.

"Most of my wishes came true... to get away from this man.... To run away somewhere new... and I always went at night... and they all came true..." Nikita softly said and Michael nodded his head softly and used his fingertips to outline her chin. Nikita turned and lightly kissed the fingertip with her thin lips.

"When was the last one you saw? Did that wish come true?" Michael softly questioned and Nikita nodded her head sadly. He saw the tears rolling down her face and his heart stopped as he waited. He didn't wan to cause Nikita pain and he knew that if he took Nikita back inside crying, no matter how good it was for Nikita for a while, Henry would kill him.

"I was on that train... going away from you... and I had just closed the screen..." Nikita said and she shut her eyes and shook her head for a second. Michael still couldn't breath as he watched Nikita, knowing about the time that she spoke about, but he didn't know it well enough.

"I looked up.. Content on looking at the bright full moon... and there was this star... and I wished upon it..." Nikita softly continued with a wistful voice, making Michael's pending panic to stop in intensity.

"What did you wish for?" Michael softly questioned, knowing that if he didn't question he would forever wonder and also worried that he couldn't handle the truth of Nikita's response. What if she wished never to see him again? Could Michael handle that? Again, he found it difficult to breathe as he stared at Nikita.

"I wished for you to be mine... for one night." Nikita said as she turned her face and stared into Michael's eyes as they glazed over with tears. Nikita blinked her own tears, finding it easier to allow them to fall. "I should have asked for more."

"You don't need too." Michael commented as he ran his fingers over her face and Nikita nodded her head and settled back down to the grass. She closed her eyes until Michael stretched back out on his back.

Both of them sat in silence looking up at the sky, both wishing for one more star, hoping that it would come, not realizing that they didn't need one to get what they wanted. Nikita felt like the ground was vibrating through her and she felt like the last of the electricity had stopped bouncing around her body, at least for the time being.

"Look." Michael softly said and both of them instantly closed their eyes and swallowed, praying on that star, not just wishing, but praying to a god of sorts to allow them to stay together. Neither one wanted to question the other, neither one wanted to admit what was just done and neither of them wanted to break the moment, as the stars still grazed the sky and helped them find the way in the darkness that was always around them.

Nikita softly turned onto her stomach, laughing as the sensation of the blades of the cool grass tickling her stomach continued with each laugh. Michael turned as Nikita did and found himself in the same position, finding the sensation something odd and new and rejoicing that he got to share it with Nikita.

"I never felt this way." Nikita softly stated.

"Hmmm?"

"I never felt this way... like I do right now."

"I know the electricity does funny things to the body, Nikita."

"No... it's not that."

"What is it?" Michael questioned as he propped his face up in his hands, looking over his hands and elbow at Nikita's own blue eyes as her body seemed to be getting closer to Michael's.

"Safe."

"Oh, Nikita..."

"I mean it, Michael..."

"Nikita..."

"I never felt safe... not like this..."

"Shhh..."

"No... I have to tell you this.... You protect me... and until now... I never felt safe with you..."

"Why?" Michael questioned as the tears started to roll out of her eyes.

"Because I was afraid of everything... but that's different..."

"How?"

"We wished for the same thing."

*

The next afternoon was peaceful and although Henry had huge doubts about the effectiveness of lying naked in the grass last night, it seemed to have done some good. Henry thought it was more about Nikita's soul healing than her body healing, but Michael wouldn't hear a word of it. The two men that seemed to be working good together all of a sudden couldn't agree on anything, especially when it came to Nikita.

"Maybe we can try some flavored water..." Michael softly mused out loud as he looked at the paper he had on the countertop, the two men trying to make a list of groceries to buy once Walter arrived. Michael lifted his head and stared at Henry as he shook his head.

"It isn't as good as real water." Henry commented and Michael blinked his eyes as his hands flipped the pen upside down and slammed it into the counter. Michael waited as Henry shook his older head, making Michael feel as if Henry was insinuating that Michael was stupid.

"But she isn't drinking the real water." Michael hissed out as he straightened his back up and stared at Henry. Henry shook his head back and forth as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Fine. Whatever you want, Michael. I know that you were hit with electricity." Henry stated and Michael turned his back on the older man and swallowed. He dropped his head and then turned back to Henry. Michael wasn't about to have the man try to control his life. Michael was Section One and Henry wasn't any longer. He had no more power than Michael had in this situation, and if anything, he knew Nikita better than anyone else in the world.

"But I know Nikita and she is my concern." Michael said as he picked up the piece of paper and Henry looked away.

"Well... I have to admit, at least the flavored water is better than the grass idea last night!" Henry shouted out and Michael's eyes narrowed as his nostrils barely flared, but anger and hate was apparent on his face.

"It worked. She finally slept an entire night." Michael said back as he stayed frozen at his position, knowing that any move that he did make would cause him to fly out at Henry.

"She was probably tired of putting herself on display for the entire town!" Henry hissed as he moved dangerously close to Michael. Michael leaned his head back, trying to make himself feel like he was further away than he really was.

"No one saw us." Michael commented, trying to sound matter-of-factly, but that was not what it came off sounding like. Henry shook his hands in the air, his own anger mounting from the entire situation.

"I know medicine and what you did last night was no medicine... YOU NEW AGE LONG HAIRED HIPPIE BOY!" Henry yelled as the vein in his forehead started to pound brightly out. Michael stared at it as his own anger flashed across his eyes and then stayed.

"Why don't you try some chanting now?"

"What is it Buddhism?"

"Do you need some rat hearts?"

"Or is that lizard's breath?"

"Or do you happen to be a witch? Is that the kind of people Section One is getting now?"

Michael stared at Henry as he started to move around. Michael wanted to strike out against him, but knew that Henry wouldn't even feel anything Michael did to him. There had to be a way to reach Henry again, but Michael was lost. He didn't even defend himself, as he bit his tongue and allowed Henry to continue his verbal tongue-lashing.

"NO... I get it! You're a vampire and you sucked the blood of another and gave it to Nikita!"

"That's all you are is a blood sucker!"

"BLOOD SUCKER!"

Michael swallowed and dropped his head. He had been called that one other time, but the woman that Henry was, somewhat in a half wrong way, defend right now. It was one of the ways Nikita would push Michael's buttons; it was the one thing that would make Michael turned around and chased Nikita after she finished the conversation with that name. It was the one thing that made Michael's blood boil more than anything else, well except them trying to cancel Nikita. Yet, now, it just didn't have the same effect.

"You claim to love her, but all you do is go and play in the grass?"

"Did it make you high?"

"So Section likes drugs now?"

"Is that some sort of new way of making love?"

"Is it foreplay or something?"

Henry stopped as he watched Michael leaned back against the wall and sigh. The anger that Michael was exhibiting earlier had vanished and the only thing Henry was sure of was what he was saying. He dropped his head and swallowed, feeling acutely embarrassed by his words and actions.

"That was the stress, wasn't it?" Michael softly questioned as he lifted his head and looked at Henry. The man was trembling as his hands were still clenched in fists. The words of Michael's allowed the muscles to release and to relax. Michael turned to the refrigerator and opened the door. He retrieved a soda and handed it to Henry.

"That's why I did that last night.... It was no treatment... but it lessened stress... And maybe you can't understand that.... But me and Nikita..." Michael said and then slowly drifted off as he stared out the window to the yard that seemed so enchanting the night before and so revealing.

"You and Nikita are connected.... And you are different from people when I was your age." Henry commented after he gulped half the can of the soda. Now he lifted the can to his forehead and allowed the condensation to drip off of the can and onto his head.

"Yes... and maybe that is why I can't explain what happened." Michael softly whispered and Henry nodded his head and both men jumped as the back door opened up.

"Are you kids done arguing now and going to help me out?" Walter questioned as he used his foot to push the door open and enter the house with two bags in his hands. Michael moved towards the door and grabbed the bag that is mostly covering Walter's face. Walter smiled as Michael moves away.

"Looks like we don't have to go shopping." Henry commented and Michael looked to the wall, almost hating that comment, knowing that in some ways, he needed to get out of the house and sadly, away from Nikita. He didn't now if he wanted to stay in the house for the afternoon.

"What was going on?" Walter questioned and Michael moved out of the door and to the car that Walter had brought with him. Michael grabbed at the bags as the whispering started in the kitchen. Michael rolled his head and swallowed as he entered the kitchen.

"I don't want to know what you were talking about me about...." Michael sighed as the two men silenced as Michael entered. Michael placed the bags on the countertop and then moved to throw the paper away as Henry ran out to get the last two bags.

"He was tough on you... .Henry doesn't like new things...." Walter commented and Michael contritely smiled and nodded his head.

"I noticed." Michael said and Walter rolled his eyes, wondering what happened to the two men that Madeline claimed was working so brilliantly together.

Walter moved over to the one bag and pulled out a large white apron and started to tie it around his body. Michael stood there with the bag of peas in his hands, watching Walter's little show. Walter hummed and tapped his foot as he wrapped the large string to the apron around his body twice before tying it off in the front.

"I want you two to leave me with my sugar.... That girl needs to see new people herself." Walter said as he pushed his hand into the bag and pulled out the large and puffy white chef's hat. Michael swallowed as Walter slammed the hat down over his pony tailed hair and red bandanna before he turned around.

What an image of the most unlikely chef. He was clad in black leather pants, and dirty and muddy leather boots. He had a black leather vest over top a tied dyed shirt, which he had placed the white apron overtop of. Michael blinked his eyes and leaned forward and Walter walked over to the bags and sighed.

"Didn't I tell you two to leave! Get out! Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! Get out of my kitchen before you bring in the vermin." Walter yelled as he used his hands in a shooing motion to try to get the men to leave. Michael turned to Henry and swallowed.

"Maybe you can talk to your wife.... So she doesn't come over tonight and pray." Michael said and Henry placed his hands on his hips.

"I'm getting sick of the comments about my wife. She is trying to be helpful towards Nikita... something you don't know anything about!" Henry shouted and Michael narrowed his eyes.

"Nikita starts to cry when your wife starts to sing the hymns and she begs for it to end.... Doesn't that mean anything?" Michael questioned loudly back as Walter started to hum 'She'll Be Comin' Around the Mountain' as he emptied the contents of the bags.

"Well that's because Nikita doesn't appreciate a good person.... Look, SHE TRUSTED MADELINE!"

"She was under orders, Henry. She didn't have a choice."

"She still trusted Madeline. That says a lot about Nikita, doesn't now?"

"What are you trying to insinuate about Nikita?"

"Maybe you should try harder with the women you select, Michael... try ones that might actually have the spine to make it a year with you!"

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU DON'T KNOW ME!"

"She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes... Oh she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes....."

"I know you... I USE TO BE YOU! You'll never change!"

"Nikita, changed me Henry! You are the one with closed eyes!"

"Closed eyes? Closed eyes!"

"She'll be coming around the mountain... she'll be coming around the mountain.. oh she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes...."

"I SAID CLOSED EYES! What are you? Death too!"

"How dare you!"

"What about you! Defending your extremely religious wife who likes to wake us up at the crack of dawn with her off key rendition of Amazing Grace!"

"She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes... Oh she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes....."

"She is trying to help her, Michael! UNLIKE YOU!"

"Unlike me? What do you mean by that?"

"You are screaming!"

"I'm screaming? What about you?"

"I don't know what you are talking about Michael. You are the irrational one!"

"I didn't call you the long haired hippie boy!"

"You called him the long haired hippie boy?" Walter yelled as he stopped on the way to the refrigerator with some lettuce and stared at Henry. Henry swallowed and nodded his head and Walter shook his head down low. "Do you remember how you use to be afraid of me?"

"Yes, I do, Walter... but you are a good guy." Henry softly said and Walter smiled and nodded his head.

"Well... I used to be a bad guy.. That would have fun in making you crap your mission pants.... That here is Michael... only he is about twenty times as lethal... but his heart is no smaller than mine... You mark my words." Walter said towards Henry.

Michael stopped and stared at Walter, as the words were the highest compliment that anyone in Section One had ever said about him. Walter turned and clapped his hand down on Michael's shoulder.

"Why don't you go shopping for something pretty for sugar.... You know how she likes to look nice..." Walter said, seeing the shock still on Michael's face. Walter was almost afraid that Michael was going to start crying until he nodded his head and left the kitchen without another sound. Walter waited and moved to Henry.

"And you know about how Nikita feels about your wife... Get her to step back off for a while... No one wants to hear Amazing Grace at the crack of dawn!" Walter crooned out and Henry nodded his head, seeing Walter's point, even if he looked extremely silly, dressed as a chef.

*

"Suddenly Seymour is standin' beside you.... You don't need no makeup, don't have to pretend...Suddenly Seymour is here to provide you...sweet understanding. Seymour's your friend...." Walter sang out from the musical Little Shop of Horrors as he moved around the kitchen. He moved from the stove and back to the refrigerator.