"You can still get ready... But I insist you wear this." Michael said as he displayed the black bag. Slowly he reached for the tab of the silver zipper. He languidly pulled at the zipper to reveal the hunter green dress that he found on his trip. The material shimmered in the kitchen light and Nikita stepped forward to touch the material. Her hand pulled away from the material after it sunk into the smoothness and softness of the shiny silk.

"I can't wear that! That is a dinner dress.... Not for some half-ass meal I prepared Michael." Nikita stated with a trembling lip, still not able to pull her eyes off of the delicate material that Michael had affectionately chose to embellish Nikita's already unmatched beauty.

"We are having your dinner... And any dinner with you, Nikita, is a special occasion." Michael slurred romantically out that the tears started to roll with the last word. Nikita nodded her head and stepped forward and continued to shake her head.

"It's too expensive, Michael... You shouldn't have." Nikita declared, even with the words telling Michael that she wanted to run upstairs and slide the silk over her body. Michael reached out with a free hand and touched Nikita's cheek.

"Nothing is too expensive for you...." Michael said, hoping to bring Nikita back to a level playing ground. She always felt like she didn't deserve the things around her and Michael knew that one of the biggest battles plaguing their relationship was that Nikita believed that she didn't deserve Michael himself. Michael sighed, as Nikita was frozen, unable to make the decision herself and showed that she needed some more prodding.

"Walter told me to go buy you something as pretty as you..." Michael slowly started out knowing that stretching the truth now was not going to hurt anyone. It wasn't that it wasn't what Michael thought, it just wasn't what Walter said.

"I went to store to store to store... finding it hard to find anything... I went to towns afar and only found that blue dress..."

"I like the blue dress."

"I'm glad. You don't have enough things you like."

"I love the blue dress. I'm happy with the blue dress."

"Nikita, I'm not questioning that.... I'm trying to explain." Michael softly said, seeing that Nikita was trying to throw off the conversation. Michael slightly chuckled as the arm that was holding the dress was starting to get numb from the position that it was in.

"I started to drive back to this town... and on the road was a little bridal shop with this hanging there, and it called to me.... Because it was meant to enhance the beauty I see you as... and the beauty that you don't know you possess." Michael finished and Nikita nodded her head as her fingers wrapped around the hanger.

"The rolls aren't done..." Nikita stated out as she tried to control her crying. Michael nodded his head and leaned forward and kissed Nikita's forehead and using his thumbs to wipe at the tears that were caused by his words of devotion.

"I'll watch them... and I'll set the table. You just get dressed." Michael commented and Nikita nodded her head up and down and then dropped it.

"I don't know how I got you... and how I got so much of your love." Nikita stated out and Michael reached for Nikita, compelled by something deep within him to speak more than he ever thought he would. Even as he stared into her eyes, almost unable to say what he was thinking, he knew that it was beyond his control.

"Section One controls us Nikita.... They don't control our hearts... and my heart is telling me one thing about the woman that is standing in front of me." Michael stated and Nikita leaned her head forward, trembling with fear and trepidation. She didn't know what Michael was going to say and she had words that she wished he would say.

"What is it saying?" Nikita finally questioned and Michael cleared his throat and blinked back his own tears.

"That no matter what Section One does... you are my wife."

*

Michael marveled at the beauty that had wrapped her own delicate hand around his, as if she never pulled a gun trigger in her life. She smiled up at the stars around them as they slowly moved towards the railing of the porch. Michael reached out and stroked the long silky tendrils of Nikita's blonde hair off of her shoulder before he placed a revered kiss to the length of her skin. His urge was to kiss every inch of her skin, not once and not twice, but to kiss it forever.

"You.. are.." Michael started to state and stopped, as Nikita turned her head to view him with her own sapphire eyes twinkling back at him like Michael had never seen before. He reached for her face and stepped away from her body, his eyes seeking the need to view all of the package of the woman that he loved, to cherish her from afar first and then later cherish with his hands and his touch.

The green silk dress hugged Nikita's every curve like it was made just for Nikita. The front plunged modestly, giving Michael a hint of the roundness underneath the top, which now his hands lightly brushed against, finding the need to strong to deny. The dress hung from her hips gracefully down to her bare feet. He couldn't find the words to tell Nikita everything he wanted to tell her, he couldn't describe out his breath just got stuck in his chest whenever he stared at her.

"Michael... what?" Nikita commented and Michael reached out and rubbed the line of Nikita's long and toned arm before running the hand to settle on the graceful neck that he ached to nibble on. Michael was straining not to act out on the feelings and urges that were whipping through his body at high speeds.

"You are the most amazing and strong woman in the world, Nikita." Michael finally said firmly out and he didn't react as the tears rolled down her face. The words were ones that Nikita never thought would be said to her. She was just a woman in the world of Section One, where she had to be strong in order to live. She had to be strong, but Michael's words seemed different, because now he knew Nikita's history and the obstacles that she had overcome in order to be the woman standing in front of him.

"I admire you." Michael whispered as he dropped his head forward and rubbed his nose lightly across her thin nose. His mouth parted with the simple nature of the touch but then the fission of energy that ignited across his entire body from that contact with her nose.

Nikita swallowed harshly, trying to gain composure over her raging feelings and emotions. She didn't want to move out of haste to just satisfy her Herculean urges. Nikita dragged in a frazzled breath, feeling the mere presence of Michael's nose against hers throwing her body into an overdrive that she had never experienced in the past. It was more than the normal popping energy between the two, it was as if their entire relationship had changed and the chemistry between the two had become more than explosive if under the right conditions.

"There is only one person in the world I want to be with... and only one person in the world I want to be like." Michael susurrated in soft syllables that allowed Nikita to press her forehead against Michael's broad forehead having found her love.

"Michael..." Nikita barely was able to produce as her body was overwhelmed by the truth in Michael's words and how much they meant to Nikita. He moved his hands to her back and swallowed as Nikita gasped in a way that he couldn't tell if she was happy or sad.

"I mean it Nikita.... You have persevered over things I would have given up with..." Michael continued with a compulsion to make Nikita understand everything he was trying to say to her. Nikita only could nod her head up and down, rubbing her hairline to Michael's, the lines of distinction getting blurred of where Nikita was and where Michael was.

"You believed in us.... You believed in a love that I knew was there but I wasn't sure I had the strength to reveal it." Michael said, as his voice seemed to move to a panic, with a need to tell her everything that he was feeling. He needed to make Nikita understand her importance and how much he really and truly needed him.

"Michael..." Nikita whispered out as she lifted her head and looked into Michael's eyes, seeing all that she ever dreamed of in those changeable eyes, seeing all of Michael's soul in them, and he would reveal every inch of it if he needed to Nikita to make her understand. Nikita started to shake her head. She knew all that she needed too and her heart understood the rest.

"You believed in us..." Michael carefully strained to say as his heart slowed as he looked into Nikita's eyes. Nikita smiled and leaned to his lips and lightly kissed them. She then used her tongue lightly to trace the thin line of his lips before she moved back. Her eyes were smoldering back at Michael and he dared not to swallow now.

"Do I have to ask, Michael?" Nikita questioned softly. Michael looked at her and began to shake his head. Finally the surroundings revealed themselves to Michael and he looked down to Nikita's hand and wrapped his own hands on her one. Michael turned and started to walk back inside, seeing the smile that was revealing itself on Nikita's face and he happily rolled Nikita into his arms after they walked into the house and closed the door.

"You never have to ask, Nikita." Michael admitted as he ran his hands to her shoulders and started to play with the straps of the dress that adorned her body for the dinner, but now was seen as a cover to the natural beauty of Nikita.

Nikita leaned her head back and shook her long blonde hair idly from side to side as Michael pushed the right shoulder strap off and then nuzzled his lips down onto the pure silky skin that was revealed. Nikita didn't have to wait long as Michael slithered the next strap as they started to circle through the dining room and into the living room.

"Michael..." Nikita said as she looked into his eyes and their worlds stopped. They needed not to say another word, as their needs were too great to deny any longer. The time to wait was passed and the time for tenderness and gentleness would just have to wait.

Michael reached down and in one swipe of his arms, the green silk dress was pulled over Nikita's body, revealing the utter perfection underneath and the state of readiness Nikita's body was in. Michael's mouth dried as he looked at her and knew that while getting dressed she had visions of their bodies mashed together on this night, leaving the undergarments notably behind.

Michael's undressing too longer, but Nikita's eyes feasted on every image of flesh her eyes saw, finding that the crook of Michael's elbow was just as sexy and erotic as the muscles on his back. Nikita reached out and touched his back as Michael slowly kicked his pants off and groaned. Nikita felt Michael pulling her to his lips and his touch and groaned back with appreciation.

Nikita was about to lay her body onto the couch when Michael's hands fully cinched her waist and held her still. He deeply kissed at her neck and turned her around, placing his body down on the couch and reached for Nikita's beautiful body. He kissed at the tears on her face as she placed her body as Michael wanted, being a couple and not to individuals.

Nikita dropped her head to Michael's chest as she felt the pressure building in her, finding a feeling of completeness that she never felt before, never before Michael and never the times that she had with Michael before. It was like his body was made to fit her and to mold with her in a way so delicate but yet so strong.

Michael reached his hands around to her smooth hips, hoping to help guide her in the journey that both wanted and needed, yet she gasped and opened her eyes. Michael paused, wondering if she regretted it now, wondering if he was hurting her, or if she was ready to go on. Nikita pressed a hand to his chest and settled her chest down onto his.

"I want to stay like this." Nikita whispered as she pressed her lips towards his chin. Michael groaned his entire body shook with waves of pleasure he never knew he could have or deserved to have. Michael groaned again, as Nikita's own body responded to the miniscule pulsing that only seemed to multiple with Nikita's reaction.

"Nikita..." Michael rasped out, feeling a need to go back to moving, finding the warmth of Nikita too good and too easily to lose himself in it. He felt the tears of Nikita's eyes rolling onto his chest and he arched his back, pressing Nikita even closer to his body, feeling their skins sizzling together and producing a heavy and dewy sweat that seemed to further the pleasure of their motionless bodies.

"Forever...." Nikita groaned and both Michael and Nikita lost the precious control. They learned that their minds, seeking the pleasure, had no control over the body. When they connected it became a matter of chemistry and the touch of their skin together produced something that neither one could describe nor they were sure would never happen again.

In minutes they went from talking about love to making love. Their movements never happened but so much more happened. Michael leaned up to kiss Nikita's drooping eyes, seeing the need for sleep now fogging their color and clarity. Michael tried to move, to slide out of Nikita so he could snuggle with her. Nikita groaned and clamped her legs around Michael. She pressed another kiss to Michael's chin and lightly closed her eyes.

"Stay..." Nikita moaned out and Michael's mouth parted at the invitation. He was sure that he couldn't. He tried to protest, but found Nikita's offer, to stay connected as such as they slumbered the most erotic and loving gesture that he wanted to try, to give Nikita what she wanted.

"Sleep my love... sleep my wife..." Michael softly whispered as he pulled his arms around Nikita's glistening naked body closer to his, showing that he accepted her offer, accepted that he was hers and she was his. Nikita's eyes closed with happiness in her newfound husband and Michael was not far behind, ending with pressing a kiss to the temple of his wife.

*

The rain was heavy outside as Henry moved from the porch to the backdoor. He wasn't slightly worried when Michael nor Nikita answered the front door. Something told Henry that they had time to spend with one and another and stayed up too late. Henry opened the door and sighed.

He gathered a sense that something was going on when Walter called this morning. Walter wouldn't tell him anything exactly, but there was definitely something going on that Walter ached to tell him. Henry tried to shake the thought out of his mind, but he didn't let the thoughts go totally out of his head.

The coffee was preprogrammed to brew and Henry happily took a large cup of coffee and sipped it lightly. He found it easier to open his eyes and to face what was going on. It had been difficult to do any sleeping of late. He had too many thoughts in his fried brain.

Maddie.

His Maddie.

She was in his dreams. Not the Madeline that drove Nikita to the brink of yet another emotional break down. His Maddie, there was a big difference. It was not the Madeline that tried to force Nikita into therapy with a therapist she should known was bad. His Maddie, she knew how to smile. Not the Madeline that tried to be a mother to Nikita only turned out to be like Nikita's biological mother, abusive. His Maddie, who once use to sit in his laps for hours. Not the Madeline that was twisting the happenings of Section One and probably had more plans for his own life before she left him alone. His Maddie, who wanted to change Section One.

Madeline Lailie Tillotson was simply Henry's Maddie. Yet, when he knew Madeline, she was so different and so beautiful. She was like her middle name, Lailie, meaning born during light in Hebrew. Her smile was likely to light up any room that she stood in; she was able to bring a feeling of peace around those around her. She was so happy and she was always acted upon a feeling of grace. That was attributed to her heritage, the Tillotsons, who were traced back to Cheshire, England to Richard de Tillotson in 1096. She was elegant and she was graceful. She was aristocratic, but also showed a compassion that seemed to include anyone and she was in trouble often for those thoughts.

Madeline Lailie Tillotson

Maddie.

That woman didn't exist any longer and it pained Henry's heart. That was the woman he was still in love with. The woman who was a part of the light that Section One was trying to protect. Madeline was now part of the dark that was trying to take over the world in the name of saving the light. Madeline was not Madeline Lailie Tillotson. The woman that Henry loved would have been in the house, keeping by the side of Nikita's body, hoping and helping in her care. Madeline was not Madeline Lailie Tillotson. Henry knew that his Maddie no longer lived, but in his dreams he created an image of the Madeline becoming into Madeline Lailie Tillotson, coming back in order to spare Nikita's life and mind, in order to spare Michael and Nikita for further issues and problems.

Madeline Lailie Tillotson.

What happened to her?

Henry placed the mug of coffee down as his thoughts seemed like they were getting too heavy and difficult to bear any longer. He wished to rid his mind of them, but yet, since he denied the influence of Maddie on his heart, now it wouldn't go away. It was also because he never stopped loving her. It made Henry so upset to discover that he wasn't married to Esther out of love. It rocked his world and he was sure he would never get it back. Section One had destroyed his life for the third time.

It was extremely quiet and Henry licked his lips, wondering what was going on. He moved and sighed; finding it hard that no one came to meet him. Usually it was quiet in the morning, but usually Michael would answer the door. Yet, there had been a few times when Michael didn't, but when Henry was in the kitchen, it was only a few brief moments before Michael joined him.

Michael was a Section One operative.

Henry started to worry, wondering if some sort of terrorist group found out about Michael and Nikita and came during the night. Henry swallowed back the first response of fear and started to wish he had a gun right now. He didn't want to lurk around the house in case the terrorists were still in his house.

It was when Henry finally moved from the kitchen that he saw the display that would have made Mrs. Papappas faint away in shame. Henry in turn only went to the couch and pulled blanket over the still joined, but yet sleeping bodies of Michael's and Nikita's. He didn't know what occurred, but he knew what he found.

Michael moved his head and jumped as he saw Henry moving away. In his movement, he jarred Nikita out of her slumber and into awareness that even though Michael thought they could do it, they were still together. Nikita pressed her lips to his chest, and smiled, until she saw Michael's silently pointing hand.

"OH MY GOD!" Nikita screamed as she dove her head down into Michael's chest and started to turn red. Both of them squirmed, but found that the movement if anything was making their bodies react in ways they didn't want to do for an audience.

"Ni-ki-ta..." Michael growled out and Nikita lifted her head with a moan. She waited and smiled down at Michael with an mischievous glint in her sapphire eyes.

"I don't want to move..." Nikita slowly slurred out of her hot mouth. Michael crooned with pleasure and distress, trying to convey to Nikita that he wasn't exactly apt to continue on with this little game with Henry able to see everything.

"Later... my Nikita..." Michael said and he pulled his head to her ear and lightly teased his tongue around the surface. "My wife..."

"Mmm..." Nikita lazily smiled with content on her face, finding sliding off of Michael at this moment, easier than she wanted it to be, but that was because of the phrase he had used. Nikita leaned down and kissed his chest again. "Are you making breakfast?"

*

"She seems quiet this morning..." Henry softly stated as he looked into the living room that Nikita had perched herself in. He looked at Michael's eyes as he longing looked at Nikita, as if continuing to make sure that she was ok and still there. Henry dropped his head as Michael turned the study the man he wasn't sure he knew.

"You've been quiet yourself." Michael acknowledged and Henry didn't respond. Henry Papappas dropped his head and turned further into the kitchen, to clean up the mess that was left from Michael's adventures in French toast.

"You are thinking about Madeline." Michael assessed as he considered the look of being lost on Henry's face. He was in a state of limbo that no one would ever want to be in. He had been living a life as someone not in Section One for years and he even had a wife. Now, Section One reappeared and Henry had to be concerned how this was going to be played out. Section One just doesn't allow people free and they don't let people out who have information that could be damaging. How could Section One be sure Henry wouldn't speak? Because he has been quiet so far? Or had they destroyed his current life so badly and so beyond repair that he would have no motivation for not telling?

"Michael, please... Madeline isn't a worry... I'm worried for Nikita." Henry stated and Michael swayed his head from side to side knowing that Henry was trying to divert attention. Yet, he was succeeding and that fact alone was rubbing at Michael's mind, telling him to do something about it.

"She needs more than one night." Henry sadly whispered out as he poured the cold coffee down the drain and started to soak the coffeepot. He shook his head at the coffee stain that was around the glass and he started to scrub. The motions said so much about what Henry was going through and how much he wasn't willing to talk about.

Michael sighed and leapt up onto the countertop and dangled his legs. It was a move that he would have never done, but after seeing Nikita using it earlier in the morning, when Nikita was trying to trick Michael into paying attention to her, it looked like fun. It was also almost an experience of freedom. Michael pushed his hands onto the countertop and looked at Henry, studying how Henry was intent on beating up the soap bubbles in the sink.

"Is that what you had with Madeline?" Michael questioned as he dropped his green eyes and watched as Henry defensively snapped his head around to stare at Michael. Henry paused, staring into the eyes and threw the sponge back down into the soapy water.

"It's none of your business. I won't give you anything that may be used against her." Henry resolutely stated with rigidity to his facial expressions. Michael nodded his head up and down and turned it slightly to the right before looking back to Henry.

"So why are you trying to discover how Madeline was back then by how I act with Nikita now?" Michael questioned and he knew the question was one that wrenched the insides of Henry's heart outside of the body. Michael ceased his movement, content on watching Henry, knowing that he was correct in his assessment.

"I'm interested in Nikita.... Maybe my wisdom can help you two make it." Henry softly muttered in hard syllables. He used his wet hands to push at his hair and to find Michael's stare a bit too harsh for him. He tried to move away only to find Michael's hand holding him to the sink.

"I want you two to make it." Henry firmly stated out and Michael appreciated the tone and the words. There weren't many people who wanted Michael and Nikita to make it and more were against the combination of powers. Yet, how could it be broken now? How could anyone deny something that couldn't be defined and those participated in the feeling couldn't identify or classify?

"That's for us to make happen. You have nothing to do with that, Henry. Don't worry yourself about it." Michael said firmly, making the hint subtle, but he saw Henry. Henry didn't want to drop the subject and he was trying not to worry about what was going to happen to him. It was a losing battle and Michael knew that somehow he had to give back to Henry what he had helped Michael to gain.

"Henry, you must follow your heart. That's the only stuff worth fighting for." Michael said as he slid off of the countertop and started to move back to the living room. It was now Henry's turn for stopping Michael and holding his progression into another room. Henry smiled and nodded his head, that was the entire acknowledgement the proud man was going to give to Michael that he heard him. Michael wasn't sure that Henry would even listen to his suggestion, but Michael knew from experience that it was the only way to do things.

"I forgot to tell you about the neighbors..."

"What neighbors?"

"The ones next door."

"Henry, what are you talking about?"

"The neighbors who are staying in the house that Nikita stayed in."

"Oh?"

"The ones that have been using the huge whirlpool that you and Nikita enjoyed."

"I'm sure they are enjoying it."

"They are gone for four days."

Michael blinked his eyes as Henry lightly patted Michael's arm with a smile spreading across his face. Michael blinked his eyes and looked off to the side as his mind was racing with too many things, including the images of Nikita in that tub with him. Michael tried to steady his breath as he shook his head.

"You aren't suggesting..." Michael stated and Henry nodded his head as he looked around the kitchen and then smiled.

"It shouldn't be hard for two Section One operatives to cat burglar into the house next door, have some fun in the whirlpool that is in a soundproof room, and leave."

"I can't believe you are even suggesting this..."

"Well, it is technically my house, so you aren't even breaking and entering... I just thought Nikita would feel it to be appealing."

"She doesn't like things like that."

"Mmmm... yes, I know... But if you two do this, you can be sure that she is ready for missions and you get the benefit of some.. fun."

"I think we can have that here."

"Maybe you should ask Nikita."

"No." Michael firmly stated as he moved to the kitchen to look out the window. What he saw was the house next to them and the room that contained the whirlpool that was being waved in front of Michael like some treat to be gotten for doing a trick.

"You don't want to ask Nikita because you know she will want to do it." Henry assessed and Michael closed his eyes with a harsh laugh and he turned and leaned against the door.

The fact was, Henry was correct. Nikita would probably be half way into the other house before Michael even made it out of the living room. She had mentioned it to him a couple days ago, and he was sure that although they had last night, Nikita always craves more and what she shouldn't have. Nikita was willing to fight for their love and Michael knew to do this, would be in Nikita's book, fighting for their love.

"You know Nikita too well." Michael stated, giving up the battle, knowing that even in his mind, he couldn't wait to hit the bubbling water with Nikita.

*

It had been an hour since Michael had to run after Nikita as she dashed across the yard to the other house. Henry had laughed at the sight of the young love that he knew had to survive in order for either individual to live. There was no separating their hearts now. Yes, space would be inserted between their physical bodies and challenges would be placed, but their hearts were molded together and heavily entrenched so they would either live together or die together.

Henry had promised himself not to think about anything for a while. He didn't think about his wife Esther, who was probably going to the church again on the day to pray for several hours. He didn't think about Madeline, and about which one he loved and if he did love the Madeline that did this to Nikita. Henry did not find the task of not thinking easy, and he found it rather difficult at first. Yet, by cleaning the house he had been able to distract his mind long enough to do some chores.

It was while Henry turned on the last stair as he vacuumed that he noticed the car outside of the house and the approaching body. Henry pierced his lips together, wishing he could go hide also, not to face the person heading towards the house. Foreboding wasn't even a good enough word to describe how Henry felt as he opened the door and stared at the vision in front of him. The time was running out as Henry opened up the screen door. He could probably count the hours now until Michael and Nikita were ripped out of the town he wished they could stay in.

"Where are Michael and Nikita?" Madeline vigorously stated, showing that she meant business and that she was not there to play games. Henry leaned his head to the side, trying to play a game of his own. If it meant that Michael and Nikita had a few more moments together, he would say he had a successful mission.

"I don't know." Henry said as he picked his head up and leveled it with Madeline's head. She walked out of the hallway into the living room. If she had been hours earlier she would have walked into a great scene, and Henry was sure that she wouldn't know what to do, cover them up or to throw a pail of water on them. Henry looked to the couch as Madeline sat down. Henry turned his head away with a smile on his face, as she had not a clue what occurred on that couch.

"Henry, I do not have the time for this today. I need to get back." Madeline stated as she lifted her head up, stretching her neck, craning to watch Henry's eyes to see if he would give off a direction of where Michael and Nikita were hiding.

"Then go."

"Henry..."

"I mean it, Madeline... Just go."

"You know it can't be that simple."

"Yeah... because all you know is how to destroy." Henry hissed out as he folded his hands in front of him and Madeline stood up. She sniffed the air and dropped her head.

"I'll forget you said that... They are around, aren't they?" Madeline questioned and Henry rolled his eyes.

"Now, would your operatives try to run away from you, Madeline?"

Madeline moved towards Henry and looked into his eyes. She swallowed and turned her head away. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do. It was so many years ago and so many things had turned her deeper and deeper into the darkness she never wanted to be part of.

"Henry, I don't know what you think of me... but I'm not like what you think I am...."

"I think you're a witch."

"I think you like to crush hearts."

"Henry... it isn't that way..."

"Yes, it is."

"No. You just hurt too much to see what I am trying to do.. Just like Michael and Nikita are hurting too much to see what I am trying to do." Madeline said as she moved into the dinning room. She could almost feel the vibrations of Michael and Nikita being around, but yet the house was too quiet.

"They are hurting... They cling to each other like they are the only floating devices in the world!" Henry argued out and Madeline smiled and nodded her head.

"You used that before... They are outside, aren't they?" Madeline cried out as she moved to the porch. Henry followed behind Madeline, just hoping that she would stop, but knowing that she couldn't.

"See... they aren't here!" Henry said and Madeline nodded her head and turned around in a circle and stopped as she saw the window and the bubbles inside. The sight that she should have been embarrassed to watch entranced her.

"Please.... Madeline... just a few more hours!" Henry begged as Madeline drew her eyes away and swallowed. She looked at Henry and knew that once upon a time she had that with him. Yet, Operations was bearing down on her, making life miserable. Things needed to be done and the next mission wasn't going to be a short-term mission. She needed to get results soon or Operations was going to cancel her. She wanted to give into the love, to give Michael and Nikita those few hours.

"You know how Section One works, Henry." Madeline coldly stated as she moved to the house. Henry closed his eyes and sat down on the porch. The time was done. His Madeline didn't exist. His life was gone. In his dreams, Madeline lived and was as she was, in some ways. Until this moment, Henry held out for that Madeline to still be alive within Madeline, but she was dead. Probably for a longer time than Henry realized.

Madeline didn't enjoy having to walk into Michael and Nikita as they were in the whirlpool. She regretted that she had too, but their lives were in the line too. Madeline couldn't protect them any longer and she couldn't wait for whatever bliss they found in that tub to be over. She had warned that the time they had could be shorter than either one expected.

Madeline opened the door to find the couple ended in their hurried pace and to find them happily and playfully splashing each other.

"You both have missions." Madeline stated firmly and she watched the eyes heavily lay on Madeline's face. The anger was apparent and the disappointment was heavy. Madeline didn't want to do this and she once thought they understood that. Madeline hung her head down and looked as neither one of the couple moved.

"Can we have at least some privacy to dry off in?" Michael hissed out and Madeline nodded her head as the tears formed in her eyes. She wanted things to be so different. Everyone she was dealing with now was upset and torn into pieces. She wanted to put things together correct, not to create the pieces.

Michael turned and pressed his lips to Nikita's neck as she silently cried in the cooling water. He looked into her eyes and shook his head.

"Please, Nikita... It will be alright."

"No.. It's not."

"Nikita..."

"How long will it be Michael till I see you again?"

"Nikita..."

"A week?"

"A month?"

"Nikita, you can't think that way!"

"A year? How long?"

"They can't keep us apart forever."

"How can you say that?" Nikita hissed as she stood up, trying to escape the pain that she feeling, like someone had ripped an entire leg off of her body.

"Because I love you, Nikita. I LOVE YOU!"

"That is enough, right, Nikita?"

"Yes... God yes!" Nikita cried out as she hugged Michael, finding those last minutes being in Michael's arms and being at her home filled with tears.

They didn't know what would happen once they stepped out of the bathroom that Madeline had disrupted. They didn't know how long they would be apart and who would have the tough missions. They only knew what was there from the beginning and what didn't wash away with the soap and water.

Love.

It was what Madeline lacked and what they had. They had already won, but no one realized it yet.

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