There were images that Nikita fought hard to remember during her months of occupying residencies that weren't her own. There were images that Nikita dreamt of going back too and finding them the same as she had left them. She knew that Section One would change, but that wasn't home. Her home, the little apartment she had hated at first and the apartment she took her frustrations out on to recreate a little slice of heaven in order for her to sleep in, even if only for a few hours a day or a week. Yet, it had been months since Nikita last stepped foot inside that apartment. She couldn't wait, and wondered if that day would ever come.

Yet, Nikita was on a mission as the doors opened to Section One as the built up rage of being used like a rag doll of sorts, being moved from town to town, working on missions that all tied together to form the attack on the Project Svetovid. Her mind was flooded with images and thoughts and information of that project and most importantly, Baby Y.

There was a shift in air chemistry and that was the first thing that indicated to Michael that a storm was brewing. There were only a few people in Section One that created such an event, one where the operatives started to scatter about, leaving the scene and one that the old veterans, like Michael, the wryly ones that knew a good battle when there was going to be one, came out to view.

Michael's motivations weren't out of wanting to view a new charge proving to Operations and Madeline that she was now ready to step in the ranks of Michael's class. He was stepping out, hoping to stop Nikita, as he read some of the information of what Operations and Madeline deemed important in the pending Project Svetovid. He knew that Nikita had to have seen more for this storm to be surging down the hallway, with Walter tagging behind, trying to talk some common sense into Nikita.

"Nikita... a moment to speak with you.." Michael said with arched eyebrows. Nikita stopped and looked at Michael as her hair swung back and forth behind her head and shoulders, brushing against her back. She looked at Michael and turned to continue on her warpath up to Operations domain and territory.

"I couldn't stop her Michael... Something in that file got her riled up." Walter said as he stepped to the side and stopped following Nikita. Now he could only stand by and watch the battle about to war. Both men were afraid, since Nikita had been through so much lately if she could handle Operations.

Their worries weren't all wrong, they just had the wrong person. Madeline stood beside Operations as Nikita entered and they both heard the growl that echoed out of Nikita's chest and into the room.

"Nikita... I am glad for your prompt egress... I have your PDA." Operations said and Nikita's eyes narrowed as she stalked forward, everything telling Operations from her body behavior that something had gone awry. He looked to Madeline as she turned her head away.

"What is it Nikita?" Operations said and Nikita looked to the PDA and laughed lightly, finding the sugar coated words sick to read. They weren't even close to the truth.

"How about Project Svetovid... Are you interested in only Baby Y?" Nikita questioned and Operations looked to Madeline and shook his head in disappointment. Part of the reason why Madeline placed Nikita on that last mission was hoping that she would have other issues to deal with that she wouldn't act like normally curious self and leave the rest of the files be. It was another failure to chalk up to Madeline, another point against Madeline on Operations chalkboard, which was filling up quickly.

"The baby is now known as Ivan." Madeline coldly stated and Nikita stepped forward to the point she could strike either Madeline or Operations. Her hands were behind her back, trying to keep her emotions in tack this time, knowing that soon they wouldn't be.

"What about his parents? Do they even know?" Nikita hissed out and Madeline dropped her head and looked to Operations and swallowed. Nikita knew when there were issues between Madeline and Operations and this one smelt bad five miles away. She didn't know if it was doing her any good that Madeline and Operations were fighting while trying to deal with her or not.

"What do you know about the project, Nikita?" Operations questioned directly, wondering how much Madeline floundered on this important part of the mission. He couldn't have Nikita telling everyone what she knew; there would be a minor mutiny on his hands.

"I know about Baby Y... I mean Ivan's parents.... Using a sister's and a brother's genetic materials before they even matured themselves... To insure that he was the brightest they could get...." Nikita hissed out and Operations turned and glared at Madeline. What they didn't need Nikita knowing she knew, and nothing else mattered at this point.

"I want you to forget about that, Nikita... You have a mission." Operations said and Nikita looked to the PDA and swallowed. She rolled her shoulders around and swallowed.

"Do I get to go home for a few hours or am I stuck here?" Nikita rigidly questioned and Madeline dropped her head, as she knew something she had done without Operations knowing.

"You will stay here... There is no where to go to." Madeline stated and Nikita turned and moved closer towards Madeline, knowing who was playing with her now.

"What do you mean by that?" Nikita spat out, knowing the tone that Madeline had used didn't bode well for what Nikita wanted at this point. Madeline used her hands to skim the surface of her skirt and swallowed.

"You no longer have an apartment. We placed most of your personal effects in a stand by room. We needed to move some recruits out when they made full status." Madeline said calmly and saw instantly that Nikita was not going to mirror her actions and behaviors.

"You gave my apartment away?" Nikita questioned and Operations shook his head and left the office, knowing when a battle and a decision were a personal one and not one made for the best of Section One. Operations was shocked that Madeline would have done such a thing, as it was good to have Nikita bounded to an apartment. Now, Operations wasn't sure what Madeline was doing and he wasn't sure if Section One could last with Nikita staying in sight all day and all night. He was thankful that the mission was leaving in six hours.

"I didn't have a choice. You haven't been there in months." Madeline stated and she knew that she had selected the wrong words. Nikita moved before Madeline could even respond. She knew that Michael had been watching and knew that it was only a matter of time that someone came to her rescue.

Nikita was upset and she was hurt. The only image that she had that she wanted at that moment at time had been taken away from her and now she had no where to go. It was punishment, as she would be stranded within Section One for days upon days until Madeline finally got around getting her a new place. Nikita was positive that Madeline couldn't find Nikita another place as quickly as she got rid of her apartment.

"How dare you take my home away!" Nikita screamed and Madeline stared into Nikita's eyes as her hands tightened around her neck. Nikita wasn't hurting her, just using her power, trying to gain something back that she had lost. Madeline had half expected to get some reactions like this from Nikita.

"Nikita..." Madeline softly said but she found that she had no words to tell to Nikita. Madeline waited and swallowed.

"Nikita... stop." Michael said and Nikita pulled her hands away and started to cry. Michael moved forward to hold onto Nikita and to stare at Madeline.

"We brief in three hours. Nikita will be with me." Michael seethed out as he turned and stared to lead Nikita away. Madeline lifted her head and gulped some of the fresh air into her lungs.

Madeline instantly noticed that she was going to have to readjust her thinking about Nikita and Michael. There seemed to be something more there than what she had initially believed. Yes, they were soul mates deeply in love, but something else had occurred. She had an hour that she couldn't account for Michael's whereabouts and she had reports of a sick Nikita.

Madeline wanted the answers.

Too bad she wasn't the only one seeking them.

Baby Y was on Nikita's mind and she didn't waste her time walking with Michael, promising once she figured out more of what was going on, that she would tell the rest of the team. It would be only fair.

*

Michael pushed the button to the private room and waited for the metal and electronic door to register the command and start to open. He moved Nikita quickly into the room and stared at her as she took a place on a tall stool, looking around her.

"I'm losing it, Michael..." Nikita babbled out as the tears continued. Just a couple days ago, they were afraid that she was pregnant. Now Nikita was on some sort of mercenary action against Operations and Madeline only to find out that they took something else that she believed to be hers.

"Your not." Michael simply stated in sibilant words, echoing to her that he was with her now and that she had him. Michael waited and moved to the stool and sighed.

"They took my apartment, Michael!" Nikita cried out like a teenager that had her boyfriend stolen away from underneath of her by her best friend. Michael held the wailing Nikita, still not appreciating what Nikita was weeping about. To Michael, it was an apartment. To Nikita, it was something that she had for the first time, a home, even in her own warped world. To Nikita, it was something she had that she truly had because it was hers and no one else's. In Madeline's words, she destroyed that world and that home that Nikita had tried to create for herself, showing Nikita that she had basically nothing.

"Nikita..." Michael softly whispered as he wrapped his arms around Nikita's body, as she seemed to be wavering in strength and balance on the stool. He held her tightly for a few seconds and then sluggishly closed his own eyes, trying to gather his thoughts into a comprehensive thought and expression. It would only make the rest of the conversation easy for Michael. Yet, he didn't know what Nikita was thinking and often, the way Nikita thought was not predictable.

"It only shows that I have nothing! I have nothing!" Nikita bemoaned loudly as her hair striked against Michael's face as he had lowered his head to her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"You have a lot, Nikita." Michael proclaimed as his hands lightly rubbed circles on her doddering arms. He kissed her neck and absorbed air, knowing that he had to remain calm, that one of them had too.

"I have nothing... Madeline took my health away from me.... I think she took my sanity too." Nikita alleged as she tilted her head away from Michael, denying the proof of the one thing that she did have. Yet, Michael couldn't claim that now as the words that Nikita echoed were down right disrupting to Michael's heart and soul. His Nikita had so much and was so smart, brave, and fully aware of her facilities.

Now, the toll of Section One was being seen on Nikita. They once said that Nikita's weakness was her compassion, yet, it turned out to be one of her strongest points, as they used it whenever they could. Nikita's weakness was her self-esteem and her self-image. Why no one else ever saw it was difficult to explain. She had lived on the streets and expressed to everyone, including Michael that she didn't fit in with the educated class of Section One operatives. Yet, the self-esteem was built easily and quickly under the good tollage of Michael's training and the love he long denied.

By the schemes and plans of Madeline, she started to destroy that self-image, to erode it away to expose the Nikita that was still hurt inside. All Michael had done was created the defensives around that inner person, and it had worked until Madeline drilled the hole into those defensives and inflated the problems inside of Nikita. She imploded Nikita's self-concept and self-image, making Nikita doubt herself, the most dangerous thing a Section One operative could do and allow to happen.

Michael realized how close Section One was to winning their war with Nikita, how close Nikita was tittering on the edge of become a Section One robot, staying the same Nikita, or plunging off in the abyss. Now he held the Nikita that needed him the most, but most importantly, she needed herself.

"Nikita... You aren't insane. There are some problems, but we all have problems." Michael said and Nikita tried to deny Michael's words by swaying her head back and forth. Michael waited and waited as he leaned his head back, pushing the frustration behind him.

"Tell me about what you know about Project Svetovid." Michael stated the challenge, knowing that Nikita might not take to this tack very well and that the approach might very well blow up in his face. Yet, if it worked, it may solve this crisis before it went too far and made Michael to expose all that he could tell Nikita, and much more.

"They created a child... a prodigy of sorts... From... from..." Nikita explained but then closed her eyes as she saw the file in her mind's eye. She didn't want to think about what those people did, she didn't want to admit the horrors of the world and what they were willing to create in order to get ahead of others in business. Nikita wished for a similar time when people mattered and money was nice.

"From what?" Michael questioned; surprised at the fact that Nikita didn't lash out at his question, that she didn't inquire why he had asked so. Michael didn't know what Nikita was going to say next. He didn't know enough about the project to know the horror of the information that Nikita had found.

"From children, Michael... Baby Y.... or Ivan as Madeline called him... were created from the genetic material of a brother and a sister... and born without ever being in any womb." Nikita cried out and Michael blinked his eyes stunned at the nature of Project Svetovid. He found it difficult to swallow and he knew that any reaction from Nikita was in total proportion of who she was. He wasn't going to allow Nikita to think otherwise.

"But worse... we know the brother and sister... we know that the sister helped to create the brother..." Nikita lamented with immense tears rolling out of her eyes. Michael dropped his head and kissed her shoulder through the material of her shirt and waited. He knew whom she was talking about.

Samantha and Eric Jennings.

This wasn't just going to bother Nikita; Birkoff was going to continue to have issues. Birkoff had stumbled across the truth of what Samantha was and now Nikita put more of the huge puzzle together. It was only getting more ominous with each new piece of new information.

"Nikita.... Do you think you are insane because you dislike this? I dislike it! I guess I'm insane too." Michael lashed out with a deep and thick voice. Nikita closed her blue eyes as Michael's words vibrated through her, as Nikita knew the truth.

"So I have my sanity! That's it! That's all! That's NOT ENOUGH FOR ME!" Nikita screamed as she threw her arms back, breaking Michael's hold on her body. She started to fall forward and threw her legs down to brace herself as she stood up, trying to hide the fact that she was falling. Michael shook his head as she looked around the room and finally, finding no place to set her body, flung the length of her body on the ground into a heap.

"What about me, Nikita?" Michael hauntingly asked as he stared down at Nikita. She lifted her head and tried to mewed words out, but was losing the ability to speak. Michael saw that she knew she had him, but that realization seemed to be causing more pain to her.

"Nikita... you have always had me... and my love... Is that enough?" Michael questioned as he fell to his knees with a loud thump. Nikita reached for his face and nodded her head up and down as the tears again, overflowed her face.

"Can I keep you?" Nikita simpered and Michael nodded his head as he held her again, never wanting to leave Nikita's warm body go, knowing that as long as Nikita wanted him that he wanted her and that the feeling would most likely, never end.

Section One didn't matter. They tried to control your feelings and your possessions. When it seemed like an operative was winning, they would plan, plot, and scheme to drop the operative an emotional rank or two. Yet, they couldn't take this love away. It was there, deep within Michael and Nikita and showed no way for it to be taken away again.

Madeline had almost succeeded in ruining Nikita, but forgot about love and most importantly, the love from Michael. Nikita had so much more than just that, she had love from Walter and Birkoff, but that wasn't what was important at the time. If Michael could help her now, as he did, all would be fine and Nikita would come to terms and see what she had and what she didn't have. Maybe Section One took her private possessions that she had identified, but they didn't take Nikita's spirit and love away and they hadn't touched Michael yet.

"What are we going to do, Michael?" Nikita inquired with a voice that already showed the rebounding self-image and self-worth. Michael touched Nikita's hair gently and sighed as he looked at the woman he would do anything for and pressed yet another kiss to Nikita's neck, cherishing Nikita in a way that she needed. When her hands touched Michael back, he only knew that the strong willed Nikita was not far off.

"For now, you'll stay with me. Madeline will have to get you a new place." Michael explained as he looked to the wall and dropped his head back to Nikita's shoulder, knowing that the contact of his body to hers gave her even more strength.

"And this mission?" Nikita questioned and Michael looked to Nikita with a slight smile spreading across his face. He knew that tone, and knew that in all realms, that Nikita had a plan.

"What do you plan on doing?" Michael questioned and Nikita dropped her head.

"Madeline isn't going to win.... But she is more correct than Operations." Nikita stated as the tears had suddenly dried on her face and showed that there were no more in her eyes. Michael blinked his eyes and shifted his body to a more comfortable position, to stare at Nikita, but also able to hold her hands in his own.

"You think that Operations is up to something?" Michael questioned and Nikita nodded her head before Michael's words were even finished. She tilted her head back and swung her hands scarcely from side to side, causing Michael's to swing with hers.

"I just know.... He is setting her up." Nikita bluntly concurred as she connected with Michael's eyes. Michael could barely nod his head, as he didn't want to move from seeing Nikita's face and her eyes. He wanted to lose himself forever in her body.

"He has tightened the reins." Michael stated and Nikita dropped her head.

"He has plans on this project, Michael. He wants us to destroy it, yes, but not because it is wrong." Nikita proposed and Michael sighed with the words.

"You think he wants to do that here?" Michael questioned and Nikita blinked her eyes and stood up. Michael watched Nikita as she moved to the couch and settled her body down.

What Nikita was suggesting, was still processing in Michael's mind and he was not even to where Nikita was thinking. He was just thinking of Operations using Baby Y, the boy known as Ivan. If Section One bought Birkoff, Michael wouldn't put it past Section One to use Ivan.

Too bad Michael hadn't seen what Nikita was seeing.

It was more than disturbing and Nikita was finding anyway to forget about those thoughts.

*

"Madeline." Operations bellowed as he entered Madeline's office. She lifted her head and swallowed, knowing that nothing coming from this man was going to be good. Madeline had enough issues to deal with and now he was going to demand some more things that were only going to be mistakes.

"I thought you said that Harrison Madaris wouldn't have information about Baby Y in his computer." Operations said and Madeline clicked her eyes up to stare at him. She shifted and considered what he said and Madeline swallowed some air as she sighed and found everything about Operations more maddening than an hour ago.

"I stated that Harrison Madaris wouldn't have information about Baby Y that could be found if we had an operative that was interested in the information and one that wasn't skilled. What do you classify Nikita as?" Madeline retorted quickly and Operations pulled at the chair and pushed it in front of Madeline as he sat close her desk and leaned into her face.

"Listen, you aren't to question me. You are to answer me." Operations said and Madeline frowned and looked around her office.

"Why don't you just cancel me now? That is what you want." Madeline remarked sternly as she raised an eyebrow and Operations growled at her approach.

"No... you need me because you are worried about what Nikita will do." Madeline concluded as she leaned back in her chair and studied Operations.

"Stop the games and tell me what to suspect." Operations said and Madeline rolled her eyes, not finding this game needed now.

"Are you asking me to speculate on if Nikita knows who the parents are?" Madeline poised the question and she watched as Operations' eyes narrowed and his body started to lean closer to her, to close for Madeline, but she allowed it without flinching.

"I think we both realize that Nikita knows. Will she tell Michael?" Operations questioned.

"No."

"No? Are you sure?"

"I'm positive Paul. You must think I know nothing about Nikita." Madeline hissed out sharply and Operations tilted his entire body back into his chair, trying to gather what kind of game Madeline was playing.

"I think you know too much. I still have questions about the mission with Dr. Bowles." Operations said and Madeline strangled out a smile, it turned out to look mangled but it didn't matter.

"They will remain unanswered." Madeline stated bluntly and Operations sighed and stood up. He dropped a PDA to her desk and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"We need to change the profile. It isn't working." Operations said and Madeline looked to the PDA and saw that he had made no suggestions on how to change it.

"I suggested that this tactic in approaching Mince was going to be difficult... you are asking to place ten operatives into the little town." Madeline stated and Operations slammed his hands down on the desk.

"An assault doesn't work. We needed to gather fingerprints and codes. We have all of them and now we do this the easy way." Operations stated and Madeline pushed the PDA away from in front of her and stood up to her own high heights.

"Then why do you want to change it as you suggest that it is the easy way?" Madeline requested as she leaned to her side with a straight line piercing her cold and hard face.

"Why don't you tell me?" Operations queried backed and Madeline slowly slammed her eyes down and then lifted them, finding the urge to pull her gun out and put a bullet or two between Operations eyes growing. At least then, there would be something in his head.

"Could it be because it is stupid to create new identities when we already have perfectly good identifies?" Madeline posed in a mocking voice. Operations blinked a few times as Madeline started to smile, showing him how utterly ridiculous the first mission profile was.

"But we would have to contain the real people." Operations stated and Madeline rolled her eyes.

"How many operatives do we have?"

"Madeline....."

"How many are being used in this mission?"

"Ten in the town... three teams of five waiting as backup."

"That leave us how many teams to cover what, maybe four little towns tops?" Madeline hissed out and Operations dropped his head and shook it.

"Still, the logistics of this..." Operations protested out, not one to like being made little by Madeline.

"We are planning on brining in these people either way to either be cancelled or immersed into our ranks? Why not do it all at once?" Madeline questioned out, still in her own way, pointing out the irony of the bad plan and the good ideas and concepts of her little and minor change. She was belittling Operations as she stood there, probably added a couple reasons for Operations to still plan on canceling her, but to Madeline, it didn't matter any longer.

"You give a good point." Operations said and he turned to leave and then he stopped and turned back to Madeline, seeing her staring at his body.

"What about Michael and Nikita?" Operations questioned.

"What about them?"

"They are together."

"Michael took her to a room to calm her down."

"Do you think we should pull her?"

"Why would we do that now? She knows enough to sabotage from internally."

"She could do it on the field too, Madeline."

"Michael evens her out. She will do the profile, but will be her usual stubborn and annoying self."

"Why would that change now, Madeline?" Operations questioned and Madeline lifted her head off to the side and swallowed. She would be dead if he knew that she had worried that she would never have been able to leave a room again by herself. The fact that Nikita found out the information was a great step and the fact that Nikita confronted them on the information was even better. She had healed and then Madeline destroyed her again with the apartment.

"Did I mention to you how George is questioning moving Nikita's apartment?" Operations said casually and Madeline blinked her eyes. She had plans of her own in this entire messy situation. It had only gotten out of hand because Nikita wanted to go today to her apartment. Had Nikita and Walter made terrible time back to Section One, it would have never been an issue and Madeline could have diverted Nikita's rage on the issue with something and somewhere that Madeline was sure that Nikita would appreciate.

"I'll handle it. I always do." Madeline confirmed without giving Operations any hints to what she was going to do. She waited as Operations slid out of the door, only to step back in as soon as the door had closed.

"Oh, did I mention I found out about Henry Papappas, Madeline. Exposure to Nikita... Too bad... We will have to bring him back in." Operations said with a grin crossing his face and Madeline didn't react. She closed her eyes and waited for Operations to leave before dropping her head.

How could it get any worse?

*

The gull.

That was all Operations could think when Michael arrived with Nikita, with his hand wrapped around her shoulder, protectively, leading her. The gull of the move irritated Operations and brought him to a full boiling rage. He wanted to destroy both of them at that moment and he glared at Madeline.

The gull.

It even got more public and displayed as Michael glared at an operative that sat in the chair next to where Michael would sit. He wanted Nikita by his side and the operative quickly turned and moved to another chair, at the end of the table, so that Nikita could sit down. Of course, she didn't sit down until Michael moved the chair closer to his and he maintained contact with Nikita by holding her hand at the table.

Madeline only dropped her eyes, knowing that in a way, it was Michael's attempt to stop Nikita from providing a side show during the briefing, but Madeline was sure that Michael was aware that it wouldn't stop it from happening. Nikita was too angry of late and an impending argument was at least going to occur soon enough.

"You have all gotten preliminary reports on the project we are going to take down, Project Svetovid. There is only one vital part of the project that we want to preserve and that is the main target. It will be brought back alive." Operations said as he turned the screen on. He looked through the hologram as he saw Michael's feeble attempt at keeping Nikita in check, breaking.

"Why don't you tell us about him?" Nikita hissed out and Madeline looked over all the heads of the operatives to look at Michael who knew this was going to happen. Madeline could see thought that Michael was willing to accept this and realized that something else must have occurred between the two. It was like Michael was building Nikita's confidence by allowing her to fight with Operations. It was dangerous, but it was also brilliant.

"It is not necessary yet. The operatives who have direct contact with the target will be given the information about the target." Operations said as he looked into Nikita's eyes, finding them already shaking with disbelief.

"You just don't want to tell them about the monster that Section One allowed to be created." Nikita stated and Madeline stood up. She moved across the room and placed her hands on Nikita's shoulders. She looked as the operatives stared at her as she leaned to Nikita's ear.

"I can have you removed." Madeline whispered and stayed until Michael's own firm hand pushed Madeline up and away from Nikita.

"She says. You just don't want her to reveal what you did to her, Madeline. Why would she listen to you now?" Michael threatened as he looked at Madeline's chocolate eyes narrowing at his involvement, so publicly and in front of Operations and operatives.

"I have to agree with Michael." Walter chipped in from the other end of the table. Madeline turned to glare at Walter before she moved back to her chair.

"Are we all done with that, now?" Operations upbraided as he looked at Madeline, issuing the visually warning. Madeline rolled her eyes to the side and slightly raised her shoulders. It was her attempt to warn him that things were going to continue to blow up in his face during this mission, yet he seemed not to take it.

"Good... now the mission will start in two hours. It will consist of ten operatives that will have either fingerprints and codes to gain access to the target." Operations explained.

"You mean monster." Nikita remarked and Michael turned towards Nikita and whispered privately into her ear. Nikita looked at Michael and then back to Operations showing that Michael's words almost meant nothing to her.

"Those with access materials will coordinate through Section One to enter the building in a week. During the week you are in Mince, West Virginia, you will be playing neighbors and visitors. You can't be having private relationships."

"Now, we wouldn't want that!" Nikita sang out and Operations flipped the hologram screen off and leaned towards Nikita.

"Is there something you want to say?"

"Other than you are a bastard?"

"Nikita!" Walter screamed as he stood up and slammed his hands on the table. Nikita blinked her eyes as Michael leaned forward to look at Walter.

"Isn't he?" Michael questioned and Operations leaned back and looked at Michael and Nikita, finding the entire behavior out of character and out of what he had expected to deal with.

"The mission." Operations hissed out. Madeline slyly smiled, finding the events slightly amusing to say the least. If she got cancelled after this, she wouldn't mind. It was fun watching the operatives finally get the upper hand in relationship to Operations.

"Let me guess who I am.... I would be Samantha Jennings? Teenaged mother and mad scientist?" Nikita posed and Operations glared at her. It took all of his strength to continue to stand up. He wanted to fall back in his chair and scream for her cancellation, but she had his hands tied. Michael looked to Nikita and lightly smiled.

"And that would make me Rick Azure." Michael stated and Nikita nodded her head and touched Michael's forehead softly and sensually. Nikita leaned over and kissed at his lips.

"I think a romance is going to happen." Nikita said as she pulled back and Operations was about to jump over the table as Madeline stepped up again, this time pulling both Michael's and Nikita's chairs backwards to glare at them.

"What are you doing?" Madeline whispered harshly and Nikita shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't think I can answer that... Since you haven't been able to answer me why you sent me to Dr. Bowles to be electrocuted for a day." Nikita said a bit too loud and Michael closed his eyes.

"What about Dr. Bowles?" Operations questioned and Nikita looked to Madeline and then Michael. Michael slightly dropped his head and Nikita stood up and moved to Gene, who was going to be pulling the detail in Liberty Circles.

"Madeline and Michael took care of him, Gene... You will only have to go find the grave..." Nikita said and Operations turned his glare from Michael and Nikita towards Madeline.

"And why would that be?" Operations snarled at Madeline as she straightened her body and looked to Nikita's eyes as they twinkled. There was a plan to Michael's and Nikita's madness and Madeline wasn't sure how they took her for answering this question.

Madeline knew that if Michael and Nikita had a plan, that she didn't want to counteract whatever they had planned. Still, she couldn't let them go too far off of the deep end; she would never be able to get control and discipline over them again. That would be too dangerous. They were setting something up and times like this, she wished she could read minds.

"He decided to make Nikita a human voodoo doll, and used a stun gun instead of pins." Michael stated as he moved to the table and turned on the hologram screen as Operations stared at Madeline, not able to move his eyes off of her.

"The important things about this mission is that you do not lose your access materials. We all have to use the materials to gain access to the area that Baby Y is in." Michael said as the picture popped up on the screen. Michael looked around and swallowed as the operatives looked at the image.

"The picture was taken three years ago... after the child showed to be resistive to the AIDS virus and Hepatitis... He has an IQ that is not measurable because of brilliance and he has been through body altering surgeries. Get use to the way he looks in this picture, we don't know what he will look like when we see him." Michael said and turned the screen off. He turned from the table and held the pointer in his hand.

"Sometimes the truth is the easiest way to handle briefings and missions in order to get them done right. Playing games only opens up you to other people's games." Michael said as he handed the pointer back to Operations. Operations stared at Madeline and chewed the inside of his mouth as Nikita snapped up her PDA and smiled broadly to everyone.

"Hey... I'm the mad scientist and model.... I think I see an expensive wardrobe... custom made." Nikita hissed as she walked out of the briefing room. Madeline watched as Michael and Nikita joined hands and left, followed by the other operatives.

"What just happened here?" Operations questioned Madeline as she took Nikita's chair and sat down into it. She slumped her body and shook her head.

"I don't know." Madeline whispered and Operations turned to the table and threw the pointer to its surface. He swallowed and shook his head, feeling the reigns he had tightened around Madeline almost being too tight as the reigns he once had over Michael and Nikita slack almost to the point of no return.

"Is this going to work?" Operations questioned and Madeline shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't even verbalize the words that she didn't know once more. She found it impossible to even think of what happened her and realize how Michael and Nikita played her like they knew her entire life.

She was trying to help them and they didn't realize it. She wanted to be a part of their plan so she could tell them of her own plan. She wondered what else happened during the briefing and who else knew about this.

*

Nikita was placed in the hotel in Mince. She arrived about an hour ago, via train, from Cleveland. She didn't have a pleasant ride, as the men on the train were down right disgusting and vile. Nikita had to remember that she had other business to attend to before she crammed her hand into the one man's crotch and got the conversations about her long legs ceased.

Now, Nikita stared at the tiny room that she would be staying in for the next week with critical eyes. They might have well have put her in a tent. The bed was just springs and nothing else. The entire room was decorated in bright orange and must not have been redecorated since the 1970's. Nikita was surprised that there was even a color television and a cassette player. From the looks of the room, she expected an eight-track player.

"I'm suppose to be a model..." Nikita sighed as she dropped to the bed and felt the entire bed drop down, showing that there was nothing to the springs. The entire floor creaked when she walked on it and she started to cry.

First she found out about Baby Y. Second she had her apartment taken away from her. Third, she got sent to little Mince, stuck in an old hotel, and the only restaurant in a five-mile radius that she ever heard of was a Hardees.

Across town, Rick Azure checked into the small bed and breakfast that was quite charming and pleasing to the eye. Michael found his room to be larger than he expected and it had a particular feminine charm to it. He couldn't help himself from thinking about Nikita when he settled his suitcases on the floor. He had drove in a new BMW that was now parked in front of the white picket fence that surrounded the bed and breakfast.

He was concerned for Nikita and knew that even though he was playing Rick Azure, who had the tendency to have his reputation follow out in front of him, Michael knew he had to see Nikita during this week. It wasn't for his own self; he was concerned about Nikita. She had been quiet as she prepared for the mission, even while selecting the most expensive clothing she could fine. Madeline had been upset, but allowed Nikita to do so.

Nothing of real substance was said between the two and nothing seemed to matter to Nikita at the moment. Michael knew that everything was jumbled into her mind and creating a mess, but he was part of that mess and he wanted to help clean up.

Michael moved to the wall and plugged the computer into the line and smiled as the computer booted up. Maybe he could make arrangements to meet Nikita, have Rick fall in love with Samantha and bring her back to the bed and breakfast.

"DAMN!" Nikita cussed as she threw her hands up in despair. She couldn't even get the computer to hook up, as the phone line was incorrect. She moved to the window and pulled at the curtains, trying to get more light in the badly lit room, only to have a heavy coat of dust to fall off of the windows.

"What else! What else!" Nikita hissed as she moved to the bathroom and sat down on the covered seat. She dropped her head into her hands and closed her eyes. She knew that nothing was going to go away, that it would all be waiting for her when she opened her eyes.

"Hello, Dr. Bowles..." Walter said as he moved down the platform at the bus station. Birkoff nodded his head and shook Walter's hand. Birkoff hated the costume he was wearing, as it made him look older. He couldn't believe that they needed him for this mission. He tried to get out of it, but Madeline stated that they needed him in case there were computers that they didn't know about. Birkoff didn't buy any of it.

"Mr. Madaris... Nice to meet you." Birkoff stated as Walter pointed to a waiting car. Walter had been able to rent a house as Harrison Madaris and due to some martial problems, was seeking the help of a close acquaintance, Dr. Bowles.

"Nice little town." Birkoff dryly stated and Walter forced out a smile, somehow knowing that the week to come was going to drain him of anything worth while. He didn't want to hate Birkoff at the end of the week, but spending a week with Birkoff might be too much.

"I hope you didn't bother to bring your computer... I have a large one at the house I rented." Walter said as he opened the door. Birkoff smiled and nodded his head, knowing that the Internet was going to be a savior for him this week. He just wasn't going to tell Section One of his good access, because then they'd be sending him work all week. Birkoff crossed his fingers that Walter didn't tell anyone about the computer.

"Mr. Azure... is there anything that you need?" the proprietor of the bed and breakfast questioned as Michael opened the white door to look out at the mauve hallway. Michael smiled and looked to the side for a moment.

"Is there a good place to get a late dinner?" Michael questioned and the woman smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes... Mince Country Kitchen is a good meal place... and there is the Saloon next door. Most of my guests eat there if they don't eat here." The woman said and Michael nodded his head and smiled.

"And that would be on Main Street?" Michael questioned and she smiled broadly.

"It is on the corner with Main Street and Liberty. The Hardees is right across the way too." She informed Michael and he smiled and closed the door. He moved to gather his coat as the evening air was getting quite chilled.

"DAMN IT!" Nikita hissed as she looked through her coat pocket, throwing it on the bed along with the bags that she had been through and found that wallet that Madeline had prepared for Nikita was gone. She had the access materials and everything else that she needed, all but the money and charge cards to get through the next week.

Nikita dropped to the bed, feeling the spring giving out once again and shook her head back and forth. She pulled her hair up in a ponytail and sighed. It didn't matter if she had fancy clothing; she only had enough for one meal at Hardees, and from the change she had found in the assorted bags.

"This isn't happening..." Nikita muttered to herself as she looked at the pile of items again, trying to remember who had the wallet last. She closed her eyes and remembered being in Madeline's office as she folded the expensive clothing. Madeline stated that she had to check the materials of the wallet and she turned and left the room. When she returned, she handed Nikita the full purse as Michael walked in, ordering Nikita to hurry. Nikita had assumed that the wallet was in the purse.

"Damn you, Madeline!" Nikita hissed out as she pulled at the light designer jacket, knowing that she should probably just get a cold to spite Madeline and her terrible decision to pocket her wallet. Nikita was so hungry now, because of the men on the train with her, that she decided to go spend what she had in her money this night and find Michael in the morning.

Birkoff stared at the house and blinked his eyes a few times at the size. Walter clapped his hand on Birkoff's shoulder, and started to pull at Birkoff's bags.

"It isn't that big.... You should see the one that Nikita and me were held up in... Wow... now that was a mansion.. This is like a townhouse in comparison." Walter said as he jogged up the few steps and opened the door. Birkoff was still walking around with his head up in the air, looking at the structure like he never saw a house before in his life.

"This has to be the size of three houses from Vernsville." Birkoff muttered as he started up the stairs. Walter looked around and then pulled Birkoff by the shirt into the house.

"You were making a scene... Like they don't already notice that fake hair piece on your head." Walter said as he shook his head. He didn't like what Madeline had done to Birkoff and swore for revenge. Some morning Madeline was going to wake up with purple hair and then she would find out how it felt to be like some of the operatives.

"I'll never forget Madeline for this." Birkoff hissed in discord and Walter shrugged his shoulders up. Birkoff moved to the kitchen and opened up the cupboards and then sighed heavily as he sat down.

"What? It's fully stocked." Walter said and Birkoff rolled his eyes and swallowed.

"There is no Cocoa Pebbles and no Double Stuffed Oreos! How is a man suppose to live!" Birkoff cried out and Walter turned and stalked into a room away from Birkoff. It was going to seem like a month with Birkoff. Walter started to wish for Nikita again thinking she was pregnant, because he didn't get annoyed at all. Birkoff was going to ruin his nerves for the final time.

"DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!" Nikita hissed as she slammed the door back into the hotel room that she had been forced into. She threw off the jacket and threw it into a pile. She pulled off the other clothing, finding herself covered in heavy mud like substance that three young teenaged boys threw at her. She pulled the material away from her skin and looked at her hair, covered now in the mud.

"DAMN!" Nikita hissed as she moved to the bathroom. She had to get a shower when all she wanted was a hamburger. She turned on the water and turned to grab a towel. The rack that the towels were on was hanging on the wall until Nikita pulled at towel off. It tilted to the side and proceeded to drop all the rest of the towels into the shower to drench themselves.

"DAMN!" Nikita cussed again, finding everything unbelievable. She didn't even want to think what was next.

Michael walked out of the charming bed and breakfast with a huge smile on his face. The people in the town were friendly and the visitors were friendly. He hoped that the rest of the operatives were having as much luck, as most weren't looking forward to this mission.

As Michael walked along the long porch to the sidewalk to get to his BMW, he looked up to the sky and saw the huge moon hanging in the sky. He smiled lightly and leaned against the railing of the porch. He couldn't wait to get Nikita to this porch and inside of his room. He felt that more healing could occur here than anywhere else. The romantic feeling of the bed and breakfast would more than likely appeal to Nikita and break her out of the mood she was showing.

Michael walked down the stairs and took in the fresh air. He thought back to the grass that he found that Nikita liked and wished that the bed and breakfast was just their house and that there was a more secluded space, knowing that Nikita would be happy laying in the grass in his arms. They would find a peace again that Michael ached with need to find.

"Do they have a pizza place?" Birkoff questioned as he poked his head out of the kitchen to the den that Walter had taken over. He looked at the communications units that all the operatives would be picking up during the week and looked to Birkoff.

"Look in the phone book." Walter stated and Birkoff rolled his eyes in annoyance. All he wanted was an easy question.

"I can't find one." Birkoff said and now it was Walter's turn to roll his eyes. He walked to the kitchen and pulled out the local newspaper.

"Try that." Walter stated as he slammed his hand down on the table to point out the paper and he shook his head in disappointment. Maybe the rumors of Birkoff having no social skills were one hundred percent correct. He couldn't believe how the boy was fumbling around the house.

"I just asked. You don't have to get an attitude!" Birkoff hissed out as he flipped the first page open. Walter turned to glare at the young man, wanting to strangle him right that moment.

"Let's get this straight boy.... Leave me alone. I'll do my thing... You do yours..." Walter said and Birkoff glared at Walter, finding the entire situation terrible. He had thought that a week with Walter would be interesting and would help him learn some new things and ways of life. He wanted to hear a lot of Walter's stories of ladies and of exotic places. Birkoff wanted to learn more about Walter and now he was concerned. He saw that Walter's mind was processing something and more than likely it was about Nikita or Michael, or Michael and Nikita.

"Finally!" Nikita happily smiled as she walked down Liberty. She had a black jacket on and she didn't realize how dark the small towns were at night. She didn't notice until the headlights were focused on her.

*

Michael's mind was focused on Nikita as he drove down the small street, finding it almost charming that they didn't have glaring streetlights on the streets. He smiled at the charm of the town as the moonlight made it almost more romantic than the bed and breakfast he had left.

All of that stopped as he blinked his eyes and saw the combination of blonde and black in front of the BMW. He pushed at the brakes and waited for the car to stop, suddenly hating the car that Madeline forced him to drive, as a Taurus or something more reasonable would have stopped by then. Michael didn't know who was in front of the car as the body started to jump away from the car and down onto the pavement.

Michael jumped out of the car once he shifted it down to park. He looked around and saw the blonde hair in clearer detail and he stopped as he realized he knew that hair. Michael moved to her side and touched carefully.

"Nikita..." Michael softly said and Nikita jolted her head up with the sound of her name. She pulled away from Michael's touch and winced in the same time. Michael placed another hand on her, trying to stop her movement.

"Are you hurt?" Michael questioned and Nikita started to bawl for reasons unknown for Michael. Nikita had just found a continuation of the bad day she had been having and swore as she lifted her hand and saw that she had dropped the $1.67 that she was going to need for the hamburger at Hardees.

"Damn!" Nikita swore as she shook her head and started to move. She didn't hurt her back, shoulders, or neck. She could move. There would be bruises, but they healed all the time. Nikita looked at her hands and saw a slight traced on the one, where she had skidded across the pavement and used the hands to stop her head from hitting bluntly on the pavement.

"Nikita..." Michael stated as he looked at her. She shifted slightly and looked to her legs and threw her hands up in disgust.

"What else is going to happen today? What else?" Nikita hissed as she pulled of her jacket and pressed it to the long bleeding scrap that almost ran the entire length of her side of her calf. Michael looked around and opened the door to the BMW and motioned towards Nikita.

"Look... I'm fine.. I don't have any money to eat.. But I don't need you, Michael." Nikita stated out and Michael looked at Nikita as she tried to stand up. He stood back until she started to falter on the leg that was bleeding and she closed her eyes.

"Let me at least take me to the hotel." Michael said and Nikita rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe any of this was happening and Michael waited for Nikita to slide her body into the car and to settle quietly. He drove in silence, unsure what was happening to Nikita.

"Welcome to the Partridge Family meets the Brady Bunch hotel." Nikita remarked as she opened the door and Michael stared at the abode with hatred on his face. He knew in that instance that Nikita was not staying the night there. He wouldn't allow it and in time, Michael would make Madeline understand his decision.

"Where is your first aid kit?" Michael questioned as he looked at the pile of muddy clothes on the orange fluffy carpet. Nikita rolled her eyes and tenderly sat down on the bed. Michael looked at the bed as it creaked and moaned and swallowed.

"Probably the same place Madeline hid my wallet at." Nikita sarcastically retorted and Michael moved to the bathroom to find the wet towels. They were going to help but he looked at them and he wondered when the last time they were washed.

"You are coming with me." Michael said as he picked up a bag and heaved it around his shoulder. Nikita rolled her eyes and tried to reach for the bag, but she knew that Michael was all too serious.

"Look.. I've been without my wallet, I've been covered with mud, and I lost the money for a hamburger, Michael. I think it is best if I just go to sleep." Nikita said and Michael looked as Nikita laid back on the bed and it physically dropped down. Michael looked at Nikita and opened the door.

"Well.. I have a first aid kit... And we'll drive thru Hardees and grab some burgers." Michael stated and Nikita stood up and looked at Michael. She did need the medical kit.

"We'll get the first aid kit, I'll use what I need and then I'll walk back." Nikita said and Michael shook his head in protest.

"You need to eat."

"I have no money."

"I'll buy."

"I'm bleeding Michael. First aid is most important."

"Then we'll go to the bed and breakfast. I might be able to get something specially made... and see if there is a room opened, because you are not staying here." Michael said and he trudged off towards the car. Nikita hobbled along and closed her eyes.

"You should have called me as soon as you saw that room." Michael stated as he drove down the road, this time much slower because of the lack of streetlights. Nikita looked at Michael and looked down at the material she had on her leg.

"Did I mention that I have no phone line?" Nikita queried and Michael shook his head, not believing the conditions of the hotel and that Madeline would keep Nikita's wallet.

"Come..." Michael said as he placed Nikita's arm around his neck and started down the path to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. He opened the door and sat Nikita down as the owner ran to Michael's side.

"Mr. Azure, what is going on?" she questioned and Michael looked to Nikita and smiled.

"Do you have a room for Ms. Jennings. I hit her with the car... and took her to her hotel room and found it too terrible to leave her in." Michael said with a charming smile.

"We are booked for the week..." he owner said and Nikita stood up and smiled.

"I'll be fine. I just was hungry..." Nikita said as she tried to make an escape from Michael and the bed and breakfast. She felt the hands on her shoulders as Michael stepped forward. He looked around and then scooped Nikita up in his arms.

"Can I ask you to go to Hardees and get me some burgers... I'll pay you triple... I want to take care of this cut..." Michael said and Nikita rolled her eyes, and he used his fingers to silence Nikita's protests.

"Silly... I have leftovers from dinner tonight. I'll fix two plates and bring them to your room. Is the lady staying with you?" the owner questioned with a smile on her face. She noticed the fission of energy in the room between the two and noticed how natural Michael was holding her in his arms and she wasn't fussing too badly.

"At least the night... maybe longer." Michael stated as he turned and moved to the stairs and then up to his room.

Nikita was crying again when Michael settled her down on the bed and moved to the bathroom. She saw the stark contrast of the rooms and she knew that she wouldn't argue with Michael any further about staying. She wanted to be part of the romance she saw in the room. It was the stress of everything making the tears pour out of her eyes.

"So you've had a bad day?" Michael questioned as he pulled the material off of Nikita's leg. It was not a nice looking scratch and any deeper and Michael might have had to slip a few stitches into the cut. He opened up the bottle and poured the peroxide onto the cut and listened to Nikita hiss.

"I don't know if getting hit by the car was worse than losing my money for my food." Nikita commented and Michael dropped his head.

"I didn't say I was sorry." Michael stated as he pulled at some gauze to cover over the cut. He looked up as Nikita rolled her head from side to side, showing that she was still in a bad area for her emotions. He started to tape the gauze over the cut and listened, as there was the knock at the door already.

There was a slight conversation with the owner and Michael returned with two dishes of generous proportions. Nikita licked her lips as she looked to the food and Michael smiled.

"She brought you some ice for you knee and ankle." Michael said as he showed the bag. Nikita blushed, as she wasn't going to mention those further aches and pains. Michael molded the ice around both areas of Nikita's leg and then brushed her hair softly.

"I do have the right bag for the night?" Michael questioned and Nikita shook her head up and down. Michael opened the bag up and saw the clothing that was selected for the mission. Michael shut the bag and looked to Nikita.

"Don't let your bad day rub off on me.... I'm still in shock that I hit you." Michael said as he turned and found Nikita digging into the food. Michael smiled and did the same, knowing that he would worry about everything else later.

*

It proved to be more difficult than what Michael thought it would be. He had fallen asleep with Nikita sitting next to him, doing a lot of thinking and no sleeping. Yet, Nikita moved during Michael's slumber, so when Michael turned in his sleep and felt the warmth of Nikita's body had moved, he almost expected to find out that the stubborn Nikita had gone back to the hotel.

"Nikita?" Michael called out when he lifted his head and then saw Nikita sitting in a chair, staring out at the yard that was being bathed with the bright and almost chilling moonlight. He noticed that her head didn't move and that tears were speckling her face yet again. It pained Michael to see Nikita like this, especially when he offered his ear for her to talk off.

"Go to sleep, Michael." Nikita said without turning her head around, but something in her voice echoed the fact that she knew Michael wasn't going to listen to her. Michael threw the blankets off of his body and stood up to go to Nikita's side.

"You know I won't." Michael stated and Nikita closed her eyes and gnawed at her bottom lip before she opened her eyes and stared out at the night.

"Well... I can't. Too much to think about." Nikita said as her body started to sway back and forth, not unlike the movement Michael had seen in his room in Section One.

"Then tell me." Michael said as he lightly placed his hands on her shoulders, but Nikita pulled away quickly, with a moan of pain. Michael's eyes flickered and then he briefly looked to the bed.

"Your back is sore?" Michael questioned although he already knew the answer. He knew that her leg was still sore, she was holding ice to the ankle as she sat there.

"Everything hurts." Nikita rasped and Michael nodded his head. He knew that being hit and thrown had done more to her body than what she was admitting. He felt the pangs of guilt surging through his body and straight to his heart.

"Come to the bed... and I'll massage your back." Michael offered as he looked at Nikita, knowing that she needed to relax. Part of the reason why she was hurting was because of the stress she was causing herself but not letting out what she needed to let out.

"I can't..." Nikita said as she raised her shaking hand to her face to cover her eyes. Michael's weight shifted from side to side, showing the nervousness that was in his body as he looked at Nikita.

"You need to relax, 'Kita." Michael softly whispered as he bent down and took the hand away from her eyes. He lightly rubbed at the palm and then shifted his eyes up to look at her blood-shot blue eyes.

"Everything is going wrong, Michael.... The wallet... the money... the room... my apartment!" Nikita wailed out as she turned and wrapped her hands around his neck. Michael pressed his lips together, not surprised by any of the words Nikita had hollered out. Michael scooped Nikita briefly up and placed her on the bed.

"We can get the solutions if you talk about it.... Get on your stomach..." Michael said and Nikita sprawled out on her stomach as ordered. Michael rubbed his hands together and then touched his hands onto the cotton shirt that he had found for Nikita to sleep in.

"Pull the shirt up." Michael said and Nikita looked at Michael for three seconds and then did as told. Michael placed his warmed hands on the skin and the lines of her muscles. He could feel knots of the muscles just building and building, most of them out of stress and not because of the earlier accident.

"I'll call Madeline in the morning..." Michael said as he worked his hands slowly over the muscles, warming them all and not concentrating on one area, at least not yet. He looked at the back of Nikita's head and waited as she turned her head.

"No, I will..." Nikita stubbornly stated and Michael smiled. He didn't want to tell Nikita, but he knew for a fact that he would get her to sleep and once she went to sleep; Michael would do as he pleased.

"Nikita... I'll call Madeline, get the wallet sent here, and inform her that the hotel was unacceptable." Michael stated and Nikita tried to roll over to protest, but Michael places his hands straddling the neck and starting to work on the muscles that seemed to be popping out with stress and pain.

"Michael..." Nikita moaned out in pure pain. She didn't even remember what Michael had said. Her mind told her not to fight with Michael and her heart was jumping for joy that she was sharing his room, not being separated from him. Now, Michael had found a way to numb Nikita's mouth and her chugging brain by just rubbing those aching shoulders.

"Close your eyes, Nikita." Michael whispered as he bent down and kissed the neck that he had been rubbing ever so gently.

"Michael..." Nikita whispered out as she did as told, but still wanting to protest Michael's orders and efforts.

"Nikita... close your eyes and no more talking..." Michael said and Nikita's eyes popped open and she rolled her head to the side. Michael shook his head as he looked down at saw Nikita staring at him.

"Then how do we solve the problems? How do I conquer the fact that Madeline put a fast on one me to keep my wallet? How do I think about where I'm going to live and how long I'm going to end up staying in Section One because they just gave my apartment away like some free food?" Nikita questioned with her piercing eyes showing Michael more now that he was right.

Michael knew that Nikita needed to sleep. She still was reeling from thinking that she was pregnant, and that entire bodily ordeal had worn her body done. Nikita needed to sleep and then she could think. She couldn't see the answers now because she was exhausted and fighting more against that exhaustion than trying to find the answers.

"All the answers are looking right at you." Michael said as he started to rub again. Nikita tried to shake her head from side to side, to protest Michael's words. It wasn't working and Nikita leaned her head back down into the covers on the bed.

"See... I'm going to take care of Madeline... and then where you live... that's easy." Michael said and he moved his hands to Nikita's lower back. There was a moan of pleasure from her mouth and Michael grinned lightly, knowing that she soon would melt.

"That's not easy..." Nikita tried to protest out, but the words came out so softly and so muted that it only served to increase Michael's smile.

"You'll stay with me." Michael said and there was no response from Nikita. She was laying there for Michael and he continued to massage until his hand got sore from working with the muscles that should have been called rocks. He noticed that the ice had melted that she had strapped around the ankle and he remove the contraption Nikita had made to hold the ice to the ankle.

"Nikita.... You can put the shirt back on." Michael whispered as he leaned down to her ear and lightly whispered. Nikita moaned in her sleep and rolled over onto her back and Michael smiled down at the beauty she had. He pulled at the shirt and then shifted her body around, so he could enter the bed with her.

"Sweet dreams, my Nikita..." Michael whispered and Nikita smiled softly.

"My love to your heart..." Nikita muttered in her sleep and Michael blinked his eyes. The words he truly meant and wrote on his letter to her. He shifted and rolled Nikita's body to touch his, knowing that the contact would only serve to give better sleep to the both of them.

"My love to your heart... Mon amour à votre coeur..." Michael whispered and kissed her forehead softly, feeling the rest of the stress in Nikita's body wash away with the rippling of her body in response to his kiss.

"Mon amour à votre coeur..." Michael whispered once more as his head hit the soft pillows and sent him off to dreamland. To dream of Nikita.

*

"You can just send the wallet to the bed and breakfast, Madeline." Michael said as he stood in front of the window that Nikita had been staring out of during the night. Nikita was gone, and Michael wasn't sure where she had gone too, but he had a few ideas.

"Why?" Madeline rushed out, feeling the blood pounding behind her temples, as she knew the words that were going to come from Michael's mouth. She knew that she couldn't go and tell Operations that Nikita and Michael are going to be staying in the same bed and breakfast. Surely, he would explode into another rant and rage, which wasn't needed with this mission about to go live.

"Nikita is staying with me."

"You mean she is moving to the bed and breakfast."

"NO. I mean she is staying in my room, with me." Michael stated and Madeline fell into her chair, feeling her pulse starting to race. Of course she had held onto Nikita's wallet so that she would be forced to seek Michael out for at least some money. She didn't plan on Michael instantly declaring that she was going to stay with him. Madeline knew that something more was missing.

"Why?" Madeline questioned, hoping to fill in some of the blanks in her mind, trying to make sense of Michael'' declaration.

"Her hotel room is unsuitable."

"That isn't for you to decide. If it has a roof it is fine."

"Everything was falling apart Madeline... The bed was on the floor."

"Michael.. It isn't your decision!" Madeline yelled as the door opened to her office and Operations walked in, right on cue. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Madeline's crossed face.

"I hit her."

"What?"

"I hit her."

"With your hand?" Madeline questioned as she turned her back to Operations. She was sure that he could hear the infliction of shock and surprise on her voice, but that couldn't be helped. The admittance of Michael was still shaking Madeline's mind, as she knew nothing of what Michael was talking about.

"No."

"Then with what?" Madeline harshly stated, accenting each word with strength of her anger. Operations raised an eyebrow and sat down. Madeline didn't get upset with people that often, usually himself. Yet, sometimes Michael caused Madeline to such a state and now Operations had to wonder what they were talking about.

"My car."

"The BMW? You hit Nikita with the BMW?" Madeline questioned as she sat down in her chair, turned around and saw Operations. She was starting to feel that Operations was becoming like Birkoff, bad timing.

"Madeline, what is going on?" Operations questioned as he leaned forward. He didn't like the tone he was hearing and now the words equaled the tone in an appalling feeling. This mission was the most important that Section One had had in a long time. He wasn't going to allow Michael and Nikita to destroy it either.

"There are no street lights in Mince... Nikita was walking to Hardees with the change she found... and I bumped her with the car."

"Bumped?" Madeline questioned, not believing what Michael was telling her. Bumped and hit are two different things and she needed to know which one it was.

"Or hit... she fell to the ground... a bad scrap to her leg... maybe a sprained ankle... But she is fine." Michael stated out quickly as he turned to the bed and sighed. He just wished he knew where Nikita had gone off to in the morning. He didn't know how she had slipped out before he knew.

"And that is why she has to stay with you.... For the night." Madeline stated and Operations stood up and moved to the wall. Madeline straightened up as he picked up the phone to listen in on the conversation.

"Her first aid kit is missing like her wallet. Now, you packed her bags, Madeline.."

"Yes, Madeline.. You did pack her bags." Operations said and Michael leapt from the window and shook his head. If things were bad to start with, they were only getting worse now.

"It was a human error." Madeline firmly stated out as her eyes crossed the room to look at Operations sternly. This mission may run smoothly if he stayed out of it. Now that he was inserting himself where he wasn't wanted, things were only getting more difficult. Madeline had her plans and she found it difficult to allow them to play out with Operations watching everything. The fact that Michael hit Nikita was something good for Madeline, but Operations may find it difficult to see a good reason to allow Nikita to stay with Michael.

"And it was human error that caused all of this. The bed and breakfast is booked up, hence the need for her to be in my room." Michael hissed out and Operations shook his head.

"No." Operations snarled and Madeline sighed, finding this conversation with Michael difficult enough, to add Operations into it was down right impossible. Yet, she was going to have to find the right solution for everyone involved.

"Michael, did Nikita hit her head when she fell?" Madeline posed the question as she turned her eyes from Operations. She hoped that Michael thought before he instantly answered the question.

"Yes... her jaw some.. There was a bruise when I went to the bathroom this morning about two hours ago." Michael replied and waited. He was surprised that there wasn't an instant remark from Operations about the situation.

"We all know standard procedure with head injuries. She must be observed for 72 hours for brain injury, so she doesn't slip and reveal Section One. Michael is the only logical answer since they are on the mission of a lifetime." Madeline said, more for the benefit of Operations than Michael. Operations sighed and hung up the phone, finding out that Madeline found the loophole for her plan to continue. Operations wasn't going to let this entire issue drop, but for now, Madeline had one over on him.

Madeline waited for Operations to leave before she took a deep breath in relief. She licked her lips and shook her head. Why did her plans of a bigger purpose always end this way? This was about to explode in her face if the timeline didn't speed up. She needed to cut the time away from Section One for Michael and Nikita, and all the other players.