The thunder continued to roar in Birkoff's head as he pulled that head up from the floor. He blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to vanish the black specks from his vision. He felt the pain shooting down his back, but knew that he better ignore it.

Nikita had scurried away from the house, seemingly to continue with the plan that she had outlined for Birkoff. It was a plan that could possibly be the worse incident that Nikita could cause herself to have. She had to be stopped. That was the thought that brought Birkoff from the period of having the erupting pain from his neck, to an anger that allowed him to move.

He was Nikita's friend and how dare she not listen to his rationale. It was right and Nikita was wrong.

Birkoff stumbled when he first congregated his balance on his feet. He leaned against the wall and moved then swiftly into the living room. Birkoff pulled his phone to his ear and waited.

And prayed.

"DAMN! WALTER PICK UP THE PHONE!" Birkoff shouted as he started to pace.

"You don't need to scream into my ear, boy," Walter stated and Birkoff gasped and then blinked his eyes. He was not to say that he was sorry. There was no time for that. It was difficult enough to know how much time had lapsed since Nikita left. It was still thundering, but Birkoff realized that thunder was not a good estimate of time.

"We have big, major problems Walter," Birkoff declared as he walked to the window and stared out of it. The car was gone, and Birkoff shook his head. He wished he knew how long he had been out for.

"I figured that when you yelled damn into my ear, boy," Walter retorted, but his statement was sure not meant to be funny. Birkoff rubbed his nose lightly and he felt the tears threatening. Now was not the time to lose his concentration and his emotions.

"Walter... Nikita is pregnant... She declared that she is going to fix it... She cold cocked me in the neck... and ran away!" Birkoff rushed to explain as he paced away from the window. He looked at Nikita's room and noticed a bag. It was clear that Nikita had some sort of plans, but had just run to do what she felt was necessary, leaving the bag at home.

"So she is... oh poor girl," Walter whispered as he shook his head. He was at his table and thought about moving. He just couldn't now. His heart had he stuck to that chair. Walter knew that all hell had broken loose, but he had to take a moment to just feel for Nikita. She had to be living a nightmare she never wanted to have to start with.

"Walter... If she fixes this problem, Michael is going to kill me. Not Nikita!" Birkoff spat and Walter blinked his eyes.

"She wouldn't even tell Michael?" Walter questioned and Birkoff rolled his eyes. He felt as if Walter totally forgotten his entire explanation about what happened.

"Walter! She ran out of her to take care of the problem! She is going to get an abortion!" Birkoff screamed as he stomped his foot down on the floor. Birkoff looked up, as the thunder seemed to respond to his stomp.

"How long ago did she leave?" Walter inquired as he pushed one of his hands flat on the table. He had nothing else to do. At this point, Walter was running off of the information that Birkoff could supply him. If Birkoff couldn't give him the right information, no amount of will power on Walter's side was going to save Nikita's and Michael's child.

"I don't know, Walter... She hit me in the neck with something... I went out," Birkoff explained as he leaned against the table and gasped. He felt inadequate as a friend, allowing Nikita to get away with this and not being able to guess her next move.

"Ok... What did she exactly tell you?" Walter questioned, with just a hint of panic in his voice. Unlike Birkoff, right now, Walter was able to control his emotions. Then Michael walked down the hallway. Water gasped and swallowed.

He had a feeling that he was going to have to break the news to Michael.

"She said she was driving out of town... somewhere four hours away.... and she would stay the night somewhere.. get it done in the morning.. stay the night and be back the next morning..." Birkoff stated and Walter nodded his head. This did give Walter a starting place. There were things to do.

Plus, Nikita had given a lot of information to Birkoff. It definitely didn't sound like someone who absolutely decided that an abortion was the best. It felt like Nikita was running scared and had no concept of other options.

"Wait... you know.. she didn't say a hotel or a motel... She specifically stated a hostel," Birkoff informed Walter as soon as he remembered Nikita's exact words. It had not registered as abnormal when Nikita was explaining, because Birkoff was horrified with what Nikita was going to do. Now, it was registering as abnormal.

And it was a clue.

"That narrows down a lot of stuff..." Walter stated with a gruff voice as he sighed slightly. He listened to Birkoff's panting. The poor boy was panicking about this, as he should. But it was the time to let Birkoff off the hook.

"Birkoff... this sounds like she wants someone to stop her. She gave you way too much information.... Are you in her room?" Walter informed Birkoff as he pushed away from the table. He never thought that someone would do that.

"Walter.. she meant those words!" Birkoff protested and Walter sighed. Birkoff moved his way into Nikita's room. He didn't know what he was going to do inside the room, but it was where Walter wanted him.

"She may not know it, Birkoff, consciously. But unconsciously... she gave you more than enough information to find her and more than enough time to stop her," Walter stated out firmly. There was no use of Birkoff fighting him on this. Walter knew he was right.

"Fine... Fine... I have to think that way... What am I doing in her room?" Birkoff stated as he paced around the bed.

"You are looking for the phone book, the piece of paper... the woman's health flyer... that has the name of the abortion clinic," Walter stated out as he leaned his head back. His old muscles were tensing with all of these events. None of this was good. Walter only noticed now that he was talking about Nikita being pregnant inside of Section One like no one could hear him.

"Nikita would do that! She is a cold operative for Pete's sake!" Birkoff argued back and then stopped. He saw a pink post it next to the computer. His blood ran cold as he stared at it and then started over to it.

"Everyone does things unconsciously that are irrational, even for the best trained individuals," Walter pointed out as he tapped his hand on the table. He nervously looked back and forth, wondering how he had lost track of where Michael was.

"Like the Woman's Aid, Shelter, and Services Center?" Birkoff questioned as he held the post it in his hands. Walter heaved a sigh as he leaned back on his stool lightly.

"Yes... exactly like that..." Walter stated as he closed his eyes. Nikita led them right to her. She never wanted to lose this child, although her actions, words, and emotions all led them to think that she was going to do this.

It was still a possibility if the wrong person went after Nikita.

"Now what?" Birkoff questioned as he moved out of Nikita's room. He stopped as the lightening flashed in the window. He looked out at the bad weather and cringed that Nikita was driving in it, with her bad mood.

"You are going to let me handle this," Walter revealed. Birkoff turned away from the window as he stomped his foot down once more.

"NO! I am going to stop her, Walter! She can't do this! She can't do this to Michael's child! He would die! DIE!" Birkoff cried out as he blinked back the tears. He didn't want to hear that Walter felt that he knew the best.

"I know, Birkoff... I know... But it isn't you that is going to have to stop this," Walter stated in a metered voice. His hand was starting to shake. It was going to be was to tell Birkoff what was going to happen, but it wasn't going to be easy to tell the person who needed to know.

"What? You are going to stop her?" Birkoff angrily hissed out and Walter nodded his head. He had heard that statement coming as soon as he told Birkoff that he knew. Walter rolled his shoulders around, feeling the stress being placed firmly on those shoulders.

"I'm not stopping her... The first thing I am going to do is tell Michael," Walter stated and Birkoff sat down on the couch. It sounded logical. Hell, Birkoff knew Michael. Michael would do anything to stop Nikita from completing the abortion, even if he had to kill the doctor and pretend to be the doctor.

"Nikita should have told him..." Birkoff whispered out as he dropped his head. Now he was really feeling the effects of Nikita's damaging blow to his neck. He needed to get some ice and some sleep.

"I know, Birkoff... But now the important thing is that he finds out... And it looks like I will have to be the one," Walter stated and Birkoff swallowed. He sure didn't envy Walter right now.

"Tell who what?" Michael questioned as he turned the corner and stared at Walter. Walter visibly trembled as he turned his head away from Michael. His stomach dropped to the floor as he felt his pulse race. Walter felt the knot in his throat and was barely able to find enough moisture to wet his lips.

"I'll be in touch," Walter stated as he shut the phone, knowing that Birkoff had probably heard Michael over the line. Walter dropped the phone to the table and looked at Michael.

"Ah... Michael... I didn't know you were still here," Walter stated out with a slight smile on his face. He dropped it. He couldn't pretend that nothing was going on.

Michael picked up the phone and looked at it. Walter closed his eyes and then looked at Michael.

"Is this about Nikita?" Michael questioned and Walter nodded his head. The truth was the only way to go right now.

"Michael... I know this is going to be a shock for you... But you know about that feeling you had about Nikita?" Walter questioned and Michael moved closer. His lips were pressed together. He wanted nothing to do with Walter's stalling.

"What is it, Walter?" Michael stated again as he watched Walter's body tremble in fear. Whatever it was, it was causing Walter extreme amounts of anxiety, and that in turn, alerted Michael's body.

"Funny you should ask... Maybe you would like to sit down..." Walter stalled again. He cursed himself inside. He knew what he could not do. The time was precious.

"Nikita is pregnant, Michael. And she has gone off to get an abortion."

*

"Pregnant?" Michael questioned as he looked at Walter. tears instantly flooding the young man's eyes. Walter stared at Michael, as it was his turn to tremble with the news and information.

"Yes, Michael. Nikita is pregnant," Walter stated. Walter was about to remind Michael about the rest of what he said, but it was quite clear that Michael on some level had acknowledged that knowledge, and was still in the process of getting over the utter shock of the announcement.

"My Nikita... is... with mine?" Michael questioned as he lifted his hand to his chest and pointed to his heart. Walter gasped as his own tears continued to fall. Michael looked away and then leaned forward.

"She is pregnant with your child, Michael..." Walter stated and Michael shook his head back and forth.

"She wouldn't do this to me... She would tell me, Walter..." Michael declared as he started to address the next issue that was critical at this moment.

"I don't think that Nikita is thinking straight. Think about the mission she is on. It is the mission of a life time and she knows Section One very well," Walter clearly spoke as he tried to point out all the issues that were at hand for Nikita. He wasn't defending her, but it was a clear effort to explain Nikita to Michael and her actions. It would be difficult to help Nikita if no one understood the circumstances that Nikita had made her decision in.

Michael turned around in a circle and then leaned against the table. He dropped his head and sobbed.

Michael was sobbing in public viewing inside of Section One.

Walter dropped off of his stool, finally finding the ability to move. This was some horrible for Michael to hear, in this way. Yet, Walter did not want Michael to hate Nikita for this decision. She was a scared woman running away from all other options. Yet, Michael looked like a little boy about to fall down to the ground, he was crying so harshly.

"Come on... Michael..." Walter whispered as he wrapped his old arms around Michael and felt the tears wet his shoulder. Never in his lifetime did Walter expect to do this to this man for this reason. It was beyond anything that Walter thought would ever happen. He leaned his head back as Michael continued to sob until he pulled away.

"She made the right decision..." Michael choked out. Walter nudged Michael's chin with his fingers and looked into Michael's eyes. It was clear that Michael was lying.

"Look... Michael... She doesn't want to do this. She doesn't want to have an abortion," Walter stated and Michael shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. He looked around and then looked at Walter. Michael's mind was whirling. One second Michael was thinking of ways of breaking free from Section forever to be with Nikita to the next second of imaging Nikita on the table, letting the life being sucked away.

"How do you know that?" Michael questioned. He didn't want to get too hopeful right now. He just wanted the facts. Clearly, Michael didn't know where Walter got his information and how correct Birkoff was. In ways, Michael wanted to doubt all of this. But in one simple way he couldn't doubt it.

He had felt it for days and almost weeks now. Something had been wrong with Nikita. She was pregnant. She was carrying their child and Michael was so far away. Even under normal circumstances inside of Section One this would have been difficult news to swallow, but Michael would have been right there for Nikita. They wouldn't have been separated and Michael could have helped Nikita.

"Nikita told Birkoff her entire plan, Michael. She has given us enough time to stop her. She even told us where she was going to have it done by leaving it on a piece of paper," Walter revealed and Michael lifted his head. He wanted to believe it all.

"If she isn't throwing you off track," Michael countered and Walter rubbed at Michael's arms.

"She doesn't want to do this, Michael. I know it. Birkoff knows it. And you know it," Walter stated and Michael nodded his head as he rubbed his own arms up and down his body. He couldn't find comfort now and he couldn't find a way to feel better about this.

"I wish I had more time... How long? When? Where? How?" Michael demanded and Walter looked at Michael. It was clear that one of the options that he was considering was breaking free from Section One. That was not going to happen. Not in this time frame. Not without weeks of notice.

"Michael... tomorrow morning... But you have to think about this too... You can't go and find Nikita and be upset with her!" Walter warned as he moved back to his table. Michael rubbed his hands against the table and looked at Walter.

How did Walter know one of the ways that he was feeling? How did Walter know the instant pain that had formed around his heart when he heard that Nikita was pregnant? Michael wanted to know why Nikita didn't try to call him or contact him. They had the communications pads. Why didn't she write him and tell him? It was their child. They had created it during that crazy week, where it had been about their love for each other being strong enough to last a year.

Now they had created something that was going to last a lot longer than a year.

"Why didn't she tell me, Walter? I have a right to know! If she succeeds, she gets rid of my child. Would she ever tell me!" Michael hollered and Walter trembled. Michael was becoming undone in the middle of Section One. A few operatives looked in Michael's direction, but all kept on moving.

"Michael... we have to be quiet... We don't want Operations and Madeline finding out about this," Walter stated, hoping to control Michael some. Instead, he numbly nodded his head up and down. He dropped it and looked like a little boy that had been punished for stealing a crayon. This was definitely not a way that Walter expected Michael to handle this announcement. Walter needed Michael to be strong. Nikita was going to need that strong person she loved to stop her madness at this point.

"Michael, she is running scared. Does she know anything about being a parent?"

"No."

"Doesn't she have experience with seeing pregnant operatives dragged out of here?"

"Yes."

"Isn't she on a mission that has been described as critical and can only be completed to success?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't she know that once you found out, that you would stop her? Doesn't she know that your love for her and for this child you barely even know will help you stop her madness? Doesn't Nikita realize that for this time, she can do what Section One might want her to do, until you can save her?" Walter demanded and Michael cringed.

"Yes... she knows that," Michael whispered as the tears rolled down his face again. It was fresh pain. It was old pain. It was everything that Michael could ever think about and feel about. This it wasn't Adam they were talking about. This was a new child, but it brought all the pain back to Michael. He lost Adam. Nikita knew that he could never lose another child and live with himself.

"In Nikita's crazy and mixed up mind, she knew that her plan, that she spelt out for Birkoff, would bring you to stop her," Walter announced and he watched as Michael wiped his tears away. Michael turned around in a circle and tried to gather some control.

"I can't believe it... I mean.. it is nightmare right now... But I always dreamed of something like this..." Michael admitted and Walter slightly smiled.

"That is another thing that has her running. I don't think Nikita knows that. I don't think she knows your dreams match hers. I don't think that Nikita realizes that dreams can still come true inside of Section One," Walter stated and Michael nodded his head.

"She is having my baby.... oh my god..." Michael whispered softly.

"So I was right," Madeline stated as she entered the area and placed a hand on Michael's back. She felt Michael tense up in fright. "Don't worry, Michael. I am on your side here."

"How?" Michael demanded with a short and clipped voice. Madeline only knew half of what was going on and Michael needed to work on stopping Nikita's insane plan.

"In talking with Birkoff... I got a sense of an emotional Nikita. I checked the calendar and got a bad feeling. When she came in with the knee injury, there was a standing order from Operations that all female operatives get tested... That was why I sent her away, Michael," Madeline stated and Michael turned and faced Madeline.

"What does that mean?" Michael questioned and Madeline rubbed her hands together and looked around.

"He is out of the building today... but we have to be careful," Madeline warned and now Walter narrowed his eyes. Madeline was playing a game here with two men that did not have the time for games.

"Why?" Walter questioned with clenched teeth.

"I don't want him finding out about this," Madeline stated with a soft smile on her face.

"You mean... you will allow Nikita to stay pregnant?" Michael questioned as he blinked his eyes rapidly. Madeline nodded her head as she looked around. She truly didn't know what was causing the men so many problems right now. Michael had a reason to be emotional. He was going to be a father again.

"Yes. It can work right into the mission profile... It won't throw it off and it gives Ryce Borjas more of a reason to threaten Birkoff," Madeline stated as if it was a silly questioned. Michael looked to Walter with wide-open eyes. Michael didn't want to be the one to tell Madeline of Nikita's plan. He couldn't tell Madeline. Michael threw his hands through his hair as Walter cleared his throat.

"That wouldn't be a problem... but..." Walter stated and Madeline's eyes glared at Walter.

"But what?"

"Nikita has run off... to get an abortion... Because it is the Section One way of fixing the problem," Walter hissed as Madeline. He watched as Madeline's eyes flared with worry. This wasn't a reaction from a leader that wanted to do something to make a mission better. Madeline had something at stake here, or at least was showing her heart and compassion for some unknown reason.

"We have to stop her!" Madeline declared and Michael turned around and grabbed Madeline's arms.

"Why? Why? Why?" Michael shouted and Madeline pulled her arms away from Michael. She rubbed at her arms and then tossed her head about.

"I don't think I have the time to explain the implications that an abortion for a woman like Nikita would cause. There are too many variables about Nikita's life, like her childhood, that make her having an abortion, the worst thing in the world to do," Madeline stated. Michael looked at Walter as he lifted a piece of paper. Michael grabbed it and started to move.

This time Walter grabbed hold of Michael's arm.

"Take care of her, Michael..." Walter whispered and Michael nodded his head as the tears threatened to fall once more.

"And Michael... I'll be in contact. I will tell you know that although it will be difficult, you will be part of this pregnancy," Madeline stated and Michael nodded his head once more.

Then he ran to stop Nikita.

He had too. It was his only option for the woman he loved and their child that she now carried.

*

Michael pulled the car into the small parking lot. He did not have knowledge of what kind of car Nikita was driving or if this was even the right place. He had been driving for hours. It was more than likely that, Nikita was already here, if this was truly where she went.

Michael had driven through town, looking for the clinic that Nikita was planning on using. It was a small building and offered other services than abortion, but Michael looked at it and swallowed. It was a place that scared him and relieved him in the same moment. Scared him that Nikita might slip around him and make it there without him stopping her. Relieving him because they did not have night hours.

Michael stepped out of the car and buttoned his back coat. It was dark on the streets and very little traffic, but he was used to the environment of the hostels. They were open all the time and would take boarders. The only problem that Michael had was the room situation. Most hostels did not have private rooms, so Michael found it difficult that Nikita would select to go into a room with any other traveler that might happen across the hostel and need cheap room and board.

Those thoughts were the thoughts that had allowed Michael to drive such a distance without breaking down. He wanted to be sad and happy in the same moment. He wanted to jump up and down, knowing that somehow his love for Nikita and hers in return had penetrated so deeply to create new life. He wanted to be sad that Nikita believed that this was the solution and that he would not have been able to handle it if she told him.

It was a slow walk around the building. Michael stared at it, almost unsure if he wanted to go in.

But Birkoff's words, which were relayed to Michael on the cell phone, Nikita was more than distraught. Nikita had been crying when Birkoff found her and left crying. Birkoff had been worried sick since Nikita ran off in the storm and left him unconscious. Madeline had even told Birkoff to take something to sleep, that the situation was under control. That did not convince Birkoff and he continued to worry.

Michael didn't know if Birkoff was worried that Nikita wasn't following the plan or worried about what Michael was going to do to Nikita.

All Michael wanted to do is hold Nikita and tell her how much he loved her. It was the only thing he could think of doing. He didn't care about the entire mess that followed him here. He did not care about Madeline's details of how they could pull this off and have this child. What mattered to Michael was revealing to Nikita how special she was and how much he loved her as a mother.

Michael pushed the wooden door open and walked into the small lobby. Michael smiled as he looked at the little details. It was a quaint little hostel, one that had been untouched with the problems that hostels traditionally had with the homeless or drunks.

"Excuse me. I am looking for a woman..." Michael stated as he walked to the counter. The young redhead turned and gasped as she looked at Michael. She smiled and saucily licked her lips as she lowered her eyes once more.

"Well... I think you have found her. I am woman enough for you," The woman stated as she narrowed her eyes, lining up Michael as her next man to have. He had strong shoulders and she looked at the pants and knew that he had to be well endowed.

"I am not here to play games," Michael stated out, without a change in his tone or voice.

"I don't play games either. I'm into the simple wham-bam," The girl spoke as she fingered her hair lightly with her long red fingernails. Michael looked over to the side and then back at the girl. She made a pouting face and pretended to kiss Michael.

"I'm looking for another woman," Michael responded, ignoring this woman's constant flirt and assessment on his body. Getting upset at her for her immature behavior was a waste of his energy.

"Mmm... now I can find a friend that would love to gobble you up also... But I thought you said you don't like to play games," The girl spoke as she leaned forward and pressed her chest onto the top of the counter, trying to lure Michael into playing with her.

"I meant, I am looking for a friend who has come here for the night," Michael spoke in tense the words. The girl looked up with green eyes and gave a look that was her best impression of a pound puppy.

"Don't you want something new and exciting. Variety is the spice of life," The girl quoted as she placed her hands on her hips and leaned back. It was another attempt to lure Michael to look at her body as she had been viewing his body.

"I don't like variety. If you aren't going to help me, perhaps there is a manager or an owner I can speak with?" Michael questioned as he moved away from the girl and down the countertop. The girl's eyes opened and then moved quickly to stand in front of Michael.

"Honestly, you don't want to do that. You won't get your information any quicker," The girl said, as she suddenly appeared much younger than she had when she was pushing her chest out to impress Michael. Michael looked at the girl and pressed his lips together.

"And how do you suggest that I get the information that I need quicker than how it is going on?" Michael questioned and the girl chortled with laughter.

"Well... if you came back to the back room... And make me feel good... I can tell you my secrets," The girl spoke, not giving up on the heavenly body that was in front of her. She knew when she saw marriage material and this man was marriage material and beyond!

"Oh, so you have private rooms?" Michael questioned as he turned and looked at the stairs. He was about to just take his chances, but if Nikita heard him before he found her, she may take the opportunity to leave.

"For you and me... yes," The girl stated and Michael turned and pinned the girl's hands to the countertop.

"I mean for a normal person. For a person you aren't trying to imagine without their clothes on. Tell me now," Michael hissed and the girl nodded her head as she tried to pull away from Michael's grasp.

"Yes... sometimes we can rent them out as private rooms," the girl whispered as she trembled. Her words were out and Michael lifted his hands, but continued to stare at the woman.

"Would someone have come in tonight to get a private room?" Michael demanded. The response was immediately. She nodded her head up and down as she looked at her book.

"Three rooms," The girl confirmed and Michael rubbed his left hand over his upper lip. He knew that he was close to losing his control, but that he had to maintain it.

"I am looking for a woman that came in tonight. She is as tall as me, long blonde hair, and should be limping with a bad knee," Michael described Nikita in the terms that the girl was most likely going to remember.

"You know... we get so many people in here..." the girl said as she stepped away from the counter. She felt that she was out of range for Michael to grab hold of. She wasn't if Michael really wanted to hold her for the information.

"She is a friend. She left her medicine in my car," Michael lamely gave as a reason for the girl to help him up. She looked at Michael and then smiled softly.

"That doesn't sound like a good friend. She would have told you which room she was staying in. And why isn't she staying with you?" The girl spat out. She was pleased with herself, making Michael wince with her words.

Michael was not going to be outdone by this girl. He pulled a picture and placed it on the counter.

"She is a dear friend. A friend I care a lot about. I have a feeling that she came in here distraught and crying. Why don't you do one decent thing in your life and tell me which room she is in," Michael stated as he tapped the photo.

The girl picked it up and Michael watched her eyes. It was quite clear that she had seen Nikita. She sighed and placed it back down on the counter.

"I was worried about her. You know her?" the girl questioned and Michael nodded his head.

"She is very special to me..." Michael whispered and the girl looked up the stairs and then pulled the stool back to the counter so she could sit down. She picked up a nail file and rubbed it against her nails lightly.

"We get all kinds of women here.... I can usually tell when they are in town for use of the clinic... She is more than a friend, right?" The girl questioned and Michael slightly blinked his eyes.

"Room 405. Private room. Top floor, in the left corner," The girl stated as she looked up at Michael. Michael pulled the picture back into his pocket and quickly moved out of the lobby.

It probably would have been easier to break a terrorist than it was that lust-craving girl.

*

Michael slowly walked up the stairs. The rush that had been in his system while he talked to the girl downstairs had soon rubbed off. Each step took him towards Nikita. He didn't know really how Nikita was. What if Nikita really believed in her heart that abortion was the only solution? Michael never spoke to Nikita about realities that they were going to have to face now.

Plus, Michael was going to have the complicated task to explain to Nikita that Madeline was going to allow them to have this child.

Michael still did not know how he felt about that. In essence, for the next bunches of months, Birkoff would be playing the father to this child. It would be Birkoff's voice that it hears for days and it would be Birkoff who would tend to Nikita. Not him.

But that was not the immediate concern. Michael's thoughts sprung right to Nikita as he approached the landing of the stairs just short of the forth floor. It was quite clear that Nikita was alone on the fourth floor, her sobs being heard to the stairwell.

Michael stopped and leaned against the wall in the hallway. To hear Nikita's sobs from a distance, expressed everything that was in Nikita's heart, the part of her body that she wasn't listening too. She was forcing herself to think and to rationalize what was best. Her heard knew that she could not go through the abortion. She knew and wanted to have this child. She wanted to be a mother.

She wanted to make Michael a father again.

They would be a family of sorts.

Michael leaned his head back against the wall as he listened to those sobs. All the times that he wondered if Nikita truly loved him or if he was just reading more into it was cleared up with those sobs. All the times he doubt that he could do something to make Nikita's world and life better, vanished. Although Nikita was in pain now, no joy could compare to the joy that she would have as a mother, if she felt and lived with her heart and not her mind.

Michael inched forward as Nikita's sobs took on a tone that was unhealthy. He heard the rapid gasping, knowing that at this point, Nikita was losing whatever battle she was waging with herself. He looked down the hallway and saw that her door was cracked open and the light was on. He moved silently, as always towards the door. He peaked in at first.

Nikita was rocking back and forth as she sat on the edge of the bed. She clutched her stomach as she had continuous dry heaves. None of that could be good for the baby that was barely alive inside of Nikita. Michael felt his heart point as he saw Nikita try to lift her head to dry her tears, but she couldn't do even that simple task. Her body was so thin. She looked so sick. Michael opened his mouth and turned his head away.

How could something like a child do such bad things to good people?

Michael didn't know if he should knock on the door, although it was open, or just walk in. He heard Nikita's sobs continue. He felt his own tears and there he was wondering about the proper etiquette at entering the room with this situation.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Nikita moaned out as she pushed her hair out of her face, but it immediately plummeted back in front of her face as she rocked forward once more. Michael shook his head as he looked at Nikita. It was difficult to know Nikita's words, but he knew the tone of Nikita's voice. She was sorry for everything.

Michael knew that he should move towards her. He knew that he should go in there and cradle Nikita, but he was frozen at the moment. Every once in a while her stomach would constrict and Nikita would lean all the way forward, but nothing would come forth. She would lean her back towards the bed and resume her rocking. The rocking was supposed to sooth a person, but it was not doing anything for Nikita. If anything, it was making her more agitated and upset.

"Nikita..." Michael called out as he pushed a hand on the door and opened it. He looked down at Nikita as tears rolled down his face. He turned and closed the door, giving them some sort of personal space, even if the walls were paper-thin.

Michael sat immediately, placing his body right next to Nikita. He wrapped his arms around Nikita without another sound or whisper. It was then his job to push the hair out of Nikita's face and try to battle the demons that had taken control of her body during the uncontainable crying she had been experiencing. Michael didn't know how long she had been crying, but her face was angst-ridden as he looked down at her.

"I'm here, Nikita..." Michael whispered, just to give Nikita the support that she had totally lacked since she first found out about this. No one knew when Nikita found out. They just knew when she left Birkoff.

"I hurt..." Nikita moaned as her body clenched again. Michael leaned her forward again, but nothing came up once again. Michael was sure that there was nothing more there. He was sure that her body was just trying to purge all of the bad things she could think about.

Nikita was literally making herself sick.

"Nikita... take deep breaths..." Michael directed as he leaned Nikita towards his lap and rubbed her back. She was so tense and so worked up. Michael didn't know if Nikita had even noticed whom it was that was holding her.

"I'm sorry.... I wanted to tell you..." Nikita moaned out and Michael nodded his head as he closed his eyes. Michael didn't hurt about Nikita not telling him. He hurt that Nikita felt that she had to take care of this by herself, that she carried responsibility by herself. Michael was part of the reason why this occurred and that was what Michael wanted to hurt about.

"It doesn't matter, Nikita... I know... I know..." Michael responded finally, knowing to pace his words slowly, hoping that they would break through Nikita's sobs and moans of pain.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Nikita muttered as her mantra. Michael leaned down and kissed the side of Nikita's head. There was nothing else he could do at the moment. Nikita was not registering anything but what her mind was thinking and what she was thinking Michael was saying. He could only wait until Nikita calmed from his touch alone.

The words at this point didn't even matter. They would have helped to explain the situation and it would have been easier to know that things were going right. The touch, holding Nikita, was the most important thing. There was nothing else worse than sitting in a strange room crying for an unknown amount of time. Michael leaned his head back lightly as he felt his pants continue to get drenched with tears from Nikita.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... it was my entire fault... I shouldn't have allowed it to happen..." Nikita moaned out as she tried to roll off of Michael's lap. Michael grabbed a hold of Nikita's shoulders, knowing that if she rolled away and off of his lap that she would fall to the floor.

"It wasn't your fault at all, Nikita.... This was a gift... That we can have together," Michael issued out and Nikita rolled her head up to look at Michael.

"Oh god, Michael!" Nikita screamed out as she clenched her arms around her chest. She tucked her chin down, trying to hide her face from Michael. He reached down and stroked Nikita's face.

She wasn't able to form words right now. Michael didn't push it either. He looked down and lightly kissed Nikita's forehead, knowing that she needed that tangible proof of the love that he had for her.

The sobs slowed.

"Are you ok?" Michael questioned as he looked down at Nikita. She didn't look good. She opened her eyes and looked at Michael.

"I'm so tired..." Nikita muttered and Michael nodded his head. He rubbed Nikita's arms. He wasn't going to mention that she looked like she hadn't eaten. He had seen prisoners of Section One look much better after going eight rounds with Madeline inside the white room. The hair was everywhere and Michael continued the task to hook the stray pieces of hair out of her face.

"Then sleep... We can talk later..." Michael spoke as he looked down at Nikita's face. She turned her head slightly and looked straight up at Michael. She parted her lips and Michael stroked them. Michael tried to will Nikita not to speak any more. He did not want the tears to reoccur. He just wanted to hold her and deal with everything after she got some needed sleep.

"How did you find out about the baby?" Nikita questioned as the tears rolled down her face. She lifted her hands and ran them down her stomach until they rested there, right above where the baby was housed inside of her body. Nikita stared down there and tears rolled out of her eyes again.

She was too stressed to stop. She was too emotional to stop. She was too loved to stop. Michael was giving her the ability to explore those feelings and to let her emotions out.

"Birkoff called Walter... Walter told me..." Michael revealed as he pulled up one of Nikita's hands and wrapped his fingers in them. He pressed both of their hands back down to where he had pulled it up. He touched Nikita's stomach with his fingers and felt the tears pouring from his own eyes.

"I'm sorry Michael.... It was so stupid not to know... Not to know... Not to know... I made such a mess..." Nikita stated and Michael shook his head back and forth. He reached his other hand around to wipe at Nikita's eyes, trying to rid her face of the tears.

"Not now, Nikita... It doesn't matter... I have you... that is what matters," Michael whispered as he shifted his weight slightly, trying to move off of the edge that both of them were sitting so close too. Michael held Nikita tightly to his lap, wishing that she would relax and give into his attempts to make her feel sincerely better.

"I'm so tired... Michael... So tired..." Nikita moaned out and Michael nodded his head. It did not take long for Michael to assess that Nikita was not close enough to being ready for bed. He placed Nikita on the bed and moved down to her feet. He pulled off the tennis shoes and then looked at Nikita.

He would have changed her into a nightgown, but since Michael left stroking her head and back, she had resumed crying, albeit lighter, but much more pitiful. Michael rubbed his hands up to her knees and patted them.

With one smooth move, Michael picked up Nikita's insubstantial body as he pulled the sheets away. He nestled her down into the bed and was about to go turn the light off when her hands reached out for him.

There was no other plead in the world that could have done as Nikita's extended hands had on Michael as he stood there. He kicked his shoes off without glancing away from Nikita. With each of his hands holding one of Nikita's hands, he climbed over her in bed and sat against the headboard. He moved Nikita and snuggled her against his chest and stomach.

To Nikita, it was the most comfortable pillow in the world.

She settled as she laid there, in Michael's grip. The tears came to an end, the last one linger on the long trip from her eye to her dried lips. Michael swiped it away and rubbed his own fingertips over Nikita's face. He pensively looked down at Nikita's face, unknowing what the future held for them. He knew that now, sleep was the priority, although none of the issues that they had to face had been spoken about.

"Oh, Nikita... Someday I am going to make this all right..." Michael spoke out as he lifted his head away from staring down at her sleeping face. Instead, Michael focused on the wall in front of him, allowing his mind to think of everything he wanted to stay to Nikita, even if it was inconsequential at this moment.

"We are going to have a baby... and maybe it isn't the way that we planned... but we did it Nikita..." Michael declared as his heart was expressed in his soft tone and the tears that had sprung from his green eyes once more.

"We created a child... so we can be a mother and a father... together... We made something good in this crazy, mixed up, insane, dark world that we live in... We created light..." Michael spoke with a melancholy voice. He looked down and pressed a kiss to Nikita's head.

"We will do it someday, Nikita. We'll win," Michael declared as he rubbed his hands down her neck to settle on her shoulders. Michael glanced down to see that Nikita's hands rested at her stomach, already making the maternal instinctual touch to her child, knowing that it was just right there.

"I'll get you a house... with a fence..." Michael spoke as he closed his eyes. It was his dream for someday. His someday with Nikita that he had never spoken out loud, never dared to think about too long on. "And we'll have these perfect hedges and a huge backyard and a front yard..."

"And we'll have a tire swing hanging off of one of the big giant oak trees in the back... And we'll enjoy our child... as we learn about all the love we always had inside of us..." Michael spoke out as his voice broke. He looked down and turned his head towards the window.

"I thought my life was over... but you gave me it all back... And now... we are going to share something so precious... that it overcomes my ability to put words to those feelings," Michael admitted as he couldn't move away from looking out the window. He felt safe there and he held Nikita tightly.

"God gave us something that I thought we would never be deemed worthy enough to have..." Michael sobbed out as he dropped his head. He did not notice that Nikita opened her eyes and blinked back her own tears. He just felt Nikita's hands reached up to touch his.

*

The weight of Michael's arm slightly shifted off of Nikita as the morning light was beginning to break. Nikita turned her head to the side, trying to assess why Michael had moved. If he was starting to wake, Nikita feared that nothing she could do to make this situation better.

The truth of the matter, Nikita did not remember Michael's words last night. She did not know of Madeline's approval of her pregnancy. All Nikita believed was going on was that Michael was risking his life and career inside of Section One to take her away to save the child.

Nikita couldn't have that.

And there were other factors. She found it hard to think that she could be a mother. How can a mother be good if she never had a mother herself? That was a dilemma that Michael had not thought of. He did not know that those thoughts motivated Nikita's decision to run and fix the problem more than the others.

Plus, although Michael declared that he loved her, she had to wonder why he was holding her now. His hands and dropped to her stomach during the night. Her fear, deep down inside of her heart, was that Michael was there now, not for her well being, but because he needed to have another child, and that the love he was expressing was solely for that tiny being.

All of these things jeopardized Michael and Nikita was not going to allow those things to continue.

Nikita laid there, perfectly still until she was sure that Michael was still asleep. She slipped out of the bed and looked at Michael as he did not move or stir. She had made the clean get away and a sigh left her lips a bit louder than intended.

The balance in her legs continued to be weak to say the least. Nikita found that rubber was a good way to describe her legs as she soundlessly stumbled her way to the bathroom.

During the night she had a dream of a miscarriage. It wasn't a nightmare to Nikita, as it was a relief. Nikita sat down on the toilet and swallowed, wondering if dreams do come true. Nikita closed her eyes. She once believed that being pregnant with Michael's child was a dream. That dream did come true and ended up being a living nightmare.

Still, Nikita was almost sad when she saw no blood and felt no cramps.

Nikita stood up and shut the lid. She dared not to flush, knowing that Michael could still wake and stop her plans. She pulled on some sweatpants and a t-shirt. She stepped out and looked towards the bed once more, looking at Michael still asleep, as he was when she slipped away.

Nikita pulled at her purse and some papers. She did not want anything stopping the process that needed to be completed. She looked to Michael and swallowed as the tears began to fall once more. Nikita swiped them away and moved out of the room, closing the door lightly behind her.

And inside, Nikita wished that Michael would stop her.

~~

Michael felt the sleep still hanging in his eyes. His own slumber came well after Nikita feel into the needed and requested sleep. He whispered for hours the ideas and thoughts he had for their son or daughter. Each thought was more and more elaborate and more thoughtful.

He could even imagine the little dog that he would by the child when they started to go to school. And Michael couldn't wait to go watch the son or daughter participate in school plays or sporting events. All of it was so real. All the dreams that Michael had ever allowed himself to have for however temporarily they were came to life and started to perform in front of him.

He was satisfied in his sleep, holding Nikita close to his body.

Until he realized that Nikita was no longer there.

"Nikita?" Michael called out as he opened his eyes to the morning light and to the empty room. He sat up and leapt out of bed before he could even rub his eyes. His heart began to pound.

Last night was real. Michael knew that. He believed that he had touched Nikita, had penetrated that wild plan of hers. Michael turned around and moved to the bathroom.

Maybe she had a touch of morning sickness?

"Nikita..." Michael whispered as he saw the empty bathroom. He turned around in a circle and shook his head. He was so close to stopping this and Michael saw his face in the mirror.

Was he going to lose the child now that he dreamt about all night?

Was he going to lose Nikita in the process?

"Damn!" Michael shouted as he moved around the room, looking for his shoes. He found the one off in the corner and then was stunned not to see the other one soon enough. Michael was about to run out the door when he stopped and looked at the clock.

It was twenty minutes before nine.

Michael had driven past the clinic yesterday. He looked at the times. He saw that the clinic did not open until nine. Michael settled on the bed and rubbed his eyes that were now filled with tears.

His only goal in coming here was to stop Nikita from doing something that was so far out there. His only goal was to save both of the lives that at risk right here and now. It was supposed to be simple. It was supposed to be easy. Michael believed that holding Nikita last night as she slept that she would see that she could get through this with Michael's support. The goal out of every word Michael said last night was to get Nikita to realize that they could get through this time together and still have the chance to raise their child up.

Now it was clear that Nikita doubted that it was possible.

The doubt scared Michael. He was never a man that would look at the negative things unless they were directly presented to him. Most inside of Section One thought that he did look at the negative things and the negative things only. That was not true. But now, as he sat on the bed, tying his shoelace into knots over and over again, that was all Michael could think about.

There had to be thousands of reasons in Nikita's head alone for why she shouldn't bring this child into this earth and reality. A couple thousand easily belonged to her being inside of Section One. Another couple thousand dealt with the realities that Nikita had with her own childhood. And there were probably several that called in question Michael's love and devotion.

This decision hurt Michael. He didn't understand it. He didn't even pretend to understand it. But in some way, it felt as if Nikita believed that her way was the only way. It was a habit that Michael had believed that he had broken Nikita from, but it was quite clear, that now, she still doubted him.

And that in turn, caused Michael to doubt, that even if she continued on and had the baby, that things would ever turn out like the dream.

But in no way was Michael making Nikita's decision right. They hadn't even tried to fight, and Michael knew he was a fighter, but also that Nikita was a fighter.

~~

Nikita looked up from the chair she was sitting in. She rubbed her hands together as the receptionist just sat there, doing nothing. Nikita looked around the room. It looked like a regular doctor's office. Nikita leaned her head back.

She couldn't take this wait.

"Excuse me... how long am I going to wait here?" Nikita questioned from the chair. Some of the woman looked at Nikita, one very pregnant. Nikita forced out a smile and then stood up. She couldn't wait like this.

She felt that she was going to get sick once more.

"Please... can you tell me how long I am going to wait here?" Nikita questioned as she leaned half into the window. The woman blinked her eyes and cocked her head to the side.

"Do I have your papers?" the woman questioned with a harsh voice. Nikita narrowed her eyes. She hated when people treated her like she was stupid. Nikita leaned back down and forced out a bitter smile.

"I handed them to you when I first came in the door," Nikita spelt out and the woman nodded her head as she napped her fingers.

"You are the young filly who thought we should have been open about two hours ago... No wonder you are impatient. You don't know how to tell time!" The woman snapped and Nikita stared at her. She was angry for that comment. Nikita slammed her hands on the counter and stared at the woman.

"Some of us need to see the doctor!" Nikita snapped and the woman nodded her head. She pulled out Nikita's chart and glanced at it.

"You still have a few weeks to get the procedure done... It is standard for us to send anyone seeking a termination of pregnancy to go through the counselor, to a make sure you aren't doing this for the wrong reasons," the woman spelt out for Nikita.

For the woman, she had worked there for years. She knew when a woman wanted to do something and when a woman felt that she had to do something. This was clearly a case that this young woman in front of her, with pretty blonde hair, felt that she had to have this done and quickly. It flashed warning bells that the woman might be trying to get it over with before someone could stop her.

In cases like this one, the receptionist would do anything to stall the proceedings. There was only so much that she could do, and sometimes, she just never was able to stall long enough. She had cried more enough times when a husband runs in right after the woman had been wheeled out of the room. The child was merely a memory. Some men made it here before that point.

That is what the receptionist was hoping for this woman.

"I don't want to talk to anyone. I made my decision!" Nikita snapped and the receptionist sighed as she looked down the form and found the name. More than likely the last name was wrong, hence the reason why the women were never called by their last name.

"Look, Nikita... We do this for you own well-being. Unfortunately, the counselor is running late. She has a flat tire," the receptionist spoke and Nikita stepped away. For a while, it appeared as Nikita was going to sit down.

The relief flooded the receptionist.

Then Nikita turned around.

"I don't care about her! I care about me! I need to see a doctor now!" Nikita yelled as her face turned red. It was clear that the young woman was just worried sick about this pregnancy. The receptionist tried to hold onto her hands and tried to calm her down. It was clear that Nikita didn't even care about the other people in the waiting room.

"Look... I think you are a little bit upset. Anything that I am saying is going to be repeated by the doctors..." The receptionist spoke and Nikita turned around in a circle. She thought that she was going to take care of this problem the right way. Nikita shook her head once more as she backed away from the window.

"I want this done in a proper environment and you are making it so hard!" Nikita shouted as a woman stood up to touch Nikita's shoulders.

"This must be your first time... Don't worry... They are really good..." the raven haired woman spoke to Nikita as she tried to push Nikita down into the chair. Nikita had none of that. She turned her shoulders to the side and jumped away.

"I don't care about you! This is my life!" Nikita screamed and all the women dropped their heads. It was one statement that was clearly understood by every woman in the waiting room. Nikita looked to the receptionist as the tears began to fall.

"Please... I need this done... If not... If not... I'll go find another way to get it done!" Nikita threatened and the receptionist stood up as the door to the office opened and two nurses walked towards Nikita. They bent on their knees as a male nurse appeared.

"YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME!" Nikita shouted as she defensively placed her hands up, thinking that they were going to restrain her. That feeling prevailed in Nikita's heart until the male nurse knelt in front of her.

"We just want you to calm down... We don't want you to leave..." The male nurse spoke as he touched Nikita's knee. She looked sick and appeared as if she hadn't eaten in several days.

"I just want this done in a timely manner," Nikita spoke out with short words. The male nurse nodded his head and looked at up at Nikita.

"We understand that... but we also can not risk doing the procedure to someone as agitated as yourself right now. We need you to calm down," The male nurse whispered as he looked at Nikita's eyes.

It was clear from her display that this was not the decision that her heart wanted to make.

"You have been sick through this pregnancy thus far?" The male nurse questioned as one of the nurses reached for the chart that had been started for Nikita. Everyone watched as Nikita nodded her head up and down.

"Have you been able to eat in the past few days?" the male nurse continued, doing anything to calm the young woman down, but also to stall for time. He had learned the hard way of how to do things.

"No..." Nikita admitted as she twisted her hands together. He grabbed her hands and steadied them. He felt her entire body tremble with worry and anguish. This was a woman that did not want to do this.

"Are you being forced in any way into doing this?" The male nurse questioned. Nikita licked her lips and closed her eyes.

"No," Nikita responded, but everyone knew that tone. They all knew that she was, in some form. Each woman was different. No person came into the clinic to have their pregnancy terminated if they weren't being forced in some manner. Some had financial matters that forced them into completing the termination. Some had medical factors that forced them into giving up on the life inside of them. Others allowed their jobs and career force them into doing the action.

"Ok... why don't you read this magazine? We'll get a room ready... and we will be right out to get you..." the male nurse spoke as he grabbed the magazine off of the table, making sure that it wasn't literature on options to abortion. He stood up carefully and watched as Nikita opened the magazine.

They couldn't have allowed her to run away from the clinic. She needed true medical treatment. Everything that she had checked on the file indicated that she was a Type A personality, which put her risks up for everything. She was agitated and she was by herself. None of those things bode well.

But she was desperate. That was the factor that made the nurses move once they heard the woman's screams and cries. She was willing to go off somewhere else to have this completed, as long as it happened that day, it didn't seem to matter where it happened.

The male nurse stood next to the receptionist for a long time, looking out at Nikita. She was nervous and pulling at her hair. The pages of the magazine were almost ripped off as she glanced at the pictures but did not speak.

The counselor arrived and was stopped from going into her office. The male nurse pointed Nikita out as the other nurses filled her in with the details of what happened just minutes ago. The counselor frowned. Ultimately, it was the woman that had the final decision. If this young woman still said she wanted an abortion, there was nothing that the counselor could do to stop it from happening.

"Bring her back to the room... I'll talk to her there.... If we try any other room, we risk her running," The counselor spoke as she turned and handed the chart back to the male nurse. He leaned his head back and sighed.

"I tried calling the number... Doesn't surprise me that it doesn't exist..." The receptionist spoke to the nurse. He closed his eyes lightly and opened the door.

"Nikita..." He called out and Nikita dropped the magazine and stood up.

*

Nikita took one step and looked at the male nurse. The tears ran down her face. She froze.

"Nikita. We are ready for you," the male nurse spoke again as he watched Nikita. She was frightened and staring at him. He watched as her hand came to her neck and rubbed nervously at it, even as the tears fell. It was clear that she did not want to do this. They were close to saving Nikita from the decision that she didn't want to make.

But Nikita took another step forward.

This time she stopped and leaned back on her heals. The other nurses were in the hallway, wanting to get Nikita into the room before starting with the other women. They looked as the male nurse stepped out as Nikita swayed on her feet.

"Are you ok?" he questioned, as he looked at Nikita's glassed over eyes. He was not sure that she would not pass out right there. He handed the chart to another nurse and inched closer to Nikita.

She closed her eyes. She knew it was too soon to hear a heartbeat or to feel the baby move, but inside of her, she felt that life glowing. Nikita dropped her head slightly, trying to gather the composure to continue one with what she believed was right.

But staring at the nurse was not making this decision easy. His eyes showed the empathy he had for Nikita in this position. Nikita lurched forward, almost allowing her body to fall into his arms, but pulled back strongly.

This wasn't about her. This was about what was best for this life. Nikita did not see how a child, born to her and Michael would have any chance at a happy life or even a normal life. Nikita was sure that if it were born, Section One would take it out of Nikita's arms and rushed off to some other foster family that had too many children and was out to make money. Or worse yet, Section One would train it to kill.

"Nikita... you do not have to go through this... We can let the doctor check you out to see that everything is fine..." The male nurse spoke in firm words, hoping that they were making it into Nikita's current trend of thoughts. She looked at him as her shoulders rolled forward with another sob.

"I have no choice..." Nikita uttered out so despondently sad that all of the nurses blinked their eyes. It had been some time since a patient had touched them as such. They all gasped as Nikita lifted her chin and took three more steps forward, now reaching the door.

Again Nikita stopped.

Something told her to stop.

And something else told her to go.

~~

Michael slammed the car door as he jumped out. He didn't know how Nikita got here, as all the cars were left at the hostel from when he entered. She must have walked, which meant she left relatively early. Michael was disappointed in himself for allowing himself not to notice that Nikita had left his side.

He loved her so much, that Michael did not think twice when he started to sprint from the car towards the entrance to the clinic. All that mattered was saving Nikita and their child.

Life would never continue for Michael and Nikita if she completed what she felt she had too.

Michael squeezed past two pregnant ladies themselves, and reached for the door. He swallowed as he entered and saw Nikita at the doorway.

"NIKITA!" Michael shouted as he moved abruptly towards the door and grabbed her body. He looked as Nikita sobbed loudly into his arms and clung onto him. She had no strength to hold her body weight. Michael did not hold back his own emotions as the tears rolled down his face.

"You don't have to do this, Nikita... We aren't doing this," Michael whispered as he kissed the top of Nikita's head, not noticing nor caring about the audience that was viewing this display.

"Why don't we take you to a room... so she can calm down..." the male nurse offered as he held the door open for Michael to enter. Nikita looked down the hallway and started to shake more in Michael's arms. She was gripping onto the reality of how close she was actual was to doing this horrid thing to their child.

She was ready to kill their child.

"Is there another room?" Michael instantly questioned, feeling the pounding of Nikita's heart. He did not know how much more Nikita would withstand right now. She had collapsed into Michael's arms, thankful that he had pulled her away from the decision that she did not want to make. Holding her now was easy, but it was going to get difficult. Michael could not see a doctor's table would be comfortable to do that in.

"Take them to my office, Jake," the counselor stated as she walked out of the examination room and looked at the strong man that was holding the questionable blonde. Jake nodded his head and moved forward, indicating that Michael had to walk back into the waiting room.

"It is much more comfortable in here..." Jake explained as he started to move. He felt the other people in the waiting room staring at them. A few even left. Jake opened the door and watched as Michael finally picked Nikita up into his arms and carried her to the small couch that was there. He huddled her next to his body and hugged her tightly.

"We are glad that you got here... We couldn't have stalled much longer," Jake said as he looked at the man that held Nikita. Nikita had not said a word. But her tears said enough as she sobbed loudly. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes... but I need some time with her first..." Michael said as he stroked Nikita's hair off of her face carefully. Jake nodded his head. He understood this and was going to honor the request.

"It will take about ten minutes for the coffee to brew either way," Jake commented as he exited the room, shutting the door behind him, leaving Michael with Nikita.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Nikita cried out and Michael held her. She had nothing to be sorry about. Her mind and heart were at battle, a battle that was too much for one person to handle on their own. Michael rubbed his hands through Nikita's tangled hair and kissed her forehead softly.

"Nikita... it is ok... We are going to get through this..." Michael whispered. Right now, the goal was to calm Nikita down and to get her out of the clinic. Understanding of what Madeline was offering to Nikita and how it would play out in the profile would come later. Right now, their child was still at risk as Nikita continued to be distraught and almost on the breaking point of emotionally catatonic.

"I can't, Michael... I don't know how too!" Nikita cried out, opening the fears that were in her heart that made it easier for Nikita to sneak out and find the clinic. Had it been a decision between what Section One would want and what Nikita wanted, it would have been easy for Nikita to declare that she was going to have the child and know of the power that her decision would carry. There were so many other factors here for Nikita that Michael was sure were coming up for the first time in her life.

"You are going to do fine, Nikita..." Michael supported her as he shifted on the couch. He rubbed her arms and then her neck slightly.

"I DON'T! I never had a mother... How can a kid that had no mother really... be a mother? I don't know what a good mother does! I don't know what to tell my child!" Nikita shouted out in a panic. Michael lightly smiled as the tears continued out of his own eyes. It was sweet for Nikita to be thinking about events so far down the road, but it also served to make her fears and worry outweigh the beauty of the situation.

"No one knows that stuff from their own parents... Everyone learns along the way... Right now is about being pregnant, surrendering to the hormones and to think about the day you hold your son or daughter in your arms... You don't have to think about all that other stuff..." Michael informed Nikita as he carefully moved his fingers to touch Nikita's chin, making sure that she watched his eyes and saw the look of happiness that he had in them for this child of theirs inside of her.

Michael slightly started to rock Nikita. His heart expanded with relief and wept with joy. He was going to make it all right for Nikita. He could find something to cover all of her reasons, as long as Nikita stated that she didn't want this child because she didn't love him.

"How, Michael? I'm not going to be a good mother! I DON'T KNOW HOW!" Nikita shouted in panic once more, trying to stand up from Michael's arms. He pulled Nikita back down on his lap and swallowed. He kissed Nikita's check softly.

"You'll be fine... there are parenting classes... and you aren't going to be alone," Michael declared and Nikita dropped her head towards his neck. Michael felt the tears pouring from Nikita's eyes.

She felt awful for doing this, for getting so close. Now that Michael made it clear, Nikita couldn't help but feel guilty. Michael understood this notion in Nikita's head and realized that only time would help ease that from her mind and from her reactions.

Now was about them, and holding onto the life that they had with each other, no matter how little it was. Michael leaned his head back, feeling his heart and blood pressure drop back down to the normal ranges.

~~

Jake knocked on the door before pushing it open. He half expected to find Nikita asleep in Michael's arms. Instead, Nikita was leaning in Michael's arms, looking into his eyes. Her tears had dried, but the remnants of them were on her face.

"I brought your coffee... and for you, Nikita... I brought some orange juice..." Jake said as he slowly handed both drinks to Michael. Michael immediately placed the coffee down on the end table and took Nikita's juice. She placed a hand up to her lips and looked at Michael.

"I can't," Nikita stated and Michael narrowed his eyes and then looked at Jake for some guidance.

"You stated you haven't eaten in a few days... You need to raise your blood sugar not only for your health but your baby's health..." Jake stated, but Nikita instantly started to cry again. Michael settled the glass down and took his hand against Nikita's face.

"See... I'm not going to be a good mother... I can't do this..." Nikita moaned out and Jake looked around and shut the door, keeping himself into the room.

"I brought apple juice... that is just as good as orange juice..." Jake said as he shoved his hand into the pockets and pulled out the bottle. Nikita looked at the man, stopping her tears and allowing Michael to wipe them away.

"That doesn't seem to make my stomach churn thinking about it..." Nikita commented and Jake smiled as he wiped the lid with his jacket and handed it to Nikita. Nikita twisted the lid off and gulped some of the liquid down.

"Maybe I should have brought some bagels in too..." Jake commented as he watched Nikita polish the bottle of juice off before she even blinked. Nikita looked at the bottle as Jake took it out of Nikita's hands and smiled.

"You have done a lot for us. Thanks," Michael stated as he looked at Jake. Jake smiled and looked around and then moved closer to Michael and Nikita.

"No problem... We are about what is best... Which brings up the other topic..." Jake stated and Michael looked up at Jake. Michael did not want Nikita to be upset again. Before Jake could speak, Nikita's stomach growled loudly.

"You really need to be examined..." Jake started and Nikita started to toss her head back and forth. Michael sighed as he felt the wet tears flying in the air from the motion of her head. She gasped for air and Michael rolled his eyes.

"Nikita... Nikita..." Michael whispered, but her movement continued as Jake slumped.

"I can't here... No!" Nikita declared and Jake smiled.

"Actually... I was going to give you a list of other doctors to go to..." Jake stated as he pulled out the small list of doctors from the town, although he was sure that Nikita did not live anywhere nearby. Nikita turned her had to the side slightly and looked at Michael.

"I'm going to get her fed... a shower... And we have a private doctor we will go too," Michael stated out, rubbing Nikita's face. Nothing Michael said was a lie. Michael meant every single word. Nikita sighed as she stared at Michael's eyes.

"Ok... well... I'll get the papers straightened out... and you can go out the other door there..." Jake stated as he indicated the other door in the room. Michael nodded his head and smiled lightly.

There would be no more exposure to the clinic where Nikita almost took their child's life.

*

It took Michael a day to get Nikita to the doctor that he had selected. He had carefully studied the profile of the doctor the night before, as Nikita slept in the very soft bed. The hotel that Michael selected was posh. It was a luxury that Nikita needed, even if it was just for one night.

Again, Michael had avoided speaking with Nikita about how she was going to go through this pregnancy. It was going to be difficult. Michael wasn't going to kid himself about that or Nikita. For all purposes, Birkoff was going to be playing the father of the baby. It would be Birkoff that went out for the cravings and attending all the doctor appointments. It would be Birkoff that would touch Nikita's stomach when the baby kicked for the first time and it would be Birkoff that rushes Nikita to the hospital when labor starts.

Michael looked over from the chair he was in and smiled at Nikita. He didn't care at this point. What mattered was that she was pregnant and carrying their child. The doctor had confirmed what they knew and now they were just waiting on some blood work.

Of course, Nikita will have to go through all of this again, with Birkoff, to make it real. But it was important now, to do this with Michael. If there was a problem, due to the stress of the past week, Michael wanted it caught now, while he could hold Nikita in his hands.

He was surprised with the ease that Nikita had allowed the exam to happen without tensing. He had seen the medical reports from medical every year, about the one or two doctors Nikita would put out of commission due to their lack of bedside manner at her annual exam.

Hence, the reason why Michael sought out a special practice of all females and all highly qualified in high-risk pregnancies. Michael didn't tell Nikita that, but he had a feeling that Nikita realized it, on some level. She had been so dutiful since he had pulled her out of the abortion clinic, that she realized how rough she had been on the small being that was just starting to grow inside of her.

"Michael?" Nikita called out as she turned her head from the table. Michael stood up and moved to her side. Nikita took his hand and lightly kissed it. Nikita placed it back down and looked at Michael with tearful eyes.

"Nikita... please no more tears..." Michael whispered as he leaned forward and kissed them away. Nikita looked at him and leaned her head back lightly before Michael started to rub her shoulders.

"Did I thank you?" Nikita questioned and Michael opened his mouth. He never expected Nikita to thank him for stopping the abortion. Michael shook his head as he sadly moved around to look at her face.

"Nikita... you don't have to thank me for that... I know that your mind was reeling with the reality..." Michael started to explain, but broke off. The emotions that Nikita's words had evoked inside of him were beyond anything that Michael was ready to explore at this moment. Nikita shook her head as she touched his lips lightly.

"I didn't mean that... I mean... Did I thank you for allowing me to be a mother of your child?" Nikita whispered and Michael gasped again.

She had every single emotion throbbing inside of him. In some form, Michael was sure that he should have been paying attention to Nikita's need for self worth here. She felt that Michael had selected her, while in reality they were put together by fate. But Nikita's words said so much. It told that she understood clearly about Adam and how, yes, Adam was Michael's son; it was not by a woman that he chose.

"Nikita... that is the most beautiful thing..." Michael choked out as he broke off. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "That you could have said..."

"It's what I feel..." Nikita responded as she leaned up and kissed Michael's lips. Michael smiled and ran his hands down Nikita's arms.

"Well.. I didn't get a chance to thank you... for allowing me into your life..." Michael stated and Nikita sobbed. She dropped her head and Michael moved forward, placing Nikita's head on his stomach and holding her tightly. If he had his way, he wouldn't let go of her for the entire pregnancy.

"Will we stay the night? Please?" Nikita questioned. She knew that she was pushing for more than she thought that she would get, but it was something that Nikita needed. Madeline had better get used to giving Nikita some sort of Michael, or this pregnancy was going to get more complicated than anyone wanted. Not that it was going to be easy to start with.

"One more... and then you got to go back to Birkoff... and you know..." Michael whispered as he stroked Nikita's hair. Nikita held onto his hand and swung it back and forth lightly. Just the prior day, she felt that her life in some way was going to end when she ended the pregnancy. Although now, Nikita had fears and worries, Nikita did not feel that her life was going to end. In some odd way, she felt that it was beginning all over again.

The door opened and the woman walked in with the chart. She had a pleasant smiled as she pulled the stool over and moved back towards the table.

"Well... your pregnancy is off to a find start. It's good when a mother comes in this early..." Dr. Kindles spoke to Nikita. Nikita smiled as Michael wrapped his arm around Nikita. Dr. Kindles had already commented on how husbandly support was important throughout the pregnancy. Michael was almost sure that Nikita was going to cry with that statement, but she hadn't.

"There is some concern with your preliminary blood work that I want to discuss..." Dr. Kindles stated and Nikita started to tense. Michael held onto her tighter, but Nikita trembled.

This was probably the only fear that Nikita had had since yesterday when Michael whisked her away from the clinic and that town. She was afraid that her behavior and emotional outbursts might have done damage to the baby.

"I take it that most of the time you don't like to eat meat..." Dr. Kindles spoke and Nikita nodded her head.

"Well... With your prenatal vitamins... I'm giving you an iron supplement. You are anemic... which means that your iron levels are substantially down," Dr. Kindles spoke. Michael kissed Nikita's neck, hoping that Nikita would not fret about this.

"I would suggest that you start eating meats... and any food that is high in iron... These supplements are very harsh to the stomach and since you have stated that you already started to have morning sickness, quite violently, that it might make the upset stomach worse..." Dr. Kindles spoke as she handed the bottle over to Nikita. She looked at it and nodded her head.

"Other than that... and the fact that you look like you need a few extra hours of sleep a day... You are very healthy... and the baby appears fine thus far..." Dr. Kindles spoke as she handed over the pamphlets that she said that she would bring back with her and smiled at Michael.

There was no expectation of a follow up appointment. Michael had a cover that explained that Michael and Nikita moved around a lot, as he was a short-term consultant for organizations when they first get Internet connections. Dr. Kindles let herself out and Nikita turned and hugged Michael.

She had no intention on letting Michael go now.

~~

Birkoff typed at the computer. He hadn't heard a peep from Nikita or Michael. Neither had Walter. Birkoff was worried, even though Walter tried to explain how Madeline was going to hide all of this from Operations for as long as she could and to allow Nikita to have the baby. Birkoff was afraid that Michael had found a way to escape Section One and take Nikita with him, leaving Birkoff stranded on this mission with no knowledge of it.

The computer work he was doing was so easy that Birkoff often found himself having too much time to think about Nikita. He would have to pull himself away from the computer to get some sort of pop, just to stop the obsessive thoughts about Nikita and the baby. For all Birkoff knew, Michael and Nikita could have been having a blast the past few days and not allowed anyone to know that Nikita did not go through with the abortion.

Linda turned from Birkoff's office door and walked down the hallway. He was a very welcomed addition to the firm. He worked hard and always had some way to improve what he was doing. His work was cutting edge and everyone else in the firm loved Birkoff's sense of humor, along with his wife.

Linda walked down the hallway and looked into the offices. Everyone was so happy today. She was about to return to her office when she noticed Nikita's car pull up and a jubilant Nikita bounding down the walk of the building. Birkoff had stated that she had some work in a city not far from here, and that she was due back any day now. Linda was shocked to see how well the knee had healed up.