Michael's own nerves were shot. He wanted to be with Nikita right now. She didn't seem to be worried, but Michael could just feel that she was. She had to be. The baby was late. That didn't always mean bad things, but Nikita told Michael straight out that she was afraid of being induced into labor, since of everything else that had been going on with her body.

If anything, Nikita was frustrated that the baby decided to extend its tenure in Nikita's safe body. It had bounded to Nikita easily and Nikita had been having a blast ever since the baby started to kick. Nikita even said that she could watch her entire stomach contort when the baby punched or kicked.

Michael smiled as he sat down in a chair. Nikita had even said that she thought that the baby took a lot of Michael's good qualities because the baby had good form with kicks and punches. Michael leaned his head back and looked across the way.

Walter was waiting too, but he wasn't as good at hiding his worries. Michael was sure that the old man hadn't spelt for the past three weeks, waiting to relay the phone call to Michael, setting forth many important actions.

Another worry that was on Walter's mind was the rule that Linda would have with the delivery. Birkoff had been told specifically that Linda should not feel like she had to come. In fact, Walter threatened Birkoff about Linda. If she ruined Michael's chances of being in the room with Nikita, Walter was going to rearrange the young man's face, mission or not.

"Michael... bad mission coming up?" Davenport commented as he looked at Michael's face. The man didn't stop though and continued to walk away.

Bad mission? No. Just childbirth.

~~

Nikita loved the taste of her cherimoya. It was a wonderful fruit that she had discovered some time ago. She wasn't sure when, but she remembered the taste. Nikita licked her lips with the memory of that fruit that she devoured over two hours ago.

She looked to the clock and stood up. She needed to go check her blood sugar level, which for the past two days had been everywhere.

Nikita reached her hands over her swollen stomach and smiled contently. She loved the baby. It didn't matter what it was. What mattered was that is was hers and Michael's. Somehow, in the mad world that Nikita had been placed in, she was given one chance to make something good happen.

That was what Nikita saw this as. It was her one chance to do something that her own mother couldn't. It was Nikita's chance to give this child everything that Nikita had been denied. Some would think that it would be impossible for Nikita to do that inside of Section One, that Section One would control all aspects of her life. That hadn't stopped Nikita from loving Michael and it didn't stop Nikita from loving this baby.

Loving this baby was more than anything that she got from her mother. Everything else that Nikita could give the baby was extra.

Nikita stopped to lean against the wall. This was a dream, but it wasn't the right dream in many ways. Now that the baby was soon to be born, Nikita started to worry about other problems. All ready, it appeared as if the mission was going to be longer than a year. At first, Nikita was sure that by the time the baby was three months old, Michael would have the opportunity to be a part of the baby's life. Now it looked like the baby was going to be at least six months, if not older. Nikita couldn't help but wonder what kind of impact that would have on the child. Birkoff would be playing the father, but he wouldn't be the right father.

The sigh was heavy as Nikita scolded herself. She couldn't worry about such things. It was just that this day was so different from the others. She was tired and excited at the same moment. It was like the feeling that Nikita often got when she was about to go out in a huge mission. It was like her body was building up all the adrenaline that she would need.

That was all that Nikita thought that it was.

There was a sharp kick and Nikita winced. Now the baby was a good kicker, but not that strong. Nikita looked towards the clock and shook her head. It just appeared as if the baby was starting to be upset with the delayed birth. Nikita smiled and walked towards the bedroom, going to check her blood sugar.

It was while Nikita was about to sit down again, when the same pain occurred again. Nikita looked up and started towards the phone. Her water hadn't broke yet, but that didn't matter. What mattered was getting the ball rolling in the right direction, so that all parties got the messages and started the well-orchestrated plan.

So the father could be by the mother's side for the birth.

"Walter..."

~~

"I think you should sit down, Paul," Madeline stated as she looked at the man. He only tilted his head to the side and rolled his eyes. She had a decision at that moment. She could tell the full truth, which was a version that only Madeline knew, or the truth that Michael and Nikita believed to be the full truth. It was a game of knowing which one would save the baby.

"I don't hear an explanation, Madeline," Paul stated as he turned his head to look at Madeline. He did not like the silence that was passing between them.

"It is complicated. It has to deal with the profile of Nikita and Birkoff in the Ryce Borjas mission," Madeline stated and Paul stood up, shaking his head. He had seen several things almost pass his desk, getting Michael into the mission somehow. There was no way he could allow that to happen. He could see what went on between Michael and Nikita from their eyes alone. Let them have contact and no one would believe that Nikita was in love with Birkoff.

"I will not release Michael into the mission..." Operations stated out in a steady voice.

"That isn't the problem... The problem was several months ago... There was a weakness that only had one way to solve..." Madeline stated out with a careful voice. She turned her head and got a glimpse of Michael running towards Walter. Madeline knew what that meant and knew that she couldn't beat around the bush here, but then, she couldn't rush it either.

"What problem? Why wasn't I told of this months ago?" Operations questioned and Madeline smiled.

"Because Michael and Nikita cannot find out that I set them up for this... They can't know that I created the events that happened in order to make Nikita and Birkoff look like a better couple for Ryce Borjas to select and use..." Madeline stated out and Operations narrowed his eyes.

"And how is Michael connected to this?" Operations questioned as he felt his heart race. There weren't too many things that Madeline could do that would totally shock him, but this one felt like it was going to make him very upset.

"For Ryce Borjas to blackmail Birkoff enough... I needed something more than just Nikita... Therefore, knowing Nikita... I made sure that Michael and Nikita had significant time before the mission to complete something..." Madeline stated and Operations leaned forward. He almost was about to grab Madeline when the speaker buzzed in the room.

"Madeline?" Michael's voice echoed in the room. Madeline inhaled sharply. She knew the exact reason why Michael was calling.

"Go ahead, Michael... All is fine..." Madeline stated as she stared at Operations. The line clicked off and Operations watched as Michael sprinted down the hallway. He started to shake his head. He knew in that moment exactly what Madeline had set up.

"No... You didn't..." Operations hissed out and Madeline nodded her head.

"For the sake of the mission," Madeline stated out. Paul turned. Madeline tried not to exhale too loudly. He had bought the only lie that came after all the truth.

~~

"Seymour... next time you need fruit like those tangelos... just call me. I live right near that market," Linda stated as she stood in his office. Birkoff looked up at her and shook his head. She just didn't get it. Of course women who weren't pregnant get the reason why Birkoff had to go to get the food. It wouldn't matter if Linda brought it to him.

"Linda... do you want to talk about fruit... or are you going to help me with the organization of this report?" Birkoff questioned with a strong voice. He looked at the screen and licked his lips carefully.

"I'm sorry, Seymour... We can't delay this any longer..." Linda stated as the phone started to ring. Birkoff smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"One phone call..." Birkoff stated. He pulled the phone to his ear.

"Birkoff.... it's time..." Nikita stated.

*

"Linda... I have to go!" Birkoff stated as he slammed the phone down. Nikita told him just to go to the hospital, but Birkoff had to wonder how Nikita planned on getting to the hospital herself. This was part of the plan that was never discussed.

"Why?" Linda questioned in disbelief. Birkoff was already behind in work and she couldn't believe that Birkoff was planning on leaving while she was going to help him with the work. She totally forgot the origin of Birkoff's backed up work to start with.

"Nikita just started labor..." Birkoff stated as he stood up. Linda jumped up and covered her mouth with her hands. It was like she had just learned a secret. Birkoff looked at Linda, sure that something else was going on here.

"NO!" Linda yelled and Birkoff rolled his eyes.

"That was her on the phone," Birkoff stated and Linda nodded her head and looked around.

"Did her water break?" Linda questioned and Birkoff shook his head no. It was important for Nikita to catch the feelings of labor well before that point, as Michael and Dr. Kindles could make it to the hospital to be there for her.

"No," Birkoff stated and Linda dropped her hands. Now she wasn't very excited. It was going to be a long while before the baby arrived. She knew that.

"Seymour... if the water didn't break... this might be false labor," Linda stated and Birkoff turned around and stared at the woman. Weren't they just talking about how Nikita was late, that any day Nikita needed to have that child?

"Linda... I heard Nikita's grunts... She is in pain... and going to the hospital. I have to be there for her," Birkoff stated as he opened the drawer to his desk and pulling out his car keys. He was surprised as Linda snapped the drawer back loudly.

"Seymour... I should go with you... You have no one in town to support both of you," Linda stated and Birkoff heard the words that he had been worried about. He swallowed harshly, knowing that he had to get out of this nightmare.

"Linda... as you stated. This is going to take some time. You are needed to stay here," Birkoff stated firmly. He made a move to step around Linda.

"Then after I am done here... I'll come to the hospital... Someone should be with Nikita when you have to step out of the room..." Linda started again. One minute she was declaring that Nikita wasn't going to have this baby anytime soon, and the next minute she was trying to force her way into the hospital.

"Linda.. Nikita never likes others seeing her when she is in pain... She is an extremely private person... I don't think that she would accept anyone else in the room," Birkoff tried to explain. His heart was racing. He just wanted to get to the hospital.

"It doesn't matter when you are having a baby... She is going to learn to be not private anymore... There will be so many nurses and doctors walking in and out of the room.. while she is on display..." Linda stated and Birkoff turned around and grabbed Linda's arm.

"Are you trying to make me feel better about this? Or are you trying to make me so paranoid about what is gong to happen to Nikita that you work yourself an invitation to the hospital during the labor?" Birkoff questioned and Linda pressed her lips together. The Seymour she saw was going to be a great father.

"Look... Once the baby is born... I'll call you, Linda... and you can come... But Nikita only asked for Madeline and that is all that I can give her," Birkoff stated as he moved to the door and walked out. He looked behind him; almost sure that Linda was going to follow him. She didn't.

Birkoff ran down the stairs and came to a halt when he ran into Ryce Borjas.

"Where are the reports? Where are you going?" Ryce questioned with an agitated voice. Birkoff rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe his luck. Any other time, he would have been out the door by now.

"I don't have time to explain... I have to go..." Birkoff stated and Ryce turned and grabbed Birkoff.

"Excuse me. This is your job!" Ryce stated and Birkoff stomped his foot slightly.

"MY WIFE IS IN LABOR!" Birkoff shouted and turned to leave. Ryce didn't stop Birkoff this time. The young man needed to be with his beautiful wife. Ryce's attention soon turned to Linda, who was fighting with her purse.

"Did he invite you?" Ryce questioned Linda.

"No... but it doesn't mean that they don't need me..." Linda argued out and Ryce shook his head. He looked around and folded his hands in his lap.

"If Seymour is going to be with his wife... probably for several days.. Who is going to finish the reports?" Ryce questioned and Linda shut her eyes. She couldn't go against Ryce's decision. The man had a side to him that Linda wasn't exactly sure about. He appeared to be a good man, a nice man. But with the way he questioned her, Linda bowed her head and moved back upstairs.

But sooner or later she would get to the hospital.

~~

Michael pulled his car into the hospital parking lot. He pulled out of the car, forgetting to lock the door and almost forgetting to take the keys with him. In his mind, the baby was due any moment. It might be the truth, it might not be the truth, but Michael wasn't going to take any chances.

He was tapping his foot up and down as he approached the slow moving sliding doors. Michael felt that a snail could have moved quicker than the doors themselves. He tapped his fingers as he walked toward the information desk. He now cursed himself for not learning the layout of the hospital better. He mentally degraded himself for having to stop at the desk and ask for directions to Nikita and their baby.

"Maternity?" Michael questioned and the older woman behind the desk smiled.

"Let me check if the patient has been registered.... Can I have a name?" the woman slowly questioned and Michael narrowed his eyes. He wasn't about to have a lady telling him to slow down when Nikita was in labor. All that mattered was Nikita.

"Look... I don't have the time... just tell me where the ward is and I'll find her myself," Michael stated and the older woman looked at Michael and placed a piece of paper in front of him.

"Can you read that first line?" The woman asked and Michael glanced down and then back up at the woman.

"Excuse me?" Michael hissed with tension in his voice.

"Can you read that first line?" The woman questioned again, this time raising her voice, much like a schoolteacher. Michael was positive that now he was going to be getting a punishment in front of everyone if he didn't do as asked.

"It says hospital procedure," Michael stated out with short words. The woman smiled and daintily clapped her hands. She tilted her head to the side and turned the paper to face herself. She slowly read it and looked at Michael.

"And the first one is that all visitors and patients must register. To register as a visitor... We must make sure that the patient has been registered," The woman pronounced slowly, as if Michael had a learning deficit. Michael looked around and stared at the woman once more.

"MY WIFE IS IN LABOR!" Michael hollered at the old woman's face. She didn't even flinch and Michael turned around in an impatient circle.

"Michael?" Dr. Kindles questioned as she entered the hospital. Michael turned again and looked at the doctor. He rolled his eyes and licked his lips.

"They won't tell me where Nikita is," Michael stated and Dr. Kindles smiled as she pulled out an ID and pulled Michael with her. She looked at the woman as she kept an eye on them.

"She is in a room... when I last spoke, her water still hadn't broke... Now, why aren't you with her to start with?" Dr. Kindles questioned as she continued to walk. She pulled out a nametag for the hospital out of her purse and pulled out a pen. She wrote Michael's name on it and slapped it on Michael's chest.

"I wasn't with Nikita when she called me to say that she was in labor... She told me that she would get her... that I should just come here..." Michael quickly explained and Dr. Kindles nodded her head. She could believe that with this couple. They never seemed to slow down one bit.

How things were going to change.

"Well... it's up on the fourth floor... I'm going there... but then I have to change... Nikita was in room 402 when I last was in contact with the hospital," Dr. Kindles informed Michael as she pressed the button and looked around. She smiled at Michael. He was the typical nervous father. His hands were twisted against each other and he could stop his legs from moving around.

"But I can see her, right?" Michael questioned and Dr. Kindles laughed. From conversations with the on-call OB/GYN, Nikita was going to have a long labor. First it was her first child and second, her water still had not broken.

"You are going to be with her for hours... I want you to go in and see her first... Later we can get you changed. They stated that Nikita was very nervous when she came in," Dr. Kindles stated and Michael nodded his head. That would be Nikita for you.

The elevator ride up was silent. Michael looked at the lights flashing; thinking that it would have been quicker if he had ran up the stairs himself. He looked around and finally exited the elevator, only to have Dr. Kindles pull him in the right direction.

The doors declared "FAMILY BIRTHING CENTER" and Michael felt the racing heart with him, build in intensity and force. He looked at the door as Dr. Kindles turned to enter the locker to change out of her travel clothes. She looked at Michael and nudged him once more.

"I'm sure that Nikita won't turn you away..." Dr. Kindles stated with a smile. Michael looked to her and smiled. He was sure that she was right.

~~

"And you plan to allow her to keep the baby?" Operations hissed, demanding answers for all the questions he had. He was utterly amazed that Madeline, Michael, Walter and assorted others had been able to keep this information from him for over nine months. He was amazed that Madeline had plotted in this manner to produce another life, and allow Michael and Nikita to believe it was love that created it. Madeline's hands were filthy with this mess. Operations wasn't just going to let her get away with it.

"Yes. It has been more than a difficult pregnancy... and if something happens to that child, including us taking it after the mission, we will lose both Michael and Nikita," Madeline affirmed as she studied the man. This was not the place that she wanted to be. Madeline had her own plans to head to the hospital incase Linda decided to boss Birkoff around. Madeline didn't personally like the woman and she would not allow Linda to ruin the day for mother, father, and child.

"So you open us up to a liability," Operations stated and Madeline shook her head back and forth. Sometimes she couldn't live with the world that Paul created. He claimed to be a man that understood that there were variations of gray in the world around them. But he was man that was strictly black and white. He was white, the right one, and everything else was black, the wrong.

"It's the least we can do for them," Madeline finally mellowed out as she looked around the office. She wouldn't care if Operations demoted her for this. She knew that he wouldn't, but there was still that option. There were enough counter plans to this main plan that the family would exist, in or out of Section One. Madeline saw this as a future for Section One that was going to be different than any other future Paul could form. She saw change and saw the potential for something more than it already was.

She wouldn't tell Paul any of that.

"So... we should give this to Michael and Nikita because we have been so hard on them? THEY ARE OPERATIVES!" Operations hollered as he slammed his fists on the glass panes in front of him. He looked around at Madeline as his veins pumped wildly of the blood racing his system.

"They are people. THEY ARE PEOPLE! We all are people.... it is only you that thinks otherwise..." Madeline hissed out as she stared at him. Finally the words were out, what she felt about Paul at this moment. He was a monster in a world that needed more people like Michael and Nikita. "If you excuse me... as I stated, this pregnancy has been particularly medically bad for Nikita and I intend to support her."

And with those words, Madeline left.

~~

Michael walked down the hallway, darting his head from side to side. He knew that he had been told room 402, but he didn't know if that information had changed. He looked inside each room, various types of women in different stages of labor. Michael looked at head and then moved to the left to the room that was 402.

"Nikita!" Michael exclaimed as he saw the crown of blonde hair shining in the harsh lights of the hospital. She lifted her head at the sound and smiled, even as she panted through another contraction. Her hands were splayed out on the stomach, remaining pretty calm from what Michael saw.

"Michael..." Nikita stated. Michael had expected her to pant it out, but she said it softly and with a normal rate. There was only a slight coat of sweat that had broken across her forehead. Michael quickly swiped it away with one touch of his hand.

"How do you feel?" Michael questioned as he looked out the room and then around. He had just walked through the ward. He didn't think they had much privacy here.

"Great... A bit uncomfortable..." Nikita stated and Michael smiled as he took Nikita's hand and kissed it. He opened his eyes as he dropped the hand. Nikita was looking like a child that just got passed over by a teacher who was handing out gold stars.

"What is it?" Michael questioned as he cupped Nikita's cheek. He felt her roll her head towards him and smile softly.

"You can kiss me on the lips still, Michael..." Nikita stated with begging eyes. Michael grinned and placed his lips against Nikita's. He held there for a while and pulled away before Nikita threatened to make it more than a small kiss.

"So how did you get here?" Michael questioned and Nikita smirked slightly and turned her head to the side. She was almost laughing and Michael leaned in to try to focus on Nikita's face.

"You didn't..." Michael stated as he shook his head. He could tell with her behavior and knowing Nikita's stubborn nature, she drove herself. That scared him. It was the thought that the love of his life, carrying their child, while in labor, drove to the hospital all by herself that scared Michael to the core.

"My water hadn't broke... It still hasn't... I didn't see why it mattered," Nikita stated and Michael shook his head back and forth and then kissed Nikita once more. He leaned back and sighed.

"Ok... we can't undo that... but you tell everyone else that a neighbor drove you," Michael stated and Nikita smiled and nodded her head, just as the next contraction took over her body.

She couldn't wait for this part to be over with.

*

Dr. Kindles smiled as she stepped away from the edge of the bed that Nikita was in. She looked to Michael and saw that he was still in his street clothing. She didn't want to change him too soon, as it appeared as if Nikita was heading towards a long labor. She patted Michael's arm and smiled.

"Michael... why don't I show you were you can change into scrubs?" Dr. Kindle questioned. Yes, it was early to get Michael to change, but Dr. Kindles wanted to discuss some things with him, that were best if not discussed in the presence of Nikita.

"I'll be right out..." Michael whispered as he took Nikita's hand and squeezed it as she started another contraction. Dr. Kindles moved out of the room, knowing how a much of a devoted father Michael was. He was the perfect counter to Nikita. The calm and cool stated that Nikita had been in was quickly vanishing.

"Michael... something is wrong..." Nikita stated and Michael frowned as he rubbed his hand across Nikita's forehead. He didn't want her to fret about this. Worrying wasn't good for mother or child. Michael leaned down and placed a kiss on that forehead.

"Nikita... nothing is wrong... every mother has a different labor. They are never the same..." Michael stated and Nikita abruptly turned her head. Michael did not expect that kind of reaction from Nikita. He was trying to support her and now it felt and appeared as if he had hurt her.

"Nikita... what is it?" Michael questioned. When Nikita refused to turn her head back to Michael, he dropped the hand and circled the bed. He stared at Nikita and hoped his eyes wide when he saw the tears trickling from Nikita's eyes. She shook her head back and forth stubbornly. For a few seconds, Michael was confident that Nikita was not going to answer his question. He grabbed her hand again and kissed the surface. It was a manipulation of sorts, but it couldn't have been helped. He needed to know what was bringing Nikita to this acute emotional reaction. As he thought before, worrying wasn't going to do anyone any good.

"I must be being bad.... nothing like Elena," Nikita stated and Michael shook his head. He couldn't believe that Nikita was drawing conclusions about what her labor was like in comparison to Elena. His heart was threatening to break at these simple words from Nikita.

"I don't know, Nikita," Michael stated as he stroked her hair. He couldn't allow her to have the thought, but he didn't know if he could come to terms with the truth as he looked at Nikita's eyes. Elena and Adam had been far gone from his thoughts of late. It was the blessing of having a child with Nikita that had made that final healing come, and now it threatened once more to break away and expose his tortured heart.

"What do you mean?" Nikita inquired with hissing words. Michael touched her cheek softly and felt his heart expand, to take away the damage and be there for Nikita.

"I wasn't there. I missed the birth of Adam," Michael stated in solid words as he continued to press his hand to Nikita's cheek. He felt the tears continuing to fall. With that feeling, Michael also threatened to let go of his own tears.

"Section sent you on a mission..." Nikita stated as she be bit her lip. Hard.

"No.... I was meeting you," Michael spoke and Nikita lifted her eyes to look at Michael. The words that she thought she had the ability to control, were now gone. She stared at Michael as his words seemed to head directly to her heart. She gasped and continued to cry. Michael reached up with his thumb and stroked one set of tears away.

This should be a happy day. Not a sad day.

"Instead of looking into my son's eyes... on that day, I looked into yours. And saw something that my heart had been waiting for..." Michael acknowledged with each word, soft and tender. It was the truth, and nothing but the truth. Nikita looked at him and tried to shake her head. She never would have wanted to do that Adam. Michael stopped her head and kissed her lips softly.

"On that day... my life started over again. Not because Adam was born, but because I met you," Michael stated out and Nikita moaned with tears. But they weren't sad tears any longer. They were happy tears. Michael kissed her lips once more as he looked to the monitor. Another contraction was coming and after that one, he would go and change into the scrubs.

~~

"Michael... this way," Dr, Kindles spoke as she looked up from the nurses station. She watched as Michael allowed the door to Nikita's room close and he moved to her. Something had caused a delay, but Dr. Kindles wasn't going to complain. After that contraction, Nikita's blood pressure was at the lowest it had been the entire time she had been in labor.

"Is this the way to the dressing room?" Michael questioned, knowing that something more was going on here. Dr. Kindles shook her head back and forth as she opened a small office and indicated for Michael to take a seat.

"The labor is proceeding quite slowly," Dr. Kindles spoke and Michael blinked his eyes. From the tone, Michael knew that something more was going on here than he wanted to hear. What he wished for was for a normal labor to be the end of an abnormal pregnancy. He twisted his hands together as he sat down and stared at the doctor.

"She is having contracts quicker than every two minutes... and they are growing in intensity," Michael stated and Dr. Kindles nodded her head. All of that was correct.

"I know, Michael, but she is barely dilated... and her water hasn't broken yet. She asked me to give her an epidural..." Dr. Kindles spoke and Michael nodded his head. He was there when Nikita has asked for one. It had shocked Michael, knowing that Nikita was trying to avoid having to take any more drugs than necessary.

"I know," Michael stated, as he didn't like the pause that Dr. Kindles was taking. She looked to the side and inhaled for one very long sigh.

"There are a zillion things to think about before giving Nikita and epidural... And when I think about it, the most concern about it is the blood pressure. Nikita has been experiencing high blood pressure since I saw her and most of her pregnancy. I could not risk giving her that epidural... it could make the problem more..." Dr. Kindles spoke. Michael nodded his head. He sure didn't want anything to happen to Nikita because of her need to stop the pain. Michael turned his head to the side and swallowed.

"She has had some experience with visual imagery... That helps with pain, right?" Michael questioned. Dr. Kindles started to nod her head. Michael looked to the door and wondered if Madeline was in the waiting room yet. "And she has a mentor of sorts... she should be here... She is a hypnotherapist..."

"That may do some good... but often that sort of therapy was needed well before the event... But nothing could hurt..." Dr. Kindles spoke and Michael nodded his head and rubbed his hands once again.

"So... is that all?" Michael questioned and Dr. Kindles shook her head back and forth.

"We are going to rupture the membrane... make her water break so we can get some internal monitors on the baby..." Dr. Kindles spoke to inform Michael. She didn't have too, but she had a feeling that Michael was very hands on.

"Is that all?" Michael questioned and Dr. Kindles shook her head.

"Two more things... We are going to start giving her a drug to dilate her cervix quicker.... And we have been monitoring her blood sugar levels..." Dr. Kindles stated and Michael blinked his eyes. He had almost forgotten by that.

"A long labor, such as Nikita seems to be showing signs that she is going to have, can take a lot out of a body. I'm going to have the nurses prepare drinks that are fortified with the correct amount of sugar for Nikita to intake..." Dr. Kindles started to explain and Michael nodded his head.

"And you want me to make sure that she drinks it," Michael stated, knowing that it was the case. He stood up and stretched his arms over his head. They were almost six hours into this labor. And it proved to be trying all ready.

"I want you to check the waiting room for that mentor... and anyone else that can help you out. The problem with long labors is having the support there. You won't be able to do it yourself," Dr. Kindles spoke and Michael nodded his head.

He knew that Madeline and Birkoff should be there.

"Can I change first?" Michael questioned and Dr. Kindle nodded her head. She pulled out the scrubs and placed them in Michael's hands. She stood up and opened the door.

"The waiting room is down the hall and on the left..." Dr. Kindles spoke and Michael nodded his head. He sighed as the door shut.

Nothing was ever easy. NOTHING.

*

Madeline helped to bring Michael to the waiting room. The young man looked like he had just come in from battle. His body appeared weak as he turned the corner and promptly fell in the first chair in the waiting room. Madeline pressed her lips together, knowing that she was tired herself, but that it could not compare to how Nikita felt now.

"The baby still hasn't come?" Birkoff questioned as he stood up from the chair that he had been occupying while waiting. He pressed his lips together, as he had been working on a lie to give Linda to make sure she didn't come to the hospital.

"It's not unusual Birkoff. It has only been fifteen hours of labor. Some mothers go much longer than that," Madeline commented as she pulled some change out of her pocket and moved to the vending machine. Michael lifted his head and stared at Birkoff.

"She finally started to dilate some... Dr. Kindles doesn't seemed so worried," Michael stated as he turned his head to the side. He didn't care how Dr. Kindles was acting. He was worried about Nikita. Her emotions were flopping from one side to the other. Madeline's assistance had only given Nikita a bit of peace, the pain still sending her body into screams with each contraction. But now, Nikita's screams were getting softer as she was losing her voice.

"Then the baby will be here soon, right?" Birkoff questioned and Michael sadly shook his head from side to side as Madeline slammed her hand onto the vending machine, as it wouldn't drop the candy bar she paid for drop. Madeline looked around and slammed her hand once more against the machine.

"Now, beating up the machine isn't going to help sugar at all," Walter's voice rumbled as he entered the room to look at Madeline first. Of course, that was because Madeline was allowing some of her emotions out as she continued to battle the machine, and Michael was slumped in the chair, exhausted.

"When did you get here? Does Operations know?" Madeline hissed as she turned around and kicked the machine. Walter shook his head sadly and moved to the machine. He reached his hand up, patted the machine lightly and the bar dropped down. Madeline reached down and snapped it up.

"I just got in... was talking to one of the nurses about Nikita... Operations wanted an update and felt that if something was happening that Nikita would want me," Walter stated and all of them turned and stared at Walter. No one believed a word out of his mouth. Walter lifted his hands up in the air and swallowed. "I swear! He even gave me money to buy the baby a teddy bear!"

"Over my dead body!" Michael growled out protectively, even as his stomach growled, cutting the effect of Michael being a strong man. Madeline looked at the candy and tossed it towards Michael, where it landed and slightly rolled down his chest and stomach.

"Don't speak like that, Michael," Madeline stated as she reached out for Walter and directed him back towards Michael. There were four of them now, and no one was with Nikita. Michael needed a break, but Madeline was sure if she pointed out that Nikita was alone, Michael would go back. It needed to be Michael's thought that someone should go be with Nikita.

"I have to make a phone call. Linda said she was heading here... and I have to think of somehow keeping her away..." Birkoff stated and Madeline pressed her lips together. She did not like that woman at all. Yet, there was nothing on the top of her head that would keep Linda away from this hospital. She was a stubborn woman like Nikita, but at least Nikita was stubborn about good things.

"Birkoff, you tell that stupid woman that Nikita's labor has been difficult and slow and that the doctor has restricted visitors. You tell her that you will call her when the baby has been born and that you need to go as there might be a complication," Walter stated out calmly. It was a great lie to give to Linda. It was strong and forceful; in a way that Linda would have no option but listen too.

Birkoff looked around the room as he nodded his head. He thought that someone else would add onto those words, but no one did. Birkoff turned and left the room to find a private telephone in a part of the hospital that was a bit louder than the one here. One would think that maternity would be much louder, but it wasn't. Birkoff wanted the effect of there being a mass mayhem for Linda. It would only help keep Linda in one place.

"Now... what is going on with Nikita? The nurse said that something might be wrong," Walter questioned as he sat down next to Michael. Walter couldn't help but noticed the exhaustion written across Michael's face. Madeline touched Walter's arm and he turned his head to look at Madeline.

"There is nothing wrong, the labor is just been quite long and painful. But then... all labor is painful..." Madeline stated, hoping that Michael would pick up the comment that Nikita was having a normal labor.

"But it is complicated with the diabetes correct?" Walter questioned and Madeline nodded her head. That was the one concern that Dr. Kindles seemed to be monitoring more than anything else. They couldn't have Nikita collapsing into diabetic shock now.

"Yes... and Dr. Kindles thinks it might only be driven by the exertion that Nikita has been going through. It can also indicate that after pregnancy that Nikita might still have to monitor her blood sugar..." Madeline explained for Walter. She sure didn't want him getting upset right now.

"And no one is with her?" Walter growled and Madeline winced. Walter stood up, shaking his head at the two others. Michael reached out for Walter's hand and looked up at him.

"Will you go to her? I am so tired..." Michael whispered. It was a huge step in Michael's behavior to first ask Walter to go to Nikita. The second one was that Michael admitted that he was tired. Madeline looked to Walter; unsure of what Walter was going to say. It was quite clear that Walter was shocked with Michael's request and concerned about the way Michael was acting.

"Sure... I'll go let her squeeze my hand for a while... As long as she doesn't break it, I'll stay with her," Walter said with a light tone that did not match the concern that was on his face. He was looking at Madeline and then rapidly back at Michael. He also was worried about what Madeline would make of this new side of Michael, but pushed that away as he looked at Madeline. She had the same tired and worried look on her face.

"Walter..." Michael struggled to say, as Walter was about to break for the hallway and off to Nikita's side. He stopped at the sound of Michael's voice and looked as the young man struggled to lift his head. He nervously looked at Madeline, but shrugged off all worries about what Madeline would think at this moment.

"Tell Nikita that I love her..." Michael whispered out as the tears rolled out of his eyes. Walter pressed his lips together and nodded his head. Michael's voice almost triggered Walter's own tears. That would not help the situation. Walter had to be supportive for Nikita and to allow her to think that everything was fine. Maybe everything was fine and everyone was just overreacting.

But it wasn't like Madeline to overreact.

"I'm sure she already knows that, Michael," Walter stated back as he moved to the side some, inching closer to the door. He stopped and winked at Michael. "But I'll tell her one more time to be safe."

"Thank you," Michael mouthed as he dropped his head down to his chest. Walter was once again; ready to leave when Michael abruptly pulled his head up. Walter tilted his head to the side and smiled.

"Don't worry, Michael. If something changes, I'll get you first. I'm sure not going through transition with her! I suggest when you wake up, you find a goalie's mask because you are going to need one when sugar goes through transition," Walter stated with firm eyes. Michael licked his lips and leaned his head back and watched as Walter moved swiftly out of the waiting room. Now Nikita had someone by her side, Michael was sure the he could at least take a restless nap. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Michael... nothing is going to happen to her," Madeline stated, but there was something strongly unsure about her tone. Michael lifted his head and looked at Madeline. He was sure that he had never seen her cry before in his life. However now, there were three tears rolling down her face. For that moment, Michael saw a new Madeline and knew that the former image he had of Madeline was gone forever.

"Dr. Kindles is an expert with difficult pregnancies... I don't remember her exact title..." Michael stated and Madeline reached and took Michael's hands.

"I can't believe that I have caused this situation," Madeline stated and then pulled away. She covered her mouth. She wasn't going to tell Michael and Nikita. Never. But whatever Paul was up too, Madeline had let her guard down some. She had told him a half-truth, and Madeline was sure that no one would understand the full truth. She was not going to tell Michael.

Madeline knew when the mission was set, when Nikita would be fertile and she knew of the scheduled medications from medical. Madeline made sure that Michael and Nikita would be clean of anything that would stop impregnation. It did not mean that Madeline planned this as something to help the mission. The mission was only a means to allow this to happen for Michael and Nikita. If there was no mission, Madeline could have never saved Nikita and the baby. Operations would have seen to it. For that week that Michael took care of Nikita, they didn't realize that Madeline gave them a week to get pregnant. If Nikita didn't get pregnant at that point, Madeline wasn't sure she would ever find a chance to give them the same opportunity.

"It's a high stress mission... I should have not worked Nikita so hard..." Madeline whispered out the lie. She was sure that if Michael was feeling one hundred percent and wasn't as worried for Nikita as he was, he would have known it was a lie. Michael merely nodded his head and dropped his head back, intending on drifting to sleep.

It wasn't comfortable for Michael, but he rationalized that it shouldn't be comfortable for him. Nikita was in labor, and she didn't have a chance to fall asleep. He turned his head and found Madeline reached for him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and brought him closer to her.

Michael closed his eyes. Knowing that soon, he would be a father.

~~

"Get out of my room!" Nikita shouted at the nurse that was retreating from the bed. She had in her hand a bottle of some sort and now a liquid over her face. Walter began to shake his head, knowing that Nikita was up to no good at this point.

You had to be sympathetic for women in labor, but you also had to understand that you just had to do what they wanted to do most of the time. Sooner or later, what was best for the baby was going to win out. Walter looked at the nurse as she walked back, shaking her head much like Walter was.

She wasn't bad looking.

"Sugar... you know.. that was just plain mean," Walter stated as he moved closer to Nikita's bed. Her head shot up as did her hands. She looked so much like a young child almost, not like the woman who was going to have her own child. Walter tilted his head to the side as he allowed Nikita to grab a hold on his hand.

"Walter..." Nikita whispered out as she turned her head away and continued to cry. Walter watched as a new nurse entered and stopped as she saw the man by Nikita's bedside.

"Are you her father?" The nurse questioned and Walter nodded his head. It was the easiest way to explain things. "Can you see that she drinks this? She is not cooperating."

Walter nodded his head as he watched the nurse put the bottle down for Nikita to drink. He watched the nurse leave. Now if the nurse had used the same tone with Nikita, he could understand Nikita's actions. They didn't seem to be the pleasant people that they should be for the maternity ward.

"Michael sent me in with a message.... He wants you to know that he loves you very much..." Walter whispered and Nikita nodded her head and closed her eyes. She knew that, although he wasn't in the room with her right now. How she wished she could be sleeping with Michael right now. She was just so tired and no one could do anything for her.

"They won't give me anything for the pain... Walter... isn't there something?" Nikita questioned and Walter stroked Nikita's hair back. It could not be fun to be Nikita at this moment. Not only were her hormones making her emotions flutter from each extreme; she was in a terrible amount of pain. It had been one of the first things mentioned to Walter when he discussed things with one of the nurses.

"Sugar... they just can't... And what they are trying to give you... you spit back at the nurses... Does that sound right?" Walter questioned and Nikita dropped her head. There was no way for her to flush, as the exertion from the labor kept Nikita's cheeks constantly flushed.

"No...." Nikita stated as she scrunched her face back up. She jerked forward and emitted a scream that was far louder than anytime before. Walter closed his eyes and turned his head, sure that he was going to lose his hearing.

"HELP ME!" Nikita screamed as the door flew open and there stood Dr. Kindles. She smiled at Walter and went to Nikita.

"Was that pain different, Nikita?" Dr. Kindles questioned and Nikita just tossed her head from side to side, not showing a true and distinct answer. She pressed her lips together and looked at the doctor.

"It just hurt more," Nikita muttered and the doctor nodded her head. She patted Nikita's hand and looked to the bottle.

"Can you make sure she drinks that? I'm going to get an ultrasound and bring it in here," Dr. Kindles stated and Walter's eyes opened as he cleared his throat. He was worried that this was something bad.

"Is something wrong?" Walter questioned and Dr. Kindles sighed. She wasn't what was up with Nikita's family and friends, but they sure were expecting the worse. It probably tied in with the long time it took the baby to kick and the foetoscopy that had been completed.

"It is just to make sure that nothing wrong might happen. This is quite a normal thing to do at this stage," Dr. Kindles stated as she moved back to the bed. Nikita didn't make a gesture or a grunt. Early, she had grunted at the doctor that nothing about her was normal. Early, Nikita had also kicked Dr. Kindles. The nurses already feared when Nikita would go into transition.

"I just want to make sure," Walter stated and Dr. Kindles smiled. She had already consulted with some colleagues and found that right now, she shouldn't worry about the long labor of Nikita. She was a young woman in her first pregnancy. It wasn't too abnormal, but would need monitored more frequently than any other woman. The nurses had proven to be scared of Nikita and that meant that Dr. Kindles was going to do more of the dirty work than she would normally do. It was to Nikita's advantage that she did these things. It also was a pitfall, as everyone worried more as the doctor did everything.

"Why don't I check if you have dilated more before I get the ultrasound?" Dr. Kindles stated and Nikita only rolled her eyes. She was starting to hate everything about this. She tried to focus on holding a baby at the end, but that image was getting more clouded every time something else had to be completed.

Walter turned his head as he grabbed the bottle that had been left for him. It looked like a pop bottle that had some sort of water in it. Walter opened it and smelt it. It smelt like sugar.

Sugar for his sugar. Walter smiled at that thought.

"Hey... your lips are kind of dry... do you want to try some?" Walter questioned as he moved the liquid towards her lips. Nikita parted her lips and Walter smiled. He watched as Nikita took the small sips and then turned her head away.

"Hey! We are making progress, Nikita.... You have dilated another centimeter..." Dr. Kindles spoke happily out. Nikita nodded her head and closed her eyes. The doctor pressed her lips together and sighed once more.

"I want you to get as much rest as you can, Nikita... You are going to need it... You have quite a challenge in front of you," Dr. Kindles stated and Nikita nodded her head as her eyes closed again. Walter winked at the doctor as she looked at Walter. She shook her head and moved out of the room.

At least Nikita had more support now than she had when she was going through the tests.

*

Walter walked over to Michael and handed the young man a cup of coffee. Nikita had been inside the hospital for over 24 hours now. Michael had just come out for some food and coffee. He had left Madeline with her, as it appeared as if finally, Nikita would soon hit transition.

"How long?" Walter questioned and Birkoff picked his head up.

"Twenty-six hours and forty-three minutes... give or take a few minutes," Birkoff stated. He was the one person that would not go in to be with Nikita. Although he had been through most of the pregnancy, he was deathly afraid of what going into that room could mean. Birkoff wanted nothing to do with it until the baby was born and healthy. Then he would go in and see Nikita.

"Birkoff... shut up!" Michael growled as he rubbed a hand against his forehead. Michael was almost never rough with Birkoff, but this did not shock Walter. Walter stared at Birkoff, telling the young man with the firm stare just to let it go.

"I don't know how Nikita does it..." Michael stated as he shook his head back and forth. Walter looked at the coffee that Michael still hadn't sipped. It almost looked like Michael wasn't aware that he was holding it.

"Drink some coffee... Nikita has an internal alarm clock that short circuits her body every two to three minutes," Walter stated out with a slight smile. Humor sometimes helped, but Walter wasn't sure if it was going to work now.

"It is more like between every minute or two," Michael corrected Walter. It was a good sign, but like everything else, this bunch of operatives learned that Nikita was particularly slow with allowing this child out into the world. The milestones of labor came after a long time of work and effort on Nikita's part.

Dr. Kindles was almost always in the room with Nikita now. She stated that after Nikita gave birth, she would have an afterglow point, to learn whom the baby was and looked like. Then she would sleep.

And sleep. And sleep.

"God... how is Nikita going to have enough energy to get through birth?" Michael questioned as he felt the heavy eyes and the tiredness sapping all of his energy. He had only meant to come out into the waiting room for a small break. He wanted to drink the coffee standing up and go back to Nikita, but he sat down.

And now he realized how tired he truly was.

"Don't worry about that, Michael. She has motivation," Walter stated. Michael looked at Walter for a second, almost at a lost about what Walter was speaking about. He tilted his head to the side and Walter shook his head. Soon, Michael realized that seeing the baby was the motivation that Walter was speaking about.

Michael sipped at the horrible coffee and leaned back in the chair. He was closing his eyes as the doors swung loudly open.

It was quite a normal occurrence in the waiting room. There must have been thirty couples that had babies while Nikita was in labor. Michael didn't even lift his head. He was sure that this was for someone else.

"Michael... they are moving Nikita," Madeline stated and Michael jumped up, almost spilling his coffee over his body. Walter grabbed the coffee and looked at Madeline as the entire group felt a new tension.

"Is something wrong? I thought the baby would be delivered in that room?" Michael questioned. Madeline parted her lips and licked them.

"It is a precaution... Dr. Kindles said that she could on in good conscience allow Nikita to continue on this path for so much longer. They want to be in a better room if they need to assist Nikita," Madeline stated and Michael shivered. That didn't sound good at all. Dr. Kindles was never a woman to panic.

"Go..." Walter said as he patted Michael's shoulder. Madeline pointed down the hallway and Michael could see the moaning Nikita on the gurney as they moved her. Michael jogged down the hallway to be with Nikita. Madeline turned and slumped into Walter's outstretched arms.

"Its more than a precaution, isn't it?" Walter questioned Madeline as he guided the woman to the couch that Michael had just been sitting on. Madeline looked at Walter. She had not rest since she arrived her, support either Michael or Nikita. She had to call Operations several times, telling him that no news was good news at this point.

"Nikita is an amazing woman... Dr. Kindles suggest help and Nikita stated that she could deliver this baby," Madeline stated and Walter nodded his head and looked to Birkoff. There was still a worry here. Nikita was sometimes too stubborn for her own good.

"Madeline... please don't lie to us," Birkoff stated out and Madeline frowned. She didn't know anything more. Dr. Kindles didn't tell Madeline anything else than what she had repeated to Walter and Birkoff. However, Madeline was sure that something more was possible.

"Birkoff, I am as scared as you are," Madeline stated as she folded her hands above her waist and looked at the soft eyes of Birkoff. Birkoff leaned his head back and swallowed.

Birth wasn't supposed to be like this.

~~

This time, Michael had to dress in a yellow gown and mask. He was almost worried that Nikita would not recognize him. He pushed the door open and saw Nikita's blue eyes settled on his. She reached her hands out, even though she was clearly going through a contraction.

"I wasn't going to miss this," Michael stated as he kissed that hand and moved closer to the bed. Dr. Kindles smiled and looked at the latest heart rates of the baby. She placed it down and nodded her head.

"Nikita... I know that you are really tired... but I don't want you to push yet, ok?" Dr. Kindles stated and Nikita nodded her head. Michael leaned up and kissed Nikita's forehead softly.

"I love you, Nikita..." Michael stated and Nikita smile happily.

"I love you! I love you! I love you!" Nikita exalted and Michael smiled broadly. The nurses stated that Nikita had started transition. Now, since Michael got in the hospital, he had heard the horror stories of transition. Some husbands even left the rooms crying like a baby themselves. Michael didn't think that this was transition. Knowing who Nikita was, he was surprised that she wasn't trying to slug him.

"Is she in transition?" Michael finally questioned when Nikita pulled his hand up to her face and started to kiss it. Dr. Kindles nodded her head and looked at Nikita.

"Looks like you lucked out," Dr. Kindles commented as Nikita kissed each of Michael's fingers. This was not a Nikita knew he. She was never this affectionate. Michael grinned. This was kind of nice.

"Michael.... did I ever tell you that you saved my life?" Nikita questioned and Michael's face softened. He leaned down as his face started to turn a nice shade of red. He stroked at Nikita's hair and sighed.

"Nikita... that is not necessary... I did no such thing..." Michael stated and Nikita shook her head back and forth as she grunted with the next round of contractions. She leaned her head back and allowed the hiss to go through her clenched teeth.

"Yes you did..." Nikita panted out immediately after the contraction finished. Michael shook his head back and forth until Nikita grabbed his chin. Michael looked down at Nikita, sure that he was now going to find out about what transition was truly about.

"When you stopped me at the clinic.... you saved my life that day..." Nikita moaned as she felt the pain again. Michael blinked back his tears as Nikita started to scream once again.

"What is going on?" Michael questioned the doctor as she moved around quickly, bringing in more nurses.

"It won't be long, Michael," Dr. Kindles stated and Michael smiled. He took Nikita's hand and kissed it.

"Did you hear, Nikita? It won't be long... It won't be long...." Michael repeated to Nikita. He was blessed with Nikita smiling back up at him.

~~

"Nikita... the baby is crowning... We need you to push..." Dr. Kindles stated almost three hours later. Michael shook his head. He didn't know what was worse, watching Nikita go through, or knowing that his child just didn't want to make this easy on the mother.

Michael also wasn't sure how to take the fact of all the people standing in the room that appeared to be more of a surgical room than the birthing room that Nikita had been moved from. Michael kissed Nikita's head as she nodded it up and down.

About a half hour ago, Nikita first stated that she was too tired for this. It worried Michael and Dr. Kindles. Tiredness was not going to be accepted by this child. It was sure making Nikita knew who had the power right now.

"Did you here, Kita? The baby is crowning!" Michael happily exclaimed as he helped Nikita to sit up off of the bed. Dr. Kindles nodded her head and sighed for a second. She couldn't wait for this birth to be over. She would never tell Michael or Nikita, but she had never seen one drag on as long as Nikita's had.

"Ok, Nikita... PUSH!" Dr. Kindles screamed as Nikita started to scream out with her efforts. Michael felt Nikita squeezing his hand and he had to wonder if Nikita was squeezing that hard to push the baby out, why it wasn't here hours ago.

"Come on, Nikita... You got to really push!" Dr. Kindles stated, as she did not see any movement. She glanced at the monitors that were connected to the baby. The time was going to arrive sooner than later that more than just Nikita pushing was going to be needed for this child. "Hannah... watch that monitor,"

"What's wrong?" Nikita demanded as she slumped back to the bed. Michael took the washcloth and stroked Nikita's forehead carefully. He did not want Nikita to worry about anything else. It would only distract her.

"It's nothing, Nikita... that monitor always needs to be watched... and I wanted to make sure that it is Hannah that is watching it..." Dr. Kindles stated and Nikita nodded her head. It appeared as if she bought the doctor's lie.

"You are doing wonderful, Nikita... Just a little bit longer..." Michael stated and Nikita nodded her head and pulled her body back up.

"Ok... I want you to push again... and push as long as you can..." Dr. Kindles commented as she looked around. She was about to do something drastic, but she decided at this moment, that this would be the last unassisted push that Nikita would have. She looked to the nurses behind her as Nikita started to push.

"Come on, Nikita... You are doing it... you are doing it..." Michael commented over and over again, giving Nikita the encouragement. She squeezed Michael's hand and looked at him for a second. With him by her side, she felt that she could do anything.

Dr. Kindles smiled when the head started to move, pushing out of Nikita's body. The doctor moved and helped direct the baby, noting the blue hue to the skin.

"Hannah... I need you down here..." Dr. Kindles immediately ordered even as Nikita continued to push. Dr. Kindles knew that she couldn't jump to conclusions about what was wrong, but she also wanted another pair of hands.

Nikita continued to scream as she pushed. She hadn't heard Dr. Kindles' orders to Hannah, but Michael did.

"What's wrong?" Michael demanded as he took his eyes off of Nikita and down to the doctor and the nurses.

Dr. Kindles didn't hear Michael's question at first. She was watching as the baby's head slipped out, covered with dark hair, but still, blue, and turning darker.

"DAMN!" Dr. Kindles screamed as she saw the cord around the baby's neck. She immediately looked up at Michael's worried eyes and then Nikita, still trying to push.

"Nikita... stop pushing!" Dr. Kindles screamed as she started to move her hands. She didn't have time to wait for Nikita to stop pushing. Her fingers started to touch the cord that was wrapped around the head.

"What's wrong?" Nikita demanded as the tears flooded her eyes. Michael moved closer to her and hugged her shoulders. Nikita was still in pain; the contractions didn't stop just because Nikita stopped pushing.

"Hannah... support the head..." Dr. Kindles stated as she slowly pulled the cord from around the neck, working it slowly, even as she heard Nikita working herself up.

"Doctor, her blood pressure is rising..." a nurse reported. Dr. Kindles looked up at Nikita. She was doing so well until this point. Dr. Kindles got the first wrap around the neck off and then swallowed as she saw one more. She moved as quickly as she could.

"Nikita... I want you to push again... I need suction down here..." Dr. Kindles stated as she pulled the cord away and exposed the neck to the baby. Hannah took the suction and started to work.

"Why isn't it crying?" Nikita questioned as she continued to do as Dr. Kindles told her to do. Nikita looked to Michael gasped.

Then the baby cried as the shoulders passed out and the rest of the body quickly followed.

"MY BABY!" Nikita cried out along with the child. Dr. Kindles smiled as the nurses stepped forward to wash and clean the baby. Dr. Kindles shook her head. There would not be a lot of time for Nikita before she gave into the urge to sleep. Her labor had been hard and difficult and she needed to bond immediately.

"You have a wonderful daughter, Nikita and Michael," Dr. Kindles stated as she placed the baby into the sheets after tying the cord off. She lifted it up to Nikita's arms, still somewhat messy. Nikita placed her arms for the child, although she looked exhaustion.

"My daughter..." Nikita trembled out as the tears rolled down her face. Michael smiled and looked at the little baby. She was a miracle and Michael smiled at Nikita. He saw the look on Nikita's face. She was a new woman as she looked down at their daughter.

"I love you Nikita... and thank you..." Michael whispered as he placed his hand carefully on the bundle. Nikita paid no attention to what else was happening to her body as she stared down at her baby. It was quite happy being in Nikita's arms.

"Are you going to name her?" Dr. Kindles questioned as she walked around to the other side of the bed and stroked Nikita's hair. The woman was utterly amazing. She was sure that Nikita would have gone to sleep by this point. Nikita nodded her head and looked at Michael.

"Surely not Udela..." Michael stated and Nikita tiredly smiled. She looked at Michael and his heart began to race.

"The name she chose..." Nikita whispered and Michael felt his heart expand. He kissed Nikita's forehead and touched his daughter's cheek softly.

"Maralah..." Michael stated with a smile. It was a special name for a special baby.

"Mara..." Nikita started to say, but she drifted into sleep so easily. Dr. Kindles smiled as she looked to the nurses, making some basic orders for Nikita. The woman was going to be tired to say the least. She picked up the baby and gave it to another nurse.

"The cord was wrapped around your daughter's neck twice.... you are very lucky..." Dr. Kindles stated and Michael nodded his head. He swallowed and looked to Nikita, finally finding a peaceful sleep.

"I love you, Nikita... and I love Maralah.... You have given me everything that is good about my life..." Michael declared as he kissed Nikita's head. She smiled in her sleep and Michael swallowed.

He never felt this way. Never.

*

Walter stared at the clock. He couldn't believe how much time had passed and no word had come to them yet. He looked out of the waiting room door, hoping to see someone, namely Michael, walking towards them with the good news. The more time that passed, Walter was sure that the news wasn't going to be as good as they all prayed for.

"Madeline... isn't there a way we can find out more?" Birkoff questioned as he looked up from his watch. It had reached the thirty-one hour mark and Birkoff felt helpless. He looked at Madeline as she stared at him. She twisted her hands and swallowed.

"We don't want to bother the doctors, Birkoff," Madeline stated in a sharp tone. She personally didn't know how much longer she could handle this. Her mind started to plot ways to connect a computer up and get Birkoff to search for all the medical files he could get. Her mind also started to plot a mission to get Madeline in the room with Nikita.

However, Madeline no longer knew where Nikita was. When they moved her to the other part of the hospital, Madeline lost track of where they went. She had sent Michael and didn't bother to follow. She cursed herself now for that decision. She should have followed and taken care of the business that was hers to take care of.

"How are we expected just to sit here and wait?" Birkoff questioned. Madeline looked at Birkoff. She had answered this question a few times already. Each time, it was harder to answer it. She wanted to know what was going on also.

"Birkoff, Nikita will be fine," Madeline firmly stated as she stared at the young man. She looked up to the ceiling and prayed that she was correct.

"Look, Birkoff... Nikita is stubborn... She just wants to feel like she is pregnant a bit longer... You know.. she didn't know that she was pregnant for a month and now her body just doesn't know that the baby wants out," Walter rationalized badly out. Birkoff rolled his eyes and slumped further into the couch.

Personally, Birkoff was getting sick of this waiting room. He wanted to know how so many groups could come and go while Nikita's still hadn't given birth. Birkoff shook his head. He would not allow the bad thoughts to win.

"Don't you have to report in soon?" Walter questioned as he looked to his watch. He knew that he had to call Operations once already, explaining that the baby hadn't been born yet, that he was still needed. Operations was not pleased, and almost blamed Walter for stalling the birth. There was nothing that Walter could do to bring this child any quicker than it was coming.

How everyone in the room wished that there were just some information about what was going on. Birkoff dropped his head back. He had been watching Nikita from the beginning of this pregnancy until this point. Although it was his decision not to go into Nikita, fearing seeing the labor himself, he worried about her. He could not do this mission without Nikita if something happened to her.

Flowers had arrived for Nikita several hours ago from the office that Birkoff worked at. Everyone assumed that the baby would have been born by now. Birkoff had asked them to be placed in the room that Nikita would be placed in after birth. He didn't know how much more difficult this was going to get, as he had to constantly call Linda with updates so she wouldn't come to the hospital herself.

"I don't have too... Paul understands that I will call once I know that everything is fine," Madeline stated as she stared at the wall. She rolled her head to the side. She could not image how Nikita was going to survive all of this. The extended labor had to be draining all of Nikita's energy. Energy that wouldn't be easily regained once she gets the baby home with Birkoff. How she wished that Birkoff had taken the parenting classes too. She saw that this was going to become Nikita's job, to be with the baby at all times. It concerned her.

The doors opened and all three turned their heads to see a broad smile across Michael's face as he moved towards Walter. He extended the cigar, wrapped with a little pink bow. Walter looked at the cigar and smiled as Michael slapped him on the shoulder.

"My daughter was born an hour ago.... at 20 inches... and 7 pounds and 3 ounces..." Michael declared happily to Walter. The older man hugged Michael tightly and laughed joyfully as Madeline smiled to Birkoff. Michael broke away from Walter and handed a cigar to Birkoff.

"Her name?" Birkoff questioned and Michael looked to Walter and winked.

"Maralah..." Michael stated happily and Walter sighed. Born during an earthquake. It suited the little girl more than she would probably ever know. Plus, it was a beautiful name for a girl born to two great parents. Madeline looked to Michael as he handed a cigar to her.

"I know you wanted her named Udela..." Michael stated with a serious look on his face. That look soon vanished as he thought about his daughter.

"But Maralah... she is so pretty..." Michael declared and Madeline nodded her head. It was a decent name and one that Madeline could not argue with. She smiled and looked at the cigar.

"How is Nikita?" Birkoff questioned and Michael rolled his eyes.

"Asleep," Michael commented with a slight laugh on his voice. It was quite clear that Michael felt the pressure of the labor vanished with the birth of his daughter. He had also gained energy from seeing her.

"Can we see Maralah?" Walter questioned and Michael nodded his head as he started to lead them all out of the waiting room. He moved down the hallway and turned a corner.

"She was a lucky girl..." Michael commented as his thoughts darkened for a second. He almost didn't get a chance to hold his daughter, as nature tried to take the life away from them that they had fought so hard to have.

"Why?" Madeline questioned as she saw the dark cloud cross Michael's face.

"The cord got tangled around her neck... But she is wonderful... Wait until you see her!" Michael declared happily. He decided not to linger on the bad thoughts. He instead concentrated one how the little girl looked when she was cleaned up and placed in his arms, even as Nikita slept. The little girl turned her head softly and parted her lips, looking up at him. Her father.

Michael never felt so completed.

"There she is..." Michael said as he approached the mirror and looked at the rows of babies. She was sitting in the middle and in the front. Walter and Birkoff both sighed as they saw the beautiful baby. They immediate pressed against the window and looked down at the little tike.

The name that was written on the bin that held her was Maralah Samuelle Hayes.

~~

Michael walked down the hallway. As Nikita slept, Michael showed off his daughter and got some decent food. Then when he was about to go visit Nikita again, Madeline stopped him.

He had to get back to Section One. Linda was going to be visiting during the evening visiting hours and Nikita was going to be discharged in the morning with Maralah in her arms. Michael found it hard that the doctors were going to send Nikita home less than twenty-fours hours of delivering the baby after thirty hours of labor, but it seemed as if the medical community didn't look at those factors.

Michael didn't know when he was going to be able to see Nikita and his daughter again as he walked down the hallway. Madeline and Operations both claimed that they would allow the technology to be placed inside the house to allow video conferencing, but Michael did not see it happening some time soon. He felt that it would be whenever there was the next problem, that they would give Nikita the technology.

Michael pressed his hand against the door and peeked in. He knew that the nurse stated that Nikita was attempting to breastfeed and he didn't want to embarrass Nikita at all. He looked in and saw Nikita's head facing him for a second before dropping her head and looking at her baby.

Maralah.

"Did she eat?" Michael questioned and Nikita beamed as she nodded her head up and down. Michael entered the room and closed the door. She looked up into Michael's eyes and saw that he was going to be leaving.

"How long until you leave?" Nikita questioned as Michael moved closer to the bed. He smiled down at his daughter and sighed. He didn't want to leave their side. He couldn't believe that Maralah wasn't even a day old and he was being pulled away from the family that he never wanted to leave.

"Least that two hours," Michael stated and Nikita nodded her head softly. She tucked the receiving blanket closer to Maralah's chin and moved over on the bed with considerable pain on her face. Michael sat up and touched Nikita's chin softly.

"How are you?" Michael questioned. He was concerned how Nikita was going to handle going home so soon. He wished that he could have gotten a doctor to order her into the hospital for one more day, to at least let his fears drop some. Dr. Kindles had gone back to her town and practice after the birth and Michael couldn't find a doctor who would order it.

"Wonderful..."

"Happy..."

"Tired..." Nikita stated as the smile slid off of her face. She looked down at her baby and then looked away. She didn't want her baby seeing her crying.

"Sore..." Nikita admitted and Michael nodded his head. He touched Nikita's face softly and wiped the tears away.

"Did you get anything for the pain?" Michael questioned and Nikita nodded her head. She blinked her eyes and leaned back against the pillow some.

"However... Dr. Kindles before she left said that I was really tense during all of the labor... that I will be sore for a good while... Not to push it," Nikita stated and Michael smiled. He concurred with that statement. He did not want Nikita pushing it.

"I talked to Birkoff and Madeline about having him hire a doula... just until you gain your strength back and feel comfortable around the baby," Michael stated as he took his hand and touched the small fingers of his daughter. Nikita turned her head and stared at Michael.

"You don't think I can do this?" Nikita questioned and Michael sighed and framed Nikita's face carefully.

"I think that you need support while you recover. You know, take it easy... But it is up to you," Michael stated and Nikita smiled and kissed Michael. He knew that she would veto his idea, although that it was the best for Nikita. Michael wanted to get a doula for Nikita before the birth, to help her with learning breathing techniques, but Madeline said that it would be too difficult to get him into see the labor if there was a doula.

"I'll do fine," Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head. He looked down at his daughter as she made a small cry. She wanted attention.

"What is it Mara?" Nikita questioned and Michael raised his eyebrow. Nikita had already shortened her name. Michael smiled. He knew that Nikita just liked the way Michael said the name. He kissed her ear softly and leaned closer to Nikita to view their child.

"She has your hair..." Nikita stated as she stroked the fine strands of dark hair. Michael smiled. He sure didn't want the baby to look like him. He had wished for the baby to be another sweet and caring Nikita. Nikita sighed as she ran her fingers down the face softly.

"And your eyes..." Nikita's voice twinkled out. If Nikita didn't sound so happy, Michael would have been sure that Nikita was upset that their daughter seemed to take after Michael on many aspects of her looks.

"And your nose..." Nikita stated happily, but Michael now caught on. She was worried and Michael had to find something that was Nikita on their daughter. Michael reached over and traced the baby's lips carefully.

"She has your skin.... and your little mouth, Nikita..." Michael pointed out. Nikita turned her head to say that she looked like him, but Michael stopped her. He pressed his lips against Nikita's lips for a few seconds. He pulled away and looked at the hair.

"And I think she may have my hair color.. but she is definitely going to have straight hair..." Michael stated and Nikita smiled broadly with a laugh. It was apparent though, that the laughter brought Nikita pain. Michael could not imagine how Nikita was going to make it through the next week without help.

Plus, from what Madeline told Michael, Birkoff was going away on a conference with Ryce Borjas. Michael had to be concerned if that was what was best for Maralah and Nikita.

"And she is tall..." Michael pointed out as he laughed again. This time, Nikita dropped her head to Michael's shoulder.

"You should hold her... before you have to go..." Nikita said as she shifted her arms. Michael was going to protest. He loved to look at Nikita holding his daughter. Yet, he realized that there were two reasons why Nikita was asking him to hold her. She wanted to see Michael hold their daughter and Nikita was tired and drifting to sleep.

"Sure..." Michael stated as Nikita carefully slid their daughter into Michael's arms. Maralah didn't fuss and didn't even cry. Nikita smiled as she placed her head back down on Michael's shoulder. She gazed down at her daughter, but soon, Nikita's eyes closed.

"Hey... Maralah... you are going to sleep on me..." Michael stated as he watched his daughter's eyes drop. He turned to look at Nikita, to say something to her, but found that the daughter was only mocking the mother. Michael kissed the top of Nikita's head and continued to hold his child.

It was a memory that would get him through the vast amount of lonely days in front of him.

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