"It won't be better right away darling... It has to stay in that cast... and I have to use the crutches to walk..." Nikita stated as she pointed to the wooden crutches next to the bed. Maralah twisted her face as she stared at the crutches.

"Mama no walk?" Maralah questioned and Nikita nodded her head sadly up and down. She wasn't even allowed to bare weight for at least two weeks, if not longer.

"Yeah... Your mommy can't walk," Nikita affirmed as Maralah continued to stare at the crutches. Nikita glanced up at Michael and Birkoff. Both of them that were staring at Nikita's daughter.

"Mama?" Maralah questioned and Nikita nodded her head. Nikita looked down, trying to get her daughter's attention, but Nikita didn't matter. What mattered were the wooden crutches.

"Mama, so you crawl?" Maralah questioned busted out into laughter. It was so cute and Birkoff grabbed Maralah. Maralah started to join in with the adult laughter as Nikita tried to sort out an answer.

"No... I use the crutches... And when I get really good at them... I'll show you.." Nikita stated as she stretched her arms over her head. Michael looked at Nikita. She was tired and needed her rest.

She also needed a shower that was well overdue.

"You can see mommy in the morning..." Birkoff stated as he took the hint from Michael's eyes. Nikita leaned back in the pillow with a heavy sigh.

"I guess you have to go..." Nikita stated as she looked at Michael. She looked down to her hands as Michael's strong grasp held her.

"No... We have some things to discuss... Most of it is quite easy..." Michael started and Nikita blinked her eyes. This had to be about her status. Nikita felt the tears.

"I can't believe I did this right when I was going to get level three status... It is going to take me twice as long to get it..." Nikita stated out rapidly. Michael only blinked his eyes and looked at Nikita. Sometimes, she was cute like this. But not when he was tired.

"Nikita... you didn't lose your status... Madeline and Operations have not demoted you. You are still level three," Michael revealed. Nikita stared at Michael for some time with an open mouth. This was the reaction that Michael had hoped to get when he told Nikita about the level three status the first time.

"Thank you Michael..." Nikita stated, giving Michael way too much credit for the work on maintaining her status. Michael rubbed Nikita's hands carefully. "I guess you have to get going..."

"No... Madeline has given me some time..." Michael stated as he swung his head from side to side. Again, Michael felt Nikita's eyes fix on him and her mouth drop. This one was good.

"What?" Nikita questioned. It was the only word that she could form.

"Madeline felt that since you have never been on crutches before that you may need some help around here," Michael informed Nikita. Nikita looked at Michael and leaned her head back.

"So you won't let me slip and fall in the shower," Nikita stated and Michael felt a stiff giggle surge pass his blank stare. Nikita raised an eyebrow as Michael briefly covered his mouth.

"Well... I was thinking... that for your first shower... that we don't do a shower..." Michael stated and Nikita arched an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" Nikita questioned.

"I think that it is best if the first thing we do... is sleep and then get you a sponge bath..." Michael stated as he rubbed at Nikita's temple lightly.

"Only if you are my nurse," Nikita commented with a broad smile. She already knew that answer.

~~

"I'm so glad that I got you to hold me at night..." Nikita whispered as she woke up two weeks later. Michael was catching an extra day, knowing that Nikita was going stir crazy. He was going to take her out for dinner later.

Things at Section One had been extremely slow to say the least. It was like everything had stopped. However, the only person inside of Section One that didn't seem to slow down was Walter. He was grumpy and moody. He hadn't even been over to visit Nikita. Michael had to wonder how everything was connected together.

"I love holding you, Nikita..." Michael whispered as he wrapped his hands around Nikita, rubbing her back softly, underneath her t-shirt. Her back muscles had developed more out of necessity because of the use of crutches. However, whenever Michael was around, Nikita almost never used the crutches.

"I love being with you, Michael..." Nikita groaned as she ran her fingers along Michael's chest herself. She kissed Michael's neck softly and looked at Michael. "I feel so helpless sometimes."

"Helpless?" Michael questioned as he leaned down and nuzzled Nikita's neck, feeling her skin heat up magically with his touch.

"Stop..." Nikita stated and Michael leaned back so his eyes could look at Nikita's. He looked at Nikita as he picked a hand out from underneath her shirt to outline her eyes. There were some things that Nikita assumed for no reason at all.

"There is no reason to stop," Michael whispered as he found Nikita's face looking so young. He was sure that it was because she had gotten to know her daughter again.

"Michael... I have a broken ankle," Nikita commented as she tried to pull away from Michael's touch. It didn't do anything. She loved the feeling of Michael touching her skin.

"You aren't in a body cast, Nikita... We can be together..." Michael whispered as he leaned forward to gnaw playfully at Nikita's chin. Nikita arched her back, feeling Michael's lower body rubbing against her.

"I thought we were together..." Nikita stated with a trembling voice. Michael laughed as he licked at the spot that he just bit. His fingers from the one hand ran down her neck and then across the front of the thin t-shirt. In turn, Michael's other hand was working the t-shirt up in the back, exposing her skin.

"We are... but we can..." Michael stated as his eyes smoldered as he looked at Nikita. What they could do was crystal clear. They both wanted it.

Nikita hesitated.

"Michael... it is early morning... What about Maralah?" Nikita questioned and Michael looked at Nikita playfully. He liked it when Nikita was like this. They hadn't been together for a long time. Michael ached for that connection of his body to her body. It did something to Michael. It was like he was recharging his soul from the energy source that Nikita was.

His need was growing.

"Maralah went downstairs a while ago. Today is Saturday.... she will be watching Disney for the next four hours... Birkoff will barely be able to get her to eat..." Michael slowly drawled out as his hands succeeded in baring Nikita's skin. Michael dropped his head and licked softly at the peaks of Nikita's breasts.

"You are delicious," Michael announced and Nikita gasped.

That was enough for Nikita to moan yes.

*

"The only strip club that is on all the time like your libido..." the ad ran as Nikita hobbled down the sidewalk of the almost seedy part of town. Actually, Mick had done well for himself. He could have gotten a place in a location a lot worse than this. This street still had streetlights.

Nikita had been sitting home, thinking. It was a dangerous thing to do when you were an operative who was out for several weeks. Added to that was the lack of missions. It was like the entire underground and terrorist community decided to take a vacation while Nikita was hurt.

It didn't sit well with Nikita.

The bullets haunted Nikita. She thought about them. It was while she was thinking about them that she got disgusted with the commercial that was being run on television. Scantily clad woman with breasts that were 90 percent silicone was not something that Nikita wanted her daughter to be watching. She was about to flick the television off in disgust when Mick appeared on the screen.

"I can't make everyone's fantasy come true... But for you, I can try," Mick stated towards the camera with a wink and a smile. Nikita turned her head and leaned back in the chair. The commercial ended with the running of the location and the fact that they never closed their doors.

It was quite clear that Mick's influence was in on this.

It was not difficult for Nikita to gain access to Birkoff's computer at home. She had been in contact with Madeline about possibly doing work at home, but simply, there was nothing to do. However, Nikita did find something for her to do.

To find out what Mick was still doing for Section One.

Mick was a man that would never ever go clean. For no one. He loved the dark and dirty world too much. For him, it meant the hottest women and the best one-night stands that a man could get. Half the time, he wasn't any good at gathering the information and more times than not, Nikita had to be called in for an assist. But, there were those other times that were almost equal to those bad times, that Mick actually had some sort of information that would be helpful.

The file stated that he was sweet-talking a drug dealer into business with him. Once Mick would get the files, then the club would be the cover for Section One to take the man down. It was going to take some time, and the drug dealer was actually a small potatoes guy. Nikita was sure that Mick was up to something else.

And that was how Nikita, with her crutches and her broken ankle, got to be walking down the street to the strip bar that Mick owned.

Nikita was gathering some looks as she nudged the blackened doors to the club open with her crutch. In hindsight, Nikita was sure that those looking at her probably saw her as an injured dancer. The club was dark as Nikita entered and the music was pounding.

It was the middle of the day and the men were piled in closely to the stages. Nikita stood there for sometime, getting a sense of her bearings. Some owners wouldn't ever be in this business. But Nikita knew Mick. This was too much of Mick's style and showmanship for him not to be here whenever he wasn't asleep or romancing a woman. Knowing Mick, he had his apartment right next door.

Nikita's eyes started to adjust to the strobe lights and the swirling colorful lights. She turned her head as a waitress walked by looking like a couple helium balloons were placed inside of her chest. Nikita turned her head quickly and tried to guess were Mick was.

She had hoped that he would notice her first.

The bouncers had taken notice of Nikita. She even heard them whispering about her as she moved forward and pulled her body up onto a stool to wait. She would wait until the evening crowd came in if she had too. But Nikita knew that Mick was there.

"Thank you ladies.... You look smack-a-lious!" Mick's voice echoed in the club as the pounding music changed and the lights came up on the stages. The men groaned in displeasure as the ladies gathered their disguarded costumes and took their naked bodies off of the stage.

"Now coming onto the stage..." Mick drew out with his accented voice, definitely playing up on the pun of the statement. Nikita scanned the walls, trying to find were the DJ booth was.

"On the main stage... we have Va-Va-Voom Velda... Watch her hips... watch her lips... roll you over!" Mick announced happily, definitely in a position that only Mick would enjoy this much.

"On the fire stage we have the long legged blonde.... Karen... Reminds me of the hottest bird I ever knew!" Mick stated and Nikita dropped her head. She had a feeling who Mick was speaking about. Nikita knew that he didn't know that she was there.

"Watch her long legs wrap tightly around the pole.... nice and snug..." Mick drawled out and Nikita heard the men gasp. Some men were pigs.

Like Mick.

"Too bad you are hurt darling... I'm sure that you'd do a better job," The bouncer stated as he moved closer to Nikita. Nikita turned her head to the side and then looked towards the DJ booth. Behind the smoky glass Nikita could almost make out the figure of Mick as he introduced the additional feature dancer.

"I have better things to do than that..." Nikita stated as she forced out a smile. The bouncer smiled and flexed his muscles. Nikita rolled her eyes. Some men didn't know when to back up. He also didn't know how easily Nikita could get rid of him.

"A pole is all cold.... you probably need something nice and warm..." the bouncer grinned as he rubbed his hands against Nikita's arm. Nikita stared at him and swallowed.

"And remember men... the birds are here for your entertainment... they'll bounce, they'll jiggle, and some if approached will do more... But no pawing the property for too long. They are to be shared and enjoyed by all!" Mick announced the warning. It sure didn't sound like much of a warning, but Nikita was too busy to pay attention.

"Get your hands off of me... or you will never be nice and warm down there again..." Nikita warned as she glared into the man's eyes. He only laughed.

All that he saw was a tall blonde, with good looks, injured. He saw crutches and a cast. He saw someone who could be taken advantage of. He neglected to see the anger flash in her blue eyes. He failed to notice the excited heart rate that started to pump adrenaline in Nikita's system. He saw nothing of a warning.

"Come on, darling..." the bouncer stated as he moved his body closer to Nikita. Nikita didn't hesitate. She swung her arm up and around his neck and pushed him smoothly into the counter with a loud thud. The men near the stages didn't notice, but the other bouncers noticed.

"Let him go!" the next bouncer hissed as he pulled at Nikita's arm. She dropped her hand and watched as the men surrounded her. Nikita stood up and tossed her hair from side to side. Her crutches were still a good six inches from her outstretched hands, not that she needed them now. Nikita had quickly developed extreme balance in her left leg. Her eyes flickered from man to man.

"I think you need to be taught a lesson. You can't just walk into a place like this... looking like that... expecting not to do something!" The first bartender hissed as he rubbed lightly at his nose. Nikita tilted her head to the side and pouted.

"Ahh... did I hurt your little nose and make you look bad in front of all of your friends?" Nikita pouted as she batted her eyes. She blinked as the man dashed towards her. Nikita simple ducked and watched the man fall up and over the counter that she was leaning against. He loudly crashed on the table behind Nikita.

The next bouncer moved towards Nikita, but she simple threw him down to the floor with the force of momentum he was carrying. They were badly trained.

"Hey! STOP! STOP! STOP!" Mick hollered as he rounded the corner. Nikita turned around with a slight bobble of balance and smiled at Mick.

"Nikita! POPSICLE! What happened to you!" Mick shouted as he looked at the cast and then up rest of Nikita's body. He was definitely taking inventory to see if any of the men had hurt Nikita. He sure didn't want to deal with Michael going after one of his bouncers anytime soon.

"I broke my ankle, Mick.... But I decided to test our your security... Badly trained," Nikita stated and Mick smiled and moved closer to Nikita. It was clear that he wanted to get her away from the men. He pulled the crutches up and handed them to Nikita.

"Help him up and clean up the mess...." Mick hissed to the staring men. Nikita placed the crutches underneath her arms and smiled at Mick.

"I like your place," Nikita commented and Mick grinned.

It was pretty nice.

"Come on, doll face... We can chew the fat in the back room... Nice and quiet back there once we pass all the naked women," Mick stated as he waved his hand to the side, indicating the path that Nikita was to take.

And he was the perfect gentleman, making sure that Nikita didn't trip over any spare bras or panties.

~~

Mick placed the tea down for Nikita and smiled as he settled in the richly decorated red velvet chairs. Nikita sipped at it and looked at Mick.

Earl Gray. Nikita didn't like that kind of tea. She moved and poured a lot of sugar in it.

"So why are you here? Please don't tell me this is official business? Last time they came in here... destroyed an entire stage... the fire stage and didn't even offer to fix it back up..." Mick rattled off quickly, not even giving time for Nikita to respond to the question.

"No... But I did come to pick your brain... and see how you are doing," Nikita quickly rushed in before Mick could start rattling off the entire long story of what Section One didn't do last time. Mick smiled and sat back in his chair. He crossed his legs and smiled.

That was when the knock on the door came.

"Sorry, doll... This will only take a second..." Mick stated as he jumped to his feet. He opened the door and a short red head walked into the room, wearing a see through bra and nothing else. Nikita tried to turn her head away, but the woman walked right in front of Nikita.

"Mick... I think I am crocked..." The girl whined in a high-pitched voice. Nikita raised her eyebrows.

No wonder this woman had to dance.

"No Connie... You look simply marvelous.... You are the diamond in the ruff!" Mick exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. Nikita rolled her eyes. She had lost count how many times she had heard Mick say that when she reached a thousand about three years ago.

"Mick... You aren't even looking.... I'm lop-sided! They just aren't perky today!" Connie whined again and Nikita leaned her head back.

How long did Mick say this would take?

"Connie, Connie, Connie," Mick sang out softly as he took her shoulders. "You are perfect! Just hold your chin up... The men don't worry about symmetry... They worry about size!"

"MICK! LOOK! My left breast is bigger than my right!" Connie showed as the bra dropped to the floor. Nikita snickered lightly. She couldn't believe that she thought that Mick had it easy now.

"Connie... You are fine," Mick tried to reassure the woman. He looked into her eyes and saw that it wasn't working. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face Nikita. "Nikita, darling... Tell Connie that she is perfectly fine!"

Nikita blinked her eyes as she lifted her eyes. She couldn't believe that Mick had placed her in this position. Now he was going to owe her big time.

"Mick is right," Nikita stated as she immediately dropped her eyes. That was something that she didn't want to look back up too. Again, the girl had to have had the most unnatural breasts in the world. She must have thought that Dolly Parton was wearing a training bra!

"OH Mick! You are a godsend!" Connie happily bounced as she hugged Mick. Now this was one of the benefits of the job and Nikita could see that Mick clearly was having too much fun.

"I'm glad Connie... Now hurry... You are on next..." Mick stated as he picked up the bra and handed it back to Connie. She kissed Mick once more before turning to leave. Nikita looked at Mick as he settled back on the chair.

"Now where were we?" Mick questioned and Nikita balked. She couldn't believe that she was sitting through all of this probably to get no information at all. Nikita rubbed her eyebrow and leaned forward in the chair.

"How much do you do for Section?" Nikita questioned and Mick turned his head to the side. He didn't want to answer the question.

"So how is Michael? I heard you have a daughter..." Mick stated and Nikita picked up and crutch and placed it on Mick's throat. The threat was clear.

"Ok, doll face... I do some... But basically I know what I know to protect myself so when Section One comes a knockin' I got something to offer to them for sacrifice!" Mick explained and Nikita nodded her head. She rubbed her hands together as there was a knock on the door.

"Sorry, popsicle... This will only take a sec..." Mick stated as he stood up and walked back towards the door. Nikita wished that she had taken him out for coffee.

The door opened and a young woman could barely be past the legal age, walked in with her head down.

"I've been wondering when you would strut in here Tina... You think you can just come and go as you please?" Mick questioned and Tina lifted her eyes.

"Mick... I couldn't get here... That guy from the other night... He has been following me," Tina explained and Mick sighed and pressed his hands on Tina's shoulders.

"And the week before that you were sure that one of the bartenders were stalking you Tina. Is there something that you do on Thursday night that makes you late on Friday?" Mick questioned and Tina colored brightly. Nikita closed her eyes. For some reason she was sure that she was going to hear the sex talk again.

"Ah... Mick... Really you have this wrong..." Tina stated and Mick rolled his eyes.

"Tina... you are a beautiful woman... God knows that you are the prettiest one out on those stages and the men all want a chance to get in your pants... But if you miss your calls... You lose money and so do I... Why can't you just do your job?" Mick questioned and Tina pushed back her hair.

"Thursday is bondage night," Tina whispered.

"Come again?" Mick snapped.

"Thursday is bondage night with Stan... of late... He leaves me... And I like it... until I am late..." Tina questioned and Mick looked at Tina and licked his lips.

"If you are late one more time... I'll come over on Friday and drag you in here without letting you out of the bondage, Tina! This is the price for fame!" Mick stated and Tina nodded her head. She looked around and then noticed Nikita.

"Getting a new girl?" Tina questioned and Mick looked to Nikita and then Tina.

"She is an old friend... She isn't into this stuff..." Mick stated as he opened the door. Nikita watched Tina leave and Mick move back to his chair.

"So... what do you want to know?" Mick questioned and Nikita smiled. She liked when he was get down to business. It was easier to deal with.

"Have your contacts mentioned any groups that might be plotting against Section One?" Nikita questioned and Mick roared in laughter. The question was ridiculous in Mick's mind.

"They are all after Section One, darling..." Mick stated and Nikita leaned forward. She would use the crutch again and then leaned back.

"Then... is there possibly another anti-terrorist group out there?" Nikita questioned and Mick blinked his eyes. He hadn't heard of anything defined in that way.

"Nothing sweetheart... And I'm telling you, I wouldn't sit on something like that. I would run my lily white butt back to Section One and spill everything..." Mick stated and Nikita nodded her head. Mick was afraid of what would happen if something happened to Section One.

"But... doll... A lot of groups have been having a lot of funny stuff going on... They just haven't told me..." Mick stated and Nikita nodded her head. She could chalk Section One onto the growing list of those having strange things happening.

"Have they been slow of late?" Nikita questioned and Mick laughed.

"Do you know terrorist ever to slow down? I thought you were smarter than that!" Mick stated with deep laughter. Nikita leaned her head to the side and licked her lips. She didn't need to continue with that question any further.

"Mick... Do you think it is possible... For another anti-terrorist group to be out there.... Trying to do something?" Nikita questioned and Mick paled. He didn't like the thought. He thought that the fact that Section had several of them. They didn't need anyone else trying to take over that activity.

"Sure hope not, popsicle... How about I keep an eye and an ear out for you?" Mick questioned and Nikita nodded her head. That was something that Nikita definitely wanted to happen.

"Now... I heard you had a kid? You couldn't have! You look like a model!" Mick exclaimed and Nikita laughed.

There was another knock on Mick's door. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Mick... I used this new cream on my butt... Does it make it look too shiny?"

*

The night had fallen on the streets around Mick's club and more and more patrons streamed in. It was the hottest place to be at night. Nikita smiled as Mick stayed close to her, guiding her towards the door. Nikita could have done it herself, but Mick at this moment was being charming.

Nikita had never intended on spending so much time here with Mick. Once the butt girl had left, Mick ordered everyone to leave him alone and ordered something to eat. Nikita tried to protest, but Mick was so nice to be around with. Nikita was sure that was because of late the only company Nikita had was mostly from her daughter.

And oh how they talked about Maralah.

"I can't believe that it finally happened, doll.... You must have positively glowed during that pregnancy... And the child... must have the best genes in the world... with Michael's eyes and your drop dead gorgeous looks, the child is going to be a looker," Mick happily chortled at the thought. Nikita smiled and nodded her head. She couldn't bear to tell Mick that she didn't look very much like her. It wasn't like Nikita was ever going to let Maralah get near Mick.

Nikita wasn't that crazy.

"And what is this about you living with Birkoff?" Mick questioned and Nikita dropped her head. It was a long story to tell and most of it was hazy, but Mick waited. Mick listened. At times he offered his opinion and even cried when Nikita told Mick of how Birkoff helped get Michael to her first ultrasound.

"So you have two men watching over you and Maralah... and Walter watching out for you. Can I be included?" Mick questioned, not to be funny. He was quite serious.

Nikita shook her head away from the thoughts of the meeting with Mick as they reached the door to the outside. Nikita looked at the two bouncers. They opened the doors for Nikita and Mick walked outside with her.

"How are you getting home? I can have Brutus drive you home," Mick stated and Nikita looked over her shoulder. Mick was indicating one of the bouncers. Mick claimed that they were harmless, but Nikita wasn't sure.

"I'll take the bus," Nikita stated with a smile. She had gotten used to taking the bus. She never trusted Birkoff to drive her anywhere and Michael was so rarely over. Nikita had to use the bus to get out of the house.

"The bus? You are relying upon public transportation to take you from here to there? Are you sure that you didn't get a bump on your head, doll, when your ankle got hurt?" Mick questioned. He was furious to hear that Nikita was taking the bus. Personally, he believed that Nikita should have been personally escorted around the city by other members of Section One for all that they had caused pain to her for.

"Don't worry Mick, I'll take the bus. That's how I got here," Nikita stated and Mick opened his mouth. He started to shake his head. Nikita knew in that instant that this was going to become some sort of production for all that could see him.

"No Popsicle! These streets aren't always nice and happy. Bad things happen out there... especially to pretty little things like you," Mick exclaimed and Nikita rolled her eyes. Mick sometimes didn't know when to stop.

"Mick, you know who I am. I'll be fine," Nikita stated with a brilliant smile. Mick continued to shake his head back and forth. Nikita sighed. Mick was never privy to Nikita's childhood history. He had no knowledge of how many streets like this one that Nikita had to sleep on. Nikita knew that once she got too far from the club that it got darker and darker. That wasn't something that she didn't realize.

"Then let me and Brutus walk you to the bus stop. I don't walk to my apartment by myself around here... and all the ladies get walked home by my men," Mick stated and Nikita lifted her eyebrow. Something didn't sound right there and Nikita tilted her head to the side and stared at Mick.

"Well, doll face, I have to make extra money somehow and running the apartment complex they all live in is not a bad thing... It is a win-win situation!" Mick rushed to explain to Nikita. Nikita hobbled forward, making sure to hold her balance.

"Mick... I'm going to miss the bus if you hold me up any longer," Nikita stated and Mick nodded his head. He was worried, but knew to respect Nikita's wishes.

"Now... if Michael boy ever makes you upset... you come see Mick here... I got a shoulder for you to cry on and some connections..." Mick stated as he moved closer to Nikita. He was near tears as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"I'll be in contact with you about the intel," Nikita stated and Mick nodded his head. He knew that already. Nikita had arranged the meeting point, date, and time hours ago.

"And Nikita... I'm happy for you," Mick stated as he smiled. Nikita smiled. She couldn't remember a time that she was the one leaving Mick. It was always Nikita pushing him away. In a way, he was a really nice guy.

~~

Nikita watched as the bus pulled away from the bus stop. Nikita closed her eyes tiredly and swallowed. The next bus wouldn't be around for another twenty minutes. She couldn't believe her luck. It was starting to rain on top of it.

Nikita slowed her pace, feeling the ache in her arms, regretting that she hadn't taken up Mick on his offer. She needed to sit down right now and swallowed.

Three blocks down there was another bus route that had more buses on it. It was possible Nikita could pick up a different bus if she went there. Nikita looked around and started to move there. She didn't want to stand on a corner of a street now. Even though she was covered up and with a cast, she knew that there would be offers.

Nikita shivered as she crossed the street. The streetlight was knocked out on this block. She knew that she should just go back, but her arms hurt so badly.

Click.

Nikita didn't stop moving, but she paid attention.

Click.

It wasn't a loud click. It was a soft click. It was someone walking behind her that had just emerged from the shadows. This wasn't one of Mick's bouncers. They couldn't have hidden in the shadows without Nikita knowing. This was a professionally trained individual, probably easily a terrorist.

Click. Clack.

Nikita felt her heart race.

Not one terrorist. Two.

Nikita was trying to figure out who they were. It was so difficult. It was not the style of Red Cell or Glass Curtain to take, going after one operative. It was not like they were going to break Nikita.

And then Nikita's life started to flash quickly through her eyes. She didn't know who was behind her and she was not sure of how well she could defend herself in terms of her injury. She simply didn't know if they were armed. Personally, she wasn't armed. It was too difficult trying to carry a gun with the crutches.

In a rush, Nikita was pushed to the ground from behind and lifted into the air. She was getting deeper and deeper into the pitch-black alleyway. It was a terrible thing to happen. Nikita knew what happened in dark alleys like this one.

Nikita was dropped in a heap on the ground, her crutches landed on her arms. Nikita rolled her fingers over the metal and swallowed. She turned and held the crutch out as she spun in the circle. There was no way that she was going to get to her feet, but she was on her knees, using the crutch to defend herself.

And the men looked surprised that Nikita had tried to fight back at all.

The crutch loudly broke against the side of the second man. Nikita looked as parts of the crutch landed on the ground. Nikita groaned.

This didn't bode well.

The first man ran towards her, slamming his knee into Nikita's chest. Nikita gasped for pain as she landed on her back on the ground. Nikita looked around, surprised to see that there were no guns pulled yet. If she was to be dead, it was the easiest way to do it.

Nikita clearly understood that these men, although trained well, didn't know enough about her training to finish her off. Or they didn't want to finish her off. Nikita winced as she pulled in air and moved back to her knees.

With one kick to her head, Nikita was back flat on her back. The man was charging her again and Nikita picked up her left leg, wildly trying to kick the man away. Finally, the frustrated Nikita picked up her right leg, cast and all and spun it around in an arching circle. The cast connected with the nose, splintering many facial bones. He fell to the ground. Nikita was sure that he was dead.

But the pain quickly ran down Nikita's leg. She didn't have time to worry about it. The next man was coming back towards her, this time with a metal pipe in his hands. Nikita rolled to the right and watched the man trip over the other man's body. Nikita watched as the pipe flew deeper into the alley.

Finally something had gone her way.

Nikita groped her hands on the cold and wet street, trying to find anything to help defend herself. She grunted as a hubcap slammed into her chest. Nikita felt the pain sap her body of her energy, but Nikita couldn't let them win.

Nikita loved her daughter too much. Her daughter needed Nikita to tell her about her true father some day.

It was good motivation.

Nikita rolled again as she felt the man heading towards hitting the metal to her stomach. Nikita listened to the groan as the man fell to the ground, pushing his hands into the metal himself. It helped to start to level off the playing field.

However, Nikita still needed to find something to help herself. Her range of motion was limited and Nikita started to crawl, feeling the cement of the street chewing away at her knees. She knew that they were bloody and would continue to bleed until much later.

The man had stood back up when Nikita's hands found the other full crutch. It slammed against his head and splintered into long pieces. He didn't stop. Nikita grabbed the one piece and aimed for his chest.

And her hand sunk in with the wood. Nikita stared as up as the blood trickled down her hand and the man started to fall towards her. Nikita couldn't get her body out of the way. She silently screamed as she saw the dead eyes looking at her. Never had she been this close to a body. Never was her hand still on the weapon when she got close. Never did she feel the blood trickle out like an empty faucet.

Nikita pushed with all of her might and tried to stand up. She stumbled backwards. She couldn't go back out to the main street. She couldn't go back to Mick.

Nikita teetered on her feet, looking around as she tried to make her decision. The alley drew bright for a few seconds and Nikita saw the glint of gold. Nikita knew what it was when she looked down. Nikita picked up the shell that was not far from the man's body. Nikita leaned her hands on the body and checked the pockets. She found three more.

Why would a man carry special bullet casings but no gun?

Nikita had no answers. She couldn't think right now.

For long moments, Nikita walked on her broken ankle further from the men. She didn't know if there would be more. She needed to find a good hiding spot to wait and call Michael.

Nikita came across a whole slew of boxes, perfect for hiding in. She had done that a lot in her life. It wouldn't be anything new. Nikita settled down, feeling the pain throbbing from inside of her cast. She couldn't remember the last time that her ankle was sore. The doctors had stated that it was healing faster than expected.

Nikita was sure that was no longer the case.

Nikita pushed her hand into the pocket. She didn't now how she was going to describe all of this. The theories were flying in her head. She was quite sure she knew how this all occurred and who it was that she killed, but she couldn't put them to words. Not yet. It was someone that Section One didn't know about.

"Yes?" Michael's voice stated and Nikita started to cry. She was in an alley that she didn't know where it was. She was far into the darkness and the pain was growing. She wanted to sleep. God help her, she wanted to sleep.

"Michael... I need you to come get me... and to bring housekeeping," Nikita stated in a nervous voice. Nikita lifted her eyes towards the sky, not knowing how bad she was shaking until she heard her voice.

Nikita wondered what Michael's reaction was going to be. Was he going to be worried? Was he going to be upset? Nikita didn't know. She just wanted him to come to her immediately.

"Nikita... where are you?" Michael questioned in a controlled voice. Nikita looked to the building and swallowed. There was a car at the alley. She was far into the alley. Nikita hadn't realized how far she had walked.

"I went to visit Mick... I was coming home...." Nikita stated as she started to rock back and forth. Each noise made Nikita jump. Here was the girl from the streets, trained by Section One, afraid to be out on the streets again.

"Nikita... how far are you from Mick's?" Michael questioned, wondering why Nikita hadn't just gone.

"My crutches... I had to use them.... Michael... I don't want to die on the streets..." Nikita moaned as she leaned her head back. The pain was so great. She pushed her hair back as she looked at the darkness, realizing that it was getting darker.

"Ok... Nikita... I have a position on you... How many do I need to clean up?" Michael questioned as he stood up from the desk. Nikita was about six blocks away from Mick's. Michael pressed his lips together. He didn't even want to know why Nikita was at Mick's to start.

"Two..." Nikita stated as she heard a car slam. Nikita trembled. She was sure that she couldn't defend herself any longer. She had to hide and not be seen. Nikita closed the phone and moved into the boxes.

Michael walked into the hallways of Section One and looked in both directions. Housekeeping was going to go in once Michael had procured Nikita. He was sure that he should have brought a team with him, but stopped on that. He looked over his shoulder and looked at Walter.

He had the strangest feeling that Walter was involved in this.

*

Michael pulled his car into the opening of the alley. He saw nothing, as he pulled out his silver gun, ready to fire if needed. His pulse was racing, his senses heightened. Something had happened to Nikita and now he had to find her.

Michael scanned the alley quickly. There appeared to be no one there. Michael moved and flicked his headlights on, shining the light onto the cement. He saw no bodies.

Nikita had stated that there were people there to clean up. There was nothing there. Michael moved forward and looked from side to side.

"Nikita?" Michael called out, hearing his voice echo down the abandoned street. However, Michael knew Nikita. She probably moved far away, seeking some sort of cover. He moved and stopped to look to the ground.

Blood.

Fresh blood.

Michael looked around as he continued to walk, ready to fire if needed. Someone had gotten rid of the bodies. Michael knew it was not Nikita. Her voice was in so much pain when she called and she was scared. Michael knew that Nikita couldn't have done this.

Who was it that attacked Nikita? Who did Nikita kill? Who took the bodies away?

Michael walked further into the alley, seeing the pieces of the crutches that Nikita was supposed to use in order to walk. They appeared to have been much more useful in saving her life. Michael swallowed that thought and continued to assess the alley as he walked.

"Nikita... we are clear... Tell me where you are..." Michael called out. He met nothing but silence, which worried Michael even more.

What if he was too late?

Michael looked up at the top of the building and then down along the buildings walls. In the distance was a pile of boxes. Michael tilted his head to the side and stared for a second. Remembering some of the stories that Nikita told him about the street, Michael started to move towards the boxes, making enough noise not to scare Nikita.

"Nikita?" Michael called out as he approached. He had trained Nikita, he knew how good she could be if she was injured. He also knew that while on the streets, you do anything to survive. Michael was hoping that if Nikita did attack, she would realize who he was.

Michael squatted as he saw the cast against the ground. He knew that he had found Nikita. He pushed at the boxes and leapt backwards as Nikita swung around with her hand outstretched and some sort of metal in it. It was an effort that left Nikita gasping for air, but her hand was rock solid, ready to strike if needed.

"Nikita..." Michael whispered as he reached out with his own hand and wrapped it around Nikita's hand. She started sob as Michael pried the twisted piece of metal out of her hand. Michael looked at her and helped her to sit up. The first thing that Michael noticed was the considerable pain that Nikita expressed in her face.

"Nikita... what happened?" Michael questioned as he placed his knees to the ground, trying to assess how badly injured she was. Michael was positive that there was some rib damage.

"Two men attacked me in the alley.... I fought them off... Did you see them?" Nikita questioned and Michael shook his head. Nikita's eyes glared at him and Michael rubbed at her head, trying to see if she had gathered a blow to her head.

"They were gone. The blood was there," Michael stated and Nikita looked over to the other side of the alley. She knew now that the car came in here to clean up the mess. Nikita trembled and continued to struggle with the pain.

"Nikita... why were you with Mick to start with?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked at Michael. There was nothing more that Nikita wanted to do and tell Michael everything. But it was a long story. Too long of a story. Nikita felt the pain growing and she didn't know why.

Michael heard the slight wheeze and started to place Nikita back down on the cement. He should have brought a team with him. There would have been access to proper medical supplies. Again, he cursed his decision and placed his fingers on Nikita's chest, running them down until Nikita winced with pain.

"Nikita... you need to be careful, you may have a broke rib... and punctured your lung..." Michael stated and Nikita nodded her head. It was not something that Nikita hadn't eliminated from the possibilities. Michael looked around and then looked to her ankle. "How is your leg?"

"Why don't you just chop it off?" Nikita hissed and Michael stood up. He had to get Nikita out of here. She was wet from the rain and she was starting to get cold. He was sure that if Nikita's lung wasn't punctured that it was starting to collapse.

"Michael... I'm sorry," Nikita whispered as he held her carefully in his arms. Michael looked up and down the alley. If the men wanted Nikita dead, they could have done it. There had to be a reason why Nikita was left alive. They had to know that she was on crutches and couldn't have gone far.

"Nikita... You are going to tell me the whole story when you feel better," Michael ordered and Nikita nodded her head as she closed her eyes slightly. She didn't know what was worse, the pain or the guilt she felt for not telling Michael about this.

Michael settled Nikita in the car and looked at her. He didn't have a choice but place her in the backseat. However, Michael was now worried about the ever increasingly loud wheeze from Nikita. Michael turned his attention to the road, but his ears were listening to Nikita's raspy in and out.

~~

Michael had given up hope that Nikita was going to stay awake while he made the way into Section One. He decided to try to attempt to make it to medical without calling them. The time that it would take them to get to Michael, he might be able to make it to medical.

The operatives moved out of the way, the first operative that saw who Michael was carrying, immediately called Operations. There was no thought that it might be more important to call medical, he called Operations.

Michael didn't care. Nikita felt so cold to touch, although Michael had blasted the heat all the way back to Section One. It wasn't going good. Nikita's wheeze was terrible and Michael was sure that Nikita's lung had been punctured.

"Nikita... Open your eyes..." Michael whispered as the wheeze slowly stopped. Michael felt his heart race as he started to rush his steps, something that Michael rarely ever did inside of Section One.

"Michael!" Birkoff cried out as he turned the corner. It was quite clear that the news of Michael's arrival was getting around Section One, but that no one had called medical yet. It was something that Michael would personally take up with the operatives later. Their behavior was inexcusable.

"Birkoff! Walter! Get medical," Michael called out, identifying the two operatives that would do exactly what he wanted them to do. Nikita was too important to them to possibly lose. Michael moved to the briefing table and placed Nikita flat down. There was an audible gasp around the room as Michael placed Nikita down.

"Nikita..." Michael whispered as he pressed his fingers to her neck. There was a pulse, but the breaths were virtually gone. Michael leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. It wasn't a kiss. It was keeping Nikita alive.

"Come on, Nikita... I know that it hurts..." Michael whispered as he ignored the operatives that were surrounding the table, but not offering to help at all. Michael didn't have time to be frustrated. His only focus at the moment was Nikita and if she was responding.

Michael puffed the next breath of air in. He felt Nikita's chest trying to do it on her own, but there was some physical damage. Michael lifted his mouth and pushed his hair out of his eyes. He looked down at Nikita, and rubbed on her arms. He had to wonder if there weren't the starts of hypothermia also. She looked so cold and wet.

"Where is medical?" Michael called out as he lifted his head from the third puff of air. Michael looked back down to see Nikita struggling to open her eyes. She moved her hands and winced. It was so painful for her to breath.

"Nikita... you got to help me... I know that it hurts... I'll give you one... but you got to do three of your own... Just till medical gets here," Michael offered, knowing that it was clearly bribery. Nikita nodded her head.

Michael gently inflated Nikita's lungs as much as he could once more. He watched Nikita's eyes flicker with pain as her attempt at three was quickly completed. Michael heard a commotion off in the distance and hoped that it was medical and not Operations.

Again, Michael gently inflated Nikita's lungs, his eyes wide open and staring at Nikita's opened eyes. He saw the worry and pulled away. He placed his hand on Nikita's cheek.

Then the medical crew broke into the crowd. Michael didn't hesitate and grabbed for the oxygen mask immediately. His hands gently placed it over Nikita's mouth and nose.

"She needs pure oxygen... she has probably a spontaneous pneumothorax," Michael hissed as he moved to the side from Nikita. He didn't leave. He wasn't going to leave Nikita's side.

~~

Madeline had been out of the building, but noticed the operatives turning away from her as she walked down the hallway. Now, some operatives always did that, but all the operatives were avoiding looking at her. Madeline lifted her head proudly and looked at Birkoff. He had his head down towards the computer and upon seeing Madeline, escaped to Walter's cubbyhole.

Madeline glanced up and saw Paul glaring out the window. Madeline looked around, taking stock of who was around and who wasn't. Walter was there. But Michael and Nikita weren't. Madeline took a deep breath and walked upstairs to see what was going on.

"Paul," Madeline stated, trying not to show that she realized something was going on.

"Why does it always have to be about Nikita?" Paul questioned with harsh words. Madeline blinked her eyes. She truly didn't know what Paul was speaking about.

"I don't understand," Madeline calmly stated, although her mind started to race.

"Why is it that she is always the center of something? Today, she got beaten up by two men... and had to have mouth to mouth, provided by Michael, on the briefing table!" Operations hollered. Madeline winced while trying to conceal a smile. Madeline personally knew that if Michael hadn't used the briefing table, Operations wouldn't have been acting as such.

"Do we know who attacked her?" Madeline questioned softly.

"No. Nikita is the only one who has those answers. I don't even know why she was visiting Mick to start with!" Operations shouted and Madeline raised her eyebrows. This just went along with the other feelings that she had been having. Nikita knew something.

"Mick? We haven't used him as a contact in ages. Why would she go to him?" Madeline questioned and Operations turned to glare at Madeline.

"I am not the expert, Madeline. You are. Why don't you have the answers?" Operations sternly inquired and Madeline tilted her head to the side. She waited for the flash of anger directed towards her to pass away before attempting to answer the question.

"I just got in, Paul. I will work on getting the answers. It may take some time. What kind of injuries did Nikita have?" Madeline questioned, knowing that it was best if she escaped the office quickly.

"Collapsed lung... Isn't there any part of her that hasn't been hurt? Tell me again why we have kept such a fragile operative around?" Operations hissed and Madeline blinked her eyes.

"She is a good operative. If you compare her mission to injury ratios, she suffers far less injuries than most operatives," Madeline stated as she stepped away. She looked to her hands.

"Give me some time," Madeline stated and walked out of the office.

*

Nikita should have been used to the haze with waking from surgery, but she wasn't.

It covered her eyes and was so heavy. There was a throbbing everywhere and it still felt like there was a fire going on in her chest. Nikita turned her head to the side and flickered her eyes, finding something coating the eyelids and lashes, keeping her eyes glued shut.

Someone was there.

Michael.

Nikita turned her head and tried to pull her hand up to her eyes, to brush away the heaviness that was against her eyes. Her arm was just so heavy and it felt so far away from the rest of her body. Nikita parted her lips and felt the parched skin that was covering her lips.

"Wait, Nikita..." Michael's voice drifted in from the other side. Nikita turned her head, feeling more disorientated. There was someone on both sides of her.

Who was that second person?

"Mi..." Nikita moaned as she made a feeble attempt to lick her lips. Nothing helped the dried lips. If anything, it made Nikita painfully aware of the fire that was also in her mouth and throat.

What happened was so fuzzy. The images were so blurred and scattered. Nikita remembered being on the briefing table. She was sure that it wasn't possible, that Michael would never have done that, but it seemed so real. Nikita did know that Michael had saved her life, giving her mouth to mouth when she couldn't functionally breath any longer.

Nikita needed to thank Michael.

"Mi..." Nikita struggled as she frowned. She didn't know why she just couldn't open her eyes. It should have been something so simple. Nikita felt Michael's hand drift across her skin, wiping at her eyes, but they still wouldn't open. Nikita was frustrated. She needed to make sure that Michael was there for real, by seeing him.

"Nikita... give it time... Are you thirsty?" Michael questioned, but he sounded so far away. Nikita turned her head to the side as she nodded her head. That feeling of the other person felt like it was walking away from her, down towards her feet.

Her ankle. Nikita wondered how much more damage she had done to it. She had finally gotten through those couple weeks and was healing. She had been ahead of schedule. She was sure that she was behind now.

"Ok... here's the straw. Just take a sip..." Michael stated as he placed the plastic against her lips. Nikita pulled at the liquid and winced as it ran down her raw throat. It was evidence that she had been tubed at some point in time. Nikita started to wonder how long she had been out. All she could remember was looking up at Michael's eyes as he gave her air.

"Michael..." Nikita gasped out as she fought against the heaviness on her eyes again. There was lightly and Nikita continued to blink her eyes.

Nothing was in focus. It was shades of gray appearing first and then blues and greens. Nikita saw the dark shape in front of her and knew that it had to be Michael. She struggled to focus. The light behind Michael's head gave him a halo and for a second, Nikita almost screamed.

"That's it, Nikita.... It will be blurry for a while..." Michael whispered as he bent down and kissed Nikita's head. Nikita eyes focused as she smiled.

"Thank you, Michael," Nikita stated as she slowly rolled her head to the side, trying to assess where she was and what kind of equipment she was hooked too. She didn't hear any beeping equipment, but Nikita knew better than take sounds alone as proof.

"Hello, Nikita.... You have a lot to tell me," Madeline stated as she held a pressed smile on her lips. Nikita's body jumped as she saw Madeline standing on her other side and then groaned in pain.

"Madeline," Michael stated with harsh syllables. Michael eased Nikita back down into bed and rubbed her arms carefully.

"Nikita... you broke a rib... and your right lung had partially collapsed for a while... It's fine now..." Michael stated and Nikita rolled her head to look at her body. They hadn't placed a chest tube in and Nikita was relieved. Nikita looked and Michael and then towards her feet.

"My ankle?" Nikita questioned and Michael looked to the ankle and back at Nikita.

"It didn't sustain further damage... Although it will probably take longer to heal... They have to replace the cast... You had some substantial swelling in it," Michael stated and Nikita nodded her head. She finally succeeded in pulling a hand up to rummage through her hair. She felt so misplaced at the moment.

"How long?" Nikita questioned.

"A day. A day too long. We need answers, Nikita," Madeline stated and Nikita turned her head to Madeline and felt the tears rolling down her head. She couldn't do this now. She had just woken up.

"I need to rest..." Nikita stated and Madeline leaned in front of Nikita.

"Perhaps you didn't understand me, Nikita. We need answers. You have them," Madeline sternly hissed, giving Nikita a shiver down her spine. Nikita couldn't remember the last time that Madeline had that effect on her.

"I can't give them to you by myself," Nikita moaned out as she turned her head away from Michael. She wanted to run away from Madeline. For that one sentence made Nikita think of a wicked witch. Nikita leaned her head back and looked up at Michael's eyes.

"I need Walter, Michael... And my clothes..." Nikita stated and Michael's eyes flickered. He was planning on Walter. He didn't know why Nikita needed her clothing.

"Nikita... you won't be getting out of bed for a while... They have to monitor the lung to make sure that it is properly working," Michael stated and Nikita looked at Michael.

"Although I am happy that you have perfect mouth to mouth technique Michael, I'm not looking for a repeat performance," Nikita stated and Michael cracked a smile. It helped to ease some of his worries.

"Well... since Operations has had the briefing table disinfected first and then replaced, it won't happen at the same place," Madeline stated harshly, but it only caused Michael to continue to smile. He knew deep down inside, Madeline wanted to keep that table in her office as a reminder to Operations of what was done on it.

"Please... just get Walter... I don't have the strength to tell you everything... And he knows the details," Nikita implored Madeline as she stared at the older stern woman. Madeline's features immediately started to soften as her shoulders rolled forward, indicating that she would do as Nikita wanted.

Michael's eyes vigilantly watched Madeline walk out of the room. There were some things that Michael had to discuss with Nikita on his own. He was disappointed that he had been left out of the loop. He couldn't hide that. He had to let Nikita know that.

"Why, Nikita?" Michael questioned as he leaned in closer to Nikita. He looked into her tear-drenched eyes and swallowed, almost regretting his words immediately. He looked at the pain that was in Nikita's eyes. He knew that information was power inside of Section One. If Nikita had known what this was had figured it out, she could have gotten what she wanted.

"Family," Nikita stated, finishing Michael's thought. It all made sense now. Michael wished he knew exactly how long this was going on for. Michael wished that he could have supported Nikita and helped her some more.

"Look who was waiting outside for us," Madeline remarked with a tone of sarcasm. Michael lifted his head away from Nikita, trying to gather his bearings. Nikita could possibly still use this to her advantage. How nice it would be to finally get that level four status.

"Sugar.... I couldn't let you be... I know what this is all about... And I helped you. You aren't going to get in trouble for this all by yourself," Walter promised as he reached out and touched Nikita's hand. Nikita slightly smiled, thankful for Walter's support.

"No one is in trouble. I need answers," Madeline stated and Michael turned and glared at Madeline. That couldn't possibly be right. Nikita was withholding some intel from Section One. Michael was surprised that Operations was not yelling for her head.

"It started way back... when me and Birkoff were getting out of the Borjas mission... Things weren't right at the end," Nikita started and Walter nodded his head. Birkoff had told him about the things that weren't in either of their reports. Of course, until Nikita confirmed that Birkoff was telling the truth, Walter hadn't believed any of it either.

"We accepted the reports. Are you saying that you left out information?" Madeline questioned and Nikita immediately nodded her head to admit to that mistake. The first mistake of many.

"There was something wrong with that building... See the gun that we said I got off a guard.... It was in an unlocked closet in the room that Birkoff was being held in... Red Cell would never have done that," Nikita stated and Madeline blinked her eyes. This was definitely something that she should have known about.

"But we used it... and on the way out... I came across this different looking shell casing..." Nikita stated as she looked to Walter.

"She found a signature bullet. At first, I thought I would track it down... But that first bullet was unique," Walter reported and Madeline looked to Walter and leaned back. Michael knew that there must be more than one bullet.

"And?" Michael questioned, not wanting this to drag out any longer than it had to be. Nikita needed to get her rest in order to heal. Nikita looked to Walter and then closed her eyes. She didn't feel up to going through all of this now, but realized that she had too.

"It was something that I found on a couple of the following missions. I turned them all into Walter..." Nikita stated as she looked into Michael's eyes. She couldn't think about looking at Madeline any longer. Nikita felt the tears were still rolling down her face. She didn't want to be weak now.

"Walter?" Madeline sharply inquired. Walter sighed and turned around in a circle. This wasn't something that Nikita needed to go through now. She needed rest and recuperation. However, ever since Michael started to explain to Walter what happened, Walter couldn't help but think that Nikita was in danger knowing what she did know.

"I checked all the databases that I know that have signature bullets in them. Nothing. Zilch. Nil. Zippo," Walter stated as he looked at Madeline. Nikita looked at Michael and took his hand.

"I found them on most of my missions... I didn't tell anyone else because I didn't want them to be looking for shell casing while they should be watching out for gun fir.... For me, most often they were somewhere that I came across and easily seen... Like in the bathtub," Nikita stated and Michael shook his head. Now it sounded like everything that Nikita was doing, someone else knew about it ahead of her.

"When I hurt my ankle... I found one and it was still hot... The people we were shooting at weren't who we thought," Nikita continued and Michael pulled away from Nikita. He paced in a steady circle and looked at Madeline.

"You think that this is some sort of set up?" Madeline questioned and Nikita blinked her eyes. There was no anger in Madeline's voice. She was listening to Nikita as if Nikita knew what she was talking about and that she wasn't wrong for keeping this a secret. Nikita pushed her hair back and nodded her head.

"I talked to Mick... We have had a slow down since I got hurt... But the terrorists are still active as ever..." Nikita commented and Walter shook his head. There were probably better people to go to for information about terrorist activity than Mick.

"I have to agree with Nikita," Walter sighed out as he looked at Madeline. They had a lot of time to talk about this. Somehow these people knew how Nikita thought and now were targeting her. Walter looked around and touched Nikita's hand.

"But I don't understand sugar why they wanted to attack you," Walter questioned and Nikita pressed her lips together. Nikita shook her head. It was pounding now.

"I don't know, Walter... But we can't act as the entire Section on this. Not until we know what is going on. Someone has very specific information about what missions I am doing and what I am doing," Nikita stated and Walter nodded his head.

"Someone understands and knows her style.... You know how Nikita goes off profile and these people are leaving this bullets behind to either lead her or warn her," Walter concurred. Nikita looked at Michael.

"In the jacket... you should find the bullet..." Nikita stated, knowing that Michael realized that she had found it in the alley.

"You think this was a warning?" Michael questioned and Nikita closed her eyes. She didn't know what to think. Nikita trembled as she pulled in some air. She winced and Michael leaned over.

"Nikita?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked up at Michael with her heavy blue eyes. Michael rubbed her hair back and swallowed. He didn't need to see the bullet. He was sure that it was there and Walter would find it sooner or later.

"Why don't I get a doctor in here to check you out?" Michael offered, knowing that pain medication would be offered. It would be a good think for Nikita at the moment. Madeline didn't say anything. She turned and left.

"I never meant to keep you in the dark, Michael," Nikita cried out as the door closed. Michael turned and shook his head. He did not want Nikita to worry about this. She had her reason and now it seemed as if although Michael knew about it, it wasn't going to be addressed because they didn't know what was going on.

"I didn't want to go to Mick by myself... You know, he is a nice guy and I knew that he would do anything for me... But I also knew that it was a bad part of town," Nikita stated and Michael shook his head. Nikita was starting to gasp for air, something that Michael knew the doctors wouldn't like. He reached to calm her with the sweeping of his hand.

"Nikita... If they know about your missions... They know about where Mick works..." Michael stated and Nikita closed her eyes.

"What about Mara?" Nikita questioned and Michael kissed Nikita's head.

"Don't worry. We will protect her, Nikita," Michael declared as the doctor's arrived. Walter quickly left, lifting his hands in surrender. He knew that the doctors felt that he would disrupt the room continuously if he were there. Michael stood there, holding Nikita's hand.

Nothing would be said to Michael.

He would not leave.

~~

Madeline looked down at the ground below as the crews of operatives worked with heavy tools. Madeline tilted her head to the side to look at Operations as he paced back and forth. She wanted to smile so badly as she was seeing how upset Operations was about this.

"Nikita had a collapsed lung. Michael did what was necessary," Madeline informed Operations as she studying the workingmen. She didn't get it until she looked back at Operations.

"They are remodeling the briefing area? I thought we had reached the best functionality of the space with the design that we had," Madeline inquired, knowing that she was going to be touching very tender emotions in Operations. It was written in his eyes and Madeline was going to dig in now.

"Change is good, Madeline. Isn't that what you tell me?" Operations declared, but it was a bad attempt at hiding the truth. Madeline looked at her reflection in the glass. She couldn't help but smile for a second, just to get it out of the way.

"The image is still burned in your head isn't it? Michael breathing life into Nikita on that briefing table. You couldn't look down there, even with the new table, and not see it," Madeline stated, as she knew the truth. Operations colored and swallowed.

"I didn't ask you to come up here to critique the reasons why I am remodeling. I want to know what Nikita knows," Operations stated and Madeline leaned back briefly in her heals.

The decision came in how much did Madeline tell Operations. This should be seen as an attack on Section One, but something wasn't quite right with it. No one outside of Section One could get close to knowing Nikita as was being exhibited by these signature bullet people. They knew too much.

Someone inside of Section One. Someone with a lot of power.

"I think it was a personal attack on Nikita. They probably followed her from Section One. I think they were two operatives who were obsessed with Nikita," Madeline stated and Operations looked at Madeline. He tilted his head to the side.

"So then the issue is closed," Operations declared with a smile. Madeline shook her head back and forth.

"We don't have the bodies, which tells me that this may be a rogue group within Section One that has a personal vendetta against Nikita. I don't feel safe just releasing her from medical once she is cleared," Madeline stated and Operations narrowed his eyes. Madeline had plans, but she just hadn't told him yet.

"She can stay inside of Section then," Operations stated and Madeline stepped back away from the window. She tossed her head from side to side.

"I think with Maralah, we need to get Nikita back into the house. Birkoff is only adequate as a father and can't do it by himself," Madeline stated and Operations blinked again. He knew what Madeline was going to say next.

"Of course, we will place Michael in the house with them," Madeline said without smiling, although she was gloating on the inside. "For Nikita's protection."

"Of course," Operations hissed as he turned and looked at the computer. Madeline stepped forward and looked to her hands. She was going to close all links about the bullets immediately. This was something that Operations could not become aware of.

"I'm going to be changing some of our training materials. Will I need you to approve on them?" Madeline questioned, setting Operations up. It was just too easy.

"Of course. Which class?" Operations questioned as he turned around, glad to be off the subject of Michael and Nikita. He was sure that his dreams would be haunted for weeks with that image of Michael leaning softly over Nikita, tendering giving her life-supporting air. It was sickening sweet how Michael stroked her hair and stared into her eyes.

"First aid. I think that Michael's mouth-to-mouth technique is the best that I have ever seen. A good training tool. Will you be needing to see the tape?" Madeline questioned as she tilted her head to the side, not breaking her rock solid face.

"No... that won't be necessary," Operations stated as he looked at Madeline. Madeline nodded her head and left the office. The door was closed and Madeline smiled.

And she smiled all the way down the hallway.

*

"Mike!" Maralah happily exclaimed as she ran into the living room. Nikita smiled as Michael picked up his daughter and hugged her. It didn't hurt Nikita at all for her to go unnoticed, even though she has been separated from her daughter for an entire week.

Nikita would have been fine had Operations not come down to visit her. He leaned on her chest a bit, demanding answers.

Her lung had collapsed again. She almost needed a chest tube.

Almost.

Nikita smiled as she looked as Michael swung Maralah happily around. They were so good together. They looked so much alike. At times, Michael even seemed more alive around Maralah in comparison with just Nikita. The little girl made both of them feel so good.

"Aren't you going to say I to me?" Nikita questioned after Michael settled Maralah back to the ground and messed with her hair. Maralah smiled and moved towards Nikita. She had learned to slowly approach people who weren't standing.

"Ok?" Maralah questioned as she looked at Nikita. Nikita nodded her head up and down, wishing that once she got her arms around her daughter that she would never have to leave go. Michael bent down and pulled Maralah up onto Nikita's lap. It was quite clear that Nikita was still not feeling good.

"I missed you," Nikita stated as she glanced at her daughter with curiosity. Maralah hadn't moved out to hug her yet. It bothered Nikita until Michael nudged Maralah with the back of his hand.

"Me too!" Maralah happily proclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Nikita's neck. Nikita sighed and rubbed Maralah's back slightly. She loved her daughter so much.

The doorbell rang and Nikita looked up at Michael. He nodded his head as he moved to the door to push away whoever it was. Nikita wanted to rest. Michael wanted to rest. They wanted to spend sometime with their daughter until Madeline or Operations told Michael to go home.

"Dada said you were sick?" Maralah questioned and Nikita nodded her head. Nikita had asked, even pleaded, Madeline for Maralah to visit her. There was going to be a meeting, but it never occurred. Each day, Nikita woke up, hoping that she would see her daughter on that day. It was so difficult being separated from her for such a long time.

"I got hurt. I hurt my chest and it was hard to breath," Nikita explained as she stroked Maralah's dark hair out of her face. The little girl smiled and mimicked the same movement with Nikita's own hair. She was so sweet.

So much like Michael.

"Like when I had flu?" Maralah questioned and Nikita nodded her head. It was the easiest way to explain it. Maralah didn't know anything about lungs and ribs. It would be too complicated to explain it all.

"Yes... like when you had the flu," Nikita smiled. Maralah snuggled down on Nikita's chest and she winced. She wasn't supposed to lift anything heavy and Nikita was sure that the doctors wouldn't have wanted this, but Michael was nowhere to be found. Nikita glanced over her head and started to worry.

"Michael?" Nikita called out and Maralah lifted her head slightly.

"I like Mike," Maralah stated and Nikita shook her head. She knew that if Maralah didn't learn that Michael was her father soon and started to call him Daddy or Dad, she would soon be taught to call Michael, Michael.

"I'm glad. I like him too," Nikita stated as she strummed her fingers in her daughter's hair. She thought that Michael should have heard her.

What if the attackers had found her again? What if they took Michael away?

"Michael?" Nikita called out again, raising her voice even more. She couldn't hear anything, but that was one of the downfalls of this particular house, but Birkoff and Maralah loved the house too much to do anything about it.

"Yes? Are you ok?" Michael questioned as he poked his head back. Nikita blinked her eyes. Michael's words were rushed and not metered like Michael usually attempted to keep monitored. Nikita was surprised that Michael didn't notice Maralah sitting on her and leaning on her chest.

"Fine... How long are you going to be?" Nikita questioned as she looked at Michael. His eyes were swiftly looking back to the door and then to Nikita.

Something wasn't quite right.

"Not long," Michael issued as he pushed away from the wall and disappeared from Nikita's sight. Nikita stared for a while and then looked back at Maralah. So far, Maralah hadn't developed any of Michael's annoying habits. The biggest example, Maralah had no blank stare.

Thank god for small favors.

"Blue," Maralah stated as she pushed her hand down around Nikita's neck. Nikita winced. It was one of her bruises. Nikita couldn't remember from which item that caused it, but it was still there. Nikita slightly shifted Maralah's hand in her had to move it away from the bruise. Nikita kissed it and lightly tickled Maralah's stomach. Of course Maralah wiggling didn't help Nikita, but it was good way to shift Maralah's attention.

"Blue!" Maralah exclaimed as she pulled her hand away from Nikita's and pressed on the spot again. Nikita swallowed in pain and smiled at her daughter.

"You are right," Nikita stated with a fake smile. She didn't want to be upset at her daughter. She simply didn't know much better.

"Nikita?" Michael called out as he peaked into the room. Nikita wondered if Michael had heard the little hiss of pain that she had allowed out. Nikita didn't think it was too bad.

"Yes, Michael?" Nikita called out as she turned her head.

"Are you feeling..." Michael started to question, until Mick walked right passed Michael and into the room. He looked at the couch and threw his hands over his cheeks.

"She is a doll!" Mick exclaimed and Nikita looked at Michael, wondering how it got to the point that Mick was standing in the living room with them.

"I was going to ask if you are up to a visitor. I told Mick that you may be a bit tired," Michael tensely stated as it was clear that he was upset with the way that Mick was behaving.

"Of course she is hurting. This little cherub with all the charm and good looks of Nikita is sitting on her chest! You haven't much been looking out for her!" Mick continued to exclaim as he moved to Nikita's side and looked at Maralah. Nikita was appalled when Maralah lifted her hands up to Mick.

"And she is so sweet!" Mick drawled out as he picked up Maralah and carried her. The little girl chortled happily as Mick carried her. It was as if Mick was someone that Maralah had known her entire life.

"Michael," Nikita hissed as she looked at Michael. She didn't want Mick to know Maralah let alone touch her.

"Come on popsicle... She is just happy to be held... She is like a pint-size Nikita!" Mick exclaimed and Nikita rolled her eyes. She knew the facts of life. Maralah did not look like Nikita at all.

"She looks like Michael," Nikita stated and Maralah turned and stared at Nikita. Nikita leaned her head back. She didn't have time for this.

Wasn't she supposed to be getting some rest?

"Mick... maybe it is best that you let Maralah go play," Michael stated as he folded his hands in front of him. Nikita glared at Michael. She believed that Michael would have had the same feelings about Maralah's exposure to Mick in any situation.

Mick smiled as Maralah slipped from his hands and ran away. He was delighted with the child.

"It's amazing what can be created when protection fails!" Mick proclaimed as he looked up at the ceiling.

"MICK!" Nikita hissed and Mick turned and blushed. "I didn't know I said that out loud."

Nikita rolled her eyes and rubbed at her forehead. Mick was a nice man. But he wasn't a nice man that you let run around with the kids.

"Why are you here?" Nikita inquired and Michael stared at Nikita. He was shocked with Nikita's behavior and moved to sit by her. Michael rubbed at Nikita's head softly.

"Nikita..." Michael whispered and Nikita glared at Michael.

"Maybe it is best that I go catch up to the little gumdrop and play some Barbie with her... or some tea..." Mick stated as he stood up. It was clear that Michael and Nikita weren't thinking on the same wavelengths and he surely didn't want problems between the two.

"NO!" "YES!"

"Nikita?" Michael questioned after Nikita had hollered no. Mick started to move out of the room and Nikita looked at Michael in a panic.

"I DON'T WANT HIM AROUND MY DAUGHTER!" Nikita screamed as she saw Mick almost sliding out of sight. Mick heard the words and slumped. He thought that Nikita thought much more of him. Nikita started to cry. Michael hugged her and motioned for Mick to sit back down on the couch.

"Michael!" Nikita hissed and Michael looked to the doorway. Then to Mick.

"Mick... Maralah probably went up to her room... If you can call her down here and take her to the playroom... She'll play with you... Leave the door open," Michael stated and Mick nodded his head. He quickly left the room, knowing when to stay quiet.

"Nikita?" Michael questioned and Nikita leaned her head back.

"Why is he here?" Nikita inquired. She looked into Michael's eyes. Michael had spent sometime at the door trying to get Mick to leave. Michael the answer to Nikita's question and Nikita knew it.

"He heard that you had been injured leaving his club," Michael softly explained. Nikita pulled away.