And then one day, Mick appeared to have taken the apartment over and had stayed there ever since. According to Section One, they didn't know who officially lived there and they hadn't mentioned anything, especially since Calantha noted that Section One still had Michael living in it.

Calantha had long wondered about how Mick got possession of the apartment. She had a feeling that the man never meant to really stay in it that long. However, he may have been craving to get away from the lifestyle that he had found his fortune in. He may have found living it day and night wasn't something that he wanted to live with.

Calantha knocked on the door and looked up at the camera, which Michael had confirmed was still there, unless Mick removed it. Calantha smiled up and realized that Mick wouldn't know who she was. She pulled out the letter from Madeline and Michael. It was one way to make sure that she got in, if Mick would fight her.

"Yes, darling? What can I do for you?" Mick questioned and Calantha blinked her eyes as the man that was behind the chained door. He was much smaller than Nikita and she almost wanted to laugh. She couldn't see Nikita with this man for a long time. It just didn't go with what she thought about Nikita.

But then again, Calantha had never seen Michael bringing someone else back with him from his two years away from Section One.

"My name is Calantha... I helped Nikita... when she was sick..." Calantha stated as she handed the paper over to Mick. he looked at it and lifted a finger to indicate to give him a second. He closed the door and pulled the chain off.

"I was expecting someone... I thought Michael.. or Maddy..." Mick stated and Calantha nodded her head. Those were logical choices and Calantha sighed. In fact, she was the only one who felt that Nikita needed to be seen. She had disappeared after Michael dropped her off into Mick's hands four days ago. It was too long for Calantha's taste to let Nikita go without checking out what was going on.

"Is Nikita here?" Calantha questioned and Mick nodded his head as he glanced at the balcony and then back to Calantha.

"I've taken good care of her... You can ask the goon on the street that Nikita waves to all the time..." Mick stated and Calantha mildly chuckled. Davenport had reported in about Nikita's waves. He swore that he didn't let Nikita know he was there, but Michael only rolled his eyes. Calantha was sure that Nikita was trained superbly and it shouldn't surprise Davenport that she noticed him. She would probably notice about anyone.

"Taken care of... what does that include?" Calantha asked Mick and he blinked his eyes. He immediately waved his hands up in the air in defense of himself. He shook his head back and forth as he started to complete the thoughts that Calantha was having.

"I haven't taken advantage of her... Nikita is more than a friend to me... She needs her own time and space... and I'm willing to give that too her, unlike Section," Mick hissed out as he narrowed his eyes. He moved away from Calantha, apparently, still upset with the underlying context of her question.

"Moi amante... someone wants to see you?" Mick softly stated as he pushed open the door and smiled at Nikita. She was wrapped in a light blanket, soaking in the sun from above. It was a pretty view and Calantha smiled at Nikita as she turned her head. Nikita settled a bit before sitting up into a chair.

"Thanks, Mick..." Nikita stated as she nodded for Calantha to come out and join her. Nikita looked out to the distance and then turned to Mick and seemed lost in thought for a second. "Can you get us some tea?"

"I can do that," Mick responded softly, showing that he was on his good behavior as he exited and left Nikita with Calantha. Nikita looked to Calantha and then swallowed hard.

"You aren't going to ask about him?" Nikita questioned and Calantha blinked her eyes and looked at Nikita. There was something odd and strange going on here, but she wasn't quite sure what it was. Calantha would have thought that she was going insane herself if Birkoff hadn't confirmed that he had the same feelings whenever around Nikita.

"I think we have more important things to talk about," Calantha stated and then laughed as she saw Nikita roll her eyes, as predicted. Calantha reached out and touched Nikita's hand, trying to make a connection. "We can't deny what has been going on."

"I saw someone. They gave me something," Nikita stated and Calantha frowned. She couldn't believe that Nikita would take a risk and see an outside doctor. What worried Calantha more was what Michael and Madeline were going to do once they found out Nikita beat them again in breaking through the watcher to see a doctor.

"Nikita... operatives can't..."

"I know..." Nikita interrupted. She smiled softly and rubbed her socked feet together. Calantha pressed her lips together. "It's only for another day... just so I can rest and gather my thoughts."

"But Nikita... this could be linked to your head..." Calantha stated, almost as a warning. Nikita started to swing her head back and forth.

"It's not. Stress helped in this. And it was very scary what I found," Nikita commented and Calantha sighed. She couldn't argue with what Nikita was saying. It was very powerful information that Nikita found out. At least she had, it was going to stop any further plans before this group could get their hands back on Nikita.

Which was their real intention.

"Nikita... I realize all of this... but drugs aren't the only thing that solves panic attacks. You need to talk about it," Calantha stated and Nikita leaned her head back and slightly shook it. There was nothing that she wanted to talk about.

Especially the first one.

"Mick is taking great care of me... and I'll be back in two days... to be in top form for missions," Nikita stated and Calantha sighed. She didn't like this, but then, Nikita had enough to think about.

"We are all worried about you..." Calantha stated and Nikita shrugged it off. Calantha was worried that Nikita didn't think that anyone should worry about her. The door opened and Mick arrived with a tray of cups and tea. He smiled as he turned to Calantha and grinned.

He was sure a charming man.

"I think you are a gal that likes one lump of sugar... doesn't need further stimulation," Mick commented and Calantha laughed. He was sure right, for the wrong reason. However he was right. Calantha nodded her head as Mick started to prepare her cup for her, not allowing Nikita to do it.

"And you cupcake... I ran out of the green tea..." Mick stated and Nikita grinned.

"I drink that in the morning," Nikita stated and Mick nodded his head. He reached out and handed Nikita a cup of tea.

"I laced the spoon with honey... the sweeter the tea.. .the sweeter you are..." Mick stated with a soft chuckle. Nikita smiled and watched as Mick practically waltzed back into the kitchen. Nikita took a sip and then turned to Calantha.

"You are wondering how he runs a strip club, right?" Nikita questioned and Calantha nodded her head. Nikita settled the teacup on her knee for a second and blinked her eyes.

Describing Mick was hard. He was a man with many sides and didn't always let the right sides show through. Nikita had been learning that quickly. He was horrified when Michael dropped off the half drugged Nikita at the apartment. He listened to her slurred words and immediately placed her in his bed.

And Mick took the couch.

The next morning, once the medication had worn off, Mick had another bed brought in and he listened to Nikita's torrid tale of the panic attack and then causing her own second one. He wanted to yell at Nikita that it was wrong for her to do such things, but also realized that Nikita had her own expertise with Section One matters.

He was mad. It had taken Nikita back and made her realize that although Mick was told about where this was heading, that he had true feelings about Nikita.

"He owns more than a strip club, Calantha... He owns that nice restaurant on Smithton and Hayes... He owns Hot Bodies on the east side of town... He isn't just a strip club owner," Nikita stated and Calantha blinked her eyes. She was sure that no one knew this. It shocked her.

"Of course, to own those... he did have to make the money through the strip club... but he rarely goes down there any longer... ever since... You know..." Nikita finished off and Calantha nodded her head. It completed a picture of a man that she didn't know much about.

It was clear that Nikita was fond of him.

"But you can't run away from the problems, Nikita," Calantha stated and Nikita tried to smile. She knew that she wasn't running away from them.

"Maybe you should tell Michael that... He is forcing me to talk to him and be with him when I don't want to be... I'm going on with my life... and he has to go on with his..." Nikita urged out and Calantha stood up and moved to the railing. She stared out at the world that was beyond this balcony. She had to wonder what was beyond this day for Nikita and Michael.

Calantha was much different in Madeline's opinion of the situation. She was sure that Michael and Nikita needed help to be together and that they hadn't been receiving it. Calantha felt that it was Madeline that had helped Nikita feel like half of a person and not Nikita.

"What do you see in your future, Nikita?" Calantha questioned as she glanced over her shoulder to see Nikita sipping at her tea. Nikita settled it down and went to stand next to Calantha.

"I see getting those men... I see trying to figure out where I belong... I see Maralah graduating... and I might see happiness for myself..." Nikita admitted with a broken voice. They were such broad statements, nothing concrete. Calantha took Nikita's hand and looked at her.

"What did you use to see in your future? Before Sonora was pregnant?" Calantha stated. Nikita gasped and looked away. Calantha was sure that this wasn't something that Nikita thought about any longer.

"Another child..." Nikita whispered and Calantha felt her heart break. Nikita turned away and wiped at her tears.

"But that isn't going to happen, Calantha... That child is between Sonora and Michael... He got it and I didn't... I must go on..." Nikita stated and Calantha nodded her head as the tears rolled down her face. She couldn't blame Nikita at all for what she was doing and how far she was pulling away.

"Do you see one between you and Mick?" Calantha questioned Nikita laughed.

"I see many years between us... What happens... Well... I'm beginning to think that it hurts less if you don't plan your future," Nikita commented and Calantha nodded her head. She swung her arm over Nikita and swallowed. She had been at that point of her life before. When she asked Michael to look over Birkoff, not knowing what would happen in the future.

"Popsicle.... is Calantha going to stay for dinner?" Mick questioned as he cracked the door. Nikita smiled and Calantha as she nodded her head. Nikita looked at Mick as he clapped his hands together.

"And you are lucky... master chef Mick will prepare something that will make your mouth water for weeks to come... and you will beg Nikita to bring you back..." Mick declared with a wave of his hands that made Nikita and Calantha both laugh happily.

The door soon closed and Calantha hugged Nikita. She wouldn't verbally say it. She still felt that Nikita would end up with Michael.

But Mick wasn't too bad.

~~

"See... sugar, sweets, and a little bit of water... makes my Nikita a much better girl," Mick gloated as he passed Nikita a piece of his signature cake. Nikita smiled as she licked her lips. Mick knew how to take care of her. She didn't know how. He took care of her in a different way from Michael. He didn't smother her and waited for her to make the moves.

And he fed her.

"Well... Nikita could stand to gain some weight..." Calantha stated and Nikita arched an eyebrow as she picked up a lavish piece of chocolate cake on her fork and grinned. Nikita hummed as the chocolate crossed her lips.

"See... she absolutely starts to purr..." Mick gushed as he handed a piece of cake over to Calantha. Nikita winked at Calantha, the only way that Nikita could communicate as she savored the taste of the cake.

"I thought the only thing that you liked to do with cake was have women fight in it," Calantha commented and Nikita started to giggle as she reached over to get a sip of water. She swallowed and looked at Mick.

"Oh.. don't think he is innocent and all that..." Nikita commented and Mick rolled his eyes. He moved to the kitchen to put the cake away so it wouldn't dry out. Nikita looked to Calantha.

Dinner had been outrageous. They had been howling and laughing and other times had been down right serious. Calantha got the feeling that Mick was more than the one-dimensional person that Madeline and Michael were representing to her and the others inside of Section One.

"I don't know when I will see you again, Nikita... I really enjoyed tonight," Calantha admitted as she patted Nikita's hand. They had connected on a level that Calantha hadn't expected. Calantha was thinking that it was on the level that Madeline had tried to connect to her on. A friendship level.

But Calantha looked at Nikita and felt her heart pound. She was like the daughter that she never had.

"I'll be seeing you at the wedding..." Nikita stated and Calantha nodded her head. Nikita looked towards Mick and smiled and leaned over to Calantha. "And I'm hoping to help out... and I hope that you will help..."

"How? What?" Calantha immediately questioned and Nikita half smiled. She looked to the side and knew that she hadn't mentioned this to Mick yet, but knew that he wouldn't mind.

"I was thinking.. that with Birkoff being so busy and taking care of Maralah the past few days... that me and Mick could take care of the rehearsal dinner... that we can have it at Mick's restaurant and have a real private dinner..." Nikita commented and Calantha smiled. She loved the idea.

"Nikita... I know that Birkoff would love that... If you truly mean it..." Calantha spoke out and Nikita smiled and looked to the kitchen. She wasn't sure if Mick had heard everything.

"Darling? Did you hear? Calantha thinks that the private rehearsal dinner at the restaurant is a good idea," Nikita called out as she turned in her chair, sure that Mick was going to hate her for this one. He was going to lose business and he was going to have to still pay for help that night.

But Mick surprised Nikita as he swung a towel over his shoulder and strutted back to the table. He kissed Nikita's lips and rubbed her shoulders softly.

"Don't take the credit, doll face... You know it was all my idea..." Mick playfully commented and Calantha howled. It was the best thing seeing these two together.

~~

Nikita closed the door to the apartment building as Calantha's car pulled away. She leaned against the wall and stood there. She was drained. She wanted to sleep, but she also wanted to cry. She couldn't decide what was more important. And it didn't matter that she wasn't on her own floor or far away from the apartment.

Nikita chose to cry.

Nikita slipped against the wall and dropped her head, thinking about all the lies that had been said in order to make Calantha happy. She was going to go back and gush about Mick. That was good, but Nikita never felt so quite empty.

Mick started down the stairs when Nikita was gone more than a few minutes. He stopped as he saw the image next to the door. He turned back to retrieve a small glass of water and the medicine that he knew that Nikita was not taking on time.

"Nikki? Darling?" Mick whispered as he walked down the stairs. He looked to Nikita as she lifted her head. She had looked so good while Calantha was there. With just that little bit of crying, her eyes had puffed up again. She dropped her head and Mick shook his head. He couldn't let her get back into this again.

"Come on... Nikki... come to the apartment..." Mick stated and Nikita shook her head back and forth. Mick reached down and handed Nikita the pill. She slipped it in her mouth and then took the water from Mick's extended hand. Mick touched Nikita's head after she swallowed. She dutifully opened her mouth for Mick's inspection.

He learned fast.

"Mick... I'm sorry for getting you wrapped into this..." Nikita whispered as he pulled on her body softly. Mick pushed her hair back. He didn't know how many times he had heard Nikita say this in the days that had passed.

"Nikita... I care for you... as a friend... Friends do this for each other... I just don't think you've known many..." Mick stated and Nikita dropped her head onto Mick's shoulder. He knew that it had to be uncomfortable for her, with her height, she had to bend down, but it made Nikita feel better.

"Mick... I never treated you that nice... Why?" Nikita questioned as Mick pushed the door open with his foot. He felt the pain in every muscle in his body. The medicine was fast acting and Nikita wasn't helping out with the walking any longer. He moved to the bedroom, after literally pulling Nikita up the stairs with harsh yanks.

"I can see where you were in your childhood, Nikita..." Mick whispered as he pulled the sheet up to her chin. She was asleep, but still crying. He settled on the bed and sighed.

No one ever told Mick of Nikita's childhood. She never told him either. But Mick didn't need anyone to confirm it. She had that look in her eyes that he sometimes saw in his. Of a childhood that never happened. Of a child that wanted to scream and one that did, but was never heard.

"Some of us need more friends, Nikita... to make up for what we didn't have..." Mick whispered as he touched the sheet once more. He felt his tears roll down his face and licked his lips once more. "And some of us don't know how to make the right friends... But you did."

*

The wedding was approaching and Madeline blinked her eyes. Things were happening so quickly that she barely had a grip on what was going on around her. Calantha had left a message the one day for Madeline and Birkoff had been busy trying to juggle the plans for the wedding and Maralah.

Madeline looked to her screen in horror, realizing that the flowers needed to be ordered, and Calantha had just arrived. She didn't know how she was going to get through the next few weeks until Birkoff and Alsena got married.

And then there was Nikita.

Nikita was running missions almost every day and seemed to be ok. There were no further occurrences of the panic attacks that had plagued her the one day, and then went away. Nikita's mission were impeccable and she was the only reliable operative inside of Section One right now, often utilizing Davenport on her team to make the things work smoothly.

Michael had been busy by Sonora's side. Madeline wasn't sure it was wise and was starting to think that Sonora wasn't going to make it through the pregnancy. She had started to have a nervous condition once she heard about Nikita's panic attacks.

Madeline then was no surprised when Sonora had a panic attack. The doctor's told Madeline that there was no way that Sonora could have faked it, but Madeline wasn't quite sure. Her attack seemed to be very dramatic and caused her to stay inside of medical for two long days.

And Michael was ordered to stay with her.

"Oh, Madeline... Nikita looks so happy today...." Calantha stated as she entered the office and smiled at Madeline. If Calantha noticed the pressure and stress on Madeline's face, she didn't mention it.

"You know... I don't care any longer..." Madeline stated and Calantha laughed. She knew better. She was sure that Madeline would have been asking for all the details of what Calantha knew, if Madeline didn't have a wedding hanging over her head.

"Madeline... have you even seen Nikita in the presence of Mick?" Calantha questioned as she settled in the chair, thinking about the charming dinner that Calantha had with Mick, Nikita, and Maralah last night. Mick wanted some of Calantha's opinions on what to serve, but swore that on the night of the rehearsal dinner that he was going to cook, along with Nikita.

"Mick and Nikita? You know that it isn't going to last," Madeline stated as she walked over to her plant stand and stared at it. She wondered why Birkoff was not allowing Madeline to choose the flowers. He wanted Alsena to pick them. Madeline was sure that she had great taste in flowers, better than Alsena.

Madeline jumped when she felt Calantha's hands on her shoulders. She dropped her head and grated her teeth together. She didn't mean to get caught like that.

"Madeline... I mean... you really must see Mick and Nikita... I think this is more serious than you think..." Calantha urged Madeline. Nikita had just come off of a mission and it was clear that she just needed to vegetate some, and Mick started to joke with her. And he had a way with Maralah. Calantha was sure that Maralah was gushing about Mick left and right.

"I've been more concerned about the unborn baby," Madeline stated through her clenched teeth. She didn't believe that she had said it, but now she had. In all the time since the announcement, Madeline had been worried and concerned about Nikita. Now she was looking at the mess that was going on between Michael and Sonora.

"You shouldn't. I think we all known in our hearts that Sonora is lying," Calantha announced as the door opened. Madeline rolled her eyes as another smiling person walked into her office.

"Madeline... things are almost back to normal inside of Section..." Walter happily announced as he lifted his head back and puffed out his chest. Madeline raised an eyebrow. Nothing seemed like normal around here. Ever since Operations had died, things have been changing more rapidly that Madeline rarely knew what was going on any more. Not that it was all bad.

But some of it was.

Walter turned and pointed to Calantha. He moved to her and hugged her tightly. Through the strains of getting prepared for the wedding and Nikita issues, Calantha had found herself not having a lot of time for the fledging relationship between her and Walter. Where it was going, Calantha wasn't quite sure, but she didn't want it to die just because they both got so busy.

"Maralah told me you were there last night..." Walter stated and Madeline slumped against the wall. She wanted to talk about wedding problems and they were going to talk about Nikita and Mick.

"Walter... Mick is so good with that little girl... I hope that is what you are hearing back from her," Calantha worried and Walter smiled. He had heard more than good things about Mick from Maralah. Maralah was even trying to do impressions of Mick. If Michael saw them, Walter would worry, but it seemed as if Maralah had a good head on her shoulders.

"I saw Mick drop Nikita off this morning before the mission... Do you know that he packs a lunch for her?" Walter questioned and Calantha smiled. The gesture was so sweet and caring. She was sure that Michael had never done that for Nikita.

"I didn't know that... but he has impeccable timing on when to make Nikita laugh... and when to hold her..." Calantha stated as she looked to Madeline. She could see Madeline shaking her head back and forth, in disbelief.

"You will see it soon enough, Madeline... With your own eyes..." Calantha stated and Madeline wrinkled her eyebrows. She didn't know what this was all about. She wasn't sure that she wanted to know what it was all about.

"I heard about that... Birkoff was so happy to have someone take that over...." Walter hurried into the conversation. Madeline blinked her eyes as she pushed herself off of the wall.

"NO MORE NIKITA AND MICK!" Madeline hollered as she raised her hands.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Birkoff questioned from the doorway. Madeline leaned her head back and then swung it from side to side. At least with Birkoff's entrance, the topic would now change from the ever popular Mick and Nikita topic.

Although, right now, it was much better than the Sonora topic.

"Of course not, Birkoff. It's your wedding we are trying to pull together..." Calantha commented as she reached out for her son to come to her. Birkoff smiled and placed the kiss on her cheek. They had a relationship that was building stronger and stronger.

"I was going to ask about the flowers..." Madeline commented as she pulled a chair out for Birkoff. She walked around the desk and looked at Birkoff, who looked particularly uncomfortable as he looked between Walter and Calantha back to Madeline.

"Actually... I was going to take about the rehearsal dinner that Mick and Nikita are holding for me at his restaurant," Birkoff stated and Madeline dropped her head down. Then she snapped it back up.

"YOU CAN'T HAVE THE DINNER AT THE STRIP CLUB!" Madeline announced loudly, only to make the entire room crack up in laughter. Madeline pushed her hands through her hair madly until Calantha reached out for Madeline's hand.

"You have missed so much on Mick, Madeline... He owns a restaurant.. on the good side of town.. He is buying another one too... And he owns a regular club that has nothing to do with the strip club... And he owns several apartment complexes..." Calantha explained and Madeline took a deep breath. This was all news to her.

"Do you actually think that Nikita would go out with Mick if he was just the man that ran the strip club?" Walter questioned and Madeline blushed. She did think that Nikita was with Mick just to make Michael upset. It didn't seem like Nikita's type, but with all these new and varied opinions of Mick, Madeline might just have to rotate her thinking about what Nikita was doing.

"And Mick is so good with Maralah... They were going to Sesame Street on Ice tonight... Nikita has a mission," Birkoff stated and Madeline blinked her eyes. Nikita was going to trust Mick to take her daughter somewhere.

That had to be more than just a strip club owner.

"And what does this have to do with the wedding?" Madeline questioned and everyone in the room sighed. They were not privy to the information about what was going on with Sonora. In fact, everyone in the room other than Madeline had been down right harsh to Sonora.

Not that Madeline couldn't see their sides. But in their rush to be on Nikita's side, they were abandoning a woman who could be telling the truth and an operative that had one time, risked everything for Nikita. It shouldn't be taken lightly and if that was what was keeping Madeline up at night, then she felt that it was a good thing to keep her up at night.

"Nikita and Mick are going to host the rehearsal dinner, Madeline..." Calantha carefully stated as Birkoff nodded his head up and down, allowing Madeline to know that he had agreed to this. Walter looked to Madeline and touched her hand. "Don't you think it is good, Maddy? Michael gets to see Nikita and Mick together before the real wedding?"

Walter commented made Madeline turn away.

What had she done? She wanted to protect Nikita in case the baby was Michael's. But now, it appeared as if it was Nikita and Mick who were getting closer and closer to being married than Birkoff and Alsena. He had taken care of her after the panic attacks and had been there for her daughter.

Michael and Nikita hadn't done anything together with Maralah since the announcement from Sonora. It was not something that Madeline could force. Sonora's biggest complaint was that Nikita was around all the time inside of Section One.

"Madeline?" Calantha called out and Madeline shook her head back and forth. She couldn't turn back to be seen by them. She needed to think and rethink what her role in this was. If she forced Nikita to be with Mick, just so she could have a life and not be alone, then Madeline was doing Nikita a great injustice.

But how could Madeline tell?

"You know... Nikita's mission is going to be going out soon... I have to go monitor..." Birkoff stated as he stood up, feeling the tension in the room. Calantha nodded her head and motioned for Walter to join Birkoff. If Nikita was leaving soon and Birkoff had to monitor, then Walter was going to have to get Nikita and her team the weapons.

"Madeline... maybe you should see them together... It is quite magical..." Calantha softly whispered, sensing that Madeline was feeling something along the lines of guilt.

"What happens once the magic is gone? Is there any substance there?" Madeline hissed, still with her back to Calantha. Calantha blinked her eyes. The woman believed that all of these questions were easily answered by just observing Nikita with Mick. It was in both of their eyes, or at least Calantha believed that the answers were there.

"I don't want to say that they are in love with each other, Madeline... That would be putting words into their mouths... But they are perhaps the happiest couple that I know right now," Calantha stated as she pushed away from the desk and stood up. Madeline didn't turn to rebut Calantha's words. There would be no challenge from Madeline right now.

Instead, Madeline cried.

It shouldn't be Nikita and Mick.

It should be Nikita and Michael.

Forever.

~~

Nikita walked down the street and looked to the side slightly. Her team was following her a bit too closely. Nikita reached down and pulled out her PDA. No one on the street would think that it was something to worry about, but Nikita looked at the data on it.

No one new inside of Section One the building that needed to be found. It was up to Nikita to find it during this walk.

However, due to the files that were found during the past few missions, and the inability to find and hunt down the remaining operatives that Operations had used and abused, Nikita found the house, well before this mission started.

She just needed time for some other things.

Nikita continued to walk down the street, pressing her fingers on the pad, registering the house that she just passed as clean and clear.

It wasn't.

Nikita would be back. She had something very personal against those men.

But her team slowly walked behind Nikita, trying to fit in with the others on the streets. It was a busy residential street. Thus far, they didn't look too far out of place. Maybe the heavy boots would scare a few, but would not tip off anyone that they didn't belong.

"Birkoff... I'm at the end of the perimeter," Nikita stated as she stood on the sidewalk. She pressed the coin-sized trigger in her hand and the display started.

Fire and gunfire crackled. Smoke soon covered Nikita's entire body and Nikita looked through the cloud to see if her team had been able to see her as the smoke continued to pour around. She heard them returning fire and she sprinted down the street to the alley.

Nikita had avoided allies ever since she left Mick's that one night. They didn't bring her good memories, but this was too important. Not far along down the alley, it got dense with trees and bushes. Nikita would not be seen unless the mission van tried to drive down the alley, which Nikita knew would not happen. There was a meeting point about ten blocks north of her location in case the team got separated. They would go there and regroup.

Nikita looked to her PDA and nodded her head as she noted that although all of the bullets that Nikita had rigged were blanks, that no one had gotten injured by their own careless and haphazardly shooting.

Davenport would no doubt be meeting the team at the meeting point since Nikita was not found and lost in the action.

Hopefully, Michael would stay away.

Nikita pulled out another palm computer and pulled out the cord. It stuck out about an inch and immediately pulled up a screen and started to transmit a signal. Birkoff wouldn't be looking for it, and Nikita hoped that no one in the house would be monitoring it. If her entire team was able to walk right in front of the house without anything happening, Nikita was sure that they were not expecting that Section One had tracked them down.

Nor would they be expecting to see Nikita.

Nikita spotted the house as she pulled out her modified revolver and moved towards the fence. She had long turned off her Section One communications unit, but was positive that her Section One team had rolled out of the area by now, moving back to meet back up with Davenport.

Nikita pulled herself up and over the fence and dropped into the dark shadows provided by the large trees in the backyard. It was a terrible house to pick to use for terrorist activity. Nikita pulled her hand into the pocket and pulled out a silencer. It would help some.

But Nikita couldn't move until the information was pulled up off of the satellites. It was the reason for all of the games and the dangerous turn of events. Of course, no one inside of Section One would ever know why she had done all of this and how she got here.

Nikita looked down and smiled as the small ding indicated that the file had uploaded and that it had gone undetected. Nikita smiled and shoved the device under the cover of her clothing. She pulled her gun up and started to walk against the fence, in the shadows, towards the house.

There should be three men in the house, two of which were from the original team that Operations had formed to kill her. Nikita looked to the backdoor before making the running start to slam into the door and killing the first man immediately.

He wasn't one of the two that Nikita was after. Nikita heard the pounding music and grinned softly. The other two men weren't much of operatives. They probably didn't even realize the threat that was inside the house, stalking after them, wanting to be the big end to this chapter in her life.

Nikita moved to the stairs and slightly moved up the stairs. She listened as she heard the typing away at a computer. Nikita looked to her clothing and pulled out a knife. She tore at her clothing slightly and she scratched the skin enough to cause some blood to seep out. Nikita pushed the knife back into her clothing after rubbing it on the carpet underneath her feet.

Nikita inched forward and allowed an uncharacteristic sinister grin crossed her face as she saw the two men, hunched together near the computer, typing away, unknowing who lurked behind them. Nikita inched forward; ready to kill both immediately if it was needed.

Nikita neared the door and cocked the gun as she entered. "Remember me?"

The men turned and their eyes opened up wide. The image of the woman that was supposed to be long dead. The woman that they were supposed to follow and drive insane. The Section One operative that they targeted for a chance to gain a life out in the world in whatever form they deemed.

Nikita shot the first man away from the computer, before he could do anything to destroy the data that he was working on. The other man fell back on the bed, trying to get away, but finding himself scared and knowing that something bad was going to happen.

"Please... I'll tell you anything that you need...." The man begged and Nikita cocked her head to the side as she pressed another coin trigger in her glove, allowing her signal to be now tracked. Nikita looked to the computer and started to process the information and send it off to Birkoff.

Birkoff was going to think he just won on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? with the information that Nikita was sending him. It was going to make Birkoff one happy man.

"Did you give me that option?" Nikita questioned and the man started to cry. Nikita looked to the side and squeezed the trigger three more times. One time in the shoulder and one shot for the middle of each knee. The blood was quickly coming, but the he would live to give any further information that was needed.

Now Nikita just had to wait for her signal to be traced and for Davenport to arrive to gather her.

And she was coming back with more than the satisfaction of all the operatives finally being accounted for. She carried something more powerful for her own game and agenda.

And it was damaging information.

~~

"Nikita... damn it! Listen to me!" Davenport hissed as he pulled at Nikita's body as he tried in vain to help Nikita down the hallway. That little scratch that Nikita kept on referring to was more than a little scratch. The leg was nastily gashed by a knife and Davenport sure didn't want anything happening to Nikita.

"Davenport! LEAVE ME BE!" Nikita hissed as she tried to break away from him once more. When Nikita caused the injury to herself, she didn't think it was that big. It was when Davenport pulled off the pant leg to get a better look at the cut, that Nikita noticed that she had done it a bit too deep.

"I am under orders, Nikita..." Davenport hissed and Nikita tried to make the run for it once more. Davenport grabbed her around the waist and felt her fail, trying to break free. Davenport rolled his eyes as Madeline came in sight to see what was going on.

"Someone grab the legs... and be careful..." Davenport ordered, but added the warning, knowing the pain that one kick from Nikita could do.

"Please... I want to go home..." Nikita cried out and Madeline threw her hands up and turned to Birkoff.

"Get Mick... he seems to be the only one who can calm her down..." Madeline hissed as she turned and left the situation. Nikita slumped into Davenport's arms as she softly smiled.

They all believed that she loved Mick.

How wrong they were.

*

The soft and romantic music embraced Madeline as she entered the dimmed restaurant. At first, it almost seemed as if she was the first person to arrive, but soon, she saw the shadows of the wedding party moving around in the main room. Madeline took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves about what was going to happen this night.

What was going to make it so interesting was that Michael, with a stroke of genius, or at least he thought, believed that Sonora should come, since everyone else was going to be here. Hopefully since Maralah was going to be around, since she was the flower girl, Michael and Nikita would behave themselves.

In fact, Michael was the first one to notice Madeline. He was holding a wine bottle in his hand and moved towards Madeline. He looked comfortably dressed, wearing a tan sweater that didn't highlight the wonderful muscular body that he did have, but it didn't distract either. Michael was smiling as he walked towards Madeline. She knew it was just a facade. At of that was occurring inside of Section One right now.

"Wine?" Michael questioned as he produced at glass. Madeline smiled. She planned on having a pleasant buzz for tonight and all day tomorrow. It was the only way that she saw herself getting through the stress of the days.

Madeline smiled and took of the sip right away. Madeline pulled it away and nodded her head. "You always have a great taste in wine, Michael."

"It wasn't me. Mick had it chilling when we arrived," Michael stated tensely. Madeline raised an eyebrow and looked around the tables that had been set up. At least because of the location of the event, one large table hadn't been created. There were a series of circle tables linked together to form one larger circle. It created more distance and no one would be kicking each other underneath the table.

"Where is Nikita?" Madeline questioned as she looked around. Nikita was the first person to leave the rehearsal. She had to walk down the aisle with Michael four times before Birkoff and Alsena realized that they weren't going to walk down together or at the same rate. It was something that they just finally gave up on.

"She is in the kitchen with Mick... You'll hear the giggling," Michael commented sharply as he took his own glass of wine and sipped some more. Madeline raised an eyebrow and nodded her head.

She was going to have to see Nikita with Mick sooner or later. Madeline was still hoping that it was wrong that something else was going on between the two, but it seemed as if Madeline's wishes were running out. Madeline moved with Michael to nod her head to Birkoff and the others. They were all nibbling on delightful cheese and crackers in the shapes of bells and birds.

Maybe she had underestimated Mick.

"I'll go see if they need help in the kitchen..." Madeline stated and Michael rolled his eyes. She didn't know if Michael had tried that yet, or it if Michael, in typical Michael style was avoiding seeing Nikita with Mick. Madeline heard the giggling that Michael had commented on and headed towards the kitchen. She was almost sure that he hadn't gone to see either of them yet.

Madeline stopped short of the kitchen and walked back to Michael. It would be easier for this to start now than later. "Why don't you come with me? We need more wine either way," Madeline stated as she pulled the empty bottle out of Michael's hand and moved into the kitchen quickly.

Then Madeline stopped. All of the images she had of Mick, nothing was like the kitchen that was in front of her. It was state of the art and cleaner than a hospital. The aroma of the food smacked Madeline deliciously in the face as she felt her mouth instantly water.

"Nikita?" Madeline called out as she ducked her head to see if she could see the couple.

"Honestly, moi amante... If you keep on eating the carrots, I will have to cut more..." Mick laughed out happily and Madeline listened to Nikita giggle. She sounded happy.

She was eating!

"I love your cutting technique, Mick... I want to see it again..." Nikita joked as Madeline turned the corner and saw Nikita propped up on the countertop, swinging her legs back and forth as Mick worked away across on the other counter, putting the dishes together.

"Mick... Can I help?" Madeline questioned and Nikita smiled at Madeline and looked at Mick. Mick turned around and looked up into the air.

"Yes... you can help.... Let Nikita be from Section... that would help..." Mick stated with a deep laugh from his chest. Madeline smiled at Mick, trying not to look at Nikita. She didn't know what to make of the comment.

"She is our best operative, Mick. It will never happen," Michael seriously commented as he entered into the light from the darkness that he seemed to be lurking in. Madeline was shocked, as it didn't even register on Nikita's face.

"You are too serious... Mick... he knows when to make me laugh... and smile..." Nikita stated as Mick started to drift back to Nikita. He leaned in and tenderly kissed at her lips. Nikita ran her hands down her arms as he pulled away to go back to the food. "And when to kiss me."

Madeline looked to Michael before staring down at the wine bottle that was empty. She shook her head, finding the need to say something before Nikita and Mick kissed again. "We are out of wine..."

"Try the refrigerator behind you, Madeline," Nikita stated, pointing to the appliance that was clearly closer to Michael. Madeline looked to Michael and then moved as Nikita indicated. There was a purpose for Nikita not telling Michael, but Madeline wasn't quite sure.

Nikita pulled another carrot to her mouth and noisily crunched on it as Madeline opened the door, seeing the assortment of many fine wines. She looked to Mick and looked to the wine again.

She just didn't get it. How could she be so wrong about a person? How could she be so wrong about Mick?

"Darling, sweetie, plum drop and gum drop... You are eating all of my carrots... You are going to turn orange on me!" Mick stated as he whirled around on his heels and looked at Nikita. He framed her face with his hands as Nikita smiled and placed the rest of the rebel carrot in her mouth. She wiggled her eyebrows around and grinned at Mick.

"Make me stop," Nikita challenged, holding the carrot in her mouth, but not chewing yet. Mick winked at Nikita and moved in for another kiss. Madeline looked over her shoulder at Michael, who was clearly uncomfortable.

"How are your stitches, Nikita?" Madeline questioned, trying to get the couple from kissing. She watched as Nikita pulled away and wiped at her mouth. Mick picked up her leg and pushed away the material. He waved his hand around the place that there should have been a scar. Madeline had the request for plastic surgery to cover it on her desk from medical. She had to consult with Calantha about it.

"Mick took wonderful care of it... What was it again?" Nikita questioned and Mick shrugged his shoulders as he pressed a little bell next to the stove. Instantly, three men, dressed in white tuxedos arrived. It was clearing the staff that Mick had to stay to serve the meal.

"It was a little bit of this and a little bit of that... Old family recipe... Tender Loving Care!" Mick announced as he reached up and helped Nikita down from the counter, although she didn't need it. Madeline looked around and saw that Michael had escaped from the kitchen. Mick started to push the ladies out of the kitchen and Nikita turned around and grabbed Mick's hand and squeezed it.

~~

Sonora was not pleased at all. She saw where Michael's eyes mostly wandered off to, and it meant that he still had lingering feelings for Nikita.

Deep lingering feelings.

And Nikita and Mick were too happy to watch. Sonora picked at her food and rested her fork on the plate and started across the circle where Mick was feeding Nikita, as if she was a little child. She looked and saw that Michael was staring, while he was trying to look like he wasn't.

"I think mine has too much pepper..." Sonora loudly stated and Michael turned to Sonora and stared at her. He had never had anything prepared so perfectly before. He knew that Sonora was just trying to be mean and spiteful. He wouldn't and couldn't be rude to Mick, even if he was with the woman that Michael wanted to be with, just to be mean.

"It must be your hormones," Michael commented and he heard the snicker from Birkoff and Alsena. Sonora looked down at the table where Madeline and Calantha were having a hushed conversation, sometimes consulting with Walter. She didn't have to guess too hard on what they were talking about.

Nikita.

"Well... at least I'm not at the table ravishing someone because my biological clock is striking twelve!" Sonora loudly stated as she picked up the glass of water and smiled at Nikita as she pulled away from Mick. Nikita pulled up her own fork and pushed at the food. Mick rolled his eyes.

"See... now that is just not right... I leave things to you... and you won't eat... I love when there is more than skin and bones on you..." Mick complained, feeling the growing tension in the room due to this woman, who looked to be packing on the pounds just because she had an excuse.

"Mick... just drop it..." Nikita warned and Sonora smiled sweetly across the table.

"We can see who wears the pants in that relationship... the same one that carries the gun," Sonora cut into Nikita. Nikita stared at Sonora and patted Mick's hand.

"Mick... don't worry..." Nikita whispered and Mick smiled at Nikita as he stroked her hair back.

"That move is so original! I mean... That is what Michael does to me!" Sonora stated and Nikita dropped her fork. This was supposed to be for Birkoff and Alsena. Nikita wanted something nice for the two of them.

Maralah looked back and forth and frowned at the commented.

"My father did that to me and my mom before you came here," Maralah stated and Madeline turned and touched Maralah's shoulder. Madeline didn't want to get the child involved with that.

"But it was different, Maralah... very different..." Nikita commented as she smiled. Inside, she felt as if she was choking. Michael's touch had to have been different for her.

"Sonora... eat your food..." Michael stated in a tense voice.

"Why do I have to eat if Nikita doesn't?" Sonora questioned as she glared at Michael. Nikita stared at Sonora and shook her head back and forth. She looked at Birkoff with the tears filling her eyes.

"Birkoff... I'm sorry... I'm trying..." Nikita stated carefully, trying not to allow her voice to break. Trying to hide that Sonora was getting to her and very quickly.

"Oh... how sweet... The boy who finally got a mother.... might have a sister too... But everyone at this table knows what your mother was... and how you have become her," Sonora saucily commented as she licked her lips and grinned at Nikita. It was clear that Sonora had accessed files that were supposed to be secure and tamper free.

"Sonora... What do you want from me?" Nikita questioned as she looked at Michael. Looking at the table, Sonora barely had anything to say. Right now, in the room, it appeared as if Sonora had Michael. But she knew more than anything that Michael wasn't hers that his feelings for Nikita continued to run deep. Sonora had to hack away at those feelings and force Nikita away.

"I want respected Nikita," Sonora announced and Walter snorted at the end of the table. It was the general consensus around the table. Nikita notched her head to the side and stopped herself from snapping a comment. She was trying to pull herself together for the benefit of Birkoff and Alsena.

"Sonora... this isn't the real world... Respect doesn't come because you are a mother," Calantha stated carefully, trying to help Nikita in her battle to end this conversation where it was. It was clear that although everyone was continuing to eat the food, that they were all focused on the heated discussion between Nikita and Sonora.

"Don't worry, Calantha. She can say whatever she wants... Maybe I should respect her more. She is what Michael wants," Nikita calmly stated as she reached for her glass of water. She looked around and saw Sonora grinning broadly, feeling that she had knocked Nikita down another peg or two. Sonora couldn't wait to rub all of Nikita's self confidence into the ground. That would be the day that Sonora got to celebrate.

"Yes I am what Michael wants, Nikita," Sonora loudly commented as she wrapped her arm around Michael. Michael pulled away and snapped a stare at Sonora that made the woman look down. He looked towards Nikita who was standing up from the table. It was clear that Nikita was going to make her escape now that she had been battered and bruised again.

"Nikita... please..." Michael softly commented, but he didn't even know if Nikita heard his words as she touched Mick's hand before looking towards Birkoff.

"I'm sorry, Birkoff... I was doing this for you... It was supposed to be a nice gathering between friends..." Nikita stated and Sonora huffed and sighed loudly.

"You are the most melodramatic woman in the world," Sonora stated and Nikita glared over the table.

"You just can't stand that I have Mick to love me in the way that Michael will never love you... That's how pitiful of a woman you are..." Nikita stated over the table, with very steady words. Mick touched Nikita's shoulder, trying to get her to sit back down at the table. He noticed the tears on Nikita's face and dropped his head. It was clear that this was going to be a very hard night and day to come.

"Your just a Section slut, Nikita.... That's why Michael liked you before he reformed himself... and you forced him into having a child with you.... It isn't a shock that a man that runs a strip club would like your long legs and blonde hair," Sonora sweetly smiled out as she wrinkled her nose at Nikita. She started to rub her stomach and smiled again at Nikita, trying to make the point that she was now the one with the baby.

"What's a strip club?" Maralah questioned and Nikita looked to Maralah and felt the tears on her face.

"Never mind... Enjoy your dinner... It's clear that I'm not wanted here..." Nikita stated as she turned and left the room. Mick sighed as he turned in his chair and watched Nikita open the doors to the outside patio. She circled around the pond that was out there and settled on the opposite end, with her back to the party. She stood up and opened the doors on the opposite side of the pond and found herself in the small room that she often would sit in.

~~

The tears finally flowed freely. It was the stress of everything. Tonight was not about the show that she was putting on with Mick. Tonight was about Birkoff and Alsena having everyone together, knowing that everyone was happily awaiting their wedding the next day.

The act had to continue in order to make everything work. But most of it wasn't acting. Mick was a sweetheart in the core, something that it was clear that Madeline didn't expect. Nikita hated the whispering at the end of the table and then there was Sonora.

Nikita couldn't believe that Michael had to bring her along. In fact, Nikita couldn't remember the last time that she had seen Michael without Sonora around. It was terrible.

Then add the words of Sonora's on, and it plunged Nikita emotionally somewhere that she didn't want to be. All the times that Nikita had battled back, the odds never seemed as strict and as hard as the ones she was facing now.

But revenge would come. Even if Nikita's entire well-being got killed during the way.

Nikita heard the door softly click behind her. She didn't want to talk to Mick right now. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to pull herself together and get ready for the wedding. It was going to be a long day ahead of her yet. More time with Sonora hanging onto Michael.

"Mick... I don't want to talk about it..." Nikita stated as she rubbed her fingers across her forehead. She didn't look back. She dropped her head further, believing that it was Mick behind her.

She should have looked back.

"I can't believe that he is with her... that he brought her here, Mick... I guess I never really mattered," Nikita stated as she started to cry again with the words. She had the hardest difficulty thinking that she didn't matter to Michael. For so many years Nikita was sure that she really was something inside of Michael's life that he wanted to protect.

"You know, Mick... I used to think that I have been through the worst of it... I had a pregnancy that Michael was barely there for... and then I had a baby and a house... and no one in it... It was so empty... and I was so scared..." Nikita cried out as she rubbed her shoulders, not finding much comfort with her own hands.

But it wasn't Mick that was standing behind her. It was Michael.

The tears rolled down his face. He was frozen with fear of what Nikita would do when she found out that he was standing behind her. It was quite obvious that Nikita felt that she was speaking to Mick, that their relationship had moved onto a level where Nikita could tell him anything without fear.

"But now... even with you, Mick.... I sit at that table... with people who are supposed to care of me... and they did nothing... Madeline sat back and watched it like a tennis match... Michael.. he was worried about Sonora eating... Birkoff, just wanted to get home for his wedding... And with all of them around... and my daughter sitting next to me... I never felt so alone in my entire life," Nikita admitted as she slipped off of the chair and onto the floor with a bang. It did never even caused a break in the tears that cascaded down her face like a flood-swollen waterfall.

"Nikita..." Michael finally whispered as he bent down and touched her shoulders. He saw Nikita turn around in fright and try to move away. She just didn't have the fight any longer.

"How can I help?" Michael whispered. There were no words of sadness and regretfulness.

Michael didn't even mutter I'm sorry for the actions that he had participated in. Nikita stared at Michael and shook her head back and forth.

"How can you help? Do you really want to know?" Nikita questioned as she stared at him, as her mind linked the events and tried to figure out how this influenced what was happening with her plan. Michael nodded his head up and down, with tears sparkling in his own eyes.

"Get out of my life, Michael. Be there for Sonora, but don't pretend to be here for me," Nikita stated firmly, even with the signs of her weakness, her tears, rolling down her face. The door cracked behind the two and Mick stood there. He looked to Michael as he pulled his hand away from Nikita as if caught by fire.

"I was going to serve desert... Thought you would want some Nikita... It's chocolate..." Mick stated and Nikita swung her head back and forth as Michael pushed through the doorway and light. Nikita looked to Mick and dropped her head again.

*

Mick pushed the door to his apartment open as he supported Nikita in his arms. It was a difficult task and he felt the weight of Nikita pushing on his body. The door swung open in time for Mick to move forward, pulling Nikita with him.

"Come on... You need to sleep... The wedding is tomorrow..." Mick stated as he looked towards the door. His hands were full. Nikita needed to be in bed before he could turn back for the door. It was that simple.

"No... no... I'll go home... I'll get a cab..." Nikita stated out wearily as she attempted to pull away from Mick. Mick shook his head and held onto Nikita firmly as he stumbled forward. Nikita's body was presenting a challenge for Mick to maneuver, but he didn't care if it took all night. Nikita was getting into that bed.

"Nikita... you had a panic attack in the car... you took medicine... I can't let you go home by yourself... You got to pull yourself together for the wedding tomorrow," Mick warned as he finally reached the stairs. He paused to take a breath and to look at Nikita. Tears were rolling down her face as she shook her head back and forth.

The panic attack in the car wasn't too severe, but it scared the bee-gibers out of Mick. He pulled over to the side of the road and started to search Nikita's purse for the medicine. She held her head down as she screamed. Mick didn't know what she was screaming about and was pleased when he found the pill.

He assisted Nikita to stick her tongue out in order to allow the medicine to dissolve on the tongue. That way, the medicine started to take effect more quickly. In other, more controlled situations, she had taken a half of a pill. But in extreme cases, being on the side of the road being one of such situations, Mick administered the entire pill, knowing that the only additional side effects would be some drowsiness.

He didn't tell Nikita where he learned about panic attacks. She just nodded her head when he told her after her doctor's appointment. Nikita didn't need to know about the girl in the strip club with panic attacks.

Now, Nikita continued to shake her head, although it was difficult for her eyes to stay open. Mick turned and started to back his way up the stairs, tugging at Nikita's body as he went. It would have been nice if Nikita would have concentrated on the stairs rather than shaking her head back and forth.

"It's your bed... I'll take the couch... that's all I deserve..." Nikita muttered out and Mick felt his heart expand once more. She was starting to belittle herself. That was common right after the first panic attacks, but not now. Mick worried that this was only one attack of many to follow.

And panic attacks and weddings don't mix.

"No, Nikita... You need a pillow... and a real bed... I won't have you out on the couch all night," Mick stated as he finally made the landing and turned for the bed. He settled Nikita on the edge of the bed before dashing down the stairs to close the door.

When Mick turned around, he found Nikita laying on her side on the bed, crying as her eyes slowly started to shut. She was so tired, due to the terrible night and the medicine. Mick couldn't stand the thought that they had to go through it all again tomorrow.

He didn't think that anything good was going to happen. They would be lucky if Sonora didn't try to trip Nikita as she walked down the aisle as the Maid of Honor. Sonora hated Nikita that much.

Mick turned off the main lights and moved towards the bedroom, noting that Nikita had already slumped into dreamland. Mick pulled her shoes off and pulled her feet up onto the bed. He moved Nikita around, rearranging her so she could comfortably fit on the bed.

"Oh, Nikita..." Mick whispered as he pulled a sheet up and over her body. She was still in the dress that she had worn, but Mick knew better than to remove it. He would have an operative to pick up Nikita's items for the wedding in the morning and bring them over. He hoped that Nikita would sleep well all night and deep into the morning. Sleep was one of the best things to help Nikita now.

And hopefully it would be peaceful too.

~~

Nikita opened the door to the church. She looked around. She didn't remember this church. In fact, she didn't even remember where she was exactly and what for. There was chattering in the church and Nikita noticed many of the operatives that she knew and worked with.

Davenport was standing at the end of the church, dressed in a tuxedo. Nikita shook her head. She thought that Michael was the best man. Nikita looked down at herself and slipped into the back row, feeling as if she was oddly out of place.

The music started up and Nikita looked around. She didn't see Birkoff anywhere. Nor did she seen Alsena, Calantha, or Madeline. She shook her head once more, as the pounding got louder and louder.

Michael appeared at the front of the church. Nikita stared at him. He was standing where Birkoff was supposed to be standing.

THIS WAS MICHAEL'S WEDDING!

Nikita looked to her hand and saw the empty finger. It was always her dream that through all the tortures and pains that Section One made them jump around, that they would get married. The one man that loved her would be hers.

Then the thought occurred to Nikita. If Michael wasn't marrying her, whom was he marrying?

Nikita turned to see Maralah stepping out in a white dress. The dresses for the wedding were pink, but Nikita remembered, this wasn't Birkoff's wedding. She wanted to know what happened. When did all of this happen?

"Mommy... Am I doing this right?" Maralah stopped as she dropped a few rose petals on the floor and turned back. Nikita opened her mouth. Maralah only had one mother. Nikita was her mother.

"You are doing good!" Nikita stated, but her words were unheard. Nikita turned as she looked at where her daughter was looking.

There was the very pregnant Sonora, dressed in white, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands. Walter was by her side, escorting her down the aisle to give her away to Michael. And Maralah had just called her mommy!

"You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Maralah... You are mommy's best girl..." Sonora sweetly stated as she smiled at Maralah. Maralah nodded her head.

"You are the better mommy, Mommy," Maralah stated as she turned around and continued down to the front of the church as Nikita felt the burning tears rolling down her face. She couldn't believe that this was happening.

"Walter! How can you let her talk like that about me! I am Maralah's mother!" Nikita yelled as she stepped in front of Walter and Sonora as they waited their turns. Walter didn't even look towards Nikita.

"Sonora... you are like the daughter that I never had.... Walking you down the aisle... makes my heart swell with happiness and joy... I am honored that you care for me..." Walter stated as he patted Sonora's hand. Sonora smiled and placed Walter's hand on her stomach as she kissed him lightly.

"That's why Michael and I decided to give our son your name... because you are the best thing that ever happened to us... Especially me, Daddy," Sonora whispered back as Walter's hand jumped with the vibration of a kick from the baby. Nikita blinked her eyes again, shaking her head back and forth.

"NO! Walter! Not hurt! I want to be your daughter! Why are you turning away from me?" Nikita screamed at him as she tried to get Walter to look at her. He didn't even turn to look at her. Nikita wondered what she had done to deserve this. She didn't think that it had gotten this bad.

"Sonora... you are the most amazing woman I know... I am so glad that you saved me from the darkness..." Walter stated as they started to walk down the aisle. Nikita stepped out behind them, finding it difficult that this was happening.

And no one noticed her.

"Sonora..." Michael whispered out as he grabbed her hands and held them into his. Nikita shook her head back and forth. She couldn't believe that this was happening.

"I love you, Sonora... I used to think that the best day in my life was when Maralah was born... but today... I finally start life..." Michael spoke and the entire room applauded Michael's words. Nikita turned around in a circle. She finally saw Madeline and Calantha sitting in the front row, crying in happiness.

"YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS! MICHAEL LOVES ME!" Nikita screamed to Madeline, but like Walter, Madeline just continued to watch Sonora.

"No need for the ceremony... I love her with my heart and soul.... and everyone here knows it..." Michael announced to the priest. Michael had already slipped the rings onto Sonora's finger as the tears rolled down her face. Nikita turned around and slammed her foot down.

"I CARE! I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!" Nikita shouted and Michael turned around. It was the first time that someone even noticed that she was there. Then Sonora turned around and looked at Nikita.

"I never loved you, Nikita... You are the Section tramp... off of the streets... to do the same job..." Michael declared as he held Sonora's hand in his. Michael made a production of kissing the hand before shaking his head in disappointment at Nikita. "I don't know why you think that I would come down in class to be with you. Surely you think too highly of yourself..."

"WHAT! Michael! I had your child!" Nikita screamed and Sonora rolled her eyes.

"Surely the biggest mistake of his life," Sonora retorted and Michael nodded his head, agreeing with Sonora.

"You are street trash, Nikita... We should have never picked you up... You couldn't be recycled to be used again... Street trash..." Michael hissed out and Sonora nodded her head.

"Street trash..." Sonora echoed and soon it traveled around the room. Nikita looked around as the priest pronounced Michael and Sonora husband and wife.

And there was Maralah. She looked at Nikita and grinned evilly. "Street trash."

~~

"Come on Nikita... wake up..." Mick struggled against Nikita's arm. She was yelling and thrashing around in the bed. He was sure that Nikita was going to hurt herself.

Her screams were loud and filled with pain. Mick didn't know what she was dreaming about, but Mick was sure that it wasn't good.

Mick ducked as Nikita's arm flared towards him like there was a rocket attached to the wrist. Mick opened one eye at a time, as there were no more screams.

But there were tears.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mick questioned and Nikita shook her head back and forth. Mick nodded his head. He was just pleased that Nikita had woken up and the dream had ceased.

"I'll get out on the couch..." Mick stated as he stood up. He was ready to leave when he felt his hand being tugged back. Mick turned and looked at Nikita, seeing the thousands of tears running down her face.

"Don't leave me..." Nikita whispered and Mick nodded his head. He settled back down next to the bed and stroked Nikita's cheek carefully. He wouldn't leave her.

Unlike everyone else inside of Section One.

*

The pale pink roses were so tiny and so delicate. Nikita's fingers lightly touched the carefully placed and designed flowers in the bouquet in her hand. No one else was in the hallway with her. She was all by herself, waiting for the wedding to commence, knowing that she had to stay calm and collected during the entire thing.

Her hair was carefully pulled up with ringlets of hair spiraling down towards her neck. Her fingers were eloquently airbrushed with hearts and roses on each nail. The prim and proper Nikita that hadn't been seen in a long time had arrived for the wedding.

Michael entered the hallway and stopped as he looked at Nikita. At first, he had cringed when Madeline informed Michael that the dresses were pink. He had images of a pink that made Nikita look dead, but this pink dress, with the soft silk that hung delicately at Nikita's curves, was perfect. Not too dark and not to light. It was the exact shade of the pink of the roses that Nikita idly played with right now.

She was stunning and Michael felt his heart catch for the first time since last night. He found it difficult to find any words to stay to Nikita. The woman that should be his wife.

He had just left Maralah with Walter, seeking to find Nikita. His daughter was a vision also. Nikita for the longest time claimed that Maralah looked like Michael. Yes, she had dark hair and green eyes that sometimes turned gray, but from a distance, she was more like Nikita. She had an aura around herself that was exactly like Nikita's. It was like viewing a ballerina that was perfect, but also a ballerina that was afraid to go on.

"You look stunning," Michael whispered as he moved closer to Nikita. He had to say something and Nikita turned and looked at Michael. Instantly, the same thought came to Nikita's mind. Michael always had a way to fill in a tuxedo perfectly. He often took her heart away with one look. Again, that was the feeling that Nikita was having.

"It's just a bridesmaid dress," Nikita commented as she blushed shyly as she turned her head to the side. She was struggling to get through this day and she didn't plan on having Michael act like the human being he once was.

"You look great, Nikita," Michael stated again, knowing how hard it was for Nikita to believe such things. She turned her head again and Michael pressed his hands together. He knew not to push this subject for the fear of alienating Nikita once more.

Fear of last night had drove Mick to doing something that he did not want to do. Mick had informed Madeline about the panic attack and the ensuing dream. Of course, Nikita never discussed the details of the dream, but it had clearly frightened Nikita. Madeline ran to Michael. Michael had listened to the entire story before Madeline stopped and noted whom she was talking too.

Michael knew Nikita the best. It had always been that way. Even now, with Nikita isolating herself away from him.

"How are you feeling? Madeline told me about last night..." Michael questioned as he reached out and touched Nikita's shoulder. He stared at Nikita as she looked at his hand on her shoulder and did not pull away as if Michael had slapped her. Nikita looked at the hand and weakly smiled.

"I'm doing fine, Michael," Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head as he started to pull the hand away. He had gotten what he needed from Nikita and it felt odd to touch Nikita's shoulder and do nothing more than that.

It must have been the day that was getting to both of them, Michael decided as he stood there near Nikita. They were still so connected even though both of them were trying to do what Madeline often suggested.

Move on.

"Maralah looks beautiful... although she doesn't wish that this was Birkoff's and Alsena's wedding," Michael stated, trying to carry on a conversation with Nikita. Nikita pulled her eyes away from the flowers and looked at Michael. She knew exactly what Maralah was wishing for. She wanted her mother to be happy again. She wanted to live with her mother. She wanted her mother to marry Michael.

"It should have been our wedding, Michael," Nikita commented and Michael dropped his head. That was the same thing that kept him up all last night. Now he knew why there was a panic attack and a nightmare. This was about Nikita getting further and further away from what she wanted.

"I would marry you any time and anywhere Nikita, if given the chance... Right now," Michael stated firmly as he touched Nikita's shoulder again. Nikita swallowed and blinked her eyes, trying not to let the tears slip out of her eyes.

"You have Sonora now, Michael," Nikita stated with a soft whisper that floated off in the air like it was never said. Nikita blinked her eyes as she looked at Michael and started to doubt that she ever said the words. She felt what was going between herself and Michael, but she couldn't give into it.

"I would marry you any time and anywhere Nikita, if given the chance... Right now... tomorrow... three years from now... You are who I want to marry.. It is us that should be walking down the aisle.. We should have done it years ago, Nikita..." Michael declared as he looked at Nikita, knowing that Nikita was nearing tears. Nikita turned her head to the side before pulling her body away from Michael.

"We don't have that opportunity any longer Michael," Nikita stated to the wall before turning back to look at Michael. "It was a dream we once had... we once shared... that is all that it can be..."

"Dreams come true, Nikita..." Michael informed Nikita as he felt his own tears forming at his eyes. He looked to Nikita as she smiled and nodded her head.

"I know, Michael... I know..." Nikita stated as Alsena turned the corner. Nikita backed away from Michael and sought out a mirror to make sure that she hadn't started to cry.

"Please don't forget that..." Michael whispered as he looked over his shoulder and looked to Alsena. The bride was beautiful, but nothing like Nikita was. He looked over at Nikita and dropped his head.

There was something still there. There had to be because his love for Nikita hadn't left yet. There just was a wall and Michael now worried that he would never find a way to break through that wall. But if he couldn't break through the wall, he was prepared to scale it and get to Nikita.

She was his love.

~~

Nikita found it difficult to stand at the ceremony without looking around. She wanted to play with the flowers or anything in order to get her mind off of things that she told herself she wasn't allowed to think about. She was so far away from Mick, who had been her savior in this difficult plan of hers many times over.

Michael was right across the aisle from her and Nikita just wanted to look at him once. She told herself not to, but Nikita's growing obsession to look was based off of the love that was still inside of her. She didn't want Birkoff's wedding to be ruined by another panic attack took over her body.

Nikita glanced over to Michael while the priest continued on with his long speech. Nikita dropped her head slightly afterwards, to see that her fingers were playing with the empty finger, rubbing where the rings that Michael had given to her. The place that was empty now for many many months.

Nikita lifted her head as the priest prompted Birkoff to move forward and take the ring from Michael. It was like half of the ceremony was done and Nikita forgot it all. She glanced to Maralah, who was being a perfect angel and then she glanced at Madeline and Calantha as they both tried to hide the tears of joy.

Those were supposed to be tears for when Michael married Nikita. Nikita knew it. Michael knew it. Everyone in the church knew it.

"Before our friends and those so special to us here..." Birkoff started to speak the beautiful vows that he had found with Alsena. Nikita turned her head finally and saw Michael. His green eyes were looking at Nikita and she couldn't move any longer. She wanted to run into his arms. She wanted to marry him right now.

"On this wonderful day of gladness and good fortune, I Seymour take you Alsena as my wife, in friendship and in love, in strength and weakness, to share the good times and misfortune, in achievement and failure, to celebrate life with you forevermore," Birkoff spoke out as he held Alsena's hand. Nikita didn't even notice it. She heard the words as she stared at Michael, so far away from her.

But they both felt so close right now. It was like Michael was standing next to her, touching her shoulder once more. The love had wrapped around them in this moment and there was nothing that Nikita could do to tear her head away from Michael.

"With this ring," Birkoff stated as he slipped the perfect diamond ring on Alsena's finger, pressing it down next to the engagement ring. "I thee wed."

Nikita looked at Michael as he stared at her back. It was like his eyes were saying the words that Birkoff had just stated to Nikita. He felt the connection. He felt that Nikita loved him back. Michael realized how close he was to her once more.

He didn't want to lose that.

Alsena turned to Nikita for the ring. Nikita blinked her eyes. She pulled the ring out and handed it to Alsena, but her eyes weren't on the bride. They continued to look at Michael as he just smiled at Nikita, knowing that this moment, between them was private and unseen.

"Before our friends and those so special to us here, on this wonderful day of gladness and good fortune, I Alsena take you Seymour as my husband, in friendship and in love, in strength and weakness, to share the good times and misfortune, in achievement and failure, to celebrate life with you forevermore," Alsena spoke with a strong voice as tears ran down her face. The tears went unnoticed between Michael and Nikita. Nikita felt her heart jump as Michael mouthed the word forevermore along with Alsena. Nikita wanted to drop down all of flowers and all of the fights and launch herself at Michael, telling him of her love for him.

But she couldn't. It might be forevermore, but just not right now.

But in time. Nikita knew in time that it would happen. It had to, because dreams did come true.

~~

Birkoff and Alsena happily swayed on the dance floor of the hotel. For Nikita, she felt that this day was going to go on forever. Dinner was two hours away. Another six to eight hours of celebration followed that. Nikita looked to Mick and was pleased that he was smart enough to reserve rooms all day so that Nikita could take a rest if she needed one. Without the good night sleep last night, Nikita was feeling tired and worn down quickly.

"It was a beautiful wedding, don't you think?" Mick questioned as he held Nikita's waist tightly. Dancing with Nikita for Mick was a challenge. Her height often played havoc on the shorter man. He often found himself with his head down on Nikita's shoulder when he felt that it should be the other way around. He was a modern man, but he still felt that the woman should lean on her man, no matter what.

And it didn't matter that all of this was for show and a plan. Nikita shouldn't be taking the lead either.

So they often fought silently when they danced in the slow nature that was occurring now. Birkoff had requested for a ton of romantic songs to be played right now. Nikita looked around and smiled. Walter was waiting for the fun songs to come on. Nikita was sure that the place would finally be hopping after dinner and the old disco hits would finally be allowed to be played.

The song came to the end and Mick, for one, was thankful. Nikita might be delicate looking, but her feet were big and heavy. He couldn't believe he was going to have to dance all night like this. His feet were going to be black and blue.

"May I have this dance?" Michael questioned as he moved to the couple. Mick looked to Michael and stepped away. Nikita was clearly upset that Mick was allowing this to happen, but Mick was thankful. He was going to go sit and rest his feet.

The music started and Michael and Nikita started to dance as if two robots joined at the hands. Nikita looked around, trying to avoid Michael's eyes. The images of the wedding were too fresh in Nikita's mind to forget or give no influence to her actions.

"Nikita... you are all tense... relax please..." Michael exhorted Nikita as he lightly tried to move in closer to Nikita. The song was meant for a snuggle and a sway. Nikita looked around and moved in slightly. Her face stared at Michael as he wrapped his arm around Nikita's waist, glad to have her closer where he could feel her. Touch her.