"It's been too long..." Michael whispered and Nikita looked out to the side, trying to deny what Michael was talking about. She knew that Michael was talking about holding her at all.

"We can dance anytime Michael," Nikita stated carefully, trying not to show that she knew what Michael felt. Michael stared at her and ran a hand to her bare neck.

"Please... don't deny that you feel this... I know you too well, Kita..." Michael whispered as he swayed his hips, finding Nikita matching it so quickly and so easily. Their bodies knew each other perfectly and Nikita chewed on her bottom lip.

"There will always be something Michael..." Nikita whispered back, knowing full well that she couldn't deny that. She had to give Michael something. Even if it was just for hope. He deserved that.

"Is there something still there? Please say yes, Nikita... It is the only thing getting me through this..." Michael whispered as he rubbed at Nikita's neck, feeling the tension that was there. Nikita blinked her eyes and looked around the room. She couldn't be caught now. She had worked so hard on everything.

"I'm doing this for us, Michael... We need to be whole people... not half of people..." Nikita echoed out the words that Madeline often stated to her. The words that started to move everything. The plans to find her life, but also to take it back at the same time. Michael stared at Nikita and swallowed.

"I don't care what kind of person I am, Nikita... As long as I have you... I can live..." Michael declared and again, Nikita felt her heart lurch. It was happening too much today and Nikita cleared her throat.

"So... what is for dinner again?" Nikita questioned as she pulled away a little bit from Michael, but notably, Michael had a tight grasp on Nikita's body.

"Nikita... don't change the subject..." Michael declared and Nikita leaned her head back and felt the ensuing headache again. It was difficult to do all of this.

Michael must have noticed it. His fingers that had been lightly scuffing the surface of Nikita's body, were now rubbing, giving a miniature massage, something that Nikita needed badly. Michael waited as he stared into Nikita's eyes.

"Please... Michael... it has to be this way... Don't make this hard... Let's enjoy this dance..." Nikita tried to bargain with Michael. She didn't want this dance to be anymore difficult than it had been. Michael nodded his head as he sighed.

"One condition... you dance with me as we used too..." Michael stated and Nikita looked at Michael as he held his hand up. That was years ago. More than a decade ago that they started that. Nikita felt the tears rolling down her face again. Michael remembered it. He remembered it all and it made it so much more difficult to turn away from him.

Nikita lifted her hand to Michael's. Their fingertips touched lightly and Nikita felt a blaze get set afire on her hand and throughout her body. She looked at Michael as he stared at her hand. She knew what he was trying to do. He was putting all of his emotions and love into his movements around Nikita's hand. Nikita choked a gasp as he looked up to stare into Nikita's eyes.

Slowly their hand pressed together and Michael's fingers slipped in-between Nikita's. The heat was growing between them as Michael moved his hands around and lightly grazed his fingertips against the palm of Nikita's hand, making her shiver.

"Michael... I can't... please..." Nikita murmured as her eyes stared at Michael. She didn't want to cry. Not now. Not with hours left to the reception of the wedding of her great friend.

"Come here..." Michael whispered as he saw how difficult that this was for Nikita, added with the fact that she wasn't going to give into Michael's ministrations. Michael pulled her into his body and placed her head down on his shoulder. He felt the ragged breath as Nikita settled in there. Her hands wrapped around his body as she closed her eyes.

For these few rare moments, Nikita was home. She was somewhere that she ached to be, but they weren't free. The charges. The lies. The manipulations. They all needed to be turned away. For Nikita to find comfort on his shoulder, she needed to clear the air, make things right.

Then she could be home.

The song ended and Nikita pulled away from Michael as Mick approached. Michael touched Nikita's cheek with his index finger. She knew that Michael wanted to kiss her. She wanted to kiss him. But it wasn't meant to be. Nikita turned away and looked at Mick.

"I need a nap..." Nikita stated and Mick nodded his head. He had watched Michael and Nikita. He didn't know if the others hand. If they had, they would have sworn the same thing that Mick had.

They would have thought that Michael and Nikita was the couple that just got married.

*

"I gave Maralah the other key... I know you don't think she is old enough... but she may get tired and want to get to her own room..." Mick explained as he opened the hotel door and smiled at Nikita. Nikita tried to smile as she moved towards the bed with a slight moan from her mouth.

Mick turned and closed the door. He looked at the window, as it was still light out, but after being locked in the ballroom for so long, it didn't seem like it should still be light out. Birkoff was having a blow out to end all blowouts. It was perhaps the first time that Section One had been able to embrace the freedom that Nikita helped them gain and they all were going well overboard.

"I asked Birkoff to save us some food... although I don't think that is going to be a problem..." Mick commented as he pulled off the tie around his neck and he pulled at his jacket. He turned to look to Nikita as he blindly placed the jacket on the chair. Mick personally would be changing out of the monkey suit during this stay in the room. Nikita also had something to change into.

"I'm not very hungry," Nikita admitted as she lifted her hand and tried to rub her neck. It felt as if the spot that Michael had touched was tightening up. Nikita felt the stress building and building inside of her.

"You are hurting...." Mick stated as he moved towards the bed and reached around to rub at Nikita's neck. He looked at her as she blinked her eyes away from his. She didn't want Mick to see her. "I saw you dancing with Michael.... You still love him a lot, right?"

Nikita looked up at Mick and swallowed. She couldn't think of telling Mick that. He had helped her out through thick and thin and it couldn't have been easy. Nikita moaned again as Mick's hands rubbed at her neck.

"I don't want to talk about it, Mick," Nikita warned and Mick pulled his hands away. He moved to the closet, which he had placed a lot of items, including six possible dresses for Nikita to wear back to the reception. He had to do something. There were still hours left of the entire celebration and if she was gone too long, someone was bound to notice.

"Nikita... why don't I give you a massage... You are incredibly tense and you need to appear relax and calm," Mick emphasized as he pulled out the oil and held it out to Nikita. She looked at Mick. The look on her face almost said no until she forced a smile.

"It might help me to relax. You are right, Mick," Nikita stated as she stood up and quickly slipped out of her dress. She looked to Mick and pulled a sheet free, covering her front from Mick. "Now... you are on your honor... Remember I am an operative..."

"Hell yes, I remember. With one well-placed kick you can make me a woman... I REMEMBER!" Mick stated loudly as he pushed Nikita towards her stomach. Nikita leaned her head to the side and watched Mick's movements.

"Michael used to give me massages..." Nikita commented out of nowhere. Mick knew that it was important, but he wasn't going to stop his own words to find out what was going on. For Mick, doing both tasks at once was going to be difficult.

"He is a good man, Nikita," Mick commented and Nikita sleepily rolled her eyes. Mick touched her neck and started to work at the muscles. He looked to the side and tried to judge Nikita by the gestures on her face.

"You are a good man, Mick... Michael... is something else..." Nikita tried to explain. Mick raised an eyebrow and slightly slipped off of the bed. He continued to rub Nikita's neck, but he was clearly watching Nikita's face now and letting her know that he was there.

"I saw you on the dance floor, Nikita.... You love him... he loves you... Maybe it is time for this to end... For you two to get back together..." Mick offered as a solution. Nikita closed her eyes. It was like Mick's words were laced with fire. She didn't want to hear anything like that. She just wanted to run away from him at that moment, but was so tired.

"Mick..." Nikita stated as she closed her eyes and then opened it. Mick tilted his head to the side and stared at Nikita.

"Don't deny it. I have known you for how many years? How long did I hear you and Michael going at it in the apartment next to mine? I know you... I am even confident enough to say that I know some things about Michael... He loves you... You can't run from that...." Mick firmly clarified for Nikita. She looked at Mick, like she was going to accept his words.

But there was the plan. That was something that was stopping Nikita from being on the dance floor with Michael this moment. She was up to something, but she only allowed Mick to know enough to aid her. He didn't know enough to understand it.

"He has Sonora... she is going to have his child, Mick... I'm the odd person out..." Nikita informed Mick of her opinions. Mick shook his head back and forth. He didn't believe it for a second. Not after seeing them on the dance floor. What Nikita and Michael had was magic and that magic continued to show itself whenever they were together. "Let's drop the subject."

Mick continued to rub Nikita's back, rubbing and rubbing. She never did relax. Mick knew it was just one symptom of something bigger in her life. The absence of Michael, no matter how well Nikita acted that it wasn't bothering her, was eating her away, emotionally and physically.

~~

Mick was inside of the bathroom, washing up before placing his new outfit on. He didn't want to get the oil that he had used on Nikita's back onto the brand new silk outfit he was going to put on. It was classic Mick style and once he had seen the outfit in the store, he had to have it.

There was a matching dress too. He hoped that Nikita would wear it.

Mick turned off the water from the sink and looked out towards the room. He thought he had heard something. Nikita was still asleep on the bed and Mick smiled. He wondered if Maralah had come to change or anything.

"Maralah.. be quiet... your mother is still sleeping..." Mick started to say as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He moved out of the room and turned.

He didn't find Maralah there, staring at Nikita's almost naked body, covered with just a white sheet.

It was Michael.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know..." Michael started to stutter as he looked from Mick to Nikita. Mick looked at Michael, very confused about what was going on.

"Why are you here?" Mick questioned and Michael looked at Mick and started to back towards the door. Mick had never seen Michael shaken like he was now.

"This isn't a good time... I was just... never mind..." Michael stated as he opened the door and closed it as he left. Mick walked to the doorway and opened it. He observed as Michael sprinted further down the hallway and Mick frowned. He didn't know what was going on.

"The least you can do is put some clothes on..." an elderly woman spoke as she passed the room and looked to Mick. Mick looked down and sighed.

That mustn't have looked good.

When Mick turned and entered the room, he saw Nikita and saw that you couldn't tell that she was wearing her bra and underwear still. Mick closed his eyes and ran his hands over his baldhead.

This wasn't good. Michael must have thought something very lewd. Of course it was something that the old Mick would have noticed and commented on right away, but Nikita, somehow was rubbing off on him.

"Nikita... Moi amante... You got to wake up..." Mick commented as he moved back to the bathroom. He looked at Nikita, who didn't even stir. He closed the door and decided to get dressed before trying to wake her again.

He had a mess to explain.

~~

"Maralah must have given him the key," Nikita stated as she was settled on the bed. Mick was pacing back and forth in the carpet in front of Nikita. His silk pants, decorated in right golds and oranges, shimmered, but made no noise as he moved. His shirt matched the pants, shiny in color.

"I guess so... I don't think he would have picked it..." Mick nastily. Nikita looked to Mick and sighed.

"My bag you brought in today... Where is it?" Nikita questioned and Mick turned and stopped. He then just stared at Nikita. Nikita tilted her head to the side, not liking the look that Mick had given her. She was at first very upset that Mick didn't clear up this misunderstanding right away. But now, Nikita's plan was plotting ahead, and didn't know why Mick had stopped. "What is it, Mick?"

"You don't need to snap," Mick commented firmly as he turned around and ran his hands over his head again. Nikita was sick of that movement.

"I want to know what you are thinking and why you are so defensive!" Nikita shouted. She took a deep breath and leaned her head back. Mick looked to Nikita and grabbed the bag. He heaved it up onto the end of the bed as Nikita looked around for the robe.

"I was just hoping that you would wear the matching dress to my outfit... I never buy you clothes... and it was just a fleeting fancy.. but I'm sure that you have something better to wear..." Mick rattled on as Nikita pulled on the robe and stood up. She stopped and turned to stare at Mick. She was thinking something entirely different and Nikita grinned.

She had missed that long and ranting Mick. Although Mick was turning out to be a great guy, sometimes, Nikita needed to have that old Mick there.

"I'm going to wear it, Mick... I need the bag for something else... For another favor I need of you..." Nikita commented as she rounded the bed and pulled at the dress in question. It was the exact same pattern as Mick's and Nikita smiled.

It would accent her beautifully. She loved the feel of silk and it surely would make them as a couple look more sexual. Undoubtedly, the outfits would only confirm Michael's suspicions and misconceptions about what happened in the room.

"Well.. what's in the bag? You have a terrible thing with timing. You start one topic and then go to get dress... I will never understand you!" Mick whined as he turned to watch Nikita moving towards the bathroom.

"There is a small box on the top.... I need you to get it and look at the item inside of it... I'll be right out..." Nikita stated as she turned and entered the bathroom. Mick watched as the door closed and sighed.

He didn't know why everyday things had to be like spy games with Nikita. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. Mick pulled the zipper down and found the box that Mick believed that Nikita was speaking about. It looked like it was from a jeweler. Mick raised an eyebrow as he moved over to the small table and to some light.

Mick found out soon that there was another box within the first box that he had pulled out. He felt his heart start to race as he touched the soft box that indicated that it was jewelry of some sorts. Mick popped the lid open and started.

He couldn't form words. For once, Mick was pleased that he was sitting down.

The bathroom door popped open and Nikita emerged. She was stunning, but Mick couldn't look at her. He looked down at the ring and then motioned to it again. Mick's head shook back and forth.

"This is going to far..." Mick commented as he stared at Nikita. Nikita looked to the window and sighed.

"It needs to be done, Mick... Please...." Nikita begged out. He was telling himself to be strong, that he knew what was best for Nikita, and that was Michael. He wanted to be strong to end this game. But that voice. That beg, was the undoing of Mick.

"Look... popsicle... I don't think that this is good..." Mick stated and Nikita shrugged her shoulders.

"You aren't an operative, Mick... I just need your help with this..." Nikita forced out and Mick looked into her eyes. He could tell that this was paining Nikita also. He leaned his head back and sighed.

"Michael is going to kill me... if he isn't going to kill me because he thinks he caught us after the passionate love he thinks we made... I'm not an operative... I know that... That makes me on the extinction list... and Michael is going to wipe me out in a matter of minutes!" Mick declared, fearing for his life. The wraith of Michael was something that no one ever wanted to be involved with.

"He won't hurt you... He thinks that you make me happy, which you do... And he won't hurt the person he believes I love... This is perfect..." Nikita stated and Mick pressed his lips together.

He was going to regret this.

~~

Nikita and Mick's arrival back at the reception was noted. First, they first made a pass at the buffet table. Michael motioned for them to eat at the table next to him. Nikita smiled and nodded her head.

Michael never said anything, but he sure watched them. Nikita looked over to Mick at the end and wrapped her hands into Mick's.

"Thank you for taking care of me," Nikita stated and Mick nodded his head as he stood up and motioned for Nikita to come with him. Nikita was surprised. Mick was backing down on something the he promised to do, against his own beliefs.

"Mick... what are we doing?" Nikita questioned and Mick smiled as he dragged Nikita to the floor. He reached up and touched Nikita's cheek.

"The operatives need to see your pretty dress, Moi amante..." Mick stated and Nikita smiled as she looked at Mick. The dress was deadly once Nikita placed it on. It was tight on her body on the top and the skirt, would sway up if Nikita weren't careful.

Added were the shoes that Nikita had chosen to wear with the dress. It made Nikita tower over Mick, but it also put Mick level with Nikita's chest. Nikita smiled, as the music was more upbeat than before. She swayed lightly and danced around Mick. It was clearly easier to dance like this. Nikita knew if there were a slow dance, Mick's face would end up in her chest. She didn't want to drive over the edge.

"Wait here..." Mick stated as the song was about to end, almost an hour later. Nikita smiled as Birkoff moved towards Nikita. He looked up and down and whistled.

"Hey... you are married," Nikita joked and Birkoff grinned. He touched Nikita's arm and smiled.

"I'm glad that you are happy Nikita. God knows it has taken long enough..." Birkoff stated and Nikita nodded her head. Michael must have told Madeline what he believed he saw. He looked around and pointed to where Mick was, on the stage, with the DJ, with the microphone in hand. "What is he up to?"

"I haven't got the foggiest clue..." Nikita commented as she raised an eyebrow. What her mind told her was that this was not just going to be an announcement for Michael and company. It was going to be for everyone.

The song ended and the lights turned on the stage. Mick grinned and waved to everyone.

"Look... I know that this is a wedding... but I had to say that this has been the best party that I have been too... Ever... and that includes the bachelor party that was at my strip club last night..." Mick joked out and the entire crowded roared with laugher, except the few that Nikita knew were watching Mick for other purposes.

"As you know... I have probably landed the best thing in my life.... Before her... it was just an endless string of birds and chicks... that just didn't soar... Nikita... come up here..." Mick stated as he pointed to Nikita. It was then that Nikita noticed that she was in the middle of the dance floor. Nikita weakly smiled as some of the operatives, who had a bit too much to drink, started to make the cat calls as she walked up to the stage.

"Nikita... I wanted to tell you in front of all these people... that you, Moi amante... make my life complete..." Mick stated as he reached out and took Nikita's hands. Nikita smiled and blushed in front of the group.

"I knew you for years... although we have only dated for... two months... but I know I want to have you in my life forever..." Mick stated as he bent to the ground on one knee. The entire crowd of operatives gasped as the movement as Nikita blinked her eyes.

It should have been Michael. It should have been about a real ring and a real love. It shouldn't have been Mick.

Still, Nikita felt the tears in her eyes. Mick had to have cared for her a lot in order to do all of this for her. She would always know that Mick was a friend that could be counted on.

"Looks like he is adding a new dancer into his club!" an operative hollered from the floor. Nikita nervously pushed her hair behind her ear, having allowed it to drop when she changed clothes.

"Nikita... Moi amante... Will you marry me?" Mick questioned as he produced the ring that had made his own heart stop. Nikita smiled and started to nod her head up and down slightly. Then she fully nodded her head as she reached for Mick. Mick stopped and placed the ring on her finger.

"KISS! KISS! KISS!" the rowdy operatives started to chant and Nikita bent down and kissed Mick deeply. The lights went off while they continued to kiss and the music started to play again. Nikita walked down the stairs and was met with Birkoff, Alsena, Maralah, and Walter. Birkoff and Alsena attacked Nikita together, declaring how happy they were. Maralah was jumping up and down as Mick tried to calm her down.

Walter looked around and then moved to Nikita. He bear hugged her and leaned into her ear.

"We are going to talk, sugar..." Walter graveled out, but on the outside, he seemed immensely happy about the turn of events. Nikita turned around as she linked her arm with Mick's. She looked to the corner and caught Madeline and Michael staring at her. She looked at Michael once more before moving with the crowd into the dance floor, celebrating the fact that there might be another wedding in the future.

*

Walter watched as the door stuck. Madeline had locked herself in. It had been a long night and now it was turning into a longer day after. She had turned pale at the reception when Michael went walked over to Nikita to congratulate her and Mick.

Walter didn't know what was going on. He didn't like the engagement. He thought that it was too soon for Nikita to be dating, let alone planning on marriage, but it was happening. The news, to all the other operatives, was seen as great. For a long time, Walter thought that Mick was just a really good guy helping out. He had accepted the relationship for what he had seen it as, a friendship. He didn't think that the kisses and hugs and pet names were truly real. He felt that they were part of something else.

What that something else was, Walter believed Madeline was involved with. Until now.

"Madeline... this isn't helping anyone!" Walter growled through the door as he tried to open it once more. He waited and finally the door slipped open. Had Birkoff been here, and not on his honeymoon, Walter would have just gotten the code off of Birkoff.

Walter entered the room and saw Madeline crying. He had never seen her like this. Her head was down and she was still in the outfit that she had worn the night before. It was clear that this had come to Madeline as a shock. And not a pleasant shock at it.

"Madeline... do you want to talk?" Walter offered as he pulled a chair closer to her. Madeline looked at Walter and rubbed stubbornly at her cheeks, trying to dry them from the tears.

"It's all my fault..." Madeline declared and Walter tilted his head to the side. He had an inkling of what Madeline was speaking about, but he couldn't be sure.

"What? I don't know what you are talking about..." Walter stated, but Madeline started to pull away. He leaned back and took Madeline's hands. "Look... I'm going to stay here until you talk..."

"I don't want Nikita marrying Mick!" Madeline whined out and Walter dropped his head. At least someone else was echoing exactly what he was thinking.

"I don't think it is going to happen, Madeline... Something is going on here..." Walter stated and Madeline's tears started to fall again. He didn't know what he had said this time. He stood up and moved to get Madeline a glass of water.

Madeline took the glass of water and sipped it lightly. She had appeared to pull her composure together, only to look at the picture of Michael, Nikita, and Maralah when Maralah was just born. They were a family. Madeline had helped it happen, but now Madeline had helped to pull it apart.

"Madeline... You need to talk..." Walter stated as his heart started to pound. Madeline knew something.

"Nikita... went to find a man because I told her that she needed to go on with her life... She went and found the first man and is going to marry him because I told her to forget Michael and to move on!" Madeline wailed and Walter sighed. He moved to Madeline's side and hugged her as he rocked back and forth. That wasn't what he was thinking when he was talking about something else going on. However, Madeline's words may have played into a bigger plan that Nikita was playing with.

"I think my sugar is up to something.... Her missions are running too smoothly..." Walter started to point out. He had noticed this one a few weeks back. He grabbed Madeline's hand as she was going to stand up and not listen to Walter's words.

"And the missions... that there is a possibility of us losing a signal... or a known blackout spot... Nikita always happens to get in those places or situations where we lose her and she suddenly reappears with a dead body or two... and basically no injuries?" Walter pointed out and Madeline looked at Walter. In fact, she studied him as she allowed her mind to mull over the possibilities of what Walter was giving her.

"Those things happen," Madeline commented and Walter nodded his head. He was willing to give Madeline that much. But he needed Madeline to believe where he was going with this. Nikita was up to something and he sure wanted to know what it was all about.

"Yes... but remember the mission that she got cut... On the leg..." Walter stated and Madeline nodded her head. She remembered how difficult it was for them to get Nikita to get treatment for the cut. She was a regular brat during that entire mission and the aftermath.

"OF course I do, Walter... I thought that Nikita was going to kill half of our medical staff..." Madeline retorted and Walter nodded his head. He looked around and sighed. He knew something that he had never told anyone and in ways, he felt that he was betraying Nikita in telling Madeline. But Madeline was running out of hope and in reality, Madeline may be the last hope between Michael and Nikita.

"She took a knife with her... I traded it for another one... Nikita didn't know... I ran DNA on it, Madeline... It was her own blood... Nikita cut herself..." Walter stated and Madeline stared at Walter as if he just said that nuclear warheads were launched towards them and there was nothing that could be done.

"Then why would Nikita need to do that?" Madeline questioned and Walter sighed. It was quite clear that Madeline was too emotionally attached to the situation to see clearly. She was only seeing one part of the situation.

"She could be building information up... In those blackout spots... we can't see or hear her... But she could download files from a remote location and we would never know..." Walter pointed out. He watched as Madeline stood up and moved to the wall, staring at her plants. She tilted her head to the side and then turned to look at Walter.

"On who?" Madeline questioned and Walter shrugged his shoulders. He didn't care whom it was about, it mattered that this entire thing with Mick might be part of a plan.

"That's your job, Madeline..." Walter wryly commented as he looked at Madeline. Madeline leaned her head back and sighed once more.

"But that doesn't get me any closer to getting Nikita away from Mick..." Madeline stated and Walter sighed as he settled down in his chair. He had is own opinions on how Madeline could easily get Nikita away from Mick, or at least away from marriage.

"You can always run the DNA on the baby," Walter commented and Madeline shook her head back and forth. She had thought about that already. The doctors were so close to ordering Sonora on bed rest until delivery, that things weren't looking good at getting the DNA on the baby until after birth.

"Can't happen. Sonora is sick," Madeline confirmed. Walter shook his head back and forth. He couldn't wait to get rid of Sonora. She surely had caused enough difficulties as it was.

"You saw them on the dance floor, Madeline... We all did... They love each other..." Walter commented and Madeline licked her lips. She was thinking and she turned to the side. Then she ran around to her computer and pressed the keys.

"I have a mission..."

"A mission? How is a mission going to help?"

"It will bring them together... closer..."

"A Valentine?"

"Not exactly... husband and wife..."

"A Valentine?"

"It would be them together..." Madeline commented and Walter blinked his eyes.

"So you are going to force them to make love," Walter dryly stated and Madeline sighed. It was a bit extreme, even for Madeline. And, both of them could plan on something else. It was not a full proof plan.

"It would be giving them a shove that they need..." Madeline commented and Walter sighed. He looked around and stared at Madeline.

"And who is going to give Nikita the speech that she doesn't need to go on with her life?" Walter commented and Madeline dropped her head.

She guessed that she was terribly wrong for that one.

~~

"You should have heard Madeline, Mick... She wanted me to know that I didn't have to jump into marriage just to go one with life..." Nikita commented as she moved around the apartment. She was packing for the mission. Madeline said that she wanted Nikita to be comfortable.

"Heck yeah... I agree with that doll face... You are the one with the crazy, cockamamie idea to start with... I had nothing to do with the insanity that you started... and I'm getting blamed for it," Mick stated from the couch as he watched Nikita move around the apartment.

"It isn't crazy... I have one large file left to download Mick... and that is going to happen on this mission... I just have to change the mission some..." Nikita stated and Mick rolled his eyes. He never knew what was on these files that Nikita talked about, but he knew that in a way, it would bring his freedom.

"Does this mean I can go to the club and get some action?" Mick questioned and Nikita turned around and stared at Mick. There were tears in her eyes as she settled down on the coffee table. He reached out and touched Nikita's face.

"Look... popsicle... I didn't mean to make you cry...." Mick whispered as he rubbed at her cheeks.

"I know... I just wonder... if Michael can still love me... when this all comes to light..." Nikita stated. She remembered Michael placing the kiss on her forehead after Mick asked her to marry him. It was so tender, but it was also like he was saying goodbye forever.

"Look... I don't know what you are going to do, doll... but he loves you... He told that to you last night," Mick stated as he held Nikita's hands.

"But it's this mission... It might be the last straw, Mick... truly..." Nikita stated as he stood up, suddenly worried again. She was pacing back and forth.

"What is it?" Mick questioned and Nikita stopped and looked at Mick. When she was brief, she knew exactly what this mission was meant to do. It was meant to bring her closer together with Michael.

They were supposed to express the real love they had for each other in more than words. They were to make love in order to distract the target. But more importantly, it was Madeline's way to get Nikita further away from Mick and back in love with Michael.

"Michael and I... we are... to distract the target," Nikita stated, trying to stop the conversation from falling into subject that were just too difficult to deal with Mick.

However it was too late.

"Great... I'll get the protection... Once you two start... it will never stop... and I'll have my life back!" Mick declared as he ran into the bedroom and started to open the drawers.

"Mick..." Nikita called out, but Mick had dove into another drawer.

"But you didn't pack anything sexy, Nikita... You need something.. How about some leather?" Mick offered and Nikita dropped her head.

"Madeline has that arranged... but Mick..." Nikita stated but Mick dropped to his knees and pulled out a trunk.

"I got some toys... and treats.... What flavor do you like, doll?" Mick questioned and Nikita rolled her eyes. It was good to see that Mick liked that this was happening, but it was far from what Nikita had planned out.

"MICK!" Nikita shouted and Mick turned around and stared at Nikita. He dropped the toy in his hand and looked at Nikita. It was clear that she wasn't going to be doing what Mick thought she was.

"I can't be with Michael... I need to be away from him to get the file downloaded," Nikita stated and Mick jumped down from the room. He didn't like what he was hearing.

"Nikita.... then be with Michael... get the file some other time..." Mick stated firmly, trying to order her to think a different way. He didn't like the sounds of this. If Nikita didn't make love with Michael for the distraction, there weren't many other ways to distract the target.

"The next time might be a long time down the road... I can't wait..." Nikita stated and Mick shook his head back and forth. He didn't like this at all. He knew that somehow, Nikita was going to do something that was going to hurt her. She had that way. She felt that she was important enough care for that everything else mattered so much more than she did.

"Michael won't let it happen..." Mick stated and Nikita shook her had back and forth.

"He won't be able to stop it, Mick... I have to hope... that the target... is... a gentleman as it appears in the profile that he is," Nikita stated and Mick shook his head back and forth. This wasn't going to get Nikita any closer to Michael. It truly wasn't.

"You are wrong... there has to be another way... Why don't you tell Michael about everything you have? I'm sure that he will help you download the last file..." Mick pleaded with Nikita. Nikita wiped at her eyes and took Mick's hands into hers.

"Unfortunately, Mick... this will be nothing new to me..." Nikita stated softly as she kissed the hands and went back to her bag.

And Mick, no matter how much he would try to talk Nikita out of this, wouldn't win. He couldn't win.

Nikita wouldn't allow it.

*

"You can leave that there..." Michael informed the butler as he moved into the room with the bags. Nikita hung out in the hallway, checking out the various artistic pieces that hung on the walls. Thus far, Nikita had seen no pictures of people, something that bothered her. All people in their homes hung pictures of people.

"Ma'am..." The butler stated as he was gracefully folding the bills that Michael had graciously given the man into his pocket. His hand extended back towards the door of the room that Michael and Nikita were being placed in, on the opposite end of the house that Bruno Brinderhalt lived on. Nikita smiled and took the cue as if she better get into the room until they met with Bruno.

Nikita entered and closed the door as she saw Michael staring out the window. He turned around and folded his hands in front of himself. It was like the years had rolled away and that he was again his trainer. He was not pleased with what was going on.

"You could at least act like you have some feelings for me," Michael stated and Nikita turned away. She wasn't going to allow Michael to walk all over her once more. It was clear that he was not pleased with this. Nikita thought he would have been trying harder.

"It's difficult, Michael.. I'm an engaged woman," Nikita stated and Michael rolled his eyes. He had heard that statement ten times too many by now.

"Don't worry, it won't bother Mick, Nikita. We both know he thrived off of images and thoughts of us together," Michael snapped back. Nikita looked at Michael and turned away.

The truth was, Nikita was feeling awfully sick with what she needed to do. The fight that she was going through with Michael would make it easier for Michael. It wasn't going to make it easier for Nikita.

Bruno Brinderhalt would be the man with Nikita tonight. Not Michael.

"Can we drop it? Brinderhalt will be here soon... and I want to get changed," Nikita snapped as she pulled at her own bag and moved to the bathroom. Nikita looked at Michael and slammed the door on Michael's face as he had followed her.

Nikita had already set the new plan in action. Later, when Michael would question her actions, and he will, Nikita will say that it was her backup plan. She would chide him for not coming up with a similar back up plan and be in the free and clear.

Getting into the bathroom to change was another important moment for Nikita. She needed to set up the device that was going to download the file that she needed. Nikita would be able to trigger it from the other room, but the main device needed to be set up somewhere in the main room. When the downloading ended, the trigger would change colors, indicating Nikita that it was done.

At first, Nikita was worried to set it up. However, the intel was that the house was only wired in the rooms and where only active after Bruno had administered the mild aphrodisiac to his guests. He was a strange and sinister man. Nikita now found out that she would be able to set it up in the bathroom, in the dropped ceiling. Hopefully Michael wouldn't be looking for anything. The device would route the file to another device that Nikita had set up at Mick's apartment. Even Mick didn't know about it. To Mick it looked like a fancy vase.

"Nikita..." Michael knocked at the door as Nikita stood on the toilet in only her underwear, holding the tile of the drop ceiling up so she could slip the device into the area that Nikita thought was best.

"Michael..." Nikita whined back, hoping that through the door, that Michael would be able to tell that she was near the ceiling. Michael always had the uncanny ability to figure out the impossible.

"I want to talk about this... before Bruno comes to meet us," Michael stated and Nikita rolled her eyes as she fitted the tile back on the wall.

"Oh? And you want to do this talk while I'm naked? Isn't that a jump start, Michael?" Nikita questioned as she silently stepped off of the toilet and started to pull on the outfit that she had selected. It would surely turn Bruno's head immediately. Nikita pulled the micro leather skirt up and pulled the matching shirt on.

"Nikita... stuff like that can't happen. We are to be happily married..." Michael stated and Nikita took a deep breath.

"Next you'll be adding in that we are expecting a child... Oh wait... that's Sonora," Nikita commented as she pulled up her hair and played with it slightly. She needed to be the perfect picture for Bruno. Nikita pulled out her makeup and started to make the touch ups. The longer that she stayed in the bathroom, the shorter amount of time that Michael would have to be upset about Nikita's appearance.

"He is going to be here soon... I just think we need to talk... We haven't talked since the wedding..." Michael stated and Nikita rolled her eyes as she pulled out her boots. She smiled as she pulled the leather up her legs also.

"That's because there is nothing to talk about," Nikita commented as she heard the knock at the door. Bruno Brinderhalt was there sooner than Nikita expected. She guessed that her e-mail to him the other day had made him start to expect their arrival.

Or maybe it was the attached pictures.

"Nikita... Mr. Brinderhalt is here..." Michael called out as Nikita listened through the door. Nikita unzipped her shirt slightly and moved to open the doors. She looked out and then played with an earring that was already tightly in her ear.

"Michael... darling... zip me up...." Nikita stated as she turned her back. She had seen Michael's shocked face and she winked at Bruno. Bruno walked over and stopped Michael.

"Allow me..." Bruno stated as he zipped it up and then lingered his fingers on Nikita's neck. Nikita smiled and then moved over to Michael's arms.

"Sorry... not the best way to make a first impression..." Nikita nervously giggled, knowing that Michael was fuming inside about the change of events right now.

"Oh... I think that this is the best way to met... One of the better first impressions a man can have..." Bruno commented as he reached over and kissed Nikita's hand. She smiled once more and then looked at Michael.

"So... don't you have business to talk about?" Nikita questioned and Michael nodded his head. His eyes showed the fury of hate that he had for Nikita at the moment. Bruno motioned for them to follow him to other parts of the house. Nikita smiled as she twirled a finger in her hair.

~~

"I'm interested in your offer, Michael..." Bruno admitted well after dinner. Michael hadn't been given the chance to talk to Nikita about what was going on. It was quite clear to Michael though, Nikita had no plans on being with him this night.

"I'm glad. It is a wise and sound offer," Michael informed Bruno. He watched as Bruno nodded his head up and down in agreement. However, Bruno's eyes never left Nikita's chest. Something that Michael noticed.

"I would love to stay and talk... however.. I do have a good bit of jet lag... Come on darling..." Michael stated as he reached out for Nikita. He watched and Nikita pulled away and leaned back in the chair. Michael felt his heart starting to pound. He knew the mission profile and he saw what Nikita was doing.

He wanted to cry out. He didn't want Nikita to give herself to this man tonight. Nikita was with Mick, and that was hard enough to swallow. Michael didn't want Nikita to be with the target.

"Actually... darling.. I'm wide-awake... I think I'm going to drink some... and look around some..." Nikita stated with a smile. Michael looked at her, hoping that she noticed how torn apart that she was making him.

"Nikita... why don't you come with me...." Michael smoldered, trying to look sexually interested, while all Michael wanted to do was to drag Nikita out of this room and shake her until she came to her senses.

"Michael... you are tired... Don't worry. I'll be up soon," Nikita stated and Michael pressed his lips together. He didn't like that at all. He was going to stay in his room worrying about what was going on.

"At least a kiss then..." Michael whispered and Nikita smiled and stood up. She would give him that.

Nikita wrapped her arms around Michael as he pressed his lips to Nikita's running his hands across her skin and then into her hair. Nikita was no surprised to feel the miniature communications unit to be slipped into her ear.

"Be good..." Michael whispered, as he pulled away and lingered on holding her fingers.

"I'm sure that she will be very good..." Bruno commented as Michael left.

~~

The room was large and Nikita smiled as Bruno stated that he needed to get ready. He moved to the room that Nikita believed was the bedroom. Nikita looked around the bedroom and pushed the trigger in her boots to start the downloading of the file.

"You should take that off..." Bruno stated from the doorway. Nikita looked up and saw that two men had joined him. Nikita weakly smiled as she pulled the boots off. She looked at the men and looked at Bruno.

"I thought it was just us..." Nikita commented as she looked at Bruno.

"Do you have a problem with this?" Bruno asked as he waved his hands at the men that were standing next to him. Nikita looked at the men. She would have been able to fight off Bruno, but the other men made it an iffy situation. Nikita was glad that she hadn't turned on the communications unit at all.

She started this and she would get through this. But not with the additional men.

"Bruno... I can make your night... if it's just us..." Nikita stated and Bruno grinned as if he had just swallowed the Cheshire Cat.

"Do you have a problem with this?" Bruno questioned again, his voice deeper and darker, showing his true intentions of what he had planned. All of this was not included in Madeline's profile of Bruno.

"Yes," Nikita responded honestly as she blinked her eyes. Bruno was moving towards her and he brushed her hair back.

"I got your pictures... You were perfect... I needed to have you..." Bruno stated and Nikita smiled. For a moment, she thought that he was going to give into her wishes.

"You can still have me... let's have a special night..." Nikita whispered out and Bruno dipped his head. He kissed Nikita's lips and smiled as he pulled away.

At that moment, the men moved and pulled Nikita down to the bed and strapped her down. Nikita looked around and tested the bonds. They were strong.

"No... Bruno..." Nikita begged as she tried to get her hands to her ear, trying to turn on the unit now. Bruno smiled and looked at Nikita.

"It's going to be a very special night... and don't worry, Nikita... These men won't touch you... Only I will..." Bruno stated as he pulled a pillow out and started to shove it into Nikita's face. Only enough to cause Nikita to pass out.

"Oh, what a shame..." Bruno commented as he laughed. The men nodded their heads and set up the room as Bruno instructed. The bright lights came on.

~~

The world around Nikita started to come into focus. She turned her head to the side and looked around the room. It was empty, but she was still strapped to the bed. Nikita looked around and felt the tears that were threatening to fall. Nikita closed her eyes and swallowed.

She just reminded herself that she had been through worse than this before. Most of it was dished out to her before Section One. It didn't help too much, but it allowed Nikita to focus her attention and to do something constructive.

Bruno was not in the room, but it was clear, since he had left her as such, that he had planned on coming back to continue to make his mark. It was a classic behavior of the man that Bruno displayed to be. The first time was done with no struggle. The second time, the man craved to look into opened eyes.

And Nikita knew he would be coming back. There were no other choices. She needed to get out now.

The light on the trigger had changed in her boot. The file had downloaded. How long ago that occurred, Nikita didn't know. All that Nikita knew that it wasn't morning yet and Michael hadn't come to rescue her.

And that almost made Nikita angry. What made her more upset was that she had allowed this to happen.

It was always about Nikita allowing things to happen. Nikita would not realize the full impact of her decisions and her thoughts about what happened until well after it occurred. She had set the interaction, but she had not bee the cause of the reason why she was abused.

But that thought was one that Nikita had never learned to accept and entertain. It was always about her being wrong.

Nikita turned and looked at the handcuff that was used to bind her left hand. She looked at it as she pulled her thumb down and started to wiggle it out. She felt the extreme pain of the hand slipping through, but she had to get out.

It was rule number one with a predator like Bruno turned out to be. If not, Nikita didn't know where she would end up, but it definitely would include a body of water and some cement.

Nikita started to move quickly once the hand was free. She freed her body and pulled the trigger out of the boots. Everything else, she could leave. Nikita turned on the communications unit and listened. There was no noise, but Nikita couldn't tell if it was because the files were gotten or if because nothing had happened yet.

"I need update," Nikita announced as she moved to the bathroom. She looked at herself as she picked up a towel. She didn't look too bad. The man hadn't beaten on her body as some of the men in her past had attempted to do. She may even get away from this without further questions from Michael.

"Nikita... it's been hours..." Michael stated and Nikita swallowed as she pulled the robe. None of her clothing was left. If she had to, she would run with the robe. However, Nikita looked around and soon found some of Bruno's clothing that she could wear.

"Update? Do we have the files?" Nikita questioned as she pulled the jogging pants onto her bare body. Nikita looked around as she touched her hair.

"Yes... we were waiting for you..." Michael stated and Nikita bit her lip. She knew Michael's tone. He had thousands of questions and Nikita didn't know if she would be able to answer them.

"I'm heading out now... Meet me in the van," Nikita informed Michael as she moved to the door. She blinked her eyes. If hours had passed, then Bruno must have done something else to her other than just make her pass out from the lack of oxygen. Nikita looked at her arms and found the pinpoint.

"Do you need help?" Michael questioned. Nikita looked to the walls and swallowed. As long as she didn't think about what was going on, she could get through this and then pass this. Nikita looked ahead and cleared her throat.

"Get to the van," Nikita hissed as she then turned off the connection between herself and Michael.

~~

Michael opened the door and was shocked to see that Nikita was there. Instantly, he knew that something more than his fears had happened. Nikita had a sheet over her body and was staring at the wall of the van. She was attempting to appear as if she was trying to sleep.

"What happened?" Michael questioned and Nikita turned her head slightly. Michael closed the door and the van started to roll. Nikita looked at Michael through the pale hair and then turned her head to the side.

"Michael... I'm tired..." Nikita stated and Michael didn't believe a word that Nikita had stated. He had seen her eyes. They were wild and crazed. They appeared as they had several times when Nikita spoke about her mother and what the men did to her.

Michael couldn't allow it to drop.

"Nikita... I need to know what happened..." Michael stated as he settled on the floor of the van and looked at Nikita. She almost broke as he looked up at her, but Nikita turned her eyes away at the moment that she would have given into Michael and told him the entire story.

"You know... some men.. have problems.. and they can paw you all they want... but nothing happens," Nikita stated out, trying to appear cocky in her attitude to drive Michael away. It used to work. It no longer worked and Nikita saw it in Michael's eyes.

"Nikita.. please don't be brave for me..." Michael stated and Nikita pulled out a yawn. It was a bad attempt at acting and Michael pressed his lips together before moving. He leaned against where Nikita was attempting to sleep and closed his own eyes.

He knew the time would come.

That moment came twenty minutes later when Nikita's sleep had dissolved into tears. Michael turned and looked at the way that she was in her sleep. She was curled up in a ball, only indicating that everything that had feared at happened.

"Nikita... please..." Michael whispered as he touched Nikita' s cheek. He watched as Nikita's eyes jerked awake and she stared at Michael as she panted. She turned away in shame, knowing that Michael knew and understood at least the jest of what she had done.

"Why did you do this, Nikita?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked at Michael. She looked at her hands then to Michael. The tears came this time,

"Because I could be with Bruno... but not you... and you know why..." Nikita stated and Michael dropped his head. Michael rubbed her eyes and nodded his head. He knew why. He felt it when he heard this mission. He had hoped for it to happen. He wanted it too.

"Why? Why not just allow it to happen?" Michael questioned as the tears started to form in his own eyes. Nikita looked to the side and swallowed once.

"You have a baby coming, Michael... Is that fair to it?" Nikita questioned and Michael shook his head. He leaned over and looked at her face. He could tell that this had done something else to Nikita that she wasn't quite sure what was going to come next, but she didn't really want to deal with it.

"Nikita... that doesn't matter... it never matters..." Michael declared as he wrapped his hands around Nikita's cheeks. He looked into her eyes and waited until he saw that Nikita knew what he was talking about. "Nikita... You are what matters... and if something happens to you... I don't think I could go one... Is that clear enough?"

Nikita cried as she looked at Michael. She turned her head. The plan was hard enough, but now, she had Michael expressing more to her than she had ever believed he could. The words were so beautiful and meaningful, but Nikita couldn't give Michael what he was seeking right now.

"Michael.. I can't.." Nikita whispered and Michael looked to his hands and then into Nikita's eyes.

"I know that he did something... and I'll give you all the space that you need... but you need someone... here for you now.. and I'm the only one here..." Michael declared softly as he leaned in closer to Nikita. Nikita gasped, her feelings and emotions betraying her mind that was reminding her of the plan that she had almost completed.

"I did this for us, Michael... If we would have... it would have destroyed us..." Nikita sobbed lightly out as she bent her head closer to Michael. He didn't want to hear that. He had hoped to hear that it was a mission or something.

"What did he do, Nikita?" Michael prodded and Nikita closed her eyes. It was so painful, because she literally didn't know what had happened. Nikita looked at Michael and exposed the pinprick that was in Nikita's arm. He knew with looking and he wrapped his arms around Nikita and held her.

"Nikita... we have a hard enough time apart... we have to be together... when?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked at Michael. She couldn't face that question now. It was too soon for him to ask her. Nikita dropped her head and swallowed.

"Never stop caring for me, Michael..." Nikita whispered and Michael nodded his head. He knew that the day was going to get longer. He knew that he would not be leaving her side today.

"I never will... I never will... and I'm staying with you now..." Michael stated and Nikita closed her eyes. She knew what Michael was offering. But if he stayed he would see everything inside of her soul.

"No... I can't..." Nikita stated and Michael stroked her hair back.

"Yes... you can... and I can... this is about you... and that is what matters right now..." Michael declared stubbornly. Nikita looked at Michael and blinked her eyes.

"What is Sonora going to think?" Nikita questioned and Michael shrugged his shoulders.

"That doesn't matter... you matter."

*

Michael was incorrect in his theory that writing the report about the mission would relax him. If anything, it brought more worries to his mind. He sat at his computer, wondering how Nikita got to the point that this was acceptable for her to do. He wondered what all happened in that room and if Nikita would be fine.

She had been fine in the past and Michael hoped that it was going to continue in that nature. But a person could only bounce back so many times. Michael hoped that this wasn't going to be the time that she didn't bounce back from.

The words were scattered on the computer. There wasn't one cohesive thought about the mission. It felt like it was jumbled up in parts and other parts were blurs. Michael no longer where the truth was and where the opinions and speculations started.

"Michael..." Madeline stated as she walked into the office. Michael lifted his head and blinked. He looked at the report and knew that Madeline would roast him alive for the drivel that he had managed to write.

"The report isn't finished yet... I should have it in two hours," Michael stated as he rubbed his face lightly with his hand, trying not to allow Madeline notice how tired he was. Madeline moved towards Michael and looked over the desk.

"I'm not here for the report... I don't think you even know what happened... I'm here on something else.." Madeline informed Michael. He felt his entire body deflate. He knew why Madeline was here. It was about the woman he had deposited in medical as she had suggested that he do.

"Madeline... I'm sure that Nikita just needs some sleep..." Michael offered his assessment of what was needed. Madeline shook her head back and forth as she moved to sit down. She pressed her hands together as she looked up at Michael, noting how stress was written over his entire body. Because of Nikita.

Michael had been through a lot with Sonora in her pregnancy. Thus far, Michael never looked as stressed as he did at this moment, for Sonora. It was always about Nikita and Madeline felt that pain deep inside of her. She wished that she had noticed that much sooner.

"We have an issue with Nikita... We know that she has a fever... other than that... the doctors haven't been able to examine her," Madeline stated and Michael fluttered his eyes before he heaved a sigh and dropped his head. Michael stayed hunched over for a good bit before looking back up at Madeline.

"She isn't going to magically do things because I am there, Madeline," Michael acknowledged and Madeline shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't sure if Michael would or wouldn't help Nikita. She needed something.

"She is running a fever Michael... That can mean several things are wrong.. but she won't allow the examination... We are losing medical personnel," Madeline enlightened Michael. Michael could tell that Madeline wanted this solved.

"I'll go and see what I can do... It may be nothing, Madeline," Michael warned immediately. He didn't feel that false hopes would help here. It was possible that Nikita would attack Michael also.

"She is in tears now, Michael... but she is trying to hide them... This isn't good... She can't be brave now..." Madeline stated and Michael instantaneously started to shake his head. He disagreed with Madeline's words.

"What you are asking her to do is the bravest thing that she can do... It takes time, Madeline," Michael stated as he stood up. Madeline watched carefully. Nothing could go wrong at this moment. It could be the end of something between Michael and Nikita. Madeline had already learned that lesson.

"Michael... Mick is out of town for a few days... I need someone to help her," Madeline plead and Michael dropped his head. He didn't think it would matter if Mick were in town. Michael didn't believe that the relationship went deep enough for Mick to help Nikita through this.

"I'll go..." Michael announced as he moved towards the door, leaving Madeline still in the office. He turned and looked at Madeline. "But I'm not going to write a report on it."

~~

The bed had been moved to the side of the room. Nikita was leaning against it, crying like a soft kitten. Michael pressed his lips together as he watched Nikita. The doctors hadn't come to see him yet, and that was what Michael was waiting for before he entered the room and tried to console Nikita. He needed to know what was going on with Nikita medically.

"I'm sorry, Michael... I was tied up wiring a jaw," the head doctor stated as he walked towards Michael. Michael stared at him and didn't recall his name. Michael merely nodded his head. He had other things to worry about.

"Nikita broke another jaw," Michael stated, knowing that it had to have been Nikita. The doctor, knowing that Michael knew Nikita the best, understood Michael's tone. It wasn't the only injury that Nikita caused.

"She also fractured several facial bones... However, I don't suspect that you are down here to talk about the pain that Nikita has inflicted," the doctor replied smoothly, trying to get onto business. He still had another patient to cast up once he was done with Michael and Nikita.

"What can I do to assist in Nikita?" Michael inquired and the doctor nodded his head. There were a lot of things that Michael could do, but the doctor only had a few requests to start with.

"Well, as you have heard, she has been combative to touch... She has a fever that seems to be getting worse. We need to determine the source of the fever..." the doctor stated and Michael blinked his eyes. He turned to look into the window towards Nikita. He lifted his hands and sighed.

"You mean you need Nikita to submit to a pelvic..." Michael stated and the doctor nodded his head. He was trying to be nice about talking about it, but if Michael was going to be blunt, the doctor could do that.

"She could have just an infection... but there could be bleeding and that could be deadly. If she doesn't allow the examination or if she feels that she needs it... We can sedate her during the examination," the doctor informed Michael. Michael simply blinked his eyes as he continued to stare into Nikita.

"How long will I have to attempt this?" Michael questioned as he turned and looked at the doctor. The doctor pulled out Nikita's chart and flipped through it.

"Due to her medical history... time is of the essence... If you can get Nikita attached to an IV with an antibiotic in it, while you talk... I can give you an hour," The doctor supplied the deadline. Michael didn't ask what the time would be without the IV. It was clear that the doctors were worried about what was going on with Nikita.

"Fine. It will be done," Michael swore as he moved towards the door. He looked at Nikita and felt his heart go out once more. Michael pushed the door closed and moved towards the bed.

"Nikita.. how are you feeling?" Michael questioned and Nikita looked up at Michael through her hair once again. It was something that Nikita did when she was trying feebly to hide from the person who was looking at her.

"I'm tired, Michael.." Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head. he looked to the IV set up that was hanging there, but it appeared as if they hadn't got a chance to get it near Nikita.

"I'm worried about you, Nikita... You have a fever... you need medicine and fluids..." Michael stated and Nikita blinked her eyes as she tried to swallow. Some of this, Nikita knew. Her mind knew, but the emotions were getting in front of the knowledge.

"I'm fine, Michael.. Why don't they just let me go and rest at Mick's apartment? He'll take care of me," Nikita stated with a trembling voice. She knew that Michael knew a lie when he heard one.

"Mick's out of town. Remember?" Michael prodded and Nikita dropped her eyes as the tears started to flow once more.

"I can't remember... that's why they want to do more..." Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head as he reached out and took Nikita's arm. He looked at the other arm and saw the tiny mark that was left there. He didn't know what he would do if it was put in the position that Nikita was in.

"Let me give you an IV... get some fluids..." Michael stated and Nikita looked up at it. Michael pulled it down for Nikita to inspect the label and the color. It was clear that Nikita was worried that something would be in it.

Michael adjusted the line quickly. He had done this too often for Nikita. And Nikita had done it in return for him several times. Michael sighed as he stroked the hair off of Nikita's face. It was clear that the fever was getting worse.

"Nikita... they need to examine you... Since you can't remember..." Michael broached the subject with a soft voice. He had expected Nikita to cry out, but she nodded her head up and down.

"I've been through this before... I know..." Nikita stated and Michael paled. Section One had never forced this situation on Nikita. NEVER. If Nikita knew, it was due to experiences that happened before Section One, and those, were blank on Nikita's files.

"You've had your annual exam done here before, Nikita... It's the same thing..." Michael tried to ease Nikita's fears and concerns. She shook her head back and forth, even as her pallor started to look whiter than before.

"It's different after you are attacked... or used... You already feel dirty enough..." Nikita stated as her voice broke off and the tears silently rolled down her face. Her composure was actually amazing and it was clear that somewhere, that Nikita had dealt with this before.

"Nikita... if it is bothering you too much... They can give you something so you can sleep through it..." Michael offered and Nikita shook her head violently. The suggestion alone brought on an attack of anger and hatred immediately.

"That's how I was attacked! I was out of it! I didn't know what was going on! Do you think having the exam under the same circumstances would help!" Nikita screamed and Michael dropped his head. It wasn't until Nikita stated it, that he understood why Nikita wouldn't accept the suggestion.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know..." Michael stated as he closed his eyes. He opened them to find Nikita reached out to touch his face.

"I didn't know a lot either... But this has happened before... and it has been years, Michael..." Nikita stated as she turned her head away. Michael rubbed her shoulder as he brought her face around to look at him again. He wanted and needed Nikita to know that he was crying too.

"Let me take on some of this pain, Nikita..." Michael offered and Nikita felt her bottom lip tremble. Michael offered something so beautiful and tender and kind that Nikita couldn't say no. She dropped her head down on Michael's shoulder.

"I was a teenager... My mother's boyfriends used me all the time... but there was this teacher at school..." Nikita stated and Michael pressed his lips together. Michael was sure that these memories were ones that Calantha had always warned off. It was a possible side effect of the harness that was taken out of Nikita's brain years ago. However, according to Calantha, Nikita could remember things that she had long forgotten at the worst times, or when they were triggered. Nikita would have spoken of this, unless it just came back to her inside of medical.

"One day... after a party my mother held... she dragged me out of class... and sent me to the nurse... And this man there...it was almost as bad as the men..." Nikita stated with a scant whisper. Her entire body was shaking and Michael held her tightly.

"Nikita... I'm not going to allow them to abuse you over again... I can stand right next to you..." Michael offered and Nikita opened her eyes and looked at Michael.

"You would do that?" Nikita questioned and Michael nodded his head. He kissed Nikita's forehead and felt the surging heat that was taking over her body. She needed to be examined soon and Michael knew this. She needed to be comforted years ago, and she wasn't. So Michael was now going to do that.

"Yes... and I will stay here with you as long as you want me too, Nikita... Until you are comfortable..." Michael issued out and Nikita nodded her head. Michael settled Nikita back into the bed and looked around.

"Do I get the doctor?" Michael questioned. He watched as Nikita hesitated.

"Can I have a woman? Please... and the doors closed.. and the only man be you?" Nikita questioned and Michael nodded his head. He would have it all done that way.

"That is not too much to ask for, Nikita... I'll arrange it," Michael declared and with those words, he promised to take care of Nikita once more.

And for Michael, it was the greatest feeling to have once again.

~~

Michael looked at Nikita once more and squeezed her hand. Michael tried not towards the other end of the bed; he concentrated on getting Nikita through this. Michael was drawn back to Nikita's face as she squeezed his hand tightly and she gasped.

"Michael..." Nikita moaned out and Michael stroked her hair back. Her face was contorted in pain. "Just a little bit longer, Nikita."

Nikita shook her head from side to side, tears rolling down her pale face. Michael swallowed, feeling awful that he was putting Nikita through this. "Doctor? How much longer?"

"I'm almost done, Nikita... You are doing great..." The female doctor stated as she lifted her head so Nikita could see it. Nikita rolled her head to the side and looked at Michael.

"Hold me... Please... come closer..." Nikita cried out and Michael moved closer to the bed. He couldn't lean over her to hug her better. Nikita rolled her face into Michael's stomach. Michael stroked Nikita's hair as he looked down at the doctor. The doctor just went back to her previous position to finish what was needed.

"I have you... I have you..." Michael whispered as he threaded Nikita's hair in-between his fingers, rubbing her. He didn't know if it was soothing Nikita, but it was smoothing Michael.

"I'm done... I'm taking out the instrument now..." the doctor announced a few short moments later. Michael held onto Nikita as she jumped with the removal. She started to sob again in earnest and Michael pressed his lips together when Nikita started to struggle to remove her legs from the stir ups.

"Nikita... calm down... let them help you..." Michael whispered, but suddenly, Nikita rolled over to the side of the bed and heaved. Michael jumped out of the way, but quickly placed his hands on Nikita's back, giving her support.

Michael paused as he stared at Nikita. He watched the torment on Nikita's eyes and took a deep breath. She was going to need a lot more than what he had been giving her. The doctor made eye contact with Michael as she left the room. It was clear that the samples would be read as quickly as possible, but that Nikita needed Michael right now.

"You never had these memories before, have you?" Michael questioned as Nikita lifted her head slightly. Michael pulled out a cloth as two operatives came to clean the floor. Michael wiped Nikita's mouth clean and stroked her face lightly as she barely nodded her head up and down.

"I don't know where they came from Michael... and I want to think that they are bad dreams... but I just know..." Nikita stated, but she was starting to drift off. It was clear to Michael that Nikita hadn't thought of these things for years, perhaps since they had happened to her. It was scaring Nikita and exaggerating the situation.

"Come on... Roll over..." Michael tried to direct Nikita, knowing that she would be much easier to hold if she wasn't on the edge of the bed. Michael waited as Nikita then commenced in rapidly wrapping her arms around Michael as if he was the only life preserver around.

Perhaps he was.

"Calantha said that this could happen... Remember?" Michael prompted Nikita, hoping that Nikita would remember what was said about this kind of occurrence.

"She said that things I didn't remember would come to light... but these are scary... like flashes in my mind... like still photos rapidly being shown to me..." Nikita stated and Michael swallowed. What Nikita spoke of was actually a way that her mind was dealing with the trauma of what had happened in the past.

"We'll take it one day at a time, Nikita..." Michael stated, noting that she had to be tired from the events and needing sleep. Nikita rolled her head and looked up at Michael. Her lips were trembling and Michael stopped stroking her hair. "What is it?"

"I need you..." Nikita stated and Michael nodded his head. He pulled a chair over and settled down near Nikita. Nikita didn't look at him, but Michael knew that it didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was holding Nikita's hand as she struggled in her sleep.

It was almost an hour later when the doctor walked back in. She didn't carry Nikita's chart and that, in it's self was strange. Michael never dropped Nikita's hand as he turned to look at the doctor.

"You may want to come with me," The doctor stated and Michael blinked his eyes. Something strange was occurring and Michael was sure he didn't want to find out what it was all about.

"Why?" Michael questioned. "It is about Nikita?"

"No... I don't have the results yet on Nikita... It's Sonora... She is sick again and asking for you," The doctor remarked.

Michael didn't look at Nikita. He just squeezed Nikita's hand a bit more and looked towards the door.

"She can wait... Nikita can't," Michael commented. To finish the subject, Michael turned in his chair and went back to stroking Nikita's hair.

He wasn't leaving. He had promised Nikita he wouldn't.

~~

Walter moved towards Michael's office. After a day with Nikita, Nikita ordered Michael away. Since that time, Michael had been holed up in his office, doing something. Walter wasn't sure what. He knew that Calantha had visited Michael and that Madeline had stopped by.

Now, Michael was needed once again.

"Michael..." Walter called out as he pushed open the door. Michael dropped his head quickly as he rapidly closed out the file that was on his computer. Walter had the suspicion that Michael was looking at something that he shouldn't have been looking at.

"Walter? Something wrong?" Michael instantly questioned and Walter nodded his head. They didn't need a further discussion about who the problem was with. Michael stood up and buttoned his jacket. Walter stood at the doorway and waited for Michael to stand beside him.

"Nikita won't let anyone in... We finally got a hold of Mick.. he is on his way home, but now Nikita doesn't want to leave... and won't talk to anyone," Walter informed Michael as they walked down the hallway. Michael blinked his eyes and then looked towards the wall.

Michael knew of Nikita's condition. No one else but Madeline had been fully briefed on it. Nikita had a slight infection. However, there was something else that the doctors noticed, unrelated to what had happened to her. It could have been a misreading, but the doctors decided the best approach would be to reexamine Nikita in 6 months.

Nikita hadn't been told.

"She has been abused, Walter... It shouldn't surprise you," Michael commented solidly as he walked down the hallway. Walter pressed his lips together and frowned. He liked that Michael had all of a sudden be accepted back into Nikita's life. However, Walter was unsure of what would lurk in front of them.

It wasn't going to be easy and according to everyone, Nikita was still engaged to Mick, that things hadn't changed enough to affect that.

"Why you?" Walter finally questioned. Michael stopped, just short of medical. He turned and looked at Walter. It was a question that Michael didn't want to face. He didn't want to know that Nikita was going to go back to Mick once this was done. He wanted Nikita back.

But he couldn't say it. Not yet.

"I know her best," Michael stated as he reached out and opened the door as he walked into medical. Walter didn't even bother to follow.

Nikita was in the bed, staring off into space. Michael had hoped that they would have noticed that she needed something to focus on. He was upset that both Madeline and Calantha hadn't thought about it.

"Nikita..." Michael announced as he arrived in the room. Nikita turned to look at him and then started to rub her hands together.

"They told me I could go home..." Nikita informed Michael and Michael nodded his head. He looked at Nikita and took a chair from the corner. He didn't move too much closer to Nikita.

"The question is where is home?" Michael stated and Nikita blinked her eyes. She knew what Michael was asking and hoping for. He wanted Nikita to stay with him. Nikita wanted to say yes.

"I'm going to stay here a few more days... try to get the memories on track..." Nikita stated and Michael dropped his head. No matter how disappointed Michael was right now, he was willing to do whatever Nikita needed. If she needed to stay here a few days to be with him, then Michael would do that. He would expect her wishes.

He only wanted what was best for Nikita. And only Nikita knew what that was.

"I think that it is understandable... Do you need anything?" Michael offered again. He leaned towards Nikita and waited. He wanted to hear those words again. Michael ached to hear that Nikita needed him.

"No... I'm fine," Nikita remarked and Michael nodded his head. He stood up and exited the room. He watched as he passed Walter, sure that right now, some people inside of Section One were again, crying.

At least, Nikita wasn't.

*

The lights were on the apartment and Mick slammed the door shut. Something seemed wrong, but he hadn't received the training that Michael and Nikita had received. In many ways, he was left out in the world for whatever would happen to him. Lucky for him, he had a few friends in low places that had a lot of power.

Michael and Nikita.

Nikita because she had taught him some things through her torture of him and Michael, for the private self defense classes. Especially of late. Michael had gotten a gun and started to teach Mick how to really use one. Mick decided that this must have been because of the engagement.

Nikita was supposed to be still in medical. Madeline or Michael were to call him if Nikita finally decided that it was time to come home to him. That was four days ago and from what Walter had told Mick, it didn't sound like Nikita wanted to leave Section One.

Mick pressed himself against the wall. Whoever it was, knew who had walked into the apartment. Mick looked around and then moved to look into the bedroom.

There, with a laptop turned on and typing away, was Nikita. Mick slumped as he walked up the stairs to see what Nikita was working on and to show how upset he was about the rules not being followed.

Why waste the time coming up with the rules if they weren't even going to be followed?

"Nikita... I didn't know you were coming here today," Mick informed Nikita as he settled in front of Nikita on the bed. She had been blocking the screen. It was clear that she didn't want Mick to see what she was doing.

"Well... I didn't know until I was walking around medical..." Nikita stated and Mick narrowed his eyes on Nikita. Something must have triggered Nikita's migration back to the apartment. Mick tilted his head to the side and folded his hands, waiting.

Nothing came and Mick cleared his throat. Nikita looked briefly up but turned her attention back to the computer.