"So no one in Section is suspicious?" Jamie questioned.

"No." James smiled. "They don't have a clue. As far as they know I am just a trainer."

"What about her?" Jamie pointed to the silent woman standing with James.

"She's my newest project. She just came to term. I trained her. She can be trusted." James paused. "Elise, tell her."

Elise stepped forward. "I was recruited into Section two and a half years ago. I was taken from jail. I was in prison for killing 13 children with a bomb I built. I set it off in a kindergarten class. I have no loyalty to the Section. I only care about what benefits me." She gave an evil grin. "At the moment, helping James and his operatives take over Section 2 for your organization benefits me greatly."

Jamie laughed. "I like her."

James nodded. "I thought you would."

"So, where do we stand?" Jamie questioned.

"It will go down in three days." James explained. "We will attack at night when they are least prepared. My men will take out the resistance, and I will kill Gerald myself. Then I will contact you and let you know of the success. We will conduct further business from there."

Jamie smiled. "Why won't you give me the location now?"

James glared at her. "I am not a fool. If I give you the location I lose everything. I will make sure you continue to need me."

"You know me well." Jamie conceded. "Bring them in."

James went to the door and let in seven men and two women. As they came forward, Elise took note of each. When James returned to his position, Jamie and he resumed their talk. Twenty minutes later the meeting was coming to a close.

"Lets get it done then." Jamie finished.

James made a mock-bow. "I will be in contact, soon."

Jamie scoffed. "See that you are." As everyone turned to go she met Elise's eyes. "You have gall. I do like you."

Elise turned to go, rolling her eyes. "For now." She threw over her shoulder.

************

Hunter watched the tall, slender woman come across the empty lot and to the car. He reached over and unlocked the door. She immediately got in.

"Go." She ordered.

Hunter started the car and moved out of the lot and onto the open road. When he thought they were sufficiently away from the scene he turned to study her. She was not really a beautiful woman, or maybe she could have been if she didn't play it down. With long brown hair, always kept in a bun, ackward glasses, no makeup, and the sexless outfits she always wore, she practically shouted 'keep away.' She had absolutely no sensual side. She was cold as ice. Hunter should know, he was a lady's man and had known her since coming into Section.

"So Elise, how did it go?" Hunter questioned.

She through a glance at him. "We have all the information we need. I now know exactly how many men he has and who they are. I also know who he is working with, and all the specifics of the hit." She paused. "All we have to do now is get the information to the right people and he's done."

Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. When he came into Section two and a half years ago, he was immediately assigned to James. That's when he met Elise. She was trained with him. James trained several operatives at one time, but he almost always worked Hunter and Elise together. Hunter always thought he did it for amusement. He placed the Don Quan with the Ice Princess.

It didn't take long to figure out that something was going on with James. He was scum. Even a little too scum for Section. Stories flew around Section about him raping and beating his female operatives. They knew if they didn't keep quiet that they would lose their lives. But some of the operatives he seemed to recruit. They were completely loyal to him. Since he trained them they really had no other choice. He was all they knew of Section.

That's where Elise came in. She was never raped because she held no appeal for him, but her cold personality fit in nicely with his other operatives. Elise was not an outstanding recruit; she barely got by, so if she refused his offer he would simply cancel her. Once she was recruited Hunter and she, along with some others, set up a plan to take down James. They would all play along and find out what information they could, and when they had what they needed they would go to the big guys.

"So now all we have to do is get the intel to Gerald?" Hunter questioned.

"No." Elise answered.

Hunter turned to look at her. "No? Why not?"

Elise shook her head looking confused. "I don't know. I just know we can't take this to Gerald. We have to wait."

"Wait?" Hunter didn't understand. "Wait for what? Wait for them to do it? Let them get away with it? This is what we have been working for and now you just want to let them go?"

"No." Elise forced. "We will get them. They will not succeed. We just have to wait."

"FOR WHAT?" Hunter demanded.

Elise looked even more confused. "I don't know."

"AHHHH!" Hunter growled. "Great, just great."

************

The doors opened at van access and Hunter and Elise walked through.

"Okay, so how long are we suppose to wait?" Hunter questioned.

"I don't know. I just know we have to wait." Elise paused. "Something will happen soon."

"Yeah! They will take over Section in two days now. We waited a day and nothing happened. We have to move before they do." Hunter reasoned.

"We can't go to Gerald. We have to go above him. They are the only ones that can do something." Elise informed.

"How would you know?" Hunter fumed. "Okay, but even if, how do we do that?"

"We don't. They will come to us."

They made their way around the corner and ran straight into Chris. "Hey, you guys. We need to talk."

"I couldn't agree more." Hunter sighed. They all walked down the hall. "Where to?"

"Let's go to Dare's office; he's out on a mission." Chris suggested.

When they got there Elise turned to the others. "Okay, let's talk."

"We have to move now." Chris forced. "Something's going down."

Hunter shook his head. "What do you mean?"

"You said the hit goes down in two days right?" Chris asked.

"Yes." Elise answered.

"Well, today it seems that this Section Operative from One came in. He showed up in the middle of a briefing, and Gerald just dropped the briefing and left with him. They were in his office for 3 hours talking." Chris finished.

"So? What does this mean?" Hunter questioned.

"Something is going down at One. It has been for some months. Jacob said he's gotten inside information for months that a power transition is taking place. We think that's why James decided to move. He thinks if he takes over now when One is weakened, then he won't have any opposition." Chris explained.

"He could be right." Elise interrupted. "If Oversight or the Section leaders don't find out who is behind his attack and stop him, once he's in control it could be hell getting it back. One is the only Section strong enough to knock out Two, and if they're weakened, then he's got smooth sailing."

"So we have to do something!" Hunter forced.

"But what?" Chris sighed.

"We have the information. All we have to do is tell someone." Hunter reasoned.

"But we don't know who to tell. This op, where is he now?" Elise questioned.

"He's spent the rest of the day walking around Two and observing things. He's been questioning some operatives."

"What has he asked them? Who has he questioned?" Elise asked.

Chris shrugged. "He's talked mainly to recruits. He asks them how training is here, is there anything they can't handle, stuff like that."

"Wait a minute." Hunter growled. "He's asking recruits all this stuff? He's up to something. We have to stay away from him. Chris who is he? Where is he?"

"I'm right here." A hard voice answered from the open doorway. They all turned to stare at the deadly looking man in black. The green eyes that swept them, as cold as ice. "And my name is Michael."

**************

A guilty silence filled the room. The three operatives looked at each other in fear.

"Ahh, can we help you, sir?" Chris stuttered.

"You already have." Michael purred. "You are the ones I've been looking for."

Hunter stepped forward. "Look, I don't know what you think you heard, but we have nothing to say to you."

Michael shrugged. "I heard enough to know that you know what is going on with James. I'm the one who is going to help you stop him." Michael turned to face Elise. "I've been looking for you all day, Elise. You're not an easy woman to find."

Elise glared at him. "I don't know why. I don't know who you are. I've never seen you before. We don't know anything."

Michael stepped forward and stroked his hand down Elise's cheek. "You do know me. You just don't know it yet." As she flinched away from his touch with a look of distaste, Michael shook his head. "Madeline did a wonderful job. You're almost unrecognizable. And your personality just screams 'man hater'."

"WHO ARE YOU? What do you want?" Elise demanded.

"I told you, I'm Michael. I am the one you have been waiting for." Michael purred.

"This doesn't make any sense." Hunter forced.

"James has been setting up a hit on Section Two for three years. He began recruiting operatives that started out as his material, to help him take over. He got the idea when a split began between Section One and Oversight. He knew that eventually George and Oversight would remove Operations and Madeline from power. He thought that if he could use One's weakness he could hold position. He is moving now, because he thinks the power is finally shifting."

Michael turned to face them all. "What he doesn't know is that the switch has already been resolved. The new Operations has been instated and One is at full capacity. His take over has no hope of success."

Chris rolled her eyes. "So why are you here?"

"Because, we don't know who all is involved in his plan. If we don't find that out then the entire Section Two will have to be disfranchised. We cannot allow him to take over the Section for even a moment." Michael explained.

"Well we know that! We can tell you who." Hunter jumped in.

"Wait a minute." Chris stopped him. "What happens when this is all over? What happens to all of us?"

"Section Two is going to undergo a complete revamp. All operatives Level Three and under will be retrained to meet Section One standards. James and the other trainers did not meet those requirements."

"So why didn't you remove them? Why not get the recruits trained right?" Elise questioned.

"Because we had to find out what James was up to. Gerald and the trainers will be removed as soon as James is stopped." Michael explained.

"Gerald? You're going to kill Gerald?" Elise demanded.

Michael sighed. "No, he will be retired. He is no longer capable of running an efficient Section. He cannot be allowed to continue."

"I don't buy it." Hunter scoffed. "I think you're just going to kill all of us when this is over. We don't meet your requirements, so why bother retraining us?"

"You will not be retrained here. You will be retrained at Section One and continue to serve there. You will be Section One operatives. You saw that something was wrong and set out to correct it. Your actions regarding James are to be commended. You are definitely Section One material." Michael assured.

"What does that mean? We are definitely Section One material." Chris asked suspiciously.

"Section One only has the best of the best." He turned to Hunter. "You said you didn't meet our requirements. You were wrong. You are good operatives in spite of James training. Very little retraining will be required to bring you up to where I want you."

"What about me? I'm not a good operative. James didn't train me worth crap. So, are you just going to kill me?" Elise questioned.

Michael gave an amused smile. "No, you won't be killed. You're going to be second-in-command."

Elise just gawked. "ME? Elise? Are you sure we're talking about the same person? I am just an average Level One op."

Michael moved around Dare's desk to take a seat in his chair. He sighed as he leaned back. "Ahh, but you're not."

************

Elise stared at him like he was crazy. "What?"

"You are not Elise." Michael stated calmly.

"What do you mean I'm not Elise?" Elise hissed at him.

"More than two and a half years ago George became aware of James plans. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but he knew he wanted it stopped. He ordered the Operations of the time to send someone undercover and find out the specifics." Michael started.

"Operations knew that George wanted him removed from Section. He also knew who George had in line for the position. Under the conclusion that he was inevitably going to lose his place, he decided to strike back at George through his successor. That's when he had Madeline send you undercover."

Elise shook her head. "What? Undercover? I was never sent undercover! I don't know any of these people."

"You were programmed. Madeline put you under hypnosis and reprogrammed your entire identity. She gave you a new name, background, personality, and appearance." Michael paused. "You were programmed to be a detached average operative who had no loyalty to the Section or anyone else. Your directive was to infiltrate James' operation and collect the necessary intel to bring it down."

"They dyed your hair, gave you glasses, and the mentality to dress unattractive so that James would have no sexual interest in you. If he had raped you, or pressured you sexually, you have a very strong will, and it probably would have overloaded the programming."

"You were programmed to be detached so that no affection for other operatives would interfere with your directive. The only thing she couldn't program was your basic morals. You will not kill innocent people, and she could not override that." Michael finished.

"So, you're saying that I'm not who I think I am. That my whole life was just programming?" Elise demanded.

"All the memories you hold were planted in you. Didn't you ever find it strange that even though you killed 13 children with a bomb, and didn't care, that you will risk your life to save an innocent on a mission?" Michael reasoned. "If you really think about it, your entire existence is a contradiction. That's because it wasn't real."

"Wait a minute." Hunter jumped in. "You said that Operations was striking back at his successor. How does putting her undercover do that?"

"Because they were extremely close. They were an unbeatable team, and neither was whole without the other. By putting her undercover, and telling him she volunteered, they threatened his life. He didn't want to live without her. George was not able to have them as easily removed, because the successor was not in the state of mind to properly run Section One." Michael explained.

"So what? Now I'm suppose to help run Section One? Even if what you say is true, I don't remember any of it. There is no way I could be second-in-command." Elise fumed. "I am Elise, not whoever that person was."

"I said you were programmed. I didn't say it was permanent. I only have to say one word, and it will deprogram you." Michael purred.

"So anyone who said that word in the last two and a half years would have deprogrammed her?" Hunter was beyond skeptical.

"No only me." Michael informed. "To deprogram her a word has to be said in my voice."

Chris laughed. "Okay, I'm an X-Files fan, too. If that's true then why haven't you done it already?"

"I want to prepare her. It will be very difficult and painful. It will only last about three minutes, but if she is not prepared and doesn't have some idea of who she was, then it could cause brain damage."

Christy's jaw dropped. "You're serious." She whispered.

"Dead." Michael confirmed.

Elise broke in. "What if I don't want to remember?"

Michael gave an amused smile. "You don't have a choice."

Elise dropped into the chair across from Dare's desk and faced Michael. "Okay, who am I?"

Michael's smile widened. "Your name is Nikita."

************

"NIKITA?" The Three chorused.

"Yes, Nikita." Michael confirmed.

Elise laughed. "You are telling me that not only am I not who I think I am, not only have I been living a lie for two and a half years, but I am no ordinary operative. I am the legendary Nikita."

"That's exactly what I'm saying." Michael monotoned.

"But she didn't even really exist! Those were just stories, legends." Chris forced.

Michael shook his head. "No, she was real, is real. She was brought into the Section seven and a half years ago for a crime she didn't commit, and so on and so forth."

Hunter stepped up. "Hold it just a second. If she's Nikita, then that makes you..."

"Michael." He answered. "I am exactly who I said I was."

"That also makes you the successor." Chris reasoned. "Taking Nikita away from Michael would be a huge blow."

Michael nodded. "She was my reason for living."

"Okay, let's rewind." Elise interrupted. "I am not Elise, the average unattractive operative, I am Nikita, as in Michael and Nikita. I am the reckless, rebellious operative who was Section One's bombshell, and would do anything to screw around with her mentor?"

Michael laughed. "Not all of the rumors, or legends, were true. Most of them were 95% exaggeration based on 5% fact. We did not have an orgy on every mission."

"You were a rebellious operative, but only where doing what was right was involved. You were/are also very talented. You are extremely athletic, intelligent, and seductive. When Madeline programmed you she removed most of that. Your biggest concern in life is making Section see what they are really doing, and living up to your moral standards." Michael finished.

"If I was so great, then why did everyone start spreading those rumors that made me out to be sex-craved?" Elise sneered.

Michael shook his head. "Those rumors were not made to degrade you. Everyone loved you. They told stories about what happened with us, because we gave them hope. We survived and stayed together, even if we weren't a couple. We always beat the odds. Everyone looked up to you, to his or her version of us. We became a symbol of hope and good in Section."

"Think about it. Do you ever hear operatives telling those stories in scorn? Do you ever here them criticize them?" Michael paused. "Maybe a few, but most told them as a reason to go on. They were a way to hear about two operatives giving Section hell and still coming out ahead. They give people love, laughter, and even freedom."

"Those stories aren't really us, anymore. They are totally different people, but they were founded on us. They were made out of that special bond only between us. We were/are soulmates." Michael finished.

Elise sighed in defeat. "Okay, fine. Let's give this thing a try. If you are right I'm prepared, if you're nuts then it doesn't matter."

Michael met her eyes completely serious. "Are you sure you're ready? This will be painful."

Elise gave a bitter laugh. "Well, if I am who you say I am, I've been through worse."

Michael nodded in understanding. "Okay, here we go." Michael paused. "Josephine."

*************

It was agony. It was absolute pain. All the memories, all the emotions, everything coming back at once. It was great. She was alive again.

As Nikita opened her eyes, she saw her fellow operatives staring over her in concern. As she looked from one to the next she actually felt emotion towards each. She almost giggled. Thankfully she held it in; she didn't want to scare them.

She sat up in her chair and looked across at Michael. She felt that deep love, that all-powerful bond flowing between them and the knowledge glowed in her eyes.

Michael gave a solf smile. "Welcome back."

"You mean she is actually Nikita?" Hunter burst out. "I thought you were loony tunes."

Chris looked searchingly into her face. "Nikita? Are you Nikita?"

Nikita eyes never left Michael's. They were having one of their silent conversations. She gave Michael an almost imperceptable nod. Finally, she turned to meet Chris' eyes. "Yes."

Chris saw the new depths to her eyes. She could read the emotions that were always vacant from Elise. She could tell that this was indeed a completely different person. It was almost frightening. "Can you remember us? Can you remember the last two and a half years?"

Nikita nodded. "Yes, I remember everything. It's strange. It's not like I actually lived it, more like I was watching it on a movie. Elise was programmed to have basically no emotions whatsoever. I actually feel again."

"I am a very emotional person. For the last two and a half years that's been missing. I knew all of you, but I didn't care about you. Nothing mattered but getting James. The years don't even seem real."

She turned again to Michael. "I remember everything before two and a half years ago, too. I did not volunteer for this. Madeline called me to Medlab for some test about my profile. Once I was there she had me knocked out. She programmed me then. I can even remember the programming."

"I never really believed you volunteered, but there was nothing I could do to prove it. I knew I just had to wait it out." Michael told her.

"How ironic that you were the release code." Nikita mused. "Madeline must have loved that. To know all the time that only one word from you would set me free. To know it was in your reach, but you could never use it. It was giving you your own private hell."

Nikita saw the flash of emotion in Michael's eyes before he turned away. "It's over now."

"No, it's not." Nikita forced. "It's not over until we get James and Jamie. James is a sadistic monster. Even if I didn't want to do this, now that I've seen what he's done, I want him taken down. And you and I both know what Jamie is capable of."

"Well how do we do that?" Hunter questioned.

Nikita turned and grinned at him. He looked taken aback by the show of emotion, but she moved on. "You know those connections we needed? Those powerful people we needed to get the information to?" She paused when he nodded. "He sitting behind the desk."

"And she's sitting right beside you." Michael grinned.

She met Michael's eyes. "I have everything. The when, the what, the who, the how, and even the why. The mission was a complete success."

Michael sat up and pulled out his cell phone. "Then let's bring him down." He flipped it open and dialed a number. After a moment there was an answer. "George? We're moving."

************

Twenty minutes later they all filed out of the office. As Nikita walked by, Chris grabbed her arm. "What happens now?"

"The operatives are being taken to white rooms. They'll keep James alive and see what information they can get out of him about Jamie." Nikita explained.

"Do you think they'll get her?"

Nikita shrugged. "That's really up to James. It depends on how much loyalty to Jamie he feels. He knows he is going to die. It's just a question of how painful that death will be."

"So, you think he'll break?" Chris questioned.

"I don't know." Nikita answered. "Michael is interrogating him, so there is a good chance."

"Michael is good?" Chris asked.

Nikita nodded. "The best. James knows who Michael is, so he might break as soon as he sees him."

"He knows Michael?"

"Most upper class operatives know Michael and me on sight. As I said we have reputations. That's part of the reason Madeline altered my appearance for this mission." Nikita explained.

Chris examined Nikita's appearance. "How much did they alter you?"

"Not so substantially that I'm completely unrecognizable to people who know me, but enough so that someone who meets me won't know who I am."

Chris giggled. "I keep wondering what you really looked like."

Nikita turned to her and smiled. "You won't have to wonder long. That's what I am doing right now. I'm going shopping in wardrobe, and haircare..." Nikita fingered her brown locks. "I just don't do brown."

She reached up and removed her glasses. "Oh, and here go these." She handed them to Chris. "I definitely don't need those anymore. The only glasses I use are sunglasses."

Chris paused in thought. "You have pretty eyes."

Nikita laughed. She reached up and removed two brown colored contact lenses. She smiled. "Really?"

Chris looked taken aback. "Well, you still do."

As they went around the corner Nikita let down her hair, and headed towards comm. She and Chris watched James being hauled across the floor by two cleaning ops. He stopped and stared at Nikita.

As Nikita met his eyes he sneered. "It was you. You betrayed me, Elise. I don't know how you fooled me. I am an excellent judge of character."

Nikita moved across the room in her slow sexy strut. She reached up and pushed a stray strand of hair back from his face. "Really?" She purred. "Maybe you just didn't look close enough." She moved her face a breath from his. Her accent had returned when the programming was removed. She practically oozed sex appeal. "Look, harder."

She saw the recognition flare in his eyes. "Nikita." He hissed.

She stepped back and smiled. "Got it in one." She laughed as she turned and walked away.

"IF YOU'RE HERE, WHERE IS YOUR BELOVED MICHAEL?" James screamed. "EVERYONE KNOWS HE NEVER LEAVES YOUR SIDE!"

Nikita turned back to look at him with mocking eyes. "Well, I don't want to disappoint, you'll see him in the white room."

"NOOO!" He screamed as he was taken away.

"He knew who you were?" Chris wondered.

"I told you most operatives know me. I had even met him once on a mission." Nikita mused. "Never did like him."

Chris laughed. "Who does?"

Nikita's eyes grew serious. "Jamie does."

"You don't like her much, either, do you?" Chris asked.

Rage filled Nikita's eyes. "She is a monster. I want her dead." She paused in thought. "And I know just the way to get her." She smiled.

Chris looked suspicious. "Nikita?"

The mischief in Nikita's eyes made Chris do a double take. Nikita reached out and grabbed her hand. "Come on."

************

Four hours later Nikita and Chris blazed back into Section. They left a trail of shocked operatives in their path, as they made their way to the main room. They found Michael and Hunter at the briefing table.

When he saw them coming, Hunter gave a slow whistle of appreciation. Michael just smiled. "Who are you and what have you done with my friends?" Hunter questioned.

Nikita grimaced. "Sorry, I know we needed to be here to help with this, but I had to get out of those clothes."

Hunter examined Nikita's off the shoulder, form-fitting black dress. He took in her golden hair and flashing blue eyes. "It was worth it." He gulped.

Nikita just shook her head. "Michael, you haven't killed James yet have you?"

"No." He answered. "Why?"

"Because we can use him." Nikita explained. "Make him contact Jamie and tell her they have to meet."

"But wouldn't that make her suspicious?" Hunter reasoned.

Nikita shook her head. "Not if we play it right. Have him say that a problem has come up. Tell her that some Section One operatives have shown up at Two, that they need to meet and discuss a change of strategy. It's so close to the truth that she'll never suspect."

"Even better, have him tell her to meet at the same place as last time. The only way anyone else could know where that was is if they are part of his team. She'll never suspect betrayal from the inside." Nikita finished.

Michael nodded. "It could work."

"But, can you get him to say it?" Chris questioned.

Hunter laughed. "You should have seen Michael interrogate him. He will say anything Michael tells him to." Hunter pointed to Michael. "This is not a man you want to piss off."

Michael moved forward to stand in front of Nikita. The air crackled between them. He lifted his hand to lay it on her cheek. Nikita leaned into his hand. "I missed you." Michael purred.

Nikita could see the emotions running through his eyes. She knew she was the only one he would let willingly see them. That knowledge ignited a familiar longing deep within her. Desire flooded her eyes and she made no attempt to hide it.

Michael moved forward to meet her lips with his. As they shared a gentle kiss their eyes spoke to each other. Eventually, Nikita pulled back when it began to deepen to something more. She had almost forgotten where they were. She was shocked by what she read in Michael's eyes. He hadn't forgotten. He didn't care. He would give her whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. She finally understood how much the separation had hurt him. When she thought of how she would have felt, if she had to live without him for that long, tears filled her eyes.

"I am so sorry." She whispered. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt his arms wrap around her as if holding on for dear life. "I am so sorry for what they did to you."

"It's okay." Michael sighed as he stroked her hair. "It's okay now."

Nikita pulled back and looked at him. "No." She forced. Michael could read the determination in her eyes. "But it will be."

-----

Chris and Hunter watched the whole scene in awe. Finally, Chris turned to smile smugly at Hunter. "Ice Princess?"

************

As Michael let Nikita pull him through the door to her quarters; he turned to take in the surroundings. The entire room was lit by candles.

"Nikita what are you doing?" He admonished. It would have worked better if he wasn't smiling. Instead Nikita just grinned.

"We have the meet with Jamie tomorrow at 2 p.m. Which was my genius idea, might I add." She paused. "So, as I see it, we have the entire night to waste. Well, I wouldn't exactly call it waste." Her smile turned 100% mischief.

"Oh, really?" Michael grinned back.

"Yep!" Nikita stepped forward and started to remove his jacket. "And I sure hope you can still function on four hours sleep."

Michael shrugged the rest of the way out of it. "I guess we'll see." He paused to consider. "What about surveillance?"

Now her smile was definitely evil. "I ripped them out of the wall two hours ago."

"Nikita!" He scorned but his eyes were dancing.

"Well, I had to have some fun." Nikita reasoned. "You were to busy playing Robo-Operative. You know better than to leave me unsupervised." She mocked.

Michael couldn't help it he laughed. The laugh turned to a groan as Nikita's hands began to wander. She lifted his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor. As she ran her hands up his chest he hissed. "You have too many clothes on." He tried to reach for the zipper on her dress, but she danced out of his reach.

He stared in wonder as she sashayed around the room and began to slip the dress down her body. By the time it pooled around her ankles, Michael was fully aroused. She lifted a finger and beckoned him closer. He was beside her in a heartbeat. As he took her mouth in an earth-shattering kiss, his hands ran paths down her bare skin. One locked secure at her neck, deepening the kiss, while the other cupped her buttocks bringing her in intimate contact with his insistent need.

Nikita freed her hands from his chest and began to reach down to stroke him when he stopped her. "No." He forced through ragged breaths.

"Been...too...long." Nikita nodded in understanding, incapable of speech, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Michael reached down and picked her up, urging her to wrap her legs around his waist. As she eagerly complied, he started carrying her towards the bed.

When he reached the bed, Michael laid her down gently, and ran his eyes lovingly over her beautiful body. She was a gift, his gift, from God. Nikita lifted her arms in invitation and Michael only paused long enough to remove the rest of his clothes before accepting. As he came to her, and their bodies met skin-against-skin (side note: I love that song off the soundtrack. I can practically hear it playing in the background.) the feelings of rapture and completeness they both felt were indescribable.

Nikita brought up her hand to lovingly stroke his cheek. "I love you."

Tears filled Michael's eyes. "I love you, too. I thought I would never hear you say that again. I will always love you. Never doubt that."

A single tear ran down his cheek. Nikita kissed it away. "I won't. I promise."

Her declaration sent an even stronger surge of emotion through Michael. Part desire, part lust, mostly love, it consumed him, and he completely lost control. The animal inside of him, the one Section made him keep leashed for so many years, was set free. As he took Nikita's mouth in a desperate kiss, nothing could have stopped him from completing their union. The world could have fallen apart around them and he wouldn't have noticed.

Michael broke the kiss and began to work his way down her body, as she secured her hands in his hair. He feverishly kissed her chin, her neck, her throat, her shoulders, and finally reached her breasts. As he suckled each breast, and slipped her nipples in his mouth to suck and nip at each one, Nikita began to moan and move uncontrollably. Nikita knew that no one would ever, or could ever effect her as Michael did. She wanted to be part of him NOW!

She removed her hands from his hair and began to run them over his shoulders and beneath his arms. She tried to pull him up, but she didn't get through to him. Finally, she returned her hands to his hair and pulled his head up to meet his eyes. "NOW!" She demanded and continued to try to pull him to her. Michael saw the fever in her eyes, and like a wild animal stalking its prey purposefully moved back up her body. When he reached eye-level, his eyes burned their message to her soul. Nikita growled. "NOW!"

Michael attacked, and as he plunged his tongue into her mouth, he filled her body to the core. Nikita heard a scream rip from her throat. It was unparalleled pleasure. Pure bliss. Nothing could compare to this for either of them. This was where they belonged.

As Michael began to set the rhythm, Nikita matched it perfectly. He drove into her body, and the world began to spin before his eyes. Just as he knew he could hold on no, longer he felt her body seize around him. He vaguely heard his name in the background, but it didn't compute. He held onto her for dear life as his universe exploded, shouting her name and sealing their mouths in one more kiss. Finally, when wave after wave of heaven poured over him, he collapsed atop her. "I love you," he whispered as he drifted into sleep against her breast. "I will always love you."

************

As Nikita slowly regained consciousness, she became aware of Michael lying beneath her. Sometime during her nap he had reversed their positions. Her head was resting on his chest, and he was playing with her hair. She lifted her head and met his glowing gaze. "Hey." She whispered gruffly.

Michael gave her a gentle smile. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

Nikita gave him her best mona-lisa smile. "Do you really want me to answer that question?"

Michael chuckled. "Okay, I'll take that as a fine."

"If this is fine, I can't wait to feel good."

"Seriously, Nikita." Michael searched her eyes. "You only remembered me this morning. Did you want to be with me, or did you just feel sorry for me?"

Nikita laughed out loud. "Okay, Michael, if you want to be serious you have to ask realistic questions. FEEL SORRY FOR YOU? I love you. The last two and a half years don't matter. They weren't real. My life is only real when I'm with you."

Michael sighed in relief. "When I found you today, and you were so cold, I thought I would never get you back. I never trusted that Madeline made the programming reversible. I thought you would get back your memories, but that's all."

Nikita giggled. "I remember everything. From 'a woman with your looks that can kill in cold blood' to 'get over it."

"And you love me why?" Michael questioned.

"I don't know. I never have. I couldn't not love you, believe me I tried. I just loved every part of you, the good and the bad, because they all added up to make you." Nikita smiled. "And now, there is no Madeline and Paul to keep us apart. I know we will still have to be discreet, but we can do it. I personally like George a lot better than Paul."

"George likes you, too. He thinks you have character." Michael gave a sad smile. "That's part of the reason they put you undercover. They knew that George planned to put us in control. He already had us lined up for the commands."

Nikita shook her head. "No more dwelling on the past. We are together now, and that's what matters."

Michael pulled her up to kiss her gently. "It's perfect."

When Nikita broke the kiss she sighed. "It will be when we get Jamie."

Suddenly the door opened and Hunter walked in. "Elise I...WOW!" He gasped.

"Hunter what have I told you about knocking before coming into my room?" Nikita questioned.

"Well...I mean...uh...how was I suppose to know?" Hunter stammered.

"HUNTER!" Nikita growled.

"Sorry." He had the grace to look ashamed. "Chris wanted to know if you wanted to go out tonight." An evil twinkle entered his eyes. "I'm guessing the answer is no? You look a little busy."

"Hunter..." Nikita started.

"How does he know your room code?" Michael asked suspiciously.

"Down boy!" Nikita laughed. "He is not a threat. Jacob hacked all our passwords. He gave mine to Hunter."

"Why would he do that?" Michael wondered.

"Do you remember Birkoff? Why do you think he did it? He did it because he could." Nikita explained sarcastically. "I have told Hunter ever since he had better knock. He said it wasn't necessary."

Michael turned hard eyes on Hunter. "He was wrong."

"Yeah, I know that now." Hunter pushed. "Hanky-panky, and in the middle of Section. Why you two veteran ops should know better. What would the others say?" He gave a devilish grin.

Nikita groaned as she reached for a shirt and pulled it over her head. She started to get up. "I'm sure you'll find out." She made her way across the room toward him.

Hunter whistled. "Nice legs, Elise. Wouldn't mind trying them out."

Michael jolted to a sitting position. He was just about to go after Hunter, when Nikita turned and waved him back. He lay back with his arms behind his head and smiled.

Nikita lightly played with Hunter's hair. She ran her hands up to lightly massage his shoulders. "The only place you'll ever try anything out on me," she kneed him in the balls. As Hunter fell to the floor and moaned in pain, Nikita gave him a catty smile, "is in your dreams."

Nikita reached down and pulled him up by his hair. She pushed him through the door and into the hall. She took in his stunned expression and blew him a kiss. "Don't forget. I'm not Elise. Goodbye, Hunter." She closed the door in his face.

Nikita turned back to face Michael with mischief in her eyes. "Now, where were we?"

"I believe," Michael smiled, "you were just about to lose that shirt, and I was going to do an in-depth study of those nice legs."

Nikita laughed as she threw the shirt away. "Just the legs? But I was hoping for so much more."

Michael lifted a finger to call her to him. "I can compromise."

************

-The next day 1 p.m.-

When everyone was in the van, Michael hit the side. "Go."

A deadly silence filled the air, as Michael turned to face the group. "Nikita and I will take point. Hunter, you and Chris are our backup. Teams two and three will be covering the perimeter."

"Once we reach our positions, we will have ten minutes to take out the major players and get Jamie. After that ten minutes or the first gunfire is heard, teams two and three will move in." Michael paused. "They will kill every hostile in their sights. No prisoners."

"We want to try to bring Jamie in alive, but if it gets close kill her." Nikita explained.

"Nikita and I will be carrying trank darts, so we get first go at Jamie." Michael finished.

"Michael." A voice came from the front of the van. "We're on site."

Michael turned on his comm set. "Teams two and three move to position." He looked around the group. "Let's get this done."

As they moved out of the van, Michael led followed by Nikita, Hunter, and Chris. The team moved through the perimeter fence and hopped shadows to the side of the building. They watched all the exterior guards to make sure they remained undetected.

Once inside the building, Michael and Nikita felt the familiar connection snap into place. Each knew exactly what the other was thinking. As they systematically moved through the building and took out guards as they went, Hunter and Chris simply followed their lead. Finally, they reached position and Michael brought them to a halt.

"Alright team two and three, we're in play." Michael moved them forward until they came to an open circular corridor. They could hear Jamie's voice echo through the silence. Michael looked around the corner to count Jamie and four other operatives. He looked beside him and met Nikita's gaze. She gave him a determined nod, and he knew she was in machine-mode.

Suddenly Michael dove into the room, and took out two guards in a roll. While the other guards turned their aim towards Michael, Nikita stepped out and hit them. Jamie had just enough time to get out one shot at Nikita. Hunter, anticipating her move, pushed Nikita out of the way, and shot Jamie in the shoulder.

As Jamie hit the floor, Michael helped up Nikita, and Hunter and Chris stepped into the room. Nikita moved to stand over Jamie's body. She looked down into Jamie's eyes and smiled. "I knew you wouldn't like me long."

"You!" Jamie hissed.

"Yeah, you might know me better as Nikita." She leaned over to pull Jamie up and cuff her hands behind her back. "By the way," she whispered in her ear, "James sends his regards."

Chris stepped forward and gave a husky laugh. "And exactly, why did I need to come on this mission?" Her smile faded in an instant as she raised her gun and shot directly over Nikita's shoulder. As a hostile hit the floor, Chris groaned and threw her head back. "Me and my big freakin' mouth."

Nikita moved Jamie towards the door. She tapped Chris on the shoulder as she passed. "Good to have you along."

Chris just shook her head. "Man, I need some downtime."

"Hey, you can't do this!" Jamie began to yell. "IT CAN'T ALL END THIS WAY!"

Nikita turned around and handed Jamie to Chris. "Hold her for a second." As Chris complied, Nikita snapped out her gun and shot Jamie over the heart with her trank dart.

Jamie's body slumped in Chris' grasp, and Nikita took her back heaving a lusty sigh. "That felt SOOO GOOD!"

They all looked to Michael for confirmation. "The site is clean." He nodded in satisfaction. "We have closure."

On the way back to Section, Nikita dozed on Michael shoulder, while Chris told the driver what happened in exaggerated detail. Michael just rolled his eyes. "And the legends continue."

************

It had been three days since they brought in Jamie, and everyone was packed and ready to leave for Section One. Gerald had been removed and George assigned Dare the command in his place. Michael and Nikita had started the retraining on the lower operatives, and Section Two was well on its way to full capacity.

As Nikita walked her luggage down to van access, she thought back over her two and a half years here. Everything seemed like a blur. It was strange that she should know a place so well, and still feel like a visitor. She didn't know if she would ever truly come to terms with her reprogramming, but she had to move past it.

Nikita rounded the corner and saw Chris waiting for her at van access. "Hey, girl. You ready to go?"

Chris shrugged. "I don't know. This place was finally starting to feel like home, and now I have to leave again." She sighed in confusion. "I know working under James was hell. I shouldn't miss this place, but I will."

Nikita patted her shoulder consolingly. "Section One isn't so bad. It will be home, too. Michael will be a fair Operations. And I'll still be there to watch out for you."

Chris gave a gentle laugh. "Yeah, maybe you'll let me be your friend now. I could never get close to Elise, but you definitely have potential." She elbowed Nikita in the side playfully. "It couldn't hurt me to have connections with the second-in-command, either."

Nikita laughed and shook her head as she turned to exit the Section. Just then, Hunter appeared in the door. "Okay, you guys come on! I swear, women take forever. Jacob and I have been here for an hour."

Nikita stepped past him and into the van, but Chris stopped beside him. "You don't get it, do you?"

Hunter looked confused. "What?"

"We may never see this place again." Chris forced.

Hunter looked at her sincerely. "I know that." He paused. "Chris we had a few good times here, but not many. We're going to a better place, and we're all going together." He turned and preceded her out.

Chris turned back to look at the Section one more time, but this time with a smile. "You may just be right"

Two hours later Nikita, Hunter, Chris, and Jacob entered Section One.

Chris shook her head. "I don't know what I was whining about. It looks almost exactly the same."

Nikita grinned. "I thought you might notice that."

Nikita headed purposely down the halls, and the others followed. As she entered the main room, she fell into her familiar strut. She got all of five steps before she was spotted.

"NIKITA!" Birkoff shouted as he tackled her. He gave her a bear hug, and finally pulled away. "I've missed you. We were all worried, but we knew Michael would bring you back."

Nikita looked over the young operative. "You've matured a little I think, Birkoff." She rubbed his shaved head and he blushed. "Well maybe not that much." She reconsidered.

"Wait till I tell you everything that's happened." He said eagerly.

"Maybe later, Seymour, I..."

"Sugar!" Walter interrupted.

Nikita turned to grin widely. "Walter." This time she was the one to instigate the hug. Walter was too choked up.

"I'm so glad to see you back." He spoke gruffly.

Nikita pulled back and wiped a tear from her eye. "Yeah, me too."

Walter looked curious. "Where's Michael, ah...Operations?"

Nikita smiled. "He's coming in tonight. He had some last minute touches to put on Two."

Walter laughed. "I'll bet he did."

"So." Nikita's smile was 100% mischief. "Where is my new office?"

"Your new office, Sugar?" Walter questioned.

"Yep, I'm second-in-command." She announced.

"Oh, really?" Walter grinned. "That's great, Sugar. Now everything is how it should be." Walter paused. "But I can't show you your office until Laney moves out."

"Laney?" Nikita questioned.

"Yeah, the old second-in-command." He saw Nikita's eyes begin to cloud. "But, hey, don't worry about her. There was nothing between her and Michael, believe me. She's not his type. I'll take you home instead."

"Okay." She smiled again. "Let's go home."

***********

Nikita entered Operations' office and came to an abrupt stop. An exotic looking redhead stood at Michael's panel. "Excuse me." Nikita started. "I'm looking for Operations. He was suppose to come back this afternoon, do you know if he's in yet?"

The redhead turned to look Nikita over. Her eyes spit fire as they clashed with blue ice. "I know who you are. You're that slut taking my position."

Nikita rolled her eyes. "And you must be Laney. Look, I don't know what you've heard about me, but you don't want to piss me off." Nikita paused. "Slut is not a term that applies to me, and even if it did you couldn't call me that."

"Why else would he put some nobody in my position? Elise? Who is Elise? You are nothing but an ambitious little tramp. Level One operatives are not made second-in-command." Laney sneered.

Nikita's eyes blazed fire. "Where is Operations?"

"What? No comeback?" Lacey mocked.

"I don't have to justify myself to you. You'll find out just how stupid you are soon enough." Nikita gave a catty smile. "And I don't know if you'll ever get that foot out of your mouth." Nikita turned to leave. "Tell Michael I'm looking for him."

"MICHAEL?" Lacey shouted. "Who gave you the right to call him Michael?"

"Oh, you're not finished yet? I thought you had made a big enough fool of yourself." Nikita turned to lean back against the doorway and smiled. "Please proceed."

"You have no right to call him Michael!" Lacey ranted. "He is Operations, and you are nobody."

Nikita shook her head. "There went the other foot. You're running out of limbs here." She sassed.

"ELISE? You, ELISE, call him OPERATIONS! LITTLE WHORES DON'T GET TO CALL HIM MICHAEL!" She screamed. "I give you a week, and I'm back in my position. I shouldn't even bother emptying my office."

Nikita just laughed. "There went both arms." She winked at Laney. "Don't stop now! It was just getting good."

"What kind of name is ELISE, anyway?" Laney barked.

"It's a covername." Came the deadly voice from behind her.

Nikita just giggled as she blew Laney a kiss. Laney turned to face a seething Michael. "Uh...Michael, I didn't know you were back."

"Obviously." Michael stated. "And you are to call me Operations." He turned to face the laughing blond. "Glad to see you find this amusing."

Nikita laughed even harder. "I just wish I had it on tape. Do you think I could bribe Birkoff to give me the surveillance feed?"

Michael rolled his eyes. "I think I can handle this alone, Nikita. Why don't you head home and unpack. I'm sure there's some redecorating you could do, a wall to knock down?" He mocked.

Nikita shrugged. "That's cool. I had front row tickets to the best part, anyway."

Laney stared in disbelief. "NIKITA?"

"By George, I think she's got it." Nikita moved across the room toward Michael. "Okay, Michael, I'll leave her to you." She reached up to give him a quick kiss on the lips. "See you later, lover."

After Nikita completed her lazy exit, Michael turned again to Laney. "Now," he spoke in a terrifying calm, "you were saying?"

In another part of Section, Nikita headed towards the door on her way home. She saw Chris and Hunter come around the corner. "Are you headed home?" They asked.

"Yeah." She answered.

"Well, you need to, and we're coming with you." Hunter told her.

"And why is that?" Nikita wondered.

Chris laughed. "Because that Laney woman is on a rampage. She is not happy to be removed. She has been dogging you all over Section. You should have heard her."

"And you thought I would want to run from her?" Nikita asked in disbelief.

"No." Hunter sighed.

"We thought you'd kill her." Chris announced.

"Yeah." Hunter confirmed. "We didn't think murder would look so good your first day on the job. You don't want to give the other operatives a bad impression."

Nikita looked amused. "Well, I don't think we have to worry about Laney, anymore."

"Oh, no." Chris moaned. "She's already done it. We're too late."

"No." Nikita laughed. "I didn't."

"Then why?" Hunter asked.

Nikita grinned. "Michael's back." She sang.

Hunter burst out laughing. Clutching his stomach and through uncontrolled chuckles he exclaimed. "Now, I kinda feel sorry for her!"

***********

As Nikita looked around the empty apartment she was swept back in time. Memories were alive in the air.

She looked over at the balcony where she could still see herself that first night, as she breathed in the fresh air of her new home. She glanced at the counter where Michael sat and waited on her to come home from Chandlers'. She could still see them dancing in the middle of the floor.

This place was filled with memories. Some good; many bad. It was where they fought, made up, and made love. It was the only real home Nikita had ever known.

A small smile grew on Nikita's face. They would make new memories to add to the list. Not all would be good, but love would always win out in the end. She had both blessed and cursed this place. No matter what she called it though, it was home. It would always be home.

'It ain't too bad having a reputation.' Nikita thought. 'At least people will know that we lived. These memories will carry on. They will live forever.'

"Hey, Nikita?" Chris called from the open door. Nikita turned from the past and faced the future.

"Huh?" Nikita questioned.

"Will you hurry up! We want to go clubbing!" Chris exclaimed. "We don't have all night, and if you don't get going Walter's said he's gonna tell Hunter the REAL story about Nikita."

Nikita smiled. "Not much to tell."

Chris shrugged. "Well, I don't know, but Birkoff said something about showing some Armel tape." Chris hopped out the door.

Nikita stormed after her. "I'm gonna KILL HIM! SEYMOUR!"

When she reached the door Nikita looked back one more time, a reminiscent smile lighting her face. "Yep, we've come a long way, but we're not done yet." She whispered into the silence.

Raine

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