Michael pulls Nikita into his arms and sighs, "At last."

She smiles into his shoulder and silently echoes the sentiment.

"I think Operations is getting back at us, despite being told no repercussions." Michael murmurs as he smooths her hair to the side and starts to gently nibble on her neck.

Nikita arches her neck in response and tilts her head to the side to allow him greater access. "I agree." she breathes.

This is the first time either has seen the other (except for quick glimpses in the hallways) since the takeover two weeks ago. Operations took George's advice/threat to heart and began beefing up Section security. All Ops not on a current mission were given work details of various natures and now, it seems, Section is tighter than a sealed can.

Michael leans back and traces her jawline with a fingertip while he watches her eyes flutter closed. It still amazes him that he has the ability to make her feel this way. As his finger reaches her mouth, lightly tracing her lower lip, he leans closer ...

His cell phone rings. Michael freezes, his mouth mere inches away from Nikita's. She opens her eyes and the phone rings again.

"Damn!"

She smiles ruefully and listens to Michael's half of the conversation with fatalistic acceptance that their moment has come to an end.

**********

Nikita opens her door to see Michael standing just out of camera range in the hallway with his finger up to his mouth indicating silence. She arches an eyebrow and steps outside into the hall.

Michael pulls her into his arms for a quick, heated kiss and then releases her to whisper in her ear, "Meet me at my car."

She glances at her watch, 11:30 p.m., they have a briefing at 6:00 a.m. - what the hell - who needs sleep? She nods and goes back into her apartment.

"Damn pranksters." she mutters sleepily for surveillance.

Nikita walks around the apartment for a few minutes acting like now that she has been woken up she can't get back to sleep. Finally, with an exclamation of disgust, she gets dressed and stomps out.

Once out in the hallway, she runs down the stairs and through the emergency exit at the back of the building. Around the corner and she sees Michael's car.

Climbing in, she smiles at him a little breathless from running and a little thrilled from sneaking out of Sections control.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you." Michael smiles as he carefully pulls out into traffic. "How about some coffee? I heard about a new place in town."

Nikita grins and agrees. She is happy to be with Michael after so long. Their interrupted moment in the park had been eating at her.

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

Slowly over two cups of steaming coffee they catch up with each other. Michael had been sent on three missions while Nikita got stuck doing drudge duty for the security upgrade.

Fortunately for Nikita part of the time without Michael had been spent with Birkoff and Walter so she had not gone completely crazy.

Michael's missions were simple in and outs and he suspected that Operations sent him on them simply for the boredom factor.

A curious, pleasant silence falls between the two of them.

Michael takes Nikita's right hand and slowly caresses her palm. She sighs.

"I've missed talking to you." Michael confesses as he plays with her hand. "And touching you." He raises her hand and begins lightly kissing the tips of her fingers.

Nikita shivers and the cafe where they are seated disappears into the background. She is only aware of the fact that her fingertips are suddenly ultra-sensitive and the feeling of his firm lips as they caress them one by one was sending unbelievable sensations racing throughout her system. She is suddenly light-headed.

Michael says something to her but she can't hear him over the racing of her blood. God, he has the sexiest mouth!' "What did you say?"

Michael looks at the table and with a quiet smile whispers, "I'm ready to leave, how about you?"

"Yes." Nikita nods eagerly, agreeing to several things with just one word.

Reluctantly Michael lets go of her hand. He pays the bill and they leave the cafe.

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

As they step out into the alley parkway, a police siren shrieks through the air. Quickly they blend into the shadows and wait for it to pass. It doesn't. A bright red Lexus peals into the parking lot and slams into a sedate Monte Carlo. Instantly the driver of the Lexus is climbing out of his car, cussing up a storm and weaving drunkenly around the lot. A police car pulls into the lot, it's siren off but it's lights blinking furiously.

There ensues a half hour tug of war between the drunk driver and the police who have been chasing him. Unfortunately for them, Michael and Nikita are trapped into front row seats watching the debacle. Several restaurant patrons come out to watch the fun, further trapping them in their position against the wall.

By the time the parking lot is quiet and empty, Michael's watch is softly, but persistently beeping. They climb into Michael's car and he drives back to her apartment building in silence.

"I have to go in." Michael sighs.

"Yes."

"Don't forget the briefing begins at six."

"Yes."

"I'm really sorry this happened."

"Yes." Nikita looks at him and gently caresses the side of his face, "You had better go." She climbs out of the car and goes back up to her apartment and straight into a cold shower.

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

Michael sits ramrod straight, aware of the fact that Nikita has molded herself up against him while she is napping.

The briefing had gone well enough, Nikita was even on time. It was obvious that she hadn't gotten any sleep since their separation. He could sympathize, his frustration level was rising also.

Now on the plane to their destination, Nikita is napping and Michael is suffering. Her head is on his shoulder, her breasts are pushing against his side and her hand is laying on his thigh. The worst part of this terrible situation is the fact that she is dreaming and dreaming about him.

Her hand tightens slightly on his thigh and she giggles under her breath, "Michael, you naughty boy."

Michael breathes deep and looks at the ceiling willing himself to not respond. He can tell from her breathing that she is asleep and not playing with him.

He looks around the interior of the plane in an effort to distract himself. Most of the other operatives are also sleeping. Section doesn't believe in frills and so there is no such thing as an in-flight movie or even anything to read.

Nikita shifts against him and whispers encouragement that sounds very familiar. It's going to be a long flight.

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

"Michael, I left my car at my apartment, could you give me a ride home?" Nikita asks, striving valiantly to maintain a calm demeanor. Her look is anything but.

"Yes." Michael responds, not trusting himself to say more.

With that convenient excuse to be together, they leave Section, doing their best to appear nonchalant. Once out on the street, however, they start to run down the street.

"Where are you parked?"

"I didn't drive today."

"Oh."

Michael veers into an alleyway and Nikita follows. About halfway down the alley they find a recessed doorway that is clear of rubbish.

Nikita pulls Michael into the doorway and kisses him. He presses her close to the wall and runs his hands down her back, resting on and cupping her buttocks. With a desperate groan he pulls her closer. Nikita sighs into his mouth and wiggles against him, wrapping her legs around him. They both become lost in the feelings cascading through them.

"Karen! Karen! You come back here!"

Michael pulls away from Nikita in a daze, the high pitched angry voice breaking through to his consciousness. Nikita whimpers lightly and tries to capture his mouth. He glances over to his right and sees a little girl watching them with big eyes.

"Karen! There you are, what are you doing? ... Oh my goodness!!"

A woman stops by the little girl and also looks at Michael and Nikita with big eyes. Nikita, finally realizing what is happening, buries her reddened face into Michael's shoulder.

The woman ushers her child out of the alleyway, all the time loudly discussing that 'some people obviously don't know how to behave in public'.

Michael lets go of Nikita and runs his fingers through his hair. Nikita stands with her back against the wall and catches her breath while smoothing her clothes. For some reason her shirt has separated from her pants.

"Nikita ..."

Whatever Michael was going to say is lost forever as they hear a cell phone ring. Both check their phones and it's Nikita's.

"Hello?" a pause, "Hello Madeline."

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

"Darn, I left my cell phone at home. What was I thinking?" Michael smiles rakishly at Nikita.

She grins in return, "You too?" She shakes her head mockingly, "It must be an epidemic."

With deliberate concentration, Michael accelerates to the barely respectable speed limit. Once out of the city, he allows the needle to creep upward. Nikita closes her eyes and enjoys the thrill of the ride. She smiles a secret smile of enjoyment as she imagines how the drive will end. Upon seeing this smile, Michael floors the accelerator.

"Where are we going?"

"Lookout point."

She looks at him in surprise, "Lookout point?"

He shrugs and slows down as the road gradually turns into a dirt path, "It used to be called that, a long time ago."

"Why Michael, is this some dark secret of yours?" she flirts with him.

"Me and every other male in town." he assures her with a wicked grin.

He concentrates on the road with its twists and turns and suddenly they are pulling up a hill that looks out over the city. It's far enough out of town for the stars to shine through. He pulls into the shade of a big oak tree and turns the car off.

Nikita looks around, staring out the window at the stars. "It's beautiful." she breathes.

"Yes."

The timber of Michael's voice draws her attention and she realizes that he is looking at her and not the stars. She blushes slightly and looks away.

"Come here." Michael holds out a hand, his fingers curved slightly inward, beckoning.

She places her hand in his and he gently guides her over onto his lap. She carefully positions herself, afraid of hurting him.

He strokes her cheek with the back of his hand, "You are so beautiful. In the moonlight, you look like a fairy princess."

Nikita closes her eyes and leans into his hand.

The kisses start light and gentle, but it's not long before they are deep and eating. Hands wander over clothing and then under. Skin touches skin. Blood boils. Steam fogs the windows up. A knock is heard on the window. Nikita jerks her head up and the knock is heard again, louder, more persistently.

"Police, open up."

With a groan and a shaking hand, Michael slides the window down.

"Okay, kids, this isn't a hotel ..." the police officer shines his flashlight into the interior of the car, flashing off of Michael's and Nikita's faces. "Aren't you two a little old to be doing this?"

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

"Hey, Sugar?"

"WHAT?!" Nikita barks, her nerves on edge.

Walter jumps slightly back, "You okay?"

"I'm sorry Walter. Just not getting enough sleep, or something." Nikita apologizes with a rueful smile.

"I'd say it was the 'or something'." Walter teases. "I could help you with that, if you'd like." he lecherously offers.

Nikita sways up to him, "You had better be careful, one of these days, I might take you up on it." She moves closer and whispers, "I don't want to kill you, you know."

"What a way to go." Walter wiggles his eyebrows at her.

Nikita starts laughing, "You're terrible."

"Nikita." Madeline's voice interrupts their byplay.

"Yes?" Nikita turns around and sees that Madeline is holding a garment bag and a pair of shoes with heels from hell.

"Time to change."

------

"Nikita can I see you in my office, please?" Michael's voice holds the barest tremble of suppressed emotion.

Nikita walks in and sits down carefully, the cut of the dress Madeline has given her requires attention be paid to little things like sitting, standing, breathing.

As Nikita watches him lock the door, she notices that the blinds to his windows are shut.

"What did you want to see me about?"

"That dress! What is your mission?"

"Oh. Just surveillance, I'm accompanying Walter as his 'niece' to an initial meeting." She smiles at him and leans slightly toward him, "Why? Don't you like it?" Her movement causes the material - what little there is - to strain against her form.

"Careful." he cautions. His eyes are roaming over the ample display of flesh with a touch of desperation.

Before either one can say or do anything else, Walter knocks on the door. "Nikita? Ready? It's time to load."

"Coming." Nikita sings out while glancing hungrily at Michael.

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

Michael is still at Section when Nikita and Walter return. They pull up in the limo and Walter has to help Nikita out of the car. She is swaying slightly and giggling about something Walter is whispering in her ear.

"Walter, Nikita. How did the mission go?" Michael steps out to hold the door open for the pair. "It went great, Nikita was a hit and I was the envy of every man there. Contacts galore." Walter grins and puts an arm around Nikita's waist. "Come on Sugar, let's get you in before you fall out of that dress."

Nikita shrieks with laughter, "Walter! You've been trying to get me out of this dress all night."

Walter glances at Michael's suddenly stern face and shrugs good-naturedly, "Nikita had a tad too much to drink." he says by way of explanation.

Michael removes Walter's arm from her waist and lifts Nikita in his arms. He silently carries her up to Madeline's office. Nikita clings to his neck and starts licking his ear.

"Mmmm, tasty." she whispers and gently bites his earlobe.

"'Kita. I don't want to drop you." Michael whispers desperately as he concentrates on carrying her.

She ignores him and continues her exploration.

In Madeline's office, Michael set Nikita on her (unsteady) feet. "Come on, let's get this off of you." He turns her around looking for a zipper, button or latch.

Nikita sways and giggles, "Michael, are you going to take your clothes off, too?" She turns back around and wraps her arms around his waist.

Michael closes his eyes and hopes that Madeline's office is bug-free and removes her hands from his waist. "Yes." he whispers in her ear, "but not here."

"Oooh, can I watch?" Nikita winks at him with a smirk.

Deciding that the best way to get through this is to ignore her, Michael kneels in front of her as he grasps the hem of her dress.

Nikita lays her hands on his head and threads her fingers through his hair, "Oh Michael, what a wonderful idea."

Determinedly Michael blocks that sound of her sensual voice, and the itch he now has, out of his mind takes ahold of the dress and lifts it up and off of her, deliberately not looking at her.

He turns his back on her naked form and sees her clothes stacked in a pile waiting for her. "Here. Get dressed and we can leave."

"Okey dokey." she agrees.

Michael listens to her stumble a little while he is replacing the dress in it's proper place, it wouldn't do for Madeline to think anything happened in her office.

When he comes out of the wardrobe, he finds, to his dismay, Nikita is passed out on Madeline's couch.

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

Michael paces around his office, the tension eating at him. He needs to think, he needs to plan. He needs to get the mental image of Nikita's nude form out of his mind! Okay, okay, think of something else. Where? That is the great question. Where can they go?

Nikita turns the volume on her stereo up and increases her workout, the tension eating at her. She needs to think, she needs to plan. She needs to get the feel of Michael's hands on her out of her mind! Okay, okay, think of something else. Where? Where can they go? And how soon?

"Nikita. I will need your assistance tonight."

"Yes, Michael?"

"I need for you to accompany me to a meet to gather intel tonight. My contact is only secure with men when they have a woman with them. She is very nervous of men alone."

"Yes, Michael. When will this be?"

"Seven p.m."

Nikita smiles professionally and nods. That should establish a believable alibi she thinks as she walks past Madeline and Operations who overheard the last of the conversation.

------

At six-thirty Nikita arrives back at Section to be briefed by Michael. As soon as the door closes in his office, Michael sweeps her into his arms for a burning, longing kiss.

"Where are we going?" Nikita asks as she comes up for air.

"The Wilshire. I really do have a contact around there named Nancy and she doesn't meet with me alone. All we need to do is meet with her for ten . . . five minutes tops and then we have the whole night!"

Nikita sighs, "All night."

Michael cups her face with his hands, "All night."

-------

Michael closes the door to room 217 and turns to face Nikita. "Sorry Nancy took so long. Who would believe that tonight of all nights, she would actually have some intel?"

Nikita smiles and starts to unbutton her blouse, one slow button at a time. "Do you think that's why she kept us so long? I think she rather fancied me."

Michael crosses the room and stops her at her second button. "Let me."

Nikita allows her hand to fall to her side as Michael slowly kisses her neck. His kisses follow his hand as he unbuttons her shirt, stopping at each button to stroke the newly exposed skin. As Michael peals the shirt off of her shoulders, he has to place his arm around her waist to keep her standing. Nikita whimpers as he runs his tongue around her belly button. Her legs have turned to rubber and she can barely remain upright. ALL NIGHT.

Michael's hands tremble as he slowly slides her skirt down her legs. When she steps out of puddle of cloth, he lowers her onto the bed.

Nikita opens her eyes and then opens her arms in an age old symbol of womanly welcome. Michael almost rips his clothes in an effort to get them off. Nikita draws him onto the bed . . .

"FIRE, FIRE, FIRE, EVERYBODY OUT, THE HOTEL IS ON FIRE!!!!!"

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

Even though Nikita doesn't know French, she is pretty sure that Michael is cussing. He stops with one knee on the bed and hangs his head.

"FIRE, FIRE, EVERYBODY OUT NOW!"

Michael and Nikita sigh deeply and get off of the bed. The fates are against them it seems. Nikita dresses quickly, but it takes Michael a little longer. This is not a job to rush.

"Go to the window and see if there is a crowd outside." Michael states quietly while very carefully zipping up his pants.

Nikita moves over to the window and looks outside. She is just beginning to smell smoke. Below, a crowd has gathered including some tv stations vans. "Yeah, there's a crowd and some tv."

Michael finishes buttoning his shirt while he walks over to the window. Nikita watches him with a sense of regret. They were soooooooo close!

"We'll have to leave by the back." Michael states.

Nikita looks at him bewildered.

"We can't risk being photographed."

She nods in understanding and they head for the door. Just as they approach the door it is flung open and the man who checked them in stands in the doorway, his hair on end and fear in his eyes.

"What are you two still doing in here?!" he screams. "The hotel is on fire! Out, out!" He is close to hysteria and tries to drag Nikita forcibly from the room.

"Stop it!" Nikita commands, shaking him off of her. "We are leaving, calm down." she tries to soothe him. Michael follows her out of the room and waits for her to go with him down the back stairs.

"Come on! This way! This way!" the hotel manager screams, totally losing himself in his fear, once again grabbing Nikita's arm.

"Let go of me." Nikita tries to disengage him but he is holding on with desperate strength. She really doesn't want to hurt him but ...

Michael walks around Nikita and pops the hotel manager up aside the head, knocking him out. Nikita frees herself and looks down at the prostate body.

"What are we going to do about him?"

Just then Michael calls out, "We have a man down here!" and Nikita can make out some of the firefighters coming up the front stairs.

"Come on. He'll be okay." Michael starts for the back stairs and with one backward glance Nikita follows him.

-------

Standing on either side of Michael's car, the two of them clear their lungs of the smoke they inhaled. Nikita half smiles at Michael over the roof of his car, "You sure know how to show a girl a hot time."

Michael shakes his head and grimaces.

"What are we going to do? We can't go back to Section like this." Nikita looks down at her clothes and hands. They are grimy and smell of smoke.

Michael leans on the roof of his car and looks at her, even covered in soot, she is beautiful. Despite the danger of the situation his desire for her has not decreased one bit, as he is painfully aware.

"I don't know what we are going to do, but we need to get away from here before we attract any attention."

They climb into his car and he pulls out into traffic. For several minutes, they drive around in silence. The night is still young and neither one wants to bring it to an end despite what has happened or maybe in defiance of what has happened.

Nikita is shaken out of her reverie by the screeching of tires and sudden stopping of the car.

"We are here." Michael states with a determined voice.

Here? Nikita looks around and notices that they are in the parking lot of motel on the outskirts of town. She looks at the sign ...

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

"THE NO TELL MOTEL"*

"The No Tell Motel?" Nikita asks looking at Michael.

He avoids her eyes, "Can you think of any place else where they won't ask any questions?"

"No."

He leaves her in the car while he checks in. He declines the hourly rate and rents a room for the whole night. No he will not need the in-house cable hook-up with it's 14 adult channels.

-------

Michael closes the door and looks around the room. He breathes a sigh of relief. Despite the name and 'extras', the room is clean and seems to be well kept up. A quick glance confirms clean sheets.

Nikita is in the bathroom, taking a shower as Michael paces outside. She exits wearing a towel and smelling clean and fresh.

Now it's his turn. After taking a quick but thorough shower, Michael rinses out their clothing and leaves them draining with the solar lamp at full cycle.

He steps out into the room and sees only a soft glow from the bedside lamp. "Nikita?"

"I'm here Michael." Nikita's soft voice comes from the bed.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not taking you to a better place. For not being more romantic. For not ..."

Nikita cuts him off, "Michael."

"Yes?"

"Shut up and come to bed." she whispers commandingly.

Michael's heart leaps as he listens to the desire in her voice.

He drops his towel and climbs into bed. His hand strokes her body, learning her curves again, savoring her smooth skin, building the tension to a breaking point. His lips nuzzling her neck, shoulder, breasts, "Nothing stops us this time. I don't care if Operations and Madeline walk in the room. Nothing stops us this time!"

"Yes Michael." Nikita pulls him down on top of her.

All Night.

*Thanks Hoppasai

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