While Michael was having dinner at the Wolfe’s Nikita was sharing a drink with an old friend.

Late in the day she had gotten a surprise phone call. The only person who had stood by her through the troubles in Washington had tracked her down to New York. Ironically, the friend had been a lieutenant in the DC police department and had subsequently been promoted to captain. Having tired of DC, a transfer to New York City followed shortly after the promotion.

Explaining that Nikita’s record was how she had been found, her friend apologized for the invasion of privacy. Nikita was happy to see an old, comforting and familiar face and accepted the apology as well as the invitation for drinks.

Nikita went home after work, showered and changed, feeling invigorated at not having to spend the evening alone again. Walter and his sons were very nice and great bosses to boot. But, as friendly as they were in the office, their socialization hadn’t ever extended beyond the building doors. Her co-workers were pleasant enough, but they didn’t exactly share any common interests. Nikita’s knowledge of computers was not nearly enough to keep up with their conversations and, truth be told, Nikita wasn’t very interested anyway.

Other than visits with her grandmother, Nikita’s nights were spent in front of the TV or curled up with a good book. She was looking forward to a night out, especially with the only real friend she had left after her incarceration.

Walking into the cozy bar, Nikita noticed her friend already seated at a table. As she neared the table, its occupant noticed her approach, stood up and pulled Nikita’s chair out for her.

“Nikita.” The blonde man greeted with a smile. “You look great.”

“So do you,” Nikita smiled in return. “Jurgen.”

“I really am sorry for tracking you down through official channels.” Jurgen apologized once the waitress took their order. “You left so suddenly and I just wanted to check to see if you were okay. Once I was in your file…”

“It’s fine. Really.” Nikita interrupted. “I’m glad you looked me up. It’s nice to see a friendly face.”

“So why’d you move?” Jurgen asked curiously.

“Things were difficult, a lot of the cops knew me. Some weren’t as…forgiving as others.”

“Why Rye?” Jurgen asked after their drinks were served.

“My grandmother lives here and she offered to help.”

“So you’re staying with her?”

“I was, but not anymore. I thought you saw my file?”

“I didn’t want to pry any further.” Jurgen fibbed. “I felt bad enough getting your phone number off the file.”

“I appreciate that. But I’m glad you called so stop apologizing,” Nikita paused. What are you doing in New York, anyway?”

“I got tired of the politics in DC.” Jurgen admitted.

“So, you transferred to another big city?”

“I thought about transferring to a smaller city or town, but…”

“You’re a big city boy.” Nikita finished the sentence with a smile.

“Yeah.” Jurgen returned her smile. “A fresh start…”

“You *did* catch lots of flak, didn’t you?” Nikita asked, remembering his protestations to the contrary.

“Some.” Jurgen confessed.

“I guess visiting me in jail didn’t help your cause.”

“Hey, I told them you were a friend and I wasn’t about to abandon that friendship just to clear my name.”

“Jurgen…”

“You made a mistake and you were paying for it.” Jurgen cut her off, trying to alleviate some of Nikita’s guilt. “Besides, if you hadn’t come forward the scheme would probably still be going on.”

“I guess.” Nikita acknowledged reluctantly.

Conversation turned to the mundane once their light dinner consisting of appetizers only was served. Over coffee, they picked up the thread of their earlier discussion.

“After things wound down they promoted me to captain as a way of apology.” Jurgen explained his promotion and why he wasn’t as upset about what happened as he should have been.

“When did you transfer to New York?” Nikita asked, having lost touch with Jurgen about six months into her sentence. She had told him that she appreciated his continued support but it would be better for her inside if a cop didn’t visit her regularly.

“About a year ago, a couple of months after the promotion.”

“So, how do you like it in New York City?”

“Actually, I like it a lot. I got lucky, I was assigned one of the better areas.”

“Oh, yeah? Which one?”

“Upper East Side. Lots of plastic surgeons with irate patients.” Jurgen grinned. “Definitely better than DC.”

“Do you live in the city?” Nikita asked.

“Decent living space in Manhattan on a cop’s salary? No way. Got myself a nice brownstone in Brooklyn.”

“Brooklyn?”

“Downtown. One of the urban renewal neighborhoods the city’s cleaned up.”

“Yuppieville.” Nikita grinned. “Somehow, I never pictured you as a yuppie.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” He joked. “In fact, I left my suit and laptop in the car.”

“A-ha! I knew you weren’t really a mild mannered police captain.”

“Yeah, you discovered my secret life. I’m a day trader, made millions and I’m just working the cop angle for fun.” Jurgen teased then, after a brief lull, asked Nikita about her life. “So, how’s your new parole officer?”

“Michael Samuelle is different than the first two. He helped me out. A lot.”

“But?” Jurgen asked, sensing that there was more to it than that.

“But I don’t think he did it for me but rather for himself. He used his own resources but I get the feeling it was more to keep an eye out on me than it was *for* me.” Nikita replied. “Have you ever met him?”

“When I was in DC we crossed paths a couple of times while he was still a detective on a cross-city investigation.”

“What did you think of him?”

“He was okay…” Jurgen hedged.

“But?”

“I don’t know.” He grimaced. “I got the impression that he was very controlling and strictly by the book. Professionally, I’d trust him to watch my back but I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’d want to cross him professionally either.”

“Are you having problems?” Jurgen asked concernedly. “Maybe I could talk to a couple of people, get you assigned to someone else…”

“No, no. Everything’s fine.” Nikita was quick to assure. “The job’s good, the apartment’s great. Why make waves when there’s no need?”

“Okay, but if things change, let me know.”

“Yes. I promise. It’s only for another year and a half anyway.”

“And after that?”

“I don’t know.” Nikita admitted. “I think my journalism days are over. I’ll find something else by then.”

“Like what?” Jurgen asked curiously, it sounded to him like Nikita had already thought about her future.

“I’ve been thinking of going back to school for a social work degree.” She replied. “Maybe counsel parolees trying to go straight.”

“That’s a tough job.”

“I always did like a challenge.” Nikita grinned.

Nikita and Jurgen both had a good time over dinner and before they went their separate ways they set another dinner date.

As promised, the next morning Adrian called Michael to discuss the file she had left with him the day before. Madeline had filled Michael in on some of Adrian’s past after dinner, explaining her high ranking connections. Adrian had successfully ran a covert operations organization for many years, putting her considerable analytical skills to use, before voluntarily retiring to teach psychology in the private sector.

“Hello, Michael.” Adrian greeted once he got on the line.

“Adrian.” Michael addressed neutrally.

“Have you read the material I left for you?”

“Yes.” Came Michael’s one word reply, his voice betraying nothing.

“And?” Adrian asked patiently.

“The circumstances may have been extenuating, but she nevertheless took a life.” Michael’s voice was still unemotional.

“It was self defense, or wasn’t that clear enough?” Adrian asked, somewhat less patiently.

“Perhaps.” Michael conceded. “But the burglary and corruption were *not* self defense.

“People get done in by circumstances all the time.” Adrian argued. “As you well know.”

“Meaning?” Michael asked, almost sharply.

“You were nearly done in by your partner and father’s deaths. But you received help and recovered.”

“The circumstances were hardly similar.” Michael returned, more calmly than he was feeling. Now knowing Adrian’s professional history, he wasn’t surprised at the depth of her knowledge of his past.

“Weren’t they?” Adrian countered mildly. “You were both victims of the same failed system. One due to negligence, the other due to corruption.”

Not long after his conversation with Adrian Michael took stock of the last five years of his life and eventually came to the conclusion that Adrian had been right about at least one thing - he was still a victim of his past. But realizing it was only the first step towards changing it.

In the meantime, Nikita’s weekly visits started to follow the normal pattern of Michael’s other parolees. Their relationship even grew somewhat more friendly while Adrian monitored all from afar.

However, mostly due to the gradual relaxation of his self imposed near isolation and continuing self-reflection, Michael did not pay close attention to Nikita’s personal life. He’d put his growing feelings for his parolee aside until he sorted his own life out. So, before he knew it, he found himself in an unlikely alliance.

The unlikely alliance formed less than two months after Adrian and Michael’s discussion. They had finally found something in common - their dislike of Nikita’s new ‘friend’ Jurgen.

Michael had worked with the man briefly on a case that crossed state lines, beginning in New York and ending in Washington DC. While he thought the man competent, there was something about Jurgen that Michael didn’t like. Or at least that’s what Michael told himself now. He refused to admit even to himself that Jurgen’s involvement with Nikita was even remotely responsible for his negative feelings about the man.

Adrian, for her part, had meanwhile investigated the man that her granddaughter was growing closer to and didn’t like what she found through unofficial channels. She didn’t like it at all.

On one Tuesday afternoon Adrian dropped by Michael’s office unexpectedly as he was about to leave for a hockey game with Daniel, Walter, Seymour and Jason - old friends he’d just recently renewed friendships with in his attempts to rejoin the living. The outing also fell into Walter’s plans to keep reminding his nephews that there was more to life than computers.

Rather than explaining his plans, Michael told Adrian that he was late for a meeting and put her off with the promise to stop by her house the following day, late in the afternoon. Adrian in turn insisted he come by at five-thirty for dinner and promised there would be no interrogation this time. Recognizing that Adrian’s inviting him for a ‘civilized’ dinner could only mean that she was seriously worried about Nikita, Michael capitulated and accepted the invitation.

At precisely five-thirty Wednesday afternoon Michael rang the doorbell to Adrian’s home and was ushered inside by Mick.

Dinner was an informal but tasteful affair, the conversation consisting of general discussions and mundane topics. Both Adrian and Michael came to the realization that they shared similar opinions and views on more than one subject.

Once Mick served tea and coffee Adrian began the conversation she had intended to the day before in Michael’s office.

“Things are going well with Nikita?” Adrian asked.

“Yes. She’s progressing well.” Michael replied carefully, waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. He knew full well that the older woman was more than likely keeping tabs on Nikita and everyone around her.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Adrian paused. “What do you think of my granddaughter’s new friendship?”

“Jurgen seems to be on the level.” Michael responded neutrally.

“Seems that way, doesn’t it?”

“You have reservations?”

“A few. Yes.” Adrian confirmed. “What about you?”

“Nikita’s private life is her own.” Michael evaded.

“Even if it spills over into your professional arena?”

“How?” Michael’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you know that Jurgen was under investigation for the burglary ring Nikita was caught up in?” Adrian asked by way of answer.

“I was under the impression that it was merely standard procedure given his occupation and friendship with Nikita at the time.” Michael answered. “He was subsequently cleared of all charges and suspicion before being promoted.”

“You’ve already checked him out?” Adrian asked, not at all surprised.

“Of course. Any new attachments are looked into. Since my time is usually limited due to current caseloads it’s one of the reasons I try to set parolees up with people I already know and trust.”

“I thought that was to keep a closer eye on them.” Adrian countered, fishing now.

“Only partially. As I said it alleviates my workload and makes things run smoother.”

“How is Nikita’s job working out?” Adrian was still fishing, trying to get a read on Michael’s real feelings about her granddaughter.

“I’m sure you know at least as much about Nikita’s professional and personal life as I do. More, most likely.” Michael answered. “Tell me why I’m really here.”

“As you said, Jurgen was cleared of any wrongdoing...” Adrian finally began the discussion Michael had come here for.

“But?”

“But they never did find the architect behind the burglary ring.”

“It was my understanding that the leader was the officer Nikita had killed.”

“Yes, well that theory has some holes that the department never satisfactory filled.”

“Such as?”

“A very substantial amount of the money garnered from the burglaries attributed to the group remains missing.” Adrian enlightened Michael. “Furthermore Jamison, the cop Nikita shot, wasn’t capable of masterminding the entire operation.”

“Even if that were true, what makes you suspect Jurgen?” Michael asked. “His precinct wasn’t even involved.”

“That’s exactly the problem.” Adrian warmed to the subject, Michael’s keenness encouraging her on. “Three lieutenants and four detective sergeants in surrounding precincts were arrested and convicted. I find it highly unlikely that the corruption ‘skipped’ Jurgen’s precinct altogether.”

“Then why the promotion?” Michael asked logically.

“They had nothing on him and Jurgen knew it.” Adrian answered. “He also knew the department couldn’t afford for any of this to be made public. He made his intentions to sue them quite clear so he was promoted to keep the whole affair quiet. But Jurgen isn’t aware of how closely he’s still being watched by internal affairs. They’re waiting for the proverbial slip-up.”

“Has there been any indication since he’s been in New York…?”

“No, none.” Adrian admitted.

“What else?”

“What do you mean?”

“There is more that you’re not telling me.”

“It’s not on his record because he was cleared, but Jurgen has been investigated twice for bribery, once while he was still a patrolman and once when he was a detective.” Adrian confessed. “As I said, nothing was ever proven, but over the years I’ve found the phrase ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ true much more often than not."

Michael never took anything at face value and he wouldn’t put anything past Adrian where her granddaughter was concerned. For all Michael knew, Adrian simply didn’t like Jurgen and was trying to use him to get Jurgen out of Nikita’s life. He left his dinner meeting with Adrian with the promise that he would be in touch within a week.

Before he committed himself to anything, Michael was going to find out if Adrian was right or simply making up facts to suit her own purposes. The following day, he made some inquiries of his own to contacts he’d cultivated over the years. His contacts may not have been as impressive as Adrian’s, but they were his own, quite good, very discreet and completely loyal. Michael had no doubt his inquiries would remain quiet.

By the weekend, Michael had the required information in front of him. Rather than calling Adrian, he decided to talk to Nikita first at their next meeting. He felt it was only fair that she be the first to know what was going on around her.

Michael wasn’t about to launch into what he found without some preamble so their weekly session started out innocently enough.

“Things are going well?” Michael asked.

“Personally or professionally?” Nikita countered. She had gotten a raise last Friday and she assumed correctly that Michael already knew about it from Walter.

“Both.”

“Well, I got a raise and can now afford to pay a higher rent.”

“Daniel raised your rent?” Michael asked, surprised. He’d known about the raise of course. Walter had called him Thursday and told him about it. Michael in turn, had used the opportunity to pick Walter’s brain for his impression of Nikita’s new friend. Jurgen had dropped by WSJ Enterprises a few times to pick Nikita up for their dates. Walter’s response had been noncommittal, a telltale answer in itself. The older man usually read people well, he either liked them or discounted them quickly. The fact that he was so evasive undoubtedly meant that he wasn’t sure about Jurgen but for his Sugar’s sake, was giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“No, but I know what I’ve been paying is far below what he could get for the apartment.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“Yes, it is.” Nikita argued. “The less I rely on ‘charity’ the better.”

“Perhaps.” Michael conceded then paused, uncertain as to how to broach the next subject. “And personally, things are going as well?”

“You mean Jurgen?”

“Walter tells me you’ve been seeing a lot of each other.”

“Walter, huh?” Nikita asked. She was surprised her grandmother hadn’t said anything to Michael. The few times Adrian had met Jurgen she had made no bones about her feelings.

“He’s…fond of you. He just wants what’s best.”

“Walter has a problem with Jurgen? Or do you?”

“He’s a fellow officer...” Michael began.

“Yes, he is.” Nikita interrupted proudly. “A captain, no less.”

“That makes a difference?”

“Only in that it says that your own department thinks enough of him to promote him to a high ranking position.”

“The department isn’t infallible.” Michael countered quickly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Michael realized he was fast losing control of the conversation.

“Look, I’m sorry about what happened to you because of a mistake in the system.” Nikita did not understand the more important part of Michael’s reason for that statement. “But that has nothing to do with me or Jurgen.”

“I wasn’t referring to my past.” Michael elaborated.

“Then what?” Nikita asked bewildered then finally catching on. “Are you implying that the department made a mistake with Jurgen?”

“There are some unanswered questions.”

“You’ve been talking to my grandmother,” Nikita sighed.

“Adrian’s opinion has no bearing on mine,” Michael argued.

“You have been, haven’t you?” Nikita interpreted Michael’s evasive answer as confirmation. “She’s gotten to you.” Nikita asked, remembering a recent conversation with Jurgen. He’d voiced his suspicion, based on his run-ins with Adrian and Walter, that Michael’s feelings for her went far beyond those of a parole officer for a parolee. “Or are you just jealous?”

“Neither.” Michael refuted both accusations more adamantly than he felt. “I just don’t want your feelings for Jurgen to blind you to your surroundings.”

“Jurgen and I realized that we’re still in love, the two year separation not changing anything. We’re getting married.” Nikita retorted angrily, even though she hadn’t accepted Jurgen’s proposal yet. “If he had any skeletons in his closet, I’d know about them.”

“I think that would be a mistake....” Michael tried to reach for his usual calm.

“You’re wrong.” Nikita interrupted again. “Both of you. I never thought you’d succumb to my grandmother’s paranoia and overprotectiveness.”

“It’s not…”

“Do you have any proof?”

“No.” Michael admitted, feeling defeated.

“Well, then, there’s no reason to discuss this anymore. Unless, of course, you have any *other* objections.” Nikita waited for his answer.

“No.” Michael repeated, refusing to admit even to himself that his feelings about Jurgen had more to do than with just concern for Nikita’s safety.

Not long after Nikita left, Michael came to a decision and made a few calls. He knew that in the end there would be backlash, and lots of it, but he didn’t care. For the first time in his career Michael was completely throwing the book away.

Three and a half weeks later, on a dreary and drizzly Friday afternoon, Michael rang the doorbell to Nikita’s apartment, the one she now shared with Jurgen. He knew Nikita wouldn’t be home yet as Walter had told him that she had asked to leave a little early so she could meet with Adrian to go over wedding details and then have with her dinner afterwards.

With evidence in hand, Michael confronted Jurgen. In the middle of the conversation, after Jurgen had already realized that the other man had indeed uncovered compelling evidence on him, both men paused at the key turning in the door.

Jurgen, who knew nothing of Nikita’s atypical plans for the afternoon, wasn’t surprised that she had come home at her usual time. Michael, on the other hand, was dismayed and distracted by her appearance which Jurgen took advantage of. He used the opportunity to pull his gun on Michael, cocking it and chambering the first round before Michael had a chance to react. That was the scene a horrified Nikita walked in on.

“What’s going on?” Nikita asked as she came to stand between them but to the side, out of the direct line of fire, her eyes darting back and forth anxiously between the two men.

“Your parole officer is looking for some extra credit.” Jurgen stated calmly while Michael remained silent, listening as another voice, this one in his ear, told him that backup was on the way.

“What are you talking about?” Nikita asked.

“He knows everything.” Jurgen replied, Michael remaining silent, warily watching Jurgen and the gun.

“How?” Nikita asked upon which Michael closed his eyes momentarily in pain.

“That’s just what I was going to ask.” Jurgen kept his eyes on Michael.

“You know?” Michael almost whispered, directing his question to Nikita.

“Of course she does.” Jurgen answered instead and Nikita didn’t deny it, merely looked at Michael sadly. “I was told you started digging around.” Jurgen continued. “Coming here saved me a lot of trouble.”

“How?” Michael asked, stalling for time.

“You came here out of jealousy and drew your gun. Luckily I had my own close by.” Jurgen narrated the story he was going to tell the department and was sure Nikita would substantiate.

“It won’t work…” Michael began.

“I think it will.” Jurgen interrupted and pulled the trigger.

Nikita woke up in a hospital bed to find Adrian sitting in a chair beside her bed.

“What happened?” Nikita asked hoarsely, waving away the water her grandmother offered.

“You were shot.”

“I know *that.*” Nikita returned impatiently. Her few words further drying her already parched throat, she finally accepted the glass of water Adrian still held.

“I’m afraid I don’t know much more than that.” Adrian replied as Nikita drank slowly from the straw. “Michael called and told me that you were in the hospital. When I asked him what happened he told me you'd taken a bullet in the shoulder but you were going to be fine. Care to elaborate?”

“Jurgen tried to shoot him. I couldn’t let that happen.”

“I gather Michael somehow uncovered evidence of his own?”

“He confronted Jurgen at the apartment.” Nikita replied. “Where is he?” She asked anxiously.

“At the station with Walter, they’re giving their statements then coming here.” Adrian had no doubts as to who her granddaughter was referring to.

“And Jurgen?” Nikita finally thought to ask.

“In custody.” Michael answered from the open doorway, where he was standing with Walter.

“Well, since you’re finally here, I guess it’s my turn.” Adrian stated.

“For what?” Michael asked while Nikita remained silent, the adrenaline rush her concern for Michael’s safety brought waning now that she saw for herself he was fine.

“To submit evidence against Jurgen.” Adrian replied. “You two should talk anyway.”

“Grandmother…” Nikita began.

“Don’t worry, dear. Walter will drive me.” Adrian interrupted then turned to the man in question. “Won’t you?”

“Sure, yeah.” Walter nodded, inwardly smiling at Adrian’s effort to ‘clear’ the room.

A couple of minutes later, after a brief interruption by one of the nurses to check the patient’s vital signs, Michael and Nikita found themselves alone.

“How do you feel?” Michael asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“I’ll be okay.” Nikita answered groggily, trying to keep her eyes open for the much needed conversation with Michael.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Michael asked, needing to know how Nikita could keep Jurgen’s secrets, especially after all her convincing assertions of desiring a ‘clean’ life. Had she been so blinded by love that she was willing to go along with anything? Or had she merely been a very convincing actress? At this point Michael wasn’t sure which was worse. Either way she was lost to him.

Michael, however, would have to wait for an answer as Nikita couldn’t reply. She had once again succumbed to the pain medication and sedatives.

Nikita recuperated in the hospital over the weekend. Adrian, Daniel Davenport and Walter and his nephews all came by to see her while she was hospitalized. Nikita was thankful for all her visitors, but the one she wanted to see most never made another appearance.

Michael did not expect to see Nikita at their usual appointment time on Monday morning and he wasn’t disappointed. Nikita was still in the hospital but Michael had called, as he had done twice on Saturday and Sunday both, and found out that she was due to be released this morning.

Instead of Nikita showing up though, her grandmother did, and at seven AM to boot. As was usual with Adrian, she barged right in, this time not even bothering to knock.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to be up and about at such an ungodly hour.” Adrian greeted Michael, standing across from his desk glancing at her watch, refusing to even sit down. “Come, get your jacket, there isn’t much time.”

“Time for what?” Michael asked, puzzled.

“To pick up Nikita.” Adrian stated patiently. “She’s being released shortly.”

“You want me to conduct a meeting in the hospital?” A still confused Michael asked.

“No, of course not, but my granddaughter needs to speak with you.” Adrian explained. “And if I’m not mistaken you need to speak to Nikita as well.”

“No, I don’t.” Michael contradicted, purposely misunderstanding Adrian. “Nikita’s case will be transferred shortly.”

“For what reason?”

“Given what’s transpired, I can hardly be objective about her rehabilitative potential now.”

“Have you checked the status of the investigation at all this weekend?”

“No.” Michael replied. He’d refused to do anything other than make sure Nikita was healing. The pain of her perceived betrayal was still too fresh.

“Why?” Adrian asked, not surprised that he hadn’t.

“It doesn’t concern me anymore, other than to testify in the future.”

“Doesn’t concern you or is too painful to discuss?” Adrian countered.

“Why would it be painful?” An obstinate Michael queried. “I wasn’t the one who was shot.”

“No, but you feel guilty for Nikita’s voluntarily getting in the way of a bullet meant for you.” Adrian argued. “You also care enough to call twice a day and I’m sure you’ve already called this morning as well.”

“I was just making sure Nikita was all right.” Michael didn’t even bother with a denial.

“You’ll be able to confirm it for yourself. I’ll enlighten you to a few things you’ve missed this weekend on the way to the hospital.” Adrian stated. “All I’m asking from you is that you listen to Nikita before drawing any conclusions.”

“Come in.” Nikita responded to the knocking. She was dressed and sitting up on the bed, legs over the ledge, arm still in a sling and belongings on the chair next to the bed. She had been waiting for Adrian to pick her up and sign her out of the hospital. Nikita was perfectly capable of releasing herself, but her grandmother had insisted and Nikita was too weary to argue.

“Hi.” Michael greeted as he came into the room.

“Hi.” A surprised Nikita greeted in return. “Where’s Adrian?”

“Hastening your release and giving the administration her opinion of the hospital and its staff.” Michael answered.

“Her opinion? We may be here a while.”

“May I sit down, then?”

“Oh, of course.” Nikita replied, quickly shoving her few belongings from the chair over to the bed with her good arm.

“Michael, I’m sorry for everything.” Nikita apologized before he was even settled in the chair and facing her.

“Adrian told me some of it on the way here.” Michael welcomed the opening Nikita had given him. “But she didn’t tell me why you did it.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.” Michael replied then concentrated on one of the two questions foremost on his mind. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I only found out the evening before.” Nikita was grateful for the chance to finally explain herself to him. Michael looked like he was ready to listen and she could only hope that he would believe and forgive. “I noticed his cufflinks and tie pin. They looked familiar but I couldn’t place them. It came to me later, after I woke up from a nightmare about that last burglary. I realized then that’s where I’d seen them. I couldn’t hide the shock from Jurgen.”

“He guessed?”

“Yes.” Nikita sighed, remembering the best acting performance of her life. “I convinced him that I was fine with it, glad even, because that meant we were ‘independently wealthy’ and could go anywhere we wanted after my two years were up.”

“Jurgen believed you.”

“Yeah, maybe I should have gone into acting.” Nikita commented with a half-smile. “I went in a little early to work Friday to call my grandmother, I was afraid to call from the apartment. I also didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes, so I didn’t try do anything on my own. She called me back a couple of hours later and told me to come over after work. I told Walter I needed to leave early so that I could be home at my usual time so as not to raise Jurgen’s suspicions.”

“You told Adrian.” Michael stated. “Why didn’t you tell *me?*”

“My grandmother has connections that I knew she would use. I wasn’t worried about *her* getting caught in the crossfire.” Nikita replied carefully.

“You were worried about me?” Michael asked cautiously.

“Yes.” She admitted.

“Why?” Michael asked, leaning closer to look into Nikita’s eyes.

“I-I,” Nikita stammered. “I didn’t know that Walter was parked down the block listening in or that you were wearing a vest. I just knew that I couldn’t let him sh-shoot you.”

“Why?” Michael repeated, maintaining eye contact, their bodies now just a hairbreadth away from each other.

“I didn’t care about Jurgen the way I used to, but I felt wanted when I was with him. Then when you discourage me from the only close friend I had, I got upset. I didn’t want to be alone again and he was the only one…so I closed my eyes to everything and pretended nothing had changed between us.”

“What *did* change?” Michael asked, neither one of them having moved an inch.

Unnerved yet encouraged by Michael’s proximity, Nikita finally gave him the answer he’d been waiting and hoping for. “I love you.” She continued in a rush, realizing she had to explain why, despite her feelings for the man in front of her she had accepted Jurgen’s proposal. “But you warned me off Jurgen like Adrian, like a parent. I asked you if there was any other reason…” She trailed off, lowering her gaze, the foolishness of her actions so apparent now. “I just wanted to feel loved…”

“Nikita.” Michael raised her chin gently. “Do you know why I went to the apartment instead of submitting the evidence I’d compiled to the department?”

“No.” Nikita’s teary eyed gaze fixed itself on Michael’s gentle one.

“I needed to know if you were involved, if you knew.”

“Why?” Nikita asked, holding her breath.

“Because at that point I didn’t care about Jurgen’s activities as much your possible involvement in them.” Michael admitted, releasing Nikita’s chin and looking away. “When you didn’t deny your foreknowledge, my first thought was to keep you out of it.”

“Michael…” Nikita was stunned at the revelation.

“I’ve always gone by the book. Even my father and Simone…the investigation broke no rules.” Michael interrupted, turning back to Nikita, not needing to explain the entire episode, knowing Adrian had told her about this part of his past. “But the other day in the apartment, all I could think of was how to protect you, regardless of the consequences.”

“Then why’d you stay away?”

“That discovery terrified me, Nikita.” Michael confessed frankly. “That’s why I stayed away and refused to follow up on the subsequent investigation. Adrian just told me this morning what you'd done when you found out the truth. I’m sorry that I didn’t believe in you enough to talk to you without intervention.”

“Quite a pair, aren’t we?” Nikita commented after Michael’s confession.

“What do you mean?”

“We were so busy trying to protect each other, we almost lost each other.”

“But we didn’t,” Michael contradicted.

“Yeah, but I’m still a parolee and you’re…”

“Adrian didn’t tell you?” Michael asked, a half-smile gracing his features.

“Tell me what?”

“You’ve been released from your parole obligation.”

“I guess she wanted it to be a surprise.”

“You did cooperate and point the department in the right direction.”

“Like I said, once Jurgen believed I was on his side, he told me all of it, including where he hid everything.” Nikita stated. “How long do you think they’ll get him for?”

“Longer than the others, the evidence is too strong. At least twenty years, if not more.”

“Good. One less thing to worry about.”

“What else are you worried about?”

“How you’ll react to my impulsiveness.” Nikita answered then grabbed a puzzled Michael by his lapels and kissed him thoroughly until they were both breathless.

In the end Nikita’s worries over Michael’s response to her impulsiveness were for naught.

Epilogue

Three and a half months later:

“You can put that box over there.” Michael addressed Davenport, pointing to the corner by the bureau.

“That was the last one.” Walter came into the bedroom while Birkoff and Jason waited outside by the truck. “Come on, Dav I’m buying the beers.”

“You’re not staying?” Nikita joined the group in Michael’s bedroom, *their* bedroom now.

“We loaded and unloaded. On the weekend, no less.” Walter replied, seeing himself out. “That’s enough for me.”

“Me, too.” Davenport followed right behind Walter. “See you tonight.” He added on the way out, referring to the celebratory dinner the six of them plus Adrian, Madeline and Paul were having tonight.

“Well,” Nikita remarked from the comfort of Michael’s lap after looking around, “Where do you want to start?”

While Nikita lay in the hospital she and Adrian had had several talks. One of those talks had decided Nikita’s living arrangements for the immediate future. She didn’t want to go back to the apartment she had shared with Jurgen and Adrian was more than happy to take her in. This time the ground rules were laid out by both grandmother and granddaughter ahead of time.

Jurgen was no longer a threat to any one. With the insurmountable evidence against him, he had no choice but to plea bargain. Even then, he ended up with a minimum of twenty years before he could even think about parole.

Nikita continued to work for WSJ Enterprises and would start night school in the fall. She still wanted to be a social worker but she was going slowly.

The best upshot of the entire ordeal though was Nikita’s relationship with Michael. With Nikita completely free of the system, conflict of interest issues never arose. Sure, Michael had his share of ‘odd’ looks and comments in the beginning, but meeting Nikita a few times when she visited Michael at work quieted most everyone down, well, everyone who counted anyway.

Michael and Nikita had grown close quickly after their conversation in the hospital. With all the obstacles finally behind them, their love flourished.

In the middle of this past week, much to Nikita’s delighted surprise, Michael had proposed over dinner. After a quick, unhesitant acceptance followed by some discussion, they decided to plan the wedding slowly and live together for a while first. They wanted to get to know one another at their leisure. And why not? They had the whole rest of their lives ahead of them.

After assuring Adrian that it was nothing personal, Nikita had packed hurriedly, wanting to move in as soon as possible. By Saturday she was ready to move in and with the help of their friends, Nikita’s belongings were now in boxes and bags spread throughout Michael’s house.

“Well,” Nikita remarked from the comfort of Michael’s lap after looking around, “Where do you want to start?”

“Right here.” Michael answered, gently flipping Nikita over onto her back on their king-sized bed.

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