Disclaimer: This tale is an NC-17 festival of naughtiness. Please don't read it if you shouldn't. All characters, songs, and select quoted dialogues or scenes are the property of their respective owners. They are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by my use of these characters and this material. I just borrowed them for a leetle while, played with them, and put them back reasonably intact. *wink* The overall tale, however, is mine. Special thanks go to my Beta Readers Shanola and 'chelle and to my readers for sticking with me during the slow unfolding of this long, strange journey.

***

It's Absurd:

Chapter 1 - Phone 'Conversation'

Nikita arrived back at her apartment. She was exhausted and frustrated after yet another day of kicking-Terrorist-butt and being up close, but not personal, with Michael.

It was late at night, but Nikita was still too anxious and wound up to sleep.

She didn't feel like listening to music, taking a shower, or working out. Instead, she turned on the television. It was running all the usual suspects: infomercials, bad movies, phony psychic networks, and those annoying ads for phone dating services.

Suddenly, one particular ad caught Nikita's attention. She couldn't believe her eyes or her ears. She thought, 'That's so... bad!'

She'd never been the kind of person to phone one of those kinds of numbers before. But...

Nikita fought the temptation as long as she could, then broke down and dialed: 1-900-OPEN-SESAME on her cell phone.

"Hi!" a childish-sounding, high-pitched voice giggled on the other end of the line. "My name is Elmo. Would you like to play with me? Hee...hee...hee It only costs $ 5.00 a minute."

Nikita knew it was degrading. Unconscionable. How could they do such things? How could she do such things? But, she gritted her teeth and continued, anyway.

"Sure. What-ever," Nikita responded, uncertainly.

"You're my best friend! What's my best friend wearing, right now? Hee...hee"

Nikita, who was dressed down after a hard day at work, told him, "Oh, not much, really."

A temporary silence on the other end of the line was broken by the sound of Elmo clearing his throat. "Giggle Gee...That's nice. Can you name all the parts of the body? Say them with me."

Nikita did, finding the experience to be darkly and disturbingly erotic. Elmo was so much easier to talk to than Michael.

By the time they got to the parts of the body that would never make it onto cable TV, Nikita was breathing, irregularly, and becoming rather...excited.

She went over to her CD player and put on some mood music: the song "Absurd" by Fluke.

King Kong, in Cannes, on a date with Spiderman,
Dan Dare's sitting there, scared by the killer teddy bears,
Down town, Mini Mouse, is slipping micky's in the famous grouse,
While Big Bird spreads the word,
Anybody with a heart votes love...

Over the phone, Elmo told Nikita, "My friend, Big Bird, would like to come play with us. Tee-hee-hee Would you like to play with Big Bird?"

Nikita was hooked. She begged, "Go for it, Elmo!"

As the conversation progressed, Nikita suddenly gasped, "Oh! Do it! Tickle me, Elmo! Oh, yes! Yes! Talk to me, Big Bird!"

***

Michael stood, transfixed, with his ear tightly pressed against the outer door of Nikita's apartment. He'd arrived considerably earlier, intending to invite her to go out for coffee.

Then he'd heard her talking on the phone to Elmo, and it was like he was hypnotized. He knew it was wrong; voyeuristic, invasive. But he just couldn't pull himself away. Nikita's conversation was difficult to follow, but her excitement was obvious.

Wait a minute. Recognition dawned in Michael's jade-green eyes. Elmo? Big Bird? Forget going for a cup of coffee.

He let Nikita continue her conversation inside the apartment. There must be a costume shop somewhere that was open.

Michael started to leave, hurrying off into the darkness. He was feverishly determined to obtain appropriate materials and return to the apartment while Nikita still felt like...conversing.

As Michael moved away from the apartment, he faintly heard Nikita's voice, through the closed door, saying, "Oh, Elmo!! Do it! Count to me... in French!"

Michael hastened his footsteps. If he couldn't find the requisite materials, he mused, he'd settle for a "Tickle this, Elmo!" T-shirt. He was sure he'd seen Walter or Birkoff wearing one of those, the other day.

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

Chapter 2: Mikey Wants A Cookie

Michael, dressed in his black Gaultier suit, strode purposefully through Section.

He met no one in the deserted corridors. Intensely relieved, but still wary of surveillance, he kept his face frozen into an expressionless mask. The late hour saved him from some potentially embarrassing questions.

Michael moved as if possessed towards his singular objective.

***

A black-gloved hand reached out from behind and covered Birkoff's mouth. Birkoff, sitting in Systems and monitoring Section's graveyard-shift traffic, nearly fainted in his chair.

"Birkoff." The flat, deadly tone marked by an unmistakable French accent confirmed his assailant's identity.

"Michael! What are-"

"Be quiet." Under the familiar aura of master-assassin, machine-man control, Birkoff detected that Michael's voice sounded strange. Strained. "I need Intel and the location of the materials listed on my PDA. Plus access to a van and a "Tickle this, Elmo" T-shirt."

"Whaa-" Birkoff cut his question short when he looked at Michael.

The Level 5 Op was a mess. His patently perfect hair was wild and disheveled. He was perspiring and breathing heavily. His cheeks were flushed with anger or excitement.

"Now, Birkoff." Michael's tone didn't invite further conversation.

Birkoff swallowed nervously. He took the PDA off Michael and uploaded its contents onto his computer before handing the device back to its owner.

As he read the supply list, Birkoff raised his eyebrows, slightly. "A what costume? Three cases of ... Um... Michael? How soon do you need this stuff?"

"Now." The way he said it made Birkoff realize he meant right now! There was something predatory, almost aroused, in Michael's thick, French-accented voice.

"But..." Birkoff sighed. Time for another miracle. Better that than rise to the top of Michael's to do list. "I can provide the Intel and work-up the supply list, but Walter has the keys for the van and it's his Elmo T-shirt. You'll have to see him about those."

Michael sighed. By the time he finished with this mission, he thought, half of Section would be aware of it.

Glancing at the unopened bag of Oreo cookies near Birkoff's console, Michael's face took on a thoughtful expression. "I'll need these, too," he said, grabbing the cookies.

"Hey! That's the limit!" Birkoff protested. "The other stuff's on me, but you're going to owe me, big time, for those Oreos!"

"Agreed." Michael leveled his bone-chilling blank stare at Birkoff until the young man's face paled noticeably. "I was never here tonight."

"I'll download the Intel to your panel. While that's cycling through, I'll fix the surveillance tapes and erase the computer records." Birkoff hid his grin, but secretly he was thrilled. He loved spy stuff and playing games against Section, provided no one, especially himself, got hurt. That and Michael was an enigma to him: big brother, super spy, friend, and intimidator. It wouldn't be the first or last time Birkoff helped Michael with a mission not officially sanctioned by Section. Michael took care of his allies and his enemies.

Birkoff glanced down at his terminal and quickly typed in a series of commands. By the time he looked up again Michael had disappeared.

As he worked on his computer Birkoff thought, 'Michael's the man I long to be in real life. I can match his skills when I'm playing my favorite video games. If I use a reset button.' Birkoff sighed and muttered to himself, "I'm going to have to put a bell on him, though, before he gives me a heart attack."

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

Chapter 3: Tiger Briefs

Walter looked memorable standing by his bed, dressed only in a tiger-striped pair of bikini briefs.

Still, Michael thought, the older man kept himself in excellent condition. The hippie-style T-shirts and buckskin jackets Walter wore at Section concealed a muscular, well-defined chest.

Fortunately, Walter had been sleeping alone tonight.

"Michael! How did you...?" Walter paused mid-thought. Apparently, it wasn't just an empty saying that one of Michael's nicknames was the Shadow. "What do you want?" Walter grumbled, slipping into the sensual growl of his whiskey-rough voice. "You've never been the type to hop into bed and cuddle up. And I've never been the kind to let you!" He paused again, grinning wickedly. "Unless, of course, Nikita was involved. It takes trois to menage, after all."

Michael responded with a blank stare. "Walter. I need the van. I have some material to acquire."

Walter's eyebrows quirked upwards, in puzzlement. "Hey, what's up? Nothing's scheduled in Munitions. There aren't any missions involving you on the pad for tonight or tomorrow morning. What material?"

"I..." Michael paused, sounding to Walter's incredulous ears, embarrassed, but steadfastly determined. "I have a date planned."

"A date!" Walter's eyebrows hit his hairline, and the sound of his startled laughter was like a well-tuned motorcycle rumbling and roaring to life. "I never thought I'd see the day. It's not a Valentine Op, is it?" Walter squinted suspiciously. "For this kind of trouble, it'd better be with Nikita. And you'd better treat her right," Walter warned, staring into Michael's gray-green eyes seriously. Walter saw desperation, there, but not deceit. Curiouser and curiouser.

"Yes." Michael looked decidedly uncomfortable. "Don't ask any questions. Please. Can I borrow your Elmo T-shirt? Or, tell me where you bought yours?"

"Well, let me slip into something less comfortable," Walter laughed, "and we'll discuss it on the way. This sounds like some mission! You'll need a driver and someone to help acquire the material," Walter chuckled. "Plus, it's my van. If I loaned it to you, I'd get it back full of holes... or worse."

***

Michael stood, once again, in front of Nikita's locked apartment door.

Walter had helped him acquire the necessary materials. Legally, whenever possible, but a rash of bizarre, 'unrelated' robberies were sure to be reported, on the morrow.

The older man had then taken the van back to Section, after dropping off Michael and his supplies. Not before commenting, "Three cases of... Man! To be a fly on the wall! Sure you don't want... company?"

Michael had politely declined Walter's 'generous' offer, but promised Walter a future favor, similar to the oath he'd made to Birkoff. This was going to be an expensive date, but he'd worry about that later. All that mattered, now, was getting back to Nikita.

Michael had made certain preparations in the van on his way over to Nikita's apartment. He sprayed the video camera outside Nikita's door with a substance provided by Walter, to temporarily disable it.

Taking a deep breath, Michael adjusted his 'get up,' and knocked on the door.

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

Chapter 4: Back At The Ranch...

Nikita sat on her couch, sipping a glass of red wine. The sweet, aromatic vintage always left her palate with a smooth, slightly wooden aftertaste. It was one of the habits she'd acquired from her former mentor and habitual, sensual tormentor, Michael. She was still coming down from her heady telephone exchange with the very naughty and very creative Elmo. If only Michael would talk to her like that.

The sound of someone knocking softly on her front door startled her out of her reverie. She set down her wineglass. Because she was dressed only in panties and a sports bra, she pulled on a long, white silk blouse, low-cut with flowing sleeves, before walking over to her security panel.

When she pressed the button to see who was at her door, however, the screen remained black.

Alarmed, Nikita retrieved her handgun and loaded a clip. She stood away from the door, tense and alert, in case potential hostiles tried to force entry.

"Who is it?" she asked cautiously.

"Nikita. It's me. Let me in."

Only one man had a voice like that; soft, sexy, and French. "Michael? Is everything all right? My security camera's not working."

"I know. I disabled it."

Nikita's eyes widened. "You...? What do you want, Michael? It's late."

"Please, Nikita..." His voice sounded different, softer. More... vulnerable?

Nikita was intensely worried, at this point. What evil, insane criminal or ruthless terrorist had captured Michael and forced him to come here? Who was with Michael on the other side of that door?

"I... I want... a.... cookie!" Even through the closed door, Nikita could hear the need, the thick, sensual desire, in Michael's voice.

What was going on? Cautiously, Nikita opened the door.

He was standing there, all alone, as she'd never seen him before. Cute, vulnerable, warm... fuzzy...

"Ni-ki-ta. Please... Give me a cookie! Num... num...num" The 5' 11" 'Cookie Monster' leaned against Nikita's doorjamb looking suave and self-possessed. His head was uncovered but the rest of him was concealed in a fuzzy blue costume and he munched comically on one of Birkoff's purloined goodies. He reached into the bag of Oreo cookies and deftly divided another cookie in two. Skillfully, he licked the white cream center. Slowly and erotically, he devoured it with his long, sensual tongue.

"Would you like a cookie, little girl?" Michael asked seductively. He split another cookie in half, and then placed the part with the filling partway between his lips. Leaning forward, he offered the treat to Nikita.

Moaning softly, she leaned forward and took the cookie into her mouth. Michael's hot tongue followed sweetly, exploring the exotic mixture of Nikita's mouth and cookie crumbs. One of his furry 'hands' strayed up under Nikita's blouse and tickled her stomach. His other hand prudently disarmed her, taking control of her handgun.

Michael embraced Nikita. He stroked his fingertips along her back. Her skin felt as soft as an angel's wing beneath his concealed, sensitive hands. Groaning appreciatively, he nuzzled her delicious, exposed neck. Kissing the hollow of her throat, he nipped possessively at the sensitive area concealing her pulse, which she naively exposed to him. Feeling her heartbeat growing erratic under the dutiful attention of his lips and teeth, he redoubled his efforts, licking the long, graceful curve of her neck.

Nikita tilted her head back permissively and sighed at the sensations Michael's amorous attentions were creating in her. His tongue burnt trails of fire along her skin. His body pressed closely against her, making her feel as though butterfly wings were brushing against her stomach.

He moved his kisses carefully downward, until his lips brushed the tops of her partially exposed breasts, exquisitely nestled in their bed of soft, white silk.

Nikita moaned heatedly, then giggled, returning to her senses as Michael's 'fur' tickled her face, neck, and chest. Grabbing 'Cookie Monster' by his furry chest, she began pulling him into the apartment.

Michael stopped her momentarily, freezing her in place with his hypnotic, beryl-and-sapphire eyes. "One moment, Nikita. I have some material to carry in. Then we can continue this conversation... inside."

Something about the way he stressed that last word, his accent thick with the promise of intense, luscious, soul-burning passion, made Nikita shiver slightly in anticipation.

Only then did she notice the bags and boxes lining the hallway. "Michael, what is all this stuff?" She stared at the costume, made the connection, and asked, "How did you know? Does Section have me under surveillance again?"

"No, 'Kita. I plead guilty to the lesser charge of eavesdropping. I'm sorry. I came to invite you for coffee, and overheard..."

"Elmo!"

"Yes." The 'Cookie Monster' did his best to look sorrowful and contrite.

Nikita had to laugh at the result. His face, nestled above the tangled blue fur of his costume, twisted into a rather comical pout.

Michael held out both his wrists in front of him and said; "You can slap the cuffs on me, if you like."

"Ohhh." Nikita thought about that one, for a moment. "Maybe later. Let's get this stuff inside. I want to see what's under all that... fur."

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

Chapter 5: Set-Up

Inside Nikita's apartment, after placing Nikita's handgun on the kitchen counter, Michael quickly began removing his Cookie Monster costume.

Nikita was almost disappointed, until she saw what he was wearing underneath.

Michael sported a black pair of silk boxer shorts decorated with tiny versions of the wide-eyed, orange-furred monster Elmo. Over top of the boxers he wore a black T-shirt with white lettering that read, "Tickle THIS, Elmo!" A large white arrow pointed downwards, towards a part of Michael's anatomy Nikita would definitely like to get reacquainted with...

Michael went out into the apartment hallway and returned with some bags and packages.

He handed Nikita a bag containing three videotapes. She read the titles: 'Trading Places,' 'A Fish Called Wanda,' and 'Nine 1/2 Weeks'.

"Movies?" she asked curiously. She had only recently acquired her TV set and VCR. Not for the first time, she wondered where Michael obtained some of his Intel.

"Don't rewind these, just watch them," Michael instructed. "When you're done, put on the outfit in this bag. I have some... preparations... to make."

"Don't be long," Nikita admonished. She grabbed Michael by the front of his T-shirt and pulled him to her for a searing kiss that extended into a slow, deep interrogation of his lips and mouth, seeking out the truth behind his mysterious words and actions.

He swallowed audibly and licked his lips, the sweet taste of her lingering inside his mouth. "I won't," he promised.

Nikita sighed and put the first tape, 'Trading Places,' in the VCR. She pushed play and settled back to watch.

An actress, Nikita recognized her as Jamie Lee Curtis, was on a train, dressed in an outlandish costume. She looked like a European hiker, or an overgrown Girl Scout. The actress spoke in a false Swedish accent, saying, "Hello! My name is Ing-gah! Please to be helping me with my rook-sack...?"

Nikita watched the rest of the scene and then switched to 'A Fish Called Wanda'. Jamie Lee Curtis-again!! This time, sharing a scene with John Cleese. Nikita began to harbor a secret suspicion Michael might just have a thing for Jamie Lee...

Nikita watched the scene where Jamie Lee's character became incredibly turned on by Cleese's character speaking different languages; Italian and Russian. Nikita thought of Michael's irresistible French accent and grinned in spite of herself. 'That devil,' she thought. 'He knows. He realizes what that soft, purring accent of his does to me!'

Lastly, Nikita turned to 'Nine 1/2 Weeks.' Joe Cocker's song, "You Can Leave Your Hat On," played in the background of the scene as Kim Basinger's character did a striptease for a very interested Mickey Rourke.

'Oh, really!' Nikita thought. Perhaps she could give Michael a little strip and a tease later on.

When the scene was finished, Nikita looked in the other bag and pulled out her costume. It was a replica of the Swedish hiker's outfit worn by Jamie Lee Curtis in 'Trading Places,' complete with a rucksack. A CD of Joe Cocker's "You Can Leave Your Hat On" rested at the bottom of the bag.

Nikita braided her hair into ponytails, tying them with colored ribbons, and slipped into the costume, rucksack and all. She placed the CD in her disc player, but didn't start the music yet.

"Oh, Miii-chaael!" Nikita called sweetly. "It's time for a little break..."

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

Chapter 6: Leave Your Rucksack On

Michael stuck his head around the corner. "I'm just..." He saw Nikita in the Swedish hiker's outfit and froze in place, motionless, breathless; a statue commissioned in honor of Nikita, the Goddess of Beauty.

His eyes shimmered like emerald pools of light. He blinked a few times, slowly regaining the power of speech, and stuttered, "It can...wait."

Michael entered the living room and, rather shakily, took his place on the couch as Nikita rose, went over to the CD player and started the music.

She gazed at Michael enticingly, her startling blue eyes sparkling and seductive. In a mock-Swedish accent, she said, "Please to be helping me with my rook-sack?"

Nikita started removing the rucksack, quickly, but Michael grinned, his gaze moving from her eyes, to her lips, and back again, saying, "No. Slowly. Perform for me."

Michael's words echoed ones he'd once spoken under much different circumstances. This time, however, there was only Michael to perform for and Nikita was happy to oblige. She locked eyes with Michael in a burning, sensual stare and began a slow, erotic striptease.

In the background, although it was difficult to concentrate on anything but Nikita, Michael heard the music, "You Can Leave Your Hat On," playing:

Baby, take off your coat-real slow. And take off your shoes-I'll take off your shoes. Baby, take off your dress-yes, yes, yes.

Nikita kept time to the music as she slowly peeled off pieces and layers of her costume, tossing each garment at Michael in increasingly suggestive and seductive ways. She licked her lips; moved her hands up and down her body, sensually; and then turned around and offered Michael a nice view of her... 'rucksack.' After that display, Michael's mind automatically altered the song lyrics from 'hat' to 'rucksack' as the music continued.

You can leave your rucksack on.
You can leave your rucksack on. You can leave your rucksack on.
Go over there. Turn on the light. Hey, all right.
Come over here. Stand on that chair. Yeah, that's right.
Raise your arms in the air. Now, shake them.
You give me reason to live. You give me reason to live.
You give me reason to live. You give me reason to live.

By the time Nikita got down to wearing only her panties, sports bra, rucksack, and a smile, a tiny sound escaped unwillingly from the back of Michael's throat.

Nikita's smile widened. She'd heard that sound before. It was a small whine, a famished whimper. The sound a lovable mutt makes when begging for a bone.

She released the clips on her bra and tossed it to Michael, playfully.

His whimper deepened to a moan. He held the clothing, still warm from being next to Nikita's flushed and flexible body, against his nostrils and inhaled Nikita's intoxicating, primal scent. A deep growl rumbled low in his chest and his green eyes took on the feral aspect of a hunting panther.

Nikita, oblivious to the danger, danced closer to Michael. She took his trembling hands in hers and invited him to touch her.

This nasty talking: they try to tear us apart.
They don't believe in this love of mine.
They don't know what love is.
They don't know what love is. They don't know what love is.
They don't know what love is. Well, I know what love is.

Michael groaned, his body quivering in anticipation. He ran his fingers, his touch as light as silk, up and down Nikita's warm, yielding body and stroked his fingertips over her hips, thighs, and stomach. He moved his questing lips gently over Nikita's delicately swaying belly, covering her body with a cascade of kisses, each one increasing in length and passionate intensity. Abruptly, he darted his hot tongue into her navel, startling her. She cried out as Michael licked slow, lingering circles around her bellybutton then lightly bit into her sensitive flesh.

"Michael!" It was Nikita's turn to moan and feel weak in the knees. She pulled Michael's head, with its soft, curly auburn hair, against her firm stomach. Nikita laughed as Michael struggled weakly and his hair tickled her exposed flesh.

She gasped as Michael moved suddenly upwards, taking one of her breasts between his teeth and tugging it, playfully. He teased her nipple with his tongue until it ached with hardness. Simultaneously, he caressed her other bud, brushing it softly with his long, sensitive fingers.

As Nikita's brain struggled to sort out the conflicting impulses of soft and hard, Michael skillfully moved his searing tongue downwards, like a ribbon of liquid flame over her eager flesh. She moaned her approval, arching her body against his efforts as he licked her navel fondly in passing. He slid his fingers under the edges of her panties, pulling until they pooled around her feet and she stepped out of them. Her voice caught in her throat as Michael's lips descended further still, until his tongue found her warm, wet entrance and teased inside of her.

He stroked into her deeply, reaching out with one of his fingers to sweetly torture her pearl as his tongue delved hotly into her, stroking against her walls and sensitive flesh. She resisted the siren's call of his sharp, finishing strokes as long as she could, loving the feel of him inside of her, then wrapped her fingers into his silken locks and cried out his name, shuddering and trembling against his mouth. Pulsating waves of pleasure radiated from her inner core, overtaking her senses and she leaned against his hard, warm body to keep from falling.

Nikita let Michael continue his ministrations a few moments longer. She groaned in pleasure and received answering moans from her devoted lover. Delicious warmth and pleasurable aftershocks spread through her body.

When she felt steady enough to move, again, she laughed and danced away from him; retrieving her panties, slipping them on and cheekily flashing him her backside, which peeked out at all the right angles.

Please tell me:
You can leave your rucksack on.
You can leave your rucksack on.
Baby, you can leave your rucksack on...

She twirled the rucksack off her bare, creamy shoulders, tossed it to Michael and bowed theatrically. Her long, blond hair swept forward, concealing her laughing face and hiding her hard, peaked breasts from his sight for a moment.

Michael closed his eyes and sighed. The private performance, as deeply moving as it had been, was over.

As soon as he could speak again, Michael said, "Wait here, Nikita. I'm going to program some CD's on the disc player. Watch the movies until I call for you. Then start the CD's and come for me."

"Don't be long or I'll start without you," Nikita teased, calling after Michael's retreating form, which was already, Nikita noted with some amusement, moving rather hastily.

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

Chapter 7: Hot On The Trail...

Nikita actually managed to become quite engrossed in the movies. She didn't watch them end-to-end, but fast-forwarded to parts that caught her interest. She had scanned both 'A Fish Called Wanda' and 'Nine 1/2 Weeks' before she heard Michael's voice float down to her from somewhere upstairs in the apartment.

"Ni-ki-ta." It was a soft, sensual command. "Come to me."

She quickly stopped the videotape and barely remembered to start the CD player before, dressed only in her white cotton panties, she embarked on her quest.

As she moved to the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor of her apartment, the song "truly, madly, deeply" by Savage Garden played in the background.

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
'cause I'm counting on
A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning (Yeah...)

Nikita's eyes widened slightly when she saw the strange trail lining the staircase. Foil-wrapped Hershey's Kisses, M & M's, cinnamon hearts and other confections mingled with Michael's Elmo boxer shorts! The silk boxers trailed enticingly across two steps, leading upwards.

I want to stand with you on
a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Nikita touched the boxer shorts briefly. Black silk she noted, pleased with the soft, sensual feel of the fabric against her fingertips. She then followed the candy trail further up the stairs, pausing occasionally to scoop up one of the sugared treats and pop it into her mouth.

She stopped once more when she came to Michael's Elmo T-shirt slung across the stairs. Lifting the T-shirt to her face, she rubbed it against her skin and breathed in the warm, sensual scent. The powerful, exotic masculinity of him still clung to it.

Nikita growled deep in her throat and continued up the stairs, more determined than ever to complete her treasure hunt.

And when the stars are shining
brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish to send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the
Pleasure in the certainty
That we're surrounded by the
comfort and protection of
The highest powers
In lonely hours
The tears devour you

The candy trail led into the bathroom. Sensing a trap, Nikita proceeded with eager, intrigued steps, managing a strange mixture of cautious abandonment. She pushed open the bathroom door, noting the warm glow of candlelight, and surveyed the interior.

I want to stand with you on
a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Her eyes adjusted to the glowing candlelight, and she gasped, leaning against the doorframe for support. "Mi... Mi... My God!" she managed before falling speechless once again.

Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standing right here
before you
All that you need will surely come

Michael was reclining, apparently naked, waist deep in a heated tub of chocolate sauce! Arranged amongst the candles, near the bathtub, were bowls filled with strawberries, almonds, chocolate wafers, and assorted candies. Cans of whipped cream, flavored syrups, and steaming carafes of gourmet coffees were also on hand.

Michael sang directly to Nikita, his aquamarine eyes glowing in the soft candlelight. His voice was warm and sensual and wrapped itself around her trembling form like delicate, caressing fingertips:

I'll be your dream I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do (Mmm-hmm)
I want to stand with you on a
mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Michael smiled enticingly and patted the side of the bathtub. "Don't just stand there, Nikita. You're letting all the heat out! Do you know how difficult it is to get chocolate sauce exactly the right temperature? Come on in, 'Kita," he invited, obviously enjoying the stunned expression on her face. "The chocolate's fine!"

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

Chapter 8: Just Desserts

Nikita's body was beautiful, with its cream-colored complexion and fair, soft skin. This vision, combined with the sight of her white cotton panties dipping, slowly into a dark pool of chocolate, sent pleasurable shivers up and down Michael's spine.

Nikita settled at the other end of the spacious, old-fashioned, claw-foot bathtub, facing Michael. The chocolate bath felt delicious, smooth and thick, brushing like hot, liquid silk against her skin. Her legs, thighs, and belly tingled pleasantly.

"Ooh. I'm taking my baths like this from now on," she sighed blissfully.

"Don't be too hasty," Michael grinned. "It's not that easy to come by three cases of chocolate sauce.

Nikita's face took on a mildly puzzled, thoughtful look. "How did...?"

"I arrange all this?" Michael finished. He blinked owlishly. "I owe... favors... to Birkoff and Walter."

"You're not the only one," Nikita giggled. She reached one hand down into the rich, deep chocolate bath, intending to seek out Michael's candy-coated shell. Her questing fingers came into contact with... briefs?

"You sneak!" Nikita slapped Michael across the chest playfully, leaving a warm splash of chocolate across his muscular torso.

Michael smiled. "You can have your dessert, now, Nikita... But you'll have to wait until I dish out my... dessert.

Nikita's lips formed a comical pout, then her expression changed and she said slyly, "Well, I suppose it's not a bad thing. If I get my treat before my trick..."

"Mmmnn. Speaking of treats..." Michael reached out, grabbing one of the cans of whipping cream. He shook the can and then sprayed Nikita's breasts with delicious layers of coolness. He dipped two almonds in chocolate, one for each breast, and placed them like candy nipples on top of Nikita's heaped piles of whipping cream.

He dipped a strawberry in chocolate and whipped cream and then painted the outside of Nikita's lips with the confection.

Nikita licked her lips and greedily took the strawberry, and the fingers holding it, into her mouth. As she sucked Michael's fingers, he moaned softly.

In response to her provocative actions, Michael bent forward and licked his hot tongue over her cream-covered breasts.

Nikita cried out, wrapping her submerged legs around Michael's chocolate-dipped waist, pulling him closer. She held his head between her hands, stroking his soft, curly hair, and dripping chocolate onto his cheeks, chin, and neck, in the process.

Michael continued to lick circles and lines around her breasts, crunching the two almond nipples between his teeth before greedily seeking out their real counterparts.

Nikita moaned as Michael took a bottle of raspberry syrup and poured it over her breasts and stomach. He lifted a second bottle, peach-flavored this time, to her lips and squirted a fine, sweet spray of syrup into her mouth. Nikita rolled the syrup over her tongue. She sampled it like wine and then she offered her lips to Michael.

Michael devoured her mouth, savoring her peach-flavored tongue. He broke off his deep kiss to sample her raspberry breasts. He definitely preferred her real, almond-flavored nipples to his candy creations, and teased her breasts into awareness with his tongue and warm, chocolate-dipped fingers.

Nikita leaned back against the end of the tub. She sighed and closed her eyes, completely relaxed.

After a moment, she opened them again. Her sapphire orbs were drawn irresistibly to Michael's amused, but intensely passionate, jade-colored ones. They took turns feeding each other chocolate wafers, M&M's, and cinnamon hearts, taking small sips of Hazelnut Cream coffee in between to clear their palates.

Michael pressed his advantage, placing a shower of kisses along the delicate line of Nikita's throat.

Alternately, he kissed and licked the hollows of her neck. Then he bent down, nipping and grazing her breasts with his teeth. Nikita greeted his efforts with soft, appreciative moans.

Michael could sense the pleasure building in Nikita's trembling form. She closed her eyes again and slid lower into the tub. He wasn't ready to release her so easily this time. He broke off his attack and pushed himself back towards the other end of the bathtub, waiting for her reaction.

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

Chapter 9: Sex And Chocolate

"Michael?" Nikita's voice sounded small and disappointed. 'Just when things were getting good,' she thought.

Her eyelids fluttered but, before she could open them, Michael began his insidious new assault on her weakened defenses. He stretched out one of his nimble feet underneath the flowing sea of chocolate sauce and placed it snuggly against the soft, submerged fabric of Nikita's panties. He dug his toes into the cotton cloth, searching out her center, and began stroking deep circles through the cloth into her concealed, and formerly protected, flesh.

"Oh, Michael!" Nikita grasped the sides of the tub with her slippery, chocolate-covered hands, arched her neck and tilted her head back, moaning. Michael massaged her nether bud, until he felt her beginning to shake and tremble, moved by his efforts.

He eased off, running his chocolate-dipped toes slowly up and down the length of Nikita's belly, breasts, and neck. He stroked the long, graceful curve of her throat, massaging her neck with his foot and rubbing his toes against the sensitive, pulsing beat of her carotid artery.

He moved downwards, stroking the gentle curve and soft undersides of her breasts. After brushing the heel of his foot over the tops of her breasts, he pinched one of her nipples between his toes, giving it a playful squeeze.

Nikita groaned appreciatively, then sighed as Michael changed tactics again and dug his toes into her bellybutton, working scrumptious circles into her flesh.

Nikita couldn't take this torture passively any longer. She fought back by taking Michael's foot firmly in her chocolate grasp. She licked her hot tongue over his heel and extended the line of her tongue up and around, to the underside of his foot, moving gradually from the bottom of his foot to the tips of his toes. Triumphantly, she took his big toe into her mouth and began sucking it, hard.

Michael groaned. He started breathing heavily and struggled to regain control of his trapped foot, but Nikita was merciless. She took more of his toes captive in her mouth and alternated between sucking and nipping them. The more he struggled, the harder she pressed her advantage, stroking his hard, chocolate-covered chest and silken, submerged thighs softly with her right hand.

"Ni-ki-ta," he gasped, struggling to control the involuntary reaction in his manhood that Nikita's attentions were producing.

Nikita released his foot without warning and bent forward until she captured his mouth with hers. She tasted the depths of his mouth, and then broke off the kiss, licking her hot tongue over his chocolate-covered chin before returning to take his bottom lip gently between her teeth and biting it passionately.

"Michael," Nikita's voice was thick with emotion. "I want you."

"Soon." Michael suppressed a groan. He was having trouble controlling his breathing. His heart pounded fiercely in his chest and his face felt hot and flushed.

His entire body burned with an impossible desire, an unbearable need for his angel. He fought back a shudder, wrestling with his feral passions. But he found himself suddenly desperate to wrap himself in Nikita's warm, living light.

"We should... clean up... first," he managed, his voice sounding, even to his ears, rather weak and breathless.

"Michael, this is no time for housekeeping, " Nikita admonished, slapping his chest playfully.

"Just a shower..." Michael breathed.

Nikita carefully considered the potential benefits and rather intriguing possibilities presented by sharing a shower with Michael. Rapidly, she acceded to his suggestion.

Michael began draining the chocolate from the tub. Hastily, he pushed back bowls, candles, and dishes, to make room for their shower.

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

Chapter 10: Clean Up

Nikita stood under the warm spray, slicking back her flowing, golden hair.

Stealthily, Michael approached her from behind. He pulled off his black briefs. They slid off easily, soaked by the cascade of water spraying from the shower nozzle, and freed his body from the final trappings of clinging cloth and man-made materials.

Michael reached forward, silently tugging Nikita's panties down around her ankles.

She stepped out of them, accidentally brushing along the length of Michael's muscular torso, powerful thighs, and burgeoning arousal with her soft body, as she did so.

Michael groaned. His length responded eagerly to Nikita's open invitation. He pressed her body forward, pushing her out from under the hot stream of water flowing from the showerhead. He moved his hands around in front of her moist, dripping body and down, caressing her soft hips and stroking her firm, flat stomach. Then he cupped her silken mound with his skillful fingers and began exploring carefully between her legs. He growled, growing increasingly feral in his pleasure, his arousal jumping in response upon finding her already warm and wet; ready for him.

Michael thought as long as he and Nikita were in the same room, or on the same planet, they would always be ready for one another.

He judiciously stroked and rubbed the hidden flower between her legs commandingly, seeking out her secret depths. He found, and touched, the wellspring of her pleasure, teasing her with his slippery hands and fingers, just to be sure. Nikita whimpered and began trembling in response, pushing backwards against his sleek, hard body.

Michael grabbed Nikita by the shoulders and pushed her forward, pressing her body firmly against the wall. Now both of them were released from the hot rain still spraying from the shower overhead. Gently, he kissed her back, tasting the warm shower droplets clinging still to her sweet, delicate flesh, and caressed her curving shoulder blades. He nipped her neck sensually; eliciting more small sounds of pleasure from her as he encircled her waist with his strong, muscular arms.

Nikita closed her eyes, moaning softly, and prepared herself for what... she knew... was coming... next.

Michael's hands reached up and played with Nikita's breasts, teasing her nipples until they hardened under his silken touch. He bent his head around to lick and lave her sensitive peaks, running the sharp ridge of his thumbnail over her neglected bud while he pulled at the other one with his teeth, exerting just the right amount of pressure until Nikita purred in satisfaction.

"Michael!" Nikita's voice was thick with desire. "Take me... Now!"

"Ma chere," Michael nuzzled her ear, taking her earlobe gently between his teeth and then licking it sharply.

He smiled, hearing Nikita's abrupt, appreciative intake of breath.

"Michael!" Nikita used her hands to brace herself against the slick wall. She was trembling uncontrollably and feared she would lose consciousness, if Michael teased her much longer.

Michael couldn't draw out this sweet torture another moment. He had to be inside her. Without warning, he entered Nikita and began to take her; relentlessly thrusting, partially withdrawing, and then thrusting again. Moving deep within her, he established a smooth, measured rhythm. He moaned, unable to contain his pleasure as he guided Nikita towards completion, wrapping his arms around her and cradling her soft, delicious curves against his powerful frame.

"You feel so good," he gasped as he stroked into her, striking all the sensitive spots along her walls, feeling her silken warmth wrapped and clinging around his length. It was like his brain was exploding with impossible sounds and colors. His body shuddered, unable to process the overwhelming sensation of being inside his angel, wrapped within her goodness and light, loving her, filling her with his desire and igniting in her soul the same feral need that burned within him.

Nikita responded silently. She caressed Michael's hot, hard length internally, increasing the friction along his shaft and her walls, gripping him, releasing, and then squeezing him harder.

Michael moaned, continuing to play with Nikita's supple breasts. He bit her nipples stingingly, and then soothed them by swirling circles around her areola with his hot, seeking tongue. Caressing her hardened quads and flat stomach, he moved deeper inside of her, rotating his hips to give her deep, hard thrusts. Her sharp groans and short, panting breaths spurred him to ride her with increasingly feral intensity.

Their heartbeats merged, falling into rhythm with their bodies. They matched each other, stroke for stroke, and redoubled their efforts, magnifying each other's passion and pleasure.

"Michel!" Nikita moaned urgently, feeling her last traces of self-control slipping away as Michael's magnificent length burned within her. He was striking her core so perfectly that the sheer pleasure of his pounding rhythm threatened her sanity.

Michael, suddenly overcome by hearing his true name spoken by his beloved's perfect lips, thrust harder, deeper, and faster, inside Nikita. He moved them both irresistibly towards the sensuous wave approaching them.

Nikita reached out and grabbed one of Michael's hands, bringing it to her lips. She took his fingers into her mouth and sucked them, hard. At the peak of her pleasure, she bit the tips of his fingers and cried out, "Michel! Cher Michel!"

Michael moaned his response," Oui... Oui! Ni-ki-ta!" He knew it was time.

Nikita gasped. Her body shuddered pleasurably as Michael made a series of quick, finishing thrusts. He pushed relentlessly, his manhood hard and demanding deep within her. Then he thrust, deepest of all, and his seed exploded; hot, liquid pleasure tearing at her trembling walls. His essence filled her; body and soul. She cried out sharply, a sound echoed by Michael's own incoherent scream. They were both simultaneously overcome by their act of creation and destruction.

Sated, exalted, glistening with perspiration, they leaned against each other for support, breathing heavily. The shared-soul lovers, bodies entwined, remained still, bathed in each other's warmth and light until they could move and breath as separate beings once again.