![](http://www.thesplitpersonality.net/graphics/spacer3.gif"){kind=spacer}
ATTENTION: Stories marked with an * may contain material which would be better appreciated by those over 18. Parental Discretion is advised. This is your responsibility, not ours.
Nikita sat across from Michael. They were sitting in a corner booth at Salley's Cafe. It was Nikita's favorite place for Cafe Latte. She brought Michael here, hoping that he would be willing to talk to her. To share his pain and grief.
It had been a revelation to her to learn that Michael had been married to a fellow operative named Simone. It had been a revelation to him to learn that the wife he had thought dead for three years was still alive. Or, had been. After finding and freeing Simone for her cell at the Glass Curtain compound, the tortured woman had blown herself, and her jailor, sky high.
After returning to Section, Walter had informed Nikita that the first time Simone had died, Michael had shut himself completely off. Not talking to anyone, until she had arrived. Then Michael had stopped Nikita in the corridor and thanked her. What had frightened her was his speech that he had no right to feel cheated by Simone's death. He was loyal to Section, despite the fact that they had lied to him. For Nikita believed they had known Simone was alive these past three years. Michael gave Section his loyalty because he owed them his life. What Nikita found interesting about that was the fact that she knew Michael didn't fear death. She sometimes believed that he wanted to die. Only he would never pull the trigger on himself. Michael was too strong for that. Or, perhaps, there was some other reason.
Those were things Nikita hoped to find out. It was the reason she had invited him out for coffee. That, and the fact that she sensed that Michael didn't want to be alone. But Nikita knew he would never admit it. Not even to himself. So, here they were, enjoying steaming cups of coffee at Salley's cafe. Problem was, Nikita was doing all the talking. Michael was an avid listener, but that was defeating her purpose in being here. Yes, Nikita wanted to help him through his grief at losing Simone again, but she also wanted to get inside Michael's head. He was such an enigma. An intriguing one to be sure.
"Enough about me," Nikita declared at last, smiling at Michael over the rim of her mug.
"There's not much to tell," Michael countered, his eyes not quite meeting Nikita's.
She shook her head. "There's everything to tell, Michael. You're such a mystery. I've known you for over two years and just learned you had a wife. I'm so sorry she had to die."
Michael stared down into his coffee mug. "Simone made the choice to die," he said softly. "I don't blame her."
"You don't blame Section either," Nikita reminded him. "Why not? They lied to you, Michael. They knew she was alive, yet they let you believe that she was dead for three years. Why don't you hate them for that?" The questions came out of Nikita in a flood, and she was desperate for answers.
"It's not that simple, Nikta," Michael whispered. He wished that he could make her understand, but knew that she wouldn't. She wasn't ready for the truth. It was too dark and ugly for her. "Life isn't fair. What happened to you....wasn't fair. But everything is a trade off. You're alive. That counts for something."
Nikita heaved a sigh. "Hmmmm....I suppose it should," she allowed. "I understand what you're trying to say, Michael. That I should be grateful to Section for giving me a second chance. Without them I would have rotted away in prison. For a crime I didn't even commit." Nikita offered a wry smile. "But...somehow I can't seem to dredge up any gratitude. After all, now I am a killer. Ironic...isn't it?"
Michael pinched the bridge of his nose, betraying his anxiety. He hadn't brought Nikita to Section, but he blamed himself for making her a killer. Just as he blamed himself for Simone's death. In the end, he had still been the cause of it. "I'm sorry, Nikita," he whispered, locking eyes with her now. "I wish..."
"What?" she prompted, sensing that he was about to make a revelation.
"Nothing," Michael replied, seeing disappointment flicker in Nikita's beautiful eyes. He wished things could be different between them, but knew that it couldn't be. Knew that he wouldn't do to her what he had done to Simone. So maybe it would be best to warn Nikita. His eyes turning silver-green as he slipped into his *machine man* mode, Michael offered a cold smile. "When Simone and I got married...we wrote our own vows," Michael began.
Nikita leaned forward, her eyes locked on his beautiful face. She new that he was retreating back into himself and she guessed that what he going to tell her was painful for him. That's what Michael did when forced to confront his emotions. He retreated behind the cold wall of indifference. "Go on," she prompted softly.
Michael's eyes flickered to his left. It was too hard to face the intensity of Nikita's gaze. "I vowed that I would love her for all eternity. But I broke my promise...twice." The image of holding Simone again, in the cell that had been her prison for three years, flashed before Michael. He heard the echo of his words to her. '.....If I had known you were still alive...I would have never stopped looking for you... loving you....' But he had stopped looking...and the love had faded. Michael looked at Nikita with cold eyes. "I stopped loving Simone," he said harshly.
"I don't believe that," Nikita replied, feeling stunned by his words. "Michael...I saw you with her. You loved her then....you love her still." Nikita would have bet her life on it. "I know that you're in pain now. And I want to help you."
"I don't need your help," Michael hissed. He stood up and reached for his coat. Reaching into the pocket, he tossed a ten dollar tip on the table. "Thanks for the coffee," he whispered, then he turned and walked away.
Nikita watched him go, blinking back tears. She was a little hurt by his words, but mostly she was angry. Not so much at Michael, but at Section one. They had made her a killer. But what had they done to Michael? Wiping her nose with her napkin, Nikita stood up and pulled on her coat. Then she left the cafe, stepping out into the cold night. Looking up at the star-filled sky, she made a wish. For Michael. "I hope that...someday...you can forgive yourself enough to let me in. But..until then, I'll always be here for you, Michael. For all eternity." Smiling to herself. Nikita headed for home.
THE END
Send suggestions or comments to Shelly