The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to punch his lights out.

What was with him anyway. She was beginning to think she should move. One day it was a cup of flour, the next a cup of sugar, then last night, an egg. What the hell was he doing, slowly baking a cake or slowly trying to drive her insane.

She swore to herself if Mick had the nerve to come to her door again, tonight, she would not be held responsible for her actions, even if he was a valuable Section commodity.

Mick closed his door quietly and stepped back inside. O.K., he knew she was home because he heard her storming around the place muttering to herself. He couldn’t believe the spot he was in; between a rock and a hard place. He thought nothing of it a few weeks ago when Mr. Team Leader approached his door and asked him to keep an eye on Nikita. He especially wanted to know if anyone came visiting at night.

Mick had thought, hey no problem. He had no intention of denying Michael his request. He should have known something was up with those two when Mr.Calm, Cool and Collected strayed from Section policy and didn’t call in Terri’s escape attempt. With only a little pleading on Nikita’s part and some pretty intense stares from those blue eyes, Michael had folded and said he, Mick, had tried to flee. Imagine that. He even tossed me out of a moving car, he thought to himself, for speaking up about reporting back to Section.

Yes, he was going to do as Michael asked but he was beginning to feel like it was a lose – lose situation. Nikita was quite capable of doing him bodily harm if he kept bugging her and he didn’t even want to think what Michael would do to him if he failed to report in.

All in all, he figured if he was risking broken body parts with Nikita and maybe even death with Michael, he should at least have some fun. With that in mind, he proceeded to phone Michael to tell him that he thought Nikita had a male visitor over and wouldn’t open her door when he had knocked. That should get the game started. He picked up the phone and dialed.

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

Michael was still in Section processing paperwork as he had no real desire to go to his loft. The last few months had been quite painful dealing with all his demons and the closing events of his long term mission.

While he still missed them terribly, he realized he had to move on. Nikita was his salvation, again. He could still hear her saying, “you have to find a reason to live”, at a time when all he wanted to do was die. He couldn’t understand why she continued to stand by him during those days when he was so deep into his depression. Days had turned to months of melancholy and still she was there.

Then without warning, she seemed to withdraw from him. He calculated the timeframe of her departure and found it was connected to his demeanor of being able to stand on his own two feet again. Maybe she thought he was O.K. and didn’t need her presence so much but Michael had found that without her around, he was beginning to feel lost again. He couldn’t go to her directly. That was not him but he needed to know what was going on so he asked Schoeptel to keep an eye on her not quite admitting to himself that jealousy might be playing a part in his request. Did she have someone else she was shining her light upon. Those rays were reserved for him, he mused. Was that why she had withdrawn?

Michael’s thoughts were interrupted by the ring of his cell phone. “Yes”, he answered. It was Schoeptel and the news he gave Michael sent the blood coursing through his veins at doubletime. “What time did he arrive?”. “Did you see who it was?”. Did she say anything when you knocked?”.

Mick could barely answer the first question before the second and third came out. Damn, he thought to himself, this was indeed going to be fun. If only he could manage to stay alive in the process.

He answered Michael’s questions consecutively. “I don’t know, no and no”. He was about to say something else when the line went dead. Hot Damn, Mick thought, what have I started.

Nikita sat back on her sofa quietly sipping herbal tea while the muscles in her body slowly begun to relax. So far, so good. No Mick was a good Mick. A few moments later, the cell phone rang and while she was tempted to flush the annoying device, she instead answered it. “Yes”.

“Hello Nikita”. “Oh, hi Birkoff, what’s up, she responded. “I was wondering if you had some time for me. I really want to talk”. Nikita welcomed his company. Anyone but Mick was a welcomed diversion. “Of course, come on over”. “O.K., Birkoff said. I’ll be there in 5 minutes. I’m in the neighborhood”.

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

Birkoff arrived at Nikita’s front door and nervously ran his hand over the top of his head before knocking. Inside, Nikita activated her monitor before opening the door. “Hi, come on in”, she invited.

Birkoff noted that she was wearing a one piece form fitting catsuit but had covered all the good parts with an oversized cowlneck sweater which hung off one shoulder. Nikita smiled at him and then took another sip of her tea before opening the door wider as she noticed his slight hesitation. Get a grip, he told himself as he walked in. You’re here to talk, not ogle her.

She closed the door behind him and asked if she could get him something to drink. “A coke would be great if you have it”, he responded as he threw his coat on the couch. Nikita made her way to the frig while Birkoff made his way over to her CD collection and casually begun perusing her discs.

Nikita returned to the livingroom with a coke in hand and stood watching Birkoff for awhile. He certainly has grown up, she thought to herself as she noticed the way his clothes now seemed to be more form fitting than the loose attire he used to sport. She felt a warm feeling in her heart as she recalled his words about her being the prettiest girl in Section. Birkoff was definitely special and he deserved someone equally as special in his life. Lord only knew what the Fates had in store for him or for her, for that matter.

She cleared her throat which got his attention and handed him the coke as he approached her. “So, what’s up”, she asked. “Is Michael O.K.” Birkoff spit out. “What do you mean?”, she queried. She had some concerns and reservations herself but was not sure what exactly Birkoff was getting at. “I asked for his help last week and he blew me off”. Birkoff was visibly hurt. Nikita didn’t know what to say but her instincts to stand up for Michael kicked in and she answered by saying that Michael had a lot of his mind and that Birkoff shouldn’t be upset if he didn’t help him with a small problem.

“It was a matter of life and death, Nikita, MINE, not a small problem at all”. “Oh!, why didn’t you come to me”, she asked. “You were involved in the Chernov mission at the time”.

“Ah”, she responded. “Look Birkoff, Michael just needs time and I’m sure he’ll come around. If you need help in the near future, come to me, that’s what friends are for”. Just as she reassured him that she would be there for him, her phone rang, again. “Excuse me”, she said picking up the cell and answering, “Hello”.

“Ni-ki-ta”. Oh shit, she thought. Speak of the devil and he will appear. “Oh, hi. What’s up?”. “May I come over?”, he asked. She hesitated a little too long for Michael’s pleasure before responding with, “Ah, now is not a good time. How about a little later?”.

Michael evaluated her every word and lack thereof. He noted she never verbalized his name and “now is not a good time” confirmed that she was, indeed, not alone. He saw RED but carefully kept if from entering his voice. “O.K.” was all he said and hung up.

O.K. indeed. He replaced his cell phone in his jacket pocket and looked up to her terrace window from the shadow he was standing in and waited. Later was fine with him. He had no intention on moving one inch. Whoever he was, he had to come out of that apartment building sooner or later and when he did, Michael had every intention of beating him within an inch of his life. “Steal my rays, will you. I think not”, he said to himself and settled in for the wait.

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

Mick walked out of his bathroom having just taken a watermelon and kiwi bubblebath. He was feeling quite pleased with himself and begun to hum a little ditty when he thought he heard voices next door at Nikita’s place.

He tiptoed over to his door and cracked it ever so slightly. Yep, those were voices alright. Nikita was talking to some male and it wasn’t Michael. Damn, he thought, someone got past me while I was bubblebathing it.

Well, this just might work out to my advantage, thought Mick. After all, he knew Michael had hung up on him so quickly because he was on his way over here to find out who Mick had called about. Now that someone, and a male someone at that, was actually there, he thought he might actually live to see his 38th birthday next month.

He closed the door and waited for the fireworks, but they never came. About two hours later, he heard Nikita’s visitor leave and he jumped up to catch a glimpse, but missed him. He hurried to the window eager to catch a peek a Don Juan as he walked away from the building.

Michael was beginning to get very restless standing there in the shadows. He checked his watch and realized he had been down here two and a half hours already.

He always was a patient person and, in his line of work, it was definitely a plus. However, now he felt it was getting the best of him. He begun to think how foolish he was being and started to abandon his post when the door to Nikita’s apartment building opened and someone stepped out into the chilly night air. Michael looked, rubbed his eyes, and looked again. Birkoff! The little weasel. What the hell was he doing here?

Michael’s temper soared as he realized Nikita had put him off for Birkoff. As luck would have it, the little shit was walking right towards him, oblivious to Michael standing in the shadows.

When Birkoff was within Michael’s reach, he grabbed him by the coat collar and slammed him upside the nearest wall causing Birkoff to let out a high pitch shriek as his glasses did a balancing act on his nose.

“What are you doing here?”, Michael demanded. “Oh geez, Michael, you scared me half to death. What’s up with you anyway?, Birkoff asked as he re-adjusted his glasses.

“What were you and Nikita doing?”. Birkoff couldn’t believe his ears. Was that jealousy he detected. “N-N-Nothing, Michael”. “Two and a half hours is a long time to do nothing Birkoff. What were you two talking about?”. Birkoff began to sweat. He knew Michael was a very private man and he had no intention of admitting that Nikita and he had been discussing him.

He put on his bravest front, which lacked effect as his feet dangled five inches from the ground. Michael continued to hold him pinned to the wall.

“It’s private”, he mustered up. “Private”, Michael repeated. “How about we go someplace real private while you rethink your answer?”. A bead of sweat ran down Birkoff’s face but he held his ground, so to speak and spit out, “If you want to know so badly, ask Nikita”.

All of a sudden, Michael’s demeanor changed and he released him. Birkoff straightened out his clothes, wiped the sweat from his face and waited. Michael seemed to be processing what he said. Birkoff knew enough to know that Michael would not approach Nikita and so he continued to wait for Michael’s next move.

“Go” was all he said and Birkoff didn’t need to be told twice. When he was gone, Michael again pulled out his cellphone and dialed Nikita.

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

Mick stood back from the window doubled over with laughter at the scene he’d just witnessed. Don Juan almost became Don Wasn’t and he still couldn’t figure out what the guy had said to cause Michael to release him. Mick was sure he was about to have a front row seat to a really good bout but the look on Don Juan’s face was just as entertaining. He knew Section ops could be good for a few laughs, but this was working out better than he expected.

It was just after midnight when Nikita’s phone rang again. “Grand Central Station”, she said out loud as she answered the ring. “Hello”. “Hello, Ni-ki-ta. Are you still busy?”. “No, she responded but if you don’t mind Michael, I’m really exhausted. Can this wait?”.

Michael replayed Birkoff’s words in his mind. “It’s private”, then Nikita’s words just now. “I’m really exhausted” and almost crushed the cell phone with the pressure he was applying to it. “Michael, are you there?”. “Yes, he responded, it can wait. Good night Ni-ki-ta”.

She put the phone down and headed towards her bedroom. Michael sure was acting strange, but then again he never was quite normal to begin with. Recent developments had surely shed the light on that fact. Oh well, she thought, he was definitely doing better lately and she decided to give him some space to allow him to get an even better footing. As she prepared for bed, she thought to herself that the night had not been bad at all. Schoeptel hadn’t come around to bug her and she always enjoyed Birkoff’s company. Yes, all in all, it was a good night, she thought, as she climbed into bed and turned off her lamp light.

Michael stood downstairs watching as the lights in her apartment went out. He wanted desperately to go to her but turned around and headed for his loft instead. He thought to himself, the next time he got her alone up there, he wouldn’t leave until they were both good and exhausted. They had some catching up to do but first he had to make sure nothing was going on between she and Birkoff. He would call Schoeptel tomorrow and seek some answers.

Michael finally arrived at his loft. Over the last few months, he had furnished the place with a few pieces and now made his way over to the reclining chair. He picked up the book he had been reading and found his place.

He tried to concentrate on what he was reading but his thoughts kept going back to Nikita. The book was not working to distract him from his thoughts so he decided to give in and get some sleep. If he was lucky, he might get an hour or two before the nightmares started. He undressed and quickly got into bed as the chill in the air found its way to his most sensitive spots. He pulled the covers around him and tried to relax as sleep called to him and he began to drift off.

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

He should have known he was dreaming when he awoke clad in a loincloth, with a hunting knife hanging low on his hip, somewhere in the jungle. His senses were heightened on a primitive level. Oh great, he thought, I’m in a Tarzan dream!

Michael then got a gleam in his eyes as he began looking around for Jane. This might actually be quite interesting he thought as he began sniffing at the air trying to catch her scent. He followed his senses until he spotted her through the thick bush sitting on a fallen tree log threading her fingers through her blonde locks.

He slowly approached and she turned meeting his eyes as she let out a primitive growl. Wow, Michael thought. His subconscious mind was not disappointing him one bit as he saw she, also, was clad in loincloth which barely covered her body essentials.

He descended upon her enveloping her in his arms and she scratched his chest in mock resistance signalling to him that the ritual mating game had begun. Michael immediately ran back into the bush looking for some small game to kill and bring back to her as a sign of his devotion.

He quickly caught a rabbit and brought it back placing it at her feet. She looked at it and laughed indicating that it was not enough. The mating game continued as he, again, ran out into the bush determined to capture a prey that would endear her to him.

He sniffed the air and caught the scent of a wildebeest. His primal instincts took over as he preyed upon it. Catching it off guard, Michael battled the beast with his hunting knife. A battle to the end. He picked the carcass up placing it around his neck using its legs as leverage and proceeded back to her.

He approached her as she lay resting and placed the wildebeest at her feet. Her eyes widened in approval and she began taunting him with her womanhood, thrusting her hips upwards indicating that the mating ritual could continue.

His eyes took on a feral look as they travelled to her inviting hips swaying suggestively. He dropped to all four and crawled over taking her by the arms and turning her over. She immediately pulled herself up positioned on hands and knees, turned her head slightly in his direction and licked her lips.

With that gesture, Michael lost his composure and ripped the loincloth from her body entering her in one swift, hard thrust. Her head snapped up as she let out a loud groan and he grabbed a handful of sunshine which caused her back to arch more pulling him further into her.

They coupled fervently matching each others thrusts stroke for stroke until their mingled cries of pleasure, ultimately released, were carried away on the winds of the bush.

When Michael awoke the following morning, a feeling of euphoria hit him as he remembered his dream. Tres bien, he thought, not even one nightmare, and I actually got out of that Tarzan dream without uttering that idiotic primitive jungle cry. He felt better than he had in months and knew what he had to do.

He got up and prepared himself. Leather seemed so appropriate today, he mused. He donned his gear and left to seek her out.

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

Nikita awoke the following morning well rested and in a good mood. She stretched leisurely and contemplated getting out of bed. She was really enjoying her downtime and decided a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. Just as her eyes started to drift close, someone knocked on her front door. Oh well, she thought. So much for that, as she proceeded to get out of bed and answer the door. “Coming”, she yelled.

She got to the front door, activated her monitor and saw Mick standing there in his bathrobe, which she knew meant trouble but he was also holding two steaming cups of tea which got the best of her, so she opened the door.

“What is it, Mick?” He maneuvered his way in feigning trouble balancing the two tea cups and answered, “Now is that anyway to talk to a bloke who comes bearing gifts?”, as he softly back kicked the door closed. He noted she wore only a tee shirt and shorts.

“What kind?”, she relented. She had to admit at least he was offering instead of asking. “Chamomile”, he responded sitting the cups down on the coffee table and plopping down on her sofa. Nikita returned to her bedroom grabbing up a long sweatshirt and pulled it over her head effectively covering up. Only her long legs were exposed. She returned to the livingroom and sat down at the other end of the sofa and reached for her tea. “Thanks”, she muttered, taking a sip.

“So, Mick began, late night visit from Don Juan, huh?” “Don Who?”, Nikita repeated. “Juan”, said Schoeptel. “If you ever need some company, doll, I’d be more than willing to accommodate you”. “Shut up, Mick”, she said taking another sip.

“Oh come on blue eyes. I can be your Don Juan, within Section rules, of course. Why don’t you give ole Mick a try?”.

Michael slowly approached Nikita’s building and took the stairs to the fourth floor not really sure what he was going to say but sure that he needed to say something.

As he approached her door, he heard voices and checked his watch. His sports watch flashed 8:15 a.m. He advanced, catlike, towards the door and the voices became clearer.

It was Schoeptel and something deep inside Michael’s gut churned as he listened. “Come on blue eyes, I can be your Don Juan, give ole Mick a try”, he heard him say. Michael suddenly recognized the feeling in his gut as primal rage and kicked the door open immediately sweeping the interior with his eyes.

Nikita jumped up immediately assuming a fighting stance while Mick jerked spasmodically spilling tea all over himself.

“M-M-Michael”, Mick stammered. He stood in the doorway, eyes a dark jade, and took in the situation. There Nikita stood with only a sweatshirt on covering her body, her long luscious legs totally exposed.

Schoeptel sat there with tea stains covering his bathrobe. The look of lust he was wearing was now changing to one of fear as Michael said nothing but continued to look from one to the other.

He suddenly lunged forward grabbing Schoeptel by his bathrobe with both hands and bodily lifted him from the sofa. Before Nikita knew what was happening, Michael’s right hand drew back several inches and forcefully punched Mick square in the eye.

Mick let out a howl as Michael grabbed his robe again and effectively tossed him out the door slamming it closed behind him. He turned, chest heaving, and focused his tumultuous gaze upon Nikita who visibly swallowed, still holding her fighting stance.

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

For a split second, Nikita really was scared. The primal look in Michael’s eyes was one she hadn’t seen in quite sometime. Lyons came to mind.

He started to approach her and she heard herself stammer, “W-What is this, Michael?”. He grabbed her by both arms applying some pressure and said, “That’s what I would like to know”. Nikita couldn’t ever remember a time when she saw Michael’s nostrils flare, but there it was, right in front of her eyes. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He continued, saying, “You have time for Birkoff, you have time for Schoeptel, but you don’t have time for ME!”

She couldn’t believe her ears. Jealousy, pure and clear. Now she knew she wanted to laugh. A loud, happy laugh as she realized the only emotions that Michael had exhibited in the last few months were melancholy and indifference. This was definitely something new. It told her his spirit was definitely alive and kicking.

She couldn’t stop the corner of her mouth from lifting slightly, creating a small lopsided grin which caused her eyes to twinkle.

Michael was momentarily transported back into his dream as his eyes, once again, took on a feral look. Nikita’s eyes widen and she involuntarily licked her lips.

Without warning, Michael attacked her full pouty lips devouring them with his mouth. Nikita was stunned frozen for a second but quickly got with the program thrusting her tongue forward and grinding her hips into his as she grasped him tightly from behind.

They dropped to the floor, each pulling at the other’s clothes desperate to remove all barriers. When she laid completely disrobed in front of Michael, he rolled her over on to her stomach and told her to extend her arms out in front of her, stretching her body to its full length.

Michael placed his palms flat over her hands covering them and began to slowly travel his fingertips down the length of her body using a very light touch which caused goosebumps to decorate Nikita’s body.

He took hold of her hips bending his head low and kissed her bottom, one cheek at a time and Nikita heard herself gasp. He continued up her back placing tender kisses along her spinal column, his hands constantly caressing her. He was sending shockwaves up and down her nerve chords and Nikita felt her desire stir.

“Michael, please”, she pleaded and he responded by rolling her over on to her back and, again, grabbed her hips while he slowly lowered his head until he came in contact with her treasure. He drank deeply lost in the scent of her. Nikita was simply, LOST. Her head thrashed from side to side as she rode the pleasure wave to the top and slowly began to come back down.

Before she could come back down completely, Michael entered her quickly, sending her escalating again. Nikita let out a loud moan as Michael angled himself to her left side and began stroking her wall. He took one of her pink peaks into his mouth and kissed it to attention then swirled his tongue around it causing her to groan out loud. He then repeated the act on the twin bud, to Nikita’s delight.

She wrapped her long legs around his waist locking her feet behind him and drew him in closer with each stroke. She opened her eyes and saw animalistic green eyes, filled with passion, intensely studying her. She was mesmerized and found she was unable to free herself from his gaze.

His mouth descended upon hers and their tongues intertwined exploring slowly at first, then Michael, feeling as if it wasn’t enough, grabbed the back of her head pulling her deeper into the kiss. This act, coupled with his well placed strokes, caused Nikita to shudder violently climaxing with Michael right behind her moaning out his pleasure.

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

Mick stood in his bathroom examining his eye. It was turning into quite a shiner and he found himself cursing the day he first laid eyes on that crazy bird, Nikita and her bloody, psycho boyfriend, Michael.

He decided he was putting in a move request. He didn’t know if it would do any good, but it was worth a shot. Let someone else babysit her, he thought. He couldn’t afford any more bruises to his body. As it was, he’d be wearing sunglasses for the next month.

Next door, Nikita lay wrapped in Michael’s arms as they quietly enjoyed the aftermath of their lovemaking. Michael was absently stroking her hair when Nikita suddenly asked, “How did you know I spent time with Birkoff?”. Michael’s hand froze midstream as he quickly juggled a few answers in his head finally deciding that the truth was warranted at this point.

“I missed you”, he admitted, slowly pivoting his eyes sidewards to gauge her reaction. “I asked Mick to keep an eye on you. He told me you had a visitor the other night. I found out it was Birkoff”. “I see, she said”.

“You care for him?”, Michael asked. “Of course, Nikita replied. He’s my friend”. “Is that all?”, he whispered. She was beginning to understand now. She confided to Michael that Birkoff had visited because he was concerned about him. Michael couldn’t believe his ears. After all the times he had intimidated Birkoff and threatened his life, the kid was still concerned about his well being.

“I believe an apology may be in order”, he stated. “What did you DO Michael?”. “Nothing that he’s not used to when dealing with me”, he admitted with guilt.

“Well, at least now I know why Mick has been so annoying”, she laughed trying to lighten his mood. She playfully scolded him saying, “How could you, Michael? Siccing Mick on me”. She continued saying the only reason he was still in her good graces was because he punched Mick’s lights out which was something she’d wanted to do for a long time. She flashed back to the scene in her mind’s eye and began to laugh.

Michael watched her radiate and pulled her close soaking up the rays coming off her. He found that he was no longer lost.

He kissed her forehead, then captured her lips determined to fulfill his own promise to leave them both sated and completely exhausted. The reality of their ghost lives within Section would come back, soon enough, to haunt them. They both knew and ultimately accepted that fact. This time, however, Michael decided that things would be different.

He broke the kiss momentarily, innocently asking, “Have you ever watched the movie, Tarzan?”. “Uh, huh”, Nikita said and Michael noticed that familiar twinkle was back in her eyes.

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

A few days later, at Section, Birkoff arrived early to his station to perform his regular duties. He decided to check the daily incoming communiques which needed to be logged and authenticated.

As he was scrolling down the message log, he noticed a communique from Mick Schoeptel which got his attention. “Hey, isn’t that the guy Section put next door to Nikita?”, Birkoff said aloud although no one was there to answer him.

He rolled his chair over to the computer stationed in the corner, in one swift movement, and checked Section’s commodity directory. I thought so, Birkoff mused. He then went back to the message log and highlighted Mick’s communique. Once Birkoff downloaded the decoding program and applied it to the communique, it opened, like magic. Inside it read:

Subject: Request for residential move Message: Believe life may be in danger Signed: Mick Schoeptel

Birkoff couldn’t believe what he had read. Schoeptel fearing for his life when he had one of the most skilled Section One operatives living right next door to him. It never occurred to Birkoff that the same skilled Section One operative could be the cause of Mick’s fear.

His curiosity got the better of him and he decided to call Schoeptel. He wanted to know why he was worried. After all, Birkoff was no stranger to having his life threatened and in jeopardy.

Mick woke up to the ringing of his phone and pushed himself up, opening his one good eye as he groped for the cellphone. “Hello”, he croaked.

“Hello, Mr. Schoeptel. We received your communique and would like an elaboration on your request”.

Great, thought Mick, anything to get the paperwork rolling. He proceeded to elaborate advising Birkoff that a certain Level 5 Op had asked him to do surveillance on a certain Level 2 Op and that he had followed his instructions to the letter advising him of her visitor’s comings and goings. “And do you know what I get for me troubles, he continued, a black eye and its likely things are about to get bloody volatile. Now how about that move request?”, Mick begged.

Birkoff, who hadn’t been able to figure out how Michael knew he was with Nikita the other night, finally realized that Mick had ratted him out, and the imbecile didn’t even know who, at Section, he was talking to. Birkoff’s eyes sparkled as he responded to Mick saying, “Thank you, Mr. Schoeptel. We’ll be in touch”.

He hung up the phone and immediately began looking for the address of one Section operative in particular. Locating the address, he immediately arranged to have Mick moved next door to Mario Spignola. Spignola was the only remaining member of the Porter/Lang team. He had witnessed the remains of one of his team members being returned to Section in a cardboard box and held little love for Illevoff Benko or anyone associated with him.

Yes, he would move Mick right next door to Spignola and let nature take its course. Birkoff walked down one of Section’s corridors snickering to himself about being able to predict the future and he predicted that Med Lab would be getting a very urgent visit from Mick Schoeptel in the near future.

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