"MA-14"

Music: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by The Pretenders. Forgive me, but I tend to use "props" from previous shows, and this piece definitely belongs with season one episodes. So if you can buy this kind of reality, buckle up and enjoy the ride...

"Merry Little Christmas"

Light from a myriad of candles and Christmas lights cast a soft glow upon the room, creating intimate shadows that danced along the walls. Dressed in a low-cut red velvet dress, Nikita wandered restlessly around her darkened apartment, idly rearranging various ornaments and decorations.

A smile softened each feature as she fingered a special ornament hanging at eye level. Unlatching the small trinket, she slipped the silver ring over her finger. The delicate edging caught the light, highlighting her lapis eyes with bright prisms. Her other hand unconsciously strayed to her belly, and she stroked the area that Michael's lips had once brushed.

Eye fluttered closed and her breath caught in the back of her throat as an all too familiar rush of warmth ribboned from her belly to her toes. It was as if this ring possessed everything magnetic and electrifying symbolic about her and Michael. Suddenly, she was very glad that she had decided to keep this souvenir from the Bauer mission.

Sadly, Nikita turned the ring round and round on her finger while stalking the small confines of her prison. Biting her lip, she eyed the spread of candies and goodies adorning her table. A moist chocolate brownie caught her attention and she licked the frosting from it almost angrily before picking out a rich Godiva chocolate. Allowing the rich mixtures of chocolate to dissolve into a sugary, warm syrup she swallowed and brooded over her current situation.

Slumping in her lone barstool, her thoughts wandered again to Michael. Only minor satisfaction was achieved in knowing that he had been sent to the far East for a mission just a few days ago. Somehow solitude was more bearable knowing that he was most likely in the same boat. Fact was, even if Michael were in this country, she wouldn't allow herself to hope that he would want to spend Christmas with her. These thoughts didn't stop her from jumping at every sound near the vicinity of her door though. More than once, she had tentatively strayed to the door just to gaze out the peephole and once again confirm that the hallway was empty.

For some strange reason, being alone tonight was really beginning to bother her. Very strange actually, as she considered how many holidays she'd spent alone in her life thus far. Her fingers drummed furiously on the counter, marking each eternal minute that passed. Rolling her eyes upward, she regarded the achingly happy row of sunglasses where the glow from her Christmas lights danced. The square purple pair caught her eye. Tilting her head to simulate the memory of Michael's compliment, she donned the favored glasses. Sighing loudly, she pushed the sunglasses atop her head, wondering why she felt so incredibly hormonal this evening.

The past few years had left an indelible impression on her. No longer free, her entire life was spent trying to help others and, for the most part, ignoring her own personal feelings. At times she felt as if the weight of the world was sitting on her chest and shoulders, slowly smothering her.

Nikita walked over to the balcony and opened the doors. Frigid winds welcomed her intrusion and she shivered as the coldness brought her nipples erect. With each movement, the friction of her velvet dress against those taut peaks increased the incredible sense of warmth radiating in her abdomen.

Subconsciously each palm went to her face, caressing her jaw as Michael might if he were here. The screech of her cell phone, broke her from her reverie and she whirled to find herself wrapped in Michael's open arms. His face inches from hers, his misty breath condensing over her nose and cheeks.

Startled and a bit unsure if he was a dream summoned by her thoughts, Nikita grabbed his shoulders to steady herself. His firm muscles rippled under her touch confirming his presence. "...How did you..." She stopped and took a deep breath, staring spellbound into his eyes. "You're supposed to be on assignment right now. What are you doing here?"

"I finished early and thought I'd stop by to wish you a merry Christmas. Although I really was expecting a better greeting than this." Michael shrugged his shoulders slightly, closing his cellphone and hers. Putting on an air of exaggerated suffering he sighed, "But if don't want me here I guess I'll leave." He backed away, starting toward the door.

Grabbing his arm quickly, Nikita growled, "You're not going anywhere." Leading him back toward the kitchen, she suddenly stopped and looked up at the ceiling, a mischievous glint sparkling in her eyes. "You owe me something."

His curiousity raised, Michael glanced up to find mistletoe hanging above their heads. Understanding lit up his face, as he smiled and met her gaze. "I owe you something? Now what would that be?" His voice washed over her, as gentle as a caress yet filled with sensual intent.

Nikita shivered slightly, bemused by the fire burning in his eyes and unaware that it was reflected in her own. Inching closer until her lips were a breath apart from his, she whispered, "I think you know what I want."

Nodding in agreement, Michael wrapped his arms around her waist, caressing the small of her back and molding her hips to his. Dipping his head slightly, his lips brushed gently against hers, savouring the taste of chocolate lingering there.

Nikita's hands crept up around his neck, melting into his embrace as their kiss deepened. His fingers tightened on her hips as he felt the taut tips of her breasts rub against his chest. Sighing deeply, they both began swaying in time to the music playing on the stereo, content to just hold each other for now.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
rom now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away

"Hmm, Your hands are like ice." Michael sighed into her forehead, before kissing a path down the tip of her nose to her mouth.

Her mouth opened to playfully bite his chin and then re-claim his mouth.

Pulling back momentarily she raised eyes heavy with longing and whispered suggestively, "So why don't you warm me up?" Her hands made circles on his upper chest while she awaited his reply.

Michael smiled, drinking in the sight of her. He tipped the sunglasses so that they fell over her eyes and then took her hands in his, slowly rubbing them and caressing her fingers. A sparkle of light caught his attention and his gaze fell to rest upon her ringed finger. "Been thinking of me." His eyes twinkled as he watched her face flush a hue that matched her dress.

She snatched her hands away and threw the sunglasses across the counter, embarrassed by the obvious sign of her affection. Michael retrieved her left hand, tracing the magical silver band and speaking with such gentleness, "I was thinking of you."

Nikita closed her eyes and smiled. His hands traveled to her shoulders and he brought her into his sweet embrace once more. Time moved at a snail's pace as their bodies met. She trembled in his arms, greatly affected by his closeness and the arousing scent of musk which clung to his skin. oving as one, they danced hardly moving and scarcely breathing, neither willing to release their hold on the other.

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Nikita turned her head on his shoulder to regard the wedding band on her finger. Sensing what she was doing, Michael tenderly captured her hand again. Sliding off the band, his eyes met hers while his other hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box.

Her eyebrows shot up curiously, hands tentatively reaching upward to secure the proffered gift.

Open it." Michael instructed, locking eyes with hers.

"Michael..." She licked her suddenly dry lips and turned away from him. Her eyes darted around the room as she clutched the box to her chest.

"'Nikita?" Michael turned her gently, tipping her chin to find tears brimming in her eyes. She tried in vain to avoid his penetrating gaze. A solitary tear escaped and she wiped at it furiously, sidesteppin Michael and pacing.

"I didn't get you anything." She laughed nervously, shrugging and lifting a hand to cover her trembling lower lip. "I'm not used to this..." She locked eyes with him briefly before pacing a line between her counter and the balcony door. "I'm not used to... Christmas." she finished her previous statement.

Michael opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when Nikita lifted a restraining arm.

"Let me finish." She stopped, gathering her breath and rubbing her arms nervously. "The first Christmas I remember was the night that my mother and I sat waiting for my dad to come home." Nikita wandered over to the gauze curtain, peeling it back to regard the silver disk moon. Over her shoulder she continued her story. "My mother worked, and my father drank. I was six years old that particular Christmas." She laughed hollowly, distancing herself to a remote corner. Michael followed her path maintaining a comfortable distance.

"My father said that he was going shopping. He left and never came back." Nikita heaved a sigh, her breathing slightly labored from her revelation.

Michael took his thumb and wiped away the path of tears. He turned the hand enclosing the box upward. "I'm not leaving." He offered softly.

Nikita sniffled and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. The corners of her mouth flicked upward briefly and she regarded her gift. Opening the tiny box, she revealed an identical silver band nestled in white silkiness.

She gasped and looked up at him. Removing the ring, she placed it over her ring finger sliding it back and forth.

"Doesn't fit." She whispered, a sultry smile heating the gaze that she lifted to him.

"This one's yours." Michael smiled back, slipping her band back into place as his other hand moved up to trace her jawline.

Hands shaking slightly, Nikita carefully placed the other band on his ring finger. It was a perfect fit. "Do I have to love, honor, and obey?" She breathed into his palm.

He shook his head, closing the distance between them. "'Til death do us part." His lips sealed the promise his heart had just made.

Nikita pulled back only momentarily to tease... "Thought that was my line."

Her husky laughter faded away as their eyes locked. Completely attuned to each other, their mouths met instinctively as the deep passion they felt for one another took charge. His tongue snuck between her lips, mating with hers in a dance as old as time.

Fingers moving rapidly over buttons, she rid him of his shirt, giving her hands the freedom to roam over his heated flesh. She ardently caressed his chest and back, enjoying the feel of the rigid muscles that rippled under her touch. Breaking off their kiss, she leaned over to press kisses against his neck, licking and biting her way down his chest.

Michael moaned and pulled her back up when she reached his belly button. The soft velvet of her dress was a major turn on for him and enticed him to explore her thoroughly. Smoothing the fabric over her hips and buttocks, his hands wandered up her sides until he reached her breasts. The expanse of skin bared by the neckline of her dress caught his eye and he nibbled a path down the delicate line of her neck to her cleavage. Cupping her breasts, he gently rubbed the material against her nipples, quickly discovering the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra.

Nikita moaned in the back of her throat and pulled him closer, telling him without words what she *really* wanted for Christmas. Only too happy to oblige her, Michael swept her up into his arms and headed towards her bedroom as he whispered against her lips, "Merry Christmas, mon coeur."

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