-------------------------------------- Hotel Sloanville USA Hallway Michael continued to walk down the hall. He could tell that Nikita had followed him. She had as much to lose as he did. Of course, Michael would rather die than let anymore harm come to her. Nikita came up behind him, placing a hand on his arm. When Michael turned around toward her, she looked deep into his green eyes. “You alright,” she asked. “I’m fine,” he answered her. “Michael,” she began. “We both know what will happen when they find out. What are we going to do?” Michael turned and walked into his room, with Nikita behind him. After closing the door, Michael reached out to Nikita pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly. Despite everything that Section had tried to do to tear them apart, they had only grown closer. They still found ways to be together. Their love could not be denied, no matter how much they both had tried to. Nothing would stand in their way, any longer. Reaching up, Michael ran his fingers through her hair, caressing the side of her face. Slowly he lowered his lips to hers, lightly kissing her. Pulling away slightly he held her close. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Nikita just held onto Michael a little tighter. “It’s not me I’m worried about,” she told him as she pulled his head down to hers. Section be damned, she wasn’t going to lose him, not when she had finally gotten through to him. {NC-17 part} Nikita held tightly to Michael as she pulled him further to her, deepening the kiss. She couldn’t get enough of him, and she knew that he couldn’t get enough of her. It was if they had once been the same person, same soul, savagely torn apart by whatever power there was out there. Whenever they were together they were whole. Nikita began to kiss her way away from his lips, moving toward his ear. Nikita leaned into him, taking in and giving him strength. "I love you, Michael. I can’t lose you now," she whispered in his ear as she lightly ran her teeth across it. "Shhh. I won’t let them touch you," he told her. Michael knew that he would lay down his own life than lose her. Closing his eyes, he let a moan escape from his lips, as Nikita continued her assault on his ear, then moving on to his chin. God, how he loved her. She was the most erotic woman that he had ever met. Michael had been with hundreds of woman, throughout his work as a Valentine Operative in Section, but there was never a one who could make him lose control like Nikita could. Just the sight of her was enough to excite him. There had been many times that he would just sit in his office and fantasize about her on top of his desk, or anywhere else he could think of. She had a power over him that even his dead wife, Simone, didn’t have. Nikita was his soul, his light. Nothing would ever change that. Nikita looked up at him, cupping his face in her hands. Slowly she pulled his face back down to hers, as their lips met, in a gentle kiss, they both began to feel the rest of the world dissolve. Michael let his tongue glide across her lips, asking permission to enter. Nikita was more than happy to oblige, as she opened her mouth to accept his offer. The kiss became more passionate, more desperate, as Michael's tongue pushed it's way into her mouth. They both wanted and needed the same thing, the completeness of their love, the joining of their battered souls. Nikita slide her hands down the taunt muscles of his back. She loved the feel of him, beneath her hands. Michael was definitely a Greek God with his fine tuned muscles. Once she reached his pants, she began to pull his shirt out of them and up over his head. Michael's hands, however were not idle, as he began to pull her tank top up over her head, revealing the bare flesh beneath. When Nikita's warm hands touched his nipples, Michael moaned. "Nikita. Oh god, I need you so much." Nikita pulled away, leaving Michael to growl in protest. She stayed close to him, however, not wanting to be far way from him. Opening his eyes, he cupped her chin to look deep into her eyes, noticing that her eyes were dark with lust, making him want her more. Nothing else mattered to either of them at that moment. There was no Section, no Red Cell, nothing except the two of them. Nikita waited until she had his full attention. She knew how Michael felt about himself, that he was a whore, who didn’t deserve her love. Nikita felt that she had to, any chance she got, prove to him that he was worthy of love, that he was worthy of her. Noticing that his green eyes bearing deep into her soul were dark with lust and love, she knew she had his attention. Nikita, painfully slow, ran her hands over his sculptured chest, paying special attention to his nipples. “You are beautiful, Michael. A gift from the gods.” Michael closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as his whole body started to shake with need. “No, ‘Kita, you are a gift. You are the angel, sent from above.” Michael bent down slightly to kiss her neck, running his tongue across the sensitive flesh above her jugular. He felt her melt further into him, as her breasts rubbed against his chest. “Mmmmm. You taste so good, my Angel.” Michael lightly bite down on her neck, marking her as his for all to see, eliciting a moan from deep within her. His mouth never leaving his spot on her neck, Michael picked her up, and set her gently on the bed. He loved the feel of her beneath him, the power that she had over him, and that he had over her. They were soul mates, in ever sense of the word. Michael felt as if he was placed on this earth to please her, and only her. Michael began to move toward her collar bone, nipping, and licking as he went. The sounds that she was making, were driving him crazy with need. He wanted and needed her so badly, that whenever she wasn’t around he was incomplete. Michael knew that he had given his soul to Section a long time ago, but Nikita somehow had been able to retain hers. She was more than willing to share her soul with him, and that to him was the greatest gift of all. He was born the day that she had entered his life. He had begun to live, really live, for the first time in his thirty-five years of life. Nikita grabbed a handful of his auburn locks, to guide him where she needed him most. Michael looked up into her eyes, and smiled. “Tell me what you want, my Angel,” he told her, his voice thick with desire. “Be my guide. Take me into the light.” Nikita closed her eyes, desire and love flowing through her veins. “Touch me, Michael. Please,” she begged, her breath quick and shallow. She guided his head down to her taunt nipples, telling her in action what she wanted from him. Michael smiled against her skin, then began to kiss the sensitive flesh on the underside of her breast. He wanted her crazy, he wanted her to lose control. He was created to please her, and he would ensure that she got what she wanted and deserved out of him. “Michael, please. . . Ow. . .” Nikita pulled on his hair, forcing him to where she wanted him. Michael did as she asked, as he blew a warm breath onto her sensitive peek. Michael then took it into his mouth, sucking on it as if he were a starving babe, drinking his mother’s milk, while he ran his hand around her other breast. Nikita moaned with delight, arching up off the bed. “Yes,” she breathed. Not wanting to neglect anything, Michael glided his tongue over to the other breast and began his assault there. “You’re so beautiful, Nikita,” he told her as he began to move his way down her body. Michael’s hands moved around the front of her pants, slowly unbuttoning them. “An Angel. . . So beautiful.” Nikita continued to moan with pleasure, as Michael began to lick her naval. The symbolism was not lost on her, however. Nikita knew that her life, safety, and well-being, meant more to Michael than his own. Her tortured childhood, lived with her everyday, and made her wonder about who she really was. With the recent revelation that Operations may well be her father, had sent her into a spiral, that Michael was now trying to heal. Once her connection to her mother, whom had abandoned her, but had not so long ago tried to reconnect with her, was now a place of worship by the man she adored. Every inch of her was a place of worship for Michael. He made her feel loved, cared for, protected, and beautiful. “Michael. . .” she moaned when she felt his hands began to pull her pants off her body. Michael began to glide his hands up her smooth legs, then back. He took one of her feet into his hands, and began to rub circles around the sole up to her toes, easing any tension that she had experienced from the moment she found out about Fanning. He wanted nothing more than to easy any pain that she might be feeling because he had not protected her the way he should have. Once Michael had finished with both of her feet, he once again began his trek up her sculptured legs. He massaged her calves with his hands as he began to kiss the area he had just left. Michael continued on his path, until he reached her core. “Yes,” Nikita sighed. “Michael, please. . .please touch me. . .” she continued to beg. Michael never could deny her anything here, not in bed, so he began to run his hands over her most sensitive area. Slowly, he bent his head, and took in her scent. “What do you want, my ‘Kita,” he asked her, knowing full well what she wanted. However, he was hers to command. He wanted to hear what she wanted, what she needed. “Ahhh. . . touch me, Michael. Taste me,” she ordered him. Her voice was hoarse, thick, that it drove Michael crazy. Michael leaned in to her center, and slowly ran his tongue across her sensitive nub. Nikita arched her back off the bed, the grabbed a hold of Michael’s head once again, forcing him further. “Michael. . .” He did as she asked, taking her nub into his mouth, and running his tongue across it. As his hand continued to move across her center, Michael slid a finger into her. As Nikita arched, Michael lightly bit down onto her nub as he continued to stroke his finger into her while adding another. “Ahhh,” she moaned, feeling her body begin to tense as the first wave of her approaching orgasm hit. Michael began to feel her clenching his fingers as he continued his assault within her. “Come for me, my love,” he whispered, as he began to increase the force within her. He felt her orgasm hit as he once again grazed his teeth across her sensitive nub. He removed his fingers from within her, and quickly replacing it with is tongue, licking up her juices as they flowed from her core. “Michael,” she groaned, as she continued to grind against him. She wanted him deeper, needed to feel him in her. “Michael. . .please,” she begged. Once she began to come down from her release, Michael leaned up over her, his own pants removed. Nikita grabbed a hold of his face, forcing her lips onto his, as her tongue invaded his mouth. Michael’s hands framed her face, forcing the kiss to deepen, while he hovered over her. He had taken hold of her hands --intertwining his fingers with hers. Michael looked into her eyes as if asking for her permission. He held his hips away from her, but she could feel his arousal throbbing. He needed her permission, he needed to hear her beautiful voice sing her need to him. Nikita looked Michael deep into his hazel eyes, silently giving him her permission. Michael however, didn’t move. “Yes, Michael,” she moaned. “Make love to me. I want to feel you inside me, please.” Michael closed his eyes at the sound of her need. He couldn’t believe that an angel, a beautiful angel could ever believe that he was worthy of such a prize. To mate with one who’s soul was so good, so alive and pure, when his was dark, and death, was beyond any comprehension that he could imagine. She was his salvation, his reason for existing. She *was* an angel, in every sense of the word to him. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, slowly he placed himself at her entrance. He needed her, he needed to complete and awaken his soul that had been ripped and left bleeding by Section. “Nikita, mon amour. I love you, my soul,” he whispered into her mouth as he brought his lips to hers. “My angel,” he added as he drove his arousal deep into her in one thrust. Nikita pulled away from the kiss, throwing her head back, in complete ecstasy. “Yes,” she groaned. “God, yes, Michael,” she hissed as her hands tightened on his. Michael had to close his eyes for a second. When he opened them again he saw the almost feral look in her eyes. Her desire for him threatened to drive him insane. The fact that she even wanted him was almost too much for him to bear. He felt unworthy of her, but was grateful for her gift of love, and desire. Michael began to drive into her depths, as he kissed her now exposed throat. Michael felt Nikita tightened her internal grip around him, as his breath was shuddering. She looked back at him with fierce intensity, then began to ravish his mouth with her own. “Take me, Michael.” Michael felt his control start to disintegrate, only feeling his controlling need for this beautiful woman beneath him. Slowly, he pulled most of the way out of her, then thrust himself back down into her, incredibly deep. Nikita broke away from his mouth, and cried out in need. Michael was almost certain that he had hurt her, but realized quickly how wrong he was when she barely managed to breathe. “God, yes. More Michael. . . please,” she moaned, causing him to groan in turn. Michael placed their joined hands back on the pillow, all the while stroking her in a rhythm that was almost brutal. Nikita sighed at the feel of him within her, as she wrapped her legs around him, and thrust back just as hard as him. Her body felt more alive with the incredible sensation he was creating within her, as her soul sought out it’s mate. Her need for this man was indescribable, instinctive. Michael felt her begin to tighten around him, as he continued to stroke deeply into her. He closed his eyes, feeling as if they were the only ones in the universe. He could feel their souls begin to join, melting into one entity, as he began to hit her most sensitive area. Nikita lost all thought at his first contact deep within her. She was no longer sure when she ended and he began, as she felt their joining as well. As Michael quickened his pace, Nikita began to see the world fade before her eyes. Her inner muscles began to tighten even more around him, wanting more than anything for him to join her, as another climax began within her. “Michael,” she moaned as she tore her hands from his grasp, to pull him closer to her. Michael could feel her pull around him, as he continued to thrust deep into her. He was lost in the sensation of her pull when he felt her nails dig deeply into his shoulders. Michael felt the tremors in her grow even stronger around him, and he had to take a sudden, sharp intake of breath. He knew that he was close, she was driving him insane with her love. Michael ran his hands up to tangle in her hair, holding his cheek next to hers. “You feel so good, my ‘Kita,” he whispered in her ear, as he continued to thrust into her, riding her climax. Michael felt tears begin to form in the corner of his eyes, as he felt her release. “Oh god. . . Nikita,” he whispered as he thrust convulsively into her once more before he felt his own release empty into her. “I love you, Michael,” she whispered into his ear, then tenderly kissed his temple. Michael collapsed on top of her, completely drained of his energy. Nikita moved her mouth to his, rubbing her lips across his letting her tongue glide across his lips. One hand began to caress his back, while the other began to run her fingers through his thick hair. God, how she loved him, nothing else matter. Michael rolled them to their side carefully, not wanting to break their connection yet. As they both began to feel the pull of sleep, Michael lightly kissed the top of her head, as he lightly caressed her back. “Nikita - je t'aime,” he whispered closing his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him. -------------------------------------- Hotel Sloanville USA Michael’s room Morning Michael reached over and turned off his alarm, dreading the day’s events. “What time is it,” Nikita asked him from her place on his chest, as she ran her fingers in circles there. Michael glanced down at her, lightly running his hands over her bare shoulder. “4:30.” Nikita closed her eyes. Today would decide their fate, and she was worried. Would they have any more nights like they did last night? Would she ever see him again? All Nikita knew was that she loved him, and she would try and get them out of this. No matter what the cost. Nikita sat up to look at Michael. He didn’t look too worried. That scared her more. “See me when you get back.” Michael reached up and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Of course.” “I love you, Michael.” Michael closed his eyes briefly, wishing that he could say the words back to Nikita. If only he hadn’t been forced to say those words to so many people through his work as a Valentine Operative during his Section Career. One day he would be able to say those words back to her. Until then, he would have to show her in his actions just what she meant to him, and how much he loved her. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Conference Hall Morning Peter stood outside the conference hall waiting for Kermit. He had tried to catch his friend last night after his dinner with Nikita, but Kermit never showed up at his apartment. This worried Peter to now end. What was going on? He needed to talk to the former mercenary, he needed to find out just who these three people from New Orleans were. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong with this whole situation, but what he didn’t know. After about five minutes, Kermit walked in the door followed closely by the three in question. Nikita smiled warmly at Peter, but he was more interested in the man in green sunglasses. “Kermit, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?” Kermit looked at his best friend’s foster son, and nodded. He had been dreading this. He knew that Peter would most likely ask questions that Kermit couldn’t answer for Peter’s own safety. “Sure,” he said to Peter. Then turning to Michael, and whispered to him, “see me when you get back.” Michael nodded, then followed Nikita and Birkoff into the main room. Kermit then turned back to Peter, “what’s going on?” Peter stood off to a quiet corner, he didn’t want anyone to hear what was on his mind. “Just what is going on here?” Kermit looked at Peter with a confused look. “You know what I mean. They aren’t cops, are they? How do you know them? What are they really doing here?” Kermit shook his head, the kid was so predictable. “Look Peter, I don’t know what you’re talking about. If they aren’t cops then what are they? Mercenaries? Come on. If they were, why would they come to a place like this?” “That’s what I would like to know.” “Why do you say that they’re not cops?” Peter looked at Kermit, “it’s a feeling I get whenever they’re around. Especially Michael.” Kermit turned to walk into the room, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kermit just left Peter there to wonder what his friend was hiding from him. It wasn’t like Kermit to shrug him off like that. Peter now knew that there was something more going on. What, he was going to find out. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Restaurant Lunchtime Jody and Nikita were sitting down eating their dinner. When they had arrived at the Conference that morning, they were split up into groups. Luckily the two had been placed in the same group. Jody looked at Nikita over her cup of coffee. “So what is it between you and Michael,” Jody asked, breaking the silence that had befallen them. It seemed to Jody that Nikita was distracted, and she guessed that it had to do with Michael’s absence today. “What’s between you and Peter,” Nikita asked back. Jody smiled, shaking her head. “Touché.” Jody placed her cup down on the table and sighed. “Unfortunately, nothing is between Peter and I.” Nikita gave Jody a small smile. “So you like him.” Jody rolled her eyes. Here she was trying to get information from the other woman and she was the one in the hot-seat. Jody thought about her answer. “Yeah, I do. But Peter and I aren’t like that. We’re friends, and I guess that’s the way it’s going to stay.” “But you’d like more,” Nikita asked, glancing up from her salad. “Yeah. But as I said, I highly doubt that it will ever be anything more than friendship.” Jody was beginning to feel uncomfortable, so she decided to turn the tables. “So. . .What about you and Michael?” Jody noticed the sudden twinkle in Nikita’s eyes. “It’s complicated.” Nikita looked down at her food, wishing that she knew what was going on with Michael right now. “I’m sure it’s the same rules and regulations here that it is where we are. You know, you can’t be in a relationship with someone that you work with.” Jody nodded. Captain Simms frowned upon it, however since she was together with Kermit, the rules have been nonexistent for quite awhile. “It’s not allowed, however everyone turns the other cheek so to speak here. What can they say when both the Captain and our Sergeant are dating someone that we work with.” Nikita gave her a sad smile. “I wish it was like that there, where we work. It would make life so much better. So we have to keep things low profile, so to speak. If the bosses found out. . .” Jody shook her head. “So they transfer one of you. I mean it’s not like they would kill you.” Nikita just gave Jody a small smile, as if to agree with her. What Jody didn’t know, was kill them is exactly what they would do. They were tolerant of the relationship for awhile now. It was only a matter of time before things blew up in their faces once again. --------------------- Sloanville USA Delancies The Next night Jody walked in behind her partner, shaking her head. There were times that she didn’t understand him, and this was one of those times. The day before it seemed to her that he liked the group from New Orleans, but now. . .something was wrong. When she asked him what was wrong he would ignore her and change the subject. It was beginning to get on her nerves. “Whatever you say, Peter, but I still don’t understand why you’re telling me I have to stay away from them. They seem like good people, and frankly, you can’t tell me who I can and can’t see. I think I’m a big enough girl that I can take care of myself.” Before Peter could say anything in reply, Jody noticed Michael sitting in the corner of the bar by himself. “Talk to you later, Partner,” was all she said as she walked directly over to Michael. She would be damned if Peter tried to run her life. She didn’t see anything wrong with Michael, Nikita, or Birkoff. So she wouldn’t let Peter ruin a possible friendship with these people. Nikita was fun to be around, especially since the two of them found out that they had quite a few things in common. Both loved someone that they couldn’t have. Jody was determined to try and help Nikita out, since hers was way out of reach. Michael was sitting down, nursing a glass of wine, when Jody walked up, “Is this seat taken?” Michael looked up at her and cracked a small smile. Jody was beginning to wonder if this man ever smiled, really smiled. It was something that she wanted to know. What happened in his life to make him hate living soo much? Michael pointed to the seat across from him, “it is now.” He had gone to look for Nikita, like he had promised, but she was not at the hotel. So Michael ended up here instead. Jody sat down, and looked at Michael. “What’s wrong,” she asked, wondering why the sad look in his ice green eyes. Something was bothering him, and she only hoped that she could help him, or at least let him know that there were people there for him. “I’m,” he began, but realized that now was not the time nor person for his normal ‘Section’ response. “It’s nothing to worry about. Just some problems with my superior,” he decided to answer instead. Problems with his superior was an understatement. He had just returned from his meeting with Operations at Section One, and things didn’t go too well. He was amazed that Operations didn’t cancel him. ‘I’m very disappointed with you, Michael,’ Operations had said to him. Then Operations went on to say that they would conduct a full investigation into the mission with David Fanning. If they discover that Michael was lying to them, he didn’t want to know what would happen. What scared him the most is that they would basically leave him alone, and cancel Nikita, or worse attack his son. If either were canceled, then Michael would once again go back to what he was before, an uncaring, soulless shell. He was beginning to like the man he had become. He never realized that he could feel, especially after Simone, his first wife was believed dead, then died right in front of his eyes. Then came Elena and Adam, his wife and son. They were used by Section to get at her father, but he had loved his son with all his being. When the mission was over and he knew that he would never see them again, he had wanted to die. The only reason he was alive today was because of Nikita. If she were to die then, he too would die. Jody smiled at Michael’s answer, “I can understand that. Is there anything I can do to help?” Michael looked into her bright blue eyes, “No. Thank-you for caring, though. It means a lot.” He meant it too. Not many people in Section even cared about his feelings, in fact most thought that he didn’t have any. Michael was the ultimate Section fighting machine, an uncaring, unfeeling, machine. Michael looked up and saw that Kermit had entered the bar, and was heading in his direction. “Michael, Jody,” he said. Kermit looked at Jody, “do you mind if I talk to Michael alone for a second. I promise you can have him when I’m done,” Kermit said with a smile. Jody took a quick glance over to Michael, then nodded. “I’ll see you later, Michael?” Michael looked up at her, as she stood. “Dinner,” he asked, knowing he still had a mission to accomplish. He had to eliminate her from his list of possible suspects, much like Nikita did Peter. Jody smiled, “sure why not. Just as soon as Kermit’s done with you.” When Jody was gone, Kermit looked at Michael. “Don’t hurt her, Michael,” Kermit threatened. Kermit still wasn’t happy that it was Michael and Section who were able to help Blaisdell out when he was unable. That was something that tore at him a little everyday. Michael glanced back to Kermit, “I wouldn’t.” Kermit nodded, and sat down. “What’s going on? What did Paul have to say,” he asked quietly. Even though T.J. was playing the piano in the corner, and the music was loud, he still didn’t want anyone listening in on their discussion. Michael let out a deep breath, “they’re going to run a complete investigation into the mission.” “Are they threatening with Abeyance or is it cancellation,” Kermit asked. Michael just looked at Kermit, without saying a word in reply. “Well the good thing is, if they go with cancellation, they have to clear it with Oversight. And we both know that George will not allow that.” Still Michael said nothing. “So tell me what happened? Was this Fanning canceled or not?” Michael closed his eyes briefly, and thought. “I don’t know.” Kermit lowered his head. He reached up and rubbed the corner of his eyes from under his sunglasses. “Fanning had Nikita, killed the other members of Red Team. All he wanted was his wife, and I did what he asked. I informed Birkoff that I was in Mandatory Refusal, and took Lisa to her husband. We had used an isotope during the mission, so I gave it to Lisa to use on Fanning. They left, and I thought that she had used it. I guess I was wrong,” he said with no emotion in his voice. Kermit just shook his head. Michael had screwed up, and now he just might finally be caught. Kermit didn’t want to see Michael die, he just had to figure out a way to help cover this up. “Are you to bring Fanning into Section for questioning?” Michael nodded. “What are you going to do?” Michael took a sip of his wine, “cancel him.” Kermit wanted to laugh. Kermit was still a part of the Agency, and a part of Oversight, so for Michael to state that he was going to blatantly disobey an order was ironic. Normally it would call for immediate cancellation, but Kermit was not even going to think about that. “I’m tired of it. Tired of it all,” Michael stated looking down at his drink. “Of Section? Why, what happened,” Kermit asked. “What do I have to show for it all. Simone’s dead. I can’t see Elena or Adam again. They brainwashed Nikita. I have given them everything. I’m just tired,” he answered running his hand through his hair. For the first time since he had come to Section, sixteen years ago, he was wondering what it would be like to be free of them. Nobody left Section, that was the rule. But Michael had given Section everything, his mind, his heart, his body, and his soul, he had nothing more to give. With everything he had sacrificed to the ‘good of Section’, he had finally reached the end of his rope. “You want out,” Kermit asked, almost knowing the answer to it. He wanted to know if what he was thinking was true. “I want it to stop,” was all Michael could stay. Michael normally didn’t share his feelings with anyone, with the exception of Nikita recently. Feelings were weaknesses, and weaknesses could get you canceled. Kermit took a deep breath, he knew that he might regret his decision, but Michael had saved him so many times, he had to repay him somehow. “I’ll help, but not now. Why don’t you go to dinner and we’ll discuss this later? I need to try and come up with some ideas.” “Thank-you,” Michael said. He didn’t want to rely on Kermit, especially since the punishment if they were caught was so high. But Michael knew that he could trust this man, he only hoped that he didn’t learn to regret this moment of weakness. As Michael walked over to where Jody was, Kermit noticed Peter keeping a close eye on the two. Kermit sighed. “Michael isn’t the only one who has things to deal with,” he said quietly to himself. “I just hope that you don’t get in over your head, kid.” ---------------------- Sloanville USA That same evening Michael and Jody sat down at the table awaiting their food to arrive. Jody had brought Michael to a small place, that was no where near high society. She wanted to laugh at what she was seeing. She would have never pictured Michael sitting down eating a greasy hamburger, but she was about to find out. This was one of the places that Peter often ate his lunch, especially since he had always liked his daily dose of greasy food and a beer. That was one thing that Jody was almost positive Caine disapproved of. But she was unsure. She was unsure of a lot of things when it concerned the Caines. Kwai Chang was still a mystery to her, and she had never really just sat and talked to him, to get to know him. Peter, well. . .Peter was Peter. He was a hot-shot cop, a loner, a womanizer, but would always try to put the feelings and well-being of others above his own. The only problem was that at times his need to protect people got in the way of a lot of his relationships. It hurt a lot of people, and she wasn’t sure if Peter realized he was even doing it. Jody was sure that if he did know, he would stand back a ways and let people do what needs to me done. He would realize that he couldn’t save the world on his own. That only together could the achieve the goals that they all wanted. She only hoped that someday he would realize this, and it didn’t have a body count in the wake. Jody smiled at the waitress as the food was placed in front of the two. “Thank-you,” she said to the woman. Jody then turned back to Michael and watched as he took a bit out of the hamburger. “You know. . .it’s been a long time since I’ve just been out. Especially one that could be considered a date.” Michael looked at her, “why is that?” Jody sheepishly began to play with the napkin in her hand, “well I guess I haven’t had too many dates as of late. In fact I don’t really think that I’ve had a date since before I got divorced.” “You were married?” “Yeah, didn’t last long though,” she smiled. “James felt that he was more important than my job. I haven’t really gone out since then.” Jody took a sip of her drink, deciding that she wanted to know more about this mystery man. “Have you even been married, Michael?” She was quickly becoming friends with Nikita, and she wanted to know the man that her friend obviously loved. Even though some people could conceive this as a ‘date’, Jody was on an information hunt. The last thing she wanted was to see her new friend get hurt. Michael looked up at Jody, “yes, twice. My first wife, Simone, was murdered. Then my marriage to Elena,” Michael began, then took a deep breath. Thoughts of Elena and Adam still hurt him deeply. He still remembered his conversation with Operations after Elena’s uncle was canceled. ================== FLASHBACK Michael stood in front of Operations, listening to him describe how Elena’s uncle would be found in a terrible plane accident and receive his full diplomatic honors. It almost made him sick. He still didn’t really know what had happened to Elena and his son. Did Section take them or did the Ambassador’s men get to them. All he knew was that he had arrived to an empty house the night before. “A happy ending for all concerned,” Michael replied, not allowing Operations to see the pain he was in. Operations gave Michael a small smile. “Even for Elena and Adam.” Michael gave no sign that he was shocked, even though he was in part. At least his question was answered, while his hatred for Operations increased. “Yes, Michael, we made them disappear. So you needn’t worry about them anymore. In fact it would be pointless. They will be out of your reach, out of your life. For good.” Michael couldn’t even reply. He felt his heart break in a million pieces. This time it would be permanent. He would never again see his son. He would never know what was happening to him. That tore him up to no end. ====================== He would have given anything to have the type of normalcy that he had with them, now. “Well it didn’t work out.” Jody lowered her head, not wanting to see the distant hurt that suddenly appeared in his eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said sincerely. “What about Nikita? It seems like the two of you have something between you.” “It’s a long story, one that I’m not ready to get into yet,” he said. Michael wasn’t even sure that he could understand his relationship, let alone explain it to someone who had no idea about their job. How could he explain that he loved Nikita, but yet they could never really be together? How could someone understand that he had lied, manipulated, and seduced Nikita to keep her alive? Nikita was a huge part of Michael’s life, he knew that he couldn’t live without her. He also knew that he didn’t deserve her. He had caused her too much pain, for the good of Section, to even think about having a relationship with her, but here he was, right in the middle of one with her. Why he didn’t know. They had tempted fate so many times, that Michael was worried that Section would once again try to tear them apart. Relationships between Operatives were strictly prohibited, and the punishment was cancellation. The only thing that Michael was positive about was that he didn’t want to be without her in his life, even if it was from a distance. Nikita brought light to the dark world of Section. She was his soul. While Jody and Michael continued to talk inside the restaurant, neither noticed Peter standing outside, watching intently. Peter felt conflicted. Part of him was happy for Jody, but the other part of him was scared as well. He wanted to find out just who Michael and his friends were, and ensure that Jody was safe and kept in the dark. Peter knew that he had to do something to keep Jody away from Michael, but what he didn’t know. Peter had to talk to Kermit, even though he was sure that Kermit wouldn’t tell him anything. Kermit was being very secretive about the entire thing, and that worried Peter. Kermit had always liked to keep things to himself, but he had hoped that Kermit would see that all he wanted to do was help. Peter didn’t want Kermit to be caught in the cross-fire. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA 101st Precinct Kermit was sitting in his office with Birkoff, late that night. Kermit had asked the kid for some pointers on how to get into some of the places that he had been unable to get into. Kermit didn’t like being shut out of information. He had learned his lesson with Afghanistan. He had been on a mission for the Agency, it was supposed to be a quick retrieval mission. What he didn’t know at the time, was that there had been variables, ones that had cost him soo much. Because of that mission he had lost his wife, and son. He was believed to be dead. Since then, Kermit always wanted to have all the information, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to do that. When Kermit had seen Birkoff with the group that had arrived he knew that he would have to corner the young man and ask for help. Just asking for help wasn’t easy for him to do, but he was grateful that Birkoff wasn’t the type of person who would use it against him. Birkoff began to pull some small devices out of his bad, and connect them to Kermit’s computer. “These should help you get into any system that you want.” Kermit looked at Birkoff, intently watching what the young man was doing. “Just how is it going to do that?” Birkoff looked up from his work and smiled, “it’s a little thing that Walter and I have been working on. This baby will make any system believe that you belong there.” Birkoff went back to making the necessary connection. “This thing has a special signature that will copy whatever system that you are trying to get into and kinda send back the same thing. When that happens the computer on the other end will believe that it’s talking to another computer in their network. So no one will know any different. It’s simple really. There’s an encryption device in here as well, and that will work in the same exact way.” Kermit smiled, with a thing like this he wouldn’t have to worry about being caught at least. “Okay, here’s a question.” Birkoff once again looked up at Kermit. “How will I be able to get into the system in the first place. I mean you created most of the security Systems that I’m needing to get into. How am I to get past those?” “Well you already are able to hack into most of the necessary Systems. For the tougher ones, just let me know and I’ll see what I can do to help. I can’t make it too easy for you,” Birkoff said looking over the top of his glasses. Birkoff had a lot of respect for Kermit. Here was a man, without all of the high-tech equipment that Birkoff had, and he could still get into Systems and networks that most people couldn’t. It amazed him just how much Kermit could do. “Besides you always said that you wanted to try and beat me when it comes to this.” Kermit felt the same about Birkoff. He would go so far as to say that he thought of Birkoff as a son. Kermit was there when he was born. The kid has grown up so much. It was a shame that all he knew was the ways of Section. He would’ve liked to have seen both of the boys have some sort of normal life. The way that kid worked with computers was amazing to say the least. They definitely had a lot to learn from each other. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Outside the Restaurant Peter waited outside the restaurant and watched as Jody got into her car, driving home. When her car had disappeared around the corner, Peter saw Michael exit the building and begin to walk down the street. He began to follow Michael, he figured that this was maybe the best chance he would have to find out what was going on. A car pulled up to the side of the street next to Michael, and Peter watched as Nikita got out. He saw Nikita grab ahold of Michael’s arm, preventing him from leaving. Peter made his way to them, making sure that he stayed out of sight, while still being able to overhear what they were saying. “Want some company,” he heard Nikita ask. Michael grabbed ahold of Nikita’s hand as he began to walk down the street toward a nearby park. Peter followed close behind. He would have better luck hiding in the park with the trees than he could here in an open street. The two sat down on a bench, looking out at the night sky. “There will be a full investigation,” Michael explained to Nikita. *Full investigation into what,* Peter thought. Michael turned to look Nikita in the eye, “I won’t let anything happen to you. It is my responsibility.” Nikita looked down at her hands. “You know they won’t see it that way, Michael. No matter what, if something happens it happens to both of us. And what about Birkoff? He was involved as well. What do they want us to do?” Michael looked back out at the sky, and closed his eyes. Opening them again, he told her. “They want us to bring him in for questioning.” “What are we going to do about that? If he is brought in, they’ll find out.” Nikita was more than a little nervous. Things had been going so well lately, it was time for another ‘test’. She was tired of proving herself to Section, what more would she have to do and give to prove herself? Michael sighed, “he’ll never make it back.” Nikita quickly turned to face her superior and lover in shock. “Michael you can’t just do that. They’ll know that something went wrong, and right now they’re suspicious of everything. What about Adrian?” Michael shook his head. He wasn’t ready to use that information quite yet. His main purpose for having the Section Founder, was to keep Nikita safe. It was a good tool to use against Operations and Madeline. Since it was them that had put her in her current position, and if George were to find out what the Section Heads had done. . . No, in this case, he could protect Nikita on his own. At least he hoped he could. “No,” he informed her quietly. Nikita grabbed a hold of his hands, forcing his to look at her. “Michael, they’ll cancel you.” Michael looked into her eyes. “They won’t.” He was sure that Oversight wouldn’t approve a cancellation order on him. But to him, if something happened to Nikita, he would rather be dead. As long as he kept her safe, his life meant something. He wasn’t afraid to die, Section had seen to that. He was afraid, however, of living without Nikita. “I hope your right.” Then a thought came to her, which she hoped was wrong. *Maybe they’ll threaten Elena and Adam,* she thought. She knew that if anything happened to her, or to Elena and Adam, Michael wouldn’t survive. She was going to get them out of this, if it was the last thing she did. She couldn’t live without Michael anymore than he could live without her. Some how, she would find a way. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Kermit’s apartment Peter walked up to the door of Kermit’s apartment and knocked. He had just left his surveillance of Michael and Nikita, and now it was time for answers. He had full intention of getting them. Kermit wasn’t going to shut him out anymore. Kermit opened the door, admitting the younger detective in. Peter saw that Kermit had a guest. The younger man stood, and moved toward the open door. “I’ll, ah, see you tomorrow, Kermit.” “Yeah, see you then, Birkoff.” Kermit walked Seymour to the door and patted him on the back. “Thanks again, kid. If you need anything. . .” “I’ll let you know,” Birkoff finished stepping outside of the apartment, but stopped and turned back. “Oh and I’ll see what I can find out. If anything else a location at least.” “Thanks,” Kermit said as Birkoff walked off down the hall. He shut the door and walked over to Peter. “Okay, what’s on your mind?” Peter moved to sit in one of the chairs and looked up at Kermit. “What was that about,” Peter asked nodding toward the door. Kermit shrugged and sat down on the couch. “Birkoff just helped me out with a small computer problem. Nothing too big.” Peter sat there staring at Kermit, not believing what he was hearing, or better yet what he was not hearing. He knew Kermit was lying to him, he just didn’t understand why. “What are Michael, Nikita, and Birkoff into, Kermit?” Kermit sat back on the couch, resting his arms on the top of it. He appeared to be completely relaxed, as he gave Peter a small smile. “What are you talking about?” Peter leaned forward, and rested his elbows on his knees. “I heard them saying something about an investigation. Do you know anything about this?” Kermit shook his head. He couldn’t believe how stupid Michael and Nikita were to even talk on the outside. He wondered what else Peter had heard. It scared him to no end. He had promised Paul that he would watch out for Peter. Of course, it made Kermit angry that Peter wouldn’t let this go. Not only did the Section Ops. have to worry about Section and others invading their privacy, now they had to deal with a think-headed cop. Kermit knew from experience what it was like to under constant surveillance, thanks to his job with the Agency. When you were always being watched, at times you get so used to it you forget. But mostly you pray for and savor any time away from the watchful eyes as possible. Kermit needed to know how many favors he would have to collect to keep Peter safe. “You followed them,” Kermit asked already knowing the answer. Peter just looked up into Kermit’s eyes. “May I ask why?” Peter looked down at his hands. “Who’s Adrian,” he asked trying to get Kermit focused on Michael, Nikita, and Birkoff and off of him. Peter noticed a sudden change in Kermit’s demeanor, for he visibly tensed, but quickly relaxed again as if nothing happened. Kermit glanced directly at Peter, “who?” Peter realized that he finally had Kermit, at least he hoped so. He wanted answers. “Adrian.” Kermit smiled, he had been prepared for anything that Peter could’ve dished out. Everything, that is, but this. “The only Adrian I know of is dead. She died a couple of years ago.” “It sounded to me like she was still alive, by the way they were talking,” Peter answered back. Kermit stood so that he was right in front of Peter. “What else did you hear? Everything.” Peter looked up at his friend. “All I heard was something about an investigation, and that all that all of your friends are involved. Something about that he’ll be brought in for questioning, and that he’ll never make it, whoever He is. Nikita said something about they’re suspicious already and Michael will be canceled,” he said letting his confusion and anger at not knowing what was going on show in his voice. “What are they talking about? Who is Adrian? How are you involved in all of this.” Kermit was grateful that they had, for the most part, kept quiet. He didn’t know about Section, so Kermit maybe able to put a halt to it now. He hoped that this would be the one time that Peter would actually listen and back off. Of course he wasn’t too hopeful. “Peter, listen and listen good, cause I’m only going to say this one. You better do as I say,” Kermit informed Peter with as much authority as he could muster without letting his anger get involved. Peter tried to say something, but Kermit was quick to interrupt. “No, don’t say a word. I like you kid, and I promised Paul that I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. So understand me, listen, and do what I’m telling you to do. Let it go. Leave it alone. Forget everything you heard and what you THINK is happening, cause I tell you with 100% certainly that it’s not what you think it is. Stay out of it,” Kermit finished. He almost knew that Peter wouldn’t listen, but he had to try. Peter then stood so that he was nose to nose with Kermit. “Then explain it to me. What are you hiding, Kermit? What the hell is going on?” All he wanted to do was to pound some sense into Peter. If it was a couple of years earlier, he would have, but he’d changed. Hasn’t he? Kermit wasn’t so sure anymore. He felt, at times, as if he was the same he was when he worked for the Agency full-time. Once such time was when he was face to face with his brother’s killer. This was the second time in long time. A part of him craved the power, the freedom, but he also loathed it. Kermit knew Peter wouldn’t understand the ‘darker side’ of Kermit, or why he liked it, so he wouldn’t even try to explain. Kermit was about to answer when there was a knock on his door. “Dammit,” he swore, frustrated. Kermit turned and threw open the door. “What,” he said with a raised voice. He spotted once of the people in question, and Kermit could only give a small tired laugh. Shaking his head, he waived his hand to admit the newcomer. Nikita steeped inside with her hands in her pockets, when she looked up and spotted Peter standing in the living room. “Ah, I can come back,” she said. By the look in both of their eyes, they had been in some heated argument. If she had learned anything from her relationship with Michael, it was to read a person’s eyes. Kermit just turned his gaze to Peter. “No, it’s okay. Peter was just leaving.” Peter nodded and headed for the door. Peter paused briefly in front of Kermit. “I’m not giving up on this. I just hope that I don’t have to bring you in too,” Peter whispered to Kermit. Kermit just glared at Peter, “I’ll stop you. Just leave it alone.” Peter smiled and walked out, closing the door behind him. Kermit turned to Nikita, still very angry. “What now.” Nikita took in a deep breath, and sighed. “I need your help.” Kermit shook his head. *What else could go wrong,* he asked himself. “First off, tell me all you know about Adrian,” Kermit began. If he was going to help them, they would have to help him. He only hoped that Peter didn’t interfere. -------------------------------------- Sloanville USA Conference Hall Peter was waiting outside the conference hall, hoping to have a word with Nikita. He couldn’t understand what was going on. It had appeared to him that Nikita was at least a caring person. Peter knew that he could learn to care about her, maybe a great deal. But now he wasn’t sure about his own instincts. His instincts told him she could be trusted. Was he wrong? And what was going on between her and Michael? He had to talk to her. It didn’t take him long to see Nikita and Jody walk his way. Peter had to take a deep breath to try and calm himself. The last thing he wanted was to have Jody get involved, especially since Kermit already was. He swore to protect his friends, and from what he knew now, Nikita and her friends were trouble. The two walked up the steps, and Peter put on a fake smile. “Where are you two coming from?” Jody shook her head in disbelief. Peter never quit. “Hello to you too, Partner. We just decided to have a nice quiet breakfast together this morning.” Peter moved and put his arms around the two women. “So what did you talk about,” he asked hoping that Jody wasn’t being dragged into whatever illegal scene Nikita was into. Nikita just laughed and smiled knowingly at Jody. “Oh you know, girl stuff.” Jody laughed too, sharing in a personal joke between the two. “Yeah, Peter. You know, shopping, food, clothes, men,” Jody continued. “Or at least the lack there of.” “Men are just too complicated to get into, especially if you don’t have a week free,” Nikita finished. Peter shook his head. He would never understand women, even if he lived to be 100. “Okay,” he smirked. He turned his attention to Nikita, “can I talk to you for a minute?” Nikita gave Jody an apologetic look. “Sure,” she answered. Nikita had been warned by Kermit about this. The last thing she wanted was to have someone as innocent as Peter becoming subjected to the hell that was Section One. She would do whatever she had to so to prevent that from happening. The two walked off to the side of the building, neither wanting to be heard. “So what’s up?” Peter turned toward Nikita. “That’s what I would like to know.” Nikita looked at Peter with a confused look in her eyes. “I want to know what is going on. I know that you and your friends are up to something, cause you sure as hell are not here for this conference. And what does Kermit have to do with this?” Nikita laughed slightly at Peter, hoping to keep him fairly calm. She lightly placed her hand on Peter’s arm, and smiled. “Peter, nothing is going on. I swear it. Kermit is just helping up out with a small matter. It’s nothing you need to worry about.” Peter shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t lie to me, Nikita. I know that something is going on with you guys. I heard you and Michael talk last night.” Nikita had already been told this by Kermit, but decided to act as if she didn’t already know. It had made her furious last night when she found out that they had been followed. They had enough to deal with in their ‘relationship’ that they didn’t have to try and hide from a cop. “You followed us,” she asked with venom. Peter didn’t look in her eyes, instead choosing to look down at the ground. “How dare you? Who the hell do you think you are, spying on us? I thought you were my friend.” Nikita looked deep into Peter’s eyes as he glanced up. “And to think, I trusted you. At least I thought I did. I told you things that I hadn’t been able to tell many other people in my life. I grew up not trusting people, Peter, and I don’t give it easily.” Peter once again lowered his eyes. This time in shame. He had been looking for answers, instead he got fury. “Look, Nikita, I’m sorry, but I need to know what is going on.” “Nothing is going on, Peter. Nothing but your need to try and control something that you have no control over. How dare you? Do you think that you are the savior of the world or something. What is going on?” Nikita was ranting, but with a purpose. She wanted to try and make sure that this was the end of Peter’s interference. She knew that he relied greatly on his own beliefs. She hated playing off of his guilt this way, and twisting it to her own goal, but she needed to keep him safe. If she had to destroy a part of him then she would. “If you wanted to know what was going on, you should have come to me and asked me. I would’ve told you. But no! You take it upon yourself to try and invade my privacy. I trusted you. I thought that you trusted me. I guess I was wrong on both counts.” Nikita closed her eyes to calm herself. Yes, she was angry at him for what he had done, but she had also been careless. He reminded her of Section, in a way. Doing whatever they had to do to get information, no matter what it cost others. She hated that. The thing was, Peter didn’t even realize that he was doing it, unlike Section. Section did it so that they could control. While Peter was doing it so that he could protect those he cared about. “Stay the hell away from me, and the others. Is that understood?” Peter sighed. “I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t think. . .” “You’re right, you didn’t think. Is that supposed to make things easier,” Nikita asked interrupting. Peter shook his head. “No, it’s not. I just want to know what’s going on. Please, tell me.” Nikita lowered her eyes. What to tell him? This was going to be harder than she thought. “I don’t know what you ‘thought’ you heard, but it really isn’t anything you need to be concerned about.” Nikita turned to walk away, but Peter latched onto her arm. “Then tell me what it is I’m missing.” Nikita sighed, lowering her eyes to the ground. She hated lies, but if they were to save this man from losing everything she would do it. “It’s about Michael’s son, okay. He hasn’t seen Adam for quite sometime, and he’s worried about him. So we’re trying to help him out. Okay?” *There it wasn’t a complete lie,* she thought. *Just not what he is looking for.* Peter wasn’t entirely positive how true that was. His gut told him it was more, much more than that. However it did make some sense, Michael did look troubled by something. “So what was all that stuff about Adrian, investigations, and everything else? It doesn’t make any sense. Why is Kermit helping you?” Nikita tried not to roll her eyes. Peter really was innocent, at least when it came to something like this. “Adrian is an old friend of ours. She might be able to help us get Adam. As for Kermit, him and Michael have known each other for years and offered to help. That’s all you need to know. It is just too complicated to get into, and it’s not my place to tell you anymore.” Peter glanced up as if looking for answers that were being denied him. “Why all the secrecy? Why isn’t the cops helping him, or the boy’s mother?” Nikita touched Peter’s arm. “It’s complicated, okay. If you can trust one thing I say, then trust me on this,” she said getting back to the fact that she felt ‘betrayed’ by him. “Please just leave it alone,” she practically begged. Peter was about to ask more, but was denied that chance when Michael walked up to them with Kermit and Birkoff. It appeared to him that Kermit and Michael had been in deep conversation. Nikita glanced over at the group and smiled. Michael looked at her, and Nikita nodded. “I’ll talk to you later, Peter.” Then she leaned in and quietly added, “Please just let us handle this. Please.” Peter stood there and watched at Nikita walked toward the others. He wasn’t sure he believed what Nikita had told him. It just didn’t add up to what he had hears and felt. Tonight, he’d get his answers. No matter what. He just hoped that it wouldn’t bring any harm to his friends. Nikita stepped up to Michael and touched his arm. “What’s up?” Michael looked into Nikita’s eyes. “We’re making a move tonight.” “Tonight? I thought. . . What happened to move up the timetable,” she asked him. Michael turned his head away from Nikita, refusing to let her see the pain in his eyes. “We found our deep cover op earlier this morning.” Nikita could guess what had happened. She knew that Michael and Jason were friends for a great many years. They had both been brought into Section around the same time. It was hinted that the two were practically inseperatable. Jason was like a younger brother to Michael, and when Simone died, Michael turned away from his friend out of shame and fear. “We’re going to have to make our move.” “Intel gathering,” she asked. She knew that they still didn’t know where the headquarters were. They could capture one person after another and hope that something comes up. *But then what,* she wondered. Michael just nodded, and the two continued on into the building. Tonight would be the beginning of the end for this mission. She only hoped that everyone would come out of it alive. -------------------------------------- Outside of Hotel, enroute to meeting place Sloanville Nikita was heading down the street heading towards the warehouse where she was going to meet up with Michael and Kermit. The two had left to pick up their target, so that they could get the information they needed. When Birkoff had found out the last person to have been seen with Jason, their target was confirmed. Once they get their information, they’d head to the plane-- where Birkoff was waiting for them--that would take them back to Section One. All Nikita knew was that she wanted this done and over with. She pulled her car into a parking lot that was a block away from where she had to be. Nikita’s mind was filled with images of the past. She didn’t like where this mission could lead them. When this was over, would Michael and or Nikita still be alive? As Nikita rounded the corner of the warehouse, she suddenly heard a sound behind her. Ducking behind a dumpster, she pulled out her gun, and waited for whomever was behind her. As the man rounded the corner, Nikita waited for the right moment. Quickly, she sprang out from her hiding place, gun pointing directly between his eyes. Standing there with her finger on the trigger, Nikita finally caught sight of who it was. “What the hell are you doing here,” she hissed, never once lowering her weapon. -------------------------------------- Abandoned Building Waterfront, Sloanville (With Help From Jeanne McClure) Slumped back in an uncomfortable chair, Nikita idly laced a pen through her fingers, half watching it twist and turn within her hand, half observing the restless prowl of the local cop who was currently her uninvited companion. She didn't like waiting, but her aversion to it obviously didn't equal that of the young detective, who was circuiting the room with an inpatient, long legged stride. She kept hoping he'd wear himself out and finally light somewhere, at least long enough to dissipate some of the kinetic energy pinging off the walls of the deserted building. Either that, or that Kermit, would come collect him and take over baby-sitting duty. This cop was a few years older than she, herself, but he was obviously cloaked in the indelible armor of idealism a luxury Nikita hadn't been able to assume for a few years now. She almost envied him--his innocence--in spite of the fact that, in her world, it would put major kinks in his lifeline. Good looking guy too, and he'd been very pleasant company at dinner the other night, but he was in way over his head here and too damned stubborn to realize or admit it. Peter Caine played by a rigid set of moral rules that had no place in the world according to Section. She had tried to get him to back off, but obviously had been overconfident. She had been surprised to discover that she had a shadow. Surprised, and glad Michael had been on a different com channel than hers when she had to report to Birkoff that she'd picked up a tail. She could well imagine that Michael would be even less pleased by that information than the computer expert had been and Birkoff had been livid. But for the moment, she was stuck with Peter Caine. For all his apparent naiveté, Caine was obviously good enough to track a trained operative. Unfortunately he was also just good enough to get himself killed. The silence was getting to her. "You know what I'd love to have right now," she ventured. In mid-turn, Peter jolted to a stop and stared at her. He seemed to consider whether or not he was going to grace her with an answer, then relented, "What?" "I wish Birkoff was here." At his sideways glance of confusion, she added, "At least then I would have someone to talk to. Funny, when we were at dinner the other night," she felt an instant tang of regret it had been nice, almost normal, "I thought you were incapable of shutting up. I guess I was wrong." He snorted, half laugh, half scorn. "You wanna talk?" He bit off the words. Great, she had wanted a replay of the comforting conversation they had shared over prime rib and instead had only managed to piss him off. "I don't need to explain myself to you, Nikita. If that's really your name instead of some silly spy pseudonym. In fact, I think you're the one who owes the explanation." He stalked across the room, reversed a cane-backed chair and threw a long leg over to straddle it. "So, who are you? Who do you work for? What the hell's going on here? And how does Kermit fit into it? That enough conversational openers for you?" Nikita took a moment to study the pen still twirling between her fingers, then gave him a partial answer. "Who I work for is not open for discussion. Let's just say that I'm government sanctioned and leave it at that. The rest of it is simply none of your damn business." His eyes hardened, a muscle twitched in his jaw. "Kermit's a friend of mine. That makes it my business." "Does Kermit share all his activities with you?" She felt like a heel when she saw hurt register across his expressive face. *So keeping secrets was a sore point, something to exploit.* It only bothered her for a moment that she was racking up soft spots to use against the cop; that facility had become an asset to her particular line of work, and more often than not had managed to keep her effective, not to mention alive. Nikita now had two points against Peter. Peter was on his own, and though she briefly regretted that fact, she knew there was no way around it. "I don't want him hurt." He stared at her for a moment, then said, "Or compromised." Or canceled, she added silently though she wasn't about to open that bucket of worms. Cancellation for the sake of convenience was probably way beyond Peter Caine's ability to accept or understand. "Do you think he will appreciate your concern?" she challenged. Peter jerked his head in a negative shake. "Doesn't matter. Sometimes concern is something you just inflict on someone else." He grinned, a remarkable shift of expression that sent glints of green and gold at her from hazel eyes. Nikita found herself involuntarily smiling back at him. He was charming, and she found herself enjoying it, another luxury she wasn't allowed. If she hadn’t been brought into Section, and then in a relationship with Michael, she might’ve lusted after this man. He was everything that she once believed she wanted, what she once was. She gave herself a mental shake and hardened her voice, trying for severe, knowing he was most likely going to ignore the tone anyway. "Let's just put it this way, Peter, there are some very bad, very sick people out there who need to be stopped before more innocents die. That's our job. We're very good at it. And we don't need local backup." He shot to his feet, spinning the wooden chair around to face her in the same, fluid movement. "Tough," he said, propping his hands on the back of the chair, pinning her with his gaze. "'Cause you told me to stay out of it. Kermit told me to stay out of it. I’m amazed that your buddies, Michael and Birkoff didn’t tell me the same thing. Now what the hell do you expect me to do?" "Stay out of it." It wasn't a suggestion. As she expected, he rode right over it. "Like I said, Kermit is a friend of mine. If I was in trouble and told him to back off, he'd laugh in my face. Besides, I don't trust you, and I especially don't trust Michael." He considered his own statement, then added, "How can you work with that guy anyway? He is way too weird." Nikita shook her head, exasperated. He was like a child who had to do things simply because he was told no, 'just because'. Even as a child, that was one privilege of normalcy that she had never been allowed and she was a little shocked to realize that she still resented that, resented him because his childhood had obviously been much more 'normal' than hers. Then she recalled the dossier that Michael had procured on Peter Matthew Caine and stuffed her resentment back into a corner of her mind. His youth had been different than hers, but it had been hard too. Different, but similar, with loss and pain that she could relate to in spite of her desire to distance herself from him, his feelings. She wanted to like him, to care about him, and that was a red flagged extravagance that she couldn't afford to entertain. He was expendable. He was, in fact, a liability. She shouldn't even provide him with an answer, but he was still watching her with those remarkable eyes and she found herself saying, "I work with Michael for many reasons. I trust him with my life. I know he'll keep me safe; he's done it many times before. That, and I. . .,” Nikita began. How could she describe her relationship with Michael to someone whom she had felt she betrayed. Should she tell him her true feelings for Michael, or should she just give him a simpler explanation. “We’re ordered to work together. That’s all you need to know." Nikita knew that she loved Michael, and hoped that it wasn’t too obvious in her gaze. She felt protective of him, whether or not he needed or deserved it. The door squealed open on rusty hinges before Peter could come up with a response. Peter spun toward the sound, his face registering relief, anger, pleasure, resentment all emotions that warred for possession of his face as Kermit Griffin stepped inside the dimly lit room. Just as quickly, his expression blanked out as Michael followed the other man in, an awkward burden slung in a modified fireman's carry over his shoulders. It was too much to ask that Peter Caine would keep his mouth shut. "What the hell are you doing?" he demanded, one hand fisted on the back of the chair, the other dancing an aimless gesture in the air. Kermit stalked over to Peter, tearing the chair from the kid’s grasp. Looking Peter dead in the eyes, Kermit removed his sunglasses. “Go home, Caine. This isn’t your concern.” Kermit continued to glare at Peter, with a fury that Peter had never seen shinning brightly behind the older man’s eyes. “I told you to stay out of it.” Peter noticed that Michael had carried the unconscious man into another room, tying him up in a chair. Peter then turned his attention back to the man before him. “What are you going to do with that guy?” “None of your business, Caine. Go home,” Kermit continued with venom. Kermit had to get Peter out of there. The kid had already gotten too close, it was time to pull the plug on him. Peter looked deep into Kermit’s eyes, and shook his head. “I don’t know who the hell you are anymore, Kermit.” Peter then turned away from his ‘friend’, and walked into the back room to see just what was going on. Michael turned on the overhead lamp, forcing light in the dark confines of the room. On his way into the other room, Kermit had turned off the lights in the main room, then brought in a large case that Nikita had brought with her. Opening the case, Kermit pulled out a small vial of smelling salts, and placed it under the man’s nose. The man woke up with violence trying to free himself, as Kermit moved off to the side of the room, standing next to Peter. Kermit was determined to keep the kid in line, and prevent him from doing anything that they would all regret. Kermit knew that it was already too late. Peter had learned too much as it was, now it was up to Kermit to try and protect him from a life that he was inevitably going to have to live. He only hoped that Paul understood. Peter meanwhile, was wondering just what Kermit had gotten himself into. Both wanting to protect the other, but only one knowing what the consequences of the other’s actions would cost him. Once the hostage came fully awake, he blinked against he bright light that obstructed his view. “Q'est-ce que se passe? Qui etes vous?” Michael moved in front of the prisoner, and calmly placed his hands in front of him. “Je demanderai les questions. Qu'est-ce que votre nom?” The man just continued to stare at Michael with both fear and hatred in his eyes. “Ou est l'emplacement de l'Element Rouge?” Yet the man did not answer. The man looked up at Michael and shook his head. “Tellement, vous êtes le fameux Michel. Section One's petit pantin. Et puis, j'ai croyez que vous etes different. Et qui est cette femme?” The man then turned to look at the blond in the corner of the room. “Une autre personnage celebre--Nikita. Je ne jamais dit quelque chose a vous.” Michael could tell that the man was trying to get under their skin. He reached down to look through the case of tools that Kermit had brought into the room. It was time to take things to the next level. Before Michael could pick an item, the man glanced at the back of Michael’s head and sighed. “Michel Samuelle, born 1965 in Marseilles,” the man began in broken English. “You were recruited into Section One Ten years ago. I know a great many people who idolize you. You used to fight for a cause, you used to care. You have given your all to Section One, and what do you have to show for it? Your wife is dead, you cannot see your son anymore. You are but a shell of the man you used to be. What happened to that man?” Michael reached into the case, pulling out a hypodermic needle filled with a light blue liquid. “Where is Fanning,” he asked not paying any attention to the mind games that the other man was trying to play. The man’s only response was to spit into Michael’s face when he got closer. Kermit laughed lightly, then went over to Michael’s side. He reached over and grabbed a hold of the needle, then bent down to look into the man’s eyes. “Eric,” Kermit began. “I know you are a smart man, or else you would’ve never been able to have known that Jason was one of ours.” Eric looked at Kermit and smiled. “So we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Frankly, I don’t give a damn which way you choose.” Kermit looked at the needle, gently tapping the end of it, removing any air bubbles that were there. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, so let me know if I get it right.” Sliding the needle into the man’s arm, Kermit gave Eric an evil glare. “This is the easy way. Kinda makes me wish, hope that you don’t want to corporate. You see, Jason was a friend of mine. You know what they say, do onto others as you want done onto you.” Kermit then pulled out his gun, and fired once. Eric’s knee exploded as the bullet ripped through his body. “Damn that felt good.” Peter stood frozen, as Eric’s screams became deafening. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Kermit was ruthless, not at all like the man that Peter called his friend. He had shot that man for no other reason than it ‘felt good’. Peter ran over to Kermit and pushed him away from the man in the chair. “Don’t worry, I won’t let them near you. I’ll help you.” Michael came up behind Peter and forcibly removed him from his spot. “Get the hell away from me,” he yelled. Peter looked around the room, and saw that Nikita had just turned her eyes down to look at the ground. Before Peter knew what happened, he felt his back slam against the far wall in the main room with such force it knocked the breath out of him. All he could see before him, was Kermit’s dead, angry eyes. “What do you think you’re doing,” Kermit asked through clenched teeth. “What am I doing? What about you, Kermit? You’re going to kill him if you keep that up. That’s not the way to question someone.” Peter’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “If you want answers, take him to the precinct and do it right,” Peter practically begged Kermit. This definitely not the same Kermit that he had known for the past couple of years. The man in front of him was a complete stranger. “You’re a cop, dammit.” Kermit held Peter by the lapels, holding him firmly against the wall. “Listen here, Caine. This is not police business. What we are doing does not concern you. Go home!” “NO!” Peter was trying to match Kermit ‘blow for blow.’ He would stand his ground, he would never believe that THIS was for the good of all. This. . .This was inhumane. “If I leave now, I return with a whole lot of back-up and bring all of you in for attempted murder. How does that sound to you, Kermit?” Nikita had entered the room with Peter and Kermit, leaving Michael to the interrogation. She walked up to Kermit and placed a hand on his shoulder then looked at Peter. “Look, Peter, as much as you may not like it, this is how we do things. I told you that the people was are dealing with are evil, worse than anything that you’ve ever had to deal with. And as much as I would like to agree with you, I know that sometimes you have to do some pretty nasty stuff to get what is best all around. Some people have to die so that millions can live. Do you understand that,” she asked him quietly. Peter looked at Nikita, his breathing shallow. He felt as if the entire world was crashing in around him, and he didn’t know what to do. “The end justifies the means? Is that it? You people are sick. Who the hell are you? And you Kermit,” he turned to his friend. “Where to you fit into all of this? This isn’t legal, nor is it right.” Michael walked into the room, then and shut the door behind him. Peter looked at him. He didn’t know what was better, Kermit’s angered face, Nikita’s worried one, or Michael’s blank face. “How is he? Is he still alive, or did you kill him?” Michael didn’t answer him, just opened up his cell phone, and dialed a number. “Housekeeping, one for pick-up,” was all that was said. Michael then looked up at Peter and then walked up to him. “He’s been canceled.” Michael then glanced over at both Nikita and Kermit, then back at the young cop before him. “As long as you keep quiet, you’re safe. Do not tell anyone of what you saw, forget everything.” Michael then turned, and began to gather all their items for transport. Peter however felt as if the walls had just engulfed him. *Canceled, that means that he’s what,* he thought to himself. Then it hit him. “You bastard! You killed an innocent man, didn’t you. Who the hell are you?” Suddenly he began to feel violently ill, as something snapped within himself. He felt that maybe he would be next and he knew that he had to get out of there, as soon as possible. He knew that he couldn’t trust Kermit anymore, for he didn’t even know who he was. So he did the only thing that he knew how to do, he lashed out. Peter slammed the palm of his hand right into Kermit’s chin, knocking him away, than ran for the door. Once he reached outside the building, he quickly made his way as far away as he could. He didn’t get far, when he found himself face first on the hard cement ground. Peter tried to roll the man off of him, but the grip was too strong. *It can’t be Kermit or Nikita, cause I am positive I could take either one of them,* he thought. He got his answer as to whom had him, when he heard a voice next to his ear. “It’s for the best, Kid.” *My god, it was Kermit. I’ll never underestimate him again,* Peter thought. Peter felt his arm being raised up into a very painful direction, and his shoulder begin to pop out of it’s socket. He had to get away from this. Quickly he raised his head, slamming the back of it into Kermit’s chin twice. On the third hit, Kermit finally let go of his arm. Peter got to his feet and began to run again, but was met with a gun pointed directly at his face. He saw the beautiful blue eyes of Nikita’s piercing into his own hazel ones. As she held the gun toward him, Peter could only think about how this could be the same woman whom he had shared dinner with just days before. “Let me go, Nikita.” “Sorry can’t do that,” was all he heard as he felt something hit him in the leg. As the darkness began to overtake him, he wondered what they were going to do with him. “Don’t worry it’s just a tranquilizer. You’ll be alright in a couple of hours. I’m sorry,” he heard as he fell to the ground unconscious. End of Part Two