Nikita rolled over and glared at her clock. 6:30am. She reached over and turned the music on.

Nikita changed into her running clothes. Sports bra, unobtrusive shoulder holster, running shorts, with a hooded sweatshirt with a zipper to cover everything. With her long blonde hair in a ponytail, she looked like any other young woman getting her daily workout. She started running, concentrating only on the sights and sounds around her. The wind ruffling her hair, her feet pounding against the pavement, the sweat trickling down between her shoulder blades. After about twenty minutes she stopped at a coffee shop to get a quick cup of coffee to warm her up before she stared back. She turned to leave when she felt the weight of eyes on her back. As she turned her hand slipped close to her gun.

“Michael, what are you doing here?” Nikita asked. His hair was wet, and he looked slightly puzzled.

“I was about to ask you the same thing, Nikita. Isn’t this a little far to come for a cup of coffee? I thought there was a place near your apartment.”

Michael was about to go to her apartment to look for her but had decided to stop for a cup of coffee before facing Nikita this morning. He had come to a few decisions about this mission and wanted to talk to Nikita before he went to Operations with the idea.

“I couldn’t sleep so I figured I’d go for a run. I got cold, so I stopped for a cup of coffee.” Nikita looked at Michael closely. “What’s up Michael? You look rather... odd.”

“I was just thinking that you just saved me a trip. I was on my way up to see you. We need to talk before we get to work. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

They stepped outside and there at the curb was a 1991 Jaguar XJ6 4-dr. Black, of course. Nikita whistles as she sees the car. I wonder what kind of favor he did for Operations to get that baby?

“Nice car. What’d you get it for?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Oh. What kind of upgrades did Walter put into this thing?”

“Just a standard tracker and bulletproof glass. If any changes had to be made, I wanted to make them myself.” He glanced over at her to make sure she was ready to leave. “Don’t look at me like that. Yes, I do know how to work on a car. It’s one of my few vices.”

“I didn’t say a word. As long as I don’t have to push it, you could put this thing together with bubble gum and paper clips and I wouldn’t care.” Nikita chuckled into her hand. Every new thing she learned about Michael surprised her. “When did you begin learning about cars?” She wanted to see how much information she could squeeze out of him.

“I began working on cars when Section taught me to hot wire them. I was forever asking how this part worked and why this hose was connected there. I made such a nuisance of myself that Walter finally taught me everything he knew about cars. It comes in handy as a hobby.”

“I wondered if you had picked it up before you came to Section.”

“There is no time ‘before Section’ for me and there shouldn’t be for you either, Nikita.” Michael said with his tone ice cold. They stopped at a light and Michael looked over at Nikita. He could see her thinking and looking a little bit hurt. “I’m sorry for being short with you. I don’t think about my life before Section recruited me.”

They drove in silence for about five minutes more then in one smooth motion Michael pulled the Jag into a space on the side of Nikita’s building. They walked up the stairs to her apartment in silence. She opened the door and let him into the apartment. As she walked into her bedroom she began stripping off her jacket.

“Make yourself at home while I take a shower. We’ll talk once I’m dressed, okay?” Nikita called from the bathroom. Michael heard the shower begin and walked over to the window. As he gazed out the window, he could picture exactly how she looked. Pale hair wet and plastered to her head. Alabaster skin with water beading and sheeting down in little rivulets. Down her shoulders, between her breasts, one bead traveling along the outside of one thigh, working its way toward the inside edge of her knee. Her feet, with long sexy toes, standing in the collecting water. Snap out of it, dammit. Take it easy. Get yourself under control. If she came out now and saw me she would run screaming. That’s it long slow breasts, no,no,NO. Breaths, I meant to think breaths.

“Shit.”

“What’s the matter, Michael? Did you see something you didn’t like?”

“No, I’m fine. Enjoy your shower?”

“Yes, thank you. It was just what I needed. Well, we have a couple of hours before our briefing. What did you want to see me about?” Nikita asked with an innocent look on her face. During her shower all she could think about was the fact that Michael was sitting out in her living room. All I have to do is go out there with just my towel on. Or even better tell him ‘I forgot my towel, could you hand me one? Please?’ and then jump him when he got to the bathroom. So what he’d ruin his clothes; we would both enjoy the-

“Excuse me, I think I missed that. Did you just say what I think you just said. That we should spend the night together, tonight? What about Section and all their rules?” Nikita was astounded. Not at the fact that he had thought about spending the night with her, she knew that he was attracted to her but he always fought that attraction.

“Nikita, we have to act as husband and wife. Completely. We can’t have any hesitations or blunders. Every other time that we have had to touch or kiss each other, we... we weren’t as established a couple as we are going to have to be now. The little hesitations were signs of newness. We cannot afford them on this mission. After the briefing we’ll go get some dinner, go some place quiet, and spend some time together. Tomorrow we go into Section ready to work.” Michael thought that sounded good. Like it was just a normal mentor/student exercise. None of his needs came through his voice. Professional and to the point.

Nikita looked at him. And noticed that things were not as they seemed. He started his little speech from the shadows, but as he went on he moved a little closer to her. She noticed his eyes. Those beautiful green/gray eyes had dilated pupils. And his artistic hands were trembling, as if he was holding himself under strict control.

“And what exactly would we be doing? After dinner and before we go in to Section, I mean.” Nikita asked with an impish gleam in her eye. “ Would we be talking or would we,” she paused and looked up at him through her fringe of lashes and bangs, “touch.”

Michael held his face impassive as a rush blood left his brain, destined for other areas. He felt his hands opening and closing as if aching to thrust themselves into her hair. He controlled them with an effort that was not lost on Nikita. “We... What would you do if I said ‘Yes, I mean touching’. Would you say agree? Would you tell me to go to hell? Would you say that you’ll think about it? Well, ‘Kita, what-would-you-do?” Michael watched for any reaction from her. He tried to decipher what was going on inside her beautiful head. Seconds ticked by. All the while Nikita looked into Michael’s eyes and tried to figure out what answer he wanted to hear. Finally she answered him with the truth, no matter how painful that was to actually admit to.

She closed her eyes for a second then opened them looked straight at him and said, “I’ll see you after the briefing. How should I dress? Casual or Dressy?”

“Wear a dress. Something... long.”

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