As Michael starts climbing the fire escape he hears the voices of Ops and George raised in anger.

George: Damn it Paul! How could you let Michael get away?!

Ops: How was I supposed to stop him from learning anything. I told you that we should have just canceled him a long time ago. And to bring Karen into Section to get Nikita and Michael. That was just plain stupid to begin with!

George not taking the criticism well from Ops, hit him with the butt of his gun knocking him out. Damn, things were not looking well at all. If they didn't succeed in killing both Michael and Nikita, they were going to go right down the proverbial drain. The whole program was going to be exposed before this was all over with.

Michael gained access into Nikita's apartment without George realizing that he was right behind him. He quietly made his way up to Nikita's room where he found both Nikita and Walter trussed up like Thanksgiving turkeys.

Walter saw Michael and his eyes gleamed in appreciation of Michael’s abilities. As Michael leaned down to Walter, Walter told him that they had knocked Nikita out with some new drug.

Michael stroking the hair away from Nikita's face: Has she been out long?

Walter: No, but it must be pretty strong, I kicked her to try to get her to wake up and she didn't even move, let alone moan. She has me worried Michael.

Michael: I know. But this will be over in a little while.

Just then Madeline comes on the comm set: Michael, do you have them?

Michael: Oui, I do.

Madeline: What about George and Ops?

Michael: Ops is down, Oversight hit him hard with the butt of his gun. He's bleeding but otherwise ok. What should I do with Walter and Nikita?

Madeline: Bring them home.

Michael: All right, have MedLab waiting for us. Nikita was given a drug that has knocked her out. Walter has never seen anything like it before.

Madeline: Will do. Now come home.

With that, Michael hoists Nikita up over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold then helps Walter get out to the fire escape. As they are descending down the building they hear George yell out in Anger and frustration before he starts firing shots down at them.

At the bottom as the are running for the van, Michael is hit by one of the bullets, he staggers but never falls as he helps Walter and a unconscious Nikita into the van.

Michael: Go!

He says before he passes out from the pain.

Madeline paces in front of the van access. She has been pacing there for hours. Three hours ago, Birkoff stumbled in with Michael shot in the upper thigh and Walter carrying the unconscious Nikita. Two hours ago, a team of operatives stopped George from entering Section One and took him into the white room. Now Madeline had a team bringing Operations in, who with the gun butt to the head has been put back to the old Operations.

"Status?" Operations asks as he walks down the hall with a bag of ice on his forehead. Madeline looks at him and just starts to walk to MedLab.

"You need to get that checked." Madeline says as she opens the doors and Operations continues the walk.

"Madeline... I have only gotten half of what happened. Bring me up to speed." Operations says and Madeline half smiles.

"I can't until I check in to MedLab.” Madeline says.

*

Michael opens his eyes and stares up at the white walls.

"Nikita..." Michael says as he starts to sit up. Madeline pushes him back down.

"Michael, you were shot in the upper leg..." Madeline says and Michael death grips Madeline's wrist.

"NIKITA.” Michael says out in a grunt with intense eyes.

"We haven't been able to classify the drug yet. But, Operations is back, and with some hypnotherapy I should be able to find that out." Madeline says and Michael lets go of her wrist.

"So until then.. Nikita is in this dangerous sleep...." Michael says and Madeline nods her head.

She walks out of the room to collect Operations.

*

"Michael.. You are to be in bed.” Walter says as he sees the white clothed Michael pushing is IV pole with him into Nikita's room.

"I had to see her.” Michael says as he moves towards her bed. She looks so peaceful and yet so tortured.

"Michael... if Madeline finds you in here..." Walter says and Michael turns to Walter and Walter steps back. The look was there. There weren't tears in his eyes but Walter knew it.

"God, Michael.. You love her.” Walter says and Michael turns away.

"Tell her Michael... end her tortured soul and yours....” Walter says as he moves out of the room.

Left alone in Nikita's room, he looks down at her beautiful face. The look on his face and in his eyes shows how he feels but he is still afraid to say it.

Michael: Nikita, wake up, please wake up!

Nikita doesn't move or make a sound. This worries Michael.

Michael: Nikita, you know that I can't live without you. Please wake up!

Still nothing from her.

Michael: Nikita, you know that my past has led me to this. You know that I have been hurt many times and don't allow myself the luxury of falling in love again. Somehow, with out my allowing it, you've managed to make me fall in love with you. Do you hear me Nikita? I love you damn it. Now wake up!!!

Nikita still doesn't move or make a sound. Michael leans down and places a soft kiss on her vulnerable lips.

**Meanwhile down at MedLab; Operations room**

Madeline is walking around Operations body in it's current hypnotic state.

Madeline: What is your name?

Operations: Paul.

Madeline: What were you doing with George?

Operations: Implementing his plan.

Madeline: What plan?

Operations: To permanently dispose of Michael and Nikita.

Madeline: Were you participating of your own free will?

Operations: Yes.

Madeline: So you were not brainwashed like Jasmin, Karen, and Allison?

Operations: No.

Madeline: So what was that mark on your neck?

Operations: It was a disguise.

Madeline: Why?

Operations: Because we couldn't afford to be caught.

Madeline: Who all was involved in doing this?

Operations: George, myself, Karen, Jasmin, and Allyson. Madeline: No one else?

Operations: No.

Madeline: What was the drug that was given to Nikita?

Operations: I don't know the name of it.

Madeline: Why not? Operations: George would not tell me.

Madeline: How do we counteract its effects?

Operations: I do not know that either.

Madeline: I see.

Madeline turns to Frick and Frack standing off in a corner.

Madeline: Snap him out of this and do what you have to do find out what I need to know.

Frick: Yes ma'am.

Frack: We're on it.

Madeline walks out of the room towards the White Room where George is currently being detained.

As the door to the White Room squeaks open, George raises his head, and meets Madeline’s gaze. He is restrained in the metal chair, but still keeps his air of dignity and authority about him nonetheless.

Madeline, closing the door with a loud , proceeds to circle George, mentally plotting her method of attack. Once she has completely circled him, she comes to a stop in front of him, and looking him directly in the eye, proceeds to ask her questions.

Madeline: I have just come from "questioning" Operations, and he has told us about what you and he had intended to do. He admits to being a partner in it, and he has named you as the driving force behind the plot. Now, I realize that we cannot cancel you, and you realize that as well, so that will not be of use as leverage in obtaining intel from you. However, having seen what can be used in its place, in the way of interrogation, I am sure that you will agree that we do have ways of making you give us the answers we need.

George, looking at Madeline, simply nods his head in agreement, and smiles.

Madeline: Good, then we have an understanding. That should make this much easier for the both of us. Now, lets get this over with, and get you back to oversight.

As Madeline comes down the hallway, she runs into Walter.

Madeline: Walter, I am finished with George and Operations, and need for you to see to it that someone is notified to come and pick George up.

Walter: And Operations?

Madeline smiles

Madeline: That will be up to oversight. Ironic, isn't it?

Walter: How do you mean?

Madeline: Just that the person whom Operations was plotting with, will be one of those who will decide on his living or dying.

Walter just smiles, slyly

Walter: Ironic...no... Just poetic justice.

Madeline smiles in turn, then steps past Walter, and heads for MedLab.

As Madeline walks into MedLab, she finds Michael standing beside Nikita’s bed, looking down at her. As Madeline walks up to the bed, Michael turns and looks at her.

Madeline: She should be waking up soon. The chemical they used to sedate her was very rare, but George gave us the antidote. There should be no long-term effects, however there is a strange affect that the drug has on the victim when used. It seems that the victim hears and experiences everything that happens around them, while sedated. It will be interesting to see what Nikita remembers from her abduction when she awakes.

Michael looks back down at Nikita, and brushing a wisp of hair from her face, turns to Madeline.

Michael: Did George give you any indication to whether or not the strange occurrences that were happening in Nikita’s apartment were linked in any way to their plot?

Madeline: Yes. It seems that when you and Nikita were away on your last extended mission, somehow George’s agents got into Nikita’s apartment and rigged it for the occurrences.

Michael: But why? What did that achieve?

Madeline: It seems that it was Operations and George opinions that if Nikita could be made to question her sanity, that you would in turn feel compelled to help her get to the bottom of the occurrences. With the two of you occupied, it was assumed that the rest of the plot would go smoothly, and that there would be little or no resistance. But, they hadn't planned on you and Nikita seeing through Jasmin and Allyson.

Michael: So, what happens to George and Operations.

Madeline: That will be a job for oversight.

Madeline takes one last look at Nikita, then turns on her heel and leaves MedLab.

As Madeline leaves MedLab, Nikita starts to move, and come out of the sedation. When she opens her eyes, she sees Michael standing over her, dressed all in white, with an IV is his arm.

Nikita: Michael? Where am I?

Michael: Your safe back in Section. You’re in MedLab. The sedative they gave you had some dangerous affects on you, and they didn't know if you would come out of it or not.

Nikita stretches and smiles, then, seeing the worry etched on Michael’s face pauses.

Nikita: Well, I feel okay...at least I think I do. I am kinda tired, and sore, but okay.

Michael: Good. You had us worried for a while there.

Nikita looks at Michael, and smiles.

Nikita: Don't you mean I had YOU worried?

Michael, breaking eye contact with Nikita, looks down at the sheet on the bed.

Michael: What do you mean?

Nikita: Well...its just that I have a vague recollection of you telling me some things, and that one of them was that you were in love with me, and you ordering me to wake up. Or, are you going to tell me I dreamed it. Michael looks back at Nikita, and holds her gaze, unflinchingly.

Michael: No, you didn't dream it. I said those things...and I meant every word.

Nikita sits up, and placing her arms around Michael holds him tightly against her.

After a few moments, they separate, and Nikita brushes a kiss lightly across Michael’s lips.

Nikita: Just for the record...I love you too.

Michael: I know you do Nikita...I know you do.