Madeline turns to Nikita and smiles.

Madeline: Nikita, when you go in to talk to Michael, please keep in mind that he, and I are only wanting the best for you.

Nikita: Only the best for me? What do you mean?

Madeline just smiles at Nikita. As they arrive in front of Michael’s office door, Nikita turns to Madeline.

Nikita: Madeline.... What’s going on?

Madeline: Just talk to Michael.... and Nikita...

Nikita: Yes...

Madeline: Remember...in your best interest.

With that, Madeline turns to walk away. Nikita turns back to the door, and softly raps her knuckles against the wood.

Michael: Come in...

Nikita walks into the room, and Michael motions for her to set at the chair in front of his desk.

Nikita: Madeline told me to come and talk to you...but I am not sure what I am expected to say.

Michael gets up from his chair, and walks around the desk. He stands in front Nikita, and looks down at her.

Michael: What makes you think you are expected to say anything specific?

Nikita: Well...it’s just...Madeline mentioned something that happened earlier...and I just assumed...

Michael sits down on the edge of the desk.

Michael: Is this pertaining to the woman who told you I was in danger?

Nikita looks at Michael with a look of surprise...thinking to herself.... Can this man actually read minds?

Nikita: I guess so...it did kind of catch me off guard.

Michael: Off guard...in what way?

Nikita: For one...how did the woman know that I had just spoken to someone...and how did she know it was a male?

Michael pauses for a moment, and then resumes his speech.

Michael: As you have undoubtedly learned in the past.... Section has many enemies. Although we go to great lengths to make sure the identities of our operatives are keep classified, there are times when intel is either leaked or stolen. Many times, we can intercept the intel before any damage is done. But, in this case, we were unable to.

Nikita: What are you saying? That my files.... Our files...have been leaked or stolen and given to someone?

Michael stands up, and walks back around the desk. As he sits down, he looks at Nikita, with his famous blank stare and says...

Michael: Yes that is what I am saying. And until we find out who has the intel on us...you.... nor I...are safe.

Nikita says nothing at first, just sits across the desk from him, staring at him. Finally, she breaks off the stare, and looks at her hands folded in her lap.

Michael thinks she looks a bit vulnerable, her chin quivering as she strives to remain in control.

M: Nikita...

Nikita looks up; she has a lost look on her face. Michael looks as if he's about to say something to her, the blank stare melting ever so slightly, the ice retreating from his eyes. He opens his mouth to speak, when

Birkoff: Michael, Ops can't hold off the briefing any longer. He wants you both now...

Michael stands up, and walks around the desk. He starts toward the door, then pauses, and turns back. Nikita is still sitting in the chair. Michael stands in front of her, holding his hand out to her. She looks at his hand, then shifts her gaze up to his face. There is a slight smile around the corners of his mouth. Nikita takes his hand, stands up, and together they walk to the briefing.

Ops, Madeline, and 3 other operatives are already seated at the table, along with Birkoff and Walter. Ops looks from Michael and Nikita hand in hand, to Madeline. Almost imperceptibly, she shrugs. Michael and Nikita sit at the table.

Nikita doesn't shake her look. She can't. It is stuck on her face. She can't even let go of Michael's hand as they sit down.

"The mission will be leaving in ten minutes... you all will be traveling to Moscow. There is a planned....” Operations starts and Madeline stands up.

"Cancel the mission.” Madeline says as she continues to stare at Nikita. Nikita didn't even look at Madeline, nor Operations, Michael, or Birkoff.

"Madeline, I can not do so!” Operations says loudly and Madeline holds her chin tightly up.

"The other profile is stronger. We might show those operatives, but we are certain to get a success." Madeline says to Operations although she is staring at Nikita from the corner of her eye. Nikita's blue eyes, that usually show every reaction, show blank. Madeline curses Operations for calling the briefing so soon. He always messed things up.

"Michael co-ordinate your team..." Operations says and Madeline shakes her head.

"Would you like to run this briefing, Madeline?” Operations asks annoyed. Madeline glances at him and tilts her head.

"Michael is not our only level five operative.” Madeline says. Operations looks at Madeline and stops his thoughts. Madeline wanted this stopped. He brushed his hands and exited the briefing room, everyone following.

Nikita still had not moved her head nor let go of Michael's hand...

Madeline had never seen Nikita like this, and honestly it worried her. Being the head psychological profiler for the Section, she had learned to read people, and in Nikita she was reading a lot. She also knew, that if Operations pushed Nikita too far...there could be irreparable damage, and Nikita was too good an operative to lose.

Madeline, after Operations leaves, turns to Michael.

Madeline: The mission profile will be changed so that the second team can take care of it. I will handle it with Operations. You take Nikita home, and make sure that she is okay.

Michael: Okay

Madeline: And Michael...stay with her as long as it takes.

Michael looks from Madeline, to Nikita, and gets up out of his chair.

Nikita is still dazed, and doesn't seem to register that Michael was preparing to leave.

Michael: Nikita, we are leaving now.

Nikita: Okay...but what about the mission?

Madeline: The parameters have been changed. You go home and rest. If we need you, we will call you in.

As Nikita starts to walk away, Madeline stops Michael. She talks to him in a hushed tone.

Madeline: I don't like the look of this Michael. If she doesn't snap out of it soon, the choice will be out of my hands.

Michael: I understand.

With that, Michael turns and joins Nikita. Together, with his arm protectively around her shoulders, they leave Section, heading to her apartment.

Once they get to Nikita’s apartment, Michael’s takes the key from Nikita and opens the door. He gently guides her inside, and closes the door behind them.

Taking off Nikita’s coat, and then his own, he throws them onto the couch. He then begins to direct Nikita up the stairs to her bedroom, when she stops him.

Nikita: I don't feel like lying down Michael.

Michael: What do you feel like?

Nikita looks around her apartment.

Nikita: How about a cup of coffee?

Michael: Okay

Nikita starts to walk to her kitchen nook.

Michael: You sit down on the couch...I will fix us the coffee.

Nikita smiles a weak smile, and goes over to the couch. As she sits down, Michael starts taking the coffee and two cups out of the cabinet.

Nikita: Would you like to hear some music?

Michael: That would be fine. Nikita walks over to her stereo. She takes a CD from her tower, and puts it into the CD player.

As the music begins, Nikita walks over to Michael, and lightly touches him on the shoulder. Michael stops what he is doing and turns to look at her.

Nikita: Michael...what is going to happen to us?

Michael stares at Nikita with a look she had never seen before...one of unsureness.

Michael: I don't know Nikita...I don't know....

Nikita walks back to the kitchen and takes two glasses out of the cabinet and sets them on the counter. Michael looks up as he sees the glasses sitting in front of the cups for the coffee.

"Nikita, I thought we were going to have coffee?” Michael asks as she opens her refrigerator and pulls out a jug of milk.

"Coffee?” Nikita asks as she pours the milk into the glasses. She puts the milk back and walks to the living area and hands it to Michael. She looks to her CD player and looks at Michael.

"When did you put the music on?” Nikita asks and Michael stares at Nikita. Nikita moves towards the CD player but makes the detour to her balcony.

"Nikita... Nikita..." Michael says as she stares out the doors, but not going out there. The milk slips out of her hand and splatters against her clothing.

Nikita's body doesn't even jump back.

Michael moves to her body and touches her shoulder. Nikita jumps and looks at Michael blankly.

"Michael, when did you get here?” Nikita asks as her lip starts to tremble. The tears run down her face and she stares at Michael.

"Michael... why am I crying?” Nikita asks and Michael rubs at the tears and pulls her into his arms. He couldn't answer her questions. As long as he was able to give Nikita the possibilities she was fine... but he had no clue what would happen to them.

"I'm tired, Michael... you should go home.” Nikita says as she rolls out of his arms and walks towards the stairs and stops.

"No... You can't go... You're in danger.” Nikita says as if suddenly possessed. Nikita turns and stares at Michael with a plead for help as her body slumps to mold with the stairs.